Public Dialogue To Address Problem On Ash Fall, Water Pollution Benefits Victoriahanons

A resident raises his concern during the open forum

In response to the request of the concerned citizens of Victorias, a public consultation on ash fall and water pollution was initiated by the offices of Cong. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca and the barangay council of Brgy. 19-A at the Canetown Subdivision Covered Court last Feb. 29.
    It was done for both parties to discuss and come up with measures and solutions to the pollution problem caused by the mill ash of the Victorias Milling Company (VMC).
    Cong. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Valentin Talabero of PENRO, Andres Untal of CENRO, Regional Director for the Environmental Management Bureau OIC Atty. Jonathan Bulos, Dr. Guillergan of DENR, Engineers Roy Hautea, Edwin Segaya and Atty. Eva Rodriguez of VMC were invited in the consultation.
    City councilors Teresita Bartolome, Joseph Andrei Garcia, Rene Imperial, Jerry Jover, Audie Malaga, Vincent Marie Roa with the barangay officials, concerned sectors, agencies and residents, were also present.
    Brgy. XIX-A Captain Enrique Estribo was thankful for everybody’s presence in the activity that would help address the problem in the greatly affected areas.
    Vice Mayor Palanca urged the people to be more direct and appropriate in taking a stand on the crucial issue.
    Atty. Rodriguez of VMC presented the company’s commitment in the comprehensive program to abate the pollution.
    An open forum took place right after the presentation and testimonies of the residents were given.
     At the end of the dialogue, the group came up with suggestions and mitigating measures in which the Congressman requested to officially put into writing in order for it to be carried and be materialized.

Rotary Club of Victorias Celebrates Boys and Girls Week

Rotarians and City Officials

The Rotary Club of Victorias revived its Boys and Girls Week project activity last February 27 to March 2.

The activity has been successful in molding the young minds to be the future leaders of our fatherland specifically on the local legislations and governance as well as the formation of values, ideals, and ethical standards.

Prior to the activity, the different Supreme Student Government officers of the different high schools, Victorias National High School, St. Mary Mazzarello School, Don Bosco Technical Institute, Jack & Jill School/Castleson High, Negros Occidental National Science HIgh School, Don Felix Montinola Memorial College, elected among them the congressman, SK Provincial President, board member, city officials and appointed department heads as their counterpart who represented the functions for a week.

The week-long activity has exposed the young and dynamic students to help enhance their social and leadership skills as they met their counterparts, attended the session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and were exposed to the offices and departments that they were assigned to.

All of the activities were under the supervision and guidance of Rotary Club President Dominador Bingco, Project Chairman Ret. Norby Boston, in charge of the day to day PP Gabby Timbol and wife Amy Timbol.

Cong. Benitez lauded the private sector especially the civic organiztaion in developing this kind of program for the youth.  by: Gabriel Timbol 

Victorias Commemorates EDSA People Power Celebration

In commemoration with the 26th People Power Revolution in the Philippines, the City of Victorias headed by the Local School Board  observed the EDSA Celebration at the Victorias City Public Plaza last Feb. 24.
    The Department of Education (DepEd), city and barangay officials along with the city employees, members of the business sector, teachers and students of the different schools and the Victoriahanons were present during the event.
    The activity opened with the drill presentation of the Victorias National High School Silent Drillers.
    Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca gave the message on behalf of the city mayor, as he emphasized the three important things that EDSA has enabled the people to realize; there is a God for all of us, there is a people united for freedom and there is a Filipino way that changed the world.
    Cong. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez thru Mr. Sulpicio Montinola Jr., congratulated the City for its observance of the 26 years of the successful revolution and reminded that the spirit and meaning of people power is the power of you and me making the change in achieving democracy.
    Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Orlando Gargar and Vice Mayor Palanca shared their testimonies during the 1986 EDSA revolution.
    Special numbers during the program were a duet by Jenny and Ramon Talledo Jr., song interpretation of the AAYQMES pupils and video presentation about EDSA.
    DepEd District I Supervisor Nelda Demegillo was thankful for the presence of the people who joined the celebration as she wished, “May the spirit of EDSA reign in our hearts”.

Wellness Program For Progress 2012 Serves Victoriahanons

A total of 1,458 beneficiaries were granted different services during the medical mission under the Wellness Program for Progress (WPP) at the Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts & Cultural Center last Feb. 18.
    The services were dental (321 beneficiaries), circumcision (50 beneficiaries), consultation (693 beneficiaries), haircut (10 beneficiaries), ear piercing (174 children/beneficiaries), and the giving of free eye glasses (210 beneficiaries).
    This has been a program made possible through Cong. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Mayor Severo Palanca, Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca and the City Council with the BBB Foundation, Kaayong Lawas Foundation, Inc., Victorias City Health Office, Venus Lions Club, 303rd Infantry Brigade P.A. and 1st and 3rd Maneuver Platoon Gawahon (NOPPSC),among others.
    The activity ended with the distribution of certificate of appreciation to the volunteers and organizations.
    WPP 2012 has been a success because of the partnership and cooperation of the following:
Hon. Cong. Albee Benitez
Hon. Gov. Alfredo Marañon
Hon. Vice Gov. Genaro “Lim-ao” Alvarez
Hon. Board Member Patrick Lacson
Hon. Mayor SEVERO A. PALANCA
Vice Mayors’ League of The Phil-Neg Occ Chapter
Victorias City Sangguniang Panlungsod Members
Victorias City Association Of Barangay Captains
BBB Foundation
1-UTAK Party List
Doña Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital
Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital
One for All, All for One Movement
Nelson Gerona Foundation
Victorias City Health Office
Victorias City Nutrition Council
Provincial Health Office
303rd Infantry Barigade P.A.
Kaayong Lawas Foundation, Inc.
Rotary Club of Victorias City Chapter
Venus Lions Club Victorias City Chapter
Phil. Guardians Brotherhood, Inc.(PGBI)-Victorias City Chapter
FEVATDO
Private Doctors and Dentists
TESDA Therapeutic Massage Treatment/Susan Gomez
1st and 3rd Maneuver Platoon Gawahon (NOPPSC)
Muslim Entrepreneurs Group of Victorias City
Victorias Riders Club
Fisherfolks

