The organizers of Earth Day 2012 celebration in Negros Occidental and in Bacolod City are inviting the public to participate in different events from April 17 to 22, 2012. The annual celebration started in 1970 when the United Nations (UN) declared April 22 of each year as Earth Day to give honor and to remind all living beings of the wonders of mother earth. As signatory to the UN charter, the Philippines celebrates Earth Day every year. Earth Day celebration in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City had, for the most part, been initiated by the private sector with the active participation of some national and local governments.
A three- and five-kilometer run, entitled 3K, is scheduled at 5:00 a.m. April 21 at SM City Bacolod. The event is organized by Greek Kalinga (Erma Teodocio) together with the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, West Negros University and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College. Registration to the fun ride, "Ride for the Climate" spearheaded by Solargen (Andrea) and Federation of Bacolod Trisikad Operators and Drivers Associations (Helen Castro) begins at 4:00 p.m. of April 21 at SM City. A province-wide (all barangays) simultaneous community clean-up is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. of Sunday, April 22. Councilors El Cid Familiaran and Mona Dia Jardin are coordinating this activity in Bacolod City while SK Provincial Federation Chairperson Thea Marie Dino and Provincial ABC Chair George Gitano are coordinating the activity for the municipalities and component cities of Negros Occidental. The primary objectives of of this event is to gather the scattered plastic bags that clog the waterways and pollute the coastal areas. The Green Alert Network (Junjun Mojica) is undertaking tree growing activities in the Municipalities of E.B. Magalona, San Enrique and Don Salvador Benedicto on April 22. In the afternoon of April 22, Singles for Christ together with the Girl Scout of the Philippines and the 303rd Infantry Brigade are leading the "One Earth: A Walk for the Environment." Registration for this event begins at 4:00 p.m. at the SM Activity Center. The organizers request donations from participants in the form of old books and school uniforms which will be distributed to deserving but poor school children. The celebration will culminate with a closing program at SM Activity Center starting 6:00 p.m. featuring local artists and talents. GMA Channel 13 is coordinating the closing program. This year’s celebration is headed by Fr. Ernie Lareda, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima and Environment Coordinator of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod as Chairperson and Councilor El Cid Familiaran as Co-Chairperson.*
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WE HAVE in Bacolod a case of government bailouts of losing businesses.
Recently, the city’s three public markets and the Manokan Country appealed to the City Council to immediately enact the ordinance condoning the surcharges, interests, penalties and arrearages on the rental obligations of stall, table and block occupants of the markets. Our honorable councilors Caesar Distrito Em Ang, El Cid Familiaran, Al Victor Espino, Roberto Rojas, Dindo Ramos, Mona Dia Jardin and Cárlos José López drafted the ordinance. Judging from the news, the proposed ordinance will help market vendors to pay their rental arrears and dues to the local taxpayers. How exactly the ordinance will help those on the losing end of the competition escapes me, however. Let’s dig deeper on the issue. According to the neoliberal concept—which most of the country’s economists promote—to develop the economy, the priority should be the price mechanism, the free enterprise, the system of competition, and a strong, unobtrusive, and impartial state. Those who can’t compete with more efficient, better-funded competition should be allowed to collapse and go bankrupt. I can sense, however, that the Council’s proposition to condone the arrears could be based more on political rather than the economic or even on the ideological side of things. After all, elections are just around the corner and the proposed ordinance could just be efforts to win votes. Look at the logic. How on earth can vendors fend off losses due to stiff competition from big malls and supermarkets, the proliferation of sidewalk vendors and the high prices of gasoline and other commodities? Swim with the big players—or sink. In fact, even if they religiously pay their rentals to the city government on a staggered basis, free from interests, surcharges and arrearages, I can’t see how they can develop their competitive edge. How can our middle-class consumers benefit from the bailout ordinance in terms of better services and variety of quality goods, of clean and hygienic stalls? How can our vendors help with ecological solid waste management by lessening the use of single end use plastics or the promotion of organic food? In the United States, the Barack Obama administration agreed to bail out with $34 billion the three major U.S. auto industry companies — GM, Chrysler and Ford—who requested taxpayers money to fend off bankruptcy. The Big 3 argued that their exit from the economic scene would trigger 3 million layoffs within a year, plunging the economy further into recession. Opposing the Obama’s bailout were the largely Republican politicians—largely on ideological grounds—who insisted that the markets will solve all the ills of the world without government regulations or intervention. Their argument was to allow GM to sink as the sacrificial lamb, go bankrupt rather than be assisted with the taxpayers’ money, while other automakers would gobble up GM’s lost business and market share. And all would be well with the world without costing the taxpayer a cent. According to the Center for Automotive Research, however, General Motors managed to swim back to safety in the public markets. CAR estimates that the US national government needs to recover $38 billion on the taxpayer bailouts can be achieved after a two-year breakeven. In exchange for the lifeline, the bailed-out companies promised to fast-track the development of energy-efficient vehicles, and consolidate operations. GM and Ford agreed to streamline the number of brands they produced. Union will help save jobs by allowing delay contributions to a health trust fund for retirees and reduce payments to laid-off workers. The three CEOs agreed to work for $1 a year and sell their corporate jets. Do we get similar assurances from our Bacolod vendors? What can they offer our taxpayers and consumers in return to avoid making the ordinance look like a free ride on the gravy train, benefiting our local politicians and the losers at taxpayers’ expense? Benedicto Q Sánchez Sun Star Bacolod Acting on the appeal of presidents from three public markets and the Manokan Country occupants, members of the Sangguniang Pan-lungsod will decide today the resolution authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, which condones the surcharges, interests, penalties and arrearages on the rental obligations of stall, table and block occupants of the markets.
