By CESAR JOLITO III The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) has declared that Negros Island is now free of active New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla fronts, marking a significant milestone in the government’s decades-long counterinsurgency efforts in the region. “We are relentlessly putting pressure on the remnants of the NPA. We are making their …
Monthly Archives: August 2025
Humor wins women’s hearts
By Herman M. Lagon The conversation began casually over camote fries, coffee and ice cream at the Metrocentre Hotel Lounge in Tagbilaran, Bohol. We were waiting for our research partners from USLS Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance during the 2nd International Social Sciences and Humanities Conference when the talk with my five lady colleagues …
The danger of being trapped by our human laws
By Fr. Roy Cimagala We, of course, need laws. Otherwise, our world would be in chaos. But we have to learn the different kinds of laws and know the importance, coverage and effectiveness of these laws. Offhand, we can distinguish between divine law and human law, the natural law, which more or less governs the …
Jail warden steps down after noise barrage
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) acting warden Jail Chief Inspector Crisyrel Awe voluntarily stepped down from his post to allow the investigation into the alleged human rights violation inside the jail. Awe said his decision was made to ensure transparency and to bring clarity to the issues raised against him after …
SRA requires permit to transport sugarcane plants to curb RSSI spread
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is strictly implementing guidelines requiring permits for the transport of sugarcane plants or planting materials as part of precautionary measures to curb the spread of the red striped soft scale insect (RSSI). An update from the office of Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said yesterday the SRA is closely coordinating with …
Jardin denies ‘blocking’ back wages for ex-Baciwa employees
By CESAR JOLITO III Former Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) General Manager Mona Dia Jardin has denied claims that she prevented the release of back wages for employees displaced after the joint venture agreement (JVA) between Baciwa and Primewater. Jardin said she immediately facilitated the allocation of P50 million from a special savings deposit to …
Marcos denounces NegOr contractor’s shooting
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has condemned the shooting of a 58-year-old engineer and contractor while on his way to a quarry site in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, Malacañang said yesterday. “Tama lang po na imbestigahan iyan para malaman natin ang puno’t dulo niya. At kinukondena natin ang mga karahasan na ito. Iyan ay ayon …
4 more NegOr LGUs upgrade to ASF ‘pink zone’
Four more local government units (LGUs) in Negros Oriental are upgrading to the African swine fever (ASF) pink zone, which will allow them to transport pigs to other provinces, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said yesterday. PVO information officer Jaymar Vilos told the Philippine News Agency that the municipalities of Amlan, Tanjay City, Dauin, and …
Bacolod to put QR codes on infra projects for online monitoring
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya said yesterday the city government will create QR (quick response) codes for all its infrastructure projects for easy online monitoring of work progress. “I have urged the Management Information Technology and Computer Services to have the system operational as soon as possible, and they have committed to having it up …
ERC revokes Siquijor Power’s provisional authority to operate
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) canceled the provisional authority to operate (PAO) of Siquijor Power Corporation (Sipcor), the authorized power generation firm in the province, effective 3:00 p.m. yesterday. ERC Secretary Sharon Garin said the revocation of Sipcor’s PAOs was due to numerous operational and regulatory compliance requirements violations. “Following the worsening power supply situation …