This Week in Bacolod (August 5 to 11, 2018)

Ready your jackets and umbrellas as heavy downpours are expected to happen this week in the City of Smiles. Motorists are advised to drive slowly since slippery roads are inevitable at the moment. Despite the bad weather, there are fewer areas in the city that are flood prone compared to last year. This is great news because the drainage program of the Department of Public Works and Highways has been very efficient. It is also advised to watch news for abrupt announcements of suspension of classes and work may take place.

Some public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers in Negros Occidental are collecting higher fare despite no new matrix was issued yet by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Satellite Office in Bacolod City. Drivers, on the other hand, complain that there is an alleged inaction on the LTFRB Office regarding the fare increase since up to this time. The hike of PhP9 from PhP7 was already approved in February this year [2]. Travelers and local commuters are advised to pay the basic fare if PUJ drivers do not have a new matrix displayed yet in their vehicle.

With the aim of bringing the Bacolod Port to the next level, Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (BREDCO) has invited tai-pan Lucio Co to be a strategic partner in the planned multi-billion peso improvement. The long term target is to make the BREDCO facility a world-class transshipment port to increase traffic and revenues for Bacolod [3]. This will be great news for touristS from the nearby islands for they will have a better experience traveling back and forth in the City of Smiles.

The Provincial Government, through the Negros Occidental Tourism Division, has conducted a training on basic water safety for aquatic lifesavers and pool lifeguards in Escalante City. Thirty-seven participants from various resorts and tourism establishments joined the three-day training at Jomabo Island [4]. This event is in partnership with the Philippine Lifesaving Society, an organization that aims to enhance the safety and preservation of human life in the aquatic environment of the country. This will be great news for tourists who love to engage in recreational water activities, for they will be assisted with well-trained local personnel that will help ensure safety.

Have you heard about Loboc River Cruise in Bohol? If yes, great news! You will soon experience cruising along the river while enjoying native food through the Balsa River Cruise. This floating native restaurant will be sailing soon on the waters of Ilog-Hilabangan River Basin located between Kabankalan City and Ilog town. It will be the next big tourism activity in the Southern Negros. They already started holding dry-runs last month, but they will definitely announce the time they start operations in their Facebook page.

Power rates and prices of selected commodities have increased this month in Negros Occidental. Three electric cooperatives in the province announced that residential electricity rates will increase in August. In addition, Bacolod City Water District has also announced that a new water bill form will be issued this month to consumers due to the upgrade of their billing and collection system. While, canned goods like processed meat, milk, and sardines will increase as well [5]. Tourists who are planning to visit Bacolod must prepare extra money since prices are getting higher due to the inflation.