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Province of Cebu - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:

The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Aerial View of Metro Cebu

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Gov seeks advice of Cebu solons

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=773032
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 12:00 AM

By Gregg M. Rubio/BRP (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she met with the six Cebu representatives at the Marco Polo Plaza last Thursday to ask their counsel as to her options when her third and last term as governor ends in 2013.

The meeting was also to show the continued alliance between One Cebu, Alayon and Barug Alang sa Kalamboan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) parties since the past two elections in the local level, said Garcia.

Garcia clarified that they traditionally have Christmas dinner together but they had to push it back this time because they could not get their schedules together due to so many activities.

The options discussed included running for senator as far as the 2013 election is concerned, running for Congress or another local position, or possibly going back to private life.

“I got very, very good inputs from the congressmen and I value always their wise counsel especially since they been in politics longer than I,” Garcia said in a press conference yesterday.

Garcia emphasized during the meeting that as president of the One Cebu party, her decision will be based on what will be good for Cebu and will not be a unilateral decision.

“And I said, I would even be willing to sacrifice my own personal political advancement if it meant that by so doing we can protect the gains that we have achieved and see to it Cebu continues on this path of unprecedented growth and development,” Garcia said.

Garcia warned that if anyone from the opposition will take over as governor, Cebu will be “back to square one”.

She recalled how her opponents threatened to discontinue her projects and programs during the 2010 elections.

“I will continue to seek wise counsel from our congressmen and from others that have the good of Cebu in their hearts,” Garcia said.

When asked if had the support of the six congressmen if she decides to run for the Senate, Garcia said that none of them disagreed considering they have been allies since the past two elections and their alliance has been tried and tested in the local level.

Floating Deck

Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349818/floating-deck
Monday, January 30, 2012, 7:06pm

by Phoebe Jen Indino (Manila Bulletin Visayas Newsbits #1)

ASTURIAS, Cebu, Philippines — A simple floating deck in a protected marine sanctuary which was originally designed as a surveillance area is becoming a new tourist site in this town. Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan disclosed that the area where the floating deck is situated is within a marine sanctuary that they are protecting from dynamite or any kind of illegal fishing activities. “We established the floating deck for the guards to patrol the seas at night to ensure no illegal fishing activities will take place in the area,” Adlawan said. The floating deck made of bamboo and hard wood is also strongly supported by big plastic drums that can accommodate some 50 people.

Swimming with the whale sharks

Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/01/29/swimming-whale-sharks-203147
Sunday, January 29, 2012

(LAP of Sun.Star Cebu)

CEBU CITY -- While the tourism industry in Tan-awan is booming, the barangay and the Municipal Government cannot agree on the income-sharing scheme drawn by the town hall.

An ordinance passed by the Municipal Council provides that fees from visitors be divided into 60 percent to participating fishermen, 30 percent to the Municipal Government and 10 percent for the barangay.

Tan-awan Barangay Councilor James Marimat said the barangay is proposing that its share be increased to 20 percent and the Municipal Government’s share be lowered to 20 percent. CEBU. Domestic and foreign tourists flock to Tan-awan, Oslob to come close to whale sharks, causing nature conservationists to worry about the effect of mass tourism on the sea creatures. (Contributed photo/Rianne Tecson)

He said the barangay should have a bigger share because it is the one directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the whale shark tourism industry.

“Kun wa ang taga tourism, kami gud ang naa diha sa briefing area. Kami pa gyud ang kasab-an o basolon sa mga taw kun magkina-unsa (If the municipal tourism officer is not present, we are the ones who take care of the briefing area. We also get the flak when things go wrong),” he told Sun.Star in an interview.

Ramonito Lagahid, Oslob Whale Shark Wardens’ Association (Owwa) president, said fishermen-boatmen also want their share increased.

Boatmen get P180 for every non-Oslob resident who watches the whale shark on their boats.

Lagahid said the amount is not enough for the efforts of fishermen-boatmen who still have to catch krill at night so they have something to feed the whale sharks during the day.

Sharing

“Ang pangayo nila na isirado nalang gyud P200 kay kun taga Oslob ang bisita, menos baya ang bayad (Fishers are asking for P200 because the fee for Oslob residents is lower),” he said.

Oslob residents pay only P30 each to see the whale sharks. Of the amount, fishermen-boatmen get only P18.

Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren told Sun.Star Cebu over the phone that he has not heard of the fishermen and the barangay’s opposition to the sharing scheme.

“They are satisfied with the sharing scheme,” he said, adding that the Municipal Government’s share of the fees will be used to implement projects to improve tourism facilities in Tan-awan.

Among the plans of the Municipal Government is to build boats that can be used by the fishermen to bring tourists to the feeding area.

Owwa has 21 boats, which are being used in whale shark watching. Some of these boats can accommodate only one person but others can carry as many as four.

Guaren said the town will also build an appropriate briefing center.

On conservationists’ view that feeding can be disadvantageous to the whale sharks, the mayor said the giant sea creatures are free to hunt for food.

Observation

Still, Guaren said, he has directed fishermen to observe the whale sharks for three months to determine if the practice of feeding the creatures has adverse effects.

The fishermen’s observations can be used by a technical working group (TWG) created by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to draft management plans for the whale sharks in Tan-awan.

The TWG, Guaren said, is made up of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local government representatives and experts from the private sector.

The findings of the TWG, he said, will be used as basis for “refining” the ordinance on the whale shark watching industry in the town.

More people are expected to visit Tan-awan to see the whale sharks, as news about their presence spreads in online social networks.

But even some of those who are in awe of the gigantic creatures are concerned about the lack of appropriate management policies in Tan-awan.

Melendres said the “no touching” policy and regulating the number of people and boats in the area at one time should be strictly enforced.

Limits

Some semblance of control on the number of people and boats in the feeding area is in place, but only because Owwa has a limited number of boats.

Even then, boats sometimes hit whale sharks in the fishermen’s — or their guests’ — eagerness to go near the sharks. Some sharks have wounds and scars on the head.

The Shark Trust and the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme advise whale shark watchers to enter the water quietly and to avoid making noises or sharp movements — like too much splashing — in the presence of the sharks.

The shark conservation groups also advise against duck-diving, particularly near the head and tail of the shark or swimming underneath the creature.

While whale sharks are gentle creatures, their tails are powerful and can injure anyone or anything they hit.

Shark Trust recommends that the number of people in the water should be limited to 12 at any given time.

Economy

Without a doubt, the whale sharks’ presence has improved the income of fisherfolk in Tan-awan.

Reymond Soriano, 16, and his father have a boat that can carry only one guest at a time. But even then, Reymond admitted that his family’s income has improved because of the whale sharks.

Apart from the Owwa fishermen, other Tan-awan residents have also cashed in on the whale sharks’ presence by selling food to visitors. Some residents rent out life vests at P30 each.

At present, it is not known what Tan-awan fisherfolk will do when the whale sharks go on their migratory route. The sharks are known to migrate in spring — generally around April to May — to the central west coast of Australia.

John Richardson, conservation officer of United Kingdom - based Shark Trust, said authorities in Cebu should put in place a management system that “follows guidelines designed to protect the sharks from disturbance and injury, while at the same time giving people an amazing opportunity to see” the whale sharks.

“If this (management) is done correctly, the whale sharks may continue to return each year, which is good … for the local economy and residents,” said Richardson in an e-mail.

Cebu Coop Targets 50,000 Members

Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349555/cebu-coop-targets-50000-members
Saturday,January 28, 2012, 6:26pm

By PHOEBE JEN INDINO

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — Gearing to hit its P1 billion asset target by 2016, the Cebu Peoples Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CPMPC) is doubling its recruitment efforts to attain 50,000 members by the end of 2015.

“With the aggressive recruitment campaign being waged by coop leaders and members, we are optimistic about gaining 50,000 members before 2016,” said CPMPC Chief Executive Officer Macario Quevedo.

Quevedo however stressed that while the campaign to gain members for the coop will be aggressive in mode, “the coop will be considering looking into the quality of potential members.”

He disclosed that the coop was able to generate P439 million last year in terms of asset, an amount exceeding their P400 million target for 2011.

“We were able to surpass the target due to the aggressive implementation of our marketing programs even as our members are now actively recruiting members for the cooperative,” Quevedo said.

Meanwhile, the CPMPC officer admitted that although CPMPC membership dipped in the last four years, this drop has not affected the generation of assets because delinquent accounts were only deferred.

“Members with delinquency issues were deferred, as part of our cleansing process, but they will be given the option to become members again as soon as they can settle their dues,” Quevedo stressed.

The CPMPC has 12 branches spread all over Cebu with over 22,000 active adult members. It also has active business partnerships with cooperatives in nearby provinces like Leyte.

Meanwhile, Quevedo said that the CPMPC intends to strengthen the implementation of the coop’s Business Responsibility Center (BRC) wherein each CPMPC branch is expected to locally generate their own funds.

Said BRC conceptual framework emphasizes that each branch’s income is recognized as a result of the collective effort of officers, members, and staff, with the support of head office management.

“With the BRC, we want that each branch should be independent as we want to promote competition and cooperation at the same time,” said Quevedo.

Yokohama eyes ties with Cebu

Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349445/yokohama-eyes-ties-with-cebu
Friday, January 27, 2012, 4:48pm

By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

CEBU CITY, Philippines -- Yokohama City, one of the most successful cities in Japan, particularly in terms of urbanization, is eyeing a partnership with Cebu City and Cebu Province.

Yokohama City wants to establish a Memorandum of Understanding with Cebu Province through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The partnership aims to address urban and environmental issues.

Kimihiro Kuromizu, director of International Technical Cooperation of Yokohama City, visited the Capitol recently and informed Garcia of the planned cooperation.

Tanaka Yasushi, deputy director general of Southeast Asia and Pacific Department of JICA, who was with Kuromizu, said they will also seek the involvement of the Cebu Provincial Government as the issues that they will be addressing extend to Metro Cebu.

Yasushi said they are hoping that the province will partner with Yokohama either directly or through the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board, which is chaired by Garcia.

Garcia, for her part, believes that the plan will be beneficial to Cebu. She said she will go to Yokohama as soon as she receives a written invitation.

“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to achieve a most beneficial relation between JICA in their wish to help us and the MCDCB,” the governor said.

JICA will be the one to provide both the technical assistance and funds to realize the programs.

DOST-7 pushes MSME productivity improvement

Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349371/dost7-pushes-msme-productivity-improvement
Thursday, January 26, 2012, 7:01pm

By MALOU M. MOZO

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – Micro, small and medium-scale enterprises in the Visayas (MSMEs) are strongly urged by the Department of Science and Technology in Central Visayas (DoST-7) to improve their productivity and creativity if they are to become highly competitive in both local and foreign markets.

DoST-7 director Rene Burt Llanto said many MSMEs in the region have yet to avail themselves of DoST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (Setup), which is designed to help MSMEs in adopting innovations to improve their operations.

“Innovation is the key to sustaining one’s business today. Without this, businesses will never improve and remain stagnant,” Llanto said.

He said DoST-7 can assist about a hundred MSMEs each year, but only from 30 to 40 such firms avail of the Setup program annually.

As part of efforts to promote the program, DoST 7 launched recently a product catalogue featuring MSMEs that employed the program to help improve operations.

The 91-page product catalogue features 42 of the 82 MSMEs assisted by DoST-7 through Setup since 2002.

The agency informed that the Setup program provides manpower training, technical assistance and consultancy services. It assists MSMEs in establishing product standards and a database information system, and provides funds for technology acquisition.

The program assists MSMEs engaged in food processing, furniture, marine and aquatic resources, horticulture, metals and engineering, and handicrafts, among others.

Setup was launched by the former Arroyo administration to recognize the role of MSMEs in generating employment, earning foreign exchange and stimulating growth and development the country, particularly in rural areas.

Endorse Bohol-Cebu bridge project

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=771108
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:00 AM

By Angeline Valencia (The Freeman)

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The DPWH must endorse now the proposed multi-billion-peso Bohol-Cebu Friendship Bridge project that would connect the islands of Cebu and Bohol.

This endorsement was sought by Rep. Erico Aumentado (2nd district, Bohol) in his letter to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson recently, saying that the previous administration had already endorsed it to the NEDA and to the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for funding.

The project would make land trip easier between the two provinces, bring additional power supply from Cebu’s power plant to Bohol, advanced telecommunications technology via fiber optics set through the bridge, and accelerate the dispersal of industries from Cebu to Bohol, especially the northeast corridor, said Aumentado.

“The bridge can accelerate the symbiotic exchange of excess water from Bohol after satisfying its domestic needs while Cebu can send power, expected to be a surplus by 2015 because of the development of coal-fired plants now. Bohol is limited to developing hydroelectric power as other forms can be detrimental to its environment which is the anchor of its eco-cultural and adventure tourism,” he said.

