Difference between revisions of "Cebu Province News March 2016"

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==[[Activities for the Holy Week]]==
{{:Activities for the Holy Week}}
==[[Cebu airport PPP deal wins award in Singapore]]==
{{:Cebu airport PPP deal wins award in Singapore}}
==[[Cebu to use PHP7-M DILG prize to build ICU for Danao hospital]]==
{{:Cebu to use PHP7-M DILG prize to build ICU for Danao hospital}}
==[[Aussie envoy urges Cebu tourism sector to market more in Australia]]==
{{:Aussie envoy urges Cebu tourism sector to market more in Australia}}
==[[UNICEF turns over PHP6-M cold storage for vaccines to Cebu Capitol]]==
{{:UNICEF turns over PHP6-M cold storage for vaccines to Cebu Capitol}}
==[[Rehab on Cebu pre-colonial church near completion]]==
{{:Rehab on Cebu pre-colonial church near completion}}
==[[Cebu hosts Asean info summit]]==
{{:Cebu hosts Asean info summit}}
==[[Tañon Strait yields P57M in fees]]==
{{:Tañon Strait yields P57M in fees}}
==[[NG gives PHP23.5M worth of equipment, infra for Mandaue hospital]]==
{{:NG gives PHP23.5M worth of equipment, infra for Mandaue hospital}}
==[[State-run hospital in Cebu to build PHP475.8M state-of-the-art cancer center]]==
==[[State-run hospital in Cebu to build PHP475.8M state-of-the-art cancer center]]==


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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.

Activities for the Holy Week

By Katlene O. Cacho

RESORTS in Mactan Island are starting to get fully-booked as the Holy Week nears.

Resort players have mounted various activities to make their visitors’ long weekend in Mactan worthwhile.

The 244-room Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu is already fully-booked for Holy Week, according to Meghann Hernandez, the resort’s marketing and communications manager.

She said the resort has prepared various activities for families to enjoy with games and activities, like the egg hunt and entertainment for its special Easter family affair.

“This weekend is the perfect opportunity for you to relish in traditional local Easter customs within a modern Mediterranean ambience, surrounded by the beautiful lush greenery and crystal blue waters,” the resort said in its press release.

“For next week, we are averaging about 90 percent in occupancy, but we are filling up,” said Fiona Escandor, communications executive at Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa. The resort guests, she said, are a good mix of locals and holiday makers from regional markets.

The five-star resort has also mounted activities for children like the egg hunt and set menus for guests at Cowrie Cove and Acqua, and Sparkling Fun-ch Buffet at Tides.

The Cebuano-owned Bluewater resort chain in Maribago, Sumilon and Panglao islands, likewise, projected high occupancy during the Holy Week.

Maribago and Sumilon resorts are fully-booked on Good Friday and Black Saturday while the Panglao resort is running high during the entire week, according to the press statement provided by Bluewater’s marketing communications officer Eric Monsanto.

This Holy Week, the resorts said they will have tours and a series of “fun-filled activities” for the whole family. Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort will bring back their special Bisita Iglesia Tour.

Resort guests will be able to pay homage and get a unique and animated look at the Filipino’s culture and tradition as they visit Cebu’s historical churches and pilgrimage spots.

On Easter Sunday, the resort prepared family-themed activities like Dolpo’s Amazing Adventure Race in Bluewater Panglao, pirate-themed egg hunt event in Bluewater Sumilon and Bluewater Maribago.

Holy Week is usually considered a low season for city hotels but a peak season for resort hotels. While most locals go on pilgrimage tours like visiting churches, others troop to resorts and beaches to spend quality time with their families and loved-ones. For many Filipinos, Holy Week isn’t only a time of reflection and prayers but also a chance to catch up with friends and engage in recreational activities.

Based on tentative bookings as of yesterday, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is averaging at 70 percent occupancy next week, said Andi Lim, PR officer of Plantation Bay yesterday.

The resort prepared various activities for Easter Sunday like the Easter parade, bonnet contest, egg hunt, bubble show, dance with fairies and children’s party.

On the other hand, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan is also averaging 80 percent in occupancy for the long weekend.

Mia Sy, Crimson’s public relations and marketing and communications manager, said they have also prepared activities at the beach for families, adults and children such as seafood beach dinner buffet, wine pairing dinner, Easter egg hunt and Sunday brunch.

Cebuano-owned Be Resorts Mactan and Panglao also expect high guest occupancy next week.

According to Erin Garcia-Rivera, head of sales of Be Resorts, average occupancy of their resorts in Mactan and Bohol is at 70 percent and 65 percent, respectively.

