Difference between revisions of "Cebu Province News April 2018"

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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.

KSPC turns over P1.3M to Naga’s health facility

(SunStar Cebu)

KEPCO SPC Power Corp. recently turned over their annual support for the City of Naga’s one-stop health facility, Vicente Mendiola Center for Health (VMCH), in the amount of P1,320,000.

It was part of the company’s social development plan and corporate social responsibility (SDP & CSR) programs. It is aimed at supporting the operation and sustainability of the facility that houses the medical laboratory/diagnostic center, dialysis, lying-in, and the soon to open City of Naga Infirmary.

The donation also aims to cater to the basic health and medical needs of the City’s constituents, especially the underprivileged Nagahanons.

KSPC President Chang Yong Cho, together with the Community and Public Relations Manager Victorio B. Naval led the turnover of the donation to the mayor, Atty. Kristine Vanessa T. Chiong.

Cebu students who take ‘bangka’ to school everyday finally graduate

By Cody Cepeda (/JB, INQUIRER.net)

For the students in Mambacayao Island, one of the small islands within the area of Bantayan Island in Cebu, they take not the school bus but the “yellow sea bus” when going to school.

The yellow school boats were donated by the Fillmore Elementary and Cabrillo High School 0f Lompoc, California to the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, before making their way to students of Mambacayao Island, who use the boats in going to school every single day.

On April 3, pictures of the students finally graduating surfaced on Facebook. These were shared by Arnulfo B. Pierra Jr., activities and sports director at the Cebu International School and also a “Hope Paddler” at the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation.

“The bottomline why we are doing this,” wrote Pierra Jr. “We donated boats for this community in North Cebu two years ago, these students used them for free as transportation to go to school everyday.”

Many were happy for the children’s success, as the boats are one of other instruments that allow the children access to education. One government worker, Manuel Jr. Reyes Gonzales, shared Pierra Jr.’s post, saying he was one of those who delivered the concern and coordinated with Pierra years ago about the Mambacayao students’ plight.

A small school self-paddle boat costs around P10,000, whereas school boats, which can carry 15 to 20 students, costs approximately P75,000, as per the foundation’s website. According to Gonzales, teachers in the island previously complained about their situation in traveling to the island by boat.

Thanks to the foundation’s help, the students now get to go to school everyday. “I’m so happy to see [these] [pictures],” wrote Gonzales. “Thank you gyud kaayo. God bless you guys. Congrats to the graduates!”

The foundation also shared the good news last April 3 through its Facebook page, which has around 270,000 followers.

“Yellow Boat of Hope is not just about providing safe access to school. We are about making sure they finish school,” the foundation stated. “Congrats to our kids from Mambacayao, Northern Cebu for inspiring us to work harder! Makes all the hard work and sleepless nights worthwhile! Thank you donors and hope paddlers, this is our REWARD!!! #HopeSails.”

Pierra Jr., too, extended his greetings to the children, “Congratulations to the students of Mambacayao Island! Thanks teachers and the boat operator. Galing naman, laban lang. (How great! Fight on.)”

CLI inks deal to bring first Radisson RED Hotel to Cebu

By Jose Santino S. Bunachita

The Philippines, particularly Cebu, will soon have its very first Radisson RED Hotel.

Homegrown developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) has signed an agreement with the Radisson Hotel Group on Tuesday afternoon to bring the brand to Cebu.

Following the signing, CLI Chief Operating Officer Jose Franco Soberano said they will continue working on their permits before actual construction can start.

“We hope to break ground in two or three months,” he said during a press conference after the signing which was held at the City Sports Club.

The Radisson Red Hotel will be the centerpiece of Astra Centre — CLI’s mixed-used development along A.S. Fortuna Ave. in Mandaue City.

The 146-room hotel is expected to finish construction by the last quarter of 2021.

Scott Bryce, Radisson Hotel Group vice president in finance and IT for Asia Pacific, said they are “excited” to bring the brand, which was only launched in 2015, to Cebu.

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.

Cebu to have LRT subway-elevated system

(PR)

CEBU will soon have its first Light Rail Transit.

