P-Noy opens P265-M ‘Mercado de Bais’ in Negros Oriental

NEGROS ORIENTAL

DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 8 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III today led the inauguration of the mall-like P265 million public market in Poblacion I, Bais City, Negros Oriental.

The President arrived in Bais City on Sept. 8, 2011 with Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas, and Felipe Remollo of Clark Development Authority.

He proceeded to unveil the

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By JENNIfER CATAN-TILOS marker in front of the market building with assistance from Bais City Mayor Karen Villanueva and witnessed by the city and municipal mayors in Negros Oriental along with some other national and local officials.

President Aquino appreciated the unique structure of the two-storey multi-million market building. It has an elevator and contains a cold storage facility with ice maker and underground sewerage treatment at the ground floor, while at the second floor there are function, dining and transient rooms, and child minding area.

“This market, a center of commerce in the city, provides positive business to all farmers, traders and producers,” the chief executive said.

President Aquino also described the market as “one of the biggest new public market in the country designed to boost the city’s farm productivity and economy.”

The de v e l opm e nt o f t h e market is in line with the national government’s program to spur trading and economic activities in the neighboring towns in Manjuyod, Mabinay, and Pamplona, said Aquino. (PIA NegOr/JCT)

Pres. Aquino with Bais City Mayor Karen Villanueva (right) after the unveiling of the marker in front of the P265-M Public Market in Bais City, Negros Oriental. (PHOTO BY PIA/HAZEL GLORIA)

Bohol has 67% lower crime rate compared to 2010

DOST invites local companies to innovation event

BOHOL

SIQUIJOR

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Sept 4 (PIA) -- Bohol enjoys a 67 percent decrease in crime incidence, a success local police authorities quickly attribute to the strong support communities gave for the local police.

During his report to the Provincial Peace and Order Council in its regular meeting Friday in Guindulman, Bohol Police chief said while the decrease in crimes can be attributed the police anti-crime drives, but much of the credit should be given to the people for their unwavering support for the local police.

Citing crime incidents in Bohol totaling 2,320 from January to July in 2010, PSSupt Constantino Barot pointed out through a power-point presentation the notable decrease for the same period this year at 1564 cases for index and non index crimes.

In his bar graph presentation, Barot showed that in all months in 2011, crimes were lower compared to all the months in 2010.

Police noted 607 cases of non index crimes in 2010 as compared to 317 in 2011. The decrease is pegged at 52.24%

For index crimes, the Bohol Chief who hails from Negros but has a stint in Bohol way back in the early 90’s said they noted 1713 cases on index crimes in 2010 over 1247 in 2011. The decrease shows some 72.79%.

Most alarming among the cases noted for the period is theft, which showed a consistent increase in incidence since April of this year to present.

SIQUIJOR, September 7 (PIA) -- The local office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) invites local start-up in the province to join the 2nd Filipinnovation Award and get the chance to win P100,000 cash in each of the five categories.

DOST provincial director Engr. Mario de la Pena said the Filipinnovation Award is given to Filipino start-up companies operating for less than three years with exemplary

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Police presentations showed that theft at 570 cases, constitutes 46% of all crimes recorded for the period.

“The upward trend in the crime volume for the months of April to July, particularly on theft incidents can be prevented through the help of the citizens,” Bohol police authorities through PSSupt Barot bared.

Following theft is robbery, which pegs at 25% OR 305 cases.

Police authorities however have successful pulled down the incidents in July from an increasing trend

technological content and market viability and high potential socio-economic impact.

It promotes and recognizes start-up companies’ local innovative technology development in the fields of biotechnology, electronics, information and communication technology, mater ia l s c ience/eng ineer ing , nanotechnology, and robotics/mechatronics, or a combination of these fields.

Awarding will be on November 25, 2011 during the 4th year anniversary

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since April peaking in June at 50 incidents.

Robberies in July slid down to 37 cases, police records show.

Fo r t h e m o nt h o f Ju l y, Alburquerque, Mabini and San Isidro posted a perfect slate for crime solution efficiency while the whole of Bohol police only recorded some 47%.

San Isidro Police Stat ion recorded 2 cases and solved them both, Alburquerque solved all of their 9 cases while Mabini solved all 16 of their cases recorded. (30)

celebration of the Filippinovation. A cash award of P100,000 each awaits awardees.

Interested persons are invited to submit directly to the DOST regional office, the following documents: logo, product/services offered, date started, sales from the last three semesters, business plan, and contact details.

For more details please see or call Mario de la Pena at DOS-Siquijor office, tel. no. 344-2008 or 480-9018. (PIA-Siqujor/mbcn/rac)

HEAT IS ON. Drug suspect Victor Navarro has been slipping through police dragnets for drug possession until Sept. 2 when he was cuffed after a buy-bust operation during a Health Education, Agriculture and tourism caravan in his town. (PIA-Bohol)

Possible oil source in Cebu town discovered

Negrense to lead Asian youth program

CEBU

CEBU CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA) -- The Department of Energy (DOE) has discovered a possible oil source in the mountain barangay of Alegria, southern Cebu as drilling operation is expected to start next year.

