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==Central Visayas cops get patrol cars==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/339596/central-visayas-cops-get-patrol-cars
*Monday, October 31, 2011  5:06pm
: By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.
CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — Police offices all throughout Central Visayas will soon receive their share of the 144 police patrol jeeps allocated to the region by the Philippine National Police command.
The new patrol jeeps are part of the PNP's thrust of upgrading its anti-crime operations by improving equipments and adding new patrol jeeps to the force.
Police Regional Office -7 Director Marcelo Garbo Jr. led the turnover of 144 police patrol jeeps to police offices in Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental provinces.
The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), which received eight patrol jeeps now has such vehicles in all 44 towns and six cities under its jurisdiction.
CPPO director, Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said the additional patrol jeeps fulfilled plans to equip each police station with its own patrol car.
In Cebu province, Alcoy, Aloguinsan, Badian, Carcar, Consolacion, Madridejos and Talisay City Police Stations will receive the additional patrol jeeps.
Bohol province will receive one for Pilar Police Station, one for E. Villanueva Police Station in Siquijor and one each for Dumaguete and Valencia police stations in Negros Oriental.
Said distribution of additional vehicles is part of Garbo’s plan to activate his Police Integrated Patrolling System (PIPS) which he sees as effectively curbing crimes if properly implemented.
==Four PPP deals to be bid out next year ==
*Source: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=Four-PPP-deals-to-be-bid-out-next-year&id=40816
*Sunday, October 30, 2011 11:04:10 PM
: by A. E. Barrameda
FOUR public-private partnership (PPP) projects with an estimated cost of about P24.8 billion are scheduled to be bid out next year by the government.
The deals -- proposed by the Transportation department -- involve the construction, operation and maintenance contracts for Mactan Cebu International Airport’s new passenger terminal, the new Bohol Airport and Misamis Oriental’s Laguindingan Airport, and the establishment of a Common Automatic Fare Collection System for Metro Manila’s three light railways.
“These will be subjected to competitive bidding in 2012 immediately after obtaining ICC (Investment Coordination Committee) approval,” said Rina P. Alzate, director of the PPP Center’s Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF) Service, in a text message yesterday.
The ICC is an inter-agency body that evaluates the feasibility of major projects and recommends approvals to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board.
The final bidding schedule for the four projects, said Ms. Alzate, will be determined by the Department of Transportation and Communications.
The PPP Center, in a statement issued last week, announced that the PDMF Board had approved funding applications for pre-investment studies involving the four projects.
The PDMF, which is managed by the PPP Center, is a revolving fund that can be tapped for pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, tender documents and assistance during the bidding process of PPP projects.
The PDMF funding for each of these projects would range from P20-40 million, Ms. Alzate said.
“The transaction advisors will be chosen within November 2011. The pre-investment studies will be undertaken within 3-4 months,” she added.
The PDMF Board recently approved technical assistance funding for modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center and the Education department’ PPP for School Infrastructure Project which targets to build around 10,000 classrooms next year.
==Lagundi, three other reefs to share donated $10,000 ==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=742494&publicationSubCategoryId=531
*Saturday, October 29, 2011 12:00 AM 
:By Liv G. Campo (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Bernard Odilao has assured that the city's three marine protected areas (MPAs) will benefit from the $10,000 the Chinese cargo ship MV United had donated after it ran aground in Lagundi Reef in 2009.
Odilao's assurance came shortly after the council last Tuesday approved his proposal to use the $10,000 which has reportedly been saved in the city's trust fund since March 2009.                Chinese cargo ship MV United's shipmaster donated the money to the city government after his ship ran aground in Lagundi Reef last March 5, 2009, supposedly for the rehabilitation of the damaged coral reef in barangay Poblacion.
The three-term councilor said a representative of MV United has inquired from the city government about its donation.
Odilao, who chairs the committee on Environment, said aside from the Lagundi Reef, Pungaton Reef and Makatol Reef in the coastal villages of Tanke and Pooc, will also benefit from the donation.
Odilao said a Weesam Express vessel had ran aground in Pungaton last September, therefore it also needs rehabilitation.
"Butangan na nato sila og mga marine buoys ug floating guardhouse para mahibaw-an sa tanang moagi nga MPA na sila," said Odilao referring to the three reefs.
Meanwhile, Councilor Danny Caballero, vice chairman of the committee on Environment, said the move should have been done shortly after the March 5, 2009 incident.
"Magkadugay, magkadako ang damage sa coral reef. Mao gani, nisamot na ang illegal fishing sa mga MPA nato diri kay wa may mga boya ug gwardiya sa lugar," Caballero said.
Caballero, a member of the opposition bloc, said he already made the same proposal months ago but was rejected by the council.
He waits for the implementation of Odilao's resolution, saying there's no reason for the administration bloc to dilly dally with the implementation considering that the money is available.
==Tesda to offer free training for 1,000 BPO near-hires ==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/84411/walk-for-breast-cancer-gathers-3000-people
*Friday, October 28, 2011 7:24 am
:By Aileen Garcia-Yap (Cebu Daily News)
About 1,000 nearly hired applicants or near-hires in Cebu will get free training to prepare them for jobs in call centers and other outsourcing companies.
