Cebu Province News January 2012

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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.

DOST-7 to launch SETUP product catalogue tomorrow

(PIA-Cebu with PR from DOST 7)

CEBU CITY, January 20 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 will launch tomorrow its own publication titled “The DOST VII Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program Product Catalogue.” The launching will be held at the DOST-7 conference room, S & T Complex in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.

Limited copies of the book will be distributed for free.

The catalogue features success stories and products from the beneficiaries of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in the region.

SETUP is a program under DOST which assists small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through Technology Upgrading, Products Standards and Testing, Packaging and Labeling, Database Management Information System and Linkaging and Networking for raw material sourcing, marketing, technical and entrepreneurial, financing and equipment design and fabrication.

The program covers the priority sectors namely the food processing; furniture and home furnishings; gifts, holiday decors and fashion accessories; marine and aquatic resources; horticulture; and metals and engineering.

Tomorrow will also witness the formal turn-over of the Good Manufacturing Practices System and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (GMP-SSOP) to Raw Brown Sugar Milling Co., Inc.

2012 trade projections, feng shui to highlight Cebu business forum

By MALOU M. MOZO

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – An economic briefing, organized by two leading business organizations in Cebu, will include predictions by a feng shui practitioner for the year, to help give a different perspective in what lies ahead for Cebu and the rest of the country in 2012.

Said event, which is being organized by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) along with the Cebu Business Club on January 24, 2012 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Casino Español de Cebu’s Salon de Espania function room, is expected to draw businessmen from other parts of the country.

The half-day economic briefing, chaired by Carmel de Pio-Salvador, will feature scientific and economic views.

Dubbed “Views and Prospects 2012,” the forum will incorporate the economic outlook of Cebuano economist Fernando Fajardo to give the audience a balanced perspective of the economy and its prospects in 2012.

Fajardo’s inputs will include a discussion on the Aquino administration’s action plans to propel the economy growth levels, as well as share insights on how to make Cebu, the region and the rest of the country more responsive to new opportunities from global trends and expected risks.

The organizers are also tapping World of Feng Shui (WOFS) chief executive officer Maritess Allen who is a feng shui expert herself as well as a consultant to top executives and prominent personalities in media and public office. Allen will talk about how feng shui influences business decisions and prospects.

MCCI President Eric Ng Mendoza said Allen's feng shui inputs will be helpful to Cebu's business environment prospects. “She will expound on her general outlook on business, wealth, relationships, health, career, education, the stock market, remedies, cures and enhancers in this year of the water dragon,” he said.

IT firm eyes Asian market, hires more workers

By Aileen Garcia-Yap (Cebu Daily News)

DESPITE the anti-outsourcing bill pending in the US Congress, a Europe-based information technology firm is hiring more manpower for its Mactan office as part of the firm’s expansion plans.

According to Willem Geert Lagemaat, Lighthouse Software Cebu Inc. (LHSCI) IP Group chief executive officer, they intend to increase their manpower base in Cebu because they see Cebu as a strategic center for their regional operations.

“The Philippine office is a bridge for us in dealing with markets in Thailand and Vietnam,” said Lagemaat, who announced the firm’s plans to focus on the Asian markets especially with the developments in the US.

Lighthouse Software Cebu Inc. (LHSCI), a Europe-based global intellectual property expert and information service provider, recently announced their plans to further expand their operations in Cebu to meet growing needs for trademark database in the region.

Lighthouse Software Cebu Inc. started with only five employees in 2009 and now they have over 300 people working at their office in MEPZ 2.

Patrick Van Dun, managing director for Philippines, said they would hire at least 100 employees this month and end the year with 500 employees to beef up their operations in Cebu.

International trademark database is a major project in LHSCI, which is currently handling thousands of trademark data from 87 different countries in the world.

In the Philippines, their main operation is into processing patent, trademark and other IP- related content for global information providers.

The firm also offers translations and software and database solutions that will add more value to its international data projects.

The firm also offers translations and software and database solutions that will add more value to its international data projects.

“Sadly, in the Philippines, awareness about IP (intellectual property) is not that known yet among companies here and that is our challenge,” said Lagemaat.

He said that the firm was serving two foreign-owned companies here.

With the current challenges in the United States of America and Europe plus the pending Anti-Outsourcing Bill, Lagemaat said that the local markets would become more important for them in the coming years.

“In Cebu, we can serve any industry. Potential clients can be from the manufacturing and production industries,” said Lagemaat.

He said in Asia, they were seeing many production jobs going towards Vietnam from China because of the latter’s increasing labor and high inflation rates.

They also expect more locators mostly from manufacturing and outsourcing industries coming to the Philippines, which they saw as a huge market potential for IP, said Lagemaat.

Van Dun, for his part, said they could easily expand up to 2,000 employees in their current office in Mactan should the need for more people would arise.

Aside from the Philippines, Lighthouse IP Group also has subsidiary offices in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Belarus and the United States and in the process of expanding in other countries like Egypt, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and South Korea, which are set to open within this year.

