Monday, May 10, 2010
Abante People, Thanks to you!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
I THINK THEREFORE MY VOTE IS FOR ABANTE ESCALANTE TEAM!


The ABANTE ESCALANTE TEAM believes that government is more of a facilitator and catalyst to create the right synergy and atmosphere conducive for the public-private sectors cooperation and collaboration where the PRIVATE SECTOR SHALL TAKE THE VITAL ROLE in THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NATION BUILDING and GOVERNMENT AS A HELPER IN ATTAINING SUCH END IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF EACH ESCALANTEHANON THRU ITS TRANSFORMATION, EMPOWERMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS!
Today, we humbly present our HELPERS PLUS PART 2, to continue, restore, improve and expand our quest to accord each ESCALANTEHANON a better quality of life, where freedom from fear and respect of individual human rights are totally guaranteed! The freedom of each Escalantehanon to express his/her sentiments without being monitored and intimidated by the power that be and its agents be respected! True and real democracy shall be the primodial concern of everybody!
1. 1. To attain an almost 100% coverage of PHILHEALTH by all households in Escalante. We target to enroll 10,000 households under the PHILHEALTH SA MAHIRAP PROGRAM within our term of office; The remaining households shall be covered by their existing employment in the private and public sectors.
2. 2. To try to make available to our people affordable and quality medicines thru cooperative and participative efforts by national, provincial and city resources with full participation of Philhealth at the hospital and/or Botika sa Barangay levels.
3. 3. To strengthen and expand or improve diagnostic equipment and facilities.
4. 4. To make representation with the Provincial government and help complete and upgrade the proposed plans for the Dr. Vicente Gustilo District Hospital in expanding it into a secondary hospital with tertiary hospital standards services and equipment with the collaboration and cooperative support of all levels of government, NGAs, NGOs, and other International institutions or organizations.
5. 5. To establish a fund for additional health insurance coverage on a LGU and members participating equity basis.
6. 6. To strengthen the City Health Office personnel and services to better improve its programs and project implementation efficiency thru professionalization and respect of the career system with additional benefits on reward/attrition basis.
8. 8. Review, evaluate and implement nutrition programs in the barangays
WOMEN, CHILDREN & FAMILY:
2. 2. Revive and restore the barangay Pamilya Quick Response Team
3. 3. Strengthen existing and expand women organizations in the barangays as an avenue for their empowerment and support links.
SENIOR CITIZENS:
2. 2. To make representation with the Sangguniang to set aside fund for medical/medicines to be allotted for the indigent senior citizens.
3. 3. To make representation with the Sangguniang to mandate that all special bodies of the City that Senior Citizens shall be represented.
4. 4. To help strengthen the Senior Citizens organization in the barangays as their support net and link
EDUCATION, CULTURES, SPORTS AND THE YOUTH:
2. 2. To make representation to find partner sponsors from the private sector to adopt an elementary public school for IT LEARNINGS. The partner sponsor shall be responsible to provide at least 20 units Computer per elementary school for the students and teachers learnings on Information Technology. This is to jumpstart our public school education on IT starting from Grade 1 to become at par with the private schools. This aim to make our elementary students be computer literate at a younger age where it has become a very necessary and effective tools for learnings and communication in the new era of cyber technology. Each school shall be connected to the internet.
3. 3. To endeavor to establish special courses for our teachers to improve their proficiency in English, Sciences and Math to better prepare them for a quality education to our children.
4. 4. To make representation and help strengthen and improve NONESCOST Escalante campus facility and building wise.
5. 5. To rehabilitate, improve and build new classrooms or function rooms for the elementary and public high schools.
6. 6. To source funds for the construction of a City Division of Schools offices and administrative buildings.
7. 7. To establish more night high Schools and additional needed extension day high schools in the barangays.
8. 8. To source for fund in the institutionalization of in school feeding program in the elementary schools in order to mitigate truancy and dropouts rates.
SP SPORTS AND THE YOUTH:
2. To revive and expand the Training the Trainors and coaches program and their accreditation
3. 2. To sponsor and organize sports competitions regularly to give more opportunities for our athletes and coaches to hone their abilities and training in open competitions
4. 3. To hire outside trainors/consultants to assist in the mid and long term development programs
5. 4. To encourage private sector cooperation and support in the formation and/or adoption of teams on a sponsorship program
6. 5. To establish a Youth Center
LIVELIHOOD AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
2. 2. To revive and restore the online JOB MATCHING and Employment program of DOLE –LGU. Assistance in preparing personal resume or application letter can be availed of.
