Cebu City News October 2012

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Cebu City Cathedral

Magellan's Cross in Cebu City

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:

The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Mormon Temple Lahug cebu city philippines

DENR-7 Set To Accomplish 2012 CARP Target In Region 7

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/379512/denr7-set-to-accomplish-2012-carp-target-in-region-7
Wednesday, October 31, 2012

By mb.com.ph

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 intends to fully distribute this year’s target of 21,834 patents covering 10,064 hectares of untitled agricultural lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Extension program by November 30.

DENR 7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said the balance of 11,604 patents or 53.1 percent is programmed to be completed before November 30.

As of September 15, DENR already granted a total of 10,230 patents or 47 percent of the targeted 21,834 with 4,224 hectares in Central Visayas.

Of total number of patents already handed out, Bohol issued the highest with 7,876 or 36.1 percent; Cebu province signed 1,851 patents or 8.52 percent; Negros Oriental with 366 or 1.68 percent; and 137 patents or 0.63 percent for Siquijor.

Meanwhile, Lands Management Services (LMS) regional technical director Dr. Diana Apistar said a catch-up mechanism is being prepared in the next three months to meet the goal.

Based on a plan prepared by the LMS, Bohol has 7,199 patents to cover 3,603 hectares while Cebu aims to issue 3,493 patents with 1,688 hectares.

Negros Oriental has added 409 patents with 276 hectares and Siquijor, 503 patents or 50 hectares.

“Our strategy is to draw out the targets in a graduated mode until it becomes entirely finished before the November 30 deadline,” Apistar said.

Likewise, Montejo vowed to speed up the remaining patents up for distribution as he said this is very crucial to DENR 7’s overall accomplishment.

“We have been on top of the situation in meeting our aim to process and issue untitled agricultural lands under the CARP by mobilizing our field personnel to expedite its disposition,” said Montejo.

No more advanced taxes for city's local suppliers, contractors

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=864982&publicationSubCategoryId=107
Tuesday, October 30, 2012

By Rene U. Borromeo

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Treasurer’s Office has stopped collecting advance taxes from suppliers of goods and contractors of various infrastructure projects of City Hall —except for those based outside the city.

Cebu City Acting Treasurer Emma Villarete said the policy of collecting advance taxes from the suppliers of goods and contractors of infrastructure projects from outside Cebu City was started by former city treasurer Ofelia Oliva to ensure the collections of taxes.

Oliva earlier said that during her term as city treasurer there were several instances when the suppliers of goods and contractors of projects based in Manila did not pay taxes to Cebu City and they had difficulty compelling them to pay their obligations.

Villarete said the amount collected by the City Treasurer’s Office from the advance taxes of contractors and suppliers for the year 2010 and 2011 are in a trust fund and are being used as part of the sources of funds for the Supplemental Budget No. 2 proposed by Mayor Michael Rama.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said they have received complaints from several suppliers and contractors about this policy.

Villarete told the vice mayor and the members of the City Council that they are no longer doing this with local suppliers and contractors, but it is being implemented only to transient suppliers and contractors.

Withholding tax on government money payments is the withholding tax withheld by government offices and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and local government units, before making any payments to private individuals, corporations, partnerships and, or associations. - /BRP (FREEMAN)

Type O banners persist in city

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/10/29/type-o-banners-persist-city-250287
Monday, October 29, 2012

By Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

DESPITE Cebu City Hall’s efforts to remove them, Type O streamers, posters and banners of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) can still be seen in the city.

From posts to barangay halls, Type O streamers, which herald the bid of BOPK chief Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) to run again for mayor in the 2013 elections, can also be seen this time at the One Citilink Terminal Bldg. on N. Bacalso Ave.

The facility is owned by Art Osmeña, a businessman and a BOPK supporter.

While some see it as campaign materials, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) believes the banners can stay at the terminal.

Can stay

Comelec election officer Marchel Sarno said this is because the south district congressman, despite having already filed his certificate of candidacy, is not yet considered a candidate.

“Bisan aha pa na nila ibutang, they cannot be accused of premature campaigning or violating an election law. The Omnibus Election Code provides that they can only be considered as candidates at the start of the campaign period,” he said.

Sarno said the poll body has scheduled the campaign period for local candidates in March 29 next year yet.

Removal

Philip Zafra, chief of staff of Mayor Michael Rama, said their efforts to remove Type O materials still continue together with the Department of Public Services and the City’s Squatters, Prevention, Elimination and Encroachment Division.

The removal of the Type O posters, streamers, and banners is upon the instruction of the mayor, who said that such materials have become eyesores.

Asked if they can remove Type O materials placed in private properties and facilities, Zafra said it is something that they are still studying.

“Bisan unsaon man gud nimo ug tan-aw, it is early campaigning,” he said, in a separate interview.

It was last June when Type O streamers, posters, and banners started to proliferate in the city.

Work on Carbon’s burned facility finally begins

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/10/28/work-carbon-s-burned-facility-finally-begins-250188
Sunday, October 28, 2012

By Jujemay G. Awit and Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

AFTER more than a decade, the Cebu City Government finally started the construction of Unit II of Carbon Market.

Mayor Michael Rama and the Market Operations Division broke ground yesterday to start construction of the facility, which fire had gutted in 1998.

Tony Piloton, president of the Cebu Market Vendors’ Development Cooperative (Cemvedco), thanked the City for allocating funds to implement the project.

“Dugay sad mi naghuwat ani (We’ve waited a long time for this). Almost 14 years,” he said.

Market Administrator Racquel Arce said the construction of Unit II will be funded by the P170-million budget from the City.

Arce, however, said the amount will only be enough to build the structure of the planned two-storey building.

She has proposed an additional P190-million appropriation to be included under the P6.7-billion proposed annual budget for 2013.

“We are hoping that it will be approved so this can be completed as soon as possible,” she said.

The additional appropriation, Arce said, will cover the roof well as building partitions and parking.

According to Arce, the construction of Unit II will take one year. It will be handled by Young Builders Corp., the same contractor that was awarded, during the time of former mayor Alvin Garcia, the contract to rebuild the Unit II building.

So the construction work will not be hampered, Arce said the estimated 500 vendors who are occupying the area where Unit II will be constructed will be transferred to M.L. Quezon Boulevard.

Arce said the vendors have expressed willingness to be transferred so the building will be immediately finished.

Aside from the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, the City also inaugurated the new market office located on the second floor of Unit III.

The construction of the new market office is funded by a P5-million appropriation of the City.

In the meantime, Carbon market vendors hired a lawyer to gain more time before the Cebu City Council approves an ordinance “Instituting the Cebu City Market Code of 2011.”

The proposed ordinance aims to regulate the creation, classification, administration and operation of both government and privately owned and operated markets within Cebu City.

The Cebu Market Vendors Development Corp. (Cemvedco) sought the assistance of lawyer Maricar Suico-Le, who wrote the Council to say: “It is worthy to mention that some vendors and representatives of Cemvedco were only consulted on the proposed ordinance this month.”

“We deem it as insufficient time for us to make a comprehensive study of its effect on the lives of the ordinary vendors,” the letter read.

One of the provisions of the ordinance that Cemvedco wanted to clarify was the installation of rental fees fixed at a minimum of P5 and maximum of P10 per day, depending on the location.

While a rental has not been instituted in the current ordinance, the fee was fixed at P2.50 per day.

The proposed ordinance of Councilor Raul Alcoseba will, if approved, repeal Ordinance 1486 or the Revised Market Code of Cebu City.

On the fixed rate being proposed, Cemvedco wanted to know if this is in consonance with the Tax Code.

The vendors also asked under what basis a “goodwill price” will be set, since this was also not a provision under the present ordinance.

A “goodwill price” is the floor rate in bidding for market spaces.

Cemvedco, though, believes this is disadvantageous to the “lowly vendor” who cannot afford to competitively bid.

The new ordinance also seeks to reduce the contract of lease from two years to just one year, renewable for another year.

Cemvedco also questioned the privileges given to transient vendors who will be allowed to sell their goods inside the market upon payment of entrance fee.

“Will this not prejudice the interest of the stallholders?” asked Cemvedco in the letter.

Finally, Cemvedco asked for the postponement of the discussion on the proposed ordinance, until the group can intelligently make an opinion on whether the provisions are for the best interest of its members.

P4-million debt behind abduction in Cebu City

Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/296544/p4-million-debt-behind-abduction-in-cebu-city
Saturday, October 27th, 2012

By Chito O. Aragon

A Korean national and three Filipino suspects were arrested for the kidnapping of another Korean and his girlfriend in Cebu City in relation to an unpaid P4 million debt. Police arrested 33-year-old Song Sunghen when he arrived at the airport from Korea Thursday night following the rescue of the kidnap victims, who were earlier taken from their apartment in La Guardia Street, barangay Lahug. Police said Jun Hyung Chung and Charice Santiago were driven around several southern Cebu towns. Their car was later parked outside Ayala Center where the abductors tried to withdraw P200,000 of the P600,000 money demanded from the Korean victim’s ATM account on Wednesday night. PNP chief Nicanor Bartolome, who was in Cebu for a speaking engagement, briefed reporters yesterday about the arrrest. He said the local cohorts pretended to be operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-7) when they forced the victims into a car outside their apartment and handcuffed them. Bartolome said the Korean victim has an unofficial business in a casino. Kidnapping for ransom charges will be filed against Sunghen and three other suspects – Gregorio Dealagdon of Aloguinsan town; his cousin Richard Nemenzo Dealagdon of barangay Labangon, Cebu City and Leonard Bolalon, a native of La Libertad, Negros Occidental province. INVITATION ONLY The two Cebuano cousins denied kidnapping the couple and said they only “invited them” to go with them on instructions of Sunghen, who was trying to collect a P4 million unpaid debt. “Wa namo gi kidnap, amo ra na sila gi-invite tungod sa ilang utang”, Richard said. (We didn’t kidnap them. We just invited them to come with us because of their unpaid debt). He said if it were a real kidnapping, they wouldn’t have let Chung use his cellphone to call his mother in Korea. Richard said they drove the couple through several west coast towns while waiting for the arrival of Sunghen in Cebu. He said the money taken from the couple was “initial payment” to their boss. He denied handcuffing the Korean captive and his girlfriend. Richard is a member of the Robbery and Thievery Action Force previously affiliated with the Theft and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO). The three arrested Filipinos were separately detained at Cebu City police stockade. They pointed to Sungyen as the mastermind, who was arrested at Mactan airport upon arrival from Korea near midnight Thursday. A fourth suspect, Wilfredo Naval, escaped. Naval was supposted to fetch Sunghen at airport but disappeared when he noticed that one of the three arrested Filipinos was escorted by the police. Sunghen, detained at the holding cell of the tourist police, refused to issue any comment. He shouted angrily when news reporters tried to interview him and take photos. RANSOM DEMAND Bartolome, the PNP chief, said all elements of kidnapping for ransom were present regardless of the reasons given for abducting the couple. He said the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Task Force in Central Visayas received the report about a kidnapping in Lahug and alerted Criminal Investigation Bureau chief Romeo Santander who launched an operation. The abductors demanded P600,000 payment and were withdrawing P195,000 cash in the ATM when they were arrested by CIB police agents. Chung and his Filipina live-in partner were forcibly taken past 11 a.m. on Wednesday. They were handcuffed and made to ride a Toyota Vios sedan with plate number YGW-572, according to police. The couple were driven westward to towns of Balamban, Toledo, Pinamungahan, Aloguinsan and then back south to Carcar and Cebu City. Police will look deeper into Sunghen’s background to see if he is involved in other cases, said Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, Cebu city police chief.

