Iloilo City News September 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.

ILOILO FIRMS UP ANTI-RABIES DRIVE

By LYDIA C. PENDON (The Manila Times-"REGIONS IN BRIEF" News # 5)

ILOILO CITY: The city government is seriously pursuing the campaign against rabies in pursuance of the provisions of Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007. The country celebrated World Rabies Day on September 28 to remind Filipinos about rabies and its implication on humans according to Dr. Peter Sobrevega, chairman of the technical working group, Regional Rabies Committee. Sobrevega said that the target is 80 percent of the total dog population in the region be vaccinated before the end of 2012 and total elimination of rabies by 2020. Iloilo City veterinarian Dr. Tomas Forteza said that the city rabies control committee is chaired by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and city councilor Lyndon Acap.

DSWD crafts operations manual to integrate implementation of core social protection programs

(PNA), GHG/PGLENA/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept 29 (PNA) -– Western Visayas hosted the five-day seminar workshop on the crafting of the operations manual for core social protection programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DSWD assistant regional director Joel Galicia said the workshop which culminated on Friday aims to integrate the implementation of the government’s three core shelter protection program; the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), conditional cash transfer (CCT) and the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

Galicia said "they are working under the convergence strategy. That will be their guide in the implementation of the program,” he said.

The manual will soon be finalized to be used by all workers of the DSWD nationwide.

Western Visayas was chosen because of the availability of technical persons who can help with the drafting of the document aside from being outstanding in the implementation of the said programs.

Iloilo City firms up anti-rabies drive

(PNA), FFC/AJP/LCP/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 28 (PNA) -- The city government here is seriously pursuing the campaign against rabies in dog or human in pursuance to the provisions of Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007.

The country celebrated World Rabies Day on Friday (Sept. 28, 2012) to remind the Filipinos about rabies and its implication on humans, according to Dr. Peter Sobrevega, chairman of the technical working group, Regional Rabies Committee.

Sobrevega said the target is 80 percent of the total dog population in the region be vaccinated before the end of 2012 and total elimination of rabies by 2020.

Iloilo City veterinarian Dr. Tomas Forteza said the city rabies control committee is chaired by city mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and city councilor Lyndon Acap as vice chairman.

The city council has passed an ordinance in 2011 declaring a city-wide campaign against rabies and providing penalties to violators. The city ordinance also criminalized the practice of "tanduk," a local practice of quack doctors against the spread of rabies in humans bitten by a rabid dog.

Forteza said the corresponding penalties and fines are P2,000 for failure or refusal to have their dogs immunized; P10,000 for refusal to have the dog put under observation after biting an individual; P25,000 for refusal to have their dog put under observation and do not shoulder the medical expenses or the person bitten by their dog; P5,000 for refusal to put leash on the dog when brought outside of the house; P500 to P1,000 fine for each impounded dog, P5,000 or more per dog or 1-4 years imprisonment for trading dogs for meat; and P5,000 or more or 1-4 years imprisonment for using electrocution as a method of euthanasia.

Forteza said that dog owners must have their dogs vaccinated regularly as the office of city veterinarian is conducting house to house free dogs vaccination. He also said dog owners to be responsible by providing their dog with proper grooming, adequate food and clean shelter.

However, impounded stray dogs without owners are being eliminated through euthanasia by feeding barbiturates or carbon monoxide poisoning so as to contain the spread of rabies.

Dog parade to open World Rabies Day celebration in Iloilo

(PNA), LAM/PGLENA/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 27 (PNA) -- The celebration of the World Rabies Day here on Friday will open with a parade of dogs starting from the provincial capital ground passing through the Bonifacio Drive and back to the capitol.

The “Pack Walk” will be participated by more than 100 dogs owned by various kennel groups and associations in Iloilo, according to Dr. Ramir Morales, inspector of the Veterinarian and Quarantine Office of the Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Unit 6 (DA-RFU 6).

The activity, the first in Iloilo, will start at exactly 6 o’clock Friday morning.

It was aimed at raising public awareness on responsible pet ownership and as well as on the anti-rabies campaign, he added.

An anti-rabies awareness forum will follow thereafter in a hotel here.

DSWD sets P1.143M for cash-for-work program in Iloilo City

(PNA), LDV/AJP/PGL/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 26 (PNA) -– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here has allotted P1.143 million for its cash-for-work program to benefit 1,429 residents of Iloilo.

DSWD assistant regional director Joel Galicia said that the cash-for-work is a component of their core shelter project that will kick off once the city government has already purchased the available relocation site.

The core shelter project will fall under the Phase II of the Iloilo River Plains Subdivision Project to accommodate families that will be affected by development to be implemented along creeks of the Iloilo-Batiano River.

Galicia said the intended recipients will be organized into a neighborhood association.

From the associations, a team will be formed to assist in the construction of houses and will be paid under the cash-for-work program.

Meanwhile, DSWD regional director Minda Brigoli said that a multipartite agreement will be signed between the city government, neighborhood association and the DSWD for the project.

The DSWD is making available P100 million for the housing project.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the city government will look for a 5.6-hectare lot that will be used as relocation site.

DSWD, TESDA to soon implement Cash for Training Program

(PNA), FFC/AJP/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 25 (PNA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will soon implement the Cash for Training Program (CTP) for youth as beneficiaries.

Social Welfare Officer III Eduardo Guevarra, DSWD Regional Office 6 focal person for youth, said the new program is an intensive training to provide the youth, who have not availed the Expanded Government Internship Program (EGIP), the opportunity to get scholarship for their choice technical-vocational course offered by TESDA.

