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Cebu City News July 2016

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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

Co-working spaces gain popularity

By Katlene O. Cacho

A GROUP of Japanese web developers has opened its first co-working space in Cebu City.

Located at the second floor of Arinda V. Paras Building on Don Gil Garcia St., iioffice offers office services that startups and entrepreneurs can rent for a flexible period.

iioffice founder Seito Horiguchi said the opening of co-working spaces across the world is driven by the rise of startups, the greater number of millennials in the work force, and the trend toward self-employment.

Horiguchi is also the president, a front-end developer, and coding trainer at LIG Philippines Inc., He has worked for three years in LIG Japan and has earned the “Design Awards Asia DOTD” and won Startup Weekend Bohol in 2015-2016. LIG is a web-development company based in Japan.

LIG Philippines Inc. leases the second level of the building. Knowing that the space is too huge for their small operation, the team decided to open it as a co-working space, hence, the birth of iioffice.

“Co-working spaces are part of the information and communications technology (ICT) revolution which has transformed the way work and business are done. iioffice makes Cebu a part of this global trend,” said Horiguchi.

“A co-working space is a flexible space where entrepreneurs and startups can work together in a common and a shared environment. What we offer is not just a place to work but a sense of community. iioffice is a space where people exchange information, and collaborate with each other for their projects,” he added.

Since its opening early this month, iioffice has hosted various events, including the HTML Cebu series of talk meetups for web developers.

ts facilities include a large kitchen, bar counters, refrigerators, conference rooms, focusing rooms, printer, high-speed Internet service, landline phones and flowing coffee.

Monthly membership at iioffice is at P5,000 inclusive of WiFi, refreshments, unlimited visits, and unlimited room usage. Drop-ins are at P500 per day with free WiFi and refreshments.

Ten individuals have already signed up for iioffice membership. The 230-square-meter facility can accommodate up to 60 seats. The office is open from 9 a.m to 7 p.m during weekdays.

At present, Cebu has two privately-run co-working spaces— one located in Cebu IT Park and one in Crossroads, Banilad. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has also set up a co-working space in the University of the Philippines-Cebu.

Ashley Uy, a tech startup advocate, said iioffice is a welcome development to Cebu’s growing startup community. She said co-working spaces are a better alternative for startups who can’t afford to open their own offices, or function halls for meetings or other activities.

“Startups can have an affordable working space and they can share information with other startups, learn from each other or even collaborate,” said Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information and Technology managing director Wilfredo Sa-a Jr.

City Hall hires garbage loaders as casual employees

By Razel V. Cuizon

FROM only job-order workers in the past, garbage loaders in the 80 barangays in Cebu City are now casual employees of the Cebu City Government.

They formed part of the 500 newly hired at City Hall, said lawyer Marie Velle Abella, head of the Human Resource Department Office (HRDO).

Abella said Mayor Tomas Osmeña has decided to promote them as casual employees under the Department of Public Services (DPS).

“This was to help them and give them a chance because for how many years they have been serving the barangays,” Abella said.

On the other hand, the barangays will get another set of loaders that will manage their garbage collection.

As planned by the mayor, part-timers from families with no breadwinner will be prioritized in the hiring of garbage haulers instead of hiring full-time employees.

This way, more people will have the chance to earn and provide for their families, Osmeña said.

As this developed, Abella said they also received more than 20,000 applications from city residents who want to join the City Government after Osmeña became mayor.

However, Abella said she is not certain yet as to how many will be hired because the mayor wanted to know first how many are needed.

Bloated

In his previous news conference, Osmeña pointed out that the City will not be hiring new workers for the sake of giving jobs to those who applied and endorsed by his allies.

Osmeña wants to reduce the City’s payroll because it very “bloated.”

The mayor did not renew the contracts of 1,000 of the 5,000 employees in the previous administration, said Abella.

Some of those who got the renewal of their contracts were given another two months to prove that they are needed for their positions.

The two-month renewal period will end on Aug. 31.

Cebuana Olympic-bound Tabal on final week of training in Japan

(PNA), LAP/EB/MP/PJN

CEBU CITY, July 29 (PNA) -- Olympic-bound Mary Joy Tabal is on the final week of training in Japan and is looking physically and mentally ready for the 2016 Rio Olympics, which opens on August 5 in Brazil.

Tabal’s Japanese coach Akio Usami, who’s an Olympian, said Tabal is now ready for the Summer Games, based on her performance on the past five weeks in Japan.

“I just need to finish this week's training here in Japan. And after that I will now focus on the conditioning,” said Tabal, who will leave Japan for Brazil on August 2.

The 27-year-old Tabal will get the needed reinforcement in Olympics, as her long-time coach John Philip Dueñas is going to Brazil to accompany and guide her on the conditioning.

But Dueñas is not part of the Philippine delegation and will be there as a personal coach of Tabal.

The national team for athletics has a designated coach for the event.

Dueñas’ trip is funded by Motor Ace-Kawasaki Team.

“I was relieved when Motor Ace-Kawasaki decided to send him because it is a lot different when there is someone who already knows me as an athlete for a long time. The concerns for marathon are different from the concerns of other track and field events,” Tabal said.

Dueñas will be going to Brazil after the Ironman Asia-Pacific 70.3 Championships on Aug. 7 in Cebu.

Usami said the main concern for Tabal is the time difference in Brazil. She will have around two weeks to adjust before the women’s marathon takes place on Aug. 14.

Usami also instructed Tabal to listen to her body during the run to prevent injuries.

“He (Usami) told me to listen to my body because I have been training so hard and have been exerting too much on my training,” said Tabal.

“He also shared with me about his experiences in joining huge races like this and how important is the conditioning for the athlete,” she said.

Tabal has been training at Nippon Sports Science University in the City of Yokohama since last month after she qualified to the Olympics.

Tabal clocked 2 hours 43 minutes and 31 seconds in the qualifying race, the ScotiaBank Ottawa Marathon in Canada.

She’s the first Filipina marathoner to make it to the Olympics and will be the first Olympian from Cebu after 20 years.

