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F.S. 9 x 12

Vol. I No.4 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ROXAS CITY FEBRUARY-MARCH 2011

Mayor Angel Alan Celino started reinstating city officials he had earlier relieved.

The first to be returned to his post last Jan. 6 is Rainier “Jojo” Cargando, supervisor of the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center. The mayor recalled the appointment of Leonilo Araque as TATC head and reassigned him back to the City Treasurer’s Office.

In a memorandum dated Jan. 17 this year, Mayor Alan also ordered the reinstatement of Dr. Amelita Robles as City Health Officer and the revocation of the designation of Dr. Esperanza Gepelano, who was advised to reassume her post as assistant city health officer.

There were no signs, however, that relieved City Social Welfare Officer Cynthia Besana, who continues to question Mayor Alan’s discretion of relieving city officials, would be reinstated to her post. A case has been filed against her by Mayor Alan before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Relieved execs back to posts

Keep LP fire burning –Roxas

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Liberal Party last January 19, former Sen. Mar Roxas III exhorted Filipinos to “keep the fire burning,” particularly in making the LP ideals alive.

Roxas chose Facebook to send out the LP’s anniversary message which, he said, “it’s about you, not me and it’s about what we can do ,together, to change our country.”

Explaining why he used see page 5 / LP...

Roxas City SWAT: A 1st in WVby GERRY T. PAGHARION

The 22-member Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of the Roxas City Police Station –a brainchild of Mayor Angel Alan Celino -- is the only fully equipped and fully-trained SWAT unit in Western Visayas.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 director, Chief Supt. CiprianoQuerol, acknowledged this fact during the

closing rites of the 45-day SWAT Basic Training Course held at the Hall of Governors here last March 8.Querol wants the Roxas City SWAT unit replicated in other parts of the region.

The training, the first ever regular SWAT Course conducted in Region 6 outside Regional Special

see page 6 / SWAT...

see page 5 / RELIEVED...

Former Sen. Mar Roxas and Mayor Alan ‘take a walk together’ along the shores of Baybay Beach.

(Top Photo) Mayor Alan - along with Supt. Disomangcop and City Consultants Mike Araneta and Jeffrey Palomar - directs the SWAT training exercise in Brgy. Sibaguan. (Below photo) The Mayor, Councilor Emmanuel Billones, Jr. and Supt. Disomangcop pose with the SWAT team members.

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F.S. 9 x 12

FEBRUARY-MARCH 20112 Pagbag-o Newsletter OpinionOn the right track

BY MARIA ELENA S. DEOCAMPOCity Hall Views

The Roxas City Government headed by Mayor Angel Alan Celino is giving a lot

of attention to the less- privileged members of society. Poverty is inevitable. Our Mayor makes it a point to live by his promise of HOPE, which stands for Health, Opportunities, Peace and Order, and the Environment. If you think about it, HOPE should be the primordial concern of every city. Following this logic, the Mayor is on the right track.

Programs related to health are vigorously pushed through the City Health O�ce. �e re-opening of the Birthing Clinic last March 1, 2011 has enabled expectant mothers to avail themselves of good doctors, nurses and midwives for safe delivery on a 24/7 service. Our City is making sure that everyone who needs help is fully attended to. �e Mayor’s Feeding program is consistently implemented under the supervision of the City Social Welfare and Development. �is program is intended to improve the nutritional status of school children on the belief that they can think better if they are well-fed.

Preventing hunger among families in the coastal areas is being done by providing them with alternative forms of livelihood in times when �shing becomes impossible due to a host of factors, particularly climate change. �is is a brilliant idea to ensure that food supply is made available for them without tolerating the practice of

dependency and dole-outs. People should have pride and sense of dignity regardless of how miserable their condition is.

Just like our environment… how can we prevent it from further deteriorating? Global warming is the e�ect of abuse of man to Mother

Nature.That’s why we are experiencing u n u s u a l �oods and

other disasters. �e use of plastic and Styrofoam materials is one of the contributors to the pollution of our environment. We can prevent this by using eco-bags when doing grocery shopping and using recycled boxes for food packaging. �ese little changes, when practiced, can help save the world.

Let us be guided by the saying that “Prevention is better than Cure.”

Mayor Celino’s drive to e�ect CHANGE had led him to push for a movement known as “Roxas City Palangga Ko Ini, “ the main purpose of which is to encourage everyone in Roxas City to actively involve in governance, thus making Roxas City a “must see” place in the Philippines. For then, we can proudly say, “I’m from Roxas and I love my place.”

We have national and local laws. The latter come in the form of ordinances passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the city’s legislative body.

Most of these ordinances, however, have been gathering dust instead of being strictly enforced.

That’s why when the anti-texting ordinance, authored by Councilor Powell del Rosario, was passed by the SP and took effect last Nov. 15,2010, not a few skeptics have raised their eyebrows. But recent developments showed, however, that this particular ordinance has been implemented vigorously by the city’s law enforcers, particularly by Mayor Angel Alan Celino’s police auxiliaries. Now, the skeptics are trying to rest their case.

It matters a lot that Mayor Celino is exercising the needed political will in implementing the said particular law.

Police records showed that 22 persons were apprehended as of Feb. 2, 20011 for using their cell phones while driving. This means that those tasked to enforce the particular measure have been effectively doing their job. Indeed, given the needed political will, there is no reason why every undertaking or endeavor of the City would fail.

In the meantime, we can only hope that other important ordinances, like the one recently passed by the SP banning the sale and use of cigarettes in some places, would also succeed. The Roxas City Hall has been declared by the Mayor Celino smoke-free and this move, as everyone can see, is apparently succeeding.

Already, a task force led by the City Health Office was formed to oversee the implementation of the anti-smoking measure.

Whether this particular drive would succeed really depends on us. The city residents’ wholehearted support and cooperation is badly needed.

Political will

EDITORIAL

www.roxascity.gov.ph

EDITORIAL STAFFGERRY PAGHARION

Editor

MARIA ELENA S. DEOCAMPOAssociate Editor

Staff WritersKLAIRE B. BELOTINDOSSAMANTHA B. MEDINA

ContributorsDINO BELUSO

ResearchersRAMEL RABINO

BRYAN ANTONIO

PHOTOGRAPHERSNEIL BRYAN B. TUMLOS

TIMOTHY JAMES T. REYES

BY GERRY T. PAGHARIONNOTES. . .

How Roxas City came into being

Looking back would guide us on our

journey towards the future. Let us, therefore, keep ourselves abreast of the important historical events concerning our very own Roxas City.

Republic Act 603 created Capiz town to Roxas City named a�er its most illustrious son Manuel A. Roxas, First President of the Philippine Republic, through a bill sponsored by then Capiz Rep. Ramon Arnaldo.

APRIL 11,1951—Signing into law of the bill creating Roxas City by President Elpidio Quirino.

MAY 3,1951 – President Aquino issued EO No. 438 �xing the date of the organization of the Roxas City government on May 12 of the same year. Lorenzo Arnaldo

was the �rst city mayor.

1951—During the cityhood of Roxas, Capiz and Aklan were still one

province.1956 –Aklan became an

was not the capital of the province but the “pueblo of Pan-ay” because the Spaniards �rst settled in Pan-ay. However, they discovered later on that Capiz town is near the sea where their boats had better docking facilities. So they moved the capital to its present site, Roxas City.

Roxas City has many titles attached to its name:

--Seafood Capital of the Philippines

--Garden Center of Panay--City of the Sea--Cleanest and Greenest

Component City in Region Vl--Home of disciplined and

God-fearing folks--a lot moreNow, you have more reasons

to come and see the new face of Roxas City under Mayor Angel Alan Celino’s stewardship.

Now, you have more reasons to come and see

the new face of Roxas City under Mayor Angel Alan

Celino’s stewardship.

independent province through RA 1414 signed into law by President Ramon Magsaysay on April 25,1956.

1969-1757 (SPANISH SETTLEMENT)

Capiz town, now Roxas City,

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F.S. 9 x 12

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2011 3Pagbag-o Newsletter

It’s the Oscars season, that annual event in Hollywood which gives out awards to outstanding films and other people behind the movie production. Here, we see stars donned in their gowns walking the red carpet. Each gown costs as much as $12,000, or more than half a million pesos.

In third world countries like the Philippines, a number of people wallow in poverty. Many of them can’t even buy new slippers or clothes. We don’t want to see our fellow Filipinos suffer, do we? Quite a number of them end up as beggars. Worse, some of them have been pressured by their parents to earn money even through indecent ways.

