Cebu Province News August 2017

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Province of Cebu - Archived News

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

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



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

DOST giving away P20 million in funds for startups

By Jeandie O. Galolo

TO support local startups, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is alloting P20 million in grants this year.

Under the DOST Startup Research Grant, Russel M. Pili, chief science research specialist, said startups may get funding through the i2tech (Idea to Tech) and iscale (innovate and scale) programs.

i2tech is a pre-incubation grant for startups with early-stage prototypes or those that require assistance in product improvement, market testing, data gathering, and business modeling.

Meanwhile, iscale is for “more mature” startups in need of matching funds and require assistance in scaling up operations, testing of products for certifications and rolling out of services.

Pili said DOST has not placed a cap on how much in funding a startup can get. Minimum requirements include that the startup has been registered as a legal entity with the Department of Trade (DTI) or Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in operation for at least one year, has a viable product and prototype as well as a proposal.

The Startup Research Grant was launched this year, but DOST is accepting proposals only until Aug. 31. This gives DOST time to screen the startup applicants who will receive funding from the agency.

“This is a grant. There’s no need to pay it back,” said Pili, adding that this is DOST’s way of complementing the startup programs of DTI and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Meanwhile, DOST is also slated to expand the presence of technology business incubators (TBI) in private and state colleges and universities all over the country for a budget of P10 millioneach year. Over the next three years, Pili said 20 more schools will host a TBI.

Under DOST Higher Educational Institution Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship (HEIRIT), the program equips academic institutions to plan, implement, and build their TBIs, which serve as a home to tech startups, with access to trainings and facilities at minimal rental rates, or a training ground for students who want to pursue technopreneurship as a career path.

Since it was first launched eight years ago, there are 14 TBIs all over the country. In Cebu, the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu) hosts a TBI that has been home to local tech startups.

DOH 7 launches construction of new facilities in SRP

(RVC)

TO provide better health services, the Department of Health (DOH) 7 started the construction of its new regional office and two other health facilities at the South Road Properties yesterday.

DOH Secretary Paulyn Ubial led the groundbreaking ceremony of the new regional health office, National Blood Center and a warehouse in SRP.

Also present were DOH 7 Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas, Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar and Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos, who is also the deputy mayor for health.

Delos Santos said the new structure that will rise in SRP will also benefit the residents of the city, particularly in the health aspect.

The three facilities will rise on a three-hectare lot that was donated by the City Government to DOH.

Ubial said that the project is a realization of a long-time dream of the regional office.

She said that the DOH has set aside P130 million for the phase one of the project, which will be undertaken for 144 calendar days.

Bernadas, for his part, said that they have to vacate their old building on Osmeña Blvd. to allow the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) to expand and improve its services to the indigent constituents of the region.

Asked if the location is ideal considering that it’s near the old landfill and the transfer station, Bernadas said the concern had been taken into consideration already.

“It will be addressed eventually,” he said.

DPWH to build 4th bridge connecting Cebu and Mactan

By Elias O. Baquero

SECRETARY Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday said they will construct the fourth Mactan-Mandaue Bridge between Cansaga Bay in Consolacion and Pusok in Lapu-Lapu City.

Villar said the DPWH is coordinating with Japan International Cooperation Agency, which is preparing the feasibility study.

The fourth Mactan-Mandaue Bridge is included in the inter-island linkage projects of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte under the “Build, Build, Build” program.

“If realized before the end of the term of President Duterte in 2022, this will largely decongest the lingering traffic problem at the existing two bridges because those from Northern Cebu will pass the fourth bridge in going to or coming from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport,” Villar said.

The fourth bridge will also complement the new Cebu International Container Port in Tayud, Consolacion which was already approved for implementation by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board chaired by Duterte.

Villar said that projects in Metro Cebu, which are under DPWH, have their own task force, which is accountable for its performance.

“For projects in Cebu that we are going to implement, we are conducting survey and talk with the land owners about it. We offer market rate for the acquisition of properties. Nevertheless, it is a difficult task to get right of way,” Villar said.

“We want to engage the private sector to help us in the acquisition of road-right-of-ways,” Villar said.

