The Bacolod councilors who voted against the passage of the proposed ordinance prohibiting the use of plastic bags, and styrofoam as containers for food, said they will support it if Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang amends it.
Among them was Councilor El Cid Familiaran who said yesterday that he will support it if the necessary amendments are made, adding that he was one of those who voted for it when it was unanimously passed by the City Council on second reading. Ang said she will re-introduce the measure on Wednesday but will separate the issue on the use of plastic bags from that of the styrofoam as containers for food. She said she was deeply disturbed and saddened that, after six months of hard work, four councilors voted against the ordinance and three abstained. Ang said the many Bacoleños who have expressed their disgust on facebook deserve the explanation of those who rejected the proposal. She said these proves that many Bacoleños want plastic bags to be “extinct” like the dinosaurs. Those who voted in favor of the ordinance on third and final reading were Ang, Councilors Caesar Distrito, Homer Bais, Al Victor Espino and Mona Dia Jardin. Those who voted against it were Councilors Sonya Verdeflor, Elmer Sy, Catalino Alisbo and Familiaran, while those who abstained were Councilors Archie Baribar, Dindo Ramos and Carlos Jose Lopez. Familiaran said the proposed ordinance does not totally ban the use of plastic bags since it only prohibits businessmen and vendors from using them, while others are not prohibited, it will not be successful. He said it is only in Bacolod where the use of plastic bags will be banned when the law should be applicable to all. Verdeflor said her negative vote does not mean she is not in favor of banning the use of plastic, but they have apprehensions over some provisions of the ordinance, particularly the banning of plastic polybags. She said that according to the Philippine Association of Supermarkets Inc., these plastic polybags have been tested and certified by the Department of Science and Technology to be biodegradable and are safer to use than other hard paper. Verdeflor said SM and Mercury Drug are using them but Ang, who authored the ordinance still opted to have plastic bags totally banned, whether they are biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Verdeflor cited the provision that “those who will misrepresent that their plastic is DOST certified and biodegradable when in truth and in fact it is not, will be penalized.” She said this is part of the proposed national bill of Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that regulates the use of plastics. They suggested to Ang to put the same provision before they pass the ordinance on third and final reading, she added. Verdeflor said Ang decided to totally ban all plastic bags and polybags but not plastic cups, except for styro cups. Ang said in case the Senate Bill of Marcos which allows biodegradable plastic is approved, it will supercede the ordinance. “I am sure the law will have a provision on which government agency will ensure testing facilities to determine if a plastic is biodegradable or not. So in the meantime, that we cannot afford it, we should implement a total ban on plastics,” she said.*CGS CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star
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THE Bacolod City Council passed on first reading the Ordinance amending Chapter VIII, section 48 of the City Ordinance no. 160, Series of 1996 or the Market Code of Bacolod City.
Authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito and co-authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran, the resolution cited Chapter VIII, Section 48 of City Ordinance No. 160, Series of 1996 which states that ten (10) percent of the total collection from the operations of the markets shall be set aside as trust fund solely for the use of the maintenance and improvement of the public markets. The trust fund that is allocated for the maintenance of the Public Markets and the Manokan Country should be increased in order to properly address the rehabilitation and the repair of the same. The rehabilitation and improvements of the markets are not properly addressed because the trust fund that is allocated for the same is not enough. As amended and added, there shall be created a separate trust fund for each public market, namely the North Public Market (Burgos Market), the Central Market, the South Public Market (Libertad Market) and the Manokan Country, and allocating fifty percent (50%) of the total collection to each of the said trust fund. The respective Market Supervisors shall be responsible for the preparation of the program of works, subject to the approval of the City Mayor. The City Treasurer’s Office shall submit the monthly collection report and the status of the Trust Fund of the said public markets to the City Council through the committee on markets and slaughterhouse. Carla N. Canet Sun Star Bacolod A resolution encouraging the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office/Traffic Management Unit to conduct seminars for traffic police officers and enforcers on the updates of national and local traffic laws and regulations, was approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday.
Authored by Councilor EmLegaspi-Ang, the resolution said the BTAO and TMU are encouraged to conduct seminars for traffic police officers and enforcers in order to enhance their knowledge and to supplement their comprehension of traffic laws and regulation to implement the law effectively and efficiently. The SP also approved a resolution requesting the BTAO through the Office of the Mayor and the barangay officials of the city to remove all unserviceable vehicles being parked along the city and barangay roads, particularly the junked ones, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito. Meanwhile, the SP approved another resolution requesting Traffic Division head Police Chief Insp. Luisito Acebuche through the Office of the Mayor to clear the entrance and surrounding roads of the government center of traffic congestion, authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran.*CGS BACOLOD City Councilor El Cid Familiaran saw the need for the City Government and other concerned government agencies to inspect the state of dormitories and boarding houses operating in the city.
