Police, Army lauded for violence-free 2010 polls in Negros Oriental

by: Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, March 8 (PIA) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in a recent forum here cited the joint efforts of the provincial police office and the Philippine Army (PA) which resulted to a zero election-related violence experience in the province during the October 2010 elections.

Provincial Elections Supervisor Atty. Eddie Aba handed out certificates of appreciation to Provincial Police Director Col. Rey Lyndon Lawas and 302nd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Manuel Luis Ochotorena during a Kapihan forum held recently by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here.

Both Lawas and Ochotorena were the guest speakers during the forum held to discuss the creation of the Joint Peace and Security Coordination Center (JPSCC), a system which synchronized and converged the peace and security functions of the police and the Army.

Aba said the zero violence incident during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections last year was already an accomplishment of the JPSCC.

“This accomplishment has been noticed by our Comelec Chairman, thus we are giving the PNP and the Army these certificates of appreciation,” said Aba.

Negros Oriental was recognized as the number one province in Region 7 to complete the electoral process without any election-related violence incident. (RMN/PIA-7 Negros Oriental)

DTI &GIZ set to train SMEDC-NegOr

By: Jennifer C. Tilos

 DUMAGUETE CITY March 8 (PIA)-- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Negros Oriental with the German International Cooperation (GIZ) are set to conduct a planning workshop to all members of the Negros Oriental Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC) on March 14-15 at Bethel Guest House, Dumaguete City.

The two-day seminar highlights the formal turn-over of SMED council chairmanship from former Governor Jose Baldado to Provincial Governor Roel Degamo who accepted the chairmanship and the induction of the new set of officers will also be held during the seminar-workshop. 

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial director Javier Fortunato said the activity reviews the SMED Plan 2004-2010 specifically on the accomplishments under the priority programs and industries.

The workshop aims to harmonize the province’s development plan with both the regional and national SME plan.

The council members plan to complete an action plan which seeks to increase the contribution of SMEs as primary engines of growth and spur them to attain higher performance levels. 

SMEDC officers and sectoral representatives to take their oath of office are: the Chairman who is also the Inducting Officer, Governor Roel Degamo; co-chaired by Stella Lezama; Nittz bangay as Secretary; PRO Jennifer Catan-Tilos;

Along with the portfolio managers which include from the government sector, City Administrator William Ablong and Provincial Planning & Development Officer Joy Gongob under the Business Investment and Enabling Environment; Gilbert Arbon of DOST and Atty. 


Jose Ogang of DOLE in the Productivity and Efficiency; Provincial Agriculturist Gregorio Paltinca and Tourism Officer Myla Mae Abellana; and Gerardo Kinilitan of Land Bank; and Tobias Colina of DBP under the Access to Finance portfolio.

Also to be installed are from the private sector, Edward Du of NOCCI; Juventud Chavez of SONAMCO; Joy Maxino, ORICA; Ma Theresa Quijano, DED; Gift Regalado of Gift Fashion; Katherine Vinarao, OFIC; Gregorio Uymatiao of NOBDF; and Edgar Calinawagan, DCDB. (PIA-NegOr/JCT)