Tuesday, October 30, 2007

P28 billion allocated for irrigation rehab in RP

Cebu, Philippines (30 October) -- The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has allocated some P28-billion for the rehabilitation of all irrigation systems in the country starting in 2006 up to 2010.

In Cebu, NIA-7 officer-in-charge Diosdado Rosales said that there are 56 existing irrigation projects that must be rehabilitated after several years of leaving these systems unattended.

A budget allocation of P20-Million that has been earmarked for the rehab of these systems, "hopefully to revive the productivity of the farmlands that are beneficiaries of the irrigation," Rosales added.

He further said that NIA-7 has irrigated some 4500 hectares of farmlands in Cebu out of its 10,000 hectares potentials. With the full rehabilitation of these irrigation systems, NIA-7 will be able to irrigate more farmlands.

According to the NIA-7, most of the irrigation systems are found in Naga, San Fernando, Sibonga, Argao, Boljoon, Samboan, and the cities of Talisay and Carcar in the south while from the western towns include Balamban, Asturias, Dumanjug, Barili, Toledo City and the northern towns of Compostela and Catmon. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

Hassle-free business registration, permitting and licensing now in Cebu

Cebu, Philippines (30 October) -- Businessmen in Central Visayas will now experience a 'hassle-free' business registration, permitting and licensing system in Cebu City as the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) has set up its one-stop-shop office at the ground floor of LDM Bldg., Lapulapu St., Cebu City.

In a press release from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the region, the setting up of a NERBAC is mandated through RA 7470 with the DTI as the lead implementing agency.

Recently, the DTI-7, the Cebu City Government and the four mandatory agencies that are involved in business registration, permitting and licensing (BIR, SSS, PhilHealth & Pag-IBIG) have finally made a "break though" by setting up their respective desks at the NERBAC-7.

According to Minerva Yap the DTI-NERBAC 7 manager, new applicants can now file their DTI Business Name Registration simultaneously with Cebu City's Application for Business Permit (new applications only), SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and BIR Registration at the DTI - NERBAC 7.

This positive development was the result of a series of seminars, workshops and meeting among the members of NERBAC-7 governing board and the Cebu City Government, Yap said.

She added that applicants for business permits and licenses are now spared from the hassles of going from one office to another to have their businesses acquire legal entities saving them much needed time and resources.

Yap further said that the NERBAC-7 is a one-stop-shop for a harmonized and streamlined Business Permitting and Licensing System (BPLS) in Cebu City and this would not have been possible without the full support of its governing board, especially the mandatory agencies; BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, Pab-ibig and the Cebu City Government.

These same agencies conduct free pre-BPLS seminar on Wednesdays at 1:00-5:00 pm, except holidays at its conference room. Participants are given orientation and briefing on the requirements, procedures and penalties concerning business registration, permitting and licensing. They are also given additional ideas such as social responsibilities of business entities, Yap said.

The municipalities of Consolacion and Barili in Cebu are also being considered for pilot implementation of the harmonized and streamlined BPLS with the help of the GTZ, a German company that continuously provides financial assistance to the NERBAC's activities.

With the successful implementation of the BPLS in Cebu City, replicating the same in the other local government units in the provinces of Central Visayas will be easy as "we already have a model," Yap concluded. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

PRO-7: 16 persons violate election gun ban

Cebu City (25 October) -- Sixteen people have already been apprehended in the region by the police since the election gun ban took effect last September 29.

Police Regional Office (PRO-7) Community Relations Chief S/Supt. Alexander Abadinas bared that out of the 16 apprehensions, 10 violations were committed in Cebu as police strengthen its series of checkpoints to rigidly implement the gun ban.

The nationwide firearms ban during the election period started September 29 until November 13.

Under the election gun ban, Resolution 8298 promulgated by the Commission on Election (Comelec) states that "no person, including those possessing a permit to carry firearms outside of residence or place of business, shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places including all public buildings, streets, parks, and private vehicles or public conveyances."

Firearms include airgun, side arms, long firearms, hand grenades and other deadly explosives except pyrotechnics, while deadly weapons include bladed instruments.

The police are now in the last minute stages of preparations to ensure that the coming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls will be clean, honest, orderly and peaceful.

There are 46 barangays out of the over 1,200 barangays in Cebu that have been identified as "areas of immediate concern" (AIC) that will be in need of maximum security in the coming polls this Monday.

The figure was bared after the command conference among the PRO-7, Comelec-7 and the Central Command. Top officials from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-7) and the Department of Education (Dep Ed -7) also attended the meeting.

The 46 barangays are located in the cities of Danao and Bogo and in 10 municipalities namely Borbon, Asturias, Catmon, San Remegio, Tabuelan, Compostela, Pinamungahan, Tuburan, Carmen and Sogod.

Sixty-two other barangays are dubbed as "areas of concern," (AOC) three of which are located in Cebu City which are Pasil, Lahug and Ermita.

More police and military personnel will be deployed in the areas identified as AIC and AOC, this is learned.

Abadinas said that it is also part of their advocacy to call on the electorate to vote candidates who are sincere in helping the government amid a disclosure made by CentCom's 78th IB Commanding Officer Col. Raymundo BaƱares that there are candidates in the mid-north area in Cebu that are being backed by communist rebels. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

Gisaulog sa PAF-TOC ang ilang anibersaryo

Cebu City (25 Oktubre) -- Ang Philippine Air Force – Tactical Operations Command (PAF-TOC) base sa Mactan, Cebu misaulog sa ilang "9th foundation anniversary" niadtong Oktubre 15, 2007.

Ang tema sa ilang anibersaryo mao ang "TOC: Total outpouring commitment to an A.C.T.I.O.N. Air Force." Adunay gipahigayon nga mga aktibidades ang paf sa pagsaulog sa ilang anibersaryo.

Mihimo sila ug "operation-linis" didto sa Sangi Road, Brgy. Pajo sa siyudad sa Lapu-Lapu ug nipahigayon usab sila ug sportsfest sulod sa Mactan Airbase.

Mitambong usab si Ltgen Horacio S Tolentino AFP, commanding general, PAF, nga maoy halandong bisita sa ilang pagselebrar sa anibersaryo, adunay gipanghatag nga awards ngadto sa ubang mga opisyales sa PAF.

Si BGen Nicomedes B Corpuz Jr AFP, commanding officer PAF-TOC base dinhi sa Mactan mipahayag kung unsa ka importante ang commitment dinha sa pagserbisyo isip usa ka myembro sa PAF.

Malamposon kaayo ang ilang pagsaulog niini nga gitapos sa usa ka boodle fight. (PIA-7/HFG)

Coast Guard rescues 9 survivors in Northern Samar

Cebu City (25 October) -- Nine survivors including two children were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Catbalogan, Samar early this week when their motor banca capsized off the waters of Rawis Point in Lao-ang, Northern Samar due to strong winds.

In a report submitted to PCG - Visayas Command Head Commodore Edmund C. Tan, the survivors were on board an unregistered motor banca Arjelene last Monday, October 22 at 9:00 a.m. when the incident happened.

Upon investigation, the operator of the motor banca said that while navigating from Barangay Kandawid en route to the Port of Lao-ang, the banca that was also loaded with 56 sacks of copra encountered heavy winds and was battered by big waves that caused it to capsize.

Rescued were Gaudencio Bad, 56 years old; Jumel Mendoza, 25; Edgar Acebuche, 25; Nerry Nobio, 40; Michelle Mengolio, 17; Julie Mendoza, 23; Riza Giray, 17; Geonelle Mendoz, 4; and Rica Nobio, three years of age. The survivors were all residents of Barangay Kandawid while only 16 sacks of copra were recovered.

All the survivors were immediately brought to Coast Guard Clearing Outpost in Lao-ang and were provided with food and clothing.

