bikers ride - naga.gov.ph

A Quarter ly Magaz ine of theCity Government of Naga

Bico l , Ph i l ipp ines

ISSN 2094-9383

Vol. 9, No. 1 | January - March 2018

FLORENCIO T. MONGOSO, JR. REUEL M. OLIVER

E d i t o r i a l C o n s u l t a n t s

JOSE V. COLLERASYLRANJELVIC C. V ILLAFLOR

REYNALDO T. BAYLONXERES RAMON GAGERO

P h o t o g r a p h e r s

This quarterly magazine is published by the

City Government of Naga, thru the City Publications Office

and the City Events, Protocol and Public Information

Office, with editorial office at City Hall Compound,

J. Miranda Avenue, Naga City 4400 Philippines

Tel: +63 54 881-8328+63 54 871-3098

Email: [email protected]: www.naga.gov.ph

IAN MAR P. NEBRES LEED r o n e P i l o t

ALLEN L. REONDANGAALEC FRANCIS A.SANTOSPAUL JOHN F. BARROSA

LILIBETH SANCHEZT e c h n i c a l A d v i s e r s

JOHN G. BONGATC i t y M a y o r

NELSON S. LEGACIONC i t y V i c e M a y o r

JOSE B. PEREZE d i t o r

ARMIE GUNAY S u p e r v i s i n g E d i t o r

ARMIE B. GUNAYSHARMAINE ZEN O. MANZANO

W r i t e r s

CHRISTOPHER E . ANTONIORUEL P. SANDUCO

C i r c u l a t i o n

JASON B. NEOLAM a n a g i n g E d i t o r

RAFAEL RACSO V. V ITAN G r a p h i c s D e s i g n a n d

L a y o u t E d i t o r

KEVIN JOHN O. BILLIONESL a y o u t A r t i s t

ANSELMO B. MAÑOW e b s i t e A d m i n i s t r a t o r

BIKERS RIDE their way in the city today as they join this year’s 3rd Naga City Bike Festival celebrated with

bike lessons, exhibitions and competitions, in support of the clean- air month.

PHOTO BY

JOSE COLLERA

The “Naga SMILES to the World”

logo is composed of the two

baybayin characters, na and ga.

Na, shaped like a mountain,

provides a strong foundation for the

Narra tree which grew abundantly

along the Naga River while a zigzag

line denotes the majestic Malabsay

Falls.

Ga, shaped like a farmer’s plow,

is symbolic of the Nagueño’s

agricultural roots and hardworking

personality.

The baybayin Naga characters

rest on a wave-like element which

represents the Naga River and the

serpent, which is read in Sanskrit

as naga.

This new branding for Naga,

launched in 2010 by the dynamic

Bongat administration, envisions a

more livable city that is world-class.

The “An Maogmang Lugar” logo is

an attempt to capture Naga as we

want it to be – a city that is progressive

and yet environment-friendly, where

the people freely participate in the

day-to-day affairs of the government,

and where culture and arts are

flourishing.

The stylized design of “NAGA”

represents the city’s aggressive

march towards modernization and

progress. The sky-blue background,

the Narra tree, and the Naga River

represent our people’s desire for an

ecologically-balanced community.

The ring of people surrounding the

entire design shows the Nagueños’

participatory mechanism which is

part and parcel of the city’s way

of doing things. It also shows the

people’s concern and unity in

everything that is good for the city.

Today, the city, as Maogmang Lugar,

aims to portray more than a happy

place but a happy people who are the

true beneficiaries of everything good

that is happening in the city.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 Mayor’s Message

5 Mayor Bongat leads Tabang Mayon Naga mission

7 Nagueños celebrate Feast of Señor Sto. Nino

11 Nagueños honor the 15 Bicol Martyrs

14 More hotels in Naga rising, City prepares for more visitor influx

Naga SP Mulls More 16 Budget of Drainage System

17 330 students in for Summer Jobs

18 ASEAN Integration

20 City’s Population Nutrition Office bares 2018 Action Plan

22 Naga Abattoir gain ‘Double A’ Standard; Safer meat is Assured

26

Naga receives newest award as G&D learning Hub

27 IMPROVING RIVER’S WATER QUALITY Naga to put up P8-M water treatment facility at NCPM

30 Bongat: Entry of new BPO firm in Naga to boost an ‘Already Booming Economy’

31 Terminal for trucks mulled

33 QUICK RESPONSE

SP HIGHLIGHTS

35 2017 Landmark Legislations

40 Comprehensive Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan for Naga

42 Joint Session sa Barangay

45 The Hungry Guide: Naga City, Camarines Sur

48 2018: Long Service Award

1 JANUARY - MARCH 2018 JANUARY - MARCH 2018 2

3 JANUARY - MARCH 2018

Mayor ' s Message

EVERY New Year brings more difficult and yet interesting challenges. This is so because the incoming year is but a continuation of the saga of

success and failure that transpired in the past year. On the failures, we resolve to correct them. On the triumphs, we vow to improve even more on them. Call that human persistence— to hurdle obstacles or rise every time we stumble because, after all, there is no limit to what the human spirit can do, especially for things that are best for ourselves, for our family, for our neighbors and, to a larger extent, for our nation.

Incidentally, the first days of 2018 were met with heavy flooding that put under water and deep anxieties many towns and cities in the Bicol peninsula due to continuous rains brought by a tropical depression that came in late December of the previous year. Classes were temporarily suspended; and rescue and relief teams were deployed to save limbs and lives before the tempest could get worse.

Fortunately, our fears were somehow tempered as no typhoon of more disastrous caliber came, at least for Naga and the neighboring towns. The floodwaters, in a few days, went seeping down to our drainage and storm canals, towards the Naga River and into San Miguel Bay where the sun eventually shone to signal a bright day and new hope for the new year.

This year will be a prelude to my final year as your chief local public servant. By the middle of next year, Naga City will have a brand new mayor.

At this point, allow me pause for some reflection.

During my inaugural address 8 years ago, I emphasized that I don’t make promises because it is not what I am. “Instead,” I said, “I am sincerely asking for your genuine support.”

“Give me all the opportunity to make a difference in your life. Please help me become the best mayor I can ever be.” This, I said as I looked at the expectant faces of those listening to my inaugural address. They trusted that their new mayor, upon whom they had given their overwhelming mandate, could symbolize a truly promising future for each and every Nagueño at that time.

After 8 years, with one more to go, I thank you for unsparingly giving me that support. As to what impact my term of office has so far brought to your lives, the honest answer can come from only you, my fellow Nagueños.

Also during that moment, I talked about genuine Nagueños who think unselfishly of others, especially when they unite as one community, one city poised to do not only greater things but the greatest things that can ever happen to the present generation and the next.

I also pointed out that we become true Nagueños

when we fight, with conviction, the ills of our government and society. The Naga citizen, to the amazement of others, has learned to talk back to their leaders to get what the city needs.

More significantly, in that same address, I emphasized that because we had good leaders in the past, notably our former Mayor Jesse M. Robredo whose achievements and sacrifices had built for us a strong cornerstone to soar to greater heights, we Nagueños have no reason to fear for tomorrow because yesterday prepared us to face the most difficult challenges that will ever come our way. What remains to be done is to make things better than we did them the last time.

Now, I urge each and every one of you to do some moment of reflection so that we can bring to life the truth of what has happened in the past; to understand what we would like to take place today and tomorrow. This will allow us, as Nagueños, to see our respective contribution to a problem, then the ways that we might improve, and remove the blind spots that blur our thinking and our character in becoming contributors to our city’s development. Indeed, the ability to honestly and quietly reflect on one’s life is one of the most powerful tools for our lives to become better. And when that is done, we should all rise and join our hands together as we begin to face anew the bigger challenges of the New Year.

PHOTO BY

SYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLOR

NEW YEAR A M O M E N T O F R E F L E C T I O N


M AYOR JOHN G. BONGAT and his team from “Tabang Mayon”, the humanitarian mission of the City of Naga for Mayon evacuees, arrived on January 13 in Albay with three truckloads of relief goods and a lorry truck to extend help to victims of Mayon’s ash flows and explosions.

