PCO lauds Cebu for pushing freedom of information, transparency governance

CEBU – The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) commended the Cebu Provincial Government as one of the new local government units to pass Freedom of Information (FOI) Guidelines and given the plaque of recognition during the 2025 Freedom of Information Awards on November 28 at Bellevue Manila in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Provincial Information Officer Ainjeliz de la Torre-Orong received the on behalf of Governor Pamela Baricuatro.  Transparency in governance through the FOI have been a central and distinguishing mark of the Baricuatro administration.  Orong shared that upon assuming office on June 30, 2025, Governor Baricuatro signed Executive Order No. 3, which fully implements the FOI Program across the Provincial Government.

“The Provincial Government of Cebu seeks to institutionalize open governance and participatory democracy by ensuring the people’s access to information, documents, and records under the custody or control of provincial offices,” the EO reads.

The EO covers all provincial offices, departments, hospitals, instrumentalities, component offices, special units, and local special bodies, ensuring that every Filipino citizen may access information, official records, research data used for policymaking, and government transactions and decisions, subject to exceptions provided by law.

It also mandates every provincial department or office to establish an FOI Desk with a designated FOI Receiving Officer responsible for processing information requests.

Further strengthening transparency measures, Baricuatro also issued Executive Order No. 37 in July, mandating the livestreaming of all competitive bidding activities of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) through the province’s official social media page.

These include pre-procurement conferences, pre-bid conferences, bid openings, and all other BAC meetings. Mainstream media may also cover and broadcast the proceedings as long as they do not disrupt the sessions.

Capitol has also made the regular Monday sessions of the Provincial Board available to the public through livestreaming, including the ongoing committee deliberations for the 2026 proposed provincial budget.

Cebu shares the honor with other LGUs nationwide that demonstrate strong commitment to transparency and access to information through the sustained and institutionalized implementation of the FOI Program, affirming the government’s continuing effort to uphold the people’s right to information and promote a culture of open governance. (Photos: Capitol PIO)

 

 

 

PH’s PADS Dragon Boat Racing Team competes in Penang Int’l Dragon Boat Regatta 2025

CEBU—The Philippines’ Dragon Boat Team, specifically the PADS Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team, is now participating in the Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta 2025 at Straits Quay Marina, Penang, Malaysia, from November 28 to 30, 2025. 

“The team consists of 54 members, including paddlers from their under-24 paradragon program.  We are confident in the team’s younger and stronger lineup. We have 300 athletes in our team with 80 of them from Cebu who are actively passionate in the Dragon Boat Race,” said JP Maunes, PADS founder and CEO in an interview with Manila Standard.

Maunes said that the event features 12 international teams from countries like Brunei Darussalam, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia.

The PADS team competes in four race categories and distances that include the International Junior U24 Open: 250m and 500m straight courses, Tug of War; International Junior U24 Mixed: 250m and 500m straight courses, Tug of War; International Senior 40 Open: 250m and 500m straight courses, Tug of War and International Premier Open, Women, and Mixed: 250m and 400m straight courses.

Maunes said that the team competes in various categories, including under 24, open men's, mixed standard, women's, and Masters (40+ years).  The under 24 team is notable for being the first to represent the Philippines internationally, having been trained through a grassroots development program in Mandawe City. The event is significant for its inclusivity, featuring athletes of all ages and abilities.

He said that his team has shown resilience in the Dragon Boat racing sport competitions through the years and noted the positive impact of the sports on his athletes, igniting their desire to compete internationally, especially for those experiencing their first such event.

“PADS paddlers are inclusive.  We have a good number of persons with disability (PWD) paddlers who have excelled in the sports and we’ve won four to five trophies in previous international and world regattas. The motivational power of this sport in overcoming personal and external challenges to my PWD members are very inspiring,” he added.

 

Maunes said that this year’s Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta 2025 is dedicated to one of the PADS team members, Stephen, who passed away from cancer last year but competed with vigor through the years.  “The team is committed to honoring his memory by giving their all in the Penang race,” he added.

Challenges facing the PADS Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team

In a recent media briefing, Maunes and the PADS team said that they will be participating in the Penang International Dragon Boat Race under the concept of the paradigm movement, which includes athletes with disabilities competing alongside able-bodied athletes. 

They mentioned the inclusion of other adaptive Dragon Boat teams from Hong Kong, including a team of firefighters and cancer survivors, highlighting the diversity of the participating teams, including athletes from Hong Kong and the Philippines.

“The Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta 2025 is also our preparations to compete for the World Championship in Taiwan next year. The Philippines aims to win its fourth consecutive virtual mission and set a world record for the fastest team,” Maunes said.

