Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia is appealing to his political opponents not sabotage the city’s flagship projects so they can provide better services to the people. Leonardia yesterday said he was informed by Secretary of Finance Carlos Dominguez that someone from Bacolod went to the Department of Finance to prevent the city from obtaining a loan for these projects. The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod had granted the request of Leonardia for authority to obtain a loan of P1.7 billion from the DOF- Municipal Development Fund Office for several development projects for Bacolod City. Leonardia said he believes this will not prevent them from implementing major projects for the city. If the opportunity is there, and he does not avail of the loan, it is like letting an opportunity slip away. He believes nobody would take interest inblocking this except politicians who have ambitions for 2019. If they have no such ambition they will not take notice of this, or try to sabotage it, he said. They are doing that because they do not understand the workload of a mayor. The load is just so big, volume-wise. A mayor makes decisions and implements policies that have implications or impacts on the people and the city, Leonardia said. “We are trying to position Bacolod as one of the premier cities in Southeast Asia. And rightly so, as, for me, we are right on track,” he said. Leonardia said that during the last campaign, one of their promises was to restore business confidence. When he returned as mayor, the total business registration of the city increased to 21,340 as of June 30. So business is growing, business confidence has been restored, and that is a giant leap towards progress and development, and even prosperity for the city, he said “This can only be sustained and maximized if our city officials work together. That is why I give credit to Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran. Because of his support and cooperation, the executive and legislative branches, are in harmony,” Leonardia said. “For us to sustain and accelerate our growth, we need the help and support of everyone. Let us wait for the political season to come and then campaign. But right now, I am appealing to those who have political ambitions, to wait for their time because election will come,” he added. The flagship projects of the city include the development of the Progreso Village Relocation Site (PVRS) and the Bacolod City College; the construction of Bacolod MassKara Coliseum; construction of roads and bridges; establishment of the South and East Transportation Terminals and the Public Safety ICT Solution.*CGS BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
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The Bacolod city government completed yesterday the distribution of 68,000 free school bags with school supplies to pupils of 46 public elementary schools, a press release from the mayor’s office said. The distribution yesterday benefited 4,017 pupils from five public schools, namely, Villa Esperanza Elementary School in Barangay Tangub - 639 school bags; Pahanocoy Baybay Elementary School in Barangay Pahanocoy - 567 bags; Jose J. Gonzaga Elementary School in Barangay Mansilingan - 1,548 bags; Luis B. Puentevella Elementary School in Barangay Taculing - 849 and Bacolod City SPED Center in Barangay 14 -414 bags. Leading the ceremonial distribution were Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who represented Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Councilor Bartolome Orola, and Barangay Singcang-Airport Kagawad Simple Distrito. School principal Herminio Remada Jr. said,”In behalf of Pahanocoy Baybay Elementary School parents and staff we would like to say thank you to the city government for giving us school supplies for the benefit of our pupils. Thank you, Mayor Bing and the rest of the City Council.” Bacolod City SPED Center PTA vice president JonalynAbelaralso thanked the city officials for their held to the school children.* The demolition of the houses of informal settlers living along the riverbank beneath the Lupit Bridge in Bacolod City has been suspended for one weekon the request of the affected families, acting Bacolod Mayor El Cid Familiaran said yesterday. The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution Wednesday asking the City Legal Office to observe a one week moratorium to give the informal settlers time to work out their relocation, Familiaran said the informal settlers made the appeal before the Sangguniang Panlungsod during its regular session Wednesday. But even without the resolution of the SP, the enforcement team should stop the demolition if it rains, he said. Familiaran said suspension began Thursday and the demolition will resume after a week since the widening of the bridge cannot be further delayed. Because they are living under the bridge, they have been sent several notices to vacate the area since last year because the Lupit Bridge has to be widened, he said. Familiaran said the affected families have been asked to submit several requirements for the Bacolod Housing Authority to determine if they are qualified or not to avail of a lot at the relocation site. If they are not voters of Bacolod, they are therefore not residents of the city and if they have been previously awarded lots at the relocation site, they are no longer qualified to avail of one, he said. The lot provided by the city at the Vista Alegre-Granada relocation site is already a form of assistance to them. But as to the financial assistance they are asking, he suggested that they write the mayor, Familiaran said. He said there are still about 6,000 lots to be developed by the city at the relocation site and this is one of the priority projects of Mayor Evelio Leonardia. The development of the relocation site will be allocated a budget of P350 million. The Bacolod City Legal Office-Enforcement Team started the demolition of 25 houses near the San Antonio Abad Church, at the boundary of barangays Singcang-Airport and 40 in Bacolod City, Wednesday to pave the way for the widening of the Lupit Bridge. City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan had said that the demolition has dual purpose which involves public welfare and public interest. Bayatan said the relocation of the informal settlers is for their safety since they are living in a danger zone which could put their lives at risk in times of calamities. He said they are widening the Lupit Bridge to ease traffic in the main roads of the city particularly along Lacson Street where the bridge is located. The project has long been delayed when it could have been started earlier. Bayatan said the affected families were informed six months ago of the demolition and this has the clearance of the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor after it went through several processes.