BOARD Member Andrew Montelibano who chairs the committee on games and amusements and Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran are backing the move of President Rodrigo Duterte to shut down all gaming schemes operated, licensed, and franchised by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). “I support the move of the President as his way of cleansing the PCSO,” Montelibano said. He also believes that the closure is only temporary because the President is only getting rid of corruption that has been happening in the agency most especially in the remittances of government shares particularly in the case of the Small Town Lottery (STL). In Murcia where he was former mayor, Montelibano said, he was able to witness that the STL operator does not remit the local government unit share despite operating in the town. He recommends that once it re-opens, the provincial government should have a representative in every draw conducted by the operator and closely monitor how much share is being remitted to the province. In fact, he said he has inquired from the Provincial Budget Office how much share was remitted by the STL operator for the past several years. “Government is being denied of its shares from the legal games and that in return, services for people are also being denied,” Montelibano added. For his part, Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said President Duterte has his own information and basis to suspend the operations of all gaming schemes of PCSO. “It’s the directive of our President and we should follow his order,” he said. He added he believes that there’s no corruption in lotto because there’s computerized betting stations unlike in STL. Familiaran noted the government is also studying the effect of the suspension of operations of all gaming schemes granted by PCSO since PCSO provides assistance to government programs, especially for the poor. “Our President wants to address corruption so they should give what is due to the government,” Familiaran said. Police Colonel Henry Biñas, director of BCPO, earlier said that BCPO intelligence operatives and all station commanders led the shutdown of gaming outlets. He said that any person who will be caught engaging in any gambling scheme will be arrested and charged with violation of Presidential Decree 1602 as amended by Republic Act 9287 covering illegal numbers games. “With the declaration of the President, all those who engage in these activities will be arrested. PCSO has a good intention to help the poor, but there were some people taking advantage and failed to remit the proceeds to the government, it’s high time not to support the illegal gambling,” he added On Saturday, a total of 77 outlets of lotto, STL, Peryahan ng Bayan, and Keno in Bacolod City were shut down by Bacolod City Police Office in various areas including inside the malls. The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has also been conducting closure of lotto, STL, Peryahan Ng Bayan and other PCSO games all over the province since they received the directive from PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde based on the order of the President. By Teresa Ellera & Merlinda Pedrosa
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Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran has made a name out of his iconic Soup Kitchen that’s been serving hot bowls all over Bacolod City. The politiko was invited to open the International Ride MTB Day, an early morning gathering of avid motorcycle riders ahead of their new road trip. Familiaran opened the casual program and brought the Soup Kitchen cart with him, much to the riders’ delight. “He (President Rodrigo Duterte) has done his best in delivering the services for the Filipino people.” This was stressed by Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran Tuesday, July 23, after President Duterte successfully delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the Batasan Pambansa, Quezon City on Monday. Familiaran said President Duterte mentioned what the government needs to be improved and it’s a big challenge to the government officials including the local officials to implement its programs for the Filipino people. “For his three years, our President has done his best to fulfill his promises to the Filipino people. There’s a lot of development in our country,” he said. He added President Duterte also ordered various government offices to improve its services such as the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Social Security System (SSS), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Land Registration Authority (LRA), and Pag-IBIG Fund to simplify their transactions with citizens In his Sona, President Durterte pushed for the reimposition of death penalty on crimes related to drugs and plunder. He also pushed Congress to fast track the creation of a department that would focus solely on disaster and climate change resilience plans and programs; creations of Department of Water Resources, OFW Department , and the National Academy for Sports. Duterte also called on the Congress to postpone the May 2020 Barangay elections to October 2022. He also asked Congress to approve the National Defense Act, Uniformed Separation and Retirement