Cebu local news (daily update)

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City officials to hit the gym

OFFICIALS of the Cebu City Government want to have an unlimited workout in one of the fitness and wellness centers in the city.

This will cost the City P360,000, or P18,000 each for the 20 officials of the city.During its session last week, the City Council passed the resolution filed by Councilor Jose Daluz III authorizing Mayor Michael Rama to enter into and sign a contract with the Cebu Holiday Gym and Spa for the annual membership of the 20 city officials amounting to P360,000.

The approval of the resolution came after Rama signed the notice of award to Cebu Holiday Gym and Spa for the unlimited workout of the 20 city officials.

Daluz’s resolution said the P360,000 will cover the period from May this year to May next year.

Those who will be availing themselves of the unlimited workout will be Rama, Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young and the 18 city councilors.

Daluz said the annual membership at Cebu Holiday Gym and Spa is a health program for the city officials.

The councilor invoked the Latin quote “mens sana in corpore sano,” which means “a sound mind and a sound body.”

Based on the annual membership contract of the Cebu Holiday Gym and Spa, the 20 city officials will be offered a corporate package.

The package includes full use of the fitness center’s facilities, such as the fitness gym, boxing gym, swimming pool, jogging track, and wall climbing facility.
The city officials can also attend all group exercise classes of the facility.

They will also be given a personalized program design and free nutritional counseling.

Aside from that, the package will also include free body fat analysis and fitness testing, free use of sauna, and shower and locker facilities.

The city officials will also be given a discount on massages. They will pay P300 instead of P450. Also, a ten percent discount will be given to them on major services at Elements salon.

As for the terms of payment for the city official’s annual membership, at least 50 percent will be given upon signing of the contract. It will be a six-month membership.

The remaining 50 percent for the remaining six months would be paid on or before Dec. 1 this year.

Meanwhile, six city councilors will be going to California next month to promote Cebu City and enhance its sister-city relations with Salinas City.

Those who will be going to California are Councilors Daluz, Raul Alcoseba, Alvin Arcilla, Ronald Cuenco, Edgar Labella, Richard Osmeña and Augustus Pe Jr.

“It is our hope that we would be given the chance to travel outside the country as we share your fervor to advance our knowledge and broaden our perspective in the furtherance of our capability as public officials,” the councilors said in a letter to Rama.

Last week, the council already approved the resolution authorizing the six councilors to travel to California. The resolution will be forwarded to the mayor for final approval.

The cost of the travel of the six councilors, the amount of which was not stated in the resolution, will be charged against the estimated P800,000 budget for foreign traveling expenses of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 17, 2011.

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Radaza couple worth P15M

LAPU-LAPU City Rep. Arturo Radaza and wife Mayor Paz Radaza are worth more than P15 million, according to their joint statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) as of Dec. 31, 2010.

But Mayor Radaza, who filed a separate copy of her SALN with the Visayas Ombudsman, did not declare any real property, whether a house or a lot.In their joint SALN, the couple said they have no house, although they stated in their declarations they own two real properties — a building and a lot in Lapu-Lapu City.

Mayor Radaza explained she had not included any real properties in her SALN because it was placed under her husband’s name as conjugal property.

Mayor Radaza said she and her husband own a 300-square-meter house in Barangay Mactan.

Radaza said that since they were elected to their respective posts in 2010, they submitted separate SALNs.

When Rep. Radaza was mayor, all their joint real properties, except vehicles, were declared under his name.

Jonji Gonzales, public relations officer for the Radazas, said the couple has a house in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.

Declaration

Section 17, Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution requires public officials and employees to submit a declaration under oath of their assets, liabilities and net worth.

Sec. 8 of Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) and Sect. 7 of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) require public officials and workers to submit “a true detailed and sworn statement of assets and liabilities.”

The Visayas Ombudsman released last week the joint 2010 SALN of Rep. Radaza and Mayor Radaza, as well as the separate SALN of the mayor.

The disclosures of Rep. Radaza’s business interests and financial connections are normally filed with the House of Representative secretariat.

In their joint SALN, the couple declared a net worth of P15,613, 000 as of Dec. 31, 2010. Rep. Radaza had an annual income of P1,863,800 last year, while his wife, Mayor Radaza earned a total of P1,895,000 last year.

The couple reported real properties, which included a building in Lapu-Lapu City worth 917,360 and a lot valued at P848,960.

The couple declared six vehicles, including a Toyota Hi-Ace worth P200,000; Toyota Hi-Lux (P850,000); and Toyota Fortuner, (P1,050,000).

The couple reported furniture and appliances totaling to P3.650 million and jewelry (P1.550 million). The couple had no liability as of last year.

In the separate declaration of her SALN, Mayor Radaza posted a net worth of P3.7 million as of Dec. 31, 2010.

The mayor declared no real property last year. Her personal and other properties included a Toyota Hi-Lux valued at P850, 000; furniture and appliance, (P1.9 million); and jewelry, P950, 000. She had no liability as of last year.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 17, 2011.

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Proposal to build cemetery in Kalunasan stalled anew

THE officials of Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City have tackled the second application of the Evangelical Christian Coalition of Cebu Inc. (ECCCI) for a barangay clearance for the proposed columbary at Osmeña Shrine.

ECCCI changed their design from a cemetery project to a columbary, following the residents’ opposition to the original plan for fear that burying the dead in their place results would contaminate their source of drinking water.Kalunasan Barangay Captain Nunilon Monares Jr. said the council, in their session Saturday night, decided to grant the request of ECCCI.

But Monares said that when they looked into the plan and other documents submitted to them by the applicant, they found out that the tax declaration of the shrine belongs to Barangay Lahug.

Monares said the barangay council deferred the approval of the ECCCI’s application for a clearance until the problem is ironed out.

“We will give this to the City, who will decide where Osmeña Shrine really belongs. If it belongs to Lahug, we will not take it away from them,” Monares said.
Monares instructed his staff to inspect the boundary between the two barangays.

ECCCI President Romeo Borado was dismayed when he learned that their application was stalled again due to a technicality.

He will seek the help of some city officials, saying barangay clearance is important for the proposed columbary project.

The barangay clearance is one of the pre-requisites in applying for a locational clearance at the City Planning Office.

Borado said he is optimistic that the establishment of a columbary in the Osmeña Shrine will push through.

Former barangay captain and now Lahug Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos wasn’t surprised when she learned that the shrine belongs to their barangay.

She said they knew from the start the shrine belongs to their barangay.

Delos Santos said they have nothing against the ECCCI, while she encouraged the religious group to apply for a barangay clearance.

“Kung wa silay gikahadlukan, nganong dili man sila mo-apply, welcome kaayo sila nato diri sa barangay,” delos Santos said.

She said they must go through the process by conducting a public hearing first.

Delos Santos is a political nemesis of then mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district).

On May 4, 2010, Osmeña signed the deed of donation for the 42,687 square meters of the shrine to the ECCCI, which is composed of 23 non-Catholic denominations.

Delos Santos questioned the timing of the donation of the property because it was made while the election ban was still in effect.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 17, 2011.

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UC graduates top board exams

THREE graduates of the University of Cebu (UC) led this year’s passers of the Naval Architect and Marine Engineer’s Licensure Examinations.

Neil Nardo topped the exam with a score of 91.40 percent. He was followed by Jason Pegarido, who got a score of 90.10 percent, and Maria Regielou Celis, who got a score of 87.80 percent.The Professional Regulation Commission announced the results last Friday. Only 24 of the 52 examinees passed the exam, which was held this month in Manila.

The UC got a passing rate of 60 percent. Examinees included graduates of Las Piñas College, Mariners Polytechnic College Foundation-Baras, Namei Polytechnic Institute and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta-Las Piñas.

Earlier this month, a UC graduate also landed in the top 10 of the Mechanical Engineer’s Licensure Exams.

Lhoven Larrobis, a resident of Carcar City, placed eighth in the exams, which was held last September.

UC law students also won in a moot court competition in Manila last September, besting students from 16 other law schools in the country.

The team, composed of two oralists, eight researchers and one coach, was declared champion of the National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law, held in the Ateneo de Manila University from Sept. 28 to 30.

Virgil Vallecera and Manuel Elijah Sarausad, the team’s oralists, were also named the best mooter and second best mooter, respectively.

The UC team became the first in the competition’s history to win all the major awards, having won also the role-play challenge, where they simulated practical applications of the IHL, and the best memorial award.

They will represent the Philippines in the Asia-Pacific regional finals in Hong Kong next year.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 17, 2011.

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Farmers, fisherfolks prepare for more heavy rains this year

FARMERS in the region are bracing themselves for more rains and typhoons.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has launched a climate change mitigation and adaptation program, which includes distribution of seeds, pest management program and livestock medicines in case of an outbreak.Most of DA’s farmers and fishermen are insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), which is a component of DA.

Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th district) is hopeful his bill amending the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Law and converting the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) into the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) will be debated on next month.

Salimbangon said they will conduct their last public hearing this week in Zamboanga City. His committee will then submit a report to the committee on rules, who will refer it to the plenary for debate.

Salimbangon said the bill promotes food production and protection of the marine environment. It also proposes amendments to the law banning the eating and selling of some types of sea shells.

“I am wondering why BFAR remains a bureau and placed under the Department of Agriculture when this is a huge government office that practically covers the entire country,” Salimbangon said.

The insurance program is the farmers’ best defense against La Niña, said Leo Cañeda, executive regional director of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“We have to prepare before it happens, rather than employ curative measures,” he said.

Through Gov. Gwen Garcia, 7,240 farmers and fishermen in the province are insured for P255.716 million. The insurance program is one of the first of its kind in the country initiated by a local government unit at no expense to the farmers and fishermen.

Capitol insured them last summer, months before typhoons hit the country.

After typhoon Ramon last week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced that seven more typhoons are coming. These are Sendong, Tisoy, Ursula, Viring, Weng, Yoyoy and Zigzag. That’s a total of 25 typhoons expected to hit the country this year.

DA is ready for the typhoons, said Cañeda. DA has introduced flood-tolerant and saline-tolerant seeds of rice, corn and vegetable varieties.

He said flooding and salt-water intrusion in the farms are expected after heavy rains.

He said the DA has initiated a pest management program to prevent bacterial leaf blight brought about by prolonged heavy rains.

Two-thirds of the region’s agricultural output comes from the livestock and poultry subsector, said Cañeda.

DA also has medicines against hemorrhagic septicemia in carabaos and salmonella in poultry and pigs.

“We need special care for livestock because this sector has been our primary growth driver,” he said.

DA has also started clearing dikes, irrigation and drainage canals.

He said Capitol has released its counterpart funds while DA’s climate-ready fund has been ready on special request.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 17, 2011.

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Creation of drainage lines urgent, architect says

AN ARCHITECT has seen the urgency to begin work on developing or improving the drainage systems in northern Cebu City, citing the growth of real estate development in the area.

“I believe there is an urgency to conduct the drainage lines towards the natural waterways,” said architect Joseph Michael Espina, who is also the College of Architecture and Fine Arts dean of the University of San Carlos (USC).He was referring to the recent growth in terms of infrastructure in the Banilad-Cabancalan-Talamban area.

Espina added that development projects would close “whatever options we have for drainage ways.”

“It is best to plan ahead,” he told Sun.Star Cebu in a phone interview.

“We should learn some lessons such as the subdivisions in Labangon area, which have closed and blocked off or reduced sizes of natural waterways in south of Cebu,” he added.

Engr. Fe Walag, USC Water Resource Center director, reported the worsening problems of traffic and flooding in Barangays Banilad and Cabancalan in Mandaue City, and Barangays Banilad and Talamban in Cebu City.

She said frequent short duration, high intensity rain results to flooding while dirty water during dry season translates to pollution of water resources and pose health hazards to communities.

Walag also said rapid development in the area caused reduced infiltration rate of water into soil that resulted in an increase in the amount of runoff water.

In a separate interview, architect Socorro Atega said “urgency” applies to all areas that experience frequent flooding.

She also said another factor to consider whether or not drainage systems should be considered is intense rainfall, which was not experienced in the past.

Atega was tapped to design the water park that is part of the proposal for a drainage system and wastewater treatment facility at the Cabancalan sinkhole.

The project is spearheaded by the Banilad-Cabancalan-Talamban Communities Drainage Committee, which is headed by USC Talamban campus administrator Fr. Peru Dayag, SVD and includes members of homeowners’ associations and private companies.

The group is currently raising almost P1.9 million in funds to finance a detailed engineering study that would be submitted to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for initial implementation next year.

Atega said her idea is for a water park to include a wastewater treatment while a portion would be earmarked for recreation purposes and an educational component.

“This would enhance the real estate value in the area aside from providing the aesthetics and facilities for recreation,” she added.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 17, 2011.

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Perlas launches book on new group promoting sustainable societies

THE increasing number of community-initiated advocacy campaigns in Cebu mirrors the same call for change in other parts of the country, said a co-convenor of a movement on social change.

Nicanor Perlas, a co-convenor of Mission or Movement of Imaginals for Sustainable Societies through Initiatives, said there is an ongoing social transformation wherein civil society takes an active role in governance.On the anti-flyover campaign, Perlas pointed out that the advocacy is a case that shows building a coalition begins with civil society.

He was referring to the campaign by residents along Gorordo Ave. who oppose the construction of a flyover in front of the Asilo dela Milagrosa compound.

