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==DOST says separate ICT body unnecessary==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=839991
*Monday, August 20, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Amid the call of the Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) stakeholders in urging the government to create a body to govern the booming sectors, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), on the other hand, reiterated its position that creating a Department of Communication and Information Technology (DICT) is not necessary.
DOST secretary Mario G. Montejo said that since the DOST has the competence and experience to uphold the interest of the ICT sector, it may not be necessary to install another department to oversee the sector.
Earlier, the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) emphasized that a separate department to handle the sector will give boost to the country’s big revenue contributor.
NCIP chairperson Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said that the Philippines should install a DICT, as it has already taken off as one of the world’s top outsourcing destination, otherwise, this opportunity will be wasted.
“The growth of the ICT sector is not the ‘handiwork’ of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It’s a natural evolution brought about by the cooperation of the stakeholders,” said Sigue in an attempt to convince the administration the importance of setting up a DICT, instead of putting it under the umbrella of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) via the implementation of Executive Order 47.
“We owe it to you [stakeholders] to consult you on your concerns. We will try to fix them and hopefully reverse the process,” said Llamas.
The Executive Order issued by the President last year was signed to transfer the former Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT), under the shelter of DOST. This move has disappointed the ICT stakeholders all over the country, specifically that there was no consultation held with the players.
“The executive order 47 downgraded the value and underestimated the importance of ICT as tool for a digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive and prosperous society where everyone has reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines and a government that practices accountability and excellence to provide responsive online citizen-centered services and a thriving knowledge economy through public-private partnership,” stakeholders said in an earlier official appeal to the President.
The group further said that the implementation of the EO has unjustly overlooked the effectiveness of CICT as an adviser and channel of sound government ICT policies for the last ten years, along with its accomplishments that surpassed the expectations of the ICT community, despite of its budget, which is a pittance compared to the other existing government agencies, which have no clear-cut directions and “no accomplishments to show.”
The group reiterated that by scrapping the CICT, EO 47 has derailed plans to fast track development and provide opportunities for investment and jobs to other regions in the country.
==DENR eying tree surgery for ‘defective’ century trees==
*Source:http://cdn.ph/news_details.php?id=14488
*Sunday, August 19, 2012
:By Jessa J. Agua (Correspondent)
If earth-balling is too costly, maybe “tree surgery” can be used to save eight century-old acacia trees in Naga city identified as “defective” among a series of 130 trees lining both sides of the road.
This option is being studied, said Eddie Llamedo, spokesman of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7.
“In tree surgery and treatment, cavities from branches and trunk will be scraped off and its immediate surrounding ground cemented when necessary,” he said.
Compared to earth balling which can cost up to P1 million per tree, tree surgery would only cost about P10,000, he said.
The DENR 7 will also conduct “ground verification” to check the complaint of a Cebu citizens group that a second heritage tree, not just one, was cut down near CEMEX in Naga City where road widening is underway.
“We have not yet received a copy of the letter of the Movement for a Livable Cebu. Nevertheless, we will send the Community Environment and Natural Resources (Cenro) Cebu City office to make ground verification of their claim that another tree was cut,” Llamedo told Cebu Daily News.
Since Monday and Tuesday are non-working holidays, Cenro officials will do this on Wednesday.
The inspection team to be led by Cenro Cebu City chief Felimon Embalzado, Jr. will check if the tree is among nine century-old acacia trees certified to be hazardous and defective in a May 2012 inventory by the DENR. One such tree was confirmed cut without a permit from the environment department last July 13.
DENR Regional Executive Director Isabelo Montejo earlier ordered a status quo and reassessment of trees, which include narra, neem and fruit-bearing species, that would be affected by expansion work of the the Naga – Carcar highway.
“Results of the reassessment conducted last August 4 – 10 will be available next week after Montejo reviews it,” Llamedo said.
An application to cut the trees from the Dept. of Public Works and Highways is pending with the office of the Environment Secretary in Manila.
The old trees along the South Cebu road were planted by the public works department in 1915 on orders of then Cebu governor Dionisio Jakosalem.
==Cebu Capitol gives financial aid for women empowerment ==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=12&rid=447729
*Saturday, August 18, 2012
:(PNA)
CEBU CITY, Aug. 18 (PNA) -- The Cebu provincial government gave a total of P633,500 in financial assistance to different municipalities and cities in Cebu for the Grameen for Women Empowerment Now (Gwen) project at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) Friday.
The Day Care Workers Symposium was also held at the CICC, which was attended by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd District) and Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Teddy Casiño.
The women, solo parents and barangay health workers of towns and cities led by their mayors received the financial assistance.
A total of P275,000 was given to the women’s groups of six towns.
Carmen got a check worth P94,000, Boljoon and Alcantara received a check worth P45,000 each. Sibonga and Balamban received a check worth P76,000 and P15,000, respectively.
Solo parents from Liloan received P186,500. The City of Talisay and the town of Carmen got P92,500 and P45,000, respectively.
The barangay health workers from Dumanjug received a check worth P34,500.
==Talisay still remembers founding day as a town ==
*Source:http://cdn.ph/news_details.php?id=14461
*Friday, August 17, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government continues to commemorate its founding day as a town.
Mayor Socrates Fernandez yesterday led the 176th founding anniversary as a municipality at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sta. Teresa de Avila.
The church, located in barangay Poblacion, is considered to be part of Cebu’s heritage.
It is also where the old municipal hall is situated.
The original church was made of finely-cut coral stones but was heavily damaged in 1945 by the United States during aerial bombings. 
It was restored in 1950 under the watch of then Fr. Teofilo Camomot who went on to become the archbishop of Cagayan de Oro before he died in 1988. 
The church has five altars, including the main altar, all of which are gilded.
Unlike in the previous years, Fernandez did not issue an executive order declaring it as non-working holiday for city hall employees.
The event started with a Holy Mass, which was followed by the opening of photo exhibits which showcase the city’s pride: its heritage and local delicacies.
In an interview with reporters, public information officer Arturo Bas said there used to be a move to stop the celebration of Talisay’s founding day anniversary, considering that it is already a city.
But there are still people, even officials, who still prefer to celebrate the day, hence, every year, even after it was declared a city in the late 2000, the celebration of its founding day anniversary has continued.
Talisay was converted into a city in late 2000, but had opted to celebrate its charter day anniversary every January 12.
Talisay, through a bill authored by first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas, which turned into RA 8979, became a city in December 2000.
Gullas was its first city mayor after being elected into office in the May 2001 elections.
From P68 million it used to get as its internal revenue allotment, Talisay now gets more than P300 million as its share of the national income.
This is on top of its income of about P100 million it gets from local revenues.
==Cebu fastcraft cleared to sail as weather improves ==
*Source:http://cdn.ph/news_details.php?id=14461
*Thursday, August 16, 2012
:By Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua (Correspondent) with an Inquirer report
FASTCRAFT operators were cleared to resume travel after Coast Guard detachments reported improved sea conditions yesterday.
Tropical Storm “Helen” weakened slightly after it made landfall in the coastal town of Palanan in Isabela yesterday.
The storm should be out of the country by noon Thursday, Pagasa said.
The same advisory was received by their office yesterday morning, Cebu Coast Guard commander Rolando Punzalan Jr. said, along with feedback from their detachments showing better weather conditions at sea.
Strong southwest monsoon winds triggered big waves that led to the suspension of fastcraft trips mostly heading for Bohol province last Tuesday afternoon.
Nine vessels with multiple scheduled trips were prevented from sailing last Tuesday. Seven others were held before the ban was lifted at 9 a.m yesterday.
“Even if we see the vessel can reach its destination safely, we had to advise trip cancellation because passenger convenience is our top priority,” Punzalan said.
The commander said vessel captains are often pressured by the riding public as well as their management so they tend to proceed despite rough seas and poor weather.
“We understand they normally push beyond the safety borderline into risk. Next to risk is already accident. This is where the Coast Guard comes in. We create a safety margin especially for the passengers,” he said.
Advisories are sent to media and shipping companies every three hours to keep the public posted on cancelled trips.
==DTI-7 to help boost Cebu's souvenir industry==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=838268
*Wednesday, August 15, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) is set to intensify the development of the souvenir industry across Central Visayas to empower the players in the industry and take advantage of the opportunity offered by the growing tourism sector.
DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte said the department has existing programs that are designed to help the souvenir industry players
She said DTI’s product development programs is being tweaked for the souvenir makers. In fact, it is now becoming a niche for the GTH (Gifts, Toys and Houseware) makers, including exporters.
DTI Cebu provincial director Nelia Navarro likewise said that development programs for the souvenir industry are also being incorporated in the existing programs under DTI such as the SPIN or Subcontracting Partners for Innovation, and the LinCs or the learning/sharing session on Leveraging Industries.
Both Caberte and Navarro vowed to intensify the development of the souvenir industry in Cebu and through the region.
Cebu as the tourism capital should have a good and strong souvenir industry, Navarro said.
Professionalizing and developing the souvenir making sector has been the far-cry of some successful souvenir companies, such as the Cebuano owned Island Souvenirs Incorporated.
Island’s Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jay Aldeguer said in an interview that this sleeping giant-industry should be given utmost attention by the government, in terms of providing capacitating mechanism to empower the small or micro players in the industry.
“My observation is that the souvenir, not only in the Philippines but even internationally, is perceived as a cottage-type industry. It hasn’t evolved into anything," Aldeguer said in an earlier interview.
Aldeguer believes that there is huge potential in the souvenir business, especially in tourism hotspots like Cebu.
About 80 percent of the tourism spending goes to souvenirs. The Philippines generates an average of P31-million tourism-related revenues.
If proper support can be given to the players, directing them to higher business perspective, the souvenir industry in Cebu could become one of the largest industries.
The Philippines, although its tourism industry is maturing, support industries especially the tourism retail sector should go with the maturity of the industry, in such that prices of goods shall have uniform prices, regardless of who is buying, he stressed.
Navarro said that aside from developing other sub-sectors in the creative sector, such as visual, music, advertising, graphic design, film, architecture, the souvenir industry will also be given attention.
==Mandaue coop office wins "gawad parangal" award==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=837927
*Tuesday, August 14, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Flor Perolina (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City Cooperative Development Office has won a national “Gawad Parangal” award from the Cooperative Development Office and will be expected to receive it from President Noynoy Aquino during the national cooperative summit on October 10 in Cagayan de Oro City.
Felipe Deri, OIC-director of Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) said the Mandaue cooperative office has been given a certificate stating, “award of recognition to Mandaue City Cooperative Development office for being the 2012 Cooperative Development Authority Gawad Parangal Awardee for LGU-Cooperative Development office category in Central Visayas region.”
According to Deri the award given to Mandaue is good as a national award and will receive the plaque during separate regional and national awarding ceremonies.
The award, the first of its kind, is initiated by new CDA chairman Emmanuel Santiaguel under his 3-point agenda which includes: mainstreaming cooperative membership; human resource development, both internal and external; and, giving of awards and incentives.
Deri said under the new program only accredited training service providers are allowed to conduct cooperative trainings and Mandaue City Cooperative Development Office is already accredited after it passed the requirements.
Other categories of the award: large cooperative, medium, small and micro cooperatives.
“I am elated upon being informed of the award, it is because the present administration of Mayor Jonas Cortes, supported by the council, has seen the problems confronting the cooperative sector and has implemented programs that address these problems,” said lawyer Ernesto Maringuran, head of the cooperative office.
==Gwen gives P500T for Dinagat-Bakasi Festival==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=837573
*Monday, August 13, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday gave P500,000 to Cordova town during its Dinagat-Bakasi Festival.
Garcia, who is running for senator under the United Nationalists Alliance (UNA) in next year’s polls, also took the opportunity of a jam-packed gymnasium to ask not to be forgotten as she fights to become the first woman senator from Cebu.
Garcia’s brother, Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, was with the governor at the affair. Pablo John is slated to replace his sister as governor.
The festival, which featured 13 contingents coming from the town’s different barangays, appeared like a political rally with streamers and paraphernalia from the political figures seen all over the venue.
Aside from the Garcias, former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar and Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casiño also graced the event.
Villar and Casiño are also set for the senatorial race.
Villar, in her speech, said that a festival like Dinagat-Bakasi is one way to showcase the potential of a place that would attract tourists.
