Despite Assurance By Power Firm: Korean group warns Cebuanos on Kepco

CEBU, Philippines - Capitol must think twice and study further the environmental impact of a coal-fired power plant before allowing the Korean Electric Company (Kepco) operate in Cebu, Korean environmentalists warned yesterday.

Kepco, meanwhile, cried foul over being singled out over the issue of coal ash dumping in the controversial Balili lot in Tinaan, Naga and stressed that health problems experienced by Naga residents could never be related to them since their power plant is yet to operate.

“We could never be the source of these ashes,” Kepco said.

The Korean Federation for Environmental Movement (KFEM) reported that since 1990 after Kepco built its coal powered plant in Dangjin, South Korea, the town has never been the same as before – wetlands have become dry lands, water increased its temperature by one degree Celsius and gone are the days when they could breathe fresh air.

While Kepco has brought advantages in the rural community of Korea being able to bring electricity even to its remotest area, the company has allegedly caused more harm than good.

KFEM Executive Director Kim Byeong Bin said that Kepco is a Korean company and with this they feel it is their responsibility to warn Cebuanos about the possible effects that Kepco’s project might bring in the next two years when it starts operating.

The power plant that Kepco built in Dangjin has a capacity of 4,000 megawatts with eight engines generating power.

About 10 million tons of coal is imported every year for its operation.

As usual for any operating power plants, water is needed to lower the temperature of its generating machines.

For this, 200 tons of hot water per second is discharged to the open sea affecting and area of about 62.3 square kilometers.

In terms of gas emissions, KFEM reported that the plant is releasing 25,000 tons of sulfuric acid, 20,000 of nitric acid and 3,000 tons of dust per year to include the small amount of other substances like mercury.

Kepco Corporate Secretary and General Counsel Guillermo P. Dabbay, Jr. said these reports from a group in Korean environmentalists have no basis and no concrete research data.

In fact, Dabbay said, that if anyone can visit Dangjin, the plant is using a clean modern technology specially designed to reduce the environmental impacts of coal power operation.

Contrary to what the Korean group alleged about marine ecological system alteration, the sea water there abounds with marine creatures.

Kepco also denied strong community resistance because they made sure that they are implementing a system that strictly addresses environmental impacts.

Kepco said that their mission in building a power plant in Cebu is to fulfill their commitment to the country “to bring essential power in Cebu, Panay and Negros which have already been suffering intermittent blackouts.”

It is not influenced by any personal interest because their investment, if to be examined, is a total risk on their part since theirs is a merchant plant, therefore, like any other investor, they will be selling their power in Cebu without any assurance of a good profit.

Before starting the construction of the plant in Naga in 2007, they committed and firmly declared that they intend to follow all the provisions of the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Central Office.

Dabbay said that Kepco will definitely address all environment concerns of the community especially the health hazards they allegedly caused the residents. He assured the public that they will be diligent in following all the DENR mandates outlined in the ECC as based on the environmental hazard study they submitted.

“Violating of the environmental laws will be the last thing in our agenda,” he said.

He said they are just waiting for the result of the DENR analysis in the coal ashes found dumped in Naga. “We have first to confirm the reports, validate it, and in the event it is proven that there are relations to our operation, then we have to do something.”

He clarified that they can only start the actual dumping on 2011 when they start operating as provided in the Memorandum of Agreement they signed with the provincial government of Cebu.

“Actually, these issues have already resolved even during the times when we were still conducting public hearings and consultations with the members of the community in Naga. It is just unfortunate that we are being dragged in the issue of the controversial Balili lot,” Dabbay said.

Nevertheless, Dabbay said that they still believe that their deal with the province of Cebu will proceed. “Our only hope is that the Balili issue will end immediately.”

Source: The Freeman Cebu

ECONOMY HIT BY GROUNDING OF SHIPS Cebu bizmen: Let ships sail

CEBU, Philippines - The suspension of the vessels Aboitiz Transport System after the sinking of SuperFerry 9 last weekend off the Zamboanga peninsula has far greater effects beyond stranded passengers.

The business community in Cebu has written Transport Secretary Leandro Mendoza to express concern over the delay in the transport of goods and services brought about by the suspension order issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in a letter signed by its president Samuel Chioson, said that while passenger safety is very important, so is the “timely and safe delivery of goods.”

“Business, at this point, is still trying to cope with the inconvenience, disruption and higher shipping costs brought about by the suspension of the Sulpicio passenger operations.Now, the situation is further compounded by the suspension of the Superferry passenger fleet.The Cebu business sector is anxious,” said Chioson in the letter to Sec. Mendoza.

Chioson added that the decrease of cargo shipping capacity in Cebu affects the trade and industry in the whole province and region.

The economy is dependent on the shipping industry for the transport of goods and the reduction in the number of vessels that are operating would mean an increase in the cost of transportation.

Chioson said that this would greatly affect the businesses not only in Cebu, but the whole country in general.

CCCI has given a few suggestions to resolve the matter including the speedy and impartial investigation of the Superferry 9 incident and penalizing those responsible for the tragedy.

CCCI also requests that the “sweeping reactions such as the immediate suspension of all SuperFerry passenger vessels must be reconsidered since this will greatly hamper passenger mobility as well as significantly reduce cargo shipping capacity between the islands.

“The wholesale suspension should, therefore, be lifted for vessels which have been previously certified as seaworthy by MARINA.”

They added that the suspension ofSulpicio Lines after the sinking of M/V Princess of the Stars last year, should also be lifted for vessels that have been duly inspected and certified as seaworthy.

The CCCI, which has over 900 members, also said that there must be strict enforcement of laws and close monitoring of compliance to regulations.These must also be sustained in a consistent manner by the concerned agencies and resolute steps towards the modernization and reform of the shipping industry must be taken as a joint responsibility of government and the private sector.

CCCI also mentioned that the “concerned government agencies under the direction of the Department of Transportation & Communication must provide business with timelines so that companies can adequately plan and identify options for the transport of their goods, materials and personnel.”

“With all due respect, Sir, our arguments, particularly on the effect of this situation on Cebu’s economy, are a reiteration of the stand of Cebu business when the Sulpicio Lines incident occurred more than fifteen months ago.With every sea tragedy involving our domestic shipping lines, it has become a cycle of suspension and investigation,” added Chioson.

The CCCI president said that if the ships would not be allowed to sail, Cebu may not fully see recovery in the financial crisis that hit the world early last year.

He said that Cebu already noted of early signs of bouncing back from the economic crunch and should be boosted.

“We pray that our position and recommendations be seriously considered.”

SuperFerry 9 was on its way to Iloilo from General Santos City when it sank.Ten people have been confirmed dead in the incident while about 900 others were rescued.

The MARINA has issued a suspension order for all vessels of SuperFerry so that all of them would undergo inspection to ensure that there would be no repeat of the tragedy.

