Travel from Bohol to Camiguin Island Boarding RoRo Boat

Written by Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency

Launching a missionary roll-on roll-off (RORO) route to link Jagna Bohol to Mambajao Camiguin is not a political gimmick.

Doubting Thomases saying that the Central Nautical Highway, especially the Bohol Camiguin segment was just launched to accommodate President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) and the government RoRo caravan's one-way trip could now be proven wrong.

This as Asia Marine Transport and Shipping (AMTS) Services put up its Super Shuttle Ferry 1 (SSF1)  to serve the route daily starting May 8. 

Earlier, critics said the Jagna-Camiguin RoRo route which PGMA and her cabinet tested in a caravan of tour buses and support vehicles is just for show for the route is one up to drain investors of precious fund.

Not for AMTS, which fielded SSF 12 and 8 to load the presidential party on their maiden voyage last week.

In an interview a few minutes before Marine Industry Authority (MARINA) issued the Certificate of Public Convenience to AMTS, Business Development Manager Lowell Elim said it would be a missionary route at first.

He however revealed that they did a study on the profitability prospects of the trips, which he said the market could respond in time.  

In fact, he admitted that the company is also getting support from the government, one they count for sustainability as the market picks.

Regular Jagna-Mambajao RoRo and passenger trips leave Jagna at 1 pm daily and sails back to Jagna at 8 am, with fares at P300 per person, reports said. 

Shippers with rolling cargo also expect that the trips would lower rates compared to commercial shipping lines.

The Strong Republic Nautical Highway, which was pulled out from the shelved Development Bank of the Philippines projects in 2002, boasts of slashed-transportation rates. 

PGMA, while sharing the RoRo story in Cagayan de Oro said "in 2002, during a Cabinet planning conference in Clark, I presented a work program -- actually, eight work programs -- one of them was a program to reduce transport costs from the food basket of Mindanao to the large consuming market of Luzon. 

She said DOTC Secretary Mendoza, then Agriculture Secretary Cito Lorenzo and Philippine Ports Authority head Al Cusi were seeking ways of lowering handling and wharfage costs of farm products from Mindanao to the greater market in Luzon.

She said she then instructed the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to lead in drawing various measures, including financing logistics, storage and port facilities in Mindanao to carry out the RO-RO concept.

President Arroyo then recounted how she started implementing the "obscure" RO-RO plan from a DBP Program with a P20-billion fund portfolio for long-term lending. 

In 2003, the Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte to Dumaguete, Negros Oriental route, and the Roxas, Mindoro Oriental to Caticlan, Aklan route was completed and allowed people to enjoy Boracay with just P500 bus ride from Manila compared to the P5T plane fare," she said.

"So we launched the trip and we baptized what we rolled on -- what we traveled on -- as the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SR-NH), a 900-kilometer seamless stretch of road and ports that cut travel time by 12 hours," she added. 

Like what is probably an unprofitable Jagna-Camiguin route, the President said the Dapitan-Dumaguete (route), was also unprofitable in the beginning. 

Dapitan-Dumaguete however grew with nine trips a day now, she claimed. 

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The Philippines Must Have A Balanced Budget in Congress

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency

Even with the economic crunch that had the country's plans to attain a balanced the budget in the bind, the Departmen of Finance through Secretary Margarito Teves is still hoping the plan is on track.

With first quarter revenues still less than the programmed collection, Teves said "we can actually tell by the end of the second quarter how far off we are."

"Our present focus is on the need to equalize," the key government finance adviser said during a press conference minutes before President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the RoRo caravan arrived in Jagna. 

Intent on attaining the country's fiscal liberation aim, he added that right now, the government is contemplating on finding other sources of revenues to hit the goal. 

"Our revenue projection is just enough to support our original budget, and with the oil price hikes, inflation, rice problem, we need to find other sources of revenues to fill in the gap," he said during a press conference minutes before the president was to meet her cabinet on board the ferry to Mambajao in Camiguin, April 29. 

"It is still way too early to tell but regular sources of revenue is still on," he reported to the media when asked about the status of the plan to balance the budget by the year end.

