German Embassy Consular Day 2016 in Davao City

Consular work together with German Embassy Attache Mr. David Baumgaertner during the last Consular Day with took place in the board room, Office of the President, University of Southeastern Philippines, Obrero Campus, Davao City.

Paperwork.

Lunch with Attache Mr. David Baumgaertner during the last Consular Day 2016 in Davao City.

The German Honorable Consulate Office in Davao City (for whole Mindanao) will be opened soon.

FHM Boracay Grind 2016 — The Biggest Beach Party of the Summer!

Slices of Boracay / Palawan Beaches in Quezon

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Inquirer Southern Luzon

By: Delfin T. Mallari Jr.

“BORAWAN” is among Quezon province’s emerging destinations DELFIN P. MALLARI III

Dreaming of strolling on the powdery, white sand beaches of Boracay or spending a day marveling at rock formations of Palawan?

In Padre Burgos town in Quezon province, some 160 kilometers from Metro Manila, this “dream vacation” can be had without busting one’s pockets.

Padre Burgos, a quiet coastal town in the Bondoc Peninsula, has been steadily attracting visitors to its serene beaches and modest accommodations minus the boisterous crowd.

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Beach lovers can explore three destinations along the Tayabas Bay—Borawan, Dampalitan and Puting Buhangin—in a single package tour.

Jose Nañola, boat dispatcher at the pier in Barangay Campo, says more than 20 boats ferry 10 to 20 tourists who want to enjoy beach-hopping for P1,800.

Most tourists prefer visiting the Puting Buhangin (white sand) first, which is an hour’s boat ride from the port, followed by a 30-minute travel to Dampalitan. The final stop is a 15-minute travel to Borawan before guests are ferried back to the port.

For those choosing a single destination, the boatmen charge a lower fare.

“Tourists can even stay overnight in one place and they would be fetched by the boatman the next day using the same rate,” Nañola said.

‘Borawan’

A trip to Borawan costs P800 while beach-hopping to Borawan and Dampalitan costs P1,200. A direct trip to Puting Buhangin, the farthest of the three destinations, costs P1,800.

Borawan, one of the popular destinations located in the village of Lipata, got its name from a combination of its white sand beach and rock formations likened to the features of Boracay Island and Palawan. Locals say its name was coined by three Catholic priests who came when it was still unheard of among tourists.

The place, being operated by the Metro Manila-based Borawan Island Resort, is a 15-minute boat ride from the port.

For P150, a guest can experience a day of strolling along the white sand beach and dip in its crystal clear seas. An overnight stay would cost a visitor P220.

Students and senior citizens are charged P115 and P180, respectively. Children aged 4 years old and below are free of charge.

The resort has 22 huts, rented out for P850 to P1,200 each. It is divided into three stations: an area for huts and cottages, the “tent city” where guests stay in tents, and an area where eight air-conditioned hotel rooms featuring a restaurant and bar.

At Station 2 is a small variety store selling soda, bottled water and other food items.

A tent can be rented for P500 for 24 hours. A guest who wants to pitch their own tent would have to pay P200 to P250 for the space.

“The place may look costly for ordinary beach bums. But having a slice of Boracay and Palawan in one place is a thrilling experience,” said Ronald Garcia, a resident of Metro Manila who visited the Borawan recently with his friends.

A generator set lights up bulbs at the resort at night. Campfires are prohibited.

Beach lovers have started to notice Borawan in 2010 after a television show featured its natural charm.

Puting Buhangin

The more adventurous can trek and explore the four caves in the village overlooking the Tayabas Bay. Local tour guides are available for a modest fee.

An ideal place to commune with nature is Puting Buhangin beach in Pagbilao town, where the rock formation called Kuwebang Lampas (roughly translated, “see-through cave”) is among its iconic features.

The cave, partially submerged in clear waters, has another entrance at the other side of the rocky cliff.

