Negros Occidental News October 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.

Irrigation infra training held

(MNM)

A 5-day training on Feasibility Study and Detailed Engineering Investigation and Design for Water Resources Development Projects was held at the Sugar Workers Development Center in Bacolod City recently.

The objective of the training is capability enhancement of officers and extension workers for the implementation of the agricultural and irrigation infrastructure projects in Negros Occidental.

Discussions were held on system design, service area estimation and structural locations for dams, training on software usage, workshops on actual data entry and feasibility calculation, and on writing feasibility studies and presentation and critiquing of the completed work.

The speaker was Arthur Tambong, software author and head trainer. It was organized by the Office of the provincial Agriculturist.

San Carlos Solar to start new 23-MW plant soon

By Claire-Ann Marie C. Feliciano

THE JOINT VENTURE between Bronzeoak Philippines, Inc. and ThomasLloyd Cleantech Infrastructure Fund is gearing up for a $62-million expansion of its recently commissioned 22-megawatt (MW) solar facility in Negros Occidental.

Don Mario Y. Dia, Bronzeoak Philippines director, said that San Carlos Solar Energy, Inc. (Sacasol) will be embarking on a new 23-MW solar plant to utilize the resources in the area.

“This will bring the total capacity in the area to 45 MW,” he told reporters in Makati City yesterday.

Mr. Dia said the project will cost “roughly $62 million,” which will be funded by a combination of debt and equity.

Sacasol intends to start construction next month, with commercial operations expected before the end of 2015.

“We are going to issue the NTP (notice to proceed) on Nov. 3,” Mr. Dia said.

“It’s very quick to build solar facilities,” he added.

Conergy AG -- which provided the photovoltaic modules for the existing facility -- will also supply the panels for the new plant.

Sacasol’s existing solar plant -- composed of a 13-MW and 9-MW facilities -- started full commercial operations last month.

“Having constructed and grid-connected the first utility-scale solar plant in the country, we are keen to make the most of our experience, and pursue our expansion projects,” Sacasol President Jose Maria P. Zabaleta said earlier.

Apart from this project, Sacasol also intends to build another 18-MW solar facility worth around P1.8 billion in the municipality of La Carlota in the same province.

Mr. Dia yesterday said this could still be expanded by another 22 MW, as the site can still accommodate another facility.

Bronzeoak Philippines was established in 2003 to engage in renewable energy development.

It owns and operates an ethanol facility and cogeneration plant, through San Carlos Bioenergy, Inc., that produces 40 million liters of fuel ethanol, 40 million kilograms of sugar syrup and 60 million kilowatt- hours of electricity every year.

Meanwhile, ThomasLloyd Group is a European global investment banking and investment management group dedicated to projects involving renewable energy and other clean technologies.

Bacolod to host Indigenous Peoples fest on Nov. 10-11

(JSC/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

BACOLOD CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA6) - - Bacolod City, one of the three selected sites nationwide beside Baguio and Zamboanga, will host the Dayaw 2014: The Indigenous Peoples Festival on November 10-11 at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activities Center or NOMPAC.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts in partnership with the Negros Cultural Foundation Incorporated led by President Lyn Gamboa will bring the Dayaw here in Bacolod which hopes to gather 15 cultural communities coming from the Visayas.

NCCA Plan/Policy Formulation, and Programming Division head Marichu Tellano said the festival will also gather 250 Indigenous peoples from different tribes and groups so that the spectators may understand our roots, colorful and diverse cultures and bring to the mainstream their issues and concerns as indigenous peoples through forums where these IPs themselves will be the resource persons.

The theme of Dayaw Festival this year is “Katutubong Filipino Para sa Kalikasan at Kapayapaan” as important and pressing concerns these days.

“Visayas had been struck by natural calamities – typhoons, earthquakes, among others, so perhaps we will have a stronger discussion here on indigenous knowledge that would help in the protection of the environment,” Tellano added.

Dayaw 2014 Festival Director for Bacolod Tanya Lopez enumerated the scheduled activities for the two-day festival which include forum on issues and concerns of IPs, demonstrations of traditional crafts and cuisines, recognition of cultural masters, photo exhibits and outreach performances of ethnic songs and dances.

“They will be here (Bacolod) to converge and share indigenous knowledge with us,” Lopez said.

Dayaw since its inception in 2000 aims to highlight the importance and richness of indigenous cultures, to discuss issues indigenous peoples face today and facilitate interactions with other indigenous peoples as well as mine traditional knowledge and draw inspiration and insight from indigenous ways of life to find solutions to modern problems.

NCCA Vice Head, National Committee on Communications Rodrigo Cornejo told members of the media during a press conference on their vital role in helping put forward the importance of indigenous cultural heritage to the public.

Cornejo said that Dayaw is more than just an observance; it is a celebration as well as a learning experience that will give us a sense of pride as Filipinos on how rich our cultural heritage.

SM honors Negros artisans, producers

(CGS)

SM Bacolod honored several Bacolod and Negrense artisans and producers during the launching of its program “My City, My SM, My Crafts” at the new north wing atrium of SM City Bacolod yesterday that will run until November 5.

The activity also showcases the craftsmanship and artistry of local producers whose products are on display in the craft market inside the mall.

Honored were the creators of Tumandok Crafts – Joji Locsin, Hacienda Crafts – Ina Gaston, Art Energy – Cathy Hagad, Artisana Island Crafts (Anaware/ Handmade Gallery) – Mary Ann Colmenares, the Negros Nine weavers with Fr. Brian Gore, the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement International (Negros silk) – Shigemi and Thelma Watanabe, Yssa's Crafts - Precy Perez, Vivo Handicrafts – Vida Ayes, Kiculo – Marichu Cusi, Papel Handicrafts, Crisvil Creations – Cristeta Villacin, Vito Prints and Pieces – Jojo Vito, Papel Handicrafts – Sally Ledesma, Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation – Millie Kilayko, and Silay Export, Inc.- Reena Peña.

