Miners volunteer for search, rescue operations in Negros Oriental

THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) are coordinating a 49-member team of miners to conduct search, rescue and retrieval operations on earthquake-induced landslide incidents in various parts of Negros Oriental, including Sitio Moog, Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City and La Libertad.

MGB-Central Visayas Regional Director Loreto Alburo said the mines bureau and PMSEA have a Pusong Minero advocacy program on the prevention, preparedness and emergency response to natural and man-made emergencies in support to the national government’s disaster and coordination program.

Lawmaker calls for help for quake victims

REPRESENTATIVE Jocelyn S. Limkaichong (1st district, Negros Oriental) appealed to government agencies, non-government organizations, private companies and individuals to help victims of 6.9-magnitude quake in her province.

+IBw-We are under a state of calamity. At least 45 of my constituents were confirmed dead, at least 70 still missing, at least 80 injured, thousands in pain of their loved ones' death and in trauma of the unexpected magnitude-6.9 quake that severely hit my province+ICY- The picture of my district - which used to be vibrant - is now dim and gloomy+ADs- our people, in great desperation for everyone's help,+IB0- Limkaichoing said in a statement.

Globe to provide relief ops in Guihulngan

LEADING telecommunications company Globe Telecom is set to conduct relief operations in the earthquake-devastated town of Guihulngan in Negros Oriental which the government placed under a state of calamity on February 7.

“Globe is already mapping out relief ops plan for Guihulngan since the people there need food, water, and treatment facilities. We are actually ready with the goods but we are still figuring out how to deliver them considering that we got problems with access since roads and bridges are down,” said Rob I. Nazal, head of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.

Transmission firm restores power in La Libertad, Jimalalud

THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) restored Thursday power in portions of La Libertad and Jimalalud in Negros Oriental through its Bindoy substation.

The NGCP line crew continues to bring segments of lightweight steel towers to accessible locations for helicopter hauling later on, according to an NGCP advisory.

Quake victims in Negros Oriental need water, food, medicines

VICTIMS of Monday’s 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Negros Oriental, particularly those in La Libertad, Ayongon, Tayasan and Gihulngan City, are in urgent need of potable water, medicines, shovels and food.

With this, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Central Visayas is asking the public for donations, which may be coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Gov't offices do away with Christmas parties

SOME government agencies have canceled their Christmas parties to show empathy to families affected by Tropical Storm Sendong in Negros Oriental.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) District-79 and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Police Office have donated relief good packages that included rice, canned goods, sugar, coffee, noodles and detergent soap.

Binay hands out relief goods in Negros Oriental

VICE President Jejomar Binay visited the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Negros Oriental and expressed sadness over the disastrous effects of the storm that resulted in the loss of lives, homes and properties in this Central Visayas province.

Binay, during his visit Friday, handed relief good packages and held a quick chat with the victims staying in makeshift tents and evacuation centers in Dumaguete City and Tanjay City.

2 Hawaii legislators offer help to rehab tyhoon damages

TWO members of the House of Representatives of the State of Hawaii of the United States of America called on Monday to Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria and offered help for the city's relief and rehabilitation efforts following the devastation left by Tropical Storm "Sendong" last Saturday.

Representative John M. Mizuno of District 30 (Kalihi area) and Representative Tom M. Brower of District 23 (Waikiki) are in the city to join Wednesday evening’s Dumaguete-Hawaii Sisterhood Fun Run organized by the Dumaguete Amateur Runners and Striders (DARS) and assisted by the Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club, Inc.

34 rescued from grounded ship

DUMAGUETE CITY -- Authorities rescued 34 people from a cargo vessel, which ran aground early Saturday, as Tropical Storm Sendong (international name: Washi) ravaged parts of Negros Oriental.

Dumaguete Coast Guard station commander Agapito Bibat said the M/V Ever Transport II of Kheri Lines Inc. ran aground along the shores in the boundary of Barangay Tinago and Sitio Canday-ong, Barangay Calindagan in Dumaguete, close to the estuary of the overflowing Banica River, around 6:30 a.m.

