Cebu Province News March 2013

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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.

DOH celebrates World TB Day 2013

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

CEBU CITY, March 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Health's Center for Health Development-7 (DOH-CHD-7) celebrated World TB Day 2013 Monday, March 25 with the theme “Stop TB-Makialam”.

DOH-CHD-7 had a memorandum of agreement signing with 12 local government units in Cebu for the TB Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (TB-DOTS) facility enhancement during a program held at Sarrosa Hotel.

The LGUs are: Toledo City, Boljoon, Balamban I & I, Daanbantayan II, Cebu Province, Mabolo & Luz Health Centers of Cebu City, Jagobiao and Tipolo, health centers of Mandaue City, Pajo Health Center, Lapu-Lapu City, Liloan, Talisay City, Danao City, and San Fernando.

Ten checks totaling P900,000 were also awarded to 10 LGUs and health centers of Central Visayas for the construction and enhancement of DOTS facilities to be endorsed by the mayors, treasurers and heads of health units.

The recipients are Cebu City Health Office, Cebu Provincial Health Office, San Francisco, Cebu City Medical Center, Sogod, Medellin, Negros Oriental, Bais City, Mabinay, Guihulngan, and Bindoy.

DOH-CHD-7 Regional Director Asuncion Anden during a Kapihan sa PIA held after the program disclosed that her department was given an additional P10.3M funds for assistance to the 45 LGUs in the region for TB program’s implementation.

The Philippines was ranked no. 7 by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the 22 countries that carry much of the burden of tuberculosis (TB) cases, said Anden.

"Our goal is for the Philippines to be TB-free by 2050," she said.

Central Visayas gets P1.2B infrastructure projects to boost tourism in the region

(PNA), GHG/EB/BH

CEBU CITY, March 30 (PNA) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 listed P1.2 billion in infrastructure projects for the region, whose level of authority of implementation are under the regional director and the district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

These include the widening of the Mactan Circumferential Road in Cebu worth P113.38 million and the widening of the M. Velez St. in Cebu City which has an allocation of P12.84 million.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said the Visayas had a significant share of the P12 billion allotted for infrastructure projects under the convergence program of both departments.

The bulk of the projects are located in Bohol, which include improvements of the Tagbilaran North Road, Maribojoc-Antequera-Catagbacan, Loon Road, Tagbilaran-Corella Road and Tagbilaran City Airport Road; upgrading roads leading to the towns of Maribojoc, Antequera, Catagbacan, Buenavista, Carmen, Danao, Getafe, Jagna, Sierra Bullones, Pilar, Alicia and Loay; rehabilitation of Panglao Island Circumferential Road; and concreting and widening of the road in Dauis-Panglao.

In Negros Oriental, projects involve the concreting of roads leading to tourist sites like the dolphin watching and white sand bar in Bais City, Twin Lakes, Tanjay boardwalk, Crystal Cave, Nalundan Falls, Casaroro Falls and the Japanese Shrine, all in the second district of Negros Oriental.

The convergence program is an agreement between the DOT and DPWH that seeks to boost tourism infrastructure projects in priority tourism area sin the country.

The agencies will be aided by policy research and advocacy institute Research, Education and Institutional Development Foundation in evaluating which roads to prioritize.

Where to retire? Cebu!

By Aya Lowe (Rappler.com)

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu’s reputation as the quieter, more relaxed sister city to Manila has earned it a new niche in the real estate market – retirees.

Quality of life is what the island in Visayas region offers, noted advocates.

"Cebu is positioned as one where the quality of life is better than the other cities. If you want to go to the beaches it’s few minutes away, if you want to play golf it’s just 5 minutes away. It’s a very livable city and it’s easy for you to move around,” said Lito R. Maderazo, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI) vice president at a press briefing on January 8.

Marko Sarmiento, COO of JEG Development Corp, is one local developer that has realized the potential of the market.

“Cebu is a lot more slow paced, it’s cheaper. That attracts the retirees,” said Sarmiento in an interview with Rappler.

Romantic location

One of the key attractive aspects to prospective retirees is the size of the city. “They have to be 30 minutes away from the golf courses, beach and hospital. Cebu is so small that most things are 20 to 30 minutes away,” he added.

Its location and connectivity is another added bonus. “We’re starting to see it…The entire Visayas is a big attraction. It’s very under-developed it’s got that romantic feel to it. It’s got lots of shoreline so they can do a lot of things with the water,” David Leechiu, country head at Jones Lang Lasalle Philippines, said on retiree developments during a property briefing on March 4.

“The great thing about Cebu is that it’s easy come and easy go. It’s so easy to enter and leave Cebu. It’s accessible from South Korea and Singapore. They are trying to open up other airports so you’re going to see entire countries open,” he added.

Japanese retirees

JEG’s latest development is a 14-unit retirement village catering specifically to the Japanese.

“The Japanese market has been a proven market in terms of tourism. They have been coming here as tourists for many years even before the Korean market grew. They look at Cebu as a separate destination a tourist spot and a place to get away from the fast-paced lifestyle of Japan,” said Sarmiento.

Japan’s average age is a lot higher than most countries. With such a large segment of the population about to enter retirement, it’s a lucrative segment.

“The units are designed for the Japanese and there are specific units that focus on the Japanese market,” he added.

They launched their marketing in November and are looking to sell out by this year. “Their reaction has been good. They like the idea that it’s a private community,” he said.

If this development is successful, Sarmiento said they will launch a similar concept with their next development.

Megaworld Corp’s development One Pacific Residences have also seen a lot of interest from Japanese retirees who have snapped most of the units.

Cebu's booming real estate industry

The real estate industry in Cebu has been one of the fastest growing of the city’s economy. The industry recorded a revenue growth rate of 18.8% in the third quarter of 2012.

“If you move around Cebu you can see there’s a mushrooming of projects and that is on account of the fact that Cebu’s economic drivers -- BPO’s and tourism,” noted Francis Monera, VP of Visayas at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) looking to invest in their home country are fueling the growth of the low-end to mid-range sectors.

“We’re seeing a sort of a transformation here. Probably about 10 to 20 years ago you would have only seen people from the Visayas and northern Mindanao area renting houses from Cebu. But now you will see that subdivisions are being sold to OFWs that are not even from Cebu. This is the first time we are seeing so many condominiums built in Cebu for OFWs who are not from Cebu,” said Maderazo.

Growth has also been fueled by remittances and a growing BPO sector. Cash remittances from January to October 2012 reached $17.5 billion up 5.8% from 2011’s $16.5 billion.

This has led to a lot of interest from big national industry players. Cebu Holdings, Inc. is an affiliate of Ayala Corporation engaged in real property development, ownership and management. Their projects include the Cebu Park Districts – Cebu IT Park and Cebu Business Park, which hosts other residential, and commercial properties they developed in partnership with other Ayala subsidiaries like Ayala Land Premier, Alveo Land Corp., and Avida Land Corp.

Tan-led property developer Megaworld Corp. said they will be investing P10 billion over the next 6 years to develop a 16-hectare mixed use development property in Mactan.

Gokongwei-led Robinsons Land Corp will also be developing a 4.6 hectare residential development in the North Reclamation Area of Cebu, as well as a Robinsons Galleria Cebu, which will house a shopping malls as well as hotel and BPO offices.

“Not everyone’s in Cebu yet. We have a lot of big developers here but there are a lot and there will be a time when they come,” said Sarmiento.

Group to push for Cebu bid to host Leaders’ meet

By Aileen Garcia-Yap (Reporter, Cebu Daily News)

TOURISM stakeholders in Cebu are working together to boost Cebu’s chances of winning the bid to host the Apec Leader’s Summit in 2015.

Tourism Regional Director Rowena Montecillo partnered with the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) after Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. called on the stakeholders in a Cebu City forum last week to bid for the Leaders’ Summit, a major event of the Apec Summit.

Jimenez said Cebu, Iloilo and Davao were among the places being considered as possible hosts for the meet.

Montecillo said yesterday she met with MCDCB board representatives last Monday to start preparing documents and presentations “to convince the National Organizing Committee headed by Bill Luz that Cebu is the best place to hold the event.”

The MCDCB, headed by the governor and Roberto Aboitiz as co-chairmen, is made up of key stakeholders in the private and public sector including leaders of 13 local government units in Metro Cebu.

Jimenez said the Apec summit would need more than one place to host a series of meetings of foreign ministers.

