44 ACDVS Complete Water Search And Rescue Training

Forty four Active Civilian Disaster Volunteers (ACDVs) graduated from the Water Safety Rescue and Survival Techniques on Flood Response course and were recognized during the flag ceremony at the Victorias City Public Plaza last Oct. 29.
The training, under R.A. 10121, was conducted by the Victorias City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in cooperation with the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC) and the trainers of the Philippine Coast Guard - Bacolod City PCG Station to obtain competent flood mitigation teams in every high risk flood prone barangay mobilizing the ACDVs in the City.
The disaster risk reduction team selected the most competent, physically and mentally fit swimmers and volunteers from every barangay who underwent a whole day rigid training at the La Rosa Del Mar Beach Resort in Barangay Mantaangan, E. B. Magalona last Sept. 16.
The participants who successfully passed the requirement of the course gained expertise on water safety and proper rescue techniques.
They also received personalized certificate, identification cards and chaleco from the City during the culminating activity.

PBA Game Of Talk ‘N Text, Rain Or Shine Brings Action To Victorias

The basketball match once again brought uncontainable excitement to the Negrenses as they watched the game live in Victorias City, home of the PBA in Negros last Oct. 27.
The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters grabbed victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters during the out-of-town game of the 38th Philippine Cup with 80-77 at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center.
The first and third quarters were owned by Rain or Shine while the second and final quarters were dominated by Talk ‘N Text.
The teams tied the game 71-all in the remaining six minutes during the fourth quarter when Jimmy Alapag hit a three-pointer giving the Tropang Texters 74-73 advantage.
Finally, the Rain or Shine, was down with three points as TY Tang released a back-rimming three-pointer and after Larry Fonacier missed two free throws.
JR Quiñahan’s failure in the attempt of a three point shot has made the Talk ‘N Text win and remain unbeaten.
Mayor Severo Palanca, Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca and the City councilors along with former Third District Congressman Jose Carlos La-cson, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leo-nardia and the different spectators in and out of the Province, witnessed the thril-ling and action-packed game.

The scores: (source - http://www.interaksyon.com)
TALK N’ TEXT 80 – Alapag 15, De Ocampo 13, Fonacier 12, Peek 11, Reyes 7, Williams 7, Dillinger 6, Raymundo 5, Carey 2, Ferriols 2, Gamalinda 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 77 – Cruz 14, Rodriguez 13, Ibanes 9, Quinahan 9, Belga 8, Matias 7, Norwood 7, Tang 6, Chan 4, Arana 0.
Quarters: 19-22, 42-38, 63-67, 80-77

Sangguniang Kabataan Holds 2nd Annual Assembly

The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) of Victorias City, headed by SKF President Ericka Detoyato, conducted its second annual assembly at Toreno Fishpond, Brgy. XIII last Oct. 26 -27.
The overnight camping acti-vity which aims to uphold the potential and well-being of young leaders in the community, was comprised of a leadership workshop, fellowship and friendly games.
It was attended by SKF chairpersons, councils and invited out of school youth of the City.
Representatives of the Institute of Negros Development from the University of St. La Salle gave  lectures on moral recovery and discovery skills on leadership in the organization.
They were Katherine Maguad, Fe Trespuentes, Raffy Villasis and Sharmaine Servando.
The participants were divided into three teams which competed in the group presentation, and games.

CSWD Celebrates Children’s Month In October

    In commemoration with the Children’s Month Celebration in the Philippines, the City Social Welfare and Development Office prepared a whole-day Children’s Congress last Oct. 25 with the theme “Bright Child ay Siguraduhin, Responsableng Pamamahayag ay Palaganapin!”.
Day care children from the 43 day care centers in the City along with their parents and day care workers gathered and celebra-ted the event at the Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center.
In the morning, Oji Herrera and Ma. Julia Octaviano of Brgy. IV day care center were crowned as the Prince and Princess of the Children’s Congress 2012 while the contests, parade and playground demonstration followed in the afternoon.
Winners of the draw and tell and singing contests, Angel Faith Magbanua of Brgy. VI-A, CIDSS Day Care Center and Ma. Brixel Jade Aleño of Brgy. VIII, Amanda Day Care Center, were awarded, respectively.
Vice Mayor Francis Frede-rick Palanca and Councilor Audie Malaga were present during the activity.

