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“I hope the sub regions are just a transition…we really want to have our NIR,” Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.*Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson prefers the creation of a Negros Island Region (NIR) over the proposed sub regions.“I hope the sub regions are just a transition…we really want to have our NIR,” Lacson said on Monday, November 21.Negros Island representatives have filed a bill for the creation of the NIR, which will include the provinces of Negros Occidental and Oriental, and Siquijor.The creation of Regions 6 (Western Visayas) and 7 (Central Visayas) sub regions instead of the NIR could “be a good compromise for us to move forward”, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Friday.The Department of Budget and Management and the National Economic ...

Two persons, including a minor, were injured in a stabbing incident at Purok May-ang, Barangay Haba, Candoni, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, November 19.The victims were a 17-year-old boy, whose name was withheld by the police, and 21-year-old William Parochilin.The victims and the suspect, 38-year-old Sanny Floreta, were having a drinking session when a heated argument ensued between the minor and the suspect, who drew his cockfighting gaff and suddenly stabbed the victim, the police said.Parochilin tried to pacify the two, but got stabbed, too.Both victims and the suspect were referred to the Kabankalan District Hospital for medical treatment.The suspect sustained a lacerated wound on his eye and multiple abrasions on his hand and feet.*

Modern and traditional jeepneys in Bacolod City compete for passengers.*Levi Trio photoNegotiations for an extension to the moratorium on the apprehension of traditional jeepneys without franchises in Bacolod City are being finalized, Pacifico Maghari III said Sunday, November 20.Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez took up the proposals of the stakeholders with representatives of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and Land Transportation Office on Saturday.There was a request for an extended moratorium to give time for traditional jeepney operators to make preparations for changes under the modernization law, Maghari said, adding that the mayor will make an announcement on the matter.They are waiting for the final terms, he said.The 15-day morat...

The House Committee on Energy inquiry into the high power rates of the Central Negros Cooperative (CENECO) is set on November 29, Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya said.Gasataya and Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) co-authored House Resolution 475 seeking the inquiry.He was informed of the inquiry’s schedule by Rep. Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque, Lone District) who chairs the Committee on Energy, Gasataya said.*

One of 18 suspected cholera cases in Manapla, Negros Occidental, has tested positive, Mayor Manuel Escalante said Sunday, November 20.The patient was admitted at the Cadiz District Hospital, he said.Escalante said the rest of the Manapla residents with suspected cholera have recovered.They were given dextrose to rehydrate at the Manapla Rural Health Unit (RHU), he said.He said two Manapla residents who died of suspected cholera did not seek medical help.Some of those with suspected cholera were students who drank water out of faucets at their schools.The school principals in Manapla have been instructed not to allow students to drink water out of faucets, he said, stressing the need for residents to ensure that their drinking water is boiled and safe.Cholera is ...

The scene of the crime in Cadiz City on Saturday.*Aksyon Radyo photoA farmer was gunned down by unidentified men at Sitio Tambobo, Brgy. Celestino Villacin, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, Saturday, November 19.The fatality was identified as 65-year-old Diosdado Fuentes of Purok Pilar, Brgy. Colonia Divina, Sagay City.The victim was at a farm when unidentified men shot him to death, the police said.The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was immediately brought to the Sagay City District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.Six gun shots were heard at the scene, the police said.Police have yet to establish the motive for the killing.*

A senior citizen was hacked by his brother and relatives at Sitio Marabo, Brgy. Mambaroto, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, Saturday, November 19.The victim was identified as 63-year-old Alejandro Gonsalez.Police said the victim was on his way to the house of his elder brother when he was hacked several times by another brother, 55-year-old Armando Gonsalez, his nephew 23-year-old Armando Jr., and niece, 29-year-old Jezah Mae.The victim sustained hack wounds on different parts of his body and head and was brought to the Sipalay City infirmary.The three suspects were arrested by responding policemen and are detained in the custodial facility of the Sipalay police.*

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has asked the police to expand their campaign against illegal drugs in Bacolod City.“I have called the attention of the city (police) director to expand and to make sure that we have more assets covering drug proliferation. I have a sense that it is increasing again and that is something that we will address,” Benitez said at a press conference on Friday, November 18.A barangay kagawad and a job order worker of the City Health Office were recently involved in illegal drugs, the mayor noted.The city government is studying whether to conduct mandatory drug tests for barangay officials and city employees, he added.“We will come up with a decision on that,” Benitez said.*

IPM Construction and Development Corp. hauling the garbage of Bacolod City.*Bacolod PIO photoAbout eight firms are interested in bidding for the collection of Bacolod City’s garbage, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said.The contract of IPM Construction and Development Corp. (IPM-CDC) for the collection and hauling of garbage and the maintenance of the Bacolod’s landfill ends on December 31, City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III said Sunday, November 20.Benitez, at a press conference of Friday, November 18, said the terms of reference for the bidding is being expedited.However, if there is a need the city could extend the IPM contract for three months, Benitez said.“There are a lot of improvements in the garbage collection that can be done and I don’t think we should le...

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez says 44 tons of "spaghetti wires" have been removed so far.*Bacolod PIO photoThe Bacolod City government will start impounding illegally parked vehicles soon.Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said, at a press conference on Friday, November 18, that the city government will be towing and impounding illegally parked vehicles in Bacolod to prevent traffic congestion, which could be in place before the end of the year.“We are finalizing an agreement with the proponent to exercise impounding and towing enforcement,” he said.The mayor also announced that the Task Force Spaghetti Wires has removed 44 tons of old and unused telecommunication and electricity wires along the city’s major roads since June.The “spaghetti wires” were brought to the stocky...