Apeco joins LGU on Independence Day celebration

Apeco employees gleefully joined other marchers during the parade

Apeco joins LGU on Independence Day celebration

Apeco joined in the Casiguran Local Government as it celebrates the annual national commemoration of Philippine Independence Day on June 12, Tuesday.

Characterizing a theme “Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan”, the responsible government, non-government and people’s organizations, private and social sectors marching in the parade as the event commenced.

The celebration was culminated with a simple program highlighted with a message from the invited keynote speaker Director Elisa D. Salon of Department of Budget and Management – Region 3.

Casiguran as a local government unit assured its people that it will take active role in pursuing a corrupt-free and clean government agency. ‘To become a renowned most honest LGU of the country’, is one of its goals.

Dumagats favor Apeco

Dumagats favor Apeco

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Published : Monday, June 11, 2012 00:00

Article Views : 102

Written by : Mamer Bañez

CASIGURAN, Aurora -- At least 90 percent of residents of Bgy. San Indefonso in this town are in favor of the ecozone’s operation after a successful community consultation/forum conducted by Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) held at  covered court last Thursday.

More than 300 participants, including Dumagat tribe leaders, were delighted as shown from their grins after guest speakers had deliberately explained and answered all of their questions pertaining to the emergence of APECO into their locality.

Kent Avestruz, deputy administrator of Apeco, explained the allegations of displacement of local residents,land-grabbing and non-consultation with affected sectors once Apeco will be fully operational.

In a five-hour consultation with Dumagat chieftains in San Ildefonso, Avestruz said land-grabbing and evicting the tribesmen from their lands are not part of the plan to develop the ecozone.

He assured the Dumagats they will not evicted from their ancestral lands once the development of the economic zone in Casiguran starts.

Avestruz stressed further that there will be more jobs to be created for Casiguranens specially if eco-tourism industry, particularly in San Ildefonso, starts operating.

The Apeco management under president Robbie Mathay would help the Dumagats protect and preserve their ancestral lands through projects that promote eco-tourism.

Avestruz said that instead of driving away the tribesmen, they will be tapped as tour guides and forest guards to preserve the ecological balance of the place.

3,000 townsfolk back economic zone

Thursday, 12 April, 2012 Written by Ferdie G. Domingo

CASIGURAN — Some 3,000 residents of this remote coastal town want themselves counted in a show of support to the Aurora Special Economic Zone.

At a recent assembly led by Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Vice Mayor Lordan Roxas and other local executives were joined by Dumagat tribalfolk, women and students in a forum at the multi-purpose hall in Barangay Bianoan.

The assembly drew up a manifesto “pushing for change and progress and also uphold the people’s social rights to have decent jobs, orderly lives, a peaceful society, a healthy and balanced environment and progress responsive to social justice.”

Roberto Mathay, Apeco president and chief executive officer, welcomed the show of unity and cooperation for peace, respect for human rights and the progress and development of Aurora.

“Apeco signifies the growth and development of Aurora and in the course of developing the province, we go through lawful processes,” he told Manila Standard.

Mathay said the ecozone was standing by its commitment to uphold the indigenous peoples’ right to their ancestral lands.

He said development included the concreting of unpaved sections of the 120-kilometer Baler-Casiguran Road, the expansion of the Casiguran airport, establishment of an agro-industrial park and other infrastructure to attract investors in food processing, mariculture, footwear, call center and other job-generating industries.

Mathay said tourism is being integrated in a masterplan for hotels and retirement houses along with community housing, fish cages for aquaculture and seaweed plantations and livelihood training for high-value crops.

Kent Avestruz, Apeco deputy administrator, said other localities in the northern part of the province will also benefit from the ecozone.
“With Apeco, we will not only have good roads and transport systems but also an improved economic situation in this part of Aurora,” he said.

Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/2012/04/12/3000-townsfolk-back-economic-zone/

Aurora Economic Zone Gains Support

By MARK ANTHONY N. MANUEL

March 15, 2012, 4:42pm

CASIGURAN, Aurora — Amid strong opposition from religious and community groups in the country, at least 3,000 residents of this northernmost town signed here on Tuesday afternoon a manifesto supporting the Aurora Special Economic Zone (APECO).

The manifesto stated that all those who support development in Aurora will serve as “main actors” in pushing for change and progress and also uphold the people’s social rights to have decent jobs, orderly lives, a peaceful society, a healthy and balanced environment and progress responsive to social justice.”