Energy Assistant Secretary Ramon Allan Oca said that after the successful oil exploration done by the DOE team in the area, it was found to be an oil source that can be used as motor oil.

It is reported that as of this time, the DOE surveying team that started its exploration a few months ago continues to observe and test the said area to ensure that the oil source is usable.

Oca said in case the area yields positive with oil, then the Municipality of Alegria is privileged as this signals a rise in their local economy attracting business investments that can lead to more job opportunities for its residents

The impact of having a positive oil source will not only benefit Alegria but the whole province of Cebu as well and the entire country, the DOE official said.

Oca said with this development, two power plants are expected to rise in the province -- the 1.5 megawatt power plant in Libertad, Bogo City and the oil station in Alegria. (PIA- CEBU)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 5 (PIA) -- The National Youth Commission has picked a Negrense as the National Leader during the 38th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) that will take 29 young Filipino leaders on a cruise around Asia.

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LECTURE. DSWD-7 Regional Information Officer, Jaybee Binghay (left) shares her expertise and knowledge on “Basic Photojournalism” to AGIO-7 members during the association’s monthly general assembly meeting held at the DENR-7 Training Center, Banilad, Mandaue City.(pia7/hfg)

Adolf Aguilar has been selected to lead the group of 29 total youth ambassadors from the Philippines onboard the cruise liner MS Fuji Maru from October 26 to December 16.

Aguilar is a Bachelor of Science in Education major in Social Studies and Southeast Asian Studies graduate of Silliman University, Dumaguete City. He currently works as the division information communication technology coordinator at the Department of Education (DepEd) provincial office.

Aside from Aguilar, another Negrense youth, Regina Clarina Elmaco, have also made the cut of SSEAYP youth participants.

Elmaco is a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Student Government officer in St. Paul University of Dumaguete (SPUD).

SSEAYP is a diplomatic and cultural exchange program among

NEGROS ORIENTAL

emerging youth leaders in Asia sponsored by the Government of Japan.

More than 300 young delegates from Japan and the ten ASEAN member states are expected to participate in this program to promote and strengthen friendship and cultural understanding.

For fifty-two days, the delegates visit six ports of cal l , namely : Ph i l ippi ne s ( Man i l a ) , Br u ne i Darussalam (Muara), Indonesia (Jakarta), Malaysia (Port Klang) , Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) and Japan (Tokyo).

During ports of call, the delegates will interact with the local youths and will be on a homestay program and pay courtesy visits on dignitaries and institutional visits in order to learn more about other Southeast Asian cultures and traditions. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)

Adolf Aguilar

Positive business confidence could fast track economic growth momentum

Newest IT Park in Dgte embodiment of PNoy’s dream

CEBU

NEGROS ORIENTAL

CENTRAL VISAYAS, Sept. 3 (PIA) -- The improved business confidence at 34.1 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2011 indicates that more businesses are optimistic about the country’s economic prospects and their own operations than in the previous quarter.

Business Confidence Index during the 2nd quarter of this year was at 31.8%.

The confidence index is computed as the percentage of firms that answered positively less the percentage of firms that answered in the negative with respect to their views on a given indicator.

Respondents cited the following

DUMAGUETE CITY, September 7 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the newest Information Technology (I.T.) Park now being constructed in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental which he called the “embodiment” of his dream of creating enough job opportunities for Filipino workers across the country.

The President, in his speech during a project inspection of the sprawling 11,164-sq.m. area where the LinkSy

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factors for their more buoyant outlook: that there are expectations of more robust demand and implementation of government projects, including the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program.

Business also said there are sound macroeconomic fundamentals and business expansion arising from steady investment inflows.

Other factors for positive outlook according to the business are; the recovery of markets in Japan, introduction of new and enhanced business strategies, and strong confidence in government.

According to the NEDA quarter monitoring, the business’ responses

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suggest that the challenges posed by the recent US credit rating downgrade and by sovereign debt crisis issues in some parts of Europe could be countered by stronger domestic demand, higher fiscal spending, and continued growth in the private sector.

NEDA reported the outlook of businesses could turn more bullish in the 4th quarter of 2011. The next quarter Confidence Index at 53.9 percent was a marked improvement over the 33.0 percent index recorded in the 2nd quarter of 2011.

This suggests that the growth momentum could accelerate in the last quarter of 2011.(PIA-7/mbcn)

I.T. Park will rise in Dumaguete City, expressed his confidence that the park will spur job growth in the local business processing outsourcing (BPO) industry.

“I am confident that this I.T. Park will achieve success...once completed, this park can surely become a significant contributor to our country’s reputation in the BPO industry,” said the President as he spoke before a crowd of around 100 chiefly composed of members of the local business and BPO community and industry stakeholders.

The I.T. Park inspection is the second stop of the President’s visit in the province on Sept. 7. It recognizes the efforts of the private sector in helping the government produce enough jobs for Filipino workers.

Construction work on the first of three buildings that will predominantly be IT facilities has already started.

The park is seen to pump P40 million into the local economy, according to Danford Sy, general manager of July Development Corporation, which is undertaking the IT Park project.

Building 1 is expected to be finished and turned over to its locator, Qualfon, around March next year.

With four floors that can accommodate 1,500 seats, it is expected to produce 4,500 jobs for agents and indirect employment.

Based on figures presented by Sy in his speech, the ICT industry has flourished from “zero employees in December 2004 to 4,000 employed by December of 2010, earning a conservative estimate of P34 million a month.”

Sy predic ts the industry to go up by 50% by December this year, with over 6,000 ICT workers

earning around P52 million per month.(RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)

INFORMAL PRESSCON. Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions from the national and Negros Oriental media during his Sept. 7 visit at Bais City. (pia7/hfg)

INFOBYTES is a weekly electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Region 7 with stories submitted by its Provincial Information Centers in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces.

BOHOL

Siquijor bags best performing LGU award

99% helmet compliance among motorists, says Barot

SIQUIJOR

SIQUIJOR, September 2 (PIA) -- Siquijor province ranked first in the Economic Enterprise Collection with a rating of 111.88 percent and second in Real Property Tax (RPT), Business Tax and Fees, Charges collections, according to the consolidated report of the BLGF-Regional Office on CY

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Sept 4 (PIA) -- Amidst seemingly heated opposition of the implementation of the helmet policy for motorcycle riders and their riders, PSSupt. Constantino Barot bared a 99.99% compliance among drivers in Tagbilaran City during the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting in Guindulman Bohol.

Bohol was among the provinces which did not strictly implement the provisions of the Land Transportation and Traffic Rules of the country, says Land Transportation Officer Joel Maloloy-on, during the meeting.

He added that his men would lead the intensification of the drive to ensure safety for motorcycle riding motorists.

The implementation came more than a week after City Police chief Arcadio Jamora Jr. announced the instruction for his men to go for motorcyclists who operate motorcycles without helmets.

Motorcycle riders and back riders then must wear helmets while those engaged in habal-habal would provide for the helmets of their passengers. Children below ten years are also banned to ride motorcycles.

Oppositors of the implementation of the helmet policy said it would be an added burden physically and financially while production helmets available in the markets are sub-standard and would defeat the protection purpose it

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2010 Performance Evaluation. The province of Negros Oriental ranked first in the collection efficiency in the RPT, business tax and fees and charges.

The report also shows that S iqui jor prov ince i s the B est Performing Local Government Unit(LGU) among the provincial/city/municipal treasurers with a

could afford.Many also reasoned that using full

faced helmets can easily mask criminals who could conveniently slip through police checkpoints.

On this, LTO Maloloy-on said studies from the LTO central Office has debunked the correlation between criminals and full faced helmets.

On the other hand, supporters of the policy claim that helmets provide the necessary protection for drivers and backriders from accidents and causing undue injury to others.

The order also came amidst a growing number of motorcycles impounded for being operated without plate numbers, or motorcyclists flagged down for driving without licenses or expired licenses, with unregistered or expired registrations.

The orders also came following a saturation drive for the motorcycle riding criminals as included focus area fo the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS).

Under the policy, first-time offenders of the helmet policy pays a fine of P1,500.

Fines for second offense is P3,000, P5,000 on the third time, and P10,000 plus confiscation of the driver’s license for the fourth and succeeding offenses.

A newer Mandatory Helmet Law still has no Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) so that local traffic officers and its deputized agents momentarily use RA 4136, city traffic supervisor Samonte said. (30)

rating of 91.78 percent.The performance of the LGUs

in Region VII on business tax, fees and charges and real property tax collections for CY 2010 was acknowledged during the General Assembly and Performance Evaluation of the Regional Association of Treasurers and Assessors.

Siquijor Provincial Treasurer Ric D. Tan said the increase in the collection of business tax, fees and charges could be attributed to the intensified registration and issuance of permits to delivery vans/trucks operating in the province, and the construction of facilities at Salagdoong Beach which include dormitory-type building and swimming pools.

Another factor for the increased taxes was the assignment of casuals to the office of the municipal treasurers in six towns to prepare and deliver demand letters to real property owners.

Other LGUs in the province have also received awards. The municipality of Enrique Villanueva ranked first in the provincial level in the collection of business tax, with an efficiency rating of 370.32 percent.

Larena municipality ranked first in the collection of fees and charges with a rating of 375.33 percent while Maria town ranked second with a rating of 101.43 per cent.

On the rea l property tax collection category, Lazi ranked first among the six towns.

For the overall assessment, Larena ranked as the top performing LGU in Siquijor province for three local sources: business tax, fees and charges, and economic enterprise.

E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r M a . Presentacion Motesa of the Bureau of Local Government Finance-Department of Finance gave the award of the Best Performing Treasurers and Assessors.

The four-day activity was recently held at the Crown Regency Suites-Mactan, Lapu-lapu City. (PIA-Siquijor/mbcn/RAC/IAAbatayo)