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A model urban community
As a young boy, I loved drawing a “roadmap” of livable communities where family and industry were central to this unadulterated fun design. I would put skyscrapers and blend these with old trees, brilliant lights, and flowers along walkways and entertainment centers. The distance between neighborhoods was enough to give space and privacy. In this universe, people of different economic classes are resilient to the challenges and complexities of modern living. I grew up in a small town with inadequate potable water and transportation. There was a thin line between regression and progression where one cannot differentiate silt from clay particles when wading through the flooded, muddy streets of Barangay Busugon in San Remigio municipality. Life then was simple but joyous because of my family and the neighborhood. This was my unsophisticated urban planning, where things that matter most to me can be found in one place. Although I did not become a city or urban planner, my interest in “designing” communities is as strong as my entrepreneurial consciousness. It has become an advocacy. Be that as it may, urban planning, a form of spatial planning, requires strategic innovations and thorough study to develop equitable habitats and sustainable human settlements and development. A strategic plan, or a development plan, considers population growth, zoning, geographic mapping, structural and people’s safety analysis, water supply, and essential social services. Urban planning, says the United Nations Human Settlements Programme or UN-HABITAT, should “improve policies, plans, and designs for more compact, socially inclusive, better integrated, and connected cities that foster sustainable urban development and are resilient to climate change at the city, regional, and national levels.” The world’s best-planned urban cities include Singapore City in Singapore, Brazilia in Brazil, Chandigarh in India, Seoul in South Korea, and Copenhagen in Denmark. In the Philippines, five regions that surpassed the national level of urbanization in 2020 are Calabarzon (70.5 percent), Davao (66.8 percent), Central Luzon (66.3 percent), and Soccsksargen (55.5 percent), according to the 2022 report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) based on the 2020 population census. The cities of Angeles in Pampanga and Mandaue in Cebu had the highest level of urbanization, with 100 percent each. Of the country’s 81 provinces, 11 provinces registered a level of urbanization higher than the national level in 2020. On a sad note, Eastern Visayas (14.7 percent), Cagayan Valley (19.5 percent), Bicol (23.8 percent), Ilocos (25.5 percent), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (27.6 percent) posted the lowest level of urbanization, the same PSA report showed. Overseas, towns and villages have adapted to technological innovations and big data for urban analytics. Urban planners now consider including countryside localities in developing sustainable and resilient communities despite needing more resources, strategies, and expertise. Many urban planners find harmony in geometry and numbers, taking a leaf from the ancient works of Greek architect and mathematician Hippodamus of Miletus, considered the father of urban planning. Today’s towns and cities incorporate functional innovations where everything gets “smart,” from people to intelligent traffic lighting and drones, better infrastructures, facilities, and communications systems, and a strategic blueprint for mitigating the impact of climate change and other environmental problems. With the booming population nationwide, it would be wise to create more growth areas outside the center of progress to improve service and operational efficiency. Local executives and councils must do much work to empower those who must catch up and provide leadership in a highly competitive environment. After all, greater economic inclusion should benefit people with low or no incomes and vulnerable sectors. The beauty of inclusive urban planning lies in ensuring that all can partake of its benefits. As Greek philosopher Socrates once said: “By far the greatest and most admirable form of wisdom is that needed to plan and beautify cities and human communities.” Ultimately, any strategic urban design should not only be a mixture of arts and humanities, but also a fusion of science and numbers. (You may send comments and reactions to feedback032020@gmail.com or text 0931-1057135.) The post A model urban community appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ammonia leak halts Bicutan classes
The city government of Taguig has suspended the class at R.P. Cruz Elementary School due to the ammonia leak incident at the ice plant along M.L. Quezon Street, Barangay Lower Bicutan on Monday. In a statement, the Taguig City Rescue and the Bureau of Fire Protection swiftly responded upon receiving a report regarding an ammonia-related incident, as the classes at the nearby R.P. Cruz Elementary School were immediately suspended at around 8 a.m. to ensure the safety of the students while roads leading to the incident area were promptly blocked to prevent people from approaching the site. The Taguig Rescue, BFP NCR, and PNP Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are presently conducting an investigation, assessing the ammonia levels, and monitoring wind direction in the area. The local government also established an incident command post at the medical bay in front of R.P. Cruz Sr. Elementary School, manned by personnel from the CDRRMO, PNP and the Incident Command Team. This post is responsible for providing real-time updates on the situation in the affected areas of the ammonia leak. As of 9 a.m., the BFP has declared that the ammonia leak has been successfully contained. All barangays in Taguig have been put on alert for possible ambulance assistance equipped with medical oxygen in response to the incident. Meanwhile, the City Social Welfare and Development Office assisted affected residents in relocating to the designated evacuation site at Hagonoy Gymnasium. The post Ammonia leak halts Bicutan classes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC orders localized class suspension
