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Iloilo City News 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.

SK and PNP join forces in anti vandalism clean-up

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

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 30 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation-Iloilo City and the Iloilo City Police Office will join forces to clean up some city walls from unsightly graffiti and other forms of vandalism on December 11.

Donna Acap from the Office of the SK Federation-Iloilo City President Sheen Marie Mabilog said the joint wall clean-up project dubbed “Operation Pinta” will start at 8 AM until 12 PM involving all the SK officers of the 180 barangays and the members of the ICPO.

Acap said students of the National Service Training Program from various schools in the city were also invited to be a part of the event that will include the repainting of walls in some 27 identified areas, mostly in the City Proper with white paint.

“We have chosen the white color for it is the color of cleanliness and purity”, said Acap.

Acap said the initiative is part of their efforts to help clean up the city and enhance the consciousness not only of the young people but the public on environmental protection.

She further said the event is also an opportunity for the young people to show that not all of them are part of the problem but there are also those who want to be part of the solution.

Iloilo City gov't boasts of biz permit release in 20 minutes

By Wenna A. Berondo (The Freeman)

ILOILO CITY ,Philippines - Good news for those who want to apply for business permits from the Iloilo City Hall.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the city government will cut the processing time of applying for business permits from 15 days to only 20 minutes.

"I have made a commitment that from almost 10 months in 2010 to make the processing of business permits to 15 days in 2011. Now, I made a commitment that by 2012, we'll make the processing time of business permits in only 20 minutes," the mayor said.

Mabilog made this announcement during the signing and launching of the partnership project on breastfeeding at a mall in this city over the weekend. This drew applause from the audience, especially the members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Iloilo Inc.

The mayor also said he wanted to make Iloilo a business-friendly city by addressing the concerns of the investors particularly on flooding, high cost of electricity, lack of water and bureaucratic red tape in the city.

"This is to show how sincere the city government is in improving its service to the public," Mabilog said adding that, under his administration, the city government will continue implementing a lot of "firsts."

He said the new City Hall building at the Plaza Libertad, which is expected to be operational before this year ends, will be the first "green building" of the government.

The air conditioning units in the new City Hall will be solar-powered and it will also have a rainwater harvesting system to collect rainwater that would be used in the toilets of the building. These systems are expected to lower down the electricity and water consumption of the city, he said.

Mabilog further said the new building will have a breastfeeding and child minding center, which is another first in a government building.

The P710 million new City Hall building, which broke ground in February 2010, courted a lot of controversy because of allegations of overpricing, corruption and delay in its construction but these were all denied by city officials.

Capitol holds BSPO Day 2011

by Erly C. Garcia (Provincial Information Office, Capitol News)

Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) from the First, Second, Third and Fourth Districts of Iloilo province will converge at the Iloilo Sports Complex today (Nov. 28) for the BSPO Day celebration.

Provincial Population Office (PPO) chief Ramon Yee said they have decided to hold a separate program for the BSPOs from the Fifth District so that they will not have difficulty in going to the city.

He said the BSPO Day for the Fifth District will be on December 1, 2011 at the municipal covered gym of Sara, Iloilo.

“Fifth District towns are very far from Iloilo City, so we decided to hold a separate program for them to be held in the municipality of Sara which is more or less accessible to all Northern Iloilo towns,” Yee said.

Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. will be the keynote speaker in the BSPO Day celebration that will start around 9:25 a.m.

He will also induct the newly elected officers of the BSPO Provincial Federation headed by its president Margarita Lacerna.

Also part of today’s program at the Iloilo Sports Complex are the Pop Quiz, Ballroom Dancing Contest Games and Awarding of Comprehensive Population Data Banking.

There are more than 2,000 BSPO volunteers in the province.

Yee said the BSPOs are responsible for gathering data from the ground that are used by the provincial government in formulating policy programs and projects for development.

Last year, Defensor initiated the enrollment of all BSPOs in PhilHealth insurance in recognition of their valuable service to the countryside.

