Negros Occidental News February 2018

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Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL FACTS & FIGURES

Land Area : 7,926.10 sq. km (2004)
No. of Barangays: 661 (As of September 2003)
No. of Municipalities: 19 (As of September 2003)
No. of Cities: 13 (As of September 2003)
Total Population: 2,565,723 (As of May 1, 2000 census)
Population Growth Rates: 1.08 (1995-2000)
Income Class: First Class
Consumer Price Index (2000=100): 116.4 (2004)
Inflation Rate: 4.1 (2004)
Average Family Income: 73,923 (2000)
Average Family Expenditure: 69,241 (2000)
Telephone Loads: 45,348 (2003)
Telephone Density: 1.6 per 100 population (2002)
No. of AM Broadcast Stations: 13 (2003)
No. of FM Broadcast Stations: 15 (2003)
No. of Motor Vehicles Registered: 105,127 (2004)
No. of Elementary Schools:
     Public:    949 (SY 2003-2004)
     Private:  39 (SY 2003-2004)
No. of Secondary Schools:
     Public :   200 (SY 2003-2004)
     Private:  38 (SY 2003-2004)
No. of Tertiary Schools: 39 (SY2003-2004)        
No. of Licensed Hospitals: 22 (2003)
No. of Establishments (3rd Qtr. 2004)
     Business Name Registration: 828   

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.

More consultants hired in NegOcc for better hospital services

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Negros Occidental has hired additional doctor-consultants to boost services in the Capitol-run hospitals across the province.

Based on the contracts approved by the Provincial Board as of this week, 18 more medical consultants were added to the roster with contracts covering January 1 to December 31 this year.

Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr., chairman of committee on appropriations, budget, finance, ways and means, said each consultant is required to render 48 hours of service a week, and some still continue their private practice.

Consultancy rates range from PHP20,000 to PHP50,000 a month, he added.

The18 latest hirings include two consultants for the Negros First Provincial Blood Center; a pathologist of Cadiz District Hospital; surgical consultant for Valladolid District Hospital; mini-laparatomy consultant for Vicente Gustilo District Hospital; pathologist for Ignacio L. Arroyo Memorial District Hospital; pathologist and radiologist for Calatrava District Hospital; and radiologist for both Merceditas J. Montilla District Hospital and Ignacio L. Arroyo Memorial District Hospital.

Others were reliever doctors for Eleuterio T. Decena Memorial Hospital, Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital, Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital, Cadiz District Hospital, Calatrava District Hospital, Merceditas J. Montilla District Hospital.

Last month, 18 consultants, mostly reliever doctors, were also hired for various district hospitals.

These include six consultants for Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City and seven reliever doctors for Calatrava District Hospital, Eleuterio T. Decena Memorial Hospital, Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital, and Governor Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial Hospital as well as a radiologist for Eleuterio T. Decena Memorial Hospital and a pathologist for Merceditas J. Montilla District Hospital.

Also in the list are three consultants for radiology, pathology and anesthesiology for Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital. The provincial government has hired a total of 52 consultants this year, including those for other sectors.

Phase 1 of P4.8-B of Bacolod Economic Highway kicks off

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Construction of the two-kilometer portion of Phase 1 of the PHP4.8 billion Bacolod Economic Highway (BEH) funded by the national government through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) started on Friday.

This portion of the project will cost PHP200 million, and spans the road from Barangay Mansilingan towards Barangay Felisa.

The budget includes the allocation for the right-of-way of landowners affected by the road project.

Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, who facilitated the project implementation, said the two-kilometer portion is part of the economic highway that spans 21 kilometers.

Contractor Supreme ABF was given 280 days to finish the construction, he added.

“We prioritized this area because the property of the Province of Negros Occidental is also located here and we expect more development (in this site),” he added.

The latest project followed the construction of the Phase 1’s three-kilometer Section 2 of the economic highway which started in April last year with a budget of PHP300 million.

