Cebu Province News September 2015

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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.

Incentives for all businesses

By Jeandie O. Galolo

FISCAL incentives granted by the Board of Investment (BOI) to registered companies also stretches out to micro, small, and medium enteprises (MSMEs), a key official reminded local companies.

“We are encouraging everybody to go into this. BOI is not pro-big, nor is it pro-small. It’s pro-business,” said BOI Investments Assistance Service Director Domingo Bagaporo, in a press conference held yesterday at the Harold’s Hotel on the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) Roadshow and Investment Awareness Seminar.

From 2010 to 2014, there were 1,200 BOI-registered projects in the country. Thirty-three percent of them or close to 400 are MSMEs. Currently, there are more than 3,000 BOI-registered projects nationwide, and more than 200 of them are in Cebu, according to BOI Cebu Officer-in-Charge Philip Torres.

BOI-registered businesses can avail of fiscal incentives, particularly those that venture into the identified “priority sectors.”

Priority

Under the IPP for 2014-2016, eight priority sectors were keyed out, namely: manufacturing, agribusiness and fishery, services, economic and low-cost housing, hospitals, energy, public infrastructure and logistics, and PPP projects.

BOI incentives, according to Bagaporo, are on a per project basis of the company. There are 3,000 projects registered with the BOI and are currently availing of the incentives.

The incentives typically include income tax holiday from four years to a maximum of eight years, depending on whether the activity is considered pioneering or not.

Registered projects also have the privilege of importing capital goods free of duties, among other incentives.

In return for these privileges, Bagaporo said companies with BOI-registered projects have to submit annual reports to the BOI and fulfill the terms and conditions of their registration.

Options

For companies whose businesses are not part of the eight priority sectors, Bagoporo said they may still avail of the incentives if they are involved in export activities.

In addition, those who are involved in businesses covered under special laws can also avail of the incentives, like those involved in renewable energy projects.

Assistance

Priority investment areas determined by the Regional Board of Investments of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) can also avail of BOI’s incentives.

Bagaporo said that while BOI requires a handful of requirements for BOI registration, he assured the board will assist the applicants in the entire process.

One of the initiatives is the signing of memorandum of agreements (MOA) with four government agencies, namely: the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to help facilitate the issuance of licenses and endorsements with these specific agencies.

Review

Bagaporo added that BOI will soon sign MOAs with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), and the Department of Energy (DOE).

He is optimistic that more MSMEs will register with BOI and avail themselves of the fiscal incentives.

While the present IPP identified only eight sectors, the official said the list is subject to review yearly. Businesses involved in non-priority sectors may submit a position paper, so the board can make studies and consider including the sector in the list.

In the past 27 years, this is the first time that the IPP was rolled into a three-year plan, according to Bagaporo. Normally, the IPP changes yearly, but a three-year plan was undertaken to ensure “continuity, consistency, and predictability”--factors, according to BOI, that are seriously considered by domestic and foreign investors.

The 2014-2016 IPP will, however, be reviewed annually. The BOI-drafted IPP is a product of multiple consultations with government agencies and the private sector.

The present IPP’s theme is focused on “Industry Development for Inclusive Growth.” Hence, MSMEs are vital to participate and avail of the BOI incentives.

Participation of SMEs in the Asia Pacific economies in the global trade been the a topic visited in the recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in the Philippines.

MSMEs account for over 97 percent of all enterprises and employ over half of the workforce across APEC economies. MSMEs contribute significantly to economic growth, with SMEs’ share of GDP ranging from 20 percent to 50 percent in the majority of APEC economies. However, they account for only 35 percent or less of the direct exports.

The 21 APEC-member economies established the Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group (SMEWG) to push interventions for SMEs, particularly micro enterprises, for them to take part in global and regional trade through direct export of goods and integration in global value chains.

CCCI organizes IP seminar

(PR)

WITH Cebu as the growing melting pot of business amidst the present economic integration, the role of technology in social and economic welfare has been viewed as crucial in the protection of intellectual property rights and sustaining the economic gains of Cebu and the Visayas region.

As the engine of Cebu’s business growth towards global competitiveness, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) will hold an awareness seminar entitled “Know Your Rights: Intellectual Property 101 – What every business should know about intellectual property” on Oct. 9, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Golden Peak Hotel, Escario St., Cebu City. Experts from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPO-PHIL) will grace the event.

CCCI has been the innovation and technology support office franchise grantee of the IPOPHIL since 2012. It will provide assistance to any organization seeking protection for their creation and innovation (the new drivers of world economy) in partnership with the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR).

The seminar will be an excellent opportunity for the participants to learn that IPs generated is vital in the dissemination and commercialization of knowledge and technology.

Registration fee is P500 inclusive of snacks and certificate. For more information, one may contact Mariel Destacamento of CCCI at 232-1421 to 24 local 109.

Cebu continues to draw in tourists from new markets

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines- Despite China’s not so rosy economy, Cebu is still getting an increasing number of Chinese tourists as well as leisure travelers from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia.

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa general manager Nicholas Smith said Cebu’s diverse tourist offering, from culture, heritage, and natural resources, continue to draw in tourists from emerging markets into the province.

Shangri-La, which is the largest five-star resort facility in Cebu, with 530 rooms, noted an encouraging booking index from China, HongKong, Singapore, Australia, as well as United States, and Europe.

According to Smith, while the tourism trade in Cebu is largely fueled by Korean and Japanese visitors, other nationalities are slowly discovering Cebu, as fresh destination of choice.

Smith mentioned that the continuous move of airline companies opening up direct flights from Cebu to international routes like PAL's long haul flight from Cebu to Los Angeles and vice-versa, and Cebu Pacific's active stance in connecting Cebu to countries like Japan, Taiwan, China, among others are the important boosters pulling up Cebu's ability to lure leisure and Even corporate tourists.

The promising tourism market in the province prompted the 23-year old resort to spend another round of renovations this year, particularly to improve the facilities of its premium accommodation enclave, the 186-room Ocean Wing.

Smith added the market's demand has changed and expectation for constant upgrading and achieving the highest standard is core to the well-informed world travelers.

Simultaneous to its move to modernize the look, service, and amenities within the sprawling five-star resort, Smith said offering and services would also highlight on providing stay and dining experience with strong local touch, which means the 530-room resort will promote Cebuano food favorites.

Moreover, the resort will also conceptualize unique and tailor-made events and adventures that will feature the culture, natural resources and destinations within the province, including farm-to-table, and sea-to-table dining set-up.

He said Cebu has a fantastic attraction mix, as it is not only becoming the "darling" of leisure seekers, but also business-related events, with strong come-on as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition) destination.

Smith believes that Cebu’s hosting of the APEC Summit will provide long term benefits for tourism.

As an expat, who is only on his fifth-week in Cebu, Smith immediately noticed Cebu's fantastic aura as a destination, mentioning the fisherman's village, the 15th century church in Danao City, the impressive whale-shark destination in Oslob and other must-visit places within the province.

Town to have solar power plant

By Flornisa M. Gitgano

STABLE power supply and employment opportunities await residents in Daanbantayan town following the groundbreaking ceremony of a 25-hectare solar power plant that will be constructed there.

The CeKO Solar Farm Systems Corp. will place 80,000 solar panels in a private property in Daanbantayan.

The groundbreaking was held last Friday headed by Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro, Vice Mayor Gilberto Arrabis, Jr., CeKO Solar Chairman Yong Soo Lee, CeKO Solar Philippine President Jessie Tundag.

“The area is not agriculturally viable. It has flat terrain which is perfect for a solar farm,” Tundag said.

The construction of the solar power plant will be done immediately. It is expected to be operational in June 2016.

