Bacolod police OIC told to focus on campaign vs. drugs

BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Evelio Leonardia has told the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to focus on the campaign against illegal drugs.

Senior Supt. Henry Biñas took over the top post of the Bacolod City police on Monday from Senior Supt. Francisco Ebreo who was ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to step down over the weekend due to his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia (left) receives Senior Supt. Henry Biñas, newly appointed officer-in-charge of Bacolod City Police Office, during his courtesy call at the Bacolod City Government Center on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO

“Every time there’s a new OIC, the illegal drugs is always one of those I would I ask them to focus on. We know that in the entire Philippines that is the problem. We have a President who is passionate about this concern,” the mayor said on Monday.

Leonardia is scheduled to meet with Biñas late Tuesday afternoon at the Bacolod City Government Center.

On Monday, the staff officers and 10 station commanders of BCPO paid a New Year’s call on the mayor.

The mayor refused to comment on the President’s revelation about the links of Ebreo and four other police officers in Bacolod to illegal drugs.

“Basically, it’s a police matter which I’m not privy to. I think we should wait for the developments. Let us take it as it is, meaning the President has spoken. The best thing to do is to wait for the next move. We will take it from there,” Leonardia said.

“I’d like to believe this is about intelligence gathering. Those things don’t reach our level,” he added.

Leonardia admitted though that, along with Rep. Greg Gasataya, he had been seeking the transfer of Ebreo since May last year because of several considerations.

“We we’re no longer at ease or comfortable with the situation. We we’re informed that our political opponents were paying him visits, the likes of Cano Tan (Councilor Ricardo Tan) and Congressman Paduano (Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano),” he said.

“We we’re wondering why he did not report it to us. It’s hard to work with a police chief who does not have your complete confidence,” the mayor said.

He also said that Ebreo did not consult him before initiating a reshuffling of the station commanders, and also pulled out police personnel from the city’s enforcement units.

However, Leonardia said despite the differences of approach between him and the former police chief, there had been no disruption of police services.

“Let me be clear about this. It doesn’t mean that there’s a disruption of police services because our assistance to the police continues,” he said.

Leonardia noted that the city government provides the BCPO a financial assistance of almost PHP22 million every year.

“It is a consistent and a substantial assistance,” the mayor said. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058919

Registered business enterprises in NegOcc up by 17%

BACOLOD CITY — The total registered businesses in Negros Occidental increased by almost 17 percent in 2018, records of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have showed.

Last year, there were 12,536 business names registered, from only 10,706 in 2017.

In 2018, the total number of registered businesses included 10,894 new enterprises and 1,642 renewals. In 2016, the list of registration included 7,562 enterprises.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental, through the Negosyo Center in Bacolod City, accepts clients applying for business name registrations.
*Photo courtesy of Engiemar Tupas/DTI-Negros Occidental*

Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said on Tuesday the increase in business registration can be mainly attributed to the establishment of Negosyo Centers in the province.

Since 2015, a total of 23 Negosyo Centers have been established in Negros Occidental.

These facilities are providing business name registration services aside from delivering entrepreneurial and business development interventions to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Tupas said enterprise owners in some localities no longer need to go to the DTI provincial office in Bacolod to process their business name registration.

They can now do it through the Negosyo Centers nearest them, he added.

“Negosyo Centers have enabled the agency to bring its services closer to the people especially the MSMEs,” Tupas said.

The establishment of Negosyo Centers is provided under Republic Act 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act, to provide MSMEs the ease of doing business and facilitate access to grants and other forms of financial assistance, and shared service facilities, among others.

Tupas said the province’s growing economy and its business-enabling environment are driving up the creation of more enterprises.

“In effect, more enterprises result in generation of more employment in the province,” he added.

The DTI collects a registration fee of PHP215 from businesses within the barangays, and PHP515 for those in the cities and municipalities.

The fee is PHP1,015 for regional businesses, and PHP2,015 for those national in scope.

“Registrants are urged to register first with the DTI before proceeding to the Bureau of Internal Revenue and local government unit in processing their mayor’s permit,” Tupas said. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058920

Comelec urges Bacolod bets to promote clean, peaceful polls

BACOLOD CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged the local candidates here to promote clean and peaceful elections on May 13.

City Election Officer Mavil Majarucon-Sia made the call after the Comelec, together with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, led a unity walk, prayer rally, and peace covenant signing at the Bacolod public plaza on Sunday, January 13.

“We just want to remind them, our mandate is to make sure that we have clean, honest and credible elections. They have to bear with us, if from time to time, we send them notices in relation to their violations of the campaign rules,” she said.

