Cebu City News February 2018

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View of Cebu City from the bay
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Aerial View of Cebu City
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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.

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Cebu City Cathedral
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Magellan's Cross in Cebu City
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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.
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Mormon Temple Lahug cebu city philippines

Environmentalists, leaders converge for eco summit

By May B. Miasco (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City is set to host the country's biggest gathering that will tackle prominent issues confronting the environment.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) officials, executives of prominent environmental groups, national and local leaders are among those expected to attend the activity.

In a press release, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu is expected to report on the accomplishments and priorities of the agency as he will deliver his keynote address on the first day of the three-day summit.

“Hopefully, through this summit, our partners from Green Convergence and elsewhere will be guided by our priorities and find further impetus to contribute for the benefit of fellow Filipinos and the environment,” he said.

The national event is organized by DENR, in partnership with Green Convergence Philippines, which is a large coalition of environmental and developmental organizations, networks, faith-based groups and individuals campaigning for food safety, healthy environment and sustainable economy.

DENR announced recently that the second run of the summit will be held at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel from December 20 to 22.

This year’s theme carries, “Mainstreaming Innovations for Sustainable Development.”

Several officials and pro-environment advocates are also expected to gather coming from the religious and non-government organizations to civil society groups.

Among the resource speakers invited to the summit are Senator Grace Poe and Deputy Executive Secretary Bradnee Chambers of the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species.

Local leaders that are expected to attend are Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, who will welcome the delegates, and Angelina Galang from Green Convergence Philippines.

During the three-day summit, the mornings will consist of plenary sessions while five parallel breakout sessions are set in the afternoon.

On the second day, morning sessions include the talk of Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, Dean of St. Vincent School of Theology, on Pope Francis’ encyclical letter named “Laudato Si,” which is subtitled “On Care for Our Common Home.”

DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones, on the other hand, will discuss on the sustainable development goals of the agency, and the environmental aspects of the Philippine development plan.

Deputy Ombudsman Gerard Mosquera will present the many challenges in enforcing environmental laws, while Development Bank of the Philippines First Vice-President Paul Lazaro will tackle on financing environmental investments.

The last day of the summit will have Chambers and Poe taking the stage. Chambers will talk about migratory species and the impacts of climate change, while Poe will speak on the right of every Filipino to a safe environment and food.

A video message of former United States Vice President and now Climate Reality Project founder and chair Al Gore will be played, citing the significant strides in the climate change movement.

The summit will culminate with the symbolic signing of three partnership agreements, including the management of Butuanon River Watershed in Cebu.

The first environmental summit was held in Pasay City last 2016, wherein among the highlights were the discussions on “Laudato Si” and the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Cebu City turns 81 next week

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- Cebu City, dubbed the “Queen City of the South”, will celebrate its 81st Charter Day Anniversary on February 24.

Greggy Senados, of the Cebu City Public Information Office, said on Saturday that several activities have been lined up for this year’s celebration with the theme: "Cebu City @ 81: Tomorrow must be Better than Today".

Ushering in the celebration is the observance of “Arts Week” on February 19-22 at the historical Plaza Independencia.

“Arts Week” is spearheaded by the Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Office (CCCHAO).

The Cebu City Agriculture Department will also hold an awarding for Outstanding Farmers on February 21 at the Crown Regency Hotel as part of the Charter Day Anniversary celebration.

The "Serbisyong Sugbuanon" program, which brings the services of the Cebu city government closer to the people, will be held every last Friday of the month. On Feb. 23, it will be at the Plaza Sugbo fronting the Cebu City Hall.

The program is regularly held in the different barangays of Cebu City, but Mayor Tomas Osmeña decided to make it one of the highlights of the celebration and hold it in front of the City Hall this Friday, Senados said.

On the big day on February 24, there will be a thanksgiving mass, flag-raising ceremony, and parade and review in the morning at the Cebu City Hall.

The recognition of Young Sugbuanon Exemplary and Action-Driven Leaders (YOUSEAL) Awardees 2018 and Outstanding Cebu City Government Employees will immediately follow after the ceremonial activities at Plaza Sugbo.

