Cebu Province News August 2016

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Province of Cebu - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Cebu metro.jpg
Aerial View of Metro Cebu

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

2.5 million tourists dropped by Central Visayas

By Katlene O. Cacho

TOURIST arrivals in Central Visayas grew by 4.16 percent to 2.5 million in the first half of the year, partial records from the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 show.

The region welcomed 1.04 million foreign tourists from January to June, up by four percent. Domestic tourists, on the other hand, grew by 4.64 percent to 1.4 million.

Cebu logged 1.8 million arrivals, followed by Negros Oriental with 345,308 arrivals, Bohol with 322,243 arrivals and Siquijor with 48,410 tourists.

Arrivals from China logged the highest growth during the first semester at 110.04 percent from 46,968 tourists in 2015 to 98,653 arrivals this year.

However, arrivals from five countries that belong to the region’s top 10 source markets declined.

Tourists from Australia, the region’s fifth top source market, dropped by 7.84 percent from 33,000 to 30,414 arrivals. Arrivals from Germany, likewise, declined by 4.91 percent to 23,590 arrivals.

Arrivals from United Kingdom, Canada and Taiwan also declined.

Guests from the UK dropped by 19.77 percent to 18,970 arrivals; Canada by 19.50 percent from 21,606 arrivals last year to 17,392 arrivals this year; and Taiwan by 7.89 percent to 15,557 arrivals this year from 16,889 in 2015.

Korea remains the region’s top source market. The number of visitors from Korea rose by three percent from 359,906 last year to 370,707 this year. This was followed by Japan with 165,237 arrivals, up by 8.69 percent. China came third, followed by the United States, whose tourists grew by 4.55 percent.

For the first half of 2016, the country welcomed 2.9 million visitors, 13.70 percent higher than the 2.6 million arrivals in January to June 2015, data showed.

Korea logged 686,118 visitors, constituting 23.04 percent of the total arrivals. USA remained the second biggest visitor-generating market with 454,170 visitor arrivals at 15.25 percent.

China, the third biggest market, has supplied 340,958 for a share of 11.45 percent. Japan followed, with a visitor count of 260,656, comprising 8.75 percent of the total inbound traffic. Australia, still steady in fifth place, contributed 126,209 arrivals, comprising 4.24 percent of the total.

Total earnings gained from tourism activities for the first half of 2016 amounted to an estimated P127.37 billion. This recorded a double-digit gain of 14.70 percent compared to P111.05 billion for the same period in 2015.

US littoral combat ship USS Forthworth now in Cebu

(PNA), LGI/PFN

MANILA (PNA) -- One of the US Navy's brand-new littoral combat ship, the USS Forthworth (LCS-3) has arrived in Cebu Sunday.

This was the ship's second port call as they transit back to their homeport of San Diego, California.

The LCS is a class of relatively small surface vessels intended for operations in the littoral zone (close to shore) by the United States Navy.

It was "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals."

While in Cebu, sailors on board the USS Fort Worth will get the opportunity to enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation, as well as participate in multiple cultural engagements, while the ship conducts refueling operations and onloads stores.

“Our overall mission of the stop is to receive the fuel we need to continue our voyage home,” USS Forthworth skipper Cmdr. Michael Brasseur said.

“But once again, we are honored to get the opportunity to serve as ambassadors for our warship and our country while visiting the Philippines,” he added.

Sailors onboard the USS Forth Worth have been working very hard during the first few weeks of her transit across the Pacific Ocean.

They are looking forward to taking a few days off to experience the local community and participate in many of the activities the country offers.

USS Fort Worth has been deployed to the US 7th Fleet for more than 18 months, completing many multilateral exercises and participating in evolutions such as the AirAsia flight QZ8501recovery efforts.

The US 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operations.

As the US Navy's largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build maritime partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict.

Miss Universe to boost tourism in Cebu

By Elias O. Baquero, Rona Joyce T. Fernandez

ALTHOUGH the initial venues in mind for the 2017 Miss Universe swimsuit competition are two resorts in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City Councilor James Cuenco said he will meet with Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino and Mayor Tomas Osmeña this week to discuss the matter.

As chairman of the committee on tourism, Cuenco said he will also coordinate with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to have more details on the plan.

“It’s still a proposal. There’s no definite plan yet, but I’ll convene with DOT to discuss it better and make an audience with the Mayor and Dino. That’s very good news,” he told Sun.Star Cebu in a phone interview yesterday.

In a report yesterday, Dino, who met with DOT Secretary Wanda Teo, confirmed that Cebu will have a participation in the contest because the tourism department wants to showcase the island’s beaches.

Although the city does not have an abundance of white beaches, Cuenco said with the competition being in time with the celebration of the Sinulog Festival, more tourists are expected to visit.

Given that the contest only lasts for an hour or two, he said the City Government will have to maximize the opportunity through social media.

Aside from the contest itself, Cuenco said social media could also help highlight the city’s life to attract more tourists.

Resorts

Dino said the competition will be held at Movenpick Hotel and Mactan Island’s Shangri-la Resort and Spa, both in Lapu-Lapu City.

“It will be a historic event of the country and Cebu to be part of Miss Universe 2017. The mileage and goodwill Cebu will gain in hosting the swimsuit competition will be enormous,” said Glenn Soco, president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).

“Social media and technology will help shape the success of our hosting. Also, looking forward to when you Google “Miss Universe,” Cebu will be there,” said Soco, who is also a newscaster of TV5 television network.

Businessman Bunny Pages, on the other hand, said he fully supports the idea because it would be good for business, especially those in the restaurant industry.

Pages, a member of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), owns Moon Cafe and Lantaw Restaurant, among others.

“It would bring local and foreign tourists to Cebu to watch the event. It would also showcase Cebu to the rest of the world. Let’s go for it. Cebu’s ready,” said Pages, who is presently on vacation in Vancouver, Canada.

Distraction

For his part, businessman Dondi Joseph, president of the Cebu Business Club, said that he thinks it will be fun to hold the swimsuit competition in Cebu.

“It will be a good distraction from the traffic and politics,” said Joseph, who is also a member of the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB), which is advocating for Mega Cebu.

Robert “Bobby” Lim Joseph of the National Independent Travel Agencies (Nitas) also said that holding an event like this can attract more tourists to Cebu.

Bobby Joseph, who is also the co-founder of 888 News Forum in Cebu, said that Miss Universe will again put Cebu on the world map.

