Courtesy Call by the GTZ Team

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino as he welcomed the GTZ Team

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino, together with some SP members met with the German Technical Cooperation or GTZ Team earlier today at the City Mayor's Office.

The team was composed of Mario Donga and Olaf Neussner, both GTZ Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Consultants; and Allen Molen, Program Adviser, DRM Environment and Rural Development Program.

They were on hand to brief the City Officials on the 3-year Urban DRM Project for the City of Calbayog which was recently approved by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation (BMZ).

The team was in Cabayog for data-gathering the pre-planning workshop aimed at defining the areas of cooperation in line with the overall objectives and outputs of the project in preparation for the Partner Workshop in Tacloban this coming October 29, 2009.

Present at today's meeting were Councilors Ina Rabuya, Danny Bernate, Noel Sermense, Jonas Montealto and Benjie Dean. Also on hand were Environment Officer Joe Raz, City Planning and Development Officer Gil Lentejas, City Agriculturist Adela Ocenar and DILG City Director Valente Bajet.

Mr. Allen Molen giving some info on the project.

Team leader Mario Donga

DILG City Director Valente Bajet (right) with (l-r) Mr. Olaf Neussner, Mr. Mario Donga and Mr. Allen Colen.

5 Barangay in Calbayog City Receive KBP Projects

Calbayog City_/As the rest of the country marked the 37th anniversary of Martial Law, 5 barangays in the northern part of the city received the fruits of their “liberation” from being affected by the insurgents: the Kalayaan Barangays Program or KBP Projects of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In a simple ceremony at Brgy. Peña in Tinambacan district, Col. Arnaldo Fernandez, Jr., commander of the 53rd Engineering Brigade, together with Col. Arnolfo Atendido, commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade, turned over to city mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento and the 5 punong barangays the fully-accomplished KBP project packages consisting of a 2-room school building, a health center and street lights. The projects which cost around Php1.5 million per package were warmly received by the Barangay officials, health workers and teachers of Barangays Peña, Cagmanipis Norte, Malaga, Tinaplacan and Bugtong.

According to Lt. Col. Rizalito Tibon, the commanding officer of 543rd Engineering Construction Battalion which erected the said projects, the Kalayaan Barangays Program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was intended for conflict-affected communities all over the country. It is specifically given to such barangays who lack the basic infrastructure projects such as school buildings, water system, and the like.

The recipient barangays in Calbayog according to Col. Tibon, were selected when the Special Operations Team from the 20th IB conducted a pulong-pulong with the people of the communities to know what their basic priority needs are. These needs were submitted to the National Development Command, which in turn, requested funds from the President.

During the ribbon cutting ceremonies in the barangay, there were observations made about the good quality of work done on the buildings by the engineering battalion. To this, Col. Tibon said, “Iyon lang po talaga ang gawain naming mga army engineers, lahat ng gawin namin, kailangan matibay, para hindi na magkaproblema ang ating mga communities, at hindi masira ang gobyerno.” Col. Tibon also added that army engineers are not “profit oriented but service oriented,” hence whatever funds allocated for the project are being spent for it. In case there are savings, like what happened to these KBP projects, they use it to buy tables and chairs for the teachers.

The savings must have been quiet big because after the blessing of the buildings, Col. Fernandez promised to provide lavatories for the health centers and, to the applause and cheers of the teachers and students, a complete set of computers for each of the school buildings. (Eleen Lim / DYOG Calbayog)

NGCP President attends briefing on the 1-B peso Power Transmission Project

As reported, NGCP President and CEO Walter Brown was in Calbayog this morning. He was on hand for the briefing on the 1-billion peso Wright-Calbayog 138kV Power Transmission Project.

On hand for the program were Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, the City Officials and various sectoral representatives.

For details about the project, please check an earlier blogpsot. Let me give you some pictures taken by Henry Puyat during the program.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento giving the welcome remarks.

Congressman Reynaldo Uy giving his message.

Dr. Walter Brown giving his message after the project briefing.

The officials signing the Covenant of Mutual Support.

NGCP President and CEO Walter Brown (seated 2nd from the right) with (l-r) Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino,Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Congressman Reynaldo Uy and Mr. Roel Castro, Special Assistant to the NGCP president. Standing are (l-) Councilors Susano Salurio, Julius Mancol, Noel Sermense, Regina Rabuya, Ver Porlares, Virgil Clemens, Danilo Bernate and Rey James Uy.

