Cebu Province News November 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.

3 Cebu grads in LET board exam top 10

(SunStar Philippines)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/sites/default/files/field/image/article/let-exam_2.jpg

THREE Cebu graduates (two in elementary level, one in secondary) made it to the top 10 of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) board exam.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board for Professional Teachers said that 21,198 elementary teachers out of 80,509 examinees and 49,626 secondary teachers out of 107,020 examinees passed the exam given last September 24.

Of the 21,198 passers in the elementary level, 19,581 are first-timers and 1,617 are repeaters. For the secondary teachers, 41,180 passers are first-timers and 8,446 are repeaters.

In the elementary level, Mary Clarence Gepes Madero of West Visayas State University-La Paz topped the list of successful examinees. She got a passing rate of 88.80 percent.

Second in the list with a passing rate of 88.60 percent were Rey Soreno Aranas of Bohol Island State University-Tagbilaran, Dana Kaye Fallurin Fabiala of Romblon State University-Odiongan, Jonathan Ansing Garcia of Capiz State University-Pilar Campus, and Anthony Pepito Geromo of Cebu Technological University-Moalboal.

The other passers in the elementary level were:

3. Richard Levina Clavillas of Camarines Sur Polytechnic College - Nabua

Donna Michelle Araneta Gomez of Holy Cross College-Sta. Rosa -- 88 percent

4. Glendie Jane Obsioma Olis of Bukidnon State College-Malaybalay

Vinna Joan Lacanilao Roque of De la Sale University-Manila -- 87.60 percent

5. Allan Dalaniel Mainit of Cebu Normal University (Cebu State College) -- 87.40 percent

6. Micca Vanessa Dy of University of Southeastern Philippines-Davao City

Thomgie Basongit Tila of Saint Louis University -- 87.20 percent

7. Julie Ann Villarias Gentilezo of West Visayas State University-Himamaylan, Negros Occidental

Maria Victoria Lionne Fulgenco Hierro of West Visayas State University-La Paz
Greziel Donna Estepa Sagun of Technological Institute of the Philippines-Quezon City
Sabrina Cruz Tutaan of De La Salle University-Manila
Jonah Mavel Macasilhig Velez of Negros Oriental State University-Dumaguete -- 87 percent

8. Michelle Sarol Baguinat of Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Dapitan

Jhonna Mae Mambiar Copias of Saint Anthony's College-Antique
Mara Shaira Angeles Galang of University of Southern Mindanao-Kabacan
Josephine Mae Dela Merced Navakes of Miriam College
Beryl Myrh Mendoza Singayao of Bukidnon State College-Malaybalay -- 86.80 percent

9. Abraham Millan Angala of Benguet State University-La Trinidad

Ellysa Grace Apor Calisin of Southern Luzon State University-Lucban
Jestonie Yagong Dadobo of Bukidnon State College-Malaybalay
Abdulaziz Hajimin Dapilin of Western Mindanao State U-Zamboanga City
Kate Barbara Cayetano Duron of University of the Philippines-Diliman
Mark Louis Estiller Godoy of R. G. De Castro Colleges
Vince Marie Leona Sese Hibo of Bicol University-Daraga
Ghaile Collado Javien of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College-Tagudin
Via Allona Abella Tandiama of University of Southeastern Philippines-Davao City -- 86.60

10. Marischelle De Mesa Callora of Naga College Foundation

Romyr Genesis Manuel Canaria of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic College-Sta. Maria
Beverlyn Canuto Diplat of Benguet State University-La Trinidad
Camille Jewel Lorenzana Garcia of Philippine Normal University-Manila
Marlon Pelaez Labastida of Saint Thomas Aquinas College
Anielyn Dano Ladica of Mindanao State University-General Santos City
Chloe Jill Llorca Martinez of Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Main-Sta. Mesa
Teodirico Cortiguierra Mercene of Rizal College of Taal
Stephanie Torio Orduña of University of Pangasinan
Cecilie Casino Villarubin of Southern Luzon State University-Lucban -- 86.40 percent

In the secondary level, ranked first was Rhoy Autentico Omega of the University of Mindanao-Davao City, with 93.80 percent passing rate, followed by Brian Monpon Ba-an of the same school who got 92.60 percent.

Raymart Quintano Sevilla of Bohol Island State University, got a rating of 92.40, ranking third.

The other passers in the second level are:

4. Maricar Daganio Dasmarinas of Palawan State University-Puerto Princesa

Adrain Cabaluna Doctollero of North Luzon Philippine State College-Candon
Darlene Zafra Mula of Mindanao State University-General Santos City
Jalara Calusa, Narciso of Tarlac State University
Joshua Robert Gealgo Niedo of Rizal Technological University -- 92.20 percent

5. Ariel Masuay Berico of Don Carlos Polytechnic University

Jennifer Compendio Burlado of Agusan Del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology
Aileen Valenzuela Carillo of Bicol State College of Applies Sciences and Tech
Richard Jacinto Galano of Cagayan State University-Andrews Campus
Fidel Baucas Waglison Jr. of Saint Louis University -- 92.00 percent

6. Princes Dinglasan Bulaclac of the University of the Philippines-Los Banos

Vanessa Quilang Jampit of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology
Herwina Ganih Limpasan of Philippine Normal University-Manila
Rae Mellard Dichoso Operania of Columban College-Olongapo City
Franz Ian Dominguez Solomon of West Visayas State University-La Paz -- 91.80 percent

7. Caryl James Faith Bangahon Abrenica of University of Mindanao Tagum

Shamile Josephine Tampipi Arobo of University of Mindanao-Davao City
Felicito Naboya Badion Jr. of Leyte Normal University
Andie Angelika Leonardo Beltran of Father Saturnino Urios University
Diadem Faith Aredidon Congson of Cebu Normal State University
Lana Pearl Inson Encinares of Saint Louis University
Michael Jomar Bandian Ison of Laguna State Polytechnic University-Los Banos
Ken Clyde Otig Longos of Mindanao-Tagum
Krisxan Keshia Mendoza of Palawan State University-Puerto Princesa -- 91.60 percent

8. Arnold Baay Abadiano of Philippine Normal University-Mindanao

Titov Descargar Dela Cruz of North Eastern College
Jomar Felix of Philippine Normal University-North Luzon
Viviamin Rose Cawaling Manzon of Aklan State University-Banga
Angelie Taclap Padilla of Mindanao University Of Science and Technology-Cagayan de Oro
Rolly Bautista Reyes of Aklan State University-Ibajay
Ma Angela Zapata of Gordon College -- 91.40 percent

9. Krizelle Salabas De La Cruz of Xavier University

Sherene Frances Basilio of Bicol College
Kimberly Cabrera Fungo of Ramon Magsaysay Technological University-Iba
Gerlad De Guzman Mabuti of Nueva Ecija University of Science & Technology-Cabanatuan
Juan Carlo Javier Marmolejo of Philippine Normal University-Manila
Jean Claudine Manzano Panel of Philippine Normal University-Manila -- 91.20 percent

10. Charra Banzuelo of Notre Dame Marbel University

Jude Matthew Bernal of Palawan State University-Puerto Princesa
Cherrylee Mendoza Buhay of University of Southern Mindanao-Kidapawan
Arvin Cabalhin of University of Baguio
Jurisken Lachica Cedeno of University of Southern Mindanao-Kabacan
Jepold Obiena Deasmin of Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology
Melvin Uminga Estolero of Isabela State University-Echague
Mark Daniel Mangiliman Ibanez of University of the Philippines Diliman
Keziah Grace Balatero Presto of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology
Gerlad Ryan Reburcio of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges
Mary Lisley Jane Reyes of Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology-Mati
Alden Rodriguez Sinuhin of Laguna State Polytechnic University-Sta. Cruz
Salvador Tolete Jr. of Philippine Normal University-Manila -- 91 percent

View the complete list of passers here:

ELEMENTARY
https://www.scribd.com/document/365610053/September-2017-LET-Board-Exam-Passers-Elementary#from_embed
SECONDARY
https://www.scribd.com/document/365610055/LET-Board-Exam-Passers-Secondary#from_embed


The results of examination with respect to two examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examination, said PRC.

It also announced Monday that registration for the issuance of professional identification card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be from December 4 to December 8 for elementary level and December 11 to December 22 for secondary level.

The requirements for the issuance of Certificate of Registration and professional ID are: Notice of Admission; duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal; two pieces passport size pictures (colored with white background and complete nametag); two sets of documentary stamps; and one piece short brown envelope.

Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals, said PRC.

They may also register at the PRC Service Centers in Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Galleria, and in Clark Skills Training Center (formerly Polytechnic College, Clark, Pampanga), it added.

PB OKs Capitol bonus

(EOB)

THE Cebu Provincial Board (PB) approved in its session yesterday the P115.5-million supplemental budget for the collective negotiation agreement (CNA) incentives of its officials and employees.

Nobody opposed the approval of the supplemental budget proposed by PB Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, chairman of the PB committee on budget and appropriations.

Martinez said that every year, local government units (LGUs) are authorized to grant CNA incentives to qualified employees subject to the guidelines to be issued by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Martinez said the P155.5 million may be sourced from savings from some 2017 maintenance and other operating expenditure (MOOE) items, as a result of cost-cutting and systems improvement of Cebu Province.

Urgent

The savings came from the development fund, operations of hospitals and Cebu South Bus Terminal for 2017.

This was confirmed by Provincial Budget Officer Danilo Rodas, who also attended the session.

“It is like a bonus, and hopefully this will be given in December. This was certified urgent by the governor,” Martinez said.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale presided over the session attended by PB Members Martinez, Raul Bacaltos, Edsel Galeos, Jose Mari Salvador, Victoria Toribio, Antonio Miguel Magpale, Jovito Ouano, Glenn Bercede, Christopher Baricuatro and Earl Oyas.

Collaboration for innovation economy

(JOG)

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Information of Communications Technology (DICT) will work together to form programs that will accelerate innovation in the country, said DTI Undersecretary Nora Terrado.

The official, who was in Cebu City last week for the launching of Startup Island PH, DTI Cebu’s newest mentorship program in cooperation with the DOST, emphasized how innovation is a priority for the Philippine economy.

“We want to create new businesses that are born global, driven, and ambitious and one that can scale. While it is about providing solutions, it should be solutions which the market will buy,” she raised.

In a separate press conference, DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said the agency will actively collaborate with DTI to inculcate entrepreneurship in innovation. “Innovation needs entrepreneurship to benefit society,” the official said.

One area where DOST and DTI will work together is in programs related to technology startups.

“In Cebu, there is so much evolving dreams. As an innovation island, inculcate that culture that is hungry to fill the gap, which the market needs,” Guevarra said.

Cebu is where DTI, through the DTI Cebu Provincial Office, launched the first mentorship program for technology-based startups starting February 2018 under the program Startup Island PH.

While there is no definite plan to roll out the format nationwide, Terrado raised the possibility, given the agency’s i3 strategy or the “inclusive, innovation-led, industrial strategy.”

PHO bares P1.4-B budget for 2018

By Elias O. Baquero

WITH a budget of P1.4 billion, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) hopes to improve its medical services next year.

In a press conference, Dr. Rene Catan, the provincial health officer, said the biggest bulk of the amount is for personnel services, followed by public health that will focus on services the PHO has not been involved in over the last three years.

“We want to align our services with that of the Department of Health (DOH). So that’s the public health side. We have programs that DOH don’t have like giving services to the elderly,” Catan said.

He said that most public health services cater to mothers and children but none are for the elderly. So, the PHO will focus on treating diseases that afflict them like arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, hearing impairment, and cataracts, among others.

Catan said they’ve also set aside a big budget to develop four provincial hospitals in Carcar City (P230 million), Danao City (P200 million), Bogo City (P280 million) and Balamban (P90 million).

“They will develop them into a medical centers capable of doing sophisticated tertiary level care, especially in obstetrics emergencies and trauma due to accidents,” he said.

