Philippines

Difference between revisions of "Cebu Province News January 2012"

→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.

Cebu Province News January 2012 (view source)

Revision as of 08:35, 10 February 2012

26,602 bytes added ,  08:35, 10 February 2012
→‎DOST-7 to launch SETUP product catalogue tomorrow
 
Line 12: Line 12:
</table></div>
</table></div>
<!--- DO NOT EDIT ABOVE THIS LINE --->
<!--- DO NOT EDIT ABOVE THIS LINE --->
==Gov seeks advice of Cebu solons ==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=773032
*Tuesday, January 31, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Gregg M. Rubio/BRP (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she met with the six Cebu representatives at the Marco Polo Plaza last Thursday to ask their counsel as to her options when her third and last term as governor ends in 2013.
The meeting was also to show the continued alliance between One Cebu, Alayon and Barug Alang sa Kalamboan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) parties since the past two elections in the local level, said Garcia.
Garcia clarified that they traditionally have Christmas dinner together but they had to push it back this time because they could not get their schedules together due to so many activities.
The options discussed included running for senator as far as the 2013 election is concerned, running for Congress or another local position, or possibly going back to private life.
“I got very, very good inputs from the congressmen and I value always their wise counsel especially since they been in politics longer than I,” Garcia said in a press conference yesterday.
Garcia emphasized during the meeting that as president of the One Cebu party, her decision will be based on what will be good for Cebu and will not be a unilateral decision.
“And I said, I would even be willing to sacrifice my own personal political advancement if it meant that by so doing we can protect the gains that we have achieved and see to it Cebu continues on this path of unprecedented growth and development,” Garcia said.
Garcia warned that if anyone from the opposition will take over as governor, Cebu will be “back to square one”.
She recalled how her opponents threatened to discontinue her projects and programs during the 2010 elections.
“I will continue to seek wise counsel from our congressmen and from others that have the good of Cebu in their hearts,” Garcia said.
When asked if had the support of the six congressmen if she decides to run for the Senate, Garcia said that none of them disagreed considering they have been allies since the past two elections and their alliance has been tried and tested in the local level.
==Floating Deck==
*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349818/floating-deck
*Monday, January 30, 2012, 7:06pm
:by Phoebe Jen Indino (Manila Bulletin Visayas Newsbits #1)
ASTURIAS, Cebu, Philippines — A simple floating deck in a protected marine sanctuary which was originally designed as a surveillance area is becoming a new tourist site in this town. Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan disclosed that the area where the floating deck is situated is within a marine sanctuary that they are protecting from dynamite or any kind of illegal fishing activities. “We established the floating deck for the guards to patrol the seas at night to ensure no illegal fishing activities will take place in the area,” Adlawan said. The floating deck made of bamboo and hard wood is also strongly supported by big plastic drums that can accommodate some 50 people.
==Swimming with the whale sharks==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/01/29/swimming-whale-sharks-203147
*Sunday, January 29, 2012
:(LAP of Sun.Star Cebu)
CEBU CITY -- While the tourism industry in Tan-awan is booming, the barangay and the Municipal Government cannot agree on the income-sharing scheme drawn by the town hall.
An ordinance passed by the Municipal Council provides that fees from visitors be divided into 60 percent to participating fishermen, 30 percent to the Municipal Government and 10 percent for the barangay.
Tan-awan Barangay Councilor James Marimat said the barangay is proposing that its share be increased to 20 percent and the Municipal Government’s share be lowered to 20 percent.
CEBU. Domestic and foreign tourists flock to Tan-awan, Oslob to come close to whale sharks, causing nature conservationists to worry about the effect of mass tourism on the sea creatures. (Contributed photo/Rianne Tecson)
He said the barangay should have a bigger share because it is the one directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the whale shark tourism industry.
“Kun wa ang taga tourism, kami gud ang naa diha sa briefing area. Kami pa gyud ang kasab-an o basolon sa mga taw kun magkina-unsa (If the municipal tourism officer is not present, we are the ones who take care of the briefing area. We also get the flak when things go wrong),” he told Sun.Star in an interview.
Ramonito Lagahid, Oslob Whale Shark Wardens’ Association (Owwa) president, said fishermen-boatmen also want their share increased.
Boatmen get P180 for every non-Oslob resident who watches the whale shark on their boats.
