Iloilo City News February 2013

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Create Name's page

Regions | Philippine Provinces | Philippine Cities | Municipalities | Barangays | High School Reunions

Iloilo City - Archived News
Nophoto.gif
Seal of Iloilo City
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Iloilo City, Iloilo
Iloilo city map locator.png
Map Locator of Iloilo City
Iloilo-aerial.jpg
Aerial View of Iloilo City
Iloilo aerial01.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 molochurch.JPG
Molo Church, Iloilo City
Iloilo dinagyang festival.jpg
The Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog In Cebu and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan.

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.

Mabilog: High hopes for premier Iloilo

By Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said recently that the target of the city to become premier in the country by 2015 may come earlier in 2014 as the city embraces fast developments.

Mabilog made the assessment following the recent launching of a big road project amounting to P300 million, aside from the ongoing widening of the Jaro-Leganes road that costs P200 million.

Other development projects within the city are the ongoing construction of the roll-on-roll off and fast craft wharves near the mouth of the Iloilo River by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Mabilog said that soon to be constructed is the Iloilo ferry terminal for pump boats plying Iloilo and Guimaras by a public-private partnership, while the river wharf adjacent to the ferry terminal will also be constructed by DOTC.

Mabilog said Iloilo is now an excellent place to visit and his administration is out to regain the title of “Queen City of the South” as development projects continue unabated with the help of the city’s benefactor, Senator Franklin M. Drilon.

Mabilog said the government is also building a modern Iloilo Convention Center costing P450 million with funds from the priority development assistance fund of Drilon and from the Tourism Infrastructure Enhancement Zone Authority.

Among other projects include the modern Iloilo City Hall, city community college, city district health centers, city hospital annex at the Western Visayas Medical Center, city mangroves and bird sanctuary, the restoration and enhancement of heritage buildings at old Calle Real and the soon to be reconstructed city business district, he said.

Mabilog said the city projects are different from the national projects initiated by Drilon that include, among others, the almost P2 billion circumferential and radial roads, including five bridges, road widening in Jaro to Leganes and the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Development Project out to push the province of Iloilo as the top rice producer in the country by 2015.

Urban greening starts along the Iloilo River

(PNA), FFC/AJP/LCP/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 27 (PNA) -- The joint urban greening project of the city government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has started by planting Royal Palms along the Iloilo River in four segments of the river banks from Gaisano Iloilo to the Carpenters Bridge in Mandurriao district.

City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the Royal Palm trees will enhance the beauty of the riverbanks and provide shades in the area apart from the protection of the Iloilo River from erosion.

With a budget of P1.6 million for a duration of 90 days until March 26, 2013, the project was implemented by contractor DM Magsino Plant Nursery that includes digging, planting and guying.

Already completed is Segment I where 58 trees were planted in 580 meters length from Gaisano Iloilo to Jalandoni Bridge. Also completed is Segment 2 with 70 trees planted in 700 meters length from Jalandoni Bridge to West Diversion Bridge.

Ongoing is Segment 3 to be planted with 50 trees in 1,270 meters length along the West Diversion Bridge to Carpenters Bridge in modified spacing brought about by the presence of pipes along the planting site.

Segment 4 is at the Promenade area behind the provincial capitol with 70 trees with a length of 550 meters.

DOLE allots P21.042 M for SPES from Western Visayas

(PNA), FFC/AJP/PGL/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 26 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has allotted P21.042 million for those who will be employed under the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) for Western Visayas this year.

This year, the DOLE targets at least 8,443 youths for SPES.

SPES is a year-round program jointly implemented by the DOLE, local government units (LGUs) and the private sector that aims to assist less-fortunate students both secondary and tertiary pursue their education by providing them with employment.

Last year, DOLE has disbursed P17.87 million representing its 40 percent share in the salary of 8,680 students employed all over Western Visayas. The employer pays the remaining 60 percent of their salaries.

The number surpassed the DOLE target of 5,692 students.

DOLE 6 under regional director Ponciano M. Ligutom is now accepting job pledges from interested employers and applications from interested students through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of participating LGUs.

Students who will get qualified are those whose combined income of parents must not exceed the annual regional poverty threshold that is determined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Iloilo City vies for New7Wonders Cities

(PNA), JBP/AJP/JVF/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb, 25 (PNA) -- Iloilo City is now one of the aspiring New7Wonders Cities of the world.

The metropolis is among the seven Philippine urban centers included in Southeast Asia & Oceania group of cities qualified for the voting until Sept. 7. They are listed among 300 cities that made it to the qualification phase and vying for the Top 77.

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog encouraged Ilonggos to cooperate and work together to help achieve the vision of becoming a premier city by 2015.

The new campaign will become a catalyst for discussing everything from urban planning to metropolitan governance, from tourism to architecture amid mass urbanization worldwide, said Bernard Weber, founder and president of New 7 Wonders on its website www.n7w.com.

Ilonggo netizens, friends, fans and followers can know more about Iloilo City on its official website www.iloilocity.gov.ph, Facebook pages Iloilo City Government and Iloilo City for New7Wonders Cities, mayor's official fan page, and Twitter account iloilocitygov.

Online users can vote the seven cities they want to be included in the next shortlist.

They just have to check out http://www.new7wonders.com/cities/en and select Iloilo City and six other urban centers, enter the characters shown in the image, their email address, agree to the terms and conditions, and click submit to confirm their votes.

The shortlist of 28 official finalist candidates will be known Sept. 7 – Sept. 21. The finalist phases of Top 21, then Top 14 and down to final Top 7 are set Sept. 21 – July 7, 2014.

The official New7Wonders Cities voted by hundreds of millions of people from around the world will be announced July 7, 2014.

The New7Wonders Cities is the third campaign organized by N7W, following the man-made new wonders of the world and the new wonders of nature where the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) won.

Iloilo City dreams of ‘New Iloilo’ in the next 30 years

(PNA), LAP/AJP/PGLENA/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 24 (PNA) — Taking a cue from the development of Putrajaya, one of the cities in Malaysia, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is also eyeing the development of another center here that will become a “New Iloilo” in the next 30 years.

Mabilog said that with the expansion going on here, they might as well look for an area within the city that could accommodate government offices, private offices and corporations that will develop the area and later on make the place a “New Iloilo”.

The mayor said that Putrajaya has converted a palm tree plantation into a new government center, which is 30 years in the making.

The mayor is eyeing some 20 to 25 hectares somewhere the new circumferential or radial road. It will be developed based on the planning that will be crafted by the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO).

He admitted that businesses in the city are very much focused at the central business district (CBD) and at the San Rafael and old Airport in Mandurriao district.

He said that there is a need to scatter developments so that other communities could also benefit and not be left behind.

Among others he cited communities situated in villages of Lanit, Buntatala and Bito-on all in Jaro district as also deserving of development.

“There has to be a place called ‘New Iloilo’ where there is development and economic activity that is happening. With that it will provide more opportunities like business, investments and at the same time jobs and provide decent living for people around that area,” he underscored.

He admitted that it’s going to be a long-range planning but the city has to prepare. He added that it took Putrajaya even 30 years to be worked out.

“We should not be left behind in our plans. We have also long term plans. We should think 25 or 30 years ahead of what is going to happen to the city and we should start now,” he said.

Mabilog joined several department heads of the city government here who went to Malaysia last week to work on the business portfolio of this city.

Iloilo City can be ‘Singapore of the South,’ says environment advocate

By JV Fernandez [(PNA), CTB/AJP/JVFERNANDEZ/VLO]

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 22 (PNA) –The beautiful Iloilo River with the burgeoning developments along its riverbanks at the heart of the metropolis can transform Iloilo City into a Singapore-like urban center.

“I’ve never seen anything like this. The Iloilo River development plans will change Iloilo forever – it can be a new Singapore of the South – it’s amazing – it’s really good,” stressed environmental advocate Gina Lopez.

“Iloilo City will go up big time. Just like Singapore, the key to economy is the river. If all the developments are pushed, it will be different for life – that’s my confident projection,” Lopez said.

She credited the Iloilo River Development Council through the leadership of Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog and Senator Franklin Drilon for implementing initiatives and efforts for improvements of the waterway.

Lopez reiterated that everyone should be involved in the river conservation programs where the government, businesses, people, even students can actively participate and support developmental endeavors.

“If the river life comes up and the place is clean, Ilonggos can benefit from it so they should own the river and take care of it,” said Lopez.

As head of ABS-CBN Foundation’s Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP), Lopez wants to replicate the improvements for Pasig River rehabilitation.

Lopez has been credited for cleaning Estero de Paco, a 2.9-kilometer tributary of Pasig River located in the City of Manila, which serves as a template for rehabilitation of 47 other tributaries.

Lopez was amazed of the 1.2-kilometer Iloilo Esplanade which has become an attraction for Ilonggos and visitors to relax or enjoy public entertainment as well as promotes the grandeur of river.

The Iloilo River development boosts the city’s tourism industry as well as an avenue for social recreations in the metropolis with fast rising developments and home of famous historical landmarks.

PNoy to lead groundbreaking of P11.2-B Jalaur River Project

By Lilibeth A. French (LAF-PIA6)

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III will arrive here today for the groundbreaking of the Jalaur River Multi Purpose (JRMP) Project Stage II.

President Aquino is expected at around midmorning. He will proceed to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol where he will be welcomed by Senator Franklin Drilon, Governor Arthur Defensor, and former Governor Neil Tupas.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala will brief the President on the P11.212-billion JRMP project which is a priority irrigation project of the department at the Capitol.

