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Councilor Julius Martin Asistio and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer (right) at the Negros Occidental SP session at the Capitol in Bacolod City, Tuesday.*La Carlota City Councilor Julius Martin Asistio assumed his post as Philippine Councilors League representative to the Negros Occidental Sagguniang Panlalawigan (SP) at its regular session, Tuesday, September 6.The SP during its session approved the appointment of retired provincial veterinarian Renante Decena as consultant for animal welfare and management of the province, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said.They, however, deferred approval of the appointment of Engineer Leo Van Juguan as consultant for mining geosciences and quarry operations as he was not present at the session, Ferrer said.Asistio, who was recently elected p...

The ongoing construction of the Bacolod City coliseum*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Tuesday, September 6, that he is meeting with the contractors building the P800 million Bacolod City coliseum in Barangay Alijis to discuss the repurposing of at least 10 to 20 percent of the funds allocated for it.The mayor said the aim is to reduce the P800 million intended for the coliseum, which was borrowed by the previous city administration from the Development Bank of the Philippines, by about P80 toP160 million.The construction of the coliseum started during the Leonardia administration.Benitez said he is meeting with the contractors this week or next week. The repurposed funds will then go back to the bank, he said.The city government can then apply for another...

Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez*Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) filed House Bill 4400 to mandate Internet Service Providers to provide data rollover in internet subscriptions.The bill also provides penalties for non-compliance.The bill aims to mandate Internet Service Providers to provide affordable options on Internet data subscription, including subscription plans and promos with data rollover, he said.Instead of unused data expiring at the end of the subscription period, it will be added to data allocation for the following subscription period or until end of the calendar year, Benitez said.This effectively lowers the cost of Internet data and saves the user money that they could use for other needs, he said.It will be great help for student...

Four Bacolodnons were arrested after they were allegedly caught siphoning fuel from a reserve tank in Barangay Poblacion, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Monday, September 5.Nabbed were Barangay Banago residents Rommel Negre, 38, Emilio Lumantad, 41, and Rogelio Pendon, 39; and Rosine Marie Tentiya, 30, of Barangay 1.A concerned citizen reported to the police that a suspicious red pick-up truck was parked in front of a cell site.When the police validated the report, they caught Lumantad allegedly stealing a crude oil at the cell site while the others were waiting in the vehicle.Recovered from their possession were a bolt cutter, a hack saw, and 15 containers, including the one loaded with crude oil.Also recovered from them were two homemade shotguns with seven live ammuniti...

A drinking session among neighbors turned fatal after one of was killed at Barangay Suba, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Sunday, September 4.Killed was Warlito Fernandez Jr., 42.The victim, the suspect identified as 30-year-old Jay-r Arquilita and two others were enjoying a drinking session when an altercation ensued, Maj. Lumyaen Lidawan, town police chief, said.This allegedly prompted the suspect to stab the victim multiple times. He then escaped while the victim was brought to Calatrava Municipal Hospital where he died.The suspect was arrested in a pursuit operation, but the bladed weapon used in the killing was not recovered.He will be charged with homicide.*

The “Trash to Cashback” booth at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds.*Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez launched a “Trash to Cashback” program at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) Monday morning, September 5.Benitez said the program is geared towards eliminating Bacolod’s garbage by enabling residents to earn from it, since waste segregation in the city has been talked about for years but has not succeeded.However, if waste segregation in incentivized people will be encouraged to do it, he said.The Trash to Cashback program first pop-up center in the Visayas that offers a waste-to-goods exchange was installed at the BCGC.It is a tie-up between waste management company Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies Inc. (BEST) and cashback loyalty platform bXTR...

The scene of the accident in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City.*Police Station 3 photoA motorcycle driver died after he figured in an accident in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City, on Saturday, September 3.The fatality was identified as Lemwel Lumawag, 25, of Barangay Mandalagan.The victim’s speeding motorcycle rear-ended a tricycle driven by Mark Anthony Desucatan, 32, of Barangay 18.Capt. Armilyn Vargas, Police Station 3 head , said that the victim, who succumbed to head injuries, was reportedly under the influence of a liquor.Both parties have initially agreed to a settlement and the tricycle driver will be released from police custody after the lapse of the reglementary period.*

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez are not lifting the rule on the mandatory use of face masks in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has issued an executive order lifting the mandatory use of face masks in his city from September 1 to December 31.The EO will automatically be lifted should there be a surge in COVID-19 infections in Cebu City, Rama said.Benitez said he does not believe it is time to lift the mandatory use of face masks in Bacolod City.“As of today there are continuous fresh new COVID-19 cases,” he said.The Department of Health (DOH) reported 20 new COVID-19 cases in Bacolod City and 24 in Negros Occidental on Monday.On Sunday Negros Occidental had 20 new COVID-19 cases and Bacolod City had 16, the ...

The United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) is supporting the planned importation program amounting to 150,000 metric tons of refined sugar proposed by the current Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) board.UNIFED President Manuel Lamata said he wants to announce his personal support for the 150,000 MT import plan, after three other sugar federations and the millers group recommended the importation of 300,000 MT, similar to what the former SRA board had pushed.Lamata was referring to last week’s joint statement issued by the Confederation of Sugar Producers, the National Federation of Sugar Planters, PanayFed and the Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA).“Have these federations converted to being sugar traders? Logic dictates that if the 300,000 MT...