Negros Occidental News May 2017

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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.

Bacolod City sets aside PHP14M for school supplies of public elementary pupils

By Nanette L. Guadalquiver/PNA)

BACOLOD CITY, May 30 -- Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Tuesday the city government would purchase PHP14 million worth of school supplies to be distributed for free to public elementary pupils.

The mayor said the school supplies, including bags, would be given to pupils from Grades 1 to 6 studying in 46 public elementary schools in Bacolod.

He said the budget would be sourced from the General Fund after it was included in the city’s 2017 annual budget. In the past, the budget for school supplies was taken from the Special Education Fund (SEF).

Leonardia said the school supplies would be distributed a month after the opening of classes on June 5.

Meanwhile, the city government will release next week the salaries of the 1,800 youth hired for the Special Program for Employment of Students this summer.

Anthony Jose Ayco, head of Public Employment Services Office, said the 155 hired would receive pay from both the Department of Labor and Employment (60 percent) and the city government (40 percent).

They will receive PHP200 per day for a total of 22 workdays.

The 1,645 others will be paid by the city government at PHP200 per day for 15 workdays.

Bacolodnons enjoined to observe flag days

By Nanette L. Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY, May 29 -- Mayor Evelio Leonardia enjoined residents of this city to observe the 16 flag days until the Independence Day on June 12.

Leonardia said in a statement on Monday that he issued Executive Order No. 12 for such purpose.

The display of the country’s flag , from May 28 to June 12, is part of the commemoration of the 119th year of Philippine Independence, he added.

Leonardia encouraged all business establishments, private and government offices, non-government organizations, barangays, residents of the community and owners of public and private motor vehicles to display the Philippine flag in practicable places.

This is our citizens’ expression of nationalism and patriotism, the mayor said.

The declaration of Flag Days is provided for under Section 26 of Republic Act No. 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

In 1965, the Flag Day coincided with Independence Day. To commemorate the date the national emblem was first unfurled in battle, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Proclamation No. 374, 1965, which moved National Flag Day to May 28.

On May 23, 1994, President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No. 179, stretching National Flag Day into an extended period, from May 28 to June 12, culminating in the celebration of Independence Day.

All Filipinos are encouraged to display the Philippine flag in all offices, agencies, and instruments of government, business establishments, schools, and private homes throughout this period.

MassKara festival highlights permanently set on 4th Sunday of October

By Nanette L. Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY — The world-renown MassKara Festival of this city will now hold its highlights permanently on the fourth Sunday of October.

Councilor Em Ang, chairperson of committee on tourism, announced this in a report Friday after the ordinance setting the date was approved.

The permanent schedule of the festival will allow people across the world, including Bacolodnons living abroad, to set their MassKara vacation in advance, Ang said.

Previously in City Ordinance 33, Series of 1987, the MassKara Festival was set one week before October 19, former date for the Charter Day of Bacolod.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia welcomed the setting of the permanent schedule of the MassKara highlights.

This will establish the MassKara Festival as a truly certified world-class tourist attraction, he added.

Leonardia said that in the past, October 19 was marked as the city’s Charter Day, but it was eventually confirmed that October 19 was not the right date, but June 18 based on the law signed by then-President Manuel L. Quezon.

The mayor said the MassKara should have a fixed date like Cebu’s Sinulog Festival to avoid bringing confusion to tourists and visitors.

According to the ordinance, the City of Bacolod will celebrate the highlights of MassKara Festival every fourth Sunday of October to strengthen, promote, and expand the festival’s impact in tourism.

All ordinances, resolutions, executive orders, or regulations and other issuances inconsistent with the provisions and/or purposes of the ordinance are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly, it added.

Hinigaran enterprises get P7.3M in BUB projects

By Erwin P. Nicavera

THE Municipal Government of Hinigaran has received almost P7.3 million worth of projects through the bottom-up budgeting (BUB) program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lea Gonzales, who led the turnover of check to municipal officials led by Mayor Nadie Arceo at the town’s Negosyo Center on Tuesday, May 23, said the fund is part of the agency’s 2016 BUB program.

This is the third BUB fund given to the municipal government since 2014, and the biggest allocation among local government units in the province this year.

Of the total fund, almost P5.3 million is intended for Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion Program. This includes provision of trainings and enterprise development activities benefiting at least 23 groups.

The remaining P2 million will be used for the operation of Otop (one-town, one-product) Express Store, which will be utilized to display and sell locally produced products in fiestas and other big celebrations in the province like Panaad sa Negros Festival.

“The projects are positioned to help boost the economy of Hinigaran through the creation of more enterprises in the locality,” Gonzales said, adding that the initiatives are also seen to empower MSMEs and provide sustainable livelihood for their respective families.

Through the enterprise promotion initiative, some resident-recipients of the agency’s Yamang Pinoy program will have an educational visit in Pampanga and Cebu.

Gonzales said the visit will allow entrepreneurs to observe and learn from the latter’s practices mainly on shell craft development and meat processing.

Hinigaran is currently the province’s major producer of Capiz shell used as raw material for production of various crafts by the furniture and furnishings, and gifts, décor and housewares sectors.

“These are really viable programs which other cities and municipalities should replicate,” Gonzales said, adding that Hinigaran is one of the local government units actively working on the development of its MSMEs.

