By Herman M. Lagon We have a way of laughing even when the news feels like a slap. My prediction since 2022 is captured in two words: “Popcorn, please.” It is the kind of line you throw when the plot becomes predictable yet too juicy to miss. Only this time, the screen is not in …
Monthly Archives: January 2026
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 …
No more alter accounts? Social media user verification mulled
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said there is now an ongoing discussion on requiring social media users to register or be verified, a measure that rights groups criticized and that was eventually thumbed down by then-President Rodrigo Duterte in 2022. This proposal is similar to the SIM registration, which mandates SIM users …
Tinagong Dagat open for limited time only ahead of trekking policy review
By CESAR JOLITO III The Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) has reopened Tinagong Dagat to the public for a limited period, granting trekkers access to the site from January 22 to February 15, ahead of its scheduled temporary closure for environmental assessment and policy review. The Protected Area Management Office of NNNP announced that applications …
New police station to rise in Bacolod
By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) formally broke ground for the construction of Police Station 9 in Bacolod City’s Barangay Cabug, marking a key step in strengthening police presence and public safety services in one of Bacolod City’s rapidly growing areas. The ceremony held yesterday underscored the …
Modernization efforts boost Bacolod police ops
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has lauded the local government’s strong support for police operations, personnel welfare and modernization efforts as the city steps into 2026. During the BCPO New Year’s Call on Wednesday, January 21, police officials highlighted the tangible assistance provided by Mayor Greg Gasataya and the city …
Fire safety inspectors equipped with body-worn cameras
The 48 fire safety inspectors of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bacolod City are now equipped with body-worn cameras (BWCs) during inspections. As of Thursday, January 22, the Bacolod City Fire Station inspectors have been provided with an initial 24 units of BWCs. “The requirement is 1:1. Additional units will be provided later. …
CLMMRH unveils P92-M ER upgrade
The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), the apex hospital of the Department of Health (DOH) in Negros Island Region, unveiled its upgraded Emergency Department in Bacolod City yesterday afternoon ahead of the formal re-opening next week. The completion of the almost P92-million renovation project, funded by the CLMMRH management itself, ends the three-month …
‘Unity Dance’ to awe spectators of Dinagyang Tribes competition
The organizer of the 2026 Dinagyang Festival is inviting spectators to stay until the end of the performances during the Tribes Competition to watch a thousand performers dancing together in unity, honoring the Señor Santo Niño on January 25. “We call this a praise song for Sto. Nino and this is something you should experience …
Tricycle driver killed in shooting
By CESAR JOLITO III A 31-year-old tricycle driver was shot to death at Barangay 4 in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City on Thursday afternoon, January 22. The victim, identified by police under the alias “Robert,” was a resident of Gregoria Ville in the city’s Barangay 3. The incident occurred at around 5:30 p.m., while he was …