Cebu Province News June 2018

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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.

DENR 7 Env't Month highlights mass wedding 'EterniTREE'

By Ferliza C. Contratista (fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) -- About 30 couples here are set to marry and then plant a tree in this year’s mass wedding as one of the highlights of the celebration of Environment Month by the Department Environment and Natural Resources in Region 7 (DENR-7).

In the recent Kapihan sa PIA, DENR-7 Regional Director Gilbert Gonzales said the activity, dubbed as “EterniTREE”, is already on its fourth year in the inclusion of the Environment Month because it falls on June which is a popular month for weddings.

“EterniTREE” aims to give a chance for couples who wish to tie the knot but must also ensure that there will be a tree to mark the event.

It will also be an activity for the couple to have a sure investment for the next generation.

William Cuñado, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-7) Regional Technical Director, said the 30 couples will be wed at Sacred Heart Parish Church on June 21, 2018.

After which, a tree planting will be done in one of the gardens of the adjacent Archbishop’s Palace.

Other activities assigned to EMB-7 include Green Films Festival at the SM Consolacion on June 19 and the production of the Environment Month souvenir shirts.

For Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-7), Regional Technical Director Loreto Alburo said there will be a Responsible Mining Symposium and Mine Tour with non-government organizations, media, and government at Solid Earth Development Corporation in Argao town on June 18.

Alburo also announced that two mining firms in Cebu are set to be given the Presidential Mineral and Industrial Environmental Award during the 4th Gawad Tugas Award at the Marcelo Fernan Press Center on June 28.

The mining firms are the Carmen Copper Corporation in Toledo City and the Apo Land and Quarry Corporation in Naga City.

Other activities include participation in the Regional Biodiversity Challenge Season 6 in Legazpi City, blood letting, Post Symposium Tour for the 4th Asia Pacific Coral Reef and Coral Triangle Day Celebration, "DENR Got Talent", Green Schools Campaign, Environmental Quiz and Exhibit, Sportsfest, turn over of donated books and references to Cebu City Library, Arbor Day, radio hopping, and media guestings.

DA offers easy access loan for farmers, fishermen

By Luel Galarpe (With reports from Bebie Jane Casipong/PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) has called upon small farmers and fishermen to avail of its easy access loan program to help them improve their productivity.

Dr. Gerry Avila, DA-7’s (Central Visayas) Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division chief, said Wednesday the program is called Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA), a special credit facility designed to address the financial needs of marginalized farmers and fisher folk.

Through PLEA, farmers and fisher folk can secure loans of up to PHP50,000 at a low-interest rate of 6 percent per annum, or 0.5 percent per month, depending on the project requirement.

The program is managed by the Agricultural Credit and Balancing Council and entrusted to lending conduits.

Initially, the DA has allocated PHP20 million from the PLEA program for the town of Dalaguete, Cebu.

Avila said at least 2,000 households in Dalaguete can avail of the loan package, but only 150 households have so far availed of it since early April this year.

PLEA offers non-collateralized loans for agri-fishery production through cooperative banks, cooperatives, farmers and fisher folk organizations, and non-government organizations as credit delivery channels or lending conduits.

The program instills credit discipline and focuses on the marginal farmers and fisher folk.

According to Avila, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol wants all marginal and small farmers and fisher folk in the country to avail of the PLEA program.

One of the conduits in Cebu province is the People's Multipurpose Cooperative, where interested farmers will just go and present their proposed plans.

After evaluating the proposed project, the coop will decide if the farmer is eligible for release.

The DA and the People's Multipurpose Cooperative urged all small farmers and fishermen to avail of the PLEA program, which also aims to contribute to President Rodrigo Duterte’s goal to reduce poverty in the country by 2022.

DOH-Central Visayas pushes for smoke-free ordinance

By Luel Galarpe (With Bebie Jane Casipong/PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) called on all local government units (LGU) in the region to enforce the smoke-free ordinance as the country observes “National No Smoking Month” this June.

Region 7 Health Information Officer Ligaya I. Moneva made the call on Tuesday, saying all LGUs need to enforce the smoking ban in public places as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“We encourage all the LGUs, the municipalities, and cities to have a smoke-free ordinance as compliance to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which also states that no retail store within the 100-meter radius from any schools should be allowed to sell cigarettes,” Moneva said.

The observance of the “National No Smoking Month” is aimed at raising public awareness on the ill effects of smoking and encourage smokers to kick the habit, she said, adding that 240 Filipinos, or 10 people per hour, die every day because of cigarettes.

Moneva added that every establishment should have a smoking area in accordance with Executive Order 26 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on May 17, 2017.

While a smoke-free ordinance is already in effect in Cebu City, Moneva said it still needs strict implementation as many smokers can still be seen smoking in public areas and street vendors and retail stores near schools are selling cigarettes.

