Minda railway project gets initial funding

THE long-envisioned Mindanao Railway System (MRS) will finally come to reality after the P1.5 trillion national budget was approved by Congress on Friday, which included the P13-million proposed operating budget for the Project Management Office (PMO).

Cagayan de Oro soars high @ 60

This is the title of the City Government of Cagayan de Oro’s full-page Christmas Greetings ad published on today’s issue of Gold Star Daily.

El Salvador now officially a city

El Salvador City's Divine Mercy Shrine

We can officially state it now as EL SALVADOR CITY after The Supreme Court (SC), by a vote of 6-4, reversed on Tuesday its Nov. 18, 2008 ruling and declared as “constitutional” the Cityhood Laws or Republic Acts (RAs) converting 16 municipalities into cities.

Kagay-an Kidney Center inaugurated

Kagay-an Kidney Center, the first in Cagayan de Oro and in Northern Mindanao, was recently officially inaugurated. The medical facility is located just across Maria Reyna Hospital along Archbishop Hayes Street.

Jaraula wants ‘Golden Mile’ stretched to Macabalan

CITY hall is pushing to expand the coverage of Mayor Constantino Jaraula’s pet ‘‘Golden Mile’’ project to Macabalan.

Northern Mindanao palay production rises

PALAY production in Northern Mindanao for the third quarter of 2009 has considerably increased compared with the same period last year.

RANDOM SHOTS: Vicente de Lara Park at night

Governor Vicente de Lara Park is also glittering with Christmas lights hanging from every tree. Below are some of the photos.

RANDOM SHOTS: Gaston Park at night

Gaston Park is alive again at night with its re-opening a few days ago. All the trees were adorned with Christmas lights and offer amazement to the viewing public. The new landscape has been completed but still some small areas within the one-hectare park will take some time for the grasses to be greener.

RANDOM SHOTS: City Hall at night

The Cagayan de Oro City Hall Compound was lit up with Christmas lights last December 16, in time for the first simbang gabi….

RANDOM SHOTS: Divisoria at night

Took these shots of Cepalco’s 50-foot Christmas Tree at Divisoria which has become an annual tradition during the holidays for Cagayan de Oro City.

PROJECT WATCH: City Legislative/Admin Bldg. now shaping up

The steel frames for the new City Legislative and Administration Building are now in place and one can see the exact location of the structure. The building is targeted for completion in May next year and will certainly decongest the city hall.

PROJECT WATCH: Heritage Monument nears completion

Latest photos of the Heritage Monument being built inside Gov. Vicente de Lara Park showed remarkable progress with the main figures made by renowned sculptor Ed Castrillo.

Ayala Mall Cagayan de Oro?

Got this rendering of the rumored Ayala Mall fronting Gaisano Mall from another forum. Could this be it? Based on the perspective, it will be 4-storeys high, with a rotunda on the lower left and an 11-storey (or is it 17-storey?) BPO at the south end of the property. Good news definitely for Cagayan de Oro.

Manolo Fortich to produce eucalyptus essential oils

Neighboring Manolo Fortich town is slowly enhancing the production of essential oils from eucalyptus trees. Dr. Hector San Juan started in 2005 an experimental government farm for eucalyptus trees to provide the main ingredient for essential oils.

Mindanao Railway System seen to boost tourism and business

The Mindanao Railway System (MRS), now being pushed forward by Mindanao lawmakers, is seen to boost tourism in the island, and also help get the needed business investment that will subsequently spell development of the Philippines’ “land of promise.”