NegOcc tourist arrivals up by 2%, hit 1.76M in 2018

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental, including this city, registered 1.76 million in tourist arrivals by end of December 2018, a 2 percent increase compared to the 2017 figures.

Cristine Mansinares, provincial supervising tourism operations officer, on Tuesday said various conventions and similar events hosted by the city and the province largely contributed to the growth.

In 2017, the total tourist arrivals in Negros Occidental only reached 1.72 million.

Mansinares said the provincial government’s nature-based tourism that attracted more crowd, and the strengthened marketing and promotion efforts with stakeholders also helped boost the number of visitors last year.

Negros Occidental hosted a group of celebrities and social media influencers from Malaysia for a six-day filming trip featuring the province’s beaches, farm tourism offerings, and ecotourism sites in October last year.
*File photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Tourism Division*

“Nature-based tourism products that we offered included beaches, mountain resorts, diving and snorkeling sites as well as trekking areas,” she added.

As part of its marketing and promotion initiatives, Negros Occidental has been actively participating in key travel fairs and business missions and hosting familiarization tours for local and international media and tour operators in events like Panaad sa Negros Festival and other festivals of local government units, she said.

The provincial government also cited the support of local bloggers in promoting the tourism industry, she said.

Mansinares noted that the tourist arrival figures accounted for overnight visitors only, which means these are on top of the day visitors coming to Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.

Figures from the Negros Occidental Tourism Division (NOTD) showed that the province catered to 3.19 million day tourists last year, which is 17 percent higher than the 2.74 million day visitors in 2017.

For foreign tourists, the top 10 markets are the United States with 16,362 arrivals; Korea, 16,048; Japan, 8,021; Russia, 6,629; Australia, 5,636; China, 4,913; Canada, 4,744; Germany, 4,264; the United Kingdom, 2,223; and India, 1,896.

Meanwhile, the top 10 contributing LGUs are Bacolod City, Sipalay City, Murcia, Kabankalan City, San Carlos City, Cadiz City, Talisay City, Bago City, Escalante City, and Silay City.

Mansinares said the province has a total of 293 accommodation establishments with 5,853 rooms, providing direct employment to 3,694 Negrenses.

In the 2016 Household Survey on Domestic Visitors released by the Philippine Statistics Authority and DOT in mid-2017, Negros Occidental was the second most visited place in the country by Filipino domestic travelers, behind the National Capital Region. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1063761

P1-M worth of shabu seized in Bacolod, Silay cities

BACOLOD CITY — Almost PHP1 million worth of suspected shabu were seized by police in separate buy-bust operations conducted in the cities of Bacolod and Silay in Negros Occidental since Monday.

In Bacolod on Wednesday, operatives of Police Station 9 arrested Richard Diafante in Purok Matahum, Barangay Tangub around 12:05 a.m.

The suspect was found in possession of PHP40,000 worth of shabu placed in one big and two small sachets after he sold PHP200 of the prohibited substance to an undercover policeman.

About 15 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP225,000 along with the buy-bust money, drug paraphernalia, and mobile phones were seized by police operatives from a suspect in Silay City on Monday afternoon (Feb. 25, 2019).
*Photo from Mayor Mark J. Golez Facebook page)*

About half an hour later, Angel Perez, 32, was arrested in Purok Kahirup, Barangay Mandalagan by personnel of Police Station 3.

Operatives seized from Perez about 10 grams of shabu with estimated value of PHP125,000 along with the PHP500 buy-bust money, PHP200 cash, and drug paraphernalia.

About 1:30 a.m., Joseph Saul was apprehended by personnel of Police Station 6 in Purok Bagong Katilingban, Barangay 40. Saul yielded nine sachets of shabu with a street value of PHP8,000.

Twenty minutes later, operatives of Police Station 7 arrested Bon Jovi Umbao and Rommel Laurilla in Purok Paghida-et, Barangay Mansilingan.