Department of Trade and Industry Division Chief Engiemar Tupas thanked SM Supermalls for coming up with an activity that showcases the ingenuity of the Negrenses.

Its initiative in promoting their local products through the program promotes pride and appreciation for the craftsmanship and creativity of the local producers, he said.

“This is really a very laudable project that some big corporations should emulate in order to promote local products not only in the country but in the world,” Tupas said.

It is good to know that SM has partnered with the Association of Negros Producers in the implementation of this project aside from the DTI. ANP has been very successful in staging projects like this, he added.

SM Bacolod assistant mall manager Julia Javelona yesterday enjoined everyone to continue supporting and promoting Philippine arts and crafts in the region, as well as, the whole country.

“My City, My SM” was launched in 2009 and was initiated by SM Supermalls Publicity Department headed by SM Senior Vice President for Marketing Communications Group Millie Dizon in partnership with the Department of Tourism.

Also present were Negros Occidental first lady Dr. Marilyn Marañon and Bacolod first lady Josefa Puentevella.

Immigration booths up at Bacolod-Silay airport

(Visayan Daily Star)

While the bidding for the P20-billon expansion program for the Bacolod-Silay airport is being readied, preparations have already started for the gateway to Negros Occidental to receive international flights, Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia said yesterday.

Leonardia, senior vice-chair of the Congressional Committee on Transportation, inspected the airport last week. He said new immigration booths that will process incoming and departing passengers on international flights have already been installed, a press release from his office said.

“The booths are part of the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) system we have been lobbying for to prepare the airport for international flights,” Leonardia added.

He, however, said that they are not yet part of the P20-billion airport expansion program for Bacolod Silay that the National Economic Development Authority approved recently. “Since the CIQ is one of the things we can immediately do to encourage direct international flights, we are doing it ahead of the expansion,” he said.

SOUTH KOREAN FLIGHTS

The CIQ had been one of the concerns of a South Korean group that had wanted to schedule several flights directly to Bacolod.

The SoKor group had been working with Leonardia and John Orola, his consultant on tourism affairs, to facilitate these flights since last year,

In a letter to Leonardia last August, Kim Hong Ki, said they expected to do 23 direct flights to Bacolod from Incheon, So. Korea, from December this year to March next year. At 150 passengers per flight, this is expected to bring in an estimated 3,400 Korean tourists directly to Bacolod, Leonardia said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines team headed by Mecine Reyes, Bacolod Silay airport chief, met with Leonardia during his inspection.

Aside from Immigration, also needed are the Customs and Quarantine components to complete the so-called CIQ system that will process incoming foreigners. Leonardia said he has endorsed an appeal to former Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon to deploy customs monitors at the airport.

Immigration chief Siegfred Mison had also vowed to help install the CIQ, Leonardia said, adding that he and Orola took this up a year ago in a meeting with the BID chief.

Mall expansion brings 2,000 new jobs to Bacolod

By Carla P. Gomez (Inquirer Visayas)

BACOLOD CITY—One of the country’s biggest retail and real estate developer has opened a P1.5-billion expansion of its mall here and has set its sights on two more big projects in the province of Negros Occidental.

SM Prime Holdings opened the north wing of SM Bacolod and, according to SM Prime president Hans Sy, the expansion doubled the mall size and would create 2,000 new jobs.

The new section of the mall houses the 4,000-seat SMX Convention Center, about 200 more retail stores for global and national brands, a bigger food court, grand atrium and a cyberzone.

The new section expands the mall’s gross area to 133,893 square meters, Sy said.

The original part of the mall that cost P1.6 billion and opened in March 2007 covers 71,759 square meters and currently employs about 3,000 people.

“Seven years ago, we saw so much potential here, and we believe in Bacolod that is why we are expanding here,” Sy said here recently.

The expansion, he added, was SM Prime’s way of “paying tribute to the residents of Bacolod City and nearby areas.”

“This expansion clearly manifests SM Prime’s steadfast commitment to assist in the further development and progress of the city through increased tax payments to the local government, as well as by providing residents an improved destination mall and a highly viable venue for business and commerce,” he said.

“Our continuing business expansion only affirms our commitment to provide for better retail facilities and services in cities and municipalities that are fast emerging from greater economic stability fuels by remittances from overseas workers and the growth in the business process outsourcing sector,” Sy added.

The expanded Bacolod mall is similar to the SM Mega Fashion Mall, Sy said.

Sy said the group would also invest as much as P500 million in a hotel adjacent to SM Bacolod.

SM is also building a mall in Negros Occidental outside of Bacolod next year, he said, but declined to specify the site as it could drive up land prices.

Dayaw to showcase traditional arts

(MNM)

The Dayaw Festival in Bacolod City on November 10 and 11 is expected to gather about 15 cultural communities who will showcase their traditional arts and crafts, cuisine, performances and traditional games, Rodrigo Cornejo, vice head of the NCCA National Committee on Communications, said yesterday.

The festival in Bacolod that will be participated in by indigenous groups of Central Philippines, is being organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Negros Cultural Foundation, Inc. with the provincial government of Negros Occidental.

The Bacolod celebration is part of the nationwide celebration of Dayaw 2004 : The Indigenous Peoples Festival, which will have events in Luzon and Mindanao.

Its theme is “Katutubong Filipino Para sa Kalikasan at Kapayapaan” (Indigenous Filipino for the Environment and Peace).

Tanya Lopez, executive director of the Negros Museum, said theopening ceremony of Dayaw will be held at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center on November 10 following a parade at the Provincial Capitol grounds.

Lopez said the activity will give people a chance to interact and learn from the indigenous people.

There will be photo exhibits, arts and crafts exhibits from cultural masters, cooking of indigenous cuisine, games, among others, she said.

There will also be a program recognizing cultural masters during the two-day activity.

Cornejo said they hope to gather more than 2,000 people to fill up NOMPAC. One will see 100 performances from the IPs. It will not just be a simple ceremony, but it will be an entertaining and learning experience, he said.

