Cebu Province News September 2018

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Province of Cebu - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Cebu metro.jpg
Aerial View of Metro Cebu

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Central Visayas to get more rice imports by October

By Carlo S. Lorenciana (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Additional rice imports for Central Visayas are expected to arrive in October.

While the National Food Authority said there is enough supply of the government-subsidized rice in the region, distribution remains a challenge, said assistant regional head Diocano Alojado Jr.

He said during a recent price coordinating council meeting that the region needs more NFA retail outlets.

NFA has seven warehouses in Region 7 with 533,000 bags of rice in its latest inventory.

Additional 120,000 bags of rice are expected to be unloaded this week.

Another 240,000 bags of imported rice are also scheduled to arrive next month.

NFA rice sold in accredited stores in public markets are sold at P27 and P32 per kilo and only at a maximum of five kilos per purchase.

Early this month, the NFA Council (NFAC), the agency’s policy-making body, had approved the additional importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice to beef up the current NFA stocks.

In a Sept. 4 meeting, the council had instructed the NFA to hold an open tender immediately for the importation of the additional rice stocks to arrive in November 2018.

This developed amid the rising prices of the Filipino staple in the market.

The additional importation can increase NFA’s active participation in the market by as much as 20%.

OTS to roll out workshop in Cebu for stakeholders

By Juju M. Empuerto (jsme/PIA-7/Cebu)

CEBU CITY, September 25 (PIA) --- The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) in partnership with the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) will hold a five-day Maritime Security Pilot Program and certification activities for maritime stakeholders at Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino, this city, from Sept. 24-28, 2018.

The activity aims to bring the OTS' services closer to the stakeholders in the Visayas region, said OTS Information Officer Jonathan Maliwat.

This shall take place alongside the formal introduction of OTS-accredited Registered Security Organizations (RSOs) and certified maritime security auditors, he added.

“RSOs are accredited organizations delegated with maritime security duties to assist the OTS in implementing standard security measures to coastwise ships, port facilities and shipyards," said Maliwat.

It shall provide accessibility to those based in Cebu, but also is expected to ensure that maritime security personnel or staff performing security duties must possess the necessary competencies through a certification process.

Maliwat said the program will include workshop activities for Port Facility Security Officers (PFSO) and subsequent issuance of Certificate of Competency, on the Development of Port Facility Security Assessment and Port Facility Security Plan and the subsequent issuance of Statement of Compliance for Port Facilities, and the formal introduction of OTS-accredited Registry Security Organizations and certified maritime security auditors.

“We have to be able to provide the riding public with an alternative mode of transportation that is safe, secured and reliable. To do so, we must establish performance standards that satisfy our international obligations,” he said.

DSWD 7, employee bag awards from CSC

(S)

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)7 Field Office recently received awards from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on the occasion of its 118th Philippine Civil Service anniversary.

DSWD 7 won the Brigada Ahensya award under two categories, namely, Category B-repairs, refurbishing and repainting of facilities and fixtures, and Category C-landscaping.

Brigada Ahensya is a yearly cleanup program in all government offices to improve the working conditions of civil servants. It also aims to instill cleanliness and orderliness in the workplace.

This is the first time that DSWD 7 joined the Brigada Ahensya search with entries in the two categories.

Meanwhile, Kerwin Macopia received the award for Outstanding Government Workers under the Dangal ng Bayan category.

Dangal ng Bayan award is conferred to an individual for performance of an extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of his/her observance of the eight norms of conduct, namely commitment to public interest, professionalism, justness and sincerity, political neutrality, responsiveness to the public, nationalism and patriotism, commitment to democracy, and simple living.

Macopia started working at DSWD 7 as an administrative assistant III under the Listahanan and currently holds the position of information officer of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

His brainchild, the Panaghiusa Festival, is a unique event that showcases convergence in all DSWD programs and services.

Together with the Social Marketing Unit (SMU), they conceptualized the event that started in 2015 to increase public awareness and highlight DSWD 7’s gains and accomplishments.

As a member of the SMU, he is also one of the persons behind the success of DSWD 7’s provision of correct information to the public through social media.

Aside from the CSC Dangal ng Bayan award, Macopia also received the DSWD’s Gawad Huwaran award.

He is also part of the Gawad #DSWDMayMalasakit and Best Support Office given by the DSWD Central Office to the Social Marketing Unit of DSWD 7.

“Winning these awards has shown us that with hard work anything is possible. I have been fortunate enough to work with a great staff who are committed in their work. I hope these awards will inspire us more to work harder to give the staff and the clients the best environment that we can provide,” said DSWD 7 Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre.

4,000 bamboos planted for World Bamboo Day

By Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad (MBG, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Around 5,000 bamboos were planted yesterday to celebrate the World Bamboo Day.

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), they initially targeted to plant 4,000 bamboo plants in the towns of Asturias and Balamban but they exceeded their target when around 1,000 fruit-bearing trees and hardwood were added to the list.

The seedlings were planted near the riverbanks of Liki River. Last year, 2,000 bamboo plants were planted along the riverbank.

PDRRMO spokesperson Jules Regner said that this is the third time Cebu celebrated Bamboo Day but only few of the trees which they planted have survived.

This year, PDRRMO and its partners coordinated with the barangay units so that they can take care of the trees and ensure its growth because the activity is not just tree planting but a tree growing initiative.

Next year, the provincial government hopes to expand the activity by involving more local government units. The towns of Ronda and Alcantara are two of the towns which already expressed willingness to co-host the activity.

Regner stressed that it is important to plant trees as part of the mitigating efforts for disaster. In light of the City of Naga landslide, he said that Cebuanos should be more aware and participative in efforts to protect the environment.

The six-hour activity was participated in by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENRO), JCI Metro Cebu Uptown, Asturias Poultry Growers, Kabilin Nature Farms Foundation, the barangay units concerned, and other commercial sponsors. Volunteers from various fraternities, academe, and non-government organizations also came.

In an earlier press conference, Fr. Vic Labao of Kabilin Nature Farms Foundation emphasized the importance and uses of bamboo.

Adult bamboos are considered helpful in climate change adaptation as it has carbon sequestration properties, which can absorb about 400 kilos of carbon dioxide in a year.

Labao added that bamboos, once harvested, can be used as scaffolding, a material for housing, creative handicrafts, and more. With these options, the plant has both environmental and economic advantages.

Bamboo matures in a span of three to five years. When used up, they can be easily replaced.

MCIA 9th in list of most on-time airports in Southeast Asia

By Ma. Devorah Taneo (FVQ, USJ-R Intern)

THE runway operations of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) are now back to normal following the completion of an asphalt overlay work in the facility.

This, as the operation of MCIA’s Terminal 2 has been credited to have helped make the airport place 9th in the Top 10 Most On-Time Airports list in Southeast Asia for August this year.

Steve Dicdican, general manager of MCIA, said the runway rehabilitation was completed in 21 days.

“This is a very ambitious project for 21 days, five hours closure. No one has done that in this country,” he said.

“I don’t know in other parts of the world. We did it this way. We did it properly and successfully,” Dicdican said.

He thanked everyone who contributed to the completion of the project, including the four contractors who made sure the project continued despite bad weather.

But while the runway operations are back to normal, Dicdican urged passengers to arrive early at the airport to avoid being stuck in traffic, especially with the repair works going on in one viaduct of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.

Dicdican welcomes MCIA’s placing 9th in the Top 10 Most On-Time Airports in Southeast Asia by an air travel intelligence agency based in the United Kingdom.

Dicdican said the construction of Terminal 2 has helped the airport get a 70 percent rating in the survey’s on-time performance.

“We have a new terminal, which means more parking spaces for our airplanes and bigger processing areas for passengers,” Dicdican said.

He is confident the newly rehabilitated runway will also contribute to more success for MCIA in the future.

The asphalt overlay project had a budget of P255 million.

The runway is 60 meters wide and 3.4 kilometers long.

Cebu City, Mandaue City win golds in Batang Pinoy futsal competition

By Glendale Rosal

Baguio City — The futsal teams of Cebu City and Mandaue City won gold medals in the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Batang Pinoy National Finals on Wednesday.

Cebu City topped the boys’ under-13, while Mandaue City ruled the girls’ under-13 competition of fustal held at the Saint Louis University (SLU) gymnasium.

Cebu City, composed of players from the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC), manhandled Pasig City, 14-0, in their final match to emerge as the top team in the league-type competition. The Niños finished with a perfect 9-0 (win-loss) record.

Mandaue City, a mix of players from the vaunted Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, University of Southern Philippines Foundation and from Barangay Labogon, ended its stint with a 3-3 draw against Davao City. Both teams ended up unbeaten in seven games but Mandaue City had a higher goal difference over Davao City to bag the gold medal.

Cebu Province, meanwhile, settled for a silver in the girls’ under-15 after losing to eventual champions Tanauan City, 1-0, in their last match.

Cabinet spouses, Cebu school ink scholarship grant

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The DU30 Cabinet Spouses Association (DU30CSA) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Cebu Normal University (CNU) on Monday for the implementation of the DU30CSA Scholarship Program in the Visayas.

Elena Pernia, DU30CSA vice president, said they launched the scholarship program in line with the group’s aim “to support and advocate for initiatives and programs that focus on promoting the value of education and the culture of learning in the context of national and social development.”

Pernia said the scholarship grant is intended to support the needs of deserving undergraduate students enrolled in selected state universities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The DU30CSA has already partnered with the Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and the Cagayan State University (CSU) in Luzon for the program.

Pernia said they have chosen to partner with MSU-IIT because of its excellent engineering program, the CSA for its agriculture-related curriculum, and CNU for its outstanding education-related program.

To qualify for the scholarship, a student must be enrolled in a four-year course, must be financially in need, with parents’ annual gross income not exceeding PHP250,000, must not have any scholastic delinquency, and must be of good moral character.