Southern Negros town gets PHP5.3-M for rural micro enterprise projects

By Erwin P. Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY, May 26 — At least 23 associations in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental will benefit from the PHP5.3 million provided by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the town’s Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion Program.

The amount is part of the fund turned over by the DTI as part of the 2016 bottom-up budgeting (BUB) of the agency released as of Friday.

DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lea Gonzales said the micro enterprise assistance, along with the P2 million for the operation of OTOP (one-town, one-product) Express Store, was the third BUB fund granted to Hinigaran since 2014.

The PHP5.3-million fund will be allocated for the training and enterprise development activities of the beneficiaries.

“The projects aim to boost the economy of Hinigaran by creating more enterprises,” Gonzales said.

Under the micro-enterprise promotion, some beneficiaries of the DTI’s Yamang Pinoy program will attend educational tours in Cebu and Pampanga to learn from other entrepreneurs on shell craft development and meat processing.

Hinigaran, located in southern Negros, is the province’s top producer of Capiz shells.

These are used as raw material for production of various crafts by the furniture and furnishings, and gifts, decor and housewares sectors.

Under the BUB program, civil society organizations identify the projects needed by the community. The Local Productivity Reduction Action Team of every local government unit then reviews the project proposal to be endorsed and facilitated for funding by the DTI.

22 Negrenses trained on Japanese culture course

By Nanette L. Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY, May 25 — Twenty-two Negrenses completed the nine-day intensive training on Basic Nihongo Culture Course under the Training for Work Scholarship Program of the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC).

The 22 trainees are among the 70 students who graduated from NOLITC courses as of Thursday.

The Basic Nihongo Culture Course was the first conducted through the NOLITC led by Japanese volunteer teacher Katsutoshi Furukawa.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. thanked Furukawa for his voluntary service.

Last February, the provincial government of Negros Occidental also announced the acceptance of applicants who would study the Japanese language for potential employment in Japan under the Japanese Language and Culture training via a Study Now, Pay Later program.

Those accepted were qualified caregivers and other skilled workers aged 22 to 29 years old.

The program, aiming to provide qualified individuals employment opportunities in Japan, also includes a three-month live-in training on Japanese Language and Culture at Industrial, Spiritual, Cultural Advancement (OISCA) Bago City Training Center.

In December last year, the first 25 trainees completed the three-month training course.

The live-in training course is being initiated by the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program (NOSP) Division in partnership with OISCA.

“There is a great opportunity for Negrenses to work in Japan, but there is a need to bridge the gap on issues of language barrier and difference in culture, that’s why the provincial government initiated the training,” NOSP head Karen Dinsay said.

The Basic Japanese Language and Culture Scholarship Program aims to produce qualified professional and skilled Negrenses to work in Japan.

Dinsay said the initial 25 graduates were endorsed by the provincial government to accredited companies in Japan.

Bacolod is most livable urban center nationwide

By Carlson B. Alelis (CBA/PIA6-Negros Occidental)

BACOLOD CITY, May 24 (PIA6) – The Manila Times, a national broadsheet, has awarded Bacolod City recently as the Top Philippine Model City for being the most livable urban center nationwide.

The criteria for judging was peace and security; rest and recreation; research and development; health and education; clean and green; road and home; livelihood and employment; youth and elders; tax and services and emergency disaster preparedness, a release from the City Information Office said.

The panel of judges included prominent Filipino urban planner Felino Palafox Jr., founder and managing partner of Palafox Associates; lawyer Lea Roque, head of Tax Advisory and Compliance Division of P & A Grant Thornton; Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, director of Wilcon Depot; and Marife Zamora, chairman of Convergys Philippines Services Corporation.

Bacolod City had to compete with 13 finalist-cities that were shortlisted from the 145 cities in the country.

The top three officials of the city, Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Congressman Greg Gasataya represented Bacolod at the awarding rites.

Leonardia said, "This credible and prestigious award validates what Bacolod is now. This inspires us even more to promote a culture of excellence, not just for contests like this, but to cultivate a high sense of responsibility in our people."

The Manila Times' "Philippine Model Cities" is a forum that aims to recognize effective and innovative local governance that improves the quality of life and make local business environments friendlier, the release added.

It can be recalled that Bacolod City also received similar distinction, as it was ranked as “The Best City to Live in the Philippines” earlier this year by Conyo Times; named “Most Livable Philippine City” by popular blog ikwaderno.wordpress.com in 2012 and "Best Place to Live in the Philippines" by MoneySense Magazine back in 2008.

2 SUCs in NegOcc to get PHP94-M in free tuition fund

By Erwin P. Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY — Two state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Negros Occidental will receive about PHP94 million in free tuition fund for academic year 2017-2018 under the Higher Education Support Fund (HESF).

Data from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as of Monday showed the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) in Talisay City and its three extension schools would be allocated PHP52 million.

A fund of PHP42 million will go to the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan City, which has nine extension campuses.

CHED-Negros Island Region Director Freddie Bernal said the schools determined how much funding would be required to meet the tuition needs of the students, adding that those who would be prioritized were financially-disadvantaged, but academically-able students.

He added that SUCs would not collect tuition from students, but would charge their fees to the CHED billing through the HESF.

However, the student-beneficiaries will still pay the miscellaneous and other fees.

The CHED and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issued the joint implementing guidelines for the use of HESF included in the 2017 General Appropriations Act.

