Negros Occidental News October 2017

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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.

Neg. Occ. hailed for wetlands conservation

BY MARK L. GARCIA

A Ramsar Convention Executive said Negros Occidental being hailed as one of the areas in country for wetlands conservationis a long-term investment of the province to sustain good environmental practices for future generations.

“Ramsar sites are not just for the designation, they are for the long investment by the government and the people to ensure that these places are managed in a sustainable way for future generations,” Llewellyn Young, Secretariat and Senior Advisor for Asia and Oceania of the Ramsar Convention, said.

Negros Occidental is one of the seven places in the Philippines inaugurated as a Ramsar Site for wetlands conservation through its Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area (NOCWCA) that covers 109.52 kilometers of contiguous coastline in south Negros.

NOCWCA is considered a “Wetland of International Importance” and it will be managed to maintain its ecological character for generations to come.

Ramsar Site in Negros has 72 species of waterbirds recorded including three globally threatened species such as Great knot (Calidristenuirostris), Far Eastern curlew (Numeniusmadagascariensis) and Nordmann's greenshank or Spotted greenshank (Tringaguttifer).

Vulnerable bird species like the Philippine duck (Anasluzonica) that is endemic in the country, Chinese egret (Engrettaeulophotes) and Java Sparrow (Lonchuraoryzivora) were also found in these coastal wetlands.

The marker of the declaration of the 7 th Ramsar site in the Philippines was unveiled in Kabankalan City Saturday.

The marker was unveiled more than a year after NOCWCA's declaration as Ramsar Site 2271 worldwide October last year covering 3 cities (Bago, Himamaylan and Kabankalan) and 7 municipalities (Pulupandan, Valladolid, San Enrique, Pontevedra,Hinigaran, Binalbagan and Ilog) of the province.

Young also urged NOCWAMA, an alliance of local executives and academe situated within its scope, to ensurethat both the locals and the environment are benefitting from the management of the site.

An open forum with the partner academe, fisher folk and people's organizations and the RamsarSecretariat was held after the ceremony to lay the advantages of the Ramsar Site.

Young assured the locals of the Ramsar Convention's full support, along with the commitment of the Philippine government through implementing agencies, to any future projects and endeavors.

The unveiling ceremony was organized by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Neg. Occ. and was attended by Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco, former regional directors of then DENR-Negros Island Region Al Orolfo and Livino Duran, TuiMacuata, the Paramount Chief of QoloqoliCokavat in labasa, Fiji and representatives from the Neg. Occ. Provincial Environment Management Office, Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. and other partners.

Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources and was adopted in Ramsar City of Iran in 1971, signed by 169 United Nations member states.

The other Ramsar Sites in the country are Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, Naujan Lake National Park, Puerto PrincessaSubterranean River National Park, Tubbataha Reefs National Park, Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary and Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary.

Victorias festival set December 15 to 30

By Carla N. Cañet

THE City Government of Victorias is gearing up for the staging of the 4th Kalamayan and Christmas Festival set on December 15 to 30.

City Administrator Dino Acuña said the organizing committee, headed by City Tourism Officer Rica Calseña-Batara, met Thursday, October 26, to discuss the plans and preparations.

Kalamayan Festival started in 2014.

“Kalamayan” came from the root word “kalamay” which means sugar.

“In Negros Occidental, when we say sugar, Victorias City would always come to mind. This is because of the Victorias Milling Company (VMC) being one of the earliest sugar mills in the country, at the turn of the century,” organizers said.

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca said Victorias being the home of VMC has come up with this festival highlighting the importance of sugar to the economy and the entire province.

The festival will include drumbeating competition, nightly activities, food fares, and other events.

NegOcc to rake in P108M thru fair market value increase

By Erwin P. Nicavera

THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental could generate about P108 million in additional revenues once the proposed assessment in the fair market value of properties among its 19 municipalities will be approved.

The Provincial Board, during its regular session Wednesday, October 25, approved for second reading the proposed ordinance providing the general revision of the 2017 schedule of fair market value and real property.

Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr., chairman of committee on budget, finance and appropriation, said the proposed average increase on the real property tax (RPT) is pegged at seven percent.

