Cebu Province News March 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.

Cebu to host National Youth Day

By May B. Miasco (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Despite the talked-about traffic crisis here, Cebu City has been chosen as host for National Youth Day (NYD), one of the biggest religious events in 2019 that will gather youth members of the Catholic Church across the country.

Cebu Archbishop José Palma made the announcement during the dawn mass he celebrated on Palm Sunday, which culminated the 32nd Local World Youth Day (LWYD) in Cebu.

The NYD, which will be participated by an estimated 15,000 delegates, will take place on April 23 - 28 and its activities will be undertaken mainly in Cebu City.

There will be an estimated 10,000 delegates from the Cebu Archdiocese alone.

With these numbers, Frankel Gerard Margallo, coordinator of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Youth, said the traffic problem here was one of the concerns raised by the NYD organizers.

Delegates to the NYD usually travel to the venues of activities from the houses of their host families.

Palma said there have been several meetings with different commissions and committees in the local and national levels to prepare for next year's event.

He said organizers are now working on the program, particularly on the topics that will be tackled and the speakers that will be invited.

"We focus more on the youth... and the activities will be centered on them... Through these, we strive that the young can reflect more on the importance of their individual lives, their ministry and all other works they do to help their fellow youth," Palma said.

He encouraged all parishes in the Cebu Archdiocese being to be involved in the NYD activities to make the event "fruitful and meaningful."

"Everyone in the Philippines is anticipating for this especially that 2019 is marked as the Year of the Youth," he said.

It was the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) that designated the Cebu Archdiocese to organize the event, which will happen on the "Year of the Youth" of the Catholic Church.

Since 2012, a theme is assigned every year leading to 2021, which will mark the fifth centenary of the arrival of Christianity in the country.

History tells that Christianity entered the country through the shores of Cebu.

Recognizing the role of the younger generation to spreading the Christian faith, Palma told participants of LWYD: "The youth is a very important aspect and part of the Church. They are the present and the future of the Church. Let the youth be the best evangelizers of the youth.”

Visita Iglesia App for Cebu

(The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Religious devotees now have a handy guide to heritage churches in Cebu with the release of the VisitaIglesia mobile phone app. The app is available for free download for Android phones and tablets from the Google Play Store.

The VisitaIglesia app is useful in time for Holy Week, when devotees visit seven churches, a tradition known as Visita Iglesia, typically during Maundy Thursday.

The VisitaIglesia app provides historical information about key heritage churches in Cebu. The app is actively updated to cover all the other churches and heritage sites in the province. It’s been released as part of the nationwide Digital Tourism program of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Cebu-based new media startup InnoPub Media.

Digital Tourism is a program that harnesses mobile technology to deliver tourism, cultural and historical information, being spearheaded by InnoPub Media and Smart. The program includes the production of mobile phone apps and e-books that are offered for free download to serve as guides to tourists. It also includes the installation of interactive tourism markers that contain a QR or quick response code and NFC or near-field communications sticker to trigger the download of historical, cultural and tourism information into mobile devices.

Digital Tourism was pioneered in Cebu but is now also in Iloilo and Baguio City and is being expanded nationwide. The program was commended on mass motion by the Cebu City Council in January 2012 as an “ingenious way” to deliver tourism and historical information. It was also a recipient of an Anvil Award of Merit during the 49th Anvil Awards in 2014. (https://smart.com.ph)

Talisay allocates P800T for ‘Takas’ anniversary

By Iris Mariani B. Algabre (/GAN, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Talisay City government has allocated P800,000 for this year’s celebration of the 73rd American Landing anniversary held every March 26.

City Budget Officer Edgar Mabunay said that aside from the city’s allocated funds, the provincial government also provided P500,000.

Takas and Landing anniversary commemorate the liberation of Cebu from the Japanese soldiers and the arrival of American forces at the waters of Poblacion, Talisay.

Veterans who fought during the World War II will be honored in the event.

Talisay City College students (who will portray the lives of the Filipinos), Armed Forces of the Philippines, Air Force and Naval officers will re-enact the scenes on how the American forces landed in the waters of Talisay and helped Filipino freedom fighters battle against the Japanese.

Mabunay explained that the budget is mainly for the expenses needed for the meals of participants and the veterans, as well as the materials needed during the re-enactment, like explosives.

Together with event coordinator Rene Gallado, Mabunay said they have prepared all the materials needed on the event.

The day’s event will start with a mass, followed by the civic military parade that will be participated by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, Philippine Army contingent, Philippine Air Force, Talisay City College ROTC, Talisay City National High School CAT, barangay tanods, BFP, BJMP and the PNP.

Talisay Police Chief Marlu Conag said they have already prepared augmentation forces during the event considering that they expect a large number of people to witness the re-enactment.

He said that the security preparations had been laid out already, including the flow of traffic during the parade.

He was also glad that there are about 26 field training personnel assigned in the city that would help in giving more police visibility.

43 couples wed for free in Minglanilla

By Iris Mariani B. Algabre (/FPL, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Victor and Rosalinda Artajo of Barangay Cadulawan, Minglanilla had been living together for 21 years without receiving the holy matrimony because of the cost a church wedding would entail.

The couple, who earn their living by farming, only had a civil union in 1997. Rosalinda, 65, have always dreamt of walking down the isle in a church wedding, thanks to the municipal government of Minglanilla for granting her wish.

