Construction of Corpus Christi’s Pueblo Campus is now on the final stages. The main structure of the 3-storey school building has been completed with exterior and interior finishings still to be done as shown in the pictures.

For those not familiar with the location, it’s inside Vista Verde Subdivision. You can notice this on the left of Masterson Avenue if you’re travelling from the airport.

The school, regarded as one of the city’s best secondary institution, has a growing population and a second campus will help ease the traffic at their Macasandig Campus.

The development of Paseo del Rio, a mixed use development of the Pelaez Group officially began yesterday with the ceremonial capsule laying for the development of the Rodelsa Circle.

The 18-hectare project was designed by world-renowned architect Felino Palafox, Jr. Development was postponed due to the flood last year prompting the proponents to re-design the proposed development.

The development of the 1-hectare Rodelsa Circle signals the start of good things to come at the Pelaez property. According to my sources, the 2-lane circumference road around the Circle will be expanded to 3 lanes.

After the development of Rodelsa Circle, it would be logical that the proposed hi-rise business hotel will begin too. The river protection project by the DPWH in the area is now close to completion.

Just a review, image above is the official rendering of the proposed business hotel, unless further changes have been made.

PHOTO: Dr. Rafaelita Pelaez, Mayor Constantino Jaraula and Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno lead the capsule-laying ceremony for the development of the one-hectare Rodelsa Circle.

The Mallberry Suites Expansion Project is now on its final stages of construction. The tower crane, a fixture last year during its construction has been removed.

Based on photos below, the extension (Building B) I think is ready for occupancy as airconditioning units are already installed. Work is now focused on the 10th floor of center building (Building C) aside from painting of the exteriors.

The following photos were taken from different points, namely: Gaisano Mall Food Court, and along Osmeña Street.

With construction of the Laguindingan Airport project in Misamis Oriental on schedule, the builders of the proposed hotel and beach resort of Club South Pacific Philippines in nearby Gitagum town are now processing all necessary licenses to start the first stage of its development. The airport at Laguindingan, a town next to Gitagum, is now approaching 50 percent of its completion, with the access roads now completed.

The development of the resort hotel will be in two stages and expected to be operational in 2011-13. Stage one of development will be 118 luxury rooms and is estimated to be completed in the year 2011. The rooms will have an area from 40-, 60-, 64-, 80-, 140- and 160-square meters. There will be high-standard restaurants, lounge, coffee shop, conference rooms, function rooms, spa, state-of-the-art fitness center and aqua sports facilities. Stage two of the project includes development of 350 luxury rooms and is estimated to be completed in 2013. The most exquisite amenities include hotel accommodations, residential condos, swimming pools, conference rooms, convention rooms, function facilities, business center and music rooms. The magnificent design and relaxing view of Marina will highlight the project.

The founder of Club South Pacific Phils. Co., Inc. who happens to be the same person who founded Terrace Downs High Country Resort in New Zealand, will handle the development in Mindanao. And the resort that will be built will become another destination for members.

As soon as the resort hotel gets operational in 2011 it is expected to boost tourism in Mindanao and also in the country as card-bearing members come to enjoy the company’s services.

Korea’s giant shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co.-Philippines (HHIC-Phils.) has remained interested in pursuing its P8-billion expansion project in the Phividec Industrial Estate in Tagoloan, Misamis, Oriental.

Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Lilia B. De Lima told reporters at the sidelines of the 15th PEZA Investors Recognition Night that Hanjin officials conveyed this message late last year. According to De Lima, the Korean shipbuilder is just closely watching the economy following the global financial crisis, which took a heavy toll among shipbuilders and shipping firms. “They are just waiting for the right time,” she said.

Hanjin had registered with PEZA in 2008, but it had a tiff with the local government unit in Misamis Oriental that also caused some delays in the project’s implementation. The proposed project in Phividec was supposedly an expansion of Hanjin’s existing project in Subic Bay Freeport but on a larger scale.

“This is bigger than Subic because this is going to occupy a total of 450 hectares compared to Subic’s 200-hectares only,” De Lima said. Hanjin’s investments in Subic was placed at $1.6 billion and is employing more than 15,000 workers at the freeport. The company has been exporting ocean-going vessels made in Subic Freeport.

HHIC-Phils. officials said the company expects to produce more ships in Subic as the productivity in its shipyard here is fast catching up with Hanjin’s shipyard in South Korea saying the goal is to make the Philippine operations at par with its South Korean counterpart in terms of efficiency and quality of work.

