Thursday, March 25, 2021

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Bacolodnons urged to avoid gatherings following spike in Covid cases

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 08:31 AM PDT

THE Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center Task Force (EOC-TF) urged the public to avoid holding social gatherings with more than 10 attendees at least in the next two weeks while the city's coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases are still high.

Dr. Chris Sorongon, deputy for medical data and analysis of EOC-TF, in a statement Thursday, March 25, 2021, said it is important to avoid mixing people in one place at the same time because it is one key factor of spreading Covid-19 infection.

He said there had been a spike in positive Covid-19 cases in Bacolod City recently. On March 17, the city recorded 25 new cases.

On March 24, the Department of Health reported 19 new cases in Bacolod City. Of the 19 new cases, 17 were local cases, while the remaining two cases were authorized persons outside residence.

Sorongon said Bacolodnons should not be complacent because 22 barangays still have cases of Covid-19 and only 39 barangays were Covid-free.

"In previous months, we only have 10 barangays with Covid-19 cases and it's now 22," he said.

"We appeal to our constituents to tell the truth, if they are not feeling well they should see a doctor or visit the Bacolod Respiratory Outpatient (BRO) Center in Bacolod Arts, Youth and Sports Center," he added.

Sorongon said those who have Covid-19 symptoms such as fever and headache, among others, can visit the BRO Center for a consultation or call the Emergency Operations Center hotline 432-2749.

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Man killed after trying to hack responding cop

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 08:30 AM PDT

A MAN believed to be suffering from a nervous breakdown was shot dead after he tried hacking a responding police officer in Barangay 13, Victorias City Thursday morning, March 25, 2021.

Police identified the fatality as Hernani Pimentel, a resident of Villa Victorias Relocation Site in the said barangay.

Based on the initial report of Victorias City police, they responded to the area after they were informed by concerned citizens that Pimentel was distressed and was swinging around his bolo.

When police arrived, they initially tried to calm Pimentel down and asked him to drop the bolo he was holding. Pimentel did not listen and started chasing down one of the cops identified as Police Master Sargeant Valentin Cerdeña.

Cerdeña initially fired a warning shot, but when Pimentel continued to assault him, he was forced to open fire on the victim hitting him in the chest.

Pimentel was rushed to the Kaayong Lawas Foundation Hospital in Victorias City, but he was declared dead by hospital staff.

Cerdeña, meanwhile, was also being treated after his hand was hit by the victim's bolo.

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Hospital chief explains Escalante mayor's vaccination

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 08:28 AM PDT

THE head of the Vicente Gustilo District Hospital (VGDH) in Escalante City has explained the reason for the early vaccination of Mayor Melecio "Beboy" Yap, Jr. with the Sinovac vaccine.

Dr. Vermont Juvahib, head of the Vicente Gustilo District Hospital Management Team, said March 18, 2021, they received the delivery of 150 allocated doses of the CoronaVac vaccine, which was made by Chinese vaccine manufacturer Sinovac.

Juvahib said they were given explicit orders to distribute the vaccines to their medical frontliners within three days only, in which on the initial round-up, 33 medical personnel signified their willingness to be vaccinated the next day on March 19 and another 12 on March 21.

The hospital chief said they were not able to conduct a vaccination drive on March 20 because of a scheduled whole-day brownout due to maintenance by the local power cooperative in the city, and the pressure for them to complete the vaccination within three-days is starting to weigh heavy on them.

On the morning of March 19, the number of medical personnel who showed up for vaccination was too low and they were prompted to report the issue to Yap, who had decided to have himself vaccinated to boost the confidence of the hospital's health workers.

Juvahib said Yap's action worked as after he got the jab, health workers started lining up. By March 20, they had finished the inoculation, one day ahead of schedule.

The hospital chief added that he believes Yap did not have any bad intentions when he volunteered to be vaccinated.

They will also no longer wait for the show cause order (SCO) from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and will send their explanation to them immediately.

President Rodrigo Duterte said local chief executives who skipped other priorities for vaccination will have to be investigated for their actions.

Some of the mayors were already issued with show cause orders that included Mayor Alfred Romualdez of Tacloban City, Leyte; Mayor Dibu Tuan of T'boli, South Cotabato; Mayor Sulpicio Villalobos of Sto. Niño, South Cotabato; Mayor Noel Rosal of Legazpi City, Albay; and Mayor Abraham Ibba of Bataraza, Palawan for jumping the queue in getting their Covid-19 shots.

