HEADLINE

By JEN BAYLON A show-cause order was issued against the executive assistant of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson due to alleged irregularities in the procurement of furniture repairs amounting to P129,200. Provincial Legal Office head Alberto Nellas, Jr. said the show-cause order was issued last July 2 against Executive Assistant IV Francis Velez in violation of Republic …

By JEN BAYLON Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez outlined his ambitious vision of transforming the highly urbanized city into a “super city” during his annual State of the City Address (SOCA) on Wednesday night, July 3, at the city government center grounds. In his SOCA, Benitez drew inspiration from the city’s rich history, referencing former …

By JEN BAYLON The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has issued a warning after a series of increased seismic activities were recorded at Kanlaon Volcano anew. According to an advisory from the Kanlaon Volcano Network, a total of 90 volcanic earthquakes were recorded from 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, to 12:00 noon …

By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the local sugar industry will be affected by the government’s plan to import 200,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar in September, which aims to address the supply gap before the milling season starts in October. Lacson warned that the importation would lead to an oversupply …

By JEN BAYLON The high sulfur dioxide gas emissions from Kanlaon Volcano last Friday, June 28, may be a contributing factor to the increased seismic activities at the volcano, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said yesterday. Mari Andylene Quintia, Phivolcs resident volcanologist from the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City, in an interview, …

By JEN BAYLON The Confederation of Sugarcane Producers Association (Confed) has expressed surprise and concern over the government’s plan to import 200,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar in September, citing a lack of basis for the proposal. In his letter to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Confed president Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama, Jr. said a report …

The Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6) is closely monitoring water sources in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town for possible contamination after the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano earlier this month. The DOH-6 reported concentrations of coliform bacteria from 13 water sources in the town near Kanlaon. DOH-6 director Dr. Adriano Suba-an advised residents to …

By JEN BAYLON The National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) said the government should only import sugar when it is “absolutely necessary,” stating that it should be their last resort to ensure stable prices of the commodity. This comes after the Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to import around 200,000 metric tons of refined sugar …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental provincial government is one step closer to providing water security in the province as it gears up for the bidding for the bulk water supply project today. Provincial Legal Office head and Acting Provincial Administrator Alberto Nellas, Jr. said all systems go for the bidding process this afternoon. Ten private bidders are set to …

By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed mixed sentiments on the conduct of cloud seeding operations in the province. While acknowledging that there is no need to conduct cloud seeding, Lacson said it is still an option. “If you ask me now, I would say na, maybe there’s no need na,” Lacson said, …