PIA CEBU

Terror attack during Sinulog in Cebu City remote,

but over vigilance needed, Mayor Rama says

by Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU CITY, January 10 (PIA) -- Though chances of a terror attack occurring in Cebu City’s much-awaited fiesta celebration particularly during the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday, January 15 is remote, it still pays to be “over vigilant.”

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama issued the statement amid the warning previously raised by President Aquino that extremists are out to sow terror in yesterday’s feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila.

Although the warning of a terror attack was limited to Manila where hundreds of thousands of devotees braved the risk of a stampede just to touch or see the Black Nazarene during its yearly procession, it is better to be prepared and to ensure the safety of a huge mammoth of crowd that is expected to dot the major thoroughfares in Cebu City on Sunday, this is said.

In last year’s Sinulog grand parade, over 2M people witnessed and participated in the event as the volume of crowd increases every year due to the large influx of tourists abroad including balikbayans as well as from other parts of the country that take the opportunity to visit Cebu, either to have a vacation or to pay homage to the miraculous Sto. Niño.

“Let us just pray that nothing untoward will happen during the Sinulog,” Rama said adding that it is better to be over prepared rather than be complacent or not to be prepared at all.

Police officials however, are more concerned with the possible entry of criminal groups in Cebu as all eyes are focused in Cebu City as well as incidents of snatching and pickpockets.

But still, the various police offices in Cebu are coordinating with each other to monitor the movements of criminal elements to and outside Cebu, according to P/Supt. Rodulfo Albotra, chief of the Intelligence Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

About 160 leaders of the Muslim communities in Cebu earlier also promised the police their support in helping maintain peace and order so that the celebration of the Sinulog festivities will not mar the city’s image as a friendly tourist destination.

Cebu City Police Chief Melvin Ramon Buenafe assured that security measures have been put in pace to ensure the safety of the public especially during the mardi gras on Sunday. (PIA-Cebu)

===========

No threat on terrorist attack in Cebu’s Sinulog, Cebu City Police assures

by Amor Saludar

CEBU CITY January 10 (PIA) – Cebu City Police Director S/Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe bared they have not received any intelligence reports of any slightest movement of a possible terrorist attack in Cebu City with five days more to go before the Sinulog Mardi Gras on Sunday.

“We want to assure the public that there is no report on any possible terrorist attack in Cebu City’s Sinulog event. But your police continues to remain vigilant against any criminal elements that are out to disrupt the occasion,” Buenafe said

Millions of spectators are expected to watch and join the grand parade, the highlighted event of the Sinulog fiesta celebration in Cebu City.

Cebu City policemen are on full red alert status starting today while the permit to carry firearms in Cebu City has been suspended until the 26^th to ensure that the Sinulog festivities will remain peaceful.

To ensure the safety of the people particularly on Sunday’s grand parade, 10,000 combined members of the police, military, criminology students, fraternities and other civilian volunteers will be dispatched in the parade routes, this is learned.

Buenafe however, also urged the public to also cooperate and get involved in making the Sinulog celebration a success by immediately reporting any suspicious people in their area.

“The police cannot do it alone. We need the support and cooperation of everybody to make sure that the Sinulog event is a peaceful one,” Buenafe stressed. (FCR/AS/PIA-Cebu)

==========

Phil Health 7 expands frontline services in Cebu City from Jan. 10-12

By Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU CITY, January 10 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PHIC) 7 will expand its frontline services for three days in Cebu by setting up information desks in three big shopping malls starting today, January 10 until 12.

Phil Health social insurance officers will be deployed in the information desks at SM City-Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu and Parkmall in Mandaue City to accommodate requests for member data updating or issuance of Member Data Records (MDR) and Phil Health identification cards (PIC).

Supporting documents and/or proof of identity are however, needed as members are advised to bring the necessary requirements to complete the transaction.

The three-day expansion of frontline services is Phil Health’s participation and contribution to the Sinulog festivities, this is said.

PhilHealth personnel will likewise be at the National Economic Research and Business Action Center (NERBAC) from January 16 to February 17 for the issuance of Certificates of Good Payment Standing (CGPS) needed by business establishments and employers to secure business permits.

The issuance of CGPS in Cebu City to more than three establishments or branches handled by a single bookkeeper or company representative at the Phil Health Members’ Assistance Center (PMAC) is considered a bulk transaction and will begin on January 16.

Prompt remitting and reporting business proprietors and employers on the other hand, enjoy the convenience of having their CGPS sent earlier.

Before the end of 2011, Phil Health’s Collection Section already released more than 2,000 CGPS to establishments with updated remittances and reports. This also helps de-clog Phil Health offices around business permit application deadlines, this is learned.

Phil Health service offices in the cities of Mandaue, Carcar and Danao are also issuing CGPS on Mondays through Fridays. Additionally, Phil Health Danao will be issuing CGPS weekdays at the Bogo City hall and the municipal halls of San Remigio and Liloan. (PIA-Cebu with PR from Phil Health)

==========

Art exhibit features Cebuano contemporary artists

CEBU CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) --- Contemporary artists in Cebu showcase their works in an art exhibit at the Cebu City Museum at Osmena Boulevard on January 4-31, 2012.

The works on display include paintings and sculptures of Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Marvin Natural, Kidlat of the Junks Collective, Karl Roque, Sio Montera, Ritchie Quijano, Vidal Alcoseba, and Tito Cuevas. Russ Ligtas will give Butoh performances on Jan. 12 and 13.

During the opening ceremonies, Cebu City Mayor Micheal Rama lauded this initiative saying it is a way to recognize Cebuano talents in visual arts as well as to promote the Cebu City Museum.

RAFI-Culture and Heritage executive director Dr. Jocelyn Gerra said, “Contemporary Cebu is a good opportunity for introducing the Cebuano audience to contemporary arts and for them to be familiar who the Cebuano contemporary visual artists are."

Exhibition and programs curator, JV Castro said that this annual event is designed to bring national attention to contemporary Cebuano artists and their works.

Castro added this exhibition features some of the finest artists we have in Cebu . All the works are done by Cebuano artists who specialize in contemporary works.

"Meaning the portrayal of subjects are different. In a way, we want to promote Cebu in a different light,” Castro said.

Dennis “Sio” Montera, one of the featured artists shared the inspiration and stories behind his paintings.

“My art is more on expression of the things that have been relevant in my life—happiness, sadness, loss of loved one, any life experience," Montera said.

For him, the best way to communicate or deal with his emotions is to paint. It is more likely the reflection of a current situation of his life. "It's like a diary, mirroring what is happening around me,” he noted.

Contemporary Cebu is realized in its second year now through the collaboration of The Alternative Contemporary Art Studio, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), and The Grove by Rockwell.

Alternative Contemporary Art Studio and RAFI have been partners since Contemporary Cebu’s inception in 2011. This year, they took in The Grove by Rockwell as a major partner.

The first exhibit was held in June 2011 in Manila at the Ateneo de Manila University and Picasso Boutique Hotel.

Other sponsors of the exhibit are the Cebu City Government, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission of Cebu City, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Blue Shield Risk Management, Gothong Southern, Michelangelo Pizzeria, and Hola España. (mbcn/PIA-7 & CTU/Maryknoll B. Lague)

===========

Cebu to witness more rains as PAGASA-Cebu warns residents

in flood and landslide-prone areas to remain cautious

by Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU CITY (January 9) – Residents in flood-prone and landslide areas in Cebu are again cautioned by PAGASA-Mactan to be on guard against incessant rains as the province will continue to experience rains until the coming weekend.

Cebu continues to be hounded by on-and-off rains as the bad weather condition is due to the tail-end of a cold front in Eastern Visayas and Mindanao, according to PAGASA Mactan Weather Observer Ponce Garcia.

Garcia even advised the public to bring umbrellas and raincoats on Sunday, January 15 as millions of spectators are expected to watch the Sinulog Mardi Gras in Cebu City’s major thoroughfares.

Specifically on Friday and Saturday, moderate to slight heavy rains are expected as two major Sinulog-related religious events --- the fluvial procession and solemn foot procession --- both on Saturday at early dawn and early afternoon will be conducted, this is said.

Ricky Ballesteros, executive director of the Sinulog Foundation, Inc. (SFI) earlier recommended the public to wear appropriate footwear and clothing in watching the grand parade as roads might be slippery due to the rains.

Cebu City Police Director S/Supt. Melvin “Ramon” Buenafe on the other hand, also asked the public to beware of snatchers and pickpockets that will take advantage of the opportunity to prey on their victims.

A significant number of policemen will be deployed on the streets to ensure that peace and order is maintained as Buenafe urged the public to also dot heir share and try not to bring a huge amount of cash and wear jewelries as not to attract criminal elements.

The permit to carry firearms has been suspended in Cebu City since Thursday until January 26 to ensure that the celebration of the Sinulog Festival will be peaceful and orderly.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Deputy Regional Director for Operations S/Supt. Louie Oppus warned that violators will face charges of illegal possession of firearms even if gun holders have the necessary permit to carry firearms.

“From January 5 until 26, no person even if he has the necessary permit can carry firearms outside his residence as there is a suspension on the permit to carry firearms within the specified period,” Oppus declared.

Policemen in Cebu City are on full alert status beginning today until the 16^th, this is said. (PIA-Cebu)