Cebu Province News December 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.

Cebu prepares for Sinulog 2012

By Nina G. Sumacot/MIT (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - A non-government organization is now preparing for the arrival of hundreds of balikbayan tourists for the Sinulog festival in coordination with the Cebu City and the provincial government of Cebu.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said the number of balikbayan tourists keep on increasing ever year since they introduced the Balik Cebu Program.

Magpale said they accommodated at least 200 tourist during last year’s Sinulog festivities.

She added that they will meet on January 3 for the final preparations to entertain the balik bayan tourists.

Like what they did last year, the Balik Cebu committee which is organized by the Ayala Group of Companies will again offer and host a welcome dinner for the tourists on January 12.

The vice governor who also chairs tourism and international committee, said the upsurge of tourists every Sinulog celebration is a big boost to the economy of Cebu.

According to Magpale, a study conducted by the National Statistical Coordinating Board shows that every tourist spends 28 percent of his/her money on shopping, 28 percent on food, and 21 percent on accommodations. The rest is already for air fare.

“So 75 percent of their money for their trip dia sa Cebu nila gigasto. If every tourist spends this much, dako gyud og economic significance,” she said.

The balik Cebu Committee will also showcase pocket activities on Jan 12 like the massage by Patria de Cebu, display or selling of Cebu guitars, and pasalubong stations.

Cebu province pushes for ordinance creating the Prov’l Disaster Risk Reduction Council

by Amor Saludar(FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)

CEBU CITY December 30 (PIA) -- The Cebu Provincial Government pressed for the immediate approval of the ordinance creating the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

Authored by Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano, the ordinance is basically aimed for the province to have its own PDRRMC to immediately address and provide solutions especially financial assistance to victims of disasters and calamities.

Ouano said the PDRRMC will be tasked to draft plans on the appropriate measures the community should adopt during the occurrence of calamities like floods, landslides, fire or any environmental threat for that matter.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale in a radio interview expressed optimism that the ordinance would be approved without delay as soon as the provincial board resumes its regular session next year.

Under the law, all local government units are mandated to have its own Disatser Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Magpale also stressed that the approval of the ordinance is very significant since this will include the budget allocation to implement programs related to disaster preparedness and precautionary measures in times of disasters.

Currently, the provincial government’s basis of giving assistance to calamity-stricken areas solely depends on the executive order of Governor Gwen Garcia and the declaration of the affected places as areas of state of calamity, Magpale declared.

DAR holds trainings on alternative dispute resolution

By Garry B. Lao/FPL (Cebu Daily News)

IN compliance with Republic Act 9285, the Department of Agrarian Reform conducted a series of trainings on alternative dispute resolution for lawyers, legal officers and municipal agrarian reform officers in the Central Visayas.

RA 9285 is the country’s law providing for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

The training was done in four phases. The first phase was held at the Northwinds Hotel in Cebu City on March 27-31, second at the Bohol Plaza in Bohol from April 10 to April 14, third at the Plaza Maria Luisa in Negros Oriental from May 23 to May 27. The fourth and last phase, which included an internship training, was held from June to November wherein the participants were made to handle actual mediation cases in the different cities and municipalities of Region 7.

Only 37 of the 59 participants graduated from the training.

The graduates were confirmed by DAR Undersecretary Gerundio Madueno in confirmation rites held last Dec. 16 at the Crown Regency Hotel in barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

The graduates received certificates of completion and accreditation as ADR mediators.

They are the first graduates of ADR nationwide.

The accreditation was signed by DAR Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes.

The ADR mediators can handle mediatable DAR cases as well as other disputes pertaining to land.

The training’s success was due to the support of DAR-7 Director Rodolfo Inson, training facilitator Carmelita Morales, ADR mediation trainor Carmela Kuizon and other mediation trainors.

To feed malnourish kids: DSWD taps NGOs help

By Garry B. Lao/FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas has partnered with various non-government organizations in the implementation of a supplemental feeding program for children who are at risk of malnutrition.

DSWD-7 spokesperson Jaybee Binghay said there are six-non government organizations in the region that have already forged partnership with them in order to provide hot meals and supplementary feeding.

The food supplementation is in the form of hot meals to be served to children in day care centers during break time in the morning and snack time in the afternoon.

The program will be done five days a week in the identified and adopted villages of the DSWD partner NGOs.

The parents will manage the feeding program based on a prepared meal cycle using available indigenous food materials. The children will be weighed at the start of the feeding and a monthly weighing thereafter will be done to determine the improvement and sustenance in their nutritional status

Binghay said there will be more than 1,300 children to be served by the DSWD and Akap Bata-Cebu, Rotary Club of Metro Bogo, Zenith Foods Corporation, La Consolacion College in Bais City, Sto. Tomas College in Danao City and La Consolacion College in Lilo-an, Cebu.

The DSWD will be providing 25,000 kilos of Iron-fortified rice while the NGO partners will share the other requirements needed for the program.

The feeding program will be conducted to 2-12 years old malnourished children outside day care centers in the identified barangays within 120 to 200 days.

Aside from the NGOs, private schools and civic groups, DSWD is also partnering with the Office of Cong. Eduardo Gullas to provide supplementary feeding to 200 malnourished pre-schoolers outside day care centers in Talisay City.

Cebu steps up aid drive for Sendong survivors

By Marian Codilla ( with Tweeny Malinao and Carmelo Loise Matus (Reporter and Correspondents, Cebu Daily News )

Don’t stop giving or caring for survivors of tropical storm Sendong, Cebu’s chief shepherd urged the Cebuano faithful over the Christmas holiday last week.

Palma’s appeal came after Christmas Eve saw private donation drives revved up for survivors of tropical storm Sendong, with more relief aid and equipment on its way today to northern Mindanao from Cebu.

“I exhort people to be more caring and sharing,” said Palma in an interview after the midnight mass.

He said giving assistance would make the Christmas season, which runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 6, “more meaningful.”

Palma celebrated his first Christmas midnight mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, where a wall of lightbulbs illuminated a nativity scene near the altar.

About 10 priests, who walked with him down the aisle as incense filled the hall, concelebrated the mass.

People from all walks of life lined up later to kiss a life-size image of the baby Jesus held out to the crowd by a young clergyman.

In his homily, Palma said in Cebuano, “The baby Jesus is in the manger, but he should not remain there. He would rather be with you in the midst of your families and in your hearts.” “Enthrone him in your hearts,” he added.

He spoke of the danger of losing the essence of Christmas in celebrations that emphasize what a person expects to receive, instead of give, and a preoccupation with one’s own fun and pleasure.

He asked Sendong survivors in Mindanao and Negros Oriental to hold on to their faith and hope.

“I encourage our brothers and sisters that in the hardest dark clouds in the sky, people should be hopeful with the presence of God to give ending resolution with the situations and calamities.”

Close to half a million pesos was raised in two benefit concerts in a Cebu City mall and at the Fuente Osmena park on Dec. 24.

Buoyed by a long list of volunteer performers, with styles ranging from pop ballads to choir pieces and show band music, the concerts arrayed Cebuano talents.

The “Cebu for Mindanao: A Christmas Concert of Hope” at the Ayala Activity Center went beyond its allotted two hours and raised P380,000 in cash donations.

“It was really higher than what we expected,” said businessman Wilson Ng, one of the organizers and keyboard player of the Asian Troubadour band, who performed Christmas songs and pop numbers with violinist Jay Gacang on stage.

Cash and credit card swipes were received at donor’s tables. “Some donated P100, some P500. They were very responsive,” he said.

More than 200 showed up as solo singers, choirs and bands to perform until 5:45 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Two tons of relief goods were also collected, including 3,000 bottles of water from one company and 20 sacks of rice from another.

At Fuente Osmena, audience enjoyed at least 38 bands on stage, including a brief appearance of Cebuano celebrity Mateo Guidicelli. The show lasted until midnight.

Many of the 60 bands that signed up were unable to perform due to time constraints.

The P61,542 in cash donations and at least two truckloads of relief goods of bottled water, canned goods and used clothing will be turned over by the JCI-Cebu chapter to ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, said Cerwin Eviota.

The goods will be transported to Iligan City today on board a ship of Sulpicio Lines.

Dump trucks and heavy equipment from the Cebu provincial government were shipped to Iligan last week and Sunday night.

These include two bulldozers, two flatbed trucks, a backhoe, a water truck, a payloader, a prime mover and a service vehicle in response to Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz’s request for help in clearing operations.

