Topnotchers from Tuguegarao Schools for 2011

With the year almost over, I would like to provide you with a list of students, and now professionals, whose outstanding performances in their respective licensure examinations earned them honors as members of the TOP 10:

Engr. Sonny Mateo, University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao

- Top 1 in the Geodetic Engineering Board Examinations

Baby Gina Tagapan, Medical Colleges of Northern Phils. - Int'l School of Asia and the Pacific

- Top 10 in the Midwifery Board Examinations

Benjamin Liao, Medical Colleges of Northern Phils. - Int'l School of Asia and the Pacific

- Top 10 in the Radiologic Technology Board Examinations

Daven Udani, Medical Colleges of Northern Phils. - Int'l School of Asia and the Pacific

- Top 7 in the Radiologic Technology Board Examinations

Diane Bernadette Cos - Agon, Medical Colleges of Northern Phils. - Int'l School of Asia and the Pacific

- Top 1 in the Customs Brokers Board Examinations

Rommel Adolf Diciano, University of Cagayan Valley

- Top 5 in the Criminologists Board Examinations

Meanwhile, University of Saint Louis landed third in the Best Performing Schools in the October 2011 Licensure Examinations for CPAs.

Holiday Rush!!!

Here is what it looks like when holidays are coming and hundreds (or thousands?) of Cagayanos want to spend  some time with their families at home. 

I got into the bus at around 10:30 in the evening and I noticed that the number of passengers waiting for bus rides were somewhat unchanged since I arrived two hours earlier. Even with buses arriving every fifteen minutes, it seems that there still weren't enough to accommodate every one. Hopefully, in the next few years, more transport companies would venture into the Manila - Tuguegarao route. That way, passengers won't have to wait for long hours before getting a bus or to sit uncomfortably or inconveniently on chairs placed on the center isles. 

Photos of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy

Photos of the Regional Government Center

Department of Public Works and Highways

Commission on Higher Education

Bureau of Internal Revenue

Government Service Insurance System

Road Network

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Professional Regulatory Commission

Welcome Arch

BIR (left) and BSP (right)

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Photos of Saints Paul's and Peter's Metropolitan Cathedral

Tuguegarao City Hotlines

Tuguegarao City Hall

844 - 2894

Philippine National Police

846 - 4841 / 166

Tuguegarao City Health Office

846 - 1870

Chief of Hospital

844 - 1337 / 846 - 4226

City Social Welfare and Development Office

846 - 2504

Concurrent City Fire Marshall

826 - 3703

City Jail Warden

304 - 7146

List of Barangays in Tuguegarao

Annafunan East
Annafunan West
Atulayan Norte
Atulayan Sur
Bagay
Buntun
Caggay
Capatan
Carig Norte
Carig Sur
Caritan Centro
Caritan Norte
Caritan Sur
Cataggaman Nuevo
Cataggman Pardo
Cataggaman Viejo
Centro 1 - 12
Dadda
Gosi Norte
Gosi Sur
Larion Alto
larion Bajo
Leonarda
Libag Norte
Libag Sur
Linao East
Linao Norte
Linao West
Namabbalan Norte
Namabbalan Sur
Pallua Norte
Pallua Sur
Pengue Ruyu
San Gabriel
Tagga
Tanza
Ugac Norte
Ugac Sur

Those highlighted in green are the urban barangays.

As of August 2007, 28 out of the 49 barangays of Tuguegarao or a little more than 57% are considered urban. Urban barangays are those communities which meet the following criteria:

1. Population of 5,000 or more; or
2. Presence of at least 1 medium or large establishment; or
3. Presence of 5 or more small establishments and 5 or more facilities

Where:

• Small Establishments - 10 - 99 employees
• Medium Establishments - 100 - 199 employees
• Large Establishments - 200 and more employees
• Facilities pertain to government establishments e.g. barangay halls, health centers, daycare centers, etc.

The above criteria was first applied during the year 2007. An updated list of urban barangays for 2010 is yet to be published.

