More officials join
lobby for int’l flights
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) and Silay Mayor Jose Montelibano have joined Bacolod officials in lobbying for the Bureau of Immigration services to allow nine flights from Korea, carrying about 1,700 golfers and tourists to land at the Bacolod-Silay Airport in January and February.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia has asked Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. to reconsider his position and provide the necessary Customs immigration and quarantine services to the chartered flights from Korea to land at the Bacolod-Silay Airport.

In a letter to the mayor dated December 28, David had denied the city’s request, saying that the Bureau is in no position to accede to it now, citing manpower and equipment restrictions that, he said, limit their available resources.

Capitol employees
plan pay hike action
We just can’t please them: VG
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Negros Occidental provincial government employees will take counter action if the Sangguniang Panlalawigan fails today to approve the 2013 budget, that contains the fourth tranche of their salary increases.

This was disclosed by the officers of the Provincial Alliance of Capitol Employees, who read a joint statement at a press conference yesterday afternoon.

They said their salary increases and P20,000 incentive bonus were being held hostage in a political war. The bonus, to be contained in a supplemental budget, can only be approved after the 2013 budget is granted, they also explained.

The Diocese of Bacolod City is calling concerned agencies to strictly implement the Commission on Elections gun ban that will begin Sunday with the start of the election period to prevent firearm- related incidents

Fr. Ernie Larida, Social Action Center head, said yesterday that those with guns being used for sports should keep them in a safe place after using them.

He said there should also be restrictions in issuing special permits to law enforcers during the gun ban.