Cebu Province News June 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.

NSO-7 encourages public to cooperate during surveys

(mbcn/hfg/PIA-7 & NSO-7)

CEBU CITY, June 20 (PIA) -- The National Statistics Office in the region (NSO-7) encourages all establishments/individual to cooperate during the conduct of surveys in their area.

NSO-7 District Statistics Officer, North District, Baby Premne said the establishments or individuals who will not comply with the questionnaire will be charged of a criminal case.

Premne explained, under Commonwealth 591, Section 3, that any person who fails or refuses to accomplish such questionnaire or form received from the NSO within thirty days upon receipt, or any person who, in accomplishing any such questionnaire or form, knowingly gives data or information which shall prove to be materially untrue in any particular; or any person who signs such questionnaire or form after it has been accomplished in the knowledge that it is untrue in any particular will be punished with a fine of not more than six hundred pesos or by imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

To date, NSO-7 filed a criminal case against one establishment in Cebu City for not accomplishing the questionnaire given by the enumerator. A demand letter will be sent to those establishments that will refuse to answer the questionnaire.

Meanwhile, NSO-7 Information Officer Noel Rafols said a Census Compliance Project, in partnership with the prosecutor’s office, was created to assign a fiscal who will handle the cases charged by the NSO to erring establishments or individuals who will refuse to comply regarding the data needed by the agency.

Premne said the conduct of any survey by the NSO is for statistical purposes, investigations, and studies of social and economic problems and conditions of the country and it should be taken seriously.

On the other hand, NSO-7 officials revealed that from June 1 to 15 this year, they were able to process 28,580 security papers from all Cebu outlets, while the Civil Registration System Serbilis Outlet in Cebu was able to process 13,750 documents.

NSO-7 Officer-in-Charge Candida Taghap also appreciated the installation of the Batch Request Query System (BREQS) in the local government units because it is a big help to the operations. Many people are now availing of NSO services through BREQS.

In the region, there are already 43 BREQS installed to various LGUs in Bohol and Cebu. The latest installation of BREQS is in SM Cosolacion, Cebu.

BREQS is a scheme where NSO authorizes the city government to receive request for NSO issued copies and certifications of civil registry documents from the public and issue the documents to its clientele.

DAR Cebu plants trees to mark Carper

(Cebu Daily News)

IN celebration of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (Carper) anniversary, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Cebu provincial office will hold a tree planting today in Carcar City, southern Cebu.

This is in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas, which identified the tree planting site, and provided the seedlings.

At least 120 DAR provincial and municipal employees will troop to the watershed areas of barangay Can-asujan to plant around 2,000 seedlings.

The anniversary celebration kicked off with an agraryo trade fair on June 15 at the ground floor of WDC building on Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City and a photo exhibit on Carper.

Provincial Agrarian Reform officer Isaganie Yee, with DAR-7 assistant regional director for Administration Grace Fua led the ribbon cutting to open the trade fair.

Yee, in his message, encouraged the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province to continue to be productive. He also invited them to go back on Sept. 14 for another agro-trade fair, which they plan hold quarterly.

The fair will display fresh produce, organic products, bags, accessories and novelty items produced by ARBs and people’s organization in Cebu.

Dev't forum in Cebu set

By Jessa Marie J. Agua and Carmel Loise Matus (Correspondents)

AN urban planning expert and an official of an international award-winning Cebu town will headline a forum on Sustainable Cities Dialogues 2 (SCD2) at the CAP theater along Osmeña boulevard, Cebu City on June 29.

Dr. Primitivo Cal and Vice Mayor Alfredo A. Arquillano of San Francisco town, Camotes Island will share their insights and experience on sustainable urban and rural development in the forum.

The forum organized by the Movement for Liveable Cebu (MLC) carries the theme “Learning from the Metro Cebu Land Use and Transport Study (MCLUTS) – Where to Go from Here” and “A Journey From Poverty to Resiliency.”

Cal is a Cebuano professor at the School for Urban and Regional Planning of the University of the Philippines. Arquillano's San Francisco town bagged the United Nations (UN) Sasakawa Award for Risk Reduction in 2011.

San Francisco's Purok (sub-village) system is now being recognized as a tool in achieving resiliency especially designed for poor populations in South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, Switzerland, Thailand and Vietnam.

“By increasing the participation of civil society in plotting our future together, the resources of the public and private sectors may finally be synergized towards attaining this vision of Cebu,” an MLC statement read.

A separate dialogue among stakeholders in the business and academic sectors yielded a “Mega Cebu” master plan aimed at establishing sustainable economic development covers 13 cities and towns in Metro Cebu.

The plan gained support from Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who noted that public clamor for a comprehensive master plan for Cebu is “a good sign” of community involvement.

