Cebu Province News July 2017

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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.

DOLE gives Cebu multicab drivers livelihood project

By Charles R. Pepito

A GROUP of multicab drivers in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, now owns a service and spare-parts center after being given livelihood assistance by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The center beneficiaries, members of the Basak Lapu-Lapu City Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association Inc., are now operational, selling spare parts and extending welding and vulcanizing services, among others, to customers.

During its recent turnover ceremony, director Lilia Estillore of the Tri-City Field Office (TCFO) of the DOLE, said beneficiaries received jigs, materials, equipment and various spare parts worth a total of P841,749.

The livelihood assistance came from the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP). Total project cost, she added, reached more than P1 million since the group shelled out P213,894 as counterpart.

The service and spare-parts center is expected to benefit around 79 association members. Services will be extended to other multicab drivers and other private-car owners in the area.

“We’re hoping that with this project, association members will be able to augment their income. Unlike other service and spare-parts centers, theirs will be offering services and selling spare parts at affordable and reasonable prices,” Estillore said.

Estillore reminded beneficiaries to nurture and take good care of the center. The DOLE, she said, is hoping such community enterprise would go a long way to become sustainable eventually.

Fernando Lopez, DOLE-TCFO Livelihood focal, said as an offshoot of the project, three individuals just landed jobs, closely monitoring and taking charge of the center’s production, marketing and finance.

The Livelihood or Kabuhayan Program, a component of the DILEEP, aims to contribute to poverty reduction and reduce the vulnerability to risks of poor and marginalized workers.

Teleperformance Cebu holds tree-planting

(SunStar Cebu)

LIVING up to its commitment to minimize negative environmental impacts, at least 30 employee-volunteers from Teleperformance Cebu Insular and Cebu IT Park joined hands to fulfill such a goal.

A total of 300 seedlings of mahogany trees were planted in the mountain barangay of Babag in Cebu City last June 24.

The tree-planting at the Central Cebu Protected Landscape was organized in partnership with the Metropolitan Cebu Water District.

Volunteer Donna Marie C. Cristobal said that the activity could help reduce global warming by planting trees.

“We need more trees to supply the oxygen needs of the people and to neutralize carbon dioxide in the environment,” she said.

Citizen of the Planet is a global corporate initiative aimed at ensuring Teleperformance operates in an environmentally friendly and responsible manner.

DTI to launch Negosyo 101

By Jeandie O. Galolo

FOLLOWING the success of the Kapatid Mentor Me (KMM) program, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu is set to roll out a new series of mentorship project catered to grassroots entepreneurs.

Dubbed as Negosyo 101, this business mentorship will be offered in Negosyo Centers scattered across the province that will equip and benefit micro and small entrepeneurs (MSMEs) with business concepts and strategies.

Unique to Cebu, DTI Provincial Director Maria Elena Arbon said the Negosyo 101 will be launched on Aug. 1, alongside the launching of the third batch of the KMM program.

“We are sort of bringing KMM down to the rural areas, thus, making it more inclusive,” noted Arbon in a text message yesterday.

Negosyo 101 module

Participants of the Negosyo 101 will participate in a seven-module program, with mentors coming from the same set in KMM.

The modules include entrepreneurial mindsetting, marketing, business model canvass, entrepreneurial finance, supply chain management, business laws, and networking with various government agencies.

DTI, however, requires that participants for Negosyo 101 are existing entrepreneurs.

“We are going light on the commitment also. (Unlike) KMM participants (who) are made to commit to attend all sessions (no absences), for Negosyo 101 it will be a mix,” said Arbon.

DTI requires five to 10 “core MSMEs” in Negosyo 101 who will be asked to commit to attend all sessions, while the others can join any sessions that are appropriate to them.

Third batch of mentees

“For example if we have an average of 30 participants per module, we’re thinking that 10 of that will be core and the 20 will be walk-ins,” the official added.

Meanwhile, for the third leg of the KMM, the local trade agency is targeting to enrol 25 MSMEs.

KMM aims to assist MSMEs scale up and sustain their businesses through a 12-week coaching and mentoring by business owners and practitioners on different functional areas of entrepreneurship.

The first two batches of KMM had graduated a total of 57 Cebu-based MSMEs.

Cebu to become ‘Innovation Island’ in Philippines

By Jeandie O. Galolo

FOLLOWING its exclusion from Tholons’ top 10 global outsourcing list this year, Cebu envisions to bounce back and become the country’s “innovation island” in the digital space.

“We are serious in pursuing programs on startup community development… We want to have a stronger community, and the vision is to make Cebu an innovation island,” said Department of Trade and Industy (DTI) Cebu Director Maria Elena Arbon.

As one venue to meet the local digital and business community, from startups and innovators, as well as the traditional micro, small and medium (MSME) enterprises, DTI stages SlingShotPH Cebu 2017 on Aug. 8 and 9 at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

Digital meet

With 300 expected participants, SlingShotPH will serve as a venue where digital and innovation players in Cebu, together with local traditional business owners, can meet, learn and exchange ideas, and be updated on recent technological changes as well as seek funding support from investors who are ready to embrace innovative ideas.

