https://www.sunstar.com.ph/ |
- P2.6-M shabu seized in Bacolod City
- 2 NPA rebels killed in Hinoba-an clash
- Bacolod mayor vaccinated
- Taskforce condemns Karapatan-Negros 'sweeping' statement
- GAB suspends Mindanao leg of VisMin Cup
- United opposition vs Bing?
- Lobaton: System should be in place
- Abellanosa: What kind of a Church do we need after 500?
- Labor condemns Chinese 'incursions' in West PH Sea
- Mansinares to push for sustainable tourism in Western Visayas
- Biz group pushes for development of micro-enterprises in rural areas
- 'Outdoor is our life, nature is our home'
| P2.6-M shabu seized in Bacolod City Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:48 AM PDT AN ESTIMATED P2.6 million worth of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride was seized in joint drug bust operations of Regional Special Operations Group-Western Visayas, National Bureau of Investigation-Bacolod and Police Station 2 in Purok Sigay, Barangay 2, Bacolod City over the weekend. The operation also led to the arrest of Dan Aldrick Ballesteros, 19, a college student and resident of Purok Sigay, Barangay 2. Police Lieutenant Ma. Liberty Indiape, spokesperson of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said Ballesteros was arrested after he sold a sachet of shabu to a police undercover around 7 p.m on Saturday. Police recovered from Ballesteros's possession one small and 21 medium sachets of shabu, three big size knots tied plastic sachets of shabu weighing 396 grams, the P500 marked money and weighing scale. The suspect, who was considered a high-value target in Bacolod City, was under surveillance for almost two months before his arrest. He will be charged for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Meanwhile, an estimated P81 600 worth of shabu was also seized in a drug bust by operatives of Police Station 4 in Purok Sabes, Zone 1, Barangay Villamonte on Saturday evening. The operation also led to the arrest of Garyn Jimena, 41, of Barangay Villamonte. Police recovered from Jimena's possession 15 sachets of shabu weighing 12 grams, and the P500 marked money. The suspect is detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 4. He will be charged for violation of RA 9165.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 2 NPA rebels killed in Hinoba-an clash Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:44 AM PDT TWO suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with army soldiers on April 17, 2021, in Purok Yuring, Sitio Dash 7 in Barangay Bulwangan, Hinoba-an. Military reports said soldiers of the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) were on combat operations when they encountered members of the Platoon 3 of the South West Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, which resulted in 40 minutes of gun battle. Major Cenon Pancito, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, on Sunday said the fleeing rebels left behind two of their slain comrades identified through their aliases as Ka Michael and Ken Ken. No one was hurt among the army soldiers, who recovered two caliber 45 pistols with magazine containing ammunition, extortion letters, cellular phones, subversive documents and personal belongings at the encounter site, Pancito said. He added that residents in the area, who were fed up by extortion activities and sowing fear in insurgency-cleared areas of Hinobaan, reported the presence of armed rebels to the 15IB. Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Cariño, 15IB commander, who extended his sympathy to the families of slain rebels, lauded residents for their timely information, which he said is a clear manifestation of the collaborative efforts between authorities and the community. "We extend our condolences to the bereaved family of the two NPA terrorists who lost their lives in fighting for a lost cost," Carino said as he and the local government of Hinobaan assured assistance and decent burial of the two slain rebels.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:36 AM PDT BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia was inoculated with the AstraZeneca vaccine against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) at the Bacolod Government Center in the city on Saturday, April 17, 2021. He was vaccinated by Dr. Edwin Miraflor, officer-in-charge of the City Health Office. The activity was witnessed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, chairman of city's Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF); Councilors Renecito Novero, chairman of quarantine centers action team; and Lady Gles Gonzales, president of Liga ng mga Barangay. The national Covid-19 vaccination operations center earlier issued Advisory No. 26 dated April 5, 2021, on the vaccination of the local chief executives (LCEs) in critical and high-risk provinces, cities and municipalities. The advisory said if a locality becomes high or critical risk as determined by the Department of Health (DOH), the LCEs of the said locality shall be qualified for inoculation with Covid-19 vaccines. Based on the list, Bacolod City is one of the highly urbanized cities (HUCs) considered as critical and high-risk areas. On March 31, Leonardia, a national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), also