HEADLINE

By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez assured the public that transparency and accountability remain top priorities in the government’s ongoing flood control investigations. Benitez said over the weekend that he recently met with Fr. Aniceto Buenafe, lead convenor of the Council of Concerned Citizens (C3), a private sector group currently investigating …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported weak ash emissions from Kanlaon Volcano yesterday morning, indicating continued unrest within the volcano’s system. Phivolcs said Kanlaon emitted 1,805 tons of sulfur dioxide yesterday, which was a slight increase from 1,531 tons last Saturday, October 4. At around 8:23 a.m., time-lapse footage …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) released a moratorium on molasses importation and is set to review certain policies that govern such to find a balance that will be beneficial to local producers and consumers. SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the moratorium will last until the end of this year and …

By CESAR JOLITO III A broad coalition of 82 organizations and companies has urged the Negros Occidental provincial government to stand firm against the entry of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), warning that the proposed ordinance could undermine the province’s hard-won reputation as the Philippines’ “Organic Capital.” The groups submitted four position papers to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Tuesday, …

By CESAR JOLITO III Authorities have launched an investigation into dozens of flood control projects in Bacolod City after a newly built river wall collapsed at the height of Severe Tropical Storm “Opong,” raising fresh concerns about the quality of multi-million peso government infrastructure. Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Colonel Joeresty Coronica said they …

By CESAR JOLITO III The People’s Coalition for Good Governance (PCGG) has sounded the alarm over alleged corruption and mismanagement of flood control projects in Bacolod City. In a statement, PCGG convenor Wennie Sancho said the projects, supposedly designed to shield residents from recurring floods, have instead become “a symbol of graft and deceit.” Despite …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has intensified its anti-drug campaign to secure the city in preparation for the upcoming MassKara Festival in October, while admitting that completely eradicating illegal drugs ahead of the annual festivities remains a major challenge. “While total eradication is difficult, we are committed to preventing the …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas has ordered an investigation into complaints filed against an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over the controversial demolition of the 92-year-old Talave Bridge in Negros Occidental’s Calatrava town. The move comes after heritage advocate Jose Roberto Andoni Valencia …

By CESAR JOLITO III At least 8,387 families, or 33,095 individuals, across 13 local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, have been affected by Severe Tropical Storm “Opong,” based on data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC). As of 5:00 p.m. yesterday, 855 families, composed of 3,310 individuals, …

By CESAR JOLITO III Malacañang declared a suspension of classes at all levels in Negros Occidental and 26 other provinces today in anticipation of the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm “Opong.” The Palace issued Memorandum Circular No. 102 yesterday, which states that classes in the province and other nearby areas are suspended “to ensure public …