The three highest-ranking Senate officials will attend the inauguration of the Bacolod City officials at the Bacolod City Government Center 6 p.m. Monday.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III will swear in re-elected Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia, Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri will swear in re-elected Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, while Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon will swear in re-elected Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, a press release from mayor’s office said yesterday. Sotto is a long-time friend of Leonardia. The Senate president is the godfather of the mayor’s daughter, Loren Kara, who was baptized in 1991 when Sotto was vice mayor of Quezon City and president of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines, and Leonardia was No. 1 councilor of Bacolod, the press release said. The three top Bacolod officials all belong to Grupo Progreso headed by Leonardia. Of the 12 winning councilors, 11 are also from Grupo Progreso: Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Simplicia Distrito, Carlos Jose Lopez, Al Victor Espino, Archie Baribar, Israel Salanga, Dindo Ramos, Bartolome Orola, Ana Marie Palermo, and Elmer Sy. The 12th councilor is Wilson Gamboa Jr. from the rival AAB-MKK. The three top officials won by a big margin over their respective opponents. Leonardia garnered 144,776 votes or a lead of 63,528 votes over former councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue with 81,248 votes. Familiaran had 126,238 votes, or a lead of 34,417 over former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson with 91,821 votes. Gasataya had 135,346 votes or a lead of 50,641 votes over former congressman Monico Puentevella with 84,705 votes. This is now Leonardia’s sixth term as mayor. He is now considered the longest-serving mayor of Bacolod, the press release said.*
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Three top diplomats, are joining the inauguration of city officials at the Bacolod City Government Center 5:30 p.m. Monday.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Russia Ambassador Igor Khovaev, South Korea Ambassador Dong-man Han, and US Embassy Political Section - Internal Political Unit chief Joshua Morris have all confirmed their attendance at the inaugural, a press release from the BCGC said. Khovaev had visited Bacolod on May 3-5, 2018, when Leonardia also invited him as guest of honor at the 1st Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival on May 5. Han had visited Bacolod on Nov. 14, 2018 for a courtesy call on Leonardia. The mayor said he invited the Korean ambassador to his inauguration, as he wants to maintain the good relationship between Bacolod and South Korea. For two years now, Bacolod’s MassKara dancers have been invited to perform in South Korea three times already: at the 2018 Andong Mask Dance Festival in Andong City on Sept. 28 to Oct. 7, where they bagged the bronze medal; at the 2019 Daegu Colorful Festival in Daegu City on May 4-5, where they were declared champion in the Best Foreign Group category, besting 21 other foreign contingents; and the 2019 Maduhee Festival of Ulsan City on June 7 to 9, the first time in the festival’s 320-year history that a foreign group was invited to perform there. Morris had visited Bacolod twice – in October 2017 and October 2018 in time for the MassKara Festival. Meanwhile, the three highest-ranking Senate officials will also attend grace the inauguration. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III will swear in re-elected Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia; Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri will swear in re-elected Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya; while Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon will swear in re-elected Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran. The three top Bacolod officials all belong to Grupo Progreso. Of the 12 winning councilors, 11 are also from Grupo Progreso: Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Simplicia Distrito, Carlos Jose Lopez, Al Victor Espino, Archie Baribar, Israel Salanga, Dindo Ramos, Bartolome Orola, Ana Marie Palermo, and Elmer Sy. The 12th councilor is Wilson Gamboa Jr. from the rival AAB-MKK.* THE Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) in Bacolod City honored the three outgoing councilors whose terms will end on June 30. The SP conferred a special citation to Councilors Caesar Distrito, Em Ang, and Sonya Verdeflor during their final regular session on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said it’s in honor and with deep appreciation and recognition of their outstanding leadership, tireless dedication and unselfish service to the people of Bacolod as chair of various committees in the SP for three consecutive terms. The SP also approved a resolution expressing their profound congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to the three outgoing councilors who have served their three terms in the SP and for their invaluable contribution, untiring efforts and outstanding services to the city of Bacolod and