It stated that the free tuition program would cover “all Filipino students enrolling in undergraduate course programs in SUCs for the academic year 2017-2018, subject to the prioritization directive of the president and the availability of funds in the HESF.”

Priority will be given to existing beneficiaries of the government Student Financial Assistance Programs (STUFAPS).

Tuition of students receiving more than PHP15,000 in benefits will be charged against their STUFAP allocations while students’ tuition of PHP15,000 or less will be charged to the SUCs’ free tuition allocation.

Non-graduating students should not be members of households that are or used to be beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Moreover, non-graduating students whose families are not recipients of 4Ps but still included in Listahanan program, and those ranked according to their per capita household income based on submitted documents for proof may also avail.

DICT partners with Bacolod library for technology, economic project

By Nanette L. Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY, May 22 — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has partnered with the Bacolod City Public Library for the implementation of the Technology for Economic Development (Tech4ED) project.

A space in the library has been set up as a Tech4ED Center as of Monday, following the inauguration attended by officials led by Acting DICT Cluster Director Frederick Amores and DICT Provincial Field Team Leader Romeo Tom.

City Librarian Greta Memoria said that as a Tech4ED Center, the Bacolod library now offers key services, including eEduSkills, eAssist, eGovServ, eAgri and eMarketplace.

The partnership with DICT comes after the Bacolod City Public Library was awarded one of the country’s five outstanding libraries by the National Library of the Philippines last March.

The Tech4Ed is a project component of the eFilipino program of DICT, which aims to harness ICT to enable, empower and transform society towards creating an inclusive, integrated and equitable countryside through providing opportunities for employment and empowering entrepreneurs.

The eGovServ is for government transactions such as applications for birth certificate, driver’s license and clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The eEduSkills provides learning on demand, including the Alternative Learning System and courses under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The eAssist aims to enhance digital and financial literacy; eMarketPlace seeks to help people reach markets for exponential growth; and, eAgri aims to enhance farm technologies for product diversity, which includes products from aquaculture, livestock, and agriculture.

Last year, the DICT also established Tech4ED centers at the Capitol-run Negros Occidental Language and Information Center in Bacolod as well as in San Carlos City, Himamaylan City, and Cauayan town.

Negros Occidental ICT gets boost thru innovation training in Korea

By Erwin P. Nicavera

THE information and communication technology (ICT) sector of Negros Occidental is getting a boost through the ongoing 2017 Training Program on Korea’s Experience of Science and Technology Parks (STP) in Daejeon, South Korea.

Lawyer Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, executive director of Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology, is one of the participants from 20 countries gathered in the event organized by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, and Innopolis Foundation.

Batapa-Sigue said the innovation training, which runs from May 15 to 26, mainly underscores the knowledge sharing program on Korea's 44-year experience in terms of STP.

“The course aims to share Korea's STP development, accumulate knowledge by looking into practical examples from across the globe, and build a network of specialists in various fields,” Batapa-Sigue said.

The training will also open up new opportunities between countryside champions for technology entrepreneurs, including those being hosted by the Technology Business Incubation Center at the Negros First Cyber Centre in Bacolod City, she added.

The 12-day activity includes lectures on key areas such as technology commercialization theories, and conceptual tools and strategies for STP formation and development.

There are also discussions on Korea's new industrial policies for national innovation, technology financing mechanism, and start-up incubation in science and technology universities, among others.

Batapa-Sigue said during the presentation sessions, Korean experts will assist the sophistication of the project idea, offering practical advice to tailor ideas for actual implementation in participating countries.

She added that the group discussions are providing them the opportunity to exchange views and experiences, wherein the substantive scope of project idea also includes start-up incubation.

“Startups bring innovation to a city, because their ideas address real life problems and provide solutions to real concerns by integrating the use of technology and market research. We must encourage the robust growth of startup ecosystem in our province,” Batapa-Sigue said.

Moreover, the training also includes field visits to various Innopolis tenant institutions such as research and development institutes, universities, and industry-academy cooperation centers like Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, among others.

NegOcc farmers get PHP3 million in crop insurance claims for first quarter

By Erwin P. Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY, May 19 -- The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has paid indemnity claims worth PHP3 million to 578 enrolled rice and corn farmers in Negros Occidental during the first quarter of the year.

The farmer-recipients are enrolled under the provincial government’s Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP), which is being implemented in partnership with the PCIC.

PCIC-Negros Occidental records showed that from January to March this year, 574 rice farmers covering 643.31-hectare area have received indemnity claims amounting to PHP2.99 million.

Four corn farmers with an area of almost five hectares were given PHP8,224 insurance claims, it added.

Jose Ma. Torres, insurance underwriter and officer-in-charge of PCIC-Negros Occidental, said in a report on Friday that they continue to urge local farmers to insure their farms amid the possible adverse effects of climate change.

Torres said that aside from NFUCIP, farmers might also avail of other insurance program of the government like Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture, Agrarian Production Credit Program, and Sikat Saka Program, among others.

“Insurance program has been helping our local farmers recover from the losses they have incurred due to various factors mainly calamities,” he added.

PCIC records further showed that for NFUCIP alone, the agency has already paid almost PHP56 million to 11,971 enrolled farmers in Negros Occidental since the program started in 2011.

Of the figure, the biggest claims were paid to farmers in the rice sector, at PHP54.97 million. It is followed by claims of corn growers at P593,669, and high value-crop farmers at PHP39,435.