Intent on keeping the plan on track, Teves said they are also planning to sell on the government assets not included in the 2008 program of generating P30B.

Selling of government assets could be a contingency but we would need the Congressional support, the former economic development authority added. 

It is Congressional support that we badly need to allow us such a move, Teves claimed.

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Bisaya News: Wage Increase For Filipino Workers Demanded

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency

Wala magtuo ang National Wage and Productivity Board (NWPB) nga ang gipaabot nga pagtaas sa suholan sa mga minimum wage earners sa Hunyo makahatag ug dautang epekto sa mga negosyo samtang magdugang sa pagtaas sa inflation rate. 

Una na nga gikahadlokan sa mga ekonomista nga ang pagpatas sa suholan sa mga nag-sweldo ug inadlaw maoy maka-ingon sa halapad nga pagpamapha sa trabaho o ba hinuon sa permanente nga pagpang sira sa mga negosyo.

Gipaabot nga sa sunod buwan, ipatuman na ang pagtaas sa suholan sa mga minimum wage earners, ug matud sa ni Labor Secretary Marianito Roque.

Mituo ang NWPB nga dyutay ra ang epekto niini sa mga negosyo kay 2.7M ra ang mga minimum wage earners sa nasud.

Sa usa ka pagtuon sa National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), ang across-the-board wage increases ang may delikado nga epekto sa mga negosyo. 

Gibanabanan nga halos 9 milyones ka trabahante ang mataktak sa trabaho kon may across-the-board wage increase nga ipatuman.

Dugang pa, kasamtangan pa nga gituki sa mga regional wage boards ang hisgutanan sa pagtaas sa suholan ug, dugang ni Roque, labing dugay na ang Mayo 15 nga mahipno sa RWBs ang tanan.

Nagkinahanglan pa usab og laing 15 ka adlaw alang sa pagpatik sa pahibalo diha sa nasudnong mantalan sa dili pa kini ipa-tuman, ni Sec. Roque pa.

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The First Bol-anon Appointed by Pope Benedict as Apostolic Nuncio

By Betty D. Balatero
As published by the Bohol Chronicle

Pope Benedict XVI appointed the first Boholano to assume the post as Apostolic Nuncio, an appointment which to the lay man means Ambassador of the Vatican State to a state with which it maintains diplomatic ties. He is the 4th Filipino to be appointed to such high position in the Church

Church diplomat Monsignor Bernardito C. Auza, 48, from Talibon town, was until recently First Counsellor or Deputy Head of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to the independent republic of Haiti in the Caribbean. Haiti occupies a third of the island of Hispaniola which it shares with the Dominican Republic.

His stint in New York from 2006-2008 involved preparations for the highly successful visit of the Holy Father to the United States last month. Earlier in 1999-2006 Mons. Auza was assigned Counsellor at the Vatican Section for Relations with States (Foreign Ministry). Now as Apostolic Nuncio, he is bestowed the dignity of an Archbishop. From New York the 48-yr old diplomat flew to Rome after his recent appointment was published by the Holy See. He is to prepare for his consecration which may take place early July.

Archbishop Barney was born on June 10, 1959 in Balintawak, Talibon, Bohol to the couple Meliton G. Auza and Magdalena P. Cleofas, the 8th of twelve children. Having finished Elementary Grades in Talibon, he entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Taloto, Tagbilaran. After high school, he proceeded to the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary, finishing his Philosophy studies in 1981 and his Theology in 1986. Aside from obtaining his Licentiate in Philosophy and Theology, he also obtained the degree of Master of Arts in Education in the same year 1986.

His ordination as priest of the Diocese of Tagbilaran in 1985 was held in San Francisco, California where most of the Auza siblings migrated. Not long after, the young priest joined the Diocese of Talibon during its foundation in 1986 but did not stay long. As scholar he was sent to the University of St. Thomas (Angelicum) in Rome where he obtained the Licentiate in Canon Law in 1989 and to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy (Vatican Diplomatic School) where he finished his Diplomatic Studies in 1990.

