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Ermi Beach Resort: A Relaxing Retreat at the border of Oslob

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One of the biggest reasons that people look towards the tropics for vacation is because of the native designs and rustic atmospheres that deviate greatly from the usual hectic schedules and blinding city lights.

Ermi Beach Resort provides exactly what the mind and body needs for a relaxing getaway. With the majority of its facilities highlighting the scenic views of the ocean, the mind would surely be able to be at peace with the mesmerizing picture of the ocean paired with the lulling sounds of the crashing waves.

The front of the resort has a pleasant view of Bohol, Negros, Siquijor and the other neighboring islands which can be enjoyed while taking a dip in their pool that overlooks the ocean.

Surrounding the pool are large nipa hut cottages that provide a space to relax with other people. When the weather is good and the sun is high up in the sky, the water creates a beautiful gradient of turquoise and deep blue which is a treat for the eyes.

If lazing around doesn’t really sound too appealing to the guest then they can spend some time having fun by the bar playing billiards with strangers or order a hefty meal from the open-air restaurant.

Even the rooms have a clear view of the ocean from the inside plus it also has a small porch which is perfect for meditating or simply just appreciating the serenity of the ocean. The rooms have a variety of designs, both modern and traditional, to suit the taste of every guest.

The layered brick design of the standard room is an uncommon yet bold design but is clean and still does the job of creating a relaxing space. The room is fully equipped with a bed at the center and a television across it, a comfort room with a hot & cold shower, toilet, and sink, and most importantly, air conditioning.

RATES & OTHER INFORMATION

FACILITIES AND OTHER SERVICES:

  • Swimming pool
  • Restaurant
  • Wine Bar
  • Billiard
  • Diving
  • Snorkeling
  • Whale Shark Watching
  • Island Tours
  • Island Water Sports Activities

ROOM RATES:

  • Standard Room (Double): ₱1,750 per night, good for 2 persons
  • Standard Room (Triple): ₱2,300 per night, good for 2-3 persons
  • Standard Room (Quad): ₱2,800 per night, good for 4 persons
  • Deluxe Room (Double): ₱2,200 per night, good for 2 persons
  • Deluxe Room (for 5): ₱4,000 per night, good for 5 persons
  • Deluxe Room (for 7): ₱4,700 per night, good for 7 persons

Add-ons:

  • Additional Persons: P200/ person per night
  • Additional Beds: P200 per bed

OTHER INFORMATION:

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: Gawi, Oslob – just a short distance from the boundary of Oslob and Boljoon; approx. 3.5 hours away from Cebu City.

BY BUS: Find your way to the Cebu South Bus Terminal. From there, take a bus bound for Bato-Oslob. Ermi Beach Resort can easily be spotted from the highway with a sign to indicate its location. Ask the driver to take you to the destination and keep your eyes peeled for the beach resort.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Ermi Beach Resort” in Oslob. Parking space is available upon arrival.

Cebu logs 471 new cases on February 20

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On Saturday night, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of February 20, 2021.

Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 471 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 217 new recoveries, and no new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 32,939, while the active cases surged to 5,499 (from 5,244).

Cebu’s recovery rate is now at 78.87%.

Breakdown of cases:

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 16,027 (+251 new)
– Total recoveries: 12,311 (+154 new)
– Total deaths: 721 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 2,995

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 3,681 (+56 new)
– Total recoveries: 2,974 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 116 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 591

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 3,795 (+54 new)
– Total recoveries: 2,887 (+1 new)
– Total deaths: 180 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 728

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 9,436 (+110 new)
– Total recoveries: 7,808 (+62 new)
– Total deaths: 443 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 1,185

Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 5,499
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 32,939 (+471 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 25,980 (+217 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 1,460 (+0 new*)

A total of 3,189 laboratory results were released for today.

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 Hawk Owl: Cebu’s Cute & Charming Endangered Bird

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Owls are cute animals. If you haven’t seen gifs of owls jumping around in excitement or spreading their wings to soar into the sky, you’re missing out on some cuteness overload. Sometimes, they are even referred to as birds installed with cat software. Who doesn’t love owls?

