Victorias City Declares Zero Casualty After Typhoon Yolanda’s Wrath

Victorias City was not spared from super typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda, considered as one of the strongest storms in the world which hit the country last Nov. 8.

                Through the efforts of the City, cooperation and generosity of both public and private sectors and God’s divine protection, there was zero casualty despite the evident damages that the powerful storm left.

                Two days before the typhoon’s expected coming, Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca has directed the Disaster Team to be prepared as it conducted preemptive evacuation to ensure the people’s safety living in flood prone, coastal and low lying areas and forced evacuation on the day of the storm as part of the disaster preventive measures.

                More than 3000 families were evacuated to the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center and other public schools in the City.

                The City Social Welfare and Development Office has already catered an estimated 15,000 Victoriahanons.

                Post-storm assessment was done with the disaster team and barangay operations, the day after the storm and they were thankful that no casualty was ever reported as it proved that the disaster preparedness operations were effective and successful in saving lives.

                Truly, God has protected and blessed Victorias City and its people amidst one of the strongest adversities that the City has been through.

Central Philippine State University Launches in Victorias City

The City Government of Victorias formally launched Central Philippine State University (CPSU), formerly Negros State College of Agriculture under R.A. 10228, at Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center last Feb. 15.

                The different government officials including Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr., Cong. Mercedes Alvarez, Cong. Alfredo Benitez, Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko, Board Member Patrick Lacson and Acting Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, former San Carlos City Mayor Eugenio Bong Lacson, city councilors, CPSU’s faculty and staff, students and guests attended the ceremonial launching.

                CPSU Pres. Freddie Maningo gave his heartfelt message of gratitude to the people behind CPSU’s success.

                Cong. Alfredo Benitez, Acting Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, and Councilor Vincent Marie Roa, Vice Chair Committee on Education and Scholarship also gave messages about CPSU’s setting a benchmark in the field of agricultural education.

                A community singing was done at the end of the launching activity.

                CPSU’s main campus is located in Kabankalan and its satellite campuses are located in Ilog, Candoni, Sipalay City, Cauayan, Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, and one in Victorias City.

Former Gov. Rafael "Lito" Coscolluela Holds Educational Reform Forum in Victorias

Former Gov. Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela conducted a forum on “The Role Local Government can Play in Instituting Educational Reforms” at Weng-weng sa Lawn Kamalig last Feb. 5.

Along with Coscolluella in rekindling the spirit of educational reform in Negros, was Edwin Nacionales of Synergeia.

Acting Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, ABC President Alexander Palanca, city officials, school heads, members of the local school board and barangay captains were present in the seminar.

The talk was focused on attaining quality education through the collective commitment to education of those involved, reforming the Local Government Unit’s (LGU) educational plan and reinventing the local school board.

“Our children’s education is everyone’s business. Make it yours.”, Coscolluella said.

In his presentation, he has indicated that the task of the LGU to provide a sustainable and institutional venue for the wide ranging interactive involvement of the different sectors in education.

Therefore, it is ideal to get everyone informed and involved by engaging policy makers and empowering stakeholders including the local chief executive.

Coscolluella also emphasized that in order to harness more resources, local partnership and the principle of counterparting must be applied.

Acting Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca reiterated that educational reform can help improve the National Achievement Test results and increase completion rates of the schools in the city.

The open forum and the placing of signatures on wall showing everyone’s commitment followed after the talk.

Victorias City Launches "Pulong-Pulong sa Barangay 2013

The City of Victorias launched a public consultation and information dissemination program known as the “Pulong-pulong sa Barangay 2013” at the covered court of Brgy. IX last Feb. 2.

                      The ongoing program held every Saturday aims to bring the government to the people.

                      Acting Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca expressed how proud he was of the city officials and department heads with their efforts in reaching out to the communities and barangays of the city.

                      The city and barangay officials, department heads and employees took part on the consultation and shed light to the different concerns raised by the residents.

                      Cong. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez was happy that the program seeks to give solutions to the problems in the different barangays and said that the activity might be the first but will definitely not be the last.

                      The “Civil Registry on the Go”, a proactive civil registration program under the Local Civil Registrar’s Office (LCR) was simultaneously done along with the consultation program.

                      The mobile registration offered forum on civil registration laws and rules spearheaded by Local Civil Registrar Julie Ann Roa and free wedding for couples who have cohabited for at least five years without legal impediment.

                      Seven lucky couples in Brgy. IX qualified for the free wedding and were married by Acting Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca.

                      “May the sanctity of your marriage strengthen your relationship”, said Brgy. Capt. Juvy Pepello.

                      Brgy. Capt. Pepello was glad that their barangay was the first beneficiary of the awareness and public service program.

                      The processing of requests for issuance of certified copy of birth, marriage and death certificates printed on Security Paper (SECPA) and Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) were also catered by the LCR.

                      A turn over of educational assistance for a semester worth P2, 500 to 40 Victoriahanon scholars by Acting Mayor Palanca was also made during the pulong-pulong.

Victorias Holds Investment Forum For Stakeholders

The City Government of Victorias invited the different stakeholders in the community to the Orientation Seminar on Investment Roadshow and Foreign Investment Act at Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center last Jan. 31.

                The Economic Enterprises and Development Office in cooperation with the Board of Investments Philippines (BOI) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 7, gathered city and barangay officials, department heads, employees and entrepreneurs and shared insights on the various investment topics that can contribute to the growth and development of businesses and progress of the city.

                Resource speakers were Investment Specialist/Officer In Charge BOI-Extension offices, Cebu Extension Office and representative of the DTI Region VII Philip Torres and Acting Division Chief of the Business Development Division in Negros Occidental Provincial Office Engiemar Tupas.

                Torres discussed the priority investment areas emphasizing the goal of the program which is to generate more investments and create new jobs in the country which in effect will support investment in the city.

                He also included the Foreign Investments Act or R.A. 7042, requirements for registration and incentives of the enterprises registered to BOI.

                Meanwhile, the primary functions, programs and services of DTI, local laws on investment and the Negros Occidental economic zones was tackled by Tupas.

                The economic zone requirements, local investment code, DTI accreditation and other concerns were brought up by the interested participants during the open forum.

A product demonstration of XP3 Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Enhancer to increase mileage and efficiency was done after the forum.

Team Victorias Join Marathon Run, Mountain Bike Competition Janaury 20, 2013

Victorias Off-Road Bicycle Club -  Mountain Bike Race
Christian Durias – Champion, Beginners Category
Stephen John Bojos  – 2nd place, Beginners Category
 Felix Bejemino – 2nd place, Juniors/ Seniors Category
Lloyd Cabaniero – 5th place, Veterans Category
Finishers – Executive Category – Rudy Valero, Gary Espera, Alvin Soliva

RESULTS OF 1ST MAYOR PATRICK G. ESCALANTE MARATHON
3K Girls Marathon
Name                            Brgy.     Remarks
Keizel Pedriña             XII         1st place
Mary Chris Fortuna    XIV        2nd place

3K Boys Marathon
Name                          Brgy.        Remarks
Renan Tabasa             XX          2nd place
Romar John Belgira   XIII        3rd place
Christian Martinez      I           14th place
Vince John Jocson      III        15th place
Cyed Kharl Suarez     VI        32nd place (youngest participant)

5K Boys Marathon
Name            Brgy.        Remarks
Esrael Doromal        VI        3rd place
Daren Ganuyo        XXI        4th place

10K Boys Marathon
Name            Brgy.        Remarks
Jose Lapu-os        IX        2nd place
Joshua Parcon        XX        8th place
Renzyl Camon        IX        10th place
Rogie Mar Lauron    XX        12th place

Victorias Holds "Alay Pamasko" In This Season of Sharing

Victorias City shares blessings to over 5,000 indigents of the City this Christmas through the “Alay Pamasko” at the Public Plaza last Dec. 18.
Mayor Severo Palanca said that he wants every Victoriahanon to ce-lebrate the yuletide season with food on their tables that is why he has always been doing his best to share to the less fortunate though programs and activities such as this.
City officials, department heads and employess joined the City’s effort to reach out and give happiness to all Victoriahanons.
Other than the food and goods given to them, fun games were also prepared during the short program.
The people’s faces were all filled with gladness and they are thankful for the simple blessing shared to them.

City Health Office Holds First Inter-Barangay “Hataw Na” Dance Competition

The City Health Office held the first Inter-Barangay “Hataw Na”, an aerobic dance competition, at the Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center last Dec. 14.
Brgy. XVIII-A headed by Brgy. Capt. Regieto Aboyo bested other nine barangays that participated during in the competition while Brgy. VI landed as 1st runner up and Brgy. III as 2nd runner up.
The champion received and P5,000 with trophy while the 1st and 2nd runners up received P3,000 and P2,000 with trophies, respectively.
Barangays II, V, VII, IX, XII, XIX-A, and XX were given medals as consolation courtesy of Jona Ditching Ko.
All barangays received certificates of appreciation for their active participation in the aerobic dance competition.
The judges were Jose Jamola of VNHS, Diabetes and Physical Rehab, Cardiovascular and Healthy Lifestyle Program Coordinator Hazel Deles Bacaoco and Health Education and Promotion Officer II Angie Licañel.
The aerobic dance competition was done to promote a healthy lifestyle in all the barangays of the City.
The City’s “Hataw Na” dance coordinator is Chitalisa Valenciano.