In my opinion, the number of urban barangays in Tuguegarao will increase over the next few years due to the robust growth in its economy. More and more people are visiting the city and some are even deciding to reside permanently in the city because of the presence of high quality institutions offering services like government, health and education. Moreover, the commercial area of Tuguegarao has expanded tremendously. A manifestation to this is the increase in the number of urban barangays in the city from just 12 before to 26 as of 2007. The composition of this commercial area has also grown. Local businesses have stretched their presence in the city with more branch openings while nationally popular entities have come to offer the people with their products and services. If Tuguegarao could sustain the pace of economic growth it has today over the future years, it wouldn't be far before it becomes a highly urbanized city.

New Operational Definition of Urban Areas in the Philippines

National Statistics Coordination Board

List of LGU Officials

Current City Officials of Tuguegarao (2010 – 2011)

City Mayor                          Delfan Telan Ting

City Vice Mayor                                Danilo Baccay

City Councilors                  Atty. Engelbert Caronan, RMT

                                                Michael Sera Ting

                                                Rosauro Resuello, CPA, M. Div.

                                                Bienvenido C. de Guzman II

                                                Atty. Noel Mora

                                                Ronaldo Boyet Ortiz

                                                Eliseo Ave, MAEd, Ph.D.

                                                Anthony Tuddao

                                                Estelita Dayag

                                                Engr. Kendrick Calubaquib

                                                Perla Tumaliuan, MPA

                                                Jude Bayona

Ex Officio                             Hilario Larry Ting(Liga ng mga Barangay)

                                                Nadine Jerome Cabugos(Sangguniang Kabataan)

Wish to be part of this group in the future. =)

EastWest Bank soon to open in Tuguegarao!

EastWest Bank, one of the fastest growing financial institution in the country, shall soon be rendering its service to the citizens of Tuguegarao. EastWest Bank, which is a subsidiary of one of the country's largest business conglomerates, FilInvest Development Corporation, currently has 117 branches all over the country, almost two thirds of which is in Metro Manila. EastWest Bank shall be having its bank in Tuguegarao in front of the BPI College Avenue Branch and Mang Domeng's Tapsilogan.

Here are more information regarding East West Bank:

EastWest Bank is a subsidiary of the Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC), the publicly listed holding company of the Filinvest Group that evolved from a consumer business founded by Andrew L. Gotianun, Sr. in 1955. FDC is one of the country's premier conglomerates, with business interests in real estate development, financial and banking services and the sugar business. Through the years, EastWest Bank has successfully capitalized on the financial strength and synergy from the business organizations under the Filinvest Group.

Since its official birth on July 6, 1994, EastWest Bank has emerged as one of the country's fastest growing banks.

Shortly after it formally opened its doors to the public, EastWest Bank had envisioned itself to become the preferred consumer bank of professionals, entrepreneurs, overseas Filipino workers, and homeowners. To this end, the Bank embarked on an automation program, and began to upgrade its existing technology.

To know more about EastWest Bank, visit their Official Website.

Tuguegarao's DTI Bagwis Awardees

Just recently, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 02 office awarded government and private establishments and entities in Cagayan Valley for their efforts in putting premium in innovation and customer service and relations. Some institutions in Tuguegarao once again were included among those to receive the awards given during the Regional Consumer Assembly held at Cagayan State University last November 24, 2011.

The institutions are: Saint Paul Hospital, 2nd place in the Consumer Friendly Service Award - Private Hospitals Category; Villa Blanca Hotel, 3rd place in the Consumer Friendly Service Award - Hotels Category; and Saver's Digital Hub Appliance Depot, DTI Bagwis Silver Awardee.

The Tuguegarao Consumer Welfare Association was also awarded as one of the Most Outstanding Consumer Organizations and received a Plaque of Recognition for their commitment to protect the interest of the consumers.

