KALIMUDAN LOGO 2017

Cong. Datu Suharto 'Teng' Mangudadatu, Sultan Kudarat Province

Vice Governor Datu Raden C. Sakaluran, Sultan Kudarat Province

Governor Datu Pax S. Mangudadatu, Sultan Kudarat Province

Duterte-ordered Liguasan Marsh dredging hailed

COTABATO CITY – Victims of perennial inundations have hailed a recent announcement about President Duterte having ordered the dredging of four major rivers in the country, notably the 622,000-hectare Liguasan Marsh that usually spills massive floods in Central Mindanao during rainy days.

Most praises came from thousands of villagers and officials in Maguindanao, the country’s “land of flooded plains” to most number of Muslim Filipinos, where rains lasting for less than an hour always meant

“This (announced Presidential order) is most welcomed. It bespeaks of impending relief for us,” the Maguindanao’s league of 36 municipalities led by Mayor Freddie Mangudadatu said in a text message, citing common sentiments among majority of the province’s more than one million residents.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said the President has ordered the dredging of the Liguasan Marsh and the three major flood-spewing rivers of Agusan, Pampanga and Cagayan provinces.

“President Rody Duterte last night approved my recommendation to start the dredging of four major rivers in the country which are heavily silted resulting to floods which destroy crops and properties every year,” Piñol said in a news report he wrote and published last Wednesday.

Duterte “directed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to work with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to implement the dredging,” Piñol said.

“The long-term (anti-flood) solution agreed by the DENR, DA and DILG during a meeting Monday was to implement the President's directive of a total log ban in the headwaters of the rivers and to reforest the mountains,” he added.

Piñol said the “dredging operations will be a stop-gap measure to avert flooding in areas (surrounding the Liguasan Marsh and in Agusan, Pampanga and Cagayan) where rivers pass through.”

The announcement was silent about the role of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) in the implementation and supervision of dredging and rehabilitation of the 622,000-herctare Liguasan Marsh, the largest water-catch basin in Southern Philippines spanning Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and parts of South Cotabato.

The Arroyo administration had allocated P50-million for the planning alone of anti-flood interventions in the Liguasan Marsh. The Aquino government approved in 2015 a P6.97-billion budget for a corresponding rehabilitation package, designating MinDA as main project oversight body.

The provincial governments of Maguindnao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato usually declared a state calamity in their respective areas every time heavy rains-driven inundation occurred and displaced thousands of families in low-lying towns.

Since the brunt of inundations usually gripped its constituents, the Maguindanao provincial government had declared a state of calamity in 2014, 2015 and 2016. It almost made a similar declaration this year, but the plan prevailed upon by technical workers’ reports that locally-initiated dredging operations were gaining headway.

Maguindanao officials, out of a P1-billion government loan, purchased in 2016 two modern dredging machines now operating in rivers cascading to and from the Liguasan Marsh. But technical people said the two dredgers’ works would not suffice, stressing the need for speedy start of the stalled Liguasan Marsh project. (Ali G. Macabalang)

Treasures of Region 12 is set on November in GenSan

           Region 12, Philippines. Treasures of Region 12 is set in GenSan on November 13-19, 2017 at the SM City, San Miguel Street, General Santos City, DTI 12 together with its 10 partner NGA’s, 1 LGU and 1 Private Sector Organization, invite institutional buyers, consumers, students, tourists to visit the Trade Fair on the said date.

            Treasures of Region 12 is an annual event that aims to showcase the result of the different interventions given by the Department of Trade and Industry 12 as well as partner agencies to its Micro-Small-Medium Enterprises-clients. This also aims to inform and exhibit to the public the Best Products of Region 12’s products that all market-ready. This activity also encourages institutional buyers to visit the region to see what products they can consolidate for marketing outside Region 12 or even outside the country.

