VISAYAN Daily Star city hall reporter Chrysee Samillano was elected president of the Negros Press Club (NPC) during the club’s general assembly and election on Saturday, January 26.

Samillano will succeed Renato “Boy” Duran of Aksyon Radyo Bacolod, who served the club for two consecutive years. His term of office will end on February 28.

Samillano assured the members to lead the club with integrity and transparency.

All official acts of the club will be covered by a board resolution she said. "Any activity without a board resolution is considered as a personal act of an officer."

She just wants to uphold respect to the oldest press club in the Philippines.

She said she will also encourage all officers to perform their respective duties and responsibilities by actively participating in all their board meetings and not use the name of the club for their personal gain.

The NPC was created as a social club, which is a venue for media practitioners to strengthen their bonds and camaraderie.

Samillano said she will also encourage the incoming officers to revisit the club's constitution and by-laws so that each officer can be guided of its important provisions to avoid running the club on mere sentiments and opinions.

Other elected officers are SunStar Bacolod business reporter Erwin Nicavera who was re-elected to the position of vice president; SunStar Bacolod police reporter Glazyl Masculino, secretary; SunStar Bacolod city hall reporter Merlinda Pedrosa, treasurer; DyRL production manager Edgar Lucasan, auditor.

Elected board of directors are John Dale Salazar, Bryan Morden, Aksyon Radyo Bacolod; Shiela Gelera, Mark Garcia and Hernan Garciniego, Visayan Daily Star; Mae Singuay, Panay News; Aquilino Ciocon, dyAF; Elsie Jolingan and Owen Bayog of the Negros Daily Bulletin.

Meanwhile, Duran thanked the members for their trust and confidence for allowing him to serve for two consecutive years.

He promised the members to provide them with the audited financial report before he steps down as the club president.

He said it was delayed because of the unexpected demise of club administrative secretary Mae Marañon who then held all the club’s records. (CNC)