Cebu Province News August 2014

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Province of Cebu - Archived News

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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.

Lapu-Lapu offers new sports activity

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/metro-cebu/2014/08/10/1355988/lapu-lapu-offers-new-sports-activity
• Sunday, August 10, 2014 12:00 am

By Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office welcomed a new watersport seen to entice more tourists and vacationers to visit the Historic Resort City.

Flyboard, a watersport that originated in France and invented by French watercraft rider Franky Zapata in 2011, is now available in Lapu-Lapu City. It is a type of water jet pack with a 20-foot tube attached to a jetski which supplies water to drive the watercraft up to the air.

In the Philippines, the flyboard's operation first started in Subic, Zambales in 2012.

Lapu-Lapu tourism chief Hembler Mendoza in an interview said the new attraction is a welcome development as the city embarks on building more tourism blocks.

"Flyboard is another alternative sea sport in a recreational kind of way," he said.

BJ Ang, owner of the Diamond Watersports in Hadsan Beach Resort, Barangay Agus which operates the flyboard, said this kind of watercraft is a unique activity that local and foreign tourists visiting Mactan island should try.

"The goal of Diamond Sports is to increase the quality of watersport activities and equipment here in Mactan," he said.

The Diamonds Watersports acquired the flyboard from the Networx Jetsports, a shop specializing in jetskis.

Since it is new to tourists, Ang said they are charging P4,500 for 20 minutes of flyboard experience because of the high operational cost. "But it's definitely worth it," he said.

He added that among countries that operate flyboard, the Philippines has the cheapest fees as the average rate in other countries is $150 for 20 minutes.

Wayne Comendador, 20, who tried flyboarding said the new watersport will gain attraction to foreign tourists because "it is cool and the technology is new."

Meanwhile, the tourism office in Lapu-Lapu expressed possibility of hosting sports event with the use of flyboard. "Probably the city can invite foreign nationals in joining water-based competitions," Mendoza said.

He added that this may not happen overnight because of the preparations involved and that the plan should be discussed more between the tourism office and the watersport establishment.

Cebu eyes record for biggest zumba class

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2014/08/09/1355588/cebu-eyes-record-biggest-zumba-class
• Saturday, August 9, 2014 12:00 am

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Caecent N. Magsumbol /JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu will attempt to break the record for having the largest zumba class.

To achieve this, organizers target at least 20,000 participants here to surpass India’s record of 6,671.

“All able-bodied participants are invited to join regardless of age. Everyone can join even those who are living outside Cebu. As long as you love to dance, you can join,” said Bobot Ramos, general manager of Livehouse Productions, one of the event’s organizers.

The event will be on October 18 at north parking area of SM City Cebu. It will be undertaken in partnership with World Vision and part of the proceeds will go to the classroom rehabilitation program for schools in northern Cebu.

The event is officially sanctioned by the Guinness World Records and endorsed by the Department of Tourism, Cebu Provincial government and the Cebu City government.

An official from the Guinness World Record will be present on the day to confirm and announce if a record is made. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

Lita Quisumbing, one of the representatives of Cebu’s Zumba Instructors Network, said the event is also a call for everyone to live a healthy lifestyle through dancing.

“We want to share our passion for dancing with the community. Let us all help and support put Cebu on the map,” she said yesterday.

“We hope that through this event, we can reach out as many people to become a channel of God’s blessings,” said Pamela Melora of World Vision.

Kathleen Fernandez-Aznar, also of ZIN, reminded zumba leaders to keep the dance steps safe and simple so that every participant can follow and enjoy.

For purposes of the Guinness record, participants would need to dance continuously for 30 minutes but the whole event can last up to two hours.

Ramos said the event will proceed regardless of the weather.

“Since it will be done outdoor, bisan pa magtaligsik or mag-uwan padayon gihapon,” said Ramos.

Adult participants can pay either P250 with a “break the record singlet” or P150 without a singlet.