Well Cebuano owl lovers out there, say hello to the Cebu Hawk Owl, an endangered bird that can only be found in Cebu. This charming owl has large yellow eyes and brown and hazel feathers with a pattern similar to that of a tabby cat. The owl also has a distinct white mark on its head resembling eyebrows.

Photo from Cebu Provincial Tourism Office

These cute puffballs are precious, but they are actually endangered, meaning there are only a little of them left and may even face extinction. The sad reality is that these owls are in danger because of their habitat getting smaller and smaller in Cebu as it faces urbanization. Cutting off their trees to harvest wood or make way for buildings and agricultural farms is not good for them since they lose their homes that may contain their nests and eggs.

Photo from Cebu Provincial Tourism Office
Photo from Cebu Provincial Tourism Office

The Cebu Hawk Owl can be found in Nug-as Forest, a limestone mountain range that surround three municipalities in southern Cebu, specifically Argao, Dalaguete, and Alcoy.

According to a Facebook post by the Cebu Provincial Tourism Office about the owl:

“You have to wake up at 5am to trek the mountains with a guide to be able to watch the Cebu Hawk Owl in flesh. The area is being managed by Kakulungan sa mga Mag-ooma sa Yutang Lasangnon sa Bololakaw (KMYLB) farmer/ forest warden community. Currently, they have closed the site due to pandemic and will reopen as soon as health and safety protocols will be in place.”

Nug-as Forest Reserve, Alcoy | Photo from Cebu Provincial Tourism Office

Exact location: Nug-as Forest Reserve, Alcoy, Southern Cebu

Coup D’état: What It Is & Why It’s Happening in Myanmar

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On February 1 this year, Myanmar took the world by storm and confusion as its military held a coup d’état, effectively redefining Myanmar’s government for the foreseeable future.

The country’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other members of the National League of Democracy were detained and replaced with a new body. After the coup d’état, the commander-in-chief of the military Min Aung Hlaing has taken in the reigns of control and the power has been transferred to him.

Photo from Reuters
Photo from Reuters

However, a coup d’état seems like a thing in the past since our current society is more civilized now. What exactly is it and why is it happening in Myanmar now?

What is a coup d’état?

While the word might seem fancy, it actually is pretty simple to understand. First off, the word is a French word meaning “blow of state”. A coup d’état, also shortened as a coup, is the act of removing an existing government and replacing it with a new one.

A coup is done illegally and is an act of unconstitutional seizure of power by a political faction, the military, or a dictator.

Coup: A simple example

Here is a simple example: the majority of a high school classroom has voted a nerd named Jeffrey to be your class president. Jeffrey has become class president because his classmates want him to be one. However, a group of bullies led by a student named Doggie threatens everyone that Doggie should be the class president. When successful, Doggie has overthrown Jeffrey as the class president without the need for votes and is considered an unconstitutional seizure of power.

In the same way albeit much larger, this is what’s happening in Myanmar.

What happened in Myanmar?

Myanmar actually has another name, which is Burma, and Burma has been ruled by the military from 1962 to 2011. Then, a new government stepped in to bring democratic rule to the country. In 2020, The de facto leader of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi had won the general election on November 8. The military’s party lost and claimed that the votes were fraudulent.

Demonstrators protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, February 17, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer

Now, before the first parliament since the election were to start and approve the next government, the military enacted a coup and seized control. This means that the next government has not been set in stone yet and not approved. The coup d’état which happened in the early morning of February 1 had effectively overthrown the current government and has now declared a year-long state of emergency.

Why is it happening now?

The military has done this because they think elections was a fraud and that the Aung San Suu Kyi does not deserve to be the leader.

Now, communication has been cut off from Myanmar. Hopefully, no blood will be spilled in the foreseeable future.

118-metre High Speed Trimaran Ferries built in Balamban

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Austal Philippines has completed the installation of four waterjets in Hull 395, Bañaderos Express, currently under construction for Fred. Olsen Express in Balamban, Cebu.

The second of two ‘Auto Express 118’ high-speed trimaran ferries ordered by Fred. Olsen Express of the Canary Islands, Bañaderos Express, is scheduled for launch later this month. Austal Australia delivered the first trimaran of the two vessel A$190 million contract, the Bajamar Express, in July 2020.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the milestone was significant given the continuing challenges around shipbuilding during the COVID-19 pandemic in The Philippines.

