Mayon Volcano & Legazpi | Photo by Roe Empleo

Legazpi City – Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said on Tuesday that Albay is becoming a top tourist destination in the country after pursuing an aggressive tourism program that’s helping propel the province’s economic growth.

Jimenez, who graced on Tuesday the opening rites of the province annual month-long Magayon Festival, said the big investment poured in by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda on its tourism program would indeed boost economic activity.

Ligñon Hill | Photo by Boggs Dichoson

Jimenez, citing tourism statistics said in 2011 Albay posted 350,069 tourist arrivals — a 17 percent growth rate that surpassed the national growth rate of 15 percent. Jimenez at a press conference said there were 3.9 million tourist arrival in the country in 2010 and 4.6 million in 2011.

Jimenez said, “It is more fun in Albay because Albayanos are known for being hospitable.” He said Albay has distinct tourism features with its people, festivals, history, culture and arts. “Tourism needs to invest in people since “tourism is a business of the people, there should be a concrete road map that would attract and be a destination.

“Mayon volcano should not only be an attraction, it should rather be a destination.” Jimenez lauded Salceda for initiating a three-pronged event that showcases a 30-day festivals, including the Magayon Festival depicting Albay’s cultural heritage, the Cagsawa Festival, and Karangahan Festival, featuring the province’s culinary arts.

Daragang Magayon | Photo by Sinjin Pineda

Salceda said that the province, after making distinction in the field of health, education, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, is now moving toward tourism and agriculture development.Salceda said the province is now shifting from the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to economic growth by attracting more industry players who would invest in agriculture modernization and tourism development.

Salceda, adapting “Albay Rising” as the province’s slogan said the slogan is largely anchored on the development of the tourism industry. Among the province’s tourist attractions are the active and near perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano, the historic Cagsawa Ruins, and many fine beaches.

Salceda said “Albay is investing heavily on tourism as among its revenue generating concerns designed to spur the economic development.”

Cagsawa Ruins | Photo by Beni Cruz

With Magayon Festival on its fifth year, the provincial government has set a package of close to 150 events that feature culture and the arts, trade and industry, tourism spectacles, culinary food trips, sports and special interests that are expected to titillate the interest of tourists and visitors.

Among the event highlights of Magayon Festival 2012 is the staging of the Dance of the Three Mountains, a play written by multi-awarded Albayano writer Abdon Balde in the Bicol vernacular. The legend tells the story of the three sister mountains — Magayon, Masaraga, and Malinao which is actually the legend of Mayon Volcano. Taking center stage is the Mutya ng Magayon Festival 2012, a pageant which has already produced world-class beauty titlists like Dianne Necio, the 2011 Bb. Pilipinas International.

Likewise, the Higantes, a parade of giant effigies which are all Albay mythological characters.

Magayon Festival | Photo by Marco Paolo Arroyo

The festival highlights include the Ginoo ng Magayon Festival 2012, to be hosted by actress Lovi Poe; Concierto sa Magayon, with Jhong Hilario and Kiss Jane; Concierto Pasasalamat; Magayon Lyre, Drum and Baton Competition; Gayon Bicol Festival Showdown; Daragang Magayon Legend Showdown, the street dancing and festival queen presentation; Hot-Taw sa Karaonan, and the Sili Viand Eating Contest; among others.

Magayon’s Beer Plaza, will present bands and artists as nightly guests at the Penaranda Park in here, and is expected to keep the festival’s night life wake until dawn. (MAL/MSA-PGA)

Mayon 360 is a 50-mile (80-kilometer) run around the the circumference of the world’s most perfect-coned volcano, Mt. Mayon. This run will cross 7 Municipalities, 3 cities, and 77 Barangays, all paved roads, with close to 60 percent asphalt and 40 percent concrete.

Because the run is longer than the traditional distance of 42.1 kilometers, Mayon 360° is classified as an ultramarathon This event is organized by the Junior Chamber International – Legazpi Chapter in cooperation with Liga ng mga Barangay – Albay Chapter and sanctioned by the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners. It is sponsored by the Provincial Government of Albay, Governor Joey S. Salceda, and the Magayon Festival 2012.

This one of a kind event will be held for the second year in a row. Last year’s inaugural run won the Best Sports Tourism Event award given by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP). This year, a total of Php230,000 in cash prizes will be given away in several separate categories.

