Category: Uncategorized

DENR recognizes zero-waste store, coffee shop in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recognized a recently-opened store-cum-coffee shop in this city for advocating zero waste.

The certificate of recognition was given by the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) -Bago City, headed by Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, to Wala Usik Tiangge+Kapehan, a social enterprise being run by the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PRRCFI).

“Wala usik” means zero waste or no wastage in Hiligaynon.


Ida Vecino, social enterprise officer of Wala Usik Tiangge+Kapehan, receives the certificate of recognition from Community Environment and Natural Resources-Bago City chief Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, acknowledging their zero-waste advocacy during the DENR personnel’s visit to the store on Tuesday (Jan. 29, 2019).
Photo courtesy of CENRO Bago City

Considered as Negros Island’s first zero-waste store, Wala Usik, which opened on January 21, is located at Door 6, Teresa Building on Lacson St. in Barangay Mandalagan.

PRRCFI executive director Dave Albao said on Thursday the response to Wala Usik is positively overwhelming. “I think there is a momentum of awareness on why we need to reduce waste at source,” he said.

Ida Vecino, social enterprise officer of Wala Usik Tiangge+Kapehan, said the concept of zero-waste is new to many Negrenses and there are those who are “amazed” by the idea.

“But there are also those who are willing to learn and embrace the lifestyle,” she added.

Vencino said she hopes that going zero-waste will not just be a trend in Negros.

“We want them to understand why there is a need for zero-waste and reusables. For us, we are also learning how people will embrace or are willing to take effort to pursue this lifestyle,” she added.

Personnel of CENRO-Bago City visited the store and coffee shop on Tuesday as part of their activities for the observance of National Zero Waste Month this January.

Gerangaya handed the certificate of recognition to Vecino, acknowledging the organization’s advocacy in fostering a plastic-free lifestyle in the modern and throw-away society.

Wala Usik has a coffee bar, which allows guests to make coffee of their own choice — either French press, drip coffee or brewed coffee — at very affordable prices. It also serves pastries or snacks from consignees.

It offers a discount of PHP5 to customers who bring their own coffee cup or mug.

The store sells household and personal care products made of organic ingredients. They have liquid shampoo, shampoo bars, liquid hand soap, dishwashing liquid, all-purpose cleaner, among others.

Also available are reusable straws, tumblers and cloth pads. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060613

220 soldiers boost anti-insurgency campaign in Negros Island

BACOLOD CITY — A total of 220 troopers of the Philippine Army have been deployed to Negros Island to strengthen internal security operations.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, said on Wednesday he welcomes the arrival of the additional troops that will boost their campaign against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).


New soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, prepare for deployment to their companies in Negros Island on Wednesday (Jan.30, 2019) to help strengthen internal security. 
Photo courtesy of 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army

He said that with a stronger Army force in the island, the troops will run more aggressively after the communist terrorists and prevent them from conducting atrocities and extortion activities.

“Our number is enough to pursue the NPA. With the support of the communities, local government units, and government agencies, the number will continue to grow until these terrorists will have no more to run to,” Arevalo said.

On Wednesday, 120 soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion’s Bravo Company arrived in Negros Oriental, coming from their six-month deployment with the 301st Infantry Brigade in Panay Island.

A total of 100 new soldiers, who underwent training with the 3rd Infantry Division in Jamindan, Capiz, were also recently assigned to the different Army battalions in Negros Island.

According to the 303rd Brigade, the deployment of 220 more troops in Negros is based on Malacañang’s Memorandum Order No. 32 issued on November 22, 2018.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea released the directive amid “sporadic acts of violence allegedly committed by lawless groups particularly in the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental and Occidental, and Bicol Region.” (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060608

Army condemns NPA murder of village watchman in southern Negros

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Army has condemned the killing of a village watchman by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday afternoon.

The 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) identified the victim as Cornilio Morales, a resident of Sitio Camandag, Barangay Carol-an, who was gunned down in front of his daughter and their neighbors.

Lt. Egberto Dacoscos, commanding officer of 62IB, in a statement on Wednesday assailed the rebel group’s criminal and barbaric act against an unarmed civilian.

“This is a clear violation of Article 4.4 Part IV of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL),” he said.

Article 4.4 states that “civilians together with their property shall be distinguished from combatants and, together with their property shall not be the object of attack”.

Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, on Thursday also condemned the CPP-NPA terrorists’ “inhumane act” in killing Morales.

“Once again, they proved that they are the true human rights violators in Negros. Killing the innocent and defenseless civilian in front of his child is a heartless act that only terrorists do,” he added.

