ALAY PAMASKO BENEFITS 5000 INDIGENTS

As early as seven in the morning , over five thousand indigent families trooped to the city public plaza December 8 to receive the Christmas Package offered by the city government of Victorias.

These beneficiaries came from 26 barangays of the city who were identified by their respective barangay captains as the poorest of the poor families.

Games and entertainment were prepared for them as they waited for their “pamaskos” to be distributed.

Mayor Palanca in his speech was very emotional when he said that his happiness is immeasurable to see people around the plaza. “ I am happy but I am sad to see that there are still many Victoriahanons who are within the threshold of poverty. However, the little something that the city offers is one way of easing the burden of your families during this Christmas season’, he said.

Third district Representative Albee Benitez also graced the occasion and pledged to his constituents that he will be at his best to alleviate the quality of lives of the people. by: Joy P. Famini

VICTORIAS CITY HEALTH TOPS REDCOP IN REGION VI

The Victorias City Health again bested the rest of the cities and provinces in the whole of Western Visayas when it was hailed as the Best Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) implementer in the awarding ceremony held at the Crown Ballroom of Punta Villa, Iloilo last December 6.

The first award which Victorias received was in 2001 as a Regional Awardee then years later made it as the National Champion in 2008. All of which happened under the administration of Mayor Severo Palanca.

The Renal Disease Control Program is an annual competition spearheaded by the Department of Health and is given to the Best Implementers for its continuous implementation and innovation.

by: Joy P. Famini, CCIO Head

BARANGAY AND SK OFFICIALS TAKE OATH

Four Hundred Sixteen barangay and SK officials of Victorias City took their oath before Judge Felipe Banzon of RTC Silay last November 27 at the Don Alejandro Acuna Yap Quina Arts anc Cultural Center.

The oathtaking ceremony which started a little late than scheduled was attended city officials, 3^rd District Representative Cong. Albee Benitez , families, relatives, families and friends of elected officials.

Altogether SK Chairmen and their Kagawads took oath , followed by barangay Kagawads and finally Barangay Captains.

Mayor Palanca thanked the barangay officials for their willingness to be in public service as he encourages everyone to take part in governance. He added that your efforts will pay off as you see your developments in your respective barangays.

Cong Albee on the other hand said that “today as you take your oath, starts the beginning of your service to the people of Victorias and must remember that because its the mandate of the people , it is Victoriahanons whom your service should be given.

Few days after the oathtaking, SK Chairmen of 26 barnagays convened at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center last December 3 where they elected their SK Federation President. It was an overwhelming victory for Thea Mae Duran Dino in a 19-7 votes against contender Gia Margrethe Espera.

Meanwhile incumbent ABC President Alexander Palanca of Brgy 3 remained unopposed in his bid for presidency in the Association of Barangay Captains. Their election took place December 7.

by: Joy P. Famini, CCIO Head

Victorias Qaulifies Anew to Reg'l EXCELL Awards

Victorias was again adjudged as one of the top three Best Performing cities in the province of Negros Occidental based on the evaluation conducted by the Provincial EXCELL Awards Committee held October, 2010.

As a result ,the city gained its nomination to the regional level where it will be competing with 4 other cities in the province namely the cities of San Carlos, Cadiz, Bago and Kabankalan and two higly urbanized cities which are Bacolod and Iloilo

The Regional EXCELL awards is an annual award being spearheaded by the Department of Interior and Local Government which recognizes the efforts of local government units in its performance in four areas. These are governance and administration which include local legislation, social services, economic development and environmental management.

A team of regional evaluators representing different regional offices came to conduct evaluation and validation in the areas of competition. The evaluation was attended by heads of offices of the city government where 2009 performances were presented.

The conduct of the evaluation was generally successful and it is with anticipation that Victorias will once again be cited for its performance in local governance. - Joy P. Famini (CCIO Head)

MERALCO “BOLTS” Defeats ALASKA “ACES”

Newcomer Meralco “Bolts” victoriously a 12 point lead over defending Fiesta Cup Champion Alaska “Aces” in an out of town game hosted by the city of Victorias at the Victorias Sports and Amusement Center.

During the first 2 quarters of the game, Aces took 14 point lead with Joe Devance making a three- 3 point shots in the first quarter.

Determined to win however, the Bolts never gave up but tried to be defensive and focused and made a third quarter scoring taking the lead over the Aces.

It was a tremendous victory for the Bolts whose best offensive player Mac-Mac Cardona still recuperates from an injury. This gave the Bolt their fourth straight win in the Philippine
Cup. - Joy P. Famini (CCIO Head)