Capitol lays down projects for 2012

By Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Following a stressful day participating in the Sinulog Grand Parade, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia launched back to work yesterday and announced what the provincial government intends to accomplish this 2012.

This week, province will hold another round of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, which will begin tomorrow until Friday. The targets for this round are the balikbayans and foreign visitors from France, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia who came to Cebu for the Sinulog.

With the Suroy-Suroy, the visitors will get to experience the Southern Heritage Trail of 22 cities and municipalities of southern Cebu for three days.

Meanwhile, Garcia said it is also imperative to set the wheels for the institutionalization of programs that she started such as the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals, the One Cebu Expo, and eGwen Program, among others.

Garcia said this is the reason why she appointed her daughter, lawyer Christina Garcia-Codilla Frasco, as consultant for the institutionalization of projects and programs.

The Manila Water Company, Inc. of Ayala Consortium has until end of January to respond to the challenge made by Cebu Bulk Water Consortium in the development of a P1.55 - billion Cebu Bulk Water Supply Project.

Meanwhile, bidders have until the end of this month to submit bids for the development of the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center and Drug Rehabilitation properties in Cebu City.

Garcia also hopes that the Ciudad Project “may finally get off the ground.” She said the commercial complex will not only benefit Cebu City in terms of taxes but will also provide alternative routs for vehicular traffic in the Banilad area.

On the other hand, the Camotes Island airstrip is also set for development. Garcia hopes to complete the bidding process by the first quarter of this year.

Also in the pipeline is the Sta. Fe airport in Bantayan Island. Garcia said province will settle the property issue within the first quarter and hope to be able to set the bidding process by the second quarter.

Also set for completion by either the first or second quarter are three provincial hospitals in Danao City, Balamban and Bogo City. The first provincial hospital in Carcar City was opened and became operational last year.

The Pilar island circumferential road is also set for completion by September this year, as reportedly promised by the contractor.

Palma lauds "unity" of Cebu officials

  • Source:www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=768311
  • Monday, January 16, 2012 12:00 AM
By Niña G. Sumacot and Ria Mae Y. Booc/FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma did not miss talking about the controversial Reproductive Health Bill in his homily during the Pontifical Mass for the fiesta celebration at the Basilica Del Sto. Niño.

“Mag-ampo kita na dili mao kini ang mudaog nga panghunahuna ug pagtuo ug dili kini mao ang hinungdan sa pagtapos sa kinabuhi sa kadaghanan ug labina sa kinabuhi sa kabataan,” Palma said.

Sto. Niño is the refuge of the Filipino family, Palma said, and like the Holy Child, we should protect and take care of our children.

“This (RH Bill) is a real threat sa mga kabataan og mag-ampo kita nga di mudaog nga mahimo kitang tigpanalipod sa mga kabataan. We must care for them and provide for their future,” he said.

Palma thanked the Sto. Niño because Cebu is allegedly united against the proposed measure.

Palma, who is president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, recalled calling government officials in Cebu after being installed as Archbishop here to get their stand on the issue.

The Archbishop said he was very thankful that most of the leaders in Cebu are “pro-life.”

He said education is the solution to poverty, rather than abortion and contraception.

“Salamat sa mga nagtuo sa kasagrado sa kinabuhi,” the Archbishop said.

Palma was also happy of the cooperation between the city and provincial governments of Cebu.

“We need one another. The city needs the province; the province needs the city ug nalipay kita sa nindot nga relasyon karon pinaagi sa ilang mga leader nga sila si Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ug Governor Gwen Garcia. Dunay unity ug pagtinabangay,” Palma said.

The archbishop said such unity between Cebu politicians hopefully would contaminate to other government officials in the country.

Palma then cited such unity should contaminate among the executive, judiciary, and legislative branches of the government.

“Aron sa atong pagkahiusa maghunahuna kita og mga proyekto nga makadala ug paglambo sa atong nasud,” he said.

The Archbishop also called on the people to take care of the environment.

Meanwhile, at least 300 residents from Bogo City traveled to pay homage to Sto. Niño on his feast day.

The devotees stayed on the sidewalk along Legaspi St. since Friday. Most of them said that it has been their yearly devotion to the Holy Child.

“Tulumanon namo nga kada-pista Senior dili namo makalimtan ang among mga pagpaningkamot,” said Lorenzo Ruiz of Barangay Bungtod, Bogo City.

Delio Lipod, 40, resident of Barangay Poblacion, also made it a habit for his family to spend days in Santo Niño church as part of their devotion every year.

Most of them however are selling candles to augment their expenses while in the city.

“Gamay pa ko buhi pa akong ginikanan naa nami ngari hangtod naminyo nako, ako napud ning ipasa sa akong mga anak,” Lipod said.

DENR to speed up cadastral survey

By Garry B. Lao/JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Central Visayas will fasttrack the cadastral survey in at least four municipalities in Cebu.