Marichu Tellano, NCCA Plan and Policy Programming Division chief, said they also have a program called Schools for Living Condition where they identify masters of different IP communities in partnership with the Department of Education.

They want to empower the lives of IPs by developing crafts and teach them how to market their products. They are also working with Kultura of SM so the IPs can have their products sold, she said.

Tellano said this activity will be a good opening for programs and support from NCCA.

Lyn Gamboa, Negros Cultural Foundation president, said they are inviting the public to join the event on November 10 to 11. Lopez said it is open to the public for free.

DAR holds accounting seminar

(MNM)

A basic accounting seminar for the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization was held Wednesday at the Nature Village Resort in Talisay City.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer I Milagros Flores said the seminar was aimed at teaching the farmer-beneficiaries the basic accounting system before their access to the loans and credit programs.

The system is to be installed in their associations for the proper accounting and recording and making financial statements of their income and projects, she said.

There were 42 participants from 16 ARBOs in Negros Occidental, she said, adding that the seminar is 35 percent lectures and 65 percent workshops and applications.

In the business planning stage, the group was taught how to make farm plans, estimate budget and system, and procedure in basic interim financial system, Flores said. The seminar is expected to instill good values and culture in the farmers, promote transparency in their reports, and prudence on the part of the officials handling financial matters, she added.

Axial pumps distributed to boost food production

(MNM)

Sixty axial pumps were turned over to farmers of Negros Occidental and engine sets worth P2.9 million by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations yesterday at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center in Bacolod City.

The axial pumps and engine sets were given to 57 farmers associations, cooperatives, groups and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations of the province and 3,560 farmers will benefit from the FAO, area coordinator Brenda Saquing said. The units were grants from FAO in response to the farmers' call for assistance in their crop production.

The project is also a part of the FAO's emergency response program to farmers whose crops were severely destroyed by typhoon Yolanda last year. She said the LGUs of the towns and cities of Negros Occidental were the ones who identified the beneficiaries of the program for the office of the Provincial Agriculturist that will evaluate and validate the final list of recipients of the grant. FAO also gave seeds and fertilizers to the farmers through the OPA this year, Saquing said.

In his speech during the program Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon said the grant will benefit the farmers by increasing their production and provide food security and sustainable livelihood.

Marañon also cited the case of the recently graduated high value crops farmers of Toboso town who have already marketed their goods in an institutional market.

Calatrava town got the most number of units with nine followed by Hinobaan and Candoni with eight each and Sipalay City with six.

Also at the ceremony were Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jose Eugenio Lacson, Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan and officials and members of the farmers' group from the 16 towns and cities.

Capitol allots P800M for health services

By Rudy Reveche

HEALTH services will get the biggest slice of the P2.6-billion budget of the Province of Negros Occidental for 2015, the proposed budget submitted by the Governor's Office show.

Second Distict Board Member Salvador Escalante, chairman of the committee on finance, budget and appropriations, said that based on the proposed budget for 2015, P800 million will go health services.

The allocation covers the operations of 13 hospitals subsidized by the Provincial Government and also includes the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP).

Escalante said he will set marathon hearings on the proposed budget after the Provincial Board approves it on first reading in their session Wednesday.

Based on the summary of appropriations in the General Fund, the total budget for Personal Services (PS) amounts to P603.550 million; Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), P424.034 million; Special Purpose Appropriations, P726.547 million; and subsidy to Economic Enterprise, P675.087 million.

The budget for the General Fund will be appropriated from the Internal Revenue Allotment at P2.34 billion, and Local Income at P89.219 million.

Also, the proposed budget for Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) is P883.697 million, with P577.503 million to be allocated to PS while P303.194 million, to MOOE.

The Provincial Government has also allocated a total of P120 million for disaster response.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said the calamity fund comprises the five percent of the proposed budget for 2015.

"We must be prepared for the disasters. We have to set aside funds," the governor said.

During the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting yesterday, a total of P8.05 million was realigned so it can be utilized in the rehabilitation of various disaster preparedness projects and purchase of support equipment.

Victorias City inks project agreement with Japanese partners

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

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Oct. 21 (PIA6) - - The local government of Victorias signed an agreement with Japanese partners for its Agri-Business/Agri-Eco-Tourism Enhancement projects patterned on the Nanjo City model in Okinawa, Japan.

Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca welcomed the city’s guests led by Nanjo City Okinawa Perfecture Mayor Keishun Koja, Nanjo City Chief of Planning Department Kenei Gushiken, Lequiowings Executive Director Chochu Awa, Lequiowings Director Takeshi Kushima, JICA Okinawa Partnership Program Division Deputy Director Yuji Wakasugi and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Philippines Office Project Foundation Advisor Kumiko Ogawa along with Ikaw-Ako Foundation Project Manager Mari Kurata.

The said agreement was finally signed after several exchanges of views and series of discussions through the JICA Philippines Office aimed at working out details of activities and measures to be taken under the Technical Cooperation for Grassroots Projects of JICA.

“This agreement brings our cities closer in friendship and cooperation as we work towards the common objective of helping people through technical and technological exchanges,” Palanca said.

The Mayor also thanked the guests from Nanjo City, JICA and Lequiowings for sharing their expertise and resources in the development of our Agri-Business and Agri-Eco-Tourism in Victorias.

Palanca is confident that through the collective efforts and commitment of both cities, the success of this project will be achieved and it will be able to provide a better life for the people.

Meanwhile, Koja expressed his gratitude for the city’s warm welcome and reiterated that he is not only looking forward for the achievement of the project but for the interaction that will extend to education, culture and other fields between the two cities.

The mutual exchange and partnership for various development projects of both cities, Lequiowings and other parties concerned, supported by JICA will enhance the Agri-Eco-Tourism of both cities, organic or natural farming production system and effective distribution and marketing system of agricultural products and improve many lives in Victorias and that of its partners.

The project will officially start with the conduct of a base line survey.


New dance forms in MassKara

By Rudy Reveche

WHEN the MassKara Festival was established in 1980, dance and mask were the main components of the festival.

On the first year, there were no organized street dance contingents. People were simply encouraged to wear smiling masks and dance in the streets spontaneously -- either in their flamboyant costumes or clothes.

Prizes were awarded to individuals who came in their colorful and creative paper mache' masks.

In the succeeding years, schools, barangays, business establishments and corporations, towns and cities of Negros Occidental and nearby provinces in the Visayas were invited to join the street dance competitions.

The early years were the so-called "indigenous years." Costumes were made of candy wrappers, bottle caps, corn husks, and dried beans pasted on flour and jute sacks, among others.

After a decade, Lopue's Department Store set a trend by having their dancers wore masks made of fiberglass, and sexy and colorful costumes made of glittery clothing materials inspired by the Carnivale of Rio de Janiero.

Under the choreographic artistry of the late Donna Porter, complicated jazzy steps were introduced. In the last few years, the younger generation of dance and visual artists had free reins in their interpretation of masks, costumes and dance steps.

Headresses as heavy as three to five kilos were explored; contemporary and hiphop steps were utilized although the standard "wave" dance pattern were retained by almost all of the participating contingents.

In 2011, the Silver MassKara Festival Organization, then the organizer of the MassKara Festival, partnered with GMA Network to come up with a dance competition that was inspired by the street dance component of the festival but was low-cost and veered away from the usual dance steps that were the standard staple of Bacolod's popular festival.

During the eliminations, dance genres such as jazz, contemporary and hiphop were performed. The contestants wore half-masks; some had their faces painted. Other groups incorporated the MassKara music in their dance medley music while some wore a semblance of the colorful costume that the festival is well-known for.

Barangays and groups that would like to showcase their dance talents but do not have the resources to mount a big-scale street dance contingent were offered a venue by this dance competition called DanssKara.

Last year, the competition experimented with the use of led lights for the costume, mask and backdrop of the contestants.

This was patterned after the Electric MassKara which was another innovation introduced a few years ago. This year, it's back to the original concept.

Now on its fourth year, the GMA DanssKara was held Friday night at the Bacolod Public Plaza with 10 groups vying for the championship trophy.

Although hiphop became the dominant dance form of the competing groups in the past years, the organizers are not giving up on the original intent of the competition, that is, to showcase other dance forms but within the visual context of the MassKara-gay, colorful and creative.

Lesser known, but has attracted a community of young people from the other islands of the country is the break dance battle held every year in time for the festival. Initiated by Patrick Bucabal, the Critical Breakdown Dance Battle was previously held at the BAYS Center. This year, it was held at the Turbo Sports Bar on 22nd-Lacson St. yesterday, October 19.

Critical Breakdown is a group of award-winning b-boys and b-girl, as they are popularly known, who represented Bacolod City and Negros Occidental in the 4th National Theater Festival held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2012 with their breakdance theater piece entitled "Circulo."

An added component is the human beatbox and hiphop competition.

In the last weekend, Bacolod experienced again the MassKara street dance competitions, the dance battles and the Zumba parties. We were again the mood for dancing.

DOT funds 2015 dev’t projects in province

By MAE SINGUAY (PN)

BACOLOD City — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has appropriated fund for several tourism developmental projects in the province in 2015, said Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) chief operating officer Mark Lapid.

Lapid was here as guest of honor in MassKara Festival: 1st Bacolod Trade Expo and Conferences held at SM City Bacolod’s SMX Convention Center.

According to Lapid TIEZA planned to develop Sipalay City Multi-purpose Center, Bantayan Park in Bago City, Bantayan Park Road in Salvador Benidecto town, water shed in Talisay City, port in San Carlos City, bird watching center in Pulupandan town, and Pasalan falls in Cauayan town.

TIEZA is an autonomous agency under DOT. It is in charged to develop, regulate and supervise tourism infrastructure projects in the country, said Lapid.

Unlike other unrealized DOT projects, these developments in the province are ready for implementation, said Lapid.

The DOT has already appropriated fund for these projects, said Lapid.

‘Convention center a boost to tourism'

BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO

There are a lot of opportunities coming to Bacolod City particularly in the tourism industry with the SMX Convention Center, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority chief operating officer Mark Lapid said yesterday at the opening of the first Bacolod Trade Expo and Conferences at the Northwing of SM City Bacolod.

Lapid also lauded Bacolod City for pushing for a more vibrant tourism industry even when others say that Negros and Bacolod are left behind.

He said it takes time and a lot of efforts for the city or any locality to develop its tourism infrastructures starting from the airports, roads, facilities, accommodations, destinations and activities.

It all starts with the local government to fire up its tourism programs and potentials with the participation of the various sectors, he added.

Lapid said it is good that everybody is accepting and realizing the potential of the tourism industry in the country. “It gives livelihood to our people and is among the top contributor to our Gross National Product. It is also the main contributor to our economic development and a vehicle in producing and creating jobs,” he added.

When people have jobs, the economy grows. That is the value chain that is being created by tourism, he said.

Lapid said he is glad that the Business Process Outsourcing is also in Bacolod, being the No. 3 top contributor to the country's GDP aside from the overseas contract workers, electronics, and tourism as number four.

The convention center will be a new start for the new generation and in the tourism industry, he said.

“I truly hope that we can proceed with the hosting of the Mice Asia Pacific Exhibition and Conference in 2016,” Lapid added.

Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella said he thanks the Sy family for giving Bacolod a fantastic convention center.

He said SM and the city plan to hold a bigger tourism summit at the SMX convention center that will involve another Ambassador for Tourism, Rafael Alunan, III, and Bobby Joseph and event organizers from all over the Philippines to come and help establish this convention center.

Puentevella also thanked the Association of Negros Producers and the Bacolod Traders because SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy is also looking forward to another Bacolod Trade Fair to be held in SM Mall of Asia, Manila.

Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Villar, who was also at the opening of the first Bacolod MassKara City at the newly opened SM City Expansion yesterday, proceeded to the Bacolod City Government Center for a quick meeting with the local city officials and barangay leaders.

Villar expressed her gratitude to be invited at the government center and to celebrate the MassKara Festivities. She also lauded the barangay officials, leaders and employees who took time out to join her in her brief visit to City Hall.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, Villar said she recognized the established Trade Expo as it is one of the venues a city can promote micro, small and medium enterprises to the public. Further, she pointed that 90 percent of all businesses in the country fall in this category.

“It's a big boost to the economy and is one way to bring about economic development that will trickle down to the underprivileged,” said Villar, who is also sitting on the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises.

‘We see the future in Bacolod, Negros’

By Carla N. Canet (With reports from Teresa D. Ellera)

SM PRIME Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) president and chief executive officer Hans Sy said his company’s P1.5-billion investment in the SM City Bacolod Annex, which includes the Visayas’s first SMX Convention Center, is a testament of their confidence in Bacolod City.

Sy led the blessing and inauguration rites of the Annex at the mall’s North Wing Thursday, with Annie Garcia, president of SM Supermalls, and Bacolod officials led by Representative Evelio Leonardia, Mayor Monico Puentevella, and Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, and Silay City Mayor Jose Montelibano.

“We have seen the future here. This expanded mall’s features are similar to SM Mega Fashion Hall. That is how much we believe in Bacolod.

The establishment of an SM hotel is already in the works. The hotel that we will build will still be located in this area and it will be worth approximately P400 million to P500 million,” he said.

Sy added that they are also looking at establishing another SM mall in one of the towns in Negros Occidental, but he refused to divulge the exact location because negotiations are still ongoing.

“But we will be opening another one here in the Province of Negros Occidental,” he said. “We don’t want to do it too fast. After we finish it here, we will proceed with the next one. We will open one by one.”

Asked if SM Prime will still pursue its bid for the properties of the province, he replied: “All I can say is that my intention is good for Bacolod because I believe in Bacolod.”

His company had earlier offered to purchase and lease the 7.7-hectare Capitol properties in Bacolod, but they lost to rival Ayala Land Inc. during the bidding.

More employment

The expansion of SM City Bacolod is seen to provide more than 2,500 new jobs for Bacolod and Negros Occidental.

Sy said the SMX Convention Center will attract people to come over to the city either to hold a convention or showcase their stuff.

“That will bring in more investments to Bacolod. Since we opened business in Bacolod, our contribution to the city has been great and substantial already,” he added.

Puentevella said he welcomes the expansion of SM City Bacolod.

“The SMX Convention Center is the first in the Visayas. It’s a good sign,” the mayor said, adding that he hopes Bacolod will have a bigger tourism industry next year with the opening of the SMX.

He added: “It’s good that Mr. Hans Sy has confidence in Bacolod City and its governance. I also asked him to give Bacolod a hotel. I know that SM will not invest here if they don’t have confidence in our economy and our governance. We need more investors for Bacolod.”

Leonardia said SM City Bacolod’s new structure is something that makes the people of Bacolod prouder that the city is now at par with the rest of the world.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. also welcomed the plan of SM Prime to put up another mall in the province.

"That's good. It will mean more employment, more buyers for our products," the governor said.

Toboso organic farmers stage ‘harvest festival’

(Visayan Daily Star)

AROUND 1,400 tourism officers and stakeholders from across the country experienced the best of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental during the ATOP’s (Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines) 15th Annual National Convention last Oct. 2 to 4.

They were brought to various immersion sites in the cities of Sagay, Victorias, Silay, Talisay, Murcia, Bacolod, and Bago and Murcia town to experience and learn from their community-based rural tourism programs, provincial supervising tourism officer Cristine Mansinares said.

The immersion activities showcased the province's farm tourism, cultural, nature adventure, and marine ecotourism sites, she added.

This year’s delegation was the biggest that the ATOP national convention had hosted so far.

The three-day gathering kicked off with an opening ceremonies and Governor's Night hosted by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Bacolod Pavilion Hotel.

The event was made special with the delegates wearing their colorful regional costumes with pride. They were treated to outstanding cultural performances and a variety of Negrense delicacies.

On the second night, the immersion activities were capped by a MassKara-inspired dinner hosted by Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella at the Government Center.

The plenary sessions on the third day were anchored on the theme “Tourism and Development in the Community.” Tourism Promotions Board chief operations officer Chicoy Enerio represented Tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. and presented the Visit Philippine Year 2015 program of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Culminating the convention was the Pearl Awards Night wherein the best tourism practices in the country were recognized by ATOP and the DOT, represented by Enerio, DOT-Western Visayas regional director Helen Catalbas, and ATOP president Alphonsus Tesoro.

Negros Occidental was chosen the Best Tourism-Oriented LGU in the provincial category, while Silay City won the same award in the city category.

Experiencing the best of Negros Occidental

By Danny B. Dangcalan

AROUND 1,400 tourism officers and stakeholders from across the country experienced the best of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental during the ATOP’s (Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines) 15th Annual National Convention last Oct. 2 to 4.

They were brought to various immersion sites in the cities of Sagay, Victorias, Silay, Talisay, Murcia, Bacolod, and Bago and Murcia town to experience and learn from their community-based rural tourism programs, provincial supervising tourism officer Cristine Mansinares said.

The immersion activities showcased the province's farm tourism, cultural, nature adventure, and marine ecotourism sites, she added.

This year’s delegation was the biggest that the ATOP national convention had hosted so far.

The three-day gathering kicked off with an opening ceremonies and Governor's Night hosted by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Bacolod Pavilion Hotel.

The event was made special with the delegates wearing their colorful regional costumes with pride. They were treated to outstanding cultural performances and a variety of Negrense delicacies.

On the second night, the immersion activities were capped by a MassKara-inspired dinner hosted by Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella at the Government Center.