           This year’s highlights include the following: 1.) Job Business Fair, 2.) Trade Fair, 3.) Seminars and 4.) Special Setting. The Job Business Fair, dubbed as “Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan (TNK) is done in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment and will be held on November 13-14, 2017 at the SM Trade Hall 1, Meanwhile, the Seminars include: Entrepreneurial Mindset will be held on November 14-15, 2017 which will center the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) that identified by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), one of the agency partners for the said event. Other interested MSME are also welcome to attend as participants. On the other hand, the Seminar on Geological Hazards and Responsible Mining will be held on November 15, 2017 at the SM Meeting Room 1. This will cater again those participants that were identified by the DENR-Mines and GeoSciences Bureau and other interested stakeholders. On the other, a BIMP-EAGA Forum and Business Continuity Planning (BCP) will be held on Greenleaf Hotel on November 16-17 to cater those MSMEs and Stakeholders that are interested to learn doing the BCP and those that are interested to venture into business within the BIMP-EAGA.

           Meanwhile the Special setting from November 13-19, 2017 include: 1.) Tsokokapehan, a showcase of the region’s coffee blends and chocolate that are served to the visitors for free; 2.) Sustained Upbeat, Empowered and Responsible (SUPER) Consumer, a booth that will be giving out information and communication material on consumer protection; 3.) Aspire Pavilion, which aims to showcase DA’s Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Expo (ASPIRE) which has done in partnership with DTI and was piloted for Mindanao in Region 12. This will be located at the Atrium.

           On the other hand the Special Setting from November 15-19, 2017 include:  1.) One Town One Product (OTOP) Next Gen and Branding Equity Development Program (BrEDP) Balangay, Treasures of SOX Pavilion, Craft Pavilion, and BIMO-EAGA as well as Go Lokal.

           The OTOP and BrEDP Balangay will showcase the different brands of local products that wlli be used in marketing. These products are considered as the Region 12’s Best and are ready to enter the national as well as international markets. On the other hand, the Treasures of SOX Pavilion will be set-up by the Department of Tourism and will showcase the region’s different tourist destinations, therby enticing the visitors to see some places in SOCCSKSARGEN apart from buying its products.

           The Craft Pavilion will also showcase the different craft products that were up scaled through the different skills and technical trainings on design and prototyping given by the DTI in cooperation with other agencies like DENR, TESDA, among others.

           The BIMP-EAGA Pavilion also aims to showcase the products of the Region, mostly Aquamarine that have already penetrated the BIMP-EAGA Market and are still open to be marketed to other parts of the world.

           Go Lokal on the other hand, will showcase the Region’s products that were identified as export ready and will be displayed in malls like Robinson’s, Sm, as well as concept parks like the Enchanted Kingdom.

           Treasures of Region 12 is done in cooperation with the following national government agencies:  1.) Department of Agriculture (DA); 2.) Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); 3.) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); 4.) DENR-Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (DENR-MGB); 5.) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); 6.) Technical and Skill Development Authority (TESDA); 7.) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); 8.) Department of Tourism and 9.) Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) 10.) National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), It is also in collaboration with the local Government Unit of GenSan and the Regional SMED Council.

       

49 Negosyo Centers Launched in Soccskasargen

           A total of 49 out of 52 Negosyo Centers were launched across the region as of October 23, 2017, broken down as follows; South Cotabato – 11; North Cotabato – 15; Sultan Kudarat – 12; General Santos City – 1; Sarangani – 8; and Cotabato City – 1. Base on loction, 44 are based in the Local Government Units (LGUs); 4 in DTI Officers; and 1 in academe. There will be 3 additional Negosyo Centers left to be launched this year, in particular; Mlang, North Cotabato, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato and Midsayap, North Cotabato.

           Categorized per model types, there are more model C Negosyo Centers – 33 out of the 45 NCs, compared to the total number of model A NCs with only 12 centers, model B NC with only 1 center.

           These Negosyo Centers (NC) are in two Cities- General Santos City and Cotabato City, and four provinces- North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Corabato and Sarangani.

           For North Cotabato, the 15 Negosyo Centers launched were in the city of Kidapawan, and in the municipalities of Matalam, Makilala, Kabacan, Aleosan, Tulunan, Antipas,  alameda, Pigcawayan, Carmen, Arakan, Magpet, President Roxas, Banisilan, Libungan, and Pikit.

            In Sultan Kudarat, the 12 NCs are in the City of Tacurong, and in the municipalities of Isulan, President Quirino, Lambayong, Bagumbayan, Esperanza, Lutayan, Palimbang, Sen. Ninoy Aquino (SNA) Kalamansig, Colubio and Lebak.