However, the DOH-7 (Central Visayas) official was glad to note that the number of young and adult smokers in the country has significantly declined, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey - Philippines.

The EO 26 or Sin Tax Law, and the non-selling of cigarettes to minors may have contributed to the decline in smoking, she said.

Moneva also warned the public that electronic cigarettes and vapes are likewise dangerous as the smoke intensity of e-cigarettes is 14 times higher than tobacco cigarettes.

“They (vapes) are also dangerous because they contain harmful chemicals and addictive substances like nicotine,” Moneva added.

PhilWeb unit acquires 2 PAGCOR e-games sites in Cebu

(ABS-CBN News)

MANILA - PhilWeb Corp said Tuesday its subsidiary, BigGame Inc, acquired 2 PAGCOR electronic games sites in Cebu.

BigGame paid P2.5 million and gave Golden Frontier Gaming Inc 394,322 shares to acquire the e-games sites in Consolacion and Lapu-Lapu City, PhilWeb told the stock exchange.

PhilWeb said the acquisition brought its total locations nationwide to 52.

The company secured fresh accreditation from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp as an electronic gaming systems provider.

PhilWeb underwent a leadership change in 2016 after President Rodrigo Duterte branded its then CEO, Roberto Ongpin, as an "oligarch."

The company is now headed by Gregorio "Greggy" Araneta III.

Mactan Cebu Int'l airport commits to 'world-class service'

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu (rmn/rahc/PIA7/Bohol)

LAPULAPU CITY, Cebu (PIA) -- Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) General Manager and lawyer Steve Y. Dicdican led the men and women of the airport in declaring their commitment in making the resort airport of Mactan the "world's friendliest airport" with world-class service.

Addressing the crowd of around 600 guests and airport stakeholders including the media inside the passenger lounge of the sprawling Terminal 2 here, Dicdican could not hide his excitement and gratefulness to the government for the P17.5 billion project and its stakeholders.

This, he said, gave the Cebuanos and the Filipinos something to be proud of.

"This is a testament that restores our national pride," Dicdican said.

Constructed with a projected passenger traffic capacity of 4.5 million annually, the long-term solution was to build a new terminal, and that means bringing in a private partner.

MCIA joined hands with GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) which, Dicdican said, did a successful job in creating the terminal that Cebuanos and Filipinos can be proud of.

MCIA admitted they first received comments that were critical to the ambitious plan to build a world class airport terminal.

He told the crowd gathered to join President Rodrigo Duterte in inaugurating the world class first of its kind resort airport terminal, that the project was conceived during the past administration.

But he was quick to add that much of the challenges that could have derailed the project was done largely under the Duterte Administration.

A terminal building occupying a 65,000 square meter property, MCIA T2 pushed MCIA and its project implementor GMCAC to collaborate with foreign expertise and local design ingenuity.

The plan was to come up with an airport terminal that would embody the warmth of the Cebuanos and its furniture heritage, using the technologies that would make the magnificent facility an eco-friendly one with minimum carbon footprint, he said.

"We may not have great superstructures characteristic of world-class airports but we will serve them with our warmth and our heart," he assured.

He then called on MCIA personnel present during the program to stand with him to symbolically back the company in declaring their passenger commitment of dependability, collaboration, empathy, and trustworthiness.

Earlier, MCIA acknowledged their project partners with a red carpet entry of representatives bringing with them pieces of a puzzle which, one by one, was assembled on a board to complete the MCIA logo.

Cebu capitol needs blood donors

By Jessa Mae O. Sotto

The Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) is asking Cebuanos to make blood donations to make sure that the four provincial hospitals will have enough supply for its patients.

Dr. Rene Catan, PHO head said, the provincial hospitals located in the cities of Danao and Bogo in northern Cebu and Carcar in the south, and Balamban town in the midwestern part of the province only get around 100 bags of blood for their daily use.

Catan said they need to make sure that there is a buffer stock to address a possible rise in the demand for blood transfusion.

In the past, patients admitted in provincial hospitals would get blood supply from the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

This year, Catan said they wanted to make sure that provincial hospitals have enough blood supplies.

Those who wanted to make blood donations are encouraged to call the Cebu provincial government through mobile numbers 09224112994 or 09054288870 to set their donation schedules.

Walk-in donors will also be accommodated at their nearest provincial hospitals.

Donors should be at least 18-years-old, healthy, with no existing infection and did not undergo a recent tooth extraction.

Catan said that the donated blood will be made to undergo screening by the Sacred Heart Hospital before this will be added into Capitol’s supply.

“Blood donation should be a regular activity. It should be a habit,” Catan said.

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.

PH Franchise Association joins Cebu Business Month

(PR)

THE Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) is set to stage “Franchise Negosyo Para sa Cebu 2018” in time for the Cebu Business Month (CBM).

The event, scheduled on June 18 to 20, is one of the highlights of the CBM Summit 2018, which is organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CCCI).