The JRMP 2 is the first large-scale reservoir outside Luzon. It is expected to boost agricultural production, employment opportunities, electricity generation, and supply of potable water. It is also seen to stimulate the local tourism industry.

The project will be funded by an P8.951 billion loan from the Export Import Bank of Korea while the P2.261 billion will be provided as a counterpart fund by the Philippine government.

After the activity at the Capitol, the President will join LP senatorial candidates at the Narciso Monfort Gym in Dumangas. He is also expected in Pavia after his Dumangas sortie.

The President is also expected to deliver messages in his three scheduled engagements for the day.

TESDA, DSWD to launch Cash-for-Training Program on Feb. 22

(PNA), PDS/AJPETINGLAY/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 20 (PNA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will jointly hold the regional launching of the Cash-for-Training Program (CTP) on Friday at the Iloilo provincial capitol.

TESDA Iloilo Director Toni June Tamayo said the regional launching will be led by TESDA Regional Dir. Yolanda C. Porschwitz and DSWD Regional Dir. Evelyn B. Macapobre with the presence of Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. and some other local officials.

The CTP will benefit 1,400 youth from Iloilo City and province who will each receive scholarship voucher amounting to P20,000 from the DSWD that identified the beneficiaries. The amount allocated would then cover the training cost, assessment fee, and tool kits of the beneficiaries.

“Tool kits or start up kits will be given to those CTP beneficiaries who plan to embark on entrepreneurial (project) after their training,” Tamayo said. He said that for those who opt to become wage earners or to seek employment they would not be given tool kits but the amount supposedly for the tool kits would be allocated for their daily allowances that would be a minimum of P60 per day.

The CTP beneficiaries could then choose from the TESDA menu of skills training such as the electrical installation and maintenance, masonry and plumbing, pipe fitting and plumbing.

The beneficiaries could then acquire their skills training from any of TESDA accredited training centers in Iloilo city and province. In Iloilo city, some of the centers are the TESDA Regional Training, Technical Institute of Iloilo City, and Professional Electronics Institute.

TESDA has also training centers in the municipalities in Iloilo province where the CTP beneficiaries could enroll.

University consortium to provide continuing education to LGU officials and employees

(PNA), PDS/AJP/PGLENA/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb 19 (PNA) -- A consortium of three universities and one state college has been formed in Western Visayas for the continuing education of local government officials and employees in the region.

The creation of the Western Visayas Local Governance Resource Consortium (WVLGRC) was initiated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) here with the support of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), according to Prof. Jigger Latoza, director of the Center for Research and Publication of the University of San Agustin (USA).

USA is one of the four learning institutions comprising the consortium to also include University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV), Central Philippine University (CPU) and the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WCST).

The consortium will offer three facilities to include capacity development, knowledge management and public information and advocacy.

Latoza said that each university will identify and spearhead an aspect of governance within their competency.

One prominent feature of the learning center is the creation of a website to have a virtual classroom as part of the capacity development facility.

“Many of them are busy with their work, they could not come to Iloilo City, which is the center of higher education and graduate education. What can be done is to create a virtual learning facility where experts upload learning materials and target students download those materials,” Latoza explained.

He added that the plan is for the consortium to come up with a ladderized program that would lead to students earning a certificate, diploma or master's degree. For a start it will just be non-formal education and short-term courses with no credits.

Further, a pool of experts from among faculty and practitioners will be established. Also there will be regular trainings and seminars that will be offered to enhance the capacity of target project recipients.

The consortium through its knowledge management facility also would like to document good practices of local government units for others to replicate.

“LGUS already have gained so much/rich experience; they can learn from each other,” Latoza said.

On the other hand, through the public information and advocacy they would like to promote citizenship education and engage citizenry to become part of the governance process.

“They should no longer depend on their government for services,” he opined and eventually reduce the “welfare state concept.”

Latoza said that they hoped to put the consortium in place by April prior the pull out of the funding agency.

Iloilo City searches for outstanding Ilonggas

(PNA), LAP/AJP/JVFERNANDEZ/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 18 (PNA) -- The Iloilo City Government is now searching for The Outstanding Women of Iloilo City (TOWIL) 2013 with nominations open until Feb. 28.

“Women play significant roles not just in their homes and families but also in nation-building and progress of society. Thus, we give honor to the valuable contributions of women in various fields of endeavor,” according to Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog.

The event in time with the celebration of Women’s Month in March aims to give due recognition to women who have manifested exemplary performance in their particular field of profession that significantly contributed to the city’s development.

The nominations shall be based on the women's achievements in their respective fields of expertise namely: judiciary; protective and security services; religion; professional services; academe and education; sports; arts and culture; math, science and technology; business, corporation and entrepreneurship; media, public information and journalism; NGO and civic organizations; social services and volunteerism; persons with disability; government service; and philanthropic works.

