Bacolod Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez Thursday said that the P9 million fund from Sta. Lucia Realty and Avida (Ayala Land, Inc.) that is in compliance with the 20 percent socialized housing requirement of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board mandated by law, is now available.
Lopez said a memorandum of agreement had been signed by these two giant housing developers and former Mayor and now Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia for the money to be used for the facilities needed by the residents of Purok Progreso Village which the relocation site of the City of Bacolod, he said. The fund that was deposited or transferred to Bacolod City last January is intended for the supply of water, electricity, toilets and drainage that will benefit the thousands of families at the Purok Progreso Village, in Vista Alegre. Lopez said that if it had not been for the election ban in May 2013, the project could have been implemented already. He was referring to a resolution authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran requesting the giant housing developers to provide the Sanggunian of Bacolod City data to show the total cost of their project. In his resolution, Familiaran stated that, in the documents submitted by the developers to the Sanggunian, there was no mention of the total subdivision cost, which should have been the basis of the computation of the 20 percent socialized housing requirement. It might be that the amount under consideration could be bigger for the city's advantage. Sta. Lucia and Avida had entered into a MOA with the city because it availed of a program from the HLURB where 20 percent of the total cost of their housing project will go to socialized housing. Lopez recalled that a colatilla even stated that once the Mayor approved the funds, it will go back to the Council which will then scrutinize exactly where it will be used and if indeed it will be used for the relocation site and then the go-signal will be given. So, he said, the funds cannot be re-channeled for other purposes considering that this is backed by a MOA and should be respected by the Local Government Unit. Lopez said he went around visiting national offices to look for projects, when he stumbled upon the HLURB. “And this initiative resulted in this project that has long been awaited by the supposed beneficiaries at the relocation site,” he said.*CGS THE VISAYAN DAILY STAR
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A bloodletting activity will be held by the Operation Tulong Task Force of Aksyon Radyo Bacolod on October 5 at the Fun Place B of Lopue's East Center in Bacolod City, a press release from the station said.
The activity aims to improve its collection of 82 units of blood in last year's project, and is in cooperation with the Provincial Health Office Negros First Provincial Blood Center, the press release also said. The radio station has been awarded by the Department of Health for two years now, for its support to the National Voluntary Blood Services Program. Last month, around 400 patients benefited from the free medical, dental and vision screening activity, initiated by the task force, composed of Wilma Sugaton, Nona Magbanua, Felix Campaniel Jr., Sunshine Lacson and Johnny Buguina III, at the station's studio in line with its 44 th year anniversary. The outreach was supported by the PHO, City Health Office, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, 303 rd Infantry Brigade Philippine Army, Radyo Natin San Carlos City, Nature's Spring Water, Consuelo Supermart, Dr. Pinoy Pharmahealth Inc., Golden Nutritious Foods Inc., JECS Marketing, Sungem Pharma, Godfrey Enterprises, Pepsi Cola Product Phils. Inc., Sincere Drugstore, Mt. Zion Pharma Distribution, the Negros Occidental Optometric Society, Rep. Albee Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District), Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, and councilors El Cid Familiaran, Bobby Rojas and Em Ang, the press release added.* THE VISAYAN DAILY STAR he Loving Rose Mission, Inc. of Canada, represented by Ms. Susan Ruskin SM Mall, City Health and DSSD staff and personnel, together with Negros Daily Bulletin, represented by W. Henry O. Streegan recently sponsored a Medical-Dental Mission which was held at the SM Mall North parking area.
PWD beneficiaries receiving medicines from volunteers. In the background is Mrs. Susan Ruskin of the Loving Rose Mission, Inc. of Canada Co-sponsors were Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. who provided "arroz caldo" snacks for the beneficiaries. The Optometry Association headed by their president and Dr. Melissa Anglo, who distributed eyeglasses, Councilor Archie Baribar, El Cid Familiaran and Kalaw Puentevella who contributed funds for the snacks as well as PWDs Lowell Raner, A. Ardosa and Nonoy Menionuevo who assisted in the management of the mission. The major sponsor was the Loving Rose Mission, Inc. of Canada which funded all the medicines and medical supplies.* NEGROS DAILY BULLETIN Punta Taytay Barangay Captain Rufino Alcala, whose status was questioned by a kagawad of his barangay, was advised yesterday by the Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government to choose only one office.