Most visitors stay inside the cave for photo shoots and snorkeling. A guest is charged P80 for a day trip and P160 for an overnight stay. The place is being operated by Pagbilao Development Corp.

Dampalitan

The beach, located in Barangay Ibabang Polo, can also be reached through an 18-km trip from the Maharlika Highway. Guests have to park their vehicles far from the beach and walk for 15 minutes to reach the area.

The resort offers free tent space for guests. A tent can also be rented for P400 for a day.

For P60, a visitor can experience Dampalitan’s fresh air and pristine waters.

Its shoreline features 20-year-old agojo trees that provide shade to visitors.

The family-owned resort in Dampalitan offers simple amenities to their guests—huts with bamboo beds (papag) at P1,000 for an overnight stay; mobile phone charging  at P30; and free use of toilets and shower rooms but guests have to pay P400 for a drum of water.

Tourists are also allowed to pitch their own tents in any part of the island. A picnic table can be rented for P300 a day.

Local fishermen offer their fresh catch to resort guests. The resort staff can cook these for visitor or they can grill them beside their picnic tables.

These beach resorts are secured by private guards assisted by local policemen, barangay watchmen and local radio communication groups to ensure the safety of visitors.

Never trust someone above 30?

TUE, JUNE 7, 2016 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

Above 30? Above 40? I really don’t know.

Born in 1953, I started my life at a period, when more babies have been entering the German population than never before. World War II, more or less, the end of the world (!) – as my late grandmother mostly describes that time – has ended eight years ago. It was not the end of everything. Really not! The world economic crises changed into another economical world wonder.

During the Sixties, we looked upon the youth culture of Woodstock as a symbol – of the power of music, the pursuit of self expression, the values of peace, love and community, and the rejection of “the establishment” – even in the midst of torrential rain and an aftermath of foot-deep mud.

I enjoyed our flower power peace generation with long hair. Yes, I confess, many times I was really very cynical about my parent’s values, and rejected anything that suggested tradition. Please explain: what is the meaning of tradition?

By the way, that’s one thing, which can be observed also in the Philippines since a couple of years. I observed such changes since my first visit in the Philippines in 1976.

The slogan “Never trust someone above 30” had to be abandoned since I crossed that divide myself. Now, hopefully at the second half of my present life “40” looks impossible young. And let’s be honest to ourselves: Are we not facing the same realities our parents did: Raising families, needs to pay for school et cetera, et cetera? We have held fiercely to freethinking and the untraditional ways our parents – shaped by the “Depression”, World War II and much more – never had the luxury to feel.

Those of us who have made good money hold fewer illusions that a big house and a Mercedes (or any other brand!) in the garage are likely to bring happiness. But guys, what seems most precious to us nowadays is not career or success, but time and the freedom to do the things we love to do that hold meaning. Earnings through a job we don’t like might be painful; but isn’t it much more painful to wait for nothing while being fed by a friend?

Failed marriages, difficult mid-life attempts, something that might pass away a family – yes, I think, we know the rarity of solid and long living relationships with a partner, with children or with a hard to find friend.

We may even dare to speak the language that 30 or 40 years ago would have seemed uncool. Describe it calling to God or spiritually, but it would probably be the quest for the sense of life,  the hope and faith, that one exists.

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Email me: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdorings classicalmusic.blogspot.com.

GMA - Television: Best Comedies and Comedy Experts

Known as the home of the best comedies and comedy experts, GMA Television Network offers a unique viewing treat with A1 Ko Sa'yo, the newest sexy comedy program that will make Thursday nights better and hotter since June 2, 2016.

Charmingly led by 2016 Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Jaclyn Jose as Digna Molina, this show emphasizes wit in its humor while showing the journey of a person who is in pursuit of excellence and at the same time treating life as a beauty pageant.

Completing the cast are Kapuso actress Solemnn Heusaff as Miley, Gardo Versoza as Rolly Molina, and many more,

Under the helm of Randy Santiago, catch the light, funny and sexy episodes every Thursday night after Juan Happy Love Story on GMA Telebabad.

