VISIT AURORA YEAR : AMPERE BEACH

 2011 VISIT AURORA YEAR

Ampere beach

This beach is located in Ampere, Dipaculao. From Baler town, take a tryc going to Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banka and ask the guy to take you to Ampere beach. From Baler, it takes around 30 mins to get there.

Ampere beach is full of different kinds of rocks (varying in sizes & darker in color) and is a good place for surfing. In this beach lies the Ampere Point wherein the local residents gather to the Okotan Cave, a time-honored locale forecasting the weather.

When the pacific waves hits the shoreline cave, it produces an explosion that determines the intensity of the incoming weather. 

WINNERS OF 26th APOLINARIO MABINI AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Amb. Cristina C. Ponce-Enrile, Committee Chairperson of the 2011 Mabini Awards, a biennial program of the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PFRD) that seeks to honor persons with disabilities (PWDs) who have excelled in their chosen careers as well as individuals, groups and entities that have contributed much to the welfare of disabled individuals, recently announced the winners of the 26^th Apolinario Mabini Awards.

The much-coveted MABINI Presidential Award is given to Sister Ma.Paula Valeriana Baerts, ICM for her 59 years’ pioneering work to help disabled Filipinos. Two Special Mabini Awards had also been handed: Lauro C. Purcil in recognition of PWD-rights based advocacy & strong working role with the UNCRPD; and, Capt. Oscar P. Taleon (PN, Ret.) for exemplary leadership in PWD sector unification & ability to elicit cooperation from other advocates.

Awards conferred in other categories are: Rehabilitation Volunteer: Rizal C. Morales (Government) & John K. Chua (Private); Employer: Dept. of Foreign Affairs (Government), Shangri-la Makati (Private), Special Award – Mann Hann; Disabled Group: Makati Federation of Persons with Disabilities; Media Advocate: Special Award – Access Unlimited; Local Government Unit: Province of Aurora (Provincial), Municipality of Mariveles, Bataan (Municipal), Special Awards – Municipality of New Lucena, Iloilo & Municipality of  Opol, Misamis Oriental; and for Disabled Filipino of the Year:  David Casper Nathan A. Sergio.

For the Disabled-Friendly Establishment Award, three benchmarks had been established: 1^st, for the GOLD category: SM Tarlac; 2^nd, SILVER category: JP Morgan Chase Bldg., SM Calamba, SM North EDSA Annex, SM San Pablo, SM Marikina, SM Novaliches, SM Rosario, and, Ayala Cebu Mall; and 3^rd the BRONZE category: SM Bacoor, SM Baliuag, SM Batangas, SM Bicutan, SM Cebu Annex, SM Fairview, SM Iloilo, SM Lucena, SM Megamall, Sm Muntinlupa, SM Naga, SM Pampanga, SM Pasig, SM Rosales, SM Sucat, SM Valenzuela, SM North EDSA (InterZone, Sky Garden, The Block), SM Cagayan de Oro, Taal Vista Lodge, Ayala Marque Mall, Ayala Serendra, Ayala Techno Hub, Ayala The Link, and, Citibank Makati; Special ‘Mapagmahal sa May Kapansanan’ Awards: Mall of Asia; SM Program on Disability Affairs and Citibank.

This year’s Awards Committee Members are: Congw. Lani M. Revilla, Atty. Louise A. Marcos, Mayor Ma. Laarni L. Cayetano, Audrey Kay Tan Zubiri, Cynthia A. Villar, Kate H. Gordon, Milagros G. Drilon, Zeny R. Tanada. The Screening Committee was chaired by Arch. Jaime Silva with members Erlinda Koe, Dr. Therese Bustos, Joy Garcia, Nelia de Jesus and Randy Weisser.

2011 Mabini Awardees

SOURCE : http://www.ncda.gov.ph/2011/08/winners-of-26th-apolinario-mabini-awards-announced/

Written by jericomyzell · Filed Under Announcements, National News 

APECO EYES SEPARATE FUNDING FOR AIR; SEAPORTS

BY BUTCH FERNANDEZ

ADMINISTRATORS of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) are eyeing separate funding sources to facilitate early completion of its air and seaport projects to attract more local and foreign investors to the region.

Roberto Mathay, APECO president and chief executive officer, confirmed ongoing efforts by the national government to tap the Korean Export-Import funding for the seaport project under the official development assistance (ODA) program.

Mathay said additional funding of P92 million is being allocated by the Philippine government in the annual national expenditure program to complete a proposed 1.5 kilometer airport runway, under the civil aeronautics authority.

This developed as Sen. Frank Drilon, finance committee chairman, announced after a public hearing on Wednesday that APECO's proposed 2012 budget, amounting to P332.5 million, is deemed submitted for approval, despite opposition from restive residents affected by the projects.

"We are going to try to tract more locators to APECO pa rin. Our mandate is to bring varied business interests in marine-culture business, as well as ecotourism to the zone so we can transform it to something the people from Casiguran can be proud of," Mathay said. "We are [also] looking to mariculture, or other businesses which are more fitting to the area. We would like to focus on small to medium enterprises, both from the Philippines and abroad."

Mathay disclosed they have, likewise, requested funding from Congress, as part of their capital outlay for this year, to have "a standard factory building where we can have smaller companies establish their operations in the zone."