Victor and Rosalinda were among the 43 couples whose church weddings were sponsored by the local government yesterday on the ocasion of the 56th birthday of Mayor Elanito Peña.

“Tungod sa among ka pobre wala mi kapakasal sa simbahan, nagpasalamat gyud mi nga naa ni nga programaha,” Rosalinda said.

Although they were not blessed with a child, Victor, who is turning 60 years old in July, said that their relationship has become stronger everyday. Their secret – understanding one another.

Peña said it was the third time that the municipal government sponsored a mass wedding under his administration.

He said the couples did not spend a single centavo for the preparation, including the reception. Each couple was also given a gift pack.

“Pagtabang ni sa kaigsuonan nga wala pa nakasal sa simbahan, ma-blessingan sa Ginoo kay mao man gyud na ang parte sa kaminyoon. Lahi man gyud ang dili makasal sa Simbahan,” Peña said.

The local government spent P200,000 for the activity.

Firemen compete in Fire Olympics

By Ermida Q. Moradas (/FPL, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Over 100 firefighters from all over Central Visayas are in Cebu to compete in the annual Bureau of Fire Protection Olympics.

Seven teams with 18 members each showcase their talents and skills in firefighting and rescue operations to be on top of their game in the two-day competition that started yesterday. The seven participating teams are from Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City, Cebu North, and Cebu South. The best team will get a trophy and a cash prize.

BFP–7 director Senior Supt. Samuel Tadeo said the activity is part of the observance of the Fire Prevention Month. He said the olympics also serve as additional training for firemen in responding to different situations.

“Ito bale tinitingnan ang skills at strength ng ating mga tauhan para makita natin kung well-coordinated ba iyung mga galaw nila just in case sa mga sunog natin ay maganda ang koordinasyon nila,” Tadeo said.

He added that the activity also strenghtens the camaraderie among firemen.

In the past few days, at least three big fire incidents hit Cebu – two in Lapu-Lapu City and one in Minglanilla.

Tadeo said he will meet all the fire marshals in the region to discuss their plans and programs.

“Ano ang ginagawa nilang actions sa mga nasasakupan nila. Kung bakit ganito, ganyan, malalaki ang mga sunog sa atin,” Tadeo said.

He also urged the public to be vigilant and keep fire hazard materials like matches away from children.

“Bilin sa mga kababayan natin na bantayang maigi ang mga batang naglalaro talaga kasi kapabayaan talaga iyon. Sana isa-puso din natin, ang fire prevention month ay hindi lang gagawin ng March kundi ito ay whole year round dapat ang gagawin nating pag-iingat, kabilin-bilinan ng BFP na mag-ingat sa sunog,” Tadeo said.

Cebu’s retail market continues to expand

By Carlo S. Lorenciana (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu’s retail market continues to expand as total retail space hit 1.06 million sq m as of end last year, Colliers International Philippines said, as it sees continued growth in the sector moving forward.

"Its retail market remains interesting and competitive as it is actively participated in by both local and national players. Despite the development of super-regional malls in established and emerging hubs and entry of foreign retailers, the downtown area which houses some of the oldest retail outlets remains bustling," the property management and consulting firm said.

But the homegrown retailers, Colliers noted, need to cope with the constantly evolving preferences of consumers and must recalibrate their offerings if they are to stay in the game.

It said the difficulty of filling vacant space persists especially in a number of regional malls.

Metro Cebu remains as the largest retail hub outside of Metro Manila.

Super-regional malls or retail outlets with GLAs (gross leasable areas) of more than 100,000 sq m (1.1 million sq ft) account for about 60 percent of Cebu’s retail stock.

Super-regional malls in Cebu include SM Seaside, SM City Cebu, and Ayala Center Cebu. Regional outlets such as SM Consolacion and Robinsons Galleria Cebu cover 10 percent of the market while the smaller district centers and neighborhood outlets primarily located in the downtown area cover the remaining 30 percent.

These smaller establishments are predominantly owned by local businessmen. Among the neighborhood and district malls in Cebu are CityMalls in Bacalso and Consolacion as well as those owned by the Gaisano family.

Overall vacancy as of fourth quarter in 2017 reached 4.2 percent, lower than the 6.1 percent posted in first quarter that year.

Vacancy across Cebu peaked in 2015 at 14.5 percent following the completion of SM Seaside and Robinsons Galleria Cebu. Super regional and regional malls recorded vacancies of 6.4 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the smaller district and neighborhood malls were fully occupied.

"We do not see a significant rise in vacancy over the next twelve months despite the projected full turn-over of NorthDrive retail complex and partial opening of Il Corso mall at City di Mare. We see overall vacancy hovering between 5 percent and 6 percent this year. An estimated 80 percent of incoming retailers in SM City Cebu and Robinsons Galleria are into F&B. These should contribute to greater retail space absorption over the next six to 12 months," Colliers further noted.

Cebu’s average retail rents range from P230 to P980 per sq m (USD0.43 to USD1.82 per sq ft) per month, up 3-5 percent compared to year-ago rates.

Colliers sees rental rates growing at a slower 2 percent to 3 percent annually over the next two to three years given the substantial amount of new supply in the pipeline.

