Community

City PIO photo Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia, former Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez and some private groups have provided assistance to the fire victims at Purok San Jose, Barangay Alijis in Bacolod City. Leonardia and Benitez are expected to both run for mayor of Bacolod City in May 2022. The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon, August 15, destroying 11 houses and damaging two, which affected 17 families. Leonardia, who visited the fire victims Tuesday night, August 17, had immediately ordered the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and the Department of Social Services and Development to attend to the needs of the affected families, such as providing them food packs, hygiene kits, and other supplies, a press release from his office said. The DSSD also conducte...

Sugar producers signed up at the VMC Planters’ Caravan that started last week in Jerusalem Transloading Station in Brgy. Jerusalem, Cadiz City. More than 200 sugar farmers have signed up for the Planters' Caravan launched by Victorias Milling Co. Inc. (VMC) in collaboration with Victorias Manapla Cadiz Farmers Association Inc., Negrense Sugar Planters Association Inc. and Negros del Norte Planters Association since last week to signal the opening of the mill. VMC President Minnie Chua said this is their way of “bringing the mill to the planters for their convenience.” Over 200 planters in Cadiz City, mostly small producers have signed up with their chosen partner associations to mill with VMC since the start of the caravan last August 10 in Barangays Jerusalem, Mabini and Bonifa...

Out of 41 applications, 18 teams were selected to participate in the Wala Usik Challenge: A Circular Economy Hackathon to be held at an online platform on 27-30 August 2021. The top 18 Wala Usik ‘hacks’ or circular innovations submitted by the Challengers range from apps and platforms which use artificial intelligence and machine learning to calculate a person's carbon footprint, promote circular fashion, and make recycling easier – to alternative packaging materials produced from agricultural waste such as rice hulls, sugar bagasse and corn husks. Circular systems, markets and vendors which encourage refilling and reusable bags and containers, and which support local and sustainable businesses, are also in the spotlight. The Hackathon will provide mentoring sessions and technic...

Capitol photo Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led the turn over of seedlings, processing equipment, farms tools, and logistical support worth P5,363,650 to 46 upland communities in Negros Occidental, intended for the development and management of the upland ecosystem, and livelihood assistance to communities. The projects - Support to the Upland Ecosystem Management Program, Provision of Livelihood Opportunities to Upland and Coastal Women, and Support to Pangiplan Watershed - are all in partnership with the eight cities and 13 towns of Negros Occidental, a press release from the Capitol said. The ceremonial turn over of the projects was held at the Capitol grounds in Bacolod City, Monday morning, August 26, spearheaded by the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO). The imp...

Mildred de Asis* The Philippine Airlines ID of Mildred E. de Asis issued in 1978.* A search for the family of a Bacoleña who is in critical condition after an accident in Los Angeles, California, in the United States, is on. Mildred de Asis, 77, was a victim of a hit-and-run accident on August 6 and is in the Intensive Care Unit of the California Hospital Center in Los Angeles, Rosalinda Datuin, a concerned friend, said Sunday, August 15. Datuin, who is based in California, said she and de Asis worked for Philippines Airlines while in the Philippines 40 years ago. She posted an appeal on Facebook three days ago for anyone who knows the family of de Asis in Bacolod to inform them that they can call the California Hospital Center at (213) 742-5511 and the nurse staff will infor...

Rotary Club of Bacolod North president Kendall Ang, Maria Ramona Uy Marjen, Ramon and May Uy, Jude Quingco, Barangay Captain Yolanda Noble and Myra Uy Javelosa (l-r) at the launching of the free trisikad repair project.* The Rotary Club of Bacolod North and the RU Group of Companies on Saturday, August 14, launched a one month free repair of trisikads drive in Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City, until September 14. Ramon Uy, who heads the RU Group of Companies, said Pahanocoy trisikad drivers can bring their vehicles to his welding shop for free repairs. They will also repair their household equipment that need wielding for free, he added. On Saturday, Uy, the Rotary Club of Bacolod North headed by Kendall Ang, and Pahanocoy Barangay Captain Yolanda Noble held a communi...

Negros Occidental Third District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Benitez joined Silay City Mayor Mark Golez and other city and barangay officials in the inauguration of infrastructure projects in Silay City on August 10. In Barangay Guimbalaon, Benitez and Golez lead the blessing and inauguration of the Level 2 Water System that will serve the community. It was constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways and facilitated by the Third District Congressional Office, the water facility has a total cost of P6.9 million. A Level 2 Water System is a water supply facility consisting of a source, a reservoir, a piped distribution network with an adequate treatment facility and communal faucets. Punong Barangay Roger Perez thanked the officials for the facility that w...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson being installed as honorary chairman of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines – Negros Occidental Council.*Richard Malihan photoRep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ, 3rd District) being installed as BSP Council honorary member.* Richard Malihan photo Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson was installed as honorary chairman of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines – Negros Occidental Council during its 67th Annual Council Meeting in Victorias City. The activity was held at the Don Alejandro Acuna Yap Quina Arts and Cultural Center, and attended by BSP council officers and commissioners, delegates from the towns and cities of the province, and other guests, a press release from the Capitol said Friday, August 13. Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Beni...