Pension Bill, as well as the revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), Congress to pass a new Salary Standardization Law (SSL) to increase the pay of government workers, including public school teachers and public hospital nurses. President Duterte also proposed a law that would require commercial establishments across the country to close by midnight, and he ordered Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to suspend mayors who would not heed the order to reclaim all public roads that had been used for private purposes. By Merlinda A. Pedrosa BACOLOD City and Negros Occidental officials on Sunday celebrated the victory of senator and boxing champ Senator Manny Pacquiao in his bout against American boxer Keith Thurman at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that it was a clear victory. “It was a no-contest. When Senator Manny knocked down Thurman in the first round, we knew what was going to happen next. How it was ruled a close split decision is beyond my comprehension,” he said. He said that Manny has once again proven that he is a case of “may edad na pero may abilidad pa.” He added Manny can now also claim the title as “the greatest 40-year old boxer.” The mayor noted that it was also heartening that minutes before Manny climbed up the ring, the Team Pacquiao through his personal lawyer Tom Falgui from locker room, made a video call to him and they were able to exchange waves and fist signs. “I was able therefore to wish him good luck despite being miles and miles away here in Manila,” Leonardia said. Pacquiao was declared an adopted son of Bacolod City in 2006. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for his part said that the win of 40-year-old Filipino champ Manny Pacquiao shows the resilience and fighting heart of every Filipino. Lacson said Manny's win is also a win for everyone. Both Lacson and Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer also extended their congratulations to the senator on behalf of the Negrense people. Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said at the age of 40, Manny has still the power and speed. “Very rare to find a boxer at the age of 40 who is still very quick. He deserves a lot of respect. My congratulations to him,” he said. For his part, Councilor Israel Salanga said the Filipino People’s Champ, Senator Pacquiao, has once again brought pride and honor to the country by winning yet another historic and remarkable match against a worthy opponent, Thurman. “While many of us have anticipated, expected and prayed for Senator Pacquiao, the fight turned out to be very close and exciting down the wire. Nonetheless, Pacquiao made us very proud as he always does whenever he is inside the boxing ring,” he said. He added: “Senator Pacquiao still has what it takes to be called a “ world champion,” he got experience, strength, speed and power, but what makes me extremely proud as a fan, as a Filipino, is the show of sportsmanship, humility and faith that Pacquiao continues to exhibit above the ring. How he demonstrates his faith to God before and after his fight sends a strong message to all of us that we can do all things through God who strengthen us.” Councilor Renecito Novero also said that again Pacquiao wowed the world and added glamour to the image of the Filipino nation. Congratulations! On the part of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, whose roots came from Negros he said, "A Pacquiao fight smells of glory and country, not blood, not money. Senator Manny Pacquiao fought well and hard. Our Pambansang Kamao deserves every applause at the MGM Arena and around the world." He also describes Pacquiao as a fighter's fighter. "Boxers dream of fighting like him ever since his younger days in Mindanao. We are all familiar how he punched his way and collected belts under different weight divisions and boxing councils. Through victories and defeats, Manny became the boxing idol. All countries want to raise their own Pacquiaos," Zubiri added. He said Manny has age-defying fighting spirit and wallops just as quick and powerful as his younger opponents. "The boxing world has repeatedly acclaimed his skill. He hauled sportsman of the year titles again and again as his career went better and better. But the world saw it was not just his fists that brought him victories; it was intelligence, fairness and nobility. Manny could fill boxing books with his distinct winning strategies and style. As his colleague in the Senate, I'm proud to say Senator Pacquiao also fills his legislative books well. Congratulations, Senator Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao," Zubiri added. Meanwhile, about 15,000 people in Bacolod City also enjoyed the free live viewing of the match of Pacquiao and Thurman which was provided by the City Government in the eight venues in the city. These were in the gymnasiums of Barangays Sum-ag, Handumanan, Mansilingan, and Villamonte. They also provided a live free viewing in Barangay Singcang-Airport Elementary School, Barangay Banago Elementary School, and Barangay Granada Fr. Gratian Murray Elementary School. DISASTER comes anytime and it is important for everyone to be prepared to mitigate its possible impact and respond to it appropriately.