This as a consortium of local and foreign companies are now working closely with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the construction of LRT as an efficient and convenient mass transport system in Cebu.

Chris Kou, the consortium’s representative and project developer, said today that a proponent led by Tjen Hian Ka, the consortium's senior consultant, started the process with the DOTr way back in the last quarter of 2017.

The consortium expects to complete the process with the DOTr this year. After completing necessary permits and other documentations by this year (2018), construction may start immediately in early 2019, Kou said.

Kou said Tjen is senior director of SAA Architects Pte Ltd (Singapore) and a recognized personality in architectural industry in Singapore and China. His company works in transportation and integrated development projects and completed various scales of metro rail and light rail projects in different countries in Asia.

Tjen’s company has actively participated in the design and construction management of more than 50 percent of Singapore’s MRT and LRT systems. Currently, SAA it conducted the design and construction management of Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 4, with a total floor area of 225,000 square meters, with a capacity of 16 million passengers per annum. The airport, with a total cost of almost one billion Singaporean dollars, was opened and inaugurated in October 2017.

Kou said the proposal presented by Tjen’s group to the administration of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte through the DOTr is to build the Metro Cebu Light Rail Transit (Cebu LRT) through a design-finance-build-transfer and manage project.

He said Cebu LRT will be funded by One Belt One Road program of the Chinese government, supported by Chinese companies: Guangzhou Metro China; Guangzhou Metro & Design Institute China; Anhui Shengyun Environmental Protection Group Co (China); Guangdong Hydropower Co. Ltd. China; Harvest Global Investment Pte Ltd, Singapore; and Sinophile Sheng Yun Management Inc. (Philippines).

“The proposal is to build an elevated LRT with a subway section at the central business district of Cebu City,” Kou said.

He assured the Cebuano community that Cebu LRT will be constructed with minimum disruption to the existing traffic.

This light rail project will be implemented under two phases.

“There will be two lines under phase 1 that will cover the Metro Cebu area. This phase comprises the Central Line and the Airport Line with bridge crossing from Cebu’s mainland to Mactan Island,” Kou said. “Phase 1 will also provide research, development, and technical support center for building local skills related to rail eco-system.”

Engr. Manuel "Jam" Jamonir, business development manager of Udenna Infrastructure Corp., said the Cebu LRT phase 1 will substantially cover the entire Metro Cebu because the line will start from Carcar City up to Danao City and vice versa.

Jamonir said: “For the first time, Cebu City will have a rail transport that will run in a subway system. Beyond Cebu City, the LRT will go above ground to minimize utilization of the existing roads for the columns of the rail system’s infrastructure,” Jamonir said.

This rail transport system for Cebu that will benefit the 2.8 million population will be constructed with zero cost to the government, to be operated without government subsidy, and without government guarantee, with high quality assurance given the active participation of Udenna Group under Mr. Dennis Uy’s leadership, said Jamonir.

The second phase will be a commuter rail for the greater Cebu, Kou added, the implementation of which shall be subject to economic, population, future modern transport needs, and other factors.

The project developer quoted the senior consultant as saying that the LRT will provide Cebu’s populace with a fast, reliable, and efficient transport system that is seen to alleviate the current traffic condition particularly in the central business district of Cebu City.

Kou said Mr. Tjen’s group takes into consideration the estimated ridership for the next 50 years as well as the current road networks.

“In a project like LRT, we need to look forward and consult with the planning experts. In the implementation stage, we have to see to it that disturbance is lesser and inconvenience to existing road users and residents in the metropolis are respected,” Kou emphasized.

Cebu LRT’s first phase will be constructed within shortest possible time, with all site works targeted for completion by 2022, he said.

Central Visayas records 6.9-M local, foreign tourists in 2017

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora (PNA)

MANILA-- The Department of Tourism (DOT) Central Visayas has tallied around 6.9 million tourist arrivals from January to December 2017, recording a 17.13 percent growth rate from 2016.

According to the agency, this figure surpassed its 6.3 million target for the said year.

