Cebu local news (daily update)

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WINDS OF CHANGE IN CUSTOMS? 10/29/2011


Cebu businessmen raise plaints to Biazon


Cebu exporters yesterday expressed alarm over the large-scale export of raw seashells to China and Korea.

They asked newly appointed Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon to curb what they said was a threat to local companies that use seashells to make into accessories, gifts and houseware.

Businessmen also complained about the presence of many law enforcement groups with overlapping roles at the Cebu office of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Biazon, who visited Cebu yesterday for a series of forums, said he would look into these problems.

Only a month in his post, Biazon said he wanted to streamline the BOC and make changes.

He said he is reviewing competencies of the staff to see if the right people are on the job.

“We can only implement real reforms in the bureau if we start by cleaning our own backyard,” he said.

“First, I would like to review all systems and procedures in the agency, see every loopholes and make the system more accountable. Second is the upgrading of the computer systems in the bureau and third is putting order in the house and adopting a media accreditation system that will make us engage with the media people who are committed to play their roles as watchdogs,” Biazon said.

PHILEXPORT

At a breakfast meeting in Cebu Country Club, Philexport Cebu executive director Fred Escalona brought up the sale of seashells direct to Chinese traders. He said this has reduced supply to the local market.

“When they sell the raw seashells, it is still of lower value and then the Chinese traders will then create something high value out from it leaving local manufacturers to scamper for supplies. We should be able to reap the benefits of having these supplies first,” Escalona said.

He said exporters have been complaining about traders who sell raw seashells directly to Chinese traders.

One of the biggest users of raw seashells in Cebu is Ramir Bonghanoy of Bon-A ce Fashion Tools Inc., who is also president of the Gift, Toys and Housewares Foundation Inc.

His plant alone needs two tons or 2,000 kilos of seashells, which he uses to make accessories like handbags and jewelry for high-end global brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada.

“There is no real shortage yet but it's already alarming because these traders, including Chinese, Taiwanese and Koreans, are directly harvesting our resources and then ship them directly to their place to be made into high-value products like what we are making here. The problem is there is no job creation in the process,” Bonghanoy said.

At least 60 exporters use seashells in their products as inlays for handbags, furniture, décor and other items.

Local demand for raw seashells is estimated at ten to 12 tons of seashells per month.

The seashells commonly used by Cebu exporters are mother of pearl, which come in brown lip, gold lip and black lip varieties.

“We have already submitted a petition to Philexport to help control exportation of raw seashells if not stop the practice. If we process the raw seashells here, we can create eight to nine jobs for our fellow Filipinos and will help the industry so it's important that practice should be stopped,” Bonghanoy said.

Escalona said Philexport will prepare a position paper on this for the BOC.

Escalona also raised the lack of BOC personnel in Cebu. Exporters end up paying for the overtime pay of Customs workers just to have shipments checked right away and sent out.

CEBU CHAMBER

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) raised several concerns in a letter handed over by president Samuel Chioson.

For one, the renewal of accreditation for exporters and importers that is done yearly in Manila is inconvenient. They want it done in Cebu and only once every three years to cut the cost of travel and processing.

There are also several law enforcement offices with overlapping functions in the Customs bureau in Cebu, said the chamber.

The chamber noted the “duplication of functions” originally handled by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) and Scanning Unit, like Run Against the Smugglers (RATS), Intellectual Property Rights Dept. (IPRD), Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG), Intelligence Group (IG) Enforcement Group (EG), Operation Intelligence Office (OIO), Operation Division (OD) of ESS Enforcement Group of CPD Revenue Collection Monitoring Group (RCMG), Warrant and ID and Port Operation Service (POS).”

Other concerns raised by the CCCI:

— Upgrade the tax payment system due to slow posting of remittances;

— Give importance to tax exemptions for power and shipping industries;

— Hasten the issuance of certificates of exemption;

- Simplify post-entry audit procedure by simultaneously doing it together with assessment to defray costs of the government and private sector. /By Aileen Garcia-Yap, Business Reporter

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DENR gives permits for 9 Metro Cebu flyovers 10/29/2011




At least nine flyover projects in Metro Cebu were issued Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7).

They include the two proposed flyovers in Gorordo Avenue and M.J. Cuenco Avenue, which were put on hold last week by the Department of Public Works and Highways amid objections from private stakeholders in Cebu about the lack of consultation and sound planning behind the projects.

The list was confirmed yesterday by William Cunado, Environmental Impact Assessment division chief for DENR-Environment Management Bureau (EMB).

The ECCs also cover flyover proposals for A. Soriano Jr. to J. Luna, and N. Bacalos to V. Rama Avenue in Cebu City.