Guevarra said under the program, which they are waiting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to start, entitles each youth a P20,000 worth of scholarship package that include enrollment fee, transportation allowance and toolkit.

He said qualified for the scholarship are those 18 to 30 years old and out-of-school or a graduate of a technical-vocational course but still unemployed. Preference will be given to those who previously applied for EGIP but was not included in the 17 percent cut off in the region.

Interested youth are also advised to coordinate with their Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers for an orientation about the program and other requirements needed.

2013 Dinagyang Festival launched in Iloilo City

(PNA), RMA/AJP/PGLENA/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 24 (PNA) -- Iloilo City trumpeted its readiness to stage the 2013 Dinagyang Festival with its official launching on Monday, highlighted by the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the triumvirate festival organizers.

The triumvirate is composed of the Iloilo City government, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. that represents the private sector and the San Jose Placer of the San Jose Parish for the religious sector.

The festival, short of five years for its golden celebration, is a showcase of a successful public private partnership (PPP) even before the scheme was made popular by the current administration, according to Iloilo City Tourism and Development Officer Benito Jimena.

IDFI president Ramon Cua-Locsin, meanwhile credited the resounding success of the PPP to the “corporate social responsibility of the business community, involvement of civic and religious organizations, creativity of schools and cultural organizations and the volunteerism of the community.”

“We assure you of our commitment to make Dinagyang 2013 a great event. We will do the best we can to open to new heights of success this most famous festival in our country. Without doubt IDFI is ready for Dinagyang 2013,” he said.

Rev. Fr. Raymund Edsel Alcayaga, OSA of the San Jose Parish, said that he looked forward to intensify the religious significance of the festival and emphasized that the success of the event was due to the guidance of the Lord.

The annual festival, which is entering its 45th year, is held every fourth Sunday of January in honor of Senor Santo Nino.

Its highlights will be held on Jan. 25-27, 2013 starting with the Fluvial Procession on the 25th, a showcase of the best festivals in Western Visayas on the 26th and the Ati-ati tribe competition on the 27th.

PAL Iloilo-Korea flight up

(PNA), RMA/AJPETINGLAY/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 23 (PNA) – The Philippine Airlines (PAL) direct international flight Iloilo to Korea is now on the pipeline, PAL Iloilo manager Juancho Demaguila said.

Demaguila said that they admired the courage of Cebu Pacific to already have its inaugural flight for Iloilo to Hong Kong on Nov. 8 and Iloilo to Singapore on Nov. 9.

“We admire the courage or the guts of Cebu Pacific,” Demaguila said.

He said that for PAL, their higher management was seriously studying to have Iloilo to Korea direct flights and which they hoped to sustain in the long term.

“There’s a Korean school here that is very aggressive in bringing in students,” Demaguila said. He said that with their tie up with the Korean school, they would be assured of flying Korean students to Iloilo.

He said that they would not only be flying students though, but also the Korean tourists. Korean tourists yearly top the Western Visayas foreign tourist arrivals and generating sizable amount for the tourism industries in the region, especially Boracay island in Aklan.

Meanwhile, the low cost carrier Cebu Pacific will make the record as the first to fly internationally from Iloilo to Hong Kong and Singapore.

NHA to download funds for housing project

By Lydia C. Pendon

THE National Housing Authority (NHA) will have to download funds to the City Government here due to technical problems in the releasing of funds for the city’s housing project for informal settlers and relocatees.

This was reported by NHA regional director Isagani Jalbuena to Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Senator Franklin M. Drilon during the monthly meeting of the Iloilo River Development Council held last September 21 at the roofdeck of the new City Hall building here.

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An initial amount of P123 million will be downloaded to the city after finding out that it was extremely difficult to turn it over the NHA because of late approval by the NHA Board.

The project site is at the city owned lot in Brgy. Sooc, Arevalo for an initial 300 housing units that will also include rehabilitation of the Sooc road going to the GK Village near the proposed NHA housing site.

Mabilog informed the river council that he has already executed a deed of donation with authority from the City Council for an initial 138 housing units.

On the other hand, NHA is also experiencing the delayed releases of funds for the 1,000 raw housing units in Lanit, Jaro district. Jalbuena said he is proposing the transfer of funds to the city government for the land development of the Lanit site.

The Lanit project will cost some P170 million with a winning bid of P169 million. Drilon had asked a reduction of P10 million which the contractor bargained to donate 138 housing units for free.

The NHA project costs about P244 million in two sites for land development and housing units for relocates and informal settlers who will be displaced soon along the river banks and tributaries.

Another housing project amounting some P100 million for 1,000 city informal settlers will be implemented soon by the Department of Social Services and Development under its core shelter program.

77 hired on the spot during city job fair

(PNA), FFC/AJP/LMS/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 21 (PNA) -– A total of 77 lucky jobseekers were immediately employed by private companies during the one-day job fair organized by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) here Thursday.

Hired on the spot were 21 males and 56 female applicants in various jobs offered during the activity.

“We are happy that there were job applicants who were instantly hired. Iloilo City is truly rich in human resources,” Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog said.

About 697 qualified applicants flocked the job fair held at Jaro covered gym.

Forty-nine local agencies and 16 companies for employment abroad participated in the event.

The job fair coincided with the birthday of the mayor, who made it a point to have a service-oriented activity as part of the celebration.

