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Courtesy of Rey SiasonFormer Toboso vice mayor Jesse Rex Bartolome was arrested for alleged malversation of public funds at his home on Friday, September 16.The Toboso police were acting on a warrant of arrest issued by acting Presiding Judge Reginald Mercurio Fuentebella of the San Carlos Regional Trial Court Branch 59 on September 14. His bail was set at P72,000.The former vice mayor has already posted bail for his temporary liberty.The former official was charged with malversation of public funds or property, presumption of malversation (RPC Art 217) and malversation through falsification of public document.Also charged with Bartolome were three municipal employees, who are now in the custody of the police.The former vice mayor has already posted bail for his tem...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson*Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government will not reduce its casuals and job order workers because of budgetary constraints next year.“If ever we have to reduce, it’s really based on performance, not because of budgetary constraints,” he said Friday, September 16.“What we can do is review if they are really doing the job that they are supposed to do…we cannot be lenient now because our budget is lower by P760 million”, he said, referring to the reduction in the National Tax Allotment share of the province next year.Lacson submitted a proposed P5.1 billion 2023 budget for Negros Occidental to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for review on Thursday afternoon.Lacson said the budget is geared towards ad...

The tricycle that hit a parked truck.*Hinigaran PNP photoA driver died after his tricycle rammed into a parked truck Thursday night, September 15, along the highway in Barangay Pilar, Hinigaran town.Killed was Jonathan Sa-el of Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod City.The truck driver had just parked on the side of the road to relieve himself when the tricycle suddenly crashed at the back of his vehicle, the police said.The tricycle was going fast when it happened and the truck driver did not put up an early warning device, they police added.The driver of the truck was detained by the police.*

The scene of the shooting incident.*Police Station 1 photoA man was shot to death in front of the Negros Occidental High School in Barangay 36, Bacolod City, Thursday night, September 15.Killed was 26-year-old Jason Romo.The victim was just sitting in a tricycle waiting for his girlfriend when he was attacked, Maj. Ramel Sarona, Police Station 1 commander, said.The suspect on board a motorcycle approached the victim and shot him in the head.Romo was taken to a hospital but he did not make it.Sarona said the victim figured in a fight with someone last week, so this is one of the motives for the killing that they are investigating.*

Preventive health assistance being provided at a clinic behind the Bacolod City Government Center.*The Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP) has two components, it provides preventive and curative assistance, Valerie Anne Hollero, city consultant for health insurance and health care, said on Friday, September 16.In fact the city government is currently providing preventive assistance to 10,000 pre-screened residents from all barangays of Bacolod until September 30, she said.Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Thursday stressed that the BacCHP will prioritize the poorest of the poor and will later be expanded to other sectors.Hollero said for the preventive aspect, the BacCHP works with the City Health Office (CHO) in the implementation of PhilHealth's e-K...

Feb Macabani Cayao who was rescued in the waters of Basay*A fisherman from Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, reported missing at sea was found alive on board his damaged motorized banca in the waters of Brgy. Bongalonan, Basay, Negros Oriental, at about 6:30 p.m. Friday, September 16.Mayor Daph Reliquias said rescued was Feb Macabani Cayao, 47, of Brgy. Asia, Hinoba-an.Cayao said at 12 a.m. on Friday he tied his motorized banca on a buoy in the waters of Brgy. Asia to fish when suddenly a huge wave hit and damaged his vessel.Hinoba-an was hit with heavy rains and rough seas on Friday, the mayor said.This prompted him to cancel all classes at Hinoba-an public and private schools Friday, he said.*

The Tourism Summit participants at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City on Friday, September 16.*Ronnie Baldonado photoNegros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson stressed that the tourism sector has the capacity to drive the province’s economic recovery, provide opportunities and employment, and affect environment and environmental saving efforts.The governor, in his message at a Tourism Summit to kick off the Negros Occidental 22nd Tourism Week Celebration at Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City on Friday, September 16, pointed out that “if there is anything the (COVID-19) pandemic re-affirmed, it is the fact that tourism is a core pillar of growth and opportunity”.He said more than two years into the pandemic, Negros Occidental is now opening up to travelers...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson presides over the first Provincial Integrated Water Security Council meeting*The Negros Occidental Provincial Integrated Water Security Plan for 2023 to 2030 was approved on Friday, September 16.It was approved at the first Provincial Integrated Water Security Council meeting at the SEDA Capitol Central Hotel in Bacolod City, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said“With the approval of this plan, it is now important to cascade this to the local government units because the participation of all LGUs is very crucial in the success of this water security plan,” he added.They are now proceeding to more systematic and organized interventions to improve water security in the province by virtue of the creation of the Provincial Integrated Water Security Council and ...

The closed road.*VPA photoThe Vicmico Planters Association (VPA) on Thursday, September 15, aired a complaint against Victorias Milling Co. (VMC) for an alleged “act of oppression against sugar farmers who simply want to mill their sugarcane in any mill they choose”.The VPA officers and members of the board headed by Aurelio Gerado “Bodie” Valderrama Jr., in a press release, said the mill recently closed a major road going out to other mills.This has deprived the VPA members and other farmers who are not milling with VMC of the use of the road, the press release said.“In the guise of road repairs, Victorias Milling Company has closed the roads leading to other mills to members of our association, while the mill continues to allow non-VPA members to use the said roads. In ad...

Rayfrando Diaz Il, r. Mary Ann P. Maestral and Lucille Gelvolea (l-r)*Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Thursday, September 15, that there is no need to sign a bilateral agreement of cooperation between Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.Benitez said he has a very good working relationship with Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, they agreed that there is no need for documentation and formalities.“It is not necessary to put it in paper,” he said.Councilor Al Victor Espino on Wednesday said there is a proposal for the Bacolod City government to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation with the Negros Occidental provincial government to strengthen bilateral relations.Benitez said he will resubmit his proposal to the Bacolod Sanggu...