For this year, DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso said they aim to cover 73,661 hectares with a total budget of P163,090,115.76 for certain municipalities in Central Visayas.

The budget for Cebu is P49.879 million, covering the municipalities of Minglanilla, Argao, Tuburan, and Tabuelan with a total area of 25,710 hectares or 34.90 percent of the whole project.

According to Dichoso, they are also preparing the survey for selected towns in Negros Oriental, Bohol and Siquijor covering 73,661 hectares and costing P163.090 million.

The DENR was given a marching order from Malacañang to hasten and complete the cadastral survey of the country to support the government’s land titling, land use planning, taxation and internal revenue allotment (IRA) program for the various municipalities nationwide.

Dichoso said that reforms in the country’s land services is a must as it will improve the productivity of idle lands therefore boost economic prosperity.

Cadastral survey covers extensive areas such as an entire municipality or city consisting of several or many parcels of land undertaken for the purpose of land registration.

“The cadastral survey program is seriously pursued as it is instrumental in efficient patent distribution and accelerating countryside development,” Dichoso said.

Secretary Paje earlier issued DENR Administrative Order No. 2011-05 directing the Land Management Bureau to conduct an inventory and establish a database of abandoned cadastral survey projects.

A cadastral survey project is said to be abandoned when field activities are left unfinished after the period stipulated in the contract, when the contractor fails to correct survey defects within a prescribed period, or when the contractor fails to return survey project records and other violations of the contract.

Aside from Cebu, covered are the municipalities of Manjuyod, Pamplona, Dauin, and Zamboanguita of Negros Oriental with the biggest target of 37,456 hectares or 50.85 percent and a budget of 87.998 million for the survey.

Bohol has 5,158 hectares or seven percent coverage with a budget of P24.581 million to cover the municipalities of Tubigon, President Carlos Garcia, and Danao.

Siquijor has 5,337 hectares or 7.25 percent coverage with a budget of P630,000 covering the municipality of Maria.

The regional executive director was given the power to cancel abandoned survey projects, and to determine and impose the appropriate sanctions against erring geodetic engineers or survey contractors.

Thousands join solemn procession

(Sunnex)

CEBU CITY (2nd Update, 4:15 p.m.) -- Thousands of people from different areas in Cebu and even outside the province joined Saturday’s solemn procession in honor of Sr. Sto. Nino.

The foot penitential procession started around 1:30 p.m. at the Basilica del Sto. Nino with the images of St. Joseph and Birhen sa Guadalupe brought out first of the church.

The image of the Holy Child Jesus was brought out of the Basilica around 1:40 p.m. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma led the transfer of the image to its carriage adorned with flowers.

Church leaders and members of the Knights of Columbus led the procession, joined by families and students from different schools in the city, as well as politicians including Representative Eduardo Gullas, members of the Sinulog Foundation Inc., and even persons with disabilities.

In anticipation of intermittent rains, devotees of the Sto. Nino brought umbrellas during the procession. They also carried replicas of the Holy Child Jesus.

Security remains tight as of this posting Saturday. Students were fielded on the streets to help ensure security. Police and Army units were also deployed around the city for the solemn procession.

The Cebu City Government also declared a White Code alert, which required all medical units in the city to be on alert and position teams at the procession route.

Vehicular traffic was also temporarily rerouted to accommodate the thousands of devotees who joined the procession. The major roads affected are Osmena Blvd., Mango Avenue, Gen. Maxilom Ave., and MJ Cuenco Ave. The roads will be open later tonight.

As of this posting, the image of St. Joseph has arrived at the Basilica del Sto. Nino. The image of the Holy Child Jesus is still at Fuente Osmena.

DOT puts up counter at airport

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) in partnership with Globe Telecom unveils a “special hospitality counter” at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport yesterday as part of the tourism agency’s continuing efforts to assist visitors.

The so-called “Pinoy Homecoming (PH) Counter” gives balikbayans access to special tours offered at discounted rates plus a welcome pack that contains discount coupons for over 700 partner hotels, spas, hospitals and other merchants as well as a Globe OFW SIM pack pre-loaded with a P50 credit that they can right away use.

The PH counter initially welcomed 140 balikbayans from Los Angeles and Seattle, USA yesterday with rondalla and Sinulog dancers. This DOT program complements the Balik Cebu campaign of the Cebu City Government.

The PH counter is the sixth of such facility installed by DOT in the country. It is being implemented by the DOT’s marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board.

With the slogan, “It’s more fun in the Philippines”, the PH campaign is targeting the millions of overseas Filipinos with foreign nationalities who can increase the number of the country’s tourist arrivals.

Started in December 2010, this campaign has gained commitments of support from leaders of various Filipino communities abroad.

“We are one with the Department of Tourism in helping balikbayans feel instantaneously at home upon their arrival in the Philippines. Globe strives to help our expat Pinoys keep that connection to home via relevant and meaningful products and services that cater to the needs of overseas Filipinos and help their loved-ones in the Philippines stay in touch with them,”said Jerry Yntig, head of External Affairs for Visayas and Mindanao of Globe Telecom.