Aumentado wanted the DPWH to endorse his proposal for technical assistance for the project, including a grant for the conduct of a feasibility study and detailed engineering design, telling Singson that he already initiated back-channel talks with the proper Korean government authorities on the matter.

The congressman explained that KOICA provides official development assistance from its government funds kept at the Korea Export-Import Bank called the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), saying that he was confident that Korea will favorably consider the ODA grant to finance the project.

“The bridge can be constructed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law. This early, a group of Chinese financiers as well as the International Bridge Construction Company of California have expressed interest in undertaking the project either through BOT or the Build-Operate-Own scheme which means the Philippine government will not spend a single centavo for it,” Aumentado said.

Aside from endorsement to Koica and the Eximbank-EDCF, the solon also asked Singson to endorse it also to the NEDA Investments Coordinating Committee Technical Board (ICC-TB) chaired by Deputy Director General Rolando Tungpalan and other appropriate authorities in order to complete the process.

Copies of his request to DPWH were also furnished to Eximbank’s country director Man Hwan Park, KOICA-Philippines resident representative Kim Jinoh, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Mayors Adelino Sitoy of Cordova in Cebu and Cary Camacho of Getafe in Bohol.

The bridge’s end-points or anchors would be Getafe in Bohol and Cordova in Cebu, spanning a distance of 17.5 kilometers only. Between the two are the Olango and Hilotongan Channels, some islets, shoals and shallow seawaters. “This augurs well for a simple design and easy construction of the bridge,” said Aumentado.

The Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Bohol, which Aumentado headed in the past, had already endorsed the project through a resolution in 2009.

The original resolution further got endorsement from the Central Visayas Regional Development Council, chaired before by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, requesting DPWH for its own endorsement of the project to the EDCF

Cebu's digital forensic lab opens

Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349121/cebus-digital-forensic-lab-opens
Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 4:43pm

By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — The first digital forensic laboratory in Cebu is now operational after the facility was inaugurated in the Capitol-owned lot in Sudlon, Lahug where the Cebu Provincial Police Office is also located.

The blessing and inauguration was attended by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Atty. Samuel Pagdilao Jr.

Bartolome said that with Cebu’s growing tourism, the police “need to level up” its act.

He added that the laboratory is “instrumental to our objective in the increase of the crime solution efficiency to address the needs and demands of the public.”

Pagdilao, meantime, is grateful to the provincial government for providing CIDG with the facility that will help speed up the investigation of crimes. He also said this will help prepare law enforcement agencies learn more about technology.

Garcia assured that the provincial government will continue to support the police. She said the building is a manifestation of the “cooperation, collaboration and working together for the common good” of both parties.

Ecology groups to push Danajon reef protection

Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/132791/ecology-groups-to-push-danajon-reef-protection
Monday, January 23, 2012 7:32 am

Candeze R. Mongaya (Reporter, Cebu Daily News)

Efforts to preserve and eventually “nurse Danajon reef back to health” should begin “as soon as possible,” a marine conservationist said.

Rose Liza Eisma Osorio, executive director of the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF), said about 77 percent of the Danajon reef is already damaged.

“Many people are depending on Danajon reef for their livelihood. We want to incorporate livelihood and preservation of the marine ecosystem in the area,” Osorio told reporters in an interview.

The CCEF, which advocates sustainable coastal resource management, held the first Danajon Bank Summit in Cebu City last week.

The program is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Osorio said the summit—attended by local government leaders, marine conservation advocate and environment stakeholders—wants to reach a collective action and consensus to restore Danajon’s lush marine biodiversity.

The Danajon bank or double-barrier reef, located off northern Bohol Island, is the only double-barrier reef in the Philippines.

The reef is spread across nearly 130 kilometers and consists of three large reefs. The reefs run along the coastal areas of Bohol, Cebu and Leyte and is composed of 19 towns.

The Danajon bank’s overall area is 272 square kilometers with an aggregate coastline of 699 kilometers, including 40 islands.

Osorio said based on their initial study, 4,000 fisherfolk are also dependent on Danajon reef for livelihood.

She said illegal fishing and coral poaching remain rampant in the area.

Pollution caused by the improper disposal of domestic wastes of the coastal communities is compounded by the dumping of oil and garbage by passing vessels.

Osorio said they will set a timetable in achieving their goals for the conservation effort.

The Danajon double-barrier reef is the only one in the country and among the six worldwide that has a geological formation that carved 6,000 years of natural coral growth, Osorio said.

She said commercially valuable reef fishes, shellfish, crustaceans and invertebrates such as sea cucumbers and sea urchins thrive in the area.

Suroy Suroy now 'international' - Gwen

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=770180&publicationSubCategoryId=107
Sunday, January 22, 2012 12:00 AM

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The tourism project Suroy Suroy Sugbo is now internationally renowned, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said, as she thanked respective town officials for hosting their part of the tour well.

All 21 towns in the south of Cebu were visited during the three-day Suroy Suroy Sugbo Southern Heritage Trail and Garcia said the respective Local Government Units gave out delivered their best.

“Tungod sa paninguha nila, ang Suroy Suroy Sugbo nahimo nang world-class and internationally renowned,” Garcia said.

Garcia also thanked Marian Kimseng Pearson, president of the Philippine Society of Las Vegas, for promoting the project by word of mouth.

“And that is the best promotion,” Garcia said. “We can come up with the most snazzy videos but ang labing tuohan gyud ang kanang mismo muingon ‘didto ko, nindot kaayo,” she added.

Pearson brought with her 40 balikbayans from Las Vegas to join the Suroy Suroy and most of them were first timers.

The tour made a stopover for at least an hour in every town. There, guests were treated to the town’s culinary specialties and enjoyed cultural presentations.

Pearson praised the project for being “wonderful.”

“The delegates were so impressed. The kids out there in the street, waiting for hours just to wave at us; it’s very touching,” Pearson said. Back home, she said they will again promote the program by word of mouth.

The guests said the caravan not only met their expectations but offered the “best and overwhelming” experience.

“This is a fabulous thing the governor has done. I love that in every place, there’s food,” a female tourist said.

Grace Paulino, Cebu Provincial Tourism Officer, said the positive feedback from the guests made everything worth the effort.

“It has been a very successful, very fruitful three-day four us for this year,” she told reporters.

Paulino said that this early, she already received bookings from a number of people of the same delegation for another Suroy Suroy in Camotes Island on April 21 and 22.

To make the tour even better, Paulino said they will be holding trainings among local guides.

The trip, which was attended by hundred of tourists, kicked off last Wednesday in Minglanilla town and ended with a fireworks display last Friday in Talisay City.

Apart from balikbayans from Las Vegas, Nevada, guests from France, Germany, United Kingdom, Korea, and New Jersey participated in the tour. There were also guests from Tacloban City, Butuan City, and Metro Manila.

Health, wellness sector expects positive 2012

Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=73297
Saturday, January 21, 2012 12:00 AM

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu health and wellness industry is looking at a more dynamic year in 2012, as it slowly gains popularity in its positioning as a ”Light Medical Tourism Destination” in Asia.

This is the branding that stakeholders in the health and wellness sector will carry, through the Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said CHWC vice chairperson Jenny Franco.

Franco said Cebu has an edge to lure more medical tourism travelers from all over the world, because of its diverse attractions for leisure and vacation.

Franco said the year 2012 is an exciting year for the industry as Cebu’s efforts in promoting the province to other countries like in North America, Middle East, Europe and even in United States have paid off, and now more and more travelers in the medical tourism sector are considering Cebu.

While the province has yet to provide sophisticated facilities for the long-staying medical tourists, like those retirees needing an integrated medical tourism village, or facilities, the province has an edge in attracting the medical tourists, who are only seeking for minor services, such as executive check-ups, cosmetic treatments, dental services, among others.

DOST-7 to launch SETUP product catalogue tomorrow

Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=73297
Friday, January 20, 2012

(PIA-Cebu with PR from DOST 7)

CEBU CITY, January 20 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 will launch tomorrow its own publication titled “The DOST VII Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program Product Catalogue.” The launching will be held at the DOST-7 conference room, S & T Complex in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.

Limited copies of the book will be distributed for free.

The catalogue features success stories and products from the beneficiaries of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in the region.

SETUP is a program under DOST which assists small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through Technology Upgrading, Products Standards and Testing, Packaging and Labeling, Database Management Information System and Linkaging and Networking for raw material sourcing, marketing, technical and entrepreneurial, financing and equipment design and fabrication.

The program covers the priority sectors namely the food processing; furniture and home furnishings; gifts, holiday decors and fashion accessories; marine and aquatic resources; horticulture; and metals and engineering.

Tomorrow will also witness the formal turn-over of the Good Manufacturing Practices System and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (GMP-SSOP) to Raw Brown Sugar Milling Co., Inc.

2012 trade projections, feng shui to highlight Cebu business forum

Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/348605/2012-trade-projections-feng-shui-highlight-cebu-business-forum
Thursday, January 19, 2012, 5:20pm

By MALOU M. MOZO

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – An economic briefing, organized by two leading business organizations in Cebu, will include predictions by a feng shui practitioner for the year, to help give a different perspective in what lies ahead for Cebu and the rest of the country in 2012.

Said event, which is being organized by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) along with the Cebu Business Club on January 24, 2012 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Casino Español de Cebu’s Salon de Espania function room, is expected to draw businessmen from other parts of the country.

The half-day economic briefing, chaired by Carmel de Pio-Salvador, will feature scientific and economic views.

Dubbed “Views and Prospects 2012,” the forum will incorporate the economic outlook of Cebuano economist Fernando Fajardo to give the audience a balanced perspective of the economy and its prospects in 2012.

Fajardo’s inputs will include a discussion on the Aquino administration’s action plans to propel the economy growth levels, as well as share insights on how to make Cebu, the region and the rest of the country more responsive to new opportunities from global trends and expected risks.

The organizers are also tapping World of Feng Shui (WOFS) chief executive officer Maritess Allen who is a feng shui expert herself as well as a consultant to top executives and prominent personalities in media and public office. Allen will talk about how feng shui influences business decisions and prospects.

MCCI President Eric Ng Mendoza said Allen's feng shui inputs will be helpful to Cebu's business environment prospects. “She will expound on her general outlook on business, wealth, relationships, health, career, education, the stock market, remedies, cures and enhancers in this year of the water dragon,” he said.

IT firm eyes Asian market, hires more workers

Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/130073/it-firm-eyes-asian-market-hires-more-workers
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 6:55 am

By Aileen Garcia-Yap (Cebu Daily News)

DESPITE the anti-outsourcing bill pending in the US Congress, a Europe-based information technology firm is hiring more manpower for its Mactan office as part of the firm’s expansion plans.

According to Willem Geert Lagemaat, Lighthouse Software Cebu Inc. (LHSCI) IP Group chief executive officer, they intend to increase their manpower base in Cebu because they see Cebu as a strategic center for their regional operations.

“The Philippine office is a bridge for us in dealing with markets in Thailand and Vietnam,” said Lagemaat, who announced the firm’s plans to focus on the Asian markets especially with the developments in the US.

Lighthouse Software Cebu Inc. (LHSCI), a Europe-based global intellectual property expert and information service provider, recently announced their plans to further expand their operations in Cebu to meet growing needs for trademark database in the region.

Lighthouse Software Cebu Inc. started with only five employees in 2009 and now they have over 300 people working at their office in MEPZ 2.

Patrick Van Dun, managing director for Philippines, said they would hire at least 100 employees this month and end the year with 500 employees to beef up their operations in Cebu.

International trademark database is a major project in LHSCI, which is currently handling thousands of trademark data from 87 different countries in the world.

In the Philippines, their main operation is into processing patent, trademark and other IP- related content for global information providers.

The firm also offers translations and software and database solutions that will add more value to its international data projects.

“Sadly, in the Philippines, awareness about IP (intellectual property) is not that known yet among companies here and that is our challenge,” said Lagemaat.

He said that the firm was serving two foreign-owned companies here.

With the current challenges in the United States of America and Europe plus the pending Anti-Outsourcing Bill, Lagemaat said that the local markets would become more important for them in the coming years.

“In Cebu, we can serve any industry. Potential clients can be from the manufacturing and production industries,” said Lagemaat.

He said in Asia, they were seeing many production jobs going towards Vietnam from China because of the latter’s increasing labor and high inflation rates.

They also expect more locators mostly from manufacturing and outsourcing industries coming to the Philippines, which they saw as a huge market potential for IP, said Lagemaat.

Van Dun, for his part, said they could easily expand up to 2,000 employees in their current office in Mactan should the need for more people would arise.

Aside from the Philippines, Lighthouse IP Group also has subsidiary offices in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Belarus and the United States and in the process of expanding in other countries like Egypt, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and South Korea, which are set to open within this year.