Korean stars perform for Iloilo’s Home for the Aged, city projects

(PNA), HBC/AJP/PGL/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept 20 (PNA) -- Korean stars and top models are in Iloilo to perform before Ilonggos during the 1st KPOP Fashion Concert.

This is one of the activities lined up for the 1st Korean-Ilonggo Friendship Festival that kicked off here Monday.

Jane Javellana, the event organizer, said it’s the first time these models and artists are performing in the Philippines.

Portion of the proceeds of the first fashion concert will go to Iloilo’s Home for the Aged or the Asilo de Molo, which is taking care of the elderly who no longer have families to live with.

Some will be allotted for projects that the Iloilo Korean United Community Association Inc is doing in this city.

The KPOP concert is a fashion show and concert in one featuring Korean dresses and songs.

It will be held Friday evening at the gymnasium of the Central Philippine University here.

The performers composed of all-girl band Karin, Step Girl and six selected models arrived in Iloilo City Wednesday for engagements prior to the concert.

In addition to the fashion concert they are also expected to open the Korean exhibit at the SM City showcasing their culture on Friday.

Korean dishes are also on display during the Korean-Ilonggo Friendship Food Festival along Delgado Street.

In a press conference Thursday, the models said that they found Ilonggos to be kind while the environment here is also similar to Korea's.

Working drainage systems contain flooding in Iloilo City - Mayor Mabilog

(PNA), LAP/AJP/LMSINAY/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 19 (PNA) -- Despite the heavy downpour that flooded some metro streets over the weekend, this city is still better off compared to Metro Manila because it has functioning drainage systems that have kept flooding to a minimum, Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog said.

“Water was up to the knees at its deepest in the city, but parts of Metro Manila were inundated with waist- to neck-deep floods. They even have to use boats to move around. Iloilo City was spared from great flooding because our drainage systems worked,” the mayor stated.

The latest data from the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) for calendar year 2010-2012 showed a total of 68 drainage system projects from various funding sources were completed, while 28 are ongoing to date, not to mention others that are still up for bidding or are yet to be implemented.

Reports reaching the executive office showed 125 millimeters of rain poured in the city on September 15, more than the 15-millimeter rain gauge for a normal downpour. Weather experts said the volume of rain that fell on the city on September 15 was equivalent to 50 years of rainfall.

Mabilog said it was also unfortunate the downpour, aggravated by a 1.6-meter high tide, was the heaviest the city experienced in 30 years. The last time such a heavy rainfall occurred was during Typhoon Undang in 1984.

“Although the rain was even heavier than that unleashed by Typhoon Frank in 2008, flooding now wasn’t as deep and as extensive,” he stressed.

The downpour caused waters to rise in La Paz, Lapuz, City Proper and Molo, but did not flood the other districts.

The water also receded quickly after the rains stopped.

Mabilog was with City Social Welfare and Development Office and the CEO attending to the needs of families in flooded areas of the metropolis from September 15 to 16.

IBC, REID train LGUs on identifying convergence projects to boost tourism

(PNA), FFC/AJP/PGL/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 18 (PNA) -- Local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo province will be trained on how to prioritize infrastructure support projects that will boost the tourism potential of their respective locality.

The training, slated on Sept. 21, will focus on the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program Criteria (TRIPC) that is being used as a tool to determine priority projects under the convergence program of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Lea Lara, executive director of the Iloilo Business Club (IBC), said that they will be assisted by the Research Education and Institutional Development (REID) Foundation, Inc. during the training. REID Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization that also supported the IBC in firming up priority projects in Iloilo City and selected destinations in Panay Island.

The activity, according to Lara, is very timely because soon LGUs will be discussing their projects for possible funding during the 2014 budget call.

She said that once the LGUs are familiar with the TRIPC, they would be able to make proposals that are responsive to the standard being pushed under the convergence.

Likewise during the activity, Lara said that they will determine a tourism circuit for Iloilo province. Recently, the Iloilo Provincial Investment Board headed by board member Jett Rojas also visited various destinations that can be part of the circuit.

Lara said during the training, they will present before Iloilo City lone district Rep. Jerry P. Treñas the tourism circuit that they propose for the city.

10 more Iloilo City streets now national roads

(PNA), LAP/LMSINAY/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 17 (PNA) -- Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog welcomed the recent approval of Congress of bills converting 10 city roads into national roads as filed by Lone District Rep. Jerry P. Treñas.

“We are optimistic that these roads will be properly maintained and improved for the ease and convenience of the public now that the national government has taken charge of their upkeep.” he said.

Mabilog also said the work of the national government will complement the city’s projects towards better road conditions.

The 10 bills filed by Treñas were included in the second batch of road conversion bills approved by the House of Representatives for Iloilo City.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways is obligated to maintain and rehabilitate all national roads in the country. Hence, the national government can provide the appropriate funding for these streets after being converted into national roads in order to ensure the proper maintenance of these Iloilo City roads,” Treñas stated.

The new national roads are: Mabini St.; Iznart to Rizal St.; Fuentes St.; Valeria St.; Gen. Luna to Jalandoni St.; and Quezon St. in City Proper; Arguelles St., Democracia St. and Cuartero St. in Jaro; and Loboc to La Granja road in La Paz.

