Cebu media to launch 'shoot-for-a-cause' with PNP chief General Sinas

 CEBU CITY -- The Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists (CFBJ), an organization composed of legitimate news practitioners from established media outfits in Cebu will hold its ceremonial shoot-for-a-cause with no less than the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas on Tuesday, December 1 at the Cebu Wonderland Shooting Range.

CFBJ president Arnold Bustamante, who is also the Defense Press Corps president said that that they are grateful for the undying support of the PNP to Cebu Media and CFBJ to launch its first fundraising event three months after the new officers took over.

"We are an organization with over a hundred members, when the new officers thought of organizing a fundraising event, Police Regional Office (PRO-7) regional director Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro offered to help and this shooting competition is a realization of our plans in the organization," Bustamante said.

 For its first major event which is the shoot-for-a-cause, General Sinas will lead the ceremonial opening of the shooting competition.  Police personnel from the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office are the participants of the first leg of the said competition.

Bustamante added that all the funds that will be raised at the event will serve as the support fund for the CFBJ's emergency and health program.

"The organization with its new officers is happy to announce that General Sinas is our guest of honor on the ceremonial shoot on December 1," Bustamante said.

The first leg of the three-day shooting competition is set on December 18-20, but due to the availability of General Sinas, the ceremonial shoot has been moved to an earlier date.

General Sinas served as the PRO 7 regional director in 2018 and 2019.

CFBJ and PRO 7's shoot-for-a-cause also partnered with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV). (Photo: CFBJ/Herty Lopez)

 

 

 

 

NQC calls for artists to join 2021 Quincentennial art, design competitions

CEBU CITY -- The National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) is calling all artists to participate in the 2021 Quincentennial Art Competition and the Lapulapu National Monument Design Competition as the committee extended the deadline of entries to January 6, 2021 to give opportunity to more artists across the country to be part of these competitions.

NQC executive director Dr. Rene Escalante made this call during the Mugstoria Ta, an online conversation hosted by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales on November 28 this year.

"We know that our artists have also been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. And so, we are organizing these competitions to help our artists. The Quincentennial celebration isn't just about tourism. We also want our artists to be involved," Escalante said.

The NQC said the painting competition has four themes: sovereignty, magnanimity, unity, and legacy with the grand prize per theme of P500,000 and the rest of the eight entries shall receive the special prize of P50,000 each.

To ease the burden of the artists in shipping their entries, Escalante said the NQC opened 23 new drop-off points across the country, mostly in museums manned by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

In the Visayas, the drop off points are the Museum of the Philippine Economic History in Iloilo City; The Negros Museum in Bacolod City; the National Museum in Tagbilaran City; Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Office, Rizal Memorial Library and Museum, Cebu City; Lapu-Lapu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission office and the Department of Tourism Regional Office VIII in Tacloban City.

The competition is among the remaining activities of the NQC that will push through amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 50 projects in time for the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations were canceled, or indefinitely postponed due to the pandemic.

The National Committee on Art Galleries of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) sits in the technical working group of the competition, together with the NHCP.

Lapulapu National Monument Design Contest

Aside from the painting competition, Escalante also urged the public to join the Lapu-Lapu National Monument Design Competition, one of the flagship projects as part of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan.

The contest, he said, takes inspiration from the Bonifacio Monument design competition in the 1930s won by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino to commemorate Philippine revolutionary Gat. Andres Bonifacio, the founder and Supremo of the Katipunan.

Tolentino's creation, that was declared as the Bonifacio National Monument now prominently stands in the middle of major traffic circle located in the financial business district of Grace Park in Caloocan City which has become the symbol of the historic northern metro city.

Escalante explained that the submitted designs must encapsulate the heroes of the Battle of Mactan. The proposed monument will be dedicated to them and will be in recognition of the valor that they have demonstrated during the battle.

The winning design will serve as the new Lapu-Lapu National Monument which will be located inside the proposed Lapu-Lapu Shrine and Museum to be built at the Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City.  He said that the existing Lapulapu Monument also located at the Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City will not be replaced.

