Cebu Province News September 2013

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Create Name's page

Regions | Philippine Provinces | Philippine Cities | Municipalities | Barangays | High School Reunions

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.

Rama vows to help preserve Cebuano music, culture

By Marigold Lebumfacil (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama has vowed to support and push moves to institutionalize the preservation of Cebuano music and culture.

The city mayor made the promise during a tribute for Cebuano musical greats organized by The Freeman chairman and JRG Halad Museum founder Jose "Dodong" Gullas and his wife Nena at the JRG Halad Museum yesterday.

The tribute, dubbed "Paghinumdum" was a musical tribute for Maestro Mil Villareal and Queen of Visayan Songs Ms. Susan Fuentes.

It was The Freeman columnist and ABS-CBN anchor Leo Lastimosa who challenged Rama and Vice Mayor Edgar Labella to involve the city government in efforts to preserve Cebuano music and culture.

"To Mayor Rama and Vice Mayor Labella, please, you are in the right position to institutionalize what sir Dodong has started," Lastimosa said before the JRG Halad Museum's theme song "Awit ni Dodong" was sung. Lastimosa wrote the lyrics of the song while Villareal provided the music. The song was Villareal's last composition before he died.

"I will request my vice mayor (Labella) to come up with a legislation through an ordinance that will institutionalize the preservation of Cebuano culture and music," Rama said.

The mayor said that being a music lover himself, he will surely support efforts to preserve Cebuano music.

"Kay hinganta man ang mayor. Maung angayan ra pod nga maghimo kami ug lakang para sa kaayohan ug ikalambo sa kantang Binisaya," Rama said.

He added that Cebu "needs more Dodong Gullas" so that Cebuano songs and culture will really be preserved

"We have to accept the challenge. It is not just a social obligation but also a moral obligation, especially to the younger generations. We have to preserve and promote Cebuano culture and music. I thank Leo (Lastimosa) for reminding me," Labella told The Freeman.

One of the ways to promote Cebuano songs, Lastimosa said, is to play these over the radio. He added that the Broadcasters' Code provides that radio stations should play four original Filipino songs every hour. This, he said, is no longer practiced by most radio stations.

"We will look into the possibility of requiring FM stations to play Visayan songs in accordance with the Broadcasters' Code. I believe that Cebuano is the richest dialect so to speak. This needs to be enriched and preserved for the next generations to come," Labella said, adding that it is time for the City Council to do its part so that the efforts of Gullas to preserve Cebuano music and culture through the JRG Halad Museum will not be wasted.

Labella said that one of the things that the council can do is to require public elementary and high school students to have a study tour at the JRG Halad Museum so that they will have an overview of Cebuano culture and music.

The JRG Halad Museum is the only museum of music in the country.

"Nalipay kaayo ko sa positive feedback ni Mayor Rama ug ni Vice Mayor Labella sa pag-institutionalize sa preservation of Cebuano music and culture, especially the songs, composers and artists. Kay kung dili pod ni mabuhat, mangawala ra gyud ni tanan," Gullas said.

Meanwhile, patrons of music, arts and culture who attended the musical tribute were treated to timeless Cebuano songs performed by Girlie Lapinid-Laspiñas and the multi-awarded and internationally-renowned University of the Visayas Chorale.

Laspiñas, accompanied by the Mutya Band, sang "Nahisulat sa Hangin", "Ikaw" and "Hain na ang Saad," all composed by Villareal and performed by Fuentes.

Laspiñas said that she will be forever thankful to Villareal for being her mentor when she started performing in 1983. She is also at the same time grateful to Fuentes who taught her how to sing from the heart.

The UV Chorale, meanwhile, performed Villareal compositions "Bisan sa Damgo Lang," which was sang by Pilita Corales; "Langit ug Yuta," which was the grand prize winner of the 5th Cebu Pop Music Festival; and "Ikaw ang Langit Ko."

As a finale, the UV Chorale sang "Awit ni Dodong."

Mayor Rama, upon the request of Gullas also sang a Cebuano favorite, "Kausa Nabasa ang Tubig."

JRG Halad Museum co-founder Nena Gullas said that Villareal, Fuentes and all the other Cebuano artists who have already passed away should still be remembered.

"Even if they left us, we still have to celebrate. This is a tribute to the composers and Cebuano artists. Bahala ug nangawala na sila but kinahanglan nga ato gihapon silang hinumduman," she said.

Mandaue job fair hires 100 applicants on the spot

By Brenda D. Batuto (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Close to 100 job applicants were hired on the spot in the 13th job fair conducted yesterday at Insular Square in Mandaue City.

Musoline Suliva, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) –Mandaue City manager said this included 26 hired by Force Manpower Agency for La Nueva, 19 sales clerks, cashiers by Grand Mall, 12 by Gaisano Metro, and 6 by Metro Cebu Resources, Inc. for Mactan Economic Zone, among others.

A total of 30 local firms and six overseas companies and more than 500 applicants participated in the fair.

According to Suliva they expected the number of those hired on the spot to increase as many were scheduled for a final interview by other companies.

All those hired within ten days after the job fair are considered hired on the spot.

Ralyn Ong, liaison officer of Metro Gaisano said his company is hiring more employees in time for the Christmas season.

Meanwhile, Roy Ligad of Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) 7 said the six participating overseas agencies are Jenine International, BMT, Cammox Phils, Pisces International, Franca Asia, and Concept Placement Agency.

He said 5,877 job openings are offered by these companies in the Middle East which includes 181 nurses for Alman General Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Other openings are for hotels and shopping centers.

Talisay to open pharmacy for indigents

By Brenda D. Batuto (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government will soon open a pharmacy for the poor.

Talisay City administrator John Yre De los Reyes told The Freeman the Talisay City Indigent Pharmacy will open before Mayor Johnny delos Reyes marks his 100th day in office.

The administrator said the pharmacy will occupy the former office of the Land Transportation Office located at the ground floor of the city hall building.

He also said city hall is still scouting for suppliers that can offer cheaper prices for medicines as it waits for the medicines it had ordered earlier.

Only residents certified as indigent can avail of free medicines from the pharmacy.

The city coordinates with the Department of Health.

Delos Reyes said the city has put up P400,000 for the partial capital.

The “Botika sa Barangay” was abolished by the Health department because of controversies.

But the city administrator said the city pharmacy will be regulated.

MCWD underlines need to maintain water quality

By Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Metro Cebu Water District yesterday said there is a moratorium on the granting of permits for well drillings.

Charmaine Rodriguez, MCWD public affairs department manager, said that in April this year, MCWD and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) signed a memorandum of agreement in April this year to temporarily stop the granting of permits for well drillings.

She said the moratorium is needed in order to ensure the quality of water and be free from possible salt water intrusions.

Rodriguez said last Wednesday’s MOA signing between MCWD and Abejo Water Corp. based in barangay Tingub, Mandaue City was considered as a “historic signing” as the firm was the last to be granted a well drilling permit in Metro Cebu.

The well drilling was undertaken by the Abejo Waters Corp. (AWC) to supply more water to four barangays in Mandaue.

Both the MCWD and the AWC signed a contract to supply more water to about 4,000 households in barangays Cabancalan, Maguikay, Bakilid, and Casuntingan.

Under the contract, the AWC will supply a minimum volume of 5,000 cubic meters per day at P14.78 per cubic meter wherein this will be injected into the water district’s distribution line on M.L Quezon Street in barangay Cabancalan.

She urges the public to report to MCWD if some private entities undertake water drillings so appropriate actions can be taken against them.

She said MCWD at present cannot give an exact number of the presence of water wells in Metro Cebu because some private firms had applied for a well drilling permit directly to NWRB.

Rodriguez also said that while the MCWD strictly monitors its extraction of water from its wells, other private water suppliers and establishments that have their own wells may be over-extracting water.