wishing them all the best in their future endeavors in the years ahead. The resolution, authored by Councilor Renecito Novero, stated that three councilors have rendered unparalleled service to the City of Bacolod for the past nine years through their hard work and untiring efforts in the City Council. Novero said they have contributed immensely to the development of Bacolod through their legislative works, as well as their other programs which have aided the people of the city in the past 9 years. He said their passion for public service and love for the City of Bacolod were evident through the many Ordinances and Resolutions they have passed during their 3 terms and where many people in the City have greatly benefited from. “It is only just and proper to send off these three outstanding members of the City Council with well wishes and profound gratitude,” he added. Ang, who delivered a privileged speech during the session, also expressed her sincerest gratitude to the people that she has come across during her three terms as a city councilor for Bacolod. “I would like to thank my colleagues in public service – Mayor Bing Leonardia, Congressman Greg Gasataya, our presiding officer Vice Mayor El Cid, and my fellow city councilors. You are my mentors and my friends who I have had the pleasure and honor of working with. We have been together through challenging moments, as well as many times of triumph. I would like to thank all of the employees in the government center and the various government offices in the city, especially the office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod led by our SP Secretary Atty. Sonny Petierre. You are the partners of the city officials, the essential cogs in the machinery that keeps Bacolod running,” Ang said. She said, “I would like to thank my technical assistants and all my staff, both past and present, without whom, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what I had, if not for their patience and dedication to work. I thank the Grupo Progreso family for all the support, encouragement and the love that you have shown me all these years. My stint in public service has been fruitful, meaningful and rewarding because of all of you. And most of all, I would like to thank the people of Bacolod who have entrusted me with the duty and the honor to serve our beloved city.” Ang noted that it was in 2009 that she made the terrifying decision to fill out a certificate of candidacy and throw her hat in the ring for the 2010 elections. “It seemed like the perfect time in my life. My youngest child was leaving for college and I was looking for ways to expand my contribution and participation in making our community a better place. I thank Mayor Bing for inviting me in 2010. It has opened the doors of public service for me, and for that I am deeply grateful,” Ang said. She said that throughout her nine years, she focused mainly on health, women and children, social services, environment and tourism development and promotion. “One of my first ordinances was a highly controversial one and it quickly became my startling introduction to how difficult the job of a councilor was. The plastic bag regulation ordinance was my education on how, being a councilor, I would be constantly placed in positions where I have to choose between what is popular and what is right. In this last term, a major shift in Bacolod City, I believe, is making Masskara Festival internationally known. “I am privileged to have initiated, coordinated and facilitated our MassKara Festival dancers’ participation in a number of international performances and competitions where they have come home with top honors. As I move on to the next phase of my life, I am at peace knowing that I have given the people of Bacolod all my efforts, talent and time. These past years have been a gift to me as it has helped me expand my reach a hundredfold. Now, I return to my private life and for sure, will continue to serving the city in my personal capacity,” she added. From July 2010 to June 2019, Ang authored a total of 75 city ordinances and passed a total of 619 resolutions; Distrito, 96 ordinances and 3, 108 resolutions; and Verdeflor, 19 ordinances and 458 resolutions. The three highest-ranking Senate officials will attend the inauguration of the Bacolod City officials at the Bacolod City Government Center 6 p.m. Monday.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III will swear in re-elected Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia, Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri will swear in re-elected Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, while Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon will swear in re-elected Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, a press release from mayor’s office said yesterday. Sotto is a long-time friend of Leonardia. The Senate president is the godfather of the mayor’s daughter, Loren Kara, who was baptized in 1991 when Sotto was vice mayor of Quezon City and president of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines, and Leonardia was No. 1 councilor of Bacolod, the press release said. The three top Bacolod officials all belong to Grupo Progreso headed by