Philippines News

CEBU Governor Gwendolyn Garcia praised and defended Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco, who happens to be her daughter, amid criticisms hurled against the latter over the slogan controversy.

"Allow me to speak as a mother who is extremely pained by witnessing what her beloved daughter has gone through these past few weeks, unfairly criticized, bashed, ridiculed for a sin she did not commit and yet she stood her ground,” Garcia said during the opening of the Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in the northern town of Medellin on Monday morning, July 10, 2023.

According to Garcia, Frasco has accomplished a lot since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed her to the Cabinet post, one of which is the establishment of TRAs across the country.

The governor also thanked the mayors, the local legislators, the Provincial Board members and other stakeholders who attended the activity as a show of support for the beleaguered DOT secretary.

“... and that is why I am especially grateful for your presence here this morning,” she said.

Garcia directed the mayors to replicate the tourism slogan, “Love the Philippines.”

She explained that happiness may fade over time, but love is strengthened by trials.

“It’s really not just having fun, but it’s really reminding each of us Filipinos that we have a duty to love the Philippines. Love the Philippines, it will define us Filipinos and it will push us to achieve greater heights, of greater progress and development. We will own this commitment to love the Philippines... Higugmaon ta ang Pilipinas, Higugmaon ta ang Sugbo (Let us love the Philippines, let us love Cebu)," she said.

Last week, several senators, mayors, members of Congress, board members and other stakeholders signed a manifesto supporting Frasco.(ANV, PJB)

VENDORS at Carbon Public Market have expressed concerns on the proposed increase of fees, saying they might have to increase the prices of goods if it pushes through.

The Cebu City Council has proposed the increase of rental and entrance fees for vendors in line with the Carbon redevelopment project.

The market redevelopment project is about 10 percent complete, said Lydwena Eco, Cebu2World Development Inc. (C2W) deputy general manager, on April 20.

Alma Lumeria, a vendor selling bell pepper, ginger and tomatoes from Barangay Ermita, said the prices of her goods have stayed the same over the course of a few months.

"Wala ra man hinuo'y umento sa mga presyo diri. Kani, akong atsal tag P120 gihapong kilo. Mao ra jud bisa'g pila na ka buwan," she said.

(There is no increase in the prices here. For example, these bell peppers I'm selling are still priced P120 per kilo. It has stayed the same over a few months.)

Nestor Kelvin Elasco, a 58-year-old vendor selling eggplant, tomatoes, and bitter gourd, said that his goods have also stayed at the same price, but he will soon change it if rental and entrance fees increase.

"Mao ra man gihapon ron. Pero madayon gani to ilang plano nga patas'an ning bayranan namo, aw wa mi choice kung di patas'an sad namong presyo aning gulayon namo," he said.

(It's still the same now. However, that will change if their plan to increase our fees happens. We'll have no choice but to also increase the price of our goods.)

Ralph, a vendor selling Baguio beans, cucumber and garlic, was hoping the fees will not increase yet, considering their earnings are not enough to cover their payments and expenses.

"Naglisud naman gani mi ron buot huna-hunaon bisag wala pa gipatas-an among bayronon, unsaon na lang inig patas-an na jud? Gamay ra kaayo mi'g ginansya, kansi jud kaayo mi," he said.

(We're already having a hard time now when the fees haven't increased yet, so how much more when there is an increase? Our profit is too small; it's too much of a loss for us.)

Several vendors are already occupying the new Carbon Market Interim Building, one of the market redevelopment project's initiatives to cater vendors while the main public market is still under construction. (Miguel Angelu Lumen, CNU Intern)

THE Cebu City Health Department Nutrition Office said that stunting after two years old is irreversible and noted that the prevalence rate of severely stunted children increased this year compared to 2022.

City Health Nutrition officer and Nutrition Program coordinator Allan Daag said that “based on the data (Operation Timbang), at least makuha nato ang mga number of normal children, those who had issues like the underweight, stunted and the wasted nato and then so the overweight and then the obese kay we still consider that also a form of malnutrition.”

