State college president scores
former Murcia town executive

The president of the Northern Negros College of Science and Technology scored former Murcia Mayor Esteban Coscolluela, for the recent closure of its extension school established in 2007 that triggered the transfer of more than 100 students, including 47 graduating criminal justice majors, to its main campus in Sagay City for schoolyear 2011-2012.

NONESCOST president Dr. Rogelio Artajo said that if only Coscolluela had followed the Memorandum of Agreement inked between the municipality and the state college, the closure would not have happened, as the school would have effected development and smooth operation with the P2 million a year commitment of the town, a press release from Murcia town said.

But it was as if there was no MOA at all, as Coscolluela released the funds on a piecemeal basis, and everything, including releases, was overly delayed, Artajo added.

Mayor Andrew Montelibano, and Sangguniang Bayan members, headed by Vice Mayor Gerry Rojas, appealed to the NONESCOST Board of Trustees for reconsideration through a unanimous SB Resolution, but to no avail, the press release said.

The issue has also reached the Office of the Governor, and with lawyer Jose Ma. Valencia as point person, the Capitol interceded to save the situation, the press release said.

In its May 18, 2011 BOT meeting, the NONESCOST Board, citing among others, the non-compliance of the municipal government of its promises since 2008, during which time Coscolluela was mayor, decided to close shop to the detriment of Murcia students and parents.

NONESCOST established an extension school in Murcia three years ago following the adoption of SB Resolution No. 2008-024, which stipulated that the LGU must provide for a P2 million assistance annually to fund its scholars, the press release said. 

It added that the situation held Montelibano hostage because when he took over as mayor on June 30, 2010, he discovered that no annual P2 million appropriation was enacted for the school and he cannot also undo the annual budget or realign some funds for the purpose as the town coffer was almost cash-trapped with six months left in 2010, the press release said.

After the discovery of fund misuse, Montelibano sought the commitment of PNOC-EDC, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., Rep. Albee Benitez and the local government unit for the Murcia scholars at NONESCOST for the current schoolyear and succeeded in raising the funds, it added.

With the town campus closed down, however, NONESCOST students from Murcia had to enrol for the time being at the Sagay main campus until after the extension school is reopened, hopefully in the next schoolyear, the press release also said.*

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12 brgys to
receive PAMANA aid

The Department of Interior and Local Government and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process have identified 12 conflict-affected barangays in Negros Oriental that will benefit from the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan, or PAMANA program.

The barangays are Janayjanay, Malaiba and Siapo in San Jose; Jantianon, Silab and Tambujangin of Amlan; Abante and Magsusunog in Pamplona; Azagra and San Miguel in Tanjay City; Mayabob, Zamboanguita; and Datag, in Siaton.

Provincial director Jofralito Lorico of the DILG said each of the 12 barangays will receive P250,000 under the peace and development fund to be used for locally owned-projects.

The P3 million will be distributed equally to them as fund assistance for conflict-affected areas.

The government’s flagship program on peace and development, PAMANA, is aimed at empowering communities by reducing poverty and vulnerability, improving governance, and empowering communities in pursuing peace through economic integration and development.

The OPAPP has also identified six local government units covering 12 barangays or special zones of peace in Negros Oriental under the PAMANA program.*RG 

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CFO sets
information campaign

Negrenses with concerns about overseas Filipinos, and those who wish to live abroad will have a chance to have a face-to-face meeting with officials of the Commission on Filipino Overseas.

The group will be in Negros Occidental on June 26 to 29 for a community education and information campaign, to assist prospective migrants in making informed decisions regarding settlement abroad, a Philippine Information Agency press release said.

It also aims to generate community involvement in migration concerns, intermarriage and existing government policies and programs directed against illegal recruitment, documentation fraud, and human trafficking.

On June 26, they will be at the San Sebastian Parish to speak before a Church Youth Organization.

On the 27th, the team will be at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office at 9 a.m., a courtesy call on Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia at 10 a.m., followed by a Pulong-Pulong at the Government Center.

In the afternoon, they will be in a symposium at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod, the press release added.*

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Family week
activities Planned out

The Bacolod Local Council for the Filipino Family, under the Department of Social Services and Development, met yesterday at the Government Center on activities to highlight this year’s Citywide Family Week Celebration on Sept. 18 to 24, a City Hall press release said.

The activities include mangrove planting at Punta Taytay, spearheaded by SPO1 Rey Jereos and the LCFF members, on Sept. 18; event launching at the Government Center to be attended by the C.H.I.L.D. Inc., the Visayan Forum, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Seventh-Day Adventists; and a Genealogical Research by the CJCLDS that does family background tracking.

On Sept. 20, there will be a bloodletting activity at the NGC, and a Symposium for OFWs to be spearheaded by the Department of Education, City Health Office, Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

On Sept. 23, a Cultural Program by the Visayan Forum and the CJCLDS will be held at the NGC, followed by an Advocacy Program by the C.H.I.L.D. Inc., the press release said.

On Sept. 24, a coastal clean-up from Banago to Punta Taytay will be held, followed by a Family Day in the same venue.

The celebration will focus on the importance of family solidarity, despite the various challenges and situations brought about by the migration of some family members to “greener pastures” in other countries. 

Councilor Em Ang has vowed to support the events with funds from the Gender and Development Council.

Proclamation No. 60, Series of 1992 states that Family Week will be celebrated every third week of September, the press release added.*

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