PROCLAMATION NO. 343

Escalante City Spends A Day with the Governor

The Escalante City Government hosted Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Maraňon, Jr. during his official visit in the city on January 25, 2012. He was accompanied by Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez, Provincial Administrator Enrique Pinongan and Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan. They were welcomed by acting City Mayor Ester Ampil, City Councilors, City Officials and Barangay Captains. Mayor Beboy Yap is yet to be back on Monday, Jan. 30 from taking a weeklong leave. Governor Maraňon highlighted some projects and programs in line with his 11-point agenda, particularly food security, agriculture and health services, being undertaken by the provincial government. He cited the projects that were already implemented in the barangays such as road widening and concreting for easy transport of agricultural produce. Water projects for irrigation and consumption were also executed in upland barangays. As to health assistance, the governor stated NO CHIPs or the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Insurance Programs were thousands already benefited the program. This is to ensure a healthy environment to live with especially in the countryside. For education, the governor declared the scholarship program which already assisted various students with the coordination of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).His visit was highlighted by the distribution of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100, 000.00) each as assistance to the twenty one barangays for continuance of the said agenda. The Barangay Captains through ABC President Aladino Lumayno, Jr. thanked the province for their constant support to the villages. An open forum was carried out which also enlightened the people concerned specifically on taxes in transporting farm products. Matters regarding education were as well raised especially on the scholarship program. ECM

Displaced Families in Malasibog Receive Aid

A composite team spearheaded by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Negros Occidental Chapter distributed relief goods to the distressed families in Barangay Malasibog, Escalante City on Friday, January 13, 2012. It was banded by the Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) and the Provincial Disaster Management Team (PDMT). The action was ardently supported by Escalante City Mayor Melecio J. Yap, Jr. through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). It can be recalled that Mayor Beboy Yap ordered the immediate evacuation of the families days before the heavy rainfall that caused minor landslide in the area. The area experienced massive flooding, ecological dents and it is within geological risk. This was due to enormous rains that occurred recently. Inhabitants particularly in Sitio Baluc were consigned in Malasibog Elementary School that served as their temporary shelter. Thirty three (33) households or with a total of one hundred twenty nine (129) individuals as recorded by CSWDO were assisted by the group. Every affected household was given 5 kilos of rice, 3 packs of noodles, 3 cans of sardines, a blanket and a mat. Chapter Administrator Raul Garganera of the PNRC lead his group with Lyra Prietos, Mario Lopez and Ivancka Poja. PEMO and PDMT include Mr. Elmer Espeja and Vicfran Defante at the helm, respectively. Ms. Leah Jurtanciego spearheaded the CSWDO dynamic workforce through Desiree Miano, Gerry Kim Olmedo, Rowena Dence, Cesar Salimbot and Jose Roberto Valiente. They were likewise accompanied by Enrironmental Protection Committee Chairperson, SP Eddie. ECM

Early Christmas for Escalante City Senior Citizens

Indigent Senior Citizens of Escalante City have reasons to rejoice after receiving their social pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on December 7, 2011 at the City Center. The stipend covering third and fourth quarters of CY 2011 was released through the DSWD Region 6, Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). Ms. Juliet Calamba of the DSWD Region 6 together with OSCA Chairman Mr. Rogelio Prietos and Ms. Leah Juntarciego of CSWDO spearheaded the cash distribution to the 117 recipients. One hundred and seven (107) beneficiaries received three thousand Pesos (P3, 000.00) each whilet he remaining ten (10) collected six thousand pesos (Php 6, 000.00) each being retroactive as of January 2011 or from the First and Second Quarters. The later was approved after methodical deliberations with the Grievance Committee attesting to their qualifications. This Social Pension Program was an offshoot of the approved R.A. 9994, also known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”. The act provides a monthly stipend of five hundred pesos (Php 500.00) to indigent Senior Citizens, given in a quarterly basis to augment their daily subsistence and other medical needs. The registration started in 2009 where needy residents of 77 years and older were surveyed by the DSWD. This was coordinated with the Escalante City Government through Mayor Beboy Yap. Documented inhabitants were evaluated so as to validate their situations. On the other hand, Mayor Yap expressed his profound gratitude to this very noteworthy undertaking. He hailed the program with the slogan Nakakatanda: Kaagapay sa Kaunlaran at Kapayapaan that really supported our elders. The thrust does not only sustain their basic needs but also to enjoy life to the fullest. (ECM)

