by anyajulia | Jan 21, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, National News
MORE jobs in tourism related industries are opened for Bohol as the Department of Tourism is confident they can share in President Arroyo’s program to provide one million new jobs in the first six months of 2009.
In Bohol local tourism authorities eye an increase of 1nother 50,000 tourists this year to raise its 6,000 annual tourism arrivals as the DOT eyes 3 to 4 million tourist this year.
Despite the global financial crunch, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano is confident of continued tourism activities and that local authorities can attain its target this year.
Durano’s projection is based on the building momentum generated by the agency’s aggressive sales blitz in its major and emerging tourism markets including China, Russia and other European countries.
As the DOT secretary expects 3,000 new hotel rooms to be opened up this year, Bohol also see a raise in rooms as flurry of building activities is evident in Panglao and other resort towns.
The DOT expects 3,000 new jobs based on the one is to one ratio of tourist to a new job.
To make Bohol ready for the additional influx, the DOT through Durano, launched Tourism Apprentice Program as a new “investment” to train students of tourism-related course become DOT’s ambassadors.
It hopes to attain this by exposing students to tourism destinations in Bohol and in the country.
Aside from Bohol, DOT Aprentice program includes Davao, Palawan, Cebu, Boracay, Iloilo and Bacolod as destinations.
This as Durano stressed the Philippines has edge over its neighboring countries owing to its variety of choices in beauty and bounty.
The apprentice program will tap graduating students from private schools as well as state-owned schools with the support of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (rachiu/PIA)
by anyajulia | Jan 20, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
Depositors of the recently closed Pilipino Rural Bank (PRB) – Tagbilaran Branch are disappointed with how slow the the process of their money’s refund are, when PRB promised a quick refund of their deposits.
Since the personnel from Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) left last December, the Deposit Insurer haven’t returned yet in order to process the insurance claims.
One of the PRB’s regular depositors, Engr. Amora said that not one depositor was given paperwork in order claim their money and that no insurance claims were released.
PDIC says that, they will service first those depositors whose deposits don’t exceed the insurance limit which is P250,000.00. Those depositors who do exceeds the limit will have to wait for a longer period of time.
Listen to DYRD AM for more info.
by anyajulia | Jan 20, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) majority bloc was not stopped in approving the P337,052,121 city budget for 2009, despite protests by opposition lawmakers.
City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso and minority councilors Rama, Oppus and Inting cast doubts on the “unjustified increase” of this year’s fund, which is 31% higher than last year’s budget.
The minority accused their colleagues of railroading the budget approval even when there were still pending questions raised on some items that needed clarifications.
Veloso adds that the approval breezed through SP deliberations in record-breaking time of just two regular sessions. He says that he could not recall any other meetings where the 2009 city budget was exhaustively discussed and scrutinized.
With the 2010 elections just around the corner, Rama pointed out that the “unjustified” increases in the budget could be used to woo votes.
While fellow opposition lawmaker, Kag. Oppus disclosed that the discretionary funds appropriated for the Office of the City Mayor surpassed the allowable cap specified by law.
Based on COA certified statements of income and expenditures of the city government, it has been observed that the city government is not spending what has been budgeted for.
In 2007, the city only spent 83% of total revenues (as budgeted) or only P259 million (based on actual obligations in 2007) against the P310-million in total revenues.
As indicated by the 2007 COA Report, the city had P187 million unused funds and are idle in various low-yielding deposits lodged in favored banks.
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by anyajulia | Jan 20, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Agriculture will help in the construction of 15 Corn Post Harvest Processing and Trading Centers in the entire nation. This is so, as to increase the income of farmers and for corn to be an alternative to rice.
“The Da will help with local government units (LGU), cooperatives, and agencies for this to happen,” says Assistant Secretary Dennis Araullo, national coordinator for the program “Mais sa Ginintuang Masaganang Ani” (GMA).
Of those to be built; 7 will be in Luzon, 2 in the Visayas and 6 in Mindanao. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Jan 19, 2009 | Features, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, Major Events, TBTK
The apartment unit that our family occupies here in Albuquerque, New Mexico is facing the state’s famous landmark – the Sandia Peak. With an elevation of about 10,300 feet, it is indeed an imposing natural wonder and can be seen from afar. Providing clue to the weary travelers that you are already in New Mexico’s borders. It is more than a thousand feet taller than the Philippines’ Mount Apo, its close counterpart. To the many who aren’t mountain climbers, the Sandia Peak is installed with a tramway cable car. So that those who want to reach its peak with relative ease , all you have to do is pay the $15.00 ticket ride and in a matter of minutes you will be there transported to the top of the world. Have a first hand observation what it is to be there close to heaven. To appreciate the beauty of nature and the greatness of God’s creation.
Personally, as far as this writer and his family is concern, such location scenery of the Sandia Peak reminds us daily of our home so far away. Where it is also surrounded by hills and mountains – that in Maribojoc far north, Cebu.s topography northwest, the Banat-I Hill somewhere east and the Dayo Hill in nearby Panglao island. There in the city by the bay – Tagbilaran, where we saw the light of day. Where our world got used to be confined within the island province of Bohol. Until fate beckoned us to travel across the Pacific Ocean, live in the United States of America, then go on through such an adventure. To live and work in a foreign land, since that summer of 2002. Was it not Helen Kelly who said that life is an adventure, otherwise, it means nothing? So, this is how our story, as well as the rest of the Boholanos similarly situated who are now on overseas assignment , revolve.
