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Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez receiving the  award from  U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson*Victorias City won  a prestigious Digital Democracy Champion Award given by the Makati Business Club (MBC) at the Digital Democracy Awards 2024 held at Hilton Manila Hotel in Pasay City on Friday, November 15.Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez received the  award from  U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, MBC Chairman Edgar Chua, and DICT Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, in recognition of the city’s exemplary efforts in implementing innovative Digital Democracy initiatives that promote transparent governance and active citizen engagement.Victorias City was among 14 local government units (LGUs) nationwide recognized for adopting digital tools that enhance govern...

Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, left*Efficiency in governance led to Cadiz City government’s winning another Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award this year.This is the second year Cadiz City has won the award, a press release from the city government said Sunday, Nov. 17.Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said he makes sure that the way he runs the city government right now is not just about the conventional delivery of public services to the people."Rather, I always see to it that each of the services we deliver, or implement within the orb of social governance must have focus on efficiency," he said."Less inputs, greater outputs. That's our 'adopted lifestyle' now in the city government. We do adhere in using minimal inputs, but we get the maximum results...

The Rotary Club of Bacolod launched the Art CAMP (Community Activity Mentorship Program) at the Bacolod City Public Library, recently.It was launched with instructor and visual artist Sony Golez, a past president of the Association of Artists of Bacolod- Negros and founder of the Silay United Guild of Artists or SUGA.Now on its 2nd year, the Art Camp brings 35 young poor students from ages 6 to 9 for the art classes that will span twelve sessions every Saturday, a press release from RC Bacolod said.Artworks completed will be exhibited and proceeds will be given to the students from the underprivileged sector as educational assistance, it said.Also joining were the children of fellow Rotarians who wanted to unlock their talents and capabilities in expressing themselves ...

of Negros Occidental  and the USLS Artists Hub gets the stage ready for the “Rama, Hari”, a groundbreaking ballet musical set at the St. La Salle Coliseum 6 p.m. Saturday,  October 12.“Rama, Hari”, a visual and musical masterpiece, is a collaborative genius of five National Artists: Alice Reyes for direction and choreography, Ryan Cayabyab for music, Bienvenido Lumbera for the libretto, Salvador Bernal for production design, and Rolando Tinio for English lyric translations, a press release from  USLS said.This production is celebrated for its fusion of poetry in Filipino and English, music that combines classical, pop, kundiman, and Asian influences, and a set design that transports the audience from majestic palaces to mystical forests, village squares, and eve...

The Carlos Hilado Memorial State University recently launched two extension initiatives for child development workers and marginalized sectors in two Negros Occidental cities through its Extension and Community Services (ECS).The CHMSU’s College of Education launched the “3Cs: The Child Care Connect” program on Sept. 27 at the CHMSU Talisay gym in Talisay City, a press release from the university said Wednesday, Sept. 2.The program, organized by the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education faculty members, aims to improve the skills of 47 Child Development Workers from Talisay City to create supportive environments for children's growth, it said.During the launch, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Intellectual Property Andrew Eusebio Tan, College Dean Ophelia Duayan...

Some of the more than a million types of books to inspire the love of reading*A group whose mission is to make books accessible and inspire a love for reading among all ages is in Bacolod City.Big Bad Wolf's head Terrence Leong said “it is important for people to read books because they are a gateway to knowledge.”“For children I think once you develop the habit of reading then it becomes a lifelong journey,” he said.He said while more and more people are shifting to their tablets and phones for entertainment it cannot compare to reading.“Reading is a medium where you need to use your imagination, view the world in your head and develop your own sense of creativity. It is your own world that you are creating,” he said.When you read you will also stop to think an...

Vice Mayor Abelardo "JunB" Bantug III and Councilor Derek Palanca accept the OBSAC award on behalf of Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez.*Victorias City led by Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez received an award from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as one of its outstanding local government partners during the 2024 Outstanding BSP Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremony (OBSAC) held at Citadines Hotel, Bacolod City, on Monday, September 16.Vice Mayor Abelardo "JunB" Bantug III, along with Councilor Derek Palanca, accepted the OBSAC award on behalf of Benitez, a press release from Victorias City said.The OBSAC, which began in 2004, serves as a platform for the BSP to honor outstanding partners who support the central bank's mandates of ensuring price stability, financial stability, and a s...

Victorias City in Negros Occidental advances its eco-friendly initiatives with the inauguration of its new Solar Water System in Barangay XIV on Friday, September 13.The project, developed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through the Office of Third District Representative, now TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez, and the 2023 General Appropriations Act, in partnership with the City of Victorias led by Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, aims to provide the growing community with a clean, safe, and reliable water supply powered by renewable solar energy.As part of the city’s agenda for a sustainable future, the facility is designed to provide clean water for about 100 residents in the area, a press release from Victorias City said.Benitez, in his me...