PRESS RELEASES

Iloilo City Gov't opens library for CICLs

Bringing educational services closer to the barangays, the Iloilo City Public Library (ICPL) opened Aug. 17 the newly-built library at Dalayunan: A Home for the Boys in Bo. Obrero, Lapuz district.

The facility is a continuing project of ICPL's "A Library for Every Juan: Bring Juan to the Library, Bring the Library to Juan" whose primary recipients are children in conflict with the law (CICL) housed at Dalayunan.

"This is what we envisioned, to put up a library intended for our children in conflict with the law because we wanted to advocate a strong value system and compassion and counseling. Through this library, they will be also informed with what is happening outside and develop their habit of reading," said Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog who led the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Mabilog told the 32 CICLs to "always do good things rather than bad because it is only by doing so that you can help yourself and the society."

The launching program was also graced by Councilor Jay Treñas, City Social Welfare and Development Office acting head Gene Garingalao and ICPL head Marion V. Agurirre.

ICPL donated several books.

"Mayor Mabilog wanted to reach out to the community, especially to our CICLs that is why we set up a library here at Dalayunan," said Aguirre.

In order to maximize the library, Aguirre added that staffs of Dalayunan and CSWDO, and teachers of Alternative Learning System (ALS) will help the ICPL in guiding the CICLs to read and write through the provided books.

The CICLs aged above 15 to below 18 years old are provided with basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and education as well as their social services while they are in Dalayunan.

The Iloilo Juvenile Welfare Foundation or IJWF (Dalayunan) Inc. was founded and organized as a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization by a group of people who share a common concern for CICL in the metropolis.

The IJWF came up with a project dubbed as Dalayunan after considering all the positive aspects of treatment and reformation for CICL and the existing juvenile justice systems in the country.

In 2011, Dalayunan was officially turned over to City Government under the leadership of Mabilog through an Executive Order No. 23, an order establishing the same initiative. (Iloilo City PIO)

 

Iloilo City Charter Day poster contest Aug. 18

The Iloilo City Tourism and Development Office will hold an on-the-spot poster making contest on August 18 at Robinsons Place Jaro, in celebration of 80th Charter Day.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the activity aims to provide avenue for pupils to express their ideas, skills, and talents on the significance of the celebration and how the city has evolved into a highly urbanized city.

The contest is open to public and private elementary schools in the metropolis.

The content of the piece will be adhered to this year's theme "Celebrating 80 years of Ilonggo Culture and Pride."

The work of participants will be based on its originality, style and creativity which comprised 40 percent; interpretation and relevance to the theme is also 40 percent; and presentation and neatness is 20 percent of the total criteria.

The champion will receive P4,000,  second placer – P3,000 and third placer – P2,000 plus certificate of recognition each. (Iloilo City PIO)

 

 

Iloilo City cops seize 103 sachets of shabu, 2 big plastics of Marijuana

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) operatives seized a total of 103 sachets of shabu and two big plastics containing crushed dried Marijuana leaves in a week period Aug. 7 to 13.
The illegal drugs were confiscated in a consolidated 10 operations that led to the arrest of 14 suspects, said ICPO operations chief Supt. Jowel Saliba.
Of the total confiscation, 29 sachets of shabu were confiscated by City Proper Police Station; 20 by La Paz Police Station; two big plastics of Marijuana leaves by Jaro Police Station; 22 sachets of shabu by Molo Police Station; 11 sachets of shabu by Arevalo Police Station; and 21 sachets of shabu by City Drugs Enforcement Unit (CDEU).
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog lauded the anti-drug operations conducted by ICPO personnel.
"This only means that our policemen at ICPO are doing their part in conducting anti-drugs operations in order to maintain the peace and order of our city," he stressed.
Mabilog said City Government reimbursed the expenses on positive drug operations by ICPO and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 6.
"Iloilo City remains to be peaceful with the minimal crime volume recorded. These anti-drug operations were police initiated so this only means that ICPO is continuously doing an intensified campaign against illegal drugs," said Saliba. (Iloilo City PIO)

PRESS RELEASES

199 graduates from Iloilo City change centers

A total of 199 drug surrenderees who composed the second batch graduated July 31from Iloilo City Community Change Centers called The Crossroads in seven districts.

