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A Pakistani woman took her four kids and made a dangerous trek to India to be with her lover she met through the popular video game PUBG.

July 09, 2023 1:02 PM

Mr Grossi was met with angry protests by civic groups as he arrived in South Korea on Friday.

July 09, 2023 12:26 PM

She is second Cabinet-level member of Mr Biden’s administration to visit Beijing in a month.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said he understands concerns remain over plans to release treated nuclear water into the ocean, but added that a review released last week found it was “in conformity with international safety standards”.

Some fans of K-pop are turning to Thai music and dramas, lured by creative plot lines, ‘less repetitive’ songs, and the ‘more well-rounded’ talent.

Heavy rain in India's capital has caused the city to flood, leaving residents stranded and vehicles at a standstill.

Despite tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea, Vietnam’s ‘No 1 priority’ is maintaining stable bilateral ties, analysts say. But that hasn’t stopped Hanoi hedging its bets via some ‘diplomatic balancing’.

The year is 1861. Mughal rule has just ended, Delhi is in ferment and decline - then a bed gets stolen.

One year after Sri Lanka's extraordinary people's protest, what has changed in the country?

WITH the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals in the country, an industry expert urged businesses to consider hiring and training women, students and veterans to help address the ongoing skills gap.

Alan Reyes, country manager of Fortinet Philippines, said tapping into these new talent pools will enhance the skills of companies’ current security teams to protect themselves from cyber threats.

“These are the underrepresented groups in the tech industry. Diversifying talents will help increase the number of qualified individuals to close the shortage,” he said.

According to the senior economic growth specialist of the United States Agency for International Development-Office of Economic Development Governance, John Avila, there are only around 200 cybersecurity professionals in the country.

Avila encouraged students and young professionals to look into the promising career in cybersecurity as this is a job that is in demand globally.

Reyes noted that understaffed security teams and a shortage of senior-level personnel make companies more vulnerable to breaches.

According to the Fortinet 2023 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap report, 86 percent of information technology and cybersecurity decision-makers in the Philippines and Malaysia agreed that the skills shortage creates more cyber risks for their organizations, with over half admitting they struggle to recruit and retain qualified professionals for their security teams.

To address this, Reyes said companies can look to untapped communities, including women, veterans and students, and provide accessible cybersecurity training to those looking for a career change.

“By investing in these new talents, Filipino organizations can broaden their candidate pool and help build a stronger defense against cyber threats,” he said.

The (ISC)² 2022 Cybersecurity Workforce Study revealed that the Asia-Pacific region requires at least 2.2 million cybersecurity talents, leaving traditional candidates with cybersecurity degrees or relevant work experience unable to meet this demand alone.

“In the face of a severe skills shortage, retaining top talent is crucial for organizations in the Philippines. To achieve this, leaders must prioritize employee experience and job satisfaction by offering more opportunities for professional growth and skill development. One way to do this is by encouraging team members to take advantage of high-quality cybersecurity training and certification programs, such as those offered by the Fortinet Training Institute,” said Reyes.

The Network Security Expert program, with its self-paced and instructor-led training, provides eight levels of cybersecurity certification that cater to different skill levels.

“By investing in their employees’ growth, Filipino organizations can empower their team members to progress in their careers, while also providing a strong foundation for newcomers looking to build a career in the industry,” he said.

Moreover, to address the ongoing skills gap, colleges and universities are expanding their cybersecurity degree programs.

By partnering with these institutions, organizations can provide opportunities for students to acquire industry-recognized certifications even before graduation, ensuring a pipeline of qualified candidates to fill critical cybersecurity roles.

“The cybersecurity skills gap remains a significant challenge for organizations in the Philippines. However, by adopting innovative approaches such as investing in new talent, empowering current employees with professional growth opportunities, and partnering with educational institutions, Filipino organizations can address the skills shortage and build a vigorous defense against cyber threats,” said Reyes.

He added that doing all these will help companies ensure they are adequately equipped to face the more tech-related challenges and secure their critical digital assets.

DANAO City in northern Cebu is more than ready to accept local and foreign investments. It guarantees a huge market and public participation, and offers green initiatives, effective governance and business-friendly policies.

This was Mayor Thomas Mark “Mix” Durano’s assurance to players who want to invest and expand their business outside of Metro Cebu, during the Danao City Investment Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu City on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

In his speech, Durano said the forum was part of his administration’s thrust to make Danao City become “a model city of sustainable development in the Island of Cebu” for the next three years.

To achieve this, he unveiled four strategies: Economic Resiliency, Empowered Citizens, Eco-friendly/Livability, and the Effective and Efficient Governance.

“We need to be economic resilient, learning from the experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic... promote interactive good governance, being effective and efficient, and, lastly, purposefully promote and protect the environment,” he said.

The mayor pointed out that Danao City was identified as the next growth city in northern Cebu, based on the Metro Cebu Roadmap for Sustainable Urban Development of the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

To fast-track investments in the city, the local government unit activated the Danao City Investment and Promotions Center (DCIPC), Danao City Investment and Incentives Board (DCIIB) and Danao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCI) last year.

Durano said these organizations will work together with the City Government by directly engaging and guiding the private sector and investors who want to expand in the city.

He said the City also aims to be more sustainable by prioritizing the environment.

He cited Danao City’s advantages, which include its huge market population, proximity to other municipalities that have an increasing population and accessibility to a port and terminal to Metro Cebu and other regions.

How to invest

DCIPC officer-in-charge Ramon “Red” Durano VI assured potential investors that in Danao City there will be no delays, as the DCIPC, DCIIB and DCCCI will be the designated platforms for them to inquire and collaborate with the City Government and industry leaders.

“If they want to see what it is like to invest in Danao, they can approach the chamber of commerce. If they want to know what Danao can offer, we have an investment and promotion center, and we have Danao City Investment and Incentives Board who makes the policies to make our city investment-attractive,” Durano VI told SunStar Cebu during the forum.

He said the City Government has also passed ordinances and resolutions that promote a more business-friendly policy to attract investors, including the Public-Private Partnership ordinance that sets the guidelines and the legal framework for the City to enter into contractual arrangements with the private sector.

He said they are also developing a platform to incentivize businesses and investors who will be venturing in the city.

He said they will hold more activities to further promote the city for potential investments.

Durano VI said the various educational scholarships and assistance programs offered by the City Government also guarantee a pool of talents in the city.

He is optimistic that they will be able to achieve the City’s goal of economic sustainable development.

Future projects

Danao City has 17 projects to boost the local economy, according to Ramon Gorre, officer in charge of the Danao City Planning and Development Office, during the forum.

One is the reconstruction of the Danao City Public Market, which was struck by fire in 2022. The new market, which will accommodate over 1,200 commercial stalls at affordable rates, is targeted for completion in 2024.

Chains of mini or satellite markets will be built in strategic locations across the city to bring goods and services closer to local households.

Gorre said land development has started for this project and will begin in Barangay Guinsay.

Another project is the construction of the Danao City Sports Complex, which will house an Olympic-sized swimming pool and an indoor basketball and volleyball court.

A Highland Leisure District is also being built that will house an 18-hole golf course.

He said the City is also building a three-story parking building in Barangay Poblacion that can cater to 350 cars and 300 motorcycles.

In addition, the project is open for partnership agreements and will offer commercial spaces and advertising boards that are available for lease to maximize potential revenue.

Gorre said the second phase of the Danao City Bulk Water Project will soon start.

The P30 million water supply project consists of a water dam that can hold about 25,000 cubic meters of surface water before flowing to the water treatment plant in Barangay Dinakot.

Gorre said the City Government also plans to add to its commercial and industrial sectors.

“With that, we are opening up and developing new commercial centers,” he said.

Gorre said the other projects lined up in the city are:

* A 400-hectare Industrial Zone;

* A 100-hectare Danao City Light Industrial Park Economic Zone Development;

* A circumferential road;

* A sea bus going from Danao to the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue;

* SM Prime Holdings Inc. in Barangay Taytay;

* Cebu Landmasters Casa Mira in Barangay Guinsay;

* A Cebudoc Group Township;

* Double Dragon Central Hub Danao Cebu;

* A Waste-to-Energy Plant Project; and

* A Toyota showroom.

Gorre said they are developing other sites for economic activities to flourish since Barangay Poblacion, which is the city’s commercial district, is already congested.

Incoming investors

Businesses have been relocating to the city, attracted by its stable economy, potential market and ease of doing business.

Dorothy Pinyoloya, chief executive officer (CEO) of TransitX, has invested US$759 million to manufacture podways in Danao City.

Transit X is an international firm that builds podways, a car-like suspended transportation.

“The reason why we chose Danao City is because it aligns with the ethics of our company and that is sustainability,” she said.

“Their public-private partnership has solidified our collaboration that we know the government will support us. We trust the City,” Pinyoloya added.

Michael Jimenez, CEO of Integrated Green Technology (IGT), has been in partnership with Danao City for more than eight years and currently has 12 waste-to-energy sites in the city.

Danao City has also been home to Cebu Mitsumi Inc. since 1989.

The Japanese-owned manufacturing firm produces “mobile devices, car electronics, medical devices, home and industrial applications, and wearable technology.”

It has nearly 20,000 employees. (EHP WITH DENISE MAE CODIS AND JUDIE LIZA ALANTOSON, CNU INTERNS)

THE Cebu City Government has increased the allocated budget for this year’s rehabilitation of barangay roads and thoroughfares from P70 million to P200 million, in a bid to also reduce road bottlenecks and traffic.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, committee on infrastructure chairman, told SunStar Cebu on Thursday, July 6, 2023, that the P100 million had already been awarded to Socor Construction Corp.

Guardo said 80 percent of P100 million will be spent for the rehabilitation of roads and bridges while the remaining 20 percent will be allocated for other structures like public parks, playgrounds and open basketball courts.

Meanwhile, the remaining P100 million is still on hold for the next bidding process for other projects.

The allocated budget for asphalt overlay will be deposited under the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) maintenance project.

Guardo explained that the City Government is focusing on the improvement of barangay and interior roads within the city including mountain barangays.

He said the DEPW will be the supervising agency for the “asphalt storm” project of the City Government.

He assured that the DEPW would accept requests from any barangay that wishes to have road asphalting in their area.

However, the DEPW would prioritize roads in dilapidated condition, Guardo added.

He said it will be Mayor Michael Rama who will choose which barangays need to be prioritized.

“The mayor will identify among those who have submitted requests coming from different barangays. He will choose who his priority is. If someone has been chosen, that will be the time when our contractor will start working,” Guardo said.

He explained the primary role of the DEPW is to classify dilapidated roads that need immediate interventions.

Contractor’s achievement

Apolo Dante, DEPW asphalting storm project head, told SunStar Cebu that Socor Construction has completed only two roads in Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City, namely Golam Drive and Tandang Sora Street.

Golam Drive stretches up to 60 meters while Tandang Sora Street extends up to 300 meters.

Dante said almost all barangays in Cebu City have requested for road repair, especially with the advent of barangay elections.

Dante assured that even before the start of the asphalt storm project, the DEPW had already been doing road repairs in different barangays in Cebu City since January.

He said the DEPW has been implementing asphalting, patching, and retreading of roads as per priority scheduled based on request.

The DEPW has asphalted the following barangays: Mambaling (Sinulog Route and Stage), Basak San Nicolas (Alumnus Access road to SRP), Tejero (Tejero National HIgh School Ground), Zapatera (Tourism Office Ground), and Labangon (DSWD ground and Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. National High School).

The DEPW also implemented road retreading and patching in the following areas: Burgos St.,Barangay Sto. Niño; Alfonso Arcilla St.,Talamban; Sitio Kabulakan and Forest Hills Duterte St., in Guadalupe; Vestil St. BRT, and Bagsakan Entrance Road in Mambaling.

Traffic management

The Traffic Management Committee (TMC) Board has urged the DEPW to fully implement the asphalting of city streets since last year.

Kent Francesco Jongoy told SunStar Cebu on Monday, July 3, 2023, that the TMC board emphasized the importance of the quality of roads in many meetings the board had with the DEPW.

Jongoy said the efficiency of transportation sometimes depends on the quality of the city’s roads.

“This concern has been constantly raised by the TMC Board’s business sector headed by member Mike Jo,” Jongoy added.

Jongoy said potholes significantly increase travel time and create bottlenecks due to the drivers’ common attitude of avoiding them to prevent damage to their vehicles.

He shared that in one of his walk-throughs with Rama, the mayor emphasized the importance of having good quality roads in connection with the City’s vision to achieve a Singapore-like status.

“The current status of our streets is far from perfection,” Jongoy said.

However, he said the board is optimistic that city engineering offices, both local and national, can provide measures to maintain and improve the conditions of the roads.

He explained the TMC-Board’s primary functions under City Ordinance 1264 are to monitor and coordinate with national agencies in relation to the DEPW implementation of road infrastructure projects.

“Well, the only way toward development is through our roads in a compact city like ours,” Jongoy said.

Conversion

In April 2022, the Cebu City Government turned over nine roads, namely Sanciangko St., N. Escario St., Leon Kilat St., F. Ramos St., J. Alcantara St., P. del Rosario St., Junquera St., F. Vestil St. and A. Soriano St. to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for immediate implementation of asphalting of these roads.

Guardo said the City Government has requested for these roads to be converted from barangay roads to national roads.

“We endorsed those nine roads to be under the National Government, but we are still waiting for the approval. So what we did was to channel Congressman Eduardo Rama and Congresswoman Rachel Marguerite del Mar to file a bill to declare those as national roads,” he said.

He explained that once these roads are identified as national roads, the City will pass on its responsibility to the DPWH and all the maintenance will be at the latter’s expense.

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama considers center islands as obstructions that take up the city’s major roads and thoroughfares, said Councilor Jerry Guardo of the committee on infrastructure.

In an interview with SunStar Cebu on Thursday, July 6, 2023, Guardo said Rama believes center islands are no longer necessary along national roads and add to traffic congestion by taking up space that could be utilized for an additional lane.

Guardo explained that the main reason for removing the center islands is to improve the traffic flow.

“If we have a clearer highway, then we can ease the flow of traffic,” he said.

Guardo said the demolition of center islands is being handled by the Department of Public Works and Highways without any cost to the city government.

He explained that the mayor always has the right and prerogative to demolish these structures.

“(It’s) upon the order of the mayor, so we just implement. There is an agency that does the implementation under the office of the mayor, but it will be executed by the DPWH,” Guardo said.

He said a few center islands had already been removed.

However, the removal of the center island along Pope John Paul II Avenue was withheld due to the number of trees in the area that would be affected.

“We want it to be removed also, but there are concerns from the other party with regard to those trees that will be affected,” Guardo said.

He said the demolitions don’t take much time with the use of heavy equipment.

In June 2023, SunStar Cebu reported that some opposing parties claimed that the removal of center islands along Pope John Paul II Avenue would only pose a hazard to pedestrians and affect the movement of vehicles in the area.

A YEAR after it opened, the five-story socialized housing condominium in Barangay Lorega is now fully utilized.

Fritzgerald Herrera, barangay captain of Lorega San Miguel, said the medium-rise building (MRB) with 100 units has reached full occupancy and is currently housing up to 100 families.

The MRB is a donation from Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) in compliance with the balanced housing program of the National Government and is part of Cebu City’s socialized housing program which aims to provide affordable housing to informal settlers and city residents.

Herrera said 70 percent of the beneficiaries are from Barangay Lorega while the remaining 30 percent are from other barangays including Mabolo, Zapatera, Kamagayan and Tejero.

Beneficiaries were chosen by the local government with recommendations from the barangay which included residents who were displaced due to court demolition orders, implementation of the three-meter easement on waterways, fire-related incidents and natural disasters.

Building Administrator Arnie Llamado told SunStar Cebu that the condominium units are being rented by the beneficiaries for P1,500 a month.

Llamado also said units are not rent-to-own but will serve as “training grounds” for beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries will be evaluated every six months to assess their physiological and mental well-being for up to two years. Once deemed suitable, they will be allowed to move to an upscale housing project that is currently in the works and is funded by the City Government.

“We hold two to three meetings every week for the residents here since it can surely help them in developing better habits and mindsets,” said Llamado.

Beneficiary Maria Estrellita, who was a victim of a fire incident in Lorega in 2014, emphasized how beneficial the project has been for her family of eight.

“Okay ra jud kaayo mi diri. Karon pasalamat jud kaayo ko nga naka-avail mi ana nga condo (We’re really okay here. Now l am very grateful that we were able to avail of this condo),” she said. (RJM with CNU Intern Miguel Lumen)

TO SUPPORT the implementation of their livelihood initiatives, a total of P3.1 million was given to four farmer groups in Barangay Sudlon 1, Cebu City.

Around 222 farmers of the barangay will benefit from the funds that were distributed by the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas (Dole 7) on June 29, 2023.

According to Dole 7 Director Lilia Estillore, the subsidy would pay for the costs associated with launching the livelihood projects.

“They are very fortunate. Along with their blessing comes their big responsibility of taking care of their livelihood projects,” said Estillore on Wednesday, July 5.

Beneficiaries will venture into agricultural supply, poultry broiler production, cattle fattening and general merchandise industries.

The beneficiaries were from the farming organizations of Sudlon 1 United Farmers Association, Erpat Members of Sudlon 1, Sudlon 1 Women’s Association, and the Sudlon 1 Rural Improvement Club (RIC).

The recipients’ livelihood aid stems from the Dole Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP), which aims to contribute to poverty reduction.

Projects

From the funds, a total of P800,000 will be allotted for the agricultural supply business of beneficiaries from Sudlon 1 United Farmers Association, while P499,000 will go to the chicken broilers production business of the Erpat Members.

The Sudlon 1 Women’s Association will get over P900,000 for its livestock fattening livelihood program, while the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) members will get P850,000 for its general merchandise venture.

Dole 7 said they will continuously track the progression of these livelihood projects of the different farmers’ groups.

Monitoring

To help guarantee that the livelihood projects are launched and executed successfully, a project management committee has been formed, with the barangay captain serving as chairperson and the other barangay officials serving as members.

“We urge the beneficiaries to make the most of the livelihood assistance that has been entrusted to them. It is not every day that Dole 7 is giving away P3.1 million,” Estillore said.

Estillore added that the barangay council will be in charge of canvassing and purchasing all supplies, inputs and equipment required to make the business ventures fully operational as their partner in project implementation.

Estillore, together with Cebu City Second District Rep. Eduardo “Edu” Rama Jr., handed over the check to Barangay Captain Dante Tabucal in a brief ceremony.

Rama said he expects the project to improve the lives of the recipients and create chances for long-term progress.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this transformative event, and we appreciate the dedication of all involved in creating and bringing a positive impact to Barangay Sudlon 1,” he said.

ABOUT 50 personnel from the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) are now deputized to issue traffic citation tickets (TCT) in the city.

Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) legal chief Hyl Retuya said on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, the MCPO personnel are to assist Team personnel in arresting and issuing citation tickets to traffic violators, mostly during night time.

Retuya said the deputized personnel from the MCPO have undergone a traffic refresher course that’s also given to Team personnel to update them on new and existing traffic rules.

“For example ... in Mandaue, (motorcycle) drivers are allowed to use any helmet because in 2019, the City passed an ordinance allowing motorists to use any helmet,” he said in Cebuano.

Retuya is referring to City Ordinance 15-2019-1438 passed in 2019 that allows the use of full-face helmet, half-face and/or open-face protective motorcycle helmet by the driver and their back riders or passenger while driving within the territorial jurisdiction of Mandaue City.

Retuya said only the MCPO’s deputized personnel are authorized to issue citation tickets for violations such as disregarding traffic signs (DTS), not having a helmet, not having a driver’s license, and failure to carry registration, among others.

The deputized police personnel should call Team when a violator is caught and the vehicle needs to be impounded.

THE Philippines may soon be using nuclear energy within the decade.

According to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael “Popo’’ Lotilla on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, the Marcos administration is working on the possibility of using small modular reactors (SMRs) as an alternative source of energy to address the country’s growing electricity demand.

He said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had a talk with developers of the SMRs on how to roll out the technology during his visit to the United States last April, wherein they also discussed Marcos’ concern about the safety, sustainability, deployability and affordability of the SMRs.

However, Lotilla said use of SMRs or conventional nuclear power plants will depend on Congress and private stakeholders in the energy sector.

“Should the Congress give the green light, then we wouldn’t be starting from scratch. So we will have to do our part in the executive department, such as preparing the (potential) sites and other requirements,” Lotilla said during the Pandesal Forum at the Kamuning Bakery Cafe on July 5.

Advantages

The Marcos administration said the use of SMRs will be in accordance with requirements and regulations set by The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the intergovernmental organization that promotes the safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy across the globe.

According to the IAEA, SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with the power capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit, almost one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors.

It has the advantage of being small and modular, thus requiring less space. It’s also easier to construct and is cost-effective.

Lotilla said the developers of SMRs have guaranteed that these are safer compared to a conventional nuclear power plant because of new technologies that minimize the risk of a possible meltdown or nuclear disaster.

“They use as a cooling medium not water but molten salts, helium and others that are not as volatile or susceptible to explosion or meltdown,” he said.

With the archipelagic geography of the Philippines, Lolita said that deploying SMRs will be more economical and sustainable.

However, Lotilla said SMRs are still in the demonstration stage and not yet commercially available. Even if it becomes so, the price per unit might be expensive for the government.

That’s why the DOE has collaborated with the National Economic and Development Agency (Neda) to develop a framework for the private sector to participate in nuclear energy generation, he said.

He said the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) of 2001 prohibits the government from owning and operating in the electric power industry, which is why the private sector must be tapped.

“Under the Epira, the government is prohibited from entering the energy generation space. And if there is a possibility or potential for the private sector to do it, then we should by all means encourage the private sector to do it,” Lotilla said.

July 09, 2023 5:00 AM

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