Difference between revisions of "Cebu Province News April 2012"

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==Aquino in Cebu today for electronics forum==
*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/179705/aquino-in-cebu-today-for-electronics-forum
*Friday, April 20, 2012 7:30 am
:By Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua (Correspondent, Cebu Daily News)
PRESIDENT Benigno Simeon Aquino III will be in Mactan, Cebu, today to speak before the 17th World Electronics Forum (WEF) and the 108th General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI).
Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will accompany him.
WEF is a gathering of CEOs and directors of electronics companies and industry associations worldwide.
It is hosted by SEIPI, an organization of local and multinational electronics companies in the country.
The two events are scheduled in the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.
The four-day WEF event ran from April 18-21, while the SEIPI event is scheduled from April 19 to 21.
The two events will converge when the president addresses them at a luncheon today.
==DA 7 establishes farmer field schools in Cebu to help mango growers boost production==
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1061334810689
*Thursday, April 19, 2012
:By Fayette C. Riñen (FCR/ Clara Jane Ayson/CNU-Intern, PIA 7, Cebu)
CEBU CITY, April 19 (PIA) -- In order to revitalize the mango industry in Cebu, the Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 has established five farmer field schools to train and educate mango growers on the proper agricultural practice to boost mango production.
Wilberto Castillo, the chief of the Regional Coordinator Crop Protection of DA-7 said the farmer field schools (FFS) are established in the cities of Toledo, Danao, and Mandaue of which the latter have two farmer schools located in Paril and Subangdaku and in the town of Compostela.
“The farmer field school is an extension tool of the DA-7 where lectures to farmers are given such as on integrated pest management and appropriate agricultural practices on mango growing,” bared Castillo.
Mango growers also undergo practicum in the field schools where they do hands-on training on cleaning, fertilizing, and flowering until the harvest stage. It is a season-long training to really assist mango farmers yield productive harvest, disclosed Castillo during the recent Kapihan sa PIA on the region’s mango industry.
"The farmer field schools have regular classes once a week that covers four months or 16 to 18 weeks," Castillo said.
According to Castillo, the facilitators of the field schools are from the DA-7 with counterparts from the local government units particularly their Municipal or City Agricultural Officers.
Site of the schools are in the backyards or plantations of mango growers.
Castillo said there is a huge demand for export of fresh and dried mangoes as Cebu is currently exporting fresh mangoes to Japan, Hongkong, and Australia.
For dried mangoes, there are a number of Cebu companies such as Profoods and 7Ds that are largely exporting processed mangoes mostly in the US and Canada markets, revealed Castillo.
There is so much potential for the mango industry but the production cannot keep up with the demand because of poor agricultural practices by farmers. Castillo expressed optimism that the field schools can improve behaviors in agricultural practices to boost mango production in Cebu.
Cebu meanwhile, accounts for the largest production of mangoes in Central Visayas with 60 percent, said Castillo.
In 2010, the total production in Central Visayas was 71,000 metric tons based on the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics under the DA 7, Castillo disclosed.
Castillo said the data for the 2011 total mango production in the region is still being finalized.
==Promoting tourism evolution mulled==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=798179
*Wednesday, April 18, 2012 12:00 am
:(The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Acknowledging the “real” heroes of tourism and promoting tourism education should be included in the strategic plan of strengthening the tourism industry of the country.
National Independent Travel and Tours (NAITAS) chairman emeritus and Founder of 888 News Forum Consul General Bobby Joseph said that in the booming progress of Philippine tourism, it is also appropriate to know its history and recognize the people behind it.
He added that it is the private initiative why tourism in the country is growing and those people who believe in the capacity of Cebu are to be considered as heroes of tourism, saying “everything started in Cebu and will always be Cebu.”
“Ano nga ba ang history ng tourism sa Cebu? What do you think? Tourism is a chicken joy? C’mon!” Joseph said laughingly.
Amid the naughtiness and corruption of government officials, he further noted that investors are the real stakeholders and not those pseudo actors claiming to be one.
He also said that former Department of Tourism secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano is one of the best things that happened in the tourism industry who took time to listen to the stakeholders.
While, Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Ed Nuque said tourism history is very important since it could bring out closer cooperation and integration.
To promote awareness on the tourism evolution of Visayas among current practitioners and students, he said that they are now planning to organize roundtable discussions with the personalities involved in Cebu tourism development.
Starting very soon, he said that everyone would be fully fascinated in the tourism history of the country, making them more appreciative of the present tourism situation.
Meanwhile, along with other officials, Joseph and Nuque are dedicated to their advocacy towards tourism education by merging actual experience and theory in the academe.
Nuque said that most graduates in tourism and hospitality management lack interaction with tourism professionals which motivated them to make those people available in the academe to harness the students’ talents.
He clarified that there is still an advantage of learning in the four corners of the classroom. However, with just theories presented, aspiring practitioners can just frame the situation. With actual interaction of industry practitioners, they would be equipped with the right attitude and the right morals in the real situation.
Even without a doctorate or masters’ degree, a tourism-related practitioner with ample familiarity and skills can share his expertise and be part of the academe.
For instance, he noted that there is a highly-experienced Filipino professional in the field of tourism and hospitality management who is based internationally but cannot teach or share his firsthand experiences in the university since he has not finished a degree.
Nuque said that Cebu will be a very good platform to launch such advocacy since the province is considered to be a major gateway of development by its own right.
==Exporters urged: Tap services of Philexport’s China help desk==
*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/178089/exporters-urged-tap-services-of-philexport%E2%80%99s-china-help-desk
*Tuesday, April 17, 2012 8:21 am
:By Aileen Garcia-Yap (Cebu Daily News)
Cebu exporters can get  assistance in  tapping the Chinese market from the Philexport-Cebu China Help Desk, when it opens at the end of the month.
“We are in the finalization period of our talks. and we expect to have the desk set up by the end of April, “ said Fred Escalona, Philexport-Cebu executive director, yesterday.
This is a partnership with Business One Global Trade Center (B1GTC) for at least two years, he said.
Two Chinese-speaking marketing personnel will be hired and trained in China for the help desk.
“After we set up the desk by end of this month, we will  start screening applicants for the  two people we will be hiring for this project,” he said.
They will be sent to China to learn about the local business landscape and other information that will be helpful for Cebue exporters.
B1GTC is a part of the Global Trade Center Holdings network, which  provides  integrated one-stop trading services for international manufacturers entering the Chinese market. Services include exhibition, logistics, order solicitation, trade financing, tax, accounting and legal consulting.
The help desk will  occupy the space left by Cebu Gifts, Toys, Housewares Manufacturers and Exporters Association Inc. (Cebu GTH) desk at Philexport-Cebu’s office at Legaspi Street, Cebu City.