VILLA BLANCA HOTEL

Address:13 Pattaui Street, Ugac Norte, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan , Philippines

Fax: (078) 846-3019 Hotlines: (078) 844-1819 / 844-6736 Mobile Number: 09282826309

Email: admin@villablancahotel.com.ph           villablancatuguegarao@yahoo.com

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Tuguegarao City: Cagayan Valley's Educational Center

Because of the presence of the region’s biggest educational institutions in the city, Tuguegarao is tagged as Cagayan Valley’s Center for Excellence in Education.  There are currently four universities and more than a dozen colleges  in the city that are offering baccalaureate and technical and vocational courses to its students, majority of which comes from the northern Cordillera provinces and the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela. The following is a list of some of the educational institutions found in the city:

AMA Computer College Tuguegarao – Cagayan Valley Road, Caggay

Cagayan State University – Andrews Campus, Caritan Sur

                                                 Carig Campus, Carig Sur               

F.L. Vargas College – Main Campus, Blumentritt Street

                                                         College of Eng’g and Technology Campus, Maharlika Highway, Pengue

                                                     College of Nursing Campus, Bagay Road, San Gabriel

Medical Colleges of Northern Philippines – International School of Asia and the Pacific –                Boundary between Penablanca and Tuguegarao

Saint Paul University Philippines – College Avenue

STI College Tuguegarao – Luna Extension, Ugac Sur

University of Cagayan Valley – Main Campus, College Avenue

                                                         New Site Campus, Balzain Road

University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao – Main Campus, Mabini Street

                                                                            New Site Campus, Bartolome Street, Leonarda

But more than the sprawling campuses and the modernized facilities they have, the educational centers found in Tuguegarao are also capable of molding their students into competent and well – equipped future professionals, students that can keep up with those from the popular universities of the country. A manifestation to this is their students’ performances in national licensure examinations. Here is a list of some feats by students of the different colleges and universities in Tuguegarao:

            Engr. Sonny Mateo of USLT

-          Top 1 in the National Geodetic Engineering Board Examinations

Baby Gina Tagapan Gannaban of MCNP - ISAP

-          Top 10 in the November 2011 National Midwifery Board Examinations

 Benjamin P. Liao of MCNP - ISAP

-      Top 10 in the November 2011 National Radiologic Technology Board Examinations

Daven J. Udani of MCNP - ISAP

-      Top 7 in the June 2011 National Radiologic Technology Board Examinations

Diane Bernadette S. Cos-Agon of MCNP - ISAP

-      Top 1 in the October 2011 National Customs Broker Board Examinations

Rommel Adolf Ibay Diciano of UCV

-      Top 5 in the October 2011 National Criminologists Board Examinations

USLT: Top 3 Best Performing School in the National CPA Board Examinations

 The above - listed achievements made the whole city of Tuguegarao proud and solidified its position as Region 02's Center for Education.

Note: For a complete list of educational institutions based in the city, visit the Various Institutions page of this blogsite.

Chic - Boy grilling soon in Tuguegarao!

Chic – Boy, as in Chicken and Baboy, is one of the newest food chains in the country that is quickly gaining popularity among consumers because of the wide variety of food they offer and of course, the satisfaction it brings. Like other grilled food restaurants in the country, their main offering to the market includes Bacolod’s famous Chicken Inasal. But more than that, they also offer the Filipino market with Cebu’s sumptuous version of Lechon Manok and Lechon Baboy (which is my personal favorite). Their menu includes a lot more. Actually, the number of dishes in their outnumber that of other grilled food restaurants.

Moreover, Chic – Boy is one of the fastest growing restaurants of its kind in the country. A manifestation of this growth is their plan to open fifty – two new stores in strategic locations in the country in addition to the currently existing fifty – two Chic – Boy stores. 

The people of Tuguegarao would soon have a taste of their various food offerings because the city will be one of their newest destinations for its expansion. They will be located at Arellano corner Blumentritt Streets possibly at the new commercial building beside FCI Phase 3. The date of opening is not yet stated in their Chic - Boy's Official Website though.

People: Rep. Randolph S. Ting

Having served Tuguegarao as mayor for almost a decade, everyone from the city definitely know this guy who could be considered as the person primarily responsible for the transformation of Tuguegarao from an ordinary town to a progressive city.  His efforts and works for the city of Tuguegarao made him Most Outstanding Mayor for two consecutive years in 2002 and 2003. After serving his last term as mayor of the city, he ran for a seat at the congress but failed as he lost to Manny Mamba. Believing that he was robbed of a congress seat and that the people wants him to be their representative in the congress, he ran again during the last elections and successfully earned a seat in the country's 15th Congress. In this new venture of his, he hopes to help the entire third district of Cagayan and its people like the way he helped Tuguegarao.