He served as Secretary to the Apostolic Nunciature in Madagascar and Mauritius in 1990-93 and in Bulgaria in 1993-96. He was Counsellor in Albania in 1997-98 with a stint in the United Kingdom as Charge d'Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in London.

Gradually, his diplomatic skills were noticed by the Holy See which assigned him to more sensitive missions. His present appointment to the troubled French-speaking republic of Haiti where 80% of its population is Roman Catholic is obviously a mission of great importance.

Archbishop Auza is the fourth Filipino appointed by the Vatican to head a Nunciature. The first to be named Apostolic Nuncio is Archbishop Oswaldo Padilla, now in Korea.

The third is his younger brother, Archbishop Francisco Padilla, now in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The second is Archbishop Adolfo Yllana currently in Pakistan.

Bohol's Famous Loboc River Offers Night Boating Tours

By Kit Bagaipo (The Bohol Chronicle)

Scenic Loboc River in Bohol has something new to offer for guests who want to experience the rustic environment that has popularized river cruising in this town which is fast-becoming a tourist destination.

The Bohol provincial government's aggressive promotion of eco-tourism, along with the benevolence of Chinese businessman and Philippine Special Ambassador to China Carlos Chan, has made possible night cruises aboard floating restaurants on the Loboc River.

Aptly dubbed by town Mayor Leon Calipusan as "Nature by day, boulevard by night", the river lighting project, which costs P13.5 million, is said to be the first of its kind in the country.

As the project's main feature, some 450 lampposts and floodlights were installed along the lush green riverbanks, stretching 2.85 kilometers from the frontage of the centuries-old Loboc Church towards Busai falls.

The Jesuit built old stone church itself is beamed with floodlights creating a spectacular reflection on the river's calm water while two bailey bridges crossing the river are likewise lit up.

The play of lights lends a romantic air to the night cruise while one enjoys a buffet dinner of native food aboard the floating restaurant.

The night cruise is slated to officially commence in June, according to Mayor Calipusan, as the Loboc LGU will be coordinating with existing floating restaurant operators in the town. However, due to the forthcoming fiesta, the lights at the jumbo bridge will be switched on from May 15 to fiesta day on May 24.

Known as the music capital of Bohol, the municipality of Loboc is home to the world-acclaimed Loboc Children's Choir. Home grown entertainers will serenade the tourists while cruising.

This music-loving town started the river cruising aboard floating restaurants business some 13 years ago. It became a favorite lunch date for those going to the world-renowned Chocolate Hills.

Now, tours would not miss the experience of Loboc River Cruise as the town lies along the path from the popular resorts of Panglao Island going to the Chocolate Hills.

According to Calipusan, the daytime river cruise attracts an average of 800 guests daily. The volume made it hard for the floating restaurant operators and the municipal government to manage the traffic and congestion at the river.

A year ago, a floating restaurant operator introduced a downstream cruise, to get away with the congestion on the regular upstream route.

Bohol Philippines Bullish on Hybrid Rice Program

By Kit Bagaipo

The Bohol Chronicle

Bohol's P15-million rice hybridization program was formally launched Monday in a bid to address the remaining 15-percent gap in the province's rice sufficiency.

The launching, which was attended by municipal mayors and key provincial government officials involved in the food sufficiency program were urged by Gov. Erico Aumentado to ensure abundant harvest to raise Bohol's rice adequacy to 100-percent by 2009.

The program, called RACER (Rice Accelerated Enhancement Response) will give P1,400 of subsidy to farmers in 15 municipalities.

The subsidy will be distributed in bags of certified and hybrid rice seeds.

In an interview with the Chronicle yesterday, the governor said that since the issuance of his executive order that regulates rice shipments to traders outside the province, the Bureau of Agriculture Statistics (BAS) and the National Food Authority (NFA) said that the sufficiency level has risen to 85-percent, from a 82-percent last month.

Aumentado said, so far rice shipments have been limited to about 5,000 bags since the EO was issued and that prices of rice sold in the market has gone down.

