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The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police seized firearms and ammunition from a sugar mill compound reportedly owned by former Negros Oriental Gov. Henry Pryde Teves in Barangay Caranoche, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, Friday morning, March 24.The former governor is the brother of beleaguered Rep. Arnolfo Teves (Neg. Or., 3rd District) who has been linked to the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.Henry Pryde Teves had been unseated as Negros Oriental governor in October last year and replaced by Degamo.Col. Thomas Valmonte, CIDG legal officer, told reporters they were implementing a search warrant for illegal possession firearms at the sugar compound owned by Henry Pryde Teves.The CIDG conducted the raid with the suppo...

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared March 31 a special non- working day in Sipalay and Himamaylan cities in Negros Occidental.It is but fitting and proper that the people be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the 22nd Charter Anniversary ceremonies of Sipalay City, Proclamation 160 said.Himamaylan City is also celebrating its Charter Anniversary and Himaya Festival on March 31, Proclamation 165 said.Both proclamations were signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by authority of the president.*

Negrense David John Thaddeus Alba has resigned as administrator of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Malacañang announced on Friday, March 24.“Upon the directive of the President, his resignation will be effective on April 15 to prepare the appointment of his replacement,” it said.Alba visited Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday informing him of his decision to resign, the announcement said.Bersamin tried to persuade him not to, but Alba cited his worsening health condition, it said.Alba could not be reached for comment but industry sources said he submitted his resignation letter earlier than Wednesday.He is the second SRA administrator to resign under the Marcos administration, the first being Hermenegildo Serafica who quit last year.The Marco...

The Bacolod City government launched on Friday, March 24, an online animal welfare concerns desk dubbed the Alaga.BCD as part of the observance of Rabies Awareness Month this March.Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the initiative would be implemented by the City Veterinary Office together with various advocates in the city.“(This) is the perfect time to start Alaga.BCD. After our talks with various animal welfare groups, this project was born,” he said in a statement.Pet owners and concerned citizens can use the #IsugidKayMayor QR (quick response) code and link to report and seek assistance for their concerns.These include response to impounding of strays, aggressive and uncontrollable dogs or cats, rabid dogs, animal abuse, irresponsible pet ownership, and emergencies, s...

Nineteen barangays in Western Visayas, 18 of which are in Negros Occidental, were declared drug-cleared on Friday, March 24, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency announced.The 18 drug-cleared barangays in Negros Occidental are in Bago City, Cadiz City, EB Magalona, Hinoba-an, Isabela, La Carlota City, Manapla, Murcia, Silay City, Talisay City, Valladolid, and Victorias City.A barangay in Pontevedra, Capiz, was also declared drug-cleared.PDEA VI will continue to closely collaborate with its counterparts to increase the number of barangays to be cleared, as well as in the conduct of validation and verification to ensure that the drug-cleared status is maintained, a statement from the agency said.The PDEA-6 cleared three more barangays in E. B. Magalona, a press release from...

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the official turnover and inauguration of the newly rehabilitated P162 million Hinicayan to Violeta Farm-to-Market Road and Napilas Bridge in Silay City, Wednesday, March 22.The development project will pave the way to boost the local economy with the ease and convenience of transportation, he said.It is a project of the Department of Agriculture-led Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in collaboration with the Negros Occidental and Silay City governments.About 3,000 households will benefit from the project, with more than 14,000 people living within the area.Present at the ceremonial turnover were Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, Vice Mayor Thomas Maynard Ledesma, former Board Member and now Silay Councilor Rya...

Carl Angelo HofileñaThe Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution Wednesday, March 22, congratulating Carl Angelo Hofileña for placing 9th in the March 2023 Physician Licensure Examination (PLE).Hofileña, a Bacolodnon from Barangay 20, has brought honor and prestige Bacolod for passing the March 2023 PLE with a rating of 86.83 percent and placing 9th among 2,887examinees, the resolution authored by Councilor Em Ang said.Ang said Hofileña graduated valedictorian from the College of Medicine at the West Visayas State University.He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology degree from the Colegio de San Agustin - Bacolod and finished his secondary education at St. John's Institute in Bacolod City.“Hofileña is a living testament that anybody can excel ...

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz*The Negros Occidental provincial government will implement a four-day work week for its employees if it becomes a law, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Thursday, March 23.“It will be good for our physical, psychological and mental health, other countries are also doing that,” he said.However, in some offices services will really slow down under four-day work week, Diaz said.There are some services that cannot be done from home such as the acceptance of payments and ocular inspections, Diaz said.The provincial government is ready to release Performance-Based Bonuses (PBB) to its employees as soon as it gets guidelines from the national government, he also said.The PBB is equivalent to 60 percent of an employee’s sal...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson sees no reason to come up with stringent rules and regulations as people return for Holy Week next month since COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental are down, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.There was only one coronavirus positive at the Cadiz District Hospital, the COVID-19 designated facility of Negros Occidental, on Thursday, March 23, Diaz said.Diaz said he believes local chief executives can be given more freedom to look at their own situation and come up with their own guidelines or protocols for Holy Week.In fact some local governments have already issued guidelines, he said.Negros Occidental is now open and ready to welcome tourists, Diaz said.*