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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.

Cebu Port authorities all set for Lenten Season passenger influx

Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2441363677637
Wednesday, March 20, 2013

By Ferliza C. Contratista (rmn/FCC/PIA Cebu)

Public Assistance Desks, medical teams in place

CEBU CITY, March 20 (PIA) -- Cebu port authorities are ready for the volume of passengers expected this Lenten Season.

In Tuesday morning's Kapihan sa Pantalan, Cebu port authorities formally launched their security preparations dubbed “Oplan Ligtas Byahe: Kwaresma 2013."

Director Oscar Lopez, Port Safety and Environment Management Department Manager of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), said they have already coordinated with other authorities involved in the operations and safety of the port areas all over Cebu for next week’s influx of passengers.

Lopez said help and public assistance desks are in place as early as this week for emergencies in the main ports in Cebu City, Pier 1, 2 and 3.

There will also be medical teams and ambulances on standby.

Passenger Liaison Officers are assigned in every port including those that are in the provinces.

He said Pier 1 is currently under renovation and passengers are advised to go to the port early next week since they might be diverting some trips to Pier 3.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commander Weniel Azcuna said they are implementing starting Tuesday their own Public Assistance Center in all 13 detachments in Cebu.

Azcuna said they had already started with the conduct of flag state inspection which involves thorough inspection of passenger vessels for their sea worthiness.

“But other than that, we also focus on the human factor, the mechanical competence of the crew,” Azcuna said.

They are also augmenting their personnel specially within those that are identified as critical areas and where “bakasyonistas” are expected to flock like the northern wharfs in Hagnaya and Kawit.

Joy Tumulak of the City Traffic Operations and Management (CITOM) also said their own personnel will be in full force and on standby in the ports.

Tumulak said they will be on watch for illegally-parked vehicles and motorcycles in order to ensure a smooth traffic flow in these areas.

P/Inspector Percival Miasco of the Waterfront Police Station said passengers are advised not to be lured by the convenience offered by port vendors and dispatchers for the buying of their tickets.

“Otherwise, the passenger might end up with fake, expired, and more expensive tickets,” Miasco said.

Also present in the Kapihan sa Pantalan was Ryan Benjamin Yu of the City Transport Cooperative (CITRASCO) and P/Supt. Alvin Piad of the Maritime Police.

"Oplan Ligtas Byahe: Kwaresma 2013" is a directive issued by the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Cebu, Davao seen to host next-generation CBDs

Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/376041/cebu-davao-seen-to-host-next-generation-cbds
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 7:27 am

Tessa R. Salazar (Cebu Daily News/inquirer.net)

Both areas have various emerging urban districts

Property experts are looking beyond Metro Manila for the next emerging central business districts (CBDs). But where in the islands would that be?

Claro dG Cordero Jr., Jones Lang La Salle’s head of research, consulting and valuation in the Philippines, told Inquirer Property that “Cebu and Davao have the potential to be the locations of the next big CBDs, due to the level of economic and commercial activities in these two areas.”

“In fact, both Cebu and Davao have various emerging urban districts (EUDs),” he added.

Cordero explained that in Cebu, aside from the Cebu Business Park and the Cebu IT Park (both developed by Ayala Land) which can be considered the traditional CBD areas, new EUDs are being developed by property giants SM Group (in the South Reclamation Project); Robinsons Land (on Maxilom Avenue); and Megaworld (at the Mactan Newtown Center in Lapu-Lapu City).

Cordero said the Filinvest Land project in the South Reclamation Project could also be considered as another EUD in Cebu.

Karlo Pobre, Colliers International’s research and advisory services manager, also gives a thumbs up for Cebu. “I think Cebu is somehow a few years younger than Metro Manila, but the current rapid rate of development suggests that it can grow faster moving forward.”

Pobre explained that there has been the emergence of major business districts, pioneered by the Cebu Park District, now followed by the Mactan Newtown and the 300-hectare South Road Properties. For completed residential condominiums, the supply grew rapidly by an average of 60 percent annually since the first project in 2005.

Enrique M. Soriano III, Ateneo program director for real estate and senior adviser for Wong+Bernstein Business Advisory, pointed out that a CBD serves as the “focal point” of a city; the commercial, office, retail and cultural center, and usually the hub for transportation networks.

So much promise

“Cebu, Davao and even Iloilo offer so much promise as the next-generation CBDs. However, it will only happen if—and it’s a big if—the city mayors, urban planners and eco-developers get their acts together. When that happens, these strategic areas may just be the next-wave cities in 2020,” said Soriano.

David Leechiu, Jones Lang La Salle country head, said that Cebu and Davao are, indeed, promising, but “Cebu is limited to the business and IT parks.”

“Davao is looked upon as the next labor frontier since it is perceived to be an untapped labor market. In Davao, many of the clients we have brought there have doubled in size in less than two years,” Leechiu said.

Cordero said that in Davao, the emerging business districts are those that are being developed by SM Group (the SM City Lanang development), Ayala Land (the Abreeza development) and the Villar group (the Northpoint development).

He said that both Abreeza and the SM City Lanang development consist of retail, hotel and office developments. Abreeza also has residential condominium development towers, while SM City Lanang has convention center facilities.

Pobre said that at present, the total residential stock in all of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-lapu cities is at 6,765 units, roughly about the size of Eastwood City. By the end of 2013, it would grow to the size of Ortigas Center. By 2015, it is expected to grow by over 70 percent.

“Meanwhile, Cebu likewise has its own share of the office market, which is still mainly driven by the BPO (business process outsourcing) industry. In 2012 alone, there have been 80,000 square meters of leasable office space, or about seven new buildings delivered, some 150,000 sq m more are expected to be completed by 2014. Currently, the average rental rate in Cebu is similar to that of Ortigas, between P400 and P600 per sq m per month,” Pobre revealed.

