By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has established guidelines for the prevention, control and containment of African swine fever (ASF) in the city amid the reported cases of the hog illness in several localities in Negros Occidental. “There is a need to strengthen the city’s preparedness and response measures through enhanced biosecurity, …
Monthly Archives: July 2026
Student assault, stabbing ‘alarming’: DepEd-Bacolod
By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA “Physical assault and stabbing incidents among students in various public schools in Bacolod City can be considered alarming.” This was stressed by Lila Vaflor Aro, spokesperson of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Bacolod after a 14-year-old Grade 8 male student was allegedly stabbed by a 12-year-old Grade 7 …
NegOcc declares calamity state due to RSSI; NegOr to follow
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental was officially under a state of calamity following the continued spread of the red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI), while neighboring Negros Oriental is set to declare the same as authorities intensify efforts to protect the sugar industry. The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) yesterday approved a province-wide state …
CCP queer plays celebrate Pride Month
By Dennis Gorecho Many members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community continue to struggle with feelings of isolation, guilt and shame because of the conflict between their religious upbringing and their sexual orientation. Family rejection and cultural stigma remain among the most significant challenges they face. Both the traditional Catholic Church …
Plastics in our veins
By Herman M. Lagon One rarely goes through a day without encountering plastic. From food packaging to throw-away coffee cups, plastic permeates everything, and the issue goes beyond what first greets us. Now, everywhere — in our oceans, soil, air, even within our bodies — microplastics, small bits less than five millimeters, abound. For us …
Ordering in? Your food delivery may contain toxic chemicals from plastic packs
If you’ve been ordering more takeout food since the onset of the pandemic, chances are most of your meals come in plastic food packs. But did you know that your delivery may also pose hazards to your health? Some 12,000 chemicals are used in making food contact materials (FCMs) or containers used for food, according …
NegOcc restores 110 ha of forestland, watershed
By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental provincial government has restored 110 hectares of degraded forestland within the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) through its community-based reforestation and watershed conservation program, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said. Diaz, who visited Sitio Tambara in Talisay City’s Barangay San Fernando for an inspection yesterday, said the provincial …
Unifed wants unified action vs. RSSI
By CESAR JOLITO III United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed) President Manuel Lamata described the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) outbreak in Negros as a serious, island-wide concern that could significantly affect the country’s sugar industry. Lamata called on farmers to work together in containing the infestation, noting that Negros accounts for more than 60 percent …
Student stab case under probe
By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA The Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) in Bacolod City is still awaiting the results of police investigation into the stabbing incident involving two minors in front of Sum-ag National High School on Monday, June 29. DSSD assistant head Alma Gustilo said the case has already been referred to the …
Negros Oriental imposes total ban on pigs, pork
By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Oriental provincial government has reactivated its African swine fever (ASF) task force and imposed a total ban on the entry of live pigs and pork products from ASF-affected and high-risk areas in a bid to protect the province’s swine industry. Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria signed Executive Order No. 46, …