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Cebu City News December 2017

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View of Cebu City from the bay
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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.

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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

Local art group greets New Year with exhibit

(SunStar Cebu)

A GROUP of local artists, who are University of the Philippines-Cebu Fine Arts alumni, will showcase prized pieces of art in a month-long exhibit at the main lobby of the Montebello Villa Hotel, Cebu City from Jan. 5 to 28, 2018.

The exhibit, dubbed “Aninaw” or visualize, features 15 artists including Cebu’s finest watercolorist Bernardo Hermoso, visual designer Alexander Gocotano, Boyet Auditor, Brendon Baclaan, Emmanuel Iradel, J Roberto Olvido, Jeffrey Sarita, Jonathan Enad, Joseph Luna, Lino Venzal, Pepe Declaro, Pierre Famador II, Rainvelle Gemperoa, Sam Ryan Abenoja and Sergito Pautan.

Enad, who is a Carcaranon and a student of the late Martino “Tinong” Abellana, the dean of Cebuano painters, said that the display is aimed at encouraging all local artists to come out, show their works or join the group.

Activities during the exhibit include viewing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Jan. 6 to 28. There will also be live sketching, portraiture and caricature from 1 to 5 p.m. From Jan. 6 to 7 and Jan. 13 to 14, there will be a t-shirt printing demo from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be face painting and henna tattooing, as well as printed t-shirts for sale on all Saturdays and Sundays during the exhibit. Admission is free.

Foreign runners abound in Cebu Marathon 2018

By Glendale G. Rosal

THE UPCOMING Cebu Marathon 2018 will be well represented by runners from different countries around the world.

The race, which starts and finishes at the Cebu Business Park on January 14, 2018, has attracted 4,997 runners as of this writing, some of them foreign runners from 23 different countries.

According to Cebu Marathon organizer Kenneth Casquejo, also the president of the Cebu Executives Runners Club (CERC), there will be runners from Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Switzerland, China, Germany, Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States of America.

The running event is held in line with the celebration of the annual Sinulog Festival of Cebu

Of the total number of registrants as of press time, most have signed up for the 21-kilometer distance with 2,200 runners so far. The 42k distance has attracted 1,950 runners, the 10k distance has 480, and the 5k category has 367.

The number of runners could increase in the coming days since registration for the 10k and 5k is still going on. Nevertheless, the race has surpassed last year’s number of participants of 4,000 with still weeks to go before the race. One can still register online via cebumarathon.ph or race.ph.

Among the highlights of the prestigious race will be its route, which will bring runners through some of Cebu City’s iconic heritage sites such as the Magellan’s Cross, Plaza Independencia, Fort San Pedro and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

City to evaluate trash workers

(RTF)

STARTING next year, the Cebu City Government will be reevaluating the performances of around 1,500 garbage loaders, following reports of extortion.

Before leaving for the United States last week, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he received reports about loaders allegedly collecting trash from big establishments and asking for huge collection fees.

“Next year will be better than this year because we will cut off all their allowances. We’re not going to let these garbage collectors make a business and then we’re going to pay them so they can collect money? Naunsa man na uy (What is that?),” he said.

If he makes good on his word, this will not be the first time the mayor will be suspending the distribution of the allowances.

Last February, Osmeña stopped the giving of cash allowances for all barangay tanods and garbage loaders after the City conducted the reevaluation. Many of them were allegedly not performing their duties and some alleged used illegal drugs. Each of the tanods and loaders is getting P4,000 from the City Government.

One village has at least 15 loaders.

Three months later, the City restored the allowances of all barangay tanods and loaders who underwent drug tests and tested negative.

Sought for comment on this new development, Association of Barangay Councils president Philip Zafra said he has no qualms on the evaluation, provided that it is done fairly.

“I just hope that the evaluation is done fairly and is really intended to gauge the performance of one and not just to make it as a lame excuse for cutting off unfairly their honoraria from the City, which is, by the way, always delayed for like five months or even more,” he said.

Zafra, who is also Tisa village chief, said that the loaders have been doing their jobs “religiously.” Tisa alone has some 17 loaders.

“They’ve been exposed to the elements and yet they’re working day in and day out. However, the delays of their honoraria are from the City’s end. They’re a big help to the city in terms of garbage collection and solid waste management,” he said.

Zafra observed that if a reevaluation is necessary, then City Hall should review the performance of the Department of Public Services, which oversees all the garbage collection activities in the city.

Sinulog vendors urged to register

By Odessa O. Leyson (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government is urging all traders who wish to sell their products during the Sinulog next month to register with the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor.

DWUP operation’s head Genevieve Alcoseba told The FREEMAN that they are projecting at least 2,000 vendors to register. As of now, only 200 have registered. Those who have registered are mostly vendors of Sinulog items like native hats, printed shirts, stickers, among others.

“So naa ra ko sa 10 percent karon of the 2,000 kapin nga dapat mo-register. I think there is a misinterpretation, nagtuo ang mga tawo nga katong naay temporary approval dili na sila necessary mag-register for the Sinulog vending,” Alcoseba said.

Alcoseba said registration started on December 18 and will end on the 29th. Accredited vendors will be issued identification card by the city government. Those who will not have accreditation will not be allowed to sell during the Sinulog.

Alcoseba said those who will be caught selling without registration will have their merchandise confiscated.

It has been a policy of the city government to require all vendors to get a temporary approval from DWUP allowing them to sell within the jurisdiction of Cebu City. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

Alcoseba said that temporary approval for vendors is different from the authorization to sell during the Sinulog.

“Ang ato problema ani, it does not mean nga you are vending diha sa Osmeña Boulevard unya naa na kay temporary approval, okay na. Dili, lahi ang approval sa Sinulog,” she said.

She said that DWUP personnel together with the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) team, Philippine National Police, barangay tanods, and other deputized volunteers will be deployed to check the vendors’ registration.

These personnel will carry with them master list of registered vendors. She also said that Cebu City residents will be given priority to register.

She explained that requiring vendors to register is the city government’s way to also regulate the vendors during the Sinulog.

Cebu City steps up anti-mendicancy campaign

By Precious Grace Gandia and Frankl Glarino (USC AB Communications Interns/SunStar Philippines)

THE City Government of Cebu is stepping up its drive against giving of alms to beggars during this Christmas season.

Jesusa Berido, chief of the anti-mendicancy unit of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS), reminded the public not to give money to beggars.

Berido said: "It's not bad to give, but you can give it in a legitimate organization, like the institutions who have been giving material goods to the less fortunate. Di gyud na pwede because we have an ordinance to follow."

Jeepney driver, Anecito Cuizon, said in an interview that the carolers, who are eagerly tapping on the legs and arms of every passengers for alms, have been rampant since the start of the Christmas season.

Berido said there will be a P300 fine for the first offense, P500 for the second, and P1,000 for habitual offense.

If the offender cannot afford to pay the fine, he/she will serve four hours of community service supervised by the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management or any representative appointed by the Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Board.

Berido, however, said that the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) is still waiting for Mayor Tomas Osmeña to sign the memorandum that would permit them to get the fine.

Rescue

DSWS Aide Emmeline Ambrad said with the assistance of a social worker, beggars will be rescued and will undergo orientation on the city’s ordinances.

Rodalyn Malapad, a mendicant from Alaska Mambaling, said: "Dakpon mi og di mi makabantay (We get arrested if we don’t notice them).”

She said they are then hauled in a building located at the back of the SM City compound at the North Reclamation Area.

“Hugaw siya nga building. Daghan man mi sa sud (The building is dirty. There’s a lot of us inside),” Malapad said.

After being holed in the building for a day, she said, authorities will release them between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Rodalyn also said there were no orientation nor relief goods given to any of the rescued mendicants.

Malapad begs in downtown Colon Street while her husband, Adul, fishes for their family of three children.

Data from the DSWS showed there have been 412 rescued adults and 75 elderly in 2017, higher than the 295 adults and 21 elderly rescued in 2016. However, a decrease in number of rescued children was noted last year with 291, while 260 was recorded this year.

Information dissemination

The DSWS have been posting posters, distributing leaflets, and displaying tarpaulins since the start of their anti-mendicancy campaign last November.

The anti-mendicancy campaign chief said that the hotspots where most of the begging takes place are in Labangon, Pahina Central, Pasil, Mambaling, Talamban, Banilad, Luz, Mabolo, Caretta, Sto. Nino, Day-as, Kalubihan, Sambang Uno, Tisa, and Kamputhaw.

Ambrad also said that posters were posted in Public Utility Jeepneys, where soliciting usually takes place as the carolers asks for alms to the passengers, for the passengers to be aware that mendicancy is prohibited.

SM Foundation scholars

(SunStar Cebu)

AT least 20 technical vocation scholars of SM Foundation Inc., together with faculty and staff of Don Bosco Training Center in Pasil, Cebu City, graduated in automotive technology and mechanical technology courses in a ceremony on Dec. 16.

SM scholars were provided full scholarship grants with monthly allowance.

Upon graduation, scholars are also offered the opportunity to join the SM Group through an exclusive job offer event.

SM Foundation is now accepting applications for its scholarship program for academic year 2018-2019.

Online application is available through the SM Foundation website www.sm-foundation.org where a list of partner colleges and universities are available.

Those interested to apply may email education@sm-foundation.org or call 552-7013 or 857-0100 local 1681, 1684, 1687 & 1688.

Application period is until Dec. 31, 2017.