1-B peso transmission project in Eastern Visayas to be completed by March 2011

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) gave a briefing on the Wright-Calbayog 138-kV Power Transmission Project this morning. Congressman Reynaldo Uy and Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento led local officials and sectoral representatives in the activity which was attended by no less than NGCP President and CEO Walter Brown.


The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has started pre-construction works on the 1.189 billion-peso Wright-Calbayog 138 kV Transmission Project in Eastern Visayas.

Scheduled for completion on March 2011, the project is expected to enhance the reliability and quality of electric power by extending the 138-kV backbone transmission system to the northern part of Samar Island.

Electric power in Northern Samar is presently transmitted through the 69-kV line supported by wood poles which are susceptible to tripping causing outages and frequent electric power service interruptions.

Aside from upgrading the line, NGCP will also expand Wright substation and install improvements on transformers as well as protection and communication equipment. A new substation will also be constructed in Calbayog City.

Upon the completion of the project, the power customers in Northern Samar and nearby localities would be the direct beneficiaries of the stronger transmission network.

Maintaining the stability, reliability and efficiency of transmission of power in the Visayas Grid remains as NGCP's priority. NGCP hopes that the project would jumpstart economic progress in the area which has been hampered through the years, primarily by the underdeveloped basic infrastructures including reliable electric power service.

This project is also implemented as part of NGCP's commitment to the technical provisions of the Philippine Grid Code.

The transmission line component of the project was awarded to Xian Electric of China on August 7, 2009 after an open public bidding. The substation component, on the other hand, was awarded to ABB Philippines on August 17, 2009 after a similar public bidding.

NGCP has already acquired the right-of-way (ROW) on 97% of the identified tower sites.

Since January 15 of this year, the privately-owned NGCP has been the official holder of the franchise to operate and maintain the country's power transmission grid, formerly the domain of the government-owned and controlled National Transmission Corporation (TransCo).

update on the Calbayog Gymnasium

Work at the site of the Calbayog City Sports complex / Gymnasium is now going full blast. The gym which is located in Barangay Capoocan (near the Hall of Justice) is expected to be finished by September 2009.

A billboard along the national highway announcing some details about the project.

The gym as seen fom the national highway. In the foreground (right) is the Capoocan Main Health Center which was constructed by the U.S. Navy Seebies during last year's USNS Mercy ENCAP.

The road leading to the gym. On the right side is the Hall of Justice. On the left is the future home of the Bureau of Fire Protection.

20 million pesos for Calbayog

(April 24, 2009) The City of Calbayog received a check amounting to 9.850 million pesos from the Department of Agriculture. The amount is the first tranche release of the 20 million-peso assistance the Agriculture Department will be providing to the City for the concreting / asphalting of the Brgy. Villahermosa - Brgy. San Jose Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) and other related projects.

The check was received by Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino during the PalayCheck Field Day and Farmers/Fisherfolks Forum held in Brgy. Carayman. DA-8 Director Leo Cañeda represented Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap who failed to make it to the program.

Aside from the turn-over of the check, the day's activity included field orientation and visit, field performance show, distribution of 24,000 Tilapia fry to local Tilapia growers and a forum facilitated by Engr. Guillermo Calderon.

The activity was attended by farmer-graduates from Carayman, Cag-Anibong and San Joaquin.

The City officials in attendance were City Councilors Ver Porlares, Ina Rabuya, Sonny Salurio and Arturo Pasacas. Also present were Acting City Administrator Arnol Trani, DA RD on Fisheries Juan Albaladejo, ATI-RTC VIII Center Director Paulino Cabahit, City Agriculturis Adela Ocenar and Ass't City Agriculturist Guillermo Calderon, among others.

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino (2nd from the right) as he received from DA-8 RD Leo Cañeda the 9.850-M check. Looking on are (l-r) City Agriculturist Adela Ocenar, Councilors Ver Porlares, Ina Rabuya, Sonny Salurio and Arturo Pasacas (CAO photo) .

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino receiving from DA-8 RD Leo Cañeda the 9.850-M check. In photo are (l-r) Councilors Ina Rabuya, Sonny Salurio and Arturo Pasacas, ATI-RTC VIII Center Director Paulino Cabahit and Acting City Administrator Arnol trani. (CTIO photo)

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino delivering a welcome message on behalf of Mayor Mel Sarmiento. (CTIO photo)

Director Leo Cañeda delivering his message. (CAO photo)

Some beneficiaries as they received Tilapia fry from RD Leo Cañeda and RD Juan Albaladejo.