The recognition program is being facilitated by the Cebu City Youth Affairs Office.

In the evening of February 24, the Awarding of Outstanding Individuals and Institutions as well as Posthumous Awardees with Testimonial Dinner will be hosted by the City at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Barangay Lahug.

The 81st Charter Day Anniversary celebration, which will be observed as a holiday in Cebu City, is spearheaded by the Office of the Mayor, CCCHAO, and the Department of Manpower Development and Placement.

The Municipality of Cebu, which was then under the Cebu Provincial Government, became an independent Chartered City known as “Cebu City” on February 24, 1937 by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 58.

Cebu was already considered a city during the Galleon Trade as it was then called “La Ciudad de Santissimo Nombre de Jesus,” or "The City of the Most Holy Name of Jesus," making Cebu as the oldest city in the Philippines.

120 kids with cleft lip, palate undergo free surgical repair

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — At least 120 indigent children with cleft palates, hare lips, and other facial deformities will soon be wearing perfect smiles.

These children are the beneficiaries of this year’s five-day Operation Smile Cebu Mission, which is sponsored by the Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Operation Smile and the Visayas Community Medical Center.

The free surgeries started Monday, February 12, and will end today, February 16. The operation usually costs from P70,000 to P100,000 each.

This is the 20th annual mission of MSYCF starting in 1998 in Cebu City. Over 5,000 children with cleft lips and cleft palates benefited from the medical mission.

Carla Yeung Mckowen, who represented her mother, Mariquita, in a recent press conference, said helping kids with facial deformities is always fulfilling as it can help lead them to a brighter future.

She assured the medical mission will continue so long as there are kids suffering from such facial deformities.

"We will always be here and we will always continue to help, whatever it takes. Our support is endless," she said.

An international team of plastic surgeons, pediatricians, nurses, anesthesiologists, dentists, and speech pathologists are leading the free reconstructive surgeries.

DepEd receives computer equipment from BPOs

By Carmel Loise Matus (clm/PIA-7)

CEBU CITY (PIA7) --- Seven schools in Cebu received the initial batch of computer units from the business process outsourcing (BPO) companies based here in this city.

This is part of the Malasakit Tech2Teach program which provides computer units to public schools in far-flung areas to help implement the Department of Education (DepEd) computer education program.

According to Engr. Roberto Varquez, consultant of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV), these schools were pre-identified by DepEd.

He said this initiative came up after they learned that the BPO companies change their computer units from time to time and it ended up being unused.

"We found it sayang. Workable pa ang units. OPAV thought of utilizing this," he told reporters in an interview.

DepEd has identified the end-users as those that are in Grade levels 4, 5, and 6 since computerization program of the department is limited only to high school.

Varquez revealed that elementary schools are only provided with six computer units for their use.

The seven schools in Central Visayas are among the 20 schools initially identified by OPAV to become recipients.

Varquez said they intend to give 1,000 units for the first phase and another 1,000 units for the following year.

On Monday afternoon, the DepEd Central Visayas Regional Director Juliet Jeruta received the initial computer units from companies Tech Mahindra, Qualfon, and Accenture in a ceremonial turnover done in the presence of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Cabinet officials including DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones.

New MOA gives City access to Seoul’s transport knowhow

(RTF)

FOR the next two years, Cebu City Government will be working together with the Metropolitan Government of Seoul, South Korea to promote exchanges and cooperation on transportation policy and improvement.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Seoul Assistant Mayor for Transportation Goh Hong Seog will signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last Friday.

Under the MOU, both cities shall share information and technology in the field of smart transportation systems.

This will include, but not be limited to, Seoul’s sharing of information on its experience on urban transportation management and operations.

The MOU also covers sharing of information and technology on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), bus depot, transport card system and automatic fare charging system.

In an interview prior to the MOU signing, City Administrator Nigel Paul Villarete said no transfer of money is involved in the agreement.

He added that the outline of the Seoul-Cebu policy exchange will include a feasibility study on the implementation of an internal transport system in the South Road Properties (SRP) and improving Cebu’s terminals.

