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Aug92022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Guv leads commemoration of International Day of IPs

The participants in the celebration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Bago City*Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Lacson led the commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (IPs) at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in Bago City, Tuesday, August 9.Lacson said that globalization, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic worsened pre-existing inequalities and vulnerabilities faced by indigenous peoples."For national unity and development, we have to ensure that our Indigenous Peoples are not left behind, and should be able to participate on all matters affecting them," he said.The governor assured the IP communities in the province that they can count on the support of the provincial government ...

Aug92022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Farmer shot, hacked to death

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The body of the farmer who was killed in Kabankalan City on Sunday, August 7.*Kabankalan PNP photoA farmer was shot and hacked to death at Barangay Tampalon in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Sunday, August 7.Killed was Romeo Juanico, 38, of Barangay Camingawan.Police investigation showed that the three suspects - two brothers and their uncle - chanced upon the victim and attacked him.One of the suspects shot the victim several times. When he fell to the ground, the two other suspects hacked and stabbed him to death, the police added.Police have yet to establish the motive for the killing.*

Aug92022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

PHO – Dengue deaths hit 17; Covid fatalities reported, too

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Dengue deaths in Negros Occidental hit 17, with three new fatalities in week 31 of 2022, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Provincial Health Officer, said Tuesday, August 9.He stressed the need for those hit with dengue to seek early medical help to prevent deaths.Negros Occidental had 2,948 dengue cases as of July 30, which is 956.63 percent higher than those in the same period last year.Meanwhile, Negros Occidental had 27 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday for a total of 140 active cases, the Provincial Incident Management Team reported. The province also had two new COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday and one on Monday, it added.The province also had one COVID-19 death on Monday, it added.Negros Occidental has fully vaccinated 76.62 percent of its target population against COVID-19, and 60.49...

Aug92022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Trekkers caught entering Kanlaon danger zone will be jailed: PENRO

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Kanlaon Volcano straddles Negros Occidental and Oriental.*Ronnie Baldonado photoPersons caught entering the Kanlaon Volcano 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) will be jailed, Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, Negros Occidental Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, said Tuesday, August 9.Gerangaya said he has received reports of trekkers climbing to the volcano’s crater and of some guides helping them.Despite strict monitoring there are trekkers who slip through, he said.They reportedly pass through the Guintubdan-Wasay trail at night so they are not easily detected, he said.Those caught entering the danger zone can immediately be imprisoned for violating a government regulation, Gerangaya said.Kanlaon is under Alert Level 1 and the Philippine Ins...

Aug92022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Sugar stakeholders meet set on SRP to curb rising prices

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A sugar stakeholders meeting is set Wednesday, August 10, to discuss the suggested retail price for sugar, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica said Tuesday, August 9.He said the online meeting will be held with Agriculture Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista. The meeting has been called by the DA as retail prices of refined sugar breached the P100 mark per kilo.President Ferdinand Marcos, who is also concurrent agriculture secretary, has approved the importation of at least 300,000 metric tons of sugar to prevent a shortage in supply and to help bring down retail prices.Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said there is a shortage of sugar and the retail price has gone up so the importation is a good move before the milling season goes full b...

Aug92022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Bacolod tourist arrivals expected to hit 600,000

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More tourists are expected during the MassKara Festival in October.*Ronnie Baldonado photoBacolod tourist arrivals are expected to hit 600,000 by the end of 2022, or a 284 percent increase from last year, City Tourism Officer Tere Quebrar Manalili said on Tuesday, August 9.Manalili, who spoke at a Tourism Stakeholders Meeting at Acacia Hotel in Bacolod, said in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic the city had about 803,000 visitors.In 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the number dropped to 143,000 visitors or by 82 percent. In 2021 there was slight increase by 3.12 percent with 147,000 arrivals in Bacolod, she added.“Slowly, we’re picking up the pieces with increasing visitor arrivals at 19,000 in January, 24,000 in February, 35,000 in March, 38,000 in April, 46,000 in May ...

Aug92022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Ferrer: I was provoked, I’m lobbying for removal of Valderrama, Serafica

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Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer wants Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr. and Hermenegildo Serafica (l-r) removed*Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer on Tuesday, August 9, said he is lobbying for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to revoke the appointment of Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr. as acting member of the Sugar Board representing the planters.He is also pushing for the removal of Hermenegildo Serafica as administrator of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) "to protect the sugar industry", Ferrer said. There have been numerous complaints against Serafica, someone more qualified should be appointed in his place, he said.The vice governor said he has recommended to the president that former Murcia mayor Esteban “Sonny” Coscolluela, who ac...

Aug82022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Man drowns in Bago

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The area where the Bago resident’s body was found.*Bago PNP photoA 36-year-old man drowned in a river in Brgy. Mailum, Bago City, Negros Occidental, Sunday, August 7.The fatality was identified as Chris John Napal, a STL bet collector.According to the victim’s family, he had a drinking session with his cousin the day before, then went home.Police said the victim may have drowned due to the strong current brought on by heavy rains when he crossed to the other side of the river where his house was located.Hours later, a resident found the body of the victim lifeless in the river.*

Aug82022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Comelec disapproves 32 voter applications

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The Commission on Elections in Bacolod City has disapproved 32 voter applications for failing to meet the registration requirements, local election officer Kathrina Trinio-Caña said Monday, August 8.Of the 41 voter applicants who were called to the Election Registration Board hearings, 32 were found to be no longer living in the barangays where they want to vote, she said, adding that most of them are from Barangay 19.At least 10,293 registrants in the city have applied for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections set on December 5.Caña said that those whose applications have been disapproved can still seek a petition for inclusion.Meanwhile, the poll body is set to de-list the double registrants and voters who have already passed away.*

Aug82022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

NBI still determining identity of fake STL syndicate financier

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The National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, August 8, warned the financier and coddlers of a fake Small Town Lottery (STL) syndicate operating in Negros Occidental that they will face imprisonment.An investigation on the identity of the financier of the fake STL betting stations in Negros Occidental is underway, NBI Bacolod chief Renoir Baldovino said.He warned persons behind the fake STL operations, including those operating its betting stations and collecting bets, that they will face prison terms of from 10 to 12 years.“We want to find out why they have been emboldened to carry out such illegal operations after the elections,” Baldovino said.It is premature to say that they are being protected by some local officials, the NBI is still investigating the matter, he sai...