Cebu GTH has transferred to the Ang Tindahang Pinoy shop at the Bridges Town Center in Mandaue City.
In February this year, B1GTC executives held a forum for Cebu exporters about the potential of the $1.4 billion China market.
B1GTC chief executive officer Henry Hwang encouraged the small and medium enterprise sector saying the middle market in China is fast expanding.
He said the Chinese are not brand conscious and generally see imported products as being of high quality.
With the Chinese government’s move to reduce import taxes, Hwang said  this reduces the barrier to trade  and makes  favorable for imported products to enter.
Products such as furniture, home décor, fashion accessories, fresh and processed food products and seafood are in demand in China, while retail  in China is one of the most attractive segments  to tap, he said.
The top five Philippine products  exported to China include electrical products, copper cathodes and sections of cathodes, nickel ore and concentrates,  coal and copper ores and concentrates.
Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said  metal exports decreased in the next two years with non-metal high-value products replacing them as the country’s top export products.
Escalona said with Cebuano exporters having many products to offer the Chinese market, setting up the Philexport China Help Desk would be their entrance to one of today’s biggest and most dynamic market in Asia.
According to 2011 data of  the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in China, the total retail sales value of consumer goods in China’s domestic market amounted to 18.1226 trillion yuan RMB, an increase of 17 percent compared to the same period last year.
Sales value of furniture went  up by 9.9 percent, building and decorating materials also increased by 9 percent while, hardware and electronic materials increased by 9.7 percent and an increase of 3 percent for the automobiles.
Sales of foodstuff and clothing showed  a rapid increase in 2011  of 3,000 key retailers monitored by the Ministry of Commerce Peoples Republic of China (MOFCOM)increased by 17.9 percent and 18.5 percent respectively.
Based on  2011 data, the top five export markets for the Philippines are Japan, the United States of America, China, Singapore and Hongkong. Japan recently took the top spot from the United States of America in the list.
Total  export trade volume of Japan last year amounted to US $8.8 million which is an increase of 13.07 percent from the previous year.
Trading volume in the Unites States of America decreased by 6.17 percent with only $7.09 million in 2011.
Trade in China increased by 6.6 percent from only $5.7 million in 2010 to $6.1 million last year. Singapore closed with $4.3 million last year which is an increase of 41.55 percent while HongKong decreased by 14.69 percent to only $3.7 last year.
==Bike Lanes In Cebu Urged==
*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/357095/bike-lanes-in-cebu-urged
*Monday, April 16, 2012 1:23am
:By Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr. and Phoebe Jen Indino
CEBU — The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has issued a resolution urging towns and component cities here to study the possibility of providing motorcycle and bicycle lanes in major roads under their areas of responsibilities.
However, said resolution, authored by PB member Arleigh Jay Sitoy, is being frowned upon by Cebu’s League of Municipalities (LMP).
Sitoy’s resolution points out that the number of incidents involving motorcycles in Cebu is increasing.
Cebu LMP head, Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia, who is the brother of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, frowns on said resolution saying that while the idea is “good,” it is “not applicable” in most towns where the roads are too narrow to accommodate space for a bicycle lane. Besides, he said, “towns cannot afford” having such lanes as well.
Sitoy’s resolution is based on Section 16 of the Local Government Code requiring local governments to ensure the public’s health and safety. Last January, 2012, Sitoy also sponsored an ordinance passed by the PB urging the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and all traffic enforcement agencies in Region 7 to apprehend motorcycle drivers carrying small children as passengers.
Meanwhile, multi-sectoral citizenry group 350.org Pilipinas, which is comprised of various environment advocacy organizations and private individuals is pushing for the creation of bike lanes in Cebu City.
A manifesto recently issued by the group proposes putting up bicycle lanes in city roads to promote the safety of bikers, cyclists, skateboarders and pedestrians.
==Gwen to make Larsian ‘eco-friendly’==
*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/177085/gwen-to-make-larsian-%E2%80%98eco-friendly%E2%80%99
*Sunday, April 15, 2012 9:28 am
: by Carmel Loise Matus (Correspondent, Cebu Daily News)
Changes are ahead for barbecue vendors in Larsian near Fuente Osmeña, where the site will be made more eco-friendly and attractive for visitors.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she wants the area to be known as a healthy, environmentally-sound place to eat in the city.
The first step is to change the name from New Larsian to Eco-Larsian, she said.
Larsian, a cluster of  barbecue stalls near the Fuente Osmena rotunda, is a popular  local hangout  known for its affordable grilled meat and fish dishes served with puso or hanging rice.
It used to occupy a prime spot  across the landmark Fuente Osmeña fountain until it was moved to a Capitol-owned lot beside Chong Hua Hospital.
Garcia said she wants Eco-Larsian vendors to use smokeless charcoal made in Tabogon town.
“It’s really more healthy and safer to use… eco-friendly and customer friendly,” said Garcia about the charcoal made by the Tabogon Ecological Management Association, Inc.
Last Friday, Garcia met with Mac Azarcon, president of the Larsian stall owner’s association, and Astrohel Ybanez, president of the Tabogon Ecological Management Association, Inc., for a  new charcoal use agreement.
Charcoal briquettes from Tabogon are made of forest twigs and carbonized coconut shells. They can grill faster and longer compared to ordinary charcoal.
Garcia  said she will meet  later  with Larsian vendors to discuss changes she plans to introduce.
She said stall owners can’t openly display raw and half cooked food and stall attendants have to wear uniforms and hair nets so they look neat and presentable to customers.
Garcia said she would also introduce standardization in food portions of  chicken and pork to be sold there.
She said she would also  like a single grill area for  Larsian vendors.
She said the new Larsian would  also  be occupied by 52 stalls with 32 stalls for barbecue vendors, and the others for fruits and souvenir items.
==Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu enroll poor residents in PhilHealth==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=796908
*Saturday, April 14, 2012 12:00 AM
: By Jose P. Sollano and Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City government and the Mandaue City government signed memorandums of agreement with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation for the enrolment of poor residents in Philhealth for free health insurance coverage.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza and PhilHealth area vice president for the Visayas and Region-7 William Chavez yesterday signed the agreement. To be enrolled are 17,000 indigent residents.
The signing was witnessed by PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Eduardo Banzon.
Banzon, in his speech, lauded the city government of Lapu-Lapu for prioritizing the health needs of poor families in the city.
He also said PhilHealth now has more than 6,000 nurses assigned to PhilHealth-accredited hospitals.
Radaza, on the other hand, said the signing of the MOA is a pivotal one for it exemplifies what inter-government agency cooperation can achieve to address one of the basic necessities of the people-health care services and its development as guaranteed by no less than the 1987 Constitution.
“Indeed this development is a great help to the people in Lapu-Lapu City especially those who have difficulty in availing of financial support in order to access health care services,” Radaza said.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Dr. Eduardo Banzon, Philhealth national president and CEO yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement for the enrollment of 15,000 indigent residents.