An Easter Sunday brunch, egg hunting, face painting and cookie-making demo are among the activities the resort lined-up during the long vacation.

Cebu airport PPP deal wins award in Singapore

By Azer N. Parrocha [(PNA), LGI/ANP]

MANILA (PNA) -- The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project has earned top recognition from a foreign magazine, the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) said last Wednesday.

PPPC said that the airport bagged “Best PPP Deal in Asia-Pacific Region” during the IJGlobal Asia Pacific Awards 2015 held in Singapore last March 3.

IJGlobal Infrastructure Journal and Project Finance Magazine recognizes excellence, achievement and innovation in energy and infrastructure finance. It also honors excellence of market participants by naming outstanding public and private sector players in the region.

The awarding body is composed of industry leaders in the various areas of international infrastructure finance.

This is not the first global recognition given to the MCIA PPP Project. Last December 2015, Thomson Reuters’ Project Finance International (PFI) hailed the PPP project. It was also ranked by www.sleepinginairports.net as 18th best airport in Asia through a survey answered by travelers.

At present, upgrades and changes have been in place at the MCIA Terminal 1 including renovated washrooms, and the installation of a greener terminal building and self-service check-in kiosks. Immigration, customs and quarantine counters and new seats have also been improved.

To recall, the government through the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) awarded the PhP17.52 billion MCIA PPP contract to GMR Infrastructure and Megawide Consortium in April 4, 2014.

This contract involves the construction of a new world-class passenger terminal building and operations and maintenance of the existing airport.

DOTC turned over the airport’s operation and maintenance to the private partner in November 1, 2014. President Benigno Aquino III meanwhile led the groundbreaking of the new MCIA terminal building last June 29, 2015.

The construction started in July 2015 and a ceremonial pouring of concrete at the Mactan construction site was held last January this year.

Cebu to use PHP7-M DILG prize to build ICU for Danao hospital

(PNA), JBP/EB/PR/EBP

CEBU CITY, March 17 (PNA) -- The Cebu provincial government will use the PHP7-million cash incentive it received from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) -- for gaining the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award in 2015 -- to build an intensive care unit (ICU) in the Cebu Provincial Hospital–Danao City.

The SGLG awarding ceremonies was held last July 14, 2015 with Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III receiving the plaque and replica of the cheque from then DILG Secretary Mar Roxas.

But Cebu Provincial Treasurer Emmanuel Guial said he actually received the PHP7 million cash incentive from the DILG only on March 10 this year.

Cebu province received the SGLG award from DILG for the second year in a row in 2015.

“It means that the Provincial government is practicing the Full Disclosure Policy which means we are not hiding anything from the public,” Guial said.

Guial said the 2014 cash incentive was spent on the waterworks system in the municipality of Tudela in the Camotes Islands off northern Cebu.

Out of 136 local government units in Region 7, eight municipalities from the Cebu province also got the SGLG award last year.

These towns are San Remigio, Bantayan, Medellin, Malabuyoc, Oslob, Dalaguete, Dumanjug and Argao.

Each municipality got a cash incentive of PHP3 million.

Socorro Dorina Salas, Performance Challenge Fund Regional Focal Person, said the awardees had to pass certain criteria as well as submit their accomplishments.

She said awardees have to pass requirements on social services, Commission on Audit and disaster preparedness.

Aussie envoy urges Cebu tourism sector to market more in Australia

(PNA), JBP/EB/EBP

CEBU CITY, March 16 (PNA) -- Australian Ambassador to thePhilippines Amanda Gorely has urged Cebu’s tourism sector to “market more in Australia” to lure more Australian tourists to visit the province.

Gorely, who is a first time visitor to Cebu, said she was amazed by the warm hospitality of Cebuanos, natural attractions and thriving economic landscape.

She was in Cebu Monday to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties between Australia and the Philippines this year.

The Australian Embassy mounted an exhibit at the SM City Cebu Northwing at the Cebu City North Reclamation Area, which highlights the 70-year friendship between the two countries.

Gorely said that if Cebu intends to grow its arrivals from Australia, she highly recommends investing more in advertising and other marketing campaigns, as Cebu is not as popular compared to other Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore, which Australian tourists frequently visit.

“You already have the making of a perfect holiday, but you need to market Cebu more. You need to do more advertising in terms of building knowledge and familiarity of the brand. You already have a fantastic package to sell,” said Gorely.

She was referring to the province’s pristine beaches, adventure tourism, shopping and natural wonders.

