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May232023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

SRA collating production figures to determine sugar import volume

SRA Acting Administrator Pablo Azcona*The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is now in the process of collating figures from sugar mills to determine the actual volume of sugar that needs to be procured from outside by the end of this month, SRA Acting Administrator Pablo Azcona said Tuesday, May 23.The directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was to ensure that the final import volume must be based on latest supply report with a provision that it should not be more than 150,000 metric tons, Azcona said in a press statement.This will include already the additional buffer volume of 100,000 metric tons especially if they consider delaying the opening of mills to September 2023 instead of August to increase productivity, he added.“We would like to assure our sugar stak...

May232023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Young lawyers to give free legal aid to indigents

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YLANO Chairperson Carmela Feria and Bacolod Bishop Patrico Buzon (6th and 7th from left) hold the MOA in the presence YLANO Vice Chair Dennis Udani, Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Gerry Llena, Social Action Center head Fr. Chris Gonzales, and other YLANO members at the Bishop's House on Tuesday.The Diocese of Bacolod’s Social Action Center and the Young Lawyers Association of Negros Occidental (YLANO) signed an agreement to give free legal services to indigent individuals in the church community at the Bishop’s House in Bacolod City, Tuesday morning, May 23.YLANO Chairperson Carmela Feria said that this program aims to give free legal or paralegal advice to the poor or those individuals who do not have the capacity to hire private lawyers.“Individuals with cases in...

May232023 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Kiko’s agri info system bill passes on second reading

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Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez*Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said a bill he authored that establishes a Local Government Unit-based agricultural information system passed on second reading in the House of Representatives on Monday, May 22.House Bill 7942 will empower LGUs to create online databases of agricultural goods, connecting hardworking farmers directly with consumers and entrepreneurs, he said.He stressed the need to continue to support local farmers and promote sustainable agriculture for a brighter future.*

May232023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Mayor eyes including NGCP in class suit versus CENECO

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Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Monday, May 22, that the inclusion of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in a class suit to be filed against Central Negros Electric Cooperatives (CENECO) is being considered.The mayor is spearheading a class suit against CENECO for power fluctuations and power surges that have destroyed appliances of Bacolod residents.He said a private lawyer will be tapped to file the suit.The mayor had earlier complained that the fluctuating power supply had destroyed his air conditioner.They are gathering information on how to go about filing the case, he said.Residents whose appliances were destroyed by the fluctuating power will have to document these by filing blotter reports and getting electricians to certify the cau...

May232023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Benitez appointing allies as city gov’t consultants

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Political allies of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez who ran under his Asenso Bacolod ticket and were defeated in the 2022 polls will be appointed to Bacolod City government consultancy posts.Former Board Member Patrick Lacson will be assigned to traffic, while former councilors Sonya Verdeflor will assist in social services, Homer Bais will host the Isugid Mo kay Mayor Program that will address concerns and complaints of Bacolod residents, and Bart Orola will be assigned to market and slaughterhouse concerns, Benitez said.He said he is eyeing a bigger role for former councilor Caesar Distrito but did not give specifics, as it is still being discussed. Distrito ran for Bacolod vice mayor in 2022 but was defeated by El Cid Familiaran.The one year ban on defeated candidates assumin...

May232023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Wage hikes will worsen inflation, Bacolod biz sector warns anew

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Business sector says government should focus on strengthening food security.*The Bacolod business sector that is opposing the proposed bill on increasing wages across the board warned anew that it will just worsen the country’s inflation rate.Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) Chief Executive Officer Frank Carbon told DIGICAST NEGROS on Monday that the government should focus on strengthening food security and developing more rural areas in the country rather than increasing wages across the board.Carbon, who is in Manila to attend the regular Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) board meeting, said the inflation rate will increase if this bill will push through as business owners will just pass on the additional expenses to their products and ...

May232023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Councilor explains use of P279M from city loan

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Councilor Al Victor Espino.*Bacolod Councilor Al Victor Espino clarified on Monday, May 22, that P279.3 million has not been earmarked for furniture at the Mayor’s Office but for eight other city projects.The P279.3M will fund part of the projects to be implemented from the P4.4 billion loan of the Bacolod City government from the Development Bank of the Philippines when all the paper work for the release of the funds are completed, he said.Espino said under the detailed loan purpose of Bacolod City the furniture and equipment are included under the construction of the legislative building worth P85 million, construction and improvement of mini hospitals in five barangays – P65 million, improvement and rehabilitation of old city hall P27 million;Construction of Bacolod ware...

May222023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

NegOcc hog deaths now 4,308, Ferrer bans entry of NegOr pigs

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Acting Governor Jeffrey Ferrer signs an order banning the entry of pigs from Negros Oriental into Negros Occidental following the detection of ASF cases in Dauin town, as Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz looks on.*Acting Governor Jeffrey Ferrer has banned the entry into Negros Occidental of live pigs and pork related products from Negros Oriental to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).Ferrer, in a memorandum signed Monday, May 22, ordered the Provincial ASF Task Force, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry and all concerned agencies to enforce the ban effective immediately, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.The Bureau of Animal Industry has confirmed ASF pig deaths in Barangay Maayon...

May222023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Slain rebels in Guihulngan encounter identified

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The four alleged communist rebels killed in an encounter with government soldiers at Sitio Cambawgon, Brgy Trinidad in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, Sunday were identified by their relatives on Monday, May 22.They were identified as Rolly Beñero, alias Marnie and Ragus, 22; Cristito Nilles Jr., alias Chris; 27; Jury Babor, alias Jay-R, 31; and Toning Babor, alias Juko, 77, all of Sito Banderahan, Brgy Trinidad, the 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion reported.They were alleged members of the New People’s Army CN1.The Guihulngan City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) provided the burial requirements for the four NPA fatalities.The families of the rebels were also given food packs, fertilizer and P3,000 each, the 62IB said.The GCTF-ELCAC also faci...

May222023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

One dead, five injured in Binalbagan mishap

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One died and five others were injured after two vehicles collided in Brgy. Enclaro, Binalbagan , Negros Occidental, Sunday night, May 21.PMaj. Randy Babor, Binalbagan Municipal Police Chief, said on Monday that a motorcycle and tricycle allegedly collided at the barangay road in Purok Bougainvillea, Brgy. Enclaro.The driver of the motorcycle, Kent Allen Luhan, 21, died, while the driver of the tricycle, Reynato Ganancial, 45, and his passengers Helen Cabales, 58, and three other minors were injured. All of them are from Barangay Enclaro.Both vehicles were traveling in the opposite direction, and on reaching a poorly lighted section of the road they accidentally collided, causing both vehicles to turn on their sides, initial police investigation showed.Babor said that no cha...