3. 3. To revive and improve the BUSINESS PROMOTION ASSISTANCE Office
4. 4. To make representation with the private sector to set up the BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION CENTER, to be run and managed by the private sector but subsidize by the City government, Provincial and DTI. This is to assist businessmen or investors for whatever documentary needs or requirements in organizing his or her business in Escalante
5. 5. To strengthen and improve the Cooperative movement in the City thru collaboration and support by CDA, DTI, TESDA, LANDBANK and TLDC
6. 6. To establish ONLINE e Commerce website and/or various social network in the internet
7. 7. To re-establish, rehab and strengthen the moribund e Barangay and wifi facilities in the barangays for free or minimal expense communication systems utilizing Skype or Yahoo Messenger (ym) in the internet
8. 8. To train micro entrepreneurs with tie up with Go Negosyo including the youth and women
9. 9. To strengthen the capability and capacity of the City PESO
10.10. To organize regularly trade and job fairs
11.11. To re introduce demo farmings for hi value crops, fruits, vegetables, poultry, livestocks in order to train and teach farmers the correct methology and cultural practices for higher yields
PEACE AND ORDER, PUBLIC SAFETY:
1. 1. To strengthen and empower the CITY PEACE AND ORDER COUNCIL to address the peace and order concerns of the City immediately. To see to it that the local police shall be apolitical.
2. 2. To set up a LEGAL ASSISTANCE DESK at the City Legal Office to assist indigent litigants and Agrarian Reforms concerns
3. 3. To establish an Agrarian Reform Arbitration desk under the City Legal Office to help defuse irritants and illegal occupations of private land with the assistance of DAR-MARO
4. 4. To strengthen and improve our police capability and capacity in rendering their police works, including their safety gears in exercising their police functions
5. 5. To set up sub precinct or compact station in Mabini, Escalante City.
6. 6. To make representation for additional personnel for the City PNP station
7. 7. To rehab existing vehicles and equipments
BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION:
2. 2. To make representation and source fund for the construction of a permanent modern fire station
3. 3. To establish a sub fire station at Mabini, Escalante City, Negros Occidental
4. 4. Endeavor to encourage the local business community to support in the organization of volunteer fire brigades, including in the Barangays
5. 5. To make representation and source for fund to augment safety gears and equipment for effective firefighting capability
6. 6. To continuously and regularly conduct training and seminars on fire prevention and /or firefighting to all stakeholders
7. 7. To make representation with the BFP for additional nationally paid personnel to be assigned in Escalante City based on the number of Fire trucks now deployed.
2. 2. To have all personnel train with duly accredited agency for EMS or Emergency First Responders
3. 3. To equip all units with 2 way radio or wireless telephone
4. 4. To have personnel on standby 24/7
5. 5. To help source fund for the purchase of two (2) units Ambulance for Dian-ay and Rizal for the 5 star barangays
2. 2. To strictly enforce the Solid Waste Management requirements under RA 9003
3. 3. To strengthen and train personnel under the newly created CENRO for their mandated jobs.
4. 4. To make representation to have Danao River rehabilitated and re invigorated
5. 5. To mandate all 21 barangays to have environmental protection, preservation and development master plan in their corresponding barangay with tree farms/parks
6. 6. To develop the MT Lunay mountain park and resort owned by the City
7. 7. To develop the hot spring resources at Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante City , Neg. Occ.
8. 8. To re establish the Escalante Bay marine sanctuary
9. 9. To encourage the production of organic fertilizers, recyclables and other products in the practice for solid waste management programs by the private sector thru the assistance by the CENRO
10.10. To make representation with NGAs, foreign government or international institutions to assist and fund if any, in the construction of mini dam or rainwater impounders in areas feasible for such projects in the barangays for irrigation purposes to our farmers.
REVENUE GENERATION/RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT:
1. 1. To review, re evaluate and collect arrearage of fees, taxes from the businesses and real properties owners. Make representation with the Sangguniang to condone penalties, surcharges and interest if feasibly possible by law.
2. 2. To set up a livestocks, fruits, vegetables, crops, poultry farmers and auction markets at Jonob-jonob, Escalante City.
3. 3. To digitalize all properties through the Google Earth subscription for a better and efficient identification of real properties and ownership. This is an effective tool for tax collection
4. 4. To make representation with the Landbank and the DAR to assist in the collection of Real Property taxes with the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries byu coordinating with the City Treasurer’s Office before awarding of the CLOA.
5. 5. To re-assess and evaluate the operation of the local waterworks
6. 6. To plug loopholes in the collections and management of the Escalante City Shopping Center. A management committee shall be organized to immediately take over the management of the Center and immediate exhaustive inventory and audit shall be conducted
7. 7. To conduct internal audit of all consumables and expenditures e.g. fuel, electricity etc.
8. 8. To set up an assets monitoring and utilization oversight committee in the GSO/CTO to check the judicious use of all assets of the city.
9. 9. To have regular training of officials, officers and employees to improve their capacity and capability
10.10. Review existing Revenue Code of the City.
SHELTER:
1. 1. To resume the Kalinga Escalante 21 poverty housing program using the Gawad Kalinga as a strategy in township development and sustainable nation building
2. 2. To set up 3,000 units in 30 villages in 6 years
3. 3.To continue landbanking activities in the 21 barangays if necessary.
4. 4. To make representation to tie up with UNDP, ADB,WB and other institutions for the other stakeholders in the shelter program
100 Reasons why I shall vote MAYMAY BARCELONA

First of all, Hon. Santiago "Maymay" Barcelona Jr. wants to thank for Escalantehanons who, despite the odds, continually stands for the welfare of the people, who still believes in his advocacies and its direct impact to the people. All accomplishments were never achievable without the cooperation and unity of his constituents.
Looking back the 9-year governance of the Barcelona Administration makes us think what had he done for Escalante. During these years, we have seen the influence of this quiet, strict, seriously looking Chinese man at every corner of the city. Now we are wondering what had he done during his incumbency to make us all proud to be Escalantehanons? I was just wondering how he was able to transform Escalante with his function as a Municipal and a City Mayor? And on May 10 Election, why do we need to vote for him just to bring him back in public service?
Why I shall vote Maymay Barcelona? These are my reasons
1. Facilitated the conversion of Escalante into a City.- With the dedicated leadership of Mayor Barcelona along with the efforts of Cong. Jules Ledesma, Sen. Serge Osmeña III and Senate Pres. Franklin Drilon, Escalante became a component City of the Philippines thru signing of RA 9014 by Pres. Gloria Arroyo.
2. United the people with one vision for a holistic service.
3. Promoted Discipleship for Development
4. Provided Quality Healthcare for the people
5. Gender-sensitive Governance especially fighting violence against women
6. Protected Family Rights
7. Molded the youth to be productive and competent citizens
8. Took greater efforts to provide Quality Education
9. Supported to deserving students through scholarship grants
10. Supported the Advancements on Teachers by providing tuition fee assistance on Graduate Studies
11. Enhanced students’ capabilities on sports
12. Encouraged the abilities on its people on establishing their respective livelihood programs
13. Chaired the collective effort in the fight against poverty
14. Empowered people through livelihood assistance
15. Assured protection of the people
16. Wiped illegal works out through success in law enforcement against it
17. Strengthened the Peace and Order Council
18. Maintained a clean and healthy coasts
19. Prevented illegal and overfishing by imposing penalties
20. Preserved the city's standing on averting the inevitable budget deficit
21. Launched a flagship program on socialized housing for the poorest of the poor
22. Built a home and strengthened a community
23. Brought Light especially on far-fetched communities
24. Brought rich Water System
25. Supported the city's Tourism Development
26. Maintained International Linkages
27. Established a massive housing Project thru Kalinga Escalante 21
28. Gained support from public and private sectors to donate land for the housing project
29. Mixed good governance with compassionate ministry
30. Made people accessible to Specialty clinics, Diagnostic services, dental and rehabilitative services
31. Provide indigent families with Philhealth coverage
32. Supported the enrollment of thousands of preschoolers in 52 day care centers
33. Spearheaded the construction of the new Vicente Gustilo District Hospital
34. Acquired medical assistance through donations of hospital equipment and supplies
35. Chosen by fellow Mayors of the 1st District of Negros Occidental to be the overall chairman of D'BEST CA Inter local Health Zone
36. Commended by the Women's Organization for the construction of the Women's Center that serves as a shelter for victims of domestic violence.