This is the DTI Cebu’s second staging of SlingShotPH in Cebu in coordination with the DTI Trade and Investment Promotion Group and the Asean Committee on Business and Investment Promotion.

This year’s agenda is in line with the Asean Strategic Action Plan that includes preparing brick and mortar enterprises for transformation in the digital era as well as linking startups with investors. The first staging was in 2016.

Lagging behind

The challenge to innovate has been amplified after a global advisory firm removed Cebu from its top 10 outsourcing list.

Cebu Economic Business Unit consultant Joel Mari Yu said the exclusion of Cebu from the Tholons 2017 list released last month shows how it lags behind in digital innovation.

Based on the Tholons Services Globalization Index (TSGI) 2017 released on June 28, Cebu City was downgraded to the 12th spot in the advisory firm’s Top 100 “Super Cities” from its eighth spot last year.

While it did not explain in its report the reason for Cebu City’s downgrading, Tholons introduced this year “innovation, startup ecosystem and digital transformation” as key components to define its index.

Similarly, Manila experienced a downgrade as it was ranked as the second “super city” in the world for outsourcing after Bangalore, India in 2016. This year, Manila placed fourth after Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi.

Wilfredo Sa-a Jr., Cebu IT-BPM.Organization (CIB.O) managing director, said the Tholons report means more initiatives need to be taken to foster the culture of innovation in Cebu.

Silicon Valley

Briann Mueller of the Cebu Innovation Council said Cebu, in terms of talent, has a lot of potential to lead in digital innovation. The American national said most of these talents currently working for outsourcing companies are even comparable to those in Silicon Valley, the world’s tech hub.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, represented by its executive director Mae Ybañez, said the business group will continue to support digital innovation by ensuring that Cebu MSMEs adopt digital technology and platforms to support and enhance their day-to-day operations.

Healthcare gets boost from Smart innovation

(Cebu Daily News)

A few years ago, workers at the rural health unit (RHU) in Samboan, southern Cebu had to file and search for patient records manually.

The practice was time-consuming, especially for patients who had to wait for their files to be retrieved before seeing a doctor. It also posed a risk of paper records being damaged during disasters, and of handwriting being misread.

Now, the Samboan RHU and selected public health facilities in Cebu, Iloilo, and Quezon City can retrieve files with a few clicks on a laptop, and can thus serve more patients. They can also refer patients to better-equipped health facilities electronically, and remind patients of appointments and medication through text.

Furthermore, they can submit relevant patient information to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. for faster processing of claims and health statistics.

All this and more are made possible by SHINE OS+ (Secured Health Information Network and Exchange), an electronic medical record and referral system run by Smart Communications and the Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center.

Launched in 2011, SHINE OS+ is now being used by a network of 86 RHUs, 44 private hospitals, and 32 public hospitals. It primarily targets RHUs, which use the system for free, as these are mostly situated hours away from tertiary hospitals, which have specialists and more advanced equipment. Paid plug-ins and extensions are also available to private clinics and hospitals.

Recognized

SHINE OS+ has been recognized by three local and international awards programs this year alone. It won a Silver Anvil at the Anvil Awards, given by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines; and a Merit Award at the Philippine Quill Awards, organized by the International Association of Business Communicators-Philippines.

More recently, SHINE OS+ was announced as winner in the healthcare category of the Golden World Awards, organized by the International Public Relations Association.

“SHINE OS+ revolutionized how patient health information can be recorded, retrieved, reported to various health agencies, and used for e-referrals to higher health institutions. With just a click of a button, one can search which patients have particular conditions, or check disease burden. Samboan, a town about four hours away from Cebu City, can now send advanced notice to hospitals and other SHINE OS+ users that patients are coming their way,” said Dr. Ianne Jireh Cañizares of Samboan RHU.

Maria Jane Paredes, Smart public affairs center head, said the digitization of health records could also help policymakers develop more appropriate health programs.

“Because health information is more organized and can be accessed faster, authorities can identify the most common cases in a particular area and can craft health programs accordingly,” she said.

Improvements

Being an open-source platform, SHINE OS+ allows developers from anywhere in the country and the world to create additional features that can fill more gaps in the health sector. It does this while keeping patient records private.

Among the relatively new features created are an electronic prescription module, a disease-tracking and monitoring plug-in, an offline version of the program for those with limited internet access, and Android and iOS+ apps for use of health workers on the field.

Health facilities interested in using SHINE OS+ may send an email to inquiry@shine.ph.

SM malls in Cebu hold simultaneous book-reading activity

(PR)

SM Supermalls in Cebu conducted a simultaneous book-reading activity on July 18 in celebration of the National Book-Reading Day.

The National Children’s Book-Reading Day is celebrated in SM Malls every third Tuesday of July in commemoration of the publication of Dr. Jose Rizal’s classic, “Ang Pagong at Ang Matsing.”

This event is part of SM Cares’ Program for Children that takes an advocacy of promoting literacy and encouraging children to develop their love for reading at an early age.

This year, SM malls have been blessed with partners who have shared the same passion in advocating the promotion of literacy development at a young age. This year’s partners include the Department of Education, Vibal Publishing, Unicef, National Bookstore and Anvil Publishing.

Beauty queens from Cebu City served as readers during the simultaneous activity in SM City Cebu, SM Seaside City Cebu and SM City Consolacion.

