Mining firm owes P108M in back taxes

BEFORE it can resume its operations in the province of Negros Occidental, the Sipalay City-based Maricalum Mining Corporation (MMC) needs to settle its back taxes of approximately P108 million to the municipality of Cauayan and Sipalay City.

Sipalay City Mayor Oscar Montilla said last week that the company has signified its intention to re-open its operation in the city. Philex Mining Corporation and Selenga Mines are also interested in establishing mining operations in Sipalay.

Ex-senator to help health care beneficiaries

FORMER Senator Mar Roxas will be in the province Friday to provide additional assistance to the beneficiaries of the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Care Program (NOCHP).

Roxas, who lost in his vice-presidential bid in last year's election, will reportedly donate an ambulance and medical equipment to the provincial and district hospitals in the province to complement Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.'s health program.

Two fishermen missing

TWO fishermen from the town of Hinobaan have been reported missing since Sunday, January 23.

Lawmaker files bill to help jailed 'drug mules'

BAYAN Muna Representative Neri Javier Colmenares is proposing a bill at the Lower House directing the Committee on Dangerous Drugs to investigate, in aid of legislation, the proliferation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) imprisoned in different countries for allegedly being "drug mules" (illegal drug traffickers).

Bacolod condoles with Leonardia family

THE Bacolod City Council expressed its deep sympathy and condolences to Mayor Evelio Leonardia and family for the demise of Jose "Joe" Leonardia, the mayor's brother, who died last January 25, 2011.

City Council okays housing board bill on 1st reading

THE City Council has approved on first reading the ordinance establishing the Bacolod Housing Board as authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran and co-authored by Councilors Dindo Ramos, Caesar Distrito, Roberto Rojas, Archie Baribar, Em Legaspi-Ang and Mona Dia Jardin.

Pedestrian dies in road mishap

A 45-YEAR-OLD woman was killed Wednesday afternoon after she was accidentally hit by a motorcycle while crossing Burgos Street in front of Villa Angela Subdivision, Bacolod City.

Public warned vs artificial sweeteners

ENRIQUE D. Rojas, president of the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters Inc. (NFSP), warned the public of the health hazards caused by artificial sweeteners (sugar substitutes), which are reportedly circulating in the country.

"Sugar withdrawals since the start of the milling in September 2010 have dropped more than 50 percent as of December 12, 2010, compared to the same period last year. This indicates that food and beverage manufacturers have been using sugar substitutes, sugar premixes or even synthetic artificial sweeteners such as magic sugar," Rojas pointed out.

Close monitoring of premix sugar to start soon

SUGAR Regulatory Administrator Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin assured sugar planters on Wednesday that her office will soon come out with an order to regulate the entry of imported premix sugar in the country.

Martin also announced that they have already come up with a more stringent manner of processing the entry of premix products to determine the quantity of sugar in the blends that are coming into the country.

Capitol assures public of transparency in projects

GOVERNOR Alfredo Marañon Jr. told the public on Wednesday to expect transparency on the infrastructure projects undertaken by the Provincial Government under his administration.

Marañon explained that Dynamic Builders won the bidding for the projects and that the quality of their work is above-standard and the company has the financial resources.

80-room hotel to rise in Mambukal

NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. bared on Wednesday the plan to construct an 80-room hotel in Mambukal Resort to accommodate all tourists who might wish to enjoy the place.

Guv seeks time with Aquino

IF PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino comes to Negros Occidental for the Philippine football team's battle against Mongolia at the Panaad Stadium on February 9, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. hopes he can meet with local officials to listen to their concerns.

Councilor asks for updates on Old City Hall case

BACOLOD City Councilor Sonya Verdeflor has proposed a resolution requesting the Bacolod City Legal Office to furnish the City Council with the complete records of the case on "Jose R. De Luzuriaga Jr. vs Municipal Government of Bacolod".

Councilor urges support for Team Azkals

BACOLOD City Councilor Caesar Distrito has proposed a resolution urging all Bacolodnons to support the Philippine Football Team Azkals in their historic match against Mongolia at the Pana-ad Sports Stadium on February 9.