The MOA was signed by DU30CSA director Kristine Marie Dino on behalf of the association and CNU president Dr. Filomena Dayagbil on behalf of the school.

Along with Pernia, the MOA signing was witnessed by DU30CSA’s Education Committee member Ruby Mamondiong and other officials of CNU.

Dino clarified that the scholarship grant is not a duplication of the Duterte Administration’s free college education program, but is aimed at providing for the other needs of the selected scholars.

“The grant is intended for the other needs of the scholar, like board and lodging, food, transportation, books, and school supplies,” Dino said.

Selected scholars will each be provided a one-year grant of PHP100,000, or PHP50,000 per semester, Dino added.

Candidates for the scholarship in the Visayas were also present during the MOA signing held at the CNU campus.

They were Rhona Villamayor, Ma. Catherine Gentapo, Sunshine Fat, and Geralyn Gevara, all third-year students taking up Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at CNU.

More infra, transpo projects for CV this year

By Jan Karla Madrio (PIA7)

CEBU CITY -- The government is set to implement this year, more infrastructure projects in Central Visayas all set to ease the traffic in the cities of Tagbilaran and Cebu.

During the recent Regional Development Council - Infrastructure Development Committee (RDC-IDC) meeting, the committee along with Chairman Glenn Anthony Soco reviewed the proposed Bohol Capitol bypass road.

The proposed bypass roads in Bohol will connect San Isidro, Cabawan and Malayo Norte Cortes and Calceta Street to Hangos road.

Kareen Suarez of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Central Visayas, reported that the proposals are duly recommended by the RDC secretariat to the IDC chairman.

A bypass road connecting V. Rama Avenue, Barangay Guadalupe and Barangay Lahug was also presented to the committee by newly installed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-7 Director Edgar Tabacon.

According to Director Tabacon, the road may help ease the traffic experienced by motorists along Escario street.

Meanwhile, GMR Megawide Cebu also presented to the committee their proposed Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) expansion.

The development will include an additional terminal and a second runway.

GMR Megawide Chairman Andrew Harrison, said the proposed second runway is the answer to emergencies like what transpired in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) weeks ago.

The bypass roads are expected to be implemented next year, while the estimated completion of the airport’s expansion is set on year 2040.

Most foreign retirees in Cebu are Chinese

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Chinese nationals top the foreign retirees staying in Cebu and availing of special resident retirees Visa (SRRV) from the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA).

A record from the PRA Cebu satellite revealed that of the 3,900 special retiree visa holders in Cebu, majority of whom are Chinese nationals, followed by Koreans, and Taiwanese.

PRA-Cebu Satellite office, officer-in-charge Elma Corbeta revealed that aside from the good quality of life in Cebu, these foreign nationals opt to acquire of special Visa accommodation due to other interests like investments and other incentives.

According to Corbeta, these retirees are mostly buying properties and putting investments here, aside from enjoying the cheaper cost of living in a tropical setting.

SRRV holders are entitled to enjoy privileges such as permanent residency status, indefinite visa, exemption from Bureau of Immigration Alien Certificate of Registration Card, Tax Free Importation of Personal Household goods worth up to US$7,000, among others.

SRRV holders in Cebu are aged 35 years and up. Chinese retirees stay and do business here, Koreans apply for permanent residency and other benefits for long vacation, and enrolling their children in school in Cebu.

Applicants are required to put in Visa deposit with PRA from US$50,000 to US$20,000 depending on the age bracket.

Visayas, Mindanao regions to share power grid by 2020

By Carlo S. Lorenciana (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Visayas and Mindanao will soon share power needs once the grid interconnection of the two island regions is completed by 2020.

Christian Ereno, Visayas system planning head at the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, said yesterday at a forum in Cebu City the project is already in the works.

NGCP has begun construction of the P52-billion power grid interconnection project seen to strengthen the country’s transmission network.

The Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), which will link Mindanao to the already connected Luzon-Visayas Grid, is targeted for completion in December 2020.

“This is the largest transmission undertaking in the country’s history. The benefits to the public will come not just when the facility is energized and begins to facilitate power exchange across the three main island groups, but will begin encouraging economic activity in remote areas as soon as construction begins this year,” the grid operator had said in June.

Submarine cables spanning 184 circuit-kilometers and 526 circuit-kilometers of overhead lines link the Visayas and Mindanao grids as designed in the MVIP.

The project construction will run in parts of Cebu in Visayas and in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Lanao del Norte in Mindanao, creating job opportunities in those areas.

Currently, only Luzon and Visayas are interconnected while Mindanao is isolated. Interconnection between Luzon and Visayas allows both grids to get supply from each other during supply shortfall.

It was last year when NGCP was given the go-signal by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to proceed with the interconnection project.

NGCP is a privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining and developing the country’s power grid.

The project involves the interconnection of Visayas and Mindanao via Cebu and Zamboanga. Converter stations in Visayas and Mindanao will be located in Sibonga, Cebu and Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, respectively.

