Carla P. Gomez

The Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital (DSBMDH) in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental resumed full operations today, November 8, after temporarily closing Friday, November 6, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.On Friday, the 25-bed hospital temporarily closed for disinfection after one of its medical technicians tested positive for COVID-19, he said.The medical technician’s parents also tested positive for the virus, he added.Dr. Miguelito Aquino, DSBMDH acting chief, on Friday issued an advisory that all outpatient laboratory services were suspended but emergency, radiology, and administrative services would continue.Four other medical technicians of the hospital tested negative for COVID-19 Saturday night prompting the DSBMDH reopening today, Diaz...

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca of Victorias City in Negros Occidental said he and four of his companions have tested positive for COVID-19 and are now under quarantine at the North Elementary School in his city.Palanca, in an interview today, November 8, said he was confined at the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center (BAMC) and was cleared by his doctor to go home Saturday, November 7, but in compliance with health protocols, he opted to continue being quarantined at the public school with his other companions.The mayor said he and seven other people in a van went to Silay City and made two stops in Bacolod City on October 29.The four others with him who tested positive were his secretary, driver, a member of his staff, and a bodyguard. Their three other companions were not hit b...

Cadiz City and San Carlos City have the most number of COVID-19 active cases in Negros Occidental, the Provincial Health Office reported today, November 6.Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., however, denied that his city is the topnotcher for active cases.The PHO report said that as of Thursday, November 5, Cadiz City had 150 COVID-19 active cases, followed by San Carlos City with 130, Kabankalan City – 86, Himamaylan City - 55, Silay City – 53, Escalante City – 38, EB Magalona - 37, Isabela – 37, Calatrava – 35, Victorias City – 34;La Carlota City – 31, Binalbagan – 30, Sagay City - 29, Hinigaran - 27, Bago City – 27, Murcia -26, Talisay City - 23, Ilog - 20, Toboso - 19, Sipalay City - 19, La Castellana – 9, Manapla – 9, Pontevedra – 7, Candoni – 4, Cauayan – 6, San Enrique -...

Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson Jr. has ordered the lifting of border checkpoints in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental effective tomorrow, November 7.The border checkpoints are in Paco, Libacao, and Enclaro, Tongson said in Executive Order 2020-53, Series of 2020 issued Thursday, November 5.However, the EO stressed that safety measures must be observed by Himamaylan residents living or working outside the city but within the province of Negros Occidental to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19.They must inform their barangay officials prior to their return and on their arrival in Himamaylan for monitoring purposes, the EO said.The barangay officials will in turn notify the concerned purok presidents of the arrival of their residents for monitoring and compliance with hea...

303rd IB photoAn alleged New People’s Army member was killed in a clash with 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers in Sitio Arum, Brgy. Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, Thursday, November 5.The brief battle resulted in the death of Rio Jacaba, while two of his companions fled in different directions, Capt. Kelvin Bayaban, Army 3rd Infantry Division civil military operations officer, said today, November 6.The 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers responded to a report from Macagahay residents of the presence of suspicious looking persons believed to be NPA rebels in their barangay, he said.The firefight resulted in the recovery of a .45 caliber Colt MK IV pistol, a holster, spent cartridges of a .45 caliber pistol and subversive documents believed to be used during the c...

A frontliner at the City Health Office birthing home in Cadiz, Negros Occidental has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the suspension of some services at the facility.Outpatient consultations will be temporarily suspended until further notice, only emergency cases and deliveries will be catered to, Dr. Maria Victoria Ibañez, Cadiz City health officer, said today, November 5.Several City Health Office birthing staff who were exposed to the frontliner nurse, who tested positive for the virus, had to undergo reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests and mandatory quarantine, Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante said.He said it was not known how the nurse got the virus and contact tracing is underway. The staff at the CHO facility wear personal protective equip...

The COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental have been fewer in the last few days and he hopes it becomes a trend, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said today, November 4.“I am hoping that the local government units are constantly doing tests so we will know if really we have controlled the cases here in the province,” he said.Hinoba-an and Salvador Benedicto towns have had zero COVID-19 cases lately.The Department of Health 6 reported 42 new COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental today and 17 in Bacolod City.Negros Occidental has the second most number of COVID-19 cases in Western Visayas at 4,841 with 1,526 active cases and 87 deaths.The governor said the spike in COVID-19 cases in San Carlos City, which helped drive the Negros Occidental COVID-19 cases up earlier, was caused by the ...

It will be a public holiday in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City tomorrow, November 5, to mark Cinco de Noviembre, the historical event on Nov. 5, 1898, when Negrenses rose in revolt and defeated the Spaniards.However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic that prohibits mass gatherings, there will be no provincial government ceremonies to honor centenarians and outstanding Negrenses as done in the past, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said today.Lacson said the provincial government will instead deliver the P100,000 reward to each Negrense centenarian.Provincial Social Welfare Officer Merlie Garcia said they already have 30 centenarians on their list and are waiting for the supporting documents needed from several others.Lacson said despite the COVID-19 pandemic, November 5 remains t...