Escalante Councilor Alice Barcelona was re-elected president of the Negros Occidental Provincial Council of Women at its general assembly held recently at the Sea Breeze Hotel, Bacolod City with Vice Governor Isidro Zayco and Board Member Corazon Diploma as guests, a press release from the group said.

Also elected officers of the Board of Trustees for 2006-2007 were Alore Tambanillo of Pontevedra as vice president; Cleovel Villanueva of Bago, secretary; Dr. Cecilia Tolosa of Murcia, assistant secretary; Marilou Aguirre of La Carlota, treasurer; Manapla vice mayor Agnes Jo-Garcia, assistant treasurer;

Marjorie Layumas of San Carlos City and sectoral representative Dionela Madrona, auditors; Ma. Antonieta Lopez of the Media Advocates for Reproductive Health and Empowerment, public information officer; Melinda Aguilar of Hinigaran, business manager; Rudica Mangao of Kabankalan, assistant business manager; La Castellana Councilor Mary Eden Ligason, sergeant-at-arms; Valladolid Councilor Janet Palacios, assistant sergeant-at-arms and Sagay Councilor Wenonah Martyr and Freda Fabroz of Calatrava, directors.

The council was created through Ordinance 54 authored by former board member Edith Villanueva in 1994. It is composed of women members from 22 towns and 10 component cities in the province and representatives from the women sector such as health, education, labor, business and industry, urban poor, youth, elderly, media, arts, indigenous people and peasant women, the press release added.*

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Fund-raising campaign vs.
breast cancer launched

A pink scarf worth P50 can help fight breast cancer through a fund-raising campaign of a beauty products outlet in Bacolod in cooperation with the city government, a City Hall press release said.

When one buys a scarf, or some Avon products, the proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Center at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital, in Bacolod.

The Bacolod branch of the company recently launched a Fun Walk Against Breast Cancer led by Bacolod First Lady Elsa Leonardia.

The city government of Bacolod under the administration of Mayor Evelio Leonardia supports the campaign that would prevent and eliminate the disease, the press release said.

Other groups that participated in the launching were the Department of Education headed by City Schools Supt. Milagros Gonzales, the Bacolod City Council of Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Knights of Columbus, UPSILON Fraternity and Sorority and SPED.

Mrs. Leonardia congratulated the company for leading the way in fighting breast cancer.

The number of breast cancer cases has exploded over the last three years. It is one disease that we have to be united against, she said. It is because of the food we eat, the water we drink and our unguarded lifestyle, Mrs. Leonardia added in the press release.

Sales manager of AVON-Bacolod, Bon Escobbar, encourages everyone to support their campaign and to help save lives of breast cancer victims. Pink scarves are available at the said store, the press release added.*

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PRRM marks
20th anniversary

The Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement-Negros will celebrate its 20th anniversary today with a series of activities highlighted by a public forum at 1 to 5 p.m. at the TLDC Hall, Kadiwa Center, Gatuslao St., Bacolod City, a PRRM press release said yesterday.

The forum on the theme "Current Issues and Prospects and the Tasks of Civil Society in the Quest for Good Governance and Sustainable Development in the Philippines," will be keynoted by former PRRM president and erstwhile Agrarian Reform Secretary Horacio Morales.

It was under the helm of Morales that PRRM-Negros was established in 1986 as the first provincial office when the non-government organization was revived in the wake of the Edsa People Power Revolution, the press release said.

Local PRRM members and representatives from other sectors and organizations will attend the forum, held in cooperation with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Youth Association-Negros.

The group had been at the forefront of development initiatives and advocacies in the province, especially on issues regarding the environment and natural resources management, social and agrarian reforms, and good governance, the press release added.*

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Negros Occidental wins 8 awards
at Region VI Tourism Assembly

Negros Occidental bagged three major awards at the First Regional Tourism Excellence Awards, a highlight of the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly, held at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center in Iloilo City recently, a Capitol press release said.

The awards went to Sagay City for its Sagay Marine Reserve as "Best Eco-Tourism Product"; Sipalay City as "Best Emerging Destination", and Bago City as "Best Tourism-Oriented Local Government Unit."

Other awards were received by Provincial Tourism Officer Jennylind Cordero, who was adjudged "Best Travel Writer" for her columns and articles published in a magazine and a local paper; and the "Regional Director's Award" that recognized her contribution as most outstanding officer of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines where she was elected president for 2007, the press release said.

Meanwhile, also given the "Regional Director's Award" were Negros Island Tourism Inc. president Ruth Minerva-Cruz and Bacolod City Tourism Officer Imogene Kanaan; Ramon Hofileña for "Lifetime Achievement Award"; and Severino Pacete of Silay City -- "Best Tourism Officer Award."

The regional tourism assembly included exhibits and fairs, travel exchange/mart, cultural showcase, forum/congress, parade of festivals, search for Miss Western Visayas Tourism, and the Regional Food Festival, the pres release added.*

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