RDC to Highlight "Bicol Express" Modernization in Railway Summit

LEGAZPI CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- It will take only a travel time of six hours from Legaspi City to Manila with a railway service extending up to Matnog in Sorsogon where a roll-on, roll-off (RORO) sea port is located.


These and more recommendations will be presented by the Regional Development Council (RDC) of the Bicol Region during the Railway Development Summit which will be held on June 21 in Metro Manila.

According to RDC secretariat, the Philippine Development Plan and the Bicol Regional Development Plan identified the revival, rehabilitation and modernization of the railway system as a priority infrastructure development program.

The train stations will also be developed as mix use commercial zones to spur economic growth in its environs. Amenities in trains and stations will also be provided such as internet connections, security cameras, clean toilets, medical services, amusement centers, online booking, inter-modal tickets, and modern passenger coaches that are senior citizen, women and person with disability (PWD) friendly, RDC secretariat said.

There is also a recommendation for the revival of spur lines to Legaspi and Tabaco ports, construction of spur lines to Daet, Caramoan and other major towns in Bicol for passenger and multi-purpose freight services.

National and Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Bicol assistant regional director Luis Banua said that Luzon regions including Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) signified interest on the railway development initiative of RDC for the interconnection of the north and south railways and the Metro Manila railway system.

The RDC proposed a railway development summit on December 7 last year through a resolution to promote the revival, expansion and modernization of the railway system in Bicol. The summit hopes to gain strong support from President Benigno Aquino III who will be invited as its keynote speaker, RDC secretariat said.

Provincial consultations were held in Camarines Sur on January 30, Sorsogon on February 27, and Camarines Norte on March 20.

A regional consultation was also held in Legaspi City On April 25 participated in by RDC members, local government units (LGU) representatives, academe, media, chambers of commerce and industry and non-government organizations. Technical consultations were also held from December to April to discuss railways technologies in terms of speed, services, capability, investment and maintenance costs, RDC secretariat said.


The business community emphasized that cargo and passenger train services will propel trade and industry in Bicol. Proposals were also discussed to deal with issues and concerns on squatting along railroad tracks, , illegal railroad crossings, Philippine National Railways (PNR)’s role, privatization and establishment of world class railways system that is fully integrated with other modes of transportation, RDC secretariat said.

“These recommendations will be submitted to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) for discussion and adoption during the summit,” Development Administration Committee (DAC) Chairman Rev. Fr. Ramoncito Segubiense said.

Known as “Bicol Express” in the past decades due to its role as Bicol’s most popular mode of transportation, the railway industry had an observable slowdown and off-track direction in recent years that was overtaken by other reliable and efficient modes of transportation in the region.

The summit is expected to fuel anew the engines of the “Bicol Express” back to its tracks to regain its past glory as the region’s favorite mode of transportation. (MAL/JJJP/PIA5-Albay)

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1st Catanduanes Kite Fest Set

VIRAC, Catanduanes, May 6 (PIA) -- The first ever kite festival dubbed “Buradol Festival” in the province is set on May 18 at the Catanduanes Athletic Complex in Virac town.


Buradol is a local term for kite. According to Cross Country Farms and Parks, Inc., one of the organizers of the event, the activity aims to make the province a tourist destination aside from being a gateway for Bicol’s tourism.

Moreover, Atty. Evelyn L. Gutierrez, liaison for events of the said group said that the event aims to bring together local kite flying enthusiasts and celebrate the province’s beauty while competing with one another.

Entries will be judged according to its creativity (15%), craftsmanship (15%), flying and handling (30%), in-flight aesthetic visual appeal (25%), audience impact (10%) and teamwork (5%).

Kites must be handcrafted and not pre-fabricated. Teams must be composed of two members only and participants must be at least 18 years old.

The design must contain unique features and use indigenous and locally-available materials, with the kite able to maintain its shape after flight at various wind speeds.

The kite must likewise launch easily and achieve a good angle of flight at high altitude. It should also show stability in flight even in strong wind and be able to perform stunts.

It must look attractive while flying and contain original artwork, creating an image or shape it seeks to portray.

Enthusiasts who are not joining the contest are also welcome to bring and fly their own kites.

Interested participants may pre-register until May 17, 2013 or call 09175043089 or like their page at www.facebook.com/BuradolFestival. (MAL/EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)

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US District Attorney Honors Catandunganon OFW for Heroism

VIRAC, Catanduanes, April 29 (PIA) -- “I felt happy because, as a Catandunganon, I was able to show to America that even if we come from a small province, we do have big hearts to help others; that it is an instinct on our part to help because God is always with us.”


Still brimming with gratitude from her kababayan’s online praises for the recognition she got from the Unites States of America Los Angeles District Court Attorney, Nida Arjona Tapel, 52, of San Miguel, Catanduanes, Philippines, counts her resolute faith for foiling a criminal in defense of her 95-year-old client who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. She has been working in the United States for five years now as a teacher and a part time home-care provider.