37. Spearheaded the massive construction of schools, libraries, and home economic buildings.
38. Established 16 Extension High Schools in Barangays including a Night School
39. Acquired additional donations for speeding up constructions
40. Hired Literacy Workers to augment teaching staff Shortage
41. Implemented poverty reduction programs by empowering communities and providing them with livelihood thru income generating projects
42. Strengthened organizations on Women, Youth, Senior Citizens, and the Physically challenged thru financial and administrative support on identified livelihood projects.
43. Formulated JOBS or Job Opportunities for Business Sustainability that led to production of entrepreneur in every household.
44. Fire protection program augmented thru acquisition of fire trucks thru foreign donations
45. Sent Medical Professionals and Staff for a training on Emergency Medical Services ready to answer calls during Emergency calls and calamities.
46. Acquired specially equipped ambulances ideal for patient transportation
47. Encourages trainings on Brgy. Tanods and Bantay Escalante Movements
48. Organized Bantay Dagat Task force among fisherfolk volunteers
49. Chaired the Northern Negros Aquatic Resource Management Council which is the alliance of 9 Local Government Council who fellow Mayors to pull resources on providing preventive measures for the conservation and protection of marine and freshwater resources including upland and inland water resources.
50. Implements a successful model on solid waste management
51. Pushed for the installation of the internal control system in the treasury and supply of procurement.
52. continually upgrades personnel by sending them on trainings and seminars
53. Auctioned off all delinquent real properties including non-paying agrarian reform beneficiaries annually resulted to an increased revenue in several folds
54. Hired casual employees based only on need and not on charity or political expediency
55. Established an easy access communication system thru E-barangay with the provision of complete set of computers and accessories on every barangay necessary for a wifi and voice over internet protocol connectivity. With it, communications in barangays are elevated in a greater level so that communication even on remote areas is still possible and be connected with the rest of the world.
56. Spearheaded the collaborative effort on the realization of the Kalinga Escalante 21
57. Manifested various infrastructure projects such as farm to market roads, bridges, waterworks, power lines and structures that enhance the tourism potential of the city.
58. His vision-driven organization formed partnership to foreign governments such as Canada and Japan that resulted to inter-cultural exchange that enhanced the growth and development of Escalante
59. Resolute in its commitment to develop competent and highly-motivated personnel to wisely use, develop, and protect the natural resources.
60. Established innovative linkages with the civil society, private sectors and other partners in development.
61. Established projects and programs within the framework of HELPERS PLUS, FAITH, JOBS, and SIPAG
62. Won the BEST EXECUTIVE AGENDA awarded by the Local Chief Executive GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY COURSE by the AIM INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, Makati City
63.: Awarded as the OUTSTANDING CITY MAYOR OF THE PHILIPPINES 2002 by the Local Government Leadership Award, Philippine Senate/UP/LA SALLE/ATENEO
64. Brought home the 2003 PARANGAL PARA SA MARARANGAL AWARD By Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng – Jueteng Free Philippines Bishop Cruz
65. Awarded as 2003 OUTSTANDING WEBSITE By Cebu City Chamber of Commerce for it E-Barangay Project
66. Hon. Barcelona became a 2003 KABALIKAT AWARDEE by TESDA
67. Proven to have an effective and efficient Policemen by winning the 2003 BEST OF THE BEST PNP STATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, CITY CATEGORY By PNP National Hqs
68. Again won the 2004 PARANGAL PARA SA MARARANGAL AWARD By the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng – Jueteng Free Philippine by Bishop Cruz
69. Made his constituents proud for the reward received for the 2004 KAAGAPAY SEAL OF EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE By the DILG and Philippine-Canada Local Government Support Program
70. For the third time, he received the PARANGAL PARA SA MARARANGAL AWARD in 2005 By the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng – Free Philippines by Bishop Cruz
71. Undoubtedly the Public Servant with Excellence by bringing home a plaque for the 2005 DR. JOSE P. RIZAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE By the MANILA TIMES
72. Made Escalantehanons proud by bringing home the 2006 OUTSTANDING CITY MAYOR OF THE PHILIPPINES awardBy The Local Government Leadership Award – Philippine Senate/UP/LaSalle/Ateneo
73. Did his job well as an overall Chairman of D'BEST CA ILHZ by bringing to the 1st District of Negros Occidental the 2006 MOST OUTSTANDING INTER LOCAL HEALTH ZONE- REGION 6 D’BEST CA INTER-LOCAL HEALTH ZONE By DOH Region 6
74. Also won the 2007 OUTSTANDING INTER LOCAL HEALTH ZONE OF THE PHILIPPINES July, 2007, DOH
75. Sustained the most effective and efficient Peace and Order Council by winning the 2007 : MOST OUTSTANDING PEACE & ORDER COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES for the Year 2005, awarded last September, 2007, Malacanan Palace
76. If given a chance again, he will target the attainment of an almost 100% coverage of PHILHEALTH by all households in Escalante, to enroll 10,000 households under the PHILHEALTH SA MAHIRAP PROGRAM within our term of office.
