Cebu Province News July 2014

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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.

Event showcases ‘best of Cebu’

(SunStar Cebu)

SUN.STAR Cebu showcased last Friday the winners of its Best of Cebu 2013 search.

The event was held at the Oakridge Pavilion on A.S Fortuna St., Mandaue City and was described by guests as one of the “best” nights in Cebu as it put together the best in the city.

“The Best of Cebu was such a laudable effort to highlight what we have to offer. It gives people the chance to experience and taste the best-all in one place,” said Theresa Gonzales, corporate communications manager of Visayan Electric Co.

Carmel De Pio-Salvador, managing director of Global Carrier Philippines and president of Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association Cebu Chapter, said the event was a showcase of Cebu’s pride.

She said the project is “very laudable” because it enabled Cebuanos to know more about what they can offer to guests visiting the province. It also allowed locals to patronize their own delicacies.

“Whenever I visit a new city, I always check what the place has to offer and I look forward to the experience all the time. With the Best of Cebu, now we have the right guide for our guests to have the memorable experience too,” said Salvador.

World class

Half of the 80 winners of the Best of Cebu 2013 search were gathered together in one night to celebrate what made them stand out in their respective categories.

Sun.Star Publishing Inc. president and general manager Julius “Jayjay” Neri Jr. said the event aims to make Cebu a world-class destination by featuring only the best. He said the initiative is the company’s effort to help spur development and bring the local economy to greater heights.

He advised the winners to keep up their good work and level up. He encouraged non-winners, though, to continue striving for the best.

The Best of Cebu search was conceptualized by Maki Garcia-Evans. It was first featured in the Dec. 13, 2013 issue of Sun.Star Cebu’s Weekend magazine, which had just been redesigned. The first batch of winners was spread across seven categories namely services, shopping, hotels, public facilities; food and drink; fun and games; and beauty and wellness.

The selection process for Sun.Star Best of Cebu 2013 took four months. This involved nominations from the panel members for each category, collating of data from random office polls, lengthy deliberations, site visits, and in the case of food and drink, “blind” taste tests.

Driving force

However, with the twin calamities that hit Cebu last year, the project took on a more significant meaning: “the honorees now represent the driving force behind a resilient Cebu economy,” the company said.

“The Best of Cebu is great because it makes establishments want to up their ante, which can only be good for us locals and tourists alike. We will end up having only the best of the best in the city, and it will help put Cebu on the international map as a must-visit destination even more,” said Kaye Luym-Sala of A~List.

“It is a brilliant project that would not only help the local business players of Cebu but boost tourism by showcasing the best of what Cebu can offer, especially that it’s endorsed by a leading publication that the Cebuano locals trust,” said Charlene Go, public relations manager of Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

Asked what could be further improved, Gonzales said, “it would be best though to make it a little longer, not just for one night, so more get to experience it. It would surely boost the retail industry in Cebu as more people get to know our products and services, more people would want to come and that means more business for our local industries.”

“The project is already great because it helps locals discover what the best and new establishments are in Cebu. If there’s a way to open it to the public in the future it will be even better, especially for the food since that’s what Filipinos love. Look up “Taste of Chicago,” said Mynimo founder and chief executive officer Wesley Chiongbian.

Foundation gives automated weather stations to 10 LGUs in Cebu

By Eddie O. Barrita (PNA), CTB/EB/

CEBU CITY, July 19 (PNA) -- A non-profit organization has given Automated Weather Station (AWS) to each of the ten local government units (LGUs) in Cebu to provide them with a more localized and detailed weather forecasting.

Weather Philippines Foundation (WPF) of the Aboitiz Group, in partnership with MeteoGroup, chose the towns of San Francisco in Camotes island, Madridejos in Bantayan Island, Alcoy, Malabuyoc, Dumanjug, Santander, San Remigio, Tuburan, Daanbantayan and the city of Bogo as recipients of a unit each of Lufft-type AWS.

WPF general manager Celso Caballero III said the AWS will provide the LGUs “solid weather information,” enabling them to detect weather disturbances and do micro-climate forecasting.

Caballero said the initiative was not intended to level or even surpass the state weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

He said they are working closely with the state weather agency.

“It is incumbent upon the private sector to help the government in ensuring disaster preparedness, because climate change and its effects are not just a concern of the government. It is everybody’s concern,” he said.

