Pag-IBIG Fund home loan releases posted double digit growth in the first half of 2026, with socialized housing financing more than doubling under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (Expanded 4PH). Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling said the strong results reflect …
Monthly Archives: July 2026
For safe, quick pest solution? | Confed cautions on large-scale airplane spraying
By CESAR JOLITO III The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (Confed) supports immediate, large-scale spraying using drones and manual ground-based methods to combat the ongoing red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation, while cautioning against the use of airplane aerial spraying without sufficient scientific evaluation. In a statement, Confed said it has consistently advocated for urgent, …
All 4 slay suspects arrested; charges filed
By CESAR JOLITO III All four suspects in the fatal shooting of American marine biologist Kent Edward Carpenter in Negros Oriental’s Sibulan