Cebu City News November 2018

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View of Cebu City from the bay
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Aerial View of Cebu City
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Aerial View of Metro Cebu

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

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

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Cebu City Cathedral
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Magellan's Cross in Cebu City
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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Cebu City set to celebrate Farmers' Week

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The Cebu City Government, through the City Agriculture Office, will celebrate the Annual Farmers' Week starting Wednesday at Plaza Sugbo fronting the Cebu City Hall.

City Councilor Alvin Arcilla, who also sits as deputy mayor for agriculture, said in an interview on Monday that several activities have been lined up for the 2018 celebration from November 14 to 19.

Arcilla said Mayor Tomas Osmeña is supposed to spearhead the kick-off ceremonies but the local chief executive is still in Yokohama, Japan for official business.

Highlighting the celebration will be the Flower Festival, featuring a caravan of vehicles or floats adorned with different varieties of flowers.

Flowers that were not sold during the observance of All Saints' and All Souls' Days last Nov. 1 and 2, respectively, will be mostly used as floral decorations for the floats, Arcilla said.

A farmers' market will also be put up at Plaza Sugbo, where Cebuanos can buy fresh vegetables at very affordable prices.

Arcilla invited the public to join in the celebration and take advantage of the low prices of fresh vegetables.

"I am inviting everybody, from the young ones to the young once, to come and celebrate Farmers' Week with us, especially on opening day when we will have our Flower Festival," he said.

15,000 join cebu City Olympics

(RSC)

THE increase in participation from public school students is one of the goals of the 2018 Cebu City Olympics, which is set to open on Nov. 14 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

One of the changes this year is that the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) schools will no longer be part of the units and will represent their own schools.

“This means more exposure for public school students. We have seen a lot of potentials from them and we hope they step up in this year’s Cebu City Olympics,” said Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan in a press conference on Monday, Nov. 12, at the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Division office.

The secondary division will have nine units and the Cesafi schools, while the elementary division will have eight units.

“The intramurals, district meets, and unit meets are done. It’s now time for the athletes to showcase their skills in the Cebu City Olympics. This is the road for them to the Cviraa (Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association) and the Palarong Pambansa,” said division sports coordinator Francis Ramirez.

Ramirez said that more than 15,000 athletes are set to compete in various events that will be held at the CCSC, Sugbu grounds at the South Road Properties, Labangon Elementary School, Cebu City Sports Institute, SM Seaside, Don Bosco Technological Center gym, City Green and University of Cebu (UC) table tennis gym.

The sports to be competed are archery, arnis, athletics, baseball, basketball, badminton, billiards, boxing, chess, dancesports, futsal, football, gymnastics, karatedo, scrabble, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, wrestling, wushu.

Ramirez said that in the team sports, only the top three Cesafi schools are allowed to compete. But the dual and individual sports will have no restrictions.

“If we let the 10 Cesafi schools join the team sports, it will look like another Cesafi competition,” he said.

The multi-sporting event for secondary and elementary level students will take place on Nov. 14 to 18.

“What we have in mind here is the preparation and team composition for our participation in Cviraa,” said Dagatan, who announced that Cviraa meet will be hosted by Dumaguete City in the last week of February. “We need to double our time to improve our performance.”

The winners in the Cviraa meet will represent Region 7 in the Palarong Pambansa next year in Davao City.

Cebu City to shuttle employees to work starting Monday

By Morexette Marie B. Erram

The free bus ride for BPO workers in Cebu City will start to operate this Monday, November 12.

In a post on Facebook, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña revealed the routes of the free-bus ride for call center agents.

Its corresponding stop stations include JY Square, Capitol, Fuente Osmeña Circle, Harrison Park, Metro Colon for the South and F. Cabahug Stree, Mabolo Church, T. Padilla, Hipodromo Street for the north.

This development came after the city council approved the budget amounting to P8-million for the purchase of a brand new bus to ferry NPO workers to and from their respective workplace.

City to buy 21 new garbage trucks

By Morexette Marie B. Erram

The Cebu City government is planning to buy at least 21 compactor trucks worth P232 million to boost the city’s garbage collection in 2019.

The purchase of new garbage trucks was the highlight of yesterday’s Department of Public Services’ (DPS) budget hearing for next year.

This meant that the city will do away with renting garbage trucks, and instead buy for their own with the cost pegged at P232 million.

Rental cost of garbage trucks this year alone totaled P133.67 million.

With the city-owned brand new compactor trucks, DPS assistant director John Paul Gelasque told the council’s committee on budget and finance that the cost for garbage hauling and disposal next year will be much lower than this year.

The department requested the council’s committee on budget and finance for P265 million for 2019.

This year, the city has allocated a total of P420 million as payment for the garbage tipping fees as well as rental of garbage trucks needed to collect the 600 tons of garbage Cebu City generates every day.

“We are aiming that next year, between January to March, we will be able to finally purchase the 21 compactor trucks so that by July to December we won’t have to pay for the rental,” said Gelasque in a follow-up phone interview.

Shortly after Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña was elected into office in 2016, the city has started renting garbage trucks to help collect and dispose trash.

This is because Osmeña deemed as illegal the transaction between the previous administration and the Asian Energy Systems Corp., which was tasked to collect the city’s garbage.

The DPS is asking a total of P629 million for next year covering not only garbage collection and disposal services but also street lighting and street cleaning.

Cebu City is fourth richest city nationwide

By Morexette Marie B. Erram and Rosalie O. Abatayo

FOR THE third consecutive year, Cebu City made it to the top five richest cities in the Philippines, maintaining its rank of fourth place for 2017.

This development delighted not only local officials but also members of the private sector.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and Councilor Margarita Osmeña, chairperson of the council’s committee on budget and finance, both expressed optimism that Cebu City could clinch the number one spot.

They attributed the city’s continuous inclusion in the list of richest cities to the South Road Properties (SRP), a 300-hectare reclaimed land development in the south district, which is eyed to become the next center of commercial activities.

Members of the business sector, on the other hand, reminded local officials to use the assets wisely.

“This is well and good but I wish Cebu City would spend its wealth for real, expert-based planning and development, and not for political posturing,” said Gordon Alan Joseph, president of Cebu Business Club.

“Cebu City, and too many other cities and municipalities, are choking on unplanned growth and the negative effects are evident: traffic, garbage, pollution, crime, poor infrastructure. This paradigm needs to change otherwise this wealth is of no value to the public,” he added.

In its annual financial report, the Commission on Audit (COA) said Cebu City’s assets last year amounted to P33-billion, which is P1-billion higher than the P32-billion mark made in 2016.

Cebu City landed fifth in the list of wealthiest cities in 2015 after declaring assets of P7.21-billion.

Makati City dethroned Quezon City, a longtime record-holder, in the list of wealthiest cities in the country, after its assets reached up to P196.57-billion in 2017. Quezon City’s assets only amounted to less than half of Makati City, which is at P68.33-billion.

Manila City, ranked 3rd, recorded assets amounting to P38.67-billion.

Meanwhile the news that Cebu province is the richest province in the country elated Vice Governor Agnes Magpale expressed elation over the report of the Commission on Audit (COA) that Cebu is the richest among the the 81 provinces in the country for 2017.

For Magpale, the “richness” of the province should be attributed to individual growth of its 54 towns and component cities which were made the basis of the ranking.

“We are doing our best to help the towns. If you noticed, we are helping the seventh district – the farthest district and the poorest district. Di man ta makadungan nga tarungon tanan pero giagak nato ang mga kalungsoran towards progress,” Magpale told reporters on Tuesday.

But former governor, now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia questioned whether this wealth is felt by the people in the province.

“Cebu has always been the richest province in the country. Ang pangutana mao: kini ba natagamtam sa mga Sugbuanon? (The question is if the Cebuanos have felt this) ” Garcia said in a message sent to reporters on Tuesday.

Garcia said that the title of being the richest province is empty if it is not translated to real and meaningful benefits for the people.

Magpale however said that the marginalized people have benefited from the wealth of the province.

“We may not be very visible when it comes to big structures but ang mga gagmay nga tawo ang naka-benefit. Sa agriculture for instance, kita ang nagbayad sa premium sa insurance sa farmers. Daghan ang naka-benefit ani considering nga daghan og mga calamities ang niigo recently,” Magpale said.

“We have been very cautious sa atong spending and nagamit gyod sa labing kinahanglan. We always say nga unlimited needs versus unlimited resources. Limited gihapon atong resources, just that comparatively speaking, we are better off than the other provinces,” Magpale added.

Inter-local Council

On Monday, the province entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the eight town mayors of the seventh district and Rep. Peter John Calderon to establish an Inter-local Council.

The seventh district, composed of the towns of Alcantara, Alegria, Badian, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc Moalboal and Ronda will be the pilot area for an integrated inter-area development program that will facilitate coordination among member local government units (LGUs) that will function like the Metro Cebu Development Council.

Magpale, being the chairperson of the provincial board, also said that they are being extra careful with the Capitol’s expenditure to make sure that it’s “limited resources will be maximized to address the unlimited needs of the province and the constituents.”

City to cut market entrance fee

(RTF, RVC)

SO THAT vendors will not increase their prices, the Cebu City Government will lower entrance fees by up to 50 percent in all City-owned public markets.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña wrote about the matter in a Facebook post dated Nov. 5.

The pronouncement also came 13 days after the City Council approved a measure lowering the entrance fees of several commodities, including rice, meat, fish, chicken, fruits and vegetables.

Under the new Section 11.5 of City Ordinance 2486, or the City Market Code, a market entrance fee will be collected from transient vendors and/or consignees of any commodity or merchandise, brought into the premises of public markets owned and operated by the City, for sale.

“To help combat the increasing price of goods, the City Government will be reducing the vendor market entrance fees in all Cebu City-owned market spaces by up to 50 percent. By doing this, vendors will not have to raise their prices to compensate for the increasing cost of goods. We will absorb the costs so they don’t have to be passed on to you,” wrote Osmeña.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla, chairman of the committee on markets and author of the amendatory ordinance, said that just like his approved measure, the mayor’s move is in response to the letter-requests of some vendor associations to lower the rates.

But how will this affect the funding of the P8.1 billion proposed budget of the City next year?

According to Assistant City Administrator Annabeth Cuizon, market revenues are not part of the City’s general fund proper.

This would mean that whatever income is generated from all City-owned markets will go back to the market’s operations.

“The market income is for the market only,” Cuizon said.

Aside from reducing the entrance fees, the City Government will also soon start a program that will help the public save more, Osmeña said.

“We will ship produce directly from farms around the country and sell them at cost in Cebu. By doing this, we can hopefully help people who are looking to lower their daily expenses,” he added.

Meanwhile, the City is expected to increase its tax collection next year to fund a portion of the annual budget for 2019.

For 2019, the executive department of the City is proposing an P8.1 billion annual budget.

The Local Finance Committee has identified a total of P3.5 billion in local taxes that will be collected by the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) as part of the sources of the 2019 annual budget.

The target collection of local taxes next year is higher compared to the P3.1 billion actual and estimated collection this year.

The bulk of the expected local tax collection of the CTO by 2019 is from the business taxes, which are expected to reach close to P2 billion.

It is higher compared to the P1.7 billion actual and estimated business tax collection this year.

CTO is also expected to collect around P1.1 billion in real property tax next year, which is higher than the actual and estimated collection this year, which is at P1 billion only.

The City’s collection in other local taxes next year is expected to reach P382 million.

Apart from the local taxes, the Local Finance Committee also identified non-tax revenue, like the collection of regulatory fees, service and user charges and other income amounting to some P1.1 billion, as other sources of fund.

During the budget hearing Monday, Nov. 5, City Treasurer Veronica Morelos said they are confident that they can meet their target as they will continue to intensify their tax collections including the effort to go after those who are tax delinquents.

The CTO now has yet to estimate the collection they will get out of the tax delinquents.

By 2019, the City is also expected to receive a P1 billion share from the Joint Venture Agreement with Filinvest Land Inc., which is also part of the sources of funds.

Cebu City to operate on P8B budget next year

By Morexette Marie B. Erram and Delta Dyrecka Letigio

THE Cebu City government will operate on a P8.1 billion budget next year, or P1.9 billion higher than this year’s P6.2 billion.

The executive department is however confident that they will be able to raise enough money to fund the 2019 proposed budget.

During yesterday’s budget hearing, the Local Finance Committee (LFC) told members of the legislative committee on budget and finance that they expect a higher collection from local, real property, and business taxes this year.