VCPPO Continues To Be Active This 2012

A turn over of responsibility from former Regional Director of Region VI, Emetri Amoroso to Charito Apacible-Zamora, a Victoriahanon and alumna of Victorias National High School, at the Parole and Probation Administration Regional Office in Iloilo City last Feb. 16.
    The MAVISA Volunteer Probation Aides (VPAs) Association of Victorias City Parole and Probation Office (VCPPO) with its President Efren Miravalles associated with the VISITA Cluster VPA Association headed by Abdulio Dequit convened in their 1st Quarter General Assembly held at the HDA Cocker’s Place, Silay City on March 16.
    In support of the programs of the association, VPAs thru their collective efforts donated used clothing, canned goods and packed noodles to our brothers and sisters who were victims of the destructive earthquake in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental thru ABS-CBN, Bacolod City.
    In one way or the other, their kind heart and dedication as volunteers, gave joy and spark of light to them to start life anew.
    On March 18, Probationer Helbert Fernandez of Victorias City Parole and Probation Office and spouse Angelie Fernandez benefitted in the Mass Wedding Ceremony officiated by Mayor Severo Palanca.
    The Office has initiated and assisted the latter in facilitating the necessary documents and seminars as requisites.
    Moreover, a pre-lenten recollection with Mario Torema as resource speaker was conducted for probationers, parolees and conditional pardonees at the Livelihood and Training Center on March 3.
    Words from the bible were imparted to them and they reflected on the importance of the word of God.
Recollecting on their past misdeeds, clients were encouraged to live righteously and be good and lawful citizens of the community. By: Theresa Pedragosa

CHO Conducts Cancer Prevention, Control Advocacy in February

The Victorias City Health Office (CHO) conducted the advocacy on Cancer Prevention and Control at the Audio Visual Room, Victorias Training Center last Feb. 16 - 17.
     In line with the celebration of the Cancer Prevention Month in February, the two-day lecture aims to ensure awareness and safeguard the health of the Victoriahanons with the knowledge on the disease.
     Medical Officer III, Dr.Veniperl Guillar together with Nurse I Chitalisa Valenciano conducted lectures on Cancer, its levels of intervention, prevention, major warning signs and also demonstrated BSE or Breast Self-Examination.
    The different sectors who attended the activity were the city employees, teachers, barangay nutrition scholars, kagawads and day care workers.
    Information materials with useful facts on Cancer were also given to the participants during the advocacy.

Victorias City Fire Station Helps Earthquake Victims in Guihulngan City

The 6.9 magnitude earthquake tremendously struck Guihulngan City last Feb. 7, the Victorias City Fire Station visited and helped the earthquake victims who were greatly in need.
    The City Fire Station personnel, headed by City Fire Marshall SFO2 Eduardo De La Paz Jr. assisted in the search and rescue operation in Guihulngan City last Feb. 8.
    An information drive on the safety measures during an earthquake was also conducted in coordination with the city officials of the locality.
     Due to the contaminated drinking water caused by the earthquake, the personnel delivered potable drinking water via the City’s fire truck to residents of the affected barangays.
    Negros Occidental Provincial Fire Marshall F/Supt. Fred Trajeras who Jr. conducted a debriefing and orientation to all city fire marshalls to help provide assistance and services to all victims of the earthquake.
By SFO2 Eduardo De La Paz Jr.

Provincial Bureau Of Fire Protection Officers Hold Earthquake Briefing In Victorias

Negros Occidental Bureau of Fire Protection officers, FO2 Jessie Dequilato and FO2 Zeaphard Gerhard Caelian conducted a briefing on “Earthquake and Earthquake Hazards” at the Victorias City Livelihood Development and Training Center last Feb. 7.   
    The City of Victorias, through the Mayor’s and Vice Mayor’s Office initiated the activity in collaboration with the Provincial Bureau of Fire Protection after the earthquake incident last Feb. 6.
    The briefing aimed to address concerns, promote additional awareness and guide the people on what to do before, during and after earthquakes and tsunamis.
    City officials, department heads and representatives of the different city and national line agencies attended the meeting.
    Some recommendations for the City to be prepared for unavoidable disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis were conducting pro-active information campaigns, strengthening of the disaster units and strict implementation of building standards.
    Furthermore preparation development plans which include the conducting of regular earthquake drills, identification of relocation and evacuation sites and development of comprehensive land use plans using inputs for hazards mapping are also advised.