According to PFA President Richard Sanz, the roadshow is part of PFA’s efforts to promote entrepreneurship through franchising in order to help create businesses and generate jobs in the regions. “We are confident that just as in our past franchise exhibits in Cebu, we will be opening opportunities for fellow Filipinos to realize their dream of becoming their own boss.”

Incidentally, PFA is set to hold Asia’s biggest franchise show, Franchise Asia Philippines 2018 this July with the theme, Be the Boss. “The main strength of franchising is that it has turned many individuals into entrepreneurs, even those not considered entrepreneurial. They can be retirees, former employees, fresh graduates, professionals, OFWs, housewives and many more. But through franchising, they have become their own bosses and have been able to open job opportunities in their respective communities. Franchising is the best way to be your own boss and we are bringing this across the country,” Sanz explained.

Franchise Negosyo Para sa Cebu 2018 activities include the “How to Franchise Your Business” and “How to Invest in the Right Franchise” seminars and a franchise exhibit.

To be held on June 18 at the Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, the “How to Franchise Your Business” seminar is designed to help entrepreneurs grow their business through franchising.

“We, in PFA, always say that the advantage of growing business through franchising is that you can grow your business using other people’s capital, time and network,” said Kenneth Lim, PFA Director for Cebu. “This way, you are able to grow your business faster and in more locations,” he added.

The franchise exhibit will be held at the Waterfront Hotel Cebu City on June 19 to 20. During the exhibit, seminars on How to Invest in the Right Franchise will also be featured to educate the public on wise franchise investment.

PFA has been conducting the said seminar in pursuit of its mission to promote franchising as a tool to create businesses and jobs. “Through this seminar, we have been able to encourage many Filipinos to become entrepreneurs through franchising. With franchising, you can open a business that has a higher chance of succeeding because it has a system that is based on the tried-and-tested business process of the franchisor. The trial-and-error phase usually associated with startups is eliminated or minimized,” noted Dr. Alan Escalona, PFA Chairman and CEO of Fruit Magic.

Franchise Negosyo Para sa Cebu will showcase a wide array of exhibitors from the food, retail, and service sectors.

“We are inviting would be franchisees — from OFWs, existing and aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, fresh graduates, to housewives — who want to start a business or diversify their investment through franchising to join us,” said Sanz.

Franchise Negosyo para sa Cebu is organized in partnership with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), DTI-Region VII, DTI-Cebu and Negosyo Center-Cebu.

For more information, call PFA at (632) 687 0365 to 67, (0999) 8833732, (0917) 8320732 or e-mail at pfacebu@pfa.org.ph.

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.

MARINA-7 gets new home

By Gregg M. Rubio (/FPL, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — After 42 years of leasing an office space and transferring from one place to another, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in Central Visayas finally has its own home on a 2,000-square meter province-owned lot in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.

MARINA Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero, Deputy Administrator for Operations Nannette Dinopol, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, Angkla Party-list Representative Jesulito Manalo, MARINA-7 Regional Director Jose Venancio Vero Jr. and other officials yesterday led the unveiling of the marker and inauguration of the four-story building.

“We look forward to providing our seafarers with a bigger and more comfortable venue for the certification needs and to other clients in the shipping and the shipbuilding industry,” said Vero in his welcome address.

Vero, however, said that at the moment MARINA-7 is still holding office at the Qimonda IT Center Complex in North Reclamation Area in Cebu City until the formal turnover of the new building.

Guerrero considered yesterday’s occasion as another milestone in the maritime industry in Region 7 and the new building is a symbol of the strong partnership of the Province of Cebu, the MARINA, and the Angkla Party-list.

He pointed out that Cebu is the hub of maritime industry in central Philippines as can be seen on the number of ships and how busy is the Cebu port.

“It is only fitting that we have this satellite office under Region 7 and have their own buildings to be able to better serve our maritime professionals here,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero calls on the people of Region 7 to take advantage and to access the services of MARINA.

“As a token of our appreciation and gratitude, we, at MARINA pledge to properly maintain this building and to make good use of it to better serve our constituents, our maritime professionals here in Cebu and in Central Visayas,” Guerrero said.

Along with the new facilities, MARINA intends to streamline its methods and procedures to capacitate their workers and to computerize information systems, and to make services accessible and more convenient for stakeholders and to seafarers.

Davide said the provincial government is happy to help and willingly acceded to the request of Manalo.

“This building was made possible not by myself but by cooperation of a lot of people seeing a vision of what the maritime industry can be and what it can do to contribute the nation building,” said Manalo in his message.

Manalo spearheaded the inception of the infrastructure project for a MARINA Regional Processing Center in Cebu Province under a "Contract of Usufruct" between the Province of Cebu and MARINA on December 2015.