Congress earlier approved the conversion of 16 city streets to national roads, namely, Rizal St., Sto. Rosario-Duran, Delgado St., Jalandoni St. in City Proper; San Rafael Road to Tabucan road in Mandurriao; Timawa Avenue and Molo Boulevard in Molo; Jereos St. in La Paz; Cubay road to Balabago road, Tacas road from Quintin Salas, Jaro to Pavia boundary, Rizal St. in Jaro; Loboc road to PPA; Yulo Drive, Arevalo-So-oc Mandurriao road (Gloryville to So-oc), Bonifacio Drive in Arevalo; and the whole stretch from Carpenter’s Bridge to Diversion Road, and from Jalandoni Bridge to Forbes Bridge known as the Efrain B. Treñas Boulevard.

Clonal facilities to strengthen ‘greening’ program

(PN)

ILOILO – In line with the implementation of Executive Order No. 23 (National Greening Program or NGP), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) plans to establish more three clonal facilities.

“Clonal nurseries will play a big role in the fulfillment of the NGP,” said DENR Region 6 Executive Director Julian Amador.

The establishment of these environmental amenities will answer the needs of the country’s prime reforestation project that seeks a greener country.

In Western Visayas, there are currently three clonal facilities situated in three provinces — Iloilo (Barotac Nuevo town), Aklan (Jawili, Tangalan) and Negros Occidental (Alangilan, Bacolod City).

DENR-6 targets to reforest 12,084 hectares of open, denuded and degraded areas this year.

Its three clonal nurseries will optimize seedling production of various indigenous trees that are difficult to nurture if produced thru the conventional method.

Seedlings cultivated in clonal nurseries are of better quality compared to any other trees because of its unique growth process as they were derived from quality mother trees, said Amador.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said this is the first time in the history of the Philippines that the government had ordered a sustainable campaign to restore the integrity of the forest.

He added that by planting trees, soil erosions can be prevented, watersheds can be protected and carbon dioxide can be impounded.

With strict implementation, the NGP will not only be an environmental program to take the edge off the impact of climate change but will also strengthen the food security and alleviation program of the Aquino Administration.

NGP mandates all government employees, elected officials and students to participate in the government’s greening program that aims to plant 1.5 billion trees to an approximate area of 1.5 million hectares within a period of six years, from 2011 until 2016.

With esplanade comes a new Iloilo River experience

By Nestor P. Burgos Jr. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

THE NEWLY opened Iloilo River Esplanade seeks to become a tourist attraction and a haven for joggers and walkers. Jessie Eloja General/Contributor

ILOILO CITY—It’s Iloilo City’s latest fun place, where people can jog, walk, hold a picnic or just enjoy the scenery.

The 1.2-kilometer Iloilo River Esplanade was formally opened on Aug. 19 as part of efforts to rehabilitate and bring back the Iloilo River’s historic past. Thousands of people attended the event.

Built at a cost of P58.7 million, the esplanade stretches from Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue to Carpenter’s Bridge in Mandurriao District. It is intended as a recreational space for walking, jogging, open-air dining and venue for river water sports.

The area is closed to vehicular traffic to encourage runners to experience the scenic river, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog says.

Two more similar projects are being planned to further develop the river.

Drilon funds

Sen. Franklin Drilon, who attended the opening of Iloilo River Esplanade, says he will allot around P40 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund for the construction of a 750-meter esplanade on the opposite of the first one. The project is expected to start within the year.

The third esplanade is being planned from Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue to Barangay Nabitasan in La Paz District, which will cost around P80 million, according to Mabilog.

The projects will also involve the relocation of settlers along the banks and removing river obstructions, he says. Some 53,000 people live along the banks.

Dredgers will be permanently deployed at Iloilo River starting September to remove the silt.

Main tributary

The 15-km Iloilo River is the city’s main tributary, passing through 35 of its 180 barangays. It serves as a source of livelihood for fisherfolk and a habitat and nursery for many fish species. It is home to 22 of the country’s 35 mangrove species.

Historians have cited the key role of the river especially in commerce and shipping even before the Spaniards came.

The waterway has declined over the past decades due to illegal structures built along the banks, reclamation, congestion at the Iloilo wharf, overfishing and water pollution.

The esplanades are expected to turn the river into a tourist attraction and complement other attractions and historic sites, says Helen Catalbas, tourism director for Western Visayas.

A bill declaring several landmarks in Iloilo City as legislated tourist sites has been approved by the House of Representatives.

House Bill No. 5495, authored by Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas, was approved on third and final reading on July 31 and transmitted to the Senate on Aug. 6. It seeks to declare Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, Iloilo City Central Business District, Fort San Pedro, Jaro Plaza Complex, Molo Plaza Complex and Plaza Libertad Complex as heritage and tourist spots.

The measure mandates the Department of Tourism, in coordination with the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and other agencies, to prepare a development and maintenance plan for the areas and ensure their preservation.

Iloilo City’s historical plaza to undergo renovation

(PNA), LAP/AJP/LCPENDON/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 14 (PNA) -- The city government here is preparing to renovate another of its historic plaza, the Plaza Libertad, where the Philippine flag was raised upon the surrender of Spanish forces to revolutionaries way back 1898.

On Friday, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of this southern city and city lone district congressman Jerry P. Treñas signed the final design and plan for the rehabilitation and renovation of this plaza.

The signed design and plan will be forwarded to the national office of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) which will undertake the bidding before the end of 2011.

A letter to Treñas dated September 13, 2012 from Engr. Nestor Domalanta, TIEZA officer-in-charge of physical planning department, showed the interest and willingness of TIEZA to fund the renovation of the plaza.

Renovation of Plaza Libertad fronting the new city hall building here will be funded with P5 million by TIEZA in preserving the historical and cultural value of the plaza. At the same time, the plaza will be developed into a tourism attraction and place for fun for visitors and city residents.