In terms of area, PCIC has already covered a total of 12,768.31 hectares under NFUCIP.

In 2016, PCIC has paid indemnity claims totaling to almost PHP53 million to 8,973 enrolled farmers in the province under various insurance programs.

The paid claims last year, about 47 percent higher than PHP28 million in 2015, covered an area of 10,371.54 hectares, mostly rice farms affected by dry spell, pest and diseases.

World’s largest bloom found in Negros

By Romeo Subaldo (ABS-CBN News)

LA CASTELLANA, Negros Occidental – A coffee farmer from Barangay Mansalanao found one of the largest flowers in the world in a protected area inside Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.

Farmer Romulo Labrador said he first spotted the Rafflesia blooms - sometimes called a corpse flower because of its foul odor - in the area in 2014.

He did not know what it was until Tuesday, when he was with some representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources who were surveying the area for a riverbank rehabilitation project.

"I did not know what it was. I told the DENR guy not to step on the flowers then he told me that these are not ordinary flowers,” Labrador told ABS-CBN in local dialect.

Local officials confirmed that the two large flowers are Rafflesias.

One old bloom, which had already dried up, measures 18 inches in diameter. The new bloom measures around 12 inches in diameter.

Authorities said Rafflesias bloom from April to May every year.

The local government is set to put a fence around the riverbank where Rafflesias are blooming.

Anejo Nicor, executive assistant to the Mayor, said they do not want people to flock to the area to protect the blooms. The area is also protected by DENR so it is not open to the public.

He added that he also received information from other farmers that the same species of flower can be found in Barangay Sag-ang and Cabagnaan.

"We are lucky to have cherry blossoms and Rafflesia. This goes to show how diversified our land is," Nicor said.

http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/01/18/flower.jpg?ext=.jpg http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/01/18/flower1.jpg?ext=.jpg

Bacolod City taps summer job hires for urban greening program

By Nanette L. Guadalquiver

BACOLOD CITY, May 17 -- The city government here will deploy its summer job hires to plant trees for Bacolod’s one-million trees program.

Anthony Jose Ayco, chief of Public Employment Services Office (PESO), said 2,000 youth hired under the Special Program for Employment of Students would plant 10,000 seedlings before the opening of classes in June.

Earlier this month, the City of Bacolod and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Negros Island Region (DENR-NIR) forged a partnership for the implementation of the five-year Bacolod City Urban Development Greening Program.

Ayco said the DENR would provide the seedlings and these would be delivered to the Bacolod Government Center on Friday.

He added that the youth hires would be assigned to various public schools to plant trees as part of the Brigada Eskwela of the Department of Education.

Ayco said the youth would also conduct tree-planting activity at Abada-Escay relocation site in Barangay Vista Alegre.

They will plant the seedlings until June 2, he added.

Since this is a five-year program, the city government aims to plant 200,000 trees a year, Ayco said.

Under the agreement, both the City of Bacolod and the DENR-NIR will formulate a five-year Bacolod City Urban Development Greening Program Plan in support to the National Greening Program to achieve five objectives.

First, to establish a Barangay/City Park in all 61 barangays in Bacolod; second, stabilize all riverbanks through planting of different species of bamboo, fruit and forest trees; three, enhance the beauty of the city through planting/growing of ornamental plants and other fruit-bearing trees along the national highway, provincial and barangay roads;

Fourth, intensify public awareness through information and education campaign vis-à-vis the importance of biodiversity conservation, protection and rehabilitation of denuded areas as strategy in addressing climate change; and fifth, enhance and encourage public and private sectors and other stakeholder participation in the conservation, rehabilitation and protection of the environment.

Bacolod to build more tourism infra

By Merlinda A. Pedrosa

The Bacolod City Government is planning to build more tourism infrastructure in the coming years.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Monday, May 15 that they are planning to construct projects such coastal boulevard, public plaza conservation and restoration, Sum-ag river development, welcome arch, and the Bacolod nature park.

“This is broad, and an initial plan for Bacolod. We will identify the priority projects,” he said.

The mayor added that the city has already started the construction of a structure in Sum-ag River.

On Sunday, Leonardia along with City Planning and Development Office head Mary Jane Ramos, presented the proposed tourism projects during a forum of the Tourism Summit at the Capitol Social Hall.

“This plan may not all be realized, but everything starts with the dream and along the way we can always make adjustments. We will always consider circumstances realities. At least we have a direction,” Leonardia said.

Ramos, who prepared the project presentation, said these projects have an estimated budget of P100 million.

She said the city will allocate P48 million for the nature park project, P10 million for the Sum-ag River project, and P12 million for the urban food center project.

Leonardia said they are also open to a public-private partnership to implement the projects.

He said he is hopeful that the national government will fund the coastal project.

Representatives Greg Gasataya of the Lone District of Bacolod and Alfredo Benitez of the Third District had earlier introduced the bill for the construction of a coastal road from Bacolod to other cities and municipalities in northern Negros Occidental.

NegOcc top officials optimistic on national gov’t support for tourism development

By Marchel P. Espina (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY, May 15 -- Top officials of Negros Occidental on Monday expressed optimism on the support of the national government for the province’s tourism development.

Following the Tourism Summit led by Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jesus Hinlo Jr. and Tourism Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre, both Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson welcomed Monday the assistance to address concerns and find ways to promote the tourism industry of Negros Occidental.

