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Cebu City News July 2015

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Cebu City Map Locator
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View of Cebu City from the bay
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Aerial View of Cebu City
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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

Cebu to host Asia-Pacific triathlon next year

(PR)

IRONMAN picked Cebu as host of next year’s 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship Triathlon, marking the first time that the country will be hosting the prestigious swim-bike-run event.

“It’s an exciting time for the sport of triathlon in Asia-Pacific. With our ongoing expansion in Asia that includes 14 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events combined with tens of thousands of athletes living and competing in the region, it’s the right time to host a championship race here,” said Geoff Meyer, chief executive officer for Ironman Asia-Pacific.

The selection of Cebu City as host only underscores the impressive staging of the Ironman 70.3 Philippines the last four years that has been luring the top triathletes in the world.

“Cebu has hosted the successful Ironman 70.3 Philippines triathlon for the past four years--and will provide our athletes a beautiful and challenging championship course,” added Meyer.

As a result of the substantial growth of triathlon and the Ironman brand in the Southern Hemisphere, Ironman will begin an annual rotation the of Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship throughout the Asia-Pacific region starting with Cebu.

Wilfred “Fred” Steven Uytengsu Jr., president and chairman of Sunrise Events, expressed his excitement at Ironman 70.3 Philippines, Cebu hosting next year’s Asia Pacific Championship.

“We are extremely proud to have been selected as the host for the 2016 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship,” said Uytengsu. “We intend to stage our best event yet which will coincide with our fifth anniversary in Cebu and our eighth year in partnership with Ironman. We look forward to welcoming everyone with our trademark Filipino hospitality.”

The locations for the 2017 and 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship will be announced soon.

The 2016 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship will offer $75,000 prize purse and 30 age-group qualifying slots for the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

APEC traffic plan laid out

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon / JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Integrated Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) has laid out a traffic management plan for the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, which will be held in Cebu from August 22 to September 15.

CITOM said the corridor of Juan Luna Avenue, Salinas Drive and Veterans Drive are considered “key roads” to host the meetings successfully.

The traffic management policy and planning will, therefore, focus on the smooth flow of vehicles from Radisson Bluat the North Reclamation Area all the way to Marco Polo Hotel in Barangay Apas.

Exclusive lanes are, however, not considered because these will reportedly have negative social and public relations impacts. Likewise, the roads are not wide enough to open exclusive lanes.

The traffic management plan has seven components – traffic signals, traffic personnel detail, parking management, clearing operations, radio communications coordination, an I.T. Park intersection management plan, and a PUJ rerouting plan.

1. Traffic signals– traffic signals at the intersection can be overridden remotely should there be a need to prioritize a particular leg of the corridor for the delegates. Contingency plan is to have signals personnel on site to override as requested by traffic personnel.

2. Traffic Personnel detail– CITOM said that a smooth flow of traffic can be managed by ensuring all the major intersections are manned by CITOM and police personnel.These personnel will be equipped with radios to ensure communication with headquarters. Roving personnel will also troubleshoot the corridor and support foot personnel.

CITOM and police personnel will be augmented by barangay tanods from the barangays in the vicinity to serve as force multipliers. The following barangays will be tapped: Mabolo, Apas, Lahug, Kasambagan, Carreta, Luz, Busay, Kamputhaw.

CITOM personnel detail is already finalized while coordination with barangay tanods is being scheduled with the Association of Barangay Captains.

3. Parking management–no parking on the road right of way of the corridor and linking roads will be strictly enforced by use of tow trucks.CITOM said that clamps and tow truck prepared to enforce the plan as negotiation for additional tow truck rental is ongoing.

4. Clearing operations – clearing operations shall be conducted along the corridor to ensure there are no obstructions along the sidewalk and roadway.In addition, parallel access roads shall also be cleared in order to provide satisfactory access road to motorists who will be rerouted as a result of the plan.CITOM said that this is now complete as clearing operations coordinated with City’s clearing team PROBE.

5. Radio communications coordination – all communications from CITOM will be monitored from the City Command Center. Coordination with other divisions of the PNP shall be conducted thru there.This is now complete as the City Command Center is currently performing this function.

6. I.T. Park intersection management plan – the intersection of I.T. Park and Waterfront Hotel is identified as a bottleneck area, not only due to the regular crossing of vehicles but also the designation of the Waterfront as a meeting venue. As such, all private vehicles coming from Mabolo will be directed to turn right into del Mar Street in to I.T. Park and shall exit at GeonzonSt. The thorough movement will be allowed only for delegates to the APEC meetings.

The intersection will be manned by CITOM and police personnel.

During the period of rerouting, the railings limiting the turning movement from Waterfront shall be temporarily set aside.

7. PUJ Rerouting Plan – in order to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the corridor, no PUJs will be allowed to traverse along Juan Luna Avenue from SergingOsmeña Avenue to Archbishop Reyes Avenue. Rerouting will be implemented from 6 a.m. to 9a.m. and from 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Make sure new classrooms have emergency exits: Rama to DPWH

By Razel V. Cuizon

BUILD classrooms that are disaster-resilient, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday.

Rama’s request came after he saw classrooms being constructed and funded by the DPWH in Budlaan that don’t have features such as emergency exits.

Although he acknowledged DPWH’s help in addressing the problem on classroom deficiency, Rama said the office should be aware that the City Government has been constructing emergency exits in existing public school building to provide additional access to students and teachers when emergencies such as fires and earthquakes happen.

The City has prioritized school buildings that have three floors in the construction of the safety feature that is funded under the Special Education Fund.

Rama said he will let the Local School Board become aware of the matter since they handle the construction of emergency exits in public schools.

Not a reason

“When will they ever learn? The City Government will (end up) always looking for money not for the school building but for the emergency exits,” he added.

In Barangay Budlaan, DPWH constructed a two-storey classroom only. However, Rama said it should not be the reason for DPWH not to include an emergency exit in the structure.

“Still, two floors is a height and when there will be earthquakes, all of these kids will be rushing in one area for the exit. It will create pandemonium,” he added.

Because of the matter, Rama said the Department of Education (DepEd) should also consider changing its officials in the City.

“There is more reason for the changing of guards at DepEd at the local level,” he said.

Rama had the chance to inspect the newly constructed school building in Barangay Budlaan last Tuesday after he led the electrical rewiring turn over sponsored by the Visayan Electric Co. (VECO).

Rama said he will ask VECO to continue the project and include all the schools as their beneficiaries because it lessens the chances of fires caused by electrical misuse.

Committee eyes P3.2B supplemental budget

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

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu City’s local finance committee wants over P3.2 billion in the first supplemental budget this year for the full payment of the P3 billion South Road Properties loan, the productivity enhancement incentives of City Hall employees, among others.

City administrator and Local Finance Committee chairwoman Lucille Mercado said Mayor Michael Rama has already approved the proposed additional budget.

However, Mercado cla-rified that the amount may still increase since there are other departments that want to add to the budget.

The bulk of the P3.2 billion additional budget for the year, she said, constitutes the P2.5 billion ba-lance of the P3-billion SRP loan, P78 million productivity incentive to emplo-yees, P100 million road asphalting, over P80 million for city sponsored activities, P9.3 million in preparation for the El Niño phenomenon that will recommence in August or September, and other obligations from preceding years.

