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July 10, 2023 4:42 PM

BEIJING – As tensions between China and the United States show no signs of abating, ensnaring businesses from both countries in a seemingly endless spiral of restrictions and trade curbs, Beijing is looking elsewhere to find opportunities to bolster economic growth and expand its influence in key regions with geopolitical significance.

The K-pop supergroup’s Hanoi tour dates appear to be going ahead despite a social media outcry over the promoter’s use of a controversial map. Warner Bros’ star-studded blockbuster hasn’t been so fortunate.

While Australia’s housing market has proved resilient, the rebound in prices has only served to heighten concerns about the fall in affordability. Bold zoning reforms by Auckland’s government that aimed to encourage the development of medium-density housing offer a way forward for Australian cities.

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)

July 10, 2023 3:25 PM

It was one of nine deals signed during talks in Beijing.

‘Today, we can no longer focus on Europe only … we have to position ourselves much more broadly,’ Germany’s army chief said as hundreds of troops were dispatched to Australia for training for the first time ever.

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

July 10, 2023 3:15 PM

A Malaysian and an Indonesian died in the accident.

July 10, 2023 3:15 PM

The criticism mostly targeted two women who posted about their experience on social media.

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)

July 10, 2023 2:45 PM

The trend has reportedly sparked a backlash from some in China due to safety reasons.

July 10, 2023 2:21 PM

Layers of sediment and sludge beneath the seawater in Japan’s Beppu Bay offer clues about the past.

July 10, 2023 2:21 PM

Mr Grossi will meet with Pacific Islands Forum chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown.

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

In the capital New Delhi, more rain was recorded in a single day than at any time in the past 40 years. Authorities across several states urged residents to stay inside their homes.

July 10, 2023 2:09 PM

Dr Yellen told reporters that she and her Chinese counterparts had “aired significant disagreements” in their meetings.

In this edition of the Global Impact newsletter, we look at the reaction to Japan’s plan to release treated radioactive waste water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and ponder what is next.

July 10, 2023 1:54 PM

A 25-year-old male suspect has been arrested.