Women and Children Welfare and Development Code To Pass In Victorias City

Committee representatives on women, children and family from 26 barangays and different concerned women’s group in Victorias City, Negros Occidental had attended a 2-day “Conference-Workshop on Women and Children’s Welfare and Development” at the Nature’s Village Resort and Restaurant, Talisay City last Nov. 27-28. 
    The activity was in line with the Provincial Celebration of the International Day on Violence Against Women and the International Women Human Rights Defenders Day on November 25 and 29 respectively.
    The Office of Councilor Godiven “Chiz” De Dios, Gender and Development (GAD) Council and Committee Chair on Women, Children and Family, spearheaded the conference-workshop with the aim to pass an ordinance creating a “Women and Children Welfare and Development Code” for Victorias City.   
    Topics on gender and development and different laws protecting women and children were discussed such as: R.A. 9262 – “Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004”; R.A. 7610 – “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”; R.A. 9344 – “Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006”; R.A. 8353 – “Anti-Rape Law of 1997”; and, R.A. 9208 – “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003”. 
    “The increasing no. of cases on women and child abuse has called our attention to plan and readily push for the creation of a code to prevent, protect and support the women and children-in-need in the city.”, SPM De Dios said.
    Cong. Alfredo ”Albee” Benitez of the 3rd District and Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca also supported the 2-day activities, the press release said. By: Office of Councilor Godiven Chiz De Dios

CPSU: A Covenant Facility for Quality Education and Training ‘It’s the City Government’s vision to be the Seat of Education’

        It started purely as a vision. Yes, a vision that the city government of Victorias ever wanted to achieve, which is to combat poverty. Being true to this vision, the plight of truly achieving poverty alleviation has become the major thrust of the city government. And as a living proof, the city government never failed. Indeed, for a decade now, the city government can tell the whole world of the fruits of its labor – the city together with its people will be witnessing the marching of the first batch of graduating class, in March, where most are city-paid scholars, who will be conferred with baccalaureate degrees.
       

       Sometime in 2005, through Dr. Evangeline Alo, City Planning Officer, when a study was conducted in lieu of the city government’s call for poverty alleviation thus it brought the conceptualization of establishing a collegiate school in the city which gave birth to the P40-million building of the Central Philippines State University, where at present, the city is supporting 165 scholars.
      

       With this, the city government prides itself as it gears towards the fulfillment of its vision to be the Center of Academic Excellence. “It’s a vision that we’ve always wanted to be– for the city to be the Seat of Education” thus, said Dr. Alo during a Blessing and Inauguration of school building and facilities at CPSU, last Nov. 27, 2014, attended by other school administrators in Negros Occidental.  Alo, who represented Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca who was in Iloilo to receive the National Sandugo Award for the city’s cause in bloodletting and donation, stressed that the city having established CPSU was built as a “covenant facility for quality education and training”. 
      

      Tapping human resource matched with proper and formal education will ensure the achievement of quality of life, Alo said, stressing that capacitating every citizen will impact the standard of living in the community and for national development.  

       Dr. Freddie Maningo, university president, on the other hand said that the city’s partnership with the school is more than just a blessing. He lauded the city government’s initiative of establishing a school as truly beneficial to its local residents. “The (CPSU) is a product of hard labor, dedication, commitment, and strong belief that every Victoriahanon deserves and must be proud of – a legacy that former Mayor Severo Palanca, who gave birth to the institution, has placed Victorias City to the whole world.”       

      Earlier in October this year, Okinawa government officials in Japan have signified their intent for a consortium with the City Government to tap CPSU for a teacher-student exchange program. CPSU is the city’s beneficiary of a yearly financial assistance through subsidy.

Presently, the school has inaugurated its crime laboratory, IT facilities, canteen, and function hall with a P7-million budget.  –   By George M. De La Cruz, Program Coordinator/Publication Advisor, Central Philippines State University

National SANDUGO Awardees 2014

The City continues its commitment in providing safe, quality and accessible blood to the country and has gained recognition during this year’s 16th National Sandugo Awards for Outstanding Local Government Executives held at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, Iloilo City last Nov. 26.