Capitol lays down projects for 2012

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=768591
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 12:00 AM

By Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Following a stressful day participating in the Sinulog Grand Parade, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia launched back to work yesterday and announced what the provincial government intends to accomplish this 2012.

This week, province will hold another round of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, which will begin tomorrow until Friday. The targets for this round are the balikbayans and foreign visitors from France, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia who came to Cebu for the Sinulog.

With the Suroy-Suroy, the visitors will get to experience the Southern Heritage Trail of 22 cities and municipalities of southern Cebu for three days.

Meanwhile, Garcia said it is also imperative to set the wheels for the institutionalization of programs that she started such as the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals, the One Cebu Expo, and eGwen Program, among others.

Garcia said this is the reason why she appointed her daughter, lawyer Christina Garcia-Codilla Frasco, as consultant for the institutionalization of projects and programs.

The Manila Water Company, Inc. of Ayala Consortium has until end of January to respond to the challenge made by Cebu Bulk Water Consortium in the development of a P1.55 - billion Cebu Bulk Water Supply Project.

Meanwhile, bidders have until the end of this month to submit bids for the development of the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center and Drug Rehabilitation properties in Cebu City.

Garcia also hopes that the Ciudad Project “may finally get off the ground.” She said the commercial complex will not only benefit Cebu City in terms of taxes but will also provide alternative routs for vehicular traffic in the Banilad area.

On the other hand, the Camotes Island airstrip is also set for development. Garcia hopes to complete the bidding process by the first quarter of this year.

Also in the pipeline is the Sta. Fe airport in Bantayan Island. Garcia said province will settle the property issue within the first quarter and hope to be able to set the bidding process by the second quarter.

Also set for completion by either the first or second quarter are three provincial hospitals in Danao City, Balamban and Bogo City. The first provincial hospital in Carcar City was opened and became operational last year.

The Pilar island circumferential road is also set for completion by September this year, as reportedly promised by the contractor.

Palma lauds "unity" of Cebu officials

Source:www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=768311
Monday, January 16, 2012 12:00 AM

By Niña G. Sumacot and Ria Mae Y. Booc/FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma did not miss talking about the controversial Reproductive Health Bill in his homily during the Pontifical Mass for the fiesta celebration at the Basilica Del Sto. Niño.

“Mag-ampo kita na dili mao kini ang mudaog nga panghunahuna ug pagtuo ug dili kini mao ang hinungdan sa pagtapos sa kinabuhi sa kadaghanan ug labina sa kinabuhi sa kabataan,” Palma said.

Sto. Niño is the refuge of the Filipino family, Palma said, and like the Holy Child, we should protect and take care of our children.

“This (RH Bill) is a real threat sa mga kabataan og mag-ampo kita nga di mudaog nga mahimo kitang tigpanalipod sa mga kabataan. We must care for them and provide for their future,” he said.

Palma thanked the Sto. Niño because Cebu is allegedly united against the proposed measure.

Palma, who is president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, recalled calling government officials in Cebu after being installed as Archbishop here to get their stand on the issue.

The Archbishop said he was very thankful that most of the leaders in Cebu are “pro-life.”

He said education is the solution to poverty, rather than abortion and contraception.

“Salamat sa mga nagtuo sa kasagrado sa kinabuhi,” the Archbishop said.

Palma was also happy of the cooperation between the city and provincial governments of Cebu.

“We need one another. The city needs the province; the province needs the city ug nalipay kita sa nindot nga relasyon karon pinaagi sa ilang mga leader nga sila si Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ug Governor Gwen Garcia. Dunay unity ug pagtinabangay,” Palma said.

The archbishop said such unity between Cebu politicians hopefully would contaminate to other government officials in the country.

Palma then cited such unity should contaminate among the executive, judiciary, and legislative branches of the government.

“Aron sa atong pagkahiusa maghunahuna kita og mga proyekto nga makadala ug paglambo sa atong nasud,” he said.

The Archbishop also called on the people to take care of the environment.

Meanwhile, at least 300 residents from Bogo City traveled to pay homage to Sto. Niño on his feast day.

The devotees stayed on the sidewalk along Legaspi St. since Friday. Most of them said that it has been their yearly devotion to the Holy Child.

“Tulumanon namo nga kada-pista Senior dili namo makalimtan ang among mga pagpaningkamot,” said Lorenzo Ruiz of Barangay Bungtod, Bogo City.

Delio Lipod, 40, resident of Barangay Poblacion, also made it a habit for his family to spend days in Santo Niño church as part of their devotion every year.

Most of them however are selling candles to augment their expenses while in the city.

“Gamay pa ko buhi pa akong ginikanan naa nami ngari hangtod naminyo nako, ako napud ning ipasa sa akong mga anak,” Lipod said.

DENR to speed up cadastral survey

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=768045&publicationSubCategoryId=107
Sunday, January 15, 2012 12:00 AM

By Garry B. Lao/JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Central Visayas will fasttrack the cadastral survey in at least four municipalities in Cebu.

For this year, DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso said they aim to cover 73,661 hectares with a total budget of P163,090,115.76 for certain municipalities in Central Visayas.

The budget for Cebu is P49.879 million, covering the municipalities of Minglanilla, Argao, Tuburan, and Tabuelan with a total area of 25,710 hectares or 34.90 percent of the whole project.

According to Dichoso, they are also preparing the survey for selected towns in Negros Oriental, Bohol and Siquijor covering 73,661 hectares and costing P163.090 million.

The DENR was given a marching order from Malacañang to hasten and complete the cadastral survey of the country to support the government’s land titling, land use planning, taxation and internal revenue allotment (IRA) program for the various municipalities nationwide.

Dichoso said that reforms in the country’s land services is a must as it will improve the productivity of idle lands therefore boost economic prosperity.

Cadastral survey covers extensive areas such as an entire municipality or city consisting of several or many parcels of land undertaken for the purpose of land registration.

“The cadastral survey program is seriously pursued as it is instrumental in efficient patent distribution and accelerating countryside development,” Dichoso said.

Secretary Paje earlier issued DENR Administrative Order No. 2011-05 directing the Land Management Bureau to conduct an inventory and establish a database of abandoned cadastral survey projects.

A cadastral survey project is said to be abandoned when field activities are left unfinished after the period stipulated in the contract, when the contractor fails to correct survey defects within a prescribed period, or when the contractor fails to return survey project records and other violations of the contract.

Aside from Cebu, covered are the municipalities of Manjuyod, Pamplona, Dauin, and Zamboanguita of Negros Oriental with the biggest target of 37,456 hectares or 50.85 percent and a budget of 87.998 million for the survey.

Bohol has 5,158 hectares or seven percent coverage with a budget of P24.581 million to cover the municipalities of Tubigon, President Carlos Garcia, and Danao.

Siquijor has 5,337 hectares or 7.25 percent coverage with a budget of P630,000 covering the municipality of Maria.

The regional executive director was given the power to cancel abandoned survey projects, and to determine and impose the appropriate sanctions against erring geodetic engineers or survey contractors.

Thousands join solemn procession

Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/01/14/thousands-join-solemn-procession-200548
Saturday, January 14, 2012

(Sunnex)

CEBU CITY (2nd Update, 4:15 p.m.) -- Thousands of people from different areas in Cebu and even outside the province joined Saturday’s solemn procession in honor of Sr. Sto. Nino.

The foot penitential procession started around 1:30 p.m. at the Basilica del Sto. Nino with the images of St. Joseph and Birhen sa Guadalupe brought out first of the church.

The image of the Holy Child Jesus was brought out of the Basilica around 1:40 p.m. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma led the transfer of the image to its carriage adorned with flowers.

Church leaders and members of the Knights of Columbus led the procession, joined by families and students from different schools in the city, as well as politicians including Representative Eduardo Gullas, members of the Sinulog Foundation Inc., and even persons with disabilities.

In anticipation of intermittent rains, devotees of the Sto. Nino brought umbrellas during the procession. They also carried replicas of the Holy Child Jesus.

Security remains tight as of this posting Saturday. Students were fielded on the streets to help ensure security. Police and Army units were also deployed around the city for the solemn procession.

The Cebu City Government also declared a White Code alert, which required all medical units in the city to be on alert and position teams at the procession route.

Vehicular traffic was also temporarily rerouted to accommodate the thousands of devotees who joined the procession. The major roads affected are Osmena Blvd., Mango Avenue, Gen. Maxilom Ave., and MJ Cuenco Ave. The roads will be open later tonight.

As of this posting, the image of St. Joseph has arrived at the Basilica del Sto. Nino. The image of the Holy Child Jesus is still at Fuente Osmena.

DOT puts up counter at airport

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=767433&publicationSubCategoryId=107
Friday, January 13, 2012 12:00 AM

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) in partnership with Globe Telecom unveils a “special hospitality counter” at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport yesterday as part of the tourism agency’s continuing efforts to assist visitors.

The so-called “Pinoy Homecoming (PH) Counter” gives balikbayans access to special tours offered at discounted rates plus a welcome pack that contains discount coupons for over 700 partner hotels, spas, hospitals and other merchants as well as a Globe OFW SIM pack pre-loaded with a P50 credit that they can right away use.

The PH counter initially welcomed 140 balikbayans from Los Angeles and Seattle, USA yesterday with rondalla and Sinulog dancers. This DOT program complements the Balik Cebu campaign of the Cebu City Government.

The PH counter is the sixth of such facility installed by DOT in the country. It is being implemented by the DOT’s marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board.

With the slogan, “It’s more fun in the Philippines”, the PH campaign is targeting the millions of overseas Filipinos with foreign nationalities who can increase the number of the country’s tourist arrivals.

Started in December 2010, this campaign has gained commitments of support from leaders of various Filipino communities abroad.

“We are one with the Department of Tourism in helping balikbayans feel instantaneously at home upon their arrival in the Philippines. Globe strives to help our expat Pinoys keep that connection to home via relevant and meaningful products and services that cater to the needs of overseas Filipinos and help their loved-ones in the Philippines stay in touch with them,”said Jerry Yntig, head of External Affairs for Visayas and Mindanao of Globe Telecom.

DOT-7 Director Rowena Montecillo said that this program is part of DOT’s effort to increase by 25 percent the tourist arrivals in the next five years.

Montecillo said the program is designed to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to travel in the Philippines for reunions, conferences, missions and vacations and for this year the campaign has been expanded to include countries worldwide especially those with large concentration of OFWs.

DOH-7 to set up medical teams during Sinulog

Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=72311
Thursday, January 12, 2012

by Hazel Gloria (mbcn/hfg/PIA-7)

CEBU CITY, January 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH-7) in Central Visayas will set up 22 or more medical teams in the Sinulog procession route on January 14 and Sinulog celebration on January 15.

Health Emergency Management program coordinator Dr. Expedito Medalla, said each team is composed of a doctor, nurse, paramedics, communicator and a driver.

"There are one hundred or more people joining the emergency medical teams," Medalla continued.

Aside from the medical booths, DOH-7 is also coordinating with the Cebu Medical Society and other private and public hospitals to monitor emergency situations during the feast of Sr. Sto Niño.

In yesterday’s AGIO-7 Forum held at DOH-7 compound, Medalla requested the people who will join the procession and watch the Sinulog parade to be careful with their health. They should bring food, water or juices, medicines and other things they needed to prevent any health problems.

“For those people who are not feeling well, I would suggest that they just stay in-house and watch the event on tv,” he added.

On the other hand, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) leads the emergency responding team which is composed of Philippine Red Cross, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF), Basak Pardo Emergency Response and other medical groups.

Medalla also informed the media that they sent letter requests to all hospitals in Cebu City and nearby places to implement code white starting January 14 to 15 for them to be ready in any emergency situations during the Sinulog celebrations.

The DOH-7 also reported that there were no big injuries that happened in last year’s Sinulog celebration and it hopes for a peaceful and injury-free Sinulog this year.

Oslob acts to protect butandings

Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/347722/oslob-acts-protect-butandings
Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 4:29pm

By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

OSLOB, Cebu, Philippines — The increasing number of tourists coming to Oslob, a quiet, laidback town in the southern part of Cebu, to view the famed whale sharks or butanding, as they are called in the local dialect, which have appeared in waters here are alarming local officials, prompting the latter to enact an ordinance to protect the huge water mammals.

The ordinance, Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren said, seeks to regulate whale shark-watching activities in his town as tourists come in groups daily following media coverage of the presence of friendly butanding in Oslob's sea waters.

The ordinance requires the registration of fishermen to be allowed to guide tourists and handle the sea animals. It also strictly prohibits motorboats from going near the butanding, Guaren said.

The town plans to set up ticketing and briefing offices, the latter for giving visitors an orientation about the whale sharks and providing them with safety instructions.