He requested the Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia to create a team composed of the Bacolod City Police Office, Environment and Natural Resources Offices (ENRO), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), City Health Office (CHO) and City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) to inspect dormitories and boarding houses in Bacolod. According to Familiaran, the composite team should focus its ocular inspection on the lightings, spaces and ventilation, fire exits and protection facilities, sanitation, exorbitant rates of rent, garbage receptacles, possible study room and first aid kits. "Check their business license and permits, too," he urged. The councilor came out with the recommendation after he went around the city and observed that a number of dormitories and boarding houses here are either dilapidated, combustible, and without proper lightings and appropriate spaces being provided for the tenants’ convenience. Such conditions need to be inspected by the city thru the concerned agencies to ensure compliance with the existing laws, particularly on safety, he stressed. The opening of classes makes it more important for the City to proactively act on this concern, particularly on those dormitories and boarding houses that cater for students, said Familiaran. By Carla N. Canet Sun.Star Bacolod BACOLOD City Councilor El Cid Familiaran saw the need for the City Government and other concerned government agencies to inspect the state of dormitories and boarding houses operating in the city.
He requested the Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia to create a team composed of the Bacolod City Police Office, Environment and Natural Resources Offices (ENRO), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), City Health Office (CHO) and City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) to inspect dormitories and boarding houses in Bacolod. According to Familiaran, the composite team should focus its ocular inspection on the lightings, spaces and ventilation, fire exits and protection facilities, sanitation, exorbitant rates of rent, garbage receptacles, possible study room and first aid kits. "Check their business license and permits, too," he urged. The councilor came out with the recommendation after he went around the city and observed that a number of dormitories and boarding houses here are either dilapidated, combustible, and without proper lightings and appropriate spaces being provided for the tenants’ convenience. Such conditions need to be inspected by the city thru the concerned agencies to ensure compliance with the existing laws, particularly on safety, he stressed. The opening of classes makes it more important for the City to proactively act on this concern, particularly on those dormitories and boarding houses that cater for students, said Familiaran. Carla N. Canet Sun Star Bacolod THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) launched Monday the first training of the 25 Special Weapons and Tactic (Swat) personnel at the BCPO parade grounds after the City Government released the P1-million budget for the purchase of equipment and gears.
BCPO Director Ricardo De la Paz said the city Swat team was composed of 25 personnel. Its formation is in line with the order of Police Chief Director General Raul Bacalzo to enhance Bacolod’s crisis management capability, relative to what happened in the Quirino Grandstand hostage situation last year. The activity was attended by acting Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Councilors El Cid Familiaran and Al Victor Espino, and the mobile training unit of Police Regional Office-6 led by Superintendent Salvador Dagu-on. The Swat team is a standby unit in the city to handle critical incidents, such as hostage situations, bank robberies, barricaded suspects, and terrorist-related incidents, De la Paz said. He stressed that, as a highly urbanized city, it’s mandatory for Bacolod to have a Swat unit. “I believe that we can handle critical incidents properly,” he added. De la Paz revealed that the members of the Swat team had undergone screening and pre-qualification tests, such as shooting and physical agility. He stated that the 25 personnel passed the minimum requirements. He said that he will not allow the Swat members to be assigned in some units here in Bacolod or somewhere in Negros Occidental because the Swat personnel are trained to be the Swat of BCPO so that they can utilize their expertise and knowledge as Swat members in Bacolod. He added the training of the Swat unit is now timely in Bacolod, since the notorious bank robbery group Parohinog gang is now eyeing Western Visayas, especially the banks in the city. De la Paz also showed his gratitude to the City Government officials for the financial support to be used during the training and the purchase of Swat equipment and gears. Meanwhile, De la Paz said the P1-million budget for the purchase of Swat gears and equipment is not sufficient to acquire all the Swat equipment and gears. He said that he will request the City Government to allocate additional fund in the amount of P2-million to acquire a standard weapons and gears for Swat unit. By Merlinda A. Pedrosa Sun.Star Bacolod The alleged operation of Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation in Bacolod is illegal, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director Sr. Supt. Ricardo Dela Paz said.