Ms. Cebu 2016 2nd runner-up Shaila Rebortera served as reader for the over 50 participants at the Event Centre in SM City Cebu. Ms. Cebu 2010 Reena Elena Malinao-Tan and Ms. Cebu 2011 Mia Ali Faridon were the storytellers in SM Seaside City Cebu. Manny O Wines Communications Director Meg Eteve also read one of the stories.

Over 300 children participated in the event in SM Seaside City Cebu, including the special children from Organization of Rehabilitative Advocate for Inclusion (ORAI) and the different municipalities in Cebu such as Alcantara, Argao, Carcar, Consolacion, Minglanilla and Pinamungahan.

Meanwhile, Ms. Consolacion 2016 winner Bianca Wilhermina Willemsen and Ms. Cebu 2015 Gabrielle Rain Baljak read the books to the children in SM City Consolacion.

“As we celebrate National Children’s Book-Reading Day, it is really that experience of reading to cultivate that interest to learn at an early age that we wish to share with everyone,” said Dwight Christian Villon, assistant mall manager of SM Seaside City Cebu.

Cochlear implants now available in Cebu: docs

By Tiffany L. Neri

IN line with this week’s National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, audiologist Sofanias Plazo Jr. and Dr. Roman Cruz announced the availability of cochlear implants in Cebu.

A person who suffers from severe to profound hearing loss usually has a damaged cochlea, where most of the sensory cells do not function properly and are unable to send nerve signals to the brain.

A cochlear implant is a medical device that is the second line of treatment for those who cannot be rehabilitated with hearing aid. The device functions by digitally converting environmental sounds into coded electrical signals.

By mimicking the natural function of sensory cells, it delivers sound signals directly to the auditory nerve then transmits them to the brain where it can be interpreted as sound.

Clinical audiologist Sofonias Plazo Jr. works with Med-El, which cooperates with doctors to evaluate, diagnose, manage and treat hearing and balance problems.

Plazo said cochlear implantation in the Philippines started twenty years ago. “Since 1997, the surgery was only available in Manila. Patients outside of Manila have to fly to Manila, stay at the hotel, have it operated on, then go back for follow up treatments and check ups,” Plazo said.

Plazo also said implants have been available in Cebu since 2009. Scheduling would take time because the surgeon would have to fly in from Manila, perform the surgery, and fly back. A local doctor would then do the post-operative care.

“This is the first time we have a local (Cebu-based) doctor who can perform the surgery. He performed two surgeries in June at Chong Hua Mandaue. It’s the newer hospital so we wanted to see the set-up of the operating room - the equipment was complete,” Mentioned Plazo.

Dr. Roman Cruz, an ENT doctor who also does ear surgeries, is the first ENT in Cebu who can perform cochlear implantation.

“It is a developing process. The training started the day I went with doctor Martinez, the cochlear implant surgeon from Manila, in performing the surgery. He flew in and we both operate. I assisted him and while assisting him, I learned. He constantly gave me the step-by step process. We worked together with every patient since 2009,” Said Dr. Cruz, who started performing operations alone this year.

Not all of those suffering from hearing loss are advised to undergo the surgery. Many candidates still undergo screening, testing and interviews prior to operation. Patients who suffer from severe to profound hearing loss are the usual candidates for the surgery.

“Our oldest patient operated in Manila is 78, and 48 in Cebu,” Said Plazo, who also mentioned that most patients were children.

There is a big difference between hearing aid and hearing implants. Hearing aid devices have to be changed every three to five years and only amplifies the sound which is sometimes ineffective for those with severe hearing loss cases.

Hearing implants last a lifetime and function through brain stimulations.

A total of 650 patients have undergone cochlear implant surgery in the Philippines. Between 1997 to 2008, 20 patients were flown in to Manila for cochlear implant surgery. From 2009 to present, a total of 36 patients were operated in Cebu, so far.

“Eight percent of the general population is affected by hearing disability. Second to movement disability. This is relatively high in the Philippines,” said Plazo.

“Most of the time, hearing is taken for granted. But it is as important as sight,” said Cruz. “Nothing can beat natural hearing, but what we can offer is second best.”

DTI-BOI to conduct 2017 IPP talk in Cebu on July 21

(PR)

THE Board of Investments (BOI), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, will hold a nationwide orientation about the 2017 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP), including investment counseling in key cities all over the country.

The roadshow for Cebu is slated on July 21 2017, 9 a.m. at Cebu Parklane International Hotel.

This year’s IPP, which is a rolling three-year plan, will serve as a blueprint in guiding both local and foreign investors in matching their entrepreneurial and financial capacities with opportunities identified in the IPP.

Fujian, Cebu to sign sisterhood agreement

By Cris Evert Lato-Ruffolo

Fuzhou, China — The sister-province agreement between Cebu and Fujian will be formally signed within the year, strengthening economic and trade relations and tourism cooperation between the two provinces.

This was revealed by officials of the Fujian provincial government in a press briefing with visiting Philippine journalists on Saturday.

Li Lin, deputy director general of Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, said both provinces have signed a letter of intent last year for a sister-province agreement.

