Cebu City News June 2016

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Create Name's page

Regions | Philippine Provinces | Philippine Cities | Municipalities | Barangays | High School Reunions

---

Cebu City Photo Gallery

Cebu City Realty

Philippine News

---

Cebu City Map Locator

View of Cebu City from the bay

Aerial View of Cebu City

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.

Cebu City Cathedral

Magellan's Cross in Cebu City

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: 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. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Mormon Temple Lahug cebu city philippines

CIT grad tops archi exam

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/06/30/cit-grad-tops-archi-exam-482627
• Thursday, June 30, 2016

By Euchrissa Theresa Ladrera (UP Cebu Intern)

A CEBU Institute of Technology-University graduate joins this year’s Top 10 successful examinees of the Architect Licensure Examination.

Michael Luigi Igloria Manzano garnered the sixth place with a rating of 81.2 percent in the exam based on the results released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Wednesday afternoon.

“I’m still speechless. No words can describe how I feel right now. It feels so overwhelming that I’m still in cloud nine,” Manzano told Sun.Star Cebu.

Manzano said he didn’t expect to become one of this year’s top architect licensure passers considering how challenging the exam was for him.

“All I prayed for was to pass the exam along with my friends. And I feel so blessed that through the prayers and support of my friends and family, I was able to go through this challenge,” Manzano said.

Becoming an architect was Manzano’s childhood dream.

“I really wanted to become an architect since my childhood years. So I really gave my heart into this. At the end of the day, it was all worth it—a childhood dream came true,” Manzano told Sun.Star Cebu.

Help

When asked how he prepared for the exam, Manzano said that perseverance was key.

He also adds how team effort—with family, friends, along with his girlfriend—pushed him to keep reaching for his goal.

“We (his girlfriend and some friends) studied day and night in any coffee shop or any decent place we could find. It was a struggle because we have to save as much as possible with the resources left for us from our apprenticeships,” Manzano said.

Manzano also shared how his girlfriend, parents and mentors played a major role while preparing for the exam.

“My girlfriend sent me some verses from the bible to inspire and calm me before the exam,” he said.

“They (mom, dad and ate) always reminded me how they believed in my capabilities, that I shouldn’t doubt myself by looking back and reminisce what accomplishments I have already done,” Manzano added.

“My mentors really inspired me to love architecture. They really gave me and the rest of the people in the studio not only a workplace, but also a place of idealism, learning, and inspiration,” said Manzano.

Now that he has finally got his license, Manzano plans to have his own firm and be able to pursue projects that tackle critical issues.

“Historical heritage issues, housing, calamities, cities, social, economic to environmental issues,” Manzano emphasized the many issues that needs architectural solution.

He also underscored how housing—as a basic Filipino commodity, is something he’s eager to focus on.

“It’s (housing) so complex because you don’t only provide the house but also a place for the community. You tackle social, economic, and even environmental conditions,” said Manzano.

Before settling down, Manzano also wants to grab as much learning opportunity as he can to better himself as an architect.

For him, real success entails the capacity to give back to the country through his craft.

“Someday, I want to be able to pay back my parents for their efforts and to pay forward what I have learned through architecture,” said Manzano.

Manzano urges students to love what they do to achieve success in their respective careers.

“If you really don’t love what you are doing, chances are you may not put your best to develop your craft, and you might not be able to pull off the success you desire,” he said.

Dream

Being a life-long dream of becoming architect, Manzano stresses how much he has poured his heart into his chosen craft.

Manzano said there are no jobs being offered to him yet.

Topping the exam is a great milestone not just for Manzano, but also for his alma mater, where he learned the fundamentals through his teachers in the architecture department.

Based on the results released by the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC), about 1,243 out of 2,224 graduates passed the June 2016 exam.

Travel fair to promote tourism during lean months

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2016/06/29/travel-fair-promote-tourism-during-lean-months-482357
• Wednesday, June 29, 2016

By Katlene O. Cacho

TO encourage travel and tourism all year round, Cebu-based MyEventology Co. is staging the International Travel Festival (ITF) next month at the Ayala Center Cebu.

Now on its third year, the three-day travel fair on July 15 to 17 is set to bring the best travel packages and new destinations locally and abroad.

With the theme “Don’t Dream, Just Go,” the ITF brings together over 100 exhibitors, including national tour operators, airlines, hotels, resorts, travel agents, financial institutions and insurance agents.

Stephanie Villahermosa, executive director of MyEventology, said ITF was designed to gather advanced bookings for the lean months (July to October) and stir travel and tourism all year round.

Highlighted this year are destinations that Cebu already has direct access to such as Japan, which, Villahermosa added, has become the popular getaway among Filipinos these days. Also in the list are Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Dubai, Australia and other long-haul flights.

Cruise packages are likewise available, especially that travelng in style is gaining popularity among Filipino tourists.

The consumer travel show will also feature new local destinations.

MyEventology has invited different tourism regional offices in the country to join the exhibition and encourage local and foreign tourists to explore their respective regions.

Aside from the usual tourism magnets like Boracay, Bohol and Palawan, Villahermosa said the travel expo will also feature emerging local spots like those found in Caraga and Eastern Visayas.

“We have plenty of local destinations which we will feature during the ITF. We will continue to focus on domestic tourism, as this is our most resilient market,” said Villahermosa, managing director of Divaishnavi International Inc.

From 60 exhibitors in 2014, the ITF attracted thousands of visitors with 82 exhibitors last year.

In 2014 alone, exhibitors generated P12 million from credit card sales.

“We are happy to note that our visitor rate has grown steadily and that we have provided results to our participating exhibitors,” said Villahermosa in a statement. “It is really gratifying for us knowing that the show has not only generated sales for the exhibitors, but has likewise enabled them to reinforce their relationship proximity with their clients.”

While mounting travel fairs help tourism players become productive, especially during the lean months, Villahermosa hopes better opportunities in tourism will arise, following the appointment of Wanda Corazon Teo as the incoming tourism chief.

Teo, like Villahermosa, is also a travel and tour operator. She owns Mt. Apo Travel and Tours and was the president of National Association and Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas) Philippines Inc., one of the biggest tourism organizations in the country.

“We hope she will be able join us next month,” said Villahermosa.

Last year’s ITF also paved the way for the creation of the first Cebu Travel Exchange (CTX), a business networking trade event for tourism stakeholders that is in partnership with the Tourism Promotions Board of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The business-to-business activity aims to explore business opportunities in travel and tourism.

This year’s edition though, according to Villahermosa, is taken a notch higher than last year’s, as there will be about 30 foreign buyers from Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, India and United Arab and Emirates that will be linked to Philippine sellers from various sectors in tourism— leisure, special interest (golf, diving, wedding destination, education) and meetings, incentive, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) to explore business opportunities.

The one-day CTX is scheduled on July 14 at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu.

The organizers have also adopted July 16 as Tourism Students Day. The group invited top universities in Cebu, particularly those with tourism courses, for a day of learning and fellowship. Among the activities lined up include quiz bees, industry talks and the search for Ms. ITF Ambassadress.

The third ITF is in line with DOT’s Visit the Philippines Again 2016, a campaign to encourage repeat visitors to the Philippines.

CanCham holds Canada Day

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2016/06/28/cancham-holds-canada-day-482197
• Tuesday, June 28, 2016

By Katlene O. Cacho

TRADE and investment opportunities await Cebuanos as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CanCham) opens today its third year celebration of Canada Day in Cebu.

