23 Indigent Senior Citizens Avail Social Pension from CSWD in Victorias City

Twenty three indigent senior citizens were granted social pension by the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) in Victorias City in August.

These seniors are all 77 years old and above; are not receiving any pension from SSS, GSIS and etc., or any monthly allowances/allotment from the family; and are living alone and sickly.

Social Pension for Indigent Filipino senior citizens is in-line with the fulfillment of the obligation of the government to protect the most vulnerable sector through social protection, and for the full implementation of the Republic Act No. 9994.

Republic Act No. 9994 or the “Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010” amended the previous RA9257 “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003”, institutionalizes social protection by providing monthly stipend to indigent senior citizens and supports family to provide care to their sick and disabled senior citizens.

The program intends to improve the living condition of eligible indigent senior citizens through the release of stipend @ P500.00/month; to augment capacity of indigent senior citizens to meet their daily subsistence and medical requirements; to reduce incidence of hunger among indigent senior citizens; and to protect indigent citizens from neglect, abuse or deprivation.

Regular cash transfers also increase poor older people’s access to services, particularly health care. As older people live and share resources with younger family members, social pensions have a substantial impact on child well-being and the achievement of Millennium Development Goals 1-6 social pensions contribute to increased school attendance and better nutrition among children. They can play an important role in breaking intergenerational poverty cycles (Help age 2009).

This is designed in such a way that the poorest senior citizens are covered and protected from loss of income and underemployment as a result of illness, injury, disability, harvest failure, etc. (ADB 2006).

                There are estimated 6.3 million elderly Filipinos aged 60 years old and above as of CY 2010 based on the National Statistical Coordinating Board (NSCB) Medium Assumption Population Projection.

Older persons comprise a little over six percent of the total population, but this proportion is expected to higher than 10 percent by 2020 as the number of older person’s doubles by that time (NEDA, Philippines Population projection 1980 – 2030).

Based on the National Statistical Coordinating Board (NSCB 2006) poverty estimates the basic sectors, the magnitude of the poor senior citizen is 1,297,159 and it posted the second largest percentage points of 1.9% increase next to the children sector.

The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao posted the highest poverty incidence of senior citizen which is at 46.6% and the most number of poor senior citizens are from Regions V, VI and VII (NCSB 2006).

The Philippines has made great strides in promoting the welfare of its people and has ensured the continued participation in development by legislating national policies in response to the emerging needs of the Filipino senior citizens. By: Gari Policarpio/DSWD

City Celebrates Mayor Vero’s 78th Birthday

The City of Victorias joined Mayor Severo Palanca and wished him all the best in celebrating his golden and 28 birthday with a “Wild, Wild West” theme at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center last July 18.

The celebration started with a mass followed by a tribute for Mayor Vero’s profound leadership, dedication and service to the City made by his family, friends, constituents and people close to him.

During the event, a ceremonial turn-over of school supplies was done by Mayor Vero along with provincial and local government officials to the DepEd representatives, District I Supervisor Nelda Demegillo, District II Supervisor Laila Fronda.

Mayor Vero was happy that 11, 469 Grade I to VI pupils of District I and II will benefit from the project and that it will help solve the parents’ burden of additional expenses for their children’s school supplies.

Among the special persons who graced the occasion in the life of Mayor Vero were Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr.; Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr.; Cong. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez; Board Members Manuel Frederick Ko and Patrick Leonard Lacson; mayors Eric Saratan and David Lacson; former Cong. Jose Carlos Lacson, former Mayor Manuel Escalante III; former Mayor Edilberto Vocal; members of the provincial government heads and city government officials.

The birthday theme had the employees and guests dressed as cowboys and cowgirls in a rodeo-type party filled with songs and dances from the employees and guests namely the City Health Office Selection and Kadalag-an Queen 2011 Jemaimah Taladico plus different performances from celebrities such as the Pinoy Dream Academy grand winner Laarni Lozada, Jack ‘n Poy comedy duo, JC Parker, Katya Santos and Zarah Lopez of the Viva Hot Babes and the Negrense Band, Kulay Pikata. By: Jemaimah Taladico

City Celebrates 113th Philippine Independence Day

The city government of Victorias together with the City officials, employees, different government and non-government sectors and guests joined the entire country in celebrating the 113th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence at the City Public Plaza last June 12.

