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Jul242023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Sugar industry had good year under Marcos, governor says

The sugar industry had a good year under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.That was Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson’s reaction when asked to rate the performance of the president.Lacson, who decided not to attend the State of the Nation Address because of PAGASA’s warning that severe tropical storm Egay could intensify into a super typhoon, said he hopes the sugar farmgate prices would remain at P3,000 per Lkg despite government’s granting additional importation.“There are many questions with regards to importation, the bottom line is can we expect the same prices as we had in the first year of the present administration,” he said.On the Sugar Council’s call for the Sugar Regulatory Administration to allow sugar milling to start in August instead of September, Lacson...

Jul242023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Protestors slam Marcos, oppose Ceneco JVA

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The protestors in front of the Fountain of Justice in Bacolod City on Monday.*About 300 protestors led by Bayan-Negros slammed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. whom they called a “failure” at a rally in front of the Fountain of Justice in Bacolod City Monday afternoon, July 24.They do not believe the president’s state of the nation address because he has been in office for a year and the lives of the people have not changed, Bayan Negros spokesman Noli Rosales said.Marcos has had no action, proper plan and direction to improve the lives of the people, Rosales claimed.Rosales also slammed government for allowing private firms’ take over of the Bacolod City Water District and Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO), the killing of leaders of farmers, contractualization, an...

Jul242023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

BACOD strike fails to disrupt Bacolod public transportation

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The transportation strike of the Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators and Drivers (BACOD) on Monday, July 24, had a minimal effect on commuters in Bacolod, City Administrator Pacifico Maghari said.“It was business as usual for public transportation in Bacolod City…everything was normal,” Maghari said.City government and police vehicles were on standby for residents who would need assistance, he said.Rudy Agsam Catedral, BACOD president, said they were protesting the phase out of traditional jeepneys by December and calling for the removal of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board officials in Western Visayas for the delay in the release of their provisional authorities to operate.The BACOD rally centers were at the old Bacolod airport in the south at t...

Jul242023 by Ferdinand PatinioNo Comments

PH agri sector logs 2.2% growth in Q1 2023: Marcos

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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 24, reported that the country's agriculture sector has recorded a 2.2 percent growth in the first quarter of the year.During his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa, the Chief Executive noted that times and calibrated importation helped in boosting agricultural produce.“Our aim is to boost our local agricultural production—through consolidation, modernization, mechanization, and improvement of value chains—augmented by timely and calibrated importation, as needed,” he said.“We have seen the agriculture sector grow by 2.2 percent in the first three months of this year,” Marcos, who is also Agriculture chief, added.He also reported the government’s method of achieving food security is now guided ...

Jul242023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

PCCI power industry council convening in September

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The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-led Electric Power Industry Coordinating Council is set to convene in September this year to discuss industry programs and issues that need to be addressed in the country.This came after the Energy Regulatory Administration (ERC) agreed to the creation of the council during their meeting with business leaders on July 20, PCCI Vice President for the Visayas Frank Carbon told DIGICAST NEGROS on Monday, July 24.Carbon, who sits as the PCCI Director for Energy and Power, said that two executives from the ERC together with Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra from the Department of Energy will attend the first meeting of the coordinating council in September.The Electric Power Industry Coordinating Council aims to monitor the industry player...

Jul242023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

2 acting cop chiefs installed

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NOCCPO Director Col. Leo Pamittan gives a certificate to outgoing San Enrique Police Chief Maj. Bonifacio Aral Jr.*The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office installed new acting police chiefs of San Enrique and Bago City during a command ceremony at the Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City, Monday, July 24.Col. Leo Pamittan, police provincial director, led the turnover of the new acting police station chiefs.PLt. Col. Jay Malong, former deputy police provincial director for operations, replaced outgoing Bago City Police Chief, Lt. Col. Joem Malong.The outgoing chief will be assigned to the NOCCPO headquarters.Meanwhile, Maj. Leo Estopa will be the new acting San Enrique police chief, replacing Maj. Bonifacio Aral Jr.Pamittan, in his speech, urged the ne...

Jul242023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Isabela resident shot dead

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A man was shot to death in Brgy. 4, Isabela, Negros Occidental, early Monday morning, July 24.Micheal Kevin Benignos, 29, was shot by Harold Carpuz, 45, along Gomez Street in Brgy. 4, the police reported.Initial investigation showed that the victim and the suspect were having a drinking session when a heated argument ensued between them.The victim grabbed a stone and threw it at the suspect who managed to evade it. The suspect then drew a firearm and shot the victim twice hitting the lower part of his back, the police said.The victim was brought to the Ignacio L. Arroyo Sr. District Hospital in Isabela where he was declared dead.*

Jul232023 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

WVisayas on red alert for Egay, flooding affects 7,662 in Negros

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The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Western Visayas (RDRRMC-6) on Saturday night, July 22, activated the "Charlie" protocol, the highest level in emergency preparedness and response (EPR) protocol, in preparation for the possible onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Egay.In a memorandum, Office of Civil Defense-6 officer-in-charge and RDRRMC-6 chairperson Ma. Aletha Nogra directed all local DRRMCs in the region to also activate their designated EPR protocols or higher as deemed necessary."The activation of EPR protocols shall be effective immediately," Nogra said.These include low or Alpha for the provinces of Aklan and Guimaras as well as the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo, while moderate (Bravo) for Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental pr...

Jul232023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

10 La Carlota artists’ Mantas exhibit opens

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Charlie Co and La Carlota City Councilor Fini Jalandoni (5th and 6th from left) with the La Carlota City artists.*“Mantas”, an exhibit of the works of ten artists from La Carlota City in Negros Occidental, opened at the White Space Gallery at the Art District in Bacolod City on Saturday, July 22, and will run until August 12.The exhibit was opened by artist Charlie Co, Orange Project co-owner, and La Carlota City Councilor Fini Jalandoni.On exhibit are the works of La Carlota artists Efren Atienza, James Estimada, Dann Gatucao, Redmond Nazareno, Abraham Obero, Patrick Pilar, Juno Rodriguez, Susanito Sarnate, Jaime Vicera andDandy Zamora.Susanito Sarnate with his terracotta works of art*Sarnate said “Mantas” is the old name of La Carlota City.It referred to a brave n...

Jul232023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Capitol watchmen recalled

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All 39 watchmen of the Negros Occidental provincial government have been ordered to return to their mother station.A memorandum issued by Provincial Administrator Rayfrado Diaz dated July 19 ordered the watchmen to hold office at the Security and Safety Division office at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.Diaz said their recall was an executive decision and there are sufficient blue guards to secure property owned by the provincial government.Of the recalled watchmen, 32 are under contract of service status, three are casuals and four are assigned as CCTV operators.Renelo Lastierre, Safety and Security Division head, said the watchmen served as perimeter guards in the different Capitol-owned facilities located in different areas of Negros Occidental.*