Exercise more, eat moderately, Cebuanos told

By Katreena Bisnar (Correspondent)

THE local medical community called on Cebuanos to observe a balanced diet and exercise in order to maintain healthy kidneys.

Dr. John Li of the Philippine Society for Nephrology Central and Eastern Visayas said a person's healthy lifestyle would mean his or her kidneys would be at optimum condition to regulate water fluid levels and remove waste products.

Cebu joins the rest of the country in celebrating National Kidney Awareness Month. Dr. Li said chronic kidney disease has five stages.

"Chronic kidney disease is considered a “traitor disease” or a silent killer because it doesn't show any signs or symptoms until you reach Stage 4 or Stage 5," Dr. Li said.

Li said lifestyle modification focusing on prevention is a must.

He said this means cutting down or eliminating smoking, moderate drinking and avoid eating salty and junk food.

Doctors also recommend undergoing a medical checkup and urinalysis at least once a year.

"Have a medical checkup on your birthday as a treat to yourself. It's better than spending millions of pesos for a cure,” said kidney transplant surgeon Dr. Alvin Roxas.

Roxas said that once a person is diagnosed with kidney disease, he or she should seek out experts so they can be educated and informed of their health condition and options.

"An informed person is empowered," Roxas said.

Tourism players confident Phl will hit arrival target

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Although the Philippines is threatened by the other Asian countries in terms of attracting significant number of world tourists, some private sector players are confident that the country can meet its arrival target, banking on its attractive destinations and “Its more Fun in the Philippines” proposition.

Hotel, Restaurant, Resorts Association of Cebu (HRRAC) president Hans Hauri said that stakeholders in tourism, both in the public and private sectors, should jointly support the promotion of the country's tourism industry.

“Nevermind what other countries are doing, what differentiates the Philippines from other competitors is ‘Its More fun in the Philipines’. Let’s stay on the course we have planned,” Hauri said adding that the ongoing well applauded campaign will help boost the promotional campaign of the country.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Eric Ng Mendoza also said that while the Philippines is being threatened by other countries, in terms of arrival ranking in tourism, consistent promotion by Filipinos themselves could help attain the projected growth in tourism arrivals in the country.

“The government can only do so much but the private sector can play a significant role in many ways, like by sharing the great in fun experiences in phoos in recommended places,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza believes that the Philippines has great potential to well compete with other countries, especially if Filipinos will start to support the country is pushing tourism.

“Locals are always more effective as good ambassador or marketers for our country,” Mendoza added. 

Businessman and tourism capitalist Jay P. Aldeguer also expressed confidence of the Department of Tourism (DOT) programs led by secretary Ramon Jimenez, saying “there are a lot of things that needs to be done and it seems that DOT is on the right track.”

However, Aldeguer said there are three things that should be given more attention—these are infrastracture; fixing the Philippine’s negative image abroad’ and transportation access.

Emphasizing on the air access issue, Aldeguer said it is very critical.

“Air access is very critical. Its good that our carriers are adding more routes both international and domestic, but we need more international airlines flying into the Philippines,” Aldeguer said.

Also, Aldeguer underscored that the Philippines, through DOT’s leadership should streamline and package the existing offerings to differentiate the Philippines but other destinations.

Meanwhile, alarmed about the recent development that the Philippines is on “alarming” tourism situation compared to other tourism destinations in Asia, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Prudencio Gesta said that the country should focus on their promotion efforts to maximize its potential in tourism.

“All the more Philippines should triple its efforts and not just double time, if we want to capture bigger share of travelling market over our competing neighbors. We must prioritize to improve our infrastructure, and level off with our neighbors, if we are dead serious to attract more tourists,” Gesta said.

“Indeed, we have so many beautiful tourist spots around to offer, but if we dont improve these very basic but important components to make their trip so comfortable, safe and convenient, in most likelihood, they may prioritize other countries,” said Gesta.

DOT is targetting to hit 10-million tourist arrivals by 2016. For this year, the Philippines hopes to achieve 4.2 million in arrivals.

DOH-7 pushes youth to be vegetable advocates

By Amorganda A. Saludar (FCR/AS-PIA7,Cebu)

CEBU CITY June 15 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH)–7 urged the youth to become advocates for eating vegetables and fruits and become role models in their respective families by making it a habit in their daily meals.

DOH-7 assistant regional director Lakshmi Legaspi made the call amid a report that there is decreasing consumption of vegetables in Central Visayas.

“Eating vegetables is very important in maintaining good health. And a healthy body means a good immune system not easily susceptible to diseases,” said Legaspi.

The official added that based on statistics, a decline in vegetable consumption have been noticed, attributing it to the youth’s reliance on street food.