He said that as soon as their partnership with Pagasa is sealed, data from their weather stations all over the country would be fed to and integrated with the state weather bureau’s database and weather advisories.

The AWS equipment is given to the LGUs for free and, as stated in the memorandum of understanding, the security and cleanliness of the weather station would be the lookout of the recipients.

San Francisco, Camotes, Cebu Mayor Ali Arquillano said the device is very useful especially in their town which is situated in an island and isolated from the mainland.

The devices were turned over Friday at the Diamond Hotel, with the help of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., the family foundation of the Aboitizes.

In 2013, WPF also distributed eight AWS in Metro Cebu. The recipients were Mandaue City, Cebu City, Talisay City, Danao City, LapuLapu City, Toledo City, SM City Consolacion and SM City Cebu.

Pagasa-Mactan Chief Al Quiblat lauded the initiative of the private sector in augmenting the capability of the state weather agency.

But Quiblat said official weather information and advisories would still come from Pagasa.

Lapu-lapu’s installation in Mactan necessary

By Junex Doronio

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu—The Lapu-lapu monument at Rizal Park in Manila should be transferred to Mangal Point in Punta Engano in this city where it belong, Mayor Paz Radaza said on Thursday.

She said the transfer was in accordance with opinion of the National Historical Institute that Lapu-lapu’s statue “could desecrate” Rizal Park, which was intended for the hero who died there.

“We call it Rizal Park so only Rizal should be there. If they insist on retaining Lapu-lapu, it should be named Rizal and Lapu-lapu Park,” Radaza said.

Cebu had initiated putting up the Lapu-lapu statue at the Luneta Park in 2004. It was supported by then Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon.

Lapu-lapu was the local chieftain who defied the Spanish colonial forces under the command of Ferdinand Magellan, who was killed by Lapu-lapu in the battle of Mactan in 1521. The Cebuanos wanted the statue transferred to Mangal Point, which was named after the father of Lapu-lapu.

Radaza said the Lapu-lapu statue at Mangal Point would attract tourists and create livelihood to people in the area because “we will be making a small island at the tip of Barangay Engano just like the statue of Liberty in New York.”

Cebu Rep. Raul del Mar, who was one of those who worked for the erection of the Lapu-lapu statue at the Luneta, opposed the transfer but Radaza said the issue was discussed with Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez when he visited Cebu last week.

The Battle of Mactan is reenacted every year in the spot where Magellan was killed. The Spanish government put up an obelisk to honor Magellan, but it was defaced shortly after the US military occupation of the Philippines.

Cebu Capitol sets activities for province’s 445th anniversary

(PNA), FPV/EB

CEBU CITY, July 17 (PNA) -- The Cebu Provincial Government has lined up activities for its month-long celebration of Cebu’s 445th founding anniversary next month.

The series of events will kick off on August 1 with the launching of the “Province Awards” at the Cebu Capitol grounds.

Local government heads and congressmen are expected to grace the affair.

On the following day, August 2, there will be a fun walk from the Capitol to Fuente Circle and back, which will be followed by a zumba, a famous dance exercise.

There will also be a family day and a free concert on this day.

On August 3 is the “Ironman,” an international sports event attended by triathletes.

August 4 and 5 are for wellness events and entertainment like singing competition and others.

On August 6, the founding day anniversary itself, there will be a “Sayaw sa Dekada 80” dance contest and “Gabii sa Sugbo” event on Aug. 8.

A “Media Night” activity and “Halad sa Kabataan Awarding” will be held on August 13 and 15, respectively.

King Philip II of Spain appointed Miguel Lopez de Legaspi as the first governor of Cebu on August 6, 1569.

Republic Act 8952 declares August 6 a special non-working holiday in the entire province, including all component cities and Cebu City as Cebuanos celebrate the founding of the province.

AFP Central Command ready to deploy personnel to Glenda-hit areas

By Eddie O. Barrita [(PNA), CTB/EB/]

CEBU CITY, July 16 (PNA) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command (Centcom) based in Camp Lapu-Lapu, Lahug, Cebu City is ready to deploy its personnel to other regions heavily affected by typhoon Glenda, an official said.

Lt. Gen. John Bonafos, Centcom chief, said some 80 personnel in their headquarters are on standby.

More personnel are on standby at the personnel in Naval Forces Central in Lapu-Lapu City, the 8th Infrantry Division, the 3rd Infantry Division and the 2nd Air Division at the Benito Ebuen Mactan Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City.

