Tuesday, March 15, 2022

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

Ceneco files complaint vs Singcang-Airport execs for 'power pilferage'

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 04:04 AM PDT

FOR alleged illegal wire connections, the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) filed on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, a complaint for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Barangay Singcang Airport Captain Rosenie Distrito and two other personnel of the village.The complaint was filed before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.But Distrito told SunStar Bacolod that they are yet to receive the copy of the complaint. He stressed, though, that he is willing to answer it.Lawyer Marcus Vaflor, who filed the complaint on behalf of Ceneco, said that aside from Distrito, they also filed similar complaints against the barangay's secretary and treasurer.On top of the graft charges, Ceneco earlier filed cases for violation of Republic Act 7832 or the Anti-Pilferage of Electricity and Theft of Electric Power Transmission Lines/Materials against Distrito and his colleagues, Vaflor said.He said the charges stemmed from an incident on February 11, 2022 wherein Ceneco found out that several wires are connected to the barangay hall without the authorization of the electric cooperative.Distrito said those connections were for sound systems installed outside the barangay hall.The barangay captain dismissed the complaint as merely politically motivated.As this developed, the management of Ceneco said that the power utility has intensified its operation against electric pilferages in its service areas.It said that power pilferage is among the causes of systems loss for Ceneco which could trigger an increase in the cost of electricity to be paid by the consumers.The electric cooperative noted that several private individuals were also caught and charged for pilferage.

Bacolod to get 30,000 more Pfizer doses for kids

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 04:03 AM PDT

THE City Government of Bacolod will receive an additional 30,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines for children aged five to 11 starting this week, an official of Emergency Operations Center-Task Force (EOC-TF) said.Dr. Chris Sorongon, deputy for medical data and analysis of EOC-TF, said Tuesday, March 15, that the Department of Health (DOH) informed them that there will be a delivery of additional Pfizer vaccines for the Negros Occidental capital city this week.With the additional doses of vaccines, Sorongon said they will also open more barangay vaccination centers for children five to 11 years old.Last February, Bacolod City received 10,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines for children five to 11 years old.As of March 14, 5,780 children from the said age group received their first shots, 808 of which are already fully vaccinated.Only Pfizer has been issued with an emergency use authorization (EUA) for pediatric vaccination.On the target population data from DOH-Western Visayas, Bacolod City has a total of 80,000 children aged five to 11.Of the figures, the city was given a target of 45,000 children to be inoculated against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).Zero cases anewAfter logging zero Covid-19 infection last March 12, Bacolod City registered no infection anew on Monday, March 14, based on real-time data from the EOC-TF.It was the third time this year and the fourth since 2021 that Bacolod reported zero Covid-19 cases for the day, and Mayor Evelio Leonardia expressed elation over this development, saying it speaks very well of the hard work of the EOC-TF and the compliance of Bacolodnons to minimum health protocols.Bacolod first booked zero Covid cases on March 10, 2021. The EOC also reported zero case last February 21, 2022 and on March 12, 2022.Leonardia also attributed the successful campaign against the health crisis to the leadership of local IATF chair and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, the EOC and its army of vaccination volunteers.Bacolod's alert status has been downgraded to Alert Level 1.The mayor, though, reminded residents to remain vigilant and reiterated his call to "live with the virus and adjust to it accordingly and cautiously" under the new normal. (With PR)

Lacson-Circumferential flyover to be temporarily closed

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 04:03 AM PDT

THE Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) will temporarily close the north and south lanes of Lacson-Circumferential flyover in Barangay Bata for rehabilitation effective March 16 to May 23.Dennis Perma, spokesperson of BTAO, said the rehabilitation will be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).It will be done segment by segment, Perma said."During the rehabilitation, they will open a single lane or one-way for the light vehicles only," he said, adding that they will deploy traffic enforcers in the area to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.The P365 million worth Lacson-Circumferential flyover was constructed in 2011 consisting of five spans, four piers on concrete piles with a total length of 195 meters.Perma said the DPWH earlier inspected the flyover and they recommended its rehabilitation for the safety of the motorists.BTAO also reminded the DPWH to put up signages in the area to avoid traffic accidents during night time.Perma said the Sum-ag Bridge 1 along Bacolod South Araneta in Barangay Sum-ag will also be closed to all vehicles from March 15 to 23 for the rehabilitation and major repairs of the structure.

