The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has detected an increased level of acidity in sugarcane fields due to the volcanic ash fall caused by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano earlier this week. The acid test conducted at the SRA’s La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City on Tuesday morning, …
HEADLINE
Over 1,500 evacuated; Kanlaon eruption affects 368 families in 10 NegOcc LGUs
By JEN BAYLON A total of 1,526 individuals or 368 families in Negros Occidental were evacuated following the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Monday night, June 3, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said yesterday. Kanlaon’s eruption has affected 84 barangays in 10 local government units (LGUs), according to PDRRMO’s situational report …
Now is the best time; Lacson still considering ‘controversial’ cloud seeding ops
By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has defended the conduct of cloud seeding, which aims to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on agriculture in the province, as it has been met with criticism lately. “This cloud seeding thing is getting controversial because there are critics who are saying, ‘Why …
Alert Level 2 hoisted as Mt. Kanlaon erupts
Mt. Kanlaon, an active volcano in Negros Island, erupted for six minutes on Monday night, June 3, producing a 5,000-meter plume, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) said in a report. The steam-driven or phreatic explosion occurred at the summit vent at 6:51 p.m. As of 8:00 p.m., …
Charges readied, Jealousy eyed in cop’s murder, police prepare raps vs. patrolman
By JEN BAYLON Jealousy is being eyed as the motive behind the killing of a police personnel allegedly by his fellow officer in Bacolod City’s Barangay Tangub on Friday afternoon, May 31. Police Station 8 commander Major Eugene Tolentino said they are processing documents for filing a murder case against 26-year-old Police Patrolman Alvin Rios, who allegedly …
High temperatures; WV to still experience high heat index despite onset of rainy season
By JEN BAYLON Some areas in Western Visayas will still continue to experience high heat indices despite the onset of the rainy season, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. “Ekspektar naton gihapon, from time to time, bisan rainy season, may ara possibility sang mainit kag mapaang nga panahon,” Pagasa weather specialist Ferdinand Rubin …
Under surveillance; NegOcc PHO: No cause for alarm on COVID FLiRT variant
By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) said there is no cause for alarm amid the rising cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) FLiRT variant reported in other countries. PHO head Dr. Girlie Pinongan said the symptoms of the FLiRT variant are the same as past variants of COVID-19. Pinongan said …
‘Unsatisfied’; Silay SP not convinced to issue RONO for bulk water project
The Silay Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) said they were not satisfied with the explanations about the proposed bulk water supply project of the Negros Occidental provincial government, that would convince them to issue a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) to proceed with the project. Silay City Vice Mayor Thomas Maynard Ledesma, during the SP’s regular session …
Suffering from big loss; Unifed calls for BSWM abolition over failure to allow cloud seeding
By JEN BAYLON The United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (Unifed) has requested the abolition of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), over its failure to allow cloud seeding operations at the height of the drought to save sugarcane plantations in Negros Occidental. “The sugar industry is suffering from a big loss …
Irrevocable resignation; Benitez: 60 PDP-NegOcc members resign, others may follow suit
BY JEN BAYLON Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said yesterday that 60 members of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) in Negros Occidental resigned from the political party. Benitez said the PDP members held a meeting on Saturday, May 25, and signed an irrevocable resignation from the group. “We will just resign as a group, and we will …