This Week in Cebu (September 25 to October 01, 2016)

Motorists taking the road leading to SM City Cebu may experience heavy traffic due to an ongoing road drainage project in the area. Travelers are advised to make the necessary adjustments in their schedule if they want to pass by the mall, particularly during weekends. To facilitate the flow of traffic along Pope John Paul II Avenue in Mabolo, the Cebu City Traffic Office (CCTO) has deployed two police officers to assist the three enforcers manning the area.

The congestion along Pope John Paul II Ave. may also worsen the situation along Gov. Cuenco Ave., where drivers normally experience heavy traffic during rush hours. Heavy traffic is expected as well at the Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park, particularly on September 30 since it’s a payday Friday.

Department of Health (DOH) officials confirmed that a 22-year-old woman from Cebu is one of six new Zika cases reported in the country. Regional DOH director Dr. Jaime Bernadas said the woman was diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease after she was admitted due to joint pains and fever. The five other cases are from Laguna province and Iloilo City. Dr. Bernadas said the woman from Cebu was already released from the hospital and is currently recuperating at home.

In a statement, DOH Secretary Paulyn Rosell-Ubial indicated that all six Zika patients did not travel to countries affected by the disease for the past month. She added that they had skin rashes accompanied by conjunctivitis, fever, or joint pains.

The DOH urged the public to practice the “4S” strategy in preventing and controlling the spread of Zika. The strategy consists of searching and destroying the breeding places of mosquitoes, taking self-protecting measures like the use of mosquito nets and insect repellant, seeking early consultation for fever, skin rashes, red eyes or joint pains, and saying “yes” to fogging in cases of an impending outbreak.

Dr. Bernadas also reminded the public to always maintain the cleanliness of their surroundings and to remove stagnant water from their homes. He added that the symptoms of Zika are not fatal and will last for three days if treated immediately.

Travel between Cebu City, Philippines, and Tokyo, Japan may soon become easier and cheaper as Vanilla Air is set to offer non-stop flights between the cities before the end of the year. The budget carrier will become the first Japanese airline to offer non-stop flights between these two key Asian cities. Philippine Airlines flights ply the Cebu-Narita route twice daily, while Cebu Pacific also flies to the same route four times daily.

One-way fares to Narita from Cebu will cost ¥15,000 or $147. Flights between Narita and Cebu will start on December 25, 2016.

Security in Cebu City will be further enhanced with the full implementation of City Ordinance 2381 or the CCTV law by October 1. The ordinance was originally proposed by Councilor Sisinio Andales and approved by the City Council in January 2014. The law took effect in May 2016 and a 120-day grace period was given to business owners to install closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) in their establishments.

Among the businesses required to install CCTVs are pawnshops, banks, money couriers, and jewelry stores, among others. In addition, hospitals, private schools, and markets are also compelled by the law to install CCTVs in their locations. Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor on peace and order, said the full implementation of Ordinance 2381 is part of the effort of the Cebu City government in enhancing safety and security in the city.

The 2016 Korean Film Festival will be held at the cinemas of SM City Cebu on September 29 to October 2. The event is held in cooperation with the Korea Tourism Organization, Korea Copyright Commission, the Film Cultural Exchange Program, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), SM Cinema and SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc.

Read: Exploring Cebu City’s Fun and Entertainment Landscape

Among the films shown during the festival are “Ode to My Father,” “The Beauty Inside,” and “How to Use Guys with Secret Tips,” among others. All films feature English subtitles. Admission is free. Tickets are available at the Korean Cultural Commission (KCC) booth located outside the cinemas.