Students only need to pay 100 each. The registration will be at the newly opened Sports Atrium at SM City-Cebu.

Cebu currently holds the title for having the Largest Dance Class, the Largest Chess Tournament, the Longest barbeque line and Most number of rockets launched under a minute.

Zumba is a dance fitness program created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez in the 90’s.This involves dance and aerobic elements and event martial arts and also has different programs from kids to adults.

Cebu City was also involved in the largest synchronized aerobic exercise in 2007 that broke Mexico’s record, but that record was shared with Manila and Davao.

New Cebu water district GM targets to expand service to 66% by 2020

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=3&rid=670743
• Friday, August 8, 2014

(PNA), LAP/EB/

CEBU CITY, Aug. 8 (PNA) -- Newly-appointed Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) general manager Ernie T. Delco has set a service expansion of 66 percent of its franchise area by 2020.

Delco replaced Armando H. Paredes who retired from the service last July 4.

Earlier, MCWD Chairman Rene Mercado said the water utility firm is servicing 160,000 connections, with a demand of 180,000 cubic meters a day.

But Mercado said the present water consumers only represent 42 percent of its franchise area in Metro Cebu.

Delco said he will oversee MCWD’s implementation of its projects in order to achieve its target to increase service coverage to 66 percent in 2020.

Delco, 48, has been working for the water district for 25 years.

He has held several positions before he was named as assistant general manager for operations in July 2003.

Delco is a licensed civil engineer and has completed a master’s degree in Business Management from the University of the Philippines in Cebu.

He had a number of trainings and seminars on water resources management, water demand management, non-revenue water management and several others conducted in different countries.

Capitol hosts Agro-Trade Fair: Yolanda-hit farmers’ recovery underway

• Source: EMB: Zamboanga City still enjoys good air quality
• Thursday, August 7, 2014 12:00 am

By Carlo S. Lorenciana (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Farmers from the Yolanda-stricken towns in the northern part of Cebu province are now back in business albeit still recuperating from the calamity that hit them a few months back.

This as they are currently joining the Agro-Trade Fair that is being organized by the provincial government this week at the Cebu Capitol grounds as part of the province's 445th anniversary celebration.

Several farmers from Nothern Cebu towns -- Sogod, San Remegio, Carmen, Pilar and Poro of Camotes Island, and Bantayan of Bantayan Island, among others are trading their farm products and delicacies to both local and foreign consumers.

The Sogod Federation of Farmers said its joining in the event is a clear indication that farmers are recovering and returning to farming business despite some challenges.

Federation president Ines Densing told The FREEMAN yesterday that their members are hoping to sell all of their products at the end of the trade fair to help augment the organization's funds.

"Kining mahalin namo sa fair kay mao ni mapunta sa pondo para sa federation nga para pud sa financial assistance sa mga mag-uuma," Densing said, noting the fund money is used for the microfinance programofthe farmers.

To help members start a farming enterprise, the federation allocates the fund money to provide a startup capital of P1,000 for each member with an interest rate of two percent.

"Salamat sa Ginoo, maayo ra among halin sukad pagsugod sa fair. Kay daghan man pud abot sa mga utanon gikan sa Sogod nga gidala dinhi unya ubay-ubay napud ang nanganhi," the woman added.

Meanwhile, the Farmer Scientists Association of Tuburan, mostly comprised of banana farmers that were hard hit by Yolanda are likewise on the road to recovery.

"Pila kabuwan nagkalisod gyod ang mga growers sa saging didto kay mao man gyod to ang napurohan sa bagyo pero tungod sa among kadasig ug paninguha, hinay-hinay ra intawon ming nakabangon," said 47-year-old Bebelinda Oyoa, an association member.

Oyoa and her fellow farmers have called on the government to extend some help such as seeds, fertilizers and capital money, even if coursed through a microfinance scheme.