DOT attributed the increase to the active movement of Filipinos travelling to different destinations in the Philippines. This boosted Cebu and Central Visayas' tourism industry, as domestic travelers dominated the arrival volume by 58.33 percent or with four million locals visiting Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

The top ten tourism markets recorded by DOT Region VII, included Korea, with the highest at 895,776 followed by China with a volume of 429,306, Japan with 408,566, and US with 219,796.

DOT-7 also recorded a total of 71,739 visitors coming from Taiwan, Australia with 71,724, Germany with 58 432, followed by France with 50,257, UK with 49,484, and Canada in tenth place with 43,084 registered tourists.

The tourist influx can also be attributed to the increase of direct international commercial and chartered flights to Cebu from other countries.

DOT said Cebu and Bohol have become a choice venue for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), including the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings last year.

Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City, Panglao, Dumaguete City and Tagbilaran City also recorded a competitive number of tourist arrivals.

Aside from massive promotions, the implementation of the Tourism Road Infrastructure Projects has also contributed to visitors coming in, due to greater access to tourist sites in the region.

Central Visayas to get over 6 thousand new teachers

By May B. Miasco (/FPL, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — More than 6,000 aspiring teachers in Central Visayas will be hired by the Department of Education in the next school year, a development seen to help address the perennial problem of lack of teachers amid the growing number of students enrolling in public schools to avail of free education.

Over 500 of these new teaching positions were allocated for Cebu City.

The Department of Budget and Management recently announced the approval of the 75,242 new teaching positions for the next school year wherein 6,317 have been allocated for Region-7.

“The number of teachers given by DBM to Region-7 will be the same number that will have to be filled in. That will be divided and distributed to the 19 schools division in Region-7 depending on how many teachers each division need,” said Tomas Pastor, education program supervisor of DepEd-7.

DepEd Cebu City Schools Division superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan said his office requested more than 500 teachers; over 300 is expected to be hired for Kindergarten and elementary levels while over 200 is for junior and senior high school levels.

Pastor said the division offices themselves provided the number of teachers needed for the schools in their respective areas; they base their individual request on the number of enrollees in their schools.

DepEd earlier asked for additional positions to resolve the inadequate number of teaching personnel in public schools across the country. Pastor said they have started accepting applicants last January. The list of qualified applicants was already prepared pending the approval of DBM for the allocation of teaching positions.

Dagatan said they will now start the selection process from among those qualified applicants. The DBM said the funds needed to cover for the salaries and other forms of compensation of the new positions will be charged from the 2018 budget.

Cebu’s time to shine

By Carlo S. Lorenciana, Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad (with Le Phyllis F. Antojado, Mae Clydyl L. Avila, and Philippine Star News Service /JMD, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu stands to benefit from the six-month closure of Boracay as the province boasts of a long list of attractions, including white sand beaches and crystal seawaters, a tourism official said.

Department of Tourism-7 Director Shalimar Tamano said Cebu and Bohol, which are among the alternative destinations being promoted by the agency to local and international visitors, are likely to experience a surge in tourist arrivals amid Boracay’s impending shutdown.

He said the opening of a second terminal at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) this June and the Panglao International Airport in Bohol this November is expected to further boost influx of tourists.

“These two airports will be ready then. And we have the products to offer to the tourists,” Tamano told The FREEMAN in a phone interview on Thursday, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the total closure of Boracay for six months, starting April 26, to pave the way for the island’s restoration.

Yesterday, Governor Hilario Davide III urged tourists to consider Cebu as their next destination as he called on the local chief executives of towns and cities to ensure that environmental laws are strictly observed in their respective areas.

“Cebu should just expect that those tourists nga bound for Boracay, in case they change their mind, ari nalang sila diri sa Cebu. Actually, not only Cebu but also Bohol,” Davide said in an exclusive interview.

Cebu Offerings

From trekking to diving, Cebu is home to many attractions.

Bantayan Island offers white sands, pristine waters, and long shorelines. Other famous destinations include the islands of Sumilon, Camotes, and Malapascua, which is often dubbed as the “Little Boracay of Cebu.”

