Housing loan for marginalized sector

Who says that only those who are working in companies or those with formal jobs are the only ones entitled to be granted of a # housing loan?

There is actually an agency of the Philippine government are priority # grants loans to those who are not qualified for a # Love ( http://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph/ ) loan  to own a lot or house or both.

 

This is the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).   http://www.shfcph.com/  And guess what THEIR office is just a floor below the PIA office here in Cebu.

It is an agency equivalent to love, but this time, for those doing the odd jobs, the trisikad drivers, vendors or simply non Charity members and does not have any landholding ever.

The SHFC implements the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) and this program is actually not so popular.

However there are already 96 in Cebu homeowners who availed of housing loans thru SHFC.

Guests Zeny Gread, LCMP Coordinator and Joel Ejes, Account Specialist of SHFC hosted by PIA Cebu Infocen Manager Rachelle Nessia and Radyo ng Bayan Wen Celen

In our # kapihanCebu this week, announced that since SHFC Visayas had recently been hit by disasters, the local government units actually has a way in Solving Problems on relocating residents living in danger zones or informal settlers solve the issues.

They can accessed a fund wherein Omnibus Commitment Line Called They can be granted as high as P50 million for lot acquisition and development.

Here is my story as posted in the official website of PIA.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2441392794320

Local government units, specially those hit by calamities are Encouraged to avail of funds for socialized housing program.

Women received relief goods in San Remegio after typhoon Yolanda

 

In today’s Café PIA-Cebu, guests from the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) announced that there is an Omnibus Commitment Line of the Socialized Housing Finance Corporation are priority in the local government units can apply to Solve Problems of relocation / displacement.

 

Joel Ejes, account specialist said that a fund not exceeding P50 million can be applied by municipalities and cities and P20 million for qualified barangays who already have an identified social housing project.

 

A woman whose house was destroyed by typhoon Yolanda managed to smile

This fund, Ejes said, has to be implemented in a year.

 

An LGU can use the funds for offsite relocation, are the priority is the case of disaster hit areas.

 

Funds for the Off-site projects will be used for the acquiring and developing the land where informal settlers including those that are residing in danger zones will be relocated to the concept of community ownership.

 

According to Anne gread, local community mortgage program officer, it is very timely Because there is already a strict 50meter Implementation of the easement and forced the evacuation of residents from danger zones.

 

Already, Mayors THEIR tasking planners are areas of relocation for affected constituents.

Yolanda typhoon affected residents in San Remegio Received relief supplies.

 

 

Under OCL, SHFC can release 75 percent of the total land acquisition cost so that the project can start immediately.

 

Other than that that project also include off-site lot acquisition for those informal settlers covered with conviction court order and those that are voluntary transferring of one community from another Locality.

She lost her home due to typhoon Yolanda in Medellin town.

 

On the other hand, On-site project is for the purpose of acquiring the land already occupied by informal settlers.

 

Gread said, this program also GIVES the LGU an opportunity to earn since They are entitled to one sixth the total amount of the amortization provided that the collection rate is good.

 

Here in Cebu, Talisay City only has so far enjoyed the benefits of the CMP with a fast turn around of investment.

 

They said gread have five projects implemented in the city.

 

CMP is an initiative of the current undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government Francisco Fernandez. He is also a former Cebu City administrator and founder of Pagtambayayong Foundation, Inc. ..

Those who want to inquire, just call SHFC Office in 303, 3rd Floor, Machay Building, Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City and 2,336,936.
And now this is not good news?

An eye for good news

For almost 15 years in the mainstream media after I earned a # Journalism degree from the known antagonist, University of the Philippines, I was trained to look, always for bad news.

In Toledo City while Covering a story of Former Senator John Henry Osmeña

 

 

Press Freedom Parade with Freeman family

In the Freeman Newspaper www.philstar.com / freeman , the oldest existing newspaper in Cebu Province, we were taught to always doubt. Doubt, question information given by sources and data, specially if these are from the government sector. Oh yes, bad Sells news, but the reason is actually deeper than that.

