“Radiating positivity, creating connectivity” BUSINESS Room 310-A, 3rd floor WDC Bldg. Osmeña Blvd., You may visit Cebu Business Week WEEK Facebook page. July 12 - 18, 2021 Volume 3, Series 95 www.cebubusinessweek.com 12 PAGES P15.00 RECLAMATION TO PUSH THROUGH Shipyard owners occupying land for free, says mayor

CONSOLACION, Cebu five people and who occupied By: ELIAS O. BAQUERO ments to the public because They only think of them- Mayor Joaness “Joyjoy” the area for about 50 years or they know they have no rea- selves. They’ve used the area Alegado said that those more. The shipyard is a small (DENR),” Alegado said. son to stay in that area as for 50 years. Now, the people who want to stop the town’s operation to repair vessels. “The people of Consola- their tenurial agreement should be the ones to develop 285-hectare reclamation There is no other economic cion in particular and all the with DENR has expired and and expand it,” Alegado said. project are those who occu- growth or development, em- Cebuanos in general must the people should use and He said he wished that pied the lands free of rental ploying only a few persons know that these few shipyard benefit from it now,” Alegado his dream will come true like for 50 years with little contri- who are not even from Con- owners have no more right added. this reclamation project so bution to the nation. solacion. to operate in Tayud because He said he is fighting more people can benefit from Alegado said that the “This is now high time their tenurial agreement with against the rich and influen- the town’s growth. But these reclamation project was con- that Consolacion and its peo- DENR expired,” Alegado. tial people; at least he is im- few shipyard owners don’t ceptualized during the pre- ple will use that place. The He urged the media to plementing the reclamation like it because they want to vious administration of his five shipyard owners are not refrain from being used by project for the people and get richer at the expense of mother, former Consolacion the owners of the land they these shipyard owners for not for greedy businessmen. the government. Mayor Teresa “Nene” Alega- are occupying for free for propaganda against the Con- “I don’t consider those He cited one of the ship- do, now the incumbent vice five decades. They only had solacion municipal govern- who are against the recla- yard owners who’ve earned mayor. tenurial instrument of the ment especially that the peo- mation project as enemies millions of money when the Alegado added that his foreshore area but only ex- ple’s interest is at stake. but economic partners. The P2.4 billion Cansaga Bridge present administration is im- pired lease agreements with “Pa-media sila left and problem is they don’t un- was constructed, passing on plementing it to expand the the Department of Environ- right for their propaganda derstand the purpose of rec- his tenurial property which economy of Consolacion for ment and Natural Resources mileage, sowing false state- lamation. They are selfish. later expired. the benefit of the majority of Aside from the fact that the people. the people of Consolacion He said Cebu City has the did not benefit from the (SRP) shipyard, the Consolacion while City has the Municipal Government does North Reclamation Project, not even know about their both worth billions of pesos. operation or illegal activities “We want a separate rec- there. lamation project in “If this is shipyard, they Tayud, Consolacion because will only repair ships. But there is a need for more oftentimes, the shipyard has space for decongestion of in- been the unloading point of dustries and accommodation all sorts of smuggled goods. of future investors,” Alegado Have they converted the said. shipyard into a pier? It’s He said the reclamation dangerous. They are not even project will be located on the paying taxes to the govern- shipyards owned by at least PROPOSED SEAFRONT CITY RECLAMATION PROJECT ment,” Alegado said. 2 July 12 - 18, 2021 Cebu Business Week NEWS Kusug party relaunched: Raymond CEBU City Council- that we should choose should or Raymond Alvin Garcia be those who are dedicated said that they had recently public servants,” Garcia said. re-launched Partido Kusug He added that Partido which is still registered with Kusug was maintained in the Commission on Election COMELEC records because (COMELEC) and can put he submitted list of officers up candidates from mayor on a yearly basis. It is like a down to the last councilor. corporation submitting to However, Garcia, who the Securities and Exchange is a lawyer and the majority Commission (SEC) a general floor leader in the Cebu City information sheet updating Council, said that Partido new members, new set of of- Kusug of former Mayor Alvin ficers. Garcia, Partido Panaghiusa “I have been very consis- of Metropolitan Cebu Water tent in submitting records to District (MCWD) Chairman the COMELEC every year,” Joey Daluz and Partido Ba- Garcia said. rug of Vice Mayor Michael Pursuant to the law, Rama will coalesce with each all political parties can or- other and make a strong po- It really sent me back down launch it,” Garcia said. elect a new Philippine presi- ganize down to the sitio litical alliance. memory lane. It was a nos- He said their organiza- dent. level. They can issue a cer- “We invited all our old talgic event because I was a tion has leaders from the “This coming election tificate of appointment to members in Partido Kusug, young child when my father grassroot level, down to the will determine not only the respective nomination and and they showed up during launched Partido Kusug. barangays. They have old welfare of Cebu City but the appointment, and the re- the launching to express And I saw a lot of my fa- leaders who are still reliable entire . The next spective candidates that the their support.” ther’s supporters there. We especially that the May 2022 President that we should party will endorse. ELIAS O. “I was happy about it. were able to successfully re- election is important as we vote and Cebu City officials BAQUERO Several firms get safety seal from DTI THE Department of The DTI issues the safety The Marketplace-Robinsons ert-Talamban, Robinsons Su- more-Naga, SM Supermar- Trade and Industry (DTI-Ce- seal for supermarkets, grocer- Galleria, Robinsons Super- permarket-Talisay, Robinsons ket-SM Seaside City Cebu, bu) said that there is now a ies, convenience stores, mem- market-Baseline Centre, Rob- Easymart-Mactan Newtown, Super Metro Supermar- list of establishments in Cebu bership shopping clubs, con- insons Supermarket-Banilad, Shopwise-Basak San Nicolas, ket-, Super Metro Su- with Safety Seal Certification. struction supply and hard- Robinsons Supermarket-Bel- Metro Supermarket-Ayala- permarket-Colon, Super Met- DTI Cebu said the Safety ware stores, logistics service mont One , Rob- Center Cebu, Metro Super- ro Supermarket-Mambaling, Seal Certification is a volun- providers, barbershops and insons Supermarket-Cebu market-Colon, Metro Super- Metro Fresh Easy-Mingla- tary certification scheme that salons, and service and repair Fuente, Robinsons Supermar- market-IT Park, Metro Super- nilla and Allday Supermar- affirms that an establishment shops. ket-Island Central Mactan, market-Pacific Mall Mandaue ket-Talisay. is compliant with the mini- For supermarkets, the and Robinsons Supermarket- and Metro Supermarket-Na- The hardwares are: Citi mum public health standards establishments with safe- Pueblo Verde Mactan, ga. Hardware-Liloan, Wilcon De- set by the government and ty seal are: The Market- Robinsons Supermar- Savemore-Carcar, pot-Mandaue and Wilcon De- uses or integrates its contact place-, ket-South Town Centre Tabu- Savemore-Elizabeth Mall, pot-Talisay. DTI PR/ELIAS O. tracing with StaySafe.ph. The Marketplace-Oakridge, nok, Robinsons Supermak- Savemore-Maribago, Save- BAQUERO DOLE pays P5.1M to TUPAD beneficiaries INFORMAL sector work- burquerque, Sikatuna and erence codes,” she said. nicipalities for helping DOLE for the wages of the TUPAD ers in some municipalities Baclayon who did community Reference codes were efficiently distribute the refer- workers in the towns of Al- in Bohol received their wag- clean-up and beautification of used by all TUPAD beneficia- ence codes to all beneficiaries burquerque, Sikatuna and es amounting to 5.1 Million tourist activity spots in their ries to claim their salaries at in a timely manner. Baclayon. Pesos from the Department respective localities for ten the nearest branch of the De- According to DOLE Bohol Beneficiaries were paid of Labor and Employment (10) days. partment’s partner money re- OIC Angelie T. Salgados, in the with the highest prevailing (DOLE) as beneficiaries of A total of 1,281 workers mittance center and the same town of Dauis, DOLE shelled minimum wage rate in the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa from the municipalities in- were distributed to the 41 out Php464,600.00 for the Region – Php404.00 per day Ating Displaced/Disadvan- volved benefited the TUPAD. beneficiaries in Alburquerque wages of first batch of TUPAD and