Cebu Province News May 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.

Brigada Eskwela kicks off today

By Mae Clydyl L. Avila (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — With just a few days before the opening of classes, various stakeholders will troop to schools starting today for the weeklong cleanup and repair of school buildings and classrooms.

Dubbed as the "Brigada Eskwela" or also known as National Schools Maintenance Week (NSMW), the annual week-long activity aims to cleanup classrooms and beautify the other premises of the school to provide students with a conducive learning environment.

Superintendent Reyman Tolentin, Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) spokesperson, said security measures are already in place for the Brigada Eskwela.

He said groups of police personnel will be deployed in different public schools in Metro Cebu to ensure the safety of students, teachers, parents, and volunteers who will take part in the activity.

"We will implement high police visibility in schools," he said.

He said they are also expecting for a peaceful and orderly Brigada Eskwela.

Aside from security, Tolentin said other policemen will also be fielded to help in the school cleanup.

"I can say dako nga tabang ang kapulisan ani. Dapat conducive gyud ang matag classrooms for learning, because ang mga bata mas dali magkasakit kaysa sa mga dagko," he said.

Moreover, Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery, PRO-7 director, said the police force is coordinating with the Department of Education for the upcoming opening of classes.

"It's our partner agency, kung anuman programa nila at kung saan kami makakatulong ay ibibigay namin ang aming serbisyo. Ang ating kapulisan ay katuwang ng mga magulang sa paglilinis ng mga schools at pagbibigay ng school supplies sa mga nangangailangang studyante," he said.

He said assistance desks will be put up in school premises while police visibility will be increased around the city as part of the Oplan Balik Eskwela campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

On the other hand, Quenery said PRO-7 is eyeing to intensify its anti-illegal drug programs in schools to further educate students on the ill effects of drugs.

"Drugs really is a kind of business that employs whatever employees na makukuha nila…Ipagpapatuloy at ipag-iibayo natin ang programa kontra droga lalong-lalo na sa Central Visayas which is still affected by drugs," he said.

With nearly 8K agents, Veco gives customers more ease in paying bills

(KOC)

CUSTOMERS of the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) can now pay their electric bills anywhere in the country.

Veco said it now has a total of 7,820 third-party agents (TPA) nationwide who will help its clients settle their electric bills with ease.

“We are constantly finding ways to make it easier for our customers to pay for their electric bills. The increasing number of locations of our TPAs is a very welcome development that will help us achieve this goal,” said engineer Mark Anthony Kindica, Veco assistant vice-president for its Customer Service Group.

Since 2008, Veco has been working with TPAs to process bills payments and promote ease of doing business for its more than 422,800 customers within its franchise area.

For those who pay in other locations across the country, Veco said customers only need to make sure they know their account number and how much is due for the period covered.

Veco serves the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, and Naga as well as four municipalities of Metro Cebu—Liloan, Consolacion, Minglanilla, and San Fernando.

Around 98 percent of Veco customers now pay through TPA partners, which include Bayad Center, Cebuana Lhuillier, M Lhuillier, 2GO, ECPay, SM Hypermarket, SM Department Store, Savemore Market, and SM Business Services.

Branch expansions of these TPA partners, according to Kindica, have expanded the electric utility’s reach for more convenient bills payments services.

One example is Bayad Center’s tie-up with Posible.net, an online platform that seeks to empower micro businesses for digital transactions.

“While we want to partner with more banks, as well as online payment methods, we are keen on looking for more partners for cash payments since more than 50 percent of our customers are unbanked,” Kindica said.

Mactan Rock unveils facility in T2

(KOC)

WATER technology solutions provider Mactan Rock Industries Inc. (MRII) unveiled on Friday its water treatment facility inside the Terminal 2 (T2) of Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

With a capacity of 1,300 cubic meters, the water sourced from Mactan Rock undergoes multiple filtering processes in compliance with international standards. It will supply T2’s water requirement estimated at 500 cubic meters a day.

MRII chairman Antonio Tompar said the new plant will also serve as a backup supply in case of water disruption, with supply enough to last for three days.

According to Dr. Hari Kumar Parameshwar, joint project director at Megawide-GISPL Construction Joint Venture, the privately-run Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) strictly adheres to international standards for all of its facilities, including water.

“People from different countries use our airport so we need to make sure out water suits their taste, aside from it being safe,” said Parameshwar.

Tompar said the company already supplies water that is compliant to the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.

T2’s water plant is connected to Mepz 1’s pipeline. In the future, Mactan Rock eyes to connect the water system of the airport to Mepz 2 to ensure continuity of water supply.

As of April, construction of T2 is already 98 percent complete.

T2, which will house all the international flights, is scheduled for inauguration this June 7 to be led by President Rodrigo Duterte.

It will start its commercial operations by June 22.

SM Consolacion opens gov’t. service express

(SunStar Cebu)

EXPERIENCE a hassle-free, one-stop-shop for government services all under one roof.

SM City Consolacion recently opened its Government Services Express to cater to the growing need for government service centers in Consolacion, Cebu.

Located on the second level near Tela Fabrica and Ace Hardware, the Government Service Express houses satellite offices of Social Security Service (SSS), Philhealth, Pag-ibig Fund, and Philpost.

SSS services include the issuance of number for prior registrants, registration of employers, web registration assistance and resetting of account, filing of member loan application, filing of sickness or maternity benefit reimbursement forms, filing a request for posting of contributions and/or correction of credited years of service, among others.

The public now can save time and conveniently send urgent messages, business documents or goods for domestic and international express mail and parcels in PHLPost.

The PhilHealth Express site offers membership services that include PhilHealth identification number, ID and member data record generation, member data amendment, among others.

Pag-ibig also caters to membership and loans.

Capitol, DBP sign P1.5 billion loan deal

By Le Phyllis F. Antojado (/MBG, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has formally entered into a loan agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for Capitol's plan to construct a high-rise modern building inside the capitol compound.