           For South Cotabato, the Negosyo Cenetrs were opened in Koronadal City in their local Government Unit and the Notre Dame Marbel University, and in the Municipalities of Surallah, Sto. Nino, Tangtangan, Tupi, Norala, Banga, T’boli, Polomolok and Tampakan.

           In Sarangani. The 8 negosyo Cenetrs are located in Alabel in their Local Government Unit and the Provencial Government Office, and in the municipalities of Malapatan, Maitum, Maasim, Glan, Malungon, and Kiamba.

           The Negosyo Centers have three major functions, namely; 1.) Business Registration Assistance, specifically facilitation of registration application of MSMEs in the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) and Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE); 2.) Business Advisory services for MSMEs tailored according to their needs, such as product development, trade promotion, financing facilitation, investment promotion, and SME counselling; and 3.) Business information and advocacy, specifically the provision of information on market, suppliers, buyers, and government assistance programs, as well as the conduct of trainings and seminars.

       The Women of Marawi; Threading the way back to normalcy

           Making ends meet in a great challenge for residents of Marawi City but these women are doing everything just to stay and keep their family alive.

           Sewing was their regular source of livelihood, but all of the sudden, it came to an abrupt end. On May 23, 2017, Thousands of families were displaced by the wars and scores of families had to flee to ensure their families’ safety.

          But as they say, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

           To hasten the recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi City, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which lead the Bagon Marawi Task Force Sub-Committee on Business and Livelihood, provided these women with sewing machines and cloth as starter kits to help them earn while staying either homeland or evacuation centers.

           Back in August, DTI-Region 10 identified 16 women internally displaced persons (IDPs) who will be trained for dressmaking and were awarded with the sewing kits. The 16 sewers are able to generate income for themselves.

           From Sta Elena Gymnasium, where they temporarily stay, the 16 women sewers go to the Provincial Training and Livelihood Development Center in Iligan City, where they sewer can earn at least P500 after a day’s work.

          For Asnia Saniman, 23, laying hands on a high-speed sewing machine was a dream come true. Even as a kid, Asnia has been sewing handwomen tube kirts or malong in Filipino, shawls, and long dresses to earn extra for schooling and for her family.

           But with the new sewing machines and cloth provided by DTI, Asnia can earn up to p1,300. At school, her classmates also ask her to sew for them, allowing her to earn even more.

           To Asnia, the new sewing machine kits was her new lease on life amid the crisis that she and her family are going through.

           “Naappreciate naming at sobrang masaya kami. Parang nabigyan kami ng panibaging buhay,” a teary-eyed Asnia said, while recalling the time when the terrorists where banging on their door.

           “Malaking ulong sa amin ito,” she added.

           On the other hand, the DTI’s Negosyo Center and PTLDC ensure that the handwomen malong, shoals and long dresses made by the IDP sewers go to the market indeed the products ended up in the right market with orders coming in from SM Cagayan de Oro, Manila, the Bangon Marawi Concert, Bangon Marawi Store at DTI main office in Makati City. There are also orders from Rustan’s for the Go Lokal Project.

           Fellow IDP and 36-year-old Memeng Dianal said the sewing kits allowed her to feed her six children everyday. From P500 she earns before, now Memeng earns P2,000.00 a day, Finishing at least 20 handwomens malongs, shawls and long dresses.

           “Malaking tulong ito sa amin (sewing kits) kahit kaunti-konti natutusyusan naming yung araw-araw na pangangailangan naming,” Memeng dsid.

          Despite knowing that her family’s home in ground zero is now levelled due to the conflict, Memeng is hopeful that once they return to Marawi, there will be more opportunities for her and other Marawi residents. If only she can handle two business, she would do it for her children.

           “Kung pweding doblehin ang business, magdodoble kayod ako para sa mga anak ko,: she said.

           Now with the fighting officially declared over by the government. Asnia and Memeng together with other residents of Marawi will just have to wait for their return to their hometown.

           After all, hope spring eternal!

          

 .

         

Region 12 papayas now available in South Korea

KORONADAL, SOUTH COTABATO- Papayas from the town of Tupi in this province are now available in the South Korean market.

