Lady broadcaster heads city press corps
Wednesday, June 19, 2013 - 07:46 p.m.THE Iloilo City Hall Press Corps (ICHPC), an organization of active media practitioners covering City Hall activities and other city-based events, has elected its new set of officers for the years 2013-2016.
Runelyn Jamolo, a veteran broadcaster and currently officer-in-charge of Radyo ng Bayan Iloilo, replaced broadcaster Joel Franco of RMN 774 as president of ICHPC.
Historic Plaza Libertad up for rehab
Wednesday, June 19, 2013 - 07:46 p.m.THE historic Plaza Libertad located at the far end of another historic area, the Calle Real, is up for rehabilitation funded by the Department of Tourism-Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (DOT-Tieza) of more than P4 million.
Formerly known as Plaza Alfonso XIII, a king of Spain, it is one of the six beautifully landscaped plazas in Iloilo. Plazas can be found in each of the districts of Iloilo City, a clear manifestation of the strong Spanish influence in this city.
Iloilo Task Force recalls volunteers' IDs
Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 07:44 p.m.THE Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) is recalling immediately the identification cards it issued to more than 100 volunteers upon knowing through social media that some volunteers themselves are cigarette smokers.
ICAST chairman and City Councilor Joshua Alim also acknowledged that some volunteers wear ICAST patches and other shirts not issued by ICAST.
DOH enforces tobacco strategy
Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 07:43 p.m.THE National Government through the Department of Health (DOH) is enforcing stricter measures on tobacco control with a national tobacco strategy to discourage cigarette smokers.
Iloilo City, recent Red Orchid awardee on anti-smoking, will spearhead the drive by enlisting the help of local barangay councils to enact local ordinances against cigarette smoking in their respective areas.
Village officials asked to lead fight vs dengue
Monday, June 17, 2013 - 08:24 p.m.ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has called on all village officials on the city to lead the battle against dengue and get rid of mosquito spawning grounds.
“Cleanliness in all city barangays and the proper implementation of the four o'clock habit are needed in the fight against dengue brought about by dengue carrying mosquitoes that thrive in dirty surroundings especially in stagnant water,” he said.
City assures aid to police visibility
Monday, June 17, 2013 - 08:23 p.m.THE City Government of Iloilo has assured additional assistance to help city policemen in its fight against crime in the city.
City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo) under Senior Superintendent Ruperto Floro is finalizing the establishment of three additional police substations in strategic areas in a move to stem the tide of criminalities as the city embarks on an unprecedented developments and infrastructures in different city areas.
Groundwater study conducted
Monday, June 17, 2013 - 08:23 p.m.A GROUNDWATER level study is currently being conducted in six towns of Iloilo province by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
The study was conducted in response to report that Iloilo is one of the identified critical areas in the Philippines in terms of groundwater extraction that needs immediate rehabilitation.
Ship nearly capsizes in Iloilo Strait; passengers safe
Saturday, June 15, 2013 - 11:20 p.m.ILOILO CITY -- The almost 360 passengers aboard the St. Gregory The Great of the 2GO shipping lines were spared from near sea disaster as the ship nearly capsized after it suffered a hole in its hull while navigating Iloilo Strait Saturday morning.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the ill-fated passenger liner safely reached Arrastre Port in Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City despite the water that submerged its engine compartment.
1,000 houses set for AFP, PNP members
Friday, June 14, 2013 - 12:10 a.m.THE National Housing Authority (NHA) is completing the construction of the first batch of housing units in Barangay Acuit, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo earmarked for low salaried members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire and Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Iloilo.
The housing program here is part of the P7 billion earmarked by President Benigno Aquino III to provide adequate and decent housing to over 260,000 members of the PNP and AFP. Phase II of the program covers projects in the Visayas and Mindanao.
PhilPost completes delivery of social pensions
Friday, June 14, 2013 - 12:10 a.m.THE government's Philippine Postal Corp. (PhilPost) has completed the door-to-door delivery of P1,500 cash amount to 329 senior citizen beneficiaries of the social pension program in Iloilo City.
Iloilo City is one of the four pilot areas in Iloilo province for the social pension to senior citizens aged 77 years old and above amounting P493,500 and delivered on June 4-7.
Barangays "all-out" for October polls
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 07:20 p.m.MEMBERS of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Iloilo City are in full support for the holding of a barangay elections in October this year.
This was announced by Liga President Carlos Guarin as 180 city barangays prepare for the election. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the election on October 28.
Mayor cracks down on illegal gambling bookies
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 07:19 p.m.A MUNICIPAL mayor in Central Iloilo started a crackdown against bookies, who themselves are barangay captains of illegal gambling, particularly on jueteng (illegal numbers game) and dubious small town lottery.
Mayor Alex A. Centena of Calinog, Iloilo, sent a letter dated May 24 to village chief Santos A. Enriques of Barangay Poblacion Centro and village chief Vicente Arroyo III of Barangay Poblacion Delgado to stop their illegal operations as soon as possible.
Iloilo, one of the prettiest cities in the country - HK journalist
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 07:16 p.m.A JOURNALIST based in Hong Kong who writes for Time Out Hong Kong magazine is all praise for this southern city and calls it "one of the prettiest cities in the Philippines."
Calling himself a "Hongkonger," Matt Fleming went "hopping mad in Iloilo City" to see, observe, and enjoy the many wonders of the city and admitted hitting dirt cheap in food, fun, and finery in the city.
W. Visayas bids 3 sites for APEC meetings
Monday, June 10, 2013 - 11:00 p.m.THREE sites in Western Visayas bidded to be the venue for the Ministerial Meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) where the Philippines is set to be the host country.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Helen Catalbas said Iloilo City, Bacolod, and Boracay are included in the possible 10 sites to bid and host the ministerial meetings.
DOT launches 7 Bridges of Blessings in Iloilo City
Monday, June 10, 2013 - 11:00 p.m.A NEW tourism product for development that focuses on existing bridges of Iloilo City was launched recently by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as added attraction to domestic and foreign tourists.
To be known as the 7 Bridges of Blessings, some of the city bridges are considered as heritage and historical sites with each having a story to tell and the persons responsible for its construction.
W. Visayas eyes rich Japanese tourism market
Monday, June 10, 2013 - 11:00 p.m.THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is eyeing the rich Japanese tourism market with more than 20 million Japanese tourists going out of their country every year.
DOT Regional Director Helen Catalbas participated in a four-city Philippine Business Mission in Japan last May 26 to June 1 and she brought the Western Visayas, especially Iloilo City's bid to have a share in the Japanese market to the cities of Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fokuoka.
2nd Red Orchid Award for Iloilo City
Thursday, June 6, 2013 - 07:22 p.m.ILOILO City will bag its second Red Orchid Award from the Department of Health and World Health Organization in a ceremony in Cebu City on June 13.
The award will be given after the city has full implementation of anti-smoking initiatives that serve as a model of other organizations and agencies to enhance capabilities against smoking.
P3M Seal of Good Housekeeping Award goes to 3 city dev projects
Thursday, June 6, 2013 - 07:21 p.m.THREE village projects in Iloilo City will be funded with P1 million each to be taken from the city's cash award for being a winner of the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) which entitles the city to the performance challenge fund of P3 million.
A memorandum of agreement was signed between the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) represented by regional director Evelyn Trompeta and Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog on June 4 and witnessed by DILG city director Ferdinand Panes.
Mabilog pursues other bidders for bulk water contract
Thursday, June 6, 2013 - 07:21 p.m.NOT to get involved anymore in the controversy surrounding the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) contract to bulk water supplier Flo Water Resources Inc., Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said he is waiting for the approval of City Council resolution authorizing him to open the bid for other bulk water suppliers to serve the needs of the city.
Mabilog said that MIWD services will not be cut off entirely in the city even if the water district failed in its mandate to deliver water here. Yet, the City Government is opening up to other private companies to deliver water and to submit proposals to the city for the City Council approval.
Mabilog cautions MIWD on contract withdrawal
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 - 10:53 p.m.ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has cautioned the officials of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) not to be too drastic on rescinding the P1.3-billion contract of bulk water supplier.
