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Farmers from all over Negros, along with the progressive groups, convene at the Provincial Capitol grounds in Bacolod City on Wednesday to commemorate the World Hunger Day. They also called for justice for the killed farmers and activists.They also seek a dialogue with Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson to tackle the concerns of farmers such as junking of the Rice Tariffication Law, genuine land reform, and others. Gino Lopez photos

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday that he has proposed a P4.4 billion 2021 budget for the provincial government of Negros Occidental since its Internal Revenue Allotment share will increase by about 7 percent or P267 million.Lacson said he has been assured by Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer that the budget that is now under review by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will be approved before the year ends.The proposed general fund for 2021 is P4,471,695,065, and allocated for personal services is P1,641,424,244, maintenance and other operating expenses – P1,374,658,871, capital outlay – P12,000,000 and special purpose appropriations – P1,443,611,950, Lacson said in his budget message.The proposed appropriation for Personal Services does not exceed the 45 percent PS limitation set unde...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday that he is in favor of shorter curfew hours to help businesses to recover, but is leaving the decision up to the mayors.The governor said he in favor of the decision of the Metro Manila mayors to impose shorter curfew hours from midnight to 4 a.m. as part of the government's move to ease restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.This will allow businesses, especially those engaged in the food industry, to stay open for longer hours, as long as COVID-19 minimum health standards are followed, he said.*

The Department of Health urged the public to remain socially connected to avoid "quarantine fatigue" amid the coronavirus pandemic.“Ito nga po iyong aming laging pinapaalala ‘no, unang-una, please stay connected (We would like to remind everyone, first of all, please stay connected),” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a Laging Handa public briefing on Saturday aired over state-run PTV4.Vergeire said because of the quarantine status that is imposed in different parts of the country, people experience social withdrawal.She said calling friends and loved ones will help, as well as finding a hobby or other recreational activity.“After so many months of being quarantined, people feel restless; people feel anxious; they’re irritable. Mayroon po silang mga with...

The Supreme Court has designated new Regional Trial Court executive and vice executive judges for Negros Occidental, SC Administrative Order No. 283- 2020 released on Tuesday showed.Returning as executive judge of the Bacolod RTCs is Raymond Joseph Javier while designated 1st executive judge is Edgar Tupas and 2nd executive judge is Ana Celeste Bernad.The other RTC executive judges named are Frances Guanzon – Bago City, Walter Zorilla – Himamaylan City, Amy Alabado Avellano- San Carlos City and Cyclamen Fernandez – La Carlota City.Their appointments take effect Oct. 16, 2020 and will continue until Oct. 16, 2022, or until their successors are designated , unless their designations are sooner revoked, the order said.The order was signed by Chief Diosdado Perelta And Associat...

PNA file photoAfter the government lifted restrictions of non-essential outbound travel beginning Oct. 21, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said they are now studying policies easing inbound travel restrictions amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.Nograles, the co-chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), said the government will be reviewing non-essential inbound travel policies because they recognize that there are foreign citizens who also want to spend the holidays with their loved ones and fiancées in the Philippines."Pinag-aaralan pa ‘yan, yung sa inbound naman (It’s still being studied, lifting restrictions for inbound travel),” he said in a Facebook live on Saturday night.Currently...

Twenty-one local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have opened up their localities to leisure travel for their residents starting Monday, October 19.These are the cities of Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, Sagay, San Carlos, and Talisay, and the municipalities of Binalbagan, Calatrava, Candoni, Cauayan, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, Manapla, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Salvador Benedicto, and Valladolid.On the other hand, 10 localities have remained closed for tourists and leisure travel. These are the cities of Kabankalan, La Carlota, Silay, Sipalay, and Victorias, and the municipalities of EB Magalona, Hinobaan, Ilog, San Enrique, and Toboso.Provincial Tourism Officer Jennylind Cordero said that resorts and other accommodation facilities...

PDEA photoA high-value target was arrested by authorities in a drug bust on Sunday, October 18, at Barangay 5 in San Carlos City.Nabbed was Joemarie "Tata Babor" Babor, who was listed as the Top 10 Provincial Targetlist of the police.The operation, conducted by the operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the San Carlos City Police station, also led to the confiscation of suspected shabu weighing around 10 grams with an estimated value of P68,000.The suspect, who was under the custody of the police, will face drug charges.*

Bacolod PIO photoThe rehabilitation of Lupit Bridge near the San Antonio Abad Church was completed recently.Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that while most of the city’s resources and attention are now focused on the fight against COVID-19, the city government has also to continue providing better roads and bridges for its people because public works like these are economic stimulants.Since this bridge is part of Lacson Street - one of the busiest streets in the city - its widening and rehab will improve the flow of traffic on that street up to Lacson Extension to the south where another four-lane bridge is soon to open, the mayor added.Acting City Engineer Aladino Agbones said the total project cost for the two wings of the bridge is P33.5 million.The project...

Richard Malihan photoWe are deeply humbled by the recognition of the Senate of the Philippines to the contributions made by my late father, Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr., as a public servant for more than five decades.The passage of Senate Bill No. 544 , authored by Majority Floorleader Juan Miguel Zubiri of Bukidnon and co-authored by all senators present in a virtual session early this week, was a source of comfort for us, especially for our mother, in our time of grief.The Senate's homage, taking into account his works advancing the protection of the 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reef and the Visayan Sea, and other environmental causes as well as advocacies on organic farming, sustainable agri-aqua development, coal-free Negros, livelihood opportunities for the marginalized, an...