(Based on the data (Operation Timbang), at least we can get the number of normal children, those who had issues like underweight, stunted and wasted and then the overweight and then the obese because we still consider that also as a form of malnutrition.)

Operation Timbang (OPT) is an annual three-month activity conducted from January until March by barangay health workers and city nutrition scholars. It measures the height and weight of all children 0-5 months old or five years old and below to determine their nutritional status.

The activity also includes all 80 barangays from the 85 health centers in Cebu City.

The nutrition situation, according to the nutritional status of children 0-59 months this year, showed that there was an increase in prevalence of underweight (weight for age) and severely stunted (height for age) compared in 2022.

It added that severely stunted children decreased from 1.98 percent in 2021 to 1.79 percent in 2022, and then to 1.95 percent as of July 2023.

Underweight children have a prevalence rate of 2.36 percent in 2021, then it increased by two percentage points in 2022, and at 2.63 percent in 2023.

For severely wasted (weight for length/height) or children with severely acute malnourished syndrome, there was a decrease in the prevalence rate with 0.85 percent in 2021 and 0.95 percent in 2022 to 0.27 percent in 2023. It, however, is still labeled an emergency case and needs proper medical attention, said the nutrition office.

“They think that it’s not enough kuno ang breastfeeding. Actually, the truth is enough gyud siya. It’s God’s gift jud na for the children so they have to have at least six months of exclusive breastfeeding,” said Daag.

(They think that breastfeeding is not enough, but the truth is it is really enough. It's God's gift for the children so they have to have at least six months of exclusive breastfeeding.)

He added that it is considered the golden window of opportunity as all of the development of the child depends on the first 1,000 days of nutrition of the child and the mother.

Meanwhile, he said that wasting or acute malnutrition is usually caused by sudden changes in food security.

Daag said they gave out Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for children who are affected by Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), and Ready to Use Supplementary Food for Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). He said the food is in a sachet form containing 500 calories.

“What we give to the child especially ang MAM nato is we give one sachet per day and that’s for three months and for SAM, we give two sachets of the RUTF for three months also,” he added.

He said there is a transparent improvement in the prevalence of malnutrition upon doing the RUTF intervention. (Kimberly Goc-ong, CNU Intern)

RENOVATIONS of the sports facilities at the Cebu City Sports Complex (CCSC) are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Jovito Taborada, sports center manager, said in an interview that more than 25 workers are fast-handedly finishing the adjustments being done at the sports complex.

The construction time may be delayed, though, depending on the weather condition, he added.

As of Monday, July 10, 2023, two big sports installations -- a 15-meter and 25-meter swimming pool -- are still under construction.

He said they are first working on the smaller pool, then they will work on the lap pool, which is the standard size in hosting big sporting events such as the Palarong Pambansa.

“Duha na ka swimming pool, katung 15 meters and 25 meters. Gi-expand nato siya kay ang standard gyud sa facilities, mu-host og big events, 25 [meters]. Mao nay gitawag na lap pool,” said Taborada.

(There are two swimming pools, the 15 meters and 25 meters. We expanded the facilities into its standard size because in order to host big events, it has to be 25 meters. That’s what we call the lap pool.)

New features of the swimming pool will include a new footer in the center and a pool marking that will be one meter away from the wall to prevent swimmers from getting injured.

Taborada added that the oval located in the middle, and additional sports facilities of CCSC will be refurbished next after both pools are completed. (Denise Mae Codis, CNU Intern)

MORE than 50 young boys from Barangay Tejero, Cebu City, were circumcised for free during the annual Operation Tuli on Monday, July 10, 2023, at Tejero Sports Complex.

The expected target for the operation is 100 children, in which boys ages seven years old and above are welcome as long as the child is willing to be circumcised.

Maria Luise Gonide, a barangay health worker, said the program started at 8 a.m. Monday and it will run until 5 p.m. on a first come, first served basis.

She said the patients will be given a doctor's prescription and medicine for free after the child’s operation.

“Hatagan ni sila og resita ug tambal, dayon tagaan na sila og instructions unsaon pagpa-inom,” she said.

(They will be given a prescription and medicine, then they will be given instructions on how to drink it.)

