It’s official. The New Government Center (NGC) is now called the People’s House of Bacolod (PHOB). This, after the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod, in a regular session yesterday, approved on third and final reading the ordinance renaming the NGC into PHOB, which was proposed by Councilor Claudio Jesus Raymundo “Kalaw” Puentevella. Despite the opposition of Councilors Carl Lopez, Caesar Distrito, El Cid Familiaran, Em Ang and Roberto “Bobby” Rojas, eight members of the city council were in favor of the ordinance, namely: Councilors Ana Marie Palermo, Sonya Verdeflor, Archie Baribar, Wilson “Jun” Gamboa Jr, Noli Villarosa, Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Alex Paglumotan, and Puentevella. Distrito has insisted that the government edifice cannot be renamed, citing a provision in the Local Government Code that requires a 10-year period before a public building could change its name. Also, Distrito insisted that the people of Bacolod are against the renaming of the structure. “We should respect the rights of the previous government officials in naming the edifice as NGC,” Distrito stressed, adding that he only stands on what is right and just. Distrito said he believes that the renaming of NGC to PHOB is illegal. “It’s up to the people of Bacolod to decide come election time,” Distrito added. According to Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, the opposition raised legal questions that only the court can determine with finality. Gasataya, who did not participate in the discussion, said, “We have to respect the decision of the majority.” The vice mayor said that Mayor Monico Puentevella will have to sign the ordinance for it to become a law./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino Watchmen Daily Journal
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Approve the supplemental budget. This was the appeal made by Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, as he stressed that the budget will ensure continuity of the projects of his administration. This budget will provide “booming projects” for the people of Bacolod, the mayor claimed. This will make Bacolod welcome more development, he added. The mayor further claimed that through the supplemental budget, the city will procure additional patrol vehicles for the police; closed circuit television cameras for public schools; and traffic lights on major intersections in the city. These three items were identified in the resolution pushed by Councilor El Cid Familiaran as among the priority needs of the city. “That’s whythe city council should approve the budget because part of it will go to these projects,” Puentevella emphasized. Meanwhile, the SP will hold a special session tomorrowto clarify questions raised by several councilors on the sources of the supplemental budget, particularly the P17 million unexpended funds for accounts payable. Expected to shed light on the budget are City Accountant MaCorazon Cardel, City Budget Officer Victor Treyes and City Treasurer Giovanni Balalilhe./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino Watchmen Daily Journal Just like investments that keep on pouring in the city, his political allies are increasing in number. This was how Mayor Monico Puentevella described the recent political developments in the city and its implications in the 2016 local polls. But Puentevella refused to divulge the names of his “newfound allies”, as he stressed that it’s not yet time for him to announce the people who will join his group in next year’s election. When asked about the reports that former Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson will seek the congressional seat under his party, Puentevella did not confirmor deny. “You know, when I started in politics, almost all of them, 80% of the councilors now, and Thaddy were all my councilors. All of them were with me before. So there’s no reason that I would cut my friendship with them,” Puentevella explained. The mayor claimed that he is also close with incumbent Councilors El Cid Familiaran and Archie Baribar, who both ran and won as independents in 2013. Reports said that Baribar may join Puentevella’s ticket and run for congressman next year, but the councilor had clarified that there has been no negotiation between him and the mayor. “More people are coming to join my team,” the mayor said, adding, “You may be surprised when you will know who they are.”/WDJ By Therese Amor Panzo Watchmen Daily Journal Bacolod Councilor El Cid Familiaran, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Committee on Police Matters and Security, is asking the city government to allocate funds for the procurement of additional patrol vehicles, traffic lights and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras. Familiaran stressed that Bacolod needs these equipment being a highly-urbanized city, which was recently declared as peaceful and ready for further development. The councilor noted that the city police force lacks patrol vehicles, as he pointed out that six of 10 police stations need patrol vehicles to improve their visibility campaign to help deter crimes in the streets. He claimed that policemen use their personal cars to respond to incidents due to the unavailability of vehicles. He explained that by allocating P6 million, the city could provide new patrol vehicles to the six police stations while the installation of CCTV cameras in public elementary and secondary schools will need a P2 million budget. The councilor also said that by buying additional street lights,the city could ease traffic congestion on busy intersections./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino Watchmen Daily Journal Four councilors voted against while seven voted in favor of the proposed ordinance, which seeks to change the name of the New Government Center into the People’s House of Bacolod, during the session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Wednesday. The proposed law authored by Councilor Claudio Jesus Raymundo Puentevella was passed on second reading by 7-4 votes. Those who opposed the ordinance were Councilors Carl Lopez, Caesar Distrito, EmAngand Roberto “Bobby” Rojas while Councilors Wilson “Jun” Gamboa Jr, Archie Baribar, Alex Paglumotan, Ana Marie Palermo, Sonya Verdeflor, NoliVillarosa and Puentevella supported it. Councilors Jocelle Batapa-Sigue and El Cid Familiaran were out during the voting. Distrito, in a statement, claimed that “to change the name of the Government Center as the People’s House is not compliant to the provisions of the Local Government, particularly Section 12.” Distrito, chairman of the SP Committee on Government Assets, said the Local Government Code empowers the LGU to create a Government Center and therefore the law itself names the buildingas the Government Center. Distrito pointed out that the Deed of Donation of the property where the building is located and several ordinances of the City have recognized that the building should be known as the New Government Center or Bacolod Government Center. Distrito said if ever the building shall be renamed,a unanimous vote of the city council is required under the law. Distrito said the people who were behind the realization of the Government Center tackled several cases against the construction of the building but they faced them and continued to persevere in order to build such iconic structure,which really brought pride, honor and made public service more convenient in the city. “So the name New Government Center or Bacolod Government Center should not be changed to give importance to the development that those people who worked hard for it have made in the city,”Distrito added. Ang, on the other hand also objected to the proposal saying that the name should not be changed as a show of respect and courtesy to the former city officials who pushed and worked hard to realize the construction of the building. Rojas and Lopez manifested that despite getting no objections from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the National Historical Commission (NHC),a lot of people in the city do not agree onrenamingthe Government Center as the People’s House. Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Gasataya said the edifice was constructed in 2008, and its name can only be changed after 10 years, as he quoted Distrito. Gasataya said the ordinance will be approved on third and final reading on Wednesday. When asked about the changes made on the welcome landmark prior to the approval of the ordinance by the SP,Gasataya said “the building officer should have waited for the passage of the ordinance before making any changes to it.” “Legally, I do not see any penalty but they should have waited,”Gasataya added./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino Watchmen Daily Journal There has been no formal offer yet.
This was the response of Bacolod Councilor El Cid Familiaran when asked about speculations that he will seek the vice mayoralty post under the Grupo Progreso of Representative Evelio Leonardia. Familiaran said there have been no formal talks with the political group of Leonardia. “It would be an honor for me to be considered for the position, but I haven’t received any offer or invitation yet,” the councilor pointed out. He claimed that should he be offered the position, “I will think about it and maybe consider it.” “Opportunity only comes once,so I will definitely think about it and decide on it,” he said. He, however, clarified that it’s only Leonardia who can decide whether or not to invite him to the group. Familiaran said he is open to any invitation from any political group, but in the mean time, he prefers being independent. Familiaran’s presence at the birthday celebration of the congressman, during which the latter delivered his State of the District Report, raised speculations that the councilor will be the runningmate of Leonardia in the 2016 polls./WDJ By: Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino Watchmen Daily Journal Bacolod Councilor El Cid Familiaran has urged all congressmen in Negros Occidental to donate a hemodialysis machine to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH).
This, after the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) through its president, Alexander Padilla, has announced that the institution will expand the program for hemodialysis by extending the number of sessions from 45 to 90 per year in a bid to lessen the financial burden among its members. With this development, Familiaran recalled his previous resolution calling on Bacolod Lone District Representative EvelioLeonardia, Julio Ledesma of the 1st district, Leo Rafael Cuevas of the 2nd district, Alfredo Benitez ofthe 3rd district, Jeffrey Ferrer ofthe 4th district, Alejandro Mirasolofthe 5th district, Mercedes Alvarez ofthe 6th district, NeriColmenares of Bayan Munapartylist, Joseph Stephen Paduano of AbangLingkod, Gary Alejano of Magdalo, and Ronald Dela Cruz of Trade UnionCongress of the Philippinesto donate a hemodialysis machine to CLMMRH due to the gravity of the plight of kidney patients in the city and province. Familiaran hopes that “more lives will be saved” through the expanded program of PhilHealth./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino Watchmen Daily Journal Intensify police presence.