Route Map

Race Schedule

Race Briefing & Carbo Loading Party

April 20, 2012, 5PM to 6PM, People’s Hall, Albay Provincial Capitol, Albay

Race Day

April 21, 2012

3:00 AM Assembly
4:00 AM Gunstart

Start: Peñaranda Park, Albay
Finish: Peñaranda Park, Albay

Registration Fee:

P850.00

Registration Requirements:

• Medical Certificate signifying the runner is in good health to participate in this endurance sport (Validity of 2 months from race date)
• Completed one full Marathon within 1 year of race date (submit proof)

Official Website: Mayon 360

Prizes

Ginoo ng Magayon: Jasper Lemuel Velarde
Ginoo First Runner-up: Wayllon Apodaca
Ginoo Second Runner-up: Hiroshi Toroby
Ginoo ng Magayon Turismo: Kevin Casimiro

Winners of the Ginoo ng Magayon 2102

Aerial view of Southern Luzon (Bicol) International Airport Construction

by Rhaydz B. Barcia and Raffy S. Ayeng, The Manila Times

Legazpi City – The Aquino administration is expediting the construction of P3.5-billion Bicol International Airport in Albay to cater to the rising influx of foreign and domestic tourists making Bicol one of the fastest growing region in the country Tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. told The Manila Times.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., who opened of the monthlong Magayon Festival also announced the government’s approval of a P1.4-billion tourism infrastructure package for the province and cited Albay as the country’s fastest rising tourist destination.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the two vital projects under the package are the Cagraray Circumferential Road in Bacacay town worth P440 million, and a road that directly links Albay with Donsol, Sorsogon, home to the world famous Butanding or sperm whale, P870 million.

Salceda has pursued an aggressive tourism campaign for the province, dubbed as ‘Albay Rising.’ He said they have now shifted their focus on tourism and agriculture after significant accomplishments have been made in the fields of health, education, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

Jimenez acknowledged Salceda’s all-out tourism development drive and noted that the governor’s initiatives have boosted Albay’s economic activity, and as a result, posted a 17 percent growth in 2011, higher than the 15 percent national growth rate for the year.

“You need 24/7 airport to cater the big influx of both foreign and domestic tourists making Bicol as the fastest growing region in the country. That’s why President Aquino is prioritizing the immediate com-pletion of Bicol International Airport in 2014,” Jimenez said.

“So two years from now, we’re expecting that this airport will be finished and operational sooner than the people expected. Bicol will be having an all weather airport now,” the DOT chief said.

DOT Bicol regional office records show that the top visiting foreign tourists in Albay last year were Americans, followed by Japanese, Koreans, Canadians and Australians.

Bicol region is one of the five growth corridors identified during the incumbency of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s super region development strategy which covers Regions 4B, 5, 6, 7 and 8 including the provinces of Palawan, Romblon, Camiguin and Siargao Island. These places are known for their natural wonders and rich cultural heritage.

In 2011, national tourist arrivals reached 3.9 million according to Jimenez and in 2012 they’re targeting 4.6 million tourists.

With the completion of Bicol International Airport in 2014, Legazpi City in Albay, the regional center site and economic hub of Bicol as well as gateway or corridor in Luzon including Visayas and Mindanao regions will be serving 7.1 million people travellers including Samar Island.

Bustling Legazpi Port | Photo by Davy Chioa

Legazpi City, Philippines – This Albay city has received P20 million from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for “good housekeeping,” as it has properly carried out social services and pro-poor programs.

City administrator Noel Rosal said the money is earmarked for the rehabilitation of the Albay public market, with P5 million; expansion of the city’s slaughterhouse in Barangay San Roque, P5 million; and road and lighting improvements of subdivisions turned over to the city by the developers, including Amorao, Our Lady’s Village and Vel Amor, P10 million.

“We want all these facilities either constructed, improved or rehabilitated immediately to cater to the needs of the public,” Rosal told The STAR.

Rosal said DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, who served as Naga City mayor for 18 years before appointed to a Cabinet post, appreciated the developments in the city and ordered the release of the P20 million to bankroll projects which the city government could not immediately implement for lack of funds.

The Department of Budget and Management has also released P500 million to the city government for a flood control system.

The project will involve the construction of flood gates, pumping stations, concrete dikes, river walls, and bridges, targeted at preventing flooding in the city proper, particularly in low-lying communities and coastal barangays, Rosal said.

Rosal said work on the flood control system will start next month.

On Nov. 30, 2006, at least 1,500 people either died or went missing when super typhoon “Reming” triggered up to 10 feet of floodwaters in the city’s commercial district, mixed with volcanic debris from the slopes of Mayon volcano.