Co-authored by Councilors Em Ang, El Cid Familiaran, Al Victor Espino, Roberto Rojas, Dindo Ramos, Mona Dia Jardin and Carlos Jose Lopez, the ordinance stem-med from the letter to Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson, jointly signed by the presidents of three major public markets of Bacolod, Libertad, Central and Burgos and the Manokan Country Vendors Association, appealing for the condonation of penalties on their delayed payment for rentals of spaces in the market/manokan they occupy. They said, they are collectively airing their concerns to the SP members considering the stiff competition from big malls and supermarkets, the proliferation of sidewalk vendors and the high prices of gasoline and other commodities contribute to losses that legitimate vendors incur. This results to the increased rental dues that their members owe the city. They said they had a collective stand that despite economic hardship, they will fulfill their obligation and responsibility by paying their dues, but with an appeal that it will be in staggered basis and free from interests, surcharges and arrearages, as what the proposed ordinance provides. The petition letter also states that "The support of other councilors will surely help ensure the passage of this ordinance, thus we are asking for their help, particularly Councilors Elmer Sy, Sonya Verdeflor, Archie Baribar, Catalino Alisbo, Homer Bais and Keneth Ramos. We know that they also understand our problems and concerns. "We, therefore, appeal for the immediate passage of the said ordinance, as we are also committed to help in ensuring all the delinquent vendors in paying their delinquency. We are also committed to help disseminate information that their failure to avail of the benefits that the proposed ordinance has granted them, will result to the cancellation of their contract." The letter was signed by Rolando David, Wilfredo Figueroa, Azucena Apoyon and Marites Lamier, presidents of the Central, Libertad and Burgos Public Market Vendors’ Associations and the Manokan Country Vendors Association, respectively.* THE Bacolod City Council received a letter from presidents of three public markets and of Manokan Country vendors associations seeking possible condonation of the surcharges, interests, penalties and arrearages on their rental obligations of stalls, tables and blocks.
In a letter signed by Rolando David, Wilfredo Figueroa, Azucena Apoyon and Marites Lamier, presidents of the Central, Libertad and Burgos Public Market Vendors Association and the Manokan Country Vendors Association, respectively, the market stalls occupants appealed to the council for the immediate passage of an ordinance relative to their request. Councilor Caesar Distrito authored an ordinance, which was co-authored by Councilors Em Ang, El Cid Familiaran, Al Victor Espino, Roberto Rojas, Dindo Ramos, Mona Dia Jardin and Carlos Jose Lopez, to address the request of the occupants. The market leaders believe that the ordinance will help vendors fulfill their obligation to pay their rental arrears and dues with the City Government. As representatives of the market associations, they collectively aired their concerns to the City Council members that stiff competition from big malls and supermarkets, the proliferation of sidewalk vendors and the high prices of gasoline and other commodities contribute to losses that legitimate vendors incur, resulting in increased rental dues. The market leaders said they had a collective stand that despite economic hardship, they will fulfill their obligation and responsibility by paying their dues but with an appeal that the same be made in a staggered basis and free from interests, surcharges and arrearages, as what the proposed ordinance provides. "The support of other councilors will surely help ensure the passage of this ordinance. Thus, we are asking for their help, particularly Councilors Elmer Sy, Sonya Verdeflor, Archie Baribar, Catalino Alisbo, Homer Bais and Keith Ramos. We know that they also understand our problems and concerns," the group said. "We, therefore, appeal for the immediate passage of the said ordinance, as we are also committed to help in ensuring of all the delinquent vendors in paying their delinquency. We are also committed to help disseminate information that their failure to avail of the benefits that the proposed ordinance has granted them, will result to the cancellation of their contract," it added. Carla N. Canet Sun Star Bacolod A resolution urging City Agriculture and City Veterinary heads, Goldwyn Nifras and Rex Juplo, respectively, through the Office of the City Mayor, to act on pork smuggling in the city, was approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday.