“The Leaders’ Summit will be the biggest which the President (Benigno Aquino III) wants to be bidded out so that stakeholders will really participate because they have the interest to host it,” said Jimenez.

The Apec Summit would run for about seven days and cap off with the Leaders’ Summit, a good platform to show tourism and business opportunities.

“We expect to have a final decision soon, before June this year so that we can start preparing. We want this to be private sector led with us in government giving our support,” said Jimenez.

Clean-up drive for rivers and creeks in Cebu to mark World Water Day

By Hazel F. Gloria (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7 & DENR-7)

CEBU, March 27 (PIA) --- About 700 stakeholders mostly students joined a one-day simultaneous clean-up drive covering six rivers and four creeks in Cebu as part of the celebration of the World Water Day (WWD) on March 23.

DENR 7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said, this is a DENR's major feature of the Adopt-an-Estero program which encourages the business sector, with the LGUs and the civil society to clean up and maintain a particular estero.

The activity was done in the rivers of Butuanon, Sabang or Lugot, Guindarohan, Pilipog-Gabi, Sapangdaku, and Buanoy and in the creeks of Hipodromo, Jagobiao, Tipo, and Luknay.

Montejo said, this is part of the “Linis Estero/Ilog” program which encourages the private sectors to extend necessary support in cleaning up waterways particularly in urban centers.

The DENR had entered into a number of agreements under the Adopt-an-Estero program since 2010.

“We urged organizations and industries who are interested in improving the condition of our waterways to join us in our campaign towards promoting public health and safety,” he added.

Given that most of these rivers and creeks are tributaries of lakes, seas and oceans, Montejo appealed to the communities living along the riverbanks including the business establishments to share a collective effort by not throwing their garbage directly to these waterways and join instead in cleanup drives.

In a related development, around 1500 participants from the various institutions both private and public attended the Walking for Water last March 22.

Seniors get cash aid more quickly

By Jessa Chrisna Marie Agua and Rene U. Borromeo/BRP (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Senior citizens of the north district who received their cash assistance from the city government yesterday lauded the new and more organized distribution system.

One of them, Thelma Maraan, 69, of Barangay Tejero, got her P4,000 aid less than five minutes after she arrived at the Tejero Elementary School.

“In about 2 minutes, I got my cash assistance. Unlike the last time which was chaotic. I am still here because I am waiting for my friend who I am staying with since I lost my home due to the fire,” Maraan said.

The distribution of cash is no longer done by priority number. Senior citizens only have to approach the disbursing officer to whom their name was assigned to get their money.

Conrado Ordesta III from the Management Information and Computer Services of the city government said their office was tapped to help in the efficient distribution of assistance.

“Tejero has 740 qualified individuals from the original payroll and additional 28 special list after the revalidation. We assigned 150 seniors per disbursing officer,” Ordesta said, adding they employed six officers for the original list and another one for the recently added ones.

Zapatera recipients share the same observation.

“Mas hapsay kaayo karong tuiga uy. Samok man ‘tong sa una. Karon kay sayo nagsugod unya dili kaayo dasok ang mga senior,” Barangay Zapatera Senior Citizens Organization Vice President Rodolfo Ugang Sr. said.

Unlike the usual 9 a.m. schedule of releasing, the distribution started as early as 7 a.m.

Disbursing officers were early at the venue since most of them attended the 5 a.m. Mass at the Sto. Rosario Parish with Mayor Michael Rama. This was followed by a group breakfast.

“Gituyo man na nako aron sayo sila nga makapanghatag. Kay duna man gyud nay mga katiguwangan intawn nga mangadlawn. Tungod kay naa na man sila sa venue, makahatag nag sayo,” Rama told reporters.

As early as 10 a.m., more than half of the list has already been cleared.

Barangay tanods and police officers were also deployed to each distribution center to ensure security and orderliness.

First-come-first-served policy was followed as per Rama’s orders so senior citizens did not wait for long under the sun.

“It’s first come, first served. I have ordered such. Those barangays who issued priority numbers, they have not coordinated with the city hall,” Rama told reporters.

According to the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs, there are 25,573 qualified senior citizen recipients from 46 barangays of the north district.

Today, a much bigger crowd will troop to barangay halls, covered court and schools for the distribution of cash assistance for senior citizens in the south district.

Unlike the previous distribution of the cash assistance when the mayor went to the venue and delivered a message, Rama just let the City Hall department heads monitor the situation.

Rama delegated City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete to be on top of all activities yesterday saying he decided not to go to the distribution to avoid speculation he is just politicking the event.

“Wala na lang ko mosuroy sa venue sa distribution kay siyaro og makalimot ang mga senior nga ako ang mayor nga nagpahatag kanila sa cash assistance kon magkumkum na sila sa kwatro mil,” Rama said.

In the Kamputhaw Elementary School, there was a little commotion after over a hundred senior citizens rushed in when they thought they still had to get priority numbers from barangay officials.

Kamputhaw Barangay Captain Lorenzo Basamot said they did not know that City Hall was implementing the new scheme.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, Eli Espina of the Public Information Office reported that 18,404 senior citizens from the north district barangays already received their cash assistance.

The amount released by the disbursing officers of the City Treasurer’s Office as of 3 p.m. yesterday already reached P73.7 million. Today senior citizens from the south district barangays will get their share.

Rama said senior citizens who failed to collect their cash assistance during the first two days of distribution can still collect it at the City Treasurer’s Office tomorrow and next week, but not later than April 12.

Palm Sunday brings good profit to “lukay” vendors

By John M. Destacamento /JOB (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Roman Catholics flocked to the church yesterday to have their palm or coconut leaves blessed in the traditional “bendita sa lukay”, and for the vendors near the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, it was business as usual.

Expecting a huge crowd of devotees, 46-year-old palm leaf trader Marita Sanchez, who has been selling “lukay” during Palm Sundays for 15 years now, displayed her goods near the church premises as early as 4 a.m. yesterday.

Sanchez was seen selling “lukay” on top of other regular religious articles and candles she trades during normal days, hoping to make extra income with the occasion.

Citing her “lukay” was sourced from a supplier in the town of Consolacion, Sanchez was one of the estimated 150 vendors who stationed their little “lukay” business within the Cathedral area.

She, however, clarified that they have been selling “lukay” since Saturday and that they even intended to continue selling until today or until customers run out.

While others were selling “un-blessed” leaves, requiring the buyer himself to get them blessed during the Holy Eucharist, Sanchez said hers were already blessed after she attended the very first mass in the morning.

A full “palwa” or frond, consisting of 50 to 80 leaves, was priced at P60 to P100, although off-the-rack “palaspas” or a cross formed out of palm leaf was also made available at P5 to P30 each depending on complexity of design.

Sanchez revealed the prices slightly went up in the morning as it was considered the peak hours and expected the same to dip in the evening toward the holding of the day’s final mass.

She was looking forward to earning P3,000 at the rate she was selling, praying for a fine weather for a chance to hook more customers.

About a few blocks away from the Cathedral, palm leaf business was also very thriving at the Santo Rosario Church along P. del Rosario St.

“Kalooy sa Ginoo, ubay-ubay pud ang mipalit. Murag mas daghan ang tawo karon kaysa miaging tuig (Thank God, it’s doing good. I think there are more buyers this year),” said Asuncion Sabang, 55, church vendor for 19 years.

Sabang said there were five in her family selling “lukay” yesterday in hopes of maximizing profits.

“Sa kalisod karong panahona, di mahimo nga ako rang usa maninda (In these tough times, I need my children to help me trade the goods),” she shared.

It was found out that palm leaves sold near the Church were priced practically the same as those sold near the Cathedral.

Meanwhile, self-confessed devout Catholic Erlinda Mansala, 44, told The FREEMAN it has been her practice to buy “lukay” on Palm Sundays, believing the blessed leaves could cast away evil spirits when pinned on walls in their house.

“Para sab magdala og swerte sa pamilya ug pasalamat kay ni-graduate na akong anak (To bring good fortune to the family and as thanksgiving of sorts now that my son has finally graduated),” Mansala said.

In its observance of Palm Sunday yesterday, the Church remembered the biblical account of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem with his followers waving and spreading palm branches in his path, marking that a dignitary was arriving in triumph.

First Calungsod fiesta celebrated

By Jessa Chrisna Marie Agua, JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Humility in admitting one’s fault was the key message of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma at the first fiesta of the young Visayan martyr, St. Pedro Calungsod.