Lagahid said the amount is not enough for the efforts of fishermen-boatmen who still have to catch krill at night so they have something to feed the whale sharks during the day.
:Sharing
“Ang pangayo nila na isirado nalang gyud P200 kay kun taga Oslob ang bisita, menos baya ang bayad (Fishers are asking for P200 because the fee for Oslob residents is lower),” he said.
Oslob residents pay only P30 each to see the whale sharks. Of the amount, fishermen-boatmen get only P18.
Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren told Sun.Star Cebu over the phone that he has not heard of the fishermen and the barangay’s opposition to the sharing scheme.
“They are satisfied with the sharing scheme,” he said, adding that the Municipal Government’s share of the fees will be used to implement projects to improve tourism facilities in Tan-awan.
Among the plans of the Municipal Government is to build boats that can be used by the fishermen to bring tourists to the feeding area.
Owwa has 21 boats, which are being used in whale shark watching. Some of these boats can accommodate only one person but others can carry as many as four.
Guaren said the town will also build an appropriate briefing center.
On conservationists’ view that feeding can be disadvantageous to the whale sharks, the mayor said the giant sea creatures are free to hunt for food.
:Observation
Still, Guaren said, he has directed fishermen to observe the whale sharks for three months to determine if the practice of feeding the creatures has adverse effects.
The fishermen’s observations can be used by a technical working group (TWG) created by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to draft management plans for the whale sharks in Tan-awan.
The TWG, Guaren said, is made up of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local government representatives and experts from the private sector.
The findings of the TWG, he said, will be used as basis for “refining” the ordinance on the whale shark watching industry in the town.
More people are expected to visit Tan-awan to see the whale sharks, as news about their presence spreads in online social networks.
But even some of those who are in awe of the gigantic creatures are concerned about the lack of appropriate management policies in Tan-awan.
Melendres said the “no touching” policy and regulating the number of people and boats in the area at one time should be strictly enforced.
:Limits
Some semblance of control on the number of people and boats in the feeding area is in place, but only because Owwa has a limited number of boats.
Even then, boats sometimes hit whale sharks in the fishermen’s — or their guests’ — eagerness to go near the sharks. Some sharks have wounds and scars on the head.
The Shark Trust and the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme advise whale shark watchers to enter the water quietly and to avoid making noises or sharp movements — like too much splashing — in the presence of the sharks.
The shark conservation groups also advise against duck-diving, particularly near the head and tail of the shark or swimming underneath the creature.
While whale sharks are gentle creatures, their tails are powerful and can injure anyone or anything they hit.
Shark Trust recommends that the number of people in the water should be limited to 12 at any given time.
:Economy
Without a doubt, the whale sharks’ presence has improved the income of fisherfolk in Tan-awan.
Reymond Soriano, 16, and his father have a boat that can carry only one guest at a time. But even then, Reymond admitted that his family’s income has improved because of the whale sharks.
Apart from the Owwa fishermen, other Tan-awan residents have also cashed in on the whale sharks’ presence by selling food to visitors. Some residents rent out life vests at P30 each.
At present, it is not known what Tan-awan fisherfolk will do when the whale sharks go on their migratory route. The sharks are known to migrate in spring — generally around April to May — to the central west coast of Australia.
John Richardson, conservation officer of United Kingdom - based Shark Trust, said authorities in Cebu should put in place a management system that “follows guidelines designed to protect the sharks from disturbance and injury, while at the same time giving people an amazing opportunity to see” the whale sharks.
“If this (management) is done correctly, the whale sharks may continue to return each year, which is good … for the local economy and residents,” said Richardson in an e-mail.
==Cebu Coop Targets 50,000 Members==
*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349555/cebu-coop-targets-50000-members
*Saturday,January 28, 2012, 6:26pm
:By PHOEBE JEN INDINO
CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — Gearing to hit its P1 billion asset target by 2016, the Cebu Peoples Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CPMPC) is doubling its recruitment efforts to attain 50,000 members by the end of 2015.
“With the aggressive recruitment campaign being waged by coop leaders and members, we are optimistic about gaining 50,000 members before 2016,” said CPMPC Chief Executive Officer Macario Quevedo.
Quevedo however stressed that while the campaign to gain members for the coop will be aggressive in mode, “the coop will be considering looking into the quality of potential members.”
He disclosed that the coop was able to generate P439 million last year in terms of asset, an amount exceeding their P400 million target for 2011.
