Cebu-based Ocean Fast Ferries, Inc. or OceanJet is now serving the direct Cagayan de Oro-Camiguin route and vice-versa.

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At least five sites in Northern Mindanao had passed the technical requirements for the Solar Powered Agri-Rural Communities (SPARC) Program.


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The Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) signed today a loan arrangement for the Laguindingan Airport Air-Navigation System and Support Facilities Supply Project in ceremonies held at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Signing for both countries were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario (right) and ROK Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Hye-min (left). The event was witnessed by officials from the DFA, the Department of Transportation and Communications and the ROK Embassy.


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Ayala Land Inc. is reportedly adopting an Aerotropolis concept for the development around Laguindingan Airport.

Wikipedia defines an Aerotropolis as an urban form whose layout, infrastructure, and economy is centered on an airport, offering its businesses speedy connectivity to suppliers, customers, and enterprise partners worldwide.

Sterling Bank of Asia, a savings bank established in March 2007 by successful businessmen and entrepreneurs, and Philippine Rural Banking Corp. (PR Bank), an Isabela-based bank has opened their respective branches in Cagayan de Oro City.

Sterling Bank of Asia inaugurated their branch yesterday located at the ground floor of VIP Hotel at the corner of Don Apolinar Velez and JR Borja Streets while PR Bank opened their branch located at the ground floor of Royale Business Club Building at the corner of T. Chavez and Velez Street.

Sterling Bank of Asia is principally owned by the JTKC Group of Companies, Surewell Equities, and Star Equities. JTKC Group of Companies and Star Equities are involved in a wide range of industries, ranging from logistics to finance, real estate, manufacturing, hotel and resort properties. Some of these companies include I-Remit Inc., TKC Steel Corp., Discovery Leisure Company (Discovery Suites, Discovery Country Suites-Tagaytay and Discovery Shores-Boracay), The Mansion Group (Amorsolo Mansion, Gilarmi Apartments, Mabini Mansion, Boulevard Mansion), JTKC Land, Discovery Primea, and Kent Vinyl Tiles. Surewell Equities, on the other hand, is a holding company engaged in various interests, among which are, Confed Properties, Inc., I-Remit Inc., Flexi-Woods, Inc., Banwood Construction Center and Six Alps Corp.

On the other hand, PR Bank began in the 1977 in the small town of Naguilian, Isabela. Small and struggling, yet committed, determined, aggressive and hardworking, the rural bank has grown to be the biggest rural bank in Region 2 and one of the largest in the Philippines. The rural bank transformed from a single branch to a 22-branch operation (and still counting), and reaping honors and commendations that are of national prestige and prominence, and metamorphosing from a very traditional banking to electronic banking.

The two banks are just the latest of many new financial institutions which have opened in Cagayan de Oro City, just a proof of their trust and confidence in doing their business in this part of country.

The City Government of Cagayan de Oro is set to have the ground breaking of the two (2) flyover projects in the city namely, Carmen Flyover and Recto-Velez Flyover on June 15 in time for the city’s Charter Day celebration.

As shown in the perspectives of the said flyovers, the Carmen Flyover will rise specifically at the intersection of Masterson Avenue, Macanhan Road and Zayas Street with both uptown-bound and vice-versa taking the flyover.

Meanwhile, the Recto-Velez Flyover or simply the Licoan Flyover will rise at the city’s busiest intersection along the National Highway (CM Recto Ave.).

Expect more traffic in the area when these two infrastructure gets underway in the coming weeks. Construction accordingly will take 3 months the most which means it will be completed beyond the city’s fiesta on August 28th.

KITROL Holdings Inc. recently held the groundbreaking of its P200-million worth fuel storage facility inside the Phividec Industrial Authority area in Baluarte, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

The facility will include state-of-the art receiving lines for heavy fuel oil (HFO) and light fuel oil (LFO), loading gantry, warehouse, office, genset room, cargo berth, water/oil separator, fire pump and product pump to cater to the logical needs of small to medium size independent petroleum marketers.

Accordingly, the project which will be situated within a six hectare area, will be the biggest facility in Northern Mindanao.

The project will initially operate with a capacity of 20 million liters to be distributed in five storage tanks that will be for lease to prospective clients. The project will primarily supply the fuel requirements of industries within the Phividec area and the whole of Mindanao.

The complex is said to be environmentally-compliant with all the necessary safety and security ancillaries, which will give employment to local residents during its construction and eventual operation.

The project is targeted to be finished by the third quarter of this year.

by Nicole J. Managbanag of SSC

The 7,700-seat capacity Cagayan de Oro International Trade and Convention Center located at Taguanao, Indahag is slated for completion soon and due to be opened in 2012.

This after Cagayan de Oro City Second District Concgressman Rufus Rodriguez secured the release of additional P200 million for this year 2011. Photo below shows Cong. Rodriguez and some local officials posing with the scale model of the Convention Center. The P758-million convention center is due for completion in 2012. DPWH Regional Director Norma Gironella said they will prioritize the function rooms, water and electric systems of the convention with available funding of P385 million as well as the additional P200 million.

The convention center building, which will accommodate at least 7,700 people, will be an ideal place for international, national and trade exhibits, seminar and conventions. It will be operated and managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority. Based on the schedule, the facility would be usable by December this year.

Accordingly, the plan is to have a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) game as an inauguration activity. The convention center would be operated by the Department of Tourism (DOT) but Rodriguez said he would insist that barangay officials of Indahag and Macasandig should be given a hand in managing its day-to-day operations.

Meanwhile, Singson ordered DPWH here to start the expropriation proceeding for properties that would be used in the widening of the road leading to the convention center in Taguanao. Singson told Gironella that the road leading to the convention center should be at least be six lanes wide.  Rodriguez welcomed Singson’s move, saying that this plan would ease traffic in the area once the convention center becomes operational.

Work is now in progress for the widening of the Puerto Section of the Iligan-Cagayan-Butuan Road (ICBR) or National Highway in preparation for the construction of the proposed flyover project in the said area.

Cagayan de Oro City Second District Congressman Rufus Rodriguez recently led the ground-breaking ceremony for the multi-million infrastructure project in the city. Actually, work has began a few weeks ahead of the ground breaking. Of course we all know how politicians like the drum-roll.

The P10-million widening of National Highway in Puerto is also in preparation for the construction of the P300-million flyover, of which P200 million will be funded by the French government and the remaining P100 million by the national government as counterpart. The flyover is expected to be completed in 8 months.

The project aims to decongest traffic in the area. In my opinion, it will only help vehicles to bypass the bottle-neck at Puerto Junction but will not solve the traffic. The main causes of the traffic at Puerto is the uncontrolled entry of tricycles and trisikad into the national highway as well as the presence of sidewalk and ambulant vendors which occupies the spaces along the highway for vehicle

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WRAPPED around the hill with an expansive view of the Cagayan de Oro City and Macajalar Bay, the clubhouse is a complex composed of pavilions linked by walkways.

Designed with the intent of reflecting the architectural theme of the village which is termed “Organic tropical”, the clubhouse structure started with the inspiration from the designs of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. With the swimming pool, the sports facilities, and the landscaping, it aimed to relate organically to its natural setting.

Organic architecture is defined as a philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world through design approaches so sympathetic and well integrated with its site that buildings, furnishings, and surroundings become part of a unified, interrelated composition.

“We wanted the structures to appear to be hugging or wrapped around the prominent hill. They would seem to organically grow out from the ground rather than being unnaturally placed on top of it,” architect Jonas Suan of Ayala Land-Vismin’s Innovation and Design Group explained.

Tropical features were considered in the design. Elements such as broad eaves and large openings among others make the clubhouse responsive to the local climate. Local Mangima stones were used as façade accents. Indigenous flora was also considered in the landscape design.

“We tried to present the materials as true to its nature as much as possible which is what we believe an important character of organic architecture,” Suan added. To maximize the natural setting of Alegria Hills, the views both from within and towards the complex were studied. Even the experience as one approaches the clubhouse was considered. Elements such as the pool deck, the balconies, and the vertical accent wall at the entrance were positioned to achieve optimum effect.

Open spaces and skylights were used to maximize natural lighting and ventilation in keeping with sustainable design. The structure was built along proper sun and wind orientation, following the contours of the land and corresponding with the natural rolling terrain.

Perhaps the most prominent feature of the clubhouse is the 25-meter infinity pool with an expansive view of the bustling city. Beside it is a kiddie pool where children can safely swim.

The clubhouse also features a multipurpose hall, a function room where residents and their guests can have parties and gatherings close to home. A fitness gym is also located underneath the social hall where residents can work out to complement their active lifestyle.

The sports facilities area features a basketball court and a covered badminton court for sports enthusiasts.

“Attention will definitely be given to enabling residents to appreciate and connect with nature, a tenet espoused by organic architecture. There will be canyon trails and parks, gardens and orchards, places where residents can be themselves, and yet be one with creation,” architectural consultant Marcos de Guzman, Jr. said.

The clubhouse is the second facility to be completed in Alegria Hills. The chapel in the grove was completed in March of 2009 which was marked with the celebration of a mass. The chapel has since become an ideal place for prayer and meditation in the midst of Alegria Hills’ scenic environment.

Master planned by Ayala Land, Alegria Hills shall offer a higher level of comfort, serenity and security that only an Ayala Land Premier community can provide to assure residents of quality, commitment and enduring value, a sure reward for their success.

About Alegria Hills

Alegria Hills, following the Spanish word “Alegria” which means joy and merriment, is Ayala Land’s first residential offering in Mindanao.

An exclusive residential community carrying the distinction of Ayala Land Premier, Alegria Hills is set amidst a prime location on a highland plateau of Cagayan de Oro that boasts of 360° view of the city, Macajalar Bay and the mountains.

Inspired by organic tropical architecture, the masterplan provides scenic roads to traverse, canyon trails, ravine pocket parks and orchards to explore. There will be a clubhouse and other perks but at the center of all these shall be a chapel in a tree grove, an oasis of the community’s shared dreams and values.

A mere 10 minutes away from Cagayan de Oro’s Limketkai Center and major business district, Alegria Hills offers a home high above the ordinary world that is secure, serene, nurturing and inspiring.

For inquiries please contact [email protected] or call at +63 9063721666.

from Business Week Mindanao