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Dec62022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Capitol to professionalize, revamp PDRRMO – Diaz

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II*A revamp of the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) will be undertaken to upgrade and professionalize its operations, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said Monday, December 6.The Office of the Governor has issued a show cause order to Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian, PDRRMO head, to explain his alleged failure to liquidate P3 million in financial assistance to the Amity Public Safety Academy Inc. (APSA) and conflict of interest.Twelve PDRRMO contract of service drivers have been terminated, two employees have resigned and others are facing charges.They want to hire new drivers who have Technical Education and Skills Development Authority National Certificates II to ensure professional ...

Dec62022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

16-year-old girl stabs cousin dead

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The place where a minor was killed by her cousin.*La Castellana PNP photoA 16-year-old girl stabbed and killed her cousin allegedly over gossip at Barangay Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Monday, December 5.The victim was a 17-year-old girl. Both their names were withheld by the police for being minors.The cousins went for a walk, but when they arrived at a secluded area, the 16-year-old suspect allegedly confronted her cousin about gossip she had allegedly spread.The suspect who was armed with a knife then stabbed her cousin multiple times.The minor suspect surrendered to authorities on Tuesday, December 6, accompanied by her father.She was referred to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.Police continue to investigate the incide...

Dec62022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Wanted man who tried to shoot cop arrested

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The man arrested in Barangay Banago, Bacolod City, on Monday.*BCPO photoThe Top 8 person on the target list of the Bacolod City Police Office was arrested following the service of a warrant in Barangay Banago, Bacolod City, Monday, December 5.Nabbed was 34-year-old Joejan Villar, who was also in the target list of the provincial and regional offices of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. He had an arrest warrant for possession of illegal drugs.But instead of submitting himself to the police during the arrest, the suspect tried to run away and shot at a policeman.Fortunately, the policeman dodged the bullet.Policemen later cornered Villar, arrested him and seized his weapon.*

Dec62022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

SP approves P5.14 billion 2023 Neg. Occ. budget

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There is a decrease by 12.87 percent or P780 million in the 2023 Negros Occidental provincial government budget.*Ronnie Baldonafo photoThe Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved the P5.14 billion budget of Negros Occidental for 2023 at its regular session on Tuesday, December 6.The SP approved P4,952,981,428 for the General Fund and P190,379,525.15 for the operation of the Economic Enterprise Development Department.There is a decrease by 12.87 percent or P780 million in the 2023 budget compared to this year because of the reduction in the province’s share of the National Tax Allotment, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, on his submission of his proposed 2023 budget to the SP in September, said “we are faced with the responsibility to lead...

Dec62022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

City adopting measures to ease Christmas traffic

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Bumper-to-bumper traffic caused by road repairs in Bacolod City.*Three measures will be adopted to help ease traffic in Bacolod City this Christmas, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said Tuesday, December 6.Truck ban hours will be increased, a one way traffic system will be implemented, and strict enforcement of no parking in identified areas through clamping of vehicles will take effect on Monday, he said.The measures to ease traffic were reached at a Bacolod Traffic Authority Council meeting Tuesday, he said.These are experimental for the month of December, he said.Benitez said they will start dissemination of information on the three measures Wednesday.*

Dec62022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Benitez takes oath as RDC 6 chairperson

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Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez took his oath as RDC chairman before Regional Trial Court Judge Juvy Dioso in the presence of his wife, Nikki.*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez took his oath as the new Western Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) chairperson Tuesday, December 6.Benitez said among his priorities are the building of the bridges that will connect Negros to Guimaras and Panay and an expressway to Boracay.It will enable one to reach Boracay from Bacolod in two and half hours, he said.Benitez took his oath as chairman of the council before Regional Trial Court Judge Juvy Dioso in the presence of his wife, Nikki, and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), RDC and city officials at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City.The oath taking to...

Dec62022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

MassKara, Benitez Aliw Awards winners

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Bacolod Councilor Jason Villarosa and Carmeli Bantug-Zayco received the awards for Bacolod City and the mayor during the awards night.*The MassKara Festival of Bacolod City won for its “Best Festival Practices and Performances” at the Aliw Awards 2022 held at the Manila Hotel on Monday night, December 5.Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also won as “Best Festival Catalyst/Organizer”.The 43rd edition of the MassKara Festival was held in October after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Bacolod bested two other nominees - the Pandang Gitab Festival of Lights of Lubang Island Mindoro and the Fiestang Caragan of Mabalacat City, Pampanga.“The MassKara Festival is a celebration of the strength and resilience of Bacolodnons in times of crisis and tragedy. An...

Dec62022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Suspected drug group member falls in San Carlos

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The drugs recovered from the alleged drug group member arrested in San Carlos City.*PNP photoAn alleged member of a notorious drug group in Negros Occidental was arrested in a police buy-bust operation at San Juan Tunga in Brgy. 5, San Carlos City, Tuesday, December 6.Nabbed was 45-year-old Joseph Pasigay, who was said to be a Top 5 high-value individual of the San Carlos police and a member of Virtucio Drug Gang and Bacus and Macadatu sub-group.Recovered from his possession were 50 grams of suspected shabu worth P340,000, the P1,100 buy-bust money, a coin purse, and a lighter.He is now detained at the San Carlos police station and is facing drug charges.*

Dec62022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bago wins big at DILG Excell Awards 2022

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Bago City was the champion in two categories of this year's Search for Excellence in Local Governance (Excell Awards) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Western Visayas at rites held in Iloilo City Monday, December 5.The city bagged the top award for Excellence in Administrative Governance for its Bago Rewards Plus Program and Excellence in Economic Governance for its Food Staple Sufficiency Program, a press release from Bago City said.In four other categories, Bago City placed first runner-up in Excellence in Environmental Governance, and second runner-up in Excellence in Public Safety, Peace and Order, Excellence in Local Legislation and Excellence in Social Governance.Overall, the city was adjudged first runner-up Best Performing City in the regi...

Dec62022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Christmas chorale showdown set at Metro 3rd‘s Magikland

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Young musical talents will be showcased in the “Kanta sang Paskua sa Magikland”, a chorale competition among the five top choices of the cities of Victorias, Silay and Talisay, and the municipalities of EB Magalona and Murcia, at the Magikland Theme Park in Barangay Guinhalaran, Silay City, 5:30 p.m. December 18.Aton Land and Leisure Inc. and the office Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) join efforts to bring back the spirit of Christmas joy and celebration as the new normal gradually sets in, in the province, a press release from the office of Benitez said Tuesday, December 6.The chorale contest is among the Christmas events in the Third District, with the support of the local government units.The competition is open to the musical choir that will be endor...