The solar panels will have a total power generation of 43,800 megawatts per year.

Its panels can last up to 30 years.

Among the advantages of the solar panels are stability of power supply, economic development, reduction of the effects of carbon dioxide, promotion of renewable energy and job opportunities.

Lee said the solar power plant in Daanbantayan will be one of the attractions of the municipality as this is the first in Cebu.

In Daanbantayan, Corro said the average consumption of the residents in his town is 2.5 megawatts per day.

Demand

He said the solar power plant will provide base load and additional power supply to Cebu considering that there is an increase of power demand.

Corro said the solar panels will generate power that will pass through the grid of National Grid Corp.

“The power that will be generated by the solar panel will pass through the grid. Cebeco and other power distributor can distribute this renewable energy,” he said.

The mayor said the construction of the power plant will be beneficial to them in terms of taxes and job opportunities.

Corro estimated that 200 to 300 residents in the town will be employed just for the construction and civil works alone.

Bulletin boards

Job hiring for the construction of the solar power plant will be placed in bulletin boards of Daanbantayan public employment service office or barangay halls.

“It would be very beneficial to us and to the country in terms of investment opportunities on renewable energy,” Corro said. For his part, Arrabis assured the investors that their investment will not be wasted.

LGUs to include PWDs in their disaster management plans

By Oscar C. Pineda

PERSONS with disabilities (PWD) are now considered in the disaster risk reduction management plan of every local government unit, Capitol disaster czar Baltazar Tribunalo said.

This, as disabled people’s organizations (DPO) have mapped out their disability-inclusive disaster risk-reduction (DiRR) plan for UN Disaster Day.

Aloy Cañete, executive director of Alternative to Development (A2D) project, said the old view in disaster preparedness plans was how to rescue PWDs during calamities.

“We are persons with abilities, wala lang mi tagai og opportunity nga ma-train (We are not trained),” Cañete quoted one complaint of PWDs.

They said they want to have a major role in disaster preparedness planning.

Cañete said their goal is to put in the mainstream the DiDRR in all disaster risk-reduction programs.

A non-government research group for A2D and the provincial disaster risk reduction management office (PDRRMO) called all Cebu’s disabled people’s organizations (DPO) and non-government organizations yesterday to a DiDRR network meeting to prepare for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Originally, the celebration was on the second Wednesday of October until UN fixed the date on Oct. 13, United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) website stated.

Their suggested activities for the launching of Cebu DiDRR Network are programs, press conferences, film showings, visual exhibits and performances of children with disabilities.

They are also discussing the possibility of radio guesting as a pre-launch activity.

“One of the most significant findings of a pioneering UN global study on persons with disabilities and disaster shows that 85.57 percent of respondents from 137 countries state that they have not participated in any community disaster risk reduction and management process currently in place in their own communities,” read a UNISDR 2014 study.

Cañete said the government often overlooks PWDs in planning for disaster preparedness.

“They really need to have a family preparedness plan, which is supported by a community preparedness plan,” Cañete said.

In their meeting last July 28, one of the key issues discussed was Tribunalo’s concurrence that deaf people from disaster assistance team (DDAT) can share their expertise.

The PDRRMO chief, who admitted that this was never a part of their protocol, suggested that PWDs group can teach them how to prioritize disabled persons in their search and rescue operations.

He said they can also teach the community to be PWD-friendly.

Cañete cited an incident in one of the towns during typhoon Yolanda, where a mentally impaired member of a family was left behind while the whole family evacuated to safer grounds.

Upon their return, their mentally impaired family member was still alive, saved by his iron cage that stopped a falling tree from crushing him to death.

Central Visayas workers to get pay hike

By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Workers in the Central Visayas will get a P13 increase in their daily take-home pay, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the regional wage board in Cebu approved an order granting pay hike to local workers.

“Once the wage order approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) takes effect, the current P340 daily minimum wage will become P353,” Baldoz said.

The wage order, she said, covers minimum wage earners in Metro Cebu, including the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Naga, Carcar and Danao as well as the cities and municipalities of Compostela, Consolacion, Liloan, Cordova, Minglanilla and San Fernando.

The pay hike does not apply to other areas of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor.

Baldoz said the wage hike would help improve the workers’ purchasing power.

Earlier, the Alliance of Progressive Labor and Associated Labor Union filed separate petitions seeking a P145 and P92 across-the-board wage increase, respectively.

The wage hike was approved following a series of public hearing conducted by the RTWPB.

Shangri-La sees growth with new airline routes

By Katlene O. Cacho

A FIVE-star resort hotel is banking on new direct flights to Cebu to capture new markets.

While Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa has been enjoying good growth from its usual markets, general manager Nicholas Smith said improvements in air connectivity to Cebu is allowing them to penetrate more and new markets.

He cited Philippine Airlines’ new route from Cebu to Los Angeles by March 15, 2016 and Cebu Pacific’s Cebu-Taipei (Taiwan) route in December 17 this year as new potential growth areas, including Australia, a continent Cebu Pacific is keen on adding frequencies, on the back of the growing passenger market.

To prepare for this growth, Smith disclosed that renovation plans of the resort’s Ocean Wing (186 rooms) is in the process of finalization. Shangri-La recently upgraded the resort’s lobby lounge and Tides restaurant to keep up with the changing preferences of hotel guests.

“There is a demand for change. (With the advent of new technology and online platforms) there are some certain standards that people expect and we are addressing that,” said Smith, who has been in Cebu for more than a month now. His prior assignment was in Shangri-La in Shanghai, China, where he stayed for five years.

Smith said under his management, he will make Shangri-La’s Mactan more customer service-centric while putting emphasis on a “local touch” in all of its services. He also wants update their food and beverage offerings.

“Shangri-La’s Mactan serves all segments in the market, from walk-in guests, honeymooners, leisure to Mice (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions). We will continue to upgrade the level of services we have, especially that we are known to all of these facets. We will make every day of our guests more interesting, given the fact that we are situated in an already interesting tropical environment,” said Smith.

“Moreover, we’ve got strong 700 employees here who can share insights of how Cebu can still be presented,” he added.

Shangri-La’s Mactan enjoys a mix of foreign guests from Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, US and Europe. Local guests, on the other hand, are growing, with families and friends staying at the resort during long breaks or weekends.

Following the resort’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Financial Ministers Meeting two weeks ago, Smith is confident the resort will get more Mice bookings in the coming months.

“The APEC Summit was fantastic. We have demonstrated that we are a top class facility for business and Mice events,” he said.

Smith added the resort is now preparing for the next round of APEC meetings next month. Its Christmas activities are also in place.

PNoy signs law creating Cebu's seventh legislative district

By Louis Bacani

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has approved a law creating a new legislative district in the province of Cebu.

Aquino signed on September 18 Republic Act (RA) 10684 creating Cebu's seventh legislative district by reapportioning the current second legislative district.

The new district will be composed of eight municipalities: Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc and Ginatilan.

The current second legislative district will now be composed of seven municipalities: Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander and Samboan.

The reapportionment of the second legislative district will commence in the next national and local elections after the effectivity of RA 10684.

The Commission on Elections has been tasked to issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the newly signed law, within 30 days upon its approval.

Japanese hotel chain to open 583-room inn at JCentre Mall

By Katlene O. Cacho

ASIDE from pouring in huge investments for their tourism business, the Uy family is also keen on growing its hotel, office and condominium towers in Mandaue City.

Early next year, Cebu will have an additional 583 hotel rooms with the completion of Toyoko Inn, a new business hotel in JCentre Mall, said Justin Uy, president of Everjust Realty Development Corp., the developer of JCentre Mall.