Colliers sees the projected 5%-10% annual growth of Cebu’s outsourcing workforce supporting the expansion of the city’s consumer base. Those employed by KPO firms receive higher salaries, thereby expanding the purchasing power of the predominantly-young outsourcing workforce.

Cebu is part of the Central Visayas region which covers about 5 percent of total OFW deployment per year. Meanwhile, the robust public and private construction activities in Cebu generate more employment opportunities which effectively expand Metro Cebu’s consumer base.

"Some malls in Cebu still encounter difficulty in filling up retail space. We recommend that operators carefully choose their tenants to come up with a more interesting tenancy mix. This would also play a crucial part in sustaining visitor traffic," the property consultant said.

"With the completion of the second terminal of Mactan-Cebu International Airport the capacity of the airport will more than triple to 12.5 million from the current 4 million. This means more foreign and domestic tourists which should result in greater tourist-related spending. To cash in on the expected surge in spending, mall operators should be on the lookout for potential retail space near resort-oriented hotels and condominium projects," Colliers said in the report.

Cebu water district offers discount to mark World Water Day

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is offering a PHP3,000 discount to new service connection applicants in the cities of Cebu and Talisay on March 24.

The promo is offered in observance of World Water Day 2018, MCWD spokesperson Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara said Friday.

Kara said the promo is exclusive to new service connection applicants from barangays Tangke and San Roque in Talisay and barangays Inayawan, Cogon Pardo, Poblacion Pardo, Quiot, Kinasang-an, Basak Pardo, Basak San Nicolas, Duljo-Fatima, Sawang Calero, Suba, and Pasil in Cebu City.

The one-day promo will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Robinsons Galleria, where applicants only need to pay PHP1,950, instead of the PHP4,950 installation fee.

Applicants will also be given a zero-down payment privilege. Normally, a PHP1,500 down payment is required from an applicant for a new service connection.

Kara said applicants need to bring a photocopy of their valid government-issued ID card and fill out the application form and other documents.

Once the application is approved, the MCWD will schedule an inspection of the applicant’s residence and nearby water service line available.

No fee will be collected on Saturday as applicants can pay the discounted new service connection fee at the MCWD office on Magallanes St. and Lapu-Lapu St. later. Notarial services will be free as well.

The beneficiary barangays were picked by MCWD’s grant partners Vitens Evides International and Water for Life, which are both Dutch-funded organizations, based on the availability of service lines in their areas and the concentration of residents not connected to MCWD. World Water Day was marked on March 22 themed “Nature for Water”.

DOLE gives out P7.8-M livelihood aid to Cebu workers, drivers

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) office in Central Visayas has turned over nearly PHP7.8 million worth of livelihood assistance to several workers and drivers in Cebu.

DOLE-7 (Central Visayas) officer-in-charge Regional Director Cyril Ticao said Thursday they have doled out PHP6.8 million to 21 workers’ associations in Cordova, Cebu and PHP999,967 to the Carmen Drivers and Conductors Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Cadco) in Carmen town.

Ticao said the livelihood grants will be used to procure materials and equipment needed for the groups’ business undertakings.

A total of 1,197 workers in Cordova are set to venture into meat processing and marketing, fish cages restoration, tables and chairs rental, alkaline water treatment and refilling station, all-season fishing, and printing, lamination and photocopying services.

The 51 Cadco members, on the other hand, will soon be operating their own vulcanizing and general auto repair shop.

The financial assistance to the workers and drivers groups is under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).

“Our regional project management team has seen the viability and feasibility of the projects,” Ticao said.

“With the right management by the association leaders, as well as the sustained unity and cooperation among the members, we hope that the undertakings would reach further heights,” he added.

The DOLE, being the implementing arm of the government in providing employment opportunities to the public, has been exerting its best effort to make sure that its programs and services have reached the rightful beneficiaries, said Ticao.

Cebu Capitol launches service caravan

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The provincial government of Cebu brought basic services to the people of the Third District in Balamban town on Monday.

The event was the first of a series of “Serbisyo Karaban (Service Caravan)” activities of the capitol this year.

Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale started the day by distributing agri-engineering tools and equipment to farmers and wheelchairs, eyeglasses and cash incentives to senior citizens in the district.

The provincial government also conducted a medical, dental, and surgical mission at the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Balamban, where the governor was among the donors in the blood-letting activity.

Davide also inaugurated a two-classroom building worth PHP2 million in Biasong Elementary School in Balamban.

Magpale, on the other hand, officiated the first out-of-town session of the Provincial Board (PB) this year at the Balamban Municipal Session Hall.

The PB holds at least four out-of-town sessions a year to bring also their services closer to their constituents.

The Cebu Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office also conducted a seminar on Environmental Law Enforcement during the activity.

Cebu Province’s Third District is comprised of the towns of Balamban, Pinamungajan, Toledo City, Barili, Tuburan, Asturias, and Aloguinsan.

P12.5B project in San Fernando: Work on port begins soon

By Gregg M. Rubio (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) has given the go signal for the P12.5 billion port project in San Fernando, Cebu.

Ruben Feliciano, president of First Sangat SF International Port Corporation, said CPA gave the go signal after the company complied with all documentary requirements for a port with a reclamation component.

These include the Notice to Proceed; Environmental Compliance Certificate; Area Clearance issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Permit to Construct the Port issued by the CPA; Clearance for the Port/Reclamation Project issued by Philippine Reclamation Authority; and clearances issued by all other government agencies concerned.