Bonafos said they have deployed soldiers to other regions when super typhoon Yolanda struck large parts of the Visayas last November.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 7 is also on red alert.

OCD 7 Director Olivia Luces said they have activated their operations center to keep tab on the situation in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

“Even three days before typhoon Glenda entered the Philippines, we have already alerted our personnel to prepare for any eventuality,” she said.

She said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 has prepositioned relief goods in the region for distribution during emergencies.

Cebu creates prov’l youth commission

By Michael Vencynth H. Braga / JMD (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines- Youth sector in the province of Cebu will now have a “permanent” representation at the provincial government after an ordinance creating a Provincial Youth Commission has been approved in the third and final reading yesterday.

The ordinance, authored by Provincial Board member Miguel Antonio Magpale, plays as the highest policy making and coordinating body in all efforts on youth development in the province.

It will be responsible for the formulation and recommendation of policies, and coordination and implementation of youth development programs, projects and activities in the province.

Magpale said this would be done in coordination with the National Youth Commission, different national government agencies, local government units, youth organizations, and youth serving institutions or those organizations whose principal programs, projects and activities are youth-oriented.

He added that the Sangguniang Kabataan, which positions are made vacant to pave way for the Congress to study and create reforms on it, will also be a partner with the commission.

The specific functions of the committee which are provided under the ordinance further include developing and providing support for the development and coordination of youth projects and design strategies to gain support and participation of the all sectors, establishing youth centers, convening and confederate all youth organizations operating in the Province and registered with the National Youth Commission, among others.

The PYC will be chaired by the Governor, or his authorized representative, and co-chaired by the Vice Governor.

This committee will also have set of commissioners which are composed of President of the Provincial Federation of SK, and Presidents of the Provincial Federations of Student Organizations, Community Based Youth Organizations, Working Youth Organizations, Out of School Youth organizations, Youth with Special Needs Organizations, Religious Youth Organizations, and representatives of the Provincial Federation of Youth Serving Organizations and Institutions.

Magpale said the committee will convene this month. He added that though there is no budget yet allocated for the committee this year, stakeholders will tie up with LGUs and national government agencies for the realization of its programs.

"Hopefully sa creation sa PYC which is under the Office of the Governor, atong ma-address ang concerns and issues sa youth. Ang SK man gud is legislative in nature so they are just like us, as public officials, they are elected every three years. Kining commission it has permanence and is executor aron sab naay continuity ang programs sa youth," he added.

Carcar City govt. signs MOU with solar power producer

By Liv G Campo/ATO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Carcar City has tied up with a solar power producer for the possible setting up of a solar-fired power plant.

“The MOU will help us see if a solar power plant is feasible in our city. But hopefully feasible gyud siya kay maayo nalang madugangan atong power supply,” said Mayor Nice Apura.

The city signed the memorandum of understanding with Ceko Solar Corp., a power company jointly owned by Filipinos and Korean nationals.

The city and Ceko Solar entered the MOU last week.

Jessie Tundag of Ceko Solar said they are proposing to construct a 15-megawatt solar plant in Carcar, which is expected to cost them at least P2 billion. Carcar City will be providing the land, said Tundag, where they will set up the plant. He said they will need six to 10 hectares of lot for their solar panels and plants. Apura said they plan to set up the project at the newly launched Eco City Center in Barangay Polacion III.

“If they are earning money in Korea in winter how much more in the Philippines?” said Tundag.

Tundag said this may be the first time their company will have a solar plant in the Philippines, if their proposal in Carcar pushes through. Their Korean partners, Posco ICT, MIR SYSTEM, Hantherm, Chanju Industrial Development, Areone Investment and Consulting Group, Sung Hyun High-Tech, have established renewable energy plants in South Korea for years.

Ceko Solar, he said, has on-going negotiations with Cadiz in Negros for a 50MW solar plant, a 10MW plant in Minglanilla and another 10MW plant in Liloan, Cebu.

Tundag said if everything goes smoothly as planned, and the Department of Energy has given them the go signal, they shall start with the construction one and a half years from now.

He said they also hope to have similar projects in other local government units in Cebu.

City in southern Cebu plans to develop river into a water park

(PNA), SCS/EB/

TALISAY CITY, Cebu, July 13 (PNA) -- The Talisay City government is planning to develop Mananga River, its biggest river, into a water park.

Talisay City Mayor Johnny delos Reyes said this would turn the Mananga River into a tourist attraction.

Based on his proposal, the four-meter mouth of the river will be dredged to allow seawater to merge with the river system.

In effect, it will become a larger body of water, which will be opened for recreational swimming, water sports and even ferry services.

When that happens, Delos Reyes will then develop the riverside to make it more attractive to tourists.

He said he will coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 regarding his proposal.

But Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas (Cebu, first district) said there is a need to study the proposal because of the unpredictable condition of the river.

There had been incidents of flash floods in the Mananga River during heavy rains.

Gullas emphasized that public safety should be the primordial consideration in Delos Reyes’ proposal.

Capitol allocates P3M for 445th anniversary next month

By Claire Tano /JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol has allocated P3 million for the Cebu province’s 445th month long anniversary celebration next month. Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera said that unlike last year, this year’s celebration will be a month long.

“No increase in budget. Last year, it was P3 million but half ang among nagasto so this year we still used the 3 million as a budget for the entire month. Barely igo-igo lang ato budget kay some of this mu-ingon na mu-offer service for free,” Natera said

A budget has been allocated for activities of different departments, which will be undertaken in coordination with the legislative branch.

Natera said awards will be launched after the flag raising ceremony on August 1, which will be participated by mayors and vice mayors in the province, as well as personnel of the Philippine National Police.

“Our target are NGOs and the people who helped sa probinsya, ug kadtong ni tabang sa Yolanda will recognize them during the governor’s night on August 8 and to those empleyado bag-o ra ni retire ug outstanding nga naka-contribute sa development sa province they have also an awards” she said.

MMDA to train Lapu-Lapu City barangays on disaster preparedness

(PNA), JBP/EB

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu, July 11 (PNA) -- The Lapu-Lapu City government will tap experts from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in its move to prepare different barangays in the city for disasters and calamities.

Lapu-Lapu City Administrator Teodulo Ybañez said experts and personnel from the MMDA will be the speakers and trainers of 60 participants coming from the different barangays.

Ybañez said there are ongoing trainings and seminars in the different barangays related to disaster preparedness.

The seminar and trainings are initiated by the members of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, Bureau of Fire and Protection and the Local Disaster Risk and Management Council.

Ybañez said tapping the experts and personnel from MMDA will help them upgrade their knowledge in effective response during disaster and calamities.

The earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda last year, according to Ybañez, will be the basis to educate the people especially the barangay officials.

He said the barangay officials are at the frontline of defense not only for maintaining peace and order but also for calamity response.

The training and seminar next week will focus on the islet barangays in Lapu-Lapu City like Caubian, Caohagan and Pangan-an.


HRRACI holds Cebu Goes Culinary 2014

(HVO)

DUBBED one of the biggest cooking, baking and bartending competitions in the Visayas region, The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc. (HRRACI) is back to introduce Cebu Goes Culinary 2014.

Participated by the different resorts, hotels, restaurants and academe within the province of Cebu and the neighboring provinces such as Dumaguete, Negros and Bohol, its vast 20 culinary-related categories, the event will put the skills, artistry, creativity and speed of cooking and bartending of the different participating professional chefs and bartenders of the different hotels, resorts and restaurants in Cebu with a number of aspiring culinary students of the different universities and culinary schools participating as well.

Graced every two years with a different theme for every event, this year being “Spice Up,” the event allows hoteliers and students, future players of the industry, to experience a light and friendly competition while enjoying the presences of those who also have a passion for the culinary arts, allowing the culinary community of Cebu to grow on a personal level.

Celebrity chefs Myrna Segismundo, Hilda Sandique, Glenda Barretto, Penk Tan, Raul Ramos, Sau del Rosario, Norbert Gandler and Sandy Daza, are also slated to grace the event.

Cebu Goes Culinary 2014 will take place on July 25 and 26 at the SM City Cebu’s Trade Hall and Northwing Atrium. For more information, you may visit www.hrrac.org.ph.

Vatican execs laud Cebu preparations for 51st IEC in 2016

(PNA), CTB/EB/

CEBU CITY, July 9 (PNA) -- Officials from the Vatican have lauded Cebu church officials for their efforts in preparing for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) to be held in Cebu in January 2016.

Anne Griffin, 50th IEC General Manager, and Fr. Vittore Boccardi, Pontifical Committee on IEC secretary, made their observations after inspecting the preparations for IEC.

Their last inspection was in September last year.

“People have been working really hard. The plans have improved and the people are very focused. They understand what they want to achieve, in terms of timeline, checking and maintaining the schedule which is on time, the budgetary concerns,” Griffin said.

Griffin headed the team for the 50th IEC held in Dublin, Ireland in 2012.

Boccardi also highlighted the work of the local committees.

“I am very impressed by the big work done by local committee. Each committee has done their work. In terms of budget, the fund raising has been moving and it is going quite well,” Boccardi said.

Boccardi cited the “extraordinary work” of constructing a pavilion for the IEC.

Boccardi said this is only the third time since the IEC’s inception in 1881 that infrastructure was built purposely for the event.

Cebu’s P300-million IEC pavilion has a maximum capacity of 15,000.

Cebu IEC committee secretary Fr. Dennis Villarojo said they are limiting the number of people who will be allowed to enter during the week-long event.

But Villarojo said there will be activities that will be opened to the public like the opening mass at the Plaza Independencia, the procession from the Cebu Capitol to the Plaza Independencia and the closing mass at the South Road Properties.

“We are expecting around 50,000 at the opening and hopefully one million at the closing,” Villarojo said.

Apart from the “material preparation,” which he said is on the right track, Boccardi also stressed the importance of spiritual preparations.

The catechetical document, considered the soul of the activity, is now being finalized and is expected to be in by October this year.

Despite the recent calamities that hit the nation, 51st IEC president Archbishop Jose Palma and Villarojo displayed optimism for the generosity of the faithful – not just Filipinos but Catholics around the globe.

The main activity for the January of 2016 event will last for one week but Griffin said the IEC goes before and even beyond the actual gathering.

Pope Francis is expected to attend the event but no confirmation has been given by Vatican just yet.

Pope Francis is also expected to visit super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) devastate areas in January next year.

New P300-M Carcar City Hall to rise in P2-B new city center

(PNA), LAP/EB/

CARCAR CITY, Cebu, July 8 (PNA) -- A P300-million new Carcar City Hall will be the first to rise in the city’s P2-billion 30-hectare new city center, Carcar City Mayor Nice Apura said.

Apura on Monday led Carcar City officials and guests in the ceremonial capsule-laying for the city’s new city center in Barangay Poblacion III as part of the highlights of its 7th Charter Day celebration.

Apura said the new city center is expected to boost the economic activities of the city.

Apura said the three-storey Carcar City Hall is just one of the components in the new city center.

”We will also have the national agencies there, the terminal, the auction house and others,” Apura said.

The city has converted, phase by phase, the vast rice fields along the road of Poblacion III.

But Apura said they converted a 70-hectare lot in Barangay Tuyom into a rice field in exchange for the one they converted into non-agricultural use.

Carcar is one of the top producers of rice in the province.

The city also inaugurated its digital tourism program, which aims to improve the city’s tourism department by using the latest technology.

What you need to know about the process of earth-balling trees

By Jessa J. Agua /QSB (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The technical term “earth-balling” has become popular because it is usually mentioned in discussions about projects that involve trees.

The construction of the Cebu Coastal Road tunnel and the improvement of the road along S. Osmeña Boulevard are among the instances where earth-balling was discussed.

But do we really understand what earth-balling means?

Earth-balling is a process of transferring, from one location to another, a tree or vegetation that has grown past its seedling stage.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has laid down guidelines in transplanting grown trees through a memorandum issued by then Environment secretary Jose Atienza Jr. in November 27, 2009 entitled “Guidelines and Procedures on the Planting, Maintenance and Removal of Trees in Urban Areas and in Areas Affected by Government Infrastructure Projects.”

“The memorandum by then secretary Atienza spelled out the process of earth-balling, discussed the conditions what trees are to be earth-balled,” said Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Cebu Cleo Colis.

According to the memorandum, a grown tree or vegetation measuring 15 centimeters and below may be earth-balled if they are found to be healthy, its immediate environment or surrounding free from any structures or impediments to support digging and moving operations, and lastly, a suitable and available site is properly identified by DENR with a guaranteed continuous growth and survival.

The same order likewise required those who earth-ball trees and vegetation to maintain and protect each transplanted tree for a period of at least one year, giving the DENR a periodic status report to monitor the growth and survival of each transplanted tree.

