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Boracay welcomes 1st cruise ship this year
The M/V Resorts World One, which was carrying 1,600 passengers, arrived in Boracay on Wednesday, the first cruise ship to visit the island this year......»»
Norwegian cruise ship arrives with 1,600 visitors in Boracay
Malay-Boracay Tourism Office on Friday welcomed Norwegian cruise ship MV Norwegian Jewel that is carrying an estimated 1,600 passengers......»»
DENR joins Pag-Asa Island research expedition
A team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources visited Pag-Asa Island on 23 October 2023, led by DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga. The visit included a site inspection of the area surrounding Pag-Asa Island, including Sandy Cay 2, and coincided with the arrival of the M/V Panata research vessel of the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute for its bi-annual research expedition to the Kalayaan Island Group and the West Philippine Sea. Loyzaga is the second Cabinet-level official to visit Pag-Asa Island in recent years, and the first DENR Secretary to do so. She was joined by other DENR officials, namely, Undersecretaries Augusto Dela Pena, Analiza Rebuelta-Teh and Juan Miguel Cuna; Assistant Secretaries Gilbert Gonzales and Marcial Amaro, Jr., the respective Directors of the Environmental Management Bureau and the Biodiversity Management Bureau; and Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Executive Director Teodoro Matta. The DENR team was joined by Dr. Fernando Siringan, Dr. Jose Fernando Alcantara and Dr. Rolando Tolentino from UP-MSI. They were met on Pag-Asa Island by Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command, and Kalayaan Municipal Mayor Roberto Del Mundo. The DENR, UP-MSI, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and Wescom teams discussed with Del Mundo and the Kalayaan government officials plans to expand research and monitoring in Pag-Asa Island and peripheral areas. Scientific studies have established that the marine ecosystem in the Kalayaan Island Group is a critical biodiversity area, and is crucial for the sustainable supply of fish and coral larvae in the Philippines and the region. “The discussion was on the environmental sustainability of the island and the research needed for understanding of marine environments and value of these ecosystems to livelihoods, food security in the Philippines and the region and the global need to ensure the ocean’s climate regulatory functions. Given the implications, we need to actually determine an ecological boundary rather than administrative lines,” Loyzaga explained. She and the DENR team visited the research station of UP-MSI on Pag-Asa Island, where the team is in the thick of field and oceanographic surveys as part of the periodic monitoring of the immediate environment around Pag-Asa Island. The research is partly funded by the Philippine Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System project of the national government. The group boarded the research vessel for a site inspection and docked at Sandy Cay 2, an islet just two miles off Pag-Asa Island, to check the crushed corals littered on the beach. Loyzaga and Del Mundo also discussed possible interventions for the priority needs of the municipality’s residents and the sustainable development of the island, such as the area's carrying capacity and need for water, sewerage and solid waste management systems. Pag-Asa Island serves as the hub of the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan — the smallest in the Philippines with a population of 193, but the largest in terms of jurisdiction, with an area spanning almost 65,000 square miles. The post DENR joins Pag-Asa Island research expedition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Magalong pushes Baguio rehab
The city government here is determined to manage its resources, population and tourism industry to raise its carrying capacity, stunt urban spoil and cope with climate-induced disasters......»»
‘Korea on brink of nuclear war’
A nuclear war is close to breaking out in the Korean peninsula, North Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations warned on Tuesday. Speaking on the same day that UN chief Antonio Guterres warned of a new nuclear arms race, Ambassador Kim Song blamed the situation to actions of the United States over the past year. He pointed to the recent formation of the Nuclear Consultative Group, through which the United States hopes to integrate its nuclear capacity better with South Korea’s conventional forces, with the two allies increasing information sharing and contingency planning. Kim said the group was “committed to the planning, operation and execution of a preemptive nuclear strike against the DPRK,” the official name of the North, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. “The US is now moving on to the practical stage of realizing its sinister intention to provoke a nuclear war by frequently dispatching strategic nuclear submarines and strategic nuclear bombers carrying nuclear weapons in and around the Korean peninsula for the first time in decades,” he added. The post ‘Korea on brink of nuclear war’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jumbo vessel calls at VICT
