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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Bohol Chocolate Hills Back in New 7 Wonders Contest

By Kit Bagaipo (The Bohol Chronicle)

The organizing committee of the New 7 Wonders (N7W) of Nature campaign will be reinstating the world renowned Bohol's Chocolate Hills in its official list of nominees anytime today.

Better yet, the search organizers have also assured that the votes gathered by Chocolate Hills in the online polls before it was delisted as a nominee will also be restored.

This information was relayed to the Chronicle yesterday by Dr. Oscar Galang, the organizer of the Chocolate Hills support committee in the United States. He was interviewed over dyRD's top-rated "Inyong Alagad" yesterday.

Galang, who had been in touch with the New 7 Wonders Foundation, said that Nadja Rahal, head of the search registration committee, made the assurance that the Bohol hills will be listed again in official nominees.

This after nomination documents, official support committee (OSC) endorsement and an agreement-contract signed by Carmen town Mayor Manuel Molina were already submitted to the N7W Foundation headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

The delisting of Chocolate Hills last week was due to the non-compliance of the said documents required by the foundation.

Before it was dislodged from the official list of nominees and the online rankings, Chocolate Hills occupied the 6th place of the live rankings at the N7W website.

"I talked with Molina yesterday, then called up Rahal who confirmed that the documents are already received," Galang said.

According to Galang, Chocolate Hills was previously nominated to the N7W but no group officially stood up as the official support committee (OSC).

"The nomination and OSC must come from officials of the locality where the natural site is located," Galang said.

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Did You Miss the Fiesta Activities in Tagbilaran City Bohol?

By Bong Recemilla
The Bohol Chronicle

Nine nights of pre-fiesta activities continue to unfold as the city of Tagbilaran prepares for the traditional celebration on May 1, the feast of St. Joseph the worker, its patron saint.

With venue at the back of the Tagbilaran City Central Market, These nightly activities kicked off last Tuesday with Punchfest.

Highlighting the series of events is the search for Ms. Tagbilaran, which pageant and coronation is set on Tuesday, 8 p.m. at the Bohol Cultural Center.

Tonight's event is The Jingle Singing Contest to be presented by The Peacock Garden Resort while tomorrow evening is Cruisin' in the Market with Versatile Band to be presented by Cruztelco.

On Wednesday evening, which falls on the vesper, will be the Gabii sa Agik-ik ug Katawa, to be presented by the Bohol Gay Association and Unitop Merchandising.

A live drama on stage entitled "Goliat, ang Makoy Makalolooy" will be presented on Thursday evening.

The rest of the events were Punchfest, Ms. Tagbilaran talent night, Banda Night with SMB, Hiphop Dance Competition with Pepsi and Comedy and Magical Variety Show with FCB, since April 22 until last night, respectively.

While the city girds for the fiesta celebration with nightly events, the city's top malls and other entities have also lined up presentations including post-fiesta events at their respective venues.

Child actor Makisig Morales, of the Super Inggo fame, will be here on May 3 for a performance at the Island City Mall Activity Center. On fiesta eve, April 30, a sexy female band from Manila, Aegies Pink Lilac, will take centerstage at the Activity Center at 4 p.m.

Bohol Quality Mall highlights fiesta presentations with movies at BQ Cinemas while Club Atmospheres' of the MetroCentre showcases Fiesta Elektronica featuring DJ Regiel.

Also Ongoing at the BQ Mall Atrium is the Fiesta Exhibit 2008 of Du Ek Sam.

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Submit Your Entry to the 7th Ecotourism Awards

Skål International is inviting companies from the public and private sector as well as NGOs to submit entries for the 7th Ecotourism Awards. As a new feature this year, the category of Corporate/Global Establishments was added to the list of options for entries.

Following the evident effects of climate changes on the environment, Skål International is even more aware of the need to continue its efforts to create awareness for sustainable and responsible development in tourism and to this end continues to support initiatives around the world.

The 2008 Awards, sponsored by Johnson Diversey, Evian Water and Iznik Foundation, will be presented in Taipei on 13 October 2008 during the Opening Ceremony of the 69th Skål World Congress by the President of Skål International Philip Sims.

Skål, founded as an international association in 1934 is the largest organisation of travel and tourism professionals in the world, embracing all sectors of the tourism industry from hoteliers to travel agents, to airlines, tourism media, tourism students and similar. Skål, with 22,000 members is active in 90 countries and in almost 500 locations worldwide.

Skål International is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism  Organisation whose mission is to promote the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. Skål International in line with this vision and following the United Nations declaration of 2002 as the Year of Ecotourism and the Mountains, launched the Ecotourism Awards in the same year and the first awards
were presented during the World Congress in Cairns in 2002.

Skål, as an international organisation of industry leaders, is a powerful force in the travel and tourism industry to initiate change and encourage the conservation of the environment in order to promote tourism and travel. The awards presented on these grounds, while highlighting best practices in tourism around the world, also serve the purpose of acquainting the world with this new concept that puts emphasis on the importance of the interaction of the physical, cultural and social environment the traveler's responsibility and the need for active community participation for Ecotourism.

Skål values sustainable development in Tourism as the key to the industry's future success and considers Ecotourism but one area of the various components of sustainable development.