Yap, who is the second local chief executive to be vaccinated in Western Visayas, said he is prepared to go to jail if he committed any wrongdoing.

He said he committed no mistake in taking the vaccine despite doubts.

He also clarified that he had no ill intention in getting the vaccine early, pointing out he was only setting an example for his constituents that they should not be afraid to get vaccinated.

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Kabankalan mayor tests negative for coronavirus after exposure to confirmed case

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 08:26 AM PDT

KABANKALAN City Mayor Pedro Zayco tested negative for the coronavirus based on the result of his reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.

The result came out immediately on Thursday afternoon, March 25, 2021, after Zayco voluntarily went on self-quarantine just after he submitted himself for a swab test Thursday morning.

Zayco made the moves after a city employee assigned at the City Health Office tested positive for the coronavirus and that Zayco had exposure to the said employee, said City Public Information Officer Jake Gonzales.

Gonzales also bared 50 other personnel from different agencies who also had exposure to the said employee were swabbed Thursday and went on quarantine.

The said employee was asymptomatic, Gonzales said.

She clarified that it was business as usual in the city as City Hall and other offices were open with strict observance of health protocols and that Zayco worked from home Thursday.

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Security guard killed in shootout during entrapment operation

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 08:26 AM PDT

A SECURITY guard in Bacolod City was killed in a shootout during an entrapment operation by operatives of the Special Operation Unit, Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group and Police Station 8 at Manville Subdivision, Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City Thursday morning, March 25, 2021.

Police identified the fatality as Aljhon Cabalhin, 31, of Purok Seaside, Barangay Tangub.

Police Lieutenant Ma. Liberty Indiape, spokesperson of Bacolod City Police Office, said Thursday Cabalhin tried to sell loose firearms, but when he noticed that he was dealing with a policeman, he fired his gun at the operatives.

She said the operatives were fortunately not hit, prompting them to return fire.

Cabalhin sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot.

Police recovered from Cabalhin's possession a .45 pistol homemade loaded with one magazine with four live ammunition; a homemade caliber .380 loaded with one magazine with six live ammunition; a homemade break-type of pistol caliber .45 loaded with live ammunition; four fired cartridges; P2,000 cash; cellular phone and other belongings.

Indiape said Cabalhin was monitored selling loose firearms in Bacolod City.

She said Cabalhin had a standing arrest warrant for the crime of attempted homicide issued by Judge Abraham Bayona of Municipal Trial Courts of Cities Branch 7, Bacolod City.

She added they will also respect the decision of the family if they will file a case against the operatives.

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Killed NPAs in Negros Oriental clash soars to 10

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 08:25 AM PDT

KILLED members of the New People's Army (NPA) in the gun battle between elements of the Philippine Army's 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) and the insurgents had climbed to 10, an official said.

Major Cenon Pancito III, 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson, said troops scouring the encounter site in Sitio Agit, Barangay Trinidad in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental have found two more remains.

The 62IB also found a wounded fighter hiding in one of the houses in the encounter site, leading to an arrest.

Captain Raymund Jamisal, 62IB spokesperson, said they have launched an investigation against the owner of the house where the wounded NPA insurgent was sheltering.

He also confirmed that at least 68 families near the encounter site fled their homes and that they have already distributed food and medical supplies to affected families.

Jamisal said they have not yet allowed families to return to their homes as they are still finishing the clearing operation in the area.

He also confirmed that Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Cerilito Sobejana arrived at their base in the town of Isabela in Negros Occidental to personally congratulate the soldiers who were involved in the battle.

Earlier on Tuesday, the 62IB clashed with at least 40 members of the NPA's Sentro De Grabidad Platoon and the Samahang Yunit Propaganda Platoon Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor in the said city, which lasted for three hours.

Both the army and police recovered six M16 assault rifles, an M4 carbine, an M60 machine gun, a KG-9 machine pistol and an improvised explosive device.

Government forces also recovered the personal belongings of the insurgents, subversive documents and documents which yield "high-intelligence value."

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Teacher dies in road crash

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 08:24 AM PDT

A TEACHER died in a road accident on Araneta Street, Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City Thursday morning, March 25, 2021.

