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SRA Board Member David Andrew Sanson discusses the need for disaster readiness of the sugar industry with mill district representatives during a workshop-orientation on May 6.*The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is crafting a five-year disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) plan with updated data and technology to boost the industry’s readiness and response in times of calamities.In a statement Friday, May 9, Sugar Board Member David Andrew Sanson, planters’ representative and DRRM chairperson, said the SRA has initiated a series of workshops to update and align its DRRM plan with the program of the national government.“Readiness is a must for any eventual disaster. While we have a very comprehensive DRRM plan in place, we need to apprise ourselves with new data an...

The two Bacolodnons found buried in shallow graves in Hacienda San Roque, Brgy. Cubay, La Carlota City, had been struck with hard objects, post-mortem examination reports showed.The reports showed that the victims sustained hematomas or bruises on different parts of their bodies, Capt. Rosinie Cabuena, La Carlota Deputy Police Chief, said on Friday, May 9.Cabuena said that there were no signs of stab or gunshot wounds on the bodies of the victims.Ernesto Jawud, 32, and Glenn Arnaiz, 29, of Brgy. 6, Bacolod City, were buried in a sugarcane field on May 4.The victims were reported missing on May 3.Cabuena said they are still determining the identities of suspects and the possible motive for the crime.The police said the victims had prior cases of alleged theft.*

A 6-year-old girl died and an internet installer survived electrocution in Cadiz City and Valladolid, Negros Occidental, on Thursday and Friday, May 8 and 9.The 6-year-old girl died when she was electrocuted while she was plugging in a cellphone charger in Sitio Cotcot, Brgy. Mabini, Cadiz City, Thursday, the Cadiz police reported.The child was brought to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.On Friday alias “Paul”, 30, an internet installer was injured after he was also electrocuted in Purok Masagana, Brgy. Bagumbayan, Valladolid.Residents saw that the victim hanging from a post and rescued him, the police said.The victim accidentally touched a live wire while installing an internet cable, the police added.*

Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade water rationing in Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, last year*The fate of Villar-owned PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation now depends on the results of the ongoing probe into its supposed service failures, Malacañang said on Friday, May 9.Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is expected to release “anytime soon” its findings report on the investigation into PrimeWater’s alleged poor service.“Let's remember, the estimated number of people affected by the poor service of PrimeWater is now 16 million, so we really need to take action quickly,” Castro said.Bayan Muna Party-list and PrimeWater consumers on Thursday filed a formal complaint before M...

The drug bust in Brgy. 12, Bacolod City.*The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency dismantled an alleged drug den and arrested three persons in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. 12, Bacolod City, on Wednesday, May 7.The suspects identified as alias “Gabriel”, 23, “Christian”, 30, and “Mark”, 36, were arrested in Purok Masinadyahon.Confiscated during the operation conducted by the PDEA along with operatives from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and Bacolod City Police Station 1 were eight sachets of suspected shabu worth P34,000 and other non-drug evidence.The suspects will face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, PDEA said.*

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.*