Escalante said the province’s collection efficiency rate is only 65 percent thus, the potential additional revenue is about P70 million. The remaining 35 percent, or P38 million, will be collectibles.

“It is probably worth mentioning that we are the only province in the country religiously revisiting the fair market value every three years as mandated by law,” the board member said, reiterating that in 2014, there was only a slight increase due to the calamities that hit Negros Occidental.

Based on the new proposed assessment of the fair market value, properties along the highway will have higher tax increase probably as high as 20 percent.

Escalante said that subdivisions and other major developments are sprouting left and right thus, these also need a higher assessed value especially when the government is the one purchasing the property.

He pointed out that to protect the sugar industry, there is no increase in assessment of industrial sites particularly sugar centrals. It means that all their machineries and fixtures are not subjected to tax increase.

One question raised during the public hearing Wednesday, prior to the session, was the assessed value for gamefowl farms.

Under the proposed revision, farms with an area of more than one hectare are considered as Class A breeding farms. This classification has higher tax increase than those of smaller farms.

Escalante said they have yet to submit a committee report before approval of the ordinance for third and final reading, most probably next week.

“As of now, we see no impediment in the approval of the proposed increase. However, we are giving more time for possible questions and clarifications from among our stakeholders,” he added.

Peza registers Bacolod-Silay Ecozone, Technopark

By Erwin P. Nicavera

THE Bacolod-Silay Ecozone and Technopark, a 38-hectare land beside the airport at Barangay Bagtic in Silay City, is now registered as a special economic zone (ecozone) under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).

This is provided under Proclamation No. 315 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on September 14, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7916, or the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995.

Peza director-general Charito Plaza and Golden Dragon Agri-Aqua Corporation president Eric Hernaez Wednesday, October 25, signed the registration agreement for the said project at the Peza office in Taguig City.

It was witnessed by Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, executive director of the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT), and consultants Porferio Montesclaros and Ted Segura.

The registration agreement is a requirement for the operation to start, Batapa-Sigue said, adding that the Bacolod-Silay Ecozone and Technopark will add to the existing 19 economic zones presidentially proclaimed in Bacolod City, and the first mixed-use zone in the province.

“The ecozone will now allow the province to attract various types of locators from the information technology, manufacturing, tourism, agro-industrial, retirement villages, and other industries,” the BNEFIT official said.

Montesclaros, also a trustee of the Mactan Export Processing Zone Chamber of Exporters and Manufacturers, in a press statement, said the development will further spread the economic boom of Silay City and Negros Occidental.

To make this happen, Montescarlos said he is counting on the collaboration between the government and private sector.

Plaza thanked Hernaez for registering with Peza. She then encouraged the latter to work hard in attracting investors to create jobs in the countryside, the press statement added.

Roberto Montelibano, chairman of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, had earlier said the ecozone is seen to bring big investments and boost employment in the province.

Montelibano said they initiated the talks with the landowner for the establishment of a 38-hectare industrial zone which will cater to investors from Cebu. The chamber also tapped the help of consultants from there.

Some export processing companies operating in Cebu have considered expanding their businesses in the province,” he said, adding that “what we are targeting through this ecozone project is really creation of job opportunities.”

NegOcc releases P850-T for barangay projects

By Nanette Guadalquiver

BACOLOD CITY -- Negros Occidental’s provincial government had released PHP850,000 in assistance for various projects in four villages in Talisay City, it was reported Wednesday.

The grants are part of the releases approved by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. in recent months.

The recipients are Barangays XI, Efigenio Lizares, Zone 6, and Zone 16 in Talisay. Their projects are the rehabilitation of a drainage system, an environmental management project, a flood control project, and the drilling of deep wells.

Earlier, the provincial government also released PHP6.1 million for the projects of three municipalities. Pontevedra town received PHP5 million for the improvement of its Multi-Purpose Government Center while Valladolid town got PHP1 million for its four barangays that will receive PHP250,000 each.

Batuan was granted financial assistance for the construction of a perimeter fence; Bagumbayan, for the construction of an open canal; Lacaron, for the renovation of its Day Care Center; and Sagua Banua, for the concrete paving of its basketball court.