She said the country’s tropical weather and Filipino cuisine are big attractions among Australian tourists.

But the absence of direct flights between Cebu and key cities of Australia such as Melbourne and Sydney remains a challenge to boost arrivals from these cities.

Cebu logged 44,311 arrivals from Australia last year.

The region, on the other hand, registered 5.94 percent growth in the Australian tourism market, from 53,197 in 2014 to 56,356 last year.

UNICEF turns over PHP6-M cold storage for vaccines to Cebu Capitol

(PNA), FFC/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, March 15 (PNA) -- The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has turned over to the Cebu Provincial Government a PHP6-million cold storage facility for vaccines.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said the cold storage preserves living microorganisms and bacteria, which are important to make the vaccines effective.

Davide said providing vaccines to children immediately in times of emergency will save lives.

The facility, located within the Cebu Capitol compound, was constructed by UNICEF carpenters from China in less than a week.

Department of Health (DOH) 7 Director Jaime Bernadas thanked UNICEF for the donation.

Bernadas said the facility addresses the need for adequate and appropriate handling of vaccines, including transporting them from the place where these are procured to the rural health units or other final destinations.

Vaccines must be kept under a controlled temperature to prevent destruction and to preserve its efficacy.

UNICEF country representative Bernie Bersola, in a message read by Cebu Provincial Health Office Dr. Cynthia Genesolango, said UNICEF will always be around to assist local government units (LGUs) with their health needs, especially those that concern children.

The DOH 7 has distributed ice-lined refrigerators, also for vaccine storage, to 31 LGUs in Cebu Province.

Rehab on Cebu pre-colonial church near completion

By Justin K. Vestil

THE restoration work on a pre-colonial church in Boljoon town, Cebu is now close to completion, a church official said last week.

Fr. Brian Brigoli, chairman of the Archdiocese of Cebu’s Commission on Cultural Heritage, told Sun. Star Cebu that the restoration and rehabilitation work on the Nuestra Señora de Patrocinio de Maria Church in Boljoon is now 70-percent complete.

Sites

Brigoli said that through the help of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), parts of the church that were damaged through years of wear and tear and during the 2013 Cebu-Bohol earthquake are being repaired.

The NHCP spent around P14.4 million for restoration work in the old church in Boljoon, according to a report on the status of churches and historical sites in Cebu that were restored after the quake.

NHCP is funding the repair of the old church’s buttresses.

Other components of the old church like the walls, roof and old open canals in the church’s compound that had weathered over the years are undergoing restoration.

Brigoli explained that interventions had to be done and that the repair and restoration works are at no cost to the parish and its parishioners.

Brigoli, however, cannot disclose how much NHCP has spent for the additional repair and restoration works.

Other churches owned by the Archdiocese and are being repaired and restored by NHCP include the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Dumanjug town, the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel in Argao town, the St. Michael the Archangel Church in Samboan town, the Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza Church in Sibonga town, the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Carcar City, the San Guillermo de Aquitania Church in Dalaguete town, the Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Bantayan and the Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Barangay Pardo, Cebu City.

The NHCP has appropriated more than P200 million for the repair and restoration of old churches and historical sites in Cebu that were damaged by the 8.9 magnitude earthquake.

Cebu hosts Asean info summit

By Elias O. Baquero

CEBU will host the Asean Ministers for Responsible Information (AMRI) meeting and the Senior Officials for Responsible Information (SOMRI) meeting from March 14 to 18.

Fayette Riñen of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) said the SOMRI meeting is within the undersecretary level from March 14-16 to be followed by AMRI, the secretary or minister level meeting.

Whatever will be discussed by SOMRI will be finalized by AMRI.

AMRI is chaired by Secretary Sonny Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), while SOMRI is chaired by PCOO Undersecretary Jess Anthony Yu.

Riñen said that over 100 delegates from 10 countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), namely, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Singapore.

Three dialogue partners identified as Japan, South Korea and China, which are considered economically advanced countries, are expected to attend the five-day event.

Aside from Yu, the other main panelists in the SOMRI, from March 14-16, are Tito Cruz of the Philippine Broadcasting Services and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza.

Communication

In a press statement, the information ministers/secretaries of the 10 member-countries underscored the need to accelerate the efforts to communicate Asean and its benefits as the envisioned One Asean Community by 2015 will soon be realized.

In the 12th AMRI Conference last June 12, 2015 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, the ministers signed the Declaration on Socially Responsible Media for a Peaceful and Prosperous Community to affirm their commitment to further strengthen cooperation in information and media programs and activities to bring about a heightened awareness and deeper understanding of Asean.