“Fujian and Cebu have a long-standing relation as there are many overseas Chinese living in Cebu. In 1984, the city of Xiamen signed a sister-city relationship with Cebu City. We have had active cultural exchanges for decades,” said Li.

“When the sister-province agreement is established, these people-to-people exchanges will surely increase,” added Lin.

Last March, a delegation from Fujian province came to Cebu for “Fujian Week,” which introduced Fujian to Cebu and promoted economic cooperation between the small and medium enterprises of the two provinces.

Li described the Fujian Week as a comprehensive activity that familiarized Filipinos about Fujian’s culture and heritage, arts and crafts, and economics and trade.

When formally signed, the sister-province agreement between Cebu and Fujian will be the third twin relations between Cebu and China’s provinces. Cebu has sister-province agreements with Guangdong and Hainan.

There are 1.68 million overseas Chinese living in the Philippines who trace their roots back to Fujian province.

Fuzhou and Xiamen (formerly known as Amoy) belong to Fujian province. Fuzhou is the province’s capital city.

The province is located in the southeastern coast of mainland China. Xiamen Air operates direct flights from Xiamen, Fuzhou and Quanzhou to Cebu. It takes three hours of air travel from these cities to Cebu.

Zhang Yanquan, director of the Fujian Provincial Development and Reform Commission, said private companies are looking at establishing partnerships with Philippine enterprises primarily in the fields of agriculture, mining and labor-intensive industries of textiles, garments and shoes.

With the Philippines’ aggressive infrastructure development push, Zhang said construction is another area of possible cooperation.

During the press briefing, Fujian provincial government officials said they have special ties with the Philippines because the Chinese province shares the same food, customs and weather with the Filipinos.

Lin said reaching out to the Philippines is not only about investments and joint ventures but also sharing the experiences they have accumulated over the years to their Filipino counterparts.

“Fujian and Philippines are only divided by the sea. We’d like to cooperate in areas where we have strengths,” said Lin. Latest

RDC endorses P450.1B in projects for 2018

By Jeandie O. Galolo

THE Regional Development Council (RDC) has endorsed a total of P450.1 billion worth of projects in Central Visayas for 2018.

Of the amount, P110.3 billion will be for infrastructure projects, P4.5 billion for economic-related programs, P289.9 for the “development administration sector,” and P45.4 billion for social services.

It will be up to Congress to decide how much the final budget will be.

At the RDC advisory committee meeting last week in Cebu City, infrastructure committee head Glenn Anthony Soco said that while it would be great to have all the projects included in the national 2018 Priority Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAPs), only about 30 percent of these might make it to the General Appropriations Act (GAA), based on what happened to RDC endorsements before.

But with the presence of Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino, as well as the strong support of lawmakers from the region, Soco said he looks forward to the approval of all these projects as well as their fast implementation.

What to build

These projects include small irrigation projects and restoration or repair of existing communal irrigation systems under the National Irrigation Authority (NIA); acquiring land for the Land Transportation Office (LTO) regional office building and district offices in Cebu and Bohol; and office expansion and acquisition of office and ICT equipment for the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Meanwhile, projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Central Visayas would include RDC-endorsed feasibility studies for the Bohol-Cebu bridge, Negros Oriental-Cebu bridge, Bohol-Leyte bridge, and three bridges in Bohol.

DPWH also plans to pursue preventive maintenance on roads, and repair of damaged national roads including drainage systems, as well as construction and maintenance of flyovers, underpasses, and bridges.

Construction and improvement of access roads leading to airports, seaports, and tourist destinations are also among the projects lined up for DPWH.

Productivity

Meawhile, economic-related programs have been proposed by 11 regional agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7, Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), as well as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Their projects include supply services for agricultural and fishery productivity, technology transfer, scholarship programs, tourism market development, and business development services.

For projects under the development administration sector, six agencies are involved: the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 7, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) 7, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILF) 7, Department of Justice (DOJ), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 7.

Proposed projects include construction of training centers, jail facilities, and purchase of office equipment.

Social services projects were proposed by 12 agencies, including state universities. They include the Department of Education (DepEd 7), Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as well as Cebu Normal University, Cebu Techological University (CTU), and Siquijor State College (SSC).

Some of their proposed projects include construction of classrooms, trainings, sustainable livelihood programs, as well as family health programs.

US keen on engaging business in Cebu, C. Visayas – Ambassador Kim

(News5-InterAksyon)

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The United States is keeping a keen eye on robust business opportunities in Cebu and Central Visayas, both in the public and private sectors, as part of the overall thrust of furthering economic tries between the two countries, Ambassador Sung Kim told Cebu officials in a meeting this week.

Kim met with Governor Hilario Davide III and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña as he delivered remarks at the general membership meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce – Cebu, where he recognized the vibrant American business community in Cebu.

The US will continue to expand bilateral trade and investment ties in the Philippines, the ambassador said.

“I want to assure you that the United States will continue to partner with the Philippines and look for ways to increase foreign investment, reduce trade barriers, and streamline business regulations,” he stressed. He noted that the US government is continuously working with Philippine government officials in an effort to advocate for a level playing field for businesses.

He also attended an event hosted by American company 3M that facilitated discussion on industry trends and showcased cutting-edge technology in the infrastructure sector, the food sector, and the hospital sector to the Visayan market.