Mactan hotel to be completed next year

(KOC)

ROBINSONS Land Corp. (RLC) announced it is set to complete early next year its 300-room resort hotel under the Dusit Thani hospitality brand.

This development stands to provide additional jobs in Cebu, particularly in the hospitality sector, said RLC corporate communications director Roseanne Villegas.

She said RLC as a group has employed at least 5,000 workers in Cebu with its malls, offices, residential and hotels investments.

RLC president Frederick Go said the five-star Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort is the centerpiece of the 10-hectare Amisa mixed-use complex.

The branded hotel will cater to international and domestic tourists and is positioned to be the top choice of destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) activities.

Go said the group is taking a keen interest in the country’s tourism sector and taking advantage of Cebu’s new developments such as the upgrading of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

“Cebu is special and very important to us and we will continue to expand our footprint in this metropolis. We are proud to be among the catalysts for the growth of the local economy,” said Go.

The 300-room Dusit Thani Mactan forms part of the 2,000 rooms that will be added in two to three years in Lapu-Lapu City.

Hembler Mendoza, head of Lapu-Lapu City’s Tourism Office, said the historic resort city has a 5,000-room inventory.

These additional hotel rooms are expected to boost employment oportunities in the hospitality sector, which according to a survey by Mynimo.com, is experiencing a surplus in talent.

LTO puts up offset printing offices in 3 malls

(EOB)

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) yesterday said they are on track with their printing of driver’s licenses as they are putting up three temporary offset printing offices. LTO 7 Director Victor Caindec said that their temporary offset printing offices are in SM Seaside City Cebu, Island Central Mall in Mactan Island and Alturas Mall in Tagbilaran City. “So the Cebu City Licensing Office will be moved to SM Seaside. The district office will remain,” he said in an interview.

Caindec said the offset printing offices in malls have enough furniture and are equipped with cable and power, which are provided by the mall owners, following the signing of a memorandum of agreement. At present, they are installing internet connection in the areas. “The licensing center at SM Seaside City Cebu and two other offset printing offices will cover renewal of driver’s license, new licenses and student permits,” Caindec said.

P200M disaster budget approved

By SHEILA C. GRAVINEZ

THE Provincial Development Council (PDC) approved the P200 million requested by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) for next year.

This is part of the P9.8 billion Annual Investment Program (AIP) approved by the PDC during its third quarter meeting at the Capitol yesterday.

Provincial Planning and Development Office officer-in-charge Rodel Bontuyan explained that bigger projects will be endorsed to the Regional Development Council 7 so that these will be included in the General Appropriations Act of 2019. The smaller projects will be endorsed to the Cebu Provincial Board for approval.

Of the P200 million proposed by the PDRRMO, P96 million will be for disaster prevention and mitigation while close to P34 million will be for disaster preparedness. Another P60 million will be allotted for quick response and P10 million will be for recovery and rehabilitation.

PDRRMO head Baltazar Tribunalo said that the 2019 proposed budget is bigger than the current budget by P19 million.

During the same PDC meeting, Gov. Hilario Davide III, who also chairs the council, presented the projects, programs and activities that are part of the P9.08 billion AIP for 2019.

Of the proposed P9 billion budget, over P5 billion will be for regular operating expenditures and programs under the executive and legislative branches, health offices under the Capitol, Cebu South Bus Terminal and fund for the PDRRMO. About P687 million will be sourced from the Province’s 20 percent share of the Internal Revenue Allotment while over P3.2 billion will be taken from other Capitol sources.

In the same gathering, PDC approved the P160.7 billion 10-year Provincial Development Investment Program, which will be from 2019-2028. The long-term program will still need the approval of the Provincial Board.

Bontuyan said that the proposed projects and programs were recommended by the different stakeholders coming from the academe, civil society organizations, private sector, people’s organizations, national government agencies, mayors and from the results of consolidated workshops done last March.

“This is a participatory governance,” said Bontuyan in Bisaya. “So all stakeholders should have a perspective that we consider, and then we processed the information. We will look for a way to find other funding sources for projects that still need funding.”

Cebu inks sisterhood agreement with Fujian

By Carlo S. Lorenciana (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu and China's Fujian province yesterday signed a sister-province agreement to boost people-to-people and economic ties between the two provinces.

The agreement seeks to establish a friendship province relationship.

"The two sides agree to make a concerted effort, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, to promote people-to-people friendly contacts and economic and trade interflow between the two provinces, and actively carry out exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology, culture, sports, health, education, personnel, tourism, environment, agriculture and fisheries, and disaster risk reduction," read the agreement, signed by Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and Fujian Gov. Tang Dengjie.

The two provinces seek to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the Filipinos and the Chinese "and to consolidate and develop friendly cooperation between the two provinces."

This agreement will be valid for five years.

"Upon expiration, it shall remain in force unless either side terminates it," the agreement said.

Last weekend, the Cebu provincial government's Cebu Provincial Investment and Promotions Office and the Fujian provincial government also signed a memorandum of understanding for the joint promotion of the building of the 21st Century Maritime Silkroad between the two provinces.

The signing took place during the Cebu delegation's participation at the 20th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) last Sept. 8-10 at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center.

During the said event, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Xiamen Chamber of International Commerce also signed a joint cooperation agreement during the Cebu-Fujian Business and Tourism Cooperation Seminar.

The participation of Cebuano businessmen at the CIFIT is a congenial way to attract Chinese investors to Cebu.

The investment fair was also an opportunity to bank on the good relationship between China and the Philippines in expanding trade and investment relations.

Gender equality campaign launched in Cebu

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The “Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran” (SPARK) launched its #inFAIRness campaign at the Cebu City Hall on Wednesday.

The #inFAIRness advocacy campaign of SPARK is aimed to break stereotypes and challenge assumptions towards gender equality, said SPARK trustee Maria Isabel Quimson.

It also seeks to normalize the role of men at home and recognize the importance of women’s economic role, Quimson added.

“Some women are unpaid for rigorous work they do. It is very disheartening when you realize the burdens on women’s backs on top of having to cook for their families and tend to their children. We believe that the way to achieve gender equality is by normalizing the role of women in the workplace and the role of men at home,” Quimson said.

She urged everyone in the audience, particularly the male participants, to acknowledge the importance of gender equality.

“We (women) won’t be able to achieve this (gender equality) without the help our men, our husbands, male government officials, and men everywhere in the community. So, please help us with our advocacy,” Quimson told her audience in Cebuano.

A real gentleman will help his wife with household chores and promote shared tasks at home, she added.

The nationwide #inFAIRNESS movement, which was first launched at the Senate of the Philippines last August 15, is supported by “Investing in Women,” an initiative of the Australian Government.

The regional launch in Cebu was held in partnership with the Cebu city government and was attended by local government officials, women’s organizations, transport groups, and other relevant stakeholders.

Quimson said the campaign will utilize both the traditional and technological means to gather attention including posting of information in public offices, posting of stickers in public utility vehicles, and creating an online community on social media.

The campaign will also be launched in other parts of the country in the following months to come.

Cordova starts widening, opening new roads

(FVQ)

AS SOON as the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) or the third bridge linking Mactan Island to mainland Cebu is completed in 2021, widened roads and new road opening will be in place in Cordova town to address the volume of motorists that will soon cross the bridge.

While Lapu-Lapu City awaits similar projects from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to complement the P28-billion bridge, road rehabilitation and widening in the city’s major arteries have already been implemented since 2015.

Cordova Vice Mayor Victor Tago III disclosed that the area for the coastal highway was cleared of inhabitants starting July 2018.

The three-kilometer roadway starts from the bridge in Pilipog all the way to Gabi-Marigondon bridge.

“That’s a 30-meter-wide coastal highway, so that’s four lanes,” according to the vice mayor.

Permits were also sought from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) to use the area for the project since the location is alongside fishponds.

Piling of filling materials has started and will be entirely done within the year.

“Initial budget estimate for now is P180 million for the road opening. That is only for clearing the area,” Tago said.

On the other hand, the DPWH has allocated a separate budget for road cementing for the entire coastal highway of up to P800 million.

This will take two to three years to finish, just in time for the completion of the CCLEX.

For a parallel infrastructure project in the town, Tago said there is a separate team working on the road widening for the circumferential highway from Gabi bridge to Pilipog bridge.

The works started last June 2018 and are estimated to be completed in two to three years.

The five-kilometer loop will have four lanes. But this time, there are residential and commercial structures that need to be demolished as a road easement will be implemented.

Public hearings by DPWH officials with the affected structure owners will include a discussion on the estimated cost of damage to every property that will be demolished.

Tago said the project cost is more than P200 million, not including the budget for the payment of the affected structure owners that will be determined after the public hearings.

To ease traffic flow once the third bridge will be operational, slow-moving vehicles in Cordova, like trisikads, motorkads and tricycles, will no longer be allowed to use the highway.

“Trisikads will be in barangay roads only,” the vice mayor uttered.

Meanwhile, when the 8.5-kilometer CCLEX was still a proposal, Lapu-Lapu City had spent over P230 million in a span of three years since 2015 for the concreting, widening and rehabilitation of city roads.

The projects were intended to decongest traffic.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, in her State of the City Address last July 2018, mentioned that road opening projects and rehabilitation of alternative and diversionary routes along the main arteries were part of the priorities of the city’s infrastructure programs.

These include the Aviation Road traversing from Barangay Basak to Buaya; Masiwa-Ibabao Road to decongest traffic in Barangay Marigondon and Agus; Ibabao-Malinao, Bunga Road in Agus; and Pakpakan Road that helps the riding public avoid the bottleneck in going to Sudtunggan, Barangay Basak.

Radaza assures that before 2018 ends, Pag-ambakan-Ylaya road, a 1.5-kilometer road linking two sitios of Barangay Marigondon, will be open.

At present, over 80 kilometers of the City’s Mainland Road Network have been concreted and asphalted.

Furthermore, City Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Perla Amar said they are waiting for the DPWH to present road projects to complement the third bridge.

Amar referred to (a) roads in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu boundary of Pilipog, Cordova on the west side, and (b) roads in the Marigondon boundary of Gabi bridge on the east side, which serve as entrance and exit points of both local government units.

He hopes the DPWH will implement the road projects before the CCLEX is completed.

Cebu Province improves ranking in competitiveness index

By Morexette B. Erram

The Cebu Province ranked 25th in the 2018 National Competitiveness Index.

The rankings, conducted by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC), served as a gauge to determine the performance of local government units (LGUs) and the perception of private investors.

The province previously ranked 44th in 2017.

The index for 2018 are based on the sum of their scores on four pillars: economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency.

“Provincial rankings are based on population and income weighted average of the overall scores of cities and municipalities under a province,” the National Competitiveness Council stated on their website.

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Home away from home: Cebu starts construction of multi-million capitol dorm

(Politiko Visayas)

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Mapale led the groundbreaking for a P25-million dormitory at the provincial Capitol.

The dormitory, scheduled for completion early 2019, offers local government officials from far-flung areas a place to stay when they are in Cebu City on official business.

Once completed, it will be a 12-door, two-story structure on a province-owned lot in Villalon Drive in Barangay Capitol Site, a few meters at the back of Capitol Compound.

At the groundbreaking ceremony were Cebu’s Liga ng mga Barangay President Celestino Martinez III and Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Cebu President Earl Tidy Oyas.

Provincial Board Members Cristopher Baricuatro, Yolanda Daan and Miguel Magpale also attended the activity. Some Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) presidents also attended.

The ABC presidents included Marieta Bucao of Talisay, Jovenal Chiong of the City of Naga, Joie Derama of Boljoon, and Wesley Alimorin of Consolacion.

Cebu projects comprise 4.4% in PH

By MIA AZNAR

CEBU ranked fourth in the country in the number of construction projects in the second quarter of 2018, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In a report released on Wednesday, the PSA found that Cebu had 1,754 construction projects in the second quarter, comprising 4.4 percent of the construction projects in the country.

It followed the provinces of Cavite, which had 4,479 construction projects, Laguna, which had 2,241, and Bulacan, which had 1,910.

Following Cebu was Bohol, with 1,574 projects comprising 3.9 percent of the country’s construction projects for the quarter. Negros Oriental recorded 1,165 projects for the period.

The total number of constructions in the Philippines reached 40,182, reflecting an increase of 11.7 percent from the 35,983 projects recorded in the same period last year. The total value of these projects was estimated at P101.2 billion, up by 33.4 percent, with total floor area of 8.8 million square meters. The data was taken from construction statistics of approved building permits.

By region, Central Visayas ranked third, with 4,555 construction projects during the period. It trailed Calabarzon, which had 9,608 projects, and Central Luzon, which had 5,028.

However, in terms of value, the National Capital Region ranked first, with construction projects amounting to P33.3 billion and comprising 33.4 percent of the total value of construction in the country.

Central Visayas projects were valued at P11.4 billion, ranking third after Calabarzon, which had a combined value of P14.8 billion.

Residential projects still dominated the country’s construction scene, with 29,060 projects out of the 40,182 being constructed in the country. These were valued at P57 billion, an increase of 59.7 percent from the same quarter last year.

Apartments increased by 53.5 percent while residential condominiums and single-type houses increased by 40 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively.

The average cost per square meter of residential constructions rose by 12 percent, estimated at P11,314 per square meter. During the same period last year, average cost was estimated at P10,104.

Single-type houses dominated the residential segment, comprising 85.3 percent or 24,787 out of all residential constructions. The value of single-type houses was placed at P23.5 billion with a total area of 2.5 million square meters at an average cost of P9,358 per square meter.

There were just 35 residential condominium projects, comprising only 0.1 percent of the total, but total value of these projects reached P25 billion, with total floor area of 1.4 million square meters at an average cost of P18,298 per square meter.

Non-residential projects increased by 16.1 percent to 5,644 projects and were estimated at a value of P37.5 billion. The growth of this segment was brought about by high increases in the number of constructions for agricultural buildings (349), institutional buildings (1,221), industrial buildings (624) and commercial buildings (3,329).

The average cost per square meter of non-residential projects was P10,226, 4.9 percent higher than the P9,745 cost for the same period last year, mostly due to increases in the average cost of institutional, industrial and commercial buildings.

Cebu ranks 4th in most number of construction projects

By MIA AZNAR

CEBU ranked fourth in the country as having the most number of construction projects in the second quarter of 2018, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In a report released on Wednesday, September 5, the PSA found that Cebu had 1,754 construction projects in the second quarter, comprising 4.4 percent of the construction projects in the country.

It followed the provinces of Cavite, which had 4,479 construction projects; Laguna, which had 2,241; and Bulacan, which had 1,910.

