SM and Robinsons.. In Butuan?!

I don't how true is it... It's been a long time since I last visited Butuan.. But I heard that rumor long before I left Butuan.. But now, that rumor is circulating once again.. It may be false alarm, but maybe... maybe... as the adage goes, "when there's smoke, there's fire?!"

Accordingly, SM and Robinsons will soon rise near the vicinity of Gaisano Mall.  For now, they are trying to settle some legal issues which, for sure, will eventually end in a compromise that is beneficial to all parties concerned... including me?!

Maybe.  My property, which I am now selling, is located just barely less than a kilometer away from the new potential business district of Butuan.  I am selling it for a bargain but with this recent development... would it  still be wise for me to go ahead and dispose my property.. and worse, for a give-away price?

Now, I'm thinking...

Remembering Boy Daku...

Photo source: amazing butuan

I just got the news that the former mayor of Butuan, Democrito "Boy Daku" Plaza II, passed away last Friday afternoon.  Who would have thought that a strong man like him would soon succumb to death?  He had survived a kidney transplant operation about a week ago but he did not live long thereafter..

My condolences to his family and constituents...

Science High School in Butuan

I didn't know that Butuan does not have a science high school, not until I read this article from pia.gov.ph.  If I'm not mistaken, Surigao City, Butuan's neighboring city, has already its own science high school.

According to the latest news, the earnest planning of local government of Butuan is already underway to put up a branch of Philippine Science High School in the city.  For the complete details, please click this.

Not Again!

According to Manila Bulletin online, Mindanao (including Butuan) will suffer another rotating brownout which might start anytime this week.  It is feared that the dreaded brownout might last until end of this year.

Imagine the inconveniences one has to go through (again!) for this power shortage...

By the way, have I already posted in this blog that a friend of mine bought a generator about a year ago because of that rotating brownout?  Well, he will find that unit useful again in the coming days.. :(

Earthquake Hits Butuan Again

A 3.8-magnitude quake, tectonic in origin, hit the southern province of Agusan del Sur around 12:47 p.m., local time. The epicenter was traced about 37 kilometers northwest of the southern city of Butuan.

Source

Butuan Mayor On Training To Korea

Butuan City (20 August) -- City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. left Butuan on August 18, 2010 to join 14 other Mayors from other regions of the country to attend a14-day training from August 21 to September 3 in Local Administration Improvement to be held in Seongnam and Suwon, Korea. Participants will be housed at the KOIKA International Cooperation Center.

The South Korean government, through the Korea International Cooperating Agency (KOICA) will conduct the trainings that are aimed to help promote faster and more sustainable growth in the Philippines, and paved the way for future collaboration and aid opportunities in particular cities or municipalities.

The 15 participants from the Philippines will undergo a short study program with the objectives of offering Korean perspective of national development by introducing Korean development experiences, to enhance understanding of Korean local administrative system and to promote better understanding and more friendly relations between Korea and participating countries.

It was learned, that KOICA offered to invite 132 Filipinos for 2010 to Korea to attend 36 training courses, five of which were designed exclusively for Filipinos, one of which is the Local Administration Improvement that Mayor Amante will be attending.

The trainings offered by KOIKA are the following: National Integrated Vehicle Management and Inspection System Development, Economic Development in Mindanao, Immigration Management, and Railway Management and Operations.

"The interaction of Mayor Amante and Korean experts may help identify areas where the Korean government can provide interventions as well as for us in the city government to adopt Korean best practices in relation to effective governance," said Vice Mayor Lawrence Fortun.

The Vice Mayor was appointed to act as the Officer in Charge from August 18-20 and shall seat as the Acting Mayor of Butun City on August 21 until September 3, 2010. (dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)

Butuan: Historical Mecca

photo source

According to the Manila Bulletin online article, Butuan  City (Region XIII) of Caraga is the historical mecca of the Philippines with good access to Agusan marshlands and surfing capital of Siargao.

To read it for yourself, click here.

Mayor Reaching Out To Butuanons

Executive Order No. 3 issued by the incumbent Butuan Mayor is a welcome development for Butuanons.  The Order provides for the creation and establishment of Adlaw Hong Butuan every Wednesday of the week.  This is a chance for every Butuanon to personally meet and raise his/her concerns with the Mayor.

Source

3 Balangays Make History Again

ABS-CBNNEWS.COM reported that the wooden balangay "Sama Tawi-Tawi" would be launched in Butuan City, today, July 16, and will join two other balangays, "Diwata ng Lahi" and "Masawa Hong Butuan" in Zamboanga City for an expedition across South East Asia and then to China on July 26.

Since I am writing this post almost too late already, I wonder if it was successfully launched?

Read more

P48 million Budget for Butuan Bridge Rehab

The Magsaysay bridge which connects Davao, Surigao, and Agusan del Sur to Butuan City is now under rehabilitation. Allotted budget amounted to P48,161,187.83 which main objective is to strengthen its sub-structures.  The rehabilitation is estimated to be completed in 300 days.