Tax revenues amounting to P3.5 billion comprised the biggest share in the city’s source of funds for next year’s budget.

The remaining amount will be sourced from the Internal Revenue Allotment (P1.99 billion); non-tax revenues (P1.17 billion); estimated revenue sources (P1 billion) and shares from joint-ventures (P250 million).

The LFC is composed of the city’s accounting, budget, and treasury offices.

Acting City Treasurer Veronica Morelos said this is due to the city government’s intensified crackdown on delinquent taxpayers.

“From 92, there’s now only 11 individuals whom we are yet to identify who have failed to pay their real property taxes,” Morelos said.

It was also revealed yesterday that the city government managed to collect P1.47 billion from business taxes alone in 2017.

For January to June this year, they recorded an income from business taxes at P1.167 billion. The city is also expecting an additional P587 million from collection of business tax for the period covering July to December this year.

This means that the city government can earn up to a total of P1.755 billion from business taxes, or P285 million more than in 2017.

During the budget hearing yesterday, the council discussed the expenses, as well as special projects, for the Office of the Mayor which was allotted P1.35 billion.

Under the city-sponsored programs that cost up to P80 million, P35 million will be allocated for the Sinulog 2019 celebration, which is now only three months away.

Meanwhile, P455 million will be used as financial aid for the city’s senior citizens, P158 million to fund the scholarship program, and P1.1 million for the continuing operations of the Call Center Program.

Cebu City to pilot test an ‘intelligent traffic management system’

By Morexette Marie B. Erram

CEBU City may finally have an advanced intelligent traffic management system that will not only reinforce existing traffic rules and regulations but also help catch criminals.

In a post on his official Facebook page, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced they will be soon conducting the pilot testing of an intelligent transportation system (ITS) created by a Taiwan-based firm.

“ITS is a system that combines CCTV (closed-circuit television) and AI (artificial intelligence) software to automatically capture and record traffic violations while registering the plate numbers of the vehicles involved. It can also be combined with facial recognition software to assist in addressing crimes,” said Osmeña on his post.

While they expressed support for the local government’s plans, members of the business sector urged them to effectively maintain and maximize the use of this type of technology so it wouldn’t fail.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) said the intersection of M.J. Cuenco and General Maxilom Avenues in Barangay Carreta is the area identified for the pilot test of the ITS.

The dry run is expected to start next week but the specific dates, however, are yet to be finalized.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, in a statement sent to reporters on Saturday, said the city is yet to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the private firm, which is needed before they can proceed with the pilot test.

The representatives from the Taiwan-based firm Leotek are expected to be in the city anytime next week.

CCTO chief Francisco Ouano, on the other hand, said the findings and recommendations of the pilot test will be used to determine if such intelligent traffic management system is feasible in Cebu City.

“The results of the pilot test will also be furnished to our office. After a month, we will be meeting with the representatives from the private firm to discuss about the matter,” said Ouano.

The ITS proposed for Cebu City is created by Leotek, a subsidiary of LiteOn Technology Corp., one of the world’s largest firms engaged in manufacturing electronics, including those needed for traffic management.

Leotek’s headquarters is located in Silicon Valley, California with its Asia, Middle East and UK branch based in Taipei, Taiwan.

Guardo unveiled the ITS’ designs last October after the city government sought the need to upgrade its current traffic management system to help improve the city’s traffic condition.

But with crimes recently reported in the city, including killings and robberies, the government has also planned to maximize this type of technology to help in the peace and order situation.

Both the ITS’ pilot test, and its possible implementation in the future, will be of no cost for the government.

ITS for traffic and crimes

The highlight of ITS is non-contact apprehension, which will aid law enforcers on implementing traffic rules and regulations.

In this manner, every data gathered through recorded CCTV footages and other devices will be used to trace traffic violators.

An ease in the city’s worsening traffic condition is also expected if the ITS will be implemented.

Cebu City currently uses a Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS), which needs a serious upgrade since most of its components are either not functioning or already outdated, Guardo said in an earlier interview.

In line with the preparations of the pilot testing of ITS, more CCTV cameras will be installed in various areas in Cebu City.

This will be on top of the over 100 existing ones owned by the city government.

The city government has been eyeing to install more CCTVs around the city following recent reports on robberies and holdups.

One case led to the death of call center agent Loraine Temple after she attempted to fight with robbers while she was walking along Pope John Paul II Avenue in Barangay Mabolo at dawn on October 3.

“Over the next few months, we will be evaluating how well the system works. If it functions as intended, it will be installed in all major intersections as well as high-risk areas where it will help deter crime,” Osmeña said.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, deputy mayor on police matters, said the CCTVs will aid the ITS by monitoring the streets, delivering real-time updates and data. However, he refused to divulge the exact locations or areas where they will be placed for security purposes.

‘Great idea’

The news of an advanced intelligent traffic management system for Cebu City, that functions not only to alleviate traffic woes but also prevent crimes, delighted some members of the business community.

In a text message sent to Cebu Daily News, Carlo Suarez, president of the Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), welcomed the plans of the city government.

“I would personally agree to this move since one of the main concerns in our society now is safety and security. This will be a good measure to ensure that we can monitor the safety in our premises,” Suarez said.

Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph said this type of technology has long been overdue for Cebu City.

“Many developed cities are already using this technology, and this technology is long overdue in Cebu and on the Philippines,” said Joseph.

In the event the ITS will push through, both Suarez and Joseph reminded the city government to implement it effectively and properly.

“As long as they can install, and effectively maintain the system, this is a great idea,” Joseph added.

DTI launches second batch of start-ups mentoring program

By Bridgette May Bayhon (PIA7)

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA)--The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here launched StartupIsland.PH Batch 2 on October 23 at Cebu City Sports Club, this city.

StartupIsland.PH Batch 2 will start in February 2019 and DTI is hoping for more participants.

It is a nine-week mentoring program for start-up founders to develop their product.

It provides an avenue for founders to exchange ideas with start-up champions, access to market to large enterprises, venture capitalists, and other funding opportunities.

The recently concluded first batch received 15 applications, of which six were accepted and four formally graduated from the program and pitched their ideas before business industry experts.

Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Assistant Director Frederick Amores said that the mentoring program aims to develop further the ability to have serious ideas and innovations.

Though not looking at specific industries, DTI emphasized that start-up ideas should be solutions that people would be willing to pay for.

Ideas should have the potential to grow and be recognized as a global player.

“It’s really in the execution. How we apply these to relevant industries, innovations that impact or disrupt industries,” added April Ong Vaño, one of the mentors of StartupIsland.PH Batch 1.

Another mentor Joy Garingo expressed that “global connectedness is what Cebu lacks.”

Cebu is still in the foundational stage which means it has the building blocks to thrive in the start-up community.

There are approximately 100 start-ups in Cebu but funding is low.

Project Pink: Raising awareness on breast cancer

(SunStar Cebu)

CITY SAVINGS BANK, in partnership with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. – Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (RAFI - EJACC) and the Department of Education (DepEd) 7, marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Project Pink for public school teachers in the Cebu province at Summit Circle Hotel in Cebu City.

Project Pink is one of the signature corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs of CitySavings specifically designed for public school teachers to raise their level of awareness on the prevention and early detection of breast cancer. More than 70 teachers from the Division of Talisay, Districts of Liloan, Minglanilla and Consolacion attended the session.

Medical resource speaker Saleshe Tracy Anne Fernandez explained in layman’s terms basic knowledge every woman should know about breast cancer. She also appeased participants on their various concerns pertaining to myths and fallacies on how breast lumps are formed, emphasizing that “there is no primary prevention to breast cancer but early detection is the best protection.“

One of the highlights of the forum was the story-telling of former flight attendant and current resident manager of Holiday Plaza Hotel, breast cancer survivor Ron Bernade-Flores, as she reminisced her journey from diagnosis to undergoing medication, surgeries, chemotherapy and life after treatments.

“Cancer is not about dying; fearing to face it can only worsen the situation. You have to face it with courage and not run from it. What motivated me was the thought that I need to live so I can tell you my story,” said Bernade-Flores.

Members of the ICanServe Foundation, headed by Cebu coordinator Mary Ann Alcordo-Solomon, also graced the event and provided information about their ongoing campaigns such as various fund-raising activities to support women with breast cancer as well as community-based screening programs.

