MAR ROXAS COMBATS GRAFT AND CORRUPTION THROUGH EDUCATION

Liberal Party President Mar Roxas combats Graft and Corruption through education. In a dialogue with Southwestern University graduate students and teachers, he said graft could be eliminated if there is transparency and if there are institutional limits against private monopolies and public officials'discretion. Senator Roxas’ advocacy is very much in line with the Liberal Party’s principle on good governance. Mar Roxas is the author of several pro-people landmark legislations such as the Cheaper Medicine Law, Exemption of Minimum Wage Earners from Income Tax, Magna Carta for Small Business, among others.

CITY COUNCIL LAUNCHES VIGAN CONSERVATION CODE

The Vigan Conservation Code was launched by the City Council last September25, 2008 at the Syquia Mansion. I can't help but wonder with awe what a beautiful place the mansion is. It was a perfect venue to conduct the book launch. The mansion became a source of inspiration in the conservation of Vigan's built heritage like the ancestral houses.

OBAMA'S ENERGY PLAN IS GLOBALLY BENEFICIAL

Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama’s “green platform” is not only beneficial to the United States but to Third World Countries, especially to oil-dependent nations like the Philippines. In his acceptance speech as Presidential Candidate during the Democratic Party’s Convention, Barack Obama lined up several programs and projects for the United States and the American people including a solid and realistic program on Energy. He mentioned, “xxx for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as president: In ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East.

Washington's been talking about our oil addiction for the last thirty years, and John McCain has been there for twenty-six of them. In that time, he's said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars, no to investments in renewable energy, no to renewable fuels. And today, we import triple the amount of oil as the day that Senator McCain took office.

Now is the time to end this addiction, and to understand that drilling is a stopgap measure, not a long-term solution. Not even close.

As president, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I'll help our auto companies retool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in America. I'll make it easier for the American people to afford these new cars. And I'll invest 150 billion dollars over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy; wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an investment that will lead to new industries and 5 million new jobs that pay well and can't ever be outsourced. “

If Obama gets elected and makes good his promise to end oil dependency in ten (10) years, the world will become a better place to live in, economically and environmentally. The issue on global warming due to excessive use of fossil fuel like oil will be adressed. Non-Oil producing countries will rely more on renewable energy, ending their dependency on Oil producing nations. OPEC’s whims will be neutralized and energy will become affordable to everybody. With this situation, economies worldwide will grow and industrialization will become environmental-friendly.

The U.S. Presidential Election should go beyond the racial issue, civil rights, financial crisis and the American Dream; it has a moral obligation to respond to the issue on Energy considering that the United States consumes twenty five percent (25%) of the world’s oil reserves.

VIGAN LEGISLATORS' WEEK CELEBRATION (September 22-26, 2008)

The men and women of the Vigan City Council.

Vigan Legislators in a wacky pose with PCL-IS Executive Vice President, Santa Councilor Art Sabalburo (the one in red).

Vice Mayor Franz Ranches signs the Vigan Traffic and Transportation Code during a book launch on September 22, 2008.

Launching of the Vigan Transportation and Traffic Code attended by legislators, department heads, traffic aides and presidents of different tricycle operators and drivers association.

CERVICAL CANCER CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH INFORMATION AND IMMUNIZATION

Advocates for the prevention of cervical cancer came to my office for a courtesy call and I was so enlighthened by their explanation that this type of cancer can be prevented through proper information and immunization. Although a little bit expensive, vaccines are now available to prevent cervical cancer, the cause of which is virus. The group called Brave Hearts was spearheaded by Former Miss Philippines Abigail Arenas-De Leon and Dr. Cecilia Ladines-Llave, Head of the Philippine General Hospital Cancer Institute. The group sponsored a lay forum and chose Vigan as the venue for the kick-off of the TOUR OF HOPE, a fun bike covering Vigan City, San Fernando, La Union, Urdaneta and Subic. The activity hopes to raise awareness on the preventon of cancer.