1M pencil drive on until November

(Sun.Star Cebu)

THE Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) has been accepting pencil donations in line with the One Million Lapis campaign of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC).

Launched in April this year, the campaign aims to collect one million pencils to be given to underprivileged students in elementary schools of 4th to 6th class municipalities and to set a record in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The campaign is also part of the celebration of the 2016 National Children’s Month celebration in November.

“Individuals, groups, companies and institutions willing to share their pencils are welcome to join the campaign,” said DSWD 7 Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre.

She said that donors may drop the pencils at the drop boxes found in various national government agencies and its regional offices and in all SM Supermalls.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 also accepts pencil donations from the public and its staff.

At present, the DSWD collected 18,515 pencils donated by the staff and other agencies like Children’s Legal Bureau, Department of Health, Philippine National Police, National Economic Development Authority, National Nutrition Council, and Department of Interior and Local Government.

Final counting and official declaration of Lapis generated will be on Nov. 5, 2016 as a kick-off activity of the 2016 National Children’s Month celebration.

Stranded sea turtle returned to waters of San Fernando town

By Justin K. Vestil

A 24-INCH sea turtle was found inside a private shipyard in one of the coastal barangays of San Fernando town, southern Cebu.

The sea turtle, locally known as “pawikan” and believed to be around 60 to 70 years old, was found stranded in the muddy shores near the Philippine Trigon Shipyard in Sitio Suba, Barangay Sangat, San Fernando at around noon last Tuesday.

Winds

After checking its condition and tagging the rare marine specie, the personnel from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Argao town, which has jurisdiction from the City of Naga to Santander, released the turtle on Wednesday at the beach front of Pulchra Resort in Barangay San Isidro in the same town.

Barangay Sangat Councilor Jose Nonilon Garces told Sun. Star Cebu that Jeffrey Reston, an employee of the shipyard, was walking around the workplace when he found the sea turtle.

Reston immediately reported the matter to the barangay, which prompted Garces and village tanods to recover the turtle.

Garces said that turtle may have been stranded after huge waves brought by the southwest monsoon or “habagat” swept it toward the shore.

Unharmed

He said that the turtle had no outlying signs that it was harmed.

The population of sea turtles are threatened because they are caught, slaughtered and sold.

In a separate interview, Tito Sarol of the San Fernando Municipal Agriculture Office said barangay officials turned over the sea turtle to their custody before it was released back to the sea.

Sarol said that this was the second time that a sea turtle was found in Barangay Sangat.

They also found one there six years ago, he said.

BOI records PHP17.7-B investments in Cebu in Q2

(PNA), CVL/EB/RSM

CEBU CITY, Aug. 26 (PNA) -- The Board of Investments (BOI) has recorded a total of PHP17.7 billion in investments in Cebu in the second quarter (Q2) of the year, an official said.

Ellorence Cruz, BOI Cebu acting chief, said this marks a 29 percent increase compared to the PHP13.7 billion logged in the same period last year.

Cruz said they were expecting mass housing to dominate projects to be registered with the BOI this year, especially with the pronouncement of Vice President Leni Robredo to cut red tape in the housing sector.

“This will facilitate the application for BOI-registered housing projects. The Vice President’s pronouncements will fast-track the process, which will eventually lead to an influx of registrants,” Cruz said.

Cruz said the bulk of the PHP17.7 billion would be attributed to the PHP16.8 billion transportation and storage project of GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp., the private operator of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Four mass housing projects make up the rest of the second quarter investments, which are worth PHP964.2 million, generating 463 jobs.

Two of these projects are located in Talisay City while the others are in the cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu.

These projects are Kennrich Development Corp.’s Villa Donna and Limbros Realty and Development Corp.’s Happy Homes in Talisay City and Lapu-Lapu City and Cebu Landmasters Inc.’s Casa Mira Towers 1 and 2 in Cebu City.

More flights, more air cargo

By Katlene O. Cacho

THE Aircargo Fowarders of the Philippines Inc. (AFPI)-Cebu Chapter sees growth in air freight businesses with the addition of international direct flights servicing Cebu.

Marivic Esmero, president of AFPI-Cebu Chapter, said having international flights to Cebu helps air logistics become more seamless and efficient.

“It would be tasking if we use all flights out of Manila,” said Esmero, adding that a stopover in Manila translates to higher handling fees and other charges.

“The direction of the organization this year is to align (our programs) with that of the different local government units and government offices and be active in the logistics mapping,” said Esmero during the organization’s recent general membership meeting.

She noted that infrastructure remains the key challenge faced by local air cargo players. Inter-island transport in the country remains expensive due to the country’s archipelagic nature.

Esmero pointed out that it is more expensive to ship from Cebu to Manila than from Cebu to Hong Kong.

“The integration between international and domestic movements is a challenge and, as a result, created a somewhat silo approach and eliminated opportunities for reducing cost through end to end optimization,” said Alberto Lina, former chief of the Bureau of Customs, in his keynote message.

Lina added that the absence of defined regulations and clear cut policy on domestic multi-model transportation hinders the growth in this sector and the opportunity to drive down cost across the island.

“I encourage you to study how your respective workforce integrates the international and domestic (movements) and look how collectively you can improve on it and drive down the cost of moving goods, for example, to and from Visayas region to the rest of the world,” said Lina.

While efforts are in place to improve infrastructure, the former Customs official advised Cebu not to copy Manila.

“Don’t think about truck ban and number coding. Think about long-term solutions like mass transport system, truck dispatch system, cargo hubs and distribution centers, cargo and delivery consolidations,” Lina said.

The country’s first National Logistics Master Plan (NLMP) is scheduled for public presentation next month and is slated for implementation in the fourth quarter of this year, according to the Department of Tourism and Industry (DTI).

A roadshow of the NLMP for Central Visayas is slated for October in Cebu.

The logistics master plan is being crafted by the DTI in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development Advancing Philippine Competitiveness (USAId-Compete). It is seen to address issues and concerns that affect the competitiveness of the Philippine logistics industry, including the lack of infrastructure and difficulties arising from regulatory bottlenecks.

Another challenge faced by the air cargo players is the declining cargo volume due to the softening of the global demand.

AFPI-Cebu Chapter director David Tieng said they are seeing flat growth this year as global demand continues to weaken, particularly in traditional markets like United States, China and Japan.

