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==Faster Cebu Development Moves Sought==
*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/371718/faster-cebu-development-moves-sought
*Friday, August 31, 2012, 5:58pm
: By Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)
CEBU CITY (PNA) — Cebu needs to move fast in planning and implementing projects, otherwise it will be overtaken by other key cities in the country, a top business leader said.
Cebu Business Club president Gordon Allan Joseph said Cebu needs to know that other key cities in the country are growing fast.
“Everyone wants to compete with Cebu,” said Joseph.
He identified Bohol and Camarines Sur as Cebu’s closest competitors in terms of tourism.
He also cited other cities like Naga, Makati and Quezon and the Calabarzon region as areas undergoing improvements in terms of transparency and good governance.
Joseph stressed the need to double the effort in transforming Cebu into a “mega city” to sustain its footing as an ideal place to live and do business in.
Joseph, who is also a private sector representative to the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCD-CB), said they are currently working on the flood drainage masterplan for Cebu.
==Mandaue marks 43rd Charter Day today==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=843407
*Thursday, August 30, 2012 12:00 AM
: By Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - A department head, the longest-serving employee of Mandaue City, is one of 23 workers that will receive special awards as the city celebrates its 43rd Charter Day anniversary today.
Erlinda Balansag, 62, head of the Business Tax Enforcement Unit, and 22 other workers, will receive awards tonight at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Center.
Balansag started as an apprentice at the city court in August 1969 when Mandaue City became a chartered city.
The following month, she became a casual employee.
During yesterday’s press conference, Balansag said she had worked under six administrations, starting with former mayor Demetrio Cortes Sr.
She also said she has been in at least six departments, and has been judged Most Outstanding Employee twice, in 1980 and 1998.
“I remain neutral bisan si kinsa pa nang naglingkod sa administrasyon  busa nilanat ko ug dugay sa akong panerbisyo,” Balansag said.
She said she graduated her Associate in Secretarial Science at the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu City and at the early age of 19 she started working at the city government.
She worked during the day and attended classes in Business Administration until she graduated at the University of the Visayas.
Today’s awardees will each received a plaque and P3,000 from the city government, according to Human Resource Management Office chief Apple Michelle Yu.
Councilor Elstone Dabon, who is this year’s chairman on the committee on Charter Day, said he plans to amend the rule governing cash incentives for awardees next year because the amount has remained unchanged for several years now.
“Kay di lalim ang pagkab-ot sa awards. Hopefully by next year,” Dabon said.
Today’s Charter Day celebration will kick off with a Foot and Float Parade starting at 2 pm.
The floats will converge at the Sports Complex and will move towards Subangdaku, then through A. Soriano Avenue (north reclamation area), then to Ouano Avenue (north reclamation area), then right turn to C.D. Seno Street, left turn to M.C. Briones Street to Subangdaku, right turn to H. Cortes Street going to Cabancalan, and right turn on M. L. Quezon Street going to the Maguikay flyover.
Left turn to Maguikay flyover going to Pacific Mall, right turn to UN Avenue to corner Plaridel Street, right turn to Plaridel Street going to Gullas Academy, then merge with foot parade at Plaridel  corner A. C. Cortes Ave., right turn to C. Ouano Street going to city hall.
The floats will proceed to the sports complex passing through S. B. Cabahug.
At the sports complex, a Mass will be held to be followed by the awarding ceremony.
Traffic Enforcement and Management (TEAM) director Erwin Ermac said although no rerouting will be implemented today, vehicular traffic will slow down at the start of the parade.
==Cebu prov'l police is top drug buster==
*Source:http://www.cdn.ph/news_details.php?id=14592
*Wednesday, August 29, 2012
: By Rhea Ruth V. Rosell and Gabriel C. Bonjoc (Reporters)
The Cebu Provincial Police Office marked its 334rd anniversary yesterday, buoyed by a national award from Camp Crame as having the best performing Provincial Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group.
The citation was received by Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr. last August 23.
Comendador paid tribute to the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, saying he was like a father to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in allocating budgets of the police down to the lowest level.
Robredo, who was buried with honors of a state funeral in Naga City, Camarines Sur yesterday, was praised for his policy of transparency in the PNP.
“He (Robredo) was transparent to everybody. We have to work it out and make good with our resources.” said Comendador.
Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia who attended the anniversary celebration, commended the police for “making a mark” in ensuring peace and order.
“We are very happy that at last our efforts, our campaign against illegal drugs is recognized for the whole nation. We really didn’t know that we were e one of the contenders,” said Comendador.
Meanwhile , 65 sacks of pirated CDs and DVDs seized in Consolacion town and Talisay City were destroyed using a road roller.
Governor Garcia maneuvered the roller in crushing the pirated goods laid on the road.
Seven video karera machines seized in Naga City and Consolacion were also destroyed.
