The May 13 midterm elections in Western Visayas finished very peaceful and orderly, said Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz, Jr., Police Regional Office 6 director. 

The intensified security coverage deterred any violence that may have disrupted the electoral processes, he said.

Cruz boasted the close coordination of the members of the Regional Joint Peace Security Coordination Center (RJPSCC). 

The RJPSCC established round-the-clock, random checkpoint/chokepoint operations, visibility patrols, and intelligence gathering to deter criminals and other threat groups from committing violence and harassment. 

The top cop also took cognizance of the vigilance of the public against suspicious individuals and groups. 

“Marami po ang nag-re-report sa atin ng mga kahina-hinalang tao sa kanilang lugar,” he said. 

GOOD JOB 

Cruz commended the loyalty and dedication to duty of police personnel that made the election security coverage very successful. 

“Masaya po tayo sa ipinakitang katapatan at sakripisyo ng ating mga kasamahan na sumabak sa pagbabantay para sa tahimik, maayos at patas na halalan,” he stressed. 

More than 7,000 police personnel rendered election field duty while barely 2,000 remaining manned the election monitoring action centers. 

Even those on schooling were deployed to augment the local police forces.*

The Iloilo City Police Office, headed by Police Superintendent Ruperto Floro Jr., recently gave recognition to the SM City Iloilo security guards who captured the three Malaysian nationals who were caught installing a skimming devise on an ATM machine in the lower ground floor of the mall.

The Malaysians namely Ching Seng Jun, Chiang Yong Siang and Tan Boon Fool were caught red-handed by the said guards after a brief surveillance by the mall’s intelligence.

Security guards Noli Casaquite, Aurelio Lanceta and Rolly Reoyo Jr. were given certificates of commendation for their sterling performance and extraordinary loyalty to service.

The certificate added that “such laudable accomplishment has greatly contributed in fighting criminality in Iloilo City.”*

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has identified the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) as partner in the management of disaster risks and the adaptation of the impact of climate change towards sustainable development.

In a media statement, the CCC recognized UPV as a leading academic institution that will collaborate with the commission to raise the capacity of key local actors in the cities and municipalities within the Jalaur River Basin in Iloilo for disaster risks reduction and climate change adaptation.

The UPV said five representatives participated in the training of trainers on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation for local partners in Cagayan and Jalaur River Basins held recently in Tagaytay City.

The capacity-building training ensures that people, institutions, structures and government are better prepared to prevent and cope with disasters in the future, while at the same time working towards reducing risks and building resilience.

The group was led by Prof. Nestor Yunque, UPV's Vice Chancellor for Administration, along with two faculty members, a university research associate, and the chief of the campus and maintenance development office.

The implementation of the partnership is part of the project dubbed as “Resilience Capacity Building for Cities and Municipalities to Reduce Disaster Risks from Climate Change and Natural Hazards” on its first phase, supported by the United Nations Development Program.

The three-year project is also being funded by the Government of New Zealand through the New Zealand Aid Program.

The CCC, under the Office of the President, is the lead policy-making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change.*PIA

Admin party wins big in all fronts

Liberal Party candidates have ruled both in Iloilo City and in the provincial races for the 2013 Midterm Elections. 

About 3 p.m. of yesterday, Jed Patrick Mabilog and Jerry Treñas were proclaimed as mayor and congressman of the city, respectively at Department of Education- Iloilo City Social Hall.

Mabilog garnered 115,943 votes while Rommel Ynion got 54,074 votes as of 6:15 p.m.

Also proclaimed were top six councilors.

Still on number one spot is Lex Tupas with 104,506 votes as of 6:15 p.m. yesterday.

Also included in the top six were newly elected Lady Julie Grace “Love” Baronda, incumbent councilors Joshua Gonzales, Joshua Alim, Lyndon Acap and also newly elected, Jay Treñas.

In the provincial race, Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. also of LP party retained his seat.

UNA gubernatorial candidate conceded defeat to Defensor Tuesday afternoon.

“I congratulate Gov. Arthur Defensor for his victory. I wish him all the best. We respect the decision of the Ilonggo electorate,” Biron posted in his Facebook account.

Birona also thanked all his leaders and supporters.

“We fought a principled fight and ran a reform-driven race... It is time to unite for the betterment of our beloved Province of Iloilo. Thank you and Good bye! God bless us all,” he added.

Defensor was meanwhile welcomed and greeted by the employees of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol for his sure win yesterday afternoon.

Defensor meanwhile pledged that he will continue all the projects that he has started.

In the mayoralty race in the province, 23 LP candidates have won while UNA has 14 and the rest belong to independent or other parties.

First proclaimed at the provincial level was Congressman Niel Tupas Jr. of the fifth district of Iloilo.*