The people of Naga City and various private organizations sent sacks of rice, noodles, canned goods, hygience kits, face towels, face masks, and other basic items to at least three identifed evacuation centers in the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan, and Ligao City that were hard hit by continuous ash falls and explosions even on the day that Mayor Bongat and company were distributing the relief goods and meeting up with the evacuees.

The Naga team was received by Camalig Mayor Maria Ahrdail Baldo and her brother Vice Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo; in Guinobatan by Mayor Ann Yap Ongjoco and Vice Mayor July Tingzon; and in Ligao City by Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua who remarked that they were very thankful because help arrived from Naga City even before they asked for it.

A truckload of relief goods consisted of 30 sacks of rice for each evacuation center and assorted food items and canned goods, as well as hygiene kits that include toothbrushes, toothpastes, sanitary

napkins, body soaps, diapers, face towels, and bottled water.

The Metro Naga Water District also sent its Lorry truck to deliver potable drinking water in the evacuation centers.

The recipient evacuation centers initially visited by the mayor and his team were Comun Elementary School in Camalig, Albay, the Mauraro High School in Guinobatan, Albay, and a school-evacuation center along Sabloyon highway in Ligao City.

The team is composed of various chiefs and personnel from the City Government of Naga, the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), the Metro Naga Water District (MNWD), the Naga City Urban Poor Federation, the Naga City Hall Press Corps, Tierra de Ibalon Tours that lent an air-conditioned bus to join the caravan, and others who donated relief goods and assistance to the humanitarian mission.

By ARMIE B. GUNAY

MAYOR BONGAT LEADS TABANG MAYON NAGA MISSION

PHOTOS BY

SYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLOR

TABANG MAYON TEAM RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE EVACUEES AT MAURARO HIGH SCHOOL, GUINOBATAN, ALBAY.


THE feast of Sto. Niño is unique to us Filipinos. It is “only in the Philippines.” This feast is celebrated

grandiosely in Cebu City, the center of the Sto. Niño Catholic celebration in the Philippines, and the rest of the country on the third Sunday of January every year.

The historical significance of the image could be one of the reasons why the devotion to the Sto. Niño has permeated in every Filipino’s home. It should be remembered that Cebu is the birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines and the image of the Sto. Niño is the baptismal gift by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the first Christian Queen Humamai of Cebu who embraced Christianity in April 1521.

The Archdiocese of Caceres and the City Government of Naga joined the celebration with the rest of the country last January 21, 2018. The celebration was a joint endeavor of the local government

PH

OT

OS

BY

SY

LR

AN

JELV

IC V

ILL

AF

LOR

NAGUEÑOS CELEBRATE FEAST OF

SEÑOR STO. NIÑOBy ATTY. HAZEL ROJAS

IN PHOTOS: FEAST OF STO.

NIÑO ATI- ATIHAN AND SINULOG

STREET DANCE COMPETITION.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 10

of Naga City and the Parish of the Immaculate Conception represented by Mayor John Bongat and Rev. Fr. Domingo Florida, respectively. Participated in by some barangays in the city, the Sinulog and Ati-Atihan Competitions mirrored to some extent the culturally and religiously rich festival in Cebu City.

The festivity culminated with a Eucharistic celebration in honor of Señor Sto. Niño presided by Rev. Fr. Rex Alarcon at the Plaza Quezon. It was attended by hundreds of devotees.

Truly, the child Jesus in the image of the Sto. Niño calls us to unity in diversity. Just as a child unites his father to his mother, Señor Sto. Niño invites everyone to be united despite their differences.

As devotees shout “Viva Sto. Niño!”, they remember the child Jesus and the child that all men used to be: pure, innocent, humble and trusting. Viva Sto . N iño !

PH

OT

OS

BY

SY

LR

AN

JELV

IC V

ILL

AF

LOR



Nagueños honor the

15 BICOLMARTYRS

RESIDENTS of this city and the Bicolanos, in general, on January 4 commemorated the 120th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Quince Martires del Bicol (15 Martyrs of Bicol) with a brief program led by Naga

City Mayor John G. Bongat, other city officials, students, representatives of various civic organizations, and the general public.

Flag Raising and wreath laying at the plaza named in their honor (Plaza Quince Martires) ushered in the commemoration at 7:30 a.m., followed by giving tribute to the 15 Bicol martyrs.

The 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army Band led the recessional. Photo opportunity and simple breakfast at the plaza and in nearby restaurant followed.

Three years ago, on June 12, 2014, Plaza Quince Martires became the center of national attention when then President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ S. Aquino III led in that hallowed ground the flag-raising and wreath laying rites during the 116th Philippine Independence Day commemoration.

The plaza, situated in downtown Naga and near Plaza Rizal, was chosen by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), with the President’s approval, as the venue for that year ’s Independence Day “to honor the 15 Martyrs of Bicol whose travails helped ignite the revolution in 1896.”

PHOTOS BY

SYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLOR & REYNALDO BAYLON

THE MARTYRSThe Fifteen Martyrs of Bicol were Filipino patriots in Bicol who were executed by firing squad on January 4, 1897, for cooperating with the Katipunan during the Philippine Revolution against Spain.

ELEVEN OF THE 15 WERE EXECUTED AT THE LUNETA IN MANILA. THEY WERE:

1. ) Rev. Inocencio Herrera - a native of Pateros, Rizal, he grew up in the Bicol Region and enrolled in the seminary of Nueva Caceres (now Naga City). He was a brilliant young man and had always topped his class. Gifted with a good voice, he became the choir master of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Nueva Caceres. He was only 30 years old when the Spaniards executed him.

2.) Rev. Gabriel Prieto - He demonstrated unusual wit and intelligence. He was a consistent scholar at the seminary of Nueva Caceres, where he studied for the priesthood. After his ordination, he was appointed by Msgr. Herrera as his adviser and confidential secretary. Father Prieto was denounced by the Spanish friars for his liberal and independent ideas.

3.) Rev. Severino Diaz - He was born in Bulan, Sorsogon of poor but hardworking parents. He was a model student at the seminary and later as parish priest of Nueva Caceres. He attended to his flock with extraordinary zeal. People remember him as the man who rebuilt and improved the Naga Cathedral. The Spanish friars were jealous of him for becoming the first Filipino Cura Paroco of Nueva Caceres. He was 45 years old when he was executed at the Luneta.

4.) Manuel Abella - A native of Catanauan, Quezon, he was better known for his philanthropic activities among the poor and underprivileged. He was 60 years old when he faced the firing squad in Bagumbayan.

5.) Domingo Abella - A son of Manuel Abella. Frank and outspoken, he took every opportunity to denounce the abuses and arrogance of the Spaniards. He was only 25 when he was executed at the Luneta.

6.) Camilo Jacob - A commercial photographer and native of Polangui, Albay. Like Domingo Abella, he was open-hearted. Suspected of conniving with the revolutionists, Jacob was tortured and starved to death in prison.

7. ) Tomas Prieto - A brother of Rev. Gabriel Prieto. A pharmacist, he was popular with the common people for his liberal and progressive ideas. He was executed at the age of 30.8.) Florendo Lerma - A theater owner and playwright from Quiapo, Manila, he went to Bicol at the age of 15 and established the first movie house in Naga.

9.) Macario Valentin - He was chief of the night patrol in Naga. He took advantage of his position by siding with the revolutionists, whom he supplied with valuable information about the activities of the Spanish militia.

10.) Mariano Melgarejo - A native son of Naga. In his diary, he wrote: "I look forward to the day when Filipinas takes her place among the free nations of the world."

11.) Cornelio Mercado - An employee in the public works department of Nueva Caceres.

The four Bicolano freedom fighters who were either exiled or died in prison were:

12.) Leon Hernandez - A resident of Libmanan, Camarines Sur, who was well-to-do and highly influential. He was thrown into the municipal jail in Nueva Caceres, where he was tortured to death for denying participation in the revolutionary movement.

13.) Ramon Abella - Also a son of Manuel Abella, who was executed at the Luneta. He was a strong advocate of the progressive and independent aspiration of his father.

14.) Mariano Arana - A government surveyor who died in exile on Bioko Island (then Fernando Po).