The plenary sessions on the third day were anchored on the theme “Tourism and Development in the Community.” Tourism Promotions Board chief operations officer Chicoy Enerio represented Tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. and presented the Visit Philippine Year 2015 program of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Culminating the convention was the Pearl Awards Night wherein the best tourism practices in the country were recognized by ATOP and the DOT, represented by Enerio, DOT-Western Visayas regional director Helen Catalbas, and ATOP president Alphonsus Tesoro.

Negros Occidental was chosen the Best Tourism-Oriented LGU in the provincial category, while Silay City won the same award in the city category.

DOST aids 2 entrepreneurs

(MNM)

Two entrepreneurs, one in bakery and one in manufacturing were helped by the proposal and technical-based assistance of the Product and Process Improvement Program of the Department of Science and Technology in Bacolod City yesterday.

The recipients are JCA Agri Fisheries of Brgy. Punta Taytay, Bacolod City, that manufactures sautéed shrimp, and Fix and Mix Bakers Inc. of Kabankanlan City.

JCA Agri Fisheries received assistance of P98,349 for the proposed purchase of additional facilities such as freezer, stainless steel working table, stainless sink table and pressure cooker for Spanish sardines products to be started next month.

Fix and Mix Bakers Inc. received P1,400,000 for an LPG-fired 3-rack oven with steam device.

Jessie Cris Andas, JCA Agri Fisheries owner, said the assistance will boost their production of bottled sautéed shrimp paste. He said the assistance came in time as demands have already tripled owing to their participation in Chamber of Commerce Week and the recent Negros Trade Fair at the Glorietta in Makati City where their bottled shrimps were sold out. He said he employs 40 direct and indirect workers and is expecting to double this as the business is diversifying to bottled sardines products.

Andas also said from 500 to 1,000 bottles, he is targeting to produce 2,000 to 3,000 bottles a month in the next year. More fishermen will also benefit as demands for small shrimps and sardines to be processed will increase. He added that he expects to expand his source coverage to augment production for the rising demand.

Felipe Gatoc Jr., Fix and Mix Bakers Inc. owner, said the assistance will purchase the ideal oven for their baking needs. It will give them better quality of bread at a shorter baking time. He said the proposal to the DOST was aimed to improve the quality of bread they make as there is stiffer competition among bakers and bread manufacturers. The company has grown to 11 outlets both outside and within Kabankalan City.

The assistance was presented by DOST provincial Director, Francis Daraug and staff.

Organic farming Lakbay Aral held

(MNM)

The educational tour held in Bacolod City for organic farming and technology for the agriculturists of Regional Agricultural and Fisheries and Development Council of Region 7 ended Friday.

The 3-day Lakbay Aral was participated in by the 23 municipal and provincial agriculturists from the provinces of Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol and Dumaguete City, Negros Occidental Provincial Agriculturist II Victor Llasos said. The group tour was focused on the education of the participants on organic program and technologies of the Negros Occidental, he said.

The group tour was accommodated by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist that took to the Panaad Park and Sport Stadium for a lecture and demonstrations on mushroom culture and production. They were also given demonstration and briefings on vermiculture, its production and marketing, he said.

The group also visited the PHILRICE in Murcia where they were given orientations on the organic technologies on rice and the latest acquired machines and equipments for harvesting and planting of rice, Llasos said.

The group also visited the Bureau of Plant Industry, ECJ Farms and Fresh Start, where they were given a lectures and a tour of the place to appreciate the varying species of organic fruits and vegetables. They also visited the demo farm prepared for the vegetable congress in December in Brgy. Minuyan,Murcia, he added.

SP pushes holiday on Oct. 20

By EDITH B. COLMO (PN)

BACOLOD City — The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here approved a resolution requesting President Bengino Aquino III to declare Oct. 20 a non-working holiday in the city.

This is to give Bacolodnons a time to rest after the MassKara Festival and Charter Day celebrations, said Councilor Alex Paglumotan who pushed for the resolution.

Under Republic Act 7742, Oct. 19 is the city’s Charter day, non-working public holiday.

However, Paglumotan said the Charter Day celebration this year falls on a Sunday and Bacolodnons will have no time to rest.

The resolution will be forwarded to the President through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, said Paglumotan.

The city will celebrate the highlights of MassKara Festival and the 76th Charter Day on Oct. 18 and 19, respectively.

‘Negros forest cover up 15%’

BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN

The forest cover of Negros Occidental has increased by 12 to 15 percent, that is equivalent to 3,000 to 6,000 hectares, compared to five years ago, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Andres Untal said yesterday.

Untal attributed this to their intensified forest protection campaign, under the National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in tandem with local government units, and various multi-sectoral groups actively involved in the protection of the environment.

The remaining forest cover in Negros Occidental can only be found in the Northern Negros and Mt. Kanlaon Natural Parks, with some forest patches located in southern Negros, he said.

Negros Occidental had a forest cover of about 68,857.87 hectares a decade ago. From nine percent, it rose to 12 to 15 percent, as of this time, Untal said.

He stressed that the campaign to protect the environment is a “shared responsibility”, that should not be left only to DENR, which, he noted, is being blamed for flashfloods and for lack of water during the dry season.

Untal also acknowledged the help of the Task Force Ilahas, an enforcement unit of the Provincial Environment and Management Office in the forest protection campaign.

DENR records show that the PENR Office in Negros Occidental ranks second in the implementation of National Greening Program in Western Visayas.

In support of the peace process of the government, the DENR also hired more than 100 members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade as forest guards.

RPA-ABB members were also enrolled and allocated areas to be planted to varieties of fruit trees and hardwood species as part of the NGP implementation, and as a component of their livelihood.


IN NEG. OCC : PNoy to inaugurate P751M in projects

BY CARLA P. GOMEZ

President Benigno Aquino III is scheduled to inaugurate three infrastructure projects worth P751.6 million during his visit to Negros Occidental towards the end of the month, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday.

To be inaugurated by the President is the P630 million four-storey Negros First CyberCentre, the P66.5 million three-storey 45-classroom building at the Negros Occidental High School in Bacolod City, and the P55.1 million Negros First Rice Processing Center in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City, the governor said.

