BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Leaders of Bacolod City are deeply affected by the unexpected resignation of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri during the session the other day. "I have mixed feelings when I first heard that. I was surprised and amazed but it was statesmanship in its highest form,” Mayor Evelio Leonardia said.

“Wherever this may lead to, we have to give him credit for his moral courage which I hope will become our standard and model in public service. For all the good deeds he has done for the country while in the Senate, we salute and thank him. May his tribe increase,"he added. Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson said Zubiri’s exit is "a big loss for Negros, but I salute him for his decision." (Edith B. Colmo)

Fund search

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said he would look for other funding sources for the city development projects worth almost P20 million earlier assured assistance by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri. The senator resigned his position on Wednesday amidst a scandal questioning his winning as No. 12 senator in the 2007 national elections.

Mabilog assured that he will be scouting for possible funding from other national legislators, particularly Ilonggo Sen. Franklin M. Drilon, to make possible the rehabilitation and renovation of the Jaro Plaza, a project that would cost about P10 million.

Oil slick

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor has given his go-signal for the use of two Bantay Dagat patrol boats in the containment of the oil slick caused by the sinking of MV Asia Malaysia last July 31 off Calabaza Island in Ajuy, Iloilo.

Defensor said he has given instructions to Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banas to extend whatever assistance they could to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) so that the oil slick could be immediately prevented from further spreading.

Friday, Philippine Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ramon C. Liwag himself conducted an aerial survey of the area where the MV Asia Malaysia has drifted off Salong Reef, Manapla, Negros Occidental. He said the situation remains manageable.

Dengue drive

ILOILO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health (DoH) cited the Mosquito Ovicidal-Larvicidal Trap (O-L Trap) developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and is considering using it in their campaign against dengue.

DoH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said they are observing the use, on a pilot basis, of the O-L Trap, as the device is popularly called. If they find that it would fit well with their “4-S” campaign, then they will adopt it. “4-S” stands for the steps prescribed by the DoH against dengue – search and destroy, seek early treatment, self-protection measures, and say No to fogging.

Starter kits

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) regional office here has provided some P5.4 million worth of starter kits to 1,168 unemployed individuals in Western Visayas during the first semester of this year.

The package of assistance under the “Kabuhayan Starter Kit” program was designed to provide livelihood to the unemployed who have skills but have no funds to jump-start their proposed business or project, according to Labor information officer Amy Judicpa. She said the recipients are graduates of various skills training, including graduates of basic welding, carpentry, automotive mechanic, wiring installation, and cosmetology.