“Of course, we will not endorse it to the City Council unless we have the actual source of funds,” Mercado told The FREEMAN.

She said the additional budget proposal will likely be endorsed to the legislative body next month once the city government will receive the P8 billion representing half of the P16.7 billion from the three developers that emerged as the highest bidder for the sale of 45 hectares of SRP. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

The city took a P4-billion loan from Japan through JICA to develop the SRP. According to the terms, the loan is payable in 25 years and the amortization payments, made twice a year, will continue until 2025.

The city government has been paying the loan at P500 million to P550 million a year.

On June 30, the city’s Committee on Awards declared the consortium of Ayala Land, Cebu Holdings Inc. and SM Prime Holdings as the highest bidder (P10.009 billion) for 26.3 hectares of the SRP while Filinvest Land Inc. was the highest bidder (P6.7 billion) for a 19.2-hectare property.

On that day also, the city earned P1.6 billion as revenue from the bid security bond of the winning developers.

For the bonus of the employees, it is the consequence of the Executive Order issued by President Benigno Aquino III granting the productivity incentive of either P5,000 or the equivalent of a month’s basic pay to all qualified government employees.

Mercado said the local finance committee has agreed to give the one-month basic salary of the qualified employees.

However, the one-time disbursement of the one-month salary bonus will only be allowed if a government agency meets at least 90 percent of their 2014 targets under two performance indicators: quantity, quality, or timeliness, and at least one major final output under operations as stated in the Executive Order No. 181.

For the El Niño preparation amounting to P9.3 million, the city government wants to give P100,000 to each of the 31 mountain barangays to buy drums while another P200,000 to each of the 31 mountain barangays to buy water hoses.

Mercado said that the executive department hopes the City Council will approve the additional budget for the city.

City Council defers ‘tax holiday’ measure

By May B. Miasco / FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu City Council has deferred the approval of a proposed ordinance seeking to grant condonation of interest on unpaid real property taxes to encourage taxpayers to pay.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella asked for two more weeks to study the proposed measure to ensure that the interest of the city government is protected.

Labella said that the grant should be in favor of the city government and not of the taxpayers. The vice mayor said that the proposed measure of Counci-lor Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao should be deferred to allow them to “look into several angles and come up with a good ordinance.”

According to Labella, the proposed measure is giving huge amount of money to the taxpayers when it should be the other way around.

Wenceslao, however, explained that writing-off the interest on delinquent real property taxes would result in effective tax collection of overdue accounts.

Under Section 4 of the proposed “Cebu City Real Property Tax Holiday Ordinance of 2015,” there are two kinds of tax holiday or relief “in a form of condonation of the payment of the interest on delinquent real properties.”

These include full “tax holiday” or 100 percent condonation on the interests of unpaid real property taxes for the period of January 2009 to 2014; and 50 percent discount on the interests of unpaid real property taxes from January 2008 and prior years.

Wenceslao said that the proposed measure is only a one-time tax benefit, which means that it will only be implemented this year should it be approved.

Acting City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas reported during the public hearing last week that the city was able to generate revenues progressively based on comparative report on the collective efficiency of the real property taxes in the city for the period of 2010 to 2014.

“Such that for 2010, we have collected a total of P649,866,637.58 and giving out a total of P45,898,687.24 in tax discount for advance payment. In the same manner in 2014, the city was able to collect a total of P846,151,524.23 and giving out a total of P64,007,262.28 in discount,” read a position paper of the city treasurer.

Cuevas cited that the city has more than P2 billion accumulated real property tax collectibles from 1980 up to 2014.

“Admittedly, the said amount (P2 billion) is bloated as there are tax declarations of buildings and other structures and properties that might have been razed by fire or demolished, land with multiple declared owners, and other circumstances… These circumstances blow up our taxable assessed value and realty tax delinquencies,” she said.

Cuevas said the amount was not accurate citing duplication of records in her office and the City Assessor’s Office.

Council wants charging of safety equipment checked

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, RHM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council wants the South Roads Properties Management Office’s request for the purchase of millions in pesos worth of security, safety, and operating equipment checked.

City Councilor Margarita Osmeña, council committee on budget and finance head, said the council must look at what items were supposedly charged to the accounts that now would serve as fund sources of the items the SRP Management Office wants to buy.

She said that while her committee does not question the need of the items, the capital outlay accounts their purchase would be charged from were in 2011, 2012, and 2013 yet.

“It is noteworthy to check what were the projects or materials that were supposedly charged to these accounts in the years 2011, 2012, 2013. The Committee is certain that there must have been projects that were proposed to back up the request for appropriation,” read the budget committee report.

City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas already issued a certificate of availability of funds, and City Budget Officer Marietta Gumia likewise issued a certification on the balances under the lump sum appropriation for capital outlays for the SRP Management Office.

Though Mayor Michael Rama already approved the SRP Management Office’s request last March 5, however, the appropriation must have the City Council’s endorsement.

The proposal includes SRP road asphalting (P14 million) two patrol cars (P1.9 million), boom truck (P4 million), surveillance cameras (P14 million) 25 digital handheld radios (P2 million), mini dump truck (P4.8 million), service van (P880,000), a Strada pick-up vehicle (P950,000), 25 fire extinguishers (P1.13 million) and seven metal barriers worth (P250,000), among others.

“With the growing demands at the SRP, we feel that these items are of vital importance to…day-to-day operations to upkeep various facilities and to maintain the security and peace and order in the area,” said SRP Executive Assistant Sheldon Vincent Kintanar.

As contained in the appropriation resolution sponsored by City Councilors David Tumulak and Hanz Nendell Abella, the P58.4 million will be charged against the SRP office’s 2011, 2012, and 2013 capital outlays.

In the resolution, Tumulak and Abella said equipment and machines have been programmed for acquisition since 2011, but since some of these were not bought, the funds were placed as continuing appropriation for capital outlay.

Because of this, the City Council requested the SRP Management Office to submit its project procurement management plans for 2011, 2012 and 2013 so it could countercheck the appropriation.

For the road asphalting project, Osmeña asked the office to furnish the legislative body the programs of works and estimates.

City cops donate blood as part of CCPO’s ‘social responsibility’

By Daryl T. Jabil

SOME 129 police officers donated a total of 64,500 cubic centimeters of blood during a bloodletting activity at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday morning.

Supt. Enrique Belciña, police-community relations (PCR) chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said the event was a proof of the cops’ dedication to protect the lives of the people in whatever way possible.

“Nindot gyod ang feeling nga inig human og tusok sa dagom naay self-fulfillment ba nga naa na pod tay maluwas nga kinabuhi sa lahi pod nga pamaagi (It feels good to be able to save lives in a different way),” Belciña said.

He said 44 police officers assigned at the CCPO each donated 500 cc. of blood. The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, led by Supt. Clarito Baja, also endorsed 85 police donors.

CCCI

The bloodletting program was led by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Philippine Red Cross to celebrate July as the blood donation month and the month of the Precious Blood of Jesus.

The police officers, Belciña said, coordinated with the two organizations to make it a part of their annual PCR celebration this month.

Belciña said the cops’ help in blood donation did not end there.

He urged individuals, who were looking for blood donors, to visit the CCPO headquarters and check if the type of blood needed can be taken from any of the police officers.