The ministers also noted the initiatives that have already been undertaken by the Member Nations in support of Asean awareness and community building, including television and radio news exchanges and the Asean Quiz.

They also welcomed the initiatives towards the adoption of digital broadcasting by the Member States.

The press stated further stated that the information ministers, likewise, highlighted the need to maximize the use of all forms of media, from the traditional and mainstream to the new or social media, to inform the widest public possible of the benefits of Asean integration.

Networking

In the June 12, 2015 meeting, the ministers further resolved to enjoin the engagement of various sectors, including Asean dialogue partners like China, Japan and Korea in making Asean a truly one community.

Among the possible discussion in the AMRI and SOMRI in Cebu are joint production projects, media networking, and human resource development.

Tañon Strait yields P57M in fees

By Justin K. Vestil

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 was able to collect around P57 million in user’s fees from industries that maintain facilities within the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS).

DENR 7 Executive Director Isabelo Montejo said that there are other establishments that have yet to pay user’s fee.

Montejo said that the collection will be used to fund activities that promote the protection and management of TSPS. The activities include information dissemination and law enforcement.

Montejo said that the DENR is also working with other government agencies and civil society groups for the creation of a general management plan for Tañon Strait.

Plan

The general management plan includes the rehabilitation and protection of around 18,337 hectares of corals and 5,000 mangroves.

The implementation of the management plan will be the sole responsibility of the Protected Areas Management Bureau (PAMB), which is composed of local government units located within the TSPS.

Industries that regularly pay user’s fees include Toledo Power Company, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines for its underwater cable connecting Samboan, Cebu and Amlan in Negros Oriental, and beach resorts.

The collection of user’s fees is mandated by Republic Act 10629.

The Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance in Region (Clear) 7 also reported arrests made by seaborne patrols last year.

Enforcement

Andres Bojos, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7 director and a member of Clear 7, said that law enforcement efforts led to the apprehension and prosecution of four commercial fishing vessels.

Bojos said that the apprehensions will serve as a “chilling effect” on illegal fishermen who will try to operate within TSPS.

Commercial fishing boats are banned in the TSPS. The whole strait is classified as part of the municipal waters of 42 towns and cities fronting the seascape.

The Tañon Strait was declared a protected seascape to protect the 14 species of dolphins and whales that consider the area their habitat.

It is the largest marine protected area in the country, covering an area of more than 521,000 hectares that fall within the jurisdiction of two regions and three provinces—Cebu, Bohol and Negros.

Although it was declared protected in 1998 yet, its PAMB was only able to convene in February 2015.

Lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos of Oceana Philippines said that one of their accomplishments after the first TSPS PAMB general assembly is the passage of the amended Fisheries Code.

NG gives PHP23.5M worth of equipment, infra for Mandaue hospital

(PNA), FFC/EB/RSM

CEBU CITY, March 11 (PNA) -- The National Government has given a total of PHP23.5 million worth of infrastructure projects and new equipment to the Mandaue City Hospital (MCH).

Dr. Maria Lourdes Espinosa, MCH chief-of-hospital, said of the total amount, PHP16 million was coursed through the Department of Health (DOH) and PHP7.5 million through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

A ceremonial turnover was held at the MCH grounds Thursday afternoon.

DOH 7 Assistant Director Sofia Mancao said the DOH allocated PHP10 million for the hospital equipment and another PHP6 million for the repair of MCH building, and construction of sewage treatment plant and placenta pit.

MCH is one of the DOH’s recipient of the Health Facility Enhancement Program for 2016.

The equipment that will be delivered to MCH are hospital beds, bedside tables, delivery table, ECG machine, blood pressure apparatus, fully-automated blood chemistry analyzer, plasma sterilizer, audiometer, patient monitor and pediatric crib.

The PHP7.5 million funds from the DPWH will also be used for the upgrading of the hospital, including the repairs of the rooms, comfort rooms, ceiling and roof.

Rep. Luigi Quisumbing (Cebu, sixth district) said he requested DOH Sec. Janette Garin last year to provide funds for the rehabilitation and equipment of the hospital.

Quisumbing said the improvement of the MCH will help decongest the state-run Vicento Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City and the Eversley Child Sanitarium in Mandaue City.

State-run hospital in Cebu to build PHP475.8M state-of-the-art cancer center

(PNA), LAP/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, March 10 (PNA) -- The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), the biggest state-run hospital in Cebu, is set to build a PHP475.8-million state-of-the-art cancer center that will cater to patients in Southern Philippines.

Dr. Antonio Roque R. Paradela, bids and awards committee (BAC) chairman, said they will conduct a public bidding for the cancer center on March 15.

But Paradela said two contractors, namely, Young Builders Corp. of Pitogo, Consolacion, Cebu and Arn Builders Inc. of Banilad, Cebu City, have requested the BAC to postpone it due to an alleged defective bidding process.

In his letter to Paradela dated last March 7, Architect Nelson G. Yu of Young Builders said their request to postpone the opening of bid documents on March 15 is due to the delayed release to the bidders of the complete terms of reference (TOR) documents.

Yu also asked the VSMMC BAC through Paradela to reduce the required track records of participating bidders from the present “track record in designing and constructing cancer center” to “hospital track record.”

Yu said that if VSMMC’s BAC will stick to “cancer center design and construction” on its TOR, only Manila-based contractors will qualify and Cebu contractors can no longer participate.

Arn Builders president Arnold T. Espinoza, in a separate letter dated March 8, said “the similar project requirement to qualify bidder, requiring bidders to have cancer center construction experience or record will be tantamount to selective bidding because there was no cancer center construction done in Cebu.”

“It’s the first time that a 100 percent cancer center hospital is going to be constructed in Cebu,” read their press statement.

Both Yu and Espinoza have requested to postpone the public bidding from March 15 to either March 21 or 22.

They said the bidding on March 15 should be postponed to give them and other interested Cebu contractors time to prepare for the bidding as required under Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Cebu PB allots PHP72.3M financial aid to LGUs

(PNA), LAP/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) passed a resolution approving the release of PHP72.33 million in financial assistance to various local government units (LGUs) in the province.

The resolution, authored by Cebu PB Member Celestino Martinez and seconded by PB Member Carmen Durano-Meca, authorized Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III to grant and release financial assistance to the LGUs.

The financial assistance will be chargeable to the 20 percent Development Fund 2016 of the Office of the Governor.

The provincial government has an approved PHP3.6 billion budget for 2016, of which PHP520 million was set aside for the development fund.

Among the 11 listed recipient LGUs are Carmen, San Remigio, Tuburan, Tabuelan, Boljoon, Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Oslob, Moalboal and Dumanjug.

Carmen, which got the biggest share, was granted PHP20 million for concreting of the provincial road from Cantucong to Upper Natimao-an and another PHP20 million for other roads.

The town also got PHP3.5 million for an Olympic-size swimming pool for provincial sports and cultural meets.

The financial assistance will be turned over the checks to the LGUs before March 25 or before the campaign period for the local elections.

New ferry, bus service for Cebu commuters to hit Mactan airport in 35 minutes

(PNA), FFC/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, March 8 (PNA) -- Government regulators are set to approve a new ferry and bus service that allows commuters from the Cebu mainland to reach the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in 35 minutes.

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said it will issue a special permit to Ocean Fast Ferries Inc. for them to operate Oceanjet from Pier 1 in Cebu City to a wharf near Anton’s restaurant in Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City.

The new service, utilizing fastcrafts used to ferry passengers from Cebu to nearby islands such as Bohol, held a dry run Monday in preparation for the total closure of the first Mandaue-Mactan bridge for repairs.

The Oceanjet fastcraft only took 30 minutes to get from Pier 1 in Cebu City to Pusok in Lapu-Lapu City, followed by a five-minute bus ride to the Mactan airport.

Marina 7 Legal Officer Jose Cabatingan said it will be up to the company to decide how much to charge because fares in the shipping sector have been deregulated.

Cabatingan said he was optimistic the Oceanjet management would set a reasonable fare.

He said Metro Ferry, which travels between Pier 1, Cebu City and Muelle Osmeña in Lapu-Lapu City, is charging PHP13 one-way.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) implemented a PHP129-million repair of the bridge since the first week of February.

But it held in abeyance the total closure of the bridge from vehicular traffic until the end of classes to avoid severe traffic congestion.

Motorists and commuters traveling from the Cebu mainland to Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island were caught in up to four hours of traffic when one lane of the bridge was closed to traffic at the start of the bridge repairs.

DENR 7 announces winners in World Wildlife Day quiz bowl, essay writing contest

(PNA), LAP/EB/PR/EDS

CEBU CITY, March 7 (PNA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 on Monday announced the winners of the quiz bowl and essay writing contest in celebration of the World Wildlife Day (WWD) held on March 3 in Cebu City.

