By CESAR JOLITO III The Sugar Council has joined labor groups in demanding transparency from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), particularly over the approval of a controversial sugar importation order amounting to 424,000 metric tons. In a statement, the council supported the call of the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the …
Monthly Archives: April 2026
Purple ‘walis tambo’ or women empowerment
By Dennis Gorecho I bought a purple-colored broom, or walis tambo, at the Baguio City Public Market in solidarity with women vendors during the celebration of International Working Women’s Day last March 8. The Baguio Public Market has long been a cultural symbol of the city since its establishment in 1913. Located at the lower …
Stuck in the middle
By Herman M. Lagon There is a small moment many Filipino teachers know too well. Payday comes, the salary credit notification arrives and, for a second, there is relief. Then comes the payslip. You look at the numbers, but your eyes settle on the spaces in between — what was already taken, line by line, …
El Niño may return this year and make planet even hotter
The warming El Niño weather phenomenon could form later this year, potentially pushing global temperatures to record heights. There is a 50- to 60-percent chance of El Niño developing during the July-September period and beyond, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The World Meteorological Organization will issue an update on El …
Ex-councilor’s death ‘revolutionary justice’: NPA
By CESAR JOLITO III A former municipal councilor from Negros Occidental’s Isabela town was killed in what the New People’s Army (NPA) described as the enforcement of a “revolutionary court” ruling. In a statement released April 13, the NPA’s Romeo Nanta Command – South Central Negros Guerrilla Front identified the victim as Rodulfo Fajardo, who …
Panaad’s Day 1 opens with P3.38-M in sales
By CESAR JOLITO III A strong surge of festival goers and robust economic activity marked the opening of the 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival on Monday, April 13, recording significant earnings on its first day with sales reaching an estimated P3.38 million. The figure reflects an increase of P1,525,823 compared to the opening day sales …
SP eyes employment office as full-fledged dep’t
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance seeking to elevate the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) into a full-fledged department, a move aimed at strengthening employment services in the city. The measure proposes the creation of the Public Employment Services Department (PESD). The initiative is designed …
Beware of non-metered taxis’ ‘overcharging’: city admin
By CESAR JOLITO III Commuters must refuse to board taxis that fail to use meters, as it violates transport regulations and puts the riding public at a disadvantage. This, as the Bacolod City government received a series of complaints about alleged overcharging involving passengers from major transport terminals. City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo issued …
P49.3-M illicit cigar seized in 3 drive ops
By CESAR JOLITO III At least P49.3 million worth of alleged smuggled and illicit cigarettes were seized in police operations across Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, underscoring intensified enforcement against the illegal tobacco trade. On Monday, April 13, authorities intercepted an estimated P25 million worth of illicit cigarettes in Himamaylan City’s Barangay To-oy at 5:20 …
Increased seismicity, long-duration tremors in Kanlaon
Residents around Kanlaon Volcano are advised to be vigilant due to increased seismicity and long-duration tremors observed over the past 24 hours, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Monday, April 13. At least 150 volcanic earthquakes, including four volcanic tremors with 40 to 100 minutes duration, were recorded. …