In the event that the transplanted tree does not survive, the order provides that replacement trees, indigenous tree saplings of at least one meter tall, must be planted. The number of replacement trees would depend on the diameter of the transplanted tree that did not survive.

No permit, No Earth-balling

A permit must be obtained from DENR before any earth-balling is conducted. To apply for a permit, an application letter, photographs of trees to be removed, sketch map showing the location of trees to be removed, endorsement of local government unit concerned, Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) if needed as well as minutes of public consultation concerning the removal of trees should be submitted.

An ECC can be obtained from the Environmental Management Bureau of DENR.

Before the actual earth-balling, an Environmental Impact Assessment must also be done.

Earth-balling and Pruning/Trimming permits, regardless of number of trees are approved at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) level.

However, those who apply for cutting, earth-balling and trimming/pruning at the same time, the authority issuing office depends on the number of trees affected: For 10 trees and below, permits are issued by the CENRO; for more than 10 but less than 30 trees, permits are issued by the PENRO; for 31 to 50 trees, the regional executive director of the DENR will issue the permit. When there are more than 50 trees that will be affected by the abovementioned processes, the approving authority is the DENR Secretary.

How is Earth-balling done?

The DENR has identified two methods to be used when earth-balling trees and vegetation — bare-root and balled-and-burlapped.

The bare-root method is usually employed when transplanting shrubs or small trees up to two inches or five centimeters in diameter.

The balled-and-burlapped method, meanwhile, is done for trees that are more than two inches in diameter that have to be moved during its growing season, and when the tree is considered difficult to transplant.

This method specifies that the balled-and-burlapped tree must have a soil ball.

The DENR has specified the corresponding size of the soil ball in proportion to the depth.

Earth-balling procedure:

1. Remove loose materials around the tree/vegetation to avoid causing surface roots injury or cut.

2. A circle of about six inches or 15 centimeters, bigger than the diameter of the soil ball, shall be marked which will be the basis for final trimming of the tree prior to transfer.

3. Use a spade in digging nine to 12 inches (21-31 cm) depth around the marked circle.

4. The soil ball is shaped by rounding off the top edge of the ball making a uniformly-tapered, nearly oval ball.

5. Smaller soil balls for small trees/vegetation can be manually transferred by sacking. However, mechanical equipment like cranes must be employed for trees with bigger diameters, especially heritage trees.

6. The earth-balled tree must be transplanted not more than 24 hours after its removal from its original location.

Colis said earth-balling is an expensive procedure, with the cost rising as the diameter of the tree to be transplanted increases.

“Earth-balling can be expensive. For example, the one done at Plaza Indepencia when the tunnel was constructed cost around P1.5 million per tree. The contractor had to use a crane, which is rented per hour. If you want to make it less expensive, choose trees with diameter not more than 15 centimeters because you will spend a minimal amount for the manual labor of carrying the tree and the vehicle used,” Colis told The FREEMAN.

No clear rule prior to 2009

Before the issuance of the 2009 DENR memorandum, Colis admitted there has been no clear policy or uniform guidelines followed in the country as far as earth-balling is concerned.

“Most contractors opt to cutting of trees and replace them with a number corresponding to the age and diameter of the cut tree. This is because it is less expensive than earth-balling,” Colis said.

For projects that affect a number of trees, especially those considered to be of heritage value, DENR advises contractors to hire a forestry expert consultant to guide them on the proper ways to ensure the survival of the transplanted tree or vegetation, he added.

Benefits from trees

As an integral part of the planet's balance, trees are known to be beneficial not just to man but to the environment as a whole.

Among its direct benefits include food, clothing, shelter, medicine.

Indirectly, trees ameliorate the environment as these minimize pollution, modifies microclimate of an area, supply oxygen (medium sized tree produce as much oxygen three men need).

The woody perennial plant likewise has identified sanitary influences as it lessens global warming threat by trapping carbon dioxide at a rate of 1 ton carbon dioxide per hectare.

Apart from reducing noise, trees also improve water quality as in water catchment facilities used for community water supply.

DENR'S National Greening Program (NGP)

With the aim of protecting and sustaining forestry in the country, President Benigno Aquino issued last February 2011 Executive Order 23 Declaring a Moratorium on the Cutting and Harvesting of Timber in the Natural and Residual Forests and Creating the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force.

