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Cebu News Digest: April 27, 2015: Pope ‘less likely’ to join IEC 2016 in Cebu; grand Kaplag reenactment today, heavy traffic expected in downtown Cebu City

April 27, 2015 10:24 am April 27, 2015

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Since the Pope already recently visited the Philippines, he is less likely to visit Cebu next year for the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), according to a Vatican envoy. Still, the…

Since the Pope already recently visited the Philippines, he is less likely to visit Cebu next year for the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), according to a Vatican envoy. Still, the Cebu Archdiocese remains hopeful that the Pope will consider attending the congress.

This afternoon, a grand staging of the Kaplag reenactment or the discovery of the Sto. Niño de Cebu will be held in downtown Cebu City.

For the SM Seaside City, the Cebu City Council has endorsed eight bus stations for the high-quality public transport system (HQPTS) route from the South Road Properties to the North Reclamation Area.

Tribu Lumad Basakanon, representing the Sinulog of Cebu City may have failed to defend its title in the 13th Aliwan Festival in Pasay City last Saturday after coming out second next to Manaragat Festival (Tribu Katbalaugan) from Catbalogan, Samar, but for the group, it was their best performance since they started joining the national festival competition.

Are you planning to buy a house unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, April 27, 2015:

Cebu to reenact Sto. Niño de Cebu discovery; heavy traffic expected in downtown Cebu City this afternoon

Parts of downtown Cebu City have been transformed into a pre-Hispanic village as part of this afternoon’s reenactment of the Kaplag or the discovery of the Sto. Niño de Cebu, the country’s oldest religious icon.

Cebu Daily News reported that 300 local actors and actresses will be joining the reenactment that is being supervised by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Renowned Cebuano choreographer Val Sandiego, award-winning playwright Floy Quintos, and Trina Cayabyab– daughter of renowned composer Ryan Cayabyab — are working together to stage the performance that will show the Christianization of the Philippines that started in Cebu.

A 5:30 p.m. mass that will be presided by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle at the Basilica del Sto. Niño will follow the reenactment.

Authorities warn of heavy downtown traffic with roads around the Basilica being closed to vehicle traffic.

“I’d like to tell all Cebuanos that this is a very big event. Everybody should take part in the celebrations. The next time we’ll have a celebration as grandiose as this will be in 2065. I just can’t wait for another 50 years because I may no longer be alive by that time. Let’s, therefore, make the most out of this.” — Augustinian priest Fr. Harold Rentoria, executive director of the 450th Kaplag celebration, as quoted by Cebu Daily News

Cebu Daily News: Heavy traffic in downtown Cebu City for today’s Kaplag

No papal visit in 2016?

“At a certain point the Holy Father has expressed intentions of going to Cebu for the Congress because it is a tradition. It’s a tradition that the Holy Father attends the Eucharistic Congresses. Because the IEC requires the presence of the bishop of Rome. Given that the Holy Father has already come to the Philippines, I doubt if he will be able to be here since he already visited the victims of the typhoons.” –Vatican envoy Monsignor Piero Marini

Pope Francis also has several trips to different countries this year and in 2016. Cebu will host the 51st IEC in January 2016.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said that the pope might consider returning to the country.

The Pope came to the Philippines in January 2015 to visit Tacloban and Manila to personally pray for and bless super typhoon Yolanda survivors.

“Up to the last minute we are not sure yet. Originally, there was really intention pero with what happened, the typhoon and earthquake, he came. Still we are hoping because one possibility is that if he comes to a country in Asia, because of a big event, he might pass by. We are not sure unless there is final word.” — Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma

The Freeman: For January 2016 IEC Pope unlikely to visit Cebu
Sun.Star Cebu: ‘Cebu, there’s a lot left to do’
Sun.Star Cebu: Deepen faith thru IEC, Vatican official says

SRP bus stations identified

In its session last week, the council identified the following bus stations for the HQPTS:

Inside the SM Seaside City at the SRP
SM City Cebu at the NRA
South Coastal Road near Fort San Pedro
Near Compaña Maritima
N. Bacalso Avenue near Cebu Institute of Technology-University,
City de Mari’s residential area
II Corso

These locations were endorsed to the Office of the Mayor, the city’s Department of Engineering and Public Works, and the Cebu-BRT project implementation unit for evaluation and approval.

The proposed HQPTS route would be from Talisay City to Mambaling in Cebu City, Talisay City to the NRA, Talisay City to the MCIA, and the Cebu North Bus Terminal at the NRA to Mambaling.

It is seen to accommodate a maximum of 1.35 million passengers a week.

The Freeman: 8 stations eyed for SM bus route

Lumad Basakanon, shown here performing during the Sinulog Grand Parade last January in Cebu CIty, wins second place in Aliwan. (Photo by Catherine Angeles, Sinulog Photo Contest 2015 grand prize winner. Used with permission from Sinulog Foundation, Inc.)

Cebu’s Basakanon is crowd favorite in Aliwan

Tribu Lumad Basakanon of Barangay San Nicolas was declared second placer of the Aliwan’s street dancing competition.

Basakanon also won best in costume and best in musical accompaniment.

The group holds a Hall of Fame title from Aliwan for bagging three consecutive wins. It decided to join again last year after a few years of not joining the competition.

“We have been dislodged from the throne and it’s a lesson learned and a challenge to Basakanon.” — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama

For Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros, Basakanon was still the crowd’s favorite.

Sinulog Festival Queen represented by Gazinni Christiana Ganados also won second runner-up in the Reyna ng Aliwan search.

She also won minor awards such as dazzling beauty of the night, best in evening gown and best in festival costume.

Sun.Star Cebu: Cebu’s Basakanon wins 2nd place in Aliwan, but still crowd favorite
The Freeman: Basakanon Aliwan 2015’s second best

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Focus on emerging bestsellers

The Freeman: Local bourse encourages Cebu firms to go public

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Cebu News Digest: April 25, 2015: Ongoing Kadaugan Street Party in Lapu ends tomorrow night, re-enactment on Monday; Public warned: Cebu temperature may continue to rise in May

April 25, 2015 9:02 am April 25, 2015

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There’s another reason to be merry with the ongoing Kadaugan Street Party in Lapu-Lapu City. With the suspension of the ordinance against drunk behavior in public areas, revelers can drink…

There’s another reason to be merry with the ongoing Kadaugan Street Party in Lapu-Lapu City. With the suspension of the ordinance against drunk behavior in public areas, revelers can drink beer this weekend without fear of getting arrested.

The current scorching heat caused by summer and the El Niño is already taking a toll on some of Cebu’s livestock and water supply. Yet the state weather bureau is warning the Cebuanos of a possible rise in temperature to 37 degrees Celsius in May.

Are you planning to buy a house unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, April 25, 2015:

Victory of Datu Lapu-Lapu

The suspension of the ordinance against drunk behaviour in public places was done to let locals and tourist celebrate the victory of Datu Lapu-Lapu over conquistador Ferdinand Magellan. However, drunks who cause trouble will still be apprehended.

The search for Reyna Bulakna 2015 is one of the events leading up to the reenactment of the battle between Datu Lapu-Lapu and Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan called Kadaugan sa Mactan. Photo shows Reyna Bulakna 2015 bets with Mayor Paz C. Radaza. (Photo taken from Mactan Post)

“We will tolerate those who will fall asleep on the sidewalk or vomit, but we will enforce the ordinance against those who cause scandal or become security threat.” –Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Chief Armando Radoc

These are some things you need to remember when you go celebrate in the Kadaugan Street Party:

* It started Thursday and ends tomorrow night.
* Some major roads in Lapu-Lapu are closed to vehicles this weekend.
* Drivers are advised to follow traffic directions.
* Organizers have set up stalls and banners along the three-kilometer venue for the street party that starts at the foot of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge to the Hoops Dome.
* Other activities you can find in the Party include an indoor sports clinic, basketball contests, wake boarding, a Kadaugan Color Beer Run, Fitness Dance Marathon, Zumba, sound and lights competition, a Cosplay competition, a parade of electric floats and higantes, and a car and motorcycle show.

The annual re-enactment of the April 27, 1521 battle will be staged on Monday morning.

Sun.Star Cebu: In Lapu, drink and be merry this weekend</li>
Cebu Daily News: Kadaugan Street Party

Effects of the sweltering heat seen

The following are believed to be caused by the high temperature Cebu is experiencing:

There is low water supply in some areas as streams, rivers, groundwater reservoirs and other tributaries dry up.