sent a letter to President Rodrigo Duterte appealing for the reclassification and inclusion of the LCEs as frontline workers to be included in the priority group A1 because it is a win-win strategy. Leonardia said cities have been epicenters of the pandemic and city mayors have been diligently working to ensure that protocols are being implemented. He said they will continue to follow the availability of the vaccine depending on the local government units. The mayor also admitted that based on some information, if he is given a choice, he can entertain other brands of the Covid-19 vaccines, but he chose AstraZeneca because this is a very highly reliable brand. He said the city government already signed a deal with Oxford-British firm for 650,000 AstraZeneca doses of vaccine. This will inoculate about 355 individuals in the city. "If this is the vaccine for our people so this would also be my vaccine," he added. After his vaccination, the mayor said he is hopeful that he can encourage Bacolodnons to avail of the Covid-19 vaccine.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Taskforce condemns Karapatan-Negros 'sweeping' statement Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:32 AM PDT THE Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-Elcac) in Western Visayas condemned as baseless and malicious the recent statement of Karapatan-Negros. The RTF-Elcac-Western Visayas through its spokesperson Flosemer Chris Gonzales in a statement refers to the statement of Karapatan-Negros, which said, "The declaration of MO 32, EO 70, has long since turned the Negros Island into a bloody killing field and the Anti-Terrorism Law has intensified the death sentence on Human Rights Defenders and community organizers in the region and the country." Gonzales said Karapatan-Negros made these sweeping allegations without any single piece of evidence to support their malicious imputations. This is very characteristic of the nature of the propaganda narratives of Karapatan-Negros in their futile and desperate attempts to vilify and malign EO 70 and the sincere efforts of this government and the Filipino people to end the communist terrorist led insurgency that has claimed the lives of thousands of Filipino lives over the past five decades, RTF-Elcac-Western Visayas said. "Instead of maligning the government for waging a war against terrorism, and falsely accusing the government of sponsoring EJKs without an iota of proof and based only on fiction and an overly active imagination bordering on 'mema lang' (may masabi lang)," Gonzales added. Gonzales further said Karapatan-Negros should condemn first the assassinations and killings of soldiers and civilians in Negros Island as admitted to by the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in the statements issued by them. In the past few days, the CPP-NPA units in Negros Island admitted to the abduction and killing of a civilian whom they accused to be a military informer, they admitted to the burning of more than P15 million worth of construction equipment and the assassinations of two soldiers engaged in the community support program. "If Karapatan-Negros is sincere in their call for justice and in defending the people of Negros Island, by all means, condemn the atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA in Negros Island. Join us in putting an end to the communist terrorist groups that have long been causing pain and suffering to the people of Negros Island," he said. He also dared Karapatan -Negros to raise its voice to condemn the atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA against the people of Negros Island. "When children are recruited by the CPP-NPA to train them and to use them as child warriors, Karapatan-Negros is silent. When the CPP-NPA Sparu (Special Partisan Unit) kills civilians by virtue of 'datos' issued by the CPP-NPA kangaroo courts, Karapatan-Negros is silent. When the CPP-NPA burns private equipment and government-owned properties as punitive action for nonpayment of extortion money under the guise of 'revolutionary taxes, Karapatan-Negros is silent,'" Gonzales said. He added the silence of Karapatan-Negros is deafening. On the series of killings in Negros Island over the past days, the RTF-Elcac-Western Visayas called on the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office to exert all efforts to bring the criminals to justice.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| GAB suspends Mindanao leg of VisMin Cup Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:31 AM PDT The Games and Amusements Board yesterday suspended the Mindanao leg of the Vismin Cup and put the league for re-evaluation. This was the text message of GAB Chairman Baham Mitra to the group of sports scribes as they are in the process of investigation and seriously looking into the allegations of wrongdoing by the league. "The board would like to further observe the ongoing Visayas leg before giving a go signal for the other," Mitra said. "In the meantime, GAB is reviewing the official reports of its field officers in the bubble and that of the league to determine the administrative liability of the licensees as well as the possibility of proceeding with criminal charges if warranted by the circumstances," he