Deny power contract,
clergy appeals to ERC
BY NIDA BUENAFE

The Bacolod clergy yesterday issued an appeal to the Energy Regulatory Commission not to approve the power sales contract between the Central Negros Electric Cooperative and KEPCO-Salcon Power Corp. until further consultations with significant stakeholders are held.

Signed by Bishop Vicente Navarra and 70 priests in the Diocese of Bacolod, the appeal addressed to ERC chairman Rodolfo Albano, expressed the clergy's strong opposition to the contract.

The appeal stated that after adequately hearing all sides of the controversy, the pastors are concerned about the welfare of the people.

SRA expects rise in
local sugar demand
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Revised estimates indicate that crop year 2007-2008 production will be 2.28 million metric tons and the domestic demand could rise to 2.05 million metric tons, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Rafael Coscolluela said yesterday.

The initial estimate for the domestic demand was 1.9 million MT and 2.3 million for actual production, he said.

On Friday, Coscolluela issued Sugar Order No. 1-B revising the sugar policy on the percentage allocation for CY 2007-2008 by providing for C (reserve) sugar and reducing the allocation of D (world market) sugar.

Cops seize porno films
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Operatives of the Negros Occidental police Special Operations Group staged another raid yesterday, this time against the proliferation of pornographic films, at Rizal-Bonifacio Streets in Bacolod City .

Senior Inspector Rico Santotome, NOPPO Special Operations Group chief, said the raid yielded 18 pornographic films recorded in video compact discs, being sold at P50 per VCD.

Santotome, however, said the unidentified retailer of the VCDs eluded arrest during a scuffle with members of the raiding team