The City Hall’s Gender and Development Program together with City Council’s office of Committee on Women and Family Relations and city’s Gender and Development (GAD) Team are spearheading the search for outstanding Ilonggas.

P1-billion water investment starts up in Iloilo

By Lydia C. Pendon

A P1-BILLION investment on bulk water supply reeled on February 14 to augment the dwindling water supply shortage of the franchise area of Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD), especially in Iloilo City.

MIWD assured there will be no increases in water rate of P15.90 per cubic meter to end-consumers, nor fees to be collected for reconnection of 2,000 service connections.

MIWD general manager Pablo Bercilla said the water district contractor successfully commissioned its newly constructed water treatment plant in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo to produce 25,000 cubic meters per day of bulk water supply to its franchise area, with Iloilo City as biggest consumer and the rest of municipalities in the province.

Bercilla said the joint venture investments of Prime Water Ventures, Solerex Technologies Inc. and Marro Holdings Corp. offer a bid price of P9.45 per cubic meter at Injection Point 2 in Tacas, Jaro, Iloilo City.

The same consortium also offered P11.72 per cubic meter at Injection Point Number 3 located at the Leganes Elementary School in Leganes, Iloilo.

However, MIWD is currently delivering 10,000 cubic meters per day as it shut up the 15,000 cubic meters due to defective water pipes.

Bercilla admitted they are still correcting the defective pipes with leaks in Cari Mayor, Leganes; Buhang and Tacas in Jaro; and Pagsangaan and Anilao in Pavia.

More defective water pipes and leaks will soon be replaced, he said.

Meanwhile, Local Waterworks Utilities Administration (LWUA) chairman Rene Villa said the consortium is capable of producing some 100,000 cubic meters of bulk water per day that could deliver water to fully cover the water supply needs in Iloilo.

Villa said the 25,000 cubic meters of water per day is not an answer to the problems of water needs, adding the water district is currently serving 31,000 service connections but only 22,000 cubic meters are being served. With the entry of 25,000 cubic meters, the service area is expected to have enough water supply, he added.

It is expected that more demand for water will be created especially in Iloilo City, as more big corporations are eyeing the city as the next investment location in the country.

Highlights of Iloilo’s 41st Paraw Regatta Festival kick off

(PNA), LAM/PGLENA/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 16 (PNA) -- The two-day highlights of the 41st Iloilo Paraw Festival kicked off Saturday with more than 50 sailboats parading at the stretch of Villa Beach in Arevalo this city for the Slalom Race.

Slalom served as an added attraction to the main highlight on Sunday that would showcase sailboats racing in the more than 28-kilometer stretch of the Iloilo to Guimaras Strait.

It was aimed at enhancing the seamanship of the crew in handling and maneuvering the ‘Paraw’ under all wind conditions in a preset race course.

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog and Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation Inc. (IPRFI) chairman Manny Villa Jr. are expecting that this year’s sailing event would be more successful.

Paraw Regatta has become a symbol of Iloilo City even as the P450-million Iloilo Convention Center project architecture will incorporate in its design the sails of native outrigger boat showcasing the oldest sailing event in Asia, stressed Mabilog.

He also credited Villa for being instrumental in tourism and cultural promotions through the Paraw Regatta festival as well as in restoration of heritage buildings in Calle Real.

The City Hall extended P1.6-million budget while the Office of Cong. Jerry P. Treñas gave P300,000 cash assistance.

Paraw Regatta is touted as largest and longest-running traditional sailing event in Asia where colorful native outrigger boats navigate at least 20-kilometer race route in Iloilo Strait between the city and Guimaras Island.

Themed “Ilonggo Sailing Heritage: Vibrant & Strong!” the 2013 edition also featured special events including mini-paraw beach race, Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta pageant, variety show, miniature paraw sail-painting contest, photo exhibit, miniature paraw-making contest, seafood cooking competition, rowing and paddling, seafood festival, photo contest, torch parade,

Also Sinamba sa Paraw Regatta mardi gras competition, deep-sea fishing competition, skimboarding competition, jet ski competition, Paraw Slalom short distance race, rapid chess tournament, national Frisbee exhibition games, national invitational womens volleyball, beach concert and party, fireworks display, paraw sail-painting contest, and body painting contest.

Duty Free to open in Iloilo

(PNA), PDS/AJP/JVFERNANDEZ/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb 15 (PNA) -- Duty Free Philippines is eyeing to soon open in Iloilo.

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog said Friday that representatives of the Duty Free Phils confirmed their expansion here during a recent visit at the office of the city’s chief executive.

He noted the company is considering three sites: inside Iloilo Airport, at the Central Business District (CBD) in downtown Calle Real, or at the CBD in Mandurriao district and their plans are expected to be finalized in three-month time.

“The Duty Free opening will create convenience for travelers. It will also put Iloilo City stronger in a position to become a premier city by 2015,” Mabilog stressed.

