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Here is the PAGASA update as of 2 p.m. today, November 11.• Destructive winds and intense with at times torrential rainfall associated with the region of the eyewall and inner rainbands of the typhoon will be experienced over the northern portions of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte until tonight and over Aurora and northern portion of Quezon tonight through tomorrow early morning.Hazards affecting land areas:• Strong winds: Throughout the passage of the typhoon, destructive typhoon-force winds will be experiencing in areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) #3, damaging gale- to storm-force winds in areas under TCWS #2, and strong breeze to near gale conditions in areas under TCWS #1. In other areas, the rest of Northern Luzon will be experiencing strong...

Negros Occidental and Bacolod City breached the 5,000 mark for COVID-19 cases Monday, November 9, the Department of Health in Western Visayas reported.Negros Occidental had 39 news COVID-19 cases today bringing its total to 5,007 and Bacolod City had 35 new cases for a total of 5,032, the DOH reported.Of the 5,007 persons hit by COVID-19 in Negros Occidental, 89 have died, 3,340 have recovered and 1,578 remain active cases, the DOH reported.In Bacolod City of the 5,032 persons hit by COVID 19 cases, 147 have died, 4,525 have recovered and 360 remain active cases, the DOH added.*

The Valladolid District Hospital in Valladolid, Negros Occidental, will start accepting COVID-19 positive patients today, November 10, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Monday, November 9.The 50-bed hospital can only accommodate up to 30 patients since it is not fully operational with the ongoing construction of its main donning and doffing area for personal protective equipment, he said.The hospital will only accept patients with COVID-19 symptoms and those who tested positive for the virus, he said.Diaz said before bringing patients to the hospital a call should be made to 034 4730131, 09454592179, or 0961 4119717 to ensure the safety of everyone. Walk-in patients are not encouraged.The Valladolid facility is the second provincial government-run hospital t...

Capitol photoThe Negros Occidental Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council approved P118 million worth of projects and activities to strengthen peace and order in the province at a meeting at the Capitol in Bacolod City, today.Approved in Resolution 2020-003 was the P87 million proposed peace and order budget for various projects, programs and activities for endorsement to the Provincial Development Council for inclusion in the 2021 supplemental annual investment program (AIP).These interventions are in support of the peace and order and anti-criminality efforts in the province, the resolution said.Also approved was Resolution No. 2020-004 for P31.1 million in barangay infrastructure projects funded through the 2020 PAyapa at MAsaganang Pa...

Magikland, the first outdoor theme park in Western Visayas located in Silay City, Negros Occidental, is set to reopen on weekends starting this Saturday, November 14, after an eight-month closure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Only 50 percent of the park’s visitor capacity will be allowed and marshals will be fielded to ensure COVID-19 health protocols are followed, Aton Land and Leisure Inc. president Reynaldo Bantug said today, November 9.“We have plenty of space so there should be no problem with physical distancing,” he said.Safety, security, and quality entertainment have always been at the core of the park’s operations from the very start, Bantug pointed out.He said they have worked hard at ensuring maximum health protocols on all rides, facilities and facets of...

The organizers of the Visayas Islands Visual Arts Exhibition and Conference (VIVA ExCon) explained that there was no event at the Art District in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City, on Friday, November 6, after attendees were seen disregarding the minimum health protocols against the coronavirus disease.In a statement Monday, November 9, the organizers said that in preparation for the VIVA ExCon opening on November 8 that was conducted virtually, an exhibition was organized for the sole purpose of simulating a live opening for video recording.“There was no event, no invitation was sent and no announcement was made. It was unfortunate that the set attracted the usual Art District crowd and management was not able to control their enthusiasm,” the statement said.However, the ...

Capitol photoNegros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Land Transportation Office Region 6 Director Eric Lenard Tabaldo signed an amended deed of donation for the donation of property for a new LTO office.The provincial government is donating a 10,000 square meter lot at Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, valued at P31.8 Million.The amended Deed of Donation states that the provincial government voluntarily and freely gives and transfers the lot without cost to the LTO.Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz and Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. also witnessed the signing.*

62nd IB photoA New People’s Army rebel and seven Yunit Militia (YM) members voluntarily surrendered in Brgy Poblacion, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Sunday, November 8, the Army reported today.The NPA rebel was identified as “Ka RR”, Squad 1 member of the Sentro De Grabidad Platoon, Central Negros 1 operating under the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command, ” Capt. Raymond Jamisal, 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion civil military operations officer, said.The seven YM members are Romeo Barbaquil, alias “Ka Sammy”, Allan Alpas Estrada, Marlou Estrada, Reynaldo Delantes, Mariano Libaton, alias “KaMmoloy”, Arlita Jabalde and Bernaldo Besario, alias “Ka Bobby”, he added.Ka RR surrendered a .38 caliber revolver with six rounds of live ammunition, Ka Sammy turned in two .357 cal...

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) then chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas during his 55th birthday celebration inside the regional police headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. NCRPO PIO photoProgressive groups in Negros Occidental have expressed outrage following the appointment of Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, who violated quarantine measures for his “mañanita” birthday party amid the COVID-19 lockdown, as the new Philippine National Police chief.“The Negrosanons are in rage on the promotion of Sinas as the new PNP Chief,” Clarizza Singson, secretary-general of the human rights group Karapatan in Negros Island. She said the bloody nights of December 27 to 29, 2018 are still fresh in the memories of the Negrosanons. Six people were killed and 26 others arrested for all...

City PIO file photoBusiness establishments in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental were ordered to use and implement the contact tracing mobile application developed by the local government.Mayor Renato Gustilo, in an executive order issued on November 9, said that contact tracing plays an important role in containing outbreaks of infectious disease.“A creative and systematic approach on contact tracing has become even more vital in view of the recent spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in San Carlos,” he added.He said the city government, with its aim to expedite contact tracing efforts, intends to employ the Quick Response (QR) code scanning through the use of Viral Assessment and Monitoring (VAMOS) application, developed by the city’s Information Technology and Computer...