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Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran (right)*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez on Friday, March 28, denied the claim of Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran that the Bacolod City government has a P6.5 billion loan, and that its payment would drain resources that could be used for social services.“Let’s set the record straight so that the constant lying of the other party will stop,” Benitez, who is running for congressman of Bacolod, said in a press statement.Familiaran is running for mayor of Bacolod.The loan line granted to Bacolod City was only P4.1B, and based on the record, and what was availed of by the city from the Development Bank of the Philippines for various projects is only P2.05B at this point in time, Benitez said....

 Bamboo will perform at the Panaad sa Negros Festival 8 p.m. Sunday*Large crowds are expected at the Panaad sa Negros Festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City with top entertainers expected this weekend, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Friday, March 28.Diaz said more than 10,000 visitors have been visiting the festival daily.On Friday night the Lin-ay sg Negros pageant drew a crowd of 9,000, he said.The Kapamilya Karavan show with Pinoy Big Brother and ASAP artists will be at 4 p.m. Saturday.This will be followed by the Rico Blanco and Janella Salvador show at 8 a.m. Saturday, Diaz said.Singer, and songwriter Bamboo will perform at the Panaad sa Negros Festival 8 p.m. Sunday and not Parokya ni Edgar as earlier announced.Sales at th...

The Jetour X50 that hit the glass wall of the mall.*Two persons were injured when a compact crossover SUV hit the glass wall of a mall in Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, Thursday night, March 27.A Jetour X50 hit the back entrance of Gaisano City Mall causing injuries to its driver and an employee who was guiding the vehicle in, Police Station 9 reported..The vehicle was meant to be displayed inside the mall and was driven by an employee of the car company.While entering the mall, the vehicle hit a ramp causing the driver to accelerate by stepping on the gas pedal.*

Another farmer was shot to death in Calatrava, Negros Occidental, 7:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27 .Nilo Salomag, 35, was shot dead while on his way to his farm in Sitio Dugma, Brgy. Malatas, Calatrava, the police reported.He was the third farmer to be killed in Calatrava this week. The two others were killed in barangays Telim and Minapasok.The victim was brought to the Calatrava District Hospital where he was declared dead.Alias “Boy” was shot to death in Sitio Cambalogbog II, Brgy. Telim on Wednesday and alias “Cyril”, 41, was killed in Sitio Calanugan, Brgy. Minapasok on Tuesday.*

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz*The Negros Occidental provincial government is waiting for the specific design and program of works to be submitted by the town of La Castellana for its permanent relocation site for residents transferred from Kanlaon Volcano’s 4-kilometer permanent danger zone.The provincial government is allocating P14 million, from the P50 million provided by the Office of the President, for materials and labor at the relocation site in Brgy Manghanoy, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Friday, March 28.The provincial government also wants clearance from the Office of the Civil Defense and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on the proposed permanent relocation site in Brgy Manghanoy to ensure that the area is safe from volc...

Dengue cases have hit all 31 towns of Negros Occidental, the Provincial Health Office reported Friday, March 28.There have been 1,435 dengue cases and six deaths reported from Jan. 1 to Marh 22, the PHO said.That is a 386.44 increase or 1,140 cases more compared to 295 in the same period last year.Bago City still has the highest number of recorded dengue cases at 285, followed by La Carlota City with 111 and Kabankalan City with 109.The 11 to 20 years old age group has the most number of dengue hit persons.*

The police arrested a fish vendor in a buy-bust operation and seized suspected shabu worth P238,000 in Hacienda Grande, Brgy. Robles, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, March 27.Arrested was alias “Teddy”, 44, a fish vendor of Purok 3, Brgy. Aguisan, Himamaylan City.Seized from him were seven sachets of suspected shabu weighing 35 grams, an improvised straw scoop with traces of suspected shabu, improvised tooter, motorcycle with sidecar, and other non-drug evidence, the police said.The suspect is now detained at the La Castellana police station while the suspected shabu was brought to the Negros Occidental Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory examination.*

The body of a fisherman who drowned was found floating near the shoreline of Purok 3, Brgy. Gargato, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, March 27.The fatality, alias “Nono”, was a 72-year-old fisherman, the police said.The victim’s wife said her husband left their home at 2 a.m. to catch shrimp and did not return home.A few hours later alias “Nono” was found floating near the shoreline.The victim had been suffering from epilepsy since 2020, his wife said.The victim is believed to have drowned due to an epileptic event or seizure as there were no signs of foul play observed, the police said.*

Undersecretary for Peace and Order Nestor Sanares of the Department of the Interior and Local Government turns over the PRO NIR banner to Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky.*Richard Malihan photoThe Philippine National Police (PNP) officially activated the Police Regional Office - Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) in a historic move to strengthen security in the Visayas at rites held at the Acacia Hotel Convention Center in Bacolod City Thursday afternoon, March 27.Brig. Gen. Jack Limpayos Wanky, Western Visayas police regional director, has been designated officer-in-charge (OIC) of the PRO-NIR in a concurrent capacity.Col. Dennis Araño Esguerra assumed the post of OIC Deputy Regional Director for Administration; Col. Gilbert Tanchuan Gorero - OIC Chief of Regional Staff; and Col. Ronaldo Pl...

The official campaign period for 785 candidates running for 369 posts in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City in the 2025 midterm elections begins Friday, March 27.Team Asenso led by Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez who is running for congressman and Rep. Greg Gasataya who is running for mayor will hold a kick off rally at the Paglaum Stadium at 4 p.m. Friday.They will be joined by their vice mayoral candidate Councilor Kalaw Puentevella and their councilors.Team El Cid led by Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran who is running for mayor will be held at the Bacolod Public Plaza at 3 p.m. Friday.He will be joined by former Bacolod mayor Evelio Leonardia who is running for congressman, Councilor Renecito Novero who is running for vice mayor and their candidat...