Former Akbayan Representative Risa Hotiveros yesterday said vendors are part of her priority agenda in promoting empowerment, especially among the marginalized sector.
Hontiveros talked with vendors associations in Bacolod City with Councilor Elcid Familiaran, former councilor Alex Paglumotan, and Bart Orola, the younger brother of former Bacolod Rep. John Orola at the Libertad Market. Hontiveros who is running for senator, said that in the protection and promotion of women and children, vendors are part of it. She also said that women vendors when empowered and taken cared of, will be able to take care of their families too and good family relationship develops. Hontiveros also said that she is positive that the Reproductive Health Bill has a big chance to be passed this year. She added that members of Congress should stop the delay and the presentation of killer amendments. *LTG BY LISA GAPAC The Visayan Daily Star
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SP to PNoy: Exempt Bacolod from DENR’s Suspension re: Accepting/Processing Land Application10/20/2012 Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City approved the resolution authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran, requesting President Benigno Aquino III to exempt Bacolod from the Memorandum of Sec. Ramon Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), regarding suspension of acceptance and processing of public land acquisition on land formed by action of the sea in all waterways and accretion islets in river channels and adjacent shores, dried creeks and river beds and other lots of similar character.
Councilor Familiaran stated in his resolution that Republic Act No. 10023, "An Act authorizing the issuance of free patents to residential lots, nationwide, paved the way for the land tenure of poor families who are living in slum areas, coastal corridors and other areas considered as public lands. Because of the situation in Bacolod where a big chunk of population occupies the public lands for so many years, more than 2,000 have been applying with DENR to own the lots they have been occupying thru Republic Act No. 10023. In fact, the required processes have been completed, just pending for appropriate title distribution to the beneficiaries; Because of the Memorandum of DENR Secretary Ramon Paje, Re: "Suspension of Acceptance and Processing of Public Land Applications on Lands Formed by Action of the Sea in all Waterway and Accretion Islets in River Channels and Adjacent Shores, Dried Creeks and River Beds and Other Lots of Similar Character," these more than 2,000 informal settlers who applied to own the lots thru Republic Act No. 10023 will be denied of such program, giving them land tenure for their homes. Bacolod City has been haunted by eviction and demolition, even as it continues to offer shelter program and services, thus, the issuance of DENR Memo to the effect that it suspends all applications relative to public lands covered by Republic Act No. 10023 would unnecessarily derail the City’s program for the informal sectors of Bacolod City. Familiaran also resolves for a review and reversal of such memo for the exemption of the City of Bacolod from the suspension of acceptance and processing of public land applications on land formed by action of the sea in all waterway and accretion islets in river channels and adjacent shores, dried creeks and river beds and other lots of similar character is most desirable and prayed for, as favorable action being sought would mean alleviating the plight of more than 2,000 informal settlers who have been wanting for help from the government. That the president’s intervention would somehow release the tension of those affected.* Submitted by Edith Colmo Negros Daily Bulletin Bacolod City Councilor El Cid Familiaran appealed to president Noynoy Aquino, III thru Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Ramori Paje, to exempt Bacolod City from the DENR memorandum which directs the suspension of acceptance and processing of public land applications on lands formed by action of the sea in all waterway and accretion islets in river channels and adjacent shores, dried creeks and river beds and other lots of similar character. He cited Republic Act No. 10023, "An Act authorizing the issuance of free patents to lots nationwide, paved the way for the land tenure of poor families who are living in slum areas, coastal corridors and other areas considered as public lands." Due to a situation in Bacolod where a big chunk of population occupied the public lands for so many years , approximately 2, 000 have been applying to the DENR to own the lots they have been occupying thru such law (Republic Act No. 10023). In fact, the required processes have bee completed, just pending for appropriate title distribution to the beneficiaries. Because of the DENR memorandum, these applicants composed of informal settlers will be denied such program giving the land tenure for their homes. Bacolod has been haunted by eviction and demolition, even as it continues to offer shelter program and services. The issuance of DENR Memo to the effect that it suspends all applications relative to0 public lands covered by Republic Act No. 10023 would unnecessarily derail the city's program for the informal settlers who have been waiting for help from the government, he said.