Mandaue will also pay for the insurance coverage of tricycle drivers, Clean and Green employees, and job order employees.
The city will pay P2,400 for each beneficiary, which is good for a two year coverage since an annual fee is P1,200.
==Business group sponsors anti-crime stickers==
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1061334222066
*Friday, April 13, 2012
: (PIA Cebu)
CEBU CITY, April 13 (PIA) -- The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has sponsored the production of thousands of anti-crime stickers and posters to help the city police maintain peace and order.
In bold text written with ‘Get involved. Report and help stop crime,’ the stickers are posted on public utility jeepneys plying Mandaue City while the posters are pasted on commercial establishments throughout the city.
PSupt. James Goforth, deputy city director for operations of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) said the battle against crimes is not the responsibility of the police alone but of every sector and every peace-loving citizen.
“We are very grateful to the support of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry for sponsoring the thousands of anti-crime stickers and posters. We hope that though this strategy, we can spur the public to do their share in helping fight crime by immediately reporting any suspicious activities in their neighborhood,” said Goforth.
Goforth said that with active citizen involvement, maintaining peace and order is much easier which translates to a more conducive business environment and faster economic growth for Mandaue City dubbed as Cebu province’s industrial premiere.
The sticker and poster bore the different cell phone and landline numbers of the MCPO and its three offices namely investigation, intelligence and the city tactical open center.
A hotline number open 24 hours and seven days a week can also be accessed by the public. Likewise, the city police’s website is also disclosed for the public’s consumption.
Goforth said the positive relations between the MCPO and the MCCI is a good example that public-private partnership is an effective strategy to promote and maintain peace and order in the community.
==BIR: Cebuanos are good taxpayers==
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1981334214673
*Thursday, April 12, 2012
: By Amorganda A. Saludar (FCR/AS/PIA-Cebu)
CEBU CITY April 12 (PIA) -- Majority of Cebuanos are good taxpayers as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office 13 based in Cebu City have consistently exceeded its tax collection target for the past three years.
“I am very thankful because we did not encounter much of a problem in dealing with taxpayers in Cebu because Cebuano people are compliant in terms of payments and filing of income tax return on time,” said BIR-13 Regional Director Rodita Galanto during the recent PIA Kapihan that tackled on the tax information drive.
Galanto said the agency has shown consistent positive performance for the past three years as she attributed this to the cooperation and support shown by the Cebuanos.
In 2009, the BIR-13 collected more than the tax collection goal of P9.5 billion while the following year, the agency posted 12.33 percent growth in collection performance with P12.7 billion compared to its goal of only P11.4 billion. Last year, total tax remittances amounted to P12.456 billion compared to its goal of P12.421 billion posting a one percent growth.
Though Galanto lauded the efforts of the five district offices under BIR-13 for strengthening their tax information drive but she largely credited the Cebuano taxpayers for their good collection performance.
BIR-13 covers the provinces of Cebu and Bohol while four out of the five district offices are based in Cebu.
“With the cooperation and support shown by Cebuano taxpayers, we are optimistic that we can be able to achieve our collection goal for 2012 of P14.3 billion,” said Galanto.
For the first quarter this year, the agency has a target goal of P3. 22 billion but so far, the collection performance posted a tentative total of only P3.06 billion with a slight deficit of P152 million or 4.72 percent.
The figures however, were only tentative as all the data from the different regional district offices are still being collated and finalized.
“By next week, we will be able to finalize all tax collections from the period January to March. Here we will know whether we have surpassed our tax collection performance,” bared Zenaida Pancito, chief of the Collection Division of BIR-13.
Pancito echoed Galanto’s optimism that the agency will be able to exceed its target goal for the first quarter this year as some remittances from the municipalities and other rural areas have yet to be tabulated.
Every year, the agency’s tax collection goal is increasing as Pancito said this remains a challenge to them especially as they have shown consistent positive performance for the past three years.
“Every year we expect an increase in collection goal as our objective is really to increase tax collections. Tax is the lifeblood of the nation and the money will be spent by the government on basic public services among other priorities,” Pancito said.
Meanwhile, BIR 13 Chief Legal Division Atty. Asuncion Bernades in the same forum disclosed that they have endorsed to their national office one company in Mandaue City for investigation of possible tax fraud.
Bernades withheld the name of the company as it is subject for investigation. There are around 100 cases that have been elevated to the special investigation unit of their Central Office for possible tax evasion and fraud.
==Competition for tech people launched in Cebu==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/04/11/competition-tech-people-launched-cebu-215734
*Wednesday, April 11, 2012
: By Tashuana Alemania (Sunnex)
CEBU CITY -- An event where technology enthusiasts come together to launch startup businesses was launched Wednesday in Lahug, Cebu City.
Startup Weekend, which will be held at the University of the Philippines-Cebu campus on May 11 to 13, is a 54-hour competition where developers, designers, marketers, technopreneurs, and venture capitalists come together, form teams, build products, and launch startup businesses.
This hands-on experience happens over the course of one weekend starting from Friday at 6 p.m. and will end on Sunday night with the launching of the startup businesses.
Volunteer event organizer Dave Overton of sym.ph said the event aims to have an environment where people can come out with their ideas.
"What's Startup Weekend all about is getting the right people in the right room with the right idea," he said.
Overton said this is a great opportunity and "people should come at the event, pitch their ideas, form a team and do something about it."
The concept, which started in the United States, is now a global movement taking digital startup business from ideas through intensive mentoring from industry experts.
Event lead organizer Mark Abella of TechTalks said participants in the event will pitch startup concepts they are passionate about and will be taught to develop their ideas into a business and how to get investors and money from it.
Mark Buenconsejo of CareSharing Inc., for his part, said, "The idea of the event is that like an entrepreneurship workshop where people get to work with other people and work on the idea."
Albert Padin of SpellDial, one of the mentors, said the event is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to build their dream team and build their network.
At the end of the event, judges with different expertise will choose one team as the winner.
Those who are interested in the event can register via http://cebu.stratupweekend.org until May 11 or while slots are available.
Overton said they can only accommodate 100 to 150 participants in the event.
Aside from the Philippines, Startup Weekends this year will also be held in France, Singapore, Argentina, Canada, USA, Norway, UK, Denmark, Mexico, Italy, Palestine, Senegal, Taiwan, Hungary, Australia, Lithuania, Algeria, Ireland, Switzerland, Martinique, Tunisia, Spain, China, India, Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Belarus, Poland, Turkey, Uganda, Kosovo, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Germany, Peru, Moldova, Croatia, Cambodia, Egypt, Bolivia and the Netherlands.
==Riverbasin plan to cost P13M==
==Riverbasin plan to cost P13M==
*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/174331/riverbasin-plan-to-cost-p13m
*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/174331/riverbasin-plan-to-cost-p13m