Over-extraction may lead to unsafe water because of the presence of wastewater in the ground and because of saltwater intrusion.

MCWD to supply water to 4,000 more households in Mandaue City

(PNA), HBC/EB/

CEBU CITY, Sept. 26 (PNA) -- The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) will supply water to 4,000 more households in Mandaue City, an official said.

MCWD General Manager Armando Paredes said the water district has entered into a joint venture agreement with a private company to supply water to 4,000 households in Barangays Cabancalan, Maguikay, Bakilid and Casuntingan in Mandaue City for 10 years.

Paredes said that under the joint venture with Abejo Waters Corp., AWC is expected to deliver 5,000 cubic meters of water a day to MCWD within 12 months.

The 5,000 cubic meters of water a day that MCWD supplies to the areas is not enough and consumers experience low pressure, especially during peak hours, MCWD production and distribution department manager Astrophel Logarta said.

Paredes said MCWD has eight bulk water supply agreements with private companies in the past four years, and five of them are with AWC.

Through the agreements, MCWD is able to supply an additional 17,092 cubic meters of water a day to its daily production of 182,000 cubic meters.

The water district has 150,000 consumers.

Abejo said AWC has invested about P45 million for the project, which involves laying a new pipeline in Sitio Tingub so that the water can be injected into MCWD’s distribution line along M.L. Quezon Ave. in Barangay Cabancalan.

AWC is selling the water to MCWD at an average of P14.78 per cubic meter.

Forum to tackle ways on greening Cebu tourism

By Ehda M. Dagooc /JMD (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) with its Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED) project is moving on its support for the fast growing health and wellness and tourism sectors in Cebu with the holding of the "Upgrading and Greening of the Health and Wellness Tourism Value Chain of Cebu" forum.

The two-day seminar workshop scheduled on September 26 - 27, 2013 is seen to reinforce the two sectors' potential to compete with the global market.

Already, the groups laboriously arrived in the strategic objective of offering light medical, dental and wellness tour packages, primarily to the Filipinos overseas, through product and market development. With this core guiding principle, the Cebu Health and Wellness Council was formed to implement action plans and motivate the stakeholders in upping their involvement with this project.

The health and wellness value chain began to take shape in 2008 using the value links methodology, a systematic and systemic approach to enhancing the competitiveness of value chains and fostering pro-poor growth. It was introduced by then, the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), now GIZ.

The objectives of the two-day planning workshop are to validate upgrading strategies and activities of the health and wellness tourism value chain of Cebu. Next is to present the environmental hotspots and proposed work packages to address them and finally, to prepare the "greening" action plan of the health and wellness tourism value chain.

Most of the participants in the planning workshops committed to join in the discussion of different key functional groups namely transportation group, tour operators, restaurants, SPA and massage centres, clinic operators, etc. The companies who will share their greening practices are BE, Plantation Bay, Nature's Legacy, and Perpetual Succour Hospital.

The event is also in coordination with the partner agencies and organizations like the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), collaborating with other national government agencies, Cebu Provincial LGU and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Local government units (LGUs) executives, as well as business enterprises in the tourism and wellness sectors, are expected to participate in the workshop.

The first day of the event will focus on the role and importance of LGUs in providing an enabling environment for tourism businesses to grow as stipulated in the 1991 Local Government Code of the Philippines and the Tourism Act of 2009.

The leading tourism destination in the country Puerto Princesa City will share how the LGU aligned its resources to achieve its vision, among other success factors, that led to the success of Palawan as a major sustainable tourist destination.

The second day of the activity is focused on enhancing competitiveness of businesses by adopting environment friendly and climate smart strategies. Providers of green services, green technologies and green financing will share how the enterprises, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can implement the changes necessary to go green.

Business membership organizations (BMOs) can dialogue with businesses to identify partnerships for them to become more relevant to enterprises in the tourism sector.

During the two-day event, there will be an exhibit of green services, green technologies and green products, including organically and naturally grown fruits and vegetables. The exhibit aims to showcase that Cebu has already many initiatives towards green economic development.

GIZ ProGed project manager Volker Steigerwald in an interview said that aside from creating the avenue for stakeholders in health, wellness and tourism to implement greening policies in their respective operations, through technical support and know-how, GIZ will also link these companies to the ample institutions that provide financing access to green related projects.

He said the identified beneficiaries of the three-year project will be matched with different financial institutions that are offering assistance for companies implementing green operations.

In Cebu, the project which got an allocation of three million Euro from Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), identified the health and wellness sector as the primary beneficiary, while Bohol for its eco-tourism.

In spite of the threat of climate change and environmental stress ProGED looks at green economic development as a driver for competitiveness, innovation, new markets and jobs which will contribute to inclusive growth and poverty reduction.

"We use this opportunity that economy is doing very well in the Philippines as a step to improve competitiveness among MSMEs. The Philippines being seen to be the next economic tiger in Asia in five years, can learn from Germany [in terms of adopting green economic development]," said Steigerwald.

The activity is organized in partnership with the ProGED--a development cooperation project jointly implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ and the Department of Trade and Industry.

The ProGED is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ with the aim of increasing the competitiveness of MSMEs by adopting environment friendly and climate smart strategies.

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

Competitiveness seminar slated for exporters

By Ehda M. Dagooc /JMD (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - A seminar on improving exporters’ competitiveness in the much stiffer global market will be held today, the Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) announced.

DTI-CPO Director Nelia F. Navarro said that this is part of the government's and private sector’s implementation of the Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP) which was launched to address the need of Filipino exporters for new initiatives on productivity improvement, innovation and competitiveness.

To be held at the Harold’s Hotel, the whole day seminar will also tackle on topics including update on Asean self-certification, introduction to Asean integration, duty drawback , tax credit for exporters, and how to prevent export-trade complaints.

The PECP is composed of a seminar series which aims to address the issues identified by exporters.

Since 2012, the program has been moving, implemented by the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) of the DTI, together with the Export Development Council (EDC), the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PhilExport).

“This program is intended to address the current issues and concerns identified by exporters, and likewise promote the exporting business,” said Navarro.

Meanwhile, the PhilExport-Cebu said that aside from the weak global demand for key export products, the increasing minimum wage in the Philippines has continued to give burden to the battered export sector.

In a separate interview, PhilExport-Cebu Executive Director Fred Escalona expressed the industry's strong opposition on any move for an across-the-board wage hike, as this will disrupt the sector's effort in sustaining its grip in the global market.

According to Escalona, any wage increase now will make the Philippines, including Cebu less competitive, especially when the Asean integrates in 2015.

At present, the Philippines ranks third among countries with the most expensive labor force in the Asean region.

Escalona maintained that if a wage hike is implemented soon, its adverse effects will include more companies to fold up and massive retrenchments and investment loss will be expected.

“The government needs to carefully evaluate the performances of each industry before giving in to any wage hike petition of labor groups. It will be unfair considering that sectors and industries have different performances,” Escalona pointed out.

Escalona added that while economic managers see better prospects for the export industry this year, many exporters are still cynical considering that economic indicators are still lower than market’s expectations.

“Despite the United States’ stabilization and stimulus packages, there are no evident or convincing indicators as yet that came out showing any positive impact on the US jobs and housing numbers,” Escalona said.

Philexport-Cebu still considers the instability in the Middle East, the sharp rise in crude oil prices, the debt crisis in the Eurozone and the strong peso as among other challenges faced by the sector.

Despite the Philippines' 9.8-percent growth to $2 billion net FDI (foreign direct investment) inflows in 2012, the country still trails behind its neighbor countries like Malaysia with $9.2 billion, Indonesia with $19.5 billion and Thailand with $8.6 billion.

Instead of an across-the-board pay hike, the industry group expressed its support to the implementation of the productivity-based wage adjustment as espoused by the two-tier wage adjustment system by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).

