Helmet law mandatory starting July 30
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will finally implement the Helmet Law, or Republic Act No. 10054, An Act Mandating All Motorcycle Riders To Wear Standard Protective Motorcycle Helmets While Driving and Providing Penalties Therefore, on July 30.
LTO-7 regional director Raul Aguilos said that the operators, drivers of motorcycles, and back riders should be prepared for the monitoring and road inspection regarding helmet use.
The standard helmets are determined through the Import Commodity Clearance and Philippine Standard stickers, which will be placed on the helmet.
Anyone who violates the said act will get corresponding penalties.
The Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 aims to provide safety measures via mandatory enforcement of the use of standard protective motorcycle helmet. This is not only applied in urban areas but also in rural places.
Aguilos added that there are more violators in the province than in the city since "habal-habal," motorcycles that carry more than the required number of riders, and that they are more prone to accidents since they usually do not wear helmets.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminds the public to secure standard protective helmets because there are manufacturers, dealers, and retailers who sell non-standard protective gears.
DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte said her office has already accredited manufacturers and retailers where motorcycle owners can avail of the standard helmets.
From these suppliers, the motorcyclist can be assured that they get protective helmets that had been tested for safety and durability.(mbcn/hfg-PIA-RO7 & Maila Paguntalan/CNU Intern)
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Local execs draw up gender and development plan for 2012
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- Local government officials of the provinces of Bohol and Siquijor have come up with a gender and development plan for 2012 that would be integrated into their respective annual program for implementation.
This, after said officials attended a three-day training on ‘Gender Sensitivity and Development’ conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7.
Basic objective of the said training was to mainstream gender sensitivity in the development activities of local government units (LGUs).
The said gathering of government officials also resulted in the recall of their five percent (5%) annual budget allocation to be utilized for Gender and Development (GAD) activities which would make local governance more gender inclusive and participatory.
The activity held last May 9 to 11 in Tagbilaran City in Bohol was participated in by local government officials who have direct management of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS). Kalahi-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program implemented by the DSWD 7 in both provinces of Bohol and Siquijor benefiting identified very poor families.
A poverty-reduction program of the Government of the Philippines (GOP) with the DSWD as implementor, the Kalahi-CIDSS served fourteen (14) municipalities in the provinces of Bohol and Siquijor.
The 14 identified municipalities are now called Makamasamang Tugon areas which basically meant that the project is more of a LGU-led activity rather than a DSWD-led program during the early phases of the project implementation. (FCR/AS/DSWD-7/ PIA-7, CEBU)
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DENR-7, LGUs to mark biodiversity conservation areas in Cebu
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Visayas and the mayors of Alcoy, Argao and Dalaguete, Cebu have agreed to establish the New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP) at the 882-hectare Nug-as Forest-Palinpinon Range-Mount Lantoy area.
Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) director Theresa Mundita Lim, DENR-7 RED Dichoso, Alcoy Municipal mayor Nichomedes de los Santos, Argao municipal mayor Edsel Galeos, Dalaguete municipal mayor Ronald Allan Cesante and Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (CBCFI) executive director Renato de Rueda inked the agreement on May 15 at Argao Municipal Training Center, Argao, Cebu.
DENR-7 regional executive director Maximo Dichoso said the agreement is a product of a joint effort of the DENR with its partner institutions in establishing and effective management of biodiversity conservation areas in Cebu.
As indicated in the MOA, the areas of cooperation among the three local government units, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) and CBCFI include the development, adoption and implementation of a biodiversity conservation management plan.
The plan must be consistent with the existing forest and comprehensive land use plan, promotion and practice of good governance including transparency, accountability, and participation in the decision-making process.
The Nug-as Forest-Palinpinon Range and Mt. Lantoy shelter Cebu's endemic bird species, namely; Rufous-lored Kingfisher or Todiramphus winchelli, Black shama or Copsychus cebuensis, and Cebu Flowerpecker or Dicaeum quadricolor that also straddle in the towns of Alcoy Dalaguete and Argao, Cebu.
Dichoso added the Nug-as Forest-Palinpinon Range and Mt. Lantoy is one of the 117 terrestrial key biodiversity areas (KBAs) based on the criteria of vulnerability and irreplaceability.
According to DENR, the Philippines is one of the 17 megadiversity countries that collectively house two-thirds of the earth’s biological diversity and is also one of the 34 global biodiversity hotspots due to unsustainable resource use practices.
“We want to pursue active and aggressive promotion and conservation efforts on these endangered and critically endangered species through a meaningful partnership with LGUs and other civil society groups,” Dichoso said. (MBCN/HFG-PIA7 & DENR-7)
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DOT to conduct 6th PH Business Mission to Japan next month
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to conduct its 6th Philippine Business Mission (PBM) to Japan on June 24 to 30, and present the latest developments in the country’s tourism industry as part of its global marketing strategy in selling the Philippines as a prime tourist destination.
There are four major embarkation cities in Japan that will be the venue of the PBM. The cities and corresponding dates of the business mission are Fukuoka on June 25, Osaka on June 26, Nagoya on June 27, Tokyo on June 29.
Basic objective of the PBM is to present the latest developments in the Philippine tourism industry featuring new destinations, products, and services as well as position the country as an attractive and competitive tourism destination for the Japanese market.
This one-week event is organized in strategically located hotels in each city which includes seminars, travel marts, and cocktail receptions providing the opportunity for Philippine delegates to transact business with their Japanese counterparts.
Tourism industry players in the country accredited with the DOT are encouraged to join in the mission.
In Cebu, DOT-accredited establishments include top-rated hotels such as Cebu Parklane, Golden Prince, Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa, Marco Polo Plaza, Shangrila Mactan Resort and Spa, Waterfront Lapulapu and Casino, and Cebu Castle Peak.
Other accredited resort establishments as well as the travel and tour agencies are also expected to participate in the PBM next month. (FCR/Ma. Mitchi ablay/CNU communication intern/PIA 7, Cebu)
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DSWD-7 and the Philippine Army implements poverty alleviation in Neg Or
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) -7, in combined efforts with the 79th Infantry Batallion, 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (PA), deployed project staff and personnel to 11 identified municipalities of Negros Oriental to facilitate the implementation of the activities of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).
Kalahi-CIDSS is a national project of the Government of the Philippines aimed at alleviating poverty among identified poor families and directly managed by the DSWD. It started in 2003 with two provinces in Region VII particularly the provinces of Bohol and Siquijor.
But starting this year 2012 until 2015, the project would be implemented in the Province of Negros Oriental covering 11 municipalities, namely Ayungon, Basay, Bindoy, Dauin, Jimalalud, Mabinay, Manjuyod, Pamplona, Santa Catalina, Vallehermoso, and Zamboanguita.
Since some of the hinterland communities in NegOr have been identified with safety challenges due to the existence of groups with opposing ideologies, the 79th Infantry Batallion, 3rd Infantry Division of the PA deployed its own personnel to look after the situation of the area, and together with the social welfare agency, has come up with a strategy to ensure a secure and safe conduct of project implementation of activities in the said province.
Project staff and personnel deployed in said areas are tasked to facilitate the activities of the Kalahi-CIDSS project implementation, a community-driven development project in which the Kalahi-CIDSS personnel will be visiting communities, meeting local people and integrating with them as part of the process of community empowerment activity cycle.
With this new partnership with the PA, DSWD-7 will then be able to reach all communities in Negros Oriental and address its goal of alleviating poverty by 2015.
The project was launched together with the signing of a memorandum of agreement last April 17 at the Bethel Guest Hotel in Dumaguete City, NegOr that formally signaled the start of the project implementation. (FCR/AS/DSWD-7/ PIA-7, CEBU)
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DTI's Diskwento Caravan goes to Central Visayas
CEBU CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Central Visayas invites bargain hunters to come to its “Diskwento Caravan: Balik Eskwela Edition” that will open in the provinces within the region from May 16 to June 2.
According to DTI-7 regional director Aster Caberte, on May 16, the caravan will visit Bohol and on May 17, Tagbilaran City.
In Negros Oriental the "Diskwento Caravan" kicks off on May 22 in Jimalalud town and on May 25 to 26 in Bayawan.
On May 26, the caravan goes to Cebu - first in Argao and on May 27 in Dalaguete town.
Finally, on June 2, the caravan will be available in Sevilla, Bohol, and in Siquijor.
Caberte said a variety of materials for school and some basic goods are for sale at low prices. These include school supplies, uniforms, shoes, bags, and others.
The DTI ensures cheaper prices for all products. It als offers up to 50 percent discount on all school materials and supplies.
Caberte said the DTI had even gone as far as requesting priests to announce in their pulpits the one-day sale to the public.
This “Diskwento Caravan” is DTI's flagship project that aims to ease the burden of consumers on the continued rise of prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.
The caravan starts to travel nationwide on May 15. (MBCN/HFG-PIA7 & Mayette Baring/CNU Intern)
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Art exhibit pays tribute to Cebuano visual artist
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY May 14 (PIA) --- The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) and the Alternative Contemporary Art Studio (ACAS) launched an art exhibit titled “Cuevas: A Retrospective (Iconography and Style),” last April 27 at the Casa Gorordo Museum.