Revision as of 06:43, 30 April 2012

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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:
  1. 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.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Cebu metro.jpg
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.

Aquino in Cebu today for electronics forum

By Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua (Correspondent, Cebu Daily News)

PRESIDENT Benigno Simeon Aquino III will be in Mactan, Cebu, today to speak before the 17th World Electronics Forum (WEF) and the 108th General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI).

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will accompany him.

WEF is a gathering of CEOs and directors of electronics companies and industry associations worldwide.

It is hosted by SEIPI, an organization of local and multinational electronics companies in the country.

The two events are scheduled in the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

The four-day WEF event ran from April 18-21, while the SEIPI event is scheduled from April 19 to 21.

The two events will converge when the president addresses them at a luncheon today.

DA 7 establishes farmer field schools in Cebu to help mango growers boost production

By Fayette C. Riñen (FCR/ Clara Jane Ayson/CNU-Intern, PIA 7, Cebu)

CEBU CITY, April 19 (PIA) -- In order to revitalize the mango industry in Cebu, the Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 has established five farmer field schools to train and educate mango growers on the proper agricultural practice to boost mango production.

Wilberto Castillo, the chief of the Regional Coordinator Crop Protection of DA-7 said the farmer field schools (FFS) are established in the cities of Toledo, Danao, and Mandaue of which the latter have two farmer schools located in Paril and Subangdaku and in the town of Compostela.

“The farmer field school is an extension tool of the DA-7 where lectures to farmers are given such as on integrated pest management and appropriate agricultural practices on mango growing,” bared Castillo.

Mango growers also undergo practicum in the field schools where they do hands-on training on cleaning, fertilizing, and flowering until the harvest stage. It is a season-long training to really assist mango farmers yield productive harvest, disclosed Castillo during the recent Kapihan sa PIA on the region’s mango industry.

"The farmer field schools have regular classes once a week that covers four months or 16 to 18 weeks," Castillo said. According to Castillo, the facilitators of the field schools are from the DA-7 with counterparts from the local government units particularly their Municipal or City Agricultural Officers.

Site of the schools are in the backyards or plantations of mango growers.

Castillo said there is a huge demand for export of fresh and dried mangoes as Cebu is currently exporting fresh mangoes to Japan, Hongkong, and Australia.

For dried mangoes, there are a number of Cebu companies such as Profoods and 7Ds that are largely exporting processed mangoes mostly in the US and Canada markets, revealed Castillo.

There is so much potential for the mango industry but the production cannot keep up with the demand because of poor agricultural practices by farmers. Castillo expressed optimism that the field schools can improve behaviors in agricultural practices to boost mango production in Cebu.

Cebu meanwhile, accounts for the largest production of mangoes in Central Visayas with 60 percent, said Castillo.

In 2010, the total production in Central Visayas was 71,000 metric tons based on the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics under the DA 7, Castillo disclosed.

Castillo said the data for the 2011 total mango production in the region is still being finalized.

Promoting tourism evolution mulled

(The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Acknowledging the “real” heroes of tourism and promoting tourism education should be included in the strategic plan of strengthening the tourism industry of the country.

National Independent Travel and Tours (NAITAS) chairman emeritus and Founder of 888 News Forum Consul General Bobby Joseph said that in the booming progress of Philippine tourism, it is also appropriate to know its history and recognize the people behind it.

He added that it is the private initiative why tourism in the country is growing and those people who believe in the capacity of Cebu are to be considered as heroes of tourism, saying “everything started in Cebu and will always be Cebu.”

“Ano nga ba ang history ng tourism sa Cebu? What do you think? Tourism is a chicken joy? C’mon!” Joseph said laughingly.

Amid the naughtiness and corruption of government officials, he further noted that investors are the real stakeholders and not those pseudo actors claiming to be one.

He also said that former Department of Tourism secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano is one of the best things that happened in the tourism industry who took time to listen to the stakeholders.

While, Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Ed Nuque said tourism history is very important since it could bring out closer cooperation and integration.

To promote awareness on the tourism evolution of Visayas among current practitioners and students, he said that they are now planning to organize roundtable discussions with the personalities involved in Cebu tourism development.

Starting very soon, he said that everyone would be fully fascinated in the tourism history of the country, making them more appreciative of the present tourism situation.

Meanwhile, along with other officials, Joseph and Nuque are dedicated to their advocacy towards tourism education by merging actual experience and theory in the academe.

Nuque said that most graduates in tourism and hospitality management lack interaction with tourism professionals which motivated them to make those people available in the academe to harness the students’ talents.

He clarified that there is still an advantage of learning in the four corners of the classroom. However, with just theories presented, aspiring practitioners can just frame the situation. With actual interaction of industry practitioners, they would be equipped with the right attitude and the right morals in the real situation.

Even without a doctorate or masters’ degree, a tourism-related practitioner with ample familiarity and skills can share his expertise and be part of the academe.

For instance, he noted that there is a highly-experienced Filipino professional in the field of tourism and hospitality management who is based internationally but cannot teach or share his firsthand experiences in the university since he has not finished a degree.

Nuque said that Cebu will be a very good platform to launch such advocacy since the province is considered to be a major gateway of development by its own right.

Exporters urged: Tap services of Philexport’s China help desk

By Aileen Garcia-Yap (Cebu Daily News)

Cebu exporters can get assistance in tapping the Chinese market from the Philexport-Cebu China Help Desk, when it opens at the end of the month.

“We are in the finalization period of our talks. and we expect to have the desk set up by the end of April, “ said Fred Escalona, Philexport-Cebu executive director, yesterday.

This is a partnership with Business One Global Trade Center (B1GTC) for at least two years, he said.

Two Chinese-speaking marketing personnel will be hired and trained in China for the help desk.

“After we set up the desk by end of this month, we will start screening applicants for the two people we will be hiring for this project,” he said.

They will be sent to China to learn about the local business landscape and other information that will be helpful for Cebue exporters.

B1GTC is a part of the Global Trade Center Holdings network, which provides integrated one-stop trading services for international manufacturers entering the Chinese market. Services include exhibition, logistics, order solicitation, trade financing, tax, accounting and legal consulting.

The help desk will occupy the space left by Cebu Gifts, Toys, Housewares Manufacturers and Exporters Association Inc. (Cebu GTH) desk at Philexport-Cebu’s office at Legaspi Street, Cebu City.

Cebu GTH has transferred to the Ang Tindahang Pinoy shop at the Bridges Town Center in Mandaue City.

In February this year, B1GTC executives held a forum for Cebu exporters about the potential of the $1.4 billion China market.

B1GTC chief executive officer Henry Hwang encouraged the small and medium enterprise sector saying the middle market in China is fast expanding.

He said the Chinese are not brand conscious and generally see imported products as being of high quality.

With the Chinese government’s move to reduce import taxes, Hwang said this reduces the barrier to trade and makes favorable for imported products to enter.

Products such as furniture, home décor, fashion accessories, fresh and processed food products and seafood are in demand in China, while retail in China is one of the most attractive segments to tap, he said.

The top five Philippine products exported to China include electrical products, copper cathodes and sections of cathodes, nickel ore and concentrates, coal and copper ores and concentrates.

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said metal exports decreased in the next two years with non-metal high-value products replacing them as the country’s top export products.

Escalona said with Cebuano exporters having many products to offer the Chinese market, setting up the Philexport China Help Desk would be their entrance to one of today’s biggest and most dynamic market in Asia.

According to 2011 data of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in China, the total retail sales value of consumer goods in China’s domestic market amounted to 18.1226 trillion yuan RMB, an increase of 17 percent compared to the same period last year.

Sales value of furniture went up by 9.9 percent, building and decorating materials also increased by 9 percent while, hardware and electronic materials increased by 9.7 percent and an increase of 3 percent for the automobiles.

Sales of foodstuff and clothing showed a rapid increase in 2011 of 3,000 key retailers monitored by the Ministry of Commerce Peoples Republic of China (MOFCOM)increased by 17.9 percent and 18.5 percent respectively.

Based on 2011 data, the top five export markets for the Philippines are Japan, the United States of America, China, Singapore and Hongkong. Japan recently took the top spot from the United States of America in the list.