Aside from hybridization of rice, RACER identifies two other steps to address the rice crisis and to improve harvests in the province.

The provincial government, through the mayors, is urging farmers to expand the area of their rice and corn fields.

Aumentado targets an additional 1,000 hectares by the end of 2008.

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) project manager Modesto Membreve was also instructed by the governor to fast-track the land-levelling program at the Bohol Irrigation Project (BHIP) Stage 2 service areas while water in the Bayongan Dam is still abundant.

Presently, the Bayongan irrigation facility serves only about 800 hectares of its target service area of 5,300 hectares.

The governor told agriculture technicians to determine areas only with slopes of between 12-18 degrees for biofuel production, those with 18 degrees for endemic trees to maintain biodiversity.

As suggested by Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, expanding agricultural production areas can also be done by raising taxes to idle but arable lands. This is the third part of the RACER program.

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The Philippine President Coming Back to Bohol Province

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be coming back to the province to officially "switch the green light" for the construction of the Panglao Bohol International Airport.

The President was here last Tuesday to personally lead a caravan of her Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) program with Tubigon Port as their port of entry and exited through Jagna Port, both newly expanded sea ports in the province.

The Presidents' next visit is set on May 20, barely less than a month when she launched Bohol as part of the nautical highway.

During an exclusive interview over station dyRD last Tuesday, the President expressed elation for the excellent roads in the province. She, together with Bohol officials and DOTC Sec. Leandro Mendoza boarded the Ceres Liner tourist bus from Tubigon to Jagna.

She announced that her next visit to Bohol will signal the commencement of works of the much delayed Panglao Bohol International Airport.

President Arroyo may not be the guest of honor during the celebration of the 1st Bohol-Jiangxi Friendship Day on May 8.

Her office earlier confirmed her attendance to both activities on May 8 but she called her regrets to Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado shortly after she inaugurated the Cebu-Bohol and Jagna (Bohol)-Camiguin-Cagayan de Oro legs of the SRNH on April 29, saying that equally pressing matters needing her personal attention cropped up.

She will return on May 20 and 21 instead - to participate in a diving activity in Balicasag Island off the resort town of Panglao, to lower into the ground at the terminal site the time capsule for the P4.2 billion Panglao Bohol International Airport, and to view the Chocolate Hills in Carmen town and campaign for more votes for it to earn a berth in the ongoing search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

The undersea world of Balicasag, Aumentado quoted President Arroyo as saying, is one of the top three best dive sites in the world.

He also said aside from the Chocolate Hills, the President has been strongly campaigning for votes for the Tubbataha Reef and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, both in Palawan.- The Bohol Chronicle

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Stop Panglao Airport Project. Philippine Government Wasting Money

Written By Bingo P. Dejaresco III

The Bohol Chronicle, Editor

A group of Concerned Boholanos in the province and Metro Manila has sought a multi-sectoral dialogue with the Provincial Government with respect to the proposed New Panglao Airport facility.

The airport project, a medium term priority project of the National Government, is set for ground breaking by President GMA this month with the airport construction set for the month of July 2008.

The Group feels that Government should put all cards on the table before proceeding on the project - for the enlightenment of all sectors - because the huge project has tremendous long-term economic, social, ecological and geographic impact on Bohol.

In a statement of "Appeal for Clarification" appearing somewhere in this issue, the Group points out that the Panglao Airport project should be consistent with the Provincial Government's "philosophy of eco-tourism and balanced development."

MULTI-BILLION PROJECT

The P4-billion Panglao airport project, under the implementing arm of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), was once reported to be funded by DOTC advances (as counterpart Filipino funding to a Japanese subsidized loan) to be charged against long-term receivables of Taipan Lucio Tan, whose giant airlines (PAL) utilizes part the NAIA international airport and terminal.

Dr. Ernesto Pernia, former Lead Economist of the Asian Develoment Bank (ADB) and Professor of Economics of the University of the Philippines thinks there is still time to "pause and analyze" the airport project instead of rushing head-on into the humongous investment with many things still kept in the dark.