Vice Mayor Wantan Palanca, who gave a welcome message, raised the Philippine flag, the country’s symbol of freedom, along with PNP Chief Norberto Boston and company as everyone sang the national anthem with high spirits.

The City councilors, employees, Association of Barangay Captains, Barangay Council, Department of Education family, Knights of the Columbus, PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, Victorias Venus Lions Club, Damas de la Caridad, Senior Citizens, NESCA – Victorias faculty & staff and students offered flowers at the foot of the flag pole as KQ 2011 Jemaimah Taladico sang “Ako ay Pilipino”.

Regional Director of the Department of Education – Region VI Dr. Mildred Garay has graced the celebration and shared an Independence Day message.

The program commenced with an inspiring message from Mayor Severo Palanca, saying that the Independence Day is a day that we should all value, as Filipinos.

“Kalayaan Paninidigan ng Bayan” is this year’s theme of the country’s Independence Day celebration, a significant day of the country’s liberation and is something that the City also pays importance to, as the people joined and spent their time, even though it’s a Sunday. by: Jemaimah Taladico

Off-Shore Magnetite Sand, FARMC Orientation Held To Strengthen Victorias City Fisherfolks

An orientation on Off-Shore Magnetite Sand Mining and Fisheries Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC) was conducted for the fisher folks, lawmakers, and concerned stake holders at the Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center last June 1.

This forum, spearheaded by the City Agriculture Office, tackled the effects of magnetite mining on coastal habitat and near shore areas, advantages and disadvantages of mining this type of mineral on the legal, economic and social aspects.

Magnetite is a type of iron ore which is a rock or mineral from which metallic iron can be economically extracted and can be used to make steel.

Mayor Severo Palanca told everyone that the forum was done for the people to be aware of the effects of this project while Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca disclosed that the City abhors and opposes the mining project.

Councilor and Chairman on Laws and Ordinances Rene Imperial added that a public hearing on a resolution opposing off-shore mining was done last May 31 and regarded that we are all challenged to protect our municipal waters.

Other resource persons were invited to share their thoughts on this issue during the first part of the orientation.

Community Affairs Officer II of the Provincial Environment Management Office Regulatory Services Division Eriberto Madalag talked about the negative impact of Off-Shore Magnetite Sand Mining in the Province along with the legal discussion from Atty. Wilmond Peñalosa of the Provincial Legal Office.

Madalag emphasized that the mining activity will create bio-physical, socio-economic and financial damages.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region VI OIC-Regional Director had a presentation on the Mining Act of 1995 and status of minerals industry in Negros Occidental while Program Adviser of GIZ Coastal Fisheries Resources Management VI Portia Joy Kleiven reiterated that coastal resource management is very important to sustain our resources and considered the mining activity as a coastal disturbance.

Engr. Felix Querubin of the University of St. La Salle made the fisher folks more informed on the environmental impact assessment which was followed by an open forum.

During the second part of the orientation, Provincial FARMC Coordinator of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Bacolod City Ruel Almoneda has widened the understanding of the fisher folks regarding the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 196. by Jemaimah Taladico

Heads join Coaching, Team Building

To help develop right attitude and skills in good governance, strengthen camaraderie and perform better in valuable functions, nineteen managers and supervisors of the City government of Victorias attended a coaching and team building in Sipalay Suites, Sipalay City last June 2 – 4.

Human Resource Management expert and former GSIS Department Manager III of the Human Resources Services Dept. Lea Marcelino Mendiola was their resource speaker.

Activities such as team debriefs on Team Development and Cohesiveness and Team Trust and Leader Roles, Amazing Race, Self Assessment Examination and team challenges were held during the three-day coaching and team building activity.

