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Comelec Bacolod photoThe Commission on Elections will hold a satellite voter registration drive at City Mall Mandalagan in Bacolod City on Saturday, July 3.They aim is to register about 400 residents, Bacolod Elections Officer Kathrina Trinio-Caña said.About 631 residents were registered in previous mall registrations on June 25 -26 in Bacolod City, she said.On the request of the Sangguniang Kabataan for special satellite registration for the youth, Caña said this will require the approval of the Emergency Operations Center since Bacolod City is under General Community Quarantine.The SK asked for satellite registration for three days in several barangays, she said.*

Archie Alipalo file photoA community memorial for former president Benigno Aquino III will be held at the San Antonio Abad Parish Church in Bacolod City 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 3.It will start with a 5:30 p.m. mass followed by candle lighting rites, Agnes Hechanova, one of the organizers, said.COVID-19 protocols will be observed inside the Church during the mass and on the grounds for the candle lighting, she said.Hechanova said those participating are urged to bring their candles and flowers.Aquino, 61 , died peacefully in his sleep on June 24. He succumbed to renal disease secondary to diabetes.He was the 15th president of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016.Hechanova said they want to offer prayers and a tribute to Aquino through a mass as a community in lieu ...

NOCPPO photoThe Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office has reshuffled police officers holding key positions in the province.Effective July 1, Capt. Ellendie Rebusquillo replaced Maj. Fernando Somblingo as chief of the Binalbagan Municipal Police Station. Somblingo is now assigned at the provincial police headquarters as deputy of the Provincial Operations Management Unit.On July 2, Lt. Col. Rollie Pondevilla was designated officer-in-charge of the Calatrava police, replacing Maj. Roberto Indiape Jr. who is now assigned at the NOCPPO headquarters.Lt. Col. Norberto Barniso is now the new officer-in-charge of the Cauayan police, replacing Lt. Col. Lowell Garinganao who is now the chief of the Human Rights Affairs Office of NOCPPO.The turnover of command was held at Cam...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led the launching of the Negros Occidental Digitized Health and Emergency Management system at the Capitol this afternoon, July 1.*Richard Malihan photoThe Negros Occidental provincial government launched its Digitized Health and Emergency Management system designed to ensure the swift and efficient response to health needs and disasters, Thursday, July 1.“COVID-19 changed the world and we are called to change accordingly to adapt to the situation,” Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said at the launching at the provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.He said by digitizing the health and emergency management system of the province “we are taking not just a step, but a stride, in handling this crisis in an adept and consummate manner, with all the knowledge and resour...

Taal Volcano emitted a one kilometer high phreatomagmatic plume Thursday afternoon raising fears of more eruptions.* Phivolcs video screengrabBacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon is calling on the faithful to pray for the safety of the people affected by Taal Volcano’s unrest following a phreatomagmatic eruption Thursday afternoon, July 1."In solidarity with the communities that are affected by the eruption of Taal volcano today, July 1, I am calling on our parishes and chaplaincies to offer masses and prayer intentions starting tomorrow for the safety and protection of our people in those areas", the bishop said.At 3:16 p.m. Taal Volcano’s main crater generated a short-lived 1 kilometer high phreatomagmatic plume prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phiv...

Returning Negrenses are being warned not to fall prey to unscrupulous persons selling fake COVID-19 negative RT-PCR results.Zeaphard Caelian, Provincial Incident Management Team head, said those caught presenting fake RT-PCR test results on their arrival in Negros Occidental will face sanctions.They will also be subjected to RT-PCR tests and quarantined, he said.If they opt for fake results and are not caught at their port of entry they will endanger others in the communities they are headed for if they are positive for the virus, he also said.They are documenting cases involving fake RT-PCR results that are subject for validation, Caelian said.Negros Occidental’s border control measures under General Community Quarantine this July will remain the same, he added.Tha...

The Negros Occidental provincial government began the rollout of its newly received 38,400 Sinovac vaccines in five cities and two towns Thursday, July 1, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.Delivered were 1,598 doses to Escalante City, Sagay City, Talisay City, La Carlota City, Kabankalan City, EB Magalona, and Pulupandan.Diaz said 1,511 doses were administered or 94.56 percent.Escalante City, Sagay City and La Carlota City fully consumed the vaccines delivered to them, he said.EB Magalona had a 97 percent performance rate, Kabankalan City - 96 percent, Talisay City -91 percent and Pulupandan -75 percent.The delivery of the Sinovac vaccines to towns and cities of Negros Occidental will be daily until the supply last, Zeaphard Caelian, Provincial Incident Manag...

A misunderstanding between drinking buddies led to a fatal stabbing incident at Barangay San Miguel, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, Wednesday night, June 30.Killed in his house was 43-year-old Albert Lacsinto, a laborer.The victim and the suspect, identified as Arnel Tacuyo, 42, who is also a laborer, were having a drinking session when a heated argument ensued between them, the police report said.This prompted the suspect to go home to get his bolo, and return to the victim’s house.The suspect demanded that Lacsinto, who was also armed with a cane cutter, come out of his house. He then attacked him.The victim was brought to the Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.Recovered from the crime scene was a 21-inch-long bolo ...