Oslob town in the south is prized for its “gentle giants” or whale sharks, while Moalboal is known for its diving spots.

For the adventurous, Cebu also offers trekking, canyoneering, waterfalls, and camping activities.

Davide said he is confident that host resorts or guides are capable of ensuring the safety and enjoyment of their guests.

This month, he said, the provincial government will resume its Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo campaign, bringing tourists to Camotes on April 21-22. The host towns will include Tudela, San Francisco, and Poro.

Hurdles

Tamano believes Cebu and Bohol have done so much to offer to tourists, adding that now is the opportune time for both islands to showcase their tourist spots.

The DOT-7 chief also said these provinces remain to be attractive destinations because of continuous campaign to promote them locally and abroad.

But efforts to lure in more tourists will not come easy as there some challenges that need to be addressed, two of which are the issue on security and the availability of rooms to cater to the increased demand.

On security, Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery, Police Regional Office-7 director, said police authorities have laid down preparations to ensure that visitors to the region are safe.

Officials from the PRO-7 and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command met in a command conference on Wednesday to discuss, among others, their contingency plans for security this summer.

“We are coming up with a contingency plan, particularly on security, especially with the orders of the President to close Boracay starting April 26, we are expecting influx to Central Visayas, that’s why a meeting was conducted to draw up plans for security,” Quenery said.

For its part, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has assured the public, especially the tourists, that medical centers are made available in tourism areas, especially those offering extreme activities.

PDRRMO information officer Julius Regner said these medical centers are manned by medical personnel from rural health units (RHUs). Local responders are also stationed where guests have easy access in case of an emergency.

Regner said medical stations have been already present in tourist destinations even before. In anticipation for the influx this summer, personnel from RHUs and local disaster offices will be augmented into those centers.

He also said the PDRRMO will continue monitoring areas where tourists are expected to flock, such as beaches and falls.

Another major concern is the trash generated by tourists, so Regner urged LGUs to maintain cleanliness in their areas amid the upswing of visitors.

He also reminded tour operators, the LGUs, and tour guides to always prioritize the safety of their guests, especially those joining extreme activities such as ziplining and canyoneering in Alegria and Badian.

Sustainability

According to a Philippine Star report yesterday, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the six-month closure of Boracay was approved by President Duterte during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting in Malacañang.

“DENR-DOT-DILG (Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Department of Tourism-Department of the Interior and Local Government) proposal approved after an exhaustive discussion,” Guevarra said.

Last February, Duterte called Boracay a cesspool as he decried the lack of a sewerage system on the island.

He threatened to shut down the island and file charges against officials who did nothing to prevent its deterioration.

The environment, interior and tourism departments had proposed a six-month closure of the island to allow rehabilitation.

The trade department, however, said the closure should be done in phases to soften the impact on residents’ livelihood on the island.

Carlo Suarez, president of the Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurants Association in Cebu, earlier said that while the local tourism industry remains competitive, operators of tour sites should strive to keep their attractions sustainable.

“Cebu’s tourism remains competitive and at par with international standards,” he said, but stressed that sustainable tourism is key to ensuring the industry’s continued growth, which is strengthened by its diverse history and natural tourist spots.

“Of course, in all these, we make it to a point that the developments toward Cebu becoming a premiere tourist destination be in a sustainable manner. (We must keep) in mind that we do not forget the responsibilities relating to the government and local communities,” Suarez said.

DA-7’s rice outlet opens today

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon (/KBQ, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Starting today, the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas will conduct a rice retail trade, also known as Bigasan ng Bayan.

The bigasan outlet at the DA regional office in Maguikay, Mandaue City will be open twice a month (every second Friday and fourth Friday) at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DA-7 Regional Director Salvador Diputado decided to make it bimonthly following the success of last month’s event.

On March 16, DA-7 established a farmers' rice outlet at its regional office in line with this year's Women's Month celebration.

Diputado said the bigasan outlet is aimed at selling cheaper but quality rice to the public.

Undermilled rice will be sold at P38 per kilo, while the regular milled rice and premium rice can be bought at P42 per kilo and P46 per kilo, respectively.