San Enrique, Barangay Poblacion received PHP100,000 for the purchase of filling materials for a barangay site.

Also last month, nine villages from two local government units received a total of PHP3.35 million in checks from the provincial government for the implementation of various projects.

Five villages in Hinigaran town, which is under the 5th District, received a total assistance of PHP1.35 million. (PNA)

More agri biz projects pushed

(MLG)

A local business leader urged the government to push for more agribusiness development initiatives in Negros Island as the growth of agriculture sector is seen to have a decreasing trend in the regional economy over the years.

Chief operating officer of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Frank Carbon, said as the contribution of agriculture in the regional economic growth is going down, the government should realize that programs and projects to pursue agribusiness should be implemented to lift its current situation.

Carbon attended the Philippine Business Conference and Expo last week at the Manila Hotel in Manila and one of the resolutions passed was to urge agriculture and trade and industry departments to implement the Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Expo, or Aspire, which he said could really have an impact on the province, as it is in an agriculture island.

He said agriculture growth is only at 20 percent while the service sector is at 58 percent, with most of its related business activities in the urban areas, like tourism, transportation, and business process outsourcing.

“To complement the growth in the urban areas, we should work hard and focus on agriculture to assure that regional growth is not only ‘one-legged',” Carbon said.

He also said that the agriculture sector in the province is threatened as urbanization is ever growing in some key cities, and other industries and related agencies should come up with regional or island specific crops or commodities that should be developed.

During the event that is held annually by PCCI, a memorandum of agreement was signed by DA, DTI and PCCI to support the Aspire program that will involve technologies like geotagging and database for profiling and mapping of agriculture areas in the country. Carbon said it will be helpful as the program will recommend agribusiness programs tailored for the province, and that Negros is strong in different livestock and crops production but the agencies could only choose to focus on developing them.

PEZA pushes new ecozones

By Kris Crismundo (PNA)

MANILA -- The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is asking the Office of the President (OP) to accelerate approval and proclamation of new economic zones.

This is after only six out of 58 applications for economic zones were released as of early this month, according to PEZA Director General Charito Plaza.

These six new economic zones include five information technology (IT) parks and centers and one horizontal economic zone in Negros region.

Plaza said potential investments for the 58 economic zones reached PHP500 billion, which would also include industries within these economic zones.

“We wish to have the proclamation for all [economic zones] to start building the industries,” she said, noting that the principals of these projects would like to fast track the development of these economic zones, which receive incentives from the government.

“Their principals are looking at Vietnam, to transfer to Vietnam. We will be losing these opportunities,” Plaza noted.

She said less than 10 of these economic zones applied during the Aquino administration but were not approved due to leadership transition.

Moreover, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has also called for the presidential proclamation of these economic zones pending in the OP, adding that this has caused concern among PEZA investors.

PCCI added that companies are also delaying their investments as they wait for their projects to be PEZA-registered.

For IT alone, data from Leechiu Property showed that some 1.63 million square meters of office spaces are still under application for PEZA nationwide.

Property developer confident of investment growth in NegOcc

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Property developer Suntrust Properties Inc. (SPI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Megaworld Corp., has expressed confidence that its investments will grow amid the bullish economy of Negros Occidental, particularly Metro Bacolod.

SPI president Harrison Paltongan, who led the blessing of model houses in their 24.52-hectare mid-cost residential project called The Fountain Grove at Barangay Matab-ang in Talisay City Saturday, said they have seen the potential of the province before they started the development.

Paltongan said that 23 percent, or 200 of the 800 house units were already sold since the project construction was launched in October last year.

“We are optimistic to sell more than double in 2018 especially with almost full land development works now,” he said.

The Fountain Grove forms part of the 53-hectare Northhill Gateway, a township development that will soon rise along the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road, bordering the cities of Talisay and Bacolod.

The firm had earlier said that its initial investment of PHP2 billion covers the land development and construction of other amenities.

With the recognition given to Bacolod as one of the most business-friendly cities in the country and with Negros Occidental as the third richest province this year, the firm’s top official said their confidence to invest here is boosted.

Paltongan said they are happy to see that even the local government is doing its task especially in terms of infrastructure works, including airport road expansion and construction of economic highways, among others.

“We are happy to bring our private development here, in fact we are looking at more expansion in the island,” Paltongan said, adding that “people in Metro Bacolod, including cities of Talisay and Silay, should instead of buying houses in Metro Manila reinvest their resources in the province.”

Southern NegOcc coastal city gets BFAR award

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Sipalay City in Negros Occidental province was among the top three awardees in the Search for Outstanding Coastal Community of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas.

Dubbed “Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan”, the competition forms part of the ongoing 54th Fish Conservation Week celebration at the loilo Fish Port Complex in Iloilo City.

Sipalay, which placed third and was the only awardee from Negros Occidental, will receive PHP500,000-worth of fishery projects from BFAR-Western Visayas.

Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said Thursday that having a clean, vibrant and well managed coastal community pays.

It results in abundant fish catch for the fisherfolk which means more income, he said.

“It can also be a good tourism attraction, which again results in more livelihood for the community,” Masculino said, urging other coastal localities in the province to replicate the good practices of Sipalay in terms of protection and management of fishery resources.

Nueva Valencia town in Guimaras and Anilao town in Iloilo bagged the first and second places, respectively.

BFAR-Western Visayas Director Remia Aparri, in a press statement, said the competition aims to promote fisheries protection and conservation centered on the significance of sustainable fisheries and aquatic resources management.

Aparri urged other coastal cities and towns in the region to participate in the annual search and advocate the five measures mandated by the BFAR.

These are the efforts of local government units to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; observe closed fishing season; establish marine protected areas; maintain clean coastal waters; and effective mangrove rehabilitation program.

Oct. 19 is special holiday in Bacolod

(SunStar Bacolod)

OCTOBER 19 is still a special non-working public holiday in Bacolod City.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the City Government takes cognizance of Republic Act (RA) No. 7724 otherwise known as Bacolod City Charter Day.

City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan, in his Legal Opinion No. LO-17-176 released Wednesday, October 18, said that Section 2 of RA No. 7724 is clearly self-executory in declaring that “October 19 of every year is declared as a special nonworking holiday in the City of Bacolod.”

RA 7724 was approved on May 19, 1994 and henceforth, every October 19 of the subsequent years are observed as non-working public holiday in the City of Bacolod, Bayatan added.

Leonardia said that although he wants to correct this with the recent discovery that the City’s Charter was actually signed on June 18, the holiday remains in force until the law is amended.

The mayor had earlier said it is their position that the Charter Day of Bacolod should be held on June 18 instead of October 19 after they discovered the correct date in the documents signed by President Manuel Quezon.

“This makes June 18 the actual Charter Day of Bacolod and we should straighten the record,” Leonardia said.

What happened on October 19 was the inauguration of the first city officials for which Quezon came to Bacolod.

The mayor said there is also a photograph of the event dated June 18, 1938 which he believes is very authentic, valid and shows that it is the legal date of the Charter Day.

Last June 13, Leonardia had written Representative Greg Gasataya to request him to file a bill that would amend RA No. 7724 that erroneously set a wrong date for the celebration of the Charter Day of Bacolod City.

“We hope that Your Honor will expedite the filing of the bill to amend RA 7724 and clearly declare that June 18 is the Bacolod City Charter Day and that this day is a legal holiday in consonance with the clear and unmistakable letter and intent of Commonwealth Act No. 326,” the mayor wrote.

RA 7724 created the unfounded belief that the Bacolod Charter Day is on October 19,” he added.

“I would like to thank and congratulate Congressman Greg Gasataya for sponsoring the bill that will finally correct this historical inaccuracy. I’m confident that he will pursue this to its final passage and together with Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and majority of the councilors, we assure him of our full support," Leonardia said.

The mayor said he feels the urgency of this amendment considering that in 2018, Bacolod will commemorate its 80th year of existence as a city and so the time is appropriate to correct a “historical error.”

Massage clinic opens

(MLG)

A new family-oriented massage clinic opened Monday in Bacolod City, offering massage services not just for adults but also for kids.

The Amarah Massage Clinic opened its second branch in Negros Island at the second floor of Paseo Verde along Lacson Street in Bacolod, its owner Cherryl Rose Carballo said.

She said this is the second Amarah branch, and its first branch is in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, that was opened in April this year. The owners of the Bacolod branch are Carballo and Ma. Gezelle Chua.

Carballo said their massage services are not limited only to adults but are also for kids, with rooms just for children only.

Apart from kids massage, she also said they offer various kinds of services, like body and facial scrub that use botanical-based ingredients, not chemically-processed ones.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jesus Hinlo, and Bacolod City Tourism Officer Elma Gerasmo.

“We designed this to be a family-oriented massage clinic as we want the kids to experience spa treatment,” Carballo said, adding, “Some companies do not even allow kids inside their massage facilities.”

Amarah, a Greek term for “eternity”, has a Santorini-inspired facility that has 13 rooms with 14 masseurs and they are open every day from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. the next day, she said.

“We invite Bacoleños to experience and enjoy the services here in our massage clinic and we assure that we have different services and hope you give it a try,” Carballo said.

Potable water project to benefit 2K Sipalay City residents

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY – Around 2,000 residents of Barangay Manlucahoc in Sipalay City would benefit from the Community-managed Potable Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH) project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Under the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed Wednesday by officials of DAR-Negros Occidental II, Sipalay City Government, and Manlucahoc Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the agency will allocate PHP80,000 as counterpart.

Of the anount, PHP50,000 will be used to purchase construction materials while the remaining PHP30,000 will cover the expenses for project-related technology trainings.

The DAR will also hire and train para-engineers who will help construct the facilities. The local government, meanwhile, allocated PHP50,000 for the labor requirement and livelihood project components.

Almost 50 percent of the 2,000 recipients of the potable water project are the students and teachers of various schools in the said barangay.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer I Enrique Paderes, who led the MOA signing at the office of the assisted farmers’ organization, urged the member-recipients to unite, protect, and conserve the support services they receive from various government agencies like the DAR.

Sipalay City Vice Mayor Lizares said the project is beneficial since it provides residents, especially students and teachers, the access to safe drinking water sources.

“It will also promote ecological sanitation through low-cost, culturally acceptable and appropriate technologies,” Lizares said, adding that the city government is also planning to replicate the project in other barangays.

DAR steps up drive vs sale, lease of awarded lands in NegOcc

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Negros Occidental-South has stepped up its campaign against the illegal sale, transfer, and lease of lands awarded to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

Dubbed “Kampanya Kontra Ariendo,” the kick-off activity at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in Bago City on Tuesday gathered hundreds of farmer-beneficiaries, personnel of government agencies under the Provincial Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Implementing Team, representatives from local government units (LGUs), and other stakeholders from 4th District.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Lucrecia Taberna, who spoke at the activity, said the DAR has intensified its campaign after receiving reports on rampant “ariendohanay” or lease of awarded lands in the province.

This, amid the strong campaign conducted by the agency before, including posting of tarpaulins in the barangays, municipalities, and cities in the southern portion of province.

Taberna said the DAR is not tolerating illegal sale, transfer, lease or any other form of conveyance by a beneficiary of the right of ownership, right to use, or any usufructuary right over the land acquired by virtue of being such beneficiary.

“The law strictly prohibits ‘ariendo’ system as it is not a solution to poverty,” Taberna said, adding that the agency has been helping the farmers improve their lives through the delivery of various support services.

Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo, who also attended the activity, appealed to the farmers to protect and defend their right of ownership over the land awarded through CARP.

The city government is joining the DAR in its campaign to end “ariendo” system, Yulo said, adding that farmers should take care of the land because it will help them uplift their lives from poverty.

Under Section 49 of Administrative Order No. 7 Series of 2011, violations such as illegal sale, transfer, and lease of land are tantamount to necessary penalties, including charges and disqualification from the program.

Biz group seeks integration of road link projects in Negros

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- A business group leader here said road interconnectivity projects in Negros Occidental should be integrated to avoid duplication and fragmentation of projects.

Frank Carbon, regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Western Visayas and Negros Island, on Monday said they would submit a position paper to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) requesting that other agencies submit their respective connectivity projects.

