SO THE issues in Manokan Country is now reduced to sell or not to sell -- not to collect? I thought the City was just trying to collect back rentals from the tenants. Earlier, Mayor Monico Puentevella argued that majority of the 23 Manokan tenants failed to pay their rentals amounting to P6.5 million.
But in the recent dialog, this suddenly became a non-issue. Mayor Puentevella presented several projects that most likely will be funded by the proceeds of the sale of the Manokan Country property, including plans to purchase new dialysis machines. I find this focus on city projects and purchase of dialysis very confusing. Why is the Mayor Puentevella exploring the sale of the Manokan as the ONLY option? After all, Bacolod Councilor El Cid Familiaran expressed the same concern in a resolution he penned. The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved his measure, concurring with gravity of the plight of the hemodialysis patients in the province and Bacolod. Councilor Familiaran appealed to State agents, requesting assistance from Evelio R. Leonardia of Bacolod City, Julio A. Ledesma of 1st District, Leo Rafael M. Cuevas of 2nd District, Alfredo Benitez of 3rd District, Jeffrey M. Ferrer of 4th District, Alejandro Y. Mirasol of 5th District, Mercedes K. Álvarez of 6th District, Neri J. Colmenares of Bayan Muna Party List, Joseph Stephen Paduano of Abang Lingkod Party List, Gary C. Alejano of Magdalo Party List, and Roland de la Cruz of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines. Familiaran mentioned that 99 hemodialysis patients have petitioned President Benigno Aquino through PhilHealth President Alexander Padilla to increase the hemodialysis coverage from 45 to 90 sessions. Why don't our local legislative and the local chief join hands to look for other State institutions for assistance? Section 11 of the 1987 Constitutions guarantees Filipino citizens that "The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers." State sources of revenues for health projects come from taxes and non-tax revenues such as fees, fines, and penalties, borrowings as proposed by Puentevella's arch enemy, Cong. Evelio Leonardia. Then, of course, as Ms Tutor pointed out, the Department of Health, City Health Office, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and other foundations take care of the needs of those patients who undergo dialysis. I know of pauper patients who have accessed Pagcor funds for their hospitalization and medical bills. I would have too in 2009 if my health benefits and voluntary contributions for my recovery proved inadequate. This time, I have to agree with Manokan Country Vendors Association Treasurer Rosario Tutor who questioned why they should be the sacrificial lambs to finance the health care program for those with kidney problems. But perhaps, this could partially answer Ms Tutor's question. The City Government's debt with the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital has ballooned to P15 million. The P15-million debt covered unpaid bills from January 2015 to this month, and part of bills unpaid in 2014 that the Bacolod local government promised to shoulder. So if the tenants settle their arrears of P6.5 million, their payment could lead to the diminution of Bacolod's outstanding account payable to the regional hospital. That could lead to a win-win situation for the tenants, the customers, and the city government. I'm beginning to suspect that this is not even about dialysis machines and health projects. The national and local elections are just a heartbeat away. By BENEDICTO Q SANCHEZ Sun.Star Bacolod
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BACOLOD City Councilor El Cid Familiaran said he supports the imposition of the “No ID, No Byahe” for tricycle and trisikads plying Barangay Estefania following the rape-slay of a 19-year-old student in the village.
Estefania village chief Jerry Tingson said earlier that starting May 22, they offer free ride, or “libre sakay” for their constituents, particularly call center agents and employees assigned on night shift as one of the preventive measures against possible crimes. Familiaran said he finds the policy fitting as this could be a deterrent to crimes and residents will be assured of their safety. The implementation of the “No ID, No Byahe” policy will take effect within two to three months since tricycle and trisikad drivers operating in the barangay are still in the process of completing their requirements and securing required clearances. Only licensed drivers of Barangay Estefania will be issued IDs. The barangay has provided two vehicles for residents of Estefania who want to avail of free ride or “libre sakay,” and each vehicle is assigned two barangay tanods. One vehicle is stationed at the barangay hall while the other is at the City Hall. Residents of Estefania, who take the vehicle from City Hall, will be dropped in their residences and will also be required to sign in a logbook. (CNC) Sun.Star BACOLOD Councilor El Cid Familiaran believes that the Tricycle Ordinance of Bacolod City needs a review to find out if it needs some amendments for the maintenance of peace and order in the City.
