Philippines

Iloilo City News January 2012

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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.

City gov’t to focus development on Iloilo River

(PNA), DCT/LAP/AJP/LCP/vlo

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -– While all road infrastructure projects are ongoing, the city government here will now focus its attention on the development of the Iloilo River.

This was announced by city Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog as his centerpiece project this year in developing the river as the core for tourism, socio-economic and livelihood endeavors of his administration.

Mabilog said the Iloilo River will be the focus of the First International River Summit to be held in this southern city on March 19-22. Summit participants include scientists, river advocates and development partners from national and international organizations who see the river as the lifeblood of the area.

The city mayor said that the project will also include the island province of Guimaras as the beach area for development and the Guimaras Iloilo Ferry Terminal (GIFT) project is expected to be realized this year through a public-private partnership.

Construction is ongoing at the P70-million esplanade project at the Treñas Boulevard along the Iloilo River with the widening of the 1.2 kilometers boulevard and the construction of river view deck and other structures of the esplanade patterned after Singapore.

Thousands of informal settlers along the riverbanks and creek tributaries are being resettled in the city’s relocation sites with housing funds of some P344 million, Mabilog said.

The boulevard is also expected to be extended from the diversion road up to the Gaisano mall and a new ferry site for ships going to Bacolod and back is being constructed at the Muelle Loney site of the old arrastre. The new ferry terminal for Bacolod is being constructed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

Meanwhile, dredging of the river is ongoing conducted by PPA and the Department of Public Works and Highways. All these developments will require additional manpower and work for the Ilonggos, Mabilog said.

Similarly, on top of the Iloilo River, the Batiano River will be cleaned, rehabilitated and cleared of illegal structures and informal settlers.

City tourism council launches search for promotion video

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

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA6) -- As more Filipinos are getting “on board” with the new Philippine Tourism slogan, the Iloilo City Tourism Council (ICTC) is embarking on a search for best tourism videos that can highlight what is “fun” and distinct in the city.

“It is time for us to discover what we can be truly proud of as Ilonggos and set our eyes on the potentials,” Jimena said.

ICTC spokesperson Roy Gatpatan said in a radio interview said that the Iloilo Dinagyang festival should be promoted that best way possible.

Gatpatan said through video productions, people can see how well Iloilo can be portrayed or captured as a tourism destination.

The search which the ICTC has launched includes features and teaser/ads, highlighting an Ilonggo cultural or religious practice, arts, food, product, heritage, history, focusing on the tagline, “My City, My Pride.”

The ICTC said the contest is open to all video enthusiasts. The winning entries may become the city’s official promotional material to be played in terminals, ports, and airports.

In interviews by the Philippine Information Agency, local folks said tourists will surely find Iloilo lots of fun.

PNP moves to secure Dinagyang

By TARA YAP

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has declared a ban against gun owners carrying their firearms outside their residences during Iloilo’s famed 2012 Dinagyang Festival.

According to Police Regional Office (PRO 6) director C/Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr., PNP Director-General Nicanor Bartolome has approved the request for suspension of the permit to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) in Iloilo City from January 15 to 23.

The request was made by city police director S/Supt. Marietto Valerio with concurrence from Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Said request is intended to prevent the incidence of crime and securing the safety of visitors during the week-long festival.

This year, aside from the usual massive number of tourists and Santo Niño devotees who attend the Di-nagyang, six foreign ambassadors, including United States Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. and South African Ambassador Agnes Nyamande-Pitso, are expected to come to Iloilo for the festival

During the period covered by the gun ban, only law enforcers on official duty are allowed to carry firearms. Such law enforcers include on-duty members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Meanwhile, Querol said a similar gun ban request made by Kalibo Mayor William Lachica is pending for the upcoming Ati-Atihan Festival on January 14-15 in Aklan province.

Last year, the PNP a gun ban was implemented for both the Ati-Atihan and Dinagyang festivals.

DOST strengthens weather monitoring system in calamity-prone province

(Cebu Daily News)

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) strengthened the country’s weather monitoring system in response to the increasing number of typhoons visiting the country each year.

“Before the year 2000, the Philippines would be visited by powerful typhoons every three to five years. Now, we experience devastating typhoons every year,” said Rowen Gelonga, DOST 6 regional director, citing the recent storm Sendong that killed more than a thousand people in northern Mindanao.

