Stem cell medicine in Iloilo

THE Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine has brought early March a technology in Iloilo City in a bid to promote stem cell medicine and therapy.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the arrival of the stem cell medicine in Iloilo would attract tourists and for physicians to practice in the city.

BIR eyes P8.27 billion in 2013

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Davao Region based in Iloilo City is eyeing a target collection of P8.27 billion in 2013, depicting a 27.9 percent increase from its 2012 collection from its five revenue district offices in Panay Island.

During the 2013 tax campaign kick-off last March 8, Regional Director Romulo Aguila Jr. said the growing infrastructure projects in Panay and in Iloilo by the Aquino Administration shows the healthy collection of taxes augmented by the Ilonggos with the highest amount in bank deposits.

New pharmacy, laboratory launched in Iloilo

A NEWLY renovated and improved pharmacy and laboratory of the Aleosan District Hospital was inaugurated last Friday, March 8, in Iloilo City.

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., who led the inauguration, said the project is part of the massive renovation and upgrading of hospitals undertaken under Hospital Efficiency Assurance through Reform and Transformation (Heart) program.

Ordinance on used motor oil passed

THE City Council of Iloilo has passed an ordinance regulating the disposal of used motor oil by gasoline stations, auto repair shops and other establishments, individuals or entities.

In a regular session last March 6, author of ordinance, Councilor Jason Gonzales and co-sponsor Councilor David Jamora, said the measure will greatly help the local environment and the Iloilo River regarding the drainage system or canals.

River project pushes Iloilo as rice granary of Philippines

THE Jalaur River Multi-purpose Project II (JRMP II) in Iloilo is expected to push the province as the top rice producing area and rice granary of the Philippines, according to an official.

Regional Director Gerardo Corsiga of the National Irrigation Systems (NIS) after the National Government is set to push through the P11.2 billion JRMP II in Calinog, Iloilo within 2013.

NGO asks voters to follow conscience

A NON-GOVERNMENT organization (NGO) working in poor communities in Iloilo City has expressed disappointment on the stand of the Catholic Church, particularly the Diocese of Bacolod, favoring candidates who support the anti-Reproductive Health (RH) campaign.

Armand Parcon, chapter president of Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP), said it is still the family’s choice and no one must impose a will against the RH.

Defensor to village chiefs: Be vigilant vs vote-buying

ILOILO Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. urged the village chiefs to be vigilant against election fraud and vote-buying this coming May 13 polls to ensure that the election results reflect the will of the people.

Defensor made the call during his keynote address at the opening of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB)-Iloilo Provincial Congress held in the Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City on March 3-5, 2013.

Iloilo jeep barkers to get livelihood aid

THE Iloilo City Government has assured livelihood assistance to more than 70 jeepney barkers and dispatchers in the city in a bid to provide them with alternative livelihood opportunities and income generating projects.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the presence of barkers in various loading and unloading areas is in clear violation of the existing city ordinance which provides penalties against erring barkers with a fine of P200.

14 roads, 4 bridges up before 2013 ends

A TOTAL of 14 major roads and four bridges in Iloilo City, which is estimated at P1.4 billion including road right of way, will be opened for public use by the end of 2013, according to Senator Franklin M. Drilon.

Drilon disclosed teh inforamtion upon presenting the projects under President Benigno Aquino III’s administration to the Iloilo River Development Council meeting recently.

Farmers’ groups in Iloilo get machinery

SEVENTY-six farmers associations from the province of Iloilo received one unit each of collapsible dryer case, a farm machinery, from the Iloilo Provincial Government and Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. led the distribution of the equipment at the Iloilo Sports Complex in the presence of representatives from the DA and officials of the Provincial Agriculture Office.

Fire victims to stay at old site

THE 109 affected families, who were affected by the February 23’s fire at Sitio Sinikway, Barangay Tabucan in Mandurriao District, will have to stay at the old site by the end of April or May.

The owner of the lot that was razed by the fire is amenable to the request of the Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to allow the fire victims to stay in their temporary shelter at the site pending their transfer to the City Government-owned Lanit relocation site.

Fire volunteer group braces for fire month

A FIRE volunteer group in this Iloilo City is getting ready to meet contingencies for the Fire Prevention Month this March 2013, according to Francis Wong, president of the Iloilo Citizens Action Group (ICAG).

Wong said his organization composed mostly of Filipino-Chinese residents in Iloilo is bracing up as the city suffered several fire incidents since January 2013.

Red Cross girds for ISO certification

THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in Iloilo is eyeing to get an ISO Certification following the recently renovated blood center.

PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang said the modern blood facility is now ready for worldwide recognition brought about by the recent renovation and expansion spearheaded by the PRC Iloilo chapter.

DSWD suspends cash-out for 4Ps beneficiaries

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is temporarily suspending the payment of cash transfers to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for three months starting March 2013 until May 2013 in deference to the May 13 midterm elections.

DSWD Regional Director Evelyn Macapobre assured the beneficiaries will receive a cash grant bonanza for three months by June 2013, as the department will resume its responsibility of cash transfers in time for school opening in June.

DepEd fetes 20 outstanding students of Iloilo

THE Department of Education (DepEd) is recognizing 10 graduating outstanding elementary pupils and another 10 graduating outstanding students of Iloilo for Academic Year 2012-2013.

