Dumaguete City approves over P3.8M assistance for Sendong victims
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 2 (PIA) -- The Dumaguete City Disaster Advisory Council has approved more than P3.8 million in financial assistance for over a thousand victims of typhoon Sendong.
City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria in a disaster council meeting said, the budget will come from the financial contribution of local government units (LGUs), private individuals and others.
Of the said amount, P1.940 million will be allocated to the 388 households whose houses were totally damaged. Each of the said households will receive P5,000. Victims whose houses were partially damaged will receive P2,500 each. Total allotment for the said group was P1.845 million, to be divided among 738 households.
Ten thousand pesos will be given to seven families who had a family member that died during the typhoon.
The DSWD, however, will have to wait for the resolution by the council for the immediate release of the funding assistance, said City Social Welfare Officer Marina Mendoza.
The city government has collected about P6 million cash and check donations intended for families affected by Sendong, said Mayor Sagabarria .
The mayor also informed the council that the National Housing Authority (NHA) already approved the 1,000 houses to be built in barangays Banilad and Bajumpandan while the Gawad Kalinga in the barangays will do their share to build 250 houses for the typhoon victims in the city. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-NegOr)
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US Embassy launches English Access Microscholarship program
NEGROS ORIENTAL, March 1 (PIA) -- The U.S. Embassy launched the English Access Micro-scholarship (Access) Program recently at T. Paez Integrated School in Tondo, Manila.
The Access Program is one of the U.S. Government’s premier English language programs.
A U.S. Embassy press release stated that the program offers a foundation of English language skills by providing 360 hours of after-school classes and intensive sessions for two years to talented 14- to 18-year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors.
To mark the launch, U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Counselor Robin Diallo presented the award certificates signed by U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr. to the 60 students selected for the program.
The school official representatives from the Department of Education and the scholars’ parents attended the ceremony.
With improved English language skills acquired through the Access Program, participants benefit from enhanced employment prospects which in turn increase the socio-economic success of their families and communities, it is learned.
The program also exposes participants to a broader world of ideas and opportunities; increases their academic opportunities; and improves their chances of qualifying for U.S. Government and other exchange programs.
The Access Program also allows participants to explore U.S. culture and democratic values through hands-on activities such as drama, art, music, games, computers, civic responsibility projects, and leadership and teamwork training.
Over 70,000 students in more than 85 countries have participated in the program since its launch in 2004.
The new scholars from Tondo bring the total number of participants in the Philippines to 400, more than half of whom are from the Mindanao region. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-NegOr)
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US Embassy holds anti-human trafficking campaign in Iloilo
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 1 (PIA) --The US Embassy has called on the Ilonggos to participate in the campaign against human trafficking with an Anti-Trafficking-in-Persons (TIP) presentation on March 3 at 3:00 p.m. at The Atrium, SM City Iloilo.
In a press statement from US Embassy, the event will feature a screening of a TIP documentary as well as a special appearance by Filipino celebrity Jericho Rosales who will share his advocacy on human trafficking.
The US government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting a number of activities with the government of the Philippines and civil society organizations to raise awareness on trafficking, bolster efforts to prosecute traffickers, and protect the victims rescued from modern day slave traders.
This event is implemented as part of "America in 3D" (A3D), a celebration of Filipino-American friendship, showcasing American culture, U.S. business and U.S. Embassy services in the Philippines, the press release read.
During A3D, the public expect to enjoy the dance and musical performances presenting the best of America -- from ballroom to blues to Broadway and even hip-hop.
The U.S. Navy’s high energy rock-and-roll band, The Orient Express, will perform the favorite hits during America in 3D. There are free samples of American food, and an exhibit of American cars and motorbikes.
Visitors to the event can find out about all of the ways that the U.S. and the Philippines are connected - and learn how to do business with the U.S., apply for a U.S. visa, and even study in the United States.
U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett and USAID Mission Director Gloria Steele will lead the anti-human trafficking campaign. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-NegOr)
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NGCP restores power in some parts of NegOr
DUMAGUETE C ITY, March 1 (PIA) -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has restored power transmission services in parts of Negros Oriental on February 28 after re-energizing the Amlan-Siaton 69kV transmission line.
Electric consumers of Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NORECO II) experienced the unplanned power interruption which lasted from 12:07p.m. to 1:43p.m. on that day.
Reports indicate that an unidentified person intentionally cut a tree that fell over the conductor at barangay San Miguel, Bacong, Negros Oriental. The incident caused the tripping of the Amlan-Siaton 69kV transmission line, said NGCP Visayas Corporation Communication Officer Elmer Cruz.