The Victoria International Container Terminal, or VICT, a unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc., or ICTSI, marked a significant milestone with the arrival of the super-sized ship, the M/V CMA CGM Pelleas, which docked at the Port of Melbourne. At 350 meters in length, the container vessel is the largest ever to dock in Australia. The ship is nearly 43 meters wide and has a carrying capacity of just under 10,000 TEUs. VICT’s chief executive officer, Bruno Porchietto, says that super-sized vessels like the CMA CGM Pelleas are likely to become more common at the VICT terminal. “There is a global trend by shipping lines toward the use of larger ships, which are more efficient due to their carrying capacity,” Porchietto said. Ship welcomed “We are very proud to welcome this ship as the largest yet to dock in Australia, and we are thankful to our client partners ANL and CMA CGM for their continued confidence in our facility. “It’s a strong signal of where the future lies for the Port of Melbourne and VICT — by the end of the year, our facility will be capable of docking two of these vessels or even larger simultaneously.” Porchietto says the VICT facility located at Webb Dock has significant advantages due to its location over the legacy terminals at Swanson Dock. “Because our operations sit at the entrance to the Port our facility can easily accommodate these larger vessels that are unable to sail further down into Melbourne’s Yarra River due to length and height restrictions.” The post Jumbo vessel calls at VICT appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
500 EDCA deals in 2024 pipeline
The United States has committed to more than 500 bilateral military engagements with the Philippines next year, which would primarily feature the stepping up of war games and joint sea patrols. An Armed Forces of the Philippines official described the engagements as encompassing exercises and high-level exchanges between the allied nations on security cooperation and strategic vision, including maritime security, information sharing, and capacity and capability development, among others. The commitments were made during last week’s annual Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board meeting, said the AFP official, who requested anonymity. Meanwhile, AFP Public Affairs chief, Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, said highlights of the activities will include an increased “tempo” in the joint exercises. At the same time, projects under the Enhanced Development Cooperation Agreement will be scaled up. He said engagements with other key international partners will also be part of the new set-up. During the meeting, AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., and US Indo-Pacific Command Chief Admiral John Aquilino reaffirmed the “steadfast commitment of the Philippines and the United States to safeguard their respective nations and the Indo-Pacific region.” “The meeting was the culminating activity of the planning cycle that assessed previous activities and set out over 500 bilateral engagements for 2024,” Ileto said. Increasing the American role in the maritime conflict with China is expected to be matched by the latter through increased aggressiveness in staking its claim in the West Philippine Sea. Swarming by vessels resumes The AFP Western Command on Saturday expressed alarm over the heightened presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels and the massive coral harvesting at Rozul, or Iroquois, Reef, located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. In a weekly news forum in Quezon City, Wescom commander, Vice Admiral Albert Carlos, reported the “resurgence” of swarming incidents in the West Philippine Sea, with about 40 Chinese fishing vessels spotted as of 15 September at Rozul Reef, which is located south of Recto Bank. Carlos said the latest figure is higher than the 33 vessels spotted on 24 August and the 24 tracked on 7 September. Swarming was also observed at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, where five Chinese fishing vessels were spotted, and Baragatan (Nares) Bank, with two boats, according to a Wescom news release on 14 September. “But the good news is we also have our presence there,” Carlos said, referring to vessels of the Philippine Navy and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. “So, we are addressing the issue of this swarming,” he added. Harmful harvesting Carlos noted that in July, the Philippine Navy deployed divers to conduct an “underwater survey” of the swarmed area and found “there were no more corals” at Rozul Reef. The military is coordinating with scientists and experts to assess the area, he said, adding that it specifically wants to verify the divers’ assessment that massive harvesting of corals happened just recently. “We saw that there were no more corals. The corals were damaged, and there was debris,” he said. “We are not making any conclusions at this time. It’s a work in progress, but we just want to report coral harvesting in the area where (the Chinese were) seen loitering and swarming.” Keeping the peace Carlos said government troops want to “keep the peace and avoid miscalculations” in the WPS despite the recent incidents. He, however, guaranteed a heightened military presence in the Philippines’ waters. “The presence (of Chinese vessels) is already alarming because we have the sovereign rights in our exclusive economic zone. Now, coral harvesting is still unverified. We are not saying that they are harvesting our corals. We suspect somebody is harvesting our corals, which means they are violating our sovereign rights. We have the exclusive right to exploit resources in the West Philippine Sea,” Carlos said. “For the Western Command, that is alarming, because it might appear that we are remiss in our duty to protect our territory, as well as the riches of our exclusive economic zone. So we are doubling our efforts on that. We are going to address that issue by increasing our presence there,” he said. Joint patrols assessed Carlos said the government is “carefully” studying offers by other countries to conduct joint patrols with Philippine forces. For now, the military is carrying out unilateral maritime patrols in the WPS, he said, adding that these are being “jointly conducted with the Philippine Coast Guard and the BFAR, not with any foreign country.” “We are in engagement with whoever offers to help us, whoever shares our desire, our objective to establish a rules-based international order. We are studying it carefully. All the offers are on the table,” he said. More EDCA projects Ileto said Brawner and Aquilino also agreed to hasten the completion of the EDCA projects. There were 32 projects approved. The two officials are eyeing 63 more EDCA projects. “More importantly, it reaffirmed the two nations’ commitment to the PH-US alliance as espoused in the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty,” he said. The Philippines and the US military officials also agreed to jointly push for a free and open Indo-Pacific region “against a backdrop of a rules-based international order,” Ileto said. The post 500 EDCA deals in 2024 pipeline appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A flying fiasco
Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific Air has proven time and again that it is more interested in counting its profits than upholding its duty to the public. As irate passengers lined up to air their grievances during congressional investigations, it has become evident that Cebu Pacific’s approach to customer service is nothing short of a disaster. The tales of woe begin with the grim reality of overbooking, a practice that seems to have become the signature move of the budget behemoth. Countless passengers have found themselves heartlessly cast aside, denied the right to board their flights, while Cebu Pacific’s rapacity for more revenue reached obscene heights. As these passengers shared their nightmarish experiences, Cebu Pacific’s customer service had been exposed as a mere façade, masking the truth of their disdain for the people they are meant to serve. “Everyone should fly,” Cebu Pacific says. Yes, everyone should fly away from an airline that is a veritable circus of excuses for delays and cancellations. The airline’s explanations for rebooked flights are nothing short of outrageous insults to the intelligence of their customers, each excuse more pathetic than the last. Lightning strikes and bird collisions may be acts of nature, but Cebu Pacific’s callous disregard for its passengers’ well-being is an act of corporate mischief. And the airline’s people at its check-in counters have apparently been coached to lie. A group of journalists hustling back to Manila from a provincial coverage to catch and cover President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address discovered this for themselves. All were supposed to board a 5:30 p.m. flight, but one photographer was rebooked for the next day, while another was told to board the 10:30 p.m. flight. Explaining at the airline’s check-in counter that they could not afford to be offloaded, the journalists were told that a smaller plane than the one they were booked on was dispatched. Allegedly, the bigger plane encountered mechanical problems and did not leave Manila. Then the check-in staff started playing the guilt-laying game, saying: “We cannot sacrifice the safety of the other passengers by accommodating more people than the smaller plane’s carrying capacity.” “But who told you to sacrifice anyone?” one of the journalists retorted. “What we want to know is how on earth Cebu Pacific chose us to be the ones to be off-loaded. And why are we being told only now, just a couple of hours away from our scheduled flight?” Cebu Pacific’s check-in staffer then mouthed what we presume to be the routine argument-ender they’d been given as a tired script — that they could do nothing about the problem except to find other flights for the off-loaded who may then file a complaint with their customer care department. To the chagrin of the photographer and reporter, they were told by their colleagues who were lucky enough not to be taken off the 5:30 p.m. flight that, yes, the original plane that was supposed to fly them back to Manila was the very same plane they boarded. What happened to the smaller plane? Lies, lies, lies. The question that looms larger than an Airbus A380 is this: How can an airline that rakes in billions in revenue conveniently blame external factors for its failures? “Freak incidents” do not occur with such alarming regularity, and when they do, a responsible and reputable airline has contingencies in place to mitigate their impact on passengers. Cebu Pacific booked a net income of P1.08 billion in the first quarter of this year, tripling its revenue to P20.88 billion from P6.71 billion in the same period last year, during which it recorded a net loss of P7.6 billion. But the carrier’s return to profitability, alas, has been at the expense of customers forced to book hotel rooms at their own expense or sleep on airport floors. To add insult to injury, the Civil Aeronautics Board and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have failed miserably in their oversight of Cebu Pacific and other erring airlines. Their inaction amounts to a dereliction of duty, leaving passengers vulnerable to the whims and caprices of a budget carrier that cares only for its bottom line. It is high time for Congress to wield its power and act decisively to protect the rights of the flying public. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez’s call for the suspension of Cebu Pacific’s legislative franchise echoes the sentiments of millions who have suffered at the hands of this budget airline. A suspension will send a clear message that reckless indifference and incompetence will not be tolerated, and the privilege of serving the public will be revoked if the airline fails to meet its obligations. We will not be saddled with Cebu Pacific’s flying fiasco. The post A flying fiasco appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PCG: Capsized boat ‘overloaded’ with 26 confirmed deaths
The motorbanca or MBca “Princess Aya” was overloaded with passengers when it capsized off Binagonan, Rizal yesterday, 27 July due to super typhoon Egay, said the Philippine Coast Guard on Friday, confirming 26 deaths due to the incident. Data from the PCG sub-station Binangonan showed that the motorbanca was authorized to carry 42 person capacity. However, the boat continued to sail with 66 passengers, including crew. The authorities accounted for 26 deaths while 40 were rescued after the incident. There’s an ongoing validation whether the motorbanca was carrying other cargoes such as motorcycles, sand, and cloth, said PCG. In a media interview, PCG Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu said only 22 individuals were declared in the passenger manifest list—which was “submitted to and approved by the PCG Sub-Station Binangonan.” “The boat captain listed 22 passengers only so the manifest was accepted and signed by the Coast Guard because the actual capacity is way below the authorized carrying capacity,” Abu told reporters. He said the Coast Guard personnel no longer conducted an inspection as “it’s a normal routine because what was indicated in the manifesto was below the authorized number. The boat was allowed to sail.” Abu said the two PCG personnel were relieved following the capsized incident in Binangonan. “The reason why we relieved them is so they can no longer interfere in the fair conduct of the investigation. My instruction to our coast guard's regional commander is to conduct a fair, honest, and transparent investigation. We need to be transparent on this issue,” he said. The post PCG: Capsized boat ‘overloaded’ with 26 confirmed deaths appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Committed to equity, sustainability, opportunity
As the Philippines looks forward to hosting the ABAC 3 (Asean Business Advisory Council) meeting in Cebu, the Aboitiz group acts as a key driver in advancing the shared goals of equity, sustainability and opportunity. The invaluable expertise of Aboitiz president and CEO and ABAC PH member Sabin Aboitiz contribute significantly to the Aboitiz Group’s endeavors and enhance the alignment between ABAC's vision and strategies. Sabin Aboitiz demonstrates the Aboitiz Group's unwavering commitment to sustainability. The focus on exploring the viability of nuclear energy via small modular reactors highlights the Group's interest in advancing clean and efficient energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change. Additionally, the integration of climate risk scenarios underscores the Group's proactive approach to understanding and addressing the potential risks and challenges posed by climate change. "At Aboitiz, we believe that businesses have a crucial role to play in promoting equity, sustainability and opportunity," Sabin Aboitiz said. "Through our collective efforts, we are committed to making a positive impact on society and fostering a better future for all." Apart from being the pioneer of renewable energy in the Philippines with 1249.17MW of total net sellable renewable energy capacity, AboitizPower, the energy arm of the Aboitiz Group, has shown commitment in promoting equity and inclusion within the company. Testament to that is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging program, which aims to push the envelope further in creating a safe and welcoming workplace for all. The DEIB program includes the establishment of resource networks for LGBT+, women at work, and “special life” team members, which include single parents and differently-abled workers. [caption id="attachment_149059" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Aboitiz Group drives Philippine development through inclusive growth. In Cebu City, reliable power empowers the town, improving lives and supporting economic growth and trade among APEC economies. Union Bank of the Philippines, led by Aboitiz, promotes financial inclusion through digital banking nationwide.[/caption] Group wide, Aboitiz also implements several initiatives that further celebrate diversity and maintain an inclusive workplace. Among these are information sessions and people stories for Women’s Month, Pride Month and Mental Health Month. The company also boasts a balanced representation of male and female team members, fostering an environment that values gender equality and provides equal opportunities for all. Aboitiz Equity Ventures, AboitizPower and Aboitiz InfraCapital are proud member companies of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment, a nonprofit organization advocating workplace gender equality. Aboitiz understands that the overall success of the company also depends on the individual success of the team members. And by creating a culture where everyone feels valued, respected and included, the Aboitiz group makes sure that no one is left behind in the journey toward progress. The Aboitiz-led UnionBank of the Philippines plays an important role in the group’s digitalization path, driven by its dedication to “Tech-Up Pilipinas” and fostering widespread economic growth. Environmental stewardship also lies at the core of Aboitiz’s efforts, as the company actively pursues environmentally responsible practices and solutions that meet the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. Aboitiz Equity Ventures, the holding company of the Aboitiz Group, has placed sustainability at the forefront of its business strategy. The Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, located at the tip coast of Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City, is a huge part of Aboitiz's sustainability efforts. The eight-hectare biodiversity park serves as a haven for migratory and local birds, various mangrove species, a pawikan rescue center facility and a nesting ground for critically endangered sea turtles. By partnering with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Aboitiz continues to live out its sustainability efforts by also spearheading the protection and rehabilitation