The CyberCentre, located at Lacson-Hernaez streets in Bacolod City, owned and managed by the Negros Occidental provincial government, was declared an Information Technology Special Economic Zone by the President on June 11, 2014.

It is expected to provide 6,000 direct Business Process Outsourcing jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs for Negrenses, a briefer issued by the Capitol said.

The 45-classroom building at the NOHS built by the Negros Occidental provincial government is expected to be utilized by 5,945 students, the briefer said.

The modern rice processing center in Bago City was built through a counterparting scheme between the Department of Agriculture and the provincial government of Negros Occidental, the briefer also said.

“It has a milling capacity of 10 tons per hour with a series of re-circulating dryers coupled to a single biomass furnace. It is projected to improve the rice production and reduce by 8 to10 percent post-harvest loses. Milling recovery is begged at 68 percent,” the briefer said.

The direct beneficiaries are the farmers in the fourth district of Negros Occidental that is the rice granary of the province, with 15,000 farmers expected to be served, it added.

MassKara trade expo Oct. 17-19

(Visayan Daily Star)

As part of the MassKara Festival this year, a major trade exhibition will take place at the newest convention facility in Bacolod City, a press release from Councilor Jocelle Batapa Sigue said yesterday.

Dubbed as MassKara City 2014: The 1st Bacolod Trade Expo and Conferences, the event will be on October 17 to 19 at the new SMX Bacolod Convention Center.

The three-day event was initiated by private sector organizations in partnership with the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committees on Tourism, Local and International Cooperation, and Trade, Commerce and Industry chaired by Sigue, with the support of the Office of Mayor Monico Puentevella, and various non-government organizations, the press release said.

For more information, those interested may contact 435-3600, the press release added.

2nd district gets P128M for roads

BY CARLA P. GOMEZ

Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) yesterday said the national government has allocated P128 million for the repair of roads in the second district of Negros Occidental this year, with more expected for 2015.

He said the road cementing from Cadiz towards Sagay is covered by the 2014 fund.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said the roads will have thicker cement and will last longer, Cueva added.

He said he hopes for more funds next year for the widening of roads to tourism destinations in the second district.

Meanwhile, the solon said he is co-author of a bill that seeks to raise the basic pay of public school teachers from the minimum of P15,000 to about P20,000 to P25,000.

The bill is now being tackled at the House committee level, he said.

More off-grid projects for San Carlos

By Claire-Ann Marie C. Feliciano

SAN CARLOS Solar Energy, Inc. will undertake more off-grid solar installations following the inauguration of its first such project at a school in Negros Occidental.

In a statement, the renewable energy developer said it is pushing for the electrification of schools located in areas not connected to the grid -- specifically those on the islands of Negros and Leyte.

The first project -- which was provided for Camaniagan Elementary School in Barangay Prosperidad, San Carlos City -- utilized a ground mounted installation within the campus.

The facility has 24 panels with total capacity of 6,000 Watt-peak. In addition, batteries were fitted to store the electricity generated by the project.

Installation started in April and ran for 12 weeks, the company said, adding that it was officially inaugurated late last month.

“Our objective is to institutionalize the community’s sustainable use of the solar panel, making it an instrumental component in energy distribution to the isolated regions of our country,” said San Carlos Solar President Jose Maria P. Zabaleta, Jr.

The company intends to install a similar project at a school in Leyte.

“If successfully implemented… this could further expand into other barangays and provinces across the country, making solar power an essential tool in education of underprivileged Filipino children,” the statement read.

San Carlos Solar is a joint venture between Bronzeoak Philippines, Inc. and ThomasLloyd Cleantech Infrastructure Fund.

Last January, Bronzeoak and ThomasLloyd provided $100,000 in funding to a local foundation for the electrification of the Negros Occidental school.

San Carlos Solar is behind the P1.9-billion 22-MW solar power project in San Carlos City.

The first phase of the project, involving a 13-MW plant, started operations last May, while the remaining 9 MW is expected to be operational in the coming months.

The company said the same team responsible for the project implemented the installation of the solar facility in Negros Occidental.

Conergy AG provided the photovoltaic modules for the facility, while the overall project management was handled by Bronzeoak Philippines and Schema Consult.

The joint venture also intends to build another 18-MW solar facility worth around P1.8 billion in the municipality of La Carlota in the same province.

Bronzeoak Philippines was established in 2003 to engage in renewable energy development in the country.

It owns and operates an ethanol facility and cogeneration plant, through San Carlos Bioenergy, Inc., that produces 40 million liters of fuel ethanol, 40 million kilograms of sugar syrup and 60 million kilowatt-hours of electricity every year.

Meanwhile, ThomasLloyd Group is a European investment banking and investment management group dedicated to projects involving renewable energy and other clean technologies.

Negros Occidental, Silay win top tourism honors

(SunStar Bacolod)

NEGROS Occidental and Silay City won top honors in the Pearl Awards of the Association of Tourism Officer of the Philippines (ATOP) held at L’ Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City Saturday.

The awards event capped the three-day national convention of ATOP hosted by Negros Occidental and Department of Tourism-Western Visayas Region.

Negros Occidental was awarded Best Tourism-Oriented Local Government Unit (LGU) in the Provincial Category while Silay City was also awarded the Best Tourism-Oriented LGU in the City Category.

Panaad Festival, Negros Occidental’s festival of all festivals, was hailed Best Tourism Event of the Week or Month in the Provincial Category.

Silay City tourism officer Severino “Ver” Pacete placed second as Outstanding Tourism Officer next to Angono, Rizal tourism officer Patnubay Tiamson.

The Sinigayan Festival of Sagay City won the Best Tourism Event of the Week or Month in the City Category while the Anihan Festival of Dueñas, Iloilo took the award in the Municipal Category.

In Sports Adventure Category, Pulupandan, Negros Occidental was included in the best tourism event.