Philexport also pushed for the approval of the amendments to the Productivity Incentives Act that would help ensure the workers could share the benefits of a profitable business even as they keep their jobs.

In first half of 2013: Tourist traffic in CV exceeds target

By Ehda M. Dagooc /JMD (Banat)

CEBU, Philippines - Tourist arrivals in Central Visayas have continued to soar, as performance for the first six months of this year has already surpassed half of its target for 2013.

Latest record from the Department of Tourism (DOT-7) revealed that the region’s arrival traffic hit 14.78 percent growth from January to June this year to 1.7 million, more than half of the 2.6 million target arrivals for this year.

DOT-7 regional director Rowena Montecillo said that in the same period last year, the region had only hit 1.49 million arrival performance.

The active movement of Filipinos traveling to different destinations in the Philippines has benefited Cebu and the rest of the Central Visayas region, as domestic travelers dominate the arrival volume of 60 percent with 1.05 million visiting the four provinces in the region, namely Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

The record further showed that South Korean nationals remain to be the largest foreign tourist group that visited the region within the period, with a total of 257,998 arrivals recorded, a 27.8 percent growth compared to the same period in 2012.

Arrival of Japanese nationals grew by 9.07 percent for the period to a total of 98,851, compared to only 90,629 Japanese visiting the region in the first semester of last year.

Taiwanese arrival registered the biggest growth rate of 82.49 percent this year with now 25,539 from only 13,995 last year.

According to Montecillo, the department is currently busy preparing for two upcoming major events: the World Ecotourism Forum this November and the hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit that will start in December next year.

"The most urgent is the 5th World Ecotourism Forum that Cebu will be hosting this November. We consider this a key event because Cebu will be put in the map for ecotourism which is the trend now," Montecillo said.

At least 400 delegates from 150 member countries and 400 affiliate organizations of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are expected to come to Cebu for the event, she said.

Meanwhile, Cebu and Bohol are among the four pilot areas for a US$7.1 million technical assistance on improving tourism competitiveness grant from the Government of Canada.

Montecillo said that Cebu, Bohol, Davao and Palawan are the four pilot areas identified for the ADB-CIDA Technical Assistance on Improving Competitiveness in Tourism.

The $7.1 million grant is intended to help boost industry competitiveness which includes skills training programs for the private sector, local government units, civil society as well as DOT agencies, according to Montecillo.

"Also included is the pilot implementation of the new system of accreditation and the development of standards for service quality," said Montecillo.

With the MOA already signed by the Canadian International Development Agency, Asian Development Bank as the administering agency and DOT, Montecillo said that the guidelines are currently being drafted for implementation within the year up to 2016.

"I'm glad that of the four pilot areas, two (Cebu and Bohol) are from Central Visayas. This will really help the industry in the region especially that we are among the most popular destinations in the country today," said Montecillo.

Cebu and Bohol are considered key destinations in the country that should be looked into for more improvement as they are currently attracting more tourists.

Lapu-Lapu joins int’l coastal cleanup

By Jose P. Sollano (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Residents and city and barangay officials of Lapu-Lapu City including scuba divers and employees of beach resorts and hotels in the city joined the coastal and underwater cleanup yesterday in support of the yearly International Coastal Cleanup.

City Mayor Paz Radaza said the support of all sectors is important especially protection and preservation of environment is concerned.

The city government is intensifying its campaign to attract more visitors.

She said no tourist would want to come to the city if it were dirty.

The city government has just launched Olango Island as the new tourism frontier.

“This initiative will allow our city to continue to stay ahead in this highly competitive tourism market,” she said.

Cebu group finishes audio-video guide for tourists

(PNA), HBC/EB/

CEBU CITY, Sept. 21 (PNA) -- The Tourism Educators, Advocates and Movers (Team-Cebu) has announced the completion of an audio-video presentation to guide visitors to Cebu.

Team-Cebu founder Robert Lim Joseph said they will first endorse the AVP to Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who chairs the Provincial Board committee on tourism and international affairs, to earn approval and stronger support from local governments.

Joseph said they will then endorse the DVD sample to the Dept. of Tourism.

Joseph said they has picked Cebu to be the pilot city for the DVD tour guide project, which aims to create a model presentation that will be translated in various languages and rolled out in other key tourism cities.

He said the initial production has already cost P160,000.

Joseph said the DVD project has earned the support of DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez, who made suggestions on how to bring the project to a “higher stage” such as making a mobile application out of it.

“The content now is the crucial part,” Joseph said.

He said they want to present Cebu as more than just a leisure destination but also a place with a rich history, culture and tradition.

He said they will partner with various embassies for the translation of the video.

Joseph said they are also starting to gather funding for the project to make the research and the video much better.

“We hope to get everybody involved, especially the local governments,” he said.

Bantayan island chosen as ProGed beneficiary

By Ehda M. Dagooc /JOB (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Bantayan Island, one of Cebu’s prized tourism jewels, gets a boost as it is one of the identified beneficiaries of the German-funded program to improve its tourism value chain.

Cebu provincial government tourism affairs consultant Patria Aurora “Dawnie” Roa said that Bantayan has been identified by the ProGed program, a joint undertaking by the Philippines and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

According to Roa, all tourism stakeholders in Bantayan Island will be provided with extensive training and workshops on greening the tourism environment.

“Bantayan Island’s potential is promising. What remains to be the problem is the access of easy transportation going to the Island,” said Roa.

Roa is commissioned as one of the aim consultants of Cebu Provincial vice governor Agnes Magpale, who is also the chairperson of the committee on Tourism and International affairs.

The capability program, Roa said will equip the stakeholders on the world-class standard of tourism service and exploiting its potential for community-based tourism programs.

Stakeholders, as well as residents on the island will also be taught on the proper tour guiding, Roa added.

The ProGED program, has picked Bohol and Cebu as the main beneficiaries, focusing on development further the tourism, and health and wellness sector.

It will run for three years, from January 2013 to December 2015 and will be piloted in the tourism value chain of Bohol and Cebu, with an aim to upscale outside the pilot areas on the second year.

It aims to pursue its objective along three intervention lines, namely information and awareness on Green Economic Development, green service facilitation and match making and working towards green framework conditions.

ProGED will build on the gains and experiences of the previous program jointly implemented by GIZ and DTI which ended last December 2012, the Private Sector Promotion (SMEDSEP) Program.

Bantayan Island, together with its neighbor Islet Malapascua, are gaining popularity among international divers, and vacationers, and adventure tourism enthusiasts, especially from Europe.

According to Roa, there is a need to provide capabilities among the tourism stakeholders on the island, in order to enhance its charm, luring more local and international tourists.

Earlier, Cebu Provincial Governor Hilario Davide III, said that his administration’s main thrust in developing the tourism potential of the province, is to further advance the development of countryside tourism, empowering the community to grab the golden opportunity of tourism, while providing them the right infrastructure and technical support to make tourism as one of the major livelihood channels among residents.

The Governor vowed that bulk of the provincial government funds will be spent and used to engage rural communities and tourism stakeholders in developing tourism advantages in different towns in the province.

Also, the new Governor said that aside from forging strong linkages with the community and the tourism stakeholders, the Local Government Units (LGUs) will also be encouraged to set up good home-stay programs in the respective towns.

“Tourism is a fiercely competitive market,” Davide said adding that Cebu should take advantage of its resources and positioning as a world-known tourism destination both locally and internationally.

In a separate interview with Department of Tourism (DOT-7) regional director Rowena Montecillo, she said that more than beaches, cultural heritage, shopping and others, Cebu is now moving to intensify its niche in adventure tourism, and other out-door and nature activities either within the urban cities and countryside destinations.

DOST, Korean company to work on local manufacture of hospital beds

By Jeandie O. Galolo

TO CUT down the cost of imported hospital beds, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 is working with a Korean furniture manufacturer and exporter to pilot the production of hospital beds and furniture early next year.

DOST 7 Director Rene Burt Llanto said in an interview that the pilot test is the start of DOST’s program to cut down the cost of hospital beds by 50 percent and establish a Philippine brand using Korean technology.

Instead of purchasing hospital beds for around P80,000 to P100,000 each from manufacturers in Europe and some parts of Asia, Llanto is seeking to build one for P40,000 or, if possible, P20,000 for each bed, without sacrificing quality.

The pilot test will be conducted in one of the four buildings of DOST 7 in Barangay Lahug, he said.

He said the Korean company, which he did not disclose, will provide the technology, design and training. Materials that are available in the Philippines will be bought here. Those that are not available will be purchased from Korea.

If the test is successful, a Filipino company that he did not name can work with the Korean company to start manufacturing in Cebu and come up with “our very own brand.”

Llanto said, however, that for this to happen, DOST needs a market study to determine how many hospital beds and furniture are needed in the coming years.

For Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Llanto said he was informed that there was a need of 200 hospital beds this year.

Llanto said that before the end of the year, DOST will conduct a forum together with the hospitals and universities offering medical courses in Cebu to address this concern.

Llanto also expressed his interest in making the study cover other provinces in order to get a full picture of the demand for hospital beds and furniture in the country.

DOST-Philippine Council for Research and Development reported in its website that part of its areas of priority is the “development of local fabricated hospital equipment and medical devices.”

Llanto said the country was already able to fabricate prosthetic legs which was imported in the past and sold for about P200,000 each. Now, prosthetic legs can be bought for P20,000.

Value chain workshop set for tourism stakeholders

By Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento / JOB (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-Cebu) aims to conduct a value chain workshop among industry stakeholders to further develop and strengthen the tourism boom in Bantayan Island.

This is in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the local government units of the three municipalities in Bantayan Island and the Cebu Provincial Government.

DTI–Cebu business development division chief Elias Tecson said that the increase in the number of beach resorts, restaurants and tour operators could be primarily attributed to the influx of tourists in Cebu and in the island.

Such establishments, he cited, are responsible of providing tourists with a variety of services and packages that are tailor fit according to their needs and preferences.

Bantayan Island is considered to be one of Cebu’s most visited tourism destinations. It is located in the northern part of the province and is composed of three municipalities named as Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos. Its inherent natural resources, white sand beaches and pristine clear waters are said to be the main attraction among local and international tourists.

Tecson further noted that it is also high time to strengthen the value chain of the tourism sector in Bantayan Island in order to fuel such growth.

The value chain approach is considered to be a systematic tool to improve market access and performance of the sector through the identification and analysis of the various functions and processes of the different actors and enablers involved.

The value chain workshop aims to orient stakeholders of the island’s tourism sector on the value chain tool and increase their understanding of the value chain approach and its importance in addressing key industry issues and opportunities.

It will further help to capacitate the tourism players and policy makers to examine the industry’s value chain and identify the gaps and other opportunities to come up with development interventions that are attuned with the needs of the market.

This is also intended to evaluate the status of the tourism industry in Bantayan Island, set a clear vision for the sector, integrate the various resources of private and public sector and strengthen institutional linkages to effectively plan, implement and monitor initiatives under the value chain tool.

The value chain workshop for the tourism development of Bantayan Island is expected to strengthen the tourism sector of the three municipalities in the island and increase the tourism- related investments and job generation.

Tecson said that such vision will be achieved with the creation of the value chain map and a comprehensive tourism action plan for the island.

The two-day activity that is scheduled on October 8 to 9 will gather key industry players such as the main providers of tourism products and services in Bantayan Island, travel and tour services, education and training services, tourism-related entities, other institutions from the private sector, national government agencies and local government units.

Ban on plastic bags in effect in Talisay

By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government will fully implement the ordinance that bans the use of plastic bags in all business establishments, stores, and even at the public market.

In yesterday’s flag raising ceremony, De los Reyes told government employees to be a role model as he will be introducing reusable “green bags” to market goers.

“The ban took effect last September 15. I have created a task force to enforce the ban,” De los Reyes said.

Talisay City’s plastic ban ordinance was approved last Feb. 1, 2011 but has not been implemented.

According to the mayor, banning the use of plastic bags reduces the risk of clogging the drainage, a common cause of flooding, and reduces the volume of non-biodegradable waste that ends up in dumpsites.

A signage was placed at the public market even before the ordinance took effect.

Under the ordinance, business establishments are prohibited from providing plastic bags to consumers as packing materials for dry and wet goods. Primary and secondary packaging materials have been categorically identified.

Establishments are also barred from using plastic products made by the company Styrofoam and other similar materials as containers of food, produce, and other products.

De los Reyes said the ban on the use of plastic packaging is mandated by the Solid Waste Management Code.

Under the ordinance, individual violators will be fined P1,000 or imprisoned for five days to 30 days, or both at the discretion of the court.

Cebu group pushes natural farming

(PNA), LAP/EB/

CEBU CITY, Sept. 16 (PNA) -- A group of professionals and entrepreneurs in Cebu has organized a cooperative that promotes natural farming, the Natural Farming and Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Natfamco).

Natfamco director Dr. Shawn Espina, a practicing surgeon, said he got into natural farming because of the growing health and wellness sector.

He noted that doctors like him are constantly looking for healthy alternatives that they can promote to the community to counter the rise of deadly illnesses like cancer.

“Times have changed. Back then, most of the patients diagnosed with cancer were in their late 40s but now the youngest cancer patient I handled is 23 years old. Cancer patients now are really getting younger,” said Espina.

He said diet and lifestyle are among the common factors that cause cancer.

Espina said what Natfamco is promoting is a healthier lifestyle by eating vegetables and meat that is grown and raised the natural way.

“The establishment of this organization is more of an advocacy than a business,” said Espina.

Natfamco was established in July this year as a Cebu-based chapter of the Philippines for Natural Farming Inc. a non-profit organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in March 2011.

Natfamco has 15 directors and 13 active members. The organization said it is open for membership across the country.

Natfamco has adopted the Korean natural farming system founded by Dr. Cho Han Kyu in the 1960s.

According to Espina, Dr. Cho introduced an alternative way of farming that assures both high yield and good quality that are chemical-free.

Davao-based Andry Lim, who was trained by Dr. Cho, shared that knowledge with thousands of farmers across the country.

Dr. Cho’s natural farming method is practiced in underdeveloped countries and communities as livelihood to improve their living.

Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Mongolia, Congo, and Tanzania are some of the active countries that practice natural farming.

Espina said they hope to attract more landowners in Cebu to engage in natural farming because agri-business is a lucrative venture.

He said the reason natural-grown products are expensive than those that are commercially grown is because only a few players are serving the huge market.

“Supply is quite limited because not all players have shifted to this industry. But there is a huge market out there that remains untapped,” said Espina.

Vatican exec: Cebu a good choice

By Bernadette A. Parco and Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

A VATICAN-based team member overseeing the preparations for the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in January 2016 said Cebu is an appropriate place to host an international gathering.

“Cebu is a good choice,” said Fr. Vittore Bocardi, Pontifical Committee for IEC executive secretary at yesterday’s news conference.

“There is no need of a rich town, or a town in the Western area,” he added, speaking in Italian and interpreted for the media by Fr. Luigi Kerschbamer, Order of Augustinian Discalced first chancellor.

Boccardi said what is needed in the preparations for the week-long event is a Christian community that is “ready and willing to receive pilgrims coming from all parts of the world.”

“We did everything to facilitate the visit of the Holy Father. Now, (what is left to do is) for the Holy Father to make his decision (whether to come to Cebu for the celebration or not),” he added.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is against the move to convert Zamora St., located between Basilica del Sto. Niño and Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral into a food strip like those found in Bangkok, Thailand.

The project is being proposed by Fr. Tito Soquiño, head of the Augustinian Social Development Program, in preparation for the 450th commemoration of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines and the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016.

