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Cebu City News August 2015

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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.

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Cebu City Cathedral
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Magellan's Cross in Cebu City
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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:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Mormon Temple Lahug cebu city philippines

Cebu City needs PHP5M to improve septage plant

(PNA), LAP/EB/SSC

CEBU CITY, Aug. 31 (PNA) -- The Cebu City Septage Management Board (CCSMB) wants a budget of PHP5 million to improve the Septage Treatment Plant (STP) at the city’s North Reclamation Area (NRA).

The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) wants the STP to treat abattoir wastes and waste water, aside from septic wastes.

Lawyer Janesis Ponce, CCSMB head, said the DVMF wants the existing STP to be improved since they no longer have to put up their own facility at the existing abattoir, which is situated in an adjacent lot at the STP.

The DVMF, he said, has a plan to transfer its location to some other place within the next three to five years.

Ponce said the DVMF wrote Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama in February this year, proposing for the improvement of the current STP so it can treat abattoir wastes and waste water.

The current STP at the NRA, which started its full operation in June last year, processes an estimated 100 cubic meters of septic wastes per hour.

The STP costs PHP15 million and was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and manufactured by Amcon Inc., a manufacturing firm based in Yokohama City.

Its operations are being overseen by the CCSMB.

Cebu City government readies PHP500M to secure stay of 5T families in Cebu Capitol-owned lots

(PNA), CTB/EB/SSC

CEBU CITY, Aug. 30 (PNA) -- The Cebu City government has allotted some PHP500 million to assure that some 5,000 families living in Cebu province-owned lots in the city will not be displaced, an official said.

Lawyer Collin Rosell, Cebu City’s Department for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) chief, said the money will be used to pay for the lots occupied by city residents.

An earlier land swap deal between the Cebu City government and the Cebu provincial government did not push through.

Rosell said he had already submitted to the provincial government a certification that the funds were available, among other documents necessary for the purchase of the lots.

The lots were among those the provincial government had declared as socialized housing sites 22 years ago under Provincial Ordinance 93-1.

The ordinance allowed the residents to own the lots they occupied after they paid for the amortization in full.

These province-owned lots are spread across Barangays Apas, Lahug, Busay, Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Lorega, Mabolo and Tejero, all in Cebu City.

Only less than half of the 5,000 occupants had paid in full.

The city proposed to exchange prime lots with those occupied by these families in 2006 but the talks collapsed before any agreement could be finalized.

PHL sees trade with APEC members rising over 6.8% yearly

By Leslie D. Venzon [(PNA), RMA/LDV]

CEBU CITY, Aug. 29 (PNA) -- The Philippines, which plays host to Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this year, sees its trade with 20 other APEC member economies increasing by over 6.8 percent annually to about USD 109.62 billion in 2015.

Ambassador Ma. Angelina Sta. Catalina said the country’s hosting of APEC widens opportunities for increased regional trade in goods and services, specifically intra-APEC trade, including global trade.

Sta. Catalina cited a trend indicating Philippine trade growing by about 6.8 percent every year since its APEC membership in 1989.

“So if there has been an improvement in our trade figures as a consequence of APEC, then we are looking forward to more increased trade because of the kind of initiatives that we are undertaking in the various discussions,” she said in a press briefing.

The ambassador said Philippine total external trade with APEC members reached USD 96.104 billion, or 80.7 percent of the country’s entire trade, in 2013.

Philippine exports amounted to USD 47.63 billion, or 84 percent of the country’s total exports to the world; while imports reached USD 48.47 billion, or 77.7 percent of the total imports.

“We do have a balance trade here (APEC) in our favor… There is a lot of trade that takes place among different APEC economies,” added Sta. Catalina.

Apart from increased trade opportunities, she said the Philippines was also benefiting from APEC’s hosting through increased investment funds.

“(These are) funds which will fuel our national capacity to develop our human capital, to improve our physical infrastructure and to further assist and develop financial and economic enterprises, in other words our SMEs (small and medium enterprises), which we see as our engines of growth,” she added.

Cebu City is hosting the 16-day APEC Third Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) and Related Meetings until Sept. 6.

Following the SOM are two Ministerial-level meetings: the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting (SRMM) on Sept. 7-8 and the Finance Ministerial Meeting (FMM) on Sept. 9-11. The meetings will be chaired by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Finance (DOF), respectively.

Cebu City to release PhP120-M cash aid to senior citizens, PWDs next week

(PNA), SCS/EB/RSM

CEBU CITY, Aug. 28 (PNA) -- The Cebu City government will release some PhP120 million in cash assistance to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) next week.

There are at least 60,000 senior citizens and 7,000 PWDs in the city.

Mayor Michael Rama said he has asked the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) to prepare the payroll on the release of the financial aid and determine the exact date of the two distributions.

Each qualified senior citizen will receive PhP2,000 out of their PhP12,000 total financial assistance this year.

The fourth tranche of cash aid to senior citizens brings to PhP7,000 the total financial assistance released so far to senior citizens this year.

The city distributed PhP1,000 in January, PhP2,000 in April and another PhP2,000 in July.

Each PWD will get PhP1,000 financial assistance during next week’s distribution.

It forms part of the PhP5,000 total yearly financial assistance for each PWD.

Cebu City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said the cash aid will be given next week once the processing of the payroll is completed.

Cebu graduate tops medical board

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo /FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - A graduate of a medical school in Cebu topped the recent Physician Licensure Examinations given by the Professional Regulations Commission.

Andrew Chua Tiu of the Cebu Institute of Medicine bested close to 3,000 examinees from all over the country with his 90.67 rating. According to the PRC, only 2,491 passed the exams out of the 2,921 examinees.

Tiu, who ranked 8th in the Nursing Licensure Examinations in June 2009, said he did not expect to finish on top.

“Of course, very very happy after finding out I got number one. A very vast blessing by God. I did not expect na makapasar gani, then with this pa nga number one. Really thankful gyud ko ni God,” Tiu told THE FREEMAN.

Tiu said he did not expect to top the exam since it was really difficult.

“Just like any other, of course I studied hard. Go back to basic gyud. But, I think the special thing is that it is a big blessing by God gyud. I could have not done this without Him,” Tiu said, while thanking his family and friends for the support.

The PRC released yesterday the results of the licensure examinations provided by the Board of Medicine in the cities of Manila, Cebu, and Davao.

Jan Christian Gomez Feliciano of the University of Santo Tomas bagged the second place with 90 percent, followed by Kristel Kang Tanhui of De La Salle University-Health Sciences Institute with 89.75. The fourth placer is Antonio Lorenzo Rustia Quiambao of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, 89.58 percent.

Completing the top 10 are George Michael Ngo of Sosuan University of Santo Tomas, 89.25; Ana Bianca Eloise Adriano Peralta of the University of Santo Tomas, 89.17; Thomas Vincent Torres Vergara of UST, 89.08; Tristan Marvin Zapanta Uy of the University of the Philippines-Manila, 89.00; Anne Margarette Reyes Abuluyan of Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, 88.92; and Lester Bryan Ang Co of UST, 88.83.