He said the DILG, through its Local Road Network Development Plan (LRNDP), should integrate all other projects in the province.

These include those being implemented under the Konkreto at Ayos na Lansangan ang Daan tungo sa Pangkalahatang Kaunlaran (KALSADA) of the DILG; Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); farm-to-market roads of the Department of Agriculture (DA); farm-to-mill roads of the Sugar Regulatory Administrations (SRA); tourism roads of the Department of Tourism (DOT); and other infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Carbon said fragmented projects would not serve the purpose, adding that money spent for these initiatives would not be maximized.

“Integration of interconnectivity projects of local government units in the province should be given consideration,” he said.

The ROLL IT project, jointly implemented by the DTI and DPWH, has an allocation of about PHP111 million for road network development in Negros Occidental funded under the 2018 General Appropriation Act.

The road projects, aimed to boost connectivity and lower production cost for enterprises particularly in transporting raw materials and finished goods, are up for implementation next year, covering the cities of San Carlos and Bago in the First and Fourth Districts, respectively.

City pays tribute to MassKara dancers

(Visayan Daily Star)

The Magical MassKara 2017 dubbed, “Bayle sa MassKara,” thatpays tribute to the “MassKara dancer,” who is at the very heart of the MassKara Festival, was unveiled Saturday at the fountain area of the Bacolod City Government Center and will be on display until Oct. 22.

Festival director Eli Francis Tajanlangit said that for this year's public art installation, “We turned to our award-winning choreographers—they who define the face and form of the MassKara Festival.” The result is “Bayle sa MassKara, he said.

The four art installations floating at the lagoon are the works of four of MassKara Festival's winningest choreographers— Emiljune “Tata” Bantolo, Joedem Casabuena, Segundo Jesus “Panoy” Cabalcar Jr., and William Bangcaya Jr.

The installation, which becomes the art centerpiece of the festival, was curated by artist Bamboo Tonogbanua.

Leading the unveiling were Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, First Lady Elsa Leonardia, Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, Councilors Em Ang and Bartolome Orola, Tajanlangit, and Charlie Co.

Leonardia said, “As we open this Magical MassKara, we remember that the MassKara Festival has been in a series of innovation and evolution, and one of the special events we added to the festival was this Majical MassKara at the fountain area. And it was started by our internationally acclaimed artist, Charlie Co.”

Ang, who is also the festival action officer, said, “MassKara Festival will not be what it is without the MassKara dancers.”

Leonardia, in an interview, said the Magical MassKara is very symbolic and very appropriate, because the MassKara Festival has become an icon of Bacolod City and has even been used in tourism brochures and advertisements of big companies.

It has reached a high level of identity and the style and quality if its dancers are unique compared to other festivals, he said.

Leonardia said if the MassKara Festival has gone a long, long way, it's because of the dancers. This public art installation is an accurate tribute to the MassKara dancers who are the heart and soul of the festival.

FOUR CHOREOGRAPHERS

Emiljune “Tata” Bantolo is the choreographer of the Bacolod MassKara group that won the grand championship in the nationwide competition held by “It's Showtime” of ABS-CBN in 2012.

He was also the grand champion in the 2008 schools category of the MassKara Street and Arena Dance Competition. He also designed the MassKara costume that represented the Philippines in the 1st World Costume Festival 2013 in Vigan City.

JoedemCasabuena is a three-peat MassKarastreetdance champion for Barangay Granada in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 competitions. He also choreographed the MassKara groups that performed in Hong Kong in 2015, South Korea in 2016, and Malaysia and Thailand this year.

Segundo Jesus “Panoy” Cabalcar, Jr., commonly known as “Sir Panoy,” holds the most number of MassKara championships: 21 times. He had choreographed Barangays 29, Estefania, Pahanocoy, Villamonte, Alijis, Mandalagan, 17, 16, and was behind the 2016 elementary schools championship, ETCS 3.

He also choreographed the Bacolod MassKara groups that performed in Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Osaka, Tokyo, and South Korea.