An alumna of the Catanduanes State Colleges, now Catanduanes State University (from undergraduate to post graduate studies) Tapel was honored by the Los Angeles District Attorney, USA, with the Courageous Citizens Award on April 12, 2013. She, along with three other equally valiant citizens of Los Angeles, USA, respectively received the honor from District Attorney Jackie Lacey.

The District Attorney's Courageous Citizen Award was created to commend those individuals who have acted with courage and at considerable personal risk to help a victim of crime, assisted in the capture of a suspect, or testified in the face of extraordinary pressures.

In the online portal information of the LA District Court, Tapel received the citation for her presence of mind, bravery and heroic act in thwarting a kidnapping incident in Los Angeles.

In its press statement, the Los Angeles District County Attorney hailed the awardees “who have taken extraordinary steps to assist others when they were most vulnerable. They stopped a crime. They made sure that a criminal was prosecuted. They helped a crime victim during a terrifying moment of need. They are vital to the pursuit of justice and our community is a safer place because of them."

Jean Guccione, Director of Communications of the Los Angeles District County reported that Tapel endured a painful pepper spray attack in an effort to prevent the kidnapping of her frail, elderly client in Los Angeles on Dec.19, 2011. "With her eyes and face burning after being pepper sprayed by her client’s daughter, Tapel ran outside, yelled for help and got a passerby to call 911. Tapel then jumped into the suspect’s SUV to protect her client."

The same account revealed that Tapel remained in the vehicle as the suspect took off and led police on a wild chase for several miles before being captured.

The defendant pleaded no contest to charges of attempted kidnap, battery and evading an officer and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2, the report said.

When asked by this writer what insights she can share with fellow OFW’s, Tapel singled out prayer as her only protection. “As an OFW, my only weapon is prayer. God made me strong all the time, because it is really very hard to be in a foreign land. [There are] plenty of challenges along the way, so embrace God tightly.”

She acknowledges the nurturing she got from her aunt, Dr. Cleofe Buen Reyes, for her resilient spirit. “I was raised by my aunt to call God all the time; nothing is impossible with Him. I did not do it alone; I am just an instrument of Him.”

Tapel dedicates her award to her fellow Catandunganons and to the Filipinos as a whole. “Let us show to the world that our purpose in life is to help others, not to hurt them. We only live once in this earth; let us make it significant. Let us not be afraid of death for God will be always there for us.”

She counts her school, the Catanduanes State Colleges (now CSU) for imbibing in her the value of humility. “The school taught me to be humble; that the higher you get, the more humble you must be. “Saan mang sulok ng mundo tayo mapadpad, alalahanin natin na dapat ang ating mga paa ay sa lupa pa din nakatapak." And if you are to do something, you must ensure it will bring you up, not put you down, Tapel concluded. (MAL/Gerry S. Rubio, CSU/PIA5)

Dear young people, do not bury your talents, the gifts that God has given you!Do not be afraid to dream of great things!

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 26, 2013

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Time for the Local Business Community to Work as One

Three ranking members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and their staff were in Virac last week to meet a select group of local business personalities. Their objective: to establish a local chamber of commerce and industry, something that has been missing in the growing economy of Catanduanes.

At this time when the local economy, in the very words of Governor Joseph Cua, is taking off, there is a need for local businessmen to work as one with the government in fostering a healthier business environment and helping improve the viability of various businesses.

For years now, those who have established their own businesses have been content with counting their money, with nary a concern towards the issues of global competitiveness, high local taxes, and local laws that promote unfair competition. There was one group – the Virac Chamber of Commerce – that was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry provincial office but it has reportedly gone into hibernation. Its chairman still sits as the group’s observer in public biddings despite the fact that its membership has not met since election and it has not been recognized by nor registered with PCCI.

In their meeting with the local businessmen headed by Cua Group of Companies CEO Peter Cua, PCCI South Luzon vice president Eduardo Nicolas III and Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Clarine Tobias emphasized that out of the six provinces in the Bicol region, only Catanduanes has no representation in the PCCI.


Interactive: Most Favorable Wind Areas

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The importance of a local chamber of commerce cannot be taken for granted. It is supposed to serve as a voice in the business community and as an independent forum for the development of a consensus on matters of national and local concern. Thus, it will perform an active role in helping shape the course of local and national events, share its expertise, and make known its position on matters affecting business and the economy. Such issues could include the predicted influx of big companies from outside the island as the province’s population and consumer base expands in the next few years along with its burgeoning opportunities especially in eco-tourism.

Certainly, it is high time for those running businesses in Catanduanes to realize that they cannot just rake in the money, the consuming public be damned. They, too, have a responsibility to help their fellow businessmen, especially those struggling to make profit, through wise advice based on their experience and in ensuring that there is a level playing field. This will not only help their respective companies and businesses prosper but also give back the public some payback through a vibrant economy and a business environment that favors all.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune

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Skyjet Sets Maiden Flight to Catanduanes on April 16

LEGAZPI CITY, March 25 (PNA) -– Skyjet Airlines, a new player in the country’s aviation industry, will dispatch its maiden flight to Virac, Catanduanes, on April 16 to mark the beginning of its three-flight-a-week schedule in connecting the island province with Manila.

