Negros Occidental News January 2015

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Negros Occidental Province
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Seal of the Province of Negros Occidental
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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.

Bacolod government center 02.jpg
Bacolod government center 01.jpg
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.

Negros Occidental avails highest grant from DOLE livelihood aid

(TDE)

NEGROS Occidental availed the highest fund from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) Region 6 totaling P3.063 million for various livelihood endeavors of 357 families in 2014.

Records of Dole Region 6 also showed Aklan has various livelihood projects for 33 families of child laborers in the amount of P200,380.

In 2014, the labor agency extended livelihood assistance to the families of child laborers, including 12 projects for a total amount of P6.008 million as livelihood assistance to the 751 families of child laborers, including rebels and their families.

Antique was provided cattle fattening projects for 181 families who survived super typhoon Yolanda, amounting to P1.81 million while Capiz got P933,500 for food processing and rice retailing projects of 180 families who were also affected by Yolanda.

Dole-6 Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom said he hopes that the recipients will take care of the undertakings to ensure their sustainability.

The agency’s livelihood assistance aims to provide decent and productive work for families of child laborers, particularly those in the sugar industry, to augment the families’ income and encourage the parents to keep their children in school and away from child labor.

Neg.Occ. to celebrate World Wetlands Day

(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Jan. 30 (PIA6) - - The province is set to celebrate the World Wetlands Day on February 2 with activities marking the celebration extended until February 3.

The celebration with the theme “Wetlands for our Future” is spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Provincial Environment and Management Office and the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally every February which also marks the anniversary of the signing of Convention on Wetlands or the Ramsar Convention in Iran on February 2, 1971.

The celebration which started in 1997, aims to raise public awareness on the values of wetlands as well as promote its conservation and wise use.

In Negros Occidental, the provincial government started conservation initiatives a few years back and started to provide economic incentives and benefits for wetland conservation to the coastal communities since then.

This year, activities lined for the celebration include the holding of the Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Area Management Alliance meeting on February 2 followed by the declaration, unveiling and signing of the Negros Occidental Wetlands of International Importance.

On February 3, participants will be treated to a bird watching experience in Bago City and Sitio Cavan in Barangay Tapong, Pulupandan town.

A wetland forum will be attended by around 50 Bago City College faculty, student leaders and Environment groups including members of the YES-O environment club of Ramon Torres National High School.

Lectures on Important Wetlands in Negros Occidental and Migratory Birds will be conducted respectively by the Director for Field Operations Lisa Paguntalan and Senior Biologist Philip Godfrey Jakosalem both from the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Incorporated.

Wetlands are widely recognized as among the most productive ecosystems globally.

Ex-rebels get cash assistance

(Capitol News/PN)

BACOLOD City — The Negros Occidental provincial government gave 15 former rebels P15,000 financial assistance each.

The rebels received the aid at the end of the Project Development Seminar they attended on Tuesday at the Technology and Livelihood Development Center here.

The amount was sourced from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Comprehensive Local Integration Program for Negros Occidental Former Rebels.

Earlier the capitol gave several other former rebels P5,000 each for livelihood projects.

Present during Tuesday’s turnover were Provincial Board member Salvador Escalante, representing Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.; DILG provincial director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag; Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade commander Colonel Jon Aying; and Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit action officer Ma. Lina Sanogal.

Bacolod hosts first ‘Magkuwento Tayo’ reading workshop

(JCM/CBA-PIA6/CMO-PIO Negros Occidental)

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 28 (PIA6) – The city was the venue of the first ever reading seminar-workshop in region 6 dubbed as “Magkuwento Tayo!” that was held at the MassKara Hall of the People’s House, a press release from Bacolod PIO said.

The seminar, which focused on the importance of reading and conveying sensitive issues to children, was graced by members and representatives from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Department of Education, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, Christian Artists Negrense Various Arts Society (CANVAS) and the Center for Allied Paramedical Studies, Inc. (CAPSI).

The seminar also opened the idea for the local government to cultivate writing and animation talents to work together in order to create books and learning materials that are both understandable and accessible to children.

Councilor Ana Marie Palermo spoke in behalf of City Mayor Monico Puentevella and extended the city’s support in their initiative to improve the level of education, not only in Bacolod but also the entire country.

Palermo said this will enhance the capabilities of our teachers, students and aspiring writers in producing child-friendly books, the press release also said.

The councilor then added that each person “has a story to tell,” and cited that teachers are the best storytellers as they deliver knowledge and information to their students.

Also present was National Artist Virgilio Almario, who acknowledged their interest to improve the talents in region 6 in terms of creating children’s stories, and he also encouraged students to write in their native dialect to better deliver the message to their target readers.

Organic market goes to the mall

(JCM/EAD-PIA6/ONOPRA Negros Occidental)

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Jan. 27 (PIA) - - The Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association (ONOPRA) held its 1st Weekend Organic Market last January 24-25 while succeeding weekend markets are scheduled on February 21-22 and March 21-22, at The District North Point- Ayala Mall in Talisay City.

ONOPRA President Ramon “Chin Chin” Uy Jr. said they want their organic products to be more available to the consumers which in a way, more Negrenses will have direct access to organic, healthy and local products.

The weekend market showcases 50 exhibitors of certified organic fresh produce and all-natural processed products, local artisanal food, homegrown native products, vegetarian dishes, and specialty diets; organic poultry and livestocks; organic farming inputs, supplies, equipment and technology; and handicrafts, textiles and clothing.

