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The 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army has deployed close to  4,000 soldiers  across three Visayas regions to secure the national and local elections on Monday, May 12. The 3ID through the Joint Task Force Spear   deployed 3,922 troops and 91 mobility assets across the Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Negros Island Region, it said on Thursday, May 8. In Western Visayas, the Joint Task Force Spear  through the 301st Infantry Brigade sent  1,126 troops and 48 mobility assets to various locations, beginning with send-off ceremonies on Tuesday.Similar ceremonies were held by the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Camp Gerona, Murcia, Negros Occidental, where   1,035 personnel were deployed.At Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay ...

The Department of Health (DOH) has placed the Negros Island Region (NIR) on Code White alert starting Friday, May 9, until May 15, in anticipation of the increased movement of people and heightened risk of medical emergencies during the elections on Monday.Dr. Razel Nikka Hao, NIR DOH Regional Director, said public and private hospitals are reminded to ensure 24/7 availability of emergency room personnel, ambulance teams, and essential medical services.They should ensure availability of resources to manage cases particularly on trauma, heat-related illness, and mass gatherings, she said.Hao also stressed the need to preposition essential supplies including IV fluids, oral rehydration solutions, first-aid kits, and blood units.Hospitals should also provide a fast lane in the...

Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo*Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo remains a legitimate candidate for representative of the Third District of Negros Oriental despite a petition for her disqualification, Comelec-Negros Island Region director Lionel Marco Castillano said on Thursday, May 8.Running against Degamo (Lakas-CMD), who is the widow of the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel, for the Third District congressional seat are Reynaldo Lopez (Independent) and Janice Teves (Liberal Party).Degamo is facing a disqualification complaint regarding her residency in Siaton town but Castillano said he does not know who the complainant is since it was probably filed directly with the Comelec central office in Manila.The central office has not directed the NIR Comelec yet to serve summons to...

Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. chief operations officer Mark Roxas explains the operations of the Murcia Water Treatment Plant.*Nanette L. Guadalquiver/PNA photoBacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI), a subsidiary of Tubig Pilipinas Group Inc., announced on Thursday, May 8, the commissioning of its new water treatment plant that will deliver an additional 25 million liters per day (MLD) to households Bacolod City.“This is a major step forward from where we started. We have upgraded everything, from suppliers to systems, to make sure that our service is genuine and trustworthy,” BBWI chief operations officer Mark Roxas said in a statement.The commissioning of the 25MLD Murcia Water Treatment Plant marks the completion of Phase 2 of BBWI's bulk water project, which has a capacity of serving up ...

The seized shabu in Purok Kahirup, Brgy. Singcang-Airport.*The Bacolod City Drug Enforcement Unit arrested a 27-year-old man and seized close to P1 million worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation at Arnaldo Street in Purok Kahirup, Brgy. Singcang-Airport, at about 12:33 a.m. Thursday, May 8.Arrested was alias “Ati”, 27, of Brgy. Bata, Bacolod, the police said.Recovered from him were 145 grams of shabu with an estimated street drug price of P986,000, the police said.The suspect was caught red-handed in violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, it added.The suspect is now in police custody and will face appropriate charges.*

Coast Guard personnel inspect a wing van carrying 100 boxes with 8,630 reams of smuggled cigarettes at the Sibulan port Wednesday evening.*PCG photoThe Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Oriental has intercepted some P3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes at the port in Sibulan town, an official said Thursday, May 8.Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, Coast Guard-Negros Oriental station commander, said a wing van from Negros Occidental was flagged down at the Sibulan port by a joint team from the Maritime Police and the Bureau of Customs around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday.“Acting on a tip, Coast Guard personnel found 100 boxes of cigarettes without the necessary documents upon inspection,” she said.A total of 8,630 reams of cigarettes were in the boxes that were wrapped in plasti...

Comelec NIR Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano*Prepare a list of the candidates you will be voting for on Monday, Lionel Marco Castillano, Commission on Elections-Negros Island Region director, reminded voters on Thursday, May 8.There are about 1,000 voters scheduled to vote in a clustered precinct so having a list will hasten the voting process, he said.Castillano also reminded voters to protect themselves from the heat and rain by bringing umbrellas on Election Day.Bring water and stay hydrated, he added.Castillano also reminded watchers and supporters to remain calm and allow the public to vote.There are three remaining polling stations in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, where the final testing and sealing of automated counting machines will be conducted ...

One of the two buildings at the Siaton National High School that was razed by fire.*NOPPO photoAutomated counting machines (ACMs) were declared safe after the Tuesday night fire that hit the Siaton National High School in Siaton, Negros Oriental.The fire took place around 8 p.m., hours after the final testing and sealing of the ACMs that will be used in Monday’s elections.The cost of damage to structures and other items has reached around P800,000, Maj. Marve Bolay-og, Siaton police chief, said on Thursday, May 8.He said initial investigation showed faulty electrical wiring as the possible cause of the fire that destroyed two buildings, five classrooms, three comfort rooms, and the Senior High School principal’s office.Modules and equipment were also damaged, the Depart...

Bayan Muna Party-list and consumers of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. file their complaint before Malacañang*PNA/ Darryl John Esguerra photoBayan Muna Party-list and consumers of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. on Thursday, May 8, filed a formal complaint before Malacañang calling for the cancellation of all joint venture agreements (JVAs) between the Villar family-owned private water utility firm and local water districts around the country, including in Bacolod City, citing widespread service failures and legal violations.In the complaint addressed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the group said the JVAs have resulted in frequent water interruptions, poor water quality, high rates, and unresponsive customer service in areas including San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, Bacolod C...

The Department of Education (DepEd) has not been remiss in reminding its personnel not to engage in electioneering, Ian Arnold Arnaez, Negros Occidental Schools Division spokesperson, said on Thursday, May 8.The DepEd has reminded teachers not to show their political inclinations so they will not be susceptible to electioneering cases, he said.Sometimes teachers are not doing anything wrong but fall victim to politicians’ suspicions, he said.Vice Mayor Adrian Ian Villaflor of Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental filed a complaint against a teacher for alleged electioneering before the Office of the Provincial Elections Supervisor of Negros Occidental on Tuesday, May 6.Villaflor, who is running for mayor of Moises Padilla, said the teacher was seen several times attendin...