“This is why we are really calling on to our youths to be vegetable advocates starting in their own family,” she said, noting that next month’s Nutrition Month celebrating is themed “Pagkain ng Gulay Ugaliin, Araw-araw Itong Ihain. (Make eating vegetable a habit. Serve it every day.)”

An increase in consumption of vegetables can also help vegetable growers in the region sustain their livelihood, because greater demand means the need for higher supply, Legaspi declared.

“In increasing our vegetable consumption, we help our vegetable growers increase their income,” the director said.

Although Legaspi admitted that most might not be keen on eating more vegetables compared to meat but “the essential vitamins and minerals that we get from vegetables to achieve a healthy body and prevent diseases can never be compared.”

She also urged every sector and organization to implement their own advocacy program to increase the consumption of vegetables and to make people aware of its benefits and its contribution in uplifting economy through a healthy and productive citizenry.

“We all must get involve and do our share in promoting vegetable consumption and ecouraging our youths to regularly eat vegetables,” Legaspi concluded.

Gwen wants new marketing campaign to promote Cebu

By Aileen Garcia-Yap, Carmel Loise Matus (With Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza)

Camarines Sur’s emergence as a leading tourism destination in the country is a wake-up call that Cebuanos simply cannot ignore.

So said Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who proposed that the province come up with an advertising campaign like Camarines Sur’s “Come to Camsur, Come to Wake-boarding.”

“Advertisements like ‘Come to Camsur, Come to Wakeboarding.’ I think it’s about time we have to advertise Cebu. Maybe not wake-boarding, I don’t know that. Probably horse-riding,” Garcia said in jest.

The governor, who originated the Suroy-Suroy tourism program in 2008, proposed this as Cebu’s tourism stakeholders called for an aggressive, coordinated promotions and branding campaign for the province.

During yesterday’s stop in Toledo City as part of the Suroy-Suroy Midwest trail tour, the governor said Cebu had become complacent and relied too much on word-of-mouth endorsements and advertisements.

She also lauded the marketing strategies of Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Villafuerte.

“We’re too complacent that the tourists know about the province. But I see now that’s not the way to go. We cannot just be too laid back,” she said.

Stiff competition

The governor, who was recently included in the senatorial lineup of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) ticket of Vice President Jejomar Binay, said the Capitol has yet to draft an advertising campaign for Cebu.

“I am seriously thinking of being more aggressive in our marketing strategy to sell Cebu because the competition itself is very stiff,” she said.

For their part, stakeholders called for collaboration between the private sector and government.

Resort operators said what Cebu lacked is a collaborated effort between the private sector and the local and national governments in promoting Cebu as a complete tourism destination.

“We’re a shopping destination, leisure, culture, religion, ecotourism and more. However, we’re not promoting Cebu well than others. What we have are individual efforts,” said Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort executive Rhyz Buac.

In a phone interview, Buac said Cebu isn’t being packaged in a way that would ensure maximum exposure and visibility to domestic and foreign tourists.

“The private sector is doing their own promotion. Hotels and resorts like us go to sales and promotional tours but we still have not done it as one, as a whole Cebu. Perhaps if we do that we can also achieve what Camsur achieved,” Buac said.

Direct flights

Former Department of Tourism regional director Patria Aurora Roa said while Cebu already has the support services like hotels, resorts and restaurants, it’s losing more direct flights to international markets.

“The overcapacity of our airports must be addressed as it will define convenience for tourists when they come here. That way we can ensure repeat visits and good reviews which will be another marketing strategy for Cebu,” she said.

Cebu has been positioning itself as a hub and to achieve that, Roa said there should be more international direct flights to Cebu.

Roa said Cebu can very well tap the MICE market or meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions market.

“If we fix these issues, Cebu can have more and earn more from the tourists because we offer so many options for our tourists and we are also in proximity to other nearby provinces which also have their own offerings for tourism,” she said.

Movenpick Resorts and Spa Cebu communications manager Joanna Marie Cuenco also echoed the same point.

“Cebu needs more direct flights from key markets and better airport facilities more befitting of an international tourist destination,” she said.

United strategy

Cebu Association of Tour Operators president Cecille Sa-a said that it is time for all stakeholders to come together with government to come up with a united strategy.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa general manager Efren Belarmino said if Camsur was able to draw as much as 2.33 million from marketing themselves as the water sports capital in the country, Cebu can do better.

“In fact, we are also slowly introducing some watersports activities in our property. We can offer more. All we need is that common ground where we can start and work together. We have to make a lot louder noise,” Belarmino said.

DOT regional director Rowena Montecillo said they’re always willing to work with the private sector in promoting Cebu.

Based on their latest figures, Cebu had 1.9 million tourists last year.

While this represented an increase of 8.7 percent from the 1.7 million in 2010, Cebu ranked third behind Manila which registered 2.3 million tourist arrivals that same year.

