Bacolod police taps Muslim community for peace and order drive

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Police has engaged the local Muslim community in promoting peace and order in the city.

Bacolod Police OIC Director, Senior Supt. Henry Biñas, met with Muslim leaders at the Bacolod police headquarters on Friday afternoon to discuss various peace-related issues in the wake of the recent bombing incidents in Mindanao. “They agreed to cooperate with the police,” he said.

Biñas noted that both parties agreed to exchange information relevant to peace and order.

Senior Supt. Henry Biñas (center), officer-in-charge director of Bacolod City Police Office, and the chiefs of the 10 police stations meet with the leaders of the local Muslim community (left) to discuss peace-related issues at the city police headquarters on Friday afternoon (Feb. 8, 2019)
*Photo courtesy of Shiela G. Gelera*

“They expressed full support to us and committed that if they have information, they will let the police know,” he added.

Imam Abulkhair Carcauga, overall imam of Muslim communities in Bacolod, said they support peace for Bacolod City “101 percent.”

“We from the Muslim community, from whatever tribe, are one with the police for peace and for the maintenance of peace and order,” he added.

Carcauga said they agreed to share information with the police if they learn of any terror threat to the city.

“We should inform them so they can immediately act on it,” he said.

Carcauga added that for now, they don’t have any actual data yet on the total population of Muslims living Bacolod.

“But there are Muslims anywhere in Bacolod. The Maranaos, who are business people, are everywhere. We live in Bacolod with our families so we also want peace in the city,” he added.

Biñas said that even the Bacolod police does not have a detailed inventory of Muslim presence in the city.

He added that they will ask the Muslim community to provide data so the police can come up with an estimate of their population. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061461

Troops seize NPA weapons in central Negros clash site

BACOLOD CITY — Troopers of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) recovered weapons left behind by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels after an encounter in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Friday afternoon.

Items found included an M16 rifle, 11 firearm magazines, some ammunition, a rifle grenade, an anti-personnel mine, a hand-held radio, subversive documents, food items, and personal belongings, such as clothes, several pairs of boots and slippers.

Lt. Col. Patricio Tomales, commanding officer of 15th IB headquartered in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, said in a statement on Friday night their troops responded to reports from residents of Sitio Baliw in Barangay Bagtic that the rebels were extorting rice and money from them.

The firearms, ammunition and other weapons as well as personal items recovered by troopers of the Philippine Army’s 15^th Infantry Battalion after their encounter with communist rebels in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Friday afternoon (Feb. 8, 2019).
*Photo courtesy of 15^th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army*

At 1:30 p.m., soldiers of the Alpha Company engaged in a 30-minute firefight with the rebels, who fled after the encounter.

These troopers were among those who fought during the five-month Marawi siege before their deployment to Negros Island, Tomales said.

Mabinay town, situated at the boundary of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, is included in the coverage area of the southern Negros based 15th IB.

Tomales thanked the residents for providing their troops timely information on the presence of the rebels in their community.

“This proves the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army terrorist is losing hold of their masses and the people are already fed up with their lies and terror,” he added.

Tomales said information on the sightings or extortion activities of the NPA rebels can be reported to the 15th IB’s hotline number (0945) 5045757.

Capt. Eduardo Precioso, spokesperson of the 3rd Infantry Division, on Saturday echoed Tomales’ statement that the communist rebels have lost mass base support.

Precioso lauded the residents for their continued support to the anti-insurgency operations of government troops.

“Your bravery to stand with the government in implementing peace and order is of great help,” he added.

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

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061450

Measles cases in NegOcc still ‘manageable’: PHO

BACOLOD CITY — Measles cases in Negros Occidental are still manageable amid the reported outbreak of the infectious disease in Western Visayas, an official of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said Friday, February 8.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said the provincial government has strengthened its immunization program to address the cases, which significantly increased in the past year.

“We have positive cases. Our measles cases increased, not only in Bacolod City, not only in Negros Occidental but all the Visayas areas,” he said in a radio interview.

In 2018, measles cases in Negros Occidental rose to 103, or by 3,333 percent, from only three in 2017.

Tumimbang said the PHO continues to conduct a supplemental immunization activity.

“We hold door-to-door immunization. We don’t just wait for our clients in the rural health unit or barangay health station. We locate those children who have not been immunized to cover the 95 percent target,” he added.

On Thursday, the Department of Health’s Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) 6 (Western Visayas) reported 166 suspected measles cases with three deaths from January 1 to 26 this year.

