THE UNDERPINNING By Fr. Roy Cimagala This is about people who are close to us but who can betray us, much like what Judas Iscariot did to Christ. Imagine, Judas was already one of the apostles, so close to Christ that he must have directly experienced the goodness of Christ. And yet he managed to …
Monthly Archives: April 2026
Real talk from the pope
By Herman M. Lagon There are days when the news feels more like noise than meaning. A headline flashes — loud, sharp — an insult here, a response there, and it all starts to feel familiar, almost predictable. But every so often, something feels different. Not louder, just steadier. The recent exchange between Donald Trump …
Bago mayor manifests city as NegOcc’s next investment hub
By CESAR JOLITO III Bago City Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao has expressed strong optimism that the city is on track to become the next major investment hub in the province, citing increasing interest from potential investors and ongoing development initiatives. Javellana-Yao said several investors have already signified intent to establish businesses in the city, with more …
NegOcc, Bacolod shift to WFH on Holy Wednesday
By CESAR JOLITO III Government offices in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City will implement a work-from-home (WFH) setup on Wednesday, April 1, as part of adjusted schedules for the observance of Holy Week. In a memorandum order issued yesterday, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson directed all provincial government employees to work from home from 8:00 a.m. …
SSS to explore loan moratorium, penalty condonation to ease economic burdens
QUEZON CITY — The Social Security System (SSS) said today that it is actively studying the feasibility of offering a loan moratorium for members and a condonation program for contribution penalties for employers as relief measures amid economic challenges. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph M. de Claro said these measures aim to …
Bus firm offers 10% fare discount this Holy Week
By CESAR JOLITO III A major transport operator in the country has announced a 10 percent fare discount for passengers traveling during the peak Holy Week period this year as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative and support for the government’s call for solidarity and bayanihan. The discount will be implemented on Good Friday, …
Viral ‘gas-and-go’ driver under probe
By CESAR JOLITO III Authorities have launched an investigation following a viral video showing a driver of a sports utility vehicle leaving a fuel station in Bacolod City allegedly without settling payment. The Land Transportation Office in the Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR) confirmed that a show-cause order (SCO) has been issued to the driver in …
1.4-K cops deployed for Oplan Semana Santa
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Oriental are on full alert and taking proactive measures to ensure public safety during the Holy Week observance this week, officials said. Captain Stephen Jaynard Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO), said the police force is on full …
2 hurt, suspect shot in knife attack
By CESAR JOLITO III Two men were injured after they were allegedly attacked with a bladed weapon by a gang member in front of a public terminal in Negros Occidental’s Himamaylan City at around 4:00 a.m. on Monday, March 30. The victims, aged 36 and 19, are both residents of Binalbagan town. Police identified the …
DENR documents notable fauna, flora in Negros’ ‘Tinagong Dagat’
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has documented several notable fauna and flora species within Tinagong Dagat of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) based on the results of a recent assessment. In a report yesterday, the NNNP management said that from March 16 to 20, its personnel conducted a trail resource assessment …