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By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Agriculture in the Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) has released a public advisory outlining clarificatory guidelines on fuel purchases, following directives from the Department of Energy (DOE), as part of measures to prevent hoarding and ensure fair fuel distribution during potential supply disruptions. In its statement, DA-NIR said the …

By CESAR JOLITO III A major labor group in the sugar sector called for greater transparency and leadership changes within the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) amid the recent decline in sugar prices. In a statement, the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (Nacusip-TUCP) …

By CESAR JOLITO The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (Confed) has strongly opposed a proposed substitute Senate bill seeking to amend the Biofuels Act of 2006, warning it could further harm the country’s struggling sugar industry. In a letter dated March 18, Confed President Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama urged Senate President Vicente Sotto III to reject …

The presence of full-time public pharmacists in all the health units of Negros Occidental is seen to improve the delivery of healthcare services to Negrenses. Under the provincial government’s pharmacist-deployment program, all the 31 local government units (LGUs) are now staffed with full-time pharmacists, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) report showed. “To fully equip our …

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental 6th District Representative Mercedes Alvarez has expressed strong support for the proposal of the Department of Health (DOH) to allow the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) to operate the Merceditas J. Montilla District Hospital (MJMDH) in Sipalay City as an annex facility. In a statement, Alvarez said …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental provincial government continues to strengthen its coordination with local government units (LGUs) amid the possible escalation of alert status of Kanlaon Volcano, according to Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II. Diaz said efforts are ongoing to ensure readiness, particularly in areas that may be affected should the volcano be …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City council has approved a three-month special permit allowing vendors at the Asenso Market in Barangay Alijis to continue their livelihood while authorities work to establish a permanent public market. The resolution, passed on Wednesday, March 18, temporarily halts the planned demolition of vendor stalls along the vicinity of …

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has called on residents to remain calm and avoid panic buying as fuel prices and basic commodity costs continue to rise. Lacson issued the appeal following an online briefing with national officials, where local chief executives were updated on the country’s fuel supply situation and …

By CESAR JOLITO III Commuters will continue paying lower fares after Vallacar Transit Inc. rolled back its recent rates increase on Ceres bus routes, following a national government directive suspending fare hikes. The transport firm confirmed that the adjustment implemented earlier this week has been canceled, with old fare rates reinstated effective yesterday. Company media …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Office of Civil Defense in the Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) has intensified its preparedness measures following renewed volcanic activity at Kanlaon Volcano. OCD-NIR Director Donato Sermeno said contingency plans have been aligned with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) after a coordination meeting on March 16 aimed at …