BACOLOD. City officials led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia join the boodle fight of the Task Group MassKara 2018 at the Government Center Monday. (Glazyl Masculino) INDEX crimes in Bacolod City during the 21-day celebration of the 39th MassKara Festival decreased by 28.57 percent compared to last year.
Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), presented the comparative data of crimes covering the MassKara days at the BCPO headquarters Monday, October 29. Based on the data, index crimes or eight focus crimes reduced by 18 incidents from 63 incidents in 2017 to 45 cases this year. Among the eight focus crimes, the top three most prevalent crimes are theft with 19 cases; physical injuries, 15; and robbery, 7. No homicide cases were recorded from October 8 to 28. Ebreo said the reduction of crimes can be attributed to the deployment of more policemen at the festival sites and even outside the venues, and streets. He said they have most likely reached the target on crime reduction. Ebreo, during the culminating and awarding ceremony of Task Group MassKara 2018 at the Bacolod Government Center yesterday, reported to the city officials and top officials of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas that they have achieved "zero major incident" during the festivity. There was no significant MassKara-related incident that happened all throughout the festivity, even during the arrival of President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend, he said. The members and heads of the task group were awarded by PRO-6 led by Chief Superintendent Carlito Feliciano, deputy regional director of administration, with Philippine National Police (PNP) Merit and Commendation medals for their valuable efforts in securing the festivity. Meanwhile, the local government unit of Bacolod through City Administrator John Orola and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran expressed their gratitude to the police and other volunteers who also contributed to the success of the festival. A boodle fight for all the security forces followed, in the presence of the city officials led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia. (GYM)
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HIMAMAYLAN City Mayor Tinto Bascon, La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan, Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Victorias City Mayor Frederick Palanca, Rep. Greg Gasataya and San Enrique Mayor Jilson Tubillara at the city public Plaza for the highlight of the 39th MassKara festival in Bacolod City. (City/PIO/photo) BACOLOD City – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte lauded the MassKara Festival of this city saying that it is a story of Filipino resiliency. “More than a time for revelry and colorful costumes, this annual event is an inspiring story of the Filipino resilience. It is proof that despite the many struggles and hardships we face, we can overcome any adversity through cooperation and perseverance,” Duterte said in his speech during the second to the last day highlight of the 39th MassKara Festival at the city public plaza on October 27, 2018. This is the third consecutive year that Duterte graced the MassKara Festival since he sat down as President in 2016. His daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte also came to join the festivities. Those who arrived for the festivities included former PNP Chief Ronald de la Rosa, former P/Supt. Cesar Mancao, Ilocos Governor Imee Marcos, Senators JV Ejercito, Cynthia Villar, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, and Visayas Presidential Assistant Michael Dino. They were welcome by city officials led by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Rep. Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and city councilors. Duterte said that, “As we celebrate the creativity and beauty of Bacolod, I laud the craftsmanship and talent that have been showcased throughout the entire festivities. The colorful and dynamic spirit of the Bacolodnons is indeed a true reflection of our identity as a people.” He added that the challenge of nation-building is an arduous task that requires dedication, commitment and hard work. “As you commemorate your 80th City Charter Anniversary – daw kadugay na man diay ni – I hope that this annual celebration will serve as a reminder to my fellow public servants and our beloved citizens to never hesitate in lending a helping hand and a warm smile to those in need, especially during times of calamities and distress,” he stressed. He also called on everyone to remain supportive of his administration’s programs and policies that aim to institute genuine reform in governance. “I am optimistic that with the important contributions of Bacolod City [to] our tourism and economic development, we will be able to achieve our hopes and aspirations for our beloved nation,” he added By Dolly Yasa
39TH MASSKARA FESTIVAL. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (2nd from left) shares a light moment with Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado Revilla (left), Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (center), Rep. Greg Gasataya (2nd from right) and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran during the highlights of the 39th MassKara Festival at the Bacolod Public Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO) BACOLOD CITY -- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio urged Bacolodnons to cooperate and unite with their local leaders to bring positive change as she thanked them for supporting the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte-Carpio, who graced the 39th MassKara Festival highlights at the Bacolod Public Plaza over the weekend, said she was sending a message of unity to the people of Bacolod because a leader draws strength and courage from his or her constituents. “Let me take this opportunity to personally thank you for supporting the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte,” she told the crowd at the plaza Saturday afternoon. As her contribution to the celebration, the Davao City mayor announced that she was giving a cash incentive of PHP10,000 to each of the 11 contingent schools in the street and arena dance competition of this year’s MassKara Festival. She also invited the MassKara Festival dancers to perform in the Kadayawan Festival next year. In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he is grateful to the presidential daughter for accepting Bacolod’s invitation to attend the MassKara Festival. “We asked her. She traveled from Davao to Bacolod and then she went back to Davao afterwards. We know how busy she is,” the mayor said. Leonardia added the call of Duterte-Carpio for unity is “universal.” “That is what could happen if our city officials are working together… I’m thankful to Mayor Sara. We let her know in many ways that in Bacolod, the top three officials are working together,” he said. (PNA) BACOLOD CITY, Oct. 26 – The opening of a new hotel in Bacolod City is expected to help generate employment and additional ta to the city here. Recently, Bacolod City welcomes the grand opening of a 54-room standard hotel over the weekend in time for the month-long Masskara Festival. The Bell Hotel has a dining area that can seat 40 people and a function room for 100 guests. Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran thanked the company managing the hotel, Global Comfort Group Corp. (GCGC), for the facility they operate that can accommodate the growing number of tourists going into the city. He said the hotel can definitely help generate jobs and contribute additional income for the city through tax. Bacolod City Councilor Em Ang, for her part, said the opening of the hotel will strengthen the city’s bid to become one of the country’s top destinations for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE). In addition, the city is promoting festival tourism and hopes to have more festivals that could reach the level of Masskara. Festivals, she said, is an income-generating activity. Bell Hotel Sector Head Cesar Canabal said the newly inaugurated hotel was recently voted as Best Standard Hotel in Bacolod City during the Bacolod City Tourism and Hospitality Awards 2018 last September. Bell Hotel in managed by ICON HOTEL that runs Apo View Hotel in Davao. By Balikbayan Media Center
BACOLOD. A total of 3,194 security forces were sent off for the 39th MassKara Festival in rites held at the Bacolod Government Center Monday. (Glazyl Masculino) A TOTAL of 3,194 security forces were sent off for the highlights of the 39th MassKara Festival in Bacolod City Monday, October 20, in rites held at the Bacolod Government Center (BGC).
Of the total number, 1,866 policemen, 779 force multipliers, 38 personnel from National Support Units (NSUs), and 511 from other support agencies were deployed this week for the festivity. Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said 572 BCPO personnel and 1,294 augmentation personnel from Police Regional Office (PRO)–Western Visayas and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) were detailed in their respective areas of assignment, particularly entry and exit points to ensure a safe and secure festival. It is supported by six personnel from the Highway Patrol Group, 16 from the Aviation Security Group, 16 from the Maritime Group, 50 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), 24 from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), 80 from the EPR, 16 from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and 341 traffic auxiliaries. Ebreo said the number of security forces this year increased by 25 to 30 percent because of different emerging situations, especially since the midterm elections is approaching. "We just have to make some adjustments on the number of personnel," he added. For other resources, three firetrucks, one man truck, 49 four-wheel vehicles, 54 motorcycles, 315 handheld radios, and 165 Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) equipment set which include shield, baton, and helmet will be utilized. Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, regional director of PRO-Western Visayas, whose message to the policemen was read by Chief Superintendent Carlito Feliciano, deputy regional director for administration, said the show of force intends to assure the readiness and response of the personnel. Bulalacao was not around during the sendoff ceremony after he met with Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde at Camp Crame in Quezon City yesterday. He reminded his men to be vigilant, alert, and stay focused while performing their duties. “Always scan your surroundings with suspicious groups or individuals. Report anything out of ordinary. Criminals and terrorists will just be around the corner, spot them. Always be ready for action while on duty,” Bulalacao said. He also emphasized that "sleeping and prolonged use of mobile phones will not be tolerated. Know fully well your roles and functions. Avoid being preoccupied when you are on duty. Put your mind and body within the context of your assignment." Bulalacao advised them to never forget to engage with the community because the public can help provide information about criminal elements. "Let us do things with solidarity, unity, and teamwork to attain success," he said. For his part, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran expressed his gratitude to the law enforcers and augmentation personnel for a guaranteed security in this year's MassKara festival. Meanwhile, Ebreo said only one MassKara-related incident happened at the BGC on October 19 since the opening of the festivity on October 8. The suspect in a theft incident was arrested but the victim refused to file a case against him, he added. Ebreo said the suspect was still charged with illegal possession of deadly weapon. He also added that they have no record of gun ban violators. Ebreo said signal jamming or the temporary shutting down of network services from all telecommunication companies will be implemented at the three festival sites - BGC, public plaza, and Lacson Tourism Strip from October 26 to 28. The Bell Hotel, located along San Juan Street in Bacolod City, opened over the weekend. The Bell Hotel, located along San Juan Street in Bacolod City, opened over the weekend.