“To help those who are in need is a part of our social responsibility as public servants,” Belciña said.

The CCPO-PCR has recently been awarded as the region’s best police office in community relations this year for the community-based activities it organized for the different sectors of society.

More than 100 PWDs in Cebu City participate in first talent contest

By Razel V. Cuizon

MORE than a hundred persons with disabilities (PWDs) yesterday showcased their talents during the first PWD Got Talent.

The contest was organized by the Cebu City Youth Development Council and the Department of Social Welfare and Services.

The activity was just one of many organized for PWD Week.

PWD groups from Barangays Tisa, Ermita, Lahug, Basak Pardo, Cogon Pardo, Mabolo, Basak San Nicolas and Luz competed in the contest.

Ana Rosal, 23, said she was grateful for the opportunity to participate.

Performance jitters

“Nag-practice gyod mi og maayo before sa contest kay excited sad mi nga maka-apil kay panagsa ra baya mi maka-apil ug ing-ani nga activity nga para ra gyod sa mga PWD (We practiced really hard because we were excited. It’s not every day that we could be part of such an event exclusive for PWDs),” she said.

Rosal sang two songs along with other participants from her group.

Rosal suffers from polio and can’t walk properly. With the help of crutches, she is able to go about her daily chores.

She admitted that she was nervous right before performing, but she said she gave it her all.

Participants from Barangay Basak Pardo, most of them deaf-mute, danced.

Even though they are hard of hearing, that never prevented them from dancing to the rhythm of the music, the choreographer said.

Councilor Alvin Dizon who was among those who attended the event, said the City is always supportive of the PWD sector.

6 utility firms sign pact with Cebu City to remove dangling wires, rotting poles

(PNA), LAP/EB/PJN

CEBU CITY, July 23 (PNA) -- Six power and telecommunications companies have signed an agreement to fix or remove dangling wires and rotting poles in Cebu City that pose danger to the public.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama met Wednesday with representatives of the six utility firms after two persons were killed and three others were hurt in two cases involving utility poles and dangling wires in the city.

In both cases, the utility poles fell after dangling wires got snagged by passing trucks, hitting the victims.

Representatives from Bayantel, Skycable, Telicphil, Globe Telecom, Visayan Electric Company (Veco) and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), a sister-company of Smart Communications and Sun Cellular, attended the meeting with Rama and signed the agreement.

Cebu City Administrator Lucelle Mercado and City Engineer Jose Marie Poblete, chairman of the technical infrastructure committee (TIC), signed for the city.

The representatives of the utility companies promised to comply with City Ordinance 1894, which addresses the problem of tangled wires, among others.

Earlier, Veco announced it will implement this year the PHP100-million second phase of its project to put all overhead power lines underground from the Fuente Osmena Circle to P. Del Rosario St., this city.

The first phase stretching from the Cebu Capitol to the Fuente Osmena Circle, which cost PHP80 million, was completed last year.

Building and construction expo set in Cebu on Aug. 6-9

(PNA), LAP/EB/PR/SSC

CEBU CITY, July 22 (PNA) -- Worldbex Services International has announced the return of the Philippine Building and Construction Exposition (Philbex) Cebu on August 6 to 9, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at SM City Cebu.

Now on its 12th edition, Philbex Cebu has earned a significant following in the Visayas construction industry as the largest and most comprehensive building and construction trade show organized in the region.

Patterned after the iconic Worldbex in Manila, Philbex Cebu strives to live up to the same standards, as it gathers the biggest industry players each year for a lively exchange of ideas and insights.

Last year, the three-day building expo broke new ground, as it occupied 2,000 square meters in exhibition space that housed 118 booths in seven product categories.

Its visitor count last year racked up 48,000 attendees, it said in a statement.

This year, Philbex Cebu is determined to deliver a bigger and bolder presentation, as it aims to bolster the Visayas construction industry to unprecedented heights.

Philbex Cebu said it believes that a constant dialogue between the most promising industry players and investors is essential in ensuring quality progress and development of the region’s construction industry.

Philbex Cebu invites industry professionals, investors, as well as building and design enthusiasts, to gather for an insightful and informative trade experience.

Dusit International to open five more hotels in PH

By Katlene O. Cacho

DUSIT International remains bullish in expanding their presence in the country, saying the Philippines is a “beautiful country with wealth in tourism.”

The Bangkok-based resort and hotel company is opening two hotel brands in Manila, one in Cebu and two in Davao City.

“We are very confident of the growth of Philippine tourism. It is for this reason that we are extending our hotel brands to various markets in the country,” said Thierry Douin, vice president for operations of Dusit International.

Dusit International carries the Dusit Thani, Dusit Princess, Dusit Devarana and dusitD2 hotel brands.

Upcoming projects in the Philippines include Dusit Princess NAIA Gardens, Manila, a hotel school, and dusitD2 in Bonifacio Global City (BGC); Dusit Princess in Cebu; and Dusit Thani Residence and dusitD2 in Davao City.

Dusit International has had a long presence in Manila through Dusit Thani in Makati City for over 20 years. Although it took them quite a long time to expand presence here, Douin said the expansion plans came at the right time.

“I don’t think we came late because it was only in the past few years that the Philippines’ economic growth has caught the attention of the world,” he said. “We will continue to see new brands coming in the midst of the country’s growth momentum.”

Ryan Chen, director of development for Asia Pacific at Dusit International, said they are growing outside Manila because of the tourism potential in other destinations in the Philippines such as Cebu and Davao.

According to Chen, the Philippine market plays a vital role in the company’s growth story because the Thai-led company sees similarities with Filipinos in terms of values and the quality of work. More importantly, the company admires the Filipinos’ unique hospitality trait and fluency in the English language.

“We are in the people-industry business and we are fortunate to work with Filipinos,” said Douin, hoping the hotel school in BGC will help them produce right and skilled people for their growing hotel operations in the country.

“We really are poised for a positive future in the Philippines,” added Chen, although he noted a huge need for support infrastructure like road networks, sustainable power and water supply and airport expansion, among others.

Douin, however, sees the regional integration as both an opportunity and a threat to the hospitality business because it would result in free flow of workers within Asean.

“It opens opportunities for everyone to work anywhere and Filipinos have the edge because all tourism destinations within Asean would need workers with good English command. Filipinos are excellent in the aspect, however, keeping the best workers would be another story. It’s a big challenge,” he said.

Last week, Grand Land Inc. and Dusit International launched the 295-room Dusit Princess.

Officials said they are eyeing more Dusit hotel brands to operate Cebu in the future. Chen said they remain open to potential developers for the next hotel projects.

San Juan to sign sister-city agreement with Cebu City

By Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

SAN Juan City in Metro Manila wants to enter into a sister-city relationship with Cebu City.

A delegation of 68 officials, department heads and section chiefs of San Juan City will arrive in Cebu City tomorrow for the signing of a memorandum of agreement.

The group will also have a study tour in Cebu City to learn about its best practices. This includes basic services, disaster management and environmental protection.

“We have chosen your city as a venue of our study tour as we are aware that your city has been given numerous recognitions by different entities for your best practices,” said San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez in a letter to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Recently, the City has been awarded by the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines as the 3rd Most Competitive City among the highly urbanized cities in the country.

Study tour

In an interview yesterday, Secretary to the Mayor Belinda Navascues said they have already prepared four sessions for the San Juan City delegates for their study tour.