VCDRRMO Holds Citywide Emergency Response Orientation, Earthquake Drills

The Victorias City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (VCDRRMO) conducted a continuous Disaster Risk Reduction Program this October, to mitigate or lessen the potential damages that may be inflicted against the lives and properties of the people in the City particularly during the occurance of unpredictable earthquake.
Earthquake drills were also conducted in the different schools in the City by the VCDRRMO headed by CDRRMO Modesto Sanson Jr. and the existing staff in coordination with the Training Staff of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division, DRRSMO Director Allen Pablo, Carlos Hilado Memorial State College and Salvador Mesa III.
About 2,100 participated from the drills that started at the Victorias National High School and Victorias Elementary School last Oct. 3 while the Negros State College of Agriculture and Negros Occidental National Science High School on Oct. 8 and 10, respectively.
Morning and afternoon sessions were also brought to the barangay level in all 26 barangays of the City and were participated  by the barangay officials, health workers, barangay nutrition scholars and utility workers along with the Active Civilian Disaster Volunteers and residents summing up to 3,000 persons last Oct. 22.
As provided under the Republic Act No. 10121 the public sector, employees shall be trained in the emergency response and preparedness, the City employees undergone an earthquake drill orientation last Oct. 25.
The participants showed interest and willingness in the activity as they were all encouraged to share the information concerning the occurrence of earthquake.
Furthermore, accessible evacuation sites were made known to all the trainees

VCPPO Accomplishes Activities In 2012

The Victorias City Parole and Probation Office (VCPPO) with its partner agency, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology celebrated the 9th City Correctional Consciousness Week for its clientele and inmates in October.
The activity,  with the theme, “Tao Ma’y Nakapiit, Pagpapala’y Makakamit” commenced with a flag raising ceremony where Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca gave an inspirational message at the public plaza last Oct. 22.
In the afternoon of the same day, the Candle Making Livelihood Program was launched at the Rotary Club of Victorias Training Center attended by selected clients and Volunteer Probation Aides (VPAs).
The “Gulayan Sa Barangay” was also launched at the Nutrition Center of Barangay I with the full support and cooperation of Brgy. Capt. Rex Velasco last Oct. 23.
On October 24, two personnel and VPAs Efren Miravalles and Abdulio Dequit attended the Seminar on Restorative Justice at the Social Hall, Provincial Capitol Building, Bacolod City with OIC of Bureau of Corrections Manuel G. Co, CESO II, MNSA as resource speaker.
The Probation and Parole Officers, uniformed personnel of PNP and BJMP in Negros Occidental and Social Workers of the Provincial Government attended the seminar.
Cheers and yells of the participants were heard during the friendship game between the BJMP inmates and PPA-DOJ clients followed by a “Talakayan” on the Five Pillars of the Criminal Justice System on the same venue graced by resource speakers from the Regional and Municipal Trial Courts, Probation Office, PNP, Prosecution Office, and the Community at the BJMP Compound, Victorias City on Oct. 15.
The highlight of the activity was the medical-dental mission at the BJMP ompound on Oct. 26, 2012 in cooperation with the sponsors, mentors, the City Health Office, Rotary Club of Victorias and other private individuals.
A gender sensitivity training for VPAs was conducted at the Sweet City Captel Training Center, Bacolod City last Nov. 15 and 16.
The VCPPO sent VPAs namely Brgy. Kagawad Nelsa Mulavin of Brgy. IX, Brgy. Secretary Rodelyn Silab of Brgy. XX and JO2 Rosalinda Camacho of Brgy. VII.
The two-day training, with Atty. Chit Antipatia as resource speaker, gave them knowledge on gender roles in the community.  
Another activity attended by Brgy. Kagawad Lydia Hiavia of Brgy. XVII and Brgy. Tanod Allan Jun Jallorima of Brgy. XIV, was the Basic Training for Volunteer Probation Aides on Nov. 27 and 28.
It was considered as an introductory training to the newly recruited VPAs in Victorias City.
In the spirit of Christmas, VCPPO clients had their year-end evaluation and Christmas party at the Barangay Hall of Brgy. IV last Dec. 10.
The VCPPO is proud that one of its VPAs, Brgy.  Kagawad Edna G. Durana of Brgy.  I, at the same time, the newly elected President of the MAVISA (Manapla-Victorias-Saravia) Chapter VPA Association, received a certificate of recognition for her significant role and contribution in the Provincial Council for Women (PCW) as former Chairperson at the Business Inn Hotel, Bacolod City last Dec. 12.
She has always been dedicated to her service and has shown strong support to the programs and advocacies to women’s empowerment in Victorias City and the province of Negros Occidental.
As a culmination of the 2012 celebration, the personnel of VCPPO attended the year-end evaluation, Christmas program, and physical fitness program where a seminar on disaster preparedness and updates on the GSIS program was given  at Pta. Villa, Arevalo, Iloilo City on Dec. 13 and 14.
By: Maria Theresa V. Pedregosa

