Cebu Province News August 2011

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Province of Cebu - Archived News

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

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

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

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

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Cebu metro.jpg
Aerial View of Metro Cebu

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

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


Mandaue honors top workers

By AilBy Rebelander S. Basilan (Cebu Daily News)

THE Mandaue City Government gave recognition to its outstanding employees, as it commemorated the City’s 42nd Charter Day yesterday.

Mayor Jonas Cortes said city employees will receive a cash bonus, but added he has yet to receive an endorsement from the City Council, which approved last week a resolution giving regular employees P3,000 to P5,000 in cash bonus.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

The City also plans to give cash bonus to job-order employees. Cortes, though, still awaits guidelines from the budget office in the giving of the bonus.

Although the awardees will receive P3,000 each, Cortes emphasized that employees should not think of cash rewards when doing public service.

“I would prefer recognition without monetary rewards,” he told reporters in a press conference.

Message

Before joining the celebration, which began with a mass, Cortes delivered a message to the Muslim community in Barangay Mantuyong, Mandaue City.

In his message, Cortes underscored the importance of cooperation between Christians and Muslims in the Philippines. Muslims in the country observed Eid’l Fitr yesterday, marking the end of the month of fasting.

The City gave recognition to the most outstanding office head, regular employee, job order employee, barangay health nutrition worker, school head, classroom teacher, police officer, fire officer, team enforcer, daycare worker, punong barangay and barangay councilor.

Recognition was also given to the most outstanding Bureau of Jail Management and Penology officer, police station, clean and green employee, Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson, barangay secretary, barangay treasurer, barangay tanod and national government employee.

Market Administrator Musoline Suliva, who was named the most outstanding office head, said he does his best to deliver excellent service to the people of Mandaue City.

Suliva, who started as a traffic enforcer in 1986, also received the award for most outstanding regular employee in 2009, when he was still assigned at the City’s public employment and service officer.

Advice

For all public servants, he has an advice: “Enjoy your work. Be happy.”

In his message during yesterday’s program, Cortes said the people of Mandaue City should pay tribute to those who made Mandaue a chartered city.

“We are just enjoying the fruits of their hard work,” he told the crowd who gathered in front of City Hall.

The program was attended by Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glen Bercede and the city councilors.

Cortes urged the people to join hands with the City in achieving progress.

“Let us build the city of our dreams,” he said.


Another P200M for Cebu projects – CHI president

By Aileen Garcia-Yap (Cebu Daily News)

Cebu Holdings Inc. will invest another P200 million for three expansion projects in Cebu, which is the final installment of the P5 billion the firm set aside for the Cebu projects.

CHI president Francis O. Monera said the firm’s latest investment was for for Amara’s fifth phase – The Parks – which would offer 53 lots with the price range between P5.7 million to P14 million each.

Amara is CHI’s high-end property development project in Liloan town, northern Cebu. Development of its 5th phase will start this year.

Monera said their confidence in Cebu was expressed by their continued investments through expansions in their existing projects.

“The P5 billion total investments are spent for our Ayala expansion which is the Phase 2 B, Amara’s The Parks, and our BPO building in Asiatown I.T.Park,” Monera said.

The investment also makes up 42 percent of their P12 billion investments in the Visayas and Mindanao Region. The firm is investing P1 billion for the Amara projects, 1 billion for the eBloc project, and P3 billion for the Ayala Phase 2 B project.

Monera said that they continued to see bullish growth in the real estate industry of Cebu, which was fueled by the twin industries – tourism and the outsourcing industry.

“In support of Cebu’s continued strength in the BPO (business process outsource) industry we have invested in properties that offer office spaces in Asiatown IT Park, where 75 percent of the locators are holding offices, through our eBloc towers,” he said.

The firm also sees Cebu Business Park as another place for BPO-related properties will rise after it was declared as a Special Economic Zone.

“We expect the same vibrance in Cebu Business Park and we feel that we must continue to invest in these two properties. We are taking advantage of these two banner districts where we expect the growth of Cebu will be concentrated. That is why we are expanding the mall, just imagine the number of people that will be in the area which has 110 lots,” he said.

Monera said there were only 12 lots left in Cebu Business Park, but the firm was not selling them anymore.

“We’re not selling these remaining lots because we feel that this is where we will be putting in more of our investments in the future,” he said.

He siad other lot owners of Cebu Business Park, who were mostly BPO properties, already submitted their development plans.

Monera said the firm was also studying putting up another hotel and a retail segment in Asiatown IT Park.

Monera said that for 2011, the total investment of CHI in the Visayas and Mindanao area is about P12 billion which is spread in key areas in the regions like in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, and in Iloilo.

The firm is developing a 10-hectare property in Davao, a hotel and a condominium project.

In Cagayan de Oro, Cebu Holdings is developing a four-hectare property where they plan to set up a mall.

“In Bacolod all of our brands (Alveo, Avida, Ayala Land Premier, Amaya) are already in the market and in Iloilo, we will soon introduce Avida and a BPO project,” Monera said.

4th district indigents to benefit from rice subsidy program

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MIT (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) has extended P9.3 million cash assistance to 3,196 indigent individuals and families in Cebu’s Fourth District under its Rice Subsidy Program for Small-Scale Farmers and Fisherfolk.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Evelyn Macapobre informed Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon about the financial assistance provided for small-time fisherfolks and farmers in his district.

In her letter addressed to the congressman, Macapobre said they have given cash pay-outs for small-time fisherfolk and farmers in the towns of Tabogon with 1,049 beneficiaries, Medellin with 516 beneficiaries, Tabuelan with 100 beneficiaries, San Remegio with 1,211 beneficiaries and Daanbantayan with 320 beneficiaries.

Macapobre said each beneficiary receives P2,937.00 each or P267.00 per day for the four-day training activity about food production and enhancement on methods of farming and fishing along with seven days of community & environment related work.

According to DSWD, since the rice subsidy program started in May 2011, some 678,621 small-scale farmers and fishermen nationwide have undertaken Cash-for-Training and Cash-for-Work (CFT/W).

The DSWD has released P1.44 billion for the rice subsidy of the beneficiaries so far out of the program’s P4 billion budget allocation.

Under this program, beneficiaries undertake cash for training on disaster management and mitigation, including family and community preparedness.

The training program is held for four days where they undertake the Cash-for-Work program for seven days performing community service, such as cleaning of canals and drainages, repair of roads, and other structures.

The beneficiaries receive payment upon completion of their CFT/Work activities based on the prevailing regional wage rate in their respective areas.

Cebu tops Nat'l Greening Program

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MIT (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu province topped the regional implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) after planting trees in 946 hectares since the program was launched by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in June this year.

NGP posted an accomplishment of 22% or 1,190.5 out of 5,632 hectares of target area coverage since its launch with Cebu province leading over its neighboring provinces by 48.41%.

Following Cebu is Negros Oriental with 151.62 hectares or 8.13%; Bohol with 5.84%or 1,563 hectares, and Siquijor with 2 hectares or 0.79%.

DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso said there is a need to closely work together so that the 5,632-hectare target this year will be achieved.

In Cebu province, Dichoso noted that the target of 1,954 hectares was distributed to various Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs).

Cenro Argao ranked first with 58.27% or 265.7 hectares; Cebu City with 57.32% or 483.8 hectares; Carmen with 179 hectares or 49.48%; and Toledo City with 5.87% or 17.15 hectares.

With a target of greening some 1.5 million hectares of degraded forest lands, Dichoso said the NGP focus will be on developing a sustainable forest resource base to accelerate the national greening campaign.

He added that the program also aims to rejuvenate rural economies in parts of the nation’s most chronically poor areas in the uplands and provide livelihood opportunities for some six million families in the upland areas across the country within six years, from 2011 to 2016.

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III issued Executive Order 26 on February establishing the NGP not only to reforest 1.5 million hectares of land but also to promote a sustained environmental awareness campaign in the face of the harmful effects of climate change.

The target for Central Visayas region involves planting 2.816 million seedlings to cover 5,632 hectares with Cebu province having the biggest target.

Scavenger finds hope in entrepreneurship

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - She grew up toiling, selling, and sometimes eating garbage, and she thought she will live in this lifestyle for the rest of her life.

Her only goal was for daily survival—nothing else.

However, after 45 years of making garbage her livelihood, Editha Bonghanoy found her way to the ‘entrepreneurship” world, and now starting up her small “Krispy” (deep-fried chicken neck and feet) stall in front of her makeshift house.

Her worth-telling-story reinforces the fact that getting into business amid severe financial difficulties is not impossible at all.

No education. No husband, and a single-mother, Editha never had a rest-day. But, someone up above may have seen the beauty of her heart, passion for life, and love for her family, that she “accidentally” found an envelope while gathering wastes in one of the dumpsites.

The envelope which contained P600 made this ordinary woman an entrepreneur, using the small amount to start her own “Krispy” business.

This small business, which she installed in front of her house in Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City, provides her family a decent meal, and extra income to send her grandchildren to school, slowly breaking the cycle of poverty in her family.