Yesterday, Archbishop Piero Marini, the Pontifical Permanent Committee for IEC president, explained that the IEC is held in different countries every four years.

He said usually the Pope comes for the last mass called the Statio Orbis or the “worldwide meeting or celebration presided by the Holy Father or one of his delegates.”

He said that it is the local church that unites all the churches in the world in honoring the Eucharist.

Marini, who also spoke in Italian, said that the Congress began at a time when Catholics were prohibited from joining political activities and holy communion was only given during very rare occasions.

“And the first result of the liturgical movement, was Pope Pius X permitting the frequent (receiving of) holy communion and to lower the age of receiving holy communion,” he said.

“The Eucharistic Congress is not only processions, but also of many children who will be receiving their first communion,” he added.

Marini said the heavy burden of the Eucharistic Congress would be carried by the Archbishop of Cebu, Jose Palma.

“Archbishop Palma has strong shoulders and is the head of the local committee,” he added.

In an interview after his seven-day trip to Taiwan, Rama said that while it is a good plan, Zamora St. is just too narrow to be converted into a food strip.

Rama also said that the operations in the area will be disrupted as it will be closed during the annual Sinulog celebration held every January.

“That’s a wrong place,” he said.

The mayor also said that the area is one of the few streets in the city where regulated vending is allowed by the City Government.

Asked for an alternative place where the project can possibly be implemented, Rama said he would still prefer holding night markets with food stalls on Colon St.

Soquiño had planned to beautify Zamora St. and convert it into a food strip like those in Bangkok.

Soquino had tapped the Movement for Livable Cebu (MLC), whose members include architects and engineers, for the project.

He also sought the help of the University of San Carlos College of Architecture and Fine Arts.

The MLC, for its part, had talked with Sto. Niño Barangay Captain Pancho Ramirez regarding the undertaking but it was not clear if it will push through, considering the stand of the mayor on the matter.

Palma, meanwhile, confirmed that the team has chosen to hold some of the activities, exhibits, food preparations and to open certain offices at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

Another venue, which can hold some 12,000 to 13,000 people, is being considered but this is still under negotiation.

The country host of the IEC can look forward to numerous benefits that can be reaped from the celebration, said the 50th IEC Dublin General Manager Anne Griffin.

She said many young people and volunteers who were involved in the preparations continue to be active in the church.

The country can also benefit economically, with the numerous international visitors and souvenirs that will be sold.

Griffin said that many pilgrims will get to have the experience that they would leave the place with many stories and sharing of experiences.

In 2015: Cebu to host transport science studies confab

By Jessa J. Agua (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama’s recent trip to Taiwan sealed Cebu’s bid to host the East Asia Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS) Conference in 2015.

“The board has accepted the offer of Transportation Science Society of the Philippines (TSSP) to host the EASTS in Cebu. We’ve been able to convince them,” Rama said yesterday.

The mayor was invited by the TSSP to its presentation in Taipei City, Taiwan.

He described the presentation as “not too difficult” since our country was the only one that expressed intentions of hosting the transport science studies gathering.

Rama joined TSSP outgoing president Hussein Lidasan, incoming president Reynaldo Vea, and Cebuano urban planner Primitivo Cal.

Cal was one of the commissioned experts for the Metro Cebu Land Use and Transport Study (MCLUTS) 35 years ago.

While being the only bidder interested to host the international conference in 2015, the mayor said the board has considered qualifications of Cebu and the Philippines before giving its nod to the official venue.

With this, the Cebu City government is set to strengthen the security, traffic management among others to ensure smooth conduct of this international conference.

“The organizers have mentioned possible venues like Waterfront Hotel, Radisson Blu, and others.

This has yet to be decided and finalized,” Rama added.

Apart from this, Cebu is also among the shortlisted potential venues for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit also in 2015.

The mayor’s other purpose for visiting Taiwan is to acknowledge the invitation of Cebu City’s sister city of Kaohsiung for the 2013 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) with 84 member cities.

“We all agreed never to ignore culture and heritage, capitalism and consumerism, future leaders, as well as things like happiness, energy, efficiency, and even about love,” Rama told reporters.

The Cebu City mayor made a presentation about Cebu aided by a video presentation focusing on the Queen City of the South as a “destination for tourists, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, retirement hub, and us being an ASEAN City of Culture.”

On Sunday, Mandaue to switch on 2 more modern traffic lights

By Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - In Mandaue City, two more modern traffic lights similar to those installed last Aug. 30 in major intersections will be activated this Sunday.

Edwin Ermac, Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue director, said the traffic lights will be turned on at the junctions of Hernan Cortes and A.S. Fortuna streets and at the intersection of Ouano Avenue and C.D. Seno Street.

A ceremonial switch-on of the first three lights was held last Aug. 30 in time for the city’s 44th Charter Day anniversary.

The city government spent P39 million for the procurement of these nine modern traffic lights that are equipped with closed-circuit television cameras, sensors, and digital timers.

These traffic lights will all be operational by next month.

No major glitches occurred when the lights were switched on last month, except during power outages.

Ermac said the traffic lights are not the “ultimate solution” to traffic congestion but these help in monitoring the traffic and save human resources.

Instead of directing the flow of traffic in road junctions, traffic personnel can be assigned in other areas, Ermac said.

Vatican official positive about Cebu as Congress site

By Ador Vincent S. Mayol (Reporter)

The president of the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) had a positive impression of proposed venues for the global event scheduled in Cebu City on Jan. 25 to 31, 2016.

“It’s good,” Archbishop Piero Marini told reporters but no final decision has been reached yet.

Hotels and assembly sites are being inspected for their suitability to accomodate 12,000 to 15,000 delegates for the conference.

Marini visited a 27-hectare field of the South Road Properties where the National Thanksgiving Mass for the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod was held last Nov. 30, 2012.

Marini walked up the small bamboo-inpired temple of St. Pedro Calungsod and glimpsed the vast area which faces the sea. Marini earier went to the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City, another possible venue for the week-long IEC.

He was accompanied by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma; Ann Griffin, the general manager of the organizing committee during the 2011 IEC in Dublin; and Fr. Vittore Buchardi, a member of the IEC pontifical committee.

Also with the group were Msgr. Dennis Villarojo, the secretary-general for all the preparations of the IEC in Cebu; Msgr. Roberto Alesna, Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson, the rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Pedro Calungsod; Fr. Mhar Balili, who used to be Marini’s student in Rome; and retired Auxiliary Bishop Antonio Rañola.

Marini said he’s happy that the IEC will be held in Cebu.

“I am sure it will be a good opportunity for all the people of the Philippines to profess their faith in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist,” he told reporters.

Marini will travel to Manila this Friday to meet with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ committee and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.

Palma urged the people to pray for the success of the IEC in 2016.

“This will be an opportunity for us to commit ourselves to the Lord and become better Christians,” he said.

Msgr. Villarojo said they have yet to finalize the venues for the Mass and other conferences.

“It’s under consideration. We haven’t decided on anything yet. We have the CICC, and then Waterfront (Hotel), and Radisson Blu (Hotel). But nothing is final,” he said. The last time the country hosted the IEC was in 1937 in Manila.

Cebu PESOs advocate for Batas Kasambahay

(PNA), LAP/PR/EBP

MANILA, Sept 11 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment Cebu Provincial Field Office (CPFO) recently conducted an orientation for Public Employment Service Office (PESO) managers of the province's various cities, municipalities, and state colleges and universities on Republic Act No. 10361, or the Batas Kasambahay.

"The orientation was aimed at building the PESO managers' capability in implementing the Batas Kasambahay," said DOLE Regional Office No. 7 Regional Director Chona Mantilla in a report to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.

The orientation coincided with the PESO managers' regular general assembly held at the University of the Visayas' Hotel and Restaurant Management Department. University of Visayas Executive Vice-President Jose “Dodong” R. Gullas hosted the assembly.