No more S-Pass in San Carlos port

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 04:01 AM PDT

SAN Carlos City Government will no longer require their fully vaccinated residents to submit Safe, Swift and Smart Passage (S-Pass) as a requirement before entering its seaport from Toledo City, Cebu.In an advisory signed by San Carlos City Emergency Operations Center Manager Joe Recalex Alingasa Jr. and approved by Mayor Renato Gustilo, the local government stressed that they find it practical to ease the burden of the city's returning residents.The advisory was sent to all shipping lines plying the San Carlos City Toledo City route, the Philippine Ports Authority and the substations of the Philippine Coast Guard in San Carlos City and Toledo City.The city residents will only be required to show their vaccination card and valid government issued identification cards showing their proof of residence.In case the vaccinated-traveler does not have a government issued ID, they can instead show a confirmation message coming from the city's Travel Assistance Desk through a Notice of Acceptance.Meanwhile, partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers will be required to show a valid negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result taken at least 72 hours prior, or a negative rapid antigen test result taken at least 48 hours prior.They will also be required to show a valid government issued ID with their proof of residence of a Notice of Acceptance.

Exec: Get vaxxed first to hold fiestas

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 04:00 AM PDT

"YOU want to hold fiestas, get vaccinated first."This was the response of Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II to a question if local government units (LGUs) in the province are now allowed to hold festivals amid the improving Covid-19 situation.As of the March 14 data from the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas, Covid-19 active cases are now down to 407, and the province is only recording single-digit cases over the past few days.Despite the improving situation, however, Negros Occidental is expected to remain under Alert Level 2 status, as the province has yet to reach the DOH's required vaccination threshold of above 70 of the 80 percent of the general population and 85 percent senior citizen coverage in order to be downgraded to Alert Level 1 or the "new normal" status."We need to cooperate with others, that is why we urge our senior citizens to get vaccinated," Diaz said.Fully vaccinated senior citizens in the province are now at 55.28 percent, which is still low, he added.

Negros Occidental to get 500 more cops for May polls

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 03:58 AM PDT

SOME 500 additional policemen will be deployed in Negros Occidental as augmentation for the upcoming May 2022 elections.Lieutenant Abegail Donasco, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said these policemen, who are currently undergoing Basic Internal Security Operation Course (Bisoc), are from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas.Donasco said they will be assigned in various town and cities police stations in the province to ensure that the conduct of the elections will be peaceful.She earlier said that the province needed at least 2,452 policemen to secure the province during the elections.Of that number, 129 are from the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), while the rest are from Nocppo and various local police stations in the province.Meanwhile, Donasco clarified that the increase in fuel products will not affect the mobility of the police force.She said they have the maintenance and other operating expenses from the head office of the Philippine National Police, while other local government units are also helping them financially.

Unega exec: 'Coalition' with Love Negros not anchored on members’ choices

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 03:58 AM PDT

A RANKING executive of the United Negros Alliance (Unega) has clarified that the party's coalition with Love Negros remains intact despite the members' different preferences for a presidential candidate to support in the coming May 2022 elections."We are a democracy. Our members are also affiliated with different national political parties. And we have a multi-party system that is why we have different choices for president and vice president to give our support to," Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. and concurrent Unega secretary general said Tuesday, March 15.The arrangement, therefore, makes the Love Negros and Unega a unique coalition because their bond is more rooted on local issues affecting their respective constituencies, he said."Let it be made clear that our relationships are not dictated by our choices of national candidates. As the saying goes, all politics are local," said Escalante, one of the two Negros Occidental mayors who openly supported the presidential run of Vice President Leni Robredo.Escalante and Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Maranon III, the Unega party chairman, together with Second District Representative Leo Rafael "Bebo" Cueva, endorsed Robredo at the Sagay City rally that drew an estimated crowd of 20,000.They later rejoined Robredo at the grand rally at the Paglaum Sports Complex attended by 70,000 Kakampinks, so far the biggest political rally of the vice president since the campaign began.Also at the Paglaum event was Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who actually welcomed and endorsed Robredo at her San Carlos City sortie at the Bishop's Compound with an estimated 4,000 attendees.Lacson again endorsed Robredo at Paglaum before a mammoth record crowd and took the honors to introduce her.Interestingly, Lacson's vice governor, Jeffrey Ferrer, is rooting for the presidential bid of former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.Ferrer, the incumbent Unega president, earlier claimed that 28 other mayors in the province are with him to support Marcos.Former Third District representative Albee Benitez, one of the top leaders of Love Negros and a mayoralty candidate in Bacolod City, earlier issued a manifesto that he is also supporting Marcos.Also joining the People's Rally of Hope at Paglaum Sports Complex was Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and several Grupo Progreso bets for councilors. (PR)