Officials of DBP and Davide signed the omnibus loan agreement yesterday at the Governor's Office.

Under the agreement, DBP will lend P1.525 billion to the Cebu provincial government payable in 10 years with a fixed interest rate of 2.9 percent.

“It shall be fixed at 2.9 percent per annum payable monthly in arrears to start at the end of the first month from the date of initial drawdown” reads the 19-page loan agreement.

The agreement was signed by Davide and Atty. Marissa Anino, head of Cebu Lending Center of DBP.

The amount that will be borrowed will be used to construct the 20-story building inside the capitol compound which will rise on the lot where the old Bureau of Agriculture Extension (BAEx) building stands.

Davide said they will also submit a supplemental budget before the provincial board and the P1.525 billion will be included.

"After that, what will follow for the terms of the loan agreement, an ordinance by the Provincial Board ratifying the loan agreement, and after that we will call for bids na for the construction of the building," Davide said.

Davide said DBP will be the one to pay the winning contractor for the construction of the building.

"Inig sugod sa contruction mag billing man na ang sa kun kinsay mo construct ini, ang banko nay mobayad ana. The money stays with the bank" Davide said.

Among the offices that will stay in the new building is the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

Capitol hopes to finish the project within Davide's term as governor.

50 Carmen Copper scholars finish techvoc courses

(Sunstar Cebu)

ANOTHER batch of 50 technical vocational skills training program scholars graduated last May 4, earning them their NC (national certificate) II for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) or electrical installation and maintenance (EIM).

They are the third batch of scholars under the Carmen Copper-Technical Education Skills Development Authority (Tesda) skills training program. It is a partnership project that aims to help unemployed Toledo residents acquire skills for them to get better jobs.

The program has produced a total of 147 graduates, most of whom have landed jobs either locally or abroad.

Of the 50 new graduates, 25 of them finished their SMAW NC II course after completing the 268 hours center-based training at the Tesda–Provincial Training Center in Toledo City, Cebu.

The remaining 25 scholars graduated from EIM NC II course after undergoing their 402 hours training.

After their center-based training, Carmen Copper opened its doors to accommodate them for a 240-hour paid on-the-job training to further strengthen their foundation. They were paid P240 per day as trainees for 30 days.

With their training and experience, the company believes that the scholars now have the edge over other candidates on related jobs they wish to pursue.

Rodel P. Rabanes, 27, of Barangay Bunga, said he has been hired by one of the leading real estate developers in Cebu. Rabanes is an EIM NC II graduate.

Being third in the brood of 10, he is solely supporting his parents after five of his siblings have settled down, while the other four are still young to fend for themselves.

His father is a project-based carpenter, while his ailing mother is a homemaker.

Even after years of working as a promodizer at a mall in Cebu City, he said his earnings had never been enough to make ends meet for the family.

Leaving aside his personal needs, Rabanes wants nothing more than a better paying job to support his parents and younger siblings.

“Ganahan gyud ko maka-abroad para mas makatabang pa sa akong ginikanan. Para nako dili na ni imposible kay kompleto nako sa requirements ug sa pinaka-importante, ang skills ug experience,” Rabanes said.

Rabanes was awarded the most outstanding EIM trainee among his batch of graduates. He received a certificate and a cash incentive.

Dennis V. Pardilla of Barangay Cantabaco was awarded most outstanding SMAW trainee. He also received a certificate and cash incentive.

Cemex builds new healthcare center for Naga, Cebu

(SunStar Cebu)

QUALITY healthcare delivery is at the cornerstone of empowering a productive citizenry.

Putting by heart its social development mantra of “Building the Nation Together” with Filipinos, Cemex Holdings Philippines supported the construction of the new barangay health center in Barangay Tina-an, City of Naga, Cebu. The project was spearheaded by the barangay council and and the City of Naga Health Office.

The center serves as a lying-in facility for expectant mothers and offers services, including pre-natal consultation, children’s immunization, and anti-drug use counseling. Cemex also hired a doctor that comes in weekly to monitor the health of local residents and provide free consultation and free medicine from the City of Naga Health Office.

Beneficiaries were thankful for the health center since its turnover to the barangay early this year.

Jocelyn Taray, head of the Barangay Health Workers, said that most patients are happy and thankful for the project that made healthcare more accessible to them in a spacious and clean environment.

Volunteers from Cemex cleaned up the area prior to the turnover and showcased how employees are working with the company for nation-building.

Barangay Tina-an is the home of Cemex subsidiary, Apo Cement Corp., which underscored its commitment to improve health and safety in the area where it operates. Cemex does this through the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of Apo Cement Corp.

Aside from promoting health, SDMP also enhances livelihood, infrastructure development, and education programs in Naga.

Other social development initiatives of Cemex in Cebu include the “Bancambulansya,” or boat ambulance, housing for employees and underserved community members, and the adopt-a-species program for conservation, among many others.

Malasakit Center to go nationwide

By Gregg M. Rubio (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Malacañang is eyeing to establish in other parts of the country the Malasakit Center being piloted in the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go announced in a luncheon press conference yesterday that they are going to launch the facility in the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City tomorrow.

The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas is the lead agency behind the Malasakit Center which is funded by the socio-civic funds of the Office of the President.

Go said they are also considering the setting up of the same “one-stop shop” center in Bacolod City and Iloilo City.

During the press conference yesterday, the possibility of setting up the center in provincial hospitals was also brought up, but Go said he will talk to Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque first, considering the number of provincial hospitals nationwide.

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino reported that as of yesterday, around 13,000 patients have already been assisted by the Malasakit Center since its launching last February.

The Malasakit Center at VSMMC gets P50 million every month from President Rodrigo Duterte. The socio-civic funds of the president primarily come from sin taxes, according to Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

The center is a one-stop shop comprised of different agencies that help families of patients who wish to settle medical expenses such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Dino earlier said the project is piloted in Cebu. Once the system has been polished, it will be replicated in other parts of the country.