The city government, on the other hand, will fund the construction of a dancing fountain and skating rink at the western side of Plaza Libertad.

Mabilog said the dancing fountain project will be the counterpart of his administration in the total renovation and beautification of the plaza.

The plaza's rich contribution to the country's rich history was recognized by the National Historical Institute in 1996.

Sen. Estrada commits P300T seed capital for city's urban poor cooperative

(PNA), FFC/AJP/PGL/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 13 (PNA) -- Senator Jinggoy Estrada committed P300,000 as seed capital for the Homeowners Association Savers and Builders Cooperative, which is composed of urban poor associations in this city.

Estrada was the guest of honor during the second annual general assembly of the association Thursday facilitated by the office of Councilor Joshua Alim, the author of the ordinance that created the Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (ICUPAO), which now looks after the welfare of the identified sector.

Estrada said that the fund will be made available before the end of the year.

Emmanuel Solis Jr , president of the COOP NATCO party-list, also assured support to the cooperative.

Iloilo City wins ‘Gawad Pamana ng Lahi’ anew

(PNA), LAM/AJP/LMSINAY/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 12 (PNA) -– This city notched another accomplishment when it won anew the prestigious Gawad Pamana ng Lahi award of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), besting other local government units in Western Visayas in the city category this year.

Iloilo City won it over the cities of San Carlos and Sagay, both from the province of Negros Occidental, which placed second and third, respectively.

“This is a result of the award process – from the Local Governance Performance Management System Overall Performance Index (LGPMS-OPI), innovations and awards validation to the conduct of the Anti-Red Tape Act Report Card Survey (ARTA-RCS), to the Seal of Good House Keeping (SGH) and ARTA-RCS result validation,” said DILG regional director Evelyn Trompeta in her letter to Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog informing him of Iloilo City’s win.

DILG city director, Atty. Ferdinand Panes, said Iloilo City rated high in different performance indicators especially in the ARTA-RCS, from mere acceptable last year to excellent this year with a point score of 93.7.

“The city was almost perfect even in the Seal of Good House Keeping validation. The validating team was very appreciative and satisfied of the results of the survey conducted in the frontline services,” he added.

Big contributors also were the recognitions received by the city both nationally and internationally, as well as the innovative programs and projects implemented.

“This award is a clear manifestation of the good governance we are espousing in Iloilo City, one that is based on transparency and accountability and always placing importance on the welfare of every Ilonggo,” Mabilog said.

With the back-to-back win, Iloilo City automatically qualifies for the Gawad National Award next year.

DOTC’s P200M park to complement city’s ferry terminal project

(PNA), LDV/AJP/PGL/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 11 (PNA) -- The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) will finance the construction of the park component of the Guimaras-Iloilo Ferry Terminal (GIFT) project of the city government here.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog disclosed that the DOTC has allotted P200 million for the project. Initial plan was presented during one of the meetings of the Iloilo River Development Council (IRDC) here.

“I would like to thank former DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas for that,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mabilog disclosed that the construction of the terminal project was already bidded out.

The winning design, however, will be open to anyone who would like to have it challenged within the prescribed period.

The GIFT project will be built using the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. The project will rise at the 1.3-hectare Fort San Pedro area which is owned by the city government.

The project includes a modern passenger terminal building with amenities, mini-marina and berthing system for pumpboats, eco-mini park and amphitheater.

News feature: Ilonggo students want more info on eco-tourism, survey says

By Elsa S. Subong (JCM/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Sept 10 (PIA) -- It is not the lack of interest but lack of awareness and information on eco-tourism sites that prevent young people from engaging in eco-tourism trips in their communities.

Some 400 students from the public and private schools participated in a survey on “Assessing Eco-Tourism Potential: A domestic Market Profile of Students in Iloilo City, conducted by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI).

The survey showed that about 90 percent of the students said they were willing to learn more about eco-tourism, as they considered eco-tourism to be significantly important for the future of Iloilo City, CUI-Iloilo Project Manager Benjamin Luz said.

Their preferred way of learning more about eco-tourism is through a day tour, 82 percent; from the Internet, 60 percent and from school lectures, 53 percent.

Only 37 percent of the respondents said they have experienced eco-tourism trips, such as trekking, tree planting activities, swimming and snorkeling, island hopping, caving, zip line and others.

More than half of the respondents or 56 percent said Ilonggos in general appreciate the potentials of eco-tourism in Iloilo, but this is affected to some extent by limited marketing and promotional activities.

The survey revealed that close to half of the respondents said there were no information at all while 40 percent said there were no suitable eco-tourism sites in the area.

The survey also showed that more than half of the respondents or 56 percent said there was limited accessibility to eco-tourism areas, while half of them said Ilonggos were not environmentally conscious at all.

Noteworthy in their preferences for gaining information was that respondents from the public schools or 90 percent said they tend to get information from friends and family and from traditional sources such as brochures available in transportation terminals.

Meanwhile, respondents from the private schools were more diverse in their sources, to include Internet and media, travel magazines and have more access to technology because they have the means to do so.

CUI intern Fil-Canadian Michael Esteras, who conducted the study together with the CUI-Philippines Team, said the survey intended to create a market profile for a domestic market in Iloilo City, as well as identify the potential for eco-tourism in Maasin, Cabatuan, Leon and Alimodian.

