SMI Art Camp unveils skills of local young artists
Thursday, November 12, 2009Koronadal City (12 November) -- With her art work "Green Road for Development," Marjorie Jorillo of Holy Cross of Kiblawan went home the Grand Champion of the 1st SMI Art Camp on 27-30 October 2009 at Del Rio Splash Resort in Koronadal City.
The SMI Art Camp is a capability-building initiative that aims to contribute to the holistic development of the young people through art and to engage them in our country's cultural preservation and development.
At the Art Camp, the 50 student-artists from 25 high schools in Malungon, Kiblawan, Tampakan and Columbio, the towns directly hosting the Tampakan project, received training from top visual artists from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Arts Association of the Philippines (AAP), led by AAP President Salvador Convocar.
Acrylic and water color conceptual artist Robert Deniega appreciated how SMI takes care of the children. According to him, a visual art creates thousands of messages in a frame. He is happy to see a recording of everything the student artists' learned about sustainable mining during the Art Camp.
There were four categories in the Art Camp competition – Sustainable Development, Dreams for Progress, Environment, and Community. The category winners' work will be featured in the 2010 Calendar of SMI, thus the 1st SMI Art Camp being dubbed as "Project Calendar."
"The Art Camp enhances the artistic and creative abilities and skills of the student artists, which is consistent with SMI's thrusts in relation to cultural preservation and development," said SMI Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Superintendent Bella Lechonsito. (SMI/PIA 12) [top]
A Crown City
Saturday, November 7, 2009A Crown City
Korona (crown) exactly fits the name of a city which came to be known as Koronadal. City of Koronadal is a sprawling community at the foothills of the surroundings Roxas and Quezon mountain ranges that gives a perfect illusion of a crown jewel set at the bed of a landlocked crater.
Uniquely Koronadal
City of Koronadal is a fertile valley which is locked by the mountainous spines of the Roxas and Quezon mountains ranges that rise to 874 meters above sea level. This city situated in the norteastern part of the South Cotabato and lies in the heart of the region XII in Central Mindanao.Experience Korondal's natural beauty and enjoy the marvel of its lush rainforest in the highlands surrounding it. Encounter the majesty of waterfalls and caves that gives a really stunning experience.
Even more, indulge in the city's rich culture which is truly a fascinating treasure. Quaint traditional villages thrive even with the fast bustling business centers in the city. Garden resorts, canopy walks, mountain hikes, food festivals, trade fairs and evening parties, relaxation recreation and excitement.
Welcome to City of Koronadal and enjoy the familiar warmth of Filipino culutre, adventure and nature that is uniquely Koronadal.
Invest in Koronadal
+Why Invest in Koronadal+In 2003, Koronadal's winning edges led to its recognition from the prestigious and highly respected Asian Institute of Management as the country's Most Competitive Small-sized City, a much coveted title contested by 25 small citites in the Philippines. Koronadal bested other small cities in credible standards like low cost of doing business and broad market base, proxinity to other growth centers, competent workforce, vibrant tourism sectors, strong supporting environment and very responsive local govenrment.