“Wala koy laing pangandoy, mapa eskwela lang ang akong mga apo. Dili ko gusto nga maka sulay sila sa kalisud nga akong na agi-an,”Editha confessed.

The “Krispy” business, which she considers as “treasure”, now earns her at least P100 a day--enough to buy one-and-a-half kilos of rice, and a decent viand, and send her grandchildren to public school.

Although she has not totally left her old-time “profession” in toiling garbage, to aid other basic needs of the family. But, she hopes that this business would open the gates for her family to taste “life” after-all.

No stranger to hard-work, sleepless nights, hunger and pain, Editha has slowly seen her “self-worth” as a woman, and now starting to dream of experiencing “happiness.” Her description of happiness is a selfless one—being able to see her family get out from the pit of poverty, and see her grandchildren earn degrees and start a lifestyle that is simple, decent and happy.

Out from the small profit she gets from “Krispy”, she dreams of having her own food-stall someday. Ultimately, saying goodbye to selling trash.

Indeed, making a difference is not impossible, even to the most ordinary women we see every day. Editha’s inner beauty radiates and shines, and now she is on her way to break life’s difficulties, and pass it on the next generation of her family—traveling the path of entrepreneurship—a gate worth pursuing, if only to “dream” again.

Three women entrepreneurs honored in Winners program

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) recognized three women who excel in their respective communities through their small business, and now become the role models for women who aspire to be successful entrepreneurs.

Out of 23 women entrepreneurs in different barangays in Mandaue City, the MCCI’s noble project called Women In Need Now Entrepreneurs (WINNERS), has chosen three extra-ordinary mothers whose ticket to success is not money, but hard-work and passionate dedication to their small businesses.

This pilot project, of which MCCI is aiming to transform into an annual event to empower more women-in-need to go into small business, has now stirred the interest and paradigm shift especially to wives, whose everyday is faced with financial difficulties, leaving their own dreams in the “backseat”.

Charito Cabatingan, a 42-year-old mother of four children, was chosen the winner. Cabatingan who started selling door-to-door fish in her neighborhood some years ago, was able to establish a sari-sari and eatery business, called “Chartz & 3 Angels Eatery, at Sitio Pilit, in Cabancalan.

The Winners Program also recognized 45-year-old Sevelina To-ong, as the first runner up for this one-of-a-kind search, having been able to grow her business from a P500 borrowed capital, now she’s becoming a micro-retail businesswoman, and also trying her luck slowly in the real estate venture, through opening up her small lot for rent, and constructing a small room-type apartment for rent.

The third place was given to Remedios Rodriguez, a 33-year-old mother who initially used P700 capital to sell fish in houses. Now, she was able to install her own stall in barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.

These three women are just few of deserving role models, that every ordinary woman, regardless of educational attainment, can achieve their dreams, through hard-work and strong determination.

The Program’s chairperson Carmel Salvador said, the search for “Winners” will be a continuing advocacy for the MCCI, as it is high time for entrepreneurship to be introduced not only to women with good education and who has money to start a business, but starting a business does not necessarily need high capital expenditure.

Salvador said the essence of entrepreneurship is not all about how can much one can invest, but how strong is her determination and courage.

Salvador hopes that through this program, more women will be able to see the opportunity amid deep poverty, and life’s challenges.

“We usually recognized the established and successful entrepreneurs out there, with businesses are on the top, but sometimes we fail to recognize deserving people, especially women within the grassroots of society,” she said.

Because of the program’s noble cause, the Cebu Provincial Government and the Mandaue City government also provided financial assistance, along with other private sector supporters.

Macau exhibit features Cebu's 'famous Magellan's cross'

(VVP, GMA News)

The famous Cross of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, a landmark in Cebu province in the Philippines, is featured in an ongoing exhibit by a Portuguese foundation in Macau, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.

Magellan, who claimed the Philippine islands for the Spanish crown in the 1500s, is one of the subjects of the exhibit at Instituto Para os Assuntos Civicos e Municipais (IACM) exhibition hall.

"The exhibit provides interesting facts about the Magellan's cross, considered as Cebu's most famous landmark," the DFA said in a news release.

"According to the exhibit's write-up on the structure, it was the Augustinian fathers who first built a memorial at the site where Magellan first landed and erected a wooden cross," the DFA added.

The organizer of the exhibit was Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, an institution dedicated to promoting the Portuguese language and culture throughout the world.

In 1521, Magellan erected a cross to mark his arrival upon landing in Cebu.

In 1834, a protective enclosure around the memorial was built. The DFA said the protective structure seeks to prevent people from taking fragments of the wooden cross which they believed to possess miraculous power.

The ceiling was decorated after 1950 with paintings depicting the placement of the cross by Magellan.

The paintings also depicted the celebration of the first Mass, as well as the baptism of Rajah Humabon's family and some of their subjects.

"The monument was restored in 2006 with funding from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, effectively putting Cebu among the 21 places all over the world where the Portuguese have left their mark," the DFA said.

Entrepreneur credits success to optimism

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman) (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Success in business sometimes does not mean bigger company, fatter profits, for some—fulfillment in what they do--just to meet the daily needs for family is a priceless triumph in life.

Sevelina B. To-ong, a 46-year-old mother is one of them. This courageous woman stands out in their community in Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City, whose business started out with a Bananacue streetside stall with P500 capital, and now she becomes a budding entrepreneur in real estate, basic commodity retail (Sari-Sari Store) and barbeque business.

Her inspiring story caught the attention of her community, as she is one of the top 23 contestants for the Search for 2011 WINNERS (Women in Need, Now Entrepreneurs and Role-models), a noble project of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to recognize ordinary women who excel in business in their respective communities.

Sevelina sees life with eyes full of optimism. Thus, fate opened up to her easily, having been able to start her own bananacue stall out of P500 capital borrowed from a bestfriend.

Her good disposition in life, although clouded with financial difficulties and domestic problems, brought her to where she is now—sending off her three daughters to prestigious schools, with four-year degree courses—all by herself.

Just like other women with lesser educational attainment, she also tried her luck to earn monthly income from a rattan company. However, she believed that what she earned being a daily-earner is not worth her labor and self-worth.

Seeing her children grow, she can only afford to send them to public school. Sending them to college she thought, was a “far-fetched” dream.

“Swerte-swerte ang kinabuhi. Nag tuo ko kanunay nga ang akong swerte naa gayud sa negosyo,” said Sevelina, who now owns a small property for rent, and three room-for-rent, and a permanent store of basic commodities and barbecue, out from P500 capital in 1994.

The “Inday Bels” Sari-Sari Store, and barbeque stall located barangay Labogon, Mandaue City, afforded Sevelina to send her eldest daughter, Cheryl to college, now a licensed nurse working abroad. Her second daughter Mary Shiela is also getting a nursing course, while the youngest, Nerissa May is currently taking up education course.

She said being in business is making her “happy”, and she could not imagine herself doing another thing. “Ganahan ra ko sa akong gibuhat karon. Naay pressure, pero happy rako,” she said adding that she is determined to grow her business more, whether into real estate or expanding her Sari-Sari Store.

She is also willing to share her “success story” to women, who, like her in the past, struggled from self-worth, and financial difficulties. She said “losing hope” is a dead-end. As long as there is strength, and will-power opportunities will come easily.

Sevelina is truly a mirror of a successful, yet ordinary woman-entrepreneur, whose main capital is not the amount of money, but the main ingredient to her fulfillment is her positive outlook towards life, perseverance, hard-work, and fierce devotion to what she does.

Prov'l gov't help sought vs. conversion of shrine

By Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Two homeowners groups in Barangay Lahug and the management of the Taoist Temple have asked Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to support their opposition against the move of a religious group to convert the Osmeña Shrine in the neighboring Barangay Kalunasan into a cemetery.

Former Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann Delos Santos accompanied officers of the Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen homeowners associations in a meeting with Garcia yesterday.

Garcia, for her part, said she would want to hear the sentiment of the general public on the issue.

“We will decide on what course to take after having studied our options very carefully and, of course, also after having listened to representations from several resident associations that are vehemently opposed to this project to put a cemetery to be located in their midst,” Garcia said.

“From there we would be already coming up with alliances with the governor depending upon the pulso sa katawhan ug unsa gyud ang tiunay nga pulso sa katawhan mahitungod sa maong oposisyon,” Delos Santos told reporters.

Garcia said earlier there are several irregularities involving the donation of a portion of the Osmeña Shrine lot in Barangay Kalunasan to the Evangelical Christian Coalition of Cebu Inc. (ECCCI) by then Cebu City Mayor and current Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

“We already made our pronouncement as regards these parcels of land. While it is true we donated these properties and that there were certain conditions attached in the deed of donation,” Garcia said.

A compromise agreement entered into by the Province and the City of Cebu stated that these specific parcels of land agreed to be retained by the city for specific purpose whether for park and playgrounds or either as Osmeña water reservoir or as Osmeña Shrine.