This portion, from Barangay Sum-ag to Barangay Cabug, is expected to be completed in May this year.

Gasataya added that the construction of the six-kilometer Phase 2 will begin in April, covering areas from Barangay Vista Alegre to Barangay Estefania, with the budget of PHP400 million, including payment for the right-of-way.

The 21-kilometer BEH will cover areas across Barangays Sum-ag, Cabug, Felisa, Handumanan, Mansilingan, Estefania, Granada, Mandalagan, and Bata.

NegOcc earmarks 9 priority projects for agro-fishery industry

By Erwin Nicavera

BACOLOD CITY -- The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has identified nine priority projects for the agro-fishery industry in Negros Occidental to be funded by the 20 percent Provincial Development Fund for 2018.

OPA Chief Japhet Masculino said that as of Thursday, almost PHP96 million has been allocated to implement the various priority programs and projects.

These include on-farm mechanization program worth PHP25 million; establishment of Agri-fishery Laboratory Center – PHP20 million; counterpart fund for irrigation project with the National Irrigation Administration – PHP19.9 million; construction of additional structure at Panaad Organic Village – PHP10 million; and counterpart fund for the Department of Agriculture irrigation project – PHP8.1 million.

Also included are support to high value crop development program – PHP5 million; establishment of agriculture tramline in Silay City – PHP4 million; coastal fisheries resources management program – PHP2.3 million; and fishery inter-local alliance program – PHP1.6 million.

Masculino said the additional fund for agriculture and fishery is expected to boost the production of farmers and fisherfolk, particularly with the introduction of technologies and provision of assistance.

“Through these projects up for implementation this year, we hope to attain higher production of agro-fishery products while improving the profitability of our farmers,” the OPA chief added.

Last week, Masculino said rice farmers would also get assistance from the provincial government in the acquisition of machineries to help them increase production and improve profitability.

Given that farmers are limited by the prohibitive costs of farm machineries, the Capitol is looking for ways to assist them by tapping suppliers.

“The payment, which will be guaranteed by the provincial government, will be amortized by the farmers upon the use of equipment,” Masculino said. (PNA)

NegOcc allocates P138-M for 2 markets

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Two municipalities in Negros Occidental will receive a total of PHP138 million in funding assistance from the provincial government for the construction of their respective public markets.

Bago City will get PHP88 million to build the Ma-ao Public Market while Candoni town will receive PHP50 million.

Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr., chairman of the committee on appropriation, budget and finance, said the province would use the loan it obtained from the Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO) to finance the projects.

The allocation for the construction of the two markets was part of the PHP178 million 2018 General Fund Supplemental Budget No. 2 approved by the Provincial Board on Wednesday.

Escalante said the projects are given to recipient localities for free since the province shoulders the loan payments.

Negros Occidental has secured a PHP1.5-billion allocation from the MDFO, of which about PHP1.2 billion has appropriation ordinances approved by the Provincial Board.

A total of 42 items are listed in the appropriations for the PHP1.5 billion fund.

So far, only the purchase of heavy equipment worth PHP128 million has completed the bidding process and has been issued a notice to proceed.

124 youth JobStarters in NegOcc undergo life skills training

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- A total of 124 youth-trainees dubbed JobStarters in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental completed the 10-day life skills training (LST) as of Friday conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 6 (Western Visayas).

Mary Agnes Capigon, head of DOLE-Negros Occidental Field Office, said in a statement that the goal of JobStart Program is to help the youth become employable and competent.

“I can see in the faces of our graduates that they are ready for the challenges that they may encounter as they search for employment,” Capigon said.

The training is part of the first phase of the DOLE’s JobStart Philippines Program in partnership with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

It is one of the three components of the program, providing JobStarters work ethics and social skills that are critical to survive and succeed amid the current competitive workplace.

These life skills will enhance the jobseekers’ employability through helping them to be ready and prepared for work, the labor department said.