Cebu City picked ‘green growth driver’

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/10/26/cebu-city-picked-green-growth-driver-249859
Friday, October 26, 2012

By (KOC/BAP/PDF/Sun.Star Cebu)

CEBU CITY -- Local business leaders and a Cebu City official were encouraged by the recent World Bank (WB) report citing this city as one of the three Asean cities touted to be the world’s green growth drivers.

“It is very encouraging to note that Cebu has been picked by WB as green growth drivers. This simply shows that our public-private partnership is well on track to improve business environment while balancing in energy requirements. This finding will surely encourage more investments to Cebu as assurance that power is sustainable,” Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Prudencio Gesta said in a text message Thursday.

But some environment conservation advocates are not convinced, saying the City Government needs to do more to deserve the title as presented by a WB official in Singapore.

National broadsheet Business Mirror reported that WB has chosen three fast-growing cities in East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) as defining the region’s energy future and greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint.

Correlation

The WB report titled “Energizing Green Cities in Southeast Asia” noted that Philippines’ Cebu City, Vietnam’s Da Nang and Indonesia’s Surabaya “show a clear correlation between investments in energy-efficient solutions in all major infrastructure sectors and economic growth.”

During the first Asia Future Energy Forum held in Singapore recently, Dejan Ostojic, energy sector leader of World Bank East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region, said that “by improving energy efficiency and slowing GHG emissions, [these] cities not only help the global environment, but also support local economic development through productivity gains, reduced pollution and more efficient use of resources,” the Business Mirror reported.

The report also said that Sustainable Urban Energy and Emissions Planning framework that Cebu, Da Nang and Surabaya have adopted could be easily followed by other cities in the world.

Electricity

The WB report noted that electricity consumption per capita for the three cities is lower compared with other Asian cities in the Trace (Tool for Rapid Assessment of City Energy) benchmarking tool. However, the three cities exhibit high energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP).

The report quoted Ostojic as saying that simply changing street lighting in Cebu City could lead to more savings for the City.

He added that by changing the street lights with LED lamps, Cebu would save an additional P540 million ($12.4 million) over a 10-year period from an initial investment of P312 million, which can be recovered after 4.95 years.

It added that this would also lead to an annual reduction of GHG emissions of 4,034 tons of carbon dioxide.

GHG

For some environment conservation advocates, however, it takes more than just switching light bulbs in implementing energy efficiency as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in addressing global warming.

“If Cebu City really wants to improve energy efficiency and slow Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, switching to LED lamps will only be token if we still rely primarily on fossil fuels as our source of energy,” said Owen Migrado, Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc. (Fidec) executive director.

“It has already been shown that coal-fired power plants are one of the major sources of GHG emissions. The City should heed the call to switch to accessible and cheap, if not free, renewable sources,” he added.

Migraso added that the WB report only focused on energy as a major aspect of green growth.

Other issues

He said the international financial institution and the Cebu City Government should also consider other issues in measuring environment-friendly economic development, such as solid waste management, coastal reclamation projects, land use conversion and rampant poverty.

He also said that addressing these issues “will greatly help in supporting local economic development, reduced pollutions and more efficient use of resources and might make our city worthy to be called one of the world’s green growth driver.”

In a separate interview, Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation Inc. Director lawyer Rose Liza Eisma-Osorio said she has not read the article on green growth drivers.

“But I guess, one should ask what the criteria were? Also, I think more than anything else, it challenges us to pursue sustainable development action in order to live up to the expectations,” she told Sun.Star Cebu.

Surprised

Cebu Business Club President Gordon Allan “Dondi” Joseph was also surprised by Cebu’s inclusion in the report, saying he is not aware of many major investments of Cebu in energy-efficient solutions.

“We have no major recent infrastructure projects let alone ‘green’ infrastructure,” Joseph said.

But he believes that the specific development goals for Mega Cebu on sustainable and green development, currently being handled by the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board, will reinforce Cebu’s inclusion as one of the top green growth drivers in the Asean region.

“The report talks about Cebu’s future not its present. But at any rate, this is one of the goals of the MCDB that we hope to achieve,” said Joseph, one of the private sector representatives of MCDB.

Aware

In City Hall, the city administrator welcomed the inclusion of Cebu City among the world’s green growth drivers.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said this proves that the City and its people are already aware of the need to protect the environment.

“It is a surprise but the observation of the World Bank is a welcome development for us,” he said.

Poblete said the City will continue its efforts to protect the environment, which will not be limited to changing the city’s street lights to LED lights.

He cited the City’s adoption of the Bus Rapid Transit as its mass transport system, which he said is another environment-friendly proje

3 rescued from prostitution

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/10/25/3-rescued-prostitution-249698
Thursday, October 25, 2012

By Jill B. Tatoy

THREE women, believed to be prostitutes, were rescued by the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) in a raid that was conducted on Tuesday night.

Anna, 33, Cheche, 29, and Louella, 31, (real names withheld) were rescued by the operatives inside a lodging house in Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City.

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The incident happened at 11 p.m. Tuesday inside Juven’s Lodge.

However, they were detained at the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) after drug paraphernalia were seized from them.

The raid was conducted after information was received in Camp Crame that prostitution was rampant in the place.

“Aside from prostitution, once mugamit ka sa babaye, mamaligya sad kuno ni silag shabu (The women also sell shabu),” said CIB Chief Romeo Santander.

These women were reportedly worth P300 per night.

“We will file a case against these women, but they will also be victims (in a case for) human trafficking,” said Santander.

Confrontation

During the raid, a certain Rene Sumbilon, fought with the operatives.

Sumbilon, who was drinking near the lodge, allegedly shouted at the operatives.

PO3 Aldred Balverde of the CIB allegedly tried to pacify Sumbilon, who was reportedly drunk.

But yesterday noon, Sumbilon went to the CCPO and reported that he was harassed by Balverde.

Balverde denied the allegation, saying he just tried to pacify Sumbilon who reportedly went wild out of drunkenness.

“Gigunitan ra nako siya, wala nako siya dapati. We were even warned by other residents there to be careful as some pimps might get mad because of our raid (I just held him and did not hit him),” said Balverde.

Later yesterday, Sumbilon agreed to settle with Balverde.

Mass site 70% ready; Calungsod tour starts Friday

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/10/24/mass-site-70-ready-calungsod-tour-starts-friday-249514
Wednesday, October 24, 2012

By (BAP/Sun.Star Cebu)

CEBU CITY -- About P10 million has been spent on preparations for a nationwide celebration in honor of a newly proclaimed Filipino saint, Pedro Calungsod, at the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City.

The expenses for the site development include grading, backfilling and compacting, said Maria Teresa Mempin, SM City Cebu mall manager and SM Prime Holdings representative.

The target date for the completion of construction work is October 30, she added. Work on the 27-hectare area is on schedule, despite the occasional heavy rains in the past weeks.

Mempin said at the meeting that Hans Sy, SM Prime Holdings Inc. president, visited the site last Saturday to inspect it.

The official image of San Pedro Calungsod is expected to arrive in Manila today, Wednesday, to start the Duaw Nasud or the visit to dioceses in the Luzon area on Friday, October 26.

Fr. Charles Jayme, the custodian of the image, said Tuesday that he and the San Pedro image are taking the 12:30 p.m. Cathay Pacific flight from Rome, Italy.

Pebbles

The canonization rites of Calungsod, the Visayan catechist and martyr, and six other saints was led by Pope Benedict XVI last Sunday at St. Peter’s Square and attracted more than 80,000 pilgrims from different parts of the world.

Calungsod is a teenage catechist who was part of the Jesuit mission in the Marianas Islands with Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores. They were killed one after another with spears and a cutlass by the natives of Tumhon village in Guam.

Their bodies were cut up and thrown into the sea, which is also the reason that there were no first-class relics presented during the canonization mass.

Fr. Brian Brigoli, vice chairman for the Commission on Cultural Heritage of the Church, said there were only pebbles and sand from the beach where the bodies of the martyrs were disposed of by the natives.

These third-class relics are now kept at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Blessed Calungsod and the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in a gold-plated chest.

Visits

Brigoli explained that first-class relics are parts of the body of the saint, preferably the bones, while second-class relics are any items that the saint used such as vestments or a habit. Third-class relics are items that were touched by the saint.

Calungsod was beatified in March 2000, while San Vitores was beatified in October 1985.

In Manila, the first site visit will be at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), the Pontifical University of the Philippines, in Sampaloc, Manila. The delegation will then proceed to the Diocese of Parañaque.

On Tuesday, committee on venue on the preparations for the thanksgiving mass vice chairman Fr. Brian Brigoli said the templete work is now 70 percent completed.

He added that the remaining work would be more on providing and working on the furnishings such as the chairs, altar and lecterns. The furniture is currently prepared in different shops.

The target date for the completion of the entire area before other equipment are brought in is by the first week of November.

Engr. Paul Dy, Cebu Contractors’ Association Inc. (CCA) president, told reporters that his group is augmenting the work of SM Prime Holdings by providing the heavy equipment needed.

Workers

Also, a two-day assessment test or practical examination for operators administered by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) for about 30 skilled personnel began at the SRP site on Tuesday.

The skilled workers who passed would receive a national certificate and be able to work in the area.

The heavy equipment being used are on loan from the Construction Management and Development Foundation (CMDF).