This achievement is a significant goal, requiring intense preparation and prayers. The race in Malaysia is seen as a culmination of their productive year and a strong start to the 2025 season, PADS Coach Richard Young is set to prepare the strength and conditioning program for the athletes in preparation for these races.

PADS main concern and challenge is the logistics and financial capability of the team to compete for the races without any worry or stress.  Support from the Philippine government has yet to trickle to the team, Maunes and Coach Young told this writer that most of their competitions abroad were made possible through private sector support and donations.

Maunes and the PADS Team thanked the local government of Mandaue City that continues to provide the team with some budget for logistics, training among others and companies like the International Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IPI), WiseChoice Supplements, Holiday Gym & Spa Cebu, Dubby’s Ultimate Burgers, Immuni, and Omega Pain Killer for their all-out support to the PADS team. (Photos: MBCNewman/PADS-FB Posts)

 

 

DSWD-7 calls on men to become strong allies to end VAWC

 CEBU – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Regional Field Office VII called on men to become strong allies to end violence against women and children (VAWC), as it joined the nationwide observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) from November 25 to December 12, 2025.

This call to action is issued in Central Visayas through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking–Violence Against Women and their Children (IACAT7-VAWC), co-chaired by the DSWD-7 and the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

The IACAT7-VAWC, in a Convocation Program at the DSWD-7 on November 24, flashed the iconic “STOP VAWC” messages to align with Republic Act 10388 declaring November 25 of every year as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of the VAWC in the Philippines.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero urged all staff and inter-agency members of the IACAT7 council to actively participate in the campaign by amplifying advocacy activities on social media and wearing orange shirts on designated dates in solidarity with the campaign. 

VAWC situation in PH

According to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), there were 8,055 reported VAWC cases in 2023, with 2,791 cases under the Anti-Rape Law; 473 under the Safe Spaces Act, and 59 under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, VAWC is a significant concern in the country.

The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveals that 17.5% of Filipino women aged 15-49 have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from their intimate partners.

PSA reports that from 2016 to 2023, there were 116,903 cases under the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act or RA 9262; 20,083 rape cases under the Anti-Rape Law or RA 8353; 1,031 cases under Safe Spaces Act or RA11313; 620 sexual harassment cases under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act or RA 7877; and 2,031 trafficking cases under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act or RA 9208.

The government has implemented various mechanisms to address VAWC, including the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children, Barangay VAW Desks, and VAW hotlines.

The 18-Day Campaign to End VAWC

According to Lucero, the 18-Day Campaign to End VAWC is an annual advocacy campaign in the Philippines, observed from November 25 to December with the key objectives to highlight 20 years of achievements in addressing VAW under RA 9262; raise public awareness about the impact of VAW and encourage interventions. 

It also wants to promote a comprehensive response to VAW with a focus on prevention; empower survivors with information on support services and to launch the National Action Plan to End VAW (NAPEVAW).

Campaign activities include flag raising ceremonies with VAW related presentations and videos; distribution of IEC materials; online participation using hashtags like #VAWfreePH and #VowToEndVAW; the “The Orange Exhibit: Journey towards a VAW-free Philippines; the "Do the Macho Choir" Challenge to address catcalling and harassment and advocate for positive masculinity and male involvement.

The campaign aligns with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and the UN's "UNiTE by 2030 to End VAW" initiative in partnerships with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), IACAT-VAWC, Department of Education (DepEd), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and SM Cares.

Lucero added that the campaign also highlights the importance of various sectors--youth as changemakers, men as allies, bystanders as empowered responders, and local leaders as drivers of policy reforms, all united in the mission to protect women, empower survivors, and uphold justice. (Photos: DSWD7-FB/Google Images)

 

 

MCIA receives Asia’s Airport of the Year award

LAPU-LAPU CITY-– Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) received the “Airport of the Year -Asia” at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 ceremony held at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore on November 25, recognizing MCIA’s commitment to delivering the most efficient and seamless transfer experience in the Philippines through its transformative CEBConnects initiative.

"This award is a testament to the dedication of the entire MCIA community and the success of CEBConnects.  By strategically leveraging Cebu’s central geographical location, we are not just speeding up transfers; we are actively supporting the country’s tourism goals by making it easier for travelers to reach other island destinations.  With this, the vacation experience actually begins the moment they arrive at MCIA," remarked Athanasios Titonis, Chief Executive Officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC).

Titonis explained that CEBConnects is a facility focused on optimizing air-to-air transfers at MCIA, setting a new benchmark for operational excellence in the country.  The initiative involved a major redesign of passenger flow and infrastructure, including the introduction of dedicated transfer facilities and streamlined processes.

