Difference between revisions of "Iloilo City News November 2011"

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==NHCP chief asks public to respect Graciano Lopez Jaena park ==
*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/341944/nhcp-chief-asks-public-respect-graciano-lopez-jaena-park
*Sunday, November 20, 2011, 5:32pm
:By TARA YAP
ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is asking the public to respect the historical and cultural significance of Jaro Plaza in Jaro, Iloilo City.
Dr. Maria Serena Diokno said heritage zones, including plazas that are deemed important in the country’s history and culture, shall be protected and “respected.”
The Jaro Plaza, which is renamed Graciano Lopez Jaena Park, is in the midst of controversy with cultural workers decrying its degradation. This, as the Park is set to host Iloilo City’s Christmas celebration dubbed “A Fair in December.”
Not a few are saying that in hosting such activity, the Plaza will become an inferior-class shopping and entertainment complex replete with vendors, karaoke bars, and drunkards all the way through the Feast of Our Lady of Candles next year, on February 2, 2012.
Cultural workers say the plaza will become chaotic and dirty while disrespecting the memory of Graciano Lopez Jaena.
In the middle of the plaza stands a statue of the Ilonggo journalist who was the first editor of the La Solidaridad. Along with national hero Jose Rizal and Marcelo del Pilar, Lopez Jaena was instrumental in the Philippine reform movement that sparked the 1898 Philippine Revolution against the country’s Spanish colonizers.
Diokno said the plaza can host such events for the public, but only for a short period of time.
She pointed to provisions contained in Republic Act No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 which, as Sec. 48 stipulates for instance, underlines that it is prohibited to destroy, demolish, mutilate, or damage a heritage site.
The NHCP chairperson is strongly urging officials to follow proper guidelines and not desecrate the plaza for commercial purposes.
Aside from hosting the “A Fair in December” next month, the plaza will also be witness to the wreath-laying ceremony to be held there on December 18, which is the 155th birth anniversary of Lopez Jaena.
==DSWD's conditional cash transfer is empowerment, not dole out – Soliman ==
*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/341868/dswds-conditional-cash-transfer-empowerment-not-dole-out-soliman
*Saturday, November 19, 2011, 4:56pm
:By TARA YAP
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Soliman clarified that the Aquino government’s poverty alleviation conditional cash transfer (CCT) program is a tool for empowering the poor and not a dole out.
“This is to ensure that children of poor families can have a fighting chance,” said Soliman as she addressed representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) from the Visayas during the DSWD Visayas Cluster Forum on CCT held in Iloilo City recently.
The CCT program, which is also known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Aquino administration aims to alleviate the quality of life for impoverished Filipinos by giving cash grants for health, nutrition and education for poor families who have children 14-years-old and younger.
According to latest survey results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS), 10.4 million Filipino families consider themselves poor.
“We need to break the intergenerational poverty cycle and empower these children so they will know how to read, write, and count and not become victims,” Soliman emphasized.
As of August, approximately P9 billion has been released for more than two million family beneficiaries.
==Gov't aid empowers poor – DSWD ==
*Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/341785/govt-aid-empowers-poor-dswd
*Friday, November 18, 2011, 5:59pm
:By TARA YAP
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has clarified that the Aquino administration’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program is a tool for empowering the poor and not a dole out.
“This is to ensure that children of poor families can have a fighting chance,” said Soliman as she addressed representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) from the Visayas during the DSWD Visayas Cluster Forum on CCT held in Iloilo City recently.
The CCT program, also known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, aims to alleviate the quality of life of impoverished Filipinos by giving cash grants for health, nutrition and education for poor families who have children 14 years old and younger.
According to the latest survey surveys of Social Weather Stations (SWS), 10.4 million Filipino families consider themselves to be poor.
“We need to break the inter-generational poverty cycle and empower these children so they will know how to read, write, and count and not become victims,” Soliman emphasized.
As of August, approximately P9 billion has been released for more than 2 million family beneficiaries.
Soliman also reminded the pivotal role of civil society in the public-private partnership (PPP) of poverty-reduction as well as expanding their involvement and enhancing approaches for better mobilization of anti-poverty projects.
The forum was also supported by the World Bank and Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). It gathered “views and assessment of CSOs on policies governing the implementation of CCT.”
Aside from Soliman, resource speakers included Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad, former DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Dennis Arroyo of Social Weather Station (SWS), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Joel Rocamora, and Tanya Hamada of InciteGov.
Meanwhile in Dumaguete City, Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria has assured members of at least five small-time entrepreneurs in the city that the local government will find other venues to ease their current living conditions.
The mayor met with the groups Wednesday afternoon during a consultation forum during which he disclosed that livelihood assistance shall be given them through the city’s sectoral desks.
The groups that dialogued with the mayor included the Federation of Urban Poor, Federation of Dumaguete Motorcycle Operators and Drivers Association, Women’s Organizations, Dumaguete Recycle Association and Dumaguete Ambulant Vendors, said City Information Officer Steve Gabriel.
==City to study drainage improvement plan ==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/local-news/2011/11/17/city-study-drainage-improvement-plan-191085
*Thursday, November 17, 2011
:by Lydia C. Pendon
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is eyeing to conduct a feasibility study on the drainage improvement of Metro Iloilo.
The feasibility study aims to formulate a master plan on the drainage improvement in the city. The department will also conduct planning and design for the Rizal Creek, Barrio Obrero Creek, Calajunan Creek and Dungon Creek.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog earlier said there is an urgent need for a comprehensive drainage system since Iloilo City is a low-lying area that becomes the catchment of water from central Panay Island.
He said the comprehensive drainage plan of the city was one of the four major infrastructure projects deliberated by the Infrastructure Committee of the regional development council (RDC).
The RDC committee deliberated last Tuesday the proposed projects that include the direct airline flights to Iloilo from other Asian countries, additional fishing ports in the region, design of transport terminals and the city’s comprehensive drainage plan.
The proposed drainage master plan and feasibility study, with project duration of 12 months, is estimated to costs some P26 million.
==Iloilo set to receive funds for housing project==
*Source:http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=Iloilo-set-to-receive-funds-for-housing-project&id=41751
*Thursday, November 16, 2011 11:13:31 PM
:by Francis Allan L. Angelo
ILOILO CITY -- The Iloilo City government is set to receive a total of P244 million for the resettlement of more than 1,000 families affected by the Iloilo River rehabilitation project.
Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog said P144 million of the funding would come from the National Housing Authority (NHA) while another P100 million will come from the Office of the President.
“The money will be used to construct homes for the affected families who once resided on the banks of the river and its tributary creeks,” Mr. Mabilog said.