Awards are presented under 7 different categories;

1. Tour Operators – Travel Agents

2. Accommodation providers of any size and category in:

2.1 urban areas

            2.2 rural areas

3. Transportation

4. General Countryside (Alpine Tourism, Underwater Projects, Beaches, Theme Parks, Scenic Mountains, Rivers, Lakes)

5. Cities–Villages (Community and Government Projects)

6. Educational Programmes – Media

7. Corporate /Global Establishments
 

The primary criteria for the evaluation is based on such points like contribution to the conservation of nature and cultural heritage, community involvement, educational features, business viability and innovation.

The evaluation of the entries are made by 3 independent judges from important Institutions/Organisations dealing with Eco and Sustainable tourism. The names of previous years' judges can be found on the Skål website.

The names of the judges for each year are only announced during the Awards ceremony which take place at the Skål International Annual World Congresses attended by members from all around the world and dignitaries from the host country.

The impressive list of sponsors now include Johnson Diversey (www.johnsondiversey.com) who identifies its global mission to assume a green position supporting sustainability in terms of ecology, efficiency, low emissions, food and employee safety.

Iznik Foundation (www.iznik.com.tr) for the forth consecutive year will continue to sponsor the quartz trophies, specially designed for Skål International. Combining ecology with the unique art of Iznik (Ancient Nicea); the awards are a sign of preservation of natural sources and traditions and with their special characteristics they are specially chosen to emphasis the value of our global riches.

Evian (www.evian.com) continues to be one of the major sponsors of the Awards, completely coherent with their environmental commitment. DANONE Group identifies as one of their first responsibilities to protect the area and the springs it manages.

The deadline for entries is 30 June 2008.

More information and an entry form can be found at www.skal.org

http://www.skal.org/html/ecotourism/guidelines.asp

Press Release
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The Philippines Beyond the Usual Country Fair in Singapore

A rare opportunity will be created for tourism stakeholders to tap the Singapore market. Dubbed as "The Philippines –Beyond the Usual" Country Fair, the event will be held in Singapore on June 12 to 15 at the Tropics Atrium at the Suntec Mall in Singapore.

Organized by the Department of Tourism Singapore Office, the four-day event will showcase various Philippine destinations, attractions and tour packages, as well as products to the Singapore public. Hotels, resorts and convention centers will find the fair ideal to reach out to a vibrant Singapore tourist market.

DOT Tourism Attaché in Singapore Gerosel Siquian, in a recent meeting with ASEAN Tourism Envoy Charles Lim in Davao City said, "Singapore is the ASEAN region's best tourist market. Singaporeans take three to four overseas trips per year, creating a continuous demand for short but frequent holidays."

"This fair will be an excellent showcase for Philippine hotels, resorts, dive centers, spas, adventure and leisure tour operators," added Siquian.

Lim agreed that the event will be a very effective way to tap the Singapore market and an opportunity to also create more awareness for investments in the Philippines.

Travel and tourism participants will also have a business networking session strictly for the trade visitors to be conducted by the DOT Singapore Office.

"Moreover, air linkages between Singapore and Philippines are at an all-time high," commented Lim. "There are now four direct gateways to the Philippines from Singapore – Clark, Manila, Cebu and Davao – serviced by no less than six airlines! Now, this is unprecedented and definitely an ideal situation to increase tourist arrivals to all parts of the country from Singapore."

He hopes that more local tourism councils, resorts, hotels, tour operators and tourist facilities will participate in DOT sponsored events such as the Country Fair. Participation fee is only USD100.00 per participant. - Press Release

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Dagupan City Celebrates 19 Days of Bangus Festival in the Philippines

Dagupan City Philippines - The 19-day Bangus Festival that showcased the city's No. 1 product, bangus, benefited all sectors, including ordinary citizens -- stakeholders of Dagupan's development.

This was the unsolicited comments from various citizens of the city who participated in the just concluded Bangus Festival held from April 16 to May 4, attended by an overflow crowd from the local population and visitors.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, chair of the 2008 Dagupan Bangus Festival said local businessmen who participated in the festival's Dagupan Great Day Sale admitted that their sales went up despite offering special discount of up to 50 percent on the cost of their goods.

Really a tourist charmer, the Bangus Festival made all hotels and inns in Dagupan fully booked from beginning to end of the festival, Fernandez said.

Ordinary sidewalk vendors, including jeepney drivers, also confessed they were happy because they earned more as compared to their incomes in previous Dagupan Bangus Festivals because of the big crowd that flocked to the city.

"Everybody was saying that the Bangus Festival was very successful and would like to see this same kind in other future festivals in the city," Fernandez said.

She said officials were exulted when people said that the crowd that attended the just-concluded Bangus Festival was thrice bigger than similar festivals held in the city during the previous years," said Vice Mayor Fernandez.

Fernandez said all those they invited to perform, including artists and famous bands from Manila, came to the satisfaction of the crowd that flocked to Dagupan during the Bangus Festival.

Director Martin Valera of the Department of Tourism, said the Bangus Festival is the biggest festival he had seen in northwestern Luzon.

Fernandez thanked his fellow officials led by Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., festival's honorary chairperson, for lending their support to the festival and who chaired different events. - Philippine News Agency

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