Activities during the first weekend market included talks on Organic Health and Wellness by Rapha Valley owner Dr. Albert Jo; Organic Gardening and Culinary Herbs by Evelyn Bautista of Mamabels Farmacy and Organic Vegetable Production and Protocols by Davien Pati-on of Harbest Agri Corporation

“Through this weekend market, our organic farmers and artisans will get better prices for the value of their products. This also creates a stronger and sustainable local food system for Negros,” Uy said.

Uy added that the Ayala Corp. has been a strong supporter of indigenous communities and organic markets.

“In fact, one of the first organic markets was assisted by the Ayala group when it was staged in Makati in the 1990s,” Uy added.

The Organic Weekend Market at The District is an offshoot of Uy’s chance meeting with Ayala Corp. chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala at last year’s Negros Trade Fair in Manila.

Zobel told Uy that it would be nice to consider having an organic market at The District Northpoint in Talisay City.

The District Northpoint-Ayala Mall marketing associate Jeannie Santos said that through this Organic Market, we give emphasis on health and wellness and make organic food and items directly available to the consumers at the same time support the local farmers of Negros.

There will also be a weaving demonstration by OISCA, pottery-making, paintings, tattoo art, and various activities for the next scheduled weekends.

Bacolod officially ‘City of Smiles’

By MAE SINGUAY (PN)

BACOLOD City — This city is now officially the “City of Smiles.”

The Sangguniang Panlungsod here has approved an ordinance that makes the said branding for Bacolod official.

Under the ordinance, the City Tourism Office will use the tag in all its promotional materials.

The late Fulgencio Vega Jr., the city’s tourism office head in 1977, called Bacolod the “City of Smiles” to describe the people’s “warmth and hospitality,” said Councilor Caesar Distrito, author of the ordinance.

The tag was also the concept behind the annual MassKara Festival, wherein revelers wear smiling masks, said the councilor.

First held in 1980, MassKara Festival aims to lift the people’s spirit amid the fall of Negros Occidental’s sugar industry and the “MV Don Juan” tragedy that killed hundreds of Negrenses, said Distrito.

Aside from being the “City of Smiles,” Bacolod is also known as the “MassKara Festival Capital of the Philippines,” “Chicken Inasal Capital of the Philippines” and the “Gateway to Negros Occidental.”

305 Beneficiaries avail land titles in “Handog Titulo” program

By Cyrus M. Garde [(PNA), CTB/AJP/CMG/VLO]

BACOLOD CITY (PNA)-Three hundred five beneficiaries had availed of land titles as part of the government’s “Handog Titulo Program,” during a brief program on January 20, 2015 at the Mayor Rodrigo G. Chua Memorial Stadium in Sipalay, Negros Occidental.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources– Region VI (DENR-VI) in partnership with the local government in the 6th District of Negros Occidental successfully distributed patent titles for agricultural, industrial, and residential land to beneficiaries.

The activity was attended by Atty. Mercedez K Alvarez, Representative, 6th District, Negros Occidental, Jim O Sampulna, Regional Director DENR 6, Mayor Oscar C. Montilla Jr of Sipalay City; Mayor Ernesto Estrao of Hinoba-an, LTC Pompeyo Jason M Almagro, commanding officer, 47th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army and Mrs Vilma G. Limates Ph.D.,Officer-In-Charge of CENRO Sipalay City.

The “Handog Titulo Program Para sa Mamamayan” is a continued joint effort of national government thru the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform, Registry of Deeds, and the Local Government Units which aims to award land titles to qualified Filipino citizens. It is part of the national government’s program to provide land for the landless.

Congresswoman Mercedez “Chedeng” Alvarez urged the beneficiaries to “spread the news and tell their story to the people in their barangays.

The patent titles that you are holding right now are proofs that the government is tirelessly working to give what is due to you and it has never abandoned you as what was claimed by some of its detractors, Alvarez said.

You have a responsibility to take care of the land awarded by the government and to make good use of it. Make sure that you as well as your family will benefit from it and not other unscrupulous individuals who want to take advantage of this opportunity,” Alvarez stressed.

Weekend Organic Market opens today

(Sun.Star Bacolod)

BACOLOD City — The Weekend Organic Market will open at 10 a.m. today at the District North Point-Ayala Mall in Talisay City.

As part of the weekend market’s launching, a short talk about organic farming and wellness will be held at about 10:30 a.m.

A cooking demonstration at 12 noon and a talk on organic gardening and culinary herbs at 4 p.m. will also be held.

The weekend market’s first day will end with a zumba dancing at 6 p.m.

About 50 local entrepreneurs involved in organic farming will join the weekend market.

Among the organic products that will be sold there are homegrown dishes, vegetarian and specialty diet foods, beauty products, handicrafts, textiles, clothing, and farming equipment and supplies.

The celebration on healthy lifestyle will continue at 3 p.m. tomorrow with a talk on standards of organic products and how an organic certificate is achieved.

It will be followed by another dialogue on organic vegetable production and protocols.

The organic market will run for three weekends: Jan. 24 and 25, Feb. 21 and 22, and March 21 and 22.

The Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association sponsors the weekend market.

NegOcc to unveil business incubation center

(Sun.Star Bacolod)

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) System president Alfredo Pascual and Director Rowen Gelonga of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 6 will join Governor Alfredo Marañon in the opening of Negros Occidental’s Technology Business Incubation Center (TBIC) on January 26.

Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, executive director of Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT) and project proponent of the TBIC, said the facility is aimed to host local start-up companies engaged in information technology (IT) services (web design, systems and solutions), software development, game development and animation, among other IT activities.

Last year, the governor signed a mentorship agreement with UP Cebu to help in the capacity development of personnel and startup founders who will be part of the TBIC.