“They are interested in how to assist Cebu City, particularly in the internal transport system of SRP. The SRP will be the location of the Call Center City (the mayor wants to establish). SRP is also around 300 hectares so a transport system will be efficient.”

As for the terminals, Villarete said both the City and Provincial Government have expressed interest in relocating the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT). The CSBT is currently operating on N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City. The Mandaue City Government is also interested in managing the Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT), which is located in Barangay Subangdaku.

“But I think we need to have a thorough study on where the terminals should be in consideration of the traffic demand 10 to 20 years from now,” Villarete said.

Another aspect that the City will also look into is delivering cargo and packages from any part of the province to Cebu City. Discussions on Cebu’s BRT and Seoul’s version of the transport system are also being made.

2nd Cebu Property Expo to launch on February 23

(PR)

The Country's Largest Real Estate Show in the Queen City of the South, the 2nd Cebu Property Expo (CPE), is set to launch on February 23, 2018, at Cebu Trade Hall, SM City Cebu. The event will run for three days at the Cebu Trade Hall, SM City Cebu where top property developers and home suppliers in the Philippines and in Cebu will all be showcased.

Recognized as the premier destination of business outside Metro Manila, Cebu has undergone a significant transformation in the last few years in the Real Estate Industry. Property values have been on an upswing as Cebu transformed its skyline with large-scale residential, commercial, retail and hotel developments. Leisure activities supporting Cebu’s businesses are also in place to entice a broader range of visitors and tourists, said report of Colliers Philippines.

With the tagline “Find All Things Real Estate in the Queen City of the South”, the event will feature over 40 exhibitors with more than 70 Real Estate Projects and Home Suppliers, Real Estate Brokerage Firms, Real Estate Marketing Agencies, Property Investment Firms and Consultancies, Vacation Membership Clubs, Home and Office Furniture, Construction Suppliers, Home Technology Solutions, Real Estate Online Portals and is expected to be visited by over 5,000 visitors.

The event will also host the 2nd Cebu Property Summit (CPS) that will feature 10 Speakers from the Real Estate Industry. CPS is the premier real estate conference and networking event for Real Estate Professionals, to be held on February 23, 2018 (Friday) from 10:00am-06:30pm at the Cebu Trade Hall, Meeting Rooms A-C, 3rd Level, SM City Cebu, Cebu City.

The 2nd Cebu Property Expo is sponsored by Miparo Philippines; Utilisun Solar International; Aboitiz Construction; Step Philippine Inc.; and Benchmark. Other participating brands are Robinsons Land, Grand Land, Alveo Land, King Properties, Vista Residences, Vestahomes, Softouch Property Development Corporation, E. Ganzon, Total 2000 Corporation, Eurobrass Products, Agro-Macro Development Corporation, JLF Craft & Accessories, Green Grace Success, Mobe, CH Perez Bros Consultancy Corporation, Limbros Realty Development Corporation, Wacker Machines Supplies Corporation, Realty Beacon Philippines Incorporated, and RBG Philippines.

To secure your free entrance ticket, register online at www.cebupropertyexpo.com

Like Cebu Property Expo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cebupropertyexpo

For exhibition or sponsorship inquiries contact David Abrenilla at +63-2-509-4792, +63-927-395-1575 or email david@cebupropertyexpo.com.

Discounted offers at Quest Hotel Cebu

By Christine Joice C. Cudis

WITH a lot of stuff going on in Davao City today, taking a break from the hullabaloos is much needed and if we are looking for adventure and relaxation but still feels like home, we all have one favorite place to go, that's Cebu. This time though, it won't be expensive because one of Cebu City's premium hotel offers discounts for the 9th Davao Mega Travel Sale.

This is the best time to book a reservation as the Quest Hotel Cebu offers deals that's sure to save you a lot and give you comfort during your stay in the Queen City of the South.

If you're planning to go on summer, their Hello Summer deal is what you're looking for. The package, which runs from March 15 to June 30, includes buffet breakfast at Puso Bistro & Bar, recently recognized as Cebu’s Best Buffet Breakfast venue and a complimentary cocktail at the pool bar during the stay. And here's the catch, if you book for a minimum of two-night stay, you just bought yourself a chance to win a three-day and two-night stay in Bali, Indonesia! *You can freak out now*

Another deal you want to note is the Q Madness promotion, which runs from June to September. It offers three days and two nights stay in a Deluxe Room with three passes on the breakfast buffet, one pass for lunch or dinner, and a free in-room massage.