According to the PRC, Cebu Institute of Medicine and University of the Philippines- Manila emerged as the top performing schools with 100 percent passing percentage. CIM have 127 passers while 156 passers from UP-Manila.

City needs council’s nod to pay SRP loan in full

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo / NSA (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City’s Local Finance Committee said it has to secure authorization from the City Council first before documentary requirements in paying the South Road Properties loan are processed.

Today, the council is expected to deliberate the resolution of Councilor James Anthony Cuenco authorizing Mayor Michael Rama on behalf of the city government to process the pre-termination of the P4.65 billion SRP loan.

“After the resolution that will be approved, we will be working on the documentary requirements nakayang gusto sa mga agencies makahibaw sa decision sa utangan nga mobayad na ‘ta,” said lawyer Jose Daluz III, a member of the city’s Local Finance Committee.

Rama has directed the committee to fast track the compliance of the requirements.

In 1996, the city entered into an agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency for the Y12.315 billion or around P4.65 billion loan to finance the reclamation of the 300-hectare SRP. As of now, the city still owes JICA over P2.3 billion, which is supposedly settled in 2025.

Apart from the council’s approval of the loan prepayment, other requirements for the committee are certification from the Bureau of Local Government Finance that the transaction is within the city government’s debt servicing limit; justification for the prepayment; and concurrence from the Department of Finance as well as from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Daluz said the committee has already sent communications to these agencies, but they are asking for the council’s resolution before the city could proceed to other requirements.

The city’s executive department is pushing for the P3.32 billion in its first supplemental budget for the year, bulk of which is for the loan’s prepayment.

According to Daluz, the city government has the right to pre-terminate its loan for the SRP since it is the debtor, but the legislative body should be one with the executive department in convincing the agencies that the city is willing to pre-terminate it.

“Dili ta mo-una og kuha sa mga documentary requirements kay first, dili approval atong gipangayo sa agencies, concurrence lang. We will explain sa council sa benefits that the city would get out of this,” he said.

Daluz said the city has been allotting P500 million every year to pay the loan, which can be stopped through prepayment, and just allocate the amount instead to other basic services.

But council members have mixed reactions on the pre-termination, said Councilor Nendell Hanz Abella, who was with Daluz during yesterday’s regular 888 News Forum at MyTV Studio to answer issues concerning Cebu City Hall.

“What I know, they want to continue the amortization every year. For me, having good fiscal management, naa man ta’y kwarta, so much better to pay the loan,” Abella said, adding that year 2025 is too late to settle the loan.

Philippines to advocate SME Growth through Inclusive Business in the APEC Investments Experts’ Forum

(PNA), LGI/PR/JME

CEBU CITY, Aug. 25 (PNA) -- The Philippines will spearhead a Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) entitled “Fostering SME Growth through Inclusive Business” on Thursday (Aug. 27) at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu City.

The dialogue will happen at the margins of Third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM3) and Related Meetings.

The PPD is aligned with the 2015 APEC theme of “Building Inclusive Economies for Building a Better World” and also with APEC Leaders’ Declaration made in Yokohama in November 2010.

PPD aims to raise awareness through exchange of information and best practices on Inclusive Business (IB) models in agribusiness, manufacturing and services. It would stress the importance of developing SMEs through inclusive business to create jobs, increase income and improve quality of life.

IB as defined refers to profitable business activities that deliberately target the low income segment as part of their value proposition in doing business.

Local and international speakers from APEC member economies are invited to share own experiences on IB and IB-related activities and programs. Experts from Asian Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, World Economic Forum, Kennemer Foods International, Dow Chemicals, Cemex Philippines and Indonesia Business Council will also share their insights about IB and IB-related activities and investments in the APEC region.

DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo has been invited to deliver the opening remarks for the PPD, while Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras will deliver the keynote address focused on “Building Inclusive Businesses – The Role of the Private and Public Sector.”

Experts from Asian Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, World Economic Forum, Kennemer Foods International, Dow Chemicals, Cemex Philippines and Indonesia Business Council will also share their insights about IB and IB-related activities and investments in the APEC region.

The results of the PPD will be reported by the Philippine Delegation and discussed by the APEC Investment Experts’ Group (IEG) meetings on August 28-29.

VECO to pursue Cebu Unplugged campaign in barangays

By Katlene O. Cacho

FOLLOWING its campaign on power conservation among schools, power distribution utility firm Visayan Electric Co. (VECO) is bringing the campaign to the barangay level.

This project will be done in tandem initially with the Cebu City Government through Councilor Nida Cabrera, who is also an environment champion.

According to Lawyer Jill Verallo, head of VECO’s reputation enhancement department, VECO has already discussed with Cabrera the Cebu Unplugged project, which is expected to bring awareness on energy conservation among the households in Cebu’s 80 barangays.

Cebu Unplugged is a power-saving campaign initiated encouraging the public to adopt eight ways to save energy at home.

The Cebu Unplugged-Barangay project will have 200 participants within VECO’s franchise area composed of two representatives per barangay. Verallo said these representatives will act as VECO’s ambassadors in disseminating information about the power conservation campaign.

VECO, though, has yet to convene the participants, as they are awaiting Cabrera’s endorsement of the project to the barangay. But the program, Verallo said, is ready for rollout.

During the testing phase, VECO will chose one barangay and will initially read the power consumption of five households, five commercial establishments and two industrial establishments.

Verallo said they will heavily educate these select establishments and households on how to manage their power consumption so other participating barangays will know how the project works. The said monitoring will be done for a year.

City aligns with metro plan

By Razel V. Cuizon

FOLLOWING the approval of several projects and programs under the roadmap study for sustainable urban development for Metro Cebu, the Cebu City Government has committed to align its policies, plans, programs and projects to it.

In an approved resolution sponsored by Councilor Nida Cabrera, the Council has adopted, endorsed and supported the recommendations and outputs of the roadmap study for sustainable urban development for Metro Cebu.

In June, the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) approved and confirmed the roadmap during their full council meeting.

Cebu City is a member of MCDCB along with other local government units in Metro Cebu.

Programs

The roadmap include 14 anchor programs that are selected as high priority roadmap projects based on implementation perspective of Urban Greening, Operationalization of Mega Cebu Spatial Plan, Urban Fringe Highway Network, Mactan Link Development, Mass Transit Network Development, Gateway Development, Integrated Road Traffic Management and Bottleneck Clearance, Surface water Resource Development, Urban Septage/ Sewerage Service, Comprehensive Flood Control, Metropolitan Solid Waste Management, Advance Energy Management System and Institutional Building of Metropolitan Governance.

In 2013, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and Yokohama City in Japan helped MCDCB to formulate the “Mega Cebu Vision 2050” the long term development for Metro Cebu.