Leonardia. Of the 12 winning councilors, 11 are also from Grupo Progreso: Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Simplicia Distrito, Carlos Jose Lopez, Al Victor Espino, Archie Baribar, Israel Salanga, Dindo Ramos, Bartolome Orola, Ana Marie Palermo, and Elmer Sy. The 12th councilor is Wilson Gamboa Jr. from the rival AAB-MKK. The three top officials won by a big margin over their respective opponents. Leonardia garnered 144,776 votes or a lead of 63,528 votes over former councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue with 81,248 votes. Familiaran had 126,238 votes, or a lead of 34,417 over former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson with 91,821 votes. Gasataya had 135,346 votes or a lead of 50,641 votes over former congressman Monico Puentevella with 84,705 votes. This is now Leonardia’s sixth term as mayor. He is now considered the longest-serving mayor of Bacolod, the press release said.* THE three highest-ranking Senate officials will grace the inauguration of Bacolod City officials on July 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bacolod City Government center. Senate President Vicente Sotto III will swear in re-elected Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri will swear in re-elected Bacolod Representative Greg Gasataya, while Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon will swear in re-elected Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran. Sotto is a long-time friend of Leonardia. The Senate President is the godfather of the mayor’s daughter, Loren Kara, who was baptized in 1991 when Sotto was vice mayor of Quezon City and president of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines, and Leonardia was number 1 councilor of Bacolod. The three top Bacolod officials all belong to Grupo Progreso. Of the 12 winning councilors, 11 are also from Grupo Progreso: Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Simplicia Distrito, Carlos Jose Lopez, Al Victor Espino, Archie Baribar, Israel Salanga, Dindo Ramos, Bartolome Orola, Ana Marie Palermo, and Elmer Sy. The 12th councilor is Wilson Gamboa Jr. from the AAB-MKK. The three top officials won by a big margin over their respective opponents. Leonardia garnered 144,776 votes or a lead of 63,528 votes over former councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue with only 81,248 votes. Familiaran had 126,238 votes or a lead of 34,417 over former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson with only 91,821 votes. Gasataya had 135,346 votes or a lead of 50,641 votes over former congressman Monico Puentevella with only 84,705 votes. This is now Leonardia’s sixth term as mayor. He has already been considered the longest-serving mayor of Bacolod even on his third term. (PR) BACOLOD City – Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran will set a caucus with city councilors under local political coalition Grupo Progreso to determine committee chairmanships for the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP). Familiaran, who presides over the SP, said the meeting scheduled on June 29 was moved to June 30. “The caucus was moved because incumbent councilor Dindo Ramos is out of the country,” Familiaran explained. Currently, there are a total of 31 committees with each council expected to hold two chair positions. “Gusto ko ma plantsa ang committee chairmanship antes mag session, daw kalaw-ay man nga may division of the house sa sulod,” he reiterated. GP won all but one seat on the SP after incumbent councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr., a member of the opposing Asenso for Better Bacolod-Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan coalition, beat GP bet Marlon Solidum for the last spot./PN By Mae Singuay Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said that their business had been given a certificate of recognition by the Bureau of Internal Revenue as one of the top corporations in Bacolod City even before he joined politics. “That is hard earned money and people have seen how they had started their business and how they have succeeded,” he said in reaction to his critics. Familiaran remains the richest member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City, while Councilor Ayesha Joy Villaflor is the poorest, based on their sworn statement of assets and liabilities and net worth. Familiaran has a total net worth of P43.8 million, while Villaflor, Sangguniang Kabataan president, has P20,000, based on their SAL-N. Councilor Em Ang is the second richest with a net worth of P42.6 million, followed by Councilors Ricardo Tan – P24 million, Claudio Puentevella – P21.8 million, Renecito Novero – P21.3 million, Bartolome Orola – P15.7 million, Wilson Gamboa Jr. – P11.3 million, Sonya Verdeflor – P5.2 million, Caesar Distrito – P5.8 million, Cindy Rojas – P4.9 million, Elmer Sy – P4.1 million, Dindo Ramos – P3.4 million, Ann Marie Palermo –P1.8 million and Lady Gles Pallen – P693,000.* The Bacolod City Development Council presented the recommendation of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on the traffic plan to the barangays at the Bacolod City Government Center Monday, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said.