DOT-7 Director Rowena Montecillo said that this program is part of DOT’s effort to increase by 25 percent the tourist arrivals in the next five years.

Montecillo said the program is designed to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to travel in the Philippines for reunions, conferences, missions and vacations and for this year the campaign has been expanded to include countries worldwide especially those with large concentration of OFWs.

DOH-7 to set up medical teams during Sinulog

by Hazel Gloria (mbcn/hfg/PIA-7)

CEBU CITY, January 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH-7) in Central Visayas will set up 22 or more medical teams in the Sinulog procession route on January 14 and Sinulog celebration on January 15.

Health Emergency Management program coordinator Dr. Expedito Medalla, said each team is composed of a doctor, nurse, paramedics, communicator and a driver.

"There are one hundred or more people joining the emergency medical teams," Medalla continued.

Aside from the medical booths, DOH-7 is also coordinating with the Cebu Medical Society and other private and public hospitals to monitor emergency situations during the feast of Sr. Sto Niño.

In yesterday’s AGIO-7 Forum held at DOH-7 compound, Medalla requested the people who will join the procession and watch the Sinulog parade to be careful with their health. They should bring food, water or juices, medicines and other things they needed to prevent any health problems.

“For those people who are not feeling well, I would suggest that they just stay in-house and watch the event on tv,” he added.

On the other hand, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) leads the emergency responding team which is composed of Philippine Red Cross, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF), Basak Pardo Emergency Response and other medical groups.

Medalla also informed the media that they sent letter requests to all hospitals in Cebu City and nearby places to implement code white starting January 14 to 15 for them to be ready in any emergency situations during the Sinulog celebrations.

The DOH-7 also reported that there were no big injuries that happened in last year’s Sinulog celebration and it hopes for a peaceful and injury-free Sinulog this year.

Oslob acts to protect butandings

By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

OSLOB, Cebu, Philippines — The increasing number of tourists coming to Oslob, a quiet, laidback town in the southern part of Cebu, to view the famed whale sharks or butanding, as they are called in the local dialect, which have appeared in waters here are alarming local officials, prompting the latter to enact an ordinance to protect the huge water mammals.

The ordinance, Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren said, seeks to regulate whale shark-watching activities in his town as tourists come in groups daily following media coverage of the presence of friendly butanding in Oslob's sea waters.

The ordinance requires the registration of fishermen to be allowed to guide tourists and handle the sea animals. It also strictly prohibits motorboats from going near the butanding, Guaren said.

The town plans to set up ticketing and briefing offices, the latter for giving visitors an orientation about the whale sharks and providing them with safety instructions.

Guaren said that since the whale sharks appearing in local waters here were featured by national media as well as by local newspapers, groups of divers have flocked daily to the site.


Vendors earning at new market

By Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Vendors have expressed fears that they would lose their customers once they transfer to the new Mandaue City Public Market at the back of the sports complex at the North Reclamation Area but this does not seem to be the case.

Since the transfer last Sunday, consumers themselves started trooping to the new market after the city government allowed public utility vehicles to ferry passengers there. This is aside from the E-cars the Mandaue City Government has provided for those who want to go to the new market.

The old market was located near the Mandaue City Hall.

Market Administrator Mossulini Soliva said the new market is still in a transition period, but most of the vendors who have transferred there have started earning. The vendors continue to spruce up their stalls.

Soliva said the market is 99 percent occupied but there are still about 50 to 100 applicants who want to occupy stalls there. There are 1,400 stalls in the new market.

He said his office is now evaluating who among the applicants could occupy the few stalls left.

“Kon maka-avail pa sila dili na sila pwededng mamili kay sobra na man lang dyud sa pinilian ang nabilin, atong vegetable, chicken and fish stall puno na dyud,” Soliva said .

He also said those delinquent stall holders at the old market were not allowed to occupy stalls at the new market.

Meanwhile, Soliva said they will also check reports that a chicken supplier from the Carbon market in Cebu city was able to acquire a stall at the new Mandaue market and that existing chicken vendors fear that the supplier will monopolize sales there. 

“Busa ako silang gi-ingnan to identify this person because, so far, when I came to check, legitimate stall holder man ang pwesto nga naka-assign sa gi-ingon nga stall, Once ma-identify nako ning tawhana, I will be calling his attention to instill good and fair price aron sad di mahagba ang negosyo sa uban. Maayo nga mu-come-up sila og common price ug bahala na lang unya ang mamalitay og asa mopalit,” Soliva said.

Tourism group asks govt to improve roads

By Garry B. Lao/JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Tourism in the Philippines will be promoted further and effectively if the government agencies work together with the common goal of attracting tourists.

This is the view of the Tourism Educators and Movers (TEAM) Philippines founding chairman Robert Lim Joseph, who spoke before a gathering of tourism stakeholders in meeting recently.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other government line agencies should work hand in hand together the Department of Tourism (DOT) to ensure that all tourism-related efforts will not be put to waste,” Joseph said.