“In my experience, the government tends not to listen when they see you are fragmented,” said Perlas, who ran as an independent presidential candidate in 2010.

He was in town to launch a book he authored, entitled “Mission Possible (Sow Courage; Harvest a New World)”, at the Aula Magna room at the Basilica del Sto. Niño, Cebu City yesterday.

He said that Mission is a non-partisan movement that promotes a new approach to social change through empowerment of individuals.

The movement is aimed at “energizing” Filipinos from all walks of life, including business, civil society and politics, to truly serve the country through an innovative and effective approach to implement social change.

Perlas, an environmentalist, explained that the movement uses the term “imaginals” which pertains to the process of change undergone by a caterpillar to become a butterfly.

“There are many efforts to change, but it is difficult to have authentic change,” said Perlas.

He said an organized civil society can do more than work initiated by the government alone.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 17, 2011.

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GIRL SPARED IN TALISAY MURDERS 10/17/2011

Pa warns child before massacre


Gawas didto ‘day. Pagtawag og polis kay ikaw ra’y mabuhi, kaming tanan mamatay (Get out, dear. Call the police, you're the only one who will live. All of us will die).”

Those were the last words spoken by a 55-year-old former seaman to his youngest daughter minutes before he gunned down the rest of his family and their maid in their home in Palm View Village, barangay Tabunok in Talisay City yesterday.

Emmanuel Redula Ponce eventually shot himself on his head, while the lone survivor, 14-year-old Embrelaince Therjoy, was inside her room when she heard the gunfire at past 8 a.m.

The other victims were Ponce's Melinda, a branch manager of Banco de Oro in Taboan Cebu City, their eldest daughter Elaine Grace, their son Heather Joy, 18-year-old daughter Emlin Bridge and their 30-year-old maid Anastacia Deñiega.

The 14-year-old Embrelaince rushed out of the house and called for help from neighbors.

One of them was Yolanda Daan, wife of Provincial Board (PB) member Julian Daan.

Yolanda said the girl told her she was in her room when she heard the gunfire.

Beatings

She said the girl told her that she saw her brother kneeling and two women lying below the dining table and kitchen sink.

Yolanda confirmed that the girl's father told her to get out because the rest of the family would die.

Bobby Belaro, a neighbor, said he and his family heard people running inside the Ponce's house followed by several gunshots.

He said Embrelaince was shaking uncontrollably when she got out of the house.

SP01 Mikie Espina of the Talisay City police precinct said they were informed about the incident by Talisay City Administrator Ritchie Bacaltos at past 8 a.m.

Yolanda said she was aware of the marital dispute between Emmanuel and his 55-year-old wife Melinda, a branch manager of Banco de Oro in barangay Tabuan, Cebu City.

She said Melinda, who attended the meetings of the Tabunok Homeowners Association, would often recount to her the beatings she suffered from her husband.

Shocked

She said her husband once poked a knife at her, forcing their children to defend her.

Yolanda said Emmanuel would often feel jealous of Melinda who usually arrived late at night from meetings.

Yolanda said Emmanuel's suffered a head injury in an accident while working as a seaman abroad a decade ago.

She said Emmanuel was operated on and he was advised to quit his job.

Despite this, Yolanda said Emmanuel built a house in Talisay City and acquired two Innova cars.

He also purchased several properties like another house nearby, an apartment in barangay Labangon and a lot in barangay Mabolo in Cebu City.

Yolanda said they considered Emmanuel as a good person and they were shocked by what happened.

Tragedy

She said Embrelaince was spared because she was very dear to him. “Pinangga gyud kaayo niya nang bataa (He loved her very much,” she said.

According to police, the couple's 26-year-old daughter Elaine Grace was a volunteer nurse of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF).

Yolanda said Elaine was about to go to Canada prior to the massacre.

The couple's only son, 25-year-old Heather, was a nursing graduate while Emlin was a Radio Technology student.

Embrelaince is a second year high school student of USC Girls High. SPO1 Espina said all the victims except for Elaine were in the living room at the time of the massacre.

Vicky Lastimosa, Emmanuel's cousin, said they planned to go to Kawasan Falls days before the tragedy. “He was a good man,” she said in Cebuano.

Recovered from the crime scene were one .45 pistol and its seven empty shells, two slugs, one deformed slug and one metal fragment.

Third this year

The victims were all brought to the Talisay City District Hospital, where they were declared dead.

The remains of the family and their maid were interred at the St. Peter Funeral Homes in Talisay City.

Yolanda said Embrelaince was turned over to her auntie, Thelma Billones who resides in barangay Tabunok.