Drug task force: Operators shift to other areas

BACOLOD City Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force Deputy Police Chief Inspector Noel Polines on Wednesday confirmed that after the police sealed off Barangays 1, 2 and 22, drug operators have reportedly shifted their operations to other areas in the city.

Station 2 impounds 100 tricycles

ABOUT 100 tricycles and five motorcycles have been impounded from January 1 to 26 by the operatives of Police Station 2 for various violations, including driving without license and traveling out-of-route, a police official said Wednesday.

Entry of premix sugar alarms planters 

SUGAR leaders in the province expressed alarm over the surge in the importation of premix sugar by industrial users that reportedly caused slow trading of sugar quedan in the past weeks.    The situation prompted the Confederation of Sugar Producers (Confed) Negros-Panay Chapter to seek the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to address the situation they believe can affect domestic sugar prices.

City prepares grand welcome for Azkals  

THE Silay City Government prepared a grand welcome for the members of the Philippine men's national football team, more popularly called “Azklas”, for its arrival Wednesday at the Silay-Bacolod Airport.    Silay City Tourism Officer Ver Pacete said the Azkals will be welcomed by Mayor Jose Montelibano, Vice Mayor Mark Andrew Arthur Golez, and the personnel of the city tourism office led by Silay Councilor Popeye Locsin.

Lawmaker eyes PRC office in Negros

NEGROS Occidental third district Representative Albee Benitez is eyeing to put up of a satellite office in the province.

Irene Reyes, a member of the staff of Benitez said they are closely coordinating with the office of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in Western Visayas for the plan of putting up a satellite office, which will surely serve not only the professionals in the third district but the professionals in the whole province as well.

Group opposes Bacolod redistricting

THE Bacolod Citizens for Good Governance (BCAGG) strongly opposed the reapportioning of the lone legislative district and the City Council seats of Bacolod into two separate districts.

Aquino defended on ‘Porsche’ issue

NEGRENSE for Noynoy Movement (N4NM) member Nana Yulo on Tuesday defended President Benigno Aquino III in his recent purchase of his Porsche luxury vehicle.

She said that, in buying the said car, the President used his own money and not money from the coffers of the National Government.

Petroleum products overpriced – transport group

LOCAL transport group United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC) is asking the government to look into the alleged overpricing of petroleum products by the country's oil companies.

Nilo Frias, UNDOC Deputy Secretary General, said the government should know that the price of petroleum products in the world market had stabilized after the normalization of the operation of a major oil field in Alaska, which encountered problems after some of its pipelines leaked.

Mayor on football challenge cup: 'Bacolod hotels not fully-booked'

BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia on Monday clarified that Bacolod's hotels are not yet fully booked.

It is contrary to the announcement made by former Bacolod representative and now Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Monico O. Puentevella.

Man may have died of meningococcemia

A 40-YEAR-OLD man in Purok Talisay, Barangay Zone 1, Cadiz City, is suspected to have died of meningococcemia early morning Monday.

In fact, Cadiz City Health Officer Merle Jane Regalado has confirmed that all the symptoms of meningococcemia were diagnosed in the patient, who was identified as Allen Honopre.

Court dismisses Asian Alcohol injunction

THE Regional Trial Court Branch 62 in Bago City dismissed the injunction complaint filed by a company against 13 village officials, a police official and other respondents for alleged roadblocks.

Only 10% of Bacolod taxis can collect P40 flag-down

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Bacolod on Monday said only about 10 percent of around 800 taxi units in the city can now start charging the P40 flag-down rate and an additional P3.50 for every succeeding 300 meters.

Total reorganization at Capitol under way

A TOTAL reorganization at the provincial Capitol is under way, after the move was agreed upon by Capitol department heads during the Provincial Government's 2011 team-building and strategic planning at Nabulao Bay Beach resort in Hinoba-an on January 21-23.

New police director assumes post

THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) welcomed a new director effective Monday.

'One-Stop Shop' hastens business permit processing

THE 'one-stop shop' business permit processing set up by the Bacolod City Government through its Permits and Licensing Division, with the assistance of City Administrator Dr. Roger Balo, has hastened the processing of business permits, be it new applications or for renewal.

11-foot snake found

AN APPROXIMATELY eleven-foot "magkal" snake was found Monday morning in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City.