For more information on their discounted offers and promotions, visit Quest Hotel Cebu’s booth on February 16 to 18 at the Abreeza Ayala Mall's activity area from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more inquiries, you may also email cebuinfo@questhotelsandresorts.com.

Be sure to plan ahead this early for a guaranteed stress-free vacation. And hurry, while slots last!

Chinese fine art and feasts at SM Seaside City Cebu

By Chelzee G. Salera

THE Chinese New Year begins with a bang at SM SEASIDE CITY CEBU as the mall opens its doors for prosperity and good fortune, which the mall hopes to share.

The highlight of this season is the exhibit of 240 lanterns and more than a hundred scrolls by the Chan Lim family of artists and students from Feb. 11 to 24 at the Mountain Wing atrium.

To open the event, there will be a free Chan Lim painting workshop on Feb. 11 at 4 p.m.

To learn more about the exhibit, here are 10 interesting facts about it.

1. To date, 5,040 people have participated in the Chan Lim free painting workshops at SM Supermalls around the country.

2. Thirty Chan Lim painting exhibits have been held at SM Supermalls throughout the Philippines.

3. The longest running Chan Lim painting exhibits were held in SM City North Edsa and SM City East Ortigas. Both malls hosted the exhibit for 29 days.

4. SM Mall of Asia and SM Lanang Premier have each hosted the painting exhibit five times.

5. SM Lanang Premier has hosted 600 participants at a Chan Lim painting workshop.

6. The most number of Chan Lim artworks on display was 340 pieces in SM Lanang Premier.

7. The largest Chan Lim indoor promotional banner measuring 35 feet x 10 feet went on display at SM City General Santos.

8. Forty-three artists participated in the 2017 SM City North Edsa Chan Lim painting exhibit.

9. The fastest set-up time for a Chan Lim painting exhibit was 90 minutes when 239 paintings were set-up in SM SEASIDE CITY CEBU.

10. It was at a painting exhibit in SM Megamall where the Chan Lim group exhibited the most variety of art forms.

Aside from the aesthetic feast that the Chan Lim family exhibit will provide, a delicious banquet awaits guests in SM SEASIDE CITY CEBU because of the varied food outlets that offer the best of Chinese cuisine in the City. Among the Chinese restaurants that one must try are TIM HO WAN, DIMSUM BREAK, SHABU-SHABU ICHIBAN, YAKIMIX (Chinese food offerings), MAJESTIC and HARBOUR CITY.

With this sampling of excellent Chinese restaurants, shoppers can welcome the Chinese New Year of happiness and good fortune. One can also check out the Chinese charms in FRIGGA to attract good luck in the New Year.

Whether it’s delicious food, inspiring artworks, fun events or beautiful fashion finds, there is always something worthwhile for everyone and every type of celebration at SM SEASIDE CITY CEBU.

Firm segregation policy to reduce waste in city

(RVC)

LESS garbage is expected in Cebu City next month when the “no segregation, no collection” policy will be strictly imposed, an official said.

Department of Public Services (DPS) Assistant Department Head John Paul Gelasque said the policy is really helpful when it comes to reducing the daily collection of garbage in the entire city.

“It’s really a big help because aside from discipline, it will also reduce the garbage because when it’s segregated, fewer waste will be thrown to the landfill because people can recycle the others,” he said.

But for the City to effectively enforce it, Gelasque said that the Cebu City Environment Office (CCENRO) should be strict in checking areas and apprehending violators.

By reducing the tons of trash that will be dumped to the landfill, Gelasque said the City will also spend less for its hauling services.

Gelasque said daily collection rate of garbage is now at 600 tons minimum.

For his part, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the City Government is trying all means to address concerns on garbage in the city, including the “no segregation, no collection” policy.

Earlier, CCENRO Executive Head Nida Cabrera said that the City will strictly imposed the policy, which has been in existence since 2011, next month.