The project, which is located in Barangay Sangat, broke ground last March 2, 2018.

Atty. Felizardo Tiu, FSSFIP senior vice president, said they have addressed all environmental issues and concerns such as health safety, appropriate mitigating or enhancement measures, and monitoring requirements, especially those contained in the Environmental Impacts and Management Plan in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The EIS, for one, stipulates efforts against marine pollution.

“Tanan has been addressed already, even the nursery program and reforestation in support to the Green Philippines master plan. No cutting down of standing trees, especially mangrove trees during project implementation, instead enrichment planting shall be conducted by the proponent,” Feliciano said.

The company will also ensure that all commitment in the ECC approved shall be met during the project implementation.

Based on the master development plan submitted to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) - 7, the company will build a one-hectare forest park at the project site for environmental protection.

Feliciano stressed that the project supports the 10-point socio-economic agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte, which envisions to reduce poverty through the "Build Build Build" initiative by tapping local and foreign investors for a joint venture.

“You know, under the present administration, the Build Build Build portal lists down high impact projects that are envisioned to increase the productive capacity of the economy, create more jobs, increase incomes, and strengthen the investment climate leading to sustained inclusive growth,” Feliciano said.

Complementary

Feliciano said the project in San Fernando is seen to ease congestion at the Cebu International Port (CIP) in Cebu City, which is planned to be transferred to Consolacion town.

Current problems experienced at the CIP include berthing and yard congestion.

Feliciano said the Sangat port will supplement what CIP lacks as volume grows and will ultimately contribute to the national, as well as the local economy by improving cargo handling capacity and reducing logistics cost.

“South Cebu will emerge its path to be full blown industrial zone. San Fernando, Cebu has been a pioneer municipality in South Cebu in terms of industry. The government has been consistently pursuing progressive industrial policies to meet the changing needs of the region's economy and industry,” he said.

Feliciano also cited the study of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2002, which found that congestion has become more serious due to increasing cargo volume.

He also pointed out that the well protected sea water of Sangat Bay and the virtual absence of a typhoon makes Sangat Port an excellent location for vessel's docking or berthing.

“The growth potential of Sangat Port, San Fernando, Cebu, would enhance the prospect foreign and local investors to attract and do business in the Region. Cebu provides ample trade opportunities for which Sangat Port could form a major gateway, likewise, it would act as an economic multiplier and help the rest of the economy thrive in the region,” Feliciano said.

Benefits

Once the project is completed and operational, the local government shall get shares from the discharge fee permit; hazardous waste fee; solid waste fee, among others.

The company will collect the fees intended for the LGU.

The people living in the barangay will also be prioritized to work in the project.

In fact, Feliciano disclosed they have signed a memorandum of agreement with the fisher folk, as well as the LGU and the community.

“Tanan pabor sa community. What I will be benefited here is my legacy only. I am not a selfish or greedy man. Life is so short. I just want to see the poor people there improve their lives and have the opportunity to escape poverty. Malipay na ko sa buong buhay ko ma-realize ning project ug hatag opportunity sa mga tawo sa San Fernando. Kasi ‘no man is more cheated than the selfish man’,” Feliciano said.

Feliciano described the 41-hectare project to be the driving force in the pursuit of sustainable development and management so that the poor people have the opportunity to escape poverty to uplift the socio-economic condition of the community for additional revenue and employment.

“Pasalamat ko kay Mayor Lakambini Reluya, LGU of San Fernado, and the barangay council of Sangat, the fisher folks, because they already favorably endorsed the project,” he added.

Cebu guv inaugurates P1.3-M projects in Argao town

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III turned over three agriculture projects worth PHP1.3 million to barangays Alambijud and Anajao in the southern town of Argao on Wednesday.

The governor inaugurated a PHP450,000 small water-impounding concrete tank and a PHP350,000 greenhouse unit in upland Alambijud, as well as a PHP500,000 farmers’ trading post in Anajao, Kevin Cañizares of the Cebu Provincial Public Information Office said Thursday.

The water-impounding tank can store up to 12,500 liters of water, enough to irrigate some 50 hectares of land, Cañizares said.

With the construction of the tank, Alambijud farmers no longer need to walk 2 km., carrying containers of water for their farmlands.

The trading post, on the other hand, was constructed in response to Davide’s directive to give farmers in Anajao a decent place to display and sell their harvests.

Davide also distributed seedlings and a power water sprayer during the inauguration and attended the graduation ceremony of 42 Alambijud farmers who completed their 18-week training on organic farming.

Provincial Board Member Jose Mari Salvador and Argao Municipal Mayor Stanley Caminero also graced the event, along with barangay officials of Alambijud and Anajao.

2 Cebu grads top doctor exam

(The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Two Cebu graduates have made it to the top 10 of the licensure examination for physicians given by the Board of Medicine in March this year.

Jay Orehuela of Southwestern University-Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine finished second place with a rating of 88 percent while Ommar Pacalundo of Cebu Doctors’ University-College of Medicine landed eighth with 85.58 percent.

The first placer this year was Jerald Pelayo from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center who scored 88.17 percent.

According to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), 1,067 out of 1,601 takers passed the exam given in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cebu, and Zamboanga.