The sessions will be held from 1:00 in the afternoon up to 4:00 in the afternoon tomorrow at the Social Hall of the Cebu City Hall.

Navascues said programs of the City Government for basic services, disaster management and environmental protection will be discussed.

“As of now, we are still preparing our presentation but it will be finished tomorrow,” she said yesterday.

At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Navascues said, San Juan City and Cebu City will sign their sister-city agreement in one of the hotels in the city.

If approved, San Juan City will be the 14th sister-city of Cebu City in the country.

Cebu City’s sister-cities include Manila City, Santa Josefa in Agusan del Sur, Calamba in Laguna, Angeles City in Pampanga, Tangub City in Misamis Occidental, Ormoc City, Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Palayan City, Toledo City and Laoag City.

2-city traffic tie-up pushed

By Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

THE Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) board wants to have a joint traffic cooperation agreement with Mandaue City.

This will be done to address traffic matters that concern both local government units (LGUs).

Citom board recently passed a resolution covering the matter. In the same resolution, the board also authorized Citom executive director Atty. Rafael Yap to initiate discussions with the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team).

In an interview yesterday, Yap said the passage of the board resolution was an offshoot of the traffic problem encountered when S. Osmeña Blvd. was widened by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

That time, heavy traffic was experienced by the two cities after Citom implemented re-routing plans at the north reclamation area to pave the way for the project.

“It is a realization that we should be helping each other. What happens in Mandaue City will have an effect on Cebu City and what happens in Cebu City will have an effect on Mandaue City. So we should initiate discussions with our fellow traffic management agencies,” he said.

Yap said that the cooperation agreement will also complement the bill of Rep. Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing that seeks to establish a Metro Cebu Traffic Management Authority (MCTMA).

“If that bill becomes a law, we already have taken baby steps. We are already preparing for it. It will already be easy then to establish linkages,” he said.

House Bill 5556 was filed by Quisumbing in Congress last March. The bill seeks to create the MCTMA, define its power and functions, and provide funds for its operation.

The MCTMA will plan and identify traffic problems and coordinate with LGUs in Metro Cebu in making a traffic management master plan.

Offhand, Yap said Citom has already been coordinating and working with Team in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit meetings next month. A copy of the Citom board resolution was forwarded to the City Council.

During their July 15 regular session, the legislative body referred the matter to the committee on traffic and management for their report and recommendation.

CPVDC seeks City Council endorsement to expand Cebu Info Technology Park

By Razel V. Cuizon

THE Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corp. (CPVDC) has asked the Cebu City Council to endorse its expansion application before the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).

CPVDC is expanding its Cebu Information Technology (IT) Park, a PEZA-registered zone that now hosts many business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, by more than two hectares.

Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias sponsored the resolution for the council’s endorsement of CPVDC’s application.

Opportunities

He said that the expansion “would mean an increase of job opportunities for Cebuanos, increase the possible information technology investors, thus benefit the general public as a whole.”

The endorsement is one of the requirements a developer must secure for accreditation by Peza.

Romulo Alajid, Project Group Development head of CPVDC, wrote Cabarrubias about the request.

The Council scheduled an executive session with CPVDC on Aug. 19 to discuss it.

The Cebu IT Park is a flagship project of CPVDC, which began in 1988 as a joint venture of Ayala Land Inc. and the Cebu Provincial Government. The Province provides land as part of its equity.

P8-billion investment

Based on the location map that CPVDC submitted to Councilor Cabarrubias, the developer will soon add a two-hectare “super block” at the Cebu IT Park, which will include additional office and residential spaces.

It broke ground last March 2015 on its Central Bloc project, for which it invested nearly P8 billion. A post about the event on the CPVDC website states that the project will include a 12-storey Seda hotel, at least two BPO office towers that are scheduled for completion in 2019, and a 500-store mall set to open in 2018.

According to the Peza website, the Cebu IT Park spans 23.7 hectares and is one of 27 registered IT Parks in the island. It is the second largest registered zone, in terms of area, on the list; the largest is the Cebu Business Park, developed by Cebu Holdings Inc.

“IT service export” is one of 10 activities that can qualify for Peza registration and incentives, along with export manufacturing, tourism, medical tourism and economic zone operations, among others. IT services that qualify for incentives include call centers, date encoding, software development and content deveopment.

Weighing scales distributed to public markets in Cebu

(PR)

THE Department of Trade and Industry launched its Timbangan ng Bayan Project at the Cebu City Carbon Market Wednesday.

The installation of weighing scales with corresponding housing in public markets is in accordance with Republic Act 7394 or the “Consumer Act of the Philippines”, which protects the interests of the consumer, promotes general welfare and establishes standards of conduct for business and industry.

“The goal of the Timbangan ng Bayan Project is to ensure that consumers are protected from deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts and practices and that they can readily check the accuracy of the weight and quantity of goods they bought in public markets”, DTI-Cebu Director Nelia Navarro said in her speech.

She added that Cebu Province was allotted 193 units of calibrated weighing scales and steel cage housing, which were distributed to the public markets of its nine cities and 44 municipalities.

Of the 193 units, 19 were alloted to Cebu City markets.

The recipient-market is advised to provide measures to protect the facility from theft, misuse or abuse, that these are used exclusively by consumers and to have it regularly calibrated and maintained to ensure its accuracy.

PHP550-M IEC Pavillion now 80% complete

(PNA), LAP/EB/RSM

CEBU CITY, July 16 (PNA) -- The PHP550-million Pavilion in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, which will be the main venue for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in January next year, is now 80 percent complete.

Property developer Duros Development Corp. (DDC), which is constructing the pavilion, topped off the structure Wednesday.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama attended the activity.

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal poured the last concrete mixture on the structure inside the San Carlos Seminary in Mabolo, Cebu City.

The 26,000-square meter pavilion will house some 15,000 foreign and local delegates for the international gathering of Catholic leaders on Jan. 24-31, 2016.

Engr. Adonis Gabutin of DDC said the three-level structure also has a parking lot for 200 cars, 27 closed-circuit television (CCTV) units, at least 1,000 sprinkler heads, six function rooms, 250-seating capacity theater and a secretariat office.

“We thank God for this very meaningful milestone of a historic structure,” said DDC Chairman Rafaelito Barino in a press statement.

It will be turned over to the Cebu Archdiocese in October, about 16 months after June 2014 when construction started.

The Pavilion will be converted to multiple use after the IEC.

The secretariat building will become a minor seminary, while the 15,000-capacitiy plenary hall will be turned into a pastoral center for religious functions.

It will also cater to conventions and exhibits, making it the biggest convention facility in Cebu.

Students, cops join CCPO mural painting contest

By Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/NSA (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Students and policemen yesterday showed their artistic side as they competed in a regionwide mural painting contest held at the Cebu City Police Office.

The first ever mural painting contest was part of CCPO’s observance of the 20th Police Community Relations month and part of its goal to beautify the headquarters for the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Conference, said PCR chief Superintendent Enrique Belciña.

The headquarters’ concrete fence was used as the canvass for the painting contest.

“At least makita sa visitors nga nindot man diay ang front sa CCPO,” said Belciña.

Students taking up Fine Arts and Arts and Graphics from Cebu Technological University and University of San Carlos participated in the activity.