A second team from the Provincial Engineering Office left for Iligan to assist in the clearing.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia will travel to Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities today to turn over P5 million for each city as assistance from the Cebu provincial government.

Cebu scintillates with optimism, both in business and social events

By REGINA ABUYUAN

MANILA, Philippines — At the beginning—and even the middle—of this year, analysts maintained that the Philippines’ GDP would grow at 4.7 percent, growing faster than Singapore (4.5 percent), Malaysia (4.3 percent), and Thailand (4.1 percent).

Reality has shown us a different picture, however, with overall growth barely reaching 4 percent (more on this in Andrew Masigan’s Numbers Don’t Lie column in this issue, page C4).

While the whole picture seems bleak, there are pockets of optimism, particularly in the Queen City of the South, Cebu. While its contribution of taxes on a national scale may hardly make a dent, the province is second to Manila in terms of tourist arrivals, economic zones, and IT centers, according to a report from the Sun Star Economic Forum.

It’s home to assembly plants of Pentax cameras and Lexmark printers, for example; hub of manufacturing and design of world-class furniture and home accessories, such as that of Janice Minor; and recently, is the base of choice for BPOs like Aegis (which launched its building in Cebu’s AsiaTown IT Park in October of this year).

Better than?

Cebu is also second to—and some would argue, probably better than—Manila in terms of social events, as evidenced by last month’s Soiree Beaujolais at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

It was a spectacular bash that filled Marco Polo’s ballroom to the brim with can-can dancers flown in directly from Paris; a buffet and cheese table with an array yet to be seen in Metro Manila (with its own cheese master, no less); and an electrifying performance by chanteuse Vernie Varga (somehow I don’t balk when using that word to describe her).

“The atmosphere here is certainly different from Manila,” asserts General Manager Hans Hauri. “Family ties are closer, the pace of life is slower, and therefore the moral fiber and connection to one another is in many ways stronger. Also, in Manila, tickets to Soiree Beaujolais are most of the time purchased by French organizations to give to their best clients. Here (in Cebu and the neighboring provinces), the tickets are personal purchases. I think it was Bob Hope who said: those who get their tickets for free never laugh,” he adds, chuckling.

Indeed. Where, for example, can you see a whole family enjoying a high profile social event all together, such as the family serenaded by Vernie Varga onstage?

Aside from locals, Marco Polo’s Soiree Beaujolais also attracts foreign nationals living throughout the Visayas region, bumping up the hotel’s occupancy rate during the event to 94 percent (tickets are bundled with the stay). On an average, the hotel enjoys 70 percent, with the numbers spiking at 80 percent during January and February.

Bringing in a tradition

Hauri himself brought Soiree Beaujolais to Cebu in 2007. A much-awaited event throughout the world by winemakers and fans of Beaujolais Noveau, the first batch of this young wine is traditionally opened on the third Thursday in November of every year, and then shipped around the globe. Japan is its highest market, consuming almost a quarter of all the Beaujolais Noveau produced.

“I wanted to introduce a change of culinary culture here in Cebu,” Hauri says of his initial reason to bring the wine in. Cebuanos immediately welcomed the wine and the festivities that came with it. “In 2007, there were 320 attending. Now we have 400 attending,” he says (although the crowd seemed closer to 500 that night).

The lightly flavored wine may be considered too immature to enjoy by snobs, but Hauri is quick to explain. “It’s a good toasting wine, it’s a good wine to celebrate with.”

In many ways, that’s what counts, doesn’t it?

Cebu inks ties with Busan

By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

CEBU, Philippines – There's no stopping the Province of Cebu from forging ties with the international community as it inked another sisterhood agreement with the City of Busan, South Korea.

The signing of the sisterhood pact came six months after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia flew to South Korea for various activities, one of which was the signing of a letter of intent to forge a sisterhood agreement with Busan City Mayor Hur Nam Sik.

The understanding of both parties was finalized as Mayor Sik flew in to Cebu recently.

Garcia said such sisterhood accord between the two places was “destined” as the link from Busan to Cebu had already been established even before the agreements were forged.

Before the signing of the accord, Garcia said that with Busan being the fifth largest port in the world, Cebu could learn how it is to have an accessible, world-class port facility. Sik gladly agreed to teach Cebu the ropes regarding the matter, saying he will inform the Busan Port Authority to exchange ideas with Cebu and share Busan’s best practices in managing port facilities.

Both parties are positive that the mutual cooperation will be easy because of the direct flights from Cebu to Busan.

Sik said short visit to Cebu made him see why “Cebu is one of the famous tourist destinations in Asia.”

Before he met with Garcia, he and his delegation met with Cebu Vice-Governor Agnes Magpale.

Sik told Magpale how impressed they were with the rehabilitation program implemented at the Cebu Provincial Rehabilitation and Detention Center (CPDRC). The South Korean visitor then said he “wishes to replicate the same program in their own city jail.

While in Cebu, Sik also visited the showroom of famous furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue and the Province’s Museo Sugbo.

Capitol scribes dance for flood victims

by Carmel Matus (Correspondent)

INSTEAD of canceling the Christmas party, they celebrated in an unusual way.

Reporters and photographers covering the Cebu provincial government held a “money dance”, a ritual usually seen in weddings where guests “pay” for the honor to dance with the bride and groom.

A total of P14,080 was raised by guests for victims of typhoon Sendong in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia pledged an equal amount of P14,080 from her December salary.

As music played, reporter Oscar Pineda of Sun.Star and correspondent Carmel Matus of Cebu Daily News swayed on the dance floor, as colleagues and guests approached to pin P100 bills on their clothes or drop money bills in a glass bowl.

The impromptu fund-raiser was held during Thursday’s party hosted by the Governor’s Office in Jazz n’ Blues restobar in F. Cabahug Street.

The party couldn’t be canceled since preparations were already set for it, said Gregg Rubgio, Freeman reporter and president of the Capitol Association of Reporters in Tri-Media (CART).

To make the night meaningful, Rubio encouraged guests to participate in the “money dance” for a good cause.

Other guests who contributed included Medellin town Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, Margie Lhuillier, Agnes Heuttel and TV crew members of Sugbo News of the Cebu provincial government.

The money will be turned over on Dec. 27 when Gov. Garcia goes to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan to hand over donations to the mayors.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists (CFBJ) canceled its Christmas party set for Dec. 27.

CFBJ president Elias Baquero said beat chapter officers agreed to donate the party budget instead to families of fellow mediamen affected in the calamity. At least 15 beneficiaries have been initially identified.

The Mandaue City government canceled its Christmas party for employees on Thursday in favor of donating the amount to typhoon Sendong victims.

Mayor Jonas Cortes will be going to Cagayan de Oro on Dec. 28 to turn over the donation, which was authorized by the City Council in a special session. The assistance will be given to Cagayan de oro, Iligan City and Tanjay City.

In her speech at the Christmas party, Governor Garcia thanked media practitioners for covering her out-of-town visits and project launchings.

“Each year by tradition, we hold this Christmas party for the media because we cannot let the year end without the provincial government, without Gwen Garcia expressing its deepest thanks, kinasing-kasing nga pasalamat sa tagsa-tagsa kaninyo nga kuyog kanako nga kuyog niining akong paningkamot, nagpa-uwan, nagpa-init, nakakuyog sa bawod ug baha… aron lamang ang kamatuoran nga mohatag ug dakong paglaum labaw sa tanan dakong garbo sa atong mga kaigsuonang Sugbuanon ila usab madunggan, mabasa, mahibaw-an, tungod kaninyo, ang akong ikaduhang labing pinalangga,” she said.

Garcia said this was her second to the last Christmas party for the media since her term ends in 2013.

Asked if the next party would be held in Manila, a reference to her reported plans to seek higher office, Garcia in jest, spoke in Tagalog, “Kaya nga, nahihirapan ako magsalita.”

A drop-off relief center will also be put up at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) for donors.

Each Cebu town was asked to donate P50,000 as assistance to calamity victims in Mindanao, said Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)- Cebu Chapter.

Cebu gov to visit typhoon-stricken CDO, Iligan

by Amor Saludar(FCR/AS/PIA- CEBU)

CEBU CITY, December 23 (PIA) -- Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia pledged to visit typhoon-devastated areas in Mindanao, particularly Cagayan de Oro (CDO) and Iligan City.

