NegOcc gears up to cushion effects of El Niño

BACOLOD CITY — The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is gearing up to cushion possible effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon on crops in Negros Occidental.

“The province is initiating ways to mitigate its effects, such as cloud seeding,” Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said Thursday.

A parched land in a southern Negros town in early 2016 as a result of prolonged dry spell in the province.
*File photo from OPA-Negros Occidental*

He added that the OPA is also eyeing the acquisition of water and irrigation pumps for farmers and has been monitoring the weather situation since last year as part of its preparations.

El Niño, characterized by unusually warm ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (CEEP), could affect the normal rainfall pattern in the country, generally resulting in reduced rainfall.

In 2016, the OPA reported dry spell damage and losses of about PHP470 million in the agro-fishery sector of Negros Occidental.

In its El Niño Advisory No. 1 issued on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) reported that climate monitoring and analyses indicate that the unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the CEEP, which began in November last year, is expected to become a full-blown El Niño.

The weather pattern is “anticipated to be weak and will likely result in below normal rainfall conditions in different parts of the country in the coming months,” it added.

“All concerned agencies and the general public are advised to take precautionary measures to mitigate the potential adverse impacts of El Niño. PAGASA will closely monitor these conditions and regular updates and advisories shall be issued as appropriate,” the agency further said. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062684

Diocese of Bacolod deplores killing of bizman in church

BACOLOD CITY — The Diocese of Bacolod has strongly condemned the murder of a prominent businessman at the compound of one of its churches here on Tuesday night.

“It is a deplorable act,” Bishop Patricio Buzon said in a statement posted on the ADSUM Diocese of Bacolod Facebook page on Wednesday night.

The victim, Alex Yao, 57, was shot by an assassin inside the compound of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine, also known as Redemptorist Church, on B.S. Aquino Drive around 8:30 p.m.

The vehicle of Bacolod businessman Alex Yao parked inside the compound of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine after he was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding assailant on Tuesday night (Feb. 19, 2019).
*Photo courtesy of DYHB Tatak RMN Page*

Yao, an owner of credit and currency exchange firms, and his wife, Ma. Theresa, were about to leave on board their vehicle after attending a mass of Bukas Loob sa Diyos, a Catholic charismatic community, when two men arrived on a motorcycle and one of them shot the businessman. His wife was injured in her left hand.

Buzon, who called on the government authorities to speedily act on the resolution of the case, said the incident is “an act of violence which has no place in Christian communities, more so, in (a) society that upholds the principles of law and order.”

“As such, we strongly condemn this killing as an act that is indicative of a complete disregard for the Christian and societal ideal we stand for — that any form of violence has no place in and outside our churches,” the bishop added.

Also on Wednesday, the Bacolod City Council passed a resolution condemning the killing of Yao and called on the Bacolod City Police Office to do all efforts to immediately solve the crime. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062584

Gov’t reintegration prompts more rebels to surrender: Army

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division is expecting more members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Panay and Negros to surrender.

Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said this could happen as the government shows sincerity to help the former rebels by providing an initial reintegration assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“These E-CLIP beneficiaries are living proofs of the government’s sincerity in helping those who courageously abandoned the senseless and bloody armed struggle,” Dolina said in a statement on Wednesday.

He added the growing number of former rebels receiving assistance will encourage other NPA members to return to the fold of the law.

On Monday, 11 former rebels in Negros Occidental under the custody of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Civil-Military Operations Battalion received reintegration assistance worth PHP21,000 each from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

In Cuartero, Capiz, a former rebel who voluntarily surrendered to the authorities on January 29 received a financial assistance of PHP10,000 from the municipal government.

The reintegration assistance is a component benefit of the E-CLIP for former rebels.

The receiving unit — military, police, or local government unit — from where a rebel surrendered receives PHP21,000 in reintegration assistance as a support to defray the subsistence or meals costs of the former rebel while in custody as well as for incidental expenses such as securing birth certificate, identification card, and mobility expenses.

Once enrolled in the E-CLIP, a former rebel will also receive immediate assistance of PHP15,000; livelihood assistance, PHP50,000; firearms remuneration, PHP12,000 to PHP500,000; half-way house assistance; PhilHealth enrollment and medical assistance; education assistance; housing assistance; legal assistance; and healing and reconciliation initiatives.

The United States and the European Union have already declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062569

3 NegOcc electric coops hike rates for February

BACOLOD CITY — The three electric cooperatives in Negros Occidental increased their power rates for the month of February, data from their respective offices as of Wednesday showed.

The Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) confirmed an increase of PHP0.14 per kilowatt hour (kWh) — from last month’s rate of PHP11.3527 to PHP11.4991 for the current month.

In an advisory, Ceneco said the increase is attributed to adjustments in pass-through charges, including the generation, transmission, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)-approved adjustments, government subsidies and taxes.

Pass-through charges comprised 89.68 percent of the entire rate while the remaining 10.32 percent accounts for the cooperative’s distribution, supply, metering and reinvestment fund for sustainable capital expenditures.

Ceneco serves the largest number of consumers in Negros Occidental, including those in the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay and Silay, and towns of Murcia and Salvador Benedicto.

In the south, the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco) announced an increase of PHP0.16 per kWh, with a current rate of PHP10.5912 from January’s PHP10.4275.

Noceco general manager Jonas Discaya said the main driver of higher electricity rate this month is the PHP0.5118 increase in the generation charge, which moved from PHP5.1655 to PHP5.6773 per kWh.

This resulted from the higher energy charge of Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) which provides Noceco a portion of its power supply, he added.

Noceco, however, registered a decrease of PHP0.0218 and PHP0.0175 in the transmission and systems loss charges, respectively.

The subsidy rates and value-added tax rates also registered a total reduction of PHP0.1150 per kWh.

Another factor that cushioned the impact of the overall rate increase is the removal of the PHP0.1938 per kWh universal charge-stranded contract cost (UC-SCC).

The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. has advised to stop the charging of UC-SCC, the cooperative said.

The Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) also projected an increase in its power rate for February.

Paulino Almedelia, corporate planning head of Noneco, said the cooperative might effect an increase of about PHP0.39 per kWh due to the increase in WESM price. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062447

300 families in Silay City get ‘Yolanda’ housing units

BACOLOD CITY — A total of 300 families affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda in Silay City, Negros Occidental have received permanent housing units from the National Housing Authority (NHA) at the relocation site in Barangay E. Lopez.

The development was announced on Wednesday by the Office of Third District Rep. Alfredo Benitez, which is facilitating and coordinating the implementation of the housing project.

The 300 houses are part of the 1,992 housing units allocated for Silay City.

NHA-Bacolod manager Alejandro Ongsuco turned over to Mayor Mark Golez a miniature replica of the “Yolanda” housing unit during the ceremony held on Monday.

Silay City Mayor Mark Golez (center) receives a miniature replica of a “Yolanda” housing unit from National Housing Authority-Bacolod manager Alejandro Ongsuco (right) during the turnover ceremony for the first 300 of the 1,992 housing units in Barangay E. Lopez on Monday, Feb 18, 2019.
*Photo from Mayor Mark J. Golez’s Facebook page*

The mayor handed the symbolic key to the houses to Nora Sigaton, who represented the beneficiaries.

Golez congratulated the recipients and all those who made the implementation of the housing project possible.

“Form a homeowners association and ensure accreditation from the city government to avail of more development programs and assistance,” the mayor told the beneficiaries.

Benitez, chairperson of the House committee on housing and urban development, said in a message relayed by Marie June Castro, coordinator on district housing concerns, that he lauds the decision of beneficiaries to accept the Yolanda housing project.

“Moving your families from danger zones and giving your children a safe and decent shelter will lead to a brighter future and you will have the opportunity for security of tenure,” the legislator added.

The first batch of 300 informal settler-families that received the permanent housing units were from Barangays, 2, 3, 5, Balaring, Bagtic, E. Lopez, Hawaiian Central, Guinhalaran, Lantad and Patag.

These are families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Super Typhoon Yolanda, as well as those living in high-risk areas and danger zones.

The housing site has a multi-purpose covered court with training center and open spaces for community facilities.

In the Third District alone, a total of 5,481 units of “Yolanda” permanent housing have been granted to qualified beneficiaries in three local government units.

Aside from the 1,992 housing units in Silay City, there are also 1,168 housing units in Barangay Sto. Niño, Municipality of E.B. Magalona and 2,321 housing units in Barangay 13, Victorias City included in the project.

These houses are part of the 27,055 permanent housing units constructed by the NHA in northern Negros, which was the worst-hit in the province during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda on Nov. 8, 2013. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062473

NegOcc execs supporting CPP-NPA anti-gov’t: guv

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said local government officials supporting the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) can be considered as anti-government.

