By JEN BAYLON The Office of Civil Defense in the Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) is still awaiting the contingency plan of the La Castellana municipal government for disaster response, particularly in the event of a major eruption of Kanlaon Volcano. Despite previous presentations, OCD-NIR Regional Director Donato Sermeno III said La Castellana has yet to submit …
Monthly Archives: March 2025
Learning in chains
By Herman M. Lagon We often view education as a panacea that answers society’s most profound problems. Education advocates are quick to assert that schooling and knowledge are keys to personal and national success, and they are not entirely wrong. Yet, this single-minded focus ignores a critical question: Could education itself be a part of …
The stiff price of discipleship
By Fr. Roy Cimagala It’s definitely no joke to be a disciple of Christ. It demands of us everything. This is how Christ himself described what to be his disciple requires: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot …
2 hikers found, 4 still missing
By JEN BAYLON Two out of the six foreigners who went missing while trekking at the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park in Negros Oriental’s Valencia town were found safe and sound yesterday morning. Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office spokesperson, Police Lt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar, said 60-year-old British national Alexander Radvanyl and 58-year-old German Torsten Martin …
PSA brings national ID services to Bacolod public schools
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Negros Occidental has brought the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) or the national ID services to public schools in Bacolod City. The PSA services were launched at Handumanan National High School, Handumanan Elementary School I and Handumanan Elementary School II from March 18 to 19, where 184 students and school staff registered …
Negros Occidental power rates decrease in March
Average residential power rates of all three distribution utilities in Negros Occidental decreased in March due to lower cost of various charges, separate advisories from the power supply distributors showed. In a statement yesterday, the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) announced a rate of P13.5982 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for March, lower by P0.6707 from February’s …
Cop shoots self after killing live-in partner
By JEN BAYLON A police officer took his own life after fatally shooting his live-in partner at Barangay Poblacion in Negros Occidental’s Valladolid town on Thursday night, March 20. Valladolid police chief, Captain Bonifacio Galvez, Jr. said the 40-year-old police officer, with a rank of master sergeant, and the 33-year-old woman had a heated argument …
DOJ to appeal Timor-Leste court’s rejection of Teves’ extradition
The Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to appeal the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals’ decision denying the extradition of former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., Malacañang said yesterday. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government was “surprised” at the Timor-Leste court’s “adverse ruling” overturning its December 2024 decision approving Teves’ extradition. “Medyo nagulat …
Bacolodnons urged to be part of shared responsibility to prevent fires
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has urged Bacolodnons to do their share in preventing fire incidents as part of its Red Zone Program. Data showed yesterday that 284 red zones or fire-prone areas have been identified in Bacolod City as of March, the Fire Prevention Month. Of these, 54 sub-villages are listed as high …
Dajao, UST rule UAAP girls basketball
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Junior Growling Tigresses ruled the UAAP Season 87 girls basketball tournament with a 63-57 victory over the National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Lady Bullpups in Game 2 of the finals at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Thursday, March 20. Negrense Barby Dajao, the …