DTI 7 trains new business counselors

(PR)

THE Department of Trade and Industry 7 conducted the Small Business Counselors Course 101 (Diagnosing an Enterprise) for its 30 new negosyo center business counselors last March 5 to 9, at the MJ Hotel and Suites in Cebu City.

The Association of Development Facilitation and Enterprise Counselors (ADFEC Inc.) facilitated the training through discussions and simulation exercises to equip participants with the basic knowledge on counselling MSMEs in their area.

In this course, the business counselors were taught the basic concepts on understanding the nature of an enterprise and how it operates in a business environment.

In pursuit of improving public service, the Department of Trade and Industry 7 continues to develop the capabilities of its personnel by training them to become more efficient and effective in the delivery of their tasks.

Negosyo Centers are places where people can register business names and where the DTI can offer advice to aspiring entrepreneurs as well as help existing ones to link their products to potential markets, among others. The centers aim to increase the number of registered businesses in a city or town where it is located.

DTI Cebu, GeoPik launch first-ever geo-mapping app

By Carlo S. Lorenciana (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu and tech startup GeoPik have launched the first-ever geo-mapping application or the Business Geographic Information System (BGIS) in the Philippines.

DTI said the BGIS aims to solve the inefficiency of the Philippine Postal System and to help people in the e-commerce, logistics and all location-dependent businesses solve customer location problems.

BGIS is a technology designed to enable people to identify the address of businesses by just using simple digital address called GeoPik.

The technology —which currently provides mobile app, web dashboard and code generation — aims to revolutionize the postal coding in the Philippines and makes location sharing and locating address easy.

"Our advocacy is to provide ease of how businesses and residences are being located by banking on technology, starting with improving our Philippine Postal Code System," GeoPik said.

GeoPik has identified that proper and correct addressing is a problem in the Philippines.

The postal coding in the country still addresses locations up to the city, municipality or barangay level only, having only one postal code for every city, municipality or barangay with thousands of residential houses and business establishments.

"With this the Philippine government and businesses alike are having difficulties in delivering goods and services to their end customers," the tech startup said.

So to address the problem, it has developed a technology that will complement the addresses and places by just using simple digital address.

In a nutshell, GeoPik converts long string of addresses into a more exact, customizable and easy to remember single code called "Geopik".

The startup said that its main concern is cutting down current business processes and making it more efficient by providing technological solutions to the logistics industry, e-commerce and businesses with delivery services.

Cebu tour operators to hire Mandarin-speaking guides

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- Tour operators in Cebu will be hiring tour guides who can speak Mandarin to Chinese tourists.

Chinese tourists have raised concerns over the language barrier that gives them a difficult time communicating with their Cebuano tour guides.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said Saturday she had already met with Cebu tour operators and discussed the issue with them.

During the meeting, the tour operators assured Magpale that they would address this concern by hiring Mandarin-speaking tour guides.

Earlier, Consul General Shi Yong of the People’s Republic of China said almost one million Chinese visited Cebu in 2017.

Magpale said the increasing number of visitors from China only means that Cebu has become one of the popular destinations for tourists from that country.

With the new flights from Xi’an, China to Cebu and Davao, Magpale said they are expecting the arrival of more Chinese tourists in Cebu and the Visayas.

“We are ready to welcome the influx of more tourists, not only from China but also from Korea, the United States of America, and other countries as well,” Magpale said.

7th AWUM Tonight

(EKA)

A TOTAL of 350 female runners will come out tonight to celebrate women empowerment and their passion for running in the 7th All-Women Ultra Marathon (AWUM) that starts and ends at the Provincial Capitol.

“This is in line with the celebration of Women’s Month, a 50K race, all women,” said Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, one of the organizers.

The inaugural AWUM race started back in 2012 with a total of 250 female runners. Now it has become a national event with runners from different parts of the country.

“We have runners from Samar, Leyte, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, Dumaguete, Cotabato, and Baguio,” said organizer Ledoy Mendoza.

The race will cover 50 kilometers in Cebu’s three main cities: Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.

A race of this magnitude also has some safety concerns, because it’ll run from the evening up until the morning.

“Our primordial concern is the safety of the runners. We will start at 10 p.m. on Saturday evening. We have tanods, the police and marshals who will be on alert. People on the road should also secure the safety of our runners,” said Garganera.

Garganera also urged drivers to be extra cautious with their vehicles so as not to hit the women runners.

“If you are drinking in the evening, please be courteous to our runners. Let’s make the road feel safe for our women,” he said.

Aside from all the runners being women, the race also has some unique features like a retouch station, so that the runners will finish looking fresh and beautiful. Each runner will also finish the line with a rose in hand, and the winner will be awarded with a crown, a cape and a scepter.

“This is the most awaited, longest fashion show,” described Lulu Valiente, who’s also running the race.

Lizane Abella is back to defend her crown as the queen of the AWUM race. She finished last year’s race in four hours, 30 minutes and 32 seconds.

“We thank the avid supporters, all the running groups that have been very supportive, the three LGUs (Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City), the women who have been running with us through the years. I hope that they won’t stop,” said Dr. Humilty Igaña, also one of the organizers and an ultramarathoner. “We never thought that we would continue after year three. If there is continuous clamor for this, then we will continue to do it.”