Camarines Sur’s tourism growth nearly doubled from the 1.56 million tourists in 2009 to 2.33 million in 2010.

One stop tourism haven

That was a far cry from the 258,608 tourists Camarines Sur registered in 2006.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza said they plan to set up more water sports facilities.

“We’ve heard that a wake boarding facility is about to come to Pandanon island in Bohol,” she said.

Radaza admitted that doing so would cost millions owing to the expensive real estate values in the city.

She also said some of these facilities would have to be brought from Singapore.

Despite this, Radaza said they are asking interested investors to also set up sports facilities so they can package Lapu-Lapu City as a one-stop tourism destination for tourists.

LTFRB goes after school buses

Mitchelle l. Palaubsanon (NLQ, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - There are only 179 school buses that are registered with the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) owned by schools in Metro Cebu, which the transport body believes, is a number that is too low compared to the number of schools.

The 179 buses with franchise are from schools in the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Talisay.

“We are alarmed kay daghan kaayo ta og mga eskwelahan in these places unya mao ra ni ang mga school buses nga naay franchise,” (We are alarmed because there are so many schools in these places and these are the only school buses that have a franchise) LTFRB-7 regional director Ahmed Cuizon told The Freeman.

Cuizon said that of the 179 school buses with franchise, 132 of these are in Cebu City, 19 in Lapu-Lapu City, 18 in Talisay City, and ten in Mandaue City.

Dr. Milagros Gabia, Department of Education-7 chief for planning policy and research division said that there are 372 private and public schools in these four cities for the elementary level.

There are 239 private and public secondary schools in these cities.

Cebu City has 175 schools in the elementary level (69 public and 106 private) and 122 schools in the secondary level (54 public and 68 private).

Mandaue City has 64 elementary schools (27 public and 37 private) and 41 secondary schools (16 public and 25 private).

In Lapu-Lapu City, there are 80 elementary schools (44 public and 36 private) and 41 secondary schools (25 public and 16 private).

In Talisay City, there are 53 elementary schools (25 public and 28 private) and 35 secondary schools (18 public and 17 private).

Gabia said that DepEd-7 has no records as to how many school buses these schools have.

INSPECTION

Cuizon said that starting today, his office will start inspecting school buses to check if the schools have complied with the needed requirements to operate such. He said that this is done to help ensure the safety of the students, who will be riding the buses.

A school bus without a franchise can be impounded by LTFRB or a fine of P6,000 per violation will be imposed.

Aside from checking the franchise, LTFRB will also check whether the existing buses with franchise have the required fire extinguisher and proper exit door, which is on the right side.

“We will also check if these school buses especially those being used by the pre-elementary and elementary have proper railings on the bus window,” Cuizon said.

LTFRB-7 could not give any figure as to how many school buses there are as it only has records of those with the proper franchise.

“Mas maayo nga ang kadtong walay franchise, mukuha sila og franchise because that is for public safety.” (It would be better if those without franchise would get one for public safety), Cuizon urged.

The franchise fee for such kind of transportation is less than P10,000 and valid for five years per unit, Cuizon said.

Private school service vehicles or commonly known as carpools are also required to have a franchise from LTFRB. Such also need to be properly marked as a school service with the name of the school of the students riding on it emblazoned on the body of the vehicle.

Talisay scrambles to improve image

By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City spent more than P15 million for infrastructure projects in the first quarter of this year, according to an accomplishment report submitted by the City Engineering Office to the mayor’s office.

Of the P15,228,007.99 total worth of infrastructure projects implemented in 2012, the biggest appropriation went to the new Gullas-Macapagal public market in barangay Lagtang.

The city allotted P9,134,485.64 for rehabilitation, building of meat and fish section, site expansion, and tent fabrication.

Infrastructure in many parts was also in need of rehabilitation.

Bacasmas said the city spent P2.3 million for the sanitary landfill, located in barangay Tapul.

The amount was spent for the filling materials and construction of slope protection.

The city government also appropriated P4.1 million for road rehabilitation and concreting, and asphalting.

The remaining amount was spent for the construction of multi-purpose buildings, improvement of day care centers, drainage, and others.

City engineer Audie Bacasmas submitted the report to Mayor Socrates Fernandez.

DOF approves BOC-Cebu request for more personnel

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MIT (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - After more than a year of requesting for additional customs personnel at the passengers’ arrival area of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, the Department of Finance finally approved the request.

Bureau of Customs-Cebu deputy collector for operations Ahmed Erpe is happy over the development although the DOF’s approval is still being endorsed to the Department of Budget and Management for final approval.

BOC is one of the line agencies under DOF.

