NEWS BRIEFS

Sinulog tickets to contain QR codes
THE Sinulog organizers committee will already do away with the use of the usual tickets they issue to grandstand occupants next year.
Ricky Ballesteros, Sinulog executive director, said they will use computer generated tickets with embedded codes for scanning with the use of laser light scanners to especially discourage scalpers.
The new grand stand tickets made from plastic materials also have quick response (QR) codes that will give its holder information about the Sinulog 2014 activities.
With the innovation, Ballesteros said, Sinulog 2014 tickets prizes will be increased by P200.
Pink and green tickets used to be priced P600 will now be sold at P800 each while the yellow section tickets will be sold at P1,000 each.
Grandstand tickets will be priced at P1,200 each while the balikbayan tickets will now be sold at P2,500 each.
The Cebu City Sports Center grandstand has a seating capacity of at least 15,000 people.
Ballesteros said part of the ticket proceeds will be shared with their chosen typhoon affected localities.
“Part of the proceeds will go to Yolanda victims especially the regular participants in the Sinulog,” Ballesteros said.
Sinulog tickets may already be bought at the Sinulog Foundation office at the sports center anytime this week. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac

Private sector reps in police advisory council
REPRESENTATIVES of business and local government units (LGUs) were inducted as members of the Regional Advisory Council of the Police Regional Office at Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr. yesterday.
Chief Supt. Generoso Garbo Jr., National Capital Region (NCR) police chief, inducted the representatives.
Garbo, former PRO-7 chief, said the council is part of the PNP Patrol Plan 2030 which seeks to integrate private sector involvement.
“They are selected based on their personal traits, management, performance and integrity and  come from various sectors of business, local government units, academe, religious sector, legal department and women,” Garbo said.
Prudencio Gesta, RAC President and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) chairman, said the council will represent the community and help the police improve its performance in maintaining peace and order.
“We will be able to determine and balance performance based on their current standard. In a way, we are checkers, we’ll help them to improve,” Gesta said.
Other members include Eric Mendoza, President of Mastercraft Inc. Cebu and Mandaue Chamber of Commerce, Cebu Holdings President Francis Monera, Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) Chairman Ruben Almendras, University of Southern Philippines-Foundation Comptroller Geronimo Sta. Ana, Clement Go, owner of Filmon Hardware Cebu and Chief Operating Officer of Arcenas Group of Companies Alvin Joseph Lim.
“Central Visayas is the second region next to National Capital Region (NCR) to create RAC. We have our meetings every two months and we can help them to improve in areas especially on the service of the police to everyone,” Gesta said. Correspondent Apple Ta-as