added. Mitra stressed that its mandate is to ensure the integrity of professional sports and the welfare of players. Earlier, GAB reminded the players that a license to practice a profession is not a right, but a concession and a privilege granted by the government. "Now, if they fail to abide by the rules, the government has the right to step in to impose necessary sanctions or revoke such a privilege. Officials, coaches, and players should act as professionals or lose their licenses. Shape up or ship out," Mitra said in a message. "We always believe in self-regulation but GAB is always ready to step in anytime especially when integrity is at stake. This needs decisive action as it affects the whole league and whole basketball community," the chairman reiterated. It was recalled that ARQ Builders-Lapu Lapu City and Siquijor Mystics were involved in an alleged game-fixing of the ongoing 2021 Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup which played last week.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:30 AM PDT SOUNDS interesting, and yet misleading. Some prominent political figures and known operators in local politics claim that a so-called united opposition is shaping up to field candidates to fight incumbent Bacolod Mayor Bing Leonardia in next year's elections. The name of former third district congressman Albee Benitez, now consultant of the provincial government, also a known gambling mogul and political kingmaker, has been dragged, bragged and hyped, in public by his political operators and allies to be the opposition's main bet vs Mayor Bing. Apparently, nothing is new this far in the so-called united opposition. It is not as broad, solid and with a deep bench, as publicized by its political operators and partisans. It is composed mostly of former politicians and loser candidates of the displaced MKK group of former congressman and mayor Monico Puentevella, backed by Albee's political acolyte, Stephen Paduano aka Carapali Lualhati, a self-proclaimed leader of the now-defunct RPA-ABB, a breakaway group from the mainstream CPP-NPA, and now Abang Lingkod partylist representative. Even if there would be born-again opposition from the administration "kapitans and kagawads" or among Mayor Bing's councilors, as a result of massive pay off, which is not new in trapo politics by the way, I would still not consider it a broad opposition – but recycled and therefore weak opposition. Most "kapitans" and "kagawads" are political stooges of their patrons, and often make choices on the basis of personal benefits rather than public interests. Only when it would be joined by new faces and thinking voices from the ranks of the organized basic sectors, intellectuals, MSMEs and the business sector, whose agenda is inclusive development could it become a truly broad opposition. It is a united opposition with no solid and superior reform agenda and programs. Except for riding on some resentments and negative sentiments on the way the City handles the pandemic protocols of which they offer no better solutions, at most, they will cash in on recycled old graft and corruption issues already dismissed by legal courts and by public opinions, including the pettiest of social issues. If it were to have one solid and superior agenda it should be a program for the comprehensive, inclusive, resilient, climate change, disaster-risk and pandemic-adaptive local economy development of Bacolod. It is a united opposition of the same old faces with new make-ups, garbs, honed in Facebook and TikTok culture, and no deep bench. People have matured that they can already differentiate the recycled and fake from not. The only new spicy element in the opposition bench is Albee. If at all he commits to challenge Bing, what comprehensive development agenda does he have for Bacolod when he is not from Bacolod in the first place and one who is more recognized for his richness and kingmaker stature, than his development platform. People ask, being a business and trade consultant of the provincial government, what has he brought to uplift the province from the morass of bourgeoning poverty, landlessness, economic backwardness and environmental crisis? The shadowy united opposition is being bragged as if it is the ultimate antidote that could bring an end to the reign of Mayor Bing. Unfortunately, by most indications, it does not have a superior agenda, does not have broad and solid base support, does not have a progressive ticket. Such requisites are vital and decisive, more than money and machinery, if it were to defeat the incumbent Mayor who has put up a clearer and dynamic development platform and programs, attracted investments to propel local economy development, encouraged CSOs and POs participation in governance, breakthrough good governance practices, and survived the city and its people through the pandemic despite his administration's weaknesses and shortcomings, just like most LGUs dealing with a new crisis. If at all the so-called united opposition gets Albee to lead their team in challenging Bing, and adopt a right formula, there could be a battle royale in Bacolod. But challenging is only one, winning is different. Winning involves lots of requisites, equations and even moment-to-moment supervision of changing conditions and scenarios. Without Albee, everything that the opposition aspires for will be sidelined to the dust bin and fun-seeking TikTokers, and their hope of regaining power will crumble to perdition. I am not saying Mayor Bing is indestructible. He has a number of fatal weaknesses and shortcomings, and his team is not a perfect one. But he has an agenda, programs, projects and mechanisms that continue to enhance reforms, touch lives and transform communities albeit slow, and something one cannot just erase by painting him bad. What I am saying here is a universal lesson long posited by Socrates - you don't achieve change by focusing on destroying the old but on building the new. Just a perspective.