The Kawakawa Natural Park in the Lenten Season and the Sunflowers

During this Lenten Season, the Kawakawa goes into transformation from a geological wonder because of the cauldron-shaped top, the beautiful view, its pristine environs, the trees and birds, and magnificent sunrise and sunsets, into a spiritual experience with the presence of the 14 Stations of the Cross.

The Kawakawa is a religious destination in Albay because of its life-size sculptures of the Stations of the Cross. Traditionally, the Diocese of Legazpi conducts the Youth Way of the Cross at Kawakawa with thousands of youth participants led by His Excellency Bishop Joel Z. Baylon, D.D., with a culminating Eucharistic celebration and dialogue with the youth.

In addition to the life-size sculptures, the Divine Mercy Monastery of the Carmelite Nuns of the Holy Trinity is also situated at the foot of the hill, beside the sculpted Last Supper. This Lenten Season, the Divine Mercy Monastery conducts the Station of the Cross at Kawakawa every Friday at 4:30 in the afternoon.

The Divine Mercy Monastery of the Carmelite Nuns of the Holy Trinity is situated at the foot of the Kawakawa Hill

Over 100,000 devotees and visitors are expected to arrive at Kawakawa this Holy Week for the Way of the Cross beginning at the 1st Station-The Last Supper to the 14th Station-The Resurrection, at the top of the hill. From Station to Station they follow the Passion of Jesus going up the stations and around the margins of the crater. For 1,050 meters uphill, they stop at each Station for prayers and proceed to the next Station and experience the feeling of how Jesus suffered and endured his passion.

As part of the preparation for the arrival of thousands of devotees and visitors, the walkways are resurfaced to ensure a convenient passage, facilities restored, water supply systems functional, parking areas established, and lighting system installed.

The City Government of Ligao also provides medical assistance and standby ambulance as well as security, PNP, and traffic personnel to maintain order in the movement of people and vehicles.

Another significant preparation for the Holy Week at the Kawakawa is the planting of sunflowers. Visitors and devotees can expect to see and experience the presence of the beautiful sunflowers of the Kawakawa during their visit and pilgrimage. The sunflower circle is a site to behold and the slopes of the crater full of the yellow flowers facing the morning sun are wonders to witness.

The sunflower plantation in the slope of the hill is about to bloom this coming Holy Week.

Kawakawa is also a perfect destination for family recreational activities. Along the path are benches, and a Treehouse Café for people who want to take a rest from trekking and have some refreshment. A viewing deck at the top of the hill allows the people to view the cityscape while enjoying the fresh air. The amphitheater-like crater of the hill is also perfect for children to play around and enjoy the ATV ride. 

Kawakawa is also a perfect destination for family days out this Holy Week.

The Kawakawa Managament Group headed by Representative Fernando V. Gonzalez and the City Government of Ligao under Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua together continues to make the improvements of facilities of the Kawakawa to respond to the ever increasing number of visitors.

Ligao City inaugurates hydroelectric powered Class "AA" Slaughterhouse

In celebration of its 13th Cityhood Anniversary, Ligao City inaugurated the Class "AA" Slaughterhouse and Mini-Hydro on March 24, 2014 at Tinago, Ligao City.

The Class "AA" Slaughterhouse and the Mini-Hydro was envisioned by former Ligao City Mayor Linda Gonzalez during her administration, in partnership with the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Budget Management (DBM), with the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The two facilities were built using the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) when the Local Government Unit (LGU) of the Ligao City was awarded with DILG's Seal of Good Housekeeping in 2012.

According to former Mayor Linda Gonzalez, NMIS Executive Director Dr. Minda S. Manantan visited the slaughterhouse more than a year ago to make sure that the machines and other internal components were already installed. "While we were building the structure, sila [NMIS] ang partner natin for providing us with all the instruments and machines and other requirements to operate 'AA' slaughterhouse," said former Mayor Linda Gonzalez. She also added that Dr. Manantan was delighted to see that the LGU is complying with Republic Act No. 9296 (Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines) in which the proper and safe handling of meat and meat products is observed.

