An ordinance condoning the surcharges, interests and penalties on the rental obligations and deferring payments on past due taxes of stalls, tables and block occupants from the three public markets and the Manokan Country of Bacolod City, was passed on second reading Wednesday by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the Committee on Markets and Slaughterhouse and Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, is the main author of the ordinance. Distrito said the ordinance will condone thesurcharges, penalties and interests on market rentals due of the market occupants from 2002 up to 2012 and will require them to only pay the principal amount of their rental dues. He said the ordinance provides that market occupants can avail of deferred settlement of their business taxes. It also provides a penalty for market occupants who will not avail of the condonation, as well as cancellation of the contracts for those who will miss two consecutive payments of their rental dues. The ordinance was co-authored by Councilors, El Cid Familiaran, Archie Baribar, Roberto Rojas, Em Legaspi Ang, Dindo Ramos, Al Victor Espino, Elmer Sy, Carl Lopez and Mona Dia Jardin.*CGS
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THE Bacolod City Council passed on second reading the proposed ordinance entitled an “Ordinance commemorating every June 18 and every year thereafter as the date of the signing into law of Commonwealth Act. No. 326,” otherwise known as “The Charter of the City of Bacolod.”
The ordinance was authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the committee on laws, ordinances and good government. To prevent the ordinance from conflicting with a national law, it was revised to commemorate the signing of the law creating Bacolod City every June 18, as opposed to its previous title which declares the said date as the charter day of the city. It was pointed out during the deliberation later on, the City Government can request the House of Representatives to amend the provisions of Republic Act 7724, which declares October 19 as the charter day of Bacolod City, and change it to the correct date of the foundation of the city. Co-authors of the ordinance are Councilors El Cid Familiaran, Homer Bais, Roberto Rojas, Dindo Ramos, Em Ang, Al Victor Espino, Carl Lopez and Mona Dia Jardin. Carla N. Canet Sun Star Bacolod BEFORE I tackle the subject, let me say that the inhibition by the chairperson of the Commission on Audit (COA), Maria Gracia Pulido-Tan, in the case involving the Occidental Negros government and the Ayala Land Inc. is a step in the right direction — although I think this is not enough, considering the facts I have cited here.
Nevertheless, the discussion of this issue can be suspended until we know what action the COA will take on this lease and sale contract. I don’t know if by the time this column comes out, COA shall have decided, since they were reported to have met last week and an information early last week (not from Bacolod) said that COA is set to decide. This is not news, though, because we heard that indeed last week COA’s Commission Proper was scheduled to meet. The case of the relationship of Rep. Albee Benitez with SM becomes academic at the moment and can be better discussed as an election issue. So I am putting aside this topic … for now. The political pot in Bacolod was simmering right after the Lenten Season but last week, the brew was starting to boil with names already mentioned as to who is running for what. On April 14, at a funeral, one would-be candidate was already shaking hands — not condoling, it seems, but shaking hands and button-holing several. He was not attired for attendance at a funeral but for leisure walking with short pants. The dead or the solemnity of the occasion is no longer respected but exploited for political purposes. This is a sad commentary on the extent to which politicians would go to get elected. I think these politicians do not realize that they only leave a bad taste for bad manners. Several names cropped up over the weekend. Frank Carbon was said to be running for Bacolod councilor. Carbon, president of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), succeeded Bobby Montelibano who held the post since it was organized years ago. But when Carbon accepted the chairmanship of the Liberal Party (LP) Bacolod, I suspected that he’s got political plans. Thus, when the MBCCI under his leadership filed a suit questioning the validity of the city’s tax code ordinance, the move confirmed my suspicion that he is after a political position. Unfortunately, if his candidacy is confirmed, then the MBCCI suit has political intents and throws MBCCI, a nonpolitical organization, into the political arena. It will turn this business organization into a politicized group. Unless Carbon resigns from MBCCI, the organization will be dragged into the political quagmire. The known candidate for Bacolod mayor is Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson. Who will challenge him is unclear. Former congressman Monico Puentevella is rumored to be eyeing the mayoralty post. But rumors also fly that he would try to regain his legislative post. This should be interesting because he will again be pitted against Mayor Evelio Leonardia who is barred by law from reelection for another term. Puentevella and Leonardia are political archenemies. If the former runs for mayor, he shall have avoided another confrontation and possible defeat since he had not bested Leonardia despite several attempts. For Cong. Anthony Golez, it is still unclear whether he will seek for reelection or leave the field to Leonardia and run for mayor. In a radio interview, he did not make a categorical answer about his plans. But there were earlier indications that he would try his destiny by running for mayor. Some people in the Golez camp think that the congressman has a bigger chance of winning in a three- or four-cornered fight that in a face-off with Leonardia. The