Negros Occidental - Sights Of Negros

Bago City – Negros Occidental

by Hermann MatthiasNegros Occidental 30/01/202401/02/2024Comments are Disabled

Headline: “Bago’s Bounty: A Blend of Agriculture, Historical Heritage, and Community Vibrancy” Agricultural Riches of Bago: Explore the lush landscapes and agricultural abundance that characterize Bago. Learn about the town’s role in the province’s sugar industry, showcasing vast plantations and diverse farming practices that contribute to Negros Occidental’s agricultural wealth. Historical Heritage Trails: Immerse yourself in Bago’s historical treasures by traversing heritage trails and visiting landmarks such as the Ma-ao Sugar Central and Balay Negrense Museum. Discover the town’s rich history, architectural gems, and the preservation efforts that highlight its cultural heritage. Community Vibrancy in Bago: Engage with the lively spirit of Bago’s community by exploring local initiatives, festivals, and cultural events. Learn how residents come together to celebrate their town’s identity, foster unity, and contribute to the vibrant social fabric of Bago.

Former presidential plane turns tourist attraction in Silay City

by Poster1PROVINCE NEWS 27/01/2024Comments are Disabled

Silay City – A Philippine Air Force (PAF) Fokker F27-200 Friendship aircraft, which once served as the presidential plane of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, is now a tourist attraction in Silay City, Negros Occidental. On Friday, Mayor Joedith Gallego officially received the retired 65-year-old tactical transport plane from Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño, PAF commanding general, during the blessing, transfer of ownership, and unveiling of marker ceremonies held at the People’s Park in Barangay E. Lopez. “Now, this historic aircraft is here to serve as the newest attraction in the city where people can experience and see it up close. Indeed, our city is blessed to have a piece of Philippine aviation history right in our very soil,” the mayor said. In November 2022, the aircraft experienced an engine problem en route to Manila, which led to an emergency landing at Bacolod-Silay Airport; since then stayed on the ground and has been retired from service. Gallego said the communication between his office and the PAF was initiated in September last year for the transfer of ownership of the aircraft brought to Barangay E. Lopez in the same month. In his message, Parreño said the PAF presents the aircraft as “a gift to the people of Silay” as he thanked Gallego for expressing the desire to preserve the aircraft as a static display, becoming one of the village landmarks. “Although it’s quite sad that we have to retire this historic aircraft, there is a silver lining and a happy ending to this story. While it will no longer soar through the skies, the aircraft will continue to hold the people of Silay and the visitors of the park under its mighty wings,” the PAF chief said. “We took care of it as best as we could, and I am sure that under your care, you will do the same. It is on a bittersweet note that we close the final chapter of this marvelous aircraft. It can finally rest easy, retiring with grace and dignity as one of the finest air assets of the PAF,” he added. The 32-passenger Fokker F27-200 Friendship plane, registered with serial number 59-0259, was built in July 1959 and delivered to the PAF in August of the same year. Commissioned under the Presidential Airlift Wing, it had a mission to provide air transportation to the President, the Cabinet, and visiting dignitaries. It also served the PAF in various capacities, including reconnaissance missions and relief and rescue operations. Source: PNA

Bacolod City – Negros Occidental

by Hermann MatthiasNegros Occidental 26/01/202401/02/2024Comments are Disabled

“Bacolod’s Dynamic Tapestry: Urban Charms, Culinary Delights, and Vibrant Festivities” Urban Charms of Bacolod: Explore the bustling urban landscape of Bacolod, featuring modern architecture, shopping districts, and vibrant city life. Learn about the city’s growth, development, and the unique blend of tradition and progress that defines Bacolod. Culinary Capital of the Philippines: Dive into the gastronomic wonders of Bacolod, renowned as the “Sugar Capital” and “Culinary Capital” of the Philippines. Explore local delicacies, from the famous Chicken Inasal to delectable sweets like Piaya, showcasing Bacolod’s rich culinary heritage. Vibrant Festivals and Cultural Celebrations: Immerse yourself in the lively spirit of Bacolod through its world-famous MassKara Festival and other cultural celebrations. Discover the art, music, and dance that make Bacolod a hub for creativity and expression, fostering a sense of community pride.

