cheap holidays to philippines"cheap holidays to philippines" why is it that PAY AS YOU GO mobile is cheaper than HANDSETS only?
I am going to the Philippines for 4 mos. and have a Pay as you go phone QUAD band bought in the UK, if my credit runs low how can I top it up? Also, after my holiday I would like to give my phone to my friend. Is there anyway he can use it and change the SIM card?
Both pay as you go, and subscription phones are partly subsidised by the service provider, because without the handset, they would not be able to earn money by offering the service. The price of the handset, if bought independently of a service provider would have to cover the entire cost of manufacture.
Some service providers allow a user to nominate a bank account or debit card to be used to top up credit by calling a specified number. You would be able to call this number from wherever you are in the world, and thus top up your credit. However, using a UK phone, whilst in the Philippines is going to cost considerably more than at home, so you would be better advised to buy a local SIM card in the Philippines, and use that whilst you are there. Obviously. you would need to let your contacts know your new (temporary) number.
If you give your phone to someone else, after your holiday, that person can set up his own account (Pay as You Go, or Subscription) with another service provider, and put his new SIM card into your old phone. However, as handsets are subsidised when they are bought from a service provider, and consequently cheaper than when bought outrght, this might not be so beneficial, if you are going to have to buy another handset, yourself. Why not make use of the subsidy and get a new one more cheaply? You could always sell it if you don't want it!
Holidays in Panglao island, Bohol / Diving, Tarsier & Chocolate Hills
cheap holidays to philippines cheap holidays to philippines
Borneo's coastline and reefs have a lot to offer. In fact, just recently a group of scientists in Malaysia, the United States, and the Netherlands discovered very rich marine life in Borneo coral reefs. However, Borneo's diverse marine life is not just for scientists and researchers to appreciate; diving enthusiasts will surely fall in love with Borneo's reefs as well. If you, however, do not have experience in diving and you want to see Borneo's underwater sceneries, do not worry as there are dive centers that offer diving courses in Borneo.
Although you can still dive and experience the underwater wonders of Borneo without a diving license, diving with a license has more things to offer. Completing diving courses and obtaining a diver's license does not only equip you with knowledge on the different marine species you'll encounter when diving into the seas of Borneo, it also enhances your scuba diving skills. What's more, a license also opens up a great career opportunity: Diving instructor in Borneo is also a financially rewarding career.
One of the dive centers that offer diving courses in Borneo is Diverse Borneo, which is located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Diverse Borneo offers PADI diving courses that include Rescue Diver, Emergency First Response, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Adventure Diver, Assistant Instructor, Divemaster, Master Scuba Diver, Master Scuba Diver Trainer, and IDC Staff Instructor.
Here are some of the different PADI diving courses being taught in Diverse Borneo. -->The Rescue Diver course is for those with PADI Adventure Diver certification and those who have been trained previously on how to perform first aid and CPR. -->The Emergency First Response (EFR) course will teach you how to care for shock victims, prevent shock, perform CPR, manage spinal injury, as well as perform basic first aid. -->The Open Water Diver course is the most popular PADI course. It is a basic scuba course for anyone, including children as young as 10 years old, and it will tackle basic scuba skills and open water dives. -->The Advanced Open Water Diver course is designed for those who have taken up the Open Water Diver course. It will guide you through Underwater Navigation, Deep Water Diving, and your choice of Adventure Dive. Choose from Night Diving, Digital Underwater Photography, Wreck Diving, and more. -->The Assistant Instructor course will teach you how to conduct certain PADI diving courses, such as Digital Underwater Photography, Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty, and more. -->The Divemaster course is designed to help divers learn how to supervise training and non-training activities, as well as conduct various PADI diving courses. -->The Master Scuba Diver course is the highest non-professional level in PADI certification. A diver must have certification as an Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and Rescue Diver, and must also have taken five Specialty Diver courses. -->The Master Scuba Diver Trainer course will teach you proper techniques in teaching scuba diving courses. -->The IDC Staff Instructor course will allow you to teach Assistant Instructor courses, as well as assist in the Instructor Development course. It will also teach you advanced theories in diving.
Anyone, from children to fully grown adults, can take the abovementioned diving courses. With the right equipment and the proper training from a trusted PADI certified instructor, such as Mark Hedger from Diverse Borneo, you can explore the beautiful underwater life in Borneo.
About the Author
For more information on Diving Courses visit http://www.diverse-borneo.com
philippines best resorts_2"philippines best resorts"
Finding the Best Hotels of Asia
Disini Luxury Spa Villas is located in Seminyak, Bali. It is known for its heavenly atmosphere and the outstanding service of the staff and crew. They will definitely make you feel at home. It is just minutes away from the Sunset Beach. Not only that! Art galleries, fashion boutiques and dining venues that are considered as world class are just walking distance away from Disini.
Disini Luxury Spa Villas has a total of 22 units for their guests. There is a breakfast area where they serve the most delicious morning meals. Local restaurants are also around the place. The Spa is the pride of the hotel.
Taj Exotica Bentota is the best resort in one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful beaches. It is 90 km from the airport and 7km to the city center. The hotel has first class facilities that have freshwater pool, good restaurants and a state-of-the-art gymnasium and health club. The stylish rooms overlook either the Indian Ocean or the beautifully landscaped gardens. All rooms have large bay windows and balconies and offer 24 hour room service.
You can enjoy the best of local and international foods in two restaurants of Taj Exotica Bentota. There is also a coffee shop and a bar located at the poolside.
Ascott Manila Hotel is located in Makati, the business central of Metro Manila. It is surrounded by business, entertainment and shopping centers. Some of the major attractions of Metro Manila include the Ayala Museum, Filipinas Heritage Library, Singapore Embassy and the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Ascott Manila Hotel has a total of 306 rooms that has its own kitchen and it also comes with some amenities that will surely make your stay very memorable.
A continental breakfast is served in the morning. The restaurant serves excellent dishes for you to feast on. The lounge is the coolest place to relax. The hotel also has rooms designed for important meetings and conferences. They also have a state-of-the art gymnasium, swimming pool, tennis court and spa.
The most popular destination for both business and leisure travelers in Cebu is the Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa. It is located just 10 minutes drive from the airport and is a 30-minute drive from the International Convention Centre, shops, 24-hour casinos and nightlife.
The rooms of Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa are luxurious and the units are designed to please the visitors.
If you are fond of European and Asian foods, better check the restaurant. Tapa is also their main attraction. You can enjoy the sunset with your one and only from the Sapphire Pool and Bar. Enjoy drinking and eating with your family and friends while overlooking at the big pool.