The CUI said that targeting schools as potential clients for ecotourism tours in the province will not only make them aware of the existence of such sites, but help the local communities earn a living, as schools have the captive population for eco-tourism trips.

CUI added that the survey served as primary research for a more comprehensive market research regarding competition, current and future trends in the tourism industry.

The survey, among others also aimed to determine the respondents’ definition of eco-tourism, expectations in a tourism resort, nature, frequency and average length of trips and vacations, and their preferred mode of transport, payment and basic facilities in a resort.

Private firms, gov’t agency get BSP nod

(PIA-6/PN)

ILOILO City – Two private firms and one government agency in Western Visayas were awarded by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) with the “Ambition” trophy for their exemplary support to the bank’s statistical undertakings, information needs and advocacy programs.

Monetary Board (MB) member Armando Suratos led in handing out the award during the recent 2012 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for BSP Stakeholders at Days Hotel-Iloilo here.

Waffle Time, Inc. was cited as “Outstanding Respondent among Large and Medium Firms for the Business Expectations Survey (BES).”

7 Stones Boracay Suites was hailed as “Outstanding Respondent among Small Firms for the BES.”

On the other hand, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) Negros Occidental Provincial Operations Center was recognized for “Information Sources for the Report on Regional Economic Developments.”

Waffle Time and 7 Stones Boracay Suites gave regular, complete and timely responses to BSP’s survey that provides the bank with advance information on the current and near-term economic and business conditions such as interest rates, inflation and exchange rates expectations.

BAS Negros Occidental provided BSP with exemplary information support which allows the bank to better monitor and assess developments in its operating environment as well as helps it make well-informed monetary policy decisions as it carries out its mandate of price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable economic growth.

The “Amibition” is a sculptural work in bonded marble showing human figures helping each other to push upwards and lift blocks that form the acronym “BSP”, which conveys the strong and committed partnership of the BSP and its stakeholders in fulfilling the role of the bank as the country’s monetary authority.

Each piece has been especially molded and crafted by multi-awarded sculptor Juan Sajid Imao.

BSP stakeholders from the National Capital Region and six other regions in the country were earlier recognized during the awards ceremony held in their respective areas since July of this year. Similar activities will be conducted through this month.

The BSP award has other categories aside from the BES and Information Sources. It is done by BSP to coincide with its annual anniversary celebration which has for its theme this year, “Shared Goals, Shared Responsibilities and Valued Partnerships.”

Pagasa top official leads new Iloilo weather station groundbreaking

By Lilibeth A. French (JSC/LAF/PIA 6-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Sept 8 (PIA) -- Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Administrator Dr. Nathaniel Servando yesterday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new weather station and doppler radar station in this city to upgrade the government’s weather monitoring system in Western Visayas.

Servando said the Iloilo Weather Radar Station will be a vital infrastructure in support of disaster risk reduction not only for the province of Iloilo but for the whole region of Western Visayas.

“This is a very timely and significant occasion as recent extreme weather and climate events demonstrated to us the need for a strong disaster preparedness,” said Servando during the groundbreaking ceremony held at the Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-WESVIARC) in Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro here.

The new facility will be constructed on a vacant lot donated by DA WESVIARC in their compound. It will be equipped with new weather monitoring facilities that include automatic weather stations, brand new basic meteorological equipment, a robust communication system and state-of-the-art Doppler radar station that nwill provide reliable, real time information for monitoring severe weather system, thunderstorms and heavy rains.

The equipment will also complement existing monitoring systems such as the 12 automated weather stations, 13 automated rain gauges and three water level sensors installed in different areas in the region. It will also be eventually integrated into Project NOAH of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which will be accessed real-time online.

Servando said the Iloilo Radar including the new weather station estimated at about P110 million will be funded under the Disbursement Acceleration Program of the national government to enhance the Doppler radar network for national weather watch, accurate forecasting, and early warning. It is expected to be completed by mid-2013.

Pagasa already has seven operational radars nationwide and two more located at Tampakan and Aparri which will be operationalized in the coming months.

Sevando said once completed, the seven-storey Iloilo weather station will also be a significant infrastructure to boost science tourism in the city.

“Aside from providing real-time weather information, like our radar stations in Tagaytay, Catanduanes and Cebu, the Iloilo facility will be a favorite visiting place for students and even ordinary citizens,” said Servando.

The Iloilo Weather Station will replace the old weather station that was formerly located at the Old Airport in Mandurriao and temporarily transferred to the Iloilo Sports Complex but was also closed later.

Also present at the ceremony were Iloilo City Congressman Jerry Trenas, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Executive Assistant to the Mayor atty. Eduardo Penaredondo, DOST 6 Director Rowen Gelonga and Department of Agriculture APCO Ruperto Deylusong.

Iloilo City braces for 5 tourism development sites

(PNA), FFC/AJP/LCP/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 7 (PNA) -- The city government is seriously planning to pursue the development of five sites here as tourism development areas (TDAs) as soon as Congress approves the sites to get funding from the Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA).

City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said that development works have already started in the five TDAs and are just waiting for Senate concurrence so that funds will be available for their conversion as important tourist attractions in the city.

On the other hand, a five-year tourism development plan of the city was completed by the Research, Education and Institutional Development Foundation (REID) and the Iloilo Business Club (IBC) to strengthen Iloilo City as an important tourism destination in the country. This is seen to enhance the cultural and heritage tourism experience through city tours anchored on the Iloilo River.