“We were able to surpass the target due to the aggressive implementation of our marketing programs even as our members are now actively recruiting members for the cooperative,” Quevedo said.
Meanwhile, the CPMPC officer admitted that although CPMPC membership dipped in the last four years, this drop has not affected the generation of assets because delinquent accounts were only deferred.
“Members with delinquency issues were deferred, as part of our cleansing process, but they will be given the option to become members again as soon as they can settle their dues,” Quevedo stressed.
The CPMPC has 12 branches spread all over Cebu with over 22,000 active adult members. It also has active business partnerships with cooperatives in nearby provinces like Leyte.
Meanwhile, Quevedo said that the CPMPC intends to strengthen the implementation of the coop’s Business Responsibility Center (BRC) wherein each CPMPC branch is expected to locally generate their own funds.
Said BRC conceptual framework emphasizes that each branch’s income is recognized as a result of the collective effort of officers, members, and staff, with the support of head office management.
“With the BRC, we want that each branch should be independent as we want to promote competition and cooperation at the same time,” said Quevedo.
==Yokohama eyes ties with Cebu==
*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349445/yokohama-eyes-ties-with-cebu
*Friday, January 27, 2012, 4:48pm
:By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.
CEBU CITY, Philippines -- Yokohama City, one of the most successful cities in Japan, particularly in terms of urbanization, is eyeing a partnership with Cebu City and Cebu Province.
Yokohama City wants to establish a Memorandum of Understanding with Cebu Province through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The partnership aims to address urban and environmental issues.
Kimihiro Kuromizu, director of International Technical Cooperation of Yokohama City, visited the Capitol recently and informed Garcia of the planned cooperation.
Tanaka Yasushi, deputy director general of Southeast Asia and Pacific Department of JICA, who was with Kuromizu, said they will also seek the involvement of the Cebu Provincial Government as the issues that they will be addressing extend to Metro Cebu.
Yasushi said they are hoping that the province will partner with Yokohama either directly or through the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board, which is chaired by Garcia.
Garcia, for her part, believes that the plan will be beneficial to Cebu. She said she will go to Yokohama as soon as she receives a written invitation.
“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to achieve a most beneficial relation between JICA in their wish to help us and the MCDCB,” the governor said.
JICA will be the one to provide both the technical assistance and funds to realize the programs.
==DOST-7 pushes MSME productivity improvement==
*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349371/dost7-pushes-msme-productivity-improvement
*Thursday, January 26, 2012, 7:01pm
:By MALOU M. MOZO
CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – Micro, small and medium-scale enterprises in the Visayas (MSMEs) are strongly urged by the Department of Science and Technology in Central Visayas (DoST-7) to improve their productivity and creativity if they are to become highly competitive in both local and foreign markets.
DoST-7 director Rene Burt Llanto said many MSMEs in the region have yet to avail themselves of DoST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (Setup), which is designed to help MSMEs in adopting innovations to improve their operations.
“Innovation is the key to sustaining one’s business today. Without this, businesses will never improve and remain stagnant,” Llanto said.
He said DoST-7 can assist about a hundred MSMEs each year, but only from 30 to 40 such firms avail of the Setup program annually.
As part of efforts to promote the program, DoST 7 launched recently a product catalogue featuring MSMEs that employed the program to help improve operations.
The 91-page product catalogue features 42 of the 82 MSMEs assisted by DoST-7 through Setup since 2002.
The agency informed that the Setup program provides manpower training, technical assistance and consultancy services. It assists MSMEs in establishing product standards and a database information system, and provides funds for technology acquisition.
The program assists MSMEs engaged in food processing, furniture, marine and aquatic resources, horticulture, metals and engineering, and handicrafts, among others.
Setup was launched by the former Arroyo administration to recognize the role of MSMEs in generating employment, earning foreign exchange and stimulating growth and development the country, particularly in rural areas.
==Endorse Bohol-Cebu bridge project==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=771108
*Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Angeline Valencia (The Freeman)
TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The DPWH must endorse now the proposed multi-billion-peso Bohol-Cebu Friendship Bridge project that would connect the islands of Cebu and Bohol.
This endorsement was sought by Rep. Erico Aumentado (2nd district, Bohol) in his letter to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson recently, saying that the previous administration had already endorsed it to the NEDA and to the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for funding.