Golez camp believes that Golez has better chances against Sayson. This is, ironically, the same thinking among the supporters of Puentevella. In the same situation Sayson will have a better chance because of his traditional block votes that carried his father before him and still supported Sayson in all his political battles — the reason he has never lost an election. Councilor El Cid Familiaran was also said to be running for mayor. As the No. 1 councilor, El Cid has plenty of supporters, especially now that he is the highest-ranking member of the LP – Bacolod and thus the possible standard bearer of the President Aquino party. Carbon, however, stands on the way; expect an intraparty fight. There’s Vladimir Gonzales who tried is luck last time and lost. But since then, his business commercials had been portraying him in the best of lights so that he is being groomed for vice mayor. One belief is that Gonzales has the money and is expected to finance a political organization. But will he bite? He didn’t the last time and lost./PN Modesto Sa-Onoy Panay News Negros Former Congressman Monico Puentevella, who also ran for mayor of Bacolod City in the last election, could be on the way to forming a political alliance with other political parties and groups including prominent individuals in the coming 2013 local elections and who could bag the majority of seats in the city council. Puentevella, also running for mayor could win the premier seat himself as against Vice-Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, possibly Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s tandem in the election. Leonardia is sure to run for congressman with Bacolod lone district Congressman Dr. Anthony Golez, opposing him as reelectionist. reelectionist. Puentevella could recruit businessman Vladimir Gonzalez as vice-mayor, with him supporting Golez for congressman. They could forge a solid united front against Leonardia, Sayson and either outgoing councilor Homer Bais or Al Victor Espino who are to run for vice-mayor. Puentevella’s candidates for councilor could look like this: candidates coming from the previous political grouping established by the former congressman in the 2010 elections to include incumbent councilors Sonya Verdeflor, Archie Baribar, Elmer Sy, El Cid Familiaran who has decided to affiliate with the Liberal Party (LP) and Magdalo chapter head Butch Ebreo, Ana Marie Palermo, Andy Hagad, Frank Carbon and to round out the slate would be Jocelle Batapa-Sigue or former Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr.
This could still change depending on the forthcoming political situation. On the other side, that of Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice-Mayor Sayson, it could be Leonardia for Congressman of the lone district of Bacolod City, Sayson for mayor and Al Victor Espino or Homer Bais for vice-mayor. Leonardia’s political party, the Grupo Progreso is still making efforts to complete its slate. Highly-reliable sources who initially want their names undisclosed for obvious reasons, said a Puentevella-Golez political alliance, the first fairly strong political force here in the city and the second, belonging to the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), would be an unbeatable team.* THE Bacolod City Government turned over Monday four brand new patrol cars to the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) at the BCPO headquarters. The turnover was led by City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Councilors Bobby Rojas, Al Victor Espino, El Cid Familiaran and Cesar Distrito, and BCPO Director Ricardo De la Paz. The four brand new patrol cars worth P3.6 million were distributed to four police stations including Station 1 led by Police Chief Inspector Adonis Rosales, Station 2 led by Police Senior Inspector Robert Dejucos, Station 4 led by Police Superintendent Leonardo Borromeo and Station 6 led by Police Chief Inspector Noel Polines. BACOLOD. Mayor Evelio Leonardia; Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson; Councilors Bobby Rojas, Elcid Familiaran, Caesar Distrito and Al Victor Espino; and Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Chief Ricardo De La Paz right after the turnover of 4 brand-new Mitsubishi L300 patrol cars donated by the city to BCPO Monday morning. (Contributed photo) The Innova patrol, which was earlier given by PNP Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome to the BCPO, was also given to the Women and Children Complaints Desk (WCCD).
Leonardia said he expects more improvement from the BCPO in terms of response to any crime incidents and continued maintenance of the peace and order in the city. He said if there would be enough budget, they will provide for additional vehicles to the BCPO to be distributed in some police stations. The city mayor also reminded the station commanders to be responsible enough in handling the new patrol cars. De la Paz said the turnover of the four brand new patrol cars is also very timely for the BCPO because of the reported presence of an organized crime group in the city. He said the four brand new patrol cars would be a big help to the BCPO for the immediate response of respective stations in any crime incidents within their area of responsibility. “I believe that we can improve our police visibility and enhance the response time for request on police assistance,” he said. He added that he also ordered the four station commanders to assign a driver to maintain their new patrol car. De la Paz cited that he has now a pending request from the City Government for an additional six patrol cars to the BCPO to be distributed to remaining stations that have dilapidated patrol cars. Merlinda A. Pedrosa Sun Star Bacolod Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia distributed four patrol vehicles worth P3.5 million to the police at the Bacolod Police headquarters yesterday and at the same time challenged the members to continue performing well.