*CGS BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO A total of 2,706 pupils from three public elementary schools in Bacolod received free school bags with supplies in separate distribution rites yesterday, a press release from the mayor’s office said. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who represented Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Councilor Bartolome Orola, Barangay Mandalagan Captain Arturo Parreño, SK chairperson Mary Joy Galleto, and DepEd representatives led the distribution. Yesterday’s recipients were pupils of Abkasa Elementary School in Barangay Mandalagan with 684 school bags; Mandalagan Elementary School -1,546 bags; and Isla Elementary School in Barangay Villamonte - 476 bags. The city government is distributing 68,000 free school bags with school supplies to 46 public elementary schools in Bacolod. As of yesterday, a total of 57,760 school bags have been distributed to pupils of 35 schools. More school bags will be distributed today and Monday, the press release added.* Well-loved Bacolod City Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia celebrated his birthday Tuesday at the SMX Convention Center in the City of Smiles. It was a powerhouse gathering of political, civic, religious, and society pillars in this part of the country. More than 2,000 guests arrived for the special occasion and shared birthday cheers with Mayor Bing. Among the highlights of the affair included a special song number rendered by his close friends and family. Notable performers during the celebration included celebrity Ced Torecarion, who flew in from Manila. Rep. Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran attended the celebration, with councilors Caesar Distrito, Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Em Ang, Elmer Sy, Ana Marie Palermo, Dindo Ramos, Bartolome Orola, and Sonya Verdeflor, City Administrator John Orola, and 48 barangay captains of Bacolod. Under the celebrator’s leadership, Bacolod City continues to reap unprecedented awards and recognitions, including as most liveable urban center in the country. Mayor Bing is the longest serving chief executive of the city. He first became councilor, then vice mayor, mayor and eventually congressman of the lone district, then returned as mayor upon the requests of the citizens of Bacolod.* La Vida Negrense with Radjie Caram Jr. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said he wants the growth and prosperity of Bacolod City to accelerate and that his wish is to see that it will really be established as one of the premier cities of the Philippines, if not of Southeast Asia. “That can only happen if our city officials work together,” he said in an interview at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City during his 66th birthday celebration attended by more than 2,000 guests, which included family, friends, local officials, businessmen and supporters. In his address Leonardia gave an update on the recent major developments of Bacolod City. There is no doubt Bacolod is moving forward and, in fact, it is accelerating, he said. “We have more reason now to see to it that we nurture our city and sustain its growth, development and prosperity,” he said. Leonardia said they are also expecting the barangays to help them in this march towards progress and prosperity. “You are part and parcel of the growth, development and prosperity of the city. We can move the city forward if we have the barangays with us,” he said, at the affair attended by the majority of the city’s barangay captains. SIGNS OF CONFIDENCE He said the presence of the country’s major property firms like Megaworld Corp., SM Prime Holdings, Robinson’s Land Corp., Ayala Land Inc., and Cebu Landmaster Inc., are a sign of investors’ confidence in Bacolod City. “Definitely, Bacolod has grown so big. The city is marching towards growth, development and prosperity. But this can only be sustained if our city officials and congressman and all of us will work together for the good of Bacolod,” Leonardia said. “So I appeal to everyone to cooperate so we can reach our dreams for the city. We are doing this for the sake of our children because we know they are our future,” he said. ULTIMATE GOAL Leonardia said that whether there are political detractors or not, “Let us set our minds on our ultimate goal to make Bacolod one of the best cities, not just in the Philippines but in Asia.” Meanwhile, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said he is proud to call Leonardia his leader, his mayor, his boss, because his leadership has brought progress and development to the city. This can only be done by a dedicated and hardworking public servant like him (Leonardia), the vice mayor said. Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya said he thanked the mayor for the friendship and their working partnership over the years. May he have more energy and more wisdom as he continues to lead the city to a higher level, he said. The mayor’s well-wishers also included Councilors Caesar Distrito, Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Em Ang, Elmer Sy, Ana Marie Palermo, Dindo Ramos, Bartolome Orola, and Sonya Verdeflor, and City Administrator John Orola. Also at the affair were Bago Mayor Nicholas Yulo, Victorias Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, former mayor Luzviminda Valdez, and former councilors Carlos Jose Lopez, Roberto Rojas, and Archie Baribar. The celebration was also attended by 48 barangay captains of Bacolod. Bacolodnon actor Ced Torrecarion, who currently stars in the teleserye “The Blood Sisters” of ABS-CBN, rendered a special number. An upside down 10-minute on-the-spot mural painting depicting Leonardia, the Bacolod City Government Center, and the people of Bacolod that kicked off the program proper was heartily applauded by the gathering. The birthday celebration also featured video greetings of several councilors, businessmen, and former officials, as well as the Bacolod City government employees.