The # media is the 4th Estate, we have to be the watchdog. =)

With two of the hard hitting commentators in Cebu, Leo Lastimosa of jab and Bobby Nalzaro of DySS

And experience wise, government news is boring, like most of it lands in the trash can or made as draft papers.

With police beat reporters During the time of PDG PRO7 as Regional Director Avelino Razon

When I was assigned to the Regional Beat, I was exposed to the different government agencies and THEIR Various programs. I was amazed to know, indeed there are wonderful stories to tell … specific, valid and concrete applications and Implementation of beneficial activities. but unfortunately, these remained untold or “undercovered”.

A Christmas gathering with City Hall beat reporters and then Vice Mayor Michael Rama’s residence.

Government news releases and developmental stories were already branded as propaganda. That alone is already a first bias.

Anchoring a two hour news and public affairs program over DyDD, El Nuevo Bantay Radyo 2010-2012. And then no offense, but there was really a need then for the different government agencies, to embrace good news writing and presentation skills.

Witrh Yory Deldig of Buena Mano GMA7 News

News is not mainly launching, ribbon cutting, inauguration and the likes … so fly you go to the bin!

Thank goodness, I found a way to transform these to news worthy items.

And now here I am at the Philippine Information Agency and I see this as a challenge actually.

 

Signing my appointment November 2012

There will always be that the bias of government information from my former media colleagues.

But then there is also a good realization, that media outlets are actually hungry for GOOD NEWS. Specially if these stories talk about an improved living condition, an “overcomed” problem, a solution to a crisis …

Covering an earthquake drill, three months before the 7.2 magnitude quake and IT park.

Reporters, mainstream media and government specially / information officers, are now “maintaining an eye for good news”.

Getting stories in the northern towns, two days after typhooon Yolanda

These are success stories, more concrete and credible Because we and the government knows that the system is still working beyond the flashes of the cameras.

Covering the Israeli Defense Team mission in the north after typhoon Yolanda

Times had gone so bad that from printed news, broadcast pieces, even on social networking sites, we see, hear, controversies, scams, disasters, crimes …

Whoa … too much …

It does not have to be huge (much better though), but to lighten up someone’s day or to gain trust and be assured that were in the right track, a packet of Good News is enough.

Agree?

Find my stories and www.pia.gov.ph

 

China’s high profile business delegation to arrive in Cebu

By Juju Manubag-Empuerto

CEBU CITY, April 17 (PIA) — The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) is sending a high-level business delegation to the Philippines and is expected to visit Cebu on April 18 and 19.

There are 50 visiting delegates headed by CCPIT National Vice Chairman Yu Ping of the People’s Republic of China.

The delegation is composed of businessmen engaged in the following businesses: Water/ Hydro Conservation & Processing; Sanitary Wares; Building Administration and Construction; Agriculture and related industries; Trading & Investments; Plastics Manufacturing and packaging; Vehicles and Automobiles; and Consulting Services, among others.

The delegation will participate in a Business Forum and Business Matching session with local businessmen on April 18, at 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Santa Maria Room, Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City.

The session and forum are held in cooperation with Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the local government units of Cebu City and Cebu Province.

In the forum, the group will be given an overview of Cebu’s programs and investment opportunities in the city through the business matching with their local counterparts.

Local businessmen who are keen on exploring business opportunities with the delegates are encouraged to attend.

This is in line with CCCI’s advocacy on trade promotion and economic development.

Participation at the business matching session is open to the public and free of charge but will be on a reservation basis only in view of the limited time and slots available.

Those who are interested to attend may call CCCI at 2321421 to 24, 2323938, 4129461 and look for Gary or Maribel for seat reservations. (JSME/PIA-Cebu/CCCI)

Feature: Building stories to inspire others to build lives

By Rachelle M. Nessia

The description “long and winding road” took on a new meaning for me when I covered the Bayani Challenge event in Brgy. San Miguel in the town of San Remigio, Cebu. Several things will actually take on a new meaning for me later on that day.