Tourism market

Pobre said that Cebu is more appealing compared to Metro Manila when it comes to tourism.

“Even the frequently visiting Japanese and Koreans have found Cebu as their new home, which reflects in their acquisition of leisure residential units, particularly in the cities of Mactan and Lapu-Lapu.”

He added that the best thing about Cebu is its “business-plus-leisure environment.”

“You can be in your office the whole day, but find yourself enjoying a drink in Mactan Shangri-La in the evening; or at least an escape to the nearby beaches and islands during the weekends, which you can hardly do in Metro Manila,” said Pobre.

Cordero said the emergence of EUDs in Cebu and Davao presents local businesses an alternative to the traditional business districts in city centers, by offering masterplanned communities and high-quality space and accommodation.

“These EUDs are not at all different to the early years of the established CBDs in Metro Manila (such as Makati and Ortigas CBDs). These EUDs will eventually attract businesses and companies to locate in these areas.

He stressed that what would make these different from the established CBDs is for these EUDs to properly implement the masterplan and carefully provide easy access by introducing new modes of transport, which have been commonly neglected in business districts,” said Cordero.

Hundreds mark death anniversary of ‘the guy’

Source:http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2013/03/18/921095/hundreds-mark-death-anniversary-guy
Monday, March 18, 2013 12:00 am

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Hundreds went to Barangay Sunog in Balamban town, Cebu, to mark the 56th death anniversary of former President Ramon Magsaysay yesterday.

His only son, former senator Ramon "Jun" Magsaysay Jr. personally led the laying of the wreath at his father's monument near the crash site in Mt. Manunggal.

Jun's son, Paco, several mountainers, residents and local officials also paid tribute to the late president, who is known as the "People's President" and is arguably the most beloved of Philippine presidents.

Magsaysay was known for his simplicity and being an unassuming person said Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy in a press conference yesterday. Sitoy recalled that when he was still a high school student of the Abellana National High School, he wrote the former president about their complaints that they were made to work with some carpenters in the construction of the school's grandstand.

Sitoy said that Magsaysay, wearing a simple shirt with no bodyguards, went to the school and looked for the school principal and immediately ordered the stoppage of the said construction work.

Vic Dumon, son of former Cebu Rep. Tereso Dumon also recalled that the former president had his last supper in their house before the fatal plane crash that killed 27 people on board. Only journalist Nestor Mata survived.

The former president's son said that his father was in a hurry to get back home to Manila as it was a Sunday the following day and he usually had breakfast and then went to Mass with his family.

Francisco Noya, now 76, was 20 years old when he saw what remained of the president's plane, the Mt. Pinatubo, shortly after the crash.

"Nasunog gyud ang presidente. Akong nakita nga wala na siyang ilong ug dunggan. Unya sa iyang mga kamot naa pa ang iyang relo ug singsing," Noya recalled in an interview with the media.

Jun, who is running again as senator, skipped yesterday's Team PNoy rally in Baguio City to lead the commemoration rites of his father's death anniversary here.

DPWH implements water projects

Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2013/03/17/dpwh-implements-water-projects-273359
Sunday, March 17, 2013

By Elias O. Baquero

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) implemented P417.3 million worth of various water projects in Central Visayas, particularly Cebu, between 2009 and 2012, as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 6716, or the Rainwater Collector and Springs Development Law.

This announcement was in response to the statement of Elisea Gozun, the presidential assistant for climate change, that the agency, which is tasked to build rainwater collectors (or catchments) and rehabilitate old and defective wells, has been slow in implementing the law.

Compulsory

In a letter to Sun.Star Cebu, Marie Mig-non Nillama, DPWH 7 spokesperson, said the agency spent P57.6 million in 2009, P110.2 million in 2010, P208.9 million in 2011 and P40.5 million last year to improve the water supply.

The allocations were for the construction of water systems, artesian wells, reservoirs, pumping stations and conduits.

Nillama said the agency will allocate more funds this year to build water catchments.

She said it is now a DPWH policy that drainage must be a compulsory component of road projects so rainwater will go directly to the canal instead of flowing to the streets.

Earlier, Gozun said Congress passed the law in 1989 yet.

Disaster-prone

She said if the DPWH and local government units (LGUs) don’t fully implement the law, which also prohibits the rampant cutting of trees in watershed areas, Metro Cebu faces the risk of flashfloods like those that hit Cagayan de Oro and Compostela Valley.

To avoid such calamities, Gozun, who is a former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, suggested that the DPWH and LGUs should work together to build catchments to store rainwater and prevent it from flowing directly to the streets.

Gozun said the collected rainwater, if treated, can be used for washing vehicles, washing clothes, watering the plants, among other things.

She said it is sad to note that reservoirs, catchment basins or detention ponds, which are required by RA 6716, are rare in Cebu.

Cebu pushed as investment destination

Source:http://www.philstar.com/business/2013/03/16/920154/cebu-pushed-investment-destination
Saturday, March 16, 2013 12:00 am

By Louella D. Desiderio (The Philippine Star)

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is pushing the province as a destination for investments, citing opportunities in the sectors of information technology – business process outsourcing (IT-BPO), tourism, creative industries and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

CCCI president Lito Maderazo told reporters the group wants to encourage more firms to invest in the province given available opportunities.

“Cebu has a lot to offer. There are opportunities here,” he said.

He said firms could consider investing in the IT-BPO sector given available talent.

The IT-BPO employs 95,000 in the province.

Apart from IT-BPO, he said, investment opportunities are also available in tourism as it is among the top destination picks of foreign visitors to the country. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

He pointed out that two million foreign tourists visited the province last year, 50 percent higher than in 2011.

Cebu, likewise, has creative industries such as furniture which interested firms could consider to engage in.

Maderazo said the CCCI is also pushing for the development of more SMEs in the province.

He said that while the country has captured the attention of many foreign firms looking to invest, the government has to address concerns which hamper the growth of businesses in the province.

“Now that we are a bright spot, we are hoping that the government will resolve the high cost of power,” he said.

He said the government also has to address the lack of infrastructure in the province to remove the high shipping costs and attract more tourists.

The inadequate water supply is, likewise, a problem with water utilities in the province supplying only 50 percent of what is needed.

The CCCI has organized business meetings along with the 27th Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Conference which started yesterday.

The CACCI is composed of national chambers of commerce and industry, business associations and business enterprises in Asia and the Western Pacific.

Maderazo said the CCCI is hoping to encourage new investments in the province through the conference.

International confab tackles issues about infra, politics

Source:http://www.philstar.com/cebu-business/2013/03/15/919960/international-confab-tackles-issues-about-infra-politics
Friday, March 15, 2013 12:00 am

By Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Infrastructure issues topped the discussion in one of the parallel break-out sessions at the 27th International Conference of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) yesterday that was held at Radisson Blu Hotel.

Acknowledging the real estate boom and vibrant growth in the construction sector, industry experts and major stakeholders from both the local and global arena identified investment opportunities in the Philippine setting and outlined possible strategies to boost its development, of which infrastructure was a major concern.

With the theme “Asia Pacific: Catalyst to Global Recovery”, the two-day conference is aimed to provide a platform for CACCI members and invited experts to exchange views on measures that the business sector and governments in the region can undertake to help sustain growth and enable the Asia-Pacific region to play a catalytic role in the global recovery.

Foreign delegates from Taiwan, Russia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, India and other countries sat down with the leaders of local and national business chambers and organizations to discuss about the Asian council on contracting and construction.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Lito Maderazo raised the issue on infrastructure problems that hinders foreign investors to come and invest to the Philippines.

Senior architect Jose Mari Cañizares who served as one of the speakers during the session admitted the country’s setback in the infrastructure system but cited strategies to improve the potential investment hub for the global market.

Cañizares considered the construction industry as a catalyst of development that affects all sectors of the national economy.

Even with the influx of investments into the country, he said that there is “definitely” no real estate bubble yet.

He noted that Cebu needs an underpass or bridge that links the downtown area to Cordova, a transport system to address the traffic congestion brought by the growing number of jeepneys and the establishment of terminals and airports to and from islands in the Philippines.

Identifying politics as a hindrance to the accomplishment of infrastructure projects, he said that public-private partnerships should be encouraged.

For instance, he cited the ongoing bid for the expansion of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) Terminal 2 that is presently participated by conglomerates and business companies.

“Politics is the problem. The private sector is far, far better and having tie-ups will help for us to improve. Majority has to be done,” he said.

He further noted that business, leisure and livability are among the factors that attract local and international developers to come to Cebu.

About 60% of the real estate sector in Cebu is accounted by local investors while the remaining 40% comprise foreign investments, he added.

Cañizares currently owns an average-sized architectural firm in Cebu that was established in 1972.

J.M. Cañizares is a company that has served 41 years in the field of architecture and planning through its diversified projects such as residential, condominiums, commercial, institutions, hotels, banks, resorts, churches, and airports.

Meanwhile, Turkey Contracting Services Assembly member Cihan Candemir who chaired the session yesterday pointed out the upward trend of the construction industry and growing number of potential investment opportunities in the global market.

He said that the construction sector has contributed 11% of the global GDP growth from 2011 to 2012.

To take advantage of such development, he emphasized the strategic collaboration among different countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The construction sector is expanding more and more. There are a lot of opportunities everywhere. What we have to do is to look for ways to cooperate among countries and share our capabilities with each other,” Candemir stated.

He added that it has brought a crucial impact in the industry after Asia-Pacific was identified as one of the fastest growing regions for the past two years.

He said that China accounted for 41% of the construction spending of the Asia Pacific region in 2011 while India accounted for over 10% of the region’s construction market.

Japan’s construction spending is expected to grow due to earthquake and tsunami reconstruction works.

In the next decade, Candemir said that the Middle East construction sector will be triggered by infrastructure investments particularly in the energy sector.

While Saudi Arabia is the largest construction market in the region, he added that Qatar is expected to be the fastest growing construction market due to the FIFA World Cup 2022 preparations.

In the year 2020, Asia’s share of construction spending by region is forecasted to increase to 40% from the projected 31% in 2015.

The Turkish Contractors Association has recorded a total of 1700 projects in 100 countries with a total business volume of US$212 billion.

The organization was established in 1952 and currently has 152 member companies as constructors and contractors.

New access road to IT Park to open this month

Source:http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2013/03/14/919507/new-access-road-it-park-open-month
Thursday, March 14, 2013 12:00 am

By AJ de la Torre/MBG (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Before the month ends, traffic flow along Salinas Drive and Gov. Cuenco Ave. is expected to become smoother as the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) targets to open the access road within the province-owned Ciudad property soon.

The Cebu Provincial Government already gave the go signal for the use of the access road within the Ciudad Property leading to the IT Park.

Citom will soon be meeting with Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corporation (CPVDC), owner and developer of Asiatown IT Park Lahug to discuss the tearing down of a wall leading to the new road, which is within the 27-hectare property of IT Park.

Francis Monera, president of CPVDC said that they have yet to receive a word from CITOM as regards to the tearing down of the wall but said he welcomes the plan.

“With the city’s continuing bullish development, this is a necessary initiative to ease the flow of vehicles in the area,” said Monera.

CITOM head Rafael Christopher Yap said the opening of the new access road will lessen the volume of vehicles traversing Salinas drive.

“Traffic flow will be smoother,” said Yap.

CITOM will also be coordinating with the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DPWH) for the asphalting of the road.

Yap assured that they will do their best to complete everything as soon as possible considering that the riding and foot traffic on Salinas Drive is getting heavier, especially with the increase of commercial establishments in the area.

Traffic congestion has been a problem in the area for a long time, said Yap.

Apas Brgy Captain Ramil Ayuman also said they are happy with the decision to open the road in the provincial property, which is their wish for years.

Ayuman said that he has received numerous complaints from Apas residents on the traffic congestion in the area which prompted him to ask the city council to look for other options for road access.

The development of the Ciudad project in the Banilad-Talamban road has been stalled after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) declined the request for the Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Provincial Government and the developer, Fifth Avenue.

Last June, Fifth Avenue re-applied for an ECC. Suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier pushed for the P1.2-billion project to be implemented as it will help in the long term decongestion of traffic in the area.

However, some city officials opposed to the project saying it will just worsen the traffic situation.

Mega Cebu advocates told to coordinate with RDC

Source:http://www.philstar.com/cebu-business/2013/03/13/919132/mega-cebu-advocates-told-coordinate-rdc
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 12:00 am

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has urged the members of the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) to bring the government into the picture in order to realize its roadmap in transforming Cebu into a world class Metropolis through its "Mega Cebu" project.

While NEDA director general Arsenio Balisacan sees the potential of the private-sector led development project, he said it would be good to deeply involve the government both local and national agencies.

Balisacan said that the board should come up with projects to support mobility, competitiveness and livability.

He also asked the MCDCB to coordinate with the Regional Development Board (RDC) in Central Visayas in order to incorporate the "Mega Cebu" plan to the regional development planning.

Notwithstanding political boundaries and differences, the private sector in Cebu is leading towards pushing the 30-year “Mega Cebu” masterplan, putting the metropolis to the world map of top cities in the world.

The MCDCB was established two years ago led by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation (RAFI) and six large private sector groups like CBC, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), among others, with plans and goals fully supported by IBM.

Aside from the six large organizations that are actively part of the MCDCB, there are also 14 local government units (LGUs) that have committed to participate in this plan to start off the project that brings “urban renewal” while Metro Cebu is showing signs of “urban decay."

The Mega Cebu project involves an integrated masterplan that will make greater Cebu, from Car-Car in the South, to Danao in the north, a world-class metropolitan region.

Supported by IBM Philippines, through its Smart City campaign, this movement is seen to change Cebu’s landscape in the next 30 years, benchmarking the successful mega regions in Canada, like Vancouver which applied also applied this concept.

From 1995 to 2010 the population growth in Metro Cebu grew by 50 percent, from a total of 1.63 million population count in 1995, to 2.5 million living in the Metropolis in 2010. Basing on the current population growth rate, population count is seen to hit 4.27 million by 2030.

While Cebu has not been able to keep up with its growth over the years, the absence of good collaborative masterplanning, MCDCB is moving forward to take good care of Cebu's potential for growth.

Cebu Province spends P41.7M of general fund for CICC

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=506183
Tuesday, March 12, 2013

By Eddie O. Barrita [(PNA), EB/RE]

CEBU CITY, Mar. 12 (PNA) -- The Cebu Provincial Government has spent P41.797 million of its general fund for the operation and maintenance of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City.

Cebu Provincial Accountant Marieto Ypil bared this in a report of the CICC’s financial state to the CICC management board (CICCMB).

The report was asked by Acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale, who also chairs the board, after learning the provincial government spends more for CICC than what the province earns from it.

Ypil said CICC’s revenues in 2008 reached P23.021 million, P1.226 million less than its expenditures of P24.247 million.

In 2009, CICC’s revenues amounted to P15.485 million but its expenses reached P16.391 million, resulting in a deficit of almost P1 million.

Apart from this, Ypil said, CICC used the Capitol’s general fund to pay its P8.279 million electricity bills in 2009.

In 2010, its revenues were reported to be P12.759 million while its expenses was P12.561 million.

However, its electricity and water bills totaling P9.9 million were paid for by the Capitol.

In 2011, CICC’s electricity, water and landscaping work, amounting to P593,349, were taken from the provincial government’s general fund.

In 2012, its receipts reached P14.072 million while expenses were only P11.858 million. But the Capitol’s general fund was used to pay for its utility bills and payables to a security agency P3.283 million), janitorial services (3.571 million) and landscaping work (P802,116)

Ypil said CICC has a trust fund but it was depleted so the Capitol’s general fund was tapped to pay for its expenditures.

Ypil said the Capitol can pay more than P400,000 due to the Philippine Exhibits and Theme Parks Corporation (Petco), the firm that manages the CICC, but the move has to be approved by the provincial Board (PB).

The CICC management board pays P178,571.43 a month to Petco for its consultancy and management services.

Petco chairman Jose Luis Yulo asked the CICCMB to consider the benefits of the CICC on Cebu’s economy.

He cited 2007 estimates that a foreign guest in a meeting, incentives, travel, convention or exhibition spends at least P10,000 a day for his hotel accommodation, food, beverage and shopping.

Apart from this, there are investments in events promotion and construction of tourism support services that create jobs.

Events held at the CICC also promote the Cebu’s tourism, Yulo said.

He said CICC high electricity consumption can be blamed on its air-conditioning system.

Since its design was done according to the specifications of organizers of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in 2007, the facility has a centralized air-conditioning system that is set at high cool.

Yulo said the issue was raised in 2007 but nothing was done about it.

Magpale earlier said the CICC is considered as a venue for meetings related to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in 2015.