Cunado said the ECC would only be canceled if no “ground developments” are carried out five years after it was issued. He said requirements were met before the the documents were issued.

Cunado said one flyover project—labled “Sto. Nino, Cebu City”— was not issued an ECC because of discrepancies in the application.

He said the DPWH lacked some preevaluation requirements like the street location where the flyover would be built.

“For Sto. Nino, no specific area was given,” Cunado said.

Fernando Quililan, DENR-EMB-7 regional director, said his office would be open to hearing any request for a review of the issued ECCs if one is made.

“We will look into the apprehension of the communities. We can't ignore the misgivings of the people,” he said.

But he said DENR can’t easily cancel an ECC unless it would be “life threatening or in an isolated or very complicated case”

“We will stand by what we issue,” Quililan said. /By Candeze R. Mongaya, Reporter

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Talisay pawnshop loses brooch worth P60,000 to senior couple 10/29/2011




A DIAMOND-studded brooch worth P60,000 disappeared from a pawnshop display case in Talisay City yesterday.

Could it have been taken by a middle-aged couple who were admiring the piece?

Police are looking for the customers, whose features were captured by the store’s security camera.

According to sales clerk Juvilyn Geromo, the brooch was examined by a man and woman in their 50s who dropped by the Pag-asa Pawnshop in barangay Tabunok, Talisay.

They were dressed well and looked like a decent couple, she said—until she noticed the brooch was gone.

She said the woman first tried on a number a bracelets while talking to her and expressed interest in buying a piece of jewelry.

The woman then pointed to the brooch in the glass display and asked to see it while the man scrutinized a necklace.

They asked for the price of the brooch and then left saying they would go to a money changer.

They never returned.

A few minutes later, the sales attendant noticed the diamond brooch was gone.

Geromo informed the duty guard who tried to run after the couple but it was too late.

The cost of the missing brooch will have to come out of her salary, lamented the sales clerk. Jewelry in the shop is not insured.

Geromo told Cebu Daily News she was focusing on the man and wasn’t paying much attention to his female companion.

“Mura man kog naglibog na ba. Wa nako kahinumdum sa ilang gipangsulti ug buhat (I got confused. I don't remember what they said and did),” Geromo said.

Talisay police secured a copy of the security video of the pawnshop’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, which got a good shot of the couple’s faces for further investigation.

Distracting a victim is a common trick called “tiempo” used by swindlers, said Cebu provincial police director, Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr.

It’s a modus operandi usually used by members of a “Salisi Gang.”

The store is willing to give a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the couple, said Layla Quiñanola, the pawnshop’s sales coordinator but she wouldn’t say how much. /Correspondent Gabriel C. Bonjoc with Correspondent Rhea Ruth Rosell

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‘We’ll defend proposed budget on Nov. 4 hearing’ 10/29/2011




DISCUSSIONS on the proposed 2012 budget can wait until the Nov. 4 budget hearing.

This was Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama's answer to questions about his decision not to send department heads to attend last Thursday's preliminary meeting called by the council's budget committee.

“All the questions that they will ask during the pre-budget hearing, they can ask during the regular budget hearing,” said Rama.

The mayor assured he and his department heads were prepared to defend the P11.8-billion budget proposal in the City Council.

He said he had no objections to the council’s plan to hold the proceedings in public with media coverage, something the City Council wasn't inclined to do during his term as vice mayor.

“That’s their prerogative. I have no problem with that,” said Rama who celebrated his 57th birthday yesterday.

Rama confirmed that he had asked department heads to skip the invitation to the pre-budget hearing called by Councilor Margot Osmeña, head of the budget committee, because discussions there would only be a duplication of the regular budget hearing to start on Nov. 4.

Margot, wife of Rama's predecessor, had invited eight department heads including City Treasurer Tessie Camarillo and Budget Officer Nelfa Briones to ask about funding sources of the mayor's 2012 budget.

The council wanted to know if the city government was capable of raising P11.8 billion next year especially after Camarillo admitted during an Oct. 19 appearance with the council that the city was expected to fall short of at least P800 million in revenues for its P4.5-billion budget requirement this year.

Councilor Edgar Labella said the city council may disapprove the mayor's budget and reenact the 2011 budget next year if department heads would continue to snub their budget hearings.

“If the budget hearing is official, then we will all be there,” said Mayor Rama.

“All their questions can be addressed in the regular budget hearing... We are prepared. They just have to say when and we will be there,” said Rama.

The mayor submitted his draft 2012 budget on Oct. 14, two days before the Oct. 16 deadline.

Rama said that since he was vice mayor for nine years, he is aware of the city council’s role of reviewing the executive budget.

He said it was also the responsibility of the City Council to pass a 2012 budget before the Dec. 31 deadline.

