BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – For its best practices in local governance, Bacolod was nominated for the 3rd Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) Award by the Regional Search Committee (RSC) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The nomination was held at the New Government Center here last week. Among the best practices of Bacolod which are seen as assets of the city are the rate of increase of taxable assets value (2.29%); adoption of the New Government Accounting System; and the City’s Bids and Awards Committee following rules and regulations satisfactorily. Also considered positive practices are the participation of non-government organizations (NGOs) and People’s Organizations; the City government’s Human Resource Department’s sufficient publication of job vacancies in bulletin boards, and the practice of local government in honoring outstanding employees in cooperation with the Rotary Club. Also cited are the practice of the local government unit in complying with a comprehensive land use plan; the Land Tax Division was also commended for the proper filing of records, and for observing the 5-S (sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain) practice. All heads of different departments in Bacolod city government were present during the RSC’s evaluation. (Edith B. Colmo)

QUALITY SEAL FOR ILOILO’S BEST

ILOILO CITY, Philippines (PNA) – The public can now be assured of quality Ilonggo products if they buy those bearing “Iloilo’s Finest” mark with a logo showing the outline drawing of the Arroyo Fountain, a famous landmark here. Guidelines to be drawn up by the Iloilo Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Foundation, Inc. will serve as basis for one to avail of the logo. The SMED is composed of 26 government and non-government organizations that are committed to support SMEs in Iloilo. SMED President, Valerie Maravilla, said products bearing the seal must be strictly monitored to ensure that they will be living up to standards. Initially, the logo/seal will be used by such products as processed and baked foods, bread and pastries and confectionery. It will be expanded to include other goods and services like furniture and furnishing, textiles, hand-woven, house wares, holiday decors and Christmas accessories.

SENIORS ASSURED OF XMAS CASH

CEBU CITY, Philippines (PNA) – Over 5,000 Cebu City senior citizens who have not received their P4,000 financial aid yet from the City Government may have a brighter Christmas after Mayor Michael Rama gave City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete and Councilor Joey Daluz instructions to facilitate the release of such aid. Rama said the city should pay its obligation to qualified senior citizens who have not yet received such financial assistance. Senior citizens must be registered voters in Cebu City as of May 2007 aside from being a member of the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) to qualify for the cash assistance. Such financial assistance to senior citizens was withheld last June pending a change in the administration. Daluz, who chairs the City Council Committee on Budget and Finance said the Mayor already authorized them to appropriate funds for said financial aid. The councilor said they will make an insertion of some P22.7 million in Supplemental Budget (SB) 5 for that purpose. He said there are 5,656 senior citizens in the City qualified to receive the P4,000 financial aid.