“And most of the lives lost during these typhoons are not because of strong winds or storm surges. It’s because of the flooding,” he added.

This is what propelled DOST, together with Smart Communications Inc., to complete the installation of five Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs) in key places in the province – Alimodian, Cabatuan, Maasin, Pavia and Jaro in Iloilo City. The new installations will complement the other ARGs installed by DOST across the region.

Gelonga said Smart also pledged to help fund the installation of automatic water level sensors that will alert the communities once the river reaches critical level.

The ARGs track rain water volume and rainfall duration. The equipment transmits rainfall data for further analysis, every 15 minutes, using Smart SIM card. This speeds up the previous process of manually gauging rainfall through a measuring stick and sending the data at least once every 24 hours.

“With the ARGs in consortium with other equipment plus the water level sensors that we are installing all over the region, the local government units will be more prepared for adverse weather events,” said Gelonga.

“The ARGs in Iloilo are just some of the rain gauges we have installed in several high-risk areas all over the country,” said Smart Public Affairs head Ramon Isberto.

Mayor Juanito Alipao of Alimodian, one of the municipalities that received an ARG, said “the rain gauge is a guide for us, and it will help us keep our communities alert to possible calamities brought about by heavy rains and typhoons.”

Iloilo is one of the calamity-prone provinces in the country. In 2008, it was hit by typhoon Frank that caused mudslides and flooding in Iloilo City and other municipalities, displacing thousands of families.

Multiple benefits of Jalaur River project cited

(JCM/JSC/PIA6)

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 6 (PIA6) -- The P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project-Stage II, once completed, will not only boost local rice production but will also yield other benefits which will contribute to the overall economic growth of Iloilo.

This project of the Department of Agriculture through the National Irrigation Administration is already on its the second phase. This will also generate 6.6 megawatts of power and additional potable water supply of 86,000 cubic meters a day for the province and city.

The project will also generate an additional 17,000 additional jobs during its construction period, pave the way for eco-tourism ventures, and create livelihood opportunities including inland fisheries.

The multi-billion-peso project will boost local production by providing year-round irrigation to about 32,000 hectares of farms that would benefit more than 700,000 farmers.

The project started, following the recent order of President Aquino for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release an initial funding of P450 million.

It will be funded by a P8.95-B loan from the Export Import Bank of Korea and a P2.2-billion counterpart from the Philippine government.

The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Western Visayas also considers the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project as a priority project as it supports the agriculture modernization and competitiveness strategy of the 2011-2016 Regional Development Plan.

The Council chaired by Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco re-endorsed the project during its executive committee meeting in November of last year, which helped pave the way for its approval by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) at the Investment Coordinating Committee level.

Local business upbeat about Iloilo economy

(JCM/JSC/PIA6)

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA6) -- Local businessmen remain upbeat about business and investment prospects here in 2012.

Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director Lea Lara and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Iloilo Chapter president Joe Marie Agriam said in media interviews here that this general outlook of their colleagues is based on recent events in Iloilo.

They were referring to the investments put in by a number of businessmen particularly those of Megaworld Corporation, businessman Edgar “Injap” Sia II and Ayala Land, Inc., all in the Mandurriao district area that have created a multiplier effect.

Lara and Agriam also acknowledged the support provided by the national and local government in terms of needed infrastructure including roads, which are important in mobility and accessibility of people and goods.

Lara said they are forward-looking and optimistic about the New Year. Agriam, for his part, said things are looking rosy.

The local PCCI official is particularly upbeat about the coming events in Iloilo including the Dinagyang Festival, 2nd Iloilo International Film Festival and Chinese New Year celebration which would augur well for local tourism and business.

Both business leaders also spoke well about local tourism as they said they are also pushing it because of the sector’s bright prospects.

It will be recalled that at the start of last year local business leaders also expressed optimism about local business and investment prospects, joining the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in painting a rosy picture of Iloilo in the year just passed.

New business investments have been complemented by the P2.4-billion infrastructure projects package, which includes radial and circumferential roads to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here.

Foreign dignitaries to attend Dinagyang festival in Iloilo

(VVP, GMA News)

Foreign ambassadors and guests from various countries around the world will go to Iloilo to witness the Dinagyang Festival in the third week of January.

US ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. and the South African ambassador also confirmed their attendance during the highlights of the Dinagyang, Iloilo-based The Daily Guardian reported.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said dignitaries from Greece, Czech Republic, France and Italy are scheduled to grace the Iloilo International Film Festival Jan. 19 to 21.

The Daily Guardian said the film festival is facilitated by the Pambansang Sining Film Development Council of the Philippines headed by Chairman Briccio Santos.

Mabilog said he is still negotiating with Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II to be the main speaker during the Kasadyahan Festival on January 21.

Sen. Franklin Drilon is to be the main speaker at the Dinagyang Ati-Atihan competition on January 22.

The other guests include several congressmen and city mayors, delegations from Guam, Hong Kong, South Korea and China, the report said.

Business community sees vibrant 2012

(Manila Bulletin Article)


ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines (PNA) — The business community here is looking forward to an upbeat economy despite apprehensions that the brunt of the financial crisis overseas might impact negatively in the country this year.

Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director Lea Lara said it is still too early to say what actually might happen to the country’s, and Iloilo’s economy, although somewhat dire prognostications were outlined by an economic expert during a recent IBC meeting. Still, she said, the club has “high expectations about a good turn for business this year in Iloilo.”

Lara said there is a lot to look forward to, particularly with regards to infrastructure development, including the completion of major infrastructure projects funded by both government and private sectors.

For instance, she said, more hotels are expected to open in the city within 2012, she said.

Likewise, Lara said, IBC members expect to see “significant projects” to be finished here towards yearend, including the ongoing development being undertaken by Megaworld Corporation at Mandurriao district.

In terms of social services, she said, Iloilo City “has its hands full with public investment in socialized housing that will provide homes to those displaced by big projects.”

Meanwhile, Lara noted that a challenge now faced by the city government is to prove that the increase it imposed on real property taxes is all worth it to taxpayers. “It (the city government) can show in the manner by which it delivers basic services,” she remarked.

Also, Lara said government should be more concerned about addressing the challenge of climate change.

Still and all, the IBC officer said, “Despite natural disasters occurring in the country, we continue to hope for the best in 2012.”

Senator assures P10-M fund for plaza rehab

By Lydia C. Pendon

SENATOR Coco Pimentel has assured his assistance of P10 million from his priority development assistance fund (PDAF) for the rehabilitation of the historical Jaro Plaza in Jaro district in Iloilo City.

Ilonggo architect Rudolfo Depatillo designed the five main areas for renovation, which aims to expand and facelift the present status of the premier plaza in the city.

The proposed rehabilitation and beautification of Jaro will include the construction of a new gymnasium, perimeter walkway and fence restoration, entrance arch, children and kids playground, a sunken garden, waterfall, and food kiosks.

These new projects will be on top of the existing facilities inside the plaza, such as the bandstand, skating rink, Graciano Lopez Jaena Park, Jose Rizal Park, and flower garden and aviary.

Jaro is the seat of the Roman Catholic archdiocese in Western Visayas and has a premier plaza in Iloilo City and the entire region. The plaza faces the Jaro Cathedral and its side faces the Archbishop Palace.

Busted pipes may have contaminated Iloilo water

(PNA) RMA/ELTorrecampo

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 31 – Department of Health regional director for Western Visayas, Dr. Ariel Valencia, suspects that the tremendous rush of water inside the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) pipelines brought about by vigorous pressure must have punctured the tubings, allowing entry of microorganisms, such as Coliform, and thus contaminating drinking water supplied by the MIWD to different communities in the city and province of Iloilo.

Valencia reminded MIWD executives to immediately conduct repairs on leakages to avert the spread of diseases related to microbial contamination.

He also said the MIWD should always have advance knowledge on problem areas and be responsible enough to fix the problem for the protection of the consumers.

Early this week, a laboratory technician of the MIWD had exposed that some tested water samples turned out to be positive for coliform but the report was allegedly altered to 'hide the facts” by employees of the water purveyor.

In a related development, the Center of Health Development in Western Visayas reported that out of 314 water samples from the MIWD placed under laboratory tests, 94 came out positive for Total Coliform, while 80 other samples were positive for fecal coliform.

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