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The significant improvement in the country’s trade performance in September suggested that the country’s approach to gradually reopen the economy, along with the strict observance of health protocols, puts us on the right track towards economic recovery, the National Economic and Development Authority said.The Philippine Statistics Authority reported yesterday, November 5, that the country’s merchandise trade performance registered a slower decline of 9.2 percent in September from the previous month’s 17.9 percent contraction, as relaxation of quarantine measures led to an expansion in trade activities.In particular, merchandise exports reversed its six-month long decline to post a 2.2 percent growth as outward shipments continue to improve.Meanwhile, imports fell by 16.5 perce...

PNA file photoThe inflation rate in Western Visayas has slightly dropped to 2.5 percent in October from 2.8 percent in September, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday, November 5.The national headline, on the other hand, has accelerated to 2.5 percent in October from 2.3 percent in September, the PSA said.The higher overall inflation was primarily brought by the increase in the inflation of the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages at 2.1 percent during the month, from 1.5 percent in September, PSA said.Also, the annual mark-ups were higher in the indices of education at 1.2 percent, and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.4 percent.On the other hand, the slowdown in the inflation was recorded in the indices of alcoholic beverages...

Capitol photoThe provincial government of Negros Occidental is now preparing the list of programs and projects for 2021 to be funded by the 20 percent Development Fund.Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the workshop on the “Prioritization of Programs and Projects for Funding Under the 2021 20 percent Provincial Development Fund” at the Provincial Capitol on Wednesday, November 4.Ma. Lina Sanogal, provincial planning and development coordinator, said that the proposed allocation for the 2021 20 percent Development Fund was P798.667 million from the province’s internal revenue allotment at P3.993 billion.Of the P798.667 million, P270 million was allocated for loan amortization, while the remaining P528.700 million will go to the province’s priority development programs and proj...

303rd IB photoNegros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the inauguration of a road concreting project today, November 5, inside Camp Major Nelson Gerona that serves as the 303rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental.The project, which was worth P7.5 million, was accepted by Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Brigade Commander, in the presence of Negros Occidental Board Member Andrew Montelibano, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, Provincial Engineer Ernie Mapa, contractor Jean Paul Ortega, and Fr. Ruben Fernandez.“I am honored to commemorate the 122nd celebration of Cinco De Noviembre with our Philippine Army, 303rd Infantry Brigade. We acknowledge your sacrifices, your invaluable contribution, and your sincere efforts in preserving law and o...

A frontliner at the City Health Office birthing home in Cadiz, Negros Occidental has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the suspension of some services at the facility.Outpatient consultations will be temporarily suspended until further notice, only emergency cases and deliveries will be catered to, Dr. Maria Victoria Ibañez, Cadiz City health officer, said today, November 5.Several City Health Office birthing staff who were exposed to the frontliner nurse, who tested positive for the virus, had to undergo reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests and mandatory quarantine, Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante said.He said it was not known how the nurse got the virus and contact tracing is underway. The staff at the CHO facility wear personal protective equip...

City file photoMayor Evelio Leonardia said today, November 5, that 35 out of 2,383 Bacolod City market vendors have tested positive for COVOID-19This is a low 1.47 percent positivity rate, he said in a press statement.“This impressive low figure means that our major markets (Libertad, Burgos and Central) are relatively safe and, as such, may elicit an enhanced trust and confidence from their daily customers,” he said.To further ensure the safety and well-being of city residents, the Bacolod Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office regularly disinfects the markets every weekend, the mayor said.“We undertake these measures to ensure public health safety, revitalize the business prospects of our market vendors and provide more peace of mind and comfort for their customers...

City PIO photoAfter swabbing recently the 2nd batch of 371 market vendors and employees, that brings us to a total of 2,383 who cooperated with the COVID surveillance testing in our 3 major public markets (Central, Burgos, and Libertad).Out of this 2,383, only 35 tested positive or a noteworthy low 1.47% positivity rate.This impressive low figure means that our major markets are relatively safe and, as such, may elicit an enhanced trust and confidence from their daily customers.To further ensure the safety and well-being of all those who come and patronize our major markets, the City DRRMO also disinfects these markets regularly every weekend.We undertake these measures to ensure public health safety, revitalize the business prospects of our market vendors and provide m...

A total of 28 of 61 barangays in Bacolod City have been “COVID-free” for the past 14 days, the Emergency Operations Center Task Force (EOC-TF) reported.These barangays are 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 34, 36, 37, 38, 41, Felisa, Montevista, and Alangilan, data from the EOC-TF as of Tuesday, November 3, showed.This latest statistics translates into 45.9 percent, or almost half, of Bacolod barangays without COVID-19 transmission for two weeks, City Administrator Em Ang, executive director and deputy for administration and operations of the EOC-TF, said today, November 4.This is an increase compared to the data released October 19, where Bacolod recorded 19 barangays to have been “COVID-free” for a two-week period.“I hope the increa...

The city government of Sagay and the provincial government of Negros Occidental were cited for their heritage and tourism attractions during the virtual convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP).Provincial Tourism Officer Jennylind Cordero said the virtual convention in partnership with the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board was held to celebrate ATOP’s 21st year.During the “PinasForward! Let’s move as one to revitalize our country’s tourism industry” virtual convention on Wednesday, November 4, Sagay City was announced as the grand winner of the “Pinasarap” contest for its “Ginataan Nga Ugbos Sang Balinghoy na May Banag.”“The dishes submitted for ‘Pinasarap’ gave us a look into the various recipes and preparation methods that h...

The COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental have been fewer in the last few days and he hopes it becomes a trend, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said today, November 4.“I am hoping that the local government units are constantly doing tests so we will know if really we have controlled the cases here in the province,” he said.Hinoba-an and Salvador Benedicto towns have had zero COVID-19 cases lately.The Department of Health 6 reported 42 new COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental today and 17 in Bacolod City.Negros Occidental has the second most number of COVID-19 cases in Western Visayas at 4,841 with 1,526 active cases and 87 deaths.The governor said the spike in COVID-19 cases in San Carlos City, which helped drive the Negros Occidental COVID-19 cases up earlier, was caused by the ...