By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Teeth millions of years old reveal a new human species, turning the story of evolution upside down. The new unknown branch of humanity from the depths of time cannot be named yet based on the teeth alone. More fossils are needed before that can happen, reports Arizona State University (ASU), …
Monthly Archives: February 2026
Promotion by quiet pressure
By Herman M. Lagon It often resurfaces like a classroom leak nobody wants to claim: officials say there is no “mass promotion,” teachers say there is, and learners quietly move up a grade level carrying the same gaps like an old backpack. The denial is often technically correct in the narrowest sense. There is no …
Our daily work should be an expression of love
By Fr. Roy Cimagala When Christ told his disciples that the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind, after which the good fishes are separated from the bad ones, (cfr. Matthew 13:47-53) we are clearly reminded that there is such thing as a general judgment …
Bacolod SP moves to modernize brgy dev’t funding, sets minimum allocation
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved on second reading a proposed ordinance revising the city’s Barangay Development Fund (BDF), a measure aimed at ensuring fairer distribution of development resources, clearer funding rules, and stronger accountability at the barangay level. The proposed ordinance mandates a fixed share for barangays sourced from seven …
Muffler ordinance seeks to curb loud traffic noise
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City council has approved on second reading a proposed ordinance aimed at regulating the use of modified or excessively loud motor vehicle mufflers within the city. The measure seeks to address rising public concern over vehicular noise that disrupts peace, public order, and community well-being. Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairperson …
Pontevedra disburses P3-M aid to 708 ‘Tino’ victims
By CESAR JOLITO III The Pontevedra municipal government distributed close to P3 million in financial assistance to 708 residents heavily affected by Typhoon “Tino,” reinforcing ongoing recovery efforts months after the storm struck the province. The aid included P2.5 million sourced from the Negros Occidental provincial government, part of the P50-million Presidential Assistance Fund released …
Cops arrest druggies, seize P748-K ‘shabu’
By CESAR JOLITO III Operatives of the Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) arrested a regional-level high-value drug suspect and his alleged accomplice during a buy-bust operation in Negros Occidental’s Victorias City, resulting in the seizure of suspected shabu worth nearly P750,000. The operation was conducted at Ditching Subdivision in Victorias’ Barangay …
Negros Island Region inflation rate decelerates to 0.8% in January
The January 2026 inflation rate in Negros Island Region (NIR) slowed to 0.8 percent, from 1.8 percent in December 2025, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. This month’s regional inflation rate or the change in the average prices of goods and services in NIR is also lower than the 2.4 percent recorded in …
Multi-sectoral aid empowers conflict-free community in central Negros
Once a rebel stronghold, the central Negros community of Sitio Madaha, where some residents are indigenous people (IP), continues to thrive with multi-sectoral support in their journey towards self-sufficient future. Situated about 15 kilometers from the city proper of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, the mountainous sitio, which is part of the vast Barangay Buenavista, benefits …
Pons, Creamline outduel Choco Mucho in PVL
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The Creamline Cool Smashers rebounded from an earlier setback with a four-set victory over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 27-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-15, in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Tuesday, February 10. The Cool Smashers leaned on …