Pili Tree Planting Program officially launched

Pili Tree Planting in Calbayog. Mayor Ronaldo Aquino (in black shirt) as he took time to pose with some stakeholders during the official launching of the Pili Tree Planting Program of Calbayog. The said program which was launched in Barangay Migara is a joint undertaking of LGU-Calbayog, DepEd Calbayog and the Barangay Officials and PTA Officers and members of selected barangays in the Happy Valley area. It is aimed at both for environment protection and to provide livelihood to the barangay folks in the said area. In photo with Mayor Aquino are (l-r) Tomasa Antivo (DepEd Calbayog District III Supervisor), Antonio Eloja (Palayamanan President), Arnold Jaraba (DepEd Calbayog EPS for TLE and EPP), Adela Ocenar (City Agriculturist), Atty. Fiel Almendra (DepeEd Calbayog SDS), Marto Calamayo (3D CUPS Ass't Director), Lorenzo Ras (OIC of CENRO) and the parent leaders from the Happy Valley area.

Payao and Gill Net Project launched

Mayor Ronald Aquino today led the Turn-over Ceremony of Payao and Gill Net Project in Brgy. Bantian, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City. The event was attended by Mr. Teodolfo Castañas (Bantian Barangay Captain), Engr. Rolando Ay-ay (Samar Provincial Director of the Department of Agriculture) and Ms. Adela Ocenar (City Agriculturist), among others.

Barangay Bantian the first beneficiary of the said project. The said Barangay was given 80 pieces of gill net and materials to be used in the making of payao. Payao or arong is a floating structure topped with coconut fronds or some other materials that attract fish to stay under it. Payao can be set both in shallow water and deep sea areas.

This help was given by the government to encourage those illegal fisher folks to stop their illegal fishing activities that destroy the fish industry. They are expected to do their part in giving care and attention for the betterment of the fish industry in Calbayog. This is also one step for the restoration of what was once the good fishing industry of Calbayog City.

In his message, Mayor Aquino asked the fisher folks to ponder as to where the fish of Calbayog has gone. He also noted that 20 years ago, Calbayog City was the number one supplier of fish for Manila. 20% came from the other parts of the Philippines and 80% from Calbayog. He also left a very promising statement that he would help the small fisher folks in every way he can. He also mentioned that in 2013, the local government will give a 1.5 million-peso budget for the purchase of boats and a long nylon line with multiple fish hooks, an implement locally referred to as “kitang” that will be given to the small fisher folks that would be a great help in their living. (Fidel C. Cagomoc / CTIO Intern)

Wazup Malajog Beach?

Work to develop Malajog Beach has started. I still have to get hold of some of the artist's sketch on the plan on Malajog. In the meantime I am happy to inform you that concreting of the access road has started as seen in these pictures.

and when this project is finished, a shaky ride to and from Malajog Beach (as shown by the video below) will be a thing of the past

My pix of the new public market

As I have mentioned in an earlier blogpost, the LGU has formally inaugurated the new Calbayog Bus Terminal and Public Market complex. The complex sits on a 3.5 ha. property off Magsaysay Boulevard extension in Barangay Bagacay, Calbayog City. Here are some pictures I took before yesterday's program.

This is the new Public Market. The "dry section" is at the ground floor while the "wet section" is at the second floor.

Demy Dimaranan, Tony Tallon, Dr. Teody Fortaleza and Chu-chu Aquino as they took a close look of the wet section before the program.

The "wet section" of the new public market (pix up and below)

The "dry section" on the ground floor.

The new Public Market and Bus Terminal complex Inaugurated

Mayor Ronald Aquino led the City Officials during today's inauguration of the new Public Market and Bus Terminal complex in Barangay Bagacay. Rev. Fr. Julio Gaddi presided over a mass which preceded the inauguration ceremonies which was attended by the LGU Department Managers and the market stall occupants.

Mayor Ronald Aquino and Vice Mayor Rey James Uy leading the ribbon-cutting for the new Bus Terminal. In photo are (l-r) Rev. Fr. Julio Gaddi. Councilors Sonny Salurio, Ina Rabuya, Julius Mancol, Ver Porlares, Biboy Belleza, Nonoy Pasacas, Ronald Mark Aquino, Jonas Montealto, Virgil Clemens and Raymund Uy.

Waterfalls in the Park

Construction is currently ongoing at the Nijaga Park (it's the portion near the Rosales bridge). They are coming up with a replica of Bangon and another waterfalls. I suppose this has to do with Calbayog's tagline being the City of Waterfalls. But then their is Iligan which called itself the City of Majestic Waterfalls. So, maybe we can meet halfway about it. Anyway, here are some pictures of the ongoing project, so as to update you of what's going on at the plaza. I'll feature photos as soon as the project is completed.

The City Hall tonight

I passed by the City Hall are earlier tonight, and this is what I got - a "clean well-lighted place". The landmark and the stage have been repainted and the spotlights are in place.