“One of the themes for this celebration is confession. The desire to be holy starts with awareness. The start to a holy life is admission that we are sinners,” Palma said in his homily urging faithful to take confessions especially this Holy Week.

Furthermore, realizing our own faults will lead to enlightenment reflected in a person’s lifestyle and care for others.

“If we realize that we are weak, fragile human beings, and that we are sinners then we appreciate the love and mercy of the Lord and I think that’s the whole theme, which is of course, very real and to me is a call for today’s times,” Palma added in an interview after the mass.

Over 20 priests joined the prelate in leading the Eucharistic celebration to mark the feast day of our very own San Pedro Calungsod, which was moved earlier since the official date, April 2, falls on the Easter octave, two days after Christ’s resurrection is celebrated.

Participating in the fiesta mass was the renowned Calungsod devotees Mandaue Children and Youth Choir, who flew to Rome for his canonization and sang at the National Thanksgiving celebration in South Road Properties in Cebu last year.

Hundreds of devotees from all walks of life filled the chapel at the shrine inside the Archbishop’s residence compound — sick, rich, poor, young and old - all joined in the historic celebration.

Shrine rector Msgr. Ildebrandro Leyson revealed that the “miracle woman” whose extraordinary story of healing convinced the Vatican to finally call the young lad from the Visayas to be hailed as the second Filipino saint 300 years after his tragic death, next to fellow martyr San Lorenzo Ruiz, was present.

“She came here during one of our novena masses. But I was not able to talk to her longer because I was busy then,” Leyson said.

The rector relayed the request of the woman to remain anonymous despite initial reports that her identity would be revealed after last year’s canonization.

The woman wants to stay out of the limelight, he added, saying that she visits the shrine wearing red, the color of Calungsod devotees.

Keeping identity unknown will make the people focus on the teenage saint and not on her, Leyson said.

Elem, high school studes discover robotics world

By Amorganda A. Saludar (mbcn/AYS/PIA-7 with reports from RAFI)

CEBU, March 23 (PIA) -- Forty-six public elementary and high school students from Naga City, Cebu experienced three-day robotics training through the Dr. Caridad C. Labe (CCL) Education CentrEx Robotics Team that was held on March 7-9 at the Naga National High School.

President of CCL Education CentrEx School, Rachel Labe said “we wanted to promote robotics in as many schools as possible not only for students to have a fun way of applying what they learned in the said subjects, but for them to also develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills.”

The robotics training is part of the sponsorship agreement between the team and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) which aims to introduce robotics as a 21st century approach to learning Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through experiential activities.

RAFI sponsored the CCL Education CentrEx Robotics Team during the World Robotics Olympiad in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year.

Labe added that the training design is based on the robotics curriculum implemented in the school, which sees robotics as a motivational tool to excite learners to study science and technology.

For the students' final output, they were made to design their own robots that are equipped with sensors―touch, light, color, sound, and ultrasonic, among others―to respond to their environment.

According to Labe, the training used the LEGO Mindstorm fo the students to create a program to make their mechanical design function and respond to outside stimuli.

The program was then downloaded to the NXT, a small computer that acts as the brain of the robot.

DepEd-Naga City division superintendent, Dr. Senen Paulin was impressed with the students' demonstrations during the training. He said that robotics was included in the budget for the next school year, to the delight of the students and their teacher-coaches.

While robotics is a relatively new area in the public school system, the support of various stakeholders in Naga City played a major role for its integration.

Currently, it is the only city in Cebu Province whose public schools are equipped with robotics kits, which cost P70,000 each.

Its local government unit provided the Lego Mindstorm NXT kits for the schools and is currently in talks with DepEd-Naga City for future directions in the area of robotics.

CCL CentrEx provides the training as their way of giving back to the community and in gratitude of the support they received from RAFI and other organizations.

“You have a very supportive leadership from the local government unit and DepEd, who see this as a worthwhile investment and RAFI, who has supported various initiatives to improve the quality of education," Labe said.

It is now up to the teachers and school heads to grab these opportunities to have access to relevant resources, Labe concluded.

Earth Hour to target youths

By Amorganda A. Saludar (rmn/AYS-PIA7 with reports from RAFI)

CEBU, March 22 (PIA) -- The youths are expected to take a big part in this year’s Earth Hour celebration as experts believe that the youth can do much in propelling environmental advocacy forward.

In a local radio program, Roxanne Hernaez, Young Minds Academy (YMA) 5 scholar by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), dwelt on the fact that battling the effects of climate change and global warming is a task not only for government and experts but also for the general public.

“Youth can spark action anytime and anywhere. We don’t need to wait for the annual celebration of Earth Hour. We can help mitigate climate change by doing simple acts within our homes. By doing so, we are helping our community and our environment,” Hernaez said.

"Together, we can encourage the youth to help save Mother Earth through simple acts that they can soon replicate in their communities,” she added.

This year's Earth Hour, with the theme “Switch off for good. Switch on to renewable energy,” is on March 23 at 8:30 p.m.

Cities and countries worldwide will switch off their lights for an hour.

In connection with this, Caroline Ballesteros, Mega Cebu communications and stakeholder relationship manager, said that the youth are already taking one of the first moves to preserve, conserve, and protect the environment as they are the stakeholders of the Mega Cebu project.

The Cebu Mega Project is a 30-year master plan program and framework for a long term and collaborative planning and action towards a more sustainable city-region, in which one of the focus-based committees of the project is on environment.

“If we do good things now for the environment, it will become a habit. In the project, we aim to have a liveable Metro Cebu. We want to make Cebu one of the key destinations in world. In order to materialize this, we need a partnership with the youth to act for these goals,” Ballesteros said.

“We are already experiencing the ill effects of climate change. We need to act now to help save our environment,” she added.

Corazon Baybay, assistant manager of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Community Relations of Aboitizland, also noted, “ The aim for the Earth Hour celebration is to promote good stewardship, especially among the youth. Our resources should be managed so that the next generation will still be able to benefit from them.”

Cebu Province reports double-digit hike in revenues for first 2 months

(PNA), EB/RE

CEBU CITY, Mar. 20 (PNA) -- The Cebu Provincial Treasurer’s Office has reported double-digit increase in the collection of revenues and taxes for the first two months of the year, compared to the same period last year.

Cebu Provincial Treasurer’s Office records showed that last January, Capitol’s total revenue was P204 million and P195.6 million in February.

The January collection showed a 20.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, while the February collection showed a 13.6 percent increase.

Acting Cebu Provincial Treasurer Emmanuel Guial said this is because some taxes are due for payment in the first month of the year, like professional tax and others.

Guial, who replaced last January lawyer Roy Salubre, attributed the increase to efficient treasurers in towns and component cities in collecting real property taxes.

The tax rate also increased this year, said Guial.

The Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) last year was only P133.3 million every month.

This increased to P149.6 million per month this year.

The IRA is the share of every local government unit from the total taxes collected by the National Government.


Cebu Port authorities all set for Lenten Season passenger influx

By Ferliza C. Contratista (rmn/FCC/PIA Cebu)

Public Assistance Desks, medical teams in place

CEBU CITY, March 20 (PIA) -- Cebu port authorities are ready for the volume of passengers expected this Lenten Season.

In Tuesday morning's Kapihan sa Pantalan, Cebu port authorities formally launched their security preparations dubbed “Oplan Ligtas Byahe: Kwaresma 2013."

Director Oscar Lopez, Port Safety and Environment Management Department Manager of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), said they have already coordinated with other authorities involved in the operations and safety of the port areas all over Cebu for next week’s influx of passengers.

Lopez said help and public assistance desks are in place as early as this week for emergencies in the main ports in Cebu City, Pier 1, 2 and 3.

There will also be medical teams and ambulances on standby.

Passenger Liaison Officers are assigned in every port including those that are in the provinces.

He said Pier 1 is currently under renovation and passengers are advised to go to the port early next week since they might be diverting some trips to Pier 3.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commander Weniel Azcuna said they are implementing starting Tuesday their own Public Assistance Center in all 13 detachments in Cebu.

Azcuna said they had already started with the conduct of flag state inspection which involves thorough inspection of passenger vessels for their sea worthiness.

“But other than that, we also focus on the human factor, the mechanical competence of the crew,” Azcuna said.

They are also augmenting their personnel specially within those that are identified as critical areas and where “bakasyonistas” are expected to flock like the northern wharfs in Hagnaya and Kawit.

Joy Tumulak of the City Traffic Operations and Management (CITOM) also said their own personnel will be in full force and on standby in the ports.