INAUGURATION OF BURIDEK CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

The Buridek Children's Museum was inaugurated on September 8, 2008 at the Fil-Spanish Friendship Park (Mira Hills) as part of the celebration of Solidarity Day.

DRAFT BILL CREATING THE METRO VIGAN COORDINATING COUNCIL PRESENTED TO CONGRESSMAN RONALD SINGSON (1st District, Ilocos Sur) FOR SPONSORSHIP

AN ACT CREATING THE METRO VIGAN COORDINATING COUNCIL AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE


Section 1. The Metro Vigan Coordinating Council hereafter referred to as the Council is hereby created. The Council shall formulate, coordinate and monitor programs, projects, and activities for the acceleration of the economic and social growth and development of the City of Vigan, the Municipalities of Bantay, Caoayan, Santa, Santa Catalina, Santo Domingo and San Vicente, all of the Province of Ilocos Sur.

Section 2. The Council shall be composed of the following who shall convene themselves as the Executive Committee:

a. Mayor, City of Vigan
b. Mayor, Municipality of Bantay
c. Mayor, Municipality of Caoayan
d. Mayor, Municipality of Santa
e. Mayor, Municipality of Santa Catalina
f. Mayor, Municipality of Santo Domingo
g. Mayor, Municipality of San Vicente
h. One representative from the group of Vice Mayors of the member local government units (LGUs)
i. One representative from the group of Councilors of the member local government units (LGUs)

Section 3. The Council shall have a Chairman and other officers and staff whose appointment, functions, powers and responsibilities shall be determined by the Executive Committee through a resolution.

Section 4. The Executive Committee shall oversee the day-to-day operations of the Council. The composition, functions, and responsibilities of the Executive Committee shall be determined by the Council.

Section 5. The Council may call upon the Regional Office of NEDA in Region I to provide technical assistance.

Section 6. In the discharge of its functions, the Council shall ensure appropriate coordination with the Regional Development Council (RDC) I and other relevant local development councils.

Section 7. All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or controlled corporations and government financial institutions, are hereby directed to extend their full assistance to the Council in support of its programs, projects and activities.

Section 8. The Council shall be provided an initial budget for CY 2009 the amount of Five Million Pesos (Php 5,000,000.00) and from contribution of its members as may be determined by themselves.

Thereafter, the annual operating expenses of the Council shall be included in the General Appropriations after consultations with the Department of Budget and Management.

Section 9. This Act shall take effect immediately.

METRO VIGAN COORDINATING COUNCIL FORMALLY LAUNCHED, MOA SIGNED

The Metro Vigan Coordinating Council was formally launched last September 8, 2008 at the Fil-Spansih Frienship Park (Mira Hills), Vigan City. Attended by Mayors Eva S. Medina (Vigan), Butch Tadena (Sto. Domingo), Sammy Parilla (Bantay), Mario Tugade (Caoayan), Carlos Asuncion (Sta. Catalina), Vice Mayors Nancy Tabanda, representing Mayor Jose Tabanda III(San Vicente), and Popoy Bueno, representing Mayor Jeremy Bueno (Santa); the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was finally signed in the presence of newly appointed Deputy National Security Adviser Luis "Chavit" Singson other officials, guests and the public in general.

VIGAN CELEBRATES SOLIDARITY DAY 2008

Mayor Eva Medina (3rd from Right) and Vice Mayor Franz Ranches (2nd from right) lead the Repazzo de Vigan during the celebration of Solidarity Day on September 8, 2008. Mayor Olive Pascual (3rd from Left) of Lal-lo, Cagayan joined the celebration.

Students of St.Paul College of Ilocos Sur perform a Chinese dance.

Barangay officials re-enact the Filipino resistance against American rule.

LAL-LO VISITS VIGAN

People of Vigan have so much to thank Lal-lo for. The transfer of the seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia due to frequent floodings in Cagayan by virtue of a Spanish Royal Decree dated September 7, 1758 signed by King Fernando VI, elevated the status of Vigan from a pueblo named Villa Ferandina de Vigan to a city called Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan. The visit was an opportunity to renew ties through he Re-affirmation of the Sisterhood Agreement betweeen Lallo and Vigan which was signed by the parties 5 years ago.