Maria Grace V. Diaz, head of the DOLE-CPFO, who organized the orientation, said PESO managers have important roles to play in the implementation of Batas Kasambahay.

"After the orientation, the PESO managers committed to advocate for the Batas Kasambahay and planned for the start-up registration of domestic workers in their respective local government units in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government, DOLE, Social Security System, Pag-Ibig, and Philhealth," Diaz said.

During the regular general assembly, the PESO managers held the election of a new set of officers of the Cebu Association of PESO Managers (CAPESOM), with the DOLE-CPFO acting as the election body.

The new CAPESCOM officers, who will hold their posts from 2013 to 2016, are Dr. Mathea Baguia, Cebu Provincial PESO manager, as President; Trinidad Bubuli of Toledo City PESO as Vice President for Internal Affairs; Bonifacio Mercado, Jr. of the Cebu Institute of Technology, as Vice President for External Affairs; Maria Suzanne Ardosa of Cebu City PESO as Secretary; Arlen Villacarlos of Madridejos, Cebu PESO as Assistant Secretary; Adela Reuyan of the Lilo-an, Cebu PESO as Treasurer; Arleen Aliganga of Naga, Cebu PESO as Assistant Treasurer; Helen Suico of Carmen, Cebu PESO as Auditor; Salvador Balicoco of Consolacion, Cebu PESO as Public Relations Officer-South; and Romulo Mindajao of Moalboal, Cebu PESO as Public Relations Officer-North.


Naga City buys P19M CCTV for disaster preparations

(PNA), FFC/EB

CEBU CITY, Sept. 10 (PNA) -- The City of Naga in southern Cebu has bought 16 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras worth P19 million and other equipment to help it prepare better for disasters, including floods.

Aside from the CCTV cameras, the city has also purchased other state-of-the-art equipment such as digital water monitors and rain gauges.

The water monitors and rain gauges are installed within the Pangdan River.

These will transmit information to a designated command center in the Enan Chiong Activity Center, just behind the Naga City Hall.

Officials said they will use the new equipment as early warning devices for people living beside the river.

The city government has purchased four pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras and 12 outdoor fixed cameras initially installed within the Poblacion area of the city.

Engr. Arthur Villamor, Naga City administrator, said the CCTV cameras, which cost P19 million, were purchased for the city’s Unified Disaster Risk Reduction Management System.

This is part of efforts to centralize the monitoring of disasters within the city, he said.

Villamor said the city chose the IT company Quantum Prosys and Solutions International after the bidding process.

Jun Mendoza, chief executive officer of Quantum Prosys and Solutions International, said they are assisting the city government in handling the equipment and teaching city employees how to use the technology.

Aside from using the technology for disaster management, Mendoza said they are also coordinating with other offices such as the local police, fire department and Department of Interior and Local Government in using the cameras for other purposes, like law enforcement.

Cebu gets first German “big-ticket” investment

By Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento /JMD (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - With the current stronger relationship between the two nations, Germany will continue to be a significant economic partner for the Philippines in the years ahead, particularly in the fields of trade, investment and tourism.

This was according to Michael Hasper who is the Deputy Head of Mission and Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Philippines who graced the inauguration of the office of Daimler Group Services Philippines, Inc. at Creativo IT Center II Building along Mindanao Avenue in Cebu Business Park last Saturday.

The Cebu-based shared service center of the German manufacturer of premium passenger cars commercial vehicles and trucks shall provide services and consultancies in the areas of financing and accounting to Mercedes Benz sales organizations and other Daimler subsidiaries in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Germany.

Hasper said that the opening of the first office of the Daimler Group in the Philippines signifies the proof of trust in the country that has posted an upswing in terms of its economic performance. He said that this could be considered as the first German “big-ticket” investment in Cebu.

“The Philippines works hard to achieve a strong economic performance and to develop the trade agreement with Germany and we could see that German companies are venturing into fresh investment trends in the country. The growth opportunities and diversification of the Philippine economy, specifically in terms of human services and infrastructure, do not go unrecognized to Germany. There is much more to come,” he said.

He emphasized that the dynamic partnership of both countries is evident with the increase of bilateral trade volume of Germany and Philippines to 3.8 billion euros worth of exports and imports last year.

He cited that Germany imports electronics, of which majority are semiconductors, agricultural products and consumer goods like furniture from the Philippines.

Germany is considered to be the biggest export market for Philippine goods in Europe. Philippines, on the other hand, needs exports from Germany when it comes to machinery, electronics, and chemical products.

“Germany has trade deficits so we import more from the Philippines than Philippines import from us,” Hasper said.

He said that the gross domestic product of Germany is mostly accounted for by exports from other countries, adding that globalization is considered to be the “key to success” of the German economy.

“German companies are always on the lookout. Our economy and enterprises are looking at the world to look for investment opportunities and markets where we can sell our products. Globalization which is the key element in our economy brings countries together to negotiate on the spot,” he said.

He cited that there is an estimate of 100 to 150 German companies in the Philippines.

Early this year, Finance Secretary of the Philippines Cesar Purisima went to Germany to sign the revised bilateral double taxation agreement (DTA) with the German Federal Ministry of Finance that is expected to facilitate bilateral trade and investments.

Both countries have agreed on the adoption of new standards in the tax treaty which is designed to provide further protection against the risk of double taxation wherein the same income is taxable in the two nations.

Meanwhile, Christof Wegner who is the commercial counselor of the Republic of the German Embassy to the Philippines said that tourism is another growth opportunity of the Philippines to attract more Germans coming into the country.

He cited that the key drivers for the Philippine tourism include diving, eco-tourism, white sand beaches, and new tourist activities.

He suggested that the Philippines has to develop the eco-tourism industry in the country and make it more sustainable. He said that most Germans are actually more interested with eco-tourism which is currently gaining ground and the use of eco-source materials such as renewable energies.

“Germans are looking for new destinations with unspoiled natural beauty and they are willing to pay premium for that kind of tourism,” Wegner said, adding that German tourists feel safer to travel far in groups and avail of tour packages.

Hasper then advised the Philippines to invest on the infrastructure of its airports in order to further boost its booming tourism industry.

He described Germans who come to other regions to travel as special type of tourists since an average German tourist often goes to Europe and neighboring countries which are nearer and more accessible.

Reservists, USJ-R students plant mangrove seedlings in Talisay

By Brenda D. Batuto (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The 901st Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade of the Army Reserve Command and students of the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) under the Reserve Officer Training Corps. (ROTC) yesterday morning planted mangrove seedlings and cleaned the coastal area in barangay Dumlog, Talisay City.

The group was composed of 50 Philippine Army reservists and 300 students.

Lieutenant Colonel Guy Santos Fidencio Gabison, reserve Philippine Army and assistant commandant of USJR told The Freeman yesterday that the activity was part of the environment program of the Philippine Army.

Gawad Kalinga, Korean and Japanese students also joined yesterday’s activity.

Gabison said that they planted 3,000 mangrove seedlings. The seedlings came from the Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN).

Gabison said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources had suggested the place where the seedlings could be planted.

After the planting, the group started cleaning the coastal area, gathering 15 sacks of garbage, comprising mostly of plastic materials.

The garbage came from other barangays.

Dumlog chief Charles Basillote sent the barangay garbage truck to collect the garbage.

He said Dumlog is one of the endangered coastal barangays.

Aside from preserving the environment the 901st Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade also conducted medical missions, free legal advice, and notary services, book reading for children, feeding, and haircuts.

Gabison said their aim is to help the local government render services to the community.

The group is scheduled to visit barangay Bagakay, one of the mountain barangays in Toledo City.

He said that last July they brought its civic action program to barangay Ibo, Toledo City and to Tabuelan town last August.

