BusinessWeek Metro CDO 18 September 5-11, 2011 Philippines’ first River to Sea Duck Tours take to the waters in Cagayan de Oro
mindanao
By Mike Baños
CAGAYAN de Oro City – The same group which brought Mindanao the distinction of having Asia’s longest dual zipline could be bringing the country’s first ever Duck tours by next month. “We are now in the process of obtaining the necessary permits so we can start commercial operations of our LARC V amphibian for the Oro River DUCKTOURS,” said Engr. Elpidio M. Paras, president of UC-1 Corporation. “We are now doing our sea trials and everything is Ok except for some minor issues.” The refurbished 32-seat military amphibious vehicle was one of the highlights of the August 27 Kagay-an Festival Golden Float Parade. “We are installing radios, sonar, GPS, life vests, safety gear and back up electric bilge pumps,” Mr. Paras said. “We will be doing the river trials as soon as we can build the concrete ramps to the river and in Macabalan shore.” UC-1 Corporation is the operator of the Dahilayan
Nature Park in Manolo Fortich Bukidnon, famous for its Zipzone which boasts of Asia’s longest dual zipline at 840 meters and Great White Water Rafting Tours, one of the city’s white water rafting outfitters. In a letter of intent submitted earlier to the Cagayan de Oro City Government, Mr. Paras said the proposed Cagayan River and Harbor Duck Tours would use highly modified US military surplus amphibious Duck vehicles which can carry 25-30 passengers in an open sightseeing configuration similar to the Duck Tours now operating in London, Singapore, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia and Dubai. Outfitted with the mandated water safety and rescue equipment, passengers would be treated to a tour of the city’s historical landmarks such as the City Hall, St. Augustine Cathedral, Plaza Divisoria, Xavier University highlighted by a thrilling splash down in Cagayan River and simulated amphibious landing on the shores of Macajalar Bay at the MacArthur Marker in Maca-
Oro River Duck Tours presents the Philippines first amphibious tour vehicle M/V General Ducklass Macartour, a LARC V Amphibian manufactured for the US Army during the Vietnam War. It will take tourists on a tour of historical sites in Cagayan de Oro including Cagayan River and Macajalar Bay. balan Port. Ducks were amphibious a mphibious trucks cou ld tour vessel is not WWII vin “Like what we did with vehicles developed during transport goods and troops tage but a later model manuDahilayan Nature Park and World War II by the US Armed over land and water and cross- factured for the US Army Great White Water Rafting Forces to land personnel and ing beaches for amphibious during the Vietnam war. It is a Tours, we plan to engage our cargo in places where docks landings. A modification of LARC V Amphibian manufacriverside barangays to estab- had been destroyed or non- the two-ton or “deuce” trucks tured by Consolidated Diesel, lish landing destinations to existent. used by the US military in with an all wheel drive train, entertain our passengers and Code named DUKW (D World War II, they played a aluminum hull, 300Hp diesel boost economic activities and indicates a vehicle designed in key role in allied landings in engine, with fully redundant tourism in their respective lo- 1942, U for utility or amphibi- the European and Pacific the- bilge pumps and a five ton calities,” Mr. Paras said. “Our ous, K for all-wheel drive and atre of operations but are now cargo capacity. IT is is similar ducks and crews would also W for two powered rear axles), uses mainly as tourist craft in to those used for similar Ducktours in Singapore, Australia be made available for rescue and colloquially known as marine environments. during times of calamities.” “ducks”, the six-wheel drive However, the UC-1 Duck- and Malaysia.
Primavera residences launches model unit
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for having the confidence to venture into high-end residences in our Uptown,” Mayor Emando said. “Mindanao must be given preference in investments for housing and we thank Mr. Nati and Mr. Tagliaferri for choosing Cagayan de Oro over other locations in the Philippines for their project.” For his part, Mr. Tagliaferri said the Italian Embassy’s presence during the opening rites is an acknowledgement of Mr. Nati’s pioneering venture in Cagayan de Oro and Mindanao. With the presence of Primavera in the city, he said this may be the start of the gradual influx of Italian tourists and businessmen into the area. Mr. Diaz, in town to inaugurate with Junior Chamber International (JCI) the “Isang Litrong Liwanag” project for the urban poor of Lapasan, again graced the affair to show
TAN BUILDING (ORANGE COLOR) C.M. RECTO AVENUE, LAPASAN HIGHWAY 9000 CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY
his support for the eco-friendly initiatives espoused by Primavera. MyShelter Foundation is the major sponsor of Design Against the Elements (DAtE) global design competition held earlier this year where Mr. Nati won a Special Energy Award for his design. Mr. Diaz expressed satisfaction with the passive design elements of Primavera which are designed to reduce its carbon footprint by decreasing the demand for electricity of its occupants. Architect Romolo V. Nati, president and CEO of Italpinas, said the one-bedroom model unit is intended to give potential condominium unit buyers a first-hand feel of their future home. Primavera Residences is designed by ITA Project, an award winning architectural firm based in Rome, Italy with Mr. Nati as chief architect. It has won several international awards for its eco-friendly designs. Interested parties wishing to visit the showroom and take a first hand view of the construction site can contact tel. no. or email gladys. magadan@italpinas.com. You can also visit their website at www. primaveraresidences.com