Marañon stressed the need to engage the community in tourism promotion, particularly in ecotourism and sports tourism.

We can encourage Filipinos to come home and attract more tourists through festivals and fiestas, he added.

For his part, Lacson said assistance from the national government was “very inspiring” because in the past, tourism discussions would usually involve only “Cebu, and Panay because Boracay.”

“(The DOT is) more than willing to help us develop our tourism industry, which can really help bring in revenues,” he added.

Negros Occidental, dubbed the Sugar Bowl of the Philippines, has the tourism tagline, “Land of Sweet Surprises.”

For his part, Hinlo, who also hails from Negros Occidental, said the province needs to be ready for the future by going into diversification since it “can’t be forever dependent on sugar”.

He said that Negros Occidental has all the potentials to attract more tourists, and needs infrastructure boost to grow its tourism industry.

Alegre echoed Hinlo’s observation on the province’s tourism potentials.

He gave an assurance to Negrense officials that the DOT would closely coordinate with the provincial government to strengthen the campaign of Negros Occidental to become a top tourist destination.

Alegre added that he’s glad the Tourism Summit was held so that the national government would also focus its attention on Negros Occidental.

Negros joins Manggahan Festival

(MLG)

The Technology Livelihood Development Center of Negros Occidental represented the Negros Island Region in the Western Visayas Regional Agri-Fishery Trade Fair 2017 in Guimaras, in line with the celebration of the Manggahan Festival that started May 11.

TLDC brought Negros products for showcasing and selling in the trade fair at the Provincial Capitol Grounds in San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras.

Negros Occidental OIC-Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola said this is another opportunity for our small entrepreneurs to showcase their products as well as to gain income.

The products showcased in the event are various squid products like squid ink, rings, noodles and kropek, milkfish products like bangus sardines and bangussisig in olive oil, wines made of bugnay, duhat and pineapple and chips made of banana, squash, taro, camote and cassava.

Other showcased products for sale in the Negros booth are honey, assorted bread, muscovado, turmeric, sara-sara, bucayo, pickles, wonder oil, aguntangi, ginamos and various wood carvings, all made by small and micro-entrepreneurs under TLDC.

Genzola added that the Negrense products are recognized nationally, that is why the province is always invited to trade fairs like this.

During the opening day, the Negros booth had already accumulated P5,000 gross in sales and the activity will end on May 22, together with the province-wide celebration of theManggahan festival.

Nat’l officials visit northern Negros on May 13

By Carla N. Cañet

TOURISM Assistant Secretary Daniel Mercado and Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jesus Hinlo Jr. will be joined by businessman Kevin Lim during an ocular visit of several tourist spots in northern Negros this Saturday, May 13.

Provincial Tourism Officer Cristine Mansinares said the officials will go to an eco-tourism project in Suyak Island, Carbin Reef, and Museo sang Bata, all in Sagay City.

“Along the way, they will also visit other sites and check the tourism activities we will show them,” she added.

The visit comes before the Tourism Summit on Sunday, May 14 at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.

Mansinares had earlier said stakeholders will present the province’s new tourism products such as community-based rural tourism, culinary showcase, crafts, bird watching, and trekking.

Tourism packages that involve the community will be promoted, she said.

These offerings are available in Negros Occidental’s four tourism circuit – Metro North, Northern, South Central, and Southern.

Metro North, comprised of the cities of Bacolod, Talisay, and Silay, has shopping, entertainment, culinary, and heritage offerings.

The Northern circuit, from E.B. Magalona town down to San Carlos City, can be the destination for tourists interested in nature-based tourism and organic farming.

Trekking at Mount Kanlaon Natural Park and bird watching is offered by inland localities like the cities of Bago and La Carlota, and La Castellana town which are part of the South Central circuit.

The Southern tourism circuit, which is from Pulupandan to Hinobaan, offers marine tourism and beaches.

Japanese retirement home, caregiver center inaugurated in Negros Occidental

By Marchel P. Espina (PNA)

MURCIA, Negros Occidental, May 12 (PNA) -- A retirement home and caregiver center operated by Japanese firm Sanko Group of Companies was inaugurated inside the Mambukal Resort here Friday.

The opening rites was led by Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Sanko Group chairman Kaicho Hatsue Kato, and country manager Hideaki Tanahashi.

Lacson, who is acting governor this week since Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. is in Australia for a business trip, said although the facility will cater to Japanese retirees, Filipino caregivers will be hired to work at the retirement center.

It will generate employment and allow the province foster stronger ties with the Japanese group, he added.

In March 2015, Marañon and Tanahashi signed a 25-year contract of lease for the establishment of Sanko Mambukal Life Care Home, which used to be the Governor's Lodge in Mambukal.

The lease for the property is P100,000 per month, or P1.2 million annually. After the signing, the lessee already paid its advance rental and deposit as stipulated in the contract.

The two-storey structure, estimated to be worth Php40 million, includes private rooms with complete amenities, toilet and baths, kitchen, living room, garden, dipping pool, classrooms, dormitory, among others. It can accommodate 10 Japanese elderly expected to arrive in the province by the end of the year.

About 120 caregiver-trainees can be accommodated for the training that will run for six months, including Basic Japanese Care Giving and Japanese language on a “study now, pay later” scheme.

Mambukal Resort, which is owned and operated by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, “lies 1,200 feet above sea level and serves as a gateway to Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park,” according to the resort’s website.

