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Aug102022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

3 planters’ groups back BBM appointment of Valderrama

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...

Aug102022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Ferrer: Pink supporter should have delicadeza

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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...

Aug92022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Sipalay resident wins world vocal coach award

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Sipalay Mayor Ma. Gina Lizares with Elipas C. Sibua *A resident of Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, won the 2022 Outstanding Vocal Coach of the Year award at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 25th Anniversary at Disneyland in Anaheim, USA.Elipas C. Sibua bested hundreds of vocal coaches from 32 countries during the competition held July 22-30, a press release from Sipalay City said Tuesday, August 9.Sibua of Brgy. 2, Sipalay City, works as a vocal and music teacher and has been the national director ofthe United Arab Emirates Team for four years. The WCOPA, dubbed the “Talent Olympics”, is a prestigious event where different talents from all over the world vie for the title to be the best of the best.WCOPA is the o...

Aug92022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Alleged NPA tax collector falls

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The alleged NPA tax collector.*NORPPO photoAn alleged tax collector of the New People’s Army was arrested in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, Monday, August 8.Nabbed was 32-year-old Roldan Villareco Baydal, who was said to be a tax collector of NPA’s Central Negros 1 of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.His arrest was by virtue of a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms issued by Guihulngan Regional Trial Court Judge Ma. Anna Priscila Pareja on August 3.During the arrest, the suspect yielded a rifle grenade, and a .38-caliber revolver with three rounds of live ammunition.The suspect is now in the custody of the Guihulngan police.*

Aug92022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Javi orders probe on ‘drinking incident’

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Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez on Tuesday, August 9, said he ordered the City Human Resource Office to investigate the employees who allegedly took part in a “drinking spree” with personnel from the Office of the Negros Occidental Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) on July 15.He said they have already discussed the matter with the concerned employees from the Victorias Agriculture Office to get their side and maintain impartiality.“We have also asked our HR to look into the matter…. We do not tolerate unprofessional acts especially during official business," Benitez said.The Provincial Legal Office has issued show cause orders to five employees of the OPA for allegedly taking part in a “drinking session” in Victorias...

Aug92022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

P.5M worth of drugs seized in Bacolod, 2 suspects nabbed

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Two suspects yielded P550,800 worth of drugs in a buy-bust operation at Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City Tuesday, August 9.*BCPO photoMore than P500,000 worth of drugs were seized and two suspects, including a high-value target, were arrested in a police buy-bust operation at Purok Kawayan, Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City, 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, August 9.Nabbed were high-value individual Rodmar “Zan” Abada, 37, and Aunice “Denice” Latuna, 28.Recovered from their possession were the P1,000 marked money, 21 sachets of suspected shabu worth P550,800, a sling bag, and the P250 cash proceeds.The suspects are now detained at Police Station 3 and are facing drug charges.*

Aug92022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Guv leads commemoration of International Day of IPs

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The participants in the celebration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Bago City*Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Lacson led the commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (IPs) at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in Bago City, Tuesday, August 9.Lacson said that globalization, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic worsened pre-existing inequalities and vulnerabilities faced by indigenous peoples."For national unity and development, we have to ensure that our Indigenous Peoples are not left behind, and should be able to participate on all matters affecting them," he said.The governor assured the IP communities in the province that they can count on the support of the provincial government ...

Aug92022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Farmer shot, hacked to death

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The body of the farmer who was killed in Kabankalan City on Sunday, August 7.*Kabankalan PNP photoA farmer was shot and hacked to death at Barangay Tampalon in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Sunday, August 7.Killed was Romeo Juanico, 38, of Barangay Camingawan.Police investigation showed that the three suspects - two brothers and their uncle - chanced upon the victim and attacked him.One of the suspects shot the victim several times. When he fell to the ground, the two other suspects hacked and stabbed him to death, the police added.Police have yet to establish the motive for the killing.*

Aug92022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

PHO – Dengue deaths hit 17; Covid fatalities reported, too

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Dengue deaths in Negros Occidental hit 17, with three new fatalities in week 31 of 2022, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Provincial Health Officer, said Tuesday, August 9.He stressed the need for those hit with dengue to seek early medical help to prevent deaths.Negros Occidental had 2,948 dengue cases as of July 30, which is 956.63 percent higher than those in the same period last year.Meanwhile, Negros Occidental had 27 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday for a total of 140 active cases, the Provincial Incident Management Team reported. The province also had two new COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday and one on Monday, it added.The province also had one COVID-19 death on Monday, it added.Negros Occidental has fully vaccinated 76.62 percent of its target population against COVID-19, and 60.49...

Aug92022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Trekkers caught entering Kanlaon danger zone will be jailed: PENRO

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Kanlaon Volcano straddles Negros Occidental and Oriental.*Ronnie Baldonado photoPersons caught entering the Kanlaon Volcano 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) will be jailed, Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, Negros Occidental Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, said Tuesday, August 9.Gerangaya said he has received reports of trekkers climbing to the volcano’s crater and of some guides helping them.Despite strict monitoring there are trekkers who slip through, he said.They reportedly pass through the Guintubdan-Wasay trail at night so they are not easily detected, he said.Those caught entering the danger zone can immediately be imprisoned for violating a government regulation, Gerangaya said.Kanlaon is under Alert Level 1 and the Philippine Ins...