Guaren said that since the whale sharks appearing in local waters here were featured by national media as well as by local newspapers, groups of divers have flocked daily to the site.

Vendors earning at new market

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=766536&publicationSubCategoryId=531
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 12:00 AM

By Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Vendors have expressed fears that they would lose their customers once they transfer to the new Mandaue City Public Market at the back of the sports complex at the North Reclamation Area but this does not seem to be the case.

Since the transfer last Sunday, consumers themselves started trooping to the new market after the city government allowed public utility vehicles to ferry passengers there. This is aside from the E-cars the Mandaue City Government has provided for those who want to go to the new market.

The old market was located near the Mandaue City Hall.

Market Administrator Mossulini Soliva said the new market is still in a transition period, but most of the vendors who have transferred there have started earning. The vendors continue to spruce up their stalls.

Soliva said the market is 99 percent occupied but there are still about 50 to 100 applicants who want to occupy stalls there. There are 1,400 stalls in the new market.

He said his office is now evaluating who among the applicants could occupy the few stalls left.

“Kon maka-avail pa sila dili na sila pwededng mamili kay sobra na man lang dyud sa pinilian ang nabilin, atong vegetable, chicken and fish stall puno na dyud,” Soliva said .

He also said those delinquent stall holders at the old market were not allowed to occupy stalls at the new market.

Meanwhile, Soliva said they will also check reports that a chicken supplier from the Carbon market in Cebu city was able to acquire a stall at the new Mandaue market and that existing chicken vendors fear that the supplier will monopolize sales there.

“Busa ako silang gi-ingnan to identify this person because, so far, when I came to check, legitimate stall holder man ang pwesto nga naka-assign sa gi-ingon nga stall, Once ma-identify nako ning tawhana, I will be calling his attention to instill good and fair price aron sad di mahagba ang negosyo sa uban. Maayo nga mu-come-up sila og common price ug bahala na lang unya ang mamalitay og asa mopalit,” Soliva said.

Tourism group asks govt to improve roads

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=766196&publicationSubCategoryId=107
Monday, January 9, 2012 12:00 AM

By Garry B. Lao/JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Tourism in the Philippines will be promoted further and effectively if the government agencies work together with the common goal of attracting tourists.

This is the view of the Tourism Educators and Movers (TEAM) Philippines founding chairman Robert Lim Joseph, who spoke before a gathering of tourism stakeholders in meeting recently.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other government line agencies should work hand in hand together the Department of Tourism (DOT) to ensure that all tourism-related efforts will not be put to waste,” Joseph said.

Joseph said the DPWH should take a look at the condition of roads around the country because roads bring the tourists from their hotels to their destinations.

The DILG, he added, can also compel local governments units to ensure proper disposal of garbage that are often found along the road.

“Roads are like veins, they connect straight to the destinations, like veins connect to the heart. Now our roads are so full of cholesterol,” said Joseph.

He urged the government to fast track infrastructure development especially roads that lead to major tourist destinations.

He also echoed the sentiments of some travel and tour operators who often receive comments from tourists regarding the presence of dilapidated tricycles, heaps of garbage and other eyesores along tourism roads around the country.

“Dirty and damage roads are major turn-offs and will leave negative impression on tourists,” said Joseph.

The local police should also take action on complaints of tourists who are victims of pickpockets especially by street children. Joseph said that these activities will prevent tourists from coming back and could discourage tourists from coming in.

Just recently, there was much debate about the new tourism slogan or campaign of the Depart of Tourism to promote the country. Critics have accused the national government of spending money for a slogan that was only copied from that of another country.

Muslim community to help secure Sinulog

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=765917&publicationSubCategoryId=107
Sunday, January 8, 2012 12:00 AM

By Ryan Christopher J. Sorote /FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The local Muslim community has promised to help the police ensure public safety and peaceful celebration of the Sinulog.

The assurance was given by the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos in Cebu City during a meeting with the police.

Cebu City Police Office intelligence chief Romeo Santander said that NCMF director Melo Manonggiring promised to help them in the monitoring and intelligence gathering of possible Muslim extremists coming to disturb the Sinulog activities.

“Vital kaayo nga impormasyon ang ilang ma-hatag nato gikan Mindanao,” Manonggiring said.

Santander said, Manonggiring offered to lend some of their willing volunteers to help the police maintain the peace and order during the Grand Parade and other Sinulog activities.

The police received intelligence reports that two “Muslim militants” are allegedly planning to disturb the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila and the Sinulog in Cebu.

Santander, however, assured the public that this will not happen in Cebu. “Dili na mahitabo ,” he stressed.

Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Ramon Buenafe has thanked the local Muslim community for their support.

The director said that like Cebunos, most of Muslim migrants have considered the city as their home, away from home, and a place for good business, adding that he hopes for the same enthusiasm in the future.

He said that the local muslim community is very big and well organized. In fact, there are at least 160 Muslim leaders in Cebu with 20 members each.

MCWD, Maynilad ink deal to study Cebu water sources

Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/123941/mcwd-maynilad-ink-deal-to-study-cebu-water-sources
Saturday, January 7, 2012 9:02 am

Rhea Ruth V. Rosell(Correspondent)

THE Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is tapping the Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) to study how to develop and enhance the surface water sources in Cebu.

Armando H. Paredes, general manager of MCWD, said yesterday that the local water firm had signed an agreement or a memorandum of understanding with Maynilad to address the increasing demand for potable water among the residents of Cebu.

Paredes said the the demand of water in Cebu had been increasing by 3 percent to 5 percent each year.

Since MCWD is in urgent need of an additional source of potable water, Maynilad will submit a project proposal for surface water source development, including the supply of bulk potable water, pipe-laying activities for unserved areas in Cebu and rehabilitation or replacement of existing mainlines and septage management.

Maynilad is a private corporation, managed by consortium made up of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and the DMCI Holdings Inc. The consortium took over the firm in 2007.

Maynilad is a water service provider for the West Zone of the greater Metro Manila area.

The agreement will ask Maynilad to submit a project proposal, which will include a feasibility study to determine the water demand, quantity and quality of water that could be drawn from certain identified water sources within or outside Cebu, average non-revenue water (NRW) of MCWD, and the total investment required to undertake the project.

Victorio P. Vargas, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Maynilad said that they are hiring a group of consultants and engineers to conduct the feasibility study.

Vargas explained that the feasibility study would be done in six months so that they could submit a proposal to MCWD to provide additional water supply in Cebu.

Maynilad will be hiring foreign consultants to help with the study.

Vargas said that Maynilad was planning to have a rehabilitation program and water source and distribution at no cost to the water district.

Paredes, for his part, said that the feasibility study would be conducted within the coverage area of the MCWD.

Meanwhile, Rep. Tomas Osmena, Cebu City south district, said that the government would monitor the needs of the MCWD.

Osmeña said that the government will also validate whether Maynilad can do something for the public and to “direct them of the different possiblities”.

“I hope that they (MCWD) should consider the policy of pricing.” Osmeña told reporters.

Osmeña said that the pricing of water should be “demand driven.”

Terminal adds to Cebu coffers

Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/347223/terminal-adds-cebu-coffers
Friday, January 6, 2012, 8:09pm

By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

CEBU, Philippines – The Provincial Government of Cebu has earned an additional income of P54.5 million from the operations of the Cebu South Bus Terminal for 2011, which is P1.6 million higher than the P52.863 million in 2010.

In the last two months alone, November and December 2011, prior to the holiday season, the terminal was able to collect more than P10 million in income, said Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre.

The income is generated from passenger terminal fees of P5 each; bus terminal fees of P10 each entry, and stall rent and comfort room use fees.

While Cebu had a target of P50 million last year, Salubre said they are raising the cap for 2012 and have set a P60 million target.

Salubre is hopeful the target will be met because of the vibrant economic activities in the city and the province of Cebu as a whole.

Almost all stalls in the second floor of the terminal building are now occupied. But Salubre emphasized that income generation is only second to the main objective of providing efficient service to the riding public.

“Sometimes, service is sacrificed for income,” Salubre said.

At first the collection of the P5 terminal fee for each passenger was met with criticism. But Salubre said after they were able to control individuals entering the terminal premises, the comfort and security improved. The waiting area is also air-conditioned.

When the terminal opened in 2009, it was already projected to gain P50 million which came into reality a year later.

Passengers need no longer worry about overcrowding and pickpockets in the terminal because of the presence of security personnel.

Past Forward: The success that is Tabuelan

Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/122883/the-success-that-is-tabuelan
Thursday, January 5, 2012 9:00 am

By Jobers Bersales

If Tabuelan town is going to be a portent of things to come in 2012, then it will be a most especially rewarding year for museums and heritage advocacy.

Yesterday, officials of this northwestern Cebu town’s 12 barangays underwent training on museum development planning under the auspices of the municipal government led by the dynamic young couple of Mayor Rex Gerona and her first lady, Marifi. Museo Sugbo and the Committee on Sites, Relics and Structures of the Cebu Provincial Tourism and Heritage Council were on hand to provide the technical expertise and hands-on training on exhibit storyline conceptualization, exhibition designing and artifact accessioning and cataloguing.

Tabuelan already caught the eye of the province long before this, of course, ranking second overall in the annual Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures Our Cebu (eGwen Our Cebu), the program initiated in 2008 by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to measure and evaluate the performance of municipalities and cities under the Province of Cebu in all aspects, from governance and infrastructure to environment; from culture, heritage and tourism to education, sanitation, and health. Tabuelan ranks second to San Francisco but only because the latter has long started an internationally recognized and acclaimed community-based waste management program that no less than the United Nations recognized and made an international model.

When we first carried out this particular cluster of the Cebu Provincial Heritage Caravans, which included Tabuelan in 2005, its officials initially confessed that they could think of no heritage resources. After undergoing the heritage trainings, lo and behold, Tabuelan was one of the very first to submit their own cultural map and inventory, which listed over 1,000 sites, structures and artifacts/objects. The town was proof that one need not be a vibrant pueblo during the Spanish colonial period to land in the books on heritage. It too has its own ancestral houses dating to the 1920s as much as it also had archaeological sites (albeit looted in the 1960s and 70s), and its folklore and traditional livelihood practices were as vibrant as those of other towns. And its beaches and caves were equally awesome.

Tabuelan caught the attention of eGWEN evaluators when in 2008 it began marking its heritage sites, using small printed tarps that boldly proclaimed every ancestral house, every heritage tree and every natural heritage spot that it had documented from 2005 to 2007. It, therefore, came as no surprise that Tabuelan was ranked number 1 by the heritage component evaluation team for establishing barangay-based museums in 2009, a successful best practice in trickling down technical knowledge on heritage documentation and cultural mapping from the municipality to the barangay and even purok or sitio.

Last year, Tabuelan once again made news when it announced that it would formalize the establishment of museums in all of its 12 barangays even as it prepared to rehabilitate its old municipal hall and convert it into a museum and visitor center. This is unprecedented in any town in the country today. Whereas one local government official in another northwestern Cebu town berated eGWEN evaluators recently and even derided museums and heritage programs as frivolities. Tabuelan is showing the way in proving that pride of place always begins at the lowest levels of governance to be harnessed to instill cooperation in all aspects of the municipality’s life. There is, for Tabuelan, nothing to be ashamed of in showing to the world its culture and its past even as it moves the town into the future.

It was against this overwhelming spirit of cooperation that the training we conducted proceeded. Seventy officials attended and began planning their museum so that each will be different in content and theme from the other and yet all will weave an interrelated showcasing of livelihoods, of local histories, artistry and skills while designing interactive, experiential or hands-on exhibits on farming systems, fishing practices, traditional healing systems and even the Pulahan movement in the town and the devastation wrought by World War II.

We should expect therefore more news coming out of this tiny yet vibrant municipality as it works with its barangays with the constant support of the governor and the Provincial Tourism and Heritage Council.

Truly Tabuelan is one town worth emulating. Padayon Tabuelan!

Noynoy, Binay invited to Sinulog

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=764728&publicationSubCategoryId=107
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 12:00

(Jessica Ann R. Pareja , BRP - Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is inviting President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay to attend the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 15.

All systems are ready for the series of events which will start with tomorrow’s opening salvo, the Walk with Jesus, to be followed by the Sinulog 2012 kickoff on Friday.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros said that the P1.7-million stage which features the Skyline of Cebu City is almost finished.

This year’s Sinulog celebration will portray more of Cebu as a City of Culture, which is a title bestowed on Cebu City by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations last year.

The production cost, which covers everything except the prizes for the competition, runs from P35 million to P40 million.

Ballesteros said the prizes and aid to contingents has increased to P20 million from P12 million last year.

The grand prize is P1 million which is double than last year’s prize, SFI also increased the aid to contingents from P100,000 to P150,000.

There will be 12 official out-of-town contingents this year. The contingents from Cebu shall be decided during the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan on Saturday and the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan on Sunday.