In case the wound would be infected, they can still consult the doctor every Tuesday, she added.

Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairperson Jonathan Marasigan said the main objective of the operation is to prevent infection.

“Support ra jud mi, labi na sa mga bata kay para kini sa ilang kalusugan,” he said.

(We support it, especially for children, because it is for their health.)

A parent, who asked not be named, shared her sentiments on the event, “Nalipay ko kay wala nako’y gastohan.”

“Kulbaan ko pero gi assured ko nila kuya (health workers) na dili ra ni sakit. Aron sad na malalaki nako,” said an eight-year-old kid.

(I am really nervous but the health workers assured me that it wouldn’t be painful, so that I’ll be a fully grown man.)

Earlier Monday, the City Health workers also conducted dental check-ups and taught children on how to brush their teeth two to three times a day.

The Operation Tuli was purely funded by the Cebu City Government. (Judie Liza Alantoson, CNU Intern)

AN OFFICIAL of the Cebu City Government urged City Hall employees to unite and work together toward achieving the administration's Singapore-like vision.

Cebu City Administrator Collin Rosell said on Monday, July 10, 2023, that everyone should bring unity to push for more development and attain the dream toward a better Cebu.

"Tanan giawhag sa paghugpong aron sa katumanan sa atoang mga collective aspirations ug mga pangandoy. Kini maoy ato gyud nga tarongon pag-ayo, ipakita sa mga katawhan," he said.

(Everyone is encouraged to unite in order to fulfill our collective aspirations and dreams. We should work well and show it to the people.)

He also said that the Singapore-like vision of Mayor Michael Rama’s administration is the collective aspirations of the people and not the city's vision itself.

"Singapore-like Cebu City is not the city's vision but it's the collective aspirations of the people," he said.

He also said that the people have been contributing through actions for an enhanced government that benefit the present and future generations. (Camille Erika Butas, CNU Intern)

The two leaders first met during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Cambodia last year. 

Thermal Visayas' mission to keep Toledo City’s ocean clean

OUR oceans have always been a formidable force. To the fishermen, on good days, the ocean feeds their families. To the tourists looking for a reprieve, the oceans are an escape. To the people of Toledo City, Cebu protecting and preserving the marine biodiversity in the coastal areas of the city is not just an afterthought but a must.

In 2022, diving enthusiasts from the local power plant operating in Toledo City, Therma Visayas Incorporated (TVI) under Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) explored the depths of their surrounding waters. To their surprise and dismay, it was not only beautiful corals and marine life that greeted them, but plastic wastes scattered on the seafloor.

An earnest desire to make a difference led to the birth of Scubasurero, an AboitizPower and TVI-led initiative that enjoined local government and people's initiative to do clean-ups not only along the shoreline and surface of the waters but also the submerged coastal areas near the TVI facilities and the Bato Marine Sanctuary. Quite appropriately, the coined word “Scubasurero” is a portmanteau combining the words 'scuba diving' and 'basurero' or garbage collector.

As a Scubasurero and one of the leaders of Bantay Dagat, Eugene pushes to be an agent of change by helping protect the waters of Barangay Bato.

Eugene Matin-aw, a 41-year-old father of four, made it clear: his job as a team leader of the Bantay Dagat seaborne patrol and the Scubasurero program has changed and strengthened his views on protecting the oceans and the marine sanctuary in Barangay Bato.

“Importante ni, kay kung wala ang marine sanctuary, mawad-an isda ang Toledo. Ang atong kadagatan mawala, kay ari mana sila mu-produce ang isda og mga sperm mga semilia, ari sa marine sanctuary, sa corals. Mao na’y makuha pud sa atong mananagat, kay og wala’y sanctuary wala nay isda, wala na’y managat,” Eugene shared.

(This is very important because, without the marine sanctuary, Toledo will lose all its fish. Our marine life will be gone since the fish reproduce in the sanctuary and lay eggs on the corals. That’s the same fish that our fishermen catch. Without the sanctuary, there won’t be any fish, and there will no longer be fishermen [in these areas].)