City Special Events
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City Goals
- Productive People in a Healthy City
- Quality Infrastructure for Development
- Environment – Friendly Koronadal
- Benchmark of Excellence in Public Service
- Good People, Quality Living
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Other Economy stories
Commercial flights to Guiuan mulled
TACLOBAN CITY -- The government is assisting two flag carriers as they conduct a market study on a possible service to Guiuan, the jump-off point to surfing destination Calicoan Island in Eastern Samar. Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas Cynthia Nierras said her office has been such information to Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air. "We have been coordinating with these airline companies in providing profiles of Guiuan town and other necessary information," Ms. Nierras said. The airport in Guiuan has been improved. But not one commercial flight serves this Eastern Samar town. "The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has already sent personnel to Guiuan Airport to supervise the operation of the airport," Ms. Nierras said. Cebu Air corporate communications manager Michelle Eve De Guzman confirmed that the airline is studying the Manila-Guiuan or Cebu-Guiuan route. The proposed route is being considered under the airline's expansion plan for 2009-2014. The Tacloban office of PAL, meanwhile, is assessing passenger traffic volume in Guiuan and the condition of the airport. Ms. Nierras said she was optimistic that the airlines would respond positively to requests from several groups and local government officials for commercial flights to Guiuan. Early this year, SeaAir launched the Manila-Borongan flight but the service was stopped for lack of passengers. Borongan is the capital town of Eastern Samar while Guiuan is the second biggest town. The Guiuan Airport was improved for P155 million, which covered the construction and concreting of apron and taxiway, rehabilitation of the passenger terminal building, construction of the perimeter fence, construction of access road, and asphalt overlay of the runway. Calicoan, one of the islands off Guiuan town, has been dubbed a surfer's paradise with its powerful swells rolling in from the Pacific Ocean. -- S. Q. Meniano
North Cotabato airport set to open next year
KORONADAL CITY -- North Cotabato's agriculture sector is expected to get a boost with a new airport now almost completed for start of operations slated by middle next year, a provincial official said on Thursday. Vice-Gov. Emmanuel F. Piñol said in an interview here Thursday that the airport in the town of M'lang is expected to provide relief to North Cotabato farmers bugged by problems in transporting perishable and non-perishable products to markets in the Visayas and Luzon. "This [airport] would eventually spur the business climate of the province and adjacent areas and help our farmers," he said. The airport was scheduled to be visited on Thursday by President Gloria M. Arroyo, but the visit was moved to November 3. Mr. Piñol said the airport will allow North Cotabato producers to directly access big trading centers in the cities of Manila, Cebu and Iloilo. Among the major products of the province are rice, corn, rubber, banana and exotic fruits such as durian, lanzones, rambutan, pomelo and mangosteen. The airport sits on a 64-hectare property bought from the Buenaflor family. The airport terminal facility is already 85%-90% completed. The airport plan has been approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which initially allocated P12.8 million for the purchase of the land at P200,000 per hectare. Mrs. Arroyo herself had recommended the use of the Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp.'s (PNOC-EDC) royalty to the province as additional fund for the airport's construction. PNOC-EDC operates geothermal plants in Kidapawan City, the province's capital. In 2006, Mrs. Arroyo ordered the Department of Energy to turn over the P30 million in royalty for the province to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC). The DoTC also approved an additional P40 million to augment the airport fund. Senator Richard Gordon and North Cotabato Rep. Bernardo F. Piñol, Jr. (2nd District) were able to have Congress approve P100-million funding for the airport's construction in the 2008 annual appropriations. This was used building the terminal of the airport, although another P100 million is still needed for the project to be fully completed, including the runway, Mr. Piñol said. He added the airport is expected to be fully operational by mid-2010, 15 years after the idea was conceived. -- R. S. Sarmiento
Retirement agency pursues agreements with LGUs