Cebu City sets up one-stop shop during renewal season

(RVC)

WITH the intensified efforts against those establishments without business permits, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is reminding all business operators in the city to do their share in paying their dues.

This, as the City Council approved the additional days for the renewal of business permits.

In a resolution sponsored by Councilor Margarita Osmeña, the City has set the renewal of Mayor’s business permit on Jan. 3 to 26 instead of the usual Jan. 1 to 20.

A one-stop shop will be established inside Robinsons Galleria, where taxpayers can renew and pay their dues instead of going to Cebu City Hall during the renewal period.

Councilor Osmeña said the six-day extension of the schedule for the renewal of business permits should be enough for the City Treasurer’s Office to prepare, as most taxpayers will avail of the services of the one-stop shop.

It will also give enough time for the taxpayers to settle their dues on local taxes, fees and charges to the City without surcharges and penalties.

In his news conference yesterday, Osmeña explained the importance of the taxes that are being collected by the City, saying it will be used to fund basic public services.

“The role of the City Government is to provide service that people can’t get elsewhere, that the private sector is unable or unwilling to provide. From traffic, health to garbage. It costs money to do these things,” he said.

Cebu Grand Hotel to add more rooms

By Katlene O. Cacho

THE Cebu Grand Hotel is expanding its footprint in the hospitality industry.

Carlo Suarez, the hotel’s general manager, announced yesterday that they are constructing an additional 50 rooms and small function rooms to address Cebu’s growing demand in the leisure and meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) markets.

Suarez said the company, BF Management Corp., is earmarking P75 million for the hotel’s expansion, which is scheduled for completion in September 2018.

Cebu Grand Hotel has about 100 rooms, six function rooms and two board rooms. Its ballroom can accommodate up to 400 people.

It is situated at Vibo Place, an integrated business and entertainment enclave on N. Escario Street, Cebu City, adjacent to the new Axis Entertainment Avenue.

According to Suarez, the hotel is enjoying a healthy occupancy of between 60 and 65 percent monthly.

He attributes this steady growth to Cebu’s vibrant tourism sector.

Suarez, who is also the president of Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), said the hotel supply is growing rapidly, both in Cebu and Mactan on the back of the anticipated influx of more tourists expected to visit Cebu as soon as the Terminal 2 of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport opens by June 2018.

Cebu’s direct connection to major tourism markets is also another driver of growth.

The growth in supply means that Cebu is heading to a more promising tourism industry next year, as local players expand their footprint and more foreign brands enter Cebu, said Suarez.

Any expansion in the hotel industry, he added, also means more jobs to generate for Cebu.

City to use color-coding for Sinulog 2018 vendors

By Teresa R. Tan (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) yesterday launched its identification (ID)-based and color-coding registration for Sinulog vendor applicants.

DWUP Operations Head Genevieve Alcoseba said the early registration will pave way to a more organized system to regulate the vendors and to ensure public safety.

“Sa katong dili ma-register, mangayo nalang mi og dispensa daan na dili na gyud mi mo add up because we still have to do ocular inspection after the registration to see whether the place is ideal for business. We also have to finalize the IDs,” Alcoseba said.

The inclusive dates for the registration include December 18 to 20 and will resume on December 27 to 29 at the Executive building of Cebu City hall.

Alcoseba said late applicants will no longer be entertained.

The DWUP expects more than 2,000 vendors to apply for the city’s required business permit.

She added that the city will give priority to vendors residing in Cebu City after receiving complaints involving registered and non-registered vendors who failed to comply with the city’s requirements in the previous years.

An ocular inspection will be conducted next month and the issuance of temporary permits and color-coded IDs will follow suit.

Vendors will have to pay at least P200 for the two-day event. The amount will cover the printing, lamination and lace of IDs, said Alcoseba.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña clarified that ambulant vendors selling bottled waters will not be required to secure the permit, so they can pass through the different zones in the Sinulog route.

“If you are selling bottled water (and) you’re mobile, you don’t need a permit because everybody needs bottled water during Sinulog, it’s more of a public service,” he said.

However, Osmeña clarified that water vendors have to follow all the other rules stipulated in the executive order, which is now being finalized.

Vendors with no authentic proof of registration will be given a warning for the first offense. Should they persist, PROBE team will confiscate their wares.

Moreover, Osmeña reiterated to shut down for six months establishments caught selling liquors along the Sinulog route.

“Don’t give excuses. Mohatag nako’g fair warning. I’m not interested in the fines, I’m interested in maintaining order and in order to maintain order there must be an element of fear,” Osmeña said.

Three CTU engineering students win top prize in skills olympics

By Gregg M. Rubio (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Three students from Cebu Technological University bagged the grand prize in the Fourth University Innovation Olympics for their invention to solve crimes in taxicabs using internet system.

Sercon Maiso Jr., Adrian Melgo and Ailyn Ompad bested the contestants from 26 public and private universities nationwide to win $2,500 from LEARN Philippines.

Dr. Ronald Galindo, Associate Dean of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of CTU main campus, said the contest was held at LEAR-PETC Cebu last November 17.

The topic of the competition was about “Emergency Short Message Services With Tracking System and Cloud Data Logging Using Internet of Things for Taxicabs” where CTU team emerged as one of the five finalists.

Among the five finalists were contestants from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), University of San Carlos (USC) and two teams from Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT-U).

“But luckily the CTU contestants under their class adviser, Engr. Gemel Palconit, and associate adviser, Engr. Junjun Obiso, excelled and topped among all and emerged as the grand winner,” said Galindo.

Galindo added that each team was composed of three contestants who were given ample time to discuss clearly in oral and in writing the effective solutions using their latest research and technology, in case of a robbery hold-up incident for example, committed inside a taxicab.

Galindo also pointed out that through the research and innovation presented by the CTU team, on the aforementioned incident, by using their latest innovation to be applied to cellular phone gadgets for an exclusive use of taxicab drivers, undoubtedly the said crime incident will be solved.

Based on the innovative details presented by the CTU team, the taxicab driver would just simply push the cellular phone’s keypad and automatically all movements of the hold upper inside the vehicle would be clearly viewed by the taxi operator including the exact location where the crime is committed, for the authorities’ easy response.

Galindo added that prior to the students’ entrance to the examination room his final instruction was “you must participate the Olympic to top the whole game, and not just merely to win.”

He added that ever since in the history of CTU from its original identity as Cebu Trade School, then changed to Cebu State College of Science and Technology, followed by CTU at present, only in this era this Cebu state university has not only gained a vast popularity in terms of educational skills, but as well as on the cash incentives it received amounting to $2,500 or approximately P125,000.

This development was considered as another victory of the CTU engineering students in the field of research and innovation, said Obiso.

With pride and honor, CTU President, Dr. Rosein A. Ancheta Jr.; Vice President for Academic Affairs and Linkages, Dr. Victor D. Villaganas and other CTU officials greeted the CTU winning students during a simple and fitted welcome ceremony intended for them.

Sto. Niño off to hospitals

By May B. Miasco (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Starting today, the pilgrim image of Santo Niño de Cebu will visit two government-run hospitals in Cebu City – a first since the replica began its journey to different places around the globe.

The Augustinian friars of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, the custodians of the “miraculous” image, decided for the wooden image to go on a pilgrimage from Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center to Cebu City Medical Center.

The Augustinian community yesterday said the scheduled religious activity is in line with the feast of the Child Jesus, Santo Niño, in January next year.

From December 17 to 19, the pilgrim image will stay at VSMMC on B. Rodriguez Street, and will then be transferred to CCMC on N. Bacalso Avenue for an overnight vigil until December 21.

Father Ric Anthony Reyes of the Order of St. Augustine (OSA), also Fiesta Señor 2018 secretary, confirmed to The FREEMAN yesterday that the plan has pushed through with the approval of the Basilica’s rector, Father Pacifico Nohara Jr.

As part of pastoral care, too, Father Reyes said the Augustinian community seeks to be active in its aim to bring the Santo Niño image to all of the devotees wherever they may be and whenever it is possible. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

The pilgrim image is also set to visit the Cebu City Jail and the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center on January 9 to 10, 2018.

It has been a tradition for the Santo Niño image to visit prisoners.

“Aside from correctional facilities here in Cebu area, hospitals are also one of these places we refer about… The propagation of devotion (to the Santo Niño) does not stop only for those who are able to come to the Basilica. Our aim is to reach out to those who cannot come because of physical inabilities,” said Father Reyes.

More than anything else, he said, the visit of the pilgrim image will also become an opportunity for the sickly to reaffirm their faith and devotion to the Santo Niño.

City, school reach deal to help grads

(RVC)

CEBU City scholars who graduated from Asian College of Technology International Education (ACTIEF) can start processing the release of their credentials anytime this month.

This, after the court has approved the compromise agreement between the City and ACTIEF to settle the case the City had filed to determine if it would be legal to pay the school the tuition that it owed.

Councilor Joy Augustus Young said the school already agreed to release the credentials as soon as the compromise agreement will be approved, even if the City has yet to pay its dues.

“We’re just finalizing the terms of the compromise agreement. The students have to get their clearance from the school. They have to submit the clearance to the Registrar’s Office and once it’s there, it will take a week for the release,” Young said.

Around 2,500 ACTIEF scholars are still waiting for the release of their credentials after these were withheld pending the resolution of the petition for declaratory relief that the City filed.