Brigoli said a donor for the fireworks that would be set off after the thanksgiving mass contacted the group and asked for an area to set up their stocks.

Engr. Edgar Watin, a committee member, said the group has been receiving donations of filling materials but they still need prayers.

“Every week, we are always given new concerns of things that are needed,” he said.

The group was also told yesterday that they would need 10,000 chairs for the major participants of the event.

Mayor asks for increase for lots, plans vs squatting

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/10/23/mayor-asks-increase-lots-plans-vs-squatting-249363
Tuesday, October 23, 2012

By Jujemay G. Awit

A BIG chunk of the P6.7-billion proposed budget for Cebu City in 2013 is for special projects and programs under the Office of the Mayor.

The appropriation for the special programs and projects was P1.034 billion, more than double the amount of this year’s appropriation of P406 million.

Under this program is the P3.5-million anti-squatting and demolition program of the City Government.

One of Mayor Michael Rama’s priorities is the restoration of the three-meter easement along rivers and waterways.

This advocacy garnered Rama an anti-graft complaint after the City cleared Mahiga Creek of informal settlers, allegedly without providing relocation sites.

Part of Rama’s proposal under the 2013 annual budget is the P50-million lump sum appropriation for site development and another P50 million to acquire lots for socialized housing and other projects.

Under the 2012 budget, there were no appropriations for both items.

The proposal also increased the appropriation for lot acquisition of Province-owned lots under Provincial Ordinance 93-1, from P50 million this year to P100 million next year.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has promised to solve the 93-1 problem before her term ends at the end of June 2013.

Rama sent a few of his department heads to start talks with Garcia’s representatives a few times on the 93-1 issue. Both Rama and Garcia have also attended talks initiated by Vice President Jejomar Binay on the same issue.

Since 2013 is an election year, the Election Reserve Fund was given an appropriation of P10 million.

Maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) take the most of the proposed budget for 2013 with P4.5 billion, compared to just P907 million in capital outlay and P983 million in personal services.

Personal services pertain to salaries, overtime pay, government contributions, allowances and others.

Capital outlay is for infrastructure projects, while MOOE refers to the items needed for the daily grind of City Hall like electricity, gasoline, water expenses and many others.

Electricity expenses were increased to P188 million in the proposed 2013 budget, from the P100-million budget this year.

Allowances for city prosecutors more than doubled in the budget proposal with P6.3 million, compared to P2.9 million this year.

Incentives for police personnel also increased to P26 million from P14 million. This represents allowances for police personnel, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Maritime Police operatives serving in the city.

Aid to city barangays increased four times in the proposed 2013 budget, from P175.7 million this year to a proposal of P800 million next year.

There are also 36 barangays that will receive mini-dumptrucks worth P2.2 million each, if the proposed budget is approved as is.

The mayor’s discretionary fund was increased to P6 million in the proposed budget.

Last year, the council only approved P500,000 from the budget proposal of P25 million.

Maintenance of the drainage and flood control program was also allocated P6 million in the budget proposal.

Close to half a billion pesos was appropriated for debt servicing or the City Government’s payment for the South Road Properties (SRP) loan through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

There is also P153 million appropriated for a possible gain or loss in foreign exchange for debt servicing.

The senior citizens’ program budget was also doubled from P300 million budget this year to an appropriation of P600 million in the proposed 2013 budget.

Expenses for the closure of the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill are expected to decrease this year, with the local finance committee appropriating P500,000, down from the P1.2-billion budget this year.

But the tipping fee for the Consolacion dumping site was appropriated P100 million. The budget this year is only P31 million.

Prime Minister lauds Cebu for choosing BRT system

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/10/22/prime-minister-lauds-cebu-choosing-brt-system-249201
Monday, October 22, 2012

By Elias O. Baquero and Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

FRENCH Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault yesterday praised Cebu officials for choosing TransCebu or the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as the future major means of transport, which is partly financed by his country.

Atty. Christopher Yap of TransCebu said that during his stint as mayor, Ayrault converted the Cathedral Square, where heavy traffic was experienced every day, into a bus way area that permanently solved the traffic problem.

Ayrault’s system is now being copied by officials behind TransCebu, said Yap, who is also the chief of the Cebu City Integrated Traffic Operations and Management (Citom).

Ayrault proceeded to Cebu from a state visit in Manila to attend the Trans-Cebu or BRT briefing and the inauguration of the Alliance Francaise de Cebu building on Gorordo Ave., Cebu City.

Alliance Francaise de Cebu is a non-government organization (NGO) in France that promotes French culture in Cebu.

Cost

During the briefing about BRT at the Capitol Social Hall, which was also witnessed by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Presidential Political Adviser Roland Llamas and French media and businessmen, Yap told Ayrault that TransCebu or BRT will cost P9.076 billion (US$212 million), which covers the capital or physical cost (P6.694 billion or US$156 million), resettlement and land acquisition (P1.044 billion or US$25 million) and project management and coordination (P1.337 billion or US$31 million).

Yap further told Ayrault that Trans-Cebu or BRT will be jointly financed by Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) with US$52 million, the World Bank at US$110 million, Clean Technology Fund, a non-government organization (NGO) that deals with environment-friendly projects, US$25 million, and the Philippine Government with US$25 million.

Yap led Ayrault to the Capitol veranda to have a full view of Escario St. corner Osmeña Blvd., which will be part of the BRT system route.

Yap said Trans-Cebu will have 15 stations between Bulacao and the Cebu Business Park.

The system will be built in the middle of the road. Access to stations is at ground level.

These Trans-Cebu stations, Yap said, are of a sufficient size to accommodate forecast passenger and vehicle demand. They will provide a safe, secure and comfortable waiting environment with seating for those who need it.

He said the stations will protect the traveler from the rain and wind and also have lighting that will be powered by solar panels.

Moratorium

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Council imposed a moratorium on developments along the BRT corridor.

The resolution was authored by Councilor Richard Osmeña, chair of the council committee on traffic management.

Osmeña’s resolution provides for the adaptation of a development moratorium along the Cebu South Coastal Road from the boundary of Barangay Bulacao to N. Bacalso Ave. and to Osmeña Blvd.

The moratorium also applies from Osmeña Blvd. junction P. Del Rosario St. up to Capitol, then from Escario St. to the Cebu Business Park, and Archbishop Reyes Ave. up to the flyover near the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) 7 compound.

“In order not to hamper the implementation of the construction works related to the BRT project and to effectively facilitate the road-right-of-way acquisition, it is necessary to regulate any development along the corridor of the BRT project,” the councilor said

In his resolution, Osmeña said the moratorium was made upon the request of the technical working group (TWG) for the city’s BRT project during their meeting last Sept. 14.

The BRT route in the city will be from Bulacao, passing through N. Bacalso Ave., then to Osmeña Blvd., Escario St. and straight to Barangay Talamban.

Yap, who is a member of the TWG, said the moratorium covered under Osmeña’s resolution is only until the flyover of Tesda, considering that there is already an existing moratorium on the developments along the Banilad-Talamban corridor.

Asked when the moratorium will start, Yap said it should be as soon as possible so the City can control the developments along the area.

“So we won’t have a hard time implementing the BRT right away,” he said.

The construction works for the BRT is expected to start in October 2013 and the system to be operational by 2015.

Faith, goods and works: Fruits of Calungsod’s canonization

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/feature/2012/10/21/faith-goods-and-works-fruits-calungsod-s-canonization-249060
Sunday, October 21, 2012

By Bernadette A. Parco

TODAY, a teenager from the Visayas will have his name inscribed in the catalogue of saints, bringing untold pride and benefits to the Philippines as it welcomes only its second saint.

Pedro Calungsod will be canonized with six other blessed persons in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Italy and henceforth hold the title St. Pedro Calungsod, Lay Catechist and Martyr.

He will be the Philippines’ second saint after San Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila, who was canonized in 1987 by Pope John Paul II.

Calungsod was a teenage catechist who served in the Jesuit Mission in the Marianas with Spanish priest Fr. Diego Luis de San Vitores in the 1600s.

He and the priest met their deaths on April 2, 1672 when two natives of Tumhon village in Guam, Marianas named Matapang and Hirao attacked them with spears and a cutlass for baptizing the baby girl of Matapang, a Christian who had apostatized.

Their bodies were thrown into the sea and never found.

San Vitores was beatified in October 1985 while Calungsod was beatified in March 2000.

Rewards

The rewards of sainthood are great -- not only for the saint but also for the faithful.

A person declared by the Church as “blessed” is venerated only within his or her diocese, but a “saint” is venerated by the universal Church.

Fr. Mhar Balili, liturgy coordinator for the canonization’s Rome-based preparations, said with the new Filipino saint, “we have a saint in heaven whom we can call our own—from our native land.”

He voiced hope that with the canonization, more people would know about Calungsod and there would be an increase in devotion to him.

“Canonization will lead to conversion,” he said.

Fr. Carmelo Diola said having Calungsod for a saint would lead people to give more dignity to the youth and overseas Filipino workers, appreciating the value of their silent, humble service and dedication to duty.

Diola describes the pain Calungsod must have felt the last time he saw his family.

“He was only 13 years old then. One can imagine a final farewell. They had no planes or boats to ensure a return to Cebu after a period of time. Nor did they have Internet. So the goodbyes were final,” he said.

Tide of pilgrims

Balili said about 5,000 Filipino pilgrims will attend the liturgical services in Rome, Italy.

Aside from Calungsod, to be canonized are French martyr and Jesuit priest Jacques Berthieu, Italian founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth Giovanni Battista Piamarta, Spanish foundress of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Teaching Maria del Carmen (nee Maria Salles y Barangueras), German religious of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Syracuse, USA Maria Anna Cope (nee Barbara), American laywoman Kateri Tekakwitha and German laywoman Anna Schaffer.

“We encourage that there will be no masses on the day of canonization for all (50) Filipino communities in Rome and that they attend the celebration at St. Peter’s,” said Balili.

“I hope the pilgrims will bring with them the beautiful experience when they go back to their respective places,” he added.

Economic benefits

After the elaborate liturgical celebrations in Rome, local and foreign visitors are expected to flock to Cebu to visit churches and shrines, said Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

“There are economic benefits, especially with foreigners coming. This would add to our coffers,” he told Sun.Star Cebu before he left for Rome last week.

In fact, the benefits of religious tourism are already being felt by the sellers of religious statues, novena prayer booklets, books, key chains and shirts.

Ten-inch-tall Pedro Calungsod statues are selling fast at the shop next to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, said store manager Carlomagno Bacaltos.

