Responsible parenthood is major key to illegal drug problem

CEBU CITY, April 24, (PIA) -- Law enforcement and rehabilitation may help curb the illegal drug trade, but the key in addressing the problem at the root starts with the family. 

Senator Gregorio "Gringo" B. Honasan, senate committee chair on public order and illegal drugs urged parents to watch and check their children closely and frequently and see to it that they are not hanging out with the wrong people. 

Honasan said the youth who are not guided by parents are prone to being involved illegal drugs, Honasan said in a press conference in Cebu recently. 

“Many of our drug-related problems especially those involving the youths can actually be addressed through good parenthood. We can only do so much in terms of rehabilitation,” said Honasan. 

With good parenthood Senator Honasan quoted, "dapat alam ng mga magulang kung saan ang mga anak nila, sino ang kasama, ano ang ginagawa, anong oras umalis sa bahay at anong oras bumabalik, those are the monitoring acts para hindi mauwi sa masamang bisyo, not only drugs." 

As committee chair on public information and mass media, he called on public support, as well as the press, to help government in its campaign on anti-illegal drugs. 

“Public information and support is critically needed,” to run after those behind the illegal drugs trade as law enforcement agencies also heavily rely on information relayed to them by concerned citizens on suspicious criminal activities, said Honasan. 

The senator also believed that providing alternative livelihood to those behind the illegal drugs trade especially the “small” fish is also important as a means to address the problem. (FCR/Clara Jane Ayson and Kimberly Gee Binga-an/CNU-Interns, PIA 7, Cebu) 

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Religious antiques promote as a historical tourist destination

By Amorganda A. Saludar

CEBU CITY, April 24 (PIA) -- The municipality of Argao may soon become Cebu’s historical tourist destination as the town’s oldest church features religious antiques, some dating back to the 15th century. 

The Museu de la Parroquia de San Miguel in Argao, in Southern Cebu, houses antique statues made of gold, silver, and ivory as well as other religious symbols like wooden altar and tabernacle. 

Also stored in the museum is a silver “carrosa” used during religious processions in the ancient times which is unlike any other “carrosa” today because an ancient carrosa is circular in shape and specially carved with silver and ivory. 

Another historic antique on display is the first “bangko” or chair used by the parishioners during mass. The bangko is made of a unique class of “tabla” or slab of wood of exceptional quality as even to this day after many decades, the bangko still remains sturdy. 

The museum is located inside the town’s oldest church which is the Parroquia de San Miguel (St. Michael de Archangel Church), which in itself is part of the town’s history built sometime in the 15th century. 

Engracia Birondo, the municipal public information officer of Argao, said many students from the different universities in Cebu and outside the province come to visit the museum for educational and historical references. 

“It is with great pride that we conduct educational tours to students that also reflect the local history of the province and particularly of Argao,” Birondo claimed. 

The museum is open every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 -11:30 in the morning and 2:00 – 4:30 in the afternoon while the museum also caters to visitors by appointment on weekdays said Birondo. 

Birondo said the museum also generates income for the municipality since visitors who would like to visit the museum pay P20 as entrance fee although students are given special rates. 

“For college and high school students, they only pay P10 while elementary pupils and pre-schoolers only pay P5,” bared Birondo. 

Nicolasita Pangan, one of the museum caretakers said they really devote much time in maintaining and securing the museum since some of the historical treasures are only found in Argao. 

“Amo gyud ni siya nga bantayan diri, usa gyud ni sa among angay nga ikapasigarbo diri, dugay na gyud kaayo ni sila, nagpasalamat mi hangtod karon naa gihapon,”(We really take care of this (museum), for this is one that is worth to be proud of. The antiques existed many years ago and we are very thankful that we still have them today) Pangan said. 

Pangan said the municipal government also helped in maintaining the museum by training caretakers on proper management of historic relics and how to accommodate and brief visitors on the significance of the religious antiques. (FCR/AS-PIA 7, Cebu) 

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DENR-7 says more sensible to prevent forest fire than controlling it

By Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY, April 24 (PIA) -- It is more sensible and practical to prevent forest fires than to control them. 

This was the statement made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) after two bush fire incidence occurred within the 630-hectare Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve (BWFR) in Barangay Toong, Cebu City. 

DENR regional executive director Maximo Dichoso issued three aspects to consider in forest or bush fire management-- prevention, detection, and suppression. 

He indicated several measures to prevent fire occurrence such as intensive and aggressive information, education, and communication. 

Dichoso cited the careless and irresponsible activities of people that cause fires such as throwing lighted cigarette butt, a campfire with still live cinder or charcoal, and a pasture land burned to improve live-stock grazing. 

In a campaign for forest fire prevention, he said information covers various topics to include origin, prevention, and control of fires, and the people’s participation by organizing and mobilizing the community to serve as volunteer fire brigade (VFG) at a barangay level. 

During dry season, Dichoso said grass and other vegetation dry up and become very flammable. He suggested that these dried litter should be collected and removed from the site because they are potential source of fires. 

Dichoso encouraged fire lines. These are 10-meter wide vegetation-free strips that are usually established at the borders of the plantation and at given intervals inside the plantation. 

“Greenbreaks or shelterbelts which are strips of vegetation composed of fire-resistant trees, shrubs, and vines should also be established,” he said. 

Dichoso explained that mopping up a forest fire that is all burning debris has to be extinguished thoroughly because this is an important component of fire suppression. 

He instructed all his field officials to continuously monitor and conduct regular patrol in all protected areas in the region so that DENR is able to prevent the occurrence of forest or bush fires, particularly inside the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) area. 

“As much as possible, we want to protect our tree plantation from forest fires as the damage may have been bigger,” he added. 

The protected landscape covers a consolidated area of 28,312 hectares covering Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve (BWFR), Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve, Sudlon National Park, Central Cebu National Park ,and the Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve located in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Toledo, and Danao, and in the municipalities of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, and Balamban.(mbcn - PIA 7/HFG & DENR 7)

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Cebu town develops youth advocacy on tourism

By Amorganda A. Saludar

CEBU CITY April 24 (PIA) -- With a rich cultural heritage, the local government unit of Argao is strengthening cultural tourism promotion by tapping the local youths to be the tourist guides of local and foreign visitors. 

Engracia Birondo, public information officer of Argao, said they are developing the youth to become the pillars in promoting the historical tourist attractions the town has to offer. 

“We have formed the Argao Youth Heritage Society or AYHS which consists of youth volunteers to help our town become a historical and cultural tourist site of Cebu province,” said Birondo. 

Birondo said the Heritage society was first created in 2008 composed of young Argaoanons from the elementary, high school, and even college levels who possessed huge potentials and abilities to become effective tourist guides. 

“These young people will be the ones to showcase to the tourists what our town has to offer as a cultural and historical destination,” Birondo claimed. 

The young Argaoanons are trained and developed as tourist guides that will welcome visitors and introduce the different historical and tourist spots of the town, the PIO said. 

The Society is supported by the municipal government through its tourism office, which advocates the development of their youths in facing people, teaching them to pay tribute and remember the foundation of the place and struggles of the Argoanon ancestors during the Spanish regime. 

Dielbert Pantinople Jr., 17, one of the members of the society said that being part of the group really helped him a lot especially in boosting his personality and gaining confidence in front of many people. 

Being a member has also led him to know his home place better and discover wonderful things in his locality that he can be proud of in showing to other people, Pantinople declared. 

“Siyempre nakatabang gyud ni nako to gain discipline and sukad naapil sa AYHS dili nako maulaw moatubang og mga tawo and daghan na sad ko nahibawa-an nga pwede ika share sa uban about sa Argao (Of course this has helped me a lot to gain discipline and since I became a member of the AYHS, I overcame my shyness to face people. I also learn many things which I can also share to others about Argao)," Pantinople declared. 

During the recent monthly meeting of the Cebu Association of City and Municipal Public Information Officers held in Argao, the group was introduced by members of the Society to the different historical and tourist sites in the locality. 

Birondo said members of the Heritage Society are really trained at an early age, so that their love for their hometown can already be developed and this will be seen through the efforts in promoting their municipality. 

“These youths at the same time can value their local history and point to the many different historical sites as well as tourist spots of Argao,” Birondo said. (FCR/AS-PIA 7, Cebu) 

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Cebu town develops youths to become tourist guides

CEBU CITY April 24 (PIA) -- With a rich cultural heritage, the local government unit of Argao is strengthening cultural tourism promotion by tapping the local youths to be the tourist guides of local and foreign visitors. 

Engracia Birondo, public information officer of Argao, said they are developing the youth to become the pillars in promoting the historical tourist attractions the town has to offer. 

“We have formed the Argao Youth Heritage Society or AYHS which consists of youth volunteers to help our town become a historical and cultural tourist site of Cebu province,” said Birondo. 

Birondo said the AYHS was first created in 2008 composed of young Argaoanons from the elementary, high school and even college levels that possess huge potentials and abilities to become effective tourist guides. 

“These young people will be the ones to showcase to the tourists what our town has to offer as a cultural and historical destination,” Birondo claimed. 

The young Argaoanons are trained and developed as tourist guides that will welcome visitors and introduce the different historical and tourist spots of the town, the PIO said. 

The AYHS is supported by the municipal government through its tourism office, which advocates the development of their youths in facing people, teaching them to pay tribute and remember the foundation of the place and struggles of the Argoanon ancestors during the Spanish regime. 

Dielbert Pantinople Jr., 17, one of the members of the society bared that being part of the group really helped him a lot especially in boosting his personality and gaining confidence in front of many people. 

Being a member has also led him to know his home place better and discover wonderful things in his locality that he can be proud of in showing to other people, Pantinople declared. 

“Siyempre nakatabang gyud ni nako to gain discipline and sukad naapil sa AYHS dili nako maulaw moatubang og mga tawo and daghan na san ko nahibawa-an nga pwede ika share sa uban about sa Argao,” Pantinople declared. 

During the recent monthly meeting of the Cebu Association of City and Municipal Public Information Officers (CAOCAMPIO) held in Argao, the group was introduced by members of the AYHS to the different historical and tourist sites in the locality. 

Birondo said members of the AYHS are really trained so at an early age, their love of their hometown can already be seen through the efforts they have shown in promoting their municipality. 

“These youths at the same time can value their local history and point to the many different historical sites as well as tourist spots of Argao,” Birondo said. (FCR/AS/PIA-Cebu)

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Trade Secretary launches “Ang Tindahang Pinoy"

By Juju Manubag-Empuerto

CEBU CITY, Abril 23 (PIA) -- Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo led the national launching of "Ang Tindahang Pinoy" (Filipino Store) on April 20 at Bridges Town Square along Plaridel Street in Mandaue City. 

During the launch, stakeholders viewed presentations on products from three Tindahan - from Cebu, Clark, and Davao - said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte. Among the attendees were buyers, exporters, traders, retailers, travel agents, and travel associations. 

The Tindahang Pinoy in Cebu showcases world-class products that caters to local and foreign tourists. 

Around 70 percent of these products are sourced from the region while 30 percent of it comes from different parts of the country. 

The products of the program One Town, One Product (OTOP) of DTI are also displayed here. 

The Tindahang Pinoy is a Public Private Partnership project, a linkage encouraged by Pres. Benigno S.A. Aquino III. 

The Tindahang Pinoy in Cebu is a joint project of the DTI and the Cebu Gift, Toys and Houseware Foundation, Inc. (Cebu-GTH). It opened last December and since then, the sales of ATP has been increasing every month because of aggressive marketing strategies, bared GTH Vice-President for External Affairs Pedro Sepulveda Jr. 

Sepulveda added that in March alone, the ATP achieved P300,000 in sales. 

Cebu GTH President Ramir Bonghanoy is glad that DTI has helped them with the setting-up and promotion of the ATP. 

Right now, there are already 42 companies showcasing their products in the Tindahan, including those from other municipalities and cities in the region. (rmn-PIA 7, Cebu/JSME)