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Lobaton: System should be in place Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:29 AM PDT AS WE live every day, we seem to be exposed to the dangers and the uncertainties brought about by the Covid-19. Although some have not felt yet the troubles of being infected by the coronavirus, it would be realistic when a member of the family or organization had been confined and reported to have been tested positive for Covid-19. Many have underestimated the situation and considered returning to normalcy. But no matter how sectors of our society would force things and go with their normal activity, it is telling us we have returned to the situation last year when the pandemic is just starting up. The result would soon end up in our premises and will haunt us until all this will be over. I had a share of moments just when I thought, I may not be like others who are now confined in hospitals or may be troubled emotionally because of test results that reveal positive for the disease. I can relate that the situation of being infected or near someone with the disease is something not desirable for anybody. The feeling could be a mix of reactions, and will end up in anxiety. I was surprised to be informed Friday (April 16) by my friend and superior, Dr. Jay Estrellas, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, that he felt some symptoms of Covid-19 and was tested positive. He warned that as I interacted with him on Monday afternoon (April 12) at his office, I should be isolated and tested. Prior to this, a notice was sent out also confirming that our college president, Dr. Nomer Mangulabnan, is already in stable condition in the hospital, after having tested positive for Covid-19. I was tested Saturday morning through saliva RT-PCR test from the Philippine Red Cross and got the result, which is negative, in the early morning yesterday (April 18). I felt the relief and the wishes that it could not happen again in the future because I have comorbidity being diabetic and a mom who is already 84 years old at home. I have relayed the message to my colleagues in school who are still in isolation and waiting to be tested. The results could help in tracing possible carriers of coronavirus who are just asymptomatic, yet already moving around in offices spreading the virus to some they interact with. I have in mind of thinking about our organizations, private or public, that this is not the time to summon what should have been done to prepare for an emergency situation particularly when infections would breach the security protocols. Preparations and plans for response should have been done long ago. It would just be hard to accept that realizations would come when a loved one becomes a victim because we failed to put a system to ensure that our people are safe. We knew how dynamic our lives every day despite the reminders that all of our activities will have to be set in the light of this pandemic. It is true however that we differ in our understanding of situations, that make us define the level of seriousness or complacency in relation to the present crisis. This crisis could not end soon, thus it could help to think of measures necessary to at least continue to protect the lives of the members of our family and community. While we can't still avoid being in the shadows of Covid-19, we can accept that we need to be watchful and help one another in fighting for our survival.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Abellanosa: What kind of a Church do we need after 500? Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:27 AM PDT WE HAVE just commenced the opening of the Quincentennial of Philippine Christianity. Typical of Philippine style, we always commemorate a historical event in a more celebratory way but with less reflection. 