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A flooded area in Bago City, Negros Occidental, following heavy rains due to the combined effects of southwest monsoon and Typhoon Egay last week.*Farmers in Western Visayas (Region 6) have reported P70.444 million in production losses due to heavy rains and floods brought about by the combined effects of southwest monsoon and Typhoon Egay in the past week.Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) released by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-6) on Thursday, August 3, showed the amount translates to 2,732.8 metric tons in terms of volume lost for rice and other crops.There were no damaged infrastructure, machinery and equipment, based on the report.Of the total production losses, the highest was reported in Negros Occidental amounting t...

The Negros Occidental provincial government is also set to conduct random drug tests amid unverified reports that there are some employees engaged in the use and peddling of drugs, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Wednesday, August 2.The drug tests will will determine if the rumors on the use and sale of drugs are true or not, he said.The Provincial Human Resource Management Office has been instructed to coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in identifying target groups among the employees for testing, he said.The Capitol is set to conduct the bidding for the purchase of the drug tests kits, he said.There was no bidder during the first bidding conducted, Diaz said.The provincial government is asking PDEA for a list of its accredited...

The are 10 out of 31 local government units in Negros Occidental that remain African Swine Fever (ASF) free, and the number of daily pig deaths from various diseases in the province are now at a single digit, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Wednesday, August 2.He said the drop of daily pig deaths to four on Tuesday and seven in Cauayan town on Wednesday was a welcome development.The marching orders of Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez was to bring the pig deaths down to 10 and below, or to pre-ASF levels, he said.Diaz congratulated the Provincial Veterinary Office for hitting that target.He said the 10 LGUs that remain ASF-free in Negros Occidental are Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Toboso, Escalante City, Sagay Cit...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is set to deliver his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Tuesday, August 8.The governor will deliver the SOPA during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalalwigan at the Capitol in Bacolod City.The governor is expected to report on the progress of his flagship projects and other programs for Negros Occidental, Provincial Administrator Rayrfando Diaz he said.It will be a low key event, he said.Meanwhile, Diaz said the construction of the new seven-story Provincial Administration Center at Aguinaldo Street in Bacolod City is on schedule.The building and its furnishings will cost P1.2 billion, he said.The new PAC will house provincial government offices but the governor may continue to hold office at the Capitol bu...

The Bacolod City government distributed 184 desktop computer sets worth P18.3 million to 72 public learning resource centers.Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Wednesday, August 2, that the assistance for the 72 recipient schools under the Department of Education Schools Division of Bacolod (DepEd-Bacolod) aims to help improve the quality of education for public school learners."Electronic equipment and gadgets are no longer a luxury. These are already a necessity, especially for students," he said.Benitez said each school received at least two computer sets.Funded by the Special Education Fund, each desktop computer set, which comes with a printer and uninterruptible power supply device, costs P99,470.Of the 184 desktop computer sets, 92 units were given to various...

Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District)*Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said House Bill No. 8492, which aims to establish a General Hospital in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, was approved by the House of Representatives on second reading Wednesday afternoon, August 2.“I earnestly hope that the Senate will act expeditiously on this bill once it receives final reading approval from the House, in order to bring accessible healthcare to Victoriahanons and the neighboring cities at the earliest opportunity,” he said.The bill authored by Benitez states that the Victorias City General Hospital shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Victorias City government.The Victorias City government will provide the necessary funds ...

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he terminated 49 job order (JO) workers and suspended four regular employees of the Bacolod City government after they tested positive for the use of illegal drugs.All of them will be asked to submit themselves to Col. Noel Aliño, Bacolod City police director, for further investigation, Benitez said on Wednesday, August 2.He said the city government workers assigned to the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) and the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) who tested positive for the use of drugs had increase from 46 to 53.There were 21 from the POSO and 42 from the BTAO, he said.Whether the four suspended regular city employees will be terminated will depend on an investigation to also be conducted by the City Legal Office, he said....

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said Bacolod officials are participating in a roadshow in Hong Kong on September 13 and 14 to pitch what the city has to offer and to draw in possible investors.“Let us not just wait for investors to come to Bacolod or we might be missing the boat,” he said on Wednesday, August 2.“What we have to do is to be aggressive. We have to go out and look for investors for us to become a supper city,” he said.Some members of the city council and an economic team will be joining the roadshow to make a presentation on what Bacolod has to offer, he said.Bacolod businessmen could be invited to join the roadshow but he is waiting for the exact arrangements in Hong Kong and for information on who will he present, so the city’s presentation will be aligned wi...

The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved two ordinances creating a Plaza and Parks Management Board, and regulating the use of posts by electric and telecommunication firms in Bacolod City on third and final reading on Wednesday, August 2, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said.Approved was the ordinance regulating the construction, installation and maintenance of electric and or telecommunication, cable television posts, and towers, owned by public utility companies that are erected on government or private lots along government streets, roads, highways or alleys, and imposing a mayor's permit fee.The ordinance was authored by councilors Vladimir Gonzalez and Renecito Novero.Also approved was the ordinance creating theBacolod City Plaza and Parks System Management Board, otherwise known...

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) have been named the best police offices in the country.The BCPO that had a score of 97.04 percent and NOCPPO - 92.33 percent will receive the Best City Police Office and Best Police Provincial Office awards during the 122nd Police Service Anniversary at Camp Crame on August 8.Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez congratulated the BCPO headed by PCol. Noel Aliño for being named the Best City Police Office in the entire country.“With an impressive overall rating of 97.04, BCPO's outstanding performance has rightfully placed them at the top position among other worthy contenders from across the Philippines,” he said.“This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the exemplary lea...