Difference between revisions of "Cebu Province News April 2013"

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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.

PHL triathlon group wants another NAGT series in Cebu before year ends

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=5&rid=515152
Wednesday, April 10, 2013

(PNA), HBC/EB/MJT/BH

CEBU CITY, April 10 (PNA) -- The Philippine Triathlon Association of the Philippine (Trap) is planning to hold one more National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) in Cebu before the year ends, this time at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

If the plan pushes through, this will serve as a first in the history of the NAGT series that Cebu will be hosting two legs in a year.

Trap executive director Oscar Rodriguez announced the plan after the successful staging of the two-day NAGT-Cebu and Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers at the Alegre Beach Resort and Spa in the northern Cebu town of Sogod over the weekend.

”We are planning to hold another NAGT leg before the year ends in Plantation Bay, but we will be doing a sprint distance only. This is ideal for the newbies,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, spearheaded by general manager Efren Belarmino, is instrumental in the growth of the sport because newbies overcome their fear in swimming as they compete in waist-deep to neck-deep water.

”We had this in Plantation Bay Resort for five times. Their hosting has also contributed to the growth of triathlon because they help in eliminating the newbies’ fear in swimming because of their lagoon,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said it was also Plantation’s hosting of the Supertrikids that allowed Trap to form its developmental team.

One of the members is Justin Liam Chiongbian, who is currently among the country’s top bets to represent the country in the Asia Youth Olympic Games (YOG) qualifying race next year.

CFIF to benefit from shared service facilities program

Source:http://www.philstar.com/cebu-business/2013/04/09/928671/cfif-benefit-shared-service-facilities-program
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 12:00 am

By Ehda M. Dagooc /JMD (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Members of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF) will soon benefit from the government’s shared service facilities (SSF) program, as the group’s application is now being evaluated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The Cebu provincial office of DTI has recently endorsed CFIF’s proposal to avail of the SSF program to help micro and small enterprises in the furniture sector sustain their businesses, while they are starting to shift intensive promotion in the regional and local markets.

Last year, DTI-7 announced the availability of the SSF and machineries program for use by micro and small enterprises in their respective areas.

CFIF is one of the industry organizations that responded to the program in Central Visayas.

In Central Visayas, there are already 13 SSFs approved and ready for public bidding based on the report submitted by DTI.

In Cebu, these include coco twine/coir production, decorticating machine, modernized and eco-friendly production facility.

In Bohol, approved SSFs include the shared service facility for the kalamay industry of Jagna and Alburquerque, meat processing project of Catigbian, ginger processing project of Loboc, Raffia competitiveness and productivity enhancement program, shared service facility for the Bicao Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Food Processors and shared service facility for Dauis Fine Jewelry.

For Negros Oriental, they have the bamboo processing center while for Siquijor, they have a food processing and labeling center, enhancement of the community-based Larena woodcraft industry and SSF for bayong production.

SSFs shall be hosted by a private group, industry associations, cooperative, DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte underscored.

She added that SSFs are meant to improve the capability of micro enterprises in the processing of raw materials, improve their productivity and quality and to address gaps in supply and value chain.

Last year, DTI secretary Gregory Domingo announced that the government will put up 1,000 shared services facilities for SMEs throughout the country to help the budding entrepreneurs cut on production costs.

These facilities are targeted to be established in the country’s 609 poorest municipalities.

Through these facilities, SMEs could opt not to purchase equipment and other production requirements and instead use the available machines and services offered by the government.

The shared services facilities would serve existing SMEs, but not start-ups.

Cebu Province seeks Comelec exemption from public works ban

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=3&rid=513974
Monday, April 8, 2013

(PNA), CTB/EB/RE

CEBU CITY, April 7 (PNA) -- The Cebu Provincial Government has asked the Commission on Election (Comelec) for exemption to 74 projects from the public works ban.

Hector Jamora, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Engineer, said he has written to the Comelec provincial office for an exemption to these projects which are either ongoing or needing maintenance.

Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Eddie Aba said he has received Jamora’s letter, but his office has yet to issue an exemption.

He said ongoing projects and those that underwent bidding and have been awarded to a contractor before the 45-day election period started are exempted from the ban.

Among the major projects included in the lists are the ongoing P26.8-million construction and upgrading of Tayud-Liloan road, connecting it to Cansaga Bay Bridge, the P78.1 million Cordova reclamation project and the P76-million construction of the Sta. Fe airport runway in Bantayan Island off the northernmost tip of Cebu mainland.

Cash aid for elderly to be given each month, says council

Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/386459/cash-aid-for-elderly-to-be-given-each-month-says-council
Sunday, April 7, 2013 7:21 am

By Doris C. Bongcac (Chief of Reporters,Cebu Daily News)

THE distribution of senior citizen’s cash assistance in Cebu City will be done on a monthly basis starting May.

Voting 14 against 1, the members of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK)-dominated City Council managed to override a veto which Mayor Michael Rama issued on an approved ordinance, which sets the distribution of senior citizens’ assistance every first Monday of the month.

Rama wanted the distribution of the cash assistance to the elderly on a quarterly basis.

Since the city government had already released P4,000 of the P10,000 assistance, this means that the senior citizens this year will divide the P6,000 balance in 8 monthly releases or P750 per month.

Councilor Augustus Pe Jr., the council’s majority floor leader, warned Rama against violating the approved ordinance during last Wednesday’s session.

Pe said that the council had yet to discuss what action to take should Rama insist on a quarterly release of the aid.

amendment okayed

The councilors earlier approved an amendment to the 2013 budget ordinance introduced by Pe and Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa, to release the assistance on a monthly basis.

The city’s about 60,000 registered senior citizens are scheduled to receive a total assistance of P10,000 from the city government this year.

Rama, however, vetoed the ordinance amendment and insisted on his decision for the quarterly release of the assistance.

He said that the approved ordinance is “prejudicial to public welfare” and that it was an executive prerogative to set the date for the distribution of the assistance.

DENR-7 holds budget consultation meetings

Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1091365076134
Saturday, April 6, 2013

By Hazel F. Gloria (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7 with reports from DENR-7)

CEBU CITY, April 6 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) held a consultation meeting on its next year’s proposed budget of P588M that was participated in by over 70 civil society organizations (CSOs) in Cebu.

DENR 7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said, this public consultation dialogue with the various stakeholders is pursued to ensure transparency and accountability in the budget process and implementation of the agency’s budget proposal for 2014.

The “big ticket” or flagship programs were highlighted in the consultative assembly namely; national greening program (NGP), balik probinsya program (BPP), anti-illegal logging campaign, cadastral survey, clean air and water, and geohazard mapping and assessment.

Montejo added this exercise is in compliance with the direction of the Aquino administration and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for an enhanced participatory governance and transparency in the planning and budgeting among government offices.

“This is also consistent with the President Aquino’s thrust of empowering the poor and the vulnerable sectors of the society by promoting participatory planning and budgeting as well as forging constructive partnerships with the CSOs,” said Montejo.

In a related development, around 20 CSOs attended the dialogue in Tagbilaran City coordinated by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO)-Bohol with the Planning and Management Division (PMD).

Aside from this, Montejo said the DENR is preparing a 2014 budget proposal though the bottom-up budgeting (BuB) approach.

Montejo said it will take into consideration, the development needs of poor cities or municipalities as identified in their respective local poverty reduction action plans that shall be formulated with the strong participation of basic sector organizations and other CSOs.

“We will roll out this process of consultation with the two provinces in Siquijor and Negros Oriental so that we would be able to discuss and consolidate certain issues and concerns that were brought out during our Cebu and Bohol meetings,” he concluded.

