The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) presented its recommendations on the traffic masterplan of Bacolod City to the mayor and the Traffic Management Authority last week, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said yesterday.
Familiaran said this will be implemented by the TMU. Present during the turnover was Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez. The recommendation of the MMDA on the traffic plan includes the installation of traffic lights and signages in 32 out of more than 200 intersections in the city, and enforcement, he said. The MMDA also proposed a new re-routing scheme for Bacolod City. A 15-man team of traffic management experts of the MMDA arrived in Bacolod last year to study the traffic situation in the city for 12 days, and to propose a Traffic Management Masterplan. Mayor Evelio Leonardia had said that commissioning a traffic master plan could cost millions if done by private groups, but MMDA provided the assistance to Bacolod for free. He thanked MMDA chairman Danilo Lim for granting his request for a free traffic masterplan. The mayor noted that Bacolod is the fastest-growing in terms of volume of motor vehicles in the Western Visayas. Records of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) showed that in 2017 alone, a total of 92,827 motor vehicles were registered, 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. The MMDA performs planning, monitoring and coordinative functions, and, in the process, exercises regulatory and supervisory authority over the delivery of metro-wide services within Metro Manila.*
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THE Bacolod Traffic Master Plan is ready to be implemented in Bacolod City.
This was stressed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran on Sunday, September 29, after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officially turned over the Bacolod Master Traffic Plan to Mayor Evelio Leonardia in Manila last week. Familiaran said the Traffic Master Plan is a big help to address the traffic problem in the city. He said the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) was tasked to implement the MMDA's recommendations to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in various areas. In December 2018, the MMDA conducted a 12-day study in Bacolod City for free. The MMDA performs planning, monitoring, and coordinative functions, and in the process exercises regulatory and supervisory authority over the delivery of metro-wide services within Metro Manila. A traffic master plan could cost millions if done by private groups, but MMDA is assisting Bacolod City for free. In June, MMDA released its initial recommendations to BTAO for the hiring of additional traffic enforcers, re-routing of some public utility vehicles, installation of more traffic lights and pedestrian lights, construction of Center Island along Barangay Pahanocoy Highway, and amending the traffic ordinances on the implementation of penalties like the anti-jaywalking ordinance. Of the 212 intersections in Bacolod, he added that about 30 intersections were recommended by the MMDA for the installation of traffic and pedestrian lights. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran would not let bratty jeepney drivers get their way.
The acting mayor has acted proactively and called to suspend classes on Monday, September 30, 2019, to prevent students from getting stranded on their way to and from school. It’s a retaliation against a transport strike mounted by public jeepneys and buses nationwide. The politiko took it upon himself to make the early announcement, allowing students to maximize the surprise long weekend that they are having. BACOLOD. The Central Public Market and Masamart in Bonifacio Street in Bacolod City are now cleared from illegal structures. (Photo by Merlinda A. Pedrosa) “We want to restore the image of Bacolod City.”
This was stressed by Acting Mayor El Cid Familiaran Friday, September 27, after almost 80 percent of the illegal structures in Bacolod City have already been demolished. Familiaran said all the village officials already submitted their accomplishment reports and it’s now up to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to validate the villages’ accomplishment. He said based on the villages’ report, some of them reportedly already demolished 100 percent of the illegal structures within their areas of jurisdiction. “DILG will validate their reports and if they committed violation, the barangay officials will also face the consequence or possible charges,” he added. The village officials were earlier given a deadline until September 27 only to submit their accomplishment reports on the demolition of illegal structures within their areas of jurisdiction in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to rid public streets of obstruction to facilitate the orderly use of thoroughfares. After the 60 days deadline which ended Friday, he said the clearing operation will continue in various villages. “We were given 60 days to comply (DILG’s directive), but it doesn’t follow that your compliance should be 100 percent immediately, after the 60 days deadline, the demolition of illegal structures will continue,” Familiaran said adding that, “We have a directive from Mayor Evelio Leonardia that after the clearing operation in the commercial establishments especially at the downtown area, the City Legal Office (CLO)-Enforcement Team will be deployed in the 61 barangays.” Familiaran noted that those villages, with reported resistance from their residents or refused to follow the DILG’s directive, will be handled by the CLO-Enforcement Team and the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO). As of September 25, around 14 barangays in Bacolod were able to demolish 100 percent of the illegal structures within their areas of jurisdiction. These are Barangays 8, 9, 10, 18, 22, 23, 24, 30, 37, Montevista, Felisa, Mandalagan, Villamote, and Vista Alegre. Familiaran said the city already demolished all the illegal structures at the downtown area and the affected vendors were also transferred to the Vendors Plaza. “Our downtown area is already cleared including the three big public markets. We saw its beauty and old structures, especially in the Central Public Market. It looks like we returned to the old glory of Bacolod City, which is very clean and neat,” he said. He added he’s hopeful that in the next few months, the public will also patronize the livelihood or business of the sidewalk vendors at the Vendors Plaza. Familiaran said the city council earlier realigned the P5 million for the improvement of the Vendors Plaza and Annex Building at the Libertad Public Market. (MAP) Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia credited their “team effort” as having resulted in Bacolod City being adjudged as the Top Philippine Model City for 2019.
