Cebu City braces for new COVID variant, eyes stricter border controls
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Local officials in Cebu City are now bracing for the threats of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 considered to be more infectious than the original. Members of the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) gathered for a consultative meeting on Monday, December 28, to discuss initial plans and actions in response to […] The post Cebu City braces for new COVID variant, eyes stricter border controls appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Big 4 Volleyball tilt marks successful inaugural season, eyes bigger tourneys soon
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Big Four Volleyball Tournament wrapped up last weekend successfully at the Warehouse Sports Lab in Mandaue City. This grassroots volleyball tournament saw inaugural champions being crowned. The Subangdaku Trojans emerged as champions in the 13-under and the girls 14-17 divisions, while Cabancalan National High School ruled the 14-17 boys division. .....»»
Rhea Gullas Cup: Minglanilla braces for pivotal finals Game 2 versus Talisay
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Abante Minglanilla braces for Talisay Aksyon Agad’s retaliation in Game 2 of their Best-of-Three finals series in the Rhea Gullas Cup First District of Cebu Inter-City/Municipality Basketball Tournament scheduled on March 16, at the Talisay City Sports Complex. Minglanilla’s head coach, Boyet Velez, already told his boys to expect the Talisay.....»»
IN PHOTOS: A week of war brings grief to Israelis, Palestinians
The carnage began with a violent cross-border attack by Hamas militants on Israeli civilians. Israel’s retaliatory response was swift, and by the middle of the week, the full destructive force of its military was bearing down on the Gaza Strip amid mounting threats of a ground invasion. The toll, whether caused by bullets or air strikes, has brought unimaginable grief for Israelis and Palestinians alike. In wrenching scene after wrenching scene, relatives weep over their dead, whose lives were suddenly and violently cut short in an erupting war that has shattered thousands of families. In the southern city of Sderot, an Israeli woman clings to a body lying in the road next to an overturned motorcycle. Now covered in a white sheet with a black boot poking out, the person was killed by Hamas militants the day they broke through the fortified border with Gaza. The woman cries in agony as she lays her head on the person’s chest. Miles away in Gaza City, two Palestinian women comfort one another in a crowd gathered to mourn those killed by an Israeli airstrike. One, looking weary and exhausted, gazes upward in sorrow. These images, taken by Associated Press photographers on the ground on both sides of the conflict, provide a window into the unbearable losses of this past week. RELATED STORIES Gaza braces for Israeli ground assault Israel troops start ground raids in Gaza A week into war, Gazans flee homes as Israeli ground offensive looms.....»»
Close business, gov’t collab spur growth — Pascual
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual is urging private entities to continuously work with the government in addressing issues crucial to economic recovery and growth. At the 3rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council meeting in Cebu City last Friday, Pascual said the partnership between the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the APEC Business Advisory Council is actually regarded by the Philippine government as a cornerstone of its vision for the country’s future. “It exemplifies the power of synergy — when government and business come together and connect, we lay the groundwork for a trade environment that is not just functional, but inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. This dynamic collaboration enables us to stay agile and responsive as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology,” he said in a speech. In line with this year’s theme, “Equity, Sustainability, Opportunity,” ABAC Philippines focused on helping communities build back stronger through collective efforts. With critical goals to pursue, Secretary Pascual called for stronger partnership and collaboration among APEC Member Economies in crafting policy reforms that would spur economic growth. Areas of focus For this year’s work program, the ABAC will initially have these areas of focus: (1) Economic Integration Working Group; (2) Sustainable Growth Working Group; (3) Digital and Innovation Working Group; (4) Finance Task Force; and (5) Inclusion Task Force. Secretary Pascual has also commended the efforts of ABAC in shaping a strong, credible, and relevant World Trade Organization even as he recognized ABAC’s strong push toward the eventual realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. “The Philippines views the FTAAP as a mechanism to boost economic recovery in the region, especially for medium, small and micro-enterprises most affected by the pandemic. We thus support the immediate implementation of the FTAAP Agenda Work Plan which contributes to APEC’s sustainability and inclusion objectives,” he said. ABAC Philippines is currently focused on several initiatives including the promotion of the availability and accessibility of climate risk scenario information, the exploration of the viability of nuclear energy as a zero-carbon energy source, and other use cases under the Sustainable Growth Working Group. Further, it is working on enhancing cross-border data flow in financial services. For its part, the DTI is prioritizing (1) APEC’s Support for the Safe Passage of Maritime Crew in the Covid-19 Era, (2) Boracay Action Agenda to Globalize MSMEs, and (3) APEC Trade Repository. Aligned with this year’s ABAC meeting theme, the DTI aims to provide equal opportunities for all, promote regulations for environmental stewardship, and commit to fostering a digitally inclusive APEC community. The post Close business, gov’t collab spur growth — Pascual appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wanted Korean intercepted at NAIA
The Bureau of Immigration at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport has arrested a Korean national wanted for a string of criminal cases in his country. In a report given to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, BI Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. identified the arrested passenger as Kim SeonJeong, who was intercepted at NAIA Terminal 3 on 27 May. Manahan said that Kim had just arrived in the country via a Cebu Pacific flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, when he was accosted by elements of the BI Border Control and Intelligence Unit at the airport. BI supervisors alerted the BCIU agents after the immigration officer who processed Kim upon his arrival discovered that his name was included in the Interpol database. Tansingco immediately ordered the conduct of summary deportation proceedings against Kim to stand trial for his crimes. Information obtained from Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Manila revealed that Kim is a convicted felon and is wanted in Korea to serve his sentence for fraud, inflicting physical injuries and drunken driving. Korean authorities said that in October 2018, Kim defrauded a compatriot by enticing the victim to give him 30 million won, or nearly US$23,000, which he would pay in the amount of 100 million won within three months. Kim claimed that he would invest the funds in the casino business, but he reneged on his promise and instead pocketed the money that the victim had deposited in his bank account. It also reported that Kim presented a Korean passport, which was already reported as a stolen and lost travel document to the Interpol. The suspect is presently detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending deportation proceedings. The post Wanted Korean intercepted at NAIA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mandaue police to city gov’t: We’re ready to conduct border controls against ASF
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) is ready anytime they will be asked by the city government to conduct border controls to prevent entry of pork and pork products infected by African Swine Fever into the city. Police Lieutenant Colonel Franc Rudolf Oriol, MCPO deputy city director for operations and spokesperson, […] The post Mandaue police to city gov’t: We’re ready to conduct border controls against ASF appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Cebu port braces for Kalag-Kalag; 300,000 passengers expected
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Around 300,000 passengers would be expected to hit ports in Cebu as the long weekend drew near, port authorities reported. The Cebu Port Authority (CPA), in a statement, said they would be on heightened alert in a span of one week — beginning Friday, Oct. 28 until Nov. 4 — in […] The post Cebu port braces for Kalag-Kalag; 300,000 passengers expected appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
No more quarantine control points in Cebu province — CPPO chief
CEBU CITY, Philippines — All 50 quarantine control points (QCPs) in Cebu province have already been pulled out but their port border control within entire province will remain. Police Colonel Engelbert Soriano, Cebu Police Provincial Office director, confirmed this today, August 2, a day after Cebu province was downgraded to general community quarantine from modified […] The post No more quarantine control points in Cebu province — CPPO chief appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
What Mandaue City or Talisay City jeepneys can enter Cebu City?
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City streets will now welcome jeepneys from Talisay City and Mandaue City. Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has released Executive Order No. 122 that has detailed the jeepney routes from the said cities that can now enter the Cebu City border. The EO amends the previous order that has allowed […] The post What Mandaue City or Talisay City jeepneys can enter Cebu City? appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Cebu province braces for Auring
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Local state weather bureau and disaster response teams are now bracing for the onslaught of the first storm to hit the country this year, which will likely pass and directly hit Cebu. ‘Auring’ has intensified into a Tropical Storm as of 8 a.m., Thursday (February 18), the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and […] The post Cebu province braces for Auring appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Visayas puts additional measures against ASF
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Central and Western Visayas are putting up additional measures to keep their hog industry safe from the African Swine Fever (ASF). The Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA-7) is stepping up border controls in Siquijor, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Bohol, against the entry of hogs from ASF-hit areas. “We are […] The post Visayas puts additional measures against ASF appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
No inter-LGU traditional jeepneys still in Cebu City
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Even if the resumption of traditional public utility jeepneys (TPUJs) in Cebu City has been generally smooth, those doing cross-border travels are still not allowed as of now. Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, on Monday, December 21, 2020, told reporters that as of December 20, only the local government of Talisay City […] The post No inter-LGU traditional jeepneys still in Cebu City appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Central Visayas loses P35.5B in tourism revenue
CEBU CITY—Central Visayas has lost $713 million, or about P35.5 billion, in tourism revenue from foreign arrivals due to quarantine restrictions and border closures brought about by the coronavirus disease pandemic. Efren Carreon, regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), said the amount of foregone income from January to June 2020 could […] The post Central Visayas loses P35.5B in tourism revenue appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
DOH-7 to Cebu City: Stricter enforcement of health protocols, not border controls
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) is not recommending for Cebu City to implement stricter border controls as a way to prevent another surge of new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, DOH-7 spokesperson, said they had been advising officials in the city government to strictly […] The post DOH-7 to Cebu City: Stricter enforcement of health protocols, not border controls appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
No tightening of border controls, just stricter implementation of health protocols in Mandaue
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu–The Mandaue City government won’t implement stricter border control but will instead focus on intensifying its implementation of health protocols in its barangays. Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, that instead of imposing stricter border controls, he will ask for closer monitoring of the implementation of health protocols […] The post No tightening of border controls, just stricter implementation of health protocols in Mandaue appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Heavy traffic greets motorists in Talisay City this Monday morning
CEBU CITY, Philippines – South Cebu motorists, who are bound for Cebu City, are advised to avoid Natalio Bacalso Avenue for now and to instead look for alternative routes when heading for their destinations. This, following the early Monday morning congestion along the national highway which was blamed at the reimplementation of stricter border controls […] The post Heavy traffic greets motorists in Talisay City this Monday morning appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
No border control changes in towns, cities in Cebu province
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia announced that there will be no changes in border controls between cities and towns belonging to the province’s territorial jurisdiction. Garcia, on Sunday, November 15, welcomed the decision of the Cebu City Government to reimplement stricter border controls in an effort to address the increasing number of […] The post No border control changes in towns, cities in Cebu province appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Cebu City to implement stricter border control anew
Stricter border control will be implemented again in Cebu City due to the increase in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases......»»
Labella closes Cebu City borders for non-essential entry, q-pass coding returns on Nov. 16
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City will be closing its borders to individuals who have no essential purpose to visit the city amid the spike of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases starting 5:01 a.m. on November 16, 2020. Mayor Edgardo Labella announced the border restrictions on the evening of Saturday, November 14, 2020, after the […] The post Labella closes Cebu City borders for non-essential entry, q-pass coding returns on Nov. 16 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Border control in Cebu City to return, Oplan Bulabog underway
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The slight rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Cebu City has prompted the city government to implement measures to prevent the further spread of the virus. Primarily, the city government plans to place tight border controls back in the entries and exits to the city. Mayor Edgardo Labella revealed […] The post Border control in Cebu City to return, Oplan Bulabog underway appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»