Garcia will personally hand in the financial assistance and other donations from the province. She will be accompanied by some mayors from certain towns and cities of Cebu.

Cebu donations include relief items and financial assistance from local government units here who volunteered to give a share of their calamity funds and the budget intended for their Christmas Party to the typhoon stricken places.

Aside from the contributed donations, the Cebu governor committed to bring the heavy equipment of the province to help in the clearing and cleaning of some wrecked areas.

Gov. Garcia said mayors from the towns and cities of Cebu volunteered to visit the place with her because they wanted to directly give the financial assistance and relief items coming from their respective places to the victims.

The number of Cebu LGUs who committed to extend help to the victims of typhoon increased, as more and more victims needed assistance.

Lately, Liloan town Mayor Vincent Franco Frasco informed that the town will give P200,000 to the typhoon victims in Cagayan de Oro while Asturias Mayor Allan Adlawan will also give financial aid of P100,000 to be taken from their municipal calamity fund.

LGUs pledge P26M

FOUR local governments in Cebu have pooled together P26.5 million in calamity funds for the cities ravaged by tropical storm Sendong.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, together with some mayors, will go to Cagayan de Oro on Dec. 27 with heavy equipment, personnel and cash assistance.

Plan your Sinulog week ahead and find out what's in store for Sinulog 2012.

She said she will personally call Cebu’s mayors to ask for their pledges and added that some are also willing to lend their heavy equipment for the clean-up and rehabilitation operations.

As of yesterday, the Capitol decided to extend P5 million each in cash assistance to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Dumaguete and Tanjay cities will each receive P1 million cash.

The Cebu City Council convened yesterday in a special session and approved the release of P6 million as assistance.

The Lapu-Lapu City Council also approved about P5.5 million as financial assistance.

Earlier this week, the Mandaue City Council approved P3 million in aid for flood victims in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Tanjay.

Survivors face a growing threat of disease including cholera and typhoid, officials warned yesterday, as the death toll rose above a thousand.

Some 44,000 people who lost their homes are packed in evacuation camps without proper sanitation, and officials fear the sites are potential breeding grounds for epidemics.

Over 1T

Civil defense chief Benito Ramos put the death toll at 1,010 and warned it could climb further as victims swept out to sea began washing ashore, with some corpses turning up nearly a hundred kilometers away.

“They are washing up on the beaches,” he told Agence France Presse. “I expect that (the toll) will go up because there are still many missing.”

Assistant Health Secretary Eric Tayag warned the crowded conditions could lead to outbreaks of leptospirosis, diarrhea, cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and dysentery, with children and pregnant women the most vulnerable.

Some 276,000 people are receiving emergency assistance, including many who have shunned the evacuation centers and are sheltering with relatives—unable to return home as the government has forbidden them from returning to flood-prone areas.

When she goes to Cagayan de Oro next week, Governor Garcia said she will bring equipment and manpower to help in the clean-up, “para di na sila mahasol (so they will not have to lift a finger).”

Contractors

She will also turn over the cash assistance to their chief executives. The governor also negotiated for P2.1 million worth National Food Authority rice, released through NFA offices closest to the affected cities.

Asturias Mayor Allan Adlawan, she said, pledged P100,000 to each of the cities. She said some mayors also made pledges.

Two Capitol dump trucks that delivered relief goods to Iligan city were temporarily left there, so local authorities can use them to haul what they need.

“I’m calling on contractors who are willing to lend their equipment to these affected cities,” said the governor.

Meanwhile, at Cebu City Hall, the council heeded the request of Mayor Michael Rama to approve a resolution that would authorize him to use less than half of the City’s remaining P11.5-million calamity fund.

The council approved P6 million.

Distribution

The aid will be given to Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City and Negros Oriental rather than just Dumaguete City, as requested by the mayor.

The Council, through the resolution of Councilor Jose Daluz III, approved the financial assistance on mass motion to be divided this way: P3 million for Cagayan de Oro, P2 million for Iligan City and P1 million for Negros Oriental.

Rama has also signed the purchase order for 100 coffins worth P500,000 to be given to Cagayan de Oro.

During the session, Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. made a corollary motion to have the council represented in the giving of financial assistance to the different local government units (LGUs).

Daluz will represent the council in Cagayan de Oro, Councilor Raul Alcoseba in Iligan City and Councilor Richard Osmeña in Negros Oriental.

Councilor Alvin Dizon also made a corollary motion extending condolences to the three LGUs, which was approved on mass motion.

Vice Mayor Joy Young explained it is better to give cash because there are already many relief goods given to the tragedy-stricken areas. Cash can be used for the rehabilitation effort.

Rescue

Also yesterday, Cebu City Fire Marshal Aderson Comar convened the different rescue groups, as instructed by the mayor, so they can help in whatever way they can in Cagayan de Oro.

Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Executive Director Alvin Santillana was sent to Cagayan de Oro last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Lapu-Lapu City Council yesterday approved about P5.5 million as financial assistance for those affected by the storm in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza earlier endorsed the amount to the city council, for its approval. The council, led by Lapu-Lapu City Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong, approved the endorsement during its regular session yesterday.

The Lapu-Lapu City Cooperative Network led by Jimmy Glomar organized a relief campaign, as a way of helping those affected by Sendong during the weekend.

Members of the network agreed to cancel their annual Christmas party today and to use their funds as cash assistance instead.

Local help

A family in Danao City that lost some loved ones—the mother and their youngest brother—in Iligan will also receive assistance from the Province.

Governor Garcia, in an ambush interview yesterday afternoon, said she has instructed Provincial Welfare Officer Marivic Garces to get the details.

Garces, in a separate phone interview, said the husband of the victim, Ricson Mangas, called their office a few days ago. She told him to visit her office at the Capitol because “di man namo mahatag ang donation sa telepono (we can’t give you any assistance over the phone).”

Asked when she spoke with Mangas, the social welfare officer said it was not her but a staff member who received the phone call. She told Sun.Star Cebu to call again today and ended the conversation.

Jean, 38, and Kent Daniel, 4, went to Iligan to spend the Christmas holidays there.

Mangas, a 43-year-old construction worker, is worried he won’t be able to raise enough funds to attend the burial in Iligan, although he has received some assistance from a city official.


LGUs pledge P26M

FOUR local governments in Cebu have pooled together P26.5 million in calamity funds for the cities ravaged by tropical storm Sendong.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, together with some mayors, will go to Cagayan de Oro on Dec. 27 with heavy equipment, personnel and cash assistance.

Plan your Sinulog week ahead and find out what's in store for Sinulog 2012.

She said she will personally call Cebu’s mayors to ask for their pledges and added that some are also willing to lend their heavy equipment for the clean-up and rehabilitation operations.

As of yesterday, the Capitol decided to extend P5 million each in cash assistance to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Dumaguete and Tanjay cities will each receive P1 million cash.

The Cebu City Council convened yesterday in a special session and approved the release of P6 million as assistance.

The Lapu-Lapu City Council also approved about P5.5 million as financial assistance.

Earlier this week, the Mandaue City Council approved P3 million in aid for flood victims in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Tanjay.

Survivors face a growing threat of disease including cholera and typhoid, officials warned yesterday, as the death toll rose above a thousand.

Some 44,000 people who lost their homes are packed in evacuation camps without proper sanitation, and officials fear the sites are potential breeding grounds for epidemics.

Over 1T

Civil defense chief Benito Ramos put the death toll at 1,010 and warned it could climb further as victims swept out to sea began washing ashore, with some corpses turning up nearly a hundred kilometers away.

“They are washing up on the beaches,” he told Agence France Presse. “I expect that (the toll) will go up because there are still many missing.”

Assistant Health Secretary Eric Tayag warned the crowded conditions could lead to outbreaks of leptospirosis, diarrhea, cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and dysentery, with children and pregnant women the most vulnerable.

Some 276,000 people are receiving emergency assistance, including many who have shunned the evacuation centers and are sheltering with relatives—unable to return home as the government has forbidden them from returning to flood-prone areas.

When she goes to Cagayan de Oro next week, Governor Garcia said she will bring equipment and manpower to help in the clean-up, “para di na sila mahasol (so they will not have to lift a finger).”

Contractors

She will also turn over the cash assistance to their chief executives. The governor also negotiated for P2.1 million worth National Food Authority rice, released through NFA offices closest to the affected cities.

Asturias Mayor Allan Adlawan, she said, pledged P100,000 to each of the cities. She said some mayors also made pledges.