DAVAO CITY -- The Philippine Retirement Authority is coming up with a memorandum of agreement with local government units in Mindanao that would accredit areas suitable for retirement projects. Jaime B. Llames, officer-in-charge of the agency in this city, however, said red tape has become a hindrance in this process since some local executives need authority from their respective legislative bodies before they could sign an agreement. Mr. Llames said local council deliberations on these agreements have made it difficult for his agency to fast-track the implementation of programs for retirees. "The (progress in approving agreements) is very slow," he said, citing the case of one city mayor in the Davao Region who has yet to sign the agreement because the city council has yet to approve the resolution authorizing him to do so. Interested local governments, he said, must have improved medical facilities comparable with international standards if they want retirees to take notice of their areas. "Medical facilities are very important to them," he said. To be sure, some local governments have gone ahead to lure retirees to their areas. Dapitan, a city in Zamboanga del Norte, will be visited by 100 retirees from Europe that the agency of Mr. Llames is bringing in. In the case of Davao City, Carlos Omar A. Vargas, president of the local chapter of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Association, said that his group and that of Mr. Llames will visit London next year to promote Davao as "boom city of Asia." Mr. Vargas said the London market is important because he was informed that about 30% of Filipinos in London are either from Davao (region) or have relatives in Davao. "This is a very huge market (for property developers), especially retirees," he said. "In previous years, there were no properties that could be sold to them," he said as he noted that only in the last three years when investors started developing upscale property units specifically for foreigners, many of them retirees, as well as overseas Filipino workers. Davao has been a host to several upscale housing projects and newly built condominiums. Moreover, private hospitals such as the Davao Doctors Hospital have improved their equipment and services to qualify for international standards. In nearby Samal City, a local company, the RJP Realty Corp., has started developing Samal Highlands Garden Resort, for retirees. Jonathan A. Alegre, an official of the company, said the project has been promoted to both US and European market, particularly those Filipinos in the medical profession. -- C. Q. Francisco
Arroyo said backing proposed Mindanao dev't agency
DAVAO CITY -- President Arroyo has vowed to certify as urgent the legislative proposal that would form the Mindanao Economic Development Authority, Jesus G. Dureza, presidential assistant for Mindanao, claimed in an interview here. Mrs. Arroyo made the statement during the 37th general assembly of the Bishop-Ulama Conference where she was the guest of honor, Mr. Dureza said. He said the creation of the authority, which is an enhanced institutional body from the current Mindanao Economic Development Council, should help spur development in Mindanao. He said most Mindanao lawmakers have supported the proposal as it already passed the second reading in the House of Representatives. -- CQF
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read more “Other Economy stories”
TACLOBAN CITY -- The government is assisting two flag carriers as they conduct a market study on a possible service to Guiuan, the jump-off point to surfing destination Calicoan Island in Eastern Samar. Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas Cynthia Nierras said her office has been such information to Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air. "We have been coordinating with these airline companies in providing profiles of Guiuan town and other necessary information," Ms. Nierras said. The airport in Guiuan has been improved. But not one commercial flight serves this Eastern Samar town. "The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has already sent personnel to Guiuan Airport to supervise the operation of the airport," Ms. Nierras said. Cebu Air corporate communications manager Michelle Eve De Guzman confirmed that the airline is studying the Manila-Guiuan or Cebu-Guiuan route. The proposed route is being considered under the airline's expansion plan for 2009-2014. The Tacloban office of PAL, meanwhile, is assessing passenger traffic volume in Guiuan and the condition of the airport. Ms. Nierras said she was optimistic that the airlines would respond positively to requests from several groups and local government officials for commercial flights to Guiuan. Early this year, SeaAir launched the Manila-Borongan flight but the service was stopped for lack of passengers. Borongan is the capital town of Eastern Samar while Guiuan is the second biggest town. The Guiuan Airport was improved for P155 million, which covered the construction and concreting of apron and taxiway, rehabilitation of the passenger terminal building, construction of the perimeter fence, construction of access road, and asphalt overlay of the runway. Calicoan, one of the islands off Guiuan town, has been dubbed a surfer's paradise with its powerful swells rolling in from the Pacific Ocean. -- S. Q. Meniano
North Cotabato airport set to open next year