Apart from the twelve students from CTU and six from USC, two police officers also showed their painting skills. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

Armed with paint and paint brush, the contestants portrayed their interpretation of the theme: “Matibay na ugnayan ng mamamayan at pulisya, simbolo ng kapayapaan at kaunlaranng sambayanan” from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The grand prize winner got P7,000 cash; the second P5,000; and the third P3,000 cash. All of them also got a certificate of recognition while the non-winning contestants were given P1,000 each as consolation prize.

Belciña said through the activity, they are also reaching out to the youth.

“At least ma-proud sila nga naa sila’y contribution sa pagpanindot sa atong kampo,” he said.

City to go after shark vendors

By JeanMarvette A. Demecillo and Kristine B. Quintas / JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu City market authority will investigate the sale of shark meat at the premises of the Carbon Market.

City Market Administrator Raquel Arce said she saw the photo that has circulated on social media, which showed baby sharks being displayed on a table for sale.

Arce said she has communicated with the one who posted the photo on Facebook, Mike Lopez, who confirmed the same to her.

“I asked the one who posted the photo where did he take the photo… he told me nga gawas gyud sa market but sa sulod sa Carbon gihapon. So naa gyud possibility nga naa ni sa Carbon Market complex, not necessarily sulod sa market,” she said.

“Wala koy nabantayan nga pagpamaligya og shark meat sulod sa atong mga merkado ilabina sa Carbon. I have seen the photo. And makita nato nga dili gyod ni sulod sa market kay tiles ang sulod sa baligyaanan og isda. But, there’s a possibility sa gawas na sa dalan gi baligya,” she added.

A vendor at the market who requested anonymity confirmed with The Freeman that sharks are being sold outside the market especially at dawn.

Arce said that despite the absence of a local legislation, the city does not allow the same because it violates national laws.

The sale, she said, will not be condoned.

“If masakpan nato ang vendor, atong i-confiscate ang items and apil iyang I.D. para dili na maka baligya kay kahibaw na silang tanan mga vendors nga dili gyud na allowed and revocation gyud sa contract ang sanction ana,” she said.

The city has 11 public markets – Units I, II, and III of Carbon Market, Warwick Barracks in Barangay Ermita, Pardo Public Market, Pasil Fish Market, F. Ramos Market Taboan Public Market, Freedom Park in Carbon, and T. Padilla Market.

“Usually gikan gyud sa Pasil, South and North of Cebu ang sources sa atong isda. Sa tinuoray, dili ko ka assure nga dili gyud makasulod ning mga illegal nga ibaligya bisan og naay 24/7 nga tao kay iikyas raman gyod na nila, pero kani karon nga blatant na ilang pagput-up sa carbon, kon tinuod man, ato gyud ning imbistigaran,” she said further.

Ordinance

Councilor Alvin Arcilla, chairperson of the City Council’s committee on markets, will call for an executive session on the matter.

Meanwhile, Councilor Nida Cabrera, chairperson of the Council’s committee on environment, will file an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of sharks, rays and other endangered marine species. She will meet with officers of the Bantay Dagat Commission today to discuss possible measures against the sale.

She said her committee has already started collating studies, policies, and environmental laws that would support the passage of the ordinance.

Greenpeace Philippines oceans campaigner Vince Cinches said his group is willing to help the city draft the ordinance.

“As we mentioned before, it is important for Cebu City to come up with similar measures as the province of Cebu to ensure that sharks and rays are not landed in Cebu City Markets (Pasil and Carbon). Our team is more than willing to help the Cebu City Council draft the ordinance ensuring the protection of all sharks and rays. We just created the country’s first shark and ray sanctuary, and this report underscores the need for all LGU to come together to ensure a healthy marine ecosystem,” he said.

Representative Benhur Salimbangon, chairman of the House committee on Aquaculture and fisheries, also said he will push for legislations to protect marine species, particularly sharks and rays, further.

He said fishing in waters with abundant presence of sharks like in Malaspascua Island should be banned.

“Thresher sharks in Malaspascua and other parts of the country serve as our goldmine. That’s the only thing that attracts the Europeans and and Americans and go there to take a look at it. We will really protect that,” Salimbangon said.

Cinches also said other local government units should look at Malapascua as a model for promoting shark tourism.

“Other LGUs can actually benefit developing shark tourism because they have a widespread presence. I hope they will look into the model of Malaspascua as one way of sustainable and manageable tourism,” he said.

Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 has been amended to provide hefty fines and longer periods of imprisonment against violators.

Job portal at CH to help jobseekers

By May B. Miasco/FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines- Jobseekers in Cebu City will soon have a stand-alone labor market information system that is capable of employment facilitation like job search and skills matching services.

This after the Cebu City Council has authorized Mayor Michael Rama to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Labor and Employment for the operation of a Job Search Kiosk at City Hall.

JSK is an employment strategy that allows free access to reliable information on job vacancies, trainings and employment programs.

“DOLE aims to partner with Cebu City government to expand the reach of the JSK employment facility, hence the need for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to define the duties and responsibilities of the Cebu City government and DOLE,” read the resolution, which was approved last week.

The resolution was authored by Councilor Sisinio Andales, chairman of the Committee on Labor and Employment.

Under the agreement, DOLE-7 will provide one JSK and technical assistance to the local government personnel while the city government should place it in an area accessible to the public and shall provide power and internet connection.

DOLE-7 should also coordinate with the designated LGU personnel for the operation, maintenance and updating of JSK’s contents and to provide necessary training while the city government should provide access to the public.

The initiative was suggested by the Department of Manpower Development and Placement to complement DOLE’s desire to expand its reach and enable jobseekers to access more employment opportunities at no cost.

Suzanne Ardosa, acting department head of the DMDP, said the approval of the resolution would formalize their existing job search portal, which is currently available and functional outside their office at the second floor of Ramos Market.

She said that the kiosk provided by DOLE is not only limited to job opportunities in Cebu City but in other parts of the country as well. She added that there are even job opportunities abroad.

“This initiative would make job opportunities accessible to the people. If they want to search for any job vacancies, they can use the job search engine with our assistance. Jobseekers can apply, register and do self job matching using the kiosk,” Ardosa said.

City Council wants detailed geohazard surveys in brgys

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo / FPL (The Freeman) 12:00 am

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council wants a detailed geohazard assessment survey in all 80 barangays of the city to be conducted by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Councilor Nestor Archival, who authored the resolution, said there is a need for the city government to know the conditions of the barangays because of the irregular weather.

“The city government needs to know the conditions of all barangays. CCDRRMC should give to City Council and OBO (Office of the Building Officials) what are the areas in the city that are not conducive for buildings and to be purchased as social housing site of the city government,” he said.

Councilor David Tumulak, who also chairs CCDRRMC, said the survey is ongoing. Councilor Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao, however, said that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau already submitted to his office the geohazard assessment survey conducted in the city.

Wenceslao said he will provide a copy to all the members of the City Council.

Tumulak said that the local disaster team knows the survey conducted by DENR-MGB-7 and that he incorporated it in his detailed geohazard assessment survey.

“As of now, there are 40 barangays completed sa geoha-zard assessment survey. The disaster council will furnish the august body with the details of the survey once we are done,” he said.

Archival said that it should be finished in 30 days, which Tumulak agreed.

