tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638672847585961152024-02-18T19:38:54.311-08:00Philippine Information Agency VII - CEBUPHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-43015265353238127782008-02-08T22:23:00.000-08:002008-02-08T22:24:01.130-08:00Lapulapu city police andam mohatag seguridad sa tanan sa Valentine's Day<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Lapu-Lapu City (February 4) -- Sama sa ordinaryong adlaw, sa umaabot nga Valentine's Day, andam kanunay ang kapolisan sa syudad sa Lapu-Lapu sa paghatag seguridad sa mga managhigugmaay nga mosaulog sa Valentine's Day sa maong syudad. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Kini maoy gibutyag ni PSupt. Louie Oppus nga mas mahimo pa unyang epektibo ang iyang mga sakop human ang kagamhanan sa syudad nihatag na'g dugang duha ka sakyanang Toyota Innova sa Lapu-Lapu City Police. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Niingon sab si Oppus nga gawas sa kapolisan, upat ka tuig na sab nilang gipatuman ang panagtambayayong sa mga estudyante og mga ginikanan nga boluntaryong niatbang sab pagbantay sa kalinaw sa Lapu-Lapu. Usa ka paagi nga giisip ni Oppus nga dako og gikatabang pagpakunhod pag-ayo sa mga krimen nga nahitabo sa syudad sa Lapu-Lapu. (PIA Cebu/RMC)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-4255758628300425292008-02-08T22:21:00.000-08:002008-02-08T22:23:22.784-08:00Pagibig midala'g gugma sa Bohol<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City (February 4) -- Malipayon kaayo ang mga taga-Bohol nga miyembro sa Pag-ibig Fund human nibisita ang mga opisyales sa Pag-ibig Fund sa ilang probinsiya. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Labi na nga sa unang higayon, gi-process og gi-release ang mga tseke sa multipurpose loans sa Pag-ibig Fund didto mismo sa Tagbilaran atol sa offsite caravan nga gihimo sa nahisgutang buhatan sa Bohol. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Gibutyag ni Dale Mark Antonio, tigpamaba sa Pag-ibig Fund Cebu North kagabii sa paghinabi ning tigbalita, nga hapit tres cientos ka mga Boholano nga miyembro sa Pag-ibig Fund ang nakadawat dayon sa ilang mga tseke sa multipurpose loans didto mismo sa site diin nagpahigayon ang Pag-ibig sa ilang labing unang caravan sa Bohol nga nagsugod niadtong petsa biente nueve og natapos sa niaging Sabado. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Matud ni Antonio, ang maong kalihukan pagasundan pa sa lain na sab nga offsite caravan sa katapusang mga adlaw matag bulan ning tuiga. (PIA Cebu)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-30708635385737453932008-02-08T22:19:00.000-08:002008-02-08T22:21:13.463-08:00Durano: Cebu int'l airport needs to expand<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City (8 February) -- Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano bared the urgent need for the expansion of the Mactan Cebu International Airport in order to accommodate the increasing tourist arrivals coming to Cebu. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Durano in a recent forum said passenger traffic at the Cebu airport is growing over 20 percent year after year so the need to expand the airport and its facilities is very necessary especially as Cebu is the top favored foreign tourist destination in the country today. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu leaders need to address this concern to sustain and accommodate the growth of the volume of passengers making Cebu the entrance and exit gateway of air travel, this is said. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Last year, of the total 3.09M foreign tourists that visited the Philippines, 748T came to Cebu which emerged as the number one vacation haven followed by Misamis Occidental with 526T visitors. Third most visited place by foreign travelers was Baguio City with 441T while Boracay came in fourth, the Department of Tourism (DOT) data showed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The tourism chief said his greatest fear is that if this is not address and the bulk of tourist arrivals get bigger every year, the lapse of infrastructure development will certainly affect the tourism growth of the country. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu can compete with Malaysia, Hongkong and Singapore as an international tourist destination but that it lacks direct flights coming in, disclosed the DOT secretary. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Durano meanwhile, disclosed that the downgrading of the country's international airports as not having met the safety standards of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) will not affect US-RP air routes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">There are 58 flights per week from the Philippines to the US and vice versa with a total of 900T air seats a year while the DOT's 2008 target quota for American travelers is 640T US visitors, which makes it more than sufficient when it comes to capacity, according to Durano. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">What is important is that there is needed government interventions in upgrading the country's international airports as we at the DOT continues to work with air carriers to include the Philippines in their flight destinations, Durano claimed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Although Durano defended the Air Transportation Office (ATO) after receiving flak due to the FAA downgrade saying that the agency may not be good enough for the FAA standards but is good enough for other nations. "ATO needs to improve but it is not lousy," Durano pointed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Durano on the other hand, expressed his dismay over the non-membership of the DOT in the proposed Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as its membership in the body is just logical. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Durano said he could not understand why the DOT was overlooked in the creation of membership and instead had members from the DOLE and the DILG in the proposed body. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">In the national tourism bills, we are going to push for the amendment to incorporate the membership of the DOT in the proposed CAA, Durano stressed. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">This coming October 21 to 25, at least 400 members of Congress from at least 100 countries around the globe will converge in Cebu for the 6th United Nations World Tourism Organization (WTO) Forum. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-26272476155424794802008-02-08T22:18:00.002-08:002008-02-08T22:19:53.312-08:00Global recognition sa Coral Triangle, gikalipay sa BFAR 7<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City (8 February) -- Gikalipay sa mga taga–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Central Visayas ang dakong atensyon nga gihatag sa mga magpapatigayon sa tibuok kalibutan sa coral triangle nga gilangkuban sa kadagatan sa silangang bahin sa Indonesia, Malaysia, og Pilipinas. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Lakip sab sa coral triangle ang kadagatan sa Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste og Solomon Islands. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Matud ni Tiburcio C. Donaire, hepe sa Fisheries Extension Training and Communication sa BFAR 7, ang awhag sa world economic leaders nagpakita lang nga importante sa panginabuhi sa katawhan sa kalibutan ang pagpreserbar sa lugar diin nahimutang ang pinakaabundang kadagatan sa kalibutan. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">"Of course yes, dako kaayo ni'g papel sa pagpreserbar sa flora and fauna sa biodiversity sa coral triangle." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Dinhi sa Central Visayas aduna say gideklarar nga coral triangle nga gilangkuban sa kadagatan sa Bohol, Negros Oriental og Sugbo lakip na sa Siquijor. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Matud ni Lourdes Arciaga, tigpamaba sa BFAR sa pinakaulahi nilang pagsusi sa coral triangle nag-anam na og kadaghan ang mga itloganan sa isda kon coral reefs sa nahisgutang lugar. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Nidugang sab si Arciaga pag-ingon nga ang mga coral reefs importante alang sa mga isda og uban pang mga nilalang sa dagat.(Roberto M. Cabardo/PIA 7 Cebu) </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Mahinumduman nga ang mga negosyante nga nitambong sa world economic forum nihangyo kang Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa pagpabiling limpiyo og luwas alang sa mga isda og ubang produkto sa dagat ang coral triangle. (PIA Cebu/RMC)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-23420082365678309902008-02-08T22:18:00.001-08:002008-02-08T22:18:42.339-08:00Anti-frat o gang wars giumol sa Cebu City police<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City (6 February) -- Inihap na lang ang adlaw sa mga salbahis nga miyembro sa fraternities sa Sugbo. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Kini human unya makumpleto ang mga grupo sa mga pulis nga molangkub sa Anti-Frat Wars og Street Violence sa Cebu City Police Office. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Sayo karong buntag, namahayag si Cebu City Police Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador nga ang maong task force panguluhan nila ni Senior Inspector George Ylanan og Inspector Juanito Pajantoy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Kung mahinumduman, ang kapolisan gihangyo sa mga negosyante sa dakbayan sa pagpuhag sa mga gang og fraternities nga naghatag kaguliyang og hinungdan sa mga patay og pagparegla nga nahitabo sa nagkalain-laing lugar sa dakbayan. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Ang mga negosyante ilabi na ang mga nagsalig sa turismo nityabaw tungod kay ang mga frat wars sa syudad nihatag na man og kahadlok sa pipila ka turista og mamuhunan sa pagbisita sa Sugbo. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Sa nasayran, sobra sa usa ka gatos ka mga pagpamatay nga nahitabo sa Sugbo naglambigit sa frat wars og mga vigilante style killings nga nahitabo sa Sugbo sukad pa niadtong dos mil saez. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Sa iyang panapos nga pamahayag, niawhag si Comendador sa mga ginikanan pagpadayon sa ilang pagmonitor sa ilang mga anak. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Base sa panukiduki sa mga sociologists, ang pagdagsang sa frat og gang wars nagpakita sa kapakyas sa mga ginikanan paghatag atensyon sa ilang mga anak og nagpaila lang kini sa krisis sa mga pamilya sa usa ka lugar. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Ang mga frat wars naglambigit sa mga sakop sa AKRHO og Tau Gamma ingon man Crips og Bloods nga giingong mao ra gihapon nga mga grupo. (PIA Cebu/RMC)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-81579645871384450552008-02-08T22:17:00.000-08:002008-02-08T22:18:05.015-08:00OWWA 7 mohatag scholarship sa mga OFWs<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City (February 6) -- Ang Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.owwa.gov.ph/">OWWA</a>) dinhi sa tunga-tungang Kabisay-an nag-awhag karon sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers nga mo-avail sa skills scholarship training program sa maong buhatan. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Sa nasayran, ang mga OFWs dinhi sa Central Visayas wa pa kaayo mahibalo kabahin sa nahisgutang programa. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Matud ni Maria Venidez Dayo, ang skills scholarship training program sa OWWA adunay kapin katorse mil (P14,500) nga kantidad nga madawat sa matag scholars. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Gipahibalo hinuon ni Dayo nga kadtong ubos sa katorse mil kinyentos ang kantidad sa skills training scholarship sa usa ka OFW bayaran lang sa OWWA sa eksaktong kantidad sa scholarship. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Kadtong mga OFWs nga interesado giawahag ni Dayo pagbisita sa ilang buhatan diha sa kanhi Amway Building duol sa Plaza Independencia o kaha pagtawag sa telepono 254 3199 og 2540305 alang sa dugang kasayuran. (PIA) </span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-50886622777636737872008-02-08T22:16:00.000-08:002008-02-08T22:17:13.294-08:00PNP Cebu di modugang og pulis sa Valentine's Day<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City (6 February) -- Normal lang ang deployment sa kapolisan sa dakbayan sa Sugbo sa Valentines Day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Kini maoy gibutyag ni Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador Cebu City police Director karong buntag. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Matud ni Comendador wa siya kakitag panginahanglan pagdeploy og dugang polis sa maong adlaw kay lovers day man kini og gilauman niyang way kagubot nga mahitabo sa maong adlaw. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Ang dakbayan sa Sugbo, usa sa lugar sa nasod diin daghan ang mga managhigugmaay nga mosuroy sa Valentine's Day kauban ang ilang mga minahal. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Gipaabot sab nga makasinati ang katawhan og kahuot sa trapiko ingon man mga resorts, kan-anan, hotels og mga motels sa dakbayan atol sa giingong adlaw sa mga managhigugmaay. (PIA Cebu/RMC)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-43627496181406433872008-02-08T22:15:00.000-08:002008-02-08T22:16:01.335-08:00Philpost offers flowers express delivery for Valentines Day<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City (6 February) -- One can order fresh flowers for express delivery at a cheaper rate for Valentines Day at any of the three postal offices in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapulapu. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC-7) in its annual special project dubbed "Flowers Express" aims to cater to clients who wish to greet their loved ones with a bunch of fresh flowers on Valentines Day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">PPC-7 market specialist Rachel Betos bared one can now book their orders for fresh flowers at any of the three postal offices and for the type of flower arrangement preferred. A corresponding price list on the type of flowers and particular flower arrangement is also posted at the respective postal centers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Betos cited that a single American Rose wrapped in plastic costs P100 and P150 for a Holland Rose while the price is already inclusive of the delivery charge. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Flower shops who offer the same services for Valentines Day will cost over P200 for a single American Rose alone, the PPC-7 market specialist declared. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">At present, the PPC has already received more than 50 bookings as Betos urged those interested to book in advance or at least one day ahead of Valentines Day while 11:00 a.m. is the cut off time, Betos disclosed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Last year, the PPC-7 has earned more than P30T sales from the project while the heavy bulk of the orders came from the Cebu City Central Post Office. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The project formerly called 'Oplan Pagmamahalan' started in 1996 and since then, has been an extra service for a special occasion offered by the PPC-7, according to Betos. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The three city postal offices will also accommodate those who want to send gift items for Valentines Day with delivery charge ranging between P50 to P100 depending on the size of the item, this is learned. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Meanwhile, PPC-7 information officer Josephine Layco said there is a new guideline for the application of a postal ID which now requires a background investigation on the applicant to verify the accuracy of the information given. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Layco said based on reports, suspected criminals that have been apprehended are using the postal ID for their own selfish purposes which prompted their agency to implement stricter measures in obtaining a postal ID. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The postal ID is particularly useful to those who are unemployed who have no identification card but have plenty of bank transactions, Layco bared. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Those who want to apply for a postal ID may visit the nearest postal office for further inquiries, Layco further said. (PIA-Cebu/FCR) </span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-33565475080263538572008-02-08T22:14:00.000-08:002008-02-08T22:15:10.724-08:00Dengue cases in Central Visayas rise over 50%<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City (6 February) -- Just five weeks since the year started, dengue cases in the region have posted over 50 percent growth while fatality rate tripled in number compared to the same period last year as health officials in the region urged more community involvement in the fight against the dengue disease. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Department of Health (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.doh.gov.ph/">DOH</a>-7) data showed that 512 dengue cases have already been recorded from January to the 1st week of February this year compared to only 308 cases for the same period in 2007; an increase of 66 percent in incidence rate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Out of the 512 cases, 12 deaths were documented compared to only four deaths in 2007. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City has consistently been the hardest hit in both morbidity and mortality rate recording 136 dengue cases out of the 512 and eight out of the 12 deaths. The other four deaths recorded came from Danao City, Lapulapu City, Consolacion and Oriental Negros, this is learned. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The dense population and congested areas resulting to rapid transmission of the virus has been a major factor that attributed to Cebu City's highest incidence rate, bared Renan Cimafranca, the DOH-7-Regional Epidemiology Services Unit (RESU) Nurse. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Top five barangays in Cebu City with the highest incidence rate of dengue cases are Labangon, Guadalupe, Apas, Lahug and Talamban. The DOH-7 in partnership with the Cebu City Health Office (CCHO) is conducting an entomological survey of the said barangays to determine the common breeding sites of the Aedes Egypti Mosquitoes to serve as baseline before conducting a 'search and destroy' mission of these sites, Cimafranca said. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Based on their survey, findings showed that used tires and cans that store clean and stagnant water were found to be positive of the larvae of the dengue-carrier vector, the DOH-7-RESU nurse claimed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Because of the growing incidence of dengue cases in the country, the DOH will launch a nationwide intensified advocacy and education campaign drive on February 21 as the DOH-7 conducted a half-day consultative meeting today on anti-dengue campaign with various partners and stakeholders. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;"><br /><b>7 dengue labs set up in Cebu City</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">CCHO director Dr. Fe Cabugao during the meeting said seven satellite laboratories have been set up to handle dengue cases in strategic areas namely Pardo, Pari-an, Guadalupe, Bo. Luz, Mabolo, Talamban and Punta Princesa. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">These satellite labs offer free Complete Blood Count (CBC) and platelet count tests, Cabugao further said. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The satellite laboratories are open from Monday until Saturday during office hours and beyond that, must be referred to the Cebu City Medical Center where a fast lane for dengue cases have also been arranged, according to Cabugao. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cabugao said the Cebu City Government last October has appropriated P5M for the dengue program after declaring calamity areas to identified barangays having high incidence of dengue cases. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Last year, Cebu City recorded a total of 53 deaths from dengue. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">DOH-7 Regional Director Susana Madarieta said that the DOH-Central Office plans to conduct a training for private and public doctors on the clinical management of dengue this last week of February. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Madarieta stressed the participation and involvement of the community to fight the dengue problem especially in cleaning immediate surroundings and destroying possible breeding sites of the dengue-carrier mosquitoes which is the most effective prevention method. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Central Visayas last year topped nationwide in the ranking of fatality rate of dengue and placed fourth in the morbidity rate. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-61198740421853913432008-02-08T22:13:00.000-08:002008-02-08T22:14:13.685-08:00DOT: US$5.8-B quota on tourist spending for '08 achievable<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City (5 February) -- Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano expressed confidence that the US $5.8B quota on tourist spending for 2008 will be achieved as the Department of Tourism (DOT) has already surpassed its quota on tourist spending three years ahead of time. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Durano said under the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan, the DOT was given a quota of US $4.8B tourist spending by 2010; which means that the total amount of money spent by tourists coming into the country must reach at least US$4.8B by the year 2010. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The tourism secretary however proudly bared that last year alone, the tourist spending already amounted to US$ 4.88B or a little over P200B which means the department has already surpassed its target three years ahead of the deadline. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Durano said they are looking at maintaining the eight to 10 percent growth in tourist volume and increasing the average length of stay of the foreign visitors to meet their self-imposed quota of tourist spending of US$1B dollars more. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Because at the end of the day, what matters most is how important these dollar inputs are to the growth of the economy, Durano further said. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The DOT is looking at a three-pronged approach to meet their tourist spending quota that are tourist volume, length of stay and what these tourists spend for, this is learned. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Durano said it is important to know where tourists spend their money so the tourism sector could offer more on these preferred services as the tourism chief cited the need to promote high-value services like health and wellness, education, sports diving and shopping. Tour operators on the other hand, can charge higher for high-value services, this is said. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Asked whether a strong peso will affect the country's tourism growth, Durano replied that "we have never positioned the Philippines as a cheap destination" but rather "a value-for-money" tourist vacation haven. The focus is more on the value of tourist spending rate and not on volume, Durano stressed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Durano said the tourist arrivals from Europe were a big help in achieving their target quota on tourist spending three years ahead of the deadline. Much of our 8.7 percent growth in tourist arrivals was helped by the strong growth of the European market where Scandinavians posted a double digit growth while Russia was the fastest growing market with a growth of 16 percent last year alone, Durano revealed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Although Europe only constituted about nine percent of total tourist arrivals last year but they spend more going for high-end services, this is said. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The DOT is closely coordinating with the Middle Eastern Airlines as these air carriers are the ones that offer direct access to the European market which can support the momentum of the European tourist market coming in to the Philippines, Durano ended. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-45136663959994205822008-02-08T22:10:00.000-08:002008-02-08T22:13:12.383-08:00Cebu to host 6th World Tourism Forum in October<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City (5 February) -- Cebu takes the global center stage as the chosen venue to host the 6th United Nations World Tourism Organization (WTO) Forum where at least 400 members of Congress from at least 100 countries worldwide are expected to attend this coming October. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano in the 888 News Forum this morning bared to Cebu reporters that China would have bided for the hosting of the 2008 WTO Forum but retracted its intent to give way to the Philippines and instead will host the same event in 2010. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The international tourism forum for parliamentarians held every two years is the first time that will be held outside the country's capital and gives Cebuanos again the opportunity to showcase to the world the natural tourism wonders of the place, according to Durano. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Three important issues will be the major focus of discussion namely climate change, poverty reduction and role of women in tourism. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Dominique Bernadette, UN-WTO Conference Secretariat Chief said Cebu has been chosen as the venue of the international forum because it meets the UN Conference's criteria of certain standards in terms of facilities such as an international air service connectivity which is highly important. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Bernadette added that Cebu being the most favored international tourism destination is also a factor behind the decision as it serves as a role model in giving more awareness to local authorities on their significant role in the development of communities through tourism. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Durano said shaping global tourism needs policy changes and adjustments to have a substantial impact which is basically the essence of the forum but local chief executives likewise have a critical role as they are the ones that implement these policies in the local level. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">A technical tour to Bohol is also part of the itinerary to showcase how the local government unit (LGU) of the province managed to balance development and sustained eco-tourism growth together, Durano said. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Bohol is the fastest growing destination in the country because of the efforts of the LGU to strike a balance between development and the preservation of nature, the tourism secretary added. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The WTO Forum is an additional economic activity for Cebu and Bohol on top of what it is enjoying right now, Durano claimed. Cebu and Bohol are the top tourist destinations among foreign visitors. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Tourism Usec. Edu Jarque in the same forum said they together with Bernadette will inspect some top hotels and resorts in Cebu today for the venue of various socials while the group went to Bohol yesterday for an ocular inspection. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The forum will not purely be all work which is where our challenge starts because for the socials, we only have three days for the entire duration of the event to showcase what we have here in Cebu to impress our foreign delegates, Jarque said. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Jarque said they are closely coordinating with the Cebu Tourism Commission for the socials and expressed optimism that Cebu can and will deliver the best for the participants. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">A post conference tour will also be offered to the delegates if they want to travel anywhere in the country like in Boracay, Palawan, Cagayan, Davao and Manila among other tourist destinations, Durano said. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-30723448576920269312008-02-06T05:00:00.000-08:002008-02-06T05:01:03.262-08:00Education congress assesses RP's education system<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu, Philippines (3 February) -- The recent 1st Biennial Education Congress in Manila that was attended by some 400 stakeholders had assessed the country's educational system to be more development oriented and globally competitive. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The congress had also provided the leaders and movers in the education sector to meet in one summit who are in the best position to discuss and share with one another experiential learning and best practices in implementing some of the sustainable development measures in education. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The gathering also raised a wide range of education issues that included quality assurance and monitoring and evaluation of private schools; TESDA's Ladderized education; classrooms-students ratio; teachers exam and trainings; standards in curriculum development and poverty alleviation through education programs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">In the President's message to the attendees, she underscored the value of education in Philippine society and family life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">"The best gift any family can give to a child and any nation can give to its people is access to a good education. It is the foundation of economic prosperity and individual liberty, justice and self-worth," the President told the gathering. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">As can be gleaned from the various reports during the congress, the Arroyo administration has scored high marks in its bid to improve school attendance. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Firstly, access to education was improved tremendously. The Presidential Task Force for Education reported that DepEd through its various programs has encouraged millions of children to go to school by minimizing the cost of going to school. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">It stopped the collection of miscellaneous fees on enrollment day and improved classrooms-students ratio to 1:50 on double shifts and the construction of schools in the far-flung barangays. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The government also had a more direct incentive to school attendance through the implementation of "Food for School" program that gives a kilo of rice per day to pupils. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The "Ahon Pamilyang Pinoy" is another unique program that provides conditional cash donations to poor households that comply with rules that enhance learning and health. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Secondly, harmonizing day care centers and pre-schools as part of the Basic Educational System is being worked out by the DepEd and upgrade knowledge of workers and curriculum in Math, English and Science education. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">According to the task force, in 2006, 100,000 Math and Science teachers were trained. DepEd also improved its target of one is to one textbook/student ration. In 2007, DepEd has distributed more than 14-million textbooks and other instructional materials. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Thirdly, the government has expanded its public-private partnerships. It provided high school scholarships through voucher system and the government assistance to teachers and students in private education program (GATSPE). </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">According to the report, the government also increased the number of scholarship grants and loans to tertiary and vocational education through the TESDA's training program and its ladderized education whose allocation already reached to one billion. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Finally, the task force reported that it is only in the Arroyo administration that teachers have been given at least the same increasing bonus that other national government workers receive. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">They have been given additional compensation in 2006 and a 10% salary increase in 2007 and another third round of salary standardization has been included in the administration bill. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN) </span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-73941758511358188382008-02-06T04:59:00.000-08:002008-02-06T05:00:24.015-08:00Global engagements administration's cornerstone<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu, Philippines (3 February) -- Global engagement remains a cornerstone of the Arroyo administration to ensure the country's security, economy and promote its social advancement. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in her speech during the joint NEDA-Cabinet Group Meeting in Malacanang recently said that her trip to Switzerland and the Middle East was an important part of that engagement process. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The President told her cabinet that "Everyone is positive about the Philippines," that included the heads of the CitiCorp, the biggest bank in America; Hongkong and Shanghai Bank; Credit Swisse; United Bank of Switzerland; Dubai Investment Authority; Dubai World; Dubai Holdings; Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Qatar Investment Authority. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Moody's upgrading its sovereign credit outlook on the Philippines from stable to positive that was announced during the President's attendance at the World Economic Forum, only confirmed what the government has been saying all along that the country has some of the best economic fundamentals in Asia, Arroyo further said. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">"That we have created a new business environment that offers one of the best investment destinations in the world," the President added. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The President's trip to Switzerland and Dubai yielded benefits in terms of new trade and investment opportunities; strengthened relations with multi0lateral agencies and donor agencies to support the country's development programs and better working conditions for the overseas Filipinos. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Arroyo reported that in her meeting with Dubai's senior government officials and its business community, there will be new investments coming in to the country beginning this year. Duabai Ports has expressed its intention to expand its operations in Manila, Subic, Olangapo and Cebu. (PIA-Cebu) <!--StoryID:R07-2008020315--> <a name="story15"></a> </span></p><h3><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Education congress assesses RP's education system</span></h3> <p class="caption"><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">By <a href="mailto:piaro7ord@yahoo.com">Minerva BC Newman</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu, Philippines (3 February) -- The recent 1st Biennial Education Congress in Manila that was attended by some 400 stakeholders had assessed the country's educational system to be more development oriented and globally competitive. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The congress had also provided the leaders and movers in the education sector to meet in one summit who are in the best position to discuss and share with one another experiential learning and best practices in implementing some of the sustainable development measures in education. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The gathering also raised a wide range of education issues that included quality assurance and monitoring and evaluation of private schools; TESDA's Ladderized education; classrooms-students ratio; teachers exam and trainings; standards in curriculum development and poverty alleviation through education programs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">In the President's message to the attendees, she underscored the value of education in Philippine society and family life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">"The best gift any family can give to a child and any nation can give to its people is access to a good education. It is the foundation of economic prosperity and individual liberty, justice and self-worth," the President told the gathering. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">As can be gleaned from the various reports during the congress, the Arroyo administration has scored high marks in its bid to improve school attendance. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Firstly, access to education was improved tremendously. The Presidential Task Force for Education reported that DepEd through its various programs has encouraged millions of children to go to school by minimizing the cost of going to school. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">It stopped the collection of miscellaneous fees on enrollment day and improved classrooms-students ratio to 1:50 on double shifts and the construction of schools in the far-flung barangays. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The government also had a more direct incentive to school attendance through the implementation of "Food for School" program that gives a kilo of rice per day to pupils. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The "Ahon Pamilyang Pinoy" is another unique program that provides conditional cash donations to poor households that comply with rules that enhance learning and health. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Secondly, harmonizing day care centers and pre-schools as part of the Basic Educational System is being worked out by the DepEd and upgrade knowledge of workers and curriculum in Math, English and Science education. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">According to the task force, in 2006, 100,000 Math and Science teachers were trained. DepEd also improved its target of one is to one textbook/student ration. In 2007, DepEd has distributed more than 14-million textbooks and other instructional materials. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Thirdly, the government has expanded its public-private partnerships. It provided high school scholarships through voucher system and the government assistance to teachers and students in private education program (GATSPE). </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">According to the report, the government also increased the number of scholarship grants and loans to tertiary and vocational education through the TESDA's training program and its ladderized education whose allocation already reached to one billion. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Finally, the task force reported that it is only in the Arroyo administration that teachers have been given at least the same increasing bonus that other national government workers receive. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">They have been given additional compensation in 2006 and a 10% salary increase in 2007 and another third round of salary standardization has been included in the administration bill. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-51592590406124625342008-02-06T04:58:00.002-08:002008-02-06T04:59:45.320-08:00Moody's upgrade pleases PGMA as local bizmen welcome Cebu City's top 10 rank among Asian cities<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu, Philippines (3 February) -- Moody's Investors Service upgrade of the country's credit rating to positive from stable pleased President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">More so because it was announced while the President was on a "global engagements" with leaders and businessmen in a World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland recently. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Moody's cited the government's "easing dependence on external financing; economic conditions and financial performance are mutually re-enforcing each other, as some of the reasons for its upgrade. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">In similar developments, the Finance Direct Investment magazine of the Financial Times Group cited Cebu City as no. 8 in the list of Top 10 Asian Cities of the future. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The local business community was obviously pleased with the news. They say it is encouraging and a welcome development, specifically to all those sectors that work together to make Cebu City as one of the top cities of the future. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) led by its president, Francis Monera said, the chamber has a strong partnership with the government in pursuing advocacy and promotion of the city as an investment haven. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Monera further said that Cebu City was also ranked 4th as most cost-effective city; 7th in best quality of life and the only Philippine City that is listed for best development and 2nd in best promotion. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The local businessmen agreed that the rankings were the results of the hard work of both the local government units and the business community in promoting Cebu as an attractive investment hub. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">However, Monera said that Cebu City got low marks in the list of best infrastructure, most business friendly, best human resources and best economic potential. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The chamber further said that Cebu City can improve on those areas, specifically on the infrastructure because "we are talking about cities of the future." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">According to the businessmen, Cebu City enjoys an advantage compared to other Philippine cities because it is not so small nor too big; it has beautiful beaches, fresh mountain air and malls tat are very accessible. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">It also has several good colleges and state universities. "We can nurture children better in Cebu than in other cities," Monera added. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The CCCI said that if businessmen, government and the private sector work hard together, "we can make our ranking higher in those areas where Cebu City is lacking. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN) </span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-55724832684149925032008-02-06T04:58:00.001-08:002008-02-06T04:58:45.159-08:00DepEd reports 1:50 classroom achievement<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu, Philippines (01 February) -- The Department of Education (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.deped.gov.ph/">DepEd</a>) reported that by 2006, the government had achieved its medium plan target ratio of one classroom for every 50 grade school students on double shift. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">This was included in the progress report of the Presidential Task Force for Education during the 1st biennial Education Congress in Manila recently. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">In 2001, DepEd's goal was to reduce the time and money spent by students to actually travel from their homes to the schools; and to build classrooms in the far-flung barangays unserved by nearby schools. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">It was reported that within a year, the government completed more than 1000 of those needed school buildings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">In 2007, according to the DepEd, the government added another 15,000 classrooms and this year, it will start the construction season for 10,000 classrooms. A series of groundbreaking activities will start this Saturday, Feb. 2. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">In Cebu City, Governor Gwen Garcia and Barangay Lahug Captain Mary Ann de Los Santos joined the DepEd officials, parents, teachers and students in the inauguration of the 20-classroom building at the Lahug Elementary School compound. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Lahug Barangay captain De Los Santos told the media that the 20-classroom school building was funded through the fund raising activity of the Lahug residents called "Piso Mo, Eskwelahan ko," after its school building was hit with a fire in 2007. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The campign yielded some P168,000 and Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, upon seeing the hapless conditions of the students donated a P5-million allocation for the school construction. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Out of the 20 classrooms, only four (4) classrooms are completed so far and these were turned over to the principal, PTCA of the Lahug Elementary School at Baranagy Lahug, Cebu City. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">De Los Santos further said that out of the P5.168-million, only P2.2-million was spent for the 4 classrooms. She hopes that the remaining program of works for the entire 20-classroom building will be fast tracked and "we will see the completion of the project before the year ends," she added. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-44217263083915206572008-02-06T04:56:00.000-08:002008-02-06T04:57:54.984-08:00DTI-Cebu helps push Cebu products out to market<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Cebu City (1 February) -- In an aggressive move to help push Cebu's best products in the market, the Department of Trade and Industry - Cebu Province (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.dti.gov.ph/">DTI</a>-Cebu) is facilitating the opening of an outlet display in one of the malls in Cebu City and will soon showcase these locally-made products in a video presentation to be shown in fast crafts. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">DTI-Cebu's Elias Tecson bared they are currently negotiating with Kultura Pilipina, a boutique located at SM City Cebu that sells distinctively native products and items ideal as 'pasalubong,' to display and promote the popularly known products of various towns and cities in the province under the 'One Town, One Policy' (OTOP) Program spearheaded by the DTI. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Tecson, OTOP Cebu program coordinator said there is already an existing outlet in Ayala, the Natalie Shop that displays OTOP Cebu products but that most of these are handicraft items. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">OTOP is a flagship program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that aims to promote entrepreneurship and create livelihood opportunities for the local community. The program encourages local chief executives of every city and municipality to take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service which has a competitive advantage. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Some of the local products distinctively well known in particular municipalities and cities in the province include the shoes of Carcar City, guitar of Lapulapu City, wooden beads of Asturias, Sinamay of Carmen, ceramics of Boljoon, deboned bangus of Pinamungahan and bamboo craft of Alegria. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Tecson said the OTOP Program is in line with the thrust of the national government to assist micro, small and medium scale enterprises (SMSEs) to manufacture, offer and market distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents and provide a sustainable source of livelihood for the local residents largely contributing to the economic growth of the locality. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">SMSEs constitute about 99 percent of the country's economy but only provides direct employment of about two percent as government sees the need to provide technical, financial and marketing assistance to small and medium enterprises to further their growth and offer more jobs, it is learned. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Employment generation is a priority thrust of the President to fulfill a previous promise she made to provide 10M jobs until her term ends in 2010. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">DTI-7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte also recently disclosed to tour guide operators of the negotiations with the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority to put up a corner outlet at the airport where popular products from various towns and cities of Cebu will be made available. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Tecson further said that they have ink an agreement with the management of Super Cat, a fast craft bound for neighboring island provinces to show to passengers a 36-minute video presentation on the best products Cebu has to offer per municipality and city. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Showing the video can have more impact to better appreciate what Cebu has to offer which in part is also promoting local tourism, Tecson added. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Caberte proudly boasted that Region 7 is way ahead compared to other regions in its efforts to help market OTOP products. (PIA-Cebu/FCR) </span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-12443960481884707952007-10-30T00:45:00.001-07:002007-10-30T00:45:30.418-07:00P28 billion allocated for irrigation rehab in RP<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-18524450999344574782007-10-30T00:41:00.001-07:002007-10-30T00:41:57.421-07:00Hassle-free business registration, permitting and licensing now in Cebu<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">In a press release from the Department of Trade and Industry (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.dti.gov.ph/">DTI</a>) in the region, the setting up of a NERBAC is mandated through RA 7470 with the DTI as the lead implementing agency. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-54212314208880042362007-10-30T00:39:00.000-07:002007-10-30T00:40:03.958-07:00PRO-7: 16 persons violate election gun ban<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The nationwide firearms ban during the election period started September 29 until November 13. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Firearms include airgun, side arms, long firearms, hand grenades and other deadly explosives except pyrotechnics, while deadly weapons include bladed instruments. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">More police and military personnel will be deployed in the areas identified as AIC and AOC, this is learned. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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 Bañares that there are candidates in the mid-north area in Cebu that are being backed by communist rebels. (PIA-Cebu/<a href="mailto:r7_pia@yahoo.com">FCR</a>) </span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-77513913058619999922007-10-30T00:37:00.000-07:002007-10-30T00:39:21.923-07:00Gisaulog sa PAF-TOC ang ilang anibersaryo<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Malamposon kaayo ang ilang pagsaulog niini nga gitapos sa usa ka boodle fight. (PIA-7/HFG)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-80307921732968662052007-10-30T00:35:00.001-07:002007-10-30T00:35:56.083-07:00Coast Guard rescues 9 survivors in Northern Samar<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">All the survivors were immediately brought to Coast Guard Clearing Outpost in Lao-ang and were provided with food and clothing. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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/<a href="mailto:r7_pia@yahoo.com">FCR</a>)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-69480455522992489062007-10-25T00:48:00.000-07:002007-10-25T00:49:02.329-07:00Mindanao fruits are now available in Cebu<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-9255540291570571092007-10-25T00:47:00.000-07:002007-10-25T00:48:16.501-07:003-day CREBA Nat'l Conference kicks off October 25 in Cebu<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Rep. Rodolfo Valencia, House Committee Chair on Housing will deliver the keynote speech on the formal opening of the activity on Friday. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Resolutions that will be taken up and approved will be submitted to Cong. Valencia and HUDCC for acceptance. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">The event will also highlight the recognition of the 2007 Developer of the Year Awardees. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">"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)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-69607843314959848792007-10-25T00:46:00.000-07:002007-10-25T00:47:20.754-07:00Gov't allots P20M to complete RORO port in Santander, Cebu<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Verdan said, CPA contracted an international appraisal company to appraise the port so CPA can pay Ouano on his expenses. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763867284758596115.post-76604018358824048632007-10-25T00:45:00.000-07:002007-10-25T00:46:27.783-07:00Comelec-7: Identical forms for barangay, SK polls lead to confusion<p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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 (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.comelec.gov.ph/">Comelec</a>-7). </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;"> 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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">Sarno cited eight cases in Barangay Malubog where instead of SK forms, the eight SK candidates filled up certificates of candidacy for barangay councilors. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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. </span></p><span style="font-family:verdana,arial;font-size:78%;">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/<a href="mailto:r7_pia@yahoo.com">FCR</a>)</span>PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY VII-CEBUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15656803459688693851noreply@blogger.com0