IN BACOLOD:
Charter Day proposal
okayed on 2nd reading

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod passed on second reading the proposed ordinance entitled “An ordinance commemorating every June 18 and every year thereafter as the date of the signing into law of Commonwealth Act 326 or The Charter of the City of Bacolod.”

The ordinance was authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the SP Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, a press release from his office said.

To prevent the ordinance from conflicting with a national law, this was revised into “commemorating every June 18 as the signing of the law creating Bacolod City” from its previous title which declares the date as the charter day of the city, it said.

It was pointed out during the deliberation that the City Government can request the House of Representatives to amend the provisions of Republic Act 7724 which declares October 19 as the Charter day of Bacolod City, and change it to the correct date of the foundation of the city, the release said.

The ordinance was co-authored by Councilors ElCid Familiaran, Homer Bais, Roberto Rojas, Dindo Ramos, Em Ang, Al Victor Espino, Carl Lopez and Mona Dia Jardin.*CGS

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PPI confab goes
live streaming

For the first time since 1997 when the first press forum was organized, the Philippine Press Institute will cover live its 16th National Press Forum on Media Accountability and Public Engagement via video streaming on April 23 and 24 at the Traders Hotel Manila, a press release from the PPI said.

This was made possible by the Information Capital Technology Ventures, that offered its services and technical resources for free, the press release added.

Considered as one of the most anticipated annual gatherings of publishers and editors from the 72-member newspapers of the institute, the Press Forum will be accessed via www.ppinpf.nowplanet.tv, to specifically cater to audiences who will not be able to attend the conference, the press release said.

Broadcast partner TV5 will also cover the event, and speeches from the main forum and industry discussions will be made available in the PPI website at www.philpressinstitute.com .

President Benigno Aquino III will be the keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies, the first president to grace the annual event. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales is guest of honor in the Civic Journalism Community Press Awards that will honor community newspapers for excellence in various categories.

The PPI is celebrating its 48th founding year and 25th year since its reactivation in 1987. With the slogan "PPI: Legacy of a Free Press", the celebration will recognize the restoration of democracy through the historic People Power that reinstated social institutions, including the media. It will also reexamine media today as the fourth estate and watchdog, the press release added.*

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Disaster preparedness
center eyed

The compound of the Bacolod City Police Office will host the SMC-Petron Bacolod Disaster Preparedness and Relief Center soon, Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez said in a press release.

Golez heads the three-pronged disaster management program not only for the city but for the whole Western Visayas, the press release from his office said.

The Center will provide support to local government units in cases of disasters and related emergencies, in terms of training for emergency response, relief assistance, paramedic services, and other logistical requirements necessary for disaster and emergency response, the press release said.

On the same day, the Bacolod Humanitarian, Emergency, Logistics, Paramedics Service or Bacolod H.E.L.P.S. will also be organized and formalized, it added.

Golez, who is vice-chairman of the Congressional Committee on Health, is pushing for the healthy lifestyle advocacy merging this with the critical need for disaster preparedness as an imperative in the wake of recent natural calamities that hit the country, the press release added.*

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Tree planting plan
passes 1st reading

An ordinance requiring the planting and growing of trees in Bacolod City relocation sites, was approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on first reading Wednesday.

The ordinance, authored by Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez, said that trees produce fruit for food, filter the air, minimize carbon dioxide, shield people from sun exposure, and also complement and enhance architecture.

It said the Local Government Code of 1991 states that the primary role the local government unit is the conservation, development, protection and preservation of the natural resources in their jurisdiction.

The ordinance said the tree will protect communities from floods and landslides, and help store fresh water in the watersheds.

Trees provide herbal cures for diseases and ailments, it also said.

Barangays Granada, Vista Alegre and the Arao property of the city have been identified as the three new public housing relocation sites in Bacolod City, the ordinance added.*CGS

Earth Day activities set

The Bacolod-Negros Occidental Earth Day convenors have lined up activities in line with the Earth Day celebration with the slogan “Earth Day, Everyday, Everywhere”, a press release from organizers said.

A trash-to-cash waste market fair was held yesterday at the parking area of SM City Bacolod, where junk and recyclable materials like paper, cans, plastic bottles, and metals were brought and bought by junk dealers, the press release also said.

Meanwhile, a “Tree-K” run will take off at 6 a.m. today at the north parking area of the mall. Registration fees range from P50 to P350 in the three to five-kilometer event. In the afternoon, Bacolod biking enthusiasts will be joined by GMA's Survivor Philippines 2008 Sole Survivor, JC Tiuseco, in the “Ride for the Climate” event, the press release said.

Bikers are encouraged to join for free the event, that will take off at the mall north carpark at 5 p.m. Registration will start at 4 p.m.

Tomorrow, Earth Day convenors will initiate “A Walk for the Environment”, at 5 p.m., and are urging the public to participate. Those interested may call 468-0168, the press release added.*

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