The policy is under City Ordinance (CO) 2031 (solid waste segregation at source) and CO 1361, which provides for the issuance of citations to those caught urinating, spitting, littering, defecating in public places, and not following the correct schedule for garbage collection.

Violators will have to pay P500 as a compromise fee and render community service for 1 to 6 months, or the court may also order jail time.

DigiBayanihan opens center of excellence

By Mark Roland A. Romas (USJ-R Intern, /FPL, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — To improve the quality of life in Central Visayas through technology and innovation, DigiBayanihan inaugurated yesterday its first ever Center of Excellence at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) compound in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City.

DigiBayanihan is an initiative of the international non-government organization, Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), aimed at providing digital literacy and digital citizenship to the community. The program is also supported by Google.ph.

ASSIST has been in the Philippines for 15 years and has a goal of ?improving social dimensions of the Filipinos by respecting environment thru doing sustainable transformation in communities.

The organization also has ?offices in Vietnam, India, Cambodia and projects in Nepal, Myanmar and Indonesia.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and DOST-7 director Edilberto Paradela led the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Labella said the city government is also supporting the initiative.

"There is no reason for the city of Cebu not to support the system," he said.

He said the DigiBayanihan will help the Cebuanos, most especially the young people, to be involved in entrepreneurship.

Paradela said the DOST is thankful for DigiBayanihan because this will help them in addressing the need of advancement of technology in all aspects of life in the region.

"In partnership and completion of this program, we can further enhance our mission of bringing science and technology for better lives of the Cebuanos and the rest of Central Visayas," he said.

He said that this kind of partnership will help them motivate the Filipinos to stay in the country instead of going abroad.

"We want to involve the marginalized or poor in doing business so that they have opportunity to stay and remain in their place," he said.

"This is one way of improving the quality of education in the region, making them excel among fellow youth in the country," he added.

ASSIST managing director Sreenivas Narayanan; DigiBayanihan partnership consultant Nimfa Alo; and program manager Mary Ann Mendoza were also present during the ceremony. Narayanan said that currently, DigiBayanihan has two contents that would help young people.

First is Career Engine, a social platform designed to prepare graduating college students to be ready in the industry through training videos and downloadable supplementary materials for them to develop the appropriate mindset in looking for the right career.

Second is Test Hero, it is an online test reviewing portal which enables the high school students to practice their ability in answering critical questions. It is aimed at democratizing education by making its content free, comprehensive, and accessible to all.

He said the direct impact of the program in the Visayas region includes the improvement of quality of education, providing trainings to communities and schools, and helping young individuals get easily employed.

According to Narayanan, they are aiming to build six Centers of Excellence in Visayas and Mindanao to reach to the grassroots community.

They are also planning to conduct capacity building certification trainings to its content users, public library staff, teachers and other community members that advocate the same goal in order to have a domino effect in the region.

CCSC free summer grassroots training to start April 9

By Ray Charlie Diaz

SUMMER is fast approaching and desiring young athletes are in for a big treat as the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) will be commencing their annual Free Summer Grassroots Training Program this coming April 9.

CCSC chairman Ed Hayco said they are expecting around 10,000 to participate in the different sports clinics of the CCSC.

“So far, 500 coaches and trainers volunteered to help in the program,” Hayco said.

There will be 22 to 24 public schools gyms in the urban barangays that will be chosen to host these clinics. But CCSC has yet to finalize which barangays will be chosen. He said they will come up with the list a couple of weeks from now.

Those who can join are those aged six to 18 years.

The program features 24 sports clinics including arnis, archery, badminton, taekwondo, dancesport, karatedo, futsal, wushu, sepak takraw, table tennis, lawn tennis, beach volleyball, air rifle shooting, chess, track and field, weightlifting, touch rugby, softball/ baseball, boxing, scrabble, pencak silat, volleyball, gymnastics, and muay thai.

“We may be adding one or two more sports but we still have to finalize that,” Hayco added.

City to enforce segregation policy firmly

(RTF)

STARTING next month, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) will apprehend persons caught violating the “no segregation, no collection” policy.