The other big projects to be implemented within the term of Duterte are the Cebu-Bohol Bridge, Cebu-Negros Oriental Bridge, the 78.3-kilometer expressway from the City of Naga to Danao City.

Capitol to spend P665M for road infra projects in 2018

(EOB)

THE opening of new roads and concreting of existing roads will be prioritized in the list of projects to be funded by the Province’s P665-million Local Development Fund (LDF) for 2018, the Provincial Development Council (PDC) said.

The council convened yesterday and discussed the projects that Capitol will prioritize for inclusion in the Annual Investment Plan (AIP), which will be funded by the LDF.

The LDF represents 20 percent of the Capitol’s share in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), which is estimated at P665 million for 2018.

Provincial Budget Officer Danilo Rodas said that of the P665 million, P565 million will be for projects that will be implemented by the Provincial Government.

The remaining P100 million will be downloaded to the municipalities and cities.

Rodas said the projects that were already identified as priority include about 130.2 kilometers of new roads in different barangays. There are also existing roads that will be concreted.

Rodas said the Capitol’s wish list of projects includes some 200 projects, but they had to prioritize based on importance.

“We know that we have limited public funds so we have to prioritize our projects and schedule which of them will be implemented in 2018, 2019 and 2020,” Rodas said.

The list of projects has yet to be approved by Gov. Hilario Davide III and the Provincial Board, but Rodas said they are “good as approved.”

“We have already finished planning the projects for 2017, so we are now planning what projects to be implemented in the next three years,” Rodas said.

He said the projects that made it to the list are those that were proposed during the sectoral workshops that were held in time for the preparation of the AIP.

Korean students start internship at Cebu capitol

By Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.

Cebu City – Ten students from Pukyeong National University in Busan, South Korea, will start an internship at the Cebu provincial capitol.

The internship program came about after the Cebu provincial government and the Busan Foundation for International Cooperation signed a commitment of internship on Monday.

The Korean students will be staying in Cebu for five days.

Cebu became one of Busan’s sister provinces through a bilateral agreement signed by the two cities in 2011.

At Monday’s signing of the commitment of internship, Cebu was represented by provincial administrator Mark Tolentino, and Busan Foundation by Secretary General Alok K Roy.

The period and itinerary of the internship will be agreed on by the Cebu provincial government, the Busan foundation, and the students of Pukyeong National University.

The scope of the internship and the manner in which the student will be assigned will also be determined through consultation among representatives of the province of Cebu, the Busan foundation, and the university’s students.

A bird’s eye view of south Cebu

(SunStar Cebu)

A FRENCH-AUSTRALIAN national based in Argao, Cebu is helping local and foreign tourists appreciate the sights of Southern Cebu from a different angle.

Ferris Kauley, 61, has been offering tourism services in the towns of Argao and Dalaguete by taking visitors on a ride on his gyrocopters.

A gyrocopter or autogyro is an aircraft that uses a freely rotating rotor as a wing.

Kauley told SunStar Cebu that he started his business back in November 2015 after relocating to Barangay Langtad in Argao with his wife, Marichu.

Although he’s been a professional pilot since 1986, Kauley never thought that his love of flying would eventually result in his current venture.

When he relocated to Cebu four years ago, Kauley, along with some friends, started a venture in Lapu-Lapu City that introduced gyrocopters to the community.

He also decided to offer gyrocopter tourism packages to locals and foreigners who wanted to explore southern towns and cities in Cebu.

Using an old airstrip in Barangay Casay in Dalaguete, Kauley would offer gyrocopter rides for P2,000 for 10 minutes and P2,500 for 15 minutes.

Kauley assured that the gyrocopter fees are worth it as tourists not only get treated to a oneof-a-kind ride, they are also given a “bird’s eye view” tour from 5,000 feet above sea level.

Teaches flying, too

Kauley and another pilot fly the gyrocopters during the tours.

“For 15 minutes, we can take you as far as Simala (in Sibonga) and for 10 minutes, around Argao and Dalaguete,” Kauley said.

Sometimes, some of his pilots also offer trips to other parts of Southern Cebu but that would cost extra.

Kauley has six gyrocopters kept in his hangar in Barangay Casay. Majority of his gyrocopters are made in Germany.

Aside from gyrocopter rides, Kauley also offers helicopter rides, as well as instruction for those interested to be a gyrocopter pilot, for P5,000 per hour.

Kauley said that before he started his venture, he secured a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), among others.

Since he started his business back in 2015, Kauley said, he often gets two to three customers a week.

Ultralight flying

Kauley advises tourists to come to the airstrip in the morning because it is the best time to ride the gyrocopter.

He also offers accommodations for tourists in his hangar in Barangay Casay, where they can stay for the night and enjoy the gyrocopters first thing in the morning.

Ultralight flying, which includes the use of gyroplanes, powered gliders, and trikes, among others, has become a tourism attraction in parts of the world.

The Philippine Department of Tourism recommends ultralight flying for visitors “to experience the sensation of flying without paying a fortune.”

Marathoner Mary Joy Tabal bags 1st gold for PH in 2017 SEA Games

By Meg Siozon and Tretch Melarpes (PTV Sports); Primo P. Agatep (PNA)

KUALA LUMPUR -- Even though she was unable to represent the country for the regional biennial tournament, Mary Joy Tabal shrugged that off and bagged the first gold medal for the Philippines by winning the women’s marathon at the ongoing 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The 28-year-old Tabal was in a class of her own in the women’s marathon by showcasing a dominant finishing in an impressive time way ahead of the competition.

Tabal finished the 42.195-km. race in 2 hours 48 minutes 11 seconds way ahead of the second placer Hoang Thi Thanh of Vietnam who checked in at more than 7 minutes behind the Filipina, and Natthaya Thanaronnawat of Thailand in third place.

The Cebuana marathoner also delivered a silver medal finish in the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.

With Tabal ruling the women’s marathon, the Philippines now has a 1-1-2 (gold-silver-bronze) medal count, with the silver medal coming from sepak takraw and the bronze medals from archery.

On Saturday, taekwondo athlete Elaine Kirstie Alora will be at the forefront of the opening parade, proudly carrying the Philippine flag, as the 29th SEA Games formally opens at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in this sprawling Malaysian capital.

Joining Alora in leading the Philippine delegation are chief of mission Cynthia Carrion, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) executive director Carlo Abarquez, and athletes, coaches and officials from 38 sports disciplines.

On the eve of the opening ceremony, Carrion said the athletes are “really in an up mood”.

“I’ve been to a lot of SEA Games and this is the first time I saw the athletes in an up mood. Don’t you feel it? They really want to win something. They are really fighting hard to put the Philippines up there,” she said.

100-year-old woman gets P100,000 b-day gift

(FMG)

A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER from Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City received P100,000 from the Lapu-Lapu City Government during her 100th birthday celebration yesterday.

Dionisia Pahugot was the first recipient of the incentive from the City after the Lapu-Lapu City Council passed an ordinance granting the amount to senior citizens who reach 100 years old.

The City Council approved last July 25 Ordinance No. 14-053-2017, or the Centenary Senior Citizens Award, authored by Councilor Nelson Yap.

Yesterday, Mayor Paz Radaza and Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong handed the check to Pahugot, who was born on Aug. 16, 1917.

Aside from the cash, the city officials also brought two lechon, fruits, a cake and a variety of food that were shared by Pahugot’s family and relatives in Sitio Timpolok in Gun-ob.

Pahugot has six children, 30 grandchildren and 20 great- grandchildren.

When she was younger, Pahugot worked as a cook and was known for her delicious humba (stewed pork) recipe.

Although she was popular for her humba, she was never fond of eating pork and prefers to eat vegetables instead.

Radaza said centenarians in Lapu-Lapu can qualify to receive the cash incentive based on the qualifications provided by the ordinance.

“For living long and aging well, centenarians are considered role models and are worthy of emulation and public recognition as an inspiration (for others) to aspire for a long span of life by adapting a healthy lifestyle,” the ordinance read.

