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Central Visayas logs 53 new cases on May 2

As of May 1, 2022, 47 critical patients have been admitted to our hospitals due to COVID-19. Of the 134 ICU beds for patients with COVID-19, 14 (8.52%) were occupied. Meanwhile, 17. 28% of the 1,822 non-ICU COVID-19 beds are also currently in use.

Nearly 4 million individuals or 66.10% of our target population have been vaccinated against COVID-19 while 623,950 individuals have also already received their booster shots. On the other hand, 359,684 senior citizens or 53.10% of our target A2 population received their primary series.

From April 25 to May 1, 2022, 53 new cases were recorded in Central Visayas. The average number of new cases per day this week as it was only 56, it is -7 percent lower compared to the cases on April 18 to 24. Of the new cases, none were recorded as serious and critical. to be listened to. Meanwhile, there were recorded 15 deaths on April 23 to 30.

Everyone is reminded not to be overwhelmed by the threat of COVID-19. We must continue to properly adhere to the minimum public health standards under Alert Levels 1 and 2. The Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development reminds us to always wear a best-fitted facemask and if possible, stay well- ventilated areas. If there are symptoms, ISOLATE IMMEDIATELY. For extra protection against COVID-19 infection, get vaccinated and even booster already!

For more information, visit wesbites ro7.doh.gov.ph/covid-19 or www.doh.gov.ph/covid19tracker

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):

Rare vintage cars make picturesque ride in the iconic CCLEX

It was a sight to behold.

The opening of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), now the longest bridge in the Philippines surpassing the Candaba Viaduct of North Luzon Expressway, is finally here and the scene it presents is breathtakingly beautiful.

Photo from Erwin T. Lim

Photos of the newly opened CCLEX was captured by renowned photographer Erwin Lim during the Cebu Business Month Tourism Kickoff: Bridge Ride created a buzz in the netizens as it can hardly be recognized as somewhere in Cebu city.

One of the highlights of the bridge ride though is the added aesthetic of these vintage cars. It was like a scene from a movie set in the 70’s and 80’s in a foreign country with the vast sky, the elegant bridge and the collection of automobiles rarely seen.

And to note, these are not just vintage cars but rare ones that has a price range way out of the reach of ordinary citizens. We are talking about models of big names like Porsche, Mercedez-Benz and Ferarri. Talk about flex.

Cebu is accelerating indeed and this CCLEX is another thing that we’ll all be proud of.

Photo from Sugbonito Shots
Photo from Sugbonito Shots
Photo from Sugbonito Shots

The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) toll rates are the following:

  • P90 – Class I vehicles such as cars, jeepneys, pick-ups, vans, and motorcycles. The CCLEC is still looking into how much of a discount to give for motorcycles under 400cc.
  • P180 – Class I vehicles above 7ft in height (except when the top load is recreational equipment such as bikes, surfboards, and the like which must be securely fastened and not intended for commercial use).
  • P180 – Class II vehicles such as light trucks, tourist/school and public utility buses.
  • P270 – Class III vehicles such as heavy and multi-axle trucks and trailers.

The CCLEX is designed for maximum speed of up to 80 kph but the CCLEC is implementing a 60 kph limit for safety measures because motorists are still not familiar with the expressway.

Photo from Sugbonito Shots

Note: Motorists should not stop at any area in the entire stretch of the expressway. Cash payments will be accepted in the meantime and motorists are advised to prepare the exact toll fare.

CCLEX now open to the public; toll fees revealed

The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) officially opened to the motoring public on Saturday, April 30. The 8.9-kilometer expressway was inaugurated last April 27 in ceremonies led by President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Photo by John Ray Aligato/The Island Nomad
Photo by John Ray Aligato/The Island Nomad
Photo by John Ray Aligato/The Island Nomad

“We are happy and excited to finally welcome motorists to CCLEX, the new icon of Cebu,”

SAID CEBU CORDOVA LINK EXPRESSWAY CORPORATION (CCLEC) PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER ALLAN G. ALFON.

Vehicles that are allowed to use the expressway now are those classified under Classes 1 to 3. Motorcycles under 400cc are not yet allowed on the CCLEX. These will be allowed to use the expressway only by July this year. The CCLEC is setting up safety measures for motorcycles below 400cc.

Pedestrians and bikers are also still not allowed to use the CCLEX. Their designated lane will be opened also in July.

