SEVEN persons in Central Visayas were killed, four of them in Cebu Province, when Typhoon Pablo swept through the region last Tuesday.

As of yesterday, 274 were confirmed dead and 339 were declared missing, many of them in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

Damage to property is still being assessed in Region 7, but the official tally nationwide hit P178.3 million, about 96 percent of that in destroyed infrastructure.

Classes in Cebu are expected to resume today, with officials turning their attention to what help can be sent to other cities or provinces that were hit worse by Pablo’s gusts and rain.

The typhoon was 180 kilometers northwest of Northern Palawan at 10 last night, and is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow night.

Although Cebu was not hit as badly as expected, four persons died during the typhoon.

Valentino Pimentel, 67, was pulling his carabao to safety at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday in Malabuyoc, Cebu, when a coconut tree fell and hit him, the police said.

Oryang Ceballos, 30, also in Malabuyoc, was sick and ready to be evacuated, when her parents briefly left her to move the children first, said Social Worker Elizabeth Nalo.

When the parents returned, the storm had destroyed their house, they found Ceballos dead under the debris.

The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) identified the other fatalities as Arlene Pila, 44, from Barangay Granada, Boljoon town and Ruperta Diarca, 77, of Barangay Guadalupe, Alegria town.

Pila, a farmer, was reportedly on her way to the public market, carrying a basket of papayas when a coconut tree fell on her at 2 p.m. in Barangay Lower Becerril.

Trees

A town ambulance rushed her to the hospital but she died on the way, said Mayor Teresita Celis.

In Alegria, Wilson Ramos of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office said, rescuers found Diarca crushed inside his destroyed house in Barangay Guadalupe.

Three other casualties, according to a radio dyLA report, were Herbert Daniel from Lazi, Siquijor; and Quinito Salvacion and Regie Cadayday, 11, of Negros Oriental.

Daniel, 23, and Cadayday were both reportedly pinned by falling coconut trees. The report did not say how Salvacion died.

The PDRRMC listed two persons, a mother and son, as injured in Barangay Sta. Fe, Alegria. They remain unidentified. Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Cesante identified a third person, Judith Fuentes from Barangay Ablayan, as among those injured.

Storm signals for typhoon Pablo were lifted from Cebu yesterday by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa).

Only Mindoro and Palawan remained under storm warnings.

But at the height of the storm, the Delta 1 fast ferry reportedly capsized and went missing last Tuesday afternoon.

Rescue

The vessel, carrying six crew members, reportedly departed from Larena Wharf in Siquijor at 4:30 p.m. to rescue another fast craft vessel that ran into engine trouble.

Capt. Anacleto Gabisan of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that in the process of rescuing the other craft, the vessel reportedly capsized due to the strong winds in the area.

The PCG had reportedly not cleared the first fast craft’s departure. (Nationwide, more than 4,300 were stranded as the Coast Guard kept vessels from sailing, as a precaution.)

At 8:05 p.m., the Larena Police Station was informed that the vessel was missing.

A team led by Insp. Romel Timitim Luga proceeded to the Larena Wharf. Together with the PCG and the local government, they conducted a search and rescue operation in the coastal areas of Siquijor.

Six crew members of the fast craft were rescued near the wharf, the Coast Guard official said.

They were admitted to a hospital in Siquijor for a medical check-up, but had only minor injuries.

Trips

A cargo vessel also ran aground in Siquijor last Tuesday afternoon. The Euro 3 was anchored in the port of Maria, Siquijor when strong winds drove it closer to the shore.

A power barged also nearly submerged in Lazi, Siquijor.

The barge, owned by the National Power Corp., was battered by huge waves that hit the area.

As of yesterday, all vessels going to Bohol and other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao were allowed to sail.

However, trips from Manila and Batangas remained suspended since areas passing through these routes remained under storm warnings yesterday.

At the height of the typhoon, the Boljoon Police personnel also evacuated after water entered their office. Part of the town’s seawall reportedly collapsed, causing the seawater to encroach on roads.

At least 50 families in Boljoon, 209 in San Fernando, 23 in Borbon and 140 in Sibonga were transferred to different evacuation centers. (Sun Star)

With typhoon Pablo expected to sweep Cebu today, business leaders said there was no need to resort to panic buying because there is enough supply of basic commodities especially in December.

“Starting September, traders and retailers already start stocking up for the holiday season so with this typhoon coming, we are not worried about supply because we have a big inventory already in Cebu,” said Regional Director Asteria Caberte of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Caberte was stranded in Bohol province since yesterday by the storm and is coordinating with her Cebu staff to monitor the buying pattern of consumers.

“So far people are calm in Cebu. My staff did not notice any panic buying in major retail chains or any changes in the prices of commodities,” said Caberte.

Price increases usually happen only after an area has been declared in a state of calamity.

“Nonetheless, we will continue to monitor activities in the region. With Cebu being a port area, a supply problem is the least problem we expect,” said Caberte.

Philip Tan, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, said with the early safety warnings and weather updates, people have enough time to prepare their homes and workplaces.

“Cebu normally has a 30-day stocking level for basic commodities based on average consumption so there's really no need to be worried. Panic buying will only worsen the situation,” said Tan.

Employers should also make sure their workers are equipped with basic first aid and calamity rescue procedures, said Island Souvenirs CEO Jay Aldeguer, board member of the Philippine Retail Association Cebu Chapter .

“Preparedness is key not only for the business sector but for everyone to minimize casualties and damage. I think companies can also do basic briefing on first aid and calamity rescue procedures. Aside from that, expensive equipment and inventory should be protected, we just have to be vigilant,” said Aldeguer.

Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph said he would limit attendance in his office and take steps to protect important documents and IT equipment.

“We should expect heavy rains and of course flooding which is always a disruption. Based on latest study, there are now over 110 flood prone areas in Metro Cebu. If rains are really heavy, we should prepared for a paralysis of traffic,” said Joseph.

“The impact will be very short term and therefore minimal in Cebu. Negros and Mindanao areas however will be sadly affected,” said Joseph.

Since Friday, outdoor advertisers have been taking down billboards in Metro Cebu.

OAAP president Meanne Alcordo said this is standard procedure when a strong typhoon is coming.

Alcordo Advertising has about 50 billboards in Cebu and about ten in Bohol which they have already removed.

“Other members have also taken down their billboards already. There are over a hundred billboards in Cebu now,” said Alcordo Advertising marketing manager Rosaline Cagang. (Cebu Daily News)

However, the executive department might have to look for another way to fund the event.

In a one-page resolution, Councilor Edgardo Labella seeks to charge P5,385,000 to the account for City-sponsored activities, which has a budget of P28 million for this year.

Breakdown

Based on the project proposal prepared by Atty. Evangeline Abatayo, head of the Human Resource and Development Office, the amount will cover the incentive allowance totaling P1,750,000 for the City’s estimated 5,000 employees.

The incentive allowance will be spent for the food for the party and will be released through payroll at P350 per employee.

Another P1,750,000 will be used to buy 5,000 pieces of ball ham at P350 each.

At least P1,250,000 will also be used to buy sacks of rice, with each employee receiving five kilos.

Other expenses include P430,000 for the purchase of various appliances that will serve as door prizes, P75,000 for the rental of lights and sounds and P130,000 to cover the prize to be given in various contests and honorarium of judges.

However, the council’s committee on budget and finance headed by Councilor Margarita Osmeña said the funds under the City-sponsored activities account are almost depleted.

Account balance

Based on the report submitted by the City Budget Office, the account’s balance is P9.4 million, as of Oct. 9.

“However, as reiterated by the budget office, this amount is not safe to use considering that a lot of requests were charged to this account,” she said.

Osmeña told Labella to secure first of a certificate of fund availability from the budget office before the council will approve his resolution.

In a phone interview with Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, Osmeña said that under the budget ordinance approved by the council covering the City’s P5.2-billion budget this year, the Christmas party for the employees and the Sinulog and the Charter Day celebration this year were among those identified as priority items to be funded by the City-sponsored activities account.

“But we just want them to get that (certificate of fund availability) for the purpose of verifying if funds are still available,” she said. (Sun Star)

In the old days, an impatient commuter losing her cool and berating a security guard would only have attracted a small crowd. In the technology age, the crowd for such a mundane incident can be a large global audience of social media users and TV viewers. A video of a passenger scolding a guard at the Light Railway Transit (LRT) Santolan station went viral on Facebook Tuesday night, getting more than 68,000 shares and 17,000 comments, and aired on TV networks. The hashtag #AMALAYER, which came from the passenger's pronunciation of "I'm a liar," even trended on Twitter, both worldwide and in the Philippines. In a video sent by YouScooper Gregory Paulo Llamoso, passenger Paula Jamie Salvosa was seen giving a female security guard a tongue-lashing. “I’m a liar? I’m a liar?” Salvosa yelled. Reached by GMA News, Salvosa said she is willing to resolve the issue with the security guard, though it was the lady guard who raised her voice initially. "Sabi n'ya sa 'kin, sumigaw, 'Miss, anong problema mo?' Sabi ko sa kanya, you are my problem!" she said. Salvosa added that the guard, identified as Sharon Mae Casinas, grabbed her arm. "Sabi ko, bakit? You have no right to drag me! Nagagalit ako kasi she grabbed me!" Salvosa said she would not have reacted that way if the guard had treated her well. For her part, Casinas said she asked the woman to put her bag though the X-ray machine for proper inspection. However, Salvosa began raising her voice. Casinas, on the other hand, said she remained calm despite the humiliation. "Nagkulong po [ako] sa kwarto sa sobrang kahihiyan," she added. Meanwhile, Salvosa said she is a victim of cyberbullying. She also denied that she owns the Twitter account @paulaharlow, as she has already deactivated her Twitter and Facebook accounts. "I want to be an example na may karapatan naman tayo. Cyberbullying ito," she said. Side comments and facial expressions In a news release, the Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) explained that Casinas was merely performing her duties as she requested Salvosa to put her bag through an x-ray machine. But the latter somehow missed the procedure and hurriedly tried to enter the station. LRTA Officer-in-Charge Emerson L. Benitez said that their security personnel are instructed to strictly implement the “No inspection, No entry” policy. The rule ensures the safety and security of passengers. Benitez admitted that this may inconvenience passengers. Therefore, security personnel have been instructed to “refrain from making side comments and facial expressions that may be offensive to our passengers.” Also, all LRT security personnel have undergone a seminar on Quality Customer Service Delivery before their deployment and are given refresher courses semi-annually. “Ms. Casinas displayed the right attitude expected of a security guard,” said the LRTA, “that is, to be courteous and tolerant in spite of the embarrassment.” Regardless, Casinas apologized for whatever action that she had committed deemed offensive by Salvosa, said the LRTA news release. — BM/DVM, GMA News

If you want to attend the Nov. 30 national thanksgiving Mass for St. Pedro Calungsod, better plan ahead.

At least 20 shuttle buses will pick up devotees at selected stops and bring them to the open-air venue in the South Road Properties (SRP), where the celebration will take place.

Bus stops will be in front of the Talisay City Hall for people from the south and S. Osmena Avenue near the Cebu Technological School for those in the north.

Those who want to walk to the templete can take the Mambaling access road where senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities will pass.

Preparations were announced yesterday in a traffic and security briefing by police and Cebu Archdiocese officials.

The SRP will closed to traffic from 10 p.m. of Nov. 29, Thursday until 7 a.m. of Nov. 30, Friday.

Traffic signs and barriers will be put up, including media coverage facilities, during this period.

Roads near the 300-hectare SRP will also be closed at 6 a.m. on the day of the event, Nov. 30.

Only one lane of the SRP will be open for shuttle buses and private vehicles – the seaside area.

The other side of the road will be used for the religous procession.

Public utility vehicles have to pass through the Mambaling flyover.

3 ENTRY POINTS

There are three entry points to the SRP thanksgiving site:

1) the tunnel near Plaza Independencia;

2) the road along the Talisay fishport;

3) and the Mambaling access road.

The tunnel and the Talisay City road to the templete is exclusive for vehicles.

Golf cars will be fielded to ferry Persons With Disabilities (PWD).

Each of about 140 parishes in Cebu will be given four passes for six-wheeler trucks and 40 passes for four-wheel vehicles.

Color coding

Vehicles from the north, which have red pasess, will enter through the tunnel.

Vehicles from the south, which have blue passes, will enter through the Talisay City road to the templete.

Yellow passes will be issued to guests, VIPs, committee members, and those with special roles in the Mass. Those with yellow passes can use any of the three entry points.

“We have limited the number of vehicles. Not all areas in the SRP can accommodate vehicles,” said Msgr. Dennis Villarojo, over-all chairman of the Cebu celebration.

Senior Supt. Melvin Buenafe, Cebu City police chief, said they have prepared the security plans for the event.

Joy Tumulak, assistant executive director of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management, said the SRP will be closed from 10 p.m. to 12 midnight of Nov. 29 for clearing operations. Then from midnight to 7 a.m. , it is closed again to give way for the installation of traffic signs and barriers. (Cebu Daily News)

Eco-tourism and a “Walk to Remember” are among the priority projects of the new Lapu-Lapu city tourism officer, Hembler Mendoza.

Mendoza, who took over last Nov. 5, said he would focus on launching eco-tourism projects in Olango Island, Caubian Islands, and the Marine Minantaw Park and Sanctuary, which lies between Cebu and Bohol.

Mendoza said he would also focus on a walking heritage tour for visitors called “Walk to Remember” in the poblacion which hosts the Nuestra Senora del Regla church, a plaza, and the Muelle Osmena wharf.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, who presented him on Friday, said the veteran hotelier could handle a bigger scope of work because of his 25 years of experience in the hotel business dealing with tourism stakeholders.

Mendoza was the manager of the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino before he moved to Harolds Hotel as general manager.

Mendoza said he decided to shift fields and take on the challenge as the city’s tourism officer.
Mendoza replaced Fritzie Kohn, who is leaving the office in December.

Mendoza said he would join the ongoing Sangguniang Kabataan tourism and cultural mapping workshop, which orients youths on the city’s tourism spots.

He said he will also talk to Mayor Radaza about dilapidated and narrow roads in the city as well as malfunctioning traffic lights and streetlights.

Good basic infrastructure is needed to attract tourists and would benefit local residents as well, he said. /Norman V. Mendoza, Correspondent

Source: Cebu Daily News

Washington — President Barack Obama captured a second White House term, blunting a mighty challenge by Republican Mitt Romney as Americans voted for a leader they knew over a wealthy businessman they did not.

Obama, America’s first black president, easily captured far more than the 270 electoral votes needed for victory and further cemented his place in American history Tuesday.

This despite having his first term dominated by stubbornly high unemployment and Americans’ anxiety about their future.

In the Philippines, the Aquino government expressed its congratulations to Obama and said it would support his administration as part of the shared history and ongoing partnership between the two countries.

Obama’s re-election to another four-year term should guarantee the future of his signature legislative achievement, a health care overhaul, which Republicans hoped to overturn.

Internationally, it means the United States is likely to continue a foreign policy emphasizing multinational partnerships in dealing with issues such as Syria’s civil war and Iran’s nuclear program — an approach Romney derided as weak.

Obama’s victory could also come as a relief to China since Romney had pledged to declare it a currency manipulator, potentially leading to sanctions and escalating trade tensions.

’Fought our way back’

Thousands of Obama supporters waving small American flags and cheering athered in the cavernous McCormick Place convention center on the lakefront in Obama’s hometown of Chicago.

They hugged each other, danced and pumped their fists in the air when TV networks declared Obama the winner.

Excited crowds also gathered in New York’s Times Square, at Faneuil Hall in Boston and near the White House in Washington, drivers joyfully honking as they passed by.

Obama told supporters in Chicago that the election “reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back.”

For the United States, “the best is yet to come,” he said.

Romney called Obama to concede, and in an appearance before supporters in Boston, he congratulated the president saying, “I pray that he will be successful in guiding our nation.” Obama said he wants to meet with Romney to discuss how they can work together.

But while Romney and Obama both spoke of the need for unity and healing the nation’s partisan schism, the election did nothing to end America’s divided government.

The Democrats retained their narrow majority in the Senate, while the Republicans kept firm control of the House of Representatives.

Obama’s narrow lead in the popular vote will make it difficult for him to claim a sweeping mandate.

With returns from 94 percent of the nation’s precincts, Obama had 58 million, 50 percent. Romney had 56 million, or 48 percent of the popular vote.

But Obama did have a sizeable victory where it mattered: in the competition for electoral votes. He had at least 303 votes to Romney’s 206.

The election emerged as a choice between two very different visions of government: Obama’s — as a major, front-row player in Americans’ lives, or Romney’s — as a less-obtrusive facilitator for private enterprise and entrepreneurship.

The economy was rated the top issue by about 60 percent of voters surveyed.

About four in 10 said the economy is on the mend, but more than that said it was stagnant or getting worse four years after the near-collapse of 2008.

‘Believe’

No U.S. president since Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s had run for re-election with a national jobless rate as high as it is now — 7.9 percent.

Democrats cast Romney as a heartless businessman, out of touch with everyday Americans, who would restore policies that helped the wealthy and contributed to the economic collapse.

According to the exit poll, 53 percent of voters said Obama was more in touch with people like them, compared to 43 percent for Romney.

Romney, who would have been America’s first Mormon president, won the nomination after fending off an eclectic series of challengers, including Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum.

“I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction,” Romney said during his concession remarks, “but the nation chose another leader.”

“At a time like this, we can’t risk partisan bickering and political posturing. Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the nation’s work. I believe in America. I believe in the people of America. ... I ran for office because I’m concerned about America. This election is over, but our principles endure,” he added. /AP with an Inquirer report.

Source: Cebu Daily News