The survivors did not suffer serious physical injuries and after knowing that no medical assistance was needed, the survivors were permitted to go home and provided assistance for their return trip to their respective residences. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Mindanao fruits are now available in Cebu

Cebu, Philippines (22 October) -- With the success of the launching of the Mindanao fruits at the Bagsakan Centers in Metro Manila earlier this month, Mindanao fruit growers have brought their products to Cebu through the Durian Festival at SM.

The Mindanao Fruit Industry Development Council (MFIDC) had forged a tie-up with the Aboitiz-owned forwarder for the shipment of Mindanao fruits to Cebu via the RORO system to cut down on spoilage and transit time.

The Minfruit Council director Benjamin Roy said, the forwarder 2GO is looking at a viable system to efficiently ship fresh durian and other fruits from Mindanao to Cebu and Manila to ensure competitive prices.

Recently, the Minfruit Council and the Durian Industry Council organized the "Durian ug uban Pa" festival at SM-Cebu to showcase the Mindanao Durian and other tropical fruits.

Roy added that the festival is part of the council's efforts and the Dept. of Agriculture (DA) to raise the demand of Durian and other fruits from Mindanao and to encourage more people to eat Durian and other fruits to develop a long term demand.

According the DA-7, with the coming in of Mindanao fruits, Cebu will now experience cheaper fruits such as Durian, Lanzones, Marang, Mangosteen and others. Prices of Durian 2-3 years ago were at P100-150/kilo today, a kilo is now priced at P60. The same with other Mindanao fruits, the DA added.

Cebu fruit vendors that joined the festival at SM were happy with the developments saying that they have experienced good earnings from Durian and other Mindanao fruits. Consumers were curious and wanted to sample the much touted Mindanao Durian, Marang, rambutan and mangosteen, the vendors said. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

3-day CREBA Nat'l Conference kicks off October 25 in Cebu

Cebu City (22 October) -- Over 500 delegates nationwide including prominent leaders and government administrators in the housing and real estate industry will gather in Cebu for a three-day Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations, Inc. (CREBA) National Conference on October 25 to 27 at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

Under the theme "The Land Sector's Quantum Leap to the Future," the conference will highlight the development trends of the real estate and builders industry focusing on new marketing technologies, strategies and investments directions relative to the rapidly rising information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure demands.

Vice-President Noli de Castro will deliver a message on Saturday morning as chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) after which, a housing forum is set with top officials from the Social Housing Finance Corp., Home Guaranty Corp., Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, National Housing Authority, PAG-IBIG and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp.

Rep. Rodolfo Valencia, House Committee Chair on Housing will deliver the keynote speech on the formal opening of the activity on Friday.

Tourism Usec. Oscar Palabyab's talk on "Invest in Central Visayas with Cebu as Gateway" on Friday afternoon is the first symposium of the event. Cebu has been acknowledged as the favorite tourism destination among foreign tourists.

Other topics expected to be discussed are: Title Warranty & Other CREBA Breakthrough Initiatives including using technology in the war against fake land titles, mobilizing overseas Filipino workers (OFW) funds for financial self-sufficiency & local government unit – private investor partnership for poverty alleviation, Opportunities in Special Purpose Asset Vehicles, Business Process Outsourcing and Its Impact on Real Estate, BOI Incentives for Real Estate Industry and OFW Requirement for Real Estate.

Resolutions that will be taken up and approved will be submitted to Cong. Valencia and HUDCC for acceptance.

The event will also highlight the recognition of the 2007 Developer of the Year Awardees.

A fellowship night is slated on Thursday 6:00 p.m. at the beachfront of Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapulapu City in order to provide relaxation as well as establish camaraderie among all participants before the conference proper.

"Pirates of the Caribbean" will be the motif of the fellowship night where realtors and builders in Cebu don their most shocking pirate attires. Mambo dance contest, treasure chest digging and a live band will entertain the guests. Winners of the convention's golf tournament will also be awarded during the night. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

Gov't allots P20M to complete RORO port in Santander, Cebu

Cebu, Philippines (22 October) -- The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) is set to complete the RORO port in barangay Liloan, Santander Cebu with a funding allocation of about P20-million.

According to CPA general manager Angelo Verdan, the Liloan RORO port was started by Antonio Ouano, a businessman who also owns the Ouano wharf in Mandaue City that obtained a 25-year lease in the foreshore area at barangay Liloan, Santander. Ouano started developing it into a RORO port some 3-4 years ago but stopped the project with only a pier, a concrete road and a causeway.

Verdan said, CPA contracted an international appraisal company to appraise the port so CPA can pay Ouano on his expenses.

The CPA has set aside some P20-millin for the project. "The cost is not a problem because the agency will make the port an income generating port, not just a missionary port," Verdan added.

The CPA has already done the feasibility study of the port project and it plans to make it a bigger port that can accommodate cargoes and passengers.

Currently, Verdan said, the port has been a good favorite alternate RORO port between Negros Oriental and Cebu due to its proximity from Sibulan port to Liloan, a less than half an hour trip and from Liloan, Santander, aircon buses are at hand to take the passengers to Cebu City.

The income potential of this RORO port will be tremendously increased once it is improved and mobility of goods and people from Negros will pave the way to economic growth especially in the southern part of Cebu. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

Comelec-7: Identical forms for barangay, SK polls lead to confusion

Cebu City (24 October) -- The almost identical forms in both the certificates of candidacy for the Barangay and the Sangguiang Kabataan (SK) elections have led to the confusion of some candidates who ended up filling the wrong form, according to an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec-7).

Cebu City North District Election Officer Atty. Marchel Sarno admitted in this morning's Kapihan sa PIA that tackled the upcoming synchronized Barangay and SK polls that some SK candidates have filled up the wrong form intended for aspiring barangay councilors.

Sarno said although the almost similar forms of both SK and the barangay certificates of candidacy may have contributed to the mistake but stressed that candidates should also be vigilant in submitting the correct filled-up form. The only difference between both forms is the title of the position one is running for.

Upon learning of the error after the submission of one's certificate of candidacy, a candidate is allowed to withdraw his certificate and submit the correct form while the deadline has lapsed last October 17, Sarno declared.

Those who have filled up the wrong form and will win in the polls will be declared but in case a disqualification complaint is filed, Comelec-7 will also have to take action on the matter, Sarno said.

SK candidates who have filed the wrong form are place at a disadvantage as their age is already sufficient basis to disqualify them to the post of barangay councilor. Candidates running for SK must be between the ages of 15 to 17 years old.

Sarno admitted that some SK voters that are aged 15 to 17 years will be disenfranchised as their votes can no longer be counted to a candidate that has erroneously filed the incorrect form since the certificate of candidacy is intended for a barangay post.

Asked what they can do to correct the situation, Sarno said their duty is purely ministerial in nature and that in such case the candidate may file a petition to the law department at Comelec Central Office to solve and rule on the case.

Sarno cited eight cases in Barangay Malubog where instead of SK forms, the eight SK candidates filled up certificates of candidacy for barangay councilors.

Under the law, candidates are required to undergo drug testing while October 18 was the deadline for the submission of the drug test results, according to the city election officer.

Failure to submit drug test results will not be a ground for disqualification but Comelec-7 however, will publish the names of those who have not complied in local newspapers per policy, Sarno revealed.

The Comelec-7 will gather the board of canvassers tomorrow for a briefing as the poll body is in its last stages of preparations. Likewise, there are about 3T teachers in the north district of Cebu City that will undergo an elections seminar this week, Sarno further said. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

"Sing for Me" project, gilusad sa DSWD

Cebu City (October 24) -- Gilusad kagahapon ang Sing for Me Project sa Department of Social Welfare and Development dinhi sa tunga-tungang Kabisay-an.

