CitySavings launches series of values formation webinars for educators

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY -- City Savings Bank, Inc. (CitySavings) launched its “National Economic Development and Values Formation” webinar series designed to guide the Department of Education’s (DepEd) public schools in revitalizing character education programs focusing on values and virtues that contribute to economic recovery.

Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas, a prominent economist and one of the initiators of values education courses highlighted the common notion of how contactless erodes the quality of human relations.

Villegas said there must be some way “we can make sure that as we enter a more digitalized world, we do not lose the distinct advantage of Filipinos, not only for its value to the employability of our workforce here and abroad but also primarily to retain the social virtues for us to be on top of any measure of Gross National Happiness.”

The first three batches of the webinar series were done in Luzon last year with a total 450 participants composed of principals, assistant principals, guidance counselors, teachers and other educators.  All webinars were virtual which started with the NCR on April 15-17; August 11-13 with NCR, Region 3 and Region 4A and on November 17-19 with regions 1, 4B and 5. 

“This webinar series was well received by our participants in Luzon and we are looking at replicating the program for our VisMin educators sometime this year," City Savings AVP- Reputation and Brand Management Head Paula Ruelan said.

The 3-day webinars were focused on the important roles of school authorities in exerting every effort of bringing in parents into the highly involved task of values and virtues formation. 

CitySavings strongly advocates to instill the right virtues among the Filipino youth in partnership with the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), a leading institution of higher learning in the Philippines with pioneering programs for educators in values formation for the training delivery of this engagement.

Educators noted that the pandemic accelerated digital transformation globally but it also yielded challenges, particularly, in contactless physical interaction between teachers and students.

To address the shift in educational needs, teachers are going beyond usual learning and teaching modalities, which the Bank recognized is also affecting how values or character formation are incorporated in the curriculum.

“I am confident that the key takeaways you got from this webinar, plus the valuable insights from Dr. Bernie’s Book of Virtues and Values, will help you think through your school’s character education program, and go through a decision-making process that will blend values into the curriculum for a stronger and better school community,” CitySavings President and CEO Lorenzo Ocampo said.

Dr. Arnulfo Balane, DepEd NCR assistant regional director explained that School administrators and teachers are an essential component in the character building of our students.  They must be equipped with the appropriate tools to provide the students with lifelong skills with a moral dimension for international competitiveness.

Dr. Antonio Torralba, an educator with tremendous experience in basic education helped the DepEd participants boost the campaign of #WAGI (Wastong Asal at Gawi, Isabuhay) that focuses on the long and delicate process of “pagsasabuhay” (living) “wastong asal” (right behavior) and “gawi” (human virtues).

Torralba said, manners (Wastong Asal) + Right Conduct (Gawi) are the essence of Values Education. More than a subject, it is a lifestyle. He also provided school leaders with a perspective on the four areas of conversation: What Makes Good Schools, Good Principals, Good Teachers, and Good Students.

Cynthia Marca, EdD RGC, Guidance Counselor III of Muntinlupa National High School said that the webinar was a reflective session hearing the voice of the learners on the ideas and suggestions on the areas of concern.

“I was able to draw a conclusion that in formulating programs/activities, to consider the values of the learners, it should fit their values and interest to guide them in making wise decisions,” Marca added. (Photos: CitySavings/Jomes Ybanez)

 

 

CCCI welcomes new president, BOT for 2022

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY -- The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) welcomed Charles Kenneth Co as its 50^th president, the newly-elected members of the executive committee and incoming Board of Trustees (BOT) for 2022 during the joint meeting of the incoming and outgoing BOT on March 1.

Co succeeded Felix Taguiam, who served as chamber president since 2020. Co is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Management at Ateneo de Manila – University, Co is currently the Assistant to the President of Cebu Steel Corporation. He also served as the Assistant to the President of the Cebu Oversea Hardware, and Treasurer of the Cebu Contractors Association.

