published May 18, 2009 in BusinessWorld
TACLOBAN CITY — Shipping companies are considering the reopening of services between Tacloban and the cities of Cebu and Manila.
Winfred Elizalde, Tacloban port manager of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), said at least two shipping companies have expressed interest in the routes.
"I cannot yet mention what these shipping firms are since the plan is not yet final. They are very upbeat to resume the sea travel to Tacloban because of the good market," Mr. Elizalde said.
He said the recent upgrading of Tacloban into a highly urbanized city was a factor considered by the two shipping lines.
"They see a great potential in the region that’s why they are connecting with us," the port manager told BusinessWorld.
After the tragedy that befell M/V Princess of the Stars in June last year, the Sulpicio Lines-owned M/V Cebu Princess stopped sailing to the city. The vessel was the only passenger ship that transported people from Tacloban to Cebu and Metro Manila that time.
Prior to the Sulpicio Lines operation, only one passenger ship, M/V Samar Star, served the Tacloban-Cebu route.
Due to the lack of sea travel services, most travelers from Tacloban have to take a land trip to Ormoc City in western Leyte, where fastcraft services to Cebu are offered.
Sea travel from Tacloban suffered a huge decline after the M/V Doña Paz collided with an oil tanker between Mindoro and Tablas Islands in December 1987. The accident claimed over 4,000 lives, mostly residents of this city. Another accident was the sinking of M/V Marilyn near Camotes Island that killed 250 people from Eastern Visayas in October 1988.
Aiming to stimulate sea travel, the PPA is improving its facilities here starting with the conversion of its existing 720-square-meter office building into a passenger terminal after the completion of a new office building worth P80 million this year.
"Before starting the renovation, we have to convince our main office that the proposed terminal will be filled with passengers or else they won’t release the fund for remodeling of the building," Mr. Elizalde said. — Sarwell Q. Meniano
Monday, May 18, 2009
Port regulator targeting a tenth more revenues in Eastern Visayas
published May 18, 2009 in BusinessWorld
TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) aims to earn up to P75 million this year, despite the slowdown in international shipping activities.
Winfred Elizalde, PPA Tacloban Port manager, said the target would be nearly 14% more than the P66-million revenues last year. The authority exceeded last year’s target of P59 million by 11%.
Mr. Elizalde said their revenue target was raised in anticipation of economic recovery on the second half of this year.
"We believe that the global economic slowdown will be over by third and fourth quarter of 2009," he added.
As of April 25, port offices in the region generated only P20.52 million.
But Mr. Elizalde said he was confident that the target this year would be met.
"I would say that the annual target is still achievable. We are not losing hope because the President keeps on announcing that we are already seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," Mr. Elizalde added.
PPA revenues come from wharfage dues, storage charges, property rentals, usage fee, dockage fee and berthing fee.
At the same time, PPA Tacloban is awaiting for the release of its P100-million budget to rehabilitate the 2,500-square-meter deck piles this year in anticipation of increasing volume of cargoes shipped to the region.
The area that lies within the 3.5-hectare old wharf has been deteriorating since it was built back in 1936.
"Since it was constructed, there have been no rehabilitation efforts done. It is still being used, but we’ve been imposing load limits from five tons to 15 tons," Mr.
Elizalde said.
The proposal was earlier forwarded to the central office of PPA with the hope to place the proposed project in the priority list this year.
The city’s wharf has a 7,756-square-meter working area that serves as loading area for 10-40 footer cargo containers. — Sarwell Q. Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) aims to earn up to P75 million this year, despite the slowdown in international shipping activities.
Winfred Elizalde, PPA Tacloban Port manager, said the target would be nearly 14% more than the P66-million revenues last year. The authority exceeded last year’s target of P59 million by 11%.
Mr. Elizalde said their revenue target was raised in anticipation of economic recovery on the second half of this year.
"We believe that the global economic slowdown will be over by third and fourth quarter of 2009," he added.
As of April 25, port offices in the region generated only P20.52 million.
But Mr. Elizalde said he was confident that the target this year would be met.
"I would say that the annual target is still achievable. We are not losing hope because the President keeps on announcing that we are already seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," Mr. Elizalde added.
PPA revenues come from wharfage dues, storage charges, property rentals, usage fee, dockage fee and berthing fee.
At the same time, PPA Tacloban is awaiting for the release of its P100-million budget to rehabilitate the 2,500-square-meter deck piles this year in anticipation of increasing volume of cargoes shipped to the region.
The area that lies within the 3.5-hectare old wharf has been deteriorating since it was built back in 1936.
"Since it was constructed, there have been no rehabilitation efforts done. It is still being used, but we’ve been imposing load limits from five tons to 15 tons," Mr.
Elizalde said.
The proposal was earlier forwarded to the central office of PPA with the hope to place the proposed project in the priority list this year.
The city’s wharf has a 7,756-square-meter working area that serves as loading area for 10-40 footer cargo containers. — Sarwell Q. Meniano
Friday, April 17, 2009
Tacloban tightens rules on hotels
published April 17 in BusinessWorld
TACLOBAN CITY — The city government here will issue and renew business permits only of hotels that are accredited with the Tourism department.
