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Work is underway at the new PAC site.*Barbara Mijares photoClearing and excavation is underway for the building of the seven-storey new Negros Occidental Provincial Administration Center in Bacolod City but work has been hampered by the rain, Provincial Engineer Ernie Mapa said Wednesday, August 10.The new PAC estimated to cost close to P1 billion is expected to be completed by Dynamic Builders in three years.The excavation is underway for the laying of the building’s foundation and basement that will be used as a parking area, he said.The area where the adjacent old PAC is located along the North Capitol Road has been leased by Dynamic Builders from the provincial government for the construction of a multi-use commercial building.However, its demolition has yet to star...

The drug bust operation in Brgy. 2, Bacolod City.*BCPO photoA teenager was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation at Prk. Sigay, Brgy. 2 in Bacolod City, Tuesday, August 9.Nabbed was 18-year-old Christian Ababa of Prk Lubi, Brgy. 3.During the arrest, the teenager yielded three grams of suspected shabu worth P20,400 and P500 in cash.He is now in the custody of Police Station 3 and facing drug charges.*

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejects the proposal of the Sugar Regulatory Administration.*OPS photoPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rejected the proposal of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to import an additional 300,000 metric tons of sugar, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced Wednesday, August 10.The SRA’s call for the importation of sugar was made as the retail price of a kilo of refined sugar breached the P100 mark amid a reported shortage in supply.“The President rejected the proposal to import an additional 300,000 MT of sugar. He is the chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board and denied this in no uncertain terms,” the press secretary said.Sugar Order No. 4 Series of 2021-2022 dated Tuesday, August 9, set the second import program for crop year...

Aurelio Gerardo “Bodie” J. Valderrama Jr. (left) after his oathtaking as Sugar Board member before Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez*Three planters’ groups have issued a manifesto in support of President Ferdinand “BBM” Marcos Jr.’s appointment of Aurelio Gerardo “Bodie” J. Valderrama Jr.  as Sugar Board member.The manifesto of support, released Wednesday, August 10, was signed by Enrique D. Rojas of the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) Raymond V. Montinola - Confederation of Sugar Producers (CONFED) and Danilo Abelita – Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers Inc. (PanayFed).Vaderrama, in an open letter to the sugarcane industry and its stakeholders, Wednesday also thanked the president for the opportunity to serve the sugarcane industry as planters’ re...

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a recent meeting*Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer reiterated on Wednesday, August 10, that he will protect President Ferdinand "BBM" Marcos Jr. insofar as the appointment of Sugar Regulatory Administration acting board member Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr."As a loyal supporter, leader, friend,  family and the president's personal adviser, I will protect him especially in choosing the right leaders for the sugar industry who are truly deserving of the president's appointment," Ferrer said in a press statement.Ferrer on Tuesday called for the revocation of the president’s appointment of Valderrama.The acting SRA Board member was known as a hard core pink supporter and h...

The alleged NPA tax collector.*NORPPO photoAn alleged tax collector of the New People’s Army was arrested in  Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, Monday, August 8.Nabbed was 32-year-old Roldan Villareco Baydal, who was said to be a tax collector of NPA’s Central Negros 1 of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.His arrest was by virtue of a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms issued by Guihulngan Regional Trial Court  Judge Ma. Anna Priscila Pareja on August 3.During the arrest, the suspect yielded a rifle grenade, and a .38-caliber revolver with three rounds of live ammunition.The suspect is now in the custody of the Guihulngan police.*

Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez on Tuesday, August 9, said he ordered the City Human Resource Office to investigate the employees who allegedly took part in a “drinking spree” with personnel from the Office of the Negros Occidental Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) on July 15.He said they have already discussed the matter with   the concerned employees from the Victorias Agriculture Office   to get their side and   maintain impartiality.“We have also asked our HR to look into the matter…. We do not tolerate unprofessional acts especially during official business," Benitez said.The Provincial Legal Office has issued  show cause orders  to five employees of the OPA for allegedly taking part in a “drinking  session” in Victorias...

Two suspects yielded P550,800 worth of drugs in a buy-bust operation at Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City Tuesday, August 9.*BCPO photoMore than P500,000 worth of drugs were seized and  two suspects, including a high-value target, were arrested in a police buy-bust operation at Purok Kawayan, Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City, 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, August 9.Nabbed were high-value individual Rodmar “Zan” Abada, 37, and Aunice “Denice” Latuna, 28.Recovered from their possession were the P1,000 marked money, 21 sachets of suspected shabu worth P550,800, a sling bag, and the P250 cash proceeds.The suspects are now detained at Police Station 3 and are facing drug charges.*