He reported that the mariculture business at the zone include raising bangus and tilapia and processing these to fillet or fish ball which are then sold to the local market and nearby provinces, such as Isabela and Quirino. "Eventually, we may also export them." he added.

"There are other prospects. One company we are signing up plans to put up sea cages. We are trying to finalize the details [for their operation] by November," Mathay said.

APECO vows sustainable development in Northeast Luzon

Published : Thursday, October 06, 2011
Written by : Mamer Bañez


BALER,  Aurora -- The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) under the Department of  Trade and Industry reiterated its pledge to lead sustainable development in Northeast Luzon during the budget hearing at the Senate the other day.

“APECO would not only lead sustainable development in North Eastern Luzon but also to foster socio-economic growth and businesses throughout the eastern seaboard,” said Robby Mathay, president and chief executive officer of APECO.

Last month, the Congress approved the proposed P332.5-million 2012 budget of APECO amid protest from militant groups belonging to Catholic Church and Multi-Sectoral Group (MSAG).

During Apeco’s budget hearing by the Senate committee on finance chaired by Sen. Franklin Drilon, Mathay explained that the ongoing infrastructure development in Apeco is at full blast. The administration building and entrance plaza, costing P98 million and P15 million respectively, will be completed by November 2011. The hotel building worth P202 million will be completed by March 2012.

He also discussed the proposed infrastructure development for 2012 namely, the standard factory building worth P212.5 million and the Light Industrial building which is worth P180 million.

The Casiguran Airport’s 1.2 kilometer airstrip is being expanded to 1.5 kilometer worth P92 million. The extension project will be finished by June 2012.

Mathay also said four Taiwanese-owned companies have signified their interest to invest in mariculture, agri-business and port construction in APECO in recognition of the ecozone and province’s enormous potential for business expansion.

These are Chinabond which is now venturing into organic rice production in APECO, hog raising, feed processing and hydroelectric power generation; TP Color Corporation, which is also in the mining industry, is set to expand into port construction and operation; Philippine Kingford is a company that specializes in tuna export, ship repair and freight forwarding; Great Sun Optoelectronic is a highly diversified company engaged in construction, trading, manufacturing computer and TV monitors and providing medical services. It will invest in an aquaculture facility for milkfish and grouper breeding, as well as a coconut processing plant.


Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/14737-apeco-vows-sustainable-devt-in-northeast-luzon

APECO TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NORTHEAST LUZON

The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) reiterated its pledge to lead sustainable development in Northeast Luzon during the budget hearing at the Senate today.

“APECO would not only lead sustainable development in North Eastern Luzon but also to foster socio-economic growth and businesses throughout the eastern seaboard,” said Robbie Mathay, president and chief executive officer of APECO.

The proposed budget for 2012 of APECO, an attached corporation to the Department of Trade and Industry, amounts to Php332.5 million.

Lending their support to APECO at the budget hearing were chieftains of indigenous Dumagat tribe and the board members of the provincial government of Aurora namely Butch Bautista, Ruben Alipio, Denia Valin, Oscar Padua, Renato Pascua, Cesar Pimentel and Consuelo Castillo.

Mathay showed that the on-going infrastructure development in APECO is at full blast. The administration building and entrance plaza, costing Php98 million and Php15 million respectively, will be completed by November 2011. The hotel building worth Php202 million will be completed by March 2012.

Mathay also discussed the proposed infrastructure development for 2012 namely the standard factory building worth Php212.5 million and the Light Industrial building which is worth Php180 million.

The Casiguran Airport’s 1.2 kilometer airship is being expanded to 1.5 kilometer worth Php92 million. The extension project will be finished by June 2012.

“What makes us different from other ecozones is that APECO is already green to start with and we want to keep it that way,” said Ramon Fernando, Deputy Administrator of APECO.

Casiguran, the northern municipality of Aurora where APECO is located, is an ideal starting point for the inflow of commerce as it will be able to capitalize on the Pacific’s re-emergence as the world’s premier maritime route and jumpstart the inflow of investments into the Northeastern quadrangle of Luzon.

Four Taiwanese-owned companies have signified their interest to invest in mariculture, agri-business and port construction in APECO in recognition of the ecozone and province’s enormous potential for business expansion.

All four companies affirmed their commitment to help develop APECO as a leading global transshipment and investment hub in the Pacific.

Chinabond has been in the mining industry since the 1980’s but is now venturing into organic rice production in APECO. It aims to improve the quality and yield of local rice varieties in Aurora. Chinabond is also looking into further investments in hog raising, feed processing and hydroelectric power generation.

TP Color Corporation, which is also in the mining industry, is set to expand into port construction and operation. The company initially plans to establish a port facility in APECO then later on go into the aquaculture business.

Philippine Kingford is a company that specializes in tuna export, ship repair and freight forwarding. The company has chosen APECO as the site of for its expansion into milkfish and grouper production, for which it will build its own facility in APECO.

Great Sun Optoelectronic is a highly diversified company engaged in construction, trading, manufacturing computer and TV monitors and providing medical services. It will invest in an aquaculture facility for milkfish and grouper breeding, as well as a coconut processing plant.

APECO spans 1,000 hectares and has a custom-designed seaport and airport that will drive economic activity in agro-industries, mariculture and ecotourism. (30)