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The Sangguniang Panlalawigan aims to approve the P4.4 billion proposed 2021 budget of Negros Occidental by the first week of December, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said today, November 10.He said the budget hearings start tomorrow, November 11, and hopefully will be finished in two weeks.It is important that the budget is approved early because funds are needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.Hearings will be held on Wednesdays and Thursdays, he said.Under Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson’s proposed P4,471,695,065 budget, P1,641,424,244 will be allocated for personal services, P1,374,658,871 for maintenance and other operating expenses, P12,000,000 for capital outlay and P1,443,611,950 for special purpose appropriations.The P4.4 billion will come from tax revenues tot...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is exploring ways to grant additional bonuses to provincial government employees this Christmas, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said today, November 10.Ferrer said he met with the governor and they discussed the possibility of still giving bonuses this year.Lacson when asked Monday if the provincial government would grant bonuses was quoted as saying: “It’s only up to 14th month bonus. Other than extra, there will be none.”The governor told DIGICAST NEGROS today that the granting of bonuses will be subject to availability of funds and legal basis, bearing in mind that the Commission on Audit disallowed previous bonuses.Last year the provincial government gave a P60,000 bonus to each of its employees on top of their 13th and 14th pay....

The new anaerobic digester at the VMC Distillery in Manapla. Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Victorias Milling Company Distillery in Barangay Purisima, Manapla has addressed pollution concerns and no longer discharges waste to a natural lagoon, plant manager Sherwin Bacanto said today, November 10.“We have zero waste because we are no longer discharging to any water body,” Bacanto said.Some residents of the barangay also denied Tuesday that they had signed a petition against Manapla and VMC officials, and called for the closure of the plant because of pollution concerns, pointing out that a shutdown would cause the loss of jobs.The VMC Distillery has 80 organic employees and more than 100 outsourced workers, VMC Administrative Office Eva Rodriguez said.Manapla Mayor Manuel Es...

The Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE) will appeal to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to reconsider his decision not to give extra bonuses to the more than 3,000 employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government this Christmas.Renelo Lastierre, PACE president, said: "the union will appeal to the governor on behalf of the PGNO employees.""PACE has ready options and proposals for other benefits for the Capitol workers this December. The employees are aware of the present effect of the pandemic to the whole country," Lastierre said.The union remains "positive that the provincial government will not allow a black Christmas. We believe and trust that Governor Bong Lacson will always be a pro-worker and as a father of the province we firmly believe he always knows w...

Negros Occidental and Bacolod City breached the 5,000 mark for COVID-19 cases Monday, November 9, the Department of Health in Western Visayas reported.Negros Occidental had 39 news COVID-19 cases today bringing its total to 5,007 and Bacolod City had 35 new cases for a total of 5,032, the DOH reported.Of the 5,007 persons hit by COVID-19 in Negros Occidental, 89 have died, 3,340 have recovered and 1,578 remain active cases, the DOH reported.In Bacolod City of the 5,032 persons hit by COVID 19 cases, 147 have died, 4,525 have recovered and 360 remain active cases, the DOH added.*

The Valladolid District Hospital in Valladolid, Negros Occidental, will start accepting COVID-19 positive patients today, November 10, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Monday, November 9.The 50-bed hospital can only accommodate up to 30 patients since it is not fully operational with the ongoing construction of its main donning and doffing area for personal protective equipment, he said.The hospital will only accept patients with COVID-19 symptoms and those who tested positive for the virus, he said.Diaz 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 h...

Capitol photoThe Negros Occidental Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council approved P118 million worth of projects and activities to strengthen peace and order in the province at a meeting at the Capitol in Bacolod City, today.Approved in Resolution 2020-003 was the P87 million proposed peace and order budget for various projects, programs and activities for endorsement to the Provincial Development Council for inclusion in the 2021 supplemental annual investment program (AIP).These interventions are in support of the peace and order and anti-criminality efforts in the province, the resolution said.Also approved was Resolution No. 2020-004 for P31.1 million in barangay infrastructure projects funded through the 2020 PAyapa at MAsaganang Pam...

Magikland, the first outdoor theme park in Western Visayas located in Silay City, Negros Occidental, is set to reopen on weekends starting this Saturday, November 14, after an eight-month closure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Only 50 percent of the park’s visitor capacity will be allowed and marshals will be fielded to ensure COVID-19 health protocols are followed, Aton Land and Leisure Inc. president Reynaldo Bantug said today, November 9.“We have plenty of space so there should be no problem with physical distancing,” he said.Safety, security, and quality entertainment have always been at the core of the park’s operations from the very start, Bantug pointed out.He said they have worked hard at ensuring maximum health protocols on all rides, facilities and facets of oper...

The organizers of the Visayas Islands Visual Arts Exhibition and Conference (VIVA ExCon) explained that there was no event at the Art District in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City, on Friday, November 6, after attendees were seen disregarding the minimum health protocols against the coronavirus disease.In a statement Monday, November 9, the organizers said that in preparation for the VIVA ExCon opening on November 8 that was conducted virtually, an exhibition was organized for the sole purpose of simulating a live opening for video recording.“There was no event, no invitation was sent and no announcement was made. It was unfortunate that the set attracted the usual Art District crowd and management was not able to control their enthusiasm,” the statement said.However, the organ...

Capitol photoNegros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Land Transportation Office Region 6 Director Eric Lenard Tabaldo signed an amended deed of donation for the donation of property for a new LTO office.The provincial government is donating a 10,000 square meter lot at Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, valued at P31.8 Million.The amended Deed of Donation states that the provincial government voluntarily and freely gives and transfers the lot without cost to the LTO.Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz and Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. also witnessed the signing.*