The housing project will be established at the 5.6-hectare relocation lot in Barangay Lanit, Jaro district.
Mr. Mabilog said part of the funding is a P97-million grant from NHA while the remaining funds were realized through a loan with the same agency payable in 10 years without interest. The remaining P100 million is a grant from Malacañang.
“The beneficiaries will pay less than P300 monthly amortization in 10 years. Each housing unit will have an area of 50-60 square meters,” he added.
In his speech during the Housing Caravan in Iloilo City last week, Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay said that the government was processing the release of funds after city hall and the NHA signed a memorandum of agreement on the funding last September.
Mr. Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, added that the Socialized Housing Finance Corp. is also processing Community Mortgage Projects worth P110 million to benefit almost 2,000 families in Western Visayas.
Mr. Binay cited the proposed Kahilwayan Village housing project of the town of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo which will benefit 200 municipal employees.
The project will be implemented under the Group Housing Loan Program of Pag-IBIG (Home Development Mutual Fund) that aims to sustain the capabilities of local government units to fast-track the development and implementation of housing projects in their localities.
The project will prioritize employees of the municipality of Sta. Barbara. Excess housing units left will be offered to other government employees, and later on to other salaried employees.
Vincent Lusaya, Sta. Barbara municipal planning and development coordinator, said no equity is required from the beneficiaries and they could borrow between P400,000 and P700,000 for the units.
Mr. Binay said that there is a need to address the housing backlog in Western Visayas which he estimated at about 220,000 housing units.
==DA says WV is doing well in organic agri ==
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=64263
*Wednesday, November 16, 2011
:by Lilibeth A. French (JSC/LAF-PIA6 Iloilo)
ILOILO CITY, Nov. 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture Region 6 (DA 6) said Western Visayas is doing well in the farmer's practice of organic agriculture, compared to other regions in the country.
DA 6 Dir. Larry Nacionales said Negros Occidental has already adopted organic agriculture way back in 2007 through its Provincial Ordinance 007 that prohibits the entry of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the province.
The practice of organic agriculture in Negros Occidental was given further boost when a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Maranon and Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz to make Negros Island an “organic island” in 2005.
Nacionales said Panay Island is also catching up because there is already a Panay Organic Producers Association, which takes lead in supporting organic agriculture just like the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation, Inc.
He also noted that although organic agriculture seems popular in the region, they cannot say that everybody is into that kind of farming.
The director said there are certain sectors that still those that combine conventional and organic farming.
“This is still a critical situation and we could not avoid the resistance on the part of farmers especially those who are used to conventional agriculture which is easy, and yields higher result as compared to organic agriculture,” said Nacionales.
However, he said with different associations organized in Western Visayas promoting organic agriculture, “We will slowly convince farmers that there is an opportunity in organic agriculture not only related to environmental concerns and climate change but also to the economic aspect."
Recently, President Benigno Aquino III has assured the support of his administration in the promotion of organic agriculture in the country to boost food security.
He directed DA to allot at least two percent of its annual budget for the implementation of the National Organic Program as provided under the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, which strengthens the State's policy to promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the country.
==Proposals on organic agri urged ==
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=64145
*Tuesday, November 15, 2011
:by Lilibeth A. French (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)
ILOILO CITY, Nov. 15 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Agricultural Research of the Department of Agriculture recently urged research communities and other organizations in Western Visayas to submit their Research and Development proposals on organic agriculture for possible funding support.
DA-BAR Assistant Director Teodoro Solsoloy said the government has allocated some P150 million to support research and development activities on organic culture in the country. The P150 million is part of the P900 million fund set aside by President Benigno Aquino III for the implementation of Republic Act 10068 or Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.
Solsoloy was in Iloilo City to keynote the opening program of the 1st Regional Agri-Trade Fair focusing on the theme “Promoting Organic Agriculture through Public-Private Partnership as a Response to Climate Change” being held at the Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City until Friday, November 18.
In his message, Solsoloy said that Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has stressed the need to protect farming and fishing communities against the effects of climate change.
BAR, which is being the central coordinating body for all agricultural researches in the country, was tasked to lead and coordinate with executive agencies of the government to develop, enhance, and support and consolidate activities for the formulation and implementation of unified and integrated research and development and plans and programs for organic agriculture.
“The unified agenda and program for organic agriculture will serve as an important reference for our partners in R & D to have a common goal and priorities,” said Solsoloy.
Solsoloy commended CPU for its efforts and initiatives in promoting organic agriculture through public-private partnership as a response to climate change.
“Your deep commitment to the agriculture sector and the upliftment of the plight of the poor farming industry has brought your university to what it is today, resulting to a better institution and a true partner to success,” said Solsoloy.
==Iloilo City attracts more than 20 countries ==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/local-news/2011/11/14/iloilo-city-attracts-more-20-countries-190514
*Monday, November 14, 2011
:by Lydia C. Pendon
ILOILO City is expecting about 20 countries to the First International River Summit slated in March 2012, in coordination with the Rivers of the World Foundation and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
City environment and natural resources officer Engineer Noel Hechanova said the summit will feature environment and river champions of the world and what the river brings to the community despite the global climate change.
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Hechanova said he already has two confirmed speakers and a delegation from United States of America (USA) to attend the Iloilo river summit. More confirmations are expected to come in before the end of this year, he said.
Hechanova said the special project award of Iloilo City post Liveable Communities (Livcom) entry ”Advancing the Iloilo River Development Initiatives for Integrated Sustainable Management,” has opened the eyes of many countries on the role of the river to small and medium cities in the world.
The project already garnered a Gold Award in the 2010 Livcom awards rites held June 2010 in Chicago, USA. The project also garnered the citation for Livcom Special Project in 2011 held in Songpa, Seoul, South Korea last October 27-31, 2011.
==City Hall Decries FDC ‘Whacking’ (NGCP petition sparks verbal skirmish) ==
*Source:http://thedailyguardian.net/index.php/local-news/4722-city-hall-decries-fdc-whacking-ngcp-petition-sparks-verbal-skirmish
*Sunday, November 13, 2011
:By Francis Allan L. Angelo
THE ILOILO City government hit a cause-oriented group for insinuating that it was not serious in its pronouncement to oppose the acquisition of the connection/sub-transmission assets of the sole power producer in the city.