NGCP continues to strengthen the transmission network with its regular maintenance activities done in close coordination with NORECO II.The transmission and distribution utilities are working together to improve services to power consumers, said Cruz. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-NegOr)
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Negros Oriental allocates P2.5-M for waterworks
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 1 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Negros Oriental allocated P2.5 million to buy 70 units of jetmatic pumps.
The units are to be installed in areas without water due to massive damaged of water systems wrought by 6.9 magnitude earthquake on Feb. 6. This is in response with the directive of Governor Roel Degamo to provide a solution to the water problem in the calamity-affected places.
Degamo ordered the field engineers to fast-track the rehabilitation and construction of water systems thru the use of jetmatic pumps.
The temporary use of jetmatic pumps for shallow wells will be withdrawn as soon as the regular water supply in the areas is restored.
The governor explained that affected families or communities need to be provided alternative water supply as their water source were damaged by the earthquake.
Meantime, the governor also directed the provincial engineer’s office (PEO) to hasten the repair and rehabilitation to damaged infrastructure under provincial roads, spillways, box culverts, water systems, school buildings, among others in quake affected areas.
The chief executive expressed desires to fast-track the repairs of damaged infrastructures so that these will be used at once by the public and continued distribution of relief goods.
The PEO reported the total damaged of infrastructures reached to P507 million, which exclude national roads and bridges under the Department of Public Works and Highways. (MBCN/JCT-PIA NegOr)
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Dumaguete City bans use of plastics
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 1 (PIA) -- Following the passage of City Ordinance 231 with its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), Dumaguete City urges business establishments to reduce the use of plastic bags and styrofoam materials.
According to City Administrator William Ablong, by August 28 this year the ordinance will be carried out strictly through its lead agency the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.
City Ordinance 231-2011 enacted by councilors and approved by Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria is a significant local legislation that aims to lessen pollution and boost environmental protection.
Mayor Sagarbarria also signed the IRR for the implementation of the ordinance to implement the prohibition of use of non-biodegradable materials.
Under the ordinance, business establishments are prohibited from providing plastic bags to consumers as packing materials for dry and wet goods wherein primary and secondary packaging materials have been categorically identified.
Establishments are also barred from using styrofoam and other similar materials as containers of food, produce, and other products.
With Ordinance 231 plastic waste materials will be cleaned and dried prior to surrender to their respective barangays for proper disposal.
Ablong said the city government will conduct a massive information campaign to educate residents and business establishments on the use of alternative and biodegradable packaging materials. These include the promotion of alternative packaging materials such as “bayong” or “baluyot,” “katsa,” and other reusable and/or biodegradable packaging materials. (MBCN/JCT-PIA Negros Oriental)
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Silliman University law graduate Top 6 in 2012 bar exams
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 1 (PIA) --- A law graduate from Silliman University (SU), Ivan Maxino Bandal, landed at the Top 6 spot in this year’s bar examination.
Bandal is the lone bar topnotcher from the Visayas, according to a statement from SU.
Bandal graduated from SU’s College of Law in March 2011.
The university said 12 other Silliman graduates passed the bar examinations, earning a passing average of 65% for SU.
The national passing average this year is 31.95%.
Bandal has been a student of SU since early childhood. In 2003, he finished Magna Cum Laude his degree on Bachelor of Mass Communication.
He was named one of the Top Ten Students of the Philippines in the same year being a consistent honor student throughout his college and law years, the statement said.
Bandal is the son of chess Judge Rosendo Bandal Jr. and Silliman's Department of Physics Chairperson Dr. Hope Maxino-Bandal.
The Supreme Court, which released the 2011 Bar Examination results yesterday, announced that a total of 1,913 law graduates pass the exams.
The new lawyers from Silliman are: Ablong, Joshua Francisco; Aguilan, Elizabeth Karla; Apao, Michelle Lyn; Bandal, Ivan (Top 6); Callao, Terrence Anton; Cleope-Santillan, Cleo; Concepcion, Conrado II; Cunanan, Rudy; Diez, Aldeo Jesus; Laurente, Rudylyn; Legaspi, Melissa Grace; Napao-Lozano, Romela Mae; and Singson, Izra Elita.
Silliman President Dr. Ben S. Malayang III congratulated the passers and the College of Law through its Dean Atty. Mikhail Lee Maxino.
"We praise God for the wonderful performance of Ivan and our other graduates! And, too, we are grateful to the faculty and staff of the College, your supportive alumni, and the students themselves for their dedication and hard work!" wrote Dr. Malayang. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental with reports from SU-OIP)