Located in a sprawling 23.6 hectares, Mambukal has “a big mountain stream, fed by several tributaries, descends in a series of seven waterfalls and cuts through the center of the resort, feeding the water holes and boating lagoon,” it added.

The resort also “boasts a number of hot sulfur springs whose medicinal waters are a balm for the weary flesh and continually feels the warm dipping pool Ishiwata Bathhouse and the newly-constructed Japanese Ofuro.”

NegOcc partners with Japanese school for senior high scholarships in Japan

By Erwin P. Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY, May 11 -- The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental has partnered with Miyakonojo Higashi High School to help deserving Negrense senior high students obtain scholarship for the said school in Miyazaki, Japan.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has granted Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. the authority to sign the memorandum of understanding with the Japanese school relative to the implementation of its Scholarship for Filipinos program.

The endeavor recognizes the benefits to gain through a cooperative program that promotes sustainable international education, Sixth District Board Member Pedro Zayco, chairman of SP committee on education said on Thursday.

Zayco said the partnership was also intended to stimulate and facilitate the international life and cultural development of both parties.

“The partnership is a shared vision of providing education opportunities for poor but motivated and deserving Negrense youth who aspire to study in Japan,” he said, adding that the initiative would also further help promote global education and cross cultural experience between communities.

Under the program, the Miyakonojo Higashi High School will provide free tuition and full accommodation to scholars while budgetary requirement for the province includes visa and passport processing, transportation, monthly allowance, enrollment, school uniform, and textbooks.

Karen Dinsay, head of the Negros Occidental Scholarship Division, said the provincial government initially allocated PHP1.4 million to sponsor 10 recipient-students from Negros Occidental.

She said identified scholars would study in Japan for three years on general healthcare and automotive courses.

“After studying, they will be given two choices whether to work in Japan or pursue their college education in the Philippines,” Dinsay said, adding that students with excellent performance would be assisted to get another sponsorship in a university in the East Asian country.

The province will start identifying potential senior high school students, who should be 16 years old, this year. They will also be subjected to further screening by the school prior to the start of classes in 2018.

Better tourism dev't plan for Negros Occidental crafted

By Marchel P. Espina (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY, May 10 -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is assisting Negros Occidental province in crafting a stronger tourism development plan.

About 50 tourism and planning officers in Negros Occidental attended the two-day orientation-workshop on tourism planning guidebook for local government units held until Wednesday at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol here.

The orientation-workshop was initiated by the DOT central office in cooperation with the DOT-Western Visayas and the Province of Negros Occidental.

Senior Tourism Operations Officer Ruth Tizon said their team impart to local tourism officers the “essence and value of developing tourism as an industry”.

“Our role is to lead and guide them how to start, and make a development plan,” Tizon said, adding that the National Tourism Development Plan for 2016 to 2022 is synchronized with the plans of the tourism offices in the provincial, city, and municipal levels.

Tizon said the national development plan would guide tourism officers on how to contribute to sustainability and inclusive growth.

She added that during assessment of the province’s tourism development plan, they would determine what was the best potential industry to develop.

Tizon said they would conduct situational analysis to find out which resources a particular area has to offer, adding that the province’s tourism portfolio would be ranked.

This will determine which sites, cuisines, cultural shows are popular among tourists, she added.

Cristine Mansinares, provincial supervising tourism operations officer, had earlier said stakeholders plan to present the province’s new tourism products such as community-based rural tourism, culinary showcase, crafts, bird watching, and trekking.

Tourism packages that involve the community will be promoted, she said.

DA chief’s plan to organize PHL dairy farmers supported

By Erwin P. Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Negros Occidental has expressed support to the plan of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to organize the country’s dairy farmers to obtain better government support for the industry.

During the 20th Dairy Congress and Expo in Camiguin last week, Piñol said that after the gathering, he would invite key stakeholders to a consultative forum to formulate a 10-year Philippine Dairy Industry Development Road Map.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said Monday he welcomed the move, adding the need for a leader who would push for the consolidation of technique, supplies, marketing and capability efforts of the dairy industry.

He said that in Negros Occidental, dairy cooperatives have already formed a federation since 2002.

At least 13 cooperatives and farmers organization comprise the Negros Federation of Dairy Cooperatives.

“Cultural practices, politics, and banking system are the problem of backyard associations or cooperatives thus, farmer-organizations must have strong and dedicated leader,” Decena said.

In 2016, the National Dairy Authority has recognized Negros Occidental for sustaining its milk production and milk feeding programs that contributed to the development of the country’s dairy industry.

The PVO said the cities of Sagay, San Carlos and Kabankalan through their respective multiplier farms helped to boost local dairy production.

As of last year, PVO records showed that Negros Occidental had an average milk production of at least 45,000 liters per month from both public and private dairy farms and milk production centers.

The provincial government runs the Negros First Ranch in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Murcia and the Provincial Livestock Breading Center and Dairy Farm in Barangay La Granja, La Carlota City.

Other multiplier farms in the province are owned by private individuals, cooperatives, and groups.

Once the development road map for the dairy industry is in place, Filipino dairy farmers can have assistance and support, including the creation of a national registry program to establish the genetic lineage of all dairy animals such as cattle, goats and carabaos.

Piñol said the Department of Agriculture could also support the establishment of municipal multiplier farms and learning centers in the different parts of the country and provide financial assistance for feed mills.