Police identified the fatality as Jojit Aujero, 47, of Barangay Purisima, Manapla, Negros Occidental.

Police Major Joery Puerto, chief of Police Station 8, said Aujero was driving his motorcycle going to the south direction of Araneta Street when the Isuzu vehicle driven by Anthony Nelson Huerva III, 32, of Barangay Taculing, bumped him around 4:45 a.m.

He said Aujero, an elementary teacher in Manapla, was thrown off from his motorcycle.

The victim sustained serious injuries and died on the spot.

Puerto said Huerva also voluntarily surrendered to Police Station 8. He was brought to a hospital due to hypertension.

He said the family of the victim already talked with Huerva's lawyer and discussed the settlement.

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San Carlos holds training on climate change

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 08:23 AM PDT

THE City Government of San Carlos through its City Environment Management Office (Cemo) conducted a three-day training seminar on climate change mitigation and adaptation measures for the teachers in the different school levels starting March 24 and ending on March 26.

Topics discussed include a symposium on climate change by Olive Seruelo, information officer of the Provincial Environment Management Office; a symposium on solid waste management and other related laws by Ma. Theresa Robles, information officer of the Provincial and Natural Resources Office; orientation to the revised search for sustainable and eco-friendly school criteria by Analou Gomo of the Cemo.

The launching of the search for sustainable and eco-friendly school year VII and distribution of entry forms were also made.

Seruelo cited the changes in the weather condition and other factors creating a negative impact on the environment which need to be addressed. Marietta Lomocso, IEC team leader of the Cemo, said teachers have a big role in inculcating to schoolchildren the value of protecting the environment and how to care for it. She also acknowledged the help of the Department of Education as a government partner in the implementation of various environmental programs.

Lomocso encouraged the different local schools including colleges particularly the Central Philippines State University to join the

search for a sustainable and eco-friendly school. (PR)

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Negros Occidental police ready to secure Holy Week

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 08:18 AM PDT

THE Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) assured that it is ready to secure the Semana Santa, which will start on March 28, 2021, and end on April 3, 2021.

Negrosanons are expected to visit places of worship resulting in the increase in the number of persons traveling, which might also result in crowding in transport terminals and other places of convergence. This poses a security threat, especially that the New People's Army (NPA) of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) will be celebrating its founding anniversary and might take advantage of the situation to conduct atrocities.

As a proactive measure, the City and Municipal Police Stations of NOCPPO will establish Police Assistance Desk, deploy police beat patrollers and covert police personnel to the said areas. To manage the traffic and secure the roads for travelers, road safety marshals and traffic personnel will be stationed along major routes. Despite this, there are no changes on regular police functions such as public safety and anti-criminality activities, thus will continue as usual.

Likewise, with the existential threat of the Covid-19, the said stations will also deploy teams of police officers who will ensure that the public adheres to the minimum health standards against the infectious virus.

With the high requirement of personnel, NOCPPO will utilize the help of 2,375 force multipliers.

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, Police Colonel Romy Pague, NOCPPO provincial director, appealed to the members of the NPA to stop the conduct of atrocities, especially targeting police officers and other security forces who are securing the Nerosanons observing the Lenten Season. (PR)

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Abellanosa: Is religion essential?

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 06:54 AM PDT

THE word "essential" has been highlighted since the Philippines and the rest of the world have imposed lockdowns in their political and geographic jurisdictions. In relation to the quarantine, both strict and modified, the term essential describes those activities that are most needed for the country to survive and thrive. Among others, this includes food and medicine.

Can religious services be classified as essential? This question surfaced when Bishop Ambo David reacted to the decision of the government specifically the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) to temporarily prohibit churches from conducting events and activities that would make people congregate. By excluding religious activities from the list of what are called essential, it is also implied that churches are not part of such a classification. Precisely why Manila's Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, also reacted, and even hit the government for not consulting the religious sector prior to making final decisions related to the GCQ (general community quarantine) in NCR (National Capital Region).

There are many terms in this world that cannot be understood equivocally. Essential is one among many other terms that may mean many things to many people. For the government, religion and its services may not be essential. A common argument in defense of this position is the separation of the Church and State, in which the State is not supposed to promote any form of belief, although neither should it prevent any person from expressing or practicing the belief so long as it is not contrary to law.