The City of Bacolod, through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) marked the 2019 National Disaster Resilience Month on June 8. July of every year has been declared National Disaster Resilience Month. Formerly called National Disaster Consciousness Month, the celebration was renamed to NDRM through an Executive Order No. 29 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 28, 2017. CDRRMO officer-in-charge Dondon Parandas, in a message, emphasized the importance of being prepared during disasters. Executive Assistant Jose Ma. Vargas encouraged everyone to actively participate in all disaster preparedness activities like trainings, orientations and simulation exercises. A program was held at the Bacolod City Government Center before the parade, where various volunteer organizations received certificates of appreciation from Bacolod City DRRM Council, chaired by Mayor Evelio Leonardia. It states, “Thank you, for putting together your resources of manpower, time and equipment for others to be well, cured and safe; for your unselfish commitment and partnership to community service; for making fellow volunteers your ally and friend; and for making a world of difference in what you have accomplished.” They had a motorcade around major streets in the city starting from the Bacolod City Government Center grounds. This year’s theme, “Kahandaan sa Sakuna at Peligro Para sa Tunay na Pagbabago,” highlights the shift from disaster- awareness building to disaster-resilience. The motorcade was participated by the DRRMO, Bacolod City Police Office, Bacolod City Fire Station, Coast Guard Station-Bacolod City, 303rd Brigade Philippine Army, City Health Office, Department of Social Services and Development, CENECO, Philippine Red Cross, Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade, Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade, Adventist Emergency Response Unit, Barangay Sum-ag Rescue Unit, Barangay Singcang-Airport Rescue Unit, Barangay Handumanan Rescue Unit, Barangay Villamonte Lifesaver Rescue, CROPER, Barangay Mansilingan, Kabalikat Civicom 500 Metro Bacolod Chapter, Mountain Tigers Rescue Group, Philippine Air Force-Reserve, and Bacolod Seagulls Rescue Unit. The motorcade passed through Circumferential Road, Burgos St., Lopez Jaena St., BS Aquino Drive, Lacson St., Lizares St., Araneta St., Gonzaga St., Gatuslao St., then to Rizal St. and culminated at SM City. At the program, 40 new completers of the Basic Incident Command System (BICS) conducted by the Office of Civil Defense - Region VI recently, who came from various barangay volunteer organizations, were also presented before city officials, namely, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Councilors Simple Distrito, Archie Baribar, Israel Salanga, and Bart Orola. By Carla N. Canet THE City Council of Bacolod has concurred the appointment of lawyer John Orola Jr. as city administrator, and lawyer Joselito Bayatan as the city legal officer. The appointment and concurrence of Orola and Bayatan were unanimously approved during the council’s regular session on Wednesday, July 10. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said Thursday their appointment and concurrence were supported by Councilors Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Ana Marie Palermo, Bartolome Orola, Israel Salanga, Simple Distrito, Ayesha Villaflor, Lady Gles Pallen, Wilson Gamboa, Archie Baribar, and Carl Lopez. Councilor Dindo Ramos was on leave while Councilor Elmer Sy was on sick-leave and Councilor Al Victor Espino was absent. Familiaran said Orola and Bayatan were appointed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia to their respective posts since 2016. “We expect that they will perform well for the benefits of the people of Bacolod City,” he said. Novero, majority floor leader, said that Orola and Bayatan were given another term to serve the current administration so it’s expected that they will perform well. “As always that when you assume the same position for another term, you are expected to do better,” he said. For his part, Orola expressed his gratitude to Leonardia and City Council for the unanimous approval of his appointment. “Public office is a public trust. We have to identify our priorities, but these priorities should be based on the actual needs and that would include housing, livelihood, health, and environmental programs among others,” Orola said. He added that the honeymooning period for the last three years is over, now it’s the time to implement the programs. (MAP) Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia takes his oath of office before Senate President Vicente Sotto III, with his wife Elsa holding the Bible and daughter Loren Kara holding the oath of office during the inauguration of city officials at the Government Center recently. MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte congratulated Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia on his reelection, saying the city is in “safe hands” under his leadership.