The 50-year old bridge is believed to be the oldest bridge in Northeastern and Northern Mindanao regions.

Source

Earthquake in Butuan

An earthquake hit Butuan and nearby cities (Cabadbaran and Surigao City) yesterday at around 10:11am. The tremor, with a magnitude of 4 caused panic among the residents. As of this moment, authorities are still checking whether there were injuries or damages incurred. They however assured that there were no immediate casualties reported.

It is worthy to note also that a 4.1 earthquake magnitude previously shook Butuan City on the day of elections, Monday, May 10, 2010.

Source: Philippine Information Agency and Inquirer.net.

Who is Butuan's Dr. Ferdinand Amante, Jr.?

The surname rings a bell, however, I really did not know a single thing about Butuan's new mayor, Dr. Ferdinand Amante, Jr.  Not until I read an article from dateline.ph.

Accordingly, the newly-elected mayor was a first-term barangay captain of vote-rich Ampayon (which is just a few kilometers away from Butuan City proper).  Also a practicing physician, Dr. Amante, Jr., must have done something good in Ampayon that he gained the support of his constituents.

Although he was a neophyte barangay captain, Amante is actually connected with a clan of politicians in Agusan del Norte.  His father and Mr. Edelmiro Amante, a seasoned politician, are brothers.

Dr. Amante's impressive entry to Butuan City hall finally ended the 18-year reign of the Plazas in Butuan City.

Butuan Has A New Mayor

Last night, COMELEC has proclaimed Dr. Ferdinand Amante, Jr. as the new mayor of Butuan City.  This is surprising considering that the Plazas had been dominating the Butuan political arena for so long.  Who would have thought that the recent May 10, 2010 elections would force the Plazas to step down from City Hall for earning 56,763 votes only?  Dr. Amante won by 8,900 votes.

Source

Attention: Butuanon voters!

Just when I thought that my What's in Butuan? blog is the most-widely read among my blogs, nobody seems to care of joining my survey of mayoralty bets for Butuan City.  There are about 20days more to go before the May 10, 2010 national and local elections.  FYI, I have respondents, for the surveys I conducted thru my other blogs, scribbles and ripples in surigao.  Although these respondents are few, but still they participated.  And that already means a lot to me.

Hey, butuanons!  Where are you?  Please make your presence known... at least in this blog.

Thank you. :)

Last Chance for Seat Sale

Few hours from now, the seat sale offered by Cebu Pacific will come to an end.  Opportunities like these are elusive.  We never know when Cebu Pacific will be offering another promo fare again.  So, if I were a Butuanon who happens to be miles away from Butuan, I won't miss this rare chance.

Sad to say, I'm not a Butuanon. Do i need to say more?  Hehehehehe

Another Seat Sale from Cebu Pacific

Hey guys!

If you want to travel to your respective hometowns but is on a tight budget, now is the chance to grab that extended summer vacation! Cebu Pacific has just announced another seat sale which runs today, April 7, up to tomorrow, April 8, only. Travel period is between June 1 to August 31, 2010.

One-way promo fare costs P999 only, all-in! However, for those destinations like Surigao, which do not have direct flights, one needs to pay twice the promo rate. Or, I suggest to take the flight to Butuan and enjoy a two-hour bus ride to Surigao.

I must warn you that promo seats are limited.  So, what are you waiting for? Visit Cebu Pacific ticketing outlet or click this website! :)

Hot, hot, hot Butuan

With the news that two major fires recently hit Butuan, Butuanons, particularly, those from the other side of the globe have reasons to worry about. Scorching heat triggered by El Niño and 4-10 hours of power failure posed serious danger to life and property. Hence, the local government of Butuan, spearheaded by Mayor Democrito Plaza, advised the locals to be extra careful and responsible enough in any undertaking that might be the possible cause of fire.

Source

P999 Seat Sale to Butuan!

Once again, Cebu Pacific is having a seat sale for those who want to travel from Manila to Mindanao (and vice versa) on June 1 to August 31, 2010. Mindanao destinations include Butuan, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian, Davao, Dipolog, and General Santos.

For only P999 (all-in), one can already book a flight online or thru any Cebu Pacific ticketing office. Sad to say, this promo shall end until tomorrow, March 10, 2010.

If interested, please visit Cebu Pacific website by clicking this link.

Shaking Butuan..

I didn't know that an earthquake shook Butuan last Saturday at 3.3 magnitude not until I read this e-news.

Now I am wondering, were Butuanons also affected by the Tsunami scare yesterday? :)

Domestic Seat Sale Extended

For those who were not able to buy the promo plane tickets, particularly for butuan-cebu, here's the good news: Cebu Pacific is offering another domestic seat sale which will run until sunday, february 28, 2010, but travel period starts on june 1, 2010 yet and will end on august 31, 2010.

for details, please visit http://www.cebupacificair.com