Since there is already a compromise agreement, the City and ACTIEF agreed not to pursue the case anymore. Since it is not a money claim, Young said the approval of the Commission on Audit is no longer needed but they will inform the office about the decision of the court and the plan to pay ACTIEF.

Young, the deputy mayor for education, said the processing of the payment has already started and City will pay the school as soon as it will be completed.

Police welcome aid from City Hall

(JOB)

THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) welcomed the pronouncement of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to give P50,000 as legal assistance to the police.

Supt. Artemio Ricabo, deputy city director for administration, said that the move boosted their morale.

“It is a great help for us especially when we seek legal remedies for our police officers. This is a clear sign that our City Government is behind us in the war against drugs and we appreciate that,” he said.

Ricabo, however, assured that they will continue to uphold the law in their operations.

“We remind our police officers to follow the rules on engagement as well as the police operational procedures because we are also risking our duties, so it’s better if they carry out the operation in a safe manner with no casualties if possible,” he said.

Ricabo said that cases in court are costly and would often prompt policemen to avail themselves of loans.

Commission on Human Rights 7 Director Atty. Arvin Odron said they will monitor police operations. “Whether or not a financial grant will be given to anybody who can kill a suspect, such will be monitored and investigated to ensure that there will be no abuses in the implementation of laws,” he said.

‘Angkas beneficial to city, public’

By Jaziel Calumpag (USC Intern)

CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmena stressed the importance of Angkas in improving transportation services and traffic in the city.

He aired his sentiments on Angkas’ operations during the dialogue called by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board with Angkas and habal-habal drivers in Quezon City last Tuesday.

The mayor was adamant that Angkas benefits a lot of people as most use it as an alternative to cars in going to places.

“Don’t forget that Angkas provides a service. It is not just a question about the livelihood of the drivers. They provide service and the people complain to me, saying ‘Mayor, don’t stop Angkas because I want to go to work on time, get to class on time.’ I believe that the law should serve the people. What you are saying is that the people should serve the law, which is wrong,” he said.

He explained that Angkas makes the motorcycle taxi operations more efficient as their drivers are trained to follow traffic rules and the fares are fixed.

“I can say that Angkas is contributing to the improvement of traffic in Cebu because habal-habal drivers tend to block the intersections. With Angkas, you call and they will come to you,” he said.

Following the dialogue, LTFRB will submit to Congress its minutes of the discussion.

It will be up to Congress whether or not to legalize Angkas’ operations.

LTFRB suspended Angkas’ operations last month for operating without proper permits.

On Dec. 13, LTFRB held a job fair so Angkas drivers could look for alternative livelihood.

Cebu City Hall, though, has issued an order establishing the Two-Wheeled Motorized Vehicle Monitoring, Coordination and Assistance Unit, which would oversee for-hire motorcycle operations.

CLI boosts portfolio with Ascott tie-up

By Victor Anthony V. Silva

ASIDE from expanding its footprint in Mindanao, Cebu Landmasters Inc. has also increased its hotel portfolio after it signed its third management agreement with The Ascott Limited for lyf Cebu City, a 153-room serviced residence targeted toward the booming local and foreign millennial market in the metropolitan.

Ascott’s lyf is its latest brand designed for the growing wave or millennial and millennial-minded travelers, a project expected to bring CLI’s hotel portfolio to around 400 rooms in the next four years.

“The growth potential offered by tourism is very promising and we are very happy to be teaming up for the third time with The Ascott Limited for this project set to introduce new industry benchmarks,” CLI chairman and chief executive officer Jose Soberano III said during the signing of the agreement last December 6.

Two other CLI properties will carry Ascott’s brand Citadines to cater to leisure travelers and young professionals who are on the move.

These are the 180-room Citadines Cebu City at the Base Line Center set for completion in 2018, and the 250-room Citadines Riverside Davao expected to be operational by 2021.

With these components, lyf Cebu City aims to attract technopreneurs, millennials working in start-ups, as well as individuals involved in music, media, and fashion.

New city treasurer effective January 1

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Hall is set to implement a “minor reshuffling” after a department head has announced her plan to retire next year.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña has designated Veronica Morelos as the new acting city treasurer effective January 1, replacing Tessie Camarillo who will avail of an early retirement.

Osmeña has also appointed City Administrator Nigel Paul Villarete to hold a concurrent position as head of the City Planning Development Office, replacing Engr. Maria Concepcion Encabo who will sit as head of Department of Manpower Development and Placement.

Yesterday, Camarillo already turned over the city’s cash, properties, equipment, books of accounts, including cash books and accountable forms, to Morelos. X logo

This as the Bureau of Local Government and Finance-7 has already confirmed the one-year designation of Morelos as the new acting city treasurer.

“The marching order is to bring in the money. Of course, the collection of revenue, regular taxes,” Morelos told reporters. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

She vowed to continue the current administration’s thrust on going after tax evaders.

“It’s not new to me actually because I came from the city treasurer’s office when I started in City Hall, although I have to because I’ve been away for 14 years. So I guess I have to update myself for the new provisions (as) regards to collection of taxes,” she said, adding that she intends to intensify the collection next year.

Morelos said she was first assigned to the City Treasurer’s Office in 1985 when she was employed at City Hall.

She rose from the ranks as she tried all the standing positions at City Treasurer’s Office from being an inspector to an examiner to Local Treasurer Operations Officer III, among others. Morelos was assigned as the executive assistant of Osmeña in 2003 and was promoted as assistant city administrator in 2004 until 2017.

Morelos will be replaced by Annabeth Cuizon in her position as assistant administrator of the city.

Villarete, for his part, has confirmed accepting the designation as temporary head of the CPDO.

“The activities of CPDO are very clear-cut under the Local Government Code and we just have to proceed with that. There might be some kuwang in so far as the plans that are required, and the office has been doing that already this year. So by next year, we will go full speed ahead with the barangay surveys together with major activities,” he said.

He said the city has P9 million to implement the barangay survey, which will include comprehensive data gathering for economic, household, sectoral, transport, social, health, drainage, among others.

Cebu City to help province improve Larsian

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government will assist the Cebu Provincial government in bringing a “cleaner and better” Larsian which is located at the center of the city.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the city needs to work hand-in-hand with the province in improving Larsian because, for him, it is already an “institution” in the city.

“Larsian is in Cebu City but falls within property owned by the Cebu Provincial Government. So, the governments of Cebu Province and Cebu City will be working hand-in-hand to bring you a cleaner, better Larsian,” he said in his Facebook post.

The mayor allowed the vendors of Larsian, officials of the city government, and the Cebu Province to meet at the city’s Sinulog Hall at the Rizal Library last Friday.

To assist the province, Osmeña said the city will install a water tank to give the vendors the means to maintain proper sanitation in the location.

Also, he said the city will assign a regular and scheduled garbage pickup time to minimize food waste attracting vermin and other insects.

The Cebu City Health Office will also conduct sanitation inspections and ensure that proper food handling is being observed by the barbeque vendors or food vendors in the area.

“Lighting will be improved, and all vendors will be required to attend a food handling seminar to ensure the safety of patrons,” he said.

Osmeña said the Cebu Province has already planned to start the major renovations next year to improve cleanliness as well as to provide parking for customers.

He said the province will also establish a management office to ensure that all vendors in Larsian follow health and safety regulations.

He also said the province ensured that the vendors will follow the price lists posted on their stalls.

Last month, Governor Hilario Davide III assigned Joey Herrera, who is also the manager of Cebu South Bus Terminal, to supervise the Larsian food strip near Fuente Osmeña Circle.

Herrera has been meeting with the vendors to discuss the plans of the province in improving the services in Larsian.

Even before functioning as supervisor of Larsian, Herrera earlier said he has been hearing complaints about sanitation and lack of water supply in the area.

The province has already planned to renovate and rehabilitate the known food park. It has been earlier reported that the province will also implement other improvements on the drainage systems, sanitation, and parking space of Larsian. —/JBB (FREEMAN)

Collectors unite for toys, figurines convention

By Erica Dancel and Vincent Clark Ermac(USC AB Communications interns, SunStar Philippines)

HOBBYISTS and collectors gathered for the third year of the Toy and Figurine Convention (Toficon) held in SM Seaside City Cebu's Mountain Wing on Sunday, December 10.

This year, Toficon grew in scale with various activities, games, custom action figure and photography contests and performances by local artists for the goers to enjoy.

"Toficon Cebu is an event by collectors, for collectors where different groups gather to invite the general public into our hub," head organizer Joshua Varela said, adding that this non-profit event aims to highlight toys and collectibles that are usually underappreciated in other similar conventions.

Different toys, figurines, and other merchandise were on display for fans of anime, TV shows, movies, games, among others.

The prices of the figurines ranged from P100 to P250 or P700 to P2,500, depending on the size.

There were also stickers, bookmarks, pins, keychains, posters with customized designs that could be bought from P15 to P50.

Other merchandises like pillow cases, face masks, planners, scarves, contact lenses were also available.

Goers could take pictures with cosplayers for free and ask artists for art commissions worth P20 or P50, depending on the design.

Toficon has an event every weekend of August in celebration of SM's Cyber Month, but organizers said there are no plans yet for next year.

Next year’s Sinulog goes ‘hi-tech’

By Rona Joyce T. Fernandez

AS the City opts for a more environment-friendly and piracy-proof ticketing system for the Sinulog 2018 activities, passes for the main event will now be sold in the form of chip-encrypted baller bracelets, instead of identification cards (ID).

