PEACE AND ORDER MEETING. Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Department of the Interior and Local Government City Director Joy Maredith Madayag preside over the regular peace and order council meeting at the Bacolod City Government Center.*(EAD-PIA6 photo)
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Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and several councilors issued a joint statement last night, answering question surrounding the granting of the request of Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (BREDCO) to extend its port management for another 25 years. Familiaran said the Sangguniang Panlungsod voted in a bipartisan vote. “The councilors crossed partylines taking into consideration the city’s interest and what is fair and just. The votes came from 6 GP councilors (Caesar Distrito, Dindo Ramos, Elmer Sy, Em Ang, Cindy Rojas and Bart Orola), 3 MKK (Ann Marie Palermo, Sonya Verdeflor and Jun Gamboa) and Councilor Noli Villarosa from Aassociation of Barangay Captains. Councilor Renecito Novero abstained because of his professional connection with BREDCO,” Familiaran said. Councilor Distrito, for his part said, “The law provides that Obligations arising from contracts have the force of law between the contracting parties and should be complied with in good faith. The parties are free to establish stipulations, causes, terms and conditions as they may deem convenient, provided, they are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order, or public policy.” “Again, I would like to reiterate that the 1995 CRRA, the contract entered into by and between BREDCO and the City has already been found by the judicial courts to be binding and valid. The take over ordinance could no longer be used as a basis of the approval of the MOA considering the court has already declared it illegal,” added Distrito. On thr “rush” astion when the contract is yet to expire in two years time, Distrito added, “Thinkers are doers. So as Congress approves for several times bills that extends for 25 years the franchise of telecommunication companies such as Globe & Smart, GMA, MERALCO, and other top private corporations engaged in public utilities and services, and approved even more than two years before it expires, does congressmen, including himself, also made a TOTAL SELLOUT to the country’s most richest corporations? I don’t think so. I still presumed that they acted on it based on what is best for the public and the government. ” Councilor Ramos, on the other hand, also said, “the law specifically asks us not only to simply comply with our obligation to BREDCO but to comply (with) it with good faith. If we will open the port to a public bidding and only think about how much money the City of Bacolod will gain, we will not only dishonor our obligation to BREDCO and act in bad faith but also, we will be in violation of the very decision of the Honorable Court. If the latter happens, we will be at the losing end as the Honorable Court will uphold its decision that BREDCO is entitled of the option to operate and manage the port for another 25 years and compel us for specific performance of duty. Or the City can takeover, but we need to pay billions as damages and actual expense of BREDCO. Yes, there may be others who might be interested, but sad to say, the City is bound to the 1995 CRRA.” Councilor Ang, on her part, said, ”I would like to emphasize that we gathered a group of competent individuals who make up the Technical Working Group. They are tasked to give the Sanggunian an in-depth study regarding BREDCO’s renewal. Originally, they proposed an annual compensation of P5.2 million. Thus, the amount of P6 million, as agreed upon both by BREDCO and the Sanggunian, is still advantageous to the City. This is already 800% increase from the previous compensation that the city receives.” Councilor Rojas, on her part said that the reason why the City got only P800,000 because of the impasse between two parties and the loser is the City. “But because of this situation, the city got the back income of P8 million, we now have fixed P6 million per year, and assured of the future increase of 25%.” “It is also misleading that Vladimir Gonzales offered P20 million annually as there was nothing in his letter that mentioned about such amount and it is a total lie,” Councilor Orola on the other hand, said. On Gonzales, Councilor Ang also said, “if Vladimir is sincere in his intent to operate the port, is he willing to reimburse BREDCO of the cost of development that have been put in place for the last 23 years? Will he assure us that he will pay for the cost of suit if BREDCO brings us to court for violation of the CRRA? If he can do this, he does not have to increase his bid to P20M. We will also approve it for P6M!” Councilor Elmer Sy, also in the joint statement furnished NDB last night, said, they (opposing parties) must show any law that prohibits or require the exact period to renew a contract. “If there is a law, then we will not ratify it”, he said. P50-M A YEAR PLUS STORAGE FACILITIES & MODERN HANDLING EQUIPMENT. ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, businessman Vladimir Gonzales sought the Negros Daily Bulletin to air his contentions on the BREDCO Port management issue. Gonzales said his group is willing to pay even as high as P50 million a year for managing the port, saying it “is earning a lot every month and year”. The businessman said he is contemplating on filing charges against both the City and BREDCO for failure to review and adjust the compensation every five years as stipulated in the CRRA contract. He pointed out some provisions that he said favor any group that can give more than what a government unit can get than a favored entity. “Once we are able to get the management contract, our group will put up modern facilities that will enable bigger cargo ships to load and unload cargoes and even sugar and sugarcane by-products. We can put up facilities that will automate and speed up some vital cargo handling, loading and unloading services which are absent at BREDCO at this moment,” he said. Gonzales said the Technical Working Group (TWG) “based its recommendations not on facts. The TWG must also be composed of businessmen and independent individuals who have better grasp of the issues and matters at hand.” The businessman, who ran for mayor and vice mayor before but lost, said he is not politicking but presenting issues as a businessman, saying “what matters is that the BREDCO port must be advantageous to the city and not vice versa.”* (Arman P. Toga) By: Arman Toga Some 200 couples living together for quite sometime have exchanged vows yesterday, February 13, whom Mayor Evelio Leonardia solemnized at the lobby of the Bacolod City Government Center, giving impetus to the celebration of Valentine’s Day. This is a yearly event of the city usually held on February 14, but this time moved to February 13 because Feb. 14 happens to be Ash Wednesday. The oldest couple, Revicente Almedo, 59, an electrician who hails from Kalibo, Aklan decided to marry Leonora Eliazar, 47, resident of Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City.
