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Capitol photoThe provincial government of Negros Occidental is now preparing the list of programs and projects for 2021 to be funded by the 20 percent Development Fund.Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the workshop on the “Prioritization of Programs and Projects for Funding Under the 2021 20 percent Provincial Development Fund” at the Provincial Capitol on Wednesday, November 4.Ma. Lina Sanogal, provincial planning and development coordinator, said that the proposed allocation for the 2021 20 percent Development Fund was P798.667 million from the province’s internal revenue allotment at P3.993 billion.Of the P798.667 million, P270 million was allocated for loan amortization, while the remaining P528.700 million will go to the province’s priority development programs and proj...

It will be a public holiday in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City tomorrow, November 5, to mark Cinco de Noviembre, the historical event on Nov. 5, 1898, when Negrenses rose in revolt and defeated the Spaniards.However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic that prohibits mass gatherings, there will be no provincial government ceremonies to honor centenarians and outstanding Negrenses as done in the past, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said today.Lacson said the provincial government will instead deliver the P100,000 reward to each Negrense centenarian.Provincial Social Welfare Officer Merlie Garcia said they already have 30 centenarians on their list and are waiting for the supporting documents needed from several others.Lacson said despite the COVID-19 pandemic, November 5 remains t...

303rd IB photoNegros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the inauguration of a road concreting project today, November 5, inside Camp Major Nelson Gerona that serves as the 303rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental.The project, which was worth P7.5 million, was accepted by Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Brigade Commander, in the presence of Negros Occidental Board Member Andrew Montelibano, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, Provincial Engineer Ernie Mapa, contractor Jean Paul Ortega, and Fr. Ruben Fernandez.“I am honored to commemorate the 122nd celebration of Cinco De Noviembre with our Philippine Army, 303rd Infantry Brigade. We acknowledge your sacrifices, your invaluable contribution, and your sincere efforts in preserving law and o...

NOCPPO photoEleven personnel of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office who survived the coronavirus disease have recently donated their blood as a response to the call of the Department of Health (DOH).NOCPPO, under the command of its provincial director, Police Col. Romy Palgue, partnered with the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) Blood Bank for its program, “Plasma mo, Armas ko batuk sa COVID-19.”According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the DOH, the convalescent plasma of the persons who have recovered from the disease contains antibodies that can be transferred to the critically-ill COVID-19 patients, Palgue said in a press release.“The whole blood extracted will be processed to separate the solid particles of the blood fr...

A frontliner at the City Health Office birthing home in Cadiz, Negros Occidental has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the suspension of some services at the facility.Outpatient consultations will be temporarily suspended until further notice, only emergency cases and deliveries will be catered to, Dr. Maria Victoria Ibañez, Cadiz City health officer, said today, November 5.Several City Health Office birthing staff who were exposed to the frontliner nurse, who tested positive for the virus, had to undergo reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests and mandatory quarantine, Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante said.He said it was not known how the nurse got the virus and contact tracing is underway. The staff at the CHO facility wear personal protective equip...

The P5,000 one-time cash assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the displaced workers in the formal sector is back.Bacolod City Rep. Greg Gasataya said today, November 3, that his office was informed by DOLE Region 6 that the department has an allocation of P157 million from the cash assistance program for Western Visayas displaced workers in the private sector.Under Department Order No. 218-2020, that was approved on October 28, the second round of the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) will cover displaced workers, including probationary, project, seasonal, contractual, and casual employees in private health institutions, culture and arts, creative industries, broadcast, construction, public transportation, trade and industry, cooperatives and ot...

City file photoMayor Evelio Leonardia said today, November 5, that 35 out of 2,383 Bacolod City market vendors have tested positive for COVOID-19This is a low 1.47 percent positivity rate, he said in a press statement.“This impressive low figure means that our major markets (Libertad, Burgos and Central) are relatively safe and, as such, may elicit an enhanced trust and confidence from their daily customers,” he said.To further ensure the safety and well-being of city residents, the Bacolod Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office regularly disinfects the markets every weekend, the mayor said.“We undertake these measures to ensure public health safety, revitalize the business prospects of our market vendors and provide more peace of mind and comfort for their customers...

The Negros Occidental provincial government is increasing its hospital-bed capacity for moderate and serious COVID-19 patients to 200, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said today, November 3.The 50-bed Valladolid District Hospital in Valladolid town will open as a COVID-19 center on Thursday, November 5, he said.The hospital will only accept patients with COVID-19 symptoms and those who tested positive for the virus, he said.He 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 that has been converted into a COVID-19 center.Earlier the 150-bed Cadiz District Hos...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has ordered the reopening of Provincial Capitol Park and Lagoon in Bacolod City.The park, which was closed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be open to walkers and joggers on Saturday, November 7, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.“Although the order issued today, November 3, states that the reopening should be effective immediately, we still need to put the guards and protocols in place,” Diaz said.Lacson said the guidelines on the implementation of community quarantine in the Philippines allow indoor and outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise, which will improve the physical and mental well-being of Negrenses.However, the governor said the following health and safety protocols should be obser...

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) warned the public against unscrupulous individuals who are pretending to be its employees or officials.The CSC has received reports about individuals pretending to be employees and officials of the CSC or from a certain “Public Complaints Center,” then they contact government employees to inform them that an administrative case has been filed against them, a press release from the commission said.The government employee is then instructed to pay a certain amount of money to clear himself/herself of the charges.“The administrative cases filed before the CSC are decided through a clearly defined adjudication procedure as provided under the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service,” CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala said.Th...