The latest graduates followed the first batch of 209 who graduated in January.

"We are glad that they persevered to change. We just hope that they will not go back to using illegal drugs and instead focus in making themselves a better person," stressed Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog during the graduation ceremony at Diamond Jubilee Hall.

Mabilog added the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) are always ready to run after illegal drug users, pushers and protectors.

Iloilo City has 3,180 validated drug surrenderees or less than one percent affectation of the total 449,000 population.

Mabilog initiated The Crossroads to offer free holistic program and cater to mild to moderate cases of drug addiction wherein surrenderees are given daily doses of Vitamins C and B, counseling, values formation, spiritual and sports activities.

The City Hall also supports the drug rehabilitation program of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 by providing rice and sardines to drug surrenderees.

There were almost 600 drug surrenderees from metropolis who graduated from PRO-6 rehab.

Representatives from Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were also present during the graduation ceremony.

After the six-month community-based rehabilitation, the graduates will be enrolled in technical-vocational courses at Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) Molo or Bo. Obrero. They can enroll in driving, masonry, welding, computer repair, food and beverages.

Mabilog also urged the graduates to form an organization each district and start a livelihood program.

"Your barangay captains, DOLE and DSWD are ready to help you grow your business and at the same time with your capitalization," said Mabilog.

A total of seven companies also joined the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) job fair on the day of graduation.

"Since they are graduating and upon the directive of Mayor Mabilog, we put up a recruitment area for the job fair to provide employment opportunities," said PESO head Ma. Elena Benitez.

"We are very glad because these companies also give our graduates another chance to start their lives. We just hope and believe that there are also other companies which are willing to offer job opportunities to them," she added.

Most of the companies are looking for skilled workers like driving and masonry.

PESO is also conducting job fairs for drug surrenderees in various barangays.

"We are appealing to drug surrenderees not to be ashamed in applying for job because our city government's mission and advocacy is really to help you and give you chance to change," Benitez said. (Iloilo City PIO)

 

TIIC-Molo gets P2.2-M tools from Rotary Clubs

Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC)- Molo Campus received P2.2-million equipment and machine donations during the turnover July 31 from the Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo, in partnership with Rotary Club of Anseong East and Rotary Club of Yeongcheon of the Rotary International.

"We would like to express our gratitude to the Rotary Clubs for choosing and putting their programs, projects and time here at TIIC. This institution is where thousands of students study for free and is subsidized by the City Government. Your donation will be very helpful," stressed Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

He added the donation will improve the status of equipment at TIIC and at the same time will help city residents to acquire skills.

"More of our better individuals and responsible persons in the community will benefit from these donated equipment," Mabilog said.

The equipment will be used for three courses including Carpentry, Food Processing and Shielded Metal Arc Welding.

TIIC-Molo campus administrator, Ma. Mathilde Octavio said each course will accommodate 25 to 30 beneficiaries.

Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo President Peter Paul Yap said the equipment donation is in line with their sustainability projects.

"The donation will help improve the lives of people and there is a bigger chance that the beneficiaries can easily find a better job if they are trained through the use of proper equipment," said Yap.

He added that out-of-school youth, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and high school graduates are among those who will benefit. (Iloilo City PIO)

 

PRESS RELEASES

City Gov't trains drug dependency evaluators

A total of 58 social workers and nurses have been trained as drug dependency evaluators by the Department of Health (DOH)-6, Department of Social Worker and Development Office (DSWD)-6, in partnership with the Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

They are now adept on how to assess the level of drug addiction of surrenderees in the metropolis following their training at Diamond Jubilee Hall July 5.

The participants also underwent a practicum exercise to prepare them for the real situation.