Former city vice mayor Victor Facultad, executive assistant to the city mayor on special concerns, said they are confused on the real motives of the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) headed by Ted Aldwin Ong and lawyer Romeo Gerochi.
Ong and Gerochi earlier hit City Hall officials over their absence in the hearing called by the Energy Regulatory Commission on the petition of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to buy the assets of Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC).
FDC said earlier statements by City Hall to oppose NGCP’s petition is but lip service as it did not send any representative to the hearing held December 8 at the ERC headquarters in Metro Manila.
The group also claimed that the City Government was “defaulted” by the ERC from intervening in the petition because of its failure to attend the hearing.
Facultad said the City Hall already sent to ERC their comment/opposition to NGCP’s petition as early as October 18 after they received a copy of the petition from their sources.
Citing his conversation with Engr. Bienvenido Anatan, a member of consumer rights group All Pinoy Volunteers, Facultad said Gerochi even asked the ERC to suspend the hearing due to the absence of Iloilo City Hall representatives.
“At first, they sound to defend us then they will whack us in their media statements. Where and what are they really standing for? Is it the fault of the City Hall that we beat them to the draw in opposing this petition? They only made noise after we expressed our intention to oppose and submitted out papers to ERC,” Facultad added.
Facultad said the ERC even gave City Hall 10 days to file a motion for reconsideration relative to the petition, an indication that the commission recognized the city’s intervention in the issue.
Jeffrey Celiz, political affairs liaison of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, also reacted to the tirades thrown at him by FDC leaders.
Celiz, a former leader of Bayan which is an “ideological rival” of FDC, said it seems that Ong and Gerochi would like to monopolize the agenda of defending consumers’ rights.
Celiz said FDC should be appreciative of their efforts to oppose the NGCP petition which is in line with their group’s advocacy.
“This issue affects the people of the city and the City Government is serious in opposing this petition but here comes another group that is putting us down just because we beat them to the draw,” he said.
Celiz said FDC should focus its efforts on the NGCP acquisition of PEDC assets instead of smearing the City Hall’s intentions.
In its petition filed before the ERC, city legal officer Jose Junio Jacela said the acquisition of PEDC would redound to additional P1 per kilowatt-hour on electricity rates in the city. The increase will come in the form of transmission wheeling charges levied by NGCP on consumers using its transmission assets.
“This will mean that the avowed commitment of PEDC and power distributor Panay Electric Company (PECO) for rates lower than the previous rates of more than P11 per kwh will not come at all, thus making the entry of the coal-fired power plant inutile and useless in the city of Iloilo,” the petition said.
PEDC’s 164-megawatt coal-fired power plant in LaPaz district is an embedded generator inside the franchise area of Panay Electric Co. (Peco), the sole power distributor in the city. This condition gives advantage to Iloilo City consumers who are spared from transmission charges as Peco connects directly to PEDC.
==Iloilo Business Summit Today ==
*Source:http://thedailyguardian.net/index.php/local-news/878-iloilo-business-summit-today
*Saturday, November 12, 2011
:By: Francis Allan L. Angelo
THE 1st Iloilo City Business Summit hopes to achieve its aim of awakening conservative Ilonggos to invest more in the city through a wide range of topics to be discussed by topnotch business leaders today at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center.
Felix Tiu, chairman of the Iloilo City Investments and Promotions Board, said the topics on reviving businesses, small and medium enterprises, tourism, business processes outsourcing and innovative business strategies will spur the interests of Ilonggos to be more aggressive in business.
Tiu said Ilonggos have enough capital to start new businesses what with some P50 billion just “sleeping” in commercial banks in the city.
“After the summit, we hope that our Ilonggos will be roused from their conservatism and be more bullish in investing in our place,” he added.
Tiu said the summit is also an opportunity for the city to showcase its potentials to leaders of blue-chip firms in the country.
The speakers of the summit include Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp.; Jesus P. Tambunting, chairman and president of Planters Development Bank; Ramon Del Rosario, chairman of Phinma Corp.; Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, president and CEO of Lamoiyan Corp.; Jonathan D. De Luzurriaga, executive vice president of CIBI Information Inc.; Narzalina Z. Lim, president of the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc.
City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the summit will be a great opportunity for the Ilonggos to take a look on the best practices of the country’s top businessmen to face the challenges in the global market.
Mabilog said Pangilinan will be bringing with him the top officials of his corporations to interact with Ilonggo business leaders.
The mayor is expected to deliver his accomplishment report and business roadmap during the summit.
Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting, chairman and president of Planters Bank, said Iloilo has a lot of business potentials because of its complete resources, particularly human capital.
Aside from speaking in the summit today, Tambunting inaugurated Planters Bank’s Iloilo loan office on Quezon Street, Iloilo City Proper Thursday.
Tambunting said what Ilonggos need is help from the private sector, especially banks, in realizing their potentials and the opportunities available to them.
Tambunting said their main focus is on emerging small and medium enterprises which fuel local economies through product development and employment generation.
“We are going beyond the usual bank loans and services. We will be reaching out to our aspiring entrepreneurs, holding their hands as they grow their businesses. The bank has enough resources to help entrepreneurs grow,” he added.
The 1st Iloilo City Business Summit is a project of the Iloilo City Trade and Investment Promotions Board under the Office of the City Mayor, Iloilo City Trade And Investment Promotions Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, Junior Chamber International Iloilo and Injap Land Corp.
The Daily Guardian is a media partner of the summit.
==Digital weighing scales installed in public markets ==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/local-news/2011/11/11/digital-weighing-scales-installed-public-markets-190015
*Friday, November 11, 2011
:by Lydia C. Pendon
THE Iloilo City Government strengthened its consumer advocacy program with the recent installation of digital weighing scales in seven public markets in the city.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog personally observed the operation of the weighing scales last Wednesday at the Iloilo terminal market.
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Councilor Rodel Fullon Agado, chairman of the City Council committee on markets and slaughterhouse, said the weighing scales that cost P5,000 each unit were donated to the city by the Iloilo Supermart.
Agado said market shoppers are encouraged to weigh down or check their purchases for free at the city’s Timbangan ng Bayan located at the central portion of the terminal market.
The other digital weighing scales are also installed at the central public market and the markets in Jaro, La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo and Arevalo.
Agado said the consumers will be guided accordingly of the correct weight of their purchases.
He said the consumers can also file complaints in his office if they found out the weight of their purchased goods is incorrect.
The weighing scales will be under the custody of the Office of Economic Enterprise under Vincent de la Cruz.
==Agri office, university to host organic fair ==
==Agri office, university to host organic fair ==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/local-news/2011/11/10/agri-office-university-host-organic-fair-189795
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/local-news/2011/11/10/agri-office-university-host-organic-fair-189795