The program is an offshoot of a P5 million grant to the Cebu Education Development Foundation for Information Technology (CEDF-IT), said its executive director Jun Sa-a on Tuesday.
The program is expected to start before the end of the year.
CEDF-IT partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) for the program.
Jun Sa-a announced this during the opening of the foundation’s exhibit at the Ayala Center Cebu on Tuesday.
The P5 million grant is part of P500 million allocated by the Department of Budget Management for TESDA, which uses it for their Training Scholarship for Work Program.
About 50,000 people are employed in the business process outsouring (BPO) companies, a rapidly growing industry in Cebu but the lack of qualified workers has led to a hiring rate of only 5 percent to 10 percent.
The term “near-hires” refers to applicants who lack some competencies for the job and require more training to fully meet expectations.
“We actually proposed for P23 million budget assistance but they can only give us P5 million which is better than nothing,” he said.
Sa-a said based on the feedback from IT member companies of the foundation, at least 3,700 workers are needed for the fourth quarter of 2011.
Sa-a said that companies would refer to them their near-hires for training based on a program tailored to the employer’s needs. The foundation would then issue a voucher to TESDA for training.
“The P5 million will be good for 1,000 near-hires but we’re hoping to have more next year,” Sa-a said.
Sa-a said CEDFIT would prioritize their member companies such as Aegis People Support, NCR and Qualfon.
“Most of the people needed now are for call center companies so we expect to do more training on speaking and a little bit of technical skill because call center entry levels now are more into customer service with technical support,” he said.
At present CEDF-IT has 105 member companies including BPOs, telecommunication firms, real estate developers, universities, training companies and local government units.
The training program for near-hires is the best way to create the right talent pool needed for their different operations, said Saa.
“The industry hiring rate now is still only 10 percent but when we did some training before we were able to raise that to 30 percent to as high as 70 percent,” he said.
Sa-a said even companies with in-house training programs were asking the foundation’s help.
“We will continue to provide the link between the academe and the industry because we think this is the best way to make sure we produce what the industry needs in order to grow,” Sa-a said.
==Cedfit work-scholarship program gets P5M grant==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=741797&publicationSubCategoryId=108
*Thursday, October 27, 2011 12:00 AM
:By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology Inc. (Cedfit) was granted a P5 million budget from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to address the manpower shortage in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector here.
Cedfit executive director Jun Sa-a said that the P5 million is part of the P500 million budget given by the government through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) joint program called “Training-for-work-scholarship Program” or TWSP.
This budget, although way below the proposed P23 million ideal allocation for Cebu on this particular program, would already benefit at least 1,000 near-hire trainees of BPO training programs, Sa-a said.
The P5 million allocation for Cebu will come as “vouchers” to be awarded to Cedfit member BPOs, that have existing near-hire training programs.
On the average, the cost per head for a BPO crash-course training is P5,000. Sa-a said if the proposed budget of P23 million for Cebu was approved it could have benefited about 3,700 potential employees for BPO.
Based on a survey done by Cedfit, Cebu’s major BPO companies, mostly call centers need at least 3,500 more workers between the months of October to December this year.
“We hope that this will not be a one-time support from the government, to aid the growing BPO sector and increase employment opportunities for Filipinos,” Sa-a said.
Cedfit is a consortium of industry, academe, government and non-government organizations (NGOs), which seeks to increase the quantity and improve the quality of professionals or practioners in the Information Technology and Communication (ICT), and ICT-enabled services industry through pro-active intervention in the human resource (HR) development sector.
Sa-a said leading BPO companies in Cebu, such as Aegis People Support, Qualfone, Convergys and Stream Global, are one of the identified beneficiaries of the fund, due to their existing TESDA-approved near-hire training program.
Because Cedfit is mandated to develop the HR capability of Cebu to sustain the growth of ICT and BPO sectors, the organization also has existing training programs geared towards developing more skilled BPO workforce, not only for contact centers, but also includes a wide spectrum of outsourcing field like software and hardware development.
Now on its 10th year, Cedfit maintains Professional Certification, Training and Review Center facility at the Ayala-owned Cebu I.T. Park.
The Professional Certification, Training and Review Center is one of Cedfit’s flagship projects. Together with academic institutions and other entitites involved in the IT industry, the center aims to undertake the establishment of occupational and proficiency standards for IT professionals.
==Cebu set to attract more tourists from the Middle East==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/339043/cebu-set-attract-more-tourists-middle-east
*Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 5:55pm
:By MALOU M. MOZO
CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — Tourism stakeholders in Cebu are capitalizing on the growing prospects of Middle Eastern tourists who are eyeing Cebu as a travel and leisure destination.
Eleven travel agents from Middle Eastern countries recently came to Cebu on a three-day tour, from October 21-23, to explore the leading tourism destinations including beaches and historical sites, here.
The familiarization trip which was hosted by Etihad Airways, flag carrier of United Arab Emirates (UAE) was aimed at further promoting the Philippines—as a destination of choice for the high-spending Middle Eastern market, according to Patricia Aurora “Dawnie” Roa, former Department of Tourism–Central Visayas Director, and now a leading tourism prime-mover.
Major resorts in Cebu, including Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort, Maribago Bluewater, Plantation Bay, Crimson Resort & Spa, and Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa hosted the accommodation and travel activities of the group.
