Victorias Holds First Kalamayan Christmas Festival In December

Kalamayan Festival, the sweetest Christmas celebration of Victorias, intends to give back to Victoriahanons and spread the Yuletide spirit. The word Kalamayan, depicts what Victorias is known for, its “kalamay” or refined sugar and its sugar industry, the Victorias Milling Company.

The festival also pays tribute to the sugar farmers and all Victoriahanons who in one way or another had given their share in the City’s sweet progress.

The festival has run from Dec. 15 to 19, followed by Christmas in Victorias from Dec. 20 – 30, adding joy to the City and its people amidst the odds.

The Kalamayan and Christmas Festival opened last Dec. 15 at the Victorias City Public Plaza. It commenced with a grand parade of the City's different socio-civic groups, public and private sectors from the Victorias National High School to the Public Plaza.    

What’s unique about this parade were the attractive “karo” floats of sugarcane farmers that promenaded the streets of the City.

Simultaneous with the event were the opening of the Organic and Night Market and Parol Making Contest.

Organic and night markets, carnival rides, nightly sponsored band, various competitions, exhibits, street parties and exciting activities of the different participating and sponsoring organizations of the City took place during the festival.

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca said that Christmas is for the children.

He wished that everyone will be joyful and share God’s love this Christmas.

Mayor Palanca has initiated this first Kalamayan and Christmas Festival for the enjoyment of Victoriahanons and to make Victorias known as a Christmas and tourism destination.

Stakeholders’ Forum Held

More than a hundred stakeholders attended a forum on the administration’s thrusts and programs “sa Pag-asenso sang Victoriahanon” at Keniavel’s Restaurant last Dec. 9 presented by Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca.
    This was attended by fishing boat owners, fish corral operators, crew members/boat captains, members of fisherfolk associations, and coastal barangay officials.
    After his message, the Mayor distributed 15 units of marine engines worth P 75,000 to three fisherfolk associations, namely: Litib-litib Fishermen Association, Small Fishermen Association of Brgy. IX, and Brgy. VI-A Mangrove Fishermen Association. 
    The marine engines from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were facilitated by Eduardo Fuentebella afterwhich a presentation of programs related to fishery development took place.
    The agencies present during the forum were Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO), and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
    Local offices present at the forum were Permits and Licenses’, Treasurer’s, and Vice Mayor’s.
    The forum was conducted with the objectives: Informing and capacitating the fisheries stakeholders of their duties and obligations;  Initiate cooperation, instill understanding on coastal resource utilization and exploitation for a harmonious implementation of fishery laws; Effectively and efficiently implement City Fisheries Ordinances; and,  Eventually increase collections and revenues of the City Government.
            After all agencies have presented their program updates, issues and concerns were raised and clarified. 
    Stakeholders present were very thankful to the City Officials for conducting such forum because they were informed of their rights as well as obligations to the government.  By Samson Garzon, Jr., Victorias City Agriculturist

Coast Guard District Western Visayas Holds Basic K9 Handler’s Course Class Convening Ceremony In Victorias

The Coast Guard District Western Visayas in cooperation with the City Government of Victorias had a convening ceremony on Basic K9 and K9 Handler’s Course Class 01-14 at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center last Dec. 1.
    Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca was very thankful for everyone’s support and encouraged those involved to give their full cooperation in realizing this endeavor.
    This is the first training is the first that the Coast Guard conducted with other agencies and is aimed at activating Victorias canine detection in its readiness to respond to threats in peace and security.
    Deputy Commander CGDWV Capt. Luz Escarilla PCG emphasized the importance of the training in the great challenge of increasing crime rates and threats on terrorism.
     “Canine course enhances capabilities, prepares and equips to fight all of these threats. We can all work hand in hand to accomplish our mission, maintain peace and order and ensure public safety”, Escarilla said.
    During the ceremony, CGDWV COMMO Athelo Ybañez PCG gave the welcome remarks while DCS for HRM, CGDWV ENS Dyan Jhonnes Oliveros PCG did the reading of orders.
    A presentation of Basic K9 and K9 Handler’s Course Class 01-14 was done by Course Director LTJG Janus Robinson Sabas PCG and it was followed by the declaration of convening of course by CGDWV COMMO Athelo Ybañez PCG.

Ordinances Passed And Approved By The Sangguniang Panlungsod 2013-2014

    The Victorias City Sangguniang Panlungsod, headed by Vice Mayor Jerry Jover, as its presiding officer, continues to give their best in its efforts to provide Victoriahanons in aid of legislation, the services they truly deserve. Major ordinances from 2013 to 2014 were passed, some of which were amended during its regular session.

Among them:
City Ordinance No. 05-2013
An Ordinance Creating A Barangay Base Provider Of Veterinary Services (Provets) In Victorias City
(Enacted September 4, 2013)

City Ordinance No. 07-2013
An Ordinance Providing For The Prevention, Control And Eradication Of Rabies, Appropriating Funds Therefore, And For Other Purposes
(Enacted December 26, 2013)

City Ordinance No. 08-2013
An Ordinance Enacting The Victorias City Environment Code And For Other Purposes And Providing Funds Thereof (Enacted December 26, 2013)

Ordinance No. 01-2014
An Ordinance Institutionalizing, Promoting And Developing Organic Agriculture In The City, Providing Funds Therefore, And Making Victorias City An Organic City Of Northern Negros
(Enacted February 5, 2014)

City Ordinance No. 02-2014
An Ordinance Enacting The Victorias City Investment And Incentive Code
(Enacted February 5, 2014)


City Ordinance No. 07-2014
An Ordinance Institutionalizing The Victorias City Scholarship Program (VCSP)
(Enacted May 14, 2014)

City Ordinance No. 08-2014
An Ordinance Providing For The Sustainable Management, Conservation And Development Of Coastal And Fisheries Resources Of The City Of Victorias, Province Of Negros Occidental And Proving Funds Thereof

City Ordinance No. 09-2014
An Ordinance Declaring October 17th Of Every Year As Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Day In The City Of Victorias