Joseph said the DPWH should take a look at the condition of roads around the country because roads bring the tourists from their hotels to their destinations.

The DILG, he added, can also compel local governments units to ensure proper disposal of garbage that are often found along the road.

“Roads are like veins, they connect straight to the destinations, like veins connect to the heart. Now our roads are so full of cholesterol,” said Joseph.

He urged the government to fast track infrastructure development especially roads that lead to major tourist destinations.

He also echoed the sentiments of some travel and tour operators who often receive comments from tourists regarding the presence of dilapidated tricycles, heaps of garbage and other eyesores along tourism roads around the country.

“Dirty and damage roads are major turn-offs and will leave negative impression on tourists,” said Joseph.

The local police should also take action on complaints of tourists who are victims of pickpockets especially by street children. Joseph said that these activities will prevent tourists from coming back and could discourage tourists from coming in.

Just recently, there was much debate about the new tourism slogan or campaign of the Depart of Tourism to promote the country. Critics have accused the national government of spending money for a slogan that was only copied from that of another country.

Muslim community to help secure Sinulog

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

CEBU, Philippines - The local Muslim community has promised to help the police ensure public safety and peaceful celebration of the Sinulog.

The assurance was given by the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos in Cebu City during a meeting with the police.

Cebu City Police Office intelligence chief Romeo Santander said that NCMF director Melo Manonggiring promised to help them in the monitoring and intelligence gathering of possible Muslim extremists coming to disturb the Sinulog activities.

“Vital kaayo nga impormasyon ang ilang ma-hatag nato gikan Mindanao,” Manonggiring said.

Santander said, Manonggiring offered to lend some of their willing volunteers to help the police maintain the peace and order during the Grand Parade and other Sinulog activities.

The police received intelligence reports that two “Muslim militants” are allegedly planning to disturb the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila and the Sinulog in Cebu.

Santander, however, assured the public that this will not happen in Cebu. “Dili na mahitabo ,” he stressed.

Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Ramon Buenafe has thanked the local Muslim community for their support.

The director said that like Cebunos, most of Muslim migrants have considered the city as their home, away from home, and a place for good business, adding that he hopes for the same enthusiasm in the future.

He said that the local muslim community is very big and well organized. In fact, there are at least 160 Muslim leaders in Cebu with 20 members each.

MCWD, Maynilad ink deal to study Cebu water sources

Rhea Ruth V. Rosell(Correspondent)

THE Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is tapping the Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) to study how to develop and enhance the surface water sources in Cebu.

Armando H. Paredes, general manager of MCWD, said yesterday that the local water firm had signed an agreement or a memorandum of understanding with Maynilad to address the increasing demand for potable water among the residents of Cebu.

Paredes said the the demand of water in Cebu had been increasing by 3 percent to 5 percent each year.

Since MCWD is in urgent need of an additional source of potable water, Maynilad will submit a project proposal for surface water source development, including the supply of bulk potable water, pipe-laying activities for unserved areas in Cebu and rehabilitation or replacement of existing mainlines and septage management.

Maynilad is a private corporation, managed by consortium made up of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and the DMCI Holdings Inc. The consortium took over the firm in 2007.

Maynilad is a water service provider for the West Zone of the greater Metro Manila area.

The agreement will ask Maynilad to submit a project proposal, which will include a feasibility study to determine the water demand, quantity and quality of water that could be drawn from certain identified water sources within or outside Cebu, average non-revenue water (NRW) of MCWD, and the total investment required to undertake the project.

Victorio P. Vargas, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Maynilad said that they are hiring a group of consultants and engineers to conduct the feasibility study.

Vargas explained that the feasibility study would be done in six months so that they could submit a proposal to MCWD to provide additional water supply in Cebu.

Maynilad will be hiring foreign consultants to help with the study.

Vargas said that Maynilad was planning to have a rehabilitation program and water source and distribution at no cost to the water district.

Paredes, for his part, said that the feasibility study would be conducted within the coverage area of the MCWD.

Meanwhile, Rep. Tomas Osmena, Cebu City south district, said that the government would monitor the needs of the MCWD.

Osmeña said that the government will also validate whether Maynilad can do something for the public and to “direct them of the different possiblities”.

“I hope that they (MCWD) should consider the policy of pricing.” Osmeña told reporters.

Osmeña said that the pricing of water should be “demand driven.”

Terminal adds to Cebu coffers

By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

CEBU, Philippines – The Provincial Government of Cebu has earned an additional income of P54.5 million from the operations of the Cebu South Bus Terminal for 2011, which is P1.6 million higher than the P52.863 million in 2010.

In the last two months alone, November and December 2011, prior to the holiday season, the terminal was able to collect more than P10 million in income, said Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre.

The income is generated from passenger terminal fees of P5 each; bus terminal fees of P10 each entry, and stall rent and comfort room use fees.