Familiaran said there is a need also to provide force multipliers to help the police. If Mayor Monico Puentevella will adopt the Association of Barangay Council and Police Precinct (ABCAPP) progra implemented under former Mayor Luzviminda Valdez before, he believes there will be a reduction in crime incidence, he said. Under the program, every barangay provides 10 barangay tanods to help the police stations in crime prone areas. They were provided a monthly allowance of P1,000 by the City, he added. Familiaran said the program was implemented by Police Supt. Rhoderick Alba when he was former Police Station 1 commander, and the crime volume dropped significantly. He said the Police should also be provided equipment and vehicles. By: Carla N. Canet Sunstar Bacolod THE Portia Store owned by Bacolod City Councilor El Cid Familiaran and his wife Portia located at the downtown area lost around P600,000 worth of merchandise to teenagers who entered their establishment in separate instances.
Familiaran said the suspects include a 12-year-old boy and three 18-year-olds. He filed a case against the three suspects except for the 12-year-old, he said. Advertisement The suspects, who were detained at Police Station 1, operated for a week where they carted away P500,000 worth of slippers, or 40 sacks, at 150 pairs per sack and other items. The modus operandi involved making themselves a “human ladder” and letting the 12-year-old enter the stockroom through the window. They gained entry because the building security guard was sleeping all the time, the councilor said. Familiaran said the area is well-lighted, but then the guard was not able to respond. The couple requested the police to investigate the case deeper. Familiaran said they filed a case against the suspects to teach them a lesson. Two of the suspects have been detained at the Social Development Center, which houses children and teenagers in conflict with the law. (CNC) Sun Star Bacolod YOUR loss might also be your gain if you get caught for violations of traffic regulations. You can thank Bacolod Councilors El Cid Familiaran and Claudio Puentevella of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panglungsod for saving your life from possible heart attacks.
Familiarian and Puentevella sponsored an ordinance allowing the use of voluntary blood donations as payment of penalties for violations of traffic regulations in lieu of fines. According to studies published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, blood donors are 33 percent less likely to suffer a cardiovascular disease and 88 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack. When donating blood, we are removing 225 to 250 mg of iron from our body; therefore reducing our risks of health complications. High blood iron can cause a variety of symptoms, such as irregular heartbeats, lethargy, muscle weakness, hardening of arteries, accelerated cholesterol oxidation, decreased libido and enlarged liver. The Department of Health affirmed this conclusion. “Voluntary blood donation enhances the production of new red blood cells and reduces the risk of getting heart diseases. It energizes the body and gives one’s self a sense of fulfillment. It also plays an important role in the act of saving a life.” The DOH said donors should be in good health, between 16 and 65 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds (50 kilograms), and pass physical, health history and lifestyle assessment during the screening. It added those aged 16 and 17 must secure parental consent. Of course, if the blood examination shows that a traffic offender’s blood is unfit for medical use, the CHO should inform the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office about it and the traffic violator will have to pay the mandated fine. Bacolod’s blood bank is suffering from scarcity of blood donations. Despite the presence of Red Cross and blood banks at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital and other private hospitals, blood supply remains a major concern of the city, the ordinance said. According to the Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, the 2013 blood collection fell short of the 950,000 units of blood that the country needs. PRC managed to collect a mere 440,000 units, less than half of the target. So in effect, in saving the lives of those in need of blood transfusion, male blood donors might also be saving their lives. When donating your blood, the PRC will test it to determine your blood type – classified as A, B, AB, and O – and your Rh factor. The Rh factor refers to the presence or absence of a specific antigen, a substance capable of stimulating an immune response, in the blood; so, you are either Rh positive or Rh negative, meaning you either carry the antigen or you don’t. If the blood examination shows that the blood is not fit for medical use, the CHO should inform the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office about it and the traffic violator will be made to pay the mandated fine. The City Health Office will issue an ID card to blood donors-traffic violators as voluntary blood donor that will qualify him or his immediate family members access to blood donation in the future. Come to think of it, we don’t need to violate traffic rules to donate blood. After all, we are doing ourselves a favor. While scientists are researching why donating blood reduces the risk of heart attack, its benefits are a two-way street. Develop a healthy habit, head over to your local blood center and give the gift of life to yourself, your family, and your community. By Benedicto Q Sánchez Sunstar Bacolod BACOLOD City Councilor El Cid Familiaran has proposed an ordinance that will require traffic violators to donate blood instead of paying fines.