Capitol to use rice processing center in Bago City

By Erwin P. Nicavera

THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental will start utilizing the Capitol-run Negros First Rice Processing Center (NFRPC) situated at Barangay Tabunan in Bago City for income generation purposes.

The Provincial Board passed an ordinance enacting the rates and charges of the rice processing center, specifically on milling and drying services it will provide to local rice farmers, associations and cooperatives.

Proponent Fourth District Board Member Victor Javellana, chairman of committee on agriculture, said the province set a custom milling rate of P1.70 per kilogram of newly-harvested rice.

The figure, equivalent to about P85 per 50-kilogram bag, is an upscale rate compared to P73 to P87 in private mills.

In terms of recovery rate, NFRPC has 68 percent, higher than only 63 percent of other rice mills in the province, Javellana said.

“For drying services, the province will collect P2,000 per batch per 10 hours and P300 for every hour thereafter or a fraction thereof ,” he said, adding that payment in kind like rice grain or bran is acceptable at a prevailing market price at the time services are rendered.

The ordinance also provided that Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. or his duly authorized representatives can waive or reduce the imposition of rates and charges in time of natural calamities, pest infestations, and other similar events.

Marañon may also grant incentives to duly registered farmer cooperatives or associations which patronizes the services of the processing center at his discretion.

Javellana said the ordinance shall take effect upon the approval of the governor and after compliance with the publication required under the provisions of the 1991 Local Government Code.

The almost P64-million rice processing center was inaugurated in April 2015 in rites led by former president Benigno Aquino III.

The state-of-the-art rice processing facility is positioned to help farmers improve their productivity which will also help the province sustain its food sufficiency program.

The NFRPC has drying capacity of 150 bags per batch per 10 hours, and a milling capacity of 10 tons per hour. It has undergone more than two years of “test operations” before it has passed the standards especially in terms of ensuring the quality of milled rice.

Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr., chairman committee on appropriations, budget, finance, and ways and means, said the income to be generated from the processing center will fall under the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) fund.

Escalante said there is a need to impose rates and charges as NFRPC cannot operate for free due to maintenance expenses.

“This is another potential economic enterprise venture for the province while still helping local farmers improve productivity through lower drying and milling costs yet higher recovery rate,” he added.

DAR gives assistance to 2 ARBOs in southern Negros

By Erwin P. Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has allocated a total of PHP600,000 in assistance to the enterprises of two agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Bago City, Negros Occidental.

As of Friday, the DAR-Negros Occidental granted PHP300,000 for the training and construction of the organic fertilizer processing center of Friends of the Highlands Agrarian Reform Cooperative (FHARC) in Sitio Tabidiao, Barangay Mailum.

In partnership with the City Government of Bago and FHARC, the DA launched the Village Level Processing Center Enhancement Project for the assisted ARBO.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Lucrecia Taberna said the project is being implemented under DAR’s village-level farm-focused enterprise development program.

For its part, FHARC provided PHP50,000 for the construction of the processing center while the city government granted PHP40,000 for labor expenses.

The project aims to assist FHARC, which has 45 farmer-members, in producing and marketing its organic fertilizer proucts.

In Barangay Dulao, the DAR also released PHP300,000 to assist the Sta. Rita Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative, which has 74 members, in producing muscovado product.

The DAR partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Eco Agri Foundation to launch the household-level muscovado product of its other assisted ARBO in Bago City.

Taberna said the funding was granted through the agency’s Social Entrepreneurship Program (SEP).

Bacolod City, DENR ink agreement for 5-year greening program

By Nanette L. Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The City of Bacolod and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Negros Island Region (DENR-NIR) forged a partnership for the implementation of the five-year Bacolod City Urban Development Greening Program.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia, in behalf of the city government, and Regional Director Al Orolfo, representing the DENR-NIR, signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in rites held at the City Mayor’s Office on Thursday.

The signing was witnessed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and Councilors Cindy Rojas and Bartolome Orola. Also present were Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Negros Occidental head Edgardo Rostata, and incoming DENR-NIR Director Livino Duran, who took over Orolfo’s post Thursday afternoon, hours after the MOA signing.

Before the signing rites, Leonardia led the ceremonial tree-planting at the Bacolod Government Center grounds that signaled the start of planting of one million trees under the program.

“This is something for a better future of Bacolod. We don’t expect to finish this in a day, but the most important thing is the journey to a million trees begins with the first tree and we had done that,” the mayor said.

Under the agreement, both parties will formulate a five-year Bacolod City Urban Development Greening Program Plan in support to the National Greening Program to achieve five objectives.

First, to establish a Barangay/City Park in all 61 barangays in Bacolod; second, stabilize all riverbanks through planting of different species of bamboo, fruit and forest trees; three, enhance the beauty of the city through planting/growing of ornamental plants and other fruit-bearing trees along the national highway, provincial and barangay roads;

Fourth, intensify public awareness through information and education campaign vis-à-vis the importance of biodiversity conservation, protection and rehabilitation of denuded areas as strategy in addressing climate change; and fifth, enhance and encourage public and private sectors and other stakeholder participation in the conservation, rehabilitation and protection of the environment.

For its part, the City of Bacolod, aside from intensifying public awareness, will also conduct the survey, mapping and planning to determine the appropriate and suitable species to be planted on a specific site, undertake plantation establishment, and supervise the implementation of the project, allocate funds for capacity building and other related activities, and submit a monthly progress report to the DENR-NIR, among others.

