News From Bansalan

by Ranz Albores

• Mayor Reyes closes Arches' Rice Mill

Bakeries in Bansalan

Bakeries in Bansalan
(May 23, 2009)

For a small town like Bansalan, a dozen of bakeshops had sprouted here since the year 2007. Majority of these establishments are actually branches of the food-chain companies in Mindanao like Panadero, Rose Bakeshop, Gretz Paul, Manolette, and Park and Go.

Yet, the original bakers from Bansalan like Mabuhay Restaurant, Virvics, Snazzy, Sklyplaza, and the like are still continuing their bakery businesses. The bake shop of the Leynes family had been diverted into a new and more profitable ventures like internet café and branching of their gas stations in the nearby municipalities. JK Salazar Bakeshop for example attracts people from the nearby municipalities with its services in bank check exchange.

The result of this seemingly competitive environment brings a lot of advantages to the consumers. Breads are now being sold at lower prices, clean and conducive refreshment areas are available, lots of choices on recipe and a lot more. People are looking forward for the opening of Central Warehouse Club sometime in the 3rd quarter of 2009. For sure, another bakeshop will be established in this new shopping center.

Some of these bakeshops are operating 24/7. The famous “pandesal” is still the best seller especially early in the morning. No doubt, these investors are bringing employment opportunities in our town. They also contribute to the local revenue collection and in other economic aspect. In one way or another, they make Bansalan more attractive to the eyes of some investors.

Cutting of Trees in Bansalan
(May 1, 2009)

Why cut the trees? Are we not environment -friendly? Why remove the shades? These are the common queries of the residents of Bansalan upon seeing the joint action of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in coordination with the Local Government Unit of Bansalan in the on-going cutting of trees adjacent to the national Highway. The main intent is to clear the National Highway from any obstructions and any other related traffic interference.

The ruling of the DPWH pointed out that there should be an allowance of clear area at least 30 meters from the center lane of the National Highway. This is to give way to a better shouldering area to prevent accidents and any other traffic related problems.

Trees have been cut down alongside of the National Highway from Curvada up to Kilometer 77. Bansalan now is preparing its area to accomodate the long-planned four-lane concrete road. The said project will be implemented through the present administration of the Hon. Edwin G. Reyes.

Common folks have diverse reactions to this plan. Some would say, this four-lane project was conceptualized during the 70's but until now there was no action done. On the other hand, some would claim that the cutting of trees is the first step for the implementation of the project. It can't be denied that Bansalan's national highway is among the most damaged road in the province of Davao del Sur. The worst part of it is located in Barangay Dolo up to Marber National Highway.

Bansalan Barbeque Avenue
(April 23, 2009)

Bansalan Barbeque Avenue was formally opened last Saturday, April 18, 2009. The project was financed by Pepsi Cola Philippines in coordination with the Local Government Unit of Bansalan Davao Davao del Sur. Pepsi Cola had invested 456,0000 for the construction of the stalls and the LGU had allocated 250,000 for the walling of the foundation. This newest attraction in Bansalan is the first Pepsi Cola financed Barbeque Avenue in Mindanao.

Bansalan Barbeque Avenue is located alongside of Miral River Bridge, fronting Gulayan ng Bayan. Barbeque vendors who used to do business at the center of the public market were given clean and decent stalls in the new business site. Pepsi Cola will soon install a wide television screen to attract more customers. During the opening, hundreds of Bansaleños and visitors from the neighboring municipalities were excited to enjoy the taste of the so-called "barbeque sa Miral". The Honorable Mayor Edwin G. Reyes graced the occasion together with the executives from Pepsi Cola Philippines.

The establishment of Bansalan Barbeque Avenue had upgraded the image of Bansalan's business and food industry. The good ambience captivates the attention of the customers to spend the night alongside the Miral River. Its economic impact will surely contribute to the development of Bansalan which was proclaimed by the Deparment of Finance as being upgraded from second class municipality to a First Class Municipality several months ago.

Palm Sunday Celebration in Bansalan
(April 5, 2009)

Devoted Catholics in Bansalan joined the entire Christendom in its Palm Sunday Celebration last April 5, 2009. People brought palms and cococut leaves to be sprinkled and blessed with holy water as a sign of welcoming and accepting Jesus as the King and Messiah.

In the Filipino culture, Cathlolics used coconut leaves formed into small crosses as the most common shape to be blessed during Palm Sunday rite. These leaves are commonly placed in the altar and in the doors of the houses, offices and even in commercial establishments.

According to the Gospels, before entering Jerusalem, Jesus stayed at Bethany and Bethphage, and the Gospel of John adds that he had dinner with Lazarus, and his sisters Mary and Martha. While there, Jesus is described by the Synoptic Gospels as sending two unnamed disciples to the village in order to retrieve a donkey that had been tied up but never been ridden, and to say, if questioned, that the donkey was needed by the Lord but would be returned in a short period of time. Jesus then rode the donkey into Jerusalem, with the Synoptics adding that the disciples had first put their cloaks on it, so as to make it more comfortable. The Gospels went on to describe how Jesus rode into Jerusalem, and how the people there laid down their cloaks in front of him, and also lay down small branches of trees. The people were also described as singing part of Psalm 118 - ...Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father, David. ... (Psalms 118:25-26).

