THIRTY-SIX village chiefs in Bacolod City expressed their grievance on Friday against the current leadership of the City Government for granting financial assistance to only 25 village leaders, ranging from P140,000 to P320,000. This apparently caught fire among the village leaders in the wake of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. Twenty-four out of the 36 barangays came to a press conference held at Jay-J's Restaurant in Barangay Mandalagan Friday, April 27. Village leaders Bernabe Sibug of Barangay 7, Charlie Chavez of Barangay 22 and Alfredo Talimodao Jr. of Barangay Granada expressed their concerns on behalf of the 36 others. They said they felt insulted why only 25 barangays in the city will benefit from the said financial assistance which they believed is the administration's party's way to lure votes for their allied barangay leaders who sought re-election. Bacolod City is composed of 61 barangays, said Sibug, “why is it that only the 25 barangays will benefit from the said financial assistance?” There were so many barangays which did not even receive their Annual Investment Plan (AIP) since 2016, their Real Property Tax (RPT) share and garbage fee, he said, adding, why the financial assistance will be released ahead? The 25 villages which will benefit from the said financial assistance include Barangay 41 with P140,000; Barangay 39, P170,000; Barangay 35, P200,000; Barangay 32, P140,000; Barangay 30, P170,000; Barangay 28, P170,000; Barangay 26, P170,000; Barangay 25, P140,000; Barangay 23, P140,000; Barangay 17, P170, 000; Barangay 13, P170,000; Barangay 9, P140,000; Barangay 8, P170,000; Barangay 5, P140,000; Barangay 3, P170,000; Vista Alegre, P200,000; Taculing, P320,000; Sum-ag, P320,000; Singcang-Airport, P320,000; Punta Taytay, P200,000; Pahanocoy, P200,000; Mandalagan,P320,000; Felisa, P200,000; Cabug, P200,000 and Alijis, P320,000. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod the Memoranda of Agreement for the 25 barangays which was also ratified by the council stating that "your kind consideration will be much appreciated on this urgent request." The council passed Resolution No. 411, series of 2018, which ratified the request for financial assistance with Acting Vice Mayor Ricardo Tan as the presiding officer. This financial assistance can be used for the barangay cleaning, sanitation, and de-clogging of canals, drainage, and streets. But the 36 barangays captains stressed their barangays also need to clean up, engage in sanitation and de-clogging of canals, drainage, and streets. Moreover, in their manifesto, the said barangay captains also pointed out the alleged selective release of the Garbage Share to certain barangays. By virtue of a city ordinance, barangays are entitled to 50 percent garbage fees collected in their respective jurisdiction. Such release was also politicized. The extension of financial aid and other services such as burial and medical assistance from the city has bypassed certain Punong Barangays in granting referrals and certifications, the manifesto said. Those who are not allies were deprived of such authority to refer and endorse, it said. The hiring of thousands of job order casuals beginning March 2018 also benefited the favored 25 barangays, it said. The issues made clear that the city officials have drawn the line of political partisanship which is not allowed in the context of the Barangay elections, it added. For his part, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said the City Council only approved the request of the mayor. “The barangay officials should submit the needs of their barangays so they will be given an assistance,” he said. “If they don’t have a request so how the city can assist them?” Familiaran asked. “Maybe only those 25 barangays have submitted its request and will be given an assistance,” the vice mayor added. (With reports from Merlinda A. Pedrosa) CARLA N. CAñET
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THE 61 villages in Bacolod City have already activated their Barangay Drug Abuse Council (Badac) to address the drug problem within their areas of jurisdiction, an official of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Tuesday, April 24. Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag, director of DILG-Bacolod, said the Badac is meant to identify and monitor the drug personalities in the city. “Badac has a big responsibility in solving the drug problem in Bacolod,” she said. Badac is headed by the village chief with its members the non-government organization and the Bacolod City Police Office. Madayag said there are still tensions in some barangays because of the continued operation of the drug personalities. “Badac should do its part on how to address this problem and it needs more effort to do it,” she said. DILG also required the barangay officials to submit the lists of drug personalities within their villages. “They are on the frontline and they are the ones who can identify the drug personalities within their areas of jurisdiction. It is the responsibility of the Badac to neutralize and to take actions to be a drug-free barangay,” Madayag said. She said non-cooperative barangay officials will face administrative charges. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran earlier said that the City Government needs the support and cooperation of the village officials so they will be declared a drug-free barangay. He said the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac) is active on in its campaign against illegal drugs, but the barangay leaders are not doing their job due to fear of possible retaliation from the drug suspects. Meanwhile, Madayag said they are still waiting for the four villages in Bacolod to deliver their State of Barangay Address (Soba) in compliance with the Local Government Code of 1991. Since last month, only Barangays 33, 36, 38 and 39 failed to deliver their Soba out of the 61 villages, she said. “The four villages should deliver their Soba within a month or else they will face charges,” Madayag added. Madayag said Local Government Code of 1991 enjoins every barangay to deliver the Soba which includes their revenues and expenses. MERLINDA A. PEDROSA IT’S about time for the City Government of Bacolod to step in and get to the bottom of the operations of “Peryahan ng Bayan” at Burgos-Lacson Streets. Mayor Evelio Leonardia ordered the City Legal Office the other day to conduct a thorough assessment of the establishment run by Globaltech Mobile Online Corporation. Last week, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) shut down the operations of the establishment, but the latter resisted. Minutes after the PCSO team led by retired Marine Major Manuel Fraginal placed the “notice of closure” tarpaulin in front of the Globaltech office, its personnel removed the said tarpaulin. They also continue with their operation. Fraginal, chief of PCSO Nationwide Inter-Branch Security Monitoring, insisted that Globaltech is operating illegally because the “peryahan” has no permit from the agency. But Globaltech insisted otherwise. The firm actually filed grave coercion and alarm and scandal charges against Fraginal before the City Prosecutor’s Office last week. It is about time for the City Government to intervene. Leonardia stressed the City will follow what the law says. He said if PCSO claimed that Globaltech is not authorized, so they should not be authorized to operate. The mayor also called on the City Council to take a thorough assessment of the operations of Globaltech. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran earlier said that the City Council did not grant Globaltech a resolution of no objection. Both the PCSO and Globaltech claimed otherwise. It’s really about time for the city government to enforce what is necessary – whether the firm is really operating illegally. We will learn about the truth soon. Hopefully sooner. BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia had tasked the City Legal Office (CLO) to conduct an assessment on the operation of “Peryahan ng Bayan” by Globaltech Mobile Online Corporation at the Burgos-Lacson Streets. Leonardia said the city will follow what the law says. “If the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) claimed that the Globaltech is not authorized, so this should not be authorized to operate,” he said. Retired Marine Major Manuel Fraginal, chief of PCSO Nationwide Inter-Branch Security Monitoring, earlier said that he already referred to their lawyer the filing of charges against the Globaltech. Fraginal insisted that the operation of Globaltech is illegal because it does not have a permit from PCSO. PCSO team headed by Fraginal earlier placed the “notice of closure” tarpaulin in front of the establishment, but Globaltech resisted and removed the said tarpaulin. It also continued its operation. Last week, Globaltech also filed grave coercion and alarm and scandal charges against Fraginal before the City Prosecutor’s Office. Leonardia advised the City Council to take a very close and in-depth assessment of the situation after the Globaltech applied to get a resolution of no objection (Rono) last week. “They should take a depth assessment of the situation to avoid wrong decisions,” Leonardia said. “For me, I will only follow the legal (process),” he said. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran earlier said the City Council did not grant Rono to Globaltech. He said when operating the betting station, they should seek a Rono and it's a requirement to secure a business permit based on the city's ordinance. MERLINDA A. PEDROSA MEMBERS of the Class 1978 of the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) in Bacolod City are raring to celebrate their 40th (Ruby Jubilee) from April 24 to 28, with batch mates from around the country and overseas arriving to join the annual alumni homecoming. On April 24, Class 1978 and the Silver Jubilarians, Class 1993, will host a Mass and Medical Mission at the NOHS Quadrangle. The following day, Wednesday, Class 1978 will visit the Home of Hope in Barangay Handumanan for a gift-giving and children’s party for wards of the shelter for abused girls. On Thursday, Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, the class alumni president, will host a welcome dinner at his residence. The Luzon chapter of the class will host dinner on Friday at the Bacolod Circle Inn along Lopez- Jaena Street, Capitol Shopping Center. Host for the evening will be Rod Simon while entertainment will be provided by the Soul and Rhythm Band. The Grand Alumni Homecoming on April 28 will kick off with a grand motorcade at 6 a.m. from the Sacred Heart Church on Lizares Avenue to the NOHS campus on Araneta Street. Class ‘78 alumni will join with around 18 vehicles. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Class ‘78 will honor teachers at a testimonial lunch at the Alumni Hall. Also, 11 student-beneficiaries of the class’ scholarship program will receive their certificates of scholarship. To cap the Ruby Celebration, Class ‘78 will recognize seven members for their distinguished service and achievement in various professional fields at the dinner to be held at the Bacolod Business Inn the evening of April 28. The outstanding alumni awardees are Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran for Government Service, Retired Brigadier General Joselito Kakilala for Military Service, Jo V J. Dignadice for Humanitarian Medical Service, Jose Jaime Espina for Journalism, Dandy Rivera for Banking and Finance, Nathaniel Samson for Education, and Rev. Ricaredo de la Cruz for Religious Ministry. The Friday and Saturday night programs also promise fun and surprises for 70 lucky raffle winners. The Negros Occidental High School is the oldest secondary school in the province of Negros Occidental. It first opened in July 1902 as Instituto Rizal and was later renamed Rizal Institute. When the permanent school campus was constructed in 1927, the school was named Negros Occidental High School. (PR) BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has issued Executive Order No. 11 organizing the support committees for the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration and the commemoration of the 80th year of the signing of the Charter of Bacolod City. Leonardia signed the executive order on April 16. The mayor said the 120th Philippine Independence Day on June 12 and the commemoration of the 80th year of the signing of the Charter of Bacolod City on June 18, fall on the same month of the year, and all significant events as defined by ordinances and tradition are organized by the city government particularly, officials and employees thereof, whose active participation is essential to the success and significance of said celebrations. “Every June 12, we commemorate the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence which took place in Kawit, Cavite in the year 1898. The City of Bacolod again joins the whole nation in celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence on June 12, 2018, “he said. He added on June 18, 1938, President Manuel L. Quezon signed Commonwealth Act. No. 326 proclaiming the Cityhood of Bacolod. The committee will be chaired by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran with his co-chairman Councilors Em Ang, Cindy Rojas, and Wilson Gamboa Jr.; executive director John Orola; secretariat Marivic Canada and other committees such program and events committee, awards and citations, parade, invitation, finance, research and promotion, engineering and security. The committee was tasked to plan and secure the essential budget, technical and human resource in support for the effective implementation and execution of activities for the celebration, coordinate with persons, agencies, and organizations and perform all other functions as may be related to the foregoing. MERLINDA A. PEDROSA GLOBALTECH, operator of Peryahan ng Bayan, has filed criminal charges for grave coercion and alarm and scandal against an official of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), for closing its gaming station located at Burgos-Lacson Streets in Bacolod City on Monday. In a press conference Thursday, April 19, at the Grand Regal Hotel, Globaltech Provincial Administrative Officer Lito Estember said they filed the charges against retired Marine Major Manuel Fraginal, chief of the PCSO Nationwide Inter-Branch Security Monitoring, on Wednesday at the City Prosecutor's Office. He said they spared the members of the Bacolod City Police Office from any charges because their presence in the area was just to maintain peace and order. PCSO team headed by Fraginal placed the “notice of closure” tarpaulin in front of the establishment, but minutes after the PCSO's team left the area, the personnel of Globaltech removed the said tarpaulin and continue with their operation. Estember said Fraginal has no authority for his actions because he has no court order and lacks the valid documents to impose such closure of the gaming station. He also stands firm that Globaltech's operation of “Peryahan ng Bayan,” which is not only in Bacolod City but also in some other places in the country, is legal because of the unresolved court cases of the PCSO against their company. At present, Globaltech continues to operate “Peryahan ng Bayan” in different parts of the country, Estember said. “I don't believe the closure order came from PCSO because the case is still