A 15-man team of traffic management experts of the MMDA led by its Traffic and Engineering Center director, Neomie Recio, arrived in Bacolod in December to study the traffic situation in the city for 12 days, and propose a Traffic Management Masterplan. Familiaran said CDC vice chairman George Zulueta presented the MMDA recommendation for the traffic planthat includes a new re-routing scheme for the approval of the CDC, and whatever they will approve has to be ratified by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. He said the MMDA also recommended the installation of traffic lights and signages in 32 out of more than 200 intersections in the city. Records of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) showed that in 2017 alone, there was a total of 92,827 registered motor vehicles, or an increase of 7,849 from the 2016 figure of 84,978 vehicles. The 92,827 vehicles in Bacolod account for 22.31 percent or almost 1/4 of the total number of vehicles in Western Visayas, the LTO report also showed. Meanwhile, Familiaran said he asked his staff to check on reports about the existence ofthree fake accounts using his name. It was confirmed by his staff that three such fake accounts exists. One of them bashed the Halandumon Tower, while another fake account made him appear to be mocking the Toronto basketball fans, he said. Familiaran said he does not know the motive of those behind them whetherthey want to taint his reputation or character, or create division among members of the Grupo Progreso.* BACOLOD CITY – The city government inaugurated the Halandumon tower during the first June 18 Charter Day celebration last Tuesday. City officials headed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia led the ceremonial lighting and ribbon cutting of the tower near the public plaza around 9 p.m. Councilor Em Ang, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, said the P4.8-million tower was designed by Architect Jico Monte. The City Engineer’s Office reported that P1.7 million went to concrete works, more than P800,000 to steel works, almost P1 million to electrical and lighting work. The remaining amount was used for the construction, clearing, and painting of the tower. Ang said the design concept commemorates the success of living in the city over the past 80 years. Every element of the tower represents a concept. The base is shaped like a heart, and the lower pointed tip points towards the true north. The eight exterior towers with octagonal shape symbolize a bunch of sugarcane which is the backbone of the city and province of Negros Occidental, Ang said. The eight interior towers in diamond shape represent a bundle of rice crop, she added. Ang said the unveiling of the tower was supposed to have been done on the 80th anniversary of Bacolod last year. Construction delayed the unveiling and it was rescheduled for the 1st June 18 Charter Day. It used to be a clock tower which was already dilapidated, so we opted to make a new landmark, an added attraction in the city, Ang said. Some netizens gave positive and negative reactions online, claiming it was too expensive and not relevant. But the city government maintained that it was not overpriced and it symbolizes the unity of all sectors in the city to ensure success in eight decades. Prior to the unveiling, the city government gave awards to the 20 top taxpayers who made the economy in the city vibrant. The awarding rites were led by Senator Cynthia Villar as the guest of honor, along with Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and other city officials. The city also recognized outstanding employees and gave special citations to those who brought honor to Bacolod in their areas of expertise. Ang said the weeklong celebration of Charter Day was successful, and thanked everyone for their support, cooperation, help, and participation. BACOLOD City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran urged the barangay officials to task their tanods or watchmen to monitor the malfunctioned streetlights and traffic lights within their areas of jurisdiction. This, after a road accident on Sunday evening killed a 62-year-old man at Araneta Street in Barangay Sum-ag. It was determined that the area was dark because of the busted streetlights. Familiaran said Tuesday, June 25, the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) is also monitoring the city’s street lights and traffic lights, but they also need the assistance of the barangay officials to report to their office if there are malfunctioned street lights or traffic lights within their barangays. “They have their tanods to monitor their barangay so if there’s a problem within their area, they should report it so that it can be addressed by the local government unit. We need the cooperation of everybody here,” he said. He added there are some cases that can be solved in the barangay level, but if they cannot solve it then, they can forward it to the city government so that the problem will be addressed immediately. Familiaran said the barangay officials should not be so dependent to the city government all the time. He said the barangay has their own resources on how to address the problem in their barangay, if they cannot solve it then that’s the time to ask the assistance of the city government. (MAP) |
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