In Medellin, the death of two goats that had no prior signs of sickness is suspected to be caused by the heat.

“May has been considered as the hottest month and the rest of the months are below normal ang rainfall, mao na nga dako gyud ang problema sa tubig.” – PAGASA Visayas Director Oscar Tabada

This year’s temperature is not as worse as that which was recorded on May 31, 2010 when 37 degrees Celsius was recorded, the all-time hottest temperature ever in Cebu.

The city disaster council recommended for the declaration of a state of calamity to utilize the city’s disaster funds to help areas cope with the temperature that will possibly rise.

The Freeman: Pagasa: Temperatures may reach 37oC

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: SM Hypermart opens up retail space
The Freeman: Homegrown retail chain allots P1B for expansion
Cebu Daily News: 3 mixed-use Ayala projects to rise in Cebu, Mandaue, Mactan

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Cebu News Digest: April 24, 2015: Underground pass on N. Bacalso Ave.?; Water supply critical due to dry spell

April 24, 2015 10:24 am April 24, 2015

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To solve the worsening traffic in Cebu City, there are plans to build a P750-million underground pass on N. Bacalso Ave. It will be a four-lane pass for two-way traffic…

To solve the worsening traffic in Cebu City, there are plans to build a P750-million underground pass on N. Bacalso Ave. It will be a four-lane pass for two-way traffic stretching 700 meters from Muslim Mosque on N. Bacalso Ave. to the corner of Cabreros St.

Still in Cebu City, work on S. Osmena Blvd. comes closer to completion after the contractor undertaking the road project resumed earth-balling the trees on the center island under the supervision of the Cebu City Parks and Playground Commission (CCPPC).

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama attended the quarterly meeting of the Cebu Citizens’ Press Council where he said he does not mind receiving criticisms but asked that these refer to factual issues.

There is a reason the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is frequently calling on the public to conserve water this summer. Several parts of the cities of Talisay and Cebu are already feeling the issue of water supply shortage.

Are you planning to buy a house unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, April 24, 2015:

Traffic solution

According to Nonato Paylado, head of the Department of Public Works and Highways 7 planning and design division, the planned features for the underground pass are the following:

It will stretch 700 meters from the Muslim Mosque on N. Bacalso Ave. to the corner of Cabreros St.
It will allow two-way traffic with two lanes per direction.

Shown on the map is the general area of the proposed underground pass on N. Bacalso Avenue.

The infrastructure, which will be done in three phases, is projected to be completed in 2017 or next year, depending on the funds, affecting surrounding properties, including two shopping centers.

The underpass project is included in the 2015 DPWH Infrastructure Program, which is funded by the national budget for this year.

Sun.Star Cebu: Unseen solution

Low water pressure in parts of Talisay, Cebu City

This summer, several parts in Talisay City and Cebu City have been experiencing low water pressure or no water at all at certain hours of the day.

Summer and the El Niño made an impact on the water production of the MCWD whose output is down by 10,000 cubic meters per day.

Actual water production was 208,000 cubic meters from a target of 218,000 cubic meters.

According to Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara, MCWD public affairs manager, the Jaclupan weir or small dam reached a critical level in the first week of April, affecting many areas.

The Jaclupan water facility has been producing about 20,000 cubic meters instead of its normal output of 33,000 cubic meters a day, while the Buhisan dam, which usually dries up in the summer, produced only 3,200 cubic meters instead of 6,000 cubic meters a day.

Cebu Daily News: Taps run dry

Mayor to City Hall department heads: Be accessible

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama clarified he issued no gag order on 21 department heads and offices of City Hall and even called on them to be accessible.

The Cebu Citizens’ Press Council invited the mayor to its second quarterly meeting as a way of improving media coverage at City Hall.

“That has been my position all the time. If you want to be a public servant and you work at City Hall, I have been telling clearly, it is a 24/7 job. With the departments, I will again, through PIO (Public Information Office), remind them to be accessible,” said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Sun.Star Cebu: Rama ‘open’ to criticisms, asks for fair treatment

Cebu News Digest: April 23, 2015: DOTC awards Cebu BRT contracts to Korean firm; CV has low rice sufficiency

April 23, 2015 10:59 am April 23, 2015

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Kunhwa Engineering & Consulting was awarded with the contract for the detailed engineering design and construction supervision of the Bus Rapid Transit system project in Cebu City. According to the…

Kunhwa Engineering & Consulting was awarded with the contract for the detailed engineering design and construction supervision of the Bus Rapid Transit system project in Cebu City.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA) 7, Central Visayas only has a 34-35 percent rice sufficiency, which means that only about 2.4 million of the 6.8 million people living in Central Visayas will be fed by the region’s rice production.

Here are the top stories for today, April 23, 2015:

Korean company gets BRT contracts

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) awarded the contracts for the detailed engineering design and construction supervision of the Bus Rapid Transit system project in Cebu City to Kunhwa Engineering & Consulting.

According to Cebu-BRT office head Rafael Yap, the notice of award is only a prerequisite to proceed with the actual detailed engineering design.

However, DOTC still needs to issue a notice to proceed after all requirements are complied with by the Korean company before Kunhwa can start with the detailed engineering design. Yap said that the notice to proceed includes vital details, especially the timeline.

The first phase of the BRT project would involve detailed engineering design and preparation of bidding documents for the engineering, structural, civil, architectural, electrical and mechanical design while the second phase covers the supervision of the transit way and the supporting infrastructure during the construction.

The Freeman: Korean firm gets BRT contracts

Despite low rice sufficiency, CV gets enough supply

The DA explained that Central Visayas is not a rice-producing region because its soil condition, terrain and topography are not suitable for rice production.

In Cebu, the areas that pass the conditions for rice production are Carcar City, Toledo City and Argao.

Despite this situation, Central Visayas still gets enough supply of rice. This is primarily because of the fact that rice producers from Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas bring their rice produce to Central Visayas for marketing.

“We are dependent on other regions…we get rice from Iloilo and we get some of our meat products from Mindanao. However, we get enough supply because we (Central Visayas) have a big role in marketing the products.” – Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 Technical Director for Research and Regulations Joel Elumba

DA 7 continues to encourage the public to shift to other food staples like corn, camote, cassava and oats.

Sun.Star Cebu: Can Cebu give up ‘unli’ rice habit?

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Special rates for homegrown brands sought
The Freeman: CV registers P1.4B investments for Q1

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Cebu News Digest: April 22, 2015: Police identify man caught scratching cars on video, Cab driver returns P254T

April 22, 2015 10:52 am April 22, 2015

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Police already know the identity of a man caught on security camera scratching cars parked in South Central Square, Lawaan, Talisay City. An officer said the man has psychological problems….

Police already know the identity of a man caught on security camera scratching cars parked in South Central Square, Lawaan, Talisay City. An officer said the man has psychological problems.

Meanwhile, a cab driver returned P254,208 to a passenger who left the money in his taxi.

After the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 lifted the cease-and-desist order (CDO) it issued against DPWH for the removal of 79 trees from the street last year, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 can now proceed with its road works on Sergio Osmeña St.

Are you planning to buy a house unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, April 22, 2015:

Police identify man caught scratching cars on video

Police have identified the man caught on video scratching cars last April 18 at the parking lot of Robinsons Supermarket in South Central Square, Barangay Lawaan, Talisay City. They, however, refused to name him until a complaint is filed.

Talisay City Police Chief Supt. Germano Mallari said that two years ago, the man also scratched and dented a car that was parked in the same parking lot. A complaint was filed against him but this was settled when his parents paid for the damage.

Mallari told Sun.Star Cebu the man has a psychological problem.

Robinsons Supermarket Lawaan 3 manager Danilo Lim said they have now intensified security inside and outside their establishment.

Land Transportation Office Director Arnel Tancinco, meanwhile, advised car owners to avoid parking their cars anywhere and to avoid bringing their cars if the occasion doesn’t call for it.

Sun.Star Cebu: [VIRAL] Man scratching cars with keys caught on CCTV

Honest driver returns P254,208 left in cab

Valerio Boybanting, a father of five and a grandfather of 11, found a jacket containing dollars and a passport of a Korean national in his taxi last Tuesday.

He asked Ken Taxi, the company he works for, for help in returning the money to the owner. He turned to Marico Castañares, Ken Taxi’s manager, for help.

