PPC-INFO

2006-08-22T23:06:00.000-07:00

Sosyo sa Negosyo

palawan, Puerto Princesa, Puerto Princesa City August 23rd, 2006

the transformation of Puerto Princesa into a world-class, park-like city and the eco-tourism capital of Asia, full employment can be assured for those who are not engaged in businesses of their own.

Kaunlaran or economic development is the last of the three K’s (the first two being Kalinisan or cleanliness and Kapayapaan or peace and rrder) that Mayor Hagedorn has promised the people of Puerto Princesa. This is the most difficult and challenging task that the mayor has put before himself.

To achieve this objective, he adopted a three-pronged approach: Enhanced agricultural productivity, aggressive tourism development with the end in view of making Puerto Princesa the eco-tourism capital of Asia, and promotion of livelihood activities that are not necessarily reliant on natural resources.

Initially, the City Agriculture Department and the City Social Welfare Department undertook the organizing, training, screening, evaluation and final determination of possible beneficiaries of the City’s Government various livelihood assistance schemes such as agro-forestry; rice, corn, vegetable, and cut-flower production; furniture making, goat, poultry and piggery raising; cattle breeding and fattening; sari-sari stores; buying and selling; and similar such projects that promote self-employment.

All in all, a total of P27,626,960.00 have been released by the City Government to 1,187 family beneficiaries.

Due to poor repayment record, however, seen in retrospect as having been caused largely by some of the people’s dole-out mentality, Mayor Hagedorn shifted tactic and involved the San Teodoro Rural Bank in a project called Sosyo sa Negosyo.

Under the new scheme, the rural bank puts up 150% of whatever amount that the City Government appropriates for livelihood assistance. Since its implementation, P2,664,300.00 have already been loaned out to 142 family beneficiaries for such livelihood activities as shell craft and native products manufacturing, mushroom culture, fruits vending, art and beauty shops, and many others. Since then, repayment record has gone up to a healthy 80%.

2006-08-18T04:38:00.000-07:00

An Invitation to Adventure

Ecotourism has now become the buzzword among the worlds travelers, and rightly so. With the massive ecological ruin that many parts of the world have been subjected to in the name of development, very few are the places left where the integrity of the oceans and the forests has remained intact.

In our little world that is Puerto Princesa City, we delight in many things, foremost of which are the richness and the relative purity of our terrestrial na marine resources, and the peoples success i n conserving them. That we have also made it the cleanest, greenest and most peaceful city in the Philippines are other humble accomplishments that have become our collective source of pride.

To our fellow travelers, we offer you a journey abounding with breathtaking sceneries, distinct sights, a rich cultural heritage, and the warmth of our people. We share them with you, lovers of nature. They are yours to enjoy.

So, come now. The pristine while beaches, exotic islands, lush virgin forests, and a bundle of many more natural excitements await!

Together with the rest of the noble Puerto Princesans, I will be

Your companion,

SAGOT KITA!

EDWARD S. HAGEDORN

City Mayor

2006-08-18T03:33:00.000-07:00

Catalyzing Development

August 18th, 2006

Catalyzing Development

A MANGROVE SEEDLING farm in Puerto Princesa

The P1.6 billion Palawan North Road is a 134-kilometer (km) road stretching from the city to Roxas, cutting travel time from 4–5 hours to just 1.5 hours. The concrete road was made with a special concrete paver, making it much smoother than normal concrete roads. Engineers boast that it is a world-class road. The road, completed in 2004, is part of ADB’s Sixth Road project that aims to improve infrastructure in the countryside to boost economic development. The project, located along the northeast coast of Palawan, consists of the 80.34- km Puerto Princesa–Langogan road and the 54.14-km Langogan–Roxas road.

“These nice roads are a catalyst for development. Normally, investors, when they come, first look at the road network for the delivery of goods and products. Roads are a major aspect of development,” says Mayor Hagedorn. “We would like to thank ADB for making us a part of their major programs, particularly in infrastructure.”