Following Cebu was Bohol, with 1,574 projects, comprising 3.9 percent of the country's construction projects for the quarter. Negros Oriental recorded 1.165 projects for the period.

The total number of constructions in the Philippines reached 40,182, reflecting an increase of 11.7 percent from the 35,983 projects recorded in the same period last year.

The total value of these projects was estimated at P101.2 billion, up by 33.4 percent, with total floor area of 8.8 million square meters. The data was taken from construction statistics of approved building permits.

By region, Central Visayas ranked third, with 4,555 construction projects during the period. It trailed Calabarzon, which had 9,608 projects, and Central Luzon, which had 5,028.

However, in terms of value, the National Capital Region ranked first, with construction projects amounting to P33.3 billion and comprising 33.4 percent of the total value of construction in the country.

Central Visayas projects were valued at P11.4 billion, ranking third after Calabarzon, which had a combined value of P14.8 billion.

Residential projects still dominated the country's construction scene, with 29,060 projects out of the 40,182 being constructed in the country. These were valued at P57 billion, an increase of 59.7 percent from the same quarter last year.

Apartments increased by 53.5 percent, while residential condominiums and single-type houses increased by 40 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively.

The average cost per square meter of residential constructions rose by 12 percent, estimated at P11,314 per square meter. During the same period last year, average cost was estimated at P10,104.

Single-type houses dominated the residential segment, comprising 85.3 percent or 24,787 out of all residential constructions. The value of single-type houses was placed at P23.5 billion with a total area of 2.5 million square meters at an average cost of P9,358 per square meter.

There were just 35 residential condominium projects, comprising only 0.1 percent of the total, but total value of these projects reached P25 billion, wiht total floor area of 1.4 million square meters at an average cost of P18,298 per square meter.

Non-residential Non-residential projects increased by 16.1 percent to 5,644 projects and estimated at a value of P37.5 billion. The growth of this segment was brought about by high increases in the number of constructions for agricultural buildings (349), institutional buildings (1,221), industrial buildings (624) and commercial buildings (3,329).

The average cost per square meter of non-residential projects was at P10,226, 4.9 percent higher than the P9,745 cost for the same period last year, mostly due to increases in the average cost of institutional, industrial and commercial buildings.

Commercial buildings made up the most number of projects for the quarter at 3,329, comprising 59 percent of all non-residential types and valued at about P20.4 billion and having a total floor area of 1.8 million square meters.

Average cost per square meter of commercial buildings was at P11,363.

Naga sets P880M for big infra, services in 2019

(JKV)

THE City Government of Naga, Southern Cebu is expected to increase its annual budget next year to P880 million to fund its priority projects, especially on infrastructure.

Aside from her accomplishments this year, Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong said the City will continue to provide better basic services to its constituents as the mayor approaches the end of her first term.

Chiong made her third State of Naga Address during the culminating activity of the city’s 11th Charter Day celebration yesterday.

Chiong said the P880-million proposed budget for 2019 will be aimed towards improving the living condition of her constituents.

She said it’s a significant increase from this year’s P785 million. In 2016, the City set aside P650 million for its budget.

As to local revenue, Chiong said they are close to reaching the annual collection target of P506 million.

She said the increased collection is helped by the local business sector and the City’s efficient tax collection system.

“You can see the consistent rise of local income generated, including the Internal Revenue Allotment, which enables the City to increase its budget every year, enabling us further to implement programs and projects for the people of Naga,” Chiong said.

One of their major targets for expenditure in 2019 will be the P70-million Naga Boardwalk expansion and the P10-million “Pasilong sa Naga,” which will be placed at the old Naga municipal public park.

Chiong said the two projects are aimed to propel the city’s economy and tourism in the next few years.

Aside from her priority projects, Chiong said her usual programs for infrastructure, such as road concreting and construction of drainage and water system, will remain a main concern.

This year, the City allocated P174 million for infrastructure development.

Chiong said they also allocated P92 million for infrastructure and support facilities in the barangays.

Another infrastructure project that the City has pursued this year is the expansion of the City of Naga Jail and Detention Center from a two-storey to a three-storey facility, increasing its maximum capacity to 340 inmates.

Mactan airport fast-tracks repair of runway

(FVQ)

THE closure of the runway of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) may be extended even if the asphalting overlay, which started last Sept. 1, is expected to be finished by Sept. 21. Dolorosa Yu, officer-in-charge of the airport ground operations division of the MCIA, said that there is a need to fix the facility’s center navigational lights, which were not covered by the 21-day rehabilitation of the runway. The repair prompted the removal of 80 lights in the middle of the runway so that these will not be covered by the asphalt. When the repair will be completed, the lights will be returned and that would entail additional working days.

It is expected that normal operations will be back by the first week of October. Meanwhile, over 800 meters of the 3.3-kilometer runway have already been worked on. Four contractors have been hired to rehabilitate the runway. Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority General Manager Steve Dicdican ordered the increase of asphalt load from 16 trucks to 20 trucks per contractor per day as the amount of asphalt to be poured for the runway repair.