Nida Pongautan, a farmer from Carmen, revealed that famers in their town are still hoping for help from the government to fasttrack their recovery especially on the area of farming.

"Sa tinuod lang gyod di pa hingpit among pagbangon pero naninguha gyod mi nga makabalik mi sa among naandan nga panginabuhi ug negosyo," the 54-year-old woman said.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculture said the trade fair is an effective way to help those that were affected by typhoon Yolanda to boost their livelihood and income.

On the other hand, dairy farmers in Cebu are also displaying their milk products which are sourced and made locally.

Teresita Marikit, vice chairman of Cebu Federation of Dairy Cooperatives, expressed hopes that the local residents would patronize the local milk goods and other dairy products in order to boost the fledging dairy industry in the Philippines.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala already said before that despite the absence of quick solution to the problems hounding the industry, having the proper technologies and involvement would surely help solve the present concerns.

Marikit emphasized there is a need for milk stakeholders to increase milk production of dairy cows. CEFEDCO was supported by the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund of DA with hopes to upgrade the milk collection and processing facilities here.

Meanwhile, at least 39 towns and cities, 37 private companies and five food exhibitors are trading at the fair until August 8.

Cebuanos enjoy holiday as province marks 445th founding anniversary

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=669843
• Wednesday, August 6, 2014

(PNA), LAP/EB/

CEBU CITY, Aug. 6 (PNA) -- Cebuanos are taking a day off from work today, August 6, a special non-working holiday in the entire province of Cebu in celebration of its 445th founding anniversary.

Republic Act 8952 declared August 6 of every year a special non-working public holiday not only in Cebu Province but also in the highly-urbanized chartered cities of Cebu and Mandaue.

RA 8952 amended RA 7698, which declared the special non-working public holiday to be effective in the province alone.

Both laws were authored by former Cebu first district congressman Eduardo Gullas.

RA 8952 ended the confusion over whether Cebu City, as a chartered city, is covered by RA 7698 or not.

As a special non-working holiday, those who would report to work on this day are entitled to a 30-percent premium on top of their basic pay.

In 1993, the Cebu Provincial Board passed a resolution setting Cebu’s founding day on Aug. 6, the date Spain's King Philip II, in a royal cedula, appointed Miguel Lopez de Legazpi as Governor of Cebu in 1569.

A portion of the said PB resolution reads, "The appointment of Legazpi as governor and captain general, with definition of his duties and powers, as well as the existence of a de facto or emerging province, could well mark the foundation, although loosely, of a Province of Cebu."

The celebration started Wednesday morning with a flag raising ceremony, followed by a 10 a.m. Holy Mass attended by provincial officials and employees at the Cebu Capitol Social Hall.

A 1:30 p.m. program would then follow with Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III delivering an anniversary message and making some announcements.

The program includes a dance contest "Sayaw sa Dekada 80" and the raffling off of major prizes.

The "Gabii sa Sugbu" featuring the performances of local bands will be held on Thursday.

Cebu inks agreement for Digital Tourism

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1121407231636
• Tuesday, August 5, 2014

By Rachelle M. Nessia

CEBU CITY, August 5 (PIA) --- The provincial government of Cebu has signed an agreement with Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) and Cebu-based new media startup InnoPub Media formalizing the rollout of its Digital Tourism project in the province.

The signing held August 4 was led by Cebu Gov. Hilario P. Davide III with SMART Senior Manager for Public Affairs Visayas and Mindanao Atty. Maria Jane Paredes, InnoPub Co-Founder Max Limpag, and Cebu Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera.

The governor said the project will help make tourists’ visit in the province more convenient, especially those visiting the province for the first time.

“They don’t have to bring with them maps or books about Cebu anymore,” said Davide.

According to Limpag, digital tourism utilizes mobile technology to deliver timely, accurate, and relevant tourism, cultural, and historical information on their mobile devices.