Tumulak said they will be on watch for illegally-parked vehicles and motorcycles in order to ensure a smooth traffic flow in these areas.

P/Inspector Percival Miasco of the Waterfront Police Station said passengers are advised not to be lured by the convenience offered by port vendors and dispatchers for the buying of their tickets.

“Otherwise, the passenger might end up with fake, expired, and more expensive tickets,” Miasco said.

Also present in the Kapihan sa Pantalan was Ryan Benjamin Yu of the City Transport Cooperative (CITRASCO) and P/Supt. Alvin Piad of the Maritime Police.

"Oplan Ligtas Byahe: Kwaresma 2013" is a directive issued by the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Cebu, Davao seen to host next-generation CBDs

Tessa R. Salazar (Cebu Daily News/inquirer.net)

Both areas have various emerging urban districts

Property experts are looking beyond Metro Manila for the next emerging central business districts (CBDs). But where in the islands would that be?

Claro dG Cordero Jr., Jones Lang La Salle’s head of research, consulting and valuation in the Philippines, told Inquirer Property that “Cebu and Davao have the potential to be the locations of the next big CBDs, due to the level of economic and commercial activities in these two areas.”

“In fact, both Cebu and Davao have various emerging urban districts (EUDs),” he added.

Cordero explained that in Cebu, aside from the Cebu Business Park and the Cebu IT Park (both developed by Ayala Land) which can be considered the traditional CBD areas, new EUDs are being developed by property giants SM Group (in the South Reclamation Project); Robinsons Land (on Maxilom Avenue); and Megaworld (at the Mactan Newtown Center in Lapu-Lapu City).

Cordero said the Filinvest Land project in the South Reclamation Project could also be considered as another EUD in Cebu.

Karlo Pobre, Colliers International’s research and advisory services manager, also gives a thumbs up for Cebu. “I think Cebu is somehow a few years younger than Metro Manila, but the current rapid rate of development suggests that it can grow faster moving forward.”

Pobre explained that there has been the emergence of major business districts, pioneered by the Cebu Park District, now followed by the Mactan Newtown and the 300-hectare South Road Properties. For completed residential condominiums, the supply grew rapidly by an average of 60 percent annually since the first project in 2005.

Enrique M. Soriano III, Ateneo program director for real estate and senior adviser for Wong+Bernstein Business Advisory, pointed out that a CBD serves as the “focal point” of a city; the commercial, office, retail and cultural center, and usually the hub for transportation networks.

So much promise

“Cebu, Davao and even Iloilo offer so much promise as the next-generation CBDs. However, it will only happen if—and it’s a big if—the city mayors, urban planners and eco-developers get their acts together. When that happens, these strategic areas may just be the next-wave cities in 2020,” said Soriano.

David Leechiu, Jones Lang La Salle country head, said that Cebu and Davao are, indeed, promising, but “Cebu is limited to the business and IT parks.”

“Davao is looked upon as the next labor frontier since it is perceived to be an untapped labor market. In Davao, many of the clients we have brought there have doubled in size in less than two years,” Leechiu said.

Cordero said that in Davao, the emerging business districts are those that are being developed by SM Group (the SM City Lanang development), Ayala Land (the Abreeza development) and the Villar group (the Northpoint development).

He said that both Abreeza and the SM City Lanang development consist of retail, hotel and office developments. Abreeza also has residential condominium development towers, while SM City Lanang has convention center facilities.

Pobre said that at present, the total residential stock in all of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-lapu cities is at 6,765 units, roughly about the size of Eastwood City. By the end of 2013, it would grow to the size of Ortigas Center. By 2015, it is expected to grow by over 70 percent.

“Meanwhile, Cebu likewise has its own share of the office market, which is still mainly driven by the BPO (business process outsourcing) industry. In 2012 alone, there have been 80,000 square meters of leasable office space, or about seven new buildings delivered, some 150,000 sq m more are expected to be completed by 2014. Currently, the average rental rate in Cebu is similar to that of Ortigas, between P400 and P600 per sq m per month,” Pobre revealed.

Tourism market

Pobre said that Cebu is more appealing compared to Metro Manila when it comes to tourism.

“Even the frequently visiting Japanese and Koreans have found Cebu as their new home, which reflects in their acquisition of leisure residential units, particularly in the cities of Mactan and Lapu-Lapu.”

He added that the best thing about Cebu is its “business-plus-leisure environment.”

“You can be in your office the whole day, but find yourself enjoying a drink in Mactan Shangri-La in the evening; or at least an escape to the nearby beaches and islands during the weekends, which you can hardly do in Metro Manila,” said Pobre.

Cordero said the emergence of EUDs in Cebu and Davao presents local businesses an alternative to the traditional business districts in city centers, by offering masterplanned communities and high-quality space and accommodation.

“These EUDs are not at all different to the early years of the established CBDs in Metro Manila (such as Makati and Ortigas CBDs). These EUDs will eventually attract businesses and companies to locate in these areas.

He stressed that what would make these different from the established CBDs is for these EUDs to properly implement the masterplan and carefully provide easy access by introducing new modes of transport, which have been commonly neglected in business districts,” said Cordero.

Hundreds mark death anniversary of ‘the guy’

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Hundreds went to Barangay Sunog in Balamban town, Cebu, to mark the 56th death anniversary of former President Ramon Magsaysay yesterday.

His only son, former senator Ramon "Jun" Magsaysay Jr. personally led the laying of the wreath at his father's monument near the crash site in Mt. Manunggal.

Jun's son, Paco, several mountainers, residents and local officials also paid tribute to the late president, who is known as the "People's President" and is arguably the most beloved of Philippine presidents.

Magsaysay was known for his simplicity and being an unassuming person said Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy in a press conference yesterday. Sitoy recalled that when he was still a high school student of the Abellana National High School, he wrote the former president about their complaints that they were made to work with some carpenters in the construction of the school's grandstand.

Sitoy said that Magsaysay, wearing a simple shirt with no bodyguards, went to the school and looked for the school principal and immediately ordered the stoppage of the said construction work.

Vic Dumon, son of former Cebu Rep. Tereso Dumon also recalled that the former president had his last supper in their house before the fatal plane crash that killed 27 people on board. Only journalist Nestor Mata survived.

The former president's son said that his father was in a hurry to get back home to Manila as it was a Sunday the following day and he usually had breakfast and then went to Mass with his family.

Francisco Noya, now 76, was 20 years old when he saw what remained of the president's plane, the Mt. Pinatubo, shortly after the crash.

"Nasunog gyud ang presidente. Akong nakita nga wala na siyang ilong ug dunggan. Unya sa iyang mga kamot naa pa ang iyang relo ug singsing," Noya recalled in an interview with the media.

Jun, who is running again as senator, skipped yesterday's Team PNoy rally in Baguio City to lead the commemoration rites of his father's death anniversary here.

DPWH implements water projects

By Elias O. Baquero

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) implemented P417.3 million worth of various water projects in Central Visayas, particularly Cebu, between 2009 and 2012, as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 6716, or the Rainwater Collector and Springs Development Law.

This announcement was in response to the statement of Elisea Gozun, the presidential assistant for climate change, that the agency, which is tasked to build rainwater collectors (or catchments) and rehabilitate old and defective wells, has been slow in implementing the law.

Compulsory

In a letter to Sun.Star Cebu, Marie Mig-non Nillama, DPWH 7 spokesperson, said the agency spent P57.6 million in 2009, P110.2 million in 2010, P208.9 million in 2011 and P40.5 million last year to improve the water supply.

The allocations were for the construction of water systems, artesian wells, reservoirs, pumping stations and conduits.

Nillama said the agency will allocate more funds this year to build water catchments.

She said it is now a DPWH policy that drainage must be a compulsory component of road projects so rainwater will go directly to the canal instead of flowing to the streets.

Earlier, Gozun said Congress passed the law in 1989 yet.

Disaster-prone

She said if the DPWH and local government units (LGUs) don’t fully implement the law, which also prohibits the rampant cutting of trees in watershed areas, Metro Cebu faces the risk of flashfloods like those that hit Cagayan de Oro and Compostela Valley.

To avoid such calamities, Gozun, who is a former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, suggested that the DPWH and LGUs should work together to build catchments to store rainwater and prevent it from flowing directly to the streets.

Gozun said the collected rainwater, if treated, can be used for washing vehicles, washing clothes, watering the plants, among other things.

She said it is sad to note that reservoirs, catchment basins or detention ponds, which are required by RA 6716, are rare in Cebu.

Cebu pushed as investment destination

By Louella D. Desiderio (The Philippine Star)

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is pushing the province as a destination for investments, citing opportunities in the sectors of information technology – business process outsourcing (IT-BPO), tourism, creative industries and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

CCCI president Lito Maderazo told reporters the group wants to encourage more firms to invest in the province given available opportunities.

“Cebu has a lot to offer. There are opportunities here,” he said.

He said firms could consider investing in the IT-BPO sector given available talent.

The IT-BPO employs 95,000 in the province.

Apart from IT-BPO, he said, investment opportunities are also available in tourism as it is among the top destination picks of foreign visitors to the country. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

He pointed out that two million foreign tourists visited the province last year, 50 percent higher than in 2011.

Cebu, likewise, has creative industries such as furniture which interested firms could consider to engage in.

Maderazo said the CCCI is also pushing for the development of more SMEs in the province.

He said that while the country has captured the attention of many foreign firms looking to invest, the government has to address concerns which hamper the growth of businesses in the province.

“Now that we are a bright spot, we are hoping that the government will resolve the high cost of power,” he said.

He said the government also has to address the lack of infrastructure in the province to remove the high shipping costs and attract more tourists.

The inadequate water supply is, likewise, a problem with water utilities in the province supplying only 50 percent of what is needed.

The CCCI has organized business meetings along with the 27th Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Conference which started yesterday.

The CACCI is composed of national chambers of commerce and industry, business associations and business enterprises in Asia and the Western Pacific.

Maderazo said the CCCI is hoping to encourage new investments in the province through the conference.

International confab tackles issues about infra, politics

By Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Infrastructure issues topped the discussion in one of the parallel break-out sessions at the 27th International Conference of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) yesterday that was held at Radisson Blu Hotel.

Acknowledging the real estate boom and vibrant growth in the construction sector, industry experts and major stakeholders from both the local and global arena identified investment opportunities in the Philippine setting and outlined possible strategies to boost its development, of which infrastructure was a major concern.

With the theme “Asia Pacific: Catalyst to Global Recovery”, the two-day conference is aimed to provide a platform for CACCI members and invited experts to exchange views on measures that the business sector and governments in the region can undertake to help sustain growth and enable the Asia-Pacific region to play a catalytic role in the global recovery.

Foreign delegates from Taiwan, Russia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, India and other countries sat down with the leaders of local and national business chambers and organizations to discuss about the Asian council on contracting and construction.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Lito Maderazo raised the issue on infrastructure problems that hinders foreign investors to come and invest to the Philippines.

Senior architect Jose Mari Cañizares who served as one of the speakers during the session admitted the country’s setback in the infrastructure system but cited strategies to improve the potential investment hub for the global market.

Cañizares considered the construction industry as a catalyst of development that affects all sectors of the national economy.

Even with the influx of investments into the country, he said that there is “definitely” no real estate bubble yet.

He noted that Cebu needs an underpass or bridge that links the downtown area to Cordova, a transport system to address the traffic congestion brought by the growing number of jeepneys and the establishment of terminals and airports to and from islands in the Philippines.

Identifying politics as a hindrance to the accomplishment of infrastructure projects, he said that public-private partnerships should be encouraged.

For instance, he cited the ongoing bid for the expansion of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) Terminal 2 that is presently participated by conglomerates and business companies.

“Politics is the problem. The private sector is far, far better and having tie-ups will help for us to improve. Majority has to be done,” he said.

He further noted that business, leisure and livability are among the factors that attract local and international developers to come to Cebu.

About 60% of the real estate sector in Cebu is accounted by local investors while the remaining 40% comprise foreign investments, he added.

Cañizares currently owns an average-sized architectural firm in Cebu that was established in 1972.

J.M. Cañizares is a company that has served 41 years in the field of architecture and planning through its diversified projects such as residential, condominiums, commercial, institutions, hotels, banks, resorts, churches, and airports.

Meanwhile, Turkey Contracting Services Assembly member Cihan Candemir who chaired the session yesterday pointed out the upward trend of the construction industry and growing number of potential investment opportunities in the global market.

He said that the construction sector has contributed 11% of the global GDP growth from 2011 to 2012.

To take advantage of such development, he emphasized the strategic collaboration among different countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The construction sector is expanding more and more. There are a lot of opportunities everywhere. What we have to do is to look for ways to cooperate among countries and share our capabilities with each other,” Candemir stated.

He added that it has brought a crucial impact in the industry after Asia-Pacific was identified as one of the fastest growing regions for the past two years.

He said that China accounted for 41% of the construction spending of the Asia Pacific region in 2011 while India accounted for over 10% of the region’s construction market.

Japan’s construction spending is expected to grow due to earthquake and tsunami reconstruction works.

In the next decade, Candemir said that the Middle East construction sector will be triggered by infrastructure investments particularly in the energy sector.

While Saudi Arabia is the largest construction market in the region, he added that Qatar is expected to be the fastest growing construction market due to the FIFA World Cup 2022 preparations.

In the year 2020, Asia’s share of construction spending by region is forecasted to increase to 40% from the projected 31% in 2015.

The Turkish Contractors Association has recorded a total of 1700 projects in 100 countries with a total business volume of US$212 billion.

The organization was established in 1952 and currently has 152 member companies as constructors and contractors.

New access road to IT Park to open this month

By AJ de la Torre/MBG (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Before the month ends, traffic flow along Salinas Drive and Gov. Cuenco Ave. is expected to become smoother as the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) targets to open the access road within the province-owned Ciudad property soon.

The Cebu Provincial Government already gave the go signal for the use of the access road within the Ciudad Property leading to the IT Park.

Citom will soon be meeting with Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corporation (CPVDC), owner and developer of Asiatown IT Park Lahug to discuss the tearing down of a wall leading to the new road, which is within the 27-hectare property of IT Park.

Francis Monera, president of CPVDC said that they have yet to receive a word from CITOM as regards to the tearing down of the wall but said he welcomes the plan.

“With the city’s continuing bullish development, this is a necessary initiative to ease the flow of vehicles in the area,” said Monera.

CITOM head Rafael Christopher Yap said the opening of the new access road will lessen the volume of vehicles traversing Salinas drive.

“Traffic flow will be smoother,” said Yap.

CITOM will also be coordinating with the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DPWH) for the asphalting of the road.

Yap assured that they will do their best to complete everything as soon as possible considering that the riding and foot traffic on Salinas Drive is getting heavier, especially with the increase of commercial establishments in the area.

Traffic congestion has been a problem in the area for a long time, said Yap. 

Apas Brgy Captain Ramil Ayuman also said they are happy with the decision to open the road in the provincial property, which is their wish for years.

Ayuman said that he has received numerous complaints from Apas residents on the traffic congestion in the area which prompted him to ask the city council to look for other options for road access.

The development of the Ciudad project in the Banilad-Talamban road has been stalled after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) declined the request for the Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Provincial Government and the developer, Fifth Avenue.

Last June, Fifth Avenue re-applied for an ECC. Suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier pushed for the P1.2-billion project to be implemented as it will help in the long term decongestion of traffic in the area.

However, some city officials opposed to the project saying it will just worsen the traffic situation.

Mega Cebu advocates told to coordinate with RDC

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has urged the members of the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) to bring the government into the picture in order to realize its roadmap in transforming Cebu into a world class Metropolis through its "Mega Cebu" project.

While NEDA director general Arsenio Balisacan sees the potential of the private-sector led development project, he said it would be good to deeply involve the government both local and national agencies.

Balisacan said that the board should come up with projects to support mobility, competitiveness and livability.

He also asked the MCDCB to coordinate with the Regional Development Board (RDC) in Central Visayas in order to incorporate the "Mega Cebu" plan to the regional development planning.

Notwithstanding political boundaries and differences, the private sector in Cebu is leading towards pushing the 30-year “Mega Cebu” masterplan, putting the metropolis to the world map of top cities in the world.

The MCDCB was established two years ago led by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation (RAFI) and six large private sector groups like CBC, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), among others, with plans and goals fully supported by IBM.

Aside from the six large organizations that are actively part of the MCDCB, there are also 14 local government units (LGUs) that have committed to participate in this plan to start off the project that brings “urban renewal” while Metro Cebu is showing signs of “urban decay."

The Mega Cebu project involves an integrated masterplan that will make greater Cebu, from Car-Car in the South, to Danao in the north, a world-class metropolitan region.