“We are taking a wait and see attitude, we are studying our options very carefully and we are open to listening to public opinion especially the affected public,” Garcia said.

A public hearing was conducted on the proposed conversion of the property into a cemetery, but the affected residents were reportedly not given the venue to amplify their sentiments.

“So we shall give them that venue especially since the province also has a stake in this,” Garcia said.

Gov't bodies help draft green code

By Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - At least 15 government agencies and private organizations are helping iron out the provisions of the proposed Environment Code of the Province of Cebu before it will be presented to a public hearing.

The proposal is now pending before the Provincial Board committee on environmental conservation and natural resources chaired by Board Member Thadeo Ouano who also sponsored the proposed measure.

During the committee hearings, Ouano invited several government agencies and private organizations to give their inputs to be incorporated into the Code.

The national government agencies are the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board; Forestry Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Environmental Management Bureau; Mines and Geosciences Bureau; Department of Energy; National Economic Development Authority; Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of DENR and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The local government agencies are the Provincial Land Use Committee of the Provincial Planning and Development Office; PENRO-Capitol; Metropolitan Cebu Water District; and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Liloan.

The non-government organizations are the Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water; Coastal Conservation Education Foundation and the Philippine Environmental Governance Project (EcoGov).

During the meeting of the Technical Working Group last week, the said agencies were given until September 2 to submit their inputs.

The agencies are assigned to specific areas of concerns as their field of expertise such as in the issues of land use; planning and environmental impact assessment; solid wastes; air pollution; water resource management which include water pollution, drainage, reservoir and water shed management; forestry; mining and extractive activities; and energy.

Once the proposal is approved, to implement the policies, plans and programs under the Code, the Province will create a Sustainable Development Office, reporting to the Office of the governor.

EIGHT FROM CEBU TOP NURSE EXAM

CDN

Eight Cebu examinees made it to the top ten of the Nurse Licensure Examination,whose results were released yesterday.

They are Patricia Teodoro Pintac (Cebu Doctor's University) in 4th place; and Jacob Cabrera Reyes (Cebu Normal University) and Florence Jill dela Victoria Polina (STI College Cebu) in 6th place.

Lowel Andrew Batomalaque (CNU) and Cherryl Joyce Tan (Velez College) in 8th place; Thea Mae Baronda (Velez College) in 9th place; and Jane Cabatingan (CNU) and Deo Robert Castro (Cebu Doctor's University) in 10th place.

Cebu Normal University was one of three schools with 100 percent passing percentage, making it among the 10 best performing schools in the country.

A total of 37,513 out of 78,135 passed exam given by the Board of Nursing in July, the Professional Regulation Commission announced.

Jomel Garcia Lapides of the University of the Philippines-Manila topped the examination with a rating of 88.4 percent.

Two University of Santo Tomas nursing graduates, Hazel Cortes Crisostomo and Beverly Lynne Yao Ong, ranked second. Each got 87.4 percent. (Top 10 examinees on page 39)

Cebu Normal University has 181 successful examinees, 161 for the West Visayas State University-La Paz, and 57 for the University of the Philippines-Manila.

The dates and venues of all oath-taking for new nurses will be announced later.

Another P200M for Cebu projects – CHI president

By Aileen Garcia-Yap (Cebu Daily News)

Cebu Holdings Inc. will invest another P200 million for three expansion projects in Cebu, which is the final installment of the P5 billion the firm set aside for the Cebu projects.

CHI president Francis O. Monera said the firm’s latest investment was for for Amara’s fifth phase – The Parks – which would offer 53 lots with the price range between P5.7 million to P14 million each.

Amara is CHI’s high-end property development project in Liloan town, northern Cebu. Development of its 5th phase will start this year.

Monera said their confidence in Cebu was expressed by their continued investments through expansions in their existing projects.

“The P5 billion total investments are spent for our Ayala expansion which is the Phase 2 B, Amara’s The Parks, and our BPO building in Asiatown I.T.Park,” Monera said.

The investment also makes up 42 percent of their P12 billion investments in the Visayas and Mindanao Region. The firm is investing P1 billion for the Amara projects, 1 billion for the eBloc project, and P3 billion for the Ayala Phase 2 B project.

Monera said that they continued to see bullish growth in the real estate industry of Cebu, which was fueled by the twin industries – tourism and the outsourcing industry.

“In support of Cebu’s continued strength in the BPO (business process outsource) industry we have invested in properties that offer office spaces in Asiatown IT Park, where 75 percent of the locators are holding offices, through our eBloc towers,” he said.

The firm also sees Cebu Business Park as another place for BPO-related properties will rise after it was declared as a Special Economic Zone.

“We expect the same vibrance in Cebu Business Park and we feel that we must continue to invest in these two properties. We are taking advantage of these two banner districts where we expect the growth of Cebu will be concentrated. That is why we are expanding the mall, just imagine the number of people that will be in the area which has 110 lots,” he said.

Monera said there were only 12 lots left in Cebu Business Park, but the firm was not selling them anymore.

“We’re not selling these remaining lots because we feel that this is where we will be putting in more of our investments in the future,” he said.

He siad other lot owners of Cebu Business Park, who were mostly BPO properties, already submitted their development plans.

Monera said the firm was also studying putting up another hotel and a retail segment in Asiatown IT Park.

Monera said that for 2011, the total investment of CHI in the Visayas and Mindanao area is about P12 billion which is spread in key areas in the regions like in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, and in Iloilo.

The firm is developing a 10-hectare property in Davao, a hotel and a condominium project.

In Cagayan de Oro, Cebu Holdings is developing a four-hectare property where they plan to set up a mall.

“In Bacolod all of our brands (Alveo, Avida, Ayala Land Premier, Amaya) are already in the market and in Iloilo, we will soon introduce Avida and a BPO project,” Monera said.

4th district indigents to benefit from rice subsidy program

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MIT (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) has extended P9.3 million cash assistance to 3,196 indigent individuals and families in Cebu’s Fourth District under its Rice Subsidy Program for Small-Scale Farmers and Fisherfolk.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Evelyn Macapobre informed Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon about the financial assistance provided for small-time fisherfolks and farmers in his district.

In her letter addressed to the congressman, Macapobre said they have given cash pay-outs for small-time fisherfolk and farmers in the towns of Tabogon with 1,049 beneficiaries, Medellin with 516 beneficiaries, Tabuelan with 100 beneficiaries, San Remegio with 1,211 beneficiaries and Daanbantayan with 320 beneficiaries.

Macapobre said each beneficiary receives P2,937.00 each or P267.00 per day for the four-day training activity about food production and enhancement on methods of farming and fishing along with seven days of community & environment related work.

According to DSWD, since the rice subsidy program started in May 2011, some 678,621 small-scale farmers and fishermen nationwide have undertaken Cash-for-Training and Cash-for-Work (CFT/W).

The DSWD has released P1.44 billion for the rice subsidy of the beneficiaries so far out of the program’s P4 billion budget allocation.

Under this program, beneficiaries undertake cash for training on disaster management and mitigation, including family and community preparedness.

The training program is held for four days where they undertake the Cash-for-Work program for seven days performing community service, such as cleaning of canals and drainages, repair of roads, and other structures.

The beneficiaries receive payment upon completion of their CFT/Work activities based on the prevailing regional wage rate in their respective areas.

Cebu tops Nat'l Greening Program

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MIT (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu province topped the regional implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) after planting trees in 946 hectares since the program was launched by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in June this year.

NGP posted an accomplishment of 22% or 1,190.5 out of 5,632 hectares of target area coverage since its launch with Cebu province leading over its neighboring provinces by 48.41%.

Following Cebu is Negros Oriental with 151.62 hectares or 8.13%; Bohol with 5.84%or 1,563 hectares, and Siquijor with 2 hectares or 0.79%.

DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso said there is a need to closely work together so that the 5,632-hectare target this year will be achieved.

In Cebu province, Dichoso noted that the target of 1,954 hectares was distributed to various Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs).

Cenro Argao ranked first with 58.27% or 265.7 hectares; Cebu City with 57.32% or 483.8 hectares; Carmen with 179 hectares or 49.48%; and Toledo City with 5.87% or 17.15 hectares.

With a target of greening some 1.5 million hectares of degraded forest lands, Dichoso said the NGP focus will be on developing a sustainable forest resource base to accelerate the national greening campaign.

He added that the program also aims to rejuvenate rural economies in parts of the nation’s most chronically poor areas in the uplands and provide livelihood opportunities for some six million families in the upland areas across the country within six years, from 2011 to 2016.

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III issued Executive Order 26 on February establishing the NGP not only to reforest 1.5 million hectares of land but also to promote a sustained environmental awareness campaign in the face of the harmful effects of climate change.

The target for Central Visayas region involves planting 2.816 million seedlings to cover 5,632 hectares with Cebu province having the biggest target.

Scavenger finds hope in entrepreneurship

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - She grew up toiling, selling, and sometimes eating garbage, and she thought she will live in this lifestyle for the rest of her life.

Her only goal was for daily survival—nothing else.

