Equipment, Police Beat System Needed in Combatting Crimes in City, Bacolod Councilor Insists8/31/2010 Combatting usually high crimes in the City entails the provision of more equipment for the Bacolod Police and the implementation of the boat patrol system which would serve as the most effective deterrent in the commission of crimes against property and also against persons, SP Committee on Public Order and Security, El Cid Familiaran, said over the weekend in an interview with DYRL’s "Tungkaron Ta Ini" radio program hosted by journalists Edgar Cadagat and Jeffrey Gelangre.
That there is a visible proliferation of crimes in the city is borne by statistics, said Familiaran who said he has visited almost all the police stations in a concrete move to find out what could be done to minimize if not eliminate crimes altogether. To date, there have been recorded 447 crimes with 301 of those committed against property. The criminal activities always rise in the months of May, June and July because of lack of job as those months are deemed dead seasons, Familiaran added. Of the figure of 301 crimes committed, 30 percent are by minors which could be considered alarming. On these scores, he has endorsed a recommendation to the Peace and Order Council, saying more equipment and facilities, such as mobile patrol cars should be provided the police. But most of all , the BCPO must implement the beat patrol system because policemen on foot patrols are the best deterrents to the commission of crimes such as have been taking place in many areas in the city. After all, peace and order is more on prevention of criminal activities and the best antidote to crimes, are law enforcers visible to the public. As an example, Familiaran pointed out that in terms of public accessibility , there are police stations here which do not even have telephones or which have been cut off because bills were not paid. In police station 1. Chief Insp. Luisito Acebuche himself is the one paying the monthly telephone bills from out of his own pocket, it was pointed out. By Edgar Cadagat Negros Daily Bulletin
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The Police Community Relations Branch of Bacolod City Police Office in cooperation with the Bacolod City Health Office, Barangay 13 officials and the various force multipliers in the city conducted a Medical Mission and Feeding Program at Purok Boulevard in Barangay 13 in this city recently. A total of 200 residents availed of the free consultation, free medicines and free electro cardio graph or ECG test.
Thirty children also enjoyed the sandwiches, juices and soup that the group prepared for them. "Serving and helping people who have less in life makes us police officers happy," says Police Chief Inspector Alexander Ermeo, the current chief of BCPO PCR Branch. Bacolod City Councilor El Cid Familiaran, Chairman of the Committee on Police matters was also present and lauded the police for taking an initiative in organizing such an event and also pledged his support for the future projects of the said office. Punong Barangay Tanya Familiaran also fielded her barangay health workers to assist the police and the doctors during the conduct of the medical mission and feeding program. BCPO PCR Branch also thanked the services of the doctors from the city health office led by Dr. Salome Viñas, City Health Officer together with Dr. Babylin Baliguas Drilon, Head of the Social Hygiene Department, Dr. Jan Tan, Dr. Grace Tan and Dr. Estrella Cu Leong from the Bacolod Sanitarium and Hospital. The office likewise showed its appreciation to the Bacolod Crime Stoppers Incorporated and the Community Reaction Against Crime and Illegal Drugs Incorporated or COMRAID for their valuable assistance. (PO2 Jared Esquilla) Negros Daily Bulletin We were on time last Thursday to witness the memorable Sisterhood Agreement Ceremony between San Juan City of Metro Manila and the City of Bacolod that started at 7 p.m. at the New Government Center. Floor Leader Homer Bais, Committee on Tourism chairman, welcomed all the distinguished guests.
