Dgte opens septage fee collection outlet at MDW

By Jennifer Catan-Tilos

The City Government of Dumaguete, in coordination with Metro Dumaguete Water (MDW), has installed a collection outlet for environmental septage fees inside MDW office. (PIA7-NegOr)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, June 3 (PIA) — Dumaguete City government and Metro Dumaguete Water (MDW) has announced the opening of an outlet for the collection of environmental septage fees inside the latter’s main office in Brgy. Daro.

The outlet aims to improve collection efficiency while making it more convenient for consumers to pay the said fee. 

City Economic Enterprise Officer Engr. Jose Ronnie Fortin said this newly-opened collection outlet is in addition to the existing outlets at the Passenger Transport Terminal, City Slaughterhouse, and at Building 2 Public Market Complex.

Meanwhile, request or job orders for desludging of septic tanks will still be processed at Fortin’s office.

He reminded consumers that they need to bring the billing statements when they pay the septage fees.

Consumers who regularly pay the monthly environmental septage fees at P1.50 per cubic meter consumption can avail of the desludging services for their septic tanks for free every three years.

The new septage collection outlet was recently inspected by members of City Septage Management Authority with MDW Chief Operations Officer Angelo David Berba, who approved the request of the city government for a space inside the compound for the convenience of the public.

After the city took over the operations of the Septage Wastewater Treatment Facility, all the estimated 162,000 water consumers enjoyed a 25% reduction of the user fee now at P1.50 per cubic meter per month, instead of the previous rate of P2 per cubic meter.

Nearly 1,000 stall holders in the Dumaguete City Public Market and tenants of private malls with their own communal wastewater treatment facility maintained by the city or by the management of commercial establishments are exempted from paying septage fees. 

Dgte satellite hospital to open soon

By Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Feb. 14 (PIA) – A  P10.7-million, 100-bed satellite hospital  funded by the Depatment of Health (DOH) will soon open in Talay, this city.

The primary hospital building will be equipped and staffed by the Dumaguete City government.  

Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo conducted an ocular visit to check on the progress of the ongoing construction of the new health facility that will serve the medical needs of the residents in the upper barangays of Talay, Junob, Balugo, Candau-ay, Cantil-e, and Bajumpandan. 

Remollo said once completed, he will be assigning doctors, midwives, nurses, and other health workers as well as procure the necessary equipment to make this latest health facility operational.

The construction of the satellite hospital to bring medical services closer to the people is expected to be finished within a few weeks .

The mayor also made sure that developments will be extended to the farthest barangay as part of the city’s master plan.

Remollo acknowledged the Duterte administration for all the projects that benefited the people of the city, including the Malasakit Center, free education in state universities and colleges, construction of satellite hospital in Brgy. Talay, and financial assistance to displaced workers and families during the lockdown caused by COVID-19.

NegOr launches motorcycle tourism

By Jennifer Catan-Tilos

In a coordination meeting, representatives from the PTU, PHO, HPG, PNP, LTO, PA, PIA, and other line agencies discuss the security and health measures for around 200 motorcycle rider-participants of the “Motorismo: Lalawigan ko, Liboton Ko” event. (PIA Negros Oriental)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Feb. 14 (PIA) — The provincial government of Negros Oriental will kickstart its motorcycle tourism program on Feb. 25, catching up with the pace amid the pandemic to recover the public’s trust to travel again.

Dubbed “Motorismo: Lalawigan ko, Liboton Ko,” the province-led event seeks to attract motorcycle sports enthusiasts and rides as potential tourism niche market.

The 200 expected motorcycle rider-participants of the first leg event will initially pass through some tourism landmarks in the province such as Café Alicia in Pamplona, Talipapa of Bayawan City, Tambobo Bay in Siaton, and Valencia Park.

However, the organizer has arranged other options of the route which will travel around the tourism areas from Dumaguete- Bais- Mabinay- Ayungon then back to Dumaguete City. 

Provincial Tourism Operations Officer Myla Mae Abellana said this countryside fun-filled ride helps promote destinations as the riders and bikers do not just stop to rest and eat but also snap photos and upload them on their social media accounts or community pages to encourage tourists to visit the province. 

The Highway Patrol Group will brief the participants on road safety, defensive driving, and riding etiquette including security and health measures of the local health personnel before taking off on Feb. 25 at 7:00 a.m. at the Capitol Forecourt, this city. 

The group of riders with high powered motorcycles (3000cc) will lead the tour rides followed by smaller motorbikes to keep the pace in sightseeing without necessarily taking over.

With the local health situation slightly improving, the province is slowly opening the economy.