Pulupandan fire
wipes out school
BY CARLA GOMEZ

A fire destroyed the Our Lady of Lourdes Academy buildings in Pulupandan town last night, but a newly-installed fire hydrant in front of the municipal hall saved the adjacent Roman Catholic Church from being gutted, Mayor Magdaleno Peña said.

The buildings of the academy built in 1953 along Riego Street were swiftly eaten up by the blaze that hit at past 6 last night as they were made of wood, he said.

The fire that hit the back wall of the Church was put out by firefighters before it could cause further damage, as they were able to refill their firetrucks with water from the  fire hydrant of the Pulupandan Water District  about 50 meters away, which was inaugurated only last week, the mayor said.

Volunteer kindergarten teachers in Negros Occidental who have not been paid since summer are finally getting their salaries.

Jose Freddie Mocon, Negros Occidental Assistant Superintendent of Schools, yesterday said about two weeks ago, P8.185 million arrived for teachers who taught kindergarten summer classes,  and those who taught starting June to the present.

He said P4.765 million arrived as honorarium for 514 kindergarten teachers who taught summer classes and as reimbursement for instructional materials they used.

A lone robber stabbed and killed a driver, whose body was found bathed in blood about a meter away from his taxi in Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City, 5:30 a.m. yesterday.

Residents of Purok Rojas discovered the body of Marvin Mahilum, 45, of Purok Paglaum in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod, lying on his back at about 5:30 a.m. and immediately informed the police, Station 8 commander, Chief Insp. Danilo Francisco said.

Mahilum was driving an Ely Lyn taxi with plate number FWW-453 that is owned by Erlinda Prietos.