By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has ordered heightened security measures across Negros Island for the 40th EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary today. PRO-NIR Director Arnold Thomas Ibay, in a directive issued on Monday, February 23, instructed provincial directors, chiefs of police and force commanders to roll …
Monthly Archives: February 2026
In memoriam: Randy Felix Malayao
By Dennis Gorecho “Years of detention seem eternal yet I have decided to be just philosophical about this. I thought I should strive to ‘bloom where I am planted.’” Words from slain peace activist Randy Malayao (August 29, 1969 – January 30, 2019) lifted from our Messenger chat on his experience during his four years …
‘Bridgerton’ kilig before February ends
By Herman M. Lagon There is a quiet excitement creeping in as the end of February approaches. It is not the kind tied to election tallies, budget hearings or the latest corruption headline. It is softer, almost embarrassing to admit for someone who spends most days talking about literacy gaps and policy failures. I have …
More microplastics in glass bottles than plastic: study
Drinks including water, soda, beer, and wine sold in glass bottles contain more microplastics than those in plastic bottles, according to a surprising study released by France’s food safety agency. Researchers have detected tiny, mostly invisible pieces of plastic throughout the world, from the air we breathe to the food we eat, as well as …
LGUs may suspend work, classes on EDSA anniv but …
By CESAR JOLITO III Local government units (LGUs) may order the suspension of work in government offices and classes in public schools under the general welfare clause of the Local Government Code, but they cannot compel private establishments to follow suit, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified yesterday. Atty. Neil Andrew …
Bacolod expands social pension coverage for PWDs
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has unanimously approved on third and final reading a landmark ordinance reforming the city’s Social Pension Program for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), significantly expanding eligibility and tightening safeguards to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable sectors. Authored by Caesar Distrito, chair of the SP Committee on …
Bacolod to place trash traps, flood warning markers in waterways
Bacolod City is set to install trash traps and flood warning level markers in its major waterways as part of the local government’s reinforced flood mitigation efforts. In a statement yesterday, Mayor Greg Gasataya said the heavy-duty trash traps will be placed in seven priority waterways to intercept waste before it clogs creeks and rivers …
Crime rate in NegOr down by 11.51%
The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO) has reported an 11.51 percent drop in crime rates here in 2025 compared to 2024. Based on the comparative crime statistics presented during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting on February 4 at the NORPPO headquarters in Agan-an, Sibulan town, 5,518 incidents were recorded last year, …
NegOcc LGUs to get P2.04-B under Palace program
By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental provincial government and 31 other local government units (LGUs), including Bacolod City, are set to receive a combined P2.04 billion this year under the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang (BBM) program of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government alone will receive P342 million, while …
Man shot dead by 2 ‘rebels’
By CESAR JOLITO III A 39-year-old man was gunned down by two individuals alleged to be members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) at Barangay Tapi in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City on Monday afternoon, February 23. The victim, identified only by the alias “Renante,” was declared dead on arrival at a hospital after sustaining gunshot …