DOT Regional Director Helen Catalbas said this is the first time the ATOP convention has overwhelming attendance with a registration of 1,400 delegates.

Only 900 initially confirmed their attendance, so they hastily arranged for the accommodation of the more than 400 excess reservation, she said.

“Teaching deterioration unverified"

(PN)

BACOLOD City — Observations that the quality of education has deteriorated are “unverified,” according to Dr. John Arnold Siena, acting regional director of the Department of Education (DepEd).

The region has produced many outstanding teachers through the years, Siena said during a press conference on the National Teachers Month Celebration on Oct. 3.

HE is referring to the several honorees in the annual Metrobank and Bato Ballani Foundation search for most outstanding teachers in the country.

Siena said that teachers are working hard to provide quality education to their students despite many logistical shortcomings.

To address deficiencies, DepED provides in-service training and development programs for teachers, Sienna said.

Siena also cited good performance of Western Visayas schools in the annual National Achievement Test.

Convention center opening

BY CHRYSEE G, SAMILLANO

SMX Convention Center, the largest privately owned convention and exhibition center in the Philippines, will open its first convention center in the Visayas on October 16 at the third level of SM City Bacolod during the highlight of the MassKara Festival.

JB Ongsingco, SMX Convention Center Bacolod branch manager, yesterday said October 16 will just be a soft opening together with the grand opening of the mall expansion. The formal opening of the convention center will be sometime in November.

This will be their fourth convention center and it will be open to the public on Oct. 16, he said.

Ongsingco said the ground floor will be occupied by tenants of the mall, while the SMX Convention Center will occupy the third level.

They will have the MassKara City event from Oct. 17 to 19 , which is a first of its kind, and it is more of an announcement that Bacolod City is now back into the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) business, he said.

They have been receiving a lot of inquiries already from local and national companies, Ongsingco said.

May Castro, SM City Bacolod Public Relations Manager, said the ground floor of the mall expansion will house global brands and big restaurants, while the second floor will house the new food court and the new cyberzone, as well as national and local brands.

SMX Bacolod will be the premier exhibition and convention center in the region and will boast of modern meeting facilities and services of international standards. It offers 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, a press release from the company said.

Strategically located at the third level of SM City Bacolod, it will be the ideal venue to support the Philippines’ fast growing MICE industry.

Ongsingco said, aside from conventions, they could also accept social events like weddings debuts, birthdays and even christenings.

They also have the SMX Manila at the Mall of Asia, SMX Taguig and SMX Davao, he said.

Anti-breast cancer fun run/walk on Oct. 5

(Visayan Daily Star)

To show support for breast cancer patients, their families and relatives, the Bacolod Kadughan Foundation for Breast Care in Negros Occidental will lead the Negrense community in the fun run/walk set this Sunday, 5 a.m. at the Capitol Lagoon.

The event will be duplicated in several major cities throughout the country also to mark the World Health Organization declaration of October as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”.

The organizers called on the public in a press release to join the charity-oriented activity to help raise awareness on breast cancer. The beneficiaries of the event are the indigent breast cancer patients, the press release also said.

12,247 farmers to benefit from new tractors – DAR

(MNM)

The 12,247 farmers of southern Negros in an area of 9,247 hectares will benefit from the eight brand new 120 horse power 4-wheel drive Massey Ferguson tractors given by the Department of Agrarian Reform 2 (South) at SRA compound in La Carlota City yesterday.

Present at the turnover were officers and members of the recipient ARBOs of Gen. Malvar ARBs MPC and Kauswagan MPC of Pontevedra that received tractors each, and one unit each for Nagasi Agrarian Reform Coop and Hda. Esperanza Communal ARBs Association of La Carlota one Minoro Isabel ARB Association, Hda. Cahilamonan ARB Association, Hda. Siga-Siga ARBMPC and Celina 92 ARB Association of La Castellana with Occidental Negros ARBs Planters Association Inc., Pison-Arceo Farmers Beneficiaries Association, and Camang-Camang integrated Farmers ARB Association of Himamaylan and Isabela.

Occidental Negros ASRBs Association, Minaba Agrarian Reform cooperative , United Farmers Association of Oringao and San Jose Villa MPC received 2 units, also complete with implements.

A guest at the turnover ceremony was Rep. Mercedes Alvarez who lauded the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity Economic Support program of DAR.

PARPO II Lucresia Taberna said farmers should maintain their landholdings and the tractor is a motivation for them to work on land given to them by the government

The eight tractors cost about P40 million.

Also at the ceremony were Undersecretary Rosalina Bistoyong, La Castellana Mayor Joven Alonzo and some local officials.

Negros, Bacolod hosting Atop national confab

(SunStar Bacolod)

THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and the City Government of Bacolod will jointly host this year’s Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (Atop) National Convention on October 2 to 4 with the theme, “Tourism and Development in the Community.”

Delegates from all over the country will arrive on October 2 to attend the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Bacolod Pavillon Convention Hotel.

Activities lined up for October 3 include organic farm tour, culture and heritage tour, marine ecotourism tour, and nature adventure tour in the different tourist attractions of Negros Occidental, as well as the Bacolod City Night hosted by the city of government at the Government Center at 6:30 p.m.

The plenary program will be held at L’Fisher Hotel with talks on “Ensuring Competitiveness and Effective Strategies in Promotions and Marketing of Community-Based Tourism Products” by Miguela Mena, dean of the University of the Philippines –Asian Institute of Tourism; “Innovative Approaches in Mainstreaming Gender and Development in the Tourism Sector” by Juline Dulnuan, director of Division of Academic Affairs, University of the Philippines – Asian Institute of Tourism; and “2015 ASEAN Visit Philippines Year: Advancing the Unique Brand of Philippine Tourism Destinations and Hospitality Experience” by Domingo Ramon Enerio III, chief operating officer, Tourism Promotions Board.

Tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. is scheduled to lead the Pearl Awards 2014 ceremony to be hosted by Department of Tourism–Region 6 on Friday, at the L’Fisher Hotel.

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