Asia-Pacific airlines reported a 3.5 increase in demand for air cargo in June compared to last year, according to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The IATA report noted that “the Asia-Pacific airfreight market has been improving in recent months, most notably the large ‘within Asia’ market. Nonetheless freight volumes from ‘emerging Asia’ continue to face headwinds from weak trade in the region and globally.”

“On top of attracting international airlines to come Cebu, there is also a need to develop our trade. Bigger demand both in passage and cargo would mean more business activities,” said Tieng.

Exporters are the main clients of air cargo forwarders.

Exports in the first half of this year declined by 7.5 percent from $29.002 billion in 2015 to $26.832 billion in the same period of 2016.

8990 HDC donates kits to 200 moms, babies

(Sun.Star Cebu)

SINCE giving birth to a child is a joyous occasion for every mother, 8990 Housing Development Corp. (HDC), through LATCH, a breastfeeding support group, and the Department of Health, gave 200 mothers at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) OB Ward more reasons to celebrate.

The 8990 HDC, in support of the Breastfeeding Month held every August, donated 200 malong-wrapped mom-and-baby gift packages worth P200,000 to the mother-beneficiaries last Aug. 13.

Present during the turnover of the mom-and-baby kits were 8990 HDC assistant general manager for operations Ariel Jose Mercado, general manager-Visayas cluster Rhena Caceres and executive assistant Grace Erana, LATCH Cebu officers, VSMMC officers and the 200 mother-beneficiaries.

“The sponsorship is part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Cebu because 8990 cares,” said Caceres.

On its Facebook (FB) page, LATCH Breastfeeding Support and Gugma sa Gatas ni Nanay Project thanked 8990 for its sponsorship, saying, “We are so grateful for the support of 8990 Housing Development Corporation...Each malong pack has P1,000 worth of baby essentials. Most of the moms who gave birth at VSMMC come from marginalized sector, it’s really an eye-opening experience for any one who will give time to visit and do breastfeeding counseling for these mothers.”

The group’s FB page also said that the VSMMC high-risk unit has more mothers in dire condition as it is more crowded with no air-conditioning with several mothers and their babies sharing a single hospital bed. Mothers also struggle to breastfeed; some are battling from post-partum depression.

The hospital, however, could not turn the mothers away when they give birth there.

The donation and the visit of 8990 officers at the OB Ward have indeed made a mark in the lives of every mother-beneficiary, said 8990 in a press statement.

“The company cares for the community it serves,” said Januario Jesus “JJ” Atencio, 8990 president and chief executive officer.

Helping mothers with newborn babies through LATCH Cebu was just among the many CSR projects that 8990 has undertaken over the years.

Cebu Literary Festival sets workshops on Aug. 27

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/08/23/cebu-literary-festival-sets-workshops-aug-27-493311

THE Cebu Literary Festival will hold two workshops on Saturday, Aug. 27, at the East West Café, Cebu IT Park--a Citizen Journalism workshop with Isolde Amante from 1-5 p.m., and an Introduction to Spoken Word from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Fiction writers are luckier than news writers, if they use their imagination well. The news writer writes within much tighter confines; they must get as close as possible to the measureable truth, and keep their more strident opinions in check.

In the course of one afternoon, Amante, who is the current editor-in-chief of Sun.Star Cebu, will guide participants through a practical workshop on citizen journalism–telling true stories and writing your own news story.

The workshop will also talk about narrative news and literary journalism, the process from first draft to revision and will end with tips on getting published.

The second workshop, Introduction to Spoken Word, aims to develop more spoken word performers in Cebu and is open to all those interested in Bisaya, Tagalog or English spoken word poetry, whatever their level of experience or style of writing and performance.

Once the workshop is over, participants will be given the chance to take part in the Open Mic Mentorship Program, to meet and share ideas with leading writers and performers, and have their works published.

These activities lead into the main Cebu Literary Festival scheduled on Nov. 26, 2016 at the Ayala Activity Center.

For more information, contact 0915-4453049, email cebuliteraryfestival@gmail.com or visit www.fb.com/cebulitfest.

Student leaders, educators join Cebu Capitol’s anti-drug orientation

(PNA), CVL/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, Aug. 22 (PNA) -- Hundreds of student leaders and educators on Monday joined the Cebu provincial government's orientation in the fight against illegal drugs, particularly in schools.

More than 323 participants, including 160 Supreme Student Government (SSG) officers and 163 advisers from different high schools of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Cebu gathered at the Cebu Capitol social hall to support the provincial government’s Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) program.

Manuel de los Santos, psychologist and consultant of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO), said the student leaders are the provincial government's main allies in the fight against drugs, especially in schools.

The BKD program also aims to teach students how to avoid drugs and how to help create drug-free schools.

It taps the capability of the SSG officers to formulate a plan of action to prevent the entry of illegal drugs in their ranks.

"We believe they are the backbone, especially of the country's future, that's why we have to keep them away from illegal drugs," de los Santos said.

Ivy Carmen Durano-Meca, CPADAO chief, stressed the role of the students and youth in the advocacy against illegal drugs.

"They can help through education prevention program. They will lead in their schools in terms of this cause," she said.

200 mahogany seedlings planted in hilly Pung-ol

By Ashlee Love Marzon (USJ-R Communication-3 student)

AT least 200 mahogany seedlings were planted in mountain barangay Pung-ol Sibugay, Cebu City recently by the Cebu Alliance of Mass Communication Students (CAMS).

The activity was held in cooperation with the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) and ABS-CBN Cebu.

“There is a need to plant more trees to secure the water supply of Metro Cebu for future generations,” said Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara, MCWD corporate communications head.

Kara said that trees release oxygen to sustain human beings, and help remove carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the air, thus cooling the earth.

Good start

CAMS president Mark Roland Romas said that the activity is a good start for the organization.

“Maayo gyud nga magkahiusa ta para sa kaayohan sa kalikupan. (It is good that we unite for the good of the environment),” Romas said.

The hilly site is ideal for the activity for the seedlings cannot be disturbed as they grow in the highland area of the city, he said.

The tree-planting was also the kick-off activity of TV Patrol Central Visayas’ 28th anniversary with their segment Ecopatrol, which focuses on stories that care for the environment.

Cebu Capitol to assign one speedboat each in Bantayan, Camotes for emergencies

(PNA), RMA/EB/RSM

CEBU CITY, Aug. 20 (PNA) -- The Cebu Provincial government will assign one speedboat each in Bantayan Island and in the Camotes Island to be used during emergencies.

Julius Regner, information officer of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said the two brand new speedboats were bought at a cost of Php 3.5 million each.

