By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called on the national government to review policies governing the importation of artificial sweeteners, warning that rising volumes are putting sustained pressure on the country’s sugar industry while also raising consumer protection and public health concerns. In a statement yesterday, Lacson said Negros Occidental — …
Monthly Archives: January 2026
Cadiz City caps 52nd Dinagsa Festival with color, unity, record crowds
By CESAR JOLITO III Cadiz City wrapped up the 52nd Dinagsa Festival, with massive crowds, high-energy street performances and a strong message of unity, overcoming challenges posed by looming weather threats and the ongoing sugar industry crisis. The 10-day celebration, held from January 16 to 26, culminated in the Ati Dance and Street Dance Competitions …
Not just any aspin
By Herman M. Lagon Some mornings at the ISUFST Main Campus – Tiwi Site arrive already heavy. The sun is sharp by mid-morning, deadlines hover like unspoken reminders, and faces move quickly, eyes fixed on somewhere else. Then, just before lunch, a familiar shape appears near the Guidance and Testing Office. Wolfy pads in quietly, …
The power of God’s word
By Fr. Roy Cimagala What reassuring description we have about God’s word! From the Book of Isaiah in the first reading, we read: “As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth and water it, and make it to spring, ang give seed to the sower, …
GAWA urges Congress to activate sectoral seats in local councils
By CESAR JOLITO III A labor group renewed its call for Congress to pass a long-delayed enabling law that would allow the election of sectoral representatives in local legislative councils, saying the failure to act has effectively silenced marginalized sectors for nearly 35 years. Wennie Sancho, secretary general of the General Alliance of Workers Association …
La Castellana centralizes evacuation for ‘Tino’ victims
By CESAR JOLITO III The La Castellana municipal government has begun transferring families displaced by Typhoon “Tino” to a single, centralized evacuation site to improve the delivery of assistance and restore normal operations in public facilities. La Castellana Mayor Añejo Nicor said a total of 978 families who lost their homes during the onslaught of …
Hinoba-an fisherfolks rescued after 2 days adrift in Sulu Sea
By CESAR JOLITO III Three fisherfolks from Negros Occidental’s Hinoba-an town who were reported missing at sea have safely returned home after being stranded in the Sulu Sea for two days as their fishing boat, MB Princess Henna, capsized amid strong winds and rough sea conditions. They were rescued on Sunday, January 25, after the …
Kagawad gunned down
By CESAR JOLITO III A barangay councilor was shot dead in broad daylight at Barangay Santa Rosa in Negros Occidental’s Murcia town yesterday morning, in what police described as a sudden and brazen attack, raising concerns over the safety of local officials. Murcia police chief, Police Captain Honey Labaro, said the 59-year-old victim had just …
Motorcycle rider dies in truck crash
By CESAR JOLITO III A motorcycle rider was killed after being struck and run over by a cargo truck along the Bacolod-Silay Access Road in Bacolod City’s Barangay Efegenio Lizares on Sunday afternoon, January 25. Responders said the motorcycle rider, a 35-year-old resident of Talisay City’s Barangay Cabatangan, sustained severe head injuries and trauma to …
Back-to-back fires hit Bacolod, displacing dozens of families
By CESAR JOLITO III A series of fire incidents struck Bacolod City earlier this week, destroying at least 20 houses in two barangays just two days after a separate blaze left 34 homes in Barangay 10 in ruins. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bacolod reported that seven houses were affected by a fire …