The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Kabataan Federation spearheaded the International Youth Day celebration held at the Capitol Social Hall, Thursday morning, August 12, with the theme, “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”. Board Member Pocholo Yuvienco, Negros Occ. SK Federation president, together with the SK representatives of the towns and cities of the province led the celebration, together with Board Member Juvy Pepello and PYDO Narciso Abad III, a press release from the Capitol said. In his message, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson assured Board Member Yuvienco and all SK Federation officers and members that the provincial government will always support them and help them achieve their utmost potential. “As the father of this province, one...

Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (4th from left), Mayor Gerry Rojas (5th from left), Vice-Mayor Johnny Reosura (3rd from left) and Sangguniang Bayan Members (l-r) Kedy Yu, Adrian Olimpo, PidongVillarosa, HernanAlintana and Anton Gonzaga with the brand-new ambulances procured by the Department of Health for Murcia.* Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District) recently turned over two brand-new ambulances to Murcia, represented by Mayor Victor Gerardo M. Rojas, in the presence of Vice Mayor Johnny Reosura, Sangguniang Bayan Members, Punong Barangays and other municipal officials. “We thank the Department of Health for the arrival of these ambulances for Murcia. The ambulances came at the right time, because we need the services of these vehicles in this time of pandem...

Kassandra Eva Marie Legarde needs help to live.* The 4-year-old granddaughter of a couple who have roots in Silay City, Negros Occidental, is fighting for her life at a Metro Manila hospital and needs help. The once bubbly Kassandra Eva Marie Legarde is confined at the pediatric intensive care unit of the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City and her medical bills are now over P1 million. The bills are beyond what her parents can afford, and the ECMO machine that she may need to save her life will cost about P210,000 a day. Kassandra is the granddaughter of Art and Lucille Lagarde and the only child of John Karlo and Elaine Legarde. John Karlo said they are appealing for financial help because “Kassy is a wonderful, smart, loving child who is a fighter and has her whole ...

Vision 20/30 youth representative Javi Benitez ((left) with event moderator Marlon Apanada who is the Southeast Asia Engagement Lead for Energy and Climate of the World Resources Institute.* “It is time to let our lights shine. It is time to be who we want to be . . . and fight for the future we deserve”. That is what Javier “Javi” Benitez of Victorias City, Negros Occidental, representing the youth sector rallied the more than 1,700 participants of the first ever blended virtual and physical press conference for a multi-sectoral coalition championing energy transformation and climate action in the Philippines. “VIsion 20/30: Powering and Empowering Filipinos towards a #BrighterFutureToday” was held at Rockwell Center, Makati City in Metro Manila, July 29,a press release said. ...

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources turned over around P3.4 million worth of livelihood projects to Sagay City fisherfolk at the Balay Kauswagan Friday, July 30. A total of 96 fisherfolk from four associations received livelihood projects under BFAR’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program, National Fishery Program, and Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra sa COVID-19 (ALPAS) Program, a press release from Sagay City said Tuesday, August 3. Projects under the SAAD Program include Provision of Crabs Pots (P814,040), Fish Gill Net for the year 2020 (P471,280), Fish Gill Net- 2021 (P123,240), Packaging Materials in Support to Fishery Value-Adding and Production (P82,700) and Solar Lamp for Fish Cages and Fishing Boats (P200,000.00). Meanwhile, Seaweeds Fa...

The "Ecological Saturdays Initiative| program, also known as EcoSats, was launched at Brgy. Tangub and Brgy. 27 in Bacolod City on July 31. The program was initiated by a group of youth advocates coming from the Children Optimization for the Revitalization of Environment (CORE) in partnership with the Foundation of the Philippine Environment and Sowing Legacy Movement, Inc. It is a youth-led organization founded in 2018 that aims to empower, educate and expose children to different environmental issues. For them to protect and revitalize our environment, especially for those aging nine to 12 years old who were the main subjects of this program. CORE founder and executive director Elmeer Meeynard Calimpos said, "we want to enhance how the children interact with the environment...

The Project FREE scholars receiving their stipends and incentives at the Capitol Social Hall.*Capitol photo A total of P1,948,300 in stipends and incentives were released to 1,000 Project FREE (Flagships to Reach Educational Excellence) scholars of the Negros Occidental provincial government at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City, Friday, July 30. The scholars who belong to the Batch 2 grantees have already graduated from their post-graduate studies at the University of St. La Salle (USLS)–Bacolod, a press release from the Capitol said. The Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Division, headed by Karen Dinsay, and Provincial Treasurer’s Office facilitated the activity. Project FREE is an ongoing scholarship program of the Negros Occidental provincial government that is ...