CanCham-Cebu president Felix Tiukinhoy, in statement, said the chamber has prepared various opportunities Cebuanos can take advantage of, such as presentations on finance, immigration, governance, real estate properties, telecommunications and trade missions.

The event will also hold a two-day Mini Trade Fair at the Ayala Center Cebu and a networking night at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

According to Tiukinhoy, the event aims to provide an avenue for Cebuanos and Canadian business owners to explore trade opportunities between Cebu and Canada, banking on the strong bilateral relations between the Philippines and Canada.

In previous interviews, Tiukinhoy said he hopes to increase Canadian investments in Cebu by inviting foreign investors to consider the province as their next business expansion destination in Asia.

He also plans to link Cebuano entrepreneurs to their counterparts in Canada for local business owners to explore business opportunities to make their products prominent in the Canadian market.

“There are plenty of economic opportunities that Cebu and Canada can explore in the field of retirement, agribusiness, and education (student exchange program), among others,” said Tiukinhoy, who is the president and chairman of Cebu-based Virginia Foods Inc. (VFI).

In 2014, Canadian merchandise exports to the Philippines reached CAD$569.7 million while Canadian merchandise imports from the Philippines was about CAD$1,238.9 billion.

Canada’s trade and investment relationship with the Philippines spans many sectors.

Canadian companies with expertise in infrastructure (water and waste water, airports, green building), aerospace and defense, clean technology (renewable energy) are in a good position to take advantage of new opportunities within these sectors. In addition, the market for agricultural products in the Philippines continues to be robust, with significant potential for growth within the processed food and beverage sub-sector and health foods.

Based on the Philippine Development Plan 2011–2016, the goal of Canada’s bilateral development program in the Philippines is to support sustainable economic growth by improving the climate for investment and advancing the economic opportunities of poor women and men.

There are also increasing people-to-people links between Canada and the Philippines, with some 700,000 Filipinos in Canada. In 2014, Canada welcomed more than 40,000 permanent residents from the Philippines, making it Canada’s top source country for permanent residents last year.

BSPOCI holds “World Class Pinoy” forum in Cebu

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1121467004212/bspoci-holds-world-class-pinoy-forum-in-cebu
• Monday, June 27, 2016

(rmn/mjpap/PIA7-Cebu)

CEBU, June 27 (PIA) – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Officers Club, Inc. (BSPOCI) brought to Cebu City a forum on Filipino excellence at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Assembly Hall on June 24.

The forum, dubbed “World Class Pinoy”, was led by motivational speakers Mike Grogan and Thomas Graham, both authors of books celebrating successful Filipinos and the potential in every Filipino.

Grogan, in his talk, said that Filipinos have “so much potential” as he witnessed the “bayanihan, walang iwanan, at kapatiran” qualities of the Filipino people during the time he volunteered for Gawad Kalinga (GK).

On the other hand, Graham, a former British journalist who quit his job and visited GK communities, discussed his experience with typhoon-hit GK communities in Bantayan Island and how the hospitality and generosity of the families won him over.

The forum at BSP is one of a series of talks done by Grogan and Graham in several venues in Cebu.

They also spoke at St. Louis College, Cebu Chamber of Commerce, Movenpick Resort and Spa, and Convergys.

CHI holds education seminar for PUV and PUJ drivers

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/06/26/chi-holds-education-seminar-puv-and-puj-drivers-481827
• Sunday, June 26, 2016

(Sun.Star Cebu)

TO equip drivers on road courtesy and safety, Ayala-led Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI), in partnership with the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), conducted the first of its series on public utility vehicle (PUV) and public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers’ education program last June 9 at the Active Zone of Ayala Center Cebu.

The first batch of participants was composed of PUV drivers from GT Express, whose routes pass through Cebu Business Park.

Also in attendance were CHI’s detachment commanders and park security officers, who are licensed to enforce traffic regulations and arrest violators around CHI’s premier estates-Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park.

The seminar was facilitated by three key speakers from CCTO headed by traffic engineer and consultant Engr. Lynn Madrona who briefed drivers on proper road courtesy and discipline.

CCTO head of Traffic Education Section Corazon Yrog-Irog discussed traffic control devices and traffic-related ordinances as well as techniques on defensive driving.

Meanwhile, CCTO Mobile Section team leader Jounald Bautista talked about traffic violations, including differentiating citation tickets from a temporary operator’s permit.

CHI’s CSR and Sustainability Manager Vera Alejandria said that the orientation seminar intends to help improve the traffic management around the parks.

“This is one of our stakeholder engagement initiatives where we engage PUV and PUJ drivers to enhance road safety and minimize road obstruction,” she said.

Madrona said that this initiative should be significant not only for the PUV and PUJ drivers, but for everyone.

“Change needs to begin with us, and it’s so appropriate that Ayala is starting to change how their drivers are going about the parks,” she said.

This is CHI’s first orientation seminar for the year dubbed as PUV and PUJ Drivers’ Education Program on Road Safety and Traffic Related Ordinances. The company hopes to conduct more of these seminars for road users in the coming months.

“In one way or another, this will help ease traffic congestion in Ayala area in particular and hopefully including other streets in Cebu,” said Madrona.

6 new teams join 2016 E-League Season 12

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=5&rid=898717
• Saturday, June 25, 2016

(PNA), RMA/EB/MP/RSM

CEBU CITY, June 25 (PNA) -- Six new teams are joining the battle for basketball supremacy in the business processing outsourcing community as 2016 E-League Season 12 basketball tournament kicks off on Sunday, June 26.

The tournament is presented by Marriott Cebu City Hotel, City Sports Club-Cebu and Zenovia International.

Led by last year’s champions Convergy’s Converters, nine teams, including last year’s Evo League champs Teletech-Telstra Boomerangs, will vie for the Elite Classic title, while 11, including the six newcomers, will fight for the Evo League title.

Among the innovations of the league this year is having an official tournament website powered and sponsored by Zenovia, which was represented by its president and CEO Kent Migallena.

The Elite Classic champion will also get a treat and a party from Marriot Hotel.

League organizer Rey Fuentes presented the new league commissioner – the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles assistant coach and SG/ARQ Builders head coach Marvin Caro.

The new participating teams, who are all competing in the Evo League, include the United Health Group Cobras, QBE Generals, Dynnino Raptors, Blue Ocean Pirates, Tech Mahindra Mighties and the Atos Falcons.

Completing the competitors in the Evo League are Author Solution Inc. Hardbacks, Kyocera Frontiers, The Results Spartans, Teletech Titans, SupportSave Dragons and Contact Solution Flying Lemurs.

The cast in the Elite Classic includes the CVG Converters, Teletech-Telstra Boomerangs, Teleperformance All-Stars, SSI Warriors, Accenture Sharks, Lexmark Stallions, Wipro Tigers, Eperformance Reds and Sykes Pioneers.

On Sunday, after the usual competition of BPO beauties and opening program and parade of athletes, Evo League runner-up SupportSave Dragons will test the mettle of the newcomer United Health Cobras in the opening game at 3 p.m. while defending champions Converters, now merged with CVG Blue Devils, will be tested against the Eperformax Reds at 4:30 p.m.