And in the vicinity is the Sts. Pter and Paul Cathedral

The City Hall gets a facelift

ready for the big day

They have torn down the scaffolding and the fence around the Calbayog Cultural and Convention Center. And let me give you some pictures for the CCCC's exteriors. Finishing touches are being put in place for the big day - the CCCC inauguration during the 62nd Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary. And that's exactly a week from now.

Fiesta 2010: Hadang Festival Opening Night

Hadang Festival 2010 opens tomorrow night at the Nijaga Park. Mayor Reynaldo Uy will lead the City Officials and guests in the ceremony. On hand for their mini concert is the Calbayog Concert Chorus. The Sarakiki-Hadang performers will do the traditional ritual opening exhibition and the singing of the Festival theme song. Also included in the program is the flying of the traditional lobo, a fireworks display and the opening of the Samar Island Cultural Tourism Exhibit.

andam na para sa Patrun

Nakadto ak sa kanina City Arts and Culture Office sa Nijaga Park para manignano san mga detalye kaparte san Opening Program para san Hadang Festival 2010. Hadang Festival an tawag san Arts, Culture and Tourism Week sa Calbayogon nga guinbubuhat kadungan san pagsalin-urog san kapistahan san Nuestra Señora De La Natividad.

Nakahan-ay na an mga buruhatun, an mga detalye sana akun igbubutang dinhi sini nga blog sa ti-abot nga mga adlaw. Kanina an mga miembro san AKUSTIKS usa nga grupo san mga mangaranta nga kabataan mao an nakadto sa entablado para mag practice. Si Mr. Jonas Lim an nagdesenyo san entablado para san Hadang Festival 2010.

Aadi an pipira nga mga litratu nga akun nakuha kanina sa CACO

The old Bus Terminal

From this . . .

. . . to this. This is how the Calbayog City Convention Center will (hopefully) look like when finished.

Work has commenced on the 36 million-peso plus project. The Calbayog Bus Terminal together with the Public Market will be relocated at the Magsaysay Boulevard extension in Barangay Bagacay, Calbayog City. (Photos by Henry Puyat)

For a video presentation on the project, please check this link.

Upcoming Calbayog (LGU) Events

The City Government of Calbayog will be hosting three events this week.

Barangay Summit (Solid Waste Management)
July 9, 2009; TTMIST-AVR

This whole-day event will be will be attended by the City Officials, JICA Representatives and the 157 Punong Barangay of Calbayog City.

This is a joint activity of the LGU and JICA.


Official Launching of the Bangon Mini-Hydro Project
July 10, 2009; I's Plant conference Room


Enhancing Communities' Capacity to Confront Extreme Geo-Meteorological Events at the Core of Climate change
July 10, 2009; TTMIST-AVR

Government Officials from Calbayog and other cities and municipalities Region 8, Presidents of State colleges and other stakeholders have been invited to this event.

Organized by: The National Institute of Geological Sciences-University of the Philippines (NIGS-UP); Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Dep't of Science and Technology (PAGASA-DOST); and the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development-Dep't of Science and Technology (PCIERD-DOST)

The Calbayog Coffee Table Book

The first copies of the Calbayog Coffee Table Book are out. Earlier this morning, I chanced upon Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento scanning his copy of the said book.

The book features six major stories / chapters:

1. Calbayog’s social and economic history;

2. Calbayog as the Religious Center of the province;

3. The culture of Calbayog showing its music, theater & dance, literature, and visual arts;

4. Governance with its unique role as the only city in the entire island of Samar;

5. Its people who have propelled Calbayog to national prominence and have accomplished outstanding achievements; and

6. Calbayog’s Natural Heritage.

It is hard bound with protective jacket, contains about 200 full color pages and glossy photographs, 11×26 inches in full spread, and will be printed in limited (1,000) copies only.

For details and reservation of copies, please contact:
Engr. Arnol F. Trani

City Administrator

Calbayog City

(+63 917) 304-36-57 or (+63 55) 209-29-13

email: arnoltrani@yahoo.com

Here's the video teaser courtesy of Nelson Petilla and Dante Rosales

Images from the Urban Poor Solidarity Week 2008

The 2008 Urban Poor Solidarity Week ended today with a parade and fellowship at the TTMIST Socio-Cultural Center. Gracing the occasion was HUDC Secretary-General, Usec Lucille Ortile. The officers and members of 54 Homeowners Asociations were joined by the City offficials in the actvity.

Here are some pictures from the day's event.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento delivering his message

Usec. Lucille Ortile delivering her message

Usec. Ortile with Mayor Sarmiento and Col. Corleto Vinluan, Jr.

Usec. Ortile with Councilors Sonny Salurio and Ina Rabuya and Linda Calesa

Mayor Sarmiento with Col. Vinluan, Bebot Oquendo and Vir Tomnob