Total export trade volume of Japan last year amounted to US $8.8 million which is an increase of 13.07 percent from the previous year.

Trading volume in the Unites States of America decreased by 6.17 percent with only $7.09 million in 2011.

Trade in China increased by 6.6 percent from only $5.7 million in 2010 to $6.1 million last year. Singapore closed with $4.3 million last year which is an increase of 41.55 percent while HongKong decreased by 14.69 percent to only $3.7 last year.

Bike Lanes In Cebu Urged

By Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr. and Phoebe Jen Indino

CEBU — The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has issued a resolution urging towns and component cities here to study the possibility of providing motorcycle and bicycle lanes in major roads under their areas of responsibilities.

However, said resolution, authored by PB member Arleigh Jay Sitoy, is being frowned upon by Cebu’s League of Municipalities (LMP).

Sitoy’s resolution points out that the number of incidents involving motorcycles in Cebu is increasing.

Cebu LMP head, Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia, who is the brother of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, frowns on said resolution saying that while the idea is “good,” it is “not applicable” in most towns where the roads are too narrow to accommodate space for a bicycle lane. Besides, he said, “towns cannot afford” having such lanes as well.

Sitoy’s resolution is based on Section 16 of the Local Government Code requiring local governments to ensure the public’s health and safety. Last January, 2012, Sitoy also sponsored an ordinance passed by the PB urging the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and all traffic enforcement agencies in Region 7 to apprehend motorcycle drivers carrying small children as passengers.

Meanwhile, multi-sectoral citizenry group 350.org Pilipinas, which is comprised of various environment advocacy organizations and private individuals is pushing for the creation of bike lanes in Cebu City.

A manifesto recently issued by the group proposes putting up bicycle lanes in city roads to promote the safety of bikers, cyclists, skateboarders and pedestrians.

Gwen to make Larsian ‘eco-friendly’

by Carmel Loise Matus (Correspondent, Cebu Daily News)

Changes are ahead for barbecue vendors in Larsian near Fuente Osmeña, where the site will be made more eco-friendly and attractive for visitors.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she wants the area to be known as a healthy, environmentally-sound place to eat in the city.

The first step is to change the name from New Larsian to Eco-Larsian, she said.

Larsian, a cluster of barbecue stalls near the Fuente Osmena rotunda, is a popular local hangout known for its affordable grilled meat and fish dishes served with puso or hanging rice.

It used to occupy a prime spot across the landmark Fuente Osmeña fountain until it was moved to a Capitol-owned lot beside Chong Hua Hospital.

Garcia said she wants Eco-Larsian vendors to use smokeless charcoal made in Tabogon town.

“It’s really more healthy and safer to use… eco-friendly and customer friendly,” said Garcia about the charcoal made by the Tabogon Ecological Management Association, Inc.

Last Friday, Garcia met with Mac Azarcon, president of the Larsian stall owner’s association, and Astrohel Ybanez, president of the Tabogon Ecological Management Association, Inc., for a new charcoal use agreement.

Charcoal briquettes from Tabogon are made of forest twigs and carbonized coconut shells. They can grill faster and longer compared to ordinary charcoal.

Garcia said she will meet later with Larsian vendors to discuss changes she plans to introduce.

She said stall owners can’t openly display raw and half cooked food and stall attendants have to wear uniforms and hair nets so they look neat and presentable to customers.

Garcia said she would also introduce standardization in food portions of chicken and pork to be sold there.

She said she would also like a single grill area for Larsian vendors.

She said the new Larsian would also be occupied by 52 stalls with 32 stalls for barbecue vendors, and the others for fruits and souvenir items.

Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu enroll poor residents in PhilHealth

By Jose P. Sollano and Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City government and the Mandaue City government signed memorandums of agreement with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation for the enrolment of poor residents in Philhealth for free health insurance coverage.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza and PhilHealth area vice president for the Visayas and Region-7 William Chavez yesterday signed the agreement. To be enrolled are 17,000 indigent residents.

The signing was witnessed by PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Eduardo Banzon.

Banzon, in his speech, lauded the city government of Lapu-Lapu for prioritizing the health needs of poor families in the city.

He also said PhilHealth now has more than 6,000 nurses assigned to PhilHealth-accredited hospitals.

Radaza, on the other hand, said the signing of the MOA is a pivotal one for it exemplifies what inter-government agency cooperation can achieve to address one of the basic necessities of the people-health care services and its development as guaranteed by no less than the 1987 Constitution.

“Indeed this development is a great help to the people in Lapu-Lapu City especially those who have difficulty in availing of financial support in order to access health care services,” Radaza said.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Dr. Eduardo Banzon, Philhealth national president and CEO yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement for the enrollment of 15,000 indigent residents.

Mandaue will also pay for the insurance coverage of tricycle drivers, Clean and Green employees, and job order employees.

The city will pay P2,400 for each beneficiary, which is good for a two year coverage since an annual fee is P1,200.

Business group sponsors anti-crime stickers

(PIA Cebu)

CEBU CITY, April 13 (PIA) -- The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has sponsored the production of thousands of anti-crime stickers and posters to help the city police maintain peace and order.

In bold text written with ‘Get involved. Report and help stop crime,’ the stickers are posted on public utility jeepneys plying Mandaue City while the posters are pasted on commercial establishments throughout the city.

PSupt. James Goforth, deputy city director for operations of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) said the battle against crimes is not the responsibility of the police alone but of every sector and every peace-loving citizen.

“We are very grateful to the support of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry for sponsoring the thousands of anti-crime stickers and posters. We hope that though this strategy, we can spur the public to do their share in helping fight crime by immediately reporting any suspicious activities in their neighborhood,” said Goforth.

Goforth said that with active citizen involvement, maintaining peace and order is much easier which translates to a more conducive business environment and faster economic growth for Mandaue City dubbed as Cebu province’s industrial premiere.

The sticker and poster bore the different cell phone and landline numbers of the MCPO and its three offices namely investigation, intelligence and the city tactical open center.

A hotline number open 24 hours and seven days a week can also be accessed by the public. Likewise, the city police’s website is also disclosed for the public’s consumption.

Goforth said the positive relations between the MCPO and the MCCI is a good example that public-private partnership is an effective strategy to promote and maintain peace and order in the community.

BIR: Cebuanos are good taxpayers

By Amorganda A. Saludar (FCR/AS/PIA-Cebu)

CEBU CITY April 12 (PIA) -- Majority of Cebuanos are good taxpayers as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office 13 based in Cebu City have consistently exceeded its tax collection target for the past three years.

“I am very thankful because we did not encounter much of a problem in dealing with taxpayers in Cebu because Cebuano people are compliant in terms of payments and filing of income tax return on time,” said BIR-13 Regional Director Rodita Galanto during the recent PIA Kapihan that tackled on the tax information drive.

Galanto said the agency has shown consistent positive performance for the past three years as she attributed this to the cooperation and support shown by the Cebuanos.

In 2009, the BIR-13 collected more than the tax collection goal of P9.5 billion while the following year, the agency posted 12.33 percent growth in collection performance with P12.7 billion compared to its goal of only P11.4 billion. Last year, total tax remittances amounted to P12.456 billion compared to its goal of P12.421 billion posting a one percent growth.