Meanwhile, the DENR will support the city government’s initiatives related to the program implementation, provide technical assistance, conduct capacity building, provide plantable seedlings, and jointly monitor with Bacolod City the progress of the project.

Negros 1st Rice Processing Center offers lower drying, milling costs

By Erwin P. Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY, May 4 -- The Negros First Rice Processing Center (NFRPC) in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City is offering lower drying and milling costs with higher recovery rate for rice farmers in Negros Occidental.

Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr., chairman of committee on appropriations, budget, finance, and ways and means, said Thursday the operation of the state-of-the-art facility will serve as an economic enterprise venture for the province while helping farmers improve their productivity.

The PHP64-million NFRPC was inaugurated in April 2015 by former president Benigno Aquino III. The facility went through two years of “test operation” until it passed the standards of milling quality rice.

On Wednesday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed an ordinance enacting the rates and charges of the NFRPC, particularly on milling and drying services it will offer to rice farmers, associations, and cooperatives.

The ordinance sets a custom milling rate of PHP1.70 per kilogram for newly harvested rice equivalent to about PHP85 per 50-kilogram bag, an upscale rate compared to PHP73 to PHP87 offered by private mills.

The NFRPC posts a recovery rate of 68 percent compared to only 63 percent in other rice mills in Negros Occidental.

For drying services, the province’s rate is PHP2,000 per batch per 10 hours and PHP300 in every hour thereafter or a fraction thereof. Payment in kind like rice grain or bran is acceptable at a prevailing market price at the time services are rendered.

Moreover, the ordinance provides that Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. or his duly authorized representatives can waive or reduce the imposition of rates and charges in time of natural calamities, pest infestations and other similar events.

The governor may also grant incentives to duly registered farmer cooperatives or associations which patronizes the services of the processing center at his discretion.

The ordinance will take effect upon the approval of the governor and after compliance with the publication required under the provisions of the 1991 Local Government Code.

5,000 Korean students to study English in Bacolod City this year

By Nanette L. Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY, May 2 -- About 5,000 college students from South Korea are expected to arrive in this city this year to study English.

This was confirmed by the City Mayor’s Office on Tuesday after Executive Assistant Moises de la Cruz and City Tourism Officer Ma. Elma Gerasmo met with Korean businessmen Kim Dong A, Ryu Kang Jae, and Lee Kue Bong at the Bacolod City Government Center.

De la Cruz and Gerasmo were informed by the Korean group that they were facilitating the arrival of the students who would study English at Phil-Korea Educational Services Inc. in Bacolod in the coming months.

Bacolod, which has several English language schools, recorded 9,610 tourists from South Korea last year. Koreans ranked second among the foreign tourist arrivals in the city.

In early 2016, chartered flights between Negros Occidental and South Korea arrived at Bacolod-Silay airport, bringing in 2,500 Koreans tourists who infused about PHP97 million to the economy of Bacolod and Negros Occidental.

During the period, the Philippine Airlines made 17 flights, with an average of 150 Koreans per flight.

According to the Department of Tourism Region 6, better connectivity between top destinations in Western Visayas and South Korea has resulted to more Korean arrivals in the region last year.

Koreans topped the list of foreign visitors in Western Visayas in 2016, with 357,362 arrivals out of the total 1.03 million foreigners who came to Region 6, including Negros Occidental.

IT, engineering specialists highest paid in Negros, WV

By Erwin P. Nicavera

Information Technology (IT) and engineering specialists top the list of the highest paid professionals in Negros Island Region (NIR) as well as in Western Visayas, according to The 2017 JobStreet.com Bacolod Job Trends and Salary Report.

For supervisors, or employees with five to 10 years of work experience, those with IT-related jobs receive the highest salary amounting to P43,350 per month.

It was followed by customer service at P38,889, healthcare at P37,379, marketing and business development at P33,611 and banking and financial services at P28,306.

For the managerial level, engineering-related jobs topped the five highest paid professions earning P66,341 every month.

Those into banking and financial services earn P51,875, followed by costumer service-related at P49,750, IT-related at P48,567, and sales-related at P39,860.

The report, which is part of the trends and salary data presented by hirer marketing manager Eileen Camarillo-Go last Friday, is encouraging to students taking the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) track as their future looks bright with potentials of highly-paid jobs, JobStreet.com Philippines said.

Banking and financial services posted the highest monthly salary of P35,775 for junior executives, or employees with work experience of not more than five years.

It was followed by healthcare-related with P33,337, training and development with P26,944, education with P24,273 and hospitality-related, P23,138, the JobStreet.com Philippines report further showed.

The report also indicated that the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is the leading provider of white-collar jobs in Bacolod City, and the region as well.

Figures showed that the BPO sector employs 40 percent of the total workers among the Top 10 industries in Bacolod.

Lawyer Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, executive director of the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communication Technology, Sunday, April 30 said the latest JobStreet.com data should inspire industry stakeholders to continue developing strategies to create more ICT and ICT-enabled jobs and opportunities in the province.

Batapa-Sigue said Bacolod City has attained the status of being a center of excellence for business process management in 2013 because of the synergy between the public and private sectors.

“We must continue this synergy to create more BPO jobs and scale up to other ICT segments such as software development, healthcare information management outsourcing, and creative processes,” she added.

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