The budget for both speedboats was taken from the PDRRMO’s funds in 2015.

Regner said the boats would be used in transporting patients from the two islands who needed emergency treatment in the Cebu mainland.

Aside from emergencies, Regner said the speedboats would also be used by the Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force (CPAIFTF) for their operations.

Regner said the speedboats would be useful in the provincial government’s intensified campaign against illegal fishing.

MCWD completes bridge pipe brace

By Elias O. Baquero

THE rehabilitation of the support of Metropolitan Cebu Water District’s (MCWD) pipeline under the old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge was completed on time.

Private contractor Jegma Construction and Development Corp. (JCDC) handled the project for P5.9 million. Jegma was able to finish it on time or within 120 days.

Engr. Roy Basar of MCWD Project Management Office said the project will soon be turned over to the water utility firm after a final inspection the other day.

Thankful

In a statement sent to Sun.Star Cebu by MCWD Public Affairs Manager Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara, MCWD hopes the support will help allay fears that the pipe could fall during the ongoing repair of the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.

“We are thankful that the pipe support repair was already completed and it did not cause any traffic or affect the ongoing bridge repair as earlier raised by some sectors,” read the MCWD statement.

Alma Jo Alonzo, Jegma Construction vice president, said it is their first time to do a pipe support rehabilitation and their biggest challenge was the procurement of materials since everything came from Manila suppliers and most of the materials had to be fabricated.

The project was started last April 1. It included the removal of the old pipe support, repair of its rusted surface, painting and rust-proofing of the pipe surface, and installation of new support, which was attached to the concrete sidewalk of the bridge, among others.

Alonzo said they focused on the implementation of the project and his men worked six days a week for more than eight hours daily to beat the Aug. 1 deadline.

Capacity

Kara said MCWD’s pipeline supplies around 12,000 cubic meters of water to almost 17,000 households and commercial establishments in Lapu-Lapu City and adjacent Cordova town.

The MCWD water supply drives the economy of Mactan Island and provides jobs to thousands in Metro Cebu every day.

MCIA targets 8.9 million arrivals for 2016

By Katlene O. Cacho

THE Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is aiming to hit 8.9 million arrivals by end of 2016, following the introduction of new international and domestic flights to Cebu, top officials of GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) said.

Four new international routes have already been launched this year—Cebu-Los Angeles (via Philippine Airlines); Cebu-Dubai (Emirates); Cebu-Xiamen (Xiamen Air); and Cebu-Taipei (Eva Air). Direct connections to Cebu will get a boost with the addition of Thai Smile by end of this year.

Andrew Harrison, GMCAC chief executive advisor, said in a statement that the company is in discussions with Thai Smile, the regional affiliate of Thai Airways International, for a direct daily service from Cebu to Bangkok, slated for launching in November this year.

“Thai Smile is just awaiting regulatory approval,” Harrison said.

More Thai tourists are expected to visit the Philippines following Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo’s recent visit to Thailand.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said that the Philippines has embarked on an “exchange tourism” agreement with Thailand in farm tourism, youth development, and women and indigenous community projects.

The Thai Travel Agents Association is scheduled to visit the Philippines in September for the Philippine Travel Exposition (PHITEX) and tour the cities of Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

Meanwhile, existing foreign airlines Cathay Pacific and Silk Air have increased frequency of existing routes from Cebu to Hong Kong and Singapore. Cathay Pacific now has 10 flights out of Cebu while Silk Air has 12 flights out of Cebu.

On the domestic front, Cebu Pacific (CEB) announced it will open in November three new routes to boost connectivity in the Visayas island.

Starting Nov. 19, CEB will launch daily flights between Cebu and Ormoc and Cebu and Roxas; and four times weekly (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) between Cebu and Calbayog using ATR 72-500 aircraft.

In 2015, over 4.4 million passengers were flown to and from Cebu. Cebu routes cover about 24.5 percent of CEB’s seat capacity last year. With the addition of the three new routes, CEB now has 25 domestic routes in Cebu, which will cater to the increasing travel demand.

GMCAC, the private company operating MCIA, is actively marketing the airport as a gateway to southern Philippines by pursuing new and diverse routes for Cebu through marketing campaigns and detailed route analysis all geared towards increasing travel and tourism to Cebu and the Visayas-Mindanao regions.

These efforts, according to the company, help ensure the long term sustainability and economic and social benefits for the passengers and the businesses.

GMCAC is targeting new routes connecting Cebu to Australia and Bangkok, as well as expand connections to China, Japan and South Korea.

Ravishankar Saravu, GMCAC chief commercial advisor, during the 888 News Forum, said they are eyeing to open a Cebu-Doha flight where there is potential traffic of business, leisure and the overseas Filipino market.

More than 222,000 Filipino expatriates are now working in Qatar, an increase of over 34,000 from last year’s 188,000, according to the Philippine embassy. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration reports that the average annual number of deployed land-based Filipino expatriates to Qatar ranged between 94,000 and 114,000 from 2011 to 2014.

Savaru said GMCAC is also working with the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and human resource recruitment agencies to make it easy for overseas Filipino workers to travel directly from Cebu.

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

MCIA currently caters to 12 international destinations and 23 domestic destinations.

Aviation research firm Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) said that MCIA is one of the fastest-growing airports in Asia, having recorded 16 percent growth to eight million passengers in 2015 versus 2014.

It is expected to continue its double-digit growth this year, on the back of local and foreign expansions.

Cordova to hold 17th Dinagat Festival

(Sun.Star Cebu)

THE municipality of Cordova, Cebu headed by Mayor Mary Therese “Teche” Sitoy-Cho will be holding the 17th Dinagat Festival celebration to highlight its town fiesta in honor of its patron saint, San Roque.

The Cordova Public College is the overall in-charge of the Dinagat Festival this year.

With the theme: “Ang walay kinutubang kalooy sa Diyos, Maglig-on sa pamilya dinha sa Eyukaristiya,” Cordovanhons and visitors can expect more colorful and festive presentations from contingents from the town’s different schools and barangays.

The festival will showcase the fishing culture of Cordovanhons as depicted in the dance imitating the movements of the fisherfolks.

The contingents will compete in the street dancing and interpretative dance competitions.

The Cordova Dinagat Festival received the Department of Tourism’s recommendation as a recognized cultural presentation which is now included in the calendar of Philippine Festivals and events.

The theme of the festival focused on the decades of the Cordova’s history from the Pre-Spanish Period to the contemporary times.