Despite the new technology, Councilor Dave Tumulak, Sinulog executive committee chairman, assured that there will be no price increase for ticket seats at the grandstand of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) during the parade on Jan. 21.

“We’re embracing new technology. This is nontransferable, and will make inspections easier and difficult to duplicate,” he told reporters yesterday.

Registration for interested spectators who wish to witness the presentations at the grandstand will be made available next week.

Payments may be made in either banks or online transactions, Tumulak said.

During the grand parade, the councilor said that only those who are part of the communication, production and medical teams will be allowed to wear IDs.

Local media practitioners covering Sinulog activities will also be given separate ID passes.

Passes for the Sinulog sa Lalawigan and Dakbayan, on the other hand, will still be in the form of tickets and will be sold at P100.

Tumulak said the parade will start from Plaza Independencia, instead of the Provincial Capitol, to the CCSC. Street dancing categories will also have mobile judges.

In a separate interview, Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros told SunStar Cebu that the ticket prices have not changed from last year.

Green and pink tickets will still cost P1,000; yellow tickets, P1,200; and blue tickets, P2,500. Balikbayan tickets will still be P2,500.

Organizers, though, have yet to finalize the ticketing prices for the Sinulog Festival Queen and Sinulog awarding ceremony.

Participants of the higante and puppeteer contests will have to pay a registration fee of P1,000.

As for the photo contest, registration for “early birds” is now open until Dec. 31 at P3,000. Regular registration will start on Jan. 1 to 19 at P3,500.

SM lights up Christmas with love

By Chinggay V. Utzurrum

WITH all roads leading to the happiest and merriest time of the year, it is not uncommon to see street lights dazzlingly bright and Christmas trees and lanterns brilliantly lit!

Everyone celebrates the birth of the Christ Jesus, for that is what CHRIST-mas is all about. Hotels, homes, buildings, stores and restaurants all join the foray.

Including the huge and mighty malls!

Over at SM City Cebu, the tree lighting ceremony was led by SM Prime Holdings Inc. vice president Marissa Fernan, along with the kids from Kythe Foundation.

Following the tree lighting, the intricate and miniature Christmas Village of Hope was formally opened, as is done every year through the generosity of owners Clayton and Joji Tugonon, a true gesture of love.

To complete the joyful mood, the Mandaue Children and Youth Chorus presented lively carols, with other performers: The SM Philharmonic Orchestra and University of Cebu dancers.

In the spirit of sharing, people who want to sponsor miniatures from the Village of Hope may choose: Churches (ranging from P15,000 to P25,000), houses (P5,000) etc. Proceeds will help fund chemo treatments of kids with cancer under the Kythe Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides psychosocial support to these kids numbering more than 11,000 to date.

•••

Meanwhile, over at the Mountain Wing of SM Seaside City Cebu, a similar tree Lighting rite was presided over also by VP Marissa Fernan, this time, with young personalities doing the countdown.

Providing yuletide numbers were University of Cebu’s Chorus with Caelah Tan of the School of Rock, Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra and Ballet Center-Cebu.

SM Cares, SM Supermalls and Toy Kingdom have likewise introduced their charity program: For every P200, a customer may purchase a pair of SM Bears of Joy. One bear he keeps, while the other, goes to a beneficiary child.

Share joy, share love at SM malls!

Cebu City to release teachers’ Cola, aid

By Razel V. Cuizon

THE Cebu City Government has assured the public school teachers in the city that they will get their financial assistance this month.

This, despite the notice of suspension that the Commission on Audit (COA) issued against the granting of their cost of living allowance (Cola) and hardship allowance in 2015.

However, it will not be applicable for teachers who will be retiring this year and next year.

In a news conference yesterday, Councilor Joy Augustus Young said they will deduct the amount that the teachers need to refund on an installment basis starting this year.

This would mean that teachers who received the Cola and hardship allowance from the City two years ago will only get half of their financial assistance this year, or P5,000.

“Maybe we can let the teachers pay in four years. We will deduct P5,000 in the next two years and the last will be P3,000 out of their P10,000 financial assistance they can get from the City every December,” he said.

City Accountant Arlene Rentuza has agreed to the proposal of Young and told reporters that they will start the processing of deductions.

Young, who is deputy mayor for education, said that most of the teachers will have to refund P18,000 for the Cola and hardship allowance they got in 2015.

COA issued a notice of disallowance to the City Government over the disbursement for the teachers’ Cola (P78.9 million) and hardship allowance (P1.4 million) in 2015, which was charged to the Special Education Fund.

COA said the disbursement was unauthorized because of the existing laws prohibiting the grant of Cola and other allowances not specified.

Section 12 of RA 6758, or the Act Prescribing a Revised Compensation and Position Classification System in the Government and for Other Purposes, other additional compensation for teachers is deemed included in their standardized salary rates.

COA also cited Department Budget Management (DBM) Budget Circular 2001-03, which states that payment of allowances and compensation such as Cola, amelioration allowance and inflation connected allowance, among others, which are already integrated in the basic salary, are deemed unauthorized.

For those who will be retiring, Young said City has no choice but to deduct the entire amount to their financial assistance this year.

For his part, former mayor Michael Rama said he is willing to fight the matter up to Supreme Court.

“I already brought the matter up with my lawyers who are handling things like that and cases filed against me. I will face that,” he told SunStar Cebu.

Asked if they were not aware of the circular that DBM released two years ago, Atty. Rama said that a circular is not even a law.

Rama said that other local government units granted Cola and other allowances to the teachers to help them cope with the expenses of everyday living.

“We have to take care of the teachers. We have to remember that education is more important than peace and order because they’re the ones educating us,” he said.

Rama, former city treasurer Diwa Cuevas, former Department of Education Cebu City schools superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud, former city administrator Lucelle Mercado and some city officials were held liable for the 2015 transaction.

City to ensure safety of rides at SRP

By Odessa O. Leyson (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government will conduct regular inspection on the amusement rides at the South Road Properties to ensure the safety of the public.

City Engineer Josefa Ylanan said before the Professional Advertising and Production Specialist Inc. (PAPS) can officially open their rides to the public, proper inspection has to be conducted.

Within the week, city engineers are expected to conduct ocular inspection of the mechanical, electrical, and physical condition of the various rides such as Ferris wheels, carousels and roller coaster among others.

“In terms of safety, everything is crucial,” Ylanan said.

She said if the rides will not pass the inspection, her office will not allow PAPS to open the amusement area to the public.

PAPS is the new operator of the amusement rides at the SRP dubbed as “Big Boom sa Sugbu.” Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

They won the bidding last September 20 against Three Z Carnival, the previous provider of amusement facilities.

The amusement rides will operate December up to February 2018.

PAPS offered a P3.6-million contract to use, operate, and manage a portion of more or less three hectares of land at SRP providing temporary amusement facility.

Ylanan said they plan to conduct inspections every week so that the condition of the rides will be well monitored.

Last Friday, they were supposed to start the inspection but no one from the PAPS management was present.

SRP management head Nagiel Bañacia said the tentative schedule for the opening of the rides will be on December 8, Friday.

City to set up garbage stations in public areas

By Jaziel Calumpag (USC Intern)

WITH the volume of garbage in city increasing during Sinulog, the Cebu City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) will set up 160 garbage stations along the parade route and other public places.

This may minimize the amount of garbage left on the streets, CCENRO said.

More garbage will be placed on parade routes and other areas where Sinulog activities are held.

The stations will follow the process of segregating garbage into biodegradable, non-biodegradable and recyclable.

There will be drums in every station to ensure a smooth collection after the events.

Led by the Department of Public Services, 220 barangay environmental officers and 300 volunteers from private organizations will enforce the proper disposal of garbage by the stations.

They will also issue warnings to people who will be caught throwing their trash outside the stations.

Nida Cabrera, head of CCENRO, assured they won’t arrest anyone, but will just warn them.

This will be the first time that the City will set up garbage stations during Sinulog.

This will help street sweepers do their job fast. Every year, the street sweepers have managed to clean the streets before daybreak on the Monday after the Sinulog grand parade.

“There will be a large number of people who will celebrate Sinulog around the city even without the street parties, so we still expect trash everywhere,” Cabrera said.

Cabrera hopes that this method will have a positive impact on the people.

“Among target karon kay ang gamay nga kausaban sa katawhan in terms of garbage disposal (We hope to change people’s mindset a little bit).”

City hosts symposium for marine biologists

By Gavin Michael Cubillo (USC AB Communications Intern)

Cebu City is hosting the third Society for Coastal Ecosystem Studies-Asia Pacific (SCESAP) International Biodiversity Symposium focusing on marine life concerns and ways to educate people on preserving marine biodiversity.

With issues about climate change and how it will affect life underwater, over 150 marine biologists are attending the symposium with paper and poster presentations, workshops and talks.

Scientists from the Asia Pacific countries like Indonesia, Japan and China, as well as from the United Kingdom are hoping that a fruitful symposium will lead to solutions in battling the threats to marine life.

Issues that affect marine ecosystems in the Coral Triangle will be discussed in the weeklong event, which opened yesterday and will run until December 9.

These include illegal fishing, water pollution, and coral bleaching, which were identified as the major threats to coral reefs in the Coral Triangle, a geographical term that refers to a roughly triangular area of the tropical marine waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste that hosts 500 species of corals.

