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Dec62022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Benitez takes oath as RDC 6 chairperson

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez took his oath as RDC chairman before Regional Trial Court Judge Juvy Dioso in the presence of his wife, Nikki.*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez took his oath as the new Western Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) chairperson Tuesday, December 6.Benitez said among his priorities are the building of the bridges that will connect Negros to Guimaras and Panay and an expressway to Boracay.It will enable one to reach Boracay from Bacolod in two and half hours, he said.Benitez took his oath as chairman of the council before Regional Trial Court Judge Juvy Dioso in the presence of his wife, Nikki, and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), RDC and city officials at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City.The oath taking to...

Dec62022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

MassKara, Benitez Aliw Awards winners

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Bacolod Councilor Jason Villarosa and Carmeli Bantug-Zayco received the awards for Bacolod City and the mayor during the awards night.*The MassKara Festival of Bacolod City won for its “Best Festival Practices and Performances” at the Aliw Awards 2022 held at the Manila Hotel on Monday night, December 5.Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also won as “Best Festival Catalyst/Organizer”.The 43rd edition of the MassKara Festival was held in October after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Bacolod bested two other nominees - the Pandang Gitab Festival of Lights of Lubang Island Mindoro and the Fiestang Caragan of Mabalacat City, Pampanga.“The MassKara Festival is a celebration of the strength and resilience of Bacolodnons in times of crisis and tragedy. An...

Dec62022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Suspected drug group member falls in San Carlos

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The drugs recovered from the alleged drug group member arrested in San Carlos City.*PNP photoAn alleged member of a notorious drug group in Negros Occidental was arrested in a police buy-bust operation at San Juan Tunga in Brgy. 5, San Carlos City, Tuesday, December 6.Nabbed was 45-year-old Joseph Pasigay, who was said to be a Top 5 high-value individual of the San Carlos police and a member of Virtucio Drug Gang and Bacus and Macadatu sub-group.Recovered from his possession were 50 grams of suspected shabu worth P340,000, the P1,100 buy-bust money, a coin purse, and a lighter.He is now detained at the San Carlos police station and is facing drug charges.*

Dec62022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bago wins big at DILG Excell Awards 2022

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Bago City was the champion in two categories of this year's Search for Excellence in Local Governance (Excell Awards) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Western Visayas at rites held in Iloilo City Monday, December 5.The city bagged the top award for Excellence in Administrative Governance for its Bago Rewards Plus Program and Excellence in Economic Governance for its Food Staple Sufficiency Program, a press release from Bago City said.In four other categories, Bago City placed first runner-up in Excellence in Environmental Governance, and second runner-up in Excellence in Public Safety, Peace and Order, Excellence in Local Legislation and Excellence in Social Governance.Overall, the city was adjudged first runner-up Best Performing City in the regi...

Dec62022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Christmas chorale showdown set at Metro 3rd‘s Magikland

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Young musical talents will be showcased in the “Kanta sang Paskua sa Magikland”, a chorale competition among the five top choices of the cities of Victorias, Silay and Talisay, and the municipalities of EB Magalona and Murcia, at the Magikland Theme Park in Barangay Guinhalaran, Silay City, 5:30 p.m. December 18.Aton Land and Leisure Inc. and the office Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) join efforts to bring back the spirit of Christmas joy and celebration as the new normal gradually sets in, in the province, a press release from the office of Benitez said Tuesday, December 6.The chorale contest is among the Christmas events in the Third District, with the support of the local government units.The competition is open to the musical choir that will be endor...

Dec62022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

12 PDRRMO drivers terminated, 2 others resign, 3 facing charges

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Twelve contract of service drivers of the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office have been terminated, while two other PDRRMO employees have resigned, Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said Monday, December 5.The 12 drivers were terminated for their late submission of trip tickets, he said.The 13th driver who is a regular employee is facing formal charges for grave misconduct also for late submission of trip tickets.Meanwhile, the appointment of a casual employee was not renewed, while others also at the PDRRMO are facing formal charges, he saidNellas said an administrative aide II casual employee was formally charged for grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty and his appointment was not renewed.Another administrative aide I...

Dec62022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Senate local gov’t panel approves creation of NIR

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Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito (l-r) at the Senate Committee on Local Government hearing on the NIR on Monday*The Senate Committee on Local Government approved five bills seeking to establish the Negros Island Region (NIR), which is expected to cover the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, on Monday, December 5, Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito said.Ejercito, who chairs the committee, said it is clear that the people of Negros Occidental and Oriental need the NIR so that services of the national government can be accelerated and brought closer to them."We also believe that this will also be the way to make the region more vibrant," he added.Several bills filed by the representatives of Negros Island and Siquijor se...

Dec62022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

British envoy, Benitez discuss renewable energy, investments

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British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils (right), with Bacolod Councilor Celia Flor, after she signed the pledge of commitment against violence versus women at the Bacolod City Government Center on Monday*British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez discussed renewable energy and investments for the city during their meeting on Monday, December 5.The mayor wanted to know if there are opportunities for Bacolod during an upcoming economic briefing in the United Kingdom, she said.“It’s basically putting British investors and private sector organizations in touch with Bacolod to see whether there is a fit in areas of new joint interest,” Beaufils said.The ambassador said she hopes to see the mayor again to explore “...

Dec62022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Caelian issued show cause order to explain P3M unliquidated fund

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Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian*The Office of the Governor has issue a show cause order to the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (PDRRMO) to explain his alleged failure to liquidate P3 million in financial assistance to the Amity Public Safety Academy Inc. (APSA) and conflict of interest, Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said Monday, December 5.Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II issued the memorandum order to PDRRMO Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian to explain in writing or submit a counter-affidavit under oath why no criminal, civil and administrative cases should be filed against him.Caelian has submitted his reply and denied any wrongdoing, Nellas said.The show cause order was ...

Dec52022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Man dies allegedly playing Russian roulette in Cauayan

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The scene of the shooting incident in Cauayan.*PNP photoA man died after he allegedly accidentally shot himself while playing with the firearm of his friend at Purok 5, Brgy. Poblacion, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, on Sunday night, December 4.Killed was Jeemo Redimo, 37.Police said the victim allegedly took the .38 caliber revolver from the waist of his friend, Benie Chavez, and played Russian roulette by pointing the gun to his head and pulling the trigger.But the gun fired and hit him on the head.However, the police became suspicious after the victim’s companion, Chavez, hid the weapon before reporting the incident to authorities.The police were able to recover the firearm, and Chavez is now in police custody, pending results of a paraffin test.*