PCG says VTMS for Mactan Channel to be completed in 2017

(PNA), LDV/EB/SSC

CEBU CITY, Aug. 16 (PNA) -- The installation of the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) for the Mactan Channel will be completed by next year, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official said.

Rear Admiral William Melad, PCG commandant, said the VTMS, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which spent Y1.152 billion for the project, includes the construction of three radars and control towers.

Melad said the VTMS will monitor all vessels coming in and out of the Mactan Channel, the entry point to the Cebu port, both domestic and international.

The three radar towers will be set up in Bantolinao Point in the north of the channel, the middle radar will be in between the old and new Mactan-Mandaue bridges and the third radar will be along Talisay City in the south of the channel.

“Exchange of communications will be improved. It will be faster,” Melad said.

The VTMS in Mactan Channel is the third in the country after those in Corregidor Island and Verde Island.

Melad said the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) placed 10 buoys at the critical areas of Mactan Channel, especially at the entrance portion to guide the vessels on where to enter.

The completion of the VTMS will come nearly three years after the MV St. Thomas Aquinas sank at Lauis Ledge in Talisay City after it collided with the cargo vessel MV Sulpicio Express Siete.

The MV St. Thomas Aquinas of 2Go Shipping Lines collided with Sulpicio Express Siete of the Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp (PSACC) on Aug. 16, 2013.

At least 100 people were killed in the collision after the Thomas Aquinas sank.

DPWH 7 to allocate rainwater catchments to public schools, markets

(PNA), SCS/EB/SSC

CEBU CITY, Aug. 15 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 will allocate funds to construct rainwater catchments in public schools and public markets to prevent floods, an official said.

DPWH 7 Director Ador Canlas said the funds for these projects are embedded in the annual budgets of district engineering offices and regional offices.

He said the public school buildings are identified by the Department of Education (DepEd), while the public markets and other areas are identified by the local government units (LGUs).

“So, we provide rainwater collectors to make sure that rainwater is collected to be used for other purposes aside from drinking and bathing,” Canlas said.

“If we will not collect the rainwater, it will definitely go to waste, and it will flow to the streets and cause flood,” Canlas said.

Canlas said market administrators may sell rainwater to fish vendors and meat shop owners whose stalls need regular cleaning.

The schools can use rainwater for their hand-washing facilities and toilets.

“Under this project, we can immediately achieve two things – save water and prevent flood,” Canlas said.

He said the DPWH also has its own small water impounding projects to create water supply and prevent flood.

“Cebu can actually get a share from this impounding project fund as long as the project location would not entail acquisition of costly road-right-of-way,” Canlas said.

Provincial government to give P1M each to 49 LGUs with FSTP

By Mae Clydyl L. Avila (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government is set to release P49 million to distribute to local government units that have already implemented the Farmer-Scientist Training Program (FSTP).

This was announced by Governor Hilario Davide III during the Farmer’s Day celebration yesterday at the Social Hall of the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Based on the records of the Provincial Agriculturist Office, 49 local government units have implemented the FSTP, which is a program that provides training to farmers to equip them with the knowledge on “sustainable” agriculture.

All LGUs in Cebu, except the cities of Talisay, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu and Cordova town, will receive P1 million. The three cities and one municipality have not implemented the FSTP yet.

The aid is in line with Executive Order No. 710 of 2008 which is a nationwide adoption of the corn-based farmer-scientists research training program to help the poor farmers.

In addition, Department of Agriculture-7 director Angel Enriquez also announced plans to expand the coverage of the Agri-Fishery Insurance Program, to cover not only crops but also livelihood animals. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

The second Farmer’s Day gathered 631 attendees from different local government units and neighboring provinces.

Prizes were given to the farmers, including 12 knapsack sprayers, while 50 pieces of five kilos of Ganador rice was distributed to the attendees.

The provincial government also distributed different types of agri-machineries and equipment, including more than a dozen of hand jabbers, 10 corn shellers, three power sprayers, five drum seeders, one mechanized thresher, three biodegradable shredders, and 15 water pumps.

Oakridge Realty begins expansion of business park

(PR)

OAKRIDGE Realty Development Corp. (ORDC) recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for another new development in Oakridge Business Park, the company’s flagship high-end office and retail hub in Mandaue City.

An expansion of its Oakridge IT Center, the new development comprises two 12-storey PEZA-registered buildings and a lifestyle atrium. The first phase will be completed by 2017, while the second phase will begin right after. These structures will add more than 30,000 square meters of premium work and retail leasable spaces to Oakridge‘s growing commercial property inventory.

The Oakridge expansion aims to reinforce the company’s commitment to create a well-balanced work-play environment for its BPO and office clients, as it prepares to bring in more retail brands, irresistible dining choices and exciting entertainment and wellness facilities once completed. As Oakridge Business Park gets bigger and better, it carries with it the Oakridge Realty signature of world-class quality, exclusivity and unceasing innovation.

Oakridge Business Park currently houses Oakridge IT Center 1, the first site of Teletech in Cebu since 2006, Block Eighty Eight, the Oakridge Pavilion, Cebu’s only airconditioned tent event venue, and Oakridge Horizons, a 400-seater grand ballroom for formal functions.

In recent years, Oakridge Business Park has evolved into one of the Queen City’s favorite foodie destinations with a carefully curated line-up of dining establishments such as the first branch of Ramen Yushoken in Cebu; the popular homegrown cake shop of 10 Dove Street and 10 Dove Confectionery; Cebu’s famous Big Tom’s Charbroiled Burger; the all-time favorite Pancake House; L’Artisan which offers French and Mediterranean cuisine and the coffee connoisseur’s favorite, Starbucks.

Its retail strip also carries upscale lifestyle brands such as Rustan’s Supermarket, Piandré Salon’s first branch in Cebu, Dreamtown Fun and Learning Center, Calayan Medical Group Cebu, Epic Performance and Fitness, Regenestem Cebu and Baobao Babies.

It is no wonder that Oakridge Business Park has become the destination of choice for discerning Cebuanos.

Its self-contained masterplan is a rare oasis of intimacy and privacy. The park’s sprawling, open air ambiance and thoughtfully-planned spaces offer a perfectly balanced resort-like setting that is ideal for quality time with family and friends.

5th bloodletting collects 249 bags

(Sun.Star Cebu)

MORE than 300 blood donors turned up for the 5th grand bloodletting activity recently organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Simultaneously conducted at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu and at the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) campus, the activity collected 249 bags of blood.