He said that government programs like the Malasakit Center are formulated to especially help the marginalized Filipinos.

Brigada Eskwela starts on May 28

By Joyce Ann Gabutan(/MBG, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will launch this year's Brigada Eskwela on May 28 with the theme Pagkakaisa Para sa Handa, Ligtas at Matatag na Paaralan Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan.

DepEd Cebu City District Superintendent Dr.Bianito Dagatan said that the division launching will be held at Labangon Elementary School while the regional launching will be held in Bohol on May 26.

There will be a caravan of two groups that will converge and highlight the stakeholders that are actively supporting the schools in Cebu City. This year's brigada focuses on Water and Sanitation (WAS) and Hygienes in Schools (HIS).

A local stakeholders' convergence event was held yesterday to inform them of this year's launching of Brigada Eskwela.

Dagatan, who attended the event, said it was aimed to encourage local stakeholders to convince other stakeholders to support the schools.

A DepEd memorandum issued on April 11, 2018 stated that Brigada Eskwela will be from May 28 to June 2, 2018.

The start of classes will be on June 4 for public schools while private schools have the option to start their classes either the first week of June or August.

Brigada Eskwela is the National Schools Maintenance Week that aims to bring together all education stakeholders to participate and contribute their time, effort, and resources to prepare public school facilities for the opening of the school year in June.

"Atong target is to prepare the schools to be ready and safe. Just in time atong focus karon ang WAS and HIS, so atong gi-encourage ang mga stakeholders nga kung naay makatabang nga mahimong functional ilang water connections, madugangan ilang washing facilities, kung mahimo madugangan ilang comfort rooms," he said.

But Dagatan said one concern is the space for the construction of these facilities.

On the other hand, Cebu City Councilor Joy Young said that in Cebu City, Brigada Eskwela is being done whole year round.

"We have our own engineers, we have our own panday laborers, we have our electricians, plumbers, naa tay equipment. Ana ba, kompleto ta and we repair the whole year," he said.

However, Young admitted that there are still so many buildings and classrooms that need repair and it is one of the challenges of Brigada Eskwela.

"Since we're doing the repair the whole year, mag-apas gyud kay daghan man kaayog ayuhunon," he added.

Dagatan said what Cebu City is doing is called Brigada Eskwela Plus.

Cebu City is the only city in Region-7 that has a Local School Board Engineering Task Force which has its own warehouse that could supply construction materials for the repair of schools.

MCIA T2 ready for take off

By Theresa S. Samaniego (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The MCIA Terminal 2 sports a unique design that demonstrates the warmth and friendliness of the local culture.

In less than a month, the Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 will be welcoming passengers to a showcase of Filipino creativity, ingenuity and hospitality.

The MCIA Terminal 2, after all, was created by a powerhouse cast of architects and designers who all sought to make the country’s second busiest gateway at par with other international airports.

Poised to become a lifestyle destination in itself, the MCIA Terminal 2 was the creative product of some of the most renowned names including design icon Budji Layug, Arch. Royal Pineda, and Cebu-based and world renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue. Meanwhile, Hong Kong-based Integrated Design Associates (IDA), which has previously worked on projects at Beijing Capital, Delhi-Indira Gandhi and Hong Kong airports, forms part of MCIA Terminal 2’s design team.

“The architectural concept of the new Terminal 2 is inspired by the context of the Philippines, the locality of Cebu, and the arts and crafts of this region. The finishes emulate the local context through thoughtful selection of colors, textures, and materials, enhancing passengers’ experience and connection to place and culture,” GMCAC chief executive advisor Andrew Harrison explained in a briefing in Cebu.

Much thought and study were likewise given by designers in terms of colors and finishes, ensuring that most of the elements of Philippine landscape will be incorporated in the final look of the new terminal.

In his presentation, Harrison likewise shared how the designers chose the color palettes, finishes and material that will be used in the new terminal to ensure that it will showcase the province’s artistry and culture.

“The Philippines landscape is composed of many disparate elements. But when assembled they form a complementary arrangement, a natural harmony, as well as a juxtaposition and contrast. From this landscape, natural colour and tonal gradients are generated and selected,” Harrison further said.

With the opening of Terminal 2, tourists will thus have their first taste of the province’s rich culture and heritage. It boasts of a unique design that demonstrates the warmth and friendliness of the local culture.

“We create the first and last impressions visitors make of Cebu and the rest of the country and thus we want to create a worthy impression for everyone. Not only will the new terminal look distinctly Filipino, it will also be a complete experience of Filipino hospitality the moment you set foot here,” GMCAC president Louie Ferrer said in a previous interview.

“This airport is more than a transfer point, we are making it a vital part of the Cebu experience,” Ferrer had said.

But what further makes MCIA Terminal 2 truly innovative was that it was built using glulam wood instead of the traditional steel that is used in many modern airports.

A first in Asia, this project is the largest order that has ever been received for a structure made of glulamen in the entire company history of Rubner Holzbau in Ober-Grafendorf, an engineered timber construction firm. A total of 4,500 m³ of glulam timber was used for the wave-shaped, barrel-roofed structure of the new 65,000 sqm building.

Going beyond the aesthetics, the opening of MCIA Terminal 2 on June 2018 will increase passenger capacity to 12.5 million from 4.5 million. For this year alone, the MCIA is eyeing an 11.2 million passenger traffic, up 12 percent from last year.

MCIA also welcomed the addition of six new airlines namely Air Juan, Juneyao Air, OK Air, Lucky Air, Sichuan Airlines, and Pan Pacific Airlines in 2017. The Philippine-based Air Juan connects Cebu to smaller islands in the Visayas with its Cessna landplane and seaplane. Currently, Air Juan offers direct flights to Biliran, Bantayan, Maasin, Sipalay, and Siquijor.

True to its commitment of expanding connections from Cebu, GMCAC welcomed more Chinese carriers to Cebu and launched direct flights to six destinations in China namely, Beijing, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Kunming, Shanghai, and Xian.

