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It is no surprise that the Philippine Army will not be pulled-out from Negros Island after the 3rd Infantry Division “pretentiously” claimed guerrilla fronts in Negros were already dismantled, the New People Army said in a statement on Friday, February 16.The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command-New People's Army Negros Island Regional Operations Command (AGC-NPA) strongly belies the 3rd ID's claim that it has "dismantled" even one guerrilla front on the island, its spokesperson e Ka Maoche Legislador said.Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said that the Army has assured that it will not pull out its troops from Negros despite its having dismantled the NPA guerilla fronts.“Up to now, all five guerrilla fronts under the AGC-NPA continue to perform as the Communist Party ...

Police are investigating the circumstances behind the reported gas poisoning that claimed the lives of two persons during an alleged treasure-hunting activity in Siaton town, Negros Oriental.A report from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) on Saturday, February 17, said three other persons were rushed to the hospital for treatment after they were exposed to gas when they entered a cave in Sitio Binukgayan, Barangay Apoloy in Siaton on Thursday afternoon.The victims were part of a 15-member group that attempted to enter the cave, situated about 25 km. from the national highway, NOPPO spokesperson, Lt. Stephen Polinar, said in a statement.Polinar said police are investigating the incident, which appears to be an illegal treasure hunt, as shown by the equipment r...

Fuel prices are expected to go up by more than P1 a liter on Tuesday, February 20, Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. announced Saturday.Diesel prices are expected to increase by P0.90 to P1.10 per liter, and gasoline by P1.20 to P1.40 per liter.On February 13 fuel firms had slashed the per liter prices of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene by P0.60, P0.10, and P0.40, respectively.*

There were 418 cases of influenza-like illnesses in Negros Occidental from January 1 to February 10, the Provincial Health Office reported on Friday, February 16.Isabela had 296 cases, followed by Pontevedra with 74, San Carlos City – 39, Hinigaran – 3, Talisay City – 2, and Bago City, Calatrava, La Castellana and Murcia – 1 each.TYPHOIDThe PHO also reported 80 cases of typhoid in Negros Occidental from January 1 to February 10.Sipalay City had the most number of typhoid cases at 35 followed by Hinoba-an with 11 and San Carlos City with 8.The PHO said 23 out of the 31 local government units in Negros Occidental had at least one suspected case of typhoid.CHOLERASixteen suspected cases of cholera were also reported in the same period, with Murcia having the highes...

National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan*The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is ramping up efforts to manage price increases, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Sunday. February 18.He made the statement following the release of a recent OCTA survey results which showed that 75 percent of Filipinos were not satisfied with the government's efforts to manage inflation."We recognize the significance and urgency of addressing the issues and challenges that have been highlighted by the survey results of OCTA Research Group released yesterday (Feb. 17), particularly on inflation and food security, as well as on job creation and poverty reduction," Balisacan said."The Marcos Admin...

Firefighters at the Chowking restaurant on Saturday.*Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade photoOne died and P514,000 worth of damages were recorded in three fires in Bacolod City and Murcia, Negros Occidental, on Saturday and Sunday, February 17 to 18.A fire destroyed three houses and one person died in Hacienda Josefa 1, Brgy. Blumentritt, Murcia, at about 2:18 a.m. on Saturday, the police reported.Fire fighters estimated the damage at P300,000.A fire also hit a Chowking fast-food restaurant at B.S. Aquino Drive, Brgy. 5, Bacolod City, Saturday afternoon.The establishment owned by Chiflavors Corp. was damaged with no reported injuries or casualties, the Bacolod Fire Station reported.Estimated damage was placed at P160,000.A fire also damaged the house of Anastacia Sa...

A painting by Rodney Martinez*The Art Association of Bacolod-Negros (AABN), one of the country’s longest-running art associations, is launching its latest exhibition, "Arte Negrense: FORMA," in commemoration of National Arts Month.The exhibit will be held at the recently-opened Calle Catorce located at Lacson Street in Bacolod City on Thursday February 22, a press release from AABN said Sunday, February 18.Renowned for its commitment to showcasing the vibrant local artscape, AABN's Arte Negrense project partners with iconic establishments, bringing art closer to the community and visiting tourists. This marks the second collaboration with Calle Catorce, a transformed family home now serving as a modern restaurant and bar, the press release said.Edbon Sevilleno artworks*...

One hundred forty-six swimmers across four categories participated in the first leg of the International Open Water Swim of the Department of Tourism-Western Visayas in Sipalay City during the weekend, February 17 to 18.Sipalay City Mayor Gina Lizares said that “it was a standout” as the city was visited by world-class swimmers who participated in the circuit, adding that they look forward to future hosting by the city in the coming years.The event started with a ribbon cutting on Saturday at the Punta Ballo Beach in Brgy. 4 followed by the open swim race on Sunday where 146 swimmers participated at Campomanes Bay in Brgy. Maricalum.The Department of Tourism Region-VI and Zamboanga Open Water Swimming Club Inc. organized the event together with the Sipalay City government.A...

The 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the Provincial Veterinary Office turned over 200 free-range chickens to an association of former rebels in Brgy. Washington, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, last week.They turned over 200 chickens and two sacks of feed pellets to the Escalante Peace Farmers Association on February 7, the 79IB reported on Saturday, February 17.This activity aims to boost multi-stakeholder partnerships that focus on strengthening a sustainable livelihood for the former rebels, a 79IB press release said.The program is in partnership with the PVO and Escalante City government to develop a sustainable potential source of income “to sustain the gains towards community development”, it said.The turnover was also attended by Escalante Vice M...

Two Negrenses were found dead in Bago City and La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Friday, February 16.A 32-year-old duck caretaker, whose name was withheld by the police, was found dead in an improvised tent in Purok Tangkong, Brgy. Pacol, Bago City, at about 7:32 a.m. Friday.The victim was a resident of Sitio San Jose, Brgy. Libacao, Himamaylan City.There were no signs of struggle or evidence of foul play, the police said.Meanwhile, a deaf-mute with alleged mental illness was also found dead in Sitio Antipolay, Brgy. Cabagnaan, La Castellana.Investigation revealed that the victim was seen sitting on the bench outside of their house lifeless.The victim was rushed to the Rural Health Unit of La Castellana but was declared dead on arrival.*