DAR inks MOA with Bayawan to boost tax collection
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) signed an agreement with the Bayawan City government in Negros Oriental for a project to boost tax collection in this local government.
Agrarian Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes arrived in Dumaguete City on October 19 to sign a memorandum of partnership agreement (MOPA) with the officials from Bayawan City government headed by Mayor Rene Gaudiel.
Under said agreement, both DAR and Bayawan local government unit (LGU) will conduct a subdivision survey in government-owned lands to help improve the collection of taxes in the city, said Gherelene Mae Rafols, DAR information officer.
Bayawan LGU will be responsible for the survey while DAR will facilitate the endorsement of subdivision plans for the approval by the Department of Environment of Natural Resources and the issuance of individual Certificate of Land Ownership to farmer-beneficiaries, said Rafols.
Moreover, Secretary de los Reyes also led the awarding of Certificates of Recognition to non-commissioned personnel of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Bethel guesthouse as DAR’s way of showing gratitude and appreciation for the support they extended during the peaceful installation of farmer-beneficiaries at Polo Coconut Plantation, Inc. in Tanjay City.
The DAR chief’s visit was also highlighted by the inauguration of the village-level processing center of Rama Rodriguez (Ramrod) Multipurpose Cooperative in Canlaon City. (RMN-PIA7 Negros Oriental)
============
Army’s 302 Brigade joins coastal clean-up drive
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- Thirty military personnel including the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) of the Army’s 302nd Brigade participated in the Bayanihan coastal clean-up drive along the shorelines of Barangays Looc and Okiot in Bais City.
The activity was undertaken by the city government of Bais, aimed in managing and protecting the marine ecosystem to ensure better utilization and sustainability of its resources for the general welfare of the residents, Army Information Officer Capt Anacito Naz said.
The clean up drive was also participated by the local officials and residents of Bais City, students of Negros Oriental State University, City Environment and Natural Resources personnel and other stakeholders in the city.
Bais City supports the celebration of the International Coastal Clean-up in October annually bringing this years’ theme “Bayanihan Para sa Karagatan.”
The yearly event promotes the spirit of conserving the inland lakes, rivers, oceans and underwater sites by removing plastics and other debris.
Meanwhile, Col. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the Army’s 302nd Brigade said that the brigade’s participation in the coastal clean-up activities manifests concern on the importance of environmental protection and preservation that serves as foundation in shaping the future of the society.
The 302nd Brigade also participated in the coastal clean-up drive initiated by the Dumaguete-based Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and Negros Oriental High School Batch 94’ along the shorelines of Rizal Boulevard to Barangay Calindagan in Dumaguete City. (mbcn/JCT-PIA7 Negros Oriental)
============
PMHA to hold 1st mental health bipartrite summit
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA), Negros Oriental and Cebu Chapters will jointly hold the first Bipartite Summit on Mental Health on November 10 at Negros Oriental Convention Center.
The summit with the theme “Depression: A global crises” will start at 7:30 a.m.
Flores said family doctors, nurses, guidance counselors, government workers, social workers, teachers, students, parents, corporate human resource, priests, pastors, laymen and the community are invited to be a part of this rare gathering with a minimal registration of only P1,000 to cover the lunch, two snacks, a kit and a certificate of attendance.
Invited guests as speakers during the whole-day activity include Dr. Cornelio Banaag, author of numerous publications, consultant of the World Health Organization on substance abuse and largely known as the Father of Child Psychiatry in the country, among others.
Dr. Pureza Oñate, psychiatrist and Medical Director of Perpetual Succor from Cebu will also be one of the resource persons.
The speakers will discuss different types of depression, its causes and management, as well as topics on bullying, depression and suicide and related issues. An open forum will follow with a panel of reactors from the local stakeholders.
Interested participants are asked to join and be part of the activity. To confirm attendance, call PMHA Dumaguete Office at telephone number 422-5359 or text 09163306493. (mbcn/JCT-PIA7 Negros Oriental)
=============
Coast Guard-Dumaguete sets up assistance centers for the holidays
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Dumaguete Station has put up passenger assistance centers in identified seaports in the province in view of the expected heavy passenger traffic for the holidays this week.
The centers had been put up since October 26 in three major seaports here, namely, Dumaguete port terminal, Sibulan port, and Tandayag port.
"The passenger assistance centers will serve as a help desk to respond to the inquiries and needs of our passengers in the ports, in relation to their travel," said PCG Dumaguete Acting Station Commander Senior Chief Petty Officer Nelson Simbajon.
The centers are manned by a composite team of personnel from PCG, Philippine Ports Authority, Maritime Police, and the Coast Guard Auxilliary, Simbajon said.
"Although the passenger flow was still normal yesterday, I expect the passenger traffic to start increasing today," he added.
Tight security measures have already been in place within the port areas.
To avoid delays and hassles, Simbajon also advised sea vessel passengers to refrain from bringing with them items that are on the restricted cargoes list, such as flammable liquids and solids, corrosive materials, toxic and infectious substances, compressed gasses and radioactive materials and explosives.
Simbajon said baggages with suspicious cargo will be put aside for their K-9 team to check for any explosive devices. (RMN-PIA7 Negros Oriental)
==============
DAR secretary visits Negros Oriental
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- Department of Agrarian of Reform (DAR) Secretary Virgilio De Los Reyes visited Negros Oriental last week for a one-day activity with local government units (LGU) of Bayawan and Canlaon cities.
De Los Reyes arrived in the province to sign a Memorandum of Partnership Agreement with Bayawan City government.
Both the secretary and Mayor Rene Gaudiel of Bayawan signed the agreement which sealed the partnership to conduct a survey of subdivisions in government-owned lands to help improve the collection of taxes.
The LGU of Bayawan will conduct the subdivision survey and DAR will facilitate the endorsement of subdivision plans for the approval by Department of Environment of Natural Resources and the issuance of individual Certificate of Land Ownership to farmer beneficiaries.
Following the signing of agreement in Bayawan, De Los Reyes presented an award to Philippine National Police and Philippine Army personnel in Dumaguete City in recognition of the support they extended during the peaceful farmer beneficiaries installation in Polo Coconut Plantation Inc. in Tanjay City.
Another highlight of the visit was the inauguration of the cooperative village level-processing center of Rama Rodriguez (Ramrod) Multipurpose Cooperative in Canlaon City.
The first in Region 7, Ramrod multi-purpose cooperative is managed by DAR’s farmer beneficiaries.
The secretary challenged the cooperative members to develop the processing center and its services. The processing center was constructed through the financial support and coordination of DAR, Canlaon City and its multi-coop.
Some of the products of the co-op are carrot and peanut cookies, peanut butter, carrot juice, and turmeric powder. (mbcn/JCT-PIA7 Negros Oriental)