Escalante City Councilors Receive Prestigious Awards

Three Escalante City Councilors received prestigious awards in different categories on December 1, 2011. Councilors Virgie A. Pastor, Santiago R. MaravillasandManolo P. Mendoza were honored in ceremonies at the CityState Tower Hotel in Manila.

The award was given by the Leaders Consultancy for Expertise and Excellence for their exemplary performance as local lawmakerswho authored several ordinances of any kind. It was also in recognition to their dedication and invaluable commitment for the genuine service to the people they served. In the same way, the awards were to appreciate theirknowledge ability as policymakers in the City of Escalante.

Councilor Pastor, Chairperson on Education, Culture and Values Formation, and Women, Children and Family Welfare, has sponsoredthe most number of ordinances not only for her concerned committees but relevant decrees as well for the betterment of the community. She received the LEGISLATIVE GOVERNANCE EXCELLENCE AWARD for sponsoring nineteen (19) ordinances; these exceeded the number of the required four (4) to qualify for the award. The award thus recognized her as a full-pledged local legislator.

Likewise, Councilor Maravillas prepared numerous ordinances specifically on appropriations, laws, rules and regulations.He alsoauthoredrulingson human rights, social justice and other significant edicts.He was furthermore awarded for having served as councilor for three (3) consecutive terms.

Councilor Mendoza as well received the credits for the invaluable services he rendered to the residents as a lawmaker for three (3) successive periods.


Giving of such honors are based by the award-giving body on the number of ordinances written either general or special, comprehensionon the local laws passed and devotion to the constituents they engaged in. These assets are not new to the Councilor-awardeeswho possess such abilities in helping others with perseverance and determination.

Riverside College Donates Books to Escalante City

The Riverside College Inc., of Bacolod City donated a total of 349 volumes of assorted books in the City of Escalante on November 25, 2011. This is in line with their thrust of delivering education to the grassroots level. It is also their way of extending gratitude to the communities who continue to support and believe in their competence as an academic institution. Ms. Nancy O. Go, Chief Librarian of Riverside College turned over the said books in a simple but very significant ceremony at the Escalante City Library.

City Officials led by Vice Mayor Baby Ampil, City Councilor Virgie Pastor and City Information Officer Vermont Khan Juvahib received the donations. They as well presented a certificate of appreciation for the efforts bestowed by the school to the city for its constituents. The officials likewise thanked the institution for their contribution specifically their advocacy in providing books to the Local Government Units.
City Mayor Beboy Yap, in a separate occasion likewise expressed his profound gratitude on behalf of the people of Escalante. He stressed the magnitude of these books in augmenting the reference materials needed not only by our students but to the professionals as well.

The donated books are now at the Escalante City Library. It will undergo library standard documentation before it will be available to the reading public. (ECM)

Ampingan Ta Kini, Ato Ni.

Escalante City Civil Registrar’s Office Ranks 10th in the National Level

The Escalante City Civil Registrar’s Office (CCRO) was adjudged as Top Performing Office for 2011 by the National Statistics Office (NSO) garnering the 6th spot in the national level. Consistently ranking Number 1 and Number 2 in the Provincial and Regional Levels respectively, the Escalante CCRO was able to hold its competence and obtained the prestigious award.

Diligence, hard work and devotion were the tools that helped a lot in delivering services to the public. With perseverance, the CCRO was able to taste the sweetness of the victories in the local and national levels.

Mayor Beboy Yap and Vice Mayor Baby Ampil led city officials, employees and the people of Escalante in applauding the officers and staffs of this triumphant administrative center. (ECM)
Congratulations!!!
Ampingan Ta Kini, Ato Ni.