(l-r) Councilor Ver Porlares, Engr. Arnol Trani, Mr. Juan Albaladejo, RD Leo Cañeda, Dir. PAulino Cabahit, Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino, Councilors Arturo Pasacas, Sonny Salurio and Ina Rabuya. (CAO photo)

A farmer-graduate receives his certificate from RD Cañeda. (CAO photo)

Some of the farmer-graduates who attended the activity (top and bottom photos from CAO)

DPWH speeds up completion of Calbayog-Gatanguit Road Project

Tacloban City (April 8) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways in Region 8 is fast tracking the completion of the Calbayog-Gatanguit Road, a report at the DPWH website stated.

The project which is part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's SONA commitment, is aimed at rehabilitating and improving the economy of Calbayog City and the other municipalities in Samar province.

It would be recalled that President Arroyo is determined to fulfill her SONA commitments before her term ends in 2010.

The project consists of improvement and widening of road; upgrading and widening road tracks and shoulders; building better drainage facilities and slope protection; and building road safety devices alongside the existing 52.7 kms road, along Maharlika Highway.

The road project also includes replacement of two (2) bridges and rehabilitation of thirteen (13) more bridges located along the Calbayog- Gatanguit.

The Calbayog-Gatanguit Road Section is under Package III of the Arterial Road Link Development Project and entails the improvement and upgrading of about 52.7 kilometers of existing road. The project, Director Angelito Twano informed started in November of 2006 and is scheduled to be completed by August of 2009.

Considering that Samar is located in the country's typhoon belt and runs along the route being passed by commuters from Luzon to Mindanao and vice versa, the road network is constantly subjected to destruction, and deterioration of roadways and shoulders, thus, the DPWH took immediate actions in rehabilitating and improving the road section.

DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. said that taking immediate actions are necessary in improving the national road net. He also added that the DPWH does not only rehabilitate or reconstruct roads immediately but also continue producing new, lasting, safe and efficient roads and bridges to be more convenient. (PIA 8)

On the billion-peso irrigation project in Norther Samar

“Let’s finish the project on time”, RDC Chair Sarmiento tells Hanjin engineers

Calbayog City. RDC-8 Chairperson and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento on Tuesday summoned some Project engineers from Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction, Co. (HHICC) to a meeting at the function room of I’s Plant hotel, this city. On the agenda was the catch-up plan of the NIA / Irrigation and Drainage component of the Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project (HCAAP). Included in this project are the irrigations systems in Catubig, Bulao and Hagbay (all in Northern Samar).

In attendance during the meeting were Ernesto Octaviano of NEDA-8, Engr. Romeo Irinco of NIA, HCAAP Consultants Teofilo Malocse and Miguel Espaldon. HHICC was represented by Engr. Hyun Suk Shin, Deok Weon Lim and Engr. Dante Tan.

Hanjin is undertaking the billion-peso project which commenced on March 22, 2007. Its original contract amount of Php 994,391,744.00 is expected to grow as revisions come along the way. Originally expected to be finished on March 19, 2010, it is now expected to be finished by August 25, 2010, with a contract duration of 1,253 calendar days from the original 1,095 calendar days.

As per January 31, 2009 accomplishment report, the HHICC’s actual performance was at 13.8% which is way below the 15.1% cumulative target. This was among the reasons for Tuesday’s meeting.

In his message, Mayor Sermiento informed everyone that as RDC Chair, he regularly updates President Arroyo on the ongoing projects in the Region 8. Among other things, he also reiterated the President’s marching orders which “to develop Samar Island”. When finished, the HCAAP would be the first major irrigation system in Samar. The President might consider inspecting the said project anytime this year.

Hanjin’s engineers present in the meeting gave their commitment to meet the project deadline. Among other things, they cited the floods as one major cause of the delay in the implementation of the project. They also noted that the area is not easily accessible. One engineer gave the assurance that they will do their best for the project. They assured everyone of their best effort in terms of equipments and manpower. By March 2009, they will focus on the project sites at Catubig and Bulao.

The HCAAP is located in the Municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas. Its fund source is JBIC Loan PH-P221 in the amount of 5,210 million yen. Its lead agency is the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). Other implementing agencies are the DPWH, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, the Province of Northern Samar and the Municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas. When finished, the Irrigation and Drainage Component is expected to provide a 40-thousand ton rice production output per year which translates to an incremental net farm income of 247.03 million pesos (in constant 2007 prices).