“The Mega Cebu Vision 2050 aspires for a vibrant, equitable, sustainable and competent environment that embraces Cebu’s creativity and its cultural, historical and natural resources with strong citizen participation and responsive governance,” said Cabrera.

More coverage

The roadmap study also covers 7 Sub-Roadmaps, which include Metropolitan Competitiveness Enhancement, Urban Structure and Land Use, Urban Transport and Highway Network, Water Supply and Disposal Management, Solid Waste Management, Smart SRP Development and Metropolitan Administration.

With the commitment, different agencies, offices, units and teams from the City Government were also required to submit their respective plans a month after the approval of Cabrera’s resolution to the office of the mayor, council and MCDCB.

UC, USC battle for top honors in Cesafi athletics event

By Richiel S. Chavez

POWERHOUSE schools University of Cebu (UC) and University of San Carlos-Basic Education (USC-Bed) bared their fangs in the athletics event of the 2015 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) as they fought for leadership in the first day of competitions yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

UC was leading the unofficial medal tally of the secondary girls division with four gold medals, one silver and six bronzes. USC, on the other hand, was lording it over in the boys division with a 5-3-3 gold-silver-bronze medal haul.

In the college division, UC led the men’s side with a 7-4-4 tally, while USC’s women’s team is leading with five golds, four silvers and two bronzes.

Melody Perez powered USC in the college action winning two gold medals after topping the handed two golds for USC's tertiary medal haul by winning in the women's 1,500-meter run in 5 minutes and six second and outsmarted Lovely Fe Andrin (5:17) and UC's Keisha Mae Delechos (5:26). Perez got her second gold in the 3,000m with a time of 11:02. Geneda Arcuino (11:20) placed second, while Delechos (11:51) was again at third place.

Jelena Joy Dagatan was UC's answer to Perez with two golds coming from the women's 400m hurdles and women's shot put. Dagatan clocked 1:12 in the 400m hurdles and won over Roneth Ayuda (1:14:24) of USC and Mary Joy Rosas (1:15) of University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F). Dagatan then dominated the women's discus throw with a 28.33m throw. Marivic Dalen (21.52m) of Cebu Doctor's University (CDU) placed second, while USC's Jaquilyn Gilbuela (20.85m) rounded up the top three.

Prince Joey Lee and Jerald Berengel chipped in two gold medals each for the UC men's medal tally. Lee topped the 3,000m steeplechase in 10:13 and emerged champion in the 10,000m race in 35:22, beating Arnel Florentino of USC-Bed in both events.

Berengel won the 110m hurdles in 17.01 and topped the 400m hurdles in 58:73. Joseph Camingao (17.64) of UC and Jose Lloyd Viray (19.39) of USP-F placed second and third in the 110m hurdles, while Mark Batiancila (1:00.47) of USP-F and Edward Adlawan (1:01.54) were the runners-up in the 400m hurdles.

In the secondary division, Mary Joy Loberanis took two gold medals for USC-Bed.

Loberanis of USC-Bed won the girls 1,500m and 3,000m. she finished the 1,500m in 5:07 and reigned over Lynle Cardenas (5:47) of USC-Bed and Catherine Angeli Yu (5:59) of Sacred Heart School- Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC). Loberanis topped the 3,000m event in 11:27 beating Lynle Cardenas (13:44) of USC-Bed and Gymnah Assyria Timkang (14:56) of UC were the runners-up.

The SHS-AdC leaned on Shanelle Demilys Siasoyco in first day. Siasoyco, a Palarong Pambansa gold medal winner topped the girls' shot put and discus throw.

She threw 9.26m in the shotput and had a 27.22m throw in the in the discus throw. She beat USC's Jan Allyson Pajantoy and Kim Obuta in both two events.

UC's Elyzza Mae Salinas won in the girls' 100m and 400m hurdles, she had a time of 15.81 in the 100m and 1:15.17 in the 400m beating Brittney Moira Cañete (16.28) of SHS-AdC and Gleizl Faith Pelayre (18.55) in the 100m and outlasted Pearl Angeline Abellar (1:16) of SHS-AdC and Josie Inemedo (1:21) of UC in the 400m event.

The action continues today with events in boys' and girls' 100m, 800m, 4x100m relay, javelin throw, triple jump, long jump and 5,000m boys. The tertiary division will have men's and women' 100m, 800m, 5,000m, 5K walk women, 10K walk men, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay javelin throw, triple jump and long jump.

Cebu as running capital project gets rolling

By Richiel S. Chavez

THE Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) partnered with the mountain barangays to help each other achieve the goal of making the Cebu City mountains the 'Running Capital of the Philippines'.

CCSC is bringing the grassroots program to other mountain barangays and plan to identify a practice venue for these kids in the mountain areas.

CCSC chairman Edward Hayco met with grassroots coach John Philip Dueñas, Southeast Asian (SEA) Games marathon silver medalist Mary Joy Tabal, Department of Education (DepEd) sports coordinator Zenaida Gocotano, Cambinocot barangay captain Reynaldo Lauron, former Agsungot barangay captain Jong Alcover, CCSC's commissioner Lorenzo “Chao” Sy and executive director Mark Alino early this month to put the plans into motion.

“Jong (Alcover) and Rey (Lauron) together with Dueñas and Tabal explored the mountains and identify the potential sites for the expanded program. They also visited as many public school principals to join and send their kids to the weekend training,” Hayco said. “Every Saturday at 8 a.m. coach Philip (Dueñas) and Joy (Tabal) will personally train the trainers and student-athletes.”

Tabal said that on their visit to the mountain barangays, they spotted a possible training venue for the children, which is around Taptap.

“If approved, this will become a mini-track oval and a training area for the children in the mountains,” she said.

Dueñas said that after starting the program in Guba Elementary School, they are looking to bring the program to Taptap Elementary School or Sirao Elementary School.

Every last Saturday of the month, the top runners will be brought to the city for further training and coaching.

The CCSC grassroots program for running started six months ago in Barangay Guba and it produced prospect runners who won local races like the Flame It! Burger Run, Alaska Fun Run and DYAB Kapamilya Run.

The CCSC grassroots program for running aims to search for athletes who can haul medals in the sporting meets like the Palarong Pambansa, and to provide path for underprivileged mountain barangay students to avail of athletic scholarship through running and to put Cebu mountain Barangay as the running capital of the Philippines.

The CCSC grassroots program is also supported by Philippine Sports Commission led by chairman Richie Garcia.


Cebu City to implement 3 flood control projects

(PNA), LDV/EB/SGP

CEBU CITY, Aug. 20 (PNA) -- The city government is set to implement three flood control projects, which include the construction of a flood retarding basin at the North Reclamation Area (NRA), part of the city that is flood-prone.

Flood retarding basins are holding ponds that temporarily store some or all rainwater runoff from a catchment.

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama identified the lower portion of Block 27, a city-owned property in NRA, as an area where the flood retarding basin will be built.