While Cebu had a target of P50 million last year, Salubre said they are raising the cap for 2012 and have set a P60 million target.

Salubre is hopeful the target will be met because of the vibrant economic activities in the city and the province of Cebu as a whole.

Almost all stalls in the second floor of the terminal building are now occupied. But Salubre emphasized that income generation is only second to the main objective of providing efficient service to the riding public.

“Sometimes, service is sacrificed for income,” Salubre said.

At first the collection of the P5 terminal fee for each passenger was met with criticism. But Salubre said after they were able to control individuals entering the terminal premises, the comfort and security improved. The waiting area is also air-conditioned.

When the terminal opened in 2009, it was already projected to gain P50 million which came into reality a year later.

Passengers need no longer worry about overcrowding and pickpockets in the terminal because of the presence of security personnel.

Past Forward: The success that is Tabuelan

By Jobers Bersales

If Tabuelan town is going to be a portent of things to come in 2012, then it will be a most especially rewarding year for museums and heritage advocacy.

Yesterday, officials of this northwestern Cebu town’s 12 barangays underwent training on museum development planning under the auspices of the municipal government led by the dynamic young couple of Mayor Rex Gerona and her first lady, Marifi. Museo Sugbo and the Committee on Sites, Relics and Structures of the Cebu Provincial Tourism and Heritage Council were on hand to provide the technical expertise and hands-on training on exhibit storyline conceptualization, exhibition designing and artifact accessioning and cataloguing.

Tabuelan already caught the eye of the province long before this, of course, ranking second overall in the annual Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures Our Cebu (eGwen Our Cebu), the program initiated in 2008 by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to measure and evaluate the performance of municipalities and cities under the Province of Cebu in all aspects, from governance and infrastructure to environment; from culture, heritage and tourism to education, sanitation, and health. Tabuelan ranks second to San Francisco but only because the latter has long started an internationally recognized and acclaimed community-based waste management program that no less than the United Nations recognized and made an international model.

When we first carried out this particular cluster of the Cebu Provincial Heritage Caravans, which included Tabuelan in 2005, its officials initially confessed that they could think of no heritage resources. After undergoing the heritage trainings, lo and behold, Tabuelan was one of the very first to submit their own cultural map and inventory, which listed over 1,000 sites, structures and artifacts/objects. The town was proof that one need not be a vibrant pueblo during the Spanish colonial period to land in the books on heritage. It too has its own ancestral houses dating to the 1920s as much as it also had archaeological sites (albeit looted in the 1960s and 70s), and its folklore and traditional livelihood practices were as vibrant as those of other towns. And its beaches and caves were equally awesome.

Tabuelan caught the attention of eGWEN evaluators when in 2008 it began marking its heritage sites, using small printed tarps that boldly proclaimed every ancestral house, every heritage tree and every natural heritage spot that it had documented from 2005 to 2007. It, therefore, came as no surprise that Tabuelan was ranked number 1 by the heritage component evaluation team for establishing barangay-based museums in 2009, a successful best practice in trickling down technical knowledge on heritage documentation and cultural mapping from the municipality to the barangay and even purok or sitio.

Last year, Tabuelan once again made news when it announced that it would formalize the establishment of museums in all of its 12 barangays even as it prepared to rehabilitate its old municipal hall and convert it into a museum and visitor center. This is unprecedented in any town in the country today. Whereas one local government official in another northwestern Cebu town berated eGWEN evaluators recently and even derided museums and heritage programs as frivolities. Tabuelan is showing the way in proving that pride of place always begins at the lowest levels of governance to be harnessed to instill cooperation in all aspects of the municipality’s life. There is, for Tabuelan, nothing to be ashamed of in showing to the world its culture and its past even as it moves the town into the future.

It was against this overwhelming spirit of cooperation that the training we conducted proceeded. Seventy officials attended and began planning their museum so that each will be different in content and theme from the other and yet all will weave an interrelated showcasing of livelihoods, of local histories, artistry and skills while designing interactive, experiential or hands-on exhibits on farming systems, fishing practices, traditional healing systems and even the Pulahan movement in the town and the devastation wrought by World War II.

We should expect therefore more news coming out of this tiny yet vibrant municipality as it works with its barangays with the constant support of the governor and the Provincial Tourism and Heritage Council.

Truly Tabuelan is one town worth emulating. Padayon Tabuelan!

Noynoy, Binay invited to Sinulog

(Jessica Ann R. Pareja , BRP - Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is inviting President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay to attend the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 15.

All systems are ready for the series of events which will start with tomorrow’s opening salvo, the Walk with Jesus, to be followed by the Sinulog 2012 kickoff on Friday.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros said that the P1.7-million stage which features the Skyline of Cebu City is almost finished.

This year’s Sinulog celebration will portray more of Cebu as a City of Culture, which is a title bestowed on Cebu City by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations last year.

The production cost, which covers everything except the prizes for the competition, runs from P35 million to P40 million.

