CEBU CITY, Philippines - To roll out the implementation of the JobStart Philippines Program in City of Cebu for another phase this year, an Employer's Partnership Forum was held on May 17, 2017 at Diamonds Suites and Residences.

At least more than 30 Human Resource managers from the different companies in Cebu who are possible partners of the program attended the half-day activity.

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CEBU CITY, Philippines - Bearing the theme, "The Cebuano Youth: Gearing Towards a Better Tomorrow," the City Government of Cebu thru its newly launched Cebu City Local Youth Development Office (CCLYDO) successfully conducted the 1st Cebu City Youth Congress on May 20-22, 2017 at the South Road Properties and Crown Regency Hotel Guadalupe, this city.

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CEBU CITY, Philippines - For their immediate response and successfully detonating and disposing a General Purpose (GP) Bomb found in one of the Barangays in Cebu City, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) lauded all the responders involved in the operation.

The CCDRRMC commended all responders who were part of the Joint Task Force created to answer the alarm for their contribution and taking all necessary measures in the safety, security and disposal plan of the GP Bomb.

The GP Bomb measuring 1.2 meters in length and 24 inches in diameter which is US Made was found in a construction site within Cebu City at 1600H on April 26, 2017 Wednesday.

Disaster Officer Harold Alcontin, head for operations of the CCDRRMC said that bomb experts bared that the GP Bomb can cause mass casualty incident and can create mass damages within the 2-kilometer radius from its site when it will explode.

Alcontin further shared that this is the first time that a bomb found within Cebu City was immediately disposed and was never exposed to the Media.

The responders included personnel from Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Cebu City Police Office (SWAT – CCPO), Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) – Philippine Army, Quick Response Team - Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QRT – CCDRRMO), and Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) who were part of the Joint Task Force Bomb Disposal headed by Cebu City Councilor David F. Tumulak, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Security.

The Joint Task Force Bomb Disposal then immediately conducted a detonation and disposal plan. The Bomb was successfully detonated and disposed in Biga Pit in Carmen Copper Corporation in Toledo City on April 28, two days after it was accidentally found.

The Disaster Council created a Certificate of Commendation which was signed by Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña and given to all responders for their utmost determination and professionalism in the fast bomb disposal. (By:Greggy P. Senados / City of Cebu, Public Information Office)

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CEBU CITY, Philippines - Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones headed the official launching of National Brigada Eskwela 2017 on Monday May 15 held at the Ramon Duterte National High School in Barangay Guadalupe, this city.

In her message, Briones urged everyone to make Brigada Eskwela as a year-long activity to make schools more conducive for learning and safe for natural disasters and accidents.

“We should make this (Brigada Eskwela) as a yearlong activity. If there is damage in the school facilities due to natural disasters and accidents, we should not wait for Brigada Eskwela to fix it,” the country's Education Secretary underscored.

Briones also highlighted that they are targeting to build 47,000 more classrooms to address the lack of classrooms especially in the far-flung areas of the country.

Bearing the theme, “Isang DepEd, Isang Pamayanan, Isang Bayanihan Para sa Handa at Ligtas na Paaralan” this year’s Bridaga Eskwela is held from May 15 to 20.

Also known as “National Schools’ Maintenance Week”, Bridaga Eskwela aims to bring all education stakeholders to join hands together in preparing all public school facilities nationwide ready for the opening of another School Year which will start in the month of June.

Meanwhile, this year is the first time in history that the City of Cebu hosted the Kick Off Ceremony of the National Brigada Eskwela.

Briones was joined by some Regional Directors, Superintendents and other Officials from all Regional Offices (ROs) and Schools Division Offices (SDOs) all over the Philippines during the activity.

The participants were divided into three groups for the convoy caravan leading to the Ramon Duterte National High School where the program was conducted.

The first group where Briones was on board was coming from DepEd Regional Office 7 in Sudlon in Barangay Lahug, the second was from Plaza Independencia Area, and the third group was coming from Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School.

The Education Secretary also led the tree-planting activity in the Ramon Duterte National High School right after the program.

Prior to the activity, several venues were considered anticipating the attendance of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Briones took the led in behalf of the President who was attending a high-profile Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on May 14-15 in China. (By: Greggy P. Senados / City of Cebu, Public Information Office)

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