Under EO 23, the DENR is prohibited from further issuing and renewing logging contracts and tree cutting permits pending the review and recommendation of the office of the environment secretary.

The state environment agency is also directed to review existing logging agreements aiming to cancel violating parties.

Furthermore, Aquino, in the same month and year, issued EO 26 establishing the National Greening Program aiming to grow 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide in six years, specifically from 2011 to 2016. Since its inception, Central Visayas has pitched positive remarks reaching the target 85 percent annual survival rate.

For 2014, Central Visayas targets 23,246 hectares, where Cebu needs to plant 7,142 hectares for this year.

The NGP for 2014 in the region is working on a budget of P329,797.

Colis said planting has started at the onset of the rainy season this June but stressed optimism in hitting the target despite the El Nino phenomenon to be felt later this year and early 2015.

"We have so far planted around 40 hectares of mangroves in Sibonga and Argao. We will have the assessment of planted trees this coming August," he said.

NGP seedling production inventory for the region as of June 27, 2014 said a total of 1,074,556 seedling stock in the Central Visayas.

Cebu contributes most number with 474,496 followed by Bohol with 389,234, and Negros Oriental with 210,826.

SBC readies P100M loans for egg, tourism industries in Bantayan Island

By Eddie O. Barrita [(PNA), CTB/EB/]

CEBU CITY, July 6 (PNA) -- The Small Business Corporation (SBC), the financing arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has approved P100 million loan fund for the egg and tourism industries in Bantayan Island off the northernmost tip of Cebu mainland.

SB Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Ramon M. Quesada said a chunk of the loan assistance budget has already been released to identified operators of egg farms and resorts in the island.

Other loan applications are still being processed and will be released soon, Quesada said.

Quesada said SBC is working closely with DTI 7 regional office to assist them in selecting qualified beneficiaries of the direct lending designed for Bantayan industries that had been severely affected by super typhoon Yolanda in Nov. 8 last year.

The super typhoon wiped out 80 percent of the egg producing farms in Bantayan, which used to produce an average of 1.3 million eggs a day.

Quesada said SBC has already identified at least 50 poultry operators in Bantayan, specifically medium, small and micro players.

He said SBC is giving as much as P5 million credit access to as low as P700 thousand for qualified applicants.

He said SBC also released assistance to 10 resorts in Bantayan.

LGUs to distribute pension for seniors

By Jessa J. Agua / NSA (The Freeman) (PNA), LAP/EB/

CEBU, Philippines - As part of the state social welfare agency’s new scheme that aims to speed up delivery of services, local government units are now designated to distribute the pension for indigent senior citizens.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 recently announced the decentralization of the disbursement of funds for its Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.

“The DSWD introduces this new scheme in order to fast-track the distribution of cash assistance to the beneficiaries,” said regional director Mercedita Jabagat.

Jabagat added that this might be an addition to the several tasks of the LGUs, but she is grateful for the willingness and support especially of the local chief executives.

Currently, 59 of the 132 LGUs in Central Visayas region qualified for the fund transfer.

These identified LGUs have no unliquidated funds from any of the DSWD programs.

Among the requirements the municipalities or cities need to comply with are project proposal, Sangguniang Bayan resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a memorandum of agreement with DSWD, and a signed MOA.

A total of P208,752,000 is allocated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the region.

For 2014, DSWD-7 identified a total of 34,792 beneficiaries for the said program.

To ensure smooth implementation of the program, the regional office and the LGU will conduct monitoring activities.

DSWD social workers will conduct spot checking while representatives from the field office will witness during the pay-out.

The social pension is one of the social protection programs of DSWD that provides P500 monthly stipends to indigent seniors.

Qualified for the program are those 77 years old and above; frail, sickly, or have disability; not receiving pension from Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, or Veterans Pension; and do not have permanent source of income or regular support from relatives.

The monthly financial assistance aims to improve the living condition of eligible indigent senior citizens by helping in their needs such as medicines and food.

Tourism players craft plans to promote green tourism

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman) (PNA), LAP/EB/

CEBU, Philippines - Tourism stakeholders from Cebu and Bohol have crafted the 2014 Sustainable Strategies and Actions to further promote green tourism in the two provinces.

This year, the key implementers of the Promotion of Green Economic Development Project, once again convened to revisit and assess 2013 and craft plans for 2014.