Lapu-Lapu receives P10 million from DOH

Source:http://www.philstar.com/metro-cebu/2013/04/05/927172/lapu-lapu-receives-p10-million-doh
Friday, April 5, 2013 12:00 am

By Jose P. Sollano (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City has received an award from the Department of Health central office for its City Wide Investment Plan that aims to improve the delivery of health services, City Health Officer Dr. Rodolfo Berame said.

According to Berame, Lapu-Lapu is the only recipient in Region 7 to receive P10 million from the DOH central office. The city will use the money to implement different projects such as the improvement of health centers in some barangays.

“Dako kaayo nga garbo nato sa dakbayan sa Lapu-Lapu nga nakadawat kita sa maong pasidungog kay nagbunga gyud ang atong mga kahago,” Berame said.

A big portion of the budget this year is allocated for the purchase of medicines and medical equipment for the city hospital and the Sta. Rosa Community Hospital in barangay Talima in Olango Island.

Last Tuesday, the city government inaugurated the P5-million annex building of the hospital in the island.

On the other hand, Berame said the cash prize received by the city government will be used by the city for.

With the upgrading of the health centers in selected barangays, Berame said it is a big help to pregnant women from the barangays.

He further said that Mayor Paz Radaza directed barangay captains to closely coordinate with his office for the success of the implementation of the program.

150 participants enlist for National Age Group Triathlon

Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/384529/150-participants-enlist-for-national-age-group-triathlon
Thursday, April 4, 2013 6:40 am

By Mars G. Alison (Correspondent, Cebu Daily News)

AN exciting weekend awaits folks in Sogod, north of Cebu as the Alegre Beach Resort and Spa hosts three triathlon events — the SuperTriKids (STK) and the second Philippine Youth Olympic Games (YOG) qualifier on Saturday and the 3rd leg of the 2013 National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) on Sunday.

Organizer Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez said during the press conference yesterday at the Irie Gastropubliko that some 150 participants have already signed up for the event.

“Last year, we reached about 220 participants so now we are expecting to attract about 250 including 50 to 60 for the STK,” Rodriguez said.

With Rodriguez were former Philippine triathlon record holder Noy Jopson, Philippine developmental team member Justin Chiongbian, his mother Millette Chiongbian and Alegre Beach Resort and Spa marketing manager Bruce Bollozos.

Bollozos said this weekend’s affair is also a pre-event celebration for the resort’s 20th anniversary. He added that the Alegre Beach Resort and Spa is the only resort in Cebu that is recognized as one of the best in Asia.

Rodriguez also announced that this weekend’s event will also be the first Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) event here in Cebu which will use RFID timing chips and will have automatic online results on the www.runningmate.ph.

Rodriguez added that the youngest participant will be under seven years old while the oldest is a 62-year-old American.

Some of the participants will also be coming from Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and some seven YOG qualifier including Cebu’s very own Chiongbian, Louie Lalanto, Ohj Nobles, Sam Ranque, Vicky Deldio and Magali Echauz.

Jopson, who is gunning for a third win in Alegre, said that he would always make it a point to join a triathlon in Alegre because for him it is an ideal venue for the race.

“With its pristine waters and no traffic, I have wonderful memories of Alegre. This is one of the events that Cebuanos always look forward to,” Jopson said.

He added that his daughter Mikele is also excited about competing in the STK.

Those interested can still register at The Brick at J Center Mall, Rudy Project and Runnr in Ayala Center-Cebu and at the Brick at J Center Mall. On-site registration will also be accepted but only one hour before the race starts.

Rodriguez also announced that in the spirit of fairness, the overall winner in the women’s division will get an overnight stay at the Alegre Beach Resort & Spa on top of the intended cash prize.

“It wasn’t my intention that women prizes will be lower than the men. Before there were less women participants so the prize was lower and it became just automatic. But since the issue has been raised, future races will now have equal prize for men and women,” Rodriguez said.

French envoy says Europeans have soft spot for ecotourism

Source:http://www.philstar.com/cebu-business/2013/04/03/926441/french-envoy-says-europeans-have-soft-spot-ecotourism
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 12:00 am

By Ehda M. Dagooc /JOB (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (FCCP) president Cyril Rocke said the Philippines needs to work harder in promoting ecotourism destinations if it wants to attract more European tourists, specifically French and Germans.

