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The scene of the accident in Himamaylan City, Saturday, November 5.*Ka Oliver Valiao photoA driver died after he fell off his motorcycle on Saturday, November 5, at the highway in Barangay Tooy, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.Killed was 28-year-old Joey Valera.Valera lost control of the motorcycle when he passed by a broken road causing him to fall and hit the gutter, the police said.The victim had his helmet on and was wearing protective gear, but the impact of the crash was strong, the police added.*

DSWD 6 spokesperson May Rago Castillo and 4Ps provincial link Emile Octavio (right) at a press conference in Bacolod City on Monday.*The Department of Social Welfare and Development has released P1.5 billion in assistance to the victims Tropical Storm “Paeng”, Typhoon “Odette”, the armed conflict in Himamaylan City, indigent senior citizens and to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries in Negros Occidental this year, May Rago Castillo, DSWD 6 spokesperson, said Monday, November 7.The DSWD provided P6,555,818 in food and non-food assistance to the victims of the recent Tropical Storm “Paeng” in Negros Occidental, Castillo said.Paeng destroyed 130 houses and damaged 1,191, and affected 175,199 residents in the province, she said.The DSWD provides P5,000 in assista...

“There is no positive African swine fever case in Victorias City, Negros Occidental remains ASF free, there is nothing to worry about.”That was the assurance given by Dr. Placeda Lemana, OIC Provincial Veterinarian, on Monday, November 7, following rumors that there was an ASF positive case in Victorias City.She said part of their Anti-ASF Task Force surveillance operations is to get samples from pigs for testing.They took a sample from a sick pig in Victorias as a precaution and it tested negative for ASF, she said.Lemana said they are continuing to keep a close watch to prevent the entry of pigs and pork products from ASF hit areas into Negros Occidental through ports and coastal barangays.ASF cases have already been detected in four local government units in Iloilo, ...

Trucks filled with sugarcane in Negros Occidental.*Ronnie Baldonado photoThree federations are calling for intensified anti-smuggling operations following the plunge in millgate sugar prices by close to P1,000 per 50 kilo bag in the last three weeks.Aurelio “Bodie” Valderrama - Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations president, Enrique Rojas - National Federation of Sugar Planters president, and Danilo Abelita - Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers president issued the call in a joint statement of concern Monday, November 7.They said the plunge in prices is a matter of grave concern for producers, who continue to reel from increasing costs of production.“The reasons can be attributed to a possible spike in sugar smuggling coupled with an increase in sugar inventory d...

Administrator Benny Antiporda of the National Irrigation Administration delivers his speech at the IA Congress in the presence of Acting Governor Jeffrey Ferrer.*Administrator Benny Antiporda of the National Irrigation Administration pledged on Monday, November 7, to provide efficient, effective and sustainable irrigation services in Negros Occidental to achieve food security.Antiporda, who spoke at the NIA Region 6 Irrigators’ Association (IA) Congress at Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod City, said in line with President Ferdinand Marcos’ order their first priority is to make sure that the country becomes self-sufficient in rice.After palay, NIA will also focus on irrigation for sugarcane and high value crops, he assured.He told the NIA personnel it is time for them to get out o...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (center) flanked by Rep. Greg Gasataya (left) and former councilor Caesar Distrito (right).*Caesar Distrito FB page photoBacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez who returned from Japan on Monday, November 7, has tested positive for COVID-19.On his arrival in Manila from his official leave he had himself tested for COVID-19 for a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos and the result was positive, he said.“I feel okay but with mild symptoms”, he said.“Rest assured that all day to day task of the City would continue to function well, while I am working from home,” he added.“To all the people in Bacolod, the challenges of the coronavirus is still there. Stay safe always,” he said.Councilor Celia Flor who joined Benitez in J...

PUVs with complete documents and modernized jeepneys will continue to ply the streets on Monday.*Levi Trio photoThe Land Transportation Office (LTO) will start apprehending public utility vehicles (PUVs) with no franchises and provisional authorities in Bacolod City starting Monday, November 7.Some private schools have cancelled face-to-face classes on Monday because of a potential lack of public transportation.Leaders of transport groups said they have instructed their members not to let their unregistered PUVs ply the streets to avoid apprehensions but they have not declared a strike.PUVs whose franchises have not expired and still have permits will continue to ply the streets, they said.Modern jeepneys will also continue to operate.The LTO Region 6 starting Monda...

The scene of the burning in Candoni on Saturday, November 5.*Candoni PNP photoSuspected rebels burned heavy equipment at Purok Magboto, Barangay Cabia-an, Candoni, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, November 5, the police said.Police said that the backhoe owned by Silver Dragon Construction Incorporated was burned by suspected members of the New People’s Army.This prompted the Candoni police to conduct a chokepoint for the possible exit of the perpetrators.Police also coordinated with the Candoni Bureau of Fire Protection and 47th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.Investigation is still ongoing.*

A man who was attending the birthday party of his grandmother at his residence in Balansag Bobong, Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, November 5, was shot to death.The fatality was identified as Remart Rebucas, 26.Police said the suspect arrived at the birthday celebration of the victim’s grandmother when he shot Rebucas on the chest.He died instantly.The suspect identified by the police as 27-year-old Junjun Aligioho fled after the shooting, while the victim was brought to Alfredo Marañon District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.Police investigation is still ongoing.*

The Cluster 5 Sigabong sang mga Kanyon champion*Ronnie Baldonado photoCluster 5 composed of barangays Pacol, Sagasa, and Bagroy was the champion in the Sigabong sang mga Kanyon competition to mark Al Cinco de Noviembre in Bago City on Saturday, the city government announced.Cluster 6 composed of barangays Poblacion, Lag-asan, and Tabunan was the champion in the Sigabong sang mga Kanyon dance drama contest.The other Sigabong sang mga Kanyon competition winners were:FIRST RUNNER UPCluster 7 (barangays Taloc, Calumangan, and Sampinit)SECOND RUNNER UPCluster 4 (barangays Dulao, Abuanan and Atipuluan)The Cluster 6 Sigabong sang mga Kanyon dance drama champion*Ronnie Baldonado photoTHIRD RUNNER UPCluster 6 (barangays Poblacion, Lag-asan, and Tabunan)The other winn...