HEADLINE

The Department of Health (DOH) is waiting for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the budget allocation for the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) for health workers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic. DOH Undersecretary Dr. Mary Ann Maestral said the DBM owes about P202.8 million in HEA to health workers in Negros …

By JEN BAYLON The One Hospital Command Center (OHCC), a vital patient referral initiative established by the Negros Occidental provincial government, will not be dismantled, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said yesterday. “We cannot simply abolish a system that has proven effective and beneficial for our communities,” PHO head Girlie Pinongan said. The OHCC is rooted in the …

The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) directed police commanders in the region to implement maximum visibility in strategic places and areas of convergence this holiday season. “There will be an influx of people and tourists in different areas in the region,” PRO-6 director Brigadier General Jack Wanky said. He said the heightened police …

By Jen Baylon The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Bacolod City said familiarization with the new automated counting machine (ACM) will ensure a smooth electoral process in the 2025 midterm elections. “We want our voters to experience how to vote using the new machine before election day,” Comelec-Bacolod officer Revo Sorbito said during the launch …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has reported a 12.81 percent decline in crime rate in the province this year. From January 1 to November 25, the NOCPPO recorded 3,525 crime incidents this year, lower than 4,043 incidents in the same period in 2023. The report was presented during the Police Regional …

The United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed) seeks the intervention of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) amid the huge drop in milling prices of sugar. “Somebody is playing with the market, and an immediate intervention to curb the downtrend in sugar prices is very much needed,” Unifed president Manuel Lamata said …

By JEN BAYLON The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Bacolod City has initiated a motu proprio investigation into the recent encounter at Barangay Gatuslao in Negros Occidental’s Candoni town, where seven alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels died. CHR-Bacolod head Vincent Parra said they are gathering relevant information regarding the identity of the alleged NPA rebels who …

The 302nd Infantry Brigade (IBde) will conduct a separate investigation into the shooting incident involving military personnel inside a detachment of the 15th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Manlucahoc in Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City earlier this week. Brigadier General Joey Escanillas, 302IBde commander, said it is not yet clear what caused the incident. Escanillas added that he …

By JEN BAYLON Local government officials in Negros Occidental have to focus on their respective works rather than taking sides amid the rift between President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday. “Let’s just continue to work for the good of our respective communities,” Lacson said. “We …

Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent threats and verbal attacks against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and his family endanger not only the safety of government officials but also the peace and security of the entire Filipino nation, the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) said. The LCP, in its statement signed by its president, …