“We are looking to promote Cebu to other untapped markets and this includes other provinces in China. We want to bring this high-spending Chinese market to Cebu,” Ferrer said.

Mactan-Cebu International Airport closed 2017 with connections to 21 international destinations and 35 domestic routes, and 24 partner carriers.

Within two years of operations and management of the airport, GMCAC bagged four awards from different world-renowned financial institutions plus a recognition of being one of the Best Airports in Asia. Don't miss out on the latest news and information.

Pres. Duterte to visit Cebu on May 19-20

By Rachelle Nessia (rmn/PIA7-Cebu)

CEBU CITY, May 18 (PIA) -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will be in Cebu to attend three events over the weekend.

On May 19, President Duterte will lead the Ceremonial Valve Opening of the Alegria Oil Field Polyard-3 Wellsite in Brgy. Montpeller, Alegria town that will mark the start of the oil and gas production in the area.

Afterwards, the President will have a walking briefing by China International Mining Petroleum Limited Company (CIMP) Assistant Country Manager Edgar Benedict Cutiongco.

The Alegria Oil and Gas Production Project is currently operating under Department of Energy (DOE) Service Contract 49 with CIMP as the major operator of the service contract covering a total production area of 42,749 hectares.

CIMP has entered in the contract a 25-year production period with possible extension of up to 15 years.

The province of Cebu especially Alegria town is expected to receive significant economic benefits from the production share of the government on the Oil and Gas Production Project.

The national government is expected to get 60 percent government share, 8 percent to the province of Cebu, 18 percent to Alegria, and 14 percent to the host barangay.

From Alegria, the President will proceed to Cebu City Sports Center in Cebu City for the opening ceremony of the Philippine National Games (PNG).

A crowd of around 10,000 composed of officials, directors, and employees of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), national athletes, officials and employees of local government units is expected to attend the ceremony.

During the program, PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez will light the Urn of Peace and Unity and Tribute for the Athletes.

The province of Cebu and Cebu City are this year's hosts of the PNG.

The President is also set to visit the municipality of Tabogon for the town's annual fiesta celebration.

P18M set aside for Tesda 7 program

(EOB)

THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) has urged Cebuanos to avail themselves of a free tertiary education program by July 2 this year.

Tesda has set aside P18 million for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act in Cebu, which forms part of the P6.9-billion budget set aside by the National Government for the program this year.

Engr. Winefredo Salas, Tesda regional training center administrator, said that each scholar will receive P160 allowance per day plus tool kits and other materials.

“The P18-million budget includes training fees, honorarium of trainors, living allowance and tool kits. This program will be implemented two to three months. We can produce several batches of scholars from July to December 2018,” he said.

Salas said that those who are interested can enroll any day.

“Although we have an entrance program, those who will fail can still retake the test many times,” he added.

According to Salas, there are five training centers in Cebu. These are located in Samboan, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Carmen and Daanbantayan.

The program is also being implemented by the Cebu Technological University and Cebu Normal University.

“I hope those who are still unemployed will avail of this free tertiary education because the government wants to uplift the living condition of the people,” Salas said.

PLDT opens 2nd data center in Cebu

By Elitz Caballero (CNU Intern)

THE high demand in information and commucations technology, business process management and other industries such as shipping, tourism, industrial and commercial businesses has led PLDT and its subsidiaries ePLDT and PLDT Enterprise to open a second data center in Cebu.

The P1-billion VITRO Cebu 2 is located in Mandaue City and is the company’s 10th data center in the country.

“We are giving enterprises of all sizes access to digital infrastructure that can safeguard their operations amids calamity and cyber attacks we all face in the world today,” said ePLDT president and CEO Eric Alberto.

Vitro Cebu 2 is four times larger than Vitro Cebu 1, with a maximum of 800 racks, adding to ePLDT’s 8,300-rack capacity.

The facility is built from the ground up with updated and internationally competitive technologies, including its 11-layer security system.

Vitro Cebu 2 can with stand wind velocity of 250 kph. It is built to resist unprecedented events and calamities like typhoons and earthquakes.

Vitro Network Data Centers have established presence nationwide — Pasig, Makati, Clark economic zone and recently in Davao, the first in Mindanao — to aid the growing interest for co-location in key markets, especially in banking and insurance, retailing, business process outsourcing, public sectors and even in small-medium enterprises (SMEs). This is to innovate their current systems for better and efficient data storage and security.

“Even SMEs see the value, as companies rely on their servers. We see more demand is present,” head of PLDT and SMART Enterprise Business Groups Jovy Hernandez pointed out.

With a current utilization rate of 34 percent for all 10 VITRO data centers, different sectors will be given options on data protection, contingency and risk management as the pace of technology accelerates.

Bank deposits in Cebu hit P486.44B in 2017

By Carlo S. Lorenciana (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu banks again topped provinces outside Metro Manila in terms of deposits in 2017 as it emerges as the financial hub in southern Philippines.

Bank deposits held by Cebu banks stood at P486.44 billion as of end 2017, based on latest data from the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.

For banks in Cebu City alone, deposits amounted to P334.98 billion as of last year.

Cebu Bankers Club past president Rey Eleccion said the city’s bank deposits have consistently grown in double-digit in recent years.

“Not only in deposits but also in loans,” the bank official told The FREEMAN yesterday.

Eleccion pointed out that Cebu’s economy has grown rapidly pushing banks to be aggressive in solidifying their presence here.

“Cebu has been growing rapidly that banks are also opening more branches in the city,” he said.

He asserted the local banking sector is looking to sustain this growth given the positive prospects towards the continued growth of the city’s economic activity.

“We hope to sustain this growth given the various developments that are growing like mushrooms,” Eleccion said.

“Constructions are everywhere and banks reposition their presence in each of these new development sites,” he further said.

As of last year, Cebu had a total of 565 bank branches, 237 of which are in Cebu City.

It also had a total of 2,512,928 bank accounts across the province.

