TIEZA, DOT Conduct Assessment, Evaluation In Victorias’ Tourism Sites

Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) representatives conducted product assessment relative to the preparation of the Master Development Plan (MDP) on Tourism of Victorias City last Jan. 22-24.

Marie Recarro and Ezra Nicole Basto, representatives of DOT and Nemensio Duran and Efren Resoso of TIEZA evaluated the different areas in Victorias as they would also assist in the identification of possible tourism investment opportunities and give technical assistance in the preparation of the City’s MDP.

                Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca had a meeting with them and discussed possible improvements in facilities and tourism activities to be held at the tourist destinations to entice visitors and encourage them to stay longer in the City.

The City aims to be regarded as a major sports and eco-tourism destination in the country, particularly Gawahon Ecological Park, part of which is included in the Northern Negros Natural Park.

                The survey and report of DOT and TIEZA will be sent to the head office as they will come up with their recommendation to be carried by the City.

Victorias Holds First Graduation Of Farmers’ Field School For 2014

                           By Samson Garzon, Victorias City Agriculturist

           A graduation of Farmers’ Field School (FFS) - Palay Check System was held for the first time this year at Hda. Mimi in Brgy. X last Jan. 28.

The occasion was graced by the presence of Councilor Abelardo Bantug, III (SP Committee Chairman on Agriculture), Councilor Sulpicio Montinola, Representative of Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, Red Palanca, and Provincial IPM Coordinator and representative of OPA & ATI. Carlito Indencia.

          The FFS-Palay Check System is a national training program of the Department of Agriculture designed to transfer updated technologies to farmers for increasing local rice production. 

Farmers meet once a week for a period of 16 to 18 weeks, or an equivalent of one rice cropping season from pre-planting to harvesting. 

As an off-shoot of the training, the FFS graduates organized themselves into an association known as the Mimi Organic Farmers’ Association (MOFA) to ensure further development of their rice farms as government assistance is usually channelled through people’s organizations. 

        On the same occasion, the officers of the MOFA were inducted by Councilor Montinola, while the 28 rice farmers were confirmed graduate of FFS-Palay Check by Indencia. 

The newly concluded training held at the farm residence of Mr. Aujero was sponsored by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), and the City Government of Victorias. 

Same trainings will be replicated in other rice-producing barangays this year, as part of the priority development agenda of the present administration under the leadership of the Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca with the battle cry, “Sa Pag ASENSO Sang Victoriahanon!”

47 Members of Victorias City Rescue Team Completes Red Cross Training For Healthcare Providers

Forty-seven members of the Rescue Team under the Victorias City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office successfully completed the Philippine Red Cross Training for Healthcare Provider on Standard First Aid, Basic Life Support – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with Automated External Defibrillator Course and Ambulance Operation Course this January.

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca commended the City’s rescue team as he considered them as the group ready to safeguard the lives of many Victoriahanons.

All trainees earned a certificate of proficiency from the Philippine Red Cross after they passed the evaluating examination last January 20-26, 2014 at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Complex.

The second training will be on water rescue in order to make then more equipped in their field and line of work and save lives of Victoriahanons in times of crisis, particularly on water disaster.

The team will also undergo additional trainings on fire, flood earthquake, emergency crash and urban and mountain search and rescue.

Victorias City Officials, Employees, Cops Undergo Random Drug Test

With the aim of keeping Victorias City drug free, Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca and officers of the Victorias City PNP implemented a surprise random drug test last Jan. 20.

The City officials, heads, employees, and police participated in the test at Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center after the city’s flag ceremony.

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca desires for the city to be free from drug addiction starting with the public servants.

In the event that the drug dependents and users are determined they will be catered at the Negros Occidental Drug Rehabilitation Foundation (NODRF) to be treated.

The city will assist in the rehabilitation of those positive with substance abuse as it believes that the victims who are into drugs and their families will need support.

Victorias City Opens One-Stop Shop For Permits, Licensing Processing

         The City Government of Victorias will put up a one-stop shop at the City Hall Lobby for the renewal of business permits and licenses last Jan. 20.

       The Engineering Office, Sanitary Inspection, Bureau of Fire and Protection, City Health Office along with the City Treasurer’s Office and City Permits and Licenses Office will set-up their respective stations at the one-stop shop to help enhance and expedite the processing of business permits and licenses and will be open for transaction on weekdays on its regular working hours.

     This initiative of the City is intended for the convenience of its constituents and business owners from application to appraisal, assessment, payment and releasing of permits in the shortest possible time.

    Business owners who will exceed the deadline will pay surcharges deductible and to be carried every quarter, thereafter.

Victorias City Councilor Alexander Palanca Is New Provincial Liga Ng Mga Barangay Vice President

        Councilor and Liga ng mga Barangay Victorias Chapter President Alexander Palanca is the new vice president of the Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay, Negros Occidental.

        The election took place at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol last Dec. 18, 2013.

Palanca along with Mark Cui, President of the provincial league from San Carlos City and other board members took oath before Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr. at the Governor’s Office last Jan. 8.

        He is the son of former Victorias City Mayor Severo Palanca and is now on his third term as the Liga ng mga Barangay Victorias Chapter President.

Victorias Day Care Workers, Centers Excellently Pass Regional Licensing Accreditation

By Joan Demetillo, SW Aide

Twelve day care workers have undergone and passed the accreditation and licensing assessment of DSWD Accreditor Dionela Madrona of Field Office 6, Iloilo City, with highly competent rating and their respective day care centers as outstanding last December 2013 – January 2014.

The DSWD recognizes the important role that the children play in nation-building and supports children’s rights to survive, be protected, and participate in development.

Furthermore, in its vital role set forth the minimum standards and provide the following guidelines to ensure quality in the delivery of Day Care services through the accreditation of day care workers and day care centers or known as the Administrative Orderw 15 series of 2011, New Guidelines on Accreditation Tool for Day Care Centers/Day Care Workers.

The City would like to thank the barangay captains and officials for their continued support to their respective day care centers and workers.

The following are the highly competent day care workers and outstanding day care centers of the City:

Rosene Garcia – Brgy. III

Victoria Lizada – Brgy. V

Imelda Olano – Brgy. VI Salvacion

Grace Yam – Brgy. IV

Elizabeth Ramos – Brgy. VI – A CIDSS (Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services)

Mary Jean Bernardo – Brgy. VI-A Villa Miranda

Erna Longno – Brgy. VII

Lylin Canabal - Brgy. XIV Corehouse

Salvacion Orencio – Brgy. X Estado

Emma Florenda Mationg – Brgy. XVIII – A Florencia

Leni Lacuesta – Brgy. XV West Caticlan

Cynthia Venteriz – Brgy. XXI – Editha