“Ang festival ay nagsilbing paanyaya sa mga tao lalo na ang mga dayuhan na bumisita rito at i-explore at i-experience ang mga bagay, lugar, pagkain, kultura, aktibidad, events katulad ng Dinagat-Bakasi Festival at iba pa na mayroon dito sa Cordova,” Villar said.
Bakasi or a saltwater eel is reportedly an aphrodisiac, which is abundant in the municipality’s 3,500-hectare foreshore land, especially in Barangay Buagsong.
==Pope may promote Cebu, Manila prelates==
*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/248233/pope-may-promote-cebu-manila-prelates
*Sunday, August 12, 2012 10:45 am
:(INQUIRER, Cebu Daily News)
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma is one of two Philippine prelates being eyed as candidates to be named cardinal in the next few months.
The other is  Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle.
A senior prelate said  he is hoping the Vatican will promote a Filipino bishop to  cardinal soon since the Philippines no longer has a representative  in the Catholic conclave for the first time since the 1960s.
A conclave is the high level meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals called to elect a new Pope when there’s a vacancy.
Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said he expects Pope Benedict XVI to consider two Filipino bishops for the cardinalate in the next consistory in Rome. The last one was held in February 2012.
“At least for the moment we can expect two cardinals in the meeting, the Cardinal Archbishop of Cebu and the Cardinal Archbishop of Manila,” he said.
“In principle, the successor of a cardinal in an archdiocese also becomes a cardinal in due time.”
Retired Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, the country’s only representative in the conclave, lost his seat when he turned 80 years old on Aug. 10.
Cebu’s retired archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is 81 and can no longer vote as well.
They are the two living Filipino cardinals.
Cruz said the archbishop of Manila and Cebu could be headed for the cardinalate next year.
Palma is currently the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
The conclave elects a new pope in case of a vacancy, due to a rule made by Pope Paul VI in 1970 which limits the participation of cardinals once they reach the age of 80.
Another Filipino cardinal, Jose Cardinal Sanchez, died last March. Sanchez served as prefect emeritus of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy.
==NFA rice available on credit to Talisay==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=836972
*Saturday, August 11, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government can now purchase rice on credit from the National Food Authority (NFA). This after the city council approved a proposed resolution that authorizes Mayor Socrates Fernandez to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the NFA with regards to the implementation of the Rice Loan Program for calamity relief operations.
In a proposed resolution sponsored by Councilor Celiapo Cabuenas, chairman, committee on social welfare & services, pointed out that “the proposed Memo of Agreement to be entered into by and between the City Government of Talisay City and the National Food Authority defines the terms and conditions as regards the implementation of the Rice Loan Program.”
It also said “the proposed Rice Loan Program seeks to reinforce the local level’s task in providing basic social services to the populace at all times, particularly in times of calamities.”
“This Sanggunian finds the program to be beneficial to the city constituents as it will significantly provide rice for relief operations whenever a state of calamity is declared in the locality that may occur at any given time,” the resolution added.
Cabuenas said the NFA has acceded to the request of the city for a rice loan.
Under the agreement, certain terms and conditions for withdrawal of rice and payment of stock shall be followed based on the NFA Consumers’ Price as indicated in the latest Selling Price Bulletin.
LGUs can avail 5,000 bags for the provincial government, 2,000 bags for the city government and 1,000 bags for the municipal government, or the rice equivalent of their respective funds appropriated for the rice loan program.
Rice loan intended for buffer stockpiling shall not exceed 10 percent of the maximum loanable quantity or 500 bags for provincial government, 200 bags for city government and 100 bags for municipal government.
The price of rice shall be based on the NFA consumer price as indicated in the latest selling price bulletin.
Rice purchased on credit under the agreement shall not be used for any other purpose other than as intended.
NFA reserves the right to inspect LGU warehouses and or distribution, relief operation centers to determine compliance with the agreement.
The NFA shall not be under obligation to issue rice if the LGU has an outstanding account.
Last August 5, the city council declared seven barangays under state of calamity.
Barangays Poblacion, Cansojong, Dumlog, Pooc, Tangke, Biasong, and San Roque were hit by huge waves generated by typhoon Gener last July 30.
The calamity funds will be used to help 1,353 families living in the seven affected coastal barangays.
==Cebu programs to go national - Gwen==
==Cebu programs to go national - Gwen==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=836586
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=836586
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