The group highlighted the changes in framework conditions in Cebu and Bohol brought about by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu and the debilitating impact of supertyphoon Yolanda in the northern parts of Cebu.

Also embedded in the planning session are learning and retooling sessions with inputs coming from different resource persons, one of whom was Thomas Finkel, representing COMO, a leading consultancy firm in Germany.

The Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED) Project is a development cooperation project jointly implemented by the Deutsche Gesell schaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ and Department of Trade and Industry and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ with the aim of increasing the competitiveness of MSMEs by adopting environment friendly and climate smart strategies.

It will run for three years, from January 2013 to December 2015 and will be piloted in the tourism value chain in Bohol and Cebu.

As a federally owned enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.

Last year, environment-friendly and climate smart practices of enterprises in the tourism sectors of Bohol and Cebu were shared to their peers to encourage others to follow suit.

These practices such as changing light bulbs to LED lights, retrofitting existing buildings to optimize natural lighting and natural ventilation, recycling waste water through reed bed system and linking with local suppliers of organic products, not only allowed them to contribute to conserving the environment, reducing impact of human activities to the environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable production and consumption but also resulted to lowering their cost of operations.

As a result of the sensitization activities via fora, exhibits, testimonials, audio visuals and printed materials, the enterprises in the tourism sectors of Bohol and Cebu initiated steps towards greening.

Drivers from the transport sector went into training on fuel efficient driving, resorts worked with service providers to conduct energy audit and consult on green designs, toxic waste collector as well as suppliers of equipment to reduce electricity and water costs were introduced to the enterprises, and service providers worked together to come up with green service packages affordable and accessible to MSMEs.

Cebu gov eyes building infirmary in provincial jail

(PNA), LAP/EB/

CEBU CITY, July 3 (PNA) -- Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said the provincial government is eyeing the expansion of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) with the construction of an infirmary to cater to detainees inflicted with diseases.

Davide said the CPDRC, home of cebu’s famous dancing inmates, is already congested, thus also causing the rapid spread of contagious diseases such as measles, which the jail management noted to have increased.

The CPDRC was built with a capacity for 1,600 inmates, but at present has 1,971 inmates.

Davide said he is looking at the possibility of building an infirmary at the one-hectare lot at the back of CPDRC.

He said he is hoping to have the project realized within his administration.

The plan was referred to Cebu Provincial Engineer Hector Jamora and to the Cebu Provincial Health Office.

CPDRC Warden Romeo Manansala said he welcomed the plan of the governor, saying that the expansion of the facility will benefit the detainees.

Manansala said the cases of measles at CPDRC have continued to increase since June 9 when the case was first reported.

From last Thursday’s 43 cases, the figure has reached 60 as of Thursday, with 25 of the inmates already been discharged from the isolation room.

The jail has its own clinic but cannot accommodate all those infected with measles, he said.

He said visitors who are suffering from viral diseases are still being barred from entering the facility considering that measles is an airborne disease.

Cebu province calls for unity on disaster preparedness, mitigation

By Amorganda A. Saludar (rmn/ays/PIA 7)

CEBU CITY, July 2 (PIA) ---- The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) called on the public to share efforts and be responsive to measures installed to reduced risk during disaster.

In a recent "Post Yolanda Disaster Rehabilitation Phase: Press Briefing," Cebu PDRRMC and Task Force Paglig-on Chief Baltazar Tribunalo said that the public, government, and other stakeholders have to consider response and preparedness as one of the factors that need to be prioritized amid disaster.

Tribunalo then added that disaster risk reduction and preparedness must be shared by every part and sector of the community.

“We have to engage academe, religious and business sector and the media in disaster risk reduction and preparedness,” he said.

He noted that media must be well-informed on the plans crafted by the government on disaster.

Tribunalo then added that all the plans crafted must be risk reducers.

He also said that it is now the right time for the attitude and perspectives of the Filipinos to be changed towards disaster risk reduction and to focus on mitigation and adaptation

Tribunalo then called for the public to honor every program of the government geared towards elimination of risk at times of disasters.

He also stressed the importance of the government’s initiative in the integration of disaster risk reduction in identifying good governance among local government unit (LGUs) and government agencies.

Tribunalo also identified the integration of risk reduction in the academe and the putting of knowledge to the youth as one of the factors seen to be effective in disaster risk reduction and mitigation.

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