After the graduation, PESO in San Carlos City initiated a job fair participated by 14 local companies with 227 total vacancies.

Job openings were for call center agents, sales personnel and representatives, stock clerks, and cashiers.

Delia Camasura, manager of PESO-San Carlos, said 35 percent of those of who finished the LST were already recommended for final interview.

“We are looking forward that most, if not all, of the 44 graduates considered for final interview will be hired. Through the program, the employment process was made easy and accessible to JobStarters,” she added.

San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor thanked DOLE for choosing their city as the program implementation site.

He also assured the agency of the local government’s support and cooperation.

Negros Occidental assists rice farmers to acquire machineries

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Rice farmers in Negros Occidental will get assistance from the provincial government to acquire machineries to help them increase production and improve profitability.

Japhet Masculino, head of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), said that since farmers are limited by the prohibitive costs of farm machineries, the Capitol is looking for ways to assist them by tapping suppliers.

“The payment, which will be guaranteed by the provincial government, will be amortized by the farmers upon the use of equipment,” he said.

On Thursday, the OPA initiated a Demonstration on Farm Mechanization at the Negros Organic Technology Center at Barangay Tabunan in Bago City attended by about 200 farmers from various irrigators associations in the Fourth District.

The activity showcased demonstrations on the use of various machineries such as transplanter, combined harvester, and tractor with implements, including levee maker and rotavator used for land preparation.

The demonstration sought to encourage farmers to embrace mechanized farming as a regular practice and inculcate in them its benefits like reduction of production cost, Masculino said.

In the acquisition of the machineries, the province will serve as guarantor, and in case of calamities, wherein farmers will be unable to pay the equipment the province will pay the supplier for the meantime utilizing its guarantee fund.

Masculino said the province will just facilitate the acquisition for farmer associations and groups who can afford to pay.

“We are looking for interested companies as we target to implement the measure this year,” he added.

Masculino said he has proposed to Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to invite firms, which can provide equipment in acceptable payment terms.

As the province scouts for potential partners, the OPA will start educating farmers especially on operational maintenance and business planning, he added.

For his part, Marañon said farm mechanization will help increase the province’s rice production by 20 percent and boost its current 90 percent rice self-sufficiency status.

“With almost 40 percent of the total areas irrigated plus more farm mechanization, we can already be fully self-sufficient,” the governor added.

NegOcc town banks on road projects to enhance agri, tourism sectors

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The Municipality of La Castellana in Negros Occidental is banking on its road network projects funded by various government agencies to enhance the development of its agriculture and tourism sectors.

Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said as of Thursday, about PHP200 million worth of infrastructure projects are up for bidding and construction for 2018.

Majority of the PHP150 million fund has been allocated by the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) Program through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The road concreting project is funded by the Provincial Government while Farm-to-Market (FMR) program will be implemented through the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

“We are banking on the development of more road network projects to boost our agriculture and tourism sectors,” the mayor said.

Nicor-Mangilimutan said these access roads will connect farmers to markets and link tourists to various town destinations.

The Pamana projects set for implementation are the road concreting in Barangay Camandag, where Mandayao Falls is situated; Barangay Sag-ang, which hosts a major coffee production area; and Barangay Manghanoy, which will serve as exit road in case of eruption of Mount Kanlaon.

Also, the SRA has allocated PHP7.7 million for road concreting in Barangay Sag-ang expected to benefit at least five agrarian reform organizations, which will supplement recently-completed PHP33-million road development also funded by the SRA in the same village Barangay Sag-ang.

The DA-funded PHP10-million road project is also ongoing.

Meanwhile, the provincial government allocated PHP5.1 million for the concreting of 500-meter road in Barangay Cabacungan set to start next month.

As major tourist spot, Cabacungan hosts several spring resorts and waterfalls and has a perfect view of Mount Kanlaon.