From the LSDE: Businessmen encouraged to use Naval-Kawayan RORO ports

(Let me give you Ahlette Reyes' report which appeared in the February 20, 2009 edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

TACLOBAN CITY - More industry players in the shipping, freight transport business in the country are encouraged to make use of the alternative Naval and Kawayan Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) ports here in Eastern Visayas.

Calbayog Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, who chairs the Regional Development Council-8 (RDC-8), says Eastern Visayas now hosts other alternative routes from Luzon to Mindanao areas that could save more time and cost for the industry.

In the recent report of the RDC-8 construction of the Kawayan Port and Naval Port, both in Biliran province, have already been 100% completed through the Philippine Ports Authority.

“These are alternative routes which industry players can take advantage of if they could give the market a try. It would surely cut the cost of transport particularly in goods that would mean also reduction in prices of these goods when sold in the market and consumed by the people,” Mayor Sarmiento said.

The usual route taken by transportation and freight industry is the Lilo-an Port in Southern Leyte to Allen Port in Northern Samar.

The RDC chairman said Mindanao freights and carriers can instead ply the route from Lilo-an to Kawayan or Naval in Biliran Province, then to Esperanza, Aroroy or Burias Island in Masbate then on to Bicol and the Luzon areas. The travel time alone, Sarmiento said, is already much less than the usual route.

The Naval Port Development Project entailed the construction of RO-RO Ramp and Passenger Terminal Building and the project cost was at P9.9 million. Meanwhile the Kawayan (Balite) Port Development included the extension of RC Pier and construction of RO-RO ramp and cost P17 million. Both are now declared completed by the PPA regional office in Eastern Visayas.

Sarmiento said the port development projects have been undertaken to realize the President’s vision of a seamless transport system.

The RO-RO system is seen not only to reduce the cost of moving goods but also increase regional trade, enhance tourism and agricultural productivity, promote growth in investments and development of the countryside as well as poverty reduction. (AHLETTE C. REYES)

some regional news

Let me share with you two reports on the delayed 138kv transmission line project. I got these from the Leyte-Samar Daily Express.

Delayed electric transmission system project in Samar Island to be pushed through by NGCP
By: Ahlette C. Reyes (This report appears in today's edition of the LSDE)

TACLOBAN CITY – The 138 KV backbone transmission system to span the northern part of the Samar Island would push through – after some encountered hitches over the years, Regional Development Council-8 Chairman, Calbayog City Mel Senen Sarmiento.

The 138 KV Wright-Calbayog Transmission Project is reportedly pushing through with the opening of the bid soon as informed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in a letter to the RDC last month.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is the privately-owned corporation that won the competitive public bidding in December 2007 which was granted by Congress a 50-year franchise as official operator of the formerly government-owned and controlled National Transmission Corporation to operate and maintain the country’s power transmission grid.

According to Mayor Sarmiento, the change of hands in the official operation of the country’s transmission grid was also among the hitches considered as the cause of delay of the project.

“If we may remember when President Arroyo last visited the region, she particularly ordered to complete the construction of the Paranas-Calbayog 138 KV Trasmisison Line,” Mayor Sarmiento said in an interview during the recent RDC-8 Council meeting at the NEDA Regional Office Conference Hall.

NGCP’s Assistant Chief Technical Officer Lu Shirong said in his letter addressed to Mayor Sarmiento that since NGCP is a private consortium, it will not adopt the Government Procurement Act (RA 9184) in the procurement of goods and services necessary to implement the project. They will instead, adopt its own procurement guidelines which, Shirong said in his letter, “is more responsive in addressing the needs of the country’s power networks.

Under NGCP, it was learned that the target of submission for the project proposals by NGCP-accredited suppliers will be in the period of February 28 to April 28, 2009.

The actual construction up to the energization will be on July this year to September 2010.

The extension of the 138 kV backbone transmission systems towards the northern part of Samar Island, one of the priority projects of the RDC-8 started during the RDC chairmanship of then Gov. Remedios Petilla, is aimed at intensifying the delivery of quality and reliable power threat.

Presently, power transmission to Northern Samar is through the 69 kV wood pole lines that are susceptible to frequent power interruption and undervoltage.