Dolina assured the Negrenses they will not allow such terroristic act to happen again.

“We will not stop going against these communist terrorists until justice is served to the families of the victims,” he added.

According to the military report, six communist rebels seized Morales around 5 p.m. while he was in a waiting shed with his daughter and other residents. The rest were told to lie on the bellies.

One of the rebels, who looked like a minor, shouted, “Pasensya na, napag-utusan lang” (Sorry, just following orders), then shot Morales, the report added, citing accounts of civilian witnesses.

Dacoscos urged Negrenses to help stop the NPA atrocities and human rights violation by reporting information on their activities and whereabouts through hotline numbers (0975)133-6243 and (0977)601-5416.

Both the United States and the European Union declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army as a terrorist group. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060586

New Bacolod growth center seen on 8.8-hectare donated land

BACOLOD CITY — A new growth area is seen to rise in the southern part of Bacolod with the proposed developments on an 8.8-hectare property donated by the Yanson family to the city government.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said on Tuesday afternoon that he has signed the two contracts of donation for the parcels of land that will be the future site of the city’s southbound terminal, as well as a coliseum and a museum.

“I have already signed the documents and these have been submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for ratification,” he added.


Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (left) and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran discuss the latest developments in the city’s proposed programs and projects in a press briefing at the Government Center on Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 29, 2019).
Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver

The City Council, which last week granted authority to the mayor to sign the deeds of donation, is expected to ratify the contracts during the regular session on Wednesday.

“In this deal, we earned a big-time property. This is really advantageous to Bacolod. There is no doubt about it,” the mayor said, adding that the city has scored a “grand slam” in obtaining the donated land.

The Yanson Reality Development Corp. and the Vallacar Transit Inc. are identified as the donors of the adjacent properties worth at least PHP440 million located in Barangay Alijis.

Of the total 8.8 hectares, the larger portion of 7.3 hectares will be used for the coliseum and museum while the 1.5 hectares will be utilized for the south terminal.

“At this age and time, to get eight hectares is hard to comprehend. We should be thankful. We should be happy,” the mayor said.

Leonardia pointed out that the rise of the Bacolod City Government Center, also on a donated property in the eastern part of the city, has set an example of the economic growth that happened in what used to be an undeveloped part of Bacolod.

“It was difficult for us to sell the idea in the past because they have not seen yet what happened to the Government Center. I assure you what happened here in the Government Center will also happen, or even faster or better, (in the Yanson property). The area is larger and the investment will be bigger,” the mayor said.

Leonardia enjoined Bacolodnons to be excited in looking forward to the future of the city.

“We have to sustain the growth and development of Bacolod. This program will definitely accelerate things for us in Bacolod,” the mayor added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060471

Army’s 3rd ID intensifies alert vs. terror attack

BACOLOD CITY — The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army, which covers the 10 provinces in Western and Central Visayas, has doubled its efforts to thwart any terror attempt in the wake of the Jolo twin bombings.

Major Gen. Dinoh Dolina, commanding officer of the 3rd ID, said in a statement on Tuesday their unit is one with the Filipinos in condemning the “inhumane and barbaric” act that claimed the lives of civilians and soldiers.

“(We) will double (our) efforts to suppress any terror attempt that would jeopardize the peace and security situation in the region,” Dolina added.

The 3rd ID covers the provinces of Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, Aklan, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental in Western Visayas and Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, and Bohol in Central Visayas.

He said that upon the directive of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Central Command (CentCom) commander, Lt. Gen. Noel Clement, the Army, Navy and Air Force are closely monitoring maritime waters of the Visayas and all points of entry and exit in the region.

Clement said in an earlier statement that the AFP in the Visayas “will continue its efforts to quell any attempt that would affect the normal situation in the whole region.”

Moreover, Dolina encouraged Muslim communities to cooperate and work together with government security forces for their safety against those who promote violent radicalism.

“I would like to reiterate the call of the CentCom commander to the people of Visayas to be vigilant and to continue cooperating with your Army to prevent any terrorist group from casting terror attacks in the region,” he said.

Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP public affairs office chief, said Tuesday the bombing in Jolo, Sulu, which claimed the lives of 21 people and wounded 97 others, is an isolated incident.

He also said the military will take “extra precautionary measures” to secure the second Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite on February 6 following the bombing incident. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060421

Online English school links with NegOcc state college

TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental — Online education platform 51Talk has partnered with the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) in this city for the conduct of training programs for faculty, students, and graduates to become effective online English teachers.

The memorandum of agreement was signed by 51Talk country head Jennifer Que and CHMSC president Renato Sorolla in a ceremony held at the school’s Green Building Function Hall on Monday afternoon.

“CHMSC is very forward looking, forward thinking as an (academic institution). They are going towards university status. I think we are at the right moment,” Que said.

Dr. Renato Sorolla (left), president of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, and Jennifer Que, country head of 51Talk, show the signed memorandum of agreement for their training partnership during the ceremony held at the CHMSC main campus in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on January 29.
Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver

She added that the introduction of electives, seminars, and relevant training programs, particularly for faculty, students with English major and other four-year courses, and graduates, will equip them to become online English teachers who are ready to showcase Filipino teaching excellence in the future.

51Talk, owned by China Online Education Group and listed in the New York Stock Exchange, specializes in providing quality online English language teaching for children and adults across China through highly-qualified home-based teachers.

One of its center-based facilities in the Philippines is located at the Negros First CyberCentre in Bacolod City, which opened in May 2017.

It has more than 17,000 home-based online English teachers in the country, 10 percent of whom are in Negros Occidental.

Que said about 10 percent, or between 130 and 140 of the Negrense teachers, are graduates of CHMSC.

“They are performing very well,” she added.

Que said 51Talk aims to hire more to reach its target of 100,000 home-based teachers in the Philippines in the next five years.

For his part, Sorolla said the CHMSC partnered with 51Talk to fulfill the school’s mission of enabling students to effectively communicate in English to the world.

“In this highly-competitive 21st century, language is very important. This partnership is very relevant and very important to CHMSC,” he added.

Sorolla further said they want to produce graduates who are confident communicators.

“One of the institutional learning outcomes of CHMSC is interpersonal and communication competence, which bodes well with this budding partnership with 51Talk,” he further said.

CHMSC has four campuses, including the main college in this northern Negros city, as well as two in Bacolod City — Alijis, which hosts the Institute of Information Technology, and Fortune Town — and Binalbagan in southern Negros. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060339


Boracay employers ordered to implement wage hike

BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6 (Western Visayas) told employers on Boracay Island, Aklan to implement the daily minimum wage increase, which took effect on January 27.

DOLE-6 Regional Director Cyril Ticao, who also chairs the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-6, said on Monday they have already issued notices on the effectivity of the pay increase in the island-resort.

“We are reminding employers there to implement additional provisions of the existing wage order,” he said.

Wage Order No. 24, which was approved by the board in June 2018, provides that the wage increase in Boracay should take effect three months after its re-opening last October.

The decision took into consideration the temporary closure of the island-destination, which resulted in the non-operation of establishments for six months.

There was no wage increase and provision of cost of living allowance in all three barangays of Malay town, which includes Boracay Island, for three months.

In the rest of the areas in Western Visayas, the PHP13.50 to PHP41.50 increase per day took effect last July 12.

Ticao said it is the obligation of the establishments in Boracay to ensure that workers are properly paid as this will contribute to improving their productivity.

Wage Order No. 24 sets the new minimum wage rates, including the Cost of Living Allowance, at PHP295 and PHP365 per day.

Ticao said workers may report erring employers to their office, and they will conduct inspection to validate the complaint.

He said though that due process will be given to erring establishments, which should pay in retroactive the amount of increase they have not given to their workers.

“If ever they fail, we will issue an order requiring them for double indemnity,” Ticao added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060340

Probers eye several angles in Bacolod cop’s slay

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is looking into various angles in the murder of Senior Police Officer 4 Oscar Exaltado, deputy chief of Police Station 6, over the weekend.

Exaltado, 46, was gunned down by two unidentified motorcycle-riding men near his home in Barangay Singcang-Airport on his way to work around 7:30 a.m. on January 26.

Chief Insp. Ariel Pico, city police public information officer, said on Monday the Police Station 8 under by Chief Insp. Charles Gever is tasked to investigate the case.


Scene of the Crime Operation personnel look into the site in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, where Senior Police Officer 4 Oscar Exaltado was gunned down on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019.
Photo courtesy of Bombo Radyo Bacolod

Pico said in a radio interview the investigators are focusing on two angles.

The first angle has something to do with work, which could be linked to Exaltado’s duty as warrant server of Police Station 6.

He served warrants of arrest to wanted persons and it’s possible there are some of them holding a grudge against him, Pico said.

He added that the second angle is related to the alleged involvement of Exaltado in illegal drugs, which is still subject to further investigation.

Exaltado, clad in police uniform and driving a motorcycle, was ambushed in front of J.R. Torres Elementary School. He sustained multiple shots to the body and head.