At least 1,559 marijuana plants seized in Danao City with an estimated street value of P900,600 were burned.
In a separate interview, Governor Garcia assured CPPO of the Capitol's “support”.
She commended the drastic decrease of crimes in Cebu province.
“It is not just a subjective analysis. There are statistics to back this up,” said Garcia.
She said the crime rate from 2010 up to present decreased by 32 to 33 percent.
Several CPPO policemen also received awards for “Best in Tamang Bihis”, “Best Tourist Police”, Best in Handcuffing Techniques”, “Best in Low and High Risk Checkpoint”, “Best in Most Number of Arrest”, and “Best in Affidavit Writing”, among others.
The Tabuelan police precinct won first place in the “Best Police Patrol Car” in Cebu province.
Earlier in the day, groundbreaking rites were held for a Crisis Center of the Cebu Women's Development Center.
The center is located outside the CCPO.
This will serve as a “shelter” for women who are victims of violence in Cebu province.
==Talisay's annual invest plan ok'd==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=842708
*Tuesday, August 28, 2012 12:00 AM
: By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - The 2013 Annual Investment Plan, which recommends P1 billion for proposed projects and plans for the Talisay City government, was endorsed by Councilor Rodi Cabigas and unanimously approved by the City Development Council at last week’s meeting that was presided by Mayor Socrates Fernandez.
Cabigas, who is the chairman of the committee on appropriation, budget management and ways and means, said the CDC is a presentation of different proposed projects and plans of the city government from which different sectors are to choose programs or projects they wish to be aligned.
The process involves a series of activities, one of which is to tackle the Local Development Investment Plan (LDIP), which is a wish list of projects, and the AIP, the so-called priority list of projects as culled from the LDIP.
The LDIP is a three-year program and is usually tackled after a mayor is elected for a three-year term.
Under the AIP, the social services sector will get P372,643,400 from the total budget of P962,173,200.
The economic services sector has an appropriation of P362,696,500 and general services sector has an appropriation of P226,833,300.
Cabigas said it is also important to set aside 20 percent development fund and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund because it’s important to set the plan in place before a calamity strikes.
A total of P28 million was allocated for its disaster preparedness or mitigation fund.
Republic Act 10121 or the DRRM Act of 2010 mandates the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to come up with a Comprehensive Disaster Framework.
The law mandates the allocation of 5 percent of a local government unit’s revenues for its DRR fund.
==Danao, Balamban hospitals get upgrade==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=842046
*Monday, August 27, 2012
: By Carmel Loise Matus (Correspondent)
THE district hospitals in Danao City and Balamban town will be formally classified as provincial hospitals soon.
With their upgrading as provincial hospitals its bed capacity will be raised to 100 beds.
Its clinical and nursing services will also be increased as required by the Dept. of Health (DOH) for tertiary level hospital.
Currently these hospitals are classified as secondary hospitals with 50-bed and 25-bed capacities respectively.
Among the requirements for tertiary hospitals is the establishment of at least one specialized medical department and full-time ambulance service.
The Cebu Provincial District Hospital in Balamban will be inaugurated on Sept. 28 to be followed by the Cebu Provincial District Hospital in Danao City on Oct 10.
Integrated Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Cristina Giango, said the provincial hospital is categorized in the tertiary level which can treat cases like bone surgeries.
Meanwhile, the upgrading of the Bogo District Hospital, which also runs a 50-bed capacity, is still awaiting approval from the DOH.
At present, the province has 16 Philhealth-accredited district hospitals that can provide primary and secondary health care.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia pledged to complete the upgrading of status of the four hospitals before her term ends on May 2013.
In 2010, Garcia allocated P70 million for the construction, rehabilitation, furnishing and maintenance of provincial and district hospitals and birthing centers.
Last year, the upgrading of the hospitals went full circle, and to date, almost all towns had birthing centers.
==Talisay asks Capitol for help to rebuild seawalls==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=842046
*Sunday, August 26, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government seeks assistance from the Cebu provincial government for the construction of new seawalls in three coastal barangays as replacements for old ones that were destroyed or that collapsed on account of big waves last July.
City Councilor Rodi Cabigas, chairman of the committee on infrastructure, said he is asking Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for additional 5,000 bags of cement for the construction of seawalls in barangays Dumlog, Poblacion, and Tanke.
In his proposed resolution, Cabigas said the construction necessitates sufficient construction materials, an additional of approximately 5,000 bags of cement is very much needed to finish the project.
The city initiated the construction in the coastal areas of barangays Dumlog, Poblacion, and Tanke.
“The project is a vital structure for the residents in the above-mentioned areas hence, consequential to maintain their safety and protection,” Cabigas said.
“The city government likewise reiterates its realization in its efforts to hasten the completion of this particular project, the hindrances in the usual shortage of funds and have to extend outward assistance from benevolent sources,” he said.