Located in the shores of the popular white sand beaches, Maribago Blue Water Beach Resort is popularly known as the most relaxing place in the coastline of Maribago. If you want to stay in a place that is in touch with nature yet it is also modern, then this is the perfect place for you.
Maribago Blue Water Beach Resorts has 132 rooms for guest accommodations. Each of the rooms are properly furnished as they aim to give their guest a relaxing and comfortable experience. You can easily view the gardens from the room windows. The place is also popularly known for its restaurant called Allegro, which serves local and international specialties for you to feast on.
About the Author
Jon Caldwell is a professional content manager. Much of his articles can be found at http://tophotelsinasia.com
Best Resort in Clark Philippines - Clearwater Resort Family Inn Hotel Rooms
”This time I’ll try a front flip”, said this guy in front of me as he waited for his turn to launch.
We were wakeboarding albeit not on open water with a powerboat towing us but in a man made lagoon pulled by overhead cables that made us skim over water at, uhm, 30 kph or so, maybe. It is hard to tell, really, with the wind blasting at your face, it is hard to tell if you are speeding along at 30 kph or 60 kph.
The concept of cable wakeboarding originated in Germany in the nineties—largely copied from the snow ski tow-lifts that take snow skiers up mountains. Water skiers and wakeboarders launch from a pier—where most beginners fall for the first time. Then they ride the cable around several hectares of man-made lake through ramps where beginners fall again while the others are able to flip and twist some more. The more experienced ones will do those as well but with fluidity and poetry of motion. However the ride goes , at any skill level, the experience is exhilarating!
Fun for all seasons In the summer and even in the typhoon season, nothing short of extreme weather can put an end to the outrageously exhilirating time in the water.
For wakeboarding one can go as far as Camarines Sur down south (Bicol) or to Calatagan, Batangas which is nearer to the Metro. Both offer world class cable systems that pull the wakeboarder instead of a watercraft.
So here we go, first is Lago de Oro Resort in Calatagan Batangas.
Lago de Oro Resort Lago de Oro is a 2.5 hour drive from Makati. Travel the length of the South Luzon Expressway, exit Santa Rosa on to Tagaytay, Nasugbu then Catalagan. Wakeboarding begins at 9am when the cable system is fired up so plan for a six-ish departure from the Metro.
Lunch is siesta time for all and the cable towers stop running for an hour. That’s the best time to grab a bite or try the swimming pool and relax after a full morning of skiing. Food and drink is available and the cost and quality is okay.
Rose is editor and content manager of activephilippines.com. Get valuable information on what’s hot and hip in the metro, from dining and recreation to the best places to visit. In addition, activephilippines.com promotes e-commerce and provides small to medium business entrepreneurs with a venue to sell and advertise online. To top it all, registered members of the site have the option to subscribe to a complete business software package that allows them to do every step of their daily operations – inventory, accounting, auditing, purchase, payroll -- completely online.
The Halloween Season Need not be Gloomy With Matabungkay Beach Resort’s Halloween Packages!
This Halloween, check out these hair-raising packages from Matabungkay Beach Resort & Hotel. When the Halloween season sets in, liven up the mood by hopping over to Batangas to indulge in some fun under the sun in Matabungkay Beach Resort. With these one-of-a-kind packages, you can truly maximize your Halloween vacation without worrying about denting your wallet.
For only P5,500, you and your loved one can spend 3 days and 2 nights at the Executive Room of Matabungkay Beach Resort & Hotel. This package includes set dinner and breakfast meals for two at the Café Caballero. After satisfying your tummies, you can opt to soothe your tired muscles with a body massage for two at the Solea Spa. Invite a friend to come along and pay only an additional P2,550. This already includes an extra bed and two set breakfast and dinner meals.
For travelers opting for an overnight stay in Matabungkay Beach Resort & Hotel, the overnight package worth P3,300 is perfect for you. You and your loved one can spend the night in an Executive Room and savor the therapeutic effects of the Matabungkay Beach. The package also includes set dinner and breakfast meals for two at the Café Caballero and a body massage for two at the Solea Spa. An additional guest can be accommodated for only P1,300 and this already includes an extra bed, set breakfast and dinner. Truly, a great deal that will make you coming back for more.
This one-of-a-kind package is available from Oct 15 – Nov 11, 2007 so book ahead and enjoy a no-frills vacation this Halloween. Contact www.matabungkay.net to make your Halloween more special or simply click here.
About the Author
This Halloween, check out these hair-raising packages from Matabungkay Beach Resort & Hotel. When the Halloween season sets in, liven up the mood by hopping over to Batangas to indulge in some fun under the sun in Matabungkay Beach Resort. With these one-of-a-kind packages, you can truly maximize your Halloween vacation without worrying about denting your wallet.
Large Deluxe Cottage Suite at Virgin Beach Resort, Cebu, Philippines
bohol scuba diving"bohol scuba diving" Do you know a cheap but clean/decent lodging near historical sites and/or the Chocolate Hills in Bohol?
I also think of learning how to scuba dive while in Bohol. So, if there is one resort/hotel/inn that is affordable, clean, with nice/kind staff and that includes scuba diving lessons for beginners, please advise. Thanks!
In Carmen and in Sagbayan, closest to the Chocolate Hills. See attached:
diving honeymoons in the philippines_2"diving honeymoons in the philippines"
Chose the Best Honeymoon Destinations in India
Honeymoon, the word is intoxicating. It is a word that means celebration of life, the celebration of marital union: the celebration of the biggest moment of many adults’ lives. Some dream of days soaking the sun at a luxurious resort, some dream of solitude in the mountains, some dream of the powerful call of the sea, some dream of relaxation, and some dream of adventure. This is why honeymoon destinations are endless in number, one for everybody, with each one special, and each one unique.
Travel companies have been offering honeymoon packages since time immemorial, providing the ideal setting for the celebration, the once in a lifetime vacation, the symbol of perfection. Leaving the nitty-gritty of the planning, coordinating, and execution of travel itineraries to the experts, many happy couples are glad to go on honeymoon vacations especially designed for them, avoiding any tension, and enjoying a smooth and hassle-free holiday that they would cherish for the rest of their lives.
A brief look at typical honeymoon destinations show us the common factor in them all, something magical, something intense. Be it off-shore destinations such as Australia, Bali, Manali, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Thailand, or those closer home like Manali, Shimla, Nainital, Andamans, Lakshadweep, Kerala, Goa, Pondicherry, Darjeeling, Kashmir valley or Rajasthan, each has something that combines natural beauty with luxury, and relaxation with adventure.