Mandaue village uses plastic to make pillows

By Jennifer C. Tilos (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government has made another breakthrough in recycled plastic, this time barangay Canduman uses it to make pillows.

Earlier, barangay Pagsabungan took off by transforming plastic into bunker fuel.

Barangay Canduman captain Leo Jabas said generally their 4,000 households have adopted already the habit of segregating their garbage.

Taking advantage of this, the barangay recycled the plastic materials by washing these and after drying shred these at the barangay’s material recovery facility through a machine awarded by the city government for winning the best barangay in terms of solid waste management.

The shredded materials are then delivered to their livelihood center at Kobe Housing operated by the Kobe-Canduman Homeowners Association, Inc. for the pillow project.

“The project has taken off a few months ago and it proves to be viable,” said Jabas who was awarded during the 44th Charter Day celebration as “Outstanding Punong Barangay.”

The organization recycles the unused leather materials from Dedon, a furniture exporting firm, for the pillow project.

The pillows aside from being soft are durable and affordable.

The organization started earning a living by making rags and bags but they now concentrate on pillow-making since the return of investment is higher.

Jabas whose barangay also won an environmental award from Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is planning to buy clean plastic from every household at P1 or P2 per kilo to motivate everyone to collect plastic instead of indiscriminately throwing it.

“This is aimed in getting rid of plastic, the number one culprit of floods since it obstructs the flow of water in the drainage system,” Jabas said.

DepEd Cebu intensifies tree planting to boost NGP

By Jennifer C. Tilos (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

CEBU CITY, September 6 (PIA) The Department of Education (DepEd)- Cebu has scheduled series of tree planting and greening day for each month that started in June 2013 until March 2014.

Cebu province schools division superintendent, Dr. Arden Monisit issued a memo requesting students, teachers, school administrators, non-teaching personnel, and parents to participate in the running and planting events.

This is in support of the National Greening Program (NGP) of President Benigno Aquino III under Executive Order No. 26 and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG’s) Memorandum Circular 21 on the Billion Trees Program.

For the monthly tree planting and greening day scheduled set on August 31, September 28, October 26, November 30, December 14, 2013 and for January 25, February 22, and March 29 for 2014.

According to Monisit, fruit and forest tree seedlings are prepared and taken cared of in all school nurseries before the tree planting and greening day.

Monisit said for growth enhancement of the newly planted seedlings, organic fertilizer and loam soil shall be prepared. The use of tree guards to protect the seedlings from stray animals is also strongly encouraged.

Planting and monitoring of growing trees shall be done by all elementary and secondary school teachers, tree planting coordinators, school administrators, non-teaching personnel, PTA, and other stakeholders involved in the NGP.

Moreover, through a partnership with the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.’s ( RAFI) GREENIN Philippines has created more environmental arms in schools in regions outside the Visayas.

CEAP’s network of Catholic institutions provided the list of schools from which the Aboitiz Equity Ventures chose the best partner based on the location of a specific business unit.

Cebuanos to observe non-working holiday on Osmena day, Sept. 9

(PNA), HBC/EB/

CEBU CITY, Sept. 5 (PNA) -- Cebuanos will observe another non-working holiday on Monday, Sept. 9, to celebrate the 135th birth anniversary of the late president Sergio Osmeña Sr., known as “The Grand Old Man.”

Republic Act No. 6953, signed into law by then president Corazon Aquino on May 2, 1990, declared Sept 9 a holiday in Cebu City and the entire province to give Cebuanos time to commemorate Osmena’ss birthday.

Department of Labor and Employment Memorandum Circular No. 01 provides that workers in private sector who work on the day are entitled to a 30-percent increase in their basic salary rate.

Osmeña, who was born on Sept 9, 1878, became Cebu’s acting governor, provincial fiscal, provincial governor, member of the First Philippine Assembly and Speaker of the House at the age of 29.

He spent his 42 years in public service.

In his early career of public life he worked as the editor of El Nuevo Dia.

At the age of 25, Osmeña served as governor from 1904 to 1906.

He was the Speaker of the First Philippine Assembly in 1907 at the age of 29, the youngest ever.

He also became a senator and was then elected vice president in 1935.

He became acting president in 1943 and later succeeded the presidency when president Manuel Quezon died in New York during exile.

He died on Oct 19, 1961 at the age of 83.

P17.5B Mactan airport expansion to cover new terminal, support facilities

(PNA), HBC/EB/

CEBU CITY, Sept. 4 (PNA) -- The P17.5-billion expansion project of the Mactan Cebu International Airport will cover the construction of a terminal building and airport support facilities, an official said.

MCIA General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete said the P17.5 billion, which some tourism stakeholders regard as bloated, covers a 20-year, two-phase period.

“They are correct with the P5 billion cost to build the terminal. Based on the KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency) study, the cost was only P4.5 billion which is what we also used in our project cost,” he said.

Robert Lim Joseph of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies said the public needed to know the details of the project.

“Based on studies made by KOICA, we require P5 billion to expand. All of a sudden, it has ballooned to P17.5 billion just for the terminal. We want to find out why,” Joseph said.

Villarete said the MCIA tapped consulting firms Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India Pvt Ltd. (India) and its consortium partner Puyat Jacinto and Santos Law (Philippines) to do the cost estimates of the terminal expansion project.

He said their estimates showed that the phase one of the project will cost P8.873 billion while the second phase will cost P8.647 billion for a total of P17.5 billion.

Villarete said the winning bidder will spend for the construction of a new terminal, support facilities, removal and relocation of existing facilities, aprons, parkings and curbside.

After a decade, Villarete said the winning bidder will have to upgrade the new terminal and spend P7.5 billion, depending on the foot traffic growth in the airport.

“With Cebu being a major gateway, we expect foot traffic to grow even faster when the new terminal is in place. The project should comply with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards,” Villarete said.

Villarete said MCIA logged 6.7 million passenger traffic in 2012 which is nearly more than half of the airport’s capacity of five million passengers a year.

“We have been running on overcapacity and this expansion project will help us ease that and improve the efficiency of the airport to support the industries that will depend on the airport like tourism,” Villarete said.

PB eyes ending 2 MOAs with CFI

By Gregg M. Rubio /BRP (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board is eyeing the termination of at least two memoranda of agreement entered into by the Province of Cebu and the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative during previous administrations.

During yesterday’s PB session, provincial legal officer Orvi Ortega told the members that they can issue another resolution terminating the agreements.

“The same being a bilateral act of the parties thereto, it can be said that the same can also be reformed, rescinded and terminated by either of the parties thereto,” Ortega said.

The PB sought clarification from Ortega whether or not the Province of Cebu can revoke through a resolution the MOA executed by and between the Province of Cebu and the CFI on October 8, 1987.

The said agreement was entered into by then governor Osmundo Rama and CFI president Esperanza Garcia establishing a tie-up with the cooperative in order to provide better credit facilities to the Capitol employees.

The said agreement provides that separate payrolls for Capitol employees who have outstanding loans with the cooperative shall be prepared and that this shall be forwarded to the cooperative two days before payday.

The salary of a member-borrower employee is collected through the cooperative and no longer from the paymaster of the Capitol in order to ensure prompt payment of the loans.

Ortega said that the PB should authorize the governor to revoke the agreement through a resolution.

Board Member Peter John Calderon suggested that the office of the governor initiate the move to which Ortega agreed saying that the PB can always ratify.

PB Member Raul Alcoseba raised suspicions that somebody at the Provincial Treasurer’s Office is earning from the proceeds of the CFI for taking extra effort to deduct salaries of the employees.

Board Member Jude Thaddeus Sybico also suggested that if CFI is enjoying the privilege, this should also be extended to other lending institutions who would like to give a lower interest rate than CFI.

“The Capitol should be opened to other lending institutions,” said Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale in support of Sybico’s suggestion.