The Cebu provincial government granted a 50-year usufruct for a 2,000-square meter lot on which MARINA built its own building, the first MARINA regional office to be built in the country, and is renewable for another 50 years “subject to agreement of both parties.”

MARINA spent P60 million to construct the building while Manalo committed to give P20 million for its improvement.

Manalo said the idea came when he visited MARINA office in Iloilo where he saw students sitting down on the stairs, lining up, no place to sit and to walk around.

“The maritime sector contributes 5.8-billion US dollars to our economy and our seafarers or future seafarers do not even have a place to go and get their certification, so I said something is wrong,” Manalo said.

Manalo said he has been a sort of a lonely voice in Congress in 2013 but when he begun the crusade, people listen and now the maritime sector has been introduced to Congress where everyone in Congress is aware of their potential.

“Every one of them are now aware that the maritime sector can be modernized, our vessels can be modernized, it can be classified, it can ensure safety, so these are the discussion that we now have,” he said.

Manalo also believes that if the government and the private sector talk together, the ideas that will benefit all would come out.

He is pushing MARINA to lead the country towards economic progress now only function as an office that will give certification.

“This is indeed a building built by people working together and take pride of being able to work with you and I will continue to work with you in my capacity as lawmaker or maybe when the time comes that I will be in the private sector, I will remain working with you and working with these building, I will call the building of people who believe in a vision that we can be a maritime nation, that we can make and take advantage of what already have and the potential can be reaped by our next generation of seafarers, shipbuilders, shipowners and many more who will benefit from an industry such as this,” Manalo said.

Cebu Figure Skating Team shines in Skate Philippines tilt

By Glendale G. Rosal

WHERE there is unity, there is success.

This was proven by the Cebu Figure Skating Team that won in the Skate Philippines: Summer Championships held at the SM Mall of Asia in Manila last May 28 and 29.

The team bagged the overall team title with a total haul of 130 gold medals, 15 silvers and three bronze medals.

The Cebu Figure Skating Team is composed of around 30 newbie ice figure skaters who honed their skills at the SM Seaside City Cebu ice skating rink.

According to Hannah Go, a parent of one of the members of the team, Johannah Go, the team’s expenses to that prestigious competition came from the parents’ own pockets.

“Every single centavo that we spent during the competition, including the airfare, food, hotel, uniforms and other logistics came from us, parents. But we never complained neither regretted our sacrifices because it’s about giving pride to Cebu City,” she said in a press conference at the SM Seaside City Cebu skating rink yesterday. “We were always overshadowed by other sports in Cebu and were often given lesser commendation and recognition but now, we are very happy because all our sacrifices have paid off.”

Joining Go in the presser were fellow parent and one of the founders of the Cebu Figure Skating Team Joanne Arriba, head coach Ireneo Awing Sr., and SM Seaside City Cebu skating rink manager Emily Alcantara.

Go added that if not for the unity of the parents, they wouldn’t have tasted sweet victory.

According to Arriba, it was the first time the Cebu Figure Skating Team dominated the tournament, which was described by Awing as a grassroots level ice skating competition.

The winning figure skaters from the team were Go, Dominique Van Chua, Armielle Cabrera, France Tadena, Maurelle Paredes, Danica Denise Chua, Lloyd Vincent Formentera, and Ryan Joseph Ryan Abadilla.

Most of Cebu’s bets were products of the summer grassroots program organized by SM Seaside City Cebu, Awing Sr., and the Cebu Figure Skating Team.

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.

New DOT secretary to prioritize Cebu and other parts of CV

By Jose Santino S. Bunachita

Newly appointed Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat expressed her desire to make Cebu and other parts of Central Visayas a key tourist destination in the country’s tourism industry.

She said Cebu is a jewel which must be given emphasis.

She said the government, however, needs to look for ways to sustain Cebu’s tourism programs so that it won’t end up like Boracay Island.

Puyat had her first visit to Cebu during the MCIA Terminal 2 inauguration last week.

She met with some tour operators and tour transportation groups in Cebu.

Puyat said she will be visiting Cebu often and will explore areas like Bantayan the next time she visits.

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.

P20 pay hike for Metro Cebu workers

By Rosalie O. Abatayo

http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/files/2018/06/6-12-Table-for-wage-hike-in-JPEG-1.jpg

P20.

This is the adjustment in the minimum wage that private sector workers in Metro Cebu will get to help them cope with the rising costs of basic commodities.

But for those workers outside Metro Cebu or the rest of Cebu province, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental, the increase will only be P15.

The amount was way below the demand of the labor sector which had initially asked for a P74-adjustment.

The decision to adjust the minimum daily pay of workers stemmed from a four-part deliberation conducted by the members of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Central Visayas (RTWPB-7) on May 16, May 22, June 7 and June 11.

After the final deliberation on Monday, Alvin Villamor, Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas (DOLE-7) director and wage board chair, announced that they had agreed to adjust the minimum wage but not at the amount demanded by the labor sector.