Being a Scubasurero, Eugene’s daily life is now connected to the oceans. Aside from protecting the marine sanctuary, the program has given him the opportunity to provide for his family. With the honorarium and the fish they often receive, Eugene said that being a Bantay Dagat and Scubasurero gave him the chance to do something for the environment and for his family at the same time.

Eugene (right) leads his Bantay Dagat team in ensuring that the sanctuary is clean and well-protected.

Alwin Canonigo, head of the Bantay Dagat crew, said that in the early days of setting boundaries for the sanctuary, they received some kind of resistance from the people, with most of the complaints concerning no longer being allowed to collect seashells by the seashore. However, the people eventually realized the benefits.

“Ig-kadugay nakasabot sila na nindot kaayo na naay marine sanctuary kay ang isda dili mapuo. Karon bitaw ilang istorya nindot daghan na kaayong isda diri,” Alwin said.

(Eventually, they realized that it's good to have a marine sanctuary because the fish will not disappear completely. Now, they talk about the abundance of fish in the area.)

Noel Cabahug believes that taking care of the environment is necessary for survival. He joined the Scubasurero event in March to help clean up the Marine Sanctuary near TVI.

Meanwhile, for Vice-President and Facility head of TVI Noel Cabahug, diving deep and being part of the instigators of the program has given him a unique perspective on marine environment protection.

“I shared it with my son, na kini, mao ni atong i-maintain... This is ours. Without taking care of our environment, wala na ta. Wala na ta’y isda, wala na’y mahabilin nato nga isda,” Noel said, recalling the day when the coastal clean-up event happened.

(I shared with my son, that this is what we have to maintain... This is ours. Without taking care of our environment, we will also be gone. The fish will be gone, nothing will be left,”)

Therma Visayas Inc. employees along with other volunteers swam the waters of Brgy. Bato to collect trash underwater.

TVI and AboitizPower’s program, along with local government action, is one of the best ways to help preserve the environment in Toledo City, shared Toledo City Agriculture Head Estrella Bargamento.

“With Scubasurero na mutabang, ingon ani mani siya. Ang dili mabuhat sa LGU, mahug sad na mahal-mahal, unya ang uban kay voluntary baya na. Mahug siya og tinabangay nga ang ilang passion mahimo siyang importante og makatabang sa constituents dinhi na ang Bato Marine Sanctuary magpabilin siya nga limpyo,” Estrella said.

(With Scubasurero helping, they get to augment the things that the LGU cannot do with the high costs, especially since most of the divers are volunteers. It ends up being a collaboration, with their passions aligned with helping the constituents in keeping the Bato Marine Sanctuary clean.)

She hopes that neighboring towns and cities, and even the whole country, would adopt similar programs and see its progress in Toledo City.

Marigold Lebumfacil, reputation and stakeholder management specialist of TVI, said that their brainchild project has led to a collection of around 2.09 tons of waste with all of the clean-ups that they have done. She has witnessed how the program has changed the behavior of the local communities, and the ripples the program has created.

“They are already very aware that plastics are very harmful to the oceans. So far, with our monthly coastal cleanups, very active sila in supporting, and they even bring their own brooms, sacks, for the coastal clean-up.” Marigold said.

“It’s not for us, it’s for our future generations. I have kids, personally, it’s good that we started this kind of activity because if we keep doing this, it’s not only us that will benefit from this,” she added.

For the people behind Scubasurero, these are their promises and vision for the future, the marine environment, and the people of Toledo City.

Therma Visayas, Inc. (TVI) is one of the three coal-fired power plants in the country that houses a Coal Dome facility. It uses a state-of-the-art Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) and the Best Available Control Technology (BACT) to minimize coal dust emissions that can harm the atmosphere. (SPONSORED CONTENT)

CHEERS TO some media organizations for their reports on Larry Gadon that provided immediate context, fact-checked his statements, and reviewed the controversies and criticism he has faced. Quick responses to a fast-developing story like this allows the public to keep pace but, more important, correct lies and misleading claims immediately.

What's the Story?

