Salinas sits as LMP dad, Gonzaga, Pepito also in

by anyajulia | Feb 20, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita

MAYORS witnessed the official changing of the guards of the strong League of Municipalities of the Philippines Bohol Chapter (LMP) Wednesday.

This as Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren bowed out to his executive vice president, Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas, more than a month after their term-sharing agreement ripened.

It may be recalled that the agreement, one not explicitly stated in the rule of laws, was what town executives used to settle a difficult poser for mayors the last time they were made to choose one between two practically excellent leaders for the local chapter.

The turn-over rite was also administered by Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera during the regular LMP meeting held at the Balay sa Humay Batuan, in Bohols third Congressional district.

Erstwhile league helmsman, Mayor Lloren has to enjoy a little more than a month of extended term; the league has set the formal turn over rites February 18, a month and 18 days after Lloren’s term was deemed ended effective the last day of 2008.

Taking the wheel from the Jagna dad who has undeniably left trail of exemplary service is the no push-over Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas.

Salinas, who has proven himself as accomplished serviceman and retired officer of the country’s navy however lives to prove he has the mettle to lead his equals in a province where the league commands respect and credibility.

But for him who has had a track record of treading the rigid life of command, responsibility and discipline as an officer of the country’s naval forces, steering the league for him may not be that hard.

Despite these, in his acceptance message delivered before 39 mayors who attended the out of town gathering, Salinas admitted that it is not easy to lead people of [your] caliber.

“LMP Bohol is a respected organization among other groups in the country,” he said.

“I can never do this job without your 100% support and cooperation” Salinas stressed as he echoed Lloren’s admonition while relinquishing his seat.

Lloren earlier said he expected from the mayors the same cooperation accorded to him to be given to the incoming dad.

With the EVP post declared vacant, the mayors also elected Danao Mayor Thomas Louis Gonzaga, league’s assistant secretary, as the new LMP EVP.

For the vacated Gonzaga’s seat, the mayors also elected Batuan Mayor Gregoria Pepito. (rachiu/PIA)

Herrera urges SMEs to tap coop credit funds

by anyajulia | Feb 20, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita

COOPERATIVES should take this once in a lifetime lifeline, says Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera a day after the Bohol launch of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Credit Surety Fund (CSF) program.

First Consolidated Bank (FCB) of Bohol, one of the major driving forces pulling the BSP facility here also shares the Herrera call.

Through FCB President Argeo Melissimo, the FCB stresses that the facility, which is local sees the real need of the small business and makes available for smaller entrepreneurs the chance to access capitalization funds sans the high-risk collaterals.

The BSP launched in Bohol the Bohol Coopreneurs’ (BCCSF) Sunday. Such is to help boost capital to propel expansion and development of micro, small and medium enterprises amid a tightening global economic choke.

The launching opens up for Boholanos at least P150M total credit portfolio, a sum much bigger than the usual bank offer of the usual 10% of their loan portfolio to micro, small and medium enterprises development.

For Bohol, Capitol through Governor Erico Aumentado has put up P5M to add to the funds pooled by Investment Guarantee and Loan Fund, another P5M by the cooperatives and private sector including the First Consolidate Bank of Bohol, the Development Bank of the Philippines and still the upcoming pool from Land Bank of the Philippines, according to FCB’s Melissimo.

The fund acts as surety for loans availed by coop members and handled by an oversight committee

Readily, this makes available some P150 to P200M capitalization available to Boholano entrepreneurs, both Herrera and Melissimo pointed out as both calculated the loan guarantee of P15-20M multiplied by 10.

For Boholanos, this should be a credit portfolio of at least P100T to registered member entrepreneurs in a cooperative, Herrera said.

“This should be a more logical government and private-sector help compared to the lifeline cast by loan-sharks and lending firms,” Herrera explained.

Bohol’s top legislator emphasized that entrepreneurs who are coop members can now avail of loans without putting up hard collaterals as the CSF guarantees for him.

The real problem is that micro-entrepreneurs availing of loans from banks find themselves in a hard situation. They need to put up collaterals and the business risks they have to face, Herrera said. (rachiu/PIA)

P168M bid a failure – Lopez

by anyajulia | Feb 19, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita

Board Member Cesar Tomas Lopez condemns the provincial government’s P168-million bidding of a brand new fleet of heavy equipment. Lopez says that the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) has failed to comply with key provisions of the procurement law.

According to Lopez, the bidding process conducted by the BAC practically indicated in the technical specifications of the equipment to be purchased the description of preferred brands. The board member said he likewise received text messages insulting the Capitol officialdom while others pointed out that the provincial government may save money if the BAC adheres to appropriate bidding procedures.

Click here for full article.