Carla P. Gomez

Apr172026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Construction of 25 housing buildings in Bacolod to continue, Benitez says

Some of the housing buildings already built in Bacolod City* The construction of all 25 planned housing buildings in Bacolod City will continue, Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Thursday, April 16.The project proponents WRS Holdings Inc. and Scheirman Construction Consolidated Inc. recently requested for an amendment to its joint venture agreement with the Bacolod City government to build only eight instead of 25 buildings.“This decision stems directly from the ongoing energy crisis in the Philippines, which has created an increasingly volatile environment for large-scale development. By recalibrating our targets now, we can ensure the Project remains sustainable and focused despite these significant external pressures,” they said.Ben...

Apr172026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Panaad sales on first 3 days up by 106.4 % from last year

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The crowd at the SexBomb concert at the Panaad Stadium Wednesday night.* Ronnie Baldonado photoThe sales in the first three days of the 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival this week hit P9.8 million, which was P5 million or 106 .46 percent higher compared to the same period last year. Sales in the first three days of the festival in 2025 was P4.76 million, data furnished by Provincial Administrator Rayfrado Diaz on Thursday showed. Estimated sales on Wednesday, April 15, was P4,360,625.15, which was P3,065,397.15 higher than last year’ s sales on day three, he said. There were also an estimated 21,840 visitors to the festival site on Wednesday, he said. The SexBomb concert Wednesday drew a huge crowd who were on t...

Apr172026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Albee: About 95% in House support BSKE postponement

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Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez* Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the push to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in November due to the current economic crisis brought on by the surge in fuel prices is gaining support.About 95 percent of the members of the Lower House support the move and Senator Panfilo Lacson is also pushing for it in the Senate, Benitez said on Thursday, April 16.He said when Congress resumes its sessions a multi-party push for the postponement of the BSKE is expected.The fact that the nation is facing an emergency crisis is justifiable reason to postpone the polls, he said.Benitez earlier said he supports postponing the BSKE for six monthsThe ...

Apr162026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Sagay showcases living heritage, sustainable future at Panaad

Community

The Sagay City Destination Pavilion at the Panaad Park in Bacolod City bings to life the city’s identity as the “Destination for the Next Generations,” highlighting its rich marine biodiversity, strong community-based tourism, and deep commitment to environmental protection.Inside the pavilion, guests experience an immersive journey: from displays of traditional fishing tools and practices, to an interactive underwater-inspired area featuring Museo sang Bata sa Negros, where stories of marine life and environmental stewardship are shared by youth volunteers and advocates.Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Helen Arguelles-Cutillar said that this year’s pavilion display aims to highlight local fisherfolk as biodiversity heroes through their practices and how they protect the sea ...

Apr152026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Strike fails to fully paralyze public transport but demands vs. rising fuel prices delivered

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A strike on Wednesday, April 15, failed to fully paralyze public transportation in Bacolod City but organizers said they successfully aired their demands for government action versus rising fuel prices.The transport groups who staged the strike, along with some members of the clergy and sectoral groups, called for the abolition of Value Added Tax (VAT), excise taxes on petroleum and the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, Rodolfo Gardoce, United Negros Drivers and Operators Center-PISTON (UNDOC-PISTON) chairperson, said.Passengers in some areas faced long waits early Wednesday morning due to a lack of traditional jeepneys.The strike started at 6 a.m. but modern jeepneys, some taxis, and tricycles continued to ply the streets, and by midmorning some of the strikers resumed o...

Apr152026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Albee using personal funds to aid 1,780 jeepney drivers

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Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez*Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez will lead the distribution of fuel subsidy cards to 1,780 jeepney drivers worth a total of P1.7 million in Bacolod City on Thursday morning, April 16.Each driver will receive ₱1,000 worth of fuel subsidy, funded entirely from the personal funds of Benitez as part of his direct assistance to drivers affected by rising fuel costs.“At a time when the price of crude oil is rising, we will not abandon our drivers who serve our community every day,” Benitez said.The distribution is expected to benefit drivers from various transport groups across the city, many of whom continue to face financial strain due to fluctuating fuel prices, his...

Apr152026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Panaad sales on Day 2 hits P2M, crisis fails to dampen spirits: Diaz

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Indigenous people are also selling their goods in front of the Hinoba-an Pavilion at the Panaad Park.*Ronnie Baldonado photoEconomic momentum continues to build at the Panaad sa Negros Festival as second-day sales again outpaced last year's figures, Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Wednesday, April 15.Sales on Tuesday, the second day of the festival, hit P2 million or P439,679 higher that the P1.6 million in 2025, he said.Sales on Monday, the opening day, was P3.3 million of P1.5 million higher than 2025.The crisis brought on by the unrest in the Middle East that has driven prices of fuel up has not dampened the spirit of Negrenses and tourists who have flocked to the festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium, Diaz said.The festival is...

Apr152026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

3 dengue deaths in NegOcc but cases down 68.45%: PHO

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The Provincial Health Office on Wednesday, April 15, reported three dengue related deaths in Negros Occidental this year.It also reported a 68.45 percent drop in dengue cases this year compared to 2025.There have been 500 dengue cases reported in Negros Occidental from January to April 4, compared to 1,585 in 2025, the PHO said.Bago City had the highest number of reported dengue cases at 50 with one death.La Carlota City had 49 dengue cases, San Carlos City - 48, Cadiz City - 36 and Sagay City - 33.*

Apr152026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

City gov’t providing free rides to help Bacolod residents during transpo strike

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The Bacolod City government vehicles to be deployed.*Mayor Greg Gasataya has ordered the deployment of “libre sakay” vehicles across Bacolod City on Wednesday, April 15, to provide free rides for commuters affected by a scheduled transportation strike.The “no to oil price hike” transportation strike in Bacolod City, to be joined mostly by traditional jeepneys, will be held from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Rodolfo Gardoce, chairperson of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center-Piston, said.“We appeal to our fellow citizens who will participate in the transport strike to express their concerns peacefully. Everyone has the right to voice their stand and advocate for issues they believe in,” the mayor said.Gasataya said despite the transport strike, government operations will con...

Apr152026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Keep residents out of Kanlaon PDZ, 102 quakes recorded, OCD warns

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Kanlaon Volcano spewing ash at 5:43 a.m. Tuesday.* The Office of the Civil Defense is reminding local governments to ensure that there is no human activity within the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) of Kanlaon Volcano. OCD Negros Island Regional Director Donato Sermeno III on Tuesday, April 14, warned of increased ash emissions and earthquakes at Kanlaon Volcano. The volcano had 102 volcanic earthquakes, including two volcanic tremors, from 12 a.m. Monday to 12 a.m. Tuesday, he pointed out. Sermeno said he will remind personnel of local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices to keep residents out of the danger zone. The Canlaon City local government in Negros Oriental, on Monday u...