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Rice farmers during a harvest season in Bago City, Negros Occidental.*PNA photoBago City, the top rice-producing local government unit in Negros Occidental and Western Visayas, has begun preparations to counter the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon that could cut farm yield.Known as the rice granary of the province for its vast rice plantations, Bago produces more than 30 percent of the rice supply of Negros Occidental.Marvin Blance, city agriculturist-designate, said on Thursday, May 18, that the Office of the City Agriculturist has laid out an El Niño action plan that includes interventions to cushion the impacts of the dry spell on crops, particularly rice.“We encourage our farmers to plant early-maturing and drought-resistant varieties and to practice direct see...

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said he will look into an alleged sexual harassment incident committed by a Capitol employee during the recent Panaad sa Negros Festival at the Panaad Park in Bacolod City.He was not aware of such incident as no complaint had been lodged before his office, Diaz said Thursday, May 18.The incident allegedly involved a drunk employee who inappropriately touched a female supplier of the provincial government, a source said.There have allegedly been previous misbehaviors by the employee but no complaints were filed by the victims out of fear of losing their jobs.Diaz said the provincial government has no sacred cows, if a complaint is filed the case will be heard.*

The National Union of Workers in the Power Industry (Power-Sentro) is opposing the joint venture agreement between MORE Power and Central Negros Electric Cooperative, and has suggested that CENECO’s management instead focus on improving the reliability and quality of its service.The group, in a press statement, said that the proposed joint venture with MORE Power will hardly solve the issue of power interruptions rooted in the lack of generating capacity.“CENECO should be protected from needless conflict among its constituents and should be shielded from higher debt, higher power rates, and violations of consumers’ rights. CENECO should be protected from the proposed joint venture with MORE Power,” the statement said.Power-Sentro is a coalition of unions and labor groups in the...

A P16 increase in the average retail price of red onions was observed in Negros Occidental in the first half of May, records from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed Wednesday, May 17.Data released by the PSA showed that the price per kilo of red onions increased by P16, from an average price of P110.67 in the second half of April to P126.67/kilo in the first half of May.A slight increase was also seen in the average prices of beef with bones with a P5 difference from P366.50 to P371.50/kilo, cabbage by P3.80 from P97.52 to P101.32/kilo, carrots by P1.83 from P86.50 to P88.33/kilo, eggplant by P3.82 from P103.34 to P107.16/kilo, native pechay by P3 from P100.84 to P103.84/kilo, pork with bones by P1 from P296.50 to P297.50/kilo, and a P0.20/kilo increase per kilo for r...

Bacolod City Water District’s interest in becoming part of the Negros Occidental bulk water project is a welcome development, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Thursday, May 18.“I heard verbally that they have expressed interest to avail of supply from our bulk water project, which is a good development,” he said.However, the provincial government will need a signed written letter of intent before it is considered official, Diaz said.The provincial government’s bulk water investors' forum is set in June, he said.Diaz said he has already had a series of meetings with interested bulk water proponents from the private sector who will be pitching their proposals.The focus of the bulk water project are the local governments of the Third District of Negros Occi...

Two police officers were injured after the subject of their buy-bust operation shot them before fleeing in Brgy. Magallon Cadre, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, Wednesday night, May 17.The PMaj. Joevito Bose, who led the town’s Drug Enforcement Team, and PLt. Armel Lasap were allegedly shot by Jeffrey Cabato, who was the subject of their buy-bust operation in Sitio Sapa, Barangay Magallon Cadre, the police reported.The suspect allegedly evaded arrest by shooting the two policemen using an unknown firearm.The victims were immediately brought to the Municipal Infirmary and later transferred to the Queen of Mercy Hospital in Bacolod City.The police recovered suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P34,000 from the suspect.The buy-bust operation was witnessed b...

A suspended Bacolod City barangay captain facing an administrative complaint for allegedly incurring unauthorized absences has been ordered to file his counter affidavit, Councilor Al Victor Espino said Thursday, May 18.Espino, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, said the order that was served Thursday directs Barangay Captain Joseph de los Santos of Barangay 16 to file his reply within 10 days.The complaint filed by seven Barangay 16 council members on May 15 asks the SP to hold de los Santos administratively liable for incurring unauthorized absences for five consecutive Sangguniang Barangay sessions.The complaint was filed by acting barangay captain Stella de la Peña and SB members Franz Familiaran, Jude Bryan Alson, Cri...

Negros Occidental is still leading in the Western Visayas Chikiting Ligtas 2023 campaign, a supplemental immunization campaign to vaccinate children aged 9 to 59 months old against measles rubella, Dr. Girlie Pinongan, OIC provincial health officer, said Wednesday, May 17.Negros Occidental immunized 146,114 or 68 percent of its target children as of May 15, and needs to reach 65,000 more by the end of the month, she added.Himamaylan City is still leading in Negros Occidental having immunized 93 percent of its target, she said.They are hoping the immunization rates in San Carlos and Kabankalan cities that have big populations will go up, she said.She said officials of both cities have been supportive of the campaign.*

Councilor Al Victor Espino *The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod passed on third and final reading an amended ordinance establishing tow-away zones in various streets of Bacolod City, and allowing the impounding of vehicles, at its regular session on Wednesday, May 17.The amended ordinance authored by Councilor Al Victor Espino also increases the fees and penalties for violations and sets the guidelines and standards on accrediting privately owned towing companies.Espino said since the original ordinance was passed five years ago, there was a need to adjust thepenalties to include current clamping, towing, and/or impounding fees.The SP also granted Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez authority to sign the proposed memorandum of agreement between Bacolod City and Homew...