Using renewable energy to operate the slaughterhouse

Former Mayor Linda Gonzalez was also grateful to witness the realization of her envisioned renewable energy as source for operating machines in the slaughterhouse. The plan was originally to use methane as the alternative energy produced from the waste products of pigs. However, upon computation, they found out that there will not be enough waste products to produce methane.

Former Ligao City Mayor Linda Gonzalez

explained the challenges encountered by the

LGU in establishing the Class "AA" 

slaughterhouse

Fortunately, Mayor Linda Gonzalez was able find another way to make renewable energy feasible. "It was very providential that I had a chance to be able to talk to a resource person on hydroelectric energy," said Mayor Linda Gonzalez. Hydroelectric energy is another alternative renewable energy, produced from flowing water, that can operate machines in the slaughterhouse with high power requirement. The thorough research led to the conceptualization and establishment of the Mini-Hydro.

The water supply for the hydroelectric power plant will come from the irrigation systems at Barangay Herrera. However, according to Mayor Linda Gonzalez, upon consultation from experts, the water supply will not be able to generate the 100 % energy target but enough to meet the energy requirements of the slaughterhouse.

The process for pursuing a renewable energy as major energy source for operating the slaughterhouse took a long way. Several plans were rejected and altered in order to successfully reach the goal.

"It cost a lot but in the long run this will be already providing the electricity without having to pay ALECO. We will be running this facility with [an energy] source coming from a natural source not with any bills every month," said Mayor Linda Gonzalez.

Another envisioned goal of Mayor Linda Gonzalez is the installment of refrigerated storage to maintain the quality of meat. She also envisions the establishment of the Meat Processing Center which will provide additional income and revenues for the City. This, according to her, can be one of the projects that LGU, under Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua's leadership, can focus on in the coming years.

Maintaining a high class slaughterhouse

NMIS OIC-Regional 

Director Dr. Mateo Puatu

The butchers who will operate the machines in the slaughterhouse underwent 12 trainings in Sorsogon. However, according to Mayor Linda Gonzalez, they still need to undergo the national training to become qualified butchers in operating a Class "AA" slaughterhouse. Four meat inspectors will also manage the slaughterhouse to make sure that the facility is complying with the standards of the NMIS.

NMIS OIC-Regional Director Dr. Mateo Puatu said that with accreditation of the slaughterhouse as Class "AA", the "meat and meat products of this establishment can be transported and transacted nationwide." The NMIS was also responsible for the accreditation of the slaughterhouse by providing technical package and financial support for the establishment of the facility.

Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez said

that the establishment of the class "AA" 

slaughterhouse is an effort to expand the 

service catering more localities outside

Ligao City.

DILG-Albay Provincial Director Danton M. Vibar also stressed that with the aggressiveness of Ligao City, it will surely grab the Seal of Good Housekeeping again. He also said that being a Hall of Famer, garnering awards, means a higher budget allocation which will open opportunities for Ligao City for more projects.

Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez who also gave support in the successful establishment and accreditation of the Class "AA" slaughterhouse said that the replacement of the old slaughterhouse is not an indication of low quality meat products but an effort to expand the service, making the the high-quality meat and meat products available nationwide. The expansion will also help the local meat business establishments as the service will be open not only in Ligao City but also in the neighboring towns and cities, even in Metro Manila, according to Congressman Gonzalez.





Written by Lala Peñafiel

Ligao City launches Sunflower festival on its 13th Cityhood Anniversary

To celebrate its 13^th Cityhood Anniversary on March 24, 2014, Ligao City launched its official Sunflower Festival. The celebration was grander as festivals from Masbate City (Rodeo Masbateño), Iriga City (Tinagba Festival), Legazpi City (Ibalong Festival), Naga City (Peñafrancia Voyadores Festival), Daet (Pinyasan Festival), and Guinobatan (Longganisa Festival) joined the Parade of Festivals led by Ligao City Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua, with the local government officials and employees.

To introduce the Sunflower Festival dancers, City Tourism Office Officer-in-Charge Ms. Gina Balingbing told the history of how they were carefully selected. According to her, the Sunflower festival committee conducted a four-day screening of dancers and instrumentalists on Septermber 2013. The screening was announced via radio, and in schools and barangays to inform potential dancers and instrumentalists. By the end of September, the committee was able to come up with the official Sunflower Festival Dancers consisting of more than 150 members which include students, out-of-school youths, and a teacher.

