ASTURIAS, Cebu, Philippines — A simple floating deck in a protected marine sanctuary which was originally designed as a surveillance area is becoming a new tourist site in this town. Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan disclosed that the area where the floating deck is situated is within a marine sanctuary that they are protecting from dynamite or any kind of illegal fishing activities. “We established the floating deck for the guards to patrol the seas at night to ensure no illegal fishing activities will take place in the area,” Adlawan said. The floating deck made of bamboo and hard wood is also strongly supported by big plastic drums that can accommodate some 50 people. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

DSWD Aid

CEBU CITY — In its effort to combat the continuing problem on human trafficking, the Region 7 office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) disbursed over P2 million as livelihood financial assistance to the victims of the human illegal trade. “We were able to disburse some P2.2 million to the rescued victims of human trafficking last year, who availed of our services,” said DSWD7 regional director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre. She said with the partnership from the different concerned sector, DSWD7 was able to conduct 20 rescue operations last year where over 200 women were rescued. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

Legislators' Meeting

CEBU CITY — Around 200 provincial board members in the entire Visayas area arrived in Cebu Monday for the 7th Visayas Island Conference of the Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines. Board members from Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas will discuss various issues involving the creation of local legislation. The conference will prioritize education and employment programs as subject of legislations. Western Visayas comprises the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras Island, Iloilo and Negros Occidental. Central Visayas comprises the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. (Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.)

Principals' Test

CEBU CITY (PNA) — Only 40 teachers in Central Visayas passed the National Qualifying Examination for Schools Heads (NQESH), out of the 907 who took the exam last October 30, a senior education official said. Department of Education (DepEd) 7 Director Recaredo Borgonia said the region got a passing rate of 4.41 percent, with Bohol Province having the most number of passers at 19. Only eight in Cebu Province and three in Cebu City passed the exam administered by the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP), the training arm of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Loan Payment

CEBU CITY (PNA) — The Cebu City government is ready to pay its 15th bill for the loan it took out to develop the South Road Properties (SRP) in the amount of P274.9 million. The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) sent a summary of the amortization for the Metro Cebu Development Project III-Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Loan No. PH-P157 to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. The amount due of Feb. 19, 2012 is roughly P275 million using the exchange rate of 0.553600 for one yen. However, the amount will depend on the foreign exchange rates on the day the payment is made.