Alcala admitted that he was designated by Mayor Monico Puentevella as caretaker or adviser of the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, which at the same time, still discharging his function as barangay captain of Punta Taytay. The hearing yesterday was set by the Committee chaired by Councilor Caesar Distrito to provide a venue for the queries of Punta Taytay Kagawad Richard Palma on the allegations that Alcala is holding two offices. Alcala said he was issued a memorandum by the Mayor designating him as officer-in-charge of the CDRRMO. He was asked to provide a copy of the memorandum and he committed to provide one to the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Alcala said he prepared his resignation last July, but he was told by the Mayor to remain as barangay captain until the end of his term. He said he wanted to complete his term as barangay captain of Punta Taytay since the Barangay election is just two months away. However, he will confer with the Mayor and his colleagues in the barangay on the matter as he believes the issue has political color. Alcala said he is not receiving any compensation from the CDRRMO and even spends his own money to make it operational. Councilor Mona Dia Jardin said Alcala should give his position to the next deserving kagawad, or the number one kagawad, who happens to be the complainant, Kagawad Richard Palma. In his letter to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Palma claimed that Alcala continues to receive his honorarium although he is not reporting regularly to the barangay hall to perform his obligations. Alcala said he believes there is someone behind Palma, who belongs to the other political party. He wants to ensure that the incoming barangay officials especially his successor will come from the “same category” as his, he said. Distrito noted that there were other barangay captains who have tendered their resignations after having been appointed to another position in the city, referring to Madeline Diaz of Brgy 18, Anjo Ayco of Brgy 15, and Andre Victor Las Piñas of Brgy. Villamonte. This is an admission that one cannot hold two positions at the same time, he said. Alcala was also questioned by Councilor El Cid Familiaran about the use of the vehicle of the CDRRMO since the memorandum receipt was issued to Bernadette Montelibano, a regular employee of the city. Alcala said he surrendered the vehicle to the city last Saturday. He said he hopes to serve the CDRRMO because of his expertise and training in rescue and disaster management, adding that he had organized Patrol 311 in Punta Taytay. Distrito said that, based on the opinion of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Civil Service Commission, although not yet final, they are one in saying that Alcala cannot hold two positions and has to choose one, especially since both offices are very important. He said he hopes Alcala will consider the advice of the committee. Distrito said his committee will come up with a report declaring that Alcala cannot hold two positions and cannot drive the vehicle of the city, and they hope to submit this during the SP session tomorrow. If Alcala continues to hold two positions, it will be up to the affected person who is supposed to assume his position, to determine what steps to take, he said. Distrito said he hopes Alcala will choose the best options for the greater good of the people of Bacolod. He said he also hopes that Puentevella will be advised properly and that the committee report could help him decide on the issue involving Alcala.*CGS THE VISAYAN DAILY STAR The Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government will conduct a hearing today on the inquiry of Kagawad Richard Palma of Barangay Punta Taytay, Bacolod City, about the appointment of Barangay Captain Rufino Alcala, as the head of the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.
The committee chaired by Councilor Caesar Distrito has invited the Civil Service Commission-Negros Occidental, General Services Office head Jerome Solinap, City Legal Officer Sarah Villamor, City Administrator Rolando Villamor, Association of Barangay Captains president and Councilor Mona Dia Jardin, and Interior and Local Government City Director Glenn Guzman, to the hearing. Distrito said the hearing was set to provide a venue for answering the queries of Palma on the present status of Alcala, who is now handling the operations of the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, and to clarify the allegations that he is holding two positions. It will also give Alcala the opportunity to answer the assertions of Palma in his letter to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, he said. Palma claimed that Alcala continues to receive his honorarium although he is not reporting regularly to their barangay hall to perform his obligations, and has been giving more time to the BCDRRMO, Distrito said. It was also reported that Alcala was the one attending all meetings and representing BCDRRMO, presiding over staff meetings, supervising operations of the office, conducting seminars/trainings, and using the official vehicle of the office, which are acts that cannot be allowed to a volunteer in the office, he said. Palma, the number one kagawad of Puntra-Taytay, wrote Alcala on July 25 to call his attention to the apparent vacuum of leadership being felt in the barangay after the latter announced his official designation and eventual assumption as head of the BCDRMMO. Palma said it is only when Alcala presides over their regular Brgy. Council session that he has been seen functioning as their barangay captain, after he started discharging his duties as head of the BCDRRMO. In an interview over Aksyon Radyo, Alcala said his status at the BCDRRMO is only voluntary and he will answer these allegations in the proper venue. He said the complainant just cannot wait to take over his position as barangay captain. Alcala admitted using the vehicle of the BCDRRMO, saying he is being requested by the Mayor to do many things and that he even goes home very late at night. He said he believes there might be an inter memorandum receipt coming from the GSO for the use of the vehicle and perhaps the Mayor's Office has discretion on the matter. Alcala said they are operating 24/7 and the office handles all matters related to disasters. Councilor El Cid Familiaran, chairman of the SP Committee on Government Assets, said there are laws that should be observed. After office hours, all government vehicles should be parked at the government center, he said Familiaran said he does not know if Alcala has been appointed as executive assistant of the Mayor. If he is still in the barangay, he has no reason to take the BCDRRMO vehicle home, or even drive it himself. Familiaran added that he will look into the matter as chair of the Committee on Government Assets, because this should not be allowed.*CGS |
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