This Week in Bacolod (June 12 to 18, 2022)

The municipality of EB Magalona in Negros Occidental consistently maintained its Alert Level 1 classification status in the last three months. It is working on efforts to be established as an eco-friendly tourism destination as it gradually returns to normal amid the pandemic.

The Isla-Madalag Eco Haven, situated within a 5-hectare mangrove area in the village of Madalag, EB Magalona, is the latest eco-tourism site in the municipality and was recently launched last June 3. The opening was led by Mayor Marvin Malacon, along with other town officials.

The new eco-tourism site is described as improving than the other known mangrove eco-trail in Baranggay Tomongtong, EB Magalona. This pristine mangrove eco-trail site offers blue crabs, oysters, and different sutukil styles of assorted seafood, which all come at affordable prices.

Malacon said that the newest eco-tourism site has 20 people employed, and the site is currently run by the municipal government of EB Magalona.

The Isla-Madalag Eco Haven will soon feature dining on a boat experience painted with decorative colors that tourists may visit soon.

As tourism bounces back and the situation of the town slowly resumes normalcy, the eco-tourism site is also envisioned to be extended to an islet in Sitio Roma, as Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Jojo Vargas declared. Improving the landscape of the mangrove area has also been initiated by Vargas, as ordered by the municipal mayor.

During high tide, the Isla-Madalag Eco Haven is the perfect spot for a floating restaurant and is also the best place to bond with nature. While admiring the natural views, visitors can also cross the bamboo bridge or climb a watch tower. More tourism facilities shall also be established soon, Malacon added.

Isla-Madalag Eco Haven, which also serves dine-in meals, was established as a restaurant made from bamboo amidst the mangrove plantation. The eco-tourism dining spot is open for guests on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

The award-winning photographs of the Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area (NOCWCA) were featured in an exhibit at the North Wing of SM City Bacolod in celebration of the 30th Provincial Environment Month Celebration.

The photo of the NOCWCA brought the 2021 Galing Pook Award in the Network of Alliances for Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program, running until June 15. [2]

The photo exhibit can be visited by the public and displayed from June 16 to 24.

The said event shall increase environmental awareness and focus on Negrenses’s role in maintaining the protection and conservation of the environment.

Though the rainy season is in, Sipaway Island is still well-regarded as a must-visit travel spot in Negros Occidental. With just an hour and a half travel time from Bacolod City to San Carlos City via the Don Salvador route, Sipaway Island is one of those vacation beach spots perfect for a spontaneous getaway anytime, any season.

Beaching in Sipaway Island is relatively budget-friendly, and upon arrival at the San Carlos Port, a 15-motor boat ride only costs PhP20 per person. A cheap environment fee of also PhP20 is paid upon arrival at the port before going to Sipaway Island.

Travelers can also choose from many beach resorts, depending on their preference and whether they opt for an overnight stay or over-day accommodation.

Megaworld is set to launch 4 additional townships this year, as they allocate 50 billion in capital spending as the company assumes an improved economy in the following months. Megaworld is also planning to launch 14 new commercial and residential projects.

The four Megaworld townships would be located in Metro Manila, two in Calabarzon, and one in Mindanao.

Megaworld’s new townships shall cover 500 hectares of land and add to Megaworld’s townships number to a total of 32 this year.

Among the new projects to be launched is The Upper East in Bacolod, along with other townships in different country areas, like Iloilo Business Park in Iloilo City for the Visayas area.

Other new projects that Megaworld is set to launch are the Alabang West in Las Piñas City, Arcovia City in Pasig City, Capital Town in Pampanga, Eastland Heights in Rizal, Maple Grove, and Arden Botanical Estate in Cavite, McKinley West in Taguig City, Northwin Global City in Bulacan, Paragua Coastown in Palawan, The Hamptons Caliraya in Laguna, and one in Makati City. [4]

The government of Australia aims to further continue its trade and investments in the Philippines, especially in Negros Occidental, as expressed by Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson. [5]

To recall, Robinson recently paid courtesy calls to officials here in Negros Occidental, specifically to outgoing Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, and members of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Robinson says that the trade relationship between the Philippines and Australia is improving.

At least 300 Australian companies are currently operating in the Philippines. Amidst the pandemic and the effects it brought to the Philippine economy, the Philippines is visibly showing signs of improvement in the run of the economy, returning to normalcy and resuming numbers reaching the pre-pandemic levels.

The provincial government of Negros Occidental shall give incentives to encourage and persuade more people to be vaccinated. [6]

Baranggay Health Workers shall be given PhP25 for every individual that they can successfully persuade to get their vaccination doses. Governor Lacson officially approves this incentive program as the provincial government assigns respective local government units, especially the barangay health workers, to consistently encourage the residents to go to the vaccination sites and get their vaccination jabs.

Fully vaccinated individuals with two doses of the vaccination will receive 5 kilos of rice.

The Negros Occidental provincial government leads the vaccination drive every Thursday and Friday for the first three weeks of June. For the last week of June, vaccination sites will be held on Monday and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, back in Bacolod, a mandatory COVID test shall be implemented among Bacolod inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDL) before being committed under prison facilities. The Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved the readings on the proposed ordinance regarding implementing mandatory COVID tests for inmates. The regulation directs the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to cooperate with the Philippine National Police, the Department of Health, and the City Health Office or CHO in enforcing the COVID tests among Bacolod inmates. [7]

The City Health Office shall conduct the tests to add to the medical examination requirement.

Suppose an inmate tests positive on the COVID test. In that case, the inmate will be isolated in the designated quarantine area inside the prison and shall be given proper medical treatment.

Negros Occidental hits the top of the list for the most number of dengue cases, with the municipality of Hinigaran hitting the dengue epidemic benchmark. [8]

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang ensures that starting June 6, they will confirm and implement clean-up drives and initiate fogging operations in Hinigaran.

The Department of Health also reports 800 dengue cases in the whole province of Negros Occidental from January to May 28, topping the list of most dengue cases in the region.

The Negros Occidental government has already implemented preventive measures in combatting dengue since January, says Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz.

On a more optimistic note, the Philippine Red Cross has expanded its services in the Visayas area by establishing three branches in La Carlota and San Carlos under the Negros Occidental-Bacolod City Chapter. [9]

Another branch is also established in Alangalang, under the Leyte Chapter.

The significant establishment of these branches serves as fulfillment in supporting the government by bringing the services closer to these local communities. One of the activities initiated by the Philippine Red Cross in these establishments is the mobile donation drive in Alangalang, based in Tacloban City.

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Bacolod and Negros!