The project would make land trip easier between the two provinces, bring additional power supply from Cebu’s power plant to Bohol, advanced telecommunications technology via fiber optics set through the bridge, and accelerate the dispersal of industries from Cebu to Bohol, especially the northeast corridor, said Aumentado.
“The bridge can accelerate the symbiotic exchange of excess water from Bohol after satisfying its domestic needs while Cebu can send power, expected to be a surplus by 2015 because of the development of coal-fired plants now. Bohol is limited to developing hydroelectric power as other forms can be detrimental to its environment which is the anchor of its eco-cultural and adventure tourism,” he said.
Aumentado wanted the DPWH to endorse his proposal for technical assistance for the project, including a grant for the conduct of a feasibility study and detailed engineering design, telling Singson that he already initiated back-channel talks with the proper Korean government authorities on the matter.
The congressman explained that KOICA provides official development assistance from its government funds kept at the Korea Export-Import Bank called the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), saying that he was confident that Korea will favorably consider the ODA grant to finance the project.
“The bridge can be constructed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law. This early, a group of Chinese financiers as well as the International Bridge Construction Company of California have expressed interest in undertaking the project either through BOT or the Build-Operate-Own scheme which means the Philippine government will not spend a single centavo for it,” Aumentado said.
Aside from endorsement to Koica and the Eximbank-EDCF, the solon also asked Singson to endorse it also to the NEDA Investments Coordinating Committee Technical Board (ICC-TB) chaired by Deputy Director General Rolando Tungpalan and other appropriate authorities in order to complete the process.
Copies of his request to DPWH were also furnished to Eximbank’s country director Man Hwan Park, KOICA-Philippines resident representative Kim Jinoh, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Mayors Adelino Sitoy of Cordova in Cebu and Cary Camacho of Getafe in Bohol.
The bridge’s end-points or anchors would be Getafe in Bohol and Cordova in Cebu, spanning a distance of 17.5 kilometers only. Between the two are the Olango and Hilotongan Channels, some islets, shoals and shallow seawaters. “This augurs well for a simple design and easy construction of the bridge,” said Aumentado.
The Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Bohol, which Aumentado headed in the past, had already endorsed the project through a resolution in 2009.
The original resolution further got endorsement from the Central Visayas Regional Development Council, chaired before by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, requesting DPWH for its own endorsement of the project to the EDCF
==Cebu's digital forensic lab opens==
*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/349121/cebus-digital-forensic-lab-opens
*Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 4:43pm
:By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.
CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — The first digital forensic laboratory in Cebu is now operational after the facility was inaugurated in the Capitol-owned lot in Sudlon, Lahug where the Cebu Provincial Police Office is also located.
The blessing and inauguration was attended by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Atty. Samuel Pagdilao Jr.
Bartolome said that with Cebu’s growing tourism, the police “need to level up” its act.
He added that the laboratory is “instrumental to our objective in the increase of the crime solution efficiency to address the needs and demands of the public.”
Pagdilao, meantime, is grateful to the provincial government for providing CIDG with the facility that will help speed up the investigation of crimes. He also said this will help prepare law enforcement agencies learn more about technology.
Garcia assured that the provincial government will continue to support the police. She said the building is a manifestation of the “cooperation, collaboration and working together for the common good” of both parties.
==Ecology groups to push Danajon reef protection==
*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/132791/ecology-groups-to-push-danajon-reef-protection
*Monday, January 23, 2012 7:32 am
:Candeze R. Mongaya (Reporter, Cebu Daily News)
Efforts to preserve and eventually “nurse Danajon reef back to health” should begin “as soon as possible,” a marine conservationist said.
Rose Liza Eisma Osorio, executive director of the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF), said about 77 percent of the Danajon reef is already damaged.
“Many people are depending on Danajon reef for their livelihood. We want to incorporate livelihood and preservation of the marine ecosystem in the area,” Osorio told reporters in an interview.
The CCEF, which advocates sustainable coastal resource management, held the first Danajon Bank Summit in Cebu City last week.
The program is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Osorio said the summit—attended by local government leaders, marine conservation advocate and environment stakeholders—wants to reach a collective action and consensus to restore Danajon’s lush marine biodiversity.
The Danajon bank or double-barrier reef, located off northern Bohol Island, is the only double-barrier reef in the Philippines.
The reef is spread across nearly 130 kilometers and consists of three large reefs. The reefs run along the coastal areas of Bohol, Cebu and Leyte and is composed of 19 towns.
The Danajon bank’s overall area is 272 square kilometers with an aggregate coastline of 699 kilometers, including 40 islands.
Osorio said based on their initial study, 4,000 fisherfolk are also dependent on Danajon reef for livelihood.
She said illegal fishing and coral poaching remain rampant in the area.
Pollution caused by the improper disposal of domestic wastes of the coastal communities is compounded by the dumping of oil and garbage by passing vessels.
Osorio said they will set a timetable in achieving their goals for the conservation effort.
The Danajon double-barrier reef is the only one in the country and among the six worldwide that has a geological formation that carved 6,000 years of natural coral growth, Osorio said.
She said commercially valuable reef fishes, shellfish, crustaceans and invertebrates such as sea cucumbers and sea urchins thrive in the area.
==Suroy Suroy now 'international' - Gwen ==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=770180&publicationSubCategoryId=107
*Sunday, January 22, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - The tourism project Suroy Suroy Sugbo is now internationally renowned, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said, as she thanked respective town officials for hosting their part of the tour well.
All 21 towns in the south of Cebu were visited during the three-day Suroy Suroy Sugbo Southern Heritage Trail and Garcia said the respective Local Government Units gave out delivered their best.
“Tungod sa paninguha nila, ang Suroy Suroy Sugbo nahimo nang world-class and internationally renowned,” Garcia said.
Garcia also thanked Marian Kimseng Pearson, president of the Philippine Society of Las Vegas, for promoting the project by word of mouth.
“And that is the best promotion,” Garcia said. “We can come up with the most snazzy videos but ang labing tuohan gyud ang kanang mismo muingon ‘didto ko, nindot kaayo,” she added.
Pearson brought with her 40 balikbayans from Las Vegas to join the Suroy Suroy and most of them were first timers.
The tour made a stopover for at least an hour in every town. There, guests were treated to the town’s culinary specialties and enjoyed cultural presentations.
Pearson praised the project for being “wonderful.”
“The delegates were so impressed. The kids out there in the street, waiting for hours just to wave at us; it’s very touching,” Pearson said. Back home, she said they will again promote the program by word of mouth.
The guests said the caravan not only met their expectations but offered the “best and overwhelming” experience.
“This is a fabulous thing the governor has done. I love that in every place, there’s food,” a female tourist said.
Grace Paulino, Cebu Provincial Tourism Officer, said the positive feedback from the guests made everything worth the effort.
“It has been a very successful, very fruitful three-day four us for this year,” she told reporters.
Paulino said that this early, she already received bookings from a number of people of the same delegation for another Suroy Suroy in Camotes Island on April 21 and 22.
To make the tour even better, Paulino said they will be holding trainings among local guides.
The trip, which was attended by hundred of tourists, kicked off last Wednesday in Minglanilla town and ended with a fireworks display last Friday in Talisay City.
Apart from balikbayans from Las Vegas, Nevada, guests from France, Germany, United Kingdom, Korea, and New Jersey participated in the tour. There were also guests from Tacloban City, Butuan City, and Metro Manila.
==Health, wellness sector expects positive 2012 ==
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=73297
*Saturday, January 21, 2012 12:00 AM
:By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)
CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu health and wellness industry is looking at a more dynamic year in 2012, as it slowly gains popularity in its positioning as a ”Light Medical Tourism Destination” in Asia.
This is the branding that stakeholders in the health and wellness sector will carry, through the Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said CHWC vice chairperson Jenny Franco.
Franco said Cebu has an edge to lure more medical tourism travelers from all over the world, because of its diverse attractions for leisure and vacation.
Franco said the year 2012 is an exciting year for the industry as Cebu’s efforts in promoting the province to other countries like in North America, Middle East, Europe and even in United States have paid off, and now more and more travelers in the medical tourism sector are considering Cebu.
While the province has yet to provide sophisticated facilities for the long-staying medical tourists, like those retirees needing an integrated medical tourism village, or facilities, the province has an edge in attracting the medical tourists, who are only seeking for minor services, such as executive check-ups, cosmetic treatments, dental services, among others.
==DOST-7 to launch SETUP product catalogue tomorrow==
==DOST-7 to launch SETUP product catalogue tomorrow==
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=73297
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=73297
Prdims
325,636

edits

Retrieved from "https://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Special:MobileDiff/278822"