The DA-7, however, limits 10 kilos of rice per customer.

The rice products are from Bohol and milled by the Rice Processing Center, which is managed by the Bohol Federation of Farmers’ Cooperative, in Pilar town.

Also, DA-7 will be selling pink rice at P42 per kilo and black rice at P65 per kilo.

It will be available in two and five kilos per pack.

PSC representatives, Cebu officials meet for PNG 2018

(ABS-CBN Sports)

Representatives from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and officials from the Cebu Provincial and City committees met Tuesday to further discuss preparations for the smoothening of the Philippine National Games (PNG), which will be held in the province next month.

The Games, which is widely considered as the Olympic Games of the country, is slated from May 19 to 25 and will feature various athletes aged 16 years old and above.

During the coordination meeting, PSC Visayas Executive Director Bobbie Kintanar welcomed everyone for the event and assured that everything will be successful through collective cooperation.

"We are positive that the staging of the PNG will be successful," Kintanar said.

PSC secretariat chief Annie Ruiz also bared that there will be 21 events in the tournament, including the national sport, Arnis.

Sporting events will take place in 12 playing venues around Cebu City, Cebu Province, Naga City, Municipality of Tabuelan, Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City.

There will also be 19 billeting areas to house the athletes for the tourney.

Ruiz added that the Commission will be providing weekly updates on their website heading to the event.

PSC Visayas Regional Coordinator Nonnie Lopez meanwhile mentioned that three delegates, representing the three major island groups in the country, namely Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, will be taken from their respective local government units.

The Queen City of the South last hosted the PNG in December 1997.

PB to put up satellite office in every district

By Gregg M. Rubio (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Board is eyeing to establish a satellite office in every district to be known as the “Opisina sa Probinsiya.”

Board Member Edsel Galeos sponsored a proposed ordinance establishing the satellite offices in order for the PB to attend to the needs of their constituents, especially those in the farthest barangays in the province.

Galeos pointed out that at present, constituents from island municipality or from mountainous barangays, in most instances, need to travel to Cebu City to submit resolutions or documents and to make follow-ups on their requests.

He said there are also indigent constituents wanting to avail of the provincial government’s assistance programs who, in most cases, will approach the PB member’s office for help.

“The presence of satellite offices right in their respective localities shall ensure that every constituent will be properly guided and facilitated accordingly based on their needs,” Galeos explained.

Under the proposed ordinance, the vice governor will establish and maintain a maximum of four satellite offices within the province.

A regular board member will establish one satellite office within his or her district while the ex-officio member will maintain one satellite office of his or her choice of location.

The office will be manned by the existing personnel of the PB member. Deployment of additional job orders is subject to the approval of the executive department.

Among the functions of the office is to assist clients in the processing of financial assistance prior to personal appearance for interview at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office at the Provincial Capitol.

All personnel detailed at the satellite office shall strictly adhere to the rules and procedures imposed by the provincial government’s Human Resources Development and Management Office.

Upon the effectivity of the ordinance, the funds to establish and maintain the office will be taken from the approved budget of the respective office.

Cebu and Fujian to sign sisterhood pact in September

(The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Province is set to sign a sister-province relationship with Fujian, China this September.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III will be flying to China on the third quarter of the year to represent Cebu during the signing.

The signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be in time for the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) from September 8 to 11 in Xiamen, China. CIFIT is China's only international investment promotion event aimed at facilitating bilateral investment.

The signing also includes a visit to the cities of Quanzhou, Putian, and Zhangzhou in a bid to also forge sister-city ties with other Cebu cities such as Danao, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.

Several undertakings are already in line to pave way for a strong relationship between Cebu and Fujian, even months before the official signing of the sisterhood agreement.

The Province of Fujian is offering cultural-exchange opportunities, including the Fujian ASEAN government officials/International Friendship State and Province Liaison Officers Seminar.

The Capitol is invited to send two representatives to attend the seminar for 15 days in April or in May in Fujian. The seminar will include site visits to inland and coastal areas of the province, as well as lectures on Fujian culture.