Revision as of 14:16, 30 November 2011

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Iloilo City - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Iloilo-aerial.jpg
Aerial View of Iloilo City

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

NHCP chief asks public to respect Graciano Lopez Jaena park

By TARA YAP

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is asking the public to respect the historical and cultural significance of Jaro Plaza in Jaro, Iloilo City.

Dr. Maria Serena Diokno said heritage zones, including plazas that are deemed important in the country’s history and culture, shall be protected and “respected.”

The Jaro Plaza, which is renamed Graciano Lopez Jaena Park, is in the midst of controversy with cultural workers decrying its degradation. This, as the Park is set to host Iloilo City’s Christmas celebration dubbed “A Fair in December.”

Not a few are saying that in hosting such activity, the Plaza will become an inferior-class shopping and entertainment complex replete with vendors, karaoke bars, and drunkards all the way through the Feast of Our Lady of Candles next year, on February 2, 2012.

Cultural workers say the plaza will become chaotic and dirty while disrespecting the memory of Graciano Lopez Jaena.

In the middle of the plaza stands a statue of the Ilonggo journalist who was the first editor of the La Solidaridad. Along with national hero Jose Rizal and Marcelo del Pilar, Lopez Jaena was instrumental in the Philippine reform movement that sparked the 1898 Philippine Revolution against the country’s Spanish colonizers.

Diokno said the plaza can host such events for the public, but only for a short period of time.

She pointed to provisions contained in Republic Act No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 which, as Sec. 48 stipulates for instance, underlines that it is prohibited to destroy, demolish, mutilate, or damage a heritage site.

The NHCP chairperson is strongly urging officials to follow proper guidelines and not desecrate the plaza for commercial purposes.

Aside from hosting the “A Fair in December” next month, the plaza will also be witness to the wreath-laying ceremony to be held there on December 18, which is the 155th birth anniversary of Lopez Jaena.

DSWD's conditional cash transfer is empowerment, not dole out – Soliman

By TARA YAP

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Soliman clarified that the Aquino government’s poverty alleviation conditional cash transfer (CCT) program is a tool for empowering the poor and not a dole out.

“This is to ensure that children of poor families can have a fighting chance,” said Soliman as she addressed representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) from the Visayas during the DSWD Visayas Cluster Forum on CCT held in Iloilo City recently.

The CCT program, which is also known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Aquino administration aims to alleviate the quality of life for impoverished Filipinos by giving cash grants for health, nutrition and education for poor families who have children 14-years-old and younger.

According to latest survey results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS), 10.4 million Filipino families consider themselves poor.

“We need to break the intergenerational poverty cycle and empower these children so they will know how to read, write, and count and not become victims,” Soliman emphasized.

As of August, approximately P9 billion has been released for more than two million family beneficiaries.

Gov't aid empowers poor – DSWD

By TARA YAP

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has clarified that the Aquino administration’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program is a tool for empowering the poor and not a dole out.

“This is to ensure that children of poor families can have a fighting chance,” said Soliman as she addressed representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) from the Visayas during the DSWD Visayas Cluster Forum on CCT held in Iloilo City recently.

The CCT program, also known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, aims to alleviate the quality of life of impoverished Filipinos by giving cash grants for health, nutrition and education for poor families who have children 14 years old and younger.

According to the latest survey surveys of Social Weather Stations (SWS), 10.4 million Filipino families consider themselves to be poor.

“We need to break the inter-generational poverty cycle and empower these children so they will know how to read, write, and count and not become victims,” Soliman emphasized.

As of August, approximately P9 billion has been released for more than 2 million family beneficiaries.

Soliman also reminded the pivotal role of civil society in the public-private partnership (PPP) of poverty-reduction as well as expanding their involvement and enhancing approaches for better mobilization of anti-poverty projects.

The forum was also supported by the World Bank and Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). It gathered “views and assessment of CSOs on policies governing the implementation of CCT.”

Aside from Soliman, resource speakers included Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad, former DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Dennis Arroyo of Social Weather Station (SWS), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Joel Rocamora, and Tanya Hamada of InciteGov.

Meanwhile in Dumaguete City, Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria has assured members of at least five small-time entrepreneurs in the city that the local government will find other venues to ease their current living conditions.

The mayor met with the groups Wednesday afternoon during a consultation forum during which he disclosed that livelihood assistance shall be given them through the city’s sectoral desks.

The groups that dialogued with the mayor included the Federation of Urban Poor, Federation of Dumaguete Motorcycle Operators and Drivers Association, Women’s Organizations, Dumaguete Recycle Association and Dumaguete Ambulant Vendors, said City Information Officer Steve Gabriel.

City to study drainage improvement plan

by Lydia C. Pendon

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is eyeing to conduct a feasibility study on the drainage improvement of Metro Iloilo.

The feasibility study aims to formulate a master plan on the drainage improvement in the city. The department will also conduct planning and design for the Rizal Creek, Barrio Obrero Creek, Calajunan Creek and Dungon Creek.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog earlier said there is an urgent need for a comprehensive drainage system since Iloilo City is a low-lying area that becomes the catchment of water from central Panay Island.

He said the comprehensive drainage plan of the city was one of the four major infrastructure projects deliberated by the Infrastructure Committee of the regional development council (RDC).

The RDC committee deliberated last Tuesday the proposed projects that include the direct airline flights to Iloilo from other Asian countries, additional fishing ports in the region, design of transport terminals and the city’s comprehensive drainage plan.

The proposed drainage master plan and feasibility study, with project duration of 12 months, is estimated to costs some P26 million.

Iloilo set to receive funds for housing project

by Francis Allan L. Angelo

ILOILO CITY -- The Iloilo City government is set to receive a total of P244 million for the resettlement of more than 1,000 families affected by the Iloilo River rehabilitation project.

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog said P144 million of the funding would come from the National Housing Authority (NHA) while another P100 million will come from the Office of the President.

“The money will be used to construct homes for the affected families who once resided on the banks of the river and its tributary creeks,” Mr. Mabilog said.

The housing project will be established at the 5.6-hectare relocation lot in Barangay Lanit, Jaro district.