Ballesteros said that they have asked the P20,777,000 cost for the prizes and assistance from the city government. The P40 million production cost shall be sourced from ticket sales, revenue generating activities and sponsorships from the private sector.

Of the P40 million production cost, P2.5 million shall be set aside for the grand finale, a 30-minute show featuring the creative industries of Cebu.

Representative Rachel “Cutie” del Mar who joined last year’s grand finale will also be dancing in the grand finale this year.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will be dancing with the Argao Contingent for her annual devotion while Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will officiate the opening mass on January 15.

Cebu's tourism economy gets a boost in 2011 from “Suroy-Suroy” program by Amor Saludar

Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=70769
Tuesday, January 3, 2012

by Amor Saludar(FCR/AS/PIA-Cebu)

CEBU CITY, January 3 (PIA) –- Cebu’s tourism economy rose 13 percent higher in 2011 compared to the previous year, the National Statistical Coordinating Board (NSCB) reported.

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale attributed this positive development to the intensified efforts of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s “Suroy- Suroy sa Sugbo.”

“Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo” is a program of the Cebu Provincial Government, where foreign and domestic tourists are treated to the different local tourism sites and unique culture of the Cebuanos by visiting the different towns and cities of the province from south to north.

Tourists are joined by the governor herself to personally conduct the tour and show off the various tourist destinations to the group of visitors.

The same NSCB report stated that 75 percent of the tourists’ pocket money was really spent here in Cebu during their vacation stay in the different tourist destinations of the province.

Magpale declared the program has tremendously contributed in uplifting the economic status of the province due to the increasing volume of tourists that also boosted the income of Cebu.

Cebu economy in 2012: Business sees brighter picture

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=763976&publicationSubCategoryId=107
Monday, January 2, 2012 12:00 AM

( NLQ (FREEMAN))

CEBU, Philippines - After failing to attain what had been a 'rosy' outlook for 2011, Cebu's business community is hoping to see the turn-around of the economy at the start of 2012.

This is, however, mainly hinged on what would happen to the economies of the United States and the European Union.

"If the government lets go of its spending in 2012, it could push more economic activities. What happened in 2011 was-money of the government intended to pump prime the economy was being held. And yet, Cebu in particular continued to hold its leadership in economic growth in the country," said Cebu Business Club (CBC) president Gordon Alan "Dondi" Joseph.

While the government's expected spending on infrastructure projects is seen to boost the country's economy in 2012, Joseph said Cebu may not be able to fully enjoy this "economic pump-priming" as most of the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) projects are to be implemented in Luzon area.

Although, there is continuous confidence and positive anticipation for 2012's entry to real "economic turn-around" specifically for Cebu, Philippine Retailers Association (PRA-Cebu) chairman Jay P. Aldeguer believes that economic growth is also threatened by calamities and many other factors.

According to Aldeguer, the tourism, real estate, and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors are still the "bread-winner" industries for Cebu in the "Year of the Dragon."

"We are expecting a better year for 2012, but also we are preparing for volatile growth because of the crises being faced by United States and Europe," said Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Samuel Chioson.

What is needed to push the gear to economic strength for Cebu in 2012, despite external threats, is to strengthen expertise in achieving "inclusive growth," that will not largely depend on external inflows, but growth derived from local industries such as tourism, Joseph said.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) regional director Asteria Caberte projected that employment opportunities for Cebu in 2012 will rise to its highest level, not only prompted by the new investments and expansion in the BPO industry, but also because of the anticipated transfer of some manufacturing companies from Thailand to the Philippines.

Caberte said, Cebu in particular has to prepare for the influx of manufacturing related investments by 2012 that would bring in more employment opportunities and additional economic activities.

"Thailand for now, can never be an option, and the Philippines is a better option for investors," said Caberte.

She added that although the Philippines still has to catch up in competing with other attractive investment destinations in manufacturing such as Vietnam, "we still have an edge over other countries."

The good business environment and the streamlining of business processes-which makes it easy for businessmen to transact business in the Philippines, are just among the few advantages that the Philippines has.

Aside from manufacturing investments, Caberte said tourism is also one of the direct beneficiaries of Thailand's problem as more tourists will reconsider their choice of vacation and leisure destination.

The garments, gifts, toys, and houseware as well as other manufacturing related sectors are seen to register good growth in 2012, she said.

Economist Bernardo M. Villegas, of the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) believes that Cebu will gain further economic momentum in 2012 largely fueled by BPO, tourism, manufacturing, agri-business, creative industries, logistics, and others.

"Cebu is very lucky because it has a good mix of sunrise industries," the well known economist said referring to the good positioning of Cebu to thrive economically, amid the country's fragile economic condition.

Likewise, Cebu is seen to leverage on its four "Fs" strength -- food, fashion, furniture and fun -- which is closely linked with tourism and entertainment.

Exports, which used to be one of the region's "bread-winners" is still going to face challenging future-at least in the first few months in 2012.

"Exports will be very difficult, that is why most exporters are now shifting or diversifying into real estate," Villegas said.

Despite this bright outlook for Cebu, Villegas emphasized the threat that the province faces that could hamper its drive to achieve unprecedented growth in 2012. He said that the threat of power shortage should be addressed immediately and given utmost attention.

The reality now, Villegas said is a lot of companies and businesses are going out from Metro Manila, and consider in transferring elsewhere. One of the most attractive sites is Cebu.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Eric N. Mendoza said the Cebu business community is anticipating for the big projects of the government and hopefully it could trickle help boost economic activities down in the Southern part of the country, Cebu included.

Although, there is a general positive outlook for 2012, with real estate expected to double its dynamism in Cebu, with the increasing flow of investments in BPO, and upbeat tourism figures, Mendoza said Cebu is still cautious of the possible effects of the economic downturn of the European zone, and the under-recovered US economy.

CCCI chairman for Information Communication Technology (ICT) Committee Jerry Rapes said BPO companies operating in Cebu are expected to hire more people in 2012, while new big names in world's BPO/IT and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) are looking at the province as top pick for an offshore site.

Cebu was declared by Tholons as an "Emerged BPO Destination in the World" 2011, but it needs to immediately address the manpower resource problem.

At present, the BPO/IT sector in Cebu is employing around 60,000 people. This number is seen to double or triple even within a year or two, if quality manpower is available.

CCCI past president Francis O. Monera also said that BPO industry will continue to propel Cebu's economy being one of the province's major economic drivers, and is poised to further improve the coming year/s.

"Demand for BPO services is expected to surge as more companies abroad seek to implement reduction of operational costs while aiming to achieve operational efficiency," said Monera, who is also the president of Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI), the developer of Cebu Business Park and Asiatown IT Park.

Monera reported that in the Cebu Business Park and Asiatown IT Park, there are over 35,000 workers.

"This industry has indeed played a key role in employment generation. Plans are underway for us to start construction on a BPO building within Cebu Business Park, as well as the third sequel to the eBloc Tower within the I.T. Park."

With this development, Monera said, the players from the private sector, the academe and the local government have collaborated to improve human capital to increased the manpower pool via proficiency/certification, retraining, and jobs-skills matching programs. There are also intensified programs that support infrastructure and tourism service to strengthen the investment climate in Cebu.

Significantly, as Cebu sees tourism as its "star" economic driver for the province, Aldeguer, who also a tourism capitalist, said players in the sector are expecting that the new leadership of the Department of Tourism (DOT) would set the proper direction for the industry.

The Philippines, in general, according to Aldeguer, needs proper pushing and new DOT secretary Ramon Jimenez seemed to get what needs to be done.

The aggressive push of tourism, however, needs to address the problem of infrastructure in order to be successful, Aldeguer said.

PB sees a bright 2012

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=763931&publicationSubCategoryId=107
Sunday, January 1, 2012 12:00 AM

By Gregg M. Rubio/MIT (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board sees year 2012 as a bright year for barangays in the Province of Cebu under the leadership of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

This was expressed by assistant majority floor leader Board Member Joven Mondigo, Jr. of the 4th district, following the smooth passage of this year’s budget for Cebu province.

The PB approved the proposed P3.6 billion budget for Cebu province for 2012 last December 12 without any hitches.

“Aduna kita’y hayag ug daghan nga mga proyekto nga umaabot sa probinsya ubos sa landong ni Governor Gwen Garcia,” Mondigo said.

Mondigo said that while the board members are cooperative to the programs and projects of the administration, Garcia also poured in projects to their barangays.

“Nasayud ako nga daghan kaayo nga proyekto sama sa naandan, nga gipangapod-apod sa atong pinangga nga governor,” he further said.

Garcia submitted to the PB the P3.6 billion proposed budget for 2012, 18 percent higher than last year’s P3.01 billion.

The 2012 budget is the biggest in the province’s history.

Of the amount, P1.7 billion was allocated for social services; P1 billion for general services; and P791 million for economic services. The annual investment plan has P776 million while the general public services got P447.2 million.

The Office of the Vice Governor was allotted P38.3 million, which is 111 percent higher than last year’s budget while the PB has P97.5 million, 140 percent higher than last year’s appropriation.

Budgets for major development projects next year include P160 million for the construction, rehabilitation, furnishing and maintenance of hospitals and birthing centers; P256 million for water supply development programs; P170 million for airport, seaport, reclamation and other economic enterprise site development programs; and P40 million for the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges and highways.

Other major appropriations include the P65 million for peace and order programs; P25 million for confidential and intelligence expenses programs; P17 million for college scholarship grants; P30 million for the expanded green and wholesome environment that nurtures program; the five percent lump sum in the amount of P98.6 for million local disaster risk reduction and management fund (calamity fund); P98 million for Provincial Development Assistance Fund; P111 million for hospital and health supplies and equipments; P68 million PhilHealth program; and P28 million for roads and bridges maintenance.

Difference between revisions of "Cebu Province News January 2012"

Latest revision as of 08:35, 10 February 2012

Contents

Gov seeks advice of Cebu solons

Floating Deck

Swimming with the whale sharks

Cebu Coop Targets 50,000 Members

Yokohama eyes ties with Cebu

DOST-7 pushes MSME productivity improvement

Endorse Bohol-Cebu bridge project

Cebu's digital forensic lab opens

Ecology groups to push Danajon reef protection

Suroy Suroy now 'international' - Gwen

Health, wellness sector expects positive 2012

DOST-7 to launch SETUP product catalogue tomorrow

2012 trade projections, feng shui to highlight Cebu business forum

IT firm eyes Asian market, hires more workers

Capitol lays down projects for 2012

Palma lauds "unity" of Cebu officials

DENR to speed up cadastral survey

Thousands join solemn procession

DOT puts up counter at airport

DOH-7 to set up medical teams during Sinulog

Oslob acts to protect butandings

Vendors earning at new market

Tourism group asks govt to improve roads

Muslim community to help secure Sinulog

MCWD, Maynilad ink deal to study Cebu water sources

Terminal adds to Cebu coffers

Past Forward: The success that is Tabuelan

Noynoy, Binay invited to Sinulog

Cebu's tourism economy gets a boost in 2011 from “Suroy-Suroy” program by Amor Saludar