Two Capitol dump trucks that delivered relief goods to Iligan city were temporarily left there, so local authorities can use them to haul what they need.

“I’m calling on contractors who are willing to lend their equipment to these affected cities,” said the governor.

Meanwhile, at Cebu City Hall, the council heeded the request of Mayor Michael Rama to approve a resolution that would authorize him to use less than half of the City’s remaining P11.5-million calamity fund.

The council approved P6 million.

Distribution

The aid will be given to Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City and Negros Oriental rather than just Dumaguete City, as requested by the mayor.

The Council, through the resolution of Councilor Jose Daluz III, approved the financial assistance on mass motion to be divided this way: P3 million for Cagayan de Oro, P2 million for Iligan City and P1 million for Negros Oriental.

Rama has also signed the purchase order for 100 coffins worth P500,000 to be given to Cagayan de Oro.

During the session, Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. made a corollary motion to have the council represented in the giving of financial assistance to the different local government units (LGUs).

Daluz will represent the council in Cagayan de Oro, Councilor Raul Alcoseba in Iligan City and Councilor Richard Osmeña in Negros Oriental.

Councilor Alvin Dizon also made a corollary motion extending condolences to the three LGUs, which was approved on mass motion.

Vice Mayor Joy Young explained it is better to give cash because there are already many relief goods given to the tragedy-stricken areas. Cash can be used for the rehabilitation effort.

Rescue

Also yesterday, Cebu City Fire Marshal Aderson Comar convened the different rescue groups, as instructed by the mayor, so they can help in whatever way they can in Cagayan de Oro.

Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Executive Director Alvin Santillana was sent to Cagayan de Oro last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Lapu-Lapu City Council yesterday approved about P5.5 million as financial assistance for those affected by the storm in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza earlier endorsed the amount to the city council, for its approval. The council, led by Lapu-Lapu City Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong, approved the endorsement during its regular session yesterday.

The Lapu-Lapu City Cooperative Network led by Jimmy Glomar organized a relief campaign, as a way of helping those affected by Sendong during the weekend.

Members of the network agreed to cancel their annual Christmas party today and to use their funds as cash assistance instead.

Local help

A family in Danao City that lost some loved ones—the mother and their youngest brother—in Iligan will also receive assistance from the Province.

Governor Garcia, in an ambush interview yesterday afternoon, said she has instructed Provincial Welfare Officer Marivic Garces to get the details.

Garces, in a separate phone interview, said the husband of the victim, Ricson Mangas, called their office a few days ago. She told him to visit her office at the Capitol because “di man namo mahatag ang donation sa telepono (we can’t give you any assistance over the phone).”

Asked when she spoke with Mangas, the social welfare officer said it was not her but a staff member who received the phone call. She told Sun.Star Cebu to call again today and ended the conversation.

Jean, 38, and Kent Daniel, 4, went to Iligan to spend the Christmas holidays there.

Mangas, a 43-year-old construction worker, is worried he won’t be able to raise enough funds to attend the burial in Iligan, although he has received some assistance from a city official.

Cebu bishop seeks unity amid 'Sendong'

THE influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) exhorted Wednesday the Filipino faithful to unite behind the victims of tropical storm "Sendong".

In a radio interview, CBCP president Archbishop Jose Palma said that above all else, it is the unification of the Filipinos that would enable the country to move forward from the catastrophe.

"It's not just the amount of help we can give but the gesture of solidarity and compassion. The gesture that we remembered them, we cared for them in this season when we are supposed to rejoice while others cry," said Palma.

He said the sense of oneness among Filipinos is now, more than ever, needed, especially by the victims of the storm.

"Because of what happened, the more we should manifest our being one with them," Palma added.

Last Tuesday, Aquino declared a state of national calamity as the number of deaths and damages caused by the storm continued to rise.

As of Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recorded 957 dead but the agency admitted the death toll may go beyond the 1,000 mark

The NDRRMC said damage to properties caused by the floods may go near P1 billion.

Still, the Cebu prelate called on the faithful to send in all the help they can give, especially during this season of giving.

"Dapat magpadala tayo ng ating support mula sa lahat ng parishes... the sooner the better na mapadala ang mga ito," said Palma.

PhilHealth 7 brings gifts to hospitalized children

CEBU CITY, Dec 20 (PIA) –- In the spirit of showing love and gift-giving to those in need, the employees of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) 7 visited the children confined in the pediatric ward of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).

Eighty children received gifts and milk packs from PhilHealth 7 led by Christmas Committee chair and planning officer Maria Cristina Ramos.

The ward’s very young patients also enjoyed a simple snack of arroz caldo and spaghetti with their parents and guardians.

PhilHealth also brought gifts of joy with balloon makers clad as Santa and Santa dwarves to entertain the kids spending this Christmas in a hospital. As a special treat, the little ones get to have balloons shaped just the way they want it.

The PhilHealth 7 expressed hopes that in their own little way, it made Christmas a bit more special for the 80 young patients of the CCMC.

Every year, PhilHealth 7 and its employees make it a point to celebrate each Christmas with those in need and truly live out the essence of corporate social responsibility.

PhilHealth 7 said it also intends to continue giving more than public service to the community throughout this year and on to the next and not just on Christmas.

Oslob embarks on mangrove planting

Hundreds of Oslobanons, together with various organizations, jointly undertook a mangrove tree planting last Saturday in barangay Daanlungsod, Oslob town, southern Cebu.

The activity was a concerted effort of Vicsal Foundation, the local government of Oslob, Southeast Cebu Coastal Resource Management Council (SCCRMC) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Approximately three hectares of coastal area were covered during the activity that aims to address climate change.

The activity was a kickoff on the vision of the technical working group to cover the entire southeast coast in Cebu.

International think tank study shows that Philippines ranked 10th among countries most affected by climate change.

Extreme weather events caused death toll and economic losses. It is identified that Philippines is visited by 20 storms every year.

To mitigate these disasters massive mangrove planting has been encouraged.

Mangroves serve as nursery grounds for fish, prawns, and crabs. It also produce leaf litter and decayed matter as food for animals; protect coastal residents from storm waves and tidal currents; provide shelter for migratory and local birds; and is a good source of timber, tannin (dyes) and medicine, among others.

The Vicsal Foundation, SCCRMC, DENR, with the support of Cebu Province, is optimistic on realizing its goal.

The technical working group is encouraging other private institutions to adopt a hectare and help save the environment.

For more queries on the project, contact Mars Cabildo at 2368390 local 221 or e-mail to marce.cabildo@metrogaisano.com or vicsalfoundation@yahoo.com.

Palma wishes peace and happiness for Christmas

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma wishes for peace and happiness of the Cebuanos and the Filipinos in general this Christmas despite the problems besetting the country.

“Akong gipanghinaut nga magpabilin kita nga malipayon ug malinawon sugod gayod diha sa salag sa kaminyoon ug sa sabakan sa familia. Unta magmalipayon kita sa atong probinsya ug simbahan,” Palma said.

“Even here in Cebu of today, whoever we are, wherever we may be, we should welcome the message of Joy and Peace,” Palma added.

Palma also called on the people to pray for unity and peaceful resolution to the problems hounding the nation.

“I do not know where it would lead us. It’s not simple as it appears… How I wish all of these will be over soon,” the Archbishop said.

Asked about his personal wish, Palma said most of his wishes are for the Cebuanos as he himself have had enough of the blessings from God.

“I didn’t expect all of these blessings in my part. It’s beyond my expectation to be here in Cebu and all of these blessings, I mean, the wonderful Archdiocese and even the privilege to serve,” he said.

Palma recalled how he initially declined to be appointed as president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines as he wanted to focus on Cebu.

“But since they voted me, looking back now I say okay, it is an opportunity to serve as CBCP president which I also thought to be a privilege and God’s design,” he said.

Palma said he is also wishing for the canonization of Cebuano Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

Province ready for Typhoon Sendong

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Province is ready for any eventualities that may occur due to Typhoon Sendong spotted off of Mindanao.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration included Camotes Island in Cebu among those under Signal No. 1 yesterday and expected to be raised higher as Sendong is reportedly gaining more strength.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said three days ago, they were already advised by PAGASA for the possible weather disturbance and the notice was already sent to all the mayors to be prepared. Garcia met some mayors of the province during the barangay captains’ general assembly at the Cebu International Convention Center yesterday. Some mayors have reported heavy rains in their towns.

