China Consul-General's visit suggests more
business investments in Butuan City
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) – The recent visit of
the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Weiguo, together
with Madame Chen Lianning and Consular Attache Zhang Ran, in the city is
expected to put forward the engagement of Chinese investors in local businesses.
Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. presented to them
the programs and projects of the local government of Butuan and the investment
opportunities. It was learned that through the strategies and outsourcing
process, Butuan marked its development in export activities, tourism, and
agro-timber industry, among others.
“Our vision for 2020 includes the prospects for
something that offers potential profitable returns that will benefit all
involving sectors and hopefully future declaration of Filipino-Chinese partnership,”
Amante said.
The
alleviation of poverty line; putting up of hotels, restaurants, and
universities are just among of the plans and targets of the government starting
this year, as mentioned by Amante.
Department of Trade and Industry Agusan del
Norte provincial director Gay Tidalgo also cited during the Trade and Industry
Dialogue with the guests that ship building, iron and steel services are just
among the investment priorities open for Chinese investors.
Also, Department of Tourism Caraga regional
director Letecia Tan presented the tourism development of Butuan Water Ways.
“Tourism
is one of the important and complex developments of the city. Tourists visit
Butuan but when they leave the city, they become our friends and good memories
remain in them,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, the Consul-General was impressed
about the City Historical Society President Greg Hontiveros’ presentation of
the concrete background on how the Balanghai boats were discovered many years
ago in the city, wherein it was used for trading harbors, importing and
exportng of products with other countries including China.
“The existence of these boats manifest the
direct trading relationship with China. The “gold trade” indicates the linkage
of Philippines to other Asian countries,” Hontiveros said.
The Consul-General thanked the Mayor for
inviting more Chinese investors to partner with the city’s planned projects
starting this year.
“I came purposely to know more about the city
and to strengthen friendship and partnership. Let us be collaborative and learn
from each other. I am personally inviting Mayor Amante to visit us in China
also,” said Zhang Weiguo.
The honorable consulate vowed to promote the
tourism of Butuan City to China.
In his response, Amante assured the
Consul-General that partnership between the government of China and Butuan will
deepen.
Amante expressed his gratitude for the visit of
Consul-General. “We look forward to what China can do to contribute more for
our city’s industry development. With the abundance of resources and continuing
friendship, I believe we can establish new deals and better partnership,”
expressed Amante.
The visit was packed with trust and good will
interpreted through planting of “golden shower” seedlings by the mayor and
Consul-General at the new Rotunda in Bancasi, the site where the symbolic
“Butuan-Chinese Friendship Gate” will soon be constructed. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan City gov’t opens projects to Chinese
investors
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) – The city government
here together with the frontliners from the government agencies presented its
ongoing projects to Consulate General of the People's Republic of China Zhang
Weiguo and party, during the Trade and Industry Forum held on Monday at the
City Mayor’s Office.
“We have several ongoing projects in the city
where we would also like to seek partnership with our Filipino-Chinese
businessmen. These projects will soon be completed,” Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr.
remarked.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan
del Norte provincial director Gay Tidalgo said that among the
business/investment priorities open for Chinese investors include the
agriculture/agribusiness and fishery; creative industries/knowledge-based services;
mass housing investments; shipbuilding; and iron and steel services.
It was learned that thru the strategies and
business outsourcing process, Butuan marked its development in export
activities, tourism, and agro-timber industry, among others.
Also, in her presentation on the Tourism
Development of Butuan Water Ways, Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga Regional
Director Letecia Tan bared that among the projects of the city government that
will soon be put in place include the Masao Island Resort and Water Sports
Facility Project in Barangay Masao costing P20 million; Libertad River/Bood
Promontory Tourism Development costing P54,000,000.00; and Dine and Wine at
Barangay Maug costing P15,000,000.
These projects are also open for partnership
with other foreign investors.
“We look forward to what China can do to our
city’s industry development. With the abundance of resources and deepened
friendship, I believe we can establish new deals and better partnership,”
Amante said.
The honorable consulate also expressed that with
the long history of friendship between Chinese and Filipinos, trade and
commerce will have greater potential in the city. “Let us be collaborative and
learn from one another. I am personally inviting Mayor Amante to also visit us
in China,” he said. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Classes in Tandag City suspended due to heavy
rains
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Jan 7 (PIA) - The city government
here declared the suspension of classes from pre-school to elementary level
this morning due to continuous rains.
Marivic Andoy of the Office of the City Disaster
Risk Reduction Management (CDRRM) said that as pre-emptive measure, City Mayor
Roxanne Pimentel declared the suspension of classes due to heavy rains this
morning.
According to Bandoy, majority of the barangays
in this city were identified as flood-prone areas.
“The city is experiencing continuous rains since
yesterday but no report yet of flooding, as of 8am today,” Bandoy said.
Meanwhile, the whole province of Surigao del Sur
is experiencing continuous light to moderate rains, as of this time due to
trough of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) affecting Mindanao, according to a report
from Pagasa. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Surigao City PNP unseals firearms
By Darryl P. Pinabacdao
SURIGAO CITY, Jan 7 (PIA) - The Philippine
National Police (PNP) here unsealed the firearms of its personnel during the
ceremony held on Monday at the Surigao City Police Station, this city.
With the holidays now over, the PNP started
unsealing and checking the firearms of its personnel to see if they fired their
weapons during the holidays.
The unsealing of firearms was led by P/Supt.
Joseph R. Nohara assisted by chairman on Peace and Order Committee, city
councilor Perfecto B. Consigo, PSI Renato Badajos and Insp. Tessiel R. Moleta.
During the activity, Nojara congratulated all
the personnel for successfully abiding the said order.
As it can be recalled, PNP personnel were warned
against firing their weapons during the holidays, lest they face administrative
sanctions and even criminal charges. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Popcom to turn-over IT equipment to LGUs
By Angie Balen-Antonio
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) - Recognizing the
efforts of the Provincial and City Population Officers for their laudable contribution in the
achievement of the goals of the
Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP), the Commission on Population
(Popcom) will turn-over sets of
Information Technology equipment which will be
formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement during the
gathering of local population advocates on January 8, this city.
The equipment to be extended by Popcom to LGUs
are computers complete with accessories, laser printer, laser pointer, LCD with
screen, and other gadgets.
According to regional director Alexander A.
Makinano of Popcom that these equipment is essential in the implementation of
various population projects, programs and activities at the local level.
On January 9 is the signing of the Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) between Agusan National High School (ANHS) and Popcom for the
school-based youth center located at ANHS campus and MOA between the City
Government of Butuan and Popcom on
Population and Development Integration at all levels.
Furthermore, prior to the signing of the MOA,
the population officers and workers will met for the Regional Program
Assessment and Planning/Workshop. The
output of this activity would serve as guide in setting up the direction
towards achieving its goal and plan out various initiatives in reducing unmet
need for family planning thus generating more demands.
RD Makinano reveals that through the SWOT
(Strengths, Weaknesses, and Opportunities and Threats) Analysis, the program
workers would be able to come up doable recommendations that would help improve
its services along Reproductive Health/Family Planning (RH-FP), Adolescent
Health and Youth Development (AHYD), and Population and Development
Integration.
Likewise, the Provincial/City Population
Officers (P/CPOs) together with partners from the regional line agencies will
convene for the 1st quarter’s Regional Population Executive Board (RPEB)
Conference on the 9th of January, which
will be hosted by the Department of Education. (Popcom-13/PIA-Caraga)