Children should be saved from exploitation, notably from their parents or elders. The City Social Welfare and Development is coming up with a program to help these hapless kids. Because of neglect, a number of children are oftentimes forced to resort to robbery and prostitution just to earn money the easy way. There is hope for everything…that change for the better is possible.

The launching of “Roxas City –Palangga Ko Ini” is a movement that promotes this cause: To get

For your comments and contribution, please get in touch with the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) Media Bureau or text us in these numbers: 09088971003 to 005For the donation of old toys and clothes, please drop by the City Social Welfare Development Office on Inzo Arnaldo Village.

Thinking of others first…involved on the issues hounding us. And what better way to start than doing it in our hometown. To strive for a safer and peaceful place is one of the underlying factors behind this movement. Also, through the movement, it is hoped that poverty in the city will be minimized if not eliminated.

The City, through the CSWD, plans to reach out to young people, particularly students, to adopt a pro-active stance in dealing with the various issues and concerns in the community. Imagine, if a family adopts a child who can’t even eat three times a day , then that would help a lot in fighting poverty. In this way, no one will go hungry, no one will sleep in the cold pavement anymore. Many pupils still lack books and other school supplies. Why not those who have more in life share their resources to these kids?

The CSWD is open for donations, especially to help street children who are victims of child labor. Let us try to look after the needs of these young people. For a change, let us think of them and other unfortunate members of society before thinking of ourselves. Let us act now!

BY MARIA ELENA S. DEOCAMPO

Opinion

BY SAMANTHA MEDINASpur-of-the-moment

Innovation in police force

The Special Weapons and Tactics or SWAT Team is an elite and specialized unit that

can perform high-risk operations that a regular police force cannot respond. �e unit handles cases of terrorism attacks and hostage-taking s i t u a t i o n s . SWAT unit members are known for specialized skills in combat, armory, and strategy. �is team is equipped with high-end weapons, vehicles as well as expert training, making them an indispensable element in the police force.

�e SWAT concept was popularized in the United States. �rough the years, the presence of SWAT is proven to be greatly bene�cial in terms of responding and handling situations and incidents. Later on, this trend has reached the Philippines. Nonetheless, another innovation is about to happen this year as RoxasCity launched its very own SWAT unit.

A major concern of the City is on safety and security. With this, it has initiated the formation of the �rst-ever fully equipped and fully trained SWAT unit in Roxas City. �e project, headed by the City Government in cooperation with the city police station,will be training selected police personnel to become quali�ed members

of SWAT. �e city government considers the formation of the SWAT as a priority project and will be allocating a certain budget for it.

�e launching of the SWAT team training was done recently.

�e event was attended by Mayor Celino, Sr. Supt. Antonio

Viernes, Sr. Capiz police director Supt. Renato Gumban, city police chief Kashmir Disomangcop.

In his speech, Mayor Celino requested the trainees to be cooperative and attentive during the whole course of the training.

Twenty police o�cers were chosen to undergo the special training. �e 45-day SWAT training focuses on crisis situations. �e trainees will be experiencing drills on roof rappelling, entering a bus and marksmanship sniping just to name a few. �e whole training is under the supervision of Supt. Salvador E. Dagoon Jr., who served as training instructor together with police personnel from the regional o�ce 6 –PO3 Eduardo S. Siacon Jr., PO3 Leo Angelo T. Castro, PO3 Ronan M. Villasis, PO2 Roque C. Gimeno III and PO2 Alenxandro D. Agilles.

Indeed, the formation of the Roxas City SWAT unit is proof that good things are happening in Roxas City.

BY KLAIRE B. BELOTINDOSIt’s Me

With the complexities of the modern world and the in�uences brought

by media, everyone wants to be in tune with what’s up and what’s hip.

Being desirable in the eyes of many seems to have become the goal of every individual as being portrayed on the boob-tube and some glossy pages.

In e�ect, physical attractiveness has become a requisite for someone to be loved.

Blatantly speaking, many de�ne love with physical beauty.

It seems, some have forgotten the real essence of the much used and abused word- LOVE.

�is all, I thought all the while

have swallowed the mind and hearts of man.

Until one �ne Friday morning, I dropped by my friend’s pet shop.

Yawning cats, chirping birds, relaxing gold �shes, including iguanas were all over the

65 square foot pet shop.

Of course, man’s best friend, various breed of

dogs are still the bestsellers.I was chasing a cat, which

reminds me of the most famous cat in the world - Gar�eld, when a thin boy, about 9 years old came in and went straight to the counter.

“How much would a puppy cost?” he asked.

“Which one?” my friend

A Great Love That Isclari�ed.

“One of those �ve puppies in a gray cage outside” the boy’s referring to the ordinary feather-full yet equally cute puppies.

“It’s �ve hundred but i can give it for P 350.00 for an eager boy like you” said my friend.

“ I only have P300 here; can I just have it reserved instead? I’ll get on Monday”.

“ No problem dude... be sure to come back right away, puppies like those are easily sold..” added my friend.

“ I’ll, surely be, but I am sure mine will still be there.” he le� smiling con�dently.

Monday came, three puppies were le�.

�e boy came, smiling and

presented his P350.00 to my friend.“ OK boy, get one the puppy of

your choice”..�e boy went outside.

Happiness was all over his face. Slowly he picked-up a not-so-fat puppy.

“Boy, pick up one of the healthy puppies. �at one’s crippled. he’s got a deformed leg on the right. It can’t run nor play with you” My friend convincingly stressed.

“ No problem. �is is exactly what I am looking for” replied the boy, smiling.

Later on, we saw the boy carrying the puppy on one hand, and his other hand holding on to his crutches.

�e boy uses crutches to walk. see page 6 / IT’S ME...

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F.S. 9 x 12

FEBRUARY-MARCH 20114 Pagbag-o Newsletter Hope

HEALTH: Red Orchid Award

OPPORTUNITIES: Food for Work Project

Global warming is being felt all over the world. Disasters ranging from hurricanes, tornados and destructive �oods have wreaked havoc on many countries and caused untold miseries among the populace. �is climate change and other unpredictable weather conditions have made the families helpless especially those who depend on �shing. �e e�ects brought about by climate change have greatly a�ected the main source of income of small �shermen particularly those living in the coastal areas.

Mayor Celino has just approved the Food for Work Project for Distressed Families as proposed by City Social Welfare and Development. Bene�ciaries of the project are required to do the cleaning of clogged drainage/esteros, beach area and the repair of damaged dikes along the shoreline for the time that they could not earn a living through �shing.

�e Local Government Unit, with the assistance of the CSWDO assigned in the project, will purchase the food commodities from the Local Market and allocate these to the identi�ed baranggays. Identi�ed bene�ciaries of the project are Dumolog, Culasi, Baybay, Cogon, Punta Cogon, and Olotayan comprising 1,500 families.

�e Department of Health had rallied for the anti-smoking campaign to protect the health-being of every Filipino.�e concern for smoking doesn’t only involve the smokers but also the 2nd and 3rd hand smokers, who can be innocent children, the teenagers or the elderly. Once you get addicted to it, smoking is hard to stop. Eventually, smoking can lead to emphysema, lung cancer, blindness, bronchitis, among others.

Mayor Celino had pushed for the amendment of an anti-smoking ordinance and its full implementation. RoxasCity is “6 points behind from winning the Red Orchid Award of the DOH for compliance of the 88- pointcriteria.”�e City Health O�ce headed by Dr. Amelita Robles is optimistic that Roxas City can win this award especially a�er the Non-Smoking ordinance was implemented. �e Red Orchid Awardentitles the winner with a prize money of P 100,000, which will go to the City Health O�ce to help �nance its various anti-smoking activities. �at is, if it wins the award.

Mayor Angel Alan Celino has a dream for the City. To give �esh to that dream, he has anchored his development agenda on HOPE , which stands for

Health, Opportunities, Peace and Order, and Environment. �is is to guide him for e�ective leadership and governance.

HOPELiving the

by MARIA ELENA S. DEOCAMPO

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F.S. 9 x 12

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2011 5Pagbag-o NewsletterHope

What happens a�er one had gone to jail?We usually don’t care about what happens to our inmates while they are under incarceration or a�er they have been freed. Mayor Celino is showing his concern for those behind bars and their su�ering family. �is has led him to create

this livelihood project. Our Mayor believes on the philosophy that it is better to teach a person how to �sh rather than give him �sh. Not only does it build self esteem and direction but also provide skills which can lead to earning better income.

�e Hollow Block -Making livelihood project for the inmates of the BJMP will be supervised and trained by the CSWDO head and BJMP sta�.

�e Hollow Block materials to be produced will be purchased by the Roxas City Government for its engineering projects and for the construction and improvement of Day Care Centers. Proceeds or pro�t gained from this project will be shared equally by the thirty inmates so that when they are discharged from prison they already have their savings to be used in starting their new life. �is can also help the family of inmates because they (the inmates) would now be capable of extending an amount for their families’ basic needs.

PEACE AND ORDER: ‘Prison Blocks’

A dean from a school in Mindanao came to RoxasCity for an ocular visit and she was surprised to see how beautiful our city. She had commented favorably on our wet market, the TATC, as “very clean.” �is made her decide to conduct a �eld trip here for her students this year. Mayor Celino reports to the TATC once a week

to observe its operations. As ordered by the Mayor, TATC’s drainage will be de-clogged, its

roo�ng �xed to stop the leaks. Streets around the market will have an asphalt overlay. Illegal structures will also be relocated to improve the �ow of tra�c around the area. �e Mayor ‘s wish is for the people of RoxasCity to be more understanding, especially when it comes to removing the “illegal structures” in the TATC.

ENVIRONMENT: A Better TATC

the Facebook as the medium, Roxas said Facebook is also about democracy, which means the freedom to say what we want within the bounds of decency.

Democracy, Roxas stressed, also means to love freedom so that the truth prevails over tyrants and bigots.

“Their days are numbered indeed, because the sunlight that the web brings shines through everything. You have to be true to whatever you say in this world of relentless transparency,” Roxas said.

“As we resist the dictatorship and corruption of old, we open the gates for our people to express themselves with more passion … for our people to get more involved in making life better for everybody. We saw this during Ondoy, a calamity that sparked our oneness as a people who care for each other,” Roxas said.

“We are on the way there ---a free society governing itself democratically using the intelligence, energy and creativity of all Filipinos. Our nation’s development is one large public-private partnership, where we and the government work together to get ahead in the world.

Roxas said people need to have money to meet their basic needs and this can only be made in a competitive setting that places a premium on creativity. They must also be well-educated.

In this quest, he said, the Liberal Party wants to be a leader of sorts… “but I know too well that we must work hard and in earnest to gain your trust, especially because distrust in politics has gone so deep for so long in the past.”

Roxas hopes that “we will continue to meet here online, may it be on Facebook or Twitter, just to refresh our common ideals ---democracy, being real and honest, civic duty and love for our country ---even if we disagree on a lot of other things.” GTP

LP...

Mayor Alan has stated time and again that he was still weighing the capacity and trustworthiness of some people working with him. “Just give me enough time to sort things out,” he appealed to the affected officials.

RELIEVED...

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F.S. 9 x 12

FEBRUARY-MARCH 20116 Pagbag-o Newsletter

The proposed ordinance prohibiting the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes in certain places was unanimously approved by the City Council during its Feb. 23 session.

The ordinance, authored by Councilors Erlynne Lim and Powel del Rosario, seeks to amend the anti-smoking ordinance authored by then Councilor Eduardo Magallanes and passed by the City Council in 2004.

Earlier, Mayor Angel Alan Celino formed a task force with the City Health Office as lead agency to ensure the strict enforcement of the anti-smoking ordinance.

The amended anti-smoking measure seeks to prohibit smoking in any part of any enclosed or partially closed public places, workplaces, government-owned or public conveyances (whether

Roxas CityNews

Training Unit 6, kicked off Jan. 10 and ended March 4. It was also among the basic enhancement programs that PRO 6 has instituted pursuant to the marching orders of PNP Chief Director General Raul Bacalzo to refresh all police personnel of their fundamental functions.

Querol commended the city’s police chief Supt. Khasmir C. Disomangcop for making the formation of SWAT possible and Mayor Celino for his “unwavering support” to the undertaking.

Mayor Celino promised to provide the needed allowance to the SWAT members and benefits to their families.

Already, Mayor Alan was invited to a Department of Interior and Local Government meeting March 10 in Iloilo to expound about the SWAT formation.

The Roxas City SWAT team is composed of 21 males and one female.

Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco, Jr. said that since Roxas City is a component city of the Province, he is giving his full support to the

SWAT unit. Aside from a Certificate

Completion signed by Chief Supt. Dr. Charles T. Calima Jr., chief executive officer Vl, Director of the PNP Training Service, four additional special awards and certificates were given to the following graduates:

PO1 Hernani F. Ignacio for demonstrating excellence in Physical Fitness, PO1 RizaldoBonza for Pistol Proficiency, SPO1 Ronald Dumala for Rifle Profiency . The major award , the TOP Gun award, went to FelomarDelaFuente.

Ignacio and Bonza received brand new Glock 17 9MM Pistols each from Supt. Disomangcop while Dumala got a brand new 5.56 MM Stoner Sniping M16 Rifle from Mayor Celino. The Top Gun awardee was personally given a Glock 17 9MM pistol by Superintendent Querol.

The graduation was highlighted by the demonstration of SWAT members of hostage-taking simulation exercise at Barangay Sibaguan Shooting Range. The demonstration was witnessed by General Querol, relatives of SWAT members, and media people.

Dadivas elected VMLP Nat’lVice President unopposed

Roxas City Vice Mayor Ronnie T. Dadivas was elected unopposed as Vice Mayors League of the Philippines National Vice President for Operations during the league’s 19th National Convention at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao last Feb. 24-26.

This is the second time that Dadivas was elected to a national post. Then newly elected vice mayor, Dadivas was elected as National VP for Finance during the League’s 17th National Convention at Manila Hotel. His win made him the 1st Capizeño to hold a national post 20 years after the creation of the VMLP.

Now on his second term as presiding officer of the City Council, Dadivas is also the current chapter president of VMLP Capiz.

His election in the league’s national office, Dadivas said, would help him institute reforms and push for developmental initiatives for the league.

“I look forward to having a leadership role in this important and historic o r g a n i z a t i o n that recently has focused on fiscal su s t a inab i l i t y, development, and env i ronmenta l s t e w a r d s h i p , ” said Dadivas.

VMLP is an organization of vice mayors from all cities and municipalities of the Philippines, totaling 1,632 member LGUs. This was founded in 1988 and has been serving the local government for

the past 22 years. The league’s president and vice president automatically occupy two seats in the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), an organization of various league presidents representing the local government units.

“I look forward to having a leadership role in this important and historic organization that recently has focused on fiscal sustainability, development, and environmental stewardship,” said Dadivas.

VMLP is an organization of vice mayors from all cities and municipalities of the Philippines, totaling 1,632 member LGUs. This was founded in 1988 and has been serving the local government for the past 22 years. The league’s president and vice president automatically occupy two seats in the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), an organization of various league presidents representing the local government units.

Dadivas (2nd from left) with his fellow vice mayors.

(L-R) VM Montorio, VM Cedullo, VM Dadivas and Mayor Rama

City Council okeys ban on sale, use of cigarettes

Del Rosario

ROXAS CITY SWAT...

His le� foot is shorter and smaller than the other.

I and my friend looked at each other. No words came out. �e simple gaze on the boy tells everything why he has so much love and care to give to the puppy.

Love in the real sense of the word is unconditional…regardless of who we are and what we have…

We love because it’s the nicest feeling of all…Our world goes round and round when we feel this kind of feeling to others…to our family, friends and love ones…. Indeed, love is great. It has always been.

In john 8:34, the bible says: A new command I give you: Love One another as I have loved you, so you must love one another”

IT’S ME...

LIM

mobile or stationary or while solicitation of passengers is going on or while the vehicle is waiting for pas-sengers) or public outdoor places.

It also bans the selling or distribution of tobacco products in schools, public playgrounds or other facility frequented by minors or within 100 meters from any point in the perimeter of those places.

The ordinance will penalize violators for first offense with P500; second offense, P1,000; third offense, P2,500 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six days, or both at the discretion of the court.GTP

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F.S. 9 x 12

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2011 7Pagbag-o Newsletter

PLEB created to try erring copsRoxas CityNews

Mayor Angel Alan Celino has issued an executive order creating the Roxas City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) to hear and decide cases against erring policemen.

The five-man Board is composed of individuals from various sectors. They are Councilor Julius Abela, former city prosecutor Victort Posadas , Liga ng mga Barangay representative Francisco Calinao, Capiz Bankers’ Association

president Jose Aligno Jr., and Roxas City Parents and Teachers Association Federation president Cecilia Palomar. They took their oath of office last March 14.

City Interior and Local Government director Clyne Deocampo said the establishment of the board is in line with Section 43 of R.A 6975 as amended by R.A. 8551 which establishes the PNP under the reorganization f the DILG.

