By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has called on all 61 barangays in the city to strengthen public awareness and community-based campaigns against the use of dangerous firecrackers as the Christmas and New Year celebrations approach. In a recently approved resolution, the SP emphasized the importance of protecting public safety during the …
Monthly Archives: December 2025
Fallen cop laid to rest; probe continues into NPA killings
By CESAR JOLITO III A police officer killed in an encounter linked to the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental’s Calatrava town was laid to rest on Saturday, December 13, as authorities vowed to continue operations to bring those responsible to justice. Police Senior Master Sergeant Rommel Aguilar, 45 years old, a member of …
Man stabbed at Bacolod bar
By CESAR JOLITO III A man was injured in a stabbing incident following an altercation inside a bar along Calamba Street in Bacolod City’s Barangay 1 early yesterday morning. Police identified the victim only as “Mike,” a call center agent and resident of Barangay Banago. He sustained stab wounds to his lips and back after …
VAW cases decline, but barriers to reporting persist
Reported cases of violence against women (VAW) in Negros Oriental dropped from 424 in 2024 to 295 this year, according to the Provincial Police Office. Despite the decline, Police Captain Helen Grace Aldirete, chief of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD), said interventions remain necessary. Police continue information and education campaigns in communities and …
Alarcon misfires; UP ties DLSU
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons overcame a subpar showing from Negrense Harold Alarcon to score a 66-63 win over the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City …
Alex Eala opens campaign by beating Malaysian foe
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is off to a winning start in the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Eala defeated Malaysia’s Shihomi Leong, 6-3, 6-1, in the quarterfinals of the women’s singles competition yesterday afternoon at the Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The victory assured her of at least a bronze in the event. …
Blazers overcome Curry’s 48 points for Warriors
Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe scored 35 points apiece and the host Portland Trail Blazers withstood 48 points from Stephen Curry to notch a 136-131 victory over the Golden State Warriors yesterday (Philippine time). Deni Avdija added 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as the Trail Blazers won for just the second time in …
Pastrana, UST crowned UAAP champs
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses have regained the UAAP women’s basketball crown after a 79-64 victory over the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in the do-or-die Game 3 of the Season 88 finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, December 14. Negrense …
Economy at risk | Farmers no longer endure inaction amid low sugar prices
By CESAR JOLITO III The continued collapse of sugar prices is tightening its grip on Negros Occidental, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of small farmers and farmworkers and raising fears of broader economic and social consequences on sugar-dependent communities in the province. Local leaders and industry groups warned that unless immediate interventions are implemented, the …
Bicol express rider
By Ade S. Fajardo In its unanimous decision penned by Justice Amy Lazaro, the Supreme Court summarized the PhilHealth brouhaha as follows: On December 11, 2023, the BCC (bicameral conference committee) submitted its report to both the House of Representatives and the Senate, recommending the approval of House Bill No. 8980 which, first, reflected an …