15.) Mariano Ordenanza - A clerk in the Bureau of Public Works. He died in jail in Manila shortly after he was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Spanish Council of War.


Legacy

While the heroic deeds and martyrdom of secular priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora are known all over the land and familiar to history students, the memory of the 15 martyrs of Bicolandia is confined to Naga City, the heart of Bicol.

For many years now, the people of Naga (then known as Nueva Caceres) and nearby municipalities have been paying tribute to these martyrs every fourth day of January.

During the incumbency of the late Camarines Sur Gov. Julian Ocampo, a monument was erected in memory of the Quince Martires del Bicolandia. The monument, located in the heart of the city, was formally dedicated on November 30, 1923.

Official recognition of the 15 martyrs of Bicolandia came only on February 20, 1950 when the director of the Department of Education added to the list of significant dates in Philippine history January 4, 1897, the day when Filipino freedom fighters from the Bicol region were executed. (With data culled from Wikipedia)

PHOTOS BY SYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLOR & REYNALDO BAYLON

THE hotel industry in this city is as promising as ever with the rise of more hotels and other accommodation establishments in

the city’s expanding business and financial centers.

The Naga City Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (ACTO) underscored the increase as it reported that around half of the total number of hotels operating in the city have already been accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to meet national standards.

Alec Santos, ACTO chief, said the city started with 34 accommodation establishments in 2011 which now has risen to 8o, or an increase of more than 50% in six years.

MORE HOTELS IN NAGA RISING,CITY PREPARES FOR MORE VISITOR INFLUX By ARMIE B. GUNAY

TOP PHOTOS: THE LOBBY AND ONE OF THE SUITES OF THE CARMEN HOTEL.

LEFT PHOTOS: THE EXECUTIVE AND THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE OF THE VILLA CACERES HOTEL.


B ARELY two days before floodwaters submerged many parts of this city in the first month of this year, the

Sangguniang Panglunsod on its regular session last January 9, 2018 started hearing on the proposal to allot more funds for the construction and rehabilitation of more drainage canals.

City Engineer Leon Palmiano, Jr. during the hearing identified before the city councilors the areas where drainage canals need immediate repair.

The city councilors are mulling to initially set aside P50M for immediate repairs of the drainage canals identified, although more funds may be allocated because of more areas identified by City Councilor Del Rosario and Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion.

According to City Councilor Del Rosario, the drainage canals in Barangays Bagumbayan Sur, Calauag, and Liboton require immediate attention. Vice Mayor Legacion said de-clogging of existing water passageways and storm drainages must be resorted to as an immediate measure to prevent water overflow and flooding of the streets.

The vice mayor said they already advised Engr. Palmiano to coordinate with

Ernesto Elcamel of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) regarding portions of the Calamity Fund that may be another possible source of funds to finance construction and repair of the city’s drainage system.

Moreover, the city councilors agreed to conduct an ocular inspection and investigation of the identified areas and other spots in the city where the drainage system urgently requires rehabilitation and repairs, particularly with the continuous rains that have been hitting the city and most parts of the Bicol Region.

NAGA SP MULLS MORE BUDGET FOR DRAINAGE SYSTEM

By ARMIE B. GUNAY

Among the newly accredited hotels are the CBD Plaza Hotel, Crown Hotel, The Carmen Hotel, Robertson Hotel, and the soon to be completed Summit Hotel and Go Hotel of the Robinson landholdings.

Reports from the DOT cited Naga City as having the most number of accredited hotels in the entire Bicol region— an indicator of economic dynamism that continues to attract visitors and investors who require comfortable and excellent quality of service while staying in a place “away from home.”

The Inter-Agency Joint Inspection Team dubbed as the Task Force Tourism started in 2012 is one of the city government’s

mechanisms that ensure quality of service being delivered by private establishments for their clients.

With the summer season approaching in less than three months from now, ACTO is currently preparing for the influx of visitors and tourists, with stakeholders being invited to attend trainings, such as water safety and basic life support for the tourist guides and lifeguards, among others, for the benefit of guests and visitors.

ACTO also intensifies campaign against abusive public transport drivers and operators as they are one of the sectors that greatly impact tourists’ impressions of the city.

Other concerns include the creation of alternate routes to various tourist destinations and the establishment of a tourism center to guide visitors, especially lone travelers. The museums in the city have also been added as preferred destinations for tourists.

With 10% rise in the number of tourist arrivals in 2017 from 1.21 million in 2016, ACTO expects more tourists to come to the city in the following summer months and up to September.

PHOTOS BY REYNALDO BAYLON

PH

OTO

S B

Y X

ER

ES

RA

MO

N G

AG

ER

O

330 STUDENTS IN FOR SUMMER JOBS

By ARMIE B. GUNAY

LEARNING AND EARNING. The first batch of students undergoing orientation training for their summer jobs.

S OME 330 students will be hired by the city government here for their summer jobs under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The students will be divided into two batches to work for the months of April and May, respectively.

About 200 students were already called in for the first batch and attended the orientation meeting held last March 22.

They will be assigned to their respective work stations at city hall and attached offices from April 10 to May 8, 2018. The second batch will start rendering their services on May 9 until June 5, 2018.

Submission of the requirement for SPES ended last March 16, this year.

The program employs high school, vocational, or college students, as well as Out-of-School Youths (OSY), 15 to 30 years of age, giving priority to children of low-income families.

SPES provides poor but deserving high school, vocational or college students the opportunity to be employed and compensated

during the summer and/or Christmas vacations— to help augment their family income and eventually send them to school.

PHOTOS BY JOSE COLLERA

ASEAN INTEGRATION. Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat (leftmost) signs with representatives from Indonesia and Malaysia one of the Memoranda of Agreement arrived at during the 1st International Conference on ASEAN Education and Culture Exchange held at the Avenue Plaza Hotel in Naga City.



ASEAN INTEGRATION IS ABOUT NOT LOSING SIGHT

OF OUR MAIN TASK OF STRENGTHENING THE

ECONOMIC AND EDUCATION FUNDAMENTALS OF OUR OWN COUNTRY,

AS WE INTEGRATE OUR ACADEMIC AND TECHNICAL

CAPABILITIES, OUR SKILLS AND TALENT, OUR CULTURE AND HERITAGE, WITH THE REST OF OUR ASEAN NEIGHBORS. IN

THE ABSENCE OF THOSE FUNDAMENTALS, THE

MUCH BALLYHOOED ASEAN INTEGRATION WILL REMAIN

AN ELUSIVE DREAM FOR THE PHILIPPINES

Excerpt from the Opening Message of Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat at the "1st International Conference on ASEAN Education & Cultural Exchange," held March 26, 2018 at The Tent, Avenue Plaza Hotel, Naga City.

PHOTOS BYREYNALDO BAYLON & JOSE COLLERA

CITY’S POPULATION NUTRITION OFFICE BARES 2018 ACTION PLAN By JASON B. NEOLA

HELPING mothers and their children

improve and maintain their health status

tops the list of what-to-do of the City

Population and Nutrition Office for this

year. Its 2018 action plan also includes program

on adolescent health and youth development, a

facility that allows young individuals to grow as

responsible parents and productive members of

the community.

Aside from specific projects on family

planning, CPNO’s portfolio also contains

activities that will promote population and

development, and nutrition.

Ensuring the availability and accessibility

of supplies and relevant information in

the barangay level is the initial step by the

population nutrition office to sustain life-saving

measures for mothers thru proper spacing and

timing of their pregnancies.

Walk-in clients as usual will benefit

the kind of services that CPNO extends to its

identified clientele in the barangays while it

also ensures that the safety level of all family

planning and nutrition supplies is maintained.

Information, education and

communication (IEC) campaign on population-

related issues and family planning is to be

undertaken regularly via the holding of family

health class, one-on-one counselling, chat

group, seminars, and fora called ‘usapang’

series (usapang buntis, usapang macho, and

usapang natural).

Teresita Castillo, city population and

nutrition officer, said that such information and

communication strategy, along with the holding

of Katropa and pre-marriage counselling

seminars, were found to be effective tools in

the promotion of positive reproductive health

and family planning practices towards the

fulfillment of having healthy mothers, babies

and families.

