By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Bacolod City Islamic community marked the end of the Ramadan early yesterday morning as they celebrated Eid al-Fitr at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) grounds. According to Dhar Al-Dhikr Islamic Center Imam Omar Betita, Ramadan is a month-long observance of fasting and sacrifice for the Islamic faithful. He …
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Medals awarded to 81 soldiers for efforts against the NPA
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Colonel Benedict Arevalo, recently awarded medals to 81 soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) and 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) in separate ceremonies. The recognition was done following two successful encounters against the New People’s Army (NPA) last month. Thirty eight 62IB soldiers and …
Outgoing governor defends Talisay City construction following protests
Marañon: Demonstrators are ‘misunderstanding’ the situation By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga In response to the Rafael B. Lacson Memorial High School students who recently protested the groundbreaking of the P135-million Negros First Global Institute of Technology in Talisay City, outgoing Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. stood by the project and claimed demonstrators “misunderstood” their …
Health advocates warn against the dangers of secondhand smoke
Iloilo City wins the World No Tobacco Day Award Bacolod City health advocates recently spoke before University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos students to discuss the dangers of secondhand smoke. A Philippine Information Agency-Region VI release defines secondhand smoke as the “smoke that originates from lighted cigarettes breathed out by smokers.” “It’s not enough that we don’t …
Suspect in killing of Victorias City minor arrested in Iloilo
Autopsy showed 7-year-old victim was raped By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The suspect in the killing of a seven-year-old girl, whose remains were recently found inside a bag in Victorias City, was arrested earlier this week in Iloilo. According to deputy Victorias City police chief, Police Captain Joy Ellaga, the suspect, identified as Mark Besa, …
Negros Occidental extends P585K in assistance to ‘reformed insurgents’
Provincial government also provided access to subsidized medical care By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Negros Occidental provincial government recently extended P585,000 in livelihood assistance to nine former New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents during a ceremony at the Provincial Capitol. The rebels, who each received P65,000 from the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Negros …
Tornado ravages 11 San Enrique homes
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga At least 11 homes were seriously damaged last Sunday after a tornado swept through Barangays Guintorilan, Sibucao, and Batuan in San Enrique, Negros Occidental. Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) head, Dr. Zeaphard Caelian, said, around 2:00 p.m., the town experienced heavy rainfall due to a localized thunderstorm. During …
‘Modern jeepneys’ not yet allowed to operate –LTFRB-6
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Region VI (LTFRB-6) Director Richard Osmeña recently announced the United Negros Transport Cooperative (UNETCO) and their partner, Yellowdot Transport Inc., who recently unveiled their new Euro 4-compliant public utility vehicles (PUVs), are not yet permitted to operate in Bacolod City. The LTFRB-6 official said his …
Ground broken for P135M Negros First facility in Talisay City
Local high school students protest the government project By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Negros Occidental provincial government broke ground yesterday for the P135 million Negros First Global Institute of Technology (NFGIT) in Talisay City. According to NFGIT head Ma. Christina Basa, the facility is located on 2.5-hectares of provincial government-owned land and, once completed, …
Remains of Victorias City minor found inside a sack
Police: Primary suspect previously surrendered on drug charges By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The remains of a seven-year-old girl were found inside a sack late Sunday night at Purok Zone-1 Villamiranda in Victorias City’s Barangay 6A. Police have requested not to identify the victim, but confirmed she was a resident of the said area. Deputy …