Rocke said the Philippines has the potential to attract French tourists if it strengthens its ecotourism by keeping destinations, such as the cities as well as the beaches, environment friendly.

“The main interest for French tourists is in ecotourism,” said Rocke adding that outdoor, nature adventure, such as whale-shark watching, diving, among others are all part of it, provided that the destinations display friendliness to the environment.

In a separate interview with German Embassy to the Philippines commercial counsellor Christof Wegner, he said that the Philippines continues to lag behind Thailand and Indonesia in attracting German tourists. However, if the country strengthens its marketing promotions in Germany and highlighting its ecotourism destinations, the Philippines will start luring in, not only the Germans, but a huge chunk of the European travelers market.

Clearly, Wegner said the issue on direct flight, or easy air access to bridge the Philippines and Germany is a major concern, but a good package of inter-linking the top destinations in the Philippines, highlighting the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” tagline is surely an irresistible attraction for foreign tourists, like the adventurous Germans.

In January of this year, German arrivals to the Philippines only reached 6,389, based on the latest DOT record.

Like the French travelers, Germans are also most interested in ecotourism, adventure and outdoor activities, nature-related attractions.

Lack of proper promotion to these two European countries, France and Germany is one of the hindrances why the Philippines is not getting enough share of these high spenders and long staying European tourists.

French Ambassador to the Philippines Gille Garachon confirmed this observation, saying that “lack of knowledge” about the country is the reason why it lagged behind from other Asian tourism destinations, in terms of attracting European travelers.

Attraction wise, the Ambassador said the Philippines has great and diverse offering, however, it has to be promoted well, specifically in its drive to heighten the eco-tourism destinations all over the Philippines.

In 2012, record showed that there were only 30 thousand French who visited the Philippines. About an average of three million French travelers visit the Asian region every year. Top of the list is Thailand.

Earlier, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that the Philippines achieved 93.3 percent of its 4.6 million visitor arrival goal for 2012. However, some shortfalls were felt due to economic and political pressures from traditional markets such as US, Europe and China.

“It’s going to become increasingly challenging to meet future targets. But we know that Filipinos are the biggest believers of our slogan, ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’. We remain confident and will continue to build on the positive energies in order to cross the five million milestone in 2013,” said DOT secretary Ramon Jimenez in an earlier pronouncement.

“The thrust of our marketing in 2013 is market development, which entails expanding the potential market for new users and new uses. We will look into segments that we have not thoroughly explored. We will explore more creative executions geared towards sustaining the fun we have started. We hope to have stronger representation and be part of the future of tourism in Asia,” added Jimenez.

Health workers to undergo short course on TB

Source:http://www.philstar.com/metro-cebu/2013/04/02/926024/health-workers-undergo-short-course-tb
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 12:00 am

By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Health centers in Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Talisay City are among the 12 local government units in Central Visayas that has inked an agreement with the Department of Health’s Center for Health Development-7 (DOH-CHD-7) for a short course on tuberculosis directly observed treatment.

Jagobiao and Tipolo Health centers of Mandaue, Pajo Health Center in Lapu-Lapu City, and Talisay City along with Toledo City, Boljoon, Balamban I and II, Daanbantayan II, Cebu Province, Mabolo and Luz Health Centers of Cebu City, Liloan, Danao City, and San Fernando signed a MOA with DOH recently at the Sarrosa Hotel.

TB DOTS is a comprehensive strategy endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD) to detect and cure TB patients.

Also, 10 checks totaling P900,000 were also awarded to 10 LGUs and health centers of Central Visayas for the construction and enhancement of DOTS facilities to be endorsed by the mayors, treasurers and heads of health units.