City tourism officer Benito Jimena said the Tourism Action Program for Iloilo City (TAPIC) is a blueprint for city tourism development from 2012 to 2016. The study was funded by The Asia Foundation and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an initiative under the Partnership for Better Infrastructure and Tourism Development Project.

The city tour circuits cover Molo, La Paz and the city proper with two river zones to complement the program. These are Iloilo River Zone I along the Muelle Loney and Iloilo River Zone II along La Paz district.

Mabilog said the five TDAs are the historic Fort San Pedro which is currently under rehabilitation by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Plaza Libertad fronting the new cityhall building, Calle Real or the central business district (CBD) starting with façade rehabilitation of some old heritage commercial buildings, Jaro Plaza and Molo Plaza.

Rehabilitation of the Molo Plaza was recently completed. The rehabilitation of Plaza Libertad and the Jaro Plaza will soon follow. The rehabilitation of three heritage commercial buildings at the CBD such as the Serafin Villanueva and Eusebio Villanueva buildings were completed while the Javellana building will also soon follow.

Literacy Conference to reel off Sept. 18-20

(Deped/PIA6)

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 6 -- The Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) will hold the 2012 National Literacy Conference and awards on September 18 – 20 at the Benitez Hall, Teachers Camp, Baguio City.

The event is in cooperation and coordination with other government organizations (GOs) local government units (LGUs), private organizations (POs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) with the theme of the National Literacy Conference is Literacy for Life and a Sustainable Future: Learning Together for the 21st Century in line with this priority agenda of the UNLO.

Expected to attend the three-day gathering are officials of the Department of Education and its bureaus, Officials of government agencies with extension programs involving literacy or continuing education, NGOS, civil society organizations, LGUS, private corporations with interest in literacy and heads of educational institutions.

A highlight of the seminar will be the awarding of the five winners of the Outstanding Implementers of the National Literacy Programs /Prcjects. These winners are selected from the LGUs (Highly Urbanized City, Independent Component and Component City, Municipal Level Class A and Municipal Level Class B) for their exemplary accomplishments in literacy development through their programs and projects.

The Conference and Awards aim to: share good practices in universalization of literacy programs and in reaching out to the unreached and marginalized members of the community; discuss innovations and practices in promoting literacy for sustainable development; promote peace concepts and good models of conflict-resolution; disaster management and climate change; and recognize the best practices for implementing literacy programs or projects that alleviate poverty, provide livelihood, address welfare needs, promote freedom and make education facilities accessible.

36 exhibitors showcase best local Ilonggo products

(LCP/Sunnex)

THIRTY-SIX Ilonggo exhibitors joined the 7th Tumandok Iloilo Product Expo, which started on September 3 and will end on September 8, at the Robinsons Place, Iloilo City.

The expo features micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and one-town one-product (Otop) of 21 Iloilo municipalities.

Wilhelm Malones, Iloilo director of the Department of Trade and Industry, said the exhibits feature the best and finest products of Iloilo by displaying the texture, color, aroma and flavor of Ilonggo products in a matching market encounter with buyers and Ilonggo consumers.

He said the showcase also boasts the tourism prospects of Iloilo and Project Zero, a waste recycling venture that produces bags for women and the whole family made of discarded materials such as used tarpaulins and other local products.

Joel Adrias, president of Injap Foundation and member of the Board of Trustees of the Iloilo City Community College, gave an inspirational message during the expo opening.

In his message, Adrias said the growing MSME in Iloilo is creating a business environment to attract employers to set up businesses in the city.

He challenged prospective enterprises to locate in Iloilo, saying the city is ripe for business.

On exhibits are gifts and housewares, bamboo crafts, herbal products, soaps and lotion, dried fish and squid rings, ginger tea, vine craft, recycled bags, abaca craft, loom weaves, delicacies, terra cotta, and mango and pineapple products, among others.

1st Korean-Ilonggo Friendship Festival to showcase fusion of Ilonggo and Korean culture

(PNA), LAM/AJP/PGLENA/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept 4 (PNA) -- A presentation on how the way of life of Ilonggos has been immersed with the Korean culture will be featured in the week-long celebration of the 1st Korean-Ilonggo Friendship Festival this Sept 17-22.

The event is the first of its kind in the Philippines and Moon Dae Jin (Tiger Moon), president of Metro Korea and the vice-president of the Iloilo Korea United Community Association Inc., said they decided to hold it in this city.

Tiger Moon credited the birth of the festival to Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog who talked about the possibility of holding such event.

Event organizer Jane Javellana said the occasion will make Koreans feel that they are much welcome in Iloilo. The friendship, she said, started when the Koreans invested and put up businesses in this city.

Benito Jimena, City Tourism and Development Officer, said that the city government has long been planning to organize an event that would strengthen the friendship between Ilonggos and Koreans.

“We believe that a festival like this would make everybody aware of the presence of our Korean friends,” he said, citing the event as a “cross-cutting of cultural fusion of Koreans and Ilonggos.”

During the festival, the organizer will bring in artists and top models from Korea to perform before Ilonggo and Korean audiences. Invited were the Step Girl and Karin groups with the special participation the XLR8, the Philippines’ Finest PPOP Group.

They will also host mall exhibits and fashion shows to showcase the culture, places and dresses of Korea.

The week-long exhibit starting Sept. 21 will be mounted at the SM City while the festival concert will be held at the Central Philippine University (CPU) gym in the evening of the opening day.

The food festival on Sept. 22 at Delgado Street in the city proper will offer Korean and Ilonggo cuisines.