Regional Executive Director Milagros Casis of the Department of Agriculture 12 (DA 12) confirmed that on October 31, 2017, farmers from Tupi, South Cotabato shipped a ton of solo papayas to South Korea with the help of the Department of Agriculture 12.

“We are glad that our farmers from Tupi inked a deal with Nurida Company based in South Korea,” Director Casis said.

Nurida Company is a distributor of fresh fruits in the market of the said country.

According to the supply agreement, Tupi farmers, led by RM Fruits as the consolidator, are expected to ship two-three metric tons of solo papaya every week.

“This is a triumph for us since we are encouraging more farmers in Region 12 to think of the bigger market… this is one of the priorities now of the agriculture department,” the lady director added.

The official refers to the export opportunity for agricultural commodities from SOCCSKSARGEN.

“Through the DA’s assistance more agripreneurs are now already exporters. The Tulunan Mango and Fruits Growers’ Association of Tulunan, North Cotabato also shipped two tons of carabao mangoes to Dubai, United Arab Emirates just a month ago,” Director Casis said.

The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA 12 also disclosed that this milestone was realized because of the participation of RM Fruits in the TienDA Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Outlet in Manila, where representatives from Nurida Company initially talked with them.

TienDA, which was conceptualized by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, is regularly conducted by the DA to bring local agri-fishery products in Metro Manila.

According to AMAD, the construction of a treatment facility in Region 12 will further boost export opportunities for papaya, and other high value crops. (Carl Ulysses Aguillon/DA RAFIS 12)

Approved for release by:

MILAROS CAPAO-AN CASIS, C
     Regional Executive Director

       Regional Executive Director

DA awards P75-M SAAD check to Sarangani

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol visited the distant town of Maitum in Sarangani on October 23 to personally check on the status of the province’s upland rice development project.

The said project is one of the livelihood interventions funded under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“I am so happy that you have implemented this project successfully,” the secretary said adding that he found an efficient project implementing partner in the person of Governor Steve Chiongbian-Solon.

He lauded Governor Solon’s hands-on management in the SAAD implementation which he said, other recipient provinces must look into for them to also competently implement the same project in their area.

Looking at the success of the upland rice project in the province, Secretary Manny vowed to fully support the programs of the provincial government.

At the event tagged as Thanksgiving Day, the secretary turned-over the remaining P75-M check to Sarangani Provincial Local Government Unit. Under SAAD, each province-beneficiary was earmarked with P100-M.

“We will be back to check whether our interventions yield positive results because SAAD is designed to reduce the escalating poverty incidence rates in the top ten poorest provinces in the country,” the secretary said.

Knowing the huge potentials of upland rice, the secretary vowed to pour in additional interventions such as the seven single-pass rice mills with packing machines which will be distributed in the provinces seven towns.

He will also provide 24 native pigs for the establishment of a multiplier farm in Maitum.

Sec. Piñol also urged the provincial officials to propose for the construction of rice and corn centers which each costs 60-M. “I am willing to lend you a working capital for your operations,” the secretary said.

Caption: Secretary Emmanuel Pinol hands-over the check amounting to P75-Million to Governor Steve Solon and local officials of Sarangani to complete the fund transfer for the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD).

Mga prodyuser at buyer ng gulay sa South Cotabato, pinulong ng DA 12

Nagtipon-tipon ang mga prodyuser at buyer ng gulay sa South Cotabato sa ipinatawag na forum ng Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division o AMAD ng Department of Agriculture 12 o DA 12 sa Koronadal City kamakailan lamang.

Sa pakikipagtulungan ng DA 12 sa Office of the Provincial Agriculturist ng naturang lalawigan, naisakatuparan ang aktibidad kung saan naglalayon ang pagtitipon na mailapit ang mga prodyuser sa kanilang mga buyer.

Ang mga buyer na ito ay kinabibilangan na lamang ng Koronadal Market Vendors’ Association at mga mall.

Ayon kay AMAD Officer-In-Charge Evelyn Jaruda ang forum ay isang paraan hindi lamang upang makahanap ng buyer ang mga prodyuser kundi pati na rin ang pagtuklas sa angkop na presyo para sa kanilang mga produkto.