“We are happy with such development, at least gi-approve na sa Finance,” Erpe told The FREEMAN.

Erpe said that BOC-Cebu requested for an additional of at least 12 personnel to beef up the less than ten personnel currently manning the passenger’s arrival area at the MCIA.

MCIA has at least 10 to 15 international flights daily carrying more than 2,000 passengers.

In a statement, DOF said that the additional positions are “necessary for the effective implementation of the shifting schedules to ensure the rendition of ‘24/7’ airport services by Customs personnel,”

Under Executive Order 366, series of 2004, DBM was given the power to review rationalization plans submitted by other departments and government agencies under the Executive branch.

Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon, in his letter to DBM secretary Florencio Abad, earlier stated that the request for additional positions for deployment in six international airports is through a “shifting schedule.”

A total of 51 Customs operations officers I, 30 assistant Customs operations officers, 30 Customs operations officers III and 21 Customs operations officers V are needed to be deployed to international airports in Cebu, Laoag in Ilocos, Ka-libo in Aklan, Davao, Clark in Pampanga, Laoag in Ilocos, and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Erpe said that BOC-Cebu is asking an additional of 12 personnel and he can only hope that Cebu will be given such number to further enhance the efficiency of Customs service at the airport.

Off-site voters registration at Cebu provincial jail

By Tweeny M. Malinao (Correspondent, Cebu Daily News)

AN off-site registration will be held for inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City on Tuesday this week.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rene Sarmiento will visit the site together with Comelec provincial director Lionel Marco Castillano for the off-site registration which starts at 8 a.m.

The recent off-site registration was held in barangay Guadalupe, yesterday. The City Council approved the resolution asking Comelec to conduct similar off-site registration procedures to colleges and universities within Cebu City.

The off-site registration will allow first-time voters to register ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline for next year's elections.

City Comelec-north district officer Marchel Sarno encouraged voters not to wait for the deadline to register.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said they will ask local universities and colleges to facilitate the registration of their students who are eligible to vote for the 2013 elections by coordinating with the local Comelec office.

Dizon said the off-site registration activity will “not tap local government units to prevent political color.” Dizon said 60 percent of the population constitute youth voters.

National Youth Commission (NYC) official Erwin Andaya said the off-site registration will encourage more youths to sign up and vote in the 2013 elections.

Cebu solons mostly for Sin Tax Bill

By Niña G. Sumacot and Marigold P. Lebumfacil (BRP, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Seven Cebu representatives who voted for the passage of the House Bill 5727, or the Sin Tax Bill, which seeks to impose higher taxes on “sin products” like tobacco and alcohol, cited similar reasons in revenue gains and consumer health.

Cebu fifth district Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI, voted “Yes” to the bill, seeing it as a feasible way to increase government revenue.

“We need to increase our revenue for the proposed budget for our national projects,” Durano said.

The government expects to generate P33 billion in revenue after a year of this law’s implementation.

Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon voted “yes” to the bill primarily because the government needs money to fund projects like healthcare and education, especially as the country’s growing population needs more teachers.

“This is not to punish or penalize the smokers and alcohol drinkers. This is primarily because we need money. We should get that much (tax) from those that can afford,” Salimbangon said.

Before the measure was approved, there were amendments that changed the rates for alcohol and tobacco products, with some going down and others going up.

In the case of liquor for instance, the tax for beer went down, while the tax for expensive wines went up.

In the case of cigarettes, the proposed new tax rates fell from P22 per pack to P12 for brands with a retail price of P11.50 and below, and from P30 to P28 for those with a higher retail price.

Third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, also voted “Yes” to the bill saying he believes in its dual purpose.

“I believe in the dual purpose of the bill. It’s revenue generating and for health measures as well. From my review of cigarettes in Asia, we have the cheapest cigarettes in this part of the world. Making cigarettes less affordable, I think, is a more effective way of discouraging new smokers, which comprises mostly of the young. We really need to discourage them from smoking,” he said.

The Department of Health is also pushing for the passage of the bill to better protect the public from the dangers of cigarettes and alcoholic drinks.

Representative Gabriel Luis Quisumbing of the sixth district, also voted “Yes” saying tax revenue will go back to healthcare projects.

“Under this bill, the tax revenue will go back to our healthcare projects. We fully sympathize with those who will be greatly affected with the bill but the revenue that we will get from this will not only be of great benefit to a few places but it would be beneficial to the entire country,” he said.

Representative Pablo Garcia of the second district also voted for bill which, he said, is equivalent to a health bill.

“This bill will minimize smoking and drinking,” Pablo said.

DOH cited that almost 20 percent of the 93 million Filipinos start to smoke at the young age of 10 years old. With this bill, smoking among youngsters will be minimized because they can no longer afford it, DPH claims.