Cebu, Bohol pilot for GIZ ‘green tourism’ project

Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1051362984635
Monday, March 11, 2013

By Minerva BC. Newman(mbcn/PIA-7 & RAHC/PIA-Bohol)

CEBU, March 11 (PIA) – The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) chose Cebu and Bohol as its pilot areas for Phase 2 of the ‘green tourism’ project.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) regional director Asteria Caberte said that it is probably because of the successful implementation of the Promotion for Green Economic Development (ProGED) strategies in Cebu and Bohol that made these provinces suited for the ‘green tourism’ project.

Recently Bohol’s champions of green economic development, tourism sector industry leaders and government policy makers gathered at the Mansion in Tagbilaran City to discuss the project.

ProGED project manager Volker Steigerwald said that the project aims to build on the gains and experiences of the government and private sector engagements in Small Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (SMEDSEP).

Volker, in his presentation added that the ProGED Impact Model works around the four pillars of a ‘Green Economy’ that include mitigation on how to reduce green house gas emissions and adaptation of individuals and businesses to adjust to severe weather conditions.

ProGED also hopes to improve competitiveness through sustainable business strategies and ‘Green jobs’ that use growth opportunities, market potentials and new products and services, Volker explained.

According to Caberte the project will start from the value chain tourism in Cebu and Bohol. The model starts from information and awareness among the local government units and small and medium businesses on the ‘Green Economy Development’ (GED).

Caberte said, for example MSMEs that go for green tourism standards and acquire information on the requirements to access green finance and are introduced to ‘Green’ service facilitation and match making as well as green framework conditions.

“The Green Tourism project aids the LGUs and MSMEs to realize that being environmentally-friendly and climate smart make economic sense,” Caberte said.

Caberte noted that there are new markets in Europe that call for and prefer ‘green’ and or environmentally-friendly products and services. “We will begin with tourism and build on existing ‘green economic’ initiatives at the local levels.”

Estonian first lady showered with vintage Cebu hospitality

Source:http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/93319/estonian-first-lady-showered-with-vintage-cebu-hospitality
Sunday, March 10, 2013 5:19 am

By Jaime Picornell (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Cebu welcomed the visit of Madame Evelin Ilves, first lady of the Republic of Estonia, who came to spend a weeklong holiday at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. A welcome dinner for her was held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol. The red carpet was literally laid out for her from the street to the stately portals.

Dancers in Philippine costumes lined the path as acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Almendras Magpale greeted Mme. Ilves and daughter Catherine. Also in her group were Tiit Kepp, who heads the airport management board in Talin, Estonia’s capital; and Fernando Peña, the honorary consul of Estonia, based in Manila.

Mme. Ilves is tall, very beautiful, with blonde hair and blue eyes. For her age (early 40s), she has received important honors such as knighthoods from the monarchs of Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands; as well as from Romania and Latvia.

We gathered that she is a physician by profession and that she has edited a lifestyle magazine in her country. “These are your colleagues,” Gov. Agnes Magpale said as she introduced local journalists Flor Ynclino, Chinggay Utzurrum and Cookie Newman.

In her welcome speech, Governor Magpale described Estonia as a dynamic country with a high-income economy. She admitted surfing the Internet and being highly impressed with the Baltic nation’s history and development.

Mme. Ilves is very much concerned with the welfare of women and their empowerment. “We open our hearts to you,” said the governor who has also made that her advocacy first as a provincial board member, and as vice governor of Cebu.

Cebu’s acting Vice Gov. Julian Daan joined the ladies on the dais for a presentation of handcrafted sculpture to Mme. Ilves, as a souvenir of her Cebu visit.

An elaborate program emceed by Vince Escario was presented depicting the festivals of the cities of Danao and Mandaue, and the municipality of Argao. Philippine foil dances were nimbly performed by the University of San Carlos dance troupe.

Present were Provincial Board Member Miguel Magpale, the governor’s son; Provincial Board Member Peter Calderon and his pretty wife Patsy Cinco Calderon; Department of Foreign Affairs director in Cebu Elias Balawag, and his protocol officer Angel Espiritu.

Glimpsed: Hembler Mendoza, Lapu-Lapu City’s tourism officer; Prudencio Gesta, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Eva Gestopa Encabo who is with the province’s information office; and Evangeline de Paula who has written a book about Cebu City’s history.

Dawn Roa was in charge of the excellent Philippine menu served on long buffet tables, catered by Café Laguna. Compliments came from Tetta Baad, Nelia Navarro, Carmel Salvador, Ahmed Cuizon, Alice Queblatin and more.

Chartered city

Cebu may have been the first city in the Philippines founded by royal decree after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi came in 1565. Yet, its status as a chartered city is of relatively recent vintage—1937.

That was thanks to the late Sen. Vicente Rama, whose grandson Michael Rama is the mayor of Cebu City. Feb. 24 marked the 76th anniversary of this charter, celebrated with the usual panoply at the ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

The celebration has through the years served as occasion to present awards. Cited this year as outstanding individuals were architect Socorro Atega and Raymundo Abao. Outstanding institutions were the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, International Pharmaceuticals Foundation and the Rotary Club of Cebu West.

The mayor’s special awards went to SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, 888 Forum led by Ricky Poca, Jose Navarro, and Dr. Lourdes “Odette” Jereza, who led the core group to research on Cebu City’s families of distinction.

This has been a yearlong project to acknowledge contributions of more than 75 families to the governance, prosperity and the development of the arts in Cebu City. Representatives from all these families received plaques of recognition.

Quite touching were the awards for eight Cebu centenarians who aside from a citation were each given a check for P100,000. They came in wheelchairs, leaning on canes or propped at the elbows by relatives. One did go up the stage on his own.

Their names: Teofila Fernandez Aliño, Irene Famador Leyson, Nazaria Matig-a Bantilan, Maria Isip Ochia, Lucila Villarta Yncierto, Conrado Canaya Regis, Justina Umacob Arenasa and Simeon Rama Suplac.