The upper portion of the property will be converted into a public park and open space that can be used as evacuation area when disasters hit the city.

He said the matter was suggested by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson when they discussed the city’s flooding problem.

Rama said he will ask the DPWH and SM Prime Holdings to help fund the project. The latter's SM City Cebu mall usually gets affected when NRA is flooded.

Rama will also tap Engr. Felipe Cruz Jr., owner of the construction company, for proof of concept for 'drainage boring', a system which will be installed underneath roads.

If feasible, Rama said, drainage boring will apply in the entire city.

The proof of concept is at no cost to the city, but the city will still tap DPWH for its implementation.

Rama said the city will also be requiring owners of new buildings to build underground catchment in their structures.

He said an ordinance on the matter should be passed before the council to compel building owners to comply with the requirement.

MGB asked to study Busay school site

By May B. Miasco / JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City’s Local School Board wants the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 to conduct a scientific survey on the original site of the Busay Elementary School to determine if the school, indeed, needs to be transferred.

This is because the board found out that MBG-7 based its initial assessment, which identified the area as landslide prone, on visual investigation and inspection alone.

“There is a need for a more scientific analysis on the ground where the school site is situated,” said LSB Chairman Ronald Diola.

He said the school board wants a systematic and precise data proving that the school’s site is definitely a danger zone.

“It is proper to conduct a more thorough geo-technical study in assessing the (school’s) area,” Diola said.

Classes had to be transferred to the barangay’s sports complex middle of last year after MGB found the site at risk for a possible landslide.

However, students and teachers had to move back to the original location yesterday following the minor landslide at the sports complex site the other day.

Yesterday morning, the city’s structural engineers inspected the school building and declared that the building had no structural defect even with the ground movement during the October 2013 earthquake.

Because of this, students and teachers helped move materials back to the old school and classes will resume this Thursday.

“At present, the only viable site is the old site… Once the study shows that the location is okay then students will stay. Once the study shows that the area is not stable, then we will transfer and look for another site,” Diola said.

“(The next possible move) would depend on the result of the geo-technical study,” Diola said.

The LSB, with the assistance of the school representatives and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, has coordinated with MGB-7 for more sustainable

Cebu Negosyo Centers now open

By Jeandie O. Galolo

ENTREPRENEURS or those aspiring to start their own business have a place to go if they need help with the opening of two Negosyo Centers in Cebu City yesterday.

Stationed inside the offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 and DTI-Cebu offices in dowtown Cebu City, Negosyo Centers are one-stop shops built to address the needs of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“The Negosyo Center is a one-stop shop of services intended to support startup and existing enterprises,” said DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte during the opening of the Negosyo Center at the DTI Cebu yesterday.

The Negosyo Centers will offer three core services: business registration assistance; business advisory in the areas of product development, market access, financing, and investment promotions; and business information and advocacy.

These centers were created to comply with Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act authored by Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV and signed by President Benigno Aquino III into law last July 2014. It aims to promote job generation and inclusive growth through the development of MSMEs in the country.

The Negosyo Center stationed at the DTI Region 7 and Cebu offices are the 79th and 80th in the country.

DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said the agency is targeting to reach 100 Negosyo Centers by the end of 2015.

“I can compare Negosyo Centers to convenience stores. You see them in cities and municipalities where it should be accessed by businessmen,” Maglaya said during the opening ceremony yesterday.

In Central Visayas, Negosyo Centers had previously opened in Siquijor, Bohol, and Negros Oriental. Today, DTI will lead the opening of a Negosyo Center in Bogo, City.

Trade officials have expressed confidence that the creation of the Negosyo Centers in Cebu will be sustainable, as the local business community have assured full support to the center in the form of trainings and mentorship.

“DTI has always been our partner in business. We are giving our full commitment and assistance to this endeavor,” assured the president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ma. Teresa Chan.

Meanwhile, the University of San Carlos has also committed itself to extend entrepreneurship trainings.

This year’s CCCI Entrepreneur of the Year, Bunny Pages, chairman and chief executive officer of Pages Holdings, also confirmed his involvement in the Negosyo Center. He said he will extend mentorship to local entrepreneurs.

In the area of financing, the Negosyo Center will pool financing institutions that can readily assist entrepreneurs. DTI-Cebu Director Nelia Navarro said RAFI (Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.) and Microfinance and Small Business Corp. (SB Corp.) will offer their loan products to MSMEs in the Negosyo Centers. The official has also called on to more financial institutions to take active involvement in the Negosyo Center.

On Sept. 4 and Oct. 4, Caberte said DTI will open centers in Bohol and Dumaguete.

“You can expect more rollouts in 2016,” the regional director said.

RA 10644 requires that Negosyo Centers be present across all municipalities, cities, and provinces in the country.

Cebu Zoo drafts plan for adoption of animals

By May B. Miasco/ATO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu Zoo is currently formulating a plan to introduce the “Adopt a Zoo Animal” program where individuals or organizations can provide support in restoring the habitat of their chosen wildlife animal.

Cebu Zoo Manager Giovanni Stephen Romarate said this strategy would bridge the gap between people and animals and would be an avenue for humans to show their care for the animals.

However, Romarate clarified that the plan is still “premature” and they would need to consult first the Cebu City government.

“We had this move discussed when we had a random brainstorming so this is not yet sure whether this would be approved or not,” said Romarate, in a phone interview yesterday.

The plan is to encourage individuals, organizations, private or business sectors and companies to adopt an animal and provide support in improving and maintaining the animals’ habitat as part of the “corporate social responsibility” campaign.

One of the purposes of the proposal is to preserve the balance of nature, Romarate said, thus gearing for community interaction.

The seven-hectare zoo currently houses various types of animals such as birds (cockatoo, parrot, eagle, heron, myna); reptiles (crocodile, lizard, python, turtle); mammals (apes, monkeys, leopard, sheep.)

The zoo is also famous for its Burmese phythons, which are flocked by local and foreign tourists due to its “snake massage” service.

Romarate said with the help of other individuals and corporations, the proposal would be more feasible since funds allocated by the City government for the zoo will not be enough to finance the costly plan.

“We are planning to make it open for everyone who would be very willing to help these wildlife animals. Rather than caged, they can help provide a better habitat for the animals, a more satisfactory environment for the wildlife animals,” he said.

With an interactive zoo environment, Romarate said they can provide deeper knowledge on the importance of nature and the significance of biodiversity.

New group for restoration, beautification projects

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo / JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government has formed a management group that will administer the implementation of any restoration, beautification, development, or improvement along S. Osmeña Boulevard.

S. Osmeña Boulevard is considered as one of the vital gateways that connect the cities of Cebu and Mandaue to one side and the South Coastal Road that links Cebu City and Talisay City on the other.

Mayor Michael Rama, in his August 12 executive order, said there is a need to improve S. Osmeña Boulevard, considering its historical value and strategic location.