William Bangcaya, Jr. is a champion choreographer behind the 2008 grand winner of MassKara streetdance arena competitions, Barangay Bata. He also took home the championship for Brgy. Banago in 2011.

NegOcc gets boost at international trade shows

By Erwin P. Nicavera

NEGROS Occidental, particularly its agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors, is gaining a boost at the ongoing Agrilink, Aqualink and Foodlink 2017 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The three-day event, which started Thursday, October 5, is organized by the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and other industry partners.

Themed “Improved Varieties and Postharvest Facilities Essential to Profitability,” the annual event is considered the country’s biggest international trade shows on agribusiness, food, and fishery.

Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino, who was present at the opening activity, said the province has a booth facilitated by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It showcases and sells various agriculture-based products from different local government unites (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, Masculino said.

“International trade shows like this are really huge opportunity for us to promote our products. Through sessions and other segments, we can also to learn best agricultural practices that can be replicated by the province,” he added.

This year’s event is comprised of three international trade shows – the 24th International Agribusiness Exhibition and Seminar, 18th International Food Processing, Packaging and Products Exhibition, and 13th National Fisheries Exhibition and Seminars.

These gather enterprises from over 30 agribusiness associations and institutions in the country.

Offered are the latest farm inputs and equipment, products and systems for farm use, processing facilities, and an array of products designed to increase efficiency and reduce cost.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena, who was also at the event, said the agriculture sector is now approaching the time for mechanization and new technology especially on processing.

“These developments would really help improve efficiency in agriculture, including livestock production,” Decena added.

NegOcc’s Panaad Fest makes it to tourism award's Hall of Fame

By Nanette Guadalquiver (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The province of Negros Occidental won big in the 2017 Pearl Awards, making it to the Hall of Fame after the Panaad sa Negros Festival was hailed Best Tourism Event - Provincial Festival category for three straight years.

This year’s awards rites, organized by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines and the Department of Tourism, was held at the Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo City Friday night.

Negros Occidental first won the distinction in 2008, and again in 2014, 2015, and 2016, which elevated it to the Hall of Fame along with Laguna’s La Laguna Festival.

Ma. Lina Sanogal, provincial planning head and festival executive director, said the award is a “nice gift” as Panaad is set to turn 25.

“This award is significant as we are celebrating the 25th year of the festival next year. We are already a top destination for domestic tourists, but this latest recognition will further bring in more tourists to Negros, especially to our festivals,” Sanogal said on Saturday.

She noted that other provinces have been coming to Negros Occidental to learn from its initiatives, adding that tourism is one of the main drivers of the province’s economy. For this year’s award, Negros Occidental bested Bataan, Pangasinan and Bulacan.

Held every summer, usually in April, Panaad is dubbed “the festival of all festivals”.

It features the festivals of the 13 cities and 19 towns of Negros Occidental, and showcases an array of themed pavilions of 32 localities that highlight their history, arts, culture, commerce, trade and industry.

Five cities in Negros Occidental – Sipalay, Sagay, Victorias, Silay and Cadiz – also won major awards.

Grand winners were Sipalay City’s Kite Festival for Best Tourism Event - Sports category; Sagay City, Best Tourism Month Celebration - City category; and Sagay’s Suyac Island Journey: Coastal Communities Resources Advocacies to Boost Sustainability, Best Practices on Community-based Responsible Tourism.

Sipalay was also named first runner-up for Best Tourism Month Celebration - City category. Second runners-up were Victorias Agri-Ecotourism Enhancement Program for Best Practices on Community-Based Responsible Tourism; Silay Heritage Program, Best Community-Based Heritage Conservation Project - City category; and Cadiz City, Best Tourism-Oriented LGU - City category.

NegOcc rice farmers get P36.7-M payment from PCIC

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has paid almost PHP36.7 million in indemnity claims to rice farmers in Negros Occidental from January to September this year.

Records of the PCIC as of Wednesday showed the claims were received by 7,446 rice farmers covering an area of 7,335.89 hectares.

The PCIC has insured 12,113 rice farmers in Negros Occidental for all programs with an area of 12,297.89 hectares in the first nine months of 2017.