Sorce: The Freeman Cebu

FLI pays city P11.5M in advance taxes

CEBU, Philippines - Filinvest Land Inc. yesterday handed over to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña a check for P11.5 million as the firm’s advance tax payment to the city.

FLI has decided to pay taxes in advance on condition that the money will be spent only to improve the drainage systems and road concreting within its ongoing commercial condominium project in barangay Kasambagan.

The property developer’s vice president Tristan Las Marias personally handed over the check worth P11,557,109 to Osmeña who assured him that the city will comply with FLI’s request to encourage other businessmen to follow their example.

Part of the amount will also be used to install street lights along the vicinity of the One Oasis Mabolo project.

Las Marias said One Oasis Mabolo project is a P1.4-billion investment of FLI, which will feature 10 medium-rise commercial buildings on a 3.7-hectare property in barangay Kasambagan behind the Cebu Country Club.

One Oasis is one of the P10 billion worth of projects that Filinvest will be putting up in Cebu.

The barangay officials earlier opposed the construction of the project for fear that it might cause drainage problem within the nearby areas that prompted FLI to find solutions.

In last week’s city council session, the city legislators allowed the mayor to enter into and sign the memorandum of agreement with FLI for the advance tax payment.

It was provided for in the memorandum of agreement that the city shall issue the notice of award of contracts to the qualified bidder who will undertake the project to be completed not later than eight months.

In the past few years the city also accepted the advance tax payments of SM City Cebu amounting to P53 million on condition that the money will be spent to improve the roads and drainage systems near the mall in the North Reclamation Area.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Money in distressed property

MANILA, Philippines - Properties-in-distress offers of lot of opportunities to real estate investors not only in terms of good profit but also the opportunity of saving the owner’s credit standing and remaining equity in the property. In addition, the good image of the neighborhood is restored after rehabilitating dilapidated properties. It also saves the distressed owner from more sleepless nights and gives him a new start with the money saved from the avoided foreclosure.

To learn more techniques on how to profitably invest in distressed properties, Urban Institute of Real Estate invites investors to attend a seminar on “Making Big Money in Distressed Properties” on October 14, 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Maximo Function Room, 2nd Floor, Max’s Restaurant, near exit of Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Makati City.

The four-hour lecture includes how to solve the owner’s problem; the overall strategies; keys to success; how to find distressed properties/sellers; how to make your offer, important provisions for your protection; negotiating strategies with owner and lender; common mistakes that should be avoided; valuing properties by mini appraisal; many tips on inspecting properties, financing, rehabilitating the property, selling the property, documentation and registration, taxation; and other important topics.

The lecturer is Engr. Enrico Cruz, who has more than 40 years in real estate, engineering, construction, management and education. Cruz is also a licensed real estate consultant and 1st and 8th placer in the real estate appraiser’s and broker’s board examinations respectively, and was invested as a “Real Estate Fellow” by the Philippine Council of Real Estate Educators.

Urban will also be conducting lectures on other topics every Wednesdays until October 14, at the same time and venue as follows: Sept. 16 – Property Valuation: How To Do It Yourself; Sept. 23 – How to Start and Manage A Successful Real Estate Brokerage Company; Sept. 30 – Taxation of Real Estate Transactions; Oct. 7 – Real Estate Finance and Investment Analysis.

For other details or advance registration, Urban Institute may be reached at 948-8191 or 796-8019, or CP#0916-426-9174/0921-683-9431 or by email at urbanet@pacific.net.ph or urbanet.ph@gmail.com. Details may also be viewed at www.urban-institute.blogspot.com.

Source: The Philippine Star

Academe calls for training assistance from industries

CEBU, Philippines - In its effort to provide highly-employable graduates especially to the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, the academe is calling on industry players to help them train graduating students.

On top of the traditional OJT (On-the-Job-Training), the academe is now asking industry players to provide one or two technical personnel to be deployed in the school, to provide extensive overview of the different technical skills requirement mostly needed by BPO companies today.

Cebu Educational Development for Information Technology (CEDFIT) academe-sector board member Gregg Gabison said if industry players can only sacrifice part of their resources in coaching the near-graduate students, scarcity of highly qualified technical people for BPOs can be avoided in Cebu.

Because of this effort though, there are already a number of BPO companies operating in Cebu that have responded to this call, “but only a few of them.”

According to Gabison, with the help of Cedfit and full cooperation of the BPO players, the academe-industry gap will be resolved in Cebu.

He said only about 30 percent of the BPO companies, specifically those that are in software development, animation, digital imaging, and other sophisticated technical applications are reaching out to the academe sector to help students learn new skills in the industry.

Because of the broad spectrum in IT, most schools’ will only provide the basic learning for the students, highly technical, and various specific applications can be introduced to students through industry-mentoring strategy, Gabison said.

“There are active industry players that come to us to offer their resources. They help us in coming up with curriculum to fit their specific needs,” Gabison said.

Cebu, being positioned as the next “Innovation Island” in Asia, needs this kind of stronger collaboration between industry and academe, Gabison said.

He said unlike the OJT program, which companies have the choice to deploy the interns to the real job, or not, the industry-academe mentoring program, will give students the full orientation and learning of the on-site operation.

Information Technology graduates, and those that are specializing the other skills, like programming, computer engineering, and others have already acquired basic learning on the course, but they need to be updated and be fully oriented on the real-site operation, away from theories.

Gabison believes that the academe will gain full support from the industry players Cebu will be able to easily achieve its bid becoming an “Innovation Island”, thereby pushing the province being an emerged BPO destination in the world, from number one “emerging” BPO destination.

Earlier, economist Ramon M. Quesada said that Cebu could capture a large number of BPO and high-value investments in the Information, Communication Technology (ICT), if it were to immediately address the lack of software developer or software engineer supply in the province.

In terms of voice and back-office services, Cebu and other provinces in Central Visayas combined had been able to overtake India, in terms of investors’ interest. But this potential can be doubled if Cebu, having the large number of colleges and universities in Southern Philippines, will develop a good pool of software engineers and developers.

“What we lack is a good advantage in software development,” he said adding that this strength is still being held by India.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

English skills remain a plus for Cebuanos

CEBU, Philippines - The English proficiency of Filipinos, particularly the Cebuanos, is one good advantage emphasized by a company engaged in inviting more investors to the city.

This was shared by Paul Winters, the chief operating officer of Bragg, Winters and Associates Professional Advisory Inc., which offers consultancy services to companies and providing them with information, training and changes that need to be made to meet and exceed their potential.

The company also invites more investors and deals with companies abroad that could bring in their businesses in Cebu.

According to Winters, BWAPA is instrumental to the influx of Business Process Outsourcing companies in Cebu or the call centers which are seen to increase in the coming years.

Winters said that when they sell or advertise Cebu to companies, the proficiency of the people and the hardworking attitude are always stressed because companies see these as a big factor.

He also shared that the Cebuanos’ attitude towards giving importance to the culture and environment is also an advantage that encourages the foreign companies to invest in Cebu.