Mabilog said he had separate meetings with the officials of MIWD and of Flo Water Resources Iloilo Inc. to discuss the possibilities of finding a solution to the water shortage in the city, despite the infusion of money from the government to upgrade and improve the local water system.
Aquino signs Iloilo tourism law
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 - 10:53 p.m.PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has signed Republic Act (RA) 10555 declaring seven heritage sites of Iloilo City as cultural heritage tourism zones.
The seven heritage sites are Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, the Iloilo City Central Business District, Fort San Pedro, Jaro Plaza Complex, Molo Plaza Complex, and Plaza Libertad Complex.
Iloilo up budget for kids program
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 - 10:52 p.m.THE City Government of Iloilo City is increasing its investment for supplementary feeding of the children at the day care centers.
The city has an established 200 day care centers this year located in almost all villages put up by the City Government with a target of 9,819 day care children ages three to five years old.
Elderly to get pension starting June 4
Monday, June 3, 2013 - 09:39 p.m.FOUR local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo including the capital city will be a pilot test area for the door-to-door payout scheme of social pension starting June 4 for the elderly persons, 77 years old and above.
Judith Marte, focal person for the Social Pension Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said her office and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) recently signed an agreement for the delivery of pensions in cash amounting P1,180,500 to the beneficiary senior citizens in the pilot areas.
Contractor to donate 138 housing units
Monday, June 3, 2013 - 09:38 p.m.THE contractor of 1,000 housing units for relocatees of the Iloilo River Plains Subdivision Phase I at the Lanit relocation site in Jaro district is set to donate 138 more housing units at the San Isidro relocation site, also in Jaro district to the City Government and National Housing Authority (NHA).
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog signed Monday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the donation of 138 houses and which in effect, amended an earlier agreement which call for the construction of the donated houses at Barangay Sooc, Arevalo relocation site.
Kalahi-CIDSS to use new name
Monday, June 3, 2013 - 09:37 p.m.THE Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) will be known as the National Community Driven Development Program.
The program will have an expansion of six years and a national budget of P85 billion up to the year 2019.
LWUA approves joint technical water audit
Friday, May 31, 2013 - 07:13 p.m.CHAIRMAN Rene Villa of the Local Waterworks Utilities Administration is pushing for a joint technical water audit of bulk water with supplier Flo Water Resources Iloilo Inc. and Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) to determine the exact water volume being released to the water district water pipes.
Flo Water chairman Rogelio Florete said their water plant is capable of supplying more than 25,000 cubic meters daily to the city as per contract with MIWD but the main problem lies on the defective water pipes of the water district that prevents the flow of water to the end-consumers.
Village asks more classrooms, facilities
Friday, May 31, 2013 - 07:12 p.m.SOME 1,000 new families in Barangay Lanit, Jaro district need additional classrooms and other amenities such as multi-purpose hall, barangay gymnasium, barangay health center, and a daycare center.
Village chairman Simplicio Subaldo said he welcomes the relocatees to their new homes across the radial road but he said there is an urgent need for additional classrooms at Lanit Elementary School which also serves as an integrated school for elementary and high school children in the area.
Wind power energy now in Guimaras
Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 06:27 p.m.THE Department of Energy (DOE) has recently approved the declaration of commerciality applied by Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp. for its P6.3-billion wind farm power project to be set up in the island province of Guimaras.
The power generation arm of Phinma Group of Companies, Trans Asia's wind power plant project is facing the Guimaras-Negros Strait and will generate 54 megawatts. Construction is expected to start by July this year, according to the DOE Visayas Field Office.
Power assured to relocatees in Lanit Jaro site
Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 06:26 p.m.THE Panay Electric Company (Peco) has assured that by June 5, all houses will light up for the 79 family beneficiaries of the relocation site in Jaro district as electrical connections are already being done.
Peco Vice President Randy Pastolero made the assurance after representations by the City Government and the Iloilo River Development Council was firmed up with the city waiving all the requirements to have an electrical connection meter.
Uswag relocatees have until June 30 for free power
Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 06:25 p.m.MORE than 500 family-relocatees at the Uswag Village in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro were given until June 30 to apply for their own electrical connection.
This was announced by Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office chief Wilfredo Jurilla after informing the beneficiary families to apply for their own electrical connections.