*CGS BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO Bacolod City was named for the second straight year among the “most livable urban centers in the country.” During the Search for the Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities 2018 of The Manila Times, the “City of Smiles” was adjudged 1st runner-up, after Davao City, the city mayor’s office announced yesterday. Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who accepted the award at ceremonies held at the Conrad Hotel yesterday, said the award was “inspiring, considering that we were competing with other big and dynamic cities, including Davao City. If we come right after Davao, that is still something to crow about. Likewise, this ranking shows how consistent we are.” Aside from the major award, Bacolod was also cited as “Most Business-Friendly City,” one of the categories of the contest. Last year, Bacolod was the grand winner in the Top Philippine Model City 2017 Awards – the first edition of the said contest of The Manila Times, the oldest newspaper in the country at 120 years old. Leonardia received the plaque from The Manila Times president and chief executive officer Dante “Klink” Ang and chief operating officer Blanca Mercado. Also present were Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilor Bartolome Orola, City Administrator John Orola, City Tourism Officer Ma. Elma Gerasmo, City Development Council Vice Chairman George Zulueta, Permits and Licensing head Stela Rose Rayos, LIEP (Local Economic and Investment Promotions) Officer Jonah Javier, and private secretary Edwina Javier. VALIDATION In an interview after the awarding ceremony, Leonardia said he was ecstatic. “We are very, very pleased. This, for me, is a validation and proof of consistency. Last year, we were called as the ‘Top Model City’ and this time we came very close to that, after Davao.” The mayor said the first runner-up finish of Bacolod further validated what people say about and experience in Bacolod. MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY “What is even an added incentive and inspiration is that we were given a special title as the ‘Most Business-Friendly City’ by the evaluating team of The Manila Times,” the mayor said. “Bacolod is really growing, and not just growing – in fact, it’s growing very rapidly. All the big players are here now and the developments are all over the city. Now it can be told that ‘Bacolod is the next big thing,’” Leonardia said. Familiaran said, “As the vice mayor, it is an honor for me and the entire Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod to receive this award, and this is an inspiration for us to do better than best next year.” Councilor Orola said he “cannot express his happiness” upon learning that Bacolod City made it again to the Top Philippine Model Cities’ list. As a first-time councilor, he is very proud to accompany the mayor in receiving the award, he said. This only shows the spirit of team work among city officials, he added. City Administrator Orola said, “I’m very happy that Bacolod City made it again. As you all know, the mayor, as well as the vice mayor, our Sanggunian members, officers and all those in the bureaucracy contributed to all these efforts.” “But, of course, under the leadership of Mayor Leonardia, I can see hisdynamism, I can see that the progress going on in Bacolod City is a manifestation and indication that Bacolod indeed is on the right track. So, as the mayor says, ‘Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead, let us move forward’.” Meanwhile, Laoag City was declared second runner-up in the search. The chairman of the board of judges was Lea Roque, principal and head of Tax Advisory and Compliance of P & A Grant Thornton.* Mayor Evelio Leonardia (5th from left) accepts the award of Bacolod City from The Manila Times president Dante “Klink” Ang and French expat Gilles Hage of Lamudi, a property search firm, in the presence of Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilor Bartolome Orola, City Administrator John Orola, and City Development Council vice chairman George Zulueta.* Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya yesterday said he has requested for a feasibility study from the Bureau of Design of the Department of Public Works and Highways for the construction of an underpass in Bacolod City. Gasataya said the proposal has the support of Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and it is the DPWH that will provide the budget. “We believe that an underpass is better than an overpass,” he said in an interview over Aksyon Radyo. Gasataya said they have identified areas in Bacolod City where the underpass will be constructed. They are waiting for the feasibility study of the proposed project, but the DPWH-BOD requires that it should be constructed on a road with six lanes. Meanwhile, Leonardia said that because of his good relationship with Gasataya, the projects he has started when he was yet congressman are being finished by the latter like the Bacolod Economic Highway, Araneta-Magsaysay flyover, drainage projects, Homesitebridge, etc. He also recalled that there were also 13 local roads he had proposed to be converted to national roads. He said Bacolod District Engineer Abraham Villareal has the clearance of Gasataya to coordinate with the city in the implementation of projects. Gasataya said the construction of the Bacolod Economic Highway is almost three kilometers complete in Brgy. Sum-ag while the construction of another 2-kilometers in Mansilingan will start soon. By June the construction of the portion from Vista Alegre