Through these various lectures and group dynamics, the participants developed coaching and building skills, gained new knowledge and insights on how to motivate people’s productivity and morale in the workplace and they came up with an action plan in developing performing teams.

This activity is now on its third year and continues to improve the productivity and morale of the city officials and employees.

The following heads who attended were:

Ramon Ko - City Administrator

Roger Auquico – OIC, GSO

Ramsy Panes – OIC, Permits & Licences Office

Faith Bacucang - City Human Resource Officer

Evangeline Alo – City Planning & Development Office

Ma. Lourdes Silava - OIC, Budget Office

Myrna Ledesma - City Treasurer

Marilous Estilo - City Engineer

Mario Torema - City Cooperative & Livelihood Officer

Julie Ann Roa - City Civil Registrar

Mercedita Acuyong - City Assessor

Alexander Palanca - SP Member

Jipty Agreda - OIC, City Accountant

Primilo Solinap – Housing & Development Office

Jon Romeo Legaspi - OIC, Slaughterhouse

Lara Ann Garcia - Special Operations Officer IV

Alina Mary Ann Lazo - Administrative Officer IV

Cesar Moreno – OIC, Environment Office

Mary Jean Majaducon - Engineer II

Ligtas Tigdas Campaign Active in Victorias

The City Health Office (CHO) of Victorias takes an active part in the Ligtas Tigdas campaign, promoting vaccines as cost-effective health interventions from April 4 to May 30 of this year.

“Iligtas sa Tigdas ang Pinas” is the theme of Ligtas Tigdas which aims to terminate measles by 2012 and accelerate the control of rubella.

Furthermore, the objectives of this campaign are to reduce the number or pool of children at risk of getting measles or being susceptible to measles and to achieve at least 95 % measles-rubella immunization coverage of all children 9 – 95 months old.

The CHO targets 19, 742 children of Victorias, whose ages are from nine months to below eight years old to be receive the measles – rubella vaccine.

City Health Officer Dr. Jerry Pahamtang and Expanded Program on immunization EPI/Nurse Mary Ann Salar together with the city health personnel help conduct the door-to-door campaign as they also have tapped the different barangays to support in whatever way they can. -by Jemaimah Taladico

Victorias City Assessor's Office Prepares for General Revision

The City Assessor’s Office (CAO) of Victorias now holds different activities in preparation for the general revision of real property assessments this year.

The purpose of the general revision is to equalize and update valuation, rediscover real properties that have been lost from the tax rolls and enable the assessor to purge the rolls of the double assessments of properties that have accumulated through the years.

The said general revision must be done once every three years and the first revision in Victorias was done last 2008, since it became a City in 1998.

The CAO currently accepts sworn statements and declaration of true values of real properties filed by the real property owners and administrators from Jan. 1 to June 30.

Furthermore, it is stated in Sec. 2.01 of the approved City Ordinance 01-2008 that “Failure to declare the true value of their property or properties during January 1 – June 30, of calendar year 2008, and every three (3) years after, shall subject all real property owners or administrators or their duly authorized representative to a fine of Two hundred Pesos (P200) or an imprisonment of fifteen (15) days or both at the discretion of the court”.

By the end of the year, the CAO must prepare the Schedule of Fair Market Values (SFMV) for the different kinds and classes of real property within its territorial jurisdiction. by: Jemaimah Taladico

Victorias Enhanced Reading Outreach Program for Future Leaders of Victorias City

One of the reading sessions of V.E.R.O. Future Leaders
with the children of Victorias City

V.E.R.O. FUTURE LEADERS, the program planned and implemented by the City Library was inspired by the vision of Mayor Severo Palanca in his adamant efforts to suffuse the new breed of Victoriahanons with capability building programs that would provide the impetus for Victorias City to be the foremost source of workers in the burgeoning knowledge-based economy in the Province of Negros Occidental.