of Boracay Wetland No.4. As a linear urban park, the Boracay Wetland will offer a range of recreational activities that incorporate eco-friendly tourism designs, ensuring minimal environmental impact. Apart from biodiversity conservation, Aboitiz InfraCapital, the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, advocates better water resource management via corporations like Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. and LIMA Water Corporation. Apo Agua is building one of the Philippines’ largest private bulk water supply facilities in Davao City, which harnesses sustainable water sources and provides reliable water supply to the growing population of Davao City. The project not only ensures access to clean water but also supports the local economy and promotes environmental stewardship. The post Committed to equity, sustainability, opportunity appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Desperate search for sub near Titanic with about 40 hours of oxygen left
Rescue teams raced against time Tuesday to find a deep-diving tourist submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic with five people on board and an estimated 40 hours of oxygen left. All communication was lost with the 21-foot (6.5-meter) Titan craft during a descent Sunday to the Titanic, which sits more than two miles (nearly four kilometers) below the surface of the North Atlantic. The submersible was carrying three fee-paying passengers -- British billionaire Hamish Harding, and Pakistani tycoon Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman. The US and Canadian Coast Guards have deployed ships and planes in an intensive search for the vessel, which was attempting to dive near the wreck of the Titanic some 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick told reporters that the rescue efforts over an area of 7,600 square miles, larger than the US state of Connecticut, "have not yielded any results." "There's about 40 hours of breathable air left based on that initial report," he said referring to the sub's capacity to hold up to 96 hours of oxygen. A P-3 plane from Canada dropped sonar buoys in the area of the Titanic wreckage to listen for any sound from the small sub. The search, initially restricted to the ocean's surface, was expanded underwater on Tuesday. France's oceanographic institute said it was sending a deep-sea underwater robot to aid efforts. In an Instagram message posted just before the dive, Harding said a mission window had opened after days of bad weather. Among the crew he named was Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a veteran diver and expert on the Titanic wreck. Unconfirmed reports said the fifth person on board was Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions which operates the tourist dives. The Titan lost contact with the surface less than two hours into its descent, according to authorities. "We are exploring and mobilizing all options to bring the crew back safely. Our entire focus is on the crewmembers in the submersible and their families," OceanGate said in a statement. Mike Reiss, an American television writer who visited the Titanic wreck on the same sub last year, told the BBC the experience was disorientating. The pressure at that depth as measured in atmospheres is 400 times what it is at sea level. "The compass immediately stopped working and was just spinning around and so we had to flail around blindly at the bottom of the ocean, knowing the Titanic was somewhere there," Reiss said. Legendary explorers He told the BBC that everyone was aware of the dangers. "You sign a waiver before you get on and it mentions death three different times on page one" OceanGate Expeditions charges $250,000 for a seat on the Titan. Harding, a 58-year-old aviator, space tourist, and chairman of Action Aviation, is no stranger to daredevil antics and has three Guinness world records to his name. A year ago, he became a space tourist through Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin company. In his Instagram post, Harding said how proud he was to be part of the latest mission. "Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023," he wrote. "The team on the sub has a couple of legendary explorers, some of which have done over 30 dives to the RMS Titanic since the 1980s including PH Nargeolet," the post added. Shahzada and Suleman Dawood hail from one of Pakistan's richest families that runs an investment and holding company headquartered in Karachi. Shahzada is the vice chairman of the subsidiary company Engro, which has an array of investments in energy, agriculture, petrochemicals, and telecommunications. Clock is ticking The Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in 1912 during its maiden voyage from England to New York with 2,224 passengers and crew on board. More than 1,500 people died. It was found in 1985 and remains a lure for nautical experts and underwater tourists. Without having studied the lost craft itself, Alistair Greig, professor of marine engineering at University College London, suggested two possible scenarios based on images of the Titan published by the press. He said if it had an electrical or communications problem, it could have surfaced and remained floating, "waiting to be found" -- bearing in mind the vessel can reportedly be unlocked from the outside only. "Another scenario is the pressure hull was compromised -- a leak," he said in a statement. "Then the prognosis is not good." There are few vessels able to go to the depth to which the Titan might have traveled. "The clock is ticking... going undersea is as, if not more, challenging than going into space from an engineering perspective," said University of Adelaide associate professor Eric Fusil in a statement. The post Desperate search for sub near Titanic with about 40 hours of oxygen left appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Belmont Hotel Mactan: A home away from home