Representative Tomas Osmeña of the Cebu City south district was not able to vote saying he had to sign some legal court documents, but he would have voted “Yes”.

“I would have voted ‘Yes’ for the bill because of the benefits that our country will get from it. I know it’s going to win,” said Osmeña, who flew to the United States yesterday for a medical check-up and to watch the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley this Sunday.

Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Arturo Radaza also voted for the passage of the bill.

The FREEMAN tried to contact Cebu first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas and Cebu City north district Rep. Rachel Marguerite “Cutie” Del Mar but calls to them went unanswered.

The bill’s final approval came after the bill passed second reading. The passage of HB 5727 was expedited after President Benigno Aquino III last month certified the bill as urgent.

The bill was passed despite opposition from congressmen from northern Luzon, which produces most of the country’s tobacco.

First district population increases by 100,000

By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The population of the first district of Cebu has increased by 100,000, according to the latest census of the Housing of the National Statistics Office (NSO).

As of May 1, 2010, the district registered a population of 627,455, higher by 119,838 than its year 2000 population of 507,617.

The first district is composed of three cities, namely, Talisay, Carcar, and Naga, and the municipalities of Minglanilla, San Fernando, and Sibonga.

Talisay recorded the fastest rate, growing from 150,128 in May 2000 to 200,772 in May 2010.

Minglanilla grew from 101,585 as of May 2000 to 113,178 as of May 2010.

Carcar City’s population rose from 89,199 in May 2000 to 107,323 in May 2010. The City of Naga recorded a population of 80,189 as of May 2000 and 101, 571 as of May 2010.

The town of San Fernando, a second class municipality, registered an increased population of 60,970 in May 2010 from 48,235 as of May 2000.

Sibonga, a first municipality, rose from 43,641 to 38, 281.

The National Census Office reported that Central Visayas has now a total population of 6.8 million as of May 1, 2010.

The population increased by 1,093,227 from the 2000 census results which registered at 5,706,953 people.

Among the four provinces in Central Visayas, Cebu province maintains its status as having the biggest population at 2,619,362 people.

This excludes the three highly-urbanized cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.

Cebu has a total population of 866,171; Mandaue has 331,320; and Lapu-Lapu, 350,467.

If combined and added to the province, Cebu would have been the biggest province in the country in terms of population.

A census is conducted every 10 years and is designed to take an inventory of the total population in the country and to collect information about its characteristics.

This information is vital as inputs and tools for policy and decision-makers and economic planners.

Cebu hosts 2nd Fruits, Veggies Market & Trade Exhibit

By Fayette C. Riñen (PIA-Cebu)

CEBU CITY, June 7 (PIA) -- Agri-products from South Cotabato in Mindanao will be showcased in Cebu City as the three-day "2nd Visayas-Mindanao Fruits and Vegetable Market Encounter and Trade Exhibit" kicks off this Friday, June 8.

The activity aims to provide a venue for producers and traders of fruits, vegetables, processed products, tuna, and rice in South Cotabato to link with institutional market buyers here, said Cris Lucero, chief of the Agri-business Division of the Department of Agriculture (DA) 7.

“Cebu and the rest of Central Visayas are importing 60 to 70 percent of their fruits and vegetables supply from Mindanao,” said Lucero during this morning’s Kapihan sa PIA that mainly featured the upcoming event.

Lucero said there is an essential need to link the farmers and producers with the market buyers to ensure the economic growth of the agri-industry.

Bai Dido Sum Ama, Lucero’s counterpart in DA-12 said there are around 30 exhibitors from their region that will participate in the three-day market and trade fair.

“We are hoping that after the activity, our farmers and producers in South Cotabato will have Cebu as one of their main markets for their produce,” said Ama.

Mindanao is dubbed as the country’s food basket as Lucero stressed it is part of the DA’s mandate to assist in the marketing opportunities for our agri-farmers and producers in order to sustain the economic growth of the industry.

Romano Laurilla, one of the exhibitors that will display their various organic rice products expressed optimism that they can tap Cebu as one of their main markets.

“Our organic rice products are already being shipped to Manila. And we are proud to say that we are the first cooperative in the country that is exporting certified organic rice to Germany,” stressed Laurilla.

Laurilla represented the Bios Dynamics Cooperative from South Cotabato whose organic rice products are available in variants such as black, lilac, red, pink, brown, and white.

Ama said among the agri-products on display at the trade exhibit are fresh fruits and vegetables, processed fruits and products, tuna, rice, and even herbal tonic mangosteen.

The three-day activity is a collaborative effort by the DA regional offices 7 and 12 and the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program funded by the USAID.

Last year, Cebu also hosted the 1st Vis-Min Fruits and Vegetable Market Encounter, but this year, it will be the first time that the activity will showcase agri-products from Mindanao.