Sandugo Awardees
Hon. Francis Frederick P. Palanca
City Mayor
1st Time Awardee

Ronilo M. Sarito
Brgy. XIII Punong Barangay
10th Time Awardee

Nelly A. Acuña
Brgy. V Punong Barangay
6th Time Awardee

Alexander L. Palanca
Brgy. III Punong Barangay
4th Time Awardee

Cassidy S. Buatag
Brgy. VII  Punong Barangay
4th Time Awardee

Rex M. Velasco
Brgy. I Punong Barangay
3rd Time Awardee

Juvy A. Pepello
Brgy. IX Punong Barangay
3rd Time Awardee

Hermigilda M. De la Cruz
Brgy. VI Punong Barangay
3rd Time Awardee

Rogieto R. Aboyo
Brgy. XVIII-A Punong Barangay
3rd Time Awardee

Enrique L. Estribo
Brgy. XIX-A Punong Barangay
3rd Time Awardee

Jose D. Dignadice
Brgy VI-A Punong Barangay
2nd Time Awardee

Rogelio G. Barnuevo
Brgy. XI Punong Barangay
2nd Time Awardee

 Max E. Bensing
Brgy. XIV Punong Barangay
2nd Time Awardee

Carlito H. Gulmatico
Brgy. XIX Punong Barangay
2nd Time Awardee

Rogelio G. Lapating Jr.
Brgy. XVI Punong Barangay
2nd Time Awardee

Eric R. Alcobilla
Brgy. XIII Punong Barangay
1st Time Awardee

Victorias City Acquires Vermi-Composting Facility

 Vermi-Composting Facility (VCF) from the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) last December. 
    The project is part of DA’s program to enhance organic agriculture development throughout the country.
          Included in the vermi-composting project are the shredder machine worth P350, 000 and 35 kilos vermi-worm.
    Victorias City is the counterpart for the project includes the shed house, vermi-beds, composting materials, and maintenance.          
          This VCF project was aimed at producing vermicast and vermi-worms for distribution to farmers who will engage in organic farming. 
    The use of good quality organic fertilizer is one factor which could help increase production and improve quality of organic produce. 
    There is very well-substantiated evidence that vermicast or vermicompost can promote the growth of plants significantly (PCARRD, 2007). 
    For instance, Fosgate and Babb (1972) grew earthworms in cattle wastes and reported that the vermicomposts produce were equal to greenhouse potting mixes for production of flowering plants.  
    Likewise, Reddy (1988) reported increased growth of Vinca Rosea and Oryza Sativa after addition of cast material to soil.
          Victorias City farmers for the upcoming years would be assured of sustainable supply of a natural-organic fertilizer in the form of vermicast. 
    The project was established at the Victorias City Agricultural Complex and is in line with the Agri-Eco Tourism (AET) Program thrust of Victorias City. By Samson Garzon, Jr., Victorias City Agriculturist

Victorias City Joins Organic Farmers’ Festival

        Themed: “One Negros, One Green Economy”, the weeklong celebration was anchored on the MOA signed in 2005 by the two former governors of Oriental and Occidental Negros, George Arnaiz and Joseph Marañon, to make Negros Island as the Organic Food Bowl of Asia (Sarian, 2011). 
        Since then, the Organic Farmers’ Festival is annually being celebrated and now on its 9th year.
         The affair was also in line with Republic Act 10068 or the “Organic Agriculture Act of 2010” which intends to enhance development and promotion of organic agriculture in the country (Sunstar, 2010). 
    It was also intended to help the agriculture sector realize the need to shift to organic agriculture as an alternative method of farming which promotes production of safe food while protecting the environment. 
          Through the leadership and generous support of the Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, that was the first time the City has provided a booth for Victoriahanons to display and sell their organic products.
          Several buyers from all over the Negros Island and tourists (both local and foreign) were able to purchase Victorias’ organic products. 
           This occasion has also placed the City on the limelight as Gerry Barreto, a farmer from Barangay XIV, was declared as the champion in the organic quiz bee competition of the Province.  
          Victorias’ farmers, fisher folks, women, and youth (who sold their products at the booth) as well as the staff of the City Agriculture Office were very much thankful to the city officials for the support extended to them during the festival. 
Victorias City participated in various activities during the 9th Organic Farmers’ Festival which was held at the capitol grounds of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental last Nov. 18 – 23. By Samson Garzon, Jr., Victorias City Agriculturist

Victoriahanon Young National Achiever Rench Isaac Soriano Brings Pride To City

Victoriahanon’s pride Rench Isaac Carumba Soriano again proved that Victoriahanons excel in the field of performing arts with his national achievement at a very young age.
    Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, Vice Mayor Jerry Jover, City councilors, employees and Victoriahanons acknowledged his exceptional talent during the regular flag ceremony at the Victorias City Public Plaza last Nov. 3.
    Soriano is a 13 year old Dance Pull School of Performing Arts Student and ballet dancer who won 1st place and the Benjie Toledo Award (a special adjudicators choice award given to a male candidate whom the adjudicators wish to recognize and encourage for his extra ordinary dance potential) in the Junior Contemporary - Solo Category and 2nd place in the Senior Classical - Solo Category during the Philippine Dance Cup 2014 in School of Design and Arts Theatre,  DLSU-CSB and Meralco Theatre last Oct. 18.
    He is the son Rene and Ma. Chita Carumba Soriano from Canetown Subd.
   
    “Amon”, as he is fondly called, had also been a distinction student for three consecutive years in 2011 -2013 during his Primary, Preparatory Level 1 and Level 1 at the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet Evaluation examined by Christine Walsh AM and Valmai Roberts ACBF.
    He was also a finalist of the Asian Grand Prix Classical Ballet Competition Junior A Division, at Chai Wan, Hong Kong last Aug. 13-18, 2013 and a scholar of the Philippine School for the Arts at Mt. Makiling in Laguna.
   
    Truly, he is another pride of Victoriahanons.