Negros Occidental guv upbeat on start of W. Visayas bridges project

by Poster1PROVINCE NEWS 25/01/2024Comments are Disabled

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson welcomed the latest development on the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges Project, a major infrastructure flagship project of the Marcos administration in Western Visayas. “They gave us a briefing on its status now,” Lacson said in an interview on Wednesday. Officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and representatives of Korean joint venture engineering companies updated the governor, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, and other concerned officials in the province about the project during their courtesy visit at the Capitol Social Hall here on Monday. “We can expect up to the next 21 months the detailed engineering design (DED) for the Iloilo-Guimaras Section A and Guimaras-Negros Section B. Section A will only take one year, and Section B will take 21 months. The good news is this is already fully funded for the DED. In fact, the funding is already part of 2024 General Appropriations Act,” he added. Last December, the DPWH, through Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain, officially signed the PHP2.671-billion contract agreement for the DED with the joint venture engineering companies. Secretary Manuel Bonoan approved the contract for consultancy services of Yooshin Engineering Corp. in a joint venture with Kyong-Ho Engineering and Architects Co. Ltd., Dohwa Engineering Co. Ltd., Soosung Engineering Co. Ltd., and Dasan Consultants Co., Ltd for the DED and tender assistance. According to the DPWH, the target completion of the DED is in 2025, and the civil works will immediately follow from 2025-2032, covering the construction of the 32.47-kilometer two sea-crossing bridges. Section A, connecting Panay-Guimaras Islands, spans 13 kilometers with an estimated civil works cost of PHP57.702 billion. Section B, comprising the 19.47-kilometer Guimaras-Negros Islands bridge, amounts to an indicative cost of PHP109.76 billion. Source: PNA

Negros Occidental power rates increase in January

by Poster1PROVINCE NEWS 24/01/2024Comments are Disabled

BACOLOD CITY – Average residential power rates of all three distribution utilities in Negros Occidental increased in January, mainly due to higher generation and transmission charges. The Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco), Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco) distribute electricity to the province through their respective franchise areas. On Tuesday, Noneco said this month’s rate increased by PHP0.487 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to PHP12.38 from last month’s PHP11.89. “The increase is attributed to the net increase of the electricity due to the market price of Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and increase in the fuel fee of Palm Concepcion Power Corp.,” it said in a statement. Ceneco, which serves the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay and Silay, as well as the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto, reported an average residential rate of PHP10.83/kWh for January, higher by PHP0.066 from the previous month’s rate of PHP10.76. In its advisory, the Ceneco management attributed the rate hike to the increase in average transmission charges by 10.35 percent due to the increase in the ancillary service charge. “In monitoring the monthly electricity usage, consumers are advised to look at their kilowatt-hour consumption and not on the bill amount since it varies depending on the pass-through charges,” it added. Noceco, whose area coverage includes the cities and municipalities in the southern part of Negros, has a residential rate of PHP12.24/kWh in January, with an increase of PHP0.42 from PHP11.82 in December. The hike in total generation and transmission charges pushed for the higher rate, it said. According to the Noceco management, higher electricity rates are expected in the coming months or during the hot season “when total demand is high because more expensive generation sources are added to meet the increased demand in electricity.”

Sipalay City releases sea turtle hatchlings found in beach resort

by Poster1PROVINCE NEWS 23/01/2024Comments are Disabled

Some 53 sea turtle hatchlings found in a beach resort in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental were released Monday by the city’s Bantay Dagat personnel. Edsel Toledo, coordinator of the Bantay Dagat Task Force, said they came to document the event after the management of Saka-Saka Beach Resort located in Barangay Nauhang informed them about it. The hatchlings were found by the staff and guests at around 2 a.m., and they placed them in a tub with seawater. “Together with the staff of the City Agriculture Office, we came over to document and release the hatchlings,” Toledo said in a statement. He noted that the sea turtle hatchlings probably saw the lights of the resort immediately as they are usually attracted to the first light they see. “We informed the staff and guests of the importance of these sea creatures in the ecosystem. The presence of sea turtles indicates a healthy and clean environment,” Toledo said. In February last year, Bantay Dagat personnel also released 45 sea turtle hatchlings at Poblacion Beach, after they found the nest end of November 2022 and secured it until the eggs hatched. Also in January last year, they released two batches of hatchlings to their natural habitat. These included 82 baby turtles with nests at the local conservation area in Barangay 5 and 22 hatchlings also released along the shoreline of Barangay Nauhang. Source: PNA

