MACTAN, Cebu, Philippines — Resort-hotels in Mactan, Cebu are positioning themselves as a destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE), apart from being a favored leisure hot-spot for tourists in Cebu.

This new outlook is buoyed by the increasing number of corporate bookings both locally and internationally.

"The MICE market is very promising especially for 2011 because in general, the global economy is on a rebound and there are more business activities going on," said Plantation Bay Resort and Spa General Manager Efren Belarmino. (Malou M. Mozo)

MALL OPENS P53-M PUV TERMINAL

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — In an effort to provide the commuting public with easy access to the mall and better convenience when traveling, Ayala Center Cebu opened its new public utility vehicle (PUV) terminal last Tuesday.

The new PUV terminal, which faces Archbishop Reyes Ave., this city, is a two-storey facility with a total gross floor area of 4,000 square meters.

Joy Polloso, general manager of Ayala Center Cebu, said the company invested about P53 million for the construction of the facility, which will have amenities like restrooms and food stalls.

The new PUV terminal will house the seven existing routes for jeepneys and five routes for vehicles-for-hire (v-hire) units. (Malou V. Mozo)

ANTIQUE BESET WITH CATTLE RUSTLING

SAN JOSE, Antique, Philippines (PNA) — Cattle rustling remains a big problem of the police in the province of Antique despite the demise of cattle rustler Gaylord Gordon alias Putol who used to operate in the hinterlands of San Remigio and Valderrama towns in a police encounter last year.

Gordon, authorities said, used to be the most notorious cattle rustler in the province and was arrested by members of the San Remigio Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by P/CInsp. Gaylord Loyola.

PNP Provincial Director Ruperto Floro, in a recent press conference, said there were 15 cases of cattle rustling reported last year. This is exactly the same number of cases in 2009.

FISH BAGSAKAN SITE EYED IN BOHOL

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Philippines — Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto is mulling to open Bohol’s first “bagsakan” center for fish catch in the province in an attempt to finally address the higher fish prices here.

Chatto disclosed this as he stressed that a unified bagsakan center, which was a product of his consultations with various stakeholders here, will help address the distorted market prices of fish as experienced by consumers in this city and nearby towns. (Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr.)

DIGNITARIES TO ATTEND DINAGYANG

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines (PNA) — The Dinagyang Festival in this southern city is expected to gather world dignitaries and national leaders during the festival climax on January 22-23.

This was announced by city Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog as early confirmation of attendance reached his office.

Confirmed to be at famed Iloilo festival are Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shri Yogendra Kumar and Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines HE Vu Xuan Truong.

Mabilog said he also confirmed to be at festival are President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III’s Ballsy Aquino Cruz, and incoming Environment Secretary Neric Acosta., Senators Miguel Zubiri, Ramon Revilla Jr. and his wife, Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla.