Negros Occidental News November 2014

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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.

Capitol to give cash aid to storm victims

By EDITH B. COLMO(PN)

BACOLOD City — The provincial government will release financial assistance to families whose houses were destroyed by tropical depression “Queenie” in southern Negros Occidental, said Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Marañon said the money will be distributed to the storm victims on Monday. They will use it in rebuilding their houses.

Southern Negros Occidental was placed under Public Storm Warning Signal 1 when “Queenie” made landfall on Thursday.

In Cauayan town, “Queenie” destroyed 428 houses in barangays Poblacion, Manuling, Isio, Tuyom, Masaling, Caliling, and Linaon.

It also affected 34 persons in Barangay Santol, Banalbagan town.

In Kabankalan City, “Queenie” affected 147 persons from barangays 7, Orong, Tampalon, Camugao, and Camingan.

The tropical depression also destroyed a house and damaged three others in Barangay Sag-ang, La Castellana town.

PNoy to visit Negros in December

By Teresa Ellera

THE arrival of President Benigno Aquino III in Negros Occidental has been reset to the second week of December.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said on Friday that the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) continuously coordinates with his office for the presidential visit.

During his visit, the President will inaugurate the Negros First Cyber Centre and the three-storey classroom at the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) in Bacolod City, and the rice processing center in Bago City.

The P630-million Negros First Cyber Centre, worth P630 million, is expected to generate 6,000 direct Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs once it is fully operational.

The Cyber Centre, owned and managed by the Provincial Government, has been accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) on September 16, 2011.

The 45-classroom building at NOHS costs P66.5 million. It was built upon the request of NOHS principal Mario Amaca after a compromised agreement was reached by the Department of Education and the Provincial Government to return the 43,791-square meter Paglaum Sports Complex property to the Capitol, which paved the way for the establishment of the Cyber Centre.

The P55.1-million Negros First Rice Processing Center in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City was built through a counterparting scheme between the Department of Agriculture and the Provincial Government.

The modern rice processing center has a milling capacity of 10 tons per hour with series of re-circulating dyers coupled to a single biomass furnace.

PCSO's ‘Peryahan’ replaces Bingo Milyonaryo in Negros

By Teresa Ellera

AFTER the failure of Bingo Milyonaryo, another numbers game under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will soon operate in Negros Occidental.

Jose Ferdinand Rojas, acting chair and general manager of PCSO, said in a letter to Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella that the city is being considered as one of the areas where PCSO is planning to launch their newest game, the Peryahan Games.

“By virtue of the deed of authority dated April 2, 2014, PCSO approved the one-year experimental test run of the Peryahan Games and authorized GlobalTech Mobile Online Corp. as the distributor and system supplier of the said game," Rojas said.

However, the exact date of the operation of the ‘Peryahan’ was not indicated.

Rojas added that “in the conduct of the Peryahan Games, PCSO shall provide shares for the same gross sales allocated which will be two percent of the 30 percent charity fund based on the gross sales and receipts of the games within the province .”

Also “five percent of the 30 percent charity fund based on the gross sales receipts of the games within the city or municipality” will also be provided.

Its operation will open up job opportunities for the residents of the local government units, Rojas said.

GlobalTech through businessman Cris Torres will reportedly handle the Peryahan Games operation in the entire province.

Based on its website, Peryahan Games will have three draws daily.

Negros Occidental board approves P15.01-billion investment plan

(Associated Press)

BACOLOD CITY—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Negros Occidental has approved the P15.01-billion Annual Investment Plan (AIP) endorsed by the Provincial Development Council.

The AIP, the “wishlist” of projects for the province, is a prerequisite for the approval of the 2015 proposed budget and the 20-percent Annual Development Fund.

Based on the wishlist, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist has the biggest allocation, with P5.92 billion; the Provincial Engineer’s Office, P3.2 billion; Mambukal Resort, P796 million; Governor’s office, P669 million; and the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, P397 million.

The AIP was approved on Wednesday as the SP continued to deliberate on the proposed P2.6 billion provincial budget for 2015.

Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the budget deliberation would continue in the next session as the board was still waiting for the itemized budget of the 20-percent development fund amounting to P470 million.

In the proposed general fund budget for 2015, total expenditure for personal services amounts to P603.550 million, which accounts for approximately 24 percent of the budget, while the amount of P424.034 million has been earmarked for the maintenance and other operating expenses, which represents 17 percent.

The sources of fund are internal revenue allotment share for 2015 estimated at P2.3 billion and income from local sources amounting to P89 million.

The 2015 special purpose appropriations, which accounts for almost 58 percent of the total budget, amounts to P1.4 billion, of which the 20-percent development fund is included.

Based on the report of the committee on finance, the proposed 2015 budget provides for the full implementation of the total reorganization of the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Executive branch of the provincial government pursuant to SP Ordinance 010, Series of 2014.

SMX to make Bacolod strong MICE destination

BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO

The SMX Convention Center in Bacolod that formally opened last night will help make the city a strong contender as a MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) destination in the country, an SMX official said.

SMX Convention Center senior assistant vice president Dexter Deyto, who spoke during the formal opening of SMX Bacolod, said that seven years ago in 2007, SMX became a game changer in the conventions and meetings industry with the inauguration of their flagship property – the SMX Convention Center in Manila – at the SM Mall of Asia complex, followed a few years later by the opening of SMX Davao and SMX Taguig last year.

“In behalf of the SM Hotels and Conventions management, it gives us great pleasure to announce the addition of another convention center to our growing family – the SMX Convention Center Bacolod – the first and largest of its kind in the Visayas,” he said.

With its opening, they are bringing the same international standards and acclaimed service that the SMX brand is well-known for, Deyto said.

“Tonight, we do not only open a convention center. It is also a celebration of the best of Negros – its heritage, culture and commerce,” he said.

Deyto also acknowledged the unwavering support from the public and private sector, the event organizers, individuals and the community for making the event possible.

A 2-day exhibit, titled “A Sweet Legacy”, is being held today and tomorrow at the Function Room 3 of SMX Convention Center Bacolod, in partnership with the Association of Negros Producers, Gallery Orange, Negros Museum, Balay Ni Tan Juan Museum, Museo Diocesano De Bacolod, Elsie Gonzaga, and the Balay Negrense Museum.

The exhibit aims to showcase the best of Negrense heritage, culture and commerce, and is open for public viewing 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.Admission is free.

The event yesterday was highlighted by a fashion show by local designers, like John John Ditching, John Rodain, Steve Genzola and Philippine Ambassador of Fashion Renee Salud.

SMX Convention Center Bacolod is at the third level of the New North Wing of SM City Bacolod, boasting 8,218 square meters of event space, with a pre-function lobby, six meeting rooms, and three function rooms that can accommodate up to 4,500 people.

Clients can expect the same exceptional facilities and excellent service that the SMX Convention Center brand is known for, a press release from the SMX said.

Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella said that for many years, Bacoleños have been dreaming of a convention center that will help boost the tourism industry of the city. “And tonight, we are here to open the biggest convention center in the Visayas,” he said.

Puentevella said the city is looking forward to hosting many national conventions this year and next year. He also announced the opening of another Save More branch in Fortune Towne today.

“This will be a big year for Bacolod tourism, especially that we will be one of the host cities of the APEC Summit next year,” he said.

He also announced that he wrote President Benigno Aquino, thanking him for inviting him to the official opening of the 2015 APEC December 1 in Manila.

Also present at the formal opening rites were Elizabeth Sy, president of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., and Peggy Angeles, senior vice president for operations, and SMX Bacolod manager JB Ongsingco.

More than 500 joining nat’l vegetable confab

(Visayan Daily Star)

More than 500 vegetable growers and stakeholders will gather in Bacolod City, for the 12th National Vegetable Congress and Expo on December 4 to 7.

The convention aims to unite vegetable farmers across the Philippines to help in strengthening high value crops and organic agriculture production, a Department of Agriculture press release said yesterday.

The provincial government of Negros Occidental, in cooperation with the DA Regional Field Office 6, Philippine Vegetable Industry Development Board, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association, organized this national confab to introduce a new revenue stream for the vegetable industry through leisure farm vacations and tours.

The four-day congress will include the plenary sessions, expo and Negros Farmers Weekend Market, leisure farm tours and lectures, and a seed showcase, the DA press release said.

On December 4, a whole-day plenary session will focus on the collaboration of the national government, local government units, and agricultural entrepreneurs to promote rural advancement.

Participants will be equipped with the DA’s roadmap for competitive agriculture in one ASEAN economy, climate change, and the private sector’s initiative in high value crops development and organic farming, the press release said.

They will also tour to Rapha Valley Farm, Quiet Place Resort and Farm, May’s Garden and Restaurant, Peñalosa Farm and San Antonio II Farm.

MBCCI President Frank Carbon said that in the concluding plenary, the LGUs and the agricultural companies will present to DA Undersecretary Emmerson Palad and Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. the Memorandum of Undertaking creating vegetable training farms in various towns and cities in Negros Occidental.

SRA holds 1st Visayas Muscovado Sugar Convention

(JSC/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Nov. 24 (PIA6) - - The Sugar Regulatory Administration and other agencies – the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Science and Technology, Province of Negros Occidental and the Alter Trade Foundation Incorporated held the first ever Visayas Muscovado Sugar convention at the Social Hall of SRA Bacolod.

SRA La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center OIC and convention chair Ma. Florencia Logroño said there are 166 existing muscovado mills in the Visayas and additional four are up for operation.

Antique has the most muscovado mills numbering to 146, Negros Occidental has eight, Negros Oriental has six, Ilolio has five, and Capiz has one.

According to Logroño, Visayas is producing 4,279.84 to 4,500 metric tons of muscovado sugar from a total of 1,670 to 2,300 hectares of land.

In 2013, total muscovado export reached 1,829.31 metric tons that brought in some $3.1 million to the local economy.

Major export markets for Philippine muscovado sugar are USA, Japan, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, South Korea, Guam, Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, France, Saudi Peninsula, United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Dubai.

Meanwhile, Fair Living Organization (FLO) International Consultant for Indonesia, Philippines, Laos and Vietnam Hagung Hendrawan, guest speaker during the convention said that Fair Trade International is assisting 16 small cooperatives of mainly sugar farmers in the Philippines.

Muscovado trading, like most trading system, is like an hour glass where there are millions of farmers and there are millions of consumers but in the middle, there are only a few big companies bridging between producers and consumers, really small number of traders in the whole trading system.

“This kind of situation exists for centuries even until now and what happens is that producers cannot earn enough for them to send children to school and these children are oftentimes discouraged to go into farming or to continue producing,” Hendrawan said.

The situation must change by actively involving more producers and more farmers in the trading system through empowerment in decision making, Hendrawan added.

Fair Trade worldwide has 1.4 million farmers and farm workers-members in 74 countries including the Philippines. Fair Trade membership is composed of 80 percent small farmers, and 23 percent of the members are women.

According to Hendrawan, the muscovado sugar industry which belongs to the organic or specialty sugar, grows by 22 percent each year.

Data from Fair Trade showed that the three muscovado or raw sugar producing countries are Peru, Ecuador and Philippines.

Top consumers of Fair Trade sugar is United Kingdom but the organic sugar markets remain strongest in France and the US and most notably in Australia.

Negros attracts migratory birds

(PIA-Negros Occidental/PN)

BACOLOD City – Thousands of migratory birds from Siberia, China and Australia pass by, feed and even breed in the wetlands of Negros Occidental, particularly from Bago City up to Ilog town.

There are about 109,000 migratory shorebirds in the area for the month of January alone, a count more than that the whole of Manila Bay, the highest concentration for these migratory birds, said Lisa J. Paguntalan, director for field operations of the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc.

“Bago-Ilog coastal wetlands host the most number of migratory shorebirds passing through its flyway. About 73 species of migratory shorebirds pass this way every year and these birds stay for about six months before they return to Siberia or China to breed,” said Paguntalan.

Rare greenshank, an endangered species and rarely sighted in the Philippines, was also recorded in the Tibsoc wetland in San Enrique and Pontevedra towns since 2012, she revealed.

Wetlands regulate ecosystem services like filtration of pollution going to the sea, especially in Negros where there’s a lot of tidal or mud flats that serve the migratory birds with food, said Joy Navarro, ecosystem management specialist of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s Biodiversity Management Bureau.

According to Paguntalan, Olango Island in Cebu is most popular when it comes to migratory shorebirds – they have from 20,000 to 30,000 birds passing every year although lesser in number compared to that of Negros Occidental.

Whale sharks in Hinobaan

BY CARLA P. GOMEZ

Whale sharks have moved to the waters of Hinobaan town in southern Negros Occidental and have been drawing local and foreign tourists, Mayor Ernesto Estrao said yesterday.

Seven butandings, or whale sharks - considered the largest fish in the sea – have been swimming in the vicinity of Nabulao Bay in Hinobaan since Nov. 15, he said.

They have been feeding on small shrimps in the area and the crowds have been coming to catch a glimpse of them and to cheer as they swim by, he said.

Two big whale sharks, one estimated to weigh about 4 tons, and five small ones seem to have taken up residency in the Hinobaan waters, Estrao said.

Estrao said that one can see the butandings from the mainland of Hinobaan.

Tourists wanting to get a closer view have also been seen taking off on bancas from the Nabulao Bay Beach Resort to get closer views of them.

Butandings are described as “gentle giants” and are also tourist attractions in Donsol, Sorsogon and Oslob, Cebu.

OISCA officials visit Negros organic fest

(Visayan Daily Star)

Japanese dignitaries headed by Yoshiko Nakano, OISCA International president, came to Negros Occidental to witness the 9th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, yesterday.

President Nakano was accompanied by OISCA International secretary, Narumi Nakano and Tadashi Watanabe, in charge of overseas operation of the organization, a Capitol press release said.

The group expressed their gratitude to Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr. for his support to the Japanese community, and, according to them “Philippines means Negros Occidental”.

The governor, who is the president of OISCA Philippines Chapter, also thanked OISCA International for the assistance extended to the province that has helped marginal farmers in their livelihood projects.

The transfer of equipment for the Muscovado Mill in Sagay City and the provision of Sericulture Reeling Center in Brgy. Tabunan, Bago City, are among the notable projects that have contributed to the economic development of the province. Through the Reeling Center, the production of silk in Negros Occidental comprises almost 83 percent of the national production of silk.

Shigeme Watanabe, director of OISCA Bago Training Center said that there are three groups from OISCA Japan who are witnessing the festival and participating in the province’s thrusts on environment protection and rehabilitation, the press release also said.


EDC eyeing project in Mt. Mandalagan

(Sunstar Bacolod)

THE Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is eyeing to conduct drilling operations for another geothermal power in in Mt. Mandalagan, Negros Occidental.

Mt. Mandalagan, which is part of the Negros Volcanic Belt, is listed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) as a potentially active volcano.

Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday that his office received the project description for the Geoscientific Study on the Mandalagan Geothermal Prospect from EDC.

The Mandalagan Geothermal Prospect is one of the identified areas of the Department of Energy that has potential for power generation for renewable energy specifically geothermal energy.

Most of the available technical data on the prospect were based on preliminary reconnaissance surveys that suggest the possible presence of geothermal resource based on the project description submitted by EDC.

Lacson said in the letter that EDC just informed the province of their plan and that they have not requested for any legislative action yet.

“We will take action when they will make a request," the vice governor said.

EDC has been the subject of criticisms of environmentalist groups in the province after they failed to generate the 49 megawatts of geothermal power from its North Negros Geothermal Power Project at the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.

Green Alert Negros said that “EDC left the area, created destruction at the buffer zone of the MKNP without any explanation to the Negrenses.”

They should be held liable for such destruction, the group added.

200 families receive free land titles

(PN)

BACOLOD City — Two hundred families squatting in Barangay 35 here received free land titles for the lots where their houses are built.

The former informal settlers accepted the land titles in a recent turnover ceremony.

The families were beneficiaries of a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) program that processes residential free patents for informal settlers.

Under the Free Patent Act, residents are allowed to own the lot where they are squatting for over 10 years.

Present during the turnover ceremony was Rep. Evelio Leonardia.

The Barangay 35 informal settlers started processing documents for free land titles in 2012, said Leonardia.

The DENR will give 100 more land titles, according to Rep. Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna party-list who also witnessed the distribution of land titles.

DENR previously gave out residential free patents to 450 families in barangays 1 and Banago.

Councilors Carl Lopez and El Cid Familiaran were also present in the event.

Negros to host nat’l vegetable confab

(PNA)

BACOLOD City — The Negros Occidental provincial government and the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) will host the 12th National Vegetable Congress on Dec. 4 to 7.

The event will feature a seed showcase, innovative farming technology, financing window for small farmers, potential of high-value crops and organic farming, organic farm tours and organic fertilizer production, and vegetables/seeds and equipment expo, said MBCCI president Frank Carbon.

Various talks are also lined up during the Dec. 4 plenary.

Discussions will focus on the collaboration of national government agencies, local government units (LGUs) and “agri-preneurs” to promote agricultural and rural development.

Specific topics to be taken up are the Department of Agriculture’s road map for a competitive agriculture in One Asean Economy; climate change; high-value crops development; organic farming; and creating opportunities for subsistence farmers and their children.

During the plenary, LGUs and the agricultural companies will present to Agriculture secretary Proseso Alcala and Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. the plan to create vegetable training farms in various towns and cities in Negros Occidental.

A new revenue stream for the Tourism Industry-Leisure Farm Vacation and Tours will also be introduced.

The theme of this year’s National Vegetable Congress is “Strengthening the Industry through High-Value Crops Development and Organic Farming.”

The congress is an annual event of the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Vegetable Industry Development Board.

Guvs: Declare Visayan Sea protected area

By Teresa Ellera

FOUR Visayan governors signed on Saturday a petition asking President Benigno Aquino III to declare as protected area the waters beyond the 15-kilometer municipal waters of the municipalities and cities surrounding the Visayan Sea.

The signing, held during the 6th Visayan Sea Summit in Sagay City, was attended by Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., and Masbate Gov. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete. Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III was represented by his aide Ricardo Lachica.

Defensor said that once the area is declared as protected, big commercial fishing vessels will no longer be allowed to go fishing at the Visayan Sea.

This is to protect not only the small fishermen but also for the conservation of marine resources and for the speedy recovery of the already dwindling marine resources in the area, Defensor said.

In their petition, the governors stated that after decades of abuse and neglect, the marine resources of the Visayan Sea have been severely degraded and are now on the brink of collapse.

“(We are) recognizing that our marine resources must be conserved for the enjoyment not only of a few but of all Filipinos, both present and future generations, in keeping with the pursuit of sustainable development,” they added.

They said that “(d)espite vigorous coastal enforcement efforts of the different local government units of their 15-kilometer municipal waters, commercial fishing still continue to encroach on fishing grounds constitutionally reserved for small and marginal fisherfolk.”

The governors are also pushing to “widen the conservation area for the Visayan Sea which in turn will widen the breeding area of the diverse marine life of the Visayan Sea and by reason their fish catch will alleviate poverty and improve their quality of life that is consistent with the national policy.”

The petition will be submitted to Malacañang for the approval of the president.

4 hospitals to get P12.2M

By GILBERT P. BAYORAN

Four government hospitals in Negros Occidental are getting P12.2 million in medical assistance for indigent and poor patients.

Medical assistance worth P8,750,000 is due to be given to the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, P2.2 million to the Cadiz District Hospital, P750,000 to the Merceditas Montilla District Hospital in Sipalay City and P500,000 to the Vicente Gustilo District Hospital in Escalante City, records of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental show.

Representatives of the regional office of the Department of Health, the provincial government of Negros Occidental and from the four hospitals will soon sign a memorandum of agreement, as endorsed by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to the SP, to enable the release of the medical assistance from the DOH.

During its regular session Wednesday, the SP also approved the 2014 supplemental budget number 5 of the Economic Enterprise Development Department of the provincial government in the amount of P2 million, as endorsed by Board Member Salvador Escalante, who is the chairperson of the SP committee on Finance.

Escalante said P2 million will be paid to the PhilHealth, in relation to the implementation of Point of Care health program of the provincial government.

Under the program, Escalante said, indigents will be automatically enrolled in PhilHealth when they are treated or confined in government hospitals.

Marañon also requested for approval from the SP to sign a memorandum of agreement to be entered into by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office and the district hospitals of the province for the hospitalization,medical care and treatment of Filipino veterans and their dependents.

Negros gearing up for more investors

By Teresa Ellera

THE Province of Negros Occidental is gearing up for more investments as Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. meets with potential investors in recent weeks.

Former governor Rafael Coscolluela, Capitol consultant on investment and promotions, trade and export development and inter-agency coordination, said on Thursday Marañon told him that 60 percent of his time these past few days are spent on meetings with potential investors.

The governor, however, refused to reveal the specific investments and their investors as it may lead to the jacking up of land prices in the province.

That's also based on the law of supply and demand, Coscolluela said.

As part of the Provincial Government’s efforts to attract investments, the Provincial Investment Board, chaired by Marañon and with Coscolluela as vice chair, held their organizational meeting at the Nature's Village Hotel and Restaurant in Talisay City on Thursday.

Before the year ends, the Provincial Investment Code will be in place, Coscolluela said.

“We will formulate our investment plan so that prospective investors would see it and investment proposals will also be presented to them,” he added.

Among the major property development projects that will soon be started in Negros Occidental are those of Ayala Land Inc. and Suntrust Properties Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Megaworld Corporation catering to the affordable market.

Ayala Land is set start next year its three-year, P6-billion development projects in Bacolod City on the 4.4-hectare lot it leased from the provincial government and on the adjacent property the firm has acquired from private owners.

Suntrust Properties Inc. has entered into a P1-billion joint venture agreement with the Lacson family for the development of an integrated residential project at the boundary of the cities of Bacolod and Talisay.

Earlier this month, Marañon also revealed that a shipyard is being proposed in the eastern part of the province, a project expected to create 20,000 jobs and would need 35 megawatts of power for their operation.

In the Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) sector, Marañon said the province would be able to accommodate 50,000 agents with the opening of the Capitol-owned Negros First Cyber Centre in 2016.

Bacolod one of nine APEC sites

(Visayan Daily Star)

The City of Bacolod was one of the nine venues cited by Malacañang Tuesday that will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum Summit next year, a press release from City Hall said.

Bacolod will join Manila, Clark in Pampanga, Legazpi in Albay, Boracay, Cebu, Bagak in Bataan, Tagaytay and Iloilo that will house the leaders of the 21 Pacific Rim member economies that aims to promote free trade and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region, it said.

In his meeting with the Philippine media after he delivered his speech during the Leaders’ Meeting in Beijing, China, President Benigno Aquino III lauded China’s hosting of this year’s APEC Summit, especially with the precision of its cultural presentation, and he hopes to follow the trend set by the country but not in a competitive way.

The President added that the APEC Summit will give the Philippines “the opportunity to talk to leaders of countries” like South America, Mexico, Russia and Chile “all in one sitting as supposed to trying to arrange visits to these countries.”

As for Bacolod, Mayor Monico Puentevella expressed his gratitude multiple times to the private sector and organizers who have helped in the preparation to host one of the APEC meetings in 2015, the press release said.

Last February, an ocular team led by Deputy Director General for Operations Revimarc de Mesa visited Bacolod wherein he recognized the city’s readiness and organization of local government and its partners to boost its hosting capacities that goes beyond APEC, it said.

Another APEC National Organizing Committee is scheduled to visit Bacolod and inspect the city’s accommodations including airport and hotel facilities and cultural sites one of these days, the press release added.

GDH workshop Nov. 17

(MNM)

A workshop for the Gifts, Decors and House Wares producers funded by the National Industry Cluster for Capacity Enhancement Program and of Japan International Cooperation Agency in cooperation with the Association of Negros Producers will be held November 17 in Bacolod City.

Participants will be key players of the food and gifts, decors and house wares sectors of Negros Occidental. Resource person and facilitator will be Lorenzo Templonuevo , an expert on product marketing.

To be taken up in the workshop are marketing strategies for Negrense products. The institutionalization of the Negros Seal of Excellence which the ANP has worked on for a long time will also be taken up.

The seal will be used by producers and companies of the province as a hallmark of product excellence and that a certain product has achieved the highest quality and passed the rigid tests conducted by the ANP and the Department of Trade and Industry.

The workshop is another level of upgrading and innovating program of the JICA, NICCEP and the ANP for the food and gifts , decors and house wares and part of the road map in the preparation for the ASEAN integration next year.


DAR installs 103 more farmers in Hinigaran

(MNM)

Another group of 103 farmers received their Certificates of Land Ownership Award from the Negros Occidental Agrarian Reform 2 office in Hinigaran town Friday.

The 138-hectare property in Brgy. Palayog, Hinigaran, was formerly owned by Juan Isasi.

The ceremony started with a thanksgiving mass by Fr. Ernie Larida who told the beneficiaries that the land is a gift from God because of His love for the farmers. He said the gift should be reciprocated by loving it and handling it carefully and not let it get to the hands of other people.

Hinigaran municipal agrarian reform officer, Zenaida Montalbo, reminded the farmers of their hardships and long wait that should not be put to waste. She said the land is for their childern ‘s future and a legacy to bequeth to them when they are no longer capable of tilling it themselves.

Present at the awarding were various ARB group representatives, the Natinal Police of Hinigaran led by Lino Dalisay, barangay officials and some local government offials.

The group named Jon Ysasi Agrarian Reform Cooperative is already an organized group for the awarding of the CLOAs.

Guv sees ‘drastic’ dev’t in province

By EDITH COLMO With a report from Philippine Information Agency (PN)

BACOLOD City — Negros Occidental will continue to prosper in the next 10 years, declared Gov. Alfredo Marañon.

“There will be a drastic change in the province like change of attitude and physical facilities,” said Marañon. “We (the provincial government) are improving so that all Negrenses will feel the development.”

Negros Occidental awaits many investors, said the governor, adding that most of his time is spent entertaining businessmen and property developers interested in putting up their businesses in the province.

Marañon disclosed that a shipbuilding company has invested in the province.

About 28,000 jobs will be made available once the ship building company starts operating, he said.

Also, the information technology and business process outsourcing (BPO) industries will continue to grow, he said.

By next year, about 50,000 BPO sales representatives will be needed in this city, said Marañon.

“The Negros First Cyber Centre alone will need about 5,000 call center agents in 2016,” he said. “BPO companies also need accountants, engineers and medical attendants.”

Moreover, the organic farming in the province will continue to boom as it grows by 20 percent every year, said the governor.

Marañon also said Japanese investors have also expressed interest in tapping with the province’s rice suppliers.

PhilHealth orientation set

(MNM)

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. in Bacolod City will conduct a health insurance orientation on the third week of this month for corporate, government, media and PhilHealth members in Negros Occidental.

The orientation aims to inform members of the latest programs and clear issues on services, Philhealth Bacolod Officer-In-Charge Owen Magalona, said. Part of the orientation is the reintroduction of Tsekap program that he said, has already covered members of organized group of informal workers and members of the micro-finance lending.

The program coverage ranges from indigents to OFWs to Department of Education employees. It offers free consultations and check-ups for urinalysis, fecalysis, sputum microscopy, lipid profile, chest x-ray and complete blood count and is a preventive measure for members before illness becomes fatal , he added.

DAR installs 45 farmers

(Visayan Daily Star)

Forty-five farmers from Sitio Tugas, Brgy. Pilar, Hinigaran, were installed yesterday as new agrarian reform beneficiaries of the Department of Agrarian Reform 2 of Negros Occidental.

The beneficiaries were former workers of Hda. Margarita owned by Margarita Yulo-Gonzaga and has a total area of 36.5 hectares, Domingo Gatmaitan, MARPO Hinigaran, said. From the total area, 31.6 hectares will go to beneficiaries, and the rest to the owner for retention. The acquired area is valued at P9.4 million, Gatmaitan said.

Leonardo Asdallo, a farmer said the award came as a surprise for he thought it would never come and if it did, he may not be alive anymore. He said he considers it an early Christmas gift from God that should be cherished and be kept for their children and their children's children. He added that the Certificate of Land Ownership Award is a tangible proof that the government is not leaving, but working for the farmers.

Gatmaitan reminded the farmers of the wrong practices of the previous beneficiaries and said he expects the group to cultivate their lands and DAR will continue with its duty to ensure their growth. Gatmaitan also said that he will facilitate their access to the Agrarian Productivity Credit Program to finance their crops and make sure that cultivation of their land will continue.

Scholarship grants for Negros Occidental public school teachers

(Rappler.com)

1,560 full scholarship grants for qualified public elementary and secondary teachers of Negros Occidental

This is a press release from the Department of Education.

MANILA, Philippines – In its thrust to deliver quality education, the Department of Education (DepEd), provincial government of Negros Occidental, and University of St. La Salle inked the memorandum of agreement on Project Flagships to Reach Educational Excellence (FREE)—Paglaum, a program that will provide 1,560 full scholarship grants to qualified public elementary and secondary teachers of Negros Occidental.

Project FREE-Paglaum aims to enhance the teaching skills of public school teachers by offering an 18-month structured Master in Education program (non-thesis) for classroom teachers, a 24-month masteral thesis program, and a 30-month doctoral program for school administrators.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC underscored the importance of investing in the continuing education of teachers and school administrators. He said that through scholarship grants for them, they will be able to push forward the educational reforms for the benefit of the Filipino learners.

He said, “Our task as teachers is not only to educate a child. First and foremost, our task is to keep learning everyday.”

“As we welcome you to this program, think of the substantial difference you make to your students,” Luistro added. He said that teachers who would finish the program should be able to pass on to the learner “the joy of learning” and be able to “offer new knowledge—the knowledge that they can bring with them, and the discipline of knowing how to learn on their own.”

Consignment program earns P27M

(MNM)

The Consignment Program of the Economic Enterprise and Development Department of the province of Negros Occidental has posted a profit of P27 million this year, EEDD head, Japhet Masculino, said yesterday.

The rise was due to the demand for medical supplies that are available for purchase in the 10 public hospitals owned by the province.

Masculino said the program started in 2006 with a profit of P20,000, and only two medical companies providing mainly fluid supplies. There are now 30 medical companies as consignors of various drugs, tools and equipment for patients from far-flung areas of the province, he said.

The EEDD is now set to acquire a dialysis machine from a medical supply company, to be put up at the Corazon Locsin Memorial Regional Hospital. Masculino said the machine is a form of assistance from a company that, in return, will be the consignor/supplier for the medicines needed for the dialysis. He also said they are negotiating with another company for X-Ray machines to be put up in some hospitals next year.

The P27 million proceeds will be used for the upgrading of hospital facilities and to purchase IT equipment for their operations. The fund will also be used for job orders when the hospitals deem there necessary, Masculino added.

Aquino may visit NegOcc this November

By Teresa Ellera

NEGROS Occidental Provincial Administrator Enrique Pinongan said Monday that President Benigno S. Aquino III may arrive in the province on November 20.

Pinongan said the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) has set two tentative dates for the President’s arrival – November 7 and November 20.

Since November 7 is too close, the President may arrive on November 20, however, there is no final word yet from Malacañang, he said.

Aquino is set to inaugurate P751.6 million worth of major projects of the Provincial Government.

The projects are the P630-million four-storey Negros First Cyber Centre (NFCC) in Bacolod City, the P55.1-million Negros First Rice Processing Center in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City, and the P66.5-million three-storey 45-classroom building at the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS).

Established by the Provincial Government to generate IT-BPO jobs for Negrenses, the NFCC has been accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority on September 16, 2011 and on June 11, 2014, Aquino issued Presidential Proclamation 802 , declaring the building an IT Center Special Economic Zone.

The Negros First Rice Processing Center in Bago City is a modern rice processing center built through counterparting scheme between the Department of Agriculture and the Province of Negros Occidental.

It has a milling capacity of 10 tons per hour with series of re-circulating dryers coupled to a single biomass furnace. It is projected to improve rice production and reduce post-harvest losses. The construction of the P66.5-million classroom building at the NOHS was prompted by the request of school principal Mario Amaca after a compromise agreement was signed by the Department of Education represented by Secretary Armin Luistro and the Province of Negros Occidental represented by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Under the agreement, the NOHS returned to the province the 43,791-square meter Paglaum Sports Complex property that paved the way for the establishment of the NFCC.

The compromise agreement stated that the provincial government shall construct a 24-classroom building but due to the demolition of the six-classroom dilapidated building.

However, Marañon saw the need of the school for more classrooms, seeing how the teachers converted the shed houses into improvised classrooms. Hence, to address the shortage of proper learning venue for students, he added another 15 classrooms, making it a three-storey, 45-classroom building.

Capitol gears up for 116th Cinco de Noviembre

(SunStar Bacolod)

THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental is gearing up for the 116th Cinco de Noviembre celebration with the theme “Pasidungog Sa Mga Bag-o nga Baganihan.”

Highlights of this year's celebration is the awarding of Outstanding Negrenses to be lead by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson to the Negrense Volunteers For Change Foundation Inc. (NVC).