“In order to maximize its full potentials towards social, economic and environmental benefits, there is also a need to establish improvements, renovations and developments of other main roads such as but not limited to Kaoshiong road Mango Avenue extension which is adjacent and perpendicular to S. Osmeña road,” the order reads.

The management group is composed of Rama or his authorized representative as chairperson and the city administrator as vice-chairperson. The members will be composed of representatives from the city’s Department of Engineering and Public Works, City Legal Office, Project Executive Director, Cebu City Transportation Office, Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Planning and Development; Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement; Parks and Playgrounds, City Council member; and Land Management Office.

Other members will come from national government and private agencies like the Cebu Ports Authority, Cebu International Port, Department of Public Works and Highways-7, and even representatives from barangays.

The development and beautification also includes the side roads of S. Osmeña Boulevard like Kaoshiong road and Mango Avenue extension, among others.

The boulevard starts from the bridge near the Cebu International Port (which connects Cebu City to Mandaue City) to Palma Street near the subway near Plaza Independencia.

Rama said it has a strategic location because of its accessibility to port areas.

The group was formed to “organize and effectively monitor the different projects to be implemented in S. Osmeña road and other main side roads mentioned.”

One of the group’s functions is establishing the procedures of the implementation of all projects initiated by the city, the national government, and other agencies.

The group is also tasked to coordinate with national government agencies, if any, for projects that will be implemented since it is a national road.

The group will also “conceptualize and propose projects that are in line with the policies and objectives of the City, in coordination with the appropriate government agencies, offices and instrumentalities.”

City Administrator Lucelle Mercado said the contractor of the DPWH is undergoing minor road works.

Also, Mercado said DPWH committed to install Light-emitting diode along the sidewalk of S. Osmeña Boulevard.

“Once mahuman ang DPWH and ang contractor sa ilang trabaho diha, start na pod ta sa atong beautification project with SM Prime Holdings Inc.,” she said.

Rama earlier announced that SM Prime Holdings Inc. has committed to enhance the “heritage value and dimension of arts and culture” of S. Osmeña Boulevard.

70 street children get a treat

By Earl Jon M. Rallos

WHILE many street kids were busy painting the walls of the Waterfront Police Station, SPO1 Janice Tamayo identified a few familiar faces.

“Nadakpan na namo ni sila (We caught them once),” Tamayo said, pointing at some male teens who were finishing a mural of nature.

One of them was 17-year-old Gio (real name withheld for being a minor).

He used to belong to a gang that Tamayo’s team rounded up for snatching and roaming the streets, preying on passersby.

But Gio now spends his days as a fifth grader at the Tejero Elementary School.

Monthly event

“Ganahan nako moskwela kay sa maglaroy-laroy (I now prefer going to school instead of wandering),” said Gio who was also vocal about his dreams of becoming a seaman.

He was among the 70 street kids who benefited from a series of activities initiated by the Cebu Lumad Lions (CLL), the youngest chapter of the civic group Lions Club.

Yesterday, CLL, in coordination with Police Station 3 at Pier 1 and the surrounding barangays, gathered the street kids for its “Agosto Halad Serbisyo ug Kaalam.”

After listening to “Alamat ng Lansones” and few other stories and eating the meals prepared for them, the kids went on with the day’s highlight--mural painting.

“Nalingaw kaayo mi (We really had fun),” Gio said.

CLL charter president Dr. Marilyn Campano told the media they are conducting the activities on a monthly basis primarily to promote environmental awareness.

Campano, who is a dentist, has been leading the CLL since 2014.

“Every time we have a project like the mural, we just add up few other services like feeding and storytelling,” she said.

Aim

She said their group is also trying to bring back traditional reading to prevent vision deterioration from heavy exposure to gadgets.

“In our everyday lives, it’s not just about work. Sometimes we also have to give back,” added Campano, who was also celebrating her birthday.

Tamayo said the kids were from Barangays San Roque, Sto. Niño, Tejero and Tinago.

CLL hopes to do a school-based adaptation of the activities with students of Banilad Elementary School next month.

Cebu City deposits PHP6.7B downpayment of SRP lots sale

(PNA), CTB/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, Aug. 14 (PNA) -- The Cebu City Government Friday deposited in its bank accounts the P6.7-billion downpayment from the three giant developers that won the bidding for the 45.2-hectare area of the city-owned South Road Properties (SRP).

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the developers issued seven checks for the downpayment Wednesday.

Rama signed and served the notice of award to the SM Prime Holdings Inc. and Ayala Land consortium and Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) last week.

The downpayment brings the revenue from the sale of SRP lots to around PHP8.735 billion, including the PHP1.67 billion bid security the developers released after the June 30 bidding.

The amount is equivalent to 50 percent of the total offered price for the lots, which is PHP16.76 billion.

SM-Ayala placed the highest bid for the 26-hectare lot where the San Pedro Calungsod Templete stands, while FLI won the bidding for the 19.2-hectare lot.

Rama said the city will use the money to fund the first supplemental budget (SB 1) this year and its annual budget for 2016.

The city also plans to use it to pay off the SRP loan balance, which is about PHP2.3 billion.

Rama said some of it will also be used to fund the priority projects of the Cebu City Council.

Some PHP4.5 billion of the sale proceeds has been earmarked for capital outlay items in the PHP13.4-billion annual budget this year, including the PHP1.5-billion drainage project and PHP300 million for the construction of the Cebu City Medical Center.

Fuente Osmeña adopts parallel parking scheme

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo / NSA (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - To ease the traffic congestion during peak hours, the Cebu City Transportation Office has implemented the parallel parking along Fuente Osmeña Rotunda starting yesterday.

The move, CCTO executive director Rey Gealon said, is to address the increasing volume of vehicles passing through the area, based on the data compiled over the past three months.

“By and large, vehicles occupy three lanes as other vehicles still utilized the outer lane to surreptitiously load and unload passengers despite the allocated inner lane for that purpose. Drivers of passing vehicles find it difficult to maneuver along as they are left with fewer lanes around the Fuente Osmeña rotunda,” he said.

The rotunda has seven lanes.

Prior to this new parking scheme, Mayor Michael Rama implemented the carousel parking or the roundabout scheme at Fuente.

For the carousel parking, motorists are allowed to park diagonally on the second lane from the sidewalk. The outermost lane, the one beside the sidewalk, is a free lane for loading and unloading of passengers.

The roundabout scheme, Gealon said, is seen to be disadvantageous for the motorists since more lanes are dedicated for parking.

“The parallel parking scheme implemented by CCTO is different from the previous one kay before man gud, parallel siya but ang sakyanan is facing the establishment. Karon, ang sakyanan is murag pidpid na ‘ta sa outermost lane,” Gealon said.

Gealon said the modified scheme, which Rama has approved, will ease up traffic in the area especially in General Maxilom Avenue and Osmeña Boulevard.

Gealon said his office has observed the smooth traffic flow in the area, which led him to adopt the scheme and make it permanent.

