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July 13, 2023 6:42 PM

Beijing is asking the US to “immediately stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese firms”.

There has been no letup in the attacks to fundamental freedoms in the Philippines one year into Marcos’ term as president, a rights watchdog said.

THE Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7) held Thursday, July 13, 2023, the 2023 Health Promotion Summit, which gathered health speakers and a number of participants at Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu City.

With the theme “Strengthening Health System: Addressing Infodemic and Unifying Health Promotion Actions towards Universal Health Care in Central Visayas,” the event was initiated by the DOH Center for Health Development Central Visayas to strengthen capacities of the country’s health care system.

The Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act 11223) mandates that the Health Promotion Bureau must ensure appropriate and strategic work on developing and implementing healthy public policy, reorienting health systems to prioritize health promotion and prevention, and increasing health literacy.

Welcomed by the DOH Central Visayas for Health Development Regional Director Jaime Bernadas, the event had a series of keynote speakers and participants who talked about important issues and emerging health-related problems in the society.

In his opening remarks, Bernadas mentioned the unprecedented challenges that tested the resilience of the health care system.

“In recent times, we have witnessed the unprecedented challenges that have tested the resilience of our system,” he said.

He said the global Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for transformative measures and to ensure the provision of quality health care services to all.

He also stressed the significance of creating strong, long-lasting healthcare systems that can quickly adapt to changing conditions and successfully meet the requirements of the public.

Bernadas believes that collaboration and partnership are key factors to achieve a quality health care system.

“Collaboration and partnership are integral to achieving our goals. By forging strong partnerships and fostering cooperation among various stakeholders. We can leverage collective expertise and resources to build a resilient health care system,” he said.

Bernadas said the goal of the event is to ensure that “no one is left behind” in the pursuit of universal health care.

“We are confident that discussions and deliberations during this gathering will contribute significantly to shaping the future of our health system,” he said. (Claudine Flores, CNU intern)

The Skyway O&M Corp. expressed their apologies to motorists affected by the heavy flooding at Skyway At Grade (ground level) Bicutan in Parañaque City following moderate to heavy rains since Wednesday evening until today, resulting in heavy traffic on both directions of the expressway.

July 13, 2023 6:35 PM

Details on the deal value are not known yet.

REPAIR of a septic tank on Plaridel Extension in Cebu City continued Thursday, July 13, 2023, almost a week after vendors at Carbon Market’s interim building complained about stench leaking from the tank.

The area in the market that has been affected by the foul odor since Saturday, July 8, 202, is called the United Vendors Organization of Carbon Market (UVOC), wherein several concerned market dwellers had to put towels under their face masks.

On Thursday, July 13, plumbers were seen in the area trying to solve the problem.

The vendors said immediate action is needed, as the area is no longer safe for their health and livelihood.

“Among problema kay among health ba pati among customers, kay sige mi og hingos diri sa baho. What about sa among madamtan kung magkinaunsa? Kay baho man gyud kaayo,” said a UVOC vendor.

(We are worried about our health and that of our customers, as we keep on inhaling the foul smell. The smell is severe.)

Carbon Market Cebu assured that it will release an audio-visual presentation in its official Facebook page that will address queries on what really transpired. (Denise Mae Codis and Miguel Angelu Lumen, CNU Interns)

CEBU Governor Gwendolyn Garcia requested the assistance of contractors and sand quarry permit holders in desilting the Buswang River in Barangay Cambang-ug, Toledo City to prevent it from spilling during heavy rains.

During this week's meeting with quarry permit holders and contractors, Garcia mentioned encroachment issues with those who were awarded industrial sand and gravel permits by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB 7)

The Cebu Provincial Information Office reported via Sugbo News that since Odette hit Cebu in December 2021, permit holders Lida Ruelo, Gimar Besaes, and Earl Daniel Dumadag had ceased mining sand and gravel in the river.

Garcia noted that even though the start of El Niño has been announced in the country, the rains are still occurring.

The governor asked the stakeholders to cooperate with the government after the desilting operations.

Desilting is a process of removing silt and sand from the river that causes the river to overflow especially when it rains heavily.

If the problem isn't fixed, the flood risk for the homes near the river may increase.

As a result, some private individuals have pledged to assist RCV Construction in completing the desilting activities.(ANV, TPT)

CEBU Governor Gwendolyn Garcia appealed for cooperation and support to further promote Cebu's tourism to the rest of the nation and the world.

This was her statement to the delegates of the first-ever VisMin Tourism Congress 2023, which was held on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.

Garcia underlined the need for unity and cooperation to fully realize the region's tourism potential, not just for Cebu but also for the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao.

According to Garcia, giving such a phenomenon structure is crucial so that “we can take stock of what we already know, our prior knowledge, our expectations for the future, and even our speculations about what might happen next. In doing so, we will be able to give the post-pandemic tourism industry the guidance it needs to increase both domestic and international tourism.”

