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LGU set to Develop "Tagulahi Water Falls" as Tourist Destination in Caraga Region
October 3, 2010BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Caraga region is now in the world’s road map for tourist destination due to its surfing and fishing haven including islands mangrove plantations and caves and fine and white sand beaches in Surigao. The officials of the city government of Butuan is now eyeing another tourists spot that will attract tourists, both foreign and domestic by developing the environment-scenic “Tagulahi water falls”.
Approximately, “Tagulahi water falls” is almost 14 kilometers away, south at this region’s capital city.
Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) member Atty. Jaime M. Cembrano, Jr., also chairman of the city’s SP Committee on Tourism, is now proposing for a Php 2 million budget for the development of the area.
City Councilor Cembrano is strongly proposing to have a good road network going to “Tagulahi water falls”, construction of other structures in the area and construct a bridge at Purok 5 in Barangay Antongalon that will connect to the said water falls.
“We have to develop this falls, into two – one for the adult and the other for the children, where everybody can feel the breeze of fresh water from the mountains,” said Councilor Cembrano.
“Tagulahi water walls” is located at the foot of the Mount Diwata range, connecting the highest Mount Ilong-Ilong in the northeastern part of the region.
“I know that when tourists reached this scenic-environment perimeter of Tagulahi water falls, they will appreciate the area,” added Councilor Cembrano.
Aside from developing Tagulahi falls, the city’s SP Tourism chair is also eyeing to develop the Agusan river.
Agusan river is the biggest and longest river in Mindanao. A cruise along the river barangays reveal so much of Butuan`s history, culture, art and people. As a tribute to the Patroness of the Agusan River Senora Sta. Ana, the Abayan Festival was born which is a daylong celebration of baroto races and fluvial procession at the Agusan river, further added City Councilor Cembrano, who also chaired the Committee on Good Government Committee on Human Settlements and Land Use.
In another tourism development, big number of tourists, both foreign and domestic flocked at the internationally known “Cloud 9” at Gen. Luna in Siargao Island Surigao del Norte province as the 16th world’s international surfing kicked of Friday.
All beach resorts in this so called “paradise island” in Northeastern Mindanao are fully booked.
Australian Deputy Ambassador Andrew Byrne was the guest of honor and speaker during the opening of 16th Siargao International Surfing Cup. He was accompanied by Minister Councelor Titon Mitra of the Australian Embassy in Manila, said Surigao del Norte solon Rep. Francisco T. Matugas (1st District, Surigao del Norte).
Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol F. Matugas said that close to 100 world-class and rated surfers registered in the weeklong international competition.
The event is part of the month-long festivity in the island dubbed as the 1st Siargao Surfing Festival with its theme: “Kabibo 2010.”
Aside from the world surfing cup, other activities also commence which include : The 1st Gov. Sol Matugas Open Beach Volleyball Challenge, Agri-Aqua Trade Fair, Best Municipal Booth, Kabibo Hip-hop Dance Competition, Photo-shoot Competition and Nightly Yugyugan Open Party at the town’s boulevard sponsored by San Miguel Beer.
With all these series of activities, Gov. Matugas is hopeful that the local tourism industry cannot only bring prestige but most importantly, create jobs to the locals and hopefully achieve quality life and at the same time help boost the economy of the province.
Surigao del Norte solons Rep. Matugas and 2nd District Rep. Guillermo Romarate, Jr., Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas, LMP President Sheila Mae Orquina-Cebedo and around 20 mayors of the province are fully supportive of the international surfing activity. (Manila Bulletin)
PACAP to conduct community forum in Surigao City
August 3, 2010The forum is anchored on the theme: “Celebrating Partnerships, Sustaining Development Initiatives.”
PACAP Provincial Project Officer Monina G. Hernandez said the event aims to share significant practices, lessons and insights among local communities, civil society organizations and the government. Moreover, it would also serve as venue for the ceremonial turnover to the provincial government of all project gains resulting from the dynamic partnership between PACAP and the local stakeholders. Aside from the awarding of certificates, this whole-day event will also feature a photo and product exhibit.