To formalize the request, he said his office sent formal communication to around 30 business establishments around the rotunda on August 11.

As an initial reaction, the establishments asked to retain the carousel parking scheme since it draws more clients for them.

However, Gealon said it is better to balance the interest of the business and the public.

“We cannot heed to their demand because we have to sacrifice the interest of the few to uphold the interest of the public,” the city official said.

New CCMC contractor gets paid

By Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

CEBU City Hall has paid P77 million to the contractor who is building the new Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).

City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said she issued a check covering the amount to C.E. Padilla Construction Inc. last Tuesday.

According to Cuevas, the amount serves as a “mobilization fund,” which is equivalent to 15 percent of the total project cost. The cost of the project is P514.9 million. It’s covered by the P600-million budget of the City for the new CCMC.

Building foundation

The construction of the CCMC, which will take 635 calendar days, or 21 months, started on July 24.

In a separate interview yesterday, Department of Engineering and Public Works Chief Jose Marie Poblete said the contractor is working on the basic foundation of the 10-story hospital.

“They are doing test piles, which will determine unsay gilagmon sa atong (the depth of the) piles on the bases of refusal na ba. Kanang ig-drive, gahi na gani. Mao na dayon to ang orderon sa gitas-on sa pile. Mao na dayon na ang footing sa building, mao nay tumbanan (If the piles can no longer be driven in any further, that’s how deep the foundation should be),” he said.

Poblete, who also heads the Special Project Management Team for CCMC, said the contractor initially conducted eight test piles on the project site, which is on N. Bacalso Ave.

More test piles

However, he said the project’s consultants—Dr. Shawn Espina and Architect Mico Espina—suggested conducting an additional 14 test piles. (The Espinas made the plans for the new hospital.)

Poblete said the contractor has already started fencing off the project site, including half of Panganiban St., which will be used as a parking area for heavy equipment.

The City is building a new hospital since the old CCMC was demolished after it sustained heavy damage during the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Visayas in October 2013.

Council asks DWUP to submit design for 2-storey medium-rise building

By Earl Jon M. Rallos

THE Cebu City Council wants the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) to submit a design of a two-storey medium-rise building that will serve as a relocation site for 120 house owners on Palma St., Barangay San Roque, Cebu City.

The 120 legitimate owners, along with 122 sharers and 37 renters, continue to live in tents distributed by the City Government a year after a fire razed their homes.

A resident who spoke before the City Council in an executive session yesterday said eight senior citizens have already died while living in tents.

“We have been enduring heat and cold for a long time. We are asking that the reblocking be hastened,” said the resident, whose mother died during the fire.

Council members asked the DWUP why only 64 lots are being reblocked for the 120 owners, and why there hasn’t been any housing materials distributed to the affected families.

Robert Barquilla, head of DWUP’s Land Investigation Section, said that the reblocking started immediately after the fire, adding that they have a timetable of one to two weeks to do it.

He said the 64 owners who can benefit from the reblocked lots are those who originally had 12 square meters or more of space before the fire occurred.

Criticized

The other 56 will be sent to a relocation site in Quiot, which has not been erected yet.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, who presided the session, criticized DWUP for doing only the reblocking and not the entire relocation project.

Leonarda Pepito, a councilor of Brgy. San Roque blamed the changes in the master list of beneficiaries for the delayed reblocking, saying that there were several outsiders who claimed to be fire victims.

Barquilla said the final list of legitimate beneficiaries will be released next week.

Councilor Eugenio Gabuya told DWUP to shift to vertical housing to accommodate all the house owners.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said he will draft a resolution for clearer guidelines on reblocking which he will present in the succeeding sessions.

Cebu City movie house owners agree to proposed ordinance on free movies for seniors

(PNA), CTB/EB/SSC

CEBU CITY, Aug. 10 (PNA) -- Cebu City movie house owners have agreed to give senior citizens free movie access under a proposed ordinance.

The proposed ordinance authored by Cebu City Councilor Richard Osmeña seeks free movie access to all senior citizens in the city on Mondays and Tuesdays, except during the first day of showing, holidays and weekends.

The free access is proposed to be offered on the first screening hour and that each elderly will have free movie access only once per movie in every theater.

Macky Rosero of SM Cinemas said the proposed ordinance is good for the elderly.

But Rosero said the free movie access should be done on the first screening of regular movies on Mondays and Tuesdays.

She also asked to add a provision stating that senior citizens can watch super blockbuster movies only on the second week of its showing.

She said special cinemas such as Imax Theaters, Directors Club and 4D Theaters must be exempted from the ordinance, because it will be costly.

The ticket prices of SM’s regular cinemas range from PHP180 to PHP200; Imax tickets range from PHP250 to PHP400; Director’s Club tickets cost PHP350; while 4D tickets cost PHP400.

Rosero asked the council if they can include a provision on a subsidy on some of the fees they pay to the city, such as the amelioration tax of PHP10 per patron.

Esports Festival 2015 Opens Its Doors on August 21

By John Paolo "Brightroar" Bago

It is Esports Festival season once again!

Each year, the Philippine eSports Organization (PeSO) celebrates the Philippines’ unique gaming culture by bringing the biggest videogames and digital culture event to the Visayas.

Last year’s Esports Festival 2014 brought together gamers, cosplayers, PC rig enthusiasts to enjoy 3-days of action-packed tournaments, games and activities. This year’s events will promise to be just as action-packed, with tournaments ranging from Dota 2, League of Legends, CrossFire and Clash of Clans open to the public!

This year, Esports Festival 2015 is poised to trump previous records once more. But before you make your way to the SM City Cebu Trade Hall on August 21-23, 2015, here are some of the highlights for last year’s event!

Cebu City launches “Tugbong Tabo”

By May B. Miasco / ATO (FREEMAN)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Government formally opened yesterday morning the “Tugbong Tabo” at the open grounds of Plaza Sugbo.

But Cebu City Agriculture Department Chief Joelito Baclayon clarified that they do not intend to compete with the Farmers Market at the South Road Properties in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, which was launched by former mayor Tomas Osmeña over two weeks ago.

Baclayon stressed that they simply want to give farmers the opportunity to sell their products. The trade market starts every Thursday evening and closes Saturday morning.

“Gihatagan nato og kahigayunan ang mga mag-uuma nga makabaligya sa ilang mga tinanom o bisan unsang produkto,” he told reporters yesterday.

The Tugbong Tabo was launched six years ago and has been an annual activity, but this is the first time for the project to be done at the Plaza Sugbo fronting the Cebu City Hall.

In previous years, the Tugbong Tabo was held in 18 different urban centers, including in Cordova town and in Ayala Center Cebu.

The Plaza Sugbo, which is a rehabilitated open area in between the City Hall and the Magellan’s Cross park, is the 19th among the identified urban centers.

Baclayon explained that from 2,500 farmers of the Cebu Farmers Association, they will alternately select every week on who can display their products.

