By Junex Doronio

CEBU CITY — Workers, including Job Order (JO) employees, at the City Hall, can expect a joyous celebration this Christmas and upcoming New Year as they will receive their bonuses this week or anytime before Christmas amounting to at least P102.3 million.

On Wednesday, December 13, the Cebu City Council approved the second supplemental (SB) budget amounting to more than P240 million.

Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, who will be signing the ordinance on behalf of Mayor Michael “Mike” Rama who is on an extended vacation with his family in Australia, said he will expedite the release of the bonuses so that the City’s employees can use them for their respective Christmas celebrations.

Cebu City Budget Officer Jerone Castillo promised that they would do their best to process and release the bonus no later than December 22.

Maharlika NuMedia gathered that under the SB 2 approved by the Council, the City’s 1,345 regular employees, more than 3,000 casual employees, and elected officials will each receive P20,000 instead of the proposed P35,000; while the more than 3,000 job orders (JO) employees will receive P5,000 each instead of the proposed P10,000.

Meanwhile, one of the activities lined up in time for Rama’s return from Australia will be a party with street children in the city.

Dubbed “Pasko sa mga Batang Sugboanon,” the event will be held on December 23 at Plaza Sugbo.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

CEBU CITY — In what appears to be a test of political will, Mayor Mike Rama has stood pat in his decision to hold the traditional Catholic festival Sinulog Ritual Showdown in 2024 Sinulog Competition and the Sinulog Grand Parade in 2024 at the South Road Properties (SRP) and not at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) as proposed by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn ‘Gwen” Garcia.

On Tuesday, December 12, Rama reiterated his strong preference for SRP as the venue for the traditional Catholic event that originated in Cebu.

“As I would like to repeat, my stance has not changed. SRP, we had it last time [there], we should have it [there] again… In God we trust,” Rama said.

Last December 6, Garcia said she would support the Sinulog 2024 celebration if the activity would be held at the Abellana Sports Complex again, now known as CCSC.

“We will support it if it takes place in Abellana. We are all for it,” Garcia said.

During his online program “Ingna’ng Mayor”, Rama claimed that preparations for the Sinulog have been underway since August.

“Those who want to help, just help, help, and help without attaching any conditions, because if we offer help, we should offer it in faith to Señor Sto. Niño,” Rama said but stopped short in mentioning the feisty Cebu lady governor.

Local political observers told Maharlika NuMedia that Rama must have sensed that “Gov Gwen will run for mayor” in Cebu City while his younger brother former Cebu 3rd district Representative Pablo John “PJ” will run for governor in 2025.

Such a move is aimed at fortifying the hold of the Garcia political dynasty in the entire Cebu island province, the same sources said.

(ai/mnm)

By: Junex Doronio

CEBU CITY — Apparently to help the cash-strapped Cebuanos and the tourists on tight budgets visiting this reputed Queen City of the South, the Cebu City local government has ordered food establishments to provide a half-rice option to customers.

To drive home its seriousness, the city council also directed the City Health Office to inspect food establishments to ensure compliance with the ordinance.

Violators may be fined P5,000 and face possible suspension of their business permit.

Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos has called for the full implementation of a nine-year-old ordinance that prescribes the option of a half-rice serving in the food industry to achieve consumption efficiency amid the rising prices of rice.

It was in 2014 when Delos Santos authored the rice conservation ordinance of Cebu City.

Some Cebuanos, however, still eat milled corn.

Maharlika Nu Media gathered that there is an increase of P2 to P6 per kilo, depending on the brand, from July 26 to August 15.

The most famous “Ganador” which was previously sold at P48 to P52 per kilo is now sold at P49 to P56 per kilo, while the “Princess Mia” brand, which used to be sold at P44 to P47 per kilo, rose to P47 to P53 per kilo. (AI/MNM)