“The Middle Eastern tourists will very much appreciate Cebu as a leisure destination because of its world class beach resorts and rich history,” Roa said.
She said that Arab tourists, for instance, are long-staying visitors with an average spending capacity of US$100 per day, excluding accommodation expenses. Arabs also prefer a lot of shopping, dining, and staying in branded hotels.
In a separate interview, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) chairperson Angel Bugnot said that Cebu, in particular, is now one of the target destinations for Middle Eastern tourists, especially among the Lebanese, because of the beaches, warm hospitality, rich history and culture, and proficiency of Cebuanos in the English language.
Bugnot said Middle Eastern travelers started to consider the Philippines as one of its preferred destinations in the world, after the Philippines was introduced to this market through an intense marketing blitz in 2009. Since then, arrivals to the Philippines from the Middle East – excluding OFWs – increased at an annual average rate of 20 percent.
==Capitol compound as access road: Successful on first day==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=741085&publicationSubCategoryId=107
*Tuesday, October 25, 2011 12:00 AM
:By Niña G. Sumacot/FPL (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Using the road at the Capitol compound as an alternative to avoid traffic congestion at the Don Gil Garcia St., beside the Provincial Capitol, proved to be successful on the first day, a Capitol official said.
Security consultant Cesar Veloso said the traffic on the road between the Palace of Justice and the Cebu Provincial Legislative Building was controllable.
“Maayo kaayo ang flow sa traffic,” he said.
Veloso, however, said that Don Gil Garcia Street remains congested because Public Utility Jeepneys continue to use the road instead of the access road. Although, Veloso said the volume of vehicles on the said street was reduced by about 50-percent.
Motorists are advised to take the access road at the Capitol compound as the road-widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Cebu City District Engineering Office is being undertaken at Don Gil Garcia St.
The access road can be used by vehicles bound for M. Velez Street coming from Escario Street because they will just make a right turn entering the Capitol premises then exit to M. Velez Street.
Veloso called on the drivers to take the access road to avoid traffic congestion beside the Capitol.
Jeepneys, taxis, private vehicles and other light vehicles can use the access road from 7 am to 7 pm.
In order not to cause any disturbance in the Palace of Justice and the Legislative Building, the City Traffic Operations Management strictly implemented traffic rules and regulations to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
Under the MOA signed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the CITOM, and the DPWH, the flow of traffic on the access road will be one way while the stopping of vehicles, loading and unloading of passenger, parking and the blowing of horns are prohibited.
The CITOM are also being assisted by the Capitol security personnel in managing the traffic inside the compound.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama requested Garcia to allow the use of the access road, citing that Don Gil. Garcia St. is the only access road that can be used by vehicles going to and from Guadalupe from Escario Street and Osmeña Boulevard, and is currently being widened.
==Cebu envisioned as one of the world's most livable cities==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/338830/cebu-envisioned-one-worlds-most-livable-cities
*Monday, October 24, 2011, 4:25pm
:By MALOU M. MOZO
CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – The Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) has lined up a complete operational framework for Cebu, with the group set to present concepts pooled from public and private stakeholders to the Central Visayas’ Regional Development Council (RDC) for immediate implementation.
The MCDCB Board, chaired by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, is currently forming various committees under the Board and is inviting multisectoral representatives to participate in a common vision to make Cebu “one of the most livable cities in the world.”
MCDCB co-chairperson Roberto Aboitiz said, “The framework for Cebu is such that all 13 cities in the province, from Carcar City in the south to Danao City in the north will collaborate as one and make a conscious decision to map out a long-term plan for Cebu. We should all move from being individual, broken cities to unite for a greater cause.”
Aboitiz noted that there is “a certain level of attractiveness” about seeing Cebu as a city-region rather than as a cluster of small local government units (LGUs).
In the last three weeks, six senior IBM executives from the United States, Sweden, Germany and Italy worked closely with various cities and municipalities in Cebu province through the newly formed MCDCB.
The team is part of the IBM Executive Service Corps (IBM-ESC), a variant of the company’s ongoing Corporate Service Corps pro bono community service program. Cebu was among the 11 cities worldwide who was made a IBM-ESC program beneficiary.
Said IBM executives work in teams with city planners, entrepreneurs, business leaders and governmental agencies to develop road maps identifying the best ideas, most scalable solutions and critical steps in the making cities economic, social and environmentally sustainable.
The IBM-ESC team presented to Metro Cebu stakeholders and Garcia a detailed report which includes observations and recommended policies, processes, and supporting ICT systems enabling Metro Cebu’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Also, the top IBM executives raised the need to address key issues Cebu currently face in terms of land use planning and zoning, transport & traffic management, and increased flash floods and worsening traffic which all hinder economic development.
Aboitiz said issues such as flooding, traffic, and water supply, for instance, are not concerns faced by just one city component in the province. “Foreign investors do not understand it when a given plan or solution is only limited to one territory and does not extend to a neighboring city. We can’t answer the world that way,” he said.
Meanwhile, Harold Robok, IBM director for general business in Germany, said they are promoting the idea of long-term planning so that Cebu can have a clear direction.
For her part, Garcia said “we are excited to be working with IBM in looking for smarter solutions that would better manage our public transportation and urban planning systems. Public-private partnerships like this helps ensure a greener and more integrated Metro Cebu.”
==Rama, Gwen assure security on Nov 1, 2==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=740430&publicationSubCategoryId=107
*Sunday, October 23, 2011 12:00 AM
:By Garry B. Lao/JMO (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama told barangay officials in the city to put their security plans for the observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day in place and not to rely fully on the police.
“Ayaw mo og kalimot mga barangay officials ang preparasyon not day before but a week before November 1,” Rama said during a meeting at the legislative building yesterday.
Thousands of people are expected to troop to the cemeteries on November 1 and 2.
At the Capitol, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said security at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) will be augmented to ensure peace and order. At least 10 security personnel will be added to the existing security manpower at the CSBT.
Garcia said the terminal has to be strict in inspecting the belongings of the passengers to ensure that no illegal drugs, bombs, or anything that can potentially endanger the lives of passengers can slip security.
The governor said she will personally inspect the terminal and see if everything is in place.
CSBT Manager Carmen Quijano said they are drafting a plan to ensure “efficient queuing of passengers.” A space at the terminal will also be prepared for women who need to breast-feed.
“We are also setting up a breast-feeding corner within the terminal area so that breast-feeding mothers will be comfortable when breastfeeding their babies,” Quijano said.
== Suroy south Cebu trail wows 300 tourists==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/81063/suroy-south-cebu-trail-wows-300-tourists
*Saturday, October 22, 2011 8:23 am
:By Rhea Ruth V. Rosell (Cebu Daily News)
Around 300 foreign and local tourists were treated to the sights, taste and culture of southern Cebu as this year’s “Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo the Southern Heritage Trail” kicked off yesterday.
The 150-year-old Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church in Minglanilla town was the tour’s first stop where the guests were given the chance to appreciate the antique items displayed at the church such as a palu-palu (a short bat for beating clothes in washing them), an old wooden table, Japanese money, a mirror, a wooden fork, kitchen utensils like a black round plate, spoons, pitcher, glass and fruit tray among others.
Later, the guests were treated to a carabao race at the Minglanilla Central School grounds.
And like previous Suroy-Suroy organized by the Cebu Provincial Government headed by Gov. Gwen Garcia, the guests were welcomed in every town or city included in the tour with a cultural dance and a song number.
Nancy Cortes, a 54-year-old balikbayan, said her sister-in-law convinced her to join the tour because it’s a “nice” experience.
“Nindot kaayo (It’s very nice),” Nancy said of her first day of the two-day tour.
In Naga City, the tourists also visited the 182-year-old church St. Francis of Assissi.
Another first-time tour participant, Wolfgang, a German national and a senior citizen, found the tour very exciting.
He said that he found out about the “tour” in the newspaper advertisement.
“I saw the ads. This tour was nicely organized. It’s my first time to join this kind of tour,” Wolfgang said.
Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Cebu Provincial Board Member Julian Daan, Cebu Provincial Police Director Patrocino Comendador and Police Regional Director Marcelo Garbo also joined the tour.
The guests were given the chance to taste the delicacies in the south like the pan Bisaya (Visayan bread), puto balanghoy, Valenciana, biko, bud-bud, bitso-bitso, among others.
Lechon (roasted pig) was also served in San Fernando town. And the guests had a sumptuous lunch in Sibonga town before they visited the Simala Church.
The tourists also visited Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy and Boljoon town.
Today, the guests will tour Oslob, Santander, Samboan, Ginatilan, Malabuyioc, Alegria, Badian, Kawasan and Moalboal.
Meanwhile, Governor Garcia also invited 50 members of different gangs in Cebu, who signed a peace treaty in Minglanilla town.
The gang members came from the Bloods, Crips, and Hardcore.
The treaty aimed to stop hostilities between the gang members.
Aside from the the gang leaders, the treaty was also signed by Minglanilla Vice Mayor Elanito Peña, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale and Association of Barangay Councils president Manolo Delgado.
==DTI sets infodrive session on PHL's free trade deals ==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=739559&publicationSubCategoryId=108
*Friday, October 21, 2011 12:00 AM
: By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - In its bid to further encourage the business sector, specifically those dealing with foreign trade, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced another round of information session to intensify awareness on doing business in free trade areas.
DTI Cebu Provincial Office (CPO) director Nelia F. Navarro said that the event dubbed “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas---The Market Approach” will be held on October 26, 2011 starting 1:00pm to 5:00pm at Cebu Parklane International Hotel.
Navarro said the half day event is part of DTI’s national awareness campaign to improve access of Philippine products and services to international markets, as well as improve availment of trade benefits from the gradual removal or reduction of barriers to trade and investments—thus, creating a freer flow of goods, services and people within these free trade areas.
The information session on Oct. 26 will cover discussions on market opportunities with focus on products with zero or reduced tariffs under existing free trade agreements as well as the procedures on how to access or apply for these benefits.
Businesses that import are also advised to attend this Info Session and consider the possible benefits of FTAs as reduced tariffs under an FTA can result in better margins on inputs for manufacturers or those importing for the retail market.
The October 26 Info Drive will discuss salient parts of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA), ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and a number of ASEAN Regional FTAs namely ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Japan, ASEAN-Korea and ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTAs, which have already entered into force and are now being implemented.