With this development project, the power consumers in Northern Samar and nearby localities will benefit from quality and stable power supply which will serve as catalyst to jumpstart their economic progress which have been hampered through the years, primarily due to underdeveloped basic infrastructures including electricity.

This project is likewise considered as a commitment to comply with the requirements set by the National Grid Code as promulgated by the Energy Regulation Commission. (AHLETTE C. REYES)

And here's the report of Sarwell Meniano which appeared in yesterday's edition of the LSDE:

NGCP to construct P1.26B 138 kV transmission line in Samar
By: Sarwell Meniano

PALO, Leyte -The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) vowed to pursue the construction of the P1.26 billion Paranas-Calbayog 138 kV transmission project on July 2009 after the firm took over the management of the country’s electric transmission.

NGCP engineering assistant chief technical officer Lu Shirong said in a letter to Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento that it will take time to kick off the project considering that the new owner will no longer adopt the Government Procurement Reform Act.

“As the winning concessionaire that took over on 15 January 2009 the operation and maintenance including the expansion of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao Grids, NGCP shall definitely pursue the implementation of the project,” Shirong said in the letter dated February 6, 2009.

However, the owner will apply the company’s purchase system which they believed as “more responsive in addressing the needs of the country’s power networks.”

Based on the revised timetable, the target submission of project proposals by NGCP-accredited suppliers will be on February 28 to April 28, 2009, while construction and energization will be on July 18, 2009 to September 15, 2010.

In a letter last month to Malacañang, Sarmiento appealed that the bidding for the said project be opened to stabilize the power supply distribution in Samar Island, “which has serious ramification to the welfare and day-to-day livelihood of constituents.”

The said request was endorsed by National Transmission Corporation President Arthur Aguilar to NGCP President and Chief Executive Officer Walter Brown.

It can be recalled that on December 1, 2008, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law the bill allowing the NGCP to operate, manage, and expand the country’s high voltage power grid for 50 years. The corporation is a consortium of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., Calaca High Power Corp., and State Grid Corp. of China.

“I’m happy that this will be pushed through because we’ve been waiting for this for five years. There are steel towers in Samar but those are for Metro Manila. The region’s power transmission uses old wooden poles even if we are the host of geothermal power,” Sarmiento said in an interview.

Currently, power transmission to Northern Samar is through the 69 kV wood pole lines that are susceptible to frequent power interruption and “undervoltage.”

“How can we improve the economy in Samar Island if there are power failures that occur three days in one week?” Sarmiento asked.

The upgraded transmission lines will increase the power transfer capacity by installing 138 KV overhead transmission line together with a run of 24-count fiber optic cable overhead ground wire which would serve as the main communication medium of the link.

The substation in Wright, Samar will be expanded and a new Calbayog substation will be constructed as a receiving end substation.

From the new Calbayog substation, power will be transmitted to Northern Samar through the existing Calbayog-Lope de Vega lines and the proposed Calbayog-Allen lines.

The project which was designed to curb the long problem of frequent power outages in the northern part of Samar Island was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) in 2005. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO)

update on the Wright - Calbayog 138 kv Transmission Line Project

Let me give you an update on the Wright - Calbayog 138 kv Transmission Line Project.

Yesterday, Mayor Mel Sarmiento received a letter from Mr. Arthur Aguilar, President and CEO of the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo).

Let me share some parts of the letter:

"This refers to your letter dated 20 January 2009, sent to us by Usec. Charito R. Elegir. We wish to inform you that we referred your letter to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). NGCP has taken over the transmission business of TransCo effective 15 January 2009, including the function of construction and expansion of the transmission system.

Considering that the project is part of the Final Determination approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission, we expect the completion of the subject line by year 2010."

The JTED Experiment

Do you still remember the JTED meeting? We fondly refer to it as the first International Conference hosted by Calbayog City. It had delegates from at least twelve countries and International Organizations coming to Calbayog a few days before the 58th Charter Day Anniversary.

Officially called The Global National Coordinators' Review Meeting, its delegates came to the City to review the experiment on the Juvenile Trashfish Excluder Device (J-TED), a program under the auspices of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and supported by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). (You may check this link).

I came across the two (related) reports on the experiments (Mexico was the other city where the experiment was conducted) as featured in BBC News and Earth Report. I thought I wanted to share these with you. You may check on the logos below, or check these links: link 1, link 2.