For Metro Cebu, private sector workers would get an increase of P20, bringing the minimum wage to P386 from P366.

But areas outside Metro Cebu, the wage board agreed to grant a P15-increase.

Villamor said the wage board agreed to retain the areas of classification which were defined by the wage order approved in 2017. (See table http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/files/2018/06/6-12-Table-for-wage-hike-in-JPEG-1.jpg)

He explained that the amount was based on the capacity of the business sector to absorb the increase without having to retrench workers.

“It was a product of the meeting of the minds. They need to do their jobs and protect each other’s sector,” said Villamor.

Based on the new wage order, those classified under Class A — cities and municipalities within Metro Cebu — will have a minimum wage of P386.

Workers under Class B or those in the cities of Toledo and Bogo, and other towns in Cebu province except Bantayan and Camotes islands, the minimum wage will be pegged at P348 from P333.

The provinces of Bohol and Negros Oriental, which are under Class C will get a minimum wage of P338 from P323 while Siquijor and the Bantayan and Camotes islands, which are under Class D, the minimum wage will be raised to P323 from P308.

The new wage order will be forwarded to the National Wages and Productivity Council (NWPC) in Manila for review.

Once approved, an official wage order would be issued and then published in local dailies.

The new rates will take effect 15 days after publication.

Arriving at a consensus however, was never easy for representatives of the government, labor and employer sectors which comprised the wage board.

Lawyer Ernesto Carreon, one of the two labor sector representatives in the wage board, said the first day of deliberation on May 16 was filled with arguments.

Carreon said he pushed for a P72-wage hike while Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) Chair Jose Tomongha, another labor representative in the wage board, wanted an increase of P75.

But they didn’t get the support from other wage board members, forcing Carreon and Tomongha to lower their demand to P34 and later to P24.

According to Villamor, the business sector only wanted an increase of P13 to P15 for workers in Metro Cebu.

He said he then intervened and proposed a compromise of P20, which was agreed in principle during the June 6 deliberation.

But when the minutes were read during Monday’s deliberation, other wage board members wanted to further discuss on how much the pay hike would be, prompting Carreon to threaten to walk out.

Phillip Tan, employer sector representative, said they needed to check first the capacity of the management to pay.

Aboitiz wins shipbuilding deal in Cebu

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Aboitiz Construction Inc., a unit of the Aboitiz Group., recently received the award to design and build the expansion of the shipbuilding facilities of Austal Philippines Pty. Ltd. of Australia in Balamban, Cebu province.

ACI said in statement the scope of the project involved the civil and building works, electrical and pre-fabrication of steel materials to more than double the shipyard’s capacity.

ACI has formed a 670-man team to complete the project by February next year.

Austal Philippines is an integral partner of the Austal Group in building revolutionary high-speed ships for governments, navies and ferry and offshore operators around the world.

“This expansion will more than double the capability of the shipyard in terms of output and size of vessels it can manufacture. It will also generate hundreds of additional employment,” said Austal Philippines project manager Mitch Barnett.

“With the rapid growth of Austal Philippines reputation and confidence from clients around the world, it is expected that the Philippines will become Austal’s center of excellence for commercial vessel manufacturing. Aboitiz Construction is playing a key role in helping us achieve this,” he said.

Austal in 2012 bought the shipyard and contracted ACI to refurbish it.

“Once again, a repeat client has placed its trust in Aboitiz Construction. As a reliable contractor that upholds integrity, we will not fail them,” said ACI president and chief operating officer Alberto Ignacio Jr.

ACI is one of the most reliable and respected industrial contractors in the Philippines with a wide range of experience in major engineering an construction projects. It is capable of doing work from conceptualization to execution and commissioning, from earth moving to marine structures, petrochemical to world-class resorts and from warehouses to office buildings.

Lapulapu City College gets modern facility for hospitality program

By Ferliza C. Contratista (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

CEBU CITY, June 10 (PIA) -- Hotel and hospitality management students of the city-ownedLapulapu City College (LLCC) will now be using state-of-the-art equipment as Mactan Isla Resort and Casino formally turned over the newly-repaired and improved kitchen and dining area.

In response to the high demand of hotel and resort skilled workers in the historic resort city, the Lapulapu City Government headed by Mayor Paz Radaza and officials of the Lapulapu City College tapped the private sector, Mactan Isla, to do the improvements and repair of the place where hotel and hospitality students train.

A turnover ceremony was held recently led by Mactan Isla Executive Director Son Byung Cheon, General Manager Kim Yonghe, and finance officer Pablo Aloyan.

Aloyan, in an interview, said the total coast of the repair and refurbishing which they undertook for 45 days reached P2.3 million.

Aloyan said they made sure that the new kitchen and dining area will already be ready for the opening of the school year.

Accepting in behalf of the city government is Mayor Radaza and LLCC officials led by its president, Dr. Eduardo Ompad.