They met in Manila in 2002 through text messages and later in 2007 went to Bacolod City to live together as couple. They are now 15 years as couple and are childless. Leonora said she is extremely happy because she could carry the family name of her husband. “I cannot explain the joy in my heart,” she said. Revicente is in love with the whole being of Leonora because she is really a model woman for him. Another couple who are living together for six years are Jeje Enario, 23, and Nancy Germino, 24, residing in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City. They also met in Manila, where Jeje worked at a Gasul dealer. They decided to go home to Nancy’s hometown, Bacolod City. They are still childless. They plan to have a church wedding in October. Aside from choosing the oldest couple, the mass wedding organizers also chose the 80th couple, who registered as number 80 among the 200 couple registrants. This is to emphasize the 80th year of Bacolod as a charter city. They were Romnick Gitalan and Sara Deopita. The best dressed couples were Marvin Conde and Eddie Bie Manaytay; Aljon Arcila and Charmaine Roca; and Eujane Sabino and Janice Medel. They received tokens from the city government. The principal sponsors were Philippine Statistics Authority-Bacolod assistant head Luis Gonzales, Mayor Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilors Em Ang, Cindy Rojas, Bart Orola, Bacolod City Civil Registrar Ronelo Pauyon, Cong. Greg Gasataya represented by his staff Mark Mayo, Marlon Solidum, George Zulueta, and Israel Salanga. Other principal sponsors in absentia: Councilors Caesar Distrito, Dindo Ramos, and Renecito Novero, The office of Mr. Pauyon facilitated the documents of the couple, and limit to 200 only so that it will be manageable. Gonzales reminded the couples to take good care of their documents like marriage certificate, birth certificate of their children, and even the death certificate because all of these are needed by their children. Orola advised the couples to make God the center of their lives. To Rojas, “husbands should always make their wives happy because a happy wife is a happy life.” Ang told them that their wedding is the start of their forever relationship. Zulueta and Solidum reminded them that married life has many storms to surpass. Vice Mayor Familiaran congratulated the couples for solidifying the foundation of their relationship. Leonardia, who solemnized the marriage of couples, said “we want this ceremony to establish a family, because an established family is an established city, thus, making a good city that also makes a good country.”*(EDITH B. COLMO) BACOLOD CITY Vice-Mayor El Cid M. Familiaran administers the oath of office of newly elected officers and Board of Directors of General Parents Teachers Association of Negros Occidental High School 2017-2018 headed by President Jerry P. Alonzo, Vice-President Jose De los Reyes Marañon, Secretary Simple Joy M. Peacita, Treasurer Chona W. Toral, Auditor Andrelu Nava, Board of Directors (Parents) Jose I. Ong, Patricio Lim, Edgar G. Velasco, Annabelle T. Oyco, Archie Pilarta, Jocelyn P. Toreses (Teachers) Cecil J. Ching, Roanne R. De Los Reyes, Haydee M. Lamela and Mary Grace G. Singson.* (Jun de los Reyes/NDB photo) Negros Occidental High School (NOHS), one of the pioneers and leaders in public secondary schools in Negros Occidental with more than 7,000 students, held its General Parents Teachers Association (GPTA) Assembly and Induction of Officers for 2017-2018 at the NOHS Quadrangle Saturday.