City tourism officer Jake Ligan said only three hotels in the city, so far, have met the standards set by the Department of Tourism (DoT).
As of last March, there were 21 hotels, major inns, and pension houses in this city with a total of just 644 rooms.
"We are working out with other city departments to ensure that all investors in the hotel business will comply with (DoT) guidelines," Mr. Ligan said.
The city tourism office inspects local accommodation facilities every six months. Inspections were made early this year in preparation for the hosting of Palarong Pambansa this April 27-May 2.
"Accommodation is a common problem here because many of our hotels are small. With many visitors coming in, we have to grab the opportunity to improve our services,"
Mr. Ligan said in an interview.
The biggest facility in Tacloban now is the Leyte Park Hotel with 48 rooms in the main building as well as 52 cottages.
"Most of our new hotels are small with only 50 bedrooms at the average," Mr. Ligan said.
Tourism regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes said they have been having a hard time booking large groups for the national sports event and other big events held here. "It’s really hard to get reservations. All hotels are fully booked and this will go on until May." - Sarwell Q. Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY — The city government here will issue and renew business permits only of hotels that are accredited with the Tourism department.
City tourism officer Jake Ligan said only three hotels in the city, so far, have met the standards set by the Department of Tourism (DoT).
As of last March, there were 21 hotels, major inns, and pension houses in this city with a total of just 644 rooms.
"We are working out with other city departments to ensure that all investors in the hotel business will comply with (DoT) guidelines," Mr. Ligan said.
The city tourism office inspects local accommodation facilities every six months. Inspections were made early this year in preparation for the hosting of Palarong Pambansa this April 27-May 2.
"Accommodation is a common problem here because many of our hotels are small. With many visitors coming in, we have to grab the opportunity to improve our services,"
Mr. Ligan said in an interview.
The biggest facility in Tacloban now is the Leyte Park Hotel with 48 rooms in the main building as well as 52 cottages.
"Most of our new hotels are small with only 50 bedrooms at the average," Mr. Ligan said.
Tourism regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes said they have been having a hard time booking large groups for the national sports event and other big events held here. "It’s really hard to get reservations. All hotels are fully booked and this will go on until May." - Sarwell Q. Meniano
Rehab center for stranded marine mammals eyed in Eastern Visayas
published April 17, 2009 in BusinessWorld
TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is pushing for the establishment of a P1-million regional rehabilitation facility in Guiuan, Eastern Samar to treat stranded marine mammals in Eastern Visayas.
Presently, only the Ocean Adventure Marine Park in Subic Bay Freeport Zone has the capability and resources to provide long-term rehabilitation for the stranded mammals.
The BFAR, however, has an existing laboratory in Barangay Diit in this city which serves as temporary shelter for stranded whales, dolphins, porpoises and other marine animals.
"Our existing facility is not the best place to care for stranded marine mammals," BFAR Regional Director Juan Albaladejo told BusinessWorld.
A stranded marine mammal refers to one that has beached or run aground and is helpless or has lost the capability to return to its natural habitat. Marine mammals strand for various reasons such as physical injury from predators and human activities, errors in navigation, illness, malnutrition and infectious disease.
Lemuel Aragones, a marine zoologist of the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, cited the advantages of rehabilitating these animals, which include gaining new knowledge on animal disease and veterinary therapies as well as the identification of new threats to wild populations and marine resources.
"This also provides opportunity to further educate the public on the threats to marine mammals and their habitat and to promote their conservation," said Mr. Aragones, also a consultant of Ocean Adventure.
The Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network was formed in Eastern Visayas in March. Among others, the network aims to develop regional rehabilitation facilities for long-term care of stranded animals.
At least 16 public and private agencies, including the academe, joined the network in the regional level. A similar group was also organized in the six provinces of the region.
In a recent meeting, Mr. Albaladejo said they expected more sightings of marine mammals especially in Leyte Gulf and Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte due to climate change. The mammals normally beach in Eastern Visayas region, which faces the Pacific Ocean.
In the third week of March, a fisherman found two bottle-nosed dolphins caught in his fishing net in the waters off Macarthur Park in Palo, Leyte. He then set the animals free.
"The dolphins were following their prey when they got entangled in the fishing net," Mr. Albaladejo said.
In February, two Risso’s dolphins were found in the shore of San Sebastian, Samar. The mammals died after a few days despite having been taken care of.
Sightings and stranding of marine mammals in many areas of the region have become common.
Mr. Albaladejo said there was a need to establish a network that will undertake activities to conserve these animals.
The country is home to 26 types of cetaceans ranging from ordinary bottle-nosed dolphins to pygmy blue whales.- Sarwell Q. Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is pushing for the establishment of a P1-million regional rehabilitation facility in Guiuan, Eastern Samar to treat stranded marine mammals in Eastern Visayas.
Presently, only the Ocean Adventure Marine Park in Subic Bay Freeport Zone has the capability and resources to provide long-term rehabilitation for the stranded mammals.
