By Ade S. Fajardo In September last year, former Police Colonel Royina Garma, who earned her spurs as a policewoman in Davao City, was reported to have been meeting with International Criminal Court (ICC) officials in Malaysia. She was then supposedly being considered as a potential witness in the ongoing prosecution for “crimes against humanity” …
Monthly Archives: February 2026
When travel is taxed
By Herman M. Lagon The last thing an ordinary Filipino needs before an international flight is one more counter that feels like a small punishment for having a reason to leave. Not a “rich people problem” reason, either. A contract signing. A scholarship slot. A father’s burial. A sibling in labor abroad. A five-year-planned family …
Taking care of your teeth matters more than you think
For Roselle Sta. Ana, food used to top her list of expenses; dental care wasn’t exactly a priority. That changed when she experienced wisdom tooth pain so unbearable that she had no choice but to undergo surgery. “Surgery is expensive. Sa isang wisdom tooth, umaabot siya ng P9,000 kasama na ang X-ray. Hindi ka makakapag-work …
NegOcc sets permanent relocation site for residents in Kanlaon danger zone
By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental provincial government has taken a major step toward long-term disaster risk reduction after designating an 8.6-hectare property in La Castellana town’s Barangay Talaptap as a permanent relocation site for residents living within the four- to six-kilometer danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano. The development was confirmed by Provincial Administrator …
Leptos cases in Bacolod surge 600%
By CESAR JOLITO III Leptospirosis infections in Bacolod City have climbed sharply this year, with cases rising by 600 percent from January to February 7, compared with the same period last year, health authorities reported. Data from the City Health Office (CHO) show seven confirmed leptospirosis cases so far in 2026, including one death. In …
Relief aid pours in La Carlota after Kanlaon blast
By CESAR JOLITO III Relief operations intensified in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City as government agencies and partner organizations rolled out coordinated assistance following the February 19 eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, while local authorities announced the resumption of classes after days of disruption. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) organization distributed a total of 459 …
DOH-NIR bolsters frontline care with 438 new health workers
By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Health – Negros Island Region Center for Health Development (DOH-NIR CHD) has reinforced health services across the region with the formal induction of 438 newly deployed health professionals under the National Health Workforce Support System (NHWSS). The 1st Human Resources for Health Oath-Taking Ceremony was held on February …
Army sustains anti-insurgency campaign in Negros Oriental
The 302nd Infantry Brigade (IB) of the Philippine Army (PA) continues its operations against remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the province, with joint patrols and checkpoints in January this year. Through this, no violent incident was initiated by the terrorist group members during the covered period, citing sustained combat and community-based operations. …
Private donations to gov’t covered by anti-‘epal’ drive: DILG
Government projects and equipment that were privately funded or donated are also covered by the government’s anti-“epal” drive, a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) official in Negros Oriental said. DILG – Negros Oriental Director Farah Gentuya told the Philippine News Agency that this is the position of DILG – Negros Island Region …
Gov’t employee nabbed in Siquijor drug bust
By CESAR JOLITO III A government employee was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Siquijor’s Barangay Canal. Arrested was a 37-year-old high-value target identified only as alias “Gilbert,” a resident of Barangay Poblacion. Authorities said the suspect is a government employee holding the position of assistant statistician. Operatives carried out the operation on Thursday night, …