For five straight years, a total of 1,525 bags of blood have been generated through the CCCI’s bloodletting activity.

Majority of the blood donors for this year’s bloodletting came from UCLM’s ROTC cadets, together with the personnel from the Cebu City Police Office, Police Regional Office 7, Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command, 2nd Air Division Philippine Air Force and Naval Forces Central.

Members of the Rotary International District 3860, Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente Community Based as well as CCCI members also supported the activity by sending their employees to serve as volunteer blood donors.

The support of Alcordo Advertising, Philinsure, Gardenia, Jollibee Foods Corp., Krispy Kreme, Nature’s Spring, RC Goldline, CP Plus, Veco, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Juanito I. King Foundation, National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, Mabuhay Filcement, Uniform Solutions, Stitches & Wear, Graphicstar, King’s Quality Foods, University of Southern Philippines Foundation College of Nursing, UCLM College of Nursing and 888 News Forum have been instrumental for the event’s success.

The grand bloodletting 2016 is a collaborative effort of CCCI, Rotary International District 3860, Department of Health 7 Blood Center, Philippine Red Cross Eastern Visayas Regional Blood Center and convening partners.

The event with the theme, “Blood connects us all,” was conducted in accordance with the National Blood Donor’s Month celebration.

32 PWD-trainees go malling on White Cane Safety Day

(Sun.Star Cebu)

THIRTY-TWO visually-impaired trainees at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC II) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) joined the celebration of White Cane Safety Day.

White Cane Safety Day is a yearly celebration to promote and protect the physical, moral and social well-being of all persons with disabilities (PWDs).

In preparation for the mall tour, personnel from AVRC II gave a lecture on the basic sighted guide techniques, mobility cane and its correct usage.

The trainees and DSWD 7 staff participated in the simulation activity at the AVRC II compound.

In the simulation, the sighted individuals were blindfolded for them to experience how difficult it is to be blind.

The members of AVRC II staff also experienced eating their lunch and washing their dishes while blindfolded.

The event ended with a mall tour that provided an opportunity for the visually-impaired trainees to be exposed in three malls in Metro Cebu. The trainees were grouped into three and they went to Robinsons Galleria Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu and Park Mall. They were escorted by DSWD staff.

They experienced taking the escalator and elevator and toured the different areas of the mall.

During the tour, the trainees were also oriented on the locations of the comfort rooms for them to know how to use the modern toilet facilities.

They also interacted with the sales ladies and cashiers, and had the chance to purchase items on their own.

“Prior to my arrival in AVRC II, I refused to use the cane due to shame. Now, I realize how important it is because it serves as my protection from danger while walking on the street,” said Jeryll Aurello, a visually-impaired trainee of AVRC II.

The use of the white cane dates back to 1921 when a Bristol photographer named James Biggs used it to help him move around after he lost his vision in an accident.

He chose the white cane so that even at night, he would be visible to pedestrians and motorists.

The white cane is a symbol of greater mobility for the visually impaired and of their full participation in the community.

Firm to conduct Php5-M detailed engineering study for Danao City bulk water project

(PNA), FPV/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, Aug. 9 (PNA) -- A consultancy firm will conduct the prepared detailed engineering design for the Danao City Bulk Water Project which will supply some 10,000 to 20,000 cubic meters of water a day to Metro Cebu.

Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III said the Danao City Council has passed Resolution 176 authorizing him to enter into a contract with consultancy firm MGR Consultancy and Allied Services Inc. for the preparation of the Php5 million detailed engineering design for the project.

The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) entered into a 20-year agreement with the Danao City Government in July last year for Danao City to supply 10,000 cubic meters of water a day to MCWD for the first two years starting Jan. 1, 2018.

On the third year up to the 20th year of the contract, Danao City is obliged to increase the volume to 20,000 cubic meters a day.

For the whole duration of the contract, water rate is fixed at Php19.38 per cubic meter, said MCWD Public Affairs Manager Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara.

The bulk water supply contract was signed by Durano in behalf of the Danao City Government, and then MCWD OIC-general manager Ernie Delco in behalf of the water utility firm.

The contract also provides that Danao City will be the one to secure all the permits for the project, put up the facility and develop the source, the Tangon River in Barangay Sta. Rosa, as well as lay pipes to bring the water to the MCWD injection point in Barangay Jubay in Liloan town.

The bulk water from Danao City will help MCWD expand water distribution within its service area.

MCWD officials said they need an additional 250,000 cubic meters of water a day on top of its president 210,000 cubic meters in order to serve the total demand of its service area.

Danao City’s bulk water supply is only 10th percent of the total needs.

Durano said the bulk water supply project is the key to maintaining the water rate in Danao City at only Php5 per cubic meter.

He said the rate was fixed by his father, the late Mayor Ramon “Mano Amon” Durano Sr., who died in office on October 24, 1988.

The elder Durano wanted the rate to remain the same forever in order to help the people of Danao City.

Aboitiz group plants 76,000 native, fruit-bearing trees

(PNA), FPV/EB-PR/EDS

CEBU CITY, Aug. 8 (PNA) -- Some 2,600 team members and partners of the Aboitiz Group of companies have planted more than 76,000 native tree and fruit-bearing trees in 21 areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the company said in a statement.

The simultaneous activity is part of the Aboitiz Group’s annual tree planting program, under its commitment to create a better world, the statement said.

In Cebu, volunteers from Aboitiz subsidiaries East Asia Utilities Corp., Cebu Private Power Corp. and the Visayan Electric Company planted native tree seedlings in Cansomoroy, Balamban town in western Cebu within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape.

Therma Visayas, Inc. planted bamboo and tree seedlings around the construction site of its two 150-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Barangay Bato, Toledo City in western Cebu.

In San Carlos City, volunteers of the San Carlos Sun Power, Inc. planted fruit-bearing trees in Barangay Punao, the host community of its solar power plant.

The Aboitiz Annual Groupwide STP forms part of A-Park, the Aboitiz Group’s firm commitment to grow nine million seedlings by 2020, which was raised from an initial goal of three million seedlings by 2015, after it was met a year ahead of schedule.

The tree-planting activity upholds the importance of a healthy ecosystem by shrinking the Aboitiz Group’s overall carbon footprint, the statement said.

The Aboitiz Group, through A-Park, is one of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s largest National Greening Program (NGP).

