Shark Feast-On Bridge (Tag-Iho Bridge)

Thanks Rex for the review. The P100 million Dinagat Island Road Network budget a year ago approved and released now became P22.1 million Tag-iho bridge done project.

Proof1- DPWH Caraga Regional Director Romeo Momo said an initial funding of P100 million was recently released to launch construction of the Dinagat Island Road Network which is seen critical in providing access between urban and rural areas in Dinagat Island. He said detailed engineering work is being done while its bidding process is set to take off before year end. Link1

Proof2- Mindanao Region is considered as the country’s food basket because of its large fertile land areas and evenly distributed tropical climate that makes it suitable for year round crop production. Of the 3 – billion pesos spent for 3000 kms of farm to market roads, 1000 km are earmarked for Mindanao as the government aims to further harness the competitive advantage in agribusiness of the region. Major infrastructure projects being prioritized are the: P210 million Dakak-Dapitan Road Project, the P100 million Dinagat Island Road Network, the P1.326 billion Sibuco-Siraway-Siocon-Baliguian-Gutalac Coastal Road in Zamboanga del Norte and the P6.52 billion Surigao-Davao Road Project. Link2

Proof3- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her speech during her visit to Basilisa town to inaugurate the P22.1 million Tag-iho bridge emphasized infrastructure development in the newly created province of Dinagat Islands, "what you need here is infrastructure, importante ang usa ka imprastruktura alang sa bag-o nga probinsya (infrastructure is important for a new province)." Link3

And here's another coming sharky event...
The President immediately ordered Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr to begin the soonest possible time the construction of Basilisa-San Jose national road, "we have to build the road from Basilisa to San Jose." The project will cost P200 million.

Libjo's Miss Bikini Open Result

Tonight's Miss Libjo Bikini Open Result.

Major Awards:

Ms. Libjo Bikini Hype 2008- San Antonio
1st Runner up - Osmena
2nd runner up - San Jose
3rd runner up - Sto. Nino
4th runner up - Dona Helen

Minor Awards:

Miss Congeniality - Kanihaan
Miss Photogenic- Bayanihan
Miss Production Number-San Antonio
Miss Urban Amazon Attire- San Antonio
Beach Goddess Attire- Osmena
Miss AMPHIL Corporation - San Antonio
Best in Awesome Bikini- San Antonio
Miss Natasha- Bayanihan
Miss Hot legs- Sto. Nino
Pretty Face - Bayanihan

Click for more photos.

Miss Libjo Bikini Open 2008

Here is our list of the contestants:

Zenith Mondano Jamero -17 years old - Magsaysay
Lourdaneilyn Tumamak Llamera - 15 yrs old - Albor
Rosejane Salamputan Lopez - 18 yrs old-Kanihaan
Mia Maurice U. Villanueva - 16 yrs old - Plaridel
Tetche Monterola Pana - 17 yrs old - Quezon
Mel Ann Comparativo Mensurado - 16 yrs old- San Antonio
Sarah Jane P. Maurillo - 18 yrs old - General Aguinaldo
Shekina C. Mira - 15 yrs old - Osmena
Myeth C. Cababat - 17 yrs old - Llamera
Maria Vanessa C. Abarca - 18 yrs old - Bayanihan
Marnie F. Sacuram - 21 yrs old - Rosita
Mechele M. Obsioma - 15 yrs old - Garcia
KC Blanza - 19 yrs old - Dona Helen
Angelli V. Oslob - 16 yrs old - San Jose
Alzanne Venne R. Codilla - 16 yrs old - Sto. Nino
Emmalyn Enoy Bullo - 15yrs old - Arellano

News: PGMA emphasizes infra development in Dinagat

Basilisa, Dinagat Islands (April 17) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her speech during her visit to Basilisa town to inaugurate the P22.1 million Tag-iho bridge emphasized infrastructure development in the newly created province of Dinagat Islands, "what you need here is infrastructure, importante ang usa ka imprastruktura alang sa bag-o nga probinsya (infrastructure is important for a new province)."

Being one of the newest provinces in the country and being identified as one of the ten poorest provinces in the country, the President said that, "infrastructure is very important for our competitiveness and for equitable development."

