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The Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas (LTO-6) released 32 motorcycle plates during the second day of the “Oplan: Stop, Plate and Go,” a street-level campaign to distribute unclaimed motorcycle plates. LTO-6 Assistant Regional Director Jeck Conlu, who led the initiative at Jaro Plaza, said that while all motorcycle plates registered from 2014 until 2022 …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has officially started the procurement process for pesticides to combat red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI), a fast-spreading pest that has already damaged over 3,000 hectares of sugarcane plantations across the Visayas. In a statement released on Tuesday, August 5, SRA Board Member and RSSI Task Force head …

By CESAR JOLITO III A tent city established at Barangay 3 in Negros Occidental’s Himamaylan City, which once housed families displaced by volcanic activity, will be temporarily dismantled but remains available for future emergencies. Raul Fernandez, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas Director and Regional Task Force Kanlaon chairperson, said more than 300 family shelter …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed an ordinance that reinforces the strict implementation of Presidential Decree 449, also known as the Cockfighting Law of 1974, and formally bans non-traditional forms of cockfighting and betting, including e-sabong and machine-based wagers, throughout the province. Under Ordinance No. 11, only traditional sabong — …

Concerned government agencies are providing assistance to local government units (LGUs) in the continued decampment of the remaining internally displaced persons (IDPs) after Mt. Kanlaon’s status has been lowered to Alert Level 2. In an interview on Monday, August 4, Regional Director Donato Sermeno III of the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) said …

By CESAR JOLITO III Cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Negros Occidental surged dramatically this year, as the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported a 424 percent increase as of July 19. PHO data showed a total of 1,327 HFMD cases have been recorded since January 1, higher than only 253 cases in the same …

By CESAR JOLITO III Local government units (LGUs) affected by the recent eruption of Kanlaon Volcano continue to await the release of financial assistance from the national government worth P203 million, weeks after exhausting their local calamity funds to support displaced residents. Donato Sermeno III, director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Negros …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City government is preparing to file criminal charges against Artemis Salt Corporation for allegedly constructing an illegal structure that blocked a drainage outfall in Barangay Banago, contributing to flooding in nearby communities. City Legal Officer Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu confirmed that their office is coordinating with the City Engineer’s …

By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city government will enforce full transparency — particularly financial dealings — in all aspects in preparation for the highly anticipated MassKara Festival in October amid calls for greater public accountability. Gasataya gave the assurance after the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) authorized him to sign a …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City government will launch a formal investigation into the alleged shooting of a local fisherman by Bantay Dagat personnel from Iloilo in the waters between Bacolod City and Guimaras on Saturday, August 2. Bacolod Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries, confirmed yesterday that …