Mr. Mabilog said part of the funding is a P97-million grant from NHA while the remaining funds were realized through a loan with the same agency payable in 10 years without interest. The remaining P100 million is a grant from Malacañang.

“The beneficiaries will pay less than P300 monthly amortization in 10 years. Each housing unit will have an area of 50-60 square meters,” he added.

In his speech during the Housing Caravan in Iloilo City last week, Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay said that the government was processing the release of funds after city hall and the NHA signed a memorandum of agreement on the funding last September.

Mr. Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, added that the Socialized Housing Finance Corp. is also processing Community Mortgage Projects worth P110 million to benefit almost 2,000 families in Western Visayas.

Mr. Binay cited the proposed Kahilwayan Village housing project of the town of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo which will benefit 200 municipal employees.

The project will be implemented under the Group Housing Loan Program of Pag-IBIG (Home Development Mutual Fund) that aims to sustain the capabilities of local government units to fast-track the development and implementation of housing projects in their localities.

The project will prioritize employees of the municipality of Sta. Barbara. Excess housing units left will be offered to other government employees, and later on to other salaried employees.

Vincent Lusaya, Sta. Barbara municipal planning and development coordinator, said no equity is required from the beneficiaries and they could borrow between P400,000 and P700,000 for the units.

Mr. Binay said that there is a need to address the housing backlog in Western Visayas which he estimated at about 220,000 housing units.

DA says WV is doing well in organic agri

by Lilibeth A. French (JSC/LAF-PIA6 Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture Region 6 (DA 6) said Western Visayas is doing well in the farmer's practice of organic agriculture, compared to other regions in the country.

DA 6 Dir. Larry Nacionales said Negros Occidental has already adopted organic agriculture way back in 2007 through its Provincial Ordinance 007 that prohibits the entry of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the province.

The practice of organic agriculture in Negros Occidental was given further boost when a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Maranon and Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz to make Negros Island an “organic island” in 2005.

Nacionales said Panay Island is also catching up because there is already a Panay Organic Producers Association, which takes lead in supporting organic agriculture just like the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation, Inc.

He also noted that although organic agriculture seems popular in the region, they cannot say that everybody is into that kind of farming.

The director said there are certain sectors that still those that combine conventional and organic farming.

“This is still a critical situation and we could not avoid the resistance on the part of farmers especially those who are used to conventional agriculture which is easy, and yields higher result as compared to organic agriculture,” said Nacionales.

However, he said with different associations organized in Western Visayas promoting organic agriculture, “We will slowly convince farmers that there is an opportunity in organic agriculture not only related to environmental concerns and climate change but also to the economic aspect."

Recently, President Benigno Aquino III has assured the support of his administration in the promotion of organic agriculture in the country to boost food security.

He directed DA to allot at least two percent of its annual budget for the implementation of the National Organic Program as provided under the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, which strengthens the State's policy to promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the country.

Proposals on organic agri urged

by Lilibeth A. French (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 15 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Agricultural Research of the Department of Agriculture recently urged research communities and other organizations in Western Visayas to submit their Research and Development proposals on organic agriculture for possible funding support.

DA-BAR Assistant Director Teodoro Solsoloy said the government has allocated some P150 million to support research and development activities on organic culture in the country. The P150 million is part of the P900 million fund set aside by President Benigno Aquino III for the implementation of Republic Act 10068 or Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.

Solsoloy was in Iloilo City to keynote the opening program of the 1st Regional Agri-Trade Fair focusing on the theme “Promoting Organic Agriculture through Public-Private Partnership as a Response to Climate Change” being held at the Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City until Friday, November 18.

In his message, Solsoloy said that Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has stressed the need to protect farming and fishing communities against the effects of climate change.

BAR, which is being the central coordinating body for all agricultural researches in the country, was tasked to lead and coordinate with executive agencies of the government to develop, enhance, and support and consolidate activities for the formulation and implementation of unified and integrated research and development and plans and programs for organic agriculture.

“The unified agenda and program for organic agriculture will serve as an important reference for our partners in R & D to have a common goal and priorities,” said Solsoloy.

Solsoloy commended CPU for its efforts and initiatives in promoting organic agriculture through public-private partnership as a response to climate change.

“Your deep commitment to the agriculture sector and the upliftment of the plight of the poor farming industry has brought your university to what it is today, resulting to a better institution and a true partner to success,” said Solsoloy.

Iloilo City attracts more than 20 countries

by Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO City is expecting about 20 countries to the First International River Summit slated in March 2012, in coordination with the Rivers of the World Foundation and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

City environment and natural resources officer Engineer Noel Hechanova said the summit will feature environment and river champions of the world and what the river brings to the community despite the global climate change.

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Hechanova said he already has two confirmed speakers and a delegation from United States of America (USA) to attend the Iloilo river summit. More confirmations are expected to come in before the end of this year, he said.

Hechanova said the special project award of Iloilo City post Liveable Communities (Livcom) entry ”Advancing the Iloilo River Development Initiatives for Integrated Sustainable Management,” has opened the eyes of many countries on the role of the river to small and medium cities in the world.

The project already garnered a Gold Award in the 2010 Livcom awards rites held June 2010 in Chicago, USA. The project also garnered the citation for Livcom Special Project in 2011 held in Songpa, Seoul, South Korea last October 27-31, 2011.

City Hall Decries FDC ‘Whacking’ (NGCP petition sparks verbal skirmish)

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE ILOILO City government hit a cause-oriented group for insinuating that it was not serious in its pronouncement to oppose the acquisition of the connection/sub-transmission assets of the sole power producer in the city.

Former city vice mayor Victor Facultad, executive assistant to the city mayor on special concerns, said they are confused on the real motives of the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) headed by Ted Aldwin Ong and lawyer Romeo Gerochi.

Ong and Gerochi earlier hit City Hall officials over their absence in the hearing called by the Energy Regulatory Commission on the petition of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to buy the assets of Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC).

FDC said earlier statements by City Hall to oppose NGCP’s petition is but lip service as it did not send any representative to the hearing held December 8 at the ERC headquarters in Metro Manila.

The group also claimed that the City Government was “defaulted” by the ERC from intervening in the petition because of its failure to attend the hearing.

Facultad said the City Hall already sent to ERC their comment/opposition to NGCP’s petition as early as October 18 after they received a copy of the petition from their sources.