Based on the PDIC data, bank deposits in whole Central Visayas — which includes Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor — hit P582.28 billion as of end 2017, with a total of 3,549,070 bank accounts.

The region also had a total of 790 bank branches.

Furthermore, bank deposits in Bohol reached P45.98 billion; Negros Oriental, P46.82 billion; and Siquijor, P3.03 billion.

Savings and time deposits remained the main fund sources of local banks. Other deposits include demand deposits and foreign currency deposit units (FCDUs).

Aside from economic expansion, the increasing population is also driving banking's growth. Other drivers industry players cited include the increasing employment, robust consumer spending and household expenditure.

Cebu's vibrant and growing economy which is mostly consumer-driven is also supporting this growth.

Cebu is seen to sustain this growth considering the consistent rise in bank deposits in recent years.

Veco rewiring work safety-stamps 7 public schools

(SunStar Cebu)

TRUE to its mission of providing safe and reliable electricity, the Visayan Electric Co. Inc. (Veco) turned over P5.7M worth of rewiring projects to seven public schools within its franchise area for the first quarter of this year.

The beneficiaries of the rewiring project were Yati Elementary School in Liloan town, Pagsabungan Elementary School in Mandaue City, Uling National High School in the City of Naga, Guindarohan Elementary School in Minglanilla town, and Tisa Elementary School, Taptap Integrated School and Guba Elementary School all in Cebu City.

“Last year, katong bag-o pa ko diri na principal, ang nisugat nakong problema kay kabahin aning wiring system namo diri sa school. Naa’y mukalit la’g buto. Una akong gipa check, nagpatawag mi og electrician but after three days kay nibuto nasad. Usahay kung di mubuto, mupawng ra siya og kalit. And last gyud ato kay nag aso-aso na gyud ang wire,” said Gemma Tangoan, Pagsabungan Elementary School principal.

Tangoan said that when they experienced such occurrences, they would hold classes in the covered court since the whole school would be affected by the power outage.

Electrical-related concerns, such as that of Pagsabungan Elementary School is the reason why Veco expanded its rewiring projects in order to provide a safe environment for students and teachers in public schools.

“Having this project is not merely about the corporate social responsibility of Veco. It is about extending their passion to help and showing their love in keeping schools safe from fire hazards,” City of Naga Administrator Arthur Villamor said during his turnover speech.

Aside from upgrading the electrical wiring system of the beneficiary schools, Veco also conducted an electrical safety orientation for students and teachers.

Veco already rewired 3,321 classrooms in 83 public schools in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga and in the municipalities of Liloan, Consolacion, Minglanilla and San Fernando since the project started in 2010.

The electric utility, the second largest in the country, targets to rewire and safety-stamp 5,000 classrooms by the end of 2020.

Alegria oil field to start commercial operation on May 19

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon (/MBG, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Alegria Oil Field will be inaugurated on May 19 to signify the start of its commercial operation.

Department of Energy (DOE)-7 Director Saul Gonzales said the Alegria Oil Field will produce 6.6 billion cubic feet of methane gas and 3.3 million barrels of liquid crude petroleum in 29 years which will bring about an estimated P1 trillion in revenues.

Based on the development plan crafted after the initial testing, the natural gas and oil production of the field may last until 2037.

The discovery of methane gas and liquid crude petroleum that have commercial quantities in Alegria town is the second after Palawan.

Gonzales denied that the operation of China International Mining Petroleum Company Limited (CIMP Co. Ltd.), the firm operating the Alegria Oil Field, has stopped contrary to a newspaper report.

Gonzales explained that DOE only stopped the operation of one of the six oil wells named P8 for cleanup and it was temporary.

The exploration and drilling activities on the oil field by the service contractor started in 2009.

The DOE declared early this year that the Alegria Oil Field has commercial quantities of natural gas and oil resources.

Gonzales said the presence of natural gas and oil resources in Alegria will surely spur economic development, small and big businesses, employment, revenues for the national government as well as to that of the town and the barangay.

Few years ago, Gonzales said that a natural gas was found and commercially available in Bogo City.

"Pero karon nahurot na pud. The menthane gas was then used to provide power for the Cebu Electric Cooperative in the Fourth District of Cebu," Gonzales recalled.

City, Capitol eye 2nd 93-1 land swap

By Odessa O. Leyson, Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad (/GAN, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City and Cebu Province are planning to enter into another land swap deal for the 3,000 occupants of the province-owned lot in Barangays Apas, Banawa and Busay.

Cebu City Executive Assistant to the Mayor Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez assisted the occupants to the Office of the Governor yesterday in order to discuss the matter.

Fernandez said Governor Hilario Davide III has agreed in principle that the city government and the province will enter a land swap deal just like the scheme covering the 93-1 deal wherein both local government units exchanged properties.

Fernandez said a series of meetings is expected to finalize the agreement.

“Duna’y mga grupo, 13 kuno to ka grupo with around 3,000 occupants sa province-owned lot. Okay si governor to talk about it. Ana siya we can make it like the 93-1 and the city and the province will again talk bahin ana,” he said.

Once finalized, the land swap deal will be presented before the City Council and Provincial Board for further approval.

Convergence on Urban Poor Province-Owned Land (CUPPOL) has at least 3,000 household members and is composed of 16 different homeowners association originating from Barangays Apas, Banawa, and Busay.

CUPPOL Officer Alice Espejo said they formed their coalition to lobby for the city and provincial governments to pass an ordinance which will enable them to buy the province-owned lots where their homes are erected.

Fourteen lots owned by the provincial government have been identified by the group.

She said most of their members have been living in their homes for 30 to 50 years already and they wanted to own the lot may it be through donation or purchase.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said that the lots mentioned are not part of the 93-1 agreement between the Capitol and the Cebu City.

He promised the homeowners that the Capitol will take action on CUPPOL's request once the two local government units are done with all the necessary legal procedures to fulfill the provisions of the 93-1 agreement.

In the 93-1 deal, the city government and the province have exchanged properties in order to resolve the long standing issue.

The involved property for the land swapping is the 32.4 hectares of lot covered by Provincial Ordinance No. 93-1 which will be transferred to the city through an exchange of properties.

The city, for its part, will swap the lots with 2.5 hectares at the South Road Properties (SRP), the 13,711 square meter lot of its Sewerage Treatment Plant, 2,475-square-meter slaughterhouse at the North Reclamation Area, nine hectare property in Pulpogan, Consolacion, the 3.3 hectare Block 27, Block 27-A and Block 27-B including the road between them at the North Reclamation Area.

The 93-1 has at least 5,000 beneficiaries from 11 barangays namely Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Busay, Luz, Lahug, Mabolo, Apas, Lorega, San Miguel, Kasambagan, and Tejero.

Private companies ink MOA with CCCI

(PR)

THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) forged partnerships with local government units, government agencies, and companies from different industries for the Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2018 to ensure that the lineup of activities will make a positive impact on the business sector in Cebu, including small and medium enterprises.

CCCI will sign a memorandum of agreement with the omnibus sponsors of CBM 2018 before the grand launching and press conference on CBM 2018 in Marco Polo Plaza Cebu today.

CBM 2018 is organized in partnership with the Cebu Provincial Government and the Cebu City Government. Event partners include the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, and Department of Trade and Industry.

Omnibus co-presentors include Cebu Holdings Inc., Ayala Center Cebu, PLDT Enterprise, Voyager, PayMaya, Robinsons Land Corp., Robinsons Galleria Cebu, SM Prime Holdings Inc., UnionPay International Southeast Asia, and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

CBM 2018’s omnibus platinum sponsor is Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. Omnibus diamond sponsors Cathay Pacific, Cebu Landmasters Inc., F2 Logistics Philippines Inc., Golden Prince Hotel & Suites, Lexmark Research & Development Corp., Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp., Philippines AirAsia, Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc., and The Insular Life Assurance Company, Ltd. Omnibus silver sponsor is Treasure Island Industrial Corp.

Prime partners are ABS-CBN, Alcordo International Inc. (Alcordo Advertising), BusinessWorld Publishing Corp., SkyCable Pacific CATV, Ocean Fast Ferries Inc. (Oceanjet), GMA Network, and Manila Bulletin.

Media partners include Brigada 93.1 News FM Cebu, Cebu Daily News, Expat Travel & Lifestyle Philippines, GraphicStar Imaging Corp., Greenworld LED Solutions Inc., Innopub, Mynimo.com, NU107.Com Co, SunStar Publishing Inc., The Freeman, and Sonshine Radio. Specific event sponsors are Aboitiz Power Corp., BDO Unibank Inc., Cebu Pacific Airlines, Bank of the Philippine Islands, CT4 Philippines Inc., Eastern Communications, Global Business Power, GT Cosmetics Manufacturing Inc., Hyundai Cebu Inc., Security Bank Corp., Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp., Oakridge Business Park, Philippine Airlines, Seaoil Philippines, and Tsuneishi Technical Services Philippines.

CBM 2018, now on its 22nd year, will feature activities in June that align with the theme Innovate Cebu and focus on tourism, entrepreneurship, and information and communications technology and business processing management.

Philippines ‘first’ mobile blood bank unveiled

By Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad (/KBQ, The Freeman) - May 10, 2018 - 12:00am

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu province is the first in the country to have a sophisticated vehicle solely for blood-related services, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

Capitol unveiled the P1.2-million van equipped with eight reclined seats intended for blood collections. The van has also extendable tent to cater to more blood donors.

Doctor Rene Catan, PHO chief, said the Capitol spent less for the vehicle, a refurbished mobile X-ray unit.

He said the X-ray van was no longer needed because X-ray machines are already available at each provincial and district hospitals.

"This goes around the province of Cebu kay daghan na man kaayong ni-request for blood," he said.

The first stop would be in Bantayan Island in northern Cebu, but the details are yet to be finalized, he said.

Catan said this development is significant because PHO will no longer need to ferry the bloodletting paraphernalia, which would take a longer time to set up.

“With the mobile unit, everything else is already set. It’s more convenient and organized,” he said.

It will serve as a movable blood bank that will accept donated blood and run supply to 16 Capitol-run hospitals, including the four provincial hospitals in Balamban town and in Carcar, Danao, and Bogo cities.

Governor Hilario Davide III said the mobile unit is in line with the provincial government’s thrust to provide Cebuanos quality public health.

The collected blood will be processed at the Sacred Heart Hospital, the Capitol’s partner medical institution.

Once processed, the blood will be distributed to provincial and district hospitals for utilization.

On the other hand, the provincial government targets to establish its own blood processing unit in one of its provincial hospitals within this year.

Mactan resort chooses Cleanergy

(PR)

SHANGRI-LA Mactan has chosen Cleanergy, AboitizPower’s brand for clean and renewable energy, to power their operations as well as to support their environmental sustainability initiatives.

“There are six environmental categories that Shangri-La, as a group, focuses on, including climate change mitigation,” said Shangri-La Mactan’s CSR and sustainability service leader Irene Tan-Meca.

Tan-Meca said their efforts to reduce the impact of global warming include lowering their energy consumption through existing systems and processes; the use of energy-efficient technologies; banning the use of CFCs in refrigerant and aerosol systems; and alternative energy sources. Shangri-La aims to fulfill a 20-percent reduction in energy and CO2 emissions intensity by 2020, based on 2015 levels.

Under the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) scheme, the resort is able to choose its own electricity supplier and has chosen AboitizPower.

Shangri-La Mactan knows that with the right partner, environmental responsibility can go hand in hand with power supply reliability and direct savings in terms of operating cost.

“(Reliable power supply) is very vital to our operations, as power interruptions have adverse effects on our operations and hamper our guest experience,” said Dayalan Swamidurai, director of engineering at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

With RCOA, Swamidurai said they have reduced power outages and costs and experienced greater transparency in invoicing.