For many, a hotel is synonymous to comfort and relaxation, offering people luxurious amenities for a memorable and hassle-free stay. For Belmont Hotel Mactan, these experiences are taken to the next level as it extends incomparable services and first-rate amenities that not only embody class and elegance but also add convenience into the total hotel experience. Belmont Hotel Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Cebu, is the third hotel to open under Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ homegrown hotel chain in the country. Under its business and leisure or “bleisure” label, Belmont Hotel Mactan is also the second hotel (after Savoy Hotel) that sits on the 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown township. Yes, Megaworld’s townships have always been known as a city within a city that amazingly brings everything together — upscale condominiums, lifestyle malls, commercial establishments, office towers, banks, learning institutions and more — in one mixed-used development. That’s why Belmont Hotel Mactan guests in The Mactan Newtown, particularly the business travelers, are assured of this rare convenience because almost everything they need while staying at the hotel is within their reach. “Guests surely find it efficient to stay within the heart of a 30-hectare lifestyle and business hub of the township,” says Johnson Del Valle, Belmont Hotel Mactan general manager. [caption id="attachment_145632" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH BY VANGIE BAGA-REYES | JOHNSON del Valle (left) Belmont Hotel Mactan general manager, and Harold Geronimo, Megaworld’s vice president for public relations and media affairs.[/caption] Home away from home The 20-story hotel is poised as a business travelers’ home away from home while staying in the beguiling island of Mactan. Located along Newtown Boulevard and just beside Savoy Hotel Mactan, Belmont Hotel Mactan features 550 guestrooms and suites with three room categories, namely, Junior Suite (50 sqm), Deluxe Premium (36 sqm) and Superior (26 sqm). It also has seven rooms dedicated for guests with special needs. [caption id="attachment_145629" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DELUXE Premier[/caption] All rooms are fully equipped with essential amenities, such as an in-room electronic safety box, wall-mounted TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, a minibar and wireless Internet connection. [caption id="attachment_145630" align="aligncenter" width="525"] BELMONT Café, the hotel’s all-day dining outlet offering Asian and Mediterranean dishes.[/caption] Interestingly, most units feature expansive views of the Magellan Bay and the Hilutungan Channel, a deep-water channel that separates Mactan Island from Olango Island. With regards to its location, guests arriving via Cebu International Airport will only take at least 15 minutes to reach the hotel. Del Valle says Belmont provides a logical choice for guests with a business mindset. “Since we opened, we host mainly guests who visit the area for business,” he shares. “The hotel features facilities built specifically for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), team-building, networking and corporate celebrations across our four available function rooms that can accommodate a maximum of capacity 120 guests down to 30 guests.” These function spaces are equipped with smart-control projectors and sound systems. “The Mactan Island is populated by hotels and resorts focusing heavily on leisure and wellness, so we are very excited to bring a new kind of hospitality experience through Belmont Hotel Mactan,” says Cleofe Albiso, managing director of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts. “Just like the first two Belmont Hotel properties in Newport City in Pasay and Boracay Newcoast in Aklan, Belmont Hotel Mactan will host guests who are in the area for both business and leisure.” She adds: “They can expect the usual topnotch amenities that enable rest and relaxation, but because we want to address the need for Mactan to be MICE-ready we have also built here facilities for business events. Coupled with the Megaworld brand of hospitality, we are very proud to say this kind of experience is something that cannot be found anywhere else on this side of Cebu.” Rich history Stepping inside the lobby, Belmont Hotel becomes a tribute to Cebu’s festive culture, landmarks, marine life, rich history as showcased through numerous art installations. For instance, colorful headdresses used in Cebu’s Sinulog are displayed in the walls of its all-day dining outlet, Belmont Café; Cebu’s finest handcrafted guitars in different sizes and colors are mounted in the chic hangout spot, Zabana Bar; and the room’s wall art paper features popular things Cebu is known for, from guitars to its delicacies, such as otap and puso (rice wrapped and boiled in woven coconut leaves). To relax and unwind, the central amenity area on the third floor has the swimming pool and kiddie pool, female and male wet and dry sauna, outdoor lounge with elevated deck, fitness center and viewing deck where guests can marvel at the beauty of the nearby sea and the rest of the township and the Mactan Island. In terms of food outlets, guests can also savor a variety of cuisines and delicacies from the hotel’s three food and beverage outlets. Belmont Café offers a wide variety of Asian and Mediterranean dishes, as well as other local delicacies. Just a few steps away from Belmont Café is the Zabana Bar, where guests can enjoy a selection of cocktails and refreshing beverages. [caption id="attachment_145635" align="aligncenter" width="525"] FITNESS center.