The evening’s highlight was a fashion parade featuring the designs of Cebu Fashion Inc. members. It opened with Ruffa Gutierrez in a dramatic gown by Cary Santiago, and closed with beauty queen Carla Henry in Filipiniana by Philip Rodriguez.

Mayor Mike Rama was a proud uncle as he presented Ruffa with a bouquet and led her to the table of her parents—Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez. A crowd surged toward them, everyone wanting to have a picture.

Vis-Min Rotary Club members conclude meet in Cebu

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=505423
Saturday, March 9, 2013

(PNA), HBC/EB/BH

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu, March 9 (PNA) -- Some 700 delegates from the Visayas and Mindanao to the Rotary International District 3860 Convention Saturday concluded their three-day convention in Cebu, which highlighted the theme “peace through service.”

The convention was held at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.

Rotary 3860 District Governor Peter Rodriguez said they picked peace and service as the central theme of the convention because of the rapidly growing new districts in Muslim-dominated countries, particularly Indonesia.

”We noticed that we are spending so much in livelihood programs but if we don’t achieve peace in the area, nothing will happen,” Rodriguez said.

Rotary International District 3860 is composed of 94 Rotary clubs from 17 provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao. It has about 3,600 members.

Among the different clubs’ community services are in water and sanitation, disease prevention, maternal and child health care, literacy, environment, and peace and order.

Rodriguez said all Rotary clubs in Cebu have been aggressive in implementing community-based project tin the province.

He said the thrust this year is to widen the scope of its Anti-Dengue Larvicide Campaign.

He said Rotary Clubs in Cebu already spent P2 million to activate the campaign.

He said they started with small scale campaigns in the past two years and the goal this year is to cover the whole province to lower dengue cases.

Aside from this, Rotary will also push programs on mangrove planting, water and literacy in coordination with the local government units.

For the past 30 years, eradicating polio had been the primary thrust of the members of the Rotary International of which more than USD1 billion has been raised for the vaccine.

Since then, only three countries have been left with polio cases mostly in Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Philippines became polio-free seven years ago.

Capitol won’t sell CICC

Source:http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2013/03/08/917191/capitol-wont-sell-cicc
Friday, March 8, 2013 12:00 am

By AJ De La Torre (MBG, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Government will hold on to the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) and rehabilitate it for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) which the Philippines will be hosting in 2015.

Acting governor Agnes Magpale said that they will not be selling the CICC as earlier considered because of financial concerns and repairs that need to be done.

Instead, they will rehabilitate and upgrade the facility for the APEC meeting in 2015.

Land Transportation and Franchise Regulatory Board-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon said that the Department of Transportation and Communication has contacted him to discuss the initial plans for the APEC meeting and some activities are planned to be held in Cebu.

Cuizon said the APEC meeting is even bigger than the Associa tion of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and more dignitaries like President Barrack Obama of the United States are expected to join.

Cuizon revealed he was initially asked by DOTC if Cebu can provide 90 units of Mercedes Benz and BMWs.

“I told them that we do not have that much Mercedes and BMWs here that are for hire,” he said.

He suggested that these luxury cars be shipped from Manila to Cebu for the event.

Magpale said that they would have to prepare for the event, especially the CICC which was specifically made for the ASEAN summit in 2007.

Earlier, Magpale said that they are hoping to partner with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the rehabilitation of the CICC to make it a ‘world-class facility.’

Magpale yesterday said that the DPWH expresses willingness to help but they have to get a proposal from Capitol.A P66-million repair proposal was already sent to DPWH.

Capitol earlier reported that the CICC has been not been earning because it is spending more than its income.

Since 2008, CICC’s losses already totaled P44 million, mostly due to the high utility bills.

Magpale hopes that with the planned repairs and proposed rehabilitation, they can turn the property into a convention center that can host more events apart from international conventions like that of the APEC.

She said they will discuss the matter on Monday as they convene the new CICC management board.

Cebu trade group leaders back bank mergers

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=1&rid=504866
Thursday, March 7, 2013

(PNA), CTB/EB/BH

CEBU CITY, Mar. 7 (PNA) -- A top official of a Cebu business chamber has said he is supporting the mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry to allow it to compete in the region.

Prudencio Gesta, outgoing Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, said he supports the advocacy of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in encouraging banks to merge to strengthen the stability of the country’s banking industry.

”Our banks are not only meant to compete domestically but also regionally,” he said.

Gesta said mergers and acquisitions are one way our banks can compete with other banks in the Asean region.

Gesta, who is also Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.’s first vice president and regional sales and marketing head for the Visayas, said bank consolidation will also encourage the public to avail themselves of services of financial institution and push them to place their money in banks.

He also noted that depositors need not worry when banks consolidate as they will ensure safety of deposits even if it will go through some transitions.

“When banks merge they will see to it that service to depositors will not be compromised,” he said.

Two large banks controlled by taipan Lucio Tan completed the merging of Philippine National Bank (PNB) and Allied Banking Corp. last month.

”Mergers and consolidation will further promote a positive image that we are a country that is financially healthy,” said Gesta.

Although, RCBC still has no firm plans for consolidations, Gesta disclosed that the private sector arm group of World Bank, the International Finance Corp. (IFC) has approved USD100 million in the common shares of RCBC to shore up the bank’s capital base in anticipation of the implementation of Basel III in 2014 and to increase lending to micro, small and medium enterprises and other under served communities.

Basel III is a global standard on banks’ financial health.

IFC currently owns USD50 million worth of shares or 6.7 percent of RCBC.

According to Gesta, IFC’s investment reflects its optimism and confidence on the bank as it focuses on expanding its financial products to better serve the community.