If provincial hospitals are upgraded to medical centers, people in these areas won’t have to go to the city.

“The access in health care is very important. We have several ambulances to ferry patients to Cebu City, which will be stopped once provincial hospitals will be upgraded,” Catan said.

He said that the budget for Bogo and Carcar is ready, but they have yet to come up with funding for Danao and Balamban.

“We are also buying equipment like CT scan and sophisticated lab and imaging systems to level up and compete with other hospitals. That’s what we expect for the year 2018,” Catan said.

BTr eyes more than P8B from investors in Cebu

By Victor Anthony V. Silva

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) hopes to raise more than P8 billion in Cebu as it expects more Cebuanos to invest in the government-issued bonds following the strong local appetite during its bond offering last March.

National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said Cebu contributed around P8 billion to the P110 billion raised during the 19th tranche of retail treasury bonds (RTBs) earlier this year, second only to Metro Manila with over P100 billion generated.

“What we’re seeing is there is still ample liquidity in the system right now. There are OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) bringing in money. Individuals are very liquid. Banks, institutional investors have a lot of liquidity as they have a lot of deposits so they have to place it somewhere which can earn higher yields for them,” De Leon told reporters on the sideline of the Cebu road show for the 20th RTB offering on Wednesday.

Liquidity is the term used to describe how easy it is to convert assets to cash. The most liquid asset, and what everything else is compared to, is cash primarily because it can always be used easily and immediately.

RTBs explained

When an investor buys RTBs, they lend their money to the government which the latter will pay back with interest upon a specified period of time.

The BTr said RTBs have become a stable platform in the government’s financing program, especially with plans to ramp up infrastructure spending under the “Build, Build, Build” initiative.

Offering RTBs to the public is one way for the government to develop the capital market by expanding the base of government securities, the BTr had said.

20th tranche

Last Monday, the BTr issued P130 billion in RTBs at a coupon of 4.625 percent, with more expected to be sold in minimum denominations of P5,000 to small investors until November 29.

De Leon said they were compelled to introduce the 20th tranche this year as they saw there was a very significant unmet demand from the last time they issued RTBs.

“It is also fortuitous that we are approaching December and people are very liquid,” she said.

While the BTr is primarily targeting institutional investors such as banks, they are moving to the next level to generate more from individuals and retail investors.

Market demand

At the rate-setting auction for the issuance last Monday, the Treasury said there was “tremendous market demand” for the five-year IOUs as tenders for the initial P30-billion offering reached a total of P191.8 billion.

The treasurer said there is now more awareness on investing, not just on savings, adding that people are getting into the habit of investment.

“Government issuances are low-risk. The only risk is the diminution of the face value, but that is far off. Even if you sell it on the secondary market for a lower price, you would have already generated more than the face value you invested or you can wait for the RTB to mature after five years,” she explained.

Gov’t issuances

Compared to other financial instruments, De Leon added that small investors are becoming more comfortable with government issuances.

She said Filipinos want to play it safe and to make sure the hard-earned money they invested will return to them at the specified time.

“They know we will really honor our obligation. Legally, we don’t have constraints to pay. Come the date of the maturity, we will be able to honor that obligation,” De Leon said.

About P712 billion or 80 percent of the finance budget for next year will come from the domestic capital market, she added.

De Leon said they would need to have many good platforms to generate that amount, and RTBs are one of those that have been able to bring a lot of inflows for the government.

More DOLE Clinics to open in CV

(JOG)

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 7 is slated to open more DOLE Clinics in Central Visayas next year.

DOLE 7 OIC-Director Cyril L. Ticao said the DOLE Clinic is meant to bring the department’s services closer to the community by offering information, services and referrals to appropriate agencies on matters such as local and overseas employment, entitlements under general labor standards and occupational safety and health standards, labor relations, and livelihood assistance.

The DOLE Clinic is one of the programs of the labor agency, announced early this year, that will be rolled out all over country.

The clinics, according to DOLE, will be stationed inside Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) of local government units nationwide.

On Tuesday, Dole 7 launched the first DOLE Clinic in Central Visayas in the City of Naga in Cebu. “We purposely do this because it is our goal of bringing the DOLE more closely to the community,” Ticao said in a statement.

One of the benefits of creating a DOLE Clinic in the City of Naga meant residents or those living in nearby towns no longer have to travel to the DOLE 7 office in Cebu City to lodge a concern or raise a labor-related issue.

In addition, having a labor clinic in place also meant that “attached agencies will conduct a one-day forum on labor and employment concerns at least once a month, and synchronize with the major activities of local government units,” the DOLE head office said.

At present, DOLE 7 has not yet identified the number of DOLE Clinics to open next year.

“We are trying to launch the program in all PESOs, but of course, the readiness of the PESOs is a big factor. As of now, we cannot give the number for next year. We will still be conducting more advocacies to make this one widely known. Next is to capacitate the PESOs as well,” said DOLE Information Officer Luchel Taniza in an e- mailed statement.

To date, DOLE 7 has conducted DOLE Clinic orientations with the Officers and board of directors of the regional PESO managers in Lapu-Lapu City. The same initiative was also launched with the Cebu Association of PESO Managers (CAPESOM), in Siquijor, and with the Bohol Association of PESO Managers (BAPESOM) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. There have also been several radio guestings done to disseminate the program to the public.

Cebu hosts 1st tech business incubator summit on Friday

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The 1st Philippine Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Summit takes centerstage Nov. 24 here at the Victoria Hall of Cebu Parklane International Hotel.

The national TBI Summit gathers technology and startup players from all over the country to explore outstanding entrepreneurial and innovation issues.

In a press conference on Thursday, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said the inaugural TBI convention aims to maximize President Rodrigo Duterte’s socio-economic goals.

“Through this TBI Summit, we hope to provide more opportunities to the people, reduce inequality among Filipinos, and spread economic growth all over the country,” Guevara said.

The Summit features educational sessions, group discussions, networking, and workshops for participating incubators and stakeholders in order to help raise their potential for generating employment and investment.

DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña will be among the keynote speakers on Friday. He will speak on “building ecosystems of innovations in the regions through meaningful science and technology initiatives.”

Guevara will likewise talk about the DOST TBI Program, while Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Nora Terrado will speak on the “Fablab as a strategy to capacitate technopreneurs in the region.”

Dr. Azra’iShu’ib of TechnoPark Malaysia has also been invited to talk about his country’s journey towards building fourth generation TBIs and their ASEAN cooperative scheme in business incubation.

The Higher Education Institution Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship (HeIRIT) program, which seeks to provide a platform for fuelling innovation and intrepreneurial growth, will also be launched during the Summit.

The HeIRIT program is aimed to make the country’s leading universities and academic institutions as catalysts for the country’s tech and startup ecosystem to grow and develop.

A memorandum of agreement will be signed between the DOST and the 20 university partners which will serve as TBI host institutions for the HeIRIT program.

The 1st TBI Summit is organized by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) in partnership with the University of the Philippines-Cebu Campus, UP-Cebu inIT, and TechTalks.ph

Hotel partners with travel agencies

By Katlene O. Cacho

AS Chinese outbound tourists travel more frequently to the Philippines, city hotels in Cebu are thinking of ways to lure them in.

For Mezzo Hotel, one of Cebu’s newest hotels, maintaining a healthy relationship with partner travel agencies in China is necessary, as competition to attract this market intensifies.

Joan Osabel, resident manager of Mezzo Hotel, said they have at least 10 partner travel agencies in China that provide them with a good number of group bookings, staying at least a night while on vacation.

Presently, the hotel is enjoying good traffic from Chinese guests who arrive by buses, said Shannen Keisha Tan, president of Mezzo Hotel.

She said that the sharp increase in the number of overnight stays by Chinese tourists in Cebu can be attributed to the warming ties between the Philippines and China.

In just half a year of operation since its opening last May 9, Mezzo has become the choice of small meetings and conventions of both corporate and government agencies.

Tan said the aim of the hotel is to strengthen its brand as a business hotel, as it tries to capture the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) but also the leisure and free independent travelers (FITs).

Mezzo Hotel operates under Royal Henda International Corp., whose core business is hospitality. It is a 10-storey accommodation facility located along Pres. Quezon St., Kasambagan, Cebu City.

Mezzo Hotel boasts of 151 guest rooms and 35 residential rooms ideal for long-staying guests. It has a ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests and that can be divided into six small breakout rooms.

The hotel’s roof deck, which will also cater to function events, can host up to 100 guests while the two smaller rooms at the ground level can accommodate up to 50 guests each.

Tan noted that the hotel is designed with the customers’ needs in mind.

“We wanted to be known for the quality service. We believe that if we are able to render excellent service to our clients, they will keep coming back,” said Tan.

Looking ahead, Mezzo is working to be classified as four-star business hotel and an ISO-accredited facility. Trainings are also underway to boost the performance of its 90 hotel workers.

Tan said the company is also eyeing to make Mezzo a hotel chain.

Compostela kids, parents receive ASEAN comics

By Ferliza Contratista (fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

COMPOSTELA, Cebu (PIA) — More than 300 children and parents received comics on ASEAN benefits during the observance of the National Children's Month here.

The comics “Benipisyo ng ASEAN” were distributed by Compostela Police Station personnel led by PSI Junafe Vergara Ruiz during the half-day activity over the weekend.

Joining the activity was Compostela Vice Mayor Josephine Abing with some barangay captains.

Vergara said it was an opportunity for the children and the parents to learn the benefits of ASEAN in comics form, making it simpler to understand.

“We always hear about it on the news, television and radio, but we don’t seem to know what it really is and what it benefits the simpleng tao,” Vergara said.

Some copies were also given to cops and representatives of the business sectors in the town.

Other than the ASEAN comics, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) also distributed comics on the West Philippine Sea.

In the event there were also entertainment and games, food stalls, ice cream, and the customary feeding with nutritious “lugaw”.

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) enjoins the support of member agencies, partners, and stakeholders for a meaningful celebration of the National Children’s Month celebration through the conduct of activities aligned with its theme for 2017 "Bata: Iligtas sa Droga!"

Capitol, Jica move for Cebu’s safe water

By Charles R. Pepito

The Province of Cebu and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) are moving toward the management of safe water in the province.

The nine-member Jica survey team visited Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III in a gesture that sets in motion positive deals to finally manage and dispose of Metro Cebu’s sewage mire.

A septic, sludge-treatment facility, to be constructed in three key areas of the Metro, is also seen to highlight the welcome arrangement.

Jica survey team head Mimpei Ito presented to Davide the initial report that evaluates the technical and economic viability of constructing these treatment facilities.

Septic sludge treatment refers to the process of disposing the slurry, residual, semisolid material produced as a by-product during sewage treatment.

The facility will convert household wastewater into a runoff that will be returned to the water cycle with minimal environmental impact.

Once the treated wastewater saturates into the soil, it will be free from harmful coliform bacteria, viruses and nutrients, making Cebu’s underground water source safe for consumption.

Once the practicability of the project is established, the Jica said the facilities will be constructed in preidentified areas of Metro Cebu identified as Center 1, which includes the area north of Cebu City and Mandaue City; Center 2 comprised of Cebu City south and Talisay City; while North 2 includes the towns of Consolacion, Liloan and Compostela.

These facilities will dispatch vacuum trucks that will collect septic-waste plumbing produced from households‘ (bathroom, kitchen drains and laundry).

Center 1 facility has the capacity to receive and treat waste from 212,000 households.

Center 2 can pull from 202,000 homes, while North 2 can accumulate for 88,000 houses. The JICA survey schedule, which is set to start this month, has eight stages.

The first phase includes survey preparation, first field survey and first analysis.

The second stage allows the second field survey and second analysis (to be held in Japan). The third field survey and the fourth field survey will include explanation of a draft report.

The final stage is the submission of a final report to the Jica and the Philippine Government.

The preparation in Cebu, Ito said, will run until April 2018, while survey analysis in Japan is scheduled from December 2017 to August 2018.

The draft report to Philippine officials is set for August 2018, while the submission of the final report will be in November 2018.

The report, however, did not specify the names of other Philippine officials, but mentioned Davide.

The Jica, as well as the official development assistance loans and aids, granted last year the Philippine Government’s request for the construction of a sludge-treatment project in Metro Cebu.

P1.5B resort to rise in Mactan

By Victor Anthony V. Silva
Filinvest’s Grafik Resort Mactan Cebu targets underserved millennial market

The Gotianun-led Filinvest group is poised to strengthen its foothold on the domestic hospitality market as it opens a new resort and completes the expansion of its existing property in Lapu-Lapu City come 2020.

Banking on Cebu’s burgeoning economy and its untapped tourism potential, Filinvest Hospitality Corp. (FHC), a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC), recently launched Grafik Resort Mactan Cebu, its second property on Mactan Island and third in Cebu province.

“This is a testament to our belief in the strong Cebu economy and the strong tourist potential that needs to be reached,” FHC vice president Francis Gotianun said last Saturday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the property fronting the Duawon Beach in Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.

FHC has earmarked around P1.5 billion to develop the 2.8-hectare property and expects to provide over 400 jobs to the local community upon the start of operations three years from now. Construction will begin in the later part of this year.

“We want to contribute to the continued development of tourism in Lapu-Lapu and help make it the main destination for foreign and local tourists,” Gotianun said.

The same group is behind the five-star Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan as well as the three-star Quest Hotel and Conference Center in Cebu City.

Gotianun said Grafik Mactan is a lifestyle resort targeted at the young and young-at-heart who are looking for a place that is more casual and fun.

He said that FHC felt like there was a gap in the market and that the “millennial” segment was underserved.

While the property doesn’t have big white-sand beach, it does have beautiful saltwater lagoons where people can feel safe when they swim in them.

Gotianun shared that the location holds a special place in his heart because it used to be where his family would go on small beach vacations when they visited Cebu.

The developer will construct a medium-rise building that will feature 308 rooms, two signature restaurants, three bars, and multiple pools.

James Montenegro, country manager of FDC’s hotel management arm Chroma Hospitality, a joint venture with Archipelago International of Singapore, said that they intend to do something with Grafik that other hotels are not doing.

“While none of them is final yet, but all our hotel rooms will not have a mini bar. We will have TV, but no cable. People have to bring their own content. We want them to go out of their rooms and experience the atmosphere of the resort,” he said.

Aside from this, Grafik plans to put up its own internal radio station to bring music, brand, and experience together.

Montenegro said they will also introduce a new dining concept in which a modern turo-turo cafeteria will replace the usual coffee shop set-up. “It’s playing with different things and giving all our customers a very different experience,” he said.

He said the domestic market has grown exponentially in the last three years with Filipinos having more buying power.

“One of our goals is to position our hotels into the domestic market. The other hotel, Grafik, is actually mid-level. The target average rate is P5,000 to P6,000 (per night) and that is not geared toward the high-end market,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Montenegro also shared the group’s expansion plans for Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan which is targeted at the growing domestic market.

The group has earmarked P2.5 billion to P3 billion to build a two-tower expansion near the entrance of the Crimson property, featuring 246 suites measuring 50 square meters each.

This will bring the resort’s total room inventory to 536 once they finish the construction of the extension and open it to the public by 2020.

After the expansion, Montenegro said they are set to renovate the existing property to add a ballroom that could fit 800 to 1,500 people, another coffee shop, a 4000-sq.m. swimming pool, new gym, restaurant, and executive lounge, among others.

“We felt like nobody is catering to the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibits) business in Cebu. Given the expansion of the airport and the number of arrivals, we thought the market was incomplete,” he added.

With a new ballroom, he said Crimson can accommodate up to 2,000 people at a time, which is more than the capacity of most resorts in Mactan and even hotels in the city.

While majority of the resort’s market are leisure travelers, they are trying to balance out the MICE segment with the upcoming renovation.

FHC’s Grafik Resort was one of two new resorts in Mactan launched this year, the other one being Seagrove, a joint venture project between Ayala Land, Cebu Holdings, Inc. (CHI), and the Gaisano-led Taft Properties.

Big tourism projects set for Cebu in 2018

(SunStar Cebu)

BIGGER projects are in store for Cebu’s tourism next year.

Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 Director Joshur Judd Lanete II disclosed that there will be big-ticket tourism projects to be launched in 2018, to offer tourists a new way of experiencing Cebu.

“I have big-ticket tourism projects for next year,” said Lanete. “It will be big, grand, huge. It has already been approved by the Tourism Secretary. She already committed.”

He, however, declined to reveal the details of these projects.

According to Lanete, these projects will benefit not just Cebu but the entire country as well. They plan to launch some of these either late this year or in early 2018.

He said these projects will not be solely government ventures as these will have active participation from the private sector.

Moreover, Lanete said they have been in talks with investors for the opening of a one-stop pasalubong (souvenir) center in 2018 in Mandaue City.

“The products will range from Aparri to Jolo,” he said.

Aside from this, Lanete said they are talking with some investors to invest in water taxis to provide better connectivity to other tourism areas outside Cebu City.

“From the port in Mactan Island, we can easily bring the tourists to the north and south point of Cebu,” he said.

Lanete added that this will also give access to the Carmen Zoo owned by the Lhuilliers, which will open next year.

Lanete, who became the region’s tourism chief last August, described the Central Visayas’ tourism industry as vibrant and resilient, amid the challenges it went through at the start of the year.

“The challenges did not affect the performance of tourism here,” he said, adding that the tourism losses incurred during the Abu Sayyaf clashes in Bohol in April and May were offset by the huge arrivals in other provinces in the region.

The region groups Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

Great outlook

“The outlook for the year ahead looks great. We have new airports opening, which will further boost the healthy arrivals of this region,” Lanete said, referring to the international airport opening in Panglao, Bohol and the added terminal in the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Moreover, Lanete pledged to further invigorate the marketing promotions for Cebu to the world.