“In giving us this award, The Manila Times played a vital role in Bacolod’s march to progress and development,” the mayor said yesterday. The City of Bacolod got back the crown as the Top Philippine Model City for 2019, two years after winning the same coveted title in 2017, for being the most livable urban center among the 145 cities in the country, he said. Last year, Bacolod was adjudged first runner-up when Davao was declared the 2018 Top Philippine Model City, a press release from the mayor’s office said. This year, Bacolod bested 37 other cities that were short-listed by The Manila Times for its Search for the Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities, it said. The Manila Times is one of the most respected, and the country’s oldest national broadsheet at 121 years old, the press release said. Bacolod also won two special awards: Business-Friendly / High Returns and Retirement Haven. Leonardia received the awards at rites held at the New World Manila Bay Hotel in Manila. Leonardia thanked the City Council, led by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and the City Hall department and office heads, and personnel for the award won by the city. The mayor was accompanied by Familiaran, and Councilors Cindy Rojas, Carlos Jose Lopez, Archie Baribar, and Israel Salanga. INSPIRATION In accepting the award, Leonardia thanked The Manila Times, led by Dante “Klink” Ang II as president and CEO, for choosing Bacolod City as its Top Philippine Model City twice – 2017 and 2019. “In 2017, when The Manila Times awarded us the title, because we just got back to City Hall, it became a source of inspiration for us,” Leonardia said. “The award then became our guide and standard and became an inspiration for us to dream bigger dreams, and I believe that’s what made Bacolod a consistent business-friendly awardee by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It also catapulted us to be the ‘Most Competitive City in the Visayas’ as declared by the National Competiveness Council,” he added. “I wish that this award will reverberate in other cities. And we hope to see the day that the standards that The Manila Times has established for Bacolod and the rest of us, will become the standards of model cities in the Philippines, because once we have model cities, we will also have a model country,” Leonardia said. Joining the city officials in accepting the award were City Administrator John Orola, City Planning and Development Office head Mary Jean Ramos, Permits and License Division head Stela Rose Rayos, City Tourism Officer Sandra Ruth Sycip, Assistant City Treasurer Arlene Memoria, Local Economic and Investments Promtion officer Jonah Javier, private secretary Edwina Javier, and City Development Council vice chairman George Zulueta. JUDGES The board of judges was composed of internationally renowned Filipino urban planner Architect Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr., Shiela Lobien, chief executive officer of Lobien Realty Group; Angeline Tham, chief executive officer of Angkas; Ludwig Federigan of the Climate Change Commission, and Eleanor Roque, head of Tax Advisory & Compliance Division of P & A Grant Thornton – who chairs the board of judges. Before the awarding ceremony, a forum on various topics featuring speakers in their respective fields was held. The theme was, “Building Better Landscapes for the Next Generation.” Senator Cynthia Villar keynoted the event. Other speakers were members of the board of judges, NEDA Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro, and Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez. OTHER WINNERS Meanwhile, General Trias City was first runner-up, while Ormoc City was second runner-up. General Trias Mayor Antonio Ferrer and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez received their respective awards. The major winners for the Top Philippine Model Municipalities were: Liloan (Cebu) – champion, Guiguinto (Bulacan) – first runner-up, and Pulilan (Bulacan) – second runner-up. The awards were received by Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco, Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz Jr., and Pulilan Mayor Maria Rosario Montejo. RATIONALE The Manila Times' “Philippine Model Cities” is a forum that aims to recognize effective and innovative local governance that improves the quality of life and make local business environments friendlier, the press release said. The forum touches on urban planning and sustainability development for the Philippines that will make cities environmentally sustainable and conducive to work-life balance.* THE City of Bacolod has gotten back the crown as the Top Philippine Model City for 2019, two years after winning the same coveted title in 2017, for being the most livable urban center among the 145 cities in the country.