These FTAs bring a number of trade benefits, such as the elimination or reduction of tariffs and non-tariff barriers on goods & services, the protection and promotion of investments, the harmonization of regulations and standards, and promoting ease of travel for business people.
Earlier, DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte urged the Cebuano business community to fully take advantage of the FTA’s saying despite previous series of information drive events held by the government led by DTI, Cebuano exporoters and importers in particular still havent maximize the incentives offered by FTA’s.
On the other hand, the Phil Federation of Exporters of the Philippines (PhilExport-Cebu) earlier said that although, there are already existing bilateral agreements with economic powers such as the Japan’s Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) and China’s Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT), which exporters have to seriously take advantage with, PhilExport executive director Fred Escalona earlier said that it would be very beneficial for exporters if they are given wider choice.
Likewise, DTI secretary Gregory Domingo urged exporters to take advantage of the trade bilateral agreements inked by the Philippines in other countries, specifically in ASEAN region in order to survive in the stiff global competition.
Although, the Philippines, still has to sign bilateral agreements with giant economies like the United States and Europe, Domingo said exporters or Filipino businessmen in general should find out the different bilateral agreements signed by the Philippines with other countries, as there are growing number of them.
At present, the biggest agreement the country has made is with Japan, through JPEPA, soon Domingo said the Philippines will have bilateral agreements with European Union (EU) and the United States.
“The Philippines is the lowest in terms of availing of the tariff advantages offered by several agreements with countries. Exporters are not taking advantage of this. Maybe because for the lack of knowledge or information,” Domingo said.
==Budget for Province’s annual investment plan is nearly half its IRA for 2012 ==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2011/10/20/budget-province-s-annual-investment-plan-nearly-half-its-ira-2012-186047
*Thursday, October 20, 2011
: By Oscar C. Pineda
THE Cebu Provincial Government is proposing an annual investment plan that is almost half its Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for 2012.
The Capitol’s annual investment plan (AIP) for 2012 lists development projects that cost P776 million, nearly 50 percent of its IRA for that year of about P1.6 billion.
The AIP is part of Capitol’s proposed budget for 2012, amounting to P3.6 billion.
Section 287 of Republic Act 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of the Philippines, provides that local government units should allot in its annual budget “no less than 20 percent of its annual IRA for development projects.”
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia earlier assured that the funding for the AIP will not come solely from the Province’s IRA.
Provincial Budget Officer Emme Gingoyon said the AIP is broken down into general public services, amounting to P2 million; social services of P481 million; and economic services, P293 million.
In terms of allocation, the biggest project under the AIP is the water supply development program under social services, with P256 million.
This is followed by airport, seaport, reclamation and other economic enterprise sites, with a P170-million allocation.
Construction and furnishing of birthing centers and hospitals are allotted P160 million.
Environmental enhancement, resource protection and solid waste management gets P10 million, while Malapascua and other tourism resort development projects are allotted P2 million.
==Lapu-Lapu world-class resorts attract tourists ==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/78645/lapu-lapu-world-class-resorts-attract-tourists
*Wednesday, October 19, 2011 7:14 am
: by NORMAN V. MENDOZA (CORRESPONDENT, Cebu Daily News )
Cebu’s ranking as the 8th best island destination in Asia according to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2011 survey can be seen through its world-class resorts, some of which are  in Lapu-lapu City.
“It is just right and fitting that we have addressed tourism concerns in the city as it is where our economy focuses,” said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza.
She said the Lapu-Lapu City government helped Cebu’s tourism industry by organizing anti-crime groups in coordination with police authorities and eco-tourism wardens that apprehend violators of the solid waste management act.
She also cited their regular coastal and underwater cleanups participated in by  coastal barangays, schools, non-government organizations, government agencies and volunteer groups as another program under her administration.
Radaza said they will continue to find ways to boost Lapu-Lapu City’s tourism industry and help the province continue to attract more foreign and domestic tourists to its shores.
==Garcia sets P3.6B budget for 2012 ==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=738681&publicationSubCategoryId=107
*Tuesday, October 18, 2011 12:00 AM
: By Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has submitted to the Provincial Board the proposed annual budget for 2012 amounting to P3.6 billion.
The amount is 18 percent higher than last year’s P3.01 billion.
Almost half of the total amount is earmarked for social services amounting to P1.77 billion; P1.1 billion for general public services and P791.6 million for economic enterprises.
Garcia said that the more than P3 billion budget is a distinction shared by no other province nationwide. She said the province has consistently shown its independence from Internal Revenue Allotment share, contributing 44 percent only of the required funding sources.
“It affirms this administration’s philosophy in achieving total fiscal independence by continuing in engaging economic enterprises to widen income base,” Garcia said in her budget message.
Under the General Public Services, the office of the governor appropriated P447.2 million; P38.3 million for the vice governor, which is 111 percent higher than last year and P97.5 million for the Provincial Board, which is 140 percent higher than last year.
Another appropriation of P198.2 million for office of the governor under the social services and under the economic services, another P190.6 million for the office of the governor, P23 million for the vice governor and P75 million for the SP which is P5 million each of the 15 board members.
