By Herman M. Lagon Name recall may be enough if we elect someone to regulate pedicab fares or rename a porch in a barangay sitio. But when we are electing a senator, someone with national oversight, impeachment powers and control over billions in public funds, we cannot afford to treat it like a popularity contest. Yet …
Monthly Archives: May 2025
Truth in labels
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim And talking of sugar and foods in our previous column, there are now new requirements, in the United States anyway, before American manufacturers can claim their food product as “healthy.” Manufacturers who choose to use the “healthy” claim have three years to conform but can use the new criteria sooner. …
NegOcc rice prices drop by P2 per kilo: DA-NIR
By JEN BAYLON The Department of Agriculture in Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) has confirmed a slight decrease in rice prices in Negros Occidental. Based on DA-NIR’s latest price monitoring from major markets in Bacolod City, including Libertad and Burgos Public Markets, the price of premium rice has dropped by P2 per kilo compared to previous …
Bacolod consumer groups seek end to Baciwa-PrimeWater joint venture
Consumer groups are seeking an end to the joint venture agreement (JVA) between the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. as the majority of the consumers in this highly-urbanized city continue to experience poor service and low water quality. In a petition addressed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. yesterday, Water Watch …
Hotel alliance to boost Bacolod’s status as top MICE destination
Hotels and resorts in the highly urbanized Bacolod City have formed an alliance to help strengthen Bacolod’s position as a premier meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) destination in the country. City chief tourism operations officer Ma. Teresa Manalili said the formation of the Bacolod Hotel Alliance signifies a milestone in the city’s mission to …
Bacolod City officials back mandatory drug tests for drivers
Officials in the highly-urbanized Bacolod City welcomed yesterday the directive of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to require regular and mandatory drug tests for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and other related actions that are part of the stricter nationwide road safety plan. “[We are supporting it] if that’s the directive from the Department of Transportation …
Army fetes ex-rebel as outstanding paramilitary trooper in Negros
A former New People’s Army (NPA) rebel now fighting for peace alongside soldiers of the Philippine Army in northern Negros has been awarded as this year’s Outstanding Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary (CAA) by the 3rd Infantry Division (ID). Eduardo Linogon Jr., 33 years old, was cited for his “acts of heroism, …
Comelec: Soldiers may serve as last-resort poll workers
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers may be called in to serve as Special Electoral Board (SEB) members during the May 12 elections if no other security forces are available, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. In Resolution No. 11135, the Comelec en banc authorized AFP members to act as SEB members as a …
UST bags UAAP girls 3×3 crown
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Junior Growling Tigresses pulled off a tight 14-13 win over the National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Lady Bullpups to rule the UAAP Season 87 girls 3×3 basketball at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City on Sunday, May 4. Negrense Barby Dajao spearheaded the offense …
Negrense Pons, Rondina falter in beach volley pro q’finals
By ADRIAN STEWART CO Negrense Bernadeth Pons and Cherry Rondina, along with other Alas Pilipinas bets, faltered in the quarterfinals round of the Beach Pro Tour Futures Nuvali in Laguna province’s Santa Rosa City over the weekend. The “SiPons” pair failed to sustain their strong start to suffer an 18-21, 21-19, 15-13 defeat to Beata …