The strong waves spawned by Typhoon Gener battered the seawalls.
At least 100 houses in Talisay’s coastal barangays have been reported damaged by the waves.
The resolution of Cabigas was also co-authored by Councilors Eduardo Gullas III, Dennis B. Basillote, Edward Alesna,  and Charles Basillote.
==Minglanilla town gets cash aid from Capitol==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=841657
*Saturday, August 25, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Capitol released this week more than half a million pesos in assistance to Minglanilla town for the implementation of socio-cultural projects as barangay officials and workers and their families gathered at the Minglanilla Sports Complex for “Barangayan Night.”
At the gathering, Gov. Gwen Garcia handed over to the town checks for P700,000, P300,000 of which went to the municipal government while the League of Barangays got P100,000.
Barangays Cuanos, Manduang, Tungkop, Camp 7, and Poblacions I and II were given P50,000 each.
For the past years, Garcia extended financial assistance for socio-cultural activities.
She had previously given P30,000 per barangay but increased the amount to P50,000 recently.
Garcia said the financial assistance extended to local government units is closely monitored by the Provincial Tourism Office.
Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president Manolo Delgado said the “Barangayan Night” is not just a part of the fiesta activities but an “opportunity to celebrate the efforts of the officials and workers who worked hard for the development and growth of each of their barangays.”
Also at the the event were 3rd district Congressman Pablo John ‘PJ’ Garcia, first district Congressman Eduardo Gullas and his grandson, Gerald Anthony ‘SamSam’ Gullas and Provincial Board Member Julian ‘Teban’ Daan.
==To Mark 5th Charter Day, Mass wedding in Naga==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=841378
*Friday, August 24, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Two hundred eighty unwed couples in Naga City will exchange vows in a mass wedding to be held at the St. Francis de Assisi Parish Church on September 1.
The mass wedding will serve as one of the highlights of the celebration of the city’s 5th charter anniversary, which falls on Sept. 5.
Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong said the wedding shall be officiated by Father Marchel Urgel.
The city will pay for the fees needed to acquire documents such as Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), certificate of marriage, birth certificates, and even marriage counseling.
Naga officials have chosen Sept. 5 as the city’s Charter Day. It coincides with Mayor Chiong’s birthday.
Chiong has listed infrastructure, tourism, and education plan as part of his road map, which he calls “Vision And Leadership (VAL) 2020.”
His priorities include a P40-million mall-type public market, the City of Naga Community College, a new public cemetery, and the construction of a port at the reclaimed land.
So far, the city has already established its public market and community college.
Naga is home to the 200-megawatt Kepco-Salcon Power Plant, the Sarimanok feed mill, and Sherilyn Agro, among others.
Chiong said that after Naga was declared a city, it received P18 million a month as its share of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).
But it was not easy for Naga after it was declared as one of the cities.
When Naga and the other 15 localities were reverted back to municipalities effective May 2010, the IRA share dropped to P8 million a month.
From May 2010 to May 2011, Naga, in effect, lost P120 million in IRA shares, enough to build additional school buildings and speed up the delivery of basic services.
On February 15, 2011, the Supreme Court upheld for the third time the cityhood of Naga and 15 other towns in the country.
==Cebu town yields oldest artifacts==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=12&rid=448848
*Thursday, August 23, 2012
:(PNA), LDV/EB/RE
CEBU CITY, Aug. 23 (PNA) -- San Remegio town in northern Cebu appears to be the oldest archeological site in Cebu after artifacts that date back to the 1600s were unearthed in the last two years.
Jojo Bersales, University of San Carlos (USC) archeologist and Cebu Capitol consultant on heritage, said the diggings were done at the San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church and Lapyahan Beach Resort in San Remegio town.
”The discovery of artifacts shows there is a settlement that had its own trade. It must have been a rich site with rich marine resources,” he said.
The first excavation happened between March and April last year by USC and the National Museum, while the second excavation included the University of Guam.
Early this year, USC and the National Museum had a third excavation at the same site.
The archeologists uncovered burial sites with pottery that showed an ancient tradition of providing food and water for the departed person’s “journey” to the after-life.
This custom was also evident with the position of the uncovered remains facing the sea, which signified travel, said Bersales.
There are significant finds among the artifacts uncovered, including that of a female buried with an iron dagger or knife on her chest, with six earthenware pots, placed at her feet.
The site is located at the foundation of a Spanish-era structure, which is most probably a watch tower.
Lime mortar was poured into it, making it difficult to recover the pottery in the area.
San Remegio Mayor Jay Labores Olivar said there are plans to build a museum at the excavation site or at the back of the parish church.
He said Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia gave P1.5 million in financial assistance for the implementation of the project.
Olivar said the counterpart of the municipal government is to provide the land and the security program needed.