The exhibit pays tribute to the “Father of Abstract Expressionism in Cebu,” the late Wenceslao “Tito” Cuevas, in time for the 40th day of his death that fell on the exhibit’s launching day.
RAFI and ACAS joined hands to mount the exhibit that showcases the skills, abilities, and talents of the Cebuanos in the art of painting.
The retrospective exhibit at the Casa Gorordo Museum is the first of a series that deals with various aspects of the late master’s life and works.
On May 5, “Cuevas: A Retrospective (Personal Memoirs and Influences)” will be opened to the public at ACAS in Sacred Heart Parish. On May 23, “Cuevas: A Retrospective (Masterpieces and Rare Works)” will be mounted at the Cebu City Museum.
The concluding exhibit of the series, will be housed in SM City Cebu in June this year.
Cuevas, who started painting late in his life, invigorated the Cebuano art scene by putting out works in the abstract expressionist style, earning the honor as the “Father of Abstract Expressionism in Cebu.”
JV Castro, curator of ACAS and the Cuevas retrospective exhibit series, said that the exhibition in Casa Gorordo Museum traces the development of Cuevas’ art career.
“It focuses attention on different styles that the master employed all throughout his art career from the late 1970s to 2012. This exhibition shows the evolution of his style,” Castro said.
Tito Cuevas is one of the "Big Three" artists who does abstract expressionist style. This is a big contribution to art and heritage in Cebu.
“We want to celebrate not his death but his heart. We want to celebrate the life he chose to live because it sets a good example to artists who deviate the style that is in season now and the world,” expressed Castro.
RAFI Culture and Heritage executive director Dr. Jocelyn Gerra said, the Cuevas retrospective exhibit series reflects and is just one of the RAFI’s advocacies to value and preserved the artistic and creative aspects of local culture.
Gerra added that the exhibits are significant in giving tribute to a Cebuano master and for making people aware of the diversity of artistic expressions found in Cebu.
“Let the works now speak for the person who never likes to speak about himself. This is a tribute that we’d like to do for Tito Cuevas for the gift of artistry that he has given to us and we hope that his works will serve as an inspiration for the young and upcoming artists,” Gerra declared. (mbcn/AS/PIA-CEBU)
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DENR-7 urges industries to 'adopt' rivers in Cebu
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Visayas urges industries to adopt rivers within their areas of operations to help in cleaning the environment specifically riverbanks, 'esteros' and canals.
DENR-7, Maritrans Recycler Inc. and Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc. inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on May 2 at Diamond Hotel in Cebu City under the Adopt-a-River or Estero through the “Linis Estero” program of DENR.
DENR-7 regional executive director Maximo Dichoso said the program is a collaborative undertaking to put in place good sanitation and solid wastes management practices within the ‘adopted’ river, canal or esteros.
Dichoso also said, the program helps to reduce incidence of water-related diseases and those associated with poor sanitation such cholera, diarrhea and dengue.
“This will also encourage people to clean-up and join other rehabilitation activities in Butuanon and Guadalupe rivers and their tributaries,” Dichoso added.
He observed and heard reports of flooding incidence elsewhere and mostly they are attributed to clogged waterways with trash, especially in urban areas.
According to Dichoso, the adoptors may extend help or assistance in the clean-up of a river or estero by providing equipment, human power, and other resources needed to do the actual clean-up.
The DENR director said maintaining clean waterways is a shared priority as concerns of sanitation and clogged canals have become threats to public health and safety because of pollution.
Dichoso proceeds to explain that the Butuanon river is a 23-kilometer water body that originates in the mountain area around Metro Cebu and eventually discharges into Mactan channel with approximately 10-kilometer length of the river crossing Metro Cebu rivers and canals.
He added that Guadalupe river is another 12-kilometer water body which traverses in the mountain area around Metro Cebu and eventually discharges into Mactan channel with an estimate of eight-kilometer length of the river crossing Metro Cebu area.
Dichoso reported that in 2011, 11 industries signed an agreement with DENR under the ‘Adopt-A-River’ program. These industries included Cenapro Chemical Corporation, GreenCoil Industries Inc., Maritrans Recycler Inc., JLR Construction and Aggregates Inc., Lami Food Products Corporation, Profood International Inc., Treasure Island Industrial Corporation, Primary Homes Inc., Concrete Solutions Inc., Sunpride Foods Inc., and Cebu Holdings Inc.
For 2012, DENR-7 aims to seal 18 agreements with various business sectors and other local government units, he concluded. (MBCN/HFG-PIA7 & DENR-7)