After which, they will be deployed to seven district health centers.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the City Government wants to hasten the assessment process of identifying the level of drug addiction of surrenderees.

"Instead of going to different hospitals in order to be assessed, we came up with an idea that our social workers and nurses will be the one to assess them and identify whether their addiction on drugs is mild, moderate or severe," noted Mabilog.

City Social Officer Merlyn Gison said the social workers and nurses play a vital role in helping drug surrenderees return back to their normal lives.

"In the event that the identified drug surenderees are not capable of self-reliance, the social workers will be the one to look for intervention by enrolling them to programs provided by city and national government," explained Gison.

Aside from identifying the level of addiction, the nurses will be also in-charge of medications of these drug surrenderees.

Those who were found out to have mild and moderate drug addiction will be enrolled at the city's rehabilitation program under the Community Change Centers (CCC) called Crossroads wherein they will undergo three months of training.

The first batch of 209 surrenderees who went through CCC already graduated last January.

The second batch of 250 drugs surrenderees are expected to graduate at the end of this month.

Some 204 beneficiaries are now taking technical-vocational skills and livelihood trainings at the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) Molo and Bo. Obrero campuses.

Those who are severely affected with drugs will be referred to the Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Pototan, Iloilo. (Iloilo City PIO)

 

 

City Hall Children's Learning Center inducts parents

Ten elected Parents' Association Officers of Iloilo City Government Children Learning Center (ICGCLC) were inducted July 6 in time with the celebration of its Fifth Anniversary and Nutrition Month.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog stressed that City Government and parents should go hand in hand to deliver quality services and programs for development of their children enrolled at ICGCLC.

Mabilog, who initiated the establishment of ICGCLC in 2012, also stressed that City Hall is always ready to support children's needs in to improve their knowledge starting at a young age.

For the school year 2017-2018, Josie Castillo is elected as the new President; Riza Colon as Vice President; Ellyn Grajo as Secretary; Joan Abogar as Assistant Secretary; Lesle Felongco as Treasurer; Sheila Garcia as Assistant Treasurer; Maricon Mesa as Auditor; Jenifer Elanga as Assistant Auditor; Byran Sloman as Business Manager; and Rowena Tabor as Assistant Business Manager.

There are 22 children enrolled in Pre K-1 and eight for the Pre K-2.

Children three years old to three years and 11 months can enroll in Pre K-1.

Those kids who are four years old to four years and 11 months can enroll in Pre K-2.

City Population Office head Mary Ann Ramos, who supervises ICGCLC, said parents have contributed a lot to improve its operations.

"The main objective of Learning Center is to provide services to City Hall employees to help them educate their children. We are so glad that parents have been very supportive, from providing needed equipment to spearheading healthy food feeding program," said Ramos. (Iloilo City PIO)

 

City Hall public safety & transpo office OK'd

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved the creation of Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO).

The new department will be composed of Administrative Division, Special Services Division (SSD), Transportation Management Division (TMD), Public Safety Unit (PSU), and Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structure (ASIS) Unit, said Councilor R Leone Gerochi, author of ordinance.

It was created to exercise supervision over the Transportation Management and Traffic Regulation Office (TMTRO), Task Force Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structure (TF ASIS), Special Services Unit, and Police Auxiliaries.

The Administrative Division will manage, supervise, coordinate and direct all administrative functions of department; take charge of personnel relationship and discipline; and assist in policy-making related to public safety and transportation.

SSD is in-charge of sidewalk and ambulant vendors in all city streets, plazas, sidewalks in main thoroughfares as well as district plazas.

SSD excludes public markets and talipapas within 100 meters range of its surrounding area which is under the control of Local Economic Enterprise Office; those who sell inside the parameters of villages which is under the jurisdiction of its barangay officials; and those who sell in and outside the school area which is under its officials.

SSD is also in-charge of the implementation of Anti-jaywalking Ordinance.

TMD supervises and manages transportation related concerns, assists in policy-making, and traffic enforcers and auxiliaries.