The Quezon City government early morning Monday left the discretion of suspending classes due to continuous rain to barangay and school officials , Angelbert Apostol, the city information chief, announced. Those who immediately ordered the suspension of classes are Barangay Holy Spirit for its (Public Pre-school to Senior High School — Morning and Afternoon Class); Barangay Bagong Silangan (Public Pre-school to Senior High School) and Barangay Payatas (Public Pre-school to Senior High School). Apostol said the discretion is allowed through Memorandum Circular No. 10-A series of 2022 under the Department of Education Order 037 series of 2022. Suspension of classes in private schools, on the other hand, is left to the discretion of school officials. Apostol added that decision to suspend classes is left to the barangay for having their own “pre-disaster risk assessment” in consultation with school officials. Over a year ago exactly on 22 August 2022, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued a Memorandum Circular No. 10 instructing the local School Division Office and Public and Private Education Institutions to adhere to Localized Suspension of Classes due to typhoons, floodings and other weather disturbances and calamities. The circular noted an “automatic suspension classes” based on Department of Education 014 Series of 202, that dictated “classes shall automatically be suspended in case the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has declared the following typhoon signal: Signal Number 1 — all public and private pre-school kindergarten classes; Signal Number 2 or higher — public and private pre-school kindergarten elementary and secondary classes. College and university level classes are suspended if the typhoon signal is raised to Number 3, pursuant to Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order No. 15 Series of 2019 ordering an automatic suspension of classes on Higher Education Institutions when Signal Number 3 is raised by PAGASA. It also carries an order that suspension of work in public schools “shall be in accordance with DepEd Order No. 14 Series of 2021 and CHEd Memorandum Order No.15 Series of 2012 for HEIs.” Meanwhile, the cities of Parañaque and Pasay yesterday suspended classes in all levels in public and private schools due to inclement weather. Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez ordered the suspension in all levels both in public and private schools upon the recommendation of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The mayor said the recommendation of suspension of classes by the DRRMO was due to the continuous southwest monsoon rains enhanced by typhoon “Hanna.” Residents were told, especially those living in low-lying areas, to immediately call the city government in case of emergencies through its hotline numbers. (For landline: 8820-PQUE (7783), for Smart : 0961-096-6341 and for Globe users at 0956-394-0176.) All residents were advised by the mayor to just stay home for their safety. Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano also suspended online and face-to-face classes in all levels both in public and private schools. The mayor advised residents living in flood-prone areas to be alert and vigilant as rains continue to pour. The post QC orders localized class suspension appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
VP Sara visits schools in remote areas of Cebu
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Tuesday visited far-flung schools in Cebu province on the first day of the opening of classes in public schools. Duterte said she chose to attend the opening of classes in Last Mile schools to show its importance and “to make sure education is accessible to far-flung barangays and to our children and learners.” She first went to the Kaluangan 1 Primary School in Asturias town. The school has 63 pupils and four teaching and non-teaching personnel. She later visited the Melecio Tito Elementary School in Oguis, Danao City. The Vice President also led the turnover of a newly constructed four-classroom building for each of the two schools. Undersecretary Epimaco Densing, who is in charge of the School Infrastructure and Facilities Strand of the Department of Education, said 15 other Last Mile school buildings were turned over in time for the opening of classes for the school year 2023-2024. Last Mile schools are usually makeshift and non-standard ones. These have no electricity, no funds for repairs, and are usually located in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged and Conflict Affected Areas or GIDCA. The Last Mile Schools Program was introduced under former Secretary Leonor Briones to address the gaps in resources and facilities of schools that are in GIDCA. The newly turned-over school building has four classrooms. During Duterte’s visit, the classrooms, which were provided with desks and armchairs, were already being used for the first day of classes. Duterte also turned over Philippine flags to the school heads of the two schools. She also brought the PagbaBAGo program of the Office of the Vice President, distributing school bags to the children. The bags contain school supplies and dental kits. The post VP Sara visits schools in remote areas of Cebu appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DSWD on high alert status amid ‘Goring’