Councilor El Cid Familiaran of Bacolod and Vice Mayor Francis Zamora of San Juan City introduced the Sanggunian Members of both cities, and then dinner followed. Dr. Roger Balo, City Administrator of Bacolod, introduced all the Department and Office Heads, then his counterpart in San Juan City did the same. Then the most awaited moment came which was the introduction of Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Ramos Leonardia and San Juan City Mayor Guia Guanzon Gomez. City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan read the Agreement and Joint Declaration. The San Juan City department heads gifted their counterparts with a package of products from their city, while Bacolod City gifted Mayor Guia Gomez a doll that was her replica. Mayor Bing thanked Mayor Guia and her son, Congressman JV Ejercito, both of whom promised to help Bacolod City. The lovely Mayor was so impressed with our Government Center and disclosed that they are also building their own. During her speech the lady mayor spoke in Tagalog, Ilonggo and English, and even Taglish. Classmates of Mayor Guia Gomez in Bacolod, headed by Carminia Monfort and Joe Yelo were present, and thanked Mayor Bing for remembering to invite them. Delegates from San Juan City told me that they really enjoyed their stay at L’Fisher Hotel. On Friday, Rep. Albee Benitez of the 3rd district was their host. It was a very memorable affair with officials of both cities expressing a common desire to promote strong ties between them. Visayan Daily Star Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez Jr. yesterday said it was decided by the majority of city and barangay officials, including the business sector, that Bacolod City must be divided into two districts, during a public consultation he called for Saturday in the city.
A manifesto of support to the proposed apportionment of the City of Bacolod into two districts was signed Saturday by 42 barangay captains, some barangay kagawads and city officials, who included Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Councilors Caesar Distrito, Roberto Rojas, Em Ang, Carl Lopez, Al Victor Espino, El Cid Familiaran and Catalino Alisbo. Councilors Archie Baribar and Sonya Verdeflor reserved their approval of the manifesto saying it needs further study. Leonardia said those who attended the consultation including barangay captains coming from different party affiliations were overwhelmingly in favor of dividing Bacolod into two districts. Golez said the barangay captains will file resolutions supporting the move before Friday. He told them that they will divide Bacolod equitably in terms of natural resources, land area and population, Golez said. They have formed a technical working group composed of representatives from the City Mayor’s Office, Sangguniang Panlungsod and the Bacolod Congressional Office, to determine the demarcation line, Golez said. They will meet on Friday to discuss the matter, he added. Golez said, to be true to his campaign promise, he could have filed the bill on the redistricting of Bacolod alone. However, he waited for the people to decide the matter through a consultation. Golez told the officials that he planned to file the bill this month, but with the documentations needed, he may file it first week of September. Asked how fast the redistricting of Bacolod will take, Golez said the work of the congressman is only 25 percent and if he could convince Congress, it will go up to the Senate, which makes another 25 percent. The President will either approve or veto it which is 25 percent and the last 25 percent is the people through a referendum, he said. The manifesto said that Bacolod is one of the highly urbanized cities in the country and among the biggest political territories outside of Metro Manila with a total population of an estimated 531,943 (using a growth rate of 2.12 percent) and a voting population of 250,661, having an annual budget of P1.2 billion. It said the City of Bacolod has validly complied with the requirements under the 1987 Constitution and legal jurisprudence for its apportionment into two districts. Those who signed manifest their solid and unwavering support for the filing of the resolution in the House of Representatives through Golez for the apportionment of the Lone Legislative District of Bacolod, it added. During the consultation, they agreed that Bacolod will be divided into two legislative districts and will be named as Bacolod North and Bacolod South. The barangays which will comprise the Bacolod North District include – Brgys. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, Alangilan, Banago, Bata, Estefania, Granada, Mandalagan, Mansilingan, Montevista, Villamonte and Vista Alegre. The barangays which will comprise the Bacolod South District include – Brgys. 10,11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, Alijis, Cabug, Felisa, Handumanan, Pahanocoy, Punta Taytay, Singcang-Airport, Sum-ag, Taculing and Tangub. The barangays which fall within the demarcation line will be made to choose through a consultation the district where they want to be included. Golez said he wants to act fast on the matter because there are also other local governments who will file the same proposal in Congress and he wants that Bacolod’s proposed bill will be taken up first.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star Aksyon Radyo turned 41 yesterday as an AM station serving listeners from Negros Island, Panay and parts of Palawan. From an FM radio station based in Central Azucarera de La Carlota known as DYEN, Aksyon Radyo DYEZ today stands strong and vibrant serving as a catalyst for change.
