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The Negros Occidental provincial government is updating its Provincial Revenue Code to enable it to generate more funds by 2023, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Friday, August 5.The last time the provincial government updated its revenue code, which covers property, business and franchise taxes, rentals of provincial government facilities, and service fees, including those of its hospitals, was in 2017, he said.The increases will not be exorbitant, they will still be lower than other government and private facilities, Diaz assured.Part 1 of the proposed 2022 Provincial Revenue Code of Negros Occidental has been submitted to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for his consideration, he said.Once the governor approves the code, it will be submitted to the Sangguniang...

LMP-NegOcc chapter officials led by Pulupandan Mayor Miguel Antonio Peña took their oaths before Calatrava Mayor Marilyn Era*Pulupandan Mayor Miguel Antonio Peña was elected president of the League of Municipalities of Philippines – Negros Occidental chapter at Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod City on Friday, August 5.“I feel very honored to be elected…I will strive to do my best to serve my fellow mayors and to render help in the best that I can, especially to the first time mayors,” he said.He also thanked all his fellow mayors for electing him president of the league.Elected vice president was Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan of La Castellana, secretary – John Rey Tabujara of Cauayan , treasurer – Jose Maria Alonso of Pontevedra, auditor- Daph Anthony Reliquias of Hinoba-an and publ...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose  Lacson led the inauguration of the three-storey school building and covered court of the Central Philippines State University – Hinigaran Campus, located in Brgy. Gargato, Hinigaran, Monday this morning, August 8.“Today’s inauguration of the new 3-storey building and covered court is a welcome development in our goal to enhance and strengthen our educational system, as we keep pace with the tide of digital transformation and the demands of providing quality and relevant education,” Lacson said.The governor also thanked the teachers and the entire CPSU system for all the efforts to educate the Negrense youth despite the challenge brought about by the pandemic. Lacson said that Negros Occidental as an agricultural province is a pride...

The drugs recovered during the raid in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, Saturday, August 6.*BCPO photoA drugs high-value target was arrested after he encountered a police patrol team at Osmeña Avenue in  Brgy. 13, Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, August 6.Nabbed was 43-year-old Jerry Magallanes of Zone 5, Brgy. 6 in Victorias.The police said the patrol team flagged down the motorcycle-riding suspect when they saw a handgun protruding from  his waist.When inspected, the suspect yielded a .38 caliber pistol with three live ammunition, and four sachets containing suspected shabu worth P3,400, the police said.The suspect is now in police custody and will face charges for illegal possession of drugs and firearm.Meanwhile, drugs street-level suspe...

The Barangay Singcang-Airport assistant secretary who was found dead Thursday.*Police Station 8 photoThe assistant secretary of Barangay Singcang-Airport in Bacolod City was found dead at Alice Street in their village past 2 a.m. Thursday, August 4.The victim was identified as Reynaldo Apuhin of Prk. Sampaguita 2, Barangay Singcang-Airport.He sustained injuries on his chest and neck.Maj. Joery Puerto, Police Station 8 chief, said the victim was last seen running after two men, which was caught on a closed-circuit television camera.Puerto said it was not clear if the victim was able to catch the two, who may be behind the killing.Police have yet to establish the motive for the incident.*

The alleged NPA tax collector.*NORPPO photoAn alleged tax collector of the New People’s Army was arrested in  Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, Monday, August 8.Nabbed was 32-year-old Roldan Villareco Baydal, who was said to be a tax collector of NPA’s Central Negros 1 of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.His arrest was by virtue of a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms issued by Guihulngan Regional Trial Court  Judge Ma. Anna Priscila Pareja on August 3.During the arrest, the suspect yielded a rifle grenade, and a .38-caliber revolver with three rounds of live ammunition.The suspect is now in the custody of the Guihulngan police.*

Dr. Ernell Tumimbang*The Negros Occidental Provincial Infectious Disease Action and Control Council (PIDACC) needs to be reactivated as a proactive measure against the threat of monkeypox, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Provincial Health Officer, said Friday, August 5.He has recommended the activation of the council that focuses on emerging and remerging diseases to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, Tumimbang said.The PIDACC is headed by the governor, he said.While no monkeypox cases have been detected in Negros Occidental, they need to begin preparations, he said.Hospitals and local government units need to be prepared, Tumimbang stressed.“We need to focus on advocacy, monitoring and surveillance,” he said.Tumimbang said with the ...

Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya *Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya has been elected to the Commission on Appointments composed of members from the House of Representatives and the Senate.The Commission on Appointments is a constitutional body composed of members of the House of Representatives and the Senate with the power to approve or disapprove appointments made by the President, the confirmation of which is required by the Constitution, Gasataya said Wednesday, August 3.“Thank you to my colleagues headed by Speaker Martin Romualdez, to the Nationalist People’s Coalition, my Asenso family headed by Mayor Albee Benitez and the Bacolodnons  for your continued support, “ he said in a Facebook post.*