Yesterday, well-wishers dropped by the mayor’s office to greet him a happy birthday.

Among them was Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who came from an riport board meeting. She greeted the mayor and exchanged pleasantries with other people at the mayor's office whom she knew then left.

Also present were Carlos and Mariquita Yeung, who are the main supporters of the Beautiful Cebu program, businessman Michel Lhiullier, City Police Director Ramon Melvin Buenafe and City Fire Marshal Anderson Comar.

Of the city officials, only councilors Jose Daluz III, Edgar Labella, Roberto Cabarrubias, Rodrgio Abellanosa and SK president John Philip Po came to the mayor's office.

The others said that they had other commitments to attend to. /Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac

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5,000 business owners told to pay taxes or else ... 10/29/2011




The Mandaue City government is encouraging at least 5,000 tax delinquent business establishments to pay their taxes before the Dec. 31 deadline or face having their businesses closed and being blacklisted in Mandaue, Cebu and Lapu-Lapu cities.

Regal Oliva, head of the City Treasurer's Office, also called on delinquent taxpayers of real property taxes to pay their obligations before Feb. 15, 2012, or face auction of their properties by the city government.

Oliva yesterday said collectibles from delinquent taxpayers from 1993 to 2010 reach P35 million—P25 million for business establishments and P10 million for real properties.

With the passing of the Mandaue City ordinance “condoning penalties on unpaid real property taxes and penalties, surcharges and interest on business taxes for 2010 and prior years,” Oliva said the treasurer's office could now start collecting from delinquent taxpayers.

Oliva warned that if business establishments or delinquent taxpayers continue to ignore the city's demand letters, then they would suffer the consequences.

Oliva said delinquent business establishments would be closed and their owners blacklisted in Mandaue, Cebu and Lapu-Lapu cities.

"Once blacklisted, they wouldn’t be granted loans and couldn't have a decent business," Oliva said.

If a real estate property is subject to auction, the owner still has one year to redeem it. /Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos

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Search on for families who contributed to Cebu City’s growth 10/29/2011




THE Cebu City government and its private sector partners are looking for 75 Cebuano families who have made significant contributions to the city's growth and development.

Wanted are families who excelled in the field of governance and community service, business and industry, profession, sports, media and arts, religion and apostolic works, and environment, science and technology.

“The search will go to the grassroots. We are looking for families who helped in the preservation of heritage or the promotion of the “puso” industry for example,” said Dr. Erlinda Alburo, a member of the search committee.

Deadline for nomination will be on Nov. 22 while the official launch of the 75 families of distinction will be on Dec. 12 at the Ayala Terraces. Nomination forms are available at the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) and the different barangal halls.

Alburo said their search includes families who existed since 1937 when Cebu City's charter was approved up to the present days.

The search for 75 families of distinction is part of the city's diamond charter day celebration next year. But the culmination of the search would be on Feb. 24, 2013, yet, when the city commemorates its 76th Charter Day celebration.

Alice Queblatin, a member of the search committee, said that between Feb. 23, 2012, to Feb. 24, 2013, the search committee is coming up with activities to honor six to seven families of distinction per month.

This would include photo exhibits, a reunion package for 10 family members, and the publication of a coffee table book that would document the lives and contributions of the chosen families. /Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac

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Horror booth to benefit poor kids opens 10/29/2011




MANDAUE City’s annual Halloween horror booth opened yesterday at the Mandaue City Sports Complex, drawing a large crowd of thrill seekers.

Proceeds will support a Christmas party in December for indigent children in the city’s 27 barangays.

Sarah Walker Cortes, the mayor’s wife, showed up in costume as a corpse bride for the event, which has the theme “Kahadlok mo, pinaskuhan ko.”

She said last year’s activity sold 20,000 tickets and raised around P400,000.

This year, 25,000 tickets are being sold at P20 each.

The Halloween booth has three chambers. You have to buy a separate ticket to visit each chamber.

The horror booth is open from 1 p.m. to 12 midnight until Nov. 2.

With 60 “zombies” to spice up the activity, organizers assured that the experience would be worth the ticket.

But they advised those who have weak hearts as well as pregnant women not to visit.

Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede said the Kaabag Foundation was given an exemption from paying amusement tax since their proceeds go back to the community.

Proceeds will also contribute to the building of a center for juvenile offenders and to fund feeding programs, which the foundation regularly conducts.

Violeta Cavada, City Social Welfare Services head, said they have already identified indigent children who will be joining the Christmas party tentatively scheduled on Dec. 22.