Cebu triathlon set on April 7

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=5&rid=504379
Wednesday, March 6, 2013

(PNA), FPV/ EB/MJT/BH

CEBU CITY, March 6 (PNA) -- The National Age Group Triathlon race set to be held at the Alegre Beach Resort, Sogod town in northern Cebu on April 7 will be the second Youth Olympics Games (YOG) qualifying race.

The Supertrikids Multi-Sports Festival on April 14 was supposed to be the YOG qualifier but it was cancelled due to disagreements between the organizers and the Ayala Alabang Village Association.

”The event on April 14 was supposed to be the second YOG but due to the cancellation, it gave us an idea to bring a YOG qualifier in Cebu,” Triathlon Association of the Philippines (Trap) youth developmental coach Melvin Fausto said.

Fausto said the race will attract the best young triathletes from all over the country who are vying for the 2014 YOG slots.

The 2014 YOG will be held in Nanjing, China, where triathlon will be making its debut race.

Trap executive director Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez said they usually hold this race in Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City but due to the growing number of participants, they decided to move it to Sogod, 6-5 kilometers north of Cebu City.

”We just started opening up a supertrikids division last year and now we have Justin and Yuan Chiongbian among the country’s top young triathletes,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said Justin Chiongbian, who is now among the top four contenders for the YOG slots, is one of the favorites to make it because he has achieved a lot in just one year.

Aside from Justin, the other contenders are Jimuel Patillan, Sixto Louie Llanto, OJ Nobles and Samuel Ranque.

Investment body says Cebu’s FDI at P6B monthly

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=503791
Tuesday, March 5, 2013

(PNA), PDS/EB/BH

CEBU CITY, Mar. 5 (PNA) -- Foreign direct investments (FDIs) pour some P6 billion to Cebu’s economy each month, the Cebu Investment Promotions Center (CIPC) said.

CIPC managing director Joel Mari Yu said the amount does not include an estimated P1.6 billion brought about indirectly by businesses benefiting from these FDIs.

Yu said Cebu outperforms all other provinces in the country because of the presence of FDIs.

Yu cited figures from the Philippine Export Zone Authority (Peza) showing some P3.29 billion in wages being paid to employees in the manufacturing and information technology/business process outsourcing (IT/BPO) sectors in Cebu each month.

An additional P3.29 billion is estimated for maintenance and operating expenses, bringing to P6.5 billion the cash infused into the economy each month.

The presence of FDIs in Cebu allows for annual indirect employment of 202,150 due to an increase in number of support industries such as cafés and restaurants, boarding houses, apartments and condominiums, insurance, banks, bars, massage parlors, education, transport, shopping centers and malls.

The CIPC estimates that wages paid indirectly reach P1.6 billion a month.

The employment opportunities brought about by FDIs contribute to the purchasing power of Cebu’s residents.

Six manufacturing economic zones in Cebu exported a combined USD3.58 billion from 278 locators last year.

They employed 107,150 workers, figures from the Peza stated.

The IT-BPO sectors counted 139 locators based at the Cebu IT Park, Cebu Business Park, HVG IT Park and 52 IT buildings with an estimated 95,000 employees.

Mandaue City to tap teachers' help in tax collection

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=503472
Monday, March 4, 2013

(PNA), LAP/EB/RE

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu, March 4 (PNA) -- The Mandaue City Treasurer’s Office is planning to tap public school teachers in collecting real property taxes.

Mandaue City Treasurer Regal Oliva said he will ask teachers to help his office send demand letters to property owners that have yet to pay their taxes.

Last December, Oliva said the city sent demand letters to about 3,000 real property owners.

The letters helped the city raise its collection to P258.3 million last year, an increase of 103 percent from 2011.

”The demand letters we sent to real property owners were a factor in the increase,” Oliva said.

Apart from real property, taxes the city was also able to increase its collection of business taxes. As of January 25, it collected P236 million, an increase of 26 percent from last year’s.

Despite the demand letters, some property owners have yet to settle their unpaid taxes.

Oliva said about 500 real property units are set for public auctions.

But owners can still save their properties from getting auctioned if they heed the final demand letters the city will send soon with the help of public school teachers.

Oliva said he decided to tap teachers because a portion of the real property taxes goes to the Special Education Fund, which is used to construct school buildings and pay for the salaries of teachers hired by the city.

Hundreds venerate St. Camillus’ heart in relic’s Cebu visit

Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/367919/hundreds-venerate-st-camillus-heart-in-relics-cebu-visit
Sunday, March 3, 2013 8:24 am

By Ador Vincent S. Mayol (Reporter, Cebu Daily News)

FOR the first time, the heart of St. Camillus De Lellis visited Cebu for public veneration especially of the sick.

Placed in a glass case, the St. Camillus relic arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport last Friday. It was brought to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral where a welcome Mass was celebrated by Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Emilio Bataclan.

Hundreds of people lined up to touch the glass case containing the saint’s relics.

In an interview, Fr. Rolly Fernandez of the Order of the Ministries of the Infirm said St. Camillus’ heart was taken an hour after his death on July 14, 1614.

Fernandez said the heart, which is a “symbol of love” was then preserved.

“Why heart? Because he (Lellis) was loving and caring for the sick. Everyone should be reminded to love especially the sick,” he told reporters.

PATRON OF THE SICK

St. Camillus is the patron of the sick, hospitals, nurses, and healthcare workers.

“He saw in the sick his love for God. You have to see Christ in the sick,” Fernandez said.

From the cathedral, St. Camillus’ relics was brought to the Daughters of St. Camillus Convent Chapel in Talamban, Cebu City. It was later transported to the Daughters of St. Camillus Novitiate House and Night Vigil.

Yesterday, the relic was brought to the San Isidro Parish in Talamban before it was brought back to the airport.

Fernandez said the relic has visited Manila, Baguio, and Iloilo before it came to Cebu. He said it will remain in the country until March.

After the Philippines, the relic will be brought to Rome.