A "cost benefit" analysis of the project - considering the huge outlay of P4 billion - must be measured against alternative uses of the funds to boost agricultural productivity, education and other basic concerns appeared to be in order, he was quoted.

Dr. Pernia shares the view that the Mactan International Airport is currently underutilized and therefore the Panglao airport with international capabilities will be an investment in redundancy. "It can result in two under-utilized international airports," the Economics Professor said.

Dr. Pernia instead suggested the possibility of perhaps building a small wharf in Mactan Island specifically to ferry out tourists and visitors straight to Bohol's various ports of entry. "That will cut travel time going to Cebu City and its traffic and waiting for the vessels to depart. The quick route and the sea travel can be part of the tourist attraction as well."

SEARCH FOR BETTER AIRPORT

It may be recalled that as early as 30 years ago, there was already a foreseen need for a better domestic airport.

The servicing of that need could skirt the Tagbilaran City airport geographic limitations by possibly transferring the domestic airport to Cortes or Antequera which are near the city, according to the former chief economist of the multinational bank.

There appears to be an apparent need for the Provincial Government to explain more thoroughly to the public at large the scale of the airport, the long-term implications on the resources like water and power and why the seeming urgency in putting up the facility, it was observed.

On the other hand, Dr. Pernia opined that the massive airport build-up right in the center of a relatively small island like Panglao may not be ecologically sound with the sonic boom, fuel risks and the like. He sees the need to take a harder look at the impact of such an infrastructure and the overall development thereafter over the treasured biodiversity of the island tourist-jewel.

To this date, Panglao does not have adequate supply of potable water and the many of the resorts still violate the 20-meter "salvage" zone restrictions. The U.P. professor remarked that the provincial government had anchored its growth on the parallel goal of protecting the environment, per the government's own pronouncements. "The government must be consistent there," he qualified.

Pernia cautioned that there is no "rush" to establish a large-scale airport now and hinted of "Phases" in setting up the airport - considering that Filipinos are still direly lacking in other basic needs like food, medicine and shelter.

Dr. Pernia appeared perplexed at the apparent mushrooming of "international airports" like those in Davao and Iloilo and cautioned there could be a tourism slowdown in the next three years due to the world economy facing high oil prices and an impending USA recession.

MASSIVE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FOR DIALOGUE

The appeal for a dialogue with Government in order to cover all bases was met by enthusiastic support by leading Boholano leaders and academicians as shown by the list of signatories to the appeal.

Aside from Dr. Pernia, those who signed the "Appeal for Clarification" in Manila included: Dr. Jose V. Abueva, former President of the University of the Philippines, Napoleon V. Abueva, national artist, Dr. Caesar Saloma, professor of physics, UP; Atty. Hernan Cimafranca, Assistant Government Corporate Counsel, Atty Dionisio de la Serna, former Chairman HUDCC, Sister Bernadette Oppus, SSps-Administrator of the Lourdes Hospital , Dr Raul Fabella, and Dr Ramon Clarete, both professors of economics of the U.P.

The move is supported by the 'Boholanos for Truth, Transparency and Reform" made up of more than 1,000 leaders of various groups and individuals.

Among those who support the "Panglao Airport" dialogue are Businessman-entrepreneur Fred Ong, Monsgr. Feliciano Jr. (parish priest, Taloto Parish), Atty. Isabelo Sales (IBP-Tagbilaran City), Atty. Raul Barbarona (Bangon-Code NGO), Monsgr. Robesfierre Moreno (vicar general - Iglesia Pilipina Independencia), Pastor Gaudencio Antipuesto (Tagbilaran Evangelical Association of Ministers), Pastor Fely Benchavez (United Church of Christ of the Phils.), former Governor Rene Relampagos (business sector), Engr. Nilo Sarigumba (Bacosh), Chito Castillo (business sector);

Maya Flores (youth sector) Alberto Sanvictores (business sector), Engr. Vicente Loquellano (National Anti-Poverty) and Fe Tocmo (womens group-Tagbilaran City).