Iloilo City, TESDA join hands in technopreneurship program

by Elsa S. Subong(JSC/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo).

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 27 (PIA) -- The Iloilo City government and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently launched the TESDA Specialista Technopreneurship Program (TSTP) for the city residents.

TESDA-6 Director Florencio Sunico said that through the program, communities can avail of high quality and affordable house maintenance and appliance service by certified Specialistas.

TESDA offered free training for qualified residents in partnership with the Technical Institute of Iloilo City, a Technical Vocational Education school run by the city and the Professional Electronics Institute, Inc.

Sunico said the TSTP is unique as having a direct link or connection with employment, where graduates of tech-voc courses can get into, in cooperation with the local government units, non-government organizations and technical vocational institutions.

He added these TESDA Specialista scholars are provided with on-the-job experience and quality community exposure as they undergo training.

There are already 10 certified graduates of the Technical Institute of Iloilo City who will participate as scholars in carpentry, plumbing and electricity, in the TSTP.

These TESDA Specialistas will be part of the enterprise development model that TESDA will assist into productive activities to help themselves and the community.

TESDA is giving them basic tools or starter kits to be used as their initial materials for livelihood enterprises.

Sunico thanked the city government headed by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog for the support and partnership with TESDA.

TESDA-Iloilo Provincial Director Yolanda C. Porschwitz congratulated the Technical Institute of Iloilo and the Professional Institute, Inc. for being the first two model schools in TSTP, in Iloilo.

Visayas reg'l cage tilt on Sunday

By JONAS TERRADO

MANILA, Philippines — Four of the best teams in the south will collide for a spot in the Sweet 16 Finals when the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Visayas regional tournament unfolds on Sunday at the Ormoc City Superdome.

Some of the teams that will compete in the knockout-style format are reigning Visayas champion and Iloilo league winner University of Iloilo, NOPSSCEA titlist West Negros University, ACLC of Ormoc and PMI of Bohol.

The winner of this two-day tourney that ends Monday will advance into the Sweet 16 finals on Tuesday to face CESAFI runner-up Southwestern University.

Whoever comes out victorious in that match will face either CESAFI champion University of Cebu or Mindanao champion STI College of Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday for a spot in the Final Four.

On the same day, NCAA teams San Sebastian and Letran will meet for a semis berth. The Stags defeated Adamson, 85-83, while the Knights downed Far Eastern U, 73-64, on Thursday.

City government and sports officials will grace the festivities headed by mayor Eric Codilla, councilor Ruben Capahi and city sports council chairman and OCSSO president Roger Lagarde.

Already in the Final Four are UAAP champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist San Beda. The semis begins on Monday with the top two teams in the round-robin tourney to meet in the finals.

NIA inaugurates newly-constructed dam in Negros Occ.

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

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 25 (PIA) -- The newly constructed Magballo-Balicotoc-Canlamay Buttress dam in the province of Negros Occidental will be inaugurated today, Nov. 25.

NIA 6 Regional Manager Gerardo Corsiga and Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon are expected to lead the inauguration ceremony at the project site in Brgy. Balicotoc, Ilog, Negros Occidental. They will be joined by Congresswoman Mercedes Alvarez, Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez, Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco and other of NIA officials in the region.

According to the National Irrigation Administration 6, the project is expected to supply water to some 713 hectares of diversified farms in the hinterlands of Ilog and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental and benefit 554 households.

The 16-meter project is one of the non-core subprojects of the Southern Philippines Irrigation Sector Project (SPISP) involving an integrated scheme of pump irrigation, river diversions and reservoir storage tapping.

The dam will tap water from the rivers of Binalawan River, Magballo River, Tabla River and creeks of Isam and Balicotoc.

NIA 6 said the project cost for infrastructure was more than P278 million. Also included in the project implementation was the resettlement of the affected families as well as watershed management. The total cost for the environmental and social measures was about P56.6 million.

Other than the irrigation component, the project has a livelihood program for the affected families which include sugarcane production, carabao raising, cattle fattening and swine production.

