Carla P. Gomez

Nov112020 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

‘Ulysses’ spares Negros but rains expected

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said today, November 11, that it looks like Typhoon Ulysses will spare Negros Occidental.However, the province could be hit by some rain so all local government units should remain on alert level, he said.The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported at 5 p.m. today that Typhoon “Ulysses" continued to intensify as it threatens the Quezon-Aurora area.The typhoon will be experienced over Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte until tonight and over Aurora and the northern portion of Quezon tonight through early tomorrow morning, it said.There will be heavy rainfall between tonight and early tomorrow morning, November 12, over Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Aur...

Nov112020 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Ambulance driver killed, 4 injured, including retired cop hit by COVID

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Video grabbed from Rayner JusnicoAn ambulance driver was killed and four others were injured in a three-vehicle accident at Lacson-San Sebastian streets, Bacolod City, 1:15 p.m. today, November 11.Jessie James Tranilla, a South Bacolod General Hospital ambulance driver, was declared dead on arrival at a hospital, a Bacolod Police Station 1 report said.Injured were nurse Maria Nadala Cajeras, 30; the 78-year-old patient of Barangay Biniquil, Kabankalan City; and auxiliary worker Jose Francisco Manlosa Sombero of Barangay Sum ag, Bacolod City, who were on board the ambulance, the police said.The patient is a retired policeman hit by COVID-19 and was being transferred to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Kabankalan Mayor Pedro Zayco said.Also injur...

Nov112020 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Doc showcases true meaning of Christmas in nativity sets

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Negrense artist Susanito Sarnate's nativity scene is set in a sugarcane farm.*Ricky Gallaga photos More scenes from Susanito Sarnate's belen*A nativity scene music box*A Bolivian nativity scene*An eastern tradition belen where Mother Mary is seated from Bulgaria*Dr. Ricky Gallaga*The 90 plus year old pieces from the nativity set of Gallaga's mother.*In this belen, each king represents a different Canadian-Indian tribe*A nativity set from Peru*A coconut shell from Peru with a belen inside*A nativity set from Zimbabwe with a lot of beadwork*A doctor, who has a collection of nativity sets from around the world that are on display all year round at his home in Bacolod City, said they are a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.Dr. Ricky Gallaga, the dean of the College of Medic...

Nov102020 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

SP to approve 2021 budget by 1st week of December: VG

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The Sangguniang Panlalawigan aims to approve the P4.4 billion proposed 2021 budget of Negros Occidental by the first week of December, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said today, November 10.He said the budget hearings start tomorrow, November 11, and hopefully will be finished in two weeks.It is important that the budget is approved early because funds are needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.Hearings will be held on Wednesdays and Thursdays, he said.Under Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson’s proposed P4,471,695,065 budget, P1,641,424,244 will be allocated for personal services, P1,374,658,871 for maintenance and other operating expenses, P12,000,000 for capital outlay and P1,443,611,950 for special purpose appropriations.The P4.4 billion will come from tax revenues tot...

Nov102020 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Capitol exploring ways to provide add’l bonus

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Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is exploring ways to grant additional bonuses to provincial government employees this Christmas, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said today, November 10.Ferrer said he met with the governor and they discussed the possibility of still giving bonuses this year.Lacson when asked Monday if the provincial government would grant bonuses was quoted as saying: “It’s only up to 14th month bonus. Other than extra, there will be none.”The governor told DIGICAST NEGROS today that the granting of bonuses will be subject to availability of funds and legal basis, bearing in mind that the Commission on Audit disallowed previous bonuses.Last year the provincial government gave a P60,000 bonus to each of its employees on top of their 13th and 14th pay....

Nov102020 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

VMC distillery acts on pollution concerns, residents deny seeking closure of plant

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The new anaerobic digester at the VMC Distillery in Manapla. Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Victorias Milling Company Distillery in Barangay Purisima, Manapla has addressed pollution concerns and no longer discharges waste to a natural lagoon, plant manager Sherwin Bacanto said today, November 10.“We have zero waste because we are no longer discharging to any water body,” Bacanto said.Some residents of the barangay also denied Tuesday that they had signed a petition against Manapla and VMC officials, and called for the closure of the plant because of pollution concerns, pointing out that a shutdown would cause the loss of jobs.The VMC Distillery has 80 organic employees and more than 100 outsourced workers, VMC Administrative Office Eva Rodriguez said.Manapla Mayor Manuel Es...

Nov102020 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Neg. Occ., Bacolod breach 5,000 mark for Covid cases

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Negros Occidental and Bacolod City breached the 5,000 mark for COVID-19 cases Monday, November 9, the Department of Health in Western Visayas reported.Negros Occidental had 39 news COVID-19 cases today bringing its total to 5,007 and Bacolod City had 35 new cases for a total of 5,032, the DOH reported.Of the 5,007 persons hit by COVID-19 in Negros Occidental, 89 have died, 3,340 have recovered and 1,578 remain active cases, the DOH reported.In Bacolod City of the 5,032 persons hit by COVID 19 cases, 147 have died, 4,525 have recovered and 360 remain active cases, the DOH added.*

Nov102020 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Diaz: Valladolid hospital to start accepting Covid patients today

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The Valladolid District Hospital in Valladolid, Negros Occidental, will start accepting COVID-19 positive patients today, November 10, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Monday, November 9.The 50-bed hospital can only accommodate up to 30 patients since it is not fully operational with the ongoing construction of its main donning and doffing area for personal protective equipment, he said.The hospital will only accept patients with COVID-19 symptoms and those who tested positive for the virus, he said.Diaz said before bringing patients to the hospital a call should be made to 034 4730131, 09454592179, or 0961 4119717 to ensure the safety of everyone. Walk-in patients are not encouraged.The Valladolid facility is the second provincial government-run hospital that h...

Nov92020 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

P118M in projects approved

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Capitol photoThe Negros Occidental Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council approved P118 million worth of projects and activities to strengthen peace and order in the province at a meeting at the Capitol in Bacolod City, today.Approved in Resolution 2020-003 was the P87 million proposed peace and order budget for various projects, programs and activities for endorsement to the Provincial Development Council for inclusion in the 2021 supplemental annual investment program (AIP).These interventions are in support of the peace and order and anti-criminality efforts in the province, the resolution said.Also approved was Resolution No. 2020-004 for P31.1 million in barangay infrastructure projects funded through the 2020 PAyapa at MAsaganang Pam...

Nov92020 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Magikland reopening Saturday with health protocols in place

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Magikland, the first outdoor theme park in Western Visayas located in Silay City, Negros Occidental, is set to reopen on weekends starting this Saturday, November 14, after an eight-month closure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Only 50 percent of the park’s visitor capacity will be allowed and marshals will be fielded to ensure COVID-19 health protocols are followed, Aton Land and Leisure Inc. president Reynaldo Bantug said today, November 9.“We have plenty of space so there should be no problem with physical distancing,” he said.Safety, security, and quality entertainment have always been at the core of the park’s operations from the very start, Bantug pointed out.He said they have worked hard at ensuring maximum health protocols on all rides, facilities and facets of oper...