Lucero said last year’s activity was able to create new market linkages between buyers and farmers and producers in the entire Visayas and Mindanao.

“Farmers, producers and traders were able to earn around P70 million a month after the 1st Vis-Min agri-business event in Cebu and we want to do the same for the South Cotabato farmers and producers this year,” claimed Lucero.

Cebu archdiocese raising P60M for PHL delegates to Calungsod's canonization

(VVP, GMA News)

Catholic Church leaders in Cebu are seeking P60 million in donations to support a Philippine delegation that will go to Rome to witness the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, the Cebu native who will become the Philippines' second saint in October.

The Cebu Archdiocese has sent solicitation letters to several schools, radio dzBB's Cebu affiliate Orchids Lapingcao reported on Wednesday.

The report said the archdiocese has so far received P21 million in funding for the delegation.

Calungsod, who will be canonized in October, was martyred in Guam on April 2, 1672.

He was one of the boy catechists who went with some Spanish Jesuit missionaries from the Philippines to the Ladrones Islands in the western North Pacific Ocean in 1668 to evangelize the Chamorros.

On April 2, 1672, Calungsod was martyred with Fr. Diego Luis de San Vitores when they were attacked after participating in a baptismal rite.

P188-M fund for Mandaue flyover realigned to three projects

(PNA), RMA/FFC/EB/re

CEBU CITY, June 5 (PNA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has declared that a proposed flyover at the intersection of Ouano Ave., Mandaue City near the Cebu International Convention Center and Parkmall is not feasible.

As a result, Engineer Nonie Paylado, chief of the DPWH 7 planning and design division, said the P188-million appropriation for the flyover was realigned to three projects recommended by Rep. Luis Gabriel “Luigi” Quisumbing (Cebu, 6th district) and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.

The three projects, which were approved by Quisumbing as project proponent, are the rehabilitation of the United Nations Ave., retroplating or strengthening of the Butuanon Bridge and asphalt overlay work on Ouano Ave.

The P188 million came from the DPWH 2012 Regular Infrastructure Appropriation.

Paylado said they had forwarded to DPWH 7 construction division, under Engr. Rogelio Oracoy, the summary of quantities or items of work of the three projects for the cost estimates that would total P188 million.

The three projects will be completed this year, Paylado said.

Paylado said that after DPWH 7 declared the proposed flyover not feasible, the initial re-alignment proposal was to construct a tri-level flyover at the intersection of the Untied Nations Ave. and Plaridel St., Mandaue City, which has been found to be feasible.

However, Paylado said the Project Management Office-Metro Cebu Development Project (PMO-MCDP), which initiated the proposed tri-level flyover, has estimated it to cost more than P1 billion.

This has prompted all persons and agencies concerned to re-align the budget to three projects.

Engr. Renault Ricardo, DPWH 7 6th engineering district assistant district engineer, said the future tri-level flyover at the intersection of the United Nations Ave. and Plaridel St. Mandaue City will solve the lingering traffic problem in the area.

The intersection will connect the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Pacific Mall (formerly Gaisano Metro Mandaue), Cansaga Bridge going to Consolacion and Liloan and Plaridel St. going to CICC and Parkmall.

Lecain pushes for PH training pool in Cebu

By Iste S. Leopoldo

AFTER the impressive performances of the Cebuano teams in the recent Philippine National Games (PNG)in Dumaguete City, Philippine Sports Commission consultant Eric Lecain has high hopes that his request to transfer the beach volley national training pool to Cebu will be granted.

In the PNG, Jonrey Sasing and Edward Ybañez beat Mike Abria and Jade Becaldo for the gold medal, while Jusabelle Brillo and Ericka Verrano got the bronze medal.

“I think Cebu should be made the national training center for beach volleyball. I have proposed it several times before. PSC chairman Ritchie Garcia has been very supportive of the Cebu program and he thinks it’s a good idea to put the training center here,” Lecain said.

He added that Cebu has won every major tournament in the last four months, which shows that the players are clearly the best in the country.

“I watched all the games in the PNG and Cebu played at a different level than all the rest of the other teams,” said Lecain, who is working to have the sand court at Fort San Pedro as the training ground for the grassroots program.

Lecain believes in sending a team of locals to every international tournament, which is in contrast to the usual practice of fielding Filipino-Americans to represent the country.

He also believes that the Philippines has a big chance in excelling in beach volley compared to indoor volleyball.

“In the modern game, the technique has changed and players are getting bigger.

However, in beach volleyball height is not as big an issue. Learning the new technique and styles of the game is what we are working on now,” Lecain said.

Stint in China

After the PNG, the Cebu team will start training for the Asia Volleyball Circuit this September in China, where they will be up against Indonesia and Thailand.