500 years of Christianity is meaningful, and it can even be life-changing but that depends on how we make the most out of the event. It also depends on the resolve of the hierarchy to go beyond the mere "pride" that we have – that is of being Christians for five centuries. What shall we be as a Church after 500 years? Hopefully, we shall be a Church that does not just call for government leaders and agencies to be transparent but also a good model of transparency itself. A Church wherein its internal system, financial management is soundly practiced. A decent and equitable standard living allowance among diocesan priests would be a good indicator of this. Hopefully, after 500 years, we shall have a Church whose sacraments are celebrated as tangible signs of God's intangible grace, and not merely events that, in the end, are symbolic of our social and economic divide. A hierarchy that teaches people that they cannot "commodify" grace. A hierarchy that insists that sacraments cannot and should not be bought. A hierarchy that teaches that God will save us all whether we have the financial means to grandiosely celebrate a sacrament or otherwise. Hopefully, we shall have a Church that is in constant dialogue with cultures. A Church where there are no more sectors within – who are so concerned with the glorious past of their conservatism. A Church where there are no more groups or movements, some members of whom think that their baptismal privilege is also power to judge those who do not belong. A Church that thinks larger than its history, who knows that the history of other religions is older than its own – is what we need. Hopefully, we shall have a Church that runs schools that are promoters of justice and not just excellence. Catholic schools that are more concerned with the promotion of equity within their own system before preaching what it cannot practice beyond its walls. Catholic schools that are true to their calling – and not just Catholic "for the sake of branding." Catholic schools that are doers and promoters of the Church's social teachings in the areas of human rights, labor, children, and ecology. Hopefully, after 500 years, the word "Catholic" among Catholic schools does not just mean "private" or "sectarian" commonly understood as "exclusive." Hopefully, we shall have a Church that admits that it is in many instances a contributor to our economic divide. What we need after 500 years is a Church where the clergy do more reflection on why there are still many poor people in this country despite their preaching on preferential option for the poor. What we need are Church leaders who use their influence and resources in order to encourage those who have more in life to help those who have less. A Church that does not just raise funds for charity but also works for the achievement of equitable social systems – so that less among us will be unemployed. It has been 500 years and still, we are not done with clericalism, which does not just refer to the elitism of the clergy but also of the tendency of many laypersons, even women, to desire the same privilege and status of the clergy. A Church where even among laypersons there exists a de facto caste system that is recognizable in ecclesiastical recognitions. It is time to address this "cancer" within the Church. It is time for the hierarchy to emphasize that their priesthood is different only in terms of "ministry" and not "ontological privilege." It is time for the hierarchy to genuinely tell us that we are a Church because we all share in the "universal priesthood" of Jesus Christ. The Philippine Church after 500 years, especially the hierarchy, should realize that it cannot just speak of salvation without the conscious admission that it is "in the world." A Church that thinks, feels and behaves that as if it belongs to another world cannot lead men and women to God's reign. Moreover, the Church should not think that it is, as an institution, the concrete realization of God's reign. It is only an agent and not the content of salvation. A Church that has the humility to lead us to Jesus and remind us that salvation comes from God and we are all in need of it.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Labor condemns Chinese 'incursions' in West PH Sea Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:24 AM PDT NEGROS Occidental-based labor group General Alliance of Workers Asociations (Gawa) has condemned the alleged Chinese incursion in the country's territorial waters. Its secretary general Wennie Sancho, in a statement, said this "audacious intrusion" of the Chinese fleet into the exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea is an assault on the country's democratic and republican principles of governance. Sancho said what is truly serious is the political weakness of a government that does not react to the incredible succession of events in the West Philippine Sea, as it wavers between passive indignation and mere indifference. "The state is mandated to protect the nation's marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone as provided for in the 1987 Philippine Constitution," he said, adding that "we look up to the government for the protection of our nation's patrimony, but it was missing." For the labor leader, these "terrible events" resulted in a broad loss of confidence in the national leadership, a sense of discontent and a serious reason for concern about the future course of our sovereignty as a people and as a nation. Sancho, also the labor representative to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-Western Visayas, said most of the people have been incapacitated because they do not speak up or afraid to speak up. He said modern methods of persuasion have created a new hierarchy of influence over government decisions. "A new way in which organized money dominates the action, while the unorganized voice of the people are inhibited from speaking," Sancho said. The Gawa official further said nowadays, democratic expressions have become much more expensive and even dangerous. "We are alarmed by the presence of Chinese ships like an armada. We have filed a series of diplomatic protests but the Chinese ships do not move away, they're here to stay despite the fact that they are excluded from exercising dominion or jurisdiction without the consent of the Philippine government," Sancho said. He asserted that "our national waters are being occupied by a flotilla of Chinese ships like an army set in a battle array?" This alarming situation brought the questions that had been long forgotten, the group said. "Where were courage and determination? And having started to ask, then the other questions came, and truth, justice and even democracy," it said. Citing the statement of the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino III that the Filipino is worth dying for, its official said "if the man thought that we, in our weakness were worth dying for, perhaps we could make ourselves even more worthy by having a bit more of his courage, his vision and his determination." Sancho asked, "why is it that there seems to be a deafening silence all over the land when the Chinese intruders 'trampled our sacred shores?'" "Has the Filipino become a coward who readily yields our territory and patrimony to the Chinese horde?" he asked. Moreover, Gawa expressed frustration on the "exodus of Chinese workers" which for them had stolen the Filipinos right to work and our jobs. "They had stolen our territories. They had taken away our pride and dignity," the labor group said. "Let us never allow them to muffle our voices of protest, we shall shout strong and loud as a manifestation of indignation against the transgression of our sacred rights as Filipinos," it said, adding that "we shall protest."  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Mansinares to push for sustainable tourism in Western Visayas Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:23 AM PDT THE new head of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas will push for sustainable tourism model in the region including Negros Occidental. Cristine Mansinares, who was designated officer-in-charge of DOT-Western Visayas by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in a Department Order dated March 26, said she will prioritize the development of Slow Food Travel. Mansinares said the regional line agency will work on developing connections among small-scale farmers, cooperatives and businesses. "These will be done while raising awareness among visitors about the importance of preserving biodiversity, championing farm and organic agriculture tourism, cultural heritage promotion and local gastronomy, among others," she added. Mansinares, who is the concurrent chief tourism operations officer of DOT-Western Visayas, succeeded former regional director Helen Catalbas. Catalbas' second term extension ended on April 16, 2021. She served the regional line agency for 44 years. Mansinares said she is continuing Catalbas' program centered on growing the local tourism economy and finding new opportunities to restart tourism through the "Safely Experience Western Visayas First" campaign. Mansinares that the rehabilitation and recovery of the tourism industry are major challenges she has to deal with, along with key industry stakeholders, in light of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis. "The pandemic calls us to be resilient and innovative as we slowly reopen the tourism sector in the region," she said. Mansinares, who hails from Sagay City in Negros Occidental, will bring to the DOT her 15 years of extensive experience in the industry as a tourism officer. Prior to her assignment in 2020 in DOT-Western Visayas, Mansinares served as the provincial tourism officer of Negros Occidental. She also led in steering the Sipalay City tourism sector when she was the local government unit's tourism executive. The southern Negros Occidental locality is a popular destination for divers, eco-watchers and beach lovers for its white sand resorts and other natural attractions. "I have big shoes to fill," Mansinares said, adding that her experience working in a cross-cultural environment has widened her perspectives on how tourism significantly impacts human and economic development. DOT-Western Visayas, in a statement, said like her predecessor, Mansinares was also an academic achiever. She received her bachelor's degree in tourism from Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod where she graduated magna cum laude and class valedictorian in 2005. Mansinares completed her Masters in Business Administration degree from the University of San Agustin-Iloilo in 2008. In the same year, she finished a short course on Tourism Promotion and Marketing at the Tokyo International Center under the Japan International Cooperation Agency grant. In 2015, she completed her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Biz group pushes for development of micro-enterprises in rural areas Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:23 AM PDT THE Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) is urging the public to support Negrense entrepreneurs through one, buying local products amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of