According to the SCESAP head local organizer Dr. Porferio Aliño, a doctor of Marine Chemical Ecology, Cebu was chosen as the venue because the province is situated at the center of the Coral Triangle and SCESAP sees this as an opportunity to show the current problems the province is facing in terms of threats of extinction of marine species that are found locally.

“The marine life found here is under great threat and scientific efforts have been made to manage the resources better,” Aliño said.

Aliño added that the annual SCESAP symposium in the province is a great opportunity for scientists to gather and share scientific information and ways on how to preserve the life of different species that are living in the waters of the Pacific.

One of the problems that was pointed out during yesterday’s press conference is the lack of education of the people on the threats of marine life and how vulnerable coastal environments are to irreversible changes.

Mutsunori Tokeshi, the president of SCESAP, said that there is a gap between scientists and individuals with no backgrounds on sciences saying that “communication is one of the biggest problems that hinders action.”

“We are scientists so we would be more focused on scientific findings,” Tokeshi said referring to the use of scientific jargon as a contributing factor of miscommunication among the general public in discussing issues involving science.

Tokeshi added that SCESAP is working on ways to explain disastrous phenomena to the general public so that they can understand the threats of marine life better and be able to take part in solving the issues.

He believes that awareness and vigilance among the citizens can be a powerful factor on stopping further damages to the ecological system.

He also pleaded to local fishermen to stop the hunting of larger marine species such as sharks, turtles, and whales due to their significance on the marine ecological system.

SCESAP is based in Amakusa, Japan. It is a non-profit organization that empowers advance research studies in protecting coastal ecosystems located in the Asian-Pacific region.

Giant Tree of Hope illuminates Fuente

(USC AB Communications Intern Vincent Clark Ermac/SunStar Philippines)

CEBU City’s iconic giant Christmas tree started illuminating Fuente Osmeña Circle after the ceremonial switch-on held by the City Government and the Lhuillier family on Friday, December 1.

Contractor Bernardino Adiong said the tree is made of 70 percent steel iron bars to make it sturdy when faced by strong winds and is 5 feet taller this year. The tree stands 125 feet in 2016.

The tree has hundreds of decorative ornaments like stars, lanterns, and the image of Señor Sto. Niño, the province’s patron saint.

Adiong, who has been designing the Tree of Hope for 17 years now, said the tree is worth P1 million and was constructed for more than two months.

He reminded the Cebuanos, who cannot afford to put their own decorations at home, to visit Fuente to feel the spirit of Christmas.

Señorito Michel Lhuillier said he feels lighter hoping that the tree could change lives for everyone.

He added that he really loves Cebu as the people are very welcoming to him and his family.

The lighting of the tree coincided with the opening of the month-long Pasko sa Sugbu 2017.

Cebu tourism officer Malou Inocando Tabar said that part of Cebu City’s tradition is having the longest Christmas celebration that lasts until Sinulog festival, which is held every third Sunday of January.

Tabar added that nightly activities, including food and merchandise stalls, will be held in Plaza Independencia.

The Christmas tree stays inside Fuente Circle, which is one of Cebu’s attractions during holiday season.

Telecom brings cashless payment to Cebu City

By Kier Edison C. Belleza

Cebu City – A major telecom company has launched is cashless payment service for shoppers in the city.

Globe Telecom, together with Ant Financial (AF) and Ayala Corporation, introduced Tuesday the GCash mobile wallet service designed to make shopping more convenient.

“The merchants themselves have a big problem with coins, have a problem with bills, small bills and change. I’ve heard a chain of 70 stores in the food business saying they accumulate 2 million pesos worth of coins before Christmas because they are afraid to run out. That’s a problem we need to solve,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu in an interview at the GCash application launch at Ayala Center Cebu.

“It is high time that our customers at Ayala Center Cebu experience the convenience of cashless transactions and offer scan to pay with GCash. This way, more people will have hassle-free options in making their transactions as they shop or dine at the mall,” said Bong Dy, general manager of Ayala Center in Cebu.

To avail of the service, shoppers simply need to download the GCash app on their smartphone and refill their GCash wallet at any Globe store or selected partner outlets.

Once funds are loaded in the GCash wallet, a customer may then swipe to the left or choose Pay QR then Scan QR and point the smartphone’s camera at the merchant’s QR code to scan.

More than 50 establishments in Ayala Center Cebu now accept GCash, including Abaca Baking Company, Bo’s Coffee, Casa Verde, Chika-an and Rose Pharmacy.

Cu said the payment system has gained positive response among vendors since all they need is a Quick Response (QR) Code to transact.

Globe said GCash has around five million users, while the app has been downloaded about two million times.

CPPO to help secure barangays for Christmas

(JOB)

THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) vowed to support the barangays in keeping the villages safe while celebrating the Christmas season.

This includes providing a community safety area for the public to use, said CCPO Director Joel Doria.

“The fireworks will be concentrated there. We will guard that area,” he said in an interview.

The city police chief, though, is yet to received the executive order from the Philippine National Police covering the matter.

The barangays, he said, will be the ones to identify their community safety area.

City Government sets aside P1.8M for training

By Razel V. Cuizon

The Cebu City Government has set aside at least P1.8 million for the training and upgrading of the skills of the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) team of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

The City Council, during their regular session last week, approved the resolution authorizing Mayor Tomas Osmeña to enter into and sign a memorandum of agreement with the Police Regional Office 7 and CCPO for the expenses of their 45-day training next month.

“The City Government finds the conduct of the training necessary to develop the skills of police personnel, as it is to the best interest to have a more capable and competent police force to better serve its constituency and pledged to provide funding of the same,” said City Councilor David Tumulak, in his resolution.

The P1.8 million will be charged to the budget of the City’s peace and order program this year.

The City will also give P858,000 for the purchase of various equipment for the 8th Marine Brigade Reserve.

According to the approved resolution also sponsored by Tumulak, the amount will be used to buy uniforms and two motorcycles.

It will be charged to the City’s share of the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) funds.

“One of its duties is to assist in the relief and rescue during disasters or calamities, as well as, in the operation and maintenance of essential government and private utilities in the furtherance of its overall mission,” Tumulak said.

SWAT personnel have to respond to calls about bomb scares and conduct the initial search.

UC, Unit 5 dominate Cebu City Olympics

(RSC)

THE University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and Unit 5 clinched the secondary and elementary overall titles of the 27th Cebu City Olympics, which wrapped up at the Robinsons’ Galleria Thursday (November 23).

The Webmasters hauled a total of 59 gold medals, 45 silvers and 29 bronzes in a week-long sporting conclave to win the overall secondary title for third straight year.

The University of San Carlos-Basic Education Deparment (USC-Bed) placed second overall after collecting 32 gold medals, 32 silvers and 35 bronzes. The University of Visayas took third place with 20-13-9 medal haul.

Unit 5 finished with 44 gold medals, 42 silvers and 27 bronze to win the elementary overall title for the second straight year. Unit 7 took second place with a 27-22-11 medal harvest, while Unit 3 settled third with a 14-6-6 medal tally.

The rest of the top five in the secondary division are Abellana National School/Unit 9 (18-20-34) and Unit 3 (11-10-11). Unit 1 (14-3-4) and Unit 4 (13-17-34) also made the top five of the elementary division.

CCCI to help startups gain access to market

By Jeandie O. Galolo

WITH the launch of the newest mentorship program for tech-based startups, the local business community has pledged to help technopreneurs gain market access.

In a press conference yesterday for Startup Island PH at the Golden Prince Hotel in Cebu City, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Melanie Ng said that the 800-member chamber, largely composed of the brick-and-mortar businesses, will help link the local tech-based startups to the market.

“For a business to grow, there has to be a need so that the particular business will grow,” Ng said. “Our role here is to provide access to market and connect them to the right market and the right business opportunities,” she continued.

Through the Startup Island PH mentoring program, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), CCCI, and Vince Loremia of Kallfly and Jann Hiolen of Sellax, will select 15 startups to undergo 10 weeks of mentorship starting February.

The first of its kind, the mentorship program aims to give startups the opportunity to scale up their businesses through learning and exchanging of ideas with mentors and successful business owners around the country, provide access to market to large enterprises and venture capitalists, and nurture and cultivate future mentors that will benefit the entire ecosystem.

Hiolen said the program is mainly targeted to maturing startups with the potential to penetrate the mainstream market. Major criteria include at least 10,000 unique users for B2C (business-to-consumer) startups and at least P100,000 in revenue since the establishment of the B2B (business-to-business) startup.

Unlike the traditional mentorship programs, Loremia said mentors cannot give advice. Rather, they can only ask questions and let startups think for themselves.

Possible mentors are Jojo Flores of Silicon Valley-based Plug N’ Play, Nix Nolledo of Xurpas, Carlo Calimon of Startup Village, and Manny Ayala of Endeavour Philippines.

Meanwhile, potential mentors from Cebu are Eddie Ybañez of MiCab, Dave Overton of Symph, and Wesley Chionbian of Mynimo, among others.

DTI Cebu Director Maria Elena Arbon said she wants more engagement between the tech-based startups and traditional businesses, and see how they benefit from each other.

“Startup Island is not to replicate Silicon Valley. We want to focus on what we have right now, and how we can help (startup businesses) locally,” added Loremia.

Silicon Valley is a region on the San Francisco Peninsula in California that has become home to the world’s most successful techology companies, including Apple, Facebook, and Google.