A student turned instructor of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, Gerald Alquizalas, said that back in the day, they would still wait for their turn to use the old-fashioned oven.

"Sauna, maghuwat gyud mi sa among turn nga maka bake ug cake (We used to wait for our turn to bake a cake) and we are using the traditional way of baking, but now with the new facilities, students will no longer wait for their turn because they have these new equipment they can use individually," Alquizalas said.

Radaza during the inspection was also amazed at the new cooking facilities.

She thanked Mactan Isla for being the first among the hotels and resorts to complete the project as their corporate social responsibility.

NGCP holds medical, dental mission in Santander

(rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

CEBU CITY (PIA) -- More than 200 constituents of Santander town were able to benefit from the medical and dental mission initiated by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Santander Public Information Officer Maria Gemma Cortes said more than 200 residents of the municipality were able to avail of the free medical checkup and dental services during the one-day mission sponsored by NGCP recently.

The recipients of the services were also given free medicines and vitamins for both children and adults.

Cortes said this is the first time that Santander was part of this year’s NGCP Mobile Medical and Dental Mission.

NGCP Central Visayas Communications Officer Ma. Rosette Martinez said the Mobile Medical and Dental Mission was part of NGCP’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Santander is among the host local government units of NGCP projects.

Martinez said there is a cable termination station from submarine cable from Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte in Santander town.

NGCP is a privately-owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country's state-owned power grid, an interconnected system that transmits gigawatts of power at thousands of volts from where it is made to where it is needed.

New MCIA terminal to service int’l flights starting on July 1

By Arra B. Francia (Reporter)

LAPU-LAPU CITY, MACTAN — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday led the inauguration of the second terminal of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA), which is expected to ease congestion at the Philippines’ second busiest gateway.

The three-storey terminal covering 65,500 square meters (sq.m.) will service solely international flights starting July 1. MCIA’s Terminal 1 will be dedicated for domestic flights.

The P17.5-billion MCIA expansion was the biggest public-private partnership (PPP) project awarded by the Aquino administration. In 2014, GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC), a joint venture of Bangalore-based GMR Infrastructure Ltd. and Megawide Construction Corp., won the contract for the project and the concession to operate and maintain MCIA for 25 years.

“As one of the finest airports in Asia, this will showcase the best of what the Philippines has to offer. The construction of the second terminal of MCIA shows that the government and private sector as partners are committed to provide people with the necessary infrastructure to be more productive and provide more meaningful lives,” Mr. Duterte said in a speech during the terminal’s inauguration.

He added that this will spur economic activity in Cebu and the Visayas region.

“Without doubt this project will result to inclusive growth in the countryside… As we look forward to a promising future for Cebu and the rest of the Visayas, I call upon MCIA and the rest of the Cebuano community to join us in developing the potential of localities,” Mr. Duterte said.

Terminal 2 will be able to accommodate eight million passengers annually, bringing MCIA’s total capacity to 12.5 million.

“For the past years, MCIA’s demand has exceeded the physical capacity of its terminal. With the addition of Terminal 2, not only will we be able to sustainably cope with the steadily increasing number of passengers, we will also be able to open Cebu to more international flights,” GMCAC President Manuel Louie B. Ferrer said.

The MCIA is the country’s second largest airport facility, servicing around 10 million passengers in 2017, well beyond its 4.5-million capacity.

To-date, the airport offers a total of 25 international destinations and 30 domestic destinations through its 26 partner airlines.

With the second terminal’s opening, GMCAC said it expects passenger traffic to reach 11.2 million this 2018, 12% higher than the year before.

GMCAC Chairman Srinivas Bommidala noted the company remains optimistic on the Philippines’ growth.

“Terminal 2 is a testament to GMR Group’s credentials as a leading global airport developer and operator. We are optimistic about the Philippines’ growth story, specifically in aviation, and look forward to contributing further to its ongoing Build, Build, Build program,” Mr. Bommidala said.

Among the features of Terminal 2 are 48 check-in counters (expandable to 72), provisions for seven passenger boarding bridges (expandable to 12), and 12 escalators and 15 elevators. There is also a parking facility that can accommodate up to 750 cars.

The terminal will also house 3,000 sq.m. of gross leasable spaces that will cater to retail and commercial establishments, including a walk-through Duty Free store.

The group tapped Hong Kong-based Integrated Design Associates to give add resort-inspired elements to the new terminal. For instance, the roof is made up of an array of glulam arches spanning 30 meters, minimizing the number of columns in the building.

British firm SSP Group, meanwhile, will manage the terminal’s food and beverage segment. This is the same group that operates some of the busiest airports in the world such as London’s Heathrow Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

GMCAC is also proposing to build a second runway for MCIA, but this is still up for review by the Department of Transportation.

