Mount Pinatubo Travel Advisory

MT. PINATUBO TRAVEL ADVISORY NO. 01-2013

The recent spate of untoward incidents that has occurred in and around the crater of Mt. Pinatubo demonstrates a dire need for the Department of Tourism – Region 3 Office to issue its own travel advisory relating to the safety and security of foreign and local tourists aiming to venture into a lahar-laden landscape.

This advisory hereby serves as a WARNING to all tourists who intend to mount an uphill climb to crater of Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales via the jump-off point in Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac that the serene yet crystal blue lake thereat is meant to be a glorious and majestic vista to behold only to be charmed by its natural beauty; never to be treated like a resort playground for swimming, kayaking or aqua cycling. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has determined that the Pinatubo crater lake water which contains hazardous substances such as arsenic (As), alluminum (Al), boron (BO), chloride (Cl), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), sulphate (SO4) and total solids (TDS) may affect the human health in various ways and may become fatal over an extended period of time. Tourists are forewarned never to stay close to the lakeshore as this poses a potential threat to one’s life due mainly to frequent occurrences of rock falls and landslides, especially during heavy downpour.

Further, any development in the area should be low impact, provide economic benefits, promote environmental protection, provide education to tourists, and encourage the full participation of the local communities as subscribed by Phivolcs in its most recent travel advisory.

After a physically stressful 2-hour trek, tourists are advised, instead, to lie down and rest awhile; if possible, say a little prayer before the deity of our indigenous brothers in the uplands called Apu Malyari.

For the guidance of all concerned.

Issued this 4th day of January 2013, Angeles City, Philippines.

Email cast by:

Department of Tourism - Region III (Central Luzon)
Paskuhan Village, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
Phone: (63 45) 961-2612 / 5617 / 625-8525
Email: celtour@yahoo.com
Recipient (Best Ecotourism Project - Mt. Pinatubo): PATA Gold Intl Award 2001, Kalakbay Natl Award 2001, ASEANTA Intl Award 2002
Log on: www.visitmyphilippines.com

International Assistance to ComVal continues...

 

by Grace Almedilla

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE----- Aside from the various local donors, foreign and international assistance keep coming in through the United Nations with agencies like World Food Program, United Nation’s Children’s Fund or UNICEF, World Health Organization, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations Population Fund, International Labor Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Organization for Migration, among others.

These agencies extended support ranging from food and non-food, and even to the technical procedures and coordination management of the distribution of assistance.

Correspondingly, to fast track the province’s recovery from the destruction caused by the Typhoon Pablo in December 2012, Governor Arturo T. Uy has strengthen the coordination system by organizing a Provincial Coordinating Team which is parallel to the clustering system of the United Nations in facilitating for humanitarian response and recovery.

The provincial team is composed of different clusters like Food & Non-Food, Health & Psychosocial, Agriculture, Emergency Telecom, Information Management, WASH, Education, Early Recovery, Infrastructure/ Shelter, Logistics, Camp Coordination & Management, Protection, Nutrition, and Livelihood.

Each cluster shall facilitate in the provision of the needed assistance of the affected families and the necessary technical measures for the immediate recovery of the province. 

The move is part of the Rebuilding Program launched by Governor Uy on December 19 which is anchored on the battlecry, “Tindog ComVal, Walang Iwanan.”  (grace almedilla, ids-comval)

Philippine Snail Mail

 

 "I will just write him a quick note!"  Yes, sure, why not? But guys, as I warned you already several years ago: Don't mail it! What I mean, don't mail it per post. Email it- fax it or use messengers or companies like LBC or Air 21, just too mention two!

I am really more than mad. Season holidays, like Christmas, seem to worsen the situation.

Since I got tired to wait the mail man in Davao (NCCC-Village), I started renting a post office box - meanwhile for 1,000 Pesos annually. So far so good. The service of the Philippine Postal Corperation and nowadays also in the Central Post Office in Davao City, where I got my POB is getting more and more down.

Just one example: Big brown envelope, a Christmas calendar: mailed in Germany November 2, 2012, received in the Davao Central Post Office December 7, 2012 (as posted on the envelope!). Note card in my box December 21, 2012 (wow!). Finally I received the calendar on January 2, 2013 - handed over to me from a very unfriendly lady (Window 19).

Several weeks ago I wanted to mail a registered letter to Germany. I got the stamps and was informed to paste them myself onto the envelope. Then I should wait at the window for registered mail. Nobody was there. After three or four minutes I knocked at the glass - and got the harsh information, if I wouldn't learn how to wait...!

I could easily fill up the whole blog with innumerably similar examples - sometimes it gets really ridiculous. With the advent of technology, the "mail-coach century" should be left already behind us. 

I am looking forward to the privatization of the Philippine Postal Corporation!

Miss Philippines 2012 Janine Tugonon

Miss Philippines 2012 Janine Tugonon did the whole country proud with her first runner-up finish during the Coronation Night of the recently concluded 61st Miss Universe Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada last December 2012. Her performances throughout the competition garnered admires from all over the globe; the interview portion, for one, where she was asked whether English should be prerequisite for Miss Universe 2012 and her top-notch answer being "For me, being Miss Universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language. It's all about being able t influence and inspire other people. If you have the heart to serve and a strong mind to show people then you can be Miss Universe!"

Prosit Neujahr 2013/Happy New Year 2013

3 Tourists (2 Germans) Rescued After 2 Days in Philippine Sea

Check it out:

3 Tourists Rescued After 2 Days in Philippine Sea - ABC News

Season Greetings...

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUING PATRONAGE! I HOPE AND WISH YOU WILL BE ENJOYING VISITING THIS SITE ALSO IN FUTURE! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

FROEHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN UND EIN GESEGNETES NEUES JAHR 2013. HERZLICHEN DANK FUER DIE LANGE TREUE. ICH WUENSCHE UND HOFFE, DASS SIE AUCH IN ZUKUNFT DIESE SEITE GERN BESUCHEN UND FREUDE AM LESEN HABEN WERDEN. GOTT SEGNE SIE ALLE!

Only the Vatican and the Philippines

After the RH-Bill, a new discussion starts again regarding the divorce-bill


In The Know: Only the Vatican and the Philippines

It's More Fun in Compostela Valley... Let's visit Governor Uy!

Photos - sent to me by press information office of Governor Uy:

Waiting For the Promise

The most awaited season of the year has finally come. Again. The most joyous month is here at last. At times it makes me wonder how life would be without the month of December. Something is indeed very special on this season that brings about changes not only in the atmosphere but also in our zest for living and life.

In this beloved country Philippines, the air becomes coller especially during mornings when fields and forests embrace and kiss the morning fog.

The first streak of light that pierces the darkness from the earth is the sign of life. The stillness of the dawn which has long awakened by the crowning of the rooster and singing of the birds add color and harmony to the fabric of God's creation. This is the beauty of life and the joy of mankind.

December is the "well of life" where you draw a renewed commitment. Christmas is a testimony that the whole creation and its people are worth living and dying for as did the Messiah. For many of us, December is a glow that blossoms across the Eastern horizon bringing the promise of a new day.

Yes Christmas is just around the corner...

I always become very thoughtful and melancholy during this very special season. I am sure, that's okay. For me, and for each one of you, my dear readers. During this time, I try to delete topics such as war, corruption, killing, natural disasters et cetera.

Let's consider it like this: Christmas should be the song that awakens our hardened hearts; to move us up to create a better world, a new earth and new people at least. Yes, I know, I am very much blue-eyed!

May this holy season bring us all the peace and joy that we are always waiting for. Merry Christmas to all of you!