were also provided with taged Workers or TUPAD in “We had to schedule three as well as in Sikatuna where workers, Php1,967,480.00 an orientation on safety and the province of Bohol. batches of payouts in the town there were 39 TUPAD work- and Php2,145,240.00 for the health as well as personal DOLE-7 Regional Di- of Dauis, where it registered ers and in Baclayon for its 68 wages of those falling under protective equipment (PPEs) rector Salome O. Siaton around 1,133 TUPAD workers beneficiaries. the second and third batches, including a Group Personal announced that the benefi- to be able to effectively observe Siatom thanked the Public respectively. Accident Insurance (GPAI) ciaries are residents of the the minimum health protocol Employment Service Offices The Department collec- coverage with the GSIS for municipalities of Dauis, Al- during the distribution of ref- (PESOs) of the concerned mu- tively spent Php597,920.00 one year. PR Cebu Business Week July 12 - 18, 2021 3 NEWS Rama talks with Duterte in Malacañang PRESIDENT Rodrigo in the bar examination, is R. Duterte and Cebu City the number one favorite of Vice Mayor Michael “Mike” the Duterte camp because he Rama had a one-on-one talk is acceptable to the United in Malacañang last July 13 States and reportedly sup- about national and local con- ported by the entire Armed cerns. Forces of the Philippines Duterte and Rama were (AFP). later joined by Senator Chris- As far as Cebu City is topher “Bong” Go, Executive concerned, Rama is the only Secretary Salvador Medial- politician with a strong ma- dea and Chairman Jun Mag- chinery under Partido Ba- no of the Philippine National rug which is accredited by Railway Authority. the Commission on Election Rama refused to divulge (COMELEC) for the entire to DYRC radio and Cebu Visayas (Regions 6,7 and 8). Business Week what trans- Rama has served Cebu pired in his meeting with City as councilor for three Duterte because these are all terms, vice mayor for three matters that should be kept terms, mayor for two terms confidential until something and now the incumbent is final. vice-mayor. Earlier, Rama met Labella and Rama was with presidential daugh- tandem for mayor and vice ter, Davao City Mayor Sara mayor, respectively in May Duterte-Carpio, after May- lieved that Rama is the official with former Department of Sara to be her vice-presiden- 2019 election and supported or Edgardo C. Labella failed candidate for mayor in Cebu National Defense Secretary tial running mate in the next by President Duterte under to show up because of a so- City come May 2022 election, Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro. election. a direct supervision of Pres- called worsening health con- once Duterte-Carpio will fi- Teodoro told DYRC that Political analysts said idential Assistant Michael dition. nally announce her candida- he had met Sara several Teodoro, also a former con- Dino. Both won by landslide. Political analysts be- cy for president, in tandem times this year and he offered gressman and number one ELIAS O. BAQUERO Gibo opposes phase out of board, bar exams FORMER Department A person who wants to no alternative to ensure that tion, providing legal opinion. of National Defense Secre- be a lawyer should study law, law graduates are qualified Secondly, the law has sev- tary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro is and he needs to be admitted to to become professionals,” Te- eral specializations like the against the suggestion of De- the bar by, sometimes oral ex- odoro said. international arbitration, and partment of Labor and Em- amination. He does not know He added that there must family law. ployment (DOLE) Secretary if there’s any country in the be improvement in our educa- In the future, the Philip- Silvestre Bello III to phase out world that allows a person to tional system, especially in the pines will have law experts in board and bar examinations. practice law without passing law school. any field of laws. Teodoro, who is also a the bar examination. From the lawyer’s point of “The people must know former congressman, was the “My stand is to retain the view, Teodoro said a practicing the lawyers that they will hire number one in the bar exam- board and bar examination lawyer must have a specialized depending on their needs,” Te- ination during his time. because the Philippines has GILBERT “GIBO” TEODORO field like arbitration, resolu- odoro said. ELIAS O. BAQUERO Learn from 2016 presidential election, says law prof A LAW PROFESSOR has “Were their ballots in- than 14 million votes would There was one time in the cinct they belong and they urged the Filipino voters to tentionally tampered to fa- be enough to win a candi- past, when there were three should secure identification. learn from the bitter lessons vor a candidate, or the voters date,” Jimenez said. senators in one term name- “The COMELEC should of the May 2016 presiden- themselves did not know how In 2016, presidential can- ly Marcelo Fernan, Ernesto install a special voting center tial election so they can elect to cast their votes?” Jimenez didate Mar Roxas got almost Herrera, John Henry Osmeña for senior citizens,” Jimenez a much better president in said. 10 million votes, while presi- and said. 2022. He said the total regis- dential hopeful Grace Poe got He said that for those He added that “voting is Atty. Josephus Birondo tered voters in 2016 were 55.7 nine million votes. Had the who failed to vote in the 2016 sacred” hence they should Jimenez has two findings in million but those who voted two candidates (Roxas and and 2019 elections to verify not sell their votes especially that 2016 presidential elec- were 44.7 million. This means Poe) merged, they could have with the Commission on Elec- to unscrupulous politicians tion. First, there were several there were almost 12 million won over Duterte. tion (COMELEC) whether or who are always reported to be presidential candidates that who did not vote, plus the 2.4 On the other hand, the not they are still registered committing graft and corrup- were fighting against each oth- million invalid votes. Visayan voters must elect Ce- voters. Some voting precincts tion and have lavish display er. Second, there were about “It could have made a buanos for senators to add were consolidated as clusters. of ill-gotten wealth. ELIAS O. 2.4 million invalid votes. difference because the more more power in Congress. They should check what pre- BAQUERO 4 July 12 - 18, 2021 Cebu Business Week OPINION

Edlab’s dishonest PR

The PR illusionists of Mayor Edgar Labella crowed to high heavens about the “clean” rating the Commission on Au- dit (COA) supposedly gave his administration in 2020. But these con- jurers hid the fact that the “unmodified opin- ion” referred only to the “fairness of presenta- Weekly Notes tion” of the 2020 finan- Emmanuel Nacorda Mongaya cial statement. The COA report enumerated several problems with how Mayor La- bella’s managed city finances. For instance, there is the issue of the P67.6 million and P845.5 million unsettled suspensions and disallow- ances. Some 632 beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program were not eligible. However, they received some P13.79 million. Rice purchases for Covid-19 relief amount- ing to P67.3 million were awarded to unqualified suppliers. The COA report casted doubts on the legality of procure- ments for the construction of the quarantine building at the North Reclamation Area amounting to P58.8 million. The purchase of 20,000 pieces of KN95 masks of P4.3 million exceeded the retail price set by the Department of Health. City Hall did not follow procurement procedures Editorial in buying 1,670 boxes of rapid anti-body test kits amount- ing P42.5 million. City Hall did not submit the summary of donations received. Some P11.5 million in Special Risk Allowance were released to non-public health workers. 