Austal Philippines President Wayne Murray said the accomplishment was even more significant considering the shipyard was both completing final sea trials on the first large vessel completed on the Balamban site and constructing the largest (by volume) ferry ever constructed by the Austal group.

In addition to the installation of the four Kongsberg KaMeWa 125 S3 waterjets, Austal Philippines also completed the installation of the major Austal MOTION CONTROL SYSTEM components, including swinging T-foils, trim flaps as well as the streamlined, drop-down bow thrusters at the same time; effectively all of the highly efficient underwater appendages to the trimaran hull form that help deliver superior seakeeping and passenger comfort.

Fred. Olsen, S.A.’s CEO, Andrés Marín, thanked Austal Philippines for the “significant effort made to comply with the work schedule” and said he was looking forward to the new trimaran ‘Bañaderos Express’ commencing service in the Canary Islands in summer, “as scheduled”.

Bañaderos Express is a 118 metre aluminium trimaran, capable of transporting more than 1,100 passengers and 276 cars at cruising speeds up to 38 knots. Along with her sister ship, Bajamar Express, the ship features an optimised trimaran hull form and Austal’s industry-leading MARINELINK monitoring and control system. 

Bañaderos Express also features class-leading interior amenities and facilities, including multiple bars, kiosks, a retail shop and children’s play area. The vessel will operate on Fred. Olsen Express’ Santa Cruz, Teneriffe and Agaete, Gran Canaria routes in the Canary Islands.

Cebu logs 398 new cases on February 19

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On Friday night, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of February 19, 2021.

Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 398 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 291 new recoveries, and 2 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 32,468, while the active cases surged to 5,244 (from 5,124).

Cebu’s recovery rate is now at 79.35%.

Breakdown of cases:

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 15,776 (+192 new)
– Total recoveries: 12,158 (+157 new)
– Total deaths: 721 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 2,897

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 3,625 (+53 new)
– Total recoveries: 2,974 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 116 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 535

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 3,741 (+61 new)
– Total recoveries: 2,886 (+49 new)
– Total deaths: 180 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 675

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 9,326 (+92 new)
– Total recoveries: 7,746 (+85 new)
– Total deaths: 443 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 1,137

Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 5,244
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 32,468 (+398 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 25,764 (+291 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 1,460 (+2 new*)

A total of 3,160 laboratory results were released for today.

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):

LOOK! Get your milk tea fix at Cebu’s first 2D Cafe

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While Cebu is known for its colorful culture and vibrant destinations, the city’s love for milk tea might not be as famous. Cebuanos really love milk tea in all of its forms and flavors. Therefore, it is not a surprise that there are milk tea shops almost at every corner within the city.

Hence, if you are on the hunt for a new milk tea experience, we’ve got you dibs. Have your own milk tea experience while complementing your creativity.

Say Hello to The White Mansion, a 2D café in Lapu-Lapu City that serves milk tea and delectable sweets while feasting your eyes with the place’s interior. Yes, it’s an optical illusion experience. The place looks like a drawing where you can walk into, stripping all of its colors and details that you’d usually find in a coffee shop.

The White Mansion definitely looks like a doodle. From tables, chairs, walls, floors, and everything, it definitely is a distinctive aesthetic. And as always, it is very impressive for your Instagram shots.

Don’t be fooled with their beautiful interior though. Because apart from this outstanding 2D milk tea house concept, The White Mansion also serves a wide array of flavors of milk tea and pastries that you can savor and devour.

Enjoy refreshing drinks like your favorite classic pearl milk tea, taro, cheesecake, cream cheese specials, even fruit teas to cold brews. You can always chill with friends and family at The White Mansion.

Rates & Other Information

Menu:

OTHER INFORMATION

  • Opening hours: 11AM to 9PM daily
  • Email address: [email protected]
  • Contact number: (035) 495 2817

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact Location: The White Mansion is located in Mactan, Lapu-lapu City – a few minutes away Bigfoot Studios, and right after Mactan Elementary School; approx. 1 hour away from Cebu City.

BY CAR/TAXI/GRAB: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and pin your destination to “The White Mansion” in Mactan. Parking space is available.