Cebu City Hall staff to use Uber, Grab starting December

By Annie Perez and Edgar Escalante (ABS-CBN News)

CEBU CITY - Ride-hailing apps Uber and Grab will be available to city hall employees for a trial period of 6 months starting December, the city government said Friday.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement with Uber and Grab, which city hall employees will use as transport services.

The city government will shoulder their employees' transport fare.

Grab country head Brian Cu said this will save paper trail and the cost of commuting or waiting for a vacant government vehicle.

After the trial period expires, the city government will decide which ride-hailing service they will use.

Centenarians get P50,000 from City

By Aubrey Rose J. Secuya (USJ-R Intern)

TWO centenarians were awarded P50,000 each by Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas yesterday morning.

Rosita Montecillo Codilla, 107, and Francisca Manahan Guda, 100 years old, are both residents of Talisay City, Cebu. Codilla couldn’t make it to the recognition rites because of her condition, but Guda received her award at City Hall after the flag ceremony.

Guda is a former teacher.

The two also received a plaque of recognition for “their productive and meaningful existence.”

In an interview, Guda shared her secret to a long life. “Akong kaunon pirmi kay isda ra ug gulay, unya inig ka buntag, pan ra. Inig udto ug panihapon dira ra ko mokaon og kan-on (I usually eat fish and vegetables. In the mornings, I only eat bread, but I eat rice during lunch and dinner.)”

Hazel Sevilleno, Talisay City Government public information officer, said that a city ordinance, which is an off-shoot to Republic Act 10868, otherwise known as the Centenarians Act of 2016, is a big help to those who lived beyond a hundred years old, especially in providing funds for their maintenance medicines.

When asked why the money and plaque were only given yesterday, Sevilleno said it took them time to process the cash reward and the plaque.

City Hall to implement color-coding, ID system for Sinulog vendors

By Teresa Tan (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — More than a thousand street vendors will need to register for Cebu City’s Identification (ID)-based and color coding system for the upcoming Sinulog Festival as part of a more stringent measure to improve the festivity’s peace and order.

Genevieve Alcoseba, Operations Head of Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP), said the move is in response to the chaotic scene of vendors who had items displayed along crowded sidewalks that added to the obstruction of traffic during last year’s Sinulog celebration.

“So karun ato gyud siyang i-maintain nga sakto. Kung wala mo’y ID automatic (dakpon). Ato ni silang han-ayon para naa sad ta’y sakto nga monitoring nila this time,” Alcoseba said.

The identification system, which will bear the vendor’s background information, as well as the cluster color coding scheme will help authorities monitor and secure the vendors so they will not go beyond their assigned areas.

Among the identified streets where ambulant vendors are allowed to sell during the weeklong festivity are Colon Street, Jones Avenue, and other crowded areas.

Alcoseba said that the registration of vendors will be administered by the DWUP starting mid-December until before the Christmas holidays.

According to Alcoseba, they will prioritize those who are originally residing in Cebu City after receiving complaints of overlapping incidents involving registered and non-registered vendors who failed to comply with the city’s requirements.

“Naa gyud tay sakto nga control para di to mahitabo ang last year nga ang katong mga nang rehistro or mga karaan na nga manindahay nga taga-siyudad gyud nasapawan sa mga taga dili Cebu City,” Alcoseba said.

She, however, clarified that despite prioritizing the city’s constituents, they would still welcome vendors from other places so long as they adhere to the standard procedure.

Registered vendors who have been in the area for years will also help authorities oversee the surroundings as they are already familiar with the inner-workings of the cluster they belong to.

Vendors with no certified ID issue by the city will be given a warning with their first offense to be followed by a confiscation of their wares by the PROBE team should they persist.

DWUP will closely coordinate with barangay tanods, police officers, and the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) team to ensure that the new system will be executed well.

Children’s Games attracts 1,900 kids

By Glendale G. Rosal 11:25 pm

A TOTAL of 1,900 children mostly from the highland barangays of Cebu City had a fun-filled day at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) after taking part in the culmination of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Visayas’ Children’s Games last Sunday.

The two-day sporting program, which featured mainstream sports and parlor games, gave the kids — mostly less fortunate and out-of-school youth living in the remote mountain barangays of Cebu City — an avenue to learn different sports.

Initiated by PSC commissioner for Visayas Ramon Fernandez, the Children’s Games started earlier this year, visiting various barangays around the city and offering free sports training.

“Because Cebu City has a lot of barangays, we decided to cluster it by dividing the lowlands and highland barangays. We started earlier this year in the highland barangays particularly in Sudlon all the way to Guba and other places, which is held every weekend,” Fernandez said.

Among those who took part were nine-year-old Cherald Raboy, 11-year-old Jerold Taborada and 10-year-old Ulrich Joshua Bayno, all from Barangay Sapangdaku in Cebu City.

All three go to school at the Napo Elementary School in Sapangdaku.

“Lingaw kaayo mi kay daghan kaayo mi og naapilan nga games unya naa pa jud mi libre training sa among barangay,” said Bayno. “Among gusto kay mahimo ming athletes pud unya makaduwa og competitions. Maayo unta daghan pa ing-ani mahitabo.” (It was such a delight for us since we got to join a lot of games and there are also free training in our barangay. We also want to be athletes and participate in competitions. I hope there are more of these kinds of events that will be held.)

The kids also got free lunch, snacks and lootbags. They also got medals so they would feel like winners.

“It is a continuous program in PSC and we are hoping that barangays in Cebu City will continue this since most LGUs are involved in sports development,” added Fernandez.

CIC sets ‘Coachella’ gathering on Dec. 3

(SunStar Cebu)

THE Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion (CIC)-Cebu City Alumni Association will hold its alumni homecoming on Dec. 3, with the theme, “Coming home in Coachella.”

Expected to be a celebration of life, family and friends based on the theme, the reunion will be held at the CIC Cebu campus grounds and it will open with a registration at 1 p.m. and a mass at 3 p.m.

After the mass, the alumni and their guests will have a traditional merienda of churros and chocolate at 4 p.m., to be followed by a program.

Presentations by the jubilarians or the different batches are expected to be breezy and bohemian, in line with the “Coachella” spirit that traces its roots to a festival of music and art in California, USA.

After the program will be dinner, a raffle of door prizes and some dancing.

The special honoree for this year is philanthropist and civic leader Felisa Yap Chiongbian.

Officers of the CIC-Cebu City Alumni Association for 2015 -2017 are Marieles Herrera, president; Glenda Miro Antonio, vice president–internal; Fleur de Liz Torralba Tubio, vice president–external; Fanchie A. Medina, secretary; Marie Joyce Celdran Chiongbian, assistant secretary; Cherie Lou Ong Zshomack, treasurer; Rosemarie U. Galdo, assistant treasurer; Michelle del Gallego Ngo, public relations officer; Maria Teresa T. Celis, assistant public relations officer; Lucille Dy Parcon, auditor; Virginia Vergara-Escaño, director.

Dr. Maria Martina L. Jordana, Night High School Alumni Association chair; Maricel Borromeo Amores, ex-officio; Margarita Gonzalez Larrañaga and Dr. Vivien Seno, council for past presidents; and Sr. Trinidad P. Dosdos, CICAA Cebu Daughters of Charity coordinator.

The election of the alumni association officers for 2018–2020 will cap the celebration.

Dumpsters to be set up at Cebu City streets next year

By Doris Mae C. Mondragon

DUMPSTERS will be placed in Cebu City’s streets to collect garbage from households as early as next year, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said.

The mayor said commercial businesses that produce large volumes of garbage should include in their budget an item to pay for their own garbage collection.

Dumpsters are large metal containers designed to hold as much as four to six cubic meters of garbage and emptied into a hauler or a truck.

Under the new system, Osmeña said the city’s regular garbage collectors will collect garbage from urban poor areas.

The city government’s contracted hauler will then collect garbage dumped by households in dumpsters.

Malls and other commercial businesses can either let the hauler collect their garbage or deliver their garbage straight to the Consolacion landfill facility.

“The malls have to find their own way,” the mayor said.

The mayor said there will be a public bidding for the dumpsters but for now garbage collectors at the Department of Public Services (DPS) are classifying the garbage producers in the city.

The mayor said the commercial businesses account for 70 percent of the city’s garbage.

The other 30 percent of garbage were collected from the markets, office buildings, schools, restaurants, malls, subdivisions and others.

“These large producers of garbage were using the wrong equipment. You cannot load it by sacks, it’s a waste of money, time and equipment,” Osmeña said.

Cebu City emerges as 2017 Batang Pinoy-Visayas champion

By Mary Judaline Partlow (PNA)

DUMAGUETE CITY – Cebu City sprung a surprise at the last minute and beat host Dumaguete City to emerge as the overall champion in the just concluded 2017 Batang Pinoy-Visayas Qualifying Leg held here this week.

Dumaguete City was leading late Wednesday in the medal standings but was surpassed on Thursday by Cebu City with 46 gold medals, 59 silver medals, and 69 bronze medals and was eventually proclaimed the over-all champion.

Host Dumaguete came in second with 41 gold, 29 silver and 44 bronze medals, followed by Cebu province with 39 gold, 37 silver, and 44 bronze; Bacolod City, 36 gold, 26 silver, and 29 bronze; and Mandaue City with 29 gold, 23 silver and 20 bronze medals.

The final medal tally also showed the other delegations that got gold medals were Iloilo City with 31; Lapu-lapu City, 23; Aklan and Leyte province, each with 19 gold medals; and Bohol province and Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental with 10 gold medals each.