More Cebu areas now LTE powered

(PR)

AFTER its network upgrades in Metro Cebu, PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) is expanding its Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced networks in the rest of Cebu and in key areas around the Visayas.

These include key tourism areas like Oslob, Moalboal, Daanbantayan, Medellin, Toledo City, Bogo City and Carmen, the company said in a statement.

Smart has also expanded its LTE capacity in areas in Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Minglanilla and Talisay, while it has also been rolled out in Badian, Balamban, Barili, Catmon, Madridejos, Sibonga and Tabuelan.

“Our ramped-up roll-out in Cebu and the rest of the Visayas is part of Smart’s commitment to deliver world-class internet service to more Filipinos, wherever they may be in the country,” said Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT and Smart senior vice president for network planning and engineering.

Over 300 priests in Cebu for liturgy conference

(JKV)

MORE than 300 liturgical directors from different dioceses in the country gathered in Cebu on Monday, September 3, for a yearly conference focused on updating them on liturgical concerns.

The 33rd National Meeting of Diocesan Directors of Liturgy (NMDDL) formally kicked off Monday and will end on Friday, September 7.

The yearly activity, organized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)’s Episcopal Commission on the Liturgy, will be focused on discussions on Pope Francis’ apostolic letter entitled Magnum Principium.

Issued almost a year ago, the Magnum Principium or the Great Principle was created by Pope Francis to modify the 1983 Code of Canon Law to shift responsibility and authority for the translation of liturgical texts into modern languages to national and regional conferences of bishops.

Fr. Japheth Geonzon, assistant chairman of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Liturgy, told SunStar Cebu that the five-day conference will be focused on discussing Pope Francis’ apostolic letter to the context of translating liturgical text in all areas of the country.

“Since the liturgy is the summit of our Christian life, without it, the Church cannot live. The life of the Church revolves around the liturgy. This gathering calls us to renew our being part of the Church, not just on the clergy, but even its people,” Geonzon added.

In a separate interview, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma welcomed the participants to the activity and hoped that they would learn something from the experience.

“We hope that this activity will help in making people more appreciative of the liturgy,” Palma said.

This was the second in almost two decades that the NMDDL was held in Cebu. The last time was on its 17th year back in 2002.

Local cuisine for promotion of Cebu tourism

By JERRA MAE LIBREA (USJ-R INTERN)

CEBU Provincial Tourism Office (CPTO) aims to promote Cebuano cuisine globally as part of their campaign to promote farm tourism.

During the first day of Cebu Journeys 2018 last Tuesday, chefs from different hotels participated in the Sugbuanong Ani Year 2, where they prepared various dishes using local ingredients and products.

Participating chefs came from Radisson Blu, Golden Prince Hotel, Cebu Parklane International Hotel, and the University of San Jose - Recoletos. They used local ingredients from farmers and fisher folk in the province.

Present were consulates from Korea, Japan, and China, as well as general managers from different hotels and resorts.

Joselito Costas, provincial tourism officer, said that the event is also a way to highlight the importance of Cebuano cuisine, as well as the importance of food security and to the tourism industry.

There were also municipalities that have started promoting their products such as Pinamungajan’s dairy products, Alegria’s turmeric products, and Tudela’s cassava cookies.

For the first two days of Cebu Journeys 2018, the 23 participating towns have earned around P120,000, excluding the bookings of the package tours.

“It’s a good number. It exceeded our expectation,” said Costas.

Costas said that the event is also a way for the municipalities and cities in Cebu to promote new tour packages.

Cebu Journeys 2018 is part of the 449th Province of Cebu founding anniversary celebration, which ran from Aug. 28 to Aug. 30.

Demo farms seen to promote farm tourism in Cebu

(JKV)

A LEGISLATOR wants the Capitol to tap the services of demo farms to promote farm tourism in the Province.

In his resolution, Provincial Board (PB) Member Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano expressed support for the plan of the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) to promote demo farms in Cebu to not only help support Cebu’s local tourism but also its agricultural sector.

Ouano said that with various private farms being set up as demo farms in different parts of Cebu, he believes that farm tourism could thrive in the province.

There are private demo farms operating in San Francisco town in Camotes, Dalaguete, Alegria and Balamban.

“With the high number of tourist arrivals in Cebu, the Province can tap the services of demo farms and related establishments to provide tourists with an alternative to usual destinations and in the future, the Province can also develop its own farm tourism sites,” Ouano added.

Sen. Cynthia Villar stressed the need to establish farm schools and tourist farms in agriculturally-rich areas in the country to help farmers earn more and revive their industry.

Villar, who is the author of Republic Act 10816 or the Farm Tourism Development Law, believes that farm tourism can provide more opportunities to farmers, especially that the Department of Tourism (DOT) has expressed its support for the industry.

The Cebu Provincial Board approved the resolution during its session yesterday.

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