Budgets for major development projects next year include P160 million for the construction, rehabilitation, furnishing and maintenance of hospitals and birthing centers; P256 million for water supply development program; P170 million for airport, seaport, reclamation and other economic enterprise site development program; and P40 million for the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges and highways.
Other major appropriations include the P65 million for the peace and order program; P25 million confidential and intelligence expenses program; P17 million college scholarship grants; P30 million for the expanded green and wholesome environment that nurtures program; the five percent lump sum in the amount of P98.6 million local disaster risk reduction and management fund (calamity fund); P98 million Provincial Development Assistance Fund; P111 million for hospital and health supplies and equipments; P68 million Philhealth program; and P28 million roads and bridges maintenance.
Garcia said the proposed budget espouses the judicious application of resources, bearing her principle in governance that a budget must be an approximation of the people’s hopes and aspirations, beyond theoretical presentation.
“This reflects the new age of politics, the new age of governance that we believe has dawned upon this great, indivisible and united ‘Province of Cebu’,” she added.
The Provincial Board is set to look into the proposed budget next week.
==Capitol credits eGWEN for Cebu tourism honor==
*Source: http://cdn.ph/news_details.php?id=11426
*Monday, October 17, 2011
: By Carmel Loise Matus (Correspondent)
THE Capitol lauded reports of Cebu's return to the list of top island destinations in Asia for this year as compiled by an international travel magazine.
In text messages sent to Cebu Daily News yesterday, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia attributed the province's comeback to her administration's Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that nurtures (eGWEN) program.
“(This honor is) an affirmation that the eGwen program embraced by our local government units (LGUs) continues to transform Cebu for the better,” the governor said.
The results were released last week from Condé Nast's 24th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards, an annual listing of the best cities, islands, hotels, transportation and resorts worldwide.
Garcia thanked local officials and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI) for being “effective partners” in the implementation of the program.
The eGWEN program is a province-wide contest that evaluates the performance of all towns and cities in Cebu in the areas of environment, health, governance and heritage.
The other night, three towns and cities and their corresponding selected barangays emerged winners from among 10 of their counterparts who were also given citations for exemplary performance.
Cebu bounced back this year at number 8, garnering 77.2 points after being shut out and dislodged by Luzon island last year.
Still, it failed to surpass Luzon which ranked at no. 6 or 77.9 points on the list of Top Island Destinations.
Luzon was also ranked at no. 7 last year with 75.1 points.
Cebu is a small island in the Visayas with a population of 3 million compared with Luzon's 48 million.
Luzon includes Metro Manila and regions of Ilocos, Bicol, Central Luzon, Cagayan and the Cordilleras.
Cebu has occupied the seventh place in 2008, 2007 and 2004. Twice, it has been ranked 8th best island destination by the same survey in 2006 and in 2005.
In Asia the top 10 best islands destinations are Maldives at No. 1, Bali, Phuket, Seychelles, Malaysian Borneo, Mauritius, Langkawi and Koh Samui. Maldives, Bali and Phuket have maintained their ranking from last year.
Another publication, the New York-based Travel + Leisure magazine, named Cebu among the “best islands in Asia” last year at number 3 and at number 4 in 2009 in the release of its World’s Best Awards, evaluating hotels, airlines, cruises islands and cities in the world.
Condé Nast Traveler is an American magazine published by Condé Nast Publications, which specializes in luxury travel and reviews of high-priced hotels, products and services.
== 100 join cleanup drive in Mandaue ==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=738010&publicationSubCategoryId=531
*Sunday , October 16, 2011 12:00 AM
: By Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Almost 100 volunteers joined yesterday morning the cleanup drive initiated by the newly formed Mandaue City Drainage System and Flood Control Management Committee to prevent flooding.
City administrator James Abadia said most of the canals were opened and the debris removed. He said some of the canals were opened for the first time since these were built.
Construction equipment and manpower came from the Cebu Contractors Association, FF. Cruz Company, the DPWH, and the Mandaue City Engineering Office.
Workers from city hall, Barangay Clean and Green, and non-governmental organizations also joined the cleanup which started at 8 a.m. and ended past 1 p.m.
In barangay Centro alone, dump trucks collected more than 50 sacks of waste.
Earlier, the committee had said the cleanup will be a regular Saturday activity in the city.
Last October 7, most barangays in the city were submerged in floodwater.
This incident prompted the city council to declare the city under state of calamity.
==Agri workers get insurance ==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2011/10/15/agri-workers-get-insurance-185181
*Saturday, October 15, 2011
: (OCP)
CEBU CITY -- Over 7,000 farmers and fishers in Cebu are now covered by insurance that will help them cope with storms and other calamities.
The Cebu Provincial Government will pay for the coverage worth P255.7 million, which an insurance official described as the most comprehensive among local governments nationwide.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia distributed Friday in Argao town the certificates of insurance coverage in the province’s second district.
She said the insurance will cushion the beneficiaries in case calamities affect them or their produce. She confirmed the Capitol will pay for the premiums to protect farmers and fishermen, the sector most vulnerable to climate change.
The distribution was made on the heels of Tropical Depression Ramon, which destroyed an estimated P12 billion in goods and produce in the country.
So far, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has released P330 million in insurance benefits, to cover the damage to agriculture.
Lawyer Jovy Bernabe, PCIC president, said only 27,000 farmers in Luzon were insured, or about five percent of the sector’s population.