Ballesteros said the prizes and aid to contingents has increased to P20 million from P12 million last year.

The grand prize is P1 million which is double than last year’s prize, SFI also increased the aid to contingents from P100,000 to P150,000.

There will be 12 official out-of-town contingents this year. The contingents from Cebu shall be decided during the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan on Saturday and the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan on Sunday.

Ballesteros said that they have asked the P20,777,000 cost for the prizes and assistance from the city government. The P40 million production cost shall be sourced from ticket sales, revenue generating activities and sponsorships from the private sector.

Of the P40 million production cost, P2.5 million shall be set aside for the grand finale, a 30-minute show featuring the creative industries of Cebu.

Representative Rachel “Cutie” del Mar who joined last year’s grand finale will also be dancing in the grand finale this year.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will be dancing with the Argao Contingent for her annual devotion while Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will officiate the opening mass on January 15.

Cebu's tourism economy gets a boost in 2011 from “Suroy-Suroy” program by Amor Saludar

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

CEBU CITY, January 3 (PIA) –- Cebu’s tourism economy rose 13 percent higher in 2011 compared to the previous year, the National Statistical Coordinating Board (NSCB) reported.

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale attributed this positive development to the intensified efforts of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s “Suroy- Suroy sa Sugbo.”

“Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo” is a program of the Cebu Provincial Government, where foreign and domestic tourists are treated to the different local tourism sites and unique culture of the Cebuanos by visiting the different towns and cities of the province from south to north.

Tourists are joined by the governor herself to personally conduct the tour and show off the various tourist destinations to the group of visitors.

The same NSCB report stated that 75 percent of the tourists’ pocket money was really spent here in Cebu during their vacation stay in the different tourist destinations of the province.

Magpale declared the program has tremendously contributed in uplifting the economic status of the province due to the increasing volume of tourists that also boosted the income of Cebu.

Cebu economy in 2012: Business sees brighter picture

( NLQ (FREEMAN))

CEBU, Philippines - After failing to attain what had been a 'rosy' outlook for 2011, Cebu's business community is hoping to see the turn-around of the economy at the start of 2012.

This is, however, mainly hinged on what would happen to the economies of the United States and the European Union.

"If the government lets go of its spending in 2012, it could push more economic activities. What happened in 2011 was-money of the government intended to pump prime the economy was being held. And yet, Cebu in particular continued to hold its leadership in economic growth in the country," said Cebu Business Club (CBC) president Gordon Alan "Dondi" Joseph.

While the government's expected spending on infrastructure projects is seen to boost the country's economy in 2012, Joseph said Cebu may not be able to fully enjoy this "economic pump-priming" as most of the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) projects are to be implemented in Luzon area.

Although, there is continuous confidence and positive anticipation for 2012's entry to real "economic turn-around" specifically for Cebu, Philippine Retailers Association (PRA-Cebu) chairman Jay P. Aldeguer believes that economic growth is also threatened by calamities and many other factors.

According to Aldeguer, the tourism, real estate, and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors are still the "bread-winner" industries for Cebu in the "Year of the Dragon."

"We are expecting a better year for 2012, but also we are preparing for volatile growth because of the crises being faced by United States and Europe," said Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Samuel Chioson.

What is needed to push the gear to economic strength for Cebu in 2012, despite external threats, is to strengthen expertise in achieving "inclusive growth," that will not largely depend on external inflows, but growth derived from local industries such as tourism, Joseph said.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) regional director Asteria Caberte projected that employment opportunities for Cebu in 2012 will rise to its highest level, not only prompted by the new investments and expansion in the BPO industry, but also because of the anticipated transfer of some manufacturing companies from Thailand to the Philippines.

Caberte said, Cebu in particular has to prepare for the influx of manufacturing related investments by 2012 that would bring in more employment opportunities and additional economic activities.

"Thailand for now, can never be an option, and the Philippines is a better option for investors," said Caberte.

She added that although the Philippines still has to catch up in competing with other attractive investment destinations in manufacturing such as Vietnam, "we still have an edge over other countries."

The good business environment and the streamlining of business processes-which makes it easy for businessmen to transact business in the Philippines, are just among the few advantages that the Philippines has.

Aside from manufacturing investments, Caberte said tourism is also one of the direct beneficiaries of Thailand's problem as more tourists will reconsider their choice of vacation and leisure destination.

The garments, gifts, toys, and houseware as well as other manufacturing related sectors are seen to register good growth in 2012, she said.

Economist Bernardo M. Villegas, of the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) believes that Cebu will gain further economic momentum in 2012 largely fueled by BPO, tourism, manufacturing, agri-business, creative industries, logistics, and others.

"Cebu is very lucky because it has a good mix of sunrise industries," the well known economist said referring to the good positioning of Cebu to thrive economically, amid the country's fragile economic condition.

Likewise, Cebu is seen to leverage on its four "Fs" strength -- food, fashion, furniture and fun -- which is closely linked with tourism and entertainment.