“Ayaw pagpakaon og kinawat para sa imong pamilya kay bati kaayo na (Don’t feed your family with something you stole because that’s bad).” –Taxi driver Valerio Boybanting (quoting his father)

The Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Cebu was grateful for the honesty of the taxi driver who received P8,000 as reward. He used it to build a comfort room and treat his family to an outing.

Sun.Star Cebu: Driver returns P254,208 left in Ken cab

Road work can now be continued

DPWH was able to provide 7,900 seedlings of assorted tree species DENR. The coffee, narra, cacao and mango seedlings are stored at Camp Marina in Barangay Capitol Site.

This prompted acting Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) Chief Raul Pasoc ordered the lifting of the CDO.

Even with the lifting of the CDO, Dr. Eddie Llamedo, DENR 7 spokesperson, said that DPWH must still comply with certain conditions, which includes ensuring that 85 percent of the seedlings they planted will survive.

They will start planting within 15.8 hectares of forestland in the barangays in Cebu City belonging to the Central Cebu Protected Landscape after the El Niño is over.

Sun.Star Cebu: Road project may now proceed
Cebu Daily News: DENR lifts desist order; city starts pruning trees

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Chamber upgrades ‘Suroy’

Sun.Star Cebu: New deal designates M. Lhuillier as third-party collectors for Veco

The Freeman: Indian BPO firm opens second facility in Cebu

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Cebu News Digest: April 21, 2015: 50 areas in Cebu City, Talisay City suffer from water shortage; hospital wastes piling up

April 21, 2015 9:21 am April 21, 2015

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The water district announced yesterday that there is low supply in some areas in Cebu City and Talisay city. But an official said this wasn’t unusual during summer and they…

The water district announced yesterday that there is low supply in some areas in Cebu City and Talisay city. But an official said this wasn’t unusual during summer and they anticipated this.

Hospital wastes, meanwhile, have been piling up because the company that collects these still has to renew its permits.

Meanwhile, with his highly-anticipated match fast approaching, Manny Pacquiao said he keeps Floyd Mayweather on his mind in every training session, saying he must beat him.

A World Bank report shows that remittances to the Philippines reached US$28 billion in 2014, making the country the third largest remittance recipient in the world.

Are you planning to buy a house unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, April 21, 2015:

50 areas in Cebu City, Talisay City suffer from water shortage

The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) announced yesterday that water is in low supply in about 50 areas in Cebu City and Talisay City.

By the first week of April, the Jaclupan Water Facility already reached critical level, resulting in low water production – dropping to 20,000 cubic meters compared with the normal production of 33,000 cubic meters.

“It’s not unusual during summer months. We already projected this last year that is why we are doing some measures.” — Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara, MCWD public affairs manager

The low level means “water won’t be available 24/7 since not all pumps will be operating,” Kara said.

Sun.Star Cebu: More than 50 areas in Cebu City, Talisay City suffer from water shortage

SAVE WATER, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District is asking the public. (Creative Commons photo on Flickr by Vinoth Chandar)

Medical trash in Cebu hospitals piling up

After more than a month of no collection, 30,000 kilos of infectious medical wastes from hospitals, clinics and laboratories in Metro Cebu have piled up. Pollution Abatement Systems Services Inc. (PASSI), the company that collects these types of waste, still needs to renew its transport, storage and disposal permit with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7.

Yesterday, 37 hospitals, birthing homes, lying-in clinics and laboratories signed a petition asking Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to mediate with DENR on the permit so that their infectious wastes can be collected.

“Our storage area can no longer accommodate our waste since we have insufficient storage space. We worry so much that this non-collection, even for a couple of days, will make the city reek.” — petition by medical facilities

Sun.Star Cebu: Trash in Cebu hospitals now piling up
Cebu Daily News: Infectious hospital waste piling up in Metro Cebu

Pacquiao motivated

Pacquiao reached the height of preparations for his upcoming fight when he sparred for 12 rounds at Wild Card Gym. It was the first time he did so in the course of training camp for the Mayweather showdown on May 2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“What I always do is focus on Mayweather. I must beat him.” — Manny Pacquiao

Freddie Roach was reportedly very happy with the 12-round sparring session Pacquiao did against two spar mates. The fighter noted that there was no slowdown from the first to the 12th round.

Cebu Daily News: Pacquiao determined and focused in training for fight against unbeaten Mayweather

Biggest remittance recipients

These are the top five largest remittance recipients in the world in 2014:

India ($70 billion)
China ($64 billion)
Philippines ($28 billion)
Mexico ($25 billion)
Nigeria ($21 billion

Total remittances in 2014 recorded $583 billion, reflecting a 4.7 percent growth from 2013.

“This (total remittances) is more than double the ODA (official development assistance) in the world… With new thinking, these mega-flows can be leveraged to finance development and infrastructure projects.” — World Bank chief economist and senior vice president Kaushik Basu

For 2015, global remittances are projected to grow by 0.4 percent ($586 billion), the slowest growth rate since the global financial crisis in 2008 and 2008.

Some projects funded by the World Bank in the Philippines include:

Cebu Bus Rapid Transit
Philippine Rural Development Project
Metro Manila Flood Management Project

Sun.Star Cebu: Remittance ‘mega-flows’

Cebu Business headline:

Sun.Star Cebu: Rethink targets, prepare for Asean competition, BSP tells thrift banks

Sun.Star Cebu: Seminar on securing family business’ future on April 24

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Cebu News Digest: April 20, 2015: Rama wants more roads, bridges in SRP; Despite plane crash, Sta. Fe to make skydiving tourist attraction

April 20, 2015 9:58 am April 20, 2015

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Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants six infrastructure projects, which include building of bridges and widening of roads, at the South Road Properties (SRP). Sta. Fe town in Bantayan will…

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants six infrastructure projects, which include building of bridges and widening of roads, at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Sta. Fe town in Bantayan will continue to make skydiving its newest attraction to foreign and domestic tourists, despite a weekend accident involving a chartered plane.

Are you planning to buy a house unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, April 20, 2015:

SRP photo taken on August 21, 2013. (Creative Common photo on Flickr by Kathy Woolbright Darza)

SRP photo taken on August 21, 2013. (Creative Commons photo on Flickr by Kathy Woolbright Darza)

5 new bridges in SRP?

Rama is eyeing five new bridges that will connect SRP to different barangays in Cebu City, particularly:

Barangay Ermita
Barangay Duljo-Fatima
Barangay Inayawan
Poblacion Pardo
Basak San-Nicolas

In anticipation of traffic congestion in the future as more investor developments are expected to rise in the property, Rama wants:

Widening of Jaca St. in Barangay Inayawan
Building of a bridge to connect Inayawan to the SRP
Widening of Mambaling Access Road

To make these infrastructure projects happen, re-blocking some affected areas in these barangays may be required.

Rama already ordered SRP Management Office chief Roberto Varquez to study this proposal two months ago.

Currently, only two points are accessible for those who want to go to SRP.

“Additional access roads is always good. In the future you want to disperse entry points para dili magka-bottleneck ang mga lugara.” — Rafael Yap, executive director of Cebu City Traffic Operation Management

The Freeman: 5 new bridges from SRP eyed
Sun.Star Cebu: SRP needs more roads, says Rama

Skydiving newest attraction in town

Skydiving in Sta. Fe was introduced only before the Holy Week by a group called Cebu Skydiving, with the sport attracting local and foreign tourists willing to pay P18,000 each, according to Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana.

This, despite last Saturday’s accident.

Esgana clarified that there was no plane crash involving a Cessna plane rented by skydivers that supposed crashed at the tip of the runway in Sta. Fe airport.

He said there was only an emergency landing, after the plane’s engine malfunctioned and its propeller slightly damaged. There were no injuries.

The incident, according to the mayor, won’t deter them from pursuing skydiving as a tourist attraction.

“Skydiving has a really big impact on our tourism industry here in the town. The activity can invite more tourists here.” — Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana

Cebu Daily News: Despite accident, Sta. Fe mayor sees skydiving as a major tourist attraction
The Freeman: Plane crashlands at Santa Fe airport

CIDG team to hunt 3 former Highway Patrol policemen accused of killing lawyer Noel Archival

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 is going after 3 former Highway Patrol Group (HPG) 7 officers charged with the killing of lawyer Noel Archival and his two aides in an ambush in Dalaguete.

Last week, the court issued a warrant against former HPG 7 director Supt. Romualdo Iglesia, former HPG 7 Special Operations Team chief Insp. Joselito Lerion and PO1 Alex Bacani.