Cebu economy in 2012: Business sees brighter picture

PB sees a bright 2012

Navigation menu

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+==Gov seeks advice of Cebu solons ==
+*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=773032
+*Tuesday, January 31, 2012 12:00 AM
+:By Gregg M. Rubio/BRP (The Freeman)
+CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she met with the six Cebu representatives at the Marco Polo Plaza last Thursday to ask their counsel as to her options when her third and last term as governor ends in 2013.
+The meeting was also to show the continued alliance between One Cebu, Alayon and Barug Alang sa Kalamboan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) parties since the past two elections in the local level, said Garcia.
+Garcia clarified that they traditionally have Christmas dinner together but they had to push it back this time because they could not get their schedules together due to so many activities.
+The options discussed included running for senator as far as the 2013 election is concerned, running for Congress or another local position, or possibly going back to private life.
+“I got very, very good inputs from the congressmen and I value always their wise counsel especially since they been in politics longer than I,” Garcia said in a press conference yesterday.
+Garcia emphasized during the meeting that as president of the One Cebu party, her decision will be based on what will be good for Cebu and will not be a unilateral decision.
+“And I said, I would even be willing to sacrifice my own personal political advancement if it meant that by so doing we can protect the gains that we have achieved and see to it Cebu continues on this path of unprecedented growth and development,” Garcia said.
+Garcia warned that if anyone from the opposition will take over as governor, Cebu will be “back to square one”.
+She recalled how her opponents threatened to discontinue her projects and programs during the 2010 elections.
+“I will continue to seek wise counsel from our congressmen and from others that have the good of Cebu in their hearts,” Garcia said.
+When asked if had the support of the six congressmen if she decides to run for the Senate, Garcia said that none of them disagreed considering they have been allies since the past two elections and their alliance has been tried and tested in the local level.
+==Floating Deck==
+*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349818/floating-deck
+*Monday, January 30, 2012, 7:06pm
+:by Phoebe Jen Indino (Manila Bulletin Visayas Newsbits #1)
+ASTURIAS, Cebu, Philippines — A simple floating deck in a protected marine sanctuary which was originally designed as a surveillance area is becoming a new tourist site in this town. Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan disclosed that the area where the floating deck is situated is within a marine sanctuary that they are protecting from dynamite or any kind of illegal fishing activities. “We established the floating deck for the guards to patrol the seas at night to ensure no illegal fishing activities will take place in the area,” Adlawan said. The floating deck made of bamboo and hard wood is also strongly supported by big plastic drums that can accommodate some 50 people.
+==Swimming with the whale sharks==
+*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/01/29/swimming-whale-sharks-203147
+*Sunday, January 29, 2012
+:(LAP of Sun.Star Cebu)
+CEBU CITY -- While the tourism industry in Tan-awan is booming, the barangay and the Municipal Government cannot agree on the income-sharing scheme drawn by the town hall.
+An ordinance passed by the Municipal Council provides that fees from visitors be divided into 60 percent to participating fishermen, 30 percent to the Municipal Government and 10 percent for the barangay.
+Tan-awan Barangay Councilor James Marimat said the barangay is proposing that its share be increased to 20 percent and the Municipal Government’s share be lowered to 20 percent.
+CEBU. Domestic and foreign tourists flock to Tan-awan, Oslob to come close to whale sharks, causing nature conservationists to worry about the effect of mass tourism on the sea creatures. (Contributed photo/Rianne Tecson)
+He said the barangay should have a bigger share because it is the one directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the whale shark tourism industry.
+“Kun wa ang taga tourism, kami gud ang naa diha sa briefing area. Kami pa gyud ang kasab-an o basolon sa mga taw kun magkina-unsa (If the municipal tourism officer is not present, we are the ones who take care of the briefing area. We also get the flak when things go wrong),” he told Sun.Star in an interview.
+Ramonito Lagahid, Oslob Whale Shark Wardens’ Association (Owwa) president, said fishermen-boatmen also want their share increased.
+Boatmen get P180 for every non-Oslob resident who watches the whale shark on their boats.
+Lagahid said the amount is not enough for the efforts of fishermen-boatmen who still have to catch krill at night so they have something to feed the whale sharks during the day.
+:Sharing
+“Ang pangayo nila na isirado nalang gyud P200 kay kun taga Oslob ang bisita, menos baya ang bayad (Fishers are asking for P200 because the fee for Oslob residents is lower),” he said.
+Oslob residents pay only P30 each to see the whale sharks. Of the amount, fishermen-boatmen get only P18.
+Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren told Sun.Star Cebu over the phone that he has not heard of the fishermen and the barangay’s opposition to the sharing scheme.
+“They are satisfied with the sharing scheme,” he said, adding that the Municipal Government’s share of the fees will be used to implement projects to improve tourism facilities in Tan-awan.
+Among the plans of the Municipal Government is to build boats that can be used by the fishermen to bring tourists to the feeding area.
+Owwa has 21 boats, which are being used in whale shark watching. Some of these boats can accommodate only one person but others can carry as many as four.
+Guaren said the town will also build an appropriate briefing center.
+On conservationists’ view that feeding can be disadvantageous to the whale sharks, the mayor said the giant sea creatures are free to hunt for food.
+:Observation
+Still, Guaren said, he has directed fishermen to observe the whale sharks for three months to determine if the practice of feeding the creatures has adverse effects.
+The fishermen’s observations can be used by a technical working group (TWG) created by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to draft management plans for the whale sharks in Tan-awan.
+The TWG, Guaren said, is made up of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local government representatives and experts from the private sector.
+The findings of the TWG, he said, will be used as basis for “refining” the ordinance on the whale shark watching industry in the town.
+More people are expected to visit Tan-awan to see the whale sharks, as news about their presence spreads in online social networks.
+But even some of those who are in awe of the gigantic creatures are concerned about the lack of appropriate management policies in Tan-awan.
+Melendres said the “no touching” policy and regulating the number of people and boats in the area at one time should be strictly enforced.
+:Limits
+Some semblance of control on the number of people and boats in the feeding area is in place, but only because Owwa has a limited number of boats.
+Even then, boats sometimes hit whale sharks in the fishermen’s — or their guests’ — eagerness to go near the sharks. Some sharks have wounds and scars on the head.
+The Shark Trust and the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme advise whale shark watchers to enter the water quietly and to avoid making noises or sharp movements — like too much splashing — in the presence of the sharks.
+The shark conservation groups also advise against duck-diving, particularly near the head and tail of the shark or swimming underneath the creature.
+While whale sharks are gentle creatures, their tails are powerful and can injure anyone or anything they hit.
+Shark Trust recommends that the number of people in the water should be limited to 12 at any given time.
+:Economy
+Without a doubt, the whale sharks’ presence has improved the income of fisherfolk in Tan-awan.
+Reymond Soriano, 16, and his father have a boat that can carry only one guest at a time. But even then, Reymond admitted that his family’s income has improved because of the whale sharks.
+Apart from the Owwa fishermen, other Tan-awan residents have also cashed in on the whale sharks’ presence by selling food to visitors. Some residents rent out life vests at P30 each.
+At present, it is not known what Tan-awan fisherfolk will do when the whale sharks go on their migratory route. The sharks are known to migrate in spring — generally around April to May — to the central west coast of Australia.
+John Richardson, conservation officer of United Kingdom - based Shark Trust, said authorities in Cebu should put in place a management system that “follows guidelines designed to protect the sharks from disturbance and injury, while at the same time giving people an amazing opportunity to see” the whale sharks.
+“If this (management) is done correctly, the whale sharks may continue to return each year, which is good … for the local economy and residents,” said Richardson in an e-mail.
+==Cebu Coop Targets 50,000 Members==
+*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349555/cebu-coop-targets-50000-members
+*Saturday,January 28, 2012, 6:26pm
+:By PHOEBE JEN INDINO
+CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — Gearing to hit its P1 billion asset target by 2016, the Cebu Peoples Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CPMPC) is doubling its recruitment efforts to attain 50,000 members by the end of 2015.
+“With the aggressive recruitment campaign being waged by coop leaders and members, we are optimistic about gaining 50,000 members before 2016,” said CPMPC Chief Executive Officer Macario Quevedo.
+Quevedo however stressed that while the campaign to gain members for the coop will be aggressive in mode, “the coop will be considering looking into the quality of potential members.”
+He disclosed that the coop was able to generate P439 million last year in terms of asset, an amount exceeding their P400 million target for 2011.
+“We were able to surpass the target due to the aggressive implementation of our marketing programs even as our members are now actively recruiting members for the cooperative,” Quevedo said.
+Meanwhile, the CPMPC officer admitted that although CPMPC membership dipped in the last four years, this drop has not affected the generation of assets because delinquent accounts were only deferred.
+“Members with delinquency issues were deferred, as part of our cleansing process, but they will be given the option to become members again as soon as they can settle their dues,” Quevedo stressed.
+The CPMPC has 12 branches spread all over Cebu with over 22,000 active adult members. It also has active business partnerships with cooperatives in nearby provinces like Leyte.
+Meanwhile, Quevedo said that the CPMPC intends to strengthen the implementation of the coop’s Business Responsibility Center (BRC) wherein each CPMPC branch is expected to locally generate their own funds.
+Said BRC conceptual framework emphasizes that each branch’s income is recognized as a result of the collective effort of officers, members, and staff, with the support of head office management.
+“With the BRC, we want that each branch should be independent as we want to promote competition and cooperation at the same time,” said Quevedo.
+==Yokohama eyes ties with Cebu==
+*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349445/yokohama-eyes-ties-with-cebu
+*Friday, January 27, 2012, 4:48pm
+:By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.
+CEBU CITY, Philippines -- Yokohama City, one of the most successful cities in Japan, particularly in terms of urbanization, is eyeing a partnership with Cebu City and Cebu Province.
+Yokohama City wants to establish a Memorandum of Understanding with Cebu Province through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The partnership aims to address urban and environmental issues.
+Kimihiro Kuromizu, director of International Technical Cooperation of Yokohama City, visited the Capitol recently and informed Garcia of the planned cooperation.
+Tanaka Yasushi, deputy director general of Southeast Asia and Pacific Department of JICA, who was with Kuromizu, said they will also seek the involvement of the Cebu Provincial Government as the issues that they will be addressing extend to Metro Cebu.
+Yasushi said they are hoping that the province will partner with Yokohama either directly or through the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board, which is chaired by Garcia.
+Garcia, for her part, believes that the plan will be beneficial to Cebu. She said she will go to Yokohama as soon as she receives a written invitation.
+“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to achieve a most beneficial relation between JICA in their wish to help us and the MCDCB,” the governor said.
+JICA will be the one to provide both the technical assistance and funds to realize the programs.
+==DOST-7 pushes MSME productivity improvement==
+*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349371/dost7-pushes-msme-productivity-improvement
+*Thursday, January 26, 2012, 7:01pm
+:By MALOU M. MOZO
+CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – Micro, small and medium-scale enterprises in the Visayas (MSMEs) are strongly urged by the Department of Science and Technology in Central Visayas (DoST-7) to improve their productivity and creativity if they are to become highly competitive in both local and foreign markets.
+DoST-7 director Rene Burt Llanto said many MSMEs in the region have yet to avail themselves of DoST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (Setup), which is designed to help MSMEs in adopting innovations to improve their operations.
+“Innovation is the key to sustaining one’s business today. Without this, businesses will never improve and remain stagnant,” Llanto said.
+He said DoST-7 can assist about a hundred MSMEs each year, but only from 30 to 40 such firms avail of the Setup program annually.
+As part of efforts to promote the program, DoST 7 launched recently a product catalogue featuring MSMEs that employed the program to help improve operations.
+The 91-page product catalogue features 42 of the 82 MSMEs assisted by DoST-7 through Setup since 2002.
+The agency informed that the Setup program provides manpower training, technical assistance and consultancy services. It assists MSMEs in establishing product standards and a database information system, and provides funds for technology acquisition.
+The program assists MSMEs engaged in food processing, furniture, marine and aquatic resources, horticulture, metals and engineering, and handicrafts, among others.
+Setup was launched by the former Arroyo administration to recognize the role of MSMEs in generating employment, earning foreign exchange and stimulating growth and development the country, particularly in rural areas.
+==Endorse Bohol-Cebu bridge project==
+*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=771108
+*Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:00 AM
+:By Angeline Valencia (The Freeman)
+TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The DPWH must endorse now the proposed multi-billion-peso Bohol-Cebu Friendship Bridge project that would connect the islands of Cebu and Bohol.
+This endorsement was sought by Rep. Erico Aumentado (2nd district, Bohol) in his letter to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson recently, saying that the previous administration had already endorsed it to the NEDA and to the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for funding.
+The project would make land trip easier between the two provinces, bring additional power supply from Cebu’s power plant to Bohol, advanced telecommunications technology via fiber optics set through the bridge, and accelerate the dispersal of industries from Cebu to Bohol, especially the northeast corridor, said Aumentado.
+“The bridge can accelerate the symbiotic exchange of excess water from Bohol after satisfying its domestic needs while Cebu can send power, expected to be a surplus by 2015 because of the development of coal-fired plants now. Bohol is limited to developing hydroelectric power as other forms can be detrimental to its environment which is the anchor of its eco-cultural and adventure tourism,” he said.