The classically styled design must be based on historical, archeological and cultural research. Entries must be submitted via electronic mail to infra@nqc.gov.ph on or before the set deadline.   

The winning entry will serve as the basis of the Lapu-Lapu National Monument which will be the centerpiece of the proposed memorial shrine. The winning entry shall receive P300,000.

The guidelines, forms and additional details are available on the NQC website https://nqc.gov.ph/en/quincentennial-art-competition/.

In 2021, the country will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan, the Philippine part in the first circumnavigation of the world, and other related events, collectively known as the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations.

President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order No. 55, s. 2018 created the NQC for this purpose. (Photos: Google Maps)

Need for more focused communication campaign to curve stunting among Filipino children

CEBU CTY – There is a greater need for a more focused communication campaign and strategy to curve the alarming number of stunting children in Central Visayas and nationwide.

This was the challenge posed by the National Nutrition Council (NNC-7) regional director Parolita Mission during the Media Review on November 27 and the 10-year anniversary of the Media in Nutrition Development (MIND-7), a group of media practitioners in Central Visayas advocating for nutrition development.

Mission said that stunting is affecting 369,003 preschool children if we speak of the actual warm bodies. The greater challenge today is to reduce the number of stunted children in Central Visayas and this needs a comprehensive analysis and a more focused communication plan for the next few years’ campaign strategy.

The more alarming nutrition problem now is stunting as it is increasing with a rate of 37.7 percent or 4 out 10 children in Central Visayas are stunted in 2015, with three percent increase from 34.7 percent in 2013.

Mission cited some statistics based on the 8th National Nutrition Survey of the FNRI/DOST in 2013 and the 2015 updating, though the figures had improved in the malnutrition data among children 5 years old and below particularly our undernutrition, wasting and overweight, but the improvement is very minimal with 0.3 percent for undernutrition from 23.1 percent to 22.8 percent and one percent each for wasting-- from 8 percent to 7 percent and overweight-- from 3.6 percent  to 2.6 percent.

Mission expressed her gratitude to the officers of MIND7 for sustaining the various campaigns on nutrition through these years and still counting.  MIND7 has turned 10 on November 27 this year with the NNC-7 here as its partner for pushing issues and concerns related to good nutrition and other health campaigns.  

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for your presence in this significant milestone of the life of MIND7 as we celebrate our 10 years of heartful service for nutrition advocacy and promotion,” Mission said.

Mission added that with the 10 years of MIND7, many things happened and this year the advocacy is focused on the critical issue of stunting and the nutrition of children for the first 1000 days and mothers during pregnancy.

This year NNC-7 and MIND7 revisited the media/communication plan and accomplishments of last year’s activities and planning for the next year’s campaign.  Although NNC-7 and MIND7 had accomplished more than its target there is a need face the challenges of stunting among the Filipino children today, Mission said.

“We will also collectively analyze what we have done this year despite the pandemic and the previous years as our basis in crafting our thrusts and priorities for 2021 and beyond.  But I think we need to also seriously review our strategies and analyze its impact,” she added.

With a decade of Promoting Good Nutrition in the region, there is a need to look back on what the group has done to help change the nutrition landscape in Central Visayas particularly in shaping/modifying the nutrition and caring practices of families and communities to reduce stunting and other forms of malnutrition in this part of the country, Mission said.

 

Joy, warmth, positivity at Robinsons Galleria Christmas campaign

CEBU CITY -- Robinsons Galleria Cebu brings joy, warmth and positivity this holiday season with its “Joys of Christmas” campaign with this season’s theme # RPaskoSaSugbo for its Christmas décor highlighting the 45ft locally-inspired Christmas Tree set amidst life-size native huts and a belen.