“They (officials of Duty Free Philippines) were surprised to see Iloilo a progressive city in this part of the country,” the mayor said.

The Iloilo Airport now serving direct flights to and from Hong Kong and Singapore has prompted Duty Free Philippines to put up shop here which attracts balikbayans, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and tourists.

Mabilog, Treñas to count off regatta main competition

(PNA), PDS/AJP/LCPENDON/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb 14 (PNA)-- Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog here and city lone district Rep. Jerry P. Treñas will lead the grand take off and start of the sailboat competition on Sunday morning along the 23.8 kilometer race course of the Iloilo Strait.

Participated by more than 60 sail boats in category A and B, the Iloilo Paraw Regatta is considered as the biggest and grandest sail boat race in the whole Southeast Asia in terms of participation.

In the Philippines, the 41st Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival 2013 is celebrated starting the first week of February with main highlights on February 16 and 17 organized by the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation.

The main event will be augmented by side events such as the "pinta layag", photo contest, on-the-spot painting contest, rapid chess tournament, Sinamba sa Regatta mardi gras competition finals, beach volleyball, skimboarding, “pintawo”, deep sea fishing and awarding rites.

Iloilo bulk water project passes DOH standard

(PNA), PDS/AJP/MGCAOYONAN/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 13 (PNA) -- The bulk water project of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) is expected to be operational anytime this week after the water samples taken directly from its pipes passed the water quality standard set by the Department of Health (DOH).

“It means that the water is potable or safe for drinking”, confirmed by MIWD interim general manager Engr. Pablo Bercilla.

Bercilla said Tuesday he received the water quality results of contractor FloWater Resources from DOH’s accredited water analyzers based in Manila for chemical test and another bacteriological test in Bacolod City.

Bercilla, however, said he is still waiting other necessary documents to be submitted by the contractor particularly their permit to operate from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Pototan, Iloilo before they will be issued with a notice to operate.

“Anytime today pwede na mag start ang operation kasi all set na yong lahat (Everything is set and operation can start anytime today). I hope this will solve the present water crisis of Iloilo City and other neighboring towns in Iloilo”, he said.

FloWater Resources has contracted Injection Point No. 3 located in front of Leganes Elementary School up to Tacas in Jaro district in Iloilo City.

Bercilla said since the FloWater sample passed the DOH standard. He also assumed that all the laboratory tests of Prime Water Infrastructure Inc., a contractor of Injection Point No.2. will also pass since they have only one water source from the water treatment plant in Pototan, Iloilo.

He stressed that the submission of water sampling of Prime for laboratory test has encountered a delay due to problem with their pipes along Brgy. Buntatala, Leganes, Iloilo but this was already repaired.

Once operational, the bulk water will supply 25,000 cubic meters of water daily to the MIWD’s injection point that will supply more than 31,000 connections all over metropolis.

With this latest development, Bercilla hopes that more customers will trust them again targeting to reach more than 40, 000 connections by next year.

Iloilo City next ‘urban’ KALAHI-CIDSS beneficiary

(PNA), FPV/AJP/MGCAOYONAN/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 12 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD-6) is targeting Iloilo City as the next ‘urban’ beneficiary of Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program after having chosen Kabankalan City as its pioneer area.

DSWD-6 Asst. Director Joel Galicia said that the bases in choosing Iloilo City as the next target beneficiary are the existence of illegal settlers, street children, child labor, unemployed and those prone to disasters.

Apart from Iloilo City, Galicia said they are also considering the cities of Sagay, Bago, Himamaylan, all in Negros Occidental, and Roxas City in Capiz.

“Since we have almost completed the implementation of projects in rural communities, this time we will be extending support to urban areas”, he said.

Galicia said the proposed project will be identified by the Local Government Units (LGUs) with participation and consultation from the community.

“Project will be based on the priority needs of the community,” he said.

Meanwhile, the pioneer urban projects in the region were granted to Kabankalan City particularly its two villages-- Hilamonan and Binicuil.

KALAHI-CIDSS deputy regional project manager Leo Quintilla said Kabankalan City was chosen as a pioneer urban area because of higher poverty incidence with almost 33 percent in national poverty rate, and magnitude of the poor (highest number of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps beneficiaries), and characterized just like rural area because of issues on land tenure, disasters and inaccessibility to basic services.

The project manager added that they have completed the assessment of the areas as their start-up action and are waiting for the DSWD Central office order to proceed with the project early this year.

Quintilla said Kabankalan City is very willing to cooperate with them particularly on the implementation of the project and is very capable to give its counterpart. In fact, he stressed that the LGU has sent a letter of intent to accept the KALAHI-CIDSS program through the DSWD-6, which aims to empower the poor local communities, provide access to basic services as well as to make them participate in a more inclusive local governance.

In Region 6, the program has engaged 36 LGUs and more than 800 barangays in rural areas, empowered more than 16, 000 community volunteers, and provided more than 1.3 million grants to more than 1, 500 community sub-projects.