In order to create sustainable tourism practices, promote cultural heritage, and improve the overall visitor experience, the governor invited tourism stakeholders to actively participate in determining the direction of the VisMin tourism industry.

Delegates to the VisMin Tourism Congress included representatives from the hotel, resort, and restaurant industry, airlines, and other tourism-related businesses.

The VisMin Hotel & Food Service Suppliers Show, VisMin Tourism Congress, VisMin Travel Sale, and VisMin Printing, Packaging & Plastics Show, are the four events that make up the Visayas and Mindanao Business and Tourism Sector Conference.

The invited speakers and specialists tackled on the latest business trends and development in the country's tourist industry, focusing on what the Visayas and Mindanao regions have in store.

The VisMin Tourism Congress strives to strengthen relationships and cooperation among stakeholders in addition to promoting sustainable tourism.

It provides tourism officials, governmental organizations, and regional communities a platform to collaborate on sustainable tourist development.

This entails exchanging best practices, discussing challenges, and identifying opportunities for collaboration.

The event includes speeches and presentations by well-known experts in the industry, offering participants valuable insights and motivation. (NWSSU Intern Juralyn Beso Baldomaro)

A 72-YEAR-OLD man graduated senior high school on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Daantabogon National High School, breaking stereotypes that age matters in education.

Carlos Saladaga, known as Tatay Carlos or “ALO,” took up General Academic Strand (GAS) under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) along with 44 others.

He is from Muabog, Tabogon, Cebu, father of one child and a grandfather of six.

Saladaga said that he received criticisms due to his age. But he did not let those words affect him because between them, he is the one who wants to achieve, firm in pursuing his studies despite having financial difficulties.

Inspirations

According to Saladaga, he was the only one among his friends who did not go to school.

"Sa una man gud, aduna ko'y mga barkada tapos sa among barkada ako ray wala ka eswela (I have peers before, and among them, I was the only one who didn't go to school)," he said.

"Og usa sad naka realize ko nga sa akong pag panarbaho mas nindot og nakuy ineskwelahan (One thing I also realized while working is that it would have been better if I had access to education)," he added.

Lymar Cueva, Saladaga’s former ALS teacher in junior high school, said Tatay Carlos is a hardworking learner.

"Usa siya ka kugihan nga learner ma’am. Eager gyud siya always nga makakat-on ug mapun-an ang iya mga nakat-onan. Active gyud siya always sa amoang mga class activities. Ug naa siyay gikalibugan sa among discussions, dili gyud na siya magpanuko og pangutana nako," he said.

(He is a hardworking learner, always eager to learn and expand his knowledge. He is always active during our class activities, and if he has any confusion about our discussions, he never hesitates to ask me.)

Cueva also highlighted an experience with Saladaga when he asked Tatay Carlos why he goes to school despite his age.

He said Saladaga replied that he wanted to be a good example, showing them that education is for everyone, regardless of age.

"Gusto nako nga makita sa mga kabatan-onan karon nga dili ulahi ang tanan sa pagskwela. Niskwela man gani ko nga tigulang na, sila pa kaha nga mga bata pa, ug pwede pa gyud nila magamit ang ilang gi-eskwelahan para sa ilang mga umaabot nga ugma," said Saladaga.

(I want the youth to see that it is never too late to educate ourselves. I even went to school even if I am old. The teens are even more capable because they are still young and can still work. Also they can use whatever they learned at school for their future.)

Future plans

Saladaga aspires to become an agriculturist.

"Gusto ko nga makatabang sa mga heroes of the land sama kanako mahiligon kaayo sa pananom ug organic ang mga pamaagi," Saladaga said.

(I want to help the heroes of the land who like me love organic farming.)

He also said that while studying as a senior high school student, he was also planting crops.

Now that he finished senior high school, he wants to immediately proceed to college. But he noted that it will still depend on their financial capacity.

Saladaga’s advice to those who stopped and did not return to school: "Kon unsa may goal nila sa ilang kinabuhi ipapadayon nila ang pagtu-on. Pag antusan gyud."

(Whatever goal they have in life, they should continue to study. They have to endure it.) (GK Marie Dejacto, CNU Intern)

July 13, 2023 5:50 PM

The move is meant to deter civilian passengers from opening a plane’s emergency door while it is in the air.

Theary Seng was convicted of conspiracy to commit treason, but was in reality punished for ‘making two posts on Facebook critical of [Prime Minister] Hun Sen,’ UN says.

PUBLIC school teachers are still doubling their efforts to meet the learning needs of students.

In an interview on Thursday, July 13, 2023, Marie Anthonette Rama, a teacher from City Central Elementary School, said they have been facing several struggles, as students nowadays lack interest in their studies.

"We do what is asked pero ang mga bata ug parents wala pa gyud sila na ready, nag adjust pa sila. They don't take school seriously unlike before," she said.

(We do what is asked, but the students and parents are not yet ready. They are still adjusting. They don't take school seriously unlike before.)

Rama said this problem has caused an increase in rate of absenteeism, which hampers students’ learning.

"Taas kaayo among absenteeism rate. They don't take school seriously anymore compared to previous, before sa pandemic nga ang bata mahadlok gyud moabsent," she said.

(Our absenteeism rate has increased. They don't take school seriously anymore compared to the pre-pandemic period when students are scared to get absences.)

Lack of school facilities, equipment

Rama also said that lack of school facilities and equipment remains to be a pressing problem in their school.

She said teachers have inadequate teaching and learning materials that would effectively engage students to learn.

She said the shortage of chairs and comfort rooms have been an issue, as it creates an environment that is not conducive for learning.

Charmaine Centino, a high school teacher from Cawayan, Dalaguete, Cebu, shared the same sentiments, saying some students also have poor academic performance, such as getting difficulties on reading.

Government support

Jesselby Lopez, an elementary teacher, said it is important to provide more seminars to support teachers in their teaching experience and disciplining the behavior of students, especially after the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

"I think sa support in terms sa mga seminars nga magamit sa mga teachers sa field especially nga mga bata karon kay two years sila ba nga naa sa pandemic, lahi man jud ilang behavior na," she said.

(I think it would be the support in terms of providing seminars that can be utilized by teachers on the field of teaching, especially that students experienced two years of pandemic. Their behaviors have changed.)

Lopez also said that they have taking enough time to teach students and develop their learning competencies and performance at school.

She hoped that the government will address the problems on classroom shortage and lack of teaching and learning materials in order to provide a good learning environment for students. (Camille Erika Butas, CNU Intern)

July 13, 2023 5:40 PM

The 22-year-old was also barred from using or carrying out online activities for eight years.

The landmark trial of Guinea's former president and 10 others, including former ministers, accused of responsibility for a massacre and rapes in a stadium,

THE Philippine Plastics Industry Association Inc. (PPAI) is working on the transition toward producing single-used plastic through organic materials to ensure faster plastic decomposition.

"I hope everyone will realize that banning or stopping plastic [production] will never solve the problem; it will just worsen," PPAI president Aaron Lao told delegates of the first-ever VisMin Tourism Congress & Travel Sale, which runs from July 13 to 15 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotels & Casinos.

In his speech, Lao highlighted the continuing issues and challenges of plastic waste disposal in the Philippines.

"When I started at the Philippine Plastics Industry Association last 2003, plastic has already been a topic. Now it's been 20 years and the plastic packaging is still going strong," he said.

The Philippines is known to be one of the largest contributors of plastic waste worldwide, with 60 percent of the country only having large landfills without proper waste disposal, he added.

Fortunately, with several of the country's technological advancements in the plastics industry, Lao said that innovation paved the way to provide solutions on how to dispose plastic waste without compromising the environment.

"University of San Carlos has been prototyping on a bio-plastic made from shrimp shells and mango kernels... this can be the future of single-used plastics," he said.

Alongside Thursday event are The VisMin Printing, Packaging & Plastics Show and VisMin Hotel & Food Service Supplier Show 2023.

The VisMin Printing, Packaging & Plastics Show is back to sustain the ever-growing Visayas and Mindanao technological communities creating innovative solutions, highlighting the main environmental issue being waste management and disposal.

This year's event showcases new trends, technologies, products, and services, as it urged hotels and local businesses to properly dispose their plastic wastes. (Chrys Chelsea Bernales, UP Intern)

July 13, 2023 5:30 PM

The rules will go into effect from Aug 15.

In a resolution dated Tuesday, the 13th Division of the appellate court granted the petition for writ of habeas corpus filed by the families of De Jesus and Capuyan last week a

A NEW multipurpose building and a skate park are seen to rise soon in South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City.

Cebu City Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros proposed the project during the City Council regular session on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, saying it can be constructed on an empty one-hectare property in SRP.

He said the project would benefit young people and provide a location for sporting activities and other community meetings.

“However, we must recognize that there are still gaps in our infrastructure, particularly when it comes to recreational facilities that cater to the needs and interests of our youth,” he said.

He added that Senator Pia Cayetano is open to allocating funds if the City can offer an ideal location for the project.

“Two weeks ago, during the pre-qualifying nato nga kita Cebu City ang mo host sa Palarong Pambansa. Didto si Senator Pia and nakita niya ang situation, ang mga butang nga pwede niya ma tabang (Senator Pia was there and she saw what she can help),” Hontiveros said.

Meanwhile, the youngest son of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vincent “Vinny” Marcos, who is a skateboard enthusiast, said during a meeting with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama last March that he would also look for a financial support for the project.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera said the blueprints had already been sent to the planning departments so they could be included in the project.

Hontiveros will leave Cebu together with Rama Thursday, July 13, to meet Cayetano and talk about budget and fund allocation. (Angel Leduna, CNU intern)

July 13, 2023 5:05 PM

The pumps would be restarted after water levels recede, Delhi's chief minister said.

July 13, 2023 4:55 PM

The man was arrested within 50 minutes of the complaint being made.