AboitizPower first vice president Sandro A. Aboitiz said more and more businesses are looking for sustainable energy solutions and Cleanergy is the company’s answer to the demand of the market.

“More than just supplying power, we are looking at providing better solutions to our customers,” Aboitiz said.

Flower Gardens in Cebu

By PATRICIA MAY P. CATAN

FLOWER gardens are blooming especially in the highlands of Cebu. There, you'll find beautiful flower gardens that are hard to miss and must-visit places when you're planning to explore the area. If you're one who enjoys the sight of flowers, then this one's for you.

Terrazas de Flores

The country's first and only botanical garden, Terrazas de Flores is a flower terrace where more than 120 species of plants and flowers sit atop a mountain slope, beautifully arranged with pathways in each for visitors to comfortably walk around the terrace. Cabanas are also seen around the botanical garden, a perfect space where you can relax, unwind and just relish nature's beauty while listening to music. Terrazas has a cafe resting at the top where good food and drinks are served with a magical view of the terrace.

Buwakan ni Alejandra

Another hot spot in the uplands of Cebu City is a beautiful flower garden named Buwakan ni Alejandra. This 700-square-meter garden houses more than 200 species of local blooms forming a vibrant garden that's picturesque in every angle. Buwakan ni Alejandra highlights more of the local flowers than the imported ones for visitors to have a good view of these equally pretty flowers. With pathways around the garden, visitors can stroll the entire property and appreciate the garden's vibrant beauty.

Sirao Flower Garden

The vibrant and colorful celosia field is enough to make this garden a hit among local and foreign tourists alike. Images of Sirao Flower Garden first spread in social media like wild fire, and it didn't take long for people to flock to the garden to have their photos taken with the fiery-looking flowers. Likened to the tulip fields found in the Netherlands, Sirao is now dubbed as a "Mini Amsterdam". This mountainous region in Barangay Sirao is where you'll find an expanse of flowers that make it a must-see visit this month of blooms and blossoms.

Capitol to allocate P2M for PNG delegation

By Rosalie O. Abatayo

The Cebu Provincial Government will be co-hosting with Cebu City for the Philippine National Games on May 19-26.

Provincial Sports Commission chief Atty. Ramil Abing said that the province is allocating at least P2 million as their counterpart for the athletes’ needs and the preparation logistics.

The province team will be participating in 20 out of the 26 gaming events of PNG.

DOT 7 takes service to rural areas

(KOC)

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 expects to accredit more tourism establishments in the region following the deployment of its mobile accreditation caravan in partnership with local government units (LGUs).

“This initiative is meant to provide services for tourism establishments in far- flung areas. So instead of them coming here, we are the ones going to their places,” said DOT 7 Director Shahlimar Tamano.

The mobile accreditation caravan has been to Sta. Fe in Bantayan and Panglao, Bohol.

Tamano said they are bringing the caravan to Malapascua and Daanbantayan in northern Cebu in the coming months.

DOT’s accreditation covers accommodation, travel and tour services, Mice, ecotourism, tourism front-liners, health and wellness and other tourism-related enterprises.

For the first quarter of this year, Tamano said, his office logged 143 accreditations for both establishments and services, higher by 44.44 percent compared to the same period last year.

Accreditations for accommodation went up by 43.07 percent; tourist land transport operators by 39.28 percent; tourist water transport operators by 100 percent; and tour guides by 66.67 percent.

The DOT accreditation is a certificate issued by the department recognizing the holder as having complied with its minimum standards in the operation of the establishment concerned, which ensures the safety, comfort, and convenience of the tourist.

Tamano said he expects more tourism establishments to seek DOT’s seal of accreditation on the back of the region’s thriving tourism industry.

DOT 7’s latest count shows there are about 34,979 rooms in Central Visayas as of 2017.

Between now and 2019, Cebu and Mactan expects over 5,000 additional new rooms in the market.

Study on managing visitors in tourist spots sought

By Elitz Alia Caballero (CNU Intern)

FOLLOWING the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to temporarily close Boracay for rehabilitation, several local government units (LGUs) in Cebu Province want the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) to conduct studies on visitor management and determine a tourist site’s capacity.

These LGUs are Malapascua, Sta. Fe, Camotes, Catmon, Minglanilla and Mandaue City, said Provincial Tourism Officer Joselito Boboi Costas.

The LGUs wanted the PTO to inspect their tourist sites and make an assessment.

These include Kintarcan Island in Sta. Fe, Lake Danao in Camotes, Mt. Kapayas in Catmon, and Butuanon River in Mandaue, among others.

PTO also plans to include in their study the Mainit Mabugnaw National Park in Carcar City.

“The LGUs are really concerned since we are using natural destinations as tourist spaces,” said Costas.

For the study, the PTO will develop a plan to address several problems in a tourist spot and improve the area for sustainable tourism.

Costas said PTO usually does studies as part of their tourism management but added that the temporary closure of Boracay has increased the requests they have been receiving from LGUs.

Cebu eyes Guinness record for mass cervical cancer screening

By Calvin D. Cordova (with a report from Precy Jane Navarro, CNU Intern)

Cebu City — Cebu will gun for a world record when the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) tries to gather more than 1,000 women for cervical cancer screening.

The attempt to break into the Guinness World Book of Records will take place on May 20 at the Consolacion National High School in Consolacion town, Cebu.

Dr. Pherdes Galbo, coordinator of POGS-Cebu, said they plan to gather 1,200 women for free cervical screening using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIAA), a procedure that can detect the presence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer.

India holds the current Guinness record for most women who took cervical cancer screening at 741.

Cebu has actually topped India’s record since POGS started the program in 2016.

The first-ever mass screening held in Cebu City drew 805 women, while 905 women underwent the same test in 2017 in Lapu-Lapu City.

POGS, however, didn’t ask Guinness to validate the turnout of the first two editions to save funds.