By Carla N. Cañet Sun Star Bacolod A resolution requesting acting Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary Recenita Logrunio to submit all city ordinances that require funding for its implementation to the Office of the City Mayor, was approved by the SP of Bacolod City yesterday.
Authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran, the resolution said Article 414 of the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Local Government Code of 1991, provides that October 16 of the current year is the last day for the submission of the executive budget by the Local Chief Executive to the SP for the latter’s consideration. A number of existing city ordinances, show that there are other approved measures that require budgetary allocation for it to become effective in implementation, it said Meanwhile the SP also approved a resolution requesting the Department of Public Services, through Mayor Evelio Leonardia, to place adequate garbage bins and portalets in the venues of events and activities during the MassKara Festival. Authored by Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang, the resolution said the MassKara Festival attracts thousands of people to Bacolod City to celebrate the festivities. It said there is a need to place garbage bins in significant places during the activities in order to control or minimize littering and instill cleanliness and discipline among the citizenry. It also said that, to accommodate the needs of the people during the festivities and celebration, there is a need to place portalets in significant portions of the celebrations. The resolution also urges the citizenry to observe cleanliness during the celebration of the MassKara Festival.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO The Visayan Daily Star The flippant reaction of Vice Governor Lim-ao Alvarez to the NBI’s linking him to the murder of Judge Arles does not become him as a high official of the province and worse, as a candidate for governor.
Murder is a serious crime and is not to be taken as a joke. And is a perverse dictation of the word popularity. Notoriety is the more applicable word. Of course, I am not saying that Alvarez is guilty as charged. His son’s involvement does not necessarily mean he himself is a party to the crime. But he should at least be circumspect about it, if only out of respect for the murdered judge. His condescending treatment of Judge Arles’ murder indicates disrespect for the dead and only adds insult to the injury of Arles’ family. Alvarez’ candidacy puts Negrenses in a dilemma. What if he wins the election and is eventually found guilty of murder? I do not think the Negrenses will be proud in having elected a murderer for governor, if it should be the case later on. I do not think Monico’s apparent difficulty in putting up a slate for the Sanggunian is indicative of his chance against the Leonardia/Sayson ticket, but he is taking too long in forming one. While Leonardia’s group is all over town in announcing the members of their slate, for Monico’s ticket, including Bong Dilag and Wilson Gamboa Jr., Monico has Elmer Sy, Sonia Verdeflor and Elcid Familiaran. I am not sure about the reasons, but the above reelectionists are now officially with the Liberal Party, and while it is true that the Liberals do not have a candidate for mayor and vice mayor, there is an indication at all that they will adopt Monico as their mayoralty bet. Party president Mar Roxas himself announced that the party slate in Bacolod may go for my mayoralty candidate of their choice. Bing and Thaddy had been making the rounds, crisscrossing the length and health of the city. At this stage, I think they have commitments in the bag, so that they are now targeting the uncommitted. On the other hand, except for those ward leaders already pledged to him in his several past campaign, Monico should realize that his old commitments may no longer be as steadfast as before. Leonardia, with casual appointments and such other extra favors City Hall can provide, many of those old commitments have already flown away from the winter of Monico’s impending debacle. Unless….. In short, there is an urgent need for Monico to regroup his forces NOW, strengthen his ranks and rush into battle with his revitalized legions. Otherwise, he will emerge out of the battlefield after the election with the bleached bones of his fallen army behind him. And it’s a pity if, because of Monico’s tactical negligence, Vlady Gonzales becomes a collateral damage. Vlady’s business acumen is of the essence if Bacolod were to become really progressive. Leonardia’s empty claim of a progressive Bacolod is the stuff of illusions, or delusions if you will. It is Vlady who has a concrete road map for Bacolod’s economic growth and it’s a pity if, because of his lack of movie star quality and beautiful eyes, the electorate chooses charlatans instead of him. Vlady is a serious visionary. All the others are clowns and humbugs./WDJ By Ely De los Santos THAT which cries for government's greater attention to issues of jobs and justice, food and freedom is apparently forgotten or sidelined in the current electoral contest.
