Negros Occidental News July 2018

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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.

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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.

PCIC insures 33K farmers, fisherfolk in NegOcc

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- A total of 33,092 farmers and fisherfolk in Negros Occidental have been insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, from January to July 15 this year.

These include those covered by regular crop insurance, as well as those under the coverage of the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA), Sikat Saka, and Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP).

In the rice sector, covered are 11,705 farmers planting 12,165.83 hectares while 614 corn farmers with area of 534.43 hectares are also enrolled.

Also insured are 4,713 coconut and sugarcane farmers, covering 4,490.13 hectares.

All these insured farmers cover an area of almost 26,475 hectares, based on the latest figures released by the PCIC-Negros Occidental.

Others insured are 2,801 livestock raisers, with 8,564 hectares as well as 709 recipients of non-crop insurance, with 709 hectares. Seven seaweed growers with seven hectares are also covered.

Accident insurance is also provided for 12,542 farmers, with a total area of seven hectares.

Under the RSBSA, 14,764 farmers with an area of 18,984.85 hectares are insured with a premium coverage of PHP30 million.

A total of 180 farmers with 255.03 hectares are covered by the Sikat Saka with a premium worth PHP899,000.

For APCP, 245 farmers, with 358.58 hectares, are insured with a premium of almost PHP1.5 million.

There are 17,903 farmers, with 6,875.93 hectares, insured under the regular crop insurance program with a premium of almost PHP6.2 million.

In the first half of 2018, the PCIC has paid indemnity claims amounting to almost PHP34.5 million to 6,611 enrolled-farmers in Negros Occidental. Majority of the claims, which is about PHP34 million, was paid to 6,519 rice farmers.

For the corn sector, released was PHP299,442 to 77 farmers; PHP56,000 to two non-crop sector farmers; PHP55,350 to five livestock raisers; and PHP16,000 to eight farmers under the Credit and Life Term Insurance.

NegOcc coffee growers undergo packaging, labelling training

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Seventeen coffee growers in Negros Occidental underwent a training on product packaging and labelling organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The one-day seminar, initiated by the DTI in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Negros Occidental, was held Friday at the Negosyo Center in this city.

Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said the training seeks to enable growers and processors to produce “very good products” for the National Coffee Congress next year.

He added that improved packaging and labeling will also allow local coffee growers and food processors to expand their markets since good product presentation brings market advantage.

DOST-Negros Occidental science research analyst Fumio Moronaga discussed the different kinds of packing materials as well as types of packaging materials applicable for specific products, mandatory requirements for labelling, nutritional facts, and shelf life analysis.

The coffee growers were joined by seven food processors during the seminar.

On July 10, the DTI-Negros Occidental, with the DOST, also conducted a packaging and labelling seminar for 10 food processors in San Enrique town to help the participants improve their “simple” packaging and labels.

Tupas said before the DTI stepped in, the food processors, considered as small-and-medium enterprises, were contented with using any available material such as plastic wraps.

“We see the need to improve their products to increase marketability. They have good products but these need improvement in terms of labelling and packaging,” he added.

Tupas said each food processor received 10 packs of packaging materials, containing 1,000 pieces per pack, and 100 pieces of labelling materials that they can later reproduce.

DAR installs 43 farmer-beneficiaries in northern Negros town

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- A total of 43 farmers in two remote villages in Toboso, Negros Occidental were installed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) after they received their certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) in separate rites this week.

On Thursday, the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Barangay Bandila received land titles for the 16.5624 hectares of the property formerly owned by Lucio Barcelona.

A day earlier, those in Barangay Bug-ang were given titles to two separate landholdings in Barangay Bug-ang, comprising 8.0539 hectares and 6.1816 hectares, which used to belong to Raymundo Toralba and Alipio Lubo, respectively.

The CLOAs in the two villages covered a total of 30.77978 hectares.

Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer-in-Charge Jasmin Castillo led the awarding of CLOAs and the subsequent installation of the farmer-beneficiaries under the coverage area of DAR Negros Occidental-North.

Castillo, in a statement, reminded the farmers of their rights and obligations as new landowners.

Under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, the farmer-beneficiaries should pay their annual tax amortizations to the Land Bank of the Philippines, and land taxes to the local government.

Last July 6, DAR Negros Occidental-South also turned over CLOAs to 26 farmer-beneficiaries in Bago City.

The land titles covered almost 16 hectares of the property formerly owned by Roberto Benedicto in Barangay Binubuhan.

Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Rosario Norbe had assured the beneficiaries of the government’s continuous support through various support services.

The DAR has been providing support, including credit assistance, farm machinery, free agrarian legal advice, and consultation to farmers who have land problems.

Norbe urged farmer-beneficiaries to protect and defend their rights over the land and refrain from engaging in illegal activities, particularly the “ariendo” system or leasing of land.

“There is no reason for ARBs to engage in the ariendo system since the DAR has buckets of support services,” she added.

NegOcc okays P16-M investment in organic agriculture

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The Provincial Board of Negros Occidental has authorized Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to make a PHP16-million investment with Family Farms Incorporated, a social enterprise based in Bago City, starting this year.

The authority was given to the governor during the board’s regular session held on Wednesday afternoon.

Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said the investment will focus on facilities to support the post-harvest operations of organic farmers since organic agriculture is one of the flagship programs of the province.

“Our investment will mainly go to post-harvest facilities,” he said.

Masculino said the Family Farms already has facilities dedicated to organic products, including a dedicated organic rice mill.

Since it exports organic rice from Negros Occidental, it is equipped with appropriate machinery and technologies, which adheres to organic production standards, he added.

“The province could eventually penetrate the global market as its investment on additional facilities would mean production of more quality organic rice,” Masculino said.

Family Farms also introduces organic farming technology, assists those who want to go organic, facilitates organic certification, and buys and sells the produce of local organic farmers.

Masculino said the enterprise has an “end to end” activity -- from production to the market.

Since the entity will take charge of their products, it would be easy to convince farmers to go organic, he added.

Through this initiative, they hoped to encourage more farmers to convert to organic production, Masculino said.

There are at least 17,000 organic adaptors, mostly small farmers, in Negros Occidental.

Bacolod City releases P4.6-M pay of student interns

By Nanette Guadalquiver

BACOLOD CITY -- The City of Bacolod started releasing on Wednesday the PHP4.6-million honorariums of 1,556 students who participated in the local summer job program in May this year.

Maria Rebecca Balicas, officer-in-charge manager of Public Employment Services Office, said released were the salaries of only 1,360 students, who were able to submit their daily time records (DTRs) and other requirements for payroll processing.

Each student is entitled to receive PHP3,000 for 15 days of work at P200 per day.

The “summer jobbers,” who are all from the 61 barangays of the city, were hired with the support of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Balicas said the salaries were released after the student presents his or her identification card and community tax certificate.

Those who are out-of-town or have to attend classes can authorize someone to claim his or her allowance, but with prior approval from Balicas.

“By Friday, we can cater to those with authorization letters although it would take time since I still have to approve it, as well as the cashier,” she said.

Balicas said those who have not yet submitted their DTRs can still do so for inclusion in the next batch of releases.

“They can visit our office anytime if they have concerns. They can still claim their salaries, but they should find time to process the requirements,” she added.

P13-M mental health facility opens in Bacolod gov’t hospital

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in this city unveiled its PHP13 million Mental Health Unit on Monday.

Dr. Julius Drilon, chief of hospital, said the construction of the facility was completed six months earlier and the Department of Health (DOH) conducted the inspection three months ago for the issuance of a license to operate.

“This is an internally-funded project, from our own income,” he said.

The 12-bed unit is manned by 12 personnel to provide specialized psychiatric services. It has an open psychiatric ward which is the first of its kind in Negros Occidental.

Drilon said the Mental Health Unit is a short-stay facility, and not a rehabilitation center.

“It encompasses a lot of disciplines. It is not just for depression, drug- related psychiatric attacks, and emotional issues. It will also serve our co-workers. We found out that work-related violations involve family issues, which needs counseling,” he added.

The opening of the Mental Health Unit coincided with the formal inauguration of the hospital’s magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) complex.

Drilon said the MRI facility has been operating for a year and has served hundreds of patients who availed of its 35 percent lower service than those charged by private hospitals.

“It is one of the best in the country, (the MRI machine is) worth PHP85 million to PHP90 million,” he said. The equipment is capable of doing diagnostic procedures such as MRI of the brain, musculoskeletal, and abdomen.

Drilon said the hospital spent at least PHP20 million to set up the area which houses the 1.5 Tesla MRI machine, adding that the construction was funded through the DOH appropriation for 2017.

Drilon said patients availing the services of both the mental health and MRI facilities can avail of coverage from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Negrenses take ‘save acacia trees’ campaign to cyberspace

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Concerned Negrenses are taking to the cyberspace the fight to save more than a hundred decades-old acacia trees on the roadside of Barangay Abuanan in Bago City, Negros Occidental.

An online petition has been launched on change.org and a Facebook page was set up to protest the cutting of the trees for the two-kilometer Sum-ag-Abuanan road widening project to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

As of Monday afternoon, about 5,800 netizens, not only from Negros and other parts of the country, but also abroad, have signed the petition titled “Killing Trees in the Name of Progress?” led by Sylvia “Gigi” Campos since it was launched nine days ago.

“The question now is, do we sacrifice the environment on the altar of development?” she said.

In the online petition, Campos wrote: “Let’s stop the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from approving DPWH request to kill 271 (based on initial count) beautiful acacia trees along Abuanan Road in Bago City, Negros Occidental planted 31 years ago.”

“There are other ways to widen the highway. Let’s get this done and set an example of what they cannot do nationwide,” she added.

Records show the DPWH is seeking a permit from the DENR to cut 292 trees, including 135 acacia, 133 kamunsil, 10 coconut, eight mahogany, and six Indian mango, in the area.

After several trees have already been pruned, a moratorium on the cutting of trees stays, Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo said during a meeting with stakeholders on July 12.

Negrense Thelma Watanabe said on her Facebook post on July 6 that the acacia trees were planted 31 years ago by members of Organization for Industrial Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) from Japan as a sign of friendship between the Japanese group and the people of Bago.

“It’s a painful sight, 31 years to grow,” she said of the cutting of the acacia trees.

