An ordinance penalizing any person who will cross or breach a police line cordon at any crime scene in Bacolod City, was passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on first reading Wednesday.
Authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran, chairman of the SP Committee on Police and Security, the ordinance provides a fine of 3,000 or an imprisonment of 15 days or both, at the discretion of the Court, for those who violate the law. It said the hostage-taking incident in Manila on August 2010 that claimed many lives and injured several others persons, shocked the country and damaged international relation with China, a serious reminder of how inept and ill-equipped the concerned law enforcement agencies are in responding to crisis situation. It said the breach of the “police line” that was seen on television was a clear indictment of the inability and ineptness of agencies concerned to impose discipline and maintain law and order in times of crisis, such as the hostage taking in Manila, so to avoid such incidence in the future, there is a need for the SP to pass a measure that will prohibit onlookers while the incident is being investigated by the police. The SP also approved a resolution declaring the observance of the third week of October as Meat Safety Consciousness Week and enjoining all agencies for support and participation, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito. It also approved a resolution expressing a deep sense of gratitude to Senator Jinggoy Estrada and A Teacher Partylist Rep. Mariano Piamonte Jr. for their valuable financial support in the construction of school buildings for Sum-ag National High School in Brgy. Sum-ag, Bacolod City. It was authored by Councilor Homer Bais.*CGS
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BACOLOD City Councilor El Cid Familiaran proposed an ordinance penalizing any person who shall cross or breach a police line cordon at any rate scene in Bacolod City with a fine of P3,000 or an imprisonment of 15 days or both at the discretion of the court.
Breaching the “Police Line” cordon is a clear indictment of the inability and ineptness of agencies concerned to impose discipline and maintain law and order in times of crisis, such as hostage takings. There is a need for the Council to pass a measure that will prohibit onlookers at the scene of the crime while the incident is subject for the investigation, said Familiaran. (CNC) Carla N. Canet Sun Star Bacolod Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary Nilo Alejandrino yesterday denied the charges filed by Councilor Caesar Distrito against him, saying his complaint-affidavit is self-serving and exaggerated.
However, Alejandrino said he welcomed the complaint filed by Distrito against him as it will give him an opportunity to refute the allegations in his complaint. He said he was given three days by the Vice Mayor to file his answer. Distrito filed an administrative complaint against Alejandrino Tuesday for alleged grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming, gross insubordination, unprofessional conduct and grave abuse of authority before the Office of the Vice Mayor. In his complaint-affidavit, Distrito said he and Alejandrino had a verbal confrontation Monday when he asked the SP Secretary not to alter the notices of hearing by placing “casual employee” in the space provided for the name of the City Legal Officer. Distrito, who is vision-impaired in one eye, said Alejandrino raised his voice against him accusing him of siding with City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan, and later shouted repeatedly in a provocative manner, words that insult his physical disability. He said that while he was about to go out of the SP office, Alejandrino threw a chair towards him but it was stopped by an SP employee, and the second chair he threw was caught by some of the SP staff. Alejandrino said he will file counter-charges against Distrito. Distrito said he will also file a criminal complaint against Alejandrino for two counts of threat, falsification of public document, slander by deeds, and violation of the Magna Carta for Person with Disability. “How can he accuse me of falsification when I was the one who prepared the notice myself?” Alejandrino asked. Alejandrino said the claims of Distrito that he said words to him like “Kay gapabulag-bulag ka mo! (because you are trying to play blind)” was just rhetoric and was not meant to ridicule him. He said that was just his choice of words when he meant that Distrito’s committee had jurisdiction to handle the correspondence of Bayatan, but he was abroad at that time. He only reacted since Distrito blamed him when the correspondence was not calendared in the SP agenda, he added. Distrito had written Alejandrino earlier asking him to explain why he failed to calendar the request of Bayatan for pre-trial authority. Alejandrino said as SP Secretary, he is only answerable to the SP as a collegial body and not to an individual councilor. The chair-throwing incident, on the other hand, is just a figment of Distrito’s imagination, Alejandrino said. He took a chair sit on but it slipped from his hand, he said. Alejandrino said he perceives that most of the cases filed against him, especially the ones filed by Bayatan, are just harassment. Meanwhile, Alejandrino welcomed the suggestion of Councilor El Cid Familiaran that the conflict between them be settled in an executive-legislative caucus. He said the conflict is just a waste of their time. Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said his office has jurisdiction over the administrative complaints filed against Alejandrino and if he does not act on them, he will be liable under the law. Sayson assured the city officials concerned that he will be fair in dealing with the complaint, in reaction to the claims of Alejandrino that Distrito might influence the decision of the Vice Mayor, being his party mate. Sayson advised the individuals concerned to stop giving interviews in the meantime. The hearing of the case should be terminated within 30 days from receipt of the answers, Sayson said. CHRYSEE SAMILLANOVisayan Daily Star The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod approved Thursday a resolution authorizing the lawyers of the City Legal Office to appear for and behalf of the Bacolod City government in several law suits filed against the city.