Dr. Mary Jane Juanico, medical coordinator for child health program of DOH-CHD 6, said that in the previous year, the CHD-6 has recorded 245 confirmed measles cases from out of the 1,052 suspected cases in Western Visayas. Four suspected deaths are all waiting to be confirmed.

Of the 245 confirmed cases, 94 were from Negros Occidental and 63 from Bacolod City and 32 from Iloilo province.
Juanico noted the low turnout of the measles immunization coverage for children less than a year old.

Partial report of CHD-6’s immunization coverage showed that only 61 percent of babies, who were supposed to have their first dose at nine months old, had been vaccinated.

In terms of all immunizations for babies less than a year old, the CHD also achieved a 61 percent rate. Both turnouts are lower compared to the 67 percent coverage in 2017. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061393

NegOcc dog owners organized to aid anti-rabies campaign

BACOLOD CITY — The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) in Negros Occidental has organized dog owners to assist its initiatives to bring down rabies cases in the province.

Dr. Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian, said Thursday that in organizing a dog owners club, their main goal is to strengthen responsible pet ownership and create more awareness of the anti-rabies campaign.

“The organization of dog owners club is a province-wide initiative. Through the organization, educating the members, as well as the community about responsible pet ownership, would be easier,” he said.

Members of Hinigaran Dog Owners Club with personnel of the
Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office District Field Unit V led by veterinarian Ma. Regina Gawan during their recent meeting.
Photo courtesy of PVO-Negros Occidental

Decena noted there is already a dog owners club in each of the six congressional districts of the province, but not in all local government units.

In the 5th District, the Hinigaran Dog Owners Club held an organizational meeting at the PVO District Field Office in the town recently.

The activity was led by district veterinarian Ma. Regina Gawan in coordination with the municipal agriculture office of Hinigaran, in line with the 2019 Rabies Control Action Plan formulated by the PVO’s Animal Health Division.

Gawan said the participants were reminded of responsible pet ownership and the government’s rabies control and prevention program.

Owning a dog requires time and commitment in taking good care of the animals, and aside from provision of shelter, food and obedience training, dogs should also be given regular vaccination to protect them from diseases, she added.

Records of the PVO showed that in 2018, canine rabies cases in Negros Occidental increased by 50 percent, totaling 33 from only 22 in 2017. There were seven human deaths in the past year.

The PVO has stepped up its efforts to reduce, if not eliminate rabies, with the implementation of the Rabies Control Action Plan for 2019, which includes the formulation of a risk-based map for rabies vaccination based on the occurrence of recorded rabies cases. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061371

Palace declares special non-working days in 2 NegOcc cities

BACOLOD CITY — The Office of the President has declared special non-working days in two cities of Negros Occidental celebrating their respective charter anniversaries this February.

In Talisay City, it will be a holiday on February 11, which marks the northern Negros city’s 21st Charter Anniversary as stated in Proclamation No. 661 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on February 6.

On February 19, it will also be a non-working day in Bago City in commemoration of its 53rd Charter Anniversary, based on Proclamation No. 668 signed also by Medialdea on February 7 upon the authority of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Talisay and of the City of Bago be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” the proclamations stated.

Talisay City, under Mayor Nilo Jesus Antonio Lizares III and Vice Mayor Samuel Siote, is commemorating its founding anniversary together with the 21st Pasidungog Festival on February 7 to 11 with the theme, “Maghiliusa Talisaynon, Asenso Padayunon”.

Bago City, headed by Mayor Nicholas Yulo and Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, is celebrating its 53rd Charter Anniversary and 22nd Babaylan Festival from February 11 to 19 under the theme “Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Development”.

Among the highlights are the Search for Diwata sang Bago 2019 on February 17; 12th Gawad Bagonhon Awarding Ceremony on February 18; and the 53rd Charter Anniversary Parade, Babaylan Forum, Farmers’ Day and Karabag-O Festival, and Babaylan Street and Stage Dance Competition on February 19.

Last December, the Office of the President released copies of laws signed by the President on November 9 declaring non-working holidays in several areas in the country, including two other cities in Negros Occidental.

Republic Act Nos. 11134 and 11146 declare a special non-working holiday in Sagay City on June 11 and in Bacolod City on June 18 in commemoration of their founding anniversary and charter day, respectively. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061365

Negrense groups protest proposed sugar import liberalization

BACOLOD CITY — More groups in Negros Occidental have manifested their protest to the proposed liberalization of sugar imports.

Leaders of the Solidarity of Workers in the Sugar Industry (SWSI) and the Save the Sugar Industry Movement (SSIM) expressed their opposition by tearing a replica of the proposal in a forum held at Gerald’s Restobar here on Thursday.

SSIM convenor Wennie Sancho said the tearing of the replica, which is a wide piece of paper with a text that read “Proposed Sugar Import Liberalization,” emphasizes their crusade against government economic managers’ proposed “deadly” policy.

Save the Sugar Industry Movement convenor Wennie Sancho (3^rd from left) leads the symbolic tearing of the sugar import liberalization replica during a forum of labor groups in Bacolod City on Thursday (Feb. 7, 2019).
*Photo by Erwin P. Nicavera*

“If we wait for this sugar import liberalization to materialize, we would have waited too long. We must confront the worst threat before they emerge,” Sancho added.

“The only path for the survival of the sugar industry is the path to action. Let us protect sugar and save Negros by action,” he added.

The statement of solidarity released by SSIM and SWSI stated that advocates and multi-sectoral cause-oriented leaders from different labor organizations in Negros Occidental condemn in the strongest possible terms the proposed measure as it would obliterate the local sugar industry displacing thousands of sugar workers and their families.

They added that a disaster would come upon like an overwhelming flood, if the sugar industry will collapse as a result of sugar import deregulation.

“It is our right and our moral duty to oppose sugar import liberalization because the anticipated economic damage, if not prevented, would be greater and dangerous,” the groups added.

Meanwhile, the Sugar Farmers Federation-Kilusang Pagbabago — composed of 11 associations in Negros Occidental — said in a statement the country’s economic managers, who are pushing for the sugar imports liberalization, should know their place in policy-making.

“We campaigned and voted for President Rodrigo Duterte to lead us and make decisions for our nation. We did not vote for you, economic managers, so you don’t have the right to make decisions or proposals which will affect us, the 5 million Filipinos who depend on the sugar industry for our livelihood,” the group’s chairman Aaron Sorbito said.

“Our marginal farmers, mostly agrarian reform beneficiaries, need government support to lower cost of production and increase yields, not import liberalization,” he added.

On Wednesday, the Senate passed a resolution urging the Executive Department not to pursue the plan to liberalize the sugar industry to safeguard the economy and welfare of sugar farmers and workers in 28 provinces in the country, including Negros Occidental.

Economic managers of the administration earlier proposed the liberalization of sugar imports due to high prices of local sugar against those in the world market and that the same affects the competitiveness of sugar-containing food products for export.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier said that a 30 percent to 40 percent tariff rate is being eyed on sugar importation. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061298

20 Yolanda-hit families in north Negros get houses thru TESDA

BACOLOD CITY — About 20 families affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda in two local government units of northern Negros Occidental have received houses under the initiative of the Technical Education and Skills Authority (TESDA).

TESDA-Negros Occidental said in a statement on Wednesday, February 6 they partnered with the city government of Cadiz and the municipality of Manapla for the implementation of the Yolanda Rehabilitation and Recovery Program Training Cum Production.

TESDA-Western Visayas and Negros Occidental personnel led by Regional Director Ashary Banto with city officials of Cadiz and beneficiaries during the recent turn-over of the housing project in Barangay Daga.
*Photo courtesy of TESDA-Negros Occidental*

As of the first week of February, 10 families in Cadiz City received five duplex-type shelters located in Barangay Daga while in Manapla, the same number of beneficiaries were also awarded five duplex housing units in Gawad Kalinga Village, Barangay Punta Mesa.

The recipient-families have already occupied their new and permanent shelters.

Through the program, TESDA pushes for sustainable development among Yolanda-affected communities through provision of livelihood and skills training opportunities.

In 2013, after “Yolanda” hit the Visayas, TESDA participated in relief efforts and also helped in rebuilding structures that were destroyed by the typhoon. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061283

46 ARBs new owners of 79-ha landholdings in NegOcc

BACOLOD CITY –– Forty-six agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Murcia, Negros Occidental received their land titles and were subsequently installed on a 79-hectare property in Barangay Caliban on Wednesday.

The distribution of the certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) and the installation rites were led by personnel of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Negros Occidental-North.

Antonia Figueroa, officer-in-charge of Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Office, said they recognized the cooperation of the former landowner in the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

The 46 installed Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries in Barangay Caliban in Murcia, Negros Occidental of Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Office and personnel of the Department of Agrarian Reform Negros Occidental-North pose for a picture on Wednesday (Feb. 7, 2019). *Photo courtesy of DAR-Negros Occidental North*

The awarded landholdings was previously owned by Ma. Cecilia Arguelles Gonzaga.

Figueroa oriented the beneficiaries on their rights and obligations, which include regularly paying their respective amortizations and land taxes.

The previous landowner asked the ARBs not to lease the awarded lands, but instead make it more productive.

