Top Stories

The Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital (DSBMDH) in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental resumed full operations today, November 8, after temporarily closing Friday, November 6, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.On Friday, the 25-bed hospital temporarily closed for disinfection after one of its medical technicians tested positive for COVID-19, he said.The medical technician’s parents also tested positive for the virus, he added.Dr. Miguelito Aquino, DSBMDH acting chief, on Friday issued an advisory that all outpatient laboratory services were suspended but emergency, radiology, and administrative services would continue.Four other medical technicians of the hospital tested negative for COVID-19 Saturday night prompting the DSBMDH reopening today, Diaz...

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca of Victorias City in Negros Occidental said he and four of his companions have tested positive for COVID-19 and are now under quarantine at the North Elementary School in his city.Palanca, in an interview today, November 8, said he was confined at the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center (BAMC) and was cleared by his doctor to go home Saturday, November 7, but in compliance with health protocols, he opted to continue being quarantined at the public school with his other companions.The mayor said he and seven other people in a van went to Silay City and made two stops in Bacolod City on October 29.The four others with him who tested positive were his secretary, driver, a member of his staff, and a bodyguard. Their three other companions were not hit b...

Cadiz City and San Carlos City have the most number of COVID-19 active cases in Negros Occidental, the Provincial Health Office reported today, November 6.Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., however, denied that his city is the topnotcher for active cases.The PHO report said that as of Thursday, November 5, Cadiz City had 150 COVID-19 active cases, followed by San Carlos City with 130, Kabankalan City – 86, Himamaylan City - 55, Silay City – 53, Escalante City – 38, EB Magalona - 37, Isabela – 37, Calatrava – 35, Victorias City – 34;La Carlota City – 31, Binalbagan – 30, Sagay City - 29, Hinigaran - 27, Bago City – 27, Murcia -26, Talisay City - 23, Ilog - 20, Toboso - 19, Sipalay City - 19, La Castellana – 9, Manapla – 9, Pontevedra – 7, Candoni – 4, Cauayan – 6, San Enrique -...

Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson Jr. has ordered the lifting of border checkpoints in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental effective tomorrow, November 7.The border checkpoints are in Paco, Libacao, and Enclaro, Tongson said in Executive Order 2020-53, Series of 2020 issued Thursday, November 5.However, the EO stressed that safety measures must be observed by Himamaylan residents living or working outside the city but within the province of Negros Occidental to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19.They must inform their barangay officials prior to their return and on their arrival in Himamaylan for monitoring purposes, the EO said.The barangay officials will in turn notify the concerned purok presidents of the arrival of their residents for monitoring and compliance with hea...

303rd IB photoAn alleged New People’s Army member was killed in a clash with 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers in Sitio Arum, Brgy. Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, Thursday, November 5.The brief battle resulted in the death of Rio Jacaba, while two of his companions fled in different directions, Capt. Kelvin Bayaban, Army 3rd Infantry Division civil military operations officer, said today, November 6.The 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers responded to a report from Macagahay residents of the presence of suspicious looking persons believed to be NPA rebels in their barangay, he said.The firefight resulted in the recovery of a .45 caliber Colt MK IV pistol, a holster, spent cartridges of a .45 caliber pistol and subversive documents believed to be used during the c...

Lakawon Island. Photo from traveloka.comThe Department of Tourism in Western Visayas has certified 108 accommodation establishments in Negros Occidental and its capital city, Bacolod.As of Thursday, November 5, a total of 80 hotels and resorts in the province were certified by the DOT.Of the number, 18 establishments were issued with Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO), while 62 were given Provisional Certificates of Authority to Operate (PCAO) by the department. The 80 accommodation facilities in the province have a total of 797 available rooms.Establishments that were granted with CAO have passed the safety standards against coronavirus disease 2019.Just recently, around 20 local government units in the province have opened up their localities to leisure travel ...

The significant improvement in the country’s trade performance in September suggested that the country’s approach to gradually reopen the economy, along with the strict observance of health protocols, puts us on the right track towards economic recovery, the National Economic and Development Authority said.The Philippine Statistics Authority reported yesterday, November 5, that the country’s merchandise trade performance registered a slower decline of 9.2 percent in September from the previous month’s 17.9 percent contraction, as relaxation of quarantine measures led to an expansion in trade activities.In particular, merchandise exports reversed its six-month long decline to post a 2.2 percent growth as outward shipments continue to improve.Meanwhile, imports fell by 16.5 perce...

The city government of Sagay and the provincial government of Negros Occidental were cited for their heritage and tourism attractions during the virtual convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP).Provincial Tourism Officer Jennylind Cordero said the virtual convention in partnership with the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board was held to celebrate ATOP’s 21st year.During the “PinasForward! Let’s move as one to revitalize our country’s tourism industry” virtual convention on Wednesday, November 4, Sagay City was announced as the grand winner of the “Pinasarap” contest for its “Ginataan Nga Ugbos Sang Balinghoy na May Banag.”“The dishes submitted for ‘Pinasarap’ gave us a look into the various recipes and preparation methods that h...

The COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental have been fewer in the last few days and he hopes it becomes a trend, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said today, November 4.“I am hoping that the local government units are constantly doing tests so we will know if really we have controlled the cases here in the province,” he said.Hinoba-an and Salvador Benedicto towns have had zero COVID-19 cases lately.The Department of Health 6 reported 42 new COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental today and 17 in Bacolod City.Negros Occidental has the second most number of COVID-19 cases in Western Visayas at 4,841 with 1,526 active cases and 87 deaths.The governor said the spike in COVID-19 cases in San Carlos City, which helped drive the Negros Occidental COVID-19 cases up earlier, was caused by the ...

PNA file photoThe inflation rate in Western Visayas has slightly dropped to 2.5 percent in October from 2.8 percent in September, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday, November 5.The national headline, on the other hand, has accelerated to 2.5 percent in October from 2.3 percent in September, the PSA said.The higher overall inflation was primarily brought by the increase in the inflation of the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages at 2.1 percent during the month, from 1.5 percent in September, PSA said.Also, the annual mark-ups were higher in the indices of education at 1.2 percent, and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.4 percent.On the other hand, the slowdown in the inflation was recorded in the indices of alcoholic beverages...