NCCA trains 150 IPs in leadership, advocacy

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BINALBAGAN, Negros Occidental -- About 150 youths from 11 ethnolinguistic groups in central Philippines gathered during the four-day Dungog 2018: Indigenous Peoples (IP) Youth Leadership Training and the 1st Nabulusan Festival held in this southern Negros town until Monday.

The participants were part of the Central Cluster under the Commission for Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Commissioner Alphonsus Tesoro, who attended the activity, said the staging of Dungog 2018 was a manifestation of the government’s support in uplifting the welfare of the IPs, particularly the youth.

“This project aims to capacitate the IP youth and affirms the belief that the youth is a major sector that can help in the promotion of culture and the arts. The NCCA believes and recognizes that the youth play a major role in this endeavor,” he said.

Tesoro said he hoped the training would inspire and propel the youth participants to become an active partner in developing their respective communities.

The gathering was capped on Monday by the 1st Nabulusan Festival, a celebration of the Ituman-Magahat Bukidnons of Binalbagan, as a way of recognition, promotion and respect of the rights of the IPs.

The four-day event included groups from Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Panay, Leyte, Samar, Bohol, Palawan, and Quezon Province, with special participation of youth leaders of Ibaloi from Benguet under the North Cluster and Higaonons from Bukidnon under the South Cluster.

Some youth leader representatives were Syreel Sayo of Ituman-Magahat Bukidnon in Himamaylay City, Muller Bato of Ibaloi from Benguet; Joan Gairan of Higaonons from Malaybalay, Bukidnon; and Calvin Casa of Panay Bukidnon in Calinog, Iloilo.

Others were Mark Anthony Simbajon of Waray/Abaknon; James Aljed Gonzales, Tagbanwa-Palawan; Sherilyn Tahan, Ati-Guimaras; Digna Mae Lamason, Ilonggo/Hiligaynon; Benhur Polo, Ibaloy-Benguet; and Wranle Josef Palas, Boholano/Cebuano.

Two participants from Negros Occidental, Manilyn Villa of Tablanhon-Bukidnon from Ilog and Ana Rose Osorio of Tabihanon-Bukidnon from Cauayan, are students of Central Philippines State University in Kabankalan City.

Villa, 22, a junior Criminology student, and Osorio, 20, a freshman Sugar Technology major, said they were proud of their heritage as IPs and hoped to continue the legacy of their respective communities.

Another participant, Geramy Luston, 21, a third year Business Administration student at Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-Binalbagan Campus, belongs to the Ituman-Magahat Bukidnon.

Luston said she was glad to meet fellow IP youths from other places since it was her first time to attend such gathering.

Dungog, taken from the Hiligaynon term for pride and honor, started in 2009 in Capiz as a program for the IP youth supported by the NCCA.

Now with Dungog 2018, the NCCA said the gathering was “a celebration of culture and shared dreams.”

It added that the program provided opportunities for the IP youth to appreciate and sustain their culture despite outside influences and external pressures; enhanced their knowledge and skills and leadership and advocacy; and encouraged active IP youth leaders to advocate gender-sensitive cultural preservation, management and governance.

Through Dungog 2018, participants also started a network of organized and active IP youth groups in the Central Cluster.

DOST-NegOcc gives nod to P18M tech upgrade plan

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Negros Occidental is accepting proposals from enterprises interested to avail of PHP18 million worth of assistance under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET UP) this year.

Glady Reyes, science research specialist II of DOST-Negros Occidental, said on Tuesday that seven companies would be able to avail of the program’s Innovation System Support Fund (ISSF) intended for facility upgrading.

She said they would wait for other proposals until the deadline in June, but since these would still be evaluated as funds were limited, firms are urged to submit as soon as possible.

“Upgrading of equipment enables local enterprises to boost production income generation by improving their packaging and product quality,” Reyes said, adding that information and communications technology (ICT) companies were also encouraged to apply as long as they met the requirements.