To celebrate its success in the airwaves, Aksyon Radyo kicked off yesterday’s celebration with a medical mission in partnership with medical practitioners from Bacolod City Health Office and Provincial Health Office. More than 200 less fortunate patients coming from different barangays of Bacolod availed of the free medical consultation and had also received free medicines coming from different event sponsors. Operation Tulong Task Force Chairperson Cely Carman-Trio said, more medical missions are in the offing following the overwhelming success in yesterday’s event. She also thanked its corporate and individual sponsors to include: Love Radio 91.9 khz, EasyRock, CMD, Cong. Anthony Golez, Congressman Albee Benitez, Councilors El Cid Familiaran, Roberto Rojas, Caesar Distrito and Em Ang; Apollo Restaurant-Cuadra, Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Bacolod City Water District, TELEPERFORMANCE, Godfrey Enterprises, Chooks To Go, O’Fisher Spa, Joel and Eva Sangco, Doce Flowers, and Consuelo Supermart. Also highlighted yesterday’s celebration was the blessing of its newly renovated drama-recording studio, office and conference room, following holy mass officiated by Fr. Romeo Tumunong which was attended by Station employees, talents and listeners. The ribbon cutting ceremony was led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Station Manager JJ Deocampo. Meanwhile, Trio said at least 36 individuals gave blood through Operation Tulong Task force bloodletting activity dubbed as "Dugo mo, Kabuhi Ko," a pre-anniversary corporate social responsibility program, held last August 14, 2010 at Lopue’s East Center. Supporting the bloodletting activity were the 6th Regional Mobile Group, 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, 62nd Infantry Brigade, Provincial Health Office-Provincial Voluntary Blood Services, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital Blood Bank Center, Lopue’s East Centre, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Negros Dragon Motorcycle Club and Councilor Homer Bais. As it approaches its golden year, Aksyon Radyo vows to continue to deliver fast, fresh and accurate news. Negros Daily Bulletin Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, seated center, at the inaugural session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, with Councilors Em Ang, Sonya Verdeflor (seated, l-r), Dindo Ramos, Elmer Sy, Diosdado Valenzuela, Caesar Distrito, Roberto Rojas, Al Victor Espino, Catalino Alisbo, Homer Bais, El Cid Familiaran, Archie Baribar and Carlo Lopez (l-r, standing).*
Visayan Daily Star GLOBAL Placement Services Inc. said it is merely an agency that facilitates visa applications to the United Kingdom and not a recruiter that asked applicants to pay a huge amount of money in exchange of lucrative jobs.
These were sentiments aired by the contending parties during the first joint hearing Monday of the City Council committees on labor and management and overseas workers chaired by Councilor Sonya Verdeflor and the committee on human rights chaired by Councilor Archie Baribar. Councilors Verdeflor and Baribar were joined by Councilors Elmer Sy, El Cid Familiaran, Catalino Alisbo and Em Ang. The complainants, led by Maritess Manayon, presented their complaints on how Global Placement offered them a "too good to be true" opportunity of a greener pasture in London. Global Placement was represented by its legal counsel, lawyer Andy Hagad, and its public relations consultant, Gil Severino. Councilor Caesar Distrito at first joined the committees conducting the joint hearing, but Councilor Baribar requested him to desist from sitting as a member of the panel considering that Distrito was named by the complainants as having allegedly served as legal counsel for Global Placement. Distrito vehemently denied the charge during the hearing, stressing that he only rendered notarial services to two applicants of the company. He pointed out that the presence of Hagad as the official counsel of Global Placement in the hearing should be proof enough that he (Distrito) is not the legal counsel of the agency. Manayon retorted that, as a member of the City Council, Distrito is supposed to help the complainant-victims, considering that they are his constituents. He should not sue them for libel, she said. Distrito earlier filed a libel case against the complainants for dragging him into the controversy as allegedly a former legal counsel of the company. Distrito asked the court for P1 million in damages. But on Monday, Distrito inhibited from the hearing. He was the first to go out of the session hall. Evelyn Canlas, officer-in-charge of the City Permits and Licensing Division, said Global Placement was first issued a Mayor's Permit in September 23, 2010 to engage in professional services. The company was again issued a Mayor's Permit in April 13, 2010. Manayon pointed out that