“We condemn the killing of SPO4 Oscar Exaltado, deputy chief of Police Station 6, Bacolod City…I have already ordered the conduct of a thorough investigation on this incident to ensure the immediate arrest of the suspects,” said Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 (Western Visayas), in a statement.

The PRO-6 chief also assured the slain policeman’s family of all possible assistance and benefits due him and his kin. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060231

79K bags of NFA rice from Vietnam unloaded in Bacolod City

BACOLOD CITY — The National Food Authority (NFA) in Negros Occidental awaits the completion of the unloading of 79,000 bags of rice from Vietnam, which is the third and last import allocation for the province for 2018.

Frisco Canoy, provincial manager of NFA-Negros Occidental, said as of Sunday, a total of 58,461 bags were already unloaded and stored in warehouses in the province.

The 79,000 bags shipped via MV Han Binh 16 and arrived at the Bredco Port here last December 30.


National Food Authority Grains Operations Officer III Roem Precioso (right) inspects the bags of imported rice from Vietnam unloaded at the Bredco port in Bacolod City.
Photo courtesy of NFA-Negros Occidental

Canoy said the vessel started discharging the stocks only on January 19 and on January 27, a total of 14,321 bags have been unloaded.

“If the good weather continues, the unloading of the remaining 20,539 bags will be completed in two days,” he added.

The previous stocks came from Myanmar and Thailand, which delivered the final shipment last November.

Records showed that of the 160,000 bags of rice from Myanmar shipped via MV Tan Binh 79, only 159,739 bags were considered good stocks and fully unloaded on January 19.

The NFA does not accept “bad order” stocks from the supplier thus, unloading activity is suspended during rains as the rice may be damaged if wet.

Canoy said that in terms of distribution, the NFA-Negros Occidental is implementing a “first in, first out” scheme.

They have yet to complete the distribution of all stocks from Myanmar before those from Vietnam could reach the market, he pointed out.

He added that with the present volume of available government rice in Negros Occidental, the weekly allocation for retailers has returned to normal.

During the last two quarters of 2018 when the buffer stocks were limited, the allocation was based on the availability of stocks and the level of need of an area.

For major markets in Bacolod City, the NFA-Negros Occidental is currently distributing 140 bags per week.

Those in markets outside Bacolod are receiving a weekly allocation of 80 bags while those outside markets, like stores in the barangay level, are getting 60 bags every week.

Some 113 “Tagpuan” centers in Negros Occidental with a weekly allocation of 50 bags were also reactivated. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060228

Security preps up for 5-day Bacolaodiat Festival

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will deploy at least 1,400 police personnel and force multipliers to secure the Bacolaodiat Festival, this city’s celebration of Chinese New Year, from February 1 to 5.

This year’s main festival site, the Bacolod City Government Center grounds, will be provided round-the-clock security during the five-day festivities.

Chief Insp. Lester Leada, acting head of BCPO’s Operations Unit, said in a press briefing on Friday the police aim for zero major incident and reduce the occurrence of the eight focus crimes by 30 percent.


SECURITY PLAN. Chief Inspector Lester Leada, acting head of Bacolod City Police Office Operations Unit, presents the security plan during the 1st Inter-Agency Coordinating Conference on Security Preparations for Bacolaodiat 2019 held at the BCPO Patnubay Hall on Friday (Jan. 25, 2019).
Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver

“We also want to reduce the fear of crime and increase the level of confidence of stakeholders during the staging of the festival,” Leada added.

Last year, between 50,000 and 70,000 revelers attended the Bacolaodiat staged in two festival sites, police data showed.

Leada said the security forces will include about 1,000 police personnel, including the BCPO’s own 600 policemen and about 400 augmentation from Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas).

The remaining 400 personnel will comprise volunteers from rescue units and anti-crime groups, he added.

Before the press conference, Leada presented the security plan for this year’s festival during the 1st Inter-Agency Coordinating Conference on Security Preparation for Bacolaodiat 2019, held at the BCPO Patnubay Hall. It was attended by police station chiefs and representatives of various law enforcement agencies.

On February 1, the festival will kick off at 4 p.m. with the Dazzling Grand Motorcade from Lacson St., passing by the Bacolod Public Plaza before proceeding to the Bacolod City Government Center.

It will be followed by the opening of the Imperial Village and ceremonial lighting of the Government Center.

At 6 p.m., the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra will hold an open-air concert.

The opening night will be capped by the Symphony Lights and Sparks fireworks display and the Lunar Music Festival.

One of the festival highlights, the Bacolaodiat Street Dance Competition, will be held at the Goldenfield Commercial Complex starting 4:30 p.m. on February 3. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060064