Del Rosario, Padilla push for suspension of fuel excise tax

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 03:57 AM PDT

AMID the big-time price hike on fuels, senatorial bets Monsour Del Rosario and Dr. Minguita Padilla also called for the temporary suspension of excise tax on these products.Del Rosario, a former taekwondo Olympian and actor, is from Bacolod City.He said the increase in fuel consumption results in high living expenses, the reason the government should do an immediate action by releasing the subsidies for drivers.For long-term solutions, Del Rosario said the National Government should make sure its compliance with the Biofuels Act."Since we are not an oil producing country, the government should focus more on promoting alternative fuels like solar energy for big businesses and buildings," the senatorial aspirant said.Meanwhile, Padilla said President Rodrigo Duterte should call for the Congress to have a special session to suspend excise tax on fuels."By temporarily suspending the excise tax, fuel prices will go down, and we should bring back the cap on the taxes like what the government did during the Bayanihan 2," she said."We have to put another cap because fuel prices have been going up that much and it will surely have a domino effect on food, electricity, water and everything will go up," Padilla also said.The senatorial aspirant also bared that work from home strategy should also be observed like what most offices did at the height of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.The bill on work from home practice was authored by Del Rosario when he was still the representative of Makati, Padilla noted."With the high prices of fuels, employees do not need to go to their offices and work from home should be observed to minimize fares, pollution and avoid traffic congestion," she added.Prices of fuels increased anew Tuesday, March 15, with diesel at P13.15 per liter, gasoline by P7.10 per liter and kerosene by P10.50 per liter.Del Rosario and Padilla who are running under Partido Reporma were in the province on Monday, March 14.

Bautista: Fighting corruption needs innovation, not antiquated solutions

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 03:50 AM PDT

SENATORIAL candidate Herbert Bautista has expressed frustration at what he said were antiquated solutions still being implemented but have largely been ineffective against corruption."We already have policies in place against corruption," Bautista said, as he lamented that corruption has persisted despite countless efforts to curb it.He said corruption cases, like those in PhilHealth and other government agencies, have been getting coverage in the media."It's good that corruption is being exposed," said Bautista, who is running for senator on a platform of internet reform, livelihood for all and youth development (ILY).But he said it seemed that corruption has not been defeated by methods that are outdated."Our system has been operating for the longest time," said Bautista, who is number eight on the ballot in the senatorial race."We're already in the 21st century," he said."But our system is still in the 20th century, in the past century," Bautista said."So we really need to study what would it really take to stop it," he said, adding: "Let's use technology."He said the most effective way to reduce corruption was transparency in all government transactions and, to achieve this, innovation would be crucial."Please note that it is important that each agency that is supposedly corrupt is exposed," the senatorial aspirant added.In an earlier statement, Bautista said he would push for more digital transactions in government offices to help curb corruption."We want to remove corruption so we should strengthen our Internet connections so that our government services will go online," Bautista said."We won't need to go and pay for the city hall or the municipal building. No need to go there anymore," the three-term mayor of the Philippines' biggest city in terms of land area, Quezon City, said. Payments can be made through Bayad Centers or other fintech platforms, he said, while receipts of payment can be sent online, too, like emails, SMS or even Facebook accounts."All these are good things that can reduce corruption," Bautista added. (PR)

Negros Occidental eyes more collaboration with UPLB

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 02:56 AM PDT

NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II met with officials of University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Monday, March 14, 2022.They discussed the transfer of the Tissue Culture Laboratory at the La Granja Research and Training Station (LGRTS) in La Carlota City to another location and the off-campus course offering.The Provincial Government is also looking for possible future engagements and collaborations with the UPLB in the field of research, extension and development projects in agriculture and food science.Present in the meeting were UPLB Chancellor Jose Camacho Jr., Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Fernando Paras Jr., Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Nathaniel Bantayan, UPLB-College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) Dean Dr. Elpidio Agbisit Jr., Provincial Agriculturist Edmund Causing, UPLB-CAFS directors and admin, and LGRTS staff.The group is also set to visit the UPLB College of Agriculture and Food Science La Granja Research and Training Station and other tourism sites in the province.The UPLB-CAFS LGRTS is mandated to perform research and extension activities.It also serves as an ecological testing site for crop varieties and technologies on crop and animal production, and engages in agribusiness ventures to sustain its development and support its programs. (PR)