Village chiefs come together for eco-tourism program

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

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 24 (PIA) -- Villages in Alimodian, Iloilo, clustered together as “Seven Cities” have agreed to work together to implement an “Eco-Tourism Program” which will give jobs and quality water, and at the same time protecting their watershed.

A press release by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) that assists them in this endeavor said, the village officials, in a consultation with Canadian Watershed specialist, Gary Wilkens, have identified potentials for eco-tourism development.

Head teacher Teofilo Andres said some of the potential sites are the Tigum area, several waterfalls, the Mt. bato duco and its wildlife, Lake Tinagong Danao, headwater of Malbug Creek, a tributary of the Aganan River and the cable tramline which were previously used to transport their produce to the nearest marketing center outside the “Seven Cities.”

Andres said he believes that the improvement of these sites will not only attract tourists to visit the place but more importantly, it will generate local employment.

Meanwhile, they said that horses can be used to transport tourists around the site, while a dormitory type structure can serve as lodging.

Likewise, he added, it will provide new sources of income for the residents in the barangays, who are presently engaged in Kaingin and illegal cutting of trees, which have contributed to the deteriorating conditions of the watershed.

“We cannot control this kind of activity, no matter how we try to educate the people, because this is the source of their daily sustenance,” Andres said.

Andres, on the other hand, said about 30 percent of the farmers in the Seven Cities have adopted organic farming as an alternative system, as they have proven this to be less expensive, environment friendly and safe for consumption.

These locally-grown organic produce can also become food for tourists, Andres said.

The problem, however, according to Andres is that only a few have adopted organic farming because of the increasing problem on inadequate resources for raw materials.

On this note, CUI Project Officer Susan Calaor said that the CUI assistance and partnership with them consist of finding ways to help them, in terms of preparing watershed management plan, sourcing out funds, and conducting market research.

Further, Wilkens also told the group to stay to connect with each other, expose themselves to other eco-tourism areas which can help them map out a development suitable for their situation.

The efforts are part of the CUI’s engagement in the region to assist partners in coming up with Bioregional Disaster and Watershed Management Plans, after preparing the State of the Watershed and the Coastal Zone Reports.

WV nutrition awardees recognized

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

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 23 (PIA) -- The Nutrition Congress 2011 held Nov. 23 was highlighted by the recognition of nutrition awardees. Some 700 nutrition and health workers in Western Visayas gathered for the said event.

The municipality of Jordan, Guimaras was adjudged as Outstanding Municipality in the region and the recipient of the Municipal Green Banner Award for the province of Guimaras for year 2010.

Jordan topped the 2010 Monitoring and Evaluation of the Local Level Plan Implementation of the nutrition programs of local government units in the region. It was conducted by the Regional Nutrition Technical Committee which is composed of nutrition coordinators of different government agencies chaired by the National Nutrition Council 6.

Another Municipal Green Banner awardee was the municipality of Lezo, Aklan. The award was given to LGUs for their outstanding performance in the management of their nutrition programs.

Mila Bico of Bago City was hailed as the 2010 Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar in recognition for her outstanding performance in the delivery of nutrition and health services in her barangay. She won P8,000, a trophy and a certificate of recognition.

Also, recognized were the Outstanding BNS in the six provinces of the region: Yowelita Fulgencio of Aklan; Rosalie Barcenal of Antique’ Leonisa Cantua of Guimaras; Salvacion Silva of Iloilo; and Eugenia Bernasol of Negros Occidental. They each received certificate of recognition and P4,000.

On the other hand, each of the City Outstanding BNS also went home with certificate of recognition and P3,000 cash award. They were Rizallyn Madrileno of Bacolod; Mila Bico of Bago; Mariolina Olvido of Cadiz; Monina Loberas of Kabankalan; Ma. Luisa Maldezer of La Carlota; Helen Paclibar of Passi; Mary Grace Abelarde of Sagay; Evelyn Gutana of Silay; Elsa Pacia of Sipalay; and Roselyn Lansangan of Victorias.