Traditional political parties and most party list organizations only talk of memberships, common slates, coalitions, and their political patrons and financiers. Their leading bets are busy packaging themselves. Their propaganda and special operations machines brown eyebrows preparing demolition plans against their opponents. The incorrigibles ride on some people issues to pacify the people, and increase their political rating. Examining however the kind of issues they would take, one can easily conclude that they are issues of less social significance, and do not really touch or disturb the deep seated conflicts between the haves and the have-nots, the powerful and the powerless, the landed and the landless, the mafia and gangsters in government uniforms and the people they deceived and deprived of their honor. So they goodtime people on simplistic waste management, or the complexity of the climate change-both have nothing to do with the poor's problem of daily food on their table (if they have any at all). Only a few talk more of real people's issues and agenda. Leading the track are mostly the progressive and militant partylist organizations like Anak Pawis, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Kabataan Party, ACT Party, and their coalition the Makabayan, among others. In Bacolod, people's problems are worsening and those badly affected are getting restive. Among those mentioned are the issues of demolition of urban poor communities especially in coastal barangays, rising costs of electricity and water, alarming rise in cost of hospital services both in private and public, rampant practice of labor only contracting and other labor flexibility schemes damaging to workers and professional's security of tenure. Last week, I talked with some labor leaders from both the militant and moderate, and they all warned of the devastating impact of contractualization and casualization to worker's security and existence of worker's unions. Ian Evidente of KMU provided me some data on some cases of contractualization in Bacolod. They are quite bad. I suspect there are more businesses employing the scheme. Some are quite rude and vulgar in their use of scheme. Others are quite subtle. But the impact is still the same. Labor leaders all agreed that something should be done in a concerted manner to prevent further damage on the workers movement. One mentioned that some politicians might be able to help in their campaign. Others were pessimistic. One said that mass movement is still the way, but electoral politics could provide some relief. When I asked how, he could not give clear answer. I told them I am also skeptical being cognizant of the political terrain and the kind of local officials we have. Nonetheless, I stressed to them that as socially conscious forces the need to put up a unified people's agenda is still an important step to make. To put up a unified people's agenda will manifest the unity and resolve of the forces of change to actively find answers to the workers' problems. To have a unified people's agenda means to have the material base for waging organized, concerted, and sustained campaigns to get palpable economic and social gains. Only when the people led by the organized forces of change have a unified and clear agenda can they assert on position of strength for their demands. Strength is the language that government recognizes. Politicians understand this language too. Both could be made to negotiate only when the people have strength. Still there some politicians in Bacolod who are not hard to talk with and convince on matter of people's agenda as they themselves have manifested their commitment to the same issues. Incumbent Congressman Anthony T. Golez probably tops the list as one person who has always demonstrated himself as a doctor of the people, honest public servant, and highly innovative in his legislative work. Former three-termer Congressman and now mayoralty aspirant Monico Puentevella has proven a good track record in public service especially with his "Monico Kabuhi Ko" social service program, and has always been supportive of people's causes. Incumbent Vice Mayor and now mayoralty candidate Jude Thaddeus Sayson who, despite serious criticisms against him by his political opponents, has likewise showed consistency in his support to the marginalized sectors. Incumbent Councilors Arche Baribar, Elmer Sy, Sonia Verdeflor, El Cid Familiaran, Catalino Alisbo, who have always been champions in public service and advocacy of the rights of workers, farmers, urban poor, fisherfolks, students and professionals, women and the senior citizens. The organized forces should try them; they have nothing to lose. They have everything to gain. After all, with or without them, or even despite them, the downtrodden people will always have a way to change the course of history to their favor. Karl G. Ombion Sun Star Bacolod Madrid, the capital city of Spain, has a certain beguiling character on its own but for Filipinos, ruled by monarchs that reigned from here, it remains a mystery, a name that in times past was afar and yet powerful and dreaded as to what decrees it might issue.