The office also sees the need to revitalize

this year the Naga City Natural Family Planning

Council as partner in raising the level of

understanding on the natural family planning

and its acceptance by the public, especially by

married couples.

Topping the 4-pronged program on

population and development is the adolescent

health and youth development program which

will be undertaken by keeping the CPNO

in touch with young individuals, with age

ASSURANCE of safe quality meat is unveiled.

ALL EQUIPMENT are made of stainless steel to avoid contamination.


Other nutrition programs that are included in this year’s action plan of CPNO:

1) Continuous operations of breastfeeding center in City Hall

2) Improvement of nutritional status of children

3) Maternal and child health services

4) Monitoring and evaluation of programs to ensure that mothers are provided with

atmosphere/environment that is favorable to them, especially the working ones, and to

be able to come up with approaches to decrease the prevalence rate of malnutrition.

NAGA ABATTOIR GAINS ‘DOUBLE A’ STANDARD; SAFER MEAT IS ASSURED

THE city’s abattoir is now operating as a ‘Double A (AA)’ slaughterhouse after being duly accredited by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) — an assurance of safe meat handling procedures for the benefit of consumers.

Unveiling of a marker that serves as a License to Operate, was conducted inside the slaughterhouse in Barangay Del Rosario here last February 19, 2018.

The license authorizes the city abattoir to engage in the slaughter of hogs, cattle, carabao, and goat for domestic trade.

Accreditation for ‘AA’ standard of the NMIS is based mainly on (1) facilities and (2) Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) being strictly observed inside the slaughterhouse.

In an interview, Mayor John G. Bongat said that wastage is kept to the minimum during the entire butchering procedure inside the abattoir -- from admission

of the animal to the slaughter process and until the delivery of meat.

The slaughterhouse is secured and monitored with CCTV cameras to ensure that standards and proper hygienic practices are observed and butchers and abattoir personnel will discouraged from pilfering any amount of butchered meat.

As meat safety remains on top of the priority concerns of the abattoir, observance of neatness and orderliness inside the abattoir and among the personnel are a must; no part of the butchered meat must be allowed to be carelessly laid out or

ranges from 10 to 24 years old, to help them

become responsible and productive citizens.

The strategy is expected to develop and

promote the total well-being of a person in

health, physical, mental and spiritual aspects

including his/her self-esteem.

The program also seeks to reduce the

incidence of reproductive health problems

among the youth i.e. premarital sex, teenage

pregnancies, abortion, early marriage,

sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) acquired

immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), human

immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and other

problems like alcohol and drug abuse.

Teen pregnancy prevention is further

aimed to decrease the prevalence of sexually

transmitted infections (STIs).

The gender equality and women

empowerment under the population and

development program will be given attention

thru the organization of Family Welfare Club.

FWC will be the city government’s partner in

strengthening the promotion of maternal and

child health, responsible parenthood, family

planning and the significant role of women in

society.

Under the population and development

integration program, the CPNO will work

to include in development planning,

environmental protection action and general

socioeconomic interventions important

matters on population. Capping this year ’s

activities is the holding of different events that

will mark the celebration of population and

development week such as citywide hanging of

streamers, on-the-spot poster making contest,

U4U, Marie Stopes BTL, and slogan making

contest.

In nutrition, the CPNO pursues the

mandate of improving the nutritional status

of malnourished preschool children, pregnant

and lactating mothers by way of center-

based feeding and holding of complementary

feeding.

It will also conduct class education to

provide information on nutrition and other

nutrition-related issues by way of family

health class and one-on-one counselling.

The activity is being undertaken every year to

create awareness and understanding on the

importance of nutrition.

On food fortification, which is being

undertaken to prevent iodine-deficiency

disorder (IDD) among mothers and children,

the office teaches iodized salt utilization

and conducts monitoring of sari-sari stores

on iodized salt selling and monitoring of

bakeries to see to it that they use iodized salt

and fortified flour.

Another project is micronutrient

supplementation which is aimed to prevent

and eliminate micro-nutrient deficiency

disorders. The CPNO provides multivitamins

and iron to children identified as nutri-

ataman recipients, provision of iron with folic

acid and multivitamins for the malnourished

and pregnant mothers and distribution of

micronutrient supplementation to infants

from 6 to 59 months old.

The CPNO, as in previous years, will

conduct identification and monitoring of

nutritional status of preschool children in the

city’s 27 barangays. The office also identifies

and provides solutions in the implementation

of the city government’s nutrition program.

Of 29,305 preschoolers in the city (public

school children), 132 are categorized to be

severely underweight, 9,919 are in ages not

exceeding 23 months and 422 classified as

underweight.

Thru the implementation of its

manpower development program, the office

enriches the barangay nutrition scholars’

(BNS) knowledge on nutrition and improves

their competencies in the delivery of services

in the community.


NAGA RECEIVES NEWEST AWARD AS G&D LEARNINGHUB

NEWEST AWARD. MAYOR JOHN BONGAT, ALONG WITH CITY COUNCILORS NENE DE ASIS, BUDDY DEL CASTILLO AND ELMER BALDEMORO AND CITY NUTRITION AND POPULATION OFFICER BABY DEL CASTILLO AND HER STAFF RECEIVE ITS NEWEST AWARD (TOP PHOTO) FROM THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON WOMEN.

strewn on the floor. Slaughtered animals must always be hanged until they are readied for delivery outside of the slaughter house.

The abattoir also assures that all equipment used in the slaughtering process are made of stainless steel — such that there shall be no incidence of rust or rusting that can cause contamination.

To further ensure safe meat condition, an established GMP team, led by Dan Cea, regularly looks into the butchery processes and sees to it that Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are strictly observed.

An accredited ‘AA’ slaughterhouse also means that the abattoir only delivers certified butchered meat in the city market and further to towns or provinces outside of the city — a condition that will draw in more livestock owners to choose the Naga City Abattoir for better meat quality and safe meat marketing.

CLEANLINESS observance is a must for all while inside the abattoir

The modern accredited abattoir could further bring income to the city, as the Naga City Abattoir — that is estimated to generate an annual income of P19M -- remains to be one of the top four local economic enterprises being managed by the city government that churn out higher incomes. The three other top enterprises are the Bicol Central Station (BCS), Naga City Hospital, and the Market Enterprise and Promotions Office (MEPO) that manages the Naga City People’s Mall.

Meanwhile, butchery as a course is being offered at the city-government-run City College of Naga.

N AGA CITY earns another feather on its cap after it was awarded anew by the

Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) as a learning hub of pro-women empowerment innovations.

The city first received the recognition in 2015 when two of its women empowerment programs, namely, Bantay Familia (founded and headed by Councilor Cecilia Veluz De Asis) and the GROW Negosyo program which City Mayor John Bongat started in 2010 and since then has been implemented by MetroPESO headed by Reuel Oliver.

This year -- aside from the two aforementioned sustained programs that have been recertified by the PCW-- the city's aggressive


Breastfeeding Program, which is being implemented by the City Population and Nutrition Office (CPNO) headed by Baby del Castillo, emerged as another best practice.

The women and men behind the success of the three best practices also include the officers of the Naga City Council for Women (NCWW) headed by Marivic Vargas Balane and all the Barangay Councils for Women (BCWs) members in the 27 barangays of Naga who help make and sustain the city as a more inclusive and gender-friendly community.

PRESENT IN THE OPENING CEREMONY IS THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON WOMEN (PCW) WHO LED THE SYMBOLIC LOCAL LEARNING HUB (LLH) RE- CERTIFICATION OF THE CITY’S BARANGAY GROW NEGOSYO PROGRAM AND THE NAGA CITY BANTAY FAMILIA, INC., AND THE CERTIFICATION AS WELL OF THE NAGA CITY BREASTFEEDING PROGRAM.

WOMEN'S MONTH CELEBRATION opens today in Naga City

with a parade of various groups from the barangays and other agencies, a Eucharistic

celebration, a trade fair showcasing local produce and crafts, variety of games, and

healthy lifestyle Zumba.