The BFAR, however, has an existing laboratory in Barangay Diit in this city which serves as temporary shelter for stranded whales, dolphins, porpoises and other marine animals.
"Our existing facility is not the best place to care for stranded marine mammals," BFAR Regional Director Juan Albaladejo told BusinessWorld.
A stranded marine mammal refers to one that has beached or run aground and is helpless or has lost the capability to return to its natural habitat. Marine mammals strand for various reasons such as physical injury from predators and human activities, errors in navigation, illness, malnutrition and infectious disease.
Lemuel Aragones, a marine zoologist of the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, cited the advantages of rehabilitating these animals, which include gaining new knowledge on animal disease and veterinary therapies as well as the identification of new threats to wild populations and marine resources.
"This also provides opportunity to further educate the public on the threats to marine mammals and their habitat and to promote their conservation," said Mr. Aragones, also a consultant of Ocean Adventure.
The Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network was formed in Eastern Visayas in March. Among others, the network aims to develop regional rehabilitation facilities for long-term care of stranded animals.
At least 16 public and private agencies, including the academe, joined the network in the regional level. A similar group was also organized in the six provinces of the region.
In a recent meeting, Mr. Albaladejo said they expected more sightings of marine mammals especially in Leyte Gulf and Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte due to climate change. The mammals normally beach in Eastern Visayas region, which faces the Pacific Ocean.
In the third week of March, a fisherman found two bottle-nosed dolphins caught in his fishing net in the waters off Macarthur Park in Palo, Leyte. He then set the animals free.
"The dolphins were following their prey when they got entangled in the fishing net," Mr. Albaladejo said.
In February, two Risso’s dolphins were found in the shore of San Sebastian, Samar. The mammals died after a few days despite having been taken care of.
Sightings and stranding of marine mammals in many areas of the region have become common.
Mr. Albaladejo said there was a need to establish a network that will undertake activities to conserve these animals.
The country is home to 26 types of cetaceans ranging from ordinary bottle-nosed dolphins to pygmy blue whales.- Sarwell Q. Meniano
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Co-ops question Napocor rate hike
published March 24, 2009 in BusinessWorld
TACLOBAN CITY — The 11 electric cooperatives operating in Eastern Visayas region yesterday questioned the rate increase granted to the National Power Corp. (Napocor), saying that it was not justified because most of the agency’s assets have already been privatized.
"With only 30% (privatization) more to go, there is no reason to increase the rate because majority of Napocor’s generation assets are already in the hands of private companies," said Gerry Gwen Conde, head of the association of the general managers of electric cooperatives in Eastern Visayas.
Mr. Conde, who is also the general manager of Leyte II Electric Cooperative, further questioned the lack of consultative meetings and public hearings before the increase was granted.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) held a public hearing on the adjustment only last week. But the rate increase was granted in February.
The electric cooperatives in Eastern Visayas, host of the Leyte geothermal fields, have started a signature campaign against the increase.
The Energy Regulatory Commission approved last month provisional increases in Napocor’s generation rates, as follows: P0.4682 per kilowatt-hour in Luzon; P1.15 per kilowatt-hour in the Visayas; and P0.7147 per kilowatt-hour in Mindanao. The adjustments will bring rates to P4.37 per kilowatt-hour in Luzon, P4.03 per kilowatt-hour in the Visayas, and P2.82 per kilowatt-hour in the Mindanao grid effective the billing period from February 26 to March 25.
The commission said it granted provisional relief to Napocor and its co-applicant, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, to immediately alleviate Napocor’s current financial difficulties, given its current costs of generating power, including the costs of the discounts that it is mandated to extend to certain customers.- Sarwell Q. Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY — The 11 electric cooperatives operating in Eastern Visayas region yesterday questioned the rate increase granted to the National Power Corp. (Napocor), saying that it was not justified because most of the agency’s assets have already been privatized.
"With only 30% (privatization) more to go, there is no reason to increase the rate because majority of Napocor’s generation assets are already in the hands of private companies," said Gerry Gwen Conde, head of the association of the general managers of electric cooperatives in Eastern Visayas.
Mr. Conde, who is also the general manager of Leyte II Electric Cooperative, further questioned the lack of consultative meetings and public hearings before the increase was granted.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) held a public hearing on the adjustment only last week. But the rate increase was granted in February.
The electric cooperatives in Eastern Visayas, host of the Leyte geothermal fields, have started a signature campaign against the increase.
The Energy Regulatory Commission approved last month provisional increases in Napocor’s generation rates, as follows: P0.4682 per kilowatt-hour in Luzon; P1.15 per kilowatt-hour in the Visayas; and P0.7147 per kilowatt-hour in Mindanao. The adjustments will bring rates to P4.37 per kilowatt-hour in Luzon, P4.03 per kilowatt-hour in the Visayas, and P2.82 per kilowatt-hour in the Mindanao grid effective the billing period from February 26 to March 25.
The commission said it granted provisional relief to Napocor and its co-applicant, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, to immediately alleviate Napocor’s current financial difficulties, given its current costs of generating power, including the costs of the discounts that it is mandated to extend to certain customers.- Sarwell Q. Meniano
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