Photo by GonzFerolino2022 via CCLEX Facebook Page

CCLEX is a toll expressway that will use an all-electronic toll collection system. To give more time to motorists to have an RFID sticker installed on their vehicles, cash payments will be accepted in the meantime. The full electronic toll collection will be implemented by June 2022.

“We invite motorists in Cebu to have their vehicles installed with CCLEX RFID to be able to use the expressway. Have your units installed with a CCLEX RFID now while it is still free,”

ALFON SAID.

Those who want to schedule their registration can sign up using the online form mptc.outsystemsenterprise.com/ORRAS/ or go to cclex.com.ph and click register.

The expressway is a project of the CCLEC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the MPTC, in partnership with the Municipality of Cordova and City of Cebu. It is seen to not only ease traffic congestion in the metro but also spark socio-economic development in the province, according to a study by the University of San Carlos.

Toll rates

The Local Toll Regulatory Council (LTRC) has already authorized the implementation of the approved toll rates for the CCLEX. The LTRC is composed of Chairman Joseph Michael P. Espina and members Engr. Felix Taguiam, Engr. Virgilio G. Espelita, Atty. Benjamin A. Cabrido, Jr. and Ronald O. Diola. They were jointly appointed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho.

The approved rates are:

  • P90 for Class I vehicles such as cars, jeepneys, pick-ups, vans, and motorcycles. The CCLEC is still looking into how much of a discount to give for motorcycles under 400cc.
  • P180 for Class I vehicles above 7ft in height (except when the top load is recreational equipment such as bikes, surfboards, and the like which must be securely fastened and not intended for commercial use).
  • P180 for Class II vehicles such as light trucks, tourist/school and public utility buses.
  • P270 for Class III vehicles such as heavy and multi-axle trucks and trailers.

They are still on a cash basis to allow motorists to register for the CCLEX RFID that is needed to use the expressway. Motorists are encouraged to prepare the exact amount.

The full electronic toll collection will be implemented by June 2022.

The move to allow motorcycles under 400cc is backed by a resolution approved by the CCLEX Bridge Management Board (BMB). It came following a strong clamor from motorcycle users. The BMB said that motorcycles have become the preferred mode of transportation in Cebu.

Motorcycles with 125cc to 399cc engine displacement will be allowed on the CCLEX by July this year. The CCLEC is also still looking into how much of a discount to give to motorcycles under 400 cc.

Registration of motorcycles 125cc to 399cc, however, will still be announced at a later date. The sidewalk for pedestrians and bikers, which are free to use, will be opened in July this year.

Reminders

The CCLEX is a Traffic Discipline Zone. The expressway has a 24/7 traffic patrol crew to enforce traffic laws as well as an emergency team to respond to incidents.

As CCLEX starts operation today, the motoring public is asked to drive at the maximum speed of 60 kph. They should not stop at any area in the entire stretch of the expressway. The CCLEX is designed for maximum speed of up to 80 kph but CCLEC is implementing a 60 kph limit during initial operations as part of safety measures because motorists are still not yet familiar with the expressway.

Cash payments will be accepted in the meantime and motorists are advised to prepare the exact toll fare.

The opening of CCLEX to motorists comes after four years of non-stop construction

Cebu logs 4 new cases on May 1

On Sunday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of May 1, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 4 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 18 new recoveries, and 0 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 130 (from 194).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 53,912 (+0 new)
– Total recoveries: 52,162 (+1 new)
– Total deaths: 1,700 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 50

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 17,062 (+1 new)
– Total recoveries: 16,531 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 520 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 11

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 15,437 (+2 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,920 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 503 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 14

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 46,377 (+1 new)
– Total recoveries: 43,415 (+17 new)
– Total deaths: 2,907 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 55

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 130 (from 194)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 132,788 (+4 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 127,028 (+18 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,630 (+0 new)

A total of 1,062 laboratory results were released.

NOTES from DOH-7:

  • *As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
  • Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):

Cebu logs 6 new cases on April 30

On Saturday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of April 30, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 6 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 34 new recoveries, and 2 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 194 (from 224).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 53,912 (+5 new)
– Total recoveries: 52,161 (+34 new)
– Total deaths: 1,700 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 51

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 17,061 (+0 new)
– Total recoveries: 16,531 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 520 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 10

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 15,435 (+1 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,920 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 503 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 12

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 46,376 (+0 new)
– Total recoveries: 43,398 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 2,857 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 121

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 194 (from 224)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 132,784 (+6 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 127,010 (+34 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,580 (+2 new)

A total of 1,318 laboratory results were released.