However, after 45 years of making garbage her livelihood, Editha Bonghanoy found her way to the ‘entrepreneurship” world, and now starting up her small “Krispy” (deep-fried chicken neck and feet) stall in front of her makeshift house.

Her worth-telling-story reinforces the fact that getting into business amid severe financial difficulties is not impossible at all.

No education. No husband, and a single-mother, Editha never had a rest-day. But, someone up above may have seen the beauty of her heart, passion for life, and love for her family, that she “accidentally” found an envelope while gathering wastes in one of the dumpsites.

The envelope which contained P600 made this ordinary woman an entrepreneur, using the small amount to start her own “Krispy” business.

This small business, which she installed in front of her house in Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City, provides her family a decent meal, and extra income to send her grandchildren to school, slowly breaking the cycle of poverty in her family.

“Wala koy laing pangandoy, mapa eskwela lang ang akong mga apo. Dili ko gusto nga maka sulay sila sa kalisud nga akong na agi-an,”Editha confessed.

The “Krispy” business, which she considers as “treasure”, now earns her at least P100 a day--enough to buy one-and-a-half kilos of rice, and a decent viand, and send her grandchildren to public school.

Although she has not totally left her old-time “profession” in toiling garbage, to aid other basic needs of the family. But, she hopes that this business would open the gates for her family to taste “life” after-all.

No stranger to hard-work, sleepless nights, hunger and pain, Editha has slowly seen her “self-worth” as a woman, and now starting to dream of experiencing “happiness.” Her description of happiness is a selfless one—being able to see her family get out from the pit of poverty, and see her grandchildren earn degrees and start a lifestyle that is simple, decent and happy.

Out from the small profit she gets from “Krispy”, she dreams of having her own food-stall someday. Ultimately, saying goodbye to selling trash.

Indeed, making a difference is not impossible, even to the most ordinary women we see every day. Editha’s inner beauty radiates and shines, and now she is on her way to break life’s difficulties, and pass it on the next generation of her family—traveling the path of entrepreneurship—a gate worth pursuing, if only to “dream” again.

Three women entrepreneurs honored in Winners program

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) recognized three women who excel in their respective communities through their small business, and now become the role models for women who aspire to be successful entrepreneurs.

Out of 23 women entrepreneurs in different barangays in Mandaue City, the MCCI’s noble project called Women In Need Now Entrepreneurs (WINNERS), has chosen three extra-ordinary mothers whose ticket to success is not money, but hard-work and passionate dedication to their small businesses.

This pilot project, of which MCCI is aiming to transform into an annual event to empower more women-in-need to go into small business, has now stirred the interest and paradigm shift especially to wives, whose everyday is faced with financial difficulties, leaving their own dreams in the “backseat”.

Charito Cabatingan, a 42-year-old mother of four children, was chosen the winner. Cabatingan who started selling door-to-door fish in her neighborhood some years ago, was able to establish a sari-sari and eatery business, called “Chartz & 3 Angels Eatery, at Sitio Pilit, in Cabancalan.

The Winners Program also recognized 45-year-old Sevelina To-ong, as the first runner up for this one-of-a-kind search, having been able to grow her business from a P500 borrowed capital, now she’s becoming a micro-retail businesswoman, and also trying her luck slowly in the real estate venture, through opening up her small lot for rent, and constructing a small room-type apartment for rent.

The third place was given to Remedios Rodriguez, a 33-year-old mother who initially used P700 capital to sell fish in houses. Now, she was able to install her own stall in barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.

These three women are just few of deserving role models, that every ordinary woman, regardless of educational attainment, can achieve their dreams, through hard-work and strong determination.

The Program’s chairperson Carmel Salvador said, the search for “Winners” will be a continuing advocacy for the MCCI, as it is high time for entrepreneurship to be introduced not only to women with good education and who has money to start a business, but starting a business does not necessarily need high capital expenditure.

Salvador said the essence of entrepreneurship is not all about how can much one can invest, but how strong is her determination and courage.

Salvador hopes that through this program, more women will be able to see the opportunity amid deep poverty, and life’s challenges.

“We usually recognized the established and successful entrepreneurs out there, with businesses are on the top, but sometimes we fail to recognize deserving people, especially women within the grassroots of society,” she said.

Because of the program’s noble cause, the Cebu Provincial Government and the Mandaue City government also provided financial assistance, along with other private sector supporters.

Macau exhibit features Cebu's 'famous Magellan's cross'

(VVP, GMA News)

The famous Cross of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, a landmark in Cebu province in the Philippines, is featured in an ongoing exhibit by a Portuguese foundation in Macau, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.

Magellan, who claimed the Philippine islands for the Spanish crown in the 1500s, is one of the subjects of the exhibit at Instituto Para os Assuntos Civicos e Municipais (IACM) exhibition hall.

"The exhibit provides interesting facts about the Magellan's cross, considered as Cebu's most famous landmark," the DFA said in a news release.

"According to the exhibit's write-up on the structure, it was the Augustinian fathers who first built a memorial at the site where Magellan first landed and erected a wooden cross," the DFA added.

The organizer of the exhibit was Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, an institution dedicated to promoting the Portuguese language and culture throughout the world.

In 1521, Magellan erected a cross to mark his arrival upon landing in Cebu.

In 1834, a protective enclosure around the memorial was built. The DFA said the protective structure seeks to prevent people from taking fragments of the wooden cross which they believed to possess miraculous power.

The ceiling was decorated after 1950 with paintings depicting the placement of the cross by Magellan.

The paintings also depicted the celebration of the first Mass, as well as the baptism of Rajah Humabon's family and some of their subjects.

"The monument was restored in 2006 with funding from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, effectively putting Cebu among the 21 places all over the world where the Portuguese have left their mark," the DFA said.

Entrepreneur credits success to optimism

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman) (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Success in business sometimes does not mean bigger company, fatter profits, for some—fulfillment in what they do--just to meet the daily needs for family is a priceless triumph in life.

Sevelina B. To-ong, a 46-year-old mother is one of them. This courageous woman stands out in their community in Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City, whose business started out with a Bananacue streetside stall with P500 capital, and now she becomes a budding entrepreneur in real estate, basic commodity retail (Sari-Sari Store) and barbeque business.

Her inspiring story caught the attention of her community, as she is one of the top 23 contestants for the Search for 2011 WINNERS (Women in Need, Now Entrepreneurs and Role-models), a noble project of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to recognize ordinary women who excel in business in their respective communities.

Sevelina sees life with eyes full of optimism. Thus, fate opened up to her easily, having been able to start her own bananacue stall out of P500 capital borrowed from a bestfriend.

Her good disposition in life, although clouded with financial difficulties and domestic problems, brought her to where she is now—sending off her three daughters to prestigious schools, with four-year degree courses—all by herself.

Just like other women with lesser educational attainment, she also tried her luck to earn monthly income from a rattan company. However, she believed that what she earned being a daily-earner is not worth her labor and self-worth.

Seeing her children grow, she can only afford to send them to public school. Sending them to college she thought, was a “far-fetched” dream.

“Swerte-swerte ang kinabuhi. Nag tuo ko kanunay nga ang akong swerte naa gayud sa negosyo,” said Sevelina, who now owns a small property for rent, and three room-for-rent, and a permanent store of basic commodities and barbecue, out from P500 capital in 1994.

The “Inday Bels” Sari-Sari Store, and barbeque stall located barangay Labogon, Mandaue City, afforded Sevelina to send her eldest daughter, Cheryl to college, now a licensed nurse working abroad. Her second daughter Mary Shiela is also getting a nursing course, while the youngest, Nerissa May is currently taking up education course.

She said being in business is making her “happy”, and she could not imagine herself doing another thing. “Ganahan ra ko sa akong gibuhat karon. Naay pressure, pero happy rako,” she said adding that she is determined to grow her business more, whether into real estate or expanding her Sari-Sari Store.

She is also willing to share her “success story” to women, who, like her in the past, struggled from self-worth, and financial difficulties. She said “losing hope” is a dead-end. As long as there is strength, and will-power opportunities will come easily.

Sevelina is truly a mirror of a successful, yet ordinary woman-entrepreneur, whose main capital is not the amount of money, but the main ingredient to her fulfillment is her positive outlook towards life, perseverance, hard-work, and fierce devotion to what she does.

Prov'l gov't help sought vs. conversion of shrine

By Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Two homeowners groups in Barangay Lahug and the management of the Taoist Temple have asked Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to support their opposition against the move of a religious group to convert the Osmeña Shrine in the neighboring Barangay Kalunasan into a cemetery.

Former Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann Delos Santos accompanied officers of the Beverly Hills, Beverly Glen homeowners associations in a meeting with Garcia yesterday.

Garcia, for her part, said she would want to hear the sentiment of the general public on the issue.

“We will decide on what course to take after having studied our options very carefully and, of course, also after having listened to representations from several resident associations that are vehemently opposed to this project to put a cemetery to be located in their midst,” Garcia said.

