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Western Visayas recorded a 5.8 percent inflation rate in July, the highest among all regions in the country, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on its website on Friday, August 4.The average national rate slowed down at 4.7 percent in July, 0.7 percent lower than the June record at 5.4 percent.Western Visayas’ current inflation decreased by 1 percent compared to June at 6.8 percent but is still 1.1 percent higher than the national average.Records showed that the region’s inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages is at 7.5 percent, alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 11.3 percent, clothing and footwear 4.1, utilities, gas, and other fuels at 5.3 percent, household equipment and maintenance at 8.6 percent;Health inflation at 2.8 percent, transport at -3.8 p...

The Bacolod police seized 1.3 kilograms of shabu worth P8.8 million, and a .45 caliber pistol at Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod.*Three alleged drug syndicate in members were among nine suspects arrested in a series of buy-bust operations where P9.22 million worth of suspected shabu and marijuana were seized in Bacolod City and two Negros Occidental cities on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 3 and 4.The Bacolod police seized 1.3 kilograms of shabu worth P8.8 million, and a .45 caliber pistol from three alleged members of the Caunda drug syndicate at Brgy. Singcang-Airport, around 10:05 p.m. on Thursday, Col. Noel Aliño, Bacolod police director, said.Arrested were Gycelle Bonagua, 31, of Angeles, City, Pampanga, Micheal Ramos, 43, of Antipolo, Rizal, and their helper Rizald Lapag, 33, ...

Region 6's Bacolod Tay Tung High School secured victory in the Palarong Pambansa Secondary Girls' Volleyball Championship.*DepEd Western Visayas photoThe National Capital Region (NCR) won four gold medals in taekwondo and three in arnis on Friday, August 4, to regain the No. 1 spot in the overall medal tally of the ongoing 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City.As of 7:30 p.m. Friday NCR had 67 gold medals, 64 silvers and 45 bronzes, while Western Visayas (Region 6) slid back to second place with 50 golds, 36 silvers and 31 bronzes.Western Visayas bagged three gold medals coming from the elementary boys and girls, and secondary boys’ 4x100m relay in the athletics competition at the Marikina Sports CenterRegion 6's Bacolod Tay Tung High School also secured victory in the Pa...

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito*Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said on Friday, August 4, that he has not set the date for the Senate Committee on Local Government hearing on the bill seeking the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR) yet.The House of Representatives has approved a bill seeking the creation of the NIR composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, and the passage of a counterpart measure in the Senate is needed for it to become a law.“Given the events in Negros Oriental and now there is a new governor again, let them settle down first then we will call for a hearing,” Ejercito told DIGICAST NEGROS.“These events are beyond our control”, he said.“We have to be fair and get the position of Negros Oriental also,” Ejercito said.Negros Ori...

There have been nine suspected leptospirosis, six dengue and four cholera deaths in Negros Occidental this year, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported Friday, August 4.There were 23 suspected leptospirosis cases in Negros Occidental, with nine deaths from January 1 to July 29, a report from Dr. Girlie Pinongan, OIC Provincial Health Officer, said.The deaths were in Murcia – 4, Silay City – 2, and Kabankalan City, Sipalay City, and Salvador Benedicto - 1 each.The top 10 LGUs with suspected leptospirosis cases are Murcia – 9, Talisay City - 8, Kabankalan City and Silay City – 7 each, Himamaylan City – 6, Sipalay City, Salvador Benedicto and Victorias City – 5 each, and EB Magalona and Sagay City - 4 each.The 20 to 30 years old age group had the most number of cases....

Barangay Captain Joseph Delos Santos*“It's a sad day indeed but life must go on,” Bacolod Barangay Captain Joseph Delos Santos said on Friday, August 4, following his suspension for another six months.“I'm signing off in my political career but not in serving my people,” he said in a Facebook post.The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday suspended him as Barangay 16 captain for another six months for gross neglect of duty for five unjustified consecutive absences from barangay sessions in violation of the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991.De los Santos said it was his third suspension.“I am humbled by this setback in my life but it will not stop me from dreaming of a happy ending in my struggle. Thank you to all those people who believe in me and wh...

Representatives of the micro-enterprises in Bacolod City who received the livelihood assistance with Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson and City Department of Social Services and Development head Sally Abelarde *Three micro-enterprises in Bacolod City are recipients of P1.245 million in livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).These include the Mabandata 110 Unload Association, South Women's Association, and Mainuswagon Mavistafehan Association, a report on Friday, August 4, showed.“The funding assistance will contribute to the growth and success of the beneficiaries’ respective livelihood ventures, making a positive impact on the local economy and the lives of those involved,” said the city’s Depar...

The Balay Negrense, Negros Occidental’s first lifestyle museum located on the historic Cinco de Noviembre Street in Silay City.*The famous Balay Negrense museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental, will undergo rehabilitation and renovation after its care and preservation was formally turned over by the Negros Cultural Foundation Inc. (NCFI) to the provincial government.“The provincial government will now manage the maintenance and renovation of the house, given the responsibility of preserving the shared heritage,” the provincial government said in a statement on Friday, August 4.In rites at the Governor’s Office on Thursday, NCFI president Lyn Gamboa presented to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II a roof garden baluster from Balay Negrens...

PCol. Noel Aliño, Bacolod police director, said when I get evidence against them I will arrest all of them.*Voluntarily surrender now or face police investigation and arrest.That was the warning of PCol. Noel Aliño, Bacolod police director, on Friday, August 4, to the 49 job order workers and four regular employees of the Bacolod City government who tested positive for drugs.“They should voluntarily surrender to me so they can undergo rehabilitation,” Aliño said.They should also disclose where they got their drugs, he said.“We will not force them to surrender but we will conduct police operations against them,” he said.Aliño said “they are now under surveillance and investigation. When I get evidence against them I will arrest all of them”.The 49 JO workers and ...

A woman was found dead near a creek in Brgy. 1, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, August 3.She was identified as Erma Rose Higtenta, 41, from Bacolod City and temporarily residing in San Carlos, the police said.Lt. Col. Jesus Mesahon, San Carlos City police chief, told DIGICAST NEGROS that there were reports that the victim was allegedly tagged for involvement in scamming operations and the illegal drug trade.These allegations are still being investigated, he said.Residents reportedly heard a gunshot before the victim was found dead but the police did not recover any empty bullet shells.Mesahon said that a medico-legal examination will be conducted on the body of the victim.*