MBCCI, said at least 17 micro-enterprises from different cities and localities are showcasing locally made food and other goods at the ongoing 12th Negros Business Expo at the Robinsons Place Bacolod. Themed "Finding Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow," the 17-day product showcase and trade event is being held from April 16 to May 2, 2021. Carbon said this a joint project of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and the business chamber. "Supporting local entrepreneurs by buying their products will contribute to hastening the economic recovery of the province," he said, adding that micro-enterprises being the most vulnerable are actually the ones giving employment to their neighbors. In July this year, the activity will be brought to Ayala Malls Capitol Central. Another round of trade event aimed at helping small producers in the province will be held again at Robinsons Place Bacolod in October. Aside from selling, there will be food processing demo, as well as lecture on how to be profitable amid these trying times. Carbon reiterated that this economic activity and other events that will be held in the coming months will spur economic activities in the province It will also help generate the needed jobs, he added. In previous years, the MBCCI and Provincial Government have also been hosting the annual Negros Business Week. In 2019, in its 11th year, the event was positioned to trigger growth and development toward the rural areas especially agriculture and fishery communities in Negros Occidental. Carbon, who is also the vice president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the Visayas, said the country is currently having a hard time moving forward because the economic recovery is on a "stop and go" status due to quarantine measures implemented in light of the Covid-19 threat. The business leader said in seeking post-pandemic solutions, there's a need to look for the source of economic growth especially in the rural areas that need more help. Carbon said about 30 percent of the money that goes to urban areas comes from rural areas. "So these entrepreneurs should be immediately rehabilitated through one, giving them funding sources," he said, adding that "we cannot take off if we will not help them develop."  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'Outdoor is our life, nature is our home' Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:17 AM PDT TREES are vital to our existence. More so now that people yearn for natural oxygen that comes from trees. But some of these trees, whether endemic or not, are being sacrificed to give way to infrastructure advancements specifically road widening projects. While this road widening will still boil down to public welfare because people will still use it after its completion, cutting trees without hesitation really hurts many including the environment. Nature has its way of staging a comeback through natural disasters where everybody will be affected, not just those who cut the trees that were grown for years. Trees are important aside from being a source of oxygen. They likewise help filter the unrestrained heat of the sun, helping provide a cozy ambiance that is precious to anyone including many other reasons. Some places in Bacolod City with grown trees erecting closer to existing roads were utilized to widen existing roads. And trees became the usual supreme sacrifice of development. People countered such moves. Just like a group of few individuals whose love for the environment reign supreme in their cause. Local artists led by Tibor Espinosa, an advocate of Kahoy Kabuhi Ko, advocacy inspired by Burog Alvarado, son of renowned artist Noni Alvarado, launched a signature drive beside the bridge in Barangay Alangilan on April 18 to encourage others to support a cause opposing the wanton means of cutting trees. He was joined by local artists and musicians Hernan Mijares, Ram Martinez, and John Blase Gerona who sang pro-environment songs while seeking people's support on their advocacy dubbed as Kahoy Kabuhi Ko. "Outdoor is our life. Nature is our home." They expressed their grievance against agencies of government that were responsible for cutting trees to give way to road widening. In their Kahoy Kabuhi Ko petition, it states, "we appeal for the protection and sparing of the native trees in roads leading to Barangay Alangilan, the bike capital of Bacolod City." Native trees provide essential benefits to the local ecosystem including protection of the watershed and freshwater resources, improving continuity with the local natural landscape, reduction of noise and carbon pollution, and provision of food and shelter for endemic flora and fauna species, among many others. Studies have revealed that people who are exposed to areas with good canopy have experienced less psychological stress. They called on the DPWH, the Local Government of Bacolod, and Office of the Representative of Bacolod to refuse permission to further cut down native trees in some areas in Barangays Granada and Alangilan for the road widening projects.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| You are subscribed to email updates from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
No comments:
Post a Comment