St. Camillus was born on May 25, 1550 at Bucchianico in Italy. He was the son of an impoverished nobleman. St. Camillus became a soldier.

However, he turned into a “incorrigible gambler.”

In 1575, he was converted to God and became a servant and later an assistant of St. James’ Hospital for incurables in Rome where he had been a patient with an ulcerated leg and rapture that impeded him his whole life.

St. Camillus was ordined priest in 1584 and obtained approval for the congregation of priests he foudned.

He devoted his life to hospital service. He insisted on the utmost care for both the soul and the body of his patients.

Though his health eventually worsened, he exhausted himself for charity.

St. Camillus died on July 14, 1614. He was canonized in 1746.

Cebu’s craftsmanship to help keep furniture industry afloat

Source:http://www.philstar.com/cebu-business/2013/03/02/914937/cebus-craftsmanship-help-keep-furniture-industry-afloat
Saturday, March 2, 2013 12:00 am

By Ehda M. Dago-oc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The furniture export industry may continue to suffer from the shaky market abroad, but an international home furnishing designer believes that Cebu will be able to go through the challenging times, with its strong advantage in design and craftsmanship.

“Cebu has a special niche. It has an excellent craftsmanship, [sophisticated] design skill,” said Gregg Huettel, who has been working for international signature brands for furniture designing and engineering.

According to Huettel, the Philippines, specifically Cebu will continue to charm the discriminating home furnishing market in the world, with or without financial difficulties, as it has now moved from mass production, to personalized or customized products.

It is for this reason that Huettel, together with Cebuana wife Agnes Taborada-Huettel recently opened a retail outlet for luxury home furnishings in Cebu, mostly locally made, the “Allison Tyler Designs”, located at the Design Center building along A.S. Fortuna in Mandaue City.

In an interview with Huettel, he said that the 170 square-meter store, is design-driven furniture and home furnishing store will serve as the window for both local and foreign customers what Cebu has in terms of good furnishing products, and what Cebu’s craftsmanship can offer in terms of customized furniture making.

At present, the store is working with eight to 10 furniture makers in Cebu, and Huettel, whose other company Asian Link Design, does furniture and home furnishing design consultancy for signature brands like Ralph Lauren, among others, said local market is now coming in strong and customized furniture making is believed to be next “big thing” for the industry.

He said from the conventional mass production, now the market has moved to customized and personalized furniture making, wherein clients and posh boutique shops from all over the world work with the designer, and manufacturer according to their design preferences.

He reiterated that Cebu’s special niche in the furniture making, is no longer the “mass production’ style, but for personalized or customized boutique service.

Huettel believes that if furniture exporters will take this opportunity for market strategy twist, Cebu’s furniture making industry is going to thrive amid difficult and competitive environment.

The “Allison Tyler Designs” will not only sell and showcase unique and rare finds of luxury furniture and home furnishing, it also accepts services for personalized design for residential, commercial and institutional clients.

In fact, the company is up to partner with architects and interior designers in Cebu.

He said while the Philippines still has edge in the high-end furniture and home furnishing market in the world, the downtrend of the mass production demand for these type of products is also being saved by the growing number of Filipinos demanding for export-quality pieces of furniture.

“The Philippines’ middle class has emerged,” he said explaining that this development has kept the furniture making industry thrive, while the big markets in the world are still struggling.

“There is no project too big or too small to undertake,” he said.

Huettel’s design inclination is into "Biedermeier", a homey and cozy style of home furnishing. Globally, he said Cebu is known for its accent (home accessories), and that aside from promoting the high quality furniture designs made from Cebu, “Allison Tyler Designs” also boasts of the collectible pieces of home accessories made of exotic materials like sea-grass, among others.

Seminars and lectures mark start of fire prevention month

Source:http://www.philstar.com/metro-cebu/2013/03/01/914535/seminars-and-lectures-mark-start-fire-prevention-month
Friday, March 1, 2013 12:00 am

By Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Seminars and lectures will be held in the different barangays and establishments as the Mandaue City Fire Department marks the opening of Fire Prevention Month.

SFO3 Sherwin Porcia, chief of the Fire Safety Enforcement Section of the city fire department, said seminars and lectures remind people of the do’s and don’t’s in preventing fire and on what to do when a fire strikes.

He said this year’s theme is” Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan,Kalikasan ay Paghandaan,Nang Matamasa ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan.”

He said that at 4:00 a.m. today, there will be a ‘walk for fire free and fire safety nation’ in Cebu City.

It will be participated by different government employees.

Tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., a Mass at the Bureau of Fire in Mandaue will be held.

At 9:00 a.m., a program will follow. Mayor Jonas Cortes will be the guest speaker.

Porcia also encourages residents to watch the competition of Barangay Fire Olympic on March 23.

Barangay Tipolo, the champion last year, will be the officiating barangay during the competition.

During yesterday’s press conference, Porcia also encouraged the 24 barangays to procure their own fire truck.

“Akoa jud e-encourage ang mga barangay captain nga naa silay fire truck bisan ug mini tanker lang unta kay sila man gud ang naa didto ug sila jud ang mag ona ug response,” Porcia said.

At present, only barangays Tipolo, Paknaan, and Opao have fire trucks.

The Action Emergency and Rescue Team (ACERT) has a fire substation with one fire truck located in barangay Basak.

Having a fire truck in each barangay said Porcia is important.

“Sila baya duol sa ilang barangay maong nindot jud kong naa sila fire truck nga ilaha kay ang uban naa man pud,” Porcia added while pointing out that barangay Tipolo owns a supertanker while Paknaan and Opao own two mini-firetrucks.

Porcia said Mandaue needs three sub-stations to be placed in strategic locations.

He said sub-stations will be either in barangays Subangdaku, Banilad, or Cabancalan.