Bacolod City

Bacolod is a lot safer compared to Manila. As always common sense is the rule when travelling. Taking the taxi or renting cars or vans daily is better and quicker as most of the crimes in the Philippines today are done in tricycles and jeepneys. However there isn't a 100% Safe place, if travelling, tour in large groups 3-5 might do as there might be people around you, you may never know what they'll do to you. Be careful during the Masskara Festival. Don't display your MP3s, iPhones, iPods, phones, laptops or valuable things that will catch a snatcher's attention, keep it safe inside your bag and put it out when you'll take pictures. Don't bring bags or large purses while in night, just bring your phone and a small wallet that'll fit in your pocket to avoid being a victim of crime. Beggars usually are around the downtown area they inhabit in the plaza area and if they see you look rich, they'd approach you and annoy you asking you for money, ignore them if you have to and just go straight to your destination. Pickpockets are common in the CBD while house burglaries are common in residential areas, children involved in sniffing glue are dangerous so it's very important to have someone accompany you while walking during the night or either try to avoid dark and areas where there are less people.

Eating in Bacolod is safe however avoid eating streetfood which is not as clean as those in Singapore and Taipei and had been criticized by many for its unhygienic practices. If you want to eat streetfood you better buy it inside malls or shopping centers. Tap water comes from springs which is the reason why the city doesn't get water shortages during droughts. Dengue fever is a common issue especially during the summer season, apply mosquito repellent and avoid wearing t-shirts and shorts during the afternoon, wear sleeves and pants instead.

respect

See the Respect section of the Philippines article for more information

People who are elder than you old enough to be your elder brother/sister or father/mother - even if that person is a driver, janitor or maid etc. - you should call them Manong for Males or Manang for females before their common name like; Manong Jeremy or Manang May Ann, Manong can be shorten to Nong and Manang to Nang. If that person is old enough to be your grandfather call them Lolo for males or Lola for females before their common name like; Lolo Isidro or Lola Estrella. Bacolodnons are traditionally liberated when it comes to clothing except Muslims and Iglesia ni Kristo members who both are conservative religious people, wearing shorts in public are OK but no very short ones if you don't want to attract attention and trouble, wearing bikinis in Beaches are OK and you would expect no trouble however you might get attention too. When inside churches, everyone is expected to be cautious of their actions as such actions might attract attention and negative perception towards tourists.

barangays

Bacolod city contains of Barangays Barangay is abbreviated as Brgy. however it can be also classified into districts or suburbs.

Downtown Bacolod

/City proper CBD — this district is one of the shopping centers of the city where all the trade and office work is done, malls and shopping complexes as well as the Central Market is located here, the City Hall is located here too and it contains over 41 barangays.

Singcang

was the home of the former Bacolod Airport and this is also where the Goldenfields Commercial complex.

Villamonte

home to Bacolod's new city hall.

Alijis

where Bacolod Memorial park and St. Jude Thaddeus church is located.

Punta Taytay

is where Villarosa beach is located

Granada

where the first settlement of Bacolod was founded

Other districts include Taculing, Banago, Bata, Granada, Alingalan etc.

by media

For local news while in Bacolod, buy a copy of the English daily paper, the Visayan Daily Star (http://www.visayandailyst...), Sun Star Bacolod (http://www.sunstar.com.ph...) and the Negros Daily Bulletin (http://www.ndb-online.com/) is also avaialble. WiFi hotspots are available in most hotels.

DentalHub Bacolod

Is part of the Philippine Dental Association, offers services even in emergencies and opens during weekends.

Mendez Dental Clinic

Part of the Philippine Dental Association, aside from general teeth problems they also serve people who have gum disease. Open during weekends.

 

Clinics are easily found in Bacolod, some are located in malls while most of the hospitals have a dentist.

Philippine National Red Cross

Dr. Pablo O. Torre Sr. Memorial Hospital

Considered to be the only first class hospital in the city.

Negros Grace Pharmacy

Have many branches around Bacolod.

Mercury Drug

Police

Fire