P140-M allocated to CV LGUs for coastal management project
CEBU CITY, March 15 (PIA) --- More than P140-M funds were allocated to nine local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas under the Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project (ICRMP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
This after the ICRMP Regional Project Steering Committee (RPSC) approved the distribution of said funds to identified LGUs for their social, environmental infrastructure, and facilities development.
LGUs in Cebu province will receive the biggest share with P88,339,682.50 or 63.04 percent. Six municipalities will benefit from the project, namely: Aloguinsan for the construction of riverbank protection facility with a project cost of P7,036,815.50; Ronda for the expansion and rehabilitation of Ronda wharf with a budget of P19,840,397.00; Alcoy for the improvement and expansion of Level III water system with P19,813,920.00
Other municipalities in Cebu to benefit from the project are: Carmen for the construction of Cantumog-Luyang river flood control system with an allotment of 30 million pesos; Dalaguete for the construction of Dalaguete wastewater treatment facility with 6.5 million pesos; and Samboan for the construction of ecotourism park and visitor center with a budget of P5,148,550.00.
DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso said the protection, rehabilitation, conservation and governance of the country’s coastal resources depend on the partnership and collaboration among the local government units and other stakeholders.
DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje has instructed the regional office to provide the needed technical or administrative assistance to said LGUs so the funds would be released the soonest after all mandatory requirements are complied with.
Siquijor province will also get a total P51.8-M or 36.96 percent covering three municipalities, namely: Enrique Villanueva for the construction of ecotourism complex and facilities with P5.9-M; Larena for upland and coastal ecotourism with 15.9 million pesos, and San Juan with 30 million pesos for the establishment of Level III water system.
DENR leads the implementation of ICRMP with funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) supported by other national agencies like Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Agriculture and Department of Budget and Management in partnership with LGUs.(rmn/PIA-7/HFG/DENR-7)
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Cebu’s transport groups not joining today’s nationwide transport strike
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, March 15 (PIA) -- Cebu’s transport groups voiced their support to today’s nationwide transport strike but opted not to participate. Instead, they would rather wait for the result of their petition for a P1.50 fare increase.
Ryan Yu, chairman of the Cebu Integrated Transport Services Cooperative (Citrasco) said they will file their petition for a P1.50 fare hike to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 today.
Today’s nationwide transport strike has been called by militant groups Piston and Bayan in protest to the incessant oil price hikes. Since January this year, fuel costs have spiked eight times due to the rising costs of oil per barrel in the world market.
Asteria Caberte, regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 explained some factors that caused the spiraling hikes of petroleum products. “Syria is in political turmoil and it is a major oil player while the US is stockpiling on its oil inventory for production in anticipation of the summer months while its economy is improving. We have a strict supply and a growing demand in the country,” which is heavily dependent on imported fuel, said Caberte.
Yu said their fare hike petition will increase minimum fare of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) from the current P7.50 to P9 for the first five kilometers and an additional P.75 for every succeeding kilometer.
Citrasco, Yu said, is supported by PUJ and taxi operators in the province.
Meanwhile, Caberte said the proposal of Sen. Ralph Recto to reduce the value-added tax on oil from the current 12 percent to 10 percent will definitely help the consumers amid concerns that the frequent oil price hikes will have a big impact on prices of basic goods and commodities.
“But there must be a balance since the VAT is a major revenue-generation source of the government. And this might affect the funding for social services,” Caberte bared. (PIA-Cebu)
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Cebu university inaugurates coastal resources management center
CEBU CITY, March 15 (PIA) --- A center for biodiversity research, monitoring, training and demonstration was opened in a Cebu university recently.
The Cebu Technological University-Regional Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project (CTU-RICRMP) Center was inaugurated on March 14 inside the CTU Main Campus at corner MJ Cuenco and R. Palma Streets, Cebu City. This project cost is P1,568,157.34
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso said the 149.36-square meter laboratory will conduct targeted research on critical biodiversity resources including sensitive ecosystem, design and operate a biodiversity program.
“It will also serve as a venue for holding conferences, symposium to discuss or disseminate research and findings on coastal resources management-related concerns,” he added.
In line with this, one of the ICRM project components is focused on integrated CRM and biodiversity. Under this component, an ICRMP center will be established at or attached to existing marine science institution.
Dichoso said the ICRM project is one of the vital projects being implemented by DENR in partnership with the Department of Agriculture through its Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the local government units (LGUs) in the provinces of Cebu and Siquijor.
DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje has been strongly supportive of the efforts of the academe as well as the LGUs on the importance of sustaining the project for the protection and conservation of our marine and coastal biodiversity resources.
The CTU was selected as an ICRM Center in Central Visayas using a set of criteria developed by Silliman University in consultation with DENR, namely: institutional integrity with regards to handling government funds, academic programs related to CRM, physical spaces and facilities, strategic location and reach relative to other academic institutions and government agencies, CRM-related personnel and staff with appropriate qualification and background, CRM-related research, extension and advocacy programs, and commitment to develop and sustain the capacity to host the center.
The ICRMP is a six-year DENR-led project that started in July 2007. The project’s overall objective is to enhance coastal resources management and reduce poverty among municipal fisherfolk through the introduction and promotion of sustainable economic livelihood activities, micro-enterprises and resource management practices.
In 2009, the Project Steering Committee (PSC) issued Resolution No. 09-001 which recognized CTU as a host institution for the RICRMP in Central Visayas with a vision to be functional even beyond project life.
The ceremony was led by CTU President Dr. Bonifacio Villanueva along with Director Dichoso with the invited guests namely: Cebu Province Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Siliman University President, Dr. Ben Malayang III.(rmn/PIA-7/HFG/DENR-7)
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Committee approves bills on reclassifying, converting lands into protected zones
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY March 15 (PIA) -- Eleven local bills on conversion of a certain island into a protected zone and reclassifying some parcels of lands into residential, agricultural or commercial areas have been approved recently the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources chaired by Sen. Chiz Escudero.
The said committee has approved House Bills Nos. 5116, 851, 3974, 4105, 951, 1719, 3973, 3975, 4657, 5409 and 336.
Escudero has ordered the committee secretary to prepare the corresponding committee reports for plenary discussion of legislation which originated and have been approved by the house.
In Central Visayas, covered under the provision of these House Bills are parcels of land in one barangay of Lazi in Siquijor, Bais City, Negros Oriental, and the four municipalities in Cebu.
HB No. 951 intends to make a portion of a plot in Brgy. Simacolong in Lazi, Siquijor as alienable and disposable. The same condition will also be applicable to a portion of land in Bais City under HB No. 5409.
HB No. 3975 mandates for parcels of land of public domain in the towns of Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, and Sta. Fe in Cebu to be disposed for agricultural, commercial, residential and tourism functions.
HB No. 5116 will focus on the conversion of Murcielos Islands in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte as protected landscape and seascape.
Portions of Roosevelt-protected area in the municipalities of Dinalupihan and Hermosa, Bataan will be reclassified as alienable and disposable with the approval of HB No. 851.
HB No. 3974 will put a part of Forbes Park Reservation in Baguio City as agricultural land open to disposition.
HB No. 4105 will also convert a parcel of land in Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental into an agricultural land while the approval of HB No. 1719 will make a land of public domain in Siargao, Surigao del Norte as an agricultural area.
Approved House Bill No. 4657 intends to declare certain parcels of land in Barangay Combado in Maasin City, Southern Leyte alienable and disposable, while HB No. 336 calls for the establishment of Bikol Botanical Garden in Camarines Sur. (rmn/AS/PIA-CEBU)
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DTI Sec. Domingo to launch PH Business Registry in Cebu next week
By Juju Manubag-Empuer
CEBU CITY, March 15 (PIA) -- Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo will lead the launching of the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) in Cebu on Tuesday, March 20. The PBR is a web-based business registration system that will allow entrepreneurs to start their businesses fast and at lesser cost.
Asteria Caberte, regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 said the PBR launching will be at the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) in Cebu City.
Caberte announced the PBR launch during the Kapihan sa PIA held recently at the Tindahang Pinoy in Bridges Town Square in Alang-alang St., Mandaue City.
The PBR is one of the government’s priority projects aimed at streamlining business registration process and eliminating red tape, according to Caberte.
“It serves as a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs who want to start operating a business,” Caberte said.
With the PBR, those who want to set up a business will no longer be inconvenienced in going to several government agencies for their business registration papers as they will now be interlinked through the PBR.
Caberte also bared the PBR has a business registration facility where clients can search if the business name they will use has been registered or not so as to avoid legal problems in the future.
The DTI 7 chief further said entrepreneurs may apply from the auspices of their homes and office through their computers.
Caberte advised those who don’t have any access to the internet may use the PBR kiosk located at the nearest DTI provincial office or may ask the assistance of DTI personnel at these offices in the filling-up of the application form in their behalf.
Application through a DTI teller will involve the submission of a filled up application form which can be downloaded from the website.
With fewer steps and faster process, PBR will be able to strengthen the government’s effort of providing quality service to the people and realize its commitment to curb corruption and reduce red tape in the bureaucracy.
Through the PBR, the country will become more attractive to investors and improve the Philippines’ overall ranking in global competitiveness.
Caberte said the DTI-7 will start in implementing the PBR system and other mandated government agencies like Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), Philippine Health Insurance Corp (PHIC), Social Security System (SSS) will follow suit in the linking. (FCR/JSME/PIA-Cebu)
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Trade Sec. Domingo to lead nat’l launching of Cebu’s ‘Tindahang Pinoy’ next month
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, March 15 (PIA) -- Trade Sec. Gregory Domingo will lead the national launching of the one-stop shop for exported goods and locally-produced products in the province mid next month.
“Tindahang Pinoy,” a project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is envisioned to help exporters have a venue to display world-class exported goods catering to the domestic market and foreign tourists.
“This is DTI’s way of helping provide access to markets for our exporters as well as locally-produced products of the different towns and provinces under our OTOP (One Town, One Product) program,” bared Asteria Caberte, regional director of DTI 7.
Exporters have been badly hit by the global crisis as export markets have slowed down. With the establishment of the TP, exporters can now shift their market to domestic buyers to include foreign tourists as souvenir items and ‘pasalubong’ goods are also on display at the center.
Cebu’s TP is the biggest of the three stores existing nationwide. The other two are located in Davao and Clark.
Caberte said there are plans to put up other TP in other parts of the country.
DTI provided P1M seed money to the Cebu-Gifts Toys and Houseware Foundation Inc. (Cebu-GTH) to put up the TP located at the Bridges Town Square in Mandaue City.
Cebu-GTH president Ramir Bonghanoy said the TP here had a soft launching last December 5 where initially, there were only 25 participating proponents. Today, there are now 42 proponents that are showcasing their products at the center.
Bonghanoy said sales are increasing attributing it largely to walk-in clients. “But with the national launching slated on April 19 to be graced by no less than Trade Sec. Domingo, then the TP in Cebu will get a big boost in marketing promotion,” he added.
Bonghanoy hailed the active assistance of the DTI 7 to small and medium enterprises in Cebu. (PIA-Cebu)
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“Be vigilant consumers,” DTI 7 advises the public
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, March 14 (PIA) -- Be vigilant consumers.
This was the advice given by the regional chief of the Department of Industry (DTI) 7 amid the non-ending fuel price increases that will ultimately affect the costs of basic goods and commodities.
DTI 7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte said the incessant oil price hikes will definitely have an impact on the costs of basic goods and commodities but that as consumers, we have to be vigilant that the increases are not too exorbitant.
“A vigilant consumer is a protected consumer,” said Caberte.
Caberte advised the public to always check the prices of basic goods they frequently buy and whether the costs remain the same a week before or have unfairly increased to a large degree.
The DTI 7 chief said that constant vigilance can protect the consumers from unscrupulous traders who try to take advantage of the rising oil prices by hiking the costs of basic products.
Althoug Caberte said that they are regularly conducting price monitoring of basic goods and commodities in the market to ensure that prices remain within the suggested retail prices (SRP).
The SRP is the agreement between the government and the manufacturers and retailers on the selling price for basic goods and that these prices should not go beyond the recommended retail price, according to Caberte4
;Among the products being monitored by the DTI 7 are canned sardines, fresh eggs, certain brands of milk, cooking oil, processed meat, flour and detergent bar.
Caberte also advised the public to always check the expiry date of the goods they buy.
Caberte urged the public to immediately report to their office or to the respective consumers’ welfare desk in respective commercial establishments regarding any excessive increases in prices of basic commodities. (PIA-Cebu)
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Basic commodities in Cebu register only minimal increases despite oil price hikes, DTI 7 says
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, March 14 (PIA) – Prices of basic commodities in Cebu have increased amid the non-ending price hikes of petroleum products but these increases are “just minimal,” according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7.
DTI 7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte admitted during a PIA Kapihan that for the past three months, costs of basic goods registered a slight increase but that these are still within the suggested retail prices (SRP).
“The increases are very minimal,” Caberte said.
Though Caberte did not cite specific price increases among basic commodities except for canned sardines which she said is priced at the highest at P13.30 depending on the brand.
Among the items being regularly monitored by the DTI 7 are flour, detergent bars, processed meat, certain brands of milk, cooking oil and fresh eggs.
“We are conducting at least once a month price monitoring but I think we will do it more often considering the frequent hikes of fuel prices,” Caberte said.
The DTI 7 chief said it is inevitable for some products to raise their prices especially those that use massive power production costs such as cement and steel bars.
“But for prime commodities that do not use massive power production costs, then prices of these products will not increase that much,” Caberte disclosed.
Caberte said the consumers will not likely feel the effect of the increases yet because usually manufacturers stockpile their products good for three months.
“But manufacturers cannot just increase the prices of their products because it has to follow the SRP policy. Also, manufacturers have to prove a show-cause order why they are raising the prices of their goods,” Caberte declared.
“Manufacturers are also policing their own ranks in case any of their retailers have unscrupulously hiked the costs of basic commodities taking advantage of the frequent fuel price increases,” said Caberte.
Caberte said that so far, they have not received any reports that costs of basic goods have risen exorbitantly in Central Visayas including in Cebu. (PIA-Cebu)