Cebu-based developer to pour in Php3-B to develop 2-hectare church property

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=898335
• Friday, June 24, 2016

(PNA), PGL/EB/PJN

CEBU CITY, June 24 (PNA) -- Cebu-based developer Duros Land Properties Inc. will pour in some Php3 billion to develop a two-hectare property of the Cebu Archdiocese in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

The commercial development, known as 23 Minore Park, will host an international hotel chain, a Landers superstore, an outdoor chapel and a park.

It will rise inside the property of the Archdiocese of Cebu, where St. John XXIII Seminary in Mabolo used to stand.

Rafaelito Barino, Duros Group chair, said his company and the Archdiocese of Cebu has agreed to a 25-year leasing of the latter’s property.

“The Archdiocese will not get anything in 25 years but after 25 years, everything, the buildings, hotel, a superstore, will be returned to them,” Barino said.

Duros Land is the company responsible for the construction of the Php500-million International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) Pavilion, also in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

The Pavilion, built at no cost to the Cebu Archdiocese, was the main venue of the 51st IEC held in the last week of January this year.

Construction of the 23 Minore Park will begin late this year.

Landers will open in the first quarter of 2017 and the hotel will start operations in the last quarter of next year.

Lydwena Eco, 23 Minore Park project director, said the project will be open for visitors as early as November so people can enjoy the green gardens and open spaces of the development.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma Palma said this is so far the biggest build-operate-transfer venture of the Cebu Archidiocese to date.

Pocket developments of commercial projects have been done within church properties in the past, in collaboration with the private sector, he said.

Sporting meets for school to adjust for K-12 implementation

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=898046
• Thursday, June 23, 2016

(PNA), RMA/EB/MP/RSM

CEBU CITY, June 23 (PNA) -- Sporting meets for the secondary division have to be adjusted due to the implementation of the K to 12 Curriculum starting this year.

The age limit for most of the sporting meets in the secondary level is 18-under, but most of the student-athletes before were already in college before reaching the maximum age.

With the K to 12 Curriculum, the Grade 11 students, who are mostly around 16 to 17 years old, can still play in the secondary level.

“Before, most of the 16-year-old players are already playing in college, and it’s rare to see players in the secondary level who are 18 years old, which is the age limit for the sporting meets,” said Arvin Loberanis, the athletic coach of University of San Carlos-Basic Education Department (USC-Bed).

“With the change this year, it’s expected that the coming games are stronger,” he said.

Loberanis said the 18-under age requirement remain the same for the primary sporting meets like the Cebu City Olympics, Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa), Palarong Pambansa and Milo Little Olympics.

Loberanis said this was favorable to the competition and also for the athletes’ development.

He said the younger players could hone their skills by playing with or against the older ones.

“I think this is good for us, so we can hone the 13-year-old players because usually they start to click on Grade 8 to 9,” he said.

He said that with the K to 12 Curriculum they got enough time to train the younger ones, who would replace the seniors when they graduated.

The Grade 11 students this year are the first batch of the K to 12 Curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Loberanis said that they were informed that the Grade 11 and Grade 12 students, who are 18-under, were still qualified to play in the secondary division in the major sporting meets.

Excel developer to hold seminar

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2016/06/21/excel-developer-hold-seminar-480841
• Wednesday, June 22, 2016

(PR)

A HANDS-ON seminar for experienced users of Microsoft Excel will be held on June 22 and 23 at the Crown Regency Hotel in Cebu City by one of the original developers of the spreadsheet program.

Gurango Software managing director Joey Gurango, who was part of the original Excel development team at Microsoft, will give intermediate and master classes for Excel users.

“There are 10 million Excel users in the Philippines. Companies seeking to boost productivity of their employees, individual professionals wishing to upgrade their skills, or even just enthusiasts looking for something new are invited to this chance to improve Excel proficiency in a fun-filled, hands-on learning experience,” said Gurango.

The Excel Intermediate class will be held on June 22 for experienced users who want to learn more about Excel functions, formatting, illustrations, tables, and auditing. Registration fee for the one-day training is P4,995 and is inclusive of lunch and snacks. Participants must have regular working experience at creating formulae and formatting cells in Excel models containing more than 50 rows or columns.

Gurango Software’s Excel Master class will be held on June 23 for advanced users who wish to acquire skills on charting, macros, databases, pivot tables, analytics, and other add-ins. Registration fee is P6,495 and is inclusive of lunch and snacks. Pre-requisite: regular working experience at using Excel functions, applying formatting styles, creating and maintaining tables, and effectively auditing large-scale Excel models.

Groups can avail of one free registration for every four students registered as part of Gurano Software’s 4+1 promo. Students can also retake any class at 50 percent off the fee paid for the original class taken. Each class will be an interesting mix of presentations and tutored exercises, with one tutor for every nine students.

Students are required to bring their laptops with Excel installed.

All the class materials used in the intermediate and master classes are based on the Excel version from Office 2013 for Windows.

A showcase of culture and tradition at Pasundayag 2016

• Source:http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/96052/a-showcase-of-culture-and-tradition-at-pasundayag-2016
• Tuesday, June 21, 2016

(PR)

THE Cebu City Government through the Cebu City Tourism Commission and Cebu City Tourism Foundation Inc. successfully concluded its annual Pasundayag in cooperation with Ayala Center Cebu and Knapsack Productions.

Now on its 14th year, Pasundayag is a summer workshop for children ages 6 to 16 that trains them the art of cultural, modern, and traditional Cebuano dances. The performers showcased their hardwork through performing cultural dances such as Pad-um, Pasiguin, and Tinikling, along with modern dances like hip-hop.

Different personalities such as the Knapsack Dancers, Abellana National School Dance Troupe, Miss Cebu Charities and other local celebrities who shared their time and passion contributed to the success of this event.

Pasundayag 2016 promotes the idea that economic status is never a hindrance to the children’s potential to shine and continue their big dreams. The recital proper was divided into four major segments which were the Barrio Fiesta, Martial Arts (Pableo Eskrima Evalution & Phalanx Unified Martial Arts), The Musical and Modern Cebu. Special performances were made by the Brown Academy of Music Students EG Arganza, Anne Tudtud, Von Saw, Jomar Gatchalian, Earl Cagampang, Jovi Manglapus, Leeu Salvador, Sinulog Idol winners Roy Racaza, Danielle May Ozaraga, Dan Escasinas and Genevieve Flores, Knapsack Dancers, Miss Cebu 2016 Raine Baljak, Henrick James Pestano, 2B Boys, Rev. Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA, and the Cebu City Children Performing Arts.

One of the highlights of the event was the fashion show with the Miss Cebu Charities-ABS-CBN talentPhoebe Kaye Fernandez, Miss Cebu 2016 finalists Shaila Rebortera and Tracy Maureen Perez, and Ms. Cebu 2013 2nd runner-up Maria Gigante. All collections featured were from Amano Resort Wear by Dexter Alazas. The show was ran by Artistic Director Cinbeth Enriquez Orellano and directed by Engr. Patricio “Junjet” Primor. This event has been made possible by Ayala Center Cebu, ADNAMA, GT Cosmetics, Park N Go, Lola Mary’s Catering Services, Junjet Productions, JM Designs, Creative Peak Production, Events Photographers Cebu, Pacific Audio Video, Stage General Enterprises, Brown Academy of Music, St. Mary Euphracia, Engr. Romeo & Atty. Nadia Jurani, and Philippine Bisayan Society of Nevada.