But let’s start with the road to San Miguel.

San Miguel is a small, upland village spread out in the mountains of San Remigio. To get there, we had to navigate roads that looked more like forgotten trails. Our vehicle kicked up dry, hot dust as it delicately and bumpily navigated the narrow, rocky, and serpentine road.

At one point, there was nothing on both sides of the road but steep ravine. I closed my eyes, held on tight, and prayed for the best. The road, if it can qualify as one, is an experience in patience, faith, and knowing how many bumps your backside can take before you reach your tolerance level.

My nearly sore behind was forgotten, though, when we reached San Miguel. The village, according to San Remigio Municipal Information Officer Venicio “Dodong” Dajuya, San Miguel is dubbed the “Little Baguio.” The village is dotted with charming houses. Colored roofs crept up the green slopes. Set against a backdrop of clear, deep blue skies, the scene took my breath away.

Up ahead, we were met by a beehive of activity at the build site of Bayani Challenge as people were in various stages of construction. Before I go on, let me make one thing clear – the summer heat was punishing that day. The world felt like one big oven and we were all baking in it.

But the volunteers didn’t seem to mind the torrid heat. I saw Gawad Kalinga (GK) Executive Director Jose Luis Oquinena punching holes on the ground using an iron bar. Behind him was a group of men mixing cement on the ground. Two adolescent boys hobbled past me, hauling buckets of splashing water. I saw women, young and old, shoveling dirt as kids scurried about carrying “ice water” for thirsty volunteers.

Up ahead, I saw a woman seeking shade under a tree, carrying a boy on one arm. Beside her stood another little boy, a bigger replica of the one she was holding. I walked over, pen and notebook ready, hoping to get a story out of her.

She was hesitant at first, and embarrassed to have been singled out for this interview. She instinctively placed a hand on her head, smoothing out her tangled hair that was put up in a careless bun. “Oh no, this is not for a video. No cameras, see?” I assured her, showing her my pen and notebook.

I had to coax out her story from her. She spoke in a small hushed voice, like she was afraid that others would overhear. Her name is Judith de la Pena and she is among those chosen by Gawad Kalinga to benefit from the free houses that were being built.

Judith is a 44-year old single mother who was caring for her four children, the youngest of whom was the 5-year old in her arms. She became a widow last year when her husband died of a lingering ailment.

“Where do you live right now?” I asked her, and she pointed to a tiny hut in the distance made of dried coconut palm leaves. She said she’s been living there way back when she still only had two children and she doesn’t know who owns the lot.

Judith doesn’t make much. Since her husband died, she’s become the sole provider for her family, tending to their corn farm and raising other people’s livestock.

But for all her toils, what she earns in a day is still a pittance. “Most of the time, it’s less than P200 a day. With that, I can barely send my three kids to school and feed us all at the same time,” Judith said.

At this point, I stopped writing. Sweat trickled down my back. At the construction site, laughter erupted from a group of young volunteers. “How do you feel about all this, then?” I asked, sweeping my hand to indicate the construction work unfolding around us.

She was silent for a while. Judith looked down at the sleepy little boy on her arm. When she looked up, I saw two liquid pools staring back at me. “I’m so happy because this will solve half of my problems,” she said in a quivering voice.

“Look at my house,” she said, and raised her free arm to point to the lopsided hut in the distance. “The roof is almost falling out. It used to be my husband who handled the repairs but I can’t do that. I can’t climb up to fix the roof,” she said.

“So what they’re doing here now…” her voice trailed off as her gaze took in the volunteers sweating under the mid-day sun. “I’m very grateful,” Judith said and clutched her youngest boy tighter in her arms.

