This Week in Bacolod (May 15 to 21, 2022)

Prominent local airline PAL or Philippine Airlines added airline flights bound to Bacolod City from Manila. They increased flights to five times per day to accommodate increasing domestic flight demand.

This May, since travel and border restrictions have been eased, PAL plans to have more roundtrip flights from Manila to Bacolod, adding evening flight schedules, and increasing flights from Manila to Bacolod to Manila from four flights last April.

PAL will partner with tourism sectors, business sectors, and local governments as they move forward to slowly add more regular flights in urbanized cities and capital provinces in the following months. Added flights serve as signs of an optimistic recovery of the tourism industry and local economy in the area of Negros Occidental.

Schedule for Manila to Bacolod flights are as follows: PR 2129 departing daily at 4:25 AM; PR 2131 departing daily at 8:45 AM; PR 1133 leaving daily at 12:25 PM; PR 1135 departing daily at 4:25 PM; and a new flight schedule, PR 1137 which daily departs at 6:30 PM. [1]

As for Bacolod to Manila flights, they have PR 2130 departing daily at 6:35 AM; PR 2132 leaving daily at 10:40 AM; PR 1134 departing daily at 2:25 PM; PR 1136 departing daily at 6:35 PM; and PR 1138 departing daily at 8:40 PM, which is another new flight schedule. [2]

And when visiting the island of Negros Occidental, which is known for its vibrant culture and artistic affinities, a traveler will appreciate how much the province values its unique art and culture. With this, Negros Occidental decides to repurpose its heritage structures and facilities as homage and respect for the rich ancestry of the province instead of tearing them down and replacing them with modern systems.

First on the list is the Maria Kucina Familia, an old house turned into a restaurant located at 24th St., Bacolod City. The homey feel of the restaurant is further maintained, featuring al fresco dining, quiet dine-in corners, private rooms, and other facilities in the restaurant for big groups of people and corporate functions.

Another iconic spot is the El Ideal Bakery located in Silay City, also known as the Paris of Negros. The vintage lighting and the maintained heritage façade of the bakery effectively give off a nostalgic feeling to its visitors and customers.

And just near the Paris of Negros is where another heritage structure stands—the Ruins. The Italian design of The Ruins makes it the classic favorite heritage spot in Negros Occidental. The two-story mansion was once owned by sugar baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, and it also is known as the Taj Mahal of Negros. The mansion has been well-maintained throughout the years and has been everyone’s favorite venue for weddings, events, and photoshoots.

With festivals and yearly physical celebrations resuming, a Flores de Mayo art exhibit also launches at SM City Bacolod, which will run until the end of May. Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran spearheaded the art exhibit’s opening, in which 60 visual artists participated.

The art exhibit features stunning paintings and artworks that enthrall mall-goers and tourists visiting Bacolod City.

Another oil price hike was implemented effective last May 10.

A price increase for every liter of gasoline and diesel at PhP4.20. The price increase was in effect after the notice from Seaoil, Petro Gazz, and Shell, which was immediately implemented at 6:00 AM. PhP5.85 for every liter of kerosene has already implemented the said price adjustments.

Clean Fuel has also implemented the same price adjustments.

Official health sectors of Negros Occidental have reported an increase in dengue cases from January to April.

A 39.1% increase in dengue cases in Bacolod City has been reported for April. Another data from the Provincial Health Office also reported 278 dengue cases gathered from January to April 23, 2022. This data is said to be 71% higher compared to the cases recorded in the same month last year, 2021.

Three deaths were reported in Negros Occidental, while 2 deaths were reported in Bacolod City. [3]

Head of the City Health Office Environment Sanitation Division, Dr. Grace Tan, says that dengue cases usually increase during rainy months and are reported every year.

Provincial health officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang also said that though cases have rapidly increased this month, it cannot be considered alarming since numbers are still below the 500-case baseline.

Tan is highly encouraging the citizens to follow the ‘4S’ in combating dengue, which stands for Search and destroy, use of Self protective measures, Seek early treatment, and Say yes to spraying. [4]

The election season is still heating up, and the Commission on Elections has significantly recorded high voter turnout from Negros Occidental compared to the 2019 midterm elections.

More voters cast their votes and practiced their right to suffrage this election year, says Acting Negros Occidental Provincial Elections Supervisor Roberto Salazar, due to blatant national campaigns held before Election Day.

Negros Occidental landed as the 6th highest voting area in the Philippines, with 1,946,639 registered voters. [6]

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel updates and guidelines in Bacolod and Negros Island!