3rd wave Appropriations totaling P306.7 million for 76 projects were not utilized by Dec. 31, 2020 “due to lack of judicious Gov. Gwen Garcia boast- our strict protocols at the especially when the cases in planning by the concerned implementing office.” ed how Cebu has successfully Mactan-Cebu International Cebu also began to increase. I am curious though. Did City Hall report the missing managed the Covid-19 situa- Airport (MCIA) to prevent, Instead of questioning donated chickens? The supporters of Mayor Labella and tion in pushing for relaxing perhaps lessen, the possibil- this assessment, perhaps Vice Mayor Mike Rama should be interested. After all, health protocols in the entry ity of the entry of these vari- Capitol should focus on they know who sold them the donated chickens. of Overseas Filipino Workers ants from abroad. strengthening our health sys- How do you damage control this PR disaster? Labella (OFW) and Returning Over- Tests cannot immediate- tem in the province instead cannot disown this COA report after gloating about it. He seas (ROF). ly determine if a person is in- of relying on the number of will just have to face the music. Apologize for the misleading This was one of her ar- fected. This is one weakness hospitals in . announcement and fire the sulsultant who gave the disas- guments in the controversy of testing an OFW and ROF We know that most of the trous PR advice. Then explain the COA observations. as the Inter-Agency Task on the first day of arrival. poor in the country’s richest Garbage Force for the Management Relaxing protocols at province would troop and Can Mayor Labella and company sweep under the rug of Emerging Infectious Dis- MCIA will make it easier congest Vicente Sotto Memo- the colossal mess Docast made with the city’s garbage dis- eases (IATF) insisted on for returning Filipinos to rial Medical Center (VSM- posal system? Why can’t City Hall just cut ties with this maintaining strict health make this as the backdoor MC) when sick instead of trucking operator? protocols. IATF officials for those going to Luzon and availing of private hospitals. After buying hook, line, and sinker the canard that COA even went to Cebu and at- other parts of the country. It is common knowledge that declared City Hall finances clean, will Cebu media gatekeep- tended sessions of the Pro- A more worrying situa- most district hospitals lacked ers start questioning why Labella cannot kick out Docast’s vincial Board. tion is the rising incidence of equipment and doctors. ass? Or will media continue helping the mayor? However, one weak- Covid-19 in , Had the governor In fairness however, it was media who fact checked the ness of the governor’s argu- Bohol, and . strengthened the district “clean” COA report. Media is just doing its job. ment is the spread of vari- Thus, it is not surprising hospitals in the Province of (Emmanuel Mongaya, the co-founder and director for ous Covid-9 virus variants that within weeks, the De- Cebu when she assumed of- strategic communications of PRWorks Inc., is a member abroad that are more trans- partment of Health (DOH) fice in 2019, we would have of the Political Officers League of the Philippines or POL- missible, even deadlier. in declared been more ready in manag- Phil. DM him @anol_cebu) There is a need to maintain the presence of a third wave, ing the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Radiating positivity, creating connectivity” Atty. Gerardo Carillo Emmanuel delos Santos Rabacal Cebu Business Week is published every Chairman President week by Cebu Newsmakers Forum, Inc. All contents of this newspaper are placed online CEBU through Cebu Business Week Facebook page. Emmanuel “Anol” Mongaya Elias O. Baquero BUSINESS Editor VP-Finance email: [email protected] Keres H. Aviles Bebie Hiñola Baquero Room 310-A,3rd floor WDC Bldg. WEEK Writer Marketing Manager Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City Cebu Business Week July 12 - 18, 2021 5 OPINION

Biden signs new order cracking down on Big Tech up potential competitors and oOo sive computer process for fa- bankrupted some. The presi- competing unfairly with small China’s central bank is cilitating bitcoin transactions. dent noted areas where advo- businesses. The Biden ad- quite worried about risks to Operators can get bitcoin as a cates feel that prices are too ministration is also targeting the global financial system reward. Since bitcoin’s launch high, wages are tamped down other sectors with the order. from privately developed dig- in 2009 as the first application or new businesses excluded It encourages other govern- ital currencies, particularly of blockchain technology, the from competition. The White ment agencies to take action so-called global stablecoins. digital currency has seen cy- House says the rate of new to improve competition across Fan Yifei, a deputy governor cles of interest, with the latest business formation has fallen BIZBITS healthcare, travel, and agricul- of the People’s Bank of Chi- wave sending it briefly above by almost 50% since the 1970s Manny de los Santos Rabacal ture. Once fully implemented, na, told reporters Thursday $60,000 earlier this year. Bit- as large businesses make it it would allow hearing aids to in Mandarin, according to a coin traded near $33,000 on harder for Americans with be sold over the counter, for CNBC translation that some Thursday. (CNBC) good ideas to break into mar- example, as well as the ban commercial organizations’ so- oOo kets. Biden’s action goes after of early exit fees from inter- called stablecoins, especially President Joe Biden corporate monopolies across net contracts. It also intends global stablecoins, may bring signed a sweeping executive a broad swath of industries, to make it easier for consum- risks and challenges to the in- order on Friday to promote and includes 72 initiatives he ers to claim refunds from air- ternational monetary system, more competition in the U.S. wants more than a dozen fed- President Joe Biden has lines. Mr Biden said that the and payments and settlement economy, urging agencies to eral agencies to act on. Lower signed an executive order order seeks to limit the use of system, etc. On Tuesday, the crack down on anti-competi- wages caused by lack of com- aimed at cracking down on non-compete agreements as central bank’s business de- tive practices in sectors from petition are estimated to cost big tech firms and promot- a condition of getting a job, velopment arm and Beijing agriculture to drugs and la- the median American house- ing competition. The move which he claimed can make city authorities ordered a lo- bor. If fully implemented, the hold $5,000 per year, accord- points to Mr Biden’s desire for it harder for people to change cal company to shut down on effort will help lower Ameri- ing to a White House fact sheet tougher scrutiny of Big Tech, jobs and therefore limits wag- allegations it provided soft- cans’ internet costs, allow for that cites research from the which the administration has es. The executive order alone, ware services for cryptocur- airline baggage fee refunds for American Economic Liberties accused of undermining com- however, does not mean these rency transactions. The move delayed luggage, among oth- Project - an influential Wash- petition. The order includes recommendations will come followed a national level call er steps. The order instructs ington-based anti-monopoly 72 actions and recommenda- into force immediately. The in late May to crack down on antitrust agencies to focus on group. The initiatives will no tions involving ten agencies. government agencies respon- bitcoin mining and transac- labor, healthcare, technology, doubt kick off a series of fights It suggests that problems sible will need to implement tions, which has sent miners and agriculture as they address with the affected industries. have arisen because of large the changes, while some el- looking to move operations to a laundry list of issues that (Reuters) tech firms collecting too much ements could be subject to the U.S. and other countries. have irritated consumers, and mannyrabacal1144@ personal information, buying court challenges. (BBC) Mining is the energy-inten- in the case of drug prices, has gmail.com

President Osmeña’s debt moratorium executive orders

introduced is the debt morato- an order lifting the moratori- PROCLAMATION NO. 9 rium. He subsequently issued um: DECLARING THAT THE PROVINCES OF ANTIQUE, BATAAN, BATANGAS, BOHOL, BULACAN, CAPIZ, EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 32 CAVITE, CEBU, ILOILO, LA UNION, MARINDUQUE, AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 25 PROMUL- MASBATE, MINDORO, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, NE- GATING RULES AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING GROS ORIENTAL, NUEVA ECIJA, PALAWAN, PAM- CURRENCY, BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS OF BANKS PANGA, PANGASINAN, RIZAL, SAMAR, TARLAC AND THEIR BRANCHES AND AGENCIES IN THE AND ZAMBALES HAVE BEEN FREED FROM ENEMY Cebu Legal PROVINCES, PROVINCIAL, CITY AND MUNICI- OCCUPATION AND CONTROL FOR THE PURPOS- PAL TREASURIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AC- ES OF THE DEBT MORATORIUM ESTABLISHED BY Pedia COUNTABLE OFFICES AND DEBT MORATORIUM EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 25 DATED NOVEMBER 18, Atty. Clarence Paul V. Oaminal By virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and 1944, AS AMENDED the laws of the Philippines, I, SERGIO OSMEÑA, President By virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and the of the Philippines, do hereby amend Title III, Debt Moratori- laws of the Philippines, I, SERGIO OSMEÑA, President of the Don Sergio Osmena, be- um, of Executive Order No. 25, dated November 18, 1944, to Philippines, do hereby declare, for the purpose of the debt mor- came the successor president read as follows: atorium established by Executive Order No. 25, dated November with the death of Don Manu- III. DEBT MORATORIUM 18, 1944, as amended by Executive Order No. 32, dated March el Quezon on August 1, 1944. 