Jocelyn Dableo Lantron, the company's director, made the complainants pay the money prior to the issuance of the Mayor's Permit. "Mrs. Lantron already accepted payments from us August to September 6, 2009. But prior to those months, there were already initial payments made to Mrs. Lantron but she never issued a single receipt to us. Our proof of payment is only the bank deposit slips," Manayon said. For Hagad, Global Placement is properly registered in the UK to engage in facilitating student and volunteer visas. It is not a recruitment agency, he stressed. The complainants-applicants were already accepted by a college in Northwest England but there were changes in visa laws of the UK that were beyond the control of Global Placement. This led to the suspension of such privilege given to that school to accept foreign students, including the complainant-applicants, said Hagad. Since the delays were imputable to the causes that are not the act of Global Placement, the company should not be blamed for it, Hagad stated. On the other hand, Global Services' PR consultant Gil Severino said the word "placement" is just a marketing language. The applicants will be there to either study or do volunteer work. However, Manayon said Global Placement understands that the applicants' real purpose for going there is to work. "We have families to feed. Why will we go there and study? I have already obtained two degrees. Why should I study there?" she pointed out. The applicants applied for a Tier 4, which is a student visa, and Tier 5, which is a volunteer visa. All the complainants have allegedly paid Lantron the initial payments of more than P100,000. They agreed to pay a package of P300,000 for the Tier 4 visa and P250,000 for the Tier 5 visa. They were promised that within two months upon payment of the package, they will leave for London. But nothing happened until now. Manayon said they have loaned money just to pay Lantron but they ended up with nothing. Mark Yamoyam, another complainant, asked for a refund. Councilor Baribar said the hearing will aid them in drafting a measure to address the growing problem on illegal recruitment. The City Council, he added, will make a report to be given to the British Embassy for its guidance in matters like this. GLOBAL Placement Services Inc. said it is merely an agency that facilitates visa applications to the United Kingdom and not a recruiter that asked applicants to pay a huge amount of money in exchange of lucrative jobs.
These were sentiments aired by the contending parties during the first joint hearing Monday of the City Council committees on labor and management and overseas workers chaired by Councilor Sonya Verdeflor and the committee on human rights chaired by Councilor Archie Baribar. Councilors Verdeflor and Baribar were joined by Councilors Elmer Sy, El Cid Familiaran, Catalino Alisbo and Em Ang. The complainants, led by Maritess Manayon, presented their complaints on how Global Placement offered them a "too good to be true" opportunity of a greener pasture in London. Global Placement was represented by its legal counsel, lawyer Andy Hagad, and its public relations consultant, Gil Severino. Councilor Caesar Distrito at first joined the committees conducting the joint hearing, but Councilor Baribar requested him to desist from sitting as a member of the panel considering that Distrito was named by the complainants as having allegedly served as legal counsel for Global Placement. Distrito vehemently denied the charge during the hearing, stressing that he only rendered notarial services to two applicants of the company. He pointed out that the presence of Hagad as the official counsel of Global Placement in the hearing should be proof enough that he (Distrito) is not the legal counsel of the agency. Manayon retorted that, as a member of the City Council, Distrito is supposed to help the complainant-victims, considering that they are his constituents. He should not sue them for libel, she said. Distrito earlier filed a libel case against the complainants for dragging him into the controversy as allegedly a former legal counsel of the company. Distrito asked the court for P1 million in damages. But on Monday, Distrito inhibited from the hearing. He was the first to go out of the session hall. Evelyn Canlas, officer-in-charge of the City Permits and Licensing Division, said Global Placement was first issued a Mayor's Permit in September 23, 2010 to engage in professional services. The company was again issued a Mayor's Permit in April 13, 2010. Manayon pointed out that Jocelyn Dableo Lantron, the company's director, made the complainants pay the money prior to the issuance of the Mayor's Permit. "Mrs. Lantron already accepted payments from us August to September 6, 2009. But prior to those months, there were already initial payments made to Mrs. Lantron but she never issued a single receipt