The Assembly was led by its President F/CInsp. Publio D. Ploteña who welcomed the crowd, followed by the message of Principal Mario S. Amaca who lauded the support of the GPTA for all their endeavors and projects for the development and progress of NOHS. He likewise thanked the presence of thousands of parents for participating in the activities of the school especially the annual event. He also challenged the incoming GPTA officials and gave them words of advice. Vice-Mayor El Cid M. Familiaran, guest of honor and inducting officer, in his inspirational message said that CHED, students, teachers and parents mean “success”. “It is through their support and cooperation that will lead the children to become productive citizens of our nation. The knowledge, skills, talents and abilities they learned, earned and developed in schools, guided by the spirit and principles of moral, social and spiritual values are their passport to become professionals someday.” Inducted into office were NOHS GPTA 2017-2018: President Jerry P. Alonzo, Vice-President Jose De Los Reyes Marañon, Secretary Simple Joy Peacita, Treasurer Chona W. Toral, Auditor Andrelu Nava; Board of Directors (Parents) Jose Ong, Patricio Lim, Edgar Velasco, Annabelle Oyco, Archie Pilarta, Jocelyn Toreses (Teachers) Cecil Ching, Roanne De Los Reyes, Haydee Lamela, Mary Grace Singson. Principal Mario S. Amaca and Vice-Mayor El Cid Familiaran gave a plaque of appreciation to outgoing NOHS GPTA officials 2016-2017: President FCInsp. Publio D. Ploteña, Vice-President Teofilo N. Agravante, Secretary Barbara Jane A. Tenerife, Treasurer Ritchell S. Villanueva, Auditor Atty. Joel P. Cabalatungan, Board of Directors (Parents) Jerry Alonzo, Rey Altura, Arthur Alvañez, Madee Celis, Jocelyn Q. Mateos, Ernesto S. Pineda, (Teachers) Jerlu Vincent G. Santillana, Earl Q. Pabiona, Ma. Albina A. Serra and Miguel Magbanua. Business Meeting followed and Reading of the Minutes of the Previous General Assembly, President’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, Presentation of Financial Report in Academic Excellence, Supreme Student Government, STEP, Ang Aninag, The Reflector, Inter-Class Meet/Sports and Medical/Dental, which were unanimously approved. Incoming President Jerry P. Alonzo delivered the closing remarks.*(JDReyes) DILG Bacolod head Carmelo Orbista will meet with the barangay officials and tanods on June 29 regarding security plans. This is part of thecity’s strengthening of security amidst terror threats, “so they can provide immediate response if something happens”.
Orbista said they will invite representatives from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bacolod Traffic Authority Office and National Bureau of Investigation, to help them come out with a security plan because they want all the barangays to have their own. According to Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran the barangay officials and tanods will also be the ones to give information to the PNP and the AFP if there are presence of suspicious looking individuals or groups in their barangays. Familiaran also said, they will hold a separate meeting with businessmen, and security agency owners and managers. “We can use them as force multipliers including the traffic enforcers. While they are on duty, traffic enforcers can help monitor suspicious looking persons to prevent similar incidents that happened in Iloilo and other places,” he said During the recent Peace and Order Council meeting, the AFP reported that out of the 96 barangays in Marawi, the presence of the Maute are only in four barangays. So they might create destabilization in other local governments to divert the concentration of the PNP and AFP. Familiaran said, the message being circulated in social media sites that the Maute group might enter Bacolod and Negros Island, is now being validated by the AFP, he said. So he appealed to the public to be vigilant against suspicious looking persons in their areas. “We should not allow them to disturb the peaceful situation in the city. We must not give them an opportunity by being complacent,” he said. Familiaran further said, The PNP and AFP are on alert and continue to monitor the entry of people to Bacolod City and Negros Occidental. * Edith Colmo Bacolod City Cong-ressman Greg Gasataya and Partylist Rep Stephen Paduano refiled the house bill on redistricting of Bacolod City which was previously authored by former Cong Anthony Golez in July 2016 however it was unapproved. This time Cong Paduano included the present situation of the barangays in the city.