1. Enforcement of payment of all debts and other mon- 10, 1945, that the Provinces of Antique, Bataan, Batangas, Bohol, Sworn as president by Associ- etary obligations payable within the Philippines, except Bulacan, Capiz, Cavite, Cebu, Iloilo, La Union, Marinduque, Mas- ate Justice Robert H. Jackson debts and other monetary obligations entered into in any bate, Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Nueva Ecija, of the United States of America area after declaration by Presidential Proclamation that Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal, Samar, Tarlac, and Zam- Supreme Court. He was also in- such area has been freed from enemy occupation and bales have been freed from enemy occupation and control as of stalled as president by General control, is temporarily suspended pending action by the the date of this Proclamation, and that the debt moratorium will Douglas McArthur days after Commonwealth Government. not apply to debts and monetary obligations contracted in said the famous Leyte Landings on Done at the City of , this 10th day of March, in the provinces after the date of this Proclamation. October 20, 1944 at the steps year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and forty-five, and of the Done at the City of Manila, this 30th day of May, in the year of of the Leyte Provincial Capitol Commonwealth of the Philippines, the tenth. Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Forty-Five, and of the Com- in . The giant task of (Sgd.) SERGIO OSMEÑA monwealth of the Philippines, the tenth. healing the devastated econo- President of the Philippines (Sgd.) SERGIO OSMEÑA my of the Philippines was just By the President: President of the Philippines among the many challenges of (Sgd.) JOSE S. REYES By the President: the first and only Cebuano pres- Secretary to the President (Sgd.) JOSE S. REYES ident. Among the measures he Secretary to the President 6 July 12 - 18, 2021 Cebu Business Week OPINION

Body cam requirements Using her car, they were men of uniform. Hence, the high court made the empha- provisions may unwittingly brought to their place of Supreme has issued new sis. provide gaps, loopholes and residence. They could not guidelines in conduct of ar- A similar rule applies opportunities for circum- complain as the men were rest, search, and seizure in in the implementation of vention on the ground.” heavily armed and look like accordance with the Rules search warrants. But it is Based on the latest hoodlums. When they ar- of Court. stricter on law enforcement. numbers, the PNP has rived at their residence, the The Supreme Court has The reason for the strict 2,696 cameras in its inven- armed men asked her to required law enforcers to regulation is the fact that tory, and has trained 600 open her safety deposit box wear body cameras during the police already have the cops, so far, to use them. and took pieces of her jew- arrests, search, and seizure. factual data on the search, Body cam required even The Legal Front elry and cash placed inside. This is part of the Court’s while arrest warrants are for warrantless arrest. Cops Atty. Gerry Carillo She was just informed of “Rules on the Use of Body- issued after a judge decides are also required to wear her live-in partner’s arrest Worn Cameras in the Ex- that there is sufficient prob- body cameras during war- and they were taking the ecution of Warrants” that able cause against the re- rantless arrests, but the jewelries and money as part it released on Friday, July spondent in a complaint. resolution qualified it with of the evidence. Apparent- 9. The resolution is dated The Supreme Court the phrase, “insofar as it is ly, they were police officers. June 29. committed this rule on practicable.” The officers then called her “Failure to observe the body cameras after collec- In cases of warrantless live-in partner to relay that requirement of using body- tive pressure from lawyers arrests for drug operations, Jane (not her name) would be needed for them to worn cameras or alterna- and activists, who made co- “the media representative went to shop for grocer- plea bargain. But the police tive recording device shall ordinated calls for the Court may be allowed to record ies in a mall located in did not issue any receipts render the arrest unlawful to intervene in escalating the operation. the south on May 21 years of what they have taken or render the evidence ob- abuses and killings during This is a welcome devel- ago with her children and nor presented these to the tained inadmissible. Facts police operations. opment in the enforcement household helpers. While court. Indeed her partner surrounding the arrest may “We are grateful and ap- of the law especially of drug picking some items for gro- was able to plea bargain un- be proved by the testimo- preciative of the responsive enforcement. Whether this cery, six unidentified men der such arrangement. nies of the arresting offi- action of the Supreme Court rule will hamper or improve suddenly swooped at them Similar cases of this cers, the person arrested, on the matter,” said Nation- the enforcement that re- scaring the children and nature have reached to the and other witnesses to the al Union of Peoples’ Law- mains to be seen. Write us herded them outside the ears of the high court as to arrest,” said Section 5, Rule yers (NUPL) president Edre at carillogerry@yahoo. mall. the abuses of some of the 2 on arrest warrants as the Olalia even as he said “some com.ph

COVID-19 pandemic puts the country’s workers’ rights as its worst Moreover, the Philip- poses a shameful roll call a number of scandals about The data of this annual pines is included together of governments and pri- governments’ surveillance GRI listings on violations with six other countries, vate establishments that of trade union leaders, at- and restrictions of work- namely: Brazil, Colombia, have pursued an anti-union tempting to instill fear ers’ rights and freedom is Guatemala, Myanmar, and agenda in the face of work- and put pressure on inde- based on the situation in Nigeria where killings ar- ers, who have stood on the pendent unions and their 149 countries. rests, violations of right to frontline providing essen- members. Countries whose rat- establish, and join a trade tial work to keep economies “We see the handwrit- ings have worsen in 2021 The Labor Front union are violated. and communities function- ing clearly on the wall include Belgium, Canada, Art Barrit Notably, the country ing”, noted ITUC General where workers rights are El Salvador, Haiti, Hunga- has been on the list since Secretary Sharan Burrow. being trampled upon and ry, Jordan, Malaysia and 2017, the first full year un- Accordingly, the re- workers are and will be vic- Slovakia. A high-profile der the administration of ports revealed that 87% tims in the current political arrest – an arrest that un- President of countries have violat- environment, added the fi- dermine the rights of work- whose campaign promise is ed the right to strike, 79% ery union spokesperson Al- ers to representation were anchored on championing have violated the right to lan Tanjusay. experienced by trade union workers’ rights. Contrary, collective bargaining, 74% There were reported- leaders in Hong Kong. the country retained its have excluded workers ly 50 trade unionists that The worst region in the spot on the infamous roster from establishing or join- have been murdered since world for working people The Philippines for the as one of the worst coun- ing a trade union. And the the start of the Duterte for eight years running are fifth straight year remains tries for working people in number of countries that administration. The unre- those in the Middle East among the top 10 danger- 2021. impeded the registration of solved labor-related mur- and North African (MENA) ous countries for workers, Along with other coun- unions increased from 89 ders and disappearances of countries; Libya, Palestine, according to the 2021 an- tries in the 8th year edition in 2020 to 109 in 2021. It trade unionists and work- Syria and Yemen. nual report of the Interna- of the GRI, the top 10 worst was also reported that free- ers, various intimidations The ITUC GRI ex- tional Trade Union Con- countries in the dishonor- dom of assembly and free and repressions by govern- plained that “it will take a federation (ITUC) Global able roll for working people speech were repressed and ment and employers and New Social Contract, with Rights Index (GRI). Re- are Bangladesh, Belarus, were curtailed increased wanton attacks on work- jobs, rights, social justice, portedly, due to COIVD-19 Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, from 56 from previous year ers’ fundamental rights equality and inclusion to pandemic, the abuses being Honduras, Myanmar, Phil- to 64 in 2021. made the current situation rebuild the trust that has experienced by the workers ippines, Turkey and Zim- Interestingly, included dangerous and difficult been shattered by repres- from government and em- babwe. in the report as a red-flag for workers, lamented the sive governments and abu- ployers has worsened. “The GRI reports ex- were the alarming trend of ITUC reportorial index. sive companies.” Cebu Business Week July 12 - 18, 2021 7 BUSINESS DOTr completes 497 kms of bike