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Diageo, a multinational alcoholic beverage company, has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Don Papa Rum, a super-premium, dark rum produced in Negros Occidental.The upfront consideration is €260 million with a further potential consideration of up to €177.5 million through to 2028 subject to performance, reflecting the brand’s current growth potential, Diageo said in a press release posted on its website on Tuesday, January 17.The super-premium plus segment of the rum category is in the early stages of premiumisation, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18 percent in Europe and 27 percent in the US between 2016-2021. Through the same period, Don Papa Rum consistently outperformed the market in Europe, delivering a 29 percent CAGR, the press release said....

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) and Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) should think out of the box to further bring down power rates, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said Friday, January 20.Benitez was reacting to the statement of NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda on Thursday that the current rate for CENECO’s generation mix is very much acceptable.“I can rule out mismanagement because the prevailing (CENECO) generation mix is within the accepted price range in the market,” Almeda said.Benitez, who has been finding ways to bring down CENECO’s cost of electricity, said he disagrees with Almeda that the generation mix rate is acceptable.“They are not looking outside the box, there are other sources of power that could be cheap...

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez leads the opening of the Bacolaodiat Festival on Friday, January 20.*Ronnie Baldonado photo“The New Year will bring good luck and good fortune to Bacolod, we will have a great year”, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said as the Bacolaodiat Festival kicked off Friday, January 20.The three-day festival is being held to usher in the Chinese New Year or the Year of the Rabbit.Expect more developments for Bacolod City in all aspects in 2023. Benitez said.The participants of the Bacolaodiat Festival parade on Friday.*Ronnie Baldonado photosHe also said Megaworld’s Kevin Tan, the city’s honorary mayor during the Bacolaodiat Festival, will be in Bacolod on Sunday.Tan will be returning to the country from the World E...

The Confederation of Homeowners Associations of Negros Occidental was formally launched in Talisay City on Friday, January 20.It’s organization was spurred by the Metro 3rd Balay Hilway Program of Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), a press release said.Rogelio Plaida of the Federation of Bacolod City HOAs was elected president of the interim executive officers and board of directors.Others elected were Roy Moraña of the Silay Federation of HOAs – vice president, Juvy Cardinal of Victorias Federation of HOAs – secretary, Janette Ferrer (Victorias) - assistant secretary, Junilo Padua of Talisay Federation of HOAs – treasurer, Renante Tabanquerao (Talisay) - assistant treasurer, Marcelino Hinolan of Silay Federation of HOAs - auditor and Sonia Paviera (Silay)...

The office furniture donated by the provincial government to the LTO.*The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is expected to gradually begin its operations on February 4 at its new building that was built by the Negros Occidental provincial government on its property at Manayaosayao in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Friday, January 20.The LTO will gradually transfer its operations from its office at Cottage Road in Bacolod City to its new site, he said.The provincial government has also provided the LTO with office furniture, he added.The office furniture was donated to the provincial government by a firm that was a previous occupant at the Negros First CyberCentre.The Department of Agriculture has also constructed its buil...

The Negros Occidental provincial government has renewed the contracts of its 1,600 job order and contract of service workers for the first six months of 2023, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Friday, January 20. Renewed were the contracts of more than 900 JO and 700 COS workers, he said.Only about 20 were not rehired because of poor performance, he said.The renewal of contracts was swift because of the Personnel Information System set up by the provincial government. Payment of salaries are also no longer delayed because they are released through bank automated teller machines, he added.The provincial government has also facilitated the processing of the voluntary membership of the JO and COS employees in the Social Security System, Diaz said.The contracts of th...

A 74-year-old man from Barangay Patag, Silay City, is the first cholera fatality in Negros Occidental for 2023.The Silay resident was admitted at a hospital on January 12 and died the next day, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Negros Occidental Provincial Health Officer, said Thursday, January 19.“It means he was severely dehydrated when he arrived at the hospital,” Tumimbang said.Tumimbang said a test will be conducted on the water source of the 74-year-old.Last year there were three cholera fatalities in Silay City, EB Magalona and Murcia in Negros Occidental, Tumimbang said.*

Business leaders are appealing to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue an executive order creating the Negros Island Region, which includes Siquijor, ahead of the passage of a law on its creation.“As concerned members of the Negros Region business sector, we wish to express our strong support for the re-establishment of a separate, stand alone and full-fledged region, which will encompass Negros and Siquijor islands,” the business leaders said in a joint statement.“It is time for Negrosanons and Siquijornons to be given their own empowered Regional Development Council, which coupled with the fair implementation of the Mandanas decision, would finally provide our regional elected leaders with the sufficient autonomy to unite, plan and execute projects to benefit our own citizens,...

The Yuan Thong Temple in Bacolod City will open its doors for devotees and festival goers to witness New Year traditions and activities on Saturday and Sunday, January 21-22.*The 18th Bacolaodiat Festival will kick off with a grand parade from The Upper East to the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) at 4 p.m. Friday, January 20.The Chopsticks Alley and Imperial Village will also open on Friday afternoon.A grand fireworks display and music fest will be held at the BCGC in the evening.The Bacolod police is fielding 509 security personnel for the festival.Meanwhile, the Yuan Thong Temple in Bacolod City will open its doors for devotees and festival goers to witness New Year traditions and activities on Saturday and Sunday, January 21-22.The Yuan Thong Temple along B...

The evacuees at the Binulig Elementary School in Sipalay City on Thursday.*Sipalay LGU photoClasses in three schools at barangays San Jose and Camindangan in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, were temporarily suspended Thursday, January 19, until further notice following encounters between government and rebel forces that caused residents to evacuate.Classes were suspended at the Binulig Elementary School, Gil Montilla National High School – Binulig Extension, and Omas Integrated School, the Sipalay City government announced.Gunbattles between the 15th Infantry Battalion soldiers and New People’s Army rebels took place at the boundaries of barangays Camalanda-an and Baclao in Cauayan town at 11:10 a.m. and at Sitio Malipayon, Brgy. San Jose, Sipalay City, at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday,...