BACOLOD CITY - The Negros Occidental provincial government is gearing up to hold an investors' forum for its proposed bulk water system project under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Tuesday although the target is to hold it in June, the province could set the date much earlier based on the recent developments, wherein at least three private firms have already submitted unsolicited proposals. "There are several firms that want to enter the province. We entertain them. We have transparency on what is going on in our feasibility study being conducted in cooperation with the PPP Center, Asian Development Bank and United States Agency for International Development," he said. Four local government units in the north, including the cities of Silay, Talisay and Victorias as well as the municipality of Manapla have expressed intent to avail of bulk water supply under the PPP project, which would initially tap Silay'
AGRI MODERNIZATION. Water buffalo at the Philippine Carabao Center in Batac City get a fresh bath in this undated photo. To revitalize the carabao industry in the province, the Ilocos Norte government, the Philippine Carabao Center, and selected farmers' cooperatives have agreed to consolidate their efforts to increase carabao milk and meat production. (Photo courtesy of PCC) LAOAG CITY - The Ilocos Norte government, the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), and a multi-sectoral group composed of local farmers' cooperatives have pledged to consolidate their resources to revitalize the province's carabao industry. Through Provincial Resolution 2023-02-103, a memorandum of agreement is being prepared for the establishment of a province-wide carabao-based business improvement network to boost the local dairy industry and provide business opportunities to carabao entrepreneurs or "carapreneurs." "The memorandum of agreement is due for signing by the governor, the PCC,
COMFORT ROOM. Toilet structures installed with septic tanks have been provided to each of the 310 beneficiary households in E.B. Magalona town in Negros Occidental province to achieve zero open defecation and prevent water-borne diseases. The initiative was jointly implemented by the province and the municipality under the Provincial Integrated Safe Water Program.(Photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental) BACOLOD CITY - The Negros Occidental provincial government has assisted the municipality of E.B. Magalona in building toilet facilities for its residents to achieve zero open defecation and prevent water-borne diseases. Jointly implemented under the Provincial Integrated Safe Water Program, the initiative benefited 310 households in six barangays of the northern Negros town, which were provided individual sanitary toilets starting Monday. "This project will significantly help eradicate cholera and other water-borne cases. We thank the provincial government for constantly looking a
WATER SECURITY. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (center) leads the 1st Provincial Integrated Water Security Council meeting at the Seda Capitol Central Hotel in Bacolod City on Friday (Sept. 16, 2022). The Council approved the Provincial Integrated Water Security Plan 2023-2030 to carry out more systematic and organized interventions to improve water security.(Photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental) BACOLOD CITY - Negros Occidental has crafted the Provincial Integrated Water Security Plan (PIWSP) to carry out a more systematic and organized interventions to improve water security for its residents. "We approved the Negros Occidental PIWSP 2023-2030. This was the highlight of today's meeting," said Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on the sidelines of the 1st PIWS Council (PIWSC) meeting at the Seda Capitol Central Hotel here on Friday. The province has received assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Safe Water project in
FLOODING. Some 24 barangays in Pangasinan province experience flooding caused by severe tropical storm Florita. The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is still on red alert status as of Aug. 25, 2022. (Photo by Hilda Austria) MALASIQUI, Pangasinan - The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is still under red alert status due to flooding in some 24 barangays of the province and in anticipation of flooding in other areas if rain continues in the uplands. In a phone interview on Thursday, PDRRMO emergency operations center director Ron Castillo said two river systems in the province have already overflowed while some are at critical level following the onslaught of severe tropical storm Florita that brought heavy rains on Tuesday and Wednesday. "Sinocalan River and Marusay River in Santa Barbara and Calasiao towns, respectively, have overflowed. We are still closely monitoring as water from the upstream still go