[/caption] Over on the third floor is the Float Pool Bar, where guests can sample a variety of snacks and beverages as they lounge and take a refreshing plunge at the swimming pool. Belmont Hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the Mactan Newtown Beach, and about five-minute walk away from the Mactan Alfresco, a hawker-type dining destination. “While in the area, don’t forget to visit the notable tourist sites much like the Mactan Shrine where the iconic 20-meter statue of Lapu-Lapu stands or the Sto. Nino de Cebu Mactan Parish Church which is noted to be shaped like the Magellan’s hat,” shares Del Valle. Largest hotel operator With the opening of Belmont Hotel, alongside Savoy Hotel, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts now has a combined room keys of 1,100, the largest number of room keys in the entire Mactan Island. At the same time, it makes Megaworld the largest developer and operator in the entire Cebu province today. “Belmont means Beautiful Mountain in French,” says Harold Geronimo, Megaworld’s vice president for public relations and media affairs. “It was a name created by our chairman Dr. Andrew L. Tan when we launched the first Belmont Hotel in Newport City. He fell in love with the name. He just wanted to create a new brand for Megaworld Hotels and Resorts because the first brand that we introduced was Richmonde Hotel. The second brand was Belmont.” The first Belmont Hotel was opened in 2015 at Newport City in Pasay City. It was followed by Belmont Hotel Boracay. Soon, the fourth Belmont Hotel will open in Iloilo City. Geronimo adds that Belmont Hotel will complement the Savoy Hotel inside the township because the vision of Megaworld is to be able to expand its portfolio of hotels in Mactan Island. They want to cater to more business and leisure travelers. “When we open Savoy Hotel, we notice there has been a high demand for those types of travelers who want to do business meetings here, as well as families and tourists who are on vacation in Mactan Island. We want to cater to both that’s why we are adding more rooms.” Belmont Hotel is still in the process of coordinating with the Department of Tourism for the hotel-star rating. The post Belmont Hotel Mactan: A home away from home appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Visayan growth
This piece is being written as I traverse the Visayan region which is carrying greater prospects for future economic growth. For the past months, I’ve written on Mindanao and Central Luzon and how these regions have experienced rapid development thanks to the nationally elected political leaders who hail from their provinces, Vice President Sara Duterte and the former president now Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, respectively. At times neglected in the discussions is the Visayas region. This time around, I was able to spend time in Iloilo and Cebu – both highly urbanized regional growth areas outside of Metro Manila. Iloilo is a wonderful city as it exists harmoniously with its bodies of water. Esplanades and walkways allow everyone to enjoy the river, which serves as a leisure area, transportation hub, and entry for goods, which is quite uncommon in the Philippines. Usually, Philippine rivers are either for people or for goods, not both, since our rivers are easily polluted. But in Iloilo, as well as neighboring Guimaras, their rivers bring life to the province. The only eyesore in Iloilo would be the “sinking” Ungka flyover located in Pavia. This project cost the government P680 million but it was closed shortly after it opened because motorists experienced a “wavy” sensation while driving on it. It was later learned that some of its pillars were sinking at the rate of two centimeters per day. A study showed it would take an estimated P250 million to repair the flyover and make it safely usable to the public. One reason to be excited about Iloilo should be the proposed revival of the Panay Railway, which was mentioned by President Bongbong Marcos Jr. in his SoNA last year and included in the Infrastructure Flagship Projects approved by NEDA. On this trip, I learned that Panay used to have a working railway that connected Iloilo City to Roxas City, and that plans for its revival would further connect Iloilo to Caticlan thus, the resort island of Boracay. Imagine having tourists land in Boracay, spend a few days there, then take a train to Iloilo where they would further be immersed in Philippine culture in one of the oldest cities of the country. Cebu is an established gem of a city, with traffic nearing Manila levels. Walking around Cebu feels like being in Alabang or BGC. One thing missing in Cebu is tollways to connect its cities and municipalities. This may change soon with the inclusion of the Metro Cebu Expressway in the NEDA-approved IFPs. The 72-kilometer project, once completed, will connect Naga City to Danao City, cutting travel time from three hours to 50 minutes. The project was started years ago, but only a reported five kilometers of it have been finished so far due to lack of funding. At this rate of budget allocation, it will take 20 years to finish it. Now, the project will continue and be finished sooner via a PPP arrangement after Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. — the same company that built the iconic Cebu Cordova Link Expressway bridge — has expressed interest in it. Whenever I visit Cebu, it seems that a major development had taken place. This time was no different. Even in Iloilo, there are new buildings erected almost monthly. One notable building is the 14-story Stronghold Insurance Building in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, an area surrounded by Ayala, SM, Vista Land, and Megaworld developments. As this Administration has heralded, this time the purpose is to “Build, Better, More” for the benefit of all Filipinos nationwide. For comments, email him at darren.dejesus@gmail.com. The post Visayan growth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
