This Week in Bacolod (August 26 to September 2, 2018)

After a long streak of rain showers this month, finally, there will be a few signs of sun this week in Bacolod. Morning rain showers are expected from August 27 to 29, but the sun will be shining in the afternoon [1]. It is advised to bring an umbrella or a raincoat in the morning to protect yourselves from the rain. You can just leave it in your house, school or office in the afternoon since high chances of sunshine is expected after the showers.

There has been news of ongoing constructions that are not observing appropriate safety measures, especially on the installation of safety nets. Safety nets are used to cover an area to prevent falling debris from hitting passersby. That’s the reason why the Bacolod City Council requested the Office of the Building Official (OBO) to firmly put into practice the provision of the National Building Code on pedestrian protection all throughout building constructions [2]. This is great news not just for tourists but also for locals as well who are going around the city.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is presently constructing a flood control structure along Imbang River in Silay City, Negros Occidental. With rains evidently strong in the island, this can be the solution on the occurrence of flash floods not just in the City of Smiles but all throughout the province. This flood control structure is envisioned to be finished in October this year [3]. This project can also lessen traffic jams in the province since flash floods has been also a determining factor.

Together with the strong campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against drugs, the police have been very active in recovering prohibited drugs not just in homes but also in ports. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)–Western Visayas director Emerson Margate is pushing for the intervention of the local government unit (LGU) in intensifying the security in seaports [4]. Since seaports in the province lack K-9 dogs and x-ray machines that can help in port security, this makes the campaign of eradicating drug entry in the island very difficult as well.

Bacolod Pavillon announced that they will be temporary closed for the whole month of August because of ongoing renovations. Tourists who are planning to book a stay in the said accommodation are advised to look for alternatives as early as possible. The renovation aims to better their services to their guests, and also looks forward to complement the renovations happening at the Bacolod port. The hotel will be reopening in the month of September. Check their Facebook page for more updates.

General Services Office (GSO) will enforce peace and order at Bacolod public plaza by eliminating the commercial sex workers (CSWs) first in the area. Most of reports indicate that CSWs in the area are also involved in theft incidents which are alarming to visitors and locals. Stopping them from loitering in the public plaza is one of the tasks that the GSO will prioritize. Meanwhile, the LGU is still studying on how they can be of help for CSWs in for them to stop this kind of work or business [5].

Heads up! The use of plastic straws will be banned soon thanks to an upcoming ordinance in the City of Smiles. The ordinance aims to eliminate the distribution of plastic straws, this will help lessen the amount of trash found in the city. The proposed ordinance states that selling, delivering or giving or distributing for any purpose of plastic straws, whether or not to be used for any kind of beverage will be prohibited [6].