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Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is creating a task force to look into businesses with fake or no permits that have caused the city government millions of pesos in lost revenues.The establishments in Bacolod without valid permits are about 15 percent and some of them are big businesses, he said.The task force will visit city business establishment to check on the validity of their permits, he said,Meanwhile, the mayor said DLC Junk Shop at Mabini Street in Brgy 25, that was closed down by the city government on July 6 will be allowed to resume operations if it pays the necessary fines.Benitez issued a notice of revocation of business permit and closure of the DLC Junk Shop for violation of the conditions of the business permit issued by the Bacolod City...

Seven suspects were arrested and P68,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized in separate buy-bust operations in Bago City and Cauayan, Negros Occidental, on Monday, July 31, the police said.Six suspects were arrested in Brgy. Isio, Cauayan, and P40,800 worth of suspected shabu was recovered on Monday night, the police said.Arrested were Jerome Perez, Robinson Suerte, Joemar Ibañez, Evegen Talaquienes, Pancho Tabujara Jr., and Perey Peruello.Recovered from the suspects were six grams of suspected shabu, a weighing scale, and various drug paraphernalia, the police said.Aljin Dave Alit, 24, a street-level target from Purok Masulhay, Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City, was also arrested on Monday afternoon, the police added.Recovered from the suspect were four grams of suspected shabu ...

The Department of Labor and Employment has assumed jurisdiction of the labor dispute between Central Negros Electric Cooperative and the CENECO Union of Rational Employees and called for a meeting between the two parties on Tuesday, August 7.The Notice of Order issued by Labor and Employment Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma said any intended strike will not be allowed while maintaining the prevailing terms and conditions of the CENECO workers.The assumption of jurisdiction was attributed to the nature of the business and industry CENECO operates, as work stoppage can disrupt economic and social activities, it said.In June, CURE filed a notice of strike due to alleged union busting, dismissal of union officers and members due to the joint venture agreement entered by CENECO, and unlawfu...

Ramon Uy Sr. and his wife, May, with Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Loyzaga (left) at the awarding rites.*The Department of Environment and Natural Resources recognized a Negrense businessman and inventor for his help in mitigating the oil spill in the waters of Oriental Mindoro during the “Para sa Bayan: DENR’s Milestones and Pathways to Environmental Sustainability” rites at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, on Monday, July 31.Ramon Uy Sr., RU Foundry president, was one of the individuals and organizations in the country given special awards for being “DENR Partners in Environmental Sustainability and Resilience”.Using the “coconut boom” technology made of coconut husks, Uy led in creating a tool to help absorb the oil spill at sea.The MT ...

There were 640 POSO and BTAO workers tested for drugs*Forty six job order (JO) workers and regular employees of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) and the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) have tested positive for the use of illegal drugs.Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Tuesday, August 1, that the JO workers who tested positive will be immediately terminated and subjected to drug rehabilitation.The regular employees will be suspended and a process will be followed before termination.There were 640 POSO and BTAO workers tested since the weekend and 6 percent were found positive, retired general Primitivo Tabujara, POSO head, said.The results showed 29 BTAO workers and 17 from the POSO positive for the use of illegal drugs, he said.The test...

The Victorias City Education Sector Mechanism (ESM), a collaboration project between the Victorias City government, the City Schools Division Office, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and RTI International was launched on Tuesday, August 1.ESM augments the partnership between SDO and the LGU. It specifically aims to integrate efforts in addressing basic education issues with a focus on early-grade learners, a press release from Victorias City said.Following its launch, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez signed Executive Order No. 50 or an order creating the technical working group and secretariat for the Education Sector Mechanism (ESM) in the city between the Victorias LGU and USAID Philippines.USAID Philippines Educational Office director Dr. Thom...

Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. and his brother former Gov. Pryde Henry Teves (right)*The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has designated suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr., his brother former Gov. Pryde Henry Teves and 11 others as terrorists, citing the massacre of former Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4 and other political killings.ATC Resolution No. 43 dated July 26 marked Teves as the alleged leader of his armed “terrorist group”.“The numerous killings and harassments in Negros Oriental which culminated in the assassination of Gov. Degamo must not be taken as isolated and random incidents of violence,” the resolution said.The 11 others included on the list are Marvin H. Miranda, Rogelio C. Antipolo, Rommel Pattaguan, Winrich B. Isturis, J...

A photo of the Flight Information Display System taken by Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Wednesday night, July 26.*Cebu Pacific (CEB) apologized to Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez for the handling of a delayed flight he took last week and said it would take measures to further improve its services.Benitez on Thursday, July 27, informed CEB about his disappointment and frustration over the airlines’ handling of its delayed flight that he took on Wednesday night, July 26.CEB Flight 5j471 was supposed to leave the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for the Bacolod-Silay Airport at 8:45 p.m., but departed almost three hours later at about 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.The problem was there was poor information dissemination, uncooperative staff, airport monitors sho...

Charges for light threats and resistance and serious disobedience upon an agent of a person in authority have been filed against a Bacolod resident involved in a commotion that broke out at Purok Lampirong, Brgy 2, Bacolod City, where demolition work was underway on Friday, City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said on Monday, July 31.The commotion broke out after a water pump in the area was hit by a backhoe angering residents.Prosecution Attorney Bina Danica Bumanglag of the Bacolod City Prosecution Office in an inquest resolution recommended that charges be filed against Junjun Zamora Meniao, 31, in court.The complaint against Meniao was filed by Rey Demisana, City Legal Office enforcement team head.Demisana, in a police blotter report, said while they were demolishin...

Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya and Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District).*All pending redistricting bills in the House of Representatives are being consolidated before the hearing of the bill seeking the creation of a second congressional district for Bacolod City can be set, Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) said on Monday, July 31.Alvarez chairs the House Committee on Local Government tasked with hearing bills on redistricting.She said they also have to discuss the criteria on redistricting, which will require a lot of funds, with the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and other agencies involved.Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya Gasataya filed House Bill 297 in July last year which seeks to create first and s...