Supported by IBM Philippines, through its Smart City campaign, this movement is seen to change Cebu’s landscape in the next 30 years, benchmarking the successful mega regions in Canada, like Vancouver which applied also applied this concept.

From 1995 to 2010 the population growth in Metro Cebu grew by 50 percent, from a total of 1.63 million population count in 1995, to 2.5 million living in the Metropolis in 2010. Basing on the current population growth rate, population count is seen to hit 4.27 million by 2030.

While Cebu has not been able to keep up with its growth over the years, the absence of good collaborative masterplanning, MCDCB is moving forward to take good care of Cebu's potential for growth.

Cebu Province spends P41.7M of general fund for CICC

By Eddie O. Barrita [(PNA), EB/RE]

CEBU CITY, Mar. 12 (PNA) -- The Cebu Provincial Government has spent P41.797 million of its general fund for the operation and maintenance of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City.

Cebu Provincial Accountant Marieto Ypil bared this in a report of the CICC’s financial state to the CICC management board (CICCMB).

The report was asked by Acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale, who also chairs the board, after learning the provincial government spends more for CICC than what the province earns from it.

Ypil said CICC’s revenues in 2008 reached P23.021 million, P1.226 million less than its expenditures of P24.247 million.

In 2009, CICC’s revenues amounted to P15.485 million but its expenses reached P16.391 million, resulting in a deficit of almost P1 million.

Apart from this, Ypil said, CICC used the Capitol’s general fund to pay its P8.279 million electricity bills in 2009.

In 2010, its revenues were reported to be P12.759 million while its expenses was P12.561 million.

However, its electricity and water bills totaling P9.9 million were paid for by the Capitol.

In 2011, CICC’s electricity, water and landscaping work, amounting to P593,349, were taken from the provincial government’s general fund.

In 2012, its receipts reached P14.072 million while expenses were only P11.858 million. But the Capitol’s general fund was used to pay for its utility bills and payables to a security agency P3.283 million), janitorial services (3.571 million) and landscaping work (P802,116)

Ypil said CICC has a trust fund but it was depleted so the Capitol’s general fund was tapped to pay for its expenditures.

Ypil said the Capitol can pay more than P400,000 due to the Philippine Exhibits and Theme Parks Corporation (Petco), the firm that manages the CICC, but the move has to be approved by the provincial Board (PB).

The CICC management board pays P178,571.43 a month to Petco for its consultancy and management services.

Petco chairman Jose Luis Yulo asked the CICCMB to consider the benefits of the CICC on Cebu’s economy.

He cited 2007 estimates that a foreign guest in a meeting, incentives, travel, convention or exhibition spends at least P10,000 a day for his hotel accommodation, food, beverage and shopping.

Apart from this, there are investments in events promotion and construction of tourism support services that create jobs.

Events held at the CICC also promote the Cebu’s tourism, Yulo said.

He said CICC high electricity consumption can be blamed on its air-conditioning system.

Since its design was done according to the specifications of organizers of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in 2007, the facility has a centralized air-conditioning system that is set at high cool.

Yulo said the issue was raised in 2007 but nothing was done about it.

Magpale earlier said the CICC is considered as a venue for meetings related to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in 2015.

Cebu, Bohol pilot for GIZ ‘green tourism’ project

By Minerva BC. Newman(mbcn/PIA-7 & RAHC/PIA-Bohol)

CEBU, March 11 (PIA) – The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) chose Cebu and Bohol as its pilot areas for Phase 2 of the ‘green tourism’ project.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) regional director Asteria Caberte said that it is probably because of the successful implementation of the Promotion for Green Economic Development (ProGED) strategies in Cebu and Bohol that made these provinces suited for the ‘green tourism’ project.

Recently Bohol’s champions of green economic development, tourism sector industry leaders and government policy makers gathered at the Mansion in Tagbilaran City to discuss the project.

ProGED project manager Volker Steigerwald said that the project aims to build on the gains and experiences of the government and private sector engagements in Small Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (SMEDSEP).

Volker, in his presentation added that the ProGED Impact Model works around the four pillars of a ‘Green Economy’ that include mitigation on how to reduce green house gas emissions and adaptation of individuals and businesses to adjust to severe weather conditions.

ProGED also hopes to improve competitiveness through sustainable business strategies and ‘Green jobs’ that use growth opportunities, market potentials and new products and services, Volker explained.

According to Caberte the project will start from the value chain tourism in Cebu and Bohol. The model starts from information and awareness among the local government units and small and medium businesses on the ‘Green Economy Development’ (GED).

Caberte said, for example MSMEs that go for green tourism standards and acquire information on the requirements to access green finance and are introduced to ‘Green’ service facilitation and match making as well as green framework conditions.

“The Green Tourism project aids the LGUs and MSMEs to realize that being environmentally-friendly and climate smart make economic sense,” Caberte said.

Caberte noted that there are new markets in Europe that call for and prefer ‘green’ and or environmentally-friendly products and services. “We will begin with tourism and build on existing ‘green economic’ initiatives at the local levels.”


Estonian first lady showered with vintage Cebu hospitality

By Jaime Picornell (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Cebu welcomed the visit of Madame Evelin Ilves, first lady of the Republic of Estonia, who came to spend a weeklong holiday at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. A welcome dinner for her was held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol. The red carpet was literally laid out for her from the street to the stately portals.

Dancers in Philippine costumes lined the path as acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Almendras Magpale greeted Mme. Ilves and daughter Catherine. Also in her group were Tiit Kepp, who heads the airport management board in Talin, Estonia’s capital; and Fernando Peña, the honorary consul of Estonia, based in Manila.

Mme. Ilves is tall, very beautiful, with blonde hair and blue eyes. For her age (early 40s), she has received important honors such as knighthoods from the monarchs of Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands; as well as from Romania and Latvia.

We gathered that she is a physician by profession and that she has edited a lifestyle magazine in her country. “These are your colleagues,” Gov. Agnes Magpale said as she introduced local journalists Flor Ynclino, Chinggay Utzurrum and Cookie Newman.

In her welcome speech, Governor Magpale described Estonia as a dynamic country with a high-income economy. She admitted surfing the Internet and being highly impressed with the Baltic nation’s history and development.

Mme. Ilves is very much concerned with the welfare of women and their empowerment. “We open our hearts to you,” said the governor who has also made that her advocacy first as a provincial board member, and as vice governor of Cebu.

Cebu’s acting Vice Gov. Julian Daan joined the ladies on the dais for a presentation of handcrafted sculpture to Mme. Ilves, as a souvenir of her Cebu visit.

An elaborate program emceed by Vince Escario was presented depicting the festivals of the cities of Danao and Mandaue, and the municipality of Argao. Philippine foil dances were nimbly performed by the University of San Carlos dance troupe.

Present were Provincial Board Member Miguel Magpale, the governor’s son; Provincial Board Member Peter Calderon and his pretty wife Patsy Cinco Calderon; Department of Foreign Affairs director in Cebu Elias Balawag, and his protocol officer Angel Espiritu.

Glimpsed: Hembler Mendoza, Lapu-Lapu City’s tourism officer; Prudencio Gesta, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Eva Gestopa Encabo who is with the province’s information office; and Evangeline de Paula who has written a book about Cebu City’s history.

Dawn Roa was in charge of the excellent Philippine menu served on long buffet tables, catered by Café Laguna. Compliments came from Tetta Baad, Nelia Navarro, Carmel Salvador, Ahmed Cuizon, Alice Queblatin and more.


Chartered city

Cebu may have been the first city in the Philippines founded by royal decree after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi came in 1565. Yet, its status as a chartered city is of relatively recent vintage—1937.

That was thanks to the late Sen. Vicente Rama, whose grandson Michael Rama is the mayor of Cebu City. Feb. 24 marked the 76th anniversary of this charter, celebrated with the usual panoply at the ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

The celebration has through the years served as occasion to present awards. Cited this year as outstanding individuals were architect Socorro Atega and Raymundo Abao. Outstanding institutions were the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, International Pharmaceuticals Foundation and the Rotary Club of Cebu West.

The mayor’s special awards went to SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, 888 Forum led by Ricky Poca, Jose Navarro, and Dr. Lourdes “Odette” Jereza, who led the core group to research on Cebu City’s families of distinction.

This has been a yearlong project to acknowledge contributions of more than 75 families to the governance, prosperity and the development of the arts in Cebu City. Representatives from all these families received plaques of recognition.