ACTIVITIES! ACTIVITIES!

A pose with the NBN-Ilocos Sur News and Public Affairs Team

City officials answer questions by the City Press Corps during the regular "Panakiuman -uman" (interaction with the media)

Distribution of loan proceeds to the officers of the City Agricuture and Fisheries Council. This a livelihood program of the City Government being implemented through an NGO, the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives.

" An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure."

Kidney diseases prevention seminar for barangay officials, barangay health workers, teachers and the laymen was sponsored by the City Government through the initiative of the City Health Office.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE METRO VIGAN MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA)

After several meetings and consultations conducted by Technical Working Group (TWG), the final draft of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is now ready for signing on September 8, 2008. The local governmenet units of VIGAN, BANTAY, CAOAYAN, SANTA, SANTA CATALINA, SAN VICENTE, and SANTO DOMINGO hereby group themselves into the METRO VIGAN COORDINATING COUNCIL (MVCC).

Salient Points of the MOA:

The establishment of the MVCC Executive Committee hereinafter referred to as the Executive Committee, as the highest governing body, tasked to formulate, implement and monitor development plans for its members. It shall be composed of seven (7) Local Chief Executives (LCEs), one (1) representative from the group of Vice Mayors, and one (1) representative from the group of Councilors.

The MVCC Executive Committee shall be headed by a Chairman, who shall be chosen from among the Local Chief Executive members. He/She shall serve a term of one (1) year. The Chairman shall preside over the Council and shall automatically be the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

There shall be a Vice Chairman who shall be chosen from among the members of the Executive Committee. He/She shall serve a term of one (1) year. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall act as the temporary Chairman.

There shall be a Secretary who shall be appointed by the Chairman from among the members of the Executive Committee. He/She shall be responsible in taking the minutes of all the meetings of the Executive Committee and shall be the custodian of all records of the MVCC. The Secretary shall be co-terminus with the Chairman.

The remaining six (6) members shall automatically serve as the Board of Directors of the Executive Committee.

Upon the signing of this Memorandum of Agreement, an interim set of officers shall be chosen from among the members of the Executive Committee whose terms shall commence immediately and shall cease until the regular officers shall assume office in 2010.

There shall be a Technical Working Group (TWG), the members of which shall be designated by the LCEs of the participating LGUs based on equal representation. The TWG shall serve as the technical/advisory/recommendatory body of the Council. The Chairman may appoint additional member/s of the TWG as the need arises.

The Executive Committee, may from time to time, convene for the purpose of acting upon immediate concerns of the Council.

The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Chairman with the concurrence of the majority members of the Executive Committee. His/Her term shall be co-terminus with that of the Chairman.

The Executive Director shall oversee the operations of the Metro Vigan Coordinating Council and supervise the following three (3) particular units, namely: (1) Finance; (2) Services and (3) Administration.

Each of the heads of the three (3) units shall likewise be appointed/designated by the Chairman with the concurrence of the majority members of the Executive Committee. They shall hold office on a fixed term as may be determined by the Executive Committee.

All other employees as may be determined by the Executive Committee shall also be appointed/designated by the Chairman on a fixed term.

The establishment of a permanent official business address.

The participation in the identification, preparation, and implementation of joint programs, projects and activities of the Council under the following areas of cooperation:

1. Trade and Industry
2. Governance
3. Infrastructure
4. Environment
5. Peace and Order/ Public Safety
6. Tourism
7. Social Services (Health, Education, Transportation, Communication and Public Utilities, Sports and Youth Development)
8. Agriculture.

The extension of technical, financial, and other forms of assistance to each other to the extent allowed by the general welfare of their respective constituency involving the areas of cooperation identified herein.

The establishment of the Metro Vigan Coordinating Fund for the purpose of financing the programs, projects and activities of the Council which shall be sourced from the contributions of the parties the amount of which shall be determined by the Executive Committee with the concurrence of the sanggunian concerned and from such other sources as may hereinafter be availed of by the Council.