While the typical honeymoon destinations offer picturesque and soulful honeymoon vacations, few adventure destinations are preferred by a few adventure enthusiasts for their special journey together. They choose to undertake adventure trips during their honeymoon vacation for that extra adrenaline rush and the exhilarating feeling that comes from sharing a rare experience like bungee jumping, snorkelling, scuba diving or parasailing with that special person. For such travellers, the ideal honeymoon destinations are those places that are known adventure hubs.
No matter what the preference, to plan perfect honeymoon vacations, it’s important that details of all honeymoon destinations are studied before zeroing in on the final choice. While pre-arranged honeymoon packages are offered to most popular honeymoon destinations within the country and to foreign lands, customised itineraries to honeymoon destinations are created by few travel companies. It is very important that a reliable agent be chosen to book honeymoon vacations as this journey is a lifetime experience that cannot be replicated in any other holiday taken after this golden period of a budding relationship.
resort in tagaytay philippines"resort in tagaytay philippines" Cheap and beautiful resorts in the Luzon, Philippines?
me and my fiancee are looking for a place to stay near pampanga, subic or tagaytay that has a beautiful scenery and a beautiful resort... but we are almost out of budget as we are trying to save money for our wedding... so anybody can help me find a beautiful resort where the accomodation is cheap and will only cost around 50.00 USD or 2500.00 Php a night and below?
There are accommodations in the beautiful beach resorts of Laiya that will fit your budget. One Laiya, for instance, will allow you to stay in a non-aircon cottage by the beach for that amount. Read my blog and go to my Laiya posting for more info, and how to get there.
You can also go to Baler, a less-traveled destination that is actually surprisingly beautiful. Bahia de Baler has inexpensive rooms, definitely within your budget. I also wrote about it. Just enter Baler in SEARCH on my my blogsite and you can read up on this destination.
I also wrote about Subic accommodations for only P1,700 per day. Find them all here:
http://boyplakwatsa.wordpress.com/
CANYON WOODS Residential Resort, Metro Tagaytay, Philippines
resort in tagaytay philippines resort in tagaytay philippines
Planning For A Philippine Travel-What Will You Need?
Like the Bahamas, the Philippine island is also worth a valuable visit from anyone who wishes to witness the distinct sceneries each country island offers. A matter of this fact, there is a significant increase in the percentage rate of current tourist visits in the country.
Other than the scenic views, another factor that makes the country worth everyone’s visit is the one-of-a-kind Filipino culture that is definitely deemed for its uniqueness. Spanish, Japanese and Americans -- these are three prominent races that have greatly influenced the Filipino culture.
As one of the most developing countries in Asia, the Philippines country guarantees every tourist with a wide variety of impeccable services and accommodations. This is with the inclusion of deluxe beach resorts, international golf courses, 5 star hotels and many exciting promising places.
Passport. This is the foremost essential requirement you need to secure prior to depart for a Philippine travel. The validity of your passport may vary depending on the purpose of your country visit. For further specific passport requirement details, you can contact any Consulate or Embassy, whichever is accessible nearby your location.
Philippine Currency. This is not really that necessary, for as long as you have your own savings account. You can always go into any money changers available in the Philippine country. Or else, you can make use of other available faster resources such as electronic banks, to aid you with your financial needs, later on your visit.
So far, those are the only major requirements you would need to secure. Other than the abovementioned are optional but also recommended.
2. Minor Philippine Travel Requirements
What you would need other than passport, visa and currency is at least the basic idea about the following:
Transportation.Manila --The capital of the Philippines can be reached via airlines from any the country across the globe. Available customary flights are made possible by the Philippine major airlines including SEAIR or Southeast Asian Airlines, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines.
Inside the country, there are accessible transportation means like LRTs, taxi, buses, jeepneys, and tricycles. If you prefer for a more private ride, you can go for car rentals available. You can always ask for assistance from any trustworthy road officials or individuals.
Weather. Tropical country as it is called, you can only expect for two seasons in the Philippines -- the dry and rainy seasons.
Hot and dry seasons usually fall on the months of October to May. On the other hand, rainy seasons happen in June until September. Though, because of global warming effects, the dry and rainy months may be unpredictable anymore. But recently, rainy seasons usually occur in the months of June until October. Later than October would be all hot and cool dry seasons.
Food. As for the food and beverages, you can always avail of any local dishes or international dishes served by different restaurants and fast foods spotted anywhere in the country, usually in big cities.
Communication media. Just like other countries, the Philippines country is not really that behind in terms of technology. In fact, whatever is accessible in big countries like the U.S. are also available in the Philippines. This is made possible by the power of import-export treaties as handled by the Philippine government, particularly in the economic sections. From wired to wireless Internet, smart phones and cellular phones, whichever you would prefer.
Language. Well, this too, is not really a big deal for majority of Filipinos are familiar and capable to communicate using the universal language -- English. But if you really need help with translations, then you can always appoint professional language translators to help you understand the language. There are a lot of available tourists’ guides who have obtained degrees from studying different languages.
The next thing you’ll need to do is to prepare your travel itineraries. Doing so would help you organize your destinations, thereby, avoiding potential hassles to arise in the future. After having known all of these things, you are then all set for yourPhilippine travel plan. The rest is up to your own discovery when you are already inside the Philippine country.
About the Author
Easy Philippine Travel Tips:
Traveling into the Philippine country is not really that complicated. All you have to remember is your main goal to discover what is really inside the country that makes other tourists go back and forth to witness. If it is your first time and you are determined enough to visit Philippines, a little country research may be necessary for you to have at least the basic thought of what and how it is to be there. You can find more relevant information in this site.
beach resort philippines"beach resort philippines" do you know of somebody who likes to buy property here in the philippines, like house and lot, beach resort.?
I do, I'm half philipino.
Welcome to Virgin Beach Resort, Malbago, Daanbantayan, Cebu, Philippines
list of hotels in the philippines"list of hotels in the philippines" hotel with pool in room in philippines?
does anybody know any hotels or resorts with a pool or hot tub inside the room? i found a site that had one before but i cant seem to remember the name. it had pictures of the room and it had a small pool or hot tub inside. can anybody help me.. or give me a site that has a list of resorts with hot tubs in the room or something..thanx..
It's called a bath tub
Vacation Rental at Clearwater Resort Hotel Clark Philippines
list of hotels in the philippines list of hotels in the philippines
philippine medical tourism program"philippine medical tourism program"
Smart Global Healthcare Choices
Superlative and affordable medical care is drawing more and more people from around the world to seek medical treatments abroad. Why not, when medical bills, transportation and lodging cost less than the deductibles and fees for surgical and hospitalization care in your own country.
As we all know, the cost of medical procedures is rising at a dramatic rate within the United States. Medical malpractice insurance for physicians and surgeons has driven medical costs for consumers through the roof. So, it's not surprising that Americans are fighting back, and in an unusual way. A growing trend called medical tourism finds more Americans seeking medical help outside of the country. Now, if you're reading this article, it's likely that you have at least heard of the concept, though Europeans and Asians have been practicing medical tourism for decades.
Traveling to another country to have a wide variety of procedures done has grown increasingly popular as costs for procedures continue to cause financial hardship and strain on Americans. If you haven't really seriously considered traveling to another country to have your procedure done, you should. Traveling outside of national borders saves patients thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on various surgeries and medical procedures. In some cases, choosing to have surgery abroad costs about a tenth of what you'd pay for the same procedure in the U.S.
However, the low cost of these procedures in other countries is not due to a lack of expertise or training, nor facility equipment, but because of the different ways these countries or private practices run their health services departments. International private healthcare systems have price transparencies that are not overburdened by malpractice insurance and pressures from third party payers such as health insurance companies.
People believe that going outside of the United States for surgeries is risky business, but did you know that many of the most technologically advanced medical centers are located outside of the United States? The growing trend of attracting international patients around the world has evened the playing field, so to speak, and patients around the world have more choices when it comes to choosing surgeons and physicians to treat them and their conditions. Especially in the medical field, borders are dissolving.
In addition to lower costs, the concept of medical tourism also offers patients a wider selection of techniques and experiences than many local health care services do. Surgical and medical facilities outside of the United States, including those in Asia, e.g., India, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia, and North American cross border countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Latin America; and Eastern Block/European countries such as Hungary, Norway, Poland, are increasingly luring medical tourists with the best trained physicians, higher service standards and yes, the opportunity to save money.
For example a heart surgery requiring the replacement of one or more heart valves costs around $200,000 in the United States. The same procedure is performed for under $15,000 in India or Malaysia – that cost includes the services of a highly skilled and trained heart specialist, transportation and accommodation fees and a few extra days to enjoy the sites of your planned vacation as well.
Other procedures follow suit. Facelifts can cost $20,000 in the U.S. but are available in other global destinations for around $2500. Dental bridges costs around $5500 in the US but cost only around $200 in India. The list goes on.
Orthopedic surgery is a procedure that is gaining popularity among baby boomers for treatment abroad. Hip or elbow replacement surgery is common for those who have suffered from arthritis or other forms of bone and joint damage. Hip or elbow joint replacement involves removing damaged bone tissue and replacing it with a ball-type joint made of a special metal alloy. Hip resurfacing is not a replacement of the hip joint, but a type of surgery that allows most of the original hip joint to be saved. In this procedure, performed not only in the United States but around the world, the surface of the head of the femur, the part of the upper thighbone that fits into the hip socket, is covered with a plastic shell - type covering. Hip resurfacing is usually suggested for active patients less than 55 years of age.
World-class medical facilities offer not only skilled surgeons for this type of procedure, but also physical therapists to aid in recovery as well as superior patient support capabilities until patient discharge. Everyone demands excellent standards in healthcare, and global medical facilities are also being held to high American and western standards. If you or a loved one is considering medical tourism, take the time to research the subject.
Medical tourism is the wave of the future, and may compel changes within American medical practices. Until then, take advantage of the best the world has to offer in the way of skills, treatments, procedures and healthcare. Make the most of the growing number of healthcare methods in the 21st century and take back control of your own healthcare.
PlacidWay is the health information portal that offers medical vacation planners all the information they need to make informed choices and decisions. Finding information on affordable health centers from around the world, alternative treatments, and wellness programs has never been easier.
Making the right choices relies on knowledge, and PlacidWay offers that and so much more. Visit PlacidWay.com at www.placidway.com for additional information on the topic of medical tourism or health vacation planning.
About the Author
PlacidWay.com is your expert guide to global healthcare options. A visit to the global healthcare portal will connect you with knowledgeable professional who will assist you at every step of your journey -from find the right provider to suit your individual needs, to booking your travel, to providing support and guidance through your entire stay and procedure up until the moment you arrive home.
Philippine Medical Tourism
philippine medical tourism program philippine medical tourism program
scuba diving in puerto galera"scuba diving in puerto galera"
Scuba Diving in the Philippines - A Unique Experience
Scuba diving in Philippines is one of the most wonderful activities that you can enjoy in your lifetime. This is a unique experience that you will always remember. Philippines is referred to as The Republic Of The Philippines. The nation comprises of more than seven thousand distinct islands. These islands cover a region that is spread over 300,000 square kilometers.
Scuba diving in Philippines can be done at any point of time in a year. However, experts usually ask the tourists to avoid the months of monsoon for the sport. The monsoon months run from July to September. Diving in the Philippines can be categorized into 5 primary regions. These include the following listed below:
- Luzon - Palawan - Puerto Galera - Sulu Sea - Visayas
The basic diving sport in Philippines can be enjoyed in cave dives with fresh water inside the inland lakes. You can also get an opportunity to see many beautiful coral reef walls. Visayan Islands are considered to be the best spot for scuba diving in the Philippines. It is located towards the central point of the archipelago. Moalboal and Bohol are known to be the most popular dive sites in the Visayan Islands. You can also enjoy the time of your life while visiting a variety of other scuba diving spots in Philippines such as those around Puerto Galera. The Canyons here is rated as a 'must do' dive by scuba diving experts. You can enjoy drift diving through the 3 popular deep canyons. Underwater marvels such as jacks, tuna, barracudas and trevally will make your diving experience simply incredible.
In a nutshell, diving in the Philippines is always held as a water adventure sport of the highest standards. It caters to all principles of a hard core scuba diver. The place is equally enjoyable and thrilling for novice and professionals. Scuba diving is a fantastic sport and it become more enjoyable when played in the islands of Philippines.
About the Author
If you are looking for the best Palan wrecks, consider doing first your PADI IDC course, in that way you can also do your wreck diving instructor course.