“By providing tourists with context and correct information with relevant information will make their visit much more meaningful and memorable, and they will hopefully keep coming back,” he said.

Interactive markers will be set up in identified tourist spots bearing quick response (QR) codes and near field communication chips (NFC) which visitors can scan using their smartphones and this will trigger the download of information about the tourist site.

Under the project, free ebooks and apps will be produced to serve as tourism guides.

“Printed guidebooks are expensive, and also they are limited in the sense that a limited space is allotted for some places because of the limited number of pages,” explained Limpag.

The ebooks, he said, will answers questions of most visitors coming to Cebu such as accommodations, where to eat, and what to do .

The project is also seen to address the lack of tourism markers in Cebu, which came up as a common tourism issue hampering the creation of new tourism products during the 2012 Tourism Congress, said Limpag.

“Tourists didn’t know the significance of a place because there were no markers, and whatever markers were available contained only limited information,” he said.

Limpag said the digital tourism project will provide a better solution since it uses QR codes, and the system will provide more information about the tourist site.

He also announced that they recently made available an app for Androids, “that you download once and use it everywhere even without Internet connection.”

The mobile guide contains a portable directory of service providers accredited with the Department of Tourism (DOT) or the local government unit, such as tour guides, tour operators, transport services, and hotels.

The digital tourism project was first implemented in Carcar City, Argao, and Boljoon.

It is now currently being deployed in the ‘BOSS’ tourism circuit of Boljoon, Oslob, Samboan, and Santander.

The project is set to be expanded to cover other areas in the province.

Mandaue City to relaunch 'I am Mandaue' campaign

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=669336
• Monday, August 4, 2014

(PNA), LAP/EB/

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu, Aug. 4 (PNA) -- The Mandaue City Government will relaunch on August 30 the “I am Mandaue” campaign that aims to encourage residents to share their knowledge and contribute to the city’s development.

The relaunching is one of the highlights of the week-long celebration of the City’s Charter Day on August 30.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said “I am Mandaue” was formally launched two years ago, but they saw after the launching the need to introduce more changes in the campaign.

Cortes said the “I am Mandaue” campaign aims to involve all people in Mandaue City not only barangay officials, city hall employees, businessmen, but all sectors for the city’s development.

He said the campaign is in line with his administration's commitment for transparency and good governance.

He said they are now on stage 3 of the Performance Governance System (PGS), a good governance framework that the city implements with the help of the Institute for Solidarity Asia.

The campaign emphasizes values that every Mandauehanon should embrace, such as sense of pride, said Cortes.

The role of every constituent in building a “character city” is by practicing good values and taking pride in their socio-cultural heritage, he said.

Cortes said the city government lined up different priority projects for implementation for the remaining two years of his administration.

Among them is the 6.5 hectares socialized housing project in Barangay Paknaan intended for the 1,200 informal settlers living in the city’s danger zones.

The project, he said, should be the showcase of the cooperation among the public and private sectors and the people.

Bogo City gets 31 houses from Norwegian group

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2014/08/03/bogo-city-gets-31-houses-norwegian-group-357475
• Sunday, August 3, 2014

By Elias O. Baquero

THE Bogo City Government received 31 houses for Yolanda survivors donated by a Norwegian group in a turnover ceremony witnessed by Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.

The 31 houses, which were received by Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez, are located at Yolanda Village in Barangay Lapaz.

The houses were donated by Prosjekt Filippinene represented by May Britt Tynes.

The 31 houses were in addition to the 100 houses earlier constructed at the Yolanda Village donated by various nongovernment organizations and private individuals.

Identified settlers

Martinez is targeting 4,000 houses for Yolanda survivors that will be constructed in identified sites in Barangays Cayang, Bungtod, Marangog, Malingin, Pulangbato and Gairan.

The construction of houses in these barangays immediately starts after the site development.

Most of those who will be relocated to Yolanda Villages will come from coastal easement areas considered “danger zones” because these are vulnerable to storm surges.

