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The Department of Social Welfare and Development has removed 87,678 households in Western Visayas, which include 23,687 from Negros Occidental, from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).They were removed from the list of recipients because they were already tagged as “non-poor” based on the Listahanan database, DSWD-6 public information officer May Rago-Castillo said Thursday, August 11.Households removed from the list in Aklan were 8,692, Antique - 8,829, Capiz - 18,691, Guimaras - 3,303 and Iloilo - 24,476, she added.There are about 134,930 new poor households eyed as potential beneficiaries of the 4Ps in Western Visayas for this year,  Rago-Castillo said.She said the breakdown per province of those to be included on the list was not available yet.The Pa...

A suspected member of the New People’s Army was killed in an encounter with state troopers at  So. Bulasot, Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, August 10.The troops of 94th Infantry (Mandirigma) Battalion were conducting combat operations in the area when they received a report that the rebels were conducting extortion activities in the adjacent barangay.When the government forces responded, they encountered members of the NPA that resulted in a firefight.The encounter reportedly claimed the life of a rebel, whose name was not yet released by the Army.The troops also recovered one M-16 rifle at the site.*

Bacolod City Councilor Al Victor Espino proposes an ordinance granting tax relief.*Bacolod SP photoBacolod Councilor Al Victor Espino proposed the granting of amnesty for delinquent real property taxes during the Sangguniang Panlungsod session on Wednesday, August 10.The ordinance granting tax relief for delinquent real property taxes, hurdled first reading and was referred to the SP committee on laws, ordinances, and good government.Espino said the ordinance is up for a public hearing next week.The tax relief is one way of giving Bacolod residents a little respite, he said.“We’re still in the middle of the pandemic…we’re still in a state of national calamity,” he added.Espino said that his proposed ordinance  seeks to condone tax penalties and surcharges of de...

Work is underway at the new PAC site.*Barbara Mijares photoClearing and excavation is underway for the building of the seven-storey new Negros Occidental Provincial Administration Center in Bacolod City but work has been hampered by the rain, Provincial Engineer Ernie Mapa said Wednesday, August 10.The new PAC estimated to cost close to P1 billion is expected to be completed by Dynamic Builders in three years.The excavation is underway for the laying of the building’s foundation and basement that will be used as a parking area, he said.The area where the adjacent old PAC is located along the North Capitol Road has been leased by Dynamic Builders from the provincial government for the construction of a multi-use commercial building.However, its demolition has yet to star...

The drug bust operation in Brgy. 2, Bacolod City.*BCPO photoA teenager was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation at Prk. Sigay, Brgy. 2 in Bacolod City, Tuesday, August 9.Nabbed was 18-year-old Christian Ababa of Prk Lubi, Brgy. 3.During the arrest, the teenager yielded three grams of suspected shabu worth P20,400 and P500 in cash.He is now in the custody of Police Station 3 and facing drug charges.*

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejects the proposal of the Sugar Regulatory Administration.*OPS photoPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rejected the proposal of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to import an additional 300,000 metric tons of sugar, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced Wednesday, August 10.The SRA’s call for the importation of sugar was made as the retail price of a kilo of refined sugar breached the P100 mark amid a reported shortage in supply.“The President rejected the proposal to import an additional 300,000 MT of sugar. He is the chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board and denied this in no uncertain terms,” the press secretary said.Sugar Order No. 4 Series of 2021-2022 dated Tuesday, August 9, set the second import program for crop year...

Aurelio Gerardo “Bodie” J. Valderrama Jr. (left) after his oathtaking as Sugar Board member before Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez*Three planters’ groups have issued a manifesto in support of President Ferdinand “BBM” Marcos Jr.’s appointment of Aurelio Gerardo “Bodie” J. Valderrama Jr.  as Sugar Board member.The manifesto of support, released Wednesday, August 10, was signed by Enrique D. Rojas of the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) Raymond V. Montinola - Confederation of Sugar Producers (CONFED) and Danilo Abelita – Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers Inc. (PanayFed).Vaderrama, in an open letter to the sugarcane industry and its stakeholders, Wednesday also thanked the president for the opportunity to serve the sugarcane industry as planters’ re...

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a recent meeting*Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer reiterated on Wednesday, August 10, that he will protect President Ferdinand "BBM" Marcos Jr. insofar as the appointment of Sugar Regulatory Administration acting board member Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr."As a loyal supporter, leader, friend,  family and the president's personal adviser, I will protect him especially in choosing the right leaders for the sugar industry who are truly deserving of the president's appointment," Ferrer said in a press statement.Ferrer on Tuesday called for the revocation of the president’s appointment of Valderrama.The acting SRA Board member was known as a hard core pink supporter and h...