Last year, Bacolod was adjudged first runner-up when Davao was declared the 2018 Top Philippine Model City. This year, Bacolod bested 37 other cities that were short-listed by The Manila Times for its Search for the Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities. The Manila Times is one of the most respected and the country’s oldest national broadsheet at 121 years old. Bacolod also won two special awards - Business-Friendly/High Returns and Retirement Haven. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia received the awards at rites at the New World Manila Bay Hotel in Manila. Leonardia credited their “team effort” that resulted to the award. He thanked the city council, led by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and the City Hall department and office heads, and personnel. The mayor was accompanied by Familiaran, and Councilors Cindy Rojas, Archie Baribar, Israel Salanga, and Carlos Jose Lopez. Inspiration In accepting the award, Leonardia thanked The Manila Times, led by Dante “Klink” Ang II as president and CEO, for choosing Bacolod City as its Top Philippine Model City twice - 2017 and 2019. “In 2017, when The Manila Times awarded us the title, because we just got back to City Hall, it became a source of inspiration for us,” Leonardia said. “The award then became our guidance and standard and became an inspiration for us to dream bigger dreams, and I believe that’s what made Bacolod a consistent business-friendly awardee by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It also catapulted us to be the ‘Most Competitive City in the Visayas’ as declared by the National Competiveness Council,” he added. “In giving us this award, The Manila Times has played a vital role in Bacolod’s march to progress and development,” the mayor said. “I wish that this award will reverberate to other cities. And we hope to see the day that the standards that The Manila Times has established for Bacolod and the rest of us, will become the standards of model cities in the Philippines, because once we have model cities, we will also have a model country,” Leonardia said. Joining the city officials in accepting the award were City Administrator John Orola, City Planning and Development Office head Mary Jean Ramos, Permits and License Division head Stela Rose Rayos, City Tourism Officer Sandra Ruth Sycip, Assistant City Treasurer Arlene Memoria, Local Economic and Investments Promtion officer Jonah Javier, private secretary Edwina Javier, and City Development Council vice chairman George Zulueta. Judges The board of judges is composed of internationally renowned Filipino urban planner Architect Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr., Shiela Lobien, chief executive officer of Lobien Realty Group; Angeline Tham, chief executive officer of Angkas; Loren Sales, vice president for Market of Phirdt Park Homes; Rose Bosch- Ong, senior executive vice president of Wilcon Depot, and Atty. Eleanor Roque, head of Tax Advisory & Compliance Division of P & A Grant Thornton - who chairs the board of judges. Before the awarding ceremony, a forum on various topics featuring distinguished speakers in their respective fields were held. The theme was, “Building Better Landscapes for the Next Generation.” Senator Cynthia Villar keynoted the event. Other speakers included the board of judges, Neda Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro, and Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez. Other winners Meanwhile, General Trias City was first runner-up, while Ormoc City was second runner-up. General Trias Mayor Antonio Ferrer and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez received their respective awards. The major winners for the Top Philippine Model Municipalities were: Liloan (Cebu) - champion, Guiguinto (Bulacan) - first runner-up, and Pulilan (Bulacan) - second runner-up. The awards were received by Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco, Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz Jr., and Pulilan Mayor Maria Rosario Montejo. Rationale The Manila Times’ “Philippine Model Cities” is a forum that aims to recognize effective and innovative local governance that improves the quality of life and make local business environments friendlier. The forum touches on urban planning and sustainability development for the Philippines that would make cities environmentally sustainable and conducive to work-life balance. (PR) BACOLOD City – Ninety-seven illegal structures constructed on Masamart along Bonifacio Street were demolished yesterday. The City Legal Office’s Enforcement Unit removed vending stalls, makeshift houses, among others. Executive Assistant Ernie Pineda, cluster head on Markets, said the 5-day grace period given to the vendors to vacate their kiosks had already lapsed on Tuesday. The vendors must vacate the place after the approval of the repealed City Ordinance (CO) 183, series of 1980, to transfer all the sidewalk vendors at the Central Public Market and Masamart in Bonifacio Street to Bacolod Vendors’ Plaza in Reclamation Area. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said the city has realigned the budget worth P5 million from the building fund to market. The budget will be utilized for the rehabilitation of the Bacolod Vendors’s Plaza to accommodate more vendors displaced by the road clearing operation./PN Bacolod City won the Retirement Haven Award at The Manila Times’ 3rd Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities at the New World Manila Bay Hotel in Manila*
The Negros Occidental High School Panthers Football Club beat Bata National High School in the final round to win the championship in Ladies Open category of the 1 st Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran Futsal Festival held during the weekend at Bacolod City National High School.
Bata settled for the first runner-up honors while UNO-R Rams secured the second runner-up trophy In the Under 17 boys event, STI West Negros University emerged as champion after prevailing over host Bacolod City National High School in the finals. Best goalkeeper was Justin Carl Villarn while Francis Madamecila was named most valuable player. BACOLOD City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran urged the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) to remove the motorcycles illegally parked along the city's sidewalks.
Familiaran said it has been observed that several motorcycles use the sidewalk as their parking area. "We already removed the sidewalk vendors to clear the area. So, the motorcycles should not be there because it's a sidewalk. They should park their motorcycles in the proper parking area and not in the sidewalk," he said. Familiaran also ordered BTAO head Police Colonel Luisito Acebuche to identify an area where motorists can properly park. BTAO was also tasked to prohibit business establishment owners to put a "no parking" sign in front of their buildings. "It's a public road, so the business establishment should not put a sign as if that they owned the space," Familiaran said. Last week, the City Council already approved a resolution requesting the City Legal Office to enforce the City Ordinance 559, Series of 2011 or an ordinance prohibiting all store owners and establishments from putting up signs for "exclusive use" or "reserve parking only" and other obstacles in front of their stores and business establishments as the space is for public use. The resolution was authored by Councilor Archie Baribar, chairperson of the City Council committee on urban planning and development. Baribar said the continued practice of placing signages or obstacles in portions of streets, sidewalks, alleys, and roadways are still rampant that it reduces parking space and increases traffic problems. Article V of the said ordinance provides that signages or obstacles placed by the owners shall be removed at their expense or by the Traffic Management, Bacolod Traffic Authority, agents of Public Order Safety Office (Poso), barangay officials and their tanods. |
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