BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines (PNA) — The new district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Lone District of Bacolod City has instituted reforms since Day 1 of assuming his office.

Engineer Jojo Melgar, whose name has been synonymous with wider and safer highways and clean roadsides in Palawan and Saranggani provinces, said he started reforms from within the Bacolod office.

Melgar said when he came to Bacolod he saw that there was a lot to be done and a need to bring back the morale of the DPWH workforce here.

The multi-awarded engineer said the Bacolod DPWH personnel are now armed with renewed enthusiasm and a re-invigorated drive to serve the city.

"Such reforms are coupled with adherence to the rules, regulations and instructions of the new DPWH leadership,” he said upon arrival in Bacolod, Melgar immediately surveyed and familiarized himself with all national roads and esteros.

He then deployed personnel to clear and clean roads, sidewalks and esteros of obstacles and structures to maximize safety for motorists and pedestrians alike, and to unclog waterways of debris.

COINS RECIRCULATION CAMPAIGN SET

CEBU CITY, Philippines (PNA) — The Cebu Bankers Club (CBC) is taking a new approach in encouraging Cebuanos to bring out the coins in their drawers and piggy banks.

The CBC will hold a fun-run next month to help increase awareness on the need to recirculate coins.

In a press conference at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regional office in Cebu City, CBC President Chito Cabaero said the event is in support of the BSP’s coin recirculation campaign.

The BSP has been aggressive in its coin recirculation campaign, encouraging the public to break open their piggy banks and put the coins back in circulation to address what it said was an artificial coin shortage in the country.

Earlier in the year, BSP reported that an artificial coin shortage is being felt in some parts of the country despite the fact that it has minted 15.6 billion coins worth P16.9 billion.

In his recent visit to Cebu, BSP Monetary Stability Sector Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo urged people to flush out coins long been stored in drawers, piggy banks and even in coin-operated businesses. ”Holding a fun run is one way of helping the BSP’s campaign.

ILOILO TO HOST MAJOR EVENTS

ILOILO CITY, Philippines (PNA) — Preparations are under way for the conduct of three big conventions in the city this month and first quarter of next year.

This city will play host to the 65th Annual National Convention of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) on Nov. 23 to 26, the 1st Visayas Blogging Summit 2010 on Nov. 27 to 28, and the national conference of the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) on Feb. 17 to 20, 2011.

City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) Chief Benito Jimena said his office is looking into guidelines concerning tourist buses entering the city to ensure the smooth transport requirements of delegates.

He advised travel agents to coordinate with the CTDO for permits so they can facilitate these directly from the local chief executive for convenience.

“We actually would like to strengthen the guidelines, endorse it to the city council later on in order that the traffic regulation concerning tourist buses entering the city will be properly institutionalized,” Jimena said.