The governor’s pronouncement came Tuesday after the Philippine Army revealed that more than 30 elected officials in the province are providing support to the communist rebels.

“There’s no need to call on them not to support the CPP-NPA. It is their duty not to do so. Those who support the CPP-NPA are also against the government,” Marañon said in an interview.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. (left) and Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 303^rd Infantry Brigade, discuss security matters during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019.
*Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Capitol PIO*

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, said Monday they have learned that these officials provide financial and logistical support to the communist rebels, who then act as armed group for them, especially during elections.

The CPP-NPA has been tagged as a terrorist group both by the United States and the European Union.

Last month, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a warning to all governors, mayors, and all candidates about directly or indirectly giving financial, material, and political support to communist terrorist rebels, as well as other non-state actors.

DILG spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya, said Secretary Eduardo Año has issued Memorandum Circular 2018-211, reminding all local chief executives and local government officials that giving any form of support to communist rebels is a violation not only of Executive Order 773, but also of Republic Act 10168 or The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

In the memorandum circular, Año directed all regional, provincial, city and municipal peace and order councils to apply moral suasion or to recommend sanctions against local chief executives who are known to have supported communist rebels.

Malaya said the DILG may also file other charges pursuant to the Revised Penal Code and other pertinent laws and seek the disqualification of all those candidates who shall be proved to have cooperated with said non-state actors in accordance with the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code.

“The same course of action shall be undertaken against those incumbent local government officials or employees who shall cooperate or give aid in any form or manner — material or otherwise, to non-state actors without prejudice to the administrative cases that shall be filed against them,” he added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062417

BIR-Region 12 aims to collect P14.3-B in 2019

BACOLOD CITY — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region 12 (BIR-12), which covers Negros Island and Siquijor, is aiming to collect PHP14.3 billion in tax this year.

The target was bared by the head of the regional office during the launching of the agency’s tax campaign logo and slogan this year in a program held at the regional office’s Function Hall in this city on Monday.

Regional Director Aynie Madajoyan-Dizon called on the tax officials and employees to work together to increase the revenue collection for the year.

Bureau of Internal Revenue-Revenue Region 12 Director Aynie Mandajoyan-Dizon (left) leads the launching of the agency’s 2019 tax collection campaign logo and slogan at the regional office’s Function Hall in Bacolod City on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019.
Contributed photo

In 2018, BIR-Revenue Region 12 posted a deficit of PHP3.9 billion after it collected only PHP9.3 billion out of its PHP13.2-billion target collection.

“We remain optimistic to hit the collection target this year,” Madajoyan-Dizon said.

The BIR-Revenue Region 12 coverage area includes revenue district offices in Bacolod City, Victorias City and Binalbagan town in Negros Occidental; Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental; and Siquijor Province.

Madajoyan-Dizon said that 2019 is an exciting year for BIR-Revenue Region 12, not just because of their higher target, but also because of the new developments, projects, and programs implemented by the management for its employees.

“The BIR takes charge of 70 percent of the national collection. Without us, it would be difficult for the government to finance the projects for the people,” she added.

For 2019, the BIR campaign slogan is “Para sa inyo. Maging tapat tayo. Serbisyong tapat, buwis na sapat” (For you. Let us be honest. Honest service, adequate tax).

This year’s logo, conceptualized by multi-awarded designer Kenneth Cobonpue, consists of a heart-shaped blue and red shaking hands with three yellow rays of the sun at the center.

The logo emphasizes the rendering of excellent, faithful, sincere and dedicated service to the taxpayers with the agency’s belief that excellent service would encourage the public to regularly and properly their taxes.

The heart symbolizes “katapatan”, particularly in meeting obligations which can be achieved through collaboration between the BIR and taxpayers while the hand shaking gesture connects and brings the BIR and taxpayers together in responding to the call for action.

The rising sun depicts progress and improvement in the lives of the Filipinos that can be achieved through right collection and payment of taxes, which will fuel government services and projects.

The BIR-Revenue Region 12 also launched the jingle “Para sa Inyo”, composed by Filipino singer Lito Camo, which conveys the same messages depicted in the new logo and slogan. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062316

Don’t support CPP-NPA, Army tells NegOcc officials

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Army urged local government officials in Negros Occidental not to support the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), which has been tagged a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, made the call on Monday after he disclosed that more than 30 incumbent elected officials in the province have been providing support to the NPA.