Poro, Camotes, Mayor Luciano Rama said that his Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is prepared.

“Ang nakanindot gyud ‘ron kay ang atong mga mayor preparado, they are already have the systems in place for the disaster risk reduction and management,” Garcia told reporters.

The last typhoon that hit northern Cebu was “Ramon” but Garcia said mayors of slightly affected areas did not even ask for any assistance from the Capitol.

“I expect the same sa karon,” Garcia said. The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office was ordered to closely coordinate with the town mayors with whatever assistance they might need.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas suspended sea travel after most of the region was placed under storm signal by PAGASA. PCG-CV Station Deputy Commander Rolando Punzalan said as long as there is a storm signal raised in the region, they will not allow any form of sea vessel to travel. He said that the public should understand them because they are doing this for their own safety.

Fishermen are also advised not to brave the seas until the all-clear signal is given, he said.

As of PAGASA’s 4 p.m. forecast yesterday Sendong was estimated based to be at the vicinity or Southwest of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness up to 80 kph. It is believed to move West Northwest at 22 kph towards Palawan.

The said storm is expected by Sunday afternoon to be at 190 kilometers West Southwest of Puerto Princesa City and on early morning of Monday, is expected to be 440 kilometers West Northwest of Puerto Princesa and expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

As Christmas Bonus Provincial employees, officials get P20T,rice

CEBU, Philippines - Each of the Capitol officials and employees will get at least P20,000 and a sack of Ganador rice as Christmas bonus.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia announced the good news for the provincial officials and employees yesterday during their Christmas party.

Except for the sack of rice, the amount was the same as last year. However, those who are receiving a monthly salary higher than P20,000 will receive an equivalent of their one month salary as bonus.

Garcia explained that the amount is equivalent to the average satisfactory rating of all the provincial offices and departments.

Had they got very satisfactory or outstanding performance rating, each would have gotten P25,000 or P30,000, respectively.

“We have adopted a very rigid performance rating,” Garcia said.

The performance team submitted their findings for the validation team to check before it was approved by the governor.

The Province has adopted the performance based rating in the giving of the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI).

The practice before was that each employee is rated and received the corresponding amount.

This time, Garcia modified the process by getting the average rating of all the offices and departments and the tendency is that those getting high rating would be pulled down while those getting low rating would be pulled up.

“Way basolay kinsa nakabira sa rating,” Garcia said.

Also, all the departments were clustered into six for their Christmas presentation contest yesterday.

The Executive cluster won the first prize bagging the P35,000 cash prize. Agri-Med cluster won the second prize with P30,000 while the P25,000 third prize went to the Legislative. Non-winning groups got P10,000 each as consolation prize.

Members of the Provincial Board surprised the audience with their presentation.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale led the Legislative in dramatizing the cybersex operation in Cordova town with Board Member Julian Daan, a popular radio talent, acting as director.

Daan’s wife, Yoly and Board Member Ian Zambo acted as the couple using their daughters in the cybersex business after they were convinced by Board Member Sergio Restauro to engage the business in exchange of money from abroad.

Board Members Thadeo Ouano, Arleigh Jay Sitoy and Wilfredo Caminero acted as the girls posing in front of the webcam while Board Members Sun Shimura and Jose Ribomapil Holganza, Jr. acted as foreign clients.

Board Members Alex Binghay and Peter John Calderon played the role of law enforcers with Magpale and Board Member Carmen Remedios Meca as officials of the Provincial Women’s Commission.

Board Members Jude Thaddeus Sybico and Joven Mondigo played as members of the media.

4 Cebu LGUs sign MOU with Pag-IBIG for Housing Loan Program

CEBU CITY, December 15 (PIA) -- Four local chief executives in Cebu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pag-IBIG Fund Cebu South Branch to provide affordable housing to their employees.

Anthony Maglungsod, Pag-Ibig, acting assistant division manager for operations, bared that the municipal local government units (LGUs) of Balamban, Argao and Dalaguete and Cebu City have inked a partnership with Pag-Ibig to avail of the latter’s new Group Housing Loan Program for LGUs.

The MOU was signed last December 2.

Maglungsod said the housing program for LGUs is meant to fast track the provision of housing needs of ordinary employees who dream of owning their own house but cannot afford to do so.

“There are ordinary employees in the rural areas that want to own their own house but cannot do so because socialized housing units are not provided in their area,” he said.

“Also, most housing developers are focused in developing housing project sites in urban areas,” Maglungsod added.

To avail of this new program, LGUs should own the lot where the housing project site will be constructed.

The Pag-IBIG official likewise declared that the loan amount for the housing program will depend on the type of housing project; whether this would be constructed in a residential area or a condominium type.

For residential project sites, the Pag-IBIG Fund can grant a loan of P20 million per phase and P40 million per phase for the condominium type.

Maglungsod said LGUs can start providing housing needs for their municipal or city employees then can expand the program to include their constituents.

Interest rates are very minimal at six percent per annum for a socialized housing unit worth P400, 000 and seven percent/year for a housing unit worth more than P400,000 up to P750,000, this is learned.

Monthly amortization rate for a P400,000 housing unit is at P2,500/month and P5,000 per month for more than P400,000 to P750,000 housing unit cost, according to Maglungsod.

Criteria to qualify for a P400,000 housing unit is a monthly income of P6,000 and P12,500 monthly salary for a housing unit worth above P400,000 to P750,000.

Book ship to visit Cebu next month

By AJ de la Torre/FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The sister ship of the popular floating library MV Duolos is visiting Cebu for the first time on January.

This was shared by Gerard Van de Pol and Felicia Thong, project managers of LOGOS HOPE, the newest ship that has replaced the now retired MV Duolos.

Van de Pol said they are excited to open the doors of the new ship to Cebu, which would be their first stop for their visit to the Philippines.

Van de Pol said that they expect more people to visit the ship especially in Cebu, following the huge number of visitors that MV Duolos gathered every time it was here. He explained that MV Duolos has been decommissioned because the ship was already 96 years old.

Logos Hope has nine decks, one of which is open to the public and where the library is located, along with a food café and internet shop. The other decks are the crew’s cabin, conference rooms and theatre halls.

According to him, they have had over 16,000 visitors in a day inside the ship in other countries.

“Maybe Cebu can beat that,” said Van de Pol, though he said that 10,000 would already be a good number per day.

Logos Hope, which replaced MV Duolos in 2009, carries over 5000 book titles and more than half a million books.

Van de Pol said that in every country they visit, they try to partner with local publishers in order to cater the needs of the readers in each country. But aside from that, he said that they have a lot of books to offer ranging from children’s books, encyclopedias, cook books, and more.

Van de Pol said that since they have participating publishers, books are cheaper and affordable.

The ship’s name Logos means word in Greek. It is aimed to “bring knowledge, help and hope” to the countries and cities they visit, says Van de Pol.

“We visit every country where help is needed or where we are invited,” he added.

The ship has over 400 staff volunteers from over 45 nations, including some Filipinos and one Cebuano.

Felicia Thong said that they also have the families of the volunteers on board including children, which makes it one happy community on board.

They will also be opening positions for interested volunteers from Cebu, but reminded that all their volunteers are not paid and are all working for one good cause.

Aside from the librabry, the ship has on-board programs and walk through lessons on important issues like HIV.

They are also hoping to get more participation from schools in Cebu, both public and private, who can send their students to the ship on a tour.

Thong said that they are also eyeing partnerships with local organizations that are supporting different causes like children and women’s rights organizations which can help them on educational programs on board.

The ship is currently in Singapore but would be docking in Cebu, near the Malacañang sa Sugbo, on January 10 and would be open to the public by January 11 to February 12, 2012.

For purchases, they would be accepting Philippine Peso and credit cards.

After Cebu, the ship is to sail to Manila, Subic Bay and Batangas.

2.8 million tree seedlings planted in CV-DENR-7

By Jose P. Sollano (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City council has approved an ordinance on second and final reading granting additional productivity incentives to all city officials and regular employees earning a monthly salary of P10,000 per month and above for this year.

Also to be given incentives are job order, Clean and Green, and barangay nutrition health workers.

Mandaue City Councilor Beethoven C. Andaya, chairman of the committee on budget and finance introduced the appropriation ordinance.