May Antoinette Escoro of Abellana National High School in Cebu City won first place in the quiz bowl, with Kenneth Francis Saxton of Regent Pacific College in second place and Jesson Samuel Dela Cruz of Benedicto College in third place.

In the essay writing contest, Melmar Usman of Ramon Duterte Memorial National High School won first place, with Henel Lou Ramirez Villalon of Regent Pacific College in second place and Jonabelle E. Saban Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School in third place.

“This is a reminder that wildlife plays very critically an important support system for our existence and we should endeavor to co-exist with them,” said DENR 7 Regional Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo.

Montejo said the competitions, which were held last March 3 at the DENR 7 Training Hall, Banilad, Mandaue City with 11 participating elementary and secondary schools, were aimed at raising awareness and conservation efforts particularly of threatened species.

Montejo said the Philippines had been earning praise from the international community for its efforts to curb illegal wildlife trade, such as when it destroyed the country’s stock of confiscated elephant tusks in June last year.

“We have been continuously monitoring to ensure that the provisions of Republic Act 9147 or the wildlife resources and cave protection act have been carried out to protect and conserve wildlife species and their habitats, to do regulation and collection of trade and wildlife, and to initiate or support scientific studies on the conservation of biological diversity,” Montejo said.

The Philippines’ participation in the WWD celebration was part of the country’s commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement adopted in 1973 to regulate worldwide commercial trade in wild animal and plant species.

CSC-7 to launch 2016 Search for Outstanding Public Officials, Employees

By Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU (PIA) – The Civil Service Commission (CSC-7) will launch the 2016 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees on Wednesday, March 2, at 8:00 in the morning at the Multi-Purpose Hall A of the CSC7 building.

Done every year, the CSC Honor Awards Program aims to give recognition and reward to public officials and state workers for their outstanding work performance and consistent ethical behavior.

Awards to be given are the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, Dangal ng Bayan Award, and the CSC Pagasa Award.

The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is given to an individual or group of individuals for exceptional contributions from an idea or performance which had a nationwide impact on public interest.

For the Dangal ng Bayan Award, this is given to an individual for performance of extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior as provided under RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The CSC Pagasa Award, on the other hand, is conferred to an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contributions resulting from an idea or performance which directly benefited more than one department of the government.

Giving honor to deserving public officials and government employees is hoped to motivate and inspire other workers in the bureaucracy to improve their performance and commitment in giving public service.

Meanwhile, the CSC on the same date will also turn over the financial assistance to the families of the 44 PNP Special Action Force members who died during an encounter with armed groups in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015.

The Commission is granting the financial assistance of P100,000 to the families through its Pamanang Lingkod Bayani Program. (rmn/fcr/PIA-7/CSC-7)

MCIA to join Routes Asia 2016

By Katlene O. Cacho (With PNA)

AIRPORT operator GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) are set to join the Routes Asia 2016 in Manila to boost Cebu’s air connectivity.

In a statement sent yesterday, GMCAC and MCIAA are scheduled to meet with 24 airline companies, including some 12 airport operators and tourism authorities during the three-day event happening this March 6 to 8 at the SMX Convention Center.

Both hope to market Cebu as a destination, showcase MCIA as a gateway and discuss potential new markets. At present, GMCAC is pursuing potential new airlines and routes targeting destinations like Australia, Thailand, India, Japan, Malaysia and China.

“Routes Asia 2016, as the largest route development in the region, is the ideal platform to connect with leading aviation stakeholders on the potential of Mactan-Cebu Airport as a hub for the world’s leading airlines. In just one year of operations, passenger traffic grew by 16 percent because we opened Cebu to new domestic and international routes,” said GMCAC president Louie Ferrer.

“Cebu has so much to offer as a tourist and investment destination. It has natural beauty, history and culture, and a strong emerging economy. This is the experience we want to share with the international market,” he added.

Routes Asia is the largest development event for the Asia-Pacific region, bringing together a range of airlines, airports, and tourism authorities, including some of the largest carriers from the whole Asian region.

This is the first time the Philippines will play as the host country for this biggest aviation meeting in Asia.

According to the Routes Asia 2016 website, around 900 aviation professionals are expected to attend the event, together with 30 tourism officials, 20 experts and representatives from at least 100 airlines and 200 airports.

The Philippine Government has allotted a some P64-million for the Philippine hosting of Routes Asia 2016.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Route Development Team Head Erwin Balane said that the budget would be provided by the DOT, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

Half of the budget (P32 million) would be provided by the DOT while the remainder will be provided by the DOTC and MIAA, Balane told reporters in an interview.