For this week, at least 49 farmers from 12 mountain barangays has been accommodated for free, including those from barangays Sudlon 1, Sudlon 2, Buot, Adlaon, Budlaan, Pulangbato, Sirao, Mabini, Guba, Sinsin, Pamutan, Busay and also from the Carbon Market Complex.

Baclayon said they intend to accommodate more farmers next week to occupy the whole square of Plaza Sugbo.

He said the products and goods are sold at a lower price compared to the set price at the Carbon Market.

Free transportation is also provided for free for the farmers and their products from their place going to the designated marketplace.

68-year-old Ampero Alimorin from Barangay Mabini, is grateful for being given a chance to display his goods.

“Nalipay kaayo ko nga nagbaligya diri tungod kay kon wala ni kay magsuroy ko sa amoa. Nagbaligya man ko og budbod ug saging, ang kaning saging akong tinanom,” said Alimorin.

CH launches own ‘tabo’ for farmers

By Razel V. Cuizon

TO ALLOW farmers from mountain barangays to directly sell their product to consumers, the Cebu City Government opened the Tugbong Tabo on the Plaza Sugbo grounds yesterday.

The opening of the City-organized agricultural fair came almost a month after the farmers’ market was opened on a private lot along the Mambaling Access Road at the South Road Properties (SRP).

The farmers’ market was made possible through the initiative of former Cebu City mayor and south district congressman Tomas Osmeña to provide livelihood to the city’s farmers.

Misplaced priorities

Asked about the newly opened “tabo,” Osmeña said the move only shows the City’s misplaced priorities.

“He (Mayor Michael Rama) wants to place his resources in destroying the private sector (Citilink) and no, small farmers. I think that he should focus on the horrendous traffic,” Osmeña told Sun.Star Cebu.

But the City Agriculture Department (CAD) clarified that the Tugbong Tabo was not organized to compete with the farmers’ market.

It was organized, City Agriculturist Joelito Baclayon said, because the City wants to help farmers earn more by removing the middlemen.

The activity also complies with a city ordinance that requires the holding of “tabo” at the Plaza Sugbo once a week, Baclayon said.

City Administrator Lucelle Mercado echoed Baclayon’s sentiment, saying Tugbong Tabo does not compete with the farmers’ market because it is far from the SRP.

The Tugbong Tabo is open every Friday until Saturday morning.

Rotation

Every week, Baclayon said, farmers from 31 mountain barangays, who are also members of the Cebu Farmers Association, will take turns selling their produce at the tabo. That way, everyone has equal opportunity to sell.

This week, farmers from Sudlon I, Sudlon II, Adlaon, Buot, Bonbon, Budlaan, Pulangbato, Sirao, Mabini, Guba, Pamutan, Busay and some members of the Carbon Market Complex were allowed to sell at the Plaza Sugbo.

Baclayon said compared to the markets, prices of fruits and vegetables at the Tugbong Tabo is cheaper because customers are buying straight from the farmers.

Also, farmers don’t have to pay rent for the use of the space at Plaza Sugbo, he said.

“We are inviting the public to buy the products of our farmers sold at the Tugbong Tabo because we can guarantee that these are really cheaper,” Baclayon said.

City traffic body mulls transfer of 40 vans to north terminal; drivers say no to plan

By Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

THE Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), formerly known as the City Traffic Operations Management, wants some 40 vans-for-hire (V-hire) to be accommodated at the Cebu North Bus Terminal.

These 40 V-hires that are plying the Balamban-Cebu City route were among the service vans affected by the closure of One Citilink Terminal last July 28.

Lawyer Rey Gealon, CCTO executive director, said that the CNBT, which is located in Mandaue City, is more accessible to passengers.

Gealon wrote CNBT General Manager Zosimo Jumao-as Jr. about his request last Tuesday.

“I have the honor to request assistance from your good office to accommodate and allow the public utility vehicle, specifically V-hires plying the Cebu City-Balamban and vice versa to be allowed to use the CNBT. The V-hires plying the said route shall be subjected to the rules and regulations of your terminal,” Gealon said in his one-page letter to Jumao-as.

Gealon said he spoke with Jumao-as yesterday morning, and the latter reportedly said that the terminal management is willing to accommodate the V-hires.

Jumao-as, however, said that the terminal does not have enough space to accommodate the 40 V-hires.

Gealon asked the Balamban V-hire drivers to meet with the CNBT management so they can formulate a scheme on how they can be accommodated.

Some drivers, however, said they are against the CCTO plan.

Joel Fernandez and Fermin Capasio said CNBT is already too far for them.

Fernandez claimed that most of their passengers have gone to the terminal in Ayala mall to take a ride to Balamban.

Capasio, on the other hand, said they would prefer to park near SM City Cebu or at the White Gold Club at the North Reclamation Area.

Gealon said the drivers can raise their concerns and suggestions during their meeting with Mayor Michael Rama next week.

The meeting, which was set yesterday, was rescheduled since the mayor flew to Manila.

Cebu, 10 other cities back full K to 12 implementation

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo / JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines- Cebu City is among 11 cities in the Philippines that expressed full support for the “effective and successful” implementation of the K to 12 program in 2016.

The program will add two years to the basic education system.

During his regular press conference yesterday, Mayor Michael Rama said the national government has recognized Cebu City last July 24.

“We were given recognition didto. We accepted the challenge (of implementing the program). We were given recognition that we are likely to succeed in view of our P50 million coming from the SEF (special education) and lot acquisition that we will be pursuing under general funds (for the schools),” Rama said.

He said the cities collaborated with the League of Cities of the Philippines in expressing its “full and unwavering” support to the educational program.

Aside from Rama, the other mayors who committed to support the program are LCP national president Mayor Herbert Bautista (Quezon City), LCP national chairman Mayor Oscar Moreno (Cagayan de Oro), LCP secretary-general Mayor Del De Guzman (Marikina), LCP Vice President for Mindanao Mayor Evelyn Uy (Dipolog), LCP Public relations officer Mayor Belen Fernandez (Dagupan), LCP Deputy PRO Mayor Arlene Arcillas (Santa Rosa), LCP Region VI Representative Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon (Himamaylan), LCP Women’s Representative Mayor Sally Ante-Lee (Sorsogon), Mayor Allan Rellon (Tagum), and Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan (Catbalogan).

All of the mayors signed the Statement of Support advertisement published in The Philippine STAR in May.

“In spite of some of the apprehensions expressed by certain quarters, the League of Cities of the Philippines, after careful deliberation on the matter, expresses its full and unwavering support to the K to 12 program implemented by the national government through the Department of Education,” the statement reads.

Next year, all schools in the country are expected to adopt the senior high school levels.

LCP believes that the full implementation of the program will be a significant part in reforming the country’s educational system.

While admitting that the program will be costly, the cities are “confident that senior high school is critical for enhancing the capacity of young learners to make informed life and career choices.”

“Cities across the country are fully committed to work with the national government for the effective and successful implementation of the program. Cities choose to be part of the solution and we will be glad to welcome more partners in this process,” the statement reads further.