In comparison, the city where we now live – Albuquerque, has some commonality to the home where we came from. For we also have a town of Alburquerque situated just 10 kilometers away from Tagbilaran, passing through its coastal road. Both place got its name from the Spanish conquerors after a village in Spain. What more, the native Americans – the Navajo-Indian tribe, the Apaches, Cherokees,etc…who inhabit the State of New Mexico, with the rest of the multi-nationals, as well as the white and black Americans, their physical features are just similar to that of the Asian-Orientals. So adjusting to a new environment and interacting with the local populace is not that hard. What more, New Mexico’s weather temperature is just as hot as in the Philippines during summer- averaging between 80-90* F. Surprisingly, there are also a few Boholano families living in the Land of Enchantment , whom we met and we’re able to get in touch.. Their company provide soothing relief to our loneliness and boredom in a faraway country.
Looking at the vast expanse of the Sandia mountain, from the veranda of our dwelling-place, brings back to life the memories of our childhood days . Where we used to frolic in the shorelines of Tagbilaran Bay along K of C promenade that was once our favorite playground. Where we learn how to swim, go on boat-riding, avail of what the bounties of the sea can offer and bring edible marine products home. In the company of other children of our age. Everytime we look at the horizon, where the sea meets the sky, the lush green mountain of Maribojoc and the distant but still visible landmark of Cebu, respectively, provided the backdrop to inspire us to dream, amid the crimson red color of a setting sun during twilight’s gleaming.
The dream to someday go places. To travel beyond our shores. To Cebu, Manila, and much more – to America. Where they say it’s a dreamland. To pursue a career, make a difference in life. Our expectation follows our life, so said Joel Osteen in his book Become a Better You.. For lo and behold, now that we are already in the middle of our years, God granted the wishes of our hearts and brought us at the other side of the globe. But then again, after staying in the US for this long – nearly seven years, we are terribly homesick. Its high time to start our trek back home in time for the Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan(TBTK) Global Homecoming in July 16-26, 2009.
Man’s longing to be home is just like that of the call of the wild among animal species. Observe the pattern of behavior among migratory birds that fly in unison to distant lands, the salmon fish that find their way into streams, rivers and seas. The diversity of wildlife in the forest co-habited by the predators and the prey. Although it’s a survival ordeal for the hunted so the hunter will live as part of the food chain and circle of life, but as they move from place to place, at the end of the day, at the end of a certain season, they will just be heading home guided by their natural instincts. To resettle once more, to give birth to their offsprings, or just to die in peace in a sanctuary or habitat they call home.
What more for us humans who are rational beings , with emotional cravings and feelings, and whose heart beats for others? What more for us Boholanos who are clannish, who take pride of our people, heritage, culture, history and home-province? Wherever we are in the world, busy and pre-occupied as we might be in our pursuit for a living, yet, we always long to be home. For home is where is our heart belongs. Home is the most important place in the world. Home is what we consider as close to heaven, as if we are on a summit. Hence we who are situated in foreign lands, the sight of a mountain beckons us to look forward to the day when we can be home and be back in the company of our folks, friends and love ones.
We invite all descendants of Dagohoy and Sikatuna, wherever you are situated abroad, or those living outside of our island-province in the Philippines ,to be with us during the two week grand festivity and reunion. Perhaps, just like us, in your moments of solitude, you are also looking at a mountain in your foreign assignment. Perhaps just like us, you too look beyond and dream to be home someday. We will be home this year for the TBTK 2009 revelry. To gather as one. To make us proud of our roots. To renew ties and acquaintances with our long lost friends, relatives and the Boholano folks in the land of our birth.
To serve as inspiration to our young students and professionals that dreams can come true and that going abroad for work, pleasure, or adventure is within reach. For us to participate in nation building and community development. For us to look for viable investments at home in terms of tourism promotions, realty-development, or housing projects for retirement. For us to do something in such laudable projects and concerted efforts to protect our environmental, our natural wonders, the preservation of ecology, flora and fauna, marine life and fish sanctuary in our home province amidst global concerns for global warming, pollution, and ever growing population. . For this is the theme of the TBTK 2009.
See you in Tagbilaran City Bohol for TBTK 09 on July 16-26,2009 for your presence will touch peoples lives back home and make a difference in the global homecoming that is set to break records in terms of festivity, pomp, pageantry and participation. . If foreigners and the rest of our countrymen are carried of our campaign promotions and have acceded to our invitations to go to Bohol for the TBTK 2009, with more reasons for us Boholanos stationed abroad, for this celebration is intended for all of us. Kita Nga Garbo Nato Ang Pagka Bol-anon. Be home, be counted, be involved and we will all be happy together during the TBTK 2009.
For queries and inquiries, visit our website at tbtk.org or get in touch with us thru our e-mail ad: kinaswertihan@hotmail.com or douglashont@hotmail.com.
(Douglas B. Hontanosas)
