PGMA inspects Siargao airport expansion
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SIARGAO, Surigao del Norte—President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today inspected the ongoing expansion of the
Siargao airport.
Come November, bigger planes from Manila will be able to land in Siargao, thereby improving the province’s
accessibility and attractiveness to local and foreign tourists.
The President expressed the hope that eventually these will be daily flights and not just two planes a week (or
every Monday and Friday) by Cebu Pacific plying the route from Cebu province.
Upon arriving at the airport, the President was met by Del Carmen Mayor Constantino Navarro IV, Sayak
Barangay chairman Samuel Sulima, Siargao Airport officer-in-charge (OIC) Gina Villamor, Transportation and
Communication Siargao Airport Project Engr. Nestor Bravo and Philippine National Police (PNP) Surigao del
Norte Commander Gilbert Cruz.
President Arroyo, after the project briefing at the airport, said she hopes the incoming administration will not
abandon or discard whatever work has been undertaken on the airport and on other infrastructure projects so
that residents and tourists, both domestic and foreign, can greatly benefit from their completion.
The President said she is proud that Siargao is now famous not just for its being a surfing capital of the
Philippines but for its game fishing and mangrove or everglade river cruises, which are both gaining popularity
here and around the world.
Villamor said the runway extension is part of the promises made by the President in her State of the Nation
Address (SONA) and is being undertaken jointly by the Department of Transportation and Communication
(DOTC) and its private sector partner, EquiParco of Robin Javier.
Villamor said she is proud that tourism in Siargao is no longer seasonal or only during summer but throughout
the year. Tourists are both foreign and locals who brave the strong waves during the rainy season to pursue
their love for open sea sports.
The 24-million terminal expansion, which is 60 percent complete, entailed the renovation of the administration
building and the passenger terminal facilities.
To be able to make Siargao airport world class by 2015, Villamor said that she is hopeful the incoming
administration would support the Arroyo administration’s programs to modernize the country’s ports and
airports, she said.
Siargao Airport was built in 1964 by President Arroyo’s father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, but was
renovated and upgraded only in 2008 to accommodate more flights other than the small-bodied planes.
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PGMA to check on 3Es projects nationwide
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SIARGAO, Surigao del Norte--- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said today she is going around the country to
check on her projects on education, environment and the economy (3Es) to ensure that, when she turns them
over to the next administration, she will have completed most of them by then.
She came to this scenic island known as the “surfing capital of the Philippines” to inspect on the ongoing airport
improvement program--- that includes the widening and extension of the runways and renovation of passenger
terminal and administration building -- and then drove through the newly concreted 7.307-kilometer Dapa-Del
Carmen Road worth P152 million.
The President then made a side trip to the Siargao Island Institute of Technology where she delivered a
typewritten speech before teachers and students and then took her convoy to the nearby Dapa municipal
gymnasium, which replaced the old gym that was gutted down by a fire three to four years ago. She inserted the
last two events only hours before landing here.
After driving through the Dapa-Del Carmen Road, the President was briefed on the project by Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Bashir Rasuman, who said that this segment of the road
is part of the 126.703-kilometer Siargao Island National Road.
While at the road briefing, the President interacted with some beneficiaries by asking them just how the project
will improve their lives. She talked to construction worker Hermie Nick Pobe, who found gainful employment in
the project, and Genaro Sebille, a vegetable trader, who said the road project will improve his profits through
reduced post harvest losses from the products he is taking to the market.
Surigao Gov. Sol Matugas, an educator herself, praised the President for the “historic” visit.
Congressman Francisco Lalo Matugas thanked the President for her support to the province in terms of
infrastructure, health care services and her continuing presence and assistance on several occasions. “She is
always there when we need her, that is why I am proud to say that she is an adopted daughter of Siargao and
Surigao del Norte,” said Congressman Matugas.
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PHILIPPINE FABRIC AND FASHION TO BE FEATURED IN EMBASSY EXHIBIT
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Fabrics and designs by noted Filipino designer Cora D.J. Manimbo will be featured in an exhibit at the Philippine
Embassy that is seen to highlight the country’s rich heritage and unequalled craftsmanship. Manimbo’s works,
some of which are shown above, have been described as “Essentially Filipino,” with finely crafted kimono
blouses, shawls and gowns that are virtual artworks with meticulous embroideries, beadwork and hand-painted
accents. Manimbo anchors her work on the richness of materials found throughout the archipelago – pinya
fibers from Red Pineapple, cotton yarn of Abel Iloco, T’boli hand-woven Tinalak, and banana plant fiber Sinamay.
The exhibit, entitled “Habi ng Lahi: An Exhibit of Filipino Farbric and Fashion” is open to public from May 18-21
from 10 am to 4 pm at the Embassy’s Carlos P. Romulo Hall. END
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EMBASSY CONCLUDES CANVASSING OF VOTES IN THE U.S. FOR THE 2010 NATIONAL
ELECTIONS
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The canvassing of overseas absentee votes in the U. S. by the Special Board of Canvassers (SBOC) in
Washington D.C. concluded on 13 May 2010. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa
congratulated personnel of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States who were involved in the
overseas absentee voting (OAV) process in the U.S. for a job well done. The Ambassador has noted that
registration and participation in the OAV had increased in each succeeding election from its start in 2004.
Ambassador Gaa also expressed his gratitude to the leaders and members of the Filipino community in the U.
S. for their cooperation and involvement in the OAV. Ambassador Gaa said, “I wish to thank everyone in the
Filipino community who participated in the OAV for making their voices heard during the elections and to have
their vote as to who should lead our nation be counted. The community’s involvement, support and cooperation
are key components to the success of the OAV. The strength of a democracy lies in the willingness of its people
to play an active part and role in the process, and the Philippine Embassy and the Consulates General in the U.
S. will always be an active partner of the Filipino community in this endeavor.”
A total of 12,140 ballots were received by Philippine Foreign Service Posts all over the U.S., 11,892 ballots were
counted as 248 ballots were deemed spoiled and/or invalid by the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI)
set up in various Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the U.S. Counting of the ballots by SBEIs across the U.S.
began immediately at 7 a.m. (EST) of 10 May 2010 and canvassing of the votes also started in the afternoon.
The Certificate of Canvass of Votes for the U.S. will be handed over to the Congress of the Philippines and the
National Board of Canvassers of the Commission on Elections at the Philippine International Convention
Center in Pasay City. END.
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Chaired by Consul General Domingo Nolasco (second), the Special Board of
Canvassers gathers at the Romulo Hall of the Embassy of the Philippines to canvass
ballots received from 25 SBEIs across the United States. These precincts are as
follows: Washington, DC – 4, Los Angeles – 7, New York – 6, San Francisco – 4,
Chicago – 3 and Honolulu – 1. END.
Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon (right) of the Los Angeles Philippine Consulate
General hands over to the Chairman of the Special Board of Canvassers Consul General
Domingo Nolasco (left) the accomplished election returns from the Special Board of Election
Inspectors in Los Angeles, CA. END.
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