He said that Cebu has so much to offer with the good place and people, which have been eyed by big and small companies all over the world.

Winters also said that aside from the importance given to the voice outsourcing companies, which is presently giving boost to the employment rate of the country, the non-voice outsourcing companies also deserve a great amount of attention.

He said that Small and Medium enterprises for example play a vital role in the community, and this sector likewise needs a lot of help. Winters said BWAPA is also consulting companies from this sector, who might be interested to bring in their businesses to Cebu.

"They have the biggest concerns," he added.

BWAPA is also currently dealing with hotels in Cebu and are helping them in their respective concerns that would help them do better in terms of sales, marketing, management and standards.

The company was founded two years ago and is a full service business consultancy that aims to utilize their talents, energies and expertise toward the benefit of the clients they serve through servicing of their time tested business methods, innovative strategies and the latest technology.

The company was put up after its founder's saw the potential of Cebu into being a world-class destination for tourism and business development.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - To cushion the expected power supply shortage in Cebu this month, the Visayas Electric Company (VECO) and CEMEX Philippines recent

Cebu’s power sector industry players like VECO are expecting a shortage of 10 to 20-megawatts (MW) of power supply this month as independent power plants (IPP) undergo a temporary shutdown of their facilities to begin their scheduled maintenance.

VECO and CEMEX’s agreement will immediately be submitted to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for approval.

“Although power generation is not the core business of CEMEX, we offer to supply VECO with excess generation capacity in order to help address the power shortage in the province,” said CEMEX Philippines President Sergio Menendez.

Menendez credits CEMEX’s power surplus from the company’s efforts to making its plants more energy efficient.

CEMEX, which is a global building material firm, is the third largest cement manufacturing firm in the Philippines.

The additional 10-MW of power from CEMEX, will help in view of the tight power supply situation in the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) grid.

“The agreement will help address the power shortfall experienced by VECO’s customers in the past weeks. This will ensure the continued growth of Cebu by making reliable and efficient electricity available to commercial, industrial and residential users at all times,” Lacson said.

Based on estimates, the CNP grid has an average of 90-MW power deficit daily during peak hours, VECOs contribution is abut 15-20 MW, Lacson said.

Reportedly, the grid is now at a 30-percent deficit and this level is expected to worsen come December.

Earlier, VECO’s mother company Aboitiz Power Corporation (AP) announced that it is working on importing power supply from Luzon to Cebu.

As soon as AP completes the legality processes with National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), it will soon implement the planned power importation.

Initially, the company is planning to import least 10 megawatts during off-peak hours through the existing submarine cables connecting Luzon to Leyte and Leyte to Cebu to its sister-company Balamban Enerzone, but it is also looking at augmenting power supply in Cebu in offering this to different power distribution companies in the province, especially VECO, which is also partly-owned by the Aboitizes.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Study reveals major shift in IT development, growth

CEBU, Philippines - While network and internet infrastructure companies are investing money to provide connection even to the remotest place in the Philippines, IDC-Digital Universe study revealed that a fundamental shift in the areas of information growth, security, compliance and management is seen in the next few years.

The IDC study revealed that over the next four years, the number of information-generation technologies and interaction will increase dramatically. Mobile users will grow to 600 million in four years time, as more people will become Internet heavy users.

Non-traditional IT devices such as wireless meters, automobile navigation system, industrial machines, RFID (radio frequency identification) readers, and intelligent sensor controllers, will grow by a factor of 3.6.

Because of the increasing high-technology generation, interactions between people via email, messaging, social networks, and others, will also grow dramatically.

Moreover, more of the world’s economic stimulus efforts will also increase the amount of digital information created, the result of increased access to broadband communications, electronic patient recorders, smart electric grids, smart buildings and autos.

By 2012, IDC projected that 850 million people will buy and sell products and services on the Internet and twice as much, Internet commerce will take place versus 2005.

Also in the same year, Internet commerce will become a US$13 trillion industry, mostly involving sensitive business-to-business commerce.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) earlier announced that it is spending a total of P27 billion in expansion investments, including its plan to roll out “fiber-to-home” technology in the middle of this year, and its ultimate goal in providing “broadband-for-all.”

The company incurred P25.2 billion in capital expenditure in 2008. This year, despite the volatile economic conditions, PLDT is increasing its capex allocation by P3 billion more.

“The 2008 capex level reflects PLDTs continued investment in the business, an outlook sustained in our forecasted capex of P27 billion for 2009. We are looking beyond the near-term uncertainty and positioning for the long-term when global situation stabilizes,” said PLDT president and chief executive officer (CEO) Napoleon L. Nazareno

The introduction of “fiber-to-home” technology will provide Filipinos with much reliable and faster internet connection. Although this may cost a little higher compared to ordinary connection, it is considered as the “ultimate” in fixed line infrastructure.

PLDT, the largest telecommunication provider in the Philippines, reported that Internet traffic has grown at least 80 percent year on year since 2006. Broadband subscriber based continued to grow robustly, and approached one million by year-end.

Total broadband and Internet service revenues for the company grew 45 percent to P11 billion in 2008, which now represents eight percent of consolidated service revenues from six percent in 2007.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Tourism: Key in converting global crisis into opportunity

CEBU, Philippines - GANGWON PROVINCE, Republic of Korea – Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has called on members of the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum to convert present economic crisis into an opportunity especially in the field of tourism.

“In tourism, as in everything else, every crisis is an opportunity for those who are prepared,” Garcia said in her message addressed to the 9th EATOF General Assembly held here yesterday morning.

Some members of the EATOF fear that the global economic meltdown and the increase in Influenza A cases, or the looming second wave of A(H1N1), worldwide will continue to place tourism in setback.

But Garcia said that “there are signs that in a crisis, people do not exactly stop traveling; they travel differently.”

“And this change brought about by people’s changing travel habits presents an opportunity for East Asia, more particularly, the members of EATOF, to present ourselves as an alternative destination for travelers everywhere,” Garcia added.

At least 10 provinces out of the 12 EATOF members issued a joint declaration yesterday marking further tourism development and cooperation.

The joint declaration was signed by the representatives from Gangwon Province; Tottori Prefecture (Japan), Tuv Province (Mongolia), Cebu Province (the Philippines), Sarawak Province (Malaysia), Yogyakarta Special Province (Indonesia), Jilin Province (China); Quang Ninh Province (Vietnam); Luang Prabang Province (Laos), and Siem Reap Province (Cambodia).

However, Chiang Mai Province and Primorsky Territory in Thailand and Russia, respectively, failed to send representatives.

Of the 10 present, two are new members – Luang Prabang and Siem Reap provinces.

In a joint declaration signed by the governors, they have agreed on exchanges among EATOF members that will have broad and far-reaching benefits such as expanded tourism potential and promotion of common interests of all regions.

According to the declaration, the EATOF members should form the charter flight and cruise committee, which they believe will strengthen information exchanges and enhance promotion of East Asia’s tourism products.

The member provinces will cooperate in the operation of the committee centering on province with existing flights and cruises.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization was among those who made an assessment of the governors’ declaration which preceded the signing of the joint declaration.

Xu Jing, UNWTO research officer, gave his commitment to work with EATOF and advised members to “ensure development of tourism along the lines of sustainability.”

Xu shared in Cebu’s vision of an environmentally friendly tourism destination, which Garcia mentioned in her speech.

The EATOF, which is technically on its 10th year but on the ninth for its general assembly, is a voluntary, self-financing association with an international cooperation body that brings together provinces and regions from throughout East Asia.

Garcia, in her speech, mentioned that EATOF has evolved from being a forum for the discussion of common concerns and challenges in East Asia tourism into what it is today.

“An active network of participants relentlessly pushing the tourism potentials of the region,” Garcia said.

Governor Kim Jin Sun of Gangwon, the host province of EATOF, said that the forum aims of developing East Asian regions and strengthening friendships among local governments with tourism as the key industry.

In a decade, according to Sun, EATOF has already expanded its multilateral exchanges of people, materials and culture.

“We have consolidated cooperative ties and accomplished remarkable outcomes under the constant care and support of member provinces over the last 10 years,” he said.

PSSST!

CEBU, Philippines - PSSST! – a usual way to call people or catch anyone’s attention, right? But for Montebello Hotel, this is how they catch the attention of grumbling stomachs with an appetite for sumptuous meals cooked over the grill and an invitation to dine in a restaurant that is definitely different from the rest.

With an environment that has been known to many as a place for relaxation and tranquility being the only “Garden Villa Hotel” in Cebu City, Montebello has come up with a new gimmick for their restaurant that would surely make you come back for more.

PSSST! Or PoolSide Sugba-Sugba Ta! was started by the hotel a few weeks back, with an aim to gather more customers, even those that are not checked in any of their rooms, serving an array of ready to cook pork, chicken and seafood that you could choose from which will be grilled right in front of you.

You may ask, “What’s new? This is done in a lot of restaurants in the City.” But do other restaurants offer a one-of-a-kind setting of eating beside a huge swimming pool with a sight of flowers and trees in the hotels’ garden plus the music of a live bossa nova band playing? Not exactly the usual restaurant environment, I may say.

This makes PSSST! in Montebello unique said Jon Achaval, the energetic marketing service manager of the hotel, who was responsible for coming up with PSSST! and shared that with the band and environment, it would certainly be a “Fun BBQ.”

on, who was a former comedienne in national television, incorporated his fun attitude in to the new concept where he said he wanted the customers to feel at home and have fun eating and listening to music where they could even sing and dance with the band, and also enjoy beer by the bucket.

He said that they already had the “Sugba-Sugba” concept before, but they made it better to market not only in-house customers, but also those who are seeking a new place for good food, drinks, and music all in one.

Also since new establishments and companies are now found near the area, they also are attracting families, barkadas and employees like call center agents through their promos like the card that they give out to a number of customers where everytime they avail of a minimum of P300++ worth of food per purchase, their cards would be signed and after you complete all the number of signatures needed, a free room for two for an overnight stay will be waiting for you.

Here you could enjoy facilities and services offered by the hotel, like the fully equipped rooms that are now at 148, two swimming pools, function rooms for seminars, banquets and special events that could accommodate up to 400 persons, and their tropical landscaped gardens and lagoon that is presently popular for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Now if you haven’t tried all of these great services, you could start your visit in Montebello with PSSST! every Thursday and Friday, from 6-10 pm. The restaurant’s “Make your own stir fry vegetables” is also available plus the restaurants’ ala carte.

This is just one of the offers of the hotel and a lot is still on our way, so, PSSST! head now to Montebello!

Business convenience at Alpa

CEBU, Philippines - One of the dilemma facing long staying out-of-town businessmen is to find a comfortable place that could help them cut the cost of their stay. Where to dine, almost always, becomes one of the considerations to make, since it would be too costly if he has to go to restaurants for every meal, every day of his stay.

To address this dilemma, many companies would decide to get condominium units or serviced apartments where they can house their long staying guests at a supposed lesser cost, especially since the guest would have the option to whip up his own meals.

The disadvantage with these properties is the maintenance of the unit, considering that the companies would not have the guests all year round. This means that they would again shoulder the expenses of an uninhabited abode, making it a liability for the time that it is not in use.

“When the hotel was built, we had the businessman in mind,” said Stephanie Grace Trocio, sales and marketing manager of Alpa City Suites.

“Our target were the business process outsourcing companies because they usually have long staying guests,” she said, referring to trainers who are usually flown to the city to train new recruits for two weeks to a month, or even more.

“That is why our rooms are equipped with facilities that any busy businessman would need,” she said.

On entering the room, the first thing that you would notice is the kitchenette with an elegant sink and a spacious work area, equipped with a 6-cubic feet refrigerator, microwave oven, and exquisite silver fit for the equally tasteful Martha Stewart china. A couple of rooms, I was told, have been installed with a range hood and a stove, ideal for those who would stay longer and expects some serious cooking.

Opposite the kitchenette is the spacious restroom and bathroom. Other suites would have tubs, but the shower is just as tempting.

And then there are the usual amenities of a hotel room like a super comfortable king size bed (or you may choose a room with two separate beds), a cozy living area, a mini bar, a 27-inch LCD television with cable service, and 24-hour free access to high speed internet. The room also has its own safety deposit box, large enough for your laptop to fit.

And for ultimate connectivity, the lobby and other public area in the hotel are equipped with WiFi which guests can freely access.

Should you decide that cooking or simply heating prepared food in the microwave is a bit of a hassle, then, the hip Amo’s Café is the answer. The café has an intercontinental menu and recently they added some Japanese flavors to meet the demand of their growing Japanese market.

“We plan to put up a sushi bar,” said Food and Beverage Manager Mario Cadiz.

Cadiz came from a reputable Japanese-owned property in South Cebu, catering to an exclusive lot of Japanese clients and reportedly, a few Hollywood celebrities.

Cadiz also revealed that soon Amo’s Café will be coming up with specials to highlight the restaurant’s entrees and also to introduce new fares for possible inclusion in the regular menu.

To make the hotel a total solution for the busy businessman, they also have several function rooms fit for “small intimate meetings.” Alpa City Suites can accommodate functions with a maximum of 120 guests in theater set-up.

Alpa City Suites is in Hernan Cortes cor. F. Cabahug Sts., Mandaue City. For information, the hotel can be reached at 238-1668, or through their website at www.alpacitysuites.com.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

CEDC to use earth-friendly means to produce power

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Energy Development Corporation will be producing 246 megawatts in 2010 but as early as yesterday, CEDC president Jesus Alcordo assured environmentalists that the company will be using technology that would not harm the environment.

In a press conference, Alcordo said CEDC will be using state-of-the-art technology, which would defy the notion that coal ash is detrimental to the health of the people, as it emits dust and other toxic elements.

He said this notion “belongs to the old technology.”

“We as a company, in preserving the environment, we have no quarrel with the environmentalists. We are open and transparent as far as environmental performance is concerned,” Alcordo said.

He said CEDC is looking at several options in handling coal ash, among which is to supply the same to cement plants, as calcium carbonate present in coal ash is one of the additives for cement and to supply it to hollow block factories.

Alcordo said CEDC has partnered with the Toledo Power Company for a livelihood legacy program called “Kabilin” for a “sustainable and reliable power plant operations.” Among the activities the program will undertake are tree planting, livelihood development, and biodiversity and aquifer preservation.

Yesterday, CEDC signed several Memoranda of Agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in which CEDC agreed to plant 180,000 trees in a 100 hectare land.

Likewise, Alcordo assured that power rates of CEDC will be more stable next year. He said that because loans with the bank are peso dominated, their power rates are more stable compared to other power projects.

Source: Cebu Daily News

‘Rollercoaster’ ride

THE seaweed processing and carrageenan manufacturing industry in the country is on a “rollercoaster” ride, a major industry player said.

Benson Dakay, chief executive officer of Shemberg Marketing Corp., said abnormal weather conditions has affected the local production of seaweeds, the main ingredient in the manufacture of carrageenan.

“The seeweed sector is on a rollercoaster (ride),” said Dakay, adding that unfavorable weather—high temperature on certain days and the occurrence of typhoons—has caused local seaweed production to drop to 60,000 from 120,000 tons a year.

The decline prompted Shemberg to import seaweed from Indonesia.

Dakay said the insufficient supply has caused prices of seaweeds to go up. Current prices range from P65 to P75 per kilo.

On hold

He said some seaweed buyers have put their orders on hold, in the hope that prices would go down to P40 per kilo. “But this will never happen this time,” he added.

Carrageenan is used in the manufacture of toothpaste, ice cream, some dairy products, shampoo and cosmetic creams, among others. The Philippines is considered as the largest producer of carrageenan.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7 Director Allan Poquita said, though, that the volume of production by local seaweed growers is not the problem.

He said local growers have difficulties in directly marketing their produce to processors.

“There have been interventions by middlemen that’s why small farmers cannot produce by volume,” he said.

BFAR also pointed out that the imported seaweeds are cheaper than locally produced ones, which is why local seaweed growers are less competitive than their foreign counterparts.

Poquita said that although local seaweeds have high carrageenan content many farmers do not know how to produce high quality seaweeds. “Most likely, they don’t meet the standards of processors,” he added.

BFAR also revealed that foreign countries are lobbying for tariff exemptions on seaweed products.
“This will likely affect the prices of local seaweeds and the income of small farmers,” Poquita said.

Source; The Sunstar Cebu Daily

Travel group exec tells RP to care for nature, focus on sustainability

A TOURISM official urged Cebu stakeholders to further develop nature-based products while observing the principles of sustainable tourism.

“Cebu is a beautiful resort destination and there is still room to grow,” said Hulya Aslantas, world president of Skal International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals.

Aslantas met with some local tourism industry stakeholders yesterday at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

She said Cebu’s advantage lies in its leisure and nature-based tourism sites and activities, like beaches, that the province can tap to attract more tourists.

“The pristine waters, the fishes, corals...these are the things the world wants to see. (Many) people are tired of modernity and the city pace of life. Many people want to be with nature,” she added.

Aslantas pointed out, though, that tourism infrastructure growth in Cebu should be “in harmony with the environment, physically, socially and culturally” while maintaining the capacity to attract more tourists.

“Sustainable tourism (involves) building without destroying the environment, without changing the lifestyle of the (local) people, and being able to bridge cultures. It is our (advocacy),” she said in a press conference.

As the concept of sustainable tourism has been around in the past 10 years, Aslantas said more and more hotels have learned to increase their profits while protecting the environment.

Sustainable tourism involves strategies or measures to protect the environment and the culture of the host community. It ensures that the tourism development is a positive experience for the locals, tourism players and tourists.

“Tourists of today are more conscious to go to places where sustainable tourism is (observed). They wish to travel in a sustainable and responsible way,” Aslantas said.

Aslantas visited the Philippines on the invitation of Skal International Cebu president Charles Lim.

Skal Internatonal is an organization of tourism professionals coming from the travel and tourism industry, including hotels, airlines, travel media, shipping, theme parks, car rentals, hospitality academe and national tourism offices.

Formed in 1934, it now has more than 20,000 members in 90 countries. Skal International Cebu chapter has 34 members.

Source: The Sunstar Daily Cebu

US-based firm sees more growth

AS the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector continues to be a major economic driver, a US-based company has established operations in Cebu to satisfy labor growth requirements in the BPO industry in the province.

Teledevelopment Call Center and BPO Support Services (TDS) president Jon Kaplan said call centers and non-voice BPO will continue to grow faster than the other industries.

However, he said, BPO companies have to invest more on resources and talent development to maximize their potentials.

“We offer full support services for call centers and BPOs here in Cebu,” Kaplan said in an interview last Monday.

Cebu branch

TDS has been providing consultancy, training, agent staffing, management recruitment and assessment tools for new and established call centers and BPO companies in the country in the past 19 years. It began operating its Cebu branch yesterday.

Kaplan said that unlike other support services in the Philippines, TDS is US-based.

Kaplan said he is confident that TDS’ operations in Cebu would allow the company to build a long-term relationship with the local business community. “Cebu has become the second largest market. It has quality English-speaking people and good government support,” he added.

TDS plans to establish partnership with universities and companies and to put up more locations in Cebu.

Camella keeps LPMI’s services

CAMELLA Communities, a subsidiary of Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc., retains the services of Land Net Property Management Inc. (LPMI) to manage its real estate projects particularly in Cebu.

LPMI is considered one of the fastest growing Filipino-owned professional property management group in the country that specializes in managing residential, building, commercial and special-purpose properties.

Camella Communities Cebu head Jasmin Alviola said it is important to increase the market value of real estate properties for buyers either to have the opportunity to resell or lease their properties or to simply retain a property at a prime condition.

LMPI’s services are meant to increase the market value of the property through professional management, and maximize the real estate investments of owners and tenants.

Its functions include administrative and financial management, engineering and technical support, security administration, maintenance and housekeeping, waste management and even services like property leasing or selling.

LMPI Cebu head Arne Alfajardo said Land Net’s services for Camella Communities, particularly in Cebu, involve village property management and subdivision property management.

The management firm oversees Azienda in Tali-say City, Azienda Lom-bardi, Tierra Grande and Azienda Roma.

Aside from Azienda, LMPI also manages Ca-mella Communities pro-jects like Pasadena in Guadalupe, Vittoria in Mactan and pre-operates Camella Montserrat in Mactan and Riverdale in Pit-os, Cebu City.

“A developer who engages a property management company to manage their sites or communities shows concern for its community on a long-term viewpoint,” said Fajardo. “Eventually, a well-maintained and secured community will have a good image that will generate positive feedback.

Source: The Sunstar Cebu Daily

Osmeña: Potential of Balili lots

THE 240,000 square meters of land and foreshore area purchased by Cebu Province from the Balili family has a tremendous potential in terms of non-residential land uses.

The purchase price of P94 million can easily be justified if and when the Province decides to introduce the necessary development as “self-contained” projects in relation to factors that govern non-residential uses.

On the Balili issue, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia should consider that whenever land is to be allocated to competing uses, care must be taken not to violate the economic law of ‘highest and best land use.” Since the “highest and best use” is always determined by the present worth of future rights to income or amenities, consideration must be given to the existence of demand for the uses and purposes to which certain sites are dedicated in the overall subdivision plan.

Since business properties are known to bring a much higher price per unit of land, it is a common error to over-provide the amount of space required for commercial use. Simply designing an area as business property does not make it one. There must be demand for business property and that demand is generally in direct proportion to the number of people, or better, of families residing in the area.

In the case of the Balili property where titles were improperly issued on the foreshore area (fishpond and mangrove), Governor Garcia should undertake the proper reclamation procedure by applying for a legitimate title with the Philippine Reclamation Authority.

I hope the governor will practice developing instead of subdividing. Whenever land improvements are carried out in accordance with subdivision plans, and expenditures are made to provide essential site facilities, the field actions are appropriately classified as land developing. Whereas, literally interpreted, subdividing merely means the “breaking-up” of one or more large tracts of land into smaller sites or plots.

Where subdividing is the owner’s intent like the South Road Properties of Cebu City, it need not incur any additional expenses other than those related to purchase, reclamation or the conduct of a survey on the land—which involves placing markers or stakes at intended boundaries and submitting a surveyor’s “plat” of the proposed subdivision.

The process of developing is ordinarily far more comprehensive in scope than that of subdividing, and requires expenditures greatly in excess of those represented by the reclamation of the “raw” land or its purchase price.

The use of coal ash interspersed with limestone to prevent air pollution in the reclamation of the 200,000 square meters of foreshore (fishpond and mangrove) of the Balili property is a financial advantage to the cost to produce the “raw” land for developing.

Governor Garcia should subdivide the 240,000 square meters into commercial lots with the improvement of water mains, sanitary sewers, street grading and paving, curbs and gutters and the miscellaneous costs of legal, sales, and overheads.

To illustrate, assume that 240,000 square meters of the Balili area is fully reclaimed and 30 percent of the land is allocated for road network and open space, then a saleable area of 168,000 square meters is available for sale at a conservative price of P10,000 per square meter or a gross sale of P1.68 billion while developing cost would be P32 million.

The marketing of subdivided land is essentially a selling campaign. Marketing begins as soon as the development is made presentable; that is, when the ground is cleared, streets and service utilities installed, signs and markers put in place, and other work have been completed to make the land attractive.

I hope Garcia will extend her goodwill and cooperation with Cebu’s licensed real estate brokers, specifically the realtors who are essential to the successful marketing of the subdivided lots.

Employing the services of a realtor is a goodwill sign of transparency in the project and also readily liquidate capital invested for further employment in other project developments.

Although the area of the Balili lots is only half the size of the 50-hectare Club Filipino golf course developed by Ayala, decisions by Garcia governing land uses may have important and far-reaching consequences.

Capitol should use the combined skills of urban planners, architects, civil engineers, real estate consultants on the Balili project.

Source: The Sunstar Daily Cebu

10MW from Apo

CEMENT company Cemex Philippines will provide the Visayan Electric Co. (Veco) its excess power to minimize outages caused by insufficient supply.

Cemex’s Apo Cement Corp. will sell to Veco the 10 megawatts (MW) excess power generated by its diesel fuel plant in Naga, Cebu during peak hours.

Veco’s franchise area covers Metro Cebu towns and cities where demand for power reaches its peak around 6 to 9 p.m.

Cemex and Veco signed a one-year interim power supply agreement at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel yesterday. The agreement will be submitted to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for approval.

Veco corporate communications manager Ethel Natera said the generation charge that will be imposed Cemex/Apo Cement will be known after the ERC review and approval of the interim power supply agreement.

The power supply situation in Cebu has been described as “critical” as declining output of aging National Power Corp. plants can hardly cope with the growing demand. This situation has resulted in power interruptions during peak hours.

With a couple of power plants scheduled for preventive maintenance this month, Veco estimated a 10- to 20-MW shortage in Cebu.

The effect of the shortage has been mitigated by the Interruptible Load Program that Veco is implementing together with several industries and commercial
establishments that have their own power generation plants. The program, which was also initiated with the support of the Cebu Provincial Government, allows
participating industries and commercial establishments to deload from Veco’s system during shortages and run their own power generation units.

The ERC has granted Veco provisional authority to implement the program and to pay participating industries and establishments the costs they incur when running their own power generation units. Those that have signed up for the program include SM, Ayala and E-Mall shopping centers, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and San Miguel Corp.
The payment that Veco makes to private firms under the Interruptible Load Program will be shouldered by the distribution utility’s customers.

“An additional supply of one megawatt is already a (big) help to us,” said Sebastian Lacson, former Veco vice president for administration and customer service group and now chief reputation officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures.

Veco said that its agreement with Cemex will help address the power shortfall experienced by its customers in the past weeks.

“It has been estimated that the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid suffers from a total peak demand deficit of 155 MW, of which 20 to 30 are in Cebu alone... We are happy that the excess power we are able to generate from our operations here can be used to help alleviate the power shortage in the province,” said Cemex Philippines president Sergio Menendez.

Darwin Mariano, Cemex Philippines public affairs director for Asia, said the cement plant’s excess power is the result of the company’s energy efficiency measures. Apo Cement Corp.’s power plant has a capacity to generate 66 MW.

Mariano said, though, that Cemex’s core business is not power generation but providing quality cement to the market. NRC with.

Source: The Sunstar Daily Cebu

Developer opens condo models

MODEL units of The Persimmon, Aboitizland Inc.’s first urban village, are now available for viewing on M. J. Cuenco Ave., Mabolo, Cebu City.

Aboitizland marketing manager Leorelei Ylaya recently announced the completion of the studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom models.

We want would-be vecinos (Spanish for neighbors; AboitizLand’s term for its clients/ home-owners) to have an actual feel for The Persimmon and base their buying decisions on that pleasant experience,” Ylaya said.

The Persimmon is the company’s first venture into vertical residential development. It is an integrated project with an entertainment-commercial hub, The Persimmon Plus, serving as its anchor.

Located within a few minutes from the city’s tourist, cultural, academic, political, religious and commercial sites, The Persimmon will host more than 600 units in its four 15-storey condominium buildings.

Vecinos may choose among one-, two- or three-bedroom or loft units, all built consistent with the community’s Asian contemporary design.

Ylaya said AboitizLand is proud of the elegance and easy living that The Persimmon has come to symbolize, making it a popular choice among the young and the accomplished professionals, the international Filipino market, start-up families and old Cebuano clans wishing to invest in real estate.

Construction of the village’s West Tower started last year. All units within the tower have been sold out a year before the projected date of turnover to vecinos. The second tower, the North Tower, is set for launching.

Pre-selling results, Ylaya disclosed, “are very encouraging.” “The Persimmon is defying many real estate sales trends,” she added.

Source: The Sunstar Daily Cebu

Loalde boosts local presence amid global expansion plans

CEBU, Philippines - Despite plans of penetrating the international market, Cebu-based high-end garment brand Loalde likewise strengthens its domestic presence with four more outlets in the pipeline for the Philippine market, bringing to 16 the total number of local stores in the next three years.

This after the company noted a significant performance in its business, with 15 percent average sales growth in the last eight months, said Loalde president Chris P. Aldeguer.

Managed and operated by the Aldeguer & Co. Inc., a subsidiary of the Aldeguer Group and Companies (AGC), the 30-year chic clothing brand has strongly established its name in the Philippine market, successfully competing with global names such as Mango and Zara, among others.

Positioned as an upscale clothing line brand in the Philippines, Aldeguer said expansion plans this year will focus on Luzon, immediately after it pursues its international venture.

At present, there are a total of 12 Loalde boutiques across the country, strategically located in sophisticated malls. Aldeguer said the company has decided to operate all its Philippine-based stores, and offer the international outlets to licensee agreement or franchise.

In 2011, the company plans to open international outlets starting with Singapore and Malaysia.

Since its target market is more on the upper-end segment, Aldeguer said the global economic crisis has not affected the brand’s performance. In fact, he described this year’s performance as the “best ever.”

While the garment industry in general in the Philippines had been affected by the “belt tightening” measures of the consumers, Aldeguer said Loalde had been able to weather the economic distress.

“It’s even a mystery to me that we performed well this year. Maybe because our target market’s [pocket] is not affected by the crisis,” he said in an interview recently during the launching of its new campaign dubbed “Style Generation.”

Popularly known to the young professional market, Loalde is now expanding its target reach that already includes the stylish and trendier designs for the young generation market.

About 50 percent of Loalde’s clothing lines for men and women are manufactured in its plant in Cebu, while 50 percent are made in Hong Kong.

The brand is known for its chic and exclusive designs that hit the taste of the upscale Filipino consumers, including a growing number of foreigners.

Loalde’s mother company AGC, is also the maker of several well known garment brands in the Philippines, such as Island Souvenirs, USA Sports, and Bisaya Ispisyal.

While the entry of big international clothing brands in the Philippine market is deemed a threat to local brands as Loalde, Aldeguer said the coming in of more globally known brands have instead helped Filipino consumers to be more fashion conscious, which in turn that als helped Loalde increase its clientele base or brand followers.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Wellness industry players hope to gain from SEMP

CEBU, Philippines - Stakeholders of Cebu’s health and wellness industry are hoping to take advantage of the multi-million earning sector, which includes the medical tourism market, after it completes a market guidance blueprint that will be supported by the Center for Promotion of Imports from Development Countries (CBI)-Netherlands.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Cebu Provincial Office) provincial director Nelia F. Navarro said the health and wellness players through the Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC) put their hopes on the upcoming completion of the Sector-Export-Marketing-Plan (SEMP), that will pave the way for dramatic growth of health and wellness sector in Cebu in the next few years.

The SEMP, which will be developed by foreign and local experts in export industry, with the support of CBI-Netherlands, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), will provide an intensive marketing plan for the identified priority sectors like seaweed, health and wellness, fashion accessories, furniture, and gifts-toys-housewares.

Navarro said it is important for Cebu players to have updated information on market intelligence, in order to benchmark with competitor countries in health and wellness, such as Thailand, India, Malaysia, and Singapore.

“We will be expecting experts from Netherlands to coach with our players here especially hospitals. Our major concern now is the market access,” said Navarro.

As far as facilities are concern, Navarro said Cebu is already close to competitors like Thailand, India, Singapore and Malaysia, but the problem is how to access the huge health and wellness market in the world, especially the medical tourists.

Once Cebu gains market access, growth in the health and wellness sector is expected to soar, and Cebu will be able to have another economic revenue backbone through health and wellness.

For the meantime, Navarro said the industry is trying to attract the “Balikbayans” to avail of the world-class standard health and wellness services in Cebu, specifically the most popular vanity and dental services.

Navarro said while it will take some time to engrave Cebu’s emerging position as health and wellness destination in Asia, the players can easily start with attracting millions of Filipinos working and residing abroad.

Earlier, the Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu (SWAC) announced that it is closely working with CHWC along with other organizations in the health and wellness sector, to provide a sound package for the Medical Tourism market.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Demand for storage security solutions on the rise

CEBU, Philippines - The growing interest and knowledge of Philippine-based companies to employ sound external storage solutions helped sustain EMC Philippines’ leadership for the past years, as substantiated by the recent IDC report that indicated the rising security compliance among companies.

“Contrary to popular belief as the economy deteriorated in late 2008, the pace of digital information created and transmitted over the Internet, phone networks, and airwaves actually increased,” said John Gantz, chief research office for IDC.

The new EMC-sponsored IDC study titled “As the Economy Contracts, the Digital Universe Expands,” the amount of digital information created in 2008 grew by three percent faster than IDC’s prior projection.

Looking forward, the digital universe is expected to double in size every 18 months. In 2012, five times as much digital information will be created versus 2008.

The new findings highlighted the third update to the groundbreaking Digital Universe study, which measures and forecasts the vast amounts and diverse types of digital information created and copied annually.

While the pace of digital information increased in 2008, IT budgets declined, thus creating an even larger divide between the amount of information generated and the amount of IT resources purchased and deployed to manage it.

This dynamic further validates the demand for tools and techniques (e.g. virtualization, de-duplication and other data reduction technologies, etc.) geared specifically to managing more with less.

“Whether you’re a student, senior executive, stay-at-home parent or surgeon, the growth of digital information collides with every-day business and every-day life. Those who use information growth to their advantage are seeking out new and creative ways to manage, secure and protect the rapidly-growing volumes,” said Joe Tucci, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of EMC Corporation.

“As the market leader in Philippine external storage for three years now, EMC has the best customer track record to help more Filipino companies observe cost-efficient IT while bridging the ever-expanding gap in information management highlighted by the latest Digital Universe study,” Ronnie Latinazo, EMC Philippines Country Manager said.

Latinazo added that EMC Philippines’ commanding 37.70 percent share in the US$17.33 million local external storage market for 2008 represents an alignment with technology innovations that respond to both local CIO priorities and global challenges posted by the Digital Universe study, namely, tiered storage, information protection, virtualization and content management.

Key findings from the 2009 IDC Digital Universe study signal fundamental shifts in the areas of information growth, security, compliance and management.

EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC) is the world's leading developer and provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions that enable organizations of all sizes to transform the way they compete and create value from their information.

EMC is a registered trademark of EMC Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks used are the property of their respective owners.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Cebu-based spa ties up with Medical City

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebu-based spa is soon to penetrate the Manila market, not with a new outlet, but through a tie-up with a hospital located in Ortigas, Pasig.

Johnny Siao, one of the owners of Spa at Cebu, said that they will soon start operating as part of the wellness zone of Medical City with at least 12 beds for the massage at the same time offering sauna, steam and shower services.

Siao said negotiations were done five months ago with hospital owners, including that of Medical City, where they will be having 20 to 30 spa therapists who will be offering massage, in particular the Filipino massage or commonly known as “Hilot.”

He said that they are eager with the project that also supports the current promotion of different agencies and private sectors for medical tourism in the country. Siao said that this goes well with the boost of Health and Wellness in the Philippines which have noted an increase in tourist visitors in the previous months.

Siao also said that if the project gathers a positive response from the public, then they would also want to make partnerships with hospitals in Cebu, which he said meetings have been conducted but they still have to make further discussions.

Siao, who just opened their new branch in the Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu, said that there is a need for strong campaign of the Filipino kind of massage since more of the locals are anticipating the massages of other countries.

He said that the people should patronize the local hilot, which is presently a favorite among foreign visitors like the Koreans and Americans.

Siao said that the positive feedback that they get from the foreign nationals most especially, encourage them to promote better the “hilot,” which they strongly advertise in their spa that is also located in Banilad.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

DOT urges Guv to step up "Suroy-Suroy" program

CEBU, Philippines - While the “Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo” program of the Cebu Provincial government successfully helped the promotion of countryside tourism, now the Department of Tourism throws a challenge to Governor Gwen Garcia to initiate a program that would generate tourism investments.

Tourism chief Joseph Ace Durano lauded Garcia’s passion to promote province-wide tourism in Cebu through the “Suroy-Suroy Sa Sugbo,” but this time, the program has to go a step higher.

He said the province is blessed with potential tourism destinations, however, still lacks accommodation facilities and tourism infrastructure that needs to be developed to spur tourism activity.

If investors are still scarce due to global recession jitters, the Cebu Provincial government could start a tourism facility project, just like what Camarines Sur had been doing.

“I don’t think the Cebu Provincial Government has no money. Funding is not a problem,” Durano said.

He said its high time to generate tourism investors, not just plainly attracting tourists, or warm bodies. This is to complement the increasing number of local and foreign visitors who now consider Cebu and its neighboring islands as one of their top destination choices.

“It does not have to be big investments, or big investors. One could start up with small facility, “Durano said adding that the Provincial Government could look into potential areas around the province that could also generate revenues.

Durano suggested that the innovative “Suroy-Suroy Sa Sugbo” program should graduate from just merely skip-trip jumping from one town to another, to a leisurely countryside adventure, bringing most importantly the potential investors.

Durano had been calling the attention of the Local Government Units (LGUs) executives around the country, especially in Cebu and Bohol to initiate tourism projects in their respective communities in order to make tourism an economic driver especially in rural towns.

According to Durano, lack of appreciation to develop a potential place for tourism is one of the primary problems of LGU executives, not the availability of financial resources, because state-owned financial institutions like Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) have available funds for tourism related developments especially projects that will establish facilities that give good revenue generation.

The secretary called the attention of LGU executives in the country, specifically in Cebu, not to wait for private investors to build or develop nature-based tourism facilities, but “they have to start it.”

“It’s a matter of managing finances. LGUs now do not have an excuse not to start developing a [tourism-related] facility in their respective place,” Durano said.

In Central Visayas, Bohol has pioneered LGU-initiated tourism facility project, like the Danao Adventure Park. Nationwide, there are only few LGUs that took advantage of this opportunity such as Camarines Sur’s adventure park, and Pagsanjan Rapids in Laguna.

Since the Philippines has identified its niche in nature tripping, adventure tourism, this is the ripe opportunity for LGUs to develop their areas, and make use of their natural resources as product for tourism.

Eco-tourism should be taken into serious consideration. Foreign travelers now, he said are demanding for nature-based activities and make use of the existing natural resources of a certain place.

“Eco-tourism is our niche. Let’s not try to be what we are not, or let us not try to be ‘Bangkok’. We have to see the example of some young LGU executives who are proactive in maximizing their respective area’s potential,” Durano said.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Ohio-based BPO support firm opens Cebu facility

CEBU, Philippines - Recognizing Cebu as the second biggest Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hub in the Philippines, Ohio-based call center BPO support firm has set up a facility here to further strengthen the flourishing BPO industry in the province.

TeleDevelopment Services, Inc (TDS), an international contact center and BPO support company yesterday opened its Cebu site at the Bigfoot Center in Ramos Street, noting the increasing demand for support services of BPO in Cebu.

TDS provides consulting, staffing, trainings, executive placement, and other sophisticated support services needed by BPO companies to stay competitive with the best manpower pool.

In an interview with TDS marketing and events planning officer AJ Perdigon, she said that the entry of the company in Cebu hopes to aid BPO companies’ problem in staffing and training requirements, specifically in getting the mid-management manpower supply.

“We hope to provide solutions to the problem of getting mid-management manpower in Cebu,” Perdigon said adding that the company has a series of programs aimed at addressing this problem, such as higher level courses for higher management.

The company’s entry to the Philippines, through its Manila office in 2004, successfully gained the trust of big multinational call center firms, like eTelecare, and Tele Tech, among others.

Closely working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), TDS has maintained a growing number of US-certified trainers depending on the requirement of a call center or BPO client.

All trainers of TDS are certified by a call center school in the United States, through the Society of Workers Presentation and People, a group that certifies all trainers for BPO short-courses worldwide.

Perdigon hopes that the company’s presence in Cebu will provide a solution to existing call center and BPO firms here, not just in staffing, but more importantly the development of higher-level management pool.

BPO players in Cebu had been complaining of the shortage of mid-management manpower in Cebu, although, supply of agents remains abundant.

Wipro Philippines country head Romit Gupta earlier said that one of the problems the company has encountered so far for the past year of operating here, is the unavailability of mid-management manpower supply in Cebu. He said Wipro is having difficulties in hiring managers, senior managers and supervisors, although hiring entry-level employees is much easier because of ample supply.

“Cebu has all the things that businesses are requiring for, except for the availability of senior management people,” he said.

Likewise, Michael Burdette, chairman and director-finance for Tech Growth Solutions Cebu Inc., also said that Cebu has no problem in getting entry-level call center or BPO manpower, but what the province has to develop is the availability of mid-management people.

“We don’t have problems in hiring entry level people. But, just like other BPOs, we have difficulties in hiring supervisors, and managers,” Burdette said.

With this problem noted, Perdigon said this will be given a solution by the company, using TDS expertise in providing support to BPO and call center companies.

Source: The Freeman Cebu