A signing ceremony was held in February 2014 between Japanese top business hotel chain Toyoko Inn and Uy, also president of Profood International Corp., at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. Under the agreement, the new hotel building in Mandaue City will be leased to the Toyoko Inn Group for 25 years.

Toyoko Inn is a chain of no-frills business hotels and is the largest business hotel chain in Japan. As of 2012, it had 238 hotels in Japan and six in Korea.

Moreover, Everjust Realty will also embark on a simultaneous construction of the second tower that will house office and apartelle spaces and the three condo towers next year.

The planned condo project is in partnership with a Japanese investor. While the project is still in the planning phase, each tower, according to Uy, will have 30 floors each, with 200 units per tower.

Uy said the company is eager to forge partnerships with Japanese investors because Japan is the next big market to tap after Korea. Improved connectivity with the presence of more direct flights between Cebu to key cities in Japan is also an added advantage to boost business partnerships with Japanese investors.

Meanwhile, Uy who also runs Profood, the largest Philippine-based dried fruit producer in the world, reports “good business” despite the economic woes in China and in other global markets. The firm grows an average of 10 percent annually.

“We are doing good. Our main problem is not the market but the supply of raw materials,” said Uy. “We don’t have enough supply of fresh mangoes in the country to serve the global demand.”

Profood needs a thousand tons of mangoes every day. “It is during mango season that we mostly don’t have problems with the supply but after the season that’s where we encourage more farmers to plant more,” said Uy.

Profood sources 35 percent of its mangoes from Luzon, 40 percent from Mindanao and 25 percent from Visayas.

However, what blocks farmers to plant more is the unavailability of financial resources to grow their plantation. “We help provide the capital for them but it should be the government assisting them,” he said.

Profood is present in 52 countries. It now produces 15 types of processed tropical fruits. The company has four plants all over the Philippines —Bulacan, Iloilo, Cebu and Davao. Profood maintains 11 brands.

Its mango juice, which carries the name Philippine Brand, is among the products offered by an online shop in Fujian, China.


Book guides LGUs, other stakeholders on state of Cebu's biodiversity

(PNA), CTB/EB/SSC

CEBU CITY, Sept. 20 (PNA) -- A 96-page book will help guide local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders to understand the need to preserve Cebu’s biodiversity.

“The State of Cebu’s Biodiversity,” written by Lisa J. Paguntalan, Myrissa Lepiten-Tabao, Philip Godfrey Jakosalem, Al Orolfo and Ariel Rica, contains information on wildlife and plant species that stress the importance of preserving Cebu’s biological diversity.

It also provides a summary of the issues that threaten the existence of these species and the effortswhich were undertaken through the years to protect what serves as Cebu’s natural heritage.

Paguntalan said the book also highlights the importance of Cebu’s remaining forests that serve as habitat for species, some of which are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as critically endangered or those that face extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

A 1998 survey by wildlife biologists led to the discovery of natural secondary forests apart from Tabunan in central Cebu.

These forests are Nug-as in Alcoy, Mt. Kapayas in Catmon and Carmen, Mt. Lantoy in Argao, Mt. Lanaya in Alegria and Mt. Kambulagsing in Malabuyoc.

These forests are the home of 15 endemic bird taxa, which include four threatened species, namely the critically endangered Cebu Flowerpecker (scientific name Dicaeum quadricolor), the endangered Black Shama (Copsychus cebuensis), the endangered Cebu Hawk-owl (Ninox rumseyi) and the Cebu Brown Dove (Phapitreron frontalis).

“The presence of these four threatened endemic species makes the (Cebu) island an important global Endemic Bird Area and an Important Bird Area according to BirdLife International,” the authors wrote.

Birds play an important role in the ecosystem as they help in plant reproduction as pollinators or seed dispersers.

Some bird species are important to the survival of other species while predators, such as raptors, keep the population of other animals healthy.

Massive deforestation in Cebu drove to extinction several endemic species, such as the Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) and the Philippine Leafbird (Chloropsis flavipennis).

Mammalian species, such as the Visayan Spotted Deer, Visayan Warty Pig and the Cebu Pygmy Buffalo, have also disappeared from Cebu island.

An endemic fish, a species of goby (Sicyopus cebuensis), also became extinct.

10,000 volunteers join International Coastal Cleanup day in Central Visayas

(PNA), ZST/EB-PR/PJN

CEBU CITY, Sept. 19 (PNA) -- More than 10,000 volunteers on Saturday joined the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day by cleaning up the rivers, creeks, canals and coastal areas across the four provinces in Central Visayas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

Nearly 30,000 kilos of trash were collected in a one day activity aimed at removing the waste that threatens wildlife and humans.

The trash has affected the economy, tourism and navigation, the DENR statement said.

“This year's 30th ICC theme “Bayanihan para sa malinis na katubigan at karagatan” amplifies the DENR’s pursuit with the various partners and stakeholders in cleaning up our water bodies by mobilizing our local communities to achieve a cleaner and healthier environment,” DENR 7 Regional Director Dr. Isabelo R Montejo said.

Montejo said tourism sector will be affected as tourists will be discouraged to get around the coastal areas because of heaps or piles of trash and eventually no income or livelihood will be generated.

The most common items found were cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic bottles and caps, straws, grocery bags, glass bottles and beverage cans.

The ICC is a 30-year-old global event initiated by the Ocean Conservancy, a non-government organization based in Washington D.C., United States.

Its aim is to engage people to remove trash from beaches and waterways around the world, identify the sources of the debris and change the behavioral patterns that contribute to pollution.

In Barangay Calajoan, Minglanilla, Cebu, some 4,000 volunteers gathered more than 300 sacks of garbage after a three-hour cleanup co-organized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC)7 in celebration of the Philippine Service Month

“This is part of the celebration of the Philippine Service Month as we strongly encourage our state workers to take an active role in the cleaning up of our water bodies,” said CSC 7 director Karin Litz P Zerna.

At least 18 government agencies participated to include CSC 7; DENR-7; Minglanilla municipal government; Talisay City government; Social Security System; Government Service Insurance System; Bureau of Jail Management and Penology; Department of the Interior and Local Government; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; Bureau of Fire Protection; Cebu Port Authority; Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board; Philippine Health Insurance Corporation; Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines; Department of Labor and Employment; Abellana National School; Department of Science and Technology; Bureau of Local Government Finance; and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency

“We hope that this will not stop in ICC but it has to continue by institutionalizing good sanitation and solid waste management practices through education and actual participation in the management of our water bodies and reducing the pollution load,” Montejo said.

Private partners also supported the ICC.

These are Concrete Solutions Incorporated; Franciscan Friars of Charity; National Grid Corporation of the Philippines; Pepsi; Popular Feedmill Corporation; Precious Child Leaning Center; Ramcheschel Bakeshop; Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente; Savvysherpa Asia Incorporated; and DHL Supply Chain Philippines Incorporated

Since the Philippines joined the effort in 1994, it has so far registered 3.39 million volunteers or about 32 percent of the total 10.5 million volunteers the ICC had mobilized worldwide since its inaugural observance in 1986.

Last year, about 562,000 volunteers from 91 countries joined the cleanup, 107,695 of them are from the Philippines.

Filipino volunteers have removed 208,438 kilos of trash along 335 kilometers of shorelines and waterways.

Based on the annual report of the Ocean Conservancy, the country collected 240,360 kilos in 2010; 485,091 in 2011; more than 1.3 million in 2012 and 734,131 in 2013.

In 2003, Presidential Proclamation No. 470 was issued declaring the third Saturday of September of every year as ICC Day.