Lawmaker runs for 'freedom', corruption-free Philippines

QUEZON CITY -- Negros Oriental first district Representative Jocelyn Limkaichong was among the more than 2,000 runners who finished either three or six kilometers in a fun run at the University of the Philippines Oval last November 27.

The fun run was organized to celebrate martyr Ninoy Aquino's birthday, "the gift of freedom Filipinos now enjoy", and support current administration's race against graft and corruption in the country.

Army’s Youth Leadership Summit produces 121 leaders  

ONE hundred twenty-one young Filipinos from various villages of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental and Moises Padilla town in adjoining Negros Occidental province completed the four-day Youth Leadership Summit (YLS).

The youth summit, facilitated by the Philippine Army’s (PA) 11th Infantry Battalion, was held simultaneously in the two local government units (LGUs) from October 26 to 29.

Pantawid Pamilya adds 5 more areas in Negros

FIVE more local government units (LGUs) have been added to the roster of LGUs covered by the government-led poverty reduction program, Pantawid Pamilya, in Negros Oriental province.

Bella Tse, Pantawid Pamilya provincial coordinator from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the province, said the additional LGUs for the program’s Set 5 implementation this year are Dumaguete City, San Jose, Tanjay City, Dauin and Valencia.

Local governments told: Hold convergence caravans

LOCAL governments units (LGUs) with families benefiting from the government’s poverty-reduction program Pantawid Pamilya or 4Ps are encouraged to initiate a Convergence Caravan in their area.

Bella Tse, Pantawid Pamilya provincial coordinator at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said LGUs where the program is implemented can also hold their own caravan to help the agency bring government services and programs closer to the beneficiaries.

Negros lawmaker supports Aquino’s ‘no all-out war’ stand

NEGROS Oriental Representative Jocelyn Limkaichong expressed Thursday her support to President Benigno Aquino III’s stand on the ongoing peace process in Mindanao.

Aquino earlier turned down requests for an all-out war declaration in Mindanao following the killing of 19 soldiers in Al-Barka town, Basilan last month and the series of attacks in Lanao de Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay. The attacks have been blamed on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has been talking peace with the government.

Lawmaker lauds Malaysian Prince’s anti-dengue drive

REPRESENTATIVE Jocelyn S. Limkaichong (1st district, Negros Oriental) admired Malaysian Prince Tunku Naquiyuddin Ja’afar for bringing his global anti-dengue drive in the Philippines.

Prince Tunku Naquiyuddin Ja’afar, son of the 10th King of Malaysia Tuanku Ja’afar, was in the country to launch his CounterStrike Lamok campaign in partnership with EntoGenex and Renew Philippines.

Agri-fair, congress mark Buglasan Festival

FARMERS and fisherfolk from across Negros Oriental gathered in this city from October 13 to 14 for the Buglasan NegOrganic Farm Family Agricultural Fair and Congress.

The activity was held inside the Provincial Nursery compound to mark the ongoing Buglasan Festival of Festivals being celebrated in the city until October 23.

9 local government units to compete in Buglasan showdown

NINE contingents from different municipalities and cities in Negros Oriental will compete at the grand "festival of festivals" and street dancing showdown on October 21.

These events will be the highlight of the Buglasan Festival, which is Negros Oriental’s provincial fiesta, participated in by the province’s six component cities and 19 municipalities.

Mental disorder cases among youth increasing

THE Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA)-Negros Oriental chapter has noted the increasing number in recent years of youth with psychological, emotional, and mental problems in the province.

The observation coincides with the celebration of the Mental Health Awareness Week every second week of October.

Negros Oriental sets candle-lighting for peace

THE Negros Oriental Government, along with the Bayanihan Para sa Kabataan and People Power Volunteers for Reform, will hold a symbolic Candle Lighting for Peace on November 11 at the Freedom Park grounds, Capitol in Dumaguete City.

The historic provincial event, which will start at 5 p.m., is in celebration of the international Remembrance Day or Day of Peace (end of World War 1), which aims to encourage other sectors and individuals to be involved in the peace process.

Bill for families with disabled dependents approved

REPRESENTATIVE Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st district, Negros Oriental) said the measure aimed at helping poor families supporting children with disabilities and special needs has been approved by the 15th Congress committee on ways and means.

Limkaichong, who is an advocate of social reform and rights for women and children, sits as an active member for the majority in the said committee.

Police to rescue 2 minors in entertainment bar

MAYOR Marcela Bartoces of Sibulan, Negros Oriental, asked for the assistance of the Provincial Police Office to verify reports about two minors working in an entertainment bar in Sibulan town.

Bartoces received reports that one of the entertainment bars has employed minors to do lewd shows.

Fish workers sue 'maestro'

DUMAGUETE CITY – At least six cases in violation for alleged human trafficking and a separate case in violation for alleged child abuse and exploitation have been filed against a “maestro” or chief fisherman from Ayungon, Negros Oriental.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, provincial director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Oriental, confirmed that they had assisted 38 initial complainants of fish workers who filed the cases late Friday against Andrew Sanchez Labao, 52, married and a resident of Inacban, Ayungon town.

Medical services benefit Sibulan residents

SOME 2,000 residents of Poblacion, Sibulan availed of the free medical services offered by the government and private doctors of the Metropolitan Inter-Local Health Zone (MILHZ).

Sibulan Information Officer Connie Rosales said the medicines worth P50,000 were given for free to the patients from 8:00 p.m. to 12 noon Thursday.

Run set for scholarship program in Dumaguete

THE Silliman University (SU) Alumni Association is gearing up for “Run 2011: Run to Educate” to mark the 110th founding anniversary of the university in August this year.

The run will kick off at 5:30 a.m. on August 7 at the Gate of Knowledge, Hibbard Avenue and will end at SU's Uytengsu Foundation Computer Center.

Mayors in provinces urged to comply with solid waste law

THE National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) has reiterated its call for mayors in the provinces to step up their compliance of the solid waste management law.

NSWMC Commissioner Crispian Lao, in his recent visit to Dumaguete City upon the invitation of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), urged mayors to fully comply with Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which provides for sanitary landfills to take the place of open dumpsites.

Council approves budget for 7 villages

THE Dumaguete Council approved on Wednesday the 2011 budget for the seven villages in the city at P16.8 million.

The amount will be broken down to the following seven villages, namely: Candau-ay (P2,855,898.33), Bunao (P1,726,888.39), Cadawinonan (P2,182,179.25), Looc (P2,499,405.25), Piapi (P3,096,286.43), Daro (P3,249,327.49), and Poblacion 6 (P1,231,964.60).

NegOr guv eyes mini-forests in villages

THE Provincial Government of Negros Oriental is pushing for the creation of mini-forests in villages across the province.

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo is eyeing to implement a tree-growing project that will allow pockets of mini-forests to thrive in the province’s 570 barangays.

Board okays P80 million for projects

THE Provincial Board in Negros Oriental approved the request of Governor Roel Degamo for the appropriation of P80 million to fund various projects in the province.

Land Bank to service GSIS Negros Oriental pensioners

LAND Bank of the Philippines will soon be servicing the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) pensioners in Negros Oriental.

In a memorandum of agreement, the GSIS authorized the state-run bank to service old-age and survivorship pensioners.

Negros Oriental allots P20 million for more classrooms

THE Provincial Government of Negros Oriental has set aside some P20 million for the construction of 29 additional classrooms for this year's opening of classes.

Governor Roel Degamo said the budget for the construction of classrooms will be taken from the Provincial School Board, which also includes additional teacher items under the "Basta NegOr Education 104 Program."