The Urban Poor Solidarity Week

The City Government recently spearheaded the Urban Poor Solidarity Week 2008. The activity which was anchored on the theme "Urban Poor Empowerment: The City's Vision for Sustainable MDGs Localization", was graced by the presence of HUDCC Secretary-General, Undersecretary Lucille Ortile.

A good number of Officers and Members of 54 Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and the beneficiaries of Caramel and Tomalon subdivisions participated in the parade and solidarity which capped the week-long event.

Here are some pictures from the day's activity.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Usec Lucille Ortile as they welcomed the parade participants.

Mayor Sarmiento with Usec. Ortile as they visited the San Policarpo resettlement site

The City Mayor with the HUDCC Usec at Carmela Subdivision.

For more pictures, please check this link.

Secretary Arthur Yap's commitments to Calbayog and Samar

Hi! Still with the recent birthday bash of Calbayog City. I would have wanted to publish this news right after the Charter Day Closing Ceremonies where Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap enumerated a good number of projects for Calbayog and Samar.

I wanted to be sure about the data, so the news had to wait until yesterday when I received the email detailing Secretary Yap's commitments to Calbayog City and in the First District of Samar. The Agriculture Secretary was in Calbayog City on October 16, 2008 in conjunction with the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Celebration and the Turnover of INFRES FMR and Flatbed Mechanical Dryer.

1.) Three (3) Million Pesos for (6) six additional units of flatbed mechanical dryers for Calbayog City.

2.) Four (4) Million Pesos for a SWIP project in Roxas II, Calbayog City

3.) Twenty (20) Million Pesos for a Farm-to-Market-Road (FMR) project from Barangay San Jose to Barangay Himalandrog, Calbayog City

4.) Eight and a half (8.5) Million Pesos funding support for a Farm-to-Market-Road (FMR) Project in Sta. Margarita endorsed by Congressman Reynaldo S. Uy

5.) Four Hundred Fifty Thousand (450,000) Pesos for 26 units of ram pumps coursed thru the Diocese of Calbayog for the 24 municipalities and 2 cities of Samar.

and now for the good news

(I got this news / PR a few days after the President's visit. I tried to confirm it and got busy along the way. I think it's never too late to announce any good news.)

PGMA orders upgrade of Calbayog airport


CALBAYOG CITY – This city received an unexpected boost when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo directed national and local officials to implement enhancements to the local airport following the arrival here of the inaugural flight of PAL Express, the low-fares unit of flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

The chief executive instructed Reuben Ciron, newly appointed director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and Calbayog Mayor Mel Sarmiento, concurrent chair of the Regional Development Council in Region 8, to look into the request of PAL for urgent improvements to Calbayog airport.

These measures included the asphalt overlay of the runway extension, installation of runway lights, expansion of the turning pad, and setting-up of perimeter concrete fencing.

For the passenger terminal, the enhancements included the installation of a baggage carousel, x-ray machine and walk-through metal detectors.

Modern air-to-ground communications equipment was also needed, PAL said.

“We believe that these physical improvements will lead to a corresponding expansion in the Calbayog operations of not just PAL Express but other airlines as well,” said PAL president Jaime J. Bautista, who was on board the Bombardier Q400 turbo-prop that arrived here from Manila at around 10:10 a.m.

Other ranking passengers were PAL deputy chief executive officer Henry So Uy and Canadian Ambassador Robert Desjardins.

On hand to welcome the flight at Calbayog airport was President Arroyo, who arrived earlier to convene a meeting of the Regional Development Council and inspect development projects in the region.

She was joined by local officials led by Calbayog Mayor Sarmiento.

from DepEd Calbayog

In a few days' time, expect to see this billboard / tarpaulin announcing the construction of the DeEd Cabayog City Division Office. This building will rise in Brgy. Hamorawon, near the Calbayog City National High School campus.

In case you are having a hard time reading the text on the sides, it says THANKS TO: DepEd Central Office, Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, VM Ronald Aquino and the City Councilors, Congressman Gabriel "Bembem" Noel and the Local School Board.

Gov't team coming to Calbayog to further study airport redevelopment plan

(Let me give you Sarwell Meniano's report as printed in today's edition of the LSDE)

CALBAYOG CITY- The national government will send a team to this city this month to further study the plan to redevelop the city airport after Philippine Airlines’ top management asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to upgrade the airport’s facility.

City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento said one of the tasks of the group is to come up with costings required for the project.