Also in 2014, BNEFIT signed a partnership agreement with DOST-6 for the ICT Start-Ups Equipment Support (ISES) Program that will provide equipment to startups at the TBIC.

The Negros First CyberCentre is the first facility proclaimed as an IT building by President Benigno Aquino III last June and accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority which will also house an incubation facility.

After its launch, Batapa-Sigue said BNEFIT will already finalize the screening of qualified startups and assigned the equipment which is primarily composed of two sets of computers. Training under UP Cebu will also begin, and hopefully we can already identify venture capitalists and local clients in the Philippines and abroad.

Pascual will also present UP’s research project entitled “Project 7. LiDAR Data Processing and Validation under the program Phil-LiDAR 1 (Hazard Mapping of the Philippines Using LiDAR) and LiDAR Data Processing, Modeling and validation Under the Program Phil-LiDAR 2 (Detailed Resources Assessment using LiDAR) in Western Visayas.”

The Phil-LiDAR 1 and 2 are the components of the Nationwide Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment of Mitigation (Dream) Program, one of the platforms of the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazard’s Project (Project NOAH), which is supported by the DOST under the Grant-in-Aid Program.

Phil-LiDAR 1 has already covered all identified critical river basins in Negros Occidental during the first six months of the project implementation. For the second and third year of the project implementation, it will already cover all critical river basins in Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan provinces, with additional areas like Iloilo and Guimaras.

In the first year of the LiDAR 2 project, the priority area is Negros Occidental. Using LiDAR images and other remote-sense data, preliminary assessment of the extent or coverage of high value and priority cops was done for agriculture, to include sugarcane, rice, corn and herbaceous crops. There was also a preliminary mapping of the coastal area that includes the mangrove forest and the near shore resources.

NegOcc obtains P200M in World Bank projects

By Teresa Ellera

NEGROS Occidental is a recipient of about P200 million in Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) initiatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA) using the government’s $670 million or P27.48 billion loan from the World Bank.

Representatives of World Bank are now in the province for the 1st Supervision Review Mission of its funded projects in Negros Occidental.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said that the local government units that will benefit from the projects will allocate 10 percent counterpart funds.

DA Regional Executive Director Larry Nacionales said approved projects for the province are the Rehabilitation of Barangay Caduhaan-Sitio Aluyan Farm-to-Market (FMR) in Cadiz City with an estimated project cost of P143.758 million and the Rehabilitation of Sitio Magtuod-Sitio Vergara FMR in Toboso with an estimated project cost of P47.237 million.

Others are the Rehabilitation of of Fishing Equipment for Blue Swimming Crab Enterprise in Barangay Tortosa, Manapla worth P500,000; Fish Coral Rehabilitation and Fish Trading Support in Barangay Rizal, Escalante City, P500,000; Negros Muscovado Processing and Marketing Support Enterprise, P19,808,026.

Arnel de Mesa, deputy project director of PRDP, said that Negros Occidental is the pilot province for the projects.

Sixteen regions in the country are recipients of the PRDP projects.

P2.5M for forest protection mulled

By FRAIRE ACUPAN (PN)

BACOLOD City — Task Force Ilahas, the environmental law enforcement unit of Negros Occidental, needs P2.5 million to augment security at the Damutan Valley in Barangay Damutan, Hinoba-an town.

Task force head Jose Ma. Valencia requested for such allocation, through a supplemental budget, from Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

The allocation will be subject to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s approval.

Valencia said Marañon is in favor of providing the task force such a huge amount, considering the current situation in the province’s forests.

Poaching activities at Damutan Valley continue despite the province’s forest protection efforts, said the Task Force Ilahas head.

The amount will be used in hiring 10 more forest guards and building a bunkhouse to shelter stay-in forest guards, said Valencia.

Forest guards will also tap the Hinoba-an policemen to intensify security in the valley.

It will also be used to complete the task force’s inventory of fallen and standing trees at the valley, he said.

Task Force Ilahas has already started plotting the standing trees through the global positioning system.

Hydrogen- powered car vehicle of the future: guv

(CPG)

Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell cars are the vehicles of the future, Gov Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday.

The governor has just returned from Toyota City, Japan, where he attended the 2015 meeting of the Organization for Industrial Spiritual and Cultural Advancement Board of Directors.

The governor said vehicles powered by hydrogen cause zero air pollution.

One tank filled with hydrogen will enable a vehicle to travel 650 kilometers without refilling, he said.

Hydrogen powered vehicles are expensive for now, but they are the next generation vehicles, he added.

The four-person sedan named Mirai, meaning ‘future' in Japanese, is powered by electricity from cells that combine hydrogen with oxygen and emit only water vapour, while offering similar range and refuelling times to petrol or diesel engines, according to the Toyota website.

Toyota hopes to build on its success with the Toyota Prius, a hybrid that ran on a combination of both traditional fuels and electricity, the governor said.

Groundbreaking for new hospital held

(CGS)

The groundbreaking of the Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center in a 1-hectare lot in Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City, at Burgos Extension, was held yesterday for the start of the construction of the modern and state-of-the art hospital that will cater to the people of Bacolod and its neighboring communities.

Dr. Danilo Constantino, president of the MBHMC, said yesterday that they hope to start the construction of the 8-storey, 228-bed hospital in March or April this year.

The construction may take 24 months but they will try to finish it ahead of schedule and, hopefully, they can start operating by the end of 2016, or early 2017, he said.

Constantino said this will be a complete tertiary medical center but their strongest asset will be the cardiology department. They plan to have complete facilities for cardiac care and cardiac catheterization, and will also install facilities that Bacolod does not have at present, he said.

