By Herman M. Lagon CNN Philippines’ recent closing serves as a sobering reminder of reality. The termination of this reputable news organization raises important concerns about the status of the media in the nation, the attack on legitimate media outlets like Rappler, and the exposure of certain illegitimate ones, in addition to the financial …
Monthly Archives: February 2024
P12.8-M in damages; El Niño affects 36 villages in 7 NegOcc LGUs
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported that the damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon in the province has now reached P12.8 million. Four local government units (LGUs) have been affected by El Niño, according to OPA data as of yesterday, which brings the total number …
The search for fireflies in Ifugao rice terraces
By Dennis Gorecho The film “Firefly,” which won best film in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, depicts the sad state of these blinking bugs — they are fast disappearing. Directed by Zig Dulay, the film is set in 1999 as narrated from the perspective of an adult Tonton (Dingdong Dantes) who reminisces about his …
The pressing and the precious
By Fr. Roy Cimagala In life, we have to learn how to give due attention and care to both the pressing things and the precious ones. In the end, we have to learn how to give due attention and care to all the different aspects and dimensions of our life: the material and the …
Tourist arrivals in NegOcc up 36%
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The number of tourist arrivals in Negros Occidental has increased by 36 percent in 2023, the latest data from the Provincial Tourism Office showed yesterday. Provincial tourism officer Cheryl Decena said around two million tourist arrivals were recorded in 2023, higher than 1.7 million logged in 2022. The arrivals …
CLO monitors 53 Bacolod biz establishments
By Mae Singuay At least 53 business establishments, most are tenants of a mall in Bacolod City’s downtown area, are under City Legal Office’s (CLO) monitoring for not securing business permits. CLO head Romeo Carlos Ting, Jr. said that the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) recently conducted a business permit inspection at the …
DSSD asks Benitez to extend old PWD ID validity
By Mae Singuay The Bacolod City Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) will request Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to extend the validity of old identification cards (IDs) issued to persons with disability (PWDs). DSSD head Alma Gustilo proposed the acceptance of old PWD IDs in business establishments until February 29. Earlier, Benitez tasked …
Negros Oriental targets 500-K tourist arrivals in 2024
Negros Oriental is eyeing surpassing last year’s tourist arrivals as it continues to launch various programs to boost the local tourism industry. For 2024, the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) said it is targeting 500,000 visitors. This is twice the number of arrivals in 2023, which was 242,982, according to Executive Director Woodrow “RR” Maquiling, …
Iloilo port modernization to boost W. Visayas’ economy
The release of the notice of award to the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) for the improvement and modernization of the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex (ICPC) is expected to spur the economy of the city and the entire Western Visayas. The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced the notice of award was given to the …
Dinagyang finalist as ‘outstanding festival’ in Philippine LEAF Awards
Iloilo City’s renowned celebration of faith and culture has reaffirmed its status as one of the country’s best cultural events after the “Dinagyang” has been included as one of the finalists in the Outstanding Festival Category of the upcoming Philippine LEAF Awards: Tertulia at Parangal 2024. The nomination received by the Dinagyang Festival also …