By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, yesterday, said the 60 percent reduction in street crime the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) boasted about recently was a result of the increased police presence during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings back in March. The reasoning is in contrast …
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Pavia mayor discusses dwindling agricultural sector in town
By Tara Yap Speaking at the annual Carabao-Carroza Festival, which celebrates the carabao and their contribution to farming, Pavia Mayor Michael Gorriceta discussed the dwindling farming sector in the town, once a major agricultural area. He pointed out, the town has three barangays containing agricultural land, with Barangays Cabugao Norte, Pagsanga-an, and Tigum designated by …
Congressional hearing on high fructose corn syrup scheduled for May 16
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga According to Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, the House of Representative, through the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, will hold a congressional hearing on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) on May 16. Gasataya previously filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the importation of HFCS, saying the practice …
Following PFT incident, provincial government reviewing security agency contracts
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Following the ongoing investigation into the alleged cover-up of a shooting incident at the Provincial Food Terminal (PFT) involving a reportedly drunk security guard of the IloBac Security Agency, the designated agency to the site, the Negros Occidental provincial government is reviewing contracts with security agencies. “We are currently discussing …
Provincial Food Terminal security guard under investigation on alleged cover-up
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga According to Provincial Legal Officer Jose Maria Valencia, a security guard of the IloBac Security Agency, assigned to the Provincial Food Terminal (PFT), is currently under investigation in connection to an alleged cover-up of a shooting incident at the facility, where it is said he was drunk at the time. …
Street crimes down by 60% –BCPO Wanky to crack down on illegal gambling
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga According to Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, street crimes, including robbery and theft, are down 60 percent throughout the city. In a local TV interview, he said BCPO’s “Oplan: Bakbak,” an anti-criminality program, is working. However, Wanky added, there is still room for improvement. …
DENR-NIR head reassigned to central office
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Negros Island Region (DENR-NIR) Director Al Orolfo was relieved of his duties last week. Based on a document released by DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, dated April 27, Orolfo was reassigned to the Office of the Undersecretary for Field Operations and Staff Bureaus. Orolfo was replaced …
Iloilo LMP demand local mayors be removed from narco-list
By Tara Yap The Iloilo chapter of the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) passed a resolution last week demanding the names of local mayors be removed from the “narco-politicians” list, compiled by President Rodrigo Duterte. Ajuy Mayor Jett Rojas, who serves as chapter president, said, “Until now, there is no evidence against …
DENR chief to Commission: ‘I’m taking the opportunity to do the right thing’ (inside)
By Paulo Loreto Lim In a final push for confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez recently said the work conducted at her current post are striving towards doing “the right thing.” “I’m taking the opportunity to do the right thing because that opportunity may not …
Labor groups reiterate call to end contractualization during Labor Day protests
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Labor group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) reiterated its calls to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to end job contractualization, during Labor Day protests in major cities across the country, including Bacolod City. In an e-mail sent by the group, they called Department Order 174, issued by DOLE …