“From there we would be already coming up with alliances with the governor depending upon the pulso sa katawhan ug unsa gyud ang tiunay nga pulso sa katawhan mahitungod sa maong oposisyon,” Delos Santos told reporters.

Garcia said earlier there are several irregularities involving the donation of a portion of the Osmeña Shrine lot in Barangay Kalunasan to the Evangelical Christian Coalition of Cebu Inc. (ECCCI) by then Cebu City Mayor and current Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

“We already made our pronouncement as regards these parcels of land. While it is true we donated these properties and that there were certain conditions attached in the deed of donation,” Garcia said.

A compromise agreement entered into by the Province and the City of Cebu stated that these specific parcels of land agreed to be retained by the city for specific purpose whether for park and playgrounds or either as Osmeña water reservoir or as Osmeña Shrine.

“We are taking a wait and see attitude, we are studying our options very carefully and we are open to listening to public opinion especially the affected public,” Garcia said.

A public hearing was conducted on the proposed conversion of the property into a cemetery, but the affected residents were reportedly not given the venue to amplify their sentiments.

“So we shall give them that venue especially since the province also has a stake in this,” Garcia said.

Gov't bodies help draft green code

By Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - At least 15 government agencies and private organizations are helping iron out the provisions of the proposed Environment Code of the Province of Cebu before it will be presented to a public hearing.

The proposal is now pending before the Provincial Board committee on environmental conservation and natural resources chaired by Board Member Thadeo Ouano who also sponsored the proposed measure.

During the committee hearings, Ouano invited several government agencies and private organizations to give their inputs to be incorporated into the Code.

The national government agencies are the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board; Forestry Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Environmental Management Bureau; Mines and Geosciences Bureau; Department of Energy; National Economic Development Authority; Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of DENR and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The local government agencies are the Provincial Land Use Committee of the Provincial Planning and Development Office; PENRO-Capitol; Metropolitan Cebu Water District; and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Liloan.

The non-government organizations are the Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water; Coastal Conservation Education Foundation and the Philippine Environmental Governance Project (EcoGov).

During the meeting of the Technical Working Group last week, the said agencies were given until September 2 to submit their inputs.

The agencies are assigned to specific areas of concerns as their field of expertise such as in the issues of land use; planning and environmental impact assessment; solid wastes; air pollution; water resource management which include water pollution, drainage, reservoir and water shed management; forestry; mining and extractive activities; and energy.

Once the proposal is approved, to implement the policies, plans and programs under the Code, the Province will create a Sustainable Development Office, reporting to the Office of the governor.

EIGHT FROM CEBU TOP NURSE EXAM

CDN

Eight Cebu examinees made it to the top ten of the Nurse Licensure Examination,whose results were released yesterday.

They are Patricia Teodoro Pintac (Cebu Doctor's University) in 4th place; and Jacob Cabrera Reyes (Cebu Normal University) and Florence Jill dela Victoria Polina (STI College Cebu) in 6th place.

Lowel Andrew Batomalaque (CNU) and Cherryl Joyce Tan (Velez College) in 8th place; Thea Mae Baronda (Velez College) in 9th place; and Jane Cabatingan (CNU) and Deo Robert Castro (Cebu Doctor's University) in 10th place.

Cebu Normal University was one of three schools with 100 percent passing percentage, making it among the 10 best performing schools in the country.

A total of 37,513 out of 78,135 passed exam given by the Board of Nursing in July, the Professional Regulation Commission announced.

Jomel Garcia Lapides of the University of the Philippines-Manila topped the examination with a rating of 88.4 percent.

Two University of Santo Tomas nursing graduates, Hazel Cortes Crisostomo and Beverly Lynne Yao Ong, ranked second. Each got 87.4 percent. (Top 10 examinees on page 39)

Cebu Normal University has 181 successful examinees, 161 for the West Visayas State University-La Paz, and 57 for the University of the Philippines-Manila.

The dates and venues of all oath-taking for new nurses will be announced later.


Cordova launches eGwen Avenue, roro port

By Carmel Loise Matus(Correspondent)

A PROPOSED “eGwen Avenue” was one of the P150 million worth of ongoing and completed projects inaugurated yesterday in Cordova town.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who led the inauguration of the projects, said the avenue named after her would be the widest highway in Mactan Island when completed.

EGwen Avenue, which is 535 meters long and 30 meters wide, will be the access road for Cordova’s new roll-on roll off (roro) Port and Provincial Reclamation Project.

The roro port in sitio Camolinas, barangay Poblacion will serve passengers from Bohol province. .

Lite Shipping Co. promised to provide a roro vessel once the port starts operating within the year.

Last month, Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy said that work was in progress in Phase 1 of the town’s 132-hectare reclamation project in Mactan Island.

Phase 1 would cover 10 hectares and cost about P80 million. Sitoy said they would look for commercial investments once this is completed.

Engineer Adolfo Quiroga, Provincial Planning and Development Officer, earlier said the province amended the Environmental Compliance Certificate for the reclamation area extending it from 10 hectares to 20 hectares.

Sitoy with Quiroga and Governor Garcia met last June to discuss the Cordoval reclamation project.

At the time, Sitoy said they were processing permits and clearances for other areas of the 132 hectares to be reclaimed.

The other projects inaugurated yesterday include classrooms in the Cordova Public College in barangay Gabi and the Cordova National High School in barangay Day-as.

A senior citizen's building, a birthing center and a public comfort room were also inaugurated yesterday.

CCCI to conduct three ISO seminar modules

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - To help companies thrive in the competitive business environment and achieve world-class operational standard, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) will conduct three ISO seminar modules.

This is to give companies the opportunity to know the basic of these systems as internationally understood and to prepare them in the accreditation process.

CCCI announced that it will offer the Quality Management Systems (QMS) based on the ISO 9001:2008, Environmental Management System (EMS) compliant with the ISO 14001:2004 standards, and the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Standard (OCHSAS) compliant to OHSAS 18001:2007 Standards.

The QMS 9001:2008 awareness seminar will help companies in developing guidelines for a well-documented total quality system and also helps in understanding the eigh fundamental principles of quality management necessary for global competitiveness. It encompasses the key principles of quality management and prepares the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 certifications. The first module was held on August 11, 2011 at the CCCI Training Room.

Environmental sustainability advocates and those companies whose operations have significant impact to the environment may attend the upcoming Environmental Management Systems (EMS) 14001:2004 Awareness Seminar scheduled on September 02, 2011 at 1:30PM to 5:00PM at the CCCI Training Room.

The said seminar will not only help in understanding the standards but as well as strengthening the organizations’ legal compliance to environmental laws and other local regulations. Participants can avail early registration package until August 22, 2011.

To promote health and workplace risk management, the newest update on OHSAS 18001:2007 also known as Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Standard can help organizations to control occupational health and safety risks found in the workplace. Aside from understanding the concepts of ISO 18001 in an organization, the seminar will also help organizations improve employee performance through identification of work hazards, risk management, and risk control, as well as to develop better and harmonious relationship within the organization. The said seminar will be on September 07, 2011 at 1:30PM to 5:00PM at the CCCI Training Room.

Jong Fernandez, C.Q.A., Director of Training and Development Services Division of AGF Events, trainings and consulting firm is the primary speaker and facilitator.

Fernandez regularly conducts public and custom in-house programs with over 300-multinational companies backed up by his expertise being a degree holder in Law from the University of Notre Dame. He is a licensed Professional Certified Quality Specialist conferred by UL University in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

MCCI opens alternative technology expo

By Ehda Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) officially opened its six-day alternative technology expo, called “Ovanta” or Outstanding Ventures and New Technological Alternatives.

Started its showcase at the three-day exposition in Ayala Center Cebu yesterday, event offers 15 exhibitors offering different products and services that promote “energy efficiency” solutions, as well as new eco-technology products.

Ovanta is one of the highlights of the ongoing celebration of the Mandaue Business Month (MBM 2011).

After its showcase in Ayala Center, the expo will continue to another venue at the Park Mall in Mandaue City.

The “Ovanta” or Alternative Technology Expo is an event that showcases alternative technologies geared towards efficiency. Ovanta, which comes from the Cebuano word “Uban Ta”, represents the underlying idea of the event that enjoins the different sectors of the community to take part in the drive to promote new innovations in entrepreneurship.

Event chairperson Wesley Chiongbian said the market including the companies, and end-users should know the new innovations of alternative technology right, as the trend of “energy efficiency” and green operation is here.

Chiongbian said the event will be made as an annual event every MBM, as this will not only help consumers to see the new alternative innovations available in the market today, but it will also help inventors to promote their products in the mainstream level.

“The expo aims to help not only entrepreneurs but also locals from Mandaue through exhibiting and encouraging the use of alternative technologies that will make business and life more efficient and environment-friendly in terms of operations,” Chiongbian said.

P5 million raised to spruce up street

Cebu Daily News

At least P5 million has been raised so far to finance the beautification of Cebu City’s Osmeña Boulevard.

Businesswoman Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung said her group so far raised the amount for the Beautify Cebu project from donations.

