HEROES. Lt. Gen. Cesar Hawthorne Binag (2nd from left), deputy chief for operations of the PNP, offers a wreath at the Heroes Wall at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City in remembrance of the fallen SAF 44 heroes today, January 25.*PRO-6 photo
Philippine Genome CenterThe number of returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) in Negros Occidental to be tested for the new United Kingdom COVID-19 variant have increased to four, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said today, January 24.Reports from the United Kingdom indicate that the new variant may not only spread COVID-19 faster, there is a possibility that it has a higher death rate."There is some evidence that the new variant … may be associated with a higher degree of mortality" but the data is not conclusive, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was quoted by the international media as saying.Diaz said the samples of a couple from Pontevedra who returned from London, a Talisay City teacher from US Virgin Islands, and a Bago City resident from Egypt will be sent to the...
ANCIENT REMEDIES. Some amulets and potions said to bring good luck, heal, and ward off evil spirits being sold at the Bacolod Central Market, some of which come from the Ati tribe in Isabela, Negros Occidental.*Ronnie Baldonado photo
Negros Occidental is still not open to tourists from other parts of the country and the world, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said today, January 24.“Our agreement with the mayors is that Negros Occidental will remain closed to incoming tourists. We cannot preempt the COVID-19 vaccines, there is no sense of security yet, we have to wait for the vaccines,” he said.Negros Occidental’s borders remain closed, except for locally stranded individuals (LSI), returning overseas Filipinos (ROF), and Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR), he said.While local tourism is allowed, the provincial government is still not encouraging it, Diaz also said.In fact, the provincial government’s Mambukal Resort in Murcia town will remain closed, he said.We met with represe...
A 51-year-old man, who was wanted for murder for more than 20 years, was killed after he resisted arrest at Barangay Dulao, Bago City in Negros Occidental Friday night, January 22.Killed was Emmanuel Sampani of Barangay Dulao, the police reported.The suspect had an arrest warrant for murder issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Alejandro Marquez of Morong, Rizal, on Aug. 25, 1998Policemen led by the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group were on their way to the suspect to serve his arrest warrant when he chanced upon the authorities along the way, the police report said.The suspect, on board a motorcycle, after sensing the presence of the authorities, alighted from his vehicle and ran towards a sugarcane plantation.Sampani then sought cover behind a mah...
The youth of Bacolod City called on Rep. Greg Gasataya to uphold academic freedom amid the unilateral abrogation of the Department of National Defense's pact with the University of the Philippines (UP) on the entry of state forces into campus grounds.In an open letter to Gasataya that was released Saturday, January 23, the youth said the Makabayan bloc has filed a House resolution to uphold the agreement and protect the academic freedom of institutions of higher education.“The youth of Bacolod are urging you to show your support as an advocate for youth and education by signing and co-authoring the resolution,” they asked Gasataya.They added, “we need you to act on the disturbing incidents of harassment, assault, and libel against youth activists, advocates, and organizati...
Fisherman Regino Elquiro carries marine plywood that was among the materials provided by NVC for the repair of his boat.*The Negrense Volunteers for Change has restored the means of livelihood of 17 fishermen in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.NVC provided the materials for the repair of 17 fishermen’s boats damaged by debris and floodwaters early this month, NVC president Millie Kilayko said today, January 24.“Thank you to all of you who gave us provision for this project. You know who you are, and you are part of this miracle, too”, she said.NVC previously also provided 4,982 boats to fishermen in various parts of the country who lost their fishing vessels to natural disasters, especially during super typhoon Yolanda in 2013.NVC is also providing materials to eight...
President Rodrigo Duterte tonight, January 25, recalled a government decision to allow persons aged 10 to 14 years old to go out in areas under Modified General Community Quarantine starting February 1 amid concern over the new United Kingdom Covid-19 variant.The president overturned the decision of the national Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases, which had met opposition in Bacolod City.Negros Occidental and Bacolod City are both under MGCQ.Secretary Karlo Nograles, NIATF co-chair, said this morning that they were loosening up quarantine restrictions in February to allow the economy to recover and businesses to rehire workers.Nograles, who was at the Bacolod Government Center, said we need to balance the economy and health when informed of...
The new NPC officials led by Yves Montecillo (5th from left) being proclaimed winners by members of the Board of Canvassers Saturday, January 23.*Photo courtesy of Glazyl MasculinoYves Montecillo of RMN-DYHB was elected president of the Negros Press Club in Bacolod City Saturday, January 23.Other officers elected were El-John Castaño of Radyo Bandera – vice president, Nanette Guadalquiver of Philippine News Agency –secretary, Eden Oboso of Aksyon Radyo – treasurer and Martian Muyco of Digicast Negros - auditor.Elected members of the Boards of Directors are Merlinda Pedrosa of Sunstar Bacolod, Boy Duran of Aksyon Radyo, Carla Cañet of Sunstar Bacolod and James Toga of Negros Daily Bulletin.*