+Aumentado wanted the DPWH to endorse his proposal for technical assistance for the project, including a grant for the conduct of a feasibility study and detailed engineering design, telling Singson that he already initiated back-channel talks with the proper Korean government authorities on the matter.
+The congressman explained that KOICA provides official development assistance from its government funds kept at the Korea Export-Import Bank called the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), saying that he was confident that Korea will favorably consider the ODA grant to finance the project.
+“The bridge can be constructed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law. This early, a group of Chinese financiers as well as the International Bridge Construction Company of California have expressed interest in undertaking the project either through BOT or the Build-Operate-Own scheme which means the Philippine government will not spend a single centavo for it,” Aumentado said.
+Aside from endorsement to Koica and the Eximbank-EDCF, the solon also asked Singson to endorse it also to the NEDA Investments Coordinating Committee Technical Board (ICC-TB) chaired by Deputy Director General Rolando Tungpalan and other appropriate authorities in order to complete the process.
+Copies of his request to DPWH were also furnished to Eximbank’s country director Man Hwan Park, KOICA-Philippines resident representative Kim Jinoh, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Mayors Adelino Sitoy of Cordova in Cebu and Cary Camacho of Getafe in Bohol.
+The bridge’s end-points or anchors would be Getafe in Bohol and Cordova in Cebu, spanning a distance of 17.5 kilometers only. Between the two are the Olango and Hilotongan Channels, some islets, shoals and shallow seawaters. “This augurs well for a simple design and easy construction of the bridge,” said Aumentado.
+The Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Bohol, which Aumentado headed in the past, had already endorsed the project through a resolution in 2009.
+The original resolution further got endorsement from the Central Visayas Regional Development Council, chaired before by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, requesting DPWH for its own endorsement of the project to the EDCF
+==Cebu's digital forensic lab opens==
+*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349121/cebus-digital-forensic-lab-opens
+*Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 4:43pm
+:By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.
+CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — The first digital forensic laboratory in Cebu is now operational after the facility was inaugurated in the Capitol-owned lot in Sudlon, Lahug where the Cebu Provincial Police Office is also located.
+The blessing and inauguration was attended by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Atty. Samuel Pagdilao Jr.
+Bartolome said that with Cebu’s growing tourism, the police “need to level up” its act.
+He added that the laboratory is “instrumental to our objective in the increase of the crime solution efficiency to address the needs and demands of the public.”
+Pagdilao, meantime, is grateful to the provincial government for providing CIDG with the facility that will help speed up the investigation of crimes. He also said this will help prepare law enforcement agencies learn more about technology.
+Garcia assured that the provincial government will continue to support the police. She said the building is a manifestation of the “cooperation, collaboration and working together for the common good” of both parties.
+==Ecology groups to push Danajon reef protection==
+*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/132791/ecology-groups-to-push-danajon-reef-protection
+*Monday, January 23, 2012 7:32 am
+:Candeze R. Mongaya (Reporter, Cebu Daily News)
+Efforts to preserve and eventually “nurse Danajon reef back to health” should begin “as soon as possible,” a marine conservationist said.
+Rose Liza Eisma Osorio, executive director of the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF), said about 77 percent of the Danajon reef is already damaged.
+“Many people are depending on Danajon reef for their livelihood. We want to incorporate livelihood and preservation of the marine ecosystem in the area,” Osorio told reporters in an interview.
+The CCEF, which advocates sustainable coastal resource management, held the first Danajon Bank Summit in Cebu City last week.
+The program is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
+Osorio said the summit—attended by local government leaders, marine conservation advocate and environment stakeholders—wants to reach a collective action and consensus to restore Danajon’s lush marine biodiversity.
+The Danajon bank or double-barrier reef, located off northern Bohol Island, is the only double-barrier reef in the Philippines.
+The reef is spread across nearly 130 kilometers and consists of three large reefs. The reefs run along the coastal areas of Bohol, Cebu and Leyte and is composed of 19 towns.
+The Danajon bank’s overall area is 272 square kilometers with an aggregate coastline of 699 kilometers, including 40 islands.
+Osorio said based on their initial study, 4,000 fisherfolk are also dependent on Danajon reef for livelihood.
+She said illegal fishing and coral poaching remain rampant in the area.
+Pollution caused by the improper disposal of domestic wastes of the coastal communities is compounded by the dumping of oil and garbage by passing vessels.
+Osorio said they will set a timetable in achieving their goals for the conservation effort.
+The Danajon double-barrier reef is the only one in the country and among the six worldwide that has a geological formation that carved 6,000 years of natural coral growth, Osorio said.
+She said commercially valuable reef fishes, shellfish, crustaceans and invertebrates such as sea cucumbers and sea urchins thrive in the area.
+==Suroy Suroy now 'international' - Gwen ==
+*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=770180&publicationSubCategoryId=107
+*Sunday, January 22, 2012 12:00 AM
+:By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)
+CEBU, Philippines - The tourism project Suroy Suroy Sugbo is now internationally renowned, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said, as she thanked respective town officials for hosting their part of the tour well.
+All 21 towns in the south of Cebu were visited during the three-day Suroy Suroy Sugbo Southern Heritage Trail and Garcia said the respective Local Government Units gave out delivered their best.
+“Tungod sa paninguha nila, ang Suroy Suroy Sugbo nahimo nang world-class and internationally renowned,” Garcia said.
+Garcia also thanked Marian Kimseng Pearson, president of the Philippine Society of Las Vegas, for promoting the project by word of mouth.
+“And that is the best promotion,” Garcia said. “We can come up with the most snazzy videos but ang labing tuohan gyud ang kanang mismo muingon ‘didto ko, nindot kaayo,” she added.
+Pearson brought with her 40 balikbayans from Las Vegas to join the Suroy Suroy and most of them were first timers.
+The tour made a stopover for at least an hour in every town. There, guests were treated to the town’s culinary specialties and enjoyed cultural presentations.
+Pearson praised the project for being “wonderful.”
+“The delegates were so impressed. The kids out there in the street, waiting for hours just to wave at us; it’s very touching,” Pearson said. Back home, she said they will again promote the program by word of mouth.
+The guests said the caravan not only met their expectations but offered the “best and overwhelming” experience.
+“This is a fabulous thing the governor has done. I love that in every place, there’s food,” a female tourist said.
+Grace Paulino, Cebu Provincial Tourism Officer, said the positive feedback from the guests made everything worth the effort.
+“It has been a very successful, very fruitful three-day four us for this year,” she told reporters.
+Paulino said that this early, she already received bookings from a number of people of the same delegation for another Suroy Suroy in Camotes Island on April 21 and 22.
+To make the tour even better, Paulino said they will be holding trainings among local guides.
+The trip, which was attended by hundred of tourists, kicked off last Wednesday in Minglanilla town and ended with a fireworks display last Friday in Talisay City.
+Apart from balikbayans from Las Vegas, Nevada, guests from France, Germany, United Kingdom, Korea, and New Jersey participated in the tour. There were also guests from Tacloban City, Butuan City, and Metro Manila.
+==Health, wellness sector expects positive 2012 ==
+*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=73297
+*Saturday, January 21, 2012 12:00 AM
+:By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)
+CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu health and wellness industry is looking at a more dynamic year in 2012, as it slowly gains popularity in its positioning as a ”Light Medical Tourism Destination” in Asia.
+This is the branding that stakeholders in the health and wellness sector will carry, through the Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said CHWC vice chairperson Jenny Franco.
+Franco said Cebu has an edge to lure more medical tourism travelers from all over the world, because of its diverse attractions for leisure and vacation.
+Franco said the year 2012 is an exciting year for the industry as Cebu’s efforts in promoting the province to other countries like in North America, Middle East, Europe and even in United States have paid off, and now more and more travelers in the medical tourism sector are considering Cebu.
+While the province has yet to provide sophisticated facilities for the long-staying medical tourists, like those retirees needing an integrated medical tourism village, or facilities, the province has an edge in attracting the medical tourists, who are only seeking for minor services, such as executive check-ups, cosmetic treatments, dental services, among others.
+==DOST-7 to launch SETUP product catalogue tomorrow==
+*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=73297
+*Friday, January 20, 2012
+:(PIA-Cebu with PR from DOST 7)
+CEBU CITY, January 20 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 will launch tomorrow its own publication titled “The DOST VII Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program Product Catalogue.” The launching will be held at the DOST-7 conference room, S & T Complex in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.
+Limited copies of the book will be distributed for free.
+The catalogue features success stories and products from the beneficiaries of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in the region.
+SETUP is a program under DOST which assists small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through Technology Upgrading, Products Standards and Testing, Packaging and Labeling, Database Management Information System and Linkaging and Networking for raw material sourcing, marketing, technical and entrepreneurial, financing and equipment design and fabrication.
+The program covers the priority sectors namely the food processing; furniture and home furnishings; gifts, holiday decors and fashion accessories; marine and aquatic resources; horticulture; and metals and engineering.
+Tomorrow will also witness the formal turn-over of the Good Manufacturing Practices System and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (GMP-SSOP) to Raw Brown Sugar Milling Co., Inc.
+==2012 trade projections, feng shui to highlight Cebu business forum==
+*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/348605/2012-trade-projections-feng-shui-highlight-cebu-business-forum
+*Thursday, January 19, 2012, 5:20pm
+:By MALOU M. MOZO
+CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – An economic briefing, organized by two leading business organizations in Cebu, will include predictions by a feng shui practitioner for the year, to help give a different perspective in what lies ahead for Cebu and the rest of the country in 2012.
+Said event, which is being organized by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) along with the Cebu Business Club on January 24, 2012 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Casino Español de Cebu’s Salon de Espania function room, is expected to draw businessmen from other parts of the country.
+The half-day economic briefing, chaired by Carmel de Pio-Salvador, will feature scientific and economic views.
+Dubbed “Views and Prospects 2012,” the forum will incorporate the economic outlook of Cebuano economist Fernando Fajardo to give the audience a balanced perspective of the economy and its prospects in 2012.
+Fajardo’s inputs will include a discussion on the Aquino administration’s action plans to propel the economy growth levels, as well as share insights on how to make Cebu, the region and the rest of the country more responsive to new opportunities from global trends and expected risks.
+The organizers are also tapping World of Feng Shui (WOFS) chief executive officer Maritess Allen who is a feng shui expert herself as well as a consultant to top executives and prominent personalities in media and public office. Allen will talk about how feng shui influences business decisions and prospects.
+MCCI President Eric Ng Mendoza said Allen's feng shui inputs will be helpful to Cebu's business environment prospects. “She will expound on her general outlook on business, wealth, relationships, health, career, education, the stock market, remedies, cures and enhancers in this year of the water dragon,” he said.
+==IT firm eyes Asian market, hires more workers==
+*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/130073/it-firm-eyes-asian-market-hires-more-workers
+*Wednesday, January 18, 2012 6:55 am
+:By Aileen Garcia-Yap (Cebu Daily News)
+DESPITE the  anti-outsourcing bill pending in the US Congress, a Europe-based information technology firm is hiring more manpower for its Mactan office as part of the firm’s expansion plans.
+According to Willem Geert Lagemaat, Lighthouse Software Cebu Inc. (LHSCI) IP Group chief executive officer, they intend to increase their manpower base in Cebu because they see Cebu as a strategic center for their regional operations.
+“The Philippine office is a bridge for us in dealing with markets in Thailand and Vietnam,” said Lagemaat, who announced the firm’s plans to focus on the Asian markets especially with the developments in the US.
+Lighthouse Software Cebu Inc. (LHSCI), a Europe-based global intellectual property expert and information service provider, recently announced their plans to further expand their operations in Cebu to meet growing needs for trademark database in the region.
+Lighthouse Software Cebu Inc. started with only five employees in 2009 and now they have over 300 people working at their office in MEPZ 2.
+Patrick Van Dun, managing director for Philippines, said they would hire at least 100 employees this month and end the year with 500 employees to beef up their operations in Cebu.
+International trademark database is a major project in LHSCI, which is currently handling thousands of trademark data from 87 different countries in the world.
+In the Philippines, their main operation is into processing patent, trademark and other IP- related content for global information providers.
+The firm also offers translations and software and database solutions that will add more value to its international data projects.
+The firm also offers translations and software and database solutions that will add more value to its international data projects.
+“Sadly, in the Philippines, awareness about IP (intellectual property) is not that known yet among companies here and that is our challenge,” said Lagemaat.
+He said that the firm was serving two foreign-owned companies here.
+With the current challenges in the United States of America and Europe plus the pending Anti-Outsourcing Bill, Lagemaat said that the local markets would become more important for them in the coming years.
+“In Cebu, we can serve any industry. Potential clients can be from the manufacturing and production industries,” said Lagemaat.
+He said  in Asia, they were seeing many production jobs going towards Vietnam from China because of the latter’s increasing labor and high inflation rates.
+They also expect more locators mostly from manufacturing and outsourcing industries coming to the Philippines, which they saw as a huge market potential for IP, said Lagemaat.
+Van Dun, for his part, said they could easily expand up to 2,000 employees in their current office in Mactan should the need for more people would arise.