He said sales had increased to six to seven pieces a day from only a piece or two.

There are posters that sell for P40 and P80 and medallions going for P100 to P180 depending on the design.

Last Friday, the store ran out of the novena prayer booklets to the soon-to-be saint, and only a few copies of the books authored by Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson, shrine rector and postulator for Calungsod’s sainthood, were left.

Bacaltos said the devotees who visit the shrine come from all walks of life, and many of them choose to buy a statue of the saint.

At the Sacred Heart Parish Resource Center, a three-foot-tall image sells for P15,000, while a smaller version sells for at least P3,000.

“The idea is not to make money but to make resources available to the people,” said Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus parish priest Fr. Benjamin Sim S.J.

“(The canonization) is an important event. The people can’t pass up an opportunity to buy something that would remind them of this event,” he said.

He added that the statues and novenas help people to seek the intercession of Calungsod and to praise God for giving the people a model with good virtues to emulate.

Importance of symbols

Vidal said the image of Pedro Calungsod should have a brown complexion and a palm leaf, symbolizing his martyrdom. Calungsod should be carrying a Doctrina Cristiana (Christian Doctrine) book. And his right foot should be in front of his left.

These symbols represent the life of Pedro as a missionary catechist and a Filipino.

“Symbols or emblems are very, very important in iconography,” said iconographer Louie Nacorda. “These are the things that would properly identify the saint represented in the artwork.”

Public relations practitioner Jing-jing Farrarons said in secular terms merchandising is helpful in promoting an event or advocacy “as long as it is not overboard and out and out commercialism.”

While there are souvenir manufacturers that look only to the profit they can make, “if you take away the moneymaking aspect, (the merchandising of religious items) helps popularize devotions,” she said.

Pedrito and iPad

A new popular souvenir item is Pedrito, the 15-inch doll that carries a “missionary” sling bag and has an iPad-cum-Doctrina Cristiana. The doll is the personification of a missionary youth or a “lakwatserong misyonero.”

“The initial idea was to use it as a gimmick, to encourage people during the Duaw Nasud (visit of the official Calungsod statue around the country) to talk about Pedro Calungsod,” said Ehmelie Lallingat, website coordinator for the National Commission on the Promotion of the Devotion to Pedro Calungsod.

“But the manufacturer said they could not produce just three pieces. The minimum order was 40 pieces. We then decided to sell the rest of the dolls,” she said.

Many orders have been received through the contact number and email address posted on the Saint Pedro Calungsod Facebook account.

Lallingat said only a few orders were from Manila or Luzon. The bulk was from Cebu.

Nacorda said the doll of a saint is new and can be acceptable.

“The cute doll is okay for me. But, of course, hindi naman pwede ipa-bless dahil comic nga ang dating (you can’t have it blessed because it’s like a cartoon),” said the iconographer.

Boosting the faith

Sainthood is good for the Catholic faith in general. In “Economics of sainthood (a preliminary investigation),” Robert J. Barro and Rachel M. McCleary of Harvard University and Alexander McQuoid of Columbia University, who studied the canonizations conducted from the years 1234 to 2009, said saint making enhances the enthusiasm of Catholics to stay in their religion, helping the Catholic Church to fend off competition from rival religion providers.

With a saint having universal status, the saint’s site also becomes a pilgrimage destination, drawing the faithful worldwide “who come to worship and give donations,” discouraging the entry of rival missionaries, they added.

Challenge for all

Balili said it is a great challenge for the youth of today that they are not only “the recipients of the Word of God but that they too can be the instruments of evangelization.”

In Guam, Fr. Diego had a humble, faithful, energetic companion who may have also been his source of encouragement.

“We hope Blessed Pedro’s canonization will inspire the youth to find in the leaders of the Church a meaningful companion and vice versa. The youth and their elders need one another in the journey of faith,” said Diola. (With CTL/Sun.Star Cebu)

Cebu City police unfamiliar with Ashtec -10 use, sale

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/292454/cebu-city-police-unfamiliar-with-ashtec-10-use-sale
Saturday, October 20th, 2012

By Chito O. Aragon, Tweeny M. Malinao

No arrests have been made yet of persons using the injectable drug Ashtect-10 in Cebu City, where police said they were aware it was circulating in barangay Kamagayan but don’t know much yet about the trend. Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of the City Police Intelligence Branch (CIB), said he woud meet soon with the Philippine Drug Enforcment Agency (PDEA), which confirmed the entry of a new drug in the blackmarket that appears to be Nalbuphine Hydrochloride, the same chemical makeup as Nubain. Santander said that based on their surveillance of the city’s 80 barangays in Cebu city, it was only in Kamagayan where Ashtec-10 was found to be used. A laboratory section head of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) in Central Visayas said Ashtec-10 was not a registered drug and hasn’t been examined in their laboratries. PDEA-7 legal officer Mauro Licen said PDEA agents conducted an operation in barangay Basak Pardo, Cebu City last August which led to the confiscation of Ashtec-10 ampules but they were unable to arrest tthe pushers.. Licen said the supplier of Asthtec-10 was based in Butuan in Mindanao and its manufacturing company was in Pakistan. A registered nurse was arrested in Talisay City last Oct. 21, 2011 in a mall parking lot for allegedly selling P1.8 milllion worth of Ashtec-10 following a two-week surveillance by the Cebu Provincial Investigation and Detective Management. CDN reported in Oct. 31 that charges were filed against the nurse, Leonarda Lim. Licen said investigators found out that the drug was “shifted through LBC”, a private courier company. After this, he said PDEA conducted seminars in the Visayas and Mindanao on how to detect packages carrying drug paraphernalia or dangerous drugs sent by commercial couriers. Nubain, a synthetic opioid used in hospitals for pain management, was reclassified as a “dangerous drug” by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) in 2011 after the injectable drug fell into the hands of drug addicts in major cities around the country. Nubain abuse has been well documented since the 1990s, prompting Cebu City to pass an ordinance regulating its sale ahead of the DDB’s policy. Only patients with a special S-2 prescription issued by a physician are allowed to buy limited amounts but ampules still find their way to the blackmarket. Licen of PDEA said they had samples of confiscated Astec-10 examined in the PNP Crime Laboratory and confirmed that it had similar chemical components as Nubain. The box of Ashtec-10 ampules describes itself as Nallbuphine Hydrochloride. Attention to the new drug trend was called by City Councilor Michael Ralota, president of the Assoication of Barangay Councilors (ABC), who showed Cebu Daily News an ampule given to him by Kamagayan barangay captain Celestino Avil last week. “Bagong gamit sa mga adik-adik. Daghang baligya,” he told Cebu Daily News after meeting with seven barangay captains in a task force meeting in the downtown barangay of Parian. The ampule reportedly came from an addict picked up at random along D. Jakosalem St. in Cebu City. The package of Ashtec-10 says each 1-ml ampule as 10 mg of Nalbuphine HCl. As a “dangerous drug”, Nalbuphine HCl and all its brands are strictly regulated. All importers, manufacturers, wholesalers/distributors/traders and retailers of this drug are therefore required to register and apply for license with the Compliance Service (CS), the regulatory arm of PDEA. DDB posted an advisory in their website that the S2 “yellow pad prescription” for medical practitioners issued by the Department of Health (DOH) is out of stock as of October 17, 2012. Licen said the “yellow prescription given by doctors to pharmacies are strictly monitored by the PDEA compliance section.” He said they require pharmacies to submit an annual report of dangerous drugs use for proper monitoring.

New street drug worries Cebu City brgys

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/291860/new-street-drug-worries-cebu-city-brgys
Friday, October 19th, 2012

By Tweeny M. Malinao

The blackmarket sale of an injectable drug, Ashtec-10, has barangay officials in Cebu City worried about dealing with another source of drug dependence. It costs P250 per vial on the street and claims to be Nalbuphine Hydrochloride, the same composition as Nubain, a regulated painkiller. “Bag-ong gamit sa mga adik-adik. Daghang baligya,” said Cebu City Councilor Michael Ralota, president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC). (This is something new being used by drug addicts. Many are selling it.) He showed a sample vial to Cebu Daily News given to him by Kamagayan barangay captain Celestino Avila, where the drug is reportedly rampant. Ralota said he learned about Ashtec 10 when Avila brought it up during a meeting last Oct. 13 of seven barangays under Station 1 Task Force team of barangay Parian. A Cebu City ordinance already regulates the sale of Nalbuphine Hydrochloride or Nubain, which was listed as a “dangerous drug” in 2011 by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) after over 17 years of lobbying for its reclassification based on trends of drug abuse in major cities in the country. But what is Ashtec 10 exactly? Based on its packaging, it’s made in Lahore, Pakistan. However, the brand name and the company Elice Pharma Ltd. do not appear to be a duly registered brand or pharmaceutical firm based on an Internet search. It could be a copycat version of Nubain, which is used in hospitals as a licensed product of Boots Pharmaceuticals for pain management. Only a laboratory test would confirm its true chemical composition. “Ashtec is a downer,” said Elfie Gromia, head of the Compliance Section of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7). He said that based on accounts of Kamagayan drug users, taking it makes one sleepy and forget problems. Gromia said Ashtec 10 became in demand as it cost less than shabu which currently sells for P5,000 to P6,000 per gram on the street. (A 1 ml vial is labled as containing 10 mg of Nalbuphine Hydrochloride) When Ashtec-10 became in demand by “shooters” or drug users who inject, the cost went up to P500 per vial, said PDEA. PDEA 7 officials said they were aware of the sale of Ashtec 10 in the blackmarket. Several boxes containing 5 ampules each were confiscated by PDEA in Talisay City in 2011 from a certain woman, Leonarda Lim, who was charged. PDEA Regional Director Jigger Montallana said there was a local supplier in Manila, and the drug was found to be manufactured in Pakistan and India. He said PDEA already detected Ashtec 10 since 2011 in barangay Kamagayan in Cebu City and that they have been closely monitoring the situation. Nalbuphine Hydrochloride was included in the list of dangerous drugs in DDB Board Regulation No. 1 signed in Dec. 16, 2010 which took effect in 2011. It joined the list of substances like shabu, marijuana, heroin and cocaine covered by Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which makes possession and sale punishable under the law. Known by its more commonly known brand name, Nubain, the drug can only be prescribed by a medical practitioner with a valid S-2 license using a special “yellow pad” prescription form issued by the Deparment of Health. Each prescription is limited to 40 mg. Pharmacies that can only sell dangerous drugs were issued an S-3 license by the PDEA. DDB studies showed that Nalbuphine Hydrochloride can lead to drug dependence and was the 5th most commonly encountered drug of abuse by victims seeking treatment and rehabilitation in centers in 2009 admission reports. “No legitimate pharmacy or importer distributes Ashtec 10,” said Mauro Licen, head legal prosecutor of PDEA. “We have a strict control in PDEA that Nalbuphine is a dangerous drug; so, the patient should be armed with valid prescripition issued by a licensed physician,” said Licen. City Councilor Ralota said he plans to sponsor an ordinance to regulate the sale of Ashtec 10. However, Licen said there’s no need for this since Cebu City already has an existing ordinance: “It only needs to be amended.” Ceby City Ordinance 1427 already bans the sale of Nubain without the prescription of licensed doctors. Drug users who are arrested for the first time will made made to undergo a rehabilitation program. Second time offenders face six years imprisonment with more grave penalties in repeat offenses.

25 Cebu City jail inmates finish elementary, high school via ALS

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/10/18/25-cebu-city-jail-inmates-finish-elementary-high-school-als-248602
Thursday, October 18, 2012

By sunstar.com.ph

CEBU CITY -- Twenty-five Cebu City male inmates recently received their school diplomas from the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Cebu City Division.

Three inmates finished elementary, while 22 others are now high school graduates.

The ALS is a free education program of DepEd under its Bureau of Alternative Learning System intended for those who cannot afford formal schooling.

It provides a viable alternative to formal education instruction, encompassing both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.

The inmates said they were grateful for the help of Dr. Rhea Mar A. Angtud, schools division superintendent of Cebu City; Roy Guarin, Division ALS coordinator; Melchor I. Billacasten; Supt. Johnson Calub; JO2 Manuel Castanares, Inmates and Welfare Development (IWD) chief; JO1 Noel Auman and the IWD staff in coming up with the education program.

ALS is anchored on the teaching of life skills that goes beyond obtaining information, but is more concerned about the application of the competencies and values to develop within the individual the ability to make decisions that will improve their quality of life.

Rama cuts down Cebu City’s budget to P7 billion; Capitol sets P3.6 billion

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/290568/rama-cuts-down-cebu-citys-budget-to-p7-billion-capitol-sets-p3-6-billion
Wednesday, October 17, 2012

By Carmel Loise Matus and Tweeny M. Malinao

FROM P13 billion, the mayor’s office scaled down Cebu City’s budget next year to P7.2 billion to meet yesterday’s deadline for budget submission to the Cebu City Council. Asst. Budget Officer Marietta Gumia said a P560 million subsidy from the general fund was added to the P6.7 billion for the final amount. The budget was submitted to the council’s budget committee. “The amount represents the total (funding) requirements of the city,” Gumia said. The P13 billion figure was based on the five-day People’s Budget Consultation series last Sept. 11 to 15. Of the P7 billion, the largest appropriation was given to personnel services and operations of various City Hall departments while the smallest was debt servicing at P610 million. Mayor Michael Rama, who was scheduled to leave for Rome for the Blessed Pedro Calungsod’s canonization, finalized the budget with offices of the City Treasurer and Budget Officer late yesterday afternoon. Based on the Local Government Code, local government units (LGUs) have until Oct. 16 to submit their annual budget proposals to their councils or boards for deliberation and approval. In Cebu province, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia submitted a P3.673 billion budget for the province next year, which is slightly higher than the current P3.658 billion. The bulk of funds will go to the governor’s office at P710.47 million and the Capitol’s Fund for Development Projects at P520 million. The Provincial Board will receive a P181.291 million budget, up from P172.485 million this year. Next year’s budget for the governor office is lower than the P835.987 million this year. The budget of the vice governor went up slightly to P62.91 million or P1 million more than this year’s budget. Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who earlier expressed fears that her office’s budget would be reduced substantially, is running for vice governor under the Bakud-Liberal Party (Bakud-LP) ticket. Also included in the budget are P75.878 million for the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) and P12.086 million for projects of each PB member. The province’s 18 district hospitals will run on a P429.567 million budget for 2013. In her budget message, Governor Garcia said the province showed its relative independence from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share given by the government which accounts for 49 percent of Cebu’s required funding sources.

Battle with Cebu City mayor over mega infra flares up anew

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/289862/battle-with-cebu-city-mayor-over-mega-infra-flares-up-anew
Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

By Chief of Reporters Doris Bongcac

Sparks flew yesterday when former congressman Raul del Mar yesterday lobbied in the Cebu City Development Council (CCDC) to revive support for two flyover projects worth P430 million that were deleted from its priority list. He didn’t get it – for now. The meeting adjourned after a heated word war with flyover critic Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who presided over the meeting. “Ayaw ipamugos. Wala man tay ma abtan aning storyaha,” warned Rama, who tangled with del Mar on procedures since the issue was not on the official agenda. (Don’t force it. We won’t get anywwhere with this kind of talk.) Del Mar said the flyovers could still be funded directly through Congress even without the CDCCs blessing but that “we wanted to follow procedures that is why we are fighting it out.” Del Mar, who is eyeing a comeback in Congress in the 2013 election, urged the council to reconsider its June 15 resolution withholding endorsement for two new flyovers. PET PROJECTS The pet projects, which met strong opposition last year, have earned del Mar and his daughter Rep. Cutie del Mar, the ire of heritage and environment advocates, as well as urban planners, who insist that new massive concrete flyovers don’t belong in the “core” of Cebu City and would only build up car traffic. One is proposed near the Mabolo church along M.J. Cuenco Avenue and another is a short distance from the Carmelite Monastery entering F. Cabahug Street, the access road to Ayala’s Cebu Business Park. Both flyovers would cross busy intersections of Juan Luna Avenue formerly called San Jose del Montana, and are lined up for the 2013 Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Cebu Daily News reported in March 17 that the two flyovers were rejected by the Regional Development Council – Infrastrcuture and Development Committee because they lacked the endorsement of the Cebu City Development Council. Del Mar was persistent yesterday. He stayed past 1 p.m. to press his case after his appeal was first waved off as being out of the agenda. Del Mar said there was a new resolution of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) signed by 49 of Cebu City’s 80 barangay captains seeking to withdraw the CCDC’s June 15 resolution. He said the flyovers are badly needed to ease traffic in the two interesections. “A flyover is just one of the solutions to lessen traffic. Other solutions include having an MRT, skywalk and even efficient traffic management,” he said. DIFFERENT FLYOVERS The flyovers that del Mar lobbied for yesterday are different from the original two flyovers in Gorordo Avenue near the Asilo dela Milagrosa and another along M.J. Cuenco – General Maxilom Avenue that inflamed private citizens in 2011 to form the Stop Cebu Flyover Movement, prompting the DPWH to suspend all flyover construction in Cebu in October 2011 pending further study. CDN reported about the two new flyovers in its March 17 issue as being listed by DPWH under “National Arterial and Secondary Roads and Bridges” aimed “to address traffic congestion”. The total cost was P859,741,000, which includes improvement of the road to Salinas Drive and road widening and concreting in Talamban Road. Each flyover would be 400 meters long. One flyover worth P230 million is for the juncture of MJ Cuenco Avenue and Juan Luna Avenue near the St. Joseph the Patriarch parish church of Mabolo. The other one in the junction of Juan Luna Avenue and Cardinal Rosales Avenue-F. Cabahug Street (the access road to Ayala) would be worth P200 million. Yesterday’s CDCC meeting saw the flyover debate flare up again after months of silence, this time with personal jabs. At one point, the mayor told del Mar that he was acting as if he weren’t a congressman. Del Mar retorted that Rama was also behaving as if he were not city mayor. As members watched the tension crackle, the mayor stood up from his seat in front of the council to approach del Mar seated at the end of the social hall. “Ayaw ipamugos. Wala man tay ma abtan aning storyaha,” Rama warned. The mayor said the CDCC would not follow the “dictates” of the former congressman. Del Mar tried to move for a vote but Busay barangay captain Eleodoro Sanchez, an ally of the mayor, moved to adjourn. CUTIE ABSENT The meeting started at 9 a.m. with 100 CCDC members at City Hall’s legislative building social hall. Del Mar said he was there to represent his daughter Cutie, the congresswoman. When the minutes of the council’s June 15 meeting were read, del Mar asked to seek reconsideration and to withdraw the CCDC resolution passed during their previous meeting which deleted the two flyover projects from the list of projects endorsed to the Regional Development Council. Mayor Rama said it would set a “bad precedent” to take up a matter not on the ofifical agenda and that a motion for reconsideration should have been taken up on the same day the June 15 resolution was passed. A persistent del Mar stayed till 1 p.m., waiting till the agenda items were taken up and “other matters” came up. During the lunch break, Rama huddled with his co-chairs which included city planning officer Alipio Bacalso, councilor Jose Daluz III and NGO representative Catherine Ruiz. When the meeting resumed, the mayor asked what items were left to discuss. “In the City Council, it’s very clear that we only discuss matters of life and death and of primordial concern,” he said. Daluz said the CCDC had no House Rules that state what falls under “other matters” but invoked the Robert’s Rules of Order that say it should be a new matter which has not been discussed before. With that, he moved to adjourn. Del Mar stood up to object, saying this was a “maneuver” to shut off discussion. He said his daugther Cutie missed the June 15 CCDC meeting because she was out of town and got a call a day before informing her of the meeting. Del Mar, in a separate interview, said there was prior RDC approval already for the Mabolo flyover in RDC full council resolutions passed in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 ‘but subject to further discussions and consultations.” The Juan Luna-F. Cabahug flyover was also approved by the RDC in resolutions in 2005, 2008 and 2009. Cahty Ruiz the NGO representative told del Mar that the two flyovers were already thoroughly discussed last June 15 where 101 of its 140 members were present, including 61 barangay captains and 36 NGO and PO reps. Del Mar called for a vote on his objection to adjourn the meeting. Daluz, however, advised him to defer his concern till the next CDCC meeting. Banking on that assurance, del agreed: “For everybody’s convenience let adjourn.” No date has been set yet for the next CCDC meeting.

Rep. Gullas says Talisay government-run school soon a state college

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=462669
Monday, October 15, 2012

By (PNA)

LAP/EB/RE

CEBU CITY, Oct. 15 (PNA) -- A house bill that will convert the Talisay City College (TCC) into a state college will soon be passéd into a law after it was finally approved by the Senate and Lower House earlier this month.

Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, 1st first district) said House Bill (HB) 6125 has been transmitted to President Benigno Aquino III for his signature,

Once approved by the President, TCC can enjoy the benefits of becoming a government-funded institution, Gullas said.

Gullas, who authored the bill, said HB 6125 was approved and transmitted to Malacanang after it was deliberated on by the Senate committee on education chaired by Sen. Francis Escudero.

He said that with the bill enrolled for the President’s approval, the only task he has left is to tackle the future state college’s appropriations for next year.

Gullas is slated to attend a week-long deliberation on the country’s annual budget starting Monday.

Gullas said that with the bill’s approval, the Talisay City Government will soon be freed from spending for TCC, which includes its capital outlay expenditures and other similar expenditures, as the school will soon depend on funds from the National Government.

Gullas, who will be ending his term as first district congressman next year, said he promises to push for the bill’s passage into law before the 15th Congress ends.

He also hopes that this grandson, Gerald Anthony Gullas, will continue his job by further providing more legislation that could assist the city-founded college, such as providing funds for the construction of additional school buildings.

Gullas said the approval of his bill was a “blessing” from the city’s patron saint, St. Theresa de Avila, whose feast day is being celebrated Monday.

He also said the numerous accolades the city-run college has received earned its place as “one of Cebu’s prestigious institutions.”

Earlier this year, TCC was ranked first in the Licensure Examination for Teachers, with 71 out of 81 takers passing the exams.

It was the third consecutive year that the school ranked at the top of the teacher’s board exams.

Third Trans Asia vessel stalls at sea, returns to Cebu City

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/288720/third-trans-asia-vessel-stalls-at-sea-returns-to-cebu-city
Sunday, October 14th, 2012

By Jhunnex Napallacan

It was supposed to be the first commercial voyage of MV Asia Philippines, a passenger vessel of Trans Asia, after three months of major repairs. But a “minor technical problem” experienced at the vicinity of the first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge forced the crew to turn the vessel back to Cebu City’s Pier 4 at past 11 p.m last Friday. Trans-Asia Shipping HR Manager Abner Llenos said they prioritized the welfare of the 190 passengers who were bound for Iloilo City. MV Asia Philippines was the third Trans Asia vessel to experience problems while at sea in less than a week. The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) had just lifted the suspension order of Trans Asia’s entire fleet after two of its vessels, MV Trans Asia 5 and MV Trans Asia 3, stalled at sea last Sunday evening and last Monday dawn respectively. Cebu Coast Guard Commander Capt. Rolando Punzalan said MV Asia Philippines will not be cleared to sail unless its seaworthiness is certified by Marina. Cebu Daily News tried but was unable to get Marina’s side on the incident. Punzalan said MV Asia Philippines left at 6 p.m. last Friday for Iloilo with 190 passengers and 40 officers and crew headed by ship captain Jose de Guzman. About 45 minutes later, Punzalan said the vessel had steering problems which forced the vessel to drop-anchor. He said no immediate reason was given but he suspected that it may be due to an electrical problem. Punzalan said Trans Asia Shipping hired the services of tugboat Gothong Tug 4 to tow the vessel back to Pier 4. But Llenos said Asia Philippines was able to sail back to Pier 4 on its own. He said the tugboat just followed the vessel to ensure the safety of the passengers who were provided food upon return. The passengers were refunded their tickets while the rest chose to sleep inside the vessel, Llenos said. “It’s steering motor malfunctioned but as to why it happened, that’s still subject to our investigation”, Llenos said. After repairs, he said the vessel underwent a sea trial and inspected by Marina which certified its seaworthiness. Llenos said the trips of other Trans Asia vessels are normal, except for Trans Asia 5 which stalled off Naga City sea due to engine trouble. He said they have yet to receive any directive from Marina.

Osmeña: Mayor’s P13 billion budget just a ‘wishlist’

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/288296/osmena-mayors-p13-billion-budget-just-a-wishlist
Saturday, October 13th, 2012

By Cebu Daily News

THE P13-billion budget proposed by the Rama administration for Cebu City next year is just “a wish list” with no clear revenue behind it, said his opponent Rep. Tomas Osmeña of the south district. Osmeña said he expects the mayor to use the budget, and its eventual disapproval or reduction, as a propaganda tool against the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK). “(Mayor Michael) Rama went around asking the people what they want, integrated it in his proposed budget, and when it is disapproved by the City Council, he would go back to the people, telling them BO-PK does not want to give you what you want,” Osmeña told Cebu Daily News. This year’s current P5.2 billion budget is the biggest in Cebu City’s history. Osmeña said the Rama administration is having a hard time even meeting revenue targets this year and still asked for two supplemental budgets. Osmeña, who’s running anew for Cebu City mayor, said budgeting is not about making a wish list but involves planning projects based on projected revenues of a local government unit (LGU). “You look at the revenues and ask how big is the pizza.” Osmeña said. The former mayor said public consultations were used as a venue for Rama to grandstand. “He asked the people, what they want and said yes to them. But he doesn’t even have the ability to raise revenues,” Osmeña said. In 2011, Rama proposed a budget of P11.8 billion which was slashed by the City Council to P5.2 billion. Last August, the City Council disapproved Rama’s proposed supplemental budget 2 worth P237.4 million. The SB 2 would have gone to funding additional senior citizens aid worth P108.7 million; Cebu Integrated Traffic Operation Management geodetic improvements at P27 million, fuel allocation at P20 million and garbage collection at P17 million among others. The first supplemental budget for 2012 worth P85.8 million was approved immediately last February. The supplemental budget was used mostly to give City Hall employees the anniversary bonus for the city’s 75th Charter Day. If Mayor Rama blames the BO-PK dominated city council again for not approving the budge for 2013t, Osmeña said he and the BO-PK would explain their side to the public. Osmeña was Cebu City mayor from 1988 to P1995 and from 2001 to 2010. If he wins again as mayor, Osmeña said he will spend based on how much the city can raise and look for external fund sources for projects, “at no cost to the people of Cebu City.” He cited the P400 million outlay for road projects in Cebu City he secured from the Department of Public Works and Highways. The opposition of Rama to the projects, including a flyover, drove Osmeña to ask the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to realign the budget to fund instead road expansion projects in Cebu’s 1st district of Rep. Eduardo Gullas. Osmeña in earlier interviews said he would raise more projects from national funds and other sources should he regain the mayor’s seat. “I know how and where to get those funds,” he was quoted as saying.Associate Editor BenCyrus G. Ellorin

Cebu guv forgoes trip for Pedro Calungsod canonization

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/10/12/cebu-guv-forgoes-trip-pedro-calungsod-canonization-247655
Friday, October 12, 2012

By Sunstar.com.ph

CEBU CITY -- Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is forgoing her wish to attend the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod in Rome on October 21.

There is a hold-departure order (HDO) against the governor over graft charges.

”I have a hold-departure order, though I could ask for a leave of course, but I decided to stay,” Garcia said.

Garcia is facing charges before the Sandiganbayan over the purchase of a partly submerged property in Naga City in southern Cebu, the basis for the HDO.

While she won’t be witnessing Calungsod’s canonization rites, the governor will get to attend “a special day for my first-born.”

Her eldest son Paolo’s birthday falls on Oct. 21, the scheduled canonization of Calungsod.

But the governor said she will be joining Cebuanos attending the canonization “in spirit.”

”Certainly I am one with our brothers and sisters who are fortunate enough to leave and be in Rome,” she said.

Garcia said the canonization of a Visayan Saint, San Pedro “Calungsod, is a great blessing for the Province of Cebu.

Ginatilan town in southern Cebu will be holding a parallel celebration on October 21.

It is believed that the soon-to-be saint is from Ginatilan, where the Calungsod clan hails from. (PNA)

Festival showcases Cebu City as major cut flower producer

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/286952/festival-showcases-cebu-city-as-major-cut-flower-producer
Thursday, October 11th, 2012

By Tweeny M. Malinao

Barangay Taptap bested 11 other barangays in the flower float parade of Cebu City’s 4th Flower Festival yesterday. The flower festival has been staged by the City Agriculture Office to encourage cut flower growing in the city and cements Cebu City’s place as a major producer in the country. The flower float stage contest held in Fuente Osmeña was participated by 11 mountain barangays. It began at 7 a.m and was followed by a parade of floats from Fuente Osmeña to Plaza sa Sugbo at 8:30 a.m. Cebu’s flower growing barangays Adlaon, Budlaan, Bonbon, Sirao, Malubog, Sudlon 2, Guba, Pung-ol Sibugay, Babag, Taptap and Buot-Taup showcased their colorful agriculture products. At the end, the flower float of barangay Taptap won he approval of the judges. They went home with P30,000 cash prize. Barangay Malubog took second place while barangay Pung-ol Sibugay got third place. Aside from the flower float parade, a series of activities were also lined-up for the whole day in Plaza sa Sugbo where different barangays competed in showcasing their high value products. The event is aimed at making Cebu city known as the biggest producers of cut flowers, said Apple Layon, the officer-in-charge of the Cebu City Agriculture Department. Barangay Sudlon II won the best flower booth category, bagging home P20,000. Barangay Sirao and Pung-ol Sibugay were second and third placers respectively. According to Apple Layon, acting city agriculturist, cut flowers is one of the major agriculture products of the city. Flowers grown in the city reach the Bacolod and Ilo-ilo markets, Alayon said. Layon said a substantial portion of the proposed P40 million budget of the City Agriculture Office for 2013 would go to promoting cut flowers, a high value agriculture product. She was very happy with the support that cut flow growing is receiving from the upland barangays of the city. The upcoming All Saints and All Souls Day, she said, will increase demand for flowers. Based on a study of the Department of Horticultue of the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, Cebu is a mjor producer of roses, orchids, chrysanthemum, gerbera and gladiolos in the Visayas.

‘Possessions’ in Cebu continue

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/10/10/possessions-cebu-continue-247287
Wednesday, October 10, 2012

By (JKV of Sun.Star Cebu)

CEBU CITY – Fourteen people, mostly high school students, were reportedly driven temporarily mad after being possessed by evil spirits in Barangay Jaclupan, Talisay City Tuesday morning.

This happened after 17 students of the Jaclupan National High School suffered the same fate a day earlier.

A Catholic priest known for his ability to cast out demons was sent to the school to perform exorcism rites.

The school’s principal also sought the help of the Department of Education (DepEd).

An official of the Department of Health said the agency plans to send government psychologists to conduct stress debriefing on the affected students.

At 7 a.m. Tuesday, students were forced to evacuate the school after another series of alleged possessions occurred there.

