Sagay City in Negros Occidental on January 1 officially enforced a total ban on single-use plastics, as part of its commitment to a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future. “Let’s reduce waste, protect our seas and land, and choose reusable alternatives. Sagay is where the love for nature begins,” the city government said in a …
Monthly Archives: January 2026
Parachute flare mistaken for meteorite triggers sky scare
By CESAR JOLITO III A mysterious glowing object seen drifting across the afternoon sky on Saturday, January 3, caused excitement and speculation among residents, with many initially believing they had witnessed a rare meteorite. Authorities later clarified that the spectacle was not a celestial event but an emergency parachute flare. The object was spotted at …
Woman dies from ‘drowning’
By CESAR JOLITO III A 20-year-old woman was found dead after an apparent drowning incident along a river at Barangay Tampalon in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City on the evening of January 1, police authorities reported. Kabankalan police said the victim, a resident of Barangay Camingawan’s Purok Buslogan in the city, had been reported missing. She …
2 minors hurt in firecracker blasts
By CESAR JOLITO III Two teenage boys sustained hand injuries in separate firecracker-related incidents in Negros Occidental’s Himamaylan City during the New Year celebration. According to the Himamaylan police, a 15-year-old male student was injured while picking up scattered Five-Star firecrackers in Old Mohon, Barangay Cabanbanan at 5:34 a.m. on New Year’s Day, January 1. …
DOLE reminds companies to submit 13th month pay report
The Department of Labor and Employment – Bureau of Working Conditions (DOLE-BWC) has reminded companies to submit their 13th-Month Pay Compliance Report this month. In a social media post, the bureau noted that employers have until January 15, 2026 to comply with the order. “This mandatory submission promotes transparency and compliance with labor laws,” it …
NegOr police seize P143-M illegal drugs in 2025
Police in Negros Oriental seized over P143 million worth of suspected shabu in 516 operations last year, a provincial officer said. Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office spokesperson Captain Stephen Polinar said 541 individuals were arrested, including 66 high-value targets. “This year, we have observed that shabu is being distributed in larger quantities, compared to previous …
Pastrana thanks ‘2nd home’ UST
By ADRIAN STEWART CO Negrense guard Kent Jane Pastrana expressed gratitude to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses for becoming her “second home” as she marked the close of her UAAP chapter in a heartfelt social media post. Pastrana, who previously suited up for the De La Salle University Lady Archers before transferring …
Alarcon, Torres bid farewell to UP
By ADRIAN STEWART CO Negrense guards Harold Alarcon and Reyland Torres formally closed their collegiate chapters after posting heartfelt farewell messages addressed to the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons and its Maroon community. The Negros Occidental’s Silay City native Alarcon, who spent five seasons with UP, reflected on his long stay with the …
Curry, Warriors overwhelm Jazz
Stephen Curry scored 20 of his team-high 31 points in the third quarter and the Golden State Warriors overcame a double-digit deficit and the ejection of Draymond Green for a 123-114 triumph over the Utah Jazz in San Francisco yesterday (Philippine time). Jimmy Butler III and Quinten Post added 15 points apiece for Golden State, …
Fewer blasts | NIR logs 52% drop in fireworks-related injuries
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Island Region (NIR) had significantly fewer fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) as it welcomed 2026, the Department of Health (DOH) said. DOH-NIR data showed 105 FWRIs were documented from December 21, 2025 to January 2, 2026 — a 52.6 percent decrease from last year’s 131 cases. Of the number, Negros Occidental logged …