No More Excuses and Stop Inconveniencing The People!

Office of the Senate Majority Leader

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 603 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

2 June 2016

Cayetano to Gov't agencies: No more excuses, stop inconveniencing the people, cut the red tape

"No more excuses. Cut the red tape bureaucracy. Stop buderning the public with poor public service. Provide the people with swift, courteous and efficient services."

This was the statement issued today by Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano to all government agencies.

Cayetano said that all government agencies must become "ambassadors" of the "real change" that the people are expecting from the incoming Duterte administration. "It's time to end the long lines in all frontline services, expedite the issuance of driver's licenses, licensed plates, passports and other public documents necessary for people to do their work and conduct business," he said.

"It's time to end the awful public service which the government is infamous for," Cayetano added.

The Senator said that he is also supportive of President-elect Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte's push for a "three-day-window" to process business permits and clearances. Cayetano said that the proposal is part of their campaign platform to eliminate corruption and the barriers for small businesses to prosper.

Duterte and Cayetano are also studying the possibility of crowd-sourcing the best ideas for red tape reduction similar to the what is being done by the European Commission, which holds a competition "aimed at identifying innovative suggestions for reducing unnecessary bureaucracy stemming from European law."

"We would like to involve the people and civil society as red tape deprives the people of quality public service and in forging positive dynamics between the government and its citizens. Worse, it breeds a deep culture of corruption and indolence that is hard to eliminate," Cayetano explained.

"We start the process of real change by starting with how the government relates with the people. We begin by providing the people the services they truly deserve from their public servants," Cayetano concluded. 

Do you again enjoy floods?

TUE, MAY 31, 2016 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINION
Klaus Doring

I asked this question already many times in the past. Also at this corner. While writing this piece, I have to admit, that the sun shines and the sky looks so beautiful and blue. Fact is: our climate changes. Nothing new. Many people around me squarely blamed the climate change and mentioned El Niño nowadays not only in Region 11 in the Philippines. I must confess: the weather really changed. Not only now.

Maybe you consider my headline a little bit sarcastic. Maybe this column may sound like a “curtain lecture”. It might sound as a “love’s labor lost”… “Much ado about nothing”! Really?

As Th. Campbell said in his “Lochiel’s Warning”, “Coming events cast their shadows before”. Of course: NO to floods! What a crazy question! But prevention is indeed better than cure. Let’s face it, if we don’t try to alter our lifestyle NOW, we may once again face to face with the disastrous effects of typhoons and heavy rains.  Much effort has already been undertaken regarding the issue by our local and national governments in segregating wastes properly. But many of us really don’t seem to learn. We are enthusiastic at the beginning, but we give up halfway. Why can I observe so many garbage at many corners? Why  indiscriminate dumping remains one of the causes of flash floods?

Most of our drainage systems are also still clogged by wastes of different kinds, rendering them useless. Guys, try to become “intelligent consumers”, meaning to say: we must be conscious of those products we consume and where they will go after we are done using them.

Natural disasters in-deed occur all the time. But they are getting more destructive. It seems we are no more having control over our beloved Mother Nature, which is suffering more and more – because of US!

I am still meeting people shedding tears over the “wrong  incoming president of the Philip-pines, Rodrigo Duterte”. Why? He is indeed opening up old sores and is bringing up old subjects. What’s wrong in agreeing with the EcoWaste Coalition expressing support to presumptive President Duterte’s plan to ban firecrackers and fireworks nationwide? It’s indeed saving lives and is protecting the environment and the public health from hazardous emissions and wastes.

Yes, it’s indeed high time that the Philippines, a climate hot spot, bid goodbye to New Year pollution and mayhem. I strongly agree that banning firecrackers and fireworks will indeed help in meeting the objectives of the Clean Air Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Clean Water Act, Climate Change Act, Animal Welfare Act and several other environmental and health laws somehow remained forgotten during the last years.