These projects include the construction of day care centers, school buildings, health stations, road improvements, water systems, and solar dryers.

Iloilo City constructs maternity hospital

(PNA), DSP/PGLENA/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb 11 (PNA) -- The city government here is working at strengthening its services to women of reproductive age and those who are experiencing difficult pregnancies with the construction of its Iloilo City Maternity and Reproductive Hospital in Lapaz district.

The center currently serves as a lying-in facility. It is temporarily housed at the Iloilo City Hospital at the compound of the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) meantime that the new reproductive hospital is being constructed.

Dra. Julie Baronda, center chief, said that once the construction is finished its lying-in status will be upgraded to be able to provide Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC). After a year they will apply with the Department of Health (DOH) for the hospital to offer a Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC).

Baronda said that the availability of CEmONC would be a big help in responding to cases of abnormal pregnancies and delude the cases at the regional hospital. Cases in the city will now be handled by the Iloilo City Maternity and Reproductive Hospital.

She explained that while BEmONC would cater only to basic obstetrics and newborn care, the CEmONC in addition has the capability for caesarian section.

Meanwhile, mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said that the new hospital is expected to be completed within six to eight months.

He also assured that there will be no problems on new equipment as he disclosed the plan to utilize the city’s share from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PagCor) for the needed facilities.

The Iloilo City Hospital will start to cater to medical case once the reproductive hospital is completed. The hospital is also being expanded to have an additional 22 beds from the existing 42-bed capacity.

DENR partners with LGUs for clean-up of waterways in Iloilo

(PNA), PDS/PR/PJN

QUEZON CITY, Feb. 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has provided around P5 million in fund assistance to the local government units of Iloilo City and Oton for the balling, removal, transplanting and pruning of mangroves and nipa clumps that impede the flow of water along Dungon creek and Batiano river, respectively.

DENR Region 6 (Western Visayas) Executive Director Adeluisa Siapno explained the mangroves to be removed would be balled to enhance their survival when transplanted. She also said her agency would be supervising the activity to ensure that only those that have been marked to be obstructing the flow of water shall be removed.

Siapno said that some P2.9 million have been provided by the DENR to the Iloilo City government for the balling, removal and transplanting of 1,666 mangrove trees and 630 nipa clumps along the stretch of Dungon creek, covering three barangays of Mandurriao, four barangays in Jaro, and Brgy. Magsaysay in Lapaz.

On the other hand, a total of P2.077 million has also been provided to the Oton municipal government by the DENR for the balling, removal, transplanting and pruning of 1,099 mangroves and 4,203 nipa clumps and other tree species situated in the town’s six barangays, namely Alegre, San Antonio, San Nicolas, Poblacion West, Poblacion North and Tagbac Sur, to enhance of water flow in Batiano river.

Siapno said the partnership forged by her agency with the LGUs of Iloilo City and Oton was in consonance with the thrust of DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje to engage other stakeholders in the protection and rehabilitation of the country’s environment and natural resources.

She also said the clearing of Dungon creek and Batiano river is part of the government effort to protect and rehabilitate the Iloilo River, and to address flooding resulting from the growing intensity of typhoons that visit the country due to climate change.

Two food fests slated in Iloilo City

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

ILOILO CITY, Feb 9 (PIA6) - - The Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association (IHRRA) has organized two food festivals next week in this city in line with the holding of the Iloilo Paraw Regatta 2013 and Chinese New Year.

IHRRA President Albert Ong said that for the first time, the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Seafood Festival will be held in the city proper particularly at Mapa St., fronting the Freedom Grandstand where some of the Paraw Regatta’s events will be held.

In previous years, the seafood festival was held in Villa Beach, the venue of the Paraw Regatta and where most of the restaurants offering Ilonggo seafood dishes can be found.

Ong said 15 members of the IHRRA will join the seafood festival which will open at 5 p.m. on February 12 and 13. The food fest will also usher in the Torch Parade at 6:30 p.m. and Sinamba sa Paraw Regatta Mardi Gras Competition at 8 p.m. on February 12 and Grand Coronation Night of Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival at 7 p.m. on February 13, all at the Freedom Grandstand.

Iznart Street will be the venue of an array of food booths offering sumptuous dishes by 28 hotels and restaurants in this city that will join the Chinese New Year Festival on February 14 and 15.

Ong said Ilonggo dishes will not only be available at the Chinese food festival but also Thai and Chinese cuisines. There will be Chinese food such as “tikoy” for sale.

According to Ong, a live band will also perform for two consecutive nights to entertain the crowd. On February 15, there will be a costume parade and cultural program participated in by the different Chinese schools and associations in the city and a fireworks display at 8 p.m.

Now, on its 11th year, Ong said the Chinese food festival continues to attract a lot of foodies and visitors made by local folks.