On the other hand, it should not be difficult for the government to understand that from the viewpoint of those who believe, religion is essential. Just like the other constitutionally recognized natural rights of man, the freedom to worship is an integral component of existence. This is not about the philosophical question of whether God truly exists, rather, this is about the importance of respecting what each and every person understands and believes about the significance of faith and convictions in life, particularly those that are spiritual and religious in nature.

In the end, the issue of Churches being prohibited from doing their usual traditions and practices would lead us back to two important points. One, the importance of being prudent and balanced on the part of the government when making pronouncements and orders that would affect the core of people's lives, specifically those that they dearly "believe." Two, the importance of collaboration instead of insisting on clear-cut jurisdictional lines.

Speaking about prudence, it would have been helpful if the government deals with Churches on their own terms. This would mean acknowledging that though there is an economic element in religion but, at the end of the day, they exist not really because of money. People pray because they need to.

Religious life is part of the most elementary necessities of human beings. Proof for this is the fact that even the government turns to God for guidance during the pandemic. True that Churches cannot be classified as essential like businesses, but neither is it correct to just say that they should "shut down" simply because the country may run without physical religious services.

Then there is the issue of collaboration. If it is true, as Bishop Pabillo, claims that there was no consultation, then this is one area in our country's governance that must be reviewed. There are jurisdictional lines between Church and State. But often, and this has to be admitted, the separation has always been invoked whenever the government needs to push a matter of which it is somewhat defensive. Weren't there times when the government opted for collaboration with the religious sector? Is not religion in general and Churches in particular, partners with the State in the promotion of education, charitable works, peace processes, and culture and the arts? If in these areas, collaboration is possible, why not the determination as to how Churches must or can continue offering their services in a time of pandemic, without necessarily breaching safety protocols or endangering the lives of its worshippers who are also citizens of the Republic?

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Candoni: An exciting tourist destination in the south

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 06:51 AM PDT

PEOPLE nowadays discover unique destinations which can be great spots for families to get together or for friends who share light to meaningful moments together.

Hitting the road and driving in distant places like the town of Candoni can be exciting and worthwhile.

Candoni, by its facade, is a modest town in southern Negros Occidental where the insurgency is still present, but for sure, under control.

But if you continue to search further as to its inner territory, one will surely be astounded to see its beautifully contoured mountains enhanced by the concrete zigzagging road network that resembles the "Great Wall of China," a comparison dictated by my naked eye and my appreciation of the place.

Normally, tourists visit Sipalay or Hinobaan. But a side trip to the town of Candoni is a great option. However, one needs to bear the travel time and the distance that it entails for one to reach the destination.

There were many instances that we had to ask for directions where after getting instruction from a resident, you again asked another because we were new to the place.

Candoni is far if you take either the Sipalay route or the Dangcalan, Ilog road. But if you are determined, it's worth all the troubles.

It was a long trip but when we arrived at the destination, our physical exhaustion faded away because of the scenery and the cool ambiance.

It was beautiful.

More and more visitors have been talking about this beautiful town, particularly the Kennington Hill Nature Park at Barangay West and Gatuslao where the scenery is fascinating and are great for posting on Facebook, Instagram, and any other social media platform.

Some businesses have sprouted in a hilly spot with verandas that capture panoramic view.

Indeed, Candoni is an exciting tourist destination in the south.

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Gawa apprehensive on current labor, economic developments in Western Visayas

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 06:50 AM PDT

NEGROS Occidental-based labor group, General Alliance of Workers Associations (Gawa), has expressed apprehensions on the current labor and economic developments in Western Visayas.

Wennie Sancho, secretary general of Gawa, said they are apprehensive of the spike of unemployment rate in the region, which was up by 9.1 percent in January 2021 from 5.6 percent in January 2020.

Sancho, also the labor representative to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-Western Visayas, said this translates to about 312,900 workers, or higher by 131,095 compared to 181,805 in January 2020.

"Underemployment in January 2021 is 21.1 percent," he claimed, adding that this translates to 659,4 93 higher compared to January 2020 with 12.9 percent or 402,284 unemployed persons according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The labor leader recalled that the inflation rate was 3.8 as of January 2021, higher than 3.01 average inflation last year.

While the consumer price index, he said, was at 129.10 in January 2021 and still higher than the average inflation of 3.01 in 2020.