Those who voted in favor of granting the authority were Councilors Caesar Distrito, Em Ang, Homer Bais, Roberto Rojas, Dindo Ramos, Mona Dia Jardin and Keith Ramos, while those who voted against it were Councilors El Cid Familiaran, Archie Baribar, Catalino Alisbo, Sonya Verdeflor and Elmer Sy. Distrito, chairman of the SP Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, said authority is required before the appearance of the City Legal Office lawyers, in the pre-trial of the cases headed by Joselito Bayatan, based on a memorandum of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Rule of Court. He said the issue raised by some members of the council were basically a different matter from the request for authority to represent the city. Distrito said “The absence or delay of such authority might put the city in a disadvantageous situation as the case might be decided against the city’s interest or they might be declared in default.” He said the request for authority had been submitted to the SP several months ago, and the cases involving the city have been postponed because of the absence of such authority from the SP. These include the case of Galeno Construction against Mayor Evelio Leonardia, the case of Amado. Parreño Agricultural Corporation (ABPAC) against the City of Bacolod, the case of CD Technologies Asia, Inc. against Bacolod City and the case of Montanez versus Beloria. Distrito said the authority will be granted to Bayatan, City Legal Officer, and assistant legal officers Omar Francis Demonteverde, Romela Amarilla and Cesar Beloria Jr. Meanwhile, the SP also approved Thursday a resolution requesting all malls, department stores and similar establishments in Bacolod City to review and strengthen their security detail and to conduct first aid trainings/seminars for their employees to respond to emergency cases. The resolution was authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran and Distrito. The SP also approved a resolution requesting the Department of Education through DepEd Region 6 to appropriate funds for the Sum-ag National High School Engineering and Science Educational Program and the Strengthened Technical Vocational Education Program, authored by Councilor Homer Bais.*CGS CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star THE City Legal Office finally got the nod of the City Council on a seven to five vote in its request for an authority to represent the City of Bacolod in several law suits filed against the City Government.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the Committee On Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, disclosed that the council conducted a division of the house. Distrito, Councilors Em Ang, Homer Bais, Bobby Rojas, Dindo Ramos, Mona Dia Jardin and Keith Ramos voted in favor of granting the request while Councilors El Cid Familiaran, Archie Baribar, Catalino Alisbo, Sonya Verdeflor and Elmer Sy voted against it. Distrito said that such an authority is required, as per the DILG memorandum and the Rule of Court that, prior to the appearance in the pre-trial of such cases by the City Legal Office lawyers headed by Atty. Joselito Bayatan. “The issue raised by some members of the council is basically a different matter than the request for authority to represent the City. The absence or delay of such might put the city in a disadvantageous situation, as the case might be decided against the city’s interest or they might be declared in default,” explained Distrito. Some of the requests for authority were submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod several months ago already and those cases were just postponed because of the absence of the authority from the council. The cases that required authority for the CLO to appear in pre-trial proceedings are the Galeno Construction case against Mayor Evelio Leonardia, the case of Amado B. Parreño Agricultural Corporation (ABPAC) against the City of Bacolod, the case of CD Technologies Asia, Inc. against Bacolod City and the case of Montañez versus Beloria. The authority was granted to Atty. Joselito T. Bayatan, City Legal Officer and assistant legal officers, Atty. Omar Francis O. Demonteverde, Atty. Romela T. Amarilla and Atty. Cesar B. Beloria, Jr. Carla N. Canet Sun Star Bacolod A resolution urging the Department of Energy, City Legal Office, City Permits and Licensing Division Monitoring Task Force under the City Mayor’s Office to investigate and inspect all gasoline stations in Bacolod City after reports on gasoline pump discrepancies surfaced, was approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday.
Authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, the resolution said that according to the DOE report, during the agency’s recent inspection, it was found out that there are 139 liquid petroleum retail outlets in the province committing various violations. It said that during the DOE’s information, education and communication campaign in Bacolod for the downstream oil industry, it was also found out that 42 retail outlets have under-delivered pumps or gas pumps giving less amount of gasoline than what the customer had paid for. Out of the 1,140 dispensing pumps inspected, 88 failed when measured with the calibrating buckets of the inspection team, it added. The resolution said such illegal act should be stopped because this will add up to the burden of the consumers, given that petroleum prices are increasing rapidly. If evidence is found to support the report, criminal complaints should be filed immediately to punish the perpetrators, it added. Meanwhile, the SP also approved a resolution reiterating an earlier request to the CMO, the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, the Traffic Management Unit, and extending the request to Office of the Congressman of Bacolod City, to designate special lanes for motorcycles, tricycles and bicycles in the main highways and major streets of Bacolod. Authored by Councilor Sonya Verdeflor, the resolution said motorcycle, tricycle and bicycle riders plying the main highways and major streets of Bacolod among the numerous heavy trucks and fast-moving vehicles and jeepneys, daily, are placed in a very precarious situation, with their lives and limbs at risk. The SP also approved another resolution requesting Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez to consider constructing waiting sheds along circumferential road, particularly at the junction of Buri Road of Brgy. Mandalagan, Brgy. Alijis Road and Brgy. Pahanocoy at Cegasco-Araneta Street. The resolution authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran, said the construction of waiting sheds in these areas will provide protection to the residents and commuters in the area from rain and from the heat of the sun.*CGS CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star Bacolod City Water District officials inaugurated Saturday its P3.6 million waterline extension at the Kabugwason Relocation Site in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, which is expected to serve a thousand households in the area.
The vital facility aims to serve the people of Kabugwason who have been suffering from the lack of access to potable and clean water for years. BACIWA general manager Julie Ann Carbon said they are helping the residents in the area with the support of their Board of Directors because two years ago, while on the way to Barangay Felisa, she saw two men getting water from a leak in their mainline just across the entrance to the relocation site. She said the men appealed to be allowed to get water because it is very difficult for them to fetch water with pails. BACIWA also provide the Kabugwason Elementary School free waterline installation so school children can have access to clean water. School principal Ma. Fe Toledo thanked BACIWA for providing the school with free water. Councilor Em Ang said water is a basic need and school children should have safe potable drinking water. Councilor El Cid Familiaran said he will find ways of supporting the monthly bills of the schools through his civic organization. Jenelyn Gemora, BACIWA Engineering Department manager, said Kabugwason residents spend P800 to P1,200 a month for their water consumption. With this project, they will only spend P210 to P600 a month. BACIWA also celebrated the global hand-washing day Saturday, joining the 200 countries in the world and demonstrated the proper way of hand washing to the school children. Present were BACIWA directors Lawrence Villanueva, Greg Gasataya, Cecile Henares and Maida Torre, Councilors Al Victor Espino, Homer Bais, Catalino Alisbo, Roberto Rojas, El Cid Familiaran, Carlos Jose Lopez and Executive Assistant Sammy Montoyo.*CGS Visayan Daily Star THE Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) inaugurated on Saturday the P3.6-million waterline extension at Kabuguason Relocation Site which is expected to serve a thousand households in the area.
Bacolod City Water District officials led by general manager Julie Ann Carbon and directors Maida Torre, Greg Gasataya, Cecile Henares and Lawrence Villanueva, with Councilors Homer Bais, Catalino Alisbo, Bobby Rojas, Al Victor Espino, El Cid Familiaran, Carl Lopez and Em Ang and executive assistant Sammy Montoyo inaugurated the facility. Aside from the waterline extension, Baciwa found it necessary to provide Kabuguason Elementary School with free waterline installation for pupils to have access to clean water when they are in school. Ang said water is a basic need, thus, assured to make sure schoolchildren will have access to safe, potable drinking water in their school. Familiaran, meanwhile, said he will find ways how to support the monthly water bills of the school through his civic organization. Villanueva thanked the people of Kabuguason for the opportunity to serve them, pleading to also take responsibility in conserving water. Engineer Jenelyn Y. Gemora, Baciwa’s Engineering Department manager, said the residents of Kabuguason spend between P800 and P1,200 a month for their water. With this waterline extension project, Gemora said, residents will only be spending between P201 to P600 a month. Baciwas also celebrated the Global Hand Washing Day last Saturday. (CNC) A resolution inquiring from the Bacolod City Permits and Licensing Division through the Office of the Mayor, the status of lending businesses conducted by Indian nationals in Bacolod, was proposed by Councilor Archie Baribar yesterday.