BY VAN/JEEPNEY: 
– From SM City, ride a 01K jeep (across APM Mall or near Sun Gold) going to Parkmall. Or ride 01K jeep from Emall.
– From Parkmall, ride a jeep heading to MEPZ 1. From there, ride another jeepney going to Soong/Maribago. Drop off at The White Mansion, few meters away from Bigfoot Studios.
*There are also jeepneys going to Soong from Mandaue City highway at Caltex, across San Miguel.
*You can also ride a v-hire from Ayala Center Cebu or SM City Cebu going to Mactan Cebu.

Iconic tower and home of Sofitel Cebu City to open in 2025

In anticipation of a robust economic recovery in the next few years, leading VisMin developer Cebu Landmasters unveils an iconic tower planned by the designers of the world’s most acclaimed skyscrapers, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) in tandem with one of the country’s top architects GF Partners and Architects.

Masters Tower Cebu, set to be completed in 2025, will offer prime office and retail spaces and the first five-star luxury hotel in the Queen City of the South. Sofitel Cebu City will be operated by multinational chain Accor, a world leading hospitality group headquartered in France.

The tower is Cebu Landmasters’ most iconic architectural structure to date, building a towering crown-like structure to represent the “Queen City of the South”.

The development valued at over Php4 billion will rise on a 2,840 sqm property considered to be the remaining prime corner lot in the Cebu Business Park, Cebu City’s prestigious central business district.

The architectural masterpiece will top-off at 192 meters above sea level and will be among the top three tallest structures in the metropolis. It will have a structural height of 172 meters high, with an architectural design inspired by the best of Cebuano creativity and craftsmanship, and with sustainability as one of its cornerstones having been conceptualized to use energy and resources efficiently and responsibly.

Groundbreaking of the LEED-registered Masters Tower Cebu is slated for the second quarter of 2021. CLI is aiming for the building’s LEED Gold certification.

“This project is the culmination of our learnings as a full-line developer catering to a range of markets in one of the most dynamic regions of the country,” disclosed Jose Soberano III, CLI CEO. “We want to build this project for Cebu, to show our positive outlook for this growth city,” he adds.

Following the firm’s double-digit growth in 2020 despite the pandemic, Soberano disclosed that Masters Tower Cebu looks forward to the upsurge of the local economy and the return of international travellers to the South.

The tower’s office spaces from the 8th to the 12th floor anticipate the needs of locators who value efficiency and sustainability and keenly follow global trends. The spaces will highlight horizontal louvers to reduce solar heat by almost 70% and to create a comfortable work environment. In addition to the louvers that reflect Cebuano craftsmanship, sky gardens in every floor and throughout the LEED-registered building will enhance the well-being of its occupants.

Sustainability will further be reflected in the design of the 14th to the 32nd floors which will house the luxury hotel with 195 guest rooms, a grand ballroom, 2 restaurants, executive lounge, meeting rooms, roof deck, swimming pool, gym and spa.

A sunlit Sofitel Cebu City sky lobby on the 16th floor will maximize natural lighting through the use of an internal atrium. Guest rooms enhanced by the greenery from the gardens on each floor will create a retreat within the city. Finally, the roof deck will offer 360-degree views of Cebu and its surroundings.

Soberano explained that Masters Tower Cebu is part of CLI’s growing hotel portfolio in partnership with a number of global hotel chains that will be significantly contributing to its revenues in the next three to four years.  He emphasized: “We are optimistic that the hospitality industry will bounce back particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao where there is high potential for more international hotel players and tourism demands for quality hospitality experiences. Masters Tower Cebu ensures that CLI will be a key player in that space, and be in the forefront of the industry’s recovery.”

Located in Cebu Business Park across Keppel
Located in Cebu Business Park across Keppel

Cres Beach Resort: Weekend Chill and Dip Spot in Boljoon

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Nothing beats a dip in a cold pool after a week stuffed with stress and pressure, right? Cres Beach Resort is a great weekend chill and dip spot we all deserve.

Nestled in Molobolo, Boljoon, Cres Beach Resort is everybody’s refuge for the weekend. It pleasures its guests with amenities and a relaxing view of the wide horizon enough to allow everyone to momentarily veer away from loads of anxieties.  

Don’t worry about the budget because here, you can experience a warm and hospitable accommodation without breaking your banks.

