113th medical mission of SIFI
conducted in La Castellana

The 113th medical dental mission of the Sugar Industry Foundation Inc. was held at the Velez-Malaga Elementary School in Brgy. Robles, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, recently, its press release said.

It said 281 sugar workers from nearby haciendas, small planters and their families benefited from the activity, that included free medical consultations and medicines, and dental extractions.

The team was headed by Neolita Alminaza, program coordinator of SIFI; assisted by the Asociasion de Agricultores de la Carlota Y Pontevedra Inc., headed by Elena Rojo; and Hacienda Malaga Cuenca MPC, chaired by Roberto Aizpuru; Dr. Nenita Sol of the Municipal Health Office; and Condrado Naquita, teacher in charge of the Velez-Malaga Elementary School. The doctors who participated in the mission were Milagros Amarra, Joyzel Montuya, Dan Dueñas, Ester Leong and Nenita Sol as well as dentists Judith Fernandez and Lirri Jeruta, the press release said.

The activity is part of the thrust of SIFI to provide medical, dental services and health education to sugar workers and their families, the press release added.*

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‘UNO-R@50’ exhibit in mall

An exhibit, “UNO-R@50”, showcasing the history and course offerings of the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos, is ongoing at SM City Bacolod, a press release from the school said.

The show that opened Monday is part of the culminating activities of the first university in Negros Occidental in celebrating its 50th year as a Recollect institution in the province, the press release said.

Rev. Fr. Cornelio Moral, chair of the UNO-R@50 Executive Committee, led the ribbon-cutting, assisted by Fr. Constantino Real, incoming Prior of the Recoletos de Bacolod; Fr. Joseph Dexter Palagtiosa, Talisay parish priest; Bro. Jaazeal Jakosalem; and the deans of the UNO-R colleges, the press release said.

UNO-R is calling its alumni to join the activities for the culmination, like the thanksgiving masses; awarding of pioneer alumni and employees; basketball game between religious and employees; concert with the Air Band; conferment of the Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) to Rufus Rodriguez; awards night for distinguished alumni, religious, priests and benefactors; and a disco and fireworks display, the press release added.*

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‘Don’t make
a wave’ show on

A group exhibit, “Don’t Make a Wave” of the works of Negros-based artists and Fine Arts graduates of the University of the Philippines Diliman, opened yesterday at the Gallery Orange in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City, a press release from the gallery said.

The show that will run until May 31 features the works of Gino Javier, Jerome Suplemento II, Mikiboy Pama, Hilario Campos, Tristram Miravalles, Guen Decena, Buen Abrigo, Mity dela Peña, Cat Mendoza, Mark Sanchez, Alden Santiago, Marija and Gail Vicente, and Jeff Tan, the press release added.*

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SBM goes after mayor

Former broadcaster Romy Niere yesterday said he and former city executive assistant Butch Ebreo will do everything to prevent Mayor Evelio Leonardia from becoming congressman of Bacolod City, alleging that there is corruption in his administration.

Niere and Ebreo have formed a group they call Samahang Biktima ni Mayor Bing or SBM.

Niere said his relationship with Leonardia has been strained because of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative issue, the mayor’s character and “pamilya incorporada” or alleged involvement of some family members in the transactions of the city.

He claimed that Leonardia wanted to have former CENECO president Edward Gasambelo replaced for transacting a contract with Panay Energy Development Corp., which he claimed is an illegal power supplier.

But he said that when Arnel Lapore became president, CENECO paid PEDC over P159 million. He claimed that the CENECO president will not act without orders from the mayor.

Lapore, however, said they have not yet paid PEDC its receivables. What they had paid was only the time of use rate for the power purchased by CENECO with PEDC which is a sanctioned payment by the Energy Regulatory Commission, he said.

This can be confirmed with PEDC, he added.

Lapore said if Niere claims there is an issue of corruption, he should file a case in court so the matter will be given proper attention and not make it a reason for his strained relationship with the mayor. He said CENECO is being run in an honest way and there is no reason for the mayor to support them if there is an issue of alleged corruption.

It is not the character of the mayor to control officials of CENECO since they are independent from City Hall, Lapore said, in reaction to the claims of Niere.

In fact, Leonardia even filed an opposition to the application of CENECO to collect from its consumers under-recoveries totaling P414.6 million, he said. That only shows how independent they are from each other, he added.

Ebreo said he is planning to file a case against the mayor and his “cahoots” for disobeying the order of the Ombudsman to dismissed from the service five current and former employees of Bacolod City after finding them administratively guilty of dishonesty.

He said he is not doing this because of the casuals under him who were not paid by the city and also claimed that that there are no politicians behind them. He also said he has documents to support alleged irregularities committed by the city.

City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan, meanwhile, said on the case of the employees that a motion for reconsideration has been filed with the Office of the Ombudsman. Under the rules of procedures, the current employees involved cannot be dismissed yet, since they are being given the opportunity to file for reconsideration, he said.

Considering that the charges against them constitute a grave offense, they are still given an opportunity under the Rules to file their motion for reconsideration, Bayatan said.

However, he also said, in the event that their motion is denied, the mayor has no choice but to follow the directive of the Ombudsman.*CGS

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