CCENRO Executive Head Nida Cabrera said the policy has been in existence since 2011, but it stopped three years later due to “poor” enforcement.

A former city councilor, Cabrera said the changes in the past administration may have contributed to the development.

She lamented that she became inactive in the Solid Waste Management Board after a new body, Gubat sa Basura, was established and headed by incumbent Councilor Edu Rama.

But this time, Cabrera assured that the policy will be strictly enforced and will be more successful since the barangays have been working with CCENRO in educating the public.

If the policy is enforced, the City is expected to get rid of around 20 to 30 tons of garbage from the 600 tons it collects daily.

“With cooperation sa mga barangay, ma- successful ta kay dapat sila man una nga mo- implement. Although we have a problem on collection we will still continue using education campaign and enforcement,” she said.

Since last month, CCENRO and the barangay environmental officers (BEO) in Carreta, Sta. Cruz, Lahug, Pasil, Day-as, Kalubihan and Pasil, among others, have been putting up tarpaulins in their area on the guidelines of the policy.

The policy is under City Ordinance (CO) 2031 (solid waste segregation at source) and CO 1361, which provides for the issuance of citations to those caught urinating, spitting, littering, defecating in public places, and not following the correct schedule for garbage collection.

It prohibits the disposal of trash in public places and the non-segregation of garbage into residual, non-biodegradable, biodegradable and special waste.

Biodegradable garbage includes food waste, fish guts and paper, while non-biodegradable trash include plastics, cans and styrofoam.

Residual waste, on the other hand, include rags and diapers. Special waste include batteries, gadgets, bulbs and broken appliances.

It also prohibits the disposal of trash outside the scheduled time of collection and throwing garbage outside five meters of the household and/or establishment’s gate.

Penalties include a P500 compromise fee and a community service of 1 to 6 months, or imprisonment, depending on the court decision.

Sought for comment, Association of Barangay Councils president Philip Zafra said they welcome the development as a positive measure in solid waste management.

“Nindot kaayo na. That’s what we really need to do. I just would like to appeal to Cabrera to let the BEOs report to us for the efficient enforcement of environmental and solid waste management law,” he told SunStar Cebu.

Forum on anti-life issues starts in Cebu

By Calvin D. Cordova

Cebu City — The first of a series of forums that will discuss issues deemed as anti-life started Saturday with Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza, Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar, Atty. Gloria Dalawampu, Atty. Magdalena Lepiten and Atty. Democrito Barcenas, as speakers.

Some 150 participants attended the Christian Citizen’s Forum held at the Summit Circle Hotel in Fuente Osmeña in uptown Cebu City.

The forum was organized by Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer, country director of Human Life International Inc.

“This is an offshoot of the guidelines and the challenge of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. In their recent plenary meeting in Cebu City, the CBCP urged the public to discern, debate and reflect on current issues,” said Bullecer.

Topics discussed in the forum were the bill seeking to legalize the medical use of marijuana, divorce and same-sex marriage.

Bullecer said the forum was held in coordination with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

In a statement, Palma said that with the increase of fake news and propaganda, many have already been deceived. Many believe and have taken into consideration the things that would destroy life, family, and faith. “This forum will be our effort to open our eyes once again to the truth about these realities,” Palma said.

Similar forums will be held in Tagbilaran City, Cagayan de Oro City and Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, Bullecer announced that a prayer rally will be held in this city on Feb. 24 “invoking the protection of marriage and spare the country from godless, anti-church bills.”

In the forum Atienza, a known pro-life advocate, vowed to oppose a bill authored by 1st District Rep. Rodolfo Albano II that seeks to legalize and regulate the medical use of marijuana.

“The state of this bill is in limbo. I am sure that this bill is 99 percent dead,” said Atienza in his talk dubbed as “Medical Marijuana: High-yahaya?”

“The effect of the marijuana is just to provide pain relief. It’s not a medicine. Why forced marijuana? Unless you have a plantation and make money out of it,” said Atienza.

Atienza also vowed that bills considered as anti-life will be blocked in the Congress.

Divorce is now being revived, abortion is now being talked about, but we will make sure these anti-life measures will not prosper, said Atienza.

The proposed charter change was also discussed in the forum.