Apas schools get 16 CCTV cams

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/06/18/apas-schools-get-16-cctv-cams-480303
• Monday, June 20, 2016

By Rona Joyce T. Fernandez

TO maximize security in the premises, Barangay Apas in Cebu City recently installed 16 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in both their elementary and high schools.

Village chief Ramil Ayuman, in an interview, said the 16 CCTVs were divided between Camp Lapu-Lapu Elementary School and Apas National High School.

“Each school received eight CCTVs. They were installed last year but the formal turnover was done this month. The cameras will be working 24/7 to make sure the premises are safe and secured,” he said.

Initially planned in 2014, the CCTVs were finally installed following the alarming reports on robbery of school properties.

Since early 2000, the schools, especially Camp Lapu-Lapu, had been subject to robbery with reported stolen items, ranging from Girl Scout funds to computers.

Ayuman said the CCTVs are connected to separate monitors in the barangay control center so that members of the barangay police and other officials can respond immediately to any event threatening the security of the people.

Costing at about P5.4 million, Seven Core Communications Inc., the company who turned over the CCTVs last year, only asked the barangay to pay P800,000.

“We paid them the first half last year and we will pay them the remaining P400,000 this year,” Ayuman said.

Aside from the schools, the barangay also tapped business sectors to help them setup CCTVs in the streets.

The village chief said Gaisano Country Mall and Pino Restaurant have signified that they will be one with the barangay in installing CCTVs in their premises.

“These areas are prone to not only cases of pickpocketing but carnapping, as well. With their (business sector) help in installing CCTVs, we can also help them security-wise in return,” he said.

He added that apart from the CCTVs, a screen in front of the barangay control center will also project announcements and their contact number so that people can reach them whenever they need help.

“I also would like to install wifi near the CCTVs. I want to make the schools wifi-ready because one should never underestimate the power of social media, especially in times that threaten security,” he said.

Construction of Cebu City’s second Php 750-M tunnel to start within this year - solon

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=896605
• Sunday, June 19, 2016

(PNA), RMA/EB/SSC

CEBU CITY, June 19 (PNA) -- Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa (Cebu City, south district) has said the construction the city’s second tunnel will push through within the year.

Abellanosa, who was reelected in the last elections, said the detailed engineering design of the Php 750-million tunnel has been completed and construction is expected to start three months from now, after all of the requirements are met.

“The project will push through. We’re just waiting for the contractor to start the project,” Abellanosa said.

The proposed tunnel is a two-lane, 700-meter-long facility, which is expected to help ease traffic on N. Bacalso Ave.

It will start at the intersection of N. Bacalso Ave. and F. Llamas St.

N. Bacalso Ave. is a usually busy highway that serves motorists not only in the southern barangays of Cebu City but as well as those going to and from southern towns of Cebu.

The new project will be a Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (Smart), patterned after the one in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which Abellanosa believes will also help solve the south district’s flooding problem.

Last year, outgoing Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama opposed implementation of the project and ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to put it on hold, saying he wanted the nearby roads to be widened first.

Rama was referring to Sabellano St. and Tagunol Road leading to Jaca St., which are often congested.

Hyundai Cebu opens new dealership in North Reclamation

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2016/06/16/hyundai-cebu-opens-new-dealership-north-reclamation-479936
• Saturday, June 18, 2016

By Jeandie O. Galolo

KOREAN car brand Hyundai expanded its presence in Cebu with the recent opening of the largest Hyundai shop in the country to date, the Hyundai Cebu South dealership.

Made possible through Hyundai Cebu Inc. of Cebuano businessman Edward Onglatco, the newest three-storey, 6,500-square-meter automotive hub is along J. De Veyra St. at the North Reclamation Area in Cebu City.

The newest addition to the local automotive industry is expected to add more cars in the streets.

“Cebu City’s economy has prompted a significant rise in the demand for mobility. With Cebuanos constantly on the lookout for a reliable means to move from place to place, Hyundai Cebu South will help boost Hyundai’s market share in the Queen City,” Hyundai Cebu Inc. said in a statement.

Hyundai Cebu South is the fourth new dealership that opened this year, bringing the Korean carmaker’s dealership in the country to 42. Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) is the official distributor of Hyundai passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the Philippines.

This year, HARI targets to sell 35,000 units, a 15-percent growth from last year’s sales at 22,058 units, a report published in Hyundai’s website said, quoting HARI president and chief executive officer Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.

The Korean car distributor, however, experienced a four-percent decline in sales last year, from 22,058 units sold from 23,019 units in 2014. During the first quarter, media reports said HARI posted a 39 percent sales growth to 7,469 units from 5,364 units last year.

This year, Hyundai is expected to benefit from the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement, which reduces tariff of Korean cars in ASEAN markets from 25 percent to five percent.

Agudo recently commended Hyundai Cebu Inc. for embracing the “new dealership experience.” Hyundai Cebu South is the first in the Visayas region to implement a “modern premium” green building standards and technologies.

The Hyundai Cebu South facility was constructed in accordance with the Geared for Resiliency and Energy Efficiency for the Environment (GREEN) criteria of the Philippine Green Building Initiative (PGBI).

The dealership also has a “Yakal” pre-certification issued by the independent green accreditation body, a distinction given to buildings that scored 55 to 69 percent in terms of “eco-friendly” construction methods and operations where Hyundai Cebu South scored 67.1 percent.

Car sales in the Philippines is expected to hit the 500,000-mark by 2020. This year, the automotieve industry is expecting to sell 350,000 cars.

It’s finally a go for mountain college

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/06/17/its-finally-go-mountain-college-480175
• Friday, June 17, 2016

By Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

STUDENTS in Cebu City’s mountain barangays will no longer have to commute to the city proper to go to college.

Yesterday, the groundbreaking for the construction of a mountain college extension of the Cebu Technological University (CTU) in Barangay Babag was held. The project will cost some P75 million.

The amount will cover the construction of a two-story building with 20 classrooms, which can accommodate 1,000 students.

It will also have a university gym, a university hospital and an administrative building that will house not only the offices but also the library and laboratories.

“We will change the landscape here in the mountain barangays with this project. I feel sorry for the students here in the mountain barangays because they have to travel to the city to be able to study. But the nice thing now is that the family can already save on the students’ fare,” Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa (Cebu City, south district) said.

Those who are from Babag, which is 14 kilometers away from the city proper, have to pay P20 to P25 each for their fare to the nearest urban barangay.

Abellanosa was the one who initiated the establishment of the CTU extension in the mountain barangay by securing funding from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The project will rise on a one-hectare lot owned by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) in Babag.

Abellanosa said Tieza will allow the use of their property for 50 years through a usufruct agreement. It is renewable.

The establishment of the CTU mountain college became controversial after outgoing Mayor Michael Rama stopped efforts to open the temporary campus in Barangay Bonbon in June last year, saying it had no approval from the City Government and other concerned agencies.

That time, the extension campus was supposed to be housed in the gym of Bonbon.

In an interview yesterday, Abellanosa said he is happy that the permanent campus in Babag will already be constructed.

He said that DPWH will start constructing the extension college by July. They are targeting to build the classrooms and the administrative building first.

They hope to finish the project within six months so the school can already be operational when the second semester starts.

For the hospital, Abellanosa disclosed that the Department of Health has earmarked P6 million for the purchase of the required equipment.

In his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, incoming mayor Tomas Osmeña said the college education of those who will enroll at CTU mountain college extension will be free.

The City is already giving P10,000 scholarship benefits to all high school graduates in the city.

Osmeña is planning to increase the amount when he assumes office on July 1.

In a separate speech, Acting Mayor Margarita Osmeña said she wants one of the buildings at the extension campus to be named after Pastor Crisostomo Maternal Jr., who was gunned down in Barangay Bonbon last week.

She said Maternal was among those who fought for the establishment the CTU campus in Bonbon last year when Rama ordered it stopped.

3-day skate for a cause at SM Seaside City set

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/06/16/3-day-skate-cause-sm-seaside-city-set-479952
• Thursday, June 16, 2016

(Sun.Star Cebu)

SM Seaside City Cebu and Pandoo Foundation are working together for a charity event that aims to help underprivileged children coming from various places in Metro Cebu.

Pandoo Foundation is a non-profit organization that educates and empowers children through communication and literacy, sports and leadership, and teamwork and community outreach programs with the help of its parent company in Singapore, the ShiftRunner.

With the mission of expanding ice sports in the Philippines, Pandoo Foundation wants to realize its philanthropic ambitions by initiating a Learn-to-Skate Camp at SM Seaside City Cebu’s Ice Rink.

The three-day camp set on June 20 to 22, from 7 to 9 p.m., aims to help skaters, including those who are new to the sports, to learn techniques from the professionals. The event will feature Paul Martini, Canadian Olympian figure skater, and Sarah Zacharias, accredited Hockey Canada female-coach.

The event will allow participants to register and donate P600 for a one-day camp; P1,500 for a three-day camp, and P200 for the event T-shirt.

The event is open to all ages.

All proceeds from the event will be used to help fund the projects of Pandoo Foundation.

Meanwhile, on June 23 to 25, there will be a hockey school for youth players from around South East Asia who will be performing by groups at SM Seaside City Cebu-Ice Skating Rink from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To register, contact SM Seaside City Cebu-Ice Skating Rink at (032) 340-8756 local 81 for more information.

Cebu’s dancing inmates turn campaign posters into grocery bags

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=895228
• Wednesday, June 15, 2016

(PNA), LAP/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, June 15 (PNA) -- Cebu’s famous dancing inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City, are now turning campaign posters in the last elections into grocery bags.

The project, a brainchild of Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and his wife Jobel, recycles tarpaulins used in campaign posters in the May 9 local and presidential elections by turning them into grocery bags.

“The income may not be big, but at least, we earned something which we can use for buying our basic needs such as soap,” said Adonis Comendador, one of the nine inmates involved in the project.

The CPDRC has acquired six electric sewing machines for the project and tapped the help of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to teach inmates on how to sew tarpaulins into grocery bags.

The inmates will turn pre-campaign billboard tarpaulins into tents.

This is the latest addition to the livelihood projects implemented in the CPDRC, which included a bakery, an automobile repair and maintenance shop and a facility for making house ornaments.

Among the ornaments made inside the facility are miniature galleons that are replicas of ships used by Spanish explorers in 16th century.

These are made by the group of Alex Hugo, the former spokesperson of the transport group Nakahiusang Driver sa Sugbu Nadsu (Nadsu) who was arrested by the police in 2008 for illegal possession of firearms and for allegedly being a member of the New People’s Army.

Other replicas made by Hugo’s group are churches, houses, fountains with Virgin Mary icons, parks with Magellan’s Cross and horse carriages and Santa Claus figures surrounded by Christmas trees.

The CPDRC inmates shot to fame when their mass dancing routine video was posted on YouTube.

They were soon featured in one of the shows of the late Michael Jackson and several international cable TV networks.

An independent filmmaker from Thailand filmed over the weekend at the CPDRC scenes for a movie that featured the life of a British national who was jailed in Thailand for three years.

DOST, partner to open digital library today

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/06/14/dost-partner-open-digital-library-today-479490
• Tuesday, June 14, 2016

By Elias O. Baquero

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will launch today a digital library at the Diosdado Cosido National High School in the mountain barangay of Cambinocot, Cebu City.

Speaking during the 888 News Forum, DOST 7 Director Edilberto Paradela said that the project is in line with the K-12 (kindergarten to Grade 12) program but this can be shared with the people in the community, especially on livelihood programs.

Paradela said the DOST provided the digital library, while East West Rural Bank represented by Deputy for Visayas Branches Banking Group Head Jack Torrejos donated the computers. East West Rural Bank President Elpidio Masbad will attend today’s project launch.

The project will allow students and parents to access information offline.

“It’s an offline system that you can access 500,000 digitized science and technology publications, journal and thesis as well as 150 videos that the community can look into and they can start their business,” Paradela said.

“We are happy that we have established a linkage with East West Bank whose officials are willing to donate computers to make this digital library successful,” Paradela said.

He recalled that last April the authorities of Diosdado Cosido National High School asked for their support in implementing the K-12 program.

170,000 students are back to school in Cebu City

• Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/170000-students-are-back-to-school-in-cebu-city/
• Monday, June 13, 2016

By Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.

Cebu City – Even with the perennial problem of late enrollees, overcrowded classrooms, and crying first-graders, the opening of classes in Cebu was reportedly generally peaceful and orderly yesterday, Monday.

At least 170,000 elementary and high school students in Cebu City trooped to different public schools here for the first-day rush, with hundreds of policemen deployed in various campuses.

Across Region 7 (Central Visayas), over 3,000 police personnel were on duty to help secure the opening of classes. Force multipliers like barangay tanods assisted policemen in this task.

Senior Inspector Luz Langbid, Deputy Chief of the Police Community Relations Branch of the Cebu City Police Office, said public assistance desks were opened in schools yesterday.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City District earlier assured that everything was ready for the influx of students.

“We have long prepared for the opening of classes and I have asked teachers to be extra patient (yesterday, Monday) because schools are expected to accept more enrollees within the week,” said DepEd Cebu City District Superintendent Bianito Dagatan.

This school year is different from previous ones because of the full implementation of the K-to-12 basic education program. The program covers 12 years of basic education (six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High School [SHS]) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for college or tertiary education.

“We are now offering Grade 11, the additional feature of our basic education system,” Dagatan said.

Cebu City prepares for increased water demand, traffic congestion

• Source:http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/95568/cebu-city-prepares-for-increased-water-demand-traffic-congestion
• Sunday, June 12, 2016 11:03 pm

By Jose Santino S. Bunachita

The (CCTO) will field additional personnel to augment existing traffic enforcers, especially in schools located along major traffic routes.

This is in anticipation of an increase in vehicles on the streets with the opening of classes today.

On the other hand, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is urging its consumers to store water during off-peak hours because they are still reeling from the effects of the drought on water supply, although the water tables are slowly being replenished by the onset of the rainy season.

MORE ENFORCERS

CCTO acting department head Rafael Yap said they are now ready for Oplan Balik Skwela and will deploy a total of 71 additional personnel in selected areas.

“We’re all good. Except that we need to know and assess. We will have a post-assessment after the first day (of classes) to find out which areas we’re lacking in order to compensate,” he said.

There are 32 schools in urban Cebu City. Yap said they will focus on some hotspot areas like the Banilad-Talamban road, which is on top of their priority list, Mango Ave., Juana Osmeña St., Osmeña Blvd. and N. Bacalso Ave.

Yap said that although Acting Mayor Margarita Osmeña already lifted her earlier memorandum recalling all leaves of absences of city hall employees, CCTO personnel were still ordered not to take leaves on the first week of the opening of classes.

“We need everyone on the streets,” he said.