PSU which is composed of Police Auxiliary and Security, is in-charge of the security and safety of the general public.

ASIS Unit will have the following responsibilities: investigate and prevent the proliferation of professional squatters and squatting syndicates as well as establishment and construction of illegal structures, stalls and kiosks.

It is also tasked to remove and demolish all illegal structures, signs, stalls and kiosks without discrimination. It will further file the necessary complaint or information against violators.

PSTMO required the creation of Department Head II, with Salary Grade 26; Assistant Department Head, with Salary Grade 24; Administrative Officer IV, with Salary Grade 15; and two Administrative Aides II. (Iloilo City PIO)

 

 

City Public Library launches ‘every Juan campaign’

City Public Library launches 'every Juan campaign'

The Iloilo City Government through the Iloilo City Public Library (ICPL), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), has launched its information dissemination campaign at A. Montes I and II Elementary School July 4.

The project's main goal is "A Library for Every Juan: Bring Juan to the Library, Bring the Library to Juan."

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the campaign aims to promote awareness of ICPL's vital role to the society especially the youth.

ICPL at second floor of City Hall is open from Monday to Friday at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m and can accommodate 500 people a day.

Services offered include Online Public Access Catalog; Electronic Resources and Internet such as electronic books, Techno Aklatan, and free wi-fi; and borrowing of books.

Filipiniana Books, General References Books, Government Publication, Donated Books and Fiction Books are also available.

"The campaign aims to reach out to the community, especially to the schools and tell our students to come and visit the city library," said City Librarian Marion Aguirre.

She stressed the importance of visiting the library and reading books in order to enrich the children's knowledge.

ICPL will also visit Fort San Pedro National High School on July 5; Bonifacio Elementary School, Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School and Rizal Elementary School on July 7; Jalandoni Memorial National High School and La Paz National High School on July 10; La Paz I and II Elementary School and La Paz National High School on July 12; and Bo. Obrero Elementary School on July 14.

"Other schools will also be visited next year since this is an annual activity," added Aguirre.

A. Montes I Elementary School Principal Dr. Gracia Malazarte said through ICPL, the pupils will have an avenue, aside from their school's Learning Resource Center, to study and widen the scope of their learning.

"I am grateful and blessed because ours is the pilot school. I would like to thank Mayor Mabilog for giving wider scope for children to improve their experience in other avenue," said Malazarte.

DepEd Division of Iloilo City Librarian Bernie P. Alcedo also commended ICPL's effort to reach out to students and let them know about it.

"This is a good initiative of City Government in partnership with the DepEd wherein it encourages the schools, pupils and community to develop their love for books and improve their habit on reading. Through this also, it will instill to the mind of the community the importance of using the library," Alcedo said.

Alcedo cited that using the library is more advantageous than relying solely on the information provided by the internet. He also added that parents play an important role to encourage their children to always read books. (Iloilo City PIO)

 

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LIGA Ng Mga Barangay Province of Antique (LnB) Blood Letting Activity.

WHAT: LIGA Ng Mga Barangay Province of Antique (LnB) Blood Letting Activity.

WHEN: JUNE 24, 2017

WHERE: Barangay Abaca covered gym, Tobias Fornier, Antique

Request of Dindo John Lignig, LIGA President, Province of Antique

PRESS RELEASES

 

Nat'l sepak takraw team lauds City Gov't support

The Philippine National Sepak Takraw team lauded the support given by the Iloilo City government to them as they continue their training for the upcoming 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in August.

"We are very happy and thankful that the Iloilo City Government adopted us and allowed us to have our training here," said coach Metodio Suico Jr during their courtesy visit to Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog June 21.

The national team is composed of 12 men, eight women and eight coaches. One of the coaches is an Ilonggo. They arrived in the metropolis June 7 and will stay here for the training until first week of August.

"If Iloilo City did not accommodate us, we have no choice but to go back to Manila and one of the challenges if we continue our training there in Manila, is the distraction. Our team could not focus there unlike here in Iloilo City, we can focus and we can practice whole day," stressed Suico.