NOTES from DOH-7:

  • *As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
  • Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):

Johndorf Tower in Cebu City topped off

Johndorf Tower was topped off today, confirming Johndorf Ventures Corporation’s (JVC) legacy and its expansion into the Visayas. The building is the first of its kind in the company’s portfolio, geared towards addressing the increasing demand for energy-efficient and sustainable office spaces.

The topping-off ceremony was held at the project site between Mindanao Avenue and the Biliran Loop of the Cebu Business Park. Leading the event with the company’s executives and project partners were JVC Executive Vice-President Norma Lim and Managing Director Frances Lim.

“The JVC Tower is uniquely attractive and will be completed at just the right time, pointing to an LPC study indicating a surge in demand for office spaces in areas like Cebu as workers return to live work environments,”

SAYS DAVID LEECHIU, WHO HEADS LEECHIU PROPERTY CONSULTANTS (LPC), A MAJOR PARTNER.

According to the 2022 Philippine Property Outlook, non- business process outsourcing (BPO) office deals rose by 2 percent in the first nine months of 2021 compared to 2020.

It also predicted that future-proofing office towers will be important after 2022. In response to the pandemic, office buildings are being built with characteristics such as improved ventilation systems, sanitation stations and better natural lighting.

Its first commercial high-rise, Johndorf Tower will be JVC’s regional headquarters. It will also house the offices of domestic and international corporations, particularly in the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry.

Offices will be distributed over 11 of the tower’s 21 storeys. Five other levels are dedicated to podium parking. There will be retail outlets at the ground floor and a service deck for tenants.

“Johndorf Tower is testament to our growth and continuing legacy. It cements our commitment to actively participate in Cebu’s effervescent economy and showcases our corporate values of integrity, innovation, and quality service,”

JVC MANAGING DIRECTOR FRANCES ABEGAIL LIM SAID.

Construction Director Raymond Wilson Lim expressed confidence in the “distinct advantages” of the Grade A building’s “hardware”, namely, prime location, superior construction standards, five passenger elevators, 100% back-up power and water supply, multiple telco providers and top-of-the-line amenities. “Just as impressive,” he added, “are the building’s credentials which include a Gold pre-certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) System of the U.S. Green Building Council, accreditation as a Special Economic Zone of the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) and reliable property management.”

The building is positioned at the heart of Cebu City’s central business district, a few steps from The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu. It is built with the combined expertise of trusted names in property development and management, among them Jose Siao Ling and Associates, Monocrete Solutions, Inc., Design Coordinates, Jones Lang La Salle, Inc. and LPC.

LEED certification indicates that the projected 3,000 employees and locators who will be working at Johndorf Tower will have healthier workspaces. It also assures locators of lower carbon emissions and energy efficiency. Such conditions promote higher productivity and cost savings.
Special Economic Zone status, on the other hand, grants tenants tax holidays and duty-free importation of equipment and raw materials subject to PEZA regulations.

JVC has a 36-year history of developing high-quality, reasonably-priced homes in well-planned communities. It first ventured into the economic housing market, later successfully transitioning into mixed-use development.
It has created 30 different communities in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Butuan and Cebu. The company is launching more residential mixed-use projects within the year.

This new, laidback mountain-top Café in Cebu is worth visiting

Retreath houses are very common in Cebu, but if you are looking for one that is the ‘complete package’ and by complete package, has its own standby café 24/7, then this might be for you: MarCia’s in Kamansi Mabini, the newest mountain top house.

Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page

The houses are made up of traditional Filipino materials such as nipa and bamboo. This gives a more homey and comfortable vibes, in addition to the light breeze the place provides as it is located on a mountain top. Bunk beds are available within the sleeping rooms which is ideal for barkada night-outs.

Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page

Staying overnight here is really a good idea because aside with the free usage of their swimming pool, the overlooking mountain view of Mabini is also a good bonus.

Imagine, having drinks with your friends under the night skies and feeling the breeze at the mountain top. That one is surely for keeps. Glamping and bonfire is also available here.

Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page

And because of its exclusivity, intimate occasions like birthdays, reunions, debuts, team buildings and many more. Bonding and exclusive activities are ideal here at MarCia’s because of its unique setting unlike in usual resorts or hangout spots.

The place also doesn’t charge any corkage fee if you wish to bring your own food. You can also cook and grill because they have their own kitchen in the house.

Additionally, a standby café with servings like silog meals, burgers, pizzas, milkteas and many more are readily available in case you want an easy snack.

The café is also open to visitors who do not wish to stay overnight.

Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page
Photo from MarCia’s Facebook Page

RATES & OTHER INFORMATION

OTHER AMENITIES

  • Free use of swimming pool
  • Free P500 worth of milk tea and frappes
  • Free 6 hours usage of videoke machine
  • Free use of table and chairs
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free grilling and light cooking area
  • NO CORKAGE for food and drinks
  • With 24/7 standby cafe for your other needs

RATES

  • Day Use – P5,500 (good for 50 pax, and P50 per excess)
  • Overnight – P7,500 (good for 14 pax, and P300 per excess)
  • Super Exclusive P11,000 (good for 50 pax during day, good for 14 pax for overnight)

Note: P1,000 off on weekdays (Monday to Thursday)

OTHER INFORMATION:

Exact Location: Kamansi, Mabini 6000 Cebu City, Philippines

BY COMMUTE: Hail a jeep or bus going to Pit-os (62B or 62C).Once you’re in Pit-os proper, which is the end of the route of these jeepneys/buses, you can hail habal-habal or motorcycle taxis going to MarCia’s in Mabini. Fare varies per head.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “MarCia’s Cafe” in Kamansi, Mabini. Parking space is available.

Cebu logs 7 new cases on April 29

On Friday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of April 29, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 7 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 6 new recoveries, and 3 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 224 (from 249).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 53,907 (+2 new)
– Total recoveries: 52,127 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 1,699 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 81

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 17,061 (+1 new)
– Total recoveries: 16,531 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 520 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 10

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 15,434 (+1 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,920 (+1 new)
– Total deaths: 503 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 11

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 46,376 (+3 new)
– Total recoveries: 43,413 (+5 new)
– Total deaths: 2,841 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 122

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 224 (from 249)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 132,778 (+7 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 126,991 (+6 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,563 (+3 new)

A total of 1,170 laboratory results were released.

NOTES from DOH-7:

  • *As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
  • Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):

PH secures P12.3-Billion loan from Japan for COVID response

The Department of Finance (DoF) said on Tuesday that the national government has acquired a 30-billion-yen (about P12.3-billion) loan from Japan to help the Philippines recover rapidly from the Covid-19 outbreak and fully return to a path of high and inclusive growth.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Akihiko Tanaka, the new president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), signed the agreement for the second phase of the Covid-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan Phase-2 on behalf of the Philippine and Japanese governments, according to a statement (CCRESL2).

The Philippines’ achievements and plans in vaccinating its target population against Covid-19, as well as expanding the health care system’s capability to meet the challenges of future public health emergencies, were recognized in the second phase of the CCRESL, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

It stated the CCRESL2 package, valued around P12.3 billion or $234.36 million, has a fixed interest rate of 0.01 percent (one-hundredth of a percent) each year, a 15-year maturity period, and a four-year grace period, just like the original 50-billion-yen CRESL.

According to the Finance Department, Dominguez thanked the Japanese people and government for their sustained strong support for the Philippines’ development initiatives and pandemic response efforts.

He emphasized that Japan is the Philippines’ largest donor of official development assistance, with JICA — the country’s foreign assistance arm — being an extremely dependable partner in aiding the Philippine government in implementing its fundamental goals, according to the report.

The first phase, worth 50-billion yen (about P20 billion), was signed by the 2 countries in July 2021.

Cebu logs 6 new cases on April 28

On Thursday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of April 28, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 6 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 12 new recoveries, and 2 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 249 (from 257).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 53,907 (+3 new)
– Total recoveries: 52,130 (+2 new)
– Total deaths: 1,698 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 79

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 17,058 (+0 new)
– Total recoveries: 16,532 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 519 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 7

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 15,434 (+0 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,920 (+1 new)
– Total deaths: 501 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 13

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 46,372 (+3 new)
– Total recoveries: 43,380 (+9 new)
– Total deaths: 2,842 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 150

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 249 (from 257)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 132,771 (+6 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 126,962 (+12 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,560 (+2 new)

A total of 1,230 laboratory results were released.

NOTES from DOH-7:

  • *As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
  • Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):