Top Stories

Three sugar producers’ groups are asking how the Sugar Regulatory Administration arrived at its the proposed importation figure of 150,000 metric tons of sugar.The National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP), Confederation of Sugarcane Producers Associations (Confed) and Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers (Panayfed) sough clarification on the importation figure in a letter sent to SRA Acting Administrator David John Thaddeus Alba on Wednesday, August 31.The importation of 150,000 metric tons of sugar is contained in the draft Sugar Order No. 2 which SRA intends to issue.“It is not clear how and why SRA arrived at the figure of 150,000 MT. We would appreciate being advised on the figures used as reference, so that we can reconcile our own data and come up with a consiste...

Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (l-r) at the Water Forum 2022 at Makati Diamond Residences on Wednesday, August 31.*Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said with the USAID Safe Water assistance, Negros Occidental will convene its newly created water security council on September 16 to review and approve a provincial integrated water security plan.Lacson spoke on the financing challenges and opportunities for Negros Occidental's water security plan at the launch of the 2nd Philippine Water Challenge and Water Forum 2022 at Makati Diamond Residences on Wednesday, August 31.“The Plan will serve as our roadmap for achieving water security. It should guide municipal Water and Sanitation (WASH) plans,...

Softdrink bottles scattered on the road after the truck fell on its side.*Bago PNP photoTwo people were injured after a truck loaded with softdrinks fell on the highway in Barangay Taloc, Bago City, Wednesday morning, August 31.Softdrink bottles also scattered on the road.Lt. Col. Joem Malong, Bago police chief, said mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control of the truck.His two passengers suffered minor injuries, while the driver was unscathed.*

The Negros Occidental Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE) reminded its fellow workers in government on Wednesday, August 31, to properly observe decorum and ethical standards.This is required under Republic Act 6713 otherwise.known as the Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, PACE president Renelo Lastierre said.Lastierre issued the reminder following the recent suspension of five employees of the Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist who have been formally charged for grave misconduct.The five OPA staff made a provincial government vehicle and its driver wait beyond office hours while they engaged in a drinking spree with Victorias government employees at a restaurant in Victorias City, Provincial Legal Officer Albert...

Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez*Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) filed House Bill 4303 on Wednesday, August 31, that seeks to create agricultural trading centers called “Bagsakan ng Bayan Markets” in every province.Agriculture is the backbone of the Philippine economy, being a major source of employment, Benitez said, pointing out that 27 percent of the country’s labor force are working in the sector.However, the share of agriculture in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been declining over the years – from 27.4 percent in 1974 to just 9.7 percent in 2016, he said.Farmers and fisherfolk are also the poorest segments of the population – at 31.6 percent poverty incidence among farmers in 2018, and 26.2 percent among fisherfolk, he said.Recogni...

A fire destroyed 11 houses in Purok Amor, Lopez Jaena Street, Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City, Wednesday morning, August 31.*BFP Bacolod photoTwo fires destroyed 12 houses in Bacolod City on Wednesday, August 31.A fire hit 11 houses in Purok Amor, Lopez Jaena Street, Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City, at 10:55 a.m., the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Bacolod reported.The houses were made of light materials and were built close to each other.Medical personnel attended to two persons who were injured, two who suffered from smoke inhalation, and two from trauma.Estimated damage was initially placed at P900,000, the BFP said.The fire started from the ceiling of the house of Jethro Mosang and Edwin dela Cruz, the BFP report said.At 3:41 p.m. another fire destroyed a boa...

Former governor Roel Degamo.*Roel Degamo FB photoThe Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to resolve the poll complaint of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo in the last election.In its 17-page ruling on August 16, which was shared to the public by the former governor on Tuesday, August 30, the high court approved the petition for mandamus filed by Degamo against the failure of the poll body to stop the candidacy of a nuisance candidate in the gubernatorial race of the province.The SC asked COMELEC why it did not take action to disqualify Ruel Degamo when its 2nd Division has already declared him as a nuisance candidate.Then Bayawan City Mayor Pryde Henry Teves was elected as the new governor after he garnered 296,897 votes against D...

The payloader that hit the two motorcycles in San Carlos City on Tuesday, August 30.*San Carlos PNP photoOne person was killed and two others were injured when a payloader crashed into the motorcycles they were riding on at Brgy. Rizal, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, Tuesday, August 30.Killed was motorcycle driver Jodel Locsin, 24, while injured was his rider, Carlo Dinglasa 24, and another motorcycle driver, Renante Canopin, 40.The motorcycles were hit by the payloader driven by 59-year-old Fortunato Sayson, who lost control of the vehicle because of a mechanical problem.The victims were brought to the San Carlos City Hospital, but Locsin was declared dead on arrival.The suspect is detained at the custodial facility of the San Carlos police.*

PAHO/WHO photoThe Negros Occidental provincial government is initially allocating P15 million for monkeypox RT-PCR test kits, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Tuesday, August 30.The provincial government is preparing its molecular laboratory at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City for the conduct of monkeypox tests, he said.Negros Occidental medical technologists have already been identified for training at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Diaz added.The Negros Occidental and Bacolod health officials are currently working on joint protocols for handling of monkeypox cases, he said.Hopefully the protocols will be out soon, Diaz said.No monkeypox case has been detected in Negros Occidental so far.ANNUAL BUDGETDiaz...

The victim’s body at the scene of the accident.*Kabankalan PNP photoA woman died after she fell from her motorcycle at Zone 4, Brgy. Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Monday, August 29.The victim was identified as 27-year-old Riza Mae Buerom of Hilamonan.Lt. Col. Raymond Cruz, Kabankalan police chief, said it was initially reported that the victim was shot as residents heard what sounded like gunfire and found her bloodied body on the pavement.However, the initial medical examination showed that she died from a head injury and had no bullet wound, he said.But the body of the victim will still be subjected to an autopsy to confirm that there was no gunshot wound, the police said.*