It was earlier reported that DENR-MGB has presented to the City Council its geohazard map. According to DENR-MGB, at least 14 of the 80 barangays in the city are both susceptible to flooding and landslide.

DENR-MGB has identified the barangays as Adlaon, Apas, Banilad, Buot, Cambinocot, Guadalupe, Guba, Labangon, Pamutan, Pit-os, Pulangbato, Quiot, Sapangdaku, and To-ong.

The City Council was told the importance of geohazard maps in the city, stressing that disasters like landslides and floods pose threat to the public and economical developments in the city.

Tumulak said that the local disaster team has more specific details in terms of the calamity-related incidents in the barangay. This, as he said that it included the areas in the city that are fire-prone areas.

Tumulak vowed to furnish the copy of the survey to the City Council. The discussion stemmed from the committee report of Councilor Ma. Nida Cabrera wherein the city government intended to purchase a lot in Sitio Tapuko, Barangay Pit-os for socialized housing site.

Over 1,200 urban poor individuals are waiting to be relocated to the 10,431-square meter property in the said barangay. The socialized housing program would cost the city P20.8 million.

But there were reports that the area is susceptible to landslide. That is why the committee asked Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to work closely with the local disaster council and the DENR-MGB for its recommendation.

Cabrera said the complete and detailed geohazard assessment survey of all areas in the city will help all local agencies and departments, like OBO, in their decision on whether a certain subdivision project will be approved or not.

City, private firms working to address flooding at SRP

(The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government will work with companies that own lands at the South Road Properties in addressing the problem of flooding in the area.

The project will be carried out through philosophy of “People-Privately Driven Governance” or “private public partnership.”

Mayor Michael Rama met with representatives of SM Prime Holdings, Filinvest Land, Inc., and AyalaLand yesterday afternoon after he received a letter from FLI asking the city to address the problem, as it may affect developments in the area.

“The group, with my thrust, after threshing what went wrong on how things are developed, the need to do it must be self-reliant and decentralized approach where among them FLI, which will now include Ayala, and at the same time SM,” Rama said.

Representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highway-7 were also present at the meeting.

SM owns 30 hectares while FLI has 10.6 hectares at the SRP. FLI is also developing 40 other hectares under a joint venture agreement with the city.

AyalaLand, meanwhile, won the bid for a 26.3-hectare property last June 30.

The City’s Committee on Awards declared the consortium of AyalaLand, Cebu Holdings, Inc. and SM Prime Holdings as highest bidder with P10.009 billion.

Filinvest Land, Inc. was the highest bidder for a 19.2-hectare property P6.7 billion.

On July 6, FLI sent the letter to the city government and the SRP Management Office stipulating its request to implement a drainage master plan, if one exists.

This after the property it is developing with the city was flooded last June 27. The company said water reached 43 centimeters high during the flood.

This is the FLI’s third letter to the city government.

Rama said the companies should not just rely on City Hall, stressing that, unlike government, they can disburse money without having to go through the official procedures.

“We may have the money, but we do not have the manpower. We may have the manpower, but we do not the money. What we have to look beyond is expediency and effectiveness and efficiency,” he said.

“They will not be thinking on the side of the city, waiting. Anyway, they are part of the territory, they have all the tools and manpower. It will now bring much of the independent approach. Very effective when all efforts are combined with,” Rama said.

He said the city will “oversee” the implementation of the anti-flood project, which he wants started soon.

“Just overseeing them so that they will not be waiting. Dapat tan-awon lang. if everything is doable, then the city will participate in another aspect. Ana man gud na. Naa may buhatonon nga ilang hunahuna nga maggikan gyud sa City hall, dili man kina-hanglan. Division of labor raman ni,” Rama said.

He said the comprehensive drainage master plan will be of no cost to the city.

Tungod sa kadako sa ilang developments, nganong dili man nato i-incorporate sa ilang developments? Nga kun buot hunahunaon, mura naman na’g ilahang lugar. With that, kun mabaha sila, kinsa man ang maproblema? They will be more concerned in having that drainage addressed,” Rama said.

The working group will be headed by FLI Vice President/ Area Manager Allan Alfon and SRP Management Office Manager Roberto Varquez.

Rama said SRP Management Office will be used for the group’s meetings.

In a separate interview, Alfon said, “I think that is the best direction because if the three of us are there, then one cannot put up a master plan without involving the others kay mag-interconnect man na siya.”

For now, Alfon said the companies will employ palliative solutions pumping the rainwater off the area and constructing a temporary drainage system should flooding occur again soon.

The group will meet on Monday to identify the permanent engineering solutions to the problem. —Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/JMO


Cop summit highlights need for more personnel, equipment

By Daryl T. Jabil

HOW can a police station in Cebu City respond to a call for assistance on time if it lacks personnel and remains ill-equipped?

This was the question raised by Tinago Barangay Captain Joel Garganera to business owners, government officials, journalists, cops and other individuals who attended the Cebu City Police Advisory Council (CPAC) summit yesterday afternoon.

“Mangutana dayon ta sa pulis unsa’y problema, mahibaw-an ra ninyo nga di sila karesponde kay usa ra’y sakyanan (If we ask the police why they could not respond quickly, we’ll know that they lack patrol cars),” said Garganera.

Garganera, CPAC head, cited for example the Police Station 8 in Barangay Talamban, which has 17 barangays under its jurisdiction but only has two service vehicles.

Garganera said that most of the police stations also do not have enough personnel to serve the public. Ratio

While the ideal ratio for a police station is to have one police officer per 500 individuals, Police Station 7 in Barangay Poblacion Pardo works in a ratio of one is to 3,000.

Chief Insp. Jose Gesto, officer-in-charge of the Waterfront Police Station, said his station is manned by only 64 police officers who are divided into three shifting schedules.

Garganera said that Gesto’s police station is one of the busiest, with some known churches, pier, malls and schools under its jurisdiction.

By day, Garganera said, Waterfront Police Station’s jurisdiction reaches a population of almost 300,000.

To help solve this problem, Garganera urged the community to get involved. He said that joining an advisory council in one’s nearest police station can help.

Senior Insp. Keith Allen Andaya, who was in the summit, said that each police station is required to have an advisory council composed of at least 10 people from the sectors of governance, business, mass media, academe, religious and other civil societies.

He said that the council will then “advise and assist the police in identifying key priorities and strategic issues and provide insights in aligning policies, plans and programs.”

Garganera, in a speech, said he hopes that the police force will also benefit from the P16 billion the City Government will earn from the sales of a portion of the South Road Properties. The City Government earlier received some P1.6 billion as initial payment from the transaction.

“There’s a needed budgetary requirement for enforcement and to equip all of us in making the city a better place to live in,” said Garganera.

City Council backs sign language bill

By May B. Miasco / ATO (The Freeman) 12:00 am

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City Council has supported the call of the city’s deaf community to institutionalize the Filipino sign language as the country’s National Sign Language.

The deaf community is hoping the use of the Filipino sign language as the medium of communication in all transactions involving the deaf and the language of instruction for deaf education.

During their weekly session yesterday, the council members signed a position paper supporting the passage of a bill institutionalizing the rights of the hearing-impaired individuals across the country.

In his privilege speech, City Councilor Alvin Dizon stressed on the position paper of the Cebu Association of the Deaf (CAD), a non-profit organization of the deaf people in Cebu, that envisions for a “unified, educated and respected deaf community in a hearing society.”