Free dental, medical mission at SM malls

(SunStar Cebu)

AFTER the successful medical and dental mission in SM City Consolacion, SM Foundation Inc. returns to Cebu for another free clinic set on March 14 in SM City Cebu and on March 15 in SM Seaside City Cebu.

The medical and dental mission in SM City Consolacion on Feb. 23 served over 600 patients in Consolacion, Cebu.

Dubbed “Gamot para sa Kapwa,” this year’s activity headed by SM Foundation executive director Connie Angeles aims to serve 3,000 patients, including senior citizens.

The medical and dental mission on March 14 in SM City Cebu will happen at the covered parking, and at the upper ground level Seaview Wing of SM Seaside beside Café Berry on March 15. Registration is from 8 a.m. until noon.

Capitol plans to loan P4.5B for high-rise building project

(The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government plans to apply for a P1.5 billion loan for the construction of a new high-rise building within the Capitol compound.

Governor Hilario Davide III said that a proposed design for the new building was presented yesterday in the caucus meeting with the members of the Provincial Board (PB).

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said that the design features a 20-story building.

In previous interviews with the governor, he said that it will be a mixed-use edifice.

Initially, Capitol plans to use it for government offices such as the Resource Command Center for Disaster Risk Reduction and possible commercial spaces for lease.

It will be erected on the site where the Bureau of Agriculture Extension (BAEx) building is standing.

The building has been declared unsafe for occupancy by the structural engineers and the Office of the Building Official(OBO) after the earthquake in 2013.

Capitol is looking for interested contract companies which can supply labor, materials and incidentals for demolition of the BAExbuilding.

A review committee also presented the results of their feasibility study supporting the project.

When the project was on its early stage, the projected cost was lower than P1.5 billion.

Davide said that according to AS Enriquez Engineering Consultancy, the project cost has gone up as the prices of the materials are affected by the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration (TRAIN) Law.

With this, the provincial government is set to ask the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to grant them a P1.5 billion loan.

Magpale added that if approved, the Capitol will have to pay the loan in 10 years but the PB is negotiating with DBP if they can extend it to 3 to 5 years more.

In early 2017, Davide said he wants the project realized within his term as governor.

3 fabrication laboratories to be launched in Cebu this year

By Katlene O. Cacho

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Cebu will launch three fabrication laboratories (FabLab) this year with an estimated budget of P24.8 million.

These FabLabs will be set up in the campuses of Cebu Technological University (CTU) in Tuburan, Danao and Argao.

“This April, we will launch FabLab CTU-Tuburan, which is about P6.8 million. Then we will process FabLab CTU-Danao and CTU-Argao, which has a combined budget of P18 million,” said DTI Cebu Director Ma. Elena Arbon.

A FabLab is a technical prototyping platform for innovation and invention that allows local manufacturers to make prototypes and products such as equipment, machinery and electronic gadgets; create scale models, illustrate graphic designs and mass-produce products, among others.

This technology-based incubator laboratory began in Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to help grassroots communities translate their design ideas into physical forms with the help of technology. The facility is now present in about 200 locations in over 50 countries.

The first FabLab in the country is housed in Bohol Island State University.

In 2016, DTI Cebu opened Cebu’s first FabLab inside the University of the Philippines-Cebu, the second FabLab established in Central Visayas.

DTI has about 12 FabLabs across the country.

The town of Tuburan boasts of decorative apparel and fashion accessories made of seashells and coconut shells, wood and other indigenous products. Recently, the town has been making headlines because of its growing coffee industry.

Argao, on the other hand, is known for its delicacies like torta or native sponge cake, and tableya or native chocolate. Major sources of income in Danao are in manufacturing, agriculture, cottage industries and tourism.

The presence of the FabLab, according to Philexport Cebu executive director Fred Escalona, helps Cebuano exporters and startups become competitive as far as operational cost is concerned.

“Since the FabLab is a shared service facility, users of the facility will be able to avoid high costs and large capital infusion if they are to operate their own facility. Usage of the lab’s equipment can be optimized, thus making the operation cost efficient,” said Escalona.

In a separate interview, exporter and former president of Cebu Gift, Decors and Houseware (GDH) Pete Delantar said that if properly disseminated to other schools, the FabLab can help industry startups create a creativity explosion because “creativity can now be executed into action through actual use of machine and equipment for prototyping.”

“The hurdles of creation is the translation of idea into action. Fablab is the cheapest and effective way to make thing happen,” said Delantar, who is chief executive officer of Nature’s Legacy Eximport.

Hotels, resort-condos trending in 2018

By Katlene O. Cacho

THE anticipated completion of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) terminal 2 project is expected to provide impetus for developers to ramp up construction of hotels and resort-oriented condominium projects.

Citing Colliers’ Top 10 Predictions for 2018, Joey Roi Bondoc, the firm’s research manager in the Philippines, said leisure and industrial sectors will drive expansion of Cebu’s property sector.

With increased tourist arrivals year-on-year, Bondoc said high occupancy rates of deluxe and first-class hotels indicate a continued influx of high-spending tourists.

MCIA’s Terminal 2 is slated for opening in the first half of the year.

“Cebu’s rising attractiveness as a tourist spot and growing competitiveness as an investment destination should support a 15 to 20 percent growth in tourist arrivals over the next 12 months. This should sustain hotel occupancy of between 65 and 70 percent across Metro Cebu over the next 12 months,” the Colliers’ study revealed.

The Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) has described 2017 as a banner year due to increased tourism arrivals and tourism-related activities.

HRRAC president Carlo Suarez said that city hotels saw high occupancy due to the influx of the Chinese market. They expect sustained high booking levels this year, as more foreign guests continue to visit the province.

“The opening of the expanded MCIA will further boost tourism in the province,” said Suarez, in earlier interviews.

“Condotel investments in the right areas can take advantage of the tourism boom,” said Bondoc. He added that branded residences typically do well due to brand familiarity.

Moreover, Colliers believes Cebu will remain one of the most feasible industrial locations outside of Manila due to its strategic location and skilled human resources.

It sees demand for warehouses and container yard spaces becoming more pronounced over the next 12 months.

Mandaue City recently implemented an ordinance that disallows the presence of warehouses and container yards around the Mandani Bay area. Several firms involved in shipping, logistics, and container yards are now in a rush to relocate, the study said.

Colliers also sees industrial land values in the northern parts of Mandaue, Consolacion, and Liloan growing by at least 10 percent annually over the next two to three years with the transfer of the Cebu International Port to Consolacion town.

Currently, the range in Mandaue is P25,000 per sq.m. or $500 per sq.m. while prices in Consolacion and Liloan range from P10,000 per sq.m or $200 per sq.m. to P30,000 per sq.m or $600 per sq m.

“The increase in rates will be supported by rising demand from logistics and warehousing firms due mainly to expansion of e-commerce platforms Lazada and Zalora in Cebu,” said Colliers.

It added that the plan of San Miguel Corp. to develop an industrial estate will support Cebu’s growth as an agro-industrial hub in the Visayas.

Over 7,000 avail of free courses

By May B. Miasco (/KBQ, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Over 7,000 qualified individuals in Central Visayas were given free scholarship grants by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The 7,146 scholars also chose their preferred training skills program or course, said Nila Fidellaga, TESDA-7 information officer.

They were enrolled on the spot during the TESDA-led National Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) enrollment day and jobs bridging held in five separate areas in the region— Cebu City in Cebu province, Ubay and Jagna towns in Bohol province, Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, and Siquijor City in Siquijor—from February 27 to 29.

Fidellaga said most of the scholars are from the marginalized sector.

The activity was part of the agency’s long-term plans aimed at curbing poverty by increasing the marginalized sector’s access to technical vocational education and training (TVET).

The vocational and training program is granted to urban and rural poor, farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous people, women, rebel returnees/ combatants, drug dependents, repatriated overseas Filipino workers, out-of-school youth, and unemployed individuals, among others.

Courses covered are tourism-related like housekeeping and food and beverages; and construction work-related like carpentry, welding, and electrical.

Others include agriculture, manufacturing, and Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM).

On the other hand, 111 of the 2,506 participants were hired on the spot.

Fidellaga said only a few participants were hired as they failed to meet the desired qualifications.

She said the local office is set to hold another enrollment day and jobs bridging activity in the succeeding months.

Mangrove propagation center in Cordova

By Gregg M. Rubio (/Banat News Copy Editor/KBQ, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — To promote environmental sustainability, the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) is set to establish a mangrove propagation and information center in Barangay Day-as, Cordova.

Initiated by the MPIC Foundation, the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday also marked the 10th year of its Shore It Up! (SIU), the company’s environmental awareness initiative.

“SIU undertakes environmental issues in a holistic manner. We believe that for our environmental ecosystem to work, various marine and coastal supports must be sustained with livelihood programs and proper education on environmental awareness,” MPIF president Melody Del Rosario said in her project brief.

SIU is an environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of MPIF and the lead advocate for coastal community engagement of the MVP Group of Companies. It is actively involved in the sustainable development and restoration of the ocean’s natural resources by closely working with local government units of coastal communities in raising environmental awareness, providing alternative livelihood, and promoting eco-tourism.

As the P27.9-billion Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) construction would start its construction in June, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. President and CEO Rodrigo Franco assured to promote sound environmental practices toward sustainable development.

“We do not want our projects to be impeding environmental sustainability,” Franco said.

He said the project will contribute to the propagation of mangroves in the area where they will be operating.

Franco said CCLEX will transform not only Cordova town and Mactan Island but also the entire Cebu province.

While they are committed in providing infrastructure projects, MPIC president and CEO Jose Maria Lim said they are also environmentally conscious.

In her welcome remarks, Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho welcomed the establishment of the center.

“Over the years, we have successfully placed Cordova in the national tourism map, and I believe that gradually, we have also been winning the hearts of international tourists. We aim to make Cordova a place where both local and foreign tourists want to go both for business and leisure. To achieve this, we continue to include in our plans the development and protection of the natural beautiful spots endowed to Cordova, including our mangroves, which tourists seek to behold in our town. Thus, this project is very fitting to Cordova. MPIC, your investment is not put to waste,” Sitoy-Cho said.

She added, “we are blessed and honored to take a major part in your quest to rescue, restore and revive the coastal and marine environment.”

P34M for work scholarship in Cebu

(EOB)

JOB applicants went to the Technical Education and Skills Development Training (Tesda) regional office on Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City to sign up for the agency’s Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and jobs-bridging program.