The Department of Budget and Management issued Budget Circular No. 2010-3 dated November 30, 2010 setting the guidelines on the granting of the Productivity Enhancement Incentives (PEI) to government personnel for fiscal year 2010 pursuant to Administrative Order No. 3 (authorizing the grant of PEI to government employees for fiscal year 2010 issued by President Benigno Aquino III on November 25, 2010.

The issuance is in accordance with item (4) (h) (ii) of the Senate and House of Representative Joint Resolution No. 4 which was approved on June 17, 2009 providing incentives for government personnel including rewards for exceeding agency financial and operational performance targets, and to motivate employees towards higher productivity.

Three years of 4Ps: DSWD sees positive changes

By Garry B. Lao/MIT (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 has noted substantial increase in the awareness and behavioral changes of the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

In the three years implementation of the 4Ps in Cebu City, DSWD-7 4P’s regional program coordinator Aileen Lariba these changes are geared towards education and health-related concerns. This was based on their own assessment conducted last November with the first ten barangays of Sawang Calero, Tejero, T. Padilla, Inawayan, Duljo Fatima, Sudlon I, Sudlon II, Kalunasan, Tagbao and Mambaling.

In Barangay Tejero for instance, Lariba said the initial gains noted a decrease in cases involving Violence Against Women & Children (VAWC) by 80 percent. The said barangay used to have high cases of domestic violence before the entry of the Pantawid program.

Barangays Kalunasan and Sawang Calero have also dropped from the list of malnourished barangays.

Lariba also said that in Barangay Inayawan, the beneficiaries aggressively implement the curfew ordinance and police the internet cafes in their community as their response to the call of anti-trafficking.

The Badjaos in Barangay Mambaling have their own initial success to be proud of as they have reached a 100 percent immunization of their children in 2011 from 60 percent in 2009.

“Responsible parenthood can now be seen with the Badjaos as they availed of natural and artificial family planning methods with a zero record in 2009 to approximately 20 percent in 2011,” Lariba said.

Lariba noted that for nomads like the Badjaos who have the tendency to transfer from one place to another, the program made them stay in Mambaling so their children can continually attend school as required by the program’s condition of 85% school attendance.

Breaking generational poverty through social development is but one of the main objectives of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program where according to Lariba, one of its major strategies in achieving this goal is through the conduct of family development sessions at least once-a-month emphasizing on values and empowerment among families.

The 4Ps or conditional cash transfer is for families considered to be the poorest of the poor and receive P300 monthly financial assistance per child. Each household also receives P500 a month for health care services for children up to five years old and for pregnant women.

Cebu NGO bags 2 Quill Awards for environment protection programs

by Minerva BC Newman (PIA-7/with reports from RAFI/Nancy R. Cudis)

CEBU CITY, Dec. 11 [PIA) -- The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), a Cebu-based NGO, won the “Quill Award of Merit for communication management: economic, social, and environmental development” for its Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines.

Another project, the “Tree of the Month”, a series of environmental stories, that comes out in The Freeman newspaper twice a month, is a finalist under the writing category of the communication skills division of the Quill Awards.

RAFI’s Integrated Development executive director Rowena Alensonorin said the awards are indicators that RAFI has achieved that competitive advantage in terms of pushing its programs and advocacies forward through communication.

"They also serve as a challenge for RAFI to continuously raise the bars so that the Foundation will continue to be effective in delivering its brand promise and reach the highest mark of excellence,” Alensonorin added.

The Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines is the environmental initiative under the GREENIN Philippines (Generation REdemption and Expansion of Natural resources INitiatives in the Philippines) Program of RAFI that engages the general public to participate in a simultaneous running and planting of native tree species throughout the province of Cebu.

Held on June 25, 2011, the event aimed to raise public awareness in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation among local government leaders and in forging local and national government commitment to action as well as encourage multiple partnerships in caring for the environment.

Some 55,372 participants from across Cebu Province who collectively planted 239,580 native tree seedlings in more than 115 hectares of land. These figures were beyond RAFI’s targets that were set at 20,000 participants with 100,000 native tree seedlings to be planted in 56 hectares of land.

Since this partnership endeavor started early this year, RAFI has been able to extend technical expertise on the proper planting and caring of native trees to more individuals and organizations.

Another RAFI program finalist was the "Tree of the Month" bi-monthly section that comes out in The Freeman newspaper twice a month. The section is replete with environmental stories that aim to educate the public on the various native trees species and encouraging their propagation.

“We at The Freeman are very proud to have such recognition coming from a prestigious award-giving body,” The Freeman news editor, Lucky Malicay said.

Malikay was referring to the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines that hands out the Philippine Quill Awards annually.

The communication excellence award program is organized and managed by seasoned communication professionals of IABC Philippines who are also multi-awarded internationally and nationally for their programs, skills, and creative work.

IABC-Philippines chairman Elpi Cuna Jr. said, the Philippine Quill Awards is a program geared towards excellence of business and organization that collectively lead to national development.

With communication as its main tool to help resolve the panacea of problems that the country and the rest of the world are currently up against.

Cuna said he is proud to say that this standard-setting event has once again proven fruitful in providing a bountiful harvest of innovation and effectiveness which we can use to address those issues.

IABC Philippines is the first chapter of IABC outside of the United States. It continues the tradition of excellence through its annual awards program of the Communication in Excellence (CEO) Excel Awards given to leaders whose outstanding and strategic use of communication helps them achieve business goals and the Philippines Quill Awards and its continuing learning programs for professionals and students.

RAFI President Roberto E. Aboitiz is among the awardees of the CEO Excel Awards 2011.

Top RAFI officials received the two awards during the 10th Philippine Quill Awards held on November 18 at Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Quezon City. They were joined by Lucky Malicay, news editor of The Freeman.


Waste-to-energy burn facilities hazards cited

By PHOEBE JEN INDINO

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — Environmental and health networks EcoWaste Coalition, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) and Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), together with the Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC), have joined forces in warning local government units (LGUs) about pending proposals for the setting up of waste incinerators masquerading as waste-to-energy facilities in the province and the hazards posed by such toxic facilities.

“Waste incinerators continue to spread behind disguises such as 'waste-to-energy,' ‘pyrolysis,’ ‘gasification,’ ‘plasma arc,’ or any combination of state-of-the-art sounding names despite the ban on waste incineration. These facilities emit toxic chemicals into the environment and undermine efforts of communities implementing genuine solutions such as waste minimization, segregation-at-source, and barangay-based ecological solid waste management,” underlined EcoWaste Coalition National Coordinator Rei Panaligan.

In a workshop on waste-to-energy Thursday last week at the University of Cebu, the said groups revealed that the Cebu provincial government, headed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, is entertaining proposals from incinerator companies to manage Cebu’s solid wastes.

Also, incinerator companies have pending proposals in the province’s major cities such as Cebu City, Mandaue City and Toledo Ctiy.

However, according to the EcoWaste Coalition, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and European Union (EU) have already declared these technologies as incinerators. The Philippine Clean Air Act prohibits the use of incinerators for municipal and medical waste.

The groups urged the LGUs not to be wooed by “coated promises of corporations peddling dirty technologies” and for the public to remain vigilant against the proliferation of these toxic facilities.

Pilar, Camotes makes it to the top 10 finalists in Global Solution Search Calls on public to vote on line for its entry--PMMP

by Minerva BC Newman(PIA-7/mbcn)

CEBU, Dec. 9 (PIA) –- The Pilar Municipal Marine Park (PMMP) in Camotes Island, Cebu made it to the top 10 finalists in the Rare and National Geographic's search for community-based solutions for global environmental issues specifically innovations for near-shore fisheries based on proven successes.

According to a release from www.solutionsearch.org, more than 100 entries from 48 countries worldwide were submitted for the contest that included implementation of no-take zones; introduction of innovative fishing gear and the development of alternative livelihoods.

Rare president and CEO Brett Jenks in a release said, “For too long the conservation community has focused on problems, but there are a lot of working solutions in remote parts of the planet.”

“Local communities are the research and development labs of conservation. We have to find what’s working and make it available where it’s needed. We are excited for the public to be engaged in this process because, in the end, it’s their ocean,” Jenks went on.

A panel of seven judges has selected the 10 finalists, and starting November 16 to December 24, 2011, the public can vote for the solution that is most likely to turn the tide for coastal fisheries at www.solutionsearch.org.

The entry that receives the most votes will be declared the grand-prize winner and be awarded a U.S.$20,000 project grant and a video on National Geographic’s Ocean website.

Two runners-up will each receive a U.S.$5,000 project grant and the winners will be announced on Jan. 6, 2012.

