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The Tourism Summit participants at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City on Friday, September 16.*Ronnie Baldonado photoNegros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson stressed that the tourism sector has the capacity to drive the province’s economic recovery, provide opportunities and employment, and affect environment and environmental saving efforts.The governor, in his message at a Tourism Summit to kick off the Negros Occidental 22nd Tourism Week Celebration at Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City on Friday, September 16, pointed out that “if there is anything the (COVID-19) pandemic re-affirmed, it is the fact that tourism is a core pillar of growth and opportunity”.He said more than two years into the pandemic, Negros Occidental is now opening up to travelers...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson presides over the first Provincial Integrated Water Security Council meeting*The Negros Occidental Provincial Integrated Water Security Plan for 2023 to 2030 was approved on Friday, September 16.It was approved at the first Provincial Integrated Water Security Council meeting at the SEDA Capitol Central Hotel in Bacolod City, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said“With the approval of this plan, it is now important to cascade this to the local government units because the participation of all LGUs is very crucial in the success of this water security plan,” he added.They are now proceeding to more systematic and organized interventions to improve water security in the province by virtue of the creation of the Provincial Integrated Water Security Council and ...

The closed road.*VPA photoThe Vicmico Planters Association (VPA) on Thursday, September 15, aired a complaint against Victorias Milling Co. (VMC) for an alleged “act of oppression against sugar farmers who simply want to mill their sugarcane in any mill they choose”.The VPA officers and members of the board headed by Aurelio Gerado “Bodie” Valderrama Jr., in a press release, said the mill recently closed a major road going out to other mills.This has deprived the VPA members and other farmers who are not milling with VMC of the use of the road, the press release said.“In the guise of road repairs, Victorias Milling Company has closed the roads leading to other mills to members of our association, while the mill continues to allow non-VPA members to use the said roads. In ad...

Rayfrando Diaz Il, r. Mary Ann P. Maestral and Lucille Gelvolea (l-r)*Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Thursday, September 15, that there is no need to sign a bilateral agreement of cooperation between Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.Benitez said he has a very good working relationship with Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, they agreed that there is no need for documentation and formalities.“It is not necessary to put it in paper,” he said.Councilor Al Victor Espino on Wednesday said there is a proposal for the Bacolod City government to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation with the Negros Occidental provincial government to strengthen bilateral relations.Benitez said he will resubmit his proposal to the Bacolod Sanggu...

The Bacolod police was awarded as the Best City Police Office Unit in the region.*BCPO photoThe Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOCPPO) were awarded as among the best police units in Western Visayas during the celebration of the 121st Police Service Anniversary at the Police Regional Office-6 headquarters at Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City, on Thursday, September 15.BCPO was awarded as the Best City Police Office Unit in the region, as well as the Best Unit on Campaign Against Illegal Drugs.Col. Thomas Joseph Martir, BCPO director, received the awards from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr., acting deputy chief for operations of the Philippine National Police, who was the guest of honor.Police Station 2 was also adjudged as ...

The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City received a high rating from the Department of Health (DOH) for its efficient operations.The DOH-run hospital in Bacolod City, in a Facebook post, said it has reached another milestone with a three-year sustained improvement based on the Integrated Hospital Operations and Management Program Assessment after it garnered 100 points.The assessment covered the following categories: governance, ethics and patient's rights, quality measurement and improvement, patient safety, facility safety and emergency management, and resource management.During a site visit, DOH representatives conducted a validation of all documents and witnessed the operations of the hospital.DOH Western Visayas said: "The CHD ...

The 5-year-old boy drowned in this irrigation area in Bago, City Wednesday.*Bago PNP photoA 5-year-old boy drowned in an irrigation system in Barangay Caridad, Bago City, Wednesday, September 14.The child was playing outside his house near the irrigation area when he went missing, the police said Thursday.His brother only found the boy's slippers, so they went to search for him.The city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conducted a search and rescue operation and found the boy hours later in the irrigation area of Crossing Sagasa.He was taken to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.*

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI announced on Thursday, September 15, that it will be able to proceed with its educational assistance payouts for indigent students in Western Visayas on September 17 and 24.This is because the DSWD Central Office is allocating an additional P26 million for Western Visayas, it said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.The DSWD VI on Wednesday said it would not be able to give educational assistance in Western Visayas on September 17 and 24 because funds provided by the DSWD Central Office had run out.There have been 36,131 students-in-crisis who have been given a total of P101,326,000 in educational assistance in the region so far, the DSWD VI said .*

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said they are compensating the budget cut by reducing the number of JO workers of the city to 2,700 in 2023, or by more than 50 percent.*Barbara Mijares photoMayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Thursday, September 15, that the Bacolod government job order workers will be reduced by more than half to address the P302 million cut in the city’s National Tax Allotment for 2023.The Department of Budget and Finance has announced a 14.47 percent cut in the NTA shares of all local government units in 2023. That means Bacolod’s share of P2 billion this year will drop to P1.7 billion in 2023, or a cut of P302.6 million, the DBM said.Benitez said they are compensating the budget cut by reducing the number of JO workers of the city to 2,700 in 2023...

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (center) after the signing of the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program agreement with Dr. Christine Marie Puey of the Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center, Cherry Pink Nonato of the South Bacolod General Hospital, city health insurance consultant Valerie Ann Hollero and Councilor Kalaw Puentevella.* Ronnie Baldonado photoMayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez signed a memorandum of agreement with two private hospitals for the implementation of the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program, which will primarily serve the needs of indigent patients, at the Bacolod City Government Center on Thursday, September 15.Dr. Christine Marie Puey was the signatory for the Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center and Cherry Pink Nonato for the South Bacolod Gen...