Maria Imelda Valde, school principal, told reporters that close to ten students were possessed after they prayed the rosary before the start of class.

Valde said that despite what happened a day earlier, she didn’t suspend classes in their school on Tuesday in order to keep things normal in the campus.

But she didn’t expect the incident to be repeated.

By the time Valde suspended classes, almost 10 students and one parent had been reportedly possessed by demons.

A mother of one of the school’s students began acting strangely after she attempted to get her daughter out of the school.

A teacher, who refused to name herself, said majority of the students who were possessed were reportedly driven mad by a mysterious voice calling out to them.

“Magsige kuno og hunghong nila nga ‘adto na ta’ (The voice told them, ‘Come with us),” the teacher said.

But before the incident, two sisters ages 25 and 16 were reportedly brought to the Mary’s Little Children Community in Barangay Tabunok, in the same city, after suffering the same episode.

Due to what had happened, Monsignor Frederick Kriekenbeck visited the school at 11 a.m. and said a mass.

Kriekenbeck also performed a rite of deliverance to cleanse the school and its students from whatever evil spirits that plagued them.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Kriekenbeck told reporters that contrary to reports, the trees growing around the area are not the source of the demonic possessions in the school.

“Wala gyuy sala ang mga kahoy, kay hinimo man siya sa Ginoo (The trees have nothing to do with it because they are God’s creations),” he said.

Faith

But he blamed the failure of the community, especially the students, in professing their faith, such as their failure to attend mass every Sunday.

He also reminded the students not to dabble in the occult and superstitious beliefs as malignant spirits would take advantage of such practices.

After the mass, another student reportedly got possessed outside the school.

The female student was reportedly rushing toward the school to attend the mass when she suddenly collapsed and started screaming.

When the girl was brought in, Kriekenbeck performed the rite of exorcism on her.

Valde said that due to the incident, she sought the intervention of the DepEd Talisay City Division.

In a TV Patrol Central Visayas report Tuesday, Department of Health (DOH) Central Visayas Director Asuncion Anden said that once they receive the report from DepEd, they will send a team of psychologists to the area to conduct stress debriefing on the students.

Last Monday, 17 students of the same school were brought to a church after they show signs of being possessed.

Teachers of the school said the possessions started during an all-night seminar over the weekend.

They believed the possessions started when three “bagalnga” trees were cut down to make way for the construction of a classroom for the fourth year class.

City mayor’s appointees step down after filing COCs

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/285682/city-mayors-appointees-step-down-after-filing-cocs
Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

By Patricia Andrea D. Pateña

Cebu City’s traffic chief Sylvan Jakosalem and Nutrition Council chairman Ronald Diola tendered their resignation after filing their Certificates of Candidacy last Friday. Jakosalem, chairman of the City Integrated Traffic Operations Management (Citom) and Diola are running for city council seats in the south district under Team Rama. Jakosalem has been confined in a private hospital since Saturday when he suffered a seizure related to the recurrence of a past infection. In a text message to Cebu Daily News, he said he would remain a Citom consultant. Jakosalem and Diola said their resignations were a formality as they were considered resigned the moment they filed their COCs last Friday. “It’s up to Mayor Michael Rama to appoint replacements,” Jakosalem said. Diola said he would continue assisting the Nutrition Council for free. Under a Comelec en banc rule, “any person holding a public appointive office or position, including active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other officers and employees in government-owned or controlled corporations, shall be considered ipso facto or automatic resigned from his office and must vacate the same at the start of the day of the filing of his Certificate of Candidacy.” Cebu City election officer Marchel Sarno said this was a general rule and the Comelec doesn’t need to remind or order appointed officials to follow it. He clarified that only elected officials are exempted by the Comelec ruling. Elected officials have fixed terms and will remain in their positions until noon of June 30, he added. Cebu City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said they will seek clarification about the effect on contractual employees. He said Jakosalem and Diola were cnosidered contractual employees. Mayor Rama said he thought that Diola and Jakosalem were exempted from the rule. “If there is no violation, why resign? But if they are the ones who made the decision to resign to concentrate on the campaign, or whatever their plans are, I will always respect their decision,” said the mayor.

ABOUT 22,000 RUNNERS JOIN CEBU CITY LEG OF 36TH NATIONAL MILO MARATHON

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-75810.html
Monday, October 8, 2012

By Maloney L. Samaco

CEBU CITY – The Cebu provincial leg of the celebrated 36th National Milo Marathon held last Sunday was a record breaker as far as number registered runners is concerned. An unprecedented 21, 697 runners joined the Cebu stage which started at the Cebu Normal University (CNU) grounds and ended at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The 5K category attracted the lion share of the number of participants reaching a total of 18,859. The 10K group drew 1,217 runners while the 3K bracket attracted 1,141 registrants. The main 21K half-marathon has 480 entries. The bulk of the 5K and 3K participants were mostly students from different colleges and universities of Cebu City.

Renowned Cebuana long distance runner Mary Joy Tabal topped the 21K women’s category in 1:26:58. Janel Languido of Bukidnon clocked 1:11:56 to win the men’s 21K division. Kenyan Abraham Missos finished six seconds ahead of the Mindanao runner. But there is a new rule limiting the provincial competition to local entrants.

“For local races, only foreign runners with working visas will get to enjoy the prizes if they win but they can still use the result of their races in the provincial leg to qualify in the national finals if they like,” said Nestle Philippines Sports Executive Andrew Neri as quoted by Caesent Magsumbol of The Freeman.

In the women’s 21K, Joery Lee of University of Southern Philippines Foundation placed second with a time of 1:37:52. Madelyn Carter finished third with a clocking of 1:44:45. In the men’s 21K, Mohammad Sherwin Managil placed second in 1:14:49 followed by Bonifacio Monjas at third with the time of 1:14:51.

German national Beate Krechlow won the women’s 10K action in 41 minutes and 51 seconds. Foreigners were allowed to compete in the lower categories. Aiza Suaybaguio of Bohol finished second in 41:51 while Mary Jane Beboso concluded at third place in 44:57.

Lovely Fe Andrin finished in 18 minutes and 19 seconds to win the girls’ 5K, while sister Cherry clocked in 11 minutes and 51 seconds to top the girls’ 3K. Paolo Kent Lauron placed first in the boys’ 3K in 12 minutes and three seconds. In the boys 5K, Jory Ycong grabbed the title with the time of 16:16.

The run started at 4:00 A.M. for the 21K runners, 5:00 A.M. for 10K racers and 5:30 A.M. for 5K and 3K fitness buffs. I and my wife Chona joined the 10K category for fun and fitness and we ran through Osmeña Boulevard to Fuente Osmeña, then to the Provincial Capitol going through Escario Street, proceeding to Gorordo Avenue, Lahug to General Maxilum, through Imus, then P. del Rosario and finished at Cebu City Sports Center.

A sea of humanity wearing green Milo shirts filled the sports complex. It was the most successful run ever held in the Queen City of the South and we were very glad to be a part of such an exciting sports event.

Starstruck supporters greet Team Rama

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/284000/starstruck-supporters-greet-team-rama
Saturday, October 6th, 2012

By Chief of ReportersDoris C. Bongcac with reports from Correspondent Edison de los Angeles

STARSTRUCK employees in the Cebu City election office crowded around as celebrities Eddie Gutierrez and his actor children accompanied their mother Annabelle Rama inside to file her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) as congresswoman of the north district. When the visitors got of the airconditioned bus, spectators screamed. Employees rushed to have their photos taken with the Manila-based celebrities. Richard Gutierrez brought with him a camera and took photos of the event. The commotion was expected, part of a showbiz offensive to support Annabelle and her cousin reelectionist Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. Earlier at 8 a.m., Team Rama candidates filled the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral with a sea of green and yellow-shirted supporters to hear Mass. “Never before have I remembered having such a huge crowd during the filing of COCs,” said an ellated Mayor Rama. In his homily, Msgr. Boy Alesna reminded Team Rama candidates the real purpose of seeking election is public service. He said authority is entrusted to politicians in order for them to serve and not to rule over their constituents. A drum and bugle crops later played to a cheering crowd as Team Rama candidates walked arm in arm to the Comelec office. Mayor Rama said having a successful filing of their COC was already a good start for the campaign.’ “But we will still continue on a running scale and put our feet on the ground,” he said. They drew a lively crowd reaction with the presence of Annabelle’s celebrity children Tonton, Ramon Christopher, Ruffa, Richard, Raymond and Elvis. The celebrity manager, as promised, also brought three of her talents – Era and Michelle Madrigal and Arce Muñoz. Four higantes designed to look like Mayor Rama, his vice mayoral candidate Edgar Labella and congressional candidates Annabelle Rama (north district) and Aristotle Batuhan (south district) also followed the 200-meter trek to the Comelec office. Two Team Rama candidates – Basak Pardo barangay captain Dave Tumulak and radio personality Tisha Ylaya – filed their COCs separately about noon due to other commitments. Lawyer Aristotle Batuhan of Cebu City’s north district continued to challenge his opponent third term councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa to a debate. “A debate would be a lot of pretensions. Whatever he (Batuhan) says will be empty words because all through the years he has not been here” said Abellanosa.