“A-Park is the Aboitiz Group’s contribution to reforestation and a healthy ecosystem. Under this, we conduct our annual simultaneous tree planting as well as our other year-round tree growing activities that are led by our SBUs nationwide,” said Erramon I. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. president and chief executive officer.

“The Aboitiz Group’s commitment to help restore the planet’s forest cover encompasses nearly four decades of watershed development and looking after forest lands,” Aboitiz said.

As of 2015, the Aboitiz Group has grown 3.8 million seedlings in various locations nationwide, with each seedling having an average survival rate of 78 percent.

This puts the Aboitiz Group well on track to growing nine million seedlings by the end of 2020, which are then estimated to sequester 450 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

LRT study in Cebu ongoing

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Presidential assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino said that Singaporean experts have been studying the construction of Cebu’s LRT for the past two weeks now and are expected to finish by mid-October to November of this year.

Dino said in a press conference that the LRT is seen to stretch from Carcar City to Danao City and will link to the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

The estimated cost of the LRT is $30 million per kilometer (for elevated areas) but this will be done through Private-Public-Partnership.

“Of course we expect that the Cebu LRT will be realized g’yud under the Duterte administration,” Dino said.

Dino earlier said that a mass transport system is badly needed for Cebu due to traffic.

Besides, Dino said a mass transport system would make travel faster and will spur business and economic development in the countryside. Road widening is not enough, thus a mass transport system is necessary.

He further said that the Bus Rapid Transit will push through but it could be there will be some changes to some routes.

“We will just leave the study to the Singaporean experts. Let the experts do the thinking,” Dino added.

Port of Cebu posts Php 1.7-B revenue collection in July, up 1.6% from Php 1.68-B target

(PNA), RMA/FGP/RSM

MANILA, Aug. 6 (PNA) -- Port of Cebu posted Php1.710 billion revenue collection in July this year, up 1.6 percent from the Php 1.684 billion target for the month.

Based on the partial report of the Statistical Analysis Division of the Bureau of Customs (BoC), only the Cebu port surpassed its target collection. Other 16 ports have recorded shortfalls.

The country's ports targeted an actual collection of Php 42.983 billion for the whole month of July this year, including the Tax Expenditure Fund (TEF), or paper transactions from government importations amounting to Php700 million.

All the ports only collected Php30.162.7 billion or a shortfall of 29.8 percent amounting to Php12.821.0 billion.

Meanwhile, the BoC recorded Php220.6 billion in revenue collections from January to July as against its target of Php281 billion or 21.6 percent short, amounting to Php 60 billion.

The report said the total cash collected was at Php220.609.5 billion, with a shortfall of Php60.697.8 from the target of Php281.307.3 billion, including the TEF amounting to Php2.8 billion.

It added that only one port, Zamboanga was able to surpass its target collection of Php99.7 million when it collected Php114.3 million in the first seven months of 2016.

Among the 17 ports, the Port of Aparri recorded with the biggest shortfall at 96.6 percent with a collection of only Php10.4 million as against it target of Php307.6 million.

On the other hand, the Port of Cebu recorded the lowest deficit at 4.9 percent with actual collection of Php10.5 billion compared to its target of Php11 billion for the seven-month period.

The collections of other ports, target versus actual are the following: Clark, Php862 million, Php803 million; Batangas, Php60 billion, Php52 billion; Manila International Container Port, Php81 billion, Php68 billion; Cagayan de Oro, Php6.5 billion, Php5.4 billion; Davao, Php7.7 billion, Php6.4 billion; Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Php25 billion, Php19 billion.

The other ports are: Iloilo, Php1.4billion, Php1.1 billion; Subic, Php10 billion, Php8 billion; Port of Manila, Php49 billion, Php33 billion; San Fernando, Php1.6 billion, Php983 million; Limay, Php20 billion, Php11 billion; Tacloban, Php133 million, Php67 million; Legaspi, Php170 million, Php79 million and Surigao, P11 million, P2.6 million.

The BoC’s target collection for the year is at Php 498.67 billion.

Japanese medical professionals to study English in Cebu to prepare for 2020 Olympics

(PNA), LDV/EB/RSM

CEBU CITY (PNA) -- A group of Japanese medical professionals is set to arrive in Cebu this month to learn English in preparation for the 2020 Olympics.

Fujita Health University (FHU) has tapped Cebu Doctors University Hospital (CDUH) in Cebu City to be its partner school for its 34th Overseas Training tour on Aug. 20 to 27.

The group consists of 18 Japanese professionals from different hospital departments.

They include medical technologists, radiology technologists and nurses including head nurses and professors handling rehabilitation, geriatric and academic affairs.

In a letter sent by FHU president Kiyotaka Hoshinaga to CDUH president Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal Jr., the objectives of the tour are to “cultivate humanity, to improve English skill and to improve coordination among various medical professionals.”

“We believe that Cebu is the most suitable place for attaining these objectives. Japan is currently expected to ride on the wave of globalization and so are Japanese medical professionals in terms of verbal communication and understanding of the medical circumstances in foreign countries,” said Hoshinaga.

Tokyo City was chosen to host the 2020 Summer Olympics on July 24 to Aug. 9, beating Istanbul and Madrid.

The Japanese capital will be the first Asian city to host the Olympics twice, having also hosted the 1964 games.

Japan will be hosting its fourth Olympics. Sapporo and Nagano hosted the 1972 and 1998 Winter Games, respectively.

Aside from the medical professionals group, some 200 taxi drivers of MTK Japan will also be arriving this month to learn English. MTK is one of the biggest taxi operators in Japan.

Lapu-Lapu City hotels fully-booked for Cobra Ironman on Aug. 7

(PNA), RMA/EB/EDS

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Aug. 4 (PNA) -- Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City are fully-booked for the Cobra Ironman 70.3 2016 Asia-Pacific Championship triathlon set on Sunday, Aug. 7, an official said.

Lapu-Lapu Tourism Officer Hembler Mendoza said the city had 4,879 rooms in 79 hotels, which were enough to accommodate the participants of the international sports event.

All the superior and deluxe rooms were reserved, except for some executive or presidential rooms, Mendoza said.

“The hotels will make in three nights what they usually earn in 15 days,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said foreign triathletes started to arrive on Thursday.

The event will have 2,869 participants from 43 countries, including 35 in the elite pro division.

Mendoza said they also expected room reservations in the hotels in Mandaue City and Cebu City.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said the city government would host the welcome party and carbo-loading dinner for the participants of the Ironman at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa on Friday night.