ongoing with the Court of Appeals,” Estember pointed out. Earlier, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said the City Council did not grant a resolution of no objection (Rono) to Globaltech. He said when operating the betting station, they should seek a Rono and it's a requirement to secure a business permit based on the city's ordinance. He added Globaltech should secure a business permit because they are operating here. Fraginal is still waiting for the release of the court order to completely stop the operation of Globaltech. He stressed that the operation of Globaltech is illegal because they do not have a permit from PCSO. Globaltech started their operation in Bacolod in 2014. They transferred to Burgos-Lacson Streets on March 8 this year. TERESA D. ELLERA The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will conduct seminars/trainings on May 3 and 4 for the effective implementation of R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Program, Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said yesterday. Familiaran, chairman of the Solid Waste Action Team (SWAT), said the seminar will be attended by members of the SWAT and Solid Waste Educators and Enforcement Team (SWEET). He said he had requested the DENR regional director to have members of the team undergo seminars so they will be deputized to apprehend those who violate the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy of the city. Familiaran said they have already reported to the DENR the 52 barangays who have violated R.A. 9003. He is reiterating his appeal to the barangay officials for their cooperation in the implementation of the “No Segregation, No Collection” program, he said. Familiaran had earlier said that an evaluation conducted by the SWAT, SWEET and IPM-Construction and Development Corporation, showed that the compliance is very low because people continue to dump unsegregated garbage.*CGS BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO The Peryahan ng Bayan operated by Globaltech Mobile Online Corporation was not issued a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod, Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said yesterday. Familiaran said the establishment cannot be issued a RONO if it has not secured a permit to operate from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. He said that, under the law, it is PCSO and not the city that issues betting stations permit to operate. The Casino Filipino has a separate charter and its operation is covered by a national law, so betting stations should be compliant with its charter, he added. Familiaran said they should also secure business permits from the city. PCSO personnel placed a “notice of closure” sign outside the Peryahan Ng Bayan, claiming that the establishment is operating illegally . Marine Maj. Manuel Fraginal, chief of the Nationwide Inter-Brach Security Monitoring of PCSO, had said that he is mandated under R.A. 1169 to close down the establishment even without an order from the court since they are using the logo of PCSO, which is illegal under the law. Familiaran said they will seek the opinion of the City Legal Office as to whether Peryahan ng Bayan is operating illegally or not. Peryahan ng Bayan may have legal reasons to continue its operation after it was closed by PCSO. But on the part of the city, it is the CLO who should determine if the city has any role, he said.*CGS BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO THE Peryahan ng Bayan by Globaltech Mobile Online Corporation in Burgos-Lacson Streets has no record of business permit applications in Bacolod City, records of Business and Licensing Division showed. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said Wednesday, April 18, the members of the City Council did not grant a resolution of no objection (Rono) to the Globaltech. He said when operating the betting station, they should seek a Rono and it’s a requirement to secure a business permit based on the city’s ordinance. “They should seek permit not only in the local government but also in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO),” he added. On Monday afternoon, the PCSO team headed by Retired Marine Major Manuel Fraginal, chief of the Nationwide Inter-Brach Security Monitoring of the PCSO, shut down the establishment but the latter resisted. Fraginal is still waiting for the release of the court order to completely stop the operation of Globaltech. Familiaran said the Globaltech should secure a business permit because they are operating here He said those who engage in betting stations, they should secure a permit to the LGU and PCSO like the Casino. Familiaran added they will seek the opinion of the City Legal Office (CLO) on this matter. Fraginal had earlier said the operation of the Globaltech is illegal because they do not have a permit from PCSO. “They are operating using our logo which is illegal because we did not authorize them,” Fraginal said. Globaltech started their operation in Bacolod in 2014. They transferred to Burgos-Lacson Streets on March 8 this year. MERLINDA A. PEDROSA |
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