Supt. Fermin Armendarez III of CIDG 7 said they are verifying reports the 3 are in Bohol, where Lerion is said to come from, but he said this was unlikely. He said they are likely to be in Luzon.

“Dili sila daling mailhan kay daghan tawo didto. Daghang sad kataguan unlike diri (They can’t be easily identified there because there are lots of people there. They also have several possible hideouts unlike here).” — Supt. Fermin Armendarez III, as quoted by Sun.Star Cebu

Iglesia, Lerion and Bacani have been charged with multiple murder cases for the killing of Archival, his aide Candido Miñoza and driver Alejandro Jayme during the ambush in Dalaguete Cebu, on February 18, 2014.

They were relieved from their HPG 7 posts last year.

Sun.Star Cebu: Hunt for 3 ex-HPG men launched

Cebu Business headline:

Sun.Star Cebu: ‘PH needs multi-lingual workers’

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Cebu News Digest: April 15, 2015: P116.2 million for security of 2 international events; cedulas worth P50,000 missing from Cebu City Hall

April 15, 2015 10:54 am April 15, 2015

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Cebu News Digest: April 15, 2015: P116.2 million for security of 2 international events; cedulas worth P50,000 missing from Cebu City Hall The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is asking…

Cebu News Digest: April 15, 2015: P116.2 million for security of 2 international events; cedulas worth P50,000 missing from Cebu City Hall

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is asking the Cebu City Government for P116.2 million to fund security preparations for two international events that will be held in Cebu in the next few months.

Seventy families living in Inayawan landfill, meanwhile, were advised to transfer from what Cebu City officials deem as a danger zone.

Are you planning to buy a house unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are top stories for today, April 15, 2015:

P116 million for security preparations for APEC Summit, IEC

Saying that equipment and mobility of the city’s police force will be “very important” in preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, the CCPO is asking the City Government for P116.2 million.

The money will be used to buy 120 cars and motorcycles (P101.2 million) and equipment (P15 million). In detail:

50 bullet-proof helmets (P1 million at P20,000 per unit)
50 bullet-proof jackets (P2 million at P40,000 per unit) for the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) team and the Motorcycle Riding Unit (MRU)
50 M16 rifles (P7.5 million at P150,000 each) for the use of the SWAT and the MRU
P50 bullet-proof jackets for the Mobile Patrol Group (MPG)
60,000 9mm ammunition (P1.32 million at P22 each)
50,000 units of 5.56mm ammunition (P1.45 million at P29 each)
one reloading machine
30 multi-purpose vehicles for the MPG (P45 million at P1.5 million per vehicle)
50 motorcycles for the SWAT (P14.5 million at 290,000 each)
two units of 4×4 SUVs
30 motorcycles for the Traffic Patrol Group (P18 million at P600,000 each)
five units 4×4 SUVs (P11.5 million or P2.3 million each) for Police Stations 4, 7, 8 and 9, and for the City Public Safety Company
three sedans (P6.6 million at P2.2 million each) for the police assigned to the South Road Properties

“The CCPO is in dire need of support from the local government unit since the equipment being issued by the Philippine National Police national office is very minimal and not able to cope with the logistical requirements of this police office.” — CCPO officer-in-charge Marciano Batiancela Jr.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairperson of the City’s Peace and Order Program, said the items will be reviewed to confirm whether these can be charged to the P400.5-million budget of the City this year for peace and order.

Sun.Star Cebu: P116M for cars, guns, jackets
Cebu Daily News: Vehicles, guns sought for Apec, IEC security

SECURITY. The Cebu City Police Office says equipment and mobility will be “very important” in preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit that will be held in Cebu in the coming months. (Creative Commons Photo by the US Defense Department)

10 stubs of ‘cedulas’ worth P50,000 lost in City Hall

The Cebu City Government is investigating the loss of 10 stubs of community tax certificates (CTC) worth about P50,000. Ten City Hall employees will face an investigation, according to City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas, who said they will not take the incident lightly to prevent it from happening again.

Cuevas said the stubs were lost in January but it was discovered only recently by one of the City Treasurer’s Office’s liquidating officers. Two employees have been reported to the Waterfront Police Station, she said.

“I want them to know that this office means business. Kung makasala sila, they have to answer for it.” — Cebu City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas, as quoted by Sun.Star Cebu

Sun.Star Cebu: Uproar in treasury over lost ‘cedulas’

A pile of risks face families living in Inayawan landfill

Because 70 families living in Inayawan landfill are facing the risks of fire, trash slide, storm surge and poor sanitation, they will have to go.

The recommendation is based on the result of the inspection conducted by the disaster team last month after Inayawan Barangay Captain Lutherlee “Lot-Lot” Ignacio-Soon requested them to assess the area.

“It’s really risky for residents there. The pile of garbage is really high. There is also the risk of methane buildup that can cause combustion especially with the summer heat.” — Councilor Dave Tumulak, head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC)

“People should not live there. It’s inhuman for society to allow that to continue. It’s hazardous to health and poses danger to life and limb.” — Jade Ponce, head of the Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB)

For several long-time residents, though, they didn’t feel their lives were in danger at all.

A Korean firm’s unsolicited proposal to develop the landfill as a P3.5 billion commercial mixed-use project at no cost to the city is being reviewed by a joint-venture selection team in City Hall.

Cebu Daily News: 70 families have to go
Sun.Star Cebu: 70 families at risk in Inayawan
The Freeman: City on trash mountain collapse risk, gas explosion

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Lamudi offers offline alternative

“While the Internet has proven to be a powerful and effective tool in the house-hunting process, there is still a largely untapped group of homebuyers who prefer to look for property the old-fashioned way. Often they still prefer picking up the phone and calling a licensed real estate broker than searching online.” — Lamudi Philippines statement on “Dial 4 Home” initiative

The Freeman: Hospitality sector upbeat despite rise of condotels

5 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: April 14, 2015: P5 billion worth of Cebu City projects approved, endorsed; mountain of trash threatens Inayawan houses

April 14, 2015 9:52 am April 14, 2015

5 min read

5 min read

More than P5 billion worth of projects were approved and endorsed by the Cebu City Development Council. Several National Government agencies want to implement these projects in the city next…

More than P5 billion worth of projects were approved and endorsed by the Cebu City Development Council. Several National Government agencies want to implement these projects in the city next year.

Fifteen people were rescued from a banca that capsized between Camotes Islands and Danao City yesterday.

Meanwhile, once the agreement is signed in the next two weeks, Geonzon St. in Barangay Apas, Cebu City will be opened, giving Filinvest Land Inc.-managed Cyberzone Cebu Tower and Cebu Asiatown IT Park more access roads.

Are you planning to buy a house unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, April 14, 2015:

Photo credit: Jeffrey James Pacres (Creative Commons photo on Flickr)

CDC endorses P5B for Cebu City projects

Included in the P5 billion budget are:

P3.37 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu City Engineering District,
P1.5 billion from the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Division
P114.7 million from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Cebu

The projects will now be endorsed to the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 for their approval. Once approved by RDC 7, it will be forwarded to the National Government for inclusion in its 2016 annual budget.

But before the projects were approved, Cebu City Councilor Margarita Osmeña asked whether the projects were reviewed. She said the Cebu City Government opposed some National Government projects in the past.

She said a review would help government avoid a duplication of projects.

“It is really very embarrassing that we will forward this to the RDC and then there are questions there raised by our very own local government unit. It is awkward. We should have one voice.” — Cebu City Councilor Margarita Osmeña

Sun.Star Cebu: P5 billion for projects
The Freeman: City endorses P5B in projects to RDC

Mountain of garbage threatens houses in Inayawan

A big mountain of trash is threatening to collapse on 20 houses near the landfill in Sitio Dumpsite, Barangay Inayawan, according to Inayawan Barangay Captain Lutherlee Ignacio-Soon.

Soon visited City Hall yesterday to ask for help in relocating affected families.

“Delikado na gyud nga matumbahan ang mga balay ug mga tawo kay naa’y construction nga seawall near sa area and gipangkuhaan og bato ang foundation and napahak ang luyo sa landfill.” — Inayawan Barangay Captain Lutherlee Ignacio-Soon

The mountain of trash is up to 4 stories high, said Solid Waste Management Board chairman Jade Ponce.

The Freeman: Trash mountain imperils houses
Sun.Star Cebu: 20 families at landfill face risk of being buried alive

15 saved from banca that capsized between Camotes, Danao City

An unregistered banca with 15 persons on board capsized between Camotes Islands and Danao City before dawn yesterday.

Philippine Coast Guard-Central and Eastern Visayas Commander Enrico Evangelista said the banca left Camotes at 5:30 p.m. last Sunday and capsized around 4 a.m. yesterday.

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) 7 said that unless any of the passengers files a complaint, they cannot ask the banca operator to explain because the vessel wasn’t registered with them.

Sun.Star Cebu: 15 saved from ‘illegal’ banca

Cebu Province, 2 property developers in agreement over wall dispute

The wall separating Cyberzone Cebu Tower from the Cebu Asiatown IT Park in Barangay Apas, Cebu City will soon be torn down and will have three access roads leading to the IT Park and Gov. Cuenco Ave.

“Once this agreement is signed in the next two weeks, Geonzon St. will be open to Filinvest.” — Provincial Board (PB) Member Peter John Calderon

The PB approved two related resolutions authored by Calderon, authorizing Gov. Hilario Davide III to sign a memorandum of agreement with FLI and the other agreement with CPVDC.

The agreement with CPVDC is “for the provision of pedestrian and vehicular access for ingress and egress to and from the property as well as to and from Cebu IT Park.”

Also, the Cebu Provincial Government will ask the Cebu Property Ventures that manages IT Park to withdraw the case it filed against Cebu City and FLI for their plan to destroy the wall and open Geonzon St.

Sun.Star Cebu: Agreement to open Geonzon St. in Apas
The Freeman: Capitol, 2 property giants to sign pacts to end row

Cebu Business headlines:

The Freeman: Domestic flights down 10% in Central Visayas

The Freeman: BIR has good programs but lacks dissemination

Sun.Star Cebu: Smart Prepaid kicks off ‘Live All Out’ summer promotions

Sun.Star Cebu: DTI asks industry, academe to work on design programs

4 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: April 13, 2015: For P10M-P15M, Lapu to install CCTV cameras near bridges, sites soon; Mandaue residents trade trash for food

April 13, 2015 8:58 am April 13, 2015

4 min read

4 min read

Due to the surge of foreign and local tourists in recent years, the Lapu-Lapu City Government is planning to install surveillance cameras in at least 18 areas within the year…

Due to the surge of foreign and local tourists in recent years, the Lapu-Lapu City Government is planning to install surveillance cameras in at least 18 areas within the year in time for the APEC Summit in Cebu.

In Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, at least 100 individuals recently received grocery items from the Mandaue City Government in exchange for giving their recyclable trash.

Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Cebu is recommending that locals and tourists include in their summer itinerary a visit to the tomb and museum of Archbishop Teofilo Camomot.

To prevent incidents of heat stroke, the Cebu City Council requested two agencies to put up water and blood pressure stations in public bus and jeepney terminals in the city.

Are you planning to buy a house unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, April 13, 2015:

CCTV cameras seen to boost investor confidence

The Lapu-Lapu City Government is now studying proposals of different closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera suppliers that will help them install surveillance cameras in different areas in the city, including the Mactan Liberty Shrine and the junctions next to the first Mactan-Mandaue Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.

According to the officials, these CCTV cameras that will be set up in crucial areas like the airport road and the public market will help boost investor confidence in the city.

The cameras, which as estimated to cost P10 million to P15 million, is targeted to be in place by the second or third quarter of the year.

Sun.Star Cebu: Lapu-Lapu to spend P10M-P15M for cameras near bridges, sites

Mandaue launches exchange project to reduce waste

During a launching of a garbage exchange center in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, at least 100 residents traded 20 sacks of recyclable trash for grocery items.

The exchange center is part of the City’s effort to reduce the volume of garbage collected in the city by 10 percent. The City collects 460 tons of garbage every day.

“This is one effective way of getting the cooperation of every individual in solving the problem of indiscriminate throwing of garbage.” –Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes

Mandaue City allocated an initial P500,000 for the groceries. It is implementing the project in partnership with Sulong Mandauehanong Kabus Inc. and a local recycling company.

Barangay Subangdaku was chosen as a pilot area for the project, which will later be rolled out in the 26 other barangays.

Sun.Star Cebu: For giving trash, residents get food

The Archdiocese of Cebu spearheads pilgrimage tours to Archbishop Camomot’s tomb and shrine in Carcar City, Cebu as part of moves for his beatification.

Archbishop Camomot’s tomb, museum open to visitors on Thursdays

To spread information about the life of Archbishop Teofilo Camomot who may yet become the next Filipino saint, the Archdiocese of Cebu has ordered all of its vicariates to organize regular pilgrimage tours to Camomot’s tomb.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the “Duaw Camomot” will be part of the Archdiocese’s support for the cause for Camomot’s beatification, now pending before the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome.

The Vicariate of the Most Holy Rosary will organize the tour in the home of the Daughters of St. Therese in Barangay Valladolid, Carcar City starting on Thursday this week

Sun.Star Cebu: Archbishop Camomot’s tomb, museum to take in visitors every Thursday

Council asks for water, blood pressure stations

The Cebu City Council has requested the Metropolitan Cebu Water District to provide free potable water stations in public bus and jeepney terminals and the Department of Health and City Health Department to set up blood pressure stations in all terminals in the city.

“One of the risk factors for the development of heat stroke includes inadequate water intake especially in hot environment and the precautions to take to prevent heat stroke is to drink extra fluids and to be conscious on the rise of the body’s blood pressure.” –Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon (in a resolution)

The Freeman: Water, blood pressure stations requested to fight heat stroke
Sun.Star Cebu: ‘Help public cope with summer heat’

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Advice from NEDA 7 chief: join rehabilitation efforts, develop entrepreneurial mindsets
The Freeman: Visayas seen lagging on farm project bids

3 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: April 10, 2015: Alleged police extortion in Minglanilla, Talisay; PB requests gov’t agencies to prioritize hiring teachers affected by K to 12

April 10, 2015 8:24 am April 10, 2015

3 min read

3 min read

Some policemen allegedly flag down trucks carrying vegetables from Dalaguete and collect a “tong” of P200 from the drivers in exchange for road passage. Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Board is…

Some policemen allegedly flag down trucks carrying vegetables from Dalaguete and collect a “tong” of P200 from the drivers in exchange for road passage.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Board is requesting concerned government agencies to prioritize and facilitate the employment of teachers and non-teaching staff who will be ‘displaced’ during the implementation of the K to 12 program.

Are you planning to buy a house unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, April 10, 2015:

P200 per truck for ‘road passage’

According to barangay captains from Dalaguete town, especially those who operate hauling trucks, alleged that some policemen threaten to issue their drivers a citation ticket when they deliver vegetables to Carbon Market in Cebu City.

Truckers carrying vegetables from Dalaguete complain about alleged extortion in Talisay and Minglanilla. (Creative Commons photo by Storm Crypt)

The policemen collect P200 from every truck driver about thrice a week. If drivers do not pay up, the cops slap them with some violations, such as overloading with a penalty of P1,500, confiscate their driver’s license, and issue them with a temporary operator’s permit that is valid for 72 hours.

At least 10 trucks get victimized each day.

The truck drivers and truck boys are forced to use their meal money to pay.

The police chiefs of Talisay City and Minglanilla challenged the concerned barangay chiefs to formalize their complaints and identify the policemen involved.

Sun.Star Cebu: Police extortion?

Prioritization of ‘displaced’ educators urged

PB is concerned with teachers of first year college and non-teaching staff having no work due to the fact that there will be no incoming first year college students for the next two years.

According to its resolution, “The only solution to this upcoming problem is to give them priority in the hiring of new teachers for Grade 11 and Grade 12 and it is only the DepEd and the Dole that can help them land in such jobs, so there is a need for commitment on the part of both Departments for such undertaking.”

The K to 12 program provides one year in the kindergarten level, six years in elementary and six years in the secondary level, which include four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school education.

The Freeman: PB: Prioritize hiring teachers affected by K-12

Cebu Business headlines:

The Freeman: Asia’s top cabinet maker opens showroom in Cebu
The Freeman: DOT launches ESL tour program
The Freeman: Bank deposits in CV up 17% in Dec 2014

3 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: April 9, 2015: Cebu City to hold ‘dance rally’ on International Dance Day on April 29; SM offers to develop SRP roads, proposes tax credits in exchange

April 9, 2015 10:55 am April 9, 2015

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3 min read

Cebu-based performers have something to look forward to after the National Committee on Dance (NCD) of the National Commission for Culture and Arts has selected Cebu City has one of…

Cebu-based performers have something to look forward to after the National Committee on Dance (NCD) of the National Commission for Culture and Arts has selected Cebu City has one of the places to hold a dance rally to promote the country’s heritage sites.