The Cebu Provincial Government has already given P2 million as initial financial assistance to Bogo City in the typhoon’s aftermath.

Davide is now hoping for the immediate release of the P12-billion rehabilitation fund, which was recently approved by President Benigno Aquino III.

Cash aid

Also during the turnover, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed P30,000 each to 502 family-beneficiaries under the Emergency Shelter Program.

DSWD 7 Director Mercedita Jabagat said they are targeting 7,000 beneficiaries who will not be accommodated at Yolanda Villages and who do not live in danger zones but whose houses were destroyed during the typhoon.

Also in the ceremony, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the allocation of P9.979 million to Bogo City to help Yolanda survivors.

Cash for work

DA 7 Director Angel Enriquez said P7.279 million was distributed to 1,489 farmers yesterday in the form of seedlings, fertilizers, fuel subsidy and one-hand tractors, among others.

Enriquez said the remaining P2.7 million is for the “cash for work program” where the DA 7 pays farmers to work for at least five days to prepare their farm for planting.

Enriquez said the P2.7 million was supposed to be turned over to DSWD but Jabagat refused to implement it because they are already fully-loaded with assignments.

“We will be making our own (DA) guidelines and will be the one to pay directly to the farmers who will actually work,” Enriquez said.

The World Vision International, which also donated houses and scholarship grants to poor children, was also present at the turnover.

Mandaue launches 45th Charter fete

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/metro-cebu/2014/08/02/1353062/mandaue-launches-45th-charter-fete
• Saturday, August 2, 2014 12:00 am

By Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Jonas Cortes and other city officials launched last Thursday the city's 45th Charter Day celebration by unveiling the city's new official logo.

The logo contains the present seal in colors blue, yellow, red and green, a transition of the city seal from its inception until the present and the slogan "I am Mandaue."

During the unveiling ceremony, Cortes explained that the slogan "I am Mandaue" refers to the responsibility and contribution of every Mandauehanon for the city's progress.

For this year's celebration and activities, the city has allotted a budget of P3.8 million which is lower than last year's budget.

It was also learned from city treasurer Regal Oliva that the 600 regular employees will receive their milestone bonus of P5,000.

It has been the practice of the city government to give bonus for its employees during Charter Day celebration, however, the giving of bonus to the 2,000 job order employees of the city was disallowed last year by the Commission on Audit. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

With this, Oliva said they have yet to sit down with the accounting office on how to find ways to justify the giving of bonus to these job order staff, clean and green and barangay health and nutrition workers.

Agro trade fair kicks off as Cebu starts month-long celebration of 445th founding anniversary

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=668615
• Friday, August 1, 2014

(PNA), LAM/EB/

CEBU CITY, Aug. 1 (PNA) -- The Cebu Provincial Government’s Agro Trade Fair dubbed as “Tabo sa Kapitolyo” (Capitol Market) kicked off Friday as part of the month-long celebration for the province’s 445th founding anniversary.

A total of 37 private exhibitors and 41 local government units (LGUs) in the province participated in the event, including some typhoon-hit areas in northern Cebu like the towns of Pilar and Poro in the Camotes Islands, Borbon, Bantayan and Tuburan.

Cebu Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena said the event showcased the pride products of the respective LGUs. The event also aims to invite prospective buyers, he said.

Saragena said prizes await the outstanding exhibitors, which include P20,000 for the best booth and P5,000 for the early decorated booth.

A series of other activities have been lined up for the province’s 445th anniversary, which started with a flag raising ceremony Friday morning at the Cebu Capitol grounds.

The month-long celebration will be highlighted with a “Sayaw sa Dekada 80” on August 6, the founding day anniversary itself, which has been declared a non-working holiday throughout the province.

The “Gabii sa Sugbo” event will be held on August 8.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Ramil Abing, in-charge of the activity, said the Capitol allocated P3 million for the celebration.