Sulu As a Tourist Spot?

 

I was really surprised, when I received the press release through "MindaNews"...

Sula as a tourist spot?

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said has approved the formulation of a Provincial Tourism Plan to establish a clear direction and provide the necessary information and strategies to develop a viable tourism industry in the province.

In this press statement, Tan said Sulu's natural beauty, unique environment structure and refined white sand beach fronts are a come-on to local and foreign travellers.

A tourism multi-stakeholders forum was held several days ago at the provincial capitol to gather insights into the development and identification of potential tourist destinations in the province.

"The people of Sulu are losing so much for years of neglect of these untapped resources. The development of tourism in Sulu can be the biggest source of income and revenue for the province and its people," Tan stressed.

But in his interviews with the Zamboanga media, Tan would usually say, he doesn't want to talk about the security situation. I guess, that's the main problem and biggest of all questions.

Of course, one could enjoy wonderful places, such as the one-kilometer long white sand Maubo Beach in Patikul, the town next to Jolo, the capital of the province, or the 33,200 hectare Tubbataha Reef... .

Sulu, still one of my dream destinations... .

 

SMART Gains International Recognition for Green Initiatives

SMART Telecommunications Philippines recently received two prestigious awards in 2011 for programs that support the preservation of the environment - one from the Asia Communication Awards and other from the World Communications Awards.

The Asia Communications Awards bestowed upon SMART the Green Technology Award while the World Communications Awards gave the Philippine company the Green Award, both for its "Alternative Power for Cell Sites" program. This brings to five, SMART's awards for the said program which enforces the use of renewable engery to power cell-sites in off-grid areas nationwide.

SMART's mangroves continue to flourish along the shoreline of Cagsao in Camarines Sur (see photo above).

"We are proud and fulfilled that our environmental initiatives are being recognized as one of the world's best practices when it comes to protecting the environment", said Darwin Flores, SMART Public Affairs' Senior Manager for Community Partnerships.

I strongly agree with you, Sir. Kudos!

Two More Classical Music Masters: Respighi and Rachmaninoff

Here is more about them:

www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com 

Or tune in to my Sunday's radio program "Classics with Klaus Doring" from 2 to 4 PM (Philippine Standard Time) on 104.3 FM "The Edge Radio Davao" or via live stream:

www.livestream.com/theedgeradiodavao

More From a Blessed Davao City's Fashion Designer: Silverio Anglacer

Gown for Dr. Vina Lim

(Photos taken by Cookie Tan Photography)

"If you design like this and you come to Pakistan - everyone will treat you like a real king in our fashion industry." (Joverea Batool)

"That's I call a piquantly zestful whiff of an English meadow in spring time!" (Mae Madelette Chua).

Silverio Anglacer - a really blessed fashion designer from Davao City... .

Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Ban in Davao City

It took so long. Finally it's done!

Starting June, Davao City joins over a quarter of the world's countries that ban the use of non-biodegradable plastics or polythene bags used for grocery and shopping, including materials made of polystyrene foam.

The ban of the use of plastics and Styrofoam takes effect on June 28, 2012 - two years after the Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance was approved in June 2010.

Acting City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) chief Jospeh Dominic Felizarta said CENRO's advocacy team has been doing the rounds of business establishments, including the big malls, informing and educating owners on the implementation of the law. 

Davao City is not focusing on sanctions against violators but wants to install discipline in following the law, which in the case of the ban on plastics is indeed a big help in preserving and protecting the environment.

There are about 29,000 business establishments in Davao City based on the number of Solid Waste Management Certificates issued by CENRO after underdoing a mandated seminar. 

However, wrappers of candy, snack foods, and other such items will be treated by CENRO as residual wasters that are disposed at the city's sanitary landfill.

As we all know: discarded plastic shopping bags are the most common items that clog the drainage system and contribute to flooding.

More Support for the Ifugao Rice Terraces

As one could learn from news reports from the Philippine News Agency, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has committed 5 million PHP for the restoration of the world-renowned Rice Terraces of the Philippines in Ifugao province. 

DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said that the amount was included in a Memorandum of Agreement signed among the DENR, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization  (UNESCO), National Commission of the Philippines (NatCom) represented by its Secretary General Dr. Virgina Miralao; and the provincial government of Ifugao, represented by its Governor Eugene Balitang.

Paje said the DENR's commitment was to provide assistance to the local government of Ifugao in rehabilitating the terraces, especially in Batad which has been assessed by experts as the "most damaged".

The DENR appreciates the natural and cultural heritage that the rice terraces bear, and the Filipino people are one with the provincial government in recognizing the need to reserve the deterioration of this heritage site, especially those areas that were damaged by typhoons.