Ground Breaking Ceremony Of Victorias City’s Organic Market, Agricultural Complex Held

 

    By Samson Garzon, Jr., Victorias City Agriculturist

           Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca and Nanjo  City Mayor of Okinawa, Japan, Keishun Koja and party led  the ground breaking  ceremony of the Organic Market and Pasalubong Center as well as the Agricultural Complex last Sept. 11.

           The occasion was well-attended by city officials, department heads, barangay chairmen, farmers, fisher folks, and other stakeholders. 

         The Organic Market and Pasalubong Center is situated at corners De Leon & Quezon Sts. of Brgy. IV.  

         The market will be established by the City as a support facility for its agri-tourism program. 

          The project will enable farmers to display and sell their organic or naturally-grown products directly to the consumers, including tourists, without middlemen, thereby allowing them to avail good prices for their produce.  

  

           On the part of health-conscious shoppers, they will be provided with a place to go anytime they want to purchase organic or naturally-produce foods at fair market price. 

          The Victorias City Agricultural Complex, on the other hand, is located at Brgy. X (beside CPSU-Victorias). 

          The complex shall serve as satellite station of the City’s Agriculture Office and it will be a venue for technology transfer on various agricultural technologies to farmers and other stakeholders.  

           It will also demonstrate relevant technologies on the production of organic vegetables, herbs, freshwater fish, poultry and livestock, as well as organic feeds, fertilizers and pest control materials.

          Eventually, the complex shall serve as the source of beneficial microorganisms and friendly insects (as parasites and predators), seeds, seedlings, mushroom spawn, as well as organic fertilizers and feeds.

           Indeed, the groundbreaking program brought hope and inspiration to both fisher folks and farmers to go organic as they already have the assurance of a market outlet for their products.

          The mayors of both cities encouraged farmers to produce organic food because it is good for the health and does not have negative effects on the environment. 

Victorias City Inks Agreement On Agri-Business/Agri-Eco-Tourism Enhancement

The City Government of Victorias headed by Mayor Francis Frederick Pulmones Palanca signed an agreement on Victorias City Agri-Business/Agri-Eco-Tourism Enhancement Project Based on Nanjo City Model (Okinawa, Japan) last Sept. 11.

The City’s guests from Nanjo City Okinawa Perfecture were Nanjo City Mayor Keishun Koja, Nanjo City Chief of Planning Department Kenei Gushiken, Lequiowings Executive Director Chochu Awa, Lequiowings Director Takeshi Kushima, JICA Okinawa Partnership Program Division Deputy Director Yuji Wakasugi and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Philippines Office Project Foundation Advisor Kumiko Ogawa along with Ikaw-Ako Foundation Project Manager Mari Kurata.

The guests paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Palanca before the signing of Agreement on Agri-Business/Agri-Eco-Tourism Enhancement took place.

The said project was formulated after several exchanges of views and series of discussions through the JICA Philippines Office aimed at working out details of activities and measures to be taken under the Technical Cooperation for Grassroots Projects of JICA.

“This agreement brings our cities closer in friendship and cooperation as we work towards the common objective of helping people through technical and technological exchanges.” Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca said.

The Mayor also thanked the guests from Nanjo City, JICA and Lequiowings for sharing their expertise and resources in the development of our Agri-Business and Agri-Eco-Tourism in Victorias.

Mayor Palanca is confident that through the collective efforts and commitment of both cities, the success of this project will be achieved and it will be able to provide a better life for the people.

Nanjo City Mayor Keishun Koja expressed his gratitude for the City’s warm welcome showed to them.

Furthermore he reiterated that he is not only looking forward for the achievement of the project but for the interaction that will extend to education, culture and other fields.

                The mutual exchange and partnership for various development projects of both cities, Lequiowings and other parties concerned, supported by JICA will enhance the Agri-Eco-Tourism of both cities, organic or natural farming production system and effective distribution and marketing system of agricultural products and improve many lives in Victorias and that of its partners.

                The project will officially start as the first dispatch team from Lequiowings arrives on Oct. 17 to conduct a base line survey.

NODRFI Holds Symposium, Press Con On Drug Abuse In Our Midst

The Negros Occidental Drug Rehabilitation, Inc. (NODRFI) in cooperation with the Victorias City Action Against Drug Abuse Council (CAADAC) conducted a Symposium/Press Conference on Drug Abuse in Our Midst at the Dalangpan Negros Occidental Drug Rehabilitation Center last Sept. 9.

Stakeholders were invited to the activity including the NODRFI head, staff and patients, Victorias City PNP, Probation, city officials, school heads, media, students and different socio and civic organizations concerned.

Victorias City PNP Chief of Police P/Supt. Santiago Rapiz gave an update on the situation of drug abuse in the City.

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca gave his inspirational talk to the participants of the symposium and encouraged them to cooperate in the City’s efforts against drug abuse.

An open forum followed with the members of the media which was moderated by Executive Director Dr. Ernesto Palanca.

Many insights and issues were brought up and the awareness of each one was heightened which will eventually elicit action to fight the rampant drug addiction that destroys lives and communities.

Brainsbee Ni Congressman Albee Sa District III Results

High School Level (Math and Science)

1^st Place                                Lindsay Joseph Martinez              Brgy. VII – NONSHS

2^nd Place                               Kerr John  Porras                              Brgy. VI-A – NONSHS

3^rd Place                               Shane  Padonio                                 Brgy. XVIII-A – VNHS

Elementary Level (Spelling)

1^st Place                                Kenneth  Berja                                  Brgy. XIII – VES

2^nd Place                               Juan Emilio Cuesta                           Brgy. I – VES

3^rd Place                               Kate Constantino                             Brgy. XIX-A - VES

Councilor Godiven “Chiz” de Dios Holds Child Welfare Activity In Brgy. XXI

The Office of the Committee on Women and Children conducted a child welfare activity in line with their “Binhi Sang Kabuhi” program spearheaded by the Chairperson herself, Councilor Godiven “Chiz” de Dios at the relocation day-care center, Brgy. XXI last Sept. 6.

Multi-vitamins and a nutritious snack such as arroz caldo with malunggay were given to more than 100 children of Brgy. XXI.

                The children also had a “Super Book” film showing as short entertainment to enhance their spiritual aspect along with short games which served as ice breakers.

The activity aimed to improve the spiritual and physical aspects of the kids as they are believed to be the future of Victorias City.

The program was made possible through the support of Councilor Abelardo “JunB” Bantug who donated multi-vitamins and ascorbic acid, and the coordination of kagawads Jose Maria Jover, Roy Bador, Marilou Magallanes, Josilito Santillan and the BHWs of Brgy. XXI.

The activity brought smiles on the children’s and their parents’ faces and lessons that they will never forget.

City Turns Over New Motorcycles To Support City Agriculture Office

By Samson Garzon, Jr., Victorias City Agriculturist

          Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca together with City Councilors Sulpicio Montinola, Jr., Vincent Marie Roa and Ronilo Sarito turned-over motorcycles to the City Agriculture Office after the flag raising ceremony last Sept. 1.

          The four motorcycles will greatly help the Agriculture Office to reach out to more farmers and fisher folks who are in need of the City Government’s support in terms of agricultural services.   

          These were assigned to the City Agriculture Office staff, namely:  Fervin Viñarta, Eduardo Fuentebella, Eduardo Franco, and Ernesto Estilo. 

          The mobility support is in line with the present administration’s thrust of bringing the government closer to the people “Sa Pag-asenso sang Victoriahanon”.   

         On this occasion, staff members of the City Agriculture Office are greatly happy and thankful for the support given them by the city officials headed by the City Government.