I am also glad to learn that the new president is planning to initiate major changes in the economic provisions of the Constitution, including those on foreign business owner-ship, to attract more investors. Personally, I do know that several foreign investors are still waiting for “the right moment” to settle down especially in Davao City and whole Mindanao – the many times forgotten part of the Philippines.

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Email:doringklaus@ gmail.com or follow me in Twitter or Facebook or visit www.germanexpatinthe thilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com .

PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE Instrumental [Bandurria] : Filipino Music

Comval Holds 8th Summer Sport Festival 2016 and Nabunturan Over-all Champ

Comval holds 8^th Summer Sports Festival 2016, Nabunturan over-all champ

Compostela Valley Province --- The provincial government holds once again this year’s 8^th Provincial Summer Sports festival with the theme “Have a Better Life, Yes to Sports” from May 25-27, 2016.

Participated by competent athletes of the eleven (11) municipalities of Compostela Valley, the various sports events are Basketball (Male), Volleyball Women, Football Boys, Futsal Girls, Badminton-Male and Female, and Billiard.

Nabunturan emerged as the over-all champion of the 3-day event which is the annual activity of the Provincial Physical Fitness and Sports Development Council (PPFSDC) of the province.  The awarding was held with Gov. Arturo Uy and Sports Coordinator Francis Secuya during the Employees regular convocation on May 30 at the provincial capitol.

Meanwhile, attending the opening program are Vice Governor Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora, Sports Coordinator and Councilor-elect of Nabunturan Francis Secuya, Board Member-elect Nena “Ate Nenz” Atamoza representing Governor-elect Jayvee Tyron Uy, Municipal Coordinators and Coaches of the 11 municipalities.

According to Atamosa on her opening remarks, “This is not to compete each other but to have new friends.” She added that Gov.-elect Uy hopes that this year’s event will promote camaraderie and inculcate sportsmanship among different municipalities in the province.  “He also wants the youth to be involved and spend a healthy summer through sports and to stay away from drugs,” she said.

As an added excitement during the opening program, the different delegates also witnessed the extreme dance number of the pride of Comval, the DMX Dancers who recently emerged as the Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Finalist of ABS-CBN talent competition.

The torch lighting and official declaration of the opening is headed by Vice Governor Zamora with the provincial officials, Sports Coordinator and Nabunturan SB Member-elect Francis Secuya, event and municipal Coordinators.  While the Oath of Sportsmanship is led by Azeneth F. Ducaze, the Palaro Futsal Player. (Rey M. Antibo, IDS Comval)

MANGROVE PLANTING, COASTAL CLEAN-UP

HIGHLIGHT 8^th COMVAL SUMMER BEACHFEST

MABINI, Compostela Valley – This year’s summer beach sports festival along the coasts of this province’s two coastal towns intends to break its past records on the number of mangrove seedlings planted during the annual celebration.

In last year’s festival, scores of students, soldiers from the 10^thInfantry Division of the province, beach resorts owners and workers, government employees, and coastal villagers among others planted about 300 seedlings at the Casilac site in Brgy. San Antonio, Mabini.

Seedlings planted the same site three years ago have already grown waist-high, enhancing the threatened but still abundant mangrove strands.

“In this festival, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Maco is again joining the festival as part of their Ocean Month celebration. CENRO Martiniano Rotol and Protected Area Superintendent Julie Española have provided 500 mangrove seedlings for the activity,” provincial tourism officer Christine Dompor said.

Mabini, approximately 70 kilometers away from Davao City and located in the southeastern section of the province of Compostela Valley is part of the 3,433-hectare Mabini Protected Landscape and Seascape of Davao gulf.

Mangrove planting is a regular activity of the beach festival to augment the existing mangrove forests of the protected seascape.  An important part of the marine ecosystem, mangroves act as a buffer zone for sea storms and provide a spawning ground for fish and other marine lives.

All of the five marine turtle species in the Philippines found in Davao Gulf are the Hawksbill, Oliver Ridley, Green Sea, Loggerhead, and the Leatherback turtles. Two – the hawksbill and the leatherback turtles – lay their eggs on the coasts of Kopiat, an island about 800 metres from mainland Mabini..

The Philippine Environmental Governance Project 2 (EcoGov), a technical assistance project in the Philippines funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), identified Davao Gulf as a feeding ground to 11 species of cetaceans including sperm whales, killer whales, and bottle-nose dolphins.

A number of these species regularly swims the channels between the islands and mainland Mabini to feed on the seascape’s seagrasses, rich planktons and krill. But sightings of these endangered marine mammals have become rare in the last years.  (jra/tss/ids)

  

Comval holds Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month Celebration

By: Rey M. Antibo

Compostela Valley Province---The Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAGRO) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) recognizes Farmers and Fisherfolks for their invaluable contribution to the economic growth of Philippine Agriculture and food sustainability through the conduct of Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month Celebration on May 26, 2016 stage at the Municipal Gymnasium, Poblacion, Montevista, Comval.  This year’s theme: “Magsasaka’t mangingisda, Katuwang sa pag-uunlad ng bansa.”

Attending the program are Mayor Eutropio Jayectin of Montevista, Mayor Lema P. Bolo of Compostela, Assistant DA Regional Director for Operations Phoebe S. Orbe, Supervising Agriculturist Minda Agarano of PAGRO, Raymundo Pajarito representing Governor Arturo T. UY and Governor-elect Jayvee Tyron Uy, National Agencies, Municipal Agriculturist, Program Coordinators, MAGRO and PAGRO staff and Farmers of the entire province.

According to Agarano who gives the rationale of the activity, “the conduct of this celebration is pursuant to Proclamation No. 33 signed by the late President Corazon C. Aquino in 1989, declaring the month of May as “Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month” where the men and women of the agri-fishery sector are given due recognition and tribute for their major role in economic recovery.”

She added that this year’s celebration coincides with the continuous campaign of DA to help farmers and fishermen amidst the damage wrought by prolonged dry spell or the El Niño phenomenon.

During the program, a mass turn-over of the of DA projects was also held such us four (4) wheel drive tractors, Sprayers, Hybrid Corn and Rice Seeds, Fertilizers, Vegetable Seeds, and other Agricultural Equipment to the farmers, cooperatives, PLGU and MLGU as the recipients of the said projects.

Mayor Jayectin said he is very happy that his municipality is one of the recipients of the 4 wheel drive tractor saying “rest assured that this equipment will be used by the farmers especially in the land preparation.”

Meanwhile, the PLGU also recognizes the Gawad Saka winners for this year by giving Cash Prizes and Certificates as well as an oath taking of the newly elected Comval Cacao Industry Council (CCIC) officials headed by their Chairman Juanito Aquino. (Rey Antibo, PGO-IDS Comval)

  

KOPIAT SWIMMING CHALLLENGE. This is not your ordinary swimming competition as participants to this Kopiat Swimming Challenge show off their skill and stamina traversing the 800-metre Kopiat-Mainland channel from the shores of Beach View Resort, Mabini on May 22. The event is part of the Summer Beach Fest scheduled on weekends of May spearheaded by Comval Tourism Office. (a. dayao/ids comval)

FIREDANCE COMPETITION. Another fiery night in Mabini with the firedance and reggae band competition on May 21 spearheaded by the Provincial Tourism Office of Comval. The event is part of the Summer Beach Fest scheduled on weekends of May spearheaded by Comval Tourism Office. (a. dayao/ids comval)

Slow Internet Connections? More Power Interruptions?

Duterte warns power companies to shape up

FRI, MAY 27, 2016 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews) – Amid the Mindanao power crisis, incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte warned the major power players in the country that they must shape up or else he will open the industry to foreign investors to deliver a sufficient power supply to the island that has long been plagued by power outages.

Duterte issued the same warning earlier to telephone companies to work on the country’s slow internet speed.

In a late night press conference on Wednesday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel here, the incoming president said that he will be forced to open the country to investors to bring down the electricity costs.

He said consumers take the burden of paying high electricity costs due to the power industry’s penchant to tap expensive energy sources like coal and diesel but failing to deliver sufficient and reliable power supply.

Davao City, for instance, suffered rotational brownouts of up to five hours last month due to the shutdown of the first 150-MW unit of Therma South Inc. (TSI) from April 6 to April 17 and the reduced water levels at the Pulangui River and Lake Lanao because of the El Niño phenomenon.

“Kaya sabi ko you shape up. I told you before, shape up because if you don’t and hindi na kaya ng tao, kakainin sa energy (electricity bills) – importations (of fuel) – papasukin ko ang lahat, pati ang Nigeria, meron kayong oil? You want to put up (power plant)? Come here. We will amend the law to allow you.Babaan nyo. Tapos sino pa, Mexico? Sige bagsak (price) ng husto para kayo wala ng kita,” he said.

On privatizing the government’s power assets, Duterte said “not at this time.”

The state-run power assets in Mindanao are the six hydroelectric plants along the Agus River in the Lanao provinces and the one along the Pulangui River in Bukidnon, with a combined installed capacity of 982 MW.

During the Aboitiz Power’s Therma South Energy Project inauguration last January 8, President Benigno  Aquino  said that Mindanao’s power woes started when no investors came in to Mindanao to build more capacities after Mindanao legislators sought for a 10-year exemption from the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) for the Agus-Pulangui hydro-power plants.

The government claimed private power companies are reluctant to pour in investments in Mindanao as they could not compete with the cheaper rates offered by the hydropower plants.

“The result: As the demand for electricity grew, the supply didn’t. In fact, the hydroelectric plants that were once abundant sources of energy suffered from a number of factors, including the lack of regular maintenance, the vanishing watersheds, and the worsening effects of climate change,” he said.

Aquino said that they anticipated the Mindanao power crisis just before he assumed post six years ago.

“In recent years, Mindanao has had very little energy surplus. In 2010, this resulted in rotating brownouts that understandably frustrated our countrymen, and that stifled local economies. This was a problem we had anticipated even before we took office, which is why, from day one, we made a stern commitment to foster an environment that would encourage the private sector to make massive investments in energy in Mindanao,” he said.

More coal plants are set to be online this year – a 100 MW unit of the Sarangani Energy Corporation in Maasim, Sarangani Province, and two units of San Miguel Power Corporation with combined capacity of 300 MW.

Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) vice president for Reputation Enhancement Rossano Luga, speaking in “Wednesdays’ at Habi at Kape” in Abreeza of the Ayala Malls, said that they are negotiating with San Miguel for additional 80 MW to jack up its portfolio.

Luga refused to disclose as to when their negotiation would come to fruition.

DLPC’s franchise area covers Davao City, Brgy. Bincungan in Tagum City, and Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali towns in Davao del Norte.

The DLPC current portfolio is 183 MW from the National Power Corporation (NPC), 49.5 MW from Hedcor Sibulan, 4 MW from HEDCOR-Talomo, 30 MW from Therma Marine Inc., 100 MW from TSI, and 50 MW from Southern Philippines Power Corp.

Luga hopes that their franchise area will not experience rotational brownouts when TSI implements a scheduled maintenance shutdown for its 150 MW unit 2 starting June 18 until July 18.

DLPC serves a total of 305,947 residential customers, 43,296 commercial, 3,750 small industrial, 181 primary retail, and 2 69-kV customers (Holcim and Steel Asia).

“Our positive growth are on the residential and commercial but because of brownouts we did not have the positive growth for big industrial and 69-KV,” he said.  Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews