Cebu Sun.Star

HOME Sourced captured its fifth straight victory after defeating the Wipro Tigers, 66-55, in the Hoop Nation Inter-BPO basketball tournament on July 16, 2023, at the City Sports Club Cebu.

James Villafuerte shredded Wipro’s defense to the tune of 32 points, six rebounds and five steals, thwarting the double-double effort of Wipro’s Jam Ferraren, who tallied 26 points, 10 assists and five assists. Home Sourced now owns an immaculate 5-0 record while Wipro is at 0-1.

The Newfold Wolves also kept in step with the league-leaders, as it crushed the Techma Knights, 100-60. Dave Sabandon shone for the Wolves, registering 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four steals, as his team rose to 5-1 in the standings. Techma lost for the second game in a row and dropped to 0-2.

Cognizant also bested the Amazon Aces, 53-44, to snatch its first win. Jig Lascona fired in 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals to hand the Aces its third loss in five matches. (JNP)

IF you’re a food enthusiast who enjoys dining out, you’re in luck because Foodpanda is reintroducing its own Dine-in service, an exciting program that provides an elevated dine-in experience that gives you up to 25 percent off your total bill through the Foodpanda app. Dine-in was formally launched in 2021 to cater to the growing demand for dine-in experiences.

Here are a few Dine-in picks whether you’re in Manila, Cebu or Davao:

Cha Tuk Chak

Cha Tuk Chak has taken traditional Thai milk tea and given it a modern twist. Its menu boasts a variety of flavors, including classic Thai Milk Tea, Thai Pink Milk and Signature Milk Tea with Black & Honey Pearls.

Big Chill

If you’re a fan of fresh fruit beverages, you got Big Chill. It offers a wide range of smoothies and shakes made with 100 percent fruits and vegetables. From classic flavors of Mango and Banana to ice cream made of Coconut Milk, Big Chill has something for every fruit lover.

YOGOST

YOGOST is a haven for yogurt enthusiasts who crave guilt-free treats. Its Greek yogurt is made fresh daily with natural and premium ingredients, offering a tangy and refreshing taste. Customize your own cup with a variety of toppings, such as fresh fruits, seeds and nuts.

Chachago

Bubble tea lovers should not miss Chachago’s innovative take on this beloved beverage. Chachago offers a wide range of bubble tea flavors, including classics like Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea and Taro Milk Tea. You can customize your drink by adjusting the sweetness level and adding various toppings like boba pearls, pudding, or grass jelly.

Hebrews Shebrews

Beyond crafting the finest milk teas, Hebrews Shebrews’ heavenly concoctions include the irresistible Dark Chocolate Milk Tea and the tantalizing Wintermelon Milk Tea. Kickstart your week with their heavenly Coffee Series carefully crafted to awaken your spirit and energize your day.

Golden Sugar

Experience the essence of Taiwan through Golden Sugar’s signature drinks like Roasted Milk Tea, Crème Brûlée, and Matcha Milk Tea. Golden Sugar not only offers exquisite milk tea creations but also delectable sandwich pairings to elevate your experience.

Sulbing Dessert Café

If you’re looking for a cool and refreshing dessert, look no further than Sulbing Dessert Café. They specialize in Bingsu, a Korean shaved ice dessert topped with various sweet ingredients. From traditional flavors like Injeolmi and Patbingsu to modern twists like Mango Cheese Bingsu and Oreo Bingsu, Sulbing offers a wide range of options to satisfy your sweet cravings. / PR S

ST. Theresa’s College (STC) Cebu celebrates a milestone of 90 years of academic service. After the St. Theresa’s Alumnae Association (STAA) hosted a successful 90th Founding Anniversary on June 10, 2023, now it’s time for another splendid celebration.

Hosted by High School Batch 1998, in collaboration with STAA, the STC Grand Homecoming unfolds on July 29, Saturday at the STC chapel and auditorium. This year’s theme, “Far Or Near Our Song Rings True” is inspired off a line from the Theresian alma mater song, “St. Theresa, Hail To Thee.”

The Silver Jubilarian hosts have been committed and hard at work to put together a program that will surely dazzle, entertain, and even leave nary a dry eye in sight. Other jubilarians who will bring their own talents and zest to the stage will be the High School Batches 1958, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 2003, and College Batches 1978 and 1998.

High School Batch 1998’s core group of organizers are looking forward to bringing all Theresian grand jubilarians together again, especially after a long hiatus from the yearly event brought about by the pandemic.

The organizing core group also would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the following sponsors: Roble Shipping, Prince Hypermarket, NY Buffalo Brads Hot Wings, Cebu Home and Builders Centre and Cebu Cable TV, who are all valuably helping them ensure that the STC Grand Homecoming 2023 will be a monumental and unforgettable experience for everybody celebrating it. (PR)

CEBU Governor Gwendolyn Garcia plans to expand the Minglanilla District Hospital (MDH) to turn it into a trauma center in the province.

