Top Stories

Jun212023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Notice to explain ‘betrayal’ served; Claims unfounded, Lapore says

The Central Negros Electric Cooperative member-consumer-owners (MCO) served a notice to the CENECO directors to explain the “betrayal of their mandate” when they signed a joint venture agreement with Primelectric Holdings Inc., Ernesto Pineda said Wednesday, June 21.The notice signed by Pineda, CENECO-MCO Federation president, was served on Tuesday, June 20.CENECO acting general manager Arnel Lapore said “Pineda has no mandate to make the claim as president of MCO. In fact his position on the issue of the JVA differs from the other MCO officers”Pineda has no right, legal or otherwise, to demand from the Board an explanation, Lapore said, adding that “his language is plain libelous and unfounded”.Pineda said copies of the Notice to Explain were officially delivered to the of...

Jun212023 by Monrie JavierNo Comments

Suntown Camp: Glowing inside-out

Community, Top Stories

Suntown Camp 17 campers, leaders, staff, and volunteers during the Open Day.*“My life was a messBefore meeting you guysLike the sun, you gave us the lightTo accept our illness.Like the clouds, you gave us a dream.What we want to be when we grow up.Like the sky, you taught us to choose peace than chaosAnd like the wind, the strong wind –You taught us that no matter how strong the words they say –We are so much stronger.So thank you so much, Suntown”These were the words by Cheiza, a camper of Suntown Camp 17 which she shared in a spoken word performance during the camp’s gala night held at CICM Maryshore in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.Suntown Camp Foundation welcomed 16 campers, who are children with cancer and other debilitating lifetime diseases, to their 17th Camp June 14-...

Jun212023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Marcos appoints Negrense SRA board planters’ rep

Top Stories

David Andrew Lizares Sanson*President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed a Negrense as acting planters’ representative on the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Board.The appointment of David Andrew Lizares Sanson, VIMACA (Victorias, Manapla, Cadiz) Planters Association treasurer and director, dated June 15, was released Wednesday, June 21.Sanson is also a member of the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED) and a director of the Victorias Agricultural District Farmers Cooperative.He was appointed in place of Pablo Luis Azcona who is now acting SRA administrator. Azcona is also a member of UNIFED.Ma. Mitzi Mangwag represents the millers on the Sugar Board.UNIFED president Manuel Lamata said he was happy with the appointment of Sanson to the SRA Board, which i...

Jun212023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

NDF joins NPA in condemning massacre of 4 in Himamaylan

Top Stories

The National Democratic Front (NDF) condemned the killing of four members of the Fausto family in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, and called government soldiers “child killers”.The NDF Special Office for the Protection of Children headed by Coni Ledesma, in a statement released Tuesday, June 20, alleged that government soldiers were behind the killings, which is a “blatant violation of rights of the child and special protections under the international humanitarian law”.Rolly and Emilda Fausto including their two minor children Ben, 15, and Raben, 11, were killed in their residence in Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, on June 14.“Child rights violations have sharply increased under the Marcos II regime with reports of kidnappings, threats, forced evacuation, violence and n...

Jun202023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Project Hope aids 400 pig raisers, daily death toll in Negros dropping

Top Stories

The Negros Occidental provincial government in continuing to find alternative livelihood assistance for pig raisers affected by the death of their animals from various illnesses, including hog cholera and African swine fever, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Tuesday, June 20.Diaz said an initial 400 pig raisers are recipients of alternative livelihood opportunities through Project Hope, while others have been given free range chickens.The provincial government is also about to release the P2,000 assistance per family affected by the pig deaths, from the P10 million allocated by the provincial government, he added.Continuous testing and surveillance of pigs are being conducted so those who are ill can be segregated, he said.The provincial government is also as...

Jun202023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

P1.2B bulk water project in Negros a go, Diaz says

Top Stories

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II during the project study presentation for the Negros Occidental Bulk Water Project at the Capitol on Monday.*The P1.2 billion bulk water project of the Negros Occidental provincial government is a go and may push through this year, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Tuesday, June 20.The provincial government will select a private partner for a joint venture partnership in the development of the project that will benefit at least six local government units, Diaz said.Four firms – San Miguel Corp., Suez, Manila Water of billionaire Enrique Razon and Aboitiz InfraCapitol have already signified interest in bidding for the project, he said.An investors’ forum will be held in July while the procurement process will start ...

Jun202023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

City cops seize P13M in drugs in almost 100 operations

Top Stories

The Bacolod police seized P13 million worth of suspected shabu in almost 100 drug buy-bust operations since April this year.The police confiscated 1.9 kilos of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P13,059,536 from April 18 to June 18, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) said in a press release Tuesday, June 20.The Bacolod police conducted about 100 anti-illegal drug operations in the city and arrested 114 individuals, it also said.The Bacolod police also arrested 29 most wanted persons and 69 other wanted personalities.Forty-six anti-illegal gambling operations were also conducted resulting in the arrest of 157 suspects and the confiscation of P12,335 in bet money, the press release said.Another six suspects were also arrested in relation to BCPO’s drive against...

Jun202023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Cops apprehend 5, seize P119K in shabu

Top Stories

About P119,000 worth of suspected shabu was confiscated by the police in separate buy-bust operations in three cities in Negros Occidental on Monday, June 19.Three individuals were arrested in Brgy. 5, Silay City, where the police seized 13 grams of suspected shabu worth P88,400.Bernard Arturo, 26, Alfred Arturo, 22, and Jenny Pada-on, 36, all from Purok Kahilwayan, Brgy. 2, Silay City, were arrested, the police reported.Sany Alboro, 32, was also arrested by the police in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sampininit, Bago City, Monday night.Recovered was 1.5 grams of suspected shabu worth P10,200, the police said.Laster Ongo, 24, was arrested in a buy-bust operation where three grams of shabu worth P20,400 was recovered in Brgy. Su-ay, Himamaylan City, the police also re...

Jun202023 by Mary Judaline PartlowNo Comments

No postponement of hearings on NegOr BSKE deferment plea

Top Stories

The scheduled public hearings on the proposed deferment of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental will proceed as scheduled from June 27 to 29.Acting Commission on Elections (Comelec) - Central Visayas director Lionel Marco Castillano said on Tuesday, June 20, that despite June 28 being a non-working holiday (Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice), the series of public hearings across the province will still be held as there is no more time to transfer these to other dates.“We already discussed this with Comelec chair (Erwin) Garcia that it would be difficult to move these publics hearings as we have already sent notices to all parties as required by law,” he said.The Comelec is hoping for a bigger turnout of people in the hearings, especially...

Jun202023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

JVA plebiscite extended, biz group airs support

Top Stories

Pro-JVA campaigners in Bacolod City.*Zanelle Trio photoThe Central Negros Electric Cooperative and Primelectric Holdings Inc. joint venture agreement (JVA) plebiscite has been extended by two more days.CENECO’s 210,000 member-consumers will now have the opportunity to vote yes or no to the JVA on July 8 and 9, in addition to the original dates on June 24 and 25, and July 1 and 2, Arnel Lapore, the cooperative’s acting general manager said on Tuesday, June 20.Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), in a statement signed by its president Roberto Montelibano and released Tuesday, aired its support for the joint venture project.In a business forum held at Seda Hotel, the MBCCI leaders had the opportunity to be briefed on the salient features of the joint venture...