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Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson delivering his New Year's message on Wednesday.*There are already three investors interested in the Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project, which bidding is set in July, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday, January 4.The bulk water project that will be undertaken through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) will include Bacolod City, he said.Private investors will not invest if Bacolod is not included because they want to ensure that they make a profit, the governor said.Lacson, who outlined his targets for 2023, said the provincial government will also push forward the development of the bamboo industry for its Safe Water Project.Several local government units have shown serious intent to be the bamboo capital of the pr...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is part of the Philippine delegation led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in China.*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Wednesday, January 4, that the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “is an important step in continuing the strong relationship between the Philippines and China”.Benitez is part of the delegation of Marcos that arrived in China Tuesday evening for a three-day state visit.“I am honored to be a part of the Philippine delegation to visit the People’s Republic of China.The delegation, headed by our President and First Lady, was warmly received at the airport,” Benitez said.This will be the first bilateral and official visit of President Marcos to China, he added.Benitez said he hopes to attract C...

Negrense Aurelio Gerardo J. Valderrama Jr. was among those absolved by the Office of the President.*The Office of the President has dismissed the case for grave misconduct, grave dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service lodged against the former members of the Sugar Board for the issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 (SO No. 4) authorizing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar in August last year.The Office of the President in a 10-page decision absolved then Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio S. Sebastian, Administrator Hermenegildo R. Serafica of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, and board members Roland B. Beltran and Aurelio Gerardo J. Valderrama Jr., who have since resigned from their posts.However, the decision also admonished the respo...

The protest in front of the Bacolod City Government Center *Amlig Tubig members called for the removal of the 12 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on water services at a rally in front of the Bacolod City Government Center on Wednesday, January 4.They also called for the reinstatement of “illegally dismissed” Bacolod City Water District employees.Noli Rosales, BAYAN Negros spokesperson, said they are calling on Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez to see to the removal of that 12 percent VAT on water services.“With families already reeling from the high costs of food, fuel, and other basic commodities due to a worsening Philippine economy amid the record-high inflation in the country, the 12 percent VAT in our water utility bills under Primewater is an extra burden to...

There were 63 fireworks-related injuries in Negros Occidental and four in Bacolod City from December 21 to Tuesday, January 3.Those injured in Negros Occidental increased by 103 percent with only 31 recorded in 2021, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, said.There were only four firecracker victims in Bacolod, the City Health Office reported.The most number of injured in Negros Occidental were in Bago City that had 10, Talisay City – 7, Cadiz City and Sagay City - 4 each, Binalbagan, Kabankalan City, Silay City and La Castellana - 3 each, Escalante City, Valladolid, San Enrique, Calatrava and Himamaylan City – 2 each, and Isabela, Pulupandan, San Carlos City, Murcia, Cauayan, Hinigaran, Manapla, Hinoba-an and La Carlota City – 1 each.The PHO report said 42.9 per...

The Commission on Elections satellite registration site at Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City on Tuesday, January 3.*There was a low turnout of voter registrants at the Commission on Elections satellite registration site at Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City on Tuesday, January 3.As of noon Tuesday there were only about 20 voter registrant applicants, Bacolod Elections Officer Kathrina Trinio-Caña said.This could be because it was raining, she said.In December the voter registrants did not go below 200, with 240 on December 30, she said.She called on the public not to wait until close to the deadline on January 31 to register to avoid crowding.The satellite registration at Ayala Malls Capitol Central will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Thursday, Ja...

The body of a 17-year-old male was found floating in a swamp in Brgy. Bantayanon, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, 2:30 p.m. Monday, January 2.The victim of Campo Train, Brgy. Minapasuk, Calatrava, was missing since December 30, the police said.However, his family did not look for him because they thought that he was just staying with relatives.The family requested the Calatrava police for an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the teenager.The victim’s name was withheld by the police for being a minor *