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A staff member of a telecommunications firm helps a client register his SIM card.*PNA photoThe registration for the subscriber identity module (SIM) cards will be extended for another 90 days or until July 25, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Tuesday, April 25.However, after the original April 26 deadline, subscribers will have limited access to services until they finally register.“Most of the services will be cut off with the telcos (telecommunications companies). So, there will be a social media unavailability for those who do not register in the next 90 days,” Remulla said in an interview after attending a Cabinet cluster meeting.Senator Grace Poe, meanwhile, called for a boost in information dissemination of Republic Act (RA) 11934 or the SIM Regist...

A 9-year-old boy drowned at the Troso River in Brgy. Daga, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 23.The victim, whose name was withheld by the police, was a resident of Hda. Bayabas 3, Brgy. Daga.The victim went to swim in the river with his friends and when he did not return home his father went to look for him.The father found the body of his son in the river. He believes the cause of his son’s drowning was the strong current in the river.*

Architect Rolem Basiya, Incoming Rotary District 3850 Governor Maria Ester Espina, former Councilor Sonya Verdeflor, Lani Ferrer of the Rotary Club of Marapara and Jade Diaz of RC Metro Bacolod (l-r, seated) with UAP members and Rotarians.*A design contest to enhance and beautify all the median islands in Bacolod City was launched Monday, April 24.The competition will be under the supervision of the Rotary Clubs in Bacolod under District 3850 in collaboration with the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Bacolod Azucar Chapter and the Office of the City Mayor, Maria Ester Espina, Rotary District 3850 governor, said.“The aim is to make our roads our pride”, she said.They will also come up with a design to enhance the Familia Luzuriaga Cemetery at Lopez Jaena Street des...

PCol. Noel Calderon Aliño at the press conference of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Monday, April 24.*CPG photoPCol. Noel Calderon Aliño, Bacolod acting police director, and 42 other city police officials tested negative for drugs, a report submitted to Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said Monday, April 24.Aliño, who joined Benitez at a press conference at the Bacolod City Government Center, said more Bacolod policemen will also be subjected to surprise drug tests.He said the Bacolod police will be going after remnants of drug groups in the city.In his first six days as acting Bacolod police director, the city cops conducted 10 drug operations and confiscated 268 grams of shabu worth P1.8M, Aliño said.Nabbed were four high value individuals related to ...

The 2019 Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival.*Bacolod PIO photoTwo activities are lined up for Heritage Month in Bacolod City in May.The activities are a Philippine Ballet Theater performance on May 25 and the Bacolod City Inasal Festival on May 26 to 28.The three-day Inasal Festival will be held at the Manokan Country, Megaworld’s The Upper East and the North Capitol Road, Ryan Saez, third party organizer of the event, said.*

Vice President Sara Duterte at the opening of the Pasalamat Festival in La Carlota City on Monday, April 24.*Sara Duterte FB page photoVice President Sara Duterte said she is optimistic the Philippines is on the right track in its post pandemic recovery as shown by the endless fiestas now being celebrated around the country.Duterte joined the Pasalamat Festival in La Carlota City and the 64th Founding Anniversary and 23rd Pagbana-ag Festival of Hinoba-an in Negros Occidental on Monday, April 24.She said the Pasalamat Festival affirms the resiliency and solidarity of the people of La Carlota City.La Carlota is an important center for tourism and on top of its vast sugarcane farms has made significant progress in supporting sustainable agriculture and crop diversification, Du...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the termination of Task Group Panaad Festival 2023 on Monday, April 24.*Richard Malihan photoNegros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson thanked the security forces who kept the weeklong Panaad sa Negros Festival peaceful for their dedication and support at rites held at the Panaad Park in Bacolod City Monday morning, April 24.Lacson, who led the termination of Task Group Panaad Festival 2023, thanked the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) Command Group led by Col. Leo Pamittan, all PNP personnel and other concerned government agencies for securing the festival despite the intense summer heat.“To our men and women in uniform, I understand how taxing your job can be, especially in this summer heat," Lacson said.The role of the ...

The National Bureau of Investigation photo of the alleged getaway chopper used by some of the suspects in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in Pamplona town on March 4.*The government is seeking to seize a helicopter allegedly owned by fugitive Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves that was reportedly used to transport to Mindanao the attackers of slain governor Roel Degamo.Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a press briefing Monday, April 24, that a search warrant has been issued to get hold of the helicopter.He said the helicopter has been found in a hangar in Dumaguete City but with its markings removed."They were transported from Negros Oriental to Maguindanao using the chopper so a warrant was issued," Remulla to...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez said it is mandatory to wear face masks on public vehicles.*Levi Trio photoMayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the mandatory rule on wearing of face masks in public transportation as a deterrent against the spread of COVID-19 in Bacolod City will be enforced.The mayor, who held a press conference Monday, April 24, said while Bacolod remains under COVID-19 Alert Level 1 he is urging all residents to observe minimum health protocols.He also stressed that individuals not fully vaccinated, senior citizens and immuno-compromised individuals are highly encouraged to wear masks.Dr. Anna Maria Laarni M. Pornan, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head, reported during the press conference that there were eight COVID-19 related deaths in Bac...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he hopes the controversy over the shortlisting and bid evaluation criteria for the detailed engineering design of the 32.47-kilometer Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridge is resolved to prevent a delay in the project.“I hope this controversy will be successfully resolved otherwise it could lead to a delay,” “Lacson said.“The bidding process should be above board and hence it is important to address the issue raised, “he said.Various groups, including South Korean joint venture Sambo Engineering, have objected against the results of the shortlisting and bid evaluation criteria for the detailed engineering design of the project, Manila reports said.Suspected bias in the bidding was raised.*