Citing his conversation with Engr. Bienvenido Anatan, a member of consumer rights group All Pinoy Volunteers, Facultad said Gerochi even asked the ERC to suspend the hearing due to the absence of Iloilo City Hall representatives.

“At first, they sound to defend us then they will whack us in their media statements. Where and what are they really standing for? Is it the fault of the City Hall that we beat them to the draw in opposing this petition? They only made noise after we expressed our intention to oppose and submitted out papers to ERC,” Facultad added.

Facultad said the ERC even gave City Hall 10 days to file a motion for reconsideration relative to the petition, an indication that the commission recognized the city’s intervention in the issue.

Jeffrey Celiz, political affairs liaison of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, also reacted to the tirades thrown at him by FDC leaders.

Celiz, a former leader of Bayan which is an “ideological rival” of FDC, said it seems that Ong and Gerochi would like to monopolize the agenda of defending consumers’ rights.

Celiz said FDC should be appreciative of their efforts to oppose the NGCP petition which is in line with their group’s advocacy.

“This issue affects the people of the city and the City Government is serious in opposing this petition but here comes another group that is putting us down just because we beat them to the draw,” he said.

Celiz said FDC should focus its efforts on the NGCP acquisition of PEDC assets instead of smearing the City Hall’s intentions.

In its petition filed before the ERC, city legal officer Jose Junio Jacela said the acquisition of PEDC would redound to additional P1 per kilowatt-hour on electricity rates in the city. The increase will come in the form of transmission wheeling charges levied by NGCP on consumers using its transmission assets.

“This will mean that the avowed commitment of PEDC and power distributor Panay Electric Company (PECO) for rates lower than the previous rates of more than P11 per kwh will not come at all, thus making the entry of the coal-fired power plant inutile and useless in the city of Iloilo,” the petition said.

PEDC’s 164-megawatt coal-fired power plant in LaPaz district is an embedded generator inside the franchise area of Panay Electric Co. (Peco), the sole power distributor in the city. This condition gives advantage to Iloilo City consumers who are spared from transmission charges as Peco connects directly to PEDC.

Iloilo Business Summit Today

By: Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE 1st Iloilo City Business Summit hopes to achieve its aim of awakening conservative Ilonggos to invest more in the city through a wide range of topics to be discussed by topnotch business leaders today at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center.

Felix Tiu, chairman of the Iloilo City Investments and Promotions Board, said the topics on reviving businesses, small and medium enterprises, tourism, business processes outsourcing and innovative business strategies will spur the interests of Ilonggos to be more aggressive in business.

Tiu said Ilonggos have enough capital to start new businesses what with some P50 billion just “sleeping” in commercial banks in the city.

“After the summit, we hope that our Ilonggos will be roused from their conservatism and be more bullish in investing in our place,” he added.


Tiu said the summit is also an opportunity for the city to showcase its potentials to leaders of blue-chip firms in the country.

The speakers of the summit include Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp.; Jesus P. Tambunting, chairman and president of Planters Development Bank; Ramon Del Rosario, chairman of Phinma Corp.; Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, president and CEO of Lamoiyan Corp.; Jonathan D. De Luzurriaga, executive vice president of CIBI Information Inc.; Narzalina Z. Lim, president of the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc.

City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the summit will be a great opportunity for the Ilonggos to take a look on the best practices of the country’s top businessmen to face the challenges in the global market.

Mabilog said Pangilinan will be bringing with him the top officials of his corporations to interact with Ilonggo business leaders.

The mayor is expected to deliver his accomplishment report and business roadmap during the summit.

Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting, chairman and president of Planters Bank, said Iloilo has a lot of business potentials because of its complete resources, particularly human capital.

Aside from speaking in the summit today, Tambunting inaugurated Planters Bank’s Iloilo loan office on Quezon Street, Iloilo City Proper Thursday.

Tambunting said what Ilonggos need is help from the private sector, especially banks, in realizing their potentials and the opportunities available to them.

Tambunting said their main focus is on emerging small and medium enterprises which fuel local economies through product development and employment generation.

“We are going beyond the usual bank loans and services. We will be reaching out to our aspiring entrepreneurs, holding their hands as they grow their businesses. The bank has enough resources to help entrepreneurs grow,” he added.

The 1st Iloilo City Business Summit is a project of the Iloilo City Trade and Investment Promotions Board under the Office of the City Mayor, Iloilo City Trade And Investment Promotions Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, Junior Chamber International Iloilo and Injap Land Corp.

The Daily Guardian is a media partner of the summit.

Digital weighing scales installed in public markets

by Lydia C. Pendon

THE Iloilo City Government strengthened its consumer advocacy program with the recent installation of digital weighing scales in seven public markets in the city.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog personally observed the operation of the weighing scales last Wednesday at the Iloilo terminal market.

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Councilor Rodel Fullon Agado, chairman of the City Council committee on markets and slaughterhouse, said the weighing scales that cost P5,000 each unit were donated to the city by the Iloilo Supermart.

Agado said market shoppers are encouraged to weigh down or check their purchases for free at the city’s Timbangan ng Bayan located at the central portion of the terminal market.

The other digital weighing scales are also installed at the central public market and the markets in Jaro, La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo and Arevalo.

Agado said the consumers will be guided accordingly of the correct weight of their purchases.

He said the consumers can also file complaints in his office if they found out the weight of their purchased goods is incorrect.

The weighing scales will be under the custody of the Office of Economic Enterprise under Vincent de la Cruz.

Agri office, university to host organic fair

by Lydia C. Pendon

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office, in cooperation with the Central Philippine University (CPU), will host the first regional organic agri research fair and exhibits on November 14 to 18 at CPU compound in Jaro, Iloilo City.

Dr. Joyce S. Wendam, DA-regional technical director for Planning, Research and Extension, said the activity will be attended by more than 300 participants composed of farmers, farmer-leaders, local government officials, entrepreneurs, organic enthusiasts and advocates and agriculture students from different schools in the region.

"There will be exhibits of agricultural services of the DA and attached agencies, organic products, and research activities undertaken by the DA and CPU in line with the public-private partnership program," Wendam added.

Various topics on climate change, organic aquaculture, organic swine production, national farming system concoctions, trichoderma production, bio-pesticides preparation, health food processing, herbal therapy, hydroponics and organic fruit and vegetables production will be delivered by organic agriculture advocates and speakers.

The five-day agri fair and exhibits will be anchored on the theme, "Promoting Organic Agriculture through public-private partnership as a response to climate change."