77. He will be working on the availability of an affordable and quality medicines thru cooperative and participative efforts by national, provincial and city resources with full participation of Philhealth at the hospital and/or Botika sa Barangay levels
78. He will strengthen and expand or improve diagnostic equipment and facilities in a cheaper cost.
79. He shall review, evaluate and implement nutrition programs in the barangays so that malnutrition will be reduced if not totally eliminated.
80. He shall revive and restore the women center and its emergency shelter and its services as well as the barangay Pamilya Quick Response Team
81. He will establish a yearly fund of P10M as a “SKOLAR NG BAYAN” fund to be taken from City, Provincial & National government or NGAs, NGOs and/or Corporate sponsors to give opportunity to indigent but deserving Students to pursue their tertiary education with a P10,000 per scholar subsidy per annum of 200 students per year level. Also, he will be allotting the remaining P2m for the DepEd teaching personnel for their masteral course under the EXCELLENCE AND COMPETENCE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM
82. He will make representation in finding partner/ sponsors from the private sector to adopt an elementary public school for IT LEARNINGS so that student will be at par with Private schools when it comes to technology.
83. He will continue to source out funds in the institutionalization of in school feeding program in the elementary schools in order to mitigate truancy and dropouts rates.
84. He shall take the effort of strengthening and reviving the Age group Sports development programs.
85. He will establish a Youth Center
86. He will set up and revive the Training Center at Sitio Bug-as for skill, trade and business promotion and development. This is to tie up with TESDA, DTI, DOST, TLDC and other agencies or institutions or organizations
87. Will make representation with the private sector to set up the BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION CENTER, to be run and managed by the private sector but subsidize by the City government, Provincial and DTI. This is to assist businessmen or investors for whatever documentary needs or requirements in organizing his or her business in Escalante.
88. He will strengthen and improve the Cooperative movement in the City thru collaboration and support by CDA, DTI, TESDA, LANDBANK and TLDC
89. With the help of the technological advances, he will establish an ONLINE e Commerce website and/or various social network in the internet
90. He will re-introduce demo farmings for hi value crops, fruits, vegetables, poultry, livestocks in order to train and teach farmers the correct methology and cultural practices for higher yields.
91. He will definitely eradicate terrorism and insurgency in Escalante bystrengthening and empowering the CITY PEACE AND ORDER COUNCIL to address the peace and order concerns of the City immediately. He will see to it that the local police shall be apolitical.
92. Will rehab all existing fire trucks and will make representation and source fund for the construction of a permanent modern fire station
93. He will work on the rehabilitation of all existing ambulance units and will send all personnel for more trainings to duly accredited agency for EMS or Emergency First Responders
94. On an expected budget deficit, he will review, re evaluate and collect arrearage of fees, taxes from the businesses and real properties owners. Make representation with the Sangguniang to condone penalties, surcharges and interest if feasibly possible by law.
95. He will address poverty through the resumption the Kalinga Escalante 21 poverty housing program using the Gawad Kalinga as a strategy in township development and sustainable nation building.
96. He shall set up 3,000 units in 30 villages in 6 years and will continue landbanking activities in the 21 barangays if necessary.
97. Beyond his function, he is the man of courage, honor and integrity.
98. During the reigns of his leadership, Escalante became the Most Progressive and the Fastest Growing City in Negros.
99. He served his people with transparency thru fair and peaceful governance.
100. Finally, he is a leader yet a servant by heart. He is the only Mayor whose major thrust is to religiously prioritize the welfare of the people.
If you believe these, please repost and make a stand for the betterment of Escalante City. Our future lies on your hands. Please don't settle for temporary bribes, rather, THINK OF THE FUTURE! THINK OF ESCALANTE!