BETTER WATER

QUALITY. THE NAGA RIVER,

RELATIVELY CLEANER NOW BUT ITS

UPKEEP AND TOTAL CLEANLINESS AND

BETTER WATER QUALITY MUST

BE EVERYONE’S CONCERN

ASIDE from taking efforts to achieve better air quality, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) is earnestly pushing to improve the water quality of the Naga River, which is at present under the ‘C’ category.

The campaign for a cleaner Naga River, according to Alexander Caning, who assumed the position of city environment and natural resources officer last February 1, this year, will cost the city government around P8M to be used to procure one unit of water treatment facility (WTF) to be set up at the Naga City People’s Mall (NCPM) near the former site of the city slaughterhouse.

He said that although the ‘C’ status suggests that eutrophication is not happening yet in the river, his office will continue to pursue plans to improve the river ’s water quality. Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes enriched in dissolved nutrients such as phosphates that stimulate the growth of aquatic plant life usually resulting in the depletion of dissolved oxygen.

“We proposed to Mayor John Bongat that we put up a Water Treatment Facility (WTF) at the Naga City People’s Mall so that we can avoid draining the market’s wastewater directly to the Naga River without the benefit of treatment,” says Caning who previously worked at the Environment Management Bureau of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for 28 years.

The City ENRO chief, who also worked as EMB’s senior environmental specialist in the province of Catanduanes for 11 years, said that if wastewater is not properly treated before having it drained, the river can be negatively affected and harm

IMPROVING RIVER’S WATER QUALITY

NAGA TO PUT UPP8-M WATER TREATMENT

FACILITY AT NCPM

By JASON B. NEOLA

its fish and wildlife population. The situation will also lead to oxygen depletion.

With Mayor Bongat’s approval to install the facility, the office is now in the process of studying the kind of wastewater that NCPM has been generating, the volume of wastewater being generated on daily basis, and other related information or data.

Caning said the City ENRO’s River Patrol Team that gathers litters from the river also conducts series of monitoring on individuals or households violating environmental laws and ordinances. “The team is instructed to identify the violators and document the violations for our office to maake a formal report about the unlawful activities,” he said.

The Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO) headed by Engr. Joel Martin regularly sends garbage trucks to the city’s 27 barangays, including those situated along the Naga River, to collect household

wastes. Barangays where garbage trucks cannot move in because of tiny or crowded streets like Barangay Peñafrancia were

IF WE CONTINUE TO THROW GARBAGE AT THE NAGA RIVER AND IF WE DO NOT EVEN

CARE TO MAKE IT CLEAN AND FREE FROM HOUSEHOLD WASTES, IT COULD ONLY MEAN

THAT WE DO NOT RESPECT OUR INA.

BONGAT: ENTRY OF NEW BPO FIRM IN NAGA TO BOOST AN ‘ALREADY BOOMING ECONOMY’

N aga City Mayor John Bongat graced the opening of Quantrics, a subsidiary of Canada’s biggest telco player, Bell,

yesterday at the Robinson’s Naga.

Mayor Bongat said that the BPO giant has 120 employees as of the opening day and will grow eventually in the next 15 months.

“Initially employing more than 120 young Bicolanos/nas on opening day, coming mainly from Naga, CamSur, Legazpi and Albay, Sorsogon and Camarines Norte, Quantrics is the 5th major international BPO brand to set foot and operate in Naga and Metro Naga,” said Mayor Bongat.

Other big BPOs already operating in Naga are IBM, Concentrix, Stellar and Sutherland.

“This new BPO player is set to employ an average of 100 new employees per month or a total of 1,500 new employees in the next 15 months,” Mayor Bongat claimed.

“This will definitely be a big boost to Naga’s already booming economy,” he added.

By JASON B. NEOLA

The mayor thanked the BPO firm for trusting the talents and skills of Bicolanos.

“Thanks to Quantrics and space provider Cybergate Naga at Robinsons Place Naga for their confidence in the capability of the local talent and economy to support and sustain their operations,” he said.

For Mayor Bongat, the entry of another BPO firm in his city is a testament that “Naga continues to live up to its moniker as the country’s most competitive component city!”

THE OPENING OF A NEW BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING (BPO) FIRM IN NAGA CITY IS SEEN TO BOOST THE LATTER’S “ALREADY BOOMING ECONOMY,” THE CITY’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE SAID.

issued with pedicabs to pick up the garbage then deliver them to the barangay’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

The barangays and the SWMO had organized groups of residents called Kalinigan Warriors and the Barangay Environment Committees to use pedicabs and the MRFs to keep the barangays clean and green.

“But all these things [about the city government’s effort] will go to naught without the cooperation of the people,” Caning said.

Saying that the river traditionally serves as channel for the pagoda of Nuestra Sra. De Peñafrancia during the annual fluvial processions, Caning reminded the Nagueños, especially those residing near the riverbanks that “if we continue to throw garbage at the Naga River and if we do not even care to make it clean and free from household wastes, it could only mean that we do not respect our Ina.”

Caning, when he was still the administrative officer of EMB at the regional office and concurrent provincial management officer in Camarines Sur, had been supportive of the campaign for the Naga River. “It was during my years at the EMB when Naga River was included as one of the DENR’s water quality management areas wherein EMB programs are aligned to the programs being implemented by the LGU for the river,” he said"


TERMINAL FOR TRUCKS MULLED

THE city government here through a proposed ordinance is considering the idea of putting up a terminal for trucks and large vehicles in order to keep them off the road sides and thus help avoid traffic congestion along the

city’s major thoroughfares.Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion noted the presence of parked

trucks and container vans, particularly along the busy Magsaysay Avenue and Diversion Road (Roxas Avenue) of the Maharlika Highway.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panglunsod here will press for the immediate relocation of the electric posts of the Camarines Sur Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (Casureco II) and the telecom

By Armie B. Gunay

NO TRUCKS ALLOWED. The busy Magsaysay Avenue, Naga’s food and entertainment strip (shown in above photo), will soon be restricted from trucks and large vehicles with a proposal to contain them in a truck terminal.

companies following the widening of roads along the city’s major highways and the widening of more routes in the next few months.

The road widening resulted to electric posts “jutting out” of the widened concrete pavement, making them as road hazards and rendering the added road span useless, if not an idle “parking space” for various vehicles. This, while all the old trees that used to dot the once narrow Magsaysay Avenue had been chopped down to give way to the road widening project.



QUICK RESPONSE. Mayor John G. Bongat (right) distributes 150 portable radios meant exclusively for barangay tanods, in addition to those earlier given to the city’s 27 barangays. Apart from their everyday (24/7) use, a radio netting activity will be conducted every night to ensure the regular monitoring of each base station and provide situation report of their respective barangay. As a deterrent to crime, the portable radios will also come in handy during rescue and emergency situations.

SP

HIGHLIGHTS

:

2017 LANDMARK LEGISLATIONS

IN 2017, the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod is happy to note that it has enacted 110 ordinances and 656 resolutions over the course of said year. This is higher than the legislations we passed in 2016 – which total to 81

ordinances and 601 resolutions. Among the landmark legislations of 2017 are this representation’s Revised Solo Parents Ordinance of Naga City (Ordinance No. 2017-029) and Naga Bicycle Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2017-105). The first ordinance, co-sponsored by Councilor Elmer S. Baldemoro, expands the benefits and assistance being provided by the city government to solo parents. It also encourages private establishments to become partners in catering to the special needs of solo parents and their children.

Meanwhile, the Naga Bicycle Ordinance, co-sponsored by Councilor Joselito S.A. Del Rosario, is an expression of our commitment to promote cycling in the city.


It enumerates programs for its advancement, creates a Bicycle Board that will be participated by avid cyclists, and lays down the policy for provision of infrastructural support, including the creation of a Bicycle Park.

On the part of our city councillors, their significant contribution to the development of our city never ceases to amaze. Councilor Cecilia Veluz-De Asis, as head of the Committee on Appropriations, efficiently managed the preparation and the passage of Naga’s Annual Budget for 2018. She also co-sponsored the elevation of the City Events, Protocol and Public Information Office to a full-fledged department.