On June 26, media broke the news

Among the bills on the agenda are proposals on Freedom of Information, a law whose passage has been long delayed.

MANILA, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Foreign direct investment (FDI) that flowed into the Philippines dropped by 14.1 percent in April 2023 to reach 876 million U.S. dollars from the 1 billion dollars net inflows in April 2022, the Philippine central bank said on Monday.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) attributed the decline in FDI net inflows in April to "concerns over slowing economic growth and relatively high i

Geopolitical and economic shocks undermined investor confidence last year, a report has said  

The international investment climate was "extremely gloomy" last year as "cascading" geopolitical and economic shocks undermined investor confidence around the world, according to the United Nations C

Maynilad Water Services on Monday announced daily water supply interruption in several areas in Metro Manila starting Wednesday due to Angat Dam falling below its minimum operating level.

THIS might be a bold claim, but there is great reason to believe that Filipino nurses are the most sought-after health care professionals in the world. In the United States, Middle East, Japan, Australia, most European countries, and several other countries worldwide, Filipino nurses are most loved by both patients and employers not only because of their proficiency in the English language, their competencies and their work ethic, but more so for the Filipino brand of nursing service which, more often than not, extends the “extra mile” in caring compassionately for their patients, especially those already in their twilight chapters.

Recognized for their contribution to the United Kingdom’s response to the coronavirus, Filipino Nurses Charito Romano and Minnie Klepacz were awarded the British Empire Medal in 2021. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II even wrote in a message to then President Rodrigo Duterte her commendation on the services of Filipino nurses in U.K., saying: “They bring exceptional care and comfort to their patients. I wanted to express my sincerest gratitude for their work, especially in response to the coronavirus.” Elsewhere in the world, Filipino nurses continue to shine, giving not only the basic health care which patients need, but sharing as well a part of themselves to offer compassion, comfort and care.

There are actually 951, 905 registered Filipino nurses, according to the Professional Regulation Commission. Out of this number, only 509,297 or 53.55 percent are in actual practice. Added to this, an estimated 19,000 Filipino nurses migrate every year to other countries which offer more substantial pay and incentives packages as well as opportunities for permanent residency for them and their families.

Who wouldn’t be lured with that chance at living better lives in better countries? The exodus of Filipino medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, continue to threaten the Philippine health care system. Unless the Department of Health can offer commensurable options, then we watch helplessly as our doctors and nurses flee.

I think it is utterly unfair for Filipino nurses choosing to work abroad to be labelled ungrateful or unpatriotic. If comparable opportunities can only be made available for them here, I am sure they would not decide to leave home. With costs of living rising disproportionately with work pay and incentives, we cannot blame the likes of Filipino nurses seeking broader and brighter horizons. The current shortage of nurses is at a high of about 106,000.

While legislation to advance the welfare and interest of our health care professionals are well underway, their flight continues. Recognizing the valuable contribution of Filipino nurses in sustaining the Philippine health care system may not be enough. Unless and until these professionals can clearly see a brighter ray of hope for them in their home country, they will continue to sacrifice being distant and missing time if it will mean better opportunities, better lives for their families. (SPONSORED CONTENT)

PHIVOLCS issued a new notice of increased activity Monday morning after the agency logged 33 pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), or fast-moving avalanches of volcanic ash, rock and gases. PDCs can be destructive and fatal.

The immigration bureau said the traveler also could not show that she had enough money to support her 14-day trip to Taiwan.

All departing OFWs are required to secure an OEC, which shall serve as exit clearance, and as exemption from payment of travel tax and airport terminal fee. 

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised on June 8 the status of Mayon Volcano in Albay to Alert Level 3 after it showed an “increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption.”

(Nairobi) - The French fossil-fuel giant TotalEnergies' planned oil pipeline in East Africa has devastated thousands of people's livelihoods in Uganda and will exacerbate the global climate crisis, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. If completed, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project will have dozens of well pads, hundreds of kilometers of r

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta today met with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Auckland.  

"Aotearoa New Zealand has a proud and longstanding nuclear free policy, and are strong supporters of the IAEA's work, including promoting the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons," Nanai