The search for 20 outstanding students of Iloilo in both categories is dominated by students of Iloilo City-based public and private schools.

DSWD: Politicians taboo in 4Ps

OFFICIALS of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have assured no politicians are allowed to use or intervene in the implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for identified poor families.

DSWD Assistant Secretary for Operations Teodulo Romo Jr. said the program needs the protection of everyone and their office is currently evaluating the veracity of reports concerning 12 “epal” politicians in Western Visayas who claimed the pro-poor program as their own.

Iloilo road widening takes off

THE Iloilo City’s road widening project has officially started Thursday, February 28, following the launching and the groundbreaking of the diversion road.

The P300-million worth Phase I of the Iloilo-Jaro diversion road, also called as Benigno Aquino Avenue, is funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Mabilog: High hopes for premier Iloilo

ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said recently that the target of the city to become premier in the country by 2015 may come earlier in 2014 as the city embraces fast developments.

Mabilog made the assessment following the recent launching of a big road project amounting to P300 million, aside from the ongoing widening of the Jaro-Leganes road that costs P200 million.

Urban greening starts in Iloilo River

THE urban greening project of the Iloilo City Government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has started along the Iloilo River.

Royal palms were planted from Gaisano Iloilo to the Carpenters Bridge in Mandurriao district.

Iloilo to remove mangroves along Dungon creek

THE Iloilo City Government and eight barangays will lead in the removal, and transfer of mangroves along the Dungon Creek to pave the way for comprehensive dredging of the creek leading to the Iloilo River.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the City Government has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the project dated December 2012 until December 2013.

University of San Agustin turns 60 in March

THE University of San Agustin (USA) in Iloilo is commemorating its 60th anniversary with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Friday, March 1, 2013.

The University of San Agustin, which is the biggest school in Iloilo in number of students, was founded by the Augustinian Fathers on July 15, 1904 as an exclusive school for boys.

Iloilo health office issues alert vs dengue, chicken pox

THE Iloilo City health office has issued an alert against the increase of dengue and chicken pox cases in several areas of the city.

City health officer Dr. Urminico Baronda said that dengue is now considered as a 365 days viral disease that attack children and adults in areas not prone to stagnant water as breeding place for disease carrying mosquitoes.

Angara: Filipinos face poverty, lack of opportunities

POVERTY and lack of opportunities are the main issues to be discussed by all the candidates for the May elections, said Aurora Congressman Sonny Angara over the weekend.

Twenty seven years after the People Power EDSA revolution, the country is still reeling with poverty issues and the candidates and politicians should discuss specific measures to eradicate these issues and how to generate economic opportunities, Angara said.

Bantay Dagat: ‘Hulbot-hulbot’ modified to appear legal

A NEW method of fishing is being used by fishermen in Northern Iloilo apparently to circumvent the ban against “hulbot-hulbot” (Danish seine) fishing.

Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force discovered the fishing gears with the apprehension of three illegal fishing vessels in the vicinity of Dungon, Concepcion and Punta Buri, Ajuy last February 19, 2013.

Defensor tells public to remember EDSA 1 lessons

GOVERNOR Arthur Defensor Sr. urges the general public not to forget the lessons of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution which gave the Filipinos democracy and freedom.

Iloilo City social hall construction stopped

THE construction of the Jubilee Hall in Iloilo’s City Hall was stopped after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) requested to use the area for canvassing of election returns and proclaiming of local winners of the May polls.

City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the social hall is the traditional canvassing area of the Comelec to determine the winners of Iloilo City polls and there is a need to enhance and reconstruct the building into a two storey edifice to house a gallery, social events and school meetings and conferences.

Relocation sites eyed for Tabucan fire victims

THE Iloilo City Government has assured relocation sites at Barangay Lanit, Jaro district for the fire victims at Sitio Sinikway, Barangay Tabucan, Mandurriao district.

Around 100 housing units are set for the 110 families affected by the fire last Saturday, February 23, in Barangay Tabucan. The affected families will be relocated in the Lanit relocation site by end of March 2013.

City starts long range plan for expansion

ILOILO City Government leaders here are putting into action a long range plan for Iloilo City expansion in the next 30 years with a new vision as this southern city starts an unprecedented development to grow.

City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said development pacing of the city is very fast and city residents must have a sense of ownership in reaching for a city premiership by 2015 and protect the city development initiatives.

Gonzales campaigns for walkable Iloilo City

A LOCAL campaign for road sharing, pedestrianization and building walkable communities will be launched here on Tuesday, February 26 that will help transform Iloilo City into a walkable community.

City councilor Jason Gonzales, head of the I Love Iloilo Volunteer Team, will spearhead the launching with a forum on livability that will champion the use of road sharing and pedestrianization.

Azkal star goes back to grassroot football

MULTI-awarded star player of the famous Azkal football club leads a football clinic and tournament for Under 14 and Under 16 potential football players in a football festival in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo on February 22-24, 2013.

Azkal star Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong, a native of Barotac Nuevo himself, will lead more than 1,000 students with ages 6 to 16 years old coming from 10 public and private schools in Iloilo to undergo a football clinic and tournament.