Pilar, Camotes vice mayor, Eufracio Maratas, Jr. calls on Filipinos all over the world to vote for the Pilar Municipal Marine Park or PMMP the same way we did for the Puerto Princesa Underground River that made it to the New 7 Wonders of the World.

“By being part of this contest, we have a chance to win $20,000. Winners are decided by the most number of votes. We also have a great opportunity to get the word out about our work to leaders in the marine conservation field, investors, the media, potential partners, and other supporters,” Maratas said.

To vote, Maratas encourages the public to log at www.rareplanet.org; go to the ‘Solution Search’ tab near the top of the page and visit Pilar’s entry at http://www.rareplanet.org/en/solution-search-entry/multi-stakeholder-co-management-scheme-pilar-municipal-marine-park.

Maratas also asks the public to spread the word to your colleagues and friends through emails, blogs, or websites.

Exporters' depot pushed as premier shopping stop

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Geared towards pushing the newly opened “Tindahang Pinoy” as an official tourists’ stop in Cebu, the Cebu Gifts, Toys and Housewares, Foundation Inc., (Cebu GTH) is set to sign a series of memorandum of agreements (MOA) with travel and tour organizations in Cebu.

GTH president Ramir Bonghanoy said that although a verbal agreement have already been made between GTH, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) and the Department of Tourism (DOT-7), as well as the private tourism stakeholders in pushing the “Tindahang Pinoy” as a premier shopping stop for tourists, the agreement should be officially sealed in the next few days.

Initially, GTH will sign a MOA with the Cebu Association of Travel Operators (CATO), Cebu Association of Tour Guides (CAT-G), including hotel and resort operators, and other travel and tour groups.

“In principle we have already forged an agreement already with some groups, it’s a matter of making it official and formalizing everything,” said Bonghanoy.

At present, “Tindahang Pinoy”, located at the Bridges Town Center in Mandaue City, houses over 20 exporters, mostly members of the GTH, however, Bonghanoy said he hopes to also invite more exporters of fashion accessories, and even furniture makers to showcase their products in the exporters’ depot.

With this, Bonghanoy said exporters’ hope to breathe while it continues to suffer from the severe slack in demand in the global market.

“For the past years, tourism, a potential market of Cebu-GTH, has registered a positive growth. This industry has contributed significantly to the economic growth of the country. While challenges in the global market and domestic fronts have been encountered, it can be said that the industry’s performance for the past years has set it on track to achieve its goal in becoming a powerful economic growth engine for generating jobs and creating activity in the country,” said Bonghanoy in his speech during the official opening of the “Tindahang Pinoy” facility.

He said the store, which has the capacity to accommodate at least close to a hundred export companies, aims at hitting two markets at the same time, which are the tourists and the domestic market.

Unlike in the past, that export quality goods were too elusive for the domestic market to access, due to some buyers’ strict rules, this time, exporters are going out of their way to serve the potential domestic market to get export quality products with lesser price levels.

In Cebu, GTH, the fashion accessory exporters have been making products for renowned brands such as Hermes, Ferragamo, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, Liz Claiborne, among others.

However, products of these signature brands are sold in thousands of dollars in the international market.

At “Tindahang Pinoy”, quality products at the level of signature brands are priced affordable. Cash and carry products including home furnishing and fashion accessories, range from P100 to as high as P500.

One of the showcased products during the opening of the facility is the Hermes console table made for Hermes by Bonghanoy’s company, Bon Ace Fashion Tools.

Tourism dept considers PWDs as viable market

by Candeze R. Mongaya (Reporter, Cebu Daily News)

Aside from foreign tourists, the Department of Tourism wants to provide better services to persons with disabilities (PWDs) whom they described as a “special market.”

“We will market the Philippines as a barrier-free tourist destination. It’s a special market that has a very high yield,” Tourism Undersecretary Maria Victoria Jasmin said in the Regional Forum on Accessible Tourism for Persons with Disability yesterday afternoon.

Jasmin said they need to find new ways to invite tourists in the country to reach their 10 million tourist arrivals target by 2016.

She said PWDs usually have a person who accompanies them and they require prompt services and facilities for their convenience.

Jasmin said Cebu should also adjust to the needs of the PWDs in their infrastructures and accommodation since the province has a diverse offering that caters to various tourist markets.

“What they want on other places, they can find it all in Cebu,” Jasmin said.

Jasmin cited Batas Pambansa 344 or the Accessibility law which requires certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices.

She said local government units should require property owners to implement the law and withhold approval of the building construction if it doesn’t follow the requirements of the accessibility law.

The law requires the buildings to have sidewalks, ramps, railings and other architectural utilities that would provide convenient mobility for the PWDs.

Jasmin said they incorporated the basic requirements of the accessibility law in the new checklist for standards of accommodation of tourism facilities next year.

Megaworld eyes IT hub in Lapu-Lapu

by Allan I. Varquez

MEGAWORLD Corp. will open its second I.T. park in Cebu next month to bolster Lapu-Lapu City’s bid to be the offshore and outsourcing center of the south.

The company opened its first I.T. Park in Cebu City near the Ayala Business Center, converting a 23-hectare property for call center locators.

The 16-hectare Lapu-Lapu project is near Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

In a memorandum of agreement, the city government vouches for the accreditation of the I.T. Park in an economic zone, with Megaworld paying real estate taxes for the lot and improvements.

Mayor Paz Radaza said no conflict is foreseen under the Charter of the Philippine Export Zone Authority (Peza) because obligations of both parties in the MOA indicated that non-exporting or non-Peza registrable firms are covered by the city tax code.

“We are (ready) to compete with Cebu City as haven for information technology companies,” she said, noting that Lapu-Lapu ranked second in the country’s list of cities for the ease of doing business way back 2008 in a study by the Asian Instute of Management.

Radaza said annual income this year is expected to top the P1 billion mark especially with the opening of Mactan Newtown Center.

Megaworld acquired the property in 1995 for Mactan Newtown to attract multinational firms and call center companies.

“We need to work out with the local government unit and that is the trend now. But we’ll make it sure that both Peza and the conditions in the MOA we entered with the city are satisfied,” said Virgilio Carsido, Jr., president of Ocean Town.

Without Peza accreditation and registration, locators in the economic zone are subject to city tax and zoning regulations.

According to Radaza, Lapu-Lapu as host seeks to generate revenues and employment for residents along with the entry of investments.

As agreed upon, the city wil provide basic support infrastructure such as roads and their mantainance, peace and order, fire protection, health services in the Park, while Megaworld pays 2 percent of its income to the city aside from the real property taxes and other fees.

Cebu, Central Visayas to lead tourism push in PH–Jimenez

By Candeze R. Mongaya(With STC Intern Tweeny Malinao, Cebu Daily News)

Cebu will be one of the “areas of inspiration” for development in the country next year, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said over the weekend.

“Central Visayas is a great area of inspiration. It is a primary example of what we can do and what more can be done for other regions,” Jimenez said in last week’s awarding of the 1st Asian Underwater Federation Photography Championships.

Jimenez, who encouraged the local promotion of tourists by maximizing online use specially on social networking sites said the bulk of their tourism promotion efforts will focus on Central Visayas.

Jimenez said the region and Cebu have many things to offer tourists like good services, beaches and established cultural and heritage sites.

From August to November this year, Cebu saw an 11 percent increase in tourism arrivals compared to the same period last year, regional tourism director Rowena Montecillo said.

“We are confident that we can maintain and we will be consistent on the arrivals next year,” Montecillo said in an interview.

She said 2011 is a “good year” to boost tourism in Central Visayas.

She said they are brainstorming on how to brand Central Visayas for 2012.

“It is not costly on the promotions side. We are also planning to synchronize the websites of municipalites in our sites,” she said.

Montecillo said they would also change the checklist of standards on accommodation to be implemented next year.

“We just completed the consultation of all accommodation establishments,” she said.

She said it’s important to upgrade to world class standards for accommodation for its clients.

“We want a very transparent standard, specially in improving the services,” Montecillo said.

In related news, ecology stakeholders are considering to promote Buhisan Dam as an eco-tourism destination for Cebu.

The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) where the Buhisan watershed is located passed a resolution to push the rehabilitation of infrastructures in the area.

The proposal was presented by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) during the quarterly PAMB meeting in the last week of November.