The names here are as much Filipino as they are Spanish. The Spanish missionaries did not only plant the seeds of Christianity in the Philippines, they also influenced our culture (sometimes by eradicating the native one) but also gave names to our towns and villages. They likewise implanted their own race, forming families that today’s surnames can be traced here. When I went to the national library, the staff gave me and my wife, Verns, identification cards, laminated with our pictures taken right there and then. The instantaneous card should make the Commission on Elections ashamed. As in the National Archives, our identification names followed the Spanish way. So I became Modesto Sa-onoy Palacios, rather than the last two names interchanged as we do in the Philippines. We took a stroll after Mass at the San Geronimo Church (founded 1602) and at the Jardin de Retiro which we thought was a garden for retirees only to learn that it was the garden where the monarchs of Spain took their strolls to relax. There is one attraction in this huge garden of probably a hundred hectares right at the heart of Madrid, the glass palace. I was drawn however, to one spot – Jardin de Herrero Palacios. It will be interesting for the Palacios family in Negros and the Philippines to know where their artistic abilities came from. Herrero was a famous architect who designed and converted a swampland where ducks were aplenty, into a beautiful garden but retained the duck pond and their inhabitants. The other Palacios were in the academe and in the arts. Now Alex Paglumotan, Greg Gasataya, Chrysee Samillano, El Cid Familiaran, Ricardo Presbitero, Girlie Belzunce, the Javellanas, Zarandins., Gonzagas and Villanuevas of Bago, the Chavez of Guimaras, and the Palacios scattered in the Panay and Negros and elsewhere in the Philippines, know where their skills came from. The wife of senatorial candidate Jackie Enrile is a Palacios. A grand reunion of the Palacios blood in the Philippines would be interesting. There is also Palacios City in Texas, USA where the Palacios from Spain settled and converted a coastal swamp into a city. The other families in Bacolod and Negros also trace their lineage to Spain, some from soldiers and government functionaries, others from immigrants and, none forgotten, from men of the cloth. Had we joined a tour group, we would not have gone to where our tired feet and sleepy heads could bring us. As we went on our own two lonesome couple, we were able to meet and talk with people and see the countryside by bus and train. It took a longer time but the time spent is worth it. We learned rather than just see in a group tour. There are no porters in Madrid, as in other cities, at hotels, airports and in bus and train stations. One has to drag his own cargo. We saw most travelers were old people, couples and singles and they too were dragging their large suitcases. Nobody was helping them, not even the employees at the airports and stations. It was in Madrid when we first noticed that most people who go around were old. We thought the young ones were at school or in offices, but during the weekend in Madrid’s Retiro, more old couples moved around, a few children and young people. The strolling seniors were well-dressed while the few young ones were lying down on the grass under huge trees. Some were sleeping while others were just kissing or hugging. We thought we would witness live the rallies we see on television or read in the newspapers. Madrid was very peaceful. The newspapers and television channels did not report them. Curious about this we asked and nobody claimed they know anything about these protest rallies. We told one woman about them and she answered, “Oh that” and added nothing. How come? I went to the internet and the BBC news. When I brought the cursor to this news, it was blocked with the suggestion “transfer to another.” Then I realized there is press censorship in Madrid. But at one government office, the woman has her protest placard right on her side for all to see. The government is deluding itself. Except for the Euro and the credit card, no other currency is acceptable here in the European Union. Not even the dollar and currency exchange is by government alone. Prices are high. A bottle of water (some restaurants do not serve free water) MODESTO P. SA-ONOY The Visayan Daily Star The approval of an ordinance passed by majority of the Bacolod City Council, regarding the urban poor, could once and for all provide immense relief for the sector, because it contains provisions which would negate the usual disadvantages that usually face the particular sector in case of demolitions or any other form of inconveniences facing the urban poor as they did in previous years.