“It’s very hard to convince them,” he said.
He found it commendable that in Cebu, which is seldom hit by storm, the governor has set the stage and insured farmers and fishers. In the other province, he said, the farmers themselves pay their insurance premiums, with only a counterpart fund from the local government.
Toward the end of her speech, Governor Garcia quoted a portion of Matthew 25:45 to explain the Province’s reasons for the insurance coverage: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
The family of fisherman Ernesto Calma, who died in a traffic accident last month, was among the first to benefit from the coverage. His mother Vicenta received from the governor P57,000 worth of checks Friday for his accident insurance, burial and reimbursement of medicine expenses.
PCIC president Bernabe said it was “first” for a local government in the country to provide its constituents with an insurance policy that will not only cover the usual crops and livestock, but also high-value crops, fishponds and fish cages.
In other provinces, he said, farmers insure only a particular crop. In Cebu’s case, everything is insured, he added.
“Insurance is the best hedge for low productivity caused by adverse weather conditions,” said Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Visayas Executive Director Leo Cañeda. He said this is one of the major preemptive programs of the government to address climate change.
The PCIC is a government-owned and controlled corporation attached to the DA.
Cebu PCIC Regional Director Crescencio Deligero Jr. said that with the governor’s help, they were able to insure 7,240 farmers and fishers, or a 10 percent penetration rate for these particular sectors.
In Luzon, the penetration rate so far is five percent, said Bernabe.
By the end of the year, the Capitol’s target is to insure 40,000 farmers and fishers, and Bernabe said that might be close to 100 percent coverage here in Cebu.
In a ceremony at the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gym in Argao on Friday, the governor, her father Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia, Provincial Board members, town mayors and other Capitol officials, together with DA and PCIC officials, distributed certificates of insurance coverage to 1,163 farmers and fishers from Argao, Alcoy, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Samboan.
Two other batches were distributed earlier this month.
Paulita Secuya, coordinator of PCIC’s Integrated Farming Systems Development Program, said the Province paid P1.095 million in insurance premiums for 7,240 individuals.
Of that figure, 423 are rice farmers; 1,460, corn planters; 591, livestock raisers; and 4,766, life insurance policy holders.
She added that rice and corn farmers occupy 1,150.14 hectares of land; and livestock raisers manage 1,109 heads of animals.
== 5 top youth groups in Visayas chosen ==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/76449/5-top-youth-groups-in-visayas-chosen
*Friday, October 14, 2011 8:48 pm
:By Cris Evert B. Lato (Inquirer Visayas)
LAPU-LAPU CITY—A group of young people makes notebooks from used paper, another teaches basic accounting to a tribe, and still another is into herbal medicine.
These are some of the projects presented by 10 groups in the Visayas on Sept. 23 as they competed for slots in the national finals of the country’s search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (Tayo).
Quoting national hero Jose Rizal’s famous query “Where is the youth of the fatherland?” Markwil Bert Ramos, 18, of  Abellana National High School Rescue Group Inc. said “this is our answer.”
His group was among the five winners joining the 20 Tayo national finalists who will meet this month in Manila. Ten national awardees will be chosen and will receive P50,000 each and a trophy sculpted by Toym de Leon Imao.
The other Visayas winners are the Aklan Catholic College’s Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) chapter, Industrial Engineering Council (IE Council) of Cebu Institute of Technology University, Alyansa ng mga Kristiyanong Mag-aaral Responsable ng Balikatan han mga Kabataan (Akma-Resbak) of Tacloban City, and Hayag Youth Organization in Ormoc City in Leyte.
:Recue mission
Ramos’ group trains young people on basic rescue skills, such as first aid, life support, rope techniques and firefighting. Its project aims to motivate them to respond to emergencies in their barangays.
The Aklan Catholic College’s JPIA chapter awed the judges with their dedication to teach basic accounting to four cooperatives in Barangays Agbalogo, Aglucay and Libang in Makato town and in Barangay Bolabog, Boracay Island, which is part of  Malay town.
The project started in October last year during the semestral break, said Joeby Barrientos, chapter president.
“When you say Boracay, what you see are white sand beaches, the party people. But behind this picture are the neglected people who are not given attention,” Barrientos said, referring to the Ati people, the island’s native inhabitants.
:‘Eco-notebooks’
“Though some of them are not able to set foot in schools, they are eager and interested to learn how to help manage their cooperative. That inspires us to continue with our work, no matter how hard it is,” she said.
Applying their classroom learning was the driving force for members of the IE Council of Cebu Institute of Technology University in coming up with “Now is the Time to Build Up Kids for Sustainability” (Nowtbuks). The project produced “eco-notebooks” from scrap paper and used cardboard donated by faculty members and students of the university.
To date, the IE Council has produced more than 500 notebooks distributed to students in Barangay Pangan-an in Lapu-Lapu City and in Barangays Labangon and Agsungot in Cebu City.
“We teach children the joy of recycling … from giving them lectures to the actual making of notebooks. The concept is to reuse the clean side of used paper, creatively stack and stitch them together to form notebooks,” said Roxanne Hernaez, its president.