Aside from the giving of recognition and award, updates on health and nutrition were also discussed. In his message, DOH 6 Director and Regional Nutrition Council Chair Dr. Ariel Valencia discussed the “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan: Aquino Health Agenda”.

NNC 6 Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Nona Tad-y presented the Integrated Action for Hunger Alleviation and Improved Nutrition program while DOH 6 Family Health and Nutrition Program Head Dr. Salvacion Dela Cruz gave an Overview of the Community Health Team (CHT): Its Implication to Nutrition Improvement.

Jordan Municipal Nutrition Committee Chair and Mayor Cresente Chavez discussed the various efforts they have initiated in addressing the malnutrition problem in their locality through their topic, “Investing in Nutrition is Good Governance.”

The one-day activity also emphasized the importance of breastfeeding.

Agreement brings Iloilo irrigation project closer

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ILOILO CITY -- The Iloilo provincial government and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) welcomed the interest shown by the South Korean government to finance the P13-billion Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project-Stage II (JRMP II).

In a statement, Iloilo Gov. Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. said the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Korean Eximbank-Economic Development Cooperation Fund and the Department of Agriculture will realize the dream of completing the project that was started almost 40 years ago.

“We have reason to be optimistic. Our dream will soon become a reality,” Mr. Defensor said.

He said the Iloilo Provincial Development Council Executive Committee reendorsed the project on Nov. 11 after an evaluation team recommended some revisions that brought down the project cost to P13.3 billion from the original P15 billion.

Instead of constructing six dams based on the original proposal, the evaluation team approved the construction of only three dams, namely the Jalaur High Dam, the Jalaur Afterbay Dam and the Alibunan Catch Dam.

The project aims to improve rice productivity by expanding Iloilo’s irrigated areas to 31,840 hectares from the current 22,340 hectares. It will also increase cropping intensity to 2 from 1.62 and average yield to 5.20 metric tons from 3.25 metric tons per hectare, Mr. Defensor said.

Gerardo P. Corsiga, NIA-6 regional manager, said they have targeted to complete the social and environmental assessments so that the requirements are ready in case the funding from the Korean Eximbank-Economic Development Cooperation Fund is finalized.

Mr. Corsiga said the assessments will include dialogues with indigenous communities and other stakeholders who will be included in the project scope.

The project involves the construction of a hydropower plant and an irrigation system traversing six municipalities starting at the headwaters of the Jalaur River in Lambunao town in north-central Iloilo until Tigbauan in the south.

It will also provide potable water to the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) through a tapping station in Cabatuan with an additional 86,400 cubic meters of water per day. MIWD can only supply 30,000 cubic meters of water a day while the water requirement of its concession area totals 98,666 cubic meters a day.

The Jalaur River has a maximum water reserve of 340 million cubic meters, which can supply NIA’s existing irrigation systems in Iloilo. The project will also have flood mitigation benefits and is expected to promote eco-tourism in selected areas where the dams and the reservoirs are located.

City needs 2 more infra projects

By Lydia C. Pendon

CITY Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog admitted that he still has two major infrastructure projects in mind to be implemented in Iloilo before his first term ends by 2013.

Mabilog is eyeing for the construction of a convention center and a sports center for the city.

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“I am keeping that promise to the people of Iloilo City and I am looking forward to find financial assistance for these projects,” he said.

The convention center is proposed at the city-owned lot in Barangay San Pedro, Molo, and the sports center will also be located in Molo, or in La Paz district.

“Everything is in place and the National Government is helping us with unprecedented financial support through Senator Franklin Drilon and other top officials. We have a new city hall, a community college, decent houses for thousands of relocated informal settlers, new roads and bridges, livelihood assistance and many more in the pipeline for 2012,” Mabilog said.

It offers P6,000 a year or P500 per month for health and nutrition expenses and P3,000 for one school year (10 months) or P300 monthly per child for the educational expenses. A maximum of three children per household is covered in the program.

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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