APO Palawan celebrates 85th anniv via grand reunion

TO COMMEMORATE the 85th founding anniversary of the collegiate fraternity Alpha Phi Omega (APO), the Palawan APO alumni association will conduct a grand reunion homecoming with the theme “One Org, One Family, One Journey and One Service to Environment and Community” on December 16, 2010 at the A&A Plaza Hotel in Barangay San Miguel. Twelve select members will be awarded the TOP APO plaques.Aside from the grand reunion, other APO activities are also in line for new recruits and alumni from different universities. APO from the Palawan State University will be conducting Leadership Symposium on December 11 at the Performing Arts Center of PSU main campus. The APO from Holy Trinity University on the other hand organized a Friendship Family Day to be conducted at the Department of Agriculture in Barangay Irawan.  On December 16, after the mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, PAPOAA will have a motorcade and will then be divided into three groups for their service programs in their respective areas to implement their environmental advocacy on solid waste management. Stickers (like the one on this page) will be given away to  public vehicles at the terminal area of the New Market in San Jose, at the City Market in Barangay Tagumpay, and at Junction 1. The sticker contains the following message “Atin ang Palawan, Ito’y ating Ingatan. Basura’y Itapon sa Tamang Lalagyan, para Mapanatili ang Kalinisan ng Bayan”. This initiative is in observance of the City Government Oplan Linis Program and in cooperation with Petal Printing Press who donated the sticker to PAPOAA.APO was founded on December 16, 1925 at Lafayette College, Easton Pennsylvania, USA by Frank Reed Horton with the mission of developing leadership, promoting friendship and by providing service to the nation. These three characters that represent the three Greek letters which is Alpha for leadership, Phi for friendship and Omega for Services are the three guiding principles of APO members from around the globe.

By Edilberto Magpayo
The Palawan Times 

Bawal ang nakasimangot

BUNSOD NG mga reklamong natatanggap ng mga konsehal ay hiniling ng mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlungsod sa Human Resources and Management Office (HRMO) na maglagay ng smile and sad box sa bawat opisina.Ayon kay Konsehal Miguel Cuaderno IV may mga reklamong nakakarating sa kanila kaugnay sa asal ng ilang mga kawani ng pamahalaang lungsod.Ang mga face box ay ilalagay sa bawat departamento kung saan maaring lagyan ng mga residente ng komentong may kaugnayan sa uri ng paglilingkod ng nasabing opisina. Ito rin ay magsisilbing repleka ng bawat departamento sa uri at pamamaraan ng kanilang serbisyo sa sambayan.“May mga reklamo kasi na nakakarating sa amin. Minsan magbabayad na nga lang sisimangutan pa,” pahayag ni Cuaderno.Naniniwala ang konsehal na sa pamamagitan nito ay malalaman kung kontento ang mga mamamayang dumudulog sa bawat opisina at kung mayroong pagkukulang ay maiayos ito at mas lalong mapabuti ang pagseserbisyo ng pamahalaan. Maaring mapatawan ng kaukulang aksyon sinumang empleyadong mairereklamo hinggil sa kanilang pagseserbisyo sa taong-bayan. (Cheryl A. Galili) The Palawan Times

Wescom, Guam soldiers’ medical mission benefits 2,000 pax

The Western Command (WESCOM) and the Guam National Guard (GUNG)conducted last November 28 and 28 a free medical and dental civic action in Barangay Sta. Lourdes and Irawan, respectively.At least 2,700 residents of the two barangays (and the nearby barangays) benefited from the medical/dental mission which offered free blood pressure check-up, tooth extraction, circumcision and minor surgical operation.Free medicines were also handed out to patients who went through minor surgery and to those had their tooth extracted.The joint activity was conducted under the State Partnership Program (SPP) between the Philippines and Guam. The SPP paired US states with different countries initially for a bilateral military-to-military contact program which has evolved into a key instrument in facilitating cooperation on civil-military activities between the paired states.Even the incessant downpour of rain on the second day of the activity neither deter the medical team from giving nor the beneficiaries from receiving free medical and dental services.The 8th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-8) had even provided a service vehicle to fetch people, who couldn’t go to where the activity was being conducted, from a pre-coordinated assembly area.WESCOM said the activity was conducted “with the hope that they may be able to address some of the health concerns of the two beneficiary barangays.”Besides the medical/dental civic action program, the Guam National Guard, headed by MGen Donald J. Goldhorn, Adjutant General, was also in the city to conduct Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEES) with WESCOM soldiers which aimed to improve surgical and medical care techniques of the partner states through collaborative works. By Tristan Ray I. Besa, The Palawan Times