Med group to study ESL in Cebu

By Katlene O. Cacho

A GROUP of Japanese medical professionals is set to arrive in Cebu this month to learn English in preparation for the 2020 Olympics.

Fujita Health University (FHU) has tapped Cebu Doctors University Hospital (CDUH) to be its partner school for its 34th Overseas Training tour on Aug. 20 to 27. The group consists of 18 Japanese professionals from different hospital departments—medical technologists, radiology technologists, and nurses including head nurses and professors handling rehabilitation, geriatric and academic affairs.

In a letter sent by FHU president Kiyotaka Hoshinaga to CDUH president doctor Potenciano Larrazabal Jr., the objectives of the tour are to “cultivate humanity, to improve English skill and to improve coordination among various medical professionals.”

“We believe that Cebu is the most suitable place for attaining these objectives. Japan is currently expected to ride on the wave of globalization and so are Japanese medical professionals in terms of verbal communication and understanding of the medical circumstances in foreign countries,” said Hoshinaga.

Tourism Development Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. commended CDUH for organizing the English language program targeting professional Japanese nurses with theoretical and practical nursing courses.

“Your initiative will surely encourage more Japanese students to visit the country, not only to enjoy the attractions and activities in Cebu, but more importantly to communicate more effectively in English at the same time learn practical nursing skills as well as the infamous Filipino brand of bedside manner and caring for patients,” said Bengzon in his letter to Larrazabal.

He added the endeavor will facilitate government efforts to showcase Cebu to the Japanese market, both as a tourism and education destinations.

According to Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 Director Rowena Montecillo, the arrival of the group is a good marketing move for Cebu, as it continues to position itself as a premier English as a Second Language (ESL) destination in the country.

“This is a good opportunity for us,” said Montecillo.

Tokyo City was chosen to host the 2020 Summer Olympics on July 24 to Aug. 9, beating Istanbul and Madrid.

The Japanese capital will be the first Asian city to host the Olympics twice, having also hosted the 1964 games. Japan will be hosting its fourth Olympics. Sapporo and Nagano hosted the 1972 and 1998 Winter Games, respectively.

Aside from this group, some 200 taxi drivers of MTK Japan will also be arriving this month to learn English. MTK is one of the biggest taxi operators in Japan.

DOT 7 is aggressively pushing ESL among Japanese tourists following the improved connectivity between Cebu and major cities of Japan.

Although the numbers aren’t that significant yet compared to Koreans taking up ESL, the Japanese market considered promising.

“Not only that we are cheaper for ESL studies compared to our ASEAN neighbors, but the increased direct flights between Cebu and Japan could fuel more Japanese arrivals, not only for ESL but also for leisure,” she said.

Japanese students taking up ESL in Cebu stay the longest, from six months to one year. There are also some who stay for only a week.

But compared to other foreign visitors, the Japanese are high-spenders and usually engage in high-spending activities like diving and other aqua sports.

From January to May 2016, Japanese arrivals in the country stood at 223,042.

Commercial center to spark interest in south

By Katlene O. Cacho

AS it becomes a new home to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the newly-opened SPArk Commercial Center in Minglanilla is poised to ignite the travel retail and tourism in the south of Cebu, a top official said.

SPark, a joint project of Primary Properties Corp. (PPC) and the Municipality of Minglanilla, is envisioned as a destination for MSMEs and domestic and foreign tourists, said PPC president William Christopher Liu, Jr.

“This center will beef up the enterprise community of Minganilla. This will become an avenue to showcase the best products of Cebu, as it promotes ‘One Town, One Product’ and will take part of Suroy-Suroy Sugbo itineraries,” said Liu, during SPark’s grand opening held over the weekend.

SPark Commercial Center is located in Poblacion Ward 1.

“SPark will bring people closer together, as it becomes a one-stop shop , which in the long run, would lessen traffic of people going to the city, as everything they need is here already,” Liu added.

The two-storey commercial building, which can house up to 200 tenants, forms part of the three-hectare, mixed-use development that PPC and Minglanilla will complete in the next five years.

SPArk, according to Liu, will give MSMEs access to a larger market where they can launch their retail business or supplement existing businesses in a prime, high-foot traffic location with little investment.

The commercial center will also complement the existing wet market of Minglanilla, as it offers a wide array of dry goods. It will also feature tourist spot miniatures, thematic exhibits at the activity area and gallery center for school tours at the viewing deck.

Aside from showcasing products made in Cebu, SPark also allocated a portion of the center to house “SPark Government Services” where a number of national government agencies such as Social Security System, PhilHealth, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, and Government System Insurance Services can partner with the local government to bring these frontline services closer to the public.

SPArk is the biggest public-private partnership (PPP) undertaken by PPC so far. After completing the commercial component of the master-planned development, PPC will build medical facilities, education and skills training institutions, sports and recreation centers and business process outsourcing offices in the future, Liu said.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III lauded the PPP project between Minglanilla and PPC, saying the partnership is “material evidence of participatory, inclusive and sustainable development by leveraging resources through PPP.”

“Our vision for Cebu is simple. It is ambitious, but simple. We want every Cebuano to achieve equal opportunity for a better life. This can only be achieved through engaging all the stakeholders, public and private sectors, in providing opportunities for Cebuanos,” said Davide in a statement.

He has high hopes that the partnership will encourage equitable, participatory, and sustainable progress in the countryside.

Presidential Assistant for Visayas eyes foreign investment forum this year

(PNA), JMC/CVL/EB/EBP

CEBU CITY, Aug. 1 (PNA) -- The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) is planning to hold a Foreign Investment Forum for the Visayas regions this year.

Presidential Assistant Michael Diño said his office is working on a forum that would showcase the business potentials of Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas and the Negros Island regions as the next investment hub in the country.

Diño said their task is to link the regions' businessmen to the world to open doors for the Visayas so they can showcase what they have to offer.

He said the planned three-day forum is scheduled to be held in October or November this year in Cebu.

Diño said he is going to tap foreign chambers to send invitations to potential investors.

He said the forum will be an opportunity for local business owners and local government units to network with foreign investors.

In his first State of the Nation Address last July 25, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte vowed to "continue, maintain and even improve the country’s current macroeconomic policies through prudent fiscal and monetary policies that can help translate high growth into more and better jobs and poverty reduction."

He also pledged to fix the tax structure, continue to attract investments that will generate thousands of jobs each year, and pursue reforms to improve the ease of doing business.

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