SunStar
Truck driver arrested for allegedly embezzling company funds to gamble on 'Scatter'
A 43-YEAR-OLD truck driver was arrested after allegedly misappropriating P40,000 in company funds and losing the money while playing the online gambling game "Scatter," police said.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/truck-driver-arrested-for-allegedly-embezzling-company-funds-to-gamble-on-scatter?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Gica defends cellphone ban in Dumanjug schools
RESTORING positive values among students, not banning gadgets, is the main goal behind Dumanjug’s cellphone ban in public schools, Mayor Efren Guntrano “Gungun” Gica said following mixed public reaction to the policy.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/gica-defends-cellphone-ban-in-dumanjug-schools?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Cebu City Transportation Office eyes pocket lanes to ease traffic along Banilad-Talamban corridor
INSTEAD of widening one of Cebu City's most congested roads, traffic officials are pursuing designated pocket lanes for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to improve traffic flow along the Banilad-Talamban corridor.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/cebu-city-transportation-office-eyes-pocket-lanes-to-ease-traffic-along-banilad-talamban-corridor?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Workers press RTWPB 7 to act on wage petitions
[] A public consultation drew renewed calls for higher minimum wages across Central Visayas.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/workers-press-rtwpb-7-to-act-on-wage-petitions?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Oauno: Mandaue running out of land for relocation
Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano identified the lack of available land for relocation as the city's most pressing concern, citing the inability to provide housing for displaced informal settlers.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/oauno-mandaue-running-out-of-land-for-relocation?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
RDC 7 backs Cordova fish port
THE Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 full council endorsed a feasibility study for the establishment of a modern regional fish port in Cordova, Cebu during its second-quarter meeting in Danao City on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/rdc-7-backs-cordova-fish-port?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Senator backs Capitol hospital upgrades
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito pledged to support infrastructure and equipment upgrades for Cebu Provincial Government-run hospitals to advance the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/senator-backs-capitol-hospital-upgrades?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
New OFW lounge opens at MCIA
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and partner agencies formally opened a dedicated OFW lounge at Mactan-Cebu International Airport on June 26, 2026, to provide comfort and government services to workers.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/new-ofw-lounge-opens-at-mcia?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Mandaue City orders activation
of barangay dengue task forces
The Mandaue City Council passed a resolution on June 22, 2026, mandating that all 27 barangays immediately activate their Dengue Task Forces to implement preventive measures ahead of the rainy season.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/mandaue-city-orders-activation-of-barangay-dengue-task-forces?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
VM asks DOTr to scrap CBRT
realignment plan
Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña filed a resolution urging the Department of Transportation to reject the CBRT realignment and restore the original Bulacao-to-Talamban route to better serve commuters.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/vm-asks-dotr-to-scrap-cbrt-realignment-plan?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
JO workers may get pay increase
The Mandaue City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance to increase the daily honorarium of Job Order (JO) workers from P435 to P450, effective July 1, 2026.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/jo-workers-may-get-pay-increase?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Cebu’s BPO industry at a crossroads
The BPO Industry Employees’ Network (Bien-Cebu) filed a petition on June 17, 2026, with the Department of Labor and Employment and RTWPB 7 seeking a P1,200 daily minimum wage for workers.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/cebus-bpo-industry-at-a-crossroads?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Metal detectors coming to Cebu public schools
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival announced on June 26, 2026, that the city will seek funding through the Local School Board to purchase handheld metal detectors for public school security guards.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/metal-detectors-coming-to-cebu-public-schools?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Vendor group refutes illegal collection claims
The Cebu Coalition of the United Vendors Association rejected allegations of illegal fee collections, stating that figures cited by officials incorrectly combine mandatory government payments with optional private service fees.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/vendor-group-refutes-illegal-collection-claims?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Visayan Electric announces sharp power rate hike for June: What It means for your monthly bill
Visayan Electric residential electricity rates increased sharply to a year-high P13.74 per kWh in June, up from P12.88/kWh in May, resulting in higher monthly bills for consumers.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/visayan-electric-announces-sharp-power-rate-hike-for-june-what-it-means-for-your-monthly-bill?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Cebu locks down borders to protect P20-billion hog industry from swine fever outbreak
Visayan Electric residential electricity rates increased sharply to a year-high P13.74 per kWh in June, up from P12.88/kWh in May, resulting in higher monthly bills for consumers.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/cebu-locks-down-borders-to-protect-p20-billion-hog-industry-from-swine-fever-outbreak?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Thousands of volunteers plant over 7,000 trees across Central Visayas for Arbor Day
A total of 1,139 volunteers planted 7,460 native and fruit-bearing tree seedlings across 5.72 hectares in Central Visayas on Thursday, June 25, 2026, for Philippine Arbor Day.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/thousands-of-volunteers-plant-over-7000-trees-across-central-visayas-for-arbor-day?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