People’s organizations and representatives from Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Local Government Units (LGUs) and government line agencies are expected to attend in the said event. It was also learned that Governor Sol F. Matugas and David Swete Kelly, PACAP Program Director will lead the turnover ceremony tomorrow.
At present, Hernandez bared that a total of 21 community-based projects were already implemented throughout the province and three Focal Community Assistance Scheme (FOCAS) secretariat services; the Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance (HIPADA), Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS), and Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) from 2005-2010 with a total grant funding of Php 81,737,563.
“This amount includes PACAP’s support for the four-year secretariat operations of the three clusters and the extension of HIPADA and LMDA. Of this amount, total grant funds for the barangay level projects amount to Php 67,787836.08,” Hernandez said.
Results of the Impact Review on FOCAS projects have shown that the most significant impacts generated from the project include the increased size of marine protected areas/Increase in size of area protected/ regenerated/ conserved, enhanced capacity of the people’s organization and increase in capital used for livelihood activities.
Also, PACAP have established partnerships with the LGUs, POs and other institutions in the 64 barangays within the 20 municipalities and one city reached by the projects. A total of 71 people’s organizations had been recipients of PACAP grants and had also provided in-kind and financial counterpart. Aside from these, PACAP has engaged a total of 14 NGOs, one community-based cooperative, one academic institution, and one fisherfolk association in implementing these projects. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Baby falls on steaming wok in Surigao
July 10, 2010SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Philippines - A 7-month-old baby girl was rushed to a hospital after falling on a wok with steaming fish soup.
The baby’s mother, 17-year-old Gelma Francisco Eviota of Barangay Capalayan in Surigao City said the incident happened on Tuesday night.
Eviota said that right after cooking fish soup for dinner, she put the wok on the floor.
She was guiding her baby when the incident happened. She said her baby, who was just starting to learn to walk, tripped and fell on the wok.
The baby suffered second-degree burns on her face, eyes and half of her body.
The baby remains confined at the Caraga Regional Hospital. — Report from May Diez, ABS-CBN Caraga
Surigao City stops franchising of gas-fed tricycles as it starts shift to electric tricycles
June 21, 2010CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The local government of Surigao City has stopped renewing the franchises for gasoline fed tricycles as part of a program to push small entrepreneurs to switch to battery-run units. To make the transmission smooth, arrangements have been made for tricycle operators to access low-cost credit from micro-financing sources.
Presently, more than 3,000 two-stroke tricycles are running in Surigao City, supporting the livelihood of at least 6,000 operators and drivers.
During the Independence Day celebration in the city, Surigao City mayor Alfonso Casurra presented the electric tricycle to his constituents, highlighting its advantages over the old gasoline-fed models.
“It runs 80 kilometers with just one charge,” he said. “It can also accommodate up to eight people, more than the capacity of our present tricycles,” the mayor said. No estimates were given on the average price of the electric tricycles, although he noted it would be “a bit more expensive” compared with conventional tricycles which are sold from P50,000 to P75,000 per unit.
Last month, the British embassy turned over an electric tricycle to the Surigao City government, noting the need for environment-friendly modes of transport in the region. Angela S. Ibay, the British embassy representative and climate change attache who attended the turn-over ceremony, said that aside from helping the ecosystem, the electric tricycle, adapted to Philippine conditions, is relatively cheaper to operate since it uses renewable energy as a source of power.
The Islas Ecology Development Advocacy (ISDA), which handles the electric tricycle project, is conducting a study on solar-powered charging stations for the tricycles in the city.
ISDA has made arrangements with a rural bank to provide a financing scheme for drivers and operators shifting to the new technology.
During her visit, Ms. Ibay mentioned that electric jeepneys are already plying the streets of Makati. She noted that Puerto Princesa City in Palawan is also looking at shifting to an electricity-based transport system. (bworldonline)