Some of the candidates in Bacolod City led by Rep. Greg Gasataya (2nd from left) and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran (right) after the prayer rally and signing of the peace covenant at the Bacolod public plaza on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019.
*Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver*

The candidates who attended the signing activity were mostly from the ruling Grupo Progreso led by reelectionists Rep. Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who both said their presence shows their support to the call of the poll body.

Part of the covenant read: “I sign this Integrity Pledge for free, orderly honest, peaceful and credible elections, and through my words and actions commit to abide by the tenets of our Constitution, election laws, rules and regulations, respecting the sanctity of our electoral exercise.”

Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who went to Kalibo, Aklan, to fulfill an annual religious vow, missed the peace covenant signing, but said in a statement that he is “very willing to sign (it) and would gladly do so anytime when he comes back.”

He added that his signatures in the peace covenant in all previous elections were as good for the coming elections.

Sia said the signing of the integrity pledge during the ceremony was merely symbolic since the candidates already signed a similar document when they filed their certificates of candidacy last October.

“We hope and pray that this will be a peaceful and credible elections for Bacolod City so we can maintain our record. In the May 2016 elections, Region 6 (Western Visayas) was awarded as the most peaceful region,” she added.

Chief Insp. Ariel Pico, public information officer of BCPO, said the activity in Bacolod has been successful as part of the simultaneous kickoff of the election period nationwide.

Only a few of the candidates were not able to attend, he added.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, who attended the separate unity walk and peace covenant signing for provincial candidates in Negros Occidental at the Capitol Lagoon and Park, said the Philippine Army supports the poll body in its aim for peaceful and orderly elections.

“Our mandate is to guarantee the safety and orderliness of the coming elections. To all the stakeholders, I said if we can walk together, we can work together,” he added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058776

New OIC police chief for Bacolod named

BACOLOD CITY — The regional police chief of Western Visayas has confirmed that the head of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has vacated his post after being fired by President Rodrigo Duterte, and a new official has been named to replace him.

Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, director of Police Regional Office-6, in a text message to the Philippine News Agency, said he has designated Senior Supt. Henry Biñas as officer-in-charge of the Bacolod police effective Sunday, January 13.

Biñas, who is in Iloilo City, said in a telephone interview that he was preparing to assume the top post of BCPO.

Before his latest assignment, Biñas was chief of the Regional Personnel and Human Resource Development Division of PRO-6 based in Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City, and was previously director of Iloilo City Police Office and Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office.

Duterte ordered the relief of Ebreo on Saturday, Jan. 12, after receiving reports of his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

The Chief Executive named Ebreo and four other police officers here as drug protectors while speaking before an audience in a private function at L’Fisher Hotel in this city.

The four others are Supt. Allan Macapagal, deputy city director for operation; Supt. Ritchie Yatar, chief of City Mobile Force Company; Supt. Nassrudin Tayuan, former team leader of City Drug Enforcement Unit; and Senior Insp. Victor Paulino, former chief of Police Station 3, who was re-assigned to the City Mobile Force Company last month.

The five relieved police officials were told to report to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit at the PRO-6 headquarters in Iloilo City.

The relief of Ebreo came 14 months after he assumed post as OIC city police director in November 2017.

In May last year, Ebreo and Paulino were awarded the Philippine National Police Medal of Merit for demonstrating exemplary competence and commendable performance during the operation against notorious drug leader Ramy Poja, the number one most wanted person of Police Station 3, who was killed after a hot pursuit operation in Sitio Sibucao, Barangay Banago.

In 2018, the BCPO seized more than PHP42.157 million worth of shabu in 432 operations. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058764

Bacolod to host Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra for 2-night concert

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) will hold a free two-night concert in this city on January 31 and February 1 to boost the people’s interest in the performing arts.

The PPO, a resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), is considered as the country’s leading orchestra and is widely regarded as one of the top musical ensembles in the Asia-Pacific region.

On the first night, the group will perform at the SMX Convention Center Bacolod, and the next night, they will hold an open-air concert at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he initiated the visit of the musical ensemble because he believes Bacolod has to grow in all aspects, including culture.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra performing in ‘A Christmas Festival’ at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last December.
*Photo from the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Facebook page*

He invited barangay residents to watch the concert.

Councilor Em Ang, who has been designated as project manager, said they started meeting with CCP president Arsenio Lizaso and other CCP officials last year for the inclusion of the Bacolod event in the PPO’s 2019 concert calendar.

“This is part of the PPO’s outreach program, which aims to promote music appreciation in underserved communities in the different regions in the country. We are fortunate that it has chosen Bacolod to promote their music,” she added.

Ang also said that bringing the PPO performances to Bacolod will boost the city’s efforts to revive the people’s interest in the performing arts.

In December 2016, the PPO also held a Christmas concert in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

Its previous performances in Western Visayas were held in Iloilo City and Antique last year. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058646

New generation BSP building to rise in Bacolod City

BACOLOD CITY — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will construct a “new generation” complex in this city to “further calibrate and enrich the growth of Bacolod.”