‘Guardian’ now on app store

By Odessa O. Leyson (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The residents of Cebu City’s four barangays can now use the “Guardian,” an emergency mobile application for faster response operations.

Barangays Apas, Tisa, Sto. Niño, and Poblacion Pardo have been chosen as the pilot areas for the Guardian, a dispatch and civilian reporting system developed by software firm SugboTek Inc.

Of the city’s 80 villages, the four barangays were chosen based on their active and already established response teams and command centers.

Cloyd Dedicatoria, president and chief executive officer of SugboTek, said the application can now be downloaded for free on App Store and Google Play.

In fact, a test run for the application was conducted on January 21 in time for the Sinulog Grand Parade. However, it was not fully utilized due to signal shutdown.

The system allows cellphone or mobile device users to report incidents online. Under the system, people can choose between three basic types of incidents: fire, medical emergency and crimes. They also have an option to report other minor incidents like public disturbance. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

Three days after it was available for download, barangay responders from Apas used the application during the fire incident in a densely populated area Sitio Baca on January 23. The fire injured one person and razed 12 houses. The damage to property was estimated at P400,000.

Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said the village is using the app to improve the operations of its command center. “Nakig tie-up ta ani to level up the command center, and to further enhance sa responding capability of the responders,” he said. He said the system is not meant to overshadow the city’s Command Control Center, but rather to complement the existing system.

Barangay emergency responders underwent seminars in November last year to familiarize the features of the app and to study how the system works.

To disseminate its functions to the public, SugboTek will hold an information drive on the emergency application.

Dedicatoria said they target to get at least 200,000 Guardian app users next month. Once the user reports the incident, the app will then automatically look for the nearest barangay- or city-based command center or response team based on the user’s location.

It will then contact the nearest command center or team and the user who reported the incident can talk and discuss the details of the complaint.

The conversation can also be done via video call so responders can have better grasp of the incident.

Aside from emergency purposes, he said, the application can also be used in sending public advisories, such as power and water service interruptions.

New lending firm in Cebu City

(PR)

A NEWLY opened lending firm is offering loans to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), salaried employees and teachers at a low interest rate of 2.5 percent.

SanHecBro Lending Inc. offers salary, business and personal loans and aims to help out individuals in immediate need of cash through a legitimate system under certain requirements.

Hector Sanchez, a US-based member of the SanHecBro board, said the loan requirements are not stringent as SanHecBro puts premium on the lender’s payment capacity.

SanHecBro is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

It holds business office at the OCS Lending Annex Building on C. Padilla and R. Padilla Streets in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City.

Cebu City to host regional Prisaa meet on Feb 17-18

By Mars G. Alison

CEBU City will be hosting this year’s regional meet of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Sports Foundation Inc. on February 17 and 18 in various venues here.

Winners of the 17th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) will be representing Cebu City against athletes from Bohol. Dumaguete will once again not be able to send representatives.

The meet will feature collegiate and the secondary competition.

The two-day multi-sporting event will have 16 sports to be contested in the collegiate division. These are athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, chess, dancesport, football, karatedo, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, weightlifting and volleyball. The secondary division will only have four sporting events — athletics, basketball, swimming and weightlifting.

Most of the venues were finalized in a meeting headed by Dr. Danilo Villadolid, the technical head committee.

The Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) will be hosting eight of the sporting events namely athletics, badminton, boxing, dancesport, football, swimming, sepak takraw and taekwondo.

The University of San Carlos (USC) will be the venue for basketball, chess and tentatively of volleyball.

Another tentative venue for volleyball is the Basak campus of the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R). The same venue will host the karatedo competition.

Table tennis and weightlifting will be held at the University of Cebu (UC) gym, beach volleyball at the Plaza Independencia and tennis at the Citigreen Tennis Resort Cebu.

The bulk of Cebu City’s representatives will come from USC while the rest will come from UV, USJ-R, UC, University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), and the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.

CESAFI athletes have gone on to represent Central Visayas in the PRISAA national tournament as they have never been defeated in the regional level.

Should they once again rule the regional meet, Central Visayas will be gunning for its fifth PRISAA overall title.

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