Quite touching were the awards for eight Cebu centenarians who aside from a citation were each given a check for P100,000. They came in wheelchairs, leaning on canes or propped at the elbows by relatives. One did go up the stage on his own.

Their names: Teofila Fernandez Aliño, Irene Famador Leyson, Nazaria Matig-a Bantilan, Maria Isip Ochia, Lucila Villarta Yncierto, Conrado Canaya Regis, Justina Umacob Arenasa and Simeon Rama Suplac.

The evening’s highlight was a fashion parade featuring the designs of Cebu Fashion Inc. members. It opened with Ruffa Gutierrez in a dramatic gown by Cary Santiago, and closed with beauty queen Carla Henry in Filipiniana by Philip Rodriguez.

Mayor Mike Rama was a proud uncle as he presented Ruffa with a bouquet and led her to the table of her parents—Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez. A crowd surged toward them, everyone wanting to have a picture.

Vis-Min Rotary Club members conclude meet in Cebu

(PNA), HBC/EB/BH

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu, March 9 (PNA) -- Some 700 delegates from the Visayas and Mindanao to the Rotary International District 3860 Convention Saturday concluded their three-day convention in Cebu, which highlighted the theme “peace through service.”

The convention was held at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.

Rotary 3860 District Governor Peter Rodriguez said they picked peace and service as the central theme of the convention because of the rapidly growing new districts in Muslim-dominated countries, particularly Indonesia.

”We noticed that we are spending so much in livelihood programs but if we don’t achieve peace in the area, nothing will happen,” Rodriguez said.

Rotary International District 3860 is composed of 94 Rotary clubs from 17 provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao. It has about 3,600 members.

Among the different clubs’ community services are in water and sanitation, disease prevention, maternal and child health care, literacy, environment, and peace and order.

Rodriguez said all Rotary clubs in Cebu have been aggressive in implementing community-based project tin the province.

He said the thrust this year is to widen the scope of its Anti-Dengue Larvicide Campaign.

He said Rotary Clubs in Cebu already spent P2 million to activate the campaign.

He said they started with small scale campaigns in the past two years and the goal this year is to cover the whole province to lower dengue cases.

Aside from this, Rotary will also push programs on mangrove planting, water and literacy in coordination with the local government units.

For the past 30 years, eradicating polio had been the primary thrust of the members of the Rotary International of which more than USD1 billion has been raised for the vaccine.

Since then, only three countries have been left with polio cases mostly in Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Philippines became polio-free seven years ago.

Capitol won’t sell CICC

By AJ De La Torre (MBG, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Government will hold on to the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) and rehabilitate it for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) which the Philippines will be hosting in 2015.

Acting governor Agnes Magpale said that they will not be selling the CICC as earlier considered because of financial concerns and repairs that need to be done.

Instead, they will rehabilitate and upgrade the facility for the APEC meeting in 2015.

Land Transportation and Franchise Regulatory Board-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon said that the Department of Transportation and Communication has contacted him to discuss the initial plans for the APEC meeting and some activities are planned to be held in Cebu.

Cuizon said the APEC meeting is even bigger than the Associa tion of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and more dignitaries like President Barrack Obama of the United States are expected to join.

Cuizon revealed he was initially asked by DOTC if Cebu can provide 90 units of Mercedes Benz and BMWs.

“I told them that we do not have that much Mercedes and BMWs here that are for hire,” he said.

He suggested that these luxury cars be shipped from Manila to Cebu for the event.

Magpale said that they would have to prepare for the event, especially the CICC which was specifically made for the ASEAN summit in 2007.

Earlier, Magpale said that they are hoping to partner with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the rehabilitation of the CICC to make it a ‘world-class facility.’

Magpale yesterday said that the DPWH expresses willingness to help but they have to get a proposal from Capitol.A P66-million repair proposal was already sent to DPWH.

Capitol earlier reported that the CICC has been not been earning because it is spending more than its income.

Since 2008, CICC’s losses already totaled P44 million, mostly due to the high utility bills.

Magpale hopes that with the planned repairs and proposed rehabilitation, they can turn the property into a convention center that can host more events apart from international conventions like that of the APEC.

She said they will discuss the matter on Monday as they convene the new CICC management board.

Cebu trade group leaders back bank mergers

(PNA), CTB/EB/BH

CEBU CITY, Mar. 7 (PNA) -- A top official of a Cebu business chamber has said he is supporting the mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry to allow it to compete in the region.

Prudencio Gesta, outgoing Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, said he supports the advocacy of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in encouraging banks to merge to strengthen the stability of the country’s banking industry.

”Our banks are not only meant to compete domestically but also regionally,” he said.

Gesta said mergers and acquisitions are one way our banks can compete with other banks in the Asean region.

Gesta, who is also Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.’s first vice president and regional sales and marketing head for the Visayas, said bank consolidation will also encourage the public to avail themselves of services of financial institution and push them to place their money in banks.

He also noted that depositors need not worry when banks consolidate as they will ensure safety of deposits even if it will go through some transitions.

“When banks merge they will see to it that service to depositors will not be compromised,” he said.

Two large banks controlled by taipan Lucio Tan completed the merging of Philippine National Bank (PNB) and Allied Banking Corp. last month.

”Mergers and consolidation will further promote a positive image that we are a country that is financially healthy,” said Gesta.

Although, RCBC still has no firm plans for consolidations, Gesta disclosed that the private sector arm group of World Bank, the International Finance Corp. (IFC) has approved USD100 million in the common shares of RCBC to shore up the bank’s capital base in anticipation of the implementation of Basel III in 2014 and to increase lending to micro, small and medium enterprises and other under served communities.

Basel III is a global standard on banks’ financial health.

IFC currently owns USD50 million worth of shares or 6.7 percent of RCBC.

According to Gesta, IFC’s investment reflects its optimism and confidence on the bank as it focuses on expanding its financial products to better serve the community.

Cebu triathlon set on April 7

(PNA), FPV/ EB/MJT/BH

CEBU CITY, March 6 (PNA) -- The National Age Group Triathlon race set to be held at the Alegre Beach Resort, Sogod town in northern Cebu on April 7 will be the second Youth Olympics Games (YOG) qualifying race.

The Supertrikids Multi-Sports Festival on April 14 was supposed to be the YOG qualifier but it was cancelled due to disagreements between the organizers and the Ayala Alabang Village Association.

”The event on April 14 was supposed to be the second YOG but due to the cancellation, it gave us an idea to bring a YOG qualifier in Cebu,” Triathlon Association of the Philippines (Trap) youth developmental coach Melvin Fausto said.

Fausto said the race will attract the best young triathletes from all over the country who are vying for the 2014 YOG slots.

The 2014 YOG will be held in Nanjing, China, where triathlon will be making its debut race.

Trap executive director Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez said they usually hold this race in Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City but due to the growing number of participants, they decided to move it to Sogod, 6-5 kilometers north of Cebu City.

”We just started opening up a supertrikids division last year and now we have Justin and Yuan Chiongbian among the country’s top young triathletes,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said Justin Chiongbian, who is now among the top four contenders for the YOG slots, is one of the favorites to make it because he has achieved a lot in just one year.

Aside from Justin, the other contenders are Jimuel Patillan, Sixto Louie Llanto, OJ Nobles and Samuel Ranque.

Investment body says Cebu’s FDI at P6B monthly

(PNA), PDS/EB/BH

CEBU CITY, Mar. 5 (PNA) -- Foreign direct investments (FDIs) pour some P6 billion to Cebu’s economy each month, the Cebu Investment Promotions Center (CIPC) said.

CIPC managing director Joel Mari Yu said the amount does not include an estimated P1.6 billion brought about indirectly by businesses benefiting from these FDIs.

Yu said Cebu outperforms all other provinces in the country because of the presence of FDIs.

Yu cited figures from the Philippine Export Zone Authority (Peza) showing some P3.29 billion in wages being paid to employees in the manufacturing and information technology/business process outsourcing (IT/BPO) sectors in Cebu each month.

An additional P3.29 billion is estimated for maintenance and operating expenses, bringing to P6.5 billion the cash infused into the economy each month.

The presence of FDIs in Cebu allows for annual indirect employment of 202,150 due to an increase in number of support industries such as cafés and restaurants, boarding houses, apartments and condominiums, insurance, banks, bars, massage parlors, education, transport, shopping centers and malls.