“Bacolod City has consistently seen vigorous economic expansion, expanding infrastructure development, and a high influx of investments. Indeed, it is among the most active growth corridors in the country,” BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said in a message read by Monetary Board member Felipe Medalla during the groundbreaking and time capsule laying rites held on Wednesday.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (5^th from right) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas officials lay down the time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new generation BSP-Bacolod Branch complex at the reclamation area on January 9, 2019.
*Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO*

The structure, which will rise on a 5,000-square meter property at the reclamation area, will be the future home of the BSP-Bacolod Branch, which has been occupying a building on corner Lacson St. and Luzuriaga St. for more than 30 years.

Espenilla said the new complex will enable the BSP to enhance its services, particularly in the areas of currency management, financial inclusion, and financial and economic awareness.

He added the BSP looks forward to sustaining its support for the city’s mission “to endeavor to build, strengthen, and enhance Bacolod’s economic fundamentals, infrastructure, social services, human resources and public governance.”

Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who was the special guest during the rites, said that if the BSP is expanding its operations in Bacolod, it must have seen something right in the city.

“Thank you so much for making us feel assured and we are flattered by your confidence. This is quite awesome for us here in Bacolod to have the Monetary Board transplanted in Bacolod City, finally,” the mayor said in his message.

Leonardia added that for Bacolod, which is one of the most business-friendly and the most competitive cities in the country, the BSP expansion, as well as the recent opening of the Securities and Exchange Commission extension office, completes its picture as a growing and dynamic city.

“Altogether, having the Bangko Sentral, I believe it has completed the picture in Bacolod. Together with the people of Bacolod and all these dynamic people who are making Bacolod grow by leaps and bounds, we welcome you and we hope to see that Bacolod will even grow faster because you’re here. So, if you grow, we grow and let us grow together,” the mayor added.

During the ceremony, Medalla was joined by other Monetary Board members, among them Juan de Zuñiga Jr., Peter Favila, Antonio Abacan Jr., and V. Bruce Tolentino, as well as BSP officer-in-charge and governor’s alternate Diwa Guinigundo, deputy governor Chuchi Fonacier, and BSP Bacolod deputy director Joanne Marie Castelo. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058549

Bacolod extends business permit one-stop-shop until Feb. 28

BACOLOD CITY — The one-stop-shop for business permits registration in this city, originally set from Jan. 3 to 20, has been extended until Feb. 28 following the approval of the City Council.

Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of committee on laws and ordinances, said they passed on January 9 an ordinance for the extension of the deadline upon the request of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI).

“To assist our taxpayers and businessmen, we extended the deadline so they will not pay a penalty or surcharge (even if they renew after Jan. 20),” he said.

Information desk personnel assist clients applying for business permits registration at the Business One-Stop-Shop situated at the lobby of the Bacolod City Government Center.
Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver

Business taxpayers who pay in full can avail of a 10-percent discount. Those renewing permits after Jan. 20 and will meet the Feb. 28 deadline will not be charged a 25 percent penalty.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier said he received a request from the MBCCI for an extension of the filing of permits and tax payment for the first quarter.

As of Jan. 8, the City Mayor’s Office-Permits and Licensing Division has received permit applications from 6,281 business establishments.

“I’m happy with this development because it shows that we sustain our efforts as a business-friendly city, and it’s very important,” the mayor said.

In 2018, Bacolod posted a record-high of 23,187 business permits registration, an indication that business confidence has been restored in the city, Leonardia said.

Between 2015 and 2018, business permits registration increased by 23.22 percent — from 18,817 to 23,187 by Dec. 31, 2018.

Last year’s registration was 5.33 percent higher than the 22,004 establishments registered in the entire 2017. The 2017 figures are higher by 15.68 percent compared to the 19,021 approved permits in 2016.

Stela Rose Rayos, head of the Permits and Licensing Division, said the processing of business permits this year is faster because the system is now fully automated, which makes the procedure easier.

The three standard steps for renewal only include encoding/assessment, payment/clearances, and receiving/releasing of mayor’s permit. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058531

NegOcc farmers get P87-M in crop insurance claims

BACOLOD CITY — A total of 18,005 enrolled rice and corn farmers in Negros Occidental received indemnity claims from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) amounting to almost PHP87 million in 2018.

Jose Ma. Torres, head of PCIC-Negros Occidental Provincial Extension Office, said the claims were paid through the government’s various insurance programs.

These include the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP), Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA), Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP), Sikat Saka Program (SSP), and similar initiatives.

Figures of PCIC-Negros Occidental showed that in 2018, almost PHP85.9 million were paid to 17,627 rice farmers covering an area of 17,788.13 hectares while PHP1.327 million went to 378 farmers with areas totaling 324.96 hectares.

