Guv favors PDAF ruling
but solons air concerns
FOR SCHOLARS, INDIGENT PATIENTS
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental congressmen yesterday said they respect the declaration of the Supreme Court that the Priority Development Assistance Fund is unconstitutional, but some aired concern about the fate of scholars   and  indigent patients who need hospital aid in their districts.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., who  supports the SC decision, said that, with the abolition of the PDAF, more funds will be received.

Funds for health needs will be channeled through the Department of Health, and the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Care Program will get even stronger, he added.

Lopezes threaten raps
vs. mayor, others
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO & SHIELA GELERA

The Lopez family yesterday threatened to file charges of grave coercion against Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella and other officials who reopened the sanitary landfill in Brgy. Felisa, Bacolod City Monday.

Roy Lopez, spokesperson of the Dynasty Agri-Aqua Corp. owned by the Lopez family, said “We will file charges against the Mayor, and other city officials, including the police, because they used power to make us do something against our will. What we planned to do was legal and they made us do something through show of force, intimidation, and without due process of law.”

Lopez, together with his brother Jose Manuel, and nephew, Teddy, were barred by Senior Supt. Edgardo Ordaniel, Bacolod City Police Director, and elements of Police Station 10, and the Public Safety Batallion from closing the main gate of the sanitary landfill Tuesday on orders of the Mayor.

P274.5M in fishery, crops lost
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Super typhoon “Yolanda” damaged P274.5 million in palay, corn, fisheries and other crops in Negros Occidental, a final report submitted by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist showed yesterday.

The report placed damage to palay, corn and high-value crops at P214,953,772, and fisheries at P59,575,621.

Damage to palay, corn and high value crops was highest in the second district of Negros Occidental at P99 million, followed by the first district at P56.6 million, fourth district – P33.9 million, fifth district – P12.9 million, third district – P9 million and sixth district – P3.3 million.