The CIPC estimates that wages paid indirectly reach P1.6 billion a month.

The employment opportunities brought about by FDIs contribute to the purchasing power of Cebu’s residents.

Six manufacturing economic zones in Cebu exported a combined USD3.58 billion from 278 locators last year.

They employed 107,150 workers, figures from the Peza stated.

The IT-BPO sectors counted 139 locators based at the Cebu IT Park, Cebu Business Park, HVG IT Park and 52 IT buildings with an estimated 95,000 employees.

Mandaue City to tap teachers' help in tax collection

(PNA), LAP/EB/RE

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu, March 4 (PNA) -- The Mandaue City Treasurer’s Office is planning to tap public school teachers in collecting real property taxes.

Mandaue City Treasurer Regal Oliva said he will ask teachers to help his office send demand letters to property owners that have yet to pay their taxes.

Last December, Oliva said the city sent demand letters to about 3,000 real property owners.

The letters helped the city raise its collection to P258.3 million last year, an increase of 103 percent from 2011.

”The demand letters we sent to real property owners were a factor in the increase,” Oliva said.

Apart from real property, taxes the city was also able to increase its collection of business taxes. As of January 25, it collected P236 million, an increase of 26 percent from last year’s.

Despite the demand letters, some property owners have yet to settle their unpaid taxes.

Oliva said about 500 real property units are set for public auctions.

But owners can still save their properties from getting auctioned if they heed the final demand letters the city will send soon with the help of public school teachers.

Oliva said he decided to tap teachers because a portion of the real property taxes goes to the Special Education Fund, which is used to construct school buildings and pay for the salaries of teachers hired by the city.

Hundreds venerate St. Camillus’ heart in relic’s Cebu visit

By Ador Vincent S. Mayol (Reporter, Cebu Daily News)

FOR the first time, the heart of St. Camillus De Lellis visited Cebu for public veneration especially of the sick.

Placed in a glass case, the St. Camillus relic arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport last Friday. It was brought to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral where a welcome Mass was celebrated by Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Emilio Bataclan.

Hundreds of people lined up to touch the glass case containing the saint’s relics.

In an interview, Fr. Rolly Fernandez of the Order of the Ministries of the Infirm said St. Camillus’ heart was taken an hour after his death on July 14, 1614.

Fernandez said the heart, which is a “symbol of love” was then preserved.

“Why heart? Because he (Lellis) was loving and caring for the sick. Everyone should be reminded to love especially the sick,” he told reporters.

PATRON OF THE SICK

St. Camillus is the patron of the sick, hospitals, nurses, and healthcare workers.

“He saw in the sick his love for God. You have to see Christ in the sick,” Fernandez said.

From the cathedral, St. Camillus’ relics was brought to the Daughters of St. Camillus Convent Chapel in Talamban, Cebu City. It was later transported to the Daughters of St. Camillus Novitiate House and Night Vigil.

Yesterday, the relic was brought to the San Isidro Parish in Talamban before it was brought back to the airport.

Fernandez said the relic has visited Manila, Baguio, and Iloilo before it came to Cebu. He said it will remain in the country until March.

After the Philippines, the relic will be brought to Rome.

St. Camillus was born on May 25, 1550 at Bucchianico in Italy. He was the son of an impoverished nobleman. St. Camillus became a soldier.

However, he turned into a “incorrigible gambler.”

In 1575, he was converted to God and became a servant and later an assistant of St. James’ Hospital for incurables in Rome where he had been a patient with an ulcerated leg and rapture that impeded him his whole life.

St. Camillus was ordined priest in 1584 and obtained approval for the congregation of priests he foudned.

He devoted his life to hospital service. He insisted on the utmost care for both the soul and the body of his patients.

Though his health eventually worsened, he exhausted himself for charity.

St. Camillus died on July 14, 1614. He was canonized in 1746.

Cebu’s craftsmanship to help keep furniture industry afloat

By Ehda M. Dago-oc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The furniture export industry may continue to suffer from the shaky market abroad, but an international home furnishing designer believes that Cebu will be able to go through the challenging times, with its strong advantage in design and craftsmanship.

“Cebu has a special niche. It has an excellent craftsmanship, [sophisticated] design skill,” said Gregg Huettel, who has been working for international signature brands for furniture designing and engineering.

According to Huettel, the Philippines, specifically Cebu will continue to charm the discriminating home furnishing market in the world, with or without financial difficulties, as it has now moved from mass production, to personalized or customized products.

It is for this reason that Huettel, together with Cebuana wife Agnes Taborada-Huettel recently opened a retail outlet for luxury home furnishings in Cebu, mostly locally made, the “Allison Tyler Designs”, located at the Design Center building along A.S. Fortuna in Mandaue City.

In an interview with Huettel, he said that the 170 square-meter store, is design-driven furniture and home furnishing store will serve as the window for both local and foreign customers what Cebu has in terms of good furnishing products, and what Cebu’s craftsmanship can offer in terms of customized furniture making.

At present, the store is working with eight to 10 furniture makers in Cebu, and Huettel, whose other company Asian Link Design, does furniture and home furnishing design consultancy for signature brands like Ralph Lauren, among others, said local market is now coming in strong and customized furniture making is believed to be next “big thing” for the industry.

He said from the conventional mass production, now the market has moved to customized and personalized furniture making, wherein clients and posh boutique shops from all over the world work with the designer, and manufacturer according to their design preferences.

He reiterated that Cebu’s special niche in the furniture making, is no longer the “mass production’ style, but for personalized or customized boutique service.

Huettel believes that if furniture exporters will take this opportunity for market strategy twist, Cebu’s furniture making industry is going to thrive amid difficult and competitive environment.

The “Allison Tyler Designs” will not only sell and showcase unique and rare finds of luxury furniture and home furnishing, it also accepts services for personalized design for residential, commercial and institutional clients.

In fact, the company is up to partner with architects and interior designers in Cebu.

He said while the Philippines still has edge in the high-end furniture and home furnishing market in the world, the downtrend of the mass production demand for these type of products is also being saved by the growing number of Filipinos demanding for export-quality pieces of furniture.

“The Philippines’ middle class has emerged,” he said explaining that this development has kept the furniture making industry thrive, while the big markets in the world are still struggling.

“There is no project too big or too small to undertake,” he said.

Huettel’s design inclination is into "Biedermeier", a homey and cozy style of home furnishing. Globally, he said Cebu is known for its accent (home accessories), and that aside from promoting the high quality furniture designs made from Cebu, “Allison Tyler Designs” also boasts of the collectible pieces of home accessories made of exotic materials like sea-grass, among others.

Seminars and lectures mark start of fire prevention month

By Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Seminars and lectures will be held in the different barangays and establishments as the Mandaue City Fire Department marks the opening of Fire Prevention Month.

SFO3 Sherwin Porcia, chief of the Fire Safety Enforcement Section of the city fire department, said seminars and lectures remind people of the do’s and don’t’s in preventing fire and on what to do when a fire strikes.

He said this year’s theme is” Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan,Kalikasan ay Paghandaan,Nang Matamasa ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan.”

He said that at 4:00 a.m. today, there will be a ‘walk for fire free and fire safety nation’ in Cebu City.

It will be participated by different government employees.

Tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., a Mass at the Bureau of Fire in Mandaue will be held.

At 9:00 a.m., a program will follow. Mayor Jonas Cortes will be the guest speaker.

Porcia also encourages residents to watch the competition of Barangay Fire Olympic on March 23.

Barangay Tipolo, the champion last year, will be the officiating barangay during the competition.

During yesterday’s press conference, Porcia also encouraged the 24 barangays to procure their own fire truck.

“Akoa jud e-encourage ang mga barangay captain nga naa silay fire truck bisan ug mini tanker lang unta kay sila man gud ang naa didto ug sila jud ang mag ona ug response,” Porcia said.

At present, only barangays Tipolo, Paknaan, and Opao have fire trucks.

The Action Emergency and Rescue Team (ACERT) has a fire substation with one fire truck located in barangay Basak.

Having a fire truck in each barangay said Porcia is important.

“Sila baya duol sa ilang barangay maong nindot jud kong naa sila fire truck nga ilaha kay ang uban naa man pud,” Porcia added while pointing out that barangay Tipolo owns a supertanker while Paknaan and Opao own two mini-firetrucks.

Porcia said Mandaue needs three sub-stations to be placed in strategic locations.

He said sub-stations will be either in barangays Subangdaku, Banilad, or Cabancalan.

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