“I have agreed to subject these lands to CARP believing that we are all mere stewards or caretakers of God creation,” she added.

For his part, Caliban village chief Antonio Luis Gonzaga expressed his support to the programs of the DAR.

He also encouraged the beneficiaries to take good care of the land and to fulfill their obligations.

In response, Dionesia Banquillo, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude to the government and the former landowner for granting them the land titles. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061222

Sugar industry leaders laud senators’ support vs. import liberalization

BACOLOD CITY — Sugar industry leaders lauded the move of the 10 senators to support their campaign against the proposed liberalization of sugar imports.

Sugar Regulatory Administration Board Member Emilio Yulo III, who represents the planters, expressed his thanks to the senators who closed ranks with them.

He said the support shows that the senators understand the plight of the sugar industry and its stakeholders, adding that the Senate has always been their ally when it comes to protecting the industry.

Sugar sold in retail at a supermarket in Bacolod City.
Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver

“We know that the battle is far from over but this Senate resolution gives us a glimmer of hope that not all is lost,” Yulo said.

The Confederation of Sugar Producers (Confed) also welcomed the development, saying the senators are right in stressing that the planned liberalization of the economic managers can lead to the demise of the sugar industry.

Confed spokesperson Raymond Montinola said in a statement the lawmakers righteously pointed out that the measure can result in a tumultuous peace and order situation.

Montinola said the senators who pushed for the resolution have been with the industry in the last three years from the time of the fight against the entry of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to the sugar taxation.

“Again, we are facing the threat of liberalization. That is also why we should always remember who our allies are and who has our backs,” he added.

Montinola also said the sugar industry will continue to be vigilant and seek the intervention of President Rodrigo Duterte to ensure that the plans of the economic managers will never be implemented.

The Senate resolution was introduced and adopted by 10 legislators, including Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Nancy Binay, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Loren Legarda, Aquilino Pimentel III, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

The resolution cited reports that economic managers proposed the sugar import liberalization due to high prices of local sugar against those in the world market and that the same affects the competitiveness of sugar-containing food products for exports.

“The deregulated entry of subsidized sugar in the Philippine market will be disastrous to our sugar industry which contributes about PHP96 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” the resolution stated.

It aded that the sugar industry comprises some 84,000 farmers, mostly small ones and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), and 720,000 industry workers directly affecting almost a million families or five million individuals.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno had earlier said there is a need to “relax” the rules on importation that puts pressure on the domestic economy to compete with the rest of the world.*

Land Bank taps NegOcc Vet Office as partner for financing program

BACOLOD CITY — The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) is partnering with Negros Occidental’s Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) for the implementation of a financing program for backyard animal raisers.

Dr. Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian, said Wednesday their office is the bank’s partner, specifically in the evaluation and implementation of the program in the province.

“The evaluation will start this week and will focus on the capability of the raisers to produce, as well as pay the acquired loan,” he said.

Dr. Renante Decena (2^nd from right), provincial veterinarian of Negros Occidental, and LBP-Bacolod assistant vice president Vivian Cañonero (4^th from left) during their meeting at the Provincial Veterinary Office in Bacolod City on Monday (Feb.4, 2019).
*Photo courtesy of PVO-Negros Occidental*

Decena, who met with officials of LBP-Bacolod led by assistant vice president Vivian Cañonero on Monday, said the initiative is under the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) lending program of the Department of Agriculture (DA), coursed through the state-owned bank.

The program was initially intended for commercial farming, but eventually expanded to small-scale rice and other crop production, as well as livestock.

Through the program, the LBP will provide financial assistance to qualified raisers subject to a certain interest rate.
Decena said the PVO is pushing for the provision of financing support, particularly to animal raisers with production gaps, such as those for layers and goat in southern Negros.

He noted that the lack of financing is one of the reasons some raisers failed to sustain their production. The LBP is amenable to such proposal, he said.

“Aside from the production aspect, financing would also help raisers in terms of marketing,” Decena said, noting that most of the raisers being assisted by the PVO are also clients of the bank.

According to the DA, the ACEF lending program aims to increase productivity of farmers and fisherfolk by providing them and their cooperatives and associations and micro and small-scale enterprises the necessary credit for the acquisition and establishment of production, post-harvest, and processing machinery, equipment and facilities, and farm inputs, among others.

A maximum of PHP5 million can be availed of by farmer and fisherfolk cooperatives, associations, and MSEs and PHP1 million by individual farmer and fisher.

The LBP shall manage the credit facility funded and shall determine the eligibility requirements and set the required loan security or collateral and reasonable interest for the loan, it added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061149