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Philippine Councilors League - Negros Occidental president Ryan Gamboa*Philippine Councilors League - Negros Occidental president, Ryan Gamboa, said on Tuesday, July 5, that he will   abide with whatever his party decides as far as his PCL post is concerned.“I haven’t made a decision about what I’m going to do with regards to PCL. I’m still waiting for the advice from my party leaders,” said Gamboa, who is a member of Love Negros.If they still endorse him well and good but he is also okay to hand over the position to whomever they choose, Gamboa said.La Carlota City Councilor Julius Martin Asistio, the son of Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, is interested in running for the PCL- Negros Occidental presidency, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, United Negros Alliance sec...

Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer (right) pledged that the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan will support the programs of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson in his speech at the SP's 36th inaugural session on Tuesday, July 5.*Richard Malihan photoVice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer pledged that the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan will set a pro-poor legislative agenda.“We will legislate measures that are  responsive to their needs”,  Ferrer assured  in his speech  at the 36th inaugural session of the Negros Occidental SP at the Social Hall of the Capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday, July 5.He also said they will support the proposals and programs of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson for the growth and development of the province.“Let us sustain a collaborative and p...

Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya*Rep. Greg Gasataya has filed House Bill 297 seeking the creation of a second congressional district for Bacolod City.The bill seeks to create the 1st and 2nd Legislative Districts of Bacolod by apportioning the 61 barangays of the city, Gasataya said Tuesday, July 5. Philippine Statistics Authority records as of Aug. 1, 2015 show that that Bacolod City has a population of 561,875 with an average growth rate of 1.78 percent annually, he said.The apportionment of the Lone District of Bacolod City into two Legislative Districts has become a matter of necessity, he said.It will ensure that efficient and effective public service is rendered to Bacolod residents and that the city has adequate representation in Congress, Gasataya said.It wil...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez wants traffic problems in Bacolod City addressed.* Levi Trio photo Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez has ordered the creation of the “Bacolod City Task Force on Spaghetti Wires” and the convening of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Council, his spokesman Lyzander Dilag announced Tuesday, July 5.Benitez in Executive Order (EO) 004, Series of 2022, directed the reconvening of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Council to address the worsening traffic problem in Bacolod through an “efficient and effective comprehensive traffic plan and management for the city”.EO 003, Series of 2022, creating the “Bacolod City Task Force on Spaghetti Wires” ordered the removal, clearing and reorganizing of all “spaghetti wires” located at the main t...

Lawyer Lyzander Dilag, spokesman of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez, at a press conference Tuesday, July 5.*The  remaining 2022 Bacolod City government  general services  budget  is  P153,315, 623, which leaves the  City Mayor’s Office  (CMO) with only  P78,445,475 left to spend for the rest of year,  lawyer Lyzander Dilag, spokesman of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez, said Tuesday, July 5.The near depleted budget leaves the CMO with limited funds, but it will not hinder Benitez from breaking new ground in the service of the people of Bacolod, Dilag said at a press conference.The CMO under the previous administration spent P82 million in a month from May to June that would translate to about P2.9 million a day, Dilag said.He said the...

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez tells the city government employees: "Let us all go the extra mile".*Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez rallied the Bacolod government employees to serve the people to the best of their abilities, and met with department heads to discuss how city services can be further improved on Monday, July 4.“Let us all strive to make Bacolod City great again… let us make sure each and every one of us make ourselves relevant in public service…Let us all go the extra mile,” said  Benitez at his first flag  raising ceremony as mayor  at the Bacolod City Government Center.Benitez, who was joined by Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya and other city officials, said he will work on strengthening institutions, not personalities.“I will be lead...

Rep. Alfredo Marañon III and Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., UNegA chairman and secretary general.*Barbara Mijares photoLa Carlota City Councilor Julius Martin Asistio, the son of Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, is interested to run for president of the Philippine Councilors League- Negros Occidental chapter.This was relayed by Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District), United Negros Alliance chairman, Cadiz Mayor  Salvador Escalante  Jr., UNegA secretary general, said  Monday, July 4.Asistio is the stepson of Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, UNegA president.Escalante said he talked to the Cadiz councilors and they had a  positive response to Asistio’s plans.Asked if it will mean a battle   between Asistio and Silay Councilor Ryan Gambo...

Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) said he filed House Bill 330 seeking the restoration of the NIR on Friday, July 1.*Two Negros Occidental representatives have filed bills seeking the restoration of the Negros Island Region, while a third version is set to be filed in the House of Representatives this week.Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said he is also filing his counterpart measure in the Senate on Tuesday, July 5.Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) said on Monday, July 4, that he filed House Bill 330 seeking the restoration of the NIR, which will include Negros Occidental and Oriental, on Friday, July 1.Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said he has not filed his version of NIR bill that will include the two Negros provinces and S...