City dad leads mass oathtaking of barangay and youth NEOs

City Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn emphasized the importance of taking care of the city’s environment in his message during the mass oath taking ceremony held last November 29 at Puerto Princesa City Coliseum. Through video presentation, the city mayor highlighted how nature strikes once people abuses the environment.  More lives and properties will be destroyed including infrastructures projects of the government.In the said event, Hagedorn congratulated the re -elected officials whom he called the ‘survivors’ including the newly-elected ones. He likewise challenged them in upholding the mandate of their constituents. Despite of short notice regarding the change of schedules, the mass oath-taking ceremony was attended by nearly a thousand elected barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan (SKs).Hagedorn also assured its support to the barangay officials in realizing their vision towards the attainment of development.Meanwhile, out of 66 barangays of the city there were 43 incumbent officials representing 67% were re-elected while 21 or 32% were newly-elected officials. The term of office commenced on November 30 and will end on November 30, 2013. (Cheryl A. Galili) The Palawan Times

Puerto Princesa faces big challenge

THE CONFIDENCE of the investors to put up establishments in the city of Puerto Princesa is a great challenge to the local government unit and power players to come up with a long term solution to the current power problems, says Councilor Modesto Rodriguez II in his privilege speech.Rodriguez observed that with the increasing number of constructed establishments, the city government really needs to find a solution to the power shortage. He noted that once these establishments started operating, it is expected to encounter frequent power interruptions.Presently, there is a total of 46-megawatt installed capacity generated by the power generation companies for the city of Puerto Princesa and the entire province of Palawan. The delta P has 16 megattwatt capacity, PPGI Narra, 10 MW; PPGI Tiniguiban, 9 MW; NPC-Agrekko 11 MW for the total of 46MW. The dependable capacity however is only 32.7 MW because the Delta P is only producing  13.5 MW out of 16MW; PPG Narra 9/10; PPGI Tiniguban 2.2 /9; NPC-Agrekko 8/11 for a total of 32.7 megawatt. The councilor added that the current peak load as of the present is 24 MW during cold days while 27MW for summer days. This implies that there is a reserve of 8.7 MG for cold days and 5.7MW for summer.  The newly-built residential buildings were excluded form the computation.“With this new establishment that will start to operate, we do not know how much power that should be generated to meet the requirement. Baka kulangin na po ang ating reserve. Ang mangyari babalik na naman po tayo sa dating mga problema at ‘yan ay brown out,” Rodriguez stressed.He further added that under the economic equation once there is progress in the community, there’s an influx of more tourists and migrants, and more establishments and residential are expected to rise.“Kaya  bang suplayan ng kuryente natin under current power situation? Definitely not,” Rodriguez stated.He firmly believed that Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco) should have a distribtuin impact study and also a term of reference to determine how much power supply is needed.In view of this, majority of the city councilors manifested the appearance of the representatives of Paleco and power producers to appear before the question hour proceedings of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to give some updates on the current power situationThe councilors also believed that the city government needs an assurance from the electric cooperative or else invite other investors to sustain the economic progress of the city. It can be recalled that the city government is planning to purchase own generator set to augment the power needs of the city after experiencing series of power crisis.