The Akma-Resbak chose to encourage the use of herbal medicine in treating common community illnesses. Its chair, Christian Poleño, said the “Greens for Health Initiative” project in Barangay Balud in Basey town in Samar has helped the residents and transformed its members as leaders.
“I’ve learned to become more patient in dealing with people,” he told the judges during the panel presentation and defense.
:World Savers
Virginia Caballero of Hayag Youth Organization said the lack of concern among the youth on environmental issues pushed her group to be aggressive in promoting “World Savers” project, which undertakes coastal cleanups in 10 barangays, organic gardening and a youth “eco-camp.”
The five winners were chosen based on the impact of project entry on stakeholders, harnessing the spirit of volunteerism, creativity and innovation, sustainability and effective use of resources. Each of them received P5,000 in cash.
Other Visayas finalists are the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers student chapter of Bacolod City, Iloilo Prima Galaw Inc. of Iloilo City, San Isidro Youth of Talisay City in Cebu, DuScian Sillimanites of Dumaguete City, and the Waray-Waray Youth Club of Samar.
== Survey shows Cebu oil deposits ==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/337630/survey-shows-cebu-oil-deposits
*Thursday, October 13, 2011, 5:11pm
:By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.
ALEGRIA, Cebu, Philippines — The Department of Energy - Energy Resource Development Bureau (DoE-ERDB) finds the ongoing seismic survey of five service contracts in Cebu “very encouraging” for oil exploration.
This was according to DoE-ERDB Director Ismael Ocampo who said the prospects of the ongoing seismic survey for oil deposits in Cebu looks positive but drilling still has to be done to be really certain that the quantity would be of commercial volume.
“This takes time and before drilling operations can be done, the service contractor needs to conduct tests, usually a seismic survey, to make sure the area yields commercial volume of oil deposits,” said Ocampo who was a guest at this week's Kapihan sa PIA that tackled status updates on energy projects in Cebu including oil exploration activities.
The DoE official, however, cannot give a timeline as to when such service contract operations can yield results determining whether or not whatever oil deposits exists in the area are commercially viable for production.
One of the service contractors, China International Mining Petroleum Company Ltd., said it would start its remote sensing study, shore seismic data acquisition and drilling in Cebu's southern town of Alegria, the mountain barangay of Monteller and the coastal barangays of Madridejos. Black liquid has been spotted bubbling from the soil and locals here reportedly have been using soaked earth to build fire for cooking and light.
Ocampo said there are indications of oil deposits in Aloguinsan town in southern Cebu but that continuous seismic study needs to be done before drilling operations can begin to ensure that oil deposits in large amounts really exists.
“Even the city of Bogo has been found to have a deposit of natural gas which can produce 1.3 MW of power which is quite significant already, ” Ocampo said while adding however that it would probably take five to six years before production can be commercially tapped.
==DENR to count dwellers in Central Cebu watersheds ==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/74847/denr-to-count-dwellers-in-central-cebu-watersheds
*Wednesday, October 12, 2011 7:42 am
:by Candeze R. Mongaya (Reporter)
Who lives within Cebu’s watersheds and where?
Which ones are legitimate occupants?
A census and registration will be made in 22 barangays within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) starting this year.
This will provide the DENR with basic data as basis for establishing management zones and buffer zones and to prepare programs like  alternative livelihood opportunities, said  Regional
Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
He said they wanted to determine the actual number of occupants within the CCPL and establish the location and size of the home lots and farm lots in the 28,312-hectare protected area.
The survey will include a detailed demographic study, assessment of socio-economic conditions of the communities and validation of proofs of occupancy of the lot claimant.
Among the problems faced in the CCPL are “illegal claimants” who sold the lots and built structures even in zones of pure forestland.
Dichoso said they will document the actual number of occupants and households and the extent of area occupied during the census, based on the last survey conducted on 1993.
A household head shall be considered a “tenured migrant” if he can prove his claim of occupying the area  five years before it was declared a protected forestland.
The CCPL covers  five watershed:  Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve, Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve, Sudlon National Park, Central Cebu National Park and the  Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve.
The Kotkot-Lusaran watershed is  located in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Toledo and Danao, and in the towns of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, and Balamban.
==DOST food safety team members get certification==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/74137/dost-food-safety-team-members-get-certification
*Tuesday, October 11, 2011 8:35 am
: (Cebu Daily News)
AT least six members of the Department of Science and Technology Cebu Food Safety Team (DOST-CFST) are now certified by the US National Restaurant Association ServSafe Food Protection. The certification validates their professional credibility as international food safety managers.
Certificates were issued to Vina Antopina, John Jeremy Limon, Ethyle Iyog, Tristan Abando, Marichu Baclay and Josie Elli.
Their certificates were mailed from US NRA ServSafe office, Chicago, Illinois.
The certification, valid for five years, attests to their completion of the ServSafe food protection manager course and successful examination last June 30 to July 1.
The program provides up-to-date educational materials to the restaurant industry.
Accredited by the American National Standards Institute Conference for Food Protection, ServSafe training and certification is accepted in all states.
Bryan Ybañez, DOST-CFST team leader, was the first to receive the recognition.
==Group maps out breast cancer walk ==
==Group maps out breast cancer walk ==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/74137/dost-food-safety-team-members-get-certification
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/74137/dost-food-safety-team-members-get-certification
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