BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental – A significant increase in business tax collections has been recorded since the implementation of the one-stop-shop strategy of tax collection and business permits processing was conceptualized by Mayor Evelio Leonardia in his first term as Bacolod mayor in 1995.

The strategy, housed within Bacolod City’s New Government Center and undertaken by the Permits and Licensing Division of the City Treasurer’s Office, posted earnings worth P96.4 million in January this year against P54 million recorded for the same period last year. (Edith B. Colmo)

FBMA shipyard reopening mulled 
BALAMBAN, Cebu – A top official of the Aboitiz-owned ship building firm FBMA Marine Inc., which is part of the shipbuilding group Aboitiz Transport System Corp., (ATSC) said it will strongly consider reopening its shipyard when overseas orders come in.

"We are not giving up on the FBMA because we remain optimistic that the shipbuilding industry will bounce back, perhaps not anytime soon, but definitely in the future," said FBMA Marine Inc. Chief Executive Officer Roberto Aboitiz in an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin recently. (Malou M. Mozo)

Dishonorable discharge for errant soldier
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo – No less than the top brass of the Philippine Army in the region has recommended the dishonorable discharge of a soldier arrested for possession of illegal drugs.

Maj. Gen. Vicente Porto, Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), has ordered immediate administrative proceedings against Private First Class Rexie Jhon Bayona.

The 22-year-old soldier belonging to the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) was arrested Wednesday night in a notorious village known to be a drug haven in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)

Protect crops, mango growers advised
CEBU CITY – Because of the strong demand for fresh mango harvests in the Philippines, growers are advised to invest in crop protection to ensure the quality of their exports instead of spraying harmful chemicals, an industry official said.

“The demand for mangoes abroad is regular and not seasonal, therefore, growers need to invest on chemical pesticides to make sure that mango produce are of export quality,” said Syngenta Philippines assistant vice president for marketing Ariel Anico.

Anico said some growers are only concerned about increasing their production and “do not care much about the quality of their produce.” (Malou M. Mozo)

Calinog lad tops P.A. training
CALINOG, Iloilo – Michael John Sorisca from Calinog town, Iloilo bested 199 others in the military training conducted by the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division concluded recently.

Next in rank was Ryan Alabi of Barangay Roxas 8, Tapaz, Capiz province who was awarded the best physical fitness award, having consistently topped the physical fitness tests during the training.

The 199 candidate soldiers from Western Visayas provinces and cities successfully finished 20 weeks of rigorous training which started October 5 last year at the 3rd ID headquarters in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz. (Edith B. Colmo)