The rest of the delegations garnered less than 10 gold medals each.

The 2017 Batang Pinoy-Visayas Qualifying Leg was held Nov. 10 to 16 in this capital city of Negros Oriental province.

It was a close fight among the Dumaguete City, Cebu City and Cebu province with the three of them taking the lead at one point throughout the six-day staging.

An estimated 3,000 delegates comprising athletes aged 15 and below, coaches and tournament officials converged in Dumaguete City for the Batang Pinoy-Visayas qualifiers with the winners being given the right to represent the region in the Batang Pinoy National Games.

Among the 18 events during the Batang Pinoy-Visayas regional qualifiers were basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, badminton, arnis, chess, sepak takraw, swimming, archery, and karatedo.

Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo congratulated Team Dumaguete as well as all the other delegates for their sportsmanship and best efforts in the games.

Commissioner Ramon Fernandez of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) attended the closing ceremony of the 2017 Batang Pinoy regional qualifiers on Thursday.

2019 National Youth Day set in Cebu City

By Kier Edison C. Belleza

Cebu City – The Archdiocese of Cebu will host National Youth Day (NYD) in 2019, a gathering of Catholic youths from all over the country.

The choice of Cebu as National Youth Day host was posted on the website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

“I was so happy because this is another challenge for the Cebu youth, to handle the next NYD,” Fr. Mark Romel Barneso, Cebu Archdiocese Youth Commissioner, said.

“We are excited to showcase, of course the festivals we have, and how the delegates will encounter the warmest Cebuano hospitality,” Barneso said.

“You will enjoy many things in Cebu,” he added.

Having hosted a number of religious occasions, Barneso is confident that Cebu will make the celebration of the 2019 NYD memorable.

“We held the annual Local World Youth Day, where we catered to three to five thousand delegates, and we had the International Eucharistic Congress. I believe that makes us capable (of handling the 2019 NYD),” he said.

He said the event will also be backed by the local government.

Asked for a message to the pilgrims attending the NYD, he challenged them to gather thrice as many delegates than this year’s event.

Frankel Margallo, Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Youth Coordinator, said they anticipate as many as 15,000 delegates, the same number as the delegates that joined the IEC last year.

The archdiocese of Cebu already has at least 10,000 youth members from 155 parishes, Margallo said.

It would be the first NYD for Cebu, recognized as the country’s cradle of Christianity, since the event was launched three decades ago.

About 2,000 delegates from all over the Philippines converged at the Summit Centre of the Universidad de Zamboanga in Zamboanga City for the last NYD.

Wila-Cebu to launch 2 books on November 18

(PR)

THE Women in Literary Arts-Cebu (Wila-Cebu), a group of women writers based in Cebu City that is now celebrating its 26th year, will launch the books of two of its members at 2:30 p.m. of November 18.

The book launch will be held at the Cebu City Museum, which is located at the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum Building on Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City. It will be done in honor of Wila-Cebu's founding president, Erma Mangubat Cuizon, who recently passed away.

Sponsors include the Fairtrade Shop, STC-Bantawan, Baye, Noel Tabasa, and the Cebu Historical Affairs Commission (Chac).

The group will launch "The Winter Lady," a collection of English poems authored by Malou A. Alorro, and "Pagsubang sa Bangaw, Pagsidlak sa Bulan," a collection of Cebuano poems, authored by Desiree L. Balota.

Alorro's "The Winter Lady" versifies the lives of women who find romantic relationships at the internet with foreign men. It explores the delights, pitfalls, decline, and in some cases, rebirth of loves that defy and bridge distance, yet are grounded on realities.

The poems serve as a wake-up call to would-be Winter Ladies. It is about the dynamics of loss -- innocence and love -- as a metaphor for the perils of a woman's world where heartbreak is not entirely weakness or defeat as long as it fast-tracks a way to wisdom -- a heightened awareness that internalizes the private instance and the public issue of victimization through the prism of gender and geopolitics.

Balota's "Pagsubang sa Bangaw, Pagsidlak sa Bulan" is a collection of poems that walk readers through the journey of doubt and resignation, awareness and awakening, victory and conviction. Speaking in shapes, colors, or narratives, the speakers in the poems present the consequences of the social construct of superiority; thus, justifying oppression and mockery, and the triumphs in the realization of capability and worth.

With images and stories that give attention to commodification, environmental destruction, and gender bias and verses that mirror the significance of a personal and collective revolution in thought, word, and deed, the poems in "Pagtultol sa Gilaw" and "Paghangop sa Pagsubang," the first and second sections of the book, trace a testimony of reservation and resolve, empowerment and evolution.

For more details, contact Malou Alorro at 254-9004 and 09075005381.

Cebu City track delivers 6 golds in Batang Pinoy

By Richiel S. Chavez (RSC)

THE track and field team has exceeded expectations and lifted Cebu City in the medal tally in the first three days of competition in the 2017 Batang Pinoy Visayas Qualifiers in Dumaguete City.

For the past three days, the Cebu City tracksters have raked in six gold medals to help Cebu City, which is in fourth place with 10 gold medals, 19 silvers and 21 bronzes after Day 3.

Cebu Province is still leading the medal tally with 14 gold medals, 15 silvers and 20 bronzes, followed by Dumaguete City with a 12-8-7 haul and Aklan with a 12-7-5 harvest as of yesterday.

Rick Angelo Sotto of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) powered Cebu City’s surge on the tracks with four gold medals—three in the individual events and one in the 4x100-meter relay.

The Cebu City track and field team showed its cohesion and dominated the boys’ 4x100m relay with runners Sotto, Jomar Cumabig, Jake Angelo Dagatan and Rex Amamangpang at the Gov. Mariano Percides Sports Complex yesterday.

“The six gold medals is a surprise for us. Most of our athletes are beginners except for two or three. It exceeds our expectation. We still have the 4x400m, 1,500m and 800m events (today),” said coach Arvin Loberanis.

The win puts Sotto as one of the most bemedalled athletes in this year’s sporting meet, one gold medal behind Aklan swimmer Kyla Soguilon, who has five.

“I did not expect to win four gold medals. One of the most special is the relay event because I was able to do it with my teammates,” said Sotto, who will gun for his fifth gold medal in the 4x400m today.

Sotto is a volunteer grassroots coach of the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC). He is also a double-gold medalist winner in the 2016 Palarong Pambansa in Legazpi, Albay.

Before the 4x100 relay, Sotto won the triple jump while teammate Amamangpang settled for silver. Sotto also topped the high jump and Amamangpang got the silver last Sunday. Sotto also won gold in high jump while Dagatan bagged the silver last Saturday.

“It’s a sweet win because after competing in the individual events, my teammates and I were able to win gold together,” said Sotto, who said his greatest goal is to make it to the national team.

The other gold medalist for Cebu City athletics team in the third day was Shaula Fernelle Santiago in the girls’ discus throw. Cebu City also won three gold medals in karated----Nico Avila in the boys’ 14-15 advance kata, Lance Gabrielle Tolero in the boys’ 14-15 intermediate and Aubrey Codilla, Justine Azur and Marie Pauleen Cabrera in the girls team kata.

Cebu Province, meanwhile, won the bronze medal in the 4x100 girls’ relay. Cebu Province also beat host team Dumaguete City, 7-2, in the elimination round of softball event.

Seven karatekas of Cebu Province has also advance to the championship round of the kumite event.

Cops to launch ‘discipline zones’ in Cebu City

By Mae Clydyl L. Avila (/JMD, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Police are looking at declaring two areas in Cebu City as “discipline zones” -- places with no graffiti, mendicancy, illegal vendors, and traffic congestion – as part of efforts to develop a more livable city environment.

Police Regional Office-7 officials are initially considering the stretch of Osmeña Boulevard and an area in Barangay Apas, Cebu City as pilot discipline zones for now, but they hope to eventually replicate the idea in the jurisdictions of all police stations across the city.

“I directed each station to identify one area to be declared as a discipline zone where we will see walang graffiti, walang mendicancy, walang vendors walang traffic congestion,” Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino, PRO-7 director, told reporters yesterday.

“One pilot area is ang haba ng Fuente Osmeña, at another area is yung sa Apas, Lahug. Those are the two identified pilot areas that we will declare as discipline zones through the help of Mayor (Tomas Osmeña) and the barangay chairmen,” he added.

Anticipating resistance from sectors that may be affected by the move, especially the vendors, Espino said police will hold a dialogue with them first.

“Ang initial move is organization, then dialogue lahat ng affected groups para walang resistance once i-launch yun,” Espino said. “Yung huling phase is consolidation and maintenance during those phases. Itatalaga ang police natin dun and yung stakeholders will really have to maintain yung discipline zone.”

As early as now, Chief Inspector Maria Theresa Macatangay, chief of Cebu City Police Office Station 2 or the Fuente police, is seeking the coordination of local officials to ensure that the program will not be short-lived.

“It will be a challenge not just to us from the station, but also to the rest of the participating community stakeholders,” she said.

On the part of the police, more personnel under the existing beat patrol system will be deployed in the discipline zones to maintain peace and order.

Meanwhile, in the spirit of Christmas, Espino has also tasked his personnel to identify areas with problematic traffic during rush hours and assist traffic personnel there in maintaining a smooth traffic flow.

“We will be identifying yung mga areas na may traffic congestion. We will help the city and in directing the traffic in those areas. Not only will we be focusing on crime prevention but also on traffic congestion,” Espino said.