Councilor Gregorio Re Abonal, as chair of the Committee on Senior Citizens, has sponsored the enactment of the City Centenarians Incentive Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2017-052) which, aside from the One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) given by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, also gives another Hundred Thousand Peso (P100,000) incentive to Nagueños who reached the age of 100. As head of the Committee on Education, Councilor Abonal has also spearheaded the improvement on the Raul S. Roco-Naga City Public Library (RNCPL).

In the aspect of public health, our councilor-doctor, Hon. Jose Rañola, introduced innovative policies to ensure the wellness of our constituency. He is the man behind the Best Performing

Barangay Health Centers Reward System Ordinance in the City of Naga (Ordinance No. 2017-002), the Creation of a Task Force that shall monitor HIV/AIDS cases and sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the city and conduct surveillance to ensure protection especially of minor children against HIV/AIDS through possible involvement in sex trade (Ordinance No. 2017-018), The Naga City Drinking Water Quality Regulatory Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2017-039), the Smoke-Free Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2017-066) and the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2017-093).

Last 2017, Councilor Elmer Baldemoro gave special attention to the needs of the Persons with Disabilities. He strongly advocated for better protection of PWDs, as well as their wider and deeper integration in mainstream society. Thru his efforts, the Enhanced Persons with Disabilities Identification Card Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2017-022), Financial Assistance to PWDs for Burial Expenses (Ordinance No. 2017-025) and PWD Information Accessibility Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2017-044) were passed.

With the leadership of Councillor Mila Raquid-Arroyo, chairperson of the Committee on Land Use, finally the city government has updated its Comprehensive Land Use Plan via Resolution No. 2017-594. She also enhanced people’s participation


in governance thru her sponsorship of the People’s Budget Ordinance of Naga City (Ordinance No. 2017-072). This ordinance consequently brought down to the barangays the role of people’s councils in decision- and policy-making.

Thanks to Councilor Julian Lavadia Jr., the interests of the city’s farmers and the agriculture industry have been championed in the halls of the city council. Thru his efforts, the city now has Roadmap to Responsible and Sustainable Agriculture 2017-2027, as adopted via Resolution No. 2017-300.

The expertise of Councilor Joselito Del Rosario in public safety and traffic management is valuable to the Sanggunian. With his knowledge and experience as the former Executive Director of the Public Safety Office, responsive policies are crafted for enhancing public order in the city. He authored, among others, the Community-

TRADE FAIR SHOWCASING THE

BEST OF BICOL PRODUCTS.

BASIC LIFE

SUPPORT

SP

HIGHLIGHTS

:

COMPREHENSIVE DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL MASTER PLAN FOR NAGA

“CLIMATE CHANGE IS NO LONGER

SOME FAR-OFF PROBLEM;

IT IS HAPPENING HERE, IT IS

HAPPENING NOW.”

BARACK OBAMAPRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Although the present administration rallied majority of the Filipinos behind the word “change,” we must all be aware by now that not all change is beneficial to public welfare. And climate change is one of those prejudicial “changes”.

Climate change alters the composition of the global atmosphere, resulting to significant deleterious effects on the composition, resilience or productivity of natural and managed ecosystems or on the operation of socio-economic systems or on human health and welfare. In short, and to give more context, climate change is one of the major reasons why we are now experiencing unusual torrents of rains during a supposedly summer season, or facing a scorching sun during “Ber-months”.

In fact, this year, we saw for ourselves how climate change can be so disastrous without any warning or notice. On 12 January 2018, without any tropical storm signal hovering over Naga City or Camarines Sur, just pure heavy rains, many of our places were flooded unexpectedly. Properties were damaged, and many people were inconvenienced. Although thankfully, no life was taken, but such incident should never happen again.

Learning from the said event, the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga, thru the sponsorship of Councilor Vidal P. Castillo, chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure, enacted Resolution No. 2017-103. Via this resolution, we created a Technical Working Group (TWG) to formulate a Comprehensive Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan for the City of Naga.

The aforesaid TWG will be headed by the City Engineer, with the City Administrator and the City Planning and Development Coordinator as members. The Regional Irrigation Manager of the National Irrigation Administration and the District Engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Camarines Sur 2nd District Engineering Office are also invited to be part of the group. Though NIA and DPWH are already beyond the control and scope of authority of the city government, we believe that their participation is indispensable if we are truly serious not only to arrest the present problems on flooding but also to devise contingencies for the future.

In addition to this initiative at the micro level, the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod

IT IS AN EXPRESSION OF YOUR CITY OFFICIALS’ RELENTLESS

PURSUIT TO FIND BETTER AND MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS TO UPLIFT THE LIVES OF THE NAGUEÑOS AND, NOT ONLY SUSTAIN, BUT CONTINUALLY IMPROVE OUR MAOGMANG

LUGAR. AND, WITH YOUR HELP, THIS WE SHALL DO.


the passage of the ordinance that facilitates the establishment of the Sanitary Landfill cum Waste-to-Energy Facility in Barangay San Isidro. He also sponsored the Wildlife Conservation and Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS) Ordinance of Naga City (Ordinance No. 2017-026).

“Making the best better”, this has been our commitment since the time of the late Interior Secretary and former Naga Mayor Jesse M. Robredo. It is an expression of your city officials’ relentless pursuit to find better and more effective ways to uplift the lives of the Nagueños and, not only sustain, but continually improve our Maogmang Lugar. And, with your help, this we shall do.

level Disaster Preparedness Training Program Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2017-007) and the Anti-Contraband in Half-Way Houses Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2017-102).

As chairman of Committee on Market Affairs, Councilor Vidal P. Castillo sought to boost Naga’s local economy and to help micro, small and medium entrepreneurs in the city by providing a Night Market at Prieto Street. This he did by penning Ordinance No. 2017-060.

Of course, the youngest councilor of the City of Naga will not stop in pushing for new avenues for the development of the youth. In 2017, he authored Ordinance No. 2017-037 which institutionalizes the Naga City Council for Youth Development. This council, comprised of various youth representatives in or out of school, will provide policy recommendation for the improvement of the city.

Councilor Salvador Del Castillo is the person who we seek for advice in balancing out Naga’s robust development with the conservation of the environment. As chairman of the Committee on Energy and Environment, he is instrumental in


WE EITHER PROVIDE A LEADERSHIP THAT WAS EXCLUSIVE AND

AUTHORITATIVEOR A LEADERSHIP

THAT WAS INCLUSIVE AND CONSULTATIVE

---- A LEADERSHIP THAT

IMPOSES ITS WILL ON ITS CONSTITUENCY OR

A LEADERSHIP THAT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE PARTICIPATION AND

ENGAGEMENT

JESSE MANALASTAS ROBREDO FORMER NAGA CITY MAYORAND DILG SECRETARY

SP

HIGHLIGHTS

:

WE, NAGUEÑOS, ARE ACKNOWLEDGED FOR OUR STRONG SPIRITS

AND BRILLIANT MINDS. THOUGH WE ARE FACING A LARGER THREAT IN CLIMATE CHANGE, WE KNOW THAT,

WITH TEAMWORK AND UNBENDING WILL, WE

WILL BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE DRAINAGE AND FLOOD

CONTROL MASTER PLAN THAT WILL OVERCOME PRESENT

CHALLENGES AND PROVIDE SAFEGUARDS FOR FUTURE

ADVERSITIES.

AT present where many are seem too intend to call for an iron rule to befall the nation,

we are looking at another spectrum, believing and doing otherwise. Since the time it has been started by the late Mayor and Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, we in City Hall have always recognized the capacity of all Nagueños and the importance of their engagement to transform a city into a prosperous Maogmang Lugar. And we are keen on continually upholding so and improving even further the mechanisms for people participation and empowerment.

In fact, last 20 March 2018, another historic tread towards genuine people-centered governance has been taken. For the first time in the history of Naga, a joint session between the Sangguniang Panlungsod and a Sangguniang Barangay, particularly of Mabolo, was held. An audience of about 200 barangay officials, non-government organization leaders and

JOINT SESSION SA BARANGAY

also passed Resolution No. 2018-104, sponsored by Councilor Greg Abonal, to show the city’s appreciation and commitment to the vision of Her Excellency, Vice President Ma. Leonor G. Robredo, to craft a Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan for the whole of Metro Naga. We are supportive of this initiative as this will facilitate utmost cooperation among and between national government agencies and local government units. Thru strategic collaboration among stakeholders, those at present which are seemingly impossible tasks may be transformed to ambitious yet possible projects. To represent Naga in this vital technical partnership are City Engineer Leon Palmiano IV and Councilor Vidal Castillo.