As I looked back at the volunteers, I remembered a line by Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This is what they’re doing, these volunteers, I realized. They all literally took the extra mile so they can make other people’s dreams come true, even if that extra mile turned out to be one lengthy, rockbound road.

At that moment, I wanted to pick up a shovel or a hammer and join the volunteers. I felt a stab of guilt for not having either in my hands. But the pen and notebook I was holding reminded me that I was already doing just that. I was losing myself in the stories and lives of other people. I was wading through their thoughts and emotions so I can build from it stories that will inspire others to build lives.

When we later left San Miguel, I was tired, hot, and hungry. But I also walked away from that experience with a warm heart, knowing that I was part of something greater than myself.

Of course, it also doesn’t hurt to realize that my backside does have a high tolerance level when it comes to long, rocky roads. (RMN/PIA Cebu)

New leadership of Cebu biz chamber to continue promoting PPP

By Rachelle M. Nessia

CEBU CITY, March 7 (PIA) — The new leadership of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is expected to continue the chamber’s mission of enhancing private-public partnerships (PPP).

Prudencia Gesta, CCCI immediate past president, is enthusiastic that the new set of officers will continue to promote PPP in Cebu.

Gesta, in a statement, also said that he is confident that the new leadership will pursue “trade development and economic advocacy for the welfare of Cebu’s business community and its people in general.”

CCCI elected on Feb. 22, its new set of trustees and officers who will take over the chamber’s helm of leadership from 2013 until 2014 under the sectors of trade, industry, service, and sectoral

The newly-elected officers are, namely: Lito Maderazo, President; Bonifacio Sia, Vice President for Finance and Administration; Antonio Chiu, Vice President for External Affairs and Relations; Mario Panganiban, Vice President for Business Development; Melanie Ng, Vice President for Membership Development; Joelix Ng, Treasurer; Mary Anne Alcordo-Solomon, Board Secretary; Felix Taguiam, Assistant Treasurer (appointed); and Lilu Aliño, Assistant Board Secretary (appointed).

This month, CCCI is hosting the 27th Conference of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) on March 14 to 15 at Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

The event is expected to gather around close to 1,000 delegates from various national chambers of commerce from 27 nations under CACCI.

Theme is: “Asia Pacific: Catalyst to Global Recovery.”

The conference will help the Philippines and the Asian region as a whole to achieve sustained growth and be an important contributor to world economic recovery. (RMN/PIA-Cebu)

Cebu Port Authority prepares for Holy Week influx

Ryan Benjamin Yu (w/ mic), Chairman of the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CITRASCO), said jeepneys will be placed in areas where sea passengers will disembark for the convenience of passengers traveling for the Holy Week period. With him are officials from PCG, Cebu Ports Authority, PNP, CITOM, Maritime Authority, and MARINA-7 during a “Kapihan sa Pantalan” on Mar. 19, 2013. (SBS/PIA-CEBU)

Sec. Jose Rene Almendras during inclusive growth forum

Key businessmen in Cebu sat down with government officials led by Cabinet Sec. Jose Rene Almendras (3rd from right) during the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Inclusive Growth Forum to discuss how ready the country is for inclusive growth. The panel discussion was in line with PBSP’s 25th Visayas Annual Membership Meeting held Mar. 20 in Cebu City. (VVV/PIA Cebu)

Cebu Port authorities all set for Lenten Season passenger influx

Public Assistance Desks, medical teams in place
By Ferliza C. Contratista

CEBU CITY, March 20 (PIA) — Cebu port authorities are ready for the volume of passengers expected this Lenten Season.

In Tuesday morning’s Kapihan sa Pantalan, Cebu port authorities formally launched their security preparations dubbed “Oplan Ligtas Byahe: Kwaresma 2013.”

Director Oscar Lopez, Port Safety and Environment Management Department Manager of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), said they have already coordinated with other authorities involved in the operations and safety of the port areas all over Cebu for next week’s influx of passengers.

Lopez said help and public assistance desks are in place as early as this week for emergencies in the main ports in Cebu City, Pier 1, 2 and 3.

