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62nd IB photoA New People’s Army rebel and seven Yunit Militia (YM) members voluntarily surrendered in Brgy Poblacion, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Sunday, November 8, the Army reported today.The NPA rebel was identified as “Ka RR”, Squad 1 member of the Sentro De Grabidad Platoon, Central Negros 1 operating under the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command, ” Capt. Raymond Jamisal, 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion civil military operations officer, said.The seven YM members are Romeo Barbaquil, alias “Ka Sammy”, Allan Alpas Estrada, Marlou Estrada, Reynaldo Delantes, Mariano Libaton, alias “KaMmoloy”, Arlita Jabalde and Bernaldo Besario, alias “Ka Bobby”, he added.Ka RR surrendered a .38 caliber revolver with six rounds of live ammunition, Ka Sammy turned in two .357 cali...

This statement is intended to shed light on the occurrence in Art District that happened Friday, November 6, 2020.In preparation for the VIVA ExCon opening slated November 8 to be conducted virtually via zoom and meant to kick off the virtual conference VCon 1, 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. However, the organizers did stop the activity after sufficient takes so as to disperse the crowd. Subsequently, Art District remained closed on the following days.To share the context of VIVA ExCon, it is one of the most sustai...

Bacolod was recently chosen by the World Bank (WB) as a pilot city for its Green and Resilient Development program.This is a technical assistance program geared towards strengthening the competitive capabilities of cities as part of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Program, a press release from the Bacolod Public Information Office said today, November 9.Undersecretary for Local Government Marivel Sacendoncillo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), informed Leonardia of the selection of Bacolod for this World Bank grant.She said the technical assistance, which builds on the 2017 World Bank’s Philippines Urbanization Review, intends to provide best practices options and recommendations for strategic urban planning in select secondary cities in the Philippi...

A party at the Art District in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City, on Friday night, November 6, is now being investigated by authorities as attendees were seen disregarding the minimum health protocols against COVID-19.Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag, city director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, in a memorandum to the regional office, said that the incident was reported by the Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center for immediate action.In a video circulating on social media, Viva ExCon 2020 attendees were seen partying without face masks, no social distancing, and consuming alcohol in public, she said.Madayag said that the Business Permit and Licensing Office will conduct an inspection, while the Philippine National Police were ordered to further intensify “O...

The Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital (DSBMDH) in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental resumed full operations today, November 8, after temporarily closing Friday, November 6, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.On Friday, the 25-bed hospital temporarily closed for disinfection after one of its medical technicians tested positive for COVID-19, he said.The medical technician’s parents also tested positive for the virus, he added.Dr. Miguelito Aquino, DSBMDH acting chief, on Friday issued an advisory that all outpatient laboratory services were suspended but emergency, radiology, and administrative services would continue.Four other medical technicians of the hospital tested negative for COVID-19 Saturday night prompting the DSBMDH reopening today, Diaz...

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca of Victorias City in Negros Occidental said he and four of his companions have tested positive for COVID-19 and are now under quarantine at the North Elementary School in his city.Palanca, in an interview today, November 8, said he was confined at the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center (BAMC) and was cleared by his doctor to go home Saturday, November 7, but in compliance with health protocols, he opted to continue being quarantined at the public school with his other companions.The mayor said he and seven other people in a van went to Silay City and made two stops in Bacolod City on October 29.The four others with him who tested positive were his secretary, driver, a member of his staff, and a bodyguard. Their three other companions were not hit b...

Cadiz City and San Carlos City have the most number of COVID-19 active cases in Negros Occidental, the Provincial Health Office reported today, November 6.Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., however, denied that his city is the topnotcher for active cases.The PHO report said that as of Thursday, November 5, Cadiz City had 150 COVID-19 active cases, followed by San Carlos City with 130, Kabankalan City – 86, Himamaylan City - 55, Silay City – 53, Escalante City – 38, EB Magalona - 37, Isabela – 37, Calatrava – 35, Victorias City – 34;La Carlota City – 31, Binalbagan – 30, Sagay City - 29, Hinigaran - 27, Bago City – 27, Murcia -26, Talisay City - 23, Ilog - 20, Toboso - 19, Sipalay City - 19, La Castellana – 9, Manapla – 9, Pontevedra – 7, Candoni – 4, Cauayan – 6, San Enrique -...

Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson Jr. has ordered the lifting of border checkpoints in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental effective tomorrow, November 7.The border checkpoints are in Paco, Libacao, and Enclaro, Tongson said in Executive Order 2020-53, Series of 2020 issued Thursday, November 5.However, the EO stressed that safety measures must be observed by Himamaylan residents living or working outside the city but within the province of Negros Occidental to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19.They must inform their barangay officials prior to their return and on their arrival in Himamaylan for monitoring purposes, the EO said.The barangay officials will in turn notify the concerned purok presidents of the arrival of their residents for monitoring and compliance with hea...

303rd IB photoAn alleged New People’s Army member was killed in a clash with 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers in Sitio Arum, Brgy. Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, Thursday, November 5.The brief battle resulted in the death of Rio Jacaba, while two of his companions fled in different directions, Capt. Kelvin Bayaban, Army 3rd Infantry Division civil military operations officer, said today, November 6.The 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers responded to a report from Macagahay residents of the presence of suspicious looking persons believed to be NPA rebels in their barangay, he said.The firefight resulted in the recovery of a .45 caliber Colt MK IV pistol, a holster, spent cartridges of a .45 caliber pistol and subversive documents believed to be used during the c...

Lakawon Island. Photo from traveloka.comThe Department of Tourism in Western Visayas has certified 108 accommodation establishments in Negros Occidental and its capital city, Bacolod.As of Thursday, November 5, a total of 80 hotels and resorts in the province were certified by the DOT.Of the number, 18 establishments were issued with Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO), while 62 were given Provisional Certificates of Authority to Operate (PCAO) by the department. The 80 accommodation facilities in the province have a total of 797 available rooms.Establishments that were granted with CAO have passed the safety standards against coronavirus disease 2019.Just recently, around 20 local government units in the province have opened up their localities to leisure travel ...