De la Paz pointed out that Meridien, as well as other jai alai operations in the city is illegal. "They do not have a franchise to operate here in Bacolod," he said. "It is illegal, so anybody who is involved in it will be arrested," De la Paz stressed amid reports that Meridien is allegedly operating in Bacolod but some police officers are not apprehending its people. He said he will look into reports that policemen under Stations 4 and 5 are allegedly not arresting the staff of Meridien. He appealed that those who are accusing cops of favoring certain jai alai operators and financiers should prove their allegation. De la Paz also declared that his office is not sparing any operator or financier as well as runners in their campaign against illegal gambling. He assured people that policemen under the BCPO are serious in the campaign to stop illegal gambling activities in the city. He said it is also possible that jai alai operators are the ones sending text messages to discredit their competitors. He also claimed operators and financiers of jai-alai are reportedly doing smear campaign against each other and trying to discredit one another at the expense of policemen. Councilor El Cid Familiaran alleged that Bacolod has become the center of illegal numbers game, especially jai-alai operations, in the province, even if they are illegal. He said he will pass a resolution which will minimize, if not totally eradicate the continued operation of the illegal numbers game. The city government does not earn from its operations through permits and taxes. He further alleged that all illegal numbers game operators are discreetly operating in the city, but the apprehensions of their bet collectors is a manifestation that they exist in the city. He added that he is consulting his lawyers about the possibility of seeking the help of the Department of Justice to increase the cash bond of those apprehended from P24,000 to P100,000 so that the operators will have a hard time shouldering the fines and subsidy of those who are arrested. He said that an apprehended bet collector pays a cash bond of P24,000 and another P9,000 for surety bond, but if the cash bond is increased to P100,000, then it will be hard for the operators, and will probably lessen their operations Last week, Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, police provincial director, said all jai-alai operations in Negros Occidental, including those reportedly by Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation, is illegal and therefore should not be allowed in the province. Guisihan said he has reiterated his order to all police stations to go after jai-alai operations, and all other illegal numbers game, during a command conference at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO). Meridien has reportedly obtained a franchise from the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) to operate fronton and betting stations. But Guisihan stressed, "As far as we know, Meridien’s jai-alai operations in Negros is illegal." He said that there were no legal papers furnished them to justify the operations of Meridien. Guisihan added that the operations of Meridien outside the CEZA are deemed illegal until the court decides on the case filed against Meridien.* HONCHO. Something’s gotta give insofar as the slew of graft and corruption cases filed against Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia is concerned. Sometimes, there are "accidents" when cases such as those filed by Sarah Teresa Esguerra and Victor Eduardo do not get the attention they deserve. But there are flukes and there are flukes, and fortunately for both Esguerra and Eduardo, they had a lucky break of having been noticed by Malacañang officials who were then looking for ways to kick out Chief Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez from the anti-graft prosecution arm. Malacañang legal counsels stumbled into whistleblower Sarah Esguerra who had filed several complaints against Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia and those involved in allegations of irregularities which, if compiled would make up a book.
As is already known, the irregularities Esguerra and Eduardo together filed against Leonardia, befuddled the ordinary person because once available, one can conclude how careless he and his people have been. Soon, one would know the real reason for the carelessness or to put it succinctly, imprudent carelessness of the mayor and his people because, what they have done, would, in fact, be cause for the filing of charges against them. But they were probably ensconced in the thought that they would not be, in the final analysis, brought before the bar of the anti-graft court because they had covered their tracks, so to speak, very well. But, no, the evident omission of irregularities is not very easy to negate nor parry, and so, many, including political partisans may insist I am wrong but which could be proven by the trend of events and more so in the coming days.NINE YEARS OF MISTAKES. Nothing in fact, can totally be foolproof even if the mayor has "expert" like Jose "Peping" Villanueva, Goldwyn Nifras, the Voltes Five and a phalanx of "rear guards" and shock absorbers. From the looks of the documents produced by Esguerra and Eduardo related to these alleged anomalies, those who are now on the dock, have been careless, thinking maybe that with the political connections and the political power made available to them, they can in the final analysis, escape unscathed. Esguerra and Eduardo combined estimates that the amount involved in the alleged anomalies at P1.2B in a period of nine years which is not very difficult to actualize considering that for the last few years, the Bacolod City government has had a budget of P1.2B which includes its Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). The truth is that, after Malacañang got wind of the complaints having been parried aside by Ombudsman for Luzon, Mark Jalandoni who had signed several dismissals of complaints filed by Esguerra, two of them flew to Bacolod City and conferred with Esguerra personally. These are flukes or unforeseen events which turned out to be the good fortune for the whistleblowers and which also positively included Eduardo. NEW SET OF OFFICIALS SOONER OR LATER. There could be a new set of officials once the mayor and those who are included in the charges will be suspended on account of the complaints filed against them by Esguerra and Eduardo which is a distinct possibility. For no fault of theirs, El Cid Familiaran, will become the chief executive with the opposition councilors also occupying topranking positions. This may be a conjecture but if we may say so, this appears to be what is taking place and the direction, the political scenario shifting in Bacolod City.* Edgar Cadagat Negros Daily Bulletin BACOLOD City Police Office (BCPO) Director Ricardo de la Paz on Sunday said the BCPO is not sparing anybody in its campaign against illegal gambling, particularly jai-alai.