Insp. Margeneatte Yosores of the Talisay City police's Women and Children desk said they were coordinating their investigation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

On hearing the news, the University of San Carlos Girls High School (USC-GHS) batch 2004 posted their condolences to the Ponce family through Facebook.

The massacre is the third parricide case to occur in Cebu this year.

Last August, a nursing student named Christian Dalangin was arrested for the murder of his mother in barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

Last Sept. 8, a minor was accused of murdering his pregnant mother and half-sister at their home in barangay Naalad, Naga City. Jhunnex Napallacan

and Gabriel Bonjoc , Correspondents with Correspondents Rhea Ruth V. Rosell and Edison delos Angeles

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Flooded Medellin road cleared after typhoon 10/17/2011


The flooded roads in Medellin town were cleared over the weekend but Mayor Ricardo Ramirez said the relief is temporary and more work is needed to ensure that they remain open.

The Curba-Panugnawan road which collapsed during the height of typhoon Ramon have been filled with limestone and flattened with a roller. Water subsided in the barangay Lamintak Norte provincial road.

But Ramirez said the Curba-Panugnawan road needed a strong concrete foundation since it usually gets washed out during floods.

He said he requested Provincial Engineering Office to help out solve the perennial problem.

The municipal government is willing to give counterpart funds to repair the road by providing limestone filling materials, he added.

He said the flooded Lamintak Norte provincial road leading to barangay Poblacion needed a better drainage system due to the rising number of households in the area as a result of commercial development brought about by the golf course.

Ramirez said the existing culverts crossing the provincial road is already incapable of accommodating the rainwater, which resulted to stagnant waters for four days during rainy weather.

The existing drainage system in the road section was built during the time of then governor Lito Osmeña.

Ramirez said he will ask help from the Capitol about the issue since this is a provincial road.

The mayor said the town is still willing to give its counterpart in the repair and improvement of the drainage system.

During the height of typhoon Ramon and several days after that, Ramirez said floodwaters in four houses rose up to chest-level.

Last Saturday, motorists complained about the dust from the limestone fillings at the Curba-Panugnawan road.

A downpour caused mud to flow down, slowing the traffic of trucks and buses headed to the ports.

The road is important not just for Malapascua-bound tourists but also to other neighboring provinces like Masbate and Leyte. Reporter Dale G. Israel

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Capitol credits eGWEN for Cebu tourism honor 10/17/2011



THE Capitol lauded reports of Cebu's return to the list of top island destinations in Asia for this year as compiled by an international travel magazine.

In text messages sent to Cebu Daily News yesterday, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia attributed the province's comeback to her administration's Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that nurtures (eGWEN) program.

“(This honor is) an affirmation that the eGwen program embraced by our local government units (LGUs) continues to transform Cebu for the better,” the governor said.

The results were released last week from Condé Nast's 24th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards, an annual listing of the best cities, islands, hotels, transportation and resorts worldwide.

Garcia thanked local officials and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI) for being “effective partners” in the implementation of the program.

The eGWEN program is a province-wide contest that evaluates the performance of all towns and cities in Cebu in the areas of environment, health, governance and heritage.

The other night, three towns and cities and their corresponding selected barangays emerged winners from among 10 of their counterparts who were also given citations for exemplary performance.

Cebu bounced back this year at number 8, garnering 77.2 points after being shut out and dislodged by Luzon island last year.

Still, it failed to surpass Luzon which ranked at no. 6 or 77.9 points on the list of Top Island Destinations.

Luzon was also ranked at no. 7 last year with 75.1 points.

Cebu is a small island in the Visayas with a population of 3 million compared with Luzon's 48 million.

Luzon includes Metro Manila and regions of Ilocos, Bicol, Central Luzon, Cagayan and the Cordilleras.

Cebu has occupied the seventh place in 2008, 2007 and 2004. Twice, it has been ranked 8th best island destination by the same survey in 2006 and in 2005.

In Asia the top 10 best islands destinations are Maldives at No. 1, Bali, Phuket, Seychelles, Malaysian Borneo, Mauritius, Langkawi and Koh Samui. Maldives, Bali and Phuket have maintained their ranking from last year.

Another publication, the New York-based Travel + Leisure magazine, named Cebu among the “best islands in Asia” last year at number 3 and at number 4 in 2009 in the release of its World’s Best Awards, evaluating hotels, airlines, cruises islands and cities in the world.

Condé Nast Traveler is an American magazine published by Condé Nast Publications, which specializes in luxury travel and reviews of high-priced hotels, products and services. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus