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Re-elected Binalbagan Vice Mayor Mary Ann Mirasol takes her oath of office before Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.*Re-elected Binalbagan Vice Mayor Mary Ann Mirasol said on Monday, June 23, that she is ready to work with Mayor-elect Emmanuel Aranda for the good of their town.But Mirasol warned that she will work for good governance and will not tolerate any wrongdoings.“If he tries to do something fishy, I’m sorry we have the majority” in the Sangguniang Bayan, she said.Aranda defeated Mirasol's husband, incumbent Mayor Alejandro Mirasol, in the May 12 elections.The vice mayor said she thought of retiring with her husband, but since the people gave her the mandate she will serve them to the best of her ability.Mirasol and the councilors of Binalbagan took their oaths offi...

One person died and four others, including a minor, were injured in a multiple collision involving two tricycles, an SUV, and a pickup truck at Locsin Street, Brgy. 5, Silay City, Negros Occidental, Monday afternoon, June 23.PLt. Grace Eran, Silay Police Station administration officer, said that the incident led to the death of a tricycle passenger, while two tricycle drivers and two passengers were injured.Eran said the pickup truck was allegedly travelling fast.All of the injured were brought to a hospital while the driver of the pick-up truck, whose identity was not disclosed, is now detained at the Silay Police Station.The police said they are waiting for the families of the victims to decide whether they will file charges against the driver or agree to a settlement.*

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said it is up to local government units whose sugarcane farms have been hit by red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI ) to decide whether to declare states of calamity.It is really up to the LGUs concerned, if they declare a state of calamity they will be expected by the farmers to shell out funds to address the problem, Lacson said on Monday, June 23.The red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI ) infestation has expanded to more than 1,505 hectares from 87 hectares in less than a month, with the bulk of the areas hit located in Negros Occidental, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported on Thursday, June 19.SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona urged local government units, especially with highly infested areas, to declare a state of...

Oil firms on Monday, June 23,  announced staggered price hikes on fuel products this week. There were long lines of vehicles at gasoline stations in Bacolod City Monday night ahead of the hefty fuel price increases starting Tuesday. In separate advisories, Seaoil, Shell, and Caltex said they will implement the first round of price increase on  Tuesday, June 24, while the second round of increase will take effect on Thursday,  June 26. They will hike gasoline prices by P1.75 per liter, diesel prices by P2.60 per liter, and kerosene prices by P2.40 per liter for both Tuesday and Thursday. CleanFuel said it would also implement a per liter increase of P2.60 for diesel and P1.75 for gasoline on June 24. The Department of Energy said earlier that oi...

A call center agent died after his motorcycle hit the center island at Araneta Street, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City, early Sunday morning, June 22.The victim was identified as alias “Darwin” of Purok Kawaynon, Brgy. Taloc, Bago City, Negros Occidental.The police said that the victim was believed to be on his way home when he lost control of his motorcycle.The victim hit a concrete post of a streetlight located at the center island of the road resulting in serious injuries.He was brought to a hospital where he was declared dead.The victim allegedly may have fallen asleep while driving.*

Incoming Sagay Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva vowed to lead a movement of selfless individuals fueled by volunteerism as he took his oath as the new chief executive of the city along with other officials during the city’s 29th Charter Anniversary.Cueva, in his inaugural speech at the Sagay City gymnasium on June 11, said that as the incoming mayor he wants to lead this movement to encourage everyone to play an active part in community building.“I want to spearhead a movement of selfless individuals who are deeply motivated by the spirit of volunteerism among our people”, he said.Cueva, along with incoming Vice Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr., 2nd-termer Congressman Alfredo Maranon III, Provincial Board Member Arthur Christopher Maranon, and the 10 city councilors took their oaths administer...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Saturday, June 21, said he is supportive of the initiative of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to privatize the operations of the Bacolod-Silay Airport provided that the private partner has the proven capacity, resources, and vision to implement the necessary improvements.“The success of this project depends greatly on choosing the right partner — one that is committed to public service, long-term sustainability, and development,” Lacson said.Bacolod Mayor and Representative-elect Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he welcomes the privatization of the airport operations "if facilities and services will be improved”.Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon earlier said the DOTr is committed to privatize the operations and maintenance...

The workers will bear the brunt of the soaring fuel prices*Ronnie Baldonado photoWorkers are facing a double blow, Wennie Sancho, General Alliance of Workers Association secretary general, said on Sunday, June 22.First, Congress failed to approve the legislated wage hike, which would have provided some relief to workers struggling to make ends meet, he said.And now with the significant increases in the prices of petroleum products triggered by the escalation of the war between Israel and Iran, the workers are facing another economic squeeze, he added.The fuel price hikes in the Philippines are expected to go higher than initial estimates as the US joined Israel in bombing Iran.“The rising cost of fuel will have a ripple effect on the prices of goods and services making ...

The New People’s Army (NPA) claimed the death of two persons in another shooting incident in Brgy. San Isidro, Toboso, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, June 22.They shot Elias Palay, whom they alleged was a military, spy and Putot Alsado, the NPA’s Roselyn Jean Pelle Command, said in a press statement.The police said the victims were shot by four unidentified armed men in the San Isidro public market.The RJPC-NPA alleged that that Palay had conducted surveillance work versus the rebel movement and was involved in the plunder of financial resources of a cooperative, while Alsado was a “drug pusher.”The RJPC-NPA earlier also claimed the killing of Leonardo Nepalar alias “Tolindoy”, a farmer, in Calatrava, on June 18.*