Launched in March 2009, the Mayor made the initial purchase of books earmarked for the reading program that would entice young readers to handle the multicolored and eminently readable books in the children’s section. By March 2010, the decision to incorporate a multimedia English Language learning tool for dissemination among the barangays of Victorias City was implemented. Thus was born the mobile English Language Learning Library, which served the day care centers. This year, March 2011, in celebration of Public Library Day, the Victorias City Public Library held the first Story Telling Tableau in partnership with Cadiz City’s North Negros College students enrolled in Humanities & English courses. The students acted out the storybook entitled “Dora’s Eggs” donning handmade animal costumes to the delight of the daycare students invited to participate in the daylong event.

At 8 o’clock in the morning, a motorcade went around the major roads of the city, with the participants braving slight and intermittent rain showers. The Victorias Elementary School Band, together with the Wild Gear Motorcycle Club, the daycare centers who were able to join in, and private individuals very gamely joined the fun parade. What made the motorcade even more exciting was the participation of the children of city hall employees who came all kitted out in their adorable princess, fairy and superhero costumes! Dora the Explorer, Mickey Mouse, Sponge Bob and Ben-10 were also in the motorcade and afterwards danced with the costumed children who successfully staged the first kiddie cosplay of Victorias City!!!

In the afternoon, Victorias City Public Library presented the grown up version of Cosplay, again for the first time in Victorias City! It was a delight to see the participants in their anime inspired costumes, on the catwalk, then milling with the crowd, having their photographs taken. It was a beautiful rainy celebration of National Public Library day in Victorias and it was made possible through the support of the City Government headed by Mayor Severo A. Palanca, Vice Mayor Francis Frederick P. Palanca, the very generous members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod & City Employees, and of course, Congressman Albee Bantug Benitez.
-by Alina A. Lazo

Walang Mahirap, Kung Walang Corrupt Tungo sa Tuwid na Landas

In line with the thrust of the Bureau of Internal Revenue to enhance voluntary compliance and collect amount of taxes sufficient enough to support government expenditures, the newly appointed Commissioner of Internal Revenue Kim S. Jacinto-Henares introduced latest priority programs and strategies to improve efficiency in the delivery of government service to the taxpaying public by reducing bureaucratic Red Tape, preventing graft and corruption and implementing penalties thereof.

A BIR Citizen charter in processing TIN application, registration of business, transfer of property ownership thru sale, donation, inheritance, etc. has been designed in accordance to the resolute desire of the BIR to collect and improve timely delivery of public goods and services in consonance with the Bureau’s latest theme “Buwis Mo para sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

Furthermore, CIR Henares is very particular about the RATE program (Run After Tax Evaders) and Tax compliance of VAT and NON-VAT stakeholders to discourage or deter the use of fraudulent means to reduce their tax liability.

NO NOON BREAK Policy is also implemented at Revenue District No. 76, Osmeña Avenue, Victorias City, Negros Occidental for taxpayers satisfaction.

Please feel free to visit our new office building located at the highway of Osmeña Avenue, Victorias City or call telephone numbers (034) 399-3364 or 399-3314 for more inquiries and Tax Assistance.
-by Virgie S. Vitara, Asst. Revenue District Officer

Victorias City Parole and Probation Office Invites Volunteers

Be One with us…Be Involved…Be a Volunteer…

The Pa role and Probation Office of Victorias City holds ongoing recruitment for Volunteer Probation Aide (VPAs) who will supervise clients and help in the implementation of HRP or Harmonized Rehabilitation Program.

The VPA will be able to help directly rehabilitate and reintegrate a probationer, parolee and pardoness into the community, and contribute towards restoring justice and preventing crime in one’s community.

Some qualifications for a VPA are: one must be at least 35 years old; with stable source of income; with good reputation in one’s community; without any criminal record; willing to render service without monetary compensation; with adequate good health; and willing to prepare reports.

For inquiries call 399–31–85 or visit us at Parole and Probation Office, Hall of Justice, Victorias City.

The Parole and Probation Office had a Pre-Lenten Recollection for probationers, parolees and conditional pardonees at the Victorias City Livelihood and Training Center last April 12.

One of the upcoming activities of the Parole and Probation Office is the 2nd Congress of Volunteer Probation Aide Program some time in June.
by: Jemaimah Taladico