By Cheryl A. Galili
The Palawan Times 

Exciting add-ons to Puerto Princesa tour packages revealed

AWED with the majestic sights at the Underground River? Wait until you see dolphins swim with you, watch fireflies twinkle before your eyes, and a lot more nature-tripping exciting activities!“Come to Puerto Princesa and enjoy nature at its best. It’s a place where you can swim with the fish, float with the butterflies, sing with the birds, play with the dolphins, and navigate the longest underground river in the world,” Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn said in a recent interview with Palawan Times.This means that alongside the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP), the country’s official bet in the world search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature, they’re also set to intensify their campaigns for tourism attractions that the city government has recently developed in partnership with various communities.These are the dolphin watching at the Puerto Princesa City Bay, Ugong Rock in Barangay Tagabenit, Firefly Watching in Barangay Iwahig, Pambato Reef Diving and Snorkeling in Honda Bay, San Carlos Floating Restaurant, view decks also in Tagabenit and Barangay Buenavista and Mangrove Paddle Tours in barangays Bacungan and Cabayugan.The dolphin watching and firefly watching are under the community management of Barangay Tulingan, which is composed of fishermen formerly engaged in illegal fishing and living in nearly ten barangays that surround the City Bay.Ugong Rock, on the other hand, is being managed by residents of Barangay Tagabenit, primarily composed of Batak and Tagbanua indigenous peoples.Soon enough, he said, a zip line, known also by other names, such as foefie slide, zip wire, aerial runway, and death slide, will be constructed in Tagabenit as another outdoor adventure in Puerto Princesa.Another is a 375-meter canopy zip line which is waiting final construction in Barangay Irawan.Pambato Reef, also known as “mini Tubbataha Reef” in Honda Bay, is beginning to attract the attention of diving enthusiasts because it maintains its beautiful corals, Hagedorn said. Pambato Reef, he added, is an exceptional diving site in spite of its being close to human habitation.“Pambato Reef has become one of the well-known tourist spots in Honda Bay. It has surprisingly good reef life and fishes abound too. Nowadays, it is difficult to see still viable reefs in many parts of the world, especially in areas where many people reside”, he said.
By Clarinda I. Catimpo
The Palawan Times

City Meet athletes, tinaguriang ‘munting mga bayani’

TINAWAG NI Puerto Princesa City Sports Director Tony Reyes na mga “mumunting mga bayani” ang mga atleta sa City Meet 2010 sa kanyang mensahe sa Opening Program Ceremonies.Sinabi rin ni Reyes na ang City Meet ay hindi tagisan ng mga koponan kundi isang proseso o paraan upang makapili ang city government ng mga deserving athletes  na bubuo ng Puerto Princesa delegation sa darating na MIMAROPARAA Meet 2011 na gaganapin naman sa Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro sa darating na taon, at pati na rin sa makikipagpaligsahan sa iba pang regional, national at international sports competition.Sinusugan naman ni Department of Education Puerto Princesa City Superintendent Bong Arzaga ang sinabi ni Reyes at sinabi na ang “sports ay isang bagay na nagbibigay ng mga karangalan sa ating lungsod. “Ipinaabot po din natin ang ating pasasalamat sa ating punong lungsod, Mayor Edward Hagedorn, kasama sina Vice Mayor Cecil Bayron at mga konsehales sa kanilang walang sawang pagtulong at pagsuporta sa ating mga atleta,” ani Arzaga.Nagkaisa naman sina Reyes at Leaf Miraflores na mapapanatili ng Puerto Princesa ang kampeonato sa Elementary Division sa darating na MIMAROPARAA Meet 2011 at makukuha na ang kampeonato sa Secondary Level dahil sa palalakasin pa nila ang pagtutulungan at pagsusuportahan ng City Sports Office at City DepEd ng Puerto Princesa.
Ni Noli Hitosis
The Palawan Times

‘Something fishy’ sa live fish exporting, hinihinala

NANINIWALA ANG mga konsehal ng lungsod ng Puerto Princesa na hindi lahat ng mga isdang dinadala sa kamaynilaan ay huli sa malinis na paraan o hindi ginagamitan ng sodium cyanide.Ayon kay Konsehal Modesto Rodriguez II na minsan ng pinamunuan ang komite ng Agriculture and Aquatic Resources ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan, masuwerte umano ang isang mangingisda na makahuli ng isang suno sa loob ng isang araw kung kayat hindi kapani-paniwala na lahat ng mga isdang iniluluwas mula sa lalawigan araw-araw ay huli sa kawil.Aniya, ang bayan ng Roxas sa hilagang bahagi ng lalawigan ng Palawan kung saan ay pinapahintulutan ang ganoong uri ng negosyo ay hindi bababa sa sampung biyahe ng eroplano araw-araw upang magdala ng buhay na isda.Ang livefish trading o negosyo ng buhay-buhay ay multi-million industry. Ang isang pirasong red suno ay nagkakahalaga umano ng P3,500 hanggang P5,000 bawat kilo na nangangahulugan lamang na kikita rin ng malaking halaga ang isang negosyante. Ayon pa dito, karaniwang  stratehiya ng mga traders ay pinapasuka ang isda sa loob ng ilang araw bago kukunin sa aquarium at ipapasuri sa Cyanide Detection Test (CDT) ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) upang mabigyan ng certification para mailuwas patungo sa ibang panig ng bansa. Wala namang tiwala ang mga miyembro ng kapulungan sa kredibilidad ng mga kumukuha ng samples para ipasuri sa CDT lab.Sa salaysay ng mga kinatawan ng CDT na ipinatawag ng Sangguniang Panlungsod sa question hour ng kanilang regular sesyon, lumalabas na nakadepende lamang sila sa dokumentadong pagkuha ng kanilang partner agency tulad ng mga kinatawan mula sa lokal na pamahalaan o Philippine coast guard na nakatalaga sa lugar.Ayon kay Teresita Bengaño officer in-charge (OIC) ng CDT laboratory na nakatalaga sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa, tinanggap lamang nila ang mga documented samples na isinusumite sa kanilang opisina bago isasailalim sa pagsusuri upang maberepeka kung paano ito hinuli. Sinabi rin ni Gina Virgo, Chemist ng CDT laboratory, kung ang sinusuring isda ay umabot sa .005 part per million (PPM) ito ay positibo sa cyanide contamination at negatibo naman kung mas mababa ang PPM nito. Idinagdag din nito na 100% reliable at accurate ang result ng kanilang pagsusuri gamit ang ISE na kayang i-detect ang 0.03 PPM ng isda.Para naman kay Konsehal Gregorio Q. Austria, bagamat masasabing accurate ang ginagawang pagsusuri ng CDT hindi naman nito kayang idetermina kung ang pinagkukunan ay huli o hindi huli sa sodium cyanide dahil inaasa lamang nila ito sa kanilang partner agency para kumuha ng sample. Subalit, ang problema umano dito ay ang lungsod ang ginagawang transshipment mode ng mga traders kung saan mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang livefish industry.Samantala, kama-kailan ay nasakote ng Special Operations Group (SOG) ang dalawang truck na naglalaman ng mga buhay na suno kung saan lima sa mga ito ay nagpositibo sa sodium cyanide.Dahil sa pangyayaring ito dalawang ordinansa ang isinusulong nina Konsehal Eleuthrius L. Edualino at Henry A. Gadiano na naglalayong bumuo ng Task Force na siyang magbabantay sa mga boundaries ng lungsod at titingin sa mga sertipikasyon ng mga shippers. Isa pang ordinansa ang nakatakdang gawin ng konseho na nag-aatas naman sa lahat ng mga shippers na kailangang dumaan sa tanggapan ng CDT at ang mga taga CDT mismo ang siyang kukuha ng mga samples para suriin. Sa pamamagitan umano nito ay matitiyak na ang mga isdang iniluluwas at idinadaan sa lungsod ay  hindi kontaminado sa sodium cyanide. Iminungkahi naman ng konseho na magkaroon ng representasyon ang pamahalaang lungsod sa mga gagawing pagsusuri ng CDT.Nitong nakalipas na linggo ay pinakawalan naman ng pamahalaang lungsod ang 412 na pulang suno na nasakote ng SOG sa karagatang sakop ng Bgy. Sta. Lucia.