Owned by Magnum Air, Inc., Skyjet will mount its 94-seater, four-engine British Aerospace 146-200 jet in servicing the route every Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule, Joel Mendoza, the airline’s chief executive officer, said in a statement here on Monday.

The aircraft is specifically made for short landings and takeoffs and designed to operate even in unpaved runways.

This jet, Mendoza said, is quieter and can load up to 3,000 kilograms of cargo.

The fledgling airline, which now flies to Batanes and Busuanga, also allows seven kilos per hand-carried luggage and another 10 kilos free for accompanied cargo.

Servicing Catanduanes is part of the company’s trust to operate underserved and unserved destinations in the country with great tourism potentials, Mendoza said.

The island, separated from the mainland of Bicol by Maqueda Bay and sitting at the Pacific Ocean, is considered one of the promising eco-tourism areas in Bicol owing to its rich ecology and majestic coastal waters that offer exciting surfing and diving sites.

Cebu Pacific is so far the only airline operating the Manila-Virac route three times a week after Zest Airways pulled out, causing shortage in air travel services for tourists and other passengers.


With its flights to Virac, Skyjet is offering a special fare for Catanduanes residents to enable them to enjoy what Mendoza describes as “international flight service on a domestic carrier.”

He said tickets are now being sold on-line for its Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule as a promotion until April 30, a cost that is significantly lower than the regular rate.

Catandunganons would have to book at ticket agents and present their proof of residency to enjoy the special, all-in fare of P3,000 complete with snacks, compared to the P6,000 price of one-way tickets sold by Cebu Pacific.

Skyjet will also reserve at least 10 seats on each flight for senior citizens, who, according to Mendoza, constitute majority of the present air commuters to and from Virac.

The airline executive also said the company will be bringing along travel writers and travel operators from Manila on its inaugural flight to Virac as “we want to promote the island as tourism site.”

Skyjet is also arranging with SM mall theaters in Manila for the showing of video materials of Catanduanes tourist destinations while promotional materials would likewise be placed in its flights to Batanes and Busuanga prior to the Virac flights.

The airline is also offering a special rate to local resort operators, who will be allowed to book complete tour packages to their potential clients.

“Tourists will be provided with hassle-free travel complete with tickets, room and board, and airport transfers,” Mendoza said.

He noted a big demand for a full service carrier with affordable fares without sacrificing seating comfort, space, and enhanced meal, beverage, in-flight entertainment and full staff service.

“Our fares are competitive and offer no hidden charges, no additional charges for seats, free snacks for short haul trip, affordable rates and more cargo space. We focus on safety and our aircraft can operate in the most challenging runways and weather conditions in the Philippines as certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines,” Mendoza said.

The airline has an initial fleet of two 94-seater, four-engine BAE 146-200 jets and another aircraft is expected to arrive soon to charter passengers from Batanes to Kaoshiung, Taiwan and vice versa, he added. (PNA) LAM/FGS/DOC/CBD/

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NPC to Energize Catanduanes’ Tourism Island of Palumbanes

CARAMORAN, Catanduanes, March 25 (PNA) -- Wooden poles interconnected by electricity lines now stand around the small community occupying Palumbanes Island, the fishing paradise that is emerging as a favorite tourist destination for its diving site gifted with rich marine life.


Through this installation put in place by the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative (Ficelco), the island and the 249 households comprising Barangay Toytoy that covers the area will be provided with electricity to be produced by a 200-kilowatt diesel-fired generator set which the National Power Corporation (NPC) will deliver soon.

Mayor Agnes Popa said here Saturday that a contractor of the NPC is set to begin this week the installation of the generator set and a 30-kVA power transformer that is expected to be completed in six months.

This means that by August, Palumbanes will already be enjoying reliable power supply which would light up the island and the houses at least for six hours between six in the evening until midnight daily.

“This will put an end to its people’s long quest for power which they never enjoyed since electricity was first introduced in the province decades back,” Popa said.

The energization of Palumbanes, according to the NPC, is under the agency’s Off-Grid Electrification Project costing over P6.5 million implemented under its missionary electrification program.

The power supply in these off-grid areas is supplied by Napocor's Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) whose rates are subsidized by consumers.

The electricity, according to the mayor, will be sold to residents of Palumbanes at a rate that is about 80 centavos cheaper than what is charged on the bulk of the power cooperative’s 45,000 customers on the main island.

“This will be a big boost to our tourism industry,” she said, describing Palumbanes Island, an about 50-hectare landmass here, as surrounded by a body of water that is considered a fishing paradise and diving site.

White sand beaches that attract excursionists and tourists ring the island that could be reached through a 30-minute boat ride from the mini port of this third class municipality located in the northern part of Catanduanes, about 87 kilometers from Virac, the provincial capital.

The white beaches and clean sea water of Palumbanes and the Awinis and Carinhongo Falls located in Barangays Tubli and Tucao, respectively, are tourist attractions in the municipality whose land area of over 252 square kilometers is the largest in the province. (PNA) LAM/FGS/DOC/CBD/ABB

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