Though Galanto lauded the efforts of the five district offices under BIR-13 for strengthening their tax information drive but she largely credited the Cebuano taxpayers for their good collection performance.

BIR-13 covers the provinces of Cebu and Bohol while four out of the five district offices are based in Cebu.

“With the cooperation and support shown by Cebuano taxpayers, we are optimistic that we can be able to achieve our collection goal for 2012 of P14.3 billion,” said Galanto.

For the first quarter this year, the agency has a target goal of P3. 22 billion but so far, the collection performance posted a tentative total of only P3.06 billion with a slight deficit of P152 million or 4.72 percent.

The figures however, were only tentative as all the data from the different regional district offices are still being collated and finalized.

“By next week, we will be able to finalize all tax collections from the period January to March. Here we will know whether we have surpassed our tax collection performance,” bared Zenaida Pancito, chief of the Collection Division of BIR-13.

Pancito echoed Galanto’s optimism that the agency will be able to exceed its target goal for the first quarter this year as some remittances from the municipalities and other rural areas have yet to be tabulated.

Every year, the agency’s tax collection goal is increasing as Pancito said this remains a challenge to them especially as they have shown consistent positive performance for the past three years.

“Every year we expect an increase in collection goal as our objective is really to increase tax collections. Tax is the lifeblood of the nation and the money will be spent by the government on basic public services among other priorities,” Pancito said.

Meanwhile, BIR 13 Chief Legal Division Atty. Asuncion Bernades in the same forum disclosed that they have endorsed to their national office one company in Mandaue City for investigation of possible tax fraud.

Bernades withheld the name of the company as it is subject for investigation. There are around 100 cases that have been elevated to the special investigation unit of their Central Office for possible tax evasion and fraud.

Competition for tech people launched in Cebu

By Tashuana Alemania (Sunnex)

CEBU CITY -- An event where technology enthusiasts come together to launch startup businesses was launched Wednesday in Lahug, Cebu City.

Startup Weekend, which will be held at the University of the Philippines-Cebu campus on May 11 to 13, is a 54-hour competition where developers, designers, marketers, technopreneurs, and venture capitalists come together, form teams, build products, and launch startup businesses.

This hands-on experience happens over the course of one weekend starting from Friday at 6 p.m. and will end on Sunday night with the launching of the startup businesses.

Volunteer event organizer Dave Overton of sym.ph said the event aims to have an environment where people can come out with their ideas.

"What's Startup Weekend all about is getting the right people in the right room with the right idea," he said.

Overton said this is a great opportunity and "people should come at the event, pitch their ideas, form a team and do something about it."

The concept, which started in the United States, is now a global movement taking digital startup business from ideas through intensive mentoring from industry experts.

Event lead organizer Mark Abella of TechTalks said participants in the event will pitch startup concepts they are passionate about and will be taught to develop their ideas into a business and how to get investors and money from it.

Mark Buenconsejo of CareSharing Inc., for his part, said, "The idea of the event is that like an entrepreneurship workshop where people get to work with other people and work on the idea."

Albert Padin of SpellDial, one of the mentors, said the event is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to build their dream team and build their network.

At the end of the event, judges with different expertise will choose one team as the winner.

Those who are interested in the event can register via http://cebu.stratupweekend.org until May 11 or while slots are available.

Overton said they can only accommodate 100 to 150 participants in the event.

Aside from the Philippines, Startup Weekends this year will also be held in France, Singapore, Argentina, Canada, USA, Norway, UK, Denmark, Mexico, Italy, Palestine, Senegal, Taiwan, Hungary, Australia, Lithuania, Algeria, Ireland, Switzerland, Martinique, Tunisia, Spain, China, India, Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Belarus, Poland, Turkey, Uganda, Kosovo, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Germany, Peru, Moldova, Croatia, Cambodia, Egypt, Bolivia and the Netherlands.


Riverbasin plan to cost P13M

By Candeze R. Mongaya (Reporter,Cebu Daily News)

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR) 7 endorsed the P13-million budget of the Central Cebu River Basins Management Council (CCRBMC) to the Regional Development Council (RDC).

DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Maximo Dischoso said that the component of the master plan includes watershed management, environmental conservation, institutional and policy, water resources management, flood control and hazard mitigation, wetlands and river, gender, and information, education, and communication.

The Central Cebu river basins covers four major watershed areas namely, Mananga, Lusaran-Combado, Kotkot and the coastal river basins which includes Guinsaga, Butuanon, Mahiga, Guadalalupe, Lahug, Linao and Bulacao.

It covers a total area of 68,133 hectares and also covers the cities of Cebu, Toledo, Danao, Mandaue, and Talisay; and municipalities of Asturias, Minglanilla, Lilo-an, Consolacion, Compostela, and Balamban.

IT Firm Opens Cebu Operations

By MALOU M. MAZO

CEBU CITY, Cebu – Owing to the bullishness of Cebu’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, an information technology (IT) company, specializing in non-voice services, opened its first Cebu hub recently.

Talleco, with some 100 workstations at the Cebu IT Tower within the Cebu Business Park, is an information technology company offering non-voice account on software development, data entry and other IT-related works and processes.

“Manila is already saturated with BPO companies and we see Cebu as an opportunity to grow our business because of Cebu’s big pool of qualified human resources,” said Talleco managing director Kurt Andrada.

He sees the Cebu Business Park as a strategic location for the company because the Park, according to Andrada “offers a healthy lifestyle which is less congested with no bars and away from stiff competition with other BPOs.”

Andrada said Talleco initially opened in March this year, with an initial 75 employees working on a three-shift operation serving North American clients.

“We’re aiming for a progressive development in our Cebu hub, targeting to add two or more clients by the end of this year or early 2013,” he said.

Talleco, according to Andrada, is set to increase its workforce to 200 people by year-end. Such workforce will consist of software developers, network engineers, data entry professionals, and project managers.

2,000 visitors in Oslob; ‘more solemn’ Holy Week in Bantayan

by Carmel Loise Matus (Correspondent,Cebu Daily News)

ABOUT 2,000 visitors went to Oslob town in south Cebu on Black Saturday to watch whale sharks.

Yesterday’s crowd was double the size of visitors on Holy Thursday, said PO2 Nelson Mendaros of the Oslob Police Station.

There were no whale shark watching guides on Good Friday.

He said most of the visitors were local tourists with a few foreigners. The crowd peaked at 9 a.m. and thinned out towards the 1 p.m. cut-off.

Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren also dropped by the coastal barangay, which is a distance from the town’s poblacion to check on the visitors.

Meanwhile, in Bantayan Island in northern Cebu, there were a few cases of drunken conduct but police said it was “more solemn” this year for Holy Week.

Mayor Ian Christopher Escario said restaurant and bar owners helped by heeding his request not to play loud music starting Holy Wednesday.

No bikini shows were held in line with a strict Capitol policy against it.

The mayor said despite the ban, it didn’t affect the tourism industry and that resorts and pension houses in the island were fully booked despite charging double room rates for the peak season.

He said at least 10 class reunions were held this week, with on batch organizing an Easter Fun Run today.