The NFUCIP is being implemented by the PCIC in partnership with the provincial government of Negros Occidental through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

Other programs are carried out through partner-agencies, such as RSBSA, which is under the Department of Budget and Management.

Torres said these do not include insurance lines for livestock, fishery, and credit and life-term insurance.

“We will continue to implement these programs as funds are available to cover more farmers,” he said.

He noted that many farmers in Negros Occidental are still not covered, including those in areas considered “difficult” to reach.

Torres said the PCIC has been stepping up measures to raise awareness about its programs by partnering with local government units.

Insurance programs are vital as these enable farmers to recover from possible losses brought by calamities and other factors, he added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058491

Negros producers group renews commitment to MSMEs, communities

BACOLOD CITY — The Association of Negros Producers (ANP), under its new set of officials, renewed its commitment to support local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the communities they work with.

On Wednesday, the ANP announced that Christina Marie Gaston, its former president, has been named chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

Arlene Infante, owner of Azatri Souvenirs Inc. and ANP member since 1993, has been elected president.

The association said in a statement the new Board of Trustees is equipped with a range of skills and experience necessary for strategic governance of ANP.

They share the commitment to achieve the goals and objectives and contribute through their involvement with board meetings, events, and special projects, it added.

As a non-government organization, the ANP continues to support local MSMEs and the communities they work with, the association added.

This is being done through the provision of various platforms where they can advertise, sell their products, and expand their markets, among others, the ANP said.

Other officers include Maria Antoinette Theodora Colmenares — vice president for advocacy; Elsie Gonzaga — vice president for membership; Elfrena Gonzaga — corporate secretary and treasurer; and Eva Pauline Marie Si — vice president for sales and marketing.

Heads for the various sectors and industries are: Ruby Gealon for fashion accessories and garments; Catherine Mary Manaloto for food; Michael Edward Claparols for gifts, decor, housewares (GDH) and furniture; Elizabeth Mondejar for natural organic and agriculture; and Florante Lamentac for tourism.

The ANP membership is categorized into three — Member A, Member B, and Member C.

Those under “A” are comprised of member-producers who display their products at the Negros Showroom and who are also entitled to join fairs, and other ANP promotional retail initiatives.

Those under “B” include member-producers who join trade fairs and bazaars only, and those under “C” are member-producers who are agricultural; who belong to affiliations; or are service-oriented. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058507

Bacolod mayor, ex-PNP chief to carry flag, belt in Pacquiao fight

BACOLOD CITY — For the nth time, Mayor Evelio Leonardia will carry the Philippine flag during Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao’s fight.

This time, in the Filipino boxing icon’s defense of his World Boxing Association (WBA) World welterweight title against American Adrien Broner at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 19.

“I started with (carrying) the belt way back in 2005. Since I joined him, I missed only two fights,” Leonardia told reporters here on Tuesday, January 8.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (left) with Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao at the Le Meridien Sentral Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in July last year. Leonardia is holding the flag he carried during Pacquiao’s fight against Argentine Lucas Matthysse at the Axiata Arena.
*Contributed Photo*

The first was during Pacquiao’s fight against Jorge Solis in San Antonio, Texas on April 14, 2007, which then coincided with the election campaign, he said.

In July 2017, Leonardia failed to join Pacquao in his fight against Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia due to visa problem. Pacquiao lost to Horn.

Leonardia has been carrying the Philippine flag during Pacquiao’s fights since 2006.

The mayor, who last carried the flag during Pacquiao’s successful match against Argentine Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur in July 2018, said he received a letter from the senator asking him anew to join the Team Pacquiao as flag bearer.

Pacquiao’s letter dated Dec. 11, 2018 read: “Once again, may I invite you to come into the ring with me, together with a few trusted friends, to carry the Philippine flag before the fight begins.”

“As in my many previous fights, your presence in the ring will be a great morale support for me, particularly as this promises to be an exciting fight, knowing that Broner is a four-division title holder,” the fighter from General Santos City added.

Pacquiao also said in the letter that his inspiration to do his best comes when he can feel the support of his fellow Filipinos, and family and friends rooting for him in the crowd.

The senator included the mayor’s wife Elsa and daughter Kara in the invitation, but Leonardia said he is traveling from Bacolod alone this time.

Leonardia also said Pacquiao informed him that former Philippine National Police chief Ronald de la Rosa will carry the senator’s belt during his fight against Broner.

“I told Bato (De la Rosa) already during the two times he was here in Bacolod and he seems excited about it,” Leonardia said.

Pacquiao, 40, the only eight-division world boxing champion, is returning to the United States for the first time in two years to defend his WBA welterweight title against the 29-year-old Broner, a former four-division titleholder. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058398