This Week in Bacolod (September 16 to 22, 2018)

After enjoying the heat of the sun last week, Bacoleños will now face a week of thunderstorms. A couple of rain showers are also expected this week. It is recommended to bring an umbrella to protect yourselves from the elements. According to AccuWeather, the minimum temperature will be at 22 °C, while the maximum temperature will be at 32 °C [1].

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Bacolod Satellite Office has been temporarily closed. Regional Director Richard Osmeña clarified the temporary closure of the office located across the Bacolod Public Plaza is just temporary as the office is preparing to upgrade its services. If you have transactions with the office, they will still accommodate clients on the same location, but only on Thursdays and Fridays in the month of September. LTFRB looks forward to transfer to a bigger office in Barangay Mansilingan where it can accommodate more clients [2].

The passenger volume in Bacolod displayed an increase in the first seven months of 2018. According to the Philippine Ports Authority, the favorable passenger traffic was driven primarily by the domestic interisland travel of Bacoleños [3]. Sea-traveling vessels like Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) vessels, fast craft, and motorized bancas are some of the primary modes of transportation in the island. Since we are already in “-ber” months, the passenger volume is expected to further increase. If you are from the nearby islands planning to visit Bacolod during MassKara Festival and Christmas season, it is recommended to book your sea-trips beforehand.

Patag, a highland barangay in Silay City, is dubbed as one of the top tourist destinations in the country. That is the reason why resorts and other structures are greatly increasing in the area. However, Mayor Mark Golez pointed out that there are a lot of resort owners in the area who don’t have business, building, occupancy, and discharge permits. He requested to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) to deputize the local government of Silay to regulate illegal structures within Patag [4].

The application for kiosk operations at the Bacolod Public Plaza and the Bacolod City Government Center grounds for the MassKara Festival has already started last week. If you are planning to put up your business within the area, proceed to the MassKara Office, Tourism Building on San Juan Street. Applications will be accommodated from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Rates range from PhP14,000 to PhP20,000 depending on the location. The MassKara Festival will kick off on October 8 [5].

The Philippine Senate recently approved the proposed Bacolod City Charter Day Bill. The approved House Bill (HB) No. 7044 declares that June 18 is Bacolod City’s official Charter Day.The declaration also tagged the charter day as a special non-working holiday in the CIty of Smiles. The recognized inauguration of the will still be commemorated every October 19, in line with the month long celebration of Masskara Festival. The bill was filed by Congressman Greg Gasataya on June 13, 2017, upon the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia. The bill was unanimously approved by the senate [6].