This Week in Bacolod (July 8 to 14, 2018)

Bacolod will still be affected by thunderstorms throughout the week, specifically from July 8 to 11. Rain showers are also on the forecast, and will most likely fall from July 12 to 14. Drivers are advised to drive slowly due to slippery roads following the rain showers. Morning rain showers are also expected, don’t forget to bring your umbrella upon leaving home whatever the weather is at the moment. According to AccuWeather Forecast, the minimum temperature will be at 25 °C, while the maximum temperature will be at 32 °C [1].

A PhP2.50 fare increase will be implemented by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) this week. The current jeepney fares of PhP6.50 for regular passengers and PhP5 for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and students will become PhP9 and PhP7.50, respectively. Meanwhile, sea vessels chose to withhold the fare hike after considering its implications during the lean season. According to Frank Carbon, operator of Weesam Express, if they increase fare during the lean season, they might lose a large volume of passengers [2].

Dimly-lighted and nonfunctioning street lamps along the Bacolod-Silay International Airport access road has been a major concern for locals and tourists for months now. There are also recorded accidents in the area which makes it an enough reason why locals raised this concern. The management and government agencies were urged to improve the safety and security by putting well-lighted lamps leading to the airport. This is for the welfare and convenience of the motorists and tourists [3]. Tourists are advised to take the national road instead to avoid accidents and ensure safe travel to destinations south of the airport.

Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, a mountaineering haven for tourist in Negros Occidental, is still on Alert Level 2. The Office of the Civil Defense-Western Visayas (OCD-WV) said that they are now closely monitoring Mount Kanlaon, and will support in terms of preparations and contingency plan to the Provincial Risk Reduction Management Council. Jose Roberto Nuñez, the director of OCD-WV reminded the parents as well as the teachers, to inform the school children of the proper evacuation areas [4]. The natural park is only open for scientific researches and government agency monitoring, but access to some areas are still open upon request to the park management.