The Sunflower Festival dance features the story of Ligao City "from the legendary roots of the five ancient Datus that instituted this land [Ligao City] to the gifts of the Spanish colonizers, the gift of fate, and up to the present where we Ligaoeños take pride in our beautiful sunflowers," as told by Ms. Balingbing during the introduction of the Sunflower Festival.

To welcome the official Sunflower festival dancers, exhibitions from Tinagba Festival dancers, Longganisa Festival dancers, and Rodeo Barn Dancers were featured at the City Pavilion. 

The Sunflower festival of Ligao City launched on its 13th Cityhood Anniversary

DAY 5: Ligao City celebrates 13th Cityhood Anniversary

Rain or shine, the show must go on. Despite the overcast weather, participants gathered at the City Pavilion to join the Cityhood Fun Run on March 23, fifth day of Ligao City's 13th Cityhood Anniversary celebration.

More than 200 participants from Ligao City with visiting participants from Legazpi City joined the 7-km fun run. The participants include male and female ranging from 9 to 60 years old. As Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua fired the starter pistol, participants began running from the City Pavilion passing through Barangays Tinago, Pinit, Batang (through access road), Bay, Tuburan highway, Calzada, then back to the City Pavilion.

Coach Sonny Magno, who joined the Palarong Bicol as running coach of Ligao City athletic team, wishes to someday launch a Milo® marathon at Ligao City sponsored by the Nestlé Milo®. Coach Magno was also one of Lydia de Vega's running coach and has been in the sports industry as a national coach since he was 27 years old. He said that while he's still in Ligao City, he would like to help the city develop its sports team. His envisioned Milo® Marathon at Ligao City can be a venue for selecting champions that will represent the region for the National Milo® Marathon.

Aside from the annual fun run, Ligao City also held its first Mayor's Cup Boxing Tournament at City Gymnasium headed by the Sports Committee Coordinator Edgardo Gonzalez during the evening. Other events held during the fifth day of Ligao City's 13th Cityhood Anniversary were Laro ng Lahi participated by City Hall employees and Pedicab Race.

Distribution of wheelchairs

The City government of Ligao, in coordination with the Church of the Latter Day Saint Humanitarian distributed wheelchairs to the Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

DAY 4: Ligao City celebrates 13th Cityhood Anniversary at coastal area

Aside from showcasing local products and local talents, the 13th Cityhood Anniversary is also a celebration of potential world-class tourist destinations in Ligao City.

On its fourth day of celebration, March 23, Ligao City held activities at the coastal area where the beautiful and well-maintained white sand beach at Catburawan awaits. Lead by Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua and Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, the Coastal Caravan was participated by City Hall employees, local officials, and residents from Centro and Coastal area.

Residents in the coastal area joined the Kite-Flying Competition, Sibid Race, Volleyball Exhibition, Fun-at-Sea (Fish Show) Laro ng Lahi, and the Climate Change Film Showing. Little girls dressed as mermaids went to showcase their beauties at the Fun-at-Sea (Fish Show).

Participants also enjoyed resting in the colorfully-decorated balsa prepared by the different Puroks (districts) of Barangay Catburawan while some took a ride at the bancas (native fishing boats). Some also enjoyed swimming at the Catburawan white sand beach with their friends and families.

Environment and Natural Resources Officer Maria Soledad T. Preña headed the Mangrove and Coastal Clean-up at Catburawan.

The City Health Office (CHO) headed by Dr. Wynns Samar also conducted the Medical and Dental Mission at the Cabarian Barangay Hall and Covered Court. Medical services that were offered include dental and medical checkup, laboratory tests (i.e. RBS, Cholesterol, Uric Acide, and ECG). Senior citizens also availed the Anti-Pneumonia vaccination which is done only every five years. Medicines and Vitamins were also distributed to the residents.

A team of medical staff from CHO also visits the coastal area every month to conduct immunization among children.