VMA to hold
training center day

A Training Center Day will be held at 4 p.m. today in Brgy. Pahanocoy, Bacolod City, as part of the weeklong celebration of the VMA Global College’s 41st Founding Week from February 22 to 28.

Guests of honor are Armi Arcilla, MARINA regional director, and Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., a press release from the institution said.

The program will highlight the training programs of the college as its contribution to marine environment and the maritime industry. Programs related to security and safety, marine environment protection and eco-marine ventures will also be presented, it said.

The blessing of the enclosed lifeboat, to be officiated by Fr. Roselo Villarosa, will follow, the release said.

The “Fiesta sa VMA,” theme is “Skills Enriched: Make Lives Secured and Future Assured”.

VMA Global College is a multi-awarded institution that offers high-quality Marine Education, Tourism Management Info-tech and Financial Management course and TESDA courses, the press release said.

As part of the activity, John Orola Jr., its president, led a clean-up drive along the shoreline of the training center Saturday.

Orola said that, to mitigate the effects of climate change, they must respond by keeping the environment clean and plant more mangroves along the shorelines.

Rufino Alcala, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said this is just part of the city’s disaster mitigation program.

He said they have requested the City Environment and Natural Resources Office to identify areas in Bacolod for possible mangrove planting, and areas with existing foreshore lease agreement.*CGS

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Salas death anniversary
set March 3

The 27th death anniversary of Rafael M. Salas will be commemorated March 3 in Bago City, Negros Occidental, a press release from the city said.

The anniversary, that has been declared an annual event in Bago in recognition of the achievements of Salas, will kick off with a wreath-laying ceremony at the RMS Historical Marker at the Salas Youth ACCESS Center, by Mayor Ramon Torres, the Salas family members, and trustees of the RMS Library Society, the press release also said.

It will be followed by a program of poetry readings, quiz bee for children, a painting competition, and presentations to remember the favorite son of Bago.

Salas was born in Bago in 1928, and was educated at the University of the Philippines and Harvard. He was the first executive director of the United Nations Population Fund, and worked to create the world’s first-ever population program, the press release also said.

He is remembered for his pioneering work to raise awareness of the strategic link between population and development, and earned the moniker “Mr. Population” from the international community.

Salas died of a heart attack in Washington, DC, on March 4, 1987, the press release added.*

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49 PWDs get Wheelchairs

Forty-nine customized wheelchairs were donated by the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute to 39 persons with disabilities in Bacolod City, and 10 PWDs in Talisay, Silay, San Carlos, Cadiz and Toboso, Negros Occidental, recently.

The turnover of wheelchairs was held at the Bacolod Government Center, and attended by Mayor Monico Puentevella, Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, dean Ma. Ceciliar Licuan, of the College of Rehabilitation Services, and employees of the Social Services and Development of Bacolod, Talisay, Silay and Murcia, a press release from the city said.

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