“We will never know when the country will be ready for a major education reform unless we do it now. Let us use this opportunity to participate and work towards broadening the access to quality basic education through K to 12 and senior high school,” it adds.

“Ang kanang 10 cities (11 including Quezon City) considered nga pilot. After that, naa poy mosulod that they would like to be enlisted,” Rama said.

Projects worth P371M endorsed

By Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

THE Cebu City Development Council (CDC) has endorsed some P371 million worth of barangay development projects for inclusion in the 2016 Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of the City Government.

Unlike in the past years, though, the proposed projects did not reach billions, since the body limited the budget request of each barangay. This is based on CDCs newly-approved general policy.

The guideline provides that the cost of the proposed development project per barangay shall not exceed 2.5 percent of the 20 percent Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of the City.

This means that each barangay should only propose P7 million worth of projects, said Engr. Oscar Abordo, of the City Planning and Development Office and CDC Secretariat.

“Sa una, naabot gyod to og billions ang proposed AIP projects kay wa man tay klarong guidelines pa (It reached billions before because we didn’t have clear guidelines yet),” he told Sun.Star Cebu.

The guideline was approved during the CDC Full Council Meeting in July 31, the same day the P371-million worth of projects were approved and endorsed by the body.

City Budget Officer Marietta Gumia also told Sun.Star Cebu they have limited the project proposals of each barangay so the Local Development Fund (LDF) will be equally shared among the villages.

Projects under the AIP will be funded by the City Government’s LDF, which is 20 percent of the City’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share. The IRA share of the City amounts to P1.5 billion annually.

The Local Government Code provides that 20 percent of the IRA should be spent on development projects listed under the AIP.

Out of the 80 barangays, though, Abordo told Sun.Star Cebu that only 59 barangays submitted their proposed projects for inclusion in 2016 AIP.

For social development, these projects include construction of multi-purpose building for Basak San Nicolas (P7 million), Guba (P7 million), Suba (P7 million), Sudlon I (P7 million), Busay (P5 million), San Roque (P2.5 million), Zapatera (P2.5 million) and Pamutan (P5 million).

It also includes rehabilitation of the Parian evacuation center (P5 million); rehabilitation of Pung-ol Sibugay multi-purpose hall (P4 million) and that of T. Padilla (P3 million); construction of Tabunan evacuation center (P1.3 million); and electrification of several sitios in Tabunan (P1.3 million), among others.

Economic management

For economic management, the projects include road concreting in Adlaon (P3 million), Agsungot (P7 million), Bacayan (P4 million), Cogon Pardo (P7 million), Quiot (P4 million), Sambag II (P2 million) and Mabini (P7 million); construction of bridge in Budlaan (P1.5 million); asphalting in Bulacao (P2 million); rehabilitation of Pit-os road (P2 million); and construction of footbridge in Sapangdaku (P6 million), among others.

Environmental projects include construction of riprap in Binaliw (P4.4 million); construction of a material recovery facility in Kalunasan (P3 million), T. Padilla (P1 million), and Tabunan (P1 million); declogging and desilting in Quiot (P1.5 million); and rehabilitation of drainage in Zapatera (P2.4 million), among many others.

Taxi-hailing app ‘here for the long term’

By Jeandie O. Galolo

THE company behind taxi-hailing app GrabTaxi said it gives away P1.3 million through promotions in Cebu every day.

Despite a competitor’s claim that its business model is short-term and unsustainable, a company official believes its investments in Metro Cebu will create loyal users in the long run.

“We’ve already tried and tested our promos in countries like Singapore and Malaysia for two years before. I am not afraid or in doubt of what we are doing,” Grabtaxi city manager for Cebu Raymond Dejan told Sun.Star Cebu when sought for reaction.

Earlier, miCab co-founder Kenneth Baylosis described GrabTaxi’s model as short-term and unsustainable, adding that while the latter may have gained traction because of its promos, commuters will probably stop using the app once these offers end.

“We would not do this here if we had not been successful in other countries,” Dejan said.

MiCab is also a taxi-hailing app, but unlike GrabTaxi, which traces its roots to Malaysia, the former was conceptualized and developed in Cebu by Cebuanos. Last week, miCab announced it is also becoming an advertising platform; partner taxis are installed with LED signs that display advertisements. It charges a P10 booking fee, lower than GrabTaxi’s regular booking rate in Cebu at P25.

At present, GrabTaxi in Cebu has 2,000 partner-drivers and 48 taxi operators. Dejan said it covers half of the 4,000 total number of taxi drivers in Cebu today. On a daily basis, GrabTaxi Cebu registers 18,000 bookings, he added.

Dejan said that although it is predictable that the number of bookings will decline when promos are eliminated, he expects there will be a good number of loyal users who will remain.

“We are offering the promo because we want to share to them the GrabTaxi experience, that they are safe when they get in the taxi and they know who their driver is,” he said.

Dejan said Cebu is the most successful site for GrabTaxi in the Philippines in terms of the number of bookings and partner drivers.

GrabTaxi was officially launched here in July 2014. Downloads in Cebu for Android have already reached 101,000. Currently, the taxi-hailing service is also available in Metro Manila, Bacolod, Iloilo, and Davao.

5 Cebu grads land in top 10 of psychometrician’s board exam

By Earl Jon M. Rallos

FIVE psychology graduates from different universities in Cebu topped the July 2015 Psychometrician Licensure Examination.

Mary Donnavel Libron from the University of the Philippines-Cebu landed in the third spot with a final rating of 83.80.

University of San Carlos (USC) graduate Marc Clint Maceda ranked sixth, along with four others, finishing with 83.00.

Cebu Normal University’s (CNU) Steven Rabago earned the ninth place with 82.40.

Passing rate

In 10th place were Jane Sarsalejo of USC and Robejean Cabarrubias of the University of San Jose-Recoletos, and 10 others with 82.20.

The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) last Friday night announced the result of the board exam through its website.

The result was released after seven working days.

Some 2,061 out of 4,466 (46.15 percent) passed the exam, which was held last July 21-22.

Examinations on Theories of Personality and Psychological Assessment were held on July 21; Abnormal and Industrial Psychology on the following day. Scores in the Psychological Assessment comprised 40 percent of the examinees’ overall rating and 20 percent from each of the other three subjects.

Unexpected

A total of 57 passers garnered the 10 highest ratings.

Van Alistair Faeldon of the University of Santo Tomas took the number one spot with a rating of 84.20.

Rabago, in an interview, said he didn’t expect to be in the top 10, although he hoped for it.

“Since we were the first batch (to take the board exam), I believe we would serve as a sort of ‘first impression’ reflecting the quality education of psychologists from CNU,” Rabago said.

CNU led all Cebu schools with an overall passing rate of 84.18 percent.

Last October, PRC announced that 1,290 out of 3,283 takers passed the first Psychometrician Licensure Exam.

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