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Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez at his press conference on Monday, May 15.*Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Monday, May 15, that he is eyeing the filing of a class suit against Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) for its fluctuating and frequent power interruptions that are destroying appliances of Bacolod residents.Under Republic Act 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, CENECO must be consistent with the Distribution Code that requires it to distribute quality electric power in a safe and efficient manner with a high degree of reliability, Benitez said at his weekly press conference.Article 2176 of the Civil Code also states “that whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay fo...

The cracks in the ground where ten houses are located next to a retaining wall along the Palampas River at Purok Tindalo, Barangay 1, San Carlos City, are getting bigger, Joe Alingasa Jr., City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (CDRRMO), said Monday, May 15.The 58 residents of the 10 houses affected, one of which has started sinking, were preemptively evacuated Friday and have not been allowed to return for their own safety, he said.They initially were evacuated to the San Carlos City evacuation center but they transferred to the Barangay 1 gym that is nearer to their homes.However, Mayor Renato Gustilo said they must return to the city evacuation center where they will be provided with assistance as the barangay gym is being used for sports and other activities, Aling...

Paski after she was rushed to a veterinary clinic in critical condition.*Paski, the dog who is believed have been tortured, is improving and was able to stand up on Sunday, May 14, but still needs help, Irene “Ai-ai” Gamboa, Community Animal Rescue Efforts (CARE) Inc. vice president, said.The dog is owned by Gilda Mondragon of Purok Sabes in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod, who has reported the incident to the police, Gamboa said.CARE is calling for justice for the dog who was in critical condition on Saturday following her rescue, Gamboa said.“Paksi was found lying on the floor inside the alleged suspect's CR, unable to move and in severe pain. According to the neighbors they heard a dog crying and screaming in the middle of the night after she went missing”, CARE reported on...

Former vice president Leni Robrero and her runningmate Francis Pangilinan*Leni Robredo FB page photoFormer Vice President and Angat Buhay chairperson Leni Robredo will be in Bacolod City for a book signing event on May 23, former Negros Occidental Gov. Rafael Coscolluela said Sunday, May 14.The coffee table book titled "Tayo ang Liwanag" is a compilation of photos and stories from her 2022 presidential bid.Available copies will be determined by a pre registration count at https://bit.ly/TALbooksigning-NEGROSOCC.“This is the story of all of us, this is not just my story, so thank you very much but I really want to thank everyone not just for joining us in the battle that we went through which was very difficult but for not losing hope even after the grief we felt when we los...

The E-jeepney seen at the Bacolod City Government Center.*The first electric jeepney manufactured by a Chinese firm has arrived and was spotted at the Bacolod City Government Center on Sunday, May 14.The E-jeepney manufactured by Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. arrived in Bacolod for a test run.Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in February with the Chinese firm that plans to put up a P10 billion plant in Bacolod City that will manufacture E-jeepneys.The MOU states that both parties will support the establishment of an e-Jeepney assembly plant and modern industrial park in Bacolod City to boost local economic growth.The aim is to make Bacolod the first example of a green public transport city in the Philip...

The body of a construction worker who drowned in the Himogaan River in Barangay Paraiso, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, was found at 12:28 p.m. Sunday, May 14, the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) reported.The victim was identified as Gilbert Bandolon, 37.He was reported to have drowned at 7:25 a.m. on Saturday, the DRRMO said.The construction worker went to gather river shells called “kayog” but drowned when he was swept away by strong current, the DRRMO added.A retrieval operation was initiated by the DRRMO, Barangay Council of Paraiso, Sagay Marine Reserve, Philippine Coast Guard and residents of the area starting Saturday.*

The cracks in the ground at Purok Tindalo, Barangay 1, San Carlos City.*CDRRMO photosTen families were preemptively evacuated after a retaining wall along the Palampas River in San Carlos City showed signs of possible collapse and ground fissures were threatening to sink houses, Joe Alingasa Jr., City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (CDRRMO), said Sunday, May 14.“A portion of the retaining wall along Palampas River at Purok Tindalo, Barangay 1 shows early signs of possible collapse due to scouring,” he said.Ten adjacent houses were also found to have cracks in their floors, and one sank, Aligansa said“Portions beneath the houses are hollow and water has seeped in, it looks like a cave”, he said.Personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways, City En...

Jan Marie Bordon at the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 pageant Saturday night*Bacolod’s contestant Jan Marie Bordon, who made it to the Top 10 in the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 pageant Saturday night, said she is thanking all those who supported her in her journey.The 22-year-old, who is a fourth year BS Tourism Management student of La Consolacion College Bacolod, said she had not expected to make it to the top 10 at the pageant and was very happy to have reached that far.Jan Marie Bordon with the other Top 10 contestants.*Bordon said the people of Bacolod are the reason she worked hard to do her best during the pageant.“To the people of Bacolod, thank you so much to all of you for your support in my Miss Universe Philippines journey,” she said.Jan Marie Bo...

The fire that hit Zone 12, Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod City, at about 11 p.m. Saturday.*Joseph Kersee photoTwo fires destroyed four houses and damaged one valued at P3.4 million in Bacolod City, Saturday, May 13, the Bureau of Fire Protection reported Sunday.Fire destroyed the house of Lorena Calip at Zone Dalia, Villa Villeta in Brgy Estefania at 4:32 p.m. Saturday.It was estimate to cost about P1,050,000, the BFP reported.A fire also destroyed three houses and damaged one at Zone 12 in Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod City, at about 11 p.m. Saturday.Destroyed were the houses Barbie May Poblacion Belaño, Beverly Belaño and Jose Donald Allaga, and damaged was the house of Berserey Belaño, estimated to cost P2,400,000, the BFP said.The BFP was still investigating the cause of...

State workers will receive their midyear bonus starting Monday, May 15, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Sunday, May 14."I am happy to announce that our civil servants will be receiving their midyear bonus this year, as provided in the agency-specific allocation under the 2023 General Appropriations Act or GAA. We know that fellow government employees look forward to receiving this bonus which can really help in their everyday needs,” she said in a news release."So, we are reminding all government agencies and offices to ensure the timely release of bonuses to their employees or as stipulated in our existing rules and regulations, starting May 15," she said.The midyear bonus is equivalent to one month basic pay as of May 15 and shall b...