City Hall provided the dormitory while they train at Iloilo Sports Complex courtesy of the Capitol.

Suico said the national team is training hard to bring home gold medal.

"We are giving our best especially to get the gold in sepak takraw doubles. There are best teams from other countries which will be competing for the doubles, but our team is ready to win," he added.

For the first time, the national team will also compete in Chinlone, aside from competing in rego, doubles and team doubles.

"We trained in Myanmar for one month for the Chinlone," Suico said. (Iloilo City PIO)

 

Free sports lessons at La Paz plaza start July

The Iloilo City Government, in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), will provide free sports lessons every Saturday starting July 2 from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Dubbed as "Laro't Saya sa Parke," the endeavor encourages the public who are doing an exercise in public plazas to venture into other sports.

"Every week, especially when there are no classes, those who want to maintain a fit and healthy body are doing a jog or run at our plaza. Through this Laro't Saya sa Parke, they will be encouraged to try other sports since this is for free," said sports and development officer Rommel Castro.

He noted all the facilities or venue needed are present in La Paz plaza.

Among the sports to be offered are Basketball, Tennis, Football, Arnis, Wushu, Volleyball, Taekwondo and Aero Zumba.

Castro said the PSC will be the one to pay for trainers.

The activities will run until 2018. (Iloilo City PIO)

 

Speed limit ordinance suspended

The City Council suspended the implementation of Regulation Ordinance No. 2015-283 providing for the speed limits for all kinds of motor vehicles within the territorial jurisdiction of Iloilo City, during its regular session Tuesday.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog signed Wednesday the suspension of said ordinance.

It was decided since there were amendments to be made, as suggested by the ordinance's author, Councilor Joshua Alim.

It will be implemented again once the amendments have been finalized after the committee hearing to be called by Councilor R Leone Gerochi, chairman of committee on transportation.

In the proposed amendments, Alim also wanted to set speed limits in Jaro Plaza to Buntatala (boundary); and Mandurriao Plaza going to Hibao-an (city boundary) a speed of 60 kilometers per hour (km/hr) for passenger automobiles and motorcycles while 50 km./hr. for trucks and buses.

Alim likewise proposed that the speed limit for passenger automobiles and motorcycles in all other highways, streets, or roads whether national or local within the city will be increased to 40 km/hr, up from 30 km/hr. For trucks and buses, the speed should be 30 km/hr, up from 20 km/hr.

He further suggested that all vehicles should reduce their speed to the maximum of 20 km./hr. in all school zones and established pedestrian lanes in the metropolis and may resume their speed to the maximum allowed by the ordinance.

Among others, Alim also proposed the following amendments for the exemptions:

* the driver of a hospital ambulance on the way to and from the place of accident or other emergency, provided the vehicle is indeed bringing patients or responding to emergency cases;

* any driver bringing a wounded or sick person for emergency treatment to a hospital, clinic, or any other similar place, provided the driver shall switch on the hazard lights;

* the driver officially operating a motor vehicle of any fire department, in response to the fire call;

* vehicles of media responding to the incident reports or covering running reports.

Under the ordinance, the maximum speed for passenger automobiles and motorcycles from corner of Gen. Luna Street to Diversion Road and up to Brgy. Ungka, Jaro district is 60 km/hr. For trucks and buses, the speed limit is 50 km/hr.

From Brgy. Sambag, Jaro to Central Philippine University, Jaro Plaza; Capitol and Gen. Luna to Brgy. Mohon in Arevalo district; JM Basa Street going to Fort San Pedro and within City Proper district, the speed limit for passenger automobiles and motorcycles is 40 km/hr. For trucks and buses, the allowable speed is 30 km/hr.

On the circumferential, radial and coastal roads, the speed limit for passenger automobiles and motorcycles is 60 km/hr. while for trucks and buses, the allowable is 40 km/hr. (Iloilo City PIO)

 

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