The municipality of Murcia held the 2nd Speechfest Grand Finals recently, with 15 contestants making it from three elimination rounds in various categories, a press release from Murcia said.

The event, sponsored by the Murcia Local School Board chaired by Mayor Esteban Coscolluela, is aimed at training the youth in public speaking using the English language.

Champion to third place winners were: Humorous Story Telling (Elementary) – Adezza Adajar, John Michael Benjamin, Siddley Shane Adajar; Extemporaneous Speaking (Elementary) – Antoneth Marie dela Paz, Queeny Diane Montaño, Jian Frynz Demonteverde; Interpretative Reading (Elementary) –Chlea Shereiz Perartilla, Seth Pullona, Kathleen Joy Parreño;

Humorous Story Telling (Secondary) – Sheila de Pedro, Aevey Camille Dubouzet, Ma. Rebecca Mauricio; Extemporaneous Speaking (Secondary) – Alyza Mari Benedicto, Gabriela Ann Malabor, Malourie Villaranda; and Oration (Secondary) – Ma. Cinderella Samson, Mary Allynne Aplasca, Irene Laygan.

Meanwhile, the La Consolacion Academy was the champion in the debate against Cansilayan National High School. Best debater was John Manuel Monteflor of La Consolacion Academy and best speaker was Liafail Mondejar of Cansilayan National High School.

Each champion per category received P7,000; second place - P4,500; and the third place, P3,000, the press release said.

The winning debate team received P15,000 and consolation cash prizes were given to non-winners, the press release added.*

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San Carlos Galing
Pook awardee

The development and rehabilitation of watershed areas in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, won for the city the Galing Pook 2007 award, as one of the 10 most outstanding local governance programs in the country, a San Carlos press release said.

The innovative program of the city called “Tubig Bayranan Pagaagay sa Kaugmaran: Water Levy and the San Carlos Watershed Management Project,” is a financing scheme imposing a water levy of 75 centavos per cubic meter of water consumed by residents, over and above the current water rate of P8 per cubic meter.

It was the fifth Galing Pook Award for San Carlos, after it was recognized for its Buluangan Fishport in 1995, Homelot Program for Squatters - 1996, Daan Sa Kaunlaran (Negros Translink Highway)/Bgry. Nataban Barangay Site - 1997, and Cemetery/Memorial Tree Park in 2000, the press release said.

San Carlos and first district officials received the award recently from President  Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in rites held at Malacañang.

The water system in San Carlos is owned and operated by the city as one of its economic enterprise programs. The water levy fund is imposed through an ordinance, and accrues to a trust fund managed by the San Carlos Development Board Inc.  the press release said.

The project implementation involves four multi-sectoral organizations. Since its initial implementation with the launching of the  pilot watershed  project at Baticulan watershed area by SCBI in August, 2005, a total of 211,348 trees have been planted with 14 tree species for timber production, the press release added.*

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SIFI holds medical mission

The Sugar Industry Foundation Inc. conducted a medical dental mission for 410 sugar farm workers and their beneficiaries in Brgy. Eustaquio Lopez in Silay City, Negros Occidental, recently, a SIFI press release said.

Edith Villanueva, SIFI chief operating officer and president, led the mission in partnership with the Sweet Negros Multi-Purpose Cooperative represented by Felix Dumancas; La Purisima Concepcion Elementary School headed by principal Rommel Fuentes; and the barangay health workers of the place.

Doctors and dentists who volunteered their services were Marites Garriel, Rochel Calleja, Ricky Alayon, Rhea Joy Tabujara, Cheryl Amar, Eimee Sausa, and Judith Fernandez.

SIFI also donated assorted medicines to the school, and identified the prevalent sicknesses in the barangay, the press release added.*

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PNRC holds congress

The 8th Red Cross Chapter Youth Congress was held at the La Consolacion College SHTM Center in Bacolod, recently, participated in by members from various schools in the city, a press release from organizers said.

Speakers were Lyn Garcia, president, National Youth Council and member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine National Red Cross; Ayr Altavas, assistant secretary, National Youth Council; and Carlos Benigno Gallardo, officer-in-charge of the PNRC Red Cross Youth Department.

A highlight of the congress was the election of the PNRC Youth Council.

Elected were Desiree Jane Go, University of St. La Salle – president; Jaynil Miatapal, Technological University of the Philippines – vice president; Stephanie Grace Braza, USLS – secretary; Camille Peñafiel, LCC-Integrated School – assistant secretary;

Zairo Lapore, LCC-IS – treasurer; Keith Anthony  Balbin, West Negros University-IS – assistant treasurer; Joanna Gumban, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos – auditor; Jhun Fred Escobañez, LCC-IS – press relations officer; and Victor Hugh Empio, TUP-Visayas – assistant PRO, the press release added.*

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