He advised parents and motorists bringing their children to school to leave early and plan their trips and avoid possible congested areas.

No rerouting schemes are being considered for now by the CCTO but this may have to be resorted to, depending on their assessment of the traffic situation today.

WATER SUPPLY

Meanwhile, MCWD said they will also be conducting water quality testing in public schools in the city this week.

With demand for water expected to increase with the opening of classes, MCWD appealed to its consumers to continue storing water during off-peak hours since their water supply has not yet normalized even with the recent rains.

“The recent rains were not enough to recharge the aquifers. It will take months of consistent rainfall before the water supply will be back to normal. However, it has helped lessen the use of water because people will no longer water their plants and firetrucks will also minimize withdrawal of water from our hydrants which has affected the pressure of water,” said MCWD acting general manager Engr. Noel Dalena in a press statement.

MCWD’s facility in Jaclupan, Talisay City has also improved its production from 6,000 cubic meters per day to 10,000 cubic meters daily.

But it’s still far from the facility’s normal production of around 30,000 cubic meters.

The MCWD is also looking for ways to bring additional water supply from the north to downtown Cebu City.

Engr. Edgar Ortega, MCWD’s production and distribution department acting manager, said they’ve acquired additional bulk water.

Abejo Waters Corp. (AWC), one of MCWD’s bulk water supplier, started supplying an additional 6,000 cubic meters of water from its wells in Cabancalan, Mandaue City.

Ortega explained that the Cabancalan area used to be supplied by their reservoir in Barangay Talamban in Cebu City. But with the additional supply from AWC, the supply from Talamban will be diverted to downtown Cebu City.

“The lack of water supply is not just MCWD’s problem, so we are asking for the public’s cooperation. We encourage those who are in elevated areas and those who have dormitories and boarding houses to please store water,” Dalena said.

More trucks sought for city’s garbage

• Source:http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/95491/more-trucks-sought-for-citys-garbage
• Saturday, June 11, 2016 8:31 pm

By Nestle L. Semilla

With dump trucks collecting garbage from Cebu City’s mountain barangays twice a week at most, Acting Mayor Margot Osmeña wants loaders in the upland areas to help in collecting garbage in the city’s urban barangays.

“During my June 8 meeting with the loaders, I found out they don’t collect garbage (mountain barangays) everyday. Some of the barangays use their dump trucks for other purposes, which are mostly legit,” she said.

But Osmeña said some dump trucks were unusable.

“The other thing is that we wanted to see if those are not used on a particular day. These dump trucks could be used down here (lowland),” she said.

She said there aren’t enough dump trucks to collect the garbage from the urban barangays.

“So the trucks are not being used in the mountain barangays. We can work out a schedule so we can use them,” Osmeña said.

Osmena said the trucks can be returned to their barangays after use.

“It does not matter if you’re working once a week as compared to those who work everyday. They get the same but they can be used down here to help out,” she said.

Alaska World Milk Day Run today

• Source:http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/95426/alaska-world-milk-day-run-today
• Friday, June 10, 2016 10:40 pm

By Glendale G. Rosal

IT’S ALL systems go for today’s Cebu leg of the Alaska World Milk Day Run at SM Seaside City Cebu at the South Road Properties.

The running event, which features 3k and 5k distances, kicks off at 5 a.m. and is expected to attract 1,600 participants.

This event is held simultaneously in Manila, Naga City in Camarines Sur, and Davao City. It aims to promote the importance of drinking milk regularly for proper nutrition.

Davao City has an expected 660 runners while Naga City has 1,513 runners. The Manila leg draws more than a thousand runners.

Run 2 Donate Blood set on June 12

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=893476
• Thursday, June 9, 2016

(PNA), RMA/EB/MP/EDS

CEBU CITY, June 9 (PNA) -- A run for a cause dubbed as Run 2 Donate Blood will be held on Sunday at the Department of Health (DOH) 7 on Osmena Blvd., Cebu City.

Race organizer and the president of the Cebu Ultrarunners Club (CUC) Tony Galon said the event would have the 3K and 5K categories.

The race is open to all and is free of charge.

The only registration requirement is three empty plastic bottles, as part of the organizer’s environmental awareness campaign.

Galon said the event was more of a blood donation and to help save lives.

After the run, the runners are encouraged to donate blood.

Last year, 115 runners joined the Run 2 donate Blood and more than 60 of them donated blood successfully.

DTI to open third Negosyo Center with Fablab, co-working space in Cebu

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2016/06/08/dti-open-third-negosyo-center-fablab-co-working-space-cebu-478386
• Wednesday, June 8, 2016 13:50

(PR)

THE Department of Trade and Industry is set to launch the third of seven Negosyo Center Plus at the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Campus in Cebu City today.

The Negosyo Center Plus is a Negosyo Center with Fabrication Laboratory and Co-Working space. It is the second to the Bohol Fablab and first with the Negosyo Center Fablab Co-working Space tag in the Visayas.

DTI Supervising Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG) Zenaida Maglaya said that the Negosyo Center with Fablab Co-working Space launching is a milestone for the Department after unveiling the first two in Santiago City and Ilocos Sur.

Other locations

The DTI is also set to open four more Negosyo Center with Fablab Co-working Spaces in Tacloban City (Eastern Visayas State University) on June 21, Bicol (Bicol University Compound) on June 23, National Capital Region (CITC Marikina; University of the Philippines – Diliman) on Sept. 14, and in Zamboanga City (Zamboanga State Ploytechnic College) on Oct. 7.

“The Negosyo Center Plus is a huge lift to our micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These Negosyo Center with Fablabs and Co-Working Spaces are strategically located for innovation and creativity in the industry, particularly for use by students, start-ups and micro and small enterprises,” Maglaya said.

Features

The Negosyo Center Plus UP Cebu is the first DTI-supported FabLab in Cebu. The DTI funded six pieces of equipment worth P5.375 million under its Shared Service Facility (SSF) program to provide technical assistance and capacity building for the FabLab’s management and operations.

The Negosyo Center Plus UP Cebu provides a creative space for designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, students and the general public to test out their ideas and turn them into products using digital fabrication equipment.

Available equipment at the Negosyo Center Plus UP Cebu are 3D printer, laser cutter, printer and cutter, desktop vinyl cutter, CNC router and benchtop milling machine.

“The Negosyo Center Plus is the window for MSMEs, students, entrepreneurs and creative individuals to avail of new prototyping technologies and software in designing and manufacturing products to match the market competition,” Maglaya added.

The DTI launched the country’s first FabLab Shared Service Facility (SSF) in Bohol in 2014.

The Bohol Fablab, located at the Bohol Island State University, has helped the entrepreneurs in the island to produce travel retail products in short runs, prototype furniture and even a working “printed” house as part of the post-earthquake recovery program of the province.

Supporting MSMEs

The Bohol Fablab is funded by the DTI, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Bohol Island State University (BISU), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The Negosyo Center is a salient feature of Republic Act No. 10644, known as “Go Negosyo Act,” which seeks to strengthen MSMEs to create more job opportunities in the country.

On the other hand, a co-working space (CWS) is an open space that the public can rent for a flexible period using common area office fixtures, Internet, and other common office services, while the FabLab offers the digital fabrication equipment where people can build, design and engineer ideas into products.

