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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