By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez yesterday filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the ongoing decline in “mill gate” sugar prices. Through House Resolution No. 1512, the congressman cited 2017-2018 crop year data showing “mill gate prices continued to decline, starting September 2017, dropping by 26 percent to …
Monthly Archives: December 2017
Provincial Government approves P3.5B 2018 budget
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Negros Occidental Provincial Board unanimously approved the P3.5 billion 2018 budget recently during their regular session. According to Board Member Salvador Escalante, Jr., who chairs the budget committee, the body did not “dwell on the amounts,” reiterating the 23 percent reduction in maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), as …
Local law enforcement ready to rejoin anti-illegal drug campaign
By Neska Centina The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is ready to participate again in the campaign against illegal drugs, according to BCPO spokesperson, Police Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas. “BCPO is ready,” Vargas affirmed. “We never stopped monitoring the activities of people involved in illegal drug trade.” Earlier this week, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a …
Advocacy group voices opposition to 3,000% increase on coal excise tax
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Following the approval of an amendment to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill, introduced by Senator Joel Villanueva, that called for an increase to the excise tax on coal from P10 per metric ton (MT) to P300 per MT, a 3,000 percent increase, Power Watch Negros (PWN) …
Local NDF denounces recent ambush in Bayawan City
Group blames Philippine Army, Duterte By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Negros chapter of the National Democratic Front (NDF) condemned “in the strongest terms” the recent ambush of a fact-finding team for the Central Visayas chapter of Karapatan, an alliance of human rights organizations, which left two dead in Barangay Nangka, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental. …
Human Rights Day
Local Karapatan chapter to hold a march, likens Duterte policies to terrorism By Paulo Loreto Lim The Negros chapter of Karapatan, an alliance of human rights organizations, recently announced they would be holding a march on Human Rights Day, Sunday, December 10. In a statement, the group took swipes at the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, …
Iloilo City Council mandates the use of septic tanks for environmental purposes
By Paulo Loreto Lim The Iloilo City Council recently passed an ordinance requiring the use of septic tanks, intended as a means of promoting environmentally-friendly customs. “[Improperly] disposed and untreated septic waste affects health,” explained City Councilor R. Leone Gerochi, who authored the ordinance. He went on to note such practices could spread disease, contaminate …
Sipalay City resident shot to death by three gunmen
By Neska Centina A man was shot to death by three unidentified suspects Tuesday morning in Sipalay City. According to a report, gunmen opened fire at 37-year-old Jonel Villarosa at Sitio Cambogui-ot in the city’s Barangay Camindangan. Villarosa was working as a driver for Metchian Gregorio, who was with him at the time of the incident, along …
Motorist arrested on gun possession at Victorias City checkpoint
By Neska Centina A motorist was arrested after he was caught with a firearm and ammunition at a checkpoint at Bangga Mallorca in Barangay 13, Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Tuesday afternoon. Police Superintendent German Garbosa, chief of the Victorias City Police Station, identified the suspect as 27-year-old John Rey Hilado. According to police reports, Victorias City police …
DOH-6 monitoring minors treated with dengvaxia
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Department of Health-Region VI (DOH-6) said they will be closely monitoring minors who were treated with dengvaxia, the anti-dengue vaccination under fire after pharmaceutical manufacturer Sanofi said their product may lead to more severe symptoms. DOH-6 family, health, and nutrition cluster head, Dr. Reynilyn Reyes, reiterated an earlier comment …