 Also elected during the meeting are the members of the CCCI Executive Committee, namely: Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services: Melita Ramos, President & Finance Manager for Cebu Supergro Products Corporation; Vice President for External Affairs & Relations /Business Advocacy and Policy: Alice Queblatin, President of Cebu Alliance of Tour Operators Specialists; Vice President for Membership Development / Chamber Growth: Atty. Tomas A. Riveral, Chairman & CEO of Oriental Port & Allied Services Corporation; Vice President for Business Development: Jay Y. Yuvallos, President of Interior Basic Export Corporation and Vice President for Cebu Business Mobilization: Aaron Jeremy Que, Executive Vice President of Golden Prince Hotel & Suites and Golden Valley Hotel.

Also elected were CCCI Board Secretary: Ma. Aleta Dela Calzada, Designer & Managing Proprietor & Founder of ATE by Tatah Clothier; Treasurer: Joyce So, First Vice President & Head, Visayas Banking Center I of Security Bank Corporation and Legal Counsel: Atty. Joseph Tanco, Founder and Senior Partner of Tanco & Partners Law Offices.

Meanwhile, CCCI and AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development (AFFED) inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU), an industry-academe agreement for seafood production sector cluster to pursue and achieve the DET PILOT PROGRAM, in a virtual hybrid celebration of the CCCI general membership meeting on February 28.

The program aims to define, refine and initiate the implementation of sustainability mechanisms for active private sector involvement in dual Technical-Vocational Education and Training within the FISH Visayas Project.

CCCI also bared that 20 more companies are added in the CCCI roster of membership to continue to widen its reach to attain its goal of bringing the true voice of business in Cebu Province. (Photos: CCCI FB)

    

       

Over 200 Globe teams in PH join in its restoration efforts in Cebu City

CEBU CITY – More than 200 Globe teams from all over the country joined in for network restoration efforts in Cebu City, now on its final stage as it aims to speed up repair of the company's Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) network having restored  90 percent of its wired network as of end of February while the rest is expected to be fully operational by the middle of March 2022.

According to Yoly Crisanto, Globe SVP for Corporate Communications and Chief Sustainability Officer that Globe always has the best interest of its customers in mind. Although there are circumstances beyond its control, the company is doing its best to ensure that the affected communities have access to its services as soon as possible.

Globe bared that Odette toppled 80 cell sites in the Visayas most of which were located in Cebu. Due to powerful winds and heavy rains, primary and secondary telecom lines were compromised.

“Connectivity is critical these days.  This is why as part of #AlagangGlobe, our teams have redirected reinforcements in Cebu City that have been working tirelessly to hasten repair efforts to customers' home internet lines and main facilities that were damaged by the typhoon,” Wil-R Saldua, Globe Sr. Director for Broadband Customer Field Services said.

He said that Globe has been deploying additional teams from Luzon and Mindanao since December 17 last year due to numerous challenges brought about by the magnitude of Odette's impact and the kind of specialized manpower needed to handle fiber optic cables.

Globe’s restoration activities are hampered by power outages, multiple fiber cuts, and road clearing operations by local government units (LGUs) and other utility providers.  “All these make wireline restoration efforts more complicated compared to wireless,” Saldua added.

Globe also continues to support local communities as they rebuild and recover by ensuring that those affected remained connected through 134 Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging services across Visayas and Mindanao.

The company also supported more than 10,000 families through relief efforts in collaboration with partner NGOs and local Globe teams. It further equipped LGUs in badly-hit areas with the M360 messaging platform, providing a one-time package of free SMS blast services for 30 days that aided LGUs in their community disaster relief and recovery operations. (Photos: Globe/Google Images)

 

 

PLDT restores 86% of its fixed lines, 99% for Smart services in Visayas as of March 2022

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. reported that they had restored services by up to 99 percent for wireless customers and 86 percent for fixed customers in the Visayas, continues to fast tracks last mile in Mandaue and Mactan completed fixes in Bohol and Negros Island, post Odette and full restoration is expected in March to mid-April.

PLDT bared that its full restoration efforts are on catch up mode because of extensive fiber cuts in areas such as Mactan and Mandaue and its teams are also replacing the remaining copper connections with fiber optic cables.  Some parts of Cebu and Bohol still face commercial power difficulties, accidental cuts due to ongoing clearing operations and fiber optic cable theft in Cebu.

According to Cathy Yang, FVP & Group Head, Corporate Communications, PLDT & Smart that in the meantime PLDT/Smart provided customers using Smart’s prepaid WiFi devices with free initial load of 10GB and for those without Smart devices, they are topping up data load of 20 GB with 30 days validity to ensure a steady connection all throughout the restoration period.

“We have deployed supplemental manpower from teams in Luzon and other parts of the country to fully restore fixed services. We assure corresponding rebates will be applied to the bills of affected customers, and there will be no disconnection of accounts due to non-payment,” Yang said.

Yang added that PLDT/Smart’s organic personnel, about 1000 of them plus on-organic personnel from partner-suppliers and contractors were deployed in Odette-hit areas in the Visayas to expedite full restoration before the first week of March in Samar, Leyte, Negros Island and some parts of Cebu, and by mid-April for Mactan, Mandaue and Bohol. 

According to PLDT/Smart that while restoration is still ongoing, they continue to extend communications aid where needed, such as setting up free calling, charging, and WiFi stations to over 50 areas in Visayas and Mindanao.  Additional assistance is also being extended to affected customers via service rebates and relief packs.

As of first week of March, PLDT bared that they had fully restored its fixed services in Negros Island while its mobile services arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has fully restored its wireless services in Bohol. 

PLDT/Smart bared that one of the emergency response initiatives that immediately helped bring back communication services in Bohol was the use of Multi-equipment on wheels (MEOW), a portable cell site and satellite communications suite providing immediate communication support in lieu of the three collapsed Smart towers in the towns of Trinidad, Jetafe, and Danao.

PLDT/Smart have also deployed Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging stations as communication aid to hard-hit communities in Bohol and southern Negros and also distributed over 3000 relief packs to affected residents in those areas. (Photos: PLDT/Smart)

1,531 NPA members, supporters in Panay yield in 2021

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

PANAY ISAND – The Philippine Army's 3ID through its 301st Infantry (Bayanihan) Brigade, bared that there were 1,531 individuals who publicly renounced their support and alliance from the CPP NPA NDF terrorist.

Of the 1,531 NPA members and supporters, 44 are regular NPA; 159 are Militia ng Bayan (MB); 143 are members of Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL); and 1,185 Underground Mass Organization (UGMO). 

There were also 120 high-powered and low-powered firearms that were turned in by NPA and MB surrenderees in 2021 in Panay Island alone.

"The influx of surrenders will not be possible without the intensified convergence of efforts from the various government agencies in accordance with the concept of Whole-of-Government approach," MGen Benedict Arevalo, Commander, 3ID said.

Arevalo lauded the effective and collective efforts of the Army in fighting the insurgency not only in Panay Island but also in the entire country.

Meanwhile, Lt/Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. PA, the 65^th commanding general of the Philippine Army (PA) visited the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz on February 25 to show and extend his honors and support to the group for actively suppressing the spread of insurgency in the Panay Island.

    

       

Brawner was given the traditional military honors, briefing on the accomplishments and current thrust of the Command in in its designated Area of Responsibility (AOR) and he also led the ceremonial tree planting in and was given a tour to sceneries and facilities inside the Division Headquarters.

"The 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, is one of the army units that has accomplished so much for the past year.  Us in the Headquarters Philippine Army will assure this Command that we will push all the needed resources to aide you in our campaign against insurgency in your AOR", Brawner said.

Arevalo on the other hand said the 3^rd Infantry is privileged with the visit of the commanding general and assured him of the utmost support and accomplishment of the soldiers in the Western and Central Visayas. (Photos: AFP-Visayas Media)

 

CCLEX is now 90% complete, installs RFID sites for stickers registration

 MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The iconic Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) is now on its last stretch with just 10 percent left before project completion and it has started to install the CCLEX radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers that motorists need to use the expressway.

In a project update posted on its Facebook page, the CCLEX management has currently installed seven installation sites for the CCLEX RFID and called on motorists to schedule their RFID registrations at https://mptc.outsystemsenterprise.com/ORRAS/ and pick a date and installation site.

These sites are located at the Outlets at Pueblo Verde in Lapu-Lapu City; Cordova Centennial Avenue in Cordova; Parkmall, Landers Superstore, Robinsons Galleria Cebu, SM Seaside City Cebu (Official), and IL Corso Lifemalls in Cebu City.

According to CCLEX management that to use the expressway, motorists must have the RFID sticker installed on the vehicle by a CCLEX RFID installer.  The RFIDS are needed to access the Expressway which is expected to open this year.  CCLEX’s toll plaza is on the Cordova side and will have eight toll lanes—four lanes in each direction.

The P30-billion CCLEX uses an all-electronic toll collection system to provide safe and seamless travel. The remaining 10 percent work now covers piping and ducting and construction of safety barriers at the CSCR on and off ramp; Cebu viaduct, main bridge, Cordova viaduct and causeway. Embankment works are also ongoing at the causeway, FB project updates read.

The CCLEX is the first toll road project outside Luzon of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) that highlights the iconic crosses on top of the twin pylons of the cable-stayed main bridge over the Mactan Channel.

MPTC said this the third link to Mactan Island from Cordova town to mainland Cebu City via the South Road Properties (SRP) with a design speed of 80 kilometers per hour and a navigational clearance or height of 51 meters to allow large vessels to pass underneath the bridge.

 

 

MPTC chairman Manuel Pangilinan was in Cebu last year to mark the main bridge deck connection and launched the online appointment system for the installation of the CCLEX RFID stickers for vehicles on October 29, 2021.

 The central span of the cable-stayed bridge was joined on October 5, 2021 to finally link Cebu City and the Municipality of Cordova, this is the longest and tallest bridge in the Philippines, spanning 8.9 kilometers and is now becoming a tourist attraction in Cebu City.

“We are happy to bring to Cebuanos this contactless and cashless payment through RFID when using our expressway as part of our vision to modernize the country’s transport sector and as part of our commitment to nation-building,” Pangilinan said in his message last year.

MPTC president Rodrigo Franco said that the introduction of RFID in Cebu is part of the tollways group’s expansion of its cashless system, driven by the evolving changes in the industry and the expansive use of digital technologies. (Photos: CCLEX FB)

 

 

PCOO salutes 150 women fronliners in Cebu

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY-- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) led by secretary Martin Andanar hailed women forntliners in Cebu in an awarding ceremony “Parangal for Women Forntliners” Thursday, February 24 at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) as a sign of gratitude for their service to the Filipinos during this COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is now our turn to give back and to show you that that we are here for you. We hope this mitigates the burden you are carrying, thank you, our dear women frontliners,” Andanar, in his solidarity message expressed his gratitude to the service of these 150 women frontliners in Cebu rendered to the Filipinos.

Andanar said that the pandemic has proven to be a challenge for the Filipinos and these women frontliners stood up and heeded the call to fight this pandemic.  “We attribute these present achievements to you, our frontliners, especially the women, who continue to sacrifice everything just so we are kept out of harm’s way.”

Consistent with the PCOO’s commitment to advance women’s interests, PCOO is one with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in celebrating this year’s National Women’s Month in March, Andanar assured the women of PCOO’s utmost support to achieve gender equality and women empowerment in the country.

“Thank you for your selflessness and courage. You are our modern-day heroes,” Andanar said as he distributed box of groceries to each of the women frontliners in Cebu.

 Andanar also led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P300M proposed Visayas Media Hub (VMH) at Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City prior to the "Parangal." (Photos: PIA7)