By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental provincial government will finance its P1.1-billion bulk water supply project using its own savings, abandoning the earlier public-private partnership (PPP) scheme after negotiations collapsed over high water tariffs. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II confirmed yesterday that the bulk water project’s first tranche, amounting to P520 million, has already …
Monthly Archives: August 2025
1,300 Bacolod City gov’t workers to get higher pay
By CESAR JOLITO III More than 1,300 employees of the Bacolod City government are set to receive higher pay starting August 15, as part of the second tranche of the modified salary schedule for local government personnel. Mayor Greg Gasataya confirmed that the salary adjustment will cover not only regular employees but also plantilla casuals …
CLMMRH emergency room to undergo P92-M upgrade
By CESAR JOLITO III The emergency room (ER) of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) will shut down starting in September for a P92-million renovation aimed at transforming the aging facility into a modern, fully equipped center for urgent care. CLMMRH chief Dr. Joan Cerrada said the renovation project, expected to last three …
Bacolod City, DOH hospital seal partnership for BUCAS Plus Center
The Bacolod City government has formalized its partnership with the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) for the establishment of the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) Plus Center, the first-of-its-kind in the Negros Island Region (NIR). Mayor Greg Gasataya and Dr. Joan Cerrada, hospital chief of CLMMRH, signed a memorandum of agreement …
Comelec registers over 78-K new voters in NegOcc
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has processed the applications of 78,313 new voters in Negros Occidental during the registration for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from August 1 to 10. Data released by the Comelec-Negros Occidental showed that of the total registrants, 40,642 are females, while 37,671 are males. Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee …
Prime ‘suspect’ in shootings found dead
By CESAR JOLITO III Police are investigating the killing of a man believed to be the prime suspect in several shooting incidents across Negros Occidental, after his body was discovered bound and shot inside Bloom Fields Subdivision in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mandalagan early yesterday morning. Authorities identified the victim as 36-year-old Jose June Codico, a …
Baylon captures bronze in World Games
By ADRIAN STEWART CO Negrense Carlos Baylon, Jr. delivered an inspired performance, overpowering Islam Karimov of Kazakhstan, 2-0, before a massive and enthusiastic crowd, to claim the bronze medal in the 2025 World Games at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium on Tuesday, August 12. The Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City native Baylon came out aggressive from the opening …
Negrense Deloria, Chery Tiggo enter PVL finals
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The Chery Tiggo Crossovers advanced to the PVL On Tour finals after defeating the Cignal HD Spikers, 25-17, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, in the knockout semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday night, August 12. Negrense rookie Erika Deloria made her presence felt in the third set with four crucial points …
7 years since infamous brawl, Gilas looks to rewrite history vs. Australia
Gilas Pilipinas is set to rekindle an infamous matchup as it enters the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals. Coming off two straight victories, the Nationals will try to defy the odds anew, but standing in their way is no less than the three-peat-seeking powerhouse that is Australia. “I’ve never coached against Australia before,” said head …
Kevin Quiambao is never afraid to seize the moment
Kevin Quiambao was among Gilas Pilipinas’ key cogs in its epic victory to advance into the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals. The Muntinlupa native got things going early for the Nationals and also made shots in overtime to seal the victory over Saudi Arabia, and he finished with 17 points, three rebounds and three steals …