“We are thankful that despite of the challenges that we are facing this year, our partners and customers have remained loyal and steadfast.  Our thrust this year is to support local – to give back to the local community. This is our heart-felt way of expressing our gratefulness,” Floramie Adolfo, Senior Operations Manager for Central and Eastern Visayas, for Robinsons Land Corporation said in her opening message during the Christmas tree lighting, Saturday, November 28.

According to Joanna Salazar Group Marcomm Manager for Cebu Malls that there are several offerings that Robinsons Galleria Cebu has in store for the customers, from irresistible discounts to exciting promos like RGift of Joy, Holiday Sale and Smiles of Christmas.

RGift of Joy E-Raffle Promo.  Robinsons Malls launches an e-Raffle promo with prizes including an iPad 8th Gen and a 23-inch Devant Smart TV (one raffle entry for a Php500 single purchase receipt from any participating Robinsons Malls stores or Php2,000 single purchase receipt from the Supermarket). Promo period: November 20, 2020 to January 31, 2021.

Holiday Sale.  Grab the opportunity and enjoy up to 70% off on selected items from participating stores. Promo period: November 16 to December 20, 2020.

Smiles of Christmas. Jump into the holiday fun and join the #SmilesOfChristmas promo! Strike a pose and flash those big smiles with friends and family at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu’s Christmas tree and upload on Facebook.

Tag 2 BFFs and use the hashtags #SmilesOfChristmas #RMallsrealme. Promo period: November 27 to December 20, 2020.

Come and celebrate the spirit of Christmas at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.  For more updates and information visit RobinsonsGalleriaCebuOfficial on Facebook, follow @RobGalleriaCebu on Instagram or join the Viber community: Robinsons Malls (Cebu)

OPAV, IATF bring EOC concept to VisMin LGUs to better manage COVID-19 response program

CEBU CITY -- The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) recommended the setting up of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Northern Samar and in Davao City and other Mindanao local government units (LGUs) to better manage their respective COVID-19 response programs.

The EOC concept aims to harmonize data, testing and contact tracing efforts through a centralized data management system in efforts to detect, isolate, treat and stop transmission of COVID-19.  This government-led center has proved to have brought down cases in the cities of Cebu and Bacolod.

IATF Visayas Chief Implementer retired Maj. General Melquiades Feliciano and the OPAV team composed of Joel Aba, DOH-Central Visayas chief pathologist Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, Feliciano’s wife Mia Fe Feliciano and head medical technologist Prince Balaba introduced the EOC concept to Northern Samar last week and this week to Davao City to help them address the rising case of COVID-19 in those areas.

In Northern Samar briefing cum meeting was attended by officials from the Provincial Health Office of Northern Samar, City Health Office of Catarman, and Provincial and City Risk Reduction Management Offices.

In Davao City, NTF chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. and Gen. Melquiades Feliciano, IATF chief implementer for the Visayas and the OPAV team also briefed its local officials about the concept and the Feliciano couple will help Davao City LGU to set up its own Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

The Melquiades couple had initiated the establishment of the Cebu City EOC.  Cebu City EOC implemented the anti-COVID measures such as testing, contact tracing and isolation of positive cases, among others. Through the EOC, the city was able to bring down COVID-19 cases in due time.

Dr. Loreche and Mr. Balaba will also share various testing modalities and how to improve operation of molecular laboratory.

OPAV Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino explained that bringing the EOC concept to the Visayas and Mindanao LGUs is part of the whole of nation approach to address the coronavirus crisis.

“The efforts Gen. Feliciano with the help of OPAV to bring this EOC concept have really helped the key areas in the Visayas.  These best practices — particularly the EOC concept, methods and its structure — have been proven effective in how we have managed the crisis in Cebu and other areas in the Visayas. I hope these can help Davao City and the rest of Mindanao improve their COVID response measures,” Dino said.

Dino cited Bacolod City, where COVID cases are now manageable after the local government and health officials successfully implemented the EOC formula in the city.  He recalled that through the help of OPAV and the DOH-7 the IATF had shared the EOC concept and other best practices with the various local government units in the Visayas.