Here is a glimpse of what he has been doing with his legislative work:

House Measures Sponsored/Authored (9)

• HB02329 [History] [Text of Engrossed Bill  84k]
  AN ACT CONVERTING THE PROVINCIAL ROAD TRAVERSING THE BARANGAYS OF SAMPAGUITA, SOLANA CAGAYAN, WARAT, PIAT, CAGAYAN, LA SUERTE, CATARAUAN, NANUCCAUAN, AND BAYABAT ALL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF AMULUNG, CAGAYAN GOING TO BARANGAY AFUSING, ALCALA, CAGAYAN INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
  Status: Approved by the House on 2011-08-03, transmitted to on 2011-08-10 and received by the Senate on 2011-08-10
• HB02330 [History] [Text of Engrossed Bill  86k]
  AN ACT CONVERTING THE JP RIZAL ROAD IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ENRILE, CAGAYAN GOING TO THE MUNICIPALITY OF STA. MARIA OF THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA VIA BARANGAYS LANNA, MAGALALAG, ALIBAGO, MARACURU, INGA, LEMU, AND DIVISORIA OF THE SAME MUNICIPALITY INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
  Status: Approved by the House on 2011-08-03, transmitted to on 2011-08-10 and received by the Senate on 2011-08-10
• HB02331 [History] [Text of Engrossed Bill  86k]
  AN ACT CONVERTING THE PROVINCIAL ROAD TRAVERSING THE BARANGAYS OF GADU, CALLILAUAN, CARILUCUD, UBONG, PAROG-PAROG, BANTAY, NABBOTUAN AND PALAO, ALL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SOLANA, CAGAYAN GOING TO BARANGAY MACUTAY OF RIZAL, KALINGA INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
  Status: Approved by the House on 2011-08-03, transmitted to on 2011-08-10 and received by the Senate on 2011-08-10
• HB02808 [History] [Text As Filed  320k]
  AN ACT LOWERING THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE SECTIONS 13(b) AND 13-A OF R.A. 8291, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE ACT OF 1997
  Status: Pending with the Committee on CIVIL SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION since 2010-09-01
• HB03477 [History]
  AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PEÑABLANCA PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PEÑABLANCA, PROVINCE OF CAGAYAN, AS A PROTECTED AREA AND ITS PERIPHERAL AREAS AS BUFFER ZONE
  Status: Pending with the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES since 2010-10-13
• HB05178 [History]
  AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 17 ARTICLE V OF RA 8423 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE TRADITIONAL AND MEDICINE (TAMA) ACT OF 1997 CREATING THE PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE (PITAHC) THAT WILL CAUSE THE TRANSFER OF THE FOUR HERBAL PROCESSING PLANTS OF THE COUNTRY FROM PITAHC, A GOCC TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, A NATIONAL AGENCY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF
  Status: Pending with the Committee on HEALTH since 2011-09-05
• HB05415 [History]
  AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE ACROSS THE CAGAYAN RIVER BETWEEN BARANGAY CENTRO, SOLANA, CAGAYAN TO BARANGAY BAGAY, TUGUEGRARAO CITY, CAGAYAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
  Status: Pending First Reading (Filed last 2011-10-12)
• HR00840 [History]
  A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION TO CLARIFY THE COMPUTATION OF THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT PER OVERLOADING PROVISION OF REPUBLIC ACT 8794 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT IMPOSING A MOTOR VEHICLE USER'S CHARGE ON OWNERS OF ALL TYPES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
  Status: Adopted Resolution (Pending with the committee on TRANSPORTATION since 2011-01-24)

Apart from the above, he has also been tending to the needs of the people with various projects he is currently working on like establishment of an herbal plantation, donation of computer units to the police force, construction of bridges and hospitals, and a lot lot more.

For more information, visit Rep. Randolph Ting's page at the House of Representative Official Website.