Guv inks prov’l
mental health MOA

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Mental Health Association Negros Occidental-Bacolod Chapter and its chairperson, Gloria Tajanlangit, for a project titled: “Bringing Mental Health Services to the Community” at the Governor’s Office, Thursday.

The Provincial Mental Health Program, that will tap the services and expertise of PMHA Negros Occidental-Bacolod Chapter, will be implemented under the supervision of the Provincial Health Office in six core referral hospitals in the province, a press release from the Capitol said yesterday.

They are the Vicente Gustilo District Hospital in Escalante City, Cadiz District Hospital, Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, Valladolid District Hospital, Gov. Valeriano Gatuslao Memorial Hospital in Himamaylan City and the Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City.

The PMHA Negros Occidental-Bacolod Chapter will provide at least one psychiatrist and one psychologist to conduct consultation treatment and follow up mentally-ill indigent patients at the core referral hospitals at least once a month, while the Negros Occidental provincial government will provide funds for the honorarium of the psychiatrist and psychologist and for the purchase of psychotropic medications for the patients, it said.

The Provincial Mental Health Team officers are: Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, chairperson; PMHA Negros Occ. Bacolod Chapter chairperson Gloria Tajanlangit, co-chairperson; municipal and city health officers, secretariat; and members are the Economic Enterprise Development Department, Zonal Action Officers together with the Association of Local Health Officers of Negros Occidental.

Also present at the signing were Dr. Mae Linda de Luzuriaga, Rose Jessica Octaviano and Ma. Teresa Benares from PMHA Negros Occidental-Bacolod Chapter, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Marlin Sanogal, Economic Enterprise Development Department head Japhet Masculino, and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang.*

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PNoy greets Garden Club

The Negros Occidental Garden Club was lauded by President Benigno Aquino III on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, a press release from the club said.

In his letter of congratulations, the President said "when infused with wisdom and perseverance, passion becomes a stronger catalyst for transformative enterprise. This brand of passion has galvanized your organization and sustained your vigor for public service for five decades,” the press release said.

Garden Club president Fe Remitio said she was delighted that the club had been recognized by the president.

"This is indeed a great honor and a tribute to all the many members who have made the club such a success over the years," she said.

The Garden Club was founded in 1962 to promote, encourage, foster and cultivate interest in garden floriculture and community beautification. It also supports several charitable projects including the Philippines Mental Health Association and Gawad Kalinga. This year, the club launched its 'Full Meal' program for undernourished school children in Bacolod City, the press release added.*

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Sagay Christmas Fair opens

Sagay City officials led by Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva and Rep. Alfredo Marañon III recently opened the city’s Christmas Fair 2012 with a show of unity and creativity, a press release from the city said.

A parade opened the traditional Christmas Fair 2012 with participants in Christmas costumes with mascots , the press release said.

Cueva and his wife, Marites, city and barangay officials, department heads led the official countdown and switch-on ceremony of the Christmas lights

Cueva thanked Sagaynons and the working committee the Christmas Fair 2012 and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Marañon, III said “We have to empty our hearts of hatred, anger and all ill feelings so that we can face life in a lighter and happier vein.”

A nightly Christmas presentation will be held at the city public plaza until the awarding and closing program on December 23, the press release said.*

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Silay announces winners
of  Christmas Village tilts

A Christmas arc depicting the Torii, a traditional Japanese gate of Japan bagged the top prize in the Christmas Arko Competition of Silay City’s 2012 Christmas Village recently.

The Torii was the entry of Brgy. Balaring, known as the “Seafood Capital” of Silay, a press release from Silay City said.

The “White House” entry of Brgy. I depicting the famous seat of power of the United States of America was second, while the pharaohs, pyramid and gods of Egypt through the arc entry of Brgy. V which was third.

The entries were judged on creativity, originality, durability, relevance, visual impact and choice of materials. All 16 barangays of the city of Silay participated in the competition and a gathering of Christmas arkos of the world can be found at the public plaza, including that of Spain, India, Philippines, Russia, Brazil, France, China, Thailand, Israel, Netherlands, Great Britain, Italy and Mexico, the press release said.

Meanwhile, in the Christmas Angel competition participated in by the Department of Education, the angel from the Philippines, the official entry of Don Eustaquio Lopez Memorial Elementary School, was the first prize winner.

The kimono-wearing Japanese angel of Mambulac Elementary School was second and the interpretation of Sto. Rosario Elementary School of the archangel of Indonesia was third, the press release said.

Consolation prize winners were Lantawan/Serafin Golez/Sibato Elementary School (Brazil), Silay South Elementary School (India), DominadorOking Jison Memorial Elementary School (Netherlands), Guimbala-on/Lantad Elementary School (Switzerland) and Dona Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School (Trinidad and Tobago, it added.

Silay City’s 2012 Christmas Village which also features a 40-foot tall Christmas tree, a life-size belen, tiangges, food court, amusement park and variety shows, will be open to the public until January 6.

A Christmas Carol Competition is set r today and and Acoustic Band Competition tomorrow, the press release said.

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