Responders show off skills in Central Visayas Rescue Olympics

By Tashuana Alemania (OCD-Central Visayas)

THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Central Visayas Region sponsored the staging of a Regional Rescue Olympics for various disaster response teams within the region on July 25 to 26 in Cebu City.

Five rescue teams were put to the test in competing in various activities that aimed to check how well they can respond to incidents and emergencies.

Among the competing teams were the University of San Carlos Emergency Response Team, Liloan Public Safety and Emergency Management Office, Regional Public Safety Battalion, Abellana National School, and Siquijor Provincial Rescue Team.

Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Red Cross, and Bureau of Fire Protection judged the teams based on their teamwork, response skills and the use of different disaster tools and equipment as they hurdled various obstacles and activities including firefighting, water rescue, high angle rescue, medical rescue, among others.

This is the second Regional Rescue Olympics being sponsored by OCD-Central Visayas.

This initiative is in line with the observance of the 2016 National Disaster Consciousness Month with theme "Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa."

The Regional Rescue Olympics winners will be announced during the NDCM culmination activity on July 29, 2016 at Quest Hotel, Cebu City.

Cebu LandMasters set to raise P4b from IPO

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Cebu LandMasters Inc., a real estate development company based in Cebu, plans to conduct an initial public offering to raise up to P4 billion in fresh capital, banking sources said Wednesday.

Sources said Cebu LandMasters tapped BDO Capital and Investments Corp., the investment banking unit of BDO Unibank Inc., as financial adviser and underwriter for the maiden share sale.

“The size of the IPO could range between P3 billion and P4 billion,” sources said.

The company, which is primarily engaged in the development of residential, commercial, hospitality, mixed-use and civic projects, plans to file the IPO application with the Securities and Exchange Commission within the year, sources said. The IPO could happen either late this year or early 2017, they said.

Sources said the fund raising activity would be purely for local investors, given the domestic market’s strong appetite for IPOs, following the successful listings of Golden Haven Memorial Parks Inc. and Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc.

Cebu LandMasters’ planned IPO would follow the successful public offering of another Cebu-based firm, Metro Retail Stores Group Inc.

Cebu LandMasters was founded in 2003 by Cebuano entrepreneur Jose Soberano III, whose motivation was to provide for the housing needs of his employees and the middle-income earners of other small-medium companies.

From its first residential subdivision San Josemaria Village in Balamban, the company ventured into condominium projects and office and hospitality projects.

The company launched its first mixed-use development called Base Line Center last year.

Phase one of the development includes the 180-room Citadines Cebu City, which will be managed by Ascott Limited, the world’s largest serviced residence operator. It will also include an upscale condo, prime office spaces and retail spaces.

The company also expanded to Cagayan de Oro City, where it launched a three-tower residential condo complex called MesaVerte Residences.

Philippine Stock Exchange president Hans Sicat earlier said several companies planned to conduct IPOs in the second half, given the upward trend in the market and increased volume of trading at the stock exchange.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., a unit of Royal Dutch Shell Plc., on Monday filed an IPO application with SEC that will enable it to raise up to P29.7 billion in proceeds.

SM Seaside City Cebu recognized in ULI Philippines awards

(PR)

SM Prime’s SM Seaside City Cebu was recognized by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philippines Building Healthy Places Awards in the Commercial-Retail category last July 14.

ULI Philippines’ Building Healthy Places Awards recognizes outstanding and innovative projects that add value to the community, promote healthy life choices, and enhance the environment.

The entries were evaluated based on ULI’s 10 principles for building healthy places: putting people first; empowering champions for health; energizing shared spaces; making healthy choices easy; ensuring equitable access; mixing it up; embracing unique character; promoting access to healthy food; making it active; and recognizing the economic value.

SM Seaside City Cebu is the center of a future 30-hectare mixed-use master plan that will hold office, residential, and hospitality components. It provides not only convenient retail, food and beverage outlets, services, and leisure activities, but also public transport access, outdoor roof gardens, and a green inner courtyard in which social and communal activities can take place.

The mall holds outlets for several physical and leisure activities, such as fitness centers, bowling lanes and ice-skating. It also contains medical clinics, health-food outlets, drug stores and spas. Outdoor playgrounds and water playgrounds in the roof garden provide physical outlets for kids, while a perimeter jogging path allows visitors, workers, and residents to stay fit. Aside from the mall’s content, its architecture aims to promote human interaction in the mall, which is considered critical to its success. SM Seaside City Cebu is not just a place to shop; it is designed to be the social hub of the local community, and the architecture aims to reflect this role, with its grand entrances, central courtyard, and sweeping gardens.

SM Seaside City Cebu also adopts various environmental measures, such as district cooling, rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling, and solar power farms.

Protection against storm surges is provided by elevating the site approximately 7.5 meters above mean sea level, allowing the mall to be a refuge in times of flooding. The roof gardens provide heat insulation, while the interiors are flooded with daylight through extensive skylights and window walls, saving on energy consumption while creating a natural, relaxed environment.

In addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle through world-class offerings of the state-of-the-art and environmentally sustainable mall, the ULI Philippines Building Healthy Places award confirms that SM Seaside City Cebu is certainly “A mall above all”.

DTCC shines in DSCPI tilt

By Rabboni Centino Borbon

THE DANCESPORTS Team Cebu City (DTCC) has once again lived up to their powerhouse reputation after finishing strong in the DanceSport Council of the Philippines Inc. (DSCPI) Mid-Year Ranking and Competition last Saturday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

DTCC raked in a total of nine gold medals, 12 silvers and six bronzes in the tournament.

Winning big for the Cebuanos was Eleanor Hayco, who paired up with Jimmy Noel to bag a gold in the senior Latin A dance.

Hayco then joined forces with Bjorn Torres in the senior standard A routine to win another gold for DTCC.

The pair of Jake Emmanuel Corro and Andrea Kiem Capangpangan also won first place in the junior Latin A division while the winner in the junior standard A event was Gylle Niño Diluvio and Julia Branzuela.

In the junior C standard, Simon Asuque and Rylyn Jhea Romeo brought home top honors. Crispin Sato Jr. and Yedda Marie Castañares bagged the coveted gilt in the youth standard C category.