Rudy Fernandez Scuba Diving in Puerto Galera
scuba diving in puerto galera scuba diving in puerto galera
philippine travel agents"philippine travel agents" tourism jobs in singapore- iS IT EASY TO LOOK FOR RELATED JOBS?
I just receivd my EPEC from MOM Singapore last 2 weeks ago..... My question is : Can filipinos easily look for a TOURISM job in singapore? I am a travel agent here in the philippines from Travelex Travel Services (formerly Thomas Cook, Philippines). Where shall i apply ?? And does singaporean recruiters give more chances to Filipinos who are applying ONLINE?? THANK YOU
Tourism is also big market in Singapore.Just go on line to job search sites and try applying on line.eg:jobsdb Most Singaporean also look for job on line,so you should have the same chance as anyone in getting recruited.
paradise resort philippines"paradise resort philippines" can i apply for a nassau/bahamas visa in the British Embassy in Manila,Philippines ?
i am a filipino citizen with a holder of a 5 year multiple entry US Tourist Visa. i intend to go vacationing in nassau on 12-18oct 2008. i have already a paid flight/reservation at the atlanis paradise resort in nassau.
If there is no bahamian embassy, they the british embassy can help you with the paperwork.
Your US Visa has nothing to do with the bahamas. Totally different countries.
Southern Palms Paradise Resort Bauang La Union Philippines
Tie The Knot at Nigi Nigi Too Boracay Island Hotel
The splendid natural beauty of Nigi Nigi Too Boracay Beach Resort in Boracay Island has made it one of Philippines excellent vacation destinations. It is also known for catering various aqua sports and exciting adventures. And a new way of appreciating the hotel’s pristine beauty is to make it as your wedding destination.
Nigi Nigi Too Boracay Hotel offers intimate beach weddings complete with a ceremony through a beachfront reception. Nigi Nigi Too Boracay Island Hotel wedding center is located opposite of Boracay’s famous wedding icon the “Boracay Rock”. This symbolic rock will be normally lavishly decorated with rare jungle flowers on your wedding day. As for your honeymoon, Nigi Nigi Too will also give you their famous bridal room which overlooks the ocean and Boracay rock.
Nigi Nigi Too Boracay Hotel’s dedicated staff looks forward to sharing your special and romantic wedding moments with you and will make every effort to make your wedding a big success. As a small beachfront Boracay hotel on White Beach, Nigi Nigi Too Boracay Beach Resort personnel will work with you and your family to meet all your personal needs in a very economic manner. Nigi Nigi Too Boracay Beach Hotel will respond to any of your inquiries with an attractively priced offer or a list of options for you to choose from.
Remember that Nigi Nigi Too Boracay Hotel’s concept of a “small intimate wedding” is to break away from the standard grandiose of formal wedding package and evolve something that truly reflects the essence of your bonding relationship.
Let Nigi Nigi Too Boracay Hotel combine the solemnity of your bonding partnership with the magic of a beachfront reception, all immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of a Boracay Island’s tropical sunset. Nigi Nigi Too Boracay Hotel’s aim is to make your special day truly memorable for years to come.
Visit http://www.boracayislandhotel.com for more information.
About the Author
A computer professional who works on the internet helping BIH increase its viewers through optimization and other internet links online. For world class Boracay beach resort visit us online at boracayislandhotel.com.
list of philippine holidays"list of philippine holidays"
Have a Thrilling Holiday With Filipina Girls
You just have to log on to a Filipina dating site to meet your soul mate and make the tour to Asia enjoyable. Meet lovely ladies who are ready to welcome guests from Europe, Australia, New Zealand and America. These sites are regularly updated to include fresh members with pictures and profiles for your convenience. You will find charming girls from Asia as your holiday companion if you are single. They are beautiful in the traditional way which you will definitely admire and find immensely suitable to pass a very special time with them.
Ladies speak English and offer pleasant companionship to you. They give much importance to friendship and believe in romance in life to make you feel elated. Take advantage of Filipina dating facility and you are showered with several offers of friendship from young and beautiful ladies with profiles and original pictures to make your own decision.
Your dreams are fulfilled when you are in the company of some fine-looking Asian ladies in the Philippines for your holidays. You can enjoy the wonderful stay and relax amidst the bounty of natural Filipina girls who are interested in western people. It is up to you to experience such a vibrant holiday. Arrange the holiday trip in advance through a reliable dating site to meet some gorgeous Asian ladies for a truly relaxing time in this part of the world.
You can pick up your choice from a wide range of members of the reliable Filipina dating site because they provide an extensive bunch of well behaved, courteous and lovely ladies, who speak English and have a true inclination to the western world. They give high esteem to the western culture, but they are traditional and serious in friendship and in romantic companionship. Filipina girls are in the preferred list of your next destination when you travel to this amazing part of the world to find a lovely lady and enjoy a cool time with them.
Express your mind in the dating site and choose the best. You can then have the company of a young lady when you arrive in the land of natural beauty with ample arrangements for passing an occasion relaxing and enjoying.
A Pristine Getaway in the Middle of the Philippines
Bohol is by far one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines. With its combined historical and natural sights and a number of high class and budget hotels, this is a must see destination to make your stay in the Philippines complete.
Bohol is as mentioned one of the best tourist destinations that the Philippines has to offer. It is an island located literally in the middle of the Philippines and is part of the Visayas region. It is accessible by boat and by plane. Bohol can be reached from Manila via Cebu which takes about 50 minutes by plane or an overnight boat ride. From Cebu a fast boat to Tagbilaran which is only 1.5 hours, or one of the ferries to either Tubigon or Talibon would be an option too.
The most practical way to reach the island is to catch a ferry boat from Cebu to Tubigoan and take a bus from Tubigon to Tagbilaran. This is a faster and cheaper way to reach the capital compared to a direct boat ride. Bohol belongs to a tropical country prone to typhoons yet its geographical location has helped the island to be shielded from typhoons due to the fact that the surrounding islands blocks the heavy winds prior to reaching Bohol.
Bohol offers a wide range of pristine tourist destinations both natural and historical in category. Beaches, natural parks, wildlife and the famous Chocolate Hills are just a few of the highlights of the island. Bohol is as good as it gets and what better way to spend an unforgettable vacation than to complete it with the right place to stay.
Bohol Hotels offer high quality services and affordable rates. Most of the hotels are resort hotels and are located near white sand beaches. Other hotels are further inland yet are still fashioned out in a nature oriented outlook. Bohol hotels offer comfortable accommodation, recreational and dining services.
