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Mayor Gerry Rojas underscored the continued support of Murcia’s local government unit to the Philippine Army’s peace-keeping initiatives by joining the 38th Founding Anniversary celebration of the 303rd Infantry Brigade at Camp Mayor Nelson Gerona  in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, on Friday, July 13.   “We salute the Philippine Army, particularly the personnel of the 303rd Brigade headed by Brig. Gen. Orlando D. Edralin, for their selfless dedication in securing the lives and livelihood of Negrenses. The Philippine Army has been our indispensable partner in maintaining the peace and security of our constituents. Without their contributions to peace and order, we cannot enjoy progress and prosperity in our town,”  Rojas said.  “In the performance of their duties...

Hundreds flock to the barangay gym to avail of free consultation, surgery and medicines.* More than 200 residents of Barangay San Juan in Binalbagan town, Negros Occidental, availed of free medical consultations, medicines and minor surgeries in a mission initiated by the Rotary Club of Bacolod Central. The mission was led by Dr. Enigardo Legislador, Rotary District 3850 Past District Governor, who performed the minor surgeries with Dr. Larry Fregil. They were joined by doctors Kristine Angeli and Charles Adrian Legislador, Gian Carlo Coruña, Fair Jacildo and Dr. Ena Sion. The Centralians with Rep. Emilio Yulo III.* The initiative was also supported by Rep. Emilio Yulo III (Neg. Occ., 5th District), the barangay council led by village chief Vincent Aguillon, Metro. Bacol...

A health-based non-government organization in Negros Island, Bagani Community Center, will culminate its Pride Month celebration with a city-wide drag competition in Bacolod City on Saturday, June 29. The hosting of Pride Fest in n June aims to extend crucial support to persons living with HIV in Negros Occidental, Bagani said in a press release. This is fourth pride fest celebration of the organization since it was founded in 2019, which will also highlight the “Bagani Drag Ops”, a runway and lipsync competition featuring drag artist in Bacolod City. Key highlights of the event include the launch of Bagani’s PrEP community rollout and the relaunch of their self-care HIV testing program, the press release said. The event at the Lunar Art and Café Bar will in Bacolod also f...

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) awarded Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental a Certificate of Commendation for its implementation of the Electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS).  In a ceremony held at the city hall on Tuesday, June 25, the commendation was given to Himamaylan for its efforts to digitize and fast-track processes for businesses in the locality.  “The speedy processing of documents assures businesses in Himamaylan that we are doing our best in providing competent and up-to-date services,” said Mayor Raymud Tongson, who received the commendation on behalf of the city government.  Tongson said the successful full implementation of eBOSS in the city would not be possible without the support of city government personnel and the compliance of busi...

The Himamaylan City government is vying for its third Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) as the local government unit underwent the regional validation, June 13. Mayor Raymund Tongson and heads of offices welcomed the evaluators Jessana Carmela Tatoy and Ruth Geronda of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Sybel Nobleza of the Association of Negros Producers. Himamaylan was awarded the SGLG for 2022 and 2023 from the DILG for displaying exceptional management and quality public service, a press release said. “It has always been this administration’s thrust to provide exemplary public service for Himamaylanons,” Tongson said. He said the SGLG is “a perfect way to validate the efforts and hard work of our LGU, demonstrating our commitment to transparenc...

The inauguration of the P60 million Wawa Bridge at Brgy. Sta. Rosa, Murcia.* The dream of thousands of residents of Barangays Sta. Rosa, Amayco and Canlandog finally came true with the recent blessing and inauguration of the P60 million Wawa Bridge at Brgy. Sta. Rosa, Murcia. “This bridge project is long overdue. The old narrow, single-lane overflow bridge gets flooded and impassable during heavy rains, and residents and agricultural products from Barangays Sta. Rosa, Amayco and Canlandog could not cross the river,” Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas said. Rojas said employees could not go to work, students could not go to school, farmers could not sell their produce, housewives could not buy food for their families, and, during milling season, trucks loaded with the sugarcane of farmers, ...

The 15th The Spectrum Fellowship participants*  Defend the fortress of the free press.  This was the unified call of student journalists from across the Philippines during the 15th The Spectrum Fellowship and 9th Campus Press Awards—a nationwide campus journalism event grounded on asserting the influence and duty of journalists in today’s age of disinformation —organized by The Spectrum, the official student media corps of the University of St. La Salle - Bacolod, 7 at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, June 4-7.  Themed, “Sentinel: Fortress of the Free Press”, the fellowship returned after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, convening 16 publications and 11 resource speakers from all around the country, connecting them through a series of discuss...

Negros Occidental Provincial Librarian II Rio Lynne Panisa (center), with Provincial Librarian I Raia Tiongson, receives a certificate of participation from Association of Librarians in the Public Sector president Lucila Raquiño (left), during the ALPS 6th National Convention held in Baguio City* Three public libraries in Negros Occidental are recipients of P300,000 worth of access to electronic or e-books as additional knowledge resources for library users. These are the Negros Occidental Provincial Library located in Bacolod City, Silay City Public Library, and Himamaylan City Public Library, each availing PHP100,000 in e-books for one year. Provincial Librarian II Rio Lynne Panisa said in an interview on Tuesday, May 28, they were chosen by the Association of Librarians in the...

Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency executive director (center) Donald James Gawe and Carlos Hilado Memorial State University Vice President for Academic Affairs Jay Estrellas (right) sign the memorandum of understanding witnessed by Joyalit Tigres (left), Chief Economic Development Specialist of the Policy Formulation and Planning Division of National Economic Development Authority-Western Visayas.* The Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) has partnered with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) to promote volunteerism in all its four campuses in Negros Occidental. CHMSU will designate a volunteerism office at its main campus based in Talisay City to mainstream the advocacy. “CHMSU shall actively engage faculty, s...

Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson*  Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson, who is currently studying for a Master's Degree in Public Administration and Governance at the University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos, was recently cited for his Outstanding Thesis and named Best Oral Presenter during his defense on May 24.  Under the Business, Technology, Health and Wellness category, Tongson together with Dr. Merlita Caelian were cited for Outstanding Thesis and Best Oral Presenter for their study “Economic and Social Benefits and Challenges in the Implementation of Infrastructure Projects in a Component City in Negros Occidental”, a press release said.  The mayor was also named Best Oral Presenter in the 2nd International Conference for Higher Education Research of th...