Bersales said it was historian Trizer Dale Mansueto who recommended to the team the appropriate site for excavation, which is where looters frequent because they know of the artifacts buried in the area.
Olivar said security measures will be strengthened and heritage awareness lectures would include, as participants, police, barangay captains and tanods.
He said the plans for the layout of the museum would be ready by October.
==RIA gets stakeholders' support==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=840623
*Wednesday, August 22, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Gregg M. Rubio/FPL (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Local tourism and labor stakeholders in Cebu have expressed support in the pilot implementation of Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) programs of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The DOT revealed its plans to improve the investment climate during the recent Asian Development Bank (ADB) RIA seminar held recently in Cebu City.
“I feel much more assured that this public private partnership is towards building regulations that make sense,” said Hans Hauri, general manager of Marco Polo Plaza and the president of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association of Cebu (HRRAC).
The DOT, together with DOLE and the Department of Finance (DOF), will work for the institutionalization of RIA.
One of the key features of the system is setting up the Office of Best Regulatory Practice to propose and review regulations, as well as train government personnel involved in business regulations.
Under the program entitled “PHI Strengthening Institutions for an Improved Investment Climate,” the RIA is part of ADB’s technical assistance to implement the Philippine Development Plan’s goal of increasing competitiveness for inclusive growth.
RIA seeks to boost the global competitiveness of the country’s tourism sector, as it allows the development of improved regulations based on best practice principles and international norms.
It also gives the opportunity to better understand issues and set objectives through analyses, assessment, and consultations with all stakeholders in arriving at the most optimal policy.
DOT Office of Tourism Planning, Research, and Information Management Director Rolando Cañizal said that implementing the accommodation standards for hotels and designation of tourism enterprise zones is being reviewed under the DOT-ADB RIA program.
The new standards are set to take effect nationwide by December 2012.
RIA will also be used as a lens to aid in the designation of tourism enterprise zones and strengthen coordination between the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zones Authority (TIEZA) and other departments to establish one-stop shops and facilitate the grant of incentives.         
“We welcome ADB’s assistance in our campaign to boost tourism competitiveness. The tourism industry is one of the sectors affected by many regulations. Streamlining these regulations will encourage foreign direct investments (FDIs) and potentially help us attain our goals for 2016,” said Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez in a statement.
The National Tourism Development Plan sets forth the following objectives for 2016: 10 million international visitors, 35.5 million domestic travelers, 8.1% industry contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, and 17% share to the national employment.
==DOT aims to make doing business "more fun" in Phl==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=840290
*Tuesday, August 21, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Aside from its thrust to promote the country as one of the world’s top tourist destinations, the Department of Tourism (DOT) also aims to make doing business “more fun” in the Philippines.
Last July 30 and 31, DOT revealed its plans to improve the investment climate during the recent Asian Development Bank (ADB) Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) seminars in Davao City and Cebu City.
Being reviewed under the DOT-AB RIA program, implementation of the accommodation standards for hotels and designation of tourism enterprise zones will take effect nationwide by December 2012.
To address the lodging requirements and satisfaction of both foreign and domestic travelers, accommodation facilities shall be in compliant to the New Accreditation Standards for Hotels, Resorts, and Apartment Hotels that will adopt a star grading system from 1 to 5 stars.
In line with this, DOT Regional Director Rowena Montecillo revealed that as for Central Visayas, they are still scheduling on a strategic plan for the entire region that will be good until 2016 wherein all those involved such as the local government units, private stakeholders, and business chambers shall convene for a workshop.
The strategic planning workshop, she added, may start in September this year in which certain decrees of the tourism development areas such as the star system classification for accommodation establishments and online accreditation will be laid out before yearend.
It will also include determining priority areas and markets to be tapped that would result to easier, shorter and faster system for investors in the region to comply with the requirements, thus enticing more prospects to venture in accommodation, activities, services and food and beverage industries.
She cited that accreditation of tourism-related enterprises involves the assessment of the area in terms of safety and other regulations.
Tourism roadmaps are also laid out for some provinces in the region such as Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental and some municipalities in Cebu.
Objectives of the National Tourism Development Plan for 2016 include 10 million international visitors, 35.5 million domestic travelers, 8.1-percent industry contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, and 1 percent share to the national employment.
DOT believes that the upsurge on tourist arrivals for both international and domestic travel fuels the increase in capacity requirements and demand for new products, facilities and services which will lead to further local and foreign investment opportunities.
It also encourages investments in tourism estates and ecozones, historic- cultural heritage projects, eco-tourism, agri-tourism, and health and wellness projects.
One of the suggested destinations to invest in the country that are cited in the agency’s website included Cebu which is recognized as a highly urbanized center next to Manila and the province of Bohol, known to be the home of the tarsier and the Chocolate Hills.
==DOST says separate ICT body unnecessary==
==DOST says separate ICT body unnecessary==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=839991
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=839991
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