Ombion: Indigenous, doable, tangible solutions

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 02:56 AM PDT

I AGREE with a number of proposed solutions on oil price hikes forwarded by some economists, political figures and civil groups to ease the worsening burden on our people, not just the transport sector, but all, poor and rich.I find in particular Makabayan senatorial bet Atty. Neri Colmenares proposed solutions as right measures, i.e., the immediate repeal of VAT and suspension of excise taxes, unbundle the oil prices, repeal Oil Deregulation law, buy-back state-owned Petron, and establish National Petroleum Exchange Corporation.Sonny Africa, Ibon executive director, extrapolating data from the DOE and DOF, says that in 2018 the government earned P292 million per day from Train excise taxes on oil products, and P5.8 million per day from VAT in the price of diesel or gas. It's self-explanatory why the government cannot do away with these measures.Thus, Neri's proposed measures, if carried and done, would stop the retrogressive state policy on oil, and move towards state-controlled and regulated oil industry, considered so vital in our nation's life, just like energy and water.But with no foreseeable government action to curb the continuing oil price hikes, this is going to be a big challenge to new officials and leaders in the post May 2022 elections.In the meantime, I believe the National Government can handle the impact of the suspension of Train excise taxes on oil products, and the VAT on the price of diesel and gas. They can do it on top of the recent declaration from the Department of Budget and Management P3 billion for fuel subsidy and discount programs which will be a big relief to those in the transport sector.These measures together on roll, while working on a more strategic solution like Atty. Neri's proposed solutions, to protect our citizens from fluctuations in the still import-dependent oil industry.For the local government units (LGUs) and private groups, they can jointly initiate immediate indigenous, doable and tangible solutions to the unabated oil price hikes.Among the solutions, the LGUs with DILG must ensure fair guidelines and efficient and bias-free implementation mechanics on the DBM declaration, prioritizing those in the bottom of the pyramid.LGUs, together with the DLG, DA, DTI and representatives from Business chambers, should call on all food producers cooperatives and federations, and goods merchandizing wholesalers and retailers, in their respective jurisdiction, to come up with mutually beneficial consensus for fair prices adjustments utilizing all doable schemes, including price regulation monitoring and correction, so as to minimize the burden of the oil price hikes impact on consumers.LGUs' Local Development Councils can come up with mutually beneficial and realistic guidelines on price monitoring and regulation, and also organize some sort of local trading and marketing systems between producers and consumers.LGUs and the private sector should also encourage minimal use of fuel-based energy, and slowly shift to green energy sources, like solar, micro-hydro, wind, biomass technologies, including few other local energy-saving inventions.The LGUs can invest part of their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) or portion of its incoming bigger National Tax Allocation (NTA) under EO 138 and Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court ruling, to develop alternative or green solutions, in the face of instability in our oil industry.Still, I believe that the Neri proposals are not without basis, and must be pursued by the next set of national and local leaders.I know it is not easy for these measures to see light in the present and even in the new leadership, but it is better to continue the collective push for these measures until they are given adequate attention in the next House and Senate and national executive leadership.Meanwhile, a new generation of leaders who know by heart and mind the mass sentiments, their problems and needs, fears and anxieties, hopes and aspirations -- must continue to be nurtured in the womb of the present society.

Nicky Ledesma: Capturing memories before development seeps in

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 02:52 AM PDT

SEASONED photographer Nicky Ledesma has captured with his camera lens amazing images in Barangay Lantawan, Silay City.He had this collection of photos for three years ago to showcase Lantawan, which might be our last frontier when unabated structures are set up.Nicky has his property in the said area and has complied with the requisites set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).While in the area, he took photos of these stunning images of Lantawan, believing that "only images would remain when over-development seeps in."These photos are for memories to remember, he said.His fascination with photography provides him a wider perspective of the world and better appreciation of God's magnificent bounty which is sometimes taken for granted as they come in blurs.Photography captures what he sees in more comprehensive ways which are more lasting.He began his journey in photography in the early 70s and '80s with a black and white film, processing, and printing.Ansel Adams greatly influenced his journey with the zone system which he and Fred Archer developed and which Fred Picker configured for 35mm film.His most significant experience as a lensman was during college when he swept the photography contest during the cultural fest in the 4th year.He won first, second, fourth and sixth place, giving his batch the points to win the overall cultural championships."I was pitted against the arts and Mass Communication students who took up photography in the course of their pictorial communications. They were artists who slept, ate, drank, and smoked with so much creativity. I was not an artist and could not match the creativity that oozed so naturally from them, thus winning over them was most significant," he said.At 61, Nicky specialized in landscape photography, influenced by the late, great landscape photographer, Ansel Adams.Sceneries of land, sky, and waters are Nicky's favorite subjects.They give him a wider perspective of the wonders of the world we live in, he said.The mood is essential in conveying the message through photography.For landscape pictures, subdued lighting creates the mood I want whether in color or black and white."Color is my preference now because of digital cameras and my new love, infrared photography," he said."Black and white was my preferred one during my film days as it gave me the challenge to process and print manually," he also said.Furthermore, Nicky is among the pioneer members of the Camera Club of Negros (CCN) where he served as president of the Camera Club of Negros twice in 1983 and 2008.His major inspirations are Jesus Christ, former Governor Rafael Coscoluella, his mentor in photography, and Ansel Adams.He likes listening to Jazz music, as it expresses a feeling like photography.
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