The idea was discussed during a meeting between the governor and Capitol consultant Mary Jean Loreche, Board Member Stanley Caminero and other members of Loreche’s assessment team at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

But in order to achieve this, the MDH must first submit the requirements to the Department of Health (DOH) to be accredited as a Level 1 hospital and ultimately a Level 2 hospital.

According to the information provided by the Cebu Provincial Information Office through Capitol’s online news portal Sugbo News, Garcia wants to convert the hospital into a trauma center for patients who have experienced traumatic injuries from accidents such as falls, motor vehicle collisions or gunshot wounds.

By doing this, fewer patients will be referred to hospitals in Cebu City for additional care.

A Level 1 hospital ought to have doctors that specialize in surgery, pediatrics and OB-GYN, among others.

It should also have the necessary tools for outpatient services and other emergency cases, isolation areas including operating and delivery rooms, and a secondary clinical laboratory.

In order to become a Level 2 hospital, a facility must add departmentalized clinical services such as the respiratory unit, general intensive care unit, high-risk pregnancy unit, neonatal intensive care unit, tertiary clinical laboratory, blood station and second level x-ray.

According to Jaime Bernadas, head of the DOH Central Visayas, the prerequisites must be completed in order to advance through the many hospital levels and eventually become a trauma center.

The infirmary’s capacity must be extended to 150 beds before the development can begin.

Garcia previously tasked Loreche to lead the inspection, assessment and recommendation of the necessary improvements in the four provincial hospitals and 12 district hospitals in the province.

Apart from the cleanliness and service of hospitals and infirmaries, the assessment also covers the staff members to determine how well-kept they are to take care of the patients. (ANV / TPT)

When legends pass, it only feels right to highlight the legacy that they left for generations to remember and be inspired by charisma and body of work.

Almost two months have passed since the world saw another legend pass away. This time, it was Rock and Roll legend, Tina Turner.

Given the title as the “Queen of Rock n’ Roll,” Tina Turner is not only known as one of entertainment’s most revered figures but she is a survivor who endured so much before her rise to stardom.

Born in 1939 as Anna Mae Bullock in Tennessee, Tina Turner showed indomitable spirit. From being separated from her own family, working as a domestic worker, picking cotton at a young age, and being on her own at a very young age.

She later was married to singer Ike Turner. The two formed a group called “Ike and Tina” but eventually disbanded shortly after their divorce. As a solo artist, Tina Turner thrived and produced some of her biggest hits like “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Proud Mary,” “Nutbush City Limits” and more.

However, life got quite patchy along the way. She was severely physically abused by her own husband for most of their marriage. After their divorce, Tina had to start all over again and climb her way to the top, and she did.

The Queen of Rock n’ Roll’s comeback after the split proved only to be a good decision as she became one of entertainment’s brightest and most influential stars. She went on to win countless awards: eight Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, a Kennedy Center Honoree, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tina wasn’t only well-known for her unique and distinct voice, but she really knew how to turn heads with some of the outfits that she wore. From the stage to the red carpet, she knew how to get everyone’s attention by dressing for the gods. A fashion trailblazer in her own right, Tina was often known and seen wearing mini bedazzled dresses and dangerously high splits. Showcasing her bold and intuitive approach towards fashion is what makes her an endearing figure in the world of fashion.

From her amazing outfits to her undeniable swagger, Tina Turner was a force to be reckoned with. Her roaring, raspy voice reverberates strong and loud in all of her songs, producing headbanging songs one after another throughout her illustrious career.

The world mourns the passing of Tina Turner, but her legacy as a performer will continue to inspire and impact generations to come.

AT LEAST 1.115 kilograms of suspected shabu worth P7.5 million were confiscated by the Drug Enforcement Unit of Sawang Calero Police Station 6 during a buy-bust in Block 7, Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City at 10:50 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

However, the suspect, 33-year-old Jake Merson Rafols Mercado alias Kano, a resident of the said place who works as a fish porter at Pasil Fish port, denied ownership of the contraband.

The raiding team bought P15,000 worth of illegal drugs from the suspect using a boodle money.

They immediately handcuffed Mercado as he was about to hand them over the drugs.

Three small packs and 11 medium packs of purported shabu were seized from the suspect, who is considered as a high value target.

Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, head of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said that aside from being a bigtime pusher, Kano is also a member of a gun for hire.

Mercado vehemently denied possessing the drugs when interviewed by SunStar Cebu.

He claimed that he was eating in a carenderia, when the police arrived, handcuffed him, and then the narcotics came to light.

He did, however, acknowledge that he was detained at Cebu City Jail in 2020 for using illegal drugs and that he was eventually released the following year.

He has since worked at the Pasil Fish Port as a porter.