He stressed the importance of the event in helping regional airports acquire new routes to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“We are increasing the capacity and showcasing our regional airports, particularly Clark International Airport and Kalibo International Airport,” Balane said. Balane pointed out that around 75 percent of air traffic was in Metro Manila while 25 percent divided by other regional airports.

“If we can increase utilization of regional airports by mounting new routes to these destinations, we would be able to get a lot of investments into these areas, especially airports up for bidding under the public-private partnership (PPP),” Balane said.

DOT Assistant Secretary Arturo Boncato Jr. also highlighted the importance of the Routes Asia in enhancing air connectivity.

“Our objective is to make the Philippines as a multi-gateway destination and that our top source markets are well connected as we open up other gateways aside from the other gateways we are already providing,” Boncato said.

“Decision makers will be here instead of us going there and finding time to meet them so DOT, DOTC, local government units (LGUs) will have to take advantage of their presence,” Boncato said.

He also said that air seats in the country in 2015 jumped by 7.9 percent to 13 million seats from nine million seats, an indicator that the country was moving forward as a prime destination.

Within the three-day event, the Routes Asia 2016 Marketing Awards will also take place at the Routes Asia Networking Evening hosted by the DOT. The award recognizes excellence in airport marketing as voted by airlines.

According to the Routes website, MCIA has been shortlisted as one of the nominees for top-hub status under the four to 20 million passenger category. Other nominees for that same category included Auckland Airport, Bangalore International Airport Limited, Perth Airport and Yangon International Airport.

The overall winner announced in Manila will be automatically short-listed for the World Routes 2016 Marketing Awards.

“The Philippines is a strong viable option for staging the largest and most important route development forum in Asia. Trade, investment and tourism in the country have grown very rapidly in the last few years creating numerous opportunities for expanding air routes to major points in Asia and the rest of the world. We owe this strong support to all our stakeholders, who have invested their resources and trust in us to make this work for everybody,” said DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., in a separate statement.

Cebu provincial development body okays PHP18.44-B projects for 2017

(PNA), LAP/EB/RSM

CEBU CITY, March 4 (PNA) -- The Cebu Provincial Development Council (PDC) has approved PHP18.44 billion worth of infrastructure projects for 2017.

The PDC endorsed the projects to the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 so these will be included in the 2017 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The programs, activities and projects (PAPs) are distributed to district engineering offices (DEOs) in the province.

Among the DEOs, DEO 6 had the biggest budgetary need at PHP5.9 billion, followed by DEO 4 with PHP3.72 billion.

DEO 1 has a proposed budget of PHP1.286 billion; DEO 2, PHP2.445 billion; DEO 3, PHP3.456 billion; and DEO 5, PHP1.616-billion.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is the presiding officer of the PDC.

Davide said the specific projects for each local government unit (LGU) in the province should be discussed by the district engineer.

Among the members of the PDC are the chief executives of LGUs and members of the provincial board.

Chinese-American delegation tours Cebu and Bohol

By Katlene O. Cacho

A GROUP of Chinese-American tourists arrived in Cebu yesterday to explore trade and tourism potentials of Cebu and Bohol.

Rajah Tours Philippines chairman Alejandra Clemente, in an interview yesterday, said about 28 business and civic leaders joined this year’s San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee (SFMSCC) tour and they requested for a sidetrip to Cebu and Bohol for the first time.

Rajah Tours is the official tour handler of SFMSCC.

SMFCC is an organization that serves as a cultural and economic link between Manila and San Francisco, presenting the best of San Francisco to the Philippines, and in turn showcasing the best of the Philippines to the San Francisco Bay Area.

“Their primary purpose is to look for investments in the country and foster cultural relations between Filipino-Americans and Asian-Americans,” said Clemente.

The delegation led by San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee will be here for three days and two nights, with two days to be spent in Bohol.

Clemente said the Cebu-Bohol itinerary came up following the request of the group to tour other tourism destinations in the country. Cebu, she said, is already gaining popularity in the US in terms of tourism and investments.

“The climate of investment here is good,” she said.

Aside from the Cebu City Tour, the delegation also visited Profood International Corp. and the dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

The team will also embark on a Suroy-Suroy Sugbo tour in the south and will pay a courtesy visit to the Province of Cebu.

“The group is impressed with the Cebu culture. They are impressed with the overwhelming welcome reception of the Cebuanos,” she said.