Attended by the members of CAD, Dizon’s speech was translated to sign language by CAD President Janice Aparri.

“We stand by the Filipino Sign Language Act and your support to pass the bill into law will solidify our country’s commitment to diversity, equality, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability,” said Dizon, reading the position paper on behalf of CAD. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

House Bill 450, also known as “The Filipino Sign Language Act of 2012,” was filed by Alliance of Concerned Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio.

The proposed bill, when approved, will declare the Filipino sign language as the National Sign Language of the deaf. It will also become the official language of government in all transactions involving the deaf in schools, broadcast media and workplaces.

Members of the city’s deaf community wanted to affirm for a legal recognition on their fundamental human right to language, culture, participation and self-determination for all deaf citizens in the country.

“We declare that the Filipino deaf community has the right to full and effective participation and should be included in the consultation and decision-making processes regarding sign language policies and programs especially on all matters involving the deaf,” said Dizon.

“We ask the State through the Department of Education, while it has already prescribed in their Special Education policies, that Filipino Sign Language shall be the medium of instruction for deaf learners [and] this policy has yet to be carried out,” he added.

Dizon said the deaf community is calling for the government to push for barrier-free national policies that address the communication needs of the deaf people such as the establishment of a nationally mandated and coordinated sign language interpreting system.

He said every person deserves human rights regardless of sex, nationality, ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status such as disability of hearing difficulty.

“Our deaf brothers and sisters have to be fully protected against lack of recognition, acceptance and participation. Sign language is at the core of the full enjoyment of human rights for deaf people because this makes accessibility possible and accessibility guarantees participation in the affairs of society,” he said.

Tension brews anew over building space

By May B. Miasco/JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Tension has brewed yet again between the Cebu City Medical Center and the regional office of the Bureau of Fire Protection.

BFP-7 wants to take back and utilize the rooms on its building’s second floor, which it lent the hospital, but CCMC insists the hospital will not pull out until they can discuss the matter formally with BFP 7.

“The city government maintains that we are still utilizing the space at the second floor. We already had talks with our city administrator (Dr. Lucille Mercado) and also the mayor (Michael Rama),”siad CCMC Medical Director for Administration Atty. Rey Cris Panugaling.

“We already had talks (with BFP). We already had negotiations… it just happened that last week, we were supposed to visit the regional director, however, she was out of Cebu for an official function in (Metro) Manila so our secretary is now having (a schedule) for our next appointment in order to sit down again for the matter,” Panugaling added.

BFP-7 has sent CCMC two demand letters to return the rooms but the hospital administration has reportedly not responded.

“Wala pa, so far, mi nakadawat og tubag gikan sa administration sa CCMC kon unsa gyuy ilahang tubag sa amoang pagpangayog balik sa espasyo nga among gipahulam sa ilaha,” said Senior Insp. Ethel Margaha, public information officer of BFP-7

The hospital started occupying the rooms at the BFP 7 building after its original structure was destroyed when it was damaged severely by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 2013.

First conflict

On November 8, 2013, a standoff ensued when Mayor Michael Rama sent a demolition team to the BFP-7 building purposely for the fire personnel to vacate the building to give way to CCMC personnel.

The fire department stood firm, saying the building is theirs, after all.

Margaha said they remain in their position to take the rooms back since they “want to be fully operational.”

“Karon magpabilin ming mobarog sa among stand nga among kuhaon. So [written response] nalang among gipaabot og unsay tubag through [a written response] kay formal ming nagpadala nila'gsulat,” Margaha said.

In a letter dated April 14, BFP-7 Director, Senior Supt. Erlinda Tobias, informed hospital chief Dr. Gloria Duterte of BFP 7’s intent to utilize the rooms.

Tobias also disclosed in the letter that they are spending P10,000 monthly for the rental of an extension office for their Logistics and Suppy Accountable and Property Divisions.

A second letter was sent on June 15 to remind Panugaling of BFP’s intent.

Tobias also sent a letter to Governor HilarioDavide III requesting for a lot donation for the BFP-7.

“Daghan na ang naapektuhan sa amoa.Wala pa among responders, mangita pa og lugar,” said Margaha.

“Walay tubag sa sulat nga among gipadala. Wala say, so far, meeting nga nahitabo nga among gipaabot lang tungod kay naa man silay gisulti nga nga moanhi sila sa amoa makigestorya,” Margaha said.

Panugaling remains optimistic the issue can be resolved.

“I believe that would be handled very well by the city government and Bureau of Fire Protection,” he said.

Cebu City gov't to train cops as responders in calamities

(PNA), SCS/EB/SSC

CEBU CITY, July 6 (PNA) -- The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) will give city police personnel training on disaster response.

The move to train police personnel of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is in response to a letter of CCPO Acting Chief Marciano Batiancela Jr. to CCDRRMC.

In his letter, Batiancela asked the CCDRRMC to help prepare the city’s police force in responding to calamities, now that the rainy season is here.

Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak said 14 police units, including 11 police stations of CCPO, will join the training.

“Each police station will have its own emergency responders. We in the disaster council are happy that there are initiatives like this because the police can help the city since they will be the first responders,” Tumulak, who presides over CCDRRMC, said.

The station commanders will determine the number of personnel to be sent to the training.

Personnel from CCDRRMO who already completed different disaster response trainings will teach and train the police.

Within the five-day training, the police are expected to learn the different aspects of disaster response, such as basic life support, basic water search and rescue operation, rescue operation on a collapsed building, traffic management and how the incident command system runs.

The training will start next week in an open space in the South Road Properties (SRP).

An audit on disaster preparedness by CCPO last May found out that CCPO is ill-equipped and unprepared to respond to calamities, like flooding.

CCPO lacks rubber boats, life jackets and trained personnel for rescue operations.

The CCPO only has so far only 60 trained police operatives for search-and-rescue operations.

Tumulak said the city can give CCPO disaster equipment after the training.

Barangays to get P1 million each in rescue gear

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, BRP (The Freeman) 12:00 am

CEBU, Philippines - Each of the 80 barangays of Cebu City will get P1 million worth of disaster response and rescue equipment as part of the disaster preparedness program of the city government.

“I’m requesting all barangays to submit sa ilang barangay council resolution stipulating the list of equipment or rescue tools amounting to P1 million within this month kay daghan pa og processes,” said City Councilor David Tumulak, also chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Tumulak said the P80 million will be charged against the lump sum appropriation for Capital Outlay 2015.

He said that this for the disaster response and rescue/calamity-related equipment for all 80 barangays in the City.

“P1 million per barangay to support the barangay disaster risk reduction fund, each barangay naa may P1 million disaster fund pero dapat mo-follow ta sa dapat ma-purchase nga equipment under sa memorandum circular 2012-73,” he said.

Tumulak is referring to Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Memorandum Circular 2012-73 dated April 17, 2012 with the subject, “utilization of local disaster risk reduction and management fund.”

“Pero dapat, ang atong mga barangay mo-request sa mga equipment nga kailangan nila. Kon bahaon ilang lugar, mo-request sila og equipment for flooding preparedness or for rescue operations,” he said.