“We’ve opened Bell Hotel to offer affordable rates and exciting tour packages to entice travelers,” said Laurence Peña, chief operating officer for Global Comfort Group, which also runs the Apo VIew Hotel in Davao City and the Icon Hotels chain in Metro Manila. The 54-room lodging establishment provides an array of amenities, along with tour packages for sights in and around Bacolod CIty. Also present for this weekend’s ribbon-cutting were Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Councilor Em Ang./WDJ The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently named Bacolod as a business-friendly local government unit under City Level 1 category. The citation, according to Mayor Evelio Leonardia, will help Bacolod attract more investors. BACOLOD City – It is still a nonworking holiday in this city on Oct. 19, clarified Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.
President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to sign into law House Bill (HB) 7044, which seeks to repeal Republic Act (RA) 7724, Familiaran said. The vice mayor stressed that he has to make such clarification to prevent confusion following questions about the holiday posted on social media. RA 7724 declares Oct. 19 of every year as the “Bacolod City Charter Day,” making it a special nonworking holiday in Negros Occidental’s capital city. Familiaran said this still stands, but added that Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri has informed him that HB 7044 was already forwarded to the Office of the President. HB 7044 aims to change the Bacolod City Charter Day from Oct. 19 to June 18 of every year. It was passed in the third and final reading at Senate on Sept. 10. Rep. Greg Gasataya filed the bill in Congress earlier this year upon the request of political ally Mayor Evelio Leonardia. RA 7724 “created the legally unfounded belief that the Bacolod City Charter Day is on Oct. 19,” said Leonardia. He added that then president Manuel Quezon signed Commonwealth Act 326 – which officially turned Bacolod into a city – on June 18, 1938. According to Gasataya, RA 7724 “bears with it the misconception that the city was created on the day of its formal inauguration and the first assembly of the city council on Oct. 19, 1938” thus “causing several problems.”/PN SENATOR Juan Miguel Zubiri turns over the architectural design and perspective of the P163-million museum for Bacolod City to City officials headed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran with Councilors Em Legaspi, Caesar Distrito, and Bart Orola on Oct 14, 2018 at the L’Fisher Hotel. (Dolly Yasa) BACOLOD City – Senate Minority Floor Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said on Oct 14, 2018 that the construction of the P163-million museum for Bacolod City is expected to start in the first quarter of 2019. Zubiri presented the architectural design and perspective of the multi-million museum to the media and the Bacolod City officials headed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran in a press conference held at L’Fisher Hotel here. With Familiaran were Councilors Em Ang, Caesar Distrito, and Bart Orola. Familiaran said Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has called him up and said that he could not be around for the presentation as he has to leave for Manila for an important matter. Zubiri said that the structure is not simply a museum but will have an amphitheater as well as an auditorium where events, meetings, and other activities can also be held. He said the structure will have a leaf design and is not a traditional museum. He also described it as an iconic and historic structure that will be one of the tourism attractions of Bacolod City in the future. Zubiri assured he has lobbied that the P163-million budget will be included in the 2019 budget and will be allocated in full for the museum and not the usual allocation released by tranches. He stressed that this would ensure that the project’s construction will be continuous until it is completed. The museum is targeted to be finished in more or less two years, Zubiri said. When asked why he has chosen Bacolod for the project, Zubiri who is yet due for re-election in 2022 said that, “We want to give back to the Bacolod and Negros, our roots are here.” He cited Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon whom he said has facilitated major projects for Iloilo. Zubiri added that the museum will be first of the many projects he has in line for Bacolod City and the province of Negros Occidental. He pointed out that the city government’s share is to provide the 5,000 square meter location. On his part, Familiaran said that there is already a location for the project and it will be announced by Leonardia himself. Familiaran added that the city officials are thankful to Zubiri for the project and they have acknowledged him as the city government’s godfather. By Dolly Yasa
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri announced yesterday the construction next year of a P163 million leaf-shaped environment friendly museum and auditorium in Bacolod City, “comparable to the beautiful iconic buildings in other parts of the world”.