DENR 7 tops mangrove and beach forest development in disaster-hit regions

(PNA), FFC/EB/EBP

CEBU CITY, March 2 (PNA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 won first place in the regional presentations of post-project assessment report of the Mangrove and Beach Forest Development Project (MBFDP) in disaster-hit regions last year, a press statement said.

MBFDP Regional Coordinator Emma E. Melana presented the report for Central Visayas in behalf of DENR 7 Director Isabelo R. Montejo.

The report said Central Visayas contributed about 10 percent of the mangrove-beach forest plan’s national target of 50,000 hectares.

This means the DENR 7 covered 4,947.41 hectares out of its 4,728-hectare target, or a 105 percent accomplishment.

MBFDP is one of the projects under the reconstruction andrehabilitation program of areas affected by super typhoon Yolanda, the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and other disasters in 2013.

The regional presentation was organized by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), the national coordinator of MBFDP.

The presentations focused on MBFDP accomplishments in seedling production, area planted, social mobilization strategies, jobs generated and number of men and women benefited from the project.

The presentation also included issues and problems addressed, lessons learned, innovations and technology generated and the mechanism to sustain the project.

Central Visayas welcomed 4.5 million visitors

By Katlene O. Cacho

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 announced yesterday that Central Visayas has exceeded its tourism target for 2015.

The region welcomed 4.5 million arrivals last year, up by 10.46 percent, partial records of the DOT showed.

Domestic arrivals contributed 2.6 million or a growth of 7.02 percent while foreign arrivals grew by 15.65 percent or 1.9 million. The agency’s arrival target for 2015 is pegged at 4.4 million.

Cebu logged a total of 3.3 million tourists last year while Bohol recorded 448,147 arrivals. Tourist arrivals in Negros stood at 625,295 while some 61,217 tourists visited Siquijor in 2015.

DOT 7 Director Rowena Montecillo, in an interview yesterday, said the increased flights to Japan has greatly contributed to the increase in foreign arrivals last year as well as the several big-ticket meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) activities last year, including the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeintgs where Cebu played as the host-city for several ministerial meetings.

“The APEC-related events somehow attributed to the growth to our arrivals. We are hoping to see more positive effects of APEC in the future as foreign delegates come here with their families for leisure,” she said.

Japan’s increased flights from Cebu commenced on the last quarter of 2015 boosting arrivals of the Japanese market. This second top source market grew by 25.91 percent or 312,491 arrivals last year.

China, however, posted the highest growth last year. This market grew by 80.84 percent or 117,994 arrivals from 65,211 in 2014, making them the region’s fourth tourist market.

Montecillo said, most of these Chinese tourists went to Negros Oriental for some eco-tourism activities together with their families. She said Negros is becoming the next stop for Chinese tourists because it is more laid back.

“This is an indication that tourism is starting to spread out in other provinces of the region. We are happy that they are exploring other tourism destinations outside of Cebu but still within the region,” she said.

Korea remains the region’s top source market, growing at 18.61 percent. It generated 712,743 arrivals in 2015, from 600,904 arrivals the previous year.

Arrivals from the United States, the third top tourist source market, grew by 13.58 percent or 157,910 arrivals while Australia logged 56,356 arrivals up by 5.94 percent.

Other markets also posted positive growths except for the United Kingdom, whose growth declined by 9.42 percent from 39,614 in 2014 arrivals to 35,882 last year.

Arrivals from Germany went up by 11.97 percent with 36,780 arrivals; Canada also grew by 9.30 percent with 33,227 arrivals; France at 23.50 percent with 30,371 arrivals; and Taiwan at 56.07 percent with 26,196 arrivals.

The Philippines closed 2015 with a total of 5,360,682 visitors. It posted a 10.91 percent growth from the 4,833,368 visitors in 2014.

“The strong performance of the industry could be attributed to the intensified marketing campaigns that the country mounted during the year, the influx of visitors during the Christmas holidays, as well as, the international media exposure of the country as major international events were successfully held in the Philippines such as the visit of Pope Francis, APEC 2015 meetings and tourism events such as Madrid Fusion Manila which help boost arrivals to the country,” the DOT said in its website.

Korea continued to be the biggest visitor-generating market last year with 1.34 million visitors, up by 13.97 percent followed by US which supplied the second biggest influx of tourist arrivals with 779,217 visitors; Japan with 495,662 visitors; China with 490,841 visitors; and Australia with 241,187 arrivals.

The country, likewise, generated total tourism receipts amounting to P227.62 billion last year up by 5.92 percent from the previous earnings of P214.88 billion.

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