Ortega warned the PB that majority of the Capitol employees are members of the CFI and the move might affect their financial situations knowing that many of them have been relying on the CFI for their financial needs.

Another MOA being considered for termination is the authority given to CFI to use 13 parking slots beside its new building for its clients and employees granted last August 1, 2008 during the time of former governor and now third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia is the daughter of Esperanza, the founding chairwoman of CFI.

Cebu province to get more power

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/ ATO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The continuous growth of the economy in Cebu is expected to be supported by additional power supply of 405.6 Megawatts (MW) that will soon be put up in the province.

Four private sectors are expected to put up three coal-fired power plants and one biomass plant which has a total cost of P34.728 billion.

According to the website of the Department of Energy (DOE), the four private sectors are Therma Visayas Inc., FDC Utilities Inc. Toledo Power Company and the Asian Energy System Corporation.

Out of the 405.6 MW total rated capacity, only 85.6 MW is considered as committed rated capacity while the 320 MW is categorized as indicative rated capacity.

“Cebu as of now has a stable power supply and with the influx of new investments in Cebu, this is a very welcome development,” said Lito Maderazo, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

The P23 billion worth Therma Visayas Energy Project in barangay Bato, Toledo City, Cebu has a rated capacity of 300 MW.

Feasibility tests for the project are to be completed by September 2013, said the DOE, while site development works are scheduled to start by January next year. Target testing and commissioning will follow by March 2017 with the target commercial operation set in June of the same year.

The Aboitiz-owned power company has reportedly arranged already for the acquisition of the required land except for the remaining two percent of the project site. They are also securing necessary permits and other regulatory requirements as well as processing the Certificate of Non-Overlap from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

As of August 13, 2013, the DOE said that the application for the Environmental Certificate of Compliance (ECC) for the coal-fired power plant is also on-going as well as the acquisition of the parcels of the land in the target plant site.

Maderazo is hoping that the government will also take a look at the power generation and distribution sector to ensure that our power cost is at par with our neighboring Asian countries.

“I hope that the trust and confidence of President Aquino is extended to his secretaries and commissioners and really look at the interest of the ordinary people. The country has to be competitive as we geared towards ASEAN market integration by 2015,” Maderazo said.

Robert Go, board of director of Philippine Retailers Association-Cebu Chapter said that these new power plant projects are “must-do” projects to prevent the projected lack of electricity supply in the next two to three years.

Go explained that the insufficient electricity would be due to the increase in usage plus the additional loads, investments and buildings and malls, among others.

“We will have brownouts like Mindanao if we don’t put it up. We will have higher electricity rates if there is a shortage and again we will use band-aid solution of using the diesel-fired power plants which cost too much and will increase rates. Increasing our power supply is always the balancer,” Go said.

Go cited that the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector alone needs continuous power supply for 24 hours.

“Any brownout will be a blackeye. It will drive away investors,” Go further said.

According to DOE’s projection, Visayas will need an additional 2,000 MW by 2030 with Visayas’ peak demand expected to reach 3,270 MW from the current 1,540.

Apart from the four additional power plants, the Toledo Power Company of Global Business Power Corporation is also eyeing for an expansion of another 82 MW coal-fired power plant in Toledo City. Ground breaking for the said project was held in November last year.

TPC’s P10.17 billion project already has an ECC and a secured clearance from DOE for the conduct of a Geographic Information System.

Also, FDC Utilities, Inc. will be putting up a 20 MW coal-fired power plant in Danao City.

The DOE have said that impact studies and technical and financial studies are already completed on top of the lease agreement with the land owner and the supply contract with franchised electric cooperatives.

Further, there is an on-going construction of a Consolacion Landfill Methane Recovery and Electricity Generation by the Asian Energy System Corporation which amount is pegged at P199 million. It is expected to generate 3.6 MW of power.

The state-of-the-art P6.9 hectare sanitary landfill in Consolacion, which is endorsed by its municipal government, would be a first in the province consequently alleviating the concern of garbage in Metro Cebu.

The project was inaugurated last December in Barangay Polog, Consolacion.

Ceramics in Cebu

By Yasunari Ramon Suarez Taguchi (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Since 1998, Ceramikhaus of Cebu has successfully combined artwith the production of quality personalized ceramic wares, providing its clients with superior products that are a cut above the rest.

Consistently earning the nods of countless regulars and walk-in clients, the company has managed to earn a distinction in being Cebu’s preferred purveyor of personalized ceramic and porcelain items, along with the design and production of custom-made wedding tokens, awards, plaques, acrylic and wood products, garden and lawn accents, commemorative plates and more.

The brainchild of entrepreneur Vicente Ebarita Jr, Ceramikhaus of Cebu – in its 15-year run – proves that creative vision matched with initiative plays an integral role in any business endeavor’s pilgrimage to success.


From Ace Rattan Crafters to Ceramikhaus of Cebu

In 1988, Ace Rattan Crafters was formed, showcasing a diverse range of rattan and wood finishings and fixtures, each made under the strictest of quality and design standards.

Making a name for itself in the export of rattan handicrafts and small furniture pieces to Japan and other territories overseas, Ebarita’s extensive background in the design and manufacturing sectors prior to the founding of Ace Rattan Crafters propelled the company to stellar heights.

By the 1990s, the company diversified its wood and rattan-rooted portfolio, extending its repertoire of featured products by immersing itself in the making of quality-laden wooden kitchen cabinets with hand painted ceramic drawers.

The initiative was driven by the company’s desire to create products that stand out in the market, a move which helped it capture a large share of the export market in the United States, Japan and Italy.

Initially, the company sourced its ceramic accessories from other providers. In time, the company acquired its own machines designed to produce ceramic and porcelain products, realizing the urgency and value of having such machines.

Things went well for the company from then on, but by the late 1990s, the introduction of other players in the export market caused significant shifts and changes in the industry.

The change was essentially a turning point for Ebarita and Ace Rattan Crafters, one which eventually led to the founding of Ceramkikhaus of Cebu.


Ceramikhaus of Cebu – Personalized ceramic wares and more

In recognizing the prospects and potentials in the production of quality customized ceramic and porcelain products in the local scene, Ceramikhaus of Cebu was established on May 20, 1998.


Maintaining the virtues of discipline, determination and dedication which had functioned as the core operational philosophies of Ace Rattan Crafters, Ebarita’s new company was adamant in maintaining the same service and product qualities boasted by its predecessor, though its overall thrust in the production arena didn’t exactly involve the use of wood or rattan.

Catering to the needs of those in search for customized or personalized mugs, personalized plates and glass wares, Ceramikhaus of Cebu managed to impress individual and corporate clients, earning a reputation in meeting the expectations of delivering quality-laden products.

Now more than capable of producing personalized items from the ground up, the company owes a lot of its success in how it deals with each project that comes its way, working with a care and concern that is not project yield-centered, but rather simply rooted in the creation of superior quality items – regardless of the how many or the how much.

With its products’ scratchproof designs and Ceramikhaus of Cebu’s extended roster of design-centered services, the company has managed to earn the trust of various regulars and corporate clients, including international hotels and resorts based in and outside the province.

With Ebarita himself keen on keeping his company abreast with current trends, market updates and industry shifts, the company was awarded the Most Outstanding Ceramic Specialist (Metro Cebu Awards) during the course of the 2007 Philippine Marketing Excellence Awards.

More than just the makers of ceramics and porcelain wares, Ceramikhaus of Cebu continues to enthuse the best practices that yield to the highest of customer confidence and customer satisfaction levels, a standing which it has consistently done in its 15-year run.

---

For more information on Ceramikhaus of Cebu’s offered products and services, visit www.ceramikhausofcebu.net or call (032) 422-1572 or (032) 318-038, or visit Ceramikhaus of Cebu at Victor Vega St, Cubacub, Mandaue

Retrieved from "https://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Cebu_Province_News_September_2013&oldid=691548"