DTI to conduct branding seminar

(PR)

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will conduct a brand equity development seminar for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on Nov. 15 to 16, 2017 at Harold’s Hotel, Cebu City.

The two-day activity will be facilitated by Dr. Wilfrido Arcilla, a consultant and the country’s acclaimed brand development specialist.

Among the topics to be discussed include key concepts of branding and marketing, new trends and the basic principles of brand development.

The rest of the activity will be allotted for the one-on-one cliniquing with MSMEs from Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

According to DTI Region 7 Director Asteria Caberte, the recent developments among Asean partner countries formalizing market and intellectual exchanges pose a huge opportunity for producing innovative and unique Philippine brands.

JG Summit eyes P18-billion project in Cebu City

By Charles R. Pepito

CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said a giant company has proposed an P18-billion mixed-use development project at the 8-hectare Kawit Island property in the South Road Properties (SRP).

Osmeña added JG Summit Holdings Inc. is expected to submit to the city a formal unsolicited proposal within the month.

“They will spend P18 billion for a hotel, restaurant, casino and convention center. There will be 1,000 rooms and four towers. When you spend P18 billion, you will have a lot of facilities, a yacht club, island cruises, a water park,” the mayor said.

He added JG Summit Holdings Inc. will soon announce a new corporation as a foreign partner will assist in the multibillion-peso project. He is eyeing at closing the deal within the month so that the process of the unsolicited proposal will move forward after negotiations with the executive department.

“An unsolicited proposal is unsolicited. In other words, the city did not specify what amount, and then they submit a proposal to the city, after which we will question it, we will negotiate and will go to the City Council,” Osmeña said.

Once accepted, the city government will formally present it to the public for a possible “Swiss challenge,” which would give other companies the opportunity to match the proposal.

However, the original proponent can still submit a counterproposal if it wants to get the project back.

Osmeña expects the project to hire at least 8,000 workers. It will also result in more investments and businesses, and the city will get up to an estimated 15 percent of the project’s gross sales.

The investor will lease the city’s property for at least 50 years, he said.

“We’re giving them a grace period of so many years. It’s in their interest to get it started right away because the clock starts ticking now. Why will you wait until the grace period is up? So, they make money before the deadline,” he added.

Osmeña believes the announcement of the project will result in the increase of the value of properties at the SRP.

The city is now planning to sell at least 3 hectares of land at SRP at P110,000 per square meter (sq m). Before the announcement of the project, Osmeña said he has received a proposal of P115,000 per sq m from an undisclosed company.

The mayor added the P18-billion investment will possibly draw more buyers to the 3-hectare lot sale.

“The important essence here is it will bring up the price of all our properties at SRP,” he said.

It will take at least three years to construct the P18-billion project. Since it will be established at the Kawit Island property, Osmeña added the existing structures there, which include the Senior Citizens Building, will reportedly be transferred to the senior citizens’ park at the expense of the investor.

Osmeña wants to name the project “Isla de la Victoria.”

“My proposed name is going after an employee Elpidio ‘Jojo’ de la Victoria of Bantay Dagat Commission. I don’t know if they will consider it. The name Isla de la Victoria gives it historical significance,” he said.

In April 2006 de la Victoria was killed reportedly because of his crusade against illegal fishing.

City Council okays P6.29B budget

By Jose Santino S. Bunachita

Cebu City GAA FOR 2018

After a series of deliberations, the Cebu City Council has finally approved the P6.29-billion annual budget for 2018 proposed by Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

There were hardly any changes made from Osmeña’s proposal except for the P55-million earmarked for relief and recovery operations under the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) which was reduced by the council’s committee on budget and finance and reprogrammed for other expenses.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña, head of the committee on budget and finance, read the committee’s six-page report outlining details of the 2018 budget compared to this year’s annual budget.

After Councilor Osmeña’s report, the City Council then approved the budget ordinance with no significant discussions from other councilors.

According to the committee report, the P55-million LDRRMF budget for relief and recovery was reduced to only P30 million after a proposal to give P9,000 as rental subsidy for fire victims in the city was removed.

This after Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) head Nagiel Bañacia failed to convince the finance committee during budget hearings of the subsidy’s viability considering that the city has already been extending P20,000 in financial aid to qualified fire victims.

But since the council cannot change the mandated 5 percent appropriation for LDRRMF, the P25 million reduction was reprogrammed for other uses.

An additional P15 million was placed for Public Safety and DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) Program Base Services for the Quick Response Team for Drainage; while P106,500 was added to the EMS (Emergency Medical Services), Health Services, Medical Supplies and Materials.

Another P3.5 million was added for the procurement of life-saving medical equipment such as cardiac monitors for all city ambulances, P5 million to the City-Wide Early Warning System proposal; and P1.39 million was added to the Recovery and Rehabilitation Infrastructure account.

The P6.29-billion budget for 2018 is almost a billion pesos lower than the approved budget for 2017 which was P7.2 billion.

The Local Finance Committee (LFC) explained that the reduction was done in order to make the budget proposal “realistic and achievable” pointing out that in previous years, the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) failed to reach the estimated revenues to fund the city’s budget.

Compared to this year’s P4.4 billion estimated total tax revenues, the estimated tax collection for next year has been pegged at P3.1 billion which includes P1 billion from real property taxes (RPT), P1.75 billion from business taxes and P359 million from other local taxes.

The estimated business tax revenue of P1.75 billion for 2018 is higher than the P1.5 billion expected for 2017 since the LFC anticipates the amendment of the Local Tax Code next year.

Aside from tax revenues, other sources of funds for next year include P947 million in non-tax revenues and P2 billion from external sources.

The 2018 annual budget is divided into personal services (P1.48 billion), maintenance and other operating expenses (P4.5 billion), and capital outlay (P119.6 million).

Smooth process

Compared to previous years, this year’s budget process went on more smoothly since it was also the first time in many years for the head of the council’s committee on budget and finance to be allied with the sitting mayor.

The mayor’s proposed annual budget was tackled by the council last October 24 and referred to the committee on budget and finance.

Immediately a day after, last October 25, the committee began a series of budget hearings which continued last October 27 and October 30.

About a week after the last hearing, the budget committee entered its report and final budget ordinance on the council session agenda yesterday, Tuesday.

The budget was approved.

According to Councilor Osmeña, the proposed budget sailed smoothly in session because of meetings conducted earlier between the Local Finance Committee and some city councilors to thresh out matters.

She also said that there were barely any changes made in the 2018 budget proposal from the city’s approved budget for 2017.

Changes

Notable changes in the budget for next year include an increase in the total allocation for personal services pegged at P420.1 million due to step increments in the salary grade of some personnel, as well as the release of the second tranche of mandated salary adjustments for 2018 under the Salary Standardization Law.

At the same time, compared to the 2017 budget, there was a drop in some financial assistance accounts for next year including the city’s scholarship program, senior citizens program, financial assistance to the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), financial assistance to the Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines (BCLP), financial assistance to the League of Lupong Tagapamayapa, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) program, aid to city barangays, and incentive allowance for policemen serving Cebu City.

“The budget for the above mentioned programs is only good for half of the year. The budget for the second half would be submitted by the Executive Department in a Supplemental Budget next year,” the finance committee report read.

Other notable points in the approved budget for 2018 are: an increase in the mayor’s discretionary fund from P7.4 million to P7.8 million based on the two percent actual real property tax collection in the preceding year, and a raise in the teachers’ assistance program from P56 million to P65 million due to the increased number of teachers next year.

Another P60,000 was also added to the Office of the Civil Registrar for its Civil Registration Month activities.

The committee noted new items in next year’s budget including P7 million for the purchase of fire extinguishers under the Peace and Order Program (POP); and P50 million for land improvements and the planned construction of a medium-rise building to be used as a relocation area.

City to hold Pasko activities at the Plaza

(RTF)

THE Cebu City Government will be holding this year’s Pasko sa Sugbo activities in a more practical venue.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said that from it’s traditional venue at the Fuente Osmeña Circle, the month-long nightly activities will be staged at the Plaza Independencia starting Dec. 1.

“Fuente is getting a lot crowded and traffic is also creating a physical risk to pedestrians. I think it’s about time we transfer it to the Plaza, which is a lot bigger. It’s also closer to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño,” he said.

Aside from the Pasko sa Sugbo, Osmeña is also considering transferring activities held at the Fuente Circle during the Sinulog celebration at the Plaza Independencia as well.

“The decision did not originate from me. It’s from the Parks and Playgrounds Commission because it was creating heavy damage. Other activities that will remain in Fuente is the giant Christmas tree,” he said.

In a separate interview, Councilor Margarita Osmeña, deputy mayor for tourism, said the City may deploy shuttle buses for spectators who wish to see the activities.

She said the City Tourism Commission is also planning to host Christmas-related activities at the Plaza, such as manger and lantern-making contests.

City taps Grab, Uber for CH operations

(RTF)

THE Cebu City Government will enter into and sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with two transport network vehicle services to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its services.

The City Council recently approved two resolutions allowing Mayor Tomas Osmeña to sign a MOA with Grab and Uber.

Under the MOA, the City Government will authorize employees of the City Treasurer’s Office to book official trips with Grab.

The same setup will be applied with Uber. However, those who can book official trips are the employees of the City Health Department.

Grab and Uber will gather data during the trial period, which will include cost per trip, hours spent online, trips made, travel time, and live map to determine real-time locations of drivers.

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