Dr. Francisca R. Opog, Tesda 7 assistant director, said there were 51 providers who have scholarship slots for the 2018 work scholarship program.

The 51 providers are called Tec-Voc Institutions (TVIs) with scholarship allocations.

The program intends to strengthen promotion and advocacy of various Tesda programs and services, and to expand access to the Tesda programs to a wide range of clients. This will also provide assistance to TVET graduates who are looking for jobs.

She said that all providers who are in the list of key employment generators are given one batch each at 25 beneficiaries per batch.

Opog said the amount of P34 million was allocated for the “Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP)” by Tesda for Cebu Province for January to June 2018.

She said that the target scholarship grantees who can avail themselves of this program is 4,000.

Tesda 7, which covers the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental, has a total of P72 million allocation to be implemented from January to June. Cebu got 46 percent, or at least P34 million.

Cebu monorail project: Study nearly done; DOTr push next

By Jose Santino S. Bunachita

While government spending on infrastructure projects recorded an increase in 2017, big-ticket projects from the private sector have also continued to come in especially for Cebu.

One of the most anticipated public-private partnership (PPP) projects in Cebu is the P22.6-billion Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) project, which is expected to start construction by June this year.

But another anticipated multi-billion-peso project, if it pushes through, is the PhilTram Transportation Consortium Inc.’s plan to build the Cebu monorail project.

Representatives of PhilTram, led by its Chief Operating Officer Jose Guardo Jr. and the firm’s spokesperson Cerwin Eviota, presented updates on their unsolicited proposal during the first quarter meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 last Tuesday afternoon.

Feasibility study

Eviota said the feasibility study (FS) for the project, which is being done by Systra Philippines, was supposed to have been completed already. However, it had to be expanded since the route of the project would include Consolacion town following an adjustment in its alignment.

“This (FS) will be completed next month (March). By then, we will submit PhilTram’s unsolicited proposal to the Department of Transportation (DOTr by April),” he said.

The budget for the project is pegged at US$1 billion or roughly P52 billion. This amount will cover land acquisition for its depot, some sites for stations, and road right of way acquisition, if needed, among others.

Viable route

Last November, Guardo presented initial findings of the FS for the project which stated that the “economically viable” route for the monorail will be starting at the South Road Properties (SRP), going to N. Bacalso Ave., to S. Osmeña Road, all the way north to Mandaue City.

The 16-kilometer route will pass through different establishments like the City Di Mare, the proposed development in Kawit Property and SM Seaside City– all in the SRP; the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U); Cebu South Bus Terminal, Robinsons Galleria Cebu; SM City Cebu; Parkmall; and Pacific Mall.

Although this time, Eviota said it would extend up to Consolacion.

“On the feasibility study, we don’t want to submit incomplete documents. It’s not just the FS alone. We are doing things step by step with due diligence,” Eviota said.

Fund source

For the source of funds, he said it would be channeled through a government financing institution like the Development Bank of the Philippines which would formally syndicate the funds for the project which would be fully funded by the private sector.

PPP, year-end target

It will be pursued through the PPP scheme “BGTOM” or build, gradual transfer, operate and maintain.

After the unsolicited proposal is submitted to the DOTr and PhilTram is granted the original proponent status, detailed engineering and design will follow and will last for six to nine months.

“The project can start by end of this year or Q1 of 2019. As it will only take two years for the civil works plus installation of signaling system, etc., plus the test runs for the rolling stocks; Cebuanos should start to enjoy this mass transport system by the start of 2021,” Eviota explained.

Willingness to pay

Another significant initial result of the FS for the monorail project is that the “willingness to pay” among Cebuanos for the monorail is pegged at P11 for the first three kilometers and an additional P1 for each succeeding kilometer.

For example, a ride from CIT-U to Mango Ave. will cost P11; while a ride from SRP all the way to Consolacion will cost P27.

The monorail system will work harmoniously with the P16.3-billion Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project because it will be located 5.5 meters above the existing roads.

The BRT implementation office, however, is still finalizing procurement documents for the construction of the project.

Procurement for the construction contractor is targeted within this year so that actual construction can start in the latter part of 2018 or by early 2019.

Meanwhile, the monorail will be fully automated, which means it won’t have any drivers. There are emergency catwalks though in case there are problems with the trains.

The proposed monorail will have six coaches which can carry up to 750 passengers. PhilTram also assured that the train intervals will only be 90 seconds even during peak hours and that it can run for up to 80 kilometers per hour.

Glenn Soco, chairperson of the IDC-RDC, said proposals from the private sector are good complements to those infrastructure projects also being funded by the government.

“I feel that there is really a need to have effective mass transport systems in Cebu. But we leave that to the DOTr, which is the proper agency, to decide what mode of system is needed in Cebu,” Soco told CDN.

“We welcome these projects from the private sector. Cebu is already an economically viable metropolis that’s why there are several proposals for PPPs and joint ventures. These are good as other means of having infrastructure projects which can be implemented faster and in a more efficient manner,” he added.

And with the “Build, Build, Build” thrust of the Duterte administration, Soco said Cebu would continue to feel the infrastructure boom even more in the coming years.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recently revealed that the government spent P568.8 billion on infrastructure projects in 2017.

The amount is 15.4 percent higher than the amount spent in 2016 which was at P493 billion.

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