This was learned by NNF/NDB during an interview with First Five Councilor El Cid Familiaran who said City Ordinance No. 593 passed June 15 this year provides many advantages for the urban poor, basing as it is on various provisions passed by the United Nations, the Philippine government itself and other laws and regulations passed previously related to the usually contentious demolitions of relocation among the urban poor sector, who reside in the urban section of towns and cities. In an interview with “Tungkaron Ta Ini”, Program hosted by broadcasters Edgar Cadagat and Jeffrey Gelangre over Radio station DYRL last Sunday, Familiaran said the ordinance titled “An Ordinance Establishing a Comprehensive. Sustainable Development Program for Shelter, Service and Poverty Alleviation of Informal Settlers in Bacolod City provides among other things, a large form of relief for urban poor dwellers or squatters.” On demolitions and evictions, it provides in a section that demolitions as a matter of policy is to be discouraged by the city and can only be done if the structures are located along danger zones, if the urban poor residents are living in zoned areas other than residential, if they are issued court orders and have already been provided relocation areas but are recalcitrant. * On government-owned property, another section provides that government-owned property which is occupied by informal settlers shall be considered as priority for on-site development in the city, off-site or relocation centers bought by the city government for the use of the urban poor, shall be provided with basic services, while urban poor residents shall be given the first option to buy privately-owned property they already occupy, the 20 percent balance housing as provided for shall be conducted within the city under the following conditions or options, and which are the development of CMP sites, development of relocation sites, constitution of relocation sites in the relocation units and construction of medium-rise housing for informal settlers. More importantly, the city shall purchase land for relocation sites, onsite development and medium-rise housing especially in onshore areas of the city. Furthermore, coastal areas will be divided into three areas in the city, and allocated for the use of residents already living there especially fisherfolks who are not to be relocated elsewhere. While demolitions are oftentimes done without any regard for the weather, season or inconveniences of urban poor families and their children now, relocations and demolitions will be done during the end of the school seasons. To systemize the city government’s program of the urban poor, a Bacolod Local Housing Board (BLHB) will be established to ensure that the program for the urban poor and other aspects related to it, will be exhaustively discussed and deliberated upon to humanize implementation of programs for this sector, which in the past, topped as many as 100,000. The members of the BLHB will be the city mayor, SP Committee on Urban Poor and Relocation One (1) representative from Gawad Kalinga, one representative from the Habitat on Humanity, three representative from NGOs who are working for urban poor upliftment, three representatives from the CPDO, one (1) representatives from the Bacolod Housing Authority (BHA). The mayor is to convene the BLHB within thirty days. The ordinance was passed unanimously by the SP.*(EAC) Edgar A. Cadagat Negros Daily Bulletin THE Magnificent Seven candidates in Bacolod City batted for the renaissance or rebirth of Bacolod City in terms of quality and efficient public service.
Lawyer Renecito Novero, candidate for Vice Mayor, reelectionist councilors Sonya Verdeflor, El Cid Familiaran, Archie Baribar and Elmer Sy and neophyte candidates for Councilor Hermilo “Rocky” LIzares and Robert Francis “Bobby” Coscolluela who compose the Magnificent Seven have the same vision for Bacolod. They will be guided by the seven important virtues of good governance such as integrity, sincerity, transparency, honesty, simplicity, accountability and trust. They have a crusade for the birth of a new governance they call the “Bacolod renaissance.” Novero said they want people to see competence, efficiency and integrity in the delivery of public service. Lizares, a former barangay captain, said he decided to run because the President lighted a fire to stop corruption in the country and he wants to be a part of the crusade. Coscolluela, who ran for councilor in 2010, said he wants to give the best possible genuine service to the people. Familiaran, the number one councilor, said he is running for reelection on the basis of his performance. He said that out of the 118 sessions held, he has recorded perfect attendance, had authored 24 quality ordinances—most of them pro-poor—and also authored over 100 resolutions. Verdeflor said she wants to continue her advocacies, especially for the women and children, while Baribar said his track record will speak for itself. Sy, being a man of few words, said “less talk, more action,” when asked why he is seeking reelection. They filed their candidacy papers Friday at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Office in Bacolod City accompanied by their family, friends and supporters. By Carla N. Canet SUNSTAR BACOLOD The first names to file their Certificates of Candidacy that I read here in Lourdes , France where we arrived transiting from Paris , indicate that there are no surprises in the political game. Media had been quite accurate in their “snooping” around and reading what Gov. Freddie Marañon said, was spoken eloquently by the “body language.”