The EOC concept has been implemented in Bacolod City. Bacolod City’s positive cases declined following the establishment of its EOC and these are now being replicated in various local government units (LGUs) in the Visayas area, Dino bared.

After spending over a month in Bacolod City, Feliciano with his wife Mia Fe also flew to Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur with the same goal of bringing the Cebu EOC concept.

Norther Samar governor Edwin Ongchuan said that Feliciano’s presentation of the EOC as COVID-19 crisis management best practice “is already a big help to them.”

Ongchuan thanked Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, Gen. Feliciano and Dr. Loreche for their efforts to help the province’s COVID response program.  He also recognized OPAV’s efforts in extending its concern and assistance to their province.

Dino added that the OPAV, which serves as the bridge of Malacañang to the Visayas, will provide logistics support for the province if they decide to send their representatives to Cebu to undergo the actual EOC training.

Recognizing the effectiveness of an EOC in addressing the pandemic, OPAV with the help of Gen. Feliciano will also organized a trainors’ training for other LGUs in Western Visayas to enable the participants how to set up and manage the EOC in their LGUs.

OPAV, IATF recommends EOC setup in Northern Samar to manage COVID-19 response

CEBU CITY -- The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) recommended the setting up of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Northern Samar to better manage the COVID-19 crisis in the Eastern Visayas province in a virtual meeting with Northern Samar provincial officials to assess the COVID situation there and find solutions to contain the spread of the virus in the area.

The EOC concept aims to harmonize data, testing and contact tracing efforts through a centralized data management system in efforts to detect, isolate, treat and stop transmission of COVID-19.  This government-led center has proved to have brought down cases in the cities of Cebu and Bacolod.

IATF Visayas Chief Implementer retired Maj. General Melquiades Feliciano and OPAV representative Joel Aba led the meeting that was attended by officials from Provincial Health Office of Northern Samar, City Health Office of Catarman, and Provincial and City Risk Reduction Management Offices.

With the reported rise in cases in the province, Feliciano presented the organizational structure of an EOC that he first set up in Cebu City when he was sent by the national government to help manage the crisis.

Feliciano explained that the EOC serves as a centralized hub that should have both Data Collection Management and Analysis Group, and the Education, Information and Training Group to make it efficient.   He emphasized the important role of barangay officials in curbing the COVID-19 problem.

Feliciano advised Northern Samar health officials to do a daily huddle at the COVID command center to be able to keep them abreast with the latest data on infection and recovery rates to enable them to fight the virus head on.

Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, chief pathologist at the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas, assessed the laboratory practices and operations in Northern Samar and she lauded the speed of the release of results in the province which is 24 hours on the average.

Loreche hoped that there will be an increase in the testing capacity of the province to be able to fully utilize their resources and manpower.

Norther Samar governor Edwin Ongchuan said that Feliciano’s presentation of the EOC as COVID-19 crisis management best practice “is already a big help to them.”

Ongchuan thanked Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, Gen. Feliciano and Dr. Loreche for their efforts to help the province’s COVID response program.  He also recognized OPAV’s efforts in extending its concern and assistance to their province.

“The efforts Gen. Feliciano with the help of OPAV to bring this EOC concept have really helped the key areas in the Visayas,” Dino said.

Dino cited Bacolod City, where COVID cases are now manageable after the local government and health officials successfully implemented the EOC formula in the city.   He added that the OPAV, which serves as the bridge of Malacañang to the Visayas, will provide logistics support for the province if they decide to send their representatives to Cebu to undergo the actual EOC training.

After spending over a month in Bacolod City, Feliciano with his wife Mia Fe also flew to Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur with the same goal of bringing the Cebu EOC concept.

 

LTO’s largest District Office in C.Visayas opens in Carcar City, Cebu

CEBU CITY – The Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Central Visayas with its private proponent RoadReady inaugurated Wednesday, November 25 the largest and first-of-its-kind District Office and One-Stop-Shop Complex in Central Visayas in Carcar City, south of Cebu in a 1.3-hectare complex that costs around P126 million.