With of CEBConnects, MCIA has reduced its Minimum Connection Time (MCT), positioning the airport among the fastest in the region--Domestic to Domestic (D-D) transfers reduced from 60 minutes to 35 minutes and Domestic to International (D-I) transfers reduced from 90 minutes to 60 minutes.

These have already driven a 45 percent increase in transfer passenger volume year on year, solidifying MCIA’s role as a vital gateway for connecting travelers to the Philippines' vast archipelago.  The streamlined process provides passengers with more time to enjoy MCIA's extensive retail and dining options, enhancing the overall airport experience, Titonis added.

"The improvements driven by CEBConnects are a game-changer for airline operations and customer experience. The real-time benefits in on-time performance that we see enhances the transfer experience of our passengers who now find MCIA a highly competitive and reliable hub for regional travel,” said Julius Neri, Jr, General Manager and CEO of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA).

MCIA currently serves 25 airline partners with a robust point-to-point network and maintains an average on-time performance rate of almost 80 percent. This strong performance is continually bolstered by joint route marketing and global promotional efforts.

Through the ongoing success of CEBConnects, MCIA is shaping a more connected and traveler-centered future, reinforcing its status as the Philippines' gateway to the world. (Photos: MCIA-FB/Google Images)

DOLE-7 to host 5th OSH Visayas Summit in Cebu

 CEBU – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Region VII with the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC-7) and the Occupational Health Nurses Association in the Philippines (OHNAP) – Cebu Chapter is hosting the 5^th Summit in the Visayas on November 25-26, 2025 at the Water World Cebu Hotel in Mandaue City, to provide updates to medical practitioners, occupational health nurses, safety and health officers to become more proactive in addressing concerns on health and safety at the workplaces.

“The theme for this year’s Summit is “One Workplace, One Vision: Co-Creating a Safe, Healthy, Decent, and Resilient Workforce”. The department and OSHC partnered with OHNAP because we wanted to emphasize the need to make workplaces be more conscious of responding to the necessity to make all workplaces safe and healthy for all workers,” Atty. Roy Buenafe, DOLE-7 regional director told media at the press conference on November 17 at the DOLE-7 Office.

The Summit expects about 300 or more attendees that are mostly OSH practitioners and other stakeholders in the construction and other industries in Cebu and in the Visayas, said Buenafe, who is a strong advocate of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and has launched initiatives to curb workplace accidents including the creation of the Barangay Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Patrol program.

Buenafe added that the BOSH Patrol program trained barangay officials and Tanods to monitor and report workplace safety hazards down at the community level in collaboration with the DILG-7. “We have already established BOSH Patrols in 10 barangays in Cebu City, where SME construction companies operate, and are not easily monitored by the department,” he noted.

The Barangay OSH Patrol program has gotten the attention of the National OSH Summit in Manila and plans are afoot to replicate it nationwide, Buenafe believed that bringing it to the barangay level is one great step towards achieving Zero accident in workplaces.

OSH situation in the Visayas

Efren Vito, DOLE-7 Tech. Support & Services Division-Labor Relations and Standards Chief bared that Workplace accidents in Cebu and Central Visayas are a pressing concern. There have been 41 work-related accidents in Central Visayas as of June 15, 2025. The construction industry is the leading sector for workplace accidents, accounting for 47% of total recorded incidents in 2024.

“Among the top industries that registered high incidence of accidents are construction, manufacturing, and retail. From January until now, there has already been 10 reported deaths and 34 injuries in workplaces mostly due to human error and neglect of personal safety, electrocution and falls among other causes,” Vito said.

Vito added that common types of accidents at the workplaces include; Falls from Height-workers falling from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs; Falling Objects-materials or tools dropping from elevated areas; Electrocution-contact with live electrical circuits or equipment; Slips, Trips, and Falls-wet floors, obstacles, or poor lighting.

Other injuries also include, Machine-Related Incidents-amputations, fractures, or crushing injuries; Vehicle Accidents-collisions involving forklifts, trucks, or company vehicles; Overexertion-lifting, pushing, or pulling heavy objects; Exposure to Harmful Substances- chemical, fume, or radiation exposure; and Workplace Violence-assaults, threats, or aggressive behavior, DOLE-7 said.

OSH Center Regional Office Head, Engr. Gines Timosa said that through the 5^th OSH Visayas Summit, DOLE-7 and OSH partners continuously work to promote workplace safety and health, including initiatives like toolbox meetings and safety clinics.

“Occupational safety and health is still part of labor cost and employers should know that if they invest on health and safety, employees become productive that redounds to the benefit of the companies, their employees and eventually, a safe and healthy communities,” Llane Concepcion, OHNAP Cebu Chapter President said. (Photos: MBCNewman & DOLE7-FB)

 

 

 

TravelCare turns 2, highlights PH-Austrian tourism partnership

CEBU CITY – TravelCare celebrated its second-year anniversary amidst the challenges posed by a typhoon in a “Tourism Stakeholders’ Gala Night” on November 5 at the Grand Ballroom of bai Hotel Cebu, emphasizing the importance of resilience and collaboration, highlighting the partnership between Philippine and Austrian tourism to showcase the beauty of the Philippines to the world.

“TravelCare is celebrating its second anniversary and the Tourism Stakeholders’ Gala is a significant gathering because it's more of appreciating our tourism partners and stakeholders, especially that our partner from Austria, Matthias Stelzmuller is here.  This is a good time for us to share such collaboration between the Philippine tourism and Vienna Austria's tourism,” said Sunshine Lim, TravelCare proprietor in an interview with this writer.

Lim said that the gathering of tourism stakeholders in Cebu, highlighted the second anniversary of TravelCare, a tourism management initiative of Santo Niño Mactan Montessori School (SNMMS), emphasizing resilience and gratitude to partners and collaborators, including Eva Air, for its support for over two years now.

TravelCare has achieved milestones such as educational tours in Taiwan and Bohol, family tours in Korea and Japan, and placed second in the Eva Air Marathon in Taiwan. TravelCare handled a lot of businesses, actively organizing educational tours, individual tourism, and sales missions, including a successful mission to Taiwan, Lim added.

“Now we are looking forward that we can do the same in Austria. The collaboration with Austria and Germany is seen as a significant opportunity to boost tourism,” Lim also announced that this new partnership with Austria and a donation of P100,000 to typhoon victims underscored the importance of service and community support. 

The Philippine-Austria Tourism partnership

According to Lim that the main purpose of the Tourism Stakeholders’ Gala event was to launch the partnership, foster and explore tourism collaboration opportunities and promote sustainable tourism initiatives between Austria and the Philippines with the main guest, Austrian Tourism Advocate, Matthias Stelzmüller

“Yeah, I think it would be a fantastic mission to showcase the beauty of the Philippines together in Austria and Germany and the Central European countries, because honestly, I've seen what the Philippines have to offer, and it is so much, and I think it has to be shown especially to our people, so that we have a lot of tourists coming here in the next years,” Stelzmuller said and invited the audience to be part of the TravelCare journey.

Stelzmuller praised TravelCare’s European-style organization and efficiency, and mentioned additional collaborations with Eva Air, Austrian headquarter, and European travel agencies, as well as his role in travel journalism to promote the Philippines.

He said that this event is seen as an opportunity to appreciate tourism partners and stakeholders and expressed his pride in being an advocate for TravelCare and shares his positive experiences in the Philippines.  Stelzmuller is recognized as "athlete with a heart" for using his platform for social good through his project, Skate the World.   

The initiative, which began in Cebu Lapu Lapu City in partnership with SNMMS, empowers Filipino youth through skating, promoting values like discipline, friendship, and hope, aligning with the broader goals of social good.

Great potential for PH-Austria cultural/travel exchanges

At the Q and A portion of the event, Stelzmuller discussed the unique aspects of the Philippines as a travel destination, highlighting its natural beauty, rich culture, and exceptional hospitality. He praised the Filipino people's friendliness and the country's potential for partnerships with Austria.

He emphasized the importance of showcasing Filipino culture globally and the need for a balanced approach to tourism to avoid over-tourism. He also praised the hospitable nature of the Filipinos and their ability to smile despite challenges.

Stelzmuller described the local tourism scene, including hotels, service, and people and expressed admiration for the Filipino hospitality and service quality.   He also mentioned plans for an Austrian trip to foster cultural exchange and the potential for direct partnerships between Austrian and Filipino hotels or travel agencies.

“We would like explore the potential for adventure tourism, sports camps, and purpose-driven travel in the Philippines. Together with TravelCare, we are planning for an Austrian trip to connect Filipino and Austrian tourism stakeholders,” he said.

Stelzmuller believed that both cultures have much to offer each other, emphasizing the mutual learning opportunities with Filipino tourism stakeholders to visit Austria to explore collaborations firsthand.

“We want to connect Filipino tourism stakeholders with Austrian tourism stakeholders because we see that there's a lot of potential.  What the Filipino or the Philippines has to offer is, I think, something that Austria and the countries around Austria are looking for, but they still maybe don't know yet.  So, we need to advertise it and showcase the beauty of the Philippines 100 percent,” Stelzmuller noted.