lanes in Metro Manila, Davao, Cebu THE Department of of mass transportation; and Transportation (DOTr) said to open infrastructure for Monday that at least 497 ki- active transportation such lometers of bike lanes and as walking and cycling,” he signages worth P1.09 bil- added. lion have been completed in Bicycles were recognized Metro Manila, as well as key as a mode of transportation areas in Cebu and Davao. under the Republic Act. No. At least 313 kilometers 11494 or the Bayanihan to of pavement markings were Recover as One after pub- completed by the DOTr and lic transportation, such as the Department of Public buses, trains and jeepneys, Works and Highways in the were suspended during the NCR, while a total of 29 km first COVID-19 lockdown in of markings, physical sep- March last year. arators, and road signages The government has were completed in Metro provisioned funding to Cebu. “support the establishment Meanwhile, 55 km were of bike lane networks,” the completed in Metro Davao, DOTr said. the DOTr said. Several local govern- The total disburse- ment units have also invest- ment for the three projects TRANSPORT SECRETARY ARTHUR TUGADE LED AN INSPECTION OF THE 2.3-KILOMETER-LONG ed in building their own bike amounted to P1.09 billion SOUTH ROAD PROPERTIES (SRP) SECTION. lane network for use of cit- under the Bayanihan Bike izens, especially frontliners Lane Networks Project. the public and commuters,” Art Tugade said. commuters with access to during the COVID-19 pan- “It fulfills the desire of Transportation Secretary “We intend to provide faster, and efficient means demic. ABS-CBN NPC issues cease-and-desist order to Pilipinas2022.ph THE National Privacy full name, complete address, er Raymund E. Liboro, and forming data subjects, espe- survey” websites created and Commission (NPC) has is- and mobile phone number so Deputy Privacy Commission- cially voters, on how and why managed by unknown enti- sued a cease-and-desist or- they can take part in a survey ers John Henry D. Naga and their personal information ties as these may pose secu- der (CDO) to the website Pil- supposedly aimed at gauging Leandro Angelo Y. Aguirre was being collected. rity risks. ipinas2022.ph for multiple the public pulse in the run- signed the order. “We also call on voters The NPC directed Pili- violations of the Data Privacy up to the 2022 national elec- Based on the CID find- to be more vigilant and cau- pinas2022.ph to file a com- Act. It warns voters against tions. ings, Pilipinas2022.ph does tious in joining initiatives or ment within 10 days from re- giving their personal infor- The order was issued af- not meet the lawful criteria campaigns that collect their ceipt of the order, and to stop mation as part of surveys to ter the Complaints and In- for processing of personal personal data with question- processing personal data on gauge public pulse for the vestigation Division (CID) information and has failed to able intentions,” Naga add- its database until the Com- 2022 national elections. scrutinized on its own accord comply with the general data ed. mission issues a decision on The NPC has enjoined Pilipinas2022.ph amid con- privacy principles of trans- The Commission on the submission of the com- the National Telecommuni- cerns that the website’s con- parency, legitimate purpose, Elections (Comelec) earlier ment. cations Commission (NPC) tinued operations would ex- and proportionality. said that Pilipinas2022.ph The NPC sent the CDO to take down the website of pose to risk voters who were Deputy Privacy Commis- was not affiliated with the to the email address of Pili- Pilipinas2022.ph. enticed to participate in the sioner Naga, who penned the election body. The Comelec pinas2022.ph whose owners NPC said the website survey. order, said the NPC would reminded the public to think and operators have remained requires voters to give their Privacy Commission- not tolerate the act of misin- twice before clicking “online unidentified. SEC warns vs. marketing center THE Securities and Ex- offering a passive income an “undisclosed task.” of the two have a license of all those involved will be change Commission (SEC) is program, which promises a Leovic 3X1 Wellness and to collect investments and reported to the Bureau of warning the investing public 210% return within 35 days Beauty Center holds a Cer- these are also not registered Internal Revenue (BIR) so against an unauthorized en- or six percent daily. tificate of Business Name as a crowdfunding interme- that the appropriate penal- tity promising lucrative re- It also has other pro- Registration from the De- diary or a funding portal. ties and/or taxes be corre- turns. grams to entice would-be in- partment of Trade and In- Those who act for 3X1 spondingly assessed,” the “The commission was vestors. dustry but the entity is still Marketing Services/Leovic SEC said. made aware of the illegal One can put in as low as not authorized to collect in- 3X1 Wellness and Beauty The commission also investment-taking activities P1,500 for “binary products” vestments as a registration. Center in collecting invest- calls on the public to not of 3X1 Marketing Services/ and earn 10% in a direct re- A license from the commis- ments from the public may invest in or stop investing Leovic 3X1 Wellness and ferral bonus. For another sion is still needed. be prosecuted or held crim- in 3X1 Marketing Services/ Beauty Center owner and program called “Task, Capt- 3X1 Marketing Services/ inally liable, the SEC said. Leovic 3X1 Wellness and operated by Leovic Nachor cha,” 3X1 Marketing Ser- Leovic 3X1 Wellness and Persons may be fined a pen- Beauty Center. Those with Montemayor,” the SEC said vices said an account worth Beauty Center is not regis- alty fee worth P5 million at information about the en- in an advisory dated July 8. P1,500 may earn P1,500 to tered with the commission most and/or face 21 years tity’s operations are also The Montemayor-led P1,950 in 15 days by captcha as a corporation or as a part- behind bars. called on to report these to entity attracts investors by encoding and by performing nership. The SEC said none “In addition, the names the SEC. PR 8 July 12 - 18, 2021 Cebu Business Week BUSINESS Honor our Coast Guard who drove away Chinese vessels: Risa SENATOR Risa Honti- Shoal in WPS after the PCG veros has urged the Depart- issued a radio challenge when ment of Transportation (DOTr) it encroached the Philippines’ to honor officials of the Philip- exclusive economic zone. pine Coast Guard (PCG) who Hontiveros said the ra- drove away Chinese vessels at dio challenge is a sign that the West Philippine Sea which is Philippines can force its claim owned by the Philippines. of ownership of WPS without “Congratulations to the engaging a war against China. PCG personnel who brave- “Hindi kinakailangan hu- ly stood up for our sovereign mantong sa giyera ang pagde- rights. These acts of bravery pensa at pagprotekta natin sa should not go unnoticed. Hin- WPS. Ang magigiting nating di madali ang obligasyong ito, opisyal sa PCG ay mismong kaya’t mabigyan sana sila ng patunay na magagamit ngay- parangal para sa bawat pagtin- on manindigan nang hindi dig,” Hontiveros said. nagawang marahas at malu- Hontiveros said the BRP pit. Considering the heightened Cabra of the PCG has allegedly modore Armand Balilo said a tapang na naitaboy ng Pili- tin ang mas marami pang tensions in the disputed waters, issued radio challenge to five lady radio operator has used a pinong barko ang mga dayu- mga opisyal na ipagtanggol official commendation should Chinese vessels and two Viet- Long-Range Acoustic Device hang iligal na nakikipag-us- at protektahan ang ating be given to our officers. It’s the namese vessels which were to make the radio challenge in ap sa sarili nating karagatan. dagat at ating mga mama- least we can do for those who sighted at Marie Louise Bank driving away the seven foreign Kailangan nating regular at mayan,“ Hontiveros said. serve on the frontlines of our of West Philippine Sea. vessels. patuloy na magbigay ng mga Last May 2021, a Chinese national security,” Hontiveros PCG Spokesman Com- “Nakakaproud na buong komendasyon upang hikaya- vessel also left from Sabina said. PR/ELIAS O. BAQUERO Philhealth to pay serious sufferers of vaccine side effects THE Philippine Health package is only available to tions through other initiatives, received compensation from indicating deductions of Phil- Insurance Corporation (Phil- those who received COVID-19 especially in the private sector, COVAX no-fault compensa- Health benefits, private insur- Health) recently announced jabs through the Philippine if the vaccines were sourced tion program; and the result of ers/HMOs, and out-of-pocket its compensation package for COVID-19 Vaccination Pro- from the country’s Philippine the causality assessment must expenses. those who will develop serious gram. COVID-19 Vaccination Pro- be “vaccine product-related Other supporting doc- adverse effects (SAEs) follow- The package is capped at gram. reaction” or vaccine quality uments such as duly signed ing inoculation for COVID-19 P100,000 for hospitalizations The compensation cov- defect-related reaction”. physical examination report that will lead to hospitaliza- to cover remaining charges ers claims filed from March Hospitalization benefits describing the disabling man- tion, permanent disability, or after deduction of PhilHealth 3, 2021, to March 2, 2026, or can be availed of more than ifestation or death certificate death. benefits, mandatory dis- until completion of the vac- once if the cap of P100,000 has should also be included for In a press release to Cebu counts, and other coverage cination program, whichever not been reached yet. Howev- permanent disability and Business News, Philhealth provided by private health in- comes first. Those who will er, coverage for permanent death claims, respectively. said the package and its surance companies and health avail of this package must disability or death can only be For more information guidelines are contained in its management organizations have had at least one vaccine claimed once. Among the re- on this compensation pack- PhilHealth Circular No. 2021- (HMOs). received through the said Vac- quirements for compensation age, the public may call Phil- 0007 published on June 18, Similarly, a lump sum of cination Program. claims for hospitalization are Health’s Action Center Ho- 2021. P100,000 per beneficiary in It must also be established proof of COVID-19 vaccina- tline at (02) 8441-7442; post In a recent media forum case of permanent disability that the vaccine does not have tion (vaccine card or slip); vac- a question and receive a call of the Department of Health or death. However, PhilHealth a Certificate of Product Regis- cine injury assessment survey; back at 0921-6300009; or (DOH), the state health insur- clarified that it will cover pa- tration at the time of inocula- statement of account; medical e-mail at actioncenter@phil- er said that the compensation tients who received inocula- tion; the beneficiary has not certificate; and official receipt health.gov.ph. PR Villanueva: Troll farms peddle ‘fatal’ misinformation SENATOR Joel Villanue- Villanueva, chair of the Senate ator said, could lead to seri- The resolution defined a down a rabbit hole of obscen- va joined calls for the Upper labor committee. ous consequences, sometimes social media troll as “someone ities, personal attacks, and Chamber to investigate alle- Villanueva joined 11 other even fatal. who creates conflict on sites jokes,” the resolution read. gations of public funds financ- senators led by Senate Pres- “When trolls peddle an- like Twitter, Facebook and The people should know ing ‘troll’ farms which were ident Vicente Sotto III and ti-vaccine information, the re- Reddit by posting messages why public funds were al- reportedly established to sow Senate President Pro Tem- percussions are literally dead- that are particularly contro- legedly spent on troll farm misinformation in time for the pore Ralph Recto in filing ly,” Villanueva added. versial or inflammatory with operators “disguised as pub- coming elections in 2022. Senate Resolution No. 768, He then called on every- the sole intent of provoking an lic relations practitioners and “Organized trolls are which asked the chamber to one, including all political emotional response from oth- social media consultants” weapons of mass distraction. investigate reports that pub- groups, to publicly denounce er users.” who sow fake news “rather The seeds of falsehood they lic funds were used to finance these troll farms and aban- “These messages from than on COVID-19 assistance, plant ripen into hate ready troll farms propagating “fake don plans, if there are any, to trolls distract and take focus healthcare, food security, jobs to be harvested by those who news.” utilize them in the 2022 elec- away from the subject at hand, protection, education, among are harmed by the truth,” said Misinformation, the sen- tions. sending a rational discussion others.” PR Cebu Business Week July 12 - 18, 2021 9 CEBU CITY PAGE City Hall to pay water bills for poor families: Daluz STARTING July 2021, has urged Cebu City Coun- the bills of the poor families cil to also support it for the who will consume 10 cubic benefit of the people. meters of water and below “So, starting July to De- per month will be paid by cember 2021, we will use the Cebu City Government, the P100 million from the said Atty. Joey Daluz. Cebu City Government as The chairman of Met- stimulus for the people. The ropolitan Water District P200 million will be allocat- (MCWD) and a special as- ed for MCWD by next year,” sistant of Cebu City Mayor Daluz said. Edgardo C. Labella pro- He added that at the posed to the chief executive soonest possible time, they to provide the water utility will submit their memo- firm the amount of P100 randum of agreement to million to subsidize the wa- the City Council for concur- ter consumers. rence. Daluz said that for 2021 “I believe that we will alone, the Internal Reve- the payment of consumers tems loss, local and nation- water sources in Budlaan have the City Council’s sup- nue Allotment (IRA) for the who use water 10 cubic me- al taxes, among others. and other barangays. port it because it will ben- Cebu City Government will ters and below. On the other hand, Da- “There are really several efit water consumers, and be increased to P900 mil- He added that families luz said the P200 million water sources there and all considering that water is a lion, and they are only ask- who consume water from 11 will be used to develop sur- we need are infrastructures right, and water is life. This ing P200 for MCWD subsi- to 30 cubic meters a month face water in mountain ba- to impound the water and is a small amount compared dy for the year 2022. will only pay the actual con- rangays. deliver it down to urban ar- to what the City Govern- He said that if the Cebu sumption, and the Cebu Recently, Daluz and eas,” Daluz said. ment approved as stimulus City Local Government Unit City Government will pay other members of the board Fortunately, he said the to non-government organi- (LGU) will give the amount, the pass-on charges like and officials of MCWD man- mayor immediately agreed zations,” Daluz said. ELIAS MCWD will use it to cover power cost adjustment, sys- agement inspected possible and supported it. Labella O. BAQUERO Zafra pushes scholarship for agri students The Cebu City Coun- lands owned by the Cebu must have farm machiner- City’s mountain barangays, can avail a tax break for five cil presided by Vice Mayor City Government to practice ies, barn, irrigation system, there is a high level of pes- years. Michael “Mike” Rama has their profession. and cold storage facility in ticides. The farmers told “We should maximize approved the proposed ordi- “We are encouraging the mountain barangays where Zafra that they were forced the use of our lands. If nance authored by Council- people, especially the young, they can store their farm to use pesticides against in- owners of residential and or Philip S. Zafra giving full to consider agricultural produce. sects to make their vegeta- commercial lots don’t have scholarship to students who courses seriously. If there He urged the farmers to bles saleable to the consum- money yet to build hous- want to take agricultural will be no more farmers in refrain from using chemi- ers. es or establish businesses, courses. Cebu, who will be tasked for cal-based fertilizer but only On the other hand, Zaf- they should temporarily go Zafra said that once the food production? We need to organic fertilizer which is ra urged owners of idle resi- farming to help the gov- students will graduate from eat every day. And we need soil-friendly and is safe to dential and commercial lots ernment’s food production any agricultural course, they the farmers,” Zafra said. people’s health. to temporarily use it for ag- program,” Zafra said. ELIAS will be allowed to till the He said the farmers He said that in Cebu ricultural purposes so they O. BAQUERO Regional Food Terminal to break ground this July: Zafra CEBU City Councilor Cebu Business Week that the have a food terminal, it will class and there are several the opportunity to maximize Philiip S. Zafra said ground- P14 million which is a fund also have urban gardening public schools which have yields and get reasonable breaking of the P14-million support of the Department of on its side as an adjunct to open areas that are idle, not prices of their vegetables. In Regional Food Terminal will Agriculture (DA) to the Cebu the food production program utilized or developed. We that sense, the vegetables will transpire before the end of City Government was already of the government. This will partnered with the Depart- not be bought by the middle- July 2021. downloaded to the city trea- serve as demonstration farm ment of Education (DepEd), men because the farmers will Zafra, chairman of the surer’s office. to all people who want to join represented by school prin- directly sell their products in Committee on Agriculture, Zafra said that at the side urban gardening,” Zafra said. cipals to plant vegetables in the food terminal. So, from said the SRP Management of the food terminal is the ur- At present, Zafra said their open spaces,” Zafra said. the farm to the consuming Board has already identified ban gardening in cooperation they are propagating vegeta- Zafra said the regional public,” Zafra said. the exact location where the and coordination with the ble farming in the different food terminal will soon have a He hopes that the farm- food terminal will be con- Department of Agrarian Re- public schools which they call “buying station” to purchase ers will plant different kinds structed, within the South form (DAR). “Gulayan sa Paaralan.” the vegetables produced by of vegetables to balance the Road Properties. “While the Cebu City “We take the opportunity the people. supply and demand. ELIAS O. Zafra told DYRC and Local Government Unit will that there is no face-to-face “We will give the people BAQUERO 10 July 12 - 18, 2021 Cebu Business Week CEBU CITY PAGE COA ‘unmodified opinion’ a milestone: Labella MAYOR Edgardo C. of the Cebu City Government Labella has considered the last February 11, 2021. Commission on Audit (COA) Despite the Covid-19 “unmodified opinion” on the pandemic, the Cebu City Gov- Cebu City Government finan- ernment showed an increase cial statement for the year in its assets and liabilities, 2020 as a remarkable mile- including both in its income stone in public service. and expenses, and in its ap- “Congratulations Cebu propriation, allotment, and City Government and to all actual obligations. who made it possible,” Label- The COA also found that la said in his Facebook post. the Cebu City Government “I am happy to announce was able to implement 16 in- that for the first time ever, frastructure projects and 13 since its charter in 1937, Cebu ongoing projects with a total City has received an unmod- cost of P242,287,497.67. ified opinion from the Com- The projects include mission on Audit for our fi- road and drainage system nancial transactions for the improvement in different year 2020,” Labella said. barangays, construction and He said this is the first improvement of school build- time that the Cebu City Gov- ings, multipurpose buildings, ernment got that rating which evacuation centers, hospital is considered as the highest and dormitory, and installa- COA audit rating, which also tion of digital traffic system, means a sound financial as- among others. pect of the Local Government The COA is conducting Unit (LGU). annual audit on government He added that he was COA opined that the city’s fi- ternational Public Sector Ac- evidence we have obtained is offices like the Cebu City Gov- happy that the Cebu City nancial statements “present counting Standards (IPSAS). sufficient and appropriate to ernment to ensure transpar- Government got that rating in fairly, in all material aspects,” All the city’s appropria- provide a basis for our un- ency and accountability, in his first term as mayor, even the financial position and its tions, whether annual bud- modified opinion,” read the accordance to International though the entire world is fac- financial performance, its gets or supplemental budgets, COA report. Standards of Supreme Audit ing the Corona Virus Disease cash flows, and its compar- were approved by the Cebu The COA also congratu- Institutions (ISSAI), authori- (Covid-19) pandemic. ison or budget and actual City Council presided by Vice lated the Cebu City Account- tative international standards Labella said that in its amounts for the year then Mayor Michael “Mike” Rama. ing Office for its early submis- on public sector. ELIAS O. Annual Audit Report (AAR), ended in accordance with In- “We believe that the audit sion of the financial statement BAQUERO Panaghiusa moves against personality politics: Daluz PANAGHIUSA Party Cortes-Daluz founded it, ban, a joint party of Partido will support the remnants of House of Representatives chief Atty. Joey Daluz said together with Rep. Anto- Demokratikong Pilipino of the late Ferdinand E. Mar- Majority Floor Leader Mar- his group is now moving to nio Cuenco, Senator John the late Senate President cos in the coming election. tin Romualdez. eliminate personality pol- H. Osmeña, Chief Justice Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and He added that Panaghi- “For me, they should not itics and push for ideology Marcelo Fernan, Mayor Eu- Laban ng Bayan of the late usa was organized against be running for any position that could strongly benefit logio Borres, Councilor Cle- Senator Benigno “Ninoy” the tyranny of the former in government because the the people. mente Rama, among others Aquino Jr., dictator, the father of for- Marcos family has not yet “I am bringing the who are already deceased. He said that one of the mer senator Bongbong paid the destruction of the principle of Panaghiusa,” He said the ideology reasons why he revived Pa- Marcos and incumbent country during Martial Law said Daluz whose mother, of Panaghiusa is a little bit naghiusa was his concern Senator Imee Marcos, and days. Never again!” Daluz Assemblywoman Nenita similar with that of PDP-La- that some of his party mates uncle-in-law of incumbent said. ELIAS O. BAQUERO Food security ordinance approved by Council: Zafra THE Cebu City Council Food Security Ordinance. of farm machineries, farm the landowners will have encourage landowners to has approved the Food Se- The salient feature of this implements, and construc- real estate tax deduction for plant vegetables on their curity Ordinance authored ordinance is that farmers tion of water catchments, five years. properties,” Zafra said. by Councilor Philiip S. Zafra who are members of associ- trucks for product delivery, “We have seen idle lands He said that landown- appropriating P100 million a ation or cooperative can ask seedlings and organic fertil- in urban and mountain ba- ers who have no capital to year to subsidize farming ac- for funding support for their izers, among others. rangays which are wastes do business at the moment tivities. projects from the Cebu City The ordinance also of opportunity on food pro- might start planting vege- “We are now waiting for Government,” Zafra said. mandates that those resi- duction especially during tables on their properties the executive department to Zafra, chairman of the dential or commercial va- the Covid-19 pandemic that and avail the tax break of prepare for implementing Committee on Agriculture, cant lots shall be utilized resulted to scarcity of food. the Cebu City Government. rules and regulations of the said the farmers may avail for food production because With tax incentives, we can ELIAS O. BAQUERO Cebu Business Week July 12 - 18, 2021 11 BOHOL NEWS Bohol Capitol officials mull medical scholarship program BOHOL Vice Governor the medical scholarship to Rene l Relampagos and the address the small number of Bol-anon medical practi- (SP) started the legislative tioners. work needed to create the At the end of the last Bohol Medical Scholarship regular session, the SP has program. moved to refer the said pro- During the regular ses- posal to the Committees on sion held on July 6, 2021, Education, Health, and Ap- Relampagos broached the propriation. merits of the Bohol Medical The Yap-Relampagos Scholarship Program and administration plans to said that the scholarship launch the program in 2022, aims to increase the avail- by earmarking P25 million ability of homegrown physi- from the 2022 budget of the cians in the province, partic- provincial government to fi- ularly those who will serve in nance the said scholarship the Rural Healthcare System. program. Relampagos enunciated Apart from the Bohol that said proposed measure Medical Scholarship pro- would provide opportunities gram, the Provincial Gov- to young students aspiring to ernment of Bohol through pursue a career in medicine the strong support of First or public health but are finan- VICE GOVERNOR RENE L RELAMPAGOS GOVERNOR ARTHUR YAP District Representative Ed- cially incapacitated to do so. doctors he had talked with medical scholarships. proved the idea. gar Chatto, tapped Bohol Is- Furthermore, Relampa- were able to finish their med- Relampagos discussed The Office of the Gov- land State University to host gos shares the information ical degree with the help of the matter with Governor ernor has drafted the pro- a medical school that will be that some of the medical state-funded or LGU-funded Arthur Yap who readily ap- posed ordinance regarding opening soon. PIA-7 Bohol Chatto earns BISU honorary doctorate degree THE Bohol Island State wife Balilihan During his in Bingag, University (BISU), with ap- Mayor Pureza first stint in This year, CHED recog- proval from the Commission Veloso-Chatto Congress, nized BISU as top performing on Higher Education (CHED), and daughter Chatto princi- school in the country with at conferred the honorary doc- Atty. Esther pally authored least 80% passing percentage torate degree of Doctor of Patrisha Chat- Republic No. in the Professional Regulation Philosophy in Technology to, BISU Vice 9722 or the Commission Licensure Exam- Management