The Bacolod Vendors Plaza Dry Goods Association yesterday condemned the continuing closure of the Bacolod Vendor's Plaza and the apparent lack of action by the city government to resolve the issues.

A press statement from the group said the Vendor's Plaza has been closed for more than a year now and yet no solutions have been offered. It said that when the facility, worth, P12 million, was closed last year, Mayor Evelio Leonardia promised to re-install the vendors after assessing the situation of the Vendor's Plaza.

Organic standards
seminar starts today

About 25 organic farmers, mostly women, will attend a seminar on the Philippine National Organic Standard organized by the People's Agricultural Plan for the 21st Century Inc. starting today until Saturday at the Tuburan Farm in Mansilingan, Bacolod City, a press release from the organizers said.

The activity, held in cooperation with the Association of Negros Organic Farmers and Advocates, is aimed at raising farmers awareness on government standards to protect organic farmers against self-proclaimed and fake producers of organic foods and products. A resource speaker from the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines will discuss Executive Order 481 and the Philippine National Organic Standards, the press release said.

Government reactivates
investment ombudsman

ILOILO CITY -- The government has reactivated the Office of the Investment Ombudsman to help address red tape that is hindering investments in the country.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila said the office was reactivated in response to the clamor of businesses and investors to address bureaucratic hindrances especially at the local level. The office was created under the administration of deposed President Joseph Estrada but was deactivated when the present administration took over.

Favila said the office will oversee graft charges against government officials from agencies, offices and bureaus that are perceived to be blocking investment activities.

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