LPA brings heavy rains across Cebu, may develop into tropical depression
A LOW pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) continues to bring intermittent heavy rains across Cebu and other parts of the Visayas, with a high likelihood of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/lpa-brings-heavy-rains-across-cebu-may-develop-into-tropical-depression?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Alegria town declares state of calamity due to water crisis
ALEGRIA town in southern Cebu declared a state of calamity following a water crisis that has left nearly half of the town's population without access to running water.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/alegria-town-declares-state-of-calamity-due-to-water-crisis?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Dumanjug schools enforce strict mobile phone ban to boost learning
STUDENTS in the town of Dumanjug, Cebu, are now barred from using mobile phones in schools after Mayor Efren Guntrano “Gungun” Gica ordered a total ban aimed at improving learning and classroom interaction.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/dumanjug-schools-enforce-strict-mobile-phone-ban-to-boost-learning?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Suit targets JVA only, not project
Lawyer Edmund Lao, counsel for the Carbohanong Alyansa, stated that their court challenge targets the legality of the Joint Venture Agreement for the Carbon Public Market project rather than the redevelopment itself.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/suit-targets-jva-only-not-project?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Facial verification for SIM registration sought
The Mandaue City Council passed a resolution urging the Department of Information and Communications Technology to implement facial verification for SIM registration and social media accounts to protect minors online.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/facial-verification-for-sim-registration-sought?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Mandaue to get P50M hospital aid
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced a P50 million financial allocation from the Provincial Government to Mandaue City for the purchase of medical equipment for the Mandaue City Hospital.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/mandaue-to-get-p50m-hospital-aid?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Cebu braces for heavy rains and flooding risk as low pressure area nears
Pagasa Visayas warns residents in Cebu to prepare for intermittent heavy rains caused by a low-pressure area, with the heaviest downpours expected on Tuesday, June 30, and risks of flash floods and landslides.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/cebu-braces-for-heavy-rains-and-flooding-risk-as-low-pressure-area-nears?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
DepEd Cebu reviews Dumanjug school cellphone ban policy
THE Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu Province has sought a copy of a proposed Dumanjug municipal policy that would require student inspections and prohibit the use of cellular phones on school campuses.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/deped-cebu-reviews-dumanjug-school-cellphone-ban-policy?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Living proud: Walter Pilapil’s journey of love, resilience
THE dream ended when it finally became possible.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/living-proud-walter-pilapils-journey-of-love-resilience?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
DILG leaves Mayor Archival's veto on Senior Citizen financial aid up to Cebu City Council
The DILG ruled that the Cebu City Council has the authority to accept or override Mayor Nestor Archival’s veto of a provision in Ordinance 2809 concerning senior citizen financial aid.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/dilg-leaves-mayor-archivals-veto-on-senior-citizen-financial-aid-up-to-cebu-city-council?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
More than a decade later, why is the 10-storey Cebu City Medical Center still unfinished?
Councilor Dave Tumulak urged Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. to hire an independent project management consultant to oversee the completion of the 10-storey Cebu City Medical Center, which remains unfinished after a decade.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/more-than-a-decade-later-why-is-the-10-storey-cebu-city-medical-center-still-unfinished?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Dumanjug mayor delays phone ban as DepEd reviews new school safety policy
Dumanjug Mayor Guntrano “Gungun” Gica proposed an executive order mandating school bag inspections and banning smartphones, allowing only basic keypad phones, to enhance campus safety following a fatal shooting in Tacloban.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/dumanjug-mayor-delays-phone-ban-as-deped-reviews-new-school-safety-policy?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
PDRRMC OKs disaster trust fund
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council approved an P88.7 million trust fund program on June 29, 2026, to finance disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation projects across Cebu Province.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/pdrrmc-oks-disaster-trust-fund?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Cebu officials weigh school phone rules as NBI 7 sets to hold student safety drive
Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco and Cebu City Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. are advocating for the regulation of mobile phone use in schools rather than implementing a total ban.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/cebu-officials-weigh-school-phone-rules-as-nbi-7-sets-to-hold-student-safety-drive?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Traffic enforcer suffers hand injury after being hit by SUV
A TRAFFIC enforcer suffered hand injuries after being run over by a white SUV around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the junction of Escario Street and Osmeña Blvd. in front of the Provincial Capitol.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/traffic-enforcer-suffers-hand-injury-after-being-hit-by-suv?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Funding shortfalls hamper Cebu City’s fight vs child malnutrition
DESPITE sustained nutrition interventions, Cebu City continues to record child malnutrition cases, with health officials stating that funding constraints remain a major challenge in extending services to all 80 barangays.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/funding-shortfalls-hamper-cebu-citys-fight-vs-child-malnutrition?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Seniors in Mandaue to get higher cash aid