DA, SRA, stakeholders discuss plan to buy sugar from local farmers

by Poster1PROVINCE NEWS 22/01/202422/01/2024Comments are Disabled

BACOLOD CITY –The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) have convened sugar industry leaders to tackle government’s plan to buy sugar directly from the farmers at a premium price amid the continuing low farmgate prices, usually between PHP2,400 and PHP2,500 per 50-kilo bag. In a statement on Sunday, SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona said that he, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Philippine International Trading Corp. president and chief executive officer Undersecretary Emmie Liza Perez-Chiong met with sugar federation leaders, millers, farmers and traders at the DA central office in Quezon City on Friday. “(It was) a momentous event as the last time industry stakeholders sat down together was probably eight years ago. We hope this will be the beginning of a unified industry that openly communicates and supports each other,” Azcona said. Those who attended the meeting were leaders of the United Sugar Producers Federation, Confederation of Sugar Producers Association Inc., National Federation of Sugarcane Planters, Luzon Federation of Sugarcane Growers and Associations, Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers Inc., Philippine Sugar Millers Association, Philippine Association of Sugar Refiners, and groups of sugar farmers and traders. They helped in crafting the mechanics of the government participating in buying the sugar produce, the SRA chief said. “We also discussed steps to be taken to further enhance productivity and profitability, ensure stability of sugar supply for consumers and industrial users, better retail prices and keeping in mind that the sugar farmer is also a retail consumer,” he added. Azcona did not provide details yet on the buying schedule and the purchase price. He noted that “bringing all our sugar leaders to sit in one table and discuss together the state of the industry has not happened in such a long time.” “This is a sign that the industry is united in finding a solution to improve the plight of the sugar farmer, who, in reality, is the most important link in the sugar supply chain. Without the farmer, the mills have nothing to grind, the traders have nothing to trade and the consumers and industries will have no sugar for their needs,” the SRA chief said. In a press briefing here last month, Azcona disclosed the government’s plan to buy sugar directly from farmers to prop up farmgate prices and lower retail prices at the same time after the sugar producers’ federations sought intervention from Laurel and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as the farmgate prices of sugar plummeted since the start of the milling season in September. The price of PHP3,000 per 50-kilo bag is considered a fair market price, but farmgate prices are still only between PHP2,400 and PHP2,500, particularly in Negros, the country’s sugar capital. Azcona acknowledged the continued trust in and support of the President and the DA chief to the SRA, adding that he is optimistic that “the cooperation from all industry stakeholders will be the key towards a positive growth of the industry.” “I thank President Marcos and Secretary Laurel for keeping their commitment to help the industry, particularly the sugar farmers,” he added. Source: PNA

Negros Occidental records 9.8% drop in 8 focus crimes

by Poster1PROVINCE NEWS 20/01/2024Comments are Disabled

BACOLOD CITY– Intensified anti-criminality campaign led to a 9.83 percent decrease in the average number of eight focus crimes in Negros Occidental from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, data released by the police on Friday showed. These comprise murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motorcycle theft, and carnapping. In 2023, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), which covers the police stations in 31 cities and municipalities, logged a total of 926 focus crimes, fewer by 101 compared to 1,027 incidents reported in the previous year. All six of the eight crimes noted a decrease in incidence, while homicide rose by 39 incidents, from 158 to 197, and carnapping remained at one. Murder was down by one incident, from 277 to 276; while physical injury, from 211 to 194; rape, 74 to 46; robbery, 96 to 54; theft, 187 to 142; and motorcycle theft, 23 to 16. Based on the overall figures, the NOCPPO recorded a 2.87 percent decrease in total crimes in 2023, with 4,352 incidents from 4,481 in 2022. For the whole of 2023, some 3,132 crime incidents were recorded, from 3,150 in 2022 under the peace and order indicator, which includes incidents that reflect the real crime picture and peace and order situation of a community. There were 1,221 crime incidents recorded in 2023, from 1,331 in 2022, under the public safety indicator, which includes categorized incidents and culpable felonies that reflect the public safety situation of a community. In an interview, Maj. Rhojn Darrell Nigos, public information officer of NOCPPO, attributed the lower crime incidents to an intensified campaign against loose firearms, illegal drugs, illegal gambling, and other special laws. “This also shows collaboration and cooperation between the Philippine National Police and community stakeholders. Concerned citizens report to stop illegal activities that enable the law enforcement to implement all anti-criminality campaigns,” he added. Source: PNA

Photo of the Day for January 18, 2024 – Waiting for the sunset at Sugar Beach in Sipalay

by Hermann MatthiasPhoto1 18/01/202422/01/2024Comments are Disabled

Sugar Beach stretches for a kilometer, showcasing its sandy expanse with a sweet, brown hue in Sipalay. It stands as a perfect retreat for those seeking relaxation after discovering the often-overlooked charm of Sipalay in Negros Occidental. Take a leisurely break, recline on the soft sand, and bask in the tranquility, all while enjoying the mesmerizing sunset.