Other members of the "Boholanos for Truth, Transparency and Reform" are found in the "Appeal" announcement in this issue.

PEOPLE SUPPORT
AIRPORT - CAPITOL

This proposed Panglao Bohol International Airport has been scrutinized and studied by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) over the years, according to Gov. Erico Aumentado when asked by the Chronicle.

He said that a research study conducted by HNU Poll showed that 99% of the residents in the province favored the construction of the new airport.

He expressed confidence that ecological impact of the proposed airport has already been conducted extensively years before.

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Bohol: Philippine Model on Eco-Tourism

Eco-cultural tourism was then an unthinkable word, until the Boholanos showed what it is.

Entirely packaging a tourism that is a spin-off from the traditional definitions, Bohol's eco-tourism has made it a model for the country, admits Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, during awarding ceremonies of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Turismo Mismo grantees in Magtangtang Danao, Bohol.

"Even at a time when eco-tourism was not crafted yet, the Boholanos were able to define it," he said after going through the Eco, Educational, Extreme Adventure Tourism (EAT) in Danao.

The eco-tourism concept is one where there is responsible travel to nature areas, doing activities like birdwatching, caving, farm visits and rice field walks, kayaking or simply sightseeing.

In Danao, local officials led by Mayor Thomas Louis Gonzaga also put in a twist in their adventure tourism by introducing river trekking, tyrolean traverse, rappelling, bouldering, rock and root climbing and even bungee jumping.

The concept is to integrate all these in a huge nature park which has been the base camp of a revered Boholano hero; Francisco Dagohoy, while instilling in the tourists' mind the idea of preserving nature, the natural landscape, the watershed, the forest ecosystem and the town's history and cultural heritage, said a billboard at the park's jump-off point.

In fact, even Cong. Edgar Chatto also confessed that when the House of Representatives deliberated on the bid for Bohol to be declared an eco-cultural tourism destination in the country, legislators called it a misnomer.

Legislators said [being] cultural also encompasses the ecology and the environment.

Chatto said he argued that it took the Boholanos about seven months to craft the vision for Bohol, and eco-cultural tourism is what they meant.

He said the House legislators finally agreed to adopt the term, after the local representative detailed the meaning of the word according to the Boholanos.

Chatto, who was a vice governor then was a key instrument in the crafting of Bohol's tourism vision as a province.

On eco-tourism, Durano asserts that Danao Bohol's tourism direction is basically what the DOT's Turismo Mismo is all about.

The department spun a campaign of not just giving people jobs, which seems to be superficial, but on giving people livelihood, which would make the projects sustainable.- published by the Bohol Chronicle

Is Cebu Pacific Airline Honest With Its So-called Low Fare Promo?

If you'd ask this question, I doubt if you could get a YES answer. People have been complaining over Cebu Pacific's Low Fare Hype, saying they were tricked to buy tickets at Cebu Pacific Air because of the Low Fare Promo the airline is trumpeting.

"But the truth of the matter," the travellers said, "it's all marketing brouhaha. You will be paying the same amount of plane tickets."

Whatever it is, here's the latest Cebu Pacific Low Fare Promo. This news is released from Cebu Pacific's PR Department.

Low-fare leader Cebu Pacific (CEB) is offering more than 500,000 domestic and international seats at zero fares.  The promotional seat sale will run from May 15 to 18, 2008 or until the allocated seats are sold out.  Travel period is from June 9 to December 31, 2008.

CEB allocated more than 100,000 seats for its international routes that include:  Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Taipei, Shanghai, Singapore and Xiamen. More than 400,000 seats have been allocated for all of CEB's domestic routes.

Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and product, said, "This is our biggest seat sale, to date.  We are offering yet another first in Philippine aviation history by offering zero fares to international destinations as well.  This is to further stimulate domestic and international travel in spite of rising fuel costs.  We hope that the riding public will take advantage of this promotion."

The airfare is free.  Passengers will only pay for taxes, as well as fuel and insurance surcharges which are non-refundable.  Iyog explained, "The best way to book flights is via CEB's website.

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