Japanese investors meet CCCI, Peza

(KOC)

THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), through the help of Yoshiaki Hata, former consul from Japan in Cebu, has met with six Japanese investors to explore business opportunities here.

The Japanese investors, first-time visitors to Cebu, also met with Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) Director General Charito Plaza, who was in Cebu for a dialogue with information technology stakeholders.

“We met with Japanese investors for exploratory investment opportunities... They are in the field of banking, finance, enterprise and virtual reality,” said CCCI president Melanie Ng about the Monday meeting.

“We also had a great interaction with Peza Director General Charito Plaza as she shared various initiatives of Peza to grow investments in the country, especially in the countryside,” Ng said. “We at CCCI will work with Peza in inviting more investors to come to Cebu and register with Peza.”

Japan is the single largest locator of factories in the Philippines, accounting for 28.02 percent of companies located in industrial economic zones from 1995 to 2016, followed by Filipino firms at 22.19 percent and American firms at 15.45 percent.

According to reports, investments in Peza registered enterprises are projected to “double or even more than triple this year,” after the agency recorded a 51 percent growth in new investments in the first quarter of this year.

In the first quarter of the year, Peza approved P7.64 billion in semiconductor and electronics investments, up 85.19 percent from the year ago’s P4.125 billion.

Plaza said the agency is working double time to invite foreign investors to relocate here. She said foreign investors from the Middle East, United States and Japan who had sent Letters of Intent were now coming over.

There were 3,985 operating enterprises in Peza as of March this year, 469 or 11.8 percent of which were electronics and semiconductor enterprises.

Developer earmarks P3B-P5B for housing

By Katlene O. Cacho

A CEBU-BASED real estate developer intends to build 10 residential projects in Cebu this year until 2019, its officials said.

Priland Development Corp. (Priland) has set aside a capital expenditure budget of P3 billion to P5 billion to finance land acquisition, development and construction of over 3,000 residential units in the next three years.

“We were established in 2013 with a vision to carry out developments that would answer the great demand of the real estate market,” said Priland President Ramon Carlo Yap yesterday at the launching of the P200-million Breeza Palms located in Mactan.

The company established three residential brands meant to cater to various markets: Priland Prime to cater the high-end market; Prime Homes to meet the growing need for affordable horizontal projects; and Priland Residences to cater to the demand for vertical spaces.

Priland’s flagship project is Northwoods Residences, a 1.2-hectare project inside Sacred Heart Cebu.

Of the 10 planned projects, four are located in Lapu-Lapu City and five projects will be launched this year.

These are the Breeza Palms, a two-hectare development that offers around 203 house and lot units located in Suba Basbas, Lapu-Lapu City; Breeza Scales, a 2.2-hectare residential development expected to be launched by November this year; Breeza Coves, a two-hectare project that will be introduced by the end of the year; Belize North in Consolacion, a 2.2-hectare residential development that will be launched by October; and Verona, the company’s first socialized housing venture. The latter will occupy a five-hectare property in Balamban, which will be unveiled in September.

Due for launching in 2018 are Breeze Park, a three-hectare residential project in Mactan; and vertical projects Northwoods Place, a retail and residential space located inside Sacred Heart Cebu; Vertex Central located on Archbishop Reyes Ave.; and Paseo High Street on Sanciangko St. in downtown Cebu City.

Veranda Heights is a 16-hectare residential development in Consolacion, which is expected in 2019.

Yap anchored the company’s expansion on the housing backlog, now at 5.5 million units across the country, and the infrastructure projects pledged by the Duterte administration.

He cited the construction of the third bridge, a planned casino development and airport expansion among the key factors that have pushed Mactan’s property value up.

“We are excited to be part of Cebu’s growth in the many years to come,” said Yap.

Cebu South tour guides to get first aid training

By Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Tourist guides from towns in Cebu South are to be trained on basic life support and first aid this September before the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) will launch its ecotourism program.

"These skills are necessary in case there are guests who meet an accident," remarked PTO Head Boboi Costas.