He believed that the future of travel in a digital world and how travelers will choose destinations may include three factors-- emotion, adventure, and sustainability will play a role, with sustainability becoming increasingly important and the potential for adventure tourism in the Philippines, including survival camps and sports camps.

Stelzmuller highlighted the importance of focusing on high-value target groups for tourism and how media, film, or storytelling projects like Skate the World can support cultural exchange.  He explained that his project's goal is to showcase the world from a different perspective, encouraging people to choose the Philippines for their holidays.

“I appreciate the positive feedback and interest generated by my Skate the World tourism activities in the Philippines, and there is a need to balance between digital experiences and real-life adventures,” he said.

Stelzmuller also expected an increase in backpackers and slow travelers, with potential for adventure tourism and high-value target groups and the importance of purpose-driven travel and its potential impact on the Philippines. (Photos: MBCNewman/Google Images)

 

Clasen Business Solutions launches AccountingSuite in Cebu

CEBU-- Clasen Business Solutions Inc. (CBSI)
officially launched “AccountingSuite”, an innovative all-in-one business management platform designed to simplify accounting, inventory, and compliance for Filipino entrepreneurs, November 14, 2025, at Seda Hotel Cebu, featuring industry leaders and business owners in press conferences and product roadshows. 

“Our mission is to empower Filipino businesses to grow smarter and faster.  AccountingSuite is more than software—it’s a partner in digital transformation,” said Janette Amahit, President and CEO of CBSI.

Glenn Porter, CBSI Functional Consultant bared that Clasen Business Solutions Inc., founded in 2007 has been a trusted provider of innovative business solutions in the Philippines for 18 years now, with a mission to empower entrepreneurs through technology.

CBSI delivers tools that simplify operations, enhance efficiency, and drive growth, from accounting systems to ERP solutions, CBSI is committed to helping businesses succeed in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Vijendra Singh, Managing Director & CEO of Transnational Company LLC, business and product partner of CBSI described the importance of market freedom and the need for local appliance requirements, emphasizing the integration of different features.

“The company has created different versions of the product and is working in various markets, including Thailand.  We are in constant effort to improve and adapt to market needs, especially about the guarantee for the Philippine market, given the company's foreign status,” Singh said.

Singh emphasized the long-term partnerships with local partners who understand the company's capabilities and support.  He assured that the company provides reliable technical support for basic problems and escalates advanced issues to the  Transnational Computer Agency.

Alexey Novikov, International Business Development and Manager, 1C Company confirmed the availability of after-sale services to ensure client satisfaction, reiterates the company's commitment to reliability and client support and stresses the importance of having a support system in place to address client concerns promptly.

Introducing AccountingSuite

Novikov introduced the Accounting Suite at the Business Roadshow and at the panel discussion during the launching event.  He bared that the product had an initial release in San Francisco in 2012.  It aims to integrate accounting and inventory management for small businesses, addressing the lack of comprehensive solutions on the market.

“The accounting suite is designed to be both on-premise and cloud-based, offering flexibility in deployment where users can easily transition between cloud and on-premise versions, moving data as needed,” Novikov explained.

The platform is developed by the Waxy company, designed for fast and flexible application development built on the platform that have open-source code, allowing for easy customization by partners or customers. The platform supports various operating systems and databases, offering scalability and cost savings for customers. The focus is on making the platform accessible for developers and consultants to quickly customize and deliver solutions, he added.

“Our company relies on a network of over 8000 partners for sales, support, and maintenance, the platform is scalable, supporting solutions for small businesses and large corporations.  We have a partner-centric approach, with partners delivering services in different countries and the platform’s flexibility allows for customization and the development of new applications by partners,” Novikov said.

Novikov went on that the platform supports various industries, including education, healthcare, and public sector and customers benefit from a low cost of ownership and the ability to customize and update their systems, design and delver tailored solutions for specific industries.

“Examples include a cloud-based accounting system for schools in South Africa, providing centralized financial management,” Novikov added.

AccountingSuite has a comprehensive coverage of activities for small and medium-sized businesses, including bookkeeping and financial management. The software is suitable for various industries, including e-commerce, retail, wholesale, manufacturing, and services, and covers the entire business cycle from cash management to payroll.

Standard and customized extensions are available, offering quick bug fixes, additional functionality, integration with other software, personalized reporting, and task automation. The AccountingSuite can be installed on-premise or accessed via the cloud, with a mobile application for real-time financial data access.

Users are encouraged to visit the website, try the free database, download the mobile application, and read the user guide to get started with the AccountingSuite, Novikov concluded. (Photos: MBCNewman)