LTO-7 regional director Victor Emmanuel Caindec said that around P16 million worth of facilities including the new building of Carcar City District Office is at no government cost and the complex is officially open to the public on Monday, November 30.

Caindec added that he is thankful to RoadReady for its brave partnership with LTO-7 especially in developing the complex which will also offer state-of-the-art facilities.  He bared that the LTO-Carcar City District Office features the single-window transaction for ease and comfort for the transacting public.

With the current health protocols strictly implemented due to the pandemic, the district office can accommodate up to 200 people per day.

According to Jay Bautista, Managing Director of RoadReady that P90 million is the total cost of developing the complex while a total cost of P126 million includes land acquisition.

The new LTO-Carcar City District Office will feature all the services under a district office which includes licensing and registration and RoadReady offers the One-Stop-Shop services such as the Private Motor Vehicle Center, Compulsory Third-Party Liability (CTPL), medical exams, drug test, driving proficiency, practical driving test, among others.

Cebu Governor Garcia who graced the event described Carcar City District Office as an "Ultra-Modern Beautiful Building." She commended Caindec for his hard work and dedication in delivering the services of LTO closer to the general public, she added.

"I would like to salute Vic Caindec, our Regional Director, truly with his dedicated and dynamic leadership, he has brought government services particularly LTO services closer to the people. All roads will be leading to Carcar City when the said complex will be available to the public, Garcia said.

The new Carcar City District Office is in Sitio Pajo, Barangay Valladolid, a 5-minute drive from the main road.  Currently RoadReady is in its second phase of the site's development and a private driving school will soon be available at the complex. (Photos: LTO-7)

 

 

 

 

DA-7 launches hybrid rice 'derby' in Bohol

BATUAN, Bohol – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Central Visayas launched the “Regional Hybrid Rice Derby” in Batuan town in Bohol Province on November 18 with the aim of boosting rice production in Central Visayas.

DA-7 regional executive director Atty. Salvador Diputado opened the ‘derby’ event with the cutting of ribbons and the actual planting of rice in the paddy with him leading the planting with the local officials.

Diputado said that this is another rice derby conducted in Bohol and this time in Batuan for farmers to see and experience the goodness of planting hybrid rice.

"Farmer-cooperator who will have a high yield during the field day in February next year will receive a prize and the winning seed company will be awarded with a seed procurement," Diputado added.

The six seed companies that joined the rice derby will showcase their best hybrid rice varieties with their respective cultural practices and other technologies to enhance rice productivity.

Participating seed companies in the rice derby were Bayer, SL Agritech Corp., Seed Works, Longping, Hatao, and Leads Agri.

Meanwhile, DA-7 introduced the 11 rice-based clusters for the various rice interventions/inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, machinery, irrigation projects, and training.

Hybrid Rice Cluster for District 1 called as Catigbian Cluster is composed of Catigbian, Balilihan , Sikatuna , Corella , Cortes , Alburburque , Baclayon, Maribojoc, Antequera , Loon , Calape , and Tubigon.

District 2 is composed of two clusters, Talibon Cluster and Ubay Cluster. Ubay Cluster includes Ubay, Carlos P. Garcia, San Miguel, Dagohoy, Trinidad and Bien Unido; while Talibon Cluster has Danao, Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Clarin, Sagbayan, and San Isidro. 

District 3 has three clusters, the Carmen Cluster which has Carmen, Batuan, Bilar, Loboc, Loay, and Sevilla; Jagna Cluster with Lila, Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia Hernandez, Duero, and Siera Bullones; and the Mabini Cluster composed of Pilar, Alicia, Candijay, Guindulman, and Anda.

Cecile Opada, DA7 rice focal person explained that each cluster has been positioned to receive next year hybrid rice seeds good for 50 hectares and fertilizer from DA to maximize production.

Diputado said that the local officials led by Batuan Mayor Antonino Jumawid and rice farmers of Bohol expressed their gratitude to Secretary William Dar for the assistance they received.

Hybrid rice is a product of a cross between two genetically instinct rice parents. When the right parents are selected, the hybrid will have both greater vigor and yield than either of the parents, Diputado said.

One of the rice farmers Benjamin Alcala of Poblacion Norte, Batuan expressed his utmost gratitude to DA-7 and the seed company for choosing him as the cooperator of the derby.  Farmer-cooperator of the derby receives fertilizers and maintenance essentials from the seed company.  

Alcala said that they will do their best and pray for a huge harvest, when asked about his expectations on the outcome of the rice derby. (Photos: DA-7)

 

  

CCCI, New Zealand Embassy conduct ICT training for solo mothers in Cebu

CEBU CITY -- The Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) in partnership with the New Zealand Embassy Manila are conducting an online ICT Training for 23 Solo Mothers in Naga City Cebu from  November 23 to December 4 to improve the capabilities of the solo mothers who are currently unemployed or financially unstable to be technologically equipped especially in terms of virtual assistance and social media marketing.

According to CCCI that the activity is part of the ICT and Life Skills Training for Solo Mothers in the island of Cebu Project that will be implemented in five areas in Cebu with the cities of Naga and the towns of Cordova, Balamban and Bantayan for the period between September 2019 to December 31, 2020.

The short-term objective of the project is to support 100 solo mothers across the five areas to help them increase their household income by either entering the workforce or pursuing their own business enhanced by ICT.

The other key partners of the project are the local government units, CCCI chapters and Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Visayas Cluster 2 office.

The timeline of the project has been adjusted due to the COVId-19 pandemic disruption and the mode of conducting the trainings has shifted from face-to-face to online.

Gracing the opening program are H.E. Peter Keller, Ambassador of New Zealand Embassy Manila; CCCI President Felix Taguiam with VP for Membership Benny Que, VP for Business Development Jay Yuvallos and Executive Director May Elizabeth Ybanez.

Also present were CCCI City of Naga Chapter President Herbert Camasura, DICT Visayas Cluster 2 Director Frederick DC. Amores and Resource Speakers Claire Fernandez and Engr. Royden Rusiana.

Cebu women advocates strongly push for localized “Bawal Bastos” law

CEBU CITY—The Zonta Club of Cebu II strongly pushing for the localization of Republic Act (RA)-11313 or the Safe Spaces Act or “Bawal Bastos” law and urged the various non-government organizations (NGOs), women’s advocates and government agencies in Central Visayas to join them in marking the 18 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women (VAW) and to create a truly “Safe Space” for all.

In the first of a series of zoom webinars titled “Dissecting the Safe Spaces Act” on November 24, Zonta Club of Cebu II president Elena Young in her opening remarks called for and challenged all local government units (LGUs) and women advocates for an improved laws and services to end violence against women for good

Young went on that one such landmark piece of legislation is RA-11313 or the Safe Spaces Act, more popularly known as “Bawal Bastos Law” that the Zonta Club lobbied for the passing of a local ordinance that adopts the provisions of the law.

“We believe that passing and enacting more legislations that aim to protect women, it leads to the creation of more secured places in the City that will allow everyone to continue their livelihood, studies, careers, and their daily endeavors, safely and equally,” Young stated.

Young added that the nobody deserves to be at the receiving end of slurs or unwanted harassment that make people cringe and think twice about their plans or route for the next day. She added that nobody deserves to feel embarrassed, helpless, like they are less of a person, or violated.

“The Safe Spaces Act is holistic, and it is not only for a single sector such as women, children or the LGBTQ+ separately.  It is for ALL, that’s why our advocacy is described as Safe Spaces for Everyone,” Young added.

Young said that the Zonta Club will continue to work to ensure that the communities will become places where a person is respected, secured, able to show and communicate one’s true self.

A place where there is genuine care, a support system, sensitivity, equality, no judgment and no discrimination of one’s gender, age, race, social standing and experiences, Young concluded.