Under the memorandum, flooding equipment that can be purchased are rubber boats, life vests, rescue whistles, megaphones with siren, floodlights, rain gauges, breathing apparatus, portable generator set, illuminated jackets, warning bells, and life buoys, among others.

Earthquake rescue equipment included forklifts, graders, hacksaws, backhoes, chisels, electric drills, chainsaws, concrete cutters, jackhammers, shovels, and crowbars and full-body harnesses, among others.

Landslide rescue equipment included dump trucks, graders, backhoes, hi-powered flashlights, emergency lights, foldable stretchers, and forklifts, among others. Tumulak said he will furnish all barangays with the DILG memorandum for their guidance.

As of press time, he said only Barangay Punta Princesa has submitted its barangay council resolution with the list of the equipment that they ought to have.

“As long as they will submit sa ilang barangay council resolution stipulating the list of equipment nga ilang kinahanglan, once ma-submit na sila, atong i-submit sa CCDC (Cebu City Development Council) and paabot lang ta sa other barangays,” he said, adding that it would be a “big loss” for the barangays if they will not submit the document.

Elderly, PWDs to get cash aid next week

By Razel V. Cuizon

FOR more than two hours, Pomposa Tago listened to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama deliver his State of the City Address yesterday at the Plaza Independencia.

Her concentration was only interrupted when she opened her umbrella to shield herself from the slight drizzle.

Toward the end of the speech, the 80-year-old suddenly jumped and clapped her hands.

“Salamat intawn (Thank you very much),” she said.

Tago was referring to Rama’s announcement that the City Government will again distribute the next tranche of financial assistance to all qualified senior citizens on Wednesday.

“I’m very happy because I can again receive financial assistance,” she told Sun.Star Cebu in Cebuano.

Tago said she has been receiving the cash aid since the City started the distribution during the time of former mayor Tomas Osmeña.

“Die-hard nga supporter gyud ko ni Mayor Rama kay di mi niya pasagdan mga tiguwang (I’m a die-hard support of Rama because he takes care of the elderly),” she said.

Tago said she uses her financial assistance to buy medicines and food.

Tago is from Barangay Luz.

Romuer Araneta was also happy with Rama’s announcements.

“I thought the elderly were the only ones getting cash aid, but it turned out we will also be getting ours,” said the 42-year-old person with disability (PWD) from Barangay Tinago.

He had escorted the mayor when the latter made his entrance.

The PWDs will get their cash aid on Tuesday.

Rama also announced that the City will distribute the honorarium of barangay officials on Thursday.

He said he will raise the amount next year.

“The extra money will be a great help since a lot of our constituents approach us for financial help,” said Sudlon 1 Barangay Captain Dante Tabucal.

Rama will also raise the honorarium of all barangay workers, such as barangay environment officers, next year.

DPWH SEEKS CITY’S HELP ON SIDEWALK CLEARING

By Joana Belsonda, Jose Santino S. Bunachita

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-7) has sought the help of the Cebu City government in clearing illegal structures along the sidewalk of the streets that are covered in its widening projects.

City Administrator Dr. Lucelle Mercado said representatives of the DPWH will talk to the vendors tomorrow to inform them of the impending clearing operations.

Meanwhile, the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 is asking for Mayor Michael Rama’s support for several road improvement projects within the city.

These include 12 road widening projects and 12 flaring of intersections within the city which were identified as priority projects by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which recently completed its Roadmap Study for Sustainable Urban Development in Metro Cebu.

Sought for comment on the request yesterday, Rama said the RDC shouldn’t ask outright ask for his concurrence without proper discussion.

Rama added that among the concerns that should be discussed are the scheduling of the projects, its effect on the traffic in the city and the timing of its implementation whether it would be during the summer or the rainy season or if it’s done during classes or vacation.

Cebu City urged to protect sharks

By Melissa Q. Cabahug, Michelle Joy L. Padayhag

THE CEBU city government was urged to strengthen enforcement of the ban on illegal trade of marine species.

While Cebu province has an ordinance banning the catching and trading of all species of sharks and rays, sale of these continues in the Pasil fish market.

Vince Cinches, oceans campaigner of Greenpeace, said they found various species displayed in the Pasil fish market. They include shovelnose ray, blue spotted fantail ray, whitespotted bamboo shark, whitespotted eagle ray, honeycomb whip ray, whitespotted guitar fish, shark ray, fevil ray and juvenile yellow tuna.

Some of these are classified as “threatened” by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

“There should be a strong lookout and monitoring here (Cebu City). We need to protect sharks because it will provide food security. Fish catch in Central Visayas has been affected because of the imbalance of the ecosystem,” he said during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza.

Shark meat is being sold in Pasil at P30 to P60 per kilo. The meat is used in making tempura and fish balls and seafood tempura.

“We’d like to push the Cebu city government to come up with a similar ordinance and ensure proper monitoring since the presence of these sharks in Pasil is alarming. With Cebu City’s support, we can make the entire Cebu island shark-friendly,” Cinches said.

He lauded the decision of some Cebu City restaurants to remove shark fin soups from their menu.

“We also want to strengthen the (shark) ordinances and use some of the provisions referred to in Republic Act 10654 that penalizes illegal fishers at P5 million while their equipment and fishing boats will be confiscated,” he added.

READ: Sharks sold in Dalaguete market

Cebu 4th District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, who chairs the committee on fisheries, expressed his support.

He said shark protection could help boost tourism in Cebu and the rest of the country.

“Most of the tourists are coming from Europe. The only reason they go to Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan is that they want to see thresher sharks,” Salimbangon said.

Cebu Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force official admitted there is a gap in enforcement of the provincial ordinance.

During the Shark and Manta Ray Ordinance Implementation Planning Workshop yesterday, Czareem Joseph Estella head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office said all market administrators must be aware of the ordinance.

“They will be held liable if there are sharks sold in the market they handle,” Estella said.

Last Sunday, shark carcass was sold in the public market of Dalaguete town in southern Cebu. However, Sr. Insp. Joseph Berondo said they could not file a case against the vendor because they could not identify the shark species.

“We cannot file a case against the vendor because we don’t know the species yet. We cannot file two charges against (vendor) for violating the national law and the provincial ordinance for humanitarian reason,” Berondo said.

Cebu City’s proposed PHP250M first supplemental budget to cover 5,000 workers’ bonus

(PNA), FFC/RCK/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, July 1 (PNA) -- The Cebu City government’s proposed PHP250-million first supplemental budget (SB1) for this year will cover the productivity bonus for the city’s 5,000 employees.

Cebu City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said the city will give a bonus equivalent to a one-month salary to each employee.

Cuevas said the PHP250-million SB1 will include PHP78 million for the one-month productivity enhancement incentive (PEI) of the employees while PHP50 million will be used for asphalting.

Cuevas said SB 1 will also include the payment of the city's obligations in the past years.

Cuevas said they can use part of the PHP1.6 billion bid security generated during the bidding Tuesday of a total of 45.2 hectares of lots at the city-owned South Road Properties (SRP) for SB1.

The PHP1.6 billion is the bid security equivalent to 10 percent of the lot's total bid price.

Cuevas said the SRP lots fetched a total of PHP16.76 billion, exceeding the city’s expected sale of PHP9.15 billion for the lots.

Cuevas said the city is also expected to earn another PHP8.383 billion because the winning bidders are required to make a 50-percent downpayment immediately after the award of the contract.

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