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

Bacolod renews ties with South Korean city

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod has strengthened its sister city ties with Seogu District, Daegu Metropolitan City of South Korea to pave the way for exchanges in the fields of tourism, culture, and trade.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia together with Councilors Em Ang and Cindy Rojas visited Daegu last week upon the invitation of the Federation of Art and Culture Organization.

“Seogu is one of the eight districts of Daegu, the fourth largest city in South Korea. We were trying to renew our sister city agreement with Seogu District,” Ang said in a press briefing held at the City Mayor’s Office on Wednesday afternoon.

Bacolod City Councilors Em Ang (left) and Cindy Rojas give updates on their recent visit to Daegu Metropolitan City in South Korea to strengthen sister city ties with the Seogu District, in a press conference at the City Mayor’s Office on Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 13, 2019). *Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver*

She said they met with former District Mayor Kang Seong-Ho, the signatory of the sister city agreement entered between Bacolod and Seogu in 2013, for exploratory talks on areas the two cities can collaborate.

Ang, who chairs the City Council’s committee on tourism, pointed out that Daegu has a lot of similarities to Bacolod such as big festivals closely tied to their economy.

“The biggest festival is the colorful Daegu Festival held every month of May and it is like our very own MassKara Festival. They also have Chemeck Festival, which is a chicken and beer festival. It is held every July. It is like our Inasal Festival,” she said.

Ang said that during their meeting with the former Mayor Kang, they discussed the possibility of the two cities engaging in cultural exchanges focusing on their festivals.
“They want to send to Bacolod their performers and at the same time, invited the MassKara dancers to come to their place,” she added.

Rojas said their trip was an educational tour and a benchmarking activity in the areas of tourism, culture, and trade.

She noted that she got interested in an art strip where a blank wall was made available for murals, which could also be done in Bacolod.

“It’s a row of walls which they dedicate to famous South Korean folk singer Kim Kwang-seok, like the Philippines’ Freddie Aguilar. We have areas in Bacolod which we can transform into this. We have so many gifted artists here,” Rojas said.

Moreover, Ang said they also see an opportunity for start-up companies in Bacolod to collaborate with companies in Daegu whose main industries are technology and automotive parts. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061889

Bacolod City renews support for ‘Rehabinasyon’

BACOLOD CITY — The City of Bacolod has renewed its commitment in supporting the national government’s campaign against illegal drugs through its participation in the two-day “Rehabinasyon: The 1st National Anti-Drugs Summit” at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who is among the select mayors attending the event until January 4, said the summit is a rare opportunity that provides Bacolod with a holistic picture of the drug rehabilitation program of the administration.

“The leading anti-illegal drugs agencies have organized this to make a more comprehensive approach in their intention to rehabilitate and reintegrate the victims back to society,” said the mayor, who was joined in the summit by executive assistant Samuel Montoyo, the city’s focal person on the anti-drug abuse campaign.

In March last year, Bacolod hosted the launching of “Rehabinasyon,” a holistic approach in eliminating the country’s drugs problem that puts premium on the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers, which was attended by about 400 people.

Bacolod then was one of the first key cities selected by the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs to launch the program.

The summit in Davao is attended by top officials of the Duterte administration and is showcasing #RealNumbers, #RealSolutions, and #RealStories.

Ramon Cualoping III, assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office and chief brand integrator of Rehabinasyon, said the summit aims to provide a review of the government’s achievements for the past two years in solving the country’s drug problem.

He encouraged the stakeholders to continue supporting the campaign saying that Rehabinasyon is “an investment for the future.”

In Bacolod, the campaign against illegal drugs also includes the construction of a PHP35-million drug rehabilitation center in Barangay Alijis. The PHP10-million fund was granted by the Dangerous Drugs Board while the remaining PHP25-million will be shouldered by the city government.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has also selected Bacolod to be the site of the pilot center of “Balay Silangan” for the Visayas.

In July 2017, Bacolod was also the venue of the Philippine celebration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking joined by about 17,000 participants. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060910

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

Pacquiao still in top form at 40: Bacolod mayor

BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Evelio Leonardia, flag-bearer of Team Pacquiao, said Filipino boxing icon, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, is still at his peak at 40 years old.

The chief executive here, who waved the Philippine flag inside the ring before the bout in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, said Pacquiao, in defending his World Boxing Association welterweight title against American Adrien Broner, showed the same form he had at the prime of his boxing career.

“Life begins at 40. This is what Senator Pacquiao has just proven in Las Vegas. He did not only beat Broner, but he also beat Father Time,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

Some 5,000 residents of Bacolod City watching the free live broadcast of the Pacquiao-Broner fight at the Bacolod Arts, Youth and Sports Center celebrate after Senator Manny Pacquiao defended his World Boxing Association welterweight title against American Adrien Broner on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019.
*Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO*

Leonardia added that it was “amazing to watch a 40-year-old boxer still with so much speed and power.”

“While other boxers see their careers decline upon reaching the 30s, Manny is even still peaking,” he further said.

Leonardia, who first carried Pacquiao’s belt in 2005, and who has been carrying the Philippine flag inside the ring since 2006, said that after the only eight-division world boxing champion’s latest triumph, “the Manny Pacquiao mystique goes on.”

“And it looks like it will still be a long, long time that he’ll rule the fascination and adoration of the Filipinos,” he added.

The mayor said Pacquiao, an adopted son of Bacolod City, once again brought all the Filipinos together as one to cheer the flag and the Philippines.

Here in Bacolod, about 20,000 people flocked to the eight free live viewing venues set up by the city government, including the Bacolod Arts, Youth and Sports Center where 5,000 people gathered.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. also lauded Pacquiao’s win against Broner.

“Our boxing hero’s latest triumph will certainly inspire many young athletes who dream big,” the governor said in a statement.

He added that Pacquiao “again showed the world that with long years of championship experience and hard work, one would be able to overcome any challenge in the ring.” (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1059510

Bacolod City rakes in P1.4-B in taxes, other revenues in 2018

BACOLOD CITY — The City of Bacolod raked in PHP1.444 billion in real property taxes and other non-tax revenues in 2018, with a collection efficiency of 143 percent, records of the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) showed.

A report submitted by City Treasurer Giovanni Balalilhe to Mayor Evelio Leonardia showed the collection target set by the Department of Finance – Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOF-BLGF) for Bacolod was only PHP1.013 billion.

“Again, major economic indicators for Bacolod are pointing upwards. This is a solid statement that we have restored business confidence,” the mayor said in a statement on Thursday.

The CTO reported that in 2018, the city’s real property taxes reached PHP730.528 million, indicating a collection efficiency of 186 percent, compared to the target of PHP392.671 million.

It added that non-tax revenues, including business and other local taxes, fees and other charges, and economic enterprises, contributed a total of PHP714.199 million, posting a collection efficiency of 115 percent as against the target collection of PHP621.145 million.

“With (our) total collection efficiency was 143 percent, we exceeded the target of DOF-BLGF,” Balalilhe said.

He noted that CTO-Bacolod had received three awards from the DOF-6 (Western Visayas) in 2017 for having the highest collection efficiency among the cities in the region.

In 2018, Bacolod hit a record-high of 23,187 business permits registration, which is 23.2 percent or 4,370 higher since 2015. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1059268

Bacolod police OIC told to focus on campaign vs. drugs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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