“Big 5” is an ecotourism program which brings both local and foreign tourists to five destinations in Cebu South namely Alcoy, Alegria, Aloguinsan, Argao and Boljoon.

These five towns offer a variety of adventures like bird watching, nature trekking, farm-to-table tours, river cruise, heritage walk, and culinary journeys.

Costas said that they will not launch the "Big 5" program until the community-based front liners have completed training.

Since July of this year, PTO has already conducted three trainings including on product development, food and beverage presentation, and interpretation and tour guiding. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

Costas reiterated that the tour guides from the five towns were required to attend these trainings.

The trainings were facilitated in order to standardize tour guiding and raise the level of customer service, according to Costas.

He also said that they wish to educate and create a meaningful experience for the guests.

The province picked the five towns as the primary eco-tourism destinations in the island because of existing community-based organizations which are already organized and can be tapped if there are tourism activities.

USAID donates learning materials to public schools

By Luel Galarpe (with reports by USJR intern Levirose Caballero/PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed out teaching and learning materials to several Department of Education (DepEd) schools in the province of Cebu on Wednesday.

Dr. Susan Brems, USAID mission director for the Philippines, Pacific Islands and Mongolia, said all learning materials are product of the friendship between the Philippines and the United States.

"All of these were donated by the people of America, from the US government and the American people's taxes. Our goal is to improve the future generation’s reading skills," Brems said.

Irenita Navarro, principal of Vito Elementary School in Minglanilla town where the turnover of learning materials was held, said they have been using high-quality learning materials for the past three years because of the USAID.

"We are empowered with the learning materials given by USAID. Thank you for investing for these children and for their future," Navarro said.

Ellen Villacencio, principal of the neighboring Cadulawan Elementary School, for her part, said this was the first time for them to receive teaching materials from the USAID.

She said they are very grateful because books are a big help to their pupils, most especially if they are of good quality and very nice, which can easily attract the students’ attention because of their colorful contents.

The US government have donated almost PHP2 billion to the Philippines through this project which started in 2013.

All DepEd school members in the province of Cebu and in Mandaue City are among the beneficiaries of this USAID program.

In Cebu: Phivolcs to install new equipment

By May B. Miasco and Chrisyl Mae S. Baring (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is bringing in new equipment to Cebu province that will give its field office here the capability to examine how the ground and the structures react to an earthquake.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. said the institute, an attached agency to the Department of Science and Technology, is initiating several projects in Cebu. He said the province is among the important localities in the country.

Solidum also serves as DOST undersecretary for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

He said Phivolcs is conducting a detailed study which is part of the agency’s project this year that is in coordination with the Cebu City government.

The study is called microtremor survey that would be helpful to guide engineers in designing buildings or establishments.

He said the instrument may be installed before the year ends. At present they are still looking for a suitable site.

The main purpose of the survey is to estimate the subsurface structure that provides a fundamental basis for analysis of the response of the ground to earthquake movement.

The method is particularly common in densely-populated areas where there is difficulty in utilizing conventional seismic techniques. The application of the microtremor method is gaining popularity in the areas of construction and structural engineering so as to mitigate the potential risks caused by earthquakes.

Solidum said they are also planning to install at least seven strong-motion sensors within the province.

“This is a higher instrument than a seismograph that will sense the movement of the ground and the building during a very strong shaking,” he said.

He said these strong-motion sensors are also called accelerometers that are designed to measure the large amplitude, high-frequency seismic waves typical of large local earthquakes; these seismic waves result in the strong ground motion people feel during a large earthquake.

“This is for temporary installation only but for several years para ma-sense natin kung gaano ka lakas ang pagbugang lupa,” he said.

He said these instruments will be placed at the grounds of the Cebu City Hall and the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

They will also put up some in Barangay Busay, Cebu City; Mandaue City; Lapu-Lapu City and in the towns of Consolacion and Liloan.

Central Visayas aims to sustain growth through connectivity

(LDV/PNA)

MANILA -- Central Visayas on Friday launched its development blueprint that aims to distribute economic growth among its municipalities through connectivity.

Its Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017–2022 said the region would work towards linking major urban centers, key production areas and market centers.

“This will promote economic integration, reduce poverty and increase opportunities for human development across provinces,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a statement.

He noted that part of the region’s Spatial Development Strategy is the construction and upgrading of arterial roads, the integration of transportation systems, and the development of secondary and major ports.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has identified infrastructure flagship projects for the region, including the New Cebu International Container Port, New Bohol Airport in Panglao Island, Cebu-Bohol Link Bridge, Bohol-Leyte Link Bridge, Cebu-Negros Link Bridge and the Bohol Northeast Basin Multipurpose Project.

The RDP likewise identified Metro Cebu as the region’s metropolitan center and Metro Tagbilaran (Bohol) as its regional center in its proposed network of urban centers.

Sub-regional centers included Bogo-San Remigio (Cebu), Toledo City-Balamban (Cebu), Metro Dumaguete (Negros Oriental) and Tubigon (Bohol).

NEDA Regional Director Efren Carreon said the region had the highest growth momentum among all regions in the last regional plan period of 2011–2016, with a gross regional domestic product (GRDP) average growth rate of 7.5 percent, higher than the National Capital Region’s.

By 2022, the region aims to reach a GRDP growth rate of 8.3 to 8.8 percent, reduce poverty incidence among families to 17.6 percent, and cut the unemployment rate to 3 to 4 percent.

“For the next six years, Central Visayas will continue to be a major growth center in the country by making the most of our strategic location and diverse sources of growth,” said Carreon.

He identified tourism, information technology, business process outsourcing, manufacturing, and construction as growth drivers of the region.

DOLE-7 gives P7 million for livelihood projects

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Twenty-five workers’ associations from Bogo City received more than P7 million in livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment-7.

Of the total aid, the Cayang Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CAMPCO) got P362,750 for its bakeshop project; the Don Pedro Rural Workers’ Association got P564,550 for its hog raising business; the Kasangga Association got P182,605 for its mobile convenience store.

The Grupo sa Mga Kababaehan and the Libertad Livelihood Association received P141,350 and P168,750, respectively, that will be used for their meat production projects.

Maria Grace Diaz, DOLE-Cebu Provincial Office chief, said the Nailon Unified Farmers and Fishermen’s Association got a total of P868,760 for its two projects— panagatan kabuhayan and vegetable production.

For its meat production and hog raising project, the Taytayan Livelihood Association received P300,000. The Nailon Women’s Association (NAWA), on the other hand, got P249,500 for its tents, tables and chairs for rent project.

Other associations received P26,895 (Rosarian Association, food processing); P163,920 (Kayam Young Women’s Association, convenience store); P291,880 (Hini-usang Kusog sa Kababayen-an sa Bosogon, cattle fattening project); and P395,300 (Punta Fish Processing Association, fish processing venture). Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

The aid was handed over to CAMPCO, the department’s accredited co-partner (ACP), during the recent ceremonial turnover held at the DOLE regional office.

DOLE-7 Director Cyril Ticao, in a statement, reminded all beneficiaries to put to good use the financial assistance they received from the government.

The ACP, he explained, refers to the program partner accredited by the DOLE to implement programs and projects using government or public funds.

The funding has been downloaded to the ACP, which is also in charge of the procurement, canvassing, monitoring of the project implementation, and liquidation of funds and expenses.

Cebu Provincial Government inaugurates Coop Business Center

By Justin K. Vestil (SunStar Cebu)

THE Provincial Government and cooperatives in Cebu inaugurated the Coop Business Center (CBC) on Thursday afternoon, August 3.

The CBC was established by the Provincial Government and the Cebu Provincial Association of Accredited Cooperative (CPAAC).

The CBC's office is located at the Cebu South Bus Terminal.

Lawyer Bernardo Desabel of CPAAC said the CBC was established to help provide fresh direction to Cebu's 38 registered cooperatives and to serve as a body in discussing concerns of the cooperative sector.

The CBC will also help speed participation and linkages among Cebu's cooperatives.

Lawyer Herculeano Rizon, Capitol consultant for cooperatives, said that the CBC will serve as an avenue for Cebu's cooperatives to showcase their products and services.