We have to admit that the world is no longer the same as before. Due to massive industrialization, emission of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been enormous that resulted to the changes in climate today. Indeed, as part of the Bicol Region, we are supposed to be used to typhoons and must have already

been equipped with strategies and infrastructures to counter their impacts, but, we have to confess that we are now confronted with a new problem --- sadly, much larger and more serious than the previous one.

Nevertheless, we, Naguenos, are acknowledged for our strong spirits and brilliant minds. Though we are facing a larger threat in climate change, we know that, with teamwork and unbending will, we will be able to come up with a Comprehensive Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan that will overcome present challenges and provide safeguards for future adversities.

Sa pagtatarabangan, mayong problemang dai masosolusyonan.


other residents in the place was present to witness this historic event.

During the Joint Session sa Barangay, matters involving Barangay Mabolo were included in the agenda and were discussed. With improved communication between us, city legislators, and the officials of the barangay, many of the concerns at the grassroot level were immediately acted upon.

Further, in issues being confronted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, they were allowed to participate in the deliberation. Though, indeed, as provided by the Local Government Code of 1991, officials of the barangay cannot be provided with powers to vote on matters under the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, their active involvement nonetheless allowed us to develop a wider and better perspective on the topic.

After the formal closing of the joint session, we held an open forum, thereby giving residents of the barangay in attendance, other than the members of the Sangguniang Barangay, the opportunity to ask questions and to take up matters of utmost importance to them.

We are also happy to know of the remarks of the barangay officials that the joint session contributed in enhancing further their knowledge and skills on local legislation. Though they were already taught of parliamentary procedures as part of our Empowerment and Advancement of Barangays on Local Legislation (ENABL2E) Program, being subjected to the formality and rigidity of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s processes instils the lessons more vividly according to them. Well, as the adage says, “Experience is the best teacher.”

Overall, the first Joint Session sa Barangay is a success. It shows that there is yet another venue for people-participation that we can explore to improve the quality of policies we have in the City of Naga and, simultaneously, uplift the bar of public service. Hence, in the coming months, the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod will be conducting Joint Session sa Barangay in the other barangays of the city.

But, of course, the impact of each Joint Session sa Barangay will heavily depend on the enthusiasm, cooperation and engagement of the people. Thus, we thank Punong Barangay Magno Reyes, the officials and residents of Mabolo for being supportive of the program. We trust that the other barangays will be as receptive as Mabolo.

Tarabang po kita na pa-uswagon pa an Naga!

SP SESSION IN THE BARANGAY. Joint Session of the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of the City Government of Naga and the Barangay Council of Mabolo held this morning at Pagdaicon, Barangay Mabolo.

THE HUNGRY GUIDE: NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR

W HETHER it is a family dinner or a Saturday night out with friends, Naga City has quite a lot of choices when it comes to food and drinks. What is nice about

the city is that all the hip places are either just a walk or a 10-minute ride from each other. Yes, that is how convenient it is to find places to chill when you find yourself in this city.

It may be small compared to that of Cebu or Davao but it has instantly been considered home for most of the people who have had a taste of its mouthwatering dishes. With a number of good hangout places to choose from, you will feel how relaxed the city is, you would want to go back for more. Or even decide to stay for a while!

NAGA CITY IS NOT CALLED AN MAOGMANG LUGAR (THE HAPPY PLACE) FOR NOTHING! IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU HAVE LIVED IN NAGA ALL YOUR LIFE OR IF YOU ARE PLANNING A TRIP WITH YOUR FAMILY OR WITH THE BARKADA, YOU WOULD NEED THIS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ALL THE GO-TO PLACES TO GET YOUR EAT ON.

Kinalas is a well-known dish in Naga and Aling Cely's serves one of the best bowls. It is a version of mami which has white noodles in hot broth topped with a special brown sauce, finely chopped meat and scallions. It is served with calamansi and some condiments which you can use to adjust the flavor to your liking. Don't want any meat in your bowl? Order the Log-Log instead.

Some of the other Kinalasan you may want to try are Nonoy's Kinalas, Kinalas Twin, Bolofer's Eatery and Enteng's Kinalas.

If you’re a fan of vintage stuff, it would be a delight to your eyes to visit Back Draft. Not only will your tummies get stuffed with good food, your eyes will as well. Feast on some of their best-sellers like their signature Crispy Ulo, Buttered Chicken and their Pizzas while listening to their well-curated music is the perfect way to end your day. The place has a chill vibe which your barkada would enjoy but is also kid-friendly so you can have family dinners as well.

"You've never been to Bicol if you've never been to Bigg's" is a saying you might hear when you first visit. The restaurant has been in business since the 1980s and has become a comfort food among Bicolanos. Must-try are their Tenderloin Tips, Spaghetti, Crispy Chicken, burgers and their Rock n Roll Iced Tea. If you want all of the best-sellers in one plate, order the Bigg Deal which gives you a serving of spaghetti, chicken, and barbecue. Tip: mix all the condiments together to create a sauce for your chicken!

From mouthwatering Bicolano and Filipino food to its trendy decor, Bob Marlin is popular among Bicolanos and tourists which makes it one of the must-visit restaurants in town. For a spread you won't forget, order the Crispy Dinuguan, Bicol Express, Ziggy’s Sisig Krispy and of course, their famous Crispy Pata. You can enjoy all these at their indoor area that's perfect for family gatherings or at their outdoor area if you're planning to stay a little longer and enjoy the live music with your friends. They also have a bar called Cafe Rasta where they serve refreshing cocktail pitchers for only P125 each. This is definitely one restaurant you shouldn't miss when you visit!


Known for their over the top milkshakes like Cookie Monster, Debutant, Sweet Sixteen, Unicorn and so much more, they also serve savory dishes that go well with their sweet drinks. Choose from the cheesy Nachos, Monster Fries, Spam and Fries, rice bowls and sandwiches. There are also board games you can borrow you can play with your friends while indulging in their food!

By The Click List


This really is not an original Naga creation since its first store is found in Legazpi, but it's pretty popular in the city, as well! What makes it special, you ask? Well, it's the usual Filipino treat but they use finely-crushed iced which almost has the texture of the ice used in the popular Korean dessert, Bingsu. One bowl contains a generous serving of assorted gulaman, sweetened saba bananas, milk , a scoop of ube ice cream, cheese, and leche flan. Who can say no to that huge blob of smooth leche flan that goes with it?

Have you ever found yourself in the city but can't seem to find any healthy food choices? Finally, Fit Fix is here to serve the freshest eats you could find in Naga. If you prefer something light, choose from their salad selection – Chicken Teriyaki, Pork Amino, Seared Tuna and Grilled Salmon. If you want something that's a little more filling, grab a wrap instead – Chicken Moriga, Pork Veggie, Tuna Wasabi and Salmon Rice. They also have fresh juices you can pair with your pre or post-workout meal!

Fancy some ihaw-ihaw? Triboo Grill

has been a go-to place in Naga for

families. They've been in the business

for more than 20 years – yup, that's

how long they've been grilling meat

and the locals have loved them ever

since. Other than the grilled fares, they

also serve a mean Sizzling Sisig, some

popular Filipino vegetable dishes and a

Boodle Fight spread which ranges from

P1,488 to P2,590 that are good for 5 to

8 people. They also have Merienda sets

for sharing and are serving unlimited

coffee if you find yourself there in the

afternoon.