Bike lanes in Cebu City

by Phoebe Jen Indino

Cebu City, Philippines – A multi-sectoral citizenry composed of different environment advocacy organizations and private individuals, who want to make a significant change, is campaigning for the creation of bike lanes here.

“This hip campaign allows the people to reclaim their rights in creating public spaces for a healthful and sustainable society, and put back our sense of community“, said Vince Aureflor Cinches of 350.org Pilipinas, whose group is also supporting the same cause.

In a manifesto released recently, the group proposes to put up bicycle lanes in Cebu City roads for the safety of bikers, cyclists, skateboarders, and pedestrians. Further, the group believed that the bikers, skateboarders, pedestrians and cyclists also deserve respect and equal rights to share the road with other vehicle drivers.

It also cited that space on the road should be allocated by number of passengers, not just size of vehicles: one person riding a bike should be given the same amount of space as one person riding an SUV.

Good Friday devotees nailed to crosses

(AP/Tashuana Alemania/Daryl Anunciado/Sunnex)

CEBU CITY -- Thousands of people gathered in Philippine villages to watch devotees being nailed to crosses as they marked Good Friday by re-enacting Jesus Christ's suffering.

In Cebu City, a man in Barangay Guadalupe had himself suffered from carrying the cross to show his acts of penitence.

He was placed between two other men who also portrayed as the criminals who were crucified next to Jesus Christ.

In Pampanga, nine men wearing crowns of twigs on their heads were crucified for a few minutes by villagers dressed as Roman centurions in San Pedro Cutud village. At least eight other people were nailed to crosses in neighboring villages.

Prior to the crucifixions, dozens of male penitents walked several kilometers (miles) through village streets, beating their bare backs with sharp bamboo sticks and pieces of wood. Some of the penitents had their backs inflicted with cuts to keep them bloody.

The spectacle reflects a unique brand of Catholicism that merges church traditions with Philippine folk superstitions.

Many of the mostly impoverished penitents undergo the ritual to atone for sins, pray for the sick or a better life, or give thanks for what they believe were God-given miracles.

Dubbed as “Siete Palabras” (The Seven Last Words), the reenactment depicted the sufferings of Jesus Christ from when Pontius Pilate sentenced and condemned him to the hands of the Roman soldiers, up to his way to his crucifixion, and later, his death.

The yearly rite continues even as church leaders discourage the practice.

"We do not judge and condemn, but we discourage it," Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said of the crucifixions.

Rev. Melvin Castro, also of the CBCP, said "the church's position is there's no need to go through this physical and literal pain on the body because Christ already did that for us."

He said what the church asks is for people to "enter into the passion and death of Christ by internal sacrifices," including going to confession and giving alms.

Meanwhile, Most Reverend Julito Cortes said Friday that the cross where Jesus was nailed dead symbolizes the infinite love of God.

"Ang krus nagpahinumdum kanato dili sa kamatayon ug pag-antos kung dili sa gugma ug kalooy sa Ginoo (The cross reminds us not of death and suffering but of God's love and mercy),” Cortes said in his homily after the Siete Palabras in Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Friday afternoon.

Cortes took over Cebu Archbishop Palma, who is on an emergency leave due to a medical operation, in celebrating the Holy Mass on Good Friday.

He reminded the Catholic faithful to also remember that the cross was the means by which Christ would draw them unto Him and the salvation He offers.

"Gidupa ni Jesus iyang mga kamot aron maabli ang ganghaan sa langit para sa mga tawo (Jesus outstretched His hands to open the door of Heaven for the people),” he said.

Budget for Cebu rivers rehab approved

By Hazel F. Gloria (MBCN/HFG-PIA7/DENR-7)

CEBU CITY, April 5 (PIA) -- The Central Cebu River Basins Management Council (CCRBMC) has approved an estimated P13-million budget to rehabilitate and protect the rivers in the region.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) regional executive director Maximo Dichoso said that the Council issued resolution no. 2012-01 endorsing the integrated river basin management and development master plan.

Dichoso added the components of the master plan includes watershed management, environmental conservation, institutional and policy, water resources management, flood control and hazard mitigation, wetlands and river, gender, and information, education, and communication.

Meanwhile, the said council resolution dated March 7, which was attested by Dichoso and approved by Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma as chairperson of the council, was forwarded to the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) on April 2 for adoption, acceptance, and support.

“The CCRBMC subscribes to the integrated approaches to development using the river basin as a planning and management unit,” he said.

The project has two phases: the first phase reviewed the water policy and development strategy for the river basins, and the second phase involved the formulation of a 15-year master plan, with specific projects for water resources, watershed management, flood control, environment, and institutional arrangement considering current problems and issues.

The Central Cebu river basins has a total area of 68,133 hectares which covers four major watershed areas such as Mananga with 8,716 hectares; Lusaran-Combado, 26,257; Coastal, 24,849; and Kotkot with 8,311 hectares.

Coastal river basins include Guinsaga, Butuanon, Mahiga, Guadalalupe, Lahug, Linao, and Bulacao.

This covers cities of Cebu, Toledo, Danao, Mandaue, and Talisay; and municipalities of Asturias, Minglanilla, Lilo-an, Consolacion, Compostela, and Balamban.

CCRBMC is a multi-stakeholder organization that will use the integrated water resources management principles and adapt the integrated watershed or river basins and ecosystems management approach as an overarching strategy to environment and natural resources management.

Cops Reinforced For Holy Week

By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

CEBU CITY, Cebu — The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) has fielded 150 policemen starting Wednesday as part of its security and order measures for Holy Week.

Some 42 police personnel are going to Bantayan Island, a known hotspot during the Holy Week, while 44 officers are being tasked to provide security in Minglanilla and neighboring towns. Another 51 police officers will stay in the headquarters and 14 police personnel will be on standby.

The CPPO has also established at least 100 public assistance centers starting Wednesday to provide help to the public and ensure safety and order during the observance of Holy Thursday and Good friday.

The public assistance centers are in strategic areas such as piers, 85 churches in the province, and tourism spots, among others, said CPPO Director Patrocinio Comendador.

There are about 243 beaches in Cebu province, although only 22 of these beaches are considered “busy,” Commendador said. He said the CPPO has divided Cebu in eight areas to be supervised by CPPO officials.

Cebu signs support for PWDs’ right to suffrage

by KARLON N. RAMA (with Erika Lagunzad)

CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Cebu pledged to encourage more persons with disability to take part in the 2013 elections when it signed a commitment to support the Fully Abled Nation campaign that upholds PWDs’ right to suffrage.

Provincial board member Arleigh Sitoy, who some years back survived a stroke that has left him with a limp, signed in behalf of the provincial government.

Sitoy and other PWDs took center stage at the launching of the campaign in Cebu on March 28. Cebu is the 20th province with the most numbers of PWDs, according to the February 2011 data from the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The records of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as of July 2011 rank Cebu as the 11th province with the most number of registered PWDs.

Retired navy captain Oscar Taleon, who is blind and is the president and co-founder of the Alyansa ng may Kapansanang Pinoy (AKAP-Pinoy), also signed his commitment to the campaign. AKAP-Pinoy has 56 chapters nationwide and 450 disabled persons organizations (DPOs) as affiliates.

