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The preventive lockdown in Sitio Langka, Barangay Pinggot, Ilog, will be lifted tomorrow after six of its residents, who came in contact with a COVID-19 positive patient, tested negative, Dr. Bien Nillos, Ilog Municipal Health Officer, said today, February 14.The preventive lockdown was imposed after the six were exposed to a COVID-positive resident who arrived from Pasay City, he said.They were reported to have entered the quarantine facility in Barangay Pinggot without permission and not wearing any personal protective equipment, to interact with the COVID-positive patient, a MHO statement said.This is a violation of Ilog Municipal Ordinance 2020-003, it added.The six individuals were swabbed and placed under strict facility quarantine, Nillos said.Their test results ...

The Diocese of Bacolod to ensure the health and safety of the faithful during the COVID-19 pandemic has issued liturgical directives for the observance of Ash Wednesday on February 17.The Commission on Liturgy of the Diocese has issued options for the imposition of ashes to ensure the safety of the faithful.These include the sprinkling of the ashes on the head of the faithful, and for those who prefer to have it on their forehead, the tracing of ashes can be done using a cotton ball dipped into the vessel of the blessed ashes. The minister should use a different cotton ball for each of the faithful.If both options are not feasible, the faithful will be allowed to “self-impose” the ashes on their forehead provided that the proper sanitation of the hands is done before and after ...

The attention of numerous business establishments in Bacolod City, including a private hospital and several banks, have been called for failure to use the Bacolod Contact Tracing (BaCTrac) system, City Administrator Em Ang, Emergency Operations Center (EOC)Task Force executive director, said today, February 12.Ang said the violations were discovered after the establishments were found to have little to no BaCTrac login activity.The BaCTrac is a web and mobile-based app of the Bacolod City government for the EOC’s swift and efficient contact tracing of persons suspected to have come in contact with COVID-19 positive patients to prevent the spread of the virus, she said.Ang said the EOC called the attention of the private hospital after it was discovered that despite its being a ...

PAWSsion Project photoAt least 52 impounded dogs, who are on death row at the Bacolod City pound, need help, BACH Project PH, a non-profit animal welfare organization, said.This is why the group, in coordination with the City Veterinary Office, is holding a pre-Valentine's Day adoption drive at the dog pound at Alunan Road in Barangay 35 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 13.“Forget chocolates and flowers. The best way to show your love is with a dog,” the group said in a Facebook post.“Dogs at the Bacolod City pound are facing a terrifying reality which is euthanasia. Many deserving furry friends may never meet the family of their dreams. Love is in the air, it is everywhere you look at the pound. Take one look into the eyes of the impounded dogs and you will see the...

PNA photoThe House of Representatives supports the local government units’ COVID-19 vaccine procurement plan, Minority Floor Leader Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod) said today, February 12.“We heard the clamor and we support them," the Negrense congressman said in response to the request of LGUs for authority to directly buy vaccines without public bidding.That is the rationale behind House Bill 8648, which has already been approved by the House Committee on Appropriations, he said.The fact that the three leaders of the House are the principal authors of the bill signifies that this is a priority measure, Paduano said.Speaker Lord Allan Velasco filed House Bill 8648, or the proposed Emergency Vaccine Procurement Act of 2021, that seeks to expedite the purchase and admini...

Capitol photoThe new COVID-19 molecular laboratory at the Valladolid District Hospital compound in Valladolid town, Negros Occidental, was found compliant with Department of Health standards, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said today, February 12.A DOH team inspected the Safeguard Diagnostic molecular laboratory Thursday, February 11, and Diaz said he was informed that it was a success.There was “no non-compliance just super minor recommendations,” Diaz was told.He said they just need to submit paperwork by next week and wait for a proficiency test to be conducted.They expect the COVID-19 laboratory, which will serve the needs of southern Negros Occidental, to begin operations soon, he added.Diaz said the Safeguard Diagnostic Laboratory, which has state of the ...

Toboso PNP photoA Toboso municipal government employee, who figured in a hit and run accident, was arrested following a police chase Thursday night, February 11.Arrested after a police chase in Barangay San Jose, Toboso, was 54-year-old Edie Gumban.Gumban, a resident of San Isidro, Toboso, was a driver assigned at the Vice Mayor’s Office, a police report said.The police pursued the suspect after he sideswiped a tricycle, injured a passenger and escaped, the report added.During the chase, the suspect reportedly drew his handgun and pointed it at the pursuing policemen, which prompted the police to shoot the tires of Gumban’s vehicle so they could capture him, the police report said.The suspect, after he was intercepted, was found to be under the influence of intoxica...

BCPO photoTwo policemen in Bacolod City were injured while serving a warrant of arrest in Barangay Singcang-Airport today, February 12.Wounded were Lt. Roque Gimeno III and Pat. Jhon Ray Ortega of the Bacolod City Mobile Force Company.Lt. Ma. Liberty Indiape, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office, said the policemen were serving the warrant for the arrest of 34-year-old Limuel Talaman.When Talaman was informed of his Constitutional rights, he pulled out his improvised firearm, prompting Ortega to disarm him.Talaman, however, was able to shoot the Ortega in the arm, while Gimeno was injured while subduing the suspect.Ortega was admitted to the hospital, while Gimeno was treated as an outpatient.Col. Manuel Placido, BCPO director, commended his ...