In a press statement, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the Iloilo City Public Information Office that the food festivals showcase the Ilonggos' gastronomic expertise and the delicious and mouth-watering cuisines that Iloilo City can offer to tourists and visitors. Currently, IHRRA has more than 60 members.

Iloilo renews services of 320 contractual teachers

(PNA), LAM/AJP/ECGARCIA/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 8 (PNA) -- Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. hailed the valuable services of the 320 Provincial School Board (PSB)-funded teachers in educating children especially in remote areas of the province as he renewed on Thursday their contract of service until June this year.

The PSB teachers gathered at the Capitol on Thursday for the briefing and orientation with Iloilo Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Myrna Castillo and Administrative Officer Ernesto Nordesta.

In his message, Defensor acknowledged the sacrifices of the PSB teachers in bringing quality education to children.

“We appreciate your work, you are just as good as the nationally paid teachers,” Defensor said.

The PSB teachers are usually deployed in primary and secondary schools located in the far-flung areas of the province.

The contractual teachers are being employed to help address the lack of teachers.

The PSB teachers receive P11,000 monthly salary with contracts renewable every six months. Some of these teachers have already been serving for more than 10 years.

The provincial government allotted P34 million in this year’s budget for the salaries of the contractual teachers.

Millions have also been allotted from PSB funds for the establishment and repair of classrooms and acquisition of educational materials and facilities.

Ilonggos enjoy “better quality of life”

(PIO)

ILOILO CITY -- People in Iloilo province enjoyed a better quality of life compared to those in other provinces in Western Visayas, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).

The 2009 Human Development Index (HDI) results released recently by the NSCB, showed that Iloilo ranked 1st among the six provinces of Western Visayas and 17th among the 80 provinces in the country with an HDI of 0.643.

NSCB-6 said all provinces of the region, except Aklan, were categorized under the medium HDI range.

The HDI is a composite index measuring achievements in three basic dimensions of human development, namely, to lead a long and healthy life, to acquire knowledge and to have access to the resources needed for a decent standard of living.

NSCB said a province can be classified under high HDI if the index is 0.800 and above, medium if index is within the range of 0.500-0799, and low if its index is below 0.500.

As per HDI component, Iloilo and Negros Occidental were classified into high-HDI group for Life Expectancy having indices of 0.829 and 0.814 respectively, while the rest of the provinces were at medium-HDI group.

Life expectancy at birth in Iloilo was at 72.4 years, the highest among the six provinces of Western Visayas.

Iloilo was also on the lead in Education Index posting the highest composite index of 0.906, followed by Aklan and Guimaras with indices of 0.887 and 0.809 respectively.

NSCB said that it was interesting to note that all provinces of Western Visayas were classified under the high-HDI group for education index, estimated as a composite of the mean years of schooling and expected average years of schooling.

Data showed that the mean years of schooling for adult in Iloilo was 9.2 years, 0.5 year higher than the national average of 8.7 years, while the average years of schooling for the youths was 12.8 years in the provinces of Iloilo and Antique.

Aklan posted the highest average years of schooling which was 13.1 years.

On the other hand, Iloilo has the highest income index at 0.354 among the WV provinces, but all the provinces fell into the low-HDI group in the standard of living component.

New DSWD-7 head assumes into office

(Cebu Daily News)

THE new regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas, Mercedita P. Jabagat has just assumed into office on Monday, replacing Ma. Evelyn Macapobre, who is now assigned in Iloilo City as DSWD-6 director.

A native of Isabela City, Basilan but currently resides in Davao City, Jabagat graduated in Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the Western Mindanao State University in 1976.

Jabagat, who first met with the DSWD-7 personnel on Monday, emphasized work excellence in the department. She instructed all the staff to exert efforts in implementing various anti-poverty alleviation and social protection programs, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services and the Sustainable Livelihood Program.

She further acknowledged the importance of collaborating with the different local government units, other government agencies and non-government organizations in making the programs successful.

Director Jabagat has lined up courtesy calls and visits to the town and city mayors as well as provincial governors and district representatives in Central Visayas starting this week until June.

Iloilo City charms HK mag editor

  • Source:http//www.philstar.com/lifestyle-features/2013/02/05/905159/iloilo-city-charms-hk-mag-editor
  • Tuesday, February 5, 2013 12:00 pm
(philstar.com , PNA)

ILOILO CITY, Philippines (PNA) - A Hong Kong magazine editor fell madly in love with Iloilo City’s cultural and tourism attractions.

“Ello Iloilo!,” exclaimed Matt Fleming, managing editor of "Time Out Hong Kong" magazine as they went hopping mad with one of the prettiest cities in the Philippines last December.

Fleming shared his wonderful experience in a two-page feature of fascinating church-heritage-bar-and-restaurant hopping that came with captivating photos of Customs House or Aduana Building at Muelle Loney in City Proper, Jaro Cathedral, and Nelly Garden Mansion in Jaro district.

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog on Monday said the HK-based promotion boosts the city’s image in an effort to attract more tourists particularly from Hong Kong which is now being served by direct flights to Iloilo.

"Step forward Cebu Pacific with lights to the ‘heart of the Philippines’, Iloilo, the regional center of the Western Visayas and slap bang in the middle of the country," said Fleming in his article.

“The new service has opened up the region to us Hongkongers and has also created a quick, clear route up to the beaches…,” he added.

Iloilo, with a population of more than 450,000, was the "textile capital of the Philippines" in the 18th century but now the city serves more as an administrative center, the writer noted.

“We found it to be beautiful and hospitable, with culture and heritage galore, particularly as we embarked on ‘church hopping.’ We then came up with the idea for ‘restaurant’, ‘bar’ and ‘heritage’ hopping excursions – and we invite you to follow us on our trail,” Fleming stressed.

He was charmed by the churches saying “it’s about the Godly way that some of them in and around Iloilo have been constructed. The architecture is magnificent. Set against a brilliant blue sky, when the sun hits the church’s façade, it’s like there really is something otherworldly going on.”

“Church hopping is already an established activity in Iloilo. There are countless homes to God here, each with their own charm. We recommend starting at the daddy of them all, Jaro Cathedral before moving out to Molo Church. Church hopping takes a full day but we’d recommend it as time heavenly spent,” Fleming suggested.

“Iloilo is proud of its nosh. From the traditional noodles ‘n’ soup, La Paz Batchoy is best in town to Japanese and Italian, there are plenty of quality restaurants to enjoy as complements to some of the awesome street food available, Fleming further praised in his article.

"We suggest tapping up restaurants and its divine seafood menu featuring delicious sinigang stew and perfect fish dishes where everything seems to cost half of what it does in HK,” Fleming said of Ilonggos’ gastronomic treat.

“So, it’s worth getting hopping mad in Iloilo and its surrounding area. Remember: it’s friendly, beautiful and so cheap you forget you’re paying anything at all. You won’t want to leave. That’s probably the biggest problem…,” quipped Fleming.

Iloilo buffer stock good for 68 days

(PNA), PDS/AJPETINGLAY/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 03 (PNA) –- The National Food Authority (NFA) has right now a buffer stock that will be good for 68 days based on the consumption of the residents of Iloilo city and province.

NFA Iloilo Asst. Manager Jose Pacificador said that the daily consumption of the residents of Iloilo City and province is 21,080 bags of rice and based on their inventory they have right now about 1.4 million bags of rice.

Pacificador said the available rice include the stocks on the possession of rice traders and households and in the NFA warehouses.

“We have sufficient rice right now. There is nothing to worry about,” Pacificador contended.

Korean exchange studes complete English study program

(PNA), HBC/CJT/RJCBATA-ANON/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb 2 (PNA) -- Fourteen students from Pyeongtaek University (PTU) completed their four-week short-term study program in English at Central Philippine University here under the latter’s exchange study program.

PTU is the first university in South Korea to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with CPU for its students to study English here.

In exchange, CPU can also send students to study in PTU.

PTU students learned the basics in English speech, pronunciation, reading and writing through assistance of the Department of Languages, Mass Communication and Humanities faculty.

A special tutorial was also designed for the students so they can have CPU enrollees as tutors, giving the Koreans to practice conversational English.

CPU International Programs Dir. Prof. Jesica Chin said aside from learning English, the special study program aims to promote the rich culture of the Philippines especially that of Western Visayas.

The Korean students visited Boracay Island, tasted Guimaras' famed mangoes and witnessed the Dinagyang Festival.

"Learning English in Iloilo is a big help for me in communicating and people here are very kind, helpful and always smile - I'll tell this to my friends in Korea when we meet,” said by Seong Cheon Ko, one of the PTU students.

This year’s batch was joined by PTU International Director Park Choung Yer.

The study program ended with their graduation and a farewell ceremony at CPU on Friday evening.

Iloilo City to host airline company’s gathering of travel agents

(PNA), PDS/AJP/PGLENA/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Iloilo City is again given a venue to promote its various destinations with Cebu Pacific Air bringing its top travel agents here for its annual "Eagle’s Wing Award" this Feb. 26 to 28.

Benito Jimena, head of the city tourism and development office (CTDO), said for the first time the airline company would hold the annual recognition ceremony in three days thus giving them time to avail of circuit tours made available by this city.

He said travel agents and visitors would have a tour of the city on the first day and Guimaras on the second day.

Iloilo will be promoted in all of the company’s travel agents, he said.

Visiting travel agents will include those that are promoting domestic and foreign destinations.

Jimena added that Cebu Pacific would also like to show that their tickets and bookings were not just available online but they also have travel agents willing to assist travelers.

Retrieved from "https://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Iloilo_City_News_February_2013&oldid=617928"