Umbao, a high-value target, and Laurilla, who is included on the drugs watch list, are suspected members of the police-identified Cuadra drug group.

Policemen recovered from their possession three sachets of shabu worth PHP6,000 along with the PHP500 buy-bust money and drug paraphernalia.

On Monday night, personnel of City Drug Enforcement Unit recovered PHP531,000 of the prohibited substance from three suspects in Barangay 8.

The suspects, John Roy Pasco, Jocelyn Villa, and Joevel Diaz, yielded 13 sachets of suspected shabu with the PHP1,000 marked money and drug paraphernalia.

About 4:50 p.m. on the same day, three persons were arrested in a buy-bust conducted by operatives of Silay City Police Station at Fortuna Subdivision in Barangay 5.

Police identified the suspects as Edel Salado, who is included in the target drug list, Remo Jimenea, and Aris de Guzman. The last two are newly-identified drug personalities.

They yielded a big sachet and 63 medium sachets of shabu weighing about 15 grams with an estimated value of PHP225,000 along with the PHP 4,500 buy-bust money, drug paraphernalia, and mobile phones. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1063074

Bacolod City registers 17K businesses in January

BACOLOD CITY — Almost 17,000 business establishments in this city have renewed or registered their firms in the first month of 2019, records of the City Mayor’s Office-Permits and Licensing Division showed.

Division head Stela Rose Rayos said that as of Monday, the total registration has reached 16,994, which is 923 more than the 16,071 listed for the same period in 2018.

This shows an increase of 6 percent, she added.

The Business One-Stop-Shop, which caters to the renewal of business permits aimed at providing convenience and accessibility to taxpayers, runs until February 28 at the Bacolod City Government Center.
*Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO*

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in a statement that if the trend continues, Bacolod will have another record-breaking year in terms of business registration figures.

“This is very encouraging and we will pursue this to the hilt. We appeal to all concerned to help us achieve this,” the mayor said.

By the end of 2018, the annual business registrations in Bacolod totaled 23,187, which was about 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.

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

Leonardia said that as the city government continues to innovate and find ways and means to improve the ease of doing business, his administration will not only work to retain existing ones, but even attract new investments.

“This is the core of our intensified campaign to establish Bacolod as one of the ‘most business-friendly cities in the country,’” he added.

The city government has established the Business One-Stop-Shop, which runs from January to February, to encourage more investors to register their businesses.

This year, the one-stop-shop, which caters to the renewal of business permits and aimed at providing convenience and accessibility to taxpayers, runs until February 28 at the Bacolod City Government Center.

Business taxpayers who pay in full within the period can avail of a 10-percent discount. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062952

Ceres-Negros to face familiar foe Shan United in AFC Cup opener

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippines’ Ceres-Negros FC will face a familiar foe in Shan United FC of Myanmar in the Group G opening match of the AFC Cup 2019 at the Panaad Stadium here Tuesday night.

The Philippine national league champions are looking to reclaim the ASEAN Zone title after finishing runner-up in 2018, a year after winning the zonal finals for the first time.

Ceres-Negros head coach Risto Vidakovic said the first match against Shan United is important and there is a big pressure on them to win at home.

Ceres-Negros head coach Risto Vidakovic (right) with goalkeeper Roland Muller (2^nd from right), and Shan United head coach Min Thu (left) and defender David Htan during the pre-match press conference for the AFC Cup 2019 in Bacolod City on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019.
*PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver*

“We have to work hard if we want to win. I hope the players learned something from the last game we played here. They (Shan United) have better preparation than us but we’re playing at home and I think with a big effort, we can do something,” the Serbian mentor said during the pre-match press conference held at Luxur Place on Monday afternoon.

Ceres-Negros had played against the Taunggyi-based club thrice last year. First, in the AFC Champions League preliminary stage where they defeated the Burmese team. Both teams also met in the group stage of the AFC Cup, with the Filipino club dominating the home and away matches.

Goalkeeper Roland Muller said Ceres-Negros is looking forward to a new challenge in this year’s continental club tournament.

“Now, we are focused on the AFC Cup. We prepared good. We had a good camp in Singapore. We will start a new chapter and we are ready,” the Filipino-German stopper said.

Shan United head coach Min Thu said that after facing Ceres-Negros last year, they have prepared well for Tuesday night’s match.

“We know the team. We have the best preparation to face them to get a good result. It’s always difficult to play away games. Anyway, we have good preparation, we will try our best,” he added.

Min Thu said they have a young squad of both local players, and foreign additions. Three Brazilians are suiting up for Shan United in the tournament.

Defender David Htan acknowledged that Ceres-Negros is “a very good team”.

“The game will be a very tough one. We will try our best to face them,” he said. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062921

Bacolod starts bidding of 3 flagship projects

BACOLOD CITY — The City of Bacolod has started the bidding process for the implementation of the three of its four flagship projects to be funded by a PHP1.7-billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

City Assessor Maphilindo Polvora, chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), said as of Thursday, several prospective bidders have already purchased bidding documents.

The three projects include the PHP350-million development of Progreso Village Relocation Site, PHP350-million Bacolod City College Site Development and Facilities, and PHP200-million construction of roads and bridges.

The BAC has conducted a pre-procurement conference and advertised the invitation to bid in a newspaper and posted it on the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) portal and the DBP website, Polvora said.

He added that the DBP will release the loan amount once the winning bidders have been declared.

“The bid should be responsive and calculated in accordance with the plan of the end-user,” Polvora said.

The fourth project is the PHP800-million construction of Bacolod MassKara Coliseum with outdoor arena.

Last December, the City Council ratified the term loan agreement and continuing deed of assignment with hold-out agreement between the City of Bacolod and the DBP represented by Negros Occidental Lending Center head Bernardo Castillon.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier said the four projects are “meant really to improve our day-to-day life in Bacolod and these will have a long-term effect on the City of Bacolod”.

“The maximum loan we can avail of is PHP1.7 billion. For sure, it will not be PHP1.7 billion in the end,” the mayor added.

Leonardia said the Bacolod MassKara Coliseum will be positioned as an income-generating project since commercial spaces will be available within the building.

The mayor’s challenger in his reelection bid, former councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, has filed a petition for temporary restraining order against the PHP1.7-billion loan before the Regional Trial Court Branch 44. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062713

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

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

220 Bacolod couples tie the knot in mass wedding rites

BACOLOD CITY — A total of 220 couples said “I do’s” in two separate ceremonies dubbed as “Kasalan ng Bayan: The Bacolod Mass Wedding 2019” officiated by Mayor Evelio Leonardia over the weekend.

On Sunday, 200 couples tied the knot in an elaborate event held at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds from late afternoon until the evening.

A day before, Leonardia also officiated the wedding of 20 couples in Barangay Taculing.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (seated, center) witnesses the signing of marriage contract by couple Ricardo Tomayao, 74, and Glaiza Cosme, 29, in the presence of other city officials during the mass wedding ceremony at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019.
*Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver*

The mayor was joined by city officials, who served as principal sponsors, including Rep. Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, during Sunday’s rites.

“We initiate mass weddings because we believe that marriage institution is the basic unit of the society. This is one of the factors that will make the city grow. The family starts with you once you get married and that is the fiber of society that will make Bacolod develop further,” Leonardia told the couples.

During the wedding ceremony, he announced that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is also one of the principal sponsors, who promised to send wedding gifts to the newly-weds.

He added that the senatorial candidates supported by Hugpong ng Pagbabago, chaired by Duterte-Carpio, are also on the list of “ninongs and ninangs” (godparents)

“This is a special mass wedding because your principal sponsors are special,” the mayor said.

During the symbolic signing of the marriage contract, the couples were represented by the oldest groom, Ricardo Tomayao, 74, and his long-time partner, 29-year-old Glaiza Cosme.

The couple, who have three children, lived together for 15 years before they got married.

Tomayao, a mechanic and former jeepney driver, was a widower with eight children when he met Cosme when she was 14.

The Sunday wedding rites were also witnessed by Luis Gonzales, provincial head of the Philippine Statistics Authority-Negros Occidental, and City Civil Registrar Hermilo Pauyon.

Pauyon said the mass wedding event is a yearly activity of the City of Bacolod.

“This a big help for live-in couples especially those who have children who will be legitimized once they get married,” he added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062167

Election officers in 3 Visayas cities reshuffled

BACOLOD CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the re-assignments of election officers in three highly-urbanized cities in the Visayas ahead of the May 13 mid-term elections.

Bacolod City Election Officer IV Mavil Majarucon-Sia confirmed that she has received the order dated February 11 issued by Comelec Executive Director Jose M. Tolentino Jr. for the reshuffling supposed to take effect on February 12.

Based on the directive, a copy of which she provided to reporters on Friday, Majarucon-Sia will be transferred to Iloilo City.

She will be replaced by Election Officer IV Ann Janette Lamban, who is from Lapu-Lapu City.

Election Officer IV Reinier Layson, meanwhile, will leave his post in Iloilo City to assume Lamban’s former assignment.

“Pursuant to the authority vested in me through Minute Resolution No. 15-0468 dated June 23, 2015 and in the exigency of service, you are hereby reassigned effective February 12,” Tolentino said in the directive.

Majarucon-Sia said after receiving the order last week, she requested to extend the date of her assumption as election officer of Iloilo City.

“I needed at least a week to wind up my activities in Comelec-Bacolod,” she said.

On February 19, Majarucon-Sia said Layson will turn over his post to her, and she will take over as acting election officer of Iloilo City.

However, she has yet to know the actual date of Lamban’s assumption of office in Bacolod City.

“The activities in Bacolod are almost done. We have finalized the list of voters and the list of the electoral board is almost finished,” Majarucon-Sia said. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062124

Comelec-Bacolod tells bets to follow common poster areas

BACOLOD CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here is reminding candidates to follow the rules on designated common poster areas as the campaign period for national positions start this week.

A day after the campaign for senators and party-list groups began on Tuesday, City Election Officer Mavil Majarucon-Sia led her staff in checking the compliance and they were able to take down illegally posted campaign materials in some areas around the city.

Marajucon-Sia said on Wednesday, they were able to go around in about 10 villages, and took down several posters and tarpaulins.

Personnel of Commission on Elections in Bacolod City take down illegally posted campaign materials on Wednesday (Feb.13, 2019).
*Photo courtesy of Comelec-Bacolod*

“For now, we can only take down the posters of those running for senators and partylist representatives. Although we have observed the violations are not blatant,” she said.

Marajucon-Sia noted that local coordinators of some senatorial candidates have taken down their large campaign tarpaulins before February 12.

During the “Operation Baklas” on Wednesday, they were able to take down only less than 10 campaign materials since the rest were already removed.

In Bacolod, the Comelec has identified at least 92 common poster areas in the 61 barangays for the May 13 elections.

Among these are located in covered courts, gymnasiums, areas near the barangay halls, and vacant lots along the highways.

Campaign materials with size not exceeding two feet by three feet can also be posted in a private property with consent of the lot owner.

Marajucon-Sia said as the campaign period continues, the Comelec-Bacolod personnel will try to conduct inspections at least twice a week to monitor the candidates’ compliance with the rules on common poster areas.

Candidates whose campaign posters are installed on trees may be charged for violating Section 3 of Republic Act 3571, which prohibits the cutting, destroying or injuring of planted or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs or plants of scenic value along public roads, in plazas, parks other than national parks, school premises or in any other public ground.

Violators may be charged with an election offense, which is punishable with one to six years in jail, disqualification from holding public office and deprivation of the right to vote. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061937