CEBU CITY, Philippines — Recognizing that the Danajon Bank is a unique reef system being the only double barrier reef in the country, local officials from concerned government units, national government agencies, non-government organizations and stakeholders signed a commitment to protect the marine resource which has suffered huge degradation due to the ill-practices of fishermen and abuses of some people.

Danajon Bank covers four provinces in the Visayas Region with 19 constituent municipalities and cities. Moreover, the commitment emphasized the need for collaborative efforts and initiatives of the concerned group that stresses “sense of ownership,” which will serve as a guiding principle in the mutual management of the Danajon Bank. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

Fashion council

CEBU CITY — In a bold move to break in the international fashion industry, the Fashion Council of Cebu (FCC), composed of Cebuano fashion designers are exploring the possibilities of exporting their products abroad. “We are confident of making it in the international fashion industry because we have faith on our local designers and their creativity,” said FCC President Philip Rodriguez. He said initially, designers here are tapping foreign tourists as consumers.

He added that while at present majority of the designers cater to the local market, there are now foreign nationals who approach them to design gowns or dresses. Fashion designer Dexter Alazas said a bulk of his clients are from the local market including personalities from Metro Manila, but he is now getting job orders from the growing "balikbayans", whose need are good fashion designs for special events. (Malou M. Mozo)

Simple forecasts

CEBU CITY (PNA) — The Cebu City council has passed a resolution asking the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to avoid using technical jargon so that the public can understand their forecast better.

Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon, author of the resolution, said it is “both necessary and urgent” for PAGASA to use “simple, concise and plain language” in giving out forecasts about weather disturbances so that the public would be better prepared for disasters. Dizon said PAGASA’s primary function is to make sure that the public is informed about weather conditions.

Second language

CEBU CITY (PNA) — The Department of Tourism (DoT) in Region 7 is pushing for an aggressive campaign in making Cebu a preferred English as Second Language (ESL) destination among international students.

DoT 7 Director Rowena Monecillo said efforts in improving the ESL program in Cebu are underway to make the province a premier destination for ESL in Asia.

She said Cebu is the most popular ESL destination, particularly among Japanese and South Korean students. “ESL would still be one of DoT’s priority markets.

Entrepreneurship

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Arthur Defensor, Jr. has pledged financial support for the entrepreneurship program that will be undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the out-of-school youth and fresh college graduates interested to engage in business.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Iloilo Director Wilhelm Malones disclosed that in his initial conversation with the congressman, he has been assured that the latter will allot around P619,000 for the program which he feels could be of great help to his constituents.