By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is hopeful that sugar producers in the province could recover from the effects of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon on their crops. This, after the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported that the drought damage to sugar and molasses in Western Visayas was at P215,700,114, with Negros Occidental …
HEADLINE
Military spies? CHR-NegOcc to probe killings after NPA claims involvement
By JEN BAYLON The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Negros Occidental will investigate the murder of eight individuals by alleged New People’s Army (NPA) members over speculations that they were military agents. “This could be a violation of the right to life allegedly committed by non-state actors,” CHR-Negros Occidental head Vincent Parra said. Parra said part …
Catch-up vaccination; NegOcc PHO targets to immunize 20-K kids vs. pertussis
BY JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) will immunize more than 20,000 children during its catch-up vaccination campaign to prevent the spread of pertussis. PHO head Dr. Girlie Pinongan said the provincial government procured around 10,000 vials of pentavalent vaccines for children five years old and below who have not received the vaccine. …
‘Devastating’ drought; San Carlos under state of calamity as agri damage hits P17-M
By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City was placed under a state of calamity after incurring P17 million in agricultural damage due to the El Niño phenomenon. San Carlos Mayor Rene Gustilo, who also serves as the chairman of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), in a resolution, recommended the declaration of a …
NEPC franchise bill passes Senate scrutiny
House Bill 9805, which aims to grant Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) a franchise to establish, operate and maintain a distribution system of electric power in Central Negros, passed Senate deliberation on Wednesday, May 8. Senator Grace Poe, who sponsored the bill, underscored the significant impact of the proposed franchise, emphasizing the NEPC’s projected P2.1 billion initial …
‘Looming crisis;’ Bacolod SP urges gov’t to address PUVMP’s impact on transport sector
By JEN BAYLON The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution urging the Senate and House of Representatives to address the “brewing crisis” due to the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). In its Resolution No. 371 submitted to the Senate on Tuesday, May 7, the SP said the government needs to promptly address and …
Low rice output? OPA: El Niño likely to affect rice production in Negros Occidental
By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) said the drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon will likely affect rice production in the province. OPA officer-in-charge Dr. Dina Genzola said they are still computing the exact extent of the crop losses due to drought. Genzola remains hopeful that irrigated areas can …
Negative results; 3 persons of interest in cop’s murder negative for gunpowder residue
By JEN BAYLON The three persons of interest in the murder of a police officer in Negros Occidental’s Sagay City have been tested negative in the paraffin tests, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) said yesterday. NOCPPO spokesperson, Police Captain Judesses Catalogo said Staff Sergeant Lernie Alacha’s live-in partner and two children, including a seven-year-old boy who reportedly shot …
‘Unconstitutional;’ Dumaguete diocese: NIR bill should be rejected for being ill-conceived
By JEN BAYLON The Diocese of Dumaguete said the Negros Island Region (NIR) bill is unconstitutional, as they renewed their appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. not to sign the bill into law. In their second letter to Marcos dated April 29, the diocese, headed by Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes, urged the President to review …
Secure the future; Lacson: Stakeholders must work together to achieve power stability
By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach in developing a comprehensive Energy Development Roadmap for the province towards energy security. During the Provincial Stakeholders’ Consultative Power Summit at the Sanctuario de La Salle in Bacolod City yesterday, Lacson emphasized the need for all stakeholders to work together …