By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson recently endorsed the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, which House Bill No. 180, or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, seeks to implement in the country. “The health committee of the House of Representatives has endorsed the bill,” he noted. Bacolod City …
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MassKara Festival: Organizers ban Coca-Cola products
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Organizers of the upcoming MassKara Festival announced Coca-Cola products will be banned from the event. In a release by Festival Director Eli Tajanlangit, he stated, “We stand together with our government officials and sugar industry leaders in the fight against [Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc.] for its continued use of …
NPA claims responsibility for killing of RPA-ABB leader earlier this month
‘Standing Order’ issued against Partylist Representative By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The New People’s Army (NPA) Armando Sumayang Command yesterday claimed responsibility for the killing of former commander of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Bongcayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) Jovanie Banista, which occurred earlier this month at Sitio Ilan, Barangay Locotan, Kabankalan City. According to NPA South West …
Former SRA Chief says P1.2M annual consultancy fee covered a period of six months
Paner: The President was ‘misinformed’ about SRA By Paulo Loreto Lim Following her resignation and the subsequent appointment of Ormoc City sugar planter Hermenegildo Serafica as administrator for the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), former agency chief, Atty. Anna Rosario Paner, recently faced the press in an attempt to clarify suspected anomalies within the agency. Earlier, …
State of Calamity declared in coastal Iloilo municipality
By Jezza A. Nepomoceno Carles Mayor Sigfred Betita declared a State of Calamity in the municipality as the town’s Gigantes Island is currently experiencing a red tide. “The red tide [has] crippled livelihood and food security, not only of the inhabitants of the island, but as well as those on the mainland,” said the …
Benitez will not challenge Lacson for governor in 2019
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga After much speculation surrounding possible aspirations to succeed incumbent Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez said he will not pursue the post as he would prefer not to run against Love Negros partymate, incumbent Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who previously expressed …
Bulk water delivery pending decision on contract amendments –Baciwa
Baciwa previously projected delivery to begin in July By Paulo Loreto Lim Despite the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) previously affirming their bulk water project with Bacolod Bulk Water, Inc. (BBWI) is nearing completion, Baciwa general manager, Atty. Juliana Carbon, says difficulties in negotiations with landowners have resulted in the utility firm submitting contract amendments …
Provincial Agriculturist: P8.6M in crops, livestock lost to flooding
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Provincial Agriculturist, Atty. Japhet Masculino, released a report yesterday showing Negros Occidental lost a total P8.6 million worth of crops and livestock due to last week’s flooding. He noted, an estimated 771.95 hectares of rice crops were lost, affecting 579 farmers. According to the report, San Enrique was the hardest …
Three former aides accuse embattled cop of corruption, NPA aspirations
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Three former aides to Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Joshua Barile, who currently faces charges of murder, weapons possession, and illegal drugs, yesterday released affidavits accusing the police officer of corruption, along with claims he planned to join the New People’s Army (NPA). Jerry Gepullan, Jimpaul Elizalde, and Roy …
Leonardia: Friday’s flooding was the worst in city history
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, during a press conference yesterday, called the flooding that inundated the city last Friday the worst in city history. “There was never a time when flood waters were that high,” he said. “It was a surprise attack.” In regards to settlers living by riverbanks, where …