By next year, the agency will embark on a travel roadshow in China to bring more Chinese tourists to the country.

Lanete thinks the one million Chinese tourists committed by their government to bring into the Philippines is not enough considering China’s population.

Central Visayas welcomed 147,914 Chinese guests from January to May this year, up 68.86 percent from 87,594 arrivals during the same period last year.

The Philippines and China’s warming economic ties have been instrumental in the influx of Chinese tourists to the country.

The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) heralded China as the world’s top tourism spender in 2016.

In a report released last April, the UNWTO said Chinese tourists spent 12 percent more on tourism abroad last year, as international tourism expenditure grew by $11 billion to $261 billion.

The number of outbound travelers rose six percent to 135 million last year. This growth consolidates China’s position as the number one source market in the world since 2012.

The United States came in second, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom and France in the latest world’s top tourism spenders list.

Cebu culinary festival starts Thursday

By Luel Galarpe (with reports from Michelle Bugtai (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- The Cebu Provincial Tourism Office will hold its annual “Eats Meets West” Culinary Festival on November 16-19 at the Cebu Provincial Capitol here.

However, the grand opening on Thursday will be held in Tuburan, Cebu to give the municipality the opportunity to showcase its homegrown coffee.

Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale are expected to grace the opening ceremony in Tuburan along with other invited guests.

The four-day 2017 “Eats Meets West” Culinary Festival features a “Food Forum” on Friday and a cooking competition among participating municipalities on Saturday and Sunday at the Capitol Social Hall.

Seven food experts have been invited to speak on different topics during the whole-day forum, which is open to the public.

Food experts Dr. Ame Garong of the National Museum, Chef Mike “Tatung” Sarthou, Teresa Ruelas, Eleonor Rivera, Vince Cinches, Cristino Villamor, and Ige Ramos from Manila will talk about the ancient diets of the Cebuanos, what Cebuano cooking really is, healing with food, organic farming, and food design, among other topics.

In the culinary competition, participating towns will vie for top honors in best appetizer, welcome drinks, dessert, main course, welcome lei, table set-up, and packaging. They will also compete for best interpretation of a Cebuano recipe from a 1923 cookbook of Maria “Señora Inday” Rallos.

“Eats Meets West” is a product of the Cebu Community-based Eco-Tourism Project of the Provincial Government that was started two years ago.

DTI 7 offers coaching on MSME brands

(PR)

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 recognizes that branding is vital for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to stand out and compete in the global marketplace.

DTI 7 is bringing marketing and advertising consultant Wilfrido Arcilla to Cebu on Nov. 15 and 16 for a brand equity development seminar for MSMEs, which will be held in Harold’s Hotel.

Arcilla pushes the advocacy that “healthier brands are wealthier brands” and has worked for more than 30 years in the Asia-Pacific, for US Fortune 500 multinational corporations like Procter and Gamble Philippines, S.C. Johnson & Son Indonesia, The Coca-Cola Company China and Philippine conglomerates like San Miguel, Universal Robina Corp. (URC) and RFM Branded Food Group.

Among the topics to be discussed in the Cebu seminar are key concepts of branding and marketing, new trends and basic principles of brand development. The rest of the activity will be allotted for the one-on-one sessions with MSMEs from Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

Finding their positions

“Our MSMEs need to be sufficiently prepared and armed with competitive strengths that could define their positions in the global market,” said Regional Director Asteria Caberte of DTI 7.

She emphasized that an effective brand statement and strategy will ensure a major edge in sustaining customer interest. “It is important that entrepreneurs are able to appreciate the concept of branding and brand equity to increase their competitiveness, and sustain business growth.”

The two-day seminar is one of the components of the Brand Equity Development Program (BrEDP) of the DTI as it seeks to register more brands with the Intellectual Property of the Philippines, improve packaging and labelling, and launch the brands for a massive promotion.

DTI 7 is also mounting the One Town One Product Premium Product (OTOP) Showcase at the Ayala Center Cebu on Nov. 17-19 this year. Caberte said the event will be participated in by MSMEs in food and non-food industries that have undergone product development workshops. The OTOP Premium Products Showcase will also supply products for Go Lokal stores, Tindahang Pinoy, and trade fairs.

Cebu town farm-to-market road begins construction

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- Transporting of farm products will soon be convenient for farmers in San Remegio, Cebu as the Cebu provincial government has started works on the 2.7-kilometer farm-to-market road (FMR) project in the said northern town recently.

Oscar Pineda, of the Cebu Provincial Public Information Office, said Monday the PHP27-million project is targeted for completion by summer of next year.

Through this project, which links the mountainous barangays of San Remegio to the national highway, farm products will not only reach the market fast and still fresh for consumption.

Pineda said the FMR is funded through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) soft loan program.

The loan package will be paid by the national government with a 10 percent counterpart fund from the Cebu Capitol and with no cost to the local government unit beneficiary.

Meanwhile, Pineda also bared that construction works on the Provincial Hospital in Danao City will resume next month. It was suspended last year due to lack of favorable endorsement from the Cebu Provincial Board.

Aside from proceeding with the construction, the provincial government will also add more medical professionals and equipment for the 50-bed-capacity hospital.

Expert to assess Cebu’s landscape

By Katlene O. Cacho

AN agriculture expert from the Cornell University will be in Cebu next week for an assessment visit of Cebu’s agriculture landscape.

Dr. Hans Chris Wien, an international expert for agriculture development, is scheduled to meet with Cebu City Councilor Alvin Arcilla, Department of Agriculture 7 officials and local farmers in Compostela, Cebu to discuss the current agriculture condition of Cebu and explore opportunities to boost agri-production, especially climate-resilient crops.

He will visit the a calamansi farm in Compostela, Cebu, where farmers produce 60,000 pieces of calamansi every three days during good weather. The expert will also visit a dragon fruit plantation in Compostela.

“This mission is to study our agriculture potential in Cebu and in other parts of Philippines. Calamansi is one crop to be developed. He will also give a talk on how to effectively use technology to maximize yields to farmer and farmtrepreneurs”, said Pete Delantar, chief executive officer and founder of Nature’s Legacy Eximport Inc.

Delantar is a member of Philippine Calamansi Association, Inc. (PCAI).

After Cebu, Wien will head to Manila to conduct a workshop on Nov. 17 aimed at exploring innovative and sustainable farming technologies to advance calamansi production.

Local resource persons in the fields of organic farming, crop management and processing technology will also share inputs during the workshop.

Wien’s visit to the Philippines is co-sponsored by the Asian Productivity Organization of Tokyo, Japan, the Department of Agriculture-ATI, the Department of Trade and Industry-EMB and endorsed by APO-NPO.

In the Philippines, one of the important and broadly cultivated agricultural commodities is calamansi.

For 3rd straight year; Cebu Province cited for good governance

By Le Phyllis F. Antojado (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — For the third consecutive year, the Cebu provincial government has again been awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The Province of Cebu previously won the award in 2015 and 2016.

Governor Hilario Davide dedicated the award to all Cebuanos.

“Dili kini nato makuha kung wala ang pagtinabangay sa gobyerno ug katawhan. Busa atong doblehon pa ang atong paningkamot alang sa kalambuan sa matag Sugboanon. With great pride and humility, I will dedicate this award to the Cebuano people,” he said.

Davide said being recognized for three consecutive years shows that one way to carry out the mandate of the government is through participatory governance.

“It fleshes out new ideas with all stakeholders taking part in the formulation of sound policies, programs, and projects of the Provincial Government,” Davide added.

Aside from the province of Cebu, the City of Naga, and the towns of Sogod, Samboan, and Tudela in Camotes Island were also among the 448 local government units that passed the criteria and met the requirement of SGLG; financial housekeeping, social protection, disaster preparedness, environmental management, business friendliness and competitiveness, and peace and order.

Vice Mayor Emerito Calderon Jr. of Samboan said despite being classified as a fifth-class municipality they were still able to achieve such recognition.

“It’s a great honor not only for the elected officials but for the whole local government of Samboan! The effort we all put in reflects on our determination to serve our people well! And despite our being a fifth-class municipality, we were able to attain and achieve this award because everybody did what we have to do” he said.

In Central Visayas, aside from Cebu, the province of Siquijor and Bohol also received the same award. No announcement has been made of the formal awarding or the venue.

10 Cebu grads top in two board exams

By May B. Miasco and Casey Andre Que (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — At least 10 graduates from Cebu made it to the top 10 in two separate licensure examinations given by the Professional Regulation Commission last month.

One ranked ninth in the licensure exam for psychologist and nine in the psychometricians board exam.

Robby Echavez, 44, a graduate from the University of the Philippines Cebu, is now a licensed psychologist.

Being one of the topnotchers for him is only passing. He said the greater implication is the amount of responsibility that one should consider in choosing the career path.

“For the after effects, you get on a high. But topping the exam for me is a different thing. I feel more responsible… I kind of thought how can this extend the reach or scope of my profession,” he said.

PRC announced on November 7 that out of 148 examinees, 96 passed the exam and Echavez was one of them, garnering an average rating of 80.8 percent.

Echavez, who is currently working as a psychologist and counselor, said taking and passing the examination is a mere procedure that all others want to achieve.

“But what we need to remind ourselves is that whether we pass or top the exam, we all have a responsibility or share in making things happen. The larger responsibility lies in responding to recent issues like the mental health problem and playing a role in that pursuit,” he said.

One of the roles he seeks to focus on right now, he said, is pushing people to be more aware and conscious on the mental health impact to every family or community.

He dedicates his achievement to mentally-ill people, the neglected children, maltreated women, drug dependents, and to those who continue to help these vulnerable individuals.

“These ratings come and go. We should not only focus on who made it and who didn’t make it. There are more perennial problems that we should focus on and that goal I believe is something worthwhile,” he said.

Echavez said it was already his fourth attempt to get a license. He shared that he hit a snag twice during the application process with the PRC.

He is one of the psychologists working at the Center for Behavioral Sciences at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. He also works as part-time counselor at Don Bosco Boys' Home in Liloan town, Cebu. He was class valedictorian in high school at Don Bosco Technology Center in Cebu City. In college, he took and completed the degree program of Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of the Philippines Cebu.

He later on obtained his Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology at the University of San Carlos where he also used to teach.

Meanwhile, nine other graduates from Cebu also topped the Psychometricians Licensure Examination.

They are Blanche Marie Abellana from USC who ranked second with 84.4 percent rating; Joy Degamo from UP-Cebu and Sheena Sabijon from Cebu Normal University tied in fourth spot with an average of 83.2 percent; Gilamie Angcay from UP-Cebu bagged the seventh place with 83.2 percent; Ericka Salazar and Rika Castro from USC and Kyle Uy from UP-Cebu placed eight with 83 percent while Kerstin Collander and Zenith Villamor, all from UP- Cebu landed on the 10th spot with 82.6 percent.

“I could've sworn I stopped breathing for a fraction of a second. I really didn't expect it. I went to church that day and prayed for peace of mind and acceptance. I didn't feel like it was my place to ask for anything more when He has blessed me more than I will ever deserve. I just wanted to trust in His plans for me. I'm just so overwhelmed with gratitude towards everybody who helped me along the way—my teachers from USC, lecturers from my review center, friends and family,” Abellana told The Freeman.

USC was also acknowledged as one of the top six performing schools having 81.43 passing percentage.

200-athlete Cebu team set for play

(RSC)

CEBU’S athletes are all set for the 2017 Batang Pinoy-Visayas Qualifiers on Nov. 10 to 16 in Dumaguete City.

The delegation from Cebu Province and Cebu City will leave for Dumaguete City today.

Cebu Province will send about 200 athletes in the sporting conclave for 15 years old and under, which is a qualifier for the Batang Pinoy National Championships set in February next year.

“Our target is for our athletes to qualify in the Batang Pinoy National,” said Cebu Provincial Sports Commission (CPSC) executive director Ramil Abing.

The sports to be contested in the event organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) are archery, badminton, boxing, karatedo, softball taekwondo, arnis, baseball, chess, pencak silat, swimming, tennis, athletics, basketball, dancesport, sepak takraw, table tennis, beach volley, and volleyball.

One of Cebu Province athletes is national team member for triathlon Karen Manayon who will compete in the swimming event. She will join the 200-meter and 100m butterfly, 800m and 400m freestyle, and 200m individual medley.

Manayon is fresh from a stint abroad with the ASTC Sprint Triathlon Asian Cup about two weeks ago, and will bring the things she learned to her next competition.

“The biggest lesson I learned in competing in my first international race in Hong Kong was to never give up during the race and always finish strong,” said Manayon.

Meanwhile, Cebu City will be sending a 277-man delegation to compete in 19 sporting events.

Chinese tourists arrive in Cebu on inaugural direct flights

By Marcel L. Woo

CEBU CITY­—The inaugural direct flights from Shanghai and Xianyang in China to Cebu on November 1 carried a total of 290 Chinese tourists, signaling the upbeat interest of Chinese tourists in Cebu, GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC), the airport operator, said on Monday.

Juneyao Airlines carried 110 passengers from Shanghai, while Okay Airways brought in 180 passengers from Xianyang during the inaugural flights.

Juneyao Airlines and Okay Airways, the newest Chinese airline partners of Mactan Cebu International Airport, are mounting thrice-weekly flights from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and from the historic Chinese city of Xianyang, respectively, starting this month.

Juneyao Airlines is a major full-service airline based in Shanghai, China operating both domestic and international services from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Cebu is the first destination which the airline operates in the Philippines.

“Cebu is the second-largest city [in the Philippines] and we see lots of opportunities and chance to establish a long-term cooperation with Shanghai and Cebu. This is why we chose Cebu as our first destination,” said Steven Zhou, Cebu station manager of Juneyao Airlines.

Okay Airways’s Xianyang-Cebu-Xianyang is the airline’s second flight service in the Philippines. OK Air is China’s first privately owned Chinese carrier, and is based in Tianjin, China.

“The market of Okay Airways is more on the tourists and Cebu is a destination near the cities where there are many tourist spots,” said Jo Zablan, Okay Airways’s Airport service manager.

GMCAC President Louie Ferrer said destination marketing is the Cebu airport operator’s main strategy in strengthening Cebu’s connectivity.

“Promoting the province and its surrounding areas to other Asian countries, especially China, is among our highest priorities. Studies have shown that China is the highest-spending tourist market in the world—we want to bring this high-spending Chinese market to Cebu,” Ferrer said.

GMCAC is also looking to promote Cebu to other untapped markets, including other provinces in China, Australia and other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand are also high on the list. Ferrer confirmed the company is also targeting new flights to North Asia, the Middle East, North America and Europe.

From January to April of this year, Cebu welcomed close to 1.5 million visitors, up by 4.16 percent from 1.43 million visitors during the same four-month period last year, according to initial data from the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas.

The increase in Cebu’s tourism numbers came as tourist arrivals in the entire Central Visayas dipped by 3.02 percent in the first four months of the year due to travel advisories and securities threats earlier this year.

CCCI delegation readies for ASEAN 50

By Ehda M. Dagooc (BANATNEWS, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) will send a delegation to the ASEAN 50 celebration, which will be hosted by the Philippines.

CCCI president Melanie Ng said that the chamber is going to be well represented on this very important event, specifically during the two-day Asean Business and Investment Summit next month.

World leaders like US President Donald Trump are expected to grace the event.

The event expects 4,000 attendees for the closing ceremony. Aside from President Trump, other ASEAN leaders set to join the celebration include among others, Russian president Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and acting South Korean President Hwang Kyo-Ahn.

US President Trump confirmed to grace the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Meetings that will be held in the Philippines this month.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterte, who is yet to meet Trump, was looking forward to welcoming the US President in Manila.

"We confirm US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Philippines this November," Abella said in a statement. "President Trump will join other world leaders who will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or East Asian Summit in the Philippines," Abella added.

The Philippines is this year's chair of the Asean. The 31st Asean Summit and Related Summits will be held together with Asean dialogue partners Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korean and the United States.

According to Ng, it is beneficial for the Cebu business community to be represented during this momentous event.

Middle East investors keen on PH brands

By Katlene O. Cacho

A CEBU-BASED franchise consultancy firm has partnered with a Middle Eastern capitalist to create a franchise firm that will help investors build their franchise businesses in the Middle East.

RK Franchise Consultancy Inc. founder Rudolf Kotik has collaborated with businessman Ahmed Alarfaj to create a franchise firm called Franaccess to assist investors in finding the right master franchise and help them with the legal aspects of the franchise business.

Kotik said they spend at least one to three weeks a month in different areas in the Middle East to market the franchising business and meet with potential clients.

The Middle East, he said, is the next big destination for Filipino brands to grow.

Countries where franchising has a huge potential are those in the Gulf territory—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates—which are also home to many overseas Filipino workers, he noted.

Filipino food brands (except those products with pork) are the most in-demand for franchise in the Middle East. About 90 percent of the inquiries by foreign capitalists are food businesses that are making it big in the Philippines.

Aside from the huge concentration of Filipinos in the Middle East, foreign capitalists target the locals as the main buyers of Filipino-made products.

“It has nothing to do with Filipino market. It’s for the local domestic market there,” he noted, adding that aside from food, franchise businesses that are related to beauty are also gaining interest among these foreign investors.

Five Filipino brands are in the process of completing their franchise system for Middle East, namely, The Reading Station, YTC Tutorial Services, Vivi Facial, Nails.Glow, and Mr. Softy Ice Cream.

The Philippines has some 1,500 local and foreign franchise brands and leads the franchise industry in Southeast Asia, according to the Philippine Franchise Association. It estimates that there are about 140,000 franchise outlets that have generated over a million jobs in the country.