Aside from spending for food and parlor games for the children, organizers will ensure children will receive grocery items to take home. /Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos

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‘Only DOE inspectors can check gas pumps’ 10/29/2011




ONLY Department of Energy inspectors are allowed to check the calibration of gas pumps on gasoline stations.

Regional Director Antonio Labios of DOE Central Visayas (DOE 7) reminded the consumers group who claimed that some of the pumping machines of gasoline stations were set to “underdeliver” the volume paid by consumers.

Labios said that he appreciated the effort of the Consumers Right and Economic Welfare (CREW) but the DOE wouldn't acknowledge any of its results.

“Only our inspectors are authorized to check the calibration in gasoline stations,” he said.

Labios also said that they couldn't regularly check the calibration of gas pumps of gasoline station because of lack of personnel.

He said the Department of Energy had only six inspectors assigned to calibrate and assess the gas pumps of around 2,000 gasoline stations in the Visayas.

“We try to check all stations at least once a year,” Labios told reporters in a press conference yesterday in their office.

From January to September this year, DOE-7 collected at least P471,000 from P10,000 fines of administrative violations of gas stations.

Most of the violations are under delivery of gas and the lack of proper and precautionary signages in the station.

However, DOE-7 could not give the number of gas stations who violated their provisions as they still have to consolidate their data. /Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya

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Kenyan asks court Where’s my P181T? 10/29/2011




The Kenyan woman arrested at the Mactan airport as a suspected drug courier wants her money back.

The lawyer of Asha Atieno Ogutu is seeking the release of the equivalent of P181,379, which was confiscated by the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) during last month’s arrest.

Ricardo Amores said his client was “not only innocent but a victim of the case she is facing. More so, the accused is in a foreign country and she doesn't have even a single penny in her wallet.”

The motion will still be heard by Judge Toribio Quiwag of the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Lapu-Lapu City.

When Ogutu was arrested, it was first reported that she arrived in Cebu with plans for a vacation but no money in her wallet.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) later said they found three kilos of shabu in a false bottom of her suitcase and confiscated Ogutu's money in the amount of US$3,700 (P157,927.21) and 2,000 Qatari riyal (P23,452.21).

Ogutu was arrested upon her arrival at the Mactan Cebu International Airport from Doha, Qatar, on board Qatar Airways Flight last Sept. 29.

She was charged with transporting illegal drugs. The NBI said the shabu, contained in two foil packs concealed in the lining of a trolley bag, were intended for another destination.

Amores said the drugs did not belong to the 24-year-old Kenyan national and that she was tourist who wanted “to explore any business opportunity.”

He said Ogutu's money should be released by the NBI-7 since it is not an element of the crime she is accused of.

NBI-7 special investigator Arnel Pura said the prosecution would oppose any release of the money as “premature”.

“The money will prove that the accused had the capacity or the logistics to transport illegal drugs,” he said.

During the pre-trial conference last Thursday, Ogutu broke down in tears saying she missed her two children in Kenya.

She said she feels “stressed” but is confident she would be cleared of the charges against her. /Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol and Correspondent Patricia Andrea Patena

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Durano pushes ecozones bill 10/29/2011




REP. RAMON “Red” Durano of Cebu's 5th district Durano is again pushing a bill in Congress that would establish more economic zones in the province.

Durano, who chairs the House committee on economic affairs, said he would refile House Bill No. 1319, which seeks to create the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ).

In a press conference in Danao City, Durano said the bill would ensure more foreign investments in Cebu due to tax holidays and other incentives offered to locators.

Durano filed the bill last Feb. 21, 2008. It is set for discussion by the committee on appropriations and ways and means because of its tax provisions.

Meanwhile, Durano appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to resolve the Compostela election dispute that has dragged on for more than a year.

A new OIC mayor assumed the post yesterday but Durano said “a caretaker cannot address immediately the concerns of barangay captains and the constituents. We cannot implement any projects because there is no council to approve it.”

Ananias Villacorta, incoming regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-7), yesterday assumed the post of OIC mayor of the town.

Villacorta, who paid a courtesy call on Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia last Wednesday, said he may ask Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to appoint an interim DILG official to act as caretaker of Compostela while he orients himself in his new post.

Compostela town in north Cebu was left with no mayor and municipal council last year after mayoralty candidate Ritchie Wagas filed an election protest against mayor-elect Joel Quino and the rest of his municipal council.

“I am hopeful within the year that Comelec could come up with a resolution,” Durano said.

Compostela town will be forced to reenact its 2009 budget of P56 million instead of passing a new budget for 2012.

In a phone interview, outgoing DILG-7 Regional Director Pedro Noval said he met with department heads last month to discuss their needs in the face of a reenacted budget.

Noval was the former caretaker mayor of Compostela town until he was reassigned to DILG-8 in Tacloban City. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus