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The Bacolod City Health Office has recorded three new leptospirosis cases with one death from July 7 to 13. CHO records showed that as of July 13 there were 10 recorded leptospirosis cases in Bacolod City for 2024,  including the additional three cases. The total deaths  from leptospirosis this year are now three. The number of cases this year are 79.6 percent lower compared to same period in 2023, with 49 cases and six deaths, the CHO said. Two leptospirosis cases were  recorded in Brgy. 35  and one each in barangays  Felisa, Alijis, Pta. Taytay, Vista Alegre, Mansilingan, Mandalagan, Pahanocoy, and 6. Meanwhile, there were 23 new dengue cases monitored in Bacolod , bringing the total number  to 229 from January to July 6. Br...

The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO)  is backing  school campaigns against dengue as the opening of classes approaches this rainy season. Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Provincial Health Officer,  on Monday, July 22,  said the  PHO  plans to connect with the Department of Education  to create advocacy campaigns against dengue in  Negros Occidental schools. The City and Municipal Health Offices in the province have already been made aware of this program as they are the ones who are coordinating with the schools within their area, she said. Since the rainy season has started they are closely monitoring dengue, leptospirosis, gastroenteritis, and other water-borne diseases, Pinongan said. Negros Occidental has ...

A farmer was shot dead by an unidentified suspect in Sitio Talagbuan, Brgy. Marcelo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental,  on Sunday, July 21. Killed was  Rene Fernad, alias “Toktoy”, 33,  Sitio Kamao, Brgy. Marcelo, the police said. Investigation revealed that the victim was about to load a coin in to the piso WiFi box when an unidentified suspect shot him. He ran few meters away but fell down, the police said. His family and a barangay official brought him to the  Calatrava Municipal Hospital where he  was declared dead. The victim sustained a  gunshot wound on his chest that went through his back, the police said.* 

Sagay Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva and  Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go with one of the beneficiaries.*Sagay City Information and Tourism Office photo Some 617 families in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, affected by Typhoon Egay last year received financial aid of P10,000 each from the National Housing Authority (NHA) during  the weekend. In a statement on Monday, Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva acknowledged the assistance of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go in facilitating the release of the assistance under the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP). The NHA released P6.17 million to all the identified beneficiaries to help them rebuild their damaged houses. “Aside from this financial aid to Sagaynons, the city government will also continue...

Negros Occidental representatives Gerardo Valamayor, Francisco Benitez, Stephen Paduano,  Alfredo Marañon III,  Mercedes Alvarez, Juliet Marie Ferrer and Emilio Yulo III, and Bacolod Rep Greg Gasataya (l-r) at the SONA.*Kiko Benitez FB page photoPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declarations that the Philippines will neither yield nor waver in asserting its rights over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and that all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) are now banned from the country were met with rousing standing ovations on Monday, July 22.The president made the announcements during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa.“In the face of challenges to our territorial sovereignty, we will assert our rights and interests in the same fa...

The Bayan Negros rallyists at Araneta Street on  Monday* About 200 members of progressive groups led by Bayan Negros slammed President Ferdinand Mayor Jr. for failing to improve the lives of the Filipino masses under his “Bagong Pilipinas” at a rally in front of the Fountain of Justice in Bacolod City on Monday morning ahead of his third State of the Nation Address. Under the Marcos Jr. administration issues of privatization, land conversion, and measly wages have not been addressed as the economic crisis continues to worsen, Berlita Ante, Bayan Negros deputy spokesperson, said. Farmers and farm workers also decried the lack of genuine agrarian reform and slave-like wages, as most haciendas still implement the pakyaw system, with workers earning as low as P30 a day, s...

President Ferdinand  Marcos Jr. prepares for his third State of the Nation Address at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Sunday.*PCO photo Negros Occidental leaders are hoping President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will mention funding for the Negros Island Region transition in his third State of the Nation Address before a joint session of Congress 4 p.m. Monday, July 22.Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also said he hopes the president mentions the Bacolod housing program under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino in his SONA.Rep. Emilio Yulo III (Neg. Occ., 5th District) said he hopes the president includes the NIR, the education roadmap, including the increase in teachers’ salaries, and agricultural development in his SONA.Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said hopefu...

The Toyota Hilux with the busted tire that figured in the multiple collision.*Jose Antonio Robello photo Four persons  were injured in a multiple-vehicle collision caused by a tire blowout  at the Circumferential Road in Purok Tultugan, Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City, at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday,  July 21. The  four injured passengers, who asked that their names be withheld,   are out of danger, Maj. Ramel Sarona, Traffic Enforcement Unit chief, said. Sarona said  the left front tire  of a Toyota Hilux headed for the Bacolod City Government Center busted  causing  it to swerve to the other lane hitting a minivan, a Hiace and a Toyota Corolla Altis in front of the  Valley of Peace. The driver of the ...

A former Overseas Filipino Worker died after she was stabbed multiple times allegedly by her former live-in partner in Purok Rizal, Brgy. Talaban, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on Friday, July 19, the police reported on Saturday. Rose Ann Gahito, 29, died after she was allegedly stabbed by Jay-R Dela Rosa, 32, the police said. The victim was stabbed several times after a heated argument with the suspect, the police added. The victim was rushed to Valeriano Gatuslao Memorial District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. The suspect was arrested with the bladed weapon believed to have been used to stab the victim, the police said. The suspect is now detained at the Himamaylan Police Station.*