Yeung appealed for more donations in a meeting that she and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama called yesterday to update businessmen about the project.

She said boulevard establishments agreed to spruce up their respective areas starting Sept. 9, the birthday of Don Sergio Osmeña Sr.

A project design by architect Tessie Javier showed Osmeña Boulevard lined with lampposts.

Trees would be surrounded by carabao grass and sidewalks paved with concrete bricks and washout pebbles.

The Cebu Provincial Government tapped its contractors to beautify a portion of the boulevard from the Capitol building to the Fuente Osmeña rotunda.

In the open forum, Josefina Cinco of Elegant Circle Inn raised the need to address the street’s drainage problems and rugby boys and children who beg from foreigners in Fuente Osmeña.

Rama said the Department of Public Works and Highways should take care of drainage since the boulevard is a national road.

But sidewalk designs should allow rainwater to drain into the existing drainage system, he said.

He said security concerns are being addressed the city police office and concerned barangays.

NGO in Cebu inks agreement with civil society, LGUs for youth dev't program

(PIA-7/MBCNewman & RAFI)

CEBU, August 16 (PIA) -- The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) inked a partnership agreement with six civil society organizations and four local government units for the project development phase of the Young Minds Academy (YMA) Season 5.

With the YMA scholars and the project partners they signed the agreement recently at the Bryant George Hall of the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC). YMA is RAFI's youth leadership and citizenship development programs.

Since March 2011, the YMA scholars underwent learning sessions on character and leadership building; creative thinking and social development; research and participatory project development; thematic input sessions, community exposures, and immersion.

These allowed each team of scholars to develop projects that address issues and concerns related to poverty and social welfare, the YMA season 5 theme.

The project partners in concurrence with RAFI identified the project sites for the scholars to work on with.

EADSC executive director, Evelyn Nacario-Castro said this is the first time that RAFI engaged project partners in the entire project development process of the YMA scholars.

The project partners will also manage the grant of not more than Php 100T that RAFI will give to qualified projects. YMA, run by EADSC, is sponsored by City Savings Bank and UnionBank of the Philippines, Castro stated.

“As we upscale and innovate in YMA, we also make the engagement of our partners more meaningful,” Castro added, RAFI has always worked with internal and external partners in delivering the various components of YMA.

Partners of the program are the Fellowship for Organizing Endeavors (FORGE) Inc., Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Gawad Kalinga, Mag-uugmad Foundation Inc., Kadasig Parents Association Inc. (KAPAI), Lihok Pilipina Foundation Inc., Cebu City, and the Municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan, and Cordova.

They will guide the different teams of YMA scholars in developing a community assets or needs-based project model and will serve as co-implementing partner should the project of their assigned team be qualified for funding.

RAFI may also directly co-implement some of the qualified projects through its Integrated Development unit and RAFI Micro-finance. For more information about YMA, please contact 418-7234 loc. 110 and look for Mel Yan.

PB lauds Mandaue choir for international awards

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board (PB) is set to approve the resolution congratulating the Mandaue Children and Youth Chorus (MCYC) for winning the top prizes in a recent competition in Hong Kong.

Board Member Arleigh Sitoy authored the resolution seconded by PB Member Thadeo Ouano. It is expected to be approved today during the PB’s regular session with Vice Governor Agnes Magpale as the presiding officer.

“The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (PB) of Cebu joins the other sectors of our society in expressing their deepest acknowledgment of the MCYC for bringing home three major awards in a recent international choir competition in Hong Kong,” Sitoy said.

The MCYC won three major awards at the Hong Kong International Youth and Children’s Choir Festival in Hong Kong held last July 17 to 21.

MCYC won first prize in the folklore category, second prize in youth choir category and was selected as the Jury’s Award.

The Hong Kong competition was MCYC’s third time international choir competition wherein the group won major awards.

The group, with Dennis Gregory Sugarol as the musical director and conductor, won the first Asian Choir Games in Jakarta in November 2007 and the World Choir Championship in South Korea in July 2009.

The 32-member choir of boys and girls aged 8 to 19 years old, was initially known as the Mandaue School for the Arts Children’s Choir.

Cebu signs pact with 2 provinces

By Gregg M. Rubio/FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Province of Cebu yesterday entered into an economic partnership and sisterhood agreement with the provinces of Albay and South Cotabato, respectively.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda said a lot more economic cooperation is expected to happen between Cebu and his province now that a formal undertaking has been signed. Among this cooperation is the possibility of opening up a daily flight from Cebu to Legazpi City in Albay instead of just having two at present.

“Marami pong nakatingin sa liderato ninyo upang kayo po ang maging magpasimula. Hindi po namin maasahan talaga ang Metro Manila sa kahit anong bagay hindi lang sa malayo sila, hindi lang sa isa silang Imperial Manila, hindi lang napaka-impersonal ng Manila,” Salceda said.

Aside from forging economic partnership, the provincial government of Cebu also gave P5 million financial assistance for the province of Albay, which was recently hit by massive flooding and landslides brought about by typhoon.

Albay province lost some P1 billion in agricultural crops, livestock and infrastructure after tropical storm “Juaning” dumped heavy rains in Bicol triggering floods and landslide in 15 towns and three cities across the province.

Salceda said floods, mudflows, and landslides spawned by “Juaning” destroyed P951,456,000 worth of public infrastructures such as roads, bridges, dikes, and irrigation canals.

Damage to agriculture and livestock was estimated at P70.4 million in production losses affecting 13,339 hectares of rice, corn and vegetables crops with 7,795 farmers affected across the province. “Juaning” left the province with nine people killed, and one still missing and affected some 107,934 families or 557,448 people of which 56,955 families or 295,179 people are now housed in various evacuation camps.

The Province of Cebu and the Province of South Cotabato also formalized yesterday its sisterhood agreement.

Governor Arthur Pingoy said that the visit of Garcia last July 18 in their province was a good start to change the perception about their province.

“It’s a good start because in a way we can improve the image of South Cotabato with regards to peace and order,” Pingoy said.

Pingoy assured that the sisterhood can start exchanges of help from both provinces. The other sister provinces of Cebu are Antique and Ilocos Norte.

Cebu slowly gains ground in incentive travel market

  • Source: Cebu slowly gains ground in incentive travel market
  • Saturday, August 13, 2011 12:00 AM
By Ryan Christopher J. Sorote/JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu is slowly gaining the interest of Russia’s growing incentive travel market and recently 200 Russians visited Cebu for a three-day incentive tour.

Russian Federation Consul Armi L. Garcia, said the group was composed of exactly 170 executives, employees and dealers of Megaphone, which is the biggest telecommunications company in Russia.

The Russian incentive travelers flew to Cebu via a chartered flight, Garcia said.

“The tour is actually part of Megaphone’s incentive or reward package for its employees and dealers who have made exceptional accomplishments for sustaining the success and growth of the cellular company,” Garcia said.

As part of their tour itinerary, the Russian visitors went straight to watch the now-famous Dancing Inmates perform at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center upon their arrival Monday. They are scheduled to fly back home on Thursday.

The Russian delegation, headed by Megaphone president Igor Maistrenko, was awarded Tuesday night by the Philippine Russian Business Assembly (PRBA) at the White Gold House where the PRBA also paid tribute to Maistrenko in a simple awarding ceremony for bringing his people to Cebu.

“Mr. Maistrenko should be given due recognition for choosing Cebu as Megaphone’s incentive tour destination,” said Garcia who is also president of the PRBA.

“This incentive tour does not only denote Megaphone’s firm commitment to help business relations between the Philippines and the Russian Federation but Mr. Maistrenko’s support to the Assembly as well,” she added.

“The visit is indeed a most welcome development as we celebrate 35 years of Philippine Russian relations this year,” Garcia added.

The incentive travel market is one of the hottest products that is now being pursued by the Philippines.

Cebu hosts international summit

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City hosts the 3rd Global CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Summit which opened yesterday morning at the Marriott Hotel, Cebu City.

The city south was chosen site for the third Global CSR summit, held in Singapore since 2009, due to its “diversity and inventiveness.”

With its business-friendly atmosphere and policies, organizers and guests alike sees Cebu city as a promising and growing economy in south East Asia, according to the organizers.

With the growing economy of the city, organizers hope to bring to the local business industry their call for greener initiatives in terms of their products and services.

Senator Manny Villar was guest of honor and presented various awards during the summit. The senator also shared with hundreds of delegates from all over the world his journey from being a small businessman to his success as a public servant in the country.

Villar, businessman and philanthropist, introduced Senate Bill Number 1239 or the Corporate Social Responsibility Act which he authored.

The bill aims to bring the government at par among wealthy corporations in the country through CSR efforts.

Villar said this initiative will direct corporate and business organizations’ efforts towards community development, health services improvement and environmental preservation.

The bill’s provisions are mandatory for the top 1,000 businesses in the country, and Villar said this will benefit the less-fortunate..

“The evolving times tells us that social services should not be a monopoly of the government, especially because we don’t have enough public funds to immediately solve the many problems affecting the country,” Villar said.

The 3rd Global CSR Summit will end today where several companies will receive recognitions in five special categories for environmental merit and other CSR initiatives in leadership and product designs.

The organization aims to recognize and honor “outstanding, innovative and world-class products, services, projects and programs implemented in 2010.”

Awardees are companies that displayed “corporate leadership, sincerity, and ongoing commitment in incorporating values, legal requirements and environmental concern into their respected businesses,” organizers said.

Seized turtle back at sea

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 yesterday released back to the sea a green sea turtle that was confiscated from a fisherman in Barangay Tinago, Lapu-Lapu City.

The turtle, 48 centimeters in length and 45 centimeters in width, was seized by San Vicente Barangay Captain Cyrus Iyas last August 9.

DENR-7 director Maximo O. Dichoso said the green sea turtle, or Chelonia Mydas, is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

“It is highly protected from exploitation and abuse in most countries and it is illegal to collect, harm or kill them. We must not hunt turtles and their eggs for food as it will diminish their critical population level,” Dichoso said in a statement.

Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area Superintendent Reginald Bueno with park warden Socrates Sagarino and administrative officer Theodora de Leon led the release of the turtle to the San Vicente Marine Sanctuary in Lapu-Lapu City.

The sea mammal bears tag number D13578 on its right flipper when it was released back to the sea.


Sec. Paderanga to present nat'l dev't plan to Cebu stakeholders

by Hazel F. Gloria(PIA-7/mbcn/hfg & NEDA-7)

CEBU CITY, August 10 (PIA) -- National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General and Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga, Jr. is in Cebu to present the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016 to the members of the Central Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC-7) and the business community through an activity dubbed “PDP Caravan, Bringing the National Plan to the Regions” on August 10-11, 2011.

The NEDA advocacy for the Philippine Development Plan starts in Central Visayas, the caravan's first stop.

Tonight, Sec Paderanga will speak to the business sector on “P-Noy Economic Road Map: What's In It for Cebu” at the Marco Polo Hotel. Participants are members of the Cebu Business Club (CBC) led by the various leaders of Chambers in Cebu.

He will present an audio-video presentation of the PDP and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to the various chambers.

On August 11, Sec. Paderanga is scheduled to speak at a special expanded meeting of the Central Visayas Regional Development Council at the Montebello Villa Hotel, at 10:00 a.m., which will be followed with a press conference at 1:00 p.m.

Expected to attend are Local Chief Executives, Regional Directors, Private Sector Representatives of the RDC, and the officers of the Association of Government Information Officers and representatives from the national and local media outfits.

These fora will be followed with project visits and briefings on ODA-assisted infrastructure projects namely; the Cebu South Coastal Road Project, the North Coastal Road Project, and Cebu South Road Properties to be presented by the heads of the Project Management Offices and the Cebu Investment Promotion Center Managing Director.

The project visit will culminate at the Mactan Cebu International Airport where the MCIAA Manager will give a briefing on the proposed expansion of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport terminal.

In addition, Sec. Paderanga's documentation team will visit Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Industry in Balamban, Cebu; the coal-fired power plants in the cities of Toledo and Naga; and export-oriented furniture enterprises in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue.

Tourism experts meeting in Cebu

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - At least 20 tourism experts from all over the world are meeting in Cebu starting tomorrow for the Philippine Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions/Events Conference (MICECON) 2011.

Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim will be among the 20 tourism experts lined up to speak before the 350 participants from the MICE sector.

DOT-7 director Rowena Montecillo, in a statement, said the experts will be sharing their knowledge and skills to the participants.

Montecillo, who is coordinating the preparations with the local tourism stakeholders, said that there will be speakers from the United States, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, and top Filipino corporate moguls.

The event, with a theme “I Share, You connect, We change” will be held from August 10 to 13 at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Montecillo said the impact of the event will not be limited to Cebu City and province but will benefit the entire Visayas and Mindanao as well because Cebu is a tourism gateway to central and southern Philippines.

She said that in Cebu, many tourists stay for a while after they arrive before going to other destinations like Boracay, Panglao in Bohol, the underground river in Palawan, or Samal Island in Davao.

Lim earlier said that MICECON is a two-pronged strategy of promoting the Philippines as a global MICE destination while helping our industry embark on product development that suits international requirements and standards.

MICECON is organized by DOT through its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board, with the full support of Cebu Province, the Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers, the Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, and the Meetings, Incentive Travel, Events/Exhibitions Philippines Inc.

HRRAC president and MICECON organizing committee chair Hans Hauri placed the MICE market at a conservative 50 million constituents worldwide.

French agency offers grant for BRT study

By Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JPM

CEBU, Philippines - The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is setting aside USD100,000 for the Estimation of the Green House Gas (GHG) emission that is part of the full feasibility study on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit Project.

The AFD will be working closely with the World Bank which has granted USD1 million for a full blown feasibility study that was started this year.

While the WB is doing most of the work, the AFD will focus on the environmental impact of the BRT system to Cebu especially in estimating a baseline for GHG emissions and the expected reduction of the GHG after the project.

The AFD study will include the estimation of GHG emission savings using the different available tools and methods, the analysis and comparison of methods and results and transfer of knowledge to the National Center for Transportation Studies, University of the Philippines and possibly the Department of Transportation and Communication, the city government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the National Economics and Development Authority.

The result of the study on the estimation of GHG emission is expected to be used or applied in GHG evaluation for future urban transport projects.

The feasibility study for the BRT will include the determination of the project design, the institutional arrangement for the ownership and identification of social and resettlement issues, among others.

The Australian Agency for International Development has been tapped for the establishment of the institutional arrangement for the ownership of the BRT.

The total project cost is estimated at USD130 million to USD150 million to be sourced from Clean Technology Fund Loan, the World Bank, AFD, the Philippine Government and the private sector.

As agreed, the loan will be at the national level with DOTC as the implementing agency.

The Environmental Impact Assessment will be conducted alongside the feasibility study but will be handled by a different set of consultants.

The EIA will be funded by local funds from the national government. DOTC assured that it has enough resources in the 2011 budget of the department. DOTC will transfer the fund to the city government who will be the one to hire the consultants to undertake the EIA.

The construction of the phase 1 of the BRT project is targeted to start by June 2014 to be completed by June 2015. Phase 2 will immediately start after the completion of the phase 1 and is targeted to be completed by 2016. —

Program beneficiaries in the province include fisherfolks and small fishing farms.

Coal ash bangus an Agro Fair hit

By Carmel Loise Matus(Correspondent)

There's nothing toxic or special about them, but the “coal ash bangus” tag on the display of milkfish at last week's Agro Fair at the Capitol grounds caught the attention of many buyers.

Its P100 per kilo price was also a big come-on since supermarket prices for milkfish are pegged at P130 a kilo.

Dr. Necias Vicoy, provincial agriculturist officer, said he came up with the name after the office rehabilitated two fishponds near their field office in barangay Tina-an, Naga City, where the province bought land in the Balili Estate.

Asked about the danger of pollution in cultivating fish near a coal ash waste pond, Vicoy said the pond hasn’t been used yet to store coal ash from power plants in Naga.

The fishponds will be transferred once that happen.

Vicoy told Cebu Daily News they started to culture milkfish and tilapia after the field office was set up two years ago.

In 2009, the Capitol purchased the 25-hectare Balili beach resort in Naga town from the late engineer Luis Balili. The land sale sparked a graft investigation because most of the property was under water or classified as timberland.

Nevertheless, the Capitol and Korean Electric Power Company agreed to use part of it as a coal ash waste storage site for $1 a ton. The landfill is still being developed.

The “coal ash bangus,” label was a marketing twist that made people more curious about their products, said Vicoy.

Even before displaying it last week in the Agro Fair for Cebu province’s founding anniversary, Naga residents bought the first two batches of the fish harvest.

Vicoy said he got positive feedback.

“They said that compared to the bangus sold in the markets, the quality of our bangus is dili langsa ug dili lang puro tambok,” he told CDN.

It takes four to five months to culture bangus in either fresh or salty water.

Vicoy said they had about 450 kilos in the first harvest and a smaller volume in the next.

Fish sales go directly to the Provincial Treasurer’s Office. Receipts are issued to customers.

Vicoy said the provincial agriculture office plans to sell another batch of bangus during the Christmas Fair in December.

Two fish ponds in the field office in Naga are part of the Cebu Provincial Aquaculture Development Center program.

Program beneficiaries in the province include fisherfolks and small fishing farms.

Capitol awards outstanding individuals

By Gregg M. Rubio (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government has recognized outstanding individuals and organizations during last night’s Governor’s Ball as part of its 442nd Founding Anniversary celebration.

This year’s awardees are headed by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, the incoming president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

Palma said he felt he doesn’t deserve the award because he hasn’t done a lot yet for Cebu.

Palma, who was installed archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu on January 13, received the Award of Distinction and Medal of Merit from Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

“But I can consider it as the Cebuanos’ expression of welcome to me and even it is just a matter of few months they feel that I’m starting to do something good for Cebu,” Palma told reporters.

