Community

Samson and Mercedita Rica on their wedding day.*BCCO photoLove proved that it is patient for newlyweds 69-year-old Samson and 62-year-old Mercedita Rica, who finally tied the knot after nearly five decades of love, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment.They were among the four pairs who exchanged vows before Mayor Greg Gasataya at the Bacolod City Government Center on Wednesday, July 22.Their inspiring love story began 47 years ago when they first met in Bago City before eventually settling in Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said Thursday, July 23.“My prayer is that God continues to bless us with good health so we can stay together. I hope he never grows tired of me because he loves me, and I love him,” Mercedita sai...

NOGC President Nonoy Napao inducts Rosemarie Japitana into the club as Rose Group member Carmelo Jalando-on and club secretary Teresita Gonzales look on.*The Negros Occidental Garden Club (NOGC) welcomed Rosemarie Japitana as its newest member during its recent general assembly at the Acacia Hotel in Bacolod City. Japitana, a retiree from Lopue’s San Sebastian, was formally inducted by Club President Nonoy Napao, a press release from the club said.A keen gardener based in Bacolod, she has developed a particular passion for succulents, which she admires for their beauty and the uplifting energy they bring.“I’ve been growing succulents since 2021,” she said.Her membership brings NOGC’s roster to around 140 gardening enthusiasts and she will be part of the club’s Rose...

The Bacolod City government here is calling on student filmmakers to join the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Student Shorts Competition themed “Paskong Pinoy /Pasko Sa Atin” as Bacolod becomes the first city outside the National Capital Region to host MMFF-related events in December.The MMFF, now on its 52nd year, is an annual film festival organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority.“Do you have a story you want to share with the whole Philippines? This is your chance. Show the talent of Bacolodnon and make our Christmas felt through film,” the city government said in its invitation on Tuesday.The MMFF Student Shorts Competition, which seeks original stories that celebrate the Filipino Christmas experience, is presented by the MMFF, in partnership with the Film Deve...

At least 437,586 children aged 6 to 59 months are targeted for the measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity (MR-SIA) in Negros Island Region (NIR) from Aug. 10 to 28, data from the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, July 21, showed.The DOH-NIR, which covers Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Bacolod City, called on parents and caregivers to have their children vaccinated for free and help protect them from measles and rubella, and also have them receive Vitamin A supplementation.In Negros Occidental, several local chief executives have expressed support for the “Ligtas Tigdas” campaign next month.“Bring your child for vaccination to the nearest health center in your barangay,” Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., president of the Negros Associati...

The start of the payout of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport cash assistance for beneficiaries in Talisay City on Monday *DSWD-NIR photo A total of 10,285 near-poor households in three local government units (LGUs) are the initial beneficiaries of the national government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) cash assistance in Negros Occidental.Data of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) on Monday showed Sagay City has 4,625 beneficiaries; Hinigaran, 3,160 beneficiaries; and Talisay City, 2,500 beneficiaries.The payouts kicked off in designated venues in the three LGUs and will run until July 24.Group 2 beneficiaries or households classified as “near-poor” ...

 Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Negros Island Region Director chief Supt. Brendan Fulgencio (left) and Department of Education Bacolod City Senior Education Program Specialist Celestino Nifras Jr. sign the two-year memorandum of agreement.* BJMP-NIR photoThe implementation of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in three district jails in Bacolod City continues with the renewal of partnership between the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).BJMP-Negros Island Region (NIR) Director Chief Supt. Brendan Fulgencio on Monday. July 20,  signed the two-year memorandum of agreement with DepEd Bacolod City Schools Division Senior Education Program Specialist Celestino Nifras Jr., who represented OIC Schools Division Superintend...

Sagay City in Negros Occidental is providing a safer space for children and youth in conflict with the law in the newly opened PHP15-million facility.“It is our responsibility to help those who have fallen to rise again, especially our youth,” Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva said in a statement on Friday. July 17.Situated at Eusebio Heights in Barangay Paraiso, the Sagay City Development Center for the Youth was inaugurated on July 15.It can house up to 12 male occupants who need to undergo rehabilitation, guidance and personal development.“This is an important investment in our community because our local government remains committed to the positive growth and development of every child,” the mayor said, noting that around 65 percent of the city’s population is composed of children...

The Department of Health (DOH) called on parents, guardians, schools and communities to support its nationwide deworming campaign this July, emphasizing that the initiative is a safe and proven defense against intestinal worms.In a statement Thursday, the DOH explained that children are highly vulnerable to soil-transmitted helminths, or intestinal worms, due to their frequent contact with contaminated soil.Leaving these infections untreated can lead to "poor nutrition, anemia, stunted physical growth, delayed learning, and reduced resistance to other illnesses," while also negatively impacting a child's school attendance and academic performance, it said.The national deworming campaign utilizes Albendazole, a World Health Organization-recommended medication that has been a sta...

 A patient undergoes an electrocardiogram test through the Tricog VCardia 12-channel ECG machine at Victorias City Primary Care Facility*Victorias City PCF photoThe Victorias City Primary Care Facility (PCF) in Negros Occidental is utilizing the advanced remote electrocardiogram (ECG) technology to further strengthen healthcare services.Mayor Abelardo Bantug III said on Monday, July 13, that the city government now owns a Tricog VCardia 12-channel electrocardiogram (ECG) machine donated by private partner Elan Vita Diagnostic Solutions.“This state-of-the-art, ultra-lightweight digital ECG machine will significantly enhance our local healthcare capabilities by providing accurate and timely cardiac diagnostics,” Bantug said in a Facebook post.Victorias City is the first local...

Department of Health-Negros Island Region Director Razel Nikka Hao (4th from right) with the physicians serving under the Doctors to the Barrios Program.*DOH-NIR photoSeven more local government units (LGUs) in Negros Island Region (NIR) are getting the services of physicians deployed under the Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) Program of the Department of Health (DOH).These include the municipalities of E. B. Magalona, Moises Padilla, Murcia and Pontevedra in Negros Occidental as well as Amlan, Bindoy, and Santa Catalina in Negros Oriental.As of Monday, the DOH-NIR Health Human Resource Development Unit has endorsed the doctors to their respective assignments after they attended an orientation and paid a courtesy call to Regional Director Razel Nikka Hao at the DOH regional office...