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The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-WVCHD) is urging the public to prioritize health and safety this holiday season through its Ligtas Christmas 2024 campaign. “The DOH reminds the community to remain vigilant about potential health hazards while enjoying the festivities. Ligtas Christmas aims to educate and empower the public to …

A house was gutted by a fire in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mansilingan early yesterday morning. The house, on Purok Paghidaet’s Hyacinth Street, is owned by Thea Mejia. Fire Superintendent Jenny Mae Masip of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod said the damage caused by the fire amounted to P525,000. They recovered cash worth P32,800, of which P19,200, owned by Mejia, …

By JEN BAYLON Thousands of evacuees are preparing to celebrate Christmas inside evacuation centers in five local government units (LGUs) in Negros Island Region as Kanlaon Volcano continues to pose significant risks. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that, as of Wednesday, December 18, approximately 3,001 families, totaling 9,547 individuals, remained in temporary shelters …

The municipal government of La Castellana in Negros Occidental province has created the Mt. Kanlaon Task Force Pet Rescue to feed pet animals situated within the six-kilometer radius extended danger zone of Mt. Kanlaon. Municipal information officer Remuel Seladan Lajo said that yesterday, they received excess food and dog food for those who wanted to …

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday that P43.33 million worth of government assistance has been extended to families affected by the December 9 eruption of Mt. Kanlaon. In its situation report, the disaster response body said the assistance has benefited 8,004 families in Western Visayas and Central Visayas. These consist …

By JEN BAYLON More than 1,800 employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government underwent surprise drug testing yesterday. Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II said this was the second batch of employees undergoing drug tests last December 11 and 12. Diaz said no one was exempt from the mandatory testing, which reflects the administration’s commitment …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental bulk water supply project has not yet awarded a winning bidder, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II said. Diaz explained that the post-qualification process for the bid is currently underway for First Balfour Inc., in consortium with Victorias Milling Company and FPIP Utilities Inc. While the consortium has demonstrated …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said damage to agriculture due to the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon has reached over P1 million. “The latest damage due to Kanlaon volcanic activity is at P1.39 million, affecting 40 farmers at karamihan pa rin nito ay rice,” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in an interview. According to the DA-Disaster …

Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan of La Castellana, the town hardest hit by the latest eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental asked groups and individuals to coordinate their donations with the municipal government. “We follow protocols called the management of donations,” the mayor said in a statement yesterday. Nicor-Mangilimutan issued the call following a report that …

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced yesterday the 60-day price freeze now takes effect in Negros Occidental, following its declaration of a state of calamity due to the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on December 9. “Following the issuance of the Provincial Board Resolution 1446 issued on December 13, 2024, declaring the entire province …