Church dismayed over OK of Bacolod lottery

By Carla Gomez Visayas Bureau

BACOLOD CITY -- THE CATHOLIC CHURCH here expressed dismay over the passage of the Bacolod City Council resolution endorsing the operation of small town lottery (STL) in the city. The councilors were tied 5-5 when they voted on Wednesday on STL but it was broken by Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson who cast his vote in favor of the government lottery. Those who voted in favor of STL were Councilors Dindo Ramos, Al Victor Espino, Roberto Rojas, Alex Paglumotan and Arturo Parreño. Councilors Celia Flor, Reynold Iledan, Catalino Alisbo, Homer Bais and Greg Gasataya voted against it. Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., while present during the session, abstained. Those who were not present were Councilors Napoleon Cordova, Jocelle Batapa-Sigue and Marx Louie de la Rosa. Sayson said they would submit to Mayor Evelio Leonardia the resolution endorsing STL. He said the city government would institute safety measures that would ensure transparency in the operations of STL in Bacolod. Fr. Aniceto Buenafe, who heads the Social Action Center of the Bacolod Diocese, said they were very disappointed that Sayson and five members of the city council voted in favor of STL. He said their only hope is for Mayor Leonardia to exercise his veto power against the SP resolution. All priests in the Diocese who signed the petition against STL will confer with Bishop Vicente Navarra to plan their next move, Buenafe said. He said the Church remains firm in its stand against STL as a way to generate funds for the government since “it will be like robbing the poor to feed the poor.” Buenafe congratulated the five councilors who voted against the STL for their vigilance against gambling and for following the dictates of their conscience. Earlier, Bishop Navarra asked the city officials not to allow a scenario where “only the few from the already well-off enjoy more money because of STL.” =================================================================

Literacy council pushed in Bacolod

Bacolod City -- The City government of Bacolod is pushing for the creation of a Local Literacy Coordinating Council.

Councilor Greg Gasataya, chairman of the Committee on education, endorsed to the council the proposed ordinance "Adopting the Literacy Coordinating Council's Blueprint for Action and Implementing Guidelines and Thereby Establishing the Bacolod City Local Literacy Coordinating Council."
The creation of the council is aimed at setting plans and integrating literacy in all ongoing community based literacy development programs, among others.
Its main function will include research, planning, management, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and social mobilization, resource generation and institutionalization of city initiated programs and projects.
The literacy council will also be responsible for the formulation of necessary policies, implementing rules, regulations and guidelines responsible to literacy and continuing education development. (PIA/cad) source:

Gasataya seeks 'Green Lane' in stores

BACOLOD Councilor Greg Gasataya, Chair Committee on Environment, proposed a resolution urging malls, supermarkets, grocery stores and other establishments to provide a green lane counter to exclusively accommodate and prioritize consumers who use biodegradable/environment friendly containers. more stories.. (source: Sunstar)

Dumpsite Update

ACTING Bacolod Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson and acting Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, chairman of the SP committee on environment admitted on Monday that they are still uncertain on the status of a private lot in Barangay Feliza being used by the city government as a dumpsite, and added that they don't know yet what to negotiate with its owner. MORE STORIES...