He also denied belonging to a gun for hire group.(GPL, TPT)

I am filing a civil damages lawsuit against Lorraine Badoy-Partosa and Jeffrey Celiz, two notorious redtaggers/terrorist labelers because they have incessantly and wantonly engaged in a vilification spree to demonize me and tar my good name and that of my organization, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

My purpose is to exact accountability for their false, baseless and malicious public statements against me so that they will stop this pernicious practice not only against me and other social activists but for many more who they have categorized as “enemies of the state” because of their critical or oppositionist stance—artists, lawyers, doctors, human rights advocates, trade unionists, teachers, land reform and environment protection advocates, media practicioners and many more—to government policies or programs and crimes and abuses committed by persons in authority.

Why only now? I had previously chosen to ignore these two redtaggers’ scurrilous attacks against my integrity and non-stop diatribe masquerading as legitimate news and commentary. I thought that my unbesmirched reputation and clean track record as a social activist and leader of the progressive alliance, Bayan would be enough to prevail over their lies and attempts at character assassination.

Unfortunately, in the age of rampant disinformation on social media platforms, boosted by the budget of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in the billions as well as so-called media entities like the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) owned by one self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, these lies repeated over and over seem to have become accepted as truth, at least by their unsuspecting followers and others who do not know me or of me. And my not taking any legal steps to defend myself and make these redtaggers accountable has been misconstrued by some as an indication of a weak defense, if not actual guilt.

Worse, not only myself, but the organization I lead as well as my son, journalist Alfonso Tomas “Atom” Araullo, have become the targets of their incessant redtagging/terrorist labelling.

I am acutely aware that redtagging of others has resulted in extrajudicial killings and massacres, enforced disappearance, baseless searches of offices and residences, arbitrary arrest and detention on trumped-up cases including the draconian Anti-terrorism Law and many other forms of human rights violations. I may be less vulnerable than those in the rural areas, or those who are not as well-known, but the threats to my security and well being are no less real.

Most important of all, I am filing these complaints in behalf of those who do not have the means, the opportunity and support system to do so but who are experiencing redtagging/terrorist labelling and the harassment, if not actual terror, this brings. I hope to encourage more of them to come forward and file their own complaints.

I have been told that it is about time these redtaggers are made accountable. That is what I hope this lawsuit—and others to follow—will accomplish.

Today, I yield my space to our readers.

A grandfather called me yesterday to complain against an alleged anomaly that is supposedly happening in the Cebu City Medical Center. Edwin B. Veloso claimed that a couple of weeks ago, they brought his grandchild to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) for an anti-tetanus shot after the child accidentally punctured himself with a needle.

He claimed that they had to wait long before their child could be attended to by a medical worker, only to be told by the latter that the CCMC had run out of tetanus vaccine. However, the CCMC employee allegedly told them that he has his own personal stock which the child could have for P1,000+. Finding the price prohibitive, Veloso said they left the hospital and brought the child to their barangay health center where he finally got injected with a vaccine that they bought from a drug store for a little more than P100.

He wondered how many patients and their families had been victimized into buying overpriced medicines from CCMC employees and why the practice is allowed in the city-owned-and-run medical facility. He urged the city government to immadiately look into the anomalous practice.

I wanted to call the only CCMC official I know for comment but remembered that only days ago, he was spotted in London with his family. But I expect Dr. Peter Mancao, whose loss in the Cebu City Council race last year I consider to be the worst mistake the Cebu City north district electorate ever made, to look into Veloso’s claim upon his return. This should not be considered an endorsement since not only are the elections still two years away, we are not even sure if he would run again. But Peter is a good man and I am certain that he will do the right thing.

Another reader wrote to say his attention was drawn to my colum “Like Singaporean” weeks ago. Aristides Llanos Archie said he visited Singapore again after 10 years last September and what he saw floored him.

“No city was more breathtaking,” he gushed even as he moaned that the dream for Cebu City to be Singapore-like may not happen during his lifetime. Maybe later, he said, but only if “we are determined as a community” to make it happen.

“That determination will, of course, start with tons and tons of discipline which sadly we Cebuanos do not possess,” the senior citizen said, citing the traffic situation, “culture of tourism” and environmental consciouness as areas that should be addressed.

“We can dream, yes but I may just hie off to Singapore every two years to be, feel, and live LIKE SINGAPOREAN.”

My former Political Science professor, Joseph Baduel also wrote. He recalled that at the beginning of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term six years ago, his men in Cebu “proudly proclaimed their big build build build infrastructure projects like the Metro Cebu Expressway, the North and South Coastal Roads, the Metro train, the Rapid Bus Transit and skyways, among others. Six years after, NOT one was started, much less finished.”

Their record in Cebu is zero, Baduel said, adding that “all they did was to inaugurate the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 building and the new third bridge and skyway to Cordova, which we all know were not their projects.”

He said he is crossing his fingers that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., “after winning in Cebu by more than one million votes” would be “more concerned and responsive to Cebu’s needs.” We hope so, too.

Finally, from Clemence Maudet came a confirmation of how hot it is in Europe now. Vacationing in Greece, she said that she felt like “KFC chicken inside an oven.” Avoid getting fried by the sun, dearest Clem.

INSTEAD of providing assistance, a senior citizen allegedly mistreated a 15-year-old girl.