On Thursday, she and her husband Shigemi Watanabe, executive director of OISCA-Tabunan Training Center in Bago City, were among those who attended the meeting called for by the mayor.

During the meeting, DPWH representatives said the contractor, Silver Dragon Construction Inc., started to prune the trees even before a permit was issued by the DENR.

A local newspaper reported over the weekend that DENR-Western Visayas Regional Director Jim Sampulna said a public consultation should be held in Bago City on the request of the DPWH for permit to cut the trees.

On July 13, a group called PROTECT which stands for Preserve Respect of the Environment and Communities created a Facebook page to protest the cutting of trees.

“One incidence of the reckless cutting of trees in the name of progress got us together. We had no singular name, but rather, we lent our name to the singular voice that protested against the irregularity, and people listened,” the group said.

“After having found kindred spirits (and we welcome more), the PROTECT Team was born. We will stand up to deliver our piece and will hold our fight versus anyone who dares kill our precious trees or destroy our environment, without just cause,” they added.

Elementary pupils in Bacolod City get free school supplies

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Pupils in all 46 public elementary schools here received a total of 68,000 school bags from the city government in a series of distribution completed Monday afternoon.

The beneficiaries, who were Grades 1 to 6 pupils, each received a backpack containing two notebooks, two pencils, two ballpens and a ruler.

The city government spent at least PHP11 million for the purchase of the school supplies.

“On behalf of Pahanocoy Baybay Elementary School parents and staff we would like to say thank you to the city government for giving us school supplies for the benefit of our pupils,” said principal Herminio Remada Jr., whose pupils were among those who received the last batch of free school supplies on Monday.

The distribution, which ran for about two weeks, started on June 29, with Mayor Evelio Leonardia giving out 3,000 school bags to pupils of Banago Elementary School I and II, and also 3,000 of the same school items to pupils of Bata Elementary School I and II.

On July 2, 11,560 pupils from seven public elementary schools also received their school bags.

Distributed in Jose R. Torres Elementary School were 2,719 bags; Rizal Elementary School, 2,231; Education and Training Center School (ETCS) I, 1,158; ETCS II, 1,621; ETCS III, 1,616; Corazon Locsin Montelibano Elementary School, 1,622; and Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. Elementary School, 593.

On July 4, a total of 3,281 school bags were distributed to pupils of Andres Bonifacio Elementary School I and II.

The following day, 15,222 school bags were released to pupils of Handuman Elementary School I, who received 3,547 sets; Handuman Elementary School II, 1,816; Felisa Elementary School, 813; Mariano G. Medalla Integrated School, 1,220; Sum-ag Elementary School, 3,865; Francisco R. Flores Elementary School, 1,077; and Rodolfo A. Medel Sr. Elementary School, 2,884.

On July 6, city officials distributed 10,546 school bags to six more schools.

The beneficiaries were those at Vista Alegre Granada Relocation Elementary School, Asuncion L. Lizares Elementary School, Patricia Homes Elementary School, Antonio L. Jayme Elementary School, Emilia J. Garcia Elementary School, and Crispino V. Ramos Elementary School. On July 9, a total of 6,851 pupils from another six public elementary schools received school supplies as well. They were from Apolinario Mabini Elementary School, Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School, ETCS IV, Estefania Elementary School, Montevista Elementary School, and F. F. Gonzaga Elementary School.

Three schools, with a total of 2,706 pupils, were the recipients on July 12 -- Abkasa Elementary School, Mandalagan Elementary School, and Isla Elementary School.

On July 13, a total of 4,766 pupils from six schools received school bags. The recipients were pupils of Iluminado S. Nessia Sr. Elementary School, Paglaum Village Elementary School, Kabugwason Elementary School, Alberto D. Arceo Elementary School, Rafael Alunan Elementary School, and Fr. Gratian Murray Integrated School.

The last batch of five schools received school bags for 4,017 pupils on Monday.

These included Villa Esperanza Elementary School, Pahanocoy Baybay Elementary School, Jose J. Gonzaga Elementary School, Luis B. Puentevella Elementary School, and Bacolod City SPED Center.

Bacolod hospital readies for 'Malasakit' Center opening

By Nanette Guadalquiver

BACOLOD CITY – The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) has started preparations for the target opening of the "Malasakit" Center in the last quarter of the year.

In an interview after Monday's inauguration of the CLMMRH magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) complex and mental health unit, hospital chief Dr. Julius Drilon said that part of the efforts is the renovation of the hospital’s Social Services Unit that will house the facility, which is expected to be completed in three months.

“Maybe I could say, in three months, it will be okay,” he said. “We’re preparing for it. We’re very glad it will house the integrated services unit in a one-stop shop.”

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino, who visited Bacolod last June 18, said a "Malasakit" Center will soon open at the CLMMRH, which is the only Department of Health (DOH)-run hospital on Negros Island.

The Bacolod facility will be the second in Region 6 after the one at the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City was unveiled on July 20.

A "Malasakit" Center, a one-stop shop managed by representatives of the DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices, assists patients in availing of faster and effective processing of their financial/medical needs.

The facility simplifies the process of obtaining assistance from government agencies, especially financial assistance for poor patients confined in government hospitals, without the need to go to different agencies for processing of documents.