Cong Gasataya has sought the position of city officials in Bacolod City on the proposed creation of the new legislative district in the city, which is consolidated as House Bill No. 147 or “An Act Reapportioning the Lone Legislative District of the City of Bacolod and thereby Creating a New Legislative District from such Reapportionment.” According to Cong Gasataya, the bill seeks to create another legislative district in Bacolod City due to its consistently increasing population, and in pursuit of efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of basic services and equal representation for the people of Bacolod. To concretize his Bill, Gasataya sent a letter to Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and members of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod dated February 15, Gasataya noted that the bill has already been referred to the technical working group, which he chairs, upon deliberation by the House Committee on Local Government. He also stated that a committee hearing was conducted yesterday by the committee on local government to study the proposed bills for redistricting which included the bills he and Partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano proposed. The requirement of the House Committee on Local Government is an SP resolution for the current term and the position of the City of Bacolod, he said. Therefore he sent a communication to the mayor, vice mayor and the City Council asking them for their positions to know if they are willing to have two congressional districts for Bacolod, as basis in calling for a meeting as chairperson of the technical working group that will study the proposal for the redistricting of Bacolod City, he added. The bills of Gasataya and Paduano will be reconciled together with the position of the city.* (Edith B. Colmo) “Hataw sa Lagoon” an Aero Dance Exercise Group celebrated its 12th anniversary hinged on the theme “A Dozen Year, We’re Still Together”, today, February 11, 2017 at Palma Beach. Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran joins the “Hataw sa Lagoon”, an aero dance exercise group, in celebrating its 12th anniversary today February 11, 2017 at Palma Beach, following the routine exercise at the Provincial Lagoon and a motorcade.*(VMO Photo)
The event kicked-off with the routine Aerobic exercise at 6:00 a.m. in front of the Provincial Capitol Lagoon followed by a motorcade proceeding to the event area. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran as theIr guest speaker, congratulated the effort of the group in spearheading said health-oriented activities for twelve years now. “I will always be grateful for people who have courage to start an organization that promotes health like the “Hataw sa Lagoon” group,” Familiaran said. The activity was joined by its regular members led by President Lina dela Cruz, Ludie De Luna Vice President for Internal Affairs and May Ortaliz, VP for External Affairs.* (Upper L-R): Lea Rose Aguirre, Amy Samanero, Jenny Peraren, Mylen Paragsa, Carmenia Quebrar, Josila Baradas, Renalyn Lagunday, Jacqueline Militante, (lower L-R): Doughlas Placer, Robert Yusay, Remia Quebrar, Nenita Caña, Mary Jane Mitchell Samorillo.*
As party of its renewed anti-criminality campaign, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), yesterday launched its anti criminality campaign called “Oplan: Bakbak” at the BCPO headquarters. Superintendent Noel Polines, chief of operations and planning unit of the BCPO said the aim of the campaign is to increase the number of cops who are patrolling the streets. The BCPO has assigned 120 police officers as part of the program, and comprises of motorcycle riding cops, beat patrollers which will rove the streets on foot, and checkpoint personnel which will be deployed randomly in vital areas of the city. Polines said most of the patrols will be concentrated in areas with a high number of robbery, theft, murder, and homicide incidents. The areas covered by the campaign are along the downtown area, all the way up to Lacson Street and up to Barangays Mandalagan, Bata, Villamonte, Taculing, Mansilingan, Tangub, Pahanocoy, Sum-ag, Banago, Granada, Handumanan and Vista Alegre. Police personnel will be assigned as foot patrols to the areas within 5 pm to 10 pm when most of businesses in the city have closed down for the night. The event was attended by Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, BCPO officer-in-charge Police Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, and BCPO Deputy Director for Administration Police Supt. Alexander Ermeo.* Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Negros Island Region(BJMP-NIR) launched Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program initially at Jose Torres Elementary School in Brgy. Singcang-Ariport in Bacolod last Friday, February 3, 2017. The activity was attended by parents, students and teachers. CIns Ruth Estales, Warden Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) lectures before parents, teachers & students of JR Torres Elem Sch. during the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program launched by BJMP together with (seated, left to right) JO1 Ma. Victoria Theresa Otom, SInsp. Nilon Magbanua, Supt. Larry Fuentes, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Supt. Amelito Fuentes last Friday, February 3, 2017.*(VMO photo)
Jail Superintendent Larry Fuentes, BJMP-NIR Provincial Administrator said the activity was in sync with the MASA MASID (Mama-mayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Iligal na Droga) program recently launched by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to fight corruption, illegal drugs and criminality. “We go down to schools in order to start drug abuse prevention as early as possible,” Fuentes said. Superintendent Amelito Fuentes, BJMP-NIR Assistant Regional Director for Administration, on the other hand said that BJMP’s role is to custody and rehabilitate in-mates. “We take this initiative to strengthen the national government’s effort in combating drug abuse down to the school level.” He added that as of January 2017, inmates in NIR totaled to 6,456 and 3,154 of which are drug-related cases. In Bacolod City, Brgy. Taculing jail has 854 inmates of which 551 are involved drug-related incidents. Meanwhile in Handumanan, Jail male inmates, totalling 164 drug-related cases out of 543 inmates. Female jail inmates on the other hand has 123 drug-related cases from a total of 163 inmates. Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who was an invited guest speaker, addressed the parents to closely monitor their children. Moreover, Familiaran congratulated the teachers of JR Torres Elem Sch. spearheaded by their Principal Normy Canja being the pioneer school to hold the lecture. The said activity was the first part of the four-module lectures which will be done in three more Fridays at the same school. One of the lecturers was Chief Inspector Ruth Estales who talked on Drugs and its Ill Effects and Parenting.* |
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