“Stop complaining. Do something.”

With that slogan, a group of businessmen in Bacolod called “Bantay Banwa” is supporting the administration of Mayor Evelio Leonardia in implementing the traffic management scheme of the city, a press release from City Hall said.

As its pioneer project, the 24-member group will donate to the city 77 international traffic signages to be installed along the stretch of Lacson Streets from Luxur Hotel, formerly Convention Plaza Hotel, up to Bangga Pepsi in Brgy. Bata. Each signage costs close to P6,000.

Fred Zayco, BB chairman, said once all the traffic signages are put in place, they will help in campaigning for proper compliance with these traffic signs. “We will not penalize but we will educate. We leave it to the city government on how the signs are appropriately implemented and observed,” Zayco added.

Leonardia, in his initial meeting with the group, thanked them and lauded the efforts of the private sector in helping Bacolod move “Fast Forward.”

“The city government holds one side of the rope, we are grateful that we have the support of the non-government organizations and the private sector in coming up with commendable feats that will benefit the greatest number of our people in Bacolod ,” Leonardia said.

The traffic signages will be turned over to the city through the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office and Traffic Management Unit next week. “This will be the initial turnover of the traffic signages,” Zayco said. He added that BB aims to cover all the main thoroughfares in Bacolod with such signages.

In a later meeting with the group, Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr., on behalf of Leonardia assured that, as the Chairman of the Committee on Traffic and Transportation, he will propose a resolution and among its provisions will be the protection of the traffic signages, and the information and education campaign that will run for 15 to 25 days, for the people of Bacolod on the international traffic signs.

These international traffic signs will also be beneficial to our residents who might want to go abroad and practise driving there, Bill Gomez said.

Living up to its slogan, the group is very enthusiastic in assisting the city government. Roberto Soliven, BB vice chairperson, said one of the objective of the group especially its elderly members, is to do something good for the city, “so that we can leave a legacy to our grandchildren and the younger generation as a whole.”

After the traffic signages, “Bantay Banwa” plans to assist the city with its Solid Waste Management Program.

Meanwhile, Gomez thanked the Mayor for maintaining the road along La Salle Avenue . Other BB members present in the meeting were Jose Abello, Tonette Kilayko, Roger Yap and Henry Espinosa, the press release added.*

back to top

PICPA sets symposium

The Philippine Institute of Public Accountants Negros Occidental chapter, in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, will conduct a withholding tax symposium 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, at the Grand Regal Hotel, Bacolod City , a PICPA press release said.

Resource speaker will be Marivic Galvan, chief of the withholding tax division, BIR national office.

PICPA members may call Jennifer Bayona at Tel. No. 434-7191 or Norma Bayoneta (434-7848) for details, the press release added.*

back to top

PICE national confab

The Philippine Institute of Engineers is preparing for its 33 rd National Convention, Nov. 21-24 at the Cebu International Convention Center, Cebu City on the theme “PICE at 70: Committed to Sustainable Infrastructure Development, a PICE press release said.

About 1,500 members from the construction, consulting, academic and commercial sectors all over the country, are expected to attend the gathering as in line with their Continuing Professional Development Program and the Resolution of the Philippine Regulation Commission on the Continuing Professional Education.

The two Module-Technical program will include topics on the state of the art technologies related to the five specialty divisions which are: structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources and hydraulic engineering, transportation engineering and construction management and engineering, the press release said.

It will also feature the Civil Engineering Week Celebration Competition.

The PICE-Negros Occidental Chapter Board of directors is inviting members and civil engineering students to join the activity that well start Nov. 12 with a motorcade after the Mass at 9 a.m. at Sacred Heart Seminary-Lupit Church . The event will end with a coastal clean-up in Barangay Pun Tataytay, Bacolod City on Nov. 17.

PICE members and interested students may visit the PICE-NOC Secretariat at Door H. St. Francis Compound, Lizares Avenue, Bacolod City, or call Tel/Fax: (034) 4321728, the press release added.*

back to top

Rotary club recognized

The Rotary Club of Bacolod Marapara topped the list of Rotary Clubs in Negros Occidental with the highest number of Paul Harris Sustaining Members for Rotary Year 2007-2008, a press release from the group said .

Named after Paul Harris, the lawyer who founded Rotary International in 1905 in Chicago, a sustaining member has to make an annual contribution of $100 which goes into the Annual Programs Fund. The funds are the primary source of funding for Rotary Foundation programs, which cover more than 160 countries.

Among the 25 members of Marapara Rotary, 17 elected to be new or continuing Paul Harris Sustaining Members with a total contribution of $1,700, the press release said.

Club president Eduardo Coscolluela said "I'm delighted so many of our young members have decided to become sustaining members. This shows their commitment to the ideals of Rotary," the press release said.

The Marapara members, along with members from other Rotary clubs in Negros Occidental, were recognized at The Rotary (District 3850, Zones 5, 6, 7) Joint Governor's Address at the Business Inn on Saturday. Guest of honor was District Governor Renier Gerochi, the press release added.*

back to top