Medical mission serves 300 folks

(SunStar Cebu)

Over 300 beneficiaries benefited from the medical and dental mission organized by SM Foundation Inc., together with the Banilad Study Center at St. Josemaria Escriva Parish in Barangay Tungkil, Minglanilla, Cebu last June 24.

Beneficiaries included children and elderly people who availed themselves of free services, such as chest X-ray, ECG, random blood sugar, blood pressure monitoring and free medicines in response to the needs of indigent families to be provided with complete health care.

In cooperation with pharmacist and nurse volunteers, the activity was a success with the extending arms of volunteer doctors from Chong Hua Hospital.

Banilad Study Center, which is located on Archbishop Reyes Ave. in Cebu City, has been a regular partner of SM Foundation Inc. for the past four years in holding health care missions.

The beneficiaries thanked the foundation and its partners for bringing free health services to the community.

Clean water for Alegria villages

(JKV)

Eight out of nine barangays in Alegria town will soon have access to clean and potable water.

This, after the Cebu Provincial Government, the Alegria Municipal Government and the Department of Agriculture (DA) broke ground for the construction of a P95.5-million integrated portable water system in Sitio Tagaytay, Barangay Guadalupe yesterday.

The project, which aims to provide potable water to 3,187 households, is partly funded by the World Bank, the National Government through the DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) and the LGU.

The World Bank allocated P76.4 million, P9.5 million from the PRDP and P9.5 million from the LGU.

The project will benefit households in Barangays Compostela, Guadalupe, Valencia, Madridejos, Montpellier, Poblacion, Legaspi and Sta. Filomena.

The ninth barangay, Lepanto, was not included in the project because it’s on a highly-elevated area.

But Alegria Mayor Verna Magallon said a separate water system worth P8 million will be in place in Barangay Lepanto.

Magallon said the project also aims to prevent water-borne illnesses from affecting her constituents.

Magallon admitted that Alegria has been hit four times by a typhoid epidemic due to the lack of clean water facilities in most of the barangays.

Typhoid epidemics hit the town in 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Engr. Tito Cavalida, Alegria Municipal Planning Development officer, said the project will be a Level-2 water system, where the waterworks end in communal faucets shared by five to six households.

Lawyer Salvador Diputado, DA 7 director, said the project was made possible due to the town’s initiative to apply for a grant before the PRDP.

Diputado urged other LGUs to apply for developmental projects under the PRDP especially that the National Government is now negotiating with the World Bank to increase its allocation.

In a separate interview, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said the portable water system to be built in Barangay Guadalupe will ensure constituents of potable water.

Meanwhile, Davide gave 695 plastic chairs to six elementary schools in Alegria.

He also gave a check worth P6.6 million to the Alegria Municipal Government to help finish their municipal and legislative halls.

Cebu Capitol slates job fair

(LBG/USJR intern Ador Menchavez/PNA)

CEBU CITY, July 12 -- The Cebu Provincial Government will hold a job fair at the Capitol Social Hall on August 27 here with over 30 companies participating.

This was announced Wednesday by Dr. Mathea Baguia, consultant on Employment Services, who ensured that the companies invited for the job fair are all legit and have been screened thoroughly.

"The job fair is for those who wish to be employed in hotels, hospitals, manpower services, marketing firms and the like," Baguia said. "We will accommodate each applicant down to the last person."

Applicants are advised to pre-register before August 25 because they will be given priority numbers. Walk-in applicants will still be accepted, however.

Interested job seekers are required to bring a valid I.D., an updated resume, transcript of records, and a high school diploma at least. They can wear simple but presentable attire for the job fair, according to Baguia.

"One of the best ways to get employment is through job fairs," Baguia said. "Job fairs make it easier for applicants since employers are just in one place. No need for them to go from office location to another."

For more information and queries, applicants may go to the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) during business hours or visit the P.E.S.O. page on Facebook.

Empowering women through GAD orientation

(LBG/USJR intern Ador Menchavez/PNA)

CEBU CITY, July 11 -- Women have more power than just being a plain housewife.

This was stressed during 1st Gender and Development (GAD) Orientation and Planning Seminar Workshop at the Cebu Provincial Capitol Social Hall on Tuesday.

Coop specialist Milagros Geyrozaga of the organizing Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), said the workshop is focused on empowering women who are facing gender inequality at home or in the workplace.

“Women should be proud of themselves doing household chores,” Geyrozaga said. “They should not see it as a weakness but as strength. Will the house clean itself? I don’t think so.”

The workshop, co-organized by the Cebu provincial government, was participated in by over 120 cooperative members from the south congressional districts of Cebu.

However, the CDA noted that only a few from the male population have attended the GAD workshop, which also tackled the misconception that men are greater than women.

“Majority of men cannot accept the idea that women are equal to them, and the lack of men participating the seminar troubles me,” Genaro Tajanlangit, CDA assistant for the provincial areas, said. “This seminar is not about making women look superior to men but to allow men to see women as equals and can be potential rivals.”

Tajanlangit said the seminar will help pave the way for gender equality in the community.

“The women should be made aware of their rights and the men should learn to accept that women can’t just be pushed around,” Tajanlangit said.