Mid-year bonus for Cebu City Hall workers in June

• Source:http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/95201/mid-year-bonus-for-cebu-city-hall-workers-in-june
• Tuesday, June 7, 2016

By Nestle L. Semilla 11:47 am

SOME good news for Cebu City Hall employees.

Their mid-year bonus along with the installment payment for the South Road Properties (SRP) loan were included in the proposed P6 billion budget for Cebu City this year.

Acting Cebu City Mayor Margarita Osmeña said the main priority for the revised annual budget would be the mid-year bonuses for City Hall’s 5,000 employees.

She announced in yesterday’s flag ceremony that the mid-year bonus which is equivalent to a one month salary would be released within this month and not later than June 30.

“(The revised annual budget) we are working on it now almost immediately. Hopefully we can submit it by Wednesday. We will try to make it as simple as possible. Even Councilor James Cuenco (who authored the resolution to return the budget to the executive department) asked it be made simple so they can understand it,” she said.

She said the maximum annual budget will be at P6 billion, not P9 billion as proposed by outgoing suspended Mayor Michael Rama since it won’t include the prepayment for the SRP loan.

“Certainly we will include the installment payments (for SRP) because that’s a statutory obligation,” she said.

City ready for La Niña: agency

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/06/06/city-ready-la-nina-agency-478009
• Monday, June 6, 2016

By Rona Joyce T. Fernandez

WITH the onset of La Niña coming earlier than expected, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) assured that the City is ready for the rainy season.

In a news conference yesterday, Acting Mayor Margarita Osmeña said the CCDRRMO has identified the high-risk areas and given the residents instructions on how to prepare for rains.

“I talked to them almost two weeks ago and they said they’re ready. They go to the high-risk areas when there is a warning about possible rains to help the residents prepare,” she said.

Harold Alcotin of CCDRRMO, in a phone interview with Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, said they’ve divided the identified high-risk areas into two, one for landslide and the other for flood-prone areas.

The flood-prone areas in the north district are Mahiga Creek in Barangay Banilad, Colon St., Sitio Magtalisay in Barangay Mabolo and San Isidro in Barangay Talamban.

South

The flood-prone areas in the south district, on the other hand, are Tagunol in Barangay Basak Pardo, Sitio Huyong-Huyong in Barangay Labangon and Kinalumsan Bridge in Barangay Tisa.

“We receive most of our alarms from these areas. These, too, have high risks in rise in water levels,” Alcotin said.

He said that out of the flood-prone areas, Kinalumsan Bridge is the most dangerous with residents living under the bridge.

He, however, assured that they have instructed the residents to evacuate the area immediately at the first sign of increase in water level.

The landslide-prone areas, on the other hand, are mountain barangays Busay, Agsungot, Sudlon I and II, Sinsin, Buot Taop, Buhisan and Sapangdaku.

“There are not much houses in these areas, but it’s risky for the motorists,” Alcotin said.

He said they have already deployed radio communication devices to the officials in mountain barangays for them to alert CCDRRMO for any incidents.

As for the evacuation centers, Alcotin said the public schools are ready and have been designated as emergency centers as well.

“The schools are safe places so they are ideal evacuation centers. As for the urban areas, we are asking the permission of the school principals,” he said.

Monitoring

As part of their preparation, CCDRRMO personnel assigned in both districts were ordered to monitor their respective areas of responsibility and be ready for rescue operations.

“We have life jackets and flood pumps readily available. One (flood pump) had been deployed in Barangay Carreta and the other two are on standby,” Alcotin said.

With the school year about to start, he said they have instructed parents to pack raincoats and umbrellas for their children with June being the start of the rainy season.

He added that they have also warned residents living near riverbanks, identified or not as a high risk area, to prepare themselves for immediate evacuation in the first sign of increase in water level.

“We are also demanding the barangays to prepare their areas of responsibility. We also urged the people to save our emergency hotline numbers posted in public stations so that we can immediately respond to them,” he said.

Orphans can stay at Parian Drop-In Center

• Source:http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/95060/orphans-can-stay-at-parian-drop-in-center
• Sunday, June 5, 2016

By Michelle Joy L. Padayhag

THE Cebu City government has offered to take custody of the five orphaned children of a couple slain on Banacon Island a day after the bloody police operation against alleged drug lord Rowen Secretaria so they can be together.

Acting Mayor Margot Osmeña said the five children of Christopher Hermosara Dejacto and his wife Ma. Theresa Cañete Dejacto can stay at the Parian Drop-in Center for children.

“But before these children will be turned over, we also need permission from the immediate family,” Osmeña told Cebu Daily News.

Maria Ana Cañete Valledo, twin sister of Ma. Theresa, told CDN that they will decide who will take custody of the children after the couple will be laid to rest.

“If we cannot sustain the needs of these children, we will turn them over. We are glad that there is now an offer to help these children,” Valledo said.

The bullet-riddled bodies of their parents were found inside the cemetery of Banacon Island a day after Secretaria and two of his alleged cohorts were killed when police came to serve a warrant of arrest against Secretaria, fueling speculation that they were the ones who told police of the alleged drug lord’s presence.

Their five orphaned children, Joshua, 17; TJ Christ, 13; Joseph, 11; Katrina, 8; and Trudis, 5 face separation as their relatives do not have the financial capacity to support all of them.

Their relatives await the burial assistance from the government. Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta said that he will assist the family in processing the release of the burial assistance from the Cebu City government.

Meanwhile, Ryan Benjamin Yu, president of the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Cooperative, sent a message to Cebu Daily News that he would want to extend help to the orphaned children, after reading CDN’s story yesterday.

“I want to help with their school fees and other school needs,” Yu said. He plans to meet with the children on Tuesday.

ICT-BPM industry ties up with gov’t, eyes 1 million more jobs

• Source:http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/94851/ict-bpm-industry-ties-up-with-govt-eyes-1-million-more-jobs
• Saturday, June 4, 2016

By Victor Anthony V. Silva

The information communications technology and business process management (ICT-BPM) industry has partnered with the national government to generate one million more jobs for Filipinos.

Rainerio Borja, former chairman of the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), said this is the goal the industry is currently working on with the incoming administration.

“We have not specified a time frame as of this time, but we will thresh out the details of that in the next month or so,” Borja told Cebu Daily News during the Cebu Digital Transformation Summit 2016 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City yesterday.

He added that this goal will also be incorporated in the 2016-2022 ICT-BPM roadmap expected to be launched in September this year.

Borja, who is currently the president for Philippine and Australian operations of Expert Global Solutions (EGS), said he would rather not hazard a guess on their goal’s timeline at the moment.

In a presentation during the summit yesterday, he said it took the industry 16 years to generate 1.3 million jobs.

On a positive note, Borja said this development over the years went across the board, with growth visible not only in contact centers but also in the IT, engineering and creative service segments.

He said the industry generated 300,000 jobs outside Metro Manila including 120,000 in Metro Cebu alone.

He estimated that the “ripple effect” indirectly generated 2.5 to four times more jobs as well.

The ICT-BPM industry ended 2014 with export revenues of $19 billion.

Industry leaders projected this to be at $22 billion by end of last year and $25 billion by the end of 2016, already equivalent to current overseas remittances.

By yearend, Borja said they expect the industry to contribute 7.2 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

In the Philippines, the industry has been growing at 15 to 18 percent annually while it only grows at five percent annually on a global scale.

“With these numbers, we are getting market share from everybody else,” said Borja.

Leaders are bullish about the industry this year, expecting it to still grow at about the same rate, Borja added.