Cebu Capitol, City Hall execs trade proposals over fate of 5T families living in province-owned lots

(PNA), LAP/EB/PJN

CEBU CITY, Sept. 18 (PNA) -- The fate of some 5,000 families living in Cebu province-owned lots in Cebu City hangs in the balance as the chief executives of the city and province traded proposals on solving the problem.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama earlier offered to buy for PHP500 million the lots with a total area of 51 hectares which are occupied by city residents.

Rama said this was previously agreed upon in his meeting with Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and other provincial officials.

What has been agreed, he said, was reduced to a proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) which has been submitted to the governor’s office.

These lots were covered under Provincial Ordinance 93-1, which was passed by the Cebu Provincial Board in 1993, allowing Cebu City residents to acquire the province-owned lots they are occupying in Barangays Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Busay, Luz, Lahug, Mabolo, Apas, Lorega, Kasambagan and Tejero, all in Cebu City.

But when the period set by the province expired, only a few residents were able to fully pay for the lots they occupied.

But Rama’s proposal to buy these lots for PHP500 million was met with a counter-proposal from Davide.

In a letter to Rama, Davide said the provincial government wants a parcel of land worth PHP1.3 billion in addition to the PHP500-million payment in exchange for 93-1 lots.

Davide said the value of the province-owned lots is placed at PHP1.8 billion.

Rama said he wants to talk again with Davide and Davide agreed to meet Rama and finally put to rest a two-decade-old issue.

“Mayor Rama and I are friends. This problem will not be solved by hotheadedness,” Davide said.

Rama and Davide have yet to set the date and venue for the meeting.

Metro Cebu Development Authority pushed anew

By Liv G. Campo /FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines – The Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board is pushing for the creation of the Mega Cebu Development Authority.

The members of the board presented yesterday a draft bill for the local government units, national government agencies, and private sector representatives to the MCDCB to comment on the proposed measure not later than September 23.

“Dako kaayo ni’g ikatabang. Importante gyud (to have) somebody with legal personality to formulate plans, policies for Metro Cebu,” said MCDCB chairman and Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

Davide said it was the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that is pushing them to do it. JICA is supporting most of MCDCB’s projects.

“(This is) to make things easier in dealing with JICA and other international agencies,” said Davide, adding that the MCDCB is just an “informal” organization with no legal personality.

Section 2 of the proposed MCDA Act of 2015 provides that the purpose of it is to “promote and accelerate the sustainable development and balanced growth of the Province of Cebu and the highly urbanized cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu, within the context of national policies for economic, social and environmental well-being of the people.”

The proposed body will cover the towns of Liloan, Consolacion, Compostela, Cordova, San Fernando, and Minglanilla and the cities of Danao, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga, and Carcar. The MCDA shall formulate, regulate medium and long term plans, policies and programs for Metro Cebu.

The members of the board yesterday went on a lengthy discussion whether or not to include other GLUs outside of Metro Cebu. It was, however, agreed that for the moment it shall only cover the 13 LGUs.

The draft bill will be submitted to Cebu City north district Rep. Raul del Mar who will sponsor the bill. He promised to file it in Congress before it goes on a break next month.

Under the proposed bill, the MCDA will compose the governor, the mayors of the 13 LGUs, the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, the regional directors of the national agencies in Central Visayas, heads of seven private sectors and civil society groups and a general manager to be appointed by the executive committee.

Hotels, staff reap benefits

By Katlene O. Cacho

FROM consuming 2,000 kilos of mangoes to spending P20 million in preparations, local hotel officials believe Cebu as a destination will reap benefits for years after hosting meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

“It was a resounding success in every inch of the way,” said Nishan Silva, general manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, which managed to handle 50 out of the 84 APEC meetings held in Cebu.

According to Silva, the whole team has brought the hotel service to the “next level”, going the extra mile to provide the best hotel experience to APEC delegates. Radisson invested roughly P20 million for the APEC preparation from the hotel’s facelift to ballroom upgrade and improved food and beverages.

Extra workers

“And results were just amazing. The one-year preparation was all worth it,” said Silva, who also sits on the board of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC). “We believe we were able to make something that will drive Cebu and the hospitality industry forward.”

Radisson hired 200 extra hotel staff members and 55 additional security officers for the APEC meetings. Silva said the 21-day event has also benefited local suppliers, citing the 2,000 kilos of mangoes his hotel consumed for its food and beverage menu.

“Everything was a team effort. The experience was unimaginable,” said Silva.

Radisson’s hosting of APEC meetings has translated to P15 million in public relations for the hotel. Likewise, the meetings provided the highest service charge for the month at P43,000 per hotel staff member, as opposed to the P25,000 service charge share on normal months.

Certificates

Radisson has over 200 hotel staffers.

“More than the hotel reaping revenues, it is our employees that also reaped tremendous benefits. In fact, our employees where also given certificates by the US delegation which signify their service during the APEC Summit without our knowledge,” said Silva.

Other APEC appointed hotels also shared the same positive sentiments.

Mids Cleofe Albiso, Cebu City Marriott Hotel director for sales and marketing, said hosting the meetings has helped them promote the Marriott brand and Cebuano’s signature brand of hospitality.

“Cebu City Marriott Hotel as one of the hosting hotels definitely had a chance to showcase the brand’s banner of brilliant hosting. Our associates were all hyped to provide service excellence to the APEC participants and to the organizing committee members. Both local and international delegates felt the level of importance and VIP treatment fulfilling our brand promise,” said Albiso.

“In the course of two weeks, each of the comments and evaluation from the guests inspired the team to do even more in the remaining days of the duration of the meetings. As a whole, it was a satisfying experience for both us hosts and our guests,” she added.

Marriott Hotel earned positive comments from delegates for the “great service and good food”. The hotel prepared local pastries and delicacies during themed coffee breaks, which depicted the culture of Cebu and the Philippines, plus a short literature for guests to appreciate.

“Everything was well-planned and prepared. Not perfect like everybody else, but given the amount of preparation, it was indeed a dedicated service extended to our guests in-house,” said Albiso.

‘A different city’

As for Marco Polo Hotel Cebu, Julie Najar, the hotel’s general manager, said the APEC meetings recently held here has a positive impact for Cebu and the hospitality industry.

“First, on the angle of APEC and the attending delegates, Cebu gave them a varied perspective of what a different city in the Philippines has to offer and the readiness of Cebu to host such international and high profile events. Second, for Cebu had a first time experience that only proved that if all sectors of business and government work together on reaching a common goal, possibilities of results are endless,” said Najar.

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino also successfully hosted some of the APEC meetings. Arnel Aparis, the hotel’s marketing communications manager, said that the delegates described the hotel as their “happy place”, as they did not encounter major problems and that they were all well taken care of.

No glitches

He said the APEC Committee was happy with the “very good service” extended to them.

“They did not have any problem with staff, from the waiters to the general manager. They were happy that we always checked on them and accommodated their requests,” said Aparis.

The Department of Health, which had the most number of meetings in their hotel, congratulated the team for they did not experience any glitches. Aparis also added they were happy with the food, which was served during themed breaks, as well as the entertainment provided, which allowed the delegates to take plenty of pictures.

Banking on the APEC experience, Silva said Mice (meetings, incentive, conventions and exhibitions) is “absolutely the way to go for Cebu” and that the successful hosting only proves that Cebu is ready to host big events. He said they are excited for the International Eucharistic Congress as well as the ASEAN Summit in 2017.

“They will remember Cebu. We have delivered and there’s definitely a comeback from guests, either for another business convention or this time, for leisure with their families and friends,” said Silva, adding that some guests already expressed interest to come back to Cebu, given the limited time they had, which was mostly spent attending meetings.

Finance Secretary details how Cebu Action Plan facilitates APEC participation in public-private partnerships

(PNA), RMA/PND/SSC

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu, Sept. 15 (PNA) -- Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima has detailed how the Cebu Action Plan (CAP) makes it easier for companies in member-economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to participate in the country’s public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

At the joint press conference of the APEC finance ministers last week, Purisima said the action plan seeks to address the weaknesses of the program, and make the participation of APEC companies in PPPs “much easier”.

Using the CAP’s fourth pillar, the Philippines has made a “sound policy framework” with the inclusion of the Contingent Liability Fund in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) and its support for the enactment of the PPP Act or the amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer Law.

The Contingent Liability Fund was created to handle the unexpected cost for the government that might arise from infrastructure projects under the PPP, while the Build-Operate-Transfer Law is a scheme wherein a private entity will finance, design, construct and operate a facility, and then transfer it to the government at the end of the concession period.

“By creating a framework, it (Cebu Action Plan) facilitates sharing of best practices across economies of APEC…as well as the harmonization of terms and contract provisions can be done so we can cut short the negotiation process for PPP,” Purisima said.

The easing of requirements and the process for PPP projects can also fuel investments in the country, as foreign firms have shown particular interest in investing in the Philippines, so long as it solves problems in its infrastructure.

Even the government admitted that the Philippines is losing billions of pesos every day from lost productivity because of traffic jams, particularly in Metro Manila.

For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the APEC has placed particular importance on the quality of infrastructure for the growth of the region.

"The APEC recognizes the importance of quality infrastructure in economic growth of the Asia Pacific, not only in physically connecting the region but also in ensuring the efficient movement of goods, services, and people between and within borders," the DFA said in a statement.

"Quality infrastructure directly supports efficient transportation and telecommunication services, air and sea ports, customs procedures, energy distribution, farm-to-fork logistics, among others," it added.

Producers, such as farmers, are normally referred to as “farm”, while consumers are the “fork” in the supply chain.

The Cebu Action Plan is a development roadmap for the Asia-Pacific region that was drafted by the Philippines with inputs from other APEC member economies, multilateral organizations, and the private sector through the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). It was launched here last Friday.

While a non-binding formation, APEC meetings are able to set domestic, regional, and industrial policies to achieve free and open trade and investment in the Asia Pacific.

The APEC's 21 member economies are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, US, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

After APEC, PH to host ASEAN

By Jeandie O. Galolo

THE Philippines will be hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in 2017.

The information came from the Department of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima in the middle of the press briefing of the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting on Friday and launching of the Cebu Action Plan (CAP) at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

Purisima, however, did not cite further details of the hosting. But APEC Cebu organizing committee overall chair Lito Maderazo believes Cebu is ready to accommodate Asean meetings, following the success of the ASEAN Summit in 2007 and this year’s APEC ministers’ meeting in the cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu.

“If we will be told to host Asean by 2017, I think Cebu is ready because we already have the facilities (hotels),” Maderazo told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, although he said it would be recommended that the now-abandoned Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) will be operational when that time comes.

Earlier, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Laura del Rosario shared to the press the “pleasant experience” ministers from 21 APEC economies had with Cebu’s hosting.

Del Rosario, also chair of the APEC Senior Officials Meeting, said Cebu had enough infrastructure, safe environment and interesting tourist spots for the APEC delegates.

She added that foreign ministers’ were delighted with mangoes that she had to remind them to check their blood sugar when they got back to their respective countries. One senior official joked around and told del Rosario that he already consumed 2,000 kilos of mangoes in his stay in Cebu.

Aside from Cebu, Clark, Tagaytay, Boracay, Bataan and Iloilo among others, also hosted some meetings of this year’s APEC.

For Maderazo, he attributed Cebu’s successful hosting of this year’s APEC to the cooperation of the public and private sector.

He said the hotels, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the Cebu furniture makers, the local talents and entertainers, and the hoteliers, among many others in the private sector, did the best they could and showed the warmest hospitality to the delegates.

The efforts of the local government units, traffic, and security officials were also deemed fruitful, as the traffic situation eased along the APEC routes and security of delegates were uncompromised. The Department of Trade and Industry with their Exquisitely Filipino exhibit that reached a P4.4 million sales, and the Department of Tourism’s tour packages customized for APEC, enhanced the delegates’ Cebu experience, according to Maderazo.

“In fact, the delegates made a byword for us, Unforgettably Cebu,” Maderazo said.

Another good thing, he added, was that the weather cooperated. There was little amount of rain and this did not result in flooding. Although if heavy downpours occurred from August to early September, there were ready with flooding management measures in place.

Asked if there were any emergencies or unforeseen circumstances that took place during the hosting period, Maderazo said it could be the rally of some protesters in the streets. But he added that the organizers and the security officials already received intelligence reports, and also anticipated rallies during the APEC meetings.

He said this was handled properly.

As the Philippines’ hosting is close to conclusion, it is apparent that huge amount of resources and money were poured into it.

But for Maderazo, the government’ spending of the APEC, although considerably huge, will bring back benefits to the economy, perhaps not immediately, but in the long run.

“The Philippines’ (government) spending for the APEC is not some kind of splurge. This is our commitment to the APEC as one of the member economies,” Maderazo said. It was in 1996 when the Philippines first hosted APEC meetings.

The official said he had short encounters with the delegates and he said they seemed to enjoy Cebu.

By next month, there will be transporation and energy APEC meetings in Lapu-Lapu City.

In November, leaders of the 21 economies of APEC will meet in Manila.

By next year, Peru will host APEC, followed by Vietnam in 2017, according to Purisima.

Cebu can use cable cars – maker

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon / JMO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Will Cebu be the first in Asia to have a cable car?

“If Cebu will speed up, then yes,” said Norbert Feuerstein, Doppelmayr area manager for Asia Pacific, told The Freeman.

Feuerstein said there are several cable cars all over the world the company has built, including 443 cars in La Paz, Bolivia that traverse three 10-kilometer cable lines.

“In La Paz, Bolivia for example, cable car is the mode of transportation among poor people. Fare is only about P30 (50 percent discount for students, senior citizens and disabled) for a 10-kilometer travel and a travel time of only 30 minutes,” Feuerstein said.

Paul Villarete, chairman of the organizing committee of the 11th International Conference of Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, said discussions are up for a cable car system that will connect Mactan to mainland Cebu.

Feuerstein said the system can be built here and it can help decongest traffic.

In La Paz, the 443 cable cars carry about 162,000 passengers daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Villarete said former mayor Tomas Osmeña hatched the idea of a cable car system way back in 2001 but no investor showed interest. Perhaps, he said, Cebuanos were not ready for it at that time.

“Well, I countered that it’s a good idea but in my understanding in my previous 20 years looking at the transportation in Cebu, the volume and viability might be greater if we are going to link Mactan to the mainland,” Villarete said.

He said it is important to study the same in consultation with residents and officials of Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City.

Feuerstein said the details of the study have yet to be finalized.

Arturo Bartiquin, Doppelmayr consultant in the Philippines, says the cable car system will help decongest traffic as this attracts people with cars.

Rene Santiago, president of Bellweather Advisory, a strategic investment and project development services firm, said the cable car system might work in areas like Mactan Island where roads are narrow and vehicle traffic is getting heavier.

Meanwhile, Villarete said 500 technical papers will be presented in the three-day conference. These are technical studies and research on all aspects of transportation and logistics on land, sea and air transportation.

The papers will be presented by over 700 delegates from 18 countries.

Primitivo Cal, former president of EASTS and founding president of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines, said this year’s conference will showcase the latest scientific and technological developments in the field of transportation planning and engineering through technical sessions, exhibits, and technical tours.

Villarete added that while the conference is not focused on the Philippines, it will have a big impact on Cebu because of the knowledge shared.

TESDA, VECO partner anew for training of linemen

(PNA), JBP/PR/PJN

MANILA, Sept. 12 (PNA) -- All it takes is a few minutes in the dark during a power outage to realize how much we rely on electricity, and on the people who can get the problem fixed.

"Electrical linemen are the often unheralded people who power our world of modern convenience," Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva said.

In recognition of this, TESDA will invest anew in giving them training to develop their skills to keep them not only productive at work, but also safe.

In a recent agreement with the Visayan Electric Company (VECO), TESDA will conduct the linemen's basic training program, which will focus on safety courses as well as the core modules such as installation, operation and maintenance of power lines.

The program will cover graduates of Electrical Installation and Maintenance from TESDA-7 regional training center, who will undergo a 22-day basic training for linemen to be held at the VECO Development Academy in Barangay Sirao, Cebu City.

Aside from the basic linemen training, VECO will also accept trainees under the Dual Training System with the Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise and on-the-job-trainees from different technical vocational institutions in the area.

"Through constant training, we are trying to perfect the skills and work practices of our linemen, who probably are engaged in one of the most hazardous occupations," Villanueva said.

"Before picking up their toolbox, we want to make sure that electrical linemen are armed with the training and knowledge, and the physical stamina to do the job," he added.

In 2013, TESDA and VECO worked on the same training program that produced at least 97 graduates.

VECO also assisted in helping the graduates find jobs and absorbing them into the company. As of May 2015, it has already hired 127 graduates doing project-based status jobs related to the maintenance of VECO's distribution network.

The company's investment to technical vocational education and training has reached over PHP2 million, which included the cost of training, allowances and use of facilities.

A subsidiary of the Aboitiz Group of Companies, VECO is the second largest electric utility in the country. It serves the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga and four municipalities of the greater part of Cebu. Its franchise service covers an area of about 674 kilometers with an estimated population of 1.73 million, according to the company's website.

During TESDA's anniversary celebration last month, VECO was recognized as one of the outstanding industry partners of the agency and was bestowed the Kabalikat Award.

Next year's APEC host backs Cebu Action Plan

(PNA), CTB/PND/RSM

CEBU CITY, Sept. 11 (PNA) -- As it gears to host next year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Peru has pledged its all-out support for the "ambitious proposal" that is the Cebu Action Plan, to be unveiled Friday.

The discussions here among finance leaders of APEC member economies, according to Peruvian Ministry of Finance and the Economy Director Fabier Roca, will nourish Peru when it hosts the APEC in 2016.

"Peru is firmly committed to the Cebu Action Plan," Fabianis said during a press briefing held here Wednesday.

"When we host APEC, we will prepare the discussion for the implementation of the action plan, especially in the financial resilience and financial transparency micro economic issues," he added.

"A deep and impressive agenda" is how Fabianis described the CAP, even as APEC tries to draft an effective way for its implementation, at least in the short-term plan in the case of the Philippines and Vietnam.

"A very comprehensive action plan against not only a volatile market, but also to foster capital market development, to exchange information, to promote trade and investment through financial integration, and to make economies more resilient to economic shocks and disasters," he stressed.

There is also significant support from other APEC members for many policies and activities that are proposed to be included in the action plan.

The Cebu Action Plan, a development roadmap drafted by the Philippines with inputs from development partners and other member economies of the APEC, will be formally launched on Friday, following a series of Philippine-hosted meetings and workshops earlier in the year among senior officials from finance ministries across the Asia Pacific.

The CAP has four pillars: (1) financial integration, (2) fiscal reforms and transparency, (3) financial resilience, and (4) infrastructure development and financing.

"We have full commitments on that," he assured. "The Cebu Action Plan is an ambitious proposal which we believe the Asia-Pacific economies should be undertaking in order to build inclusive and resilient economies."

According to Fabianis, the pillars must be implemented, considering the unity of the economies."

"We understand that not all the APEC members are ready to implement in the short term but we must work with those economies to try to implement this instrument, to work and discuss around the instrument," he added.


President Aquino graces APEC finance minister’s meeting in Cebu

(PNA), RMA/PND/RSM

MACTAN, Cebu, Sept. 10 (PNA) -- President Benigno Aquino III graced the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings attended by heads of finance ministries and top executives in Asia Pacific region at Shangri-La Hotel in Mactan, Cebu on Thursday, Sept. 10.

In his speech, President Aquino underscored how the Cebu Action Plan (CAP) can help APEC member economies address challenges towards achieving more inclusive economic growth in the region.

“My positivity is reinforced by the Cebu Action Plan—named after one of the most progressive provinces in our nation — to which our economies are committing,” he said.

“I am told that it ticks all the right boxes: better financial integration among APEC members fosters an environment ripe for investment; greater transparency as regards government funds maximizes efficiencies—and more importantly —the benefits enjoyed by our peoples; and a renewed commitment to improve and finance infrastructure that will lay the necessary foundations for continued growth. Not to mention, the Cebu Action Plan will also help equip us to respond to some of the gravest threats to our economies in the form of natural disasters, particularly those caused by the new normal of climate change,” he added.

CAP is development roadmap introduced by the Philippines in January covering four pillars such as financial integration, fiscal transparency and policy reform, financial resiliency, and infrastructure development and financing.

It is expected to be approved by the APEC Finance Ministers on Friday.

In an interview with Budget Secretary Florencio Abad who was with the President during the event, he noted government’s efforts in promoting fiscal transparency.

“Today, the international budget partnership and some of the collaborating agencies released their 2015 report and the good news is they have ranked the Philippines number one in Southeast Asia insofar as open budget is concerned,” he said.

“We have increased our ranking from 48 points to 64, which is our highest since the open budget index was started in 2006 and we are next to South Korea in the whole of Asia and the 21st in the world. So, I think this is a recognition that the Philippines plays a leading role insofar as promoting greater transparency,” he added.

Sept. 21 sought as Cebu Press Freedom Day

(PNA), LAP/EB/SSC

CEBU CITY, Sept. 9 (PNA) -- Separate resolutions have been filed in the House of Representatives and local legislatures in Cebu seeking the declaration of Sept. 21, the anniversary of martial law, as Cebu Press Freedom Day.

Members of the Cebu media observe the 2015 Cebu Press Freedom Week on Sept. 19 to 16.

Resolutions in House of Representatives, Cebu Provincial Board and Cebu City Council would declare Sept. 21 as a special day, though not a holiday, in Cebu "to recognize and honor media's contribution to the growth and progress" of the province, its towns and cities.

Sept. 21 has been a focal point in every Cebu Press Freedom Week.

The moveable celebration is the week of each September that includes Sept. 21.

Sept. 21 is most logical for a Cebu Press Freedom Day, said lawyer Pachico Seares, executive director of Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC) which initiated the legislative recognition.

Rep. Raul del Mar of Cebu City's north district filed House Resolution No. 2354 seeking the declaration of Sept. 21 as Cebu Press Freedom Day.

The resolution cited the fact that the multiple sectors of media in Cebu, including print, radio and television and online news outlets have celebrated Cebu Press Freedom Week for three decades now, this year being its 31st year and 23rd celebration.

"The annual commemoration, held in the week of each September that includes September 21, anniversary of the declaration of martial law, is a celebration of media freedom and a reaffirmation of media responsibility; a shining example of how community media can be both a watchdog of government and catalystof social change," the proposed resolution reads.

It also said the Cebu media has shown through the years its commitment to highstandards of craft and values in journalism and its efforts to police its own ranks through such organizations as the Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC), Cebu NewsWorkers Foundation (Cenewof), and Cebu Press Freedom Week, Inc.