The GAD seminar workshop for the north congressional districts will be later this month.

DENR7 awards partners in CV for its efforts to protect the env’t

(fcr/Gwen Gaviola, UP Cebu Intern/PIA 7)

CEBU CITY, July 10 (PIA 7) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) recognized the efforts and contributions of its active partners in the protection, conservation, and management of the environment in this year’s 3rd Gawad Tugas Awarding Ceremony.

The recent awarding witnessed nine categorical awards given to non-government organizations, national government agencies, and civil societies.

Bagging the award for the National Greening Program category were the Banacon Fisherfolks and Mangrove Planters Association (BAFMAPA) of Bohol Province as well as the Municipality of Tuburan, Cebu.

The Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS) in Cebu Province, which has been a community-based organization for four years now, was awarded under the Biodiversity Conservation and Management category.

Both the provincial governments of Cebu and Bohol were recognized under the Patent Issuance category.

The Solid Earth Development Corporation in San Fernando, Cebu, moreover, was the sole awardee for the Responsible Mining category.

Cebu Mitsumi and Global Business Power Corporation, through subsidiaries Cebu Energy Development Corporation (CEDC) and Toledo Power Company (TPC) were the awardees for the Clean Air and Water category.

For the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management category, the Rare Philippines and Barangay Agujo, Daanbantayan, Cebu, with its mangrove plantation, were awarded, too.

The Carmen Copper Corporation in Carmen, Cebu as well as the APO Cement Corporation in Naga, Cebu both bagged the award for the Forest Protection and Management category.

Regional Trial Court Judge Maximo Perez, and the Philippine Coast Guard Sub Station of Panglao Bohol were recognized under the Enforcement of Environmental Laws category.

For the Protected Area Management category, the people’s organization Obo-ob Mangrove Garden Integrated Environmental Cooperative Association (OMAGIECA) in Bantayan Island, Cebu also received such award.

Moreover, DENR’s media partners who published stories of the agency’s projects and support for the environment were given recognition.

Among them were Cebu Daily News, Sunstar Cebu, Manila Bulletin, UNTV, The Freeman, GMA 7, Philippine Information Agency- 7, CCTN 47, ABS-CBN Central Visayas, DYMF, DYRC, DYDR, DYAR, DYSS, DYMR, DYHP, and DYAB 1512.

Meanwhile, DENR-7 also paid tribute to its former regional executive directors for shaping the agency to what it is today.

According to Eduardo M. Inting, assistant regional director for technical services of DENR, Gawad Tugas continues to award its active partners to promote and replicate good governance, and the environmental practices done by the awardees which are, for him, “worthy to be emulated by others.”

Emma Melana, regional director of DENR 7, gave her closing remarks hoping that, like the tugas, the Philippines will be persistent, sturdy, and strong in its commitments and endeavours for environmental protection.

Cebu-Cordova bridge 'set to go'

By Razel V. Cuizon

THE Cebu-Cordova Express Link (CCLEX) Corp. is set to award the P27.9-billion design-and-build contract for the Cebu-Cordova third bridge project within the week.

In a interview with SunStar Cebu, Secretary Adelino Sitoy, former Cordova vice mayor and now Presidential Legislative Liaison Office head, said the bidding is ongoing.

"The awarding of the contract will be this July. There are two contractors who qualified for the bidding,” he said.

CCLEX general manager Allan Alfon confirmed this, saying they're evaluating the bid quotations submitted by the two contractors.

Alfon said both are foreign, but they will have to sign a joint-venture agreement with local contractors.

He said they are within their schedule of works since the contractor will start preliminary works when the notice to proceed is awarded next week.

"We are hoping that we will be able to award the project to the design-and-build contract this July. Rest assured that CCLEX is committed to open the bridge on or before Dec. 31, 2020," he said.

The opening of the third bridge will coincide with the 500-year commemoration of the start of Christianity in the Philippines, particularly in Cebu.

Preliminary works, which are expected to start by the last week of this month, will include geotechnical investigation, among others.

"Many contractors were interested but only two qualified and this is a big project that's why we are doing the evaluation seriously," Alfon said.

He said the design of the bridge that was shown last March will still be the same, only that the contractor will come up with a detailed engineering drawing of the structure.

"It will be the same schematic, the same basic design," he said.

Asked if civil works will simultaneously start in Cebu City and Cordova, Alfon said the final decision will rest on the winning contractor.

Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC), through its subsidiary CCLEX, will operate the bridge.

MPTDC entered an agreement last year for a joint venture with Cebu City and Cordova for the bridge.

The 8.5-kilometer toll bridge is expected to ease traffic in Cebu and eventually spark economic growth and productivity not only in Cebu Province but also in the Central Visayas.

To complement it, Cordova is also proposing more than P2 billion worth of road projects within its jurisdiction and in Mactan Island.

The proposal forms part of the P12-billion estimate for the diversion roads and other infrastructure that Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City will need once the bridge is fully operational, said Sitoy.

Sitoy said he will endorse the project proposal to the National Economic and Development Authority and will seek the endorsement of the Regional Development Council, so the Department of Public Works and Highway can include these projects in their 2018 appropriations.

