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San Carlos DRRMO photoThe Philippine Coast Guard is filing charges against the operators of the motorized bancas that capsized in Sagay City and San Carlos City on Sunday for the illegal ferrying of passengers, Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio, PCG Northern Negros head, said on Monday, March 21.He said based on their initial information there were several boats that managed to transport passengers from the mainland going to Molocaboc Island in Sagay City illegally and charges will be filed against them.The vessels had no authority to transport passengers and violated the Anti- Colorum Act, he said.“There were 56 individuals who managed to cross from the mainland going to Molocaboc” on Sunday and two of five boats capsized, he said.Some of the passengers were rescued by thos...

Negros Occidental Acting Provincial Elections Supervisor Roberto Salazar reminded local candidates on Monday, March 21, to keep the campaign period peaceful.The official campaign period of candidates for House of Representatives seats, and provincial, city, municipal posts will kick off Friday March 25 and will last until May 7.There are 18 local government units in Negros Occidental under the Comelec watchlist.Salazar said it is possible that the number could increase when the local campaign period starts.Under the red category are Calatrava, Moises Padilla, Candoni and Escalante City due to possible serious armed threat and previous violent election related incidents.There are 13 areas under the orange category - Silay, Victorias, Himamaylan, Kabankalan and Sipalay ci...

Sagay City Info and Tourism Office/Ronald Villar photoFifty-three passengers were rescued after big wave’s capsized two bancas in Sagay City and one in San Carlos City waters in Negros Occidental on Sunday, March 20.Sagay Mayor Alfredo Marañon III said two motorized bancas capsized in the waters off Molocaboc Island late Sunday and as of Sunday night, 43 persons had been rescued.He was informed that those on board the bancas were motorcycle riders from various parts of Negros Occidental who had gone on an outing in Molocaboc, Marañon said.Ten passengers on a motorized banca that capsized off the coast near the boulevard of San Carlos City were also rescued at 2 p.m. Sunday, Joe Recalex Alingasa, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head, said.All ...

City PIO photoThe Bacolod City government is offering "Libre Sakay" services for stranded residents during the two-day “People's Holiday” transport strike that kicks off at 3 a.m. Monday, March 21, and ends 3 p.m. Tuesday.The city government has allocated nine service vehicles that will ply seven point-to-point routes, City Administrator Edward Joseph Cuansing said Sunday.The pickup points will be at Barangay Bata (Bangga Sawmill), Barangay Alangilan (Plaza), Barangay Sum-ag (near the public cemetery), Barangay Mansilingan (Mormons Church), Barangay Handumanan (Police Station 10) via Alijis, Barangay Estefania (Savemore) and Barangay Banago, he said.All vehicles will take-off at 4 a.m. and the drop-off point will be at the Bacolod City Public Plaza, Cuansing added.The B...

Mayor Nadie Arceo and Leroy Espinosa (right) at a press conference Sunday, March 20.*Hinigaran Mayor Nadie Arceo slammed what he called a politically motivated attempt by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Bacolod City to implicate him in a murder case he has had no involvement in.Arceo, at a press conference on Sunday, March 20, alleged that PBrig. Gen. Randy Peralta who was a ranking CIDG official wielded influence over the local CIDG.Peralta is the husband of Mitchelle Cordova Peralta who is running for mayor of Hinigaran against him in the May 9 elections, he said.The CIDG Bacolod Field Unit filed a complaint before the Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on February 17 against his bodyguard Leroy Espinosa and his brother Leonardo Espinosa fo...

Photo from HEADZ UP NegOr FacebookA pastor and two others were killed after they figured in an accident at Jimalalud, Negros Oriental, Saturday, March 19.Killed were Pastor Eliazar Pontillano, Erodita Gacang and son Ruel, all of Brgy. Pandanon, Salvador Benedicto.Based on the police report, the victims were among the 20 passengers aboard a van on the way to Salvador Benedicto when it bumped into a 10-wheeler truck at the curved part of the road.The accident also left six passengers injured. They were brought to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.*

Dr. Arturo Gomez is from Ilog, Negros Occidental.*A former vice chancellor for academic affairs of the University of the Philippine Los Baños (UPLB) and director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) passed away in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, March 17.Dr. Arturo Gomez, 83, was from Ilog, Negros Occidental.His funeral service will be at the Rangsit Methodist Church in Bangkok Monday morning, March 21, and will be followed by his cremation.He was a professor and vice chancellor for academic affairs of UPLB, and the fifth director of SEARCA, a non-profit organization that works to elevate the quality of life of agricultural families through sustainable livelihoods and provide access to modern networks and innovative...

Capitol photoSagay City celebrated its 25th Sinigayan Festival and held the inauguration of its newly renovated public plaza on Saturday, March 18.Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer joined Sagaynons in celebrating the festival, in honor of the city's patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker.The usual weeklong festivities were adjusted into a one day event, which was partly a virtual and physical set up.Lacson said that this year's festival theme, "Rise Together", is both an inspiration and a challenge to all Sagaynons, with the pandemic and other challenges that came through the years.He said that times may have been tough, but with united efforts, discipline, resilience, and God's grace, all will persevere.Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Ma...