The request was made on the airport here following the inaugural flight of PAL Express here Tuesday morning, 10 years after it ceased its operation in Samar province.

In his talk with Arroyo, PAL President Jaime Bautista said that the airport needs repair to pave a way for expansion of PAL and other airlines in the future.

These measures include the asphalt overlay of the runway extension, installation of runway lights, expansion of the turning pad, and setting-up of perimeter concrete fencing.

For the passenger terminal, the enhancements include the installation of a baggage carousel, x-ray machine and walk-through metal detectors. Modern air-to-ground communications equipment was also needed, Bautista said.

“We have sought the support of the President for a much needed upgrade of Calbayog Airport in order for it to handle the operation of jet aircraft. She said that she will seriously look at it,” the PAL executive said in a media interview.

In a brief interaction with the media prior to the plane's arrival, Arroyo welcomed PAL’s move to include Calbayog in their routes.

“The coming of PAL is an assurance that Samar is peaceful. I am here to see what else we can do in Samar in terms of infrastructure development,” Arroyo told the media.

It was learned that the President instructed Reuben Ciron, newly appointed director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Sarmiento, concurrent chair of the Regional Development Council in Region 8, to look into the request of PAL for urgent improvements to Calbayog airport.

PAL first flew to Calbayog in 1958; the city was among the flag carrier’s pioneer destinations. PAL last operated there in 1998 when its rehabilitation plan obligated it to focus only on major trunk routes.

“We were the first airline to fly to Calbayog back in 1958. Now, we hope to take Calbayog’s development to a higher level with our new PAL Express service. We are committed to provide affordable air service to the many far flung island communities of our country,” Bautista added.

Constructed in 1970’s, the airport’s runway has a length of 1,476 meters. Under the plan, the local government wants to extend the runway into another 200 meters and thicken the runway.

“The embankment is now ready. We just need funds to start the expansion. Our goal is to meet the international requirement of the runway to accommodate bigger aircraft in the future,” said Sarmiento.

“We’re expecting that passenger traffic will increase tremendously with the entry of PAL in the city. It will encourage more people to come. Accessibility and frequency is very important,” the city mayor said.

PAL Express flight PR 091 from Manila, served by a Bombardier Q400 turbo-propeller aircraft, landed at Calbayog airport 10:10 a.m. on Tuesday after a one-hour-and-20-minute journey from Manila. The flight carried 48 passengers.

Among them are Bautista, PAL’s deputy chief executive officer Henry So Uy, Canadian Ambassador Robert Desjardins and Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Apart from Calbayog, which is served with four flights weekly, PAL Express also launches on the same day separate daily services from Manila to San Jose (Occidental Mindoro), Virac (Catanduanes) and Surigao City (Surigao del Norte).

This city now has daily flight with Asian Spirit flying three times a week. PAL Express will also launch the Manila-Catarman flight next month in Northern Samar.

an update: The Calbayog Pier

I got hold of some pictures of the Calbayog Pier. These pictures were taken about a week ago and it shows the progress of the project being undertaken at the area.

"So near yet so far" is the most common line uttered by passengers who get "stranded" aboard THE VESSEL OF THE ONLY SHIPPING COMPANY plying the Cebu - Calbayog route when the said vessel arrives in Calbayog on a low tide. I dunnow the exact details of the project, one thing for sure, it is supposed to provide some sort of an axtension, so as to let the vessles dock even on low tide (I hope).

and the work goes on

This was the scene at the rotonda at around 5 this afternoon. Asphalt overlay which is part of the project to rehabilitate the National Highway has reached the said area.

One of the heavy equipments doing the "finishing touches" on the road job

That's the City Mayor (2nd from the right) taking time to do an occular inspection of the project.

work still ongoing

I went around the city today. There were no rallies condemning PGMA or celebrating EDSA 1. Instead I saw these heavy equipments lined up near the Rosales bridge. It turns out, asphalt overlay has been done on Senate President J. D. Avelino Avenue. Today they expect to continue working on the area from the Rosales bridge going to the rotonda in Obrero.

That's the Centennial Pastoral Center and the newly asphalted road. Pix below shows the same buidling with the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in the background.

Now for a twist (or something to make you smile). As I took the pictures shown above, a funeral hearse (pix below) conked out (read: tumirik). What if it happened during a funeral with a coffin and flowers on board? Most likely old folks would say: "na-awil pa gad man". Just like what they say during funerals done on a rainy day.