Roberto Mathay, APECO president and chief executive officer, said the manifesto is not only an expression of support for the ecozone but also a show of unity and cooperation for peace, respect for human rights and the progress and development of the province.

“APECO signifies nothing but the growth and development of Aurora and in the course of developing the province, we go through lawful processes,” he said.

Prior to the signing of the manifesto, Mathay explained that while proponents of the ecozone intend to develop the town and northern Aurora, this will not go beyond what is allowed by law.

Meanwhile, religious and other groups led by Fr. Joefran Talaban are organizing Internal Solidarity Mission (ISM) to call for international and local support against APECO.

“With the on-going plans of creating the eco-zone of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) from 500 to 12, 427 hectares, covering more barangays in the municipality of Casiguran—farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples’ leaders and residents of the said municipality have repeatedly raised concerns against its expansion,” the anti-APECO group said in a statement.

The group is calling for the repeal of Republic Act 10083 (amended version of the RA 9490) renamed as the “Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO)”.

The anti -APECO movement fear that there would be massive land grabbing activities once the APECO project starts.

Source: http://mb.com.ph/node/354385/aurora-economic-zone-gain

Ribbon Cutting for Arts by Children with Developmental and Learning Disability

February 6, 2012

The ribbon cutting for the art works made by the children with developmental and learning disability. This event was hosted by the President and Vice President of PACDLD (Philippine Association for Citizens with Developmental and Learning Disabilities Incorporated).

The event was held in the National Library in Manila. Guests speakers from different local NGOs like AKAPINOY (Alyansa ng may Kapansanang PINOY) and New Voice Association who express their gratitude for the support of the directors of the National Library for the aim to have a wider understanding of the population in this sector. Participation of another government agency NCDA (National Council for Disability Affairs) reinstate the mission of the sector to effectively deliver integration of the sector in the community. The current Chairman of Rotary Club of Makati gave the closing remarks before the ribbon cutting. The Club has an outstanding 6 years of support in this areas of interest of the children and desires to continue with these programs. All hoping other groups and the larger community to emulate the same vision.

Staffs from APECO (From left Via Cristina Malli, Louie Zepeda and Jeannie Solsona)

 The APECO staff participated in this event with the objective of echoing and establishing awareness about the sector for the soon to be developed community. This event will continue for two weeks.

APECO gets P79-M grant from South Korea

Dec 6 2011 03:03 am

Published : Saturday, December 03, 2011

Written by : Mamer Bañez

CASIGURAN, Aurora -- The South Korean government has extended a P79.2-million grant to the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (Apeco) to bankroll the feasibility studies for three major projects inside the ecozone.

Robbie Mathay, Apeco president and chief executive officer, said the Korean grant, which is coursed through the Korean Export-Import Bank, will be used to finance studies for water system, hydroelectric power and waste management systems inside the ecozone.

 He said the Korean grant not only manifests the Korean government’s resolve to help the Philippines, which has Korea as its fifth largest trade partner but also its confidence in the economic prospects and opportunities in Apeco.

Mathay said the Korean government has been very supportive in developing Apeco. Early this year, it funded a feasibility study through a P15-million grant from the Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund for the construction of a  P2.4-billion international container seaport aimed to transform this economic zone into a logistics hub for exportation of agro-fishery, timber and industrial products in central and northern Luzon.

He said the seaport project is now awaiting approval of the National Economic Development Authority for funding under the Official Development Assistance of the Korean government with counterpart funding from the national government. A consortium composed of the Dasan Engineering and DY Engineering companies completed the feasibility study for the international container seaport after three months.

The proposed modern container port, which is projected to be finished in four years, will complement the domestic seaport and will attract business locators.

He added that the Korean government has also expressed interest in constructing an all-weather road in the remaining unpaved portion of the 120-kilometer Baler-Casiguran Road.

Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/18716-apeco-gets-p79-m-grant-from-sokor

APECO GIFT GIVING 2011

DECEMBER 10, 2011

CASIGURAN, AURORA------This Christmas season, APECO Staff from Makati and Casiguran teamed up to give gifts for our fellow Casiguranins. Eight-hundred fifty pack of goods are given to the five barangays of Aurora.

MORE GIFT GIVING PICTURES! 

The gift giving was done in two days for the five barangays and almost 750 families. Merry Christmas!