He did not identify these officials, but Arevalo said they include mayors, vice mayors and councilors.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental.
PNA Bacolod file photo

The Army official said these officials provide financial and logistical support to the communist rebels, who then act as armed group for them, especially during elections.

“We remind them not to support the CPP-NPA,” Arevalo said.

Any individual or organization found to be providing any form of assistance to the CPP-NPA or their affiliated organizations could be sanctioned not only under Philippine laws, but also by countries that consider the communist guerillas as terrorists.

Earlier, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, said that once the Department of Justice officially declares the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization, the military can go after the rebel group’s supporters and financiers.

“It will come as a huge aid to us, we can have the support of the international community in cutting off any forms of help that the terror group receives,” Detoyato said. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062309

Megaworld projects P1.5-B sales from 2nd condo tower in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY – Megaworld Corp. is projecting about PHP1.5 billion in sales from its second residential tower, Two Regis, which will rise inside The Upper East township here by 2023.

The property giant launched the 14-story condominium project on Monday afternoon, six months after introducing the first tower, One Regis, whose units had been sold out since then.

Rachelle Peñaflorida, vice president for sales and marketing of Megaworld Bacolod, said during a press briefing held at Stonehill Suites that the “overwhelming success” of their first tower clearly indicates that Bacolod has embraced the idea of both condominium living and township living.

“The masterplanned township concept that we are bringing to Bacolod makes Megaworld different as a condominium developer, and we are happy to pioneer this concept in Negros,” she added.

The premier developer is investing PHP28 billion for The Upper East township in Bacolod, which spans 34 hectares. It will include residential condominiums, shopping malls and commercial centers, mixed-use buildings, office towers, and hotels with facilities, including a transport hub, church, green and open parks, and a central plaza.

Two Regis, which will be situated beside the proposed Megaworld Lifestyle Mall, will offer studio, executive studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Its key feature will be the three Skygardens, two of which will be set up on the 12th level, or the Lower Sky Suites Floor, and one on the eighth floor, dubbed as the Garden Suites Floor. The penthouse floor, or Upper Sky Suites Floor, will offer units in varying size options.

“We are fast-tracking the developments inside The Upper East to ensure that our future residents will be able to enjoy the mall, the parks, the hotel, and other components of the 34-hectare township once they start living in the condo. We’ve promised Bacolod with a first-class township, and we expect things to rise in the next three to five years,” Peñaflorida said.

Harold Geronimo, Megaworld senior assistant vice president and head of public relations and media affairs, said the land development of The Upper East, which started late last year, continues and is still not halfway done given the huge size of the township.

“Based on our experience, if you have a smaller township, it takes a year or a year-and-a-half. If you have a bigger township, it takes around two years or even more. We perfect the land development first before we build something so that everything will be smooth,” he added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062262

11 former rebels in NegOcc get P231-K reintegration aid

BACOLOD CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has provided a total of PHP231,000 in reintegration assistance to 11 former rebels in Negros Occidental.

The checks were released by the DILG-Negros Occidental headed by provincial director Carmelo Orbista to the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion, the units assisting the former rebels, in a meeting held at the agency’s office here Monday afternoon.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, said the amount will be utilized for the administrative expenses incurred by the Army units facilitating the enrollment of the former rebels to the government’s reintegration program.

DILG-Negros Occidental provincial director Carmelo Orbista (right) turns over to officials of the Philippine Army in Negros Occidental headed by Col. Benedict Arevalo (2nd from right) the checks totaling PHP231,000 as reintegration assistance for 11 former rebels under the custody of two Army units in the province.
Photo courtesy of 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army

The beneficiaries are all former Red fighters who surrendered last year, he noted.

Of the 11, seven are in the custody of the 62nd Battalion while four are with the 3rd CMO Battalion. A fund of PHP21,000 has been allocated for the expenses of each former rebel.

The reintegration assistance is support to help defray the board and lodging and other incidental expenses of former rebels in the custody of a receiving unit.

Arevalo said the Army is highlighting the provision of the reintegration assistance by the DILG to show the sincerity of the government in accepting former rebels who want to return to the fold of the law.

The DILG is the leading agency in the implementation of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), the National Reintegration Program for Former Rebels, which facilitates the mainstreaming of former New People’s Army rebels and Militia ng Bayan as productive citizens.

Under the program, a former rebel gets an immediate assistance of PHP15,000 for mobilization expenses, livelihood assistance of PHP50,000, skills training, shelter and legal assistance, among others, as well as compensation and remuneration for all turned-in firearms. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062230