Top Stories

Twelve contract of service drivers of the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office have been terminated, while two other PDRRMO employees have resigned, Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said Monday, December 5.The 12 drivers were terminated for their late submission of trip tickets, he said.The 13th driver who is a regular employee is facing formal charges for grave misconduct also for late submission of trip tickets.Meanwhile, the appointment of a casual employee was not renewed, while others also at the PDRRMO are facing formal charges, he saidNellas said an administrative aide II casual employee was formally charged for grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty and his appointment was not renewed.Another administrative aide I...

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito (l-r) at the Senate Committee on Local Government hearing on the NIR on Monday*The Senate Committee on Local Government approved five bills seeking to establish the Negros Island Region (NIR), which is expected to cover the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, on Monday, December 5, Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito said.Ejercito, who chairs the committee, said it is clear that the people of Negros Occidental and Oriental need the NIR so that services of the national government can be accelerated and brought closer to them."We also believe that this will also be the way to make the region more vibrant," he added.Several bills filed by the representatives of Negros Island and Siquijor se...

British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils (right), with Bacolod Councilor Celia Flor, after she signed the pledge of commitment against violence versus women at the Bacolod City Government Center on Monday*British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez discussed renewable energy and investments for the city during their meeting on Monday, December 5.The mayor wanted to know if there are opportunities for Bacolod during an upcoming economic briefing in the United Kingdom, she said.“It’s basically putting British investors and private sector organizations in touch with Bacolod to see whether there is a fit in areas of new joint interest,” Beaufils said.The ambassador said she hopes to see the mayor again to explore “...

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian*The Office of the Governor has issue a show cause order to the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (PDRRMO) to explain his alleged failure to liquidate P3 million in financial assistance to the Amity Public Safety Academy Inc. (APSA) and conflict of interest, Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said Monday, December 5.Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II issued the memorandum order to PDRRMO Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian to explain in writing or submit a counter-affidavit under oath why no criminal, civil and administrative cases should be filed against him.Caelian has submitted his reply and denied any wrongdoing, Nellas said.The show cause order was ...

The scene of the shooting incident in Cauayan.*PNP photoA man died after he allegedly accidentally shot himself while playing with the firearm of his friend at Purok 5, Brgy. Poblacion, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, on Sunday night, December 4.Killed was Jeemo Redimo, 37.Police said the victim allegedly took the .38 caliber revolver from the waist of his friend, Benie Chavez, and played Russian roulette by pointing the gun to his head and pulling the trigger.But the gun fired and hit him on the head.However, the police became suspicious after the victim’s companion, Chavez, hid the weapon before reporting the incident to authorities.The police were able to recover the firearm, and Chavez is now in police custody, pending results of a paraffin test.*

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and the provincial government officials with the awards won by Negros Occidental.*Richard Malihan photoNegros Occidental was first runner up in the best performing province category and won six other awards at the 2022 Excellence of Local Governance Awards rites of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Western Visayas Monday, December 5.Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led the Negros Occidental delegation in receiving the awards at rites held in Iloilo City.The province also bagged six other awards.Negros Occidental was Excellence in Environmental Governance champ, Excellence in Economic Governance, Excellence in Local Legislation, Excellence in Administrative Governance, and Excellence in Social Governance first runner up and Excellence in...

The P1.4 million worth of marijuana recovered in the buy-bust operation on Sunday.*Hinoba-an PNP photoAt least P1.4 million worth of marijuana plants were recovered during a buy-bust operation at Purok 5, Brgy 2 Poblacion, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, Sunday, December 4.Nabbed was Bryden Desierto, 30.He sold a plastic bag containing marijuana to a police poseur buyer.Police also recovered 96 other marijuana plants after the bust.The marijuana seized from Desierto was worth P1.4 million, the police said.Drug charges will be filed against him.*

Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez looks on as the four customized police motorcycles are blessed.*Victorias PIO photoThe blessing and turnover of four customized police motorcycles for the Victorias PNP and a pickup for the City Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) led by Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez was held in Victorias City on Monday, December 5.The PNP-Victorias headed by Lt. Col Roy Rodrigo Gutierrez and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office Acting Provincial Director PCOL Leo B. Pamittan received the motorcycles in behalf of the PNP-Victorias.Meanwhile BPLO OIC Merlita Bayaban received the brand-new pick up.The additional motorcycles for the PNP will improve police visibility, pave the way for more efficient and faster response to emergencies, deter cr...

The products of the Integrated Social Forestry beneficiaries at the Market Expo and Trade Fair.*CPG photoA 5-day Market Expo and Trade Fair to recognize People's Organizations and Integrated Social Forestry farmers engaged in sustainable farming and good agricultural practices for a greener Negros environment kicked off at the Capitol grounds in Bacolod City on Monday, December 5.The fair that runs until Friday was organized by the Provincial Environment Management Office, Acting PEMO head Alberto Nellas Jr. said.The event aims to foster partnership and collaboration with stakeholders from non-government organizations, private and business/investor sectors, and the academe to fill the gap between the producers and the market or from the supplier and the consumer in order to pro...

Mayor Narciso “Narwin” Javelosa Jr. said there is an 80 percent increase in the scholarship fund of Sagay City, amounting to P18 million compared to last year’s P10 milling during his inaugural State of the Children’s Address at Balay Kauswagan, recently.In his speech dedicated to all the programs and efforts of the city toward child development, he said that this increase in funding benefitted 629 Sagaynon scholars and eight special grantees.“Our children’s month celebration each year emphasizes our commitment and responsibility to the well-being and welfare of our children,” he said, adding “This is a wake-up call for all stakeholders to uphold and safeguard children’s rights and to chart our efforts, initiatives, and achievements for the benefit of our young population.”The ...