Business

Negros Occidental’s provincial government  has granted its job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers the five-day wellness leave credits approved by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for the duration of their contract. The inclusion of the JO and CO workers in the internal guidelines on the implementation of the wellness leave is stated in Executive Order (EO) 26-03 issued by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson. “JO and COS employees may now start availing of five days wellness leave pursuant to Governor Bong Lacson’s EO,” Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said in a Facebook post on Thursday. Last month, Diaz said the governor signed contracts for the renewal of services of the province’s 1,095 ...

Sugarcane waiting to be milled in Negros.*Ronnie Baldonado file photoGovernment officials and lawmakers on Monday, Feb. 9. agreed on a set of immediate and longer-term measures to stabilize the sugar industry, as declining farmgate prices, refining constraints, and market uncertainty continue to pressure farmers and stakeholders.The agreement followed a Jan. 23 consultation with sugarcane farmers, millers, refiners, and other stakeholders, which surfaced concerns over falling farmgate prices, excess raw sugar, and gaps in policy coordination affecting the market.Senator Francis Pangilinan, together with Rep. Mark Enverga (Quezon 1st District) and Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang (Apayao Lone District), joined Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and other officials in mappi...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he hopes Congress passes legislation to establish a policy not just on the importation of sugar but all other agricultural products.He hopes the congressional hearings will result in improved prices for sugar, Lacson also said Monday, Feb. 9.Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) earlier announced that an official congressional hearing on the sugar industry will be held in the last week of February.In an earlier congressional consultation in Negros, sugar industry stakeholders called on Congress to take action to help arrest the drop in sugar prices, which they blamed on over-importation.*

La Carlota City Mayor Jose Luis "Joelu" Jalandoni, DHSUD Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer Brechelle Grace Benotapa  and City Administrator Fini Jalandoni (front row, r-l)  with the La Carlota City Planning Team at the City Social Hall on Friday.* La Carlota City PIO photo  La Carlota City in Negros Occidental has unveiled a 10-year development roadmap designed to transform the city into a regional economic gateway while strengthening disaster resilience through 2032.The Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2023-2032 presented at the La Carlota City Social Hall Friday, Feb. 6, prioritizes ecologically balanced growth and improved quality of life for Mangkasanons, a report on La Carlota City’s Facebook page said.Mayor Jose Luis “Joelu” Jalandoni led ...

Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez*Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) announced on Thursday, Feb. 5, that an official congressional hearing on the sugar industry will be held on the last week of February.His office is currently organizing the list of attendees, and the statements and concerns of stakeholders that will be discussed, Benitez said.“We have read the statements, listened to stakeholders, and engaged our farmers and workers on the ground on the challenges facing the sugar industry. These concerns are clear, and they deserve a proper venue for discussion,” Benitez said.Benitez said he has spoken with Rep. Mark Enverga, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, and “we are moving this forward as an official congressional hearing on the su...

Department of Agriculture Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) Director Jose Albert Barrogo reminded farmers on Thursday, Feb. 5, to take immediate measures to protect their crops, livestock, and equipment from the onslaught of Typhoon “Basyang”.Barrogo said that “Basyang” is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds that may cause significant flooding and damage to the NIR agricultural sector.The DA-NIR advised rice, corn, and high-value crop (HVC) farmers, as well as livestock raisers across NIR to take the following preparatory steps:RICE AND CORN FARMERS· Harvest ripe or nearly ripe crops immediately.· Clear canals and drainage waterways to prevent waterlogging.· Avoid applying fertilizers and pesticides during heavy rains.HIGH-VALUE CROP FARMERS· Harvest all marketab...

A roll-on, roll-off barge, driven by strong waves, hits a portion of the Sibulan port in Negros Oriental on Monday afternoon.*Video screen grab from Carene Borbon Facebook/courtesy of Coast Guard Station Negros Oriental The fast craft port in Sibulan, Negros Oriental sustained partial damage when a commercial roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessel lost control amid large waves and collided with the front section of the port. Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, Coast Guard Station Negros Oriental commander, said Tuesday, Feb. 3, that M/V Geok Chong II of Maayo Shipping Lines was departing from its port Monday afternoon to move to a different site when it was swept by powerful waves toward the fast craft port. “The barge was undocking from its port to transfer to the nearb...