Landslides hit Cebu City; no fatalities recorded

BY CALVIN CORDOVA 

  

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CEBU CITY – The continuous rains in the past few days have caused landslides in several areas here.

At least eight landslides have been recorded by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office from Tuesday, July 18, to Wednesday, July 19, said Ramil Ayuman, assistant for special projects of Mayor Michael Rama.

RESIDENTS and emergency responders help clear an area in Barangay Sapangdaku, Cebu City where a landslide occurred on Wednesday morning, July 18. (Contributed photo by Ramil Ayuman)

Early Wednesday morning, a landslide occurred in Sitio Kabarang, Barangay Sapangdaku.

Ayuman said no one was injured in the incident.

Landslides were also reported in Barangays Busay, Kamputhaw, and Babag 1.

In Barangay Capitol Site, at least six persons were evacuated when a riprap collapsed on Wednesday morning. 

A house was found in danger of collapsing if the downpour continues, prompting emergency responders to cordon off the area, said Ayuman.

Last Tuesday night, at least eight persons living under a bridge in Barangay Pasil were rescued after water level rose during heavy downpour.

The eight persons were trapped in their houses and were successfully rescued by firefighters from the San Nicolas, Pahina, Labangon, and Guadalupe fire substations.

At least eight landslides have been recorded by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office from Tuesday, July 18, to Wednesday, July 19, said Ramil Ayuman, assistant for special projects of Mayor Michael Rama. 

 

PROVINCIALNEWSVISAYAS

BFAR-7 issues jellyfish warning

BY CALVIN CORDOVA 

Jun 29, 2023 02:24 PM

  

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CEBU CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Central Visayas (BFAR-7) reminded beachgoers to take
precautionary measures when swimming at sea due to swarms of jellyfish during this time of the year.

A BOX jellyfish is fished out of the waters of Clarin town in Bohol. The photo was uploaded by Sheila Mae Zafra, coastal extension officer of the Department of Natural Resources in Bohol, as part of the campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of jellyfish sting. (Sheila Mae Zafra)

 
It is jellyfish season in the country from April to June and hundreds of them are visible in coastlines as the hot weather temperature forces them to swim to swallow waters, said BFAR-7 Regional Director Allan Poquita.

Poquita explained that there are a variety of jellyfish and not all are deadly. There is even a kind of jellyfish that is safe for human consumption, Poquita said.
 
A deadly kind of jellyfish is the box jellyfish, the same marine animal that stung a 31-year-old local tourist from Bohol in Santa Fe, Bantayan, Cebu on Sunday, June 25. The victim, Leslie Ann Madronero, died with several jellyfish tentacles in her body.

Poquita said one of the first-aid treatments that can be applied is pouring oil on affected areas. He said oil will easily help remove jellyfish tentacles.

He advised against the usual practice of pouring vinegar on the affected area as this may trigger an allergic reaction that may worsen the victim’s condition.
 
When swimming at sea, one should observe the reminders issued by the local government unit, Poquita said.

It is also advisable to wear protective gear such as rash guards when swimming. Applying jellyfish repellant is also
advised.

When seeing a swarm of jellyfish, it is best not to swim at all, Poquita said.

Sinulog Festival in Cebu City kicks off

by Calvin Cordova 

A CONTINGENT performs during a parade that kicked off the week-long celebration of Sinulog Festival on Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City on Friday, Jan 6. (Calvin D. Cordova)

CEBU CITY – The Sinulog Festival is officially back after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Top officials of Cebu led by Mayor Michael Rama here and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, on Friday, Jan. 6, led the launching of this year’s Sinulog Festival and the Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebu.

This is the first time in two years that a series of physical activities will be held as part of the week-long celebration of the Sinulog.

Last Thursday, Jan. 5, the Augustinian Friars of the Basilica del Santo Niño also launched the 458th Fiesta Señor that kicked off a series of religious activities.

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Activities for Fiesta Señor include novena Masses and fluvial and and foot processions next weekend.

During the launching, Rama and Garcia attended a novena Mass at the Basilica where thousands of devotees also gathered.

Rama and Garcia described this year’s celebration as “One Cebu Island Sinulog” to highlight the unity among local government units in Cebu.

Covid-19 protocols have eased with most of the churchgoers no longer wearing face masks. With thousands of devotees packing the church, physical distancing protocol was also impossible to enforce.

The launching was highlighted by a parade on Osmeña Boulevard participated in by different universities and colleges in the Metro Cebu area.

Contingents donning colorful costumes showcased different festivals in the country and danced to the Sinulog beat. 

The parade ended at the Cebu City Sports Center where students had presentations. The kick-off ceremony ended with a fireworks display.

Another major pre-Sinulog event, the”Sinulog sa Kabataan,” will be held on Jan. 8, participated by different barangays, towns, and cities in Cebu.

The Sinulog Grand Parade will be held on Jan. 15 at the South Road Properties, the first time that it will be held outside the city proper.

Cebu junks Covid test for inbound travelers

by Calvin Cordova, MB

CEBU CITY – Gov. Gwen Garcia issued Executive Order No. 43 on Friday, Nov. 4, eliminating the Covid-19 test requirement for inbound travelers to Cebu. 

EO NO 43

Garcia said fully vaccinated travelers to the province will no longer be required to present any form of Covid-19 test.

But unvaccinated travelers are highly encouraged to take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours before departing for Cebu, Garcia said.

Unvaccinated travelers unable to take a Covid-19 test will be tested for free upon arrival at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), she bared.

Result of a rapid antigen test should not be a requirement for Cebu-bound travelers prior to boarding, the governor emphasized.

Vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers shall only be required to present their ticket or passport or other valid identification card upon check-in.

“Any other requirement such as electronic arrival card shall only be presented upon arrival in Cebu,” Garcia said. 

Furthermore, she ordered that the wearing of face masks shall be optional for all travelers bound for Cebu and the MCIA.

The EO took effect on Saturday, Nov. 5, and was issued in light of a resolution that the Inter-Agency Task Force issued last Oct. 4 that eased travel restrictions for inbound travelers to the Philippines.

The edict was also in line with the memorandum that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marocs Jr. issued last Oct. 28 directing concerned agencies to identify other acceptable proofs of vaccination in order to avoid confusion and inconvenience of inbound travelers.