Matud ni Jaybee Carillo, tigpamaba sa DSWD, ang maong proyekto gitumong sa pagtigum og pondo alang sa pagtukod og kasamtangang kapuy-an sa mga batang nahisalaag nga gitawag og children in conflict with the law kon cicl.

Sa iyang bahin, si Nemia Clara Antipala, hepe sa Technical Assistance Division sa DSWD nagkanayon nga importante nga matabang ang mga batang nahisalaag kay sagad sila man ang sagad makahimo og salaod.

Nibutyag sab si Antipala nga ang rehiyon, aduna lay usa ka rehabilitation center alang sa mga bata nga nahimutang sa lungsod sa Argao nga modawat lang og setenta ka mga bata. Kini kulang kaayo kung itandi sa kadako sa area sa Central Visayas.

Gilantaw sab sa DSWD nga mas importante ang pagbaton sa kada probinsya sa Central Visayas og usa ka temporary shelter sa mga batang nakalapas sa balaod sa dili pa sila ibalik sa ilang mga pamilya.

Sa nasayran, ubos sa Acta Republika 9344 kon Juvenile Justice Law, ang mga batang nakalapas sa balaod dili na ibalhog sa bilangguan apan kadtong bug-at og salaod ipaubos sa diversion program sa DSWD og sa accredited nga mga pasilidad sa nahisgutang ahensiya.

Nahibaw-an human sa usa ka pagtuon nga ang mga batang giipon pagpriso sa mga hingkod na og pangedaron mograbe hinuon kabadlongon.

Sa Sing for Me Project, ang DSWD gilauman nga makatigum og pondo alang sa Bahay Pag-asa o temporary shelter sa children in conflict with the law og kini gilauman nga makaayo gyud sa paghatag higayon sa kabataan pagbag-o sa ilang kinabuhi.

Ang maong proyekto magsugod karong Sabado sa hapon sa University of Southern Philippines kon USP amphitheater diin lain-laing mga grupo sa children’s choir ang mohalad og awit sa Pasko alang sa mga bisita nga gilaumang mohatag suportang pinansyal sa mga proyekto sa DSWD og sa mga partner institutions niini alang sa pagtukod sa mga Balay sa Paglaum alang sa kabataan. (PIA Cebu/RMC)

PRO 7 ANDAM NA ALANG SA PINILIAY SA OKT. 29

Cebu City (October 25, 2007) – Nobenta y singko porsiyento nang andam ang kapolisan sa Central Visayas alang sa piniliay karong Lunes.

Kini base na sab sa pamahayag ni sa hepe sa Police Community Relations Senior Superintendent Alexander Abadinas.

Matud ni Abadinas, ang kapolisan moassign og duha ka pulis matag eskwelahan og susamang lugar diin adto ipahigayon ang piniliay.

Niingon sab si Abadinas, nga sa pagkakaron, aduna nay dece saez ka mga lugar dinhi sa Central VIsayas ang ilang giisip nga election areas of immediate concern. (Roberto M. Cabardo/PIA AMO 7 Cebu)

PIPILA KA BARANGAY SA CV, POSIBLENG WAY MAPILI NGA OPISYAL

Cebu City (October 25, 2007) – Gipaabot nga adunay mga barangay sa tunga-tungang Kabisay-an ang dili makabaton og mga kapitan og SK Chairman human gibutyag sa COMELEC Central Visayas nga adunay mga kandidato nga sayop ang porma sa certificate of candidacy (COC) nga gigamit.

Matud ni Cebu City North District Election Supervisor Marchel Sarno, pipila niadtong mga nasayop mao ang taga barangay Malubog, Lusaran, og pipilka usab sa barangay sa dakbayan sa Lapu-Lapu og Negros Oriental.

Si Sarno nagkanayon usab nga kadtong mga kandidato nga nigamit og dili mao nga porma sa certipiko de candidatura nga gigamit, pwedeng madiskwalipikar. Gani niingon usab si Sarno nga ang ang pagkasayop moresulta lamang sa dili unya pag-ihap sa boto nga makuha sa maong kandidato.

Wa hinuon isalikway ni Sarno nga posible usab nga malwestiyon ang mga tinugyanan sa COMELEC nga naghatag sa sayop nga porma sa mga kandidato.

Sa pagkakaron, gipaabot nga moduso ang mga nasayop nga kandidato sa ilang petition sa COMELEC Law Department aron makorihian ang ilang mga certipiko de kandidatura.(Roberto M. Cabardo/PIA AMO 7 Cebu)

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Mga mamumuhunan nagplano pagtukod ug mga planta sa biofuel

Ang Department of Agriculture (DA) kagahapon namahayag nga daghan na nga mga mamumuhunan ang nagplano pagtukod ug mga planta sa biofuel sa nagkalain-lain nga lugar sa nasud.
Matud ni DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap, ang mga mamumuhunan mipadayag na sa ilang plano pagtukod ug mga planta sa Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern ug Central Mindanao ug sa Davao Region.
Si Secretary Yap nagkanayun nga ang DA naglaum nga nga nagkadaku nga panginahanglan sa alternatibo nga lana nga nagagikan sa tanom mopalambo pa sa sector sa panguma sa nasud, mopataas sa ganansya sa gagmay nga mga negosyante ug mopakunhod sa pagdepende sa nasud sa mga imported nga tinubdan sa enerhiya.
Ang DA mipasalig nga pinaagi sa Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corp. (PADCC) ma-promote ang biofuel pinaagi sa pagpa-angbit ug kahibalo sa katawhan sa paggamit ug agricultural feed stocks alang sa ethanol ug biodiesel production.
Si Yap nag-ingon nga kasamtangan nang gitino sa nahisgutang buhatan ang mga sector sa pribadong mamumuhunan nga adunay kapin sa 400,000 ha ektarya sa yuta nga katamnan ug mga produkto nga gamiton unya nga feedstock alang sa paghimo ug biofuels.
Mokabat sa 90,000 ka ektarya niini anaa akita sa North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle; 10,000 ka ektarya usab sa Central Philippines ug 300,000ka ektarya niini sa Agribusiness Mindanao, dugang pa ni Yap.
Ang DA secretary usab nagkanayun nga ang nahisgutang mga luna mo-representar na ug 78% sa 600,000 ka ektarya nga target karong tuiga.
Kini maoy tamnan ug kamoteng-kahoy, oil palm, lubi, tubo, tuba-tuba ug uban pang mga tanom nga gamiton nga feedstock sa biofuel.
Kun kahinumduman, usa ka Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) ang gipirmahan tali sa Pilipinas ug sa PRAJ Industries sa India atoll sa pagbisita ni Presidente Arroyo sa maong nasud karong bag-o.
Sa Marso sunod nga tuig ang PRAJ Industries gikatakda na nga mosugod paghimo ug biofuel sa Ormoc City.(PIA-7/ECD)

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

CEBUANO LEGISLATORS SEEK CREATION OF NEW ENGINEERING DISTRICTS

Cebu City (October 17, 2007) - Two Cebuano lawmakers are seeking to have DPWH Engineering Districts in their respective bailiwicks.
At present, fourth district representative Benhur Salimbangon along with sixth district representative Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, whose districts belong to the First Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways, passed a bill that seeks to reconstitute the First Engineering District into two separate, regular engineering districts.
House Bill No. 2940 provides that the First Engineering District Office of Cebu Province shall comprise the City of Bogo and the municipalities of Tabogon, Tabuelan, San Remegio, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Sta. Fe, Madridejos and Bantayan.
While the sixth Engineering District will comprise the Cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, and the municipalities of Consolacion and Cordova.
Under the said bill, each of the engineering district shall be headed by a district engineer and the personnel, resources and equipment of the existing First Engineering District Office shall be divided between the two engineering offices in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The two legislators expressed concerns over the inadequacy of services of the existing engineering district office to the infrastructure needs of the different cities and municipalities of the two legislative districts of the province “thus resulting to the unnecessary bureaucratic delays and other related problems in the implementation of public works.”
They also said that the present set up is also burdened with problems that hamper its ability to deliver services effectively and efficiently. This include poor distribution of personnel and inefficient implementation of projects, not to mention that these two legislative districts are far from each other.
The bill also intends to afford easy monitoring and implementation of projects, thereby ensuring a sensible and judicious spending of public funds.
For his part, Medellin Planning and Development Chief Giles Anthony Villamor welcomes the initiative of the two legislators saying that the move would likely result to better maintenance and more efficient services of the DPWH in the road network within in the midnorth, and thus, bringing the government closer to the people. (Roberto M. Cabardo/PIA AMO 7 Cebu)

CPPO MIHATAG ULTIMATUM PAGSIKOP SA RAPE-SLAY SUSPECT

Cebu City (October 17, 2007) – Ang Cebu Provincial Police Office nihatag na og tagal sa kapolisan sa Danao City hangtud sa katapusan ning bulana pagsikop sa giingong rapist og killer nga si Warlito Waway Toledo.
Sa interbyu ning tigbalita kagahapon, niingon si CPPO Director Senior Superintendent Carmelo Valmoria nga ang gimandoan na niya ang kapolisan sa Danao sa pagseguro og dakop ni Waway sulod lang ning bulana.
Kung mahinumduman, pipila na ka semana nga ang mga lumulupyo sa lungsod sa Liloan, Compostela og silingang mga dapit, naukay sa taho nga adunay rapist og serial killer nga manuktok sa kabalayan og molugos dayon sa mga moabli sa iyang lugar.
Niingon hinuon si Valmoria nga sukwahi sa kahadlokang balita, si Waway aduna lay usa ka kaso sa pagpanglugos samtang wa pay gi-file nga kaso sa pagpatay batok sa nahisgutang kriminal.
Giawhag huinuon ni Valmoria ang publiko sa pagreport dayon sa kapolisan kung ilang makit-an ang maong kriminal sa ilang dapit nga giingong ania pa sa Sugbo. (Roberto M. Cabardo/PIA AMO 7 Cebu)

LAPU-LAPU CITY MIMUGNA OG SOCIALIZED HOUSING SA MATAG BARANGAY

Cebu City (October 17, 2007) – Agi og tubag sa tinguha ni Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo paghatag og higayon sa matag Pinoy nga makabaton og puy-anan, gibutyag sa kagamhanan sa dakbayan sa Lapu-Lapu ang pagahin og sites sa socialized housing sa matag barangay.
Sa pagkakaron, ang dakbayan sa Lapu-Lapu adunay gibana-bana nga mga siete mil ka mga informal settlers sa pagkakaron bunga na sab sa daghang trabahador sa duha ka Export Processing Zones sa maong syudad.
Sa press conference kagahapon, namahayag si Bise Mayor Mario Ramirez nga sa gidaghanon sa ilang informal settlers namugna ang socialized housing sites sa matag barangay sa dakbayan.
Pipila niini anaa mahimutang sa barangay Candagsao, Sudtonggan nga aduna na karoy siete cientos ka pamilya, Canjulao, Looc, Basak, Marigondon, og uban pa.
Dugang pa ni Amores, ang socialized housing project sa dakbayan sa Lapu-Lapu adunay budget nga mokabat sa siete milyones ka pesos karong tuiga samtang dies milyones na sab ang giaprubahan sa city council alang sa budget sunod tuig.
Ang kadaghan sa mga informal settlers sa Lapu-Lapu City usa sa hinungdan nga giingon sa Pag-ibig Fund og ubang ahensiya sa pagpahigayon sa Housing Fair karong petsa biente tres og biente kwatro sa Sports Complex sa nahisgutang dakbayan.(Roberto M. Cabardo/PIA AMO 7 Cebu)

Tuesday, October 16, 2007


AGIO-7 Forum


Group extends registration of Japanese-Filipino children

Cebu City (16 October) -- An aid group has extended the registration of the Japanese-Filipino children in Central Visayas after a low turnout of registrants was observed.

The Center for Japanese-Filipino Children's Assistance (CJFCA), together with the Development Action for Women Network (DAWN), informed Friday that it extended the registration of JFCs until October 31, this year.

Natividad F. Benedicto, CJFCA's staff for Central Visayas, attributed the low registration turnout to the lack of awareness on the part of the public, especially the parents and relatives of these JFCs, on the ongoing activity.

Benedicto said her office has only registered 40 JFCs since the registration started in September. She informed, however, that she received calls from parents in Negros Oriental affirming their intentions to register.

The lack of required documents and transportation expenses on the part of the JFCs likewise contributed to the low registration turnout, Benedicto cited.

The CJFCA staff expressed her plans to hold the registration in the barangays, instead of having it at the regional office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), to reach the families of the JFCs.

For the meantime though, she said she will still continue receiving registrants at the CHR office located at the corner of Rosal and Llorente Sts. here in the City.

Benedicto advised those who would like to register to bring an authenticated Birth Certificate, Authenticated Marriage Certificate (in case the parents were married), Baptismal Certificate, a letter from the Japanese father and other documents that may show their relationship.

The registration aims to get a socio-economic profile of the JFCs, to monitor their whereabouts, their situations and needs. The data gathered from this registration will serve as the baseline for possible interventions from concerned groups and from the governments of the Philippines and Japan. (PIA 7/ECD)

Implement anti-smoke belching law to address climate change

Cebu City (16 October) -- Strict implementation of the anti-smoke belching law is needed if we are serious in addressing the worsening issue of climate change, according to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa-7) chief Engr. Oscar Tabada.

Tabada during the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) forum this morning that tackled the issue on global warming bared smoke emissions from vehicles and industries are major contributors to climate change.

Carbon dioxide released from vehicle emissions and industries for energy build up in the atmosphere that destroys the ozone layer which protects the environment from the harmful rays of the sun.

Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases largely brought about by carbon dioxide emission. About 60 percent of carbon dioxide emission is due to power plants while 20 percent is from methane gas coming from domestic wastes and the decay of matter, it is said.

The rapid urbanization to accommodate a burgeoning population adds to the problem as trees are cut to pave the way for new subdivisions and industries, Tabada said.

Trees effectively sequester the build-up of carbon dioxide gases in the atmosphere as tress trapped the gases before these could reach the stratosphere, Tabada further said.

Tabada noted that there is a need to correct human activities that compound the problem of climate change such as compliance to the anti-smoke belching law as well as the indiscriminate burning of plastic wastes.

The best way people could help fight climate change is to plant trees even in their backyards in order to sequester and neutralize the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and likewise make the environment cooler and healthier, the PAG-ASA 7 chief stressed.

Tabada said a humid climate at nighttime during the rainy period where it is supposed to be cold is one of the basic effects of climate change.

Cebu City Vice-Mayor Michael Rama has asked the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7) to explain to the public how global warming can affect the lives of the community for a better understanding on the seriousness of the issue and how each individual can do his/her share to mitigate the problem. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

Fair sa baratong puy-anan sa mga way balay ipahigayon sa Lapu-Lapu City

Cebu City (October 16) -- Gilauman na sab nga ubay-ubay ang mga Bisaya labi na gyud sa mga Sugbuanon ang makapanag-iya na gyud og panimalay. Kini tungod kay human sa malampuson og paghangop sa publiko sa kalihukan nila sa niaging tuig, ang Pag-Ibig Fund mopahigayon na sab og Housing Fair karong Oktubre 23-24 didto sa Lapu-Lapu City Sports Complex.

Kauban sa Pag-Ibig sa paghimo sa Housing Fair part 2 ang mga ahensya sa kagamhanan sama sa GSIS, National Housing Finance and Mortgage Corporation, SSS, BSP, HLURB, National Housing Authority, HGC og mga real estate developers sa Kabisay-an.

Sa housing fair, ipahibalo sa katawhan ang mga panimalay nga naembargo o nabawi sa mga nahisgutang ahensya nga pwede na sab karong mapalit sa ubos nga presyo.

Gipasalig ni Dale Mark Antonio, tigpamaba sa Pag-Ibig Fund Cebu North nga andam silang motabang sa mga miyembro sa Pag-Ibig nga magkinahanglan og mga impormasyon og giya kalabot sa housing loan og sa housing fair didto mismo sa Lapu-Lapu City Sports Complex.

Base sa talaan sa National Statistics Office, ang Pilipinas daghan pa gihapon og mga lumulupyo nga wa pa makapanag-iya og balay sa pagkakaron.

Ang tema sa Housing Fair Part 2 mao ang Serbisyong Tapat, Abot Kayang Pabahay Para sa Lahat nga sa Binisaya pa nagpasabot sa Tinuoray nga Serbisyo, Baratong Puy-anan alang sa Tanan. (PIA Cebu/RMC)

DA gidili ang poultry products gikan sa Canada

Cebu City (October 16) -- Human sa gikatahong report sa bird flu nga niigo na sa nasod sa Canada, nimando karon ang Department of Agriculture sa pagpasulod dinhi sa nasod sa mga langgam og uban pang mga produkto sa poultry nga gagikan sa Canada.

Base press statement nga gagikan sa DA Headquarters sa kauluhan, ang World Health Organization Office of International de Epizooties (OIE) nikumpirmar sa presensya sa makamatay nga H7N3 avian influenza virus didto sa probinsya sa Saskatchewan, Canada.

Sa nasayran, ang DA sa sayo pa, niban na sab sa mga poultry products gikan sa Nebraska og Virginia sa Amerika, Korea, og United Kingdom.

Ang Pilipinas kauban ang Brunei og Singapore mao na lang ang nahibiling mga nasod sa Southeast Asia nga wa maapektuhi sa bird flu sukad una kining nahibaw-an sa tuig dos mil tres. (PIA Cebu/RMC)

RP economy gains from peso appreciation

Cebu, Philippines (16 October) -- The country's economy is likely to withstand situations and event that would stressed out its growing economic foundations that the Arroyo administration and her economic team has tried their best to protect.

Wick Veloso, treasurer and chief of the global market operations of the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp (HSBC) believes that RP's economy will continue to be strong but it has to watch the economic landscape of the U.S. and other geo-political factors that might largely affect the growth.

Veloso added that Arroyo's economic team has preserved the country's good economic reforms which is Arroyo's economic legacy that has created s tremendous impression of foreign investors that continue to pour their capital in the BPO, mining investments and real estate sectors and the growing remittances of the OFWs that has been considered as one of the country's economic drivers.

With these, Veloso added the peso is expected to be even stronger and will climb to nearly P40-$1 in the next few years.

Diwa Gubigundo, deputy governor recently said that the country is gaining more advantages than disadvantages from the peso's continuing appreciation against the dollar. He further said that a stronger peso augurs well for lower inflation, better debt service and more resources for public infrastructure and social projects.

Gunigundo commented that the peso's appreciation, although it has lowered the earnings of local exporters, has more advantages because the export business is not dependent on pricing alone. Exporters can enhance their competitiveness and increase their sales volume.

The BSP deputy governor further noted that the rising OFW remittances, Philippine exports and influx of foreign capital to the country have contributed much to the rising peso. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

Shipbuilding, a world-class industry in Cebu

Cebu, Philippines (16 October) -- In a recent visit in Cebu, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo christened the Hoegh Manila, the 3rd of the 4 ships that Hoegh Autoliners ordered from Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Cebu Inc. (THICI) based at the West Cebu Industrial Park (WCIP) in Balamban, Cebu.

Hoegh Autoliners, a subsidiary of Leif Hoegh & Co. has commissioned THICI to build four (4) pure care and Track Carriers (PCTCs) with a capacity of about 5,200 cars vessel.

Two of the 4 PCTCs, Hoegh Brasilla and Hoegh Sydney were completed and delivered on March 2007 and August 20, 2007 respectively.

The 3rd vessel, Hoegh Manila that was christened by President Arroyo, is expected to be completed on December this year while the 4th ship, Hoegh Oslo will be launched on November 2007.

Late last year the FBMA Marine Inc, an Aboitiz-owned shipbuilding based in Balamban has signed a contract to build Catamaran ferry for a company in New Caledonia in the South Pacific.

Craig Patrick, sales and marketing manager of FBMA, in a press release said, FBMA will build a 57.80 meter catamaran passenger vehicle ferry that can carry 356 passengers and 10 cars and has a top speed of 32 knots. It will operate on the route connecting Caledonia's capital Noumea to the outlying islands of Iles des Pins, Mare, Lefou and Ouvea.

The Catamaram was designed by BMT Nigel Gee Ltd, a subsidiary of the BMT Group Ltd. for SAS Sudiles of New Caledonia to suit the client's prime need of a fuel-efficient vessel, exceptional sea keeping and passenger comfort considering the challenging sea conditions of the South Pacific, Patrick added.


$200-M investments for shipyard expansion

In March this year, the Aboitiz Group of Companies (that include Metaphil, FBMA Marine Inc and Aboitiz Transport System Corp) inked a memorandum of agreement and forged business partnership with Tsuneishi Group of Japan in its bid to expand its shipbuilding facility at the WCIP in Balamban and putting the Philippines on the map as a world-class boat builder.

Roberto Aboitiz, CEO and chairman of the Metaphil Int'l signed a MOA with THICI for the expansion of its shipyard in Balamban to enable it to build ships with 180,000 dead weight tons (DWT).

The Tsuneishi Cebu, a partner of Tsuneishi Group of Japan and the Aboitiz Group has the capability of building ships of up to 80,000 DWT. It has already built more than 46 bulk ship carriers in Balamban. Bulk carriers are ships that carry heavy materials such as copper, gold, coal, iron and cement.

Aboitiz said, they are mulling on a $200M shipyard expansion which will make it more competitive in the international market that will put Cebu and the Philippines on the world's shipbuilding map.

According to the Aboitiz Group, the expansion of the Balamban shipyard will create an additional estimated employment of 3000 workers such as welders, fitters among others in the western part of Cebu.

Presently, THICI employs about 4000 people that made Balamban one of the booming towns in Cebu, if not in the region.

Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay, in a media interview said, its local government unit has required large companies such as THICI and FBMA Marine Inc. that 70% of their employment are locals from the Balamban area.

Binghay noted that many of Cebu's 3rd district residents have come back to their hometown because of the employment opportunities the shipbuilding industry had created.

Tsuneishi and Metaphil are locators of the West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban. Tsunesihi started its operation in 1994 and it hopes to be among the top 3 shipbuilding companies in the world by 2010.

Metaphil is the construction company of the Aboitiz Group and is set to invest P500M for the last quarter of this year for its modular fabrication facility in Balamban.

In an interview with a local daily here, Napoleon Pe, Jr. president and COO of Metaphil said that there is a growing global demand for fabricated modular structures which are becoming the new trend in the construction industry today.

The company is involved in steel fabrication, construction, engineering, design and procurement services. It was established in 1978 at Tipolo, Mandaue and it has clients from China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Germany, Australia, and many more.

With the expansion, the facility is expected to produce 1500-2000 tons of fabricated steel per month and will hire additional 1000-1500 local workers. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

Cebu Chamber to join 33rd Philippine Biz Confab

Cebu City (15 October) -- Officials of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) led by its President Francis O Monera will participate in the two-day 33rd Philippine Business Conference and Exposition (PBC&E) in Manila, dubbed as the premier business event of the year slated on October 24-26.

Under the theme "ONE.GLOBAL.FILIPINO. Through Public-Private Partnership," this year's PBC&E will showcase the pre-eminent role of the public and private sectors in instituting significant reforms and initiatives to harness the country's competitiveness and promote the growth of industries through investments and other business opportunities.

Ambassador Francis Chua, Special Envoy on Trade and Investment to China, and a member of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Board of Advisers chairs this year's conference.

Gathering hundreds of leaders here and abroad, the 33rd PBC&E is seen as the convergence of brilliant minds and ideas, making it the ideal venue to develop synergies and partnership between government and business.

The conference will feature various topics that aim to provide businessmen from different sectors a keen understanding of important issues related to global competitiveness, market access, value chain development, good governance, and global opportunities for investments emphasizing on joint projects with government.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will lead the awarding ceremonies on the following: Recognition for Business Leadership, Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit, Best Workplace RH Policies and Programs, Business Excellence in Ecology and Economy, and the Most Outstanding Chamber Award which shall be conferred to deserving companies and chambers nationwide.

One of the highlights includes the National Competitiveness Summit where the state of the Philippine Global Competitiveness will be discussed.

In 1997, CCCI was bestowed the Hall of Fame Award and this year, the CCCI will once again vie for the title after it was awarded the Most Outstanding Chamber in the Philippines for two consecutive years in 2005 and 2006. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

Cebuano News: DOLE 7 modawat na'g donasyon alang sa child laborers

Cebu City (12 October) -- Padayon na karon nga nagdawat sa mga donasyon ang buhatan sa Department of Labor and Employment dinhi sa tunga-tungang Kabisay-an alang sa regalo sa mga batang trabahante o child laborers dinhi sa rehiyon.

Ang programa sa labor department nga gitawag og Angel Tree Project gilusad sa niaging semana.

Ubos sa maong proyekto, ang mga batang nagtrabaho hatagag higayon nga mosab-it sa iyang gustong madawat nga regalo karong singabot nga pasko.

Base sa impormasyon sa usa sa mga opisyal sa DOLE 7 nga si Yalyn Gachalian, ang maong programa gilusad aron mahatagan sa ilang gipangandoy nga madawat ang mga batang wala na sa eskwelahan kay nitabang na lang sa pagpanginabuhi alang sa ilang mga pamilya.

Base sa nasayran, ang sektor sa agrikultura pa gihapon ang nag-una karon nga mipatrabaho og daghang kabataan sa nasod bisan pa man sa balaod nga nagdili niini. (PIA Cebu/RMC)

Cebuano News: Laing minilyon nga puhunan ibubo na sab sa Medellin

Cebu City (12 October) -- Usa ka dakong lugar bakasyunan og golf course ang gikatakdang tukoron sa lungsod sa Medellin sa bulan sa Nobyembre.

Ang maong investment site giplanohang tukuran og duol dos cientos ka mga mahalong balay og golf course nga mahimutang sa barangay Lamintac Sur og Lamintac Norte sa Medellin nga mokabat sa otsenta ektarya ang gilapdon.

Mao kini ang gibutyag sa hepe sa planning and development council sa Medellin nga si Giles Anthony Villamor sa paghinabi ning tigbalita kagabii.

Matud ni Villamor gikalipay kaayo ni Mayor Ricardo Ramirez ang maong kalambuan.

Nidugang sab siya pagbutyag nga sa pagkakaron ang Medellin aduna nay Retirement Village nga sagad gipuy-an karon sa mga Koreano.

Gitaho sab niya nga ang ilang lungsod kanunay na karon nga bisitahon sa mga Koreanong turista nga nalingaw gayud sa Sugbo labi na sa Medellin.

Kung mahinumduman, si Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo nagtinguha gayud nga mahimong sentro sa turismo ang Sugbo nga maghatag sab og higayon sa paglambo sa ubang dapit sa Kabisay-an. (PIA Cebu/RMC)

PGMA to visit Cebu Friday

Cebu City (11 October) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is scheduled in Cebu late tomorrow morning, Friday, to grace three significant events after attending to an inauguration of the Bayongan Dam Irrigation Project Phase II in San Miguel, Bohol.

The President is expected to fly around 11:00 a.m. directly to her first engagement in Balamban, Cebu from Bohol. At 11:30 a.m., she is expected to arrive at the Tsuneishi Heavy Industries, Inc. (THI) landing zone and will immediately proceed to the Pier 4 of the THI Shipyard for the naming ceremony of the Hoegh Manila vessel.

On hand to receive President Arroyo are Hoegh Autoliners Chairman Leif Hoegh, President Thor Jorgen Guttormsen, Norway Ambassador to the Philippines Stale Torstein Risa, THI Chairman Kenji Kawalno, Cebu 3rd District Rep. John Paul Garcia and Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay.

Upon arrival at the Pier 4 of the THI Shipyard, President Arroyo shall be ushered to the platform for the naming ceremony to christen the vessel by saying the words: "I name this ship Hoegh Manila. May God bless her and all her crew and everybody sailing on her."

The President will then cut the cord that will trigger the breaking of the traditional bottle of champagne on the ship's bow, release the confetti and unveil the name of the vessel etched at the starboard side.

Hoegh Autoliner Chairman Leif Hoegh will give a short message after the christening ceremeony.

Around 300 guests have been invited to attend while the President is expected to stay for only an hour.

The second event will be at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall at 1:00 p.m. where the President will administer the oath taking of Gov. Gwen Garcia as the Regional Development Council (RDC) - Central Visayas Chair and her Co-Chair Norris Oculam.

President Arroyo will also witness the distribution of original certificates of title under the 'Titulo Project' of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-7) and the Department of Agriculture (DA-7) to 13 town beneficiaries.

Four Memorandum of Agreement will likewise be signed under the presence of the President that includes the relocation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command to Lapulapu City.

About 300 Cebu mayors, vice mayors, Provincial Government officials and members of the RDC-7 and other guests have been invited for the occasion which is also Gov. Garcia's 52nd birthday celebration. A video presentation featuring the physical fitness demonstration of the inmates of the Cebu Provincial Rehabilitation Center will be shown during lunch.

Mrs. Arroyo's last event will be the inauguration of the Teletech Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Center in Mandaue City where she will lead in the ribbon cutting and unveiling of the marker around 2:30 p.m.

Teletech Vice President and General Manager - Asia Maulik Parekh and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes will be present to receive the President at the site.

The President will proceed to the training room after the inaugural activities for a short tour and to observe the on-going training of new hires.

Teletech has 10 large BPO centers in the country with a total of 12T employees. The Teletech Cebu branch has 1,100 employees.

The President is expected to fly back to Manila at 4:30 p.m. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

Programs to draw full participation of elderly sought

Cebu City (10 October) -- Officials of the various elderly groups in Central Visayas demanded that they be given opportunity to contribute to the process of community building even in their late years.

Mr. Jose Gapas of the Mag-uugmad Foundation and a member of the Central Visayas Association of Volunteer Efforts (CVAVE), in a forum here Wednesday, stressed that the senior citizens are still willing to share their experience and expertise for the benefit of the community.

"As a repository of extensive experience, we still would like to contribute to the advancement of society," Gapas, a former regional chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said.

According to Gapas, the present program for the elderly seems to be welfare-focused that it tends to develop dependency on their part.

He said a more holistic program for the elderly that can draw their full participation in social processes is needed.

This can be realized, he said, if each of the local government units will create their own Office of Senior Citizens' Affairs (OSCA) that will oversee local programs for the elderly.

Engr. Felix Abella, President of the Regional Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines - Central Visayas Chapter, meanwhile, informed that the Federation had been conducting advocacy efforts to LGUs to create an office for OSCA.

Out of the 132 towns and cities in the region, 70 have already responded to their request by creating their own OSCA, Abella further informed. (PIA 7/ECD)

DOST-7: Malunggay is very rich antioxidant

Cebu City (10 October) -- Malunggay dubbed as a poor man's vegetable frequently being used in making soup is a medicinal plant and a very rich antioxidant, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7).