The resolution said the proliferation of Indian nationals engaged in lending business with small retail establishments in the city, may now be taken with public notice. Such practice, while initially sound, may in the long run prove a bane to local entrepreneurs, it said. Regulating such activities through the Permits and Licensing Division will protect these foreign nationals from unscrupulous elements of society, the resolution said. Meanwhile, a resolution requesting the city mayor to consider loan re-structuring/re-negotiation with Philippine National Bank, Philippine Veterans Banks, Development Bank of the Philippines and other financial institutions, if any, on the city’s paying scheme with its present debts and accounts was proposed by Councilor El Cid Familiaran. This is in line with the decrease of its Internal Revenue Allotment share due to the conversion of 16 municipalities into cities and other factors, the resolution said.*CGS Councilor Archie Baribar led a group of Bacolod City Councilors last week to conduct an inquiry on the reported structural defects of the houses in the Camella Homes Subdivision. Their objective was to determine whether the houses are fit for human habitation.
While allegations on the veracity of reports that three Bacolod officials received one house each as a consideration on the approval of the building permit of the Camella Homes Subdivision, were not included in the inquiry, observers at the session were buzzing with these allegations. Baribar started off the inquiry by questioning Josephine Segundino, head of the Bacolod Housing Authority (BHA), on the procedures that led to the granting of a building permit to Camella Homes. Segundino stated that she took the report of Engr. Tizon, the consultant of Camella Homes who certified that the houses being built by Camella Homes complied with all the requirements of the National Building Code and therefore, they were granted a building permit. Baribar interpellated Segundino on whether her office also sent an inspector or verified all the plans of Camella Homes. Segundino stated that there was no need as she took the word of Engr. Tizon, who has also the licenses certifying that he is an experienced engineer. Councilor Baribar also questioned Engr. Quiatchon on various aspects covering the Camella Homes Project. Councilors "El Cid" Familiaran, Sonya Verdeflor, Catalino Alisbo and Homer Bais subjected Segundino, and Engr. Quiatchon, both of the Bacolod Housing Authority on whether Camella Homes had complied with all the requirements of the National Building Code. Based on reports that the houses have no beams and no columns, Councilor Bais remarked, "These homes being constructed by Camella Homes may be like the structurally defective houses that I visited in Luzon which swayed when we went up to the second floor." Councilor Familiaran inquired on the role that HLURB in this construction and whether Camella Homes needed to get the approval of HLURB. Also, considering that the structural integrity of the homes being built was being questioned, on whether BHA had made all the necessary moves to verify the reports. Councilor Alisbo also questioned on the role that their architect played in the construction of the houses. Councilor Verdeflor requested for clarification on the employment status of Engr. Tizon, whether he is (a casual or a job order) employee of Camella Homes. Segundino replied that Engr. Tizon was not an employee of Camella Homes but only the consulting engineer of the corporation. Engr. Ephraem Hechanova of the Bacolod City Engineer’s Office (CEO), when questioned on their function on the building permit application of Camella Homes, stated that neither he nor the Bacolod City Engineer have any authority to inspect the housing project. That, if ordered by the SP, he would undertake such as inspection in order to determine the structural integrity of the homes being built. Baribar then assured Hechanova that such an authority would be given to him and that he should report his findings in next week’s session. (This writer was intrigued on three counts, namely, the allegation that certain Bacolod officials received a "gift" of one house each - the alleged structural defects of the homes, and, the statement of Councilor Bais that the homes that he inspected in Luzon were "wobbly" and we took pains to inquire from some realty firms in Metro Manila on the integrity of Camella Homes Corporation.) We received seven reports; however, one report that also intrigued us was the allegation that prior to the Presidential elections in 2010, Camella Homes sold their housing project to Ayala Corporation which is situated in Carmona, Cavite. Upon inspection of the alleged 80 houses, they were allegedly found to be structurally defective, what Ayala Corporation did was to bulldoze all the houses and constructed their own homes.Whether this is true or not remains to be seen! Rumors are rife among our "deep throat" informants at the Bacolod City Hall that that the engineers of the BHA are against granting Camella Homes a building permit because they found the house to be structurally defective, however, Segundino insisted that the houses are okay and therefore they were granted a building permit.* W. Henry O. Streegan Negros Daily Bulletin |
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