City plans to procure biometric

time clocks By GERRY T. PAGHARION

The city government is planning to procure eight biometric time clocks to ensure punctuality among employees as well as prevent “ghost” time-in and time-outs.

Mayor Angel Alan Celino said biometric time clocks identify a person through his /her personal attributes.

Celino cited examples like hand print (hand punch) clock which detects the overall attributes of a person’s hand ; a fingerprint time clock which detects a person’s fingerprints; and a retina scanning clock, which detects a person through his retina or eyes.

Celino had observed that while some employees report on time, others are late. “Using high technology gadgets like biometrics, I hope that city employees will show up on time,” the mayor quipped.

The mayor has been trying to set an example to employees, even showing up to his office before 8 a.m. Every Wednesday, the mayor reports to Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center to ensure that the market lives up to its role as one of the economic enterprises of the city.

Shortly after the assumed office, Celino formed the Task Force Pagbag-o (Change) to investigate alleged abuses by officials and employees during the past administration.

By JEMIN GUILLERMO, PIA-Capiz

Lawyer Joseph Ador Ramos has been named by Mayor Angel Alan Celino as the new legal officer of the city. He replaced lawyer Luvim Amores, who left the government to pursue a private law practice.

Ramos was legal officer of a private firm in Makati City for two years prior to his stint at the Public Attorney’s Office in Capiz. Later, he resigned from PAO to practice law in a private capacity.

He taught at the Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion College of Law for a year and, later, at the Capiz State University.

Ramos earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Santo Tomas in 1999 and passed the Bar the following year. (Felipe Celino, Panay News)

Ramos is new city legal officer

program of the OCV in support of the “Rabies-Free Visayas Island Project.”

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system of both humans and animals and remains one of the most serious public health hazards with an average annual deaths of 200 to 500 in the country.

DOGS...

12 vendors get NEGOkartsMark Anthony Alvarez (show

repair), Mahalia Armada (burger and other snack foods), Alicia Barrera (cooked viand), MaribethCalzado (native food), Melody Cordenillo (snack food), Jonathan Losanta (snack food), Pamela Solomeo (native food), Annabelle Diaz (snack food), Michelle Dellava (snack food), Lilia Devera (peanuts), Jessie Lara (peanuts) and MIrasolOlandres (peanuts).

Mayor Angel Alan Celino distributed 12 NEGOkarts to the 12 ambulant vendors on Dec. 6 last year to enhance their “source of livelihood.” The NEGOKart is a project funded by a P144,000-grant from the Department of Labor and Employment. Director Manuel Roldan witnessed the turnover ceremony at the DinggoyRoxas Civic Center. Recipients of the NEGOkarts are:

By MILAGROS BARQUIN

Mayor Alan assures a NEGOKart recipient of more assistance from the City. Looking on are DOLE Director Roldan and Councilor James Matthew Viterbo. A project recipient (right photo) tries the NEGOKart given to him.

of the full support extended by the Roxases and the Orosco couple, Mayor Turic and wife Vangie of Sapian, Capiz.

Also, a photo exhibit was held on the first day at the Ali Mall Activity Center about the rich cultural heritage of Capiz and its historical landmarks. A Variety Show was also mounted by the Dagway Sigmahanon, a theater group based in Sigma, Capiz,

depicting the way of life of Capiz folks.

On March 5, drummers went around the Araneta Center for a street –dancing activity. According to Councilor Billones, around 500 Capizeños gamely joined in the Sadsad (street-dancing) from the Farmer’s Market to the Ali Mall. On hand to enliven the occasion were the Bb. Pilipinas candidates.

Joining Governor Tanco and Mayor Celino in the “Fiesta-

cularPhilippines” were Vice Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras, Vice Mayor Ronnie Dadivas, city councilors Powell del Rosario and Emmanuel Billones Jr. and Capiz board members Remia Fuentes –Bartolome, Sonny Besa, BlesildaAlmalbis, Emilie Ardvilla, and Mayors Steve Contreras of Pontevedra, Rita Patricio of Pilar, Wilfredo Borres of Maayon, Raymund Locsin of Pres. Roxas and Mary Andaya of Sigma.

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ROXAS CITY –The Roxas City Government Employees Cooperative (ROGEMCO), which is composed of officials and employees of the Roxas City government distributed unbrellas to its 430 members last February 15,2011 as a gesture of gratitude

ROGEMCO sets assemblyby DINO BELUSO

for their support and patronage to the services offered by the cooperative.