In the Visayas, the pilot "Malasakit" Center is located at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City for Region 7 while the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City hosts the facility for Region 8.

Army, NegOcc city partner for construction of P2.3-M hanging bridge

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The Philippine Army’s 542nd Engineer Construction Battalion (542nd ECB) is building another local government unit (LGU)-funded PHP2.3-million steel hanging bridge in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

The 3rd Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion said on Facebook on Sunday that the construction of the bridge at Sitio Cabagal in Barangay Buenavista will start after the groundbreaking and laying of time capsule held on Friday.

The 80-meter bridge will connect five sitios in the village, including Cabagal, Malo, Palay, Vito and Universal, whose residents mainly rely on farming for livelihood.

Most of them earn a living from planting sugarcane, corn, rice and vegetables.

The project, located about 10 kilometers from the city proper, is expected to be completed in November this year.

The steel hanging bridge in Barangay Buenavista is the third to be constructed by the 542nd ECB in Himamaylan located in southern Negros. The first two are in Barangay Carabalan and in Barangay Mahalang.

Councilor Emmanuel Castro, on behalf of Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon, expressed the city government's appreciation of the continued assistance of the 542nd ECB.

“We are thankful to the 542nd ECB because this is the third time that they are building a steel hanging bridge,” Castro said in a statement.

Major Arvin Cabantug, executive officer of 542ECB, said the project is a symbol of “peace and development” dedicated to the people of the beneficiary-barangays.

The partnership is a fulfillment of the social responsibility essence of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Development Support and Security Plan “Kapayapaan.”

Buenavista village chief Harry Higgins witnessed the groundbreaking and laying of time capsule, with about 70 residents together with Cabantug, personnel of the 3rd CMO Battalion led by Captain Ariel Castro and Himamaylan City Police Station headed by Chief Inspector Antonio Benitez, and some city government employees.

Bacolod cops, partners hold river clean-up

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Policemen in Bacolod led a simultaneous clean-up of rivers around the city on Saturday morning as part of the observance of the 23rd Police Community Relations (PCR) Month.

Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana, Bacolod police public information officer and PCR Unit officer-in-charge, said the activity was participated in by personnel from the headquarters and all 10 police stations.

The police teams, joined by barangay officials, force multipliers and students, in their respective areas of assignments, started the clean-up around 6 a.m.

The Bacolod Police headquarters group led by Supt. Victorino Romanillos, deputy city director for administration, and Supt. Leonardo Borromeo, deputy city director for operation, conducted the clean-up in Mambuloc River in Barangay 10 under village chief Dexter Yap.

Police Station 6 personnel led by Senior Inspector Wilfredo Benoman Jr. joined the clean-up in the area.

They were able to collect 15 sacks of garbage from Mambuloc River.

Personnel of Police Station 4 led Senior Inspector Adrian Real were assisted by the village watchmen of Barangay Estefania under barangay captain Jerry Tingson in the clean-up under the Villa Angeles Bridge.

In Barangay 5 led by village chief Raymundo Salaveria, personnel of Police Station 2 under Senior Inspector Leo Estopa initiated a clean-up of Lacson Creek.

They were joined by senior high school students of AMA Computer College Bacolod.

The team from Police Station 3 headed by Senior Inspector Victor Paulino were assisted by Barangay Mandalagan Anti-Drug Abuse Council in the clean-up and declogging of the Our Lady of Mercy Bridge in Purok Bulak.

21.4K secure business permits in Bacolod as of June 30

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- A total of 21,430 establishments in Bacolod applied for business permits in the first six months of the year, latest registration records of the City Permits and Licensing Division released on Friday showed.

The figures from Jan. 3 to June 30 were much higher than the whole year business registration records from 2012 to 2016.

The total number of business permits issued in 2012 was 18,959; 2013 – 18,457; 2014 – 18,606; 2015 – 18,817; and 2016 – 19,021.

In 2017, the City Mayor’s Office issued 22,004 business permits, 15.68 percent higher than the 19,021 approved in 2016.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in an earlier interview that the number of businesses registered in Bacolod could reach as high as 26,000 by the end of the year.

“It would be an all-time high. It will be a record if we reach that figure,” he said.

“Remember, Ayala is opening (its mall) this year. They promised me, before the MassKara Festival, they will hold even just a soft opening. That means thousands of businesses will be coming in,” the mayor added.

During the Business One-Stop Shop operations from Jan. 3 to Feb. 28 this year alone, a total of 19,007 establishments in Bacolod applied for business permits.

The City Permits and Licensing Division then projected a 20-percent increase in business permit applications for 2018 from the previous year’s 22,004.

Division head Stela Rose Rayos earlier said the one-stop shop has helped business owners fast-track the processing of their permits, allowing them to save time and money.

The process has been streamlined from five steps to three steps to ensure faster service, and with accomplished requirements, the permit can be issued in one to two days.

Leonardia has also said the one-stop shop is part of his vision to make Bacolod very business-friendly.

“We wish to see that business confidence is restored and a climate conducive for business and industry to grow and prosper, is established,” the mayor said.

Negrense food processors get packaging, labeling assistance

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Ten food processors in San Enrique, Negros Occidental availed of assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to improve the packaging and labeling of their respective products.