+Aside from the Philippines, Lighthouse IP Group also has subsidiary offices in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Belarus and the United States and in the process of expanding in other countries like Egypt, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and South Korea, which are set to open within this year.
+==Capitol lays down projects for 2012==
+*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=768591
+*Tuesday, January 17, 2012 12:00 AM
+:By Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (The Freeman)
+CEBU, Philippines - Following a stressful day participating in the Sinulog Grand Parade, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia launched back to work yesterday and announced what the provincial government intends to accomplish this 2012.
+This week, province will hold another round of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, which will begin tomorrow until Friday. The targets for this round are the balikbayans and foreign visitors from France, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia who came to Cebu for the Sinulog.
+With the Suroy-Suroy, the visitors will get to experience the Southern Heritage Trail of 22 cities and municipalities of southern Cebu for three days.
+Meanwhile, Garcia said it is also imperative to set the wheels for the institutionalization of programs that she started such as the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals, the One Cebu Expo, and eGwen Program, among others.
+Garcia said this is the reason why she appointed her daughter, lawyer Christina Garcia-Codilla Frasco, as consultant for the institutionalization of projects and programs.
+The Manila Water Company, Inc. of Ayala Consortium has until end of January to respond to the challenge made by Cebu Bulk Water Consortium in the development of a P1.55 - billion Cebu Bulk Water Supply Project.
+Meanwhile, bidders have until the end of this month to submit bids for the development of the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center and Drug Rehabilitation properties in Cebu City.
+Garcia also hopes that the Ciudad Project “may finally get off the ground.” She said the commercial complex will not only benefit Cebu City in terms of taxes but will also provide alternative routs for vehicular traffic in the Banilad area.
+On the other hand, the Camotes Island airstrip is also set for development. Garcia hopes to complete the bidding process by the first quarter of this year.
+Also in the pipeline is the Sta. Fe airport in Bantayan Island. Garcia said province will settle the property issue within the first quarter and hope to be able to set the bidding process by the second quarter.
+Also set for completion by either the first or second quarter are three provincial hospitals in Danao City, Balamban and Bogo City. The first provincial hospital in Carcar City was opened and became operational last year.
+The Pilar island circumferential road is also set for completion by September this year, as reportedly promised by the contractor.
+==Palma lauds "unity" of Cebu officials==
+*Source:www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=768311
+*Monday, January 16, 2012 12:00 AM
+:By Niña G. Sumacot and Ria Mae Y. Booc/FPL (The Freeman)
+CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma did not miss talking about the controversial Reproductive Health Bill in his homily during the Pontifical Mass for the fiesta celebration at the Basilica Del Sto. Niño.
+“Mag-ampo kita na dili mao kini ang mudaog nga panghunahuna ug pagtuo ug dili kini mao ang hinungdan sa pagtapos sa kinabuhi sa kadaghanan ug labina sa kinabuhi sa kabataan,” Palma said.
+Sto. Niño is the refuge of the Filipino family, Palma said, and like the Holy Child, we should protect and take care of our children.
+“This (RH Bill) is a real threat sa mga kabataan og mag-ampo kita nga di mudaog nga mahimo kitang tigpanalipod sa mga kabataan. We must care for them and provide for their future,” he said.
+Palma thanked the Sto. Niño because Cebu is allegedly united against the proposed measure.
+Palma, who is president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, recalled calling government officials in Cebu after being installed as Archbishop here to get their stand on the issue.
+The Archbishop said he was very thankful that most of the leaders in Cebu are “pro-life.”
+He said education is the solution to poverty, rather than abortion and contraception.
+“Salamat sa mga nagtuo sa kasagrado sa kinabuhi,” the Archbishop said.
+Palma was also happy of the cooperation between the city and provincial governments of Cebu.
+“We need one another. The city needs the province; the province needs the city ug nalipay kita sa nindot nga relasyon karon pinaagi sa ilang mga leader nga sila si Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ug Governor Gwen Garcia. Dunay unity ug pagtinabangay,” Palma said.
+The archbishop said such unity between Cebu politicians hopefully would contaminate to other government officials in the country.
+Palma then cited such unity should contaminate among the executive, judiciary, and legislative branches of the government.
+“Aron sa atong pagkahiusa maghunahuna kita og mga proyekto nga makadala ug paglambo sa atong nasud,” he said.
+The Archbishop also called on the people to take care of the environment.
+Meanwhile, at least 300 residents from Bogo City traveled to pay homage to Sto. Niño on his feast day.
+The devotees stayed on the sidewalk along Legaspi St. since Friday. Most of them said that it has been their yearly devotion to the Holy Child.
+“Tulumanon namo nga kada-pista Senior dili namo makalimtan ang among mga pagpaningkamot,” said Lorenzo Ruiz of Barangay Bungtod, Bogo City.
+Delio Lipod, 40, resident of Barangay Poblacion, also made it a habit for his family to spend days in Santo Niño church as part of their devotion every year.
+Most of them however are selling candles to augment their expenses while in the city.
+“Gamay pa ko buhi pa akong ginikanan naa nami ngari hangtod naminyo nako, ako napud ning ipasa sa akong mga anak,” Lipod said.
+==DENR to speed up cadastral survey==
+*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=768045&publicationSubCategoryId=107
+*Sunday, January 15, 2012 12:00 AM
+:By Garry B. Lao/JPM (The Freeman)
+CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Central Visayas will fasttrack the cadastral survey in at least four municipalities in Cebu.
+For this year, DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso said they aim to cover 73,661 hectares with a total budget of P163,090,115.76 for certain municipalities in Central Visayas.
+The budget for Cebu is P49.879 million, covering the municipalities of Minglanilla, Argao, Tuburan, and Tabuelan with a total area of 25,710 hectares or 34.90 percent of the whole project.
+According to Dichoso, they are also preparing the survey for selected towns in Negros Oriental, Bohol and Siquijor covering 73,661 hectares and costing P163.090 million.
+The DENR was given a marching order from Malacañang to hasten and complete the cadastral survey of the country to support the government’s land titling, land use planning, taxation and internal revenue allotment (IRA) program for the various municipalities nationwide.
+Dichoso said that reforms in the country’s land services is a must as it will improve the productivity of idle lands therefore boost economic prosperity.
+Cadastral survey covers extensive areas such as an entire municipality or city consisting of several or many parcels of land undertaken for the purpose of land registration.
+“The cadastral survey program is seriously pursued as it is instrumental in efficient patent distribution and accelerating countryside development,” Dichoso said.
+Secretary Paje earlier issued DENR Administrative Order No. 2011-05 directing the Land Management Bureau to conduct an inventory and establish a database of abandoned cadastral survey projects.
+A cadastral survey project is said to be abandoned when field activities are left unfinished after the period stipulated in the contract, when the contractor fails to correct survey defects within a prescribed period, or when the contractor fails to return survey project records and other violations of the contract.
+Aside from Cebu, covered are the municipalities of Manjuyod, Pamplona, Dauin, and Zamboanguita of Negros Oriental with the biggest target of 37,456 hectares or 50.85 percent and a budget of 87.998 million for the survey.
+Bohol has 5,158 hectares or seven percent coverage with a budget of P24.581 million to cover the municipalities of Tubigon, President Carlos Garcia, and Danao.
+Siquijor has 5,337 hectares or 7.25 percent coverage with a budget of P630,000 covering the municipality of Maria.
+The regional executive director was given the power to cancel abandoned survey projects, and to determine and impose the appropriate sanctions against erring geodetic engineers or survey contractors.
+==Thousands join solemn procession==
+*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/01/14/thousands-join-solemn-procession-200548
+*Saturday, January 14, 2012
+:(Sunnex)
+CEBU CITY (2nd Update, 4:15 p.m.) -- Thousands of people from different areas in Cebu and even outside the province joined Saturday’s solemn procession in honor of Sr. Sto. Nino.
+The foot penitential procession started around 1:30 p.m. at the Basilica del Sto. Nino with the images of St. Joseph and Birhen sa Guadalupe brought out first of the church.
+The image of the Holy Child Jesus was brought out of the Basilica around 1:40 p.m. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma led the transfer of the image to its carriage adorned with flowers.
+Church leaders and members of the Knights of Columbus led the procession, joined by families and students from different schools in the city, as well as politicians including Representative Eduardo Gullas, members of the Sinulog Foundation Inc., and even persons with disabilities.
+In anticipation of intermittent rains, devotees of the Sto. Nino brought umbrellas during the procession. They also carried replicas of the Holy Child Jesus.
+Security remains tight as of this posting Saturday. Students were fielded on the streets to help ensure security. Police and Army units were also deployed around the city for the solemn procession.
+The Cebu City Government also declared a White Code alert, which required all medical units in the city to be on alert and position teams at the procession route.
+Vehicular traffic was also temporarily rerouted to accommodate the thousands of devotees who joined the procession. The major roads affected are Osmena Blvd., Mango Avenue, Gen. Maxilom Ave., and MJ Cuenco Ave. The roads will be open later tonight.
+As of this posting, the image of St. Joseph has arrived at the Basilica del Sto. Nino. The image of the Holy Child Jesus is still at Fuente Osmena.
+==DOT puts up counter at airport==
+*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=767433&publicationSubCategoryId=107
+*Friday, January 13, 2012 12:00 AM
+:By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JPM (The Freeman)
+CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) in partnership with Globe Telecom unveils a “special hospitality counter” at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport yesterday as part of the tourism agency’s continuing efforts to assist visitors.
+The so-called “Pinoy Homecoming (PH) Counter” gives balikbayans access to special tours offered at discounted rates plus a welcome pack that contains discount coupons for over 700 partner hotels, spas, hospitals and other merchants as well as a Globe OFW SIM pack pre-loaded with a P50 credit that they can right away use.
+The PH counter initially welcomed 140 balikbayans from Los Angeles and Seattle, USA yesterday with rondalla and Sinulog dancers. This DOT program complements the Balik Cebu campaign of the Cebu City Government.
+The PH counter is the sixth of such facility installed by DOT in the country. It is being implemented by the DOT’s marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board.
+With the slogan, “It’s more fun in the Philippines”, the PH campaign is targeting the millions of overseas Filipinos with foreign nationalities who can increase the number of the country’s tourist arrivals.
+Started in December 2010, this campaign has gained commitments of support from leaders of various Filipino communities abroad.
+“We are one with the Department of Tourism in helping balikbayans feel instantaneously at home upon their arrival in the Philippines. Globe strives to help our expat Pinoys keep that connection to home via relevant and meaningful products and services that cater to the needs of overseas Filipinos and help their loved-ones in the Philippines stay in touch with them,”said Jerry Yntig, head of External Affairs for Visayas and Mindanao of Globe Telecom.
+DOT-7 Director Rowena Montecillo said that this program is part of DOT’s effort to increase by 25 percent the tourist arrivals in the next five years.
+Montecillo said the program is designed to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to travel in the Philippines for reunions, conferences, missions and vacations and for this year the campaign has been expanded to include countries worldwide especially those with large concentration of OFWs.
+==DOH-7 to set up medical teams during Sinulog==
+*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=72311
+*Thursday, January 12, 2012
+:by Hazel Gloria (mbcn/hfg/PIA-7)
+CEBU CITY, January 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH-7) in Central Visayas will set up 22 or more medical teams in the Sinulog procession route on January 14 and Sinulog celebration on January 15.
+Health Emergency Management program coordinator Dr. Expedito Medalla, said each team is composed of a doctor, nurse, paramedics, communicator and a driver.
+"There are one hundred or more people joining the emergency medical teams," Medalla continued.
+Aside from the medical booths, DOH-7 is also coordinating with the Cebu Medical Society and other private and public hospitals to monitor emergency situations during the feast of Sr. Sto Niño.
+In yesterday’s AGIO-7 Forum held at DOH-7 compound, Medalla requested the people who will join the procession and watch the Sinulog parade to be careful with their health. They should bring food, water or juices, medicines and other things they needed to prevent any health problems.
+“For those people who are not feeling well, I would suggest that they just stay in-house and watch the event on tv,” he added.
+On the other hand, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) leads the emergency responding team which is composed of Philippine Red Cross, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF), Basak Pardo Emergency Response and other medical groups.
+Medalla also informed the media that they sent letter requests to all hospitals in Cebu City and nearby places to implement code white starting January 14 to 15 for them to be ready in any emergency situations during the Sinulog celebrations.
+The DOH-7 also reported that there were no big injuries that happened in last year’s Sinulog celebration and it hopes for a peaceful and injury-free Sinulog this year.
+==Oslob acts to protect butandings==
+*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/347722/oslob-acts-protect-butandings
+*Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 4:29pm
+:By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.
+OSLOB, Cebu, Philippines — The increasing number of tourists coming to Oslob, a quiet, laidback town in the southern part of Cebu, to view the famed whale sharks or butanding, as they are called in the local dialect, which have appeared in waters here are alarming local officials, prompting the latter to enact an ordinance to protect the huge water mammals.
+The ordinance, Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren said, seeks to regulate whale shark-watching activities in his town as tourists come in groups daily following media coverage of the presence of friendly butanding in Oslob's sea waters.
+The ordinance requires the registration of fishermen to be allowed to guide tourists and handle the sea animals. It also strictly prohibits motorboats from going near the butanding, Guaren said.
+The town plans to set up ticketing and briefing offices, the latter for giving visitors an orientation about the whale sharks and providing them with safety instructions.
+Guaren said that since the whale sharks appearing in local waters here were featured by national media as well as by local newspapers, groups of divers have flocked daily to the site.
 ==Vendors earning at new market==
 *Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=766536&publicationSubCategoryId=531