The recipients are Cebu City Health Office, Cebu Provincial Health Office, San Francisco, Cebu City Medical Center, Sogod, Medellin, Negros Oriental, Bais City, Mabinay, Guihulngan, and Bindoy.

Jocelyn Tabotabo, nurse coordinator of the National TB Program here said that of the 6,222 smear positive cases in the region last year, a cure rate of 88 percent was recorded.

Tabotabo said that overall, there were about 13,578 cases of TB in the region with 56 deaths in 2012.

Most of the TB patients are male and more than 50 percent are regular smokers which is why the Department of Health has also been aggressive in its no-smoking campaigns.

The Philippines was ranked no. 7 by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the 22 countries that carry much of the burden of tuberculosis cases, said Anden.

Holy Week in Cebu ‘mostly holy, orderly’

Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2013/04/01/holy-week-cebu-mostly-holy-orderly-275398
Monday, April 1, 2013

(DSM/JKV/Sun.Star Cebu)

CEBU CITY -- A small fire, a few road accidents, and the arrest of some men for illegal possession of firearms kept the police in Cebu busy during Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday.

But these incidents, which the police described as minor, failed to spoil the peaceful observance of the last week of Lent this year.

Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador, head of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), declared the religious holidays as generally peaceful.

The Sugat Kabanhawan Festival in Minglanilla town, he said, went without a hitch on Sunday despite the high turnout of spectators.

“In the previous year, there were reports of pick-pocketing. Wala gyud karon (We had none of that this year),” Comendador said.

In Bantayan Island, where hundreds of locals decided to spend their holidays either to join the procession or beach parties, there were no major crimes reported. Sugat Kabanhawan festival in Minglanilla, Cebu THE FAMILY THAT PARADES TOGETHER. A family persuades a performer, dressed as a larger-than-life image of the Risen Christ, to join them for a photo during the Sugat Kabanhawan festival in Minglanilla town. (Sun.Star Cebu Photo/Alex Badayos)

At random checkpoints, several men were arrested for alleged possession of illegal firearms and violations of the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) gun ban.

A similarly peaceful Holy Week was reported in Cebu City, said Senior Superintendent Mariano Natu-el Jr., acting chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

He said the presence of police teams in areas where people converged, such as churches, helped thwart the plans of criminals.

Donation

Natu-el said there were no other crimes reported except for the attempt of one man to steal some bills from the donation box inside the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral last Good Friday.

On Maundy Thursday, a fire struck the third floor of the WDC building on Osmeña Blvd., Barangay Sto. Niño.

An electrical short-circuit was eyed as the cause of the blaze that damaged at least P50,000 worth of properties.

Since Palm Sunday, the police maintained a heightened alert on Camp Crame’s orders. The status will be lifted today, Monday.

In an earlier interview, Senior Superintendent Edward Carranza, head of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Visayas directorial staff, said their security preparations will continue throughout the summer vacation.

During his Easter Sunday mass, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma urged the Cebuano faithful to be thankful that God has given them new saints.

He said the recent canonization of Saint Pedro Calungsod and the proposed recognition of other potential saints such as the late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot are proof that Filipinos are getting closer to God.

Last laugh

“Heaven is getting closer through our saints. Through Christ’s resurrection, not just our saints but all of us, as well, are given a place in heaven through our faith,” Palma said.

He praised this year’s Sugat production, performed by the Barkada performers of Barangay Pardo and the Sandiego Dance Troupe.

Before the Easter mass, the performers reenacted the Passion of Jesus Christ, which began with His entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and ended on His death and resurrection.

Archbishop Palma, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said that through the Sugat, he saw a glimpse of the vital role of Jesus Christ’s mother, Mary.

Mary may have suffered with her son’s death, but she too “reaped the fruitful harvest” with His resurrection, he said.

The lesson of Easter, he added, is the triumph of life over death and the victory of Jesus through His resurrection.

“Kung sa Tagalog pa, ‘Sa atin ang huling halakhak’ (As they say in Tagalog, ‘We get the last laugh’),” Palma said.