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WESTERN VISAYAS
South Koreans top WV visitors in 2012 By Elsa S. Subong
Iloilo City Hall
ILOILO CITY, Jan 15 (PIA6) -- South Koreans were the top visitors in Western Visayas in 2012, according to the figures released by the Department of Tourism-6.
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f the 2.1 million tourists who came to the region, and of around 1.2 million who went to Boracay, Aklan, 184,992 were South Koreans. As per report, the Taiwanese came in second, accounting for 93,407 visitors; then Chinese 84,186 tourists; Americans, 20,603; and Australian, 15, 237. Completing the top 10 visitors in the region were those from Russia-14,810, Japan-8,841, United Kingdom-8,729, Germany-8,098, and Hongkong-7,591. DOT records further show that of the 10
million South Koreans who travel abroad yearly, only about one million choose the Philippines as destination, and almost 10 percent of this, flock to Western Visayas. DOT Regional Director Helen Catalbas said there is a need to increase the region’s share of South Korean visitors. The office, she said, has taken steps to strengthen the region’s share of Korean visitors, by starting to translate promotional materials from English to Korean language. “This is to help Koreans understand better Ilonggo heritage and culture,” Catalbas
said in media interviews. Materials which will have Korean versions include brochures that contain maps, tourism destinations, and historical facts about the city and province of Iloilo. Korean language instructors based in Iloilo are translating the materials for validation by Korean experts in the DOT central office. When translated, the materials will be placed in ports, airports, restaurants, and hotels accredited by the DOT-6. (JCM/ESSPIA6)
Capiceños commit to 'intelligent' film, TV viewing By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan 16 (PIA6) -- More than a thousand students, faculty and staff of different institutions in Capiz were able to participate and interact with top officials of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
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uring the recent First Regional Forum of the agency this year dubbed, “Matalinong Panonood ng Pamilya Nina Juan at Juana,” held at Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion, Filamer Christian University, and Capiz State University-Mambusao campus, students and teachers as well committed to take part particularly in advocating for intelligent public viewing of films and television shows. They likewise affirmed in monitoring films shown on buses and transport vessels. The activity was headed by newly-appointed MTRCB Chairperson lawyer Eugenio H. Villareal who is a native of Mambusao, Capiz. According to Villareal, the forum, which was also conducted in Iloilo and Negros Occidental and other parts of the country, aims to reach especially the children and the grassroots to educate them on the roles and functions of the agency.
It also aims to guide the public on the kind of television shows or films that should be watched according to the contemporary Filipino cultural values and standards. He added that the campaign also intends to empower the community especially the education sector to help then in strictly complying with the commitment of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Marine Industry Authority (Marina) through a memorandum of agreement for their respective jurisdiction like the bus and shipping companies. Villareal said that with the support of Capiz Governor Victor Tanco, they are planning to make Capiz as the hub of independent films in Western Visayas. He also revealed that they will also hold this year the Nationwide Family Summit that will be participated in by the parents and adult members of the families for them to be aware of the different film and television programs
classification and for the public to unite for the contemporary Filipino cultural values and standards and for them to be wise in selecting shows or films for their young children or siblings. Aside from the series of lectures, the MTRCB team likewise conducted an on-the-spot inspection of buses with television, checking among others the kind of DVD/CD films that are shown while on transit. Tarpaulins and information materials containing advisory on the kind of films to be shown in buses were also posted in the bus terminals and in buses here. Aside from Villareal, others who joined the two-day forum in Capiz were MTRCB Executive Director lawyer Victoriano Muring Jr., Board Members lawyer Jose Antonio Veloso, Francia Conrado, Mario Hernando, Jay Revestir, Bobby Andrews, and Jackie Aquino-Gavino. (JCM/JBG-PIA6, Capiz)
Power plant to benefit Concepcion town, Panay Island By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Jan 16 (PIA6) -- The municipality of Concepcion, Iloilo will immensely benefit from the state -of-the-art clean coal power plant to be situated in a 30-hectare property in Sitio Puntales, Brgy. Nipa in the said town.
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ccording to Palm Concepcion Power Corporation (PCPC) President Roel Z. Castro, who gave the briefing on the power plant project during the ground breaking ceremony, this will contribute to the economic development of the municipality. “There will be direct and indirect taxes that will be obtained from this project and the town of Concepcion will get the lion share of these taxes,” said Castro. Castro also said the power plant will employ 1,200 to 1,500 people during the construction phase and priority will be the people of Concepcion. He further said that there will be subsidy to be given to the municipality for
every kilowatt hour generated from the power plant. The PCPC official also assured the community that they will adhere to the highest standards of environmental governance with the local government unit (LGU) as their partner. “We will make sure to uphold corporate citizenship in the community and be environment advocates. In fact, we have a line-up of activities to mitigate environmental impacts,” said Castro. Concepcion Mayor Milliard Villanueva said the town and its people are pleased to help the region achieve its development growth and targets by providing the necessary security and reliability of power supply.
“We are glad that Concepcion will be able to provide solutions to the power source problem in Panay Island,” said Villanueva. Meanwhile, Dr. Walter Brown, PCPC chairman, said that aside from Concepcion, they are also looking for other areas in the region to help improve the economic welfare of the community. PCPC is a joint venture of Palm Thermal Consolidated Holdings Corp (PTCHC) of A. Brown Company, Inc., AC Energy Holdings Corp. of the Ayala Corp, and Jin Navitas Resource, Inc. PCPC will be the corporate vehicle that will implement the Concepcion Coal Fired Power Plant Project. (JCM/LTP-PIA 6, Iloilo)