Negros State College of Agriculture Takes New Name

The Negros State College of Agriculture (NSCA) was conver-ted into a state university and is now named as the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) under Republic Act 10228.
The act was originated in the House of Representatives, passed by the House of Representative on March 9, 2011 and the Senate on July 24 and was finally approved by President Benigno Aquino III last Oct. 19.
The law was signed by Pre-sident Aquino, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Speaker of the House of Representatives Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Senate Secretary Emma Lirio-Reyes and House of Representatives Secretary General Marilyn Barua-Yap.
Reps. Mercedes Alvarez of the 6th district, Alfredo Abelardo Benitez of the 3rd District, the late Ignacio Arroyo of the 5th District, Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna and Juan Edgardo Angara of Aurora authored the bill.
CPSU was established as Negros Occidental Agricultural School in 1946, converted into Neg-ros Occidental Agricultural College in 1977 and to Negros Occidental State College in 2001.
It has its main campus located in Kabankalan City and extension campuses in the municipalities of Hinobaan, Cauayan, Ilog, Candoni, Moises Padilla, Hinigaran and in the cities of San Carlos, Sipalay, Himamaylan and  here in Victorias.

PADAC Holds Action Planning Workshop To Strengthen Campaign

The Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) of Negros Occidental conducted an action planning workshop to address the issues, concerns and problems with substance abuse and addiction in the province at the Negros Occidental Drug Rehabilitation Center  (NODRC) last Oct. 11.
Executive Director of NODRC, Dr. Ernesto Palanca welcomed the PADAC members after giving a tour around the rehabilitation center.
Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, Provincial Planning and Deve-lopment Coordinator Ma. Lina Sanogal and Agent Elmer Ebuna, the representative of PDEA Regional Office 6, Regional Director Edwin Layese were present during the workshop while OIC, APPDO Lawrence Ledesma served as the mo-derator.
The different member agencies of PADAC namely the NBI, PSWD, PIO, PIA, PPEA, PHO, PPDO, DILG Negros Occidental, Red Cross, Department of Education, SK Federation, and NOPPCCEN among others, also contributed and shared inputs on the matter.
Several committees were created for substance (alcohol, drugs, solvent, etc...); family sector (youth, parent, friends and family) ; rehabilitation and recovery program or facilities and each submitted specific strategies, programs and activities including cost requirement showing counter-parting scheme to solve the identified problems and win the war against dangerous drugs.