 

Cebu biz sector urged to avail tax amnesty, extended to Dec.21

CEBU CITY – The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) strongly urged its members and non-members alike to avail the tax amnesty offered by the Cebu City government has moved or extended the deadline for payment of real property taxes (RPTs) and business taxes for fiscal year 2020 to December 21 this year.

CCCI told its members to grab this rarely given opportunity before its deadline.  “Amid the economic struggles faced by businesses this is an importance piece of legislation that will bring relief to business owners facing tax challenges,” CCCI said.

Special Officer of the Mayor for Finance and Treasury Atty. Jerone Castillo briefed the CCCI members on the salient points of the Cebu City Tax Amnesty Ordinance of 2019 in a webinar titled CCCI Tax Talks: Tax Amnesty Explained on November 23 via Zoom.

Castillo was all praises for CCCI for instigating the creation of the Tax Amnesty Ordinance and crossing parties to push for its passage.  “This is not a proposal of the City. This is an initiative of the CCCI in relation to the ease of doing business,” Castillo added.

Castillo explained that the Tax Amnesty grants amnesty on, and foregoes or waives the collection of unpaid interest, penalties and surcharges of all outstanding or unpaid local taxes including real property, business and community taxes in 2019 and previous years without penalty by Dec. 15, 2020 and with a fixed rate of 10 percent on all unpaid due and demandable real property, business, and community taxes, as well as other fees and charges after this date but within one-year from the effectivity of the ordinance.

“Because again of the request of the Chamber and upon our recommendation and this was also sponsored by Councilor Garcia, the deadline was extended to Dec. 21, 2020 for the benefit of the business on the instance of the Chamber,” Castillo added.

Castillo also suggested that the Chamber may lobby for further extension of the deadline in so far as to provide relief for taxpayers.  He also stated that taxpayers may visit the city hall for accurate assessment and computation and online application is also available. (Photo: CCCI)

 

Newly-completed diversion dam to boost rice production of farmers in Bohol

CEBU CITY – Rice farmers in Guindulman, Bohol Province can now look forward to a steady water supply for their farmlands with the turned over of the newly-completed diversion dam worth P4-million to the rice farmer/members of Awihaw Lombog Farmers Irrigators Association (ALFIA) in Guindulman town and is expected to distribute water supply to around 20 hectares rice land in Awihaw, Barangay Lombog.

Department of Agriculture (DA-7) regional director Atty. Salvador Diputano shared this information to Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) during the “Laging Handa” Network Briefing News, Tuesday.

Diputado said that the newly-completed diversion dam was turned over to the association on November 17 and is seen to boost the rice production in Guindulman and its neighboring towns.  Most farmers in the locality are were depended on rainwater to irrigate their rice farm lands.

“The Awihaw diversion dam is one of the six ongoing agricultural infrastructure projects of DA Secretary William Dar in Guindulman, Bohol amounting to more than P71 million and the establishment of these irrigation systems hopes to help rice farmers increase their income and maximize yield,” Diputado bared.

Diputado added that these projects include another construction of diversion dam in different sites, two units of small water impounding project, solar powered irrigation system and farm-to-market roads.

Guindulman Mayor Maria Fe Piezas expressed her gratitude to DA for the said project and said that her town can now contribute to the increase production of rice as the Province of Bohol is considered as the top rice producing province in Central Visayas.

OPAV Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino said that investing into farm infrastructure like irrigation system helps idle lands become more productive, which benefits the farmers.

“Rural productivity is one of the key goals in the government’s thrust to boost the agriculture industry. These much-needed farm infrastructure facilities help our farmers increase their output and income,” Dino said.

He said that this latest infrastructure assistance supports the Plant, Plant, Plant program of Agriculture Secretary William Dar that aims to ensure food security and help farmers increase their production.

Diputado bared that the DA has focused to build more agriculture infrastructures to help the farm sector to improve rural productivity and increase the income of local farmers through agency's agri-industrialization strategy. (Photos: DA-7)