He said as a Church leader, he will try his best to bring spiritual renewal to the community.

“I pledge to do my best as a Church leader to really bring about development and growth and also renewal in the church,” Palma said.

Other Garbo sa Sugbo awardees were Ambassador Francisco Benedicto for International Relations, Chester Cokaliong for Entrepreneurship, Gloria Sevilla for the Performing Arts, Very Rev. Msgr. Rodolfo Villanueva for Music and Literature; and Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung for Humanitarian and Social Service.

Benedicto said although he had received numerous awards in his 25 years in the diplomatic service, the Garbo sa Sugbo award has been the most meaningful to him being a Cebuano.

“I will treasure this award for the rest of my life,” he said.

Sevilla asked the business sector to support her plan to revive the Visayan movie.

The Municipality of San Francisco won the award for Local Community Development and Environment Management. The award was received by Vice Mayor Alfredo Arquillano.

On May 14, San Francisco was awarded the prestigious 2011 United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva.

The UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction is awarded to an individual or institutions that have taken active efforts in reducing disaster risk in their communities.

San Francisco was recognized for its innovative use of the Purok system.

Governor’s Citation Recipients are Mandaue Children’s Choir for music and Catmon Elementary School Volleyball Team Girls for sports.

Started by Garcia in 2004, the Garbo sa Sugbo Award is given yearly to outstanding individuals and institutions.

RAFI's planting activity draws 55,375 participants

By Mechievilla Carline Benolerao, USJR /LPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Thousands of Cebuanos have supported the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.’s tree growing initiative held in June.

In fact, a total of 55,375 had participated in the Run 2 Plant 4 Greenin Philippines simultaneously held in 48 municipalities and cities in the province.

The figure exceeded RAFI’s target of 20,000 participants.

The program planted more than 200,000 native tree species, fruit trees seedlings, and mangrove species in 110 hectares of forestlands and private lands across Cebu.

In Talisay City, where the central event was held, around 10,000 participants planted 12,500 seedlings within the Mananga Watershed.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she was happy with the participation of the local government units in the event.

She said she is proud of the mayors for making their towns and cities aware of the environmental concerns.

The local chief executives also invited the private sector and schools to participate in the event.

According to the foundation, the planted native tree seedlings will be monitored to make them become vibrant forests.

ERUF now one of Asia's best

By Ryan Christopher J. Sorote/FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - After years of struggle and toil, the Cebu based Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) now stand as one of the best emergency units in Southeast Asia.

As they celebrate their 25th anniversary on September 13, the group looked back at how they started with only few old junked vehicles at their disposal during emergencies.

Dr. Jesus Ravanes, over all chairperson of the ERUF silver jubilee celebration, told The FREEMAN how proud their team is to have become one of best emergency teams in Asia.

Ravanes said they have exceeded other emergency units in Metro Manila, Makati and Davao City with their relentless efforts in the past years.

They are the only accredited and recognized medical team by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) based in the United States of America together with another emergency medical service (EMS) team in Hong Kong.

NAEMT is a professional association representing all EMS practitioners, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, first responders and other professionals working in pre-hospital emergency medicine throughout the globe.

In their aim to “serve so others may live,” ERUF has worked the path of sacrifice and true service as they are now recognized by various agencies in America and the European Union.

Though with only minimal supports from local government units where they serve, volunteers have exceeded what the forefathers of ERUF have dreamed in the past – to be world class.

Since 1986, ERUF has grown in terms of manpower, accomplishments both locally and abroad. The group which started with only 24 men has grown to an army of 300 well-trained and selfless personnel.

ERUF has also extended their world class knowledge by training barangay volunteers in Paramedic Training operations like the very active Pardo Emergency Rescue Unit.

With over 31 vehicles used in various purposes from emergency response and rescue, ERUF is one of the most equipped EMS team in the country. Although they said they are just 75-percent equipped, but no other teams have come close to what they now have.

ERUF RUN

BIR-13 exceeds collections target for the 1st semester of 2011

by Fayette C. Riñen(PIA 7-Cebu)

CEBU CITY, August 3 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) - 13 composed of six (6) district offices in Cebu and Bohol slightly exceeded its target tax collection for the first semester of this year with P6.15 billion as against its mandated collection target of P6.08 billion.

“We are proud to report that we have slightly surpassed our target tax collection in the past six months by 1.21 percent,” BIR-13 Collection Division Chief Zenaida Pancito told members of the media during the weekly Kapihan sa PIA this morning that tackled the topic ‘Measures to Increase Tax Collections and Going After Tax Cheats.’

Based on the consolidated cumulative collection report from January to June, this year, the Mandaue City Regional District Office exceeded the highest target collection of almost 9.5 percent with P2B as against its target goal of P1.8B or an excess of over P170M.

Pancito credited their positive performance to the regular information drive of their agency on the emphasis of paying taxes to the government and the programs being implemented such as the Tax Verification Drive and Tax Mapping as part of their measures to strengthen tax collections.

“Taxes are considered the lifeblood of the nation and that no nation is successful without taxes,” according to Pancito.

The BIR however has a minimal shortfall of .5 percent in its total target collection goal, this is learned.

Pancito added that the BIR-13 has always performed well and that in the same period last year, their office also exceeded its target.

In the August 2010 tax collection rate alone, this increased by 65 percent compared to the same period of 2009, this was previously disclosed by BIR-13 Regional Director Jose Tan.

“We are lucky that Cebu has honest taxpayers as we have been consistently meeting our demands,” Tan added.

Five out of the six regional district offices of the BIR-13 are based in Cebu.

Pres. Aquino in his 2nd State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) last week called on all Filipinos to pay the proper taxes because the tax revenues generated will be used to fund several government projects to benefit the poor.

Mandaue gets real against plastic use

By Justin K. Vestil

THE Mandaue City Council approved an ordinance that will require all retail establishments in the city to use only paper or reusable bags and prohibit the use of plastic bags.

The ordinance, which was proposed by Man-daue City Councilor Demetrio Cortes, Jr., is aimed to lessen plastic bags and Styrofoam waste as they can harm the environment, especially marine life.

The Mandaue City Council said that in order to reduce plastic pollution, the ordinance was adopted to require the use of paper bags, cloth, recyclable paper, and reusable checkout bags by all shops, stores, eating places, “carenderias or sari-sari stores” and retail food vendors in the city.

Damage

Cortes, in his ordinance, said the indiscriminate throwing of plastic bags and Styrofoam in public places has largely contributed to the present condition of poor drainage system, causing canals to clog up, resulting to flooding.
Based on the ordi-nance’s penalty clause, a fine of not more that P500, or imprisonment of not more than five days, or both, at the court’s discretion, will be imposed against any store or establishment owner who violates it.
To enforce the ordinance, concerned authorities or agencies will conduct random or surprise inspection on shops and food establishments.

Notification

Establishment owners are also required to notify its customers on the ban on plastic bags in their shops or stores through public awareness.
Discouraging the use of plastic bags and Styro-foam is one thing that storeowners can do for its customers, the ordinance states.
The ordinance, which was approved and signed by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes last year, was made to lessen the volume of non-biodegradable materials being thrown in the city’s Umapad dumpsite.

Capitol kicks off month-long anniversary celebration

By Gregg M. Rubio/JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The month-long activities for the 442nd founding anniversary of the Province of Cebu kicks off today with the flag raising ceremony to be attended by city and municipal mayors led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Sugbo: Nagsubay sa Tukmang Dalan” which Garcia said echoes the slogan of President Benigno Aquino III’s “daang matuwid.”

“Straight path may not always be the right path. What’s important is, are you following the right path and taking the right direction?” Garcia said.

The governor said this encompasses everything, foremost of which is honesty, transparency, a clear vision and the ability to get everyone on board to work together for a common goal.

One of the activities today is the opening of the Women Trailblazers Photo Exhibit at the Capitol dome area which includes Josefina “Inday Pining” Gullas, the mother of The FREEMAN’s chairman Jose “Dodong” Gullas.

August 6 is the founding anniversary of the Province of Cebu but today is the launching of various programs and activities that will run daily until the month ends.

An agro-fair featuring products from all over Cebu Province is also opened today, and would run until Friday, at the Capitol compound.

On Friday, the One Cebu Expo will be opened at the Cebu International Convention Center while the Governor’s Ball and Garbo sa Sugbo Awards will be held in the evening.

Other major activities include the MICE Conference on August 11 and the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals on August 13 at the CICC.

Some 25,000 visitors are expected to attend the One Cebu Expo while local officials from sister-province of Ilocos Norte led by Governor Imee Marcos and South Cotabato will also attend the weeklong expo and the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

Foreign dignitaries from The South Center, a Geneva-based Intergovernmental Policy Think Tank made up of 51 countries, will hold their board meeting here.

The Province of Cebu will host a welcome dinner on August 4 for the South Center dignitaries as part of the founding anniversary activities.

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