If approved, the ordinance, which hurdled the first reading, will address the scarcity of blood supply whenever there is a rise in dengue cases in the city. Familiaran said that worldwide, the scarcity of blood has been noticed not just by foreign countries or by their health providers, but likewise by the International Red Cross (IRC). Such serious concern has been identified when dengue illness hits the country, including the Bacolod City that resulted to shortage in blood supply in hospitals, and the cost of blood went up inaccessibly for many people that contributed to the cause of death of many poor patients, particularly children. The shortage of blood has been validated when Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang stated that in 2013, blood collection fell short of what is needed, considering that out of 950,000 units of blood which the country needs, PRC only collected 440,000 units of blood, representing just 49.6 percent of the nation’s badly needed blood. To address this major perennial health problem, measures that would generate more blood supply are most needed, the proposed ordinance stated. Republic Act No. 7719, “An Act Promoting Voluntary Blood Donation, Providing for an Adequate Supply of Safe Blood, Regulating Blood Banks, and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof,” has been passed by Congress to institutionalize and ensure an adequate supply of blood. Among the measures considered to generate additional blood for patients is to recognize the voluntary donation of blood by traffic violators in lieu of the mandated fine. (CNC) By Carla N. Canet Sun Star Bacolod THE City Council of Bacolod has approved on final reading the ordinance which authorizes the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in public elementary and high schools in the city.
Councilor El Cid Familiaran, who authored the measure, said the employment of a CCTV/Video Surveillance System(VSS) cameras by any entity, particularly by the Local Government Unit(LGU) purposely to record factual evidence of crime has been proven to be an effective instrument to deter any act of lawlessness. The City Council has passed City Ordinance No. 595, series of 2012, called the “Bacolod City Eye in the Sky Comprehensive Closed-Circuit Television(CCTV) Ordinance” and City Ordinance No. 600, series of 2012 or “An Ordinance Requiring all Banks and other Financial Institutions as well as Certain Business Establishments within the City of Bacolod to Install CCTV within their Premises, Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof, and for Other Purposes.” The local laws do not include schools where crimes have also been committed, thereby necessitating the installation of CCTV/VSS cameras in their campuses or premises, Familiaran said. (CNC) Sun.Star Bacolod COUNCILORS of Bacolod City will discuss on the appropriate action they will take against Rey Francis Cabuga of Mushroom Realty Development Corporation, which owns the newly-constructed resort at Barangay Punta Taytay.