These hotels offer tours and transfers around the island so there is no need to worry on how to go about the vacation that has been planned for. There are travel packages offered by most of the Bohol Hotels and lasts for 3 days and 2 nights, but one can always extend if this time frame is not enough. There are a lot of hotels and resorts around the province of Bohol and it is all about choosing the right one and the right place to stay in which suits both your needs and your budget.
when one plans to explore the Philippines in a naturalistic approach , then Bohol is a must see place, especially the world famous Chocolate Hills and the very cute tarsiers only found here.It is one of the best choices amidst all the other islands of the archipelago. Its hotels add up to the beauty of the entire island. Whether you want to stay in a beach resort or in a place near the busy medium sized places like Tagbilaran and Tubigan, Bohol has it all waiting for you.
holidays to magaluf"holidays to magaluf" how old do you have to be to go on holiday?
my sons friends are all going on holiday to magaluf in august, they are all 17 and 18. my son will turn 17 when they are there. my question is, will he be allowed to go as he is 16 when they set off. ? takuya-that wasnt my question. i meant legally.
if at least one of them is 18 then there is an adult with them. should be fine.
Howcome PAL increased round trip air fares from $1,000-1,500 to $3500??? Is it all because of the oil price hike or is it just a technical problem in their online booking?? I can't believe it! The price just doubled! I know that December is high season... But I just cant believe the 100%+ increase!!
3,500 u.s. dollars must be for mabuhay class(pal's business class). if not, they must be joking.
private resort in laguna philippines"private resort in laguna philippines" How much would it cost to rent a private hot spring resort overnight in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines?
around P7,000 to P10,000. starting 6pm to12noon the following day.
OJR private pool
private resort in laguna philippines private resort in laguna philippines
Why not take the initiative and find your own approaches to low cost travel by making your own discount? As you understand, hotel and rental car owners don't just provide you discounts at random. Usually, they provide discounts during off-peak seasons. Being a savvy traveller, do you know that you simply can take the initiative and create your own travel discounts very easily? Here are a few quick and easy techniques for doing so:
- If you're planning to stay for over a week, call the hotel that you'd want to stay in and ask for week long stay discounts, these can range for percentages off your room price or even a "free day." -
- Check detour flights other than the straight one you're bound to get when you inquire. You can obtain less expensive overall prices if you choose to book two flights rather than one. A few people have been able to save as much as $2000 by doing this.
- Find web-only discounts or coupons of which some hotels and airline owners provide particularly for those willing to reserve online such as Egypt Tour Packages. You can save as much as 50% on your travel costs by going this way.
- It's usually much better to purchase food at the grocery and cook it yourself instead of eating each day at a restaurant. You will not wish to spend all of your pocket money on food. Restaurants tend to have low cost and often unhealthy food, ensure your own health and also your pockets health by cooking your own, that is, all things considered, the answer why there's a stove in your hotel room.
- Travel to locations which boast of natural beauty but have lower costs of living, prices here tend to be lower. Take the Philippines or Malaysia for instance, both have great views and tourist spots however come without the hassle of overpricing, English speaking natives are also an advantage for these countries. Check out Egypt Tour Packages.
- Package deals generally save much, airfare and lodgings combined into one are generally cheaper compared to paying for them separately. A few travel agencies even provide trio packages which consist of airfare, hotel and car rental, you can save a lot if you have the industriousness to canvass.
Now you have no reason to not plan your next trip this holiday.. and you can right now do it cheaper for a change! Visit Egypt Tour Packages!
Just dream yourself unwinding at the dazzling beach with crystal blue water and azure sky in the alluring coral islands. Isn't it fascinating? Yes we are making your dream true with flights to Philippines which are taking you to the country of South East Asia that is absolutely a heaven on earth. With the impressive and myriad varieties of attractions, it has become most popular traveling spot among tourists. Enjoy the affection and hospitality of philippinos who are proving the country as the place where Asia wears a smile as you will be definitely pleased with the behavior and attitude of the natives whether they are in urban areas or rural areas. Tourists who reserve flights to Philippines naturally adhere to the beaches of this country to rejoice the silver sands and bounty of daylight which surround the all day actions. On the other hand, there is likewise culture important to come across, with majestic structural design in the majority of chief conurbations. Whether you like the natural world beauty or want to engage yourself in the amazing activities, flights to Philippines are heading to a tremendous itinerant.
Get an escape from the crowded metropolises to the most tranquil and calmed place Bicol which presents the incredible settings with the tapering volcanic peaks. Nature and wild life fanatics are welcomed to Bohol which is exhibiting the impressive coral reefs in the startling beaches with implausible range of water sports. Al fresco sports buffs can head to Boracay which has numerous sandy beaches with the exhilarating sports like diving, snorkeling, wind surfing and jet skiing. Catch flights to Philippines to get a glimpse on the distinguished archipelago in Cebu where the scheduled support of conquistadors is lasting an inspiring heritage of history and structural design.
http://www.7-continentstravel.co.uk/flights/philippines.html Besides the entire eye-catching highlight, you can indulge yourself in the remarkable activities. Take a bird eye aerial view of the entire islands of the country by taking a ride with charter plane or dare to climb at the volcano cliffs in Manila. Enjoy trekking at the chocolate hills of Bohol and eat famous peanut snacks there or take a bathe in the hot spring water. All those are available just with flights to Philippines. http://www.7-continentstravel.co.uk/Flights-to-Manila.html
diving palawan"diving palawan" Palawan State University, what is it like?
(A little background) I am currently in the USCG and am planning on using my GI Bill (Chapter 33) when I get out this December. With the Housing stipend proposed at around 1000 bucks a month I think i will get by pretty well. I am trying to find places I would like to study and PSU seems like an amazing location for someone who loves diving as much as me. Any info would help, especially about living in Palawan or in the Philippines in general. Thanks.
u have chosen the right place to be. welcome to palawan. the uni is unique. very good ambience, studies are easy. easy life, things are cheap. u wont regret it. tho its hot!
Monnshadow Tour & Dive Boat Palawan Tubbataha Philippines
Should you be from the Philippines then one thing that you can't surely miss is a scuba diving. Even when you are an individual who is not into drinking water sports the breath taking diving web sites of Philippines will turn you into one. For anyone who is fascinated in performing a training course in scuba diving then too Philippines would be the ideal place. There are several institutes that conduct such courses and after completing any of these courses you are going to be a certified diver and can dive in devoid of fear.
The 1st such training course will be the PADI study course and there are several sub categories beneath it. There's the PADI scuba diver plan that may be the ideal option for you should you be inside the Philippines for the vacation and will only scuba dive for maybe a couple of times a year. This is like a pre entry level certificate plan. You shall be taught the basics of scuba diving, the critical techniques and the details of scuba diving equipments. To get the certificate you've to full pool dives, two open drinking water dives and attend understanding development sessions. If you are fascinated in learning scuba diving in details then you'll be able to go for the PADI Open h2o diver program. To have the certificate of this study course you've to complete five pool dives, four ocean or lake h2o dives and you will have to attend education development session. Should you comprehensive this training course successfully you will probably be in a position to dive inside cool waters of the lake along with your buddy and that too without an instructor. If you are interested in underneath h2o adventure sports or under water photography then you are able to enroll for the PADI adventure diver course.
In case you intend to make a career out of scuba diving then your greatest bet may be the Divemaster course. You'll get the opportunity to work with a dive instructor and consequently is going to be in a position to sharpen your diving abilities and expertise. This will aid you to become a pro. Soon after completing this course you'll be able to opt for a career like Lead Scuba Diver on guided tours. Other alternatives are teaching PADI skin divers and teaching PADI discover snorkeling programs.
An additional course that you simply can opt for would be the Nitrox lessons. This training that gives you the opportunity to dive with enriched air will allow you to stay inside water for a longer period of time, get back into the water faster and will aid you if you ever wish to join the enriched drinking water diving training.
About the Author
If you are going to dive the Philippines, don't forget to check the Coron Wrecks , simply amazing diving.
philippine special holidays"philippine special holidays" November 16 Philippine holiday declaration?
I work in a private company in the US, and recently the phil. govt announced November 16 as a special non working holiday. I contacted HR and advised we do have work tomorrow. So that means i will be doubly-paid for the work rendered right? sorry, i what I mean is that i am working in the philippines with US clients.. :)
Pursuant to the provisions of the Labor Code, private sector employers must comply with the appropriate rules and core labor standards, consistent with the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino III, which emphasize the need to ensure the welfare and protection of the country’s workers.
Here are the rules:
*If the holiday falls on an employee’s regular workday: If 16 November 2010 is worked, the employee is entitled to 200 percent of his [or her] basic wage on the first eight (8) hours and, for work in excess of the 8 hours, to an additional 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on the said day. But, if unworked, the employee is entitled to 100 percent of the regular daily rate, provided he was present, or was on leave with pay, on the workday immediately preceding the holiday.
*If the day is the employee’s rest day: If the day is worked, the employee is entitled, on the first eight (8) hours, to 200 percent of his daily rate plus 30 percent of said rate or a total of 260% for the first eight hours.
In excess of 8 hours, plus 30 percent of his hourly rate on said day.
But if unworked, the employee is entitled to 100 percent of his or her regular daily rate, provided he was present, or was on leave with pay, on the workday immediately preceding the holiday.
*)Finally, in case the day immediately preceding the holiday is a non-work day in the establishment, or is the scheduled rest day of the employee, the employee shall not be deemed on leave of absence on that day, in which case he or she shall be entitled to the holiday pay.
Farmers’ Cooperatives In Conflict – Ridden Areas: The Maguindanao Experience
FARMERS’ COOPERATIVES IN CONFLICT – RIDDEN AREAS:
THE MAGUINDANAO EXPERIENCE
By: Radzak A. Sam, DPA
Contrary to the notion that community organizations, like cooperatives, would not work in a highly unstable, chaotic, and turbulent environment, this piece of work proved that they may still work and endure development activities given certain caveats in the pursuit of their tasks. This premise is founded on the research conducted by the author entitled “Farmers’ Cooperatives in Conflict – Ridden Areas: The Maguindanao Experience” which highlighted the experiences of four farmers’ cooperatives operating in the conflict affected areas of Maguindanao, an impoverished province of the Southern Philippines. The volatile peace and order condition in the area coupled with management problems among other things dragged these cooperatives to flounder, and later, leading most of them to shut down their respective operations. However, despite of this scenario, there are still those that yielded viable projects, and had delivered significant benefits to their respective members. Being puzzled about these things, the author conducted a research study comparing the plights of these cooperatives, and subsequently provided explanations why, there are still those that can operate viable projects, and provide better services to their respective members, in contrast to those whose operations failed, and later just “die a natural death.”
SELECTION OF COOPERATIVES FOR CASE ANALYSIS
It took some doing to “sift the chap from the grain” as it were, that is, to pick which of the cooperatives registered at the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Maguindanao should be considered viable and which not. After consulting Mr. Tutin Saptu, a CDA Specialist, a list was made up classifying the cooperatives into viable and non-viable ones. The main criteria used to designate viability or non-viability was whether or not the cooperative was continuing to render services and implement activities for its member-farmers, that is, whether or not it was still active as a cooperative. In particular, non-viable cooperatives were those that had been previously active but had since ceased to operate. Out of the 1,010 multipurpose-agriculture cooperatives registered at the CDA Maguindanao from l990 to l998, only about eight (less than 1 percent of the total) were found to be still active. The others had apparently suspended or stopped operations altogether. A number had registered but never managed to begin operations.
In order to assess at firsthand the state of those cooperatives identified in the list, visits to those organizations were made and their officials interviewed. It was then decided to choose two of them, based on their income, the nature of services they offered, and the size of their membership, to represent the viable coops. One was picked from the first district of Maguindanao and the other from the second district. Two others were chosen that had once been active but had now become inactive because of one problem or another, one from each district as well. There were then a total of four cooperatives to be included in the research, namely, Woodland Integrated Farm Resort Multipurpose Cooperative(WIFRMPC) in Sultan Kudarat and Brar Communal Irrigators Multipurpose Cooperative(BCIMPC) in Talayan, both active coops, and Kurintem Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative(KFMPC) in Datu Odin Sinsuat, and Kooperatiba sa Bayan ng Ampatuan (KBAI), the problematic coops. In addition to the above criteria, these four were chosen, in particular, because they consented to the study and were willing to cooperate. Also, they were all fairly accessible and their membership consisted mainly of farmers.
Comparing Viable Cooperatives from the Non-Viable Ones: Distinguishing Characteristics
The viable cooperatives sustained their operations because of the following characteristics:
1. Strong family-based leadership as a key factor for viable coop operation.
WIFRMPC and BCIMPC continue to operate partly because strong family leadership served to bond the members together. In the case of WIFRMPC, the leadership provided by the Pahm clan of educators and professionals gave the cooperative a solid vision as an impetus for its growth and development. In the case of the BCIMPC, the Sultan family, a respected traditional leading clan in the community, provided such leadership. In both cooperatives, strong leadership encouraged unity and teamwork among the members and officers. It was this kind of leadership that enabled the cooperatives to endure amidst the turmoil in Maguindanao.