There will also be medical teams and ambulances on standby.

Passenger Liaison Officers are assigned in every port including those that are in the provinces.

He said Pier 1 is currently under renovation and passengers are advised to go to the port early next week since they might be diverting some trips to Pier 3.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commander Weniel Azcuna said they are implementing starting Tuesday their own Public Assistance Center in all 13 detachments in Cebu.

Azcuna said they had already started with the conduct of flag state inspection which involves thorough inspection of passenger vessels for their sea worthiness.

“But other than that, we also focus on the human factor, the mechanical competence of the crew,” Azcuna said.

They are also augmenting their personnel specially within those that are identified as critical areas and where “bakasyonistas” are expected to flock like the northern wharfs in Hagnaya and Kawit.

Joy Tumulak of the City Traffic Operations and Management (CITOM) also said their own personnel will be in full force and on standby in the ports.

Tumulak said they will be on watch for illegally-parked vehicles and motorcycles in order to ensure a smooth traffic flow in these areas.

P/Inspector Percival Miasco of the Waterfront Police Station said passengers are advised not to be lured by the convenience offered by port vendors and dispatchers for the buying of their tickets.

“Otherwise, the passenger might end up with fake, expired, and more expensive tickets,” Miasco said.

Also present in the Kapihan sa Pantalan was Ryan Benjamin Yu of the City Transport Cooperative (CITRASCO) and P/Supt. Alvin Piad of the Maritime Police.

“Oplan Ligtas Byahe: Kwaresma 2013” is a directive issued by the Department of Transportation and Communication. (rmn/FCC/PIA Cebu)

All systems go for CACCI gathering in Cebu

By Ferliza C. Contratista

CEBU CITY, March 11 (PIA) — It’s an all systems go for the holding of the 27th Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) in Cebu on March 14,15 at Radisson Blu hotel, Cebu City.

In a statement, event host Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) said almost a hundred participants are expected to attend in the two day event.

The CCCI said the event is loaded with helpful topics for all types of entrepreneurs as well as opportunities for networking and linkages.

A media welcome dinner will be held on March 13 and on the 14th a break out session initiated by the Young Entrepreneurs Group of Asia Pacific (YEGAP) promises participants valuable information in promoting productivity in their businesses.

YEGAP Chairman Anna Marie Periquet said that delegates will discuss trends and developments, concerns, and prospects for growth of entrepreneurship in the region.

“The participants will also explore possible areas of cooperation among CACCI members in promoting entrepreneurship among the start-up entrepreneurs,” Periquet said.

During the YEGAP break out session, there will be four speakers who will share their respective company best practices.

The speakers include: Mr. Teisuke Suzuki (Japan), president of Kamaboko, Inc., the largest fishcake manufacturer in Japan; Mr. Sujeewa Suranga Palliyaguruge (Sri Lanka), Managing Director, Senani Holdings, a group of companies ranging from tourism to hotel operations to retail.

Other speakers are Steve Benitez (Philippines), President and CEO, Bos Coffee; and Mr. Kenjiro Oyama, Chairman, Japan Young Entrepreneurs Group.

Undersecretary for Economic Diplomacy from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Laura del Rosario, will give a presentation on the status and prospects of Entrepreneurship in the Philippines.

Other topics include Asian Council on Tourism, on Contracting and Construction, Women on Entrepreneurship, on Information and Communication Technology, SME Development among others.

The theme for this year’s gathering is “Asia-Pacific: Catalyst to Global Recovery”. (mbcn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)

Cebu City inaugurates new PIO Building

Cebu Provincial Board Member Miguel Magpale (far left) with Public Information Office Consultant on Administration Perla Agudo (center) during the mass for the inauguration of new Cebu PIO Building. The building also houses the Capitol-run Cebu TV and Cebu Monthly which will cater to all sectors and to all municipalities and cities of Cebu. (VVV/PIA-CEBU)