The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Sunday said its Field Office-2 (Cagayan Valley) continued to be on high alert status as Typhoon "Goring" intensified into a super typhoon, bringing heavy rains over the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the latest report from Cagayan Valley Regional Director Lucia Alan indicated that 367 families or 1,219 individuals from 24 barangays in the two provinces were affected by ST Goring. “Of this number, 138 families or 468 individuals were displaced. There are also 26 open evacuation centers sheltering affected families in the whole Cagayan Valley Region,” Alan told the DSWD chief. Alan said the evacuees were mostly individuals residing in coastal areas. “We continue to be vigilant and on high alert status to extend assistance to the LGUs, “ Alan reported to Secretary Gatchalian. As of Saturday (26 August), more than 70,000 family food packs (FFPs) have been made available by the Cagayan Valley Field Office with over 40,000 already prepositioned to the LGUs, especially in coastal towns. As the typhoon continues to batter the region, Alan said the field office (FO) has not received reports of casualties, damaged houses, or stranded individuals, as of press time. The DSWD FO-2 has earlier prepositioned a total of 9,778 FFPs in the island province of Batanes broken down as follows: Basco (1,306 FFPs); Itbayat (1,322); Ivana (1,100); Mahatao (1,094); Sabtang (1,203); and Uyugan (1,167) for a total of 7,700 FFPs. An additional 2,078 food packs were also sent to the Batanes provincial capitol. Alan on Friday (25 August) reported to the Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) that FO-2 has also prepositioned FFPs to Isabela province coastal municipalities of Divilacan with 1,000 boxes of FFPs; Maconacon with 154; and Palanan with 500. “For Calayan Island, we have prepositioned 2,900 FFPs while 150 FFPs were sent to Barangay Fuga of Aparri, Cagayan. An additional 1,246 food packs were also sent (by) boat to Isabela province,” Alan reported. Gatchalian on Thursday (24 August) ordered concerned DSWD regional directors to beef up their stockpile of food packs in anticipation of TS Goring. The post DSWD on high alert status amid ‘Goring’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Newtown School of Excellence now accepting enrollees for SY 2023-2024
It’s all systems go for the Newtown School of Excellence, Inc. (NSEI) as it welcomes enrollees from Lapu-Lapu City and its surrounding areas this coming school year 2023-2024, which will also mark a return to full face-to-face learning set-up after three years of online and hybrid classes due to the pandemic. NSEI is an educational […] The post Newtown School of Excellence now accepting enrollees for SY 2023-2024 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Cebu City sends heavy equipment to landslide-prone areas for super typhoon Betty
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) has prepositioned heavy equipment for landslide-prone areas in the city as part of its preparations for the effects of Super Typhoon Betty. CCDRRMO head Harold Alcontin told CDN Digital that they have raised Blue Alert since Wednesday, May 24, 2023, which […] The post Cebu City sends heavy equipment to landslide-prone areas for super typhoon Betty appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Cebu on Alert Level 2 sans restrictions
The provincial government of Cebu has assured its residents that there will be no renewed implementation of coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions amid the resolution issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force placing the province on both Alert Levels 1 and 2. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that the provincial government will not restrict livelihoods and businesses from fully opening amid the implementation of the alert levels. “Cebu Province has moved on, moved forward earlier than all others. And now,we intend to soar to even greater heights. How do we do this? Not by restricting livelihoods and businesses once again, putting a dent on our economy. We are only trying to recover,” Garcia said. To recall, the IATF earlier issued Resolution No. 6-C series of 2023, recommending to place 26 areas, including majority of Cebu province, under Alert Level 2 and there were 13 LGUs in Cebu island have been placed at Alert Level 1 status. The IATF order said that areas placed under Alert Level 2 are “mandated” to impose restrictions such as 50 percent capacity in establishments indoors for fully vaccinated adults and 70 percent capacity outdoors, while areas under Alert Level 1 are allowed intrazonal and interzonal travel with no restrictions based on age and co-morbidities. Garcia stressed that Cebu’s priority is now focused on post-pandemic rebuilding of the economy. “It’s a very confusing list. It’s either they were confused or they just want to confuse, but we will not be part of their confusion,” said the governor. The LGUs in Cebu placed under Alert Level 1 are the Tri-Cities of Mandaue, Cebu and Lapu-Lapu; as well as Alcoy, Borbon, City of Naga, Talisay City, Oslob, Pilar, Poro, Santander and Tudela. The rest are under Alert Level 2. Meantime, the provincial government’s legal consultants Atty. Benjamin Cabrido and Atty. Rory Jon Sepulveda emphasized that Cebu “will not apply” and “will not recognize” the new mandate from the IATF, arguing that it’s only recommendatory and not the policy of the state. The post Cebu on Alert Level 2 sans restrictions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
IATF raises COVID-19 alert level in most parts of PH; some restrictions in effect
MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) raised COVID-19 Alert Level 2 in 26 areas, including Cebu Province, from April 15 to 30, 2023, with some restriction that needed to be followed. In a Resolution No. 6-C series of 2023, the IATF said it has approved the […] The post IATF raises COVID-19 alert level in most parts of PH; some restrictions in effect appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
LGUs suspend classes as heavy rains hit Surigao, Agusan areas
Residents living near river systems were warned to stay on alert and take precautionary measures in case of emergencies......»»