Present during the CBC's inauguration is Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

DTI Cebu gets P2.5 million for mentorship

By Jeandie O. Galolo

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Cebu has booked a total of P2.5 million for mentorship programs intended for Cebu-based micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) this year.

Of the total funding, some P1.5 million has been earmarked for the implementation of the Kapatid Mentor Me (KMM) program, a 12-week course on entrepreneurship, which has been already rolled out to two batches.

The DTI Cebu said the same funding will be used to support the third batch of KMM, composed of 28 MSMEs, that was formally lauched last Tuesday at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

Since its launching in the last quarter of 2016, KMM in Cebu has produced a total of 57 graduates.

“There’s a long line of applicants for Mentor Me. Sixty applied, and only 28 got in,” said DTI Cebu Director Maria Elena Arbon, adding that some of the MSMEs who joined the third batch had applied for the second batch as well.

ANAK program

Mentorship is one of the three pillars of the Duterte administration for MSMEs.

Under a “3M” acronym, the two others include money or access to finance and market or linking MSMEs to the value chain of large corporations, said Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion.

To expand mentorship to the grassroots level, DTI Cebu also launched on Tuesday Negosyo 101, which was rebranded to ANAK or Aral Negosyo Angat Kapatid program.

The mentorship will still be in cooperation with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) under a seven-module course, which will be conducted in the 11 Negosyo Centers scattered across the province.

Arbon said DTI Cebu will use P1 million of the P73-million Yolanda funds, which the provincial office obtained early this year.

Virgilio Espeleta, KMM Cebu dean, said the private sector has shown strong support to the mentorship program, and hopes that this will be sustained for more years.

“My wish is that this is going to be sustained...We should not be politically-colored because this is for business. You have seen now how the business (sector) is supporting it,” said Espeleta, who also sits as CCCI vice president for business development.

He said the Ayala group is interested to implement a similar format of mentorship program for their merchants inside Ayala-owned malls.

Best intervention

Meanwhile, Arbon underscored that this government- funded mentorship program will be sustained under the Duterte administration.

DTI 7 Assistant Regional Director Nelia Navarro described the mentorship program as the “best intervention” for MSMEs to grow their business. Navarro said that Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed support for the program. This could mean funds for the mentorship programs in the next years.

Also this year, the DTI in the provinces of Bohol and Siquijor received P750,000 each for the roll-out of the KMM program.

Flights to Bantayan to boost Cebu island’s tourism sector

By Rosalie Abatayo, Victor Anthony V. Silva
CHARTER AIRLINE OPENS CEBU HUB

The tourism industry in Cebu, particularly in the Bantayan Islands in northern Cebu, has gotten a boost with the launching of the Cebu hub of a charter airline that provides access to the islands.

John Gutierrez, Air Juan Airline president, said that they provide travelers with the option of convenient access to the least chartered destinations with their seaplanes, Cessna Grand Caravan – amphibian, and land planes, Cessna Grand Caravan – Ex.

Gutierrez said that by providing access to these least chartered places, this would enhance these towns’ economies with a boost in their tourism industry, expand trade in these areas to the main cities Cebu and Manila, and bring in investors, who would avail of the opportunities with the improved transportation and access.

He was referring to the launching of the Air Juan Aviation’s hub at the Mactan Cebu International Airport on August 1.

Tourism thrust

Alice Queblatin, president of the Cebu Association of Tour Operation Specialists (CATOS), said the service introduced by Air Juan complement’s local stakeholders’ thrust to promote island and beach destinations in the province.

“Accessibility is a challenge. travel by land (4 hours at least) with boat facilities that are not ideal do not encourage visits,” Queblatin said in a text message.

She said small airlines connect these destinations and are definitely easier to sell.

Positive impact

This would have a positive impact on tourism over all, she added.

Queblatin pointed out that Bantayan already has the rooms, restaurants, and attractions to sustain these arrivals.

Gutierrez described the air service’s land planes as operating like the bigger aircraft except it only carries a maximum of nine passengers on a trip and with an advantage of requiring a smaller area to land and take off.

He also said that the air service’s seaplanes have the same functions as that of the land planes but with an added configuration of being able to land on the water surface being an amphibious craft.

Flight routes

“We don’t want to compete with the big aircraft, but we want to complement as we serve the areas that would less likely be serviced by larger planes,” said Gutierrez.

As the airline started operations in Cebu, its pioneer routes for seaplane trips include going to Kandaya Resort in Daanbantayan, Cebu, and Lakawon Island in Negros Occidental.

The trips via land plane will cover routes going to and from Tagbilaran City, Bantayan Island, Biliran and Maasin City.

Air Juan’s Cebu routes will serve Concepcion, Sicogon, Gigantes, Kalanggaman, Malapascua, Camotes, Panglao, and Anda Islands by the end of August.

Cebu is Air Juan’s third hub after Puerto Princesa in Palawan and Seaplane Dock at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex in Pasay City.

The airline started as a provider for chartered flights five years back, and started venturing into scheduled flights in the past three years.

Central Visayas to grow more cacao

By Katlene O. Cacho

CENTRAL Visayas is aiming to be part of cacao’s global value chain.

Of the country’s 100,000 metric tons (MT) of dried fermented beans target for 2022, the region, composed of four provinces, is aiming to produce 2,000 MT.

The rest will be supplied by the Davao region, which is the country’s biggest producer of cacao.

“It is very negligible, but activities are underway to further promote cacao farming and production in the region,” said Nelia Navarro, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7.

She said they are not limiting the cacao farming promotion to existing cacao farmers but also to coconut growers and to landed private individuals to convert their idle lots into cacao farms.

Moreover, DTI 7 will also revisit its local roadmap patterned after the national roadmap and include the thrusts for Negros Oriental and Bohol.

“We are putting it together. By the end of this year, we will be unveiling it,” said Navarro.

A National Cacao Congress is slated on Aug. 8 to 9 at Grand Convention Center, Cebu City.

The two-day activity will be attended by at least 500 guests who are farmers, producers and processors. It aims to present the 2017-2022 Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap to make the industry competitive and sustainable.

Roadmap

The roadmap, which is anchored on the value chain approach, was crafted in consultation with the various industry stakeholders. It was signed last March by the DTI and the Department of Agriculture.

The roadmap aims to produce 100,000 MT of dried fermented beans by 2022 by increasing the productivity level, expanding production areas, moving up the value chain, strengthening market presence through branding and by focusing on five flavor beans.

“We aim to encourage more farmers to plant more at a quality that the world requires,” said Navarro, adding that it is high time for Filipinos to look at cacao farming not just as a backyard pastime but as a commercial venture.

Demand for cacao globally has nearly tripled since 1970, growing at an annual rate of three percent with China and India growing at 7.9 percent on the back of key growth drivers such as its positioning as a healthy food; the shift to the “pure” and dark chocolate market, requiring more cacao content; expanding middle-income class; and higher chocolate buying capacity.

The global grinding requirement was forecast at 4.146 million MT. Major grinders are based in Europe and the Americas at 39 percent and 22 percent, respectively.

Asia’s grinding requirement stood at one million MT, but only 0.5 million MT can be supplied and these are coming from the Asean region.

Advantage

The Philippines is among the countries in Asia seen to have a competitive advantage in cacao production given its strategic location, growing condition and the over two million hectares of coconut farms which are ideal for coconut-cacao intercropping.

“Cacao is an equatorial plant (a crop that thrives well on regions occupying the equator). Luckily, the Philippines is on the equator, giving us high chances to produce high quality cacao beans,” said engineer Edwin Banquerigo, National Cacao Industry Cluster Coordinator of the DTI in past interviews.

The Philippines ranks 72nd in cacao exports with global market share of less than 0.01 percent. Its production stands between 10,000-12,000 MT from the 25,000 hectares planted, not enough to meet the local grinding requirement estimated at 40,000 MT, making the country a net importer of cacao and cacao preparations.

The country’s exports and imports of cacao and cacao preparation stand at $12 million and $178.8 million, respectively.