The resolution authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran, said reports stated that pig growers nationwide will hold a pork holiday next week to register their dismay over the unabated entry of imported pork. It said the proponents claim that they have been losing millions and millions of pesos, because they cannot compete with the imported port, of which big volumes are smuggled into the country. The resolution added that the pig growers said they want to send a message to President Benigno Aquino III that they are badly hit by the entry of smuggled pork, most especially the backyard hog raisers. It said there is a need for the city to take proactive action against this to lessen its effect on the backyard pig raisers. Meanwhile, a resolution was also approved extending to the management of Robinson’s Land Corporation the gratitude of the City of Bacolod and of its Local Council for the Protection of Children under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, for providing free use of its Robinsons Cybergate venue for the mass recognition ceremonies of the city’s various day care center preschoolers. Authored by Councilor Sonya Verdeflor, it said the DSSD of Bacolod held mass recognition ceremonies for its preschoolers from the various Day Care Centers of Bacolod from March 16 to 31on the theme ““Bright Child: Local Council for the Protection of Children: Palakasin, Pakilusin, Pagtulungan Natin.”*CGS Dads to Take Steps to Stop Imports
Bacolod Councilor El Cid Familiaran recently sponsored the resolution requesting Mayor Evelio Leonardia to urge the offices of Agriculture and veterinary to take mitigating measures to stop the importation of pork, as one of the causes that would prompt the hog raisers nationwide to declare pork holiday next week. Councilor Familiaran said, there are reports that pig growers nationwide will hold a pork holiday next week to register their dismay over the unabated entry of imported pork. Proponents of the stoppage for supply of pork claimed that they have been losing millions of pesos, because they cannot compete with the price of imported pork, as big volume of such are smuggled to our country. The pig growers according to Familiaran also state that, with this mobilization nationwide they want to send a message to the President that they are now dying as they are badly hit by thesmuggled pork. What is more alarming, they said, the most hit are the backyard pig raisers. The City should also be concerned with this adverse development, as it is a fact that backyard pig raisers here have been immensely contributing direct and indirect income for the City and supply of pork for our food consumption. Therefore, there is a need for the City to take a proactive action that will lessen the effect to our backyard pig raisers brought about by the entry of imported and smuggled pork, urging City Agriculture and City Veterinary Office Heads, Atty. Goldwyn Nifras and Rex Juplo, respectively, thru the Office of the City Mayor to take mitigating measures on the impact of pork smuggling for the pig raisers in the City, Familiaran’s resolution emphasized.* Edith Colmo Negros Daily Bulletin Central Negros Electric Cooperative recorded a drop of 7.45 megawatts of power from 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Saturday night during the earth hour celebration.
Ceneco president Arnel Lapore, said they were able to save 29.275 megawatts of power from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. last year when government offices, business establishments and some residents switched off their lights for the earth hour celebration. Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddues Sayson and Colegio San Agustin College of Engineering dean Fely Altalaguire led the ceremonial switch-off of lights at SM City Bacolod at 8:30 p.m. Saturday that was participated in by different sectors who made their pledge of commitment to conserve energy and protect the environment. Leonardia said, “We take this matter very seriously and we are always conscious about climate change and what we can do to see to it that this is not going to create more damage to our Mother Earth.” The Negros Occidental Provincial Government, represented by Alet Munez, head of the Provincial Environment and Management Office, committed to do its shareto conserve and rehabilitate the environment. Muñez read the pledge of commitment of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. that said, “In line with the Negros First agenda, the province and its 31 component local governments are committed to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and to assisting vulnerable communities to adapt to erratic climate patterns. Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said the city is committed to reduce green house emission in Bacolod and support moves to reduce carbon footprints in the Philippines. They have also passed several ordinances in the fight against global warming, he said. Bea Bachinela, Organic Negros Producers and Retailers Association executive director, said they hope to make Negros Occidental, not only the organic bowl of the Philippines, but also of Asia. Councilor Sonya Verdeflor encouraged the public to start energy conservation in their homes and, by supporting earth hour, switch off their lights for one hour every year. Councilor Em Ang said shewill refuse plastic bags and will continue planting more trees, while Councilor Archie Baribar committed to plant more trees and asked the public to join the fight against illegal loggers. Others who also pledged their commitment of support were representatives of the Philippine Institue of Civl Engineer, the United Architects of the Philippines, a representative of Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez,Negros Bloggers, Trisikad Drivers and Operators Center,SM City, youth and the students of the University of St. La Salle and Colegio de San Agustin. Meanwhile, SM marketing officer Nep Grandea said SM City Bacolod will host the Earth Day 2012 celebration on April 16 to 22 that will be led by Councilors El Cid Familiaran and Em Ang. Grandea said they will also spearhead activities like the clean-up of sewerage systems in municipalities and cities in Negros Occidental, in cooperation with Kid Bañas of the Negros Occidental for Climate Change, head of the Earth Day convenors 2012. SM will also host an Earth Day exhibit from April 16 to 22, a 3-kilometer run on April 21 at 6 a.m. at SM Bacolod, and an earth day walk on April 27 headed by the Couples for Christ, he said.*CGS CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star |
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