Stressing that in order for new investments to come to the island, one must be competitive. "You cannot be competitive without decent roads. Importante sab sa (It is also important for) equitable development."

She underlined national infrastructure program of road networks designed to spur trade and economic progress in the most remote and poorest areas of the island. The President immediately ordered Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr to begin the soonest possible time the construction of Basilisa-San Jose national road, "we have to build the road from Basilisa to San Jose." The project will cost P200 million. More ...

News: GMA pushes projects for food security

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands – Within less than a month, President Arroyo visited Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) again yesterday, pushing for multimillion-peso infrastructure projects which, she said, are vital to food security and economic programs in the region.

The Chief Executive arrived in this newly created Dinagat Islands province aboard the presidential helicopter. She was joined by Caraga Region Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) and Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and welcomed by Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra, Dinagat Islands Rep. Glenda B. Ecleo and Gov. Geraldine E. Villaroman, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Cardozo M. Luna, 4th Division commander Maj. Gen. Roland Rodriguez, and Northeastern Mindanao police regional director Chief Supt. Jaime Milla.

From this island’s capital town, the President inaugurated the Tag-iho Bridge in Barangay Santo Niño, Basilisa town. She was received by Basilisa Mayor Floro Baltar, Northeastern Mindanao DPWH Regional Director Romeo S. Momo, and Tagiho Barangay Captain Mibato Hermogenes. More ...

News: Arroyo to visit Dinagat island Wednesday

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is scheduled to visit this newly-proclaimed island province in the Caraga Region Wednesday to inaugurate a bridge that local officials said would help hasten the delivery of public services and spur economic development on the island.

On Wednesday, the President is scheduled to unveil the marker of a newly-completed bridge.

Dinagat Island Gov. Geraldine Ecleo-Villaroman, lone district Rep. Glenda Ecleo, and San Jose Mayor Benglen Ecleo will assist the President in the unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Governor Villaroman said the President's visit underscores her sincerity in helping the province and in trying to uplift the lives of the residents.

More ...

Question of Residency and Citizenship.

My father was born in Loreto, grew up between Loreto and Dinagat and now lives in Albor. My father's grand father (mother-side) is from Quemoy China. That makes my father 25 percent Chinese. My fathers grandma (father-side) is from Leyte. But my fathers Papa (my lolo) is from Dinagat. He is the only son. I may consider him lumad (native) since his last name is Jacquez. One of the barangay in Municipality of San Jose is named after our last name. And I remember my father mentioned Master Ruben Sr. makes mano(sign of respect to older relative) to (Lolo) my grandpa when they were both alive.

On the other hand my mom is native from Siargao and I grew up in Libjo but was born in Surigao City. Now my question is would you consider me resident of Libjo(taga Libjo)?

So what makes us resident(Taga Ato)? Is it by birth? Is it by our parents, by last name? Is it by language or by where you go to school. Or where you work or you own land property?

Residency requirement in election according to Section 29 of the Local Government Code says that a candidate should be a resident of his locality for at least one year.

Does it say If you can run for public office you are a resident? Correct? That makes nong Edward Tiu Filipino and resident. He runs for sanguniang panglunsod (municipal councilor) couple of years back. How about the right to vote? Yes?

This is true, since most of our resident including our upland barangays were registered voters. So being a member of a religion or organization or political party doesn't matter, we are all taga ato (Libjo resident), right?

So what is your opinion on taga ato (resident or native)?

News: Dinagat Islands now on world wide web

Coping with the other LGUs who are now having their respective official websites, the Province of Dinagat Islands and its municipalities make sure that they will not be left behind.

After the province-wide Web Upgrading Workshop (WUW) conducted on January 28-30, 2008 under the partnership of the Province of Dinagat Islands and National Computer Center (NCC), their official websites can now be accessed.

One may browse its LGU Official Website to know more about what their place can offer. For the Province of Dinagat Islands, the website is www.dinagatislands.gov.ph; Municipality of San Jose, www.sanjosedi.gov.ph; Municipality of Tubajon, www.tubajon.gov.ph; Municipality of Libjo, www.libjodinagatislands.gov.ph. Click for more...