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Samples of the electric jeepneys to be manufactured by a Chinese firm in Bacolod will arrive in the city at the end of April for test runs, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said Tuesday, April 4The modern public utility vehicles are designed to look like traditional Filipino jeepneys.Benitez signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in February with Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. 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 Philippines, the MOU sa...

The public is reminded to remain safe amidst the potential health risks during the observance of Holy Week, Dr. Adriano Suba-an, Department of Health Western Visayas regional director, said Tuesday, April 4.Suba-an stressed the need to stay hydrated with the intense summer heat.Bring water and drink at least eight glasses of water a day to avoid dehydration, he said.Protect skin from sunburn due to too much exposure to the sun by using an umbrella, wide brim hats and sunscreen protection, he added.He also stressed the need to prevent the risk of heat stroke by avoiding exposure to direct sun and heat, especially during noon time and afternoon.Always bring your maintenance medicines, as well as face towel, extra clothing, alcohol or hand sanitizer, Suba-an said.Membe...

The seized items from the Grade 10 student.*Classes were temporarily suspended at the Rafael B. Lacson Memorial High School (RBLMHS) in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, after a hand grenade and dried marijuana leaves were seized from a Grade 10 student at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4.The arrested student was identified as Bronson Lucas Guintebano Lacson, 21, of Brgy Zone 6, Talisay City.Students, some of whom were heard crying, were asked to leave a classroom while the suspect was frisked.The police conducted the search after a trisikad driver reported that he was threatened by a RBLMHS student with a grenade.The student threatened to hit him with the hand grenade, the trisikad driver said.The police said after frisking the suspect a hand grenade, marijuana buds es...

The seized drugs in Victorias City.*PNP photoThe police apprehended a Victorias City resident with an alleged P476,000 worth of shabu in a buy bust operation on Monday, April 3.Rolin de Arroz, 52, was arrested at Hda. Nordson in Brgy. 14, Victorias City, the police reported Tuesday.Seized were 70 grams of suspected shabu, the P1,000 buy-bust money, a cellular phone, drugs paraphernalia and a black Toyota Vios, the police added.Jessie Gellang Teñoso, 52, was also arrested for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act" at Sitio Mercedes, Brgy Sag-ang, La Castellana, on Monday, the police said.Seized from his possession were a .38 caliber snub nose revolver and .38 caliber long barrel revolver without serial numbers, and a...

The Bacolod City Police Office confiscated 1,316.388 grams of shabu worth P8,951,438.4 in March, the BCPO reported Tuesday, April 4.Sixty-four police operations were conducted resulting to the arrest of 72 drug personalities, including seven high value individuals, two newly identified individuals and 63 street level individuals, it said.The BCPO also reported that 75 cases for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 were filed in court.The Bacolod police also arrested 18 most wanted persons and 74 other wanted persons charged with various offenses.They also arrested five persons for illegal possession of firearms and confiscated nine homemade guns.In the campaign against all forms of illegal gambling, 60 individuals were arrested and 22 c...

The newly renovated Panaad Park and Stadium football field and track oval.* Richard Malihan photoNegros Occidental has informed the Department of Education (DepEd) of its intent to bid for the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa in 2024, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday, April 4.The province won the bid to host the 2021 Palarong Pambansa but the games were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.Lacson in a letter to DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Cesar Bringas, Palarong Pambansa governance and field operations secretary general, signified Negros Occidental’s intention to join the bidding.“Although the hosting of the 2021 Palarong Pambansa was awarded to Negros Occidental through Board Resolution No. 2020-003, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pand...

The contract of a job order worker caught watching television at the Bacolod City Government Center has not been renewed.The JO worker was one of about five city employees caught watching a TV show at the Cash Division of the City Treasurer’s Office during office hours, City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III said Monday, April 3.The regular employees may face administrative action depending on the recommendation of the City Legal Office, he said.Following the incident Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez ordered the removal of all television sets from city government offices to prevent employees from being distracted from their work.The last day for the turnover of the television sets to the General Services Office is 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 4.*

The Joint Task Force Negros continues to provide security and peacekeeping efforts in Negros Oriental.* Judy Flores Partlow photoThe Joint Task Force Negros (JTFN) will continue its peace and security mission even as government operatives concluded their search operations at a sugar mill compound in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, during the weekend.Maj. Cenon Pancito III, JTFN spokesperson, told the Philippine News Agency on Monday that security threats remain in Negros Oriental, especially with recent developments related to the murder of Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others in Pamplona town on March 4.“Based on the search warrant that the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) had obtained, the series of operations ended already this past weekend. However, we really ...

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.* PNA photoDepartment of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday, April 3, said another key figure in the March 4 attack that killed Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo has been captured.At a press conference in Camp Crame, Remulla said suspect Marvin Miranda was arrested on March 31 by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Barangay Mayabay, Barbaza, Antique.Remulla identified Miranda as one of the "major players" behind the attack that also killed eight others.The DOJ chief also tagged suspended Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Neg. Or, 3rd District) as the "the producer or executive producer of the whole production.""If this were a movie, Marvin is the director, props producer and casting director. He w...

The Public Order and Safety Office will expand the strict imposition of the 10 p.m. curfew at the Bacolod City Government Center to the old city hall and public plaza, retired general Primitivo Tabujara, POSO head, said Monday, April 3.The 10 p.m. curfew at the BCGC was strictly imposed following the recovery of a bladed weapon from a suspected member of a youth group.There were additional personnel and a guard post added at the BCGC grounds to ensure peace and order.A consultant has been tapped for advice on the improvement of the lighting at the Bacolod public plaza, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also said.Benitez said he also hopes the appointment of a new Bacolod police director is accelerated so crime solution in the city can improve, noting the recent discove...