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Capitol photoNegros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led the distribution of P8.6 million in roofing materials, food assistance and banana seedlings to 2,486 typhoon “Odette” victims in Hinigaran town Thursday, March 24.The Hinigaran distribution was the last before the local campaign period ban starts on Friday, the governor said.They will distribute more assistance if it is still needed when the campaign period ends on May 7, he said.The provincial government has so far distributed about P60 million in roofing assistance and food aid to typhoon victims in the sixth and fifth district under the Capitol’s rebuild and restore program, he said.They are is still waiting for confirmation on whether the provincial government can distribute the P94.6 million National Housi...

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a show cause order to the Toboso municipal government in Negros Occidental for the failure to release P6.8 million in assistance to Typhoon “Odette” victims, Mayor Richard Jaojoco confirmed Wednesday, March 23.DILG provincial director Roselyn Quintana said Toboso was the only local government unit issued a show cause order in Negros Occidental.The DILG has issued show cause orders against 48 local government units nationwide, 16 of which are in Western Visayas, for their slow distribution of cash aid to victims of Typhoon “Odette”.Jaojoco said in the case of Toboso it has not just been slow distribution, they have not released any of the funds at all.The town received P1.8 million from the Department of B...

Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District) said Wednesday, March 23, that his bill to enhance the capacity of the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City is closer to becoming a law.The Senate Committee on Health, chaired by Sen. Bong Go., approved House Bill 10463 authored by Benitez increasing the bed capacity of the TLJPH from 100 to 300 beds on Tuesday, March 22.“Now we wait for the opening of sessions again after election for final reading of the bill in the Senate and then passage into law of the expansion of the TLJPH bed capacity. DOH will subsidize the capital outlay and the province shall expand the personnel,” said Benitez, who thanked Go for his support.The House of Representatives on Dec. 1, 2021 year approved House Bill 10463. ...

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has allocated P67.1 million for a 10-day work program in Negros Occidental, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Wednesday, March 23.A DSWD Disaster Response Management Division team is on the ground and has identified 17,000 recipients, he said.The recipients would be paid for 10 days of work on various projects identified by the DSWD, he said.The DSWD has already identified its recipients and is ready to launch its program, the provincial government will not get in its way, he said.He does not know if the project is exempted from the Commission on Elections ban on the disbursement of social service funds during the campaign period that kicks off Friday, March 25.*

Ervin Stan Leo P. Ticar has been appointed acting general manager of Central Negros Electric Cooperative.National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Emmanuel P. Juaneza and Electric Cooperative Management Services Deputy Administrator Omar M. Mayo installed Ticar to the post on Tuesday, March 22.Ticar was appointed as NEA representative to the CENECO Board of Directors on Nov. 29, 2021.*

The soft opening of the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia by mid-April will only be for day visitors, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday, March 23.The resort was closed after Typhoon “Odette” hit in December for repairs.“We will not accept overnight stays, we have to make sure that our electrical lightings are in place,” he said.When the resort opens they will make sure that ongoing repairs will not affect the movement of visitors, Lacson added.Lacson said the provincial government will also ensure that the newly constructed hotel at the resort is safe and personnel are ready before it is opened to the public.“We have to be sure that not only the building but also the personal are ready to manage a hotel,” he said.A small sectio...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and senatorial candidate Antonio Trillanes IV at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Wednesday, March 23.*Capitol photoSenatorial candidate Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday, March 23, said he expects a turnaround in the presidential survey results by April that will put Vice President Leni Robredo in the lead.Trillanes, who was campaigning in Negros Occidental, met with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Capitol in Bacolod City to thank him for his support for the Team Leni campaign.The former senator, who is part of Robredo’s senate slate, said their internal surveys show that her numbers “are increasing, it has an upward trajectory.”In the places Robredo visited, her numbers went up and the numbers of her opponent, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,...

Former Chief presidential legal counsel and senatorial bet Salvador Panelo said he would not be surprised if President Rodrigo Duterte also eventually endorses the presidential bid of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for president.The PDP-Laban Cusi wing’s on Tuesday announced its support for Marcos.Panelo, who held a press conference in Bacolod City on Wednesday, March 23, is running for senator under Marcos’ slate.Panelo said Marcos is the only presidential candidate who has not criticized the Duterte administration.Marcos has also committed to continue the reforms of Duterte, while other candidates have criticized his programs, and opposed his uncompromising, and unorthodox but effective governance, Panelo added.Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III , who heads the PDP-Laban fact...