The vision of its founders is to provide complete medical care so the people of Bacolod and Negros do not have to go to Manila for their health care needs. So they will be bring in all the necessary health care facilities needed by the community, Constantino said.

They already have their permit to construct from the Department of Health based on the design contributed by all the founders of the MBHMC in the different specialties, he said.

Constantino said the groundbreaking ceremony means that “once they touch the ground, like in a game of chess, there is no turning back.”

He told the founders that once they don the construction hats and touch the ground with the shovels, that will be their sign of commitment to pursue the project to the end, and to operate the hospital, he said.

Dr. Cipriano Delos Reyes, chairman of the board of the Integrated Health Providers and Builders, Inc., had said earlier that they began scouting for a property in March 2013 because their group learned that many patients in Bacolod could not be accommodated by local hospitals.

De los Reyes said the hospital will have modern equipment, adequate parking space, and enough space for expansion. It is also accessible from the Bacolod City Government Center and they will be hiring hospital employees and nurses within 12 months of the construction.

Meanwhile, Constantino said they have reserved the front area of the 1-hectare lot for the construction of commercial center after they build the hospital.

Councilor Claudio Puentevella, who represented Mayor Monico Puentevella, said they look forward to working together in saving the lives of the people of Bacolod.

Fr. Romeo Tumonong led the Eucharistic celebration and blessed the time capsule and site yesterday.

NABA lauds inclusion of 5 Negrense boxers for 2015 SEA Games pool

(PNA), CTB/NLG/CMG

BACOLOD CITY, Jan 18 (PNA) -- The Negros Amateur Boxing Association (NABA) commended the inclusion of five Negrense boxers in the Philippine pool expected to see action in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore this coming June.

NABA is headed by Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon.

The inclusion of five Negrense boxers, one of them in the women’s division, was disclosed by Bago-born former Olympian and current national women’s team head coach Roel Velasco.

The boxers from Negros Occidental are Bago City-born Rogen Ladon, James Palicte and Dennis Galvan as well as Binalbagan’s Ian Clark Bautista and Riza Pasuit.

However, they will still undergo local eliminations for SEA Games, Velasco clarified.

Ladon, a last-minute substitute to injured Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga, won the Asian Elite Men’s Championships at the Amman Boxing Arena in Jordan two years ago.

Palicte won one of the Philippines’ silver medals in last year’s “Agong Cup” held in Malaysia. He is also a last-minute substitute to another Negrense Nico Magliquian of Talisay City who got sick.

Galvan and Bautista suited up in last year’s Incheon Asian Games but bowed out of medal contention after falling in the men’s light welterweight round of 32 and men’s flyweight round of 16, respectively.

Pasuit is fighting for the women’s 60 kgs.

Dynamic Football League 2015 1st Conference opens Saturday

(PNA), RMA/NLG/CMG

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 17 (PNA) -- The 1st Conference of 2015 Dynamic Football League (DFL) opens Saturday at Panaad Park and Sports Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan here.

Three age-group categories include Under 11 Boys (born Jan. 1, 2005), Under 13 Boys (Born Jan. 1, 2003) and Under 17 Girls (born Jan. 1, 1999).

The Under 11 will be played in a 7 A-Side format with a minimum roster of 12 players and a maximum of 14 while both the Under 13 and Under 17 will be played in 9 A-Side with minimum line-up of 16 and a maximum of 18 players.

The teams seeing action in Under 11 is led by defending champion Trinity Christian School (TCS). Others are University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), St. John’s Institute (SJI), University of St. La Salle-Integrated School (USLS), Bata Elementary School, Montevista Elementary School, Handumanan Elementary School, Apolinario Mabini Elementary School, Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI)-Victorias, Eliakim Learning Center and Fellowship Baptist College.

In the Under 13 are defending titlist DBTI, TCS, UNO-R, SJI, USLS-IS, Himamaylan Central School, Bata ES, Mansilingan Elementary School, Moises Padilla ES, Bago City ES, Ramon Magsaysay ES, San Carlos City Elementary School, and St. Scholastica’s Academy (SSA).

In the Under 17 Girls, the category is led by defending champion SSA, UNO-R, USLS-IS, St. Francis of Assisi School, and Doña Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School-Silay City.

Miguel Rivero is the tournament commissioner.

Newly-elected president of Negros Occidental Football Association and DFL chairman Ricky Yanson is supporting this age-group grassroots football development program.

DOT mobile accreditation set in Negros Jan. 26-30

(Visayan Daily Star)

The province of Negros Occidental, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, will conduct a mobile accreditation in the province on January 26 to 30, intended to encourage global competitiveness and facilitate the promotion of individual enterprise and the tourism industry as a whole, a DOT press release said yesterday.

The DOT is inviting all tourism enterprises such as travel and tour services; land, sea and air transport services for tourist use; tour guides; adventure sports services involving such sports as mountaineering;

Spelunking, scuba diving and other sports, accommodation establishments including but not limited to hotels, resorts, apartelles, tourist inns, motels, pension houses and homestay operators; convention and exhibition organizers; tourism estate management services;

Restaurants, shops and department stores, sports and recreational centers, spas, museums and galleries, theme parks, convention centers and zoo to be accredited with the Department of Tourism.

All Primary tourism enterprise establishments and services under Republic Act 9593, otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009, is mandated to apply online through http://www.tourism.gov.ph using Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox version 8 browsers to access the Rules and Regulations Governing Accreditation of Tourism Enterprise, documentary requirements are also listed in the same site, the press release said.

DOT will be at the Bacolod City Tourism Office at the Government Center on January 26-27, San Carlos City - January 28, Cadiz City – January 29 and Kabankalan City January 30 to facilitate the processing, inspection and approval of applications for accreditation.

Benefits and incentives of accreditation are the following: endorsement to COMELEC for exemption from liquor ban during election-related events (for accommodation establishments and restaurants), priority to DOT training programs, issuance of DOT ID cards to bonafide employees;

Endorsement to international and domestic airports (if appropriate) for issuance of access pass to qualified personnel (tour operators and accommodation establishments only); qualification for exemption from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program of the MMDA, endorsement to LTFRB for issuance of tourist transport franchise (tourist transport only) and technical/security/facilitation support or assistance, the press release said.

Those who wish for more information may call the Negros Occidental Tourism Division, Office of the Governor at telephone number (034) 433-2515, the press release added.

Bacolod faithful to welcome Pope Francis with tolling of bells, fireworks display

(PNA), FFC/NLG

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 15 (PNA) -- The Catholic faithfuls in Bacolod are welcoming Pope Francis Thursday with the tolling of bells and fireworks display on the grounds of the San Sebastian Cathedral in this city.

“Let us welcome him with open hearts in the spirit of love,” said Fr. Felix Pasquin, rector of the San Sebastian Cathedral.

During the Pope’s scheduled arrival around 5:45 p.m. at the Villamor Airbase in Manila, the Cathedral here will toll its bells along with other parishes across the country.

Colorful ribbons and tarpaulins of the Pope also adorn the church grounds.

Pasquin said beggars will offer leis to the standee of the Pope mounted at the entrance of the Cathedral.

The 195 delegates of the Diocese of Bacolod led by Bishop Vicente Navarra arrived in Manila yesterday and today.

The Diocese has 195 delegates, 30 of them priests, along with 105 lay persons and 60 youth representatives.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the visit of Pope Francis to the country should not only be for Catholics but for all religions.

"It's not about the Pope, it's about the Lord Jesus Christ," Lacson said.

He said the Pope's visit to the country could further enrich the Filipinos’ faith in God.

Bacolod City Rep. Evelio Leonardia, his wife Elsa, and daughter Kara will be among those who will attend the Pope’s “Encounter with Families” Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.

“This is a rare privilege,” Leonardia said, “My family and I will bring with us the prayers of families in Bacolod when we gather for the Pope.”

Leonardia said meeting Pope Francis is a celebration of his family’s faith.

“My parents, who steeped us in the Catholic faith, must be smiling at this opportunity given to us,” he added.

For his part, Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella urged Bacolodnons to follow the example of Pope Francis.

"Let's forget about politics and our problems and devote our time to the Pope. I will be going to Tacloban for the Papal visit. Let us learn from his example," he said.

Puentevella also said that he has one thing in common with Pope Francis, and that is their love for football.

2,773 foreign students noted in 2014

(TDE)

FOREIGN students continue to flock in Negros Occidental, mostly to study English.

Records of the Bacolod Immigration Field Office show that in 2014, 2,773 foreign students studied in the province. In 2013, 2,819 foreign students enrolled in Negros Occidental while in 2012, a total of 2,423 students came to the province.

Last year, they included Koreans, reaching 2,168; Japanese, 415; Taiwanese, 137; Americans, 21; Canadian, 8; Chinese, 5; Singaporean and German, three each; and British and Hongkong Chinese, two each.

In 2014, 19 foreign nationals were issued with special permits while in 2013, only 10.

Bacolod to host Visayas ICT events

(Sun.Star Bacolod)

The Visayas ICT Cluster Organization (Victor) composed of ICT Councils in Regions 6, 7, and 8 will host the 1st Visayas National Creative Congress (CreaCon) and 3rd Victor Conference on February 6 and 7 at SMX Bacolod Convention Center.

Bacolod City Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, head of Victor and main convenor, said the two-day ICT event will highlight the potential and prospects in the Visayas for the creative industry especially in animation and game development.

“Our over-all theme for this year is Victor: Harnessing the Potential for A Creative Visayas. This will be a great opportunity for the academe to learn about the creative industry,” she added.

Batapa-Sigue said Victor and CreaCon, as the first official ICT event of Bacolod for 2015, will bring in top personalities in the creative industry and will certainly open doors to many opportunities for the city and the province.

Hosting the event is the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT) aiming to forge partnership with various organizations such as the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (iBPAP), ICT Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

A special part of the event is the First Quarter NICP General Assembly were we have also invited all ICT councils from Luzon and Mindanao and the new NICP Board.

Registration rate for two days is P2,500, which includes meals and attendance, One-day rate is P1,250 and Student Rate is P500.00 for all afternoon sessions beginning 1 p.m. for two days.*

78 new ARBs up in Victorias City

(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Jan. 12 (PIA6) - - Good things finally come to those agrarian reform beneficiaries who waited for a decade to get hold of their Certificates of Land Ownership and be installed as new land owners.

Seventy eight ARBs from barangays XV, XV-A, XVIII-A all of Victorias City received their CLOAs from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and are now ready to cultivate their 119.24 hectares of land acquired by DAR through Compulsory Arbitration.

The Notice of Coverage (NOC) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program was issued to former land owner Victorias Milling Company in August of 2006 then, in March 2002 was also issued to the Bank of the Philippine Islands and in June 2012, the Victorias Agricultural Land Corporation was issued the same NOC.

Until in September 2005, the workers of Hacienda Florencia were organized into Florencia Workers Association with its President Ramon Lavides Sr.

An emotional Lavides thanked the DAR and the Damayan ng mga Manggagawa, Mangingisda at Magsasaka or DAMMMBA, a Non-Government Organization who helped them acquire their land.

“In the span of 10 years, now you receive your CLOAs, let us thank God for allowing a peaceful awarding of our CLOA and installation of the land to us,” Lavides said telling his members to thank DAR for the help.

Meanwhile, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Teresita Mabunay reminded the ARBs of their obligations one year after the installation.

ARBs or ARB organizations are obliged to pay their amortization to the Land Bank of the Philippines, land taxes to their respective local government units where, failure to comply are grounds for disqualification and cancellation of their CLOAs.

“You are more blessed than the other farmers in the country because now, you have your own land to till. Take care of it, treat it like a responsible father of the family. Do not abandon, pawn, or lease it, instead cultivate it,” Mabunay told the ARBs.

Bacolod’s most wanted nabbed

By CYRUS M. GARDE (PN)

BACOLOD City – The No. 1 most wanted person here has been arrested.

Abel Sabordo, a construction worker, was arrested in Barangay Handumanan.

Operatives of Police Station 10 led by Senior Inspector Richee Gohee served the suspect’s arrest warrant for murder and rape.

No bail was recommended for Sabordo’s temporary liberty.

Meanwhile, the No. 8 most wanted person in Police Station 7 was arrested at Purok Kahirup-A, Barangay Mansilingan.

Sharon Suansing was 39.

Judge Karen Joy Tan Gaston of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 6 issued Suansing’s arrest warrant, said Police Station 7’s Jovil Sedel.

As of press time, it was unclear if Suansing was able to bail herself out for P10,000.

At Police Station 8, Inspector Elmer Bonilla arrested Mateo Pescadera in Barangay Mansilingan for rape.

He was denied bail.

In another story, a robbery suspect was arrested in a joint operation of Police Stations 4 and 7 in Purok Kahirup-A, Barangay Mansilingan.

Jefferson Panisa’s arrest warrant was issued by Judge Eduardo Sayson of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 54.


Cadiz ‘Dinagsa’ starts Jan. 17

By CYRUS M. GARDE (PN)

CADIZ City, Negros Occidental — This city will celebrate its 41st Dinagsa Festival from Jan. 17 to 25.

Themed “Paghugpong sang Putli nga Handom, Padulong sa Masanyog nga Palaabuton,” the annual festival will kick off with a two-day motocross competition on Jan. 17 to 18 at the Reclamation Area here.

A biking competition will also be held on Jan. 18 near the City Treasurer’s Office.

The talent night of the 2015 Dinagsa Queen will be at 7 p.m. on Jan. 22 at the covered gym of Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School. The coronation night will be at 8 p.m. on Jan. 23 in the same venue.

The celebration will continue with a fun run at 4 a.m. on Jan. 24. Runners can participate in 3-, 5-, or 10-kilometer runs.

On the same day, a Frisbee tournament at the Reclamation Area and an amateur boxing competition at the national high school’s covered court will be held at 1 p.m.

A car audio exhibition and a street party will also be held at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.

On Jan. 25, the festival’s culmination will start with a Holy Mass at the Philippine Normal University’s quadrangle, to be followed by a parade and street dancing competition.

The festival will wrap up with a street party at 6 p.m. and a pyrotechnic display at 10 p.m.

Mayor Patrick Escalante invited everyone to join the celebration in honor of the city’s patron saint, Senior Santo Niño.

City Coucil okays drainage system resolution

(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

THE Bacolod City Council has approved a resolution requesting the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to closely monitor and check the drainage system of the city.

Councilor Claudio Jesus Puentevella, who authored the resolution, said the dilapidated and clogged underground drainage systems and constricted waterway has caused heavy floods in the city during the rainy season.

Both offices, through the Office of Mayor Monico Puentevella, are mandated to regularly monitor the drainage systems of the city’s main thoroughfares as well as flood prone areas, subdivisions and barangays and to further mitigate its negative effect.

Kabankalan's 39th Sinulog Festival kicks off today

(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

THE 2015 fiesta season in Negros Occidental and the Philippines kicks off with community celebrations venerating the Sto. Niño, with the opening today, January 9, of the 39th Sinulog Festival of Kabankalan City.

The 10-day Sinulog Festival of Kabankalan, both a cultural and religious celebration, opens with a fireworks display at 7 p.m. at the public plaza, and a program at 9 p.m. featuring stars Inigo Pascual and Sophia Andres, and the Skillage Band.

Kabankalan City holds its festival of thanksgiving with the "Sinulog sa Kabankalan" on the third week of January, culminating in a grand weekend of revelry from January 16 to 18.

Started in 1976, the "Sinulog sa Kabankalan" has been celebrated for almost 40 years, and precedes other similar festivals in neighboring islands. As a top tourist attraction, particularly among locals from neighboring areas, the Sinulog sa Kabankalan has managed to retain its authenticity and grassroots appeal. Visitors who come to share in the revelry will be able to experience the genuine community spirit of the Kabankalanons.

The 2015 Sinulog sa Kabankalan kicks off with the Tribal Headdress Competition, with the entries to be displayed at the Robinsons Mall in Bacolod City from January 4-11. This headdress competition is unique as it requires the entries to be wearable.

The host of activities lined up for the week-long celebration has been programmed to appeal to a wide range of interests. Beauties from all over the island are vying for the prestigious title of Negros Sinulog Queen, with the beauty pageant and coronation night scheduled on Friday, January 16.

Also on January 16, the Kabankalan night sky will light up with the Musical Pyrotechnics competition, drawing the best fireworks manufacturers from all over the country. The winning entry will have a chance to reprise its performance at the closing ceremonies on Sunday, January 18.

For the young and hip party crowd, the Music Fest is scheduled nightly from January 16-19, with well-known stars and performers expected to pump up the excitement.

Renowned DJ Leandro Zayco and the Patiqueros will be the mainstays of the Music Fest, after having represented the Philippines in many international music festivals.

Those who want to experience the traditional merry-making will surely enjoy the Rio-style Mardi Gras with floats and carnival dancers leading the street dancing, scheduled on Saturday, January 17.

At the Tribal Parade and Competition on Sunday, January 18, dark-skinned tribes bedecked in colorful headdresses and costumes will dance on the streets to the Sinulog beat.

For motorsports enthusiasts, a unique Sampaguita Rally will be held on Friday, January 16, with a route that will cover over 70 kilometers of Kabankalan's barangay roads.

Focusing more on precision rather than speed, the Sampaguita Rally is open to two-man teams consisting of a driver and navigator, with a roadworthy vehicle.

Meanwhile performance motorsports fans will surely enjoy the Autocross and Super-Moto events to be held on Saturday, January 17.

A duathlon is also scheduled for Saturday, January 17, to cater to the running and cycling community.

The Sinulog sa Kabankalan festival has its roots in local folklore and history. The Sinulog is a tribal war dance performed by the indigenous population, and the Sinulog sa Kabankalan celebrates this cultural heritage as thousands join the pageantry of colors and the merry-making to rhythmic sounds and movements. It is also a religious festival, venerating the Señor Santo Niño, who was believed to have saved the Christian Kabankalanons from the attacking Moros during Spanish times.

Bacolod City gears for waste reduction

(CNC)

THE City of Bacolod is gearing towards waste reduction, said Executive Assistant Ma. Fe Trespuentes, who is in charge of solid waste management concerns.

She said that despite the efficiency in garbage collection shown by new hauling contractor Dynamic Builders, the city will continue to orient the public about waste reduction by way of waste segregation at source.

The 2015 population of the city is around 559,000 people aside from the additional 100,000 people who come to Bacolod every day.

The daily waste generation estimate per person is .64 kilogram, and if multiplied with the 669,000 population, the waste generation reaches a maximum of 1,200 tons or a minimum of 700 to 800 cubic meters of garbage.

Dynamic Builders has reached 68 trips a day in collecting garbage since the trash has piled up from December 25 to 31.

They have 33 dump trucks collecting garbage, taking two to three trips per truck every day, Trespuentes said.

Dynamic Builders own 50 percent of the dump trucks and other equipment, and the other 50 percent is rented which is allowed in their contract with the city.

Trespuentes said she hopes that the barangays will play a great role in the campaign on waste reduction and waste diversion by way of waste segregation.

‘Yolanda’ victims in northern Negros set to receive Php 537 M in cash aid

(PNA), RMA/NLG/MPE

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 6 (PNA) – Victims of super typhoon Yolanda in the second district of Negros Occidental will soon receive a total of Php 537 million cash assistance from the national government, local officials said.

Affected are Cadiz City under Mayor Patrick Escalante, Sagay City headed by Mayor Alfredo Marañon III, and Manapla town led by Mayor Lourdes Escalante.

The mayors said they were hoping that the funds would be released this month.

Families whose houses were totally damaged will receive Php 30,000 each while those whose houses were partially damaged will get Php 10,000 each.

“We are waiting for the go-signal from the Department of Social Welfare and Development as we have already complied with and submitted the needed requirements,” the mayors said.

Of the total appropriation of Php 537 million from the DSWD national office, Cadiz will receive Php 304 million; Sagay City, Php 104 million; andPhp 93 million for Manapla.

Escalante said that Cadiz also expects financial assistance for infrastructure and livelihood from the national government, adding that all the needed paper works were already submitted.

In Cadiz alone, about 4,500 houses were totally damaged while 17,000 others were partially damaged, DSWD records show.

Marañon said that 3,000 houses were totally damaged and 5,000 others were partially damaged in Sagay. Also, 1,101 houses were totally damaged and 6,000 were partially damaged in Manapla.

Of the total of Php 167 billion Yolanda rehabilitation fund, Php 3.9 billion was allocated to Negros Occidental, according to the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery.

2015 Bacolaodiat Festival to usher in Chinese New Year on Feb.19- 22

By Nanette L. Guadalquiver [(PNA), CTB/NLG]

BACOLOD CITY, Jan 5 (PNA) -- The 2015 Bacolaodiat Festival, the lunar new year celebration in this city, will be held on February 19 to 22, organizers said.

Now on its 10th edition, this year’s festival will welcome the Year of the Goat with the theme, “A decade of celebration. A lifetime of harmony.”

Among the activities is the Giant Goat Lantern Making Contest open to all barangays, cities, municipalities, organizations and groups in Bacolod and Negros Occidental.

Entries must have a minimum length of six feet, minimum height of four feet and a base proportioned to one’s desired specifications, but must have a minimum height of two feet. Entries should also be weather proof as these will be displayed outdoors. Lanterns must have mechanical effects like moving heads, stomping feet, or chewing mouth with necessary sound effects.

The Giant Goat Lanterns will be displayed at the SM City Bacolod North and South Al Fresco areas for judging and for public viewing.

Criteria for judging are: creativity and craftsmanship, 40 percent; visual impact, 30 percent; lighting and design, 20 percent; and relevance to the theme, 10 percent.

The first prize winner will receive P30,000; second, P20,000; and third, P10,000.

Deadline of registration is January 16.

Those who wish for more information, may call the Bacolaodiat Secretariat at (034) 457-4257.

Negros Occidental Football Association names new head

By Cyrus M. Garde [(PNA), CTB/NLG/CMG]

BACOLOD CITY, Jan 4 (PNA) – Ricky Yanson of Dynamic Football League has been elected president of the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) during the association’s recent meeting here.

Yanson is taking over the leadership of former congressman Carlos “Charlie” Cojuangco.

This was confirmed by NOFA General-Secretary Paulline Javelona, who also said that San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr. was elected vice president.

The Board of Directors includes Junie Lizares (Minuluan FC), Raymando Baldava (Don Bosco FC), Mariano Antonio Cui III (San Carlos FC), Jose Ma. Sanson (Bago City FC), Augustine Rey Rivas (Kabankalan FC),and Gerald Pornan (Ma-ao FC).

Cojuangco sits as honorary board member.

Javelona said the new set of officers will formally take office following the general assembly on January 30.

Last year, Yanson conceptualized an age-group football tournament for grassroots football development in coordination with the Province of Negros Occidental.

The Yanson siblings, Ricky and Leo Rey, also own Ceres-La Salle Football Club that is competing in the big league in Manila.

Fireworks displays welcome 2015

(PNA)

BACOLOD City — A series of grand fireworks displays was held in the evening of Jan. 1 at the People’s House to welcome 2015.

Revelers marvelled three consecutive pyrotechnic displays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The city government organized the event in partnership with Panasiatic Solutions, Silver Dragon Construction and the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp.

The fireworks display has been traditionally held on New Year’s Eve but was rescheduled to ensure the spectators’ safety.

Mayor Monico Puentevella said the event was successful.

He thanked the three companies that sponsored the event.

The city’s grand fireworks display next year will be held on the same schedule at the People’s House and the public plaza, said Puentevella.

Double Dragon acquires Bacolod property

By James Loyola

Site for new CityMall

CityMall Commercial Centers Inc. (CMCCI), a subsidiary of Tony Tancaktiong and Edgar Sia II’s Double Dragon Properties Corporation, has secured a 1-hectare prime commercial corner lot in Mandalagan, Bacolod City.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Double Dragon said it obtained the property via a joint venture and will use it for the construction of CityMall-Mandalagan Bacolod.

Lacson-Mandalagan Street is the major street in Bacolod City. Community centers like public market, churches, hospitals/clinics, post office, banks and public and private schools are within a few meters from the property. The site location is surrounded by numerous fully-developed residential subdivisions.

Bacolod is the country’s third fastest growing economy in terms of information technology and business process outsourcing activities.

One of the notable BPO companies operating in the city is situated along Lacson Street and nearly across the site location. The property is also directly across another existing supermarket.

CityMall-Mandalagan Bacolod is the 15th site secured by CMCCI to date and puts the Company on track to meet the goal of completing its first 25 CityMalls by end of 2015 and a total of 100 CityMalls by 2020, all in prime and strategic locations around the country.

“The whole DD team continues to be determined on its near-term goals of reaching 1 million square meters of prime leasable spaces around the country,” said Sia.

He added that “we believe that this will provide the company with both a strong recurring rental income and a string of valuable appreciating assets.

‘Seniang’ injures 1, displaces 44,000 in Negros Occidental

(Philippine News Agency)

Bacolod City, Negros Occ. – A 32-year-old man is fighting for his life while over 44,000 people in 16 cities and towns in Negros Occidental were affected by tropical storm “Seniang” in the past last two days. The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) identified the victim as Jay Dingson of Barangay San Vicente, Binalbagan town, who was electrocuted and is now confined at the Intensive Care Unit of Bacolod Adventist Medical Center.

Latest PSWDO on Wednesday showed that a total of 44,554 people, or 13,122 families, from 90 villages sought temporary shelter in 76 evacuation centers due to flooding, heavy rains, and strong winds.

The report added that Seniang totally damaged 11 houses and partially damaged 87 others.

The town of San Enrique was the worst hit with 17,795 affected individuals or 3,559 families from Barangays Baliwagan, Guintorilan, Batuan, Sibucao, Bagunawa, Tabao-Rizal, Poblacion, Tibsok, and Tabao-Baybay. All nine villages were flooded.

Other affected areas are Binalbagan town with 11,850 individuals, or 5,230 families; Himamaylan City with 7,635 persons, or 1,527 families; Silay City with 2,070 people, or 414 families; Isabela with 1,824 persons, or 446 families, with five houses totally damaged and four others partially damaged; Pulupandan town with 1,313 people, or 400 families; and Escalante City, with 690 people, or 138 families.

Also affected are 522 persons or 94 families with one house totally damaged and 80 others partially damaged in Hinigaran; 339 individuals, or 252 families in Talisay City; 308 people or 68 families in Kabankalan City; 195 persons or 39 families in Cauayan; 192 individuals, or 50 families and a house totally damaged in Pontevedra; 71 persons or 17 families in Bago City; 66 persons, or 17 families, with one house partially damaged in San Carlos City; and eight individuals or two families, with two houses partially damaged in Sipalay City.

The PSWDO also reported that there are six flooded barangays in Valladolid, which affected 869 families.

PSWD Officer Liane Garcia said the Disaster Relief Operations Center of the provincial government was deactivated at 9 a.m. Wednesday after all evacuation centers were cleared except in Binalbagan since the affected barangays are still under water.

Records indicate that the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council distributed 3,000 family packs and 300 hygiene packs while 1,900 family packs were also distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to affected families in Negros Occidental.

Affected LGUs also extended relief assistance to displaced families in their respective localities.

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