By Herman M. Lagon The criticism directed towards a magazine cover that featured Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco was never primarily about photography, layout or even a single publication. It struck a deeper nerve because it echoed a familiar frustration: When public institutions slowly begin to resemble personal billboards, people notice. This is not because we …
Monthly Archives: January 2026
Toughness needed to face life’s challenges
By Fr. Roy Cimagala That’s what the readings in Ordinary Time remind us of. From the Book of Job, we are already warned that our life here on earth is some kind of a warfare. (cfr. Job 7:1) And St. Paul in the Second Reading also tells us that we have to learn to be …
DOH: Guarantee letters not required for admission to public hospital wards
The Department of Health (DOH) has clarified that guarantee letters from elected officials are not required for patients seeking admission into basic or ward accommodations at DOH-run hospitals. For years, the issuance of guarantee letters by mayors, congressmen and other elected officials has become common practice to help constituents cover medical expenses — so much …
La Castellana relocates stranded ‘Tino’ evacuees to reopen schools
By CESAR JOLITO III The La Castellana municipal government has begun transferring evacuees of Typhoon “Tino” from public school classrooms to temporary family tents as part of efforts to resume face-to-face classes while a longer-term relocation is being prepared. Municipal public information officer Remuel Lajo said the local government will start relocating displaced families this …
OCD vows enhanced coordination, response under new RTF Kanlaon chair
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has vowed strengthened coordination and continued proactive response as the leadership of Regional Task Force Kanlaon (RTF) was transferred from Western Visayas to Negros Island Region (NIR) yesterday. In a ceremony held at Seda Capitol Central in Bacolod City witnessed by Civil Defense Administrator Harold Cabreros, OCD-Western Visayas Director …
Sugar import influx could trigger industry collapse, SAVE-SIM warns
By CESAR JOLITO III A labor and industry advocate has warned that the continued liberalization of sugar imports could lead to the collapse of the local sugar industry, threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers in the Negros Island Region and other sugar-producing areas nationwide. In a statement issued yesterday, Wennie Sancho, convenor …
Bacolod eyes regular night market in downtown area
Bacolod City is studying the establishment of a permanent night market in the downtown area as the month-long weekend night market along Araneta Street ends on Sunday, January 11. City Ordinance No. 08-14-666 creates the policies and guidelines for the establishment and regulation of night markets in the city. City Administrator Mark Mayo said yesterday …
Duck herder found dead in rice field
By CESAR JOLITO III A 61-year-old man was found dead in a rice field canal at Barangay Payao in Negros Occidental’s Binalbagan town on Thursday morning, January 8. Binalbagan police revealed that the victim, a resident of Zone 6 in Barangay Payao, was discovered by his son at around 6:00 a.m., lying face down. The …
Short-lived La Niña to bring above-normal rains until Feb.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned that the short-lived La Niña now affecting the country will continue to bring above-normal rainfall in many regions until February, increasing the risk of flooding, landslides and weather disruptions. In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, Pagasa Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief Ana Liza Solis said …
Bacolod grants monthly allowance to over 1,000 police, fire, jail personnel
By CESAR JOLITO III More than 1,000 personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), along with members of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, will begin receiving a P2,000 monthly allowance following the approval of a new incentive program by the city government. Mayor Greg Gasataya announced …