General Santos Airport welcomes inaugural flight from Clark
On 26 April, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines General Santos Airport welcomed 132 passengers on board the inaugural flight of Cebu Pacific 5J1095 from Clark, Pampanga. The CEB flight departed General Santos Airport for Clark on the same day at around 8:17 a.m., carrying 136 passengers. According to Area Center 11 Manager Rex Obcena and General Santos Airport Manager Joel Gavina, an Airbus A320 will fly the Clark-General Santos-Clark route three times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Representatives from the General Santos municipal and provincial governments, members of the local media and airline executives attended the Clark-GenSan-Clark inaugural flight celebration. The General Santos Airport has been acting as a hub for internal and international travel, with 41 flights each week serving as a gateway to Mindanao. The airport can now accommodate 52 flights weekly because of the extra route between Clark and General Santos. [caption id="attachment_124492" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] General Santos International Airport Manager Joel G. Gavina and Acting CAAP Area Center 11 Manager Engr. Rex A. Obcena together with Leonard V. Flores, Department Head of City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office, Elizabeth B. Bagonoc, Councilor of Sangguniang Panlungsod, and Engr. Ginalyn Fe C. Cachuela, Manager of Area Development Project Office, during the CRK-GES-CRK inaugural flight ceremony on 26 April 2023.[/caption] Gensan Airport is a principal Class 1 airport mainly serving the SOCCSKSARGEN region. It accommodates flights from major local airlines such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Gavina also assured that the CAAP-General Santos Airport is continually working to further enhance services at the airport to ensure safe and simple travel for passengers. The airport anticipates establishing a passenger boarding bridge and drop-off area within this year, which are expected to improve accessibility and convenience for visitors, stimulate local economic activity and increase the airport's capacity to handle the rising passenger volume. The post General Santos Airport welcomes inaugural flight from Clark appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CEB bolsters routes via Clark reboot
Pioneer budget airline Cebu Pacific or CEB restarted last 21 April 2023 its Clark hub by relaunching flights and increasing frequencies from Clark International Airport to strengthen connectivity for its passengers from north and central Luzon. CEB recently flew its inaugural flights from Clark to Bacolod, Boracay, Davao and Bangkok. The airline previously announced that it would operate a combined 15 destinations from its Clark hub. The relaunch allows Cebu Pacific to add 10,000 seats per month and lower fares for both domestic and international flights by 30 percent compared to the pre-pandemic average. It will also boost the airline’s network from its Clark hub and reestablish the alternate gateway’s significance for local and international travelers. 3 birds for Clark To support the expansion, CEB is set to take delivery of three additional aircraft which will be based in Clark. These are on top of the 10 new Airbus NEO aircraft that will be delivered in 2023 to expand the airline’s fleet. “The launch of our Clark flights was a fulfillment of Cebu Pacific’s mission to help make air travel more accessible and affordable for travelers in north and central Luzon. This expansion will give the traveling public more opportunities to explore the Philippines and the rest of the world,” Xander Lao, Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer said. Noel Manankil, president and chief Executive Officer of Luzon International Premier Airport Development, the private consortium that manages Clark International Airport, reiterated its support to CEB’s initiatives to grow its network and capacity from the station. “Clark International Airport and Cebu Pacific are working closely with each other to ensure a seamless experience for travelers. Our brand-new terminal is ready to welcome Cebu Pacific passengers traveling to and from the best domestic and international destinations and serve as the window to the Philippines for visitors coming from different parts of the world,” Manankil added. The Department of Tourism lauded CEB’s efforts in helping spur travel to Clark and the rest of the Philippines. The post CEB bolsters routes via Clark reboot appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Devastating
If our archipelago was a ship, it would have sunk long ago. It has long surpassed its carrying capacity......»»
Direct flight from S. Korea to bring 148 tourists to Boracay
ILOILO CITY - A direct commercial flight from Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea carrying 148 passengers bound for Boracay Island is expected to arrive via Kalibo International Airport (KIA) early Saturday morning.Tourism Regional Director for Western Visayas Cristine Mansin.....»»
Marikina River must be widened to reduce flood risk - Cimatu
QUEZON CITY, Nov. 25 (PIA) -- Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu has recommended the widening of Marikina River to increase its flood carrying capacity after Marikina City and nearby areas submerg.....»»
DoT eyes Manila Bay carrying capacity - Manila Bulletin
DoT eyes Manila Bay carrying capacity Manila Bulletin.....»»
Tourism, agriculture in the recovery effort
OUR top tourist attraction, Boracay island, was reopened last June 16, part of the gradual resumption of economic activity after the lockdowns in various areas of the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism operations may now resume on the island but only at 50 percent capacity in Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ). Other […].....»»