In exchange for tax credits, SM Prime Holdings expressed willingness to develop the roads in the South Road Properties to ensure these are functional by the time its property opens in the last quarter of this year.

Here are the top stories for today:

Simultaneous, nationwide dance

On April 29, Cebu City will join other areas in the country by holding a dance rally called “Yugyugan Para sa Kultura ng Bayan,” which will be staged simultaneously nationwide.

Other areas to perform simultaneously with Cebu City to the official music “Filipino Ako, Filipino Tayo” are:

Angeles City in Pampanga
Baguio City, Iloilo City,
Cagayan de Oro
Batangas City
Manila’s Rizal Park

In Cebu City, the event will be held at the Cebu City Sports Complex at 6 p.m. on April 29 to signify the observance of the International Dance Day. It is also part of the National Dance Week celebrated annually every fourth week of April.

“This is a promotion of the culture and the arts and in support of our advocacy in the protection and preservation of our heritage sites.” –NCD executive member Victor Lim Hao Cuenco

The event will be a venue for local performers, including members of school-based and community-based dance organizations to express and show their passion for dancing.

The Freeman: On International Dance Day, Cebu City to hold dance rally

Proposed exchange arrangement

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. offers to develop SRP roads in exchange for tax credits.

Road development in SRP is necessary for the high-quality public transport system (HQPTS) that will serve the SM Seaside City, which is why SM Prime Holdings Inc. offered to the Cebu City Council that it will develop the roads, while the cost of building the roads in the SRP can be converted into tax credits for SM Prime Holdings Inc.

“We already did that in the past. It is an open thing. It is just a matter of how the City wants this to be treated.” – SM regional operations manager Sherry Tuvilla

Road development is among the Cebu City’s responsibilities.

HQPTS will involve hybrid buses, specifically 77 13-meter-long buses that will serve the routes Talisay-SRP-Mambaling, North Bus Terminal-SM City Cebu-Downtown-SRP-Mambaling, Talisay-SRP-Downtown-SM City Cebu-North Bus, and Talisay-SRP-Plaza Independencia-SM City Cebu-Mactan Cebu International Airport.

Here are some updates concerning HQPTS:

The routes were approved by the Department of Transportation and Communication last January.
SM is only waiting for the franchise to be issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The buses are expected to arrive in August.

SM Prime Holdings hopes to have the HQPTS operational by October.

“I’m seeing the urgency of the situation. I’m afraid it will not be accomplished before you need it.” – Councilor Margarita Osmeña

Next week, the City Council said that it will pass legislative interventions to help SM implement the HQPTS.

Sun.Star Cebu: Exchange of favors
The Freeman: Council offers tax incentive to fast track transport project

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: We’re still number 1 in mobile: Smart
The Freeman: In Toledo City, Aboitiz subsidiary starts power plant expansion
The Freeman: DTI reminds businessmen to utilize free trade deals

4 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: April 8, 2015: PB approves recla project in Cordova; Cebu City needs P1B for new classrooms for K to 12

April 8, 2015 11:32 am April 8, 2015

4 min read

4 min read

The Provincial Board (PB) approved a resolution that authorizes Cordova town to carry out a P138-billion reclamation project under a public-private partnership agreement. The Cebu City Government’s Local School Board…

The Provincial Board (PB) approved a resolution that authorizes Cordova town to carry out a P138-billion reclamation project under a public-private partnership agreement.

The Cebu City Government’s Local School Board (LSB) seeks the National Government’s help—and funds worth almost P1 billion—for the full implementation of the K to 12 program starting next year.

Are you planning to buy a house unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, April 8, 2015:

‘Biggest’ recla project in the country

The Cordova reclamation project is moving forward with PB’s approval.

Mayor Adelino Sitoy, shown here during a recent event in Cordova, says SM Prime Holdings will finance the P138 billion reclamation project in the town. (Photo taken from DILG Cebu FB page)

SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI), which reportedly came up with an unsolicited proposal, will be the private proponent that will finance the project.

SM will get 49 percent (735 hectares) of the total reclaimed area of 1,500 hectares while the rest will be shared by the Provincial Government, the Philippine Reclamation Authority and Cordova.

According to former Cordova mayor Arleigh Sitoy, it will be the “biggest” reclamation project in the country, or five times bigger than the South Road Properties in Cebu City, since it will connect Shell Island in the western part of the town to lighthouse all the way to Lava Island in the southern part of the town.

The P138 billion will be released in phases in the next eight years.

Sun.Star Cebu: Country’s biggest ‘recla’ project in Cordova closer to fruition with PB approval
Cebu Daily News: PB supports Cordova on international port project

Story

The Freeman: 1500 hectares PB okays Cordova’s reclamation project

Local School Board seeks more funds for implementation of K to 12

Cebu City needs almost 700 additional classrooms that will cost almost P1 billion to build. LSB’s P385-million Special Education Fund this year is not enough.

With the K to 12 program, the City’s north district will need 165 additional classrooms for senior high school (a new level) and 68 additional classrooms for kindergarten and Grades 1 to 6 pupils.

The City’s south district will need 181 additional classrooms for senior high school and 252
classrooms for kindergarten and elementary pupils.

One classroom alone will cost P1.2 million while a four-storey, 20 classroom building will cost P24 million.

LSB is seeking funds from the National Government through the Department of Education that has a school building program.

Sun.Star Cebu: Cebu City needs P1B for schools, appeals for help
The Freeman: For K to 12: City school board wants P1B for new classrooms

6 towns, 5 cities in Cebu among top 10 CV destinations

According to the Department of Tourism-7, among the top destinations (municipality category and city category) in Cebu in 2014 based on the volume of tourists are:

Municipality category

San Remigio, Cebu (2nd place)
Sta. Fe, Cebu (3rd)
Minglanilla, Cebu (4th)
Moalboal, Cebu (6th)
Cordova, Cebu (8th)
Medellin, Cebu (10th)

City Category

Cebu City (1st)
Lapu-Lapu City (2nd)
Mandaue City (5th)
Bogo City (6th)
Danao City (7th)

The Freeman: For local, foreign tourists 5 cities, 6 towns in Cebu among top 10 destinations

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: PLDT wireless units ‘set pace for postpaid revenue growth’
The Freeman: Mobile data is the new battleground for telcos

5 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: April 7, 2015: Public warned: Days to get hotter; Year-round brgy. festivals in Cebu City?

April 7, 2015 8:59 am April 7, 2015

5 min read

5 min read

After Cebu recorded its hottest day so far at 33.6 degrees Celsius last Black Saturday, Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) Mactan Weather Station said the temperature is…

A Cebu City barangay official, meanwhile, says there was nothing wrong in his use of a government car for a family outing at a beach.

In Cebu City Hall, a councilor suggests some festivals that the barangays can hold to attract tourists in the months following the Sinulog celebration.

Are you thinking of buying a condo unit?

Check out Eagles’ Nest by Primary Homes — a great option especially for students of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. The school has endorsed it as alternative living arrangement for its students. (Read more about the project here.)

Here are the top stories for today, April 7, 2015:

HOTTER DAYS AHEAD. Pag-asa is asking people to brace for hotter days. (Creative Commons photo: Takeshi Kawai)

‘Protect self from heat’

Since the heat index, or the actual temperature felt in a human body, is about four degrees higher than the recorded temperature, last Black Saturday’s temperature felt like 37.6 degrees.

Al Quiblat, chief meteorologist of PAGASA Mactan, said the public should watch out and prepare themselves for the hotter days ahead due to the progressing El Niño.

“Di ta angay’ng makuyawan sa bagyo sa pagkakaron. Ang angay natong bantayan ang kainit because of progressing El Niño.” — Al Quiblat, chief meteorologist of PAGASA Mactan

He pointed out that the minimum temperature that can trigger heat stroke is 32 degrees Celsius. He cautioned the public against long direct sun exposure and advised them to regularly drink water.

Yesterday, the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) is not discounting the possibility of heat stroke as the cause of death of a 10-year-old female street child who was found unresponsive and bleeding from the mouth along Mango Avenue, Cebu City.

CCMC said they have yet to check the underlying cause of the child’s death, including her medical history.

The Freeman: Days to get hotter

Nothing wrong in using government car for beach outing: barangay chairman

Barangay Carreta chairman Eduardo Lauron said there was nothing wrong in his using a government car for a family outing in Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.

“It was my grandson’s birthday. Wala may bati siguro ana kay wala man na siya gigamit para sa sugal compared sa uban (Nothing’s wrong with that because it was not used in activities like gambling, like others).” — Barangay Carreta chairman Eduardo Lauron as quoted by Cebu Daily News.

Ombudsman Visayas spokesperson lawyer Maria Corazon Naraja said they will evaluate reports to determine action on the incident.

“It is but proper for government officials and employees to keep in mind that government funds and properties are meant for official purpose only. If they violate this rule, they have to answer for it.” — Ombudsman Visayas spokesperson Maria Corazon Naraja

Cebu Daily News: Why use Cebu city government vehicle for beach outing in Mactan?

Cebu City to improve barangay festivals to attract, sustain local tourists

To sustain the number of tourists coming to Cebu for the Sinulog throughout the rest of the year, the City Government is thinking of holding more festivals. (Photo taken from Cebu City PIO Facebook page)

Cebu City Councilor Gerry Carillo said they are proposing a number of barangay festivals for the city government to hold in order to help sustain the number of local tourists right after Sinulog.

“These festivals are already existing. What we want is to enhance them and make it more attractive so we could continue to invite more tourists to visit Cebu. These year-round festivals will give Filipinos and even foreign tourists more reasons to come back to Cebu.” — Gerry Carillo, Cebu City councilor

Part of the plan is to transform barangay fiestas into festivals and encourage more barangays to participate for the whole year. Eight city festivals are being finalized:

Buwad Festival, which covers San Nicolas, Pahina, Sawang, Pasil, Suba and Calamba, this month until May 10 in San Nicolas

Summer Festival with activities like biking, flying kite, car racing and Sta. Cruzan in Labangon next month (Carillo said they are still seeking approval for its implementation.)

Tartanilla Kabayo Festival, with Mambaling and Dulho as the lead organizers, in June

Sundang/Bolo Festival in Basak and San Nicolas in July

Puso Festival in Inayawan this August

Mango Festival in Brgys. Subangdako, Kalunasan, and Guadalupe in September

Mountain and Flower Festival by Bonbon, Babag, Busay, Buol, Sinsin, Sudlon 1&2, Sibugay and Tabunon in October

Kasadya sa SRP and Festival for the City (Cebu City Charter Day) in December to February

“Festivals are an excellent marketing tool. One of the objectives here is to make people come back to Cebu right after Sinulog. Cebu isn’t just about Sinulog. We also celebrate other festivals, which we hope locals and foreign tourists would take a look at and experience.” — Manny Ongkiko, an event organizer

Sun.Star Cebu: Cebu City plans to stage year-round barangay festivals

Cebu Business headlines:

The Freeman: Joint curriculum mulled to solve designers’ woes
The Freeman: DOLE 7 slates job fairs in Cebu and Bohol

3 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: April 6, 2015: 57 homes in Cogon Pardo lost to fire on Easter Sunday; Mandaue mulls trash collection at night

April 6, 2015 8:39 am April 6, 2015

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On Easter Sunday, several families in Sitio Mansanitas, Barangay Cogon Pardo in Cebu City lost their homes to fire. Considering the heat, less traffic in the evenings and with most…

On Easter Sunday, several families in Sitio Mansanitas, Barangay Cogon Pardo in Cebu City lost their homes to fire.

Considering the heat, less traffic in the evenings and with most people at home after work, Mandaue City is planning of having garbage collectors do their daily rounds at night.

Are you planning to buy a condo unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, April 6, 2015:

138 families lose homes

Instead of relaxing, at least 138 families or 570 individuals in Sitio Mansanitas, Barangay Cogon Pardo, Cebu City found themselves sifting through the rubble after a fire hit their part of the neighborhood.

Due to the inaccessibility of the area, fire fighters were not able to immediately stop the flames from spreading. They received the call for help at 12:05 p.m. and, with the area being closely packed, raised it to a third alarm right away. Connecting at least 15 hoses to reach the site, the fire fighters took 30 minutes to get the flames under control.

Damage to property was pegged at P200,000.

According to Cogon Pardo Barangay Captain Harry Eran, a reblocking plan that was planned before may now be implemented to prevent the same incident from happening again.

Sun.Star Cebu: 570 left homeless in Cebu fire
The Freeman: 138 families lose homes in blaze

No heat, less traffic at night

Citing the heat that can make a worker unproductive and less traffic in the evenings, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes is thinking of having garbage collectors do their daily rounds at night.

He also pointed out that more garbage can be collected at night with most people at home who can attend to their household wastes when the collectors arrive.

He is finalizing the plan with the Department of General Services and the Solid Waste Management Office.

This is part of the process of implementing new programs to better manage waste. Mandaue City collects an average of 460 tons a day.

The City also plans to put up exchange centers where one can get grocery goods in exchange for trash that can be recycled. Barangay Subangdaku is chosen as a pilot area for this project. An initial budget of P500,000 has been allocated.

Mandaue City plans to do its garbage collection at night to escape the daytime heat and traffic.

Sun.Star Cebu: City to soon collect trash in the evening

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: CV growth likely at 8-9%: Neda
Sun.Star Cebu: DTI to set up Negosyo Centers to help MSMEs
The Freeman: Tourism growth prompts surge in condotel market
The Freeman: DTI-7 to deploy business mentors

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Cebu News Digest: April 2, 2015: Typhoon Chedeng to hit PH on Black Saturday, public told to be alert; P3M worth of ukay-ukay seized in Mandaue

April 2, 2015 9:15 am April 2, 2015

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Typhoon Chedeng is expected to make landfall in Central and Southern Luzon on Black Saturday. Cebu may experience a rainy weekend. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 agents seized yesterday…

Typhoon Chedeng is expected to make landfall in Central and Southern Luzon on Black Saturday. Cebu may experience a rainy weekend.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 agents seized yesterday P3 million worth of used clothing or ukay-ukay in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City.

Are you planning to buy a condo unit or thinking of investing in one?

Pag-asa 4 a.m. weather advisory estimates eye of Typhoon “‪#‎ChedengPH‬” at 980 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar.

Here are the top stories for today, April 2, 2015:

‘Ready’ for rainy weekend

Even if the province is not directly in the typhoon’s path, the local government units (LGUs) of Cebu Province, Cebu City and Mandaue City, and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 7 assured the public that Cebu is ready for bad weather.

Chedeng may rain in Cebu and parts of Central Visayas before it makes landfall in Luzon on Black Saturday, according to Oscar Tabada of Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) Mactan.

As of yesterday morning, the typhoon is moving to the Philippines with sustained winds of 190 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 225 kph. It is about 30 kph short of a super typhoon.

Here are some preparations:

The OCD directed LGUS to identify evacuation centers in their towns and cities.
It convened the Pre-disaster Risk Assessment core group (composed of the OCD, Philippine National Police, Pagasa, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Information Agency and National Economic and Development Authority) yesterday to discuss measures being implemented.
LGUs under Cebu Province have become more vigilant and activated their disaster offices.

PDRRMO started preparing food in case the typhoon hits any part of Cebu and started distributing last night the remaining satellite phones to mayors.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III met with department heads yesterday and asked them to get ready for the typhoon.

The Mandaue City Government will have rescue vehicles and heavy equipment on standby starting this afternoon.

In Lapu-Lapu City, all disaster responders and vehicles are ready, as well as relief goods.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CCDRRMC) placed Cebu City under “alert level alpha” since yesterday for typhoon Chedeng.

The public is urged to help by monitoring the movement of Chedeng.

Sun.Star Cebu: Wet weekend with Chedeng
Cebu Daily News: Typhoon alert for weekend
The Freeman: Super typhoon may hit Luzon: Cebu prepares for Chedeng

Another ‘ukay’ raid in Mandaue

Two weeks after NBI 7 raided an ukay-ukay warehouse in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City, the same agency seized worth about P3 million from a Korean-owned warehouse in Barangay Looc, also in Mandaue City yesterday afternoon.

The agency caught three Filipino workers unloading the clothes, stuffed inside yellow sacks, from a 40-foot cargo container past 3 p.m. The used clothes were shipped from Cagayan de Oro where the clothes arrived from South Korea.