Rotary Club of Cebu gives gifts of education, health

(CTL)

GIFTS of education, health and life marked the Rotary Club of Cebu’s Rotary Year 2016-2017.

With age-related chronic diseases increasing the demand for blood, the club promoted voluntary blood donation and “came up with a customized mobile blood collection clinic” set for turnover this week, said William Chavez, Rotary Club of Cebu (RCC) 2016-2017 president, during the induction ceremony of the club’s 2017-2018 officers and directors at Casino Español de Cebu last Friday, June 30.

The $43,444 truck with equipment will go around collecting blood, he said in his report as outgoing president.

During his term, Chavez reported, the club also increased the number of beneficiaries under its Gift of Life program that funds the heart operations of indigent children with congenital heart defects, while under its Share a Smile Project with a partner Rotary Club in Japan, it conducted cleft lip and cleft palate surgery on 23 children.

“We raised P2.2 million this year for the Gift of Life children,” said triathlete Bernard Vonn Sia, the 2015-2016 president who led the Run for Gift of Life and the Rotary Corporate Triathlon events this year that raised funds for the program.

For education, the club provided 350 school chairs to the Inoburan Elementary School and another elementary school in Naga City, and 400 school chairs to Guba Elementary School in Cebu City; and committed to continue granting scholarships to send underprivileged youths to the Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise for technical training, Chavez said.

He also announced the turnover of the Jan Harris Library and two fully equipped technical vocational classrooms to the Paypay National High School in Daanbantayan, Cebu that had been severely damaged by typhoon Yolanda.

Angel Ruben “Bing” Martinez, RCC 2017-2018 president, said the rehabilitation of the Paypay National High School involved “the largest global grant ever in the Philippines.”

RCC conducts its various projects with the help of local and international partners.

Under RCC’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene program, Chavez said Rotarians walked eight kilometers uphill to the Tapul Elementary School in Talisay City to turn over materials. The project involves connecting pipes to water sources for four kilometers and providing stainless water tanks to meet the water needs of the school’s more than 700 students.

To the Community Scouts Youth Guidance Center, the club donated mattresses, books and basketballs, and a submersible pump to ensure clean water, Chavez said.

“The Gift of Life will be our flagship project this year,” said Martinez, who promised continuity on the Paypay school rehabilitation, the Don Bosco Liloan upgrade, the blood collection project and the school chairs programs of the club.

Mary Anne Solomon, district governor of Rotary District 3860, said there would also be a continuation of the district fund-raising event “Tri to End Polio,” which debuted as a side event of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines Asia Pacific Championship last August.

The second oldest club in the country, RCC will celebrate 85 years in November.

Cebu Province, groups to plant 10 million trees in 3 years

(TLN)

THE Cebu Provincial Government and several groups signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last Tuesday for a collaborative effort to address climate change and environmental degradation.

“I’m very hopeful and ecstatic about this. Finally, we’ve gathered the entire community: the government, private sectors, church, and even schools,” said Gov. Hilario Davide III.

“Our forest cover had greatly reduced. We need to reforest Cebu. That’s why we are encouraging people not just to plant, but also to nurture these trees to ensure that they grow because this will really make a big impact, especially for future generations,” he added.

Baltazar Tribunalo, head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, said that Cebu’s forest is in critical condition.

The province, he said, has a land area of 508,839 hectares where 186,558 (36 percent) hectares are considered forestland or protected areas.

Of the 186,558 hectares, however, Tribunalo said that 143,767 hectares have no forest cover, which made Cebu prone to landslides and flooding.

With this, the Cebu Tree Growing Initiative seeks to promote not only tree-planting, but tree-growing activities to answer the growing threat to the environment.

The province-wide initiative aims to grow at least 10 million timber and native fruit trees starting this year up to 2020.

This is also to help realize one of the country’s sustainable development goals, which is to manage the forests, halt the loss of biodiversity, reverse land degradation, and protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

Those who signed the MOU with the Province were Dominica Chua of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Mayor Democrito Diamante of the League of Municipalities in the Philippines-Cebu Chapter, Celestino Martinez III of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas-Cebu Province and Archbishop Jose Palma of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

Other signatories were Rhea Mar Angtud of the Department of Education-Cebu Province, Sebastian Arsenio Lacson of Therma Visayas Inc., Patrick Reyes of Aboitiz Land Inc., Melanie Ng of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Emma Melana of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 7, and Atty. Salvador Diputado of the Department of Agriculture Region 7.

New Cebu international port project in pipeline for Korea financing New Cebu international port project in pipeline for Korea financing

By Mary Grace Padin (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - A P9.2 billion international container port project in Cebu is in the pipeline for financing from the South Korean government, the Department of Finance (DOF) said yesterday.

In an interview, Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Edita Tan said the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) has already approved the P9.2 billion New Cebu International Container Port as one of the projects it would finance through official development assistance (ODA).

The South Korean government, through the KEXIM, offered $1 billion in concessional loans over a six-year period to finance key infrastructure programs in the country.

Manila and Seoul are set to finalize the framework for the loan agreement in August, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“There is just one project that they have already signed in the pipeline, and we have submitted additional projects for their consideration. The one that’s a bit firm...it’s a new Cebu international container port,” Tan said.