To preserve the victim's dignity, the name of the suspect, who is believed to be in his 60s, has been withheld.

The minor victim, identified as Mika (real name withheld), who is reportedly not of sound mind, was escorted by a barangay official to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), where it was discovered that she had been abused.

Criselda Logronio, head of Barangay Capitol Site's Violence Against Women (VAW) program, revealed that the CCMC called their office to inform them of the girl's fate.

Mika was reportedly adopted by the suspect's nephew, a Catholic lay minister.

The alleged rape incident took place last week.

Mika narrated that the suspect offered to give her a motorcycle ride as she was going to get a baptismal certificate from a church in Cebu City where she was baptized.

The suspect offered her refreshments on the way but instead took her to a lodging house, where she was sexually abused.

The victim claimed that the perpetrator threatened to harm her if she resisted.

Logronio stated that they are now waiting for the girl's examination schedule at the Pink Room of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Meanwhile, the Women and Children’s Protection Desk of the Cebu City Police Office has already been informed about the incident, according to Logronio.(BBT, TPT)

THE Lapu-Lapu City Government will host the “Buhay Ingatan, Droga Ayawan (Bida) Bayanihan ng Mamamayan Fun Run” of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on July 29, 2023.

The race will start at 4:35 a.m. at the Lapu-Lapu City Hoopsdome.

The City of Lapu-Lapu Office for the Substance Abuse Prevention (Closap) serves as the focal office for the Bida program, while the DILG serves as the lead agency for the program.

In a press conference Thursday, July 20, 2023, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan said he is happy that Bida fun run is finally going to happen, stressing that it has been postponed several times.

"Finally, kapila na ni na move but madayon na jud ang atoang Bida run," Chan said.

DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. will lead the event along with Chan and other government officials and runners.

Chan said Abalos will join the 4K race.

Bida is a national anti-illegal drug advocacy campaign that involves local government units (LGUS), National Government agencies (NGAs), and other significant societal sectors. It will place more emphasis on drug demand reduction and drug rehabilitation.

"We are proud to say that out of 30 barangays, six barangays were already drug-cleared, and one drug free," said Chan on Thursday.

He added that the program will encourage other barangays to be also drug-cleared, adding that it will help promote Lapu-Lapu City as safe for tourists.

The DILG in Central Visayas reported that 14,298 people are expected to join the Bida opening, with the Lapu-Lapu City Government committed to gather 10,000 participants for other activities and 5,000 for the fun run.

The participants for the event will come from the different barangays in the city, different offices from City Hall, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Lapu-Lapu City Fire District, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Air Force (PAF), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Traffic Management System (CTMS), and Local Youth Development Office.

Chan encouraged their partner government agencies, different sectoral organizations, and the Oponganons to join and register for the Bida fun run.

He said registration fee for the 2K and 4K races will be P400 per participant. This will cover the runner’s T-shirt, race tag, early morning snacks, as well as medals and prices for the winners.

Walk-in registration is allowed from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Closap and Lapu-Lapu City Local Youth Development Office. Participants may also visit the Bida 2023 Run Kontra Droga Facebook page.

"This event will take only one and a half hour, so siguro before six o'clock, human nata ug naa na Hoopsdome," Chan said.

Chan said they intend to start the event early in the morning so as to avoid causing traffic.

"We encourage all the participants coming from the government workers, and we required them to join because this is against illegal drugs," he said.

He added that there is no age requirement, as long as the participant is physically fit and healthy. Senior Citizens can also join. (Judie Liza Alantoson, CNU intern)

THE Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) and the motorists both have the “responsibility” to ensure that the implementation of the motorcycle lane in Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) is successful.

Kent Francesco Jongoy, CCTO’s legal officer, told SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, that “traffic management is a two-way street.”

“Even if you put an enforcer in the middle of an intersection, install signages, and put up traffic light system but if the motorists or drivers will just disregard the rules and regulations, traffic management will still be doomed to fail,” he said.

Jongoy’s statement came after CCTO’s public announcement on its official Facebook page about the implementation of the motorcycle lane. The new policy received mixed reactions from the online community.

One netizen asked if the policy covers big bikes and a particular exemption of Cubic Capacity (CC) in the motorcycle lane.

“There is no distinction to the CC of the motor. This is a generic term for two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles which under our laws considered motorized bicycles and tricycles. So this will apply across the board,” Jongoy said.

He assured the public that CCTO has a lot of preparations in line with the motorcycle lanes.

Installation of information signages along the whole stretch of the CSCR and road markings for motorcycle symbol, which will be visible at the outer rightmost lanes in the CSCR, is among those being prepared.

Meanwhile, traffic enforcers will be fully deployed next week after their week-long information drive.

In line with the new mandate, Jongoy asked the public, especially the motorists, to cooperate with the authorities and follow the new traffic scheme

Safety for the motorists is the top priority and aim of this mandate, Jongoy stressed. (Erica Abella, CNU intern)

THE selection of schools that will house the contingents of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo that will be held in Carcar City, southern Cebu next month will be made through a raffle, according to Cebu 5th district Provincial Board Member Andrei "Red" Duterte, chairman of the Committee on Tourism.

