By 2025, a Cebu-based steel manufacturing and property developer will have fully switched to renewable energy (RE) by partnering with First Gen Corp. as its power source.
Avion Open-Cycle Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant | Photo from First Gen Official Website
First Gen stated in a statement on Thursday that it is now delivering the Chioson Group of Companies’ whole power need of 2,100 kilowatts (kW) from geothermal power facilities operated by Energy Development Corp. (EDC), a subsidiary of First Gen.
This comes after Chioson Group renewed its contract with First Gen to provide 600 kW of sustainable energy to Puresteel Manufacturing Corp. in Mandaue City, Cebu.
The energy is provided by the EDC geothermal plant in Leyte.
Steel goods such as c-purlins, corrugated sheets, square tubes, rigid steel conduit pipes, and rectangular tubes are manufactured and distributed by Puresteel.
Santa Rita Combined-Cycle Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant | Photo from First Gen Official Website
Last year, First Gen and Chioson Group agreed to supply Chioson Development Corp. (CDC) with 1,500 kW of renewable energy from EDC’s geothermal plants in Leyte and Bicol.
First Gen’s renewable energy portfolio includes hydroelectric, wind, and solar, in addition to geothermal units. It also has a natural gas facility that it owns and manages.
These power plants have a total installed capacity of 3,495 megawatts for the firm.
Bernard Chioson, Puresteel’s chief executive officer and CDC’s chief operating officer, claimed the firm only started using green energy last year. The key motivation for converting to RE, he explained, is to have a cleaner manner of producing and manufacturing steel.
“We want to use green, renewable energy to lessen our carbon impact,”
E-sabong, or online cockfighting, has been banned by President Rodrigo Duterte.
He made the announcement during a Monday speech that was filmed, with Interior Secretary Eduardo Ao due to deliver the full details on Tuesday.
Photo from RTVMalacañang YouTube Channel
The P640 million monthly income generated by e-sabong activities, according to the President, is not worth the societal harm produced by gambling.
“Ang amin sana, buwis lang ang habol namin dito,” he said. “But may naririnig na ako, loud enough, loud and very clear to me that it was working against our values and ang impact sa pamilya at tao.”
Duterte has already directed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to look into e-sabong activities, citing reports of individuals pawning their belongings simply to play the popular betting game. On April 19 and 20, the agency polled approximately 8,400 people, and 62 percent said they wanted to halt e-sabong.
Senators proposed suspending e-sabong in March, but the chief executive turned it down. The inquiry into the disappearance of more than 30 cockfight fans since April last year is ongoing.
Photo from putakputak.com
Senators applauded Duterte’s decision, despite the delay.
Meanwhile, once a comprehensive directive is issued, the Philippine National Police said it will organize an information push among personnel.
Oslob is one of the most sought-after destinations when traveling to Cebu as it is beautiful inside and out.
In its surface is the sparkling waters and fine white-sand beaches but the real wonder happened on its deep end where the whalesharks are waiting to meet you.
Oslob also has a bunch of fun water activities to offer and countless tourist spots to visit which makes it is ideal to book a place that has access to every need you have while exploring Oslob.
Photo from Oslob New Village Lodge Website
Located in San Jose St., Poblacion Oslob is Oslob New Village Lodge, a lush village garden surrounded by plants and trees that gives off a relaxing cool breeze and fresh air.
The huge property has a total of 17 rooms that can accommodate a maximum of 85 guests so if you’ll ever have a big family trip to Oslob, you can definitely check in here.
It even has a gazebo bar overlooking a koi pond in the middle of the property that can be used for small gatherings, dinners, or just on chill nights after a jam-packed day of activities.
It gives guests provincial vibes with its colors and designs being in warm tones of brown and green. Their rooms outside walls are made of “amakan”, but a neatly painted concrete on the inside.
Each room also has its own veranda where guests can sit and relax while sipping their coffee and just enjoying some cozy time with their loved ones.
Great Accessibility
It is very near the public market where restaurants and food places can fill your cravings and also has a common kitchen, available if guests prefer to cook their own food.
To those having a workcation, no worries as Free WIFI connection is available to guests everywhere on the property.
They offer tour packages for the tourist destinations within Oslob and neighboring towns like:
Swimming with the whale sharks
Tumalog falls
Sumilon island sandbar
Heritage park
Sardine run and turtles in Moalboal
canyoneering and Kawasan falls in Badian
Oslob is meant to be experienced thoroughly and Oslob New Village Lodge can give you that with a hassle-free comfortable stay, active experiences, and the peaceful ambiance of a garden.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
ROOM RATES:
Standard Double – P1,100 per night, good for 2pax
Deluxe Triple – P1,400 per night, good for 2pax
Deluxe Quad – P1,800 per night, good for 4pax
Executive Quad – P2,000 per night, good for 4pax
Fan room for 4 – P1,200 per night
Fan room for 8 – P1,800 per night
Deluxe QuadDeluxe TripleDeluxe DoubleExecutive QuadFan Room for 4Fan Room for 8
Exact location: San Jose St., Poblacion, Oslob, Cebu (about 200 meters away from Cuartel, Immaculate Concepcion Church, and the Heritage Park)
BY BUS: Go to Cebu City South Bus Terminal and ride on a bus bound for Oslob. Tell the driver to drop you off at Oslob Public Market. Ask around as the Oslob New Village is just a 2-minute walk from there.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Oslob New Village Lodge” in Oslob. Large parking space is available.
The town of Cordova in Mactan Island gets the spotlight for being one of the towns that will benefit largely from the newly completed Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), Cebu City’s most iconic bridge and the country’s longest bridge.
One important supplement to this development, the Pilipog-Gabi Coastal Road Project, is still currently in the works in the effort to make this part of Cebu more accessible with lesser hassle from the heavy traffic.
Photo from Night Owl by Anna Lamentillo Facebook Page
The Pilipog-Gabi Coastal Road Project is the road that will receive the traffic from the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) endpoint in Cordova. It starts from Barangay Pilipog just after the boundary with Barangay Babag 2 of Lapu-Lapu City and ends in Barangay Gabi, at the border with Barangay Suba-Basbas, also of Lapu-Lapu City.
The said coastal road (rock causeway) project is a vital segment of the Cordova Circumferential Road. This national road is complemented by provincial, municipal, and barangays that networks all barangays of Cordova except the island barangay of Gilutongan. In an inventory, Cordova’s road networks have a total stretch of 30,150 meters or 30.15 kilometers.
Aside from the Pilipog-Gabi Coastal Road Project, the town of Cordova has also implemented various infrastructure projects funded out of its local funds and/or from the national government and through public-private partnerships. These projects include Cordova RORO Port, Cordova Public Hospital, and San Miguel Socialized Housing Project.
Newly opened roads
There were new roads as well that were opened in the past few years and these include the Kasadya Road (Poblacion); Ka Tura Road (back of Cordova Public Plaza, Poblacion); Datag Road (Catarman); Bangbang Road (back of Gaisano Grand Mall); Bantayan to RORO Port Road (Camolinas, Poblacion); Cordova Centennial Road; Coastal Road (Catarman); and Coastal Road (Camolinas – Intramuros).
The construction of the Cordova Coastal Circumferential Road has also commenced in the segments of Dapitan-Ibabao and Poblacion (Bantayan) – Catarman.
The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Project is a toll road linking Mactan Island to the rest of the Cebu province, complying with a high standard in regard to safety, comfort, and speed. This features a long-span high-level bridge that spans the navigable portion of the Cebu Strait, a viaduct to connect the main bridge over the tidal portion of the island, a causeway over the shallow area, minor bridges, and a roadway on an embankment.
Photo by GonzFerolino2022 via CCLEXPhoto by The Island Nomad via CCLEXPhoto by The Island Nomad via CCLEX
This ‘third bridge’ is also aimed to decongest traffic on the two existing bridges. The heavy volume of traffic in Cebu is a long-time dilemma for both commuters and motorists every day, affecting their productivity and income.
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!
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 ShotsPhoto from Sugbonito ShotsPhoto 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.
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 NomadPhoto by John Ray Aligato/The Island NomadPhoto 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
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.
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.
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.