The Palawan North Road boosts the tourism economy of the province, which is one of only two industries after agriculture. It leads to major tourism spots, including Honda Bay, Underground River, and its famed world-class resorts.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. T he jewel of Puerto Princesa is
now included in the Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization) World Heritage List. The inclusion of the Puerto Princesa …
HondaBay-Islands - http://hondabay-islands.blogspot.com

A master plan for Eco-tourism

Honda Bay. 12 kms. north of the city proper, consists of several island. Dive sites
abound here, as the entire area is studded with patches of corals and sand.
Take your pick from dozens of white san beaches. …
HondaBay-Islands - http://hondabay-islands.blogspot.com

Profile:

Profile:. PUERTO PRINCESA sprawls across 253982 hectares of land making it
the country’s largest city. Located 306 nautical miles Southwest of Manila.
It stretches 106 kilometers long with its narrowest breadth in Bahile where only 8.5 …
PPC-INFO - http://ppc-info.blogspot.com

Leader in local Governtment Programs

1996 Outstanding Environmental Protection and Management. Oplan Linis : Puerto
Princesa City. Puerto Princesa was like many other cities in the country before
Oplan Linis. Its streets and public markets were dirty; its port was in no … …
Leadership in local government - http://leadership-in-local-government.blogspot.com

DENR :launches Green Philippine Highway

Green Philippine Highway. by Edgar B. dela Cruz. Koronadal City (17 August) –
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 12 will spearhead the
implementation of Green Philippine Highway. At the Kapihan sa SOCCSKSARGEN, …
Hagedorn-Net-News - http://hagedorn-net-news.blogspot.com

Noise Reduction:

Hall of Fame Award: Cleanest and Greenest City. Outstanding Environmental Protection
and Management Oplan Linis : Puerto Princesa City Puerto Princesa was like many
other. Related topics: Tourism Program: Not so long ago, …
PuertoPrncesa-fast-facts - http://puertoprncesa-fast-facts.blogspot.com

Hagedorn: The Movies
FPJ : Hagedorn. Hagedorn / Philippine Movie VCD. Art-Nr.: FIVCD-H-01. Fernando
Poe, Jr. - Sharmaine Arnaiz -Jun Aristorenas - Bob Soler - Dante Rivero - Paquito
Diaz - Jorge Estregan - Dick Israel. His devotion to his duty is nonpareil. …
ThePalawanEagle - http://thepalawaneagle.blogspot.com

Posted by palawanblogger

Filed in Uncategorized, Philippines, Leadership, Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Palaweno, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Mayor Hagedorn, Political Will, PGMA

2006-08-18T02:17:00.000-07:00

Profile:

PUERTO PRINCESA sprawls across 253,982 hectares of land making it the country’s largest city. Located 306 nautical miles Southwest of Manila. It stretches 106 kilometers long with its narrowest breadth in Bahile where only 8.5 kilometers of land separate the east and the west coasts. It has 66 barangays, 35 of which are urban and 31 are rural settlements.

People
Waves of migrants from other Philippine provinces, and even other countries, have turned Puerto Princesa into a melting pot of various cultures. Among the original inhabitants are the Cuyunons who posses a rich legacy of folklores and traditions. Indigenous groups include the Tagbanuas and the Bataks, each group with its distinct culture and system of beliefs.

Total inhabitants number about 161,912 (as of May, 2000), Three fourth of the population resides in the city proper, an urban settlement on the shores of Puerto Princesa Bay. While the predominant local tongue is Cuyuno, Tagalog, Visayan, as well as English are widely spoken.

Economy
The city’s prime industries includes tourism, agriculture, and fishing. Perhaps 1,000 hotel rooms are made to meet the increasing demand of foreign and domestic visitors. About 60% of tourism revenues came from local MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, & Exhibitions) market. While an estimated 75,409 hectares are agricultural lands producing rice, corn, banana, mango, coconut, cashew, coffee, and root crops. The city is also one of the biggest suppliers of marine products in Metro Manila and other Asian countries.

Tourist Attractions
Puerto Princesa is a tropical paradise perfect for nature lovers and adventurous travelers. Lush rainforests, beautiful islands and white sand beaches are simply hours away from a bustling urban center. The city proper has huge trees and fresh air managing to retain its frontier ambience despite the onset of modern trends and structures.

Hilly terrain dotted with trees, home to a wide array of colorful wildlife. Rivers, springs and waterfalls offer a serene repose amid the rugged landscape – Natural wonders like Subterranean River National Park, a World Heritage Site features 8.2 kilometers navigable underground river. Reputed to be the world’s longest.

