DAILY NEWS CEBU

T he construction of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project along Osmeña Boulevard is making significant strides, with the World Bank reporting promising advancements. As of May 11, 2024, civil works for Package 1, the main trunk line of this P29-billion initiative, have reached 64% completion. According to the latest update, these works are projected to be "substantially completed" by August of this year, marking a critical milestone for the project. Originally slated for completion between June and July, Package 1 connects the Cebu South Bus Terminal to the Cebu Provincial Capitol, enhancing connectivity and public transport efficiency across the city. Concurrently, preparations are underway for Package 2, covering the South Road Properties up to Brgy. Mambaling via N. Bacalso Avenue. The World Bank has approved the Resettlement Action Plan for Package 2, signaling progress towards its anticipated construction commencement in October. Despite earlier delays and design adj...

  SRP CEBU CITY A significant discovery of coral reefs near the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City has spurred plans to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA), barring fishing activities to safeguard marine biodiversity. Cebu City's Bantay Dagat Director, Karlon Rama, disclosed to SunStar Cebu on July 8, 2024, that final steps are underway to declare the MPA through an Executive Order (EO) signed by Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia. The identified coral reefs, located adjacent to the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, are slated to become a "No Take Zone," aiming to promote marine life regeneration crucial for sustaining local fisheries. Initial assessments indicate the coral reefs cover approximately one hectare. Rama emphasized that the city's legal team is exploring punitive measures under existing laws, which will be integrated into the EO to deter illegal fishing activities. To reinforce the MPA's sustainability, Bantay Dagat proposes supporting the EO wit...

In a recent development concerning the Mahiga River easement rule in Cebu City, Queensland Motel has chosen to disregard official notices and deadlines issued by Task Force Gubat sa Baha, the city's anti-flood task force. Charles Villagonzalo, head of operations for Task Force Gubat sa Baha, reported that as of Sunday, July 7, Queensland Motel has neither responded to nor visited their office. In contrast, Lite Shipping Company has begun cooperating following a 72-hour deadline issued on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The task force issued a final 72-hour deadline on July 2, expiring on July 4, urging the establishments to voluntarily remove encroachments on the riverbank. Lite Shipping Company's engineer has since visited the task force office with a lot plan for discussions, indicating ongoing cooperation. In stark contrast, Queensland Motel has not engaged with the task force at any level, prompting uncertainties about their compliance. Villagonzalo expressed concern over Queensland...

  CEBU CITY – In a bid to accelerate infrastructure development and provide housing for homeless residents, the city government is launching a concerted effort to reclaim its properties from illegal occupants, Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia announced on Tuesday. Acting Mayor Garcia disclosed that Task Force Pabahay (Housing) will focus on retrieving city-owned lands that have been encroached upon, particularly those earmarked for roads which have been taken over by shanties or converted into unauthorized parking spaces. "We are initiating a task force dedicated to safeguarding and formally transferring these properties under the ownership of the City of Cebu," said Acting Mayor Garcia. Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Garcia emphasized the necessity for the city to secure ownership of these lands to facilitate essential improvements such as road expansions, which are currently hindered by the properties' ambiguous legal status. The task force, comprising the Dep...

BINI member Aiah Arceta has voiced her hope for greater respect of personal boundaries following a recent incident in Cebu during the group's break after their "BINIverse" concert. The Nation's Girl Group took a well-deserved break after their triumphant three-day concert at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City, with Arceta choosing to unwind in her hometown of Cebu. However, an unfortunate incident caught on video and widely circulated on social media showed a man appearing to invade Arceta's personal space as she entered a bar with friends. Addressing the issue through a series of Instagram stories on Sunday, Arceta explained her recent social media absence and expressed gratitude for the support she received during this time. "I appreciate and am grateful to everyone who has been so kind, understanding, and patient with me," she shared. "I am blessed to have people like them, and I hope we can continue to have eyes that can see the good, mouth...

  Carmen, Cebu flashfloods The devastating Carmen tragedy claimed the lives of Rhesamie Ypil Costan, 26, who was six months pregnant, and 12-year-old Nathaniel Lozano, after their pickup truck carrying 17 passengers was swept by flash floods in Barangay Luyang, Carmen town, northern Cebu. The body of Rhesamie Ypil Costan was discovered by fishermen off the waters of Barangay Luyang, a day after the tragic incident. Costan, who was six months pregnant, had just recently married her husband, Elmer Costan. Elmer Costan was also swept away by the strong current of the river and remains missing as of now. He was among the passengers of the Isuzu Dmax pickup truck that was hit by flash floods while traveling downhill from the mountain barangays of Carmen. It was initially reported that the vehicle tried to cross the spillway of the river during Monday’s downpour, but later it was confirmed that the pickup truck swerved to the riverbanks when the river swelled and overflowed onto the near...