The DA-CPU partnership has already launched the Agri-Pinoy strategic encounter and conducted orientation on Palayamanan technology and Moringa research and development program.

Other activities conducted were seminars on mushroom culture, goat raising, plant nursery establishment and accreditation, poultry production and technical advice for vegetable garden for CPU Theology students.

Organic product demonstrations everyday will highlight the five-day organic agri fair and exhibits.

Iloilo City Tourism Office helps push PPUR to victory

by TWVillavert(JSC/TWV-PIA6 Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 9 (PIA)--- Iloilo City Tourism Officer Ben Jimena said that the City Government through the City Tourism Office will help push for Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) in the worldwide search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Jimena said in a PIA interview that they will start drumming up Ilonggos’ support for the final push to victory for the PPUR.

“With the help of my staff, we will conduct some kind of a telephone brigade to call on all our friends or the “connections” of the Tourism Office and encourage them to vote PPUR through text messaging or SMS”.

Jimena said that should PPUR land in the New 7 Wonders of Nature, “this would mean a lot for the Philippines because it will invite foreign tourists to visit our country, and it will help create awareness on other interesting places in the Philippines”.

It will be recalled that Secretary Jesse M. Robredo called on all governors, city and municipal mayors and other government officials to vigorously urge their constituents to vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

Aside from the PPUR, other nominees that made it to the top 10 include the Dead Sea (Israel/Jordan/Palestine), Grand Canyon (United Staes), Great Barrier Reef (Australia/Papua New Guinea), Halong Bay (Vietnam), Jeita Grotto (Lebanon), Jeju Island (South Korea), Komodo Island (Indonesia), Sundarbans (Bangladesh/India), and Versuvius (Italy).

PPUR’s overall standing is a positive development, although only seven will be chosen among the ten finalists, “hence, there is a need to close ranks and demonstrate patriotism in order for our entry to get into the magic seven,” Robredo said in a DILG press report.

Robredo called on everyone to vote through text messaging by typing PPUR and send it to 2861, or via internet by logging on to www.new7wonders.com.

DA allots P61.7 million for farm mechanization in Western Visayas

By TARA YAP

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo - The Department of Agriculture (DA 6) is allotting P61.7 million for farm mechanization in Western Visayas.

DA 6 regional director Larry Nacionales disclosed that said amount is particularly intended to purchase 200 hand tractors, 69 threshers, 17 rice trans-planters, 10 rice combine harvesters, nine four-wheel tractors, and six rice drum seeders.

To achieve full-implementation of the DA’s farm mechanization program in the region, Nacionales is urging local government units (LGUs) across Western Visayas to fast-track their own farm mechanization efforts in their respective areas.

Under the Agri-Pinoy rice program, 85 percent of the cost of on-farm machineries and rice mills will be shouldered by DA 6 and the remaining 15 percent will be handled by farmer-beneficiaries through their respective LGUs.

Nacionales is strongly urging farmer cooperatives and irrigators to draw up proposals with the support of their LGUs and submit these to DA 6 as to effect their becoming farmer-beneficiaries.

Said Agri-Pinoy rice program makes possible for farmer-beneficiaries to avail of rice combine harvesters for an equity of P300,000 per unit; four-wheel tractors for an equity of P135,000 per unit; rice trans-planters for an equity of P45,000 per unit; and hand tractors and threshers with a P19,500 equity per unit.

The DA is also giving an allocation grant for rice drum seeders. The provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental will get one unit each.

Nutrition broadcast campaign gains grounds

by Elsa S. Subong (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) -– The broadcast media campaigns launched by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) all over the country has been gaining grounds in making more Filipinos “nutritionally” aware.

In the 2011 Second Quarter Survey of the Social Weather Station (SWS), it was shown that about 29 percent of household heads watch and/or listen to programs and segments about nutrition on radio and television.

NNC Regional Coordinator Nona Tad-y said this is encouraging because here in the region the NNC has used radio and cable television to a great extent to disseminate messages on breastfeeding and nutrition.

The SWS survey showed that the Visayas got a 23 per cent proportion of the audiences.

Further, it revealed that all over the country, two out of five (41%) class ABC household heads watch and/or listen to programs or segments about nutrition, while the other proportions are 31 per cent of class D and 20 per cent of class E.

As to programs, the survey showed that 4 per cent or about 218,110 households or 1.09 million Filipinos listen and/or watch Radyo mo sa Nutrisyon; 1 per cent or 54,528 households or 272,640 Filipinos listen to Ulat Ukol sa Nutrisyon at AHMP or Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program; 1 per cent or 272,640 Filipinos listen to Katumbas ay Biyaya drama series, and 1 per cent or 272,640 Filipinos listen to Nutriskwela Community Radio.

Tad-y also said, on the whole where these programs or segments are aired/telecast, some captive audiences have been identified by the NNC, composed of Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars and members of the nutrition committees in the provinces.

Here in Iloilo the programs are serialized in a local cable TV station and radio stations on a per schedule basis,

In a related development, Tad-y also said that the latest SWS survey on hunger showed that severe hunger was down in the Visayas to 2.3 per cent from 2.7 per cent in June, below the 13-year average of 3.2 per cent for the region.

She said Western Visayas is blessed for during the period, no devastating calamity hit the region, and the programs on poverty alleviation and anti-hunger of the government has benefitted the poor.

Building of halfway homes for troubled kids in Iloilo urged

By TARA YAP

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Provincial Council for the Protection of Children is urging local governments of Iloilo’s 42 towns and one component city to create halfway homes for children in conflict with the law.

Second district board member June Mondejar, main proponent of the approved resolution, explained the need to create a separate facility for children in conflict with the law and not to combine them with adult criminals in jails.

Mondejar, who chairs the Provincial Board’s committee on social welfare, housing, senior citizens and the disabled, is citing provisions under Section 49 of RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 stipulating the need to create youth detention homes.

Local government units (LGUs) have to fund the construction of the halfway homes as mandated by the Family Courts Act.

“Youth detention homes may also be established by private and non-government organizations (NGOs) that will be licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in consultation with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC),” Mondejar said.

Community college to offer ladderized courses

By: Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE ILOILO City Community College (ICCC) will open its doors and offer ladderized associate courses next year, the City Hall’s Education Core Team (ECT) said.

The ECT headed by executive assistant for education Maria Mathilde Octavio made the clarification in reaction to The Daily Guardian’s story on the ICCC last November 3.