Leonardia said that crime incidents in Bacolod are inevitable since the city keeps progressing but pointed out that businessmen continue to in it because peace and order is, comparatively, better than in other areas. Leonardia, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Councilors Al Victor Espino, El Cid Familiaran, Caesar Distrito and Roberto Rojas turned over the patrol vehicles to the police in Stations 1,2, 4 and 6. There are stations in Bacolod that have no patrol cars yet but the Mayor said it is a challenge to the policemen to use their initiative and make use of the available resources instead of making this an excuse for not performing their duties well. City Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz said the city police is thankful to the city government for the patrol vehicles which, he said, is timely, especially because of reports about presence of organized crime group from other provinces, in Bacolod. With the patrol vehicles, he said, they can easily track down and arrest criminals in the street. The city police is requesting for six more vehicles and assured that they will reciprocate the support extended by the local government to them with good performance. The lack of patrol cars will also be among the concerns that de la Paz said he will raise to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicanor Bartolome as he is expected to attend the ground-breaking ceremony of the Disaster Preparedness relief center at the BCPO headquarters at 10 a.m. today. The BDPR, which aims at providing support to local government unit in cases of disasters and related emergencies, in terms of training for emergency response, relief assistance, paramedic services, and other logistical requirements necessary for disaster and emergency response, is a project of Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez.*APN ADRIAN NEMES III Visayan Daily Star The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod passed on second reading the proposed ordinance entitled “An ordinance commemorating every June 18 and every year thereafter as the date of the signing into law of Commonwealth Act 326 or The Charter of the City of Bacolod.”
The ordinance was authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the SP Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, a press release from his office said. To prevent the ordinance from conflicting with a national law, this was revised into “commemorating every June 18 as the signing of the law creating Bacolod City” from its previous title which declares the date as the charter day of the city, it said. It was pointed out during the deliberation that the City Government can request the House of Representatives to amend the provisions of Republic Act 7724 which declares October 19 as the Charter day of Bacolod City, and change it to the correct date of the foundation of the city, the release said. The ordinance was co-authored by Councilors ElCid Familiaran, Homer Bais, Roberto Rojas, Dindo Ramos, Em Ang, Al Victor Espino, Carl Lopez and Mona Dia Jardin.*CGS The contractor of the sanitary landfill project in Brgy. Felisa, Bacolod City, yesterday said he wants to duplicate the project in Manila and make that of Bacolod an eco-tourist sanitary landfill.
Senando Santiago, president of A.L. Salazar Construction Inc., also told Felisa officials that they have a gold mine resting in their place. The P32 million sanitary landfill was turned over yesterday by Santiago to the Bacolod City Government represented by Mayor Evelio Leonardia during the ceremony and blessing in Brgy. Felisa. The ceremonial turnover was witnessed by Department of Environment and Natural Resources officials led by Undersecretary for Operations Ernesto Adobo Jr. Adobo said their thrust is to tap the local government to make the operation of the sanitary landfill successful, and congratulated Leonardia for complying with the law. He pointed out that only 3 percent of local government units in the country are compliant with the sanitary landfill, with only 24 in Luzon, 10 in the Visayas and four in Mindanao. Adobo said the key to the successful management of the sanitary landfill facility is discipline, as well as segregation and collection. “We believe that environmental management is everyone's concern,” he said. Santiago, who is also president of the International Solid Waste Integrated Management Inc., said the sanitary landfill of Bacolod is a replica of what they have in Manila which has a viewing deck, a tourist spot intended for the cycling enthusiasts, and a greenhouse. They also produce projects there that they can export, he said. Santiago said the sanitary landfill of Bacolod is intended to operate for three years but without an effective and efficient Materials Recovery Facility and segregation, it is nothing. He told Felisa officials that if they rehabilitate the existing dumpsite, it will provide them income. The development in Felisa is very encouraging because in Manila they have discovered that the combustible component of solid waste can be used as fuel, he said. MAJOR REQUIREMENT Leonardia said the sanitary landfill is one of the major requirements to comply with R.A. 9003 and they are happy that, in the whole Philippines, Bacolod, is on top of the 5 percent that have complied out of about 1,500 local governments. He recalled that so much was done to derail the sanitary landfill but, in the end, he said, they prevailed and they are happy that no less than the top officials