Duterte told SunStar Cebu that they have already have a list of schools that the contingents from the 50 municipalities and cities in the province may use.

Carcar City Mayor Patrick Barcenas had earlier declared that 23 schools had already been chosen to house the participants.

"Naa nami list sa mga schools sa Carcar. In fact dili lang sa Carcar kay dili man ma-accommodate tanan...In fact karon magbunotay na kung asa sila mo stay, para fair mag draw lots," matod ni Duterte atol sa pakighinabi sa Superbalita Cebu pinaagi sa tawag sa Hulyo 20, 2023.

(We already have a list of schools in Carcar. Since they cannot all be accommodated, it is not just in Carcar. The schools where they will stay will be raffled off, to make it fair).

However, Duterte claimed that in case there is a lack of shelter, they have also informed the neighboring towns of San Fernando and Sibonga.

Last Wednesday, July 19, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia visited the Carcar City Sports Center to see how the venue is being prepared for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo on August 27, 2023.

The Cebu Provincial Government plans to install additional 500 to 1,000 bleachers since it anticipated that many people would watch the event.

Currently, the Carcar City Sports Center's bleachers can only hold up to 7,000 spectators.

Among the things prepared by the provincial government is the stage and other areas that need to be fixed.

"So far sa atong pag ocular sa Carcar gamay nalang kaayo ang atong changes, very minimal nga renovation works like sa pintal naa man gu'y mga rooms sa taas nga ang mga bildo nangabuak tungod sa Odette unya i-repair," Duterte said.

(So far during our ocular inspection in Carcar, very minimal renovation works are needed like painting. There are rooms upstairs where Odette shattered the glass, and this will be fixed).

"Mag dugang mi og mga bleachers. We are looking to rent additional bleachers nga maka-accommodate og additional 500 to 1000 so maximum capcacity if ever 8,000 ang capacity," he added.

(We will add bleachers. We are looking to rent additional bleachers that can accommodate additional 500 to 1,000 people, to increase the maximum capacity to 8,000 if possible).

The provincial government also plans to meet with the police to confirm the exact number of officers who will be deployed and with the staff of Cebu Electric Cooperative to make sure that there will be enough supply of electricity throughout the event. (ANV, TPT)

THE municipal government of Tuburan, in northwest Cebu will take over the administration of a famed spring from the officials in Barangay Molobolo to further its development after it was shut down last July 5, just a few weeks after it had resumed operations following a three-year hiatus. But a dispute and a resignation are complicating things.

Tuburan Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante told SunStar Cebu on Thursday, July 20, 2023 that he made the decision to take over the spring, which attracted 500-1,000 visitors daily, after the barangay officials in Molobolo failed to cooperate with the municipal government to reinforce safety measures there.

The mayor said “they are not proactive enough.”

Diamante indicated that the barangay council should work closely with the local government in order to manage the spring, which is owned by the state. However, he said this is not the case.

He said there is a disagreement between the municipal government and the owner of the property where the spring is located, which makes it more difficult for them to carry out the rehabilitation efforts.

The property owner is a relative of the officials in Barangay Molobolo.

Amputate

Last May 21, the spring was reopened to the public for the first time since its closure in early 2020 for rehabilitation. However, Diamante recently ordered its closure again after a child’s finger was amputated after being sucked into a drainage hole in the spring’s infinity pool.

The mayor said he personally shouldered the cost of the victim’s hospitalization.

Diamante disclosed that the reopening was done in response to the requests of locals to make Molobolo Spring accessible to visitors in time for the Tubod Festival, one of the highlights of the town’s 166th fiesta celebration in honor of its patron saint, San Antonio De Padua, last June 13.

He said he will hasten the rehabilitation of the spring as he plans to reopen it again before December of this year.

The mayor did not divulge how much it will cost the municipality to pursue the rehabilitative measures at the spring.

“We will hopefully reopen it to the public before the year ends, but we have to make sure that it is already safe to accommodate visitors, especially the tourists from other places,” he said.

The mayor estimated that the spring used to welcome an average of 550 visitors per day during weekdays and more than 1,000 visitors per day during weekends. The local government unit of Tuburan only asks the visitors to pay a P10 fee.

The Molobolo Spring features two large pools filled with cold spring water.

To keep the water flowing out and the water inside continually fresh and clean, there are pipes underneath these two swimming pools that lead to the sea, which the mayor estimates to be about 500 meters away.

The larger pool, intended for adults and experienced swimmers, is around seven feet deep, while the second smaller pool is for children, which is preferred by the majority of swimmers.

Uncooperative

Diamante said in order to manage the spring, the barangay council should collaborate closely with the local government, but he revealed that the barangay officials remain uncooperative.

In an interview with SunStar Cebu last July 7, Diamante said he was shocked to find no one manning the spring although numerous people were swimming there when he arrived.

He hopes that their conflict will be resolved and that the local authority will get along well with the Molobolo barangay officials.

Diamante disclosed that Barangay Captain Donna Sayson had submitted a letter of resignation to his office on July 19 with the intention of resigning from her position as the chief of Molobolo due to health issues.

According to him, the barangay captain’s state of health could be one of the reasons it was not able to completely fulfill its responsibility to watch over the spring there.

Dispute

The mayor acknowledged that there is more work to be done, especially because municipal resources are limited.

He would have welcomed the cooperation the barangay should have provided.

The other concern he will prioritize to resolve is the dispute over the privately owned land on which the spring is located, a portion of which is used as the parking area there.

He said the way heading to the spring is also owned by the same person, who is a relative of the officials in Barangay Molobolo, and that “our right of way is currently under litigation.”

He added that he has been sending letters demanding that representatives from the private party show up in meetings. However, he said he has not received any reply from them.

He remains hopeful that he can still pursue the spring’s rehabilitation.

“We really cannot do a thing about it since it is their right, but we will make a way how we can address this in a legal way so we can fully take over the spring,” said Diamante.

“We want to reopen it so that it is safe for the visitors, and also we want to move forward so that there will be no hindrances along the way once we can solely manage this,” he added.

Small effect

Diamante said the closure will not directly affect the town as it closed just weeks after it reopened from quite a long hiatus.

The spring, when operating, has the potential to produce revenue of up to P10,000 per day, the maximum amount they can take in on weekends.

Attractions

With the closure, Diamante hopes that the tourists visiting the town will make their way to the other tourist attractions that the town has to offer.

The mayor said they take pride in their other tourist spots such as the Tuburan Coffee Farm in Barangay Cogon, Blue Hole Spring in Barangay San Juan, Marmol Cliff and Atabay Peak in Barangay Marmol, the five-century-old Giant Dao Centennial Tree in Barangay Jagbuaya, and the popular Tuburan 360 View in Barangay Kabangkalan.

The Tuburan 360 View is the newest addition to the town’s tourist destinations in western Cebu. It gives the tourists a good view of the natural beauty up north and also the sight of Negros Island to the west.

According to Diamante, Tuburan 360 View welcomes an average of 650 visitors per day, adding that numbers of visitors could go as high as 1,000 tourists a day. Visitors will pay only P20 for the environmental fee.

“We still have a lot to offer to the town’s guests that are awaiting to be explored. We have a lot of beautiful springs here! Our [Tuburan] 360 View also has been bringing a lot of guests, which is beneficial for the town,” he said.

The municipality of Tuburan is 82 kilometers or 51 miles northwest of Cebu City.

The town is bordered to the north by the town of Tabuelan, to the west by the protected seascape of Tañon Strait, to the east by the towns of Carmen, Catmon and Sogod, and to the south by the town of Asturias.

THE local government unit (LGU) of Tuburan, in northwest Cebu will take over the administration of the renowned Molobolo Spring in Barangay Molobolo to enhance its development after it was shut down last July 5, 2023, just a few weeks after it had resumed operations following a three-year hiatus.

Tuburan Mayor Democrito "Aljun" Diamante told SunStar Cebu that he made the decision to close the tourist attraction after the barangay officials in Molobolo failed to improve safety measures there and claimed that "they are not proactive enough."

Last June, the spring was reopened to the public since its closure in early 2020 for rehabilitation.

However, Diamante ordered its closure again after a child's finger was amputated after being sucked by a drainage hole in the spring's infinity pool.

The mayor said that he shouldered the cost of the girl’s amputation surgery.

Diamante disclosed that the reopening was done in response to the locals' requests to make Molobolo Spring accessible to visitors in time for Tubod Festival, one of the highlights of the town's 166th fiesta celebration in honor of its patron saint, San Antonio De Padua, last June 12.

He said he will hasten the rehabilitation of the spring as he plans to reopen it again before December of this year.

"We will hopefully reopen it to the public before the year ends, but we have to make sure that it is already safe to accommodate visitors, especially the tourists from other places," he said on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

The Molobolo Spring features two large pools filled with cold spring water.

To keep the water flowing out and the water inside continually fresh and clean, there are pipes underneath these two swimming pools that lead to the sea, which the mayor estimates to be about 500 meters away.

The larger pool, intended for adults and experienced swimmers, is around 7 feet deep.

The second, smaller pool is for children, which is preferred by the majority of swimmers.(KJF, TPT)

TWO persons, including a barangay councilor, were arrested in a drug raid in Barangay Pitalo, San Fernando town about 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20.

Police Major Mark Anthony Villanueva, the chief of San Fernando Police Station, led the anti-illegal drug operation that resulted in the arrest of Dennis Caballero, of legal age, and Isabelo Umpad Diolan, 47, barangay councilor of Sangat, San Fernando.

The suspects yielded eight sachets of suspected shabu.

Villanueva said that they did not expect Diolan to be a part of the arrest. (BBT, TPT)

THE Commission of Audit (COA) has flagged several infrastructure projects of the Cebu City Government, including a drainage project where “excessive” advance payment of P199.323 million was made in 2021 but whose construction remained to have zero progress as of the end of 2022, and others that were terminated four to five years ago without the City recouping the mobilization fees that have run up to P28.8 million.

COA said these flaws have compromised the interests of the City Government and the general public.

COA questioned the contract that the City Government awarded through a bidding process to a Manila City-based contractor for the design and construction of the drainage mains located in several streets across the city on April 19, 2021, as part of the City’s flood control program.

As per the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) report, the project was slated to start on April 27, 2021 and finished on November 17, 2022. But COA said the contractor failed to transition from the design phase to the construction phase even at the end of 2022.

The P1.3 billion project involved the construction of flood-mitigating interventions along Cabreros St. - N. Bacalso Ave. - V.H. Garces St.; A. Gabuya St; and Leon Kilat St.- Escano St., Cebu City.

The contractor delivered only seven of 27 documents and design plans to the City Engineering, which COA said may be from the contractor’s apparent lack of technical personnel as some deliverables had no signatures from various professionals and were made only by a single engineer.

The City Government made an advance payment of P199.323 million for the design phase on June 15, 2021 on the contractor’s request, as it was already equivalent to 15 percent of the total contract cost.

COA also questioned the “unreasonable and unjustifiable suspension” of the project that was done three times with ease, giving the impression that the contractor was given unwarranted favors.

From the start of official work, the first suspension was given on May 4, 2021; the second on August 3, 2021; and the third on September 3, 2021.

COA called “flimsy” the reasons that the contractor gave for the delays, which were travel restrictions, rigorous testing for cross-border travel, and unstable quarantine status in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The contractor also said it was having difficulty securing various data on existing drainage and utility infrastructure crucial for the work of the designers.

The state auditor said due to the importance of the project, the City Government should have exerted efforts to expedite its completion.

Not authorized

Furthermore, COA questioned why then city administrator Floro Casas Jr., acting behind the authority of the late mayor Edgardo Labella, entered into a contract for this project in 2021 without the authorization of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).

The project was funded though the 2015 General Fund Lump Sum appropriation, specifically under the Repair/Construction of Drainage System label, but the state auditor stressed that the city administrator has no authority to bind the City Government into a contract using the Lump Sum without the authority of the SP.

Hence, COA made the recommendation to terminate or revoke the contract due to project delays of 247 days as of December 31, 2022.

The City Government must also recover the advance payment of P199.323 million and submit a detailed explanation on the excessive advance payment and leniency in the giving of time suspension.

Reply and rejoinder

In its reply, DEPW explained that due to rigorous travel restrictions during that period, people feared to travel across different regions in the country in case they got stranded, which he believed to be meritorious and justifiable due to the pandemic.

However, COA replied that despite the pandemic, the contractor should have made significant progress on the project, particularly since it took risks and accepted the contract at the height of the health emergency.

COA added that the contractor was given an advance payment at its request, showing that it saw the project to be feasible at that time.

Uncollected advance payment

As for the separate P28.8 million in uncollected advance payments for other projects, COA asked the DEPW, and the latter agreed, to retrieve these uncollected amounts from 13 infrastructure projects of the City Government from 2014 to 2016 that were already canceled or terminated and abandoned.

According to the subsidiary ledgers of Advances to Contractors account, an amount of P28.8 million of P46.3 million of the 15 percent Mobilization Fee remains uncollected.

These projects were terminated due to various issues such as lot ownership, presence of occupants, permits and clearances.

The state auditor first flagged the transactions in a 2017 audit report, which grew to 14 projects with uncollected advance payment in 2018; however, in 2019 the mobilization fee for only one project was fully settled.

COA said the City Government has made slow progress in retrieving the advance payment.

To prevent this from happening again, COA suggested, and DEPW agreed, to form a new Contract Review and Termination Committee (CTRM).

This CRTM will demand or initiate legal action against contractors with unsettled advance payments, forfeit the letters of credit or guarantee performance bond of the contractors, and blacklist contractors who refuse to settle their balances.

The committee also has the authority to impose sanctions against the erring City Hall employees that caused the termination of the projects due to fault or negligence.

OVER 300,000 households in Cebu City will get an additional water supply if the Filinvest Group’s proposal to construct desalination and treatment plants is approved by the City Government.

The Gotianun-led conglomerate has recently proposed to the City to increase the city’s water supply through desalination, utilizing the seawater off the city. Its officials paid Mayor Michael Rama a courtesy visit to discuss sustainable solutions to the city’s water supply.

According to Filinvest Group, Rama told its officials that he supports their intent, as part of the city’s vision to achieve a “Singapore-like Cebu City.”

“This partnership will bring affordable and sustainable solutions to our current water shortage, and I believe it will contribute to the development and progress of our city,” Rama was quoted as saying in the company press release.

“With Filinvest’s expertise, we can address our water supply challenges, and most importantly, provide affordable water for all Cebuanos,” he added.

SunStar Cebu reached out to Rama on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, to get further details about the proposal, but he declined to comment. City Administrator Collin Rosell was separately asked about it, but he said he had no knowledge about it.

Assurance

Johnny Roxas, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Filinvest Hitachi Omni Waterworks (Flow), assured Rama that Flow has the experience and expertise in desalination technology.

He told the mayor that their firm’s water desalination and treatment plants in Lapu-Lapu City have been in operation for over five years.

“We are committed to support the development and progress of Cebu City by addressing its water supply challenges,” Roxas said in a press statement released to the media on Wednesday.

Flow is a joint venture between Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC) and Singapore-based Hitachi Aqua-Tech Engineering that aims to provide desalination, recycled water, and sewage treatment facilities across the Philippines.

Backed by Hitachi Aqua-Tech’s expertise, Roxas said Filinvest is positioned “to provide long-term solutions to the water requirements of Cebu, possibly closing the gap on supply deficiency.”

FDC Water Utilities Inc., a wholly owned unit of FDC power and utilities arm FDC Utilities Inc., will operate the plants if the proposal is approved.

Tristan Las Marias, president and CEO of Filinvest Land Inc., joined Flow executives when they visited Rama.

“The Filinvest Group remains dedicated to enabling the dreams of the Cebuanos and further strengthening our presence in the city,” he said. “With the operation of these new water desalination and treatment plants, we aim to provide clean and sustainable water to the people of Cebu.” (with AML)

OVER 5,000 voter registrations were delisted in Cebu City’s South District in one week, said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, three months prior to the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Data provided by the Comelec-Cebu City South District showed that 5,162 more voters were delisted, bringing the total to 11,377, as of July 18.

Last week, the office reported that were 6,215 delisted voters, as of July 10.

Of the 11,377 delisted registrations, about 5,856 voters were found with two registered biometrics, followed by 3,801 deceased voters, 1,708 transferred individuals and 12 overseas voters.

Election Assistant Officer 2 Meguni Tapia said they started delisting in July 2022, two months after the national elections.

They have done three delistings already after the May 2022 elections.

In the North District, Comelec reported 2,682 delisted registrations from March 29 to July 12, 2023.

Of the number, 1,203 records were deleted due to two registered biometrics, 732 due to deaths, and 716 had transferred to another city or municipality, and 31 overseas voters.

A Cebu City North District election assistant who asked not to be named said these delisted voters came from the district’s 46 barangays.

The filing of the certificate of candidacy for BSKE will run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2. Election Day will be on Oct. 30, and precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (CNU INTERNS GK MARIE DEJACTO AND KIMBERLY GOC-ONG)

A TOTAL of P2.2 million in emergency cash transfer (ECT) was distributed to more than 100 identified fire victims in three barangays of Cebu City on July 13, 2023.

This happened after Cebu City South District Rep. Eduardo R. Rama, in coordination with the Cebu City Government, sent a letter to the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD 7) requesting it to conduct an assessment on the affected families.

DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Division said in a press release that 113 fire-affected families from the barangays of Mambaling, Sapangdaku and Guadalupe were ECT recipients.

The villages were placed under a state of calamity due to the degree and impact of the damage caused by fires in Guadalupe on March 7, which affected 10 families; Sapangdaku on March 14, 48 families; and Mambaling on April 19, 55 families.

DSWD 7 information officer Leah Quintana told SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, July 19, that the Cebu City Government provided the list of affected families.

The cash assistance distribution to fire victims was determined by two classifications: those with destroyed houses and those with damaged houses.

According to the DSWD 7, families whose houses were declared as destroyed received 75 percent of the regional wage rate (P326) for a total of 62 days, while those whose houses were declared as damaged will receive the same amount for 31 days only.

Of the ECT distributed, P1.9 million was given to the 95 families whose houses were declared as destroyed, while more than P181,000 was given to the 18 families whose houses were declared as damaged.

DSWD 7 had also extended a total of P2 million in cash assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program and provided food, as well as non-food assistance worth P881,000.

The agency said ECT is an adaptive strategy for bridging the gap between immediate disaster relief, humanitarian response, and early recovery support in disasters and emergencies through cash assistance.

The cash assistance aims to augment the basic needs of the affected families, which include medicine, clothing, hospitalization, transportation, educational support and food.

GCASH is poised to give more users access to affordable formal credit as it launches innovations for GCredit, in partnership with digital banking services provider, CIMB Bank PH.

The two companies are set to introduce new features for GCredit which aim to help current users manage finances even better and make it accessible for more users.

GCash and CIMB lowered the monthly minimum amount due to 10 percent of the principal loan amount plus interest and fees in line with making the service more accessible.

GCredit now offers a higher maximum credit limit of up to P50,000.

Moreover, the two firms are working together to make GCredit available for Paleng-QR Ph transactions.

There are about two million customers now empowered by GCredit. (PR)