degree, Hono- President for BISU law inations for registered electri- ris Causa to former Governor Academic and which created cal engineers, registered mas- now First District Congress- Related Affairs the State Uni- ter electrician, civil engineers, man Edgar Chatto. Dr. Ma. Lili- versity in Oc- and licensed professional ele- BISU president Dr. Re- beth Casti, and tober 14, 2009. mentary teachers. gucivilla Pobar conferred the BISU Main Through the Chatto cited his personal honorary degree to Chatto in a Campus Director Dr. Ernesto degree distinguishes his em- said legislation, Chatto also pursuit of excellence in edu- donning ceremony during the Rulida bodiment of the principles caused the establishment of cation and advocacy to inspire virtual 87th Commencement Chatto, acknowledged as and practical applications of the 6th BISU campus in Bali- the youth to aim for quality Exercises posted on the BISU the father of BISU, is hon- Technology Management in lihan town in addition to ex- education, expressing appre- social media page on July ored for his outstanding ser- his long and distinguished isting campuses in ciation to BISU for the honor 8,2021. vice to society and exemplary career as an educator, politi- City, Calape, Clarin, Bilar and and privilege of receiving the Witnessing the confer- contribution to technology cal leader, and humanitarian Candijay. It now includes the honorary degree. The BOHOL ment were Cong. Chatto’s management. The honorary cause champion. BISU Main Satellite Campus TRIBUNE Bohol to implement Universal Health Care law THE Provincial Govern- Panlalawigan (SP) of Bohol Dr. Elpidio Bonita, chair- mas Lopez, officer-in-charge plementer of the UHC rollout ment of Bohol is preparing approved a resolution au- man of the Committee on of the Provincial Health Of- and PhilHealth will be the fi- the needed requirements for thorizing Gov. Arthur Yap to Health, explained that the fice, the DOH will provide nancial arm of the rollout, Lo- the implementation of the sign the Memorandum of Un- signing of the MOU by the technical advice and guidance pez said. Universal Health Care (UHC) derstanding (MOU) with the parties is urgently needed to in using all available means Relampagos is optimis- law. Department of Health (DOH) ensure that Bohol will be in- for attaining good health ser- tic that this program would Vice Governor Rene and PhilHealth for the imple- cluded in the areas for the ini- vice delivery under the rollout strengthen further the var- Relampagos and the mem- mentation of the Universal tial UHC rollout. of the UHC law. ious health care services in bers of the Sangguniang Health Care law. According to Dr. Cesar To- The PGBh will be the im- Bohol. Bohol Island News 12 July 12 - 18, 2021 Cebu Business Week WORLD NEWS U.S. general to step down from command in Afghanistan AUSTIN Miller, the U.S. with a peace agreement be- general leading the war in tween the Taliban and Afghan Afghanistan, will hand over President Ashraf Ghani’s gov- command on Monday, in a ernment. symbolic end to America’s He warmed provincial longest conflict even as Tali- capitals were at risk but noted ban insurgents gain momen- that the U.S.-backed Afghan tum. security forces “are deter- Miller will be America’s mined to fight very hard for last four-star general on the those provincial capitals.” ground in Afghanistan in a Even after Miller steps ceremony in Kabul that will down, McKenzie will still come ahead of a formal end to be able to authorize U.S. air the military mission there. strikes against the Taliban US President Joe Biden through Aug. 31 in support of had set the date on Aug. 31 to Ghani’s Western-backed gov- extricate the American mili- ernment. tary from the two-decade-old But after that, the Marine war. general said when it came to U.S. Marine General Ken- Iraq, and Syria, flew into - Ka be very different than it was in But he also cautioned that U.S. strikes in Afghanistan, neth McKenzie, whose Flori- bul to underscore America’s the past. I’m not going to min- the Taliban appeared to be his focus will shift squarely to da-based Central Command future assistance to Afghan imize that,” McKenzie told a seeking “a military solution” counter-terrorism operations oversees U.S. forces in hot- security forces. small group of reporters. “But to a war that the United States against al Qaeda and Islamic spots including Afghanistan, “Admittedly, it’s going to we’re going to support them.” has unsuccessfully tried to end State. REUTERS China vows to retaliate after US blacklists companies CHINA on Sunday said an “unreasonable suppres- No details were given, but partment said that the elec- equipment or other goods to it will take “necessary mea- sion of Chinese enterprises China has denied allegations tronics and technology firms the firms. The United States sures” to respond to the US and a serious breach of inter- of arbitrary detention and and other businesses helped has stepped up financial and blacklisting of Chinese com- national economic and trade forced labor in the far west- enable “Beijing’s campaign trade penalties over China’s panies over their alleged role rules.” ern region of Xinjiang and in- of repression, mass detention treatment of Uyghurs and in abuses of Uyghur people China will “take neces- creasingly responded to sanc- and high-technology surveil- other Muslim minorities, and other Muslim ethnic mi- sary measures to firmly safe- tions against companies and lance” against Muslim mi- along with its crackdown on norities. guard Chinese companies’ le- officials with its own bans on norities in Xinjiang. democracy in the semi-au- The Commerce Ministry gitimate rights and interests,” visas and financial links. The penalties prohib- tonomous city of Hong Kong. said the US move constituted the ministry’s statement said. The U.S. Commerce De- it Americans from selling THE ECONOMIC TIMES Eased restrictions boost Scotland’s economic growth LOOSER Covid restric- was slower than May’s, but bined manufacturing and faced by private sector firms eighth month running. tions helped boost private was still the second quickest service sector output - post- continued to soar during According to the survey, sector output in Scotland to since September 2013. ed 58.4 in June, falling from June, with the rate of infla- companies remained opti- near record levels last month. The survey follows a sep- May’s survey record of 61.5. tion the fastest since Febru- mistic about activity over the A regular RBS survey of arate RBS report on jobs, Any figure above 50 sug- ary 2011. coming year. purchasing managers found which found hiring activity gests economic expansion. Panelists attributed That confidence was a steep rise in new business, at Scottish businesses con- The survey indicated greater costs to material linked to looser lockdown re- with firms hiring more staff tinued to flow upstream last that the latest increase in shortages, price hikes at sup- strictions and the subsequent for the third month in a row. month, amid easing Covid-19 new business was broad- pliers, Brexit and higher fuel reopening of some sectors, “Improved client confi- restrictions and rising eco- based and led by services, and utilities prices. as well as “surging inflows” dence” was among other rea- nomic activity. with goods producers seeing In response, Scottish pri- of new work and hopes of a sons cited for the upsurge. The bank’s latest PMI growth slow on the month. vate sector firms increased strong economic recovery. The rate of output growth index - which measures com- Meanwhile, input prices their average charges for the BBC WhatsApp faces EU consumer complaints over privacy changes FACEBOOK Inc’s which allows it to share some complaints with the Europe- choice. As such, they are a companies to use clear and WhatsApp on Monday faced data with Facebook and other an Commission and the Eu- breach of the EU Directive on transparent contract terms a barrage of complaints by the group firms. ropean network of consumer Unfair Commercial Practic- and commercial communica- European Consumer Organi- It said the changes permit authorities, saying WhatsApp es,” the groups said in a joint tions,” they said. zation and others over a priva- users to message with busi- was unfairly pressuring users statement. The groups urged the Eu- cy policy update. The update nesses and would not affect to accept its new policies. “WhatsApp has failed to ropean network of consumer prompted a global outcry and personal conversations. “The content of these explain in plain and intelli- authorities and EU data pro- led some users to switch to ri- The European Consum- notifications, their nature, gible language the nature of tection authorities to work val apps Telegram and Signal. er Organization (BEUC) and timing, and recurrence put the changes... This ambiguity together to address these WhatsApp in January eight of its members criti- an undue pressure on users amounts to a breach of EU privacy and consumer rights introduced a privacy policy cized the changes and filed and impair their freedom of consumer law which obliges concerns. ABS-CBN