ICT is identified as priority sector by the DOST and Regional Development Council. Others include furniture, processed food, metals and engineering, gifts, handicrafts and decors, agriculture and marine aquaculture, and pharmaceuticals and health products.

In 2017, the DOST allotted PHP12.6 million in SET UP assistance that benefited six firms in the province.

Under the program guidelines, recipient-enterprises should have been existing for at least three years in the manufacturing industry authorized by the Department of Trade and Industry and with necessary permits from the local government unit.

The application process includes submission of audited financial statement and technology and project implementation sheet. Recipients will undergo technology needs assessment.

Qualified enterprises should also submit a quarterly report or project information sheet to determine if they have generated jobs and improved the product quality and sales.

In terms of payment, enterprises are given a one-year grace period before the start of payment within three years.

30 Negrense youths undergo project development mentorship

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- About 30 youth leaders in Negros Occidental were trained on project development mentorship during the Negrosanon Young Leaders Summit (NYLS) held at Buenos Aires Mountain Resort in Bago City.

The five-day boot camp held until Sunday sought to address the prevailing social issues and concerns in the province to harness the potential of the Negrense youth.

NYLS project director Jomar Borromeo said in a press statement the participants, considered as the most promising young leaders of Negros, were selected through a three-stage process, and pre-summit works.

“NYLS is after committed and dedicated young leaders that will change the future of their communities and the Province as a whole,” he added.

Moreover, the NYLS envisions an empowered youth towards fulfilling their roles and responsibilities in building a morally and spiritually upright society inspired to contribute in making the country a great nation by providing them with leadership training, team-building seminars, and workshops.

The NLYLS 2018 is the second wave of mentorship after last year’s initial batch of 47 young leaders were gathered and conceptualized 16 projects that reached more than 1,100 individuals directly and indirectly.

The summit initiatives were anchored on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

The foundation was affixed on the five major advocacy platforms that would catalyze and amplify the achievement of the SDGs especially in the communities in Negros Occidental.

The advocacies focused on Education and Literacy, Ecology and Disaster Preparedness, Governance, and Peace Security, Health, Nutrition, and Sanitation, and Culture, Heritage and the Arts.

NYLS 2018 was co-organized by its Executive Committee with the Sowing Legacy Movement, Youth Empowering Youth Initiative and co-presented by the Office of the Provincial Vice Governor, City Government of Bago, and Pure Wealth EBC Corporation.

DICT exec vows to help Bacolod reach 60,000 IT jobs by 2022

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) will continue to support the initiatives of Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for ICT (BNEFIT) in its bid to achieve the target 60,000 jobs by 2022.

This was the assurance of DICT Undersecretary Monchito Ibrahim, in his message to the BNEFIT, which marked its 10th Anniversary with a series of activities since last week.

Ibrahim said that through its Digital PH program, the DICT will continue to help the “flourishing city” in doubling its employment figures in the next five years.

Bacolod, which has been recognized as Center of Excellence for ICT in 2013, currently hosts more than 20 business process outsourcing firms providing jobs to almost 30,000 Filipinos especially Negrenses.

“In 2009, Bacolod was named one of the first batch of awardees as the Top Ten Next Wave Cities. With BNEFIT relentlessly pushing forward, it was not hard for us in the DICT to give the citation as a Next Wave Cities’ Center of Excellence in 2013,” said Ibrahim, in a message to BNEFIT for its anniversary and given to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Monday.

"It still amazes us up to this day how you aggressively reach the ranks of relatively more urbanized cities like Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Clark,” he added.

Ibrahim was one of the eight honorees awarded with the Symbol of Lifetime Recognition by BNEFIT “for his inspiring support and commitment to the vision, mission, and programs of the organization."

BNEFIT cited Ibrahim, known as the father of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), as also the father of BNEFIT.

He has pushed all stakeholders in Bacolod City from the very beginning to create an ecosystem conducive to ICT jobs and investments, the citation added.

For his part, Ibrahim lauded the federation for “transforming” the city in just a decade.

From setting its bold dream in 2007 to be globally competitive in the ICT industry, Ibrahim said BNEFIT worked wonders to make it a reality.

“Your story is a perfect example that great things happen when the academe, the local government, and the industry are in the same page of tapping ICT as catalyst of change in the locality,” he said.

NegOcc to set up anti-terror operation centers

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The provincial government of Negros Occidental will set up operation centers for its anti-terrorism body "Task Force Buglas" in two identified sites in this city.

Provincial Planning and Development Officer Ma. Lina Sanogal, task force action officer, said Monday the initiative is part of the province’s preparations to combat terror threats.

“We are very are much into the preparations. We have to be ready for any eventuality considering the threats,” she added.

Sanogal said the operation hubs will be established at the existing building of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division within at the Panaad Park and Stadium and at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office headquarters in Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr.

“We hope to operationalize our centers for Task Force Buglas. We will procure equipment,” she said, adding that personnel from law enforcement agencies will help man the operations centers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Sanogal also said that during task force meeting on Monday, they approved projects, including a security application for real-time response.

The budget has been sourced from the Capitol’s disaster and peace and order funds.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. formed Task Force Buglas in June last year to counter terror threat down to the barangays.

Task Force Buglas includes task groups for anti-criminality spearheaded by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office; internal security, Philippine Army; and coast watch, Philippine National Police Maritime Group.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office is in-charge of humanitarian assistance and disaster response; Provincial Environmental Management Office, environmental protection; and Public Information Office from the Governor’s office, communications. Marañon had urged local chief executives and barangay officials to work together to make the province peaceful, livable, and ready for further development.

“We must be vigilant and prepared. We should guard every locality,” the governor added.

Bacolod links with nearby LGUs to sync land use plans

(PIO/PN)

BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia has recently invited local chief executives of three neighboring cities and a town in a bid to harmonize their Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs).

Leonardia tapped the mayors of Talisay, Silay and Bago cities and Murcia town.

In line with this, Bacolod City Planning and Development Office head Mary Jean Ramos and Engineer Kelly Grant also met with their fellow planning and development coordinators.

They include Edwin De Nicolas and Ernie Earl Baylon of Bago City, Glenda Ruiz and Efren Francisco of Murcia, and Marmelo Sausi of Talisay City.

According to Ramos, Bacolod is “taking into consideration the growth and development of its neighboring [areas] and tries to incorporate them in its proposed CLUP.”

Ramos believes this is one way to achieve a “synchronized and harmonious development in Bacolod, Talisay, Bago, Silay, and Murcia.”

The discussion focused on these topics: roads and bridges (like the New Bacolod Economic Highway), the proposed coastal road and viaduct, the farm-to-market road (Sugar Road), and the proposed public transport system that includes the light rail transit and bus rapid transit systems.

Ramos said the meeting was the first in a series of meetings that will continue in the coming months.

Bacolod’s CLUP is a 10-year development program that will be the basis for the proposed amendment inthe Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance No. 216 Series of 1998.

The CLUP will determine specific uses of land and other physical and natural resources in the city. (With a report from the Bacolod City

USAID vows to support open gov’t partnership

(JSC/LML/PIA6 Negros Occ.)

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA6) -- A top official from a lead United States (US) government agency bent on working to end global poverty and empower democratic resilience societies expressed her support to open government partnership during the recently concluded Open Government and Participatory Governance Regional Dialogue in Bacolod City.

Speaking before the crowd of local government chief executives, members of civil society organizations, academe and national government agencies, Deputy Director for Economic Development-United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Philippines Jenna Diallo emphasized that open government is a social contract between the government and the people.

“It (Open Government) is not a privilege but a right of its citizens. A result to promote the government that works for its citizens is crucial in advancing toward our mutually shared goals of inclusive growth and effective governance,” Diallo added.

Director Diallo shared that open government partnership likewise replicates the global trends to greater openness, transparency, civic preservation and democratic governance.

The country’s commitment to open, responsive and engaging governance is demonstrated through various open government reforms such as the Freedom of Information (FOI), Citizen’s Complaints Hotline 8888, Office of Participatory Governance and cabinet cluster systems.

“We at USAID are humbled and delighted as your development partner as we bring together stakeholders to openly discuss policy measures that will have far bridging impact on the Philippines’ economy, and the lives of the Filipinos,” Diallo said.

The United States of America and the Philippines are founding members of the open government partnership from eight countries in 2011, which has grown rapidly to 75 member-countries in recent years.

NegOcc, Bacolod to host 250 Filipino-Canadian tourists

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Negros Occidental and Bacolod City will host 250 Filipino-Canadian tourists as part of the 5th Winter Escapade on February 4 to 11.

Cristine Mansinares, provincial supervising tourism operations officer, said on Friday the Tourism Promotions Board has chosen the province and city along with Manila and Davao to be the venue of the eight-day event.

Mansinares said these tourists want to experience mainly the Philippine’s beach offerings to escape winter in their country.

“This is our first time to receive the group from February 4 to 6, and we are happy that the province was included in this big familiarization trip of the Department of Tourism,” she added.

The city government of Bacolod, in a press statement, said the guests will visit San Sebastian Cathedral, Vintage Glass Museum, St. John Nepomuceno Church, Resorts Negrense, and various “pasalubong” centers, on February 4.

On the same day, Mayor Evelio Leonardia will host a welcome dinner and MassKara Night at the Bacolod City Government Center.

Among other places to be visited by the Filipino-Canadian tourists on February 5 and 6 include various tourism destinations in cities of Victorias, Cadiz, Silay and Talisay, and Murcia town.

The provincial government will also host a dinner on February 6 at the Capitol Building in Bacolod before the scheduled visit of the tourists in Davao City on February 7.

Small and medium enterprises will set up a bazaar for guests to shop.

While promoting Negrense products, local producers are given the opportunity to earn, Mansinares said.

She added that the Negros Occidental Tourism Division has been preparing for this big tourism promotion activity, including ensuring the safety and security of tourists.

Enhancement of sites and sprucing up of some areas were already conducted, Mansinares said, adding that some guests are elderly ones -- the oldest is 91 “so we need friendly facilities.”

Completion of P153.5-M feeder port in Sagay City set in 2019

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The construction of the PHP153.5-million feeder port/fish landing project in Sagay City, Negros Occidental funded by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) is targeted for completion in April 2019.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III, and DA-6 Regional Director Remelyn Recoter, project director of PRDP Project Support Offices Visayas Cluster, led officials during the groundbreaking rites held Tuesday at Barangay Old Sagay.

The 280-meter project in the northern Negros city is expected to benefit more than 12,000 fisherfolk/farmers or 2,787 households.

Marañon said it always had been his dream to have a fish landing/feeder port in his hometown, where he also once served as mayor.

He urged residents of Sagay to take advantage of this kind of opportunity.

For her part, Recoter commended the governor and the Negrenses for being recipients of the PRDP projects.

She said that Negros Occidental was included in the top three local government units (LGUs) in the country which had availed of the highest amount of projects under the PRDP.

The younger Marañon said he was grateful to the Provincial Government, PRDP and DA for granting the feeder port/fish landing project to Sagay.

This would promote economic development and improve the people’s livelihood, he said.

The PRDP, jointly funded by the World Bank, the national government and the participating LGUs, is a six-year national project under the DA that aims to establish a modern, value chain-oriented and climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector.

Through partnerships with the LGUs and the private sector, it provides key infrastructure, facilities, technology and information to raise incomes, productivity and competitiveness in targeted areas.

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