Exports, which used to be one of the region's "bread-winners" is still going to face challenging future-at least in the first few months in 2012.

"Exports will be very difficult, that is why most exporters are now shifting or diversifying into real estate," Villegas said.

Despite this bright outlook for Cebu, Villegas emphasized the threat that the province faces that could hamper its drive to achieve unprecedented growth in 2012. He said that the threat of power shortage should be addressed immediately and given utmost attention.

The reality now, Villegas said is a lot of companies and businesses are going out from Metro Manila, and consider in transferring elsewhere. One of the most attractive sites is Cebu.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Eric N. Mendoza said the Cebu business community is anticipating for the big projects of the government and hopefully it could trickle help boost economic activities down in the Southern part of the country, Cebu included.

Although, there is a general positive outlook for 2012, with real estate expected to double its dynamism in Cebu, with the increasing flow of investments in BPO, and upbeat tourism figures, Mendoza said Cebu is still cautious of the possible effects of the economic downturn of the European zone, and the under-recovered US economy.

CCCI chairman for Information Communication Technology (ICT) Committee Jerry Rapes said BPO companies operating in Cebu are expected to hire more people in 2012, while new big names in world's BPO/IT and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) are looking at the province as top pick for an offshore site.

Cebu was declared by Tholons as an "Emerged BPO Destination in the World" 2011, but it needs to immediately address the manpower resource problem.

At present, the BPO/IT sector in Cebu is employing around 60,000 people. This number is seen to double or triple even within a year or two, if quality manpower is available.

CCCI past president Francis O. Monera also said that BPO industry will continue to propel Cebu's economy being one of the province's major economic drivers, and is poised to further improve the coming year/s.

"Demand for BPO services is expected to surge as more companies abroad seek to implement reduction of operational costs while aiming to achieve operational efficiency," said Monera, who is also the president of Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI), the developer of Cebu Business Park and Asiatown IT Park.

Monera reported that in the Cebu Business Park and Asiatown IT Park, there are over 35,000 workers.

"This industry has indeed played a key role in employment generation. Plans are underway for us to start construction on a BPO building within Cebu Business Park, as well as the third sequel to the eBloc Tower within the I.T. Park."

With this development, Monera said, the players from the private sector, the academe and the local government have collaborated to improve human capital to increased the manpower pool via proficiency/certification, retraining, and jobs-skills matching programs. There are also intensified programs that support infrastructure and tourism service to strengthen the investment climate in Cebu.

Significantly, as Cebu sees tourism as its "star" economic driver for the province, Aldeguer, who also a tourism capitalist, said players in the sector are expecting that the new leadership of the Department of Tourism (DOT) would set the proper direction for the industry.

The Philippines, in general, according to Aldeguer, needs proper pushing and new DOT secretary Ramon Jimenez seemed to get what needs to be done.

The aggressive push of tourism, however, needs to address the problem of infrastructure in order to be successful, Aldeguer said.

PB sees a bright 2012

By Gregg M. Rubio/MIT (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board sees year 2012 as a bright year for barangays in the Province of Cebu under the leadership of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

This was expressed by assistant majority floor leader Board Member Joven Mondigo, Jr. of the 4th district, following the smooth passage of this year’s budget for Cebu province.

The PB approved the proposed P3.6 billion budget for Cebu province for 2012 last December 12 without any hitches.

“Aduna kita’y hayag ug daghan nga mga proyekto nga umaabot sa probinsya ubos sa landong ni Governor Gwen Garcia,” Mondigo said.

Mondigo said that while the board members are cooperative to the programs and projects of the administration, Garcia also poured in projects to their barangays.

“Nasayud ako nga daghan kaayo nga proyekto sama sa naandan, nga gipangapod-apod sa atong pinangga nga governor,” he further said.

Garcia submitted to the PB the P3.6 billion proposed budget for 2012, 18 percent higher than last year’s P3.01 billion.

The 2012 budget is the biggest in the province’s history.

Of the amount, P1.7 billion was allocated for social services; P1 billion for general services; and P791 million for economic services. The annual investment plan has P776 million while the general public services got P447.2 million.

The Office of the Vice Governor was allotted P38.3 million, which is 111 percent higher than last year’s budget while the PB has P97.5 million, 140 percent higher than last year’s appropriation.

Budgets for major development projects next year include P160 million for the construction, rehabilitation, furnishing and maintenance of hospitals and birthing centers; P256 million for water supply development programs; P170 million for airport, seaport, reclamation and other economic enterprise site development programs; and P40 million for the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges and highways.

Other major appropriations include the P65 million for peace and order programs; P25 million for confidential and intelligence expenses programs; P17 million for college scholarship grants; P30 million for the expanded green and wholesome environment that nurtures program; the five percent lump sum in the amount of P98.6 for million local disaster risk reduction and management fund (calamity fund); P98 million for Provincial Development Assistance Fund; P111 million for hospital and health supplies and equipments; P68 million PhilHealth program; and P28 million for roads and bridges maintenance.

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