RANK BANKS BUSINESS NAME

1 RCBC Savings Bank, Inc. RCBC SAVINGS BANK, INC.

2 Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST COMPANY

3 Bank of Makati, Inc. BANK OF MAKATI, INC.

4 City Savings Bank, Inc. CITY SAVINGS BANK, INC.

5 Development Bank Of The Philippines DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES

6 Philippine National Bank PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK

7 Land Bank Of The Philippines LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES

8 BPI Family Savings Bank, Inc. BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK, INC.

9 PSBank-Naga P S B A N K- N A G A

10 Banco De Oro Universal BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL

RANK INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS NAME

1 Glenn Blaza Demabasa AVENUE LIFESTYLE PIZZA

2 Chiang Fook Lee Jr. NAGA A&M MAHUSAY TRADING

3 Richard T. Dy CROWN PARK RESTAURANT, CAFÉ FEDERICO, EAST-WEST, ETC.

4 Margarita Barte-Peñas NAGA GARDEN RESTAURANT

5 Jorge D. Tan STANCE SALES & DISTRIBUTION

6 Cristina Magsino-Palma BOB MARLIN RESTAURANT

7 Danny R. Chua NAGA CENTRAL GROCERY

8 Rosa T. Sytangco R. SYTANGCO TRADING

9 Kristoffer Payte Sychay MOLINO GRILL, BEANBAG COFFEE

10 Raul D. Cabral CABRAL-BICOLANDIA SUPERMART, CBS CONVENIENCE STORE, ETC.

11 Reymundo T. Tan NAGA PRINCETON ENTEPRISES

12 Joseph D. Cabral BODEGA GLASSWARE, BODEGA HOME PLUS

13 Sheryl Guevarra Lim H O N G E N T E R P R I S E S

14 Karen Garcia-Del Castillo V I V A H O M E D E P OT

15 Ramon Sy Sia BONING'S TRADING, RS NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE

16 Heide V. Lee N E W T H T R A D I N G

17 Temson S. Chua B E S C O M T R A D I N G

18 Matias Dacullo Carbonell M C E N T E R P R I S E S

19 Marilou B. Flores JEM JAP FOOR AND BEVERAGE SERVICES

20 Ma. Corazon M. Peñaflor BRENCE-P CATERING SERVICES

21 Rose Dian Obiedo-Uy ROBERTSON BUILDER & CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY

22 Samuel Uy Admana NAGA FAVORITE STORE

23 Hernanie Garcia-Guevarra HCG BUILDERS & SUPPLY

24 Melody Ngo-Dy Prieto HYPERTECH COMPUTERS

25 Gilbert N. Albero 3GX COMPUTER & I.T. SOLUTIONS

RANK CORPORATION1 SM Prime Holdings, Inc.2 Licomcen, Inc./Metroland Properties3 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas4 Vicsal Development Corporation5 Laguna Properties Holdings, Inc.6 New Site Estate & Realty Development Corporation7 Nagaland Development Corporation8 Romar & Sons Estate Development Corporation9 JLY Golden Fortune Corporation10 Puritan Land Development Corporation11 Victor Bichara and Sons, Inc.12 Nueva Caceres Development Corporation13 Caneridge Investments, Inc.14 LBP Resources & Development Corp.15 PNB16 Peterson Resources & Holdings, Inc.17 Naga Pioneer Realty Development Corp.18 Robinsons Land Corporation19 G7 Holdings Corporation20 Luzviminia Land Holdings, Inc.

RANK CORPORATION (LOCAL) BUSINESS NAME

1 Bonheur Marketing Corp. BONHEUR MARKETING CORP.

2 Graceland Food Industries, Inc. RED PLATTER, BAKER'S PLAZA, GEEWAN, ETC

3 Naga Rits Corporation NAGA RITS CORPORATION

4 South Star Drug, Inc. SOUTH STAR DRUG, INC.

5 Libertad Consumers Corporation LCC SUPERMARKET, LCC EXPRESS MART

6 Bigg's Incorporated BIGG'S DINER, QUE PASA

7 Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative II CAMARINES SUR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE II

8 TCL Merchandise Brokerage, Inc. L C C D E P A R T M E N T S TO R E

9 J. Poon and Sons Corporation J. POON AND SONS CORPORATION

10 Licomcen, Inc. L C C C E N T R A L M A L L

11 Nagaland Development Corporation NAGALAND E-MALL DEPT STORE, NDC MONEY CHANGER

12 University of Nueva Caceres UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES

13 Robiedo, Inc. VILLA CACERES HOTEL, RESORT, RESTAURANT

14 Oriental & Motolite Marketing Corporation ORIENTAL & MOTOLITE MARKETING CORPORATION

15 24K Foods Corporation 1 S T C O LO N I A L G R I L L

16 Golden 7 Holding Corporation THE AVENUE PLAZA HOTEL

17 Easystride, Inc. NASTASHA FASHION CLUB

18 ALDP Land & Construction Corporation ALDP COMMERCIAL COMPLEX

19 Isarog Gaming Corporation N A G A B I N G O

20 Naga Crushing Rock and Development Corporation NAGA CRUSHING ROCK AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

21 Iriga Joe Motors Corporation IRIGA JOE MOTORS CORPORATION

22 RT Montana Distributor Corporation RT MONTANA DISTRIBUTOR CORPORATION

23 Sto. Niño Memorial Park STO. NIÑO MEMORIAL PARK

24 Concepcion Grande Development, Inc. CONCEPCION GRANDE DEVELOPMENT, INC.

25 MicrofloraHealthMarketingCorporation MICROFLORA HEALTH MARKETING CORPORATION

2017 TOP TAXPAYERS - BUSINESS TAX

2017 TOP TAXPAYERS - REAL PROPERTY

RANK INDIVIDUAL1 Vicente Escobar, et.al. 2 Anastacia Lee-Ong3 Fortunato P. Mendoza4 George Gimenez, et.al.5 Marilyn Lim6 Lan Tan & Crecini, Eddie & Nathaniel Uy7 Daniel Razon 8 Adolfo Olivan9 Silvestre Payoyo10 William Enrile11 Jose Gerona Dacudao12 Ramon Sia13 Crisanto Guysayko Jr.14 Herman See Chung, et.al.15 Marianito Abella16 Joaquin & Lorenza Chancoco17 Letecia & Vicente Jr Abella18 Marilyn Dy, et.al.19 Gil Pacamara20 Francisco Lim

RANK CORPORATION (NATIONAL) BUSINESS NAME

1 SM Prime Holdings, Inc. S M P R I M E H O L D I N G S , I N C .

2 Mainstream Business, Inc. S M D E P A R T M E N T S TO R E

3 Freemont Foods Corporation J O L L I B E E N A G A

4 Supervalue, Inc. S M S U P E R M A R K E T

5 Golden Arches Development Corporation M C D O N A L D S N A G A

6 Caleb Motor Corporation CALEB MOTOR CORPORATION

7 Fresh and Famous Foods, Inc. CHOWKING, GREENWICH SM-NAGA

8 Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. METRO RETAIL STORES GROUP INC.

9 Bicolandia Drug Corporation M E R C U R Y D R U G

10 Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc. COCA-COLA FEMSA PHILIPPINES INC

11 Puregold Price Club, Inc. PUREGOLD PRICE CLUB, INC.

12 Dearborn Motors Co., Inc. F O R D @ N A G A

13 San Miguel Brewery, Inc. SAN MIGUEL BREWERY, INC.

14 APO Cement Corporation APO CEMENT CORPORATION

15 Star Appliance Center, Inc. S M A P P L I A N C E C E N T E R

16 Ace Hardware Philippines, Inc. ACE HARDWARE PHILIPPINES, INC.

17 Hyundai Alabang, Inc. H Y U N D A I N A G A

18 PMFTC, Inc. P M F T C , I N C .

19 Deco Arts Marketing, Inc. C I T I H A R D W A R E

20 Abenson Liberty Appliance, Inc. ABENSON LIBERTY APPLIANCES, INC.

21 Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. BOUNTY AGRO-VENTURES, INC.

22 Pepsi-Cola Products Phils., Inc. PEPSI-COLA PRODUCTS PHILS., INC.

23 Family Health & Beauty Corporation WATSONS YOUR PERSONAL STORE, DRUGSTORE

24 Stretch Distribution, Inc. STRECH DISTRIBUTION, INC.

25 Verde Foods, Inc. GREENWICH PIZZA PASTA

L I S T O F T O P T A X P A Y E R S

A

B

C

FE

D

bikers ride - naga.gov.ph

Documents