CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – Aiming to understand pressing environmental issues in Central Visayas, the new Regional Executive Director (RED) of the Region 7 office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is seeking a dialogue with stakeholders here.

Maximo O. Dichoso, the new DENR-7 RED said he wants to have a forum with concerned stakeholders in the region so that he can look into the different problems that involve his office.

In a recent interview with media at the DENR-7 compound, Dichoso was asked what would be his action on alleged indiscriminate coal ash dumping in Naga and Toledo cities, which is an ongoing controversy after an environmentalist group filed a complaint on said issued, which involves the province of Cebu.

He did not make a clear answer on the issue, saying only that he “will not bring miracles here but we will be dealing with the problem in a practical way.”

He said he would like to visit the areas in question first before making any further comments on the matter. “I want to see the physical location of the said areas and see for myself what violation has been made, with the assistance of experts,” he said.

He also expressed his interest in checking the situation in Bantayan Island in line with the destruction of some beach resort infrastructure due to easement zone violations. Dichoso, a native of Nueva Ecija replaced Leonardo Sibbaluca who is now assigned to Region 13. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

ONE TOWN, ONE DESTINATION PROGRAM EYED

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Philippines – Capitalizing on the popularity of Bohol as a tourist destination, former Bohol Governor and now Congressman Erico Aumentado said he will spearhead a program that will promote the destinations of each town in the province.

Aumentado, who met with Consul Robert Lim Joseph of the Tourism Educators and Movers (TEAM) Philippines, said he will coordinate with other local government official to look into the different destinations of each town and promote it alongside the popular destinations that have made Bohol a tourist attraction.

Joseph said TEAM Philippines will help Aumentado in the planned tourism program promoting not only the "One Town, One Product" program of the Department of Trade and Industry but also the "One Town, One Destination" program the former governor will spearhead.

Joseph said the new tourism program in Bohol will focus on community-based tourism in order to promote the other destinations of the province, other than the usual Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, and man-made forests that have made Bohol popular. (Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.)

AMERICAN CIRCUS INVADES CEBU

CEBU CITY, Philippines – After the success of shows in Metro Manila, the Great American Circus is wowing the city with a series of shows which have already been held at the Waterfront Hotel and currently invades this city with a series of shows in Waterfront Hotel (January 8 and 9) and currently at the Cebu Coliseum (Tuesday and Wednesday, January 12).

According to Cornell Nicholas co-owner and producer of the Great American Circus, “This is a huge, modern day circus, with everything from the best clowns in the business to trapeze artists.”

Nicholas, who is a ringmaster himself, said the show features 26 internationally acclaimed professional from the US and around the world.

Highlights include acts by Enrique Valencia, who thrills audiences by riding a 30-foot human powered wheel, turning it like a clock high into the air. The said act is called the “wheel of death.”

Other must-see acts are the twirling cube, balancing rolla bolla, Wild West gauchos, Lyra in the sky, flying silks, crossbow masters, masterful magic, teeter board balance, hundred of hoops, a tribute to the late pop icon Michael Jackson and more. (Phoebe Jen Indino)