By the time this column comes out, he probably would be able to announce his choice for vice governor and that is the real surprise. We shall be able to gauge the chances of his choice once the name is out, certainly not beyond tomorrow. I am glad that former Vice Mayor Renecito Novero and his allies that he called “Magnificent Seven” are joining the fray. This places the political fight in Bácolod into a higher plane of excitement. Novero is reclaiming his former position while the rest are trying to keep theirs. Their decision to reject the group of Monico Puentevella is a good move because they would not be linked or tainted with his plunder and other cases that will remain, until they are resolved, as millstones around his political neck and political ambitions, and even personal life. The people who opted to run under Puentevella will be facing a big obstacle because it would be ridiculous for them to talk about good governance when Puentevella is facing these charges, filed not by ordinary citizens or paid lackeys,but by the government. They talk of transparency, for instance, and yet the plunder case and the other cases of the fertilizer scam, the computer scam and the asphalt scam, the SEAG scam, are nothing but surreptitious and secretive maneuvers by a person who was given the gift of power by the people. How can they talk or even base their platform on transparency under the circumstances? I am certain that this platform of transparency is directed at Mayor Bing Leonardia who also has not been convicted of any malfeasance in office and the charges, several of them for years, had been dismissed. Sure, one can say Puentevella has not been convicted, but to repeat, the cases were filed by the government, and that makes it entirely different from those clearly filed to harass. If the people who now work for the grant of new powers to Puentevella, a power they want to share, and ask the voters of Bácolod, they must convince us that he is clean. But that would be asking for the moon. How can they clean up Puentevella's mess? I challenge them to ask the Ombudsman and the Sandigan, to speed up the cases and even resolve them before the start of the election campaign. They should ask Puentevella to direct his lawyers to file for the expeditious resolution of the cases. But reports say that Puentevella's lawyers, as lawyers must do under instruction of their client, and top lawyers at that, had been blocking the movement of these cases by dribbling it till kingdom come. Perhaps there is no truth to this report since we know how the disposition of cases in this country moves, but since Puentevella is running for public office anew and has adopted transparency as his platform of government, it behooves them to prove they mean what they say. It is a pity that just after it was re-launched with credible captain and sailors, the LP ship began to founder and its captain jumped into another ship, possibly to get into a safety boat. Unfortunately for them, the ship they jumped into has plenty of holes. Councilors Archie Baribar, El Cid Familiaran and Sonya Verdeflor, however, will be able to bring the LP ship safely to shore. They have the competence to do that. They have as well the following, the political savvy and the credible public record that surely will augur well for them. The line-up of Grupo Progreso shows some weak spots or candidates and I think the LP under Archie and company will be able to match and even push them into the bottom rung. Was this intentional on the part of Grupo Progreso to allow Archie and company to win? After all there is no unbridgeable gap between the incumbent councilor, the returning councilors and Archie's group. So Rep. Anthony Golez is seeking reelection as an independent but he takes being “independent” too seriously by not having anyone with him. He has no slate. That, however, is a sign of grave, fatal weakness because it seems no political group wanted to be with him and he does not want anybody with him, at least politically, except his family. The issue against Golez ought to be purely his performance but it cannot be helped that his personal life be scrutinized, because his private behavior belongs to the public domain.* (Dear Editors: Your time is 7-8 hours ahead of ours and we are constantly moving, literally, so please adjust my columns to suit your publication schedule. I am writing now in Lourdes, France and leaving in 4 hours for Rome. The trip will be long – 8 hours on the train and bus, so I will be unable to send until we reach Rome. Hopefully this will normalize when we reach the US. Thanks and best regards to all.*MPS) Modesto P. Sa-Onoy The Visayan Daily Star |
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