Further, ROGEMCO will hold its Annual General Assembly Meeting on March 18,2011 at the DinggoyRoxas Civic Center. This is the time when the members can

meet and interact with their officers who will report to them the previous year’s operations of the cooperative. In this year’s Assembly Meeting the members will once again exercise their right to vote for the Board Members and Officers of the Cooperative for the next two years.

Mayor’s feeding program benefits hundreds of pupils

One- hundred- eighty-five day care pupils from Barangays Milibili and Tiza have availed themselves of a free specially mixed rice porridge (lugaw) and pandesal during the city government’s supplemental feeding program Feb. 8. Spearheaded by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) , the program aims to improve the physical and mental well-being of day care pupils .

Milibili barangay captain Sulpicio Taburnal said: “We are happy that the city government continues to

10,000 dogs eyed in massive vaccination drive

About 10,000 dogs are being targeted by the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCV) headed by Dr. Dante Corros in its ongoing mass dog vaccination. The program aims to eradicate the deadly rabies in the City.

Livestock Inspector Rovel Eribal of the OCV said the vaccination is free,

adding that teams have already been organized by their office and have been conducting daily vaccination in the city barangays since Jan. 17. The activity will culminate in the island barangay of Olotayan on March 14.

The anti-rabies campaign is a yearly

see page 7 / DOGS...

help our children.”A cere-monial feeding

was led by Mayor Angel Alan Celino and Councilor Emmanuel Billones Jr. during the Feb. 8 activity.

The feeding program was started by the mayor shortly after he assumed office in July 2010 to improve the nutritional status of day care children in the city’s 47 barangays. Every week, atleast two barangays are targeted as recipients of the feeding program, according to CSWDO officer-in-charge Lorelie Suelo. GTP/Alex Lumaque

Mayor Celino personally supervises his feeding program.

By Alex Lumaque, PIA-Capiz

Capiz takes center stage in ‘Fiesta-cular’

BY KLAIRE B. BELOTINDOS

A number of Capiz residents and their leaders, including Manila-based Capizeños, flocked to Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City as early as 6 a.m. last March 4 to take part in the launching of “Fiesta-cular Philippines,” which featured Capiz: its arts, history, and more importantly, its seafood products.

Part of the launching is the guesting of Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. and Mayor Angel Alan Celino in the ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda During the interview, the two Capiz officials agreed that Capiz is a “rich province pretending to the poor.”

In Wennie Cordero’s segment, renowned Chef Margarita Fores, first cousin of former Sen Mar Roxas, conducted a cooking demonstration to showcase the different delicacies that can be whipped up out of the various seafood products from Capiz.

Sumptuous seafood menu like Grilled diwal drizzled with mushroom truffle paste, Prawn and Clam Pasta, CrèmeBrulee with CapizBucayo, Fish Al Sale and Pesto Sauce and Talaba with Sinamak Granita were presented to the viewing public during the demo.

The formal opening of the seafood fair at

the Dampa Market at Farmer’s Plaza followed. Fresh seafood products from Capiz were sold at affordable prices. At the same time, customers were entertained by the Province’s performers.

Councilor Emmanuel Billones Jr. and Consultant Randy Andrade said the event, which simulated the Capiz Fiesta set on April 15-17, was largely successful in terms of selling Capiz and its component city, Roxas City, through through their delicious seafood products.,

The two were one in saying that the affair became successful because

Gov. Victor Tanco and Mayor Alan (top photo) display the diwal or angel wings during the Fiesta-cular. The two officials (left photo) lead the ribbon-cutting at the opening of photo exhibit at Ali Mall. Tanco and Celino (right photo) being interviewed by ABS-CBN Umagang Kay Ganda host Wennie Cordero. Other officials at the ribbon-cutting were (from left) Board Member Sonny Besa, Vice Mayor Dadivas, Vice Governor Contreras, Mayors Steve Contreras of Pontevedra and Rita Patricio of Pilar.

(From left) Fe Salgado, Lorelei Piansay, Julie Alimonsurin, Luz Almalbis, Vottorio Jesus Arnaldo, Ronnie Alba, Gelconida Roxas, Joy Hermia and Dino Beluso.

see page 7 / CAPIZ...