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  By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Coast Guard District Western Visayas (CGDWV) has been placed under a “red alert” status for the holidays. CGDWV district commander, Captain Weniel Azcuna, said they have been on heightened alert status since December 3, in response to the bombing at Mindanao State University, which resulted in four fatalities …

  By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The village chief in Bacolod City’s Barangay 7 is recommending the closure of a restobar where a criminology student allegedly sexually molested a minor earlier this month. In a radio interview, barangay chairman Hercy Sibug said they are now coordinating with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Police Station …

  By Mae Singuay The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has approved a budget of more than P50 million for additional bonus and gratuity pay for the city hall employees. Councilor Thaddeus Sayson said the SP approved the appropriation following the issuance of the Administrative Order (AO) 12 and 13, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. …

  The highly-urbanized Bacolod City and the province of Negros Occidental will have higher annual budgetary allocations for 2024 with the increase in their respective National Tax Allotment (NTA) shares. From P3.25 billion in 2023, Bacolod will have a total appropriation of P3.6 billion next year, while Negros Occidental will have a budget of P5.43 …

  The approval of House Bill (HB) 9662, or the proposed “Blue Economy Act,” is expected to sustain the country’s economic growth, Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Jose Francisco Benitez, the principal author, said yesterday. “It will transform the maritime economy to a sustainable blue economy,” he said in a statement. “This is a landmark …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga A criminology student was accused after he allegedly molested a minor inside a restobar in Bacolod City. Police Station 2 commander, Captain Glenn Montaño, has requested not to identify both the minor and the student. He said the case has already been forwarded to the Women and Children’s Protection Desk …

  The Bacolod City government has sought P300-million funding from the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the improvement of the facilities at the public plaza and Government Center. Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Tuesday, December 12, they have requested P80 million for the installation of …

  By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Negros Occidental provincial government has begun processing and releasing additional bonuses for all qualified employees of the provincial government. Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said they have started processing the annual bonus. Diaz said the productivity enhancement incentive amounting to P5,000 is now being processed. Governor Eugenio Jose …

  By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Several members of the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) are currently urging Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer to seek another term in the midterm elections in 2025. Cadiz City Mayor and UNegA secretary-general Salvador Escalante, Jr. revealed that a majority of local chief executives under UNegA, during their Christmas …

  By Mae Singuay The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) is pressing the need to enhance road safety measures to prevent accidents. BTAO head Patrick Lacson said a string of road accidents in the city has been observed in the past few weeks. “I believe implementing the following recommendations will significantly contribute to improving road …