KORONADAL CITY -- North Cotabato's agriculture sector is expected to get a boost with a new airport now almost completed for start of operations slated by middle next year, a provincial official said on Thursday. Vice-Gov. Emmanuel F. Piñol said in an interview here Thursday that the airport in the town of M'lang is expected to provide relief to North Cotabato farmers bugged by problems in transporting perishable and non-perishable products to markets in the Visayas and Luzon. "This [airport] would eventually spur the business climate of the province and adjacent areas and help our farmers," he said. The airport was scheduled to be visited on Thursday by President Gloria M. Arroyo, but the visit was moved to November 3. Mr. Piñol said the airport will allow North Cotabato producers to directly access big trading centers in the cities of Manila, Cebu and Iloilo. Among the major products of the province are rice, corn, rubber, banana and exotic fruits such as durian, lanzones, rambutan, pomelo and mangosteen. The airport sits on a 64-hectare property bought from the Buenaflor family. The airport terminal facility is already 85%-90% completed. The airport plan has been approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which initially allocated P12.8 million for the purchase of the land at P200,000 per hectare. Mrs. Arroyo herself had recommended the use of the Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp.'s (PNOC-EDC) royalty to the province as additional fund for the airport's construction. PNOC-EDC operates geothermal plants in Kidapawan City, the province's capital. In 2006, Mrs. Arroyo ordered the Department of Energy to turn over the P30 million in royalty for the province to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC). The DoTC also approved an additional P40 million to augment the airport fund. Senator Richard Gordon and North Cotabato Rep. Bernardo F. Piñol, Jr. (2nd District) were able to have Congress approve P100-million funding for the airport's construction in the 2008 annual appropriations. This was used building the terminal of the airport, although another P100 million is still needed for the project to be fully completed, including the runway, Mr. Piñol said. He added the airport is expected to be fully operational by mid-2010, 15 years after the idea was conceived. -- R. S. Sarmiento
Retirement agency pursues agreements with LGUs
DAVAO CITY -- The Philippine Retirement Authority is coming up with a memorandum of agreement with local government units in Mindanao that would accredit areas suitable for retirement projects. Jaime B. Llames, officer-in-charge of the agency in this city, however, said red tape has become a hindrance in this process since some local executives need authority from their respective legislative bodies before they could sign an agreement. Mr. Llames said local council deliberations on these agreements have made it difficult for his agency to fast-track the implementation of programs for retirees. "The (progress in approving agreements) is very slow," he said, citing the case of one city mayor in the Davao Region who has yet to sign the agreement because the city council has yet to approve the resolution authorizing him to do so. Interested local governments, he said, must have improved medical facilities comparable with international standards if they want retirees to take notice of their areas. "Medical facilities are very important to them," he said. To be sure, some local governments have gone ahead to lure retirees to their areas. Dapitan, a city in Zamboanga del Norte, will be visited by 100 retirees from Europe that the agency of Mr. Llames is bringing in. In the case of Davao City, Carlos Omar A. Vargas, president of the local chapter of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Association, said that his group and that of Mr. Llames will visit London next year to promote Davao as "boom city of Asia." Mr. Vargas said the London market is important because he was informed that about 30% of Filipinos in London are either from Davao (region) or have relatives in Davao. "This is a very huge market (for property developers), especially retirees," he said. "In previous years, there were no properties that could be sold to them," he said as he noted that only in the last three years when investors started developing upscale property units specifically for foreigners, many of them retirees, as well as overseas Filipino workers. Davao has been a host to several upscale housing projects and newly built condominiums. Moreover, private hospitals such as the Davao Doctors Hospital have improved their equipment and services to qualify for international standards. In nearby Samal City, a local company, the RJP Realty Corp., has started developing Samal Highlands Garden Resort, for retirees. Jonathan A. Alegre, an official of the company, said the project has been promoted to both US and European market, particularly those Filipinos in the medical profession. -- C. Q. Francisco
Arroyo said backing proposed Mindanao dev't agency
DAVAO CITY -- President Arroyo has vowed to certify as urgent the legislative proposal that would form the Mindanao Economic Development Authority, Jesus G. Dureza, presidential assistant for Mindanao, claimed in an interview here. Mrs. Arroyo made the statement during the 37th general assembly of the Bishop-Ulama Conference where she was the guest of honor, Mr. Dureza said. He said the creation of the authority, which is an enhanced institutional body from the current Mindanao Economic Development Council, should help spur development in Mindanao. He said most Mindanao lawmakers have supported the proposal as it already passed the second reading in the House of Representatives. -- CQF
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