Tiger Moon added they are campaigning for more Koreans come here and the festival would surely entice more of their compatriots to visit Iloilo.

Jimena disclosed that Koreans are the city’s top foreign visitors based on statistics gathered from hotels.

There are around 3, 000 Koreans in this city, about 70 percent of them students.

Tourism officer-in-charge for Western Visayas, Atty. Helen Catalbas lauded the endeavor that is expected to raise our tourism statistics and tourism receipts.

She pointed out that there are 10 million Koreans going abroad every year and the Philippines is only getting one million share.

Most citizen-friendly police station, model PNP families awarded

By Edson J. Banares (JCM/EJB-PIA6)

ILOILO CITY, Sept 3 (PIA) -- The 18th National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) celebration in Western Visayas kicked off with the awarding of the Most Citizen-Friendly (MCF) Police Station (PS) and Model Philippine National Police (PNP) Families during the opening ceremonies on September 3 at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.

The Jaro Police Station in Iloilo City headed by PCInsp. Gilbert Gorero bagged the Most Citizen-Friendly Police Station award for the city category while Cabatuan PS headed by PSInp. Alejandro Apostol Jr. was named as the Most Citizen-Friendly Police Station in the municipal category.

Each of the top police station received a plaque; P15,000 cash; and a five-foot tall MCF icon.

San Carlos City Police Station and Silay City Police Station were declared second and third placers, respectively, in the city category while the Kalibo Police Station placed second and Jamindan Police Station won the third spot in the municipal category.

PSupt. Nilda A. Rapiz of the PNP-Police Regional Office (PRO-6) Regional Personnel and Human Resource Development Division was declared as winner in the Model PNP Families-family category while SPO1 Ana Baganes of the Mandurriao Police Station won in the solo parent category.

SPO1 Baganes is also one of the national awardees in the 2012 Model PNP Families Search.

PNP-PRO6 Regional Director PCSupt. Agrimero A. Cruz Jr., who was guest speaker during the opening ceremonies, encouraged the community to do their share in preventing crimes.

The opening and awarding ceremonies followed the foot parade that was held through the major thoroughfare of the city from the Iloilo Provincial Capitol to the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.

National Police Commission (Napolcom) Regional Director Marte S. Palomar also gave a message during the program.

NCPW is observed annually every first week of September by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 461.

Strengthening PPP To Boost Iloilo

By TARA YAP

ILOILO CITY — City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has posed a challenge in strengthening public-private partnership (PPP) to further boost the socio-economic development of this city.

“It was a fitting moment to renew our covenant as Ilonggos to make this city more progressive,” Mabilog said during the recent 75th Charter Day celebration of the city.

“We have to revitalize our commitment to our people with genuine sense of responsibility that could give basic quality of services to every Ilonggo,” Mabilog added.

One of the sidelights of the weeklong celebration was the turning over of the 2011 Seal of Good Housekeeping Award.

Given by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), this city was awarded for its excellent performance in “key governance areas of planning, fiscal management, transparency and accountability and valuing performance monitoring.”

The award was signed by the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Mabilog also noted that the city was recently named by the DILG as one of the top three local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas.

Mabilog emphasized that the fruitful socio-economic developments could not have been possible if not for a strong PPP.

He cited the P70-million Iloilo Esplanade project of Senator Franklin Drilon, and the P25-million Iloilo City Community College (ICCC) donated by Mang Inasal founder Edgar “Injap” Sia II that has changed not only the landscape of the city, but can bring development.

For their contributions, Drilon and Sia were feted with the Golden Salakot Award.

Other awardees include media magnate and Bombo Radyo Philippines founder Rogelio Florete Sr., contractor and philanthropist Jose “Pepe” Layson, businessman Felix Tiu, and City Councilor Perla Zulueta.

18th Nat’l Crime Prevention Week to focus on citizen empowerment

By Lilibeth A. French (JCM/LAF-PIA6)

ILOILO CITY, Sept 1 (PIA) -- The 18th National Crime Prevention Week celebration in this city will open on Monday, September 3, which focuses in strengthening and empowering citizens against crime victimization and enlisting their involvement in government’s crime prevention programs geared towards creating safer communities.

The opening activities on September 3 will start with a Thanksgiving Mass at 7:30 a.m. at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol followed by a Foot Parade going to the Freedom Grandstand for the opening ceremonies.

The activities will be participated in by schools, non-government organizations and government agencies, particularly the Department of Interior and Local Government and its attached agencies.

The announcement of winners for the Most Citizen-Friendly Police Station and Search for Philippine National Police Model Families in the region will highlight the opening ceremonies with PCSupt. Agrimero A. Cruz Jr., the new police regional office-6 director, as guest speaker.

Other activities for the week-long celebration are “Forum on Pito Laban sa Krimen” on September 4; Awareness Drive on Crime and Drug Abuse Prevention, September 5 at the Pototan Comprehensive High School; and Simultaneous Ugnayan/ Talakayan with the Inmates at Iloilo City Female Dorm, Ungka Male Dorm and Pototan District Jail, September 6.

Contests such as quiz show, essay writing, oration and poster-making will also be held on September 6 at Robinson’s Place Iloilo City as part of the advocacy to promote crime prevention among young people.

The week-long celebration with the theme, “Sa Crime Prevention, May Magagawa Ako,” will be capped by a ceremony to be held at the Police Regional Office Multi-Purpose Hall in the afternoon of September 7.

Presidential Proclamation No. 461 declares the first week of September of every year as the National Crime Prevention Week in the country.

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