In order for this growth to be sustained, Borja said there is a need to partner with the government to ensure a sustainable talent pool.

“We have been working with the past administration to achieve this, and all we want is for what we have done to continue,” he added.

Among the programs he cited that would be beneficial to the industry are technical-vocational scholarships, creation of college curriculums on service management programs, and English skills training for teachers, among others.

“We are not asking for more. We just want what we have right now to be maintained. We don’t want to lose any momentum,” said Borja.

The industry, he added, will also partner with the government to make sure returning overseas workers will not be displaced.

Borja said they plan to put up focus programs where these returning workers can be trained to work in the IT-BPO sector.

They also intend to develop “next wave cities” in the province as BPO hubs.

“If we achieve that, we can generate an additional one million jobs,” said Borja.

Cebu City to join "MMShakeDrill" on June 22

• Source:http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/disasters/134941-cebu-city-joins-mmshakedrill
• Friday, June 3, 2016

By Chainne Cadeliña (Rappler.com)

While the earthquake drill on June 22 aims to simulate the possible scenarios of the movement of the West Valley Fault in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, Cebu province is not exempted from the threat of an imminent earthquake

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) of Cebu urged all private and public institutions in Cebu City to join the nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill on Wednesday, June 22.

Responding to the call of the National Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) to test the preparedness of local government units in a complex emergency, Cebu PDRRMO head Baltazar Tribunalo said that their office will conduct a meeting to plan the steps and proper procedures in relation to the simultaneous earthquake drill.

"Ako lang jud gihangyo na dili lang mag duwa-duwa or mag yama-yama sa drill. Let us take the drill seriously," Tribunalo said. (All I'm asking is, people must not joke or play around during the drill. Let us take the drill seriously.)

Dubbed on social media as #MMShakeDrill, the Metro Manila ShakeDrill happening on Wednesday, June 22, will test the response plans of government agencies, the private sector, households, and individuals in the Metro.

The #MMShakeDrill also tests the functionality of Oplan Metro Yakal Plus – the government's response plan for a major earthquake affecting the Greater Metro Manila area.

While the earthquake drill aims to simulate the possible scenarios of the movement of the West Valley Fault in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, Cebu province is not exempted from the threat of an imminent earthquake. The country is located along the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire, a 40,000 km circle of interconnected fault lines around the Pacific Ocean, where other seismic activities such as earthquakes occur on a daily basis.

In 2013, a shallow magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Central Visayas, killing at least 15 people in Cebu, 4 in Bohol, and one in Siquijor. The earthquake damaged several properties – including historic structures – across the region.

This is one of the many reasons why Tribunalo emphasized that local government units should work together in preparing for earthquakes and other disaster scenarios.

"The preparation must be institutional. The local government must be the first to prepare. Yes, the council of local disaster risk reduction unit will initiate but the local units must also be prepared. It is everybody's business," Tribunalo told Rappler.

"Maghimo silag worst case scenarios, pananglitan naay earthquake naay building na collapse, sunog, or while nag responde naay stampede mao nay planohon before June 22," Tribunalo said.

(They must initiate worse case scenarios. For example, if an earthquake happens and a building collapses or if a fire occurs and while responding a stampede happens. It has to be planned before June 22.)

The disaster chief also said that Governor Hilario Davide III is expected to pass an advisory enforcing participation from accross the province.

Earthquake preparednes, the local disaster management chief said, should not end when the earthquake drill wraps up. After the drill, Tribunalo emphasized that participants must also conduct an evaluation about the strengths and weaknesses of their response plans.

Cebu Business Month continues to promote ‘Digital Cebu’

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2016/06/02/cebu-business-month-continues-promote-digital-cebu-477296
• Thursday, June 2, 2016

(PR)

IN A continued effort to establish a “Digital Cebu”, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, through the organizing team behind Cebu Business Month (CBM), is bringing together entrepreneurs, corporations, the academe, non-profit organizations, and public sector leaders in Cebu’s biggest and first Social Entrepreneurship Conference on June 23 and 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

To complement this endeavor, there will also be an Entrepreneurship Technology and Innovation Expo at the Robinsons Galleria on June 22 to 24, which will run during mall hours. The expo, which is now on its second consecutive year, is geared towards setting the spotlight on digital technology companies, inventors and innovators.

Social Entrepreneurship Conference

Spearheaded by CBM entrepreneurship chairman Michael Basubas, the conference aims to inspire entrepreneurs to embrace innovative and socially-relevant approaches to business processes and solutions by: 1) encouraging knowledge-sharing and collaboration among its attendees in developing creative, non-traditional solutions to social challenges; 2) instilling a more global and sustainable business perspective among local entrepreneurs; and 3) increasing awareness and interest in social value creation among businesses in Cebu.

The highlight of this two-day event is a set of dynamic presentations and discussions on social entrepreneurship.

Topics include Entrepreneurial Revolution: Comparison between For-Profit Entrepreneur and Social Entrepreneur; Stages of Social Entrepreneurship: Approach to Social Value Creation; Inclusive Entrepreneurship; Social Entrepreneurship: Solution to Women’s Economic Empowerment; Combining Innovation, Resourcefulness and Opportunity into Profitable Undertakings; People, Profit and the Environment: Social Enterprises Lead the Way / Environment in the Next Decade; Building Momentum to Achieve Inclusive Growth and Development while Sustaining the Culture; Scaling Up and Sustaining Initiatives for Social Transformations; and Embracing Digital Age + Social Good.

To ensure an exciting and diverse stream of topics, the conference will feature a distinguished lineup of keynote and resource speakers from government, as well as top executives from the private sector. Attendees may also expect an interactive and insightful forum, with some of the country’s most successful social entrepreneurs in attendance, as panelists.

In addition to this, CBM offers an exclusive “CEOs Networking Night” on June 23, from 6:30 p.m., co-presented by PLDT Alpha and PLDT Smart SME Nation.

Entrepreneurship Technology and Innovation Expo

Recognizing the need to incorporate digital technology into business processes and practices, CBM is putting together its second annual Entrepreneurship Technology and Innovation Expo to promote the culture of innovation and creativity as essential tools in the growth and progress of any business, creating a solution to address social challenges and improve quality of life.

The expo will showcase booth displays from 40 companies with the latest innovative technology/products, approaches and business models from Central Visayas to inspire competitiveness and provide knowledge that will contribute in the development of smart, sustainable and social cities.

The CBM 2016 team, along with CCCI and its event partners, is looking forward to giving Cebu’s business sector even more avenues to expand its awareness on digital possibilities and applications through these activities.

Japanese lantern festival set in Cebu on Aug. 12 to 13

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=12&rid=890734
• Wednesday, June 1, 2016

(PNA), FFC/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, June 1 (PNA) -- Japanese Bordery, a two-day lantern festival, is set to be held in Cebu on Aug. 12 and 13 at the Sugbo Grounds in the South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City.

It will start at 4 p.m. and end at 10 p.m.

Aside from lanterns, the event will also feature a fireworks display.

The event will be held to mark the 60-year friendship between the Philippines and Japan.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale met with Japanese Association Cebu Inc. President Kinue Sakurai Tuesday to discuss the details of the lantern festival.

Sakurai said they are planning to squeeze in as many events as possible in the event to promote Japanese culture and products.

He said they’re inviting Cebuanos to join the festival.

“We feel like we’re a family, a part of the society,” Sakurai said.