During the hearing of the City Council committee on laws and ordinances, the councilors found out that the resort was already complete, despite the absence of the necessary permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Barangay Council, and the City Government of Bacolod. Councilor El Cid Familiaran said over DYRL that this is the third time that Cabuga violated the national and local laws in the city. He would rather pay fines and penalties of whatever amount as long as they start the construction without the benefit of getting the needed permits from concerned national and local government agencies, Familiaran said. Cabuga also owns the Metro Inn hotel on 6th Street, which apparently occupies the gutter or the sidewalk, and the Metro Safari resort in Barangay Alangilan, which was being constructed without a building permit and without permission from the Barangay Council. Cabuga constructed a two-storey hotel with two swimming pools, pavilion, huts, restaurants, among others in Barangay Punta Taytay, but failed to apply for a foreshore lease agreement with the DENR and for a building permit from the Office of the Building Official (OBO). During the committee hearing, Jenamine Daclizon of Mushroom Realty Development Corporation said the resort is almost finished, and said they have not encroached the foreshore area. However, Engr. Freddie Bataanon, chief of the Land Management Services of DENR-CENRO Bacolod, said the company has encroached the foreshore area by 30 meters. Familiaran said this company can help attract tourists for the city but they need to comply with the law first. Non-compliance of the said permits is a ground for the non-issuance of the occupancy permit and the Environmental Compliance Certificate, he noted. The councilor said that since the owners have insisted that they have not encroached the foreshore area, they are given the benefit of the doubt. The City Legal Office, OBO and the DENR will inspect the area again soon, he added. By Carla N. Canet Sun.Star Bacolod BACOLOD City Councilor Sonya Verdeflor, chairperson of the committee on markets and slaughterhouse, has initiated measures along with Councilor El Cid Familiaran to improve the collection of rentals from stalls and blocks from market vendors in the three public markets in the city.
She said the granting of 20 percent discount to stall and block lessees could help entice them to pay their rentals to the city promptly. Verdeflor requested earlier the City Administrator’s Office to furnish her the status of the Burgos Market vendors fire victims’ stalls/blocks and records of their stall rentals due needed for the proposed ordinance condoning their stall rentals from May 6, 2012 to present City Ordinance No. 407 provides under its Article 11, giving incentives to faithful payors which states, “Market stall awardees or lessees who have somehow managed to faithfully pay all their dues at current levels upon the passage of this ordinance shall be entitled to a 20 percent discount on their current rental obligations for the year 2006 up to 2011, or 5 years beginning with year 2006, for as long as they pay their dues on time in those year.” City Ordinance No. 583 dated March 14, 2012 entitled “An Ordinance Granting Twenty Percent Discount to Stall Awardees or Lessees who are Faithful Payors of their Monthly Block Lease Rental for One Year Only” in Relation to the Extension Granted under Article 2 of City Ordinance No. 407 dated July 6, 2006. City Ordinance No. 583 dated March 14, 2012 extended the grant of 20 percent discount to faithful payors for one year only, thus to encourage faithful compliance and prompt payments from market awardees/lessees, a big percentage of which goes to the Trust Fund earmarked for the repair and maintenance of the City’s Public Markets, the subject Ordinance was proposed. The stakeholders who attended the committee hearing including the Office of the City Administrator, agreed to support the passage of the proposed ordinance, seeing that the incentives continuously granted would ultimately redound to the benefit of the city’s public markets. By Carla N. Canet Sun.Star Bacolod BACOLOD City Councilor El Cid Familiaran and other concerned individuals have joined hands in the advocacy to empower solo parents in the city.
Matet Lozada, convenor of the Solo Parent Advocates in Negros (Spain), held a press conference at the Negros Press Club Friday to present their advocacy on the cause of solo parents. Familiaran is the author of an ordinance institutionalizing the programs and services to solo parents and their children. This is accordance with the Republic Act 8972 or an act providing for benefits and privileges to solo parents and their children. Lozada said that they will start organizing the solo parents in the 61 barangays so that their cause and needs will also be heard and addressed. She said the family is the foundation of the nation thus, there has to be an effort that will strengthen its solidarity and ensure its total development. "Our mission is to promote social justice and help provide mechanism for the implementation of comprehensive package of social development and welfare services intended to solo parents and their children," she said. Lozada added, “Our vision is to see a more productive and empowered family of solo parents in our community who are full of skills, trainings, sense of values, self worth and self reliance." Sun.Star Bacolod |
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