The GMR-Megawide consortium earlier this year submitted a proposal to the government to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for $3 billion, going against a proposal made by a group composed of seven of the country’s largest conglomerates.

DOH-Central Visayas to hold simultaneous blood-letting event

By Luel Galarpe (With Bebie Jane Casipong/PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) will hold a simultaneous regional blood-letting activity on June 14 in observance of the World Blood Donor Day.

Dr. Jera C. Amendarez, DOH-7 Medical Officer 4, told a media forum Wednesday that the activity will be held simultaneously from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in all the provinces of Central Visayas.

In Cebu City, the event will be held at the at the DOH-7 compound and at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

Amendarez said the main goal in the observance of World Blood Donor Day is to create public awareness on the importance of donating blood to save other people’s lives.

The medical officer said they hope to collect 150 to 200 bags from each province on June 14 as the DOH-7 aims to gather at least one percent of the total population in the region as blood donors.

“I am inviting everyone to donate blood on June 14 and help us save lives,” Amendarez said.

Blood donors must not be younger than 16 years old and not over 65 years of age. Donors who are 16 to 17 years old must also present their parents’ consents before they can donate blood.

“Volunteer donors must also have at least six to eight hours of sleep. If the donor has taken alcohol, he or she is advised to have 10 hours of sleep or better to donate the next day. Smokers should skip from smoking for three to four hours before donating,” Amendarez said.

Cebu universities join mobile app challenge

By Carlo S. Lorenciana (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu university students are up for a challenge.

At least nine Cebu universities are joining the Mobile App Venture Challenge (MAVC) 2018, conceptualized by Chris Waller, in partnership with various government agencies.

MAVC aims to give university students an exceptional learning experience that encompasses creative design and the development of entrepreneurial skills, mindset, and spirit, Waller said.

The competition, launched Tuesday, opened applications starting yesterday until July 31.

Participants from the nine universities will go through mentoring, video pitching, and critiquing in the process.

Presentation day, where 12 finalists will be invited, is set on November 24.

Agencies involved in the competition include the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Cebu IT BPM. Organization (CIB.O).

DTI-Cebu director Ma. Elena Arbon said founder Waller has already secured funding for the competition.

Winning team will get P150,000, while the second and third prize are P50,000 and P25,000, respectively.

The mobile phone has captivated the minds of the young all over the Philippines like nothing ever before.

Waller said this presents loads of opportunity for young, inventive firms to design, market and sell apps not only in the Philippines, but to a global audience.

MAVC has three categories of mobile apps: FinTech, Leisure, and Open Class. On a technical level, each mobile app is expected to be creative, innovative and well designed.

In addition all teams must be able to demonstrate a sensible, revenue generating business model for any app submitted to the challenge.

The MAVC partners along with Cebu’s universities are committed to providing accessible, innovative programs to Cebu’s future entrepreneurs.

A series of innovative programs are designed to help university students build self-confidence, knowledge, IT, and business skills. These programs provide unsurpassed opportunities for community-wide, cross-disciplinary sharing, collaboration and learning.

In doing so, they are laying the groundwork for the continued development of Cebu’s dynamic, inventive technology sector.

DILG sets special training for SK in Cebu

By Luel Galarpe (With reports from Bebie Jane Casipong/PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will conduct a special training for newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials who failed to attend the scheduled mandatory training last month.

The DILG held the mandatory training on May 17-26, but some SK officials were not able to attend the 10-day session for varied but unavoidable reasons.

As the training is a pre-requisite for SK officials before they can assume office, the DILG will hold a special training on the fourth week of June to give those who were absent last month the chance to officially take their posts.

DILG Cebu provincial director Jerome Gonzales on Tuesday said at least 174 SK officials, out of the 9,600, who failed to attend last month’s training because they were either hospitalized or had summer classes, will take the special training.

“They need to undergo the training. Otherwise, they won’t be able to assume their posts. So, we are scheduling a special mandatory training for them,” Gonzales said.

Under the law, newly-elected SK officials are required to undergo training and orientation before they can assume their official functions.

The training, which is aimed to prepare SK officials for their new roles, covers lectures on ethical standards for public officials and employees, organizing youth activities, proper planning and budgeting of finances, decentralization and local governance, and history of the SK and the SK Reform Act, among others.

Capitol to launch ‘Sugbo’

By Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad (/KBQ, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government is set to launch a program that will oversee the Capitol’s procurement procedures in a bid to avoid errors and delays.

The program dubbed as Smart Utilities for Government Business Operations or Sugbo is the brainchild of the Provincial General Services Office (PGSO).

According to PGSO Chief Jone Sepe, Sugbo is a platform and mechanism that monitors the procurement processes; and ensures fast processing of purchase requests and payments, among others.

Sepe shared the program and other best practices and innovations of Cebu before an estimated crowd of 70 people composed of general services officers (GSOs).

