HEADLINE

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Negros Occidental provincial government braces for the continued threat of the El Niño phenomenon in the next few months, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday. Lacson said he saw a need to maximize water availability, as 60 percent of the province’s farmlands are already irrigated. He added that local farmers have realized how important it …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Traditional public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers in Bacolod City have resumed operations over the weekend following halting their trips due to concerns that they will be apprehended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) after they refused to consolidate. Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators and Drivers Inc. (BACOD) president Rudy Catedral said Bacolod …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas (LTO-6) confirmed yesterday that they have not yet received any order from the central office to apprehend unconsolidated traditional public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators. LTO-6 public information officer Riza Otayde said they have not yet carried out apprehensions against operators of traditional PUJs in …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators and Drivers Inc. (BACOD) demanded a clear answer from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) if they are still allowed to continue operating in the city until January 31. BACOD president Rudy Catedral said they are confused about continuing to ply their routes despite the …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga At least 27 employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government who flunked the drug tests last month will still face appropriate penalties, while confirmatory drug test results have yet to be released. Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II said they wanted to conduct confirmatory drug tests to find out the amount …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) recorded an additional 38 cases of firecracker-related injuries yesterday, bringing the total cases to 58, following the New Year’s Day celebrations. At least 16 eye injuries were logged, two were tagged as blast and burn injuries with no amputation, while two were tagged as injuries …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga and Mae Singuay A total of 21 firecracker-related injuries were recorded over the past few days leading to New Year’s Day in Negros Occidental, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said. PHO head Dr. Girlie Pinongan said the recorded firecracker injuries were from December 26, 2023 to January 1, 2024. The monitoring …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) has been placed on “blue alert” status ahead of the New Year’s Day celebrations. Irene Bel Ploteña, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division head, said all of their ambulances have now been pre-positioned across the province to respond to emergencies that may …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bacolod City was alarmed over a string of fire incidents that struck the city this month. In a radio interview yesterday morning, BFP-Bacolod Fire Marshal, Chief Inspector Stephen Jardeleza, said they have recorded 16 fire incidents this month — nine were caused by electrical …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Seven employees from Negros Occidental provincial government-run hospitals have tested positive for illegal drug use following another round of drug tests. Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said the drug-positive employees consisted of five personnel from Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, and two from Cadiz District Hospital. Diaz said drug …