to us. Our proof of payment is only the bank deposit slips," Manayon said. For Hagad, Global Placement is properly registered in the UK to engage in facilitating student and volunteer visas. It is not a recruitment agency, he stressed. The complainants-applicants were already accepted by a college in Northwest England but there were changes in visa laws of the UK that were beyond the control of Global Placement. This led to the suspension of such privilege given to that school to accept foreign students, including the complainant-applicants, said Hagad. Since the delays were imputable to the causes that are not the act of Global Placement, the company should not be blamed for it, Hagad stated. On the other hand, Global Services' PR consultant Gil Severino said the word "placement" is just a marketing language. The applicants will be there to either study or do volunteer work. However, Manayon said Global Placement understands that the applicants' real purpose for going there is to work. "We have families to feed. Why will we go there and study? I have already obtained two degrees. Why should I study there?" she pointed out. The applicants applied for a Tier 4, which is a student visa, and Tier 5, which is a volunteer visa. All the complainants have allegedly paid Lantron the initial payments of more than P100,000. They agreed to pay a package of P300,000 for the Tier 4 visa and P250,000 for the Tier 5 visa. They were promised that within two months upon payment of the package, they will leave for London. But nothing happened until now. Manayon said they have loaned money just to pay Lantron but they ended up with nothing. Mark Yamoyam, another complainant, asked for a refund. Councilor Baribar said the hearing will aid them in drafting a measure to address the growing problem on illegal recruitment. The City Council, he added, will make a report to be given to the British Embassy for its guidance in matters like this. THREE public markets in Bacolod -- Libertad, Central and Burgos -- have incurred a P40 million liability to the City Government due to the continuing non-payment of regular rentals and lease on the market stalls and blocks.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the City Council committee on markets and slaughterhouse, bared this after a hearing was conducted on the subject. Distrito conducted a committee hearing on August 2 at the City Council Session Hall to gain a clearer picture of the current issues in the public markets of the city and to discuss how to address the issues. According to the City Treasurer's Office (CTO), the city is burdened by almost P40 million collectible from the three major public markets. The CTO had already served the demand letters to all delinquent stall and block owners to pay their arrears to avoid closure and termination of their contracts. Central Market has the biggest delinquency as it has rental arrears amounting to P16.5 million. It was followed by Libertad Public Market with approximately P11.3 million, while Burgos Public Market has arrears of P6.8 million. "We will study all the issues that surround the three public markets and we will eventually come up with a win-win solution to this. We want to help our market vendors, but they will also need to help the city. I will gather all the necessary data and gather all suggestions, so that we could make decisions that will benefit the city and the market vendors as well," Distrito said. The back rentals of stall and block owners were dated as far as 20 years ago. Funds from the rentals were supposed to be used for repair and rehabilitation of the public markets. Vendors who are paying religiously to the city are also complaining. It is unfair on their part that they pay rentals to the city but others who are not paying still continue to occupy their stalls and blocks. Non-payment of rental is a ground for termination of contract of lease with the city, they pointed out. Distrito and Councilor El Cid Familiaran, vice-chairman of the committee on market, together with City Administrator Dr. Roger Balo who represents the Local Market Committee, will hold a series of meetings in order to come up with a viable solution to the perennial problems of the three major public markets. "I was raised by my parents who earned their living in the public markets. Thus, I surely understand the market vendors' situation. I will make sure that we will be able to find solutions that will also be beneficial to our market vendors. We will consult them and, with the approval and support of Mayor Bing Leonardia, we will be able to come up with a very good solution to the problem," Distrito said. They also found out that some of the stalls inside the market were abandoned by owners and there were vendors who are not given cash tickets for the spaces they occupy, he said. (Carla N. Cañet) |
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