The Cebu media has stood out among community news organizations in the country, as shown by many national awards in journalism competitions, reaping honors not just for themselves but also for Cebu and Cebuanos, it said.

ABAC Endorses Cebu Action Plan

(PNA/Bernama), CTB/CDN

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 8 (PNA/Bernama) -- The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) report has endorsed the Cebu Action Plan (CAP), a multi-year roadmap for reforms that the finance ministers will announce at their annual meeting from Sept 10-11 in Cebu, Philippines.

In a statement Monday, ABAC said finance industry experts joined officials from finance ministries and multilateral agencies in several workshops held this year to identify initiatives under the CAP.

Representatives from leading banks, asset management firms, insurers, pension funds, credit bureaus and rating agencies, as well as financial industry associations were involved in three ABAC-led initiatives -- the Asia-Pacific Financial Forum, Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Partnership and Financial Inclusion Forum, it said.

ABAC said following these discussions, officials had identified concrete programmes to expand small medium enterprises' access to finance, promote financial inclusion and improve the depth and liquidity of capital markets.

Its Finance and Economics Working Group Chairperson, Hiroyuki Suzuki, said the group has also agreed to launch initiatives to develop the pension and insurance industries, increase private sector investment in infrastructure and facilitate disaster risk financing.

"The private sector is supporting the establishment of a network of experts from the financial industry, multilateral institutions and government to build credit information systems allowing more owners of small businesses to use their transaction records in obtaining loans.

"They will also help improve legal frameworks to enable SMEs' wider use of movable assets as collateral," he said.

The APFF will convene workshops under the CAP to promote policies and regulations that could facilitate trade and supply chain finance, as well as alternative financing mechanisms to spur investment in innovative start-ups, he said.

Suzuki said the private sector would support governments' efforts to develop capital markets, which were important for funding infrastructure and for increasing the diversity and stability of the financial system.

ABAC was created by APEC Leaders in 1995 to be the primary voice of business in APEC.

Business sector eyes services coalition for growth, development

(PNA), RMA/PND/SSC

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Sept. 7 (PNA) -- The business sector on Monday proposed the formation of a services coalition that would enable various professions to enhance the growth of the service industry in the country.

In a presentation during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Regional Conference of Services Coalition, George Barcelon of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said bringing the services players together in a coalition could highlight the priorities of the industry and strengthen it in the long term.

Barcelon said that given the rapid expansion of trade in services, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario, who also chairs the APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting, has expressed support for the idea and has called on the Makati Business Club and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to co-convene the coalition.

"The private sector fully supports this initiative, which is also partly the reason why I'm standing before you," he told the APEC delegates at the Radisson Blu Hotel here.

"We envision the coalition to bring together service associations and formulate strategies for the development of the service sector."

Groups supporting the coalition, he said, would have their first official meeting after the APEC conference in Cebu, having laid the initial groundwork for the effort since 2014.

They have also identified roadmaps for specific service sectors, Barcelon said, citing that the Information technology – business process outsourcing (IT BPO) sector has already developed and successfully implemented its own roadmap.

"The logistics sector led by the Philippine International Sea Freight Forwarders Association and the United Port Users Confederation are now in their third revision of the private sector-led Philippine logistics roadmap," he noted.

"We are positive that other service industries, such as tourism, medical, health service, construction, education are on the same path."

The Philippine services coalition is a work in progress, Barcelon pointed out, adding that they have realized the need to work closely with various service sectors to gather inputs and hopefully influence government policies.

Unlike other economies, he said, the export of services rather than manufactured goods, has driven the economic growth of the Philippines in the past decade.

He however stated that despite its significant contribution to the economy, the potential of the service sector has yet to be maximized.

"So to leverage the potential of the sector, we encourage the government to prioritize policy reforms in infrastructure, education, cost of doing business, so that the services coalition would be organized to make the necessary reform," he said.

Last year, services recorded a 6 percent growth, accounting for 56 percent of the economy, Barcelon reported.

In terms of employment, he said, the number of people employed in the services sector increased to 21.2 million as of last April.

The growth of the service sector is fueled by the remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as well as the booming IT and tourism industries.

Contributions from OFWs alone account for 9 percent to 10 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the past 10 years.

The case of the Philippines, he said, is unique because it transitioned from agriculture to services rather than from agriculture to manufacturing as the principal engine for economic growth.

"The strength of the Philippine service sector lies in (the country’s) rich human and natural resources. The Philippines' remarkable performance in the IT BPO industry is primarily attributed to its large educated workforce, its strong English language capabilities, and high flexibility and productivity," he pointed out.

The expansion of the IT sector is supported by government fiscal incentives for foreign investors, which has led to the expansion of the real estate sector, he said.

The country's huge pool of talents, such as programmers, designers, graphic animators, musicians and performers, has penetrated the world scene, enabling Filipinos to enjoy a well-deserved international reputation, Barcelon said, adding that in tourism, the world-class tourism destinations, hospitable people, and their proficiency in English are key to the growth of the sector.

The country also has highly skilled professionals -- doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, seafarers -- but the lack of employment opportunities in the country has compelled them to go abroad, he noted.

Barcelon estimated the number of OFWs at 2.3 million, 96 percent of whom are overseas contract workers.

PHL to push for structural reforms at APEC SRMM meeting

By Leslie D. Venzon [(PNA), LGI/LDV]

CEBU CITY, Sept. 6 (PNA) -- The Philippines is pushing before other member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) various structural reform initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive growth, including making markets more open across the region.

In Sunday press briefing, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Arsenio Balisacan said ministers and high-level officials from APEC’s 21 member economies will decide on various structural reform efforts during the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting (SRMM) on Sept. 7 to 8 here, which they will endorse to APEC Leaders this November.

Balisacan said these initiatives were identified by APEC technical working groups and committees discussing issues relating to structural reform.

He explained that structural reform involves changing government policies and regulations so that economic transactions can be done more efficiently.

“While each economy can push for its own structural reform, APEC will benefit if structural reform is done in unison,” he said.

“You can unify, harmonize rules for example that could make trade more efficient, that could make investment more efficient and that would be for the benefit of everyone,” he added.

The NEDA chief said the Philippines is proposing for a three-pillar structural reform agenda, including those aimed at making markets more open, transparent and predictable across the region; increasing market participation of various sectors; and ensuring those who are exposed to natural disasters or economic shocks would not fall into poverty.

“Those three pillars are quite common, with relevance across 21 APEC member economies. If we get these pillars properly structured and pushed, we think that the APEC member countries would achieve its aspiration which is to advance the regional prosperity and (to become an) inclusive region,” he said.

Further, Balisacan said the Philippines has been pushing before APEC economies for sustained inclusive growth in recent years.

“We have introduced a number of (structural) reforms to ensure that growth is rapid while it’s also inclusive and sustainable,” he said, noting such reforms include the passage of the competition law and the creation of Competition Commission; and the launching of the Philippine Business Registry that reduces the number of days to register a business.

The two-day SRMM here is the second one to be held in APEC after it was held in Australia in 2008.

Balisacan said the meeting hopes to also develop the post-2015 agenda for the region, proposed to be named Renewed APEC Agenda on Structural Reform (RAASR).

Cebu launches 'Exquisitely Filipino' trade exhibit to promote local products

(PNA), JBP/PND/SSC

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Sept. 5 (PNA) -- The Cebu Provincial government, in partnership with SM City Cebu, and the Department of Trade and Industry launched on Friday "Exquisitely Filipino" trade exhibit aimed at introducing Cebu-made products to the delegates of the Asia Pacific Cooperation who are meeting in Cebu.