Jeffrey Ruben Benaoro and Therese Andre Quilaton also collared a gold medal in the grade Latin B jig.

DOST 7 to mark S&T Week

(Sun.Star Cebu)

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 will hold the “National Science and Technology Week (NSTW)” to enhance the public awareness of the need to develop the people’s innovative capacities as means to achieve progress.

This year’s celebration carries the theme, “Juan Science, One Nation.”

A series of activities has been scheduled from July 27 to 29 in Cebu City, which is open to the public to participate.

The activities include science and technology exhibits; packaging forum and technical session; research ethics forum; and launching of the DOST One Services (One Store, One Lab and One Expert) at the atrium of Robinson’s Galleria Cebu at the North Reclamation Area.

The Food Innovation Center services, on the hand, will be launched at the Cebu Institute of Technology University.

There will be an awarding of this year’s best provincial small enterprise technology upgrading program adoptors and DOST 7 private sector partners.

The awardees are successful program beneficiaries who adopt and use technological innovations in their businesses and industries with the assistance of the DOST 7.

Cesafi holds Basic Life Support seminar for coaches and athletes

(PNA), RMA/EB/MP/RSM

CEBU CITY, July 23 (PNA) -- The Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) on Saturday held a seminar-workshop on Basic Life Support (BLS) at the Cebu Coliseum as a precautionary measure for coaches and athletes.

The seminar, which is dubbed “Save a Life, Learn CPR,” was aimed to train Cesafi coaches and athletes on valuing life and the importance of learning CPR or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and how to do it precisely.

Volunteer doctors of the Philippine Hearts Association (PHA)-Cebu Chapter and crew conducted the seminar for free.

The seminar was deemed mandatory for all coaches and players of Cesafi basketball, football and volleyball players in both high school and college teams.

The seminar was organized by Cesafi chief physician Dr. Rhoel Dejaño, Dr. Francisco Chio and Dr. Brett Batoctoy, president and past president, respectively, of the Philippine Heart Association-Cebu Chapter.

“We recognize the importance of saving lives and are very thankful to the Philippine Heart Association-Cebu Chapter for this partnership,” Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy said in a press statement.

Cesafi is the only league in the country to require its players to submit an electrocardiogram (ECG) test results and now a BLS seminar, which Dr. Dejaño stressed that participants need to pass in the practical exam.

Dejaño said the seminar Saturday was just the first batch of a series of BLS seminars that would be held within this month.

Cesafi had formulated this policy following the death of JRU High school player CJ Servillon last year and PBA player Gilbert Bulawan early this month.

Three areas in Cebu City to soon have potable, affordable water

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon (The Freeman) 12:00 am

CEBU, Philippines - The Metropolitan Cebu Water District will soon provide potable and affordable water to at least 1,300 residents in three areas in Cebu City that it was not serving.

MCWD and Vitens Evides International, a joint venture of two big water companies in the Netherlands, will spend P15.8 million for the expansion projects in Lower Greyhound in Barangay Kinasang-an, at Jansen in Barangay Basak-San Nicolas and in Villa Pacita in Barangay Inayawan.

MCWD in a statement said that the contractor of the Lower Greyhound project was already given a notice to proceed on July 13 and is expected to complete the project on November 12.

The contractor of the Jansen project was given a notice to proceed on June 1 and is targeting to complete the project on September 28.

The contractor of the Villa Pacita project , on the other hand, targets to finish by November 2 after receiving the notice to proceed last June 6.

The three expansion projects will have a total of 1,030 linear meters of 150mm-diameter pipes to be laid in these three areas, MCWD added.

The agency said that residents (a family of four) in these areas normally pay P300 in electric bill for their deep well pump and another P300 for the bottled water which they use for drinking. A family of four will only consume not more than 10 cubic meters of water a month, it said.

MCWD added that it only charged P152 for the first 10 cubic meters of water consumed by residential connections.

Cebu City to give housing materials, financial aid to fire victims

(PNA), LDV/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, July 21 (PNA) -- The Cebu City government will give housing materials and financial aid to victims of the fire which hit Sitio Lower Ponce, Barangay Capitol Site Tuesday night, an official said.

The fire razed down 70 houses and damaged 12 others.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chief Nagiel Bañaca said the city will be releasing within the week the housing materials to the fire victims.

The financial assistance of Php10,000 for those whose houses were destroyed and Php5,000 for those damaged, will be released once the barangay and the Cebu City Council will already declare the fire site under a state of calamity.

Bañaca said the area razed by fire in Capitol Site will not be re-blocked because the lots are privately owned.

However, he said the City will just have to clearly establish the roads there.

He said firefighters have complained of having difficulty in penetrating the fire scene because it is located 70 meters from the main road.

Bañaca said firemen connected seven to eight firehoses to reach the fire scene.

The fire victims, who have taken temporary shelter at thebarangays’ covered basketball court, have been given food aid by the Department of Social Welfare and Services.

Run for Your Future organizers eye bigger leg in Cebu on July 31

(PNA), SCS/EB/MP/EBP

CEBU CITY, July 20 (PNA) -- Organizers of the Run for Your Future, which had its inaugural leg in Davao City on Sunday, are looking forward for a much bigger Cebu leg on July 31 at the Cebu Business Park.

The run is aiming to draw around 1,000 participants in Cebu.

The race in Cebu will be for the benefit of the World Vision Foundation.

The Davao leg last Sunday and the Manila leg on Aug. 28 have different beneficiaries.

The organizers are inviting runners, running enthusiasts and running clubs in Cebu to join the race, which has four categories — men’s and women’s 16-kilometer, 10K, 5K and 3K.

A timing chip will be used for the 16K and 10K runners.

All the finishers in the 16K and 10K will each receive a shirt and medal. Cash prizes are also at stake for the top runners.

Registration fee is PHP850 for the 16K, PHP750 for the 10K, PHP650 for the 5K and PHP550 for the 3K inclusive of race singlet, drawstring lootbag, bib and finishers’ medal and shirt of the 16K and 10K.

Registration is now ongoing at the Runner Store in Ayala Center Cebu, Chris Sports in SM City Cebu and the Cebu City Sports Commission office.

Shell Visayas chess listup ongoing

(PNA), LDV/EB/PR/EDS

The chase for berths in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship grand finals shifts to Cebu next week when the Visayas stop of the five-leg regional circuit is staged July 23 to 24 at SM City Cebu, Cebu City.

Coming off a successful staging of its first two legs in NCR and Southern Luzon, organizers of the country’s longest-running talent-search brace for another huge field with maximum entries of 300 expected in each of the three divisions, including the battle for the female berths in each side.

Visayas has been one of the biggest sources of chess talents in the country with the region boasting of a number of masters and upcoming stars, thus guaranteeing a banner cast in the kiddies, juniors and seniors categories of the event sponsored by Pilipinas Shell.

The kiddies division will feature players from 7 to 12 years old (born between 2004-2009) while the juniors category is open to players 13 to 16 years old (born between 2000-2003. The seniors category, introduced last year to widen the base of the talent-search, is for players 17 to 20 years old (born between 1996-1999).

1st Cebu semiconductor, electronics convention and exhibition set on July 28-29

(PNA), LAP/EB/PR/EDS

CEBU CITY, July 18 (PNA) -- The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc.(SEIPI) will stage the 1st Cebu Semiconductor and Electronics Convention and Exhibition (CSECE) 2016 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City on July 28 to 29.

The CSECE will be held in joint partnership with Cebu Mitsumi Inc. and Teradyne Philippines Ltd., a press statement said.

The CSECE is the first international exhibition and convention for the Cebu electronics industry.

The exhibition features 38 companies including the leading semiconductor and electronics firms in Cebu such as Knowles, Cebu Mitsumi, Duck-il, Teradyne, and others.

The conventions on the other hand will be attended by industry executives, the academe, government, international delegates and potential investors.

CSECE carries the theme “Showcasing and Preparing Cebu’s Electronics Industry Towards IoT (Internet of Things) Age.”

The plenary sessions, exhibit, technical paper presentations and breakout sessions are expected to convey a consistent message about creating a platform for technological companies to showcase the future that Internet of Things (IoT) hold for both businesses and consumers in Cebu.

PPA-7 celebrates 40th anniversary

By Hazel F. Gloria (rmn/hfg/PIA-7/AGIO-7)

CEBU CITY, 15 July (PIA) – The Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) 7 under the Department of Justice will celebrate its 40th Anniversary on July 18.

Parole and Probation Officer I Rachell Lisondra during the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) Forum invited the public to join the kick-off activity which is a Fun Run on Monday, July 18 at the Cebu City Sports Complex, 5:30 in the morning.

It will be attended by the Cebu City Parole and Probation Offices 1 and 2, Mandaue and Talisay Parole and Probation Offices, and the Regional Office.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Cebu Governor Hilario Davide are also invited to join the activity.

Personnel from BJMP and Criminal Justice System will also participate in the event.

Volunteers who are part of their rehabilitation program will also be there to join the run.

There will be games during the activity and the event is for free.

“The event will just take place inside the Cebu City Sports Complex since there is a City ordinance that nobody is allowed to conduct Fun Run activity during weekdays,” said Lisondra.

City to buy transitory houses, firefighting, rescue equipment

By Flornisa M. Gitgano

THE Mandaue City Government has spent a big chunk of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CDRRM) Plan-budget to buy transitory houses and firefighting and rescue vehicle.

The City allotted P224.19 million for the projects that are included in the CDRRM Plan this year.

According to Resolution 3 of the City Development Council Executive Committee, the plan was prepared by the CDRRM Council.

Of the amount intended for the CDRRM Plan, the purchase of transitory houses got the biggest budget (P99 million).

CDRRM Officer Felix Suico said the transitory houses are intended for fire survivors in Barangays Mantuyong and Guizo who have been staying on the Cebu International Convention Center grounds.

Transfer

“They will move in to the transitory houses while site development is ongoing in the fire-hit area,” Suico said in Cebuano.

Suico said the collapsible transitory houses will be placed a few meters from the Mantuyong Creek.

City Engineer Andres Suson, in a separate interview, said the City is buying five transitory houses.

Each three-story transitory house will have 45 rooms.

The City started the site development last month, after the fire victims who rebuilt their houses heeded the City’s request to voluntarily demolish their structures.

The site development includes clearing, re-blocking, opening of proper roads and the construction of drainage systems.

Backfilling materials were placed in the fire site with the help of contractors like P.B. Obial Construction and Devlarn Ventures and Development Corp., which donated more than 300 trucks of limestone.

The Ayala Land Holdings Inc. had also pledged to donate 500 dump trucks of filling materials to the City, according to the City’s Public Information Office.

Other projects

The City has to backfill about two hectares of land in the fire site.

Suson said they have back-filled almost a hectare so far.

Meanwhile, Suico said the City allotted P55 million to buy a ladder firetruck.

Mandaue has two fire trucks.

The City Government also provided P29.24 million for the procurement of search and rescue equipment like ambulance with accessories, water tanker, hard hats, among others.

Aside from this, other projects in the DRRM Plan include the procurement of disaster-response equipment, communication equipment, water suction pump and financial assistance.

The plan also includes drainage improvement and installation, establishment of early warning systems, conduct of trainings, stockpiling of basic emergency supplies, climate-change adaptation activities and assistance to volunteers.

City’s vendors elect new officers

By Rona Joyce T. Fernandez

AROUND 5,000 members of the Cebu City United Vendors Association (CCUVA) gathered yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center to elect a new president, ending the 18-year term of Maria Pino.

Aside from the election of a new set of officers, CCUVA honorary chairman and Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo Rupinta wants their members to approve a resolution limiting the term of office of elected association presidents to two years.

“Among ideya, og mahimo, one term, two years lang or two terms, four years kay biannual man dinhi. Ang gisundan gud ani, perting dugaya, di gyud papuli. Di man gud mi ganahan ana kay mahimong diktador madugay (Our idea is, if possible, we’ll have one term for two years or two terms good for four years because what we have here is biannual. The predecessor here (Pino), was in the position for too long and she doesn’t want to be replaced. We don’t want a leader who will turn into a dictator in the long run,” he said in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu.

There are 67 sub-organizations under CCUVA in the city, each having its own set of officers.

Pino was ousted for allegedly not performing her official function last June through a resolution and petition signed by 96 officers from CCUVA’s subgroups.

“What happened was, she made another federation. She was ousted because she betrayed CCUVA. Her federation, called Federation of Sidewalk Vendors Cebu City Inc., is even registered already,” Rupinta said in Cebuano.

“I think she also noticed that only very few members attend the meetings she calls. If she does a financial report, there are deficits. What happened was, the president was also the one holding the collections. It was only until we had a caretaker that collections and finances became transparent,” he said.

Pino, in a separate interview, declined to comment on her alleged dictatorship but clarified that she is for having a term limit to give others a chance to lead.

Understanding

She, however, lamented that a consultation would’ve been ideal so that CCUVA members could have a better understanding of the process.

As for her alleged founding of a new vendors’ organization, Pino denied it. She said she could not do that to CCUVA, in whom she “invested sweat, tears and blood.”

“I will never do that. I love CCUVA and my vendors. I’ll just be mum about it and leave everything. I’d rather sell goods,” she said.

Before the feud between them broke, Rupinta and Pino were allies. In 2009, Pino filed Rupinta’s certificate of candidacy in the Commission on Elections office when the latter ran for city councilor as an independent candidate.

Meanwhile, Jose Rabaca and Matt Alolod have been elected as internal and external presidents, respectively.

Cebu City Mayor eyes 10 flyovers and underpasses to fix traffic

(AutoIndustriya)

Cebu infrastructure overhaul estimated to cost Php 7.3 billion

If you feel like Metro Manila’s traffic is bad, trying going down to Cebu on a weekday – its almost as bad.

That has prompted Cebu City Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña to announce plans to pursue the construction of 10 flyovers and 10 underpasses in order to address the growing vehicular traffic problem in the city.

Osmeña estimates the total cost for the construction at Php 7.3 billion, 10 flyovers for Php 3.31 billion and Php 4 billion for 10 underpasses.

The proposal is based on the research done by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and detailed in their Metro Cebu 2015 interim report. It indicated that 20 intersections located on ‘trunk’ roads within the city have become bottlenecks that have caused the traffic jams.

Travel speed of 296 taxis was studied by JICA for several days using GPS devices in order to come up with the report.

The incoming mayor wants these ‘vertical improvements’ to be implemented within his term as the JICA report also said that traffic in Cebu City is expected to increase in the future.

“It is obvious that minor modifications of traffic signal and geometric design will not solve bottlenecks. Results identified traffic congestion on road links and intersections where vehicles can only run at less than 10 kilometers per hour,” the report said.

Rehab center offers discount

By Princess Dawn H. Felicitas and USJ-R Intern Keith John A. Solon

THE Cebu City Government plans to subsidize the in-house rehabilitation of drug users who recently surrendered.

This, after a rehabilitation facility in Minglanilla, Cebu offered to provide discounted treatments.

From P25,000 per month, the Farm Group Facilities (FGF) is willing to charge only P6,000 per month for the regular treatment through the Narcotics Anonymous program that lasts between three and six months.

“We will compete with the government rehabilitation facility in Argao since these surrenderees mostly come from families that cannot afford. We are a private rehabilitation center but with the demand now, we need to help as part of our social responsibility. Also, we know that the facility in Argao is already full and more people are surrendering,” said FGF owner Jimmy Clemente.

P2-million budget

He said their Minglanilla facility can accommodate up to 150 individuals, but they also have another facility in the southern town as well as facilities in Cabancalan, Mandaue City and in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

Clemente said the Cebu City Office of Substance Abuse Program (Cosap) will determine who can avail themselves of the discount.

In a separate interview, Dr. Alice Utlang, Cosap chief, said they will also determine who among the surrenderees need to undergo in-house or stay-in rehabilitation and who can be outpatient clients.

“We will pay for those who need in-house rehabilitation since outpatients don’t have to pay,” she said in Cebuano.

However, Utlang said that out of the more than 100 drug users from Barangays Mabolo, Buhisan and Sambag II who recently surrendered, 75 percent need to undergo in-house rehabilitation.

Utlang said the City has a P2-million approved budget for the program, but the amount is not enough since they expect more drug users to turn themselves in.

She was already asked by Mayor Tomas Osmeña to submit a budget proposal as soon as possible.

An additional appropriation, she said, may be included in a supplemental budget or in the next annual budget yet.

Utlang said the program will cater initially to drug users who have surrendered to the barangay instead of those to the police.

Open forum

In a related development, the Pardo Police Station yesterday conducted an anti-drug seminar for drug users and pushers as part of their reintegration to society.

Some 241 pushers and users have surrendered since July 1, according to Senior Insp. Randy Caballes, chief of the Pardo Police Station.

“It was the first time for the drug dependents to join the seminar. I hope that they will be able to internalize that drugs are dangerous,” Caballes said in Cebuano.

Caballes said surrenderees need to go through the process of profiling before they are oriented on the ill effects of illegal drugs.

Their main discussion was about the harmful effects of drugs to the body and the people surrounding them, including their family.

Seminar speakers include the barangay captain of Bulacao, Poblacion, Cogon, Inayawan, Basak and Kinasang-an and members of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac).

An open forum followed the seminar where issues and concerns were raised, such as what the barangay can provide as diversion to them.

Some of the 100 participants asked if local government units could hire them as cleaners or construction workers.

The Police Station 7 will schedule another seminar after the profiling of all pushers and users who surrender.

Caballes said eight of the 10 personalities in the station’s drugs watch list have been either neutralized or arrested.

PO1 Jude Sansona said they also plan to conduct another seminar on livelihood programs.

Mentor Me Innovation Forum set for July 14

(PR)

AS part of the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Workshop (YEDW), Go Negosyo and the US Embassy in Manila are organizing the Cebu run of the Mentor Me Innovation Forum (MMIF) on July 14, 9 a.m. at the Rudolf Rahmann Cultural Center of the University Of San Carlos, Cebu-South Campus.

The forum is a gathering of innovators and enablers whose expertise will cover major topics such as innovative products or services development, operation processes, and innovative business models.

Some of the speakers who will be attending the event are Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, Kenneth Cobonpue of Interior Crafts of the Islands, Inc. and Paul Rivera of Kalibrr.

Interested applicants are urged to log in to www.tinyurl.com/MMIF-Cebu for more information.

City, agencies meet to discuss funding

By Rona Joyce T. Fernandez

TO learn more of the available funding opportunities it can tap, the Cebu City Government wants to continue strengthening relations with other countries though the Official Development Assistance (ODA) program.

The program, divided into sessions, was attended yesterday by representatives of World Bank and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

Today’s session, on the other hand, will be participated by regional directors of non-government organizations in Central Visayas along with some representatives of national government agencies and the City Government’s department heads.

In an interview, former City Councilor Alvin Dizon said the purpose of the briefing is to ask different ODA agencies about opportunities the city can use.

An example, he said, is the development of the South Road Properties through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).

In 1995, Jica lent the City 12.315 billion yen (P5.69 billion based on yesterday’s exchange rate) to develop the 300-hectare SRP.

For its part, World Bank presented technical assistance for the projects the City Government will implement in the city.

“They’re very interested in call center agents and in our informal settlements program for the urban poor,” Dizon said.

While the World Bank will provide funding for these projects in the long run, he, however, clarified that the programs must first undergo feasibility studies.

He pointed out that the World Bank suggested the provision of security in the homes of the city’s call center agents as they are contributing to its economic growth.

Figures

It was learned that most of the 120,000 call center workers in the city reside in informal settlements in Barangays Barrio Luz, Apas, Kamputhaw and Lahug.

“We want to find out what the City can do to develop the informal settlements. The BPO (business process outsourcing) industry has a huge contribution to the economic benefit of the city,” he said.

He explained that with 100 call center agents with a net pay of P15,000 a month, that amount would benefit the local economy.

Apart from the concerns on BPO workers and the urban poor, Dizon said Neda also gave a brief discussion on the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

He, however, clarified that Neda has yet to deliver the specifics, but the BRT’s implementation will be delayed.

Initially, the BRT was targeted to be operational in 2018.

Route

For his part, Osmeña said that while he explained how the BRT works, he was briefed that the Neda had grouped it into two parts.

The first is a route from the Cebu Provincial Capitol to Talamban while the other one goes from the Cebu Provincial Capitol to SRP.

Asked to choose which of the two should be implemented first, the mayor opted for the second option, saying that the “people are not ready for it (first option).”

Coaching seminar for MSME traders on Friday

By Victor Anthony V. Silva

MORE than 200 entrepreneurs are expected to learn networking and other aspects of entrepreneurship from business owners, business practitioners and experts on different areas of entrepreneurship in an upcoming free mentoring seminar.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu Director Maria Elena Arbon said the “Mentor Me” program, a flagship project of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc.-Go Negosyo, aims to help micro and small entrepreneurs scale up their businesses through mentorship.

“(This can be achieved) through coaching and mentoring of business owners, practitioners, and experts on different areas on entrepreneurship,” she said in a statement.

The Mentor Me seminar, which will be held on July 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Arbon encouraged local government units in the province to send entrepreneur representatives from their areas as MSMEs from within Cebu City will always have access to these kinds of events.

Go Negosyo’s program is in partnership with the DTI, the office of Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, and other institutional partners such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, Inc., said Arbon.

She added that participants will be educated by Go Negosyo’s angelpreneurs (entrepreneurs that help finance other start-up enterprises), experienced entrepreneurs and seasoned business lecturers.

The seminar will discuss entrepreneurial mind-setting, values formation and finance for MSMEs.

Cebu City to outsource collection of garbage

By Razel V. Cuizon

THE Cebu City Government plans to outsource and lease garbage trucks to address the problem of uncollected garbage.

In a press conference yesterday, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the City will initially lease five dump trucks from a private supplier to collect garbage in different parts of the city 24 hours a day, every day.

“We’re going to have a much more manageable situation. We’re reengineering, reinventing government,” he said.

Advantages

After reopening the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill, Osmeña said he discovered many of the garbage trucks have problems that was why he proposed renting dump trucks.

By outsourcing garbage collection, Osmeña said, the City won’t have to hire additional manpower since the winning bidder will provide a driver for the truck. It will also be responsible for the truck’s maintenance and fuel.

The supplier also needs to have trucks on standby in case its vehicles malfunction.

The City, though, will still provide the loaders for each truck.

Although the City has yet to schedule the bidding, the mayor said two firms have shown interest in supplying the trucks.

Wanted: bidders

“We are going to be embarking on a bidding and those who want to participate are welcome to participate. We need more (bidders) to compete with each other,” Osmeña said.

Since the bidding has yet to take place, rent for the trucks was not discussed.

As proposed, the running hours of each truck will be divided among different barangays, particularly those that need the City’s assistance in their collection.

The City will soon take over garbage collection in the barangays, Osmeña said, so they won’t have to blame the former when there are uncollected garbage.

“Many of the barangays who are not identified with us seem to be deliberately slowing down the operation. So they can’t pass the blame on us, we’re slowly taking over the collection of garbage (in their areas),” he said.

Milo Reg’l events at SM Seaside

By Glendale G. Rosal

ALMOST half of the 15 sporting events of the 21st Milo Little Olympics Visayas Regional Finals will be held at the sprawling SM Seaside City.

The multi-sporting event is scheduled on September 8 to 11.

Seven events namely: gymnastics, arnis, taekwondo, karatedo, chess, scrabble and table tennis will be held at SM Seaside City in South Road Properties (SRP).

Visayas delegation head and organizer of the Visayas Regional finals, Ricky Ballesteros yesterday met with SM Seaside City officials such AVP Marketing officers Erickson dela Cruz and Anther Ynfante to formally forge their partnership.

SM Seaside City will also host the event’s press launching and the awarding ceremonies.

The rest of the sporting events like badminton, athletics, basketball, football, lawn tennis, swimming, volleyball and sepak takraw will be held in various venues in Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

The opening ceremonies will be held at the CCSC also.

Ballesteros, tournament managers and officials conducted a general meeting last Thursday as part of the preparation for the coming event.

Last year, the Visayas Regional Finals was held in Ilo-ilo City with Sacred Heart School Ateneo-de Cebu (SHS-AdC) dethroning back-to-back secondary division champions University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors.

USC did not go home empty handed as it retained the elementary division crown.

Uber to tap middle to lower passenger market in Cebu

By Victor Anthony V. Silva

A San Francisco-based online transportation network company is not only looking to change the Cebuano public’s perception about car ownership and lessen traffic, but it is also expanding its market to the middle and lower end sector of the market.

Uber Philippines, which has expanded its services in Cebu in December last year, is targeting more Cebuano riders or passengers by adopting a new cash payment option in Cebu, which is the first city in the Philippines this option is offered.

“We hope the introduction of new payment options, like cash, will give riders more choices to enjoy and pay for their Uber rides,” said Laurence Cua, Uber Philippines general manager.

Uber has been known for its cashless scheme where riders, who usually belong the middle- to high-end market, pay using their credit or debit cards, sparing them from drivers fumbling for change once they arrive at their destinations.

But clamor for other payment options such as cash in recent months was loud, particularly louder in Cebu, said Cua.

EJ dela Vega, Uber Cebu City lead, said the Philippine economy is growing fast but credit card penetration is presently only at 2 percent.

He said the move to add another payment option aims to attract more Uber users in Cebu.

Even before Cebu City, this has already been implemented in cities in India where credit card penetration is also quite low.

Cua also said that alongside the Philippines’ economic growth by at least 6 percent annually in the last six years is the increase in the public’s capacity to buy their own cars.

“(But) the problem is our roads are not getting any bigger. We, at Uber, want to be the alternative. We’re not trying to replace the idea of car ownership, but our aim is to make people rethink about buying a car,” he said in a press conference in Cebu City on Thursday.

Based on data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), there were 681,033 motor vehicles registered in Central Visayas in 2014 with the number projected to grow 4 to 5 percent each year.

Cua said Uber wants to be part of the solution to traffic congestion in the country by giving riders a safe alternative to driving their own vehicles, thereby lessening the number of cars on the road.

Uber is a technology platform that easily connects riders to drivers through a mobile app.

He said that with Uber, one can get from one point to another in a safe and convenient way, free from the hassles of maintaining a car or even parking.

The San Francisco-based Uber launched in the Philippines starting with Metro Manila in February 2015, covering all 16 cities in the area.

In December of the same year, Uber expanded its operations to Cebu.

Cua said that at present, Uber has over 100 partner drivers in Cebu and close to 300 who have applied with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Dela Vega said Uber covers routes in Cebu City, Consolacion in the north to Talisay in the south as well as all of Mactan Island.

Uber has grown to operate in over 460 cities across 70 countries since it started operations in 2009.

City Hall to set up grievance center

By Rona Joyce T. Fernandez

AS PART of his plans to reinvent the Cebu City Government, Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants to legitimize fixing in City Hall.

He also warned city employees that their services will be terminated if they are caught stealing or practicing extortion.

In a news conference last Monday, Osmeña said he will establish a Department of Fixers that will serve as the people’s sumbungan (grievance) center.

The fixers will be composed of personnel who have no history of fixing. They will provide free services to those who wish to avail themselves of their assistance.

“So unsay imong problema (whatever your problem is), you want something fixed, you go there, but we will do it in a controlled way and you cannot bribe them,” he said.

Hotline numbers

The fixers will also receive calls sent to the hotline numbers the City Hall will provide to address reports on alleged extortion and stealing by City employees.

Osmeña said he wants to adopt the same system in Ontario, Canada where you can call any government office without the receiver telling you that they can’t answer your queries because you have the wrong number.

By legitimizing fixing, he said they hope to discover problems in the service City employees provide.

“The moment you go there, you will be registered. Your complaint will be brought in, a case will be developed. You’ll be assigned a fixer. We’re looking at it as if the City is your waiter that will not reason out but just provide you your needs,” he said.

As for the City employees, the mayor said he wants them to follow his general rule: don’t get caught.

Regardless of the amount and value, Osmeña said he will immediately terminate the services of those who are caught. They won’t get a second chance, he added.

“One of the worst is in CCMC (Cebu City Medical Center). From syringe, to used dextrose. I don’t care if that’s one bed sheet. Fine, steal but if you get caught, you’re fired,” he said.

PH volleyball star Alyssa Valdez to hold clinic in Cebu

By Jonas N. Panerio

THE COUNTRY’S most famous volleyball star Alyssa Valdez will be in Cebu on Aug. 13 and 14 to conduct her volleyball camp called the AVS Skills Camp at the Aznar Coliseum.

A three-time UAAP MVP during her colorful collegiate career with the Ateneo Lady Eagles whom she guided to several championships, Valdez is arguably the face of the sport here in the country. Proof of that is the massive number of participants in her summer volleyball camp that touched down in Laguna, Quezon City, Batangas and Rizal.

Though the names of the assistants who will be joining her here in Cebu have yet to be finalized, several big name stars joined Valdez in her previous stops. These included Cebuana volleyball star and reigning NCAA MVP Gretchel Soltones, Kim Fajardo, Ella de Jesus, Bea de Leon, Amy Ahomiro, among many others.

Players aged 6-13 years old will have their classes start at 8 a.m. while those with ages 14-18 will be at 10 a.m. The 1 to 3 p.m. sessions will be open for all ages. The camp will also make stops in Iloilo and Davao.

Those who want to register can visit the Crosscourt Facebook page (@crosscourtPH).

Ayala Center Cebu promotes Bayan Bayani campaign

(Sun.Star Cebu)

HONORING the men and women who fought for the country’s independence, Ayala Center Cebu celebrated heroic pride all throughout June with Bayan Bayani, a campaign that aimed to inspire modern-day heroes.

In partnership with different government and non-government institutions, Ayala walks the talk by supporting and raising awareness for the Help Educate and Rear Orphans (Hero) Foundation.

Every day, the country’s armed forces put their lives on the line to keep the Philippines and its people safe. When these soldiers lose their lives in the call of duty, their families suffer the loss of both a loved one and the breadwinner.

Hero Foundation aims to provide educational assistance to the children of the country’s fallen heroes.

Together with its partners–Armed Forces of the Philippines Educational Benefit System Office (AFP-EBSO), Ayala Malls Group and Bank of the Philippine Islands–the foundation helps these children obtain a college or university degree, or a certificate in a vocational course to provide them with better opportunities to help their families in the future.

Last June 12, Independence Day, officers of different branches under the AFP gave civilians a sneak peek on how the defense forces protect the country with an interactive exhibit dubbed as “Kampo Sugbo.”

The five-day exhibit, featuring a mock camp highlighting military hardware available in the AFP inventory, was participated in by the Central Command’s Unified Command Staff for Civil-Military Operations, Philippine Navy’s Naval Forces Central, Philippine Air Force’s 2nd Air Division, AFP’s 3rd Infantry Division, 8th Infantry Division and 53rd Engineer Brigade, and the 3rd Civil Relations Group of the AFPs Civil Relations Service.

The Independence Week celebration was also highlighted by the five-day Bayan Bayani volunteer drive from June 12 to 16.

Different voluntary service-based organizations among the sectors of health, education and environment set up booths to gather volunteers who wish to join upcoming outreach programs.

It was participated in by 5 Pieces Daily Habit’s “2nd Basura Run,” Feed the Children–Philippines’ six-month feeding program, JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel with its “Bags of Hope” program, Project Happy Feet and Crimson Mactan’s “Slipper Race,” Philippine Dental Association’s dental mission, Seed4Com (Sustainable Energy and Enterpise Development for Communities) with its “Island Warriors Trash Heroes” campaign, University of San Carlos (USC)-Junior Jaycees’ “Tsinelas Mo, Sagot Ko,” slipper campaign drive, and USC Pathways featuring the “DO (Dreamers Of) the Nation Drive.”

Last June 19, Ayala Center Cebu, in partnership with R.O.X. Philippines, hosted “Heroes Bike Out” at Cebu Business Park.

Families and bike enthusiasts gathered to honor the country’s fallen heroes and support their children by raising funds for the Hero Foundation.

Capping off the celebration was the Vispop concert for a cause last June 25 at 6 p.m. at The Terraces.

For the latest updates, like Ayala Center Cebu at www.facebook.com/AyalaCebu and follow @AyalaCenterCebu on Twitter and Instagram.

For more information, contact the Ayala Concierge hotline at 231-5342 to 44 local 324 or 266-2535.

Nutrition month launched: City to invest in children’s health, education – Margot

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - There is no better way to spend Cebu City's resources than on health and education of the children, the city's First Lady and Councilor Margarita Osmeña said.

"The return may not be financial but a better city," she stated.

Osmeña, who was recently the city's acting mayor, spoke before a thousand people composed of nutritionists, dieticians, nursing students, pregnant and lactating mothers, barangay nutrition workers and health professionals in yesterday's launching of Nutrition Month at the SM Seaside City.

"Our commitment for Cebu City is that we will be second to none as far as nutrition is concerned," Osmeña said in her speech during the event.

Parolita Mission, program coordinator of the National Nutrition Council-7, emphasized the importance of proper nutrition and healthcare for pregnant women and children zero to two-year-old.

Mission added the NNC and the network of local nutrition committees in the country and the region focus their efforts on stunting (or children short of their age).

Stunting is an irreversible outcome of poor nutrition and repeated bouts of infections during the child's first 1,000 days of life, the most crucial period of one's growth and development.

Mission said children who are stunted have diminished cognitive and physical development, reduced productive capacity and poor health.

In Central Visayas, she said, prevalence of stunting among children is 37.7 percent (one out of four), which is higher than the national prevalence of 33.4 percent (one out of three).

It is imperative, she said, to direct interventions to the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating women and children 0-23 months.

"Good nutrition during this period can help maximize the child's ability to grow, learn and development that has profound effect on his/her health, well-being and success later on in adulthood. The quality of nutrition during this period can have significant impact on the achievement of national and global goals," she added.

Osmeña, together with Mission and other head of agencies, led the ribbon-cutting of an exhibit dubbed as "Fusion of Fashion and Nutrition for Mother and Child #First1000days."

Also, a symbolic turnover of the Early Childhood Care and Development Intervention Package was presented yesterday.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said in his statement read by Cynthia Genosolango, provincial nutrition action officer, that the ECCD intervention package aims to provide health, nutrition, early education and social services.

Cebu City’s garbage volume dropped

By Dafne N. Wenceslao (USJR Intern)

The volume of garbage that was collected days after the opening of Inayawan Sanitary landfill was less than half of the 800-ton waste collected on opening day, which was attributed to the strict implementation of the waste segregation policy in Cebu City.

Although the “no segregation, no collection” policy was not yet being fully implemented, there was already a change in the amount of garbage collected yesterday, according to the Department of Public Services (DPS) head John Paul Gelasque.

“On the succeeding days, we collected only 400-500 tons of garbage,” said Gelasque.

He said their continuous effort to disseminate information on waste segregation held in barangays, down to the sitio (sub-village) level, helped in making the people, especially households to follow the rule.

According to Gelasque, only the garbage found on the city’s streets would be collected even if these were not segregated.

“Garbage on streets are exempted to this. We cannot just not accept the garbage,” Gelasque said in Cebuano.

Gelasque added that there will be a new schedule for the collection of different types of wastes.

The Inayawan Sanitary Landfill reopened last Tuesday after it was closed in January last year by the city government under the administration of former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama.

Rama decided to close the Inayawan landfill as City Hall was then preparing for its long term goal to rehabilitate the landfill into a productive, healthy, habitable and sustainable zone for economic development.

After the landfill was closed, the city government paid P700 per ton of garbage brought to a private landfill in Cebu’s northern town of Consolacion owned by Asian Energy Systems Corps.

But Cebu City Mayor Osmeña questioned the huge expense for garbage disposal and instead decided to stop dumping the city’s wastes in Consolacion and to reopen the Inayawan landfill until a more suitable replacement is found.

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