Rev Fr. Diomedes “Bobong” Templa, DCD, the parish priest of Immaculate Conception Parish Bansalan, officiated the Sunday rite which started infront of the parish convent and was followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Bansaleños continued to pray for peace while waving their palms and coconut leaves sprinkled with holy water. Palm Sunday is also known locally as “Bendita sa Lukay” (Blessing of the Palms). It is the Sunday wherein the gospel of the Passion of Christ is read by way of dramatizing the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord.

Old INC Church Burned
(March 21, 2009)

March is considered as the Fire Prevention Month. However, firefighters from Bansalan, Magsaysay, Digos and Matanao has to join forces in saving the old Iglesia ni Cristo compound from turning into ashes on the morning of March 21, 2009.

Residents of Lily St. corner Rose St. of our here in Bansalan were shocked after seeing flames coming from the place where the old Iglesia ni Cristo church was built. At around 9:00 in the morning, the civilian and Bureau of Fire Protection volunteers of Bansalan were the first rescuers in the scene. Later, the fire rescue team from the neighboring towns came to lend assistance. After a few minutes, the fire was placed under control. The houses owned by Gloria Tolang, Domingo Corillo and Andresa Otero were totally turned into debris and ashes. Investigation of the cause of the said incident is still ongoing. Estimated damage reached up to 2 million pesos.

Investments Poured in Bansalan
(March 12, 2009)

Central Warehouse Club, Inc. had recently acquired the property of Dra. Sherlina Manos-Hao located at Ramon de los Cientos St., National Highway Bansalan Davao del Sur. The company will invest in Bansalan by way of putting up a supermarket. This will eventually bring a positive impact in the local economy. It will create employment opportunities as well. The place was used to be a business center of the FACOMA. It was rented by the Davao Metro Shuttle for a couple of years and finally acquired by the Central Warehouse Club. A couple of weeks ago the CJF Construction Inc. started building the edifice.

It is evident that Bansalan is already opening its gateway for investors. Last November 2008, two big companies opened their ventures namely the MC Square and the Taiwanese Firm LCE. Just last week, a business firm from Kidapawan opened another store in Bansalan bearing trade name, Bansalan Tiles Center located at the National Highway fronting shell station. De Luna’s Aluminum and Glass from Digos had also established their branch at the Poblacion Uno fronting the Immaculate Conception Parish Church. Motostar will also establish their display and service center at Sta. Cruz St. by next quarter of this year. The coming of these investors are positive signs that Bansalan will attain economic progress and development in the coming days.

The leadership of Mayor Edwin Reyes, being a businessman by profession, is significant in the advent of these investors. He is credited in encouraging businesses to invest in Bansalan thereby elevating the local economy from mainly agricultural to agro-industrial.

It should be noted that Bansalan is recently classified by the Department finance as a first class municipality. It was upgraded from second class municipality to first class municipality after raising its income and revenue. Data from Economic Enterprise Management Office showed that for January to March 2009 an amount of TWO MILLION was collected from the delinquent stall owners in the public market. For the past years, some of the occupants of the public stalls were not paying their rentals to the Local Government. However, the present administration’s political will had prompted them to abide with the local laws. A couple of business firms were padlocked by the authorities because of their delinquency.

The brighter economic future is not far from the reach of our people in Bansalan. We may continue to work hand in hand to achieve social and economic progress.

Bansaleno to Host Radio Show
(March 8, 2009)

I am hosting a weekly regular radio show aired @ 94.3 Charm Radio Digos. It is a joint endeavor of the Cooperative Development Authority and Provincial Cooperative Development Council of Davao del Sur. I have uploaded the mp3 version at www.imeem.com. Just type the tag "koooperatiba" or click on to this link...

http://www.imeem.com/tag/kooperatiba/

The title of the show is Kooperatiba Kuyog sa Kalamboan. The program aims to sustain cooperative education. It portrays music and entertaiment as well.

Dilapidated Market Building Demolished
(February 6, 2009)

The Local Government Unit of Bansalan Davao del Sur, under the Reyes administration, had pursued the demolition of the building situated at the center of the public market a couple of days ago. It can be recalled that the occupants were already informed to vacate the place even during the previous administration of Mayor Arches. The building was already very old and dilapidated making it very hazardous to fire incident or to any natural and man made calamities. Besides, the old structure of the building was no longer presentable enough to be erected in the center of the town's economic zone.

Among the occupants of the building were the MD Drug, AMG Hardware, A1 Barber Shop, La Cebuana Carenderia, Park N Go Bakeshoppe, Mabunga Store and others. There were oppositions coming from them in the past, but it was Reyes' strong political resolve that made them vacate the building. They were not given relocation places, but instead, they were asked to look for new locations where they can continue doing business. Some of them had resumed their economic activity already. On the other hand, the barbecue stalls will be relocated to the riverside near the Gulayan ng Bayan. Construction of the same is already on-going.

The vacated place will be utilized as open parking space for the general public. Common folks are just waiting for the next move of the LGU. There has been rumors that a public terminal shall be constructed in the area.