‘Unregistered voter’ files candidacy for mayor

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/10/05/unregistered-voter-files-candidacy-mayor-246477
Friday, October 5, 2012

By (RSB/FMG of Sun.Star Cebu)

CEBU CITY -- Despite a court decision declaring that he is not a registered voter of Cordova town, boxing promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) in Cordova on Thursday. Accompanied by 2,000 to 3,000 supporters, as police estimated, Salud, his candidates for vice mayor and councilors filed their COCs at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) after hearing mass past 9 a.m. The Municipal Trial Court in Cities earlier declared that Salud is not a registered voter of Cordova. Salud appealed the decision before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) but Judge Raphael Yrastorza Sr. denied his appeal last October 1. In an interview with reporters, Salud said he will exhaust all legal means to be able to run for Cordova mayor. “Kutob sa mahimo nako, padayunon gyud nako (I will do all I can to pursue my electoral bid),” he said. Likewise, Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy said he will also do everything to thwart Salud’s efforts to challenge him in his reelection bid. In an interview, Sitoy said he will file three cases against Salud, including a petition seeking to cancel the boxing promoter’s COC, a complaint for perjury for alleged false statements in his COC, and contempt of court for insisting on filing his COC even if he was disqualified as a voter. Sitoy will also ask that Cordova’s Election Registration Board be cited in contempt for not heeding the court order declaring Salud to be a non-registered voter. The mayor wondered why the town’s election registrar denied Salud’s application for inclusion in the list of registered voters in Cordova, yet accepted his COC. Sitoy said he is optimistic Salud cannot pursue his political plans in Cordova. “Welcome to Cordova Prison… He will be campaigning in jail,” said Sitoy. Salud’s lawyer Magnificos Cañete said they will file a motion for reconsideration. They are also considering filing a motion for Judge Yrastorza to inhibit from the case. Cañete said the judge overlooked some evidence they presented, that is why they are confident that their motion for reconsideration will be granted. “If the court that will decide is only impartial, then our motion will not be denied,” he said. Arvin Maghanoy, Cordova’s election officer, said they accepted Salud’s COC because they have not received any advice from Comelec. They sent a copy of the court order to the Comelec’s law department Tuesday afternoon. Sitoy had threatened to ask the court to cite Salud and the election officer in contempt if Salud was allowed to file a COC despite the court decision denying his registration as Cordova voter. But Cañete said the court cannot cite Salud in contempt because there was no court order preventing him from filing a COC. Cañete said 155 residents of Cogon issued testimonies that Salud resides in the place. The barangay captain also issued a certification that Salud is a resident of Cogon. Cañete said that though Salud’s businesses are in Cebu City, “he is in Cogon most of the time.” He said Salud has been a resident of Barangay Cogon, Cordova since June last year. Now, Salud lives in another house in Barangay Poblacion because the house in Cogon will be renovated. Salud said he decided to run because of the people’s clamor for change, but that it was boxing champion Manny Pacquiao who urged him to register as voter of Cordova. “Pirmiro wa gyud koy plano. Pero gisultian ko ni Manny nga magpa-rehistro ko kay basin mag-invest siya sa Cordova (At first, I have no plans to register as a voter here. But Manny told me to register here because he plans to invest in Cordova),” Salud said. “I’m not a politician. I only ask that I be given a chance to serve. If they see no change during my first term, I will step down,” he said in Cebuano. The police estimated Thursday’s crowd to be from 2,000 to 3,000. The supporters carried red flaglets bearing Salud’s name, and wore T-shirts bearing Salud’s face. For his part, Provincial Elections Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said it is the ministerial duty of a Comelec officer to accept the COC of anyone who wishes to run for an elective post. “We don’t have the discretion. For instance, we had the discretion to choose whose COC we will accept, who do we choose? If that’s the case, we might as well be the one to determine who will win,” Castillano said. He said only the Comelec en banc decides whether or not Salud’s COC should be denied. Castillano said a court ruling will also be needed to deny Salud’s COC, and that the candidate be given due process. Asked if Salud’s group will request that Cordova, which has 24,602 voters, be considered an area of concern, Maghanoy said it will be discussed during a peace and order command conference by the Comelec and the Philippine National Police

More than 1,000 enrolled in PhilHealth’s Sponsored Program in Cebu and Negros Oriental

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1091349250884
Thursday, October 4, 2012

By Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY, Oct 4 (PIA) -- Seven barangays in the provinces of Cebu and Negros Oriental enrolled 1,481 poor constituents in Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth)’s Sponsored Program.

The three sponsoring barangays are in Cebu City, one in Consolacion, Cebu, and three in Tayasan, Negros Oriental.

In Cebu City, Barangay Capitol Site enrolled 800 poor families, while barangays Apas and Lorega San Miguel each sponsored 165 members and Consolacion’s Barangay Pulpogan sponsored the premium of 200 constituents.

In Tayasan, barangays Linao, Lutay, and Magtuhao shouldered the premium of a total of 151 poor constituents.

Through the support of these barangays, poor families enrolled as sponsored members can now avail of PhilHealth benefits within the validity period indicated in their PhilHealth ID and Member Data Record (MDR).

Like all other PhilHealth members, sponsored members can avail of PhilHealth benefits when confined for at least 24 hours in PhilHealth-accredited hospitals or admitted for outpatient treatment, such as dialysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and ambulatory or day surgeries, among others.

They are also entitled to free primary preventive and diagnostic services, as well as free drugs and medicines in accredited rural health units or health centers under PhilHealth’s Primary Care Benefit 1 (PCB1) package.

The package includes services like free consultation, regular blood pressure monitoring and visual inspection with acetic acid. It also covers procedures such as complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis and chest X-ray. Free drugs and medicines for asthma (not requiring admission), acute gastroenteritis with no or mild dehydration, upper respiratory tract infection or low risk pneumonia and urinary tract infection are also included in the PCB1 package.

PhilHealth’s No Balance Billing Policy (NBB) also applies for members sponsored by these barangays when admitted in accredited government hospitals for illnesses or surgical procedures covered under PhilHealth’s case rates.

NBB means PhilHealth’s coverage is sufficient to cover the cost of treatment and no other fees should be charged to or paid for by the member beyond the identified case rate.

PhilHealth benefits and the NBB extend to qualified dependents of the principal sponsored member, that is, the legal spouse, children below 21 years old and parents aged 60 years or older. (HFG/PIA-7/Philhealth)

Architect points to Cebu model on good reclamation effects

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/282412/architect-points-to-cebu-model-on-good-reclamation-effects
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012

By Irene R. Sino Cruz

CEBU CITY—A 300-hectare reclaimed area owned by the Cebu City government has been cited by a top urban planner as a successful model for reclamation projects outside Metro Manila. Felino Palafox Jr., world renowned architect, said the South Road Properties (SRP) has even been drawing big businesses into the country. These include SM Prime Holdings Inc. and Filinvest Land Inc. Palafox mentioned SRP in his presentation during a conference, “Dredging and Land Reclamation 2012,” in Singapore, which ran from Oct. 2 to 4. SRP is dubbed as the “heart of the city” as it is accessible in the north through the Cebu City port and in the south through an access road in Barangay Mambaling. In a statement sent by e-mail, Palafox said reclamation could “do the country a lot of good if done properly.” “Reclamation, if done properly, is the solution to flooding in Metro Manila. It is the solution to tsunamis, the solution to storm surges, solution to (producing) additional prime land,” said Palafox in the presentation he made for the conference. While some have claimed that reclamation has caused negative environmental impact such as flooding, Palafox said inefficient waste disposal and the absence of flood-mitigating infrastructure were the primary causes of floods in urban areas. “The Philippines has the world’s third longest waterfront but we don’t use our waterfront properly. We don’t use them as front doors to development but as outhouses where garbage is thrown,” he pointed out. Palafox designed two reclamation mega projects in Dubai: the Palm Islands Resort and Map of the World. Both are acknowledged modern architectural wonders and tourism destinations.

Annabelle is PDP-Laban-UNA bet for Cebu City north district

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/281262/annabelle-is-pdp-laban-una-bet-for-cebu-city-north-district
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012

By Doris C. Bongcac

THE PDP-Laban wing under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has adopted Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and his entire Team Rama for the 2013 elections. James Cuenco, PDP-Laban Cebu City chairman, said the party’s secretary general Jose “Peping” Cojuangco issued a certification of nomination and acceptance (CONA) to Mayor Rama and his lineup. This means that the mayor’s cousin, talent manager Annabelle Rama, will be adopted as PDP-Laban’s candidate for Cebu City’s north congressional district instead of Dr. Marlo Maamo. Maamo was sworn in as PDP-Laban Cebu City north district candidate by re-electionist Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III last month while Rama was sworn in as UNA bet by former president Joseph Estrada more than a week ago in Manila. Cuenco’s father, former congressman Antonio Cuenco, said he may arbitrate when it comes down to choosing between Maamo and Rama owing to his position as PDP-Laban regional coordinator. Maamo was supposed to file his certificate of candidacy (COC) but chose not to do so after failing to receive his certification yesterday. The younger Cuenco said the PDP-Laban’s CONA will go to Annabelle Rama and not Maamo. “There’s no problem even if she took her oath before former president Estrada because Estrada’s Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) is in coalition with the PDP-Laban wing under UNA,” Cuenco said. But Cuenco said since UNA is not a registered party, PDP-Laban will appear on the CONA issued to Mayor Rama and his Team Rama lineup. Cuenco left for Manila to collect the CONA for Team Rama. “Aside from this, Vice President Jejomar Binay also authorized Mayor Rama to select our local candidates,” he told Cebu Daily News. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) requires the submission of the CONA together with five copies of the duly filled up COC. In the absence of a CONA, the candidate will be considered as an independent, said Comelec regional director Temie Lambino. Liberal Party national president Mar Roxas earlier authorized Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district to chose the LP Cebu City candidates. Two days later, Roxas also issued Osmena’s CONA. Rama left the LP after his letter sent to Roxas was unanswered. The mayor asked Roxas for his CONA, owing to his membership with the LP. With no answer forthcoming, Rama said his local group won’t endorse any LP candidates for senator. But the mayor said he will continue to support President Benigno Aquino III’s administration. Despite Cuenco’s announcement, Rama declined to comment as he gathered some barangay captains to his Rama compound to discuss political alliances last Saturday afternoon. He also explained his decision to leave LP after the weekly flag ceremony held in front of the city hall legislative building.

Binay invites Cebu City mayor to join UNA

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/10/01/binay-invites-cebu-city-mayor-join-una-245757
Monday, October 1, 2012

By (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

MANILA -- Mayor Michael Rama has an option to join the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) after deserting the ruling Liberal Party on Sunday on reports that he failed to clinch the blessing of Malacañang.

Opening the door for Rama is Vice President Jejomar Binay, who said in a statement Monday that he personally asked Rama to be the UNA standard bearer in the city for next year’s midterm elections.

“Mayor Rama represents competent, caring and transparent governance. Under his leadership, the people of Cebu have seen continued growth and share in the fruits of progress through various economic and social services. We are honored to have him as our official candidate for Mayor of Cebu City,” Binay said.

Rama left the LP after reports said the administration party already backed the candidacy of Representative Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district), who is seeking to regain his old post as mayor. Rama and Osmeña are former political allies.

“My ties with the LP will already cease to exist and I would not be any more connecting with the said party,” he added.

The mayor did not provide specific details on what prompted him to make such a decision but pointed out that the media have been reporting about it.

He apparently referred to his letter to Aquino as well as to LP president and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, asking that he and his group be given a certificate of nomination for the 2013 elections.

Rama has not received any response from the LP headquarters in Manila.

Despite leaving the LP, Rama said he has no ill-feelings toward the party and that he is still supportive of the reform agenda of President Benigno Aquino III.