Sancho lamented that the purchasing of the peso continued to slide down from P79.67 in 2020 to P0.77 in January 2021 reducing the real wage of the workers.

"With all these economic indicators, the economic prospects are not good," he said, adding that more business establishments are reducing their manpower and the number of hours to be worked just to keep their business afloat.

The Gawa official believed that it was compounded by the government's pronouncement that there will be no amelioration funds for the workers.

The world of the workers is getting smaller as they were trapped in the quagmire of hunger and poverty, he pointed out.

In the virtual meeting of the RTWPB-Western Visayas yesterday, the labor representative manifested before the other members his sentiment over the delay on the resolution of labor's manifestation for a P25 per day Pandemic Emergency Relief Allowance (Pera) submitted on October 16, 2020.

Sancho urged the Board to take action on the issue, whether to grant or not the Pera, otherwise the workers would think that the Wage Board is "inutile."

In a related development, the Board will start tackling the labor sector's call for a relief allowance starting April 8, he added.

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Breeder loan program boosts Negros Occidental hog raisers

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 06:48 AM PDT

THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), on Thursday, March 25, 2021, delivered performance-tested boar as breeder stocks to hog raisers in Fourth and Sixth Districts of the province.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said the recipients of the boar from Jamarli Inc., a Jaltas piggery based in Bago City, were hog raisers associations from San Enrique, Candoni, Sipalay and Cauayan.

Decena said the delivered boar as breeder stocks is under the breeder loan program of the provincial government.

"The program aims to increase the number and improve the quality of swine in the province in line with the Animal Livelihood and Food Security program of the provincial government under its Abanse Negrense Agenda," he added.

The PVO noted a large and increasing volume of pig production in the province, particularly in Fourth and Sixth Districts.

Its records showed that the total swine population in the two districts are 72,803 and 76,867, respectively.

This meant that the bulk of production is coming from the said districts, it said.

Decena said the Fourth District has an existing of six commercial hog farms, Of which, two are multiplier farms.

The Sixth District, on the other hand, has breeding facilities such as animal production and artificial insemination centers in support to swine production increase.

Decena said that on the marketing side, an average of 100 to 150 heads of swine per "oksyon (auction) market" transaction is registered and sold in Kabankalan Livestock Auction Market.

This is where the majority of sold pigs is intended for the Manila market, the provincial veterinarian said.

"With the availment of boar loan program and proper management and breeding practice it is expected to significantly increase production of genetically improved swine in the province," he added.

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Enjoy vouchers galore when you use GCash on foodpanda this March

Posted: 25 Mar 2021 06:43 AM PDT

GOOD news for foodies all over the country: GCash is giving away multiple foodpanda voucher codes when you order and pay using GCash!

Not yet on foodpanda? For a minimum order of P200, new users can instantly enjoy P100 off when they use the voucher code "GCASHNEW" and pay using GCash for their very first order.

Meanwhile, existing subscribers can enjoy P50 off their order when they use the voucher code "50GCASH" for a minimum order of P250.

GCash also has free deliveries covered! Customers can simply use the code "GDAYSUNDAY" on all Sundays of March while paying via GCash to enjoy free deliveries on minimum orders of P200!

GCash foodpanda voucher codes Code Discount Limit GCASHNEW P100 off New users on first order Valid once 50GCASH P50 off Existing users Valid once GDAYSUNDAY Free delivery Existing users Valid once every Sunday

By ordering through foodpanda using GCash, customers will be able to eat good food while staying at home, while also protecting themselves from the recently rising Covid-19 cases through physical distancing.

"GCash is making ordering food online more fun, affordable, and most importantly, safe. With our partnership with foodpanda, GCash customers get to enjoy great food with multiple discount options, without the need for physical cash payments, and while still being able to protect themselves against Covid-19," said Martha Sazon, president and chief executive officer of GCash.

GCash customers can add their GCash wallet on the foodpanda app by checking out their orders and by selecting GCash as the payment method to link their wallet before placing their order.

"With GCash, foodpanda customers nationwide are assured of safely and securely ordering without the need for paying cash or change, while observing social distancing protocols to protect them from the pandemic," said Daniel Marogy, managing director of foodpanda Philippines.

Promo runs until March 31, 2021.

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly owned by Globe Telecom Inc.

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com/. (PR)

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