Suntrust Properties, Inc. (SPI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Megaworld Corporation commemorates its 27th anniversary with a remarkable accolade. The company was named the Innovative Community Builder of the Year at the prestigious Lamudi’s The Outlook 2024: Philippine Real Estate Awards held on November 21, 2024 at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila. This recognition highlights Suntrust’s …
Monthly Archives: December 2024
Strategic move: OCD-6 mulls expanding Kanlaon’s 6-km permanent danger zone
By JEN BAYLON The Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD-6) is contemplating the expansion of Kanlaon Volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone to 10 kilometers. This comes in light of Kanlaon’s heightened volcanic activities and the potential threat posed by a low-pressure area off the coast of Mindanao, which could lead to lahar flows affecting …
Upholding constitutional integrity in budget appropriations
By Ignacio R. Bunye Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III is set to challenge before the Supreme Court the constitutionality of the Bicameral Conference Committee’s decision to increase unprogrammed funds in the 2025 national budget to P531.6 billion. Pimentel argues that the Constitution prohibits Congress from augmenting appropriations beyond what the executive recommends. Pimentel’s interpretation …
SUCs in sync
By Herman M. Lagon Collaboration among state universities and colleges (SUCs) has become the cornerstone of an evolving educational landscape in the country. With a vision transcending institutional boundaries, SUCs today are forging partnerships prioritizing shared knowledge, resources and best practices. These collaborations strengthen education’s reach and depth, especially for communities that depend on SUCs …
Kanlaon-hit families expect spending Christmas in evacuation centers
By JEN BAYLON Thousands of evacuees are preparing to celebrate Christmas inside evacuation centers in five local government units (LGUs) in Negros Island Region as Kanlaon Volcano continues to pose significant risks. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that, as of Wednesday, December 18, approximately 3,001 families, totaling 9,547 individuals, remained in temporary shelters …
La Castellana forms task force to feed pet animals near Mt. Kanlaon
The municipal government of La Castellana in Negros Occidental province has created the Mt. Kanlaon Task Force Pet Rescue to feed pet animals situated within the six-kilometer radius extended danger zone of Mt. Kanlaon. Municipal information officer Remuel Seladan Lajo said that yesterday, they received excess food and dog food for those who wanted to …
NDRRMC: P43.3-M worth of aid provided to Kanlaon-affected families
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday that P43.33 million worth of government assistance has been extended to families affected by the December 9 eruption of Mt. Kanlaon. In its situation report, the disaster response body said the assistance has benefited 8,004 families in Western Visayas and Central Visayas. These consist …
Comelec-NIR preps for potential poll postponement amid Kanlaon threat
The Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) is bracing for a worst-case scenario in the event of a “major” eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, which could disrupt the May 2025 elections in high-risk areas of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental. Comelec-NIR Regional Election Director Lionel Marco Castillano emphasized their readiness to respond to …
Over 6,000 Negrense farmers freed from agrarian debts
A total of 6,125 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Negros Occidental province have been freed from debts amounting to P816.688 million under the Republic Act 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Undersecretary for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office Jesry Palmares led the distribution of the certificates of condonation …
Pastrana vows to return for UST in UAAP Season 88
By ADRIAN STEWART CO Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana promised to lead the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses in their comeback bid for the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament next year. The Negros Occidental’s Silay City native confirmed that she will return for her final year, determined to help UST bounce back from …