This was the call made by Bacolod Councilor El Cid Familiaran, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Committee on Police Matters and Security, as he suggested forthe re-implementation of the Association of Barangay Council Under Police Precinct (ABCUPP) to deter crimes. The councilor made the call amid reports on the increasing number of crime incidents in the city, including the rape-slay of a university student by a tricycle driver. Familiaran said the citywide ABCUPP was implemented during the time of former Mayor Luzviminda “Joy” Valdez, which greatly lowered the crime rate in the city. The councilor said it is a good anti-crime drive if the barangays could help by deploying 10 tanods (watchmen) to reinforce the policemenin establishing police presence in crime prone areas. “Police visibility is important,” Familiaran emphasized. Familiaran claimed that the city lacks policemen, which means that volunteers are needed to maintain peace and order. However, Familiaran clarified that his proposal will depend on the decision of the executive branch. TRIKES AND PEDICABS Familiaran also said the ordinance on color coding of tricycles and pedicabs should be strictly implemented. “It is needed so that tricycles and pedicabs, which maybe involved in crimes, can be easilytraced,” he emphasized. “We will try to review the ordinance to see if there is a need to amend it,” he added./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino Watchmen Daily Journal The ejectment case against the owner of Lion’s Park Grill Haus at the Reclamation Area, Bacolod City, can now proceed.
This, after the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed yesterday the resolution authorizing Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella to represent the city and sign the complaint and all other proceedings in the ejectment case against spouses Harry and Geraldine Tan, owners of Lion’s Park. Familiaran,who revealed that the session was held yesterday since the SP members will attend the convention of Philippine Councilors’ League today, said they did not discuss the basis or grounds in filing the ejectment case, “only the court can determine whether or not the owners of the establishment have committed violations”. Familiaran claimed that he did not participate in the voting while Councilor Carl Lopez was out of the session hall when it was conducted. CouncilorBobby Rojas, on the other hand, was on official leave during yesterday’s session. In a letter dated April 29, 2015, Puentevella requested the SP to authorize City Legal Officer Rayfrando Diaz II and lawyers Omar Francis Demonteverde, Reuben Mikhail Sabig, Elnora Orola-Abaygar, and Lorenzo Alminaza to represent the city as counsels. Puentevella said the counsels will perform the following actions:to represent the city in all stages of the case, including the pre-trial, alternative dispute resolution and judicial dispute resolution; to enter into an amicable settlement as they may deem necessary and advantageous, or to submit to alternative modes of dispute resolution; to enter into and make stipulations of facts and make admissions of facts and documents; and to sign and deliver the preliminary conference order of the Honorable Court, to sign, execute and deliver compromise agreements and other pertinent documents that may be issued in the course of the trial. Meanwhile, the Tan couple cannot be reached for commentas of press time./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino Watchmen Daily Journal The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is seeking the suspension of permit to carry firearms outside residence (PtCFOR) in Bacolod City from midnight of April 25 up to midnight of May 1.
The suspension of gun permits is part of the security measures for the city’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference slated on April 29 and 30, revealed Councilor El Cid Familiaran, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Committee on Police Matters. Familiaran said it was Senior Supt. Melchor Coronel, BCPO officer-in-charge, who requested the city council to pass a resolution endorsing the suspension of PtCFOR. In his letter to the SP dated April 8, Coronel said the suspension of permit to carry guns will help ensure the safety of visitors, adding that it could deter the criminal activities of lawless elementsduringthe two-day international event. Familiaran, however, pointed out that the proposal will depend on the decision of the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame. The councilor said the city council, through a resolution, had endorsed Coronel’s letter to Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, who is officer-in-charge of the PNP. Familiaran clarified that the suspension can only be ordered by the PNP hierarchy and not the city council. I hope the request will be granted, Familiaran said, adding that they are hoping for a positive response from Crame. Meanwhile, Familiaran revealed that the SP has approved the request of Coronel for partial road closure from April 28 to 30. The roads to be closed during the APEC are Burgos Street – fromthe junction of San Juan Street to Palanca Road; Palanca Road – fromthe junction of Burgos Street to Rizal Street; and Fr. Ferrero Street – fromthe junction of Burgos Street to Rizal Street./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino Watchmen Daily Journal |
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