Sibulan as gateway to Negros Oriental pushed
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 27 (PIA) --- The local government of Sibulan is bent on promoting itself as the gateway to the province of Negros Oriental in a bid to boost the town's tourism industry.
Sibulan Mayor Marcela Bartoces recently met with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here and the LGU's Tourism and Investment Promotion to discuss strategies how to promote Sibulan as a prime tourist destination.
A statement from the Sibulan Mayor's Office cited DTI Provincial Director Javier Fortunato as saying that there are two areas where Sibulan can focus its tourism development efforts, namely on Lake Balinsasayaw and as the gateway to the province.
In view of this, the mayor created a technical working group that will execute Fortunato's suggestions. "The group would assist Bartoces in crafting relevant and viable development projects geared towards realizing Sibulan's tourism goals," said Sibulan Information Officer Connie Zamora-Rosales in an interview.
Rosales said the local chief executive is set to consult first with the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), which oversees the Lake Balinsasayaw, on its plans to develop the area.
Sibulan is also open to support from the private sector. "We will be creative and driven in involving the private sector in this endeavor," said Rosales, stressing that the LGU will support private small and medium scale investors who will invest in the town, such as developing tour packages. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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Ten students chosen for Army's scholarship program named
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 27 (PIA) --- The names of the ten students at the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) in Guihulngan City who will enjoy the scholarship program initiated by the 11th Infantry Battalion (11IB) of the Philippine Army together with some local government and non-government personalities have been announced.
Of the ten, who are all from Guihulngan City, six will enjoy full scholarship privileges while four are regular scholars of 11IB's Lapu-Lapu Educational Assistance Program (LEAP).
The full scholars are Blessie May Cartagena, Angela Arcaya, Jessibel Baquilta, Jevie Gantalao, Manilyn Maningo, Nemie Crator. The regular scholars are Manilyn Samontisa, Emeralona Sayson, Jomar Perolino and Annelyn Bato.
LEAP, together with its co-sponsors and partners, will shoulder the tuition fees and miscellaneous expenses of the full and regular scholars. Full scholars will receive a monthly stipend fee of P2,500.
The scholarship program is built on the generosity of the 11IB troopers who set aside a portion of their montly salary to finance the educational needs of the LEAP scholars.
The battalion collaborated with Board Members Jessica Villanueva and Liland Estacion, First District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong and Marit Remonde of the Cerge Remonde Foundation who collectively sponsored six of the 10 scholars.
A brainchild of 11IB Commander Lt. Col. Ramil Bitong, LEAP was borne out of the trooper's convergence efforts under its Bayanihan operations with the goal of helping secure the future of poor but deserving college students.
"The troopers wanted to give back to the community, beyond the duty they were sworn into and to help uplift the condition of the society in their own little way," said a statement from the 11IB. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)