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The Bacolod City Police Assistance Desk program was launched on Wednesday, September 6, with the setting up of 25 BPADs in strategic areas of the city as the MassKara Festival nears.Col. Noel Aliño, Bacolod police director, said that the program that is a first in the country will ensure that the police are more visible and ready to respond to the needs of the public.BPAD will be manned by policemen who are trained to cater to the needs of the public and to give advice on relevant matters, he said.“It can also be an venue for the community to report crimes, violence, and other occurrences that disturb the peace and order in their areas,” he said.Aliño designated PCapt. Peter John Ramos as BPAD supervisor.Among the areas with BPADs are the 6th Lacson Street fronting the ...

The city government is closely coordinating with law enforcers to ensure peaceful polls, Mayor Raymund Tongson said.*Ronnie Baldonado photoMayor Raymund Tongson said not all barangays in Himamaylan City may be considered hotly contested areas for the October elections.“We will just have to deal with the circumstances per area, we cannot say that all 19 Himamaylan City barangays will have problems,” said Tongson on Wednesday, September 6.”We will just have to resolve the situation as it happens,” he said.The city government is closely coordinating with the Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police and the Army to ensure peaceful polls, he said.Tongson said he has also met with incumbent barangay officials and candidates to appeal to them to keep the October pol...

The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) confiscated P873,528 worth of suspected shabu during the weekend, Sept. 2 to 3.They conducted 20 anti-illegal drug operations and arrested 21 individuals, the NOPPO reported Wednesday, September 6.These operations resulted in the confiscation of 128.4 grams of suspected shabu, it said.The NOPPO also conducted 28 anti-illegal gambling operations, arrested 65 individuals, and seized bet money worth P4,731, NOPPO reported .They also arrested one most wanted and 61 other wanted persons in 62 operations during the weekend, it added.They also seized and recovered 47 loose firearms and arrested six individuals, the NOPPO report said.*

DTI NegOcc photoThe Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has started the monitoring and profiling of rice retailers from big supermarkets to small stores in Western Visayas to determine those affected by the government-mandated price ceiling.DTI-Region 6 Acting Regional Director Ermelinda Pollentes said Executive Order 39 imposing a price cap for regular and well-milled rice will initially impact retailers.DTI Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lynna Cardinal said the profiling of rice retailers in the province has also started.“We would like to determine how extensive are the losses, where are they getting their rice supply, and any problem with their logistics so we can probably assist them even in the purchasing later on or another government agency tasked so that w...

A Himamaylanon allegedly killed his own father in a stabbing incident at Bangga Diot, Brgy. III-Poblacion, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, early Tuesday morning, September 5.Fernando Jodilla Jr., 28, allegedly stabbed Fernando Sr., 59, his father, after a heated argument resulted in a fistfight, the police said.The suspect stabbed his father with a knife in his left armpit, the police added.The victim was rushed to the Valeriano Gatuslao Memorial District Hospital in Himamaylan City but was declared dead on arrival.Fernando Jr. was arrested by the responding SWAT personnel and brought to the Himamaylan Police Station for proper disposition.A post-mortem examination will be conducted on the victim.*

Councilors Al Victor Espino and Em Ang*The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a proposed ordinance creating a Traffic and Transport Management Department (TTMD) on first reading during its regular session Wednesday, September 6.Councilor Al Victor Espino, author of the proposed ordinance, said a well-developed and efficient city traffic and transport management will bring comfort and convenience to the general public, and most importantly their safety and security.The TTMD will be composed of an Administrative Division,Special Services Division, Transportation and Planning Management Division, Public Safety Unit, and Tricycle Regulatory Division.CRISIS INTERVENTION FACILITYThe SP also approved an ordinance authored by Councilor Em Ang seeking the establishment of a...

Dr. Placeda Lemana and Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan (right) *The Negros Occidental provincial government has two new permanent department heads.The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its regular session Tuesday approved Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson’s appointment of Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan and Dr. Placeda Lemana as permanent department heads, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Wednesday, September 6.Lacson appointed Pinongan as provincial health officer and Lemana as provincial veterinarian.Pinongan had assumed the post of OIC provincial health officer in March after Dr. Ernell Tumimbang retired.Lemana took over as OIC provincial veterinarian on July 1 after Dr. Renante Decena retired.*

Cuncilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson *The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution Wednesday, September 6, seeking an investigation into the alleged illegal construction of a culvert at Kabiguan Creek in Purok Mabinuligon II, Barangay Sum-ag, which has caused flooding in several areas.The resolution authored by Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson calls on the Department of Public Works and Highways, City Engineer's Office and City Legal Office to immediately conduct an investigation into the alleged illegal construction and institute proper measures and solutions to mitigate/eliminate the flooding problem in the area.Attached to the resolution was the letter request of Purok Fatima President John Ray Tragico requesting a copy of the approved subdivision plan for the proposed Ji...

Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez signed a memorandum of agreement with Asenso Sidlak Foundation Inc. and the Musang Obstacle Race Team on Tuesday, September 5, for the Sidlak Victorias Obstacle Race this month.The Victorias LGU will host Sidlak Victorias Obstacle Race, the first-ever ultimate obstacle race challenge in Negros Occidental on September 30.The LGU forged an alliance with the foundation and OCR team for the planning, organizing, and conducting of the Obstacle Race.Asenso Sidlak Foundation Inc. was represented by its president Serafin Plotria Jr. and treasurer Mary Lizette Balandra.World OCR Certified Coach Level 4, Cyrus Caesar Cenal, and UVM United Vismin OCR Community President Noy Zapata signed the partnership on behalf of the Musang OCR Team.Ci...

Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.*A Manila court on Tuesday, September 5, handed down a warrant of arrest against expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and three others for the killing of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.“After a personal evaluation of the amended information, the court finds probable cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest,” the court said in an order dated Sept. 5.Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 Judge Merianthe Pacita M. Zuraek set the arraignment of the accused on October 4.Murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder cases were filed against Teves and four of his cohorts on August 18.The court noted that Teves is known for his aliases Arnie, Big Boss, Big Boss Idol, Idol and Kalbo. Also included in the c...