By CESAR JOLITO III The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has reported an estimated P1.2 billion in losses to the sugar industry in the Visayas, including Negros Island, following the widespread destruction brought by Typhoon “Tino.” According to the SRA, “Tino” devastated more than 53,000 hectares of sugarcane fields across the mill districts of Negros Island, …
Monthly Archives: November 2025
Resilience without the blindfold
By Herman M. Lagon There are moments when a word meant to uplift begins to sting. I felt that recently at the PGCA – Iloilo 2025 seminar at Iloilo Grand Hotel as Philippine Mental Health Association Executive Director Dr. Carolina Uno-Rayco walked us through the tender architecture of mental health — the stress we carry, …
Unity amid our differences, diversity, conflicts
By Fr. Roy Cimagala “Whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:40) Words of Christ in response to his disciples who said, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” If we have the spirit of Christ, as we …
NegOcc faces long road to recovery; ‘Tino’ damage surpasses P1.8-B
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental’s post-Typhoon “Tino” recovery efforts intensified yesterday as Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian led a high-level coordination meeting with Negros Island officials. This comes as the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that total damage from “Tino” has climbed past …
Bacolod SP’s lawmaking process seeks digital shift
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) is gearing up for a major shift toward modern governance as it moves to digitalize its legislative processes and institutionalize the livestreaming of council sessions, following the approval on first reading of a proposed ordinance pushing for full e-governance adoption. Authored by Councilor Em Ang, the …
NegOcc ‘not neglecting anyone’ amid socmed flak
By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental provincial government insists it is providing assistance to all affected communities after Typhoon “Tino,” despite criticisms circulating on social media. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the Capitol is “not neglecting anyone” in its relief operations, responding to claims that some local government units (LGUs) had not received requested heavy equipment and …
DPWH begins repair of collapsed seawall, highway
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Negros Oriental has started repairing a segment of the national highway and seawall in Sta. Catalina town, that were damaged by Super Typhoon “Uwan.” In an interview, Engineer Patrick Henry Undag, point person of the DPWH 3rd Engineering District Maintenance Division, said the affected two-lane portion …
DENR: Clogged waterways triggered deadly Negros flash floods
By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Negros Island Region (DENR-NIR) has attributed the massive flash floods that devastated multiple towns in Negros Occidental during Typhoon “Tino” on November 4 to an extraordinary volume of rainfall and the blockage of major waterways by boulders, debris and uprooted trees. DENR-NIR …
Canlaon LGU working to restore water system damaged by ‘Tino’
The local government unit (LGU) of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, is fast-tracking the restoration of its water system destroyed by Typhoon “Tino” (international name “Kalmaegi”) early this month. Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas appealed to his constituents on social media yesterday for understanding, as the restoration work is risky and difficult, especially when it rains. “We …
Soyud limited as Akari sweeps Nxled in PVL
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The Akari Power Chargers kept their playoff hopes alive after scoring a straight-sets win over the Nxled Chameleons, 25-13, 25-17, 25-22, in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, November 13. Marionne Alba orchestrated the offense with precision, tallying 21 excellent sets on top of three …