Local government units and disaster response agencies in Western Visayas were urged to prepare for heat-related illnesses as the region braces for rising temperatures. Civil Defense Regional Director and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) chair for Western Visayas, Raul Fernandez, in Memorandum No. 8 released on Tuesday, March 4, said the state …
Monthly Archives: March 2025
Belangel, Daegu bow to Suwon in KBL
By ADRIAN STEWART CO Negrense Samjosef Belangel and the Daegu Korea Gas Corporation Pegasus suffered a close 75-74 defeat to the Suwon KT Sonicboom in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) at the Suwon KT Arena on Tuesday night, March 4. The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles standout finished with 10 points, five rebounds, …
Negrense Soyud, Akari reach PVL quarterfinals
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The Akari Power Chargers clawed back from a set down to defeat the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-11, 23-25, 18-25, 25-21, 15-9, in the qualifying round of the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday night, March 4. Negrense Christine Joy Soyud finished with 14 points, …
Prove involvement: Bacolod CDEU validates brgy execs in illegal drug trade
By JEN BAYLON The Bacolod City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) is still investigating information regarding the involvement of some barangay officials in illegal drug operations in the city. In a radio interview yesterday, CDEU chief Lt. Colonel Antonio Benitez, Jr. said some of their data dates back to 2016, which is why it is necessary to investigate whether some …
Children of the War: #NeverForget the 1945 ‘Rape of Manila’
By Dennis Gorecho “Never forget” is an expression and political slogan used to urge others to remember events surrounding a national tragedy. It was first used in relation to the damages brought by World War II which started as a sincere symbol of shared trauma. The documentary film “Children of the War” by Mike Alcazaren …
Trumping diplomacy
By Herman M. Lagon It takes a certain audacity to openly belittle an ally fighting for its survival while cozying up to an adversary bent on global destabilization. US President Donald Trump has never shied away from bullying, and his recent treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was more than just lousy diplomacy — it …
Moises Padilla VM welcomes case dismissal over councilor’s death
Moises Padilla Vice Mayor Adrian Villaflor expressed relief and gratitude following the dismissal of the murder case against him and 13 others in connection with the 2019 killing of Moises Padilla Councilor Jolomar Hilario. In a February 28 decision, Guihulngan City Regional Trial Court Branch 64 Acting Presiding Judge Ma. Anna Priscila Pareja acquitted the …
Comelec calls for prompt registration as absentee voting deadline nears
By JEN BAYLON With the deadline for local absentee voting registration fast approaching on Friday, March 7, the Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) is urging eligible individuals to apply promptly. Comelec-NIR Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano emphasized that absentee voting is available to media practitioners and qualified public officials and employees, …
Bacolod taps private firm for 10-year ‘super city’ project
The Bacolod City government has entered into a 10-year build-transfer-maintain agreement with private proponent High-Data Infra Corp. to develop the landmark Bacolod Super City Project. Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and High-Data Infra authorized representative Danny Fernandez signed the P2.105-billion contract on Monday afternoon, March 3, to develop a central hub for monitoring diverse conditions and …
Marcos wants safe evac sites, permanent relocation for Kanlaon victims
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. wants a long-term response plan to ensure the safety of residents affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island. The plan includes identifying safe evacuation sites and establishing permanent relocation areas for those displaced by the disaster, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). In a meeting in …