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The House Committee on Visayas Development  meeting on the NIR on  Monday.*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said almost 90 percent of the regional offices in the Negros Island Region are now operational.Benitez said they were informed at a House Committee on Visayas Development meeting on Monday that of the 36 national government departments and agencies, 34 already have NIR regional heads.They asked the representatives of the departments and agencies present at the House meeting what the status of their regional offices in the NIR were, Benitez said.Only two departments have not officially designated an officer-in-charge or regional director, one of which is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, he said.He asked the House Committee to wri...

United States  Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday.*Richard Malihan photoUnited States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson on Tuesday, Feb. 25, assured that while the Trump administration has ordered a 90-day suspension of all foreign aid, the Philippines will remain a very important partner of the US.Carlson gave the assurance during a meeting with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.“She said do not be afraid about the suspension of assistance, it will come (back). It’s more of an assurance that the friendship, the bond between the United States and the Philippines will still be there,” Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, who was at the governor’s mee...

The One Negros Ecumenical Council urged the Filipino people to reject political dynasties and uphold the principles of democracy and good governance as the nation marked the 39th anniversary of the country’s People Power Revolution on Tuesday, Feb. 25.The passage of an anti-dynasty law is long overdue, but it will not materialize without the sustained clamor and action of the people, a statement from the council said.The statement was signed by One Negros co-chairpersons San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and Right Rev. Virgilio Amihan Jr. of the Philippine Independent Church, and member Bishop Fely Tenchavez of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.“True change begins with our choices, especially in the coming elections. Let us use our votes to break the cycle of poli...

Sipalay  small fisherfolk will be among those affected by the SC ruling.*Ronnie Baldonando photoThe Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Tuesday passed a resolution calling on national government agencies to take immediate action versus the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial fishing in municipal waters.The SP expressed grave concern over the SC decision’s removing local government authority over municipal waters and allowing unimpeded commercial fishing, said Board Member Adnrew Montelbano, SP Committee on Agriculture chairman, who moved for the passage of the resolution.The resolution calls for urgent action to safeguard the rights of municipal fishers and protect fisheries and marine resources.The Supreme Court, in its recent ruling, has removed the ...