"I think we chose this occasion to launch 'Exquisitely Filipino' to dramatize the fact that in APEC we do work on integration and connectivity of economies, states and businesses," Senior Officials' Meeting Chair Laura del Rosario in her welcome remarks.

Del Rosario said art and religion has been part of daily lives of the Cebuanos and crafts featured in the exhibit manifest these distinct Cebuano culture.

"While art and religion played a role in the past, they now crossed over to the economic realm," she said.

"These products are not merely a demonstration of the Filipino skill and artistry, it has become a source of living for some families, a realization of an artist's dream to be recognized and the fruition of SMEs' efforts to be part of the global market," she noted.

Del Rosario also said the Aquino administration believes that to grow and to be meaningful, progress must be exclusive and this philosophy of exclusivity is embedded in the APEC 2015 work program.

The exhibit also serves as an opportunity for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines to participate in the regional and global markets, she added.

For his part, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said Cebu, which has been a trading hub in the Asia Pacific for the past 500 years, makes its location at the center of the Philippines an advantage for commerce.

Cebu-made products like handicrafts, fashion accessories, furnitures, and clothes are now being sold in Asia, Europe and in the Americas, and this is a source of pride for the Cebuanos, he said.

"With the opening of this 'Exquisitely Filipino' trade exhibit here at SM North Wing and at the Atrium, we once again have that perfect opportunity and distinct privilege to showcase the best that Cebu can offer," Davide said.

"The provincial government is fully supportive of this trade exhibit. It will boost our tourism industry and our investments. Hopefully, this will promote the best of Cebu."

Davide said he hopes the visiting delegates could choose from a variety of products that Cebu manufacturers and designers are offering and help spread the word when they return to their home countries.

He expressed his gratitude to SM City Cebu, DTI, APEC Philippines 2015 National Organizing Committee, and the exhibitors for their participation.

About 50 exhibitors, mostly members of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, take part in the Exquisitely Filipino exhibit, which will run until September 8.

Clean-up drive starts today: Mega Cebu

By Earl Jon M. Rallos

SATURDAYS in Cebu Province this month will get busier as people from different sectors are set to unite efforts in clearing streets and local communities of garbage.

The “Limpyo Cebu, Pwede Kaayo” clean-up drive, initiated by Mega Cebu in partnership with Let’s Do It Philippines, will start today.

Carol Ballesteros, communication and stakeholder relationship manager of Mega Cebu, said they have been inviting the education and private sector to take part in its first of a kind environmental activity.

Some schools, ESL companies and land developers, which already committed to participate, will be cleaning on all Saturdays of September from 7-9 a.m.

But Ballesteros said they want the activity to become the Saturday morning habit of Cebuanos.

During their launching last Tuesday, Ballesteros said that Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes also pledged to help.

The group has also tapped the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry to urge their member companies to join.

Mega Cebu, in its aim for participation of students, received a sympathetic response from the Department of Education (Deped).

“We went to DepEd about two weeks ago to help us and we are glad that they are willing to do it,” she told Sun.Star Cebu.

Dr. Berna Ysulan of Deped said their office already issued regional memorandum 509 to all division superintendents, directing them to encourage the students to join Limpyo Cebu.

Cebu sees more foreign investments from APEC hosting

By Leslie D. Venzon [(PNA), LGI/LDV]

CEBU CITY, Sept. 3 (PNA) -- The Cebu provincial government is planning to create more economic zones and drawing up strategies to enhance port facilities, as it gears up for increased foreign investments from hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

“I’m confident that after the (APEC) meetings here, there would be foreign economies and even foreign businessmen that would express interest in investing here in Cebu,” said Governor Hilario P. Davide III, chair of APEC Cebu Organizing Committee.

Davide expects more investments pouring into the manufacturing sector particularly fashion accessories, gift items and food; tourism; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and services sector.

“Services, that’s one of the key (economic) drivers here in Cebu,” he noted. “…We encourage the private sector to also focus on MSMEs in the countryside. We want to develop the countryside as much as we can to provide economic opportunities to Cebuanos there.”

To seize these investment opportunities, Davide underscored the need to enhance port facilities.

He said the Cebu Provincial Planning and Development Office, along with the local government units (LGUs), are also looking at the possibility of establishing more economic zones for future investments.

“Setting up more economic zones for future investments is one of the programs the government is looking at for the future. There have been requests from those wanting to invest here, they are looking for areas where to do business,” he reasoned.

The governor also assured prospective investors that the Cebu Investment Promotions Office is creating a business-friendly climate, particularly for foreign investors.

David expects around 3,000 delegates, excluding family members and their staff, to attend the APEC meetings here that run from August 22 to September 11.

APEC meetings good for Cebu exports, tourism - execs

(PNA), LAP/EB/SSC

CEBU CITY, Sept. 2 (PNA) -- The ongoing Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) senior ministers' meetings in Cebu is good for the province’s export and tourism industries, officials said.

Asteria Caberte, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 director, cited as an example the Exquisitely Filipino Exhibit at the SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium that features top local fashion accessories and furniture.

Caberte said the exhibit has been able to sell PHP100,000 worth of products a day since it was launched on August 22, which is also the start of the APEC meetings in Cebu.

Caberte said each delegate is expected to spend at least USD300 or roughly PHP14,000 during their stay in Cebu, excluding hotel accommodation.

The APEC meetings are expected to draw a total of 3,200 delegates to Cebu, aside from some 3,000 support staff.

Delegates are also expected to buy optional tours in Cebu and Bohol, aside from the complimentary city tours.

Rowena Montecillo, Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 director, said at least 85 APEC foreign delegates have purchased the optional tours in Cebu and Bohol since the start of the APEC meetings.

Earlier, some delegates were reported to have traveled to Bohol without informing their hotel information desks.

Among the tour sites in Cebu City are the Sto. Niño Basilica, Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, the old Jesuit House and museums which depict Cebu’s rich culture and heritage.

The city tour also covered a brief visit to the Cebu IT Park and the South Road Properties, which gave a glimpse of Cebu’s present and future developments.

At least 50 APEC delegates visited these sites Wednesday.

Another batch of APEC delegates will visit these sites on Thursday.

The Bohol countryside tour included the Loboc River Cruise, the Chocolate Hills, the tarsier and the centuries-old churches ruined by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 15, 2013.

Cebu aims to become PHL’s cruise ships' destination

By Leslie D. Venzon [(PNA), CTB/LDV]

CEBU CITY, Sept. 1 (PNA) -- Cebu province is aggressively positioning itself as a cruise ships' destination given its comparative advantage in tourism.

“Yes, we do want to be included in the map… Cebu is second destination outside Manila. We offer almost the same things that Manila can offer with pluses because the beach area is very near,” said Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 7 Director Rowena Montecillo.

Montecillo said the DOT regional office is in talks with some of the biggest international cruise companies that can bring in more tourists to Cebu.

“Most of them are actually very interested in Cebu because tour packages are already in place. They can even sell another province Bohol which is very near Cebu,” she said in a press briefing here.

Cebu plays host to several substantial ministerial meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum from Aug. 24 to Sept. 11.

In line with this goal, Montecillo said the province is addressing the problem relating to cruise ships docking area.

“Right now, we have some problems with our port area. But the Cebu Port Authority is looking at another place, a town very near Cebu City to transfer all of these cargo ships so that the Cebu International Port (can) really concentrate on the cruise liners,” she said.

Montecillo said the DOT is also gearing up for its plan to increase flights direct to Cebu.

“Since third quarter of last year, we have added flights from Osaka and Nagoya (Japan) direct to Cebu and additional flight direct from Tokyo to Cebu. According to our Market Development Group, there will be more for Cebu this year,” she added.

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