to Burgos extension will also start. MUTUAL RESPECT He and the mayor have mutual respect for each other and they complement with each other in terms of projects, he said. Gasataya said that in 2017, about P1.8 billion worth of projects from the national were implemented in Bacolod because of the good working relationship between the congressman, mayor and vice mayor. In 2018, Bacolod has about P1.5 billion worth of ongoing projects from the national government plus another P700 million for the construction of classrooms, which is due for bidding by June, he said. Leonardia said the city and the national government represented by Gasataya must really work together. “If we want to move faster and accelerate the growth of Bacolod, our top city officials must really work together,” he said. TRUST AND CONFIDENCE Gasataya said that all projects from the national government for Bacolod City need corresponding resolution of support from the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Familiaran. All over the Philippines, the DPWH-Bacolod is number one in terms of efficiency in the implementation of projects because it has support from the mayor and vice mayor, he said. On the other hand, Familiaran said this is the first time Bacolod has overtaken Iloilo City in terms of budget, because of the trust and confidence of taxpayers in the Leonardia administration.*CGS BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev and Dmitry Larionov, first secretary of the Embassy of Russian Federation in the Philippines, joined Bacolod City officials, led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, during a boodle fight at the 1 st Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival in Bacolod City Saturday. Khovaev, who declared the festival officially open, congratulated Bacolod City for the success of the event, and said that the chicken inasal is “the most delicious chicken” he has tasted. “It’s enjoyable,” he said, adding that it satisfied his stomach and heart. He believes chicken inasal can attract more tourists to Bacolod City, Khovaev said. Leonardia said the festival is to declare to the world that the best and original chicken inasal originated in Bacolod. Three thousand pieces of chicken inasal were grilled over a 300-meter long barbeque grill that stretched along Araneta Street, from the Golden Jubilee Tower to San Sebastian Street. About 50 street children were also invited to join the boodle fight. Leonardia said the festival must also have a social responsibility angle. “For them, it is already a fiesta to eat chicken inasal so we’re giving them an opportunity to be filled and be happy.” The mayor told the Russian envoy during the opening program, that “Your presence here today symbolizes that you are representing the world.” Leonardia said the Ambassador will now promote chicken inasal. Now that he has been with us, the Russian tourists will surely come, as well as the rest of the world. He also asked Bacoleños to ensure that the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival will grow and develop and become one of the major tourist attractions of the city. Festival chairman, Councilor Cindy Rojas, said the festival will help promote food tourism in Bacolod. “This is also a way of showing the world that the city has the best chicken inasal. Chicken inasal is synonymous to Bacolod,” she said. Rojas said they plan to have a longer barbeque grill next year. They plan to make it 500-meter to 1,000-meter long. She said that out of the 25 establishments that joined the festival, about 12 were from the Manokan Country. She also thanked the police for securing the festival site that no pilferage was reported. Leonardia said they will study if the acceptance of the people is overwhelming before they can consider joining the Guinness Book of World Record. The mayor thanked everyone who made the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival possible, citing Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and councilors Em Ang, Rojas, Dindo Ramos, Ana Marie Palermo, and Elmer Sy.*CGS BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO The Yanson Group of Bus Companies that operates Ceres Liner donated a P3.6-million bus to the Bacolod City government, and a refurbished tourist bus owned by the city. The turnover of the two buses was heldat the Bacolod City Government Center grounds yesterday. Representing YGBC president and chief executive officer Leo Rey Yanson, at the turnover rites were Business Diversification manager Casey Olive Yanson, assistant chief finance officer Jerica Leanne Ramos, and Security, Fuel, and Public Relations head, Miloy Seva. Receiving the buses were Mayor Evelio Leonardia, with Councilors Cindy Rojas, Em Ang, Elmer Sy, and Bartolome Orola, and former councilor Roberto “Bobby” Rojas. Both the donated 55-seater bus and the refurbished 66-seater bus were painted red, with photos of MassKara Festival dancers and the line, “Smile! You’re in Bacolod.” Speaking on behalf of the Yansons, Casey said their family considers Bacolod as more than a home, and they are happy to give back to the city where their business grew. “I hope that this donation of a 55-seater bus becomes a symbol of the harmonious relationship that we have and I hope that it would be a help to the city and to the community,” she told the city officials. In response, Leonardia told the Yanson and the YGBC, “We would like to thank you because you likewise represent the business and the community in general in Bacolod City, which is precisely what we would like to establish while we are in this administration. We would like a harmonious and, most of all, a productive relationship between the government and the private sector,” the mayor told the YGBC officials. “Literally and figuratively, we will go a long way because of these buses,” the mayor added. Leonardia also thanked the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod through Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran for ratifying the contract between the donor and the city. “For us, this is a very big boost to our tourism efforts”, he said.* |
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