The governor is also set to turn-over provincial government-funded projects.

Cinco de Noviembre is known as the Bluff that Freed Negros. It was on that day in 1898 when Negrenses are proud to exclaim that they are inhabitants of a small sock-shaped island full of natural resources.

This is the day when thousands of Negrenses manifested their bravery and courage in the most coordinated way headed by various local leaders to protect the land they well loved in a bloodless revolt against the Spanish conquistadores.

It was during Cinco de Noviembre when the marching revolutionist led by General Juan Araneta from Bago City and General Aniceto Lacson from Silay City were actually carrying firearms consisting of rifles carved out of nipa stalks and cannons of bamboo mats pointed black.

The courageous strategy deceived the Spaniards led by Col. Isidro Castro, looking afar using a telescope from atop the San athedral belfry, surrendered upon seeing a large formation of soldiers, heavily armed with rifles and cannons.

November 5 has been declared as special non-working holiday in Negros Occidental through Republic Act No. 6709 signed by a President Corazon Aquino on February10, 1989.

Sustainable organic farming

By Antonio L. Colina IV

SILAY CITY, Negros Occidental - An organic farm here has found yet the most sustainable way to organic farming since it started vermiculture nine years ago.

Fresh start Organic, a Negros Island Certification Services (Nicert)-certified organic farm, has been into vermicomposting since 2005 after owner and businessman Ramon Uy expanded his business from producing industrial equipment to farming.

Since then, the farm has been producing some five tons of vermicompost, a high quality organic fertilizer derived from the wastes of a certain specie of worm called African nightcrawler.

Ada Enriquez, office clerk of Fresh Start Organic, said the vermicomposting has really helped a lot when it comes to attaining sustainability in the farm's operation, as moft of the vermicompost being produced will be used to fertilize their own farm while the rest is sold to other farmers.

When the farm was just starting, it had only about an hectare of land in Silay City until it expanded to 3.8 hectares today where they grow lettuce and herbs, including rosemary, basil, tarragon, cilantro, mint, and stevia (alternative sweetener) and other fruits like bananas.

Now, the company is a major supplier of these organic vegetables and herbs to the hotels and restaurants in Bacolod and neighboring areas.

To sustain vermiculture, it only costs the farm around P2,000 to P3,000 a month to produce a high quality fertilizer because the methods and the production are easy.

She said they are producing two types of organic fertilizers, one is called vermicast while the other isbokashi.

Bokashi is an organic blend which contains mill ash coming from the sugarcane and vermicast as two of its components. The vermicast, meanwhile, is comprised of raw biodegradable materials such as mud press, shredded bananas, sugar cane, and vegetables.

To make the process of vermicomposting easier, Fresh start has put in place a shredder to turn bigger chunks of banana trunks and other biodegradable wastes into smaller pieces. After shredding, the worms will be introduced to the waste bed, once flattened, it is ready for harvesting. "Hindi yan makakain ng worms kung hindi i-shred," she said. "Ito (worms) yung paboritong employees kasi no need ang SSS, Philhealth and no need for salary."

The African nightcrawler is hermaphrodite, an organism that has both male and female sexes, meaning they can reproduce on their own.

She explained the worms can last up to five years, one thing that makes vermicomposting even more sustainable for farmers who have seen the beauty of organic farming.

For every 500 kilos of food, it needs the same amount of worms to expedite the composting process.

A 50-kilo sack of organic fertilizer is sold for P500 while those who are planning to do vermiculture at their backyard can buy the African nightcrawler as a starter for P500 a kilo at the Fresh Start Organic.

When Fresh Start was just starting, they sourced out the African nightcrawler at the Buro Buro Springs Vermi Farm at Sitio Balogo, Barrio Concepcion, Talisay City run by Pamela Henares.

For his part, Uy, who is also an advocate of organic farming in Negros Occidental, urged farmers to invest on organic farming because it can help bring down the cost of production.

"More production cost does not translate to bigger profit. Kung maliit ang cost mo, mataas ang income," he said.

He said vermicomposting is an efficient method used in farming that is "low tech".

"You don't to have to be a rocket scientist to make it... That's what we promote, to go organic," he said, adding that vermicomposting will revolutionize farming in the Philippines.

City dads: Beautify center islands

By MAE SINGUAY (PN)

BACOLOD City — The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to beautify the center islands on Araneta–Singcang Highway here.

The resolution also asked Rep. Evelio Leonardia to coordinate with the DPWH in planting flowers on the center islands.

Councilor Sonya Verdeflor, author of the resolution, said the request will beautify the highway.

The beautification of center islands here is under the city government’s Clean and Green program and tourism promotion, said Verdeflor.

The city council approved the resolution during its session on Wednesday.

For his part, Leonardia said he will relay the request to DPWH.

The congressman noted that flowering plants were already planted on center islands on Lacson and Burgos streets.

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