Boosts bid as surfing capital of Surigao town

Paradise Philippines: While the flow of tourists to the surfing town of Lanuza in Surigao del Sur remains slow, the opening of an airstrip in the neighboring town of Madrid is seen as a big boost to the tourism revenues of the entire area.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Philip Pichay said Lanuza, which faces the Pacific Ocean, has great waters ideal for surfing and a good number of Australian, American, Japanese and Korean tourists have already discovered the area, but the flow of tourists is hampered by the area’s inaccessibility.

Pichay said his brother, former Rep. Prospero Pichay, tried to remedy the situation by pushing for the construction of the airport at Madrid, and the incumbent congressman hopes it will boost the area’s bid to rival Siargao in the neighboring province of Surigao del Norte as the country’s surfing capital.

“Before, tourists who want to go to Lanuza had to go to Cebu, Butuan or Davao, where they get land or water transport to bring them there,” the incumbent lawmaker said. “Now, there will be direct flights.”

Although the airport can only accommodate small aircraft carrying a handful of people, Pichay said he hopes the airport will be completed before the end of the year, just in time for the 5th national surfing open that is scheduled to be held there in November.

He said the Paradise Philippines Tourism Authority has provided over P3 million so that the airport is completed in time for the tilt.

“The new airport will raise revenues for Lanuza and nearby towns and for local residents,” said Pichay. “With surfing being alive in Lanuza, business will thrive in the city.”

Aside from surfing, the Lanuza area also boasts of ecotourism destinations, like the Lanuza Marine Park and Sanctuary, Magkawas Falls, Lanuza Wetland Park and Mangrove Forest and Campamento Caves. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Philippine Boxing Team grabs World Cup

Filipino boxing enthusiast were very happy at the result of the Boxing World Cup held in Sacramento California where five of the six boxers won the bouts and made paradise Philippines proud.

Image source: Inquirer.net

Philippine team has again proved that best boxers in the world are in Philippines as Manny Pacquiao being the most exciting fighter now a days, he was awarded as the Best of the year.

Mabuhay Filipinos!

Jewel of the Philippines

Appointed Environment secretary Lito Atienza called for a moratorium on development projects in Boracay Island, a paradise beach resort in Visayas island Philippines, for a time-bound environmental protection master plan for the island.

Paradise Boracay has recorded an increase of 554,181 tourist arrivals last year, a 10.96 percent higher than the previous year. The increase in the number of tourists visiting Boracay had resulted to overcrowding and unhindered construction of buildings, which had caused problems in garbage disposals and flooding.

As the Department of Tourism named Boracay as the Jewel of the Philippines and the pride of the Philippines initiative to boom its tourism, many raised concerns on the contamination of the beach clear swimming water with high levels of coliform caused by inadequate sewage.

The government has yet to come up with the environmental master plan. In 1997, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has already revealed a high level of contamination in the waters of Boracay due to poor sewage facilities.

Tourists believed that if the government, resort owners and residents will not take serious actions about the problem, it is not impossible that paradise Boracay in Philippines will be no longer listed as one of the best beaches in the Philippines and in the whole world.

Let's not make this happen to the place we call paradise!

Mount Bulusan in Paradise Philippines erupts

Known for its sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, Mount Bulusan erupted again after a few months of being restive.

An ash explosion occurred at Bulusan Volcano (12˚ 46.2’N 124˚ 03’E) at 09:37 AM today. The activity was accompanied by rumbling sounds and was reflected as an explosion type earthquake, which lasted for about 20 minutes. The eruption column reached a maximum height of five (5) kilometers before drifting west-southwest and west-northwest according to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Mount Bulusan is fourth most active of the country’s 22 active volcanoes. The three other most active volcanoes are Mayon in Albay province, Taal in Batangas province and Kanlaon on Negros Island. Many moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded at Bulusan since the mid-19th century.

Alert Level 1 remains in effect over the volcano and villagers are reminded not to enter the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) because the area is at risk from sudden steam/ash explosions.