“We want to leapfrog Bacolod City to the 21st century incorporating the modern with its historic structures,” Zubiri said at a press conference at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City, accompanied by Architect Leonilo Ramon Lichauco, Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and councilors Em Ang, Caesar Distrito and Bart Orola. Zubiri said construction of the museum and auditorium, designed by the Lichauco Guilas and Villanueva Architectural Firm, will be completed in two years. It will be comparable to the Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City in beauty on a smaller scale, he said. The senator said the legacy project, which he already presented to Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, will be constructed at no cost to the city government. He is seeing to the allocation of P163 million by the Department of Budget and Management in the 2019 budget. Familiaran said Leonardia will announce the site of the museum and auditorium to be located next to a coliseum to be built by the city government on October 25, during the MassKara Festival highlight. It will be a green museum as its four leaf-shaped roofs will be used to catch water and have solar panels to generate power, Lichauco said. The water will be recycled for the museum’s fountains and to maintain its grounds, while its glass panels will provide natural lighting inside the building, he added. The museum and auditorium that will cover about 4,800 square meters will have a wide awning at the entrance to protect those arriving from the rain, and will also have walkways, Lichauco also said. The museum will be a permanent site for showcasing the works of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental artists, which children from all over Negros can tour, Zubiri said. The 800-seater auditorium where plays and concerts can be staged, and symposiums can be held, can also be leased out by the city government, making it an income earner, Zubiri also said. It is one of the many projects he intends to bring to Bacolod and Negros Occidental, the senator said. Meanwhile, the bill declaring the Bacolod Charter Day on June 18 as a public holiday, that was approved by both houses of Congress, will lapse into law after 30 days in November, even if it is not signed by the president, Zubiri said. Usually local bills are just allowed to lapse into law, unless the president takes special interest, and holds a public signing, he said.* BACOLOD City – Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia strongly endorsed and vouched for Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran as an honest and hardworking vice mayor during the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COCs) of Grupo Progreso (GP) on October 11, 2018. Leonardia also urged the people of Bacolod to vote for Familiaran and make it a 15-0 sweep from mayor, vice mayor, congressman, and the 12 councilors under the GP. He said a 15-0 sweep of the GP line -up will ensure a harmonious working relationship among the city officials thus will benefit the city and the people. With Familiaran as vice mayor, Leonardia said the team-up between the executive and legislative is smooth sailing. “I could vouch for his honesty and integrity,” Leonardia stressed. Familiaran who is running for his second term is set to be challenged by former Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson who was also a one-time vice mayor of Leonardia. Leonardia also urged the people to give Congressman Greg Gasataya his second term. He noted that, “It has been proven that if the mayor and the congressman come from one party, projects for the city continue to be implemented without hitches.” He lamented that in the past, the city lost a major flyover project because the congressman allegedly “blocked” its implementation. Gasataya is set to be challenged by former Mayor Monico Puentevella. On the other hand, there seems to be no formidable opponent for Leonardia as businessman Vladimir Gonzales posted in his Facebook account, “After praying hard for God’s guidance, I’m setting aside politics for now…” Before Gonzales, Bacolod number one Councilor Ricardo Tan, who has declared he is running for mayor, came out with a declaration that he is ‘resting’ from politics and will not run for any elective position. On his part, Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano, who has also hinted to be eyeing the mayoralty post, said that he will no longer pursue it and will instead seek a third term as partylist congressman. By Dolly Yasa
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