Cres Beach Resort highlights a pool that has an overlooking panoramic view of the sea. It is perfect for times when all we want is just to release the tension while soaking in cold waters. We may have different ways on how to manage stress but going for a swim is proven to be our common denominator, alongside eating.

The place sits on top of a cliff. If you wish to enjoy the sea instead, you just need to take few steps down the stairway to access the sea and treat yourself a refreshing seawater plunge. Just be careful though because this part of the resort is rocky.

Those who have been to Cres Beach Resort are living proofs that the place is an ideal spot for family and friend gatherings too. They have a spacious area for team building activities.  Their Aquataine Function Hall provides a good venue for events and parties. Since it’s directly facing the sea, expect that you will be comforted with breezy air fresh from the sea.

How about belting your favorite classic songs? Their karaoke for rent is ready to give you an extra energy boost as you create beautiful moments with your loved ones. Take your social media uploads to the next level by taking amazing photos at the place’s picture-perfect spots.

Spending the night at Cres Beach Resort is also recommended. They have rooms that are budget-friendly and that come with basic utilities for a sound and peaceful sleep. Of course, you shouldn’t miss the serene and peaceful feels at night as you meditate about life in their cottages while sipping your favorite beer.

The resort strictly adheres to community quarantine protocols hence, every guest is required to wear face mask. No face mask, no entry.

Boljoon is a one of the few historical towns in Cebu. When visiting the place, you can also take a side trip to their old churches and ancestral houses that form part of the town’s heritage.

RATES & OTHER INFORMATION

DAY USE:

  • Entrance fee: P120 (Adult); P100 (Kid)
  • Opening hours: 9am – 3pm

NIGHT USE:

  • Entrance fee: P150 (Adult); P120 (Kid)
  • Opening hours: 3PM – 8PM

COTTAGE RATES:

  • Sea La Vie (2 persons): P300
  • Talisay (6 persons): P600
  • May Bato (6 persons): P600
  • Lantaw (8 persons): P600
  • Sea-esta Lantay (8 persons): P600
  • Cresmore (8-10 persons): P800

TABLES AND CHAIRS:

  • Small Table w/ 5 Chairs: P150
  • Big Table w/ 5 Chairs: P300

OVERNIGHT ROOM RATES:

  • Lantaw w/ AC Unit: P2,000 (good for 2 persons)
  • Terrasa w/ AC Unit: P2,000 (good for 2 persons)
  • Talisay w/o AC Unit w/ Open Cottage: P3,000 (good for 2 persons)
  • Additional Bed Charge: P100/night

AQUATAINE FUNCTION HALL

  • Whole Area (15-25 persons): P3,500
  • Per Block (6 persons):P1,000

OTHER INFORMATION:

HOW TO GET THERE?

Exact location: Brgy. El Pardo Molobolo, Boljoon, Southern Cebu – near barangay hall; approx. 2.5 hours away from Cebu City.

BY BUS: Go to the Cebu South Bus Terminal and hail on a bus bound for Boljoon. Tell the driver and conductor to drop you off near El Pardo Barangay Office in Boljoon. The resort is right close to it.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Cres Beach Resort”. Parking space is available.

Cebu logs 539 new cases on February 18

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On Thursday night, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of February 18, 2021.

Today, the whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Cebu Province — recorded 539 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 198 new recoveries, and 5 new deaths. This brings Cebu’s total confirmed cases to 32,071, while the active cases surged to 5,124 (from 4,786).

Cebu’s recovery rate is now at 79.48%.

Breakdown of cases:

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 15,590 (+282 new)
– Total recoveries: 12,007 (+86 new)
– Total deaths: 719 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 2,864

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 3,572 (+54 new)
– Total recoveries: 2,977 (+41 new)
– Total deaths: 116 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 479

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 3,678 (+60 new)
– Total recoveries: 2,839 (+22 new)
– Total deaths: 180 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 659

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 9,231 (+143 new)
– Total recoveries: 7,666 (+49 new)
– Total deaths: 443 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 1,122

Summary of COVID-19 cases in Cebu:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 5,124
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 32,071 (+539 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 25,489 (+198 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 1,458 (+5 new*)

A total of 3,771 laboratory results were released for today.

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):