The initiative, implemented by the DTI - in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - aims to help the food processors step up from their crude packaging and labels.

Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said on Thursday their agency funded the purchase of packaging ang labeling materials while the DOST produced the designs.

The distribution of packaging and labeling materials at San Enrique Municipal Hall was held on Tuesday.

Tupas said that before the DTI stepped in, the food processors, considered as small and medium enterprises, were contented with using any available material such as plastic wrap.

“We see the need to improve their products to increase marketability. They have good products but these need improvement in terms of labeling and packaging,” he added.

Tupas said each food processor received 10 packs of packaging materials, containing 1,000 pieces per pack, and 100 pieces of labeling materials. The recipients may later reproduce the materials on their own, he added.

The 10 recipients are among the 30 food processors in San Enrique, which will soon be organized into an association.

“This year, we will cover more entrepreneurs who need improvement in their packaging and labeling with the assistance of the local government unit,” Tupas said.

He also said the DTI-Negros Occidental, through the Negosyo Centers, is planning to gather other food processors in the province to assist them in developing good packaging and labels.

Tupas said these producers should not be contented in selling their products only within their respective localities, but they should expand their markets by improving the packaging and labeling of their products first.

DTI: Business registration in NegOcc up by 14% in H1

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The number of businesses registered in Negros Occidental in the first six months of 2018 increased by close to 14 percent compared to the registration figures for the same period last year, data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showed.

From 7,566 businesses registered in the first half of 2017, which included 7,082 new and 484 renewals, the number rose to 8,766 from January to June this year. The latest data included 7,781 new enterprises and 985 renewals.

More than 50 percent of the registered businesses came from the retail sector while the rest are in service and manufacturing.

Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said that as of Wednesday, the establishment of Negosyo Centers across the province has boosted business registration figures.

“They no longer need to go to Bacolod City since business name application can now be done in the Negosyo Centers in their respective localities,” he said.

The presence of Negosyo Centers has made the DTI services accessible especially to out-of-town enterprises, Tupas added.

He noted that Negosyo Center personnel regularly conduct monitoring of businesses, and encourage those without business name registration to enlist with the DTI.

A total of 16 Negosyo Centers have been established in various cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental since 2015.

The latest is in Binalbagan town, the first of the three facilities scheduled for opening this year.

“Business confidence in the province is high. Enabling laws that would encourage enterprises to open are already in place,” Tupas said.

Despite the criticisms against the government, the economy is picking up, he said, adding that the DTI expects the businesses registration to still increase by the end of the year.

Tupas said that all enterprises need to register with the DTI as provided by law, and as a requirement in securing local permits.

Registered businesses have legal identities enabling them to avail of various assistance and services from the government, he added.

MMDA to help Bacolod craft traffic master plan

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- A team from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is expected to arrive here this month to help assess the city’s traffic situation and formulate a local traffic master plan.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Tuesday MMDA personnel will conduct the study and evaluation for about two weeks.

“They will study the traffic flow (and other factors) for us to come up with a traffic master plan for Bacolod City. When we do that, we will be among the first few in the (country) to have a traffic master plan,” Leonardia added.

Figures from the Land Transportation Office 6 (Western Visayas) showed that Bacolod has 92,827 motor vehicles registered in 2017, or 7,849 more than the 84,978 registered in 2016.

“That is what I call good news, which is also bad news. Good news because it shows that our people have the purchasing power, but bad news because it adds to the traffic volume,” Leonardia said.

Bacolod City alone accounts for 22.31 percent of the total 416,136 motor vehicles registered in the region last year.

In Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, 169,739 motor vehicles were registered in 2017, comprising 40.79 percent of the total registration among all the six provinces in Western Visayas. “So please, a little understanding about our traffic situation,” the mayor appealed.

Supt. Luisito Acebuche, head of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO), said in a separate interview, the city streets will get even more crowded once vehicles from the north and the south of the province are added to the almost 93,000 vehicles already plying Bacolod.

Acebuche, who welcomed the assistance from the MMDA, added that with Executive Assistant Rodel Parcon, the BTAO is complying with the requirements of the MMDA.

“We hope that by the third week of July, they will come here, according to Mr. Parcon,” Acebuche said. “Once they arrive, I will present to them, together with our mayor, the traffic situation of Bacolod.”

NFA: 80K bags of Thai rice arrive in NegOcc

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The National Food Authority (NFA) has confirmed the arrival of 80,000 bags of imported rice from Thailand at the Bredco port in this city.

NFA-Negros Occidental provincial manager Frisco Canoy said as of Monday night, the vessel was already near the port and was expected to dock on Tuesday.

The initial schedule of arrival was on Sunday, but due to bad weather, it was moved to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Canoy said, adding that with at least 12 hours of aeration period, unloading could start on Wednesday.

Last week, NFA-Negros Occidental received 2,000 bags out of the 10,000 bags it borrowed from Iloilo.

"Once the imported stocks arrive in Negros Occidental, the stocks from Iloilo that have been distributed to warehouses in the cities of Bacolod and San Carlos, and Ilog town will be replenished," he said.

He added that once the unloading and documentation are completed, the NFA rice supply will be distributed to accredited retailers.

By then, there will be more stocks of the PHP27-per-kg. NFA rice in the local markets, Canoy said.

The arrival of the rice allocation for Negros Occidental was tentatively set on June 10, but was delayed mainly due to loading problems brought about by bad weather.

The 80,000 bags allocated for Iloilo province arrived last month.

Canoy said Negros Occidental may expect another import allocation of 80,000 bags this year, subject to approval of the NFA head office.

Negros Business Week showcases 30 exhibitors

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- About 30 exhibitors are featured in the 2018 Negros Business Week, which opened at Robinsons Place Bacolod on Monday.

Organized by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), the event, now on its ninth edition, is themed “Government and Business: Partnering for Growth and Development.”

Most of the exhibitors are from localities outside Bacolod City, including those assisted by about 10 local government units.

MBCCI chief executive officer Frank Carbon said they aim to assist small businesses from the rural areas through exposure to the city or urban market.

There is a need to develop the rural areas by supporting small businesses, he said, adding that it would also provide them the opportunity to tap potential bigger markets.

Participating entrepreneurs can also avail of consultations with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade Industry (DTI) and other government agencies.

Carbon said the MBCCI is giving importance to “blue collar” entrepreneurs in this year’s Negros Business Week to encourage livelihood and employment opportunities in the rural areas while waiting for investments to come.

The annual event, conducted every second week of July as provided in a provincial ordinance, is spearheaded by the MBCCI and the Provincial Government in collaboration with government agencies such as the DOST and DTI.

Meanwhile, the MBCCI also launched the magazine “Rediscovering Negros” during the event’s opening rites.

The bi-annual publication will feature the chamber's activities, projects, and sites in Negros, which may have been ignored or forgotten for sometime.

These still have value and offer some excitement, Carbon said, adding that this is one of their initiatives to promote Negros Island and encourage more visits and investments.

“This digest will open the eyes of Negrenses and other people to the new marvels of Negros,” Carbon said.

The magazine contains photo essays and will just serve as a “teaser” while a detailed content will be made available online or through its digital version, the business leader added.

NEDA-6 presents regional dev’t plan

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) presented the development challenges in Region 6 by identifying strategies to attain specific goals during the Western Visayas Regional Development Plan (WVRDP) for 2017-2022 roadshow at the Bacolod City Government Center on Friday.

NEDA-6 Assistant Regional Director Gilberto Altura said that even with a change in the form of government within the period, the region can still pursue the strategies designed in the plan.

“Nothing (will be) lost with this development plan,” he said during the open forum.

The activity was part of NEDA’s efforts to promote the implementation of the Philippine Development Plan, which is a medium-term plan adopting the Duterte administration’s 0-10 point socio-economic agenda and sustainable development goals geared towards a long-term vision for the country.

Discussed were the targets and strategies for the macroeconony and governance sector that focus on ensuring people-centered, clean and efficient governance, pursuing fair and swift administration of justice, ensuring sound macroeconomic policy, attaining just and lasting peace and ensuring security, public order and safety.

The targets and strategies for the social sector put priority on preserving traditional values, culture and heritage, enhancing human capital and access to social services, reducing vulnerabilities, building safe and secure communities, and taking advantage of the demographic dividend.

Under the economic sector, targets and strategies push for expanding/diversifying opportunities in agriculture and fisheries; expanding and developing opportunities in industry, services, and tourism; vigorously advancing science, technology and innovation; supporting and advocating the national competition policy; and managing the region’s environment and natural resource.

Accelerating infrastructure development is the focus of the targets and strategies for the infrastructure sector.

During the activity, the city government was represented by City Administrator John Orola with George Zulueta, vice chairman of the City Development Council.

Also present were the city department and office heads, barangay officials, and representatives of non-government organizations, private sector, business, and the academe.

DOST rallies for science scholars in Neg. Occ.

By Liez’l Marie Lamasan (LTP/LML-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA6) -- Negrense youth belonging to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) strand senior high school graduating class may now apply for the 2019 Undergraduate Science and Technology (S&T) Scholarship program of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).

Negros Occidental Province Science and Technology Director Engr. Allan Francis Dara-ug highlighted that the scholarship is DOST’s quest toward honing a pool of key players in S&T and allied fields.

The types of scholarship grants include Republic Act 7687 and the DOST Merit Scholarship Program.

Dubbed as the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994, R.A. 7687 offers scholarship to talented and deserving students whose families’ socio-economic standing do not surpass the cut-off values of certain indicators.

Meanwhile, the DOST Merit Scholarship Program is granted to students with high ability in science and mathematics.

Those scholarship qualifiers who graduated from non-STEM strand class, on the other hand, may avail of the scholarship on the first semester of school year 2019-2020 as long as they are admitted in any of the S&T programs covered by the scholarship in an accredited university.

Director Dara-ug shared that DOST scholars may enjoy privileges such as tuition and school fees, book allowance, group insurance, transportation allowance for those studying outside of home province, monthly living allowance of PhP7,000.00 and post-graduation clothing allowance.

After graduation, the scholar-graduates are required to render full-time service along their areas of expertise in the country for a minimum period corresponding to the length of time they enjoyed the scholarship.

At present, Negros Occidental has 341 DOST scholars for this academic year.

Application forms are now available at the Negros Occidental Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) at Cottage Road, Bacolod City. It can also be downloaded at www.sei.dost.gov.ph.

DOST has set the deadline for the filing of applications on August 31, 2018 as the examination is slated on October 21, 2018. For inquiries, contact the Negros Occidental PSTC at (034) 707-0170.

BSP inks pact with 3 knowledge resource partners in Bacolod

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) launched the Knowledge Resource Network (KRN) with three library partners in this city on Thursday.

The partnership was formalized with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the BSP and City of Bacolod-Bacolod City Public Library, Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC)-Fortune Towne, and University of St. La Salle (USLS).

Director Leonides Sumbi of the BSP regional office in Cebu said the collaboration helps fulfill the central bank’s vision to make Filipinos better informed and empowered with reliable and up-to-date sources of information to enable them to make better economic and financial decisions.

“Today marks the beginning of our partnership as we sign the MOU. We are thankful that your respective libraries have spared a space for the BSP publications and information materials. To us, it is not just a space, but it is BSP’s Knowledge Resource corner,” Sumbi said during the launch, held at the BSP Bacolod Branch Training Room 1.

During the MOU signing, Sumbi was joined by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, CHMSC president Renato Sorolla, and USLS president and Chancellor Bro. Joaquin Severino.

“By accepting us as your partner, and by accommodating our publications and information materials, your libraries have become a link in the network of libraries all over the country, which together with BSP’s 23 libraries, comprise the KRN of the BSP,” Sumbi said.

The BSP has 139 KRN partners nationwide, including the latest three in Bacolod.

The KRN seeks to establish a facility for information and knowledge-sharing and make BSP’s information materials easily discoverable in the partners’ library systems and available for use by their clients.

“With our collaboration under the BSP KRN, people who need information need not go to the BSP to access our data. Thus, they save time and resources,” Sumbi said.

Under the signed agreement, the BSP will establish and maintain BSP Knowledge Resource Collections, a space within the library premises of the KRN member with available BSP print materials, such as books, annual reports, inflation reports, statistical publications, brochures, pamphlets, posters and other information/learning materials, as well as online materials through the BSP website.

The KRN partners, in this case the Bacolod City Public Library, USLS and CHMSC, will provide the space, staff, furniture, shelves, and information technology equipment needed for the display and use of publications at the designated BSP Knowledge Resource Collection, as well as catalog all BSP publications and make them discoverable and available for clients, designate a reference librarian, and monitor the usage of BSP information materials and research requests.

Free health services await 1.6M public school students in Region 6

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Up to 1.6 million students in public elementary and high schools in Western Visayas (Region 6) will receive free school-based health related services, including immunization, iron supplement and deworming this school year.

The DOH-Region 6 launched the initiative together with its partner-agencies, Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), during a program held at the Rodolfo A. Medel Sr. Elementary School in this city on Monday.

Dr. Renilyn Reyes, head of DOH-6 Family Health and Nutrition Cluster, said the convergence between the three agencies in integrating priority services in schools shows the government’s response to the health needs of the Filipino children.

“This is an original initiative in Western Visayas to be cost-effective in terms of operations and administrative concerns in (the delivery of) free health services,” Reyes said.

The school-based health related services integrate the various government health strategies to address vaccine preventable diseases, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, and anemia among school children to ensure that they are healthier.

“This is a big advantage for the parents and students to avail of these school-based services. This not just for their health, but also for students to become better learners,” Reyes added.

The three services are the School-Based Immunization, Weekly Iron Folic Acid, and National School-Based Deworming.

Immunization includes measles-rubella and tetanus diphtheria vaccines for 123,771 Grade 1 pupils and 155,314 Grade 7 students.

A total of 78,981 Grade 4 females between 9 and 13 years old will avail of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines for cervical cancer prevention.

The first dose of these vaccines will be administered in July this year and the second dose, in February next year.

For the iron supplement, which aims to prevent iron deficiency anemia among female learners, the target is 118,350 students in Grades 7 to 10.

Every Monday, each student will take a tablet of 60 milligrams (mg) of iron with 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid for 12 weeks between July and September for the first round. The second round will be administered between January and March next year.

For deworming, 1.6 million students from Kinder to Grade 12, or from 5 to 18 years old, will receive 500 mg of Mebendazole or 400 mg of Albendazole twice a year -- the first round in July and second, in January.

The launching rites were joined by DepEd City Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Michell Acuyong, DILG Bacolod City Director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag, Councilor Em Ang and City Health Officer Ma. Carmela Gensoli.

As part of the program, the observance of the 2018 Nutrition Month this July was introduced by DOH-6 nutrition program coordinator Ma. Azucena Arroyo.

BFP - Bacolod gets new fire truck

By Easter Anne D. Doza (LTP/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

BACOLOD CITY (PIA6) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - Bacolod got a brand new P17.5-million Rosenbauer fire truck given from its national headquarters.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s facilitation was vital to the request for the new Austrian-made Man-Rosenbauer model fire truck with water capacity of up to 4,000 liters and can reach up to the sixth floor of a building.

BFP City Fire Marshal Chief Inspector Publio Ploteña presented to Leonardia the new fire truck at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds while his personnel demonstrated its fire-fighting capabilities.

Ploteña thanked BFP chief Director Leonard Bañago for the project.

Leonardia also thanked the BFP national headquarters for the new fire truck, which, he said, is a substantial help in the fire-fighting capabilities of the city.

“This is also a boost to the thrust of the city on being business-friendly,” Leonardia said in a release from the Bacolod City Information Office.

Meanwhile, Ploteña said the new fire truck is a big help to Bacolod, especially at this time when plenty of structures and buildings are being constructed in every corner of the city.

To date, BFP-Bacolod now has 12 fire trucks, with five of them are due for repair.

The Bacolod Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade has nine fire trucks, while the Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade has five fire trucks— or a total of 26 fire trucks in Bacolod City.

DFA holds ‘passport on wheels’ in Bacolod

By Liez’l Marie Lamasan (LTP/LML-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) -- About 1,000 passport applicants in Bacolod City have availed of the passport services of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) under its Passport on Wheels program.

“The Passport on Wheels is a way of extending help to our constituents who need to travel abroad especially those who will do so for work or business,” said city mayor Evelio Leonardia.

The mayor added that the program is timely as the city celebrates its 80th Charter Anniversary, thereby offering better, efficient, and fast service to the people.

“We thanked the DFA for partnering with our city government in bringing the Passport on Wheels program to Bacolod,” Leonardia said.

According to DFA Regional Consular Office Bacolod officer-in-charge Carolina Constantino, the Passport on Wheels was launched in January this year as one of DFA’s programs to ease long lines and congestion in passport applications.

The Passport on Wheels likewise aims to assist those who cannot go online to schedule their applications, Constantino added.

3 NegOcc cities to host Lihok Visayas arts fest, confab

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Three cities in Negros Occidental will host the Lihok 2018, a four-day festival and conference on August 8 to 11, featuring the performances and works of Visayan artists and craftsmen.

Presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in partnership with the Negros Museum, the event will gather about 150 official delegates and participants from Panay, Bohol, Samar and Negros, who are under the NCCA-Visayas Region Island Cluster Programs.

Lihok is a Visayan term that means “to move” or “to take action.”

Cleo Patricio, coordinator for Lihok 2018, said in a press briefing on Friday the activity will tackle various themes focusing on social inclusiveness towards culture.

This year’s event will highlight the works of artists in the communities under the “Mugna” cultural development project in Negros Island and the three other island cluster programs of the NCCA.

These are the “Panakayon” of Capiz/Panay, “Bokag:” Bol-anong Kabilin Atong Bahandi of Bohol, and “Layag” of Samar/Leyte.

The three host cities are the local government unit (LGU)-partners of the Negros Cultural Foundation in the implementation of the “Mugna” project.

The activities in Bago on August 9 will have the theme “Culture in History and Education;” Talisay, on August 10, “Cultural Diversity, Environment and Identities;” and Bacolod, on August 11, “Mainstreaming Culture in Policy and Development.”

As a side event, the Lihok Visayas Creative Industry Trade Fair will also be held from August 4 to 12.

Through a showcase of interdisciplinary and collaborative performances, the arts festival seeks to “bring out traditional expressions fused with contemporary forms” and through the conference, the delegates can “address major issues in culture and arts through workshops, forum and symposia”.

Organizers said Lihok Visayas “hopes to contribute to the growth of a creative economy that will develop the environment that would make it possible for artists, creative individuals, artisans, craftsmen, and innovators to produce their work with fewer impediments and also have a means or an organized system to market their creations.”

The forerunners of Lihok Visayas, also known as One Visayas, are the 1st Visayan Arts Fair launched in Cebu City in 2009, and the One Visayas Culture and Arts Expo held in the Province of Capiz in 2010.

Coca-Cola Philippines recognizes partners in NegOcc projects

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Beverage giant Coca-Cola Philippines has acknowledged its partners in its various sustainability programs in Negros Occidental.

President and general manager Winn Everhart led the hosting of the fellowship night to celebrate the partnerships at Seda Hotel on Thursday as part of the company’s two-day events in the province.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the various partners of Coca-Cola Philippines in helping us reach our goals of empowering the different points of our value chain -from the farmers who plant sugarcane, the women micro-entrepreneurs who bring our products closer to the public, or the communities that benefit from our water access program and schoolhouses,” Everhart said in a press statement.

The statement said the company uses 100 percent local sugar in its Bacolod bottling facility established in 1998, and has become one of the largest taxpayers and employers in Negros Occidental.

Among the partners are the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation for the Coca-Cola Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program.

Earlier on Thursday, company officials witnessed the completion rites of the latest batch of 650 women micro-retailers who finished the 12-session STAR program. They joined the 14,690 other Negrense women who have benefited from the program since 2012.

Coca-Cola also partnered with the Negros-based Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. in implementing the Agos Water Access Program for the development of self-sustaining and low maintenance water facilities such as ram pumps and rain catchment mechanisms.

On Friday, company executives led the unveiling of the PHP1-million ram pump system for the Dama Farmworkers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association at Barangay Cabacungan in La Castellana town under Mayor Rhumyla Manguilimutan.

Cecile Alcantara, president of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, said that since 2012, they have constructed more than 43 water access facilities in Negros for the upland communities who live far from their water sources.

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