According to data from the DOF, P7.96 billion of the total cost of the project will be provided by Korea through its ODA, while the remaining P1.23 billion will be shouldered by the Philippine government.

In November last year, the NEDA Board had approved the proposal for the New Cebu International Container Port Project of the Department of Transportation-Cebu Ports Authority.

The project, which involves the construction of a new sea port in Consolacion, Cebu, is expected to lessen the congestion in the existing Cebu International Port in Cebu City.

The project is also expected to reduce vessel waiting time and increase container yard capacity from the current 7,373 TEUs to 14,400 twenty-foot equivalent units or TEUs.

The port will be constructed offshore on a reclaimed 25-hectare island. The project is expected to be implemented in the third quarter to second quarter of 2020.

Meanwhile, Tan said seven more projects were submitted by the Philippine government for possible financing under the $1 billion loan from the KEXIM.

Julie’s holds balik eskwela in Argao

(SunStar Cebu)

IT'S BACK to school for the students of Alambijud Elementary School in the southern town of Argao, Cebu.

These children have to climb a mountain, cross a river and go through forest under the heat of the sun or heavy rain to learn from their teachers.

“On the first day of school, we welcomed the students and teachers with bags, notebooks and sliced breads. We have been supporting Alambijud Elementary School since 2011 to help improve the school. This community building project aims to promote a successful collaboration between Julie’s and the adopted community,” said Joseph Gandionco, Julie’s Franchise Corp. president and chief executive officer.

Alambijud is a mountain barangay some 20 kilometers away from Argao proper.

The bakeshop started helping the public elementary school in 2011 when it donated cash for the construction of a 300-foot deep well and water system.

In 2014, Julie’s initiated the construction of a three-classroom building with the cooperation of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Municipality of Argao, Barangay Alambijud, the Department of Education, Alambijud Elem School-PTA, Society of Divine Word, People’s Action for Sustainable Development Inc., and Alambijud Elementary School–PTA.

Aussie firm to give Cebu 2,000 solar-powered vehicles

(EOB)

An Australian firm has introduced solar-powered vehicles in Cebu, in response to the public utility vehicles (PUV) modernization program of the government. Jacob Maimon, president and CEO of Star 8 Green Technology Corp., said they are initially allocating 2,000 of these vehicles in Cebu, which may increase to 10,000 units six months after.

Maimon, an Australian scientist, said that while the vehicles will be given free to the fleet management group of their choice, they will earn through advertisements inside and outside the vehicles.

He said the vehicles are valued at P1.4 million for 20-passenger units and P1.6 million for 25-passenger units.

Star 8 will provide the vehicles for free and keep the privilege of putting up up advertisements on the units.

In Metro Manila, they have already signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for 600,000 solar-powered vehicles.

Maimon said there is no problem with power because every charge will give it 16 hours of power, which is equivalent to 120 kilometers.

Rolando “Bong” Laurel, Star 8 managing director, said the vehicles will be operational once the Land Transportation Office (LTO) approves its registration.

Laurel said he is hoping that Cebu media will urge LTO in Cebu to fast-track the registration of the vehicles, not four months as promised.

Laurel said the solar-powered vehicles will replace gasoline or diesel-fed passenger jeepneys that are already 15 years old and above.

He said that in shifting to solar-power, the transport operators can help prevent global warming and assure fresh air for the next generation.

Benjamin Ryan Yu, chairman of Cebu Integrated Transport Service Cooperative and Alex Bordadora, chairman of the Visayas United Drivers Transport Service Cooperative (VUDTRASCO), said in a press conference that they are supporting the modernization program of the government.

Bordadora said that VUDTRASCO alone has 500 passenger jeepney units.

Chambers sign sisterhood pact

(KOC)

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) signed Friday a sisterhood agreement with the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ICCP) to boost trade relations between Cebu and Israel.

“The inter-chamber alliance and cooperation is a positive strategy to boost and contribute to economic prosperity as well as trade relations between Cebu and Israel,” read the sister- chamber agreement.

The two chambers agreed to undertake efforts to promote better relations; exchange information on chamber management and development, as well as important public and private opportunities in both countries; explore ways of promoting trade and industrial cooperation and facilitate joint ventures between Cebu and Israel; and to exchange delegations and organize joint meetings to promote the development of commercial exchange.

President Melanie Ng represented CCCI, David Elefant, vice-president for external affairs, represented ICCP.

Bilateral trade between the Philippines and Israel is currently dominated by information and communications technology products.

Data from the Department of Trade and Industry showed that bilateral trade between the Philippines and Israel in 2014 amounted to $177.12 million.

Based on the data, Israel was the Philippines’s 38th biggest trading partner in that year, its 32nd export market and 40th import supplier. In terms of investments, Israelis invested P30 million in 2013, an improvement over 2012’s recorded investments of P5.96 million.

Top 10 Philippine products exported to Israel are electronics, chemicals, marine products, processed food, garments, machineries or transport equipment, furniture, carrageenan, giftware and construction materials.

The country imports products from Israel such as electronics, industrial manufactures, chemicals, machinery or transport equipment, processed food, flowers, yarns and twine, natural oils/fats and waxes, and construction materials.

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