With the PSC chairman recommending the allowance of the national beach volleyball players be removed due to their dismal showing in the PNG, Lecain is proposing that the national team slots be given to Cebuanos.

“They should be in the national team. However if the PVF will not give them a chance, it doesn’t matter. We will continue with our beach volleyball program here in Cebu. I have a plan to take them to play in China....I will push for this whether they are in the national team or not,” Lecain said.

Kalunasan launches "Mangga Festival"

By Marigold P. Lebumfacil/ JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - With the aim to promote Brgy. Kalunasan as the main mango plantation area in Cebu City, its barangay officials launched the first ever Mangga Festival yesterday.

“The first Mangga Festival aims to reclaim the ‘Mangga sa Guadalupe’ as the main product of Brgy. Kalunasan and soon be known as ‘Mangga sa Kalunasan’. We wanted to emphasize that the mangoes in Guadalupe were planted and harvested here in our barangay,” said Councilor Marvin Leyson.

A former part of Brgy. Guadalupe, Brgy. Kalunasan has a huge area of mango plantation located at the upland sitios of the barangay, he added.

“Mangoes are grown in the upland areas of our barangay and are marketed in various markets of Guadalupe where it is easier for the mango growers to deliver their harvested mangoes,” said Leyson in a press conference yesterday.

Celebrating its 77th founding anniversary as a barangay, they will also have the 1st Mangga Festival Dance Competition on June 11 and the Mr. and Ms. Kalunasan 2012 on June 10. The city alloted P283,000 for the entire festivities.

The dance competition features nine contingents clustered from the 32 sitios comprising the said barangay.

The grand champion will be receiving a cash prize of P20,000 while the second and third placers will get P15,000 and P10,000, respectively. The non winners will get P5,000 each as a consolation prize.

There will also be a street dancing competition, wherein the winner will get P5,000 while the second and third placers will have P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. The barangay also shouldered P10,000 for the nine contingents for their costumes and props.

The festival chairman, Roy Branzuela, said they made sure that the dance steps will be different from that of the Sinulog Mardigras as they will be using a Latin-inspired beat for the festival.

Tree planting, cleanups for Environment Month

By Jessa J. Agua (Cebu Daily News)

TREE planting and creek clean- ups will be held today in Cebu as part of the celebration of Environment Month in June, said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Visayas.

A parade on June 4 will be followed by a sportsfest and presentation of 12 candidates of the “Mutya ng Kalikasan” pageant. The coronation night is on June 27.

June 5 is World Environment Day.

“Green Economy: Does it include you?” The DENR posed this question to every Filipino as the theme for the celebration of Philippine Environment Month.

Several activities are prepared by the agency in leading the month-long environmental campaign.

A DENR Open House and Market Week will run from June 11 to 15.

On June 8, soil potting will be simultaneously done in various nurseries. On June 20, a mangrove planting and coastal cleanup will be held.

A mine tour and forum on responsible mining is set on June 22 at the Carmen Copper Corp. in Toledo City. Tree planting in the Butuanon watershed is set for June 23.

Bohol and Negros Oriental will host a benchmarking tour June 13-15 along with an exhibit or exposition on June 18-22.

As defined by the United Nations (UN) Environment Program, green economy “results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.”

“Everyone must take part in ensuring the protection and conservation of our environment and natural resources mindful of the present threats of climate change,” the DENR 7 said in a press statement.

"Brigada Eskwela" program inspires 2 foreign nationals

By Liv G. Campo (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - In connection with the “Brigada Eskwela” program of the Department of Education, the police in Talisay City spent a whole day repairing and applying a new coat of paint on a classroom at the Talisay City Central School (TCCS) last Monday.

Supt. Eddie Recamara, chief of the Talisay City Police Station, said it is part of their “adopt-a-classroom” project, which he hopes to continue before the start of every school year.

Unwittingly, the police had inspired two foreigners with their deed.

David Bulley, 52, an Australian national and his friend Bob Ward, 58, an American, went yesterday to the TCCS compound to see which classrooms they would fund for repair.

Both foreigners are businessmen in their countries. Ward, however, is husband to PO1 Kristine Ward, a Field Training Police (FTP) assigned at the TCPS.

Ward said last Monday while he was about to fetch his wife, he saw her along with her fellow policemen repairing a classroom of the TCCS.

He said when he checked the neighboring rooms, he saw that most of these are also in a sorry state.

This prompted him to urge his friend Bulley to help him repair some rooms.

Bulley, in an interview, said he will start with five classrooms, and in the next few months, he will fund the repair of the rest of the dilapidated rooms of the school.

The Australian national, who is expected to marry his Filipino girlfriend next month, said he will shoulder all the expenses, including the labor.

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