By ADRIAN STEWART CO Negrense Erika Deloria delivered a standout performance as the Galeries Tower Highrisers scored a 25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 22-25, 15-10 victory over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Rizal province’s Montalban town on Saturday night, February 7. Deloria starred on offense with 18 points, …
Monthly Archives: February 2026
Poorly designed | Urban development key cause of worsening flooding
By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Island chapter of the advocacy group AGHAM has raised alarm over the worsening flood situation in Bacolod City, attributing the problem to decades of rapid and poorly planned urban development that failed to account for comprehensive flood control and drainage systems. In a press statement released on Thursday, February …
When journalism is treated as terrorism
On February 7, Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a community journalist from Leyte, marks her sixth year in detention — an incarceration that rights and media groups strongly believe stems from her work as a journalist. As a radio broadcaster, Frenchie reported on the lives of farmers, urban poor communities and disaster survivors in Eastern Visayas — …
Libel without handcuffs
By Herman M. Lagon “Decriminalize libel” sounds, at first hearing, like the sort of phrase that makes careful people clutch their pearls and careless people clutch their phones. Some imagine a lawless internet where anyone can malign anyone, then walk away laughing. Others imagine a healthier democracy where public criticism stops being treated like a …
Christ gives us the best deal
By Fr. Roy Cimagala “Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you that anyone who leaves home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and for the gospel, will receive much more in this present age. He will receive a hundred times more houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and …
NegOcc LGUs initiate preemptive evacuation ahead of ‘Basyang’
Some local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have initiated preemptive evacuation in preparation for the possible impacts of Tropical Depression “Basyang.” As of 11:00 a.m. yesterday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still hoisted in Negros Occidental, including highly urbanized Bacolod City. Down south, Kabankalan City is expected to start moving residents living …
Solon pushes for hearing on sugar industry concerns
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez announced that an official congressional hearing on the country’s sugar industry will be held in the last week of February in Manila, as lawmakers move to address mounting concerns from farmers, workers and other stakeholders. Benitez said his office has actively consulted with …
CHED clears 54 BCC graduates to take LET
By CESAR JOLITO III Fifty-four education graduates of Bacolod City College (BCC) from Batch 2025 can now proceed with their applications for the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) after the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issued a long-awaited special order, effectively resolving months of uncertainty over their eligibility. The order, released on Thursday afternoon, February …
Hundreds flee for safety as ‘Basyang’ nears NegOr
Scores of families and individuals from different areas in Negros Oriental evacuated to safer ground ahead of Tropical Depression “Basyang,” which hit the province yesterday afternoon. In Bindoy town, a total of 361 families or 1,285 individuals are now temporarily staying at five evacuation centers, said Wilfur Herrera, head of the town’s Disaster Risk Reduction …
DSWD mobilizes food supplies for LGUs, stranded passengers in Negros
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Negros Island Region (NIR) distributed food and non-food items (FNFIs) to local government units (LGUs) in preparation for the possible onslaught of Tropical Depression “Basyang.” As of 11:00 a.m. yesterday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted in Negros Occidental, including the highly urbanized Bacolod …