Jose Ma. Torres, insurance underwriter and officer-in-charge of PCIC-Negros Occidental, said records show that a large number of farmers in the province are not yet covered by crop insurance.

“Indemnity claims significantly help farmers sustain their production amid possible damage and losses brought by calamities,” Torres said.

He called on the local government units (LGUs) anew to link the farmers to the PCIC through their respective agriculture offices.

For the first cropping, from June to September this year, PCIC-Negros Occidental insured 9,126 rice farmers with a total area of 9,034.50 hectares.

These include 6,383 farmers with 6,013.99 hectares covered by the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA); 2,349 farmers with an area of 2,661.61 hectares under the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP); and 125 farmers with 173.44 hectares registered in the Sikat Saka Program (SSP).

A total of 394 farmers with 185.46 hectares were also insured by the PCIC in the Yolanda Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program implemented starting June, covering recipients from Silay City to Escalante City in northern Negros.

The RSBSA is being implemented through the Department of Budget and Management while the SSP is under the Department of Agriculture.

The NFUCIP is being carried out in partnership with the provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, providing PHP17,000 in claims per hectare of farms damaged and affected by calamity.

Negros Occidental poised to become country's food basket

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Negros Occidental is positioning itself to become the food basket of the Philippines as food becomes the major tourism attraction of the province.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said in a statement Tuesday that one major reason why the province is attracting more tourists is its rich delicacies and cuisines paired with the Negrense hospitality.

“Food is our asset and strength thus, we need to further develop the local culinary industry,” he said.

Aside from being the country’s top producer of sugar and organic agriculture products, Negros Occidental is also number one in livestock and poultry production, placing it in a position to become the country’s food basket.

Marañon said that having abundant sources of raw material, the province is home to cooks who have the heart and skills in making good food.

He added that Negros Occidental is shifting to tourism and agriculture as the sugar industry continues to face major challenges.

The province showcased what it can offer in the Negros First Food booth during 32nd Negros Trade Fair held at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City on September 27 to October 1.

Marañon Jr. said the Negros First Food booth significantly contributed to the increased sales in this year’s trade fair, adding that lamb and pekin duck are among the best-selling products.

“We are happy that all participating-producers have gained more than their sales in previous years. It only shows that Negros is really a food destination,” he added.

Negrense producers earned PHP25.5 million in total sales during the five-day trade fair, which is 30 percent higher compared to last year’s PHP19.5 million earnings, the Association of Negros Producers said.

Of the top five grossers, three were food producers, including Felicia’s, Inasalan sa Dalan, and Virgie’s Homemade Products.

The event, themed “Food for Thought,” featured 73 booths.

Negrense producers net P25-M in 5-day trade fair

By Erwin Nicavera (PNA)

BACOLOD CITY -- Producers from Negros Occidental earned PHP25.5-million in total sales during the five-day 32nd Negros Trade Fair held at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City until Sunday.

The amount is 30 percent higher compared to last year’s PHP19.5 million earnings, figures provided by the organizer, Association of Negros Producers (ANP), as of Monday showed.

The event, themed “Food for Thought,” was participated by 73 booths where guests experienced the authentic flavors of Negros from September 27 to October 1.

ANP president Christina Gaston attributed the higher sales to the joint efforts of member-entrepreneurs, who worked hard to present new products, especially food, with more dining areas.

She added that they had good merchandizing, new booth layouts, and good marketing promotions.

Gaston said the strong and efficient collaboration and support of stakeholders, including the provincial government and other government agencies have also greatly contributed to the trade fair’s success.

"A trade fair that was born out of unity 32 years ago has evolved into a gathering characterized by unity amid diversity,” she said. Gaston said that everyone worked towards one goal without competition for the prosperity of all Negrenses.

The top five grossers were Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage, NVC Foundation Inc., Felicia’s, Inasalan sa Dalan, and Virgie’s Homemade Products.

Aside from food, the trade fair also featured products from the gifts, decor and homestyle, fashion and garments, furniture and furnishings, natural and organic, and tourism sectors.

Some of the highlights of the trade fair included the Negros First Food launching, and the Silay City and Bacolod City Nights. Gaston said the annual trade fair shows that Negros has so much to offer.

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