“It is illegal. Anybody who is involved in it will be arrested,” dela Paz said following reports that a jai-alai operator known as Meridien is operating in the city and some police officers are sparing Meridien’s people. De la Paz stressed that Meridien as well as other jai-alai operations in the city is illegal. “They do not have a franchise to operate here in the city,” de la Paz said. However, he also disclosed that operators and financiers of jai-alai are competing with each other and trying to discredit one another at the expense of policemen. He said he will look into the reports that policemen under Stations 4 and 5 are allegedly not arresting Meridien’s people. De la Paz assured that policemen under the BCPO are serious in the campaign to stop illegal gambling activities in the city. He appealed that those who are accusing cops of favoring certain jai-alai operators and financiers should prove their allegations. He said it is also possible that jai alai-operators are the ones sending text messages to discredit their competitors. Earlier, Senior Superintendent Allan Guisihan also said that as far as the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Noppo) is concerned, the operation of Meridien in the province is illegal. While there is a case in court regarding the legality of Meridien’s jai-alai operations outside of Cagayan Valley, Guisihan said that as far as Noppo is concerned, Meridien has no permit to operate in the province so it is considered illegal. He said that Meridien operations in Cagayan is maybe legal because it has a permit to operate there but outside Cagayan is a different story. Meanwhile, Bacolod City Councilor El Cid Familiaran said he will file a resolution calling on the local police to minimize, if not, eradicate the illegal numbers game in the city. Familiaran said that illegal gambling operators are discretely operating in the city. He said the apprehensions of their bet collectors are a manifestation that they exist in the city. He added that he is consulting his lawyers about the possibility of seeking the help of the Department of Justice to increase the cash bond from P24,000 to P100,000 so that the operator will have a hard time shouldering the fines and legal expenses of those who were arrested and jailed. He said that a bet collector, once apprehended, will pay a cash bond of P24,000. If the cash bond is increased to P100,000, then this will be burdensome the operators who will suffer in paying for the bail of their arrested bet collectors. By Carla N. Canet Sun.Star Bacolod An ordinance establishing the Bacolod City Special Children’s Board, was approved on third and final reading by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday.
The ordinance said Section 24(2) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 232 or the “Education Act of 1982”, recognizes the State’s responsibility to provide Specialized Educational Service to persons who are physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, or culturally different from the so-called "normal" individuals that they require modification of school practices/services to develop them to their maximum capacity. It said children with special needs, particularly those who were born to families of meager income, is a sector of society which does not receive the kind of educational attention they deserve due to financial constraints. It also said the city needs to provide necessary facilities such as Day Care Centers for the special children, and technically skilled teachers who can comprehensively effectuate the subject of this measure. The World Health Organization estimates that 98 percent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school, the ordinance said. The ordinance was authored by Councilor Em Legaspi Ang and co-authored by Councilors Homer Bais, El Cid Familiaran, Sonya Verdeflor and Caesar Distrito. Meanwhile, the SP also approved on third and final reading Wednesday an ordinance creating freedom walls in the City of Bacolod. Its proponent, Councilor Caesar Distrito said the ordinance will take effect after 15 days from publication in two newspapers of local circulation. He said the ordinance requires the city tourism to construct or identify at least two freedom walls which the SP will be notified prior to its construction or identification. Distrito said the ordinance provides that people can write or express freely in the freedom wall without fear of arrest or be charged of whatever crime, except those who are sexually depicting drawings or those that defame another person.*CGS |
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