By CESAR JOLITO III Cadiz City Mayor Salvador “Bading” Escalante acknowledged that PrimeWater has been struggling to keep up with the city’s growing water demand, even as he expressed hope that a reported sale of the company to new operators could improve services. Escalante told reporters yesterday that while Cadiz continued to expand and new …
Monthly Archives: December 2025
OCD-NIR assumes Kanlaon Task Force lead
By CESAR JOLITO III The Office of Civil Defense in the Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) has officially taken over the chairmanship of the Regional Task Force (RTF) Kanlaon from OCD in Western Visayas (Region 6), while the region continues to be under red alert due to ongoing volcanic activity. OCD-NIR Director Donato Sermeno III will …
Tougher fines eyed vs. PrimeWater amid service woes, sale
By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Councilor Wilson “Jun” Gamboa, Jr. has urged the city government to strengthen its show-cause order against PrimeWater, citing persistent service failures that have affected thousands of consumers across the city. Gamboa said complaints over dirty water and intermittent supply have had a significant impact on residents, prompting the need …
Typhoon-hit families get shelter kits, relief aid
A total of 84 families in Bago City, Negros Occidental severely affected by Typhoon “Tino” have received shelter recovery assistance from concerned national government agencies. In a report on Monday, December 15, the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) said they provided family tents and shelter repair kits, while the Department of Human Settlements …
Bacolodnons call for better service amid reports of PrimeWater exit
Consumer welfare groups here continue to call for better water service amid confirmation from Bacolod City officials that PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. has been bought out by another company. Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Councilor Roberto Rojas confirmed in separate media interviews on Monday, December 15, that the Villar-owned water firm, which has an …
P100-K smuggled cigarettes recovered
By CESAR JOLITO III Authorities recovered an estimated P100,000 worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes that were found abandoned at Barangay Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental’s Pontevedra town yesterday. Police said the discovery was made at around 11:00 p.m. after a confidential informant tipped off authorities about plastic bags containing cigarette reams left in Hacienda …
Price freeze remains in NegOr; Noche Buena items excluded
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental is conducting weekly price monitoring of commodities during the holiday season, amid a price freeze that excludes Noche Buena items, an official said yesterday. Krystle Jade Bato, DTI-Negros Oriental spokesperson and head of the consumer protection division, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview …
Pons, Alas claim SEAG finals seat
By ADRIAN STEWART CO Alas Pilipinas women’s beach volleyball team will vie for the gold medal for the first time in Southeast Asian (SEA) Games history after beating Vietnam, 2-0, at the Jomtien Beach Arena in Pattaya on Monday, December 15. Negrense Bernadeth Pons, Cherry Ann Rondina, Floremel Rodriguez, and Sunnie Villapando picked up their …
Bejoy clinches bronze in SEA Games
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The Philippines sustained its strong showing in athletics and swimming after a series of podium finishes at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand, led by another standout performance from Negrense middle-distance runner Bernalyn Bejoy. Bejoy once again proved her consistency on the regional stage after claiming the bronze medal …
Rain or Shine torches Magnolia to claim twice-to-beat edge
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters burned the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hostshots from three-point distance and came away with a 101-92 win to clinch a Top 4 finish and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup. The Elasto Painters shot the lights out at the Khalifa City Sports Stadium in Bahrain …