The Save the Buhisan Watershed Project was launched three years ago in an effort to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals of which the Philippines is one of 189 member-signatories.

The project is a joint effort by the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Lexmark, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Shell.

Group: Cebu green code should push clean energy

by Carmel Loise Matus(Correspondent, Cebu Daily News)

Cebu’s Environment Code proposed a lot of work specifically in the area of energy use and development, an ecology group said yesterday.

Vince Cinches, Cebu coordinator of 350.org, said the code needs an “intensive mechanism” that encourages renewable energy use, promotion and development in recognition of international environment agreements.

“We asked Provincial Board member Thadeo Ouano to give us time. What came out in the code is that the only viable option in the market is fossil fuel … that’s in the province today. We told Ouano at that time that, that’s not true,” he said.

Cinches said contrary to public fears, renewable energy is cheaper than fossil fuel in terms of damages inflicted on the environment. Ecology groups opposed the presence of coal plants in the cities of Toledo and Naga.

Cinches said they will organize a roundtable discussion on the vague provisions of the environment code.

“We are hoping that this will correct the dismal environmental practice of the province such as pushing for more coal-fired power plants,” he said.

Cinches said they want to push for a stronger environment code in the province.

He cited the environment code enacted by Bohol in 1998 that created its own Bohol Environment Management Office.

Cinches said Cebu’s environment code should also be localized in tune with existing conditions in the province.

Cebu tourism players laud gesture of new DOT chief

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Tourism and business stakeholders in Cebu lauded the gesture of newly appointed Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Ramon Jimenez on seeking advice and guidance from former chief Joseph “Ace” Durano in promoting the Philippines.

“It's reassuring to know that Sec. Jimenez sought Sec. Durano's advice and thoughts since Ace [Durano] did a remarkable job during his term and a lot of tourism's success until today is attributed to what he has put together,” said tourism prime mover Jay P. Aldeguer.

Aldeguer, who owns several businesses geared towards providing tourism related products and services, said that he is looking forward to Jimenez’s plans as the new tourism head seems to “get” what needs to be done to promote the country.

“I also agree wholeheartedly that we should utilize our strongest asset both as a "draw" and as a means to promote tourism which is the Filipino people. The focus on using the internet and social networking sites as our main medium is not only cost efficient but is and going to be very effective,” Aldeguer added.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Samuel Chioson also appreciated Jimenez’s initiative to recognize the efforts of Durano during his term, however, Chioson hopes that the new tourism chief will also meet with the Cebu stakeholders for consultation.

For his part, Cebu Business Club (CBC) Gordon Alan “Dondi’ Joseph said that it is very pragmatic and makes very good sense that Durano was one of the best DOT secretaries we ever had, and that proper turn-over was supposedly made.

While Durano’s predecessor Alberto Lim was not able to consult Durano for turn-over or any plan for continuity of the department’s existing program, Cebu tourism advocate Mila Espina said Jimenez’s gesture to reach out with Durano “ is a good step in developing continuity, coordination and cooperation among the stewards of tourism.”

“Sad to say, there had been lack of sustainable tourism programs due to some person, professional and even political factors where previous and current DOT secretaries, with good intentions, pushed their new concepts and thrusts, without appraising the merits of past tourism thrusts,” Espina said.

She added that a classic example is the branding of the Philippines as a tourism destination, the need for better infrastructure, services, and upgrading human resources did not take off lengthily.

“We hope that the new DOT chief moves with more focused vision and realistic projects,” Espina emphasized.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Eric Ng Mendoza also said that Jimenez’s recent dialogue with Durano is a good consultative approach to continue the good and effective programs of the department which was implemented by Durano.

MCCI boad member Glenn Soco said that Jimenez brilliant move to consult with Durano could mean stronger coordination between government and stakeholders.

“Former tourism secretary Durano had the experience in running DOT and would be very good resource person to consult with. To run tourism, one should be consultative and involve all the stakeholders,” Soco said.

Jimenez was in Cebu Tuesday and met with Durano at the VIP lounge of the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu.

Jimenez, an advertising expert, said that he asked Durano for advice such as on what things to watch for, among others.

Also, Jimenez urged Cebuanos to sell and promote the whole country, not just Cebu, as the Philippines’ potential for tourism has not yet scratched the surface.

The new tourism head added that Cebu, the city and the province, is undoubtedly the center for tourism in the country, and its contribution to the growth of the sector is very crucial.

Aside from fixing infrastructure, what is important is to hone people for strong culture of tourism saying “the real tourism campaign is the ‘people’.”

He said it takes people to build an image. Tourism after all is dependent on the quality of the experience.

“What makes Cebu as it is today is not what we see here, but who you feel here—it’s all about experience,” Jimenez added.

Cebu LGUs to collect plastic bottles to make solar bulbs

By Juju Manubag-Empuerto(FCR/JSME/PIA-Cebu)

CEBU CITY, December 2 (PIA) -- Cebu Gov Gwendolyn Garcia recently ordered local government units to adopt and implementat government units (LGUs) the "Usa Ka Litrong Kahayag Project and to participate in the launching of the project named ‘Run to Light’ on December 10.

Through Executive Order No. 18, Garcia enjoined local officials to collect 1.5 liter plastic bottles, which will be converted into solar bottle bulbs by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).

The project aims to heighten the community’s energy conservation awareness and promote a greener and healthier Cebu, according to Garcia.

The project is being incorporated in this year’s Expanded Green, Wholesome Environment that Nurtures (E-Gwen) contest under the environment criteria.

The ‘Usa ka Litrong Kahayag’ Project is expected to produce 4,000 solar bottle bulbs per town and city as an alternative source of light during daytime.

To make a solar plastic bulb, a 1.5-liter plastic softdrink bottle is filled with water mixed with chlorine and salt. The bulb is then inserted in a roof sheet, which is then sealed to prevent leaks.

On the other hand, the ‘Run to Light’ launching on December 10 aims to gather about 50,000 participants where each participant will be asked to bring two 1.5-liter plastic bottles aside from the registration fee they have to pay, according to Rowena Alensonorin of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI).

“We expect to collect about 200,000 bottles after the event,” Alensonorin.

The students however, are exempted from paying the registration fee but will be asked to bring three 1.5 liters plastic bottles.

‘Cebu dancing inmates a tourist attraction’

Carmel Loise Matus (Correspondent,Cebu Daily News)

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. lauded the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) dancing inmates saying it is one of the unique tourist attractions in the world.

Jimenez, who visited the jail facility yesterday morning, witnessed a live performance of the world-renowned dancing inmates.

In his message after the performances of the inmates, he said the dancing inmates is something that the country could be proud of to tourists.

“Dapat malaman ninyo, nagsalita ako sa isang party para sa mga turista, pinangako ko sa kanila na ang pinaka-importanteng tourist offering ng Pilipinas ay ang Pilipino din (You have to know that I spoke to a group of tourists and promised them that the most important tourist offering that the Philippines could give is the Filipino),” Jimenez said.

“At kayo (inmates) ay isang primary example ng offering na iyon (And you, inmates, is an example of that offering),” he added.

In an interview, Jimenez said the dancing inmates showed how the Filipinos value rehabilitation more than punishment.

He said such value is unique to the Filipinos so tourists are delighted when they see this trait among Filipinos.

“Di nila akalain that our values extend even to the detention center (They never thought that our values extend to the detention center),” he told reporters.

“I hope that these are values that we will carry with the rest of the country. Like I said, I mean it when I say that this is probably one of the most incredible tourist sites on earth. I hope the world learns more about it,” he added.

Jimenez was welcomed by acting Gov. Agnes Magpale during his visit at the jail facility.

The inmates performed dances such as J. Lo’s “On the Floor,” 2NE1′s “Fire” and other favorites like “Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot.”

For their finale, they performed Michael Jackson’s “This Is It,” which was choreographed by the King of Pop’s choreographer Travis Payne last year.

Also present during the performance were Undersecretary Ma. Victoria Jasmin on the Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation; Regional Tourism Director Rowena Montecillo; delegates of the 1st Asian Underwater Federation Photography Championships; and a team from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In 2007, the CPDR inmates performed the zombie dance featured in the music video of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The footage was uploaded onto video-sharing website YouTube and became a viral.

Time magazine cited the video as one of the top 10 videos of 2007.

The idea behind the dance came from the prison’s chief, Byron F. Garcia.

Garcia first proposed the idea of dancing as an enjoyable way of keeping the prisoners mentally and physically fit.

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