“I’m happy that you were elected once again, that Bacolod City is in safe hands,” Duterte said in a video message shown during Leonardia’s inauguration recently. “I wish that you will be in the political arena, maybe a little bit longer to serve the people. That’s what it’s all about, service to the people, nothing more, nothing less,” the President said. Leonardia is the longest-serving mayor of Bacolod. He garnered a record 144,776 votes in the May elections. He had a lead of 63,528 votes over his closest opponent, the biggest margin in Bacolod politics. Duterte also congratulated Leonardia’s partymates – Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Rep. Greg Gasataya –who also won by big margins over their opponents. Leonardia’s party Grupo Progreso won 14 of the 15 seats, including 11 of the 12 slots for councilors. “The people’s message is clear. They would like to see their city officials working together, cooperating with each other, and living in peace and harmony,” Leonardia said. Bacolod City Government Center. (PNA photo by Nanette Guadalquiver). BACOLOD CITY -- Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the trust given by President Rodrigo Duterte to the leaders of this city inspires him and his fellow officials.
“We feel there is a moral pressure upon us to live up to his expectations,” he said in a press conference on Monday. During the oath-taking of the city’s elected officials on July 1, the President, in a video message, expressed regret that he could not attend the event since he had to preside a Cabinet meeting the following day. “Just the same, I’m happy that you were elected once again, that Bacolod City is in safe hands. And, of course, I wish that you will be there in the political arena, maybe, a little bit longer to serve the people. That’s what it’s all about, service to the people -- nothing more, nothing less,” Duterte told Leonardia. The mayor said he was overwhelmed by the President’s message, which was “unexpected” and “a big, pleasant surprise”. “It was a big inspiration, but at the same time that tells us that the more trust the President gives us, the more that we should perform,” Leonardia said. The Chief Executive also greeted Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, extending him “my deepest respect on your being reelected” and also Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, whom he wished “a fruitful stint in Congress”. During the campaign for the May 13 elections, Duterte endorsed the reelection bids for a second term of the city’s three top officials, who ran under the Grupo Progreso coalition. Moreover, Leonardia said that as the mayor, he has to cope with the needs and demands of Bacolod as a growing city. “I have to keep up with that. There is no room for stagnation, to stand-by. We always have to go forward because our people need more, want more,” he added. (PNA) Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, who was in Bacolod City recently to swear-in Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, said responded to speculation the 2020 barangay elections will be postponed, saying, they are waiting on Congress to pass a legislation. (PIO photo)
With regard to speculation the 2020 barangay elections will be postponed, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) revealed they are waiting on Congress to pass a legislation. Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon yesterday explained, “[It is] Congress that gives us the budget.” She affirmed, until such a law is passed, the commission will continue preparations, including voter registration. In responds to calls to revert voting back to a manual process, Guanzon said she prefers electronic transmission. “If we go back to manual, it will take 10 days for us to know the results, especially [on] the local level,” she explained./DGB, WDJ Barangay Captain Erwin Arela of Brgy. 16, Bacolod City, succumbed to cardiac arrest Wednesday morning.
He was replaced by number two Kagawad Joseph de los Santos. Arela took over from Nelson Ligaya as barangay captain of Brgy. 16 after the former was shot dead on Dec. 1, 2018 in the barangay. The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution Wednesday expressing its deepest sympathy to the family of Arela. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said he was shocked to hear about Arela's passing away since he last saw him on June 24. Familiaran said Arela must have been stressed by the work in his barangay that he had to execute such as the demolition of illegal structures and illegal parking of trisikads that had earlier caught the attention of the President. He condoled with the family of Arela and said he hopes that De los Santos will do his best in managing the affairs of the barangay. Councilor Lady Gles Pallen, Liga ng mga Barangay president, said all the barangay captains and members of the Liga are saddened by the loss of another village head. Pallen said Arela had undergone a heart bypass in Manila. He was not able to attend the inauguration of the newly elected city officials on July 1 because he had to have a check up again this week. She was informed that Arela was on his way to Bacolod when he suffered a heart attack at the airport, Pallen said. Pallen said Arela was like a father to her in the Liga being the second oldest among the barangay captains of Bacolod. He was a good man and he always attended all their meetings and seminars. She is saddened that they have lost a hard working barangay captain, she added.* |
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