Capitol turns over 10,000 armchairs to schools
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu Provincial Government has turned over around 10,000 armchairs to public schools here as the academic year 2022 to 2023 officially began. A turnover ceremony was held at the Capitol’s Social Hall last Monday, August 22, which also coincided with the reopening of public school classes. The turnover was attended […] The post Capitol turns over 10,000 armchairs to schools appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Metro Manila stays under Alert Level 1 from August 1-15; 10 more areas de-escalated
MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila, together with dozens of areas, will continue to be under Alert Level 1 status from August 1 to 15, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Saturday. The DOH also said that 10 more areas were added to the list of local government units under Alert Level 1. According to […] The post Metro Manila stays under Alert Level 1 from August 1-15; 10 more areas de-escalated appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
In Cebu province, granular lockdowns for areas with high COVID cases
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Areas with high cases of COVID-19 in Cebu province shall be subjected to granular lockdowns, the Capitol announced. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Monday, August 9, ordered mayors of the province’s towns and component cities to impose “household or purok level lockdowns” to contain the spread of the infection. Garcia virtually […] The post In Cebu province, granular lockdowns for areas with high COVID cases appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Full steam ahead for Suroy-Suroy Sugbo
CEBU CITY, Philippines – It’s full steam ahead for the Capitol’s Suroy-Suroy Sugbo program. This after the national government’s anti-COVID-19 task force allowed residents in the National Capital Region (NCR) and neighboring provinces to visit areas under the most-relaxed form of community quarantine for leisure purposes. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Thursday, June 3, welcomed […] The post Full steam ahead for Suroy-Suroy Sugbo appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
12 mountain barangays in Cebu City suitable for face-to-face classes — Garganera
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has identified 12 mountain barangays in the city that may be viable for face-to-face classes. The EOC has been visiting mountain barangays to assess the situations there in terms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) response especially since they are the least affected areas during […] The post 12 mountain barangays in Cebu City suitable for face-to-face classes — Garganera appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
CPPO chief: 386 cops to be deployed in Cebu province for the Holy Week
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Nearly 400 policemen will be deployed in different areas of Cebu province as the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) goes on full alert as the observance of the Holy Week has started. Three hundred eighty six policemen would be deployed in different areas of the province while a company of policemen […] The post CPPO chief: 386 cops to be deployed in Cebu province for the Holy Week appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
CCTO Continue Operations on Illegal Night Parking
Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) continues their campaign on illegal night parking as violators’ vehicles have been clamped. 82 vehicles that were illegally parked were clamped by the CCTO on February 10 along the areas of Escario-Capitol, Clavano, Back street Juana Osmena Ext.-Purok 8, Guadalupe-Cabajar, Quijada, Modesta, Monterasas, Banawa Virginia, Lomboy st., Calamba-V.rama, Quijano Compound, […].....»»
Orange rainfall alert raised in Cebu, Bohol
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – Residents in northern and central Cebu and in eastern Bohol have been warned of the threats of flooding and landslides that may result from the rains and thunderstorms now experienced in these areas. In an advisory released at 7:36 a.m. this Monday, February 8, Pagasa Mactan said that the current weather […] The post Orange rainfall alert raised in Cebu, Bohol appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
DepEd-7 in favor of face-to-face classes but…
CEBU CITY, Philippines—The Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd-7) said it is in favor of allowing the implementation of face-to-face classes but only with a limited number of students and starting in areas with low risk of COVID-19. Earlier, the League of Municipalities in the Philippines (LMP) – Cebu Chapter submitted a resolution to […] The post DepEd-7 in favor of face-to-face classes but… appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
House adopts resolution urging Duterte to allow face-to-face classes in Batanes
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives adopted Monday a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to allow the conduct of face-to-face classes in the province of Batanes. In pushing for the face-to-face classes in Batanes, House Resolution No. 1255 states that the province is a “low-risk and COVID-free province” and “is one of the areas […] The post House adopts resolution urging Duterte to allow face-to-face classes in Batanes appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»