In Proclamation No. 365 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on April 2, the Chief Executive issued the declaration to give the people of the province the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

The people of Albay will hold Magayon Festival 2012, coinciding with the province’s founding anniversary. The festival is a month-long festivity that promotes Albay tourism and local livelihood programs. (js)

Source: Presidential Communications Operations Office

Dubbed as “Magayon sa Oriental,” the special rates that are 50 percent off the hotel’s published rates for all rooms have taken effect starting March 1 and will be implemented until April 30, 2012.

“Our coming up with Magayon rates is our way of helping Albay maximize its tourism revenues during the Magayon Festival. It is our way of giving back to our host province while promoting the hotel, ” Wilbert T. Lee, president and chief executive of the LKY Group, operator of The Oriental Hotels & Resorts chain.

The Magayon sa Oriental room rates for both single and double occupancy are as follows: P3,500 for Deluxe, P4,000 for Deluxe Mayon, P6,000 for Executive Suite, P7,000 for Executive Suite Mayon and P10,000 for Governor’s Suite.

Lee said: “Our first-class accommodation can be had at these lower rates during the month-long run of Magayon Festival. It is a sure come-on especially for the discerning budget traveler.”

These same special rates will also apply to online and traditional travel agents and are inclusive of complimentary round trip airport transfers, in-room coffee and tea selections, replenished bottled water, use of infinity swimming pool, breakfast for two, and high-speed broadband internet service.

Aside from 115 well-appointed guest rooms and suites and first class amenities, the hotel’s Jasmine Restaurant is also a must-try with its delectable dishes ranging from local cuisines as well as sumptuous international favorites in either a la carte or buffet fashion. With a total seating capacity for 117 guests, it also has private rooms that can seat 80 diners for intimate dining and exclusive private functions.

The only hotel in Albay to offer a full view of the legendary volcano with the perfect cone shape, The Oriental Legazpi also provides a glorious glimpse of the rising and setting sun from the same porch. What also makes The Oriental Legazpi particularly stand out is that while it is very much accessible to the big city, it is also distant enough to pamper its guests with all the tranquility and relaxation they need.

(PNA)
RMA/PR/JS/utb

To add to the regular trips of the Bicol Express to Naga and Polangui launched in 2011, two new services started operations in March 2012: the Mayon Limited De Luxe (MLD) and the Mayon Limited Ordinary (MLO).  MLD will run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while the MLO will run every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

These additional services will depart from the PNR Tutuban Station at 8:30 PM, arriving at Naga City at 5:45 AM, Polangui at 6:50 AM and Ligao at 7:00 AM the next day. Fare rate for the PNR is pegged at P2.30 per kilometer with a 30% special introductory discount.

Passengers are advised to reserve their seats before boarding

For inquiries, please call:

Manila/Tutuban – (02) 319-0048
Lucena – (042) 661-2990
Naga – (054) 698-2132

Mayon Limited Ordinary Stopping Stations and Fare Tariff

Mayon Limited De Luxe Stopping Stations and Fare Tariff

Mayon Limited Schedule of Trips

Southbound (Manila to Ligao)

	ETD	ETA
PNR Line	Tutuban	Polangui	Ligao
Mayon Limited De Luxe ( Monday, Wednesday and Friday)	8:30 PM	6:50 AM	7:00 AM
Mayon Limited Ordinary (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)	8:30 PM	6:50 AM	7:00 AM

Northbound (Ligao to Manila)

	ETD	ETA
PNR Line	Ligao	Tutuban
Mayon Limited De Luxe ( Monday, Wednesday and Friday)	7:15 PM	5:30 AM
Mayon Limited Ordinary (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)	7:15 PM	5:30 AM

Photos of Mayon Limited De Luxe

Mayon Limited De Luxe

Mayon Limited De Luxe Cabin Lounge

Mayon Limited De Luxe Lavatory

Photos of Mayon Limited Ordinary

Mayon Limited Ordinary

Mayon Limited Ordinary

Mayon Limited Ordinary

Photos courtesy of Philippine National Railways

The city government here will host the National Convention of the Philippine Councilor’s League at La Piazza Hotel & Convention Center on March 15 – 17 with some 3,000 councilors from all over the country expected to attend the said convention.

Mayor Geraldine Rosal of this city said that with bigger and better hotels and convention venues to choose from, participants can be easily accommodated unlike before when venues were lacking. Today, there are the Oriental hotel, St Ellis, and La Piazza that can handle a large number of participants.

Rosal expressed her gratitude to the efforts of local government units (LGUs) and city councilors responsible for making the event possible.

The city mayor likewise asks the Legazpeños to be one with the local government’s aim of promoting the city as a tourism destination.

She added that the transport sector in particular must not take advantage by asking for overpriced fare rates so our visitors will not hesitate in going back to the city. (MAL/SAA, PIA V/Albay)