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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...

The Negros Occidental provincial government is providing financial assistance of P100,0000 to each local government unit (LGU) participating in the MassKara sa Panaad, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Monday, September 5.The MassKara sa Panaad will be held at the Panaad Park in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, October 10 to16.Twenty-four Negros Occidental mayors joined a meeting on the MassKara sa Panaad with Lacson and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Sunday.LGUs not opening their pavilions during the MassKara sa Panaad will not be given assistance, Lacson said.Everyday the different districts of the province will have programs to entertain guests at the MassKara sa Panaad, he also said.This will be Negros Occidental's contribution to the MassKara, Lacson said...

The perspective of the proposed Panay Guimaras Negros bridge posted by Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar on his Facebook page Saturday, February 13.*Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the national government is sticking to its original plan to connect the Guimaras bridge to Negros Occidental through Pulupandan town.Lacson said the Negros Occidental Provincial Development Council (PDC) will move to endorse the bridge project in its next meeting.The governor said Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer informed him that the fourth district of Negros Occidental is now amenable to the bridge connecting to Negros through Pulupandan."We will need a Provincial Development Council resolution supporting that," the governor said.Lacson said for a while the national planners were t...

The scene of the crime in Barangay Sampinit, Bago City*An argument led to the death of an alleged drunk man and injuries to two others in Barangay Sampinit, Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Friday, September 2.Killed was Ferdinand Flores Jr., 25.Police said that the victim just had a drinking session with his friends at his neighbor’s birthday party when he went home, where he later figured an argument with his mother.Police said the victim allegedly attacked his mother, but his older brother, 28-year-old Nike Flores, pacified him.The victim then reportedly stabbed his brother twice.This prompted their father, Ferdinand Flores, to stop the commotion, but he, too, was stabbed.Nike Flores grappled for the weapon, and was able to grab the knife from the victim, who...