By Herman M. Lagon Some ideas spread faster than official memos because they sound like relief. The four-day workweek is one of them. Mention it in a faculty room, and you will hear two reactions in the same breath: “Pwede gid tani,” followed by, “Pero indi na bala kami mapatay sa 10 hours?” That mix …
Monthly Archives: January 2026
Bacolod reinforces landfill standards after deadly Cebu dumpsite collapse
By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya inspected the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa to ensure operational safety and regulatory compliance following the deadly landfill collapse in Cebu City earlier this month. The inspection comes after a January 8 incident in Cebu City’s Barangay Binaliw, where a landfill collapse killed 11 waste …
‘Tax relief’: ACCESS backs VAT cut plan on electric bills
By CESAR JOLITO III Consumer advocacy group Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS) has expressed strong support for the proposal to exempt electricity from the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT), saying the measure would provide much-needed relief to households and businesses amid rising living costs. ACCESS President Wennie Sancho said the …
CCTV only required for biz with over P3-M capital: mayor
By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya clarified that only business establishments with a capitalization of more than P3 million are required to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems as a condition for securing or renewing business permits, amid confusion following earlier advisories from the Office of the Building Official (OBO). Gasataya said the …
P8.84-M ‘shabu’ seized ahead of Sinulog Festival
By CESAR JOLITO III Two high-value drug personalities were arrested following the confiscation of more than P8.84 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mandalagan on Monday, January 12. Arrested were 53-year-old alias “Tata,” a resident of Camella Subdivision in the village, who is listed as the No. 1 …
Laborer slashes fellow’s neck
By CESAR JOLITO III A 26-year-old construction worker was taken into police custody after he allegedly slashed the neck of a fellow worker during a drinking session at Barangay Cabadiangan in Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City late Sunday night, January 11. Police identified the victim as a 37-year-old male construction worker and resident of Barangay 5 …
Eala sets new WTA rankings
By ADRIAN STEWART CO Alexandra “Alex” Eala continued her strong rise on the World Tennis Association (WTA) Tour after climbing to a career-high World’s No. 49 in the latest rankings released online. The Negrense tennis star achieved the milestone following a semifinal run at the ASB Classic, a WTA 250 tournament held in Auckland, New …
Victorias City hosts Challenge Cup-Mundial friendlies
By ADRIAN STEWART CO Filipino-Australian football mentor Elmer “Lacknet” Bedia led an inspirational Challenge Cup-Mundial intercontinental friendly tournament in Negros Occidental’s Victorias City, aiming to motivate young Negrense footballers and promote grassroots development. Bedia, a three-time Mr. Football awardee based in Brisbane, Australia, headlined the leg of the 11-a-side Challenge Cup-Mundial friendlies shortly after returning …
Siakam’s floater lifts Pacers past Celtics
Pascal Siakam scored a go-ahead basket with 6.8 seconds left yesterday (Philippine time) to propel the Indiana Pacers to a 98-96 victory over the Boston Celtics in Indianapolis. Siakam produced 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists while Jay Huff scored 20 points and Andrew Nembhard chipped in 13 points and nine assists for the …
Jazz bounce back from blowout, rally past Cavs
Keyonte George collected 32 points and nine assists and Lauri Markkanen had 28 points and 12 rebounds as the visiting Utah Jazz rallied past the Cleveland Cavaliers, 123-112, yesterday (Philippine time), bouncing back from a 55-point loss in their previous game. George, who made all 12 of his free throw attempts, poured in 16 points …