The Mandaue City Council approved an ordinance to increase annual financial assistance for senior citizens to P11,000 for 2026 and P12,000 annually starting in 2027.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/seniors-in-mandaue-to-get-higher-cash-aid?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Cebu City faces severe shortage
of school guidance counselors
Cebu City Councilor Paul Labra II revealed that only seven guidance counselors currently serve 91 public schools, forcing teachers to assume counseling roles despite a growing need for mental health support.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/cebu-city-faces-severe-shortageof-school-guidance-counselors?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Baricuatro’s ‘baby project’ signs off after one year
The Cebu People’s Action Center (CPAC), established by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro on July 1, 2025, officially ended its operations exactly one year after its inception.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/baricuatros-baby-project-signs-off-after-one-year?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Cebu City Council divided over changing the Bus Rapid Transit route
The Cebu City Council is divided over a proposal by Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña to formally reject the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) plan to modify the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) route.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/cebu-city-council-divided-over-changing-the-bus-rapid-transit-route?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Leaking tent classrooms threaten safety of 380 Cordova students
At San Miguel Elementary School in Cordova, Cebu, 380 students currently attend classes in 10 leaking tent classrooms that pose electrical safety risks and provide poor protection against extreme weather conditions.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/leaking-tent-classrooms-threaten-safety-of-380-cordova-students?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Cebu City private school gets online shooting threat
A SHOOTING threat posted on Facebook prompted a security response at a private school in Cebu City on Thursday morning, July 2, 2026, after initial reports mistakenly described the incident as a bomb threat.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/cebu-city-private-school-gets-online-shooting-threat?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Mayor urges calm after online shooting threat prompts heightened security at school
CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival has urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information following an online shooting threat that prompted heightened security at a private school on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/mayor-urges-calm-after-online-shooting-threat-prompts-heightened-security-at-school?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Pepito defends inclusion of SRP in long-delayed CBRT project
[] Pepito says Cebu City should retain the SRP segment while completing the original CBRT corridor.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/pepito-defends-inclusion-of-srp-in-long-delayed-cbrt-project?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Authorities probe shooting threat after security sweep at Cebu City school
AUTHORITIES are investigating the source of an alleged shooting threat that circulated on social media on Thursday, July 2, 2026, after police and emergency responders found no explosive devices during a thorough inspection of Cebu Eastern College (CEC).
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/authorities-probe-shooting-threat-after-security-sweep-at-cebu-city-school?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Visayas grid 'exits' daily yellow alerts
The Visayas power grid is free of yellow alerts as of July 1, 2026, following the return of Panay Energy Development Corp. Unit 3, which restored 150 megawatts of generating capacity.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/visayas-grid-exits-daily-yellow-alerts?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
PJ Garcia denies ghost project in Balamban
FORMER Cebu Third District congressman Pablo John “PJ” Garcia has denied allegations that there is a “ghost project” in the town of Balamban, an issue that first surfaced in the news following findings of the National Bureau of Investigation Central Visayas (NBI 7).
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/pj-garcia-denies-ghost-project-in-balamban?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Adamanta introduces album villain in new single ‘The Omens of Doom’
CEBU-BASED symphonic folk metal band Adamanta has released its latest single, The Omens of Doom, the first taste of its forthcoming concept album, Follow the Brave.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/adamanta-introduces-album-villain-in-new-single-the-omens-of-doom?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
E-trike ordinance pushed in Mandaue
MANDAUE City is considering a proposed ordinance that would establish the legal framework for regulating electric tricycles, allowing qualified units to obtain Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permits (MTOPs) as part of the city’s transport modernization program.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/e-trike-ordinance-pushed-in-mandaue?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
NBI: P980M illicit cigarettes
seized in Mandaue City wharf
The National Bureau of Investigation-Cebu District Office seized 25 shipping containers filled with suspected illicit foreign-brand cigarettes worth approximately P980 million at Gothong Wharf in Mandaue City on July 2, 2026.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/nbi-p980m-illicit-cigarettes-seized-in-mandaue-city-wharf?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
City Council rejects CBRT route for SRP
The Cebu City Council formally rejected the Department of Transportation’s plan to prioritize the South Road Properties segment of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project during a special session on July 3, 2026.
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/city-council-rejects-cbrt-route-for-srp?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni
Seares: VM Tomas Osmena’s simile on Monterrazas – ‘like Russian roulette.’ What cease-and-desist order request to Mayor Archival from City Council can do.
Deadly game as simile/metaphor
Read the full article here:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/seares-vm-tomas-osmenas-simile-on-monterrazas-like-russian-roulette-what-cease-and-desist-order-request-to-mayor-archival-from-city-council-can-do?utm_source=rappler&utm_medium=muni