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Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Rep. Greg Gasataya (right)* Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez has five options for 2025, there is no final decision yet, his spokesman Caesar Distrito said on Monday, March 25.The mayor is open to all possibilities – to seek reelection, to run for higher office as senator, switch posts with Rep. Greg Gasataya, accept the offer to become a Cabinet secretary or to take a rest from politics, Distrito said.Although the leaning of the mayor is to seek reelection, he added.“Congressman Greg is a good ally of Mayor Albee, he will always adhere to what the mayor’s preference is,” Distrito said.Gasataya is on his last term as Bacolod congressman.The mayor has stated that the choice of their group’s candidate for co...

The police will be conducting checkpoints.* The Bacolod police are on full alert for Holy Week, the mayor’s spokesman said on Monday, March 25.Col. Noel Aliño, Bacolod police director, has sent the mayor his security plans that will be well in place by Wednesday, Barangay Captain Caesar Distrito, the spokesman of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, said.The police will establish checkpoints and police assistance desks at ports, terminals and churches, he said.There will also be police visibility at religious activities that involve mass gatherings, Distrito said.“There is no probable threat to Bacolod at this point in time,” he assured.There is also no reported presence of Moro National Liberation Front members in Bacolod City conducting recruitment activities, ...

Barangay Captain Caesar Distrito, the mayor’s spokesman* Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is advising parents to protect their children against pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory tract infection commonly known as “whooping cough”, as the first suspected case in the city has been reported, his spokesman said on Monday, March 25.Barangay Captain Caesar Distrito, the mayor’s spokesman, said a minor who has suspected pertussis has been admitted in a Bacolod hospital.The minor is not from Bacolod City and there are no confirmation results of pertussis yet from the Department of Health regional office, Destrito said.Pertussis, caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, spreads via respiratory droplets and may result in serious health issues, such as pneumoni...

Malacañang has suspended work in all government offices from noon onwards on Holy Wednesday, March 27, to allow state employees to prepare for the observance of Holy Thursday and Good Friday.In a memorandum circular released on Monday, March 25, the Palace said the half-day work on Holy Wednesday aims to provide government employees a full opportunity to observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and to allow them to travel to and from the different regions in the country.“However, those agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities,9 and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services,” it added.The suspension of work in private compani...

Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes* Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes said there is a strong opposition to the creation of the Negros Island Region.“It’s an  insult to the people, we will provide the public with the opinions even of leaders from different sectors in the community, there is a strong opposition (to the NIR) and our congressmen are supposed to represent  the voice of the people,” Cortes said in a video   posted by Negros Oriental reporter Choy Gallarde on his Facebook page. “We are coming up with a statement but this is something that will have to be discussed thoroughly by us,” Cortes said. The bills seeking the creation of the NIR composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor have been approved in the Lower House and...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson presides over Regional Peace and Order Council meeting.*Richard Malihan photo The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) of Western Visayas (Region 6) approved the declaration of a state of stable internal peace and security (SIPS) in Negros Occidental  at its first quarter meeting in Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Monday, March 25. “Together with this will also be the declaration of Negros Oriental” under the same SIPS status,   Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson,  RPOC-6 chair, said. However, the  Negros  SIPS status does not mean that the Philippine Army will be leaving, the governor said. “They will still be around,  it  only shows that the campaign against the local terrorist groups is really gaining ground. That is w...

Two persons died and one was injured when their motorcycle collided with a dump truck at the national highway in Brgy. Lemery, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, on Saturday. March 23. Reymund Cogonon and Pedro Sabroso died and their companion Randel Bornea was injured when their motorcycle hit the dump truck. The motorcycle from Calatrava was going to Toboso town, while the dump truck was going to Calatrava proper when the accident happened, the police said. When both vehicles passed a curve in the highway, the motorcycle suddenly collided with the dump truck. The victims were brought to the Calatrava Municipal Hospital where Cogonon and Sabroso were declared dead.*

A tricycle driver was stabbed dead  in Brgy. San Agustin, Isabela, Negros Occidental,  on Sunday, March 24. The  43-year-old tricycle driver, whose name the police withheld, was allegedly stabbed by a 27-year-old man. The victim passed by the barangay covered court when the suspect suddenly stabbed him on the  chest, the police said. The suspect fled after the incident, while the victim mas brought to the Ignacio Arroyo Memorial District Hospital where he was declared dead.* 

Tourists are expected to flock to Sipalay City that has beautiful white sand beaches for Holy Week.*Romeo Subaldo photoSipalay City’s tourism establishments are fully booked for  Holy Week,  its tourism officer Jerick Lacson said Saturday, March  23.  Lacson said that accommodation establishments in the city have been fully booked two to three weeks prior to Holy Week, that is why safety, security, and emergency personnel are on blue or high alert. Sipalay City is one of the most visited places in Negros Occidental because of its white sand beaches. Lacson said that the fully-booked  establishments is an indication that the tourism industry has revived in Sipalay after the pandemic. “We are very happy to receive tourists and ...

An alleged drug personality was shot dead by three unidentified men  inside a computer shop in Purok Lampirong, Brgy. 2, Bacolod City, on Saturday, March 23. Bacolod City Station 2 commander, Capt. Glenn Montaño, identified the victim as Benjoe San Jose, 26. The  suspects remain unidentified. The  victim was inside a computer shop when the three unidentified men wearing bonnets entered and shot him  in the back twice, the police said. The police also said that the victim had cases of theft and alarm and scandal, and was also tagged as a drug personality. In January the victim was also shot but survived.*