Octavio said the ICCC will open for academic year 2012-2013 despite the moratorium imposed by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) on the establishment of community colleges supported by local government units.

Instead of degree courses, ICCC will offer ladderized associate courses approved by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

“We have already finalized with Tesda the addition of two competency courses namely, Customer Services NC II and Tourism Promotion Services NC II. This is even an advantage for the students because they will earn competency certificates from Tesda aside from their regular degrees,” Octavio said.

Octavio said the ICCC building constructed through the P25-million donation of Ilonggo businessman Edgar “Injap” Sia II will not be wasted as the City Hall is continuously working on the exemption of the community college from the Ched moratorium.

“In fact, we were able to submit our application with Ched central office on June 16, 2011, a good 15 days before the deadline. The application even came with an endorsement from Ched regional director Virginia Resurreccion and was received by the Office of the Chairman on June 23, 2011,” she added.

Octavio said they only learned of the moratorium, which was implemented in 2010, when they followed up the ICCC application with Ched central office.

CHED Resolution No.226-2010 imposes a moratorium policy on the opening of new colleges and universities, not only to ensure quality education, but one which the city government deemed is a move to stop the proliferation of “fly by night” institutions.

Even the Ched regional office was not aware of the moratorium until the City Hall provided them with a copy of the resolution, she said.

“The city government has been faithful in this project since the conceptualization of the community college. The building donation, therefore, of businessman Edgar ‘Injap’ Sia is not wasted as the college will operate next school year,” Octavio stated.

Octavio said the ECT is continuously coordinating with Ched and Tesda so that the ICCC will be fully operational by June 2012.

Octavio further said they are hoping that CHED will grant their requested exemption based on the encouraging response given by its chairperson Patricia Licuanan when Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog met with her and Ched regional director Virginia Resurreccion recently.

“I believe there should be an exemption because this is a government-initiated, community project and not a profit-oriented enterprise,” she added.

She said other highly urbanized cities seeking to open their own public colleges might feel discriminated by the moratorium, “robbing poor students the chance to get quality yet affordable college education.”

Vice mayor wants street lights reset

By Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO City Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III has asked the Panay Electric Company and electrical division of the city engineer’s office to switch on early the streetlights in the city every afternoon.

Espinosa said he received several complaints regarding the evening lights that usually start after 6 p.m.

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Espinosa said the season dictates early light of streetlights since the sun sets at 5:30 p.m.

“We are currently experiencing longer nights than daytime and it is imperative we light our streets and especially our barangays by 5:30 in the afternoon so as to help our constituents,” Espinosa said.

The situation is further being aggravated by early afternoon rain showers and gloomy daytime that need lighted street lights.

Iloilo business community urges city gov't for friendlier tax collection

By TARA YAP

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — The business community in Iloilo is appealing to the city government for the implementation of a “friendlier” real property tax collection.

This, as the Iloilo City government is set to implement a 100 percent tax collection rate by January 2012 to regain revenue losses due to reductions in the city’s internal revenue allotment (IRA) share of R400 million with the entry of 16 new cities nationwide.

Over 350 small, medium, and large corporate and individual members of said business community asked Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to reconsider the city government’s proposal to impose hikes in taxes in the next three years.

The businessmen are proposing for a 75 percent implementation of the 2006 market values in 2012, 90 percent in 2013, and 100% in 2014.

Traders here say that sales in real estate and local businesses have been affected by worldwide recession which has also had a negative impact on the financial situation of Ilonggo families, particularly those substantially dependent on remittances of overseas workers.

“Reduced expenses mean a decrease in demand for goods and services, thus affecting purchasing power,” the group said in a statement.

Also cited are high operational costs and especially with regard to government mandated salary increases in Western Visayas as well as in the cost of electricity.

“The business sector has always been supportive of the Iloilo City government. We value our partnership and we hope our request will be considered as a positive way to make the policies work towards the sustainability of development in Iloilo,” the group underlined in their appeal to the Mabilog administration.

Those who have put their signature on a written appeal to the city government on the matter include Jose Juan Jamora III of the Iloilo Business Club, Felipe Uygonco of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo, Ramon Cua Locsin of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Panay, Jose Marie Agriam of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Iloilo, Fanny Uy of the Iloilo Multi-Sectoral Business Organization, Cesar Pelayo of the Philippine Chinese Chamber Commerce and Industry-Panay Chapter, Francis Chung of the Philippine Retailers Association-Iloilo Chapter, Valerie Maravilla of the Ilonggo Producers Association, and Dr. Sandra Sarabia-Gomez, representing the Iloilo Hotels Restaurants and Resorts Association.

Private sector joins Adopt-an-Estero program

by Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO CITY -- Some 30 schools and universities, food and beverage companies, hotels, malls, business establishments and government agencies based in Iloilo City recently partnered with the environment sector’s program to clean the city’s esteros and natural waterways.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Julian Amador said the initiative aims to clean up rivers, drainages, creeks and other tributaries of major water bodies to prevent flooding, as well as reduce pollution and promote public health, environmental integrity and economic viability.

Some of the partner schools and establishments include Assumption Iloilo, Central Philippine University, John B. Lacson Maritime University, St. Paul’s University, West Visayas State University, Cares Meat Food Products, Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines, Mandaue Foam, Eon Centennial Hotel, Gaisano City, Iloilo Midtown Hotel, Pepsi Cola Products, Philippine Coast Guard–Auxiliary, Philippine Coast Guard, Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, QHP Realty, and Robinson’s Land Corporation.

PNP deploys 400 police personnel in Iloilo City for 'Undas'

by Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.(JCM/JSC/PIA6)

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 1 (PIA) -– The Philippine National Police (PNP) is deploying some 400 police personnel to maintain peace and order and provide police services in case of emergencies at cemeteries throughout this city in connection with the observance of All Saints and All Souls Day.

Iloilo City Police Office Director S/Supt. Marieto Valerio said in an interview with a local radio station today, Nov. 1 that they have also tapped the support of Barangay Tanods and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams in Iloilo’s urban center to provide security services at all of the 17 cemeteries here.

The action of the city police is in line with the directive issued earlier by Chief PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome for the deployment of adequate police personnel before and after the on-going observance in the country in honor of the saints and the dead.

As part of their activities, the police have also been instructed to watch out for alcoholic drinks, gambling, deadly weapons, and other prohibited activities inside cemeteries.

The All Saints and All Souls Day observance will peak today and tomorrow, Nov. 2.

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