Ni Cheryl A. Galili
The Palawan Times

Additional marine battalion to tighten security in Palawan

There’s no need to worry.The additional marine battalion that has been deployed to the southern part of the province of Palawan is not here because the marines are planning to launch a military offensive, Commodore Edgardo D. Tamayo, flag officer-in-command of the Naval Forces West (NAVFORWEST), clarified.Tamayo explained that the deployment of the 12th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-12), the full force of which arrived in Puerto Princesa City last November 28, was primarily to tighten security in the province, particularly in the southern part.The increased visibility of government forces where these soldiers will be assigned [may] deter terrorist individuals or groups from committing acts that will disrupt the peace of the province, Tamayo further explained.The MBLT-12 will be setting up a detachment camp in Bgy. Abo-Abo in the municipality of Sofronio Española and will be the primary marine unit that is responsible in keeping the southern part of the province secure from insurgency and the likes.To welcome the personnel of the MBLT-12, who arrived onboard the ship BRP Dagupan (LC 551), the NAVFORWEST headed by Tamayo as the operational commander of the newly-arrived marine battalion, organized a welcome ceremony at the Tidepole Detachment Beaching Area.Major General Juancho M. Sabban, commander of the Western Command (WESCOM) and who himself is a marine soldier, graced the welcome ceremony as the guest of honor. For a very long time, only one marine battalion was being deployed in the province. The additional battalion of marine soldiers was deployed in Palawan in response to the request of the local government to tighten the security in the province.

By Tristan Ray I. Besa
The Palawan Times

PSU freshmen dominate regional stat quiz

TWO FRESHMEN students of the Palawan State University (PSU) placed first and fourth runner-ups in the recently concluded regional competition of the 19th Philippine Statistical Quiz (PSQ) held in Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental.First runner-up is Jer Japeth Yu, 17 years old of the College of Electrical Engineering, and, fourth runner-up is Elcid M. Bocacao, 17 years old of the College of Petroleum Engineering. Both freshmen students were coached by Mr. Rudy Bacolod.The students received cash, certificates of recognition and trophy. For the cash prize, the 1st runner-up received P5,000 and P1,000 for the fourth runner-up.Thessa Mae Peña of the Divine Word College of San Jose was judged as the region’s champion. She will represent MIMAROPA region in the national round of the Philippine Statistical Quiz to be held next month in Manila.The Philippine Statistical Quiz is a yearly project of the National Statistical Office collaborated by the Philippine Statistical Association. The PSQ is designed to assess the competency and skills of college freshmen in statistics as acquired from high school. The contest aims to promote public awareness and appreciation of statistics and its vital use in the economic and social development of the country.


By Clarinda I. Catimpo
The Palawan Times

80-HA demo area, hinati-hati ng OISCA

HINATI-HATI NG mga  trainees ng Organization, International Social and Cultural Association (OISCA) ang 80 ektarya na demonstration area ng pamahalaang panlalawigan para sa programang Palayan sa Bayan at Hayupan sa bayan sa ilalim ng Tanggapan ng Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO).Ayon kay Noel Jagmis, Tribal Chieftain ng mga Tagbanua sa Bgy. Cabigaan at pangulo ng Palawan Tribal Federation ang 80 ektarya na sakop ng inaaplyang Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) ng mga katutubo ay napatituluhan na at nahati ng mga mag-aaral ng OISCA na nagmula sa ibang panig ng munispyo na nakapagsanay sa naturang lugar.Ang proyekto ito ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa pamamagitan ng OISCA ay naging kapaki-pakinabang lalo na sa mga hindi nakapagpatuloy ng kanilang pag-aaral sa mas mataas na antas gayundin sa mga katutubo upang mas lalong malinang ang kanilang kakayahan sa sector ng agrikultura.Ang OISCA ay nagsimula taong 1976 sa ilalim ng panunungkulan ng dating gobernador Salvador P. Socrates  kung saan naglaan ng 40 ektarya ang pamahalaang panlalawigan para sa programa sa agrikultura sa pakikipag-ugnayan din sa mga katutubong naninirahan sa lugar.“Ang 80 ektaryang demonstration areas ay titulado na sa mga estudyante ng OISCA. Ang project ay napakaganda pero nadislocate kami,” sentimiyento ni Jagmis.Sinalaysay naman ni Paul Jagmis Sr. retiradong guro at dating konsehal sa naturang bayan na 40 ektarya lamang ang naunang inilaan para sa demonstration training subalit hiniling na magkaroon ng panibagong 40 ektarya subalit ito diumano ay hindi naidaan at napagkasunduan ng mga katutubo at ng pamahalaang panlalawigan.Ang 80 ektaryang lupain na sakop ng OISCA at ang karagdagang 350 ektarya ay inaplayan na at hinati-hati na rin ng mga hindi katutubo at dayuhan sa lugar at naging trainees ng OISCA.Ayon pa sa dating konsehal, ang pagkakaroon ng OISCA sa lalawigan ay malaking tulong sa paghubog ng mga talento at kakayahan ng mga katutubo at ordinaryong mamamayan sapagkat nakatulong umano ito upang mapa-unlad ang sariling buhay.Samantala, sa pangyayaring ito ay hiniling ng mga katutubong Tagbanua sa kinauukulan na magawan ng aksyon ang ginawang paghahati ng nasabing lupain.Nangako naman ang mga kinatawan ng Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) na dumalo sa naturang pagtitipon na ipapaabot nila sa tanggapan ng Provincial Administrator ang nasabing reklamo upang magawan ng kaukulang aksyon.

 The Palawan Times

MGB believes there is responsible mining in Palawan

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-MIMAROPA Regional Director Rolando de Jesus believes responsible mining exists in Palawan with the mining operations for nickel laterites of Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, and Berong Nickel Corporation (BNC) in the municipality of Quezon. Through “Sulong Palawan”, a radio program that discusses mining exploration and operation in the province, De Jesus said that as a regional director of the MGB that pushes responsible mining practices, he believes “there is responsible mining” contrary to what anti-mining groups continue to claim.Responsible  mining, the MGB regional director explained, also begins with them in the provision of approval for mining exploration.“First is exploration to ensure there is deposit. If there is confirmed deposit, we will proceed to determine this, its grade and its quantity. If the grade and quantity are low, what is the use of allowing? Not only that, if the fund for operation of a certain mining company proposing is not enough to fulfill his environmental and social commitments, we do not allow them,” De Jesus stated.He said their current direction from Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje is to “weed out undesirable proponents, those who merely speculate” to push for a stronger responsible mining in the Philippines, including Palawan. Commenting on mining activities in Palawan, De Jesus said he believes that as the “last ecological frontier”, the province should be protected against irresponsible mining practices and unscrupulous mining proponents. This is also the reason the MGB, he claimed, is seriously scrutinizing all mining proposals in Palawan.“Among all industries, mining is one that really faces difficulties when it comes to obtaining permits to operate from the government. I can honestly say, and I am proud to say that before we allow any mining proponent to explore and operate, we give consideration to all laws, including engagement of the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on the subject of the free and prior informed consent (FPIC)”, he said.Permits, he asserted, are not provided to mining corporations that fail to get FPICs and that fail to obtain the endorsement of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) as mandated in Republic Act 7611, also known as the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan.“We do not give permits to the mining proponents that fail to get the endorsement of the PCSD that’s why it’s not easy. Besides, there are other documents for them to submit”, De Jesus furthered, adding that mining proponents do pass through the needle’s eye before they can begin exploration and operation in Palawan.What is good in Palawan, the regional director said, is that there is “transparency” when it comes to mining exploration and operation. All stakeholders, including non-government organizations (NGOs) that are anti-mining, have participation in ensuring responsible mining through the multi-partite monitoring team (MMT).The MMT is composed of representatives from the DENR, the MGB, local government units, NCIP, and other public and private stakeholders. The MMT monitors everything from a mining company’s operation, environment rehabilitation and development plan, to its implementation of social development and management program (SDMP).

By Tristan Ray I. Besa
The Palawan Times

Leaders challenged for ‘voyage of unity’

This is to show that, in spite of our differences, we are riding on one boat, one ship of state which is the Philippines and only by being together and working together (as the crew did) will we able to safely reach the next port.

Miss Palawan wins Miss Silka 2010!

Miss Palawan, Imelda Schweighart, from Puerto Princesa City, wins the coveted title of Miss Silka Philippines 2010 held November 27 at the Market! Market! in Taguig City. Schweighart also won Best in Swimwear &Best in Carnival Costume. Schweighart was charming and regal, waving and smiling to the cheering crowd as she took her queenly walk and acknowledged the crowd’s approval and delight. Imelda, indeed, will be a most worthy and proud representative of the the country’s last ecological frontier during her one year reign. Other winners in the recently concluded 2010 Miss Silka Philippines beauty pageant were: 1st runner up Miss Cavite Christine Bender; 2nd runner up Miss Dumaguete Melba Ann Macaset; 3rd runner up Miss Cagayan de Oro Catherine Almirante.

Special award winners were Best in Talent & Best in Casual Interview – Miss Cavite Christine Bender; Best in Long Gown & Online Choice Award – Miss Cagayan de Oro Catherine Almirante; Miss Photogenic – Miss Zamboanga Nancy Leonard; Miss Congeniality – Miss Iloilo Charmaine Nunez; and Committee’s Choice Award – Miss Ozamis Jeany Rose Joromat. Bong Achidor, marketing organizer of Samichella’s Creations, said the Miss Silka search has been running for almost five years now.“Beauty, intelligence and talent are some of the attributes that Cosmetique Asia Corporation is looking for in the Miss Silka Philippines 2010 search,” Achidor said, he added that all major events of the search are free courtesy of Cosmetique Asia Corporation, makers of Silka products.The show began in a spectacular fashion with the contestants wearing their festival costumes in a musical number. After that all the ladies appeared on stage in their beautiful evening resort wear pieces and the evening gown segment featured the creations of popular designer Alex Gonzales-Soncio.Only one girl fulfilled all its commitments, personal and emotional, combining integral beauty and charm, and she is no other than a Palaweña.

By Joel Contrivida
The Palawan Times

Fish kill in Bataraza probed

Authorities are verifying sightings of fish kill near a large nickel mining operation in Palawan. Last week, residents of Bataraza town reported hundreds of dead fish floating near the port facility used by the Coral Bay Nickel Mining Corp. (CBNC) and the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp.The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources was reported to have sent field personnel to collect fish samples in the area.Residents are worried that waste discharges from the nearby mining operations could have poisoned the fish. A caretaker from a lobster stocking facility was interviewed by Inquirer, and said he retrieved up to four kilos of dead fish from just one portion of the bay. Another resident said they previously reported fish kill in the area but no action was made by the companies or the government agencies.
A local businessman said that  fish were killed last year, but there was no investigation or action regarding the incident.Waste from a hydrometallurgical processing plant is supposed to be treated before being discharged into the bay. The plant cleanses low grade laterite ore using chemicals such as sulfuric acid.

By Clarinda I. Catimpo
The Palawan Times

RP’s tallest Christmas tree shines

It’s a novel attraction this year but it will certainly be one of the major attractions for residents of Puerto Princesa City and for visitors coming over for the holiday season.

 By Clarinda I. Catimpo
The Palawan Times