2. Dynamism and versatility in income generating activities lead to both coop productivity and sustainability.
Flexibility in the pursuit of economic activities, coupled by the resolve of both members and officers, appear to be critical for cooperative development. Both WIFRMPC and BCIMPC sought to diversify their economic projects and sources of income. The WIFRMPC, in addition to its fisheries, poultry, forestry, coffee, rice, and corn production activities, also engaged in rice, corn, and oil trading. It also derived income from operating the resort’s facilities. BCIMPC, on the other hand, engaged in trading to supplement its income from rice and corn production. To conserve their resources, both cooperatives also stopped their lending services after the crop failures that plagued their members. WIFRMPC focused its resources on collecting on its receivables. BCIMPC, on the other hand, sought to become independent of the Land Bank’s support for its programs.
3. Efficient utilization of resources (technical, financial and human) enhances coop productivity and sustainability.
WIFRMPC and BCIMPC both benefited from the training exposures of their members. Officers of WIFRMPC supervised their members’ farming activities to make sure that they apply the technical know-how taught to them in training. In the BCIMPC, the Chairman took the lead role, serving as a model in applying new technologies. As a result, both cooperatives began to show positive earnings after an initial period of losses. They also both managed to continue to deliver services to their members despite problems with unpaid loans.
4. Networks and linkages contribute to both coop productivity and sustainability.
Both cooperatives nurtured and sustained the networks and linkages they established with institutions working for cooperative development. Their members were able to benefit from these networks and linkages, acquiring new technologies and techniques for increasing production.
5. Membership Expansion increases paid up capital, which subsequently enhances coop productivity and sustainability.
Both cooperatives expanded membership, with WIFRMPC enjoying an average annual rise of 93 percent and BCIMPC, a 70 percent increase. More members naturally meant corresponding additions to paid-up capital that helped each cooperative enhance productivity and sustainability.
On the other hand, the failed cooperatives were dragged down by the following circumstances:
1. Leadership crisis leads to vulnerability and insensitivity to problems, dragging down the coops to failure.
When coop officers fail to be responsible, the whole organization suffers. KMPCI officers’ limited knowledge of the concept of cooperativism made them entirely dependent on the chairman to run the cooperative. When he left, the officers were at a loss. KBAI officers, on the other hand, allowed the cooperative’s founder (the ex-priest) to manipulate the organization for his personal ends, leading the cooperative to ruin. The democratic processes that underpin the operations of cooperatives were never allowed to function properly.
2. Failure in project implementation results in no return of investment, non-payment of loans by the borrowers, and non-productive coop operations.
Both cooperatives failed in the implementation of their respective projects. Management incompetence confounded the crop failures that plagued the cooperatives’ members: KMPCI management’s laxity allowed its cashiers to steal from the coop store; KBAI fell to the wiles of its founder who took funds from the cooperative for his personal use and whose action led to the coop’s members refusing to repay their debts.
3. Dole out mentality leads to unproductive (passive) coop.
Cooperative members, having been exposed to government dole-outs in the past, sought to get out of repaying their loans by regarding them as nothing more than government largesse. This irresponsible position also led them to effectively abandon their obligations as members of their respective cooperatives.
4. Non-utilization of technical know-how acquired from training leads to non-productive performance.
The failed coops were unable to profit from the technical skills they were taught in training. For lack of resources, they were unable to provide the material support that their members required to upgrade their production techniques.
5. Unsustained networks and linkages meant lack of support mechanisms that could further enhance coop productivity and sustainability.
Neither cooperative was able to nurture and sustain the networks and linkages each had established with development agencies working for cooperative development.
6. Deficient record-keeping meant absence of reliable information on the coops’ financial condition, making them vulnerable to further corruption.
Persons in responsible positions in both cooperatives failed to keep reliable records of their respective business transactions. In the case of the KMPCI, the records maintained by the records officer did not jibe with the records of disbursement by the cashier. The case with KBAI was similar as releases were made without following proper procedures.
Concluding Observations
The research came up with the conclusion that for cooperatives to viably operate in conflict-ridden areas, the following organizational factors appear to be critical: a) leadership, i.e. strong family- based leadership; b) dynamism and versatility in income generating activities, illustrating both a certain degree of flexibility but also highlighting the resolve of coop members to succeed; and efficient utilization of resources (technical, financial, and human).
On the other hand, those traditional factors that are thought to generally apply to all cooperatives, such as purposes and objectives, and organization and management may not be critical at all. As the study showed, these factors did not have any bearing on either viability or non-viability conditions.
Institutional networks of cooperatives and assistance extended by national government agencies and international organizations proved to be contributory factors to coop viability as long as the acquired technologies were applied productively. However, links with non-governmental organizations, local government units and coop federations and unions, were not critical for the survival of Maguindanao coops in contrast to the more positive experience of cooperatives in Bulacan and Davao Del Sur (Gaffud, 1995).
In the experience of cooperatives in Maguindanao, the contributions of private institutions proved to be critical in enhancing coop viability, contrary to the traditional belief that they play no role. Private institutions assisted cooperatives in acquiring technical know-how and in marketing their produce.
Finally, while the action environment (political, economic and social) appeared to negatively impact on cooperative operations, their effect was not so great as to threaten coop survival or freely operations. The cooperatives were able to apply compensating strategies to reverse whatever stifling forces that may be attributed to such environmental factors.
References:
Gaffud, Rumualdo B.
1995 Strengthening Market Leverage of Peoples Enterprise and Promoting Self-Reliance: A Framework for Collaboration between Cooperatives and Local governments (Focus on the experiences of cooperative and Provincial Governments in Davao Province and Bulacan). Doctoral Dissertation. UP-CPA
Sam, Radzak A.
2002 “Farmers’ Cooperatives in conflict –Ridden Areas: The Maguindanao Experience”, a dissertation research submitted to the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG), University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
CDA Annual Report, 1998
Interview:
Tutin Sapto, Cooperative Specialist in Maguindanao, 14 September 2000
About the Author
A former faculty member of Mindanao State University-Maguindanao, and Cotabato City State Polytechnic College, Cotabato City.Given the Oppurtunity to go out from the country for teaching position, the author joined the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia with an academic rank of a Senior Lecturer.