RAFI - EJACC program coordinator Ronald Delos Reyes actively promoted the different programs under the foundation, which teachers may also benefit from and provided information on other institutions in Cebu that can provide financial assistance for people with cancer.

“Our goal is to create and promote long-term sustainable CSR initiatives to advance business and communities. Through Project Pink, we hope our teachers will take better care of their health, since this is one of the most valuable investments they need to focus on to continue their noble profession,” said City Savings reputation management head Paula Ruelan.

Cebu City student council heads undergo workshop to improve leadership skills

(Press Release)

Presidents and representatives of Cebu City’s Supreme Student Councils (SSC) underwent workshops and dialogues over timely social issues during the annual SSC Training and Election of Officers in Wellcome Hotel last October 29 to 30.

Working with SSC officers is one of the flagship programs of the Cebu City Local Youth Development Office (CCLYDO) and the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Cebu City.

The two-day summit embraced the theme, “Sugbuanon Student Leaders Gearing Towards a Better Tomorrow.”

The summit convened officers of student body organizations to solidify their roles as Cebuano youth leaders. It sought to make efficient the dissemination of training materials and good practices to organization members and make a lasting community impact.

Voice of the youth

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena initiated conversations with the SSC officers through “Talk to Tommy,” where Osmeña emphasized leadership as an important factor in amplifying the voice of the youth in bringing about positive social change.

Other speakers of the event include Cris Evert Lato-Ruffolo, Alein Navares, Marco Romas and Magdalina Robinsons.

“Student leaders play crucial roles in our society because they will become inspirational and influential adult leaders. Their training, exposure and interaction as youth leaders will significantly contribution their brand of leadership in whatever field they choose to be involved in after school,” said Ruffolo, who delivered a talk on “Servant Leadership for Student Leaders.”

An important module covered during the summit was the Magna Carta for Students or more popularly known as the Student’s Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill. The STRAW Bill was discussed by Hendy Abendan.

Other modules covered during the two-day summit include policies on relevant issues such as the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, youth and media, project management and servant leadership.

SSC Federation officials

Jowel Sollano of Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) was elected president of the SSC Federation.

Niño Jan Miole of University of Cebu-Banilad (UC Banilad) and Andre Pepito of St. Theresa’s College (STC) were elected vice president and secretary respectively. Kylle Pulmones of University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), Adrian Aninon and Noel Mirambel of UC Main were chosen treasurer and focal persons.

“The coalition of these great young minds leads to the pursuit of change and the drive to contribute for the betterment of Cebu. This can only be realized if we function together with one heartbeat,” said Vice President-elect Niño Miole.

After the election, the SSC Federation discussed goals and potential projects by identifying relevant issues which are needed to be addressed.

In line with the Philippine Youth Development Plan, CCLYDO integrates proactive community involvement of the youth through the summit.

The summit aims to bridge gaps in knowledge and linkages. It also provides opportunities for training and immersion to promote unified action, especially among youth-serving organizations.

Cebu City's All Saints' Day peaceful: PNP

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The observance of All Saints' Day in this city was generally peaceful.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director Senior Supt. Royina Garma said Thursday both public and private cemeteries in the city were peaceful amidst the influx of people visiting their departed family members and friends.

Garma said no untoward incident was reported since morning when Cebuanos started flocking to the different cemeteries and memorial parks in the city.

At the Carreta Public Cemetery, police confiscated some contraband including liquor and sharp objects, but the situation was peaceful.

Garma earlier advised the public not to bring alcoholic drinks when they visit their dearly departed as liquor ban is in effect in the cemeteries until All Souls' Day on Friday.

Some personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) as well as medical teams and ambulance vehicles were also deployed to the cemeteries to assist in case of emergencies.

City Councilor Dave Tumulak, on the other hand, advised people with health problems to better stay home and avoid the scorching heat of the sun after three individuals reportedly fainted due to the heat in cemeteries.

The Philippine Red Cross stationed at Carreta Cemetery attended to one of those who collapsed and cared for nine other people who had hypertension.

Police Station 2 deputy commander Senior Insp. Greg Ybiernas said more than 3,000 people have visited Carreta Cemetery since 6 a.m. He said some visitors did not stay long because of the heat.

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