Tiniyak din nito ang mga vegetable producer na palaging handa ang ahensya sa pagbibigay ng marketing assistance sa kanila kung kinakailangan.

Inilahad din nito na sa katunayan ay patuloy ang partisipasyon ng DA 12 at ng ibang magsasaka sa rehiyon sa TienDA Farmers and Fishermen’s Outlet kung saan ay dinadala ang mga produktong pang-agrikultura mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa patungo sa lugar na pinagdadausan ng DA.

Dagdag pa nito na nilalayon sa ngayon ni Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol na mas palawakin pa ang TienDA sa Visayas at Mindanao upang mas maraming magsasaka at mangingisda pa ang makakabenepisyo.

Sa pagtitipon ay ibinalita rin sa mga magsasaka ang panibagong laon program ng pamahalaan na Production Loan Easy Access Program. 

Direktor Casis hinikayat ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na palagiang makipag-ugnayan sa DA

Hinihikayat sa ngayon ni Department of Agriculture 12 o DA 12 Regional Executive Director Milagros Casis ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na ugaliing makipag-ugnayan sa ahensya.

Ito ang kanyang hamon sa mga partisipante ng isang forum sa Koronadal City para sa implementasyon ng Philippine Rural Development Project o PRDP.

Ipinaliwanag ni Director Casis na dahil sa kakulungan ng palagiang pakikipag-ugnayan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa DA, hindi agarang nabibigyang solusyon ang iilang problema sa implementasyon ng mga proyektong pang-agrikultura.

Tiniyak naman ng opisyal na gagawing regular na rin ng DA 12 ang pagsasagawa ng forum upang i-assess ang implementasyon hindi lamang ng PRDP kundi pati na rin ng iba pang proyekto ng ahensya. 

Sa kabilang dako, ang forum ay resulta ng rekomendasyon ng World Bank sa ginanap na World Bank Review Mission sa Sarangani noong Mayo na mas paigtingin pa ng DA ang pakikipagpulong nito sa mga lokal na pamahalaan.

Ibinalita rin sa mga partisipante ang mga bagong guidelines sa proyektong imprastruktura ng PRDP at status ng mga proyektong iniimplementa sa Rehiyon Dose.

Inimbita naman ang mga contractor sa pagtitipon upang paalalahanan sila na kinakailangang matapos ang isang proyekto sa nakatakdang araw na nakasaad sa mga project design.

PRESS RELEASE BUDAYAW FESTIVAL

August 16, 2017

The Richness of Mindanao Culture to be Showcased at First Ever Budayaw Festival in General Santos City

The rich culture, heritage and artistry of Mindanao and Palawan will be in the spotlight as the Philippines will host the first-ever Budayaw: The BIMP-EAGA Festival of Culture and the Arts, from September 20 to 24, 2017, in General Santos City.

A collaboration among different agencies and institutions including the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Mindanao Development Authority, Department of Tourism Region XII, the city government of General Santos, the provincial government of Sarangani, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the Philippine Information Agency, Budayaw will showcase the diversity of creative expressions of cultural masters and artists in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) as well as raise awareness and foster appreciation on the landscapes, life-scapes and aspirations of peoples of the region.

The festival will feature different lectures, workshops, performances, shows, exhibit and other activities and events, which will also foster understanding and solidarity among the multi-cultural populations of the BIMP-EAGA.

During the five-day festival, visitors can view iconic landscapes and cultural markers of the BIMP-EAGA in an interactive exhibit, which will be accompanied by lectures and fora to discuss the tensions of tradition and modernity embedded in the images.

A specially designed pavilion will be put up, serving as the shared domain of invited master weavers, who will show visitors how context shapes mastery of techniques over our natural resources.
Visitors will also experience the beauty of indigenous musics with performances using native musical instruments such as gongs, bamboo instruments, lutes and plucked-string instruments. Moreover, they can witness performing groups showcase the best of contemporary theatre, dance and music

highlighting the threats and triumphs of communities on the road to peace, development, and resilience.

Visual artists also will also display outdoor installations as well as other works.

To make the Budayaw experience more immersive, there will be special tour packages for the visiting guests and tourists to explore the richness of Mindanao culture as well as its touristic destinations.