The mass screening is part of the events lined up for Scarlet May Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women. It usually affects women aged 30-45.

According to Dr. Catherine Timbal, Medical Officer IV of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), the youngest patient to have been diagnosed with cervical cancer was 22.

Cervical cancer is considered a silent killer as the symptoms usually manifest 10 to 20 years after the infection.

POGS said the cancer can be prevented by observing safe sex, quitting smoking and having an annual pap smear or VIAA.

It advised women to undergo a pap smear every three years once they reach 21 years old.

For the whole month of May, there will be a free screening from Monday to Friday at VSMMC.

Cebu biz community welcomes EO vs. 'endo'

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The business community in Cebu welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) banning all forms of illegal contracting and subcontracting in the country.

In official statements released to the media on Wednesday, Cebu business leaders said they support the EO signed by the President on Tuesday here as the welfare and rights of the workers must be protected.

“The CCCI (Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry) supports the EO that PRRD signed yesterday (Tuesday) against illegal contractualization and ‘endo’ because it is consistent with the Labor Code passed by Congress,” CCCI president Antonio Chiu said.

While it allows certain jobs to be contracted out, Chiu said the EO protects the rights of workers for just benefits and compensation as well as security of tenure.

“The rule of law should always prevail so that we could continue to attract foreign investments and create more jobs,” Chiu added.

The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) also welcomed the EO, saying the business community must look after the welfare of its workers.

“A harmonious and progressive relationship between management and labor is a step towards business prosperity and economic growth,” said MCCI vice president Steven Yu. “The business community welcomes this development and seeks to be a partner with government in nation building.”

Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph, for his part, said the EO is a welcome development as “business needs to practice fair labor practices.”

“Our practices should (also) reward high productivity. But our laws make it extremely difficult to penalize inefficient workers and this must be corrected,” Joseph added.

President Duterte signed the EO imposing a complete ban on illegal contractualization on Tuesday during the 116th Labor Day celebration at the IC3 Convention Center here in Cebu.

However, Duterte said his EO is not enough and Congress needs to amend the Labor Code in order to implement an effective and lasting solution to the problems brought about by contractualization.

The EO ending the practice of “endo” drew mixed reactions from labor and cause-oriented groups on Monday.

Jime Paglinawan, chairman of Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo-Kilusang Mayo Uno (Ama Sugbo-KMU) and Bayan-Central Visayas, said they welcomed Duterte’s EO as initial victory for the workers, while the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) claimed the EO was for the employers’ benefit and not for workers.

Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) spokesperson Alan Tanjusay also expressed disappointment, saying the EO did not actually ended “endo” but strengthened the regulation.

Tanjusay’s fellow ALU-TUCP member Art Barrit, however, said President Duterte finally fulfilled his campaign promise to end contractualization and he was glad about it.

SAP Go turns over P50-M to Malasakit Center in Cebu

By Luel Galarpe

CEBU CITY -- Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go turned over the PHP50-million pledge of President Rodrigo Duterte to the Malasakit Center in Cebu on Tuesday, in a brief ceremony at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino here.

Last February, the President promised to give PHP50 million for the Malasakit Center during the unveiling of the facility’s dedication plate at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

Go, who handed the check to VSMMC hospital chief Dr. Gerardo Aquino Jr. and Department of Health - Central Visayas (DOH-7) Director Jaime Bernadas, said the money is intended to help indigent patients needing financial assistance for medication, diagnostic examinations, and payment for hospital bills.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop staffed by representatives from the DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor).

It was conceived in response to the President’s earnest desire to help the poor who are in need of medical attention, Go said.

Go said the one-stop shop center is similar to the program they have in Davao City, where patients can easily process their request for financial aid either from the DOH, DSWD, PhilHealth, PCSO, or Pagcor.

“The President told me to talk with (Presidential Assistant for the Visayas) Mike (Dino) and see if we can implement this program nationwide. So, I talked with Mike and told him about this program initiated by Mayor Sara (Duterte-Carpio) in Davao. Thus, Malasakit was born,” Go said in Bisaya.

Dino, who also graced the turnover, said the Malasakit Center in Cebu is the pilot area for the program in the Visayas and he hopes the program will be replicated around the country.

“For the time being, we have this one-stop desk at the VSMMC, and we have catered to the needs of 10,944 indigent patients and have shelled out about PHP55 million in financial assistance, so far. If this program becomes successful, hopefully, we can replicate this around the country,” Dino said.

Go assured Dino the government will replenish the PHP50 million immediately once it has all been spent.

Meanwhile, Go said he doesn’t have any plan to run for the Senate in 2019.

“I’m not preparing to run for senator. It’s too early to talk about that and I’m not ready for it. If we have such an ambition, we should plan for it,” Go told reporters in Cebuano.

Also present at the turnover were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. (PNA)

Mandaue buys 6 mobile kitchens

By Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Government has purchased six mobile kitchen vehicles worth P9-million, which will serve as disaster-response support system in times of calamity.

City Social Welfare Services chief Jessie Perez said the six units are equipped with a generator set, emergency wires and tanks that store about 50 gallons of water. He said it was the first time that the city government has procured mobile kitchen for disaster response.

He explained that through the mobile kitchens, the CSWS can immediately respond to calamities like fire.

The CSWS personnel will no longer rush to their office to pick up items intended for catering hot meals since they can make it now inside the mobile kitchen, Perez said.

Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing in a separate interview said the city bought these units to serve as "mobile relief centers" and to ensure that those Mandauehanons in need will be provided with basic needs.

Apart from fire incidents, the mobile kitchen can also be used to respond flood and earthquake incidents.

"These will be mobile relief centers for CSWS so that during fires, flood, (and) evacuation, we will have facilities and a well-lit center to coordinate efforts," Quisumbing said.

"The generator hitch can be switched out to haul rescue equipment such as chainsaws, ropes, shovels, floodlights and pick axes among others," Quisumbing explained.

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