Importing used clothes is illegal under Republic Act 4653, which was enacted to protect the people against the risks of wearing used clothes from outside the country.

Based on a business permit issued by the Mandaue City Government, Kim Sang Yeon, 45, owns the San Woo Ri Phil Inc. that which owns the warehouse.

The NBI 7 will investigate the involvement of Kim who said that his Korean friend owns the company that is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry as a seller of dry goods.

Sun.Star Cebu: P3M worth of ‘ukay’ seized
Cebu Daily News: P3M worth of ‘ukay’ seized

Cebu Business headlines

Sun.Star Cebu: Poll: Consumer sentiment in 1st quarter positive
Sun.Star Cebu: Register with HLURB, real estate workers reminded
The Freeman: Survey: Female car buyers on the rise
The Freeman: Consumers cautioned on various sale tactics

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Cebu News Digest: April 1, 2015: Penitential bike ride to push through; Banks to public: Complete transactions today; 300 containers of smuggled rice to be auctioned

April 1, 2015 9:30 am April 1, 2015

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Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama approved a bike run organized by Sugbo Bikers despite his announcement to put bike runs in main city roads on hold. Banks in Cebu advised…

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama approved a bike run organized by Sugbo Bikers despite his announcement to put bike runs in main city roads on hold.

Banks in Cebu advised their clients to complete bank transactions today before the four-day Holy Week break starts tomorrow.

The Bureau of Customs in Cebu will auction more than 300 container vans of smuggled rice and various goods primarily to decongest the Cebu International Port (CIP).

Are you planning to buy a condo unit or thinking of investing in one?

Banks advise their clients to complete bank transactions today before the four-day Holy Week break starts on Thursday. (Creative Commons photo by John Martinez Pavliga)

Here are the top stories for today, April 1, 2015:

Organizers agree to mayor’s safety conditions

Mayor Rama allowed the Penitential Bike Ride on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, even after he was upset over last Saturday’s Earth Hour night ride, where, he observed, many riders going out of the designated lane and not wearing proper protection gear.

Penitential Bike Ride organizers agreed to the safety conditions set by the mayor. The bike ride will feature riders going to different churches in the city.

Joel Lee of the Tindak Sugbo Bike Coalition said they “excitedly look forward to the time when the designated Shared Bike Lanes can provide them additional safety on the road,” referring to the Tindak Sugbo bike lane ordinance approved by the Cebu City Council last October

Rama still has to convene a bike board to assign 1.5-meter priority shared lanes in Cebu City that can be used by bicycle riders.

Meanwhile, a church representative is reminding the people not to go overboard in their practice of penitential traditions like by crucifying or scourging, saying that the church has been clear on imposing on three acts considered as penitential practices: alms giving, prayer and fasting.

“There are extreme penitential activities nga gibuhat sa mga tawo. There are times nga masobraan na. That is why the church is gently reminding the people not to do more than what they can do.” – Rev. Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA, Province of Santo Niño de Cebu, Philippines Order of St. Augustine provincial secretary

Cebu Daily News: Mayor allows bike run for Holy Thursday
The Freeman: ‘Visita Iglesia on wheels’ on
Sun.Star Cebu: ‘Penitential ride’ on
The Freeman: Church, health reps: Avoid ‘extreme’ acts of pen

Long Holy Week break for banks

The government has declared Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (April 3) as non-working holidays.

With this, Cebu Bankers Club President Gino Gonzalez said banks will be closed starting on Maundy Thursday (April 2) until Easter Sunday (April 5). Banks are open only until today and banking operations will resume on Monday.

“If you plan to take a vacation outside the city, you make your withdrawals now and tomorrow, although the ATMs (automated teller machines) are available 24/7.” –Cebu Bankers Club President Gino Gonzalez

Heavy withdrawals usually happen before the start of the Lenten holiday. There will be enough cash in ATMs, he assured.

The Freeman: Public told to complete bank transactions today

To decongest port, generate revenues, Customs to set auction

Newly installed district collector Arnulfo Marcos said that by auctioning more than 300 containers of smuggled rice and more than a thousand of various goods long abandoned by their consignees at the CIP, the Bureau of Customs is decongesting the port and generating revenues for the government.

The rice shipment was apprehended in 2013.

Marcos was the former district collector of Subic Port.

He, as the new collector in Cebu, asked the support of the members of the Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc.-Cebu Chapter during its induction of officers and board of directors the other night.

After a warrant of seizure and detention was issued yesterday against 56 container vans allegedly containing white sugar from Thailand, he hinted that government officials were involved in the sugar smuggling.

The Freeman: Customs to auction abandoned shipment

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Abaca Group to spend P180M to expand businesses: founder
Sun.Star Cebu: Cebu to highlight creative sector
The Freeman: Lack of investors derails growth of tech startups
Sun.Star Cebu: 25-bed hospital in Barangay San Nicolas gets ISO certification

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Cebu News Digest: March 30, 2015: Public urged: Do more beyond Earth Hour; 250T nurses ‘needed’ in Germany

March 30, 2015 8:42 am March 30, 2015

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Some government officials recommended actions that the public can do beyond last Saturday’s Earth Hour. About 250,000 nurses are needed in Germany in the next five years, according to health…

Some government officials recommended actions that the public can do beyond last Saturday’s Earth Hour.

About 250,000 nurses are needed in Germany in the next five years, according to health care matching company Care.com Europe founder and chief executive officer Steffen Zoller.

Are you planning to buy a condo unit or thinking of investing in one?

Here are the top stories for today, March 21, 2015:

Here are the top stories for today:

‘Go beyond Earth Hour’

While the demand for electricity dropped by 34.67 megawatts (equivalent to nearly 15 percent of the power reserve for the entire Visayas yesterday) during Earth Hour last Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., government officials pointed out that it is time for all sectors to do more and go beyond Earth Hour.

“We should learn to understand that the Earth Hour is beyond symbolism. Earth Hour is about understanding the truth that this world will be left to the next generation. We should keep in mind that this planet is not ours, as we are only its stewards.” – Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella

Cebu City and other local officials led by Mayor Michael Rama mark Saturday’s Earth Hour celebration at SM City Cebu. (Photo by Cebu City Tourism Commission executive director Cinbeth Orellano)

“In the 2015 global climate risk index, Cebu is not spared from the effects of climate change. It is important that we go beyond this Earth Hour.” – Councilor Nida Cabrera, chairperson of the Cebu City Council’s committee on environment

“We can make an Earth Hour each day, going beyond the one hour every last Saturday of March. This is our challenge as we face the negative impacts of climate change.” – Dr. Eddie Llamedo, public information officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7

They recommended the following:

• segregating trash at home
• using less water and power
• planting more trees, especially fruit-bearing and indigenous trees
• disaster preparedness
• relocating residents from no-build zones and vulnerable areas of the city, such as along rivers and other waterways.
• properly disposing of things that are harmful to human beings
• taking shorter showers to save water
• teaching children composting and proper waste segregation
• switching off unnecessary appliances
• converting all incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps

Sun.Star Cebu: After Earth Hour, what’s next?

Job opportunities await nurses in Germany

With the high demand for nurses and health care workers in Germany due to the country’s aging population, fewer workers in the health sector, and the building of more hospitals, Care.com Europe founder and chief executive officer Steffen Zoller said Germany is eyeing the Philippines to help fill in the demand.

Even when the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency does not allow recruitment agencies in the Philippines to recruit Filipino nurses in Germany, employers in Germany can do direct hiring from the Philippines.

Also, when the Federal Republic if Germany entered into a bilateral agreement with the Philippines for a government-to-government placement system for Filipino workers’ temporary employment in Germany in March 2013, the foreign country opened its doors to Filipino medical professionals, especially nurses, who were previously banned from employment in Germany, in accordance with its laws.

To date, only 31 Filipino nurses have been brought to Germany. The foreign nation is looking at accommodating at least 500 Filipino nurses this year.

Sun.Star Cebu: Germany ‘needs 250T nurses’

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: ‘Reasonable’ pay hike won’t impact BPO growth: Romulo
Sun.Star Cebu: Deca Homes developer installs fiber to the home infra
The Freeman: Palm Sunday spells extra income for lukay vendors
The Freeman: ECCP allocates P2 million for innovation center

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Cebu News Digest: March 26, 2015: DBM: Cebu City exceeded cap for debt payments; Palma to PNoy: Apologize to Filipinos for Mamasapano incident

March 26, 2015 11:00 am March 26, 2015

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