DOST-7's Josie Elli urged the public not only to use the malunggay leaves but the seeds as well as these can also be eaten. Its nutritional and medicinal properties are extensive, it is learned.

Malunggay is called Horseradish in English under the scientific name of Moringa oleifera.

Elli bared malunggay is extremely rich in Vitamin A and possesses Vitamin C and E properties as well while putting the three compounds together makes this vegetable a very rich antioxidant.

Antioxidants can help stave off cellular damage and help our cells live longer boosting our immune system and preventing susceptibility to diseases. It has also an anti-aging effect, according to Elli.

To transform malunggay leaves into a capsulated form, one may air-dry the leaves and pulverize it after. The powder form can then be placed inside a capsule to be taken as a vitamin supplement.

In making a healthy juice drink, the leaves can be put in a blender which can then be added with water and sugar to taste. Although Elli clarified that all vegetables can be used as a juice drink after being placed in a blender.

As a medicinal element, Elli claimed that the leaves can be pounded and placed on the affected area which hastens wound healing.

Though the malunggay leaves when cooked will lose some of its nutritional properties due to heat, she advised that the leaves should only be placed last and subjected to heat for a very short time. Overcooked vegetables means losing more nutritional properties so it is better that the malunggay or any vegetables for that matter should not be overcooked, Elli ended. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

1st children's rondalla competition held in Cebu

Cebu City (10 October) -- The children Rondalla from Dalaguete town bagged the first prize for the 1st Children's Rondalla competition while Victoria Leslie Ingram from Minglanilla won the top prize for the children's Solo Singing contest that were held today at the Cebu International Convention Center as a birthday tribute to Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and as the province's kicked off celebration of Children's month.

Provincial board member Agnes Magpale who also chairs the SP-committee on women, children and family said this is the first rondalla competition for Cebu province. Dubbed as 'Halad sa Kabataan' the event aims to showcase children's talents and to provide an avenue where they can express their culture through singing and playing with the use of various instruments.

"We expected 12 participants from the six districts of Cebu but only three (3) groups from Dalaguete, Minglanilla and Talisay City joined the competition. " We didn't realize that our municipalities and cities do not have rondallas," Magpale said sadly.

She added that this 1st Children's Rondalla Competition was some kind of an awakening for the province. Plans are already afoot to assist the towns/cities to organize and train their homegrown children's rondalla and "we hope for more participants in next year's event as we intend to make this as an annual competition."

Meantime, the children's Solo Singing contest was equally entertaining and very culturally educational for the audience because 12 children from the 6 districts of the province sang original Cebuano compositions.

A contestant from Poro, Camotes was a grade-2 pupil that sang an original composition entitled "Kabataan Dili Pasagdan" which was composed by a 14-year old high school student during a workshop "Mugna sa Kabataan" that was initiated by Plan-Philippines in Camotes last year.

Amazing was how the audience described the competitions as children ages 7-12 gave their soulful renditions of those Cebuano songs that can only be heard during the Cebu Pop Music Competition or from the music of our fathers.

The winners in the rondalla competition got cash prizes of P25000, 20T and 15T for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively and trophy for each while the solo singing contest winners received P3T, 2T and 1000 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively plus trophy for each while the non-winners got a consolation prize of P500 each.

The top winners (1st, 2nd & 3rd) were also given a scholarship for voice and performance at the Cebu Pop Center courtesy of Jay Uchuan. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

CPPO miabag sa da pagpakigbatok sa brontispa pest

Cebu City (October 9) -- Ang kapolisan sa probinsya sa Sugbo aktibo karon nga niabag sa DA sa kampanya batok sa peste sa lubi nga nailhan sa ngalan nga brontispa longgissima gestro,

Gibutyag sa hepe sa Cebu Provincial Police Office, Senior Superintendent Carmelo Valmoria nga ang kapolisan sa probinsiya, duha na ka semana nga nakigtambayayong sa Department of Agriculture sa pagpakgang sa posibleng pagdala dinhi sa Sugbo sa mga lubi nga adunay sakit nga mohatag og dakong kadaut sa kalubihan sa Sugbo.

Bisan pa man sa ilang mga checkpoints og higpit nga pagbantay sa mga pantalan, terminal og tugpahanan, si Valmoria, nihangyo gihapon sa katawhan sa pagtabang sa tinguha sa kagamhanan pagprotehir sa industriya sa lubi pinaagi sa pagreport sa ilang mahibaw-ang mi-smuggle sa mga infested nga lubi dinhi sa probinsya sa Sugbo.

Ang nailhang pesteng bakukang sa lubi nga gikan pa sa gawas sa nasod, nahibaw-ang nakaapekto na sa duol dos cientos mil ka punuan sa lubi nga nahimutang sa biente singko ka mga probinsya sa nasod. (PIA Cebu/RMC)

PGMA mipirma'g mando alang sa DND/NDCC

Cebu City (October 9) -- Gawas sa local government officials, makahimo na sab pagpasuspenso sa klase sa elementarya, high school og sa kolehiyo ang pinakataas nga opisyal sa Departamento sa depensa og disaster council.

Si Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo nipirma sa niaging bulan sa Administrative Order 196 nga naghatag og gahum sa Secretary sa Department of National Defense nga mao sab ang chairman sa National Disaster Coordinating Council sa pagsuspenso sa klase sa panahon sa katalagman.

Matud sa pamuno nasod, si defense secretary and ndcc chair Gilbert Teodoro gihatagan sab niya og katungod pagmando sa mga hingtungdan pagpaghigayon sa suspension sa klase sa mga katalagman sama sa baha, bagyo, linog, og uban pa.

Kining maong kamanduan, gihangop usab sa mga opisyal sa Office of Civil Defense dinhi sa Central Visayas. (PIA Cebu/RMC)

DENR mopasusi sa kabaho sa SRP

Cebu City (October 9) -- Tungod sa padayong nasinati nga kabaho sa hangin nga nahanggab sa lumulupyo nga duol sa South Reclamation Area, giplanohan karon sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources kon DENR ang pagpasusi sa hinungdan sa kabaho sa maong lugar nga nakaapekto sa mga residente ingon man sa mga estudyante sa mga unibersidad og uban pang mga eskwelahan sa Sugbo.

Sayo karong buntag sa interbyu ning tigbalita, namahayag si Ed Llamedo, ang tigpamaba sa DENR nga posibleng magpadala sila og technical team sa ilang buhatan sa Environmental Management Bureau diha sa maong lugar aron mosusi unsa ang hinungdan sa kabaho.

Gidudahan hinuon ni Llamedo nga ang inagos gikan sa mga basura ang posibleng hinungdan niini. (PIA Cebu/RMC)

DOLE-7: OFWs help bring back working children to school

Cebu City (8 October) -- A program that aims to bring back working children to school by making education accessible for them through the construction of school buildings and more classrooms is realized through the generosity of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"Classroom Manggagawa Abroad" is a program initiated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for several years now where they tap the compassionate hearts of OFWs worldwide to help the government in constructing school buildings and classrooms in areas where child labor is prevalent.

DOLE-7 Regional Director Elias Cayanong recently bared some groups of OFWs donate as much as US $8T so that these poor deprived children can be encouraged to go back to school.

Education, one of the basic rights of children is one of the priority thrusts of the Arroyo Administration particularly on pro-poor education. The Philippines is also a signatory to the International Convention of the Rights of Children.

Other areas where children are found toiling to earn money to augment the family's income are in mining, deep-sea fishing, entertainment, pyrotechnics and entertainment industry. These are the areas that are considered hazardous not only to the health of the child but place his/her life at risk, according to Cayanong.

The DOLE has a tall order of reducing child labor incidence in the country by 75 percent in 2015, Cayanong said.

Central Visayas ranks third in the prevalence of child labor where majority of minors are found working in the agricultural sector particularly in sugar plantations, Cayanong revealed.

In areas where child labor is quite high which is compounded with the absence of schools or lack of classrooms that places children's education in the backseat, the "Classroom Manggagawa Abroad" aims to encourage working children to go back to school.

Cayanong said the program has been able to help raise funds for the construction of 42 classrooms and 14 school buildings in the region. Some of the benefited towns in Cebu are in the northern part such as Danao City, Bogo and Carmen while five are in Oriental Negros, this is learned.

Under RA 9231, parents are held liable when they allow their children to work and deprive the child hihs/her right to education, Cayanong stressed.

President Arroyo meanwhile bared her administration is achieving its annual targets in education as she hopes for a 1:33 classroom-to-student (CS) ratio or 33 students per classroom. Last year's target was 55 students per classroom or 1:50 CS while this year's target was 1:45 CS.

Mrs. Arroyo wants to implement the government's cyber education project of the Department of Education that is designed to make the country's educational system globally competitive and the Filipino students at par with those of the rest of the world.

The Cyber Ed Project uses satellite technology to provide an efficient and cost-effective solution to deliver educational services to public elementary and secondary schools throughout the country. The project links these schools to a nationwide network that provides 12 video channels, wireless wide area networking, local area networking and wireless Internet connectivity.

Under the Cyber Ed program, a total of 37,794 schools or 90 percent of all public schools nationwide would be connected in the next three years. These schools would receive live broadcasts featuring lectures and presentations from master teachers as well as coursewares on demand and other valuable resource materials.

The technology — a satellite-based distance learning -- is widely used in such countries as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, El Salvador, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Thailand, India, Indonesia and China.

The DepEd's Cyber Ed Project is based on China's E-Education Project which covers some 500,000 schools and universities.

The project, an off-shoot of the ICT-based education agenda included in the economic cooperation agreement signed by the Philippines and China in June 2006, is being undertaken with the Tsinghua University, China's premier technology university and one of the world's pioneers in distance education.

About P5 billion was earmarked for the first phase of the project which will be operational early next year. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

1st Visayas occupational safety and health summit set October 11-12

Cebu City (8 October) -- All is now set for the two-day 1st Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Summit in the Visayas this Thursday and Friday (October 11 and 12) at the Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu City which will focus on the theme "OSH in Human Resource Development."

OSH Center executive director Dr. Dulce P. Estrella-Gust bared the summit will feature OSH experts in various fields and sectors that will discuss research and information papers in their specialized fields.

The two-day summit will have a total of 55 paper presentations, six learning sessions, a photo exhibit, product exhibits and continuous running of OSH videos and documentary films.

The paper presentations will touch on a wide range of OSH topics and involves different sectors such as occupational safety and health in the following areas: services, cyber services and hotels, manufacturing, mining and energy sectors, maritime sector, biological, chemical and radio-nuclear disaster management, construction, transportation and OSH management systems and legislation, tolls and intervention in risk management.

Learning lessons on the other hand, would involve one-hour discussions on equality and discrimination, setting up of health safety committees, confined space, smoke-free workplaces, ergonomics and violence in the workplace.

The photo exhibit will show commonly-seen workplace situations from an OSH perspective while the product exhibitors will display the latest safety equipment, devices, and services in the market.

The presentors will come from multi-sectoral groups, from both here and abroad.

It is hoped that the summit will further paved the way for a masterplan on OSH in the area in line with the Department of Labor and Employment's Zero Accident Program. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

PGMA welcomes Indian investments in RP as she signs 9 bilateral agreements

Cebu, Philippines (7 October) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo rolled out the red carpet for Indian investments in the country and moved for the integration of both countries' economies through the signing of nine (9) bilateral agreements.

In her recent visit to India accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano and Press Secretary Ingnacio Bunye, the Philippine President encouraged Indian investors to come to the Philippines citing the country's investor-friendly policies and a highly-reliable, efficient and productive workforce.

President Arroyo specifically cited her determination to pursue a sustainable energy program that would lift the country from its dependency on imported fossil fuel and at the same time help minimize greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global warming.

She added that the country is serious pushing for the massive propagation of Jatropha that will be used as diesel substitute adding that the Jatropha seeds could be exported to India for processing.

Aside from energy investments, the President also invited Indian resort and hotel owners to come to the Central Philippines for tourism investments as she pointed out that the Philippines has a lot to offer to the tourists such as pristine white sand beaches and scenic spots.

She encouraged them to consider the country in their next business expansion and to take advantage of the increasing tourist arrivals in the Philippines. Among the India companies that the President invited to invest here were Praj Industries Ltd., hotel and resort operators and film producers.

"We invite tourist and tourism investors to come over. We invite Indian hotel chains, such as the Tata Group and the Oberoi Group to look at, and consider the Philippines as a destination for your next projects. Ecotourism has become extremely popular and a growth sector in the Philippine economy," she said.

She also regaled the Indian film makers with the beautiful and captivating location sites in the Philippines for making movies; the Filipinos' creative talents, post production houses and other technical and logistical requirements.

As one of the neighbors of India in the East Asian region, President Arroyo told the press that she is looking forward to the revival of cultural ties and enhancement of economic, political, trade and diplomatic integration between the Philippines and India. "We are happy to be here to move the integration of our economies forward."


The nine (9) bilateral agreements

In the same India visit, the President signed nine (9) bilateral agreements that aimed to fortify the economic, political, security and cultural relations between India and the Philippines and these agreements are:

The Framework of RP-India Bilateral Relations and Agreement to Establish the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation are two agreements to identify priorities, set directions and lead RP-India relations to a new era in various areas of cooperation such as defense and security, health and medicine, trade and investments, energy, agriculture, tourism and culture.

The third agreement is the $150-million credit line from the Export and Import Bank of India. The President said that this loan hopes to finance transactions that will correct the lopsided nature of the country's trade in favor of India.

"With India now as one of the world's top economies with a new middle class of half a billion people, your internal market demand and domestic consumption can have a direct and positive impact on us in terms of job creation, balance of trade and investment," Arroyo told the Filipino-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and India's Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Oberoi Hotel.

The fourth bilateral agreement is the RP-India Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism.

This agreement will enhance defense cooperation between the two countries as President Arroyo noted that defense cooperation must be more intensive that would include the exchange of military personnel and students; joint military exercises in non-combatant activities such as disaster response, peacekeeping, and other humanitarian actions.

"Indeed, terrorism is an international blight. If we are to fight terrorism together, we must strengthen our defense cooperation," Arroyo said.

The other agreements are on health and medicine. The Philippines is spending massively on health care that includes importing medicines from India as part of the Arroyo administration's program to cut by 50% the price of medicines commonly bought by the poor.

The President signed the Memorandum of Agreement in the Field of Health and Medicine and an Agreement between the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) for the purchase of $35-million worth of quality but affordable medicines from India.

Another important document is he Memorandum of Agreement on Enhanced Cooperation in the Field of Renewable Energy. The President told the Indian businessmen the country is developing its biofuels industry for "our energy independence, create jobs and keeps our nation clean for future generations."

She added that Praj Industries had informed her that they are ready to open their Philippine bio-ethanol plant soon and that the Philippines wants to explore joint ventures with Indian institutions to produce biofuel from sweet sorghum and Jatropha.

The President also said she has invited Indian corporations to participate in the privatization of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and the National Transmission Corporation (Transco) as there were insinuations that Kapataru Power Transmission would join the bid for the December privatization of the national transmission grid.

The Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Foreign Service Institutes of the Philippines and India as well as the Memorandum of Agreement on the Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic Passports and Official Passports will hopefully liberalize the government's policy towards Indian nationals. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)