SILAY CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines (PIA) — Jose Rizal’s 115th death anniversary in Silay City will be held at the Christmas Village at 7 a.m. on December 30, with the event based on the theme “Rizal: Modelo sang Kabataan, Sulundan sang Katilingban (Rizal: the Youth’s Model, Model for the Community.”

Silay City Mayor Jose Montelibano said this big special event will honor the heroism and nationalism of Rizal. The day’s program will include presentation of the Silaynon Award of Excellence to outstanding government employees/organization/offices and top tax payers for the Fiscal Year 2011.

Collection privatization

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ. — Acting Bacolod City Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson said privatization of garbage collection in the city is under way and will be implemented by first quarter of 2012.

He said the advantages of handing this task to the private sector includes collection efficiency and easier monitoring and “private contractors will always prove their worth in their jobs; they are always prompt in their services because even with slight flaws, their contract is at stake.”

He said whatever budget is currently used by the Department of Public Service (DPS) in garbage collection will be shifted to the private contractor” with DPS employees transferred to the city’s sanitary landfill. (Edith B. Colmo)

Capiz flashfloods

CAPIZ, Panay Island (PNA) — About 40 barangays in five towns in Capiz are affected by the recent flashflood induced by the low pressure area in the province.

Data from the Capiz Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) show that flooding has submerged 15 barangays, particularly ricelands, in Sigma; 23 barangays in Panit-an; five barangays each in both Pontevedra and Pan-ay; and three barangays in Dao.

PDRRMC action officer Esperedion Pelaez said members of the disaster council is keeping a close watch on the weather condition in flood-stricken barangays, particularly in low-lying areas.

RDRRMC-8 assistance

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — The Eastern Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) gave P10,000 financial support each to the bereaved families of two victims who drowned in Leyte.

 Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Director Rey Gozon said the RDRRMC always gives financial assistance to families of fatal victims of calamities in the region. “The amount does not match the pain and sufferings of the bereaved family but helps lessen financial problems,” he said.

Samar weeds

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — The existence of marijuana plantations has been reported in Samar, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 8 headed by PDEA 8 regional director Julius Navales who said the agency’s intelligence reports point at the hinterlands of Samar as location of said plantations, near the area of Catbalogan.

Navales said his office will verify the report and he will coordinate with the local Philippine Army contingent for the exact location of the plantations as “my men can’t go there because these places are located in rebel-infested areas.” (Restituto A. Cayubit)