Aside from showcasing the diversity of cultures of countries of the region, the Budayaw festival will train the spotlight on the beauty of Mindanao, affirming and safeguarding its being wellspring of creativity and resilience.

To know more, contact Ms. Adelina M. Suemith, head of the BIMP-EAGA Socio-cultural Development Working Group and chief of the NCCA Program Monitoring and Evaluation Division and through telephone number 527-2192 local 601.

                For more information on this press release and other NCCA-related programs, please contact Mr. Rene Napeñas, head of the Public Affairs and Information Office, through 0928-5081057, 527-2192 loc 208 or through email address ncca.paio@gmail.com. 

AVIAN INFLUENZA ADVISORY DA-12

DA-BAI bans movement of poultry outside Luzon

KORONADAL CITY. The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) temporarily bans the movement of live domestic and wild birds from Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao.

In a Memorandum Circular signed by Officer-in-Charge Director Enrico Garzon, which was sent out on August 11, 2017, the ban also covers products from domestic and wild birds like poultry meat, day old chick, and semen.

Manure of these animals, which is used as organic fertilizer, is also included in the prohibition from traveling outside Luzon.

This directive was in line with the Avian Influenza or Bird Flu outbreak in the province of Pampanga which started last week.

The document also stated that within Luzon Island, the movement of fresh, frozen meat, eggs and other uncooked poultry products may be allowed provided this is outside of the seven kilometer radius control area of the outbreak site in Pampanga.

A shipping permit and a health certificate issued by a government veterinarian should also be secured.

DA 12 Regional Executive Director Milagros Casis said that through this memorandum by DA-BAI, consumers in Region 12 will be assured of safety poultry meat and other related products for their consumption.

“Our government can also rapidly control the outbreak through this directive,” she added.

The temporary ban will take effect until such time that no new cases are reported 21 days after the depopulation of the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said that the DA and BAI already culled out almost 200,000 of chickens in San Luis, Pampanga as part of the control measures of the government for the spread of the virus.

In his official facebook page, Sec. Piñol also released the hotlines for queries and concerns about avian influenza. For disease reporting and other concerns: 0920-854-3119 and 0995-132-9339; while for quarantine concerns clients can ask through this contact number: 0918-917-1407; and for mass media queries:  0928-736-4454. (Carl Ulysses L. Aguillon/RAFIS-DA RFO 12)

                                                            Approved by:

                                   

           

MILAGROS C. CASIS, CE

                                                            Regional Executive Director

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Pink Beach in Zamboanga Named best beach in the world

While the Philippines is quite famous in it's pristine, the white sand beaches and turquoise waters, many of us have no idea that there are pink beaches in some islands of the country too! One of these is Pink Beach in the area of Santa Cruz Island in Zamboanga, Southern Philippines which was recently named by the National Geographic as one of the beaches in the world.

Entitled "21Best Beaches in the world"and have an opening line of "fine perfection in these places where land meets water", the articles shares some of the beaches in the world.

"Hardly lacking in gorgeous beaches, the Philippines claims a pink-sand variety, too. The blush color comes billion of pieces crush red organ-pipe coral seen in every handful of sand", wrote the National Geographic.



While many would have expected the beaches of Boracay and Palawan to be included in the lists. It seems that this site wanted to pick something unique.

Indeed, many of us have no idea that pick beaches even exist in the Philippines. And while the Local government surely feels proud of about their rare beach, they are enforcing strict rules that the place remains pristine and underdeveloped as possible.

According to the articles, "The number of visitors to the island is regulated and advance arrangement should be made through the tourist office in Zamboanga,"

This was confirmed in the articles on the Out of Town Blog which revealed that aside from limiting the visitors on the island, the beach is open in the morning until 2PM. Afterward, tourists advised to leave-and they should really leave the beach because of no accommodation on the island and no overnight camping is allowed is strictly prohibited by the tourism office in Zamboanga.

It's great that the local government of Zamboanga is taking steps to ensure that the island remains the scenic beauty in the of it's kind and tourists attraction of Zamboanga City.

Inviting you all to visit this place and check-out for ourselves the wonderful and the beautiful Pink Sand Beach of Santa Cruz Island...

Lets Go! and swim...

Sources: Out of Town Blog and National Geographic.