This is Puerto Princesa’s natural heritage in which its people are honored to share with visitors from all over the world.

The Exotic Adventure of a lifetime awaits you at Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan is the place for you. Awaken to the chirping of rare birds, have an exciting encounter with a roaming mouse deer in the virgin forest, and spot beautiful, wild growing Vanda butterfly orchids.

Spectacular bird formations at sunrise on Ursula Island await you. Dare to float down the subterranean river of St. Paul Natural Park and be amazed by the spectacle of natural cathedrals and stalactite formations in its caves.

And if you're into diving, in the Sulu Sea is probably the best dive site in the Philippines, the Tubbataha Reefs. Cast your line in its deep crystal waters and you may just hook a record breaking sailfish.

Tourism

Puerto Princesa is a tropical paradise perfect for nature lovers and adventurous travelers. Lush rainforests, beautiful islands and white sand beaches are simply hours away from a bustling urban center. The city proper has huge trees and fresh air managing to retain its frontier ambience despite the onset of modern trends and structures. Hilly terrain dotted with trees, home to a wide array of colorful wildlife. Rivers, springs and waterfalls offer a serene repose amid the rugged landscape – Natural wonders like Subterranean River National Park, a World Heritage Site features 8.2 kilometers navigable underground river. Reputed to be the world’s longest. This is Puerto Princesa’s natural heritage in which its people are honored to share with visitors from all over the world.

Hall of Fame Award: Cleanest and Greenest City

1996 Outstanding
Environmental Protection
and Management

Oplan Linis : Puerto Princesa City

Puerto Princesa was like many other cities in the country before Oplan Linis. Its streets and public markets were dirty; its port was in no better condition and its coastal lines littered with trash. Barely four moths after the program was launched in August 1, 1992, Puerto Princesa was radically transformed into a clean city. Oplan Linis has brought honor and prestige to a place previously known as a haven of prisoners and breeding place of malaria-causing mosquitoes. As a result, the health personnel and private medical practitioners noted reduced incidence of stomach illness, flu, and gastro-enteritis. There was no reported outbreaks of contagious diseases where there used to be one per year affecting 100 families in the squatter areas. The city had become a favorite place for official functions, tourism, recreation and Lakbay Aral (study tour) site thereby generating employment for the residents.

Central to the concept of Oplan Linis is value formation through intensive information and education campaigns. With school children as the primary targets, the program was pursued relentlessly by the government in partnership with the schools, churches, businesses, NGOs and the tri-media. The Anti-littering Ordinance is strictly enforced. Nobody is spared including the mayor and a visiting senator. Aside from cleanliness and sanitation, the other components of Oplan Linis included beautification, saving the bay and coastal areas and close monitoring of compliance. Behind the success of the program are the people themselves who are involved in cleaning up their immediate surroundings and not throwing trash anywhere. There is ownership of the program and collective pride in the discipline demonstrated by a large majority of the city residents.

Hall of Fame Awardee: Clean and Green

Oplan Linis Program (Clean and Green Campaign)

Launched on August 1, 1992, the program aims to sustain cleanliness, beautification, and sanitation in the city through active and continuing partnership among government agencies, non-government organizations, the private sectors, and citizens. The program has earned for Puerto Princesa the coveted label of being the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines

Oplan Linis has six major components: Cleanliness, Beautification, Sanitation, Sagip-Dagat (Save Sea), Sagip-Hangin (Save Air), and Information and Education.

Behind the astounding success of the program are the people themselves. Once aroused from their lethargy and challenged to be better than themselves as a result of the massive information and education drives among schools, offices, business establishments, and the barangays, they acted as one in initially sweeping and gathering tons of accumulated garbage, and then in seeing to it that no one throws litter anywhere in the city.

It was not easy, of course, especially in the beginning. Pretty soon the people believed that the program was for real. Parents started being amazed at seeing their children from school emptying pocketfuls of trash. Adults seen by children littering were feeling awkward and embarrassed after being scolded by the latter. Until the whole population took the program with a happy and leisurely acceptance that it became finally internalized in their systems.

In 1994, Puerto Princesa was formally declared the Cleanest and Greenest Component City in the country. Its 98% rating over the 95% garnered by Baguio City as the Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized City technically makes Puerto Princesa the cleanest city of them all.

Oplan Linis Program (Clean and Green Campaign):