A growing number of Cagayanons and other domestic tourists have already visited De Oro Sagatech Resort in Bulua, just a stone’s throw away from Land Transportation Office (LTO). Aside from the swimming pool, the resort owners are also constructing the hotel component.

The site was formerly the De Oro Tropical Fruits Corp., which produced mango puree, until it was converted into a resort a few years ago. Photos below show the progress of the hotel construction. Work stopped for some time until it was resumed just a few weeks ago.

Expect the resort to be booked in summer. Admittance fee is P40 per head. Children below 11 years old are charged P25 per head.

There was no info as to when will the hotel be operational. But surely, it will be open to the public soon…

To boost RP Eco-Tourism

Officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Asian Center for Biodiversity (ACB) on Sunday cited Asia’s longest dual zipline as a boost to the country’s eco-tourism industry. DENR Public Affairs director Marissa Cruz said Bukidnon was successful in pushing for its eco-tourism program to attract investors.

Cruz said Bukidnon’s rich natural resources, climate, and eco-tourism potentials are its assets to jumpstart an image building effort to “resell” the province as an investment destination. In an earlier interview, incumbent Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri said that eco-tourism was a good entry point for better business environment in the province. “Once eco tourism thrives, it is easier to attract real estate investors and other financial leaders,” Zubiri said.

Over the weekend, Cruz and other officials of the DENR Central Office, DENR-Region 10 and Asian Center for Biodiversity (ACB) were here to check out the 840 meter dual zip lines at the Dahilayan Adventure Park, a buffer zone of Mt. Kitanglad in Barangay Dahilayan, this town.

The national government declared the mountain range as a national park of nature. It was also declared as ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Heritage Park in 2009 and cited by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Culture Organization (UNESCO) world heritage site last May. The DENR and ACB officials took rough roads to get into the Zip Zone in Dahilayan, but for the visitors the road condition was part of their ecotourism experience.

They passed through vast pineapple and banana plantations, some of them owned by Del Monte Philippines. Dahilayan is about 40 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental and passing by Del Monte Camp Phillips. Dahilayan is like Baguio in its pristine days before due to its scenery and temperature. Earlier, there was so much development here, particularly at the Dacudao family farm.

Located across a rugged terrain, adorned with parcels of land planted to pine trees, owners have developed the site into a prime tourist attraction nine months after they opened their zip line facility. Mechanical Engineer Elpidio “Elpi” Paras, owner and founder of Dahilayan Adventure Park, told the Philippines News Agency that tourism business here has been good so far.

He said the park draws more than 10,000 foreign and local tourists a month to the Bukidnon Zip Line, “The number of visitors exceeded our expectations,” said Paras who saw the potential of the place as an ecotourism potential. In their first quarter of operations last year, some 3,000 visitors took their wired rides. Paras said cool weather and their unique location, he said, helped them attract visitors after putting ads in the net and in in-flight magazines.

“I saw this kind of tourist attraction when I traveled in the United States and Europe so I brought the idea here,” said Paras, a leading technology innovator in Cagayan de Oro. He also founded the first cable system outside Metro Manila. Dual zip lines are not yet offered by their competitors, he said. He said that that another edge was the use of a state-of-the art brake technology to ensure safety of riders. In Bukidnon, zip line extreme sports adventure gains wider following and brings in more tourists.

The park offers the longest 840-meter dual cable zip line at introductory rate of P 500 as main attraction. The shorter rides – 320 meters and 150 meters – cost P 200. ACB official Dr. Filiberto Pollisco said he and wife, Mitzi, got the thrill of their lives. “My wife and I had some kind of a bonding. It’s one amazing adventure we can’t forget!

ACB public affairs officer Angela Metin said she could not forget her experience flying by wire. “I was able to conquer my fear after taking the ride at Zip Zone,” she said. Many brave Asia’s longest Dual Zipline as they zoom like Superman from a launch point at 4,700 feet above sea level and with an average speed of 45 kph, through lush greenery and breathtaking views only found in the mountains of Dahilayan.

Paras said the zipline riding is guaranteed safe and fun for every age. Zip zone has become the ultimate adventure destination for young and old alike, he said. Since its opening in September 2009, Zip zone has been visited by over a thousand enthusiasts, including a courageous two-year old and a 77-year-old grandfather. (PNA)

article by Joel C. Atencio