He also urged other local government units (LGUs) to adopt the program, which he said is “efficient and convenient.”

He explained that all transactions can be monitored online, both by the government and the contractors.

The event was the first regional convention of the Philippines Association of General Services Officers Inc. (PAGSO) in Central Visayas held recently at the Capitol Social Hall.

Some GSOs from Mindanao also took part in the three-day event.

The GSO, a frontline office in the local government unit, plays a vital role in ensuring fast and efficient delivery of programs and services to the public, specifically in terms of procurement, disposition, and maintenance and utilization of property and resources.

Among the topics tackled during the event were the duties and responsibilities of the GSO, and the challenges the office are facing, including the disposal of government properties that are no longer functional or serviceable.

"We decided to have our own regional conference kay nakita man gud nato nga ang panginahanglan sa GSO. Parehas og balaod nga gibasehan but dili tanan updated with the latest issuances," Sepe said.

Sepe sits as PAGSO-7 regional president and the vice president of the national association.

In his speech, Governor Hilario Davide III hopes the association can achieve its objectives to advance the interest and welfare of GSO in pursuant to the principles and policies stipulated under the Local Government Code.

“As general services officers, it is one of your important responsibilities to ensure that the public financial resources that are limited are best spent according to the needs of our constituents and the priorities of our LGUs,”he said.

Cebu’s P17.5-B resort airport to open in July

By Jose Santino Bunachita (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

CEBU CITY—The world’s first resort airport will be opening its doors soon.

The P17.5-billion Terminal 2 of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is set to be inaugurated on June 7.

President Duterte is expected to grace the inauguration, said Louie Ferrer, president of GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC).

Ferrer said the resort airport would start commercial operations on July 1, as stated in their concession agreement.

Between the inauguration and the official opening, GMCAC will be opening the Terminal 2 on certain days for the public and guests to visit.

Test runs and clean up will also be made during the period.

Terminal 2 is expected to increase the airport’s passenger capacity to 12.5 million yearly.

It will cater to inbound and outbound international flights.

The new terminal spans 65,500 square meters and was designed by Hong Kong-based Integrated Design Associates (IDA) together with local designers Budji Layug, Royal Pinda and Cebu’s very own Kenneth Cobonpue.

Its design is envisioned to display the “warmth and friendliness” of the local culture and people of Cebu.

The most recognizable feature of Terminal 2 is its curved wooden roof which also integrates layered glass to allow natural sunlight to seep through the facility. This sunlight would then reflect on the terminal’s tiles, made of polished concrete and contains mother of pearls sourced in Cebu to create a glimmer that is similar to sand—representation of its resort feel.

DTI, CTU to launch food innovation center in Tuburan and Daanbantayan

(The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office (DTI Cebu), in coordination with the Cebu Technological University (CTU), will soon launch a “Food Innovation Center” in Tuburan and Daanbantayan, Cebu.

The center is meant to provide micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) a facility to improve food production/ processing and develop new ideas for businesses within the area as well as neighboring towns.

DTI will provide the equipment for the food centers through the department’s Shared Service Facilities (SSF) program. The equipment will be housed at the CTU campus.

The CTU Tuburan Food Innovation Center will be launched next month, while the center at the CTU Daanbantayan is tentatively scheduled in the third quarter of the year.

The SSF project goal is to enable MSMEs to increase their productivity; accelerate MSMEs competitiveness by giving them access to energy efficient technologies and more sophisticated equipment; encourage the graduation of MSMEs to the next level where they could tap a better and wider market share and be integrated in the global supply chain; and address the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain of priority industry clusters.

MSME development is a key strategy to achieve the government’s goal of inclusive growth and jobs generation. The development aims to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs by providing them with machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills and knowledge under a shared system.

Biz group gears up for business month in Cebu

By Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY, June 1 (PIA) -- The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is geared up for its flagship project, the Cebu Business Month (CBM) which they hold annually every month of June.

In pursuit of CCCI's thrust to strengthen business and accelerate change, this year's Cebu Business Month (CBM) is themed "Innovate Cebu!” CBM 2018 underscores the importance of innovation in all aspects of business especially in this digital age.

The Grand Opening Salvo signifies the start of CBM's series of activities, line-up for the whole month of June.

One of the highlights of the Salvo is the opening of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Fair organized by the Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu Provincial Office and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

The OTOP Fair will run from June 1 to 6 of 2018, showcasing delicacies and food products; gifts, decors, and housewares (GDH); fashion accessories; and health and wellness products of OTOPreneurs. It will also feature products that underwent intensive product development as part of the OTOP Philippine’s Marketing/Promotion Assistance.

CCCI is inviting everyone in the opening and ribbon cutting of the event on June 1, 4:00 p.m. at the Rotunda Area, Ayala Activity Center prior to the Grand Opening Salvo. (hfg and reports with Jan Madrio/PIA-7)

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