The Fully Abled Nation campaign is aimed at insuring that PWDs’ right to vote is observed in the midterm elections next year.

The event was attended by representatives of DPOs, other local government officials and support groups such as VSO Bahaginan and the Gualandi Volunteer Service Programme (GVSP), which led the launching of the campaign.

In his speech, Sitoy said it was time PWDs “live like everybody else.” He is known as a PWD rights advocate in Cebu having earlier proposed an ordinance giving tax incentives to business establishments in the province that have “barrier-free environments” and those that cater to tourism for PWDs.

“This is an important event,” Taleon said, as a troupe of hearing impaired dancers took over the stage and performed the Sinulog to hand gestures a teacher from the local First Integrated School for the Hearing Impaired synced to the drum beat.

A PWD dancer performs the Sinulog, a dance that honors the Sto. Nino (infant Jesus) after the signing of commitment. (Photo by KARLON RAMA)

A recent Social Weather Stations survey noted a decline in the number PWDs taking part in the electoral process. From 60 percent in 2007, only 54 percent of the 1,200 PWDs surveyed were able to vote in the 2010. Among those who voted in 2010, the ortophedically impaired showed the highest percentage of participation at 56 percent, followed by the visually impaired at 51 percent, then the hearing/speech impaired at 48 percent.

While the Comelec has registered more than 700,000 voters as of January, the figure is small given how, said Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento in a previous speech, the actual number of PWDs in the country is about 15 percent of the total 101 million population.

Though the Omnibus Election Code does not discriminate against PWDs and observes their right to suffrage, Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano admits that many are unable to take part because the process of registering and voting is largely not barrier-free.

“Many of our offices are in the upper floors of buildings, many of which don’t have elevators,” Castillano said of the hindrances faced by PWDs during regular voter registration.

The problem of access is as pronounced when voting time comes, he said, as precincts are normally found in upper rooms of public school buildings.

“Comelec does not have any control over that. We can’t choose which buildings local government units place us. If we build our own or rent a place, it gets disallowed in audit. In Mandaue City, they placed us on the third floor. And we have no say in the design of schools,” Castillano added.

The Comelec has nonetheless conducted a special registration for PWDs in the Visayas for the entire month of March.

In May last year, the Comelec national office issued Resolution 9220 which prescribes guidelines for the nationwide registration of PWDs.

“We went off-site. We took our data capturing machines outside our third floor location and placed it in more accessible places in the barangays. We informed the barangays days ahead that they will be coming so they could disseminate the information to the communities,” Castillano revealed of the Cebu special registration that began March 1.

The only requirement for registration is a valid ID card or a birth certificate proving that the registrant is of legal age.

Resolution 9220 does not only mandate better access for the PWD registrants, it also revises the registration form to gather supplementary data like type of disabilities and the form of assistance needed come election day.

“I am thankful that the Comelec has conducted special registrations for people with disabilities, daghan man ma discourage og register og vote sa una kay samok, unya hasol pud labi na namo nga mga naka-wheelchair (a lot get discouraged to register and vote because of the hassle, particularly on us who are on wheelchairs),” said Shiela Padilla who has polio.

She now expects to vote in May 2013.

And there are added perks. ”Sa karon, nag-enjoy man pud mi sa special nga discounts nga gihatag sa mga disabled og sa mga senior citizen sa taga palitunon namo, dako gyud siya og matabang (we enjoy special discounts on whatever we buy, just like senior citizens. It helps),” said Jose Revel who also has polio and gets around with the help of crutches.

The Cebu City government allocates P16.8 million annually for PWDs and P12 million of that is spent for cash assistance. The remaining P4.8 million is allocated for the operation of the city’s Persons with Disability Affairs Office.

Holy Week meaningless unless we make changes

  • Source:www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=793496
  • Monday, April 2, 2012 12:00 AM
By Mylen P. Manto/BRP (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - "Repent and enter into a new way of life with renewed faith in God."

This was how Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma emphasized the true meaning of the observance of Holy Week during his homily yesterday at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

He reiterated the important thing to do is to take part in all activities of the Church. He stressed celebrating Holy Week every year will not have much sense and purpose "if we don't impose a change within for the betterment of ourselves."

In order to change, Palma made a special mention of confession.

"It's a time to repent and believe in the goodness of God. We have to repent and change ourselves. We can do that through confession."

"We are called to repent, to live in the good news and to change ourselves through confession," he stressed.

Palma added the love of God is the reason for change.

"We changed to a happy people, a people of faith and a people who express his faith in many signs of solidarities."

In the observance of the most important week of a year, Palma highlighted the significance of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday.

"The pass-over of our lives is a time to depart from our old selves and embrace the new you," he said.

He added the celebration of Easter Sunday when Christ is risen gives "us new life and new beginning."

"At the end of the Holy Week we enter into a new life of faith and of grace and of service to God our maker," he said.

Passion Sunday

Palm Sunday is the celebration of the Christians of the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem a week before His death and His resurrection.

Palma said Palm Sunday is also called Passion Sunday which marks the beginning of Holy Week.

"It's the week when we enter more deeply into the mysteries of faith that meant or intended to truly make us holy to be able to appreciate the love of God and therefore to open our heart to God and share in God's life in God's holiness," he said.

He, however, said although many people think Holy Week is a time for vacation, he is thankful for the Cebuanos' different way of thinking.

"Thank you Cebu. Thank you because of our greater Christian civilization. We believe that Holy Week is not simply a week for vacation but a week when we enter more deeply into our faith. The best way to celebrate and spend the Holy Week is to participate in the main activities of the church and we started it with Palm Sunday," he said.

Palma said 2012 is more special and meaningful because it has been declared by Pope Benedict XVI as the "Year of Faith."

Outside the church many vendors said they earned well, selling palm fronds shaped into crosses and other designs at P10 to P20 depending on the design.

Cebu International Airport Expansion Set

By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

MACTAN, Cebu – The Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) Board said the expansion for the existing arport facility is now being programmed after making a decision to expand, rather than transfer the airport to another location.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) turned over last year its final report on the Feasibility Study for the New Passenger Terminal and Master Plan of the MCIA.

After its board meeting Friday last week, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia who sits in the board said "there is now a particular schedule in the procurement process for the building of this (new) terminal."

Garcia, however, did not divulge to media the exact schedule except that the construction of said new terminal will be on a Build-Operate-Transfer scheme under the government’s public-private partnership (PPP) policy.

She asked the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) for a more compressed time schedule within which to implement the study.

The MCIA, when constructed in the 1990s, was designed to accommodate 4.5 million passengers; last year, the airport terminal has already hit some 6.2 million passengers.

For the first two months of this year alone, the MCIA accommodated 296,474 passengers, or 25 percent higher than the 237,946 passengers that arrived in the terminal for the same period in 2011.

Garcia said Cebu "is becoming more interesting and people like to come here as it gives a lot of opportunities for employment and businesses."

With this growth in passengers, Garcia said it is "a challenge" for the Cebu government to see to it that the infrastructure can keep up with this development. "We have an expansion in the existing terminal but we really need a new terminal that should be built not just to serve 6.2 million passengers but for 20 to 30 million in the next 20 years," Garcia said.

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