of the DENR were present to validate that, indeed, Bacolod is one of the top in terms of compliance with the Solid Waste Management Law. Leonardia said there are a 1.5 hectares left in the sanitary landfill and if they put up another one, chances are the site will be good for 10 years. A lot will depend now on how their segregation program will succeed, he said. The project cost of P32 million was taken from the deferred Internal Revenue Allotment of Bacolod, Leonardia said. The DENR study had recommended that Felisa was suitable for a landfill, he said. “What we are seeing today is a testimony to the fast that growth is now penetrating the different areas of Bacolod,” he added. ANOTHER MILESTONE Bacolod City Water District general manager Juliana Carbon said the sanitary landfill is another milestone of the Leonardia administration which shows the city's firm commitment to comply strictly with SWM laws. Carbon also assured that the BACIWA wells in Felisa will not be affected by the sanitary landfill as explained in a report submitted by the EMB. Leonardia said Santiago had mentioned that he will make the Bacolod sanitary landfill a showcase for Visayas and Mindanao. “When we look back someday and talk about the major projects like the Bacolod Slaughterhouse, Bacolod City College, relocation site, government center, I will consider the sanitary landfill among the top achievements of this administration,” he said. Leonardia said they will see to it that they can sustain the sanitary landfill so it will not be filled up early. They also have to make sure that only residual wastes will be dumped into it, so they can achieve the goal of making it last for three years. The sanitary landfill was blessed yesterday by Fr. Romeo Empestan. Also present at the turnover rites were Samson Guillergan, chief of pollution control of the Environment Management Bureau, Joan Gerangaya, Levino Duran and Amelita Quintos-Guillergan of the DENR VI and provincial coordinator Vicente Los Bañes, and barangay captains led by Association of Barangay Captains president Mona Dia Jardin, Councilor El Cid Familiaran, Bacolod Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo dela Paz, members of the Solid Waste Management Board and Solid Waste Technical Working Group, and city department heads.*CGS CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star THE Bacolod City government issued Executive Order No. 9, an order creating Task Force Magdalena, to improve the administration and operational framework for the prevention and control of prostitution activities in the city.
Task Force Magdalena is chaired by Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Senior Ricardo De la Paz with vice chairman El Cid Familiaran, with its members lawyer Cesar Beloria of City Legal Office; Police Inspector Jovy Cabcaban of Women and Children Complaint Desk; Sally Belarde of Department of Social Services and Development; Dr. Salome Binas of City Health Office; lawyer Sonny Petierre of Permits and Licensing Division; Youth Council president Keith Ramos; and School Division Superintendent Gemma Ledesma. De la Paz said Wednesday the executive order was signed by City Mayor Evelio Leonardia to address the problem on prostitution, white-slavery, and child exploitation involving women in the city. He said that within this week, the task force will hold a meeting to discuss its plan on how to address the problems. De la Paz pointed out that they will concentrate more on people exploiting women through prostitution, and those who will be habitual offenders will face the appropriate charges. De la Paz also said they will address the problem on callboys and gays who exploit minors. Merlinda A. Pedrosa Sun Star Bacolod FORMER Bacolod City Council secretary lawyer Nilo Alejandrino was laid to rest Wednesday at the Bacolod Memorial Park in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City, after he succumbed to an illness around 5 p.m. last April 14.
His wife Melba and daughters Aloy, April, Pearl and Lianne, relatives, friends and fellow government workers paid their last respects to the former public servant who had worked for the City Government of Bacolod for 24 years. Former Bacolod City lone district Representative Monico Puentevella; Councilors Archie Baribar, Sonya Verdelfor, Elcid Familiaran; former Councilor Rolando Villamor; lawyers Edgardo Tuclaod and Lorenzo Alminaza; and many of those who were close to him sympathized with the family. His daughter Aloy delivered a eulogy for her father. She said, "As a father, Atty. Alejandrino was the best father. He might not give us the material things that we want but you would always feel the love and care that he has for you. My dad was a quiet person. He does not really say much. However, I always felt loved and cared for every day… every single time." She added that their dad was a protector, as every time their mom would punish them for doing wrong, her dad would be there to save them. Most of Alejandrino siblings are living abroad. The late Alejandrino’s mother, Mamang Choleng Tetongco, 95 and lives abroad, sent her message to her son: "I will pray that you will find peace with the Lord. Don't worry about your children; they will be taken cared of by our family. Rest in peace and I will always love you my dear Nilo." Tata Totengco-Enad, his sister, also bade goodbye to her beloved brother Nilo whom they dearly called "Toto". Carla N. Canet Sun Star Bacolod |
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