Scholarship program for students from Cebu to study in institutions of higher education in Fujian was also offered by the Fujian government.

Students below 45 years old who would like to pursue graduate or post-graduate studies will be offered Chinese language and culture classes and other opportunities to deeply understand the economic and social development of the Chinese province.

The study period is from September 2018 to July 2019. The tuition and accommodation expenses, as well as comprehensive medical insurance and allowances, are covered by the Fujian Provincial People's Government Scholarship. The airfare, meals, and utility bills will be shouldered by the sending organization.

For June or July, Fujian is also proposing a two-way cultural exchange for the youth from different sectors, including the media from Cebu and Fujian.

Last month, officials from Fujian came to Cebu to discuss the programs. They are Chen Chuxin, vice president for the Fujian People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; CaiWenzhi, deputy director for the International Exchanges Division of the Foreign Affairs Office; James Jiang of International Exchange Division of Fujian's Foreign Affairs Office; ZhengZhi Liang, deputy director for the Quanzhou Municipal Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office; and Jin TengXu, associate consultant for the Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Putian Municipal Government.

Capitol was represented by Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino; Rodrigo Lachica Jr., consultant for international relations; and FlorezaAlpuerto, OIC of the Cebu Investment Promotions Office.

Devotees flock to get flowers from Sto. Entierro

By Ermida Q. Moradas (/MBG, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Almost 400 years had passed and yet people still flock as they try to get a piece of the flowers on the carroza of the Sto. Entierro on Good Friday during the Holy Week celebration in Bantayan Island.

The Sto. Entierro is the statue of the dead Christ after he was crucified.

According to Eufemia Chiong, 72, the image of Sto. Entierro was brought by their great-grandmother, Victorina Maderazo, from Barcelona, Spain.

Their family kept the image it as it is since the day it was brought in Bantayan.

"Wala gyud na namo gi-repaint or gipa-reconstruct. Mao gyud na siya og unsa siya pagdala diri sa Bantayan almost four hundred years ago," she said.

The Sto. Entierro is venerated by many Bantayanons and they believe that the Holy Image is miraculous.

It has been part of the lives of Bantayanons to get a piece of the white flowers made of bond paper below the bed where the dead Jesus was laid believing that it brings luck.

New Talisay market now open

By Iris Mariani B. Algabre (/MBG, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Around 500 Talisay City market vendors have transferred to the new Tabunok Public Market last Monday.

Market Administrator Winnie Bas said that fish, meat, fruits and vegetable vendors were already given their place at the new building.

Fish section has 180 stalls, meat section has 98 while there are 224 stalls for fruits and vegetables vendors.

Talisay Public Market has almost 1,000 vendors and those who were given stalls in the new market went through a selection process.

The market committee gives priority to vendors who have good standing or those who have no records of delinquency.

Bas said not all vendors have transferred yet.

They also still need to check which area in the market that they can develop so that they can accommodate the vendors who do not have stalls yet.

But even if the transfer is still partial, some vendors have complained after learning that a fast food chain will be accommodated in the market because the franchisee is Eduardo "Didi" Gullas II, the son of Mayor Eduardo Gullas.

The mayor confirmed that there will be Jollibee branch in the market but he does not know that the franchise owner is his son.

“Wala ko kahibaw og si Didi ba ang tag-iya pero kahibalo ko nga dunay magbutang, dunay naghangyo nga Jollibee,” he said.

Gullas said he will wait for the report from the market committee about the matter.

Those who complained said that they are worried that some vendors might not be given a place in the new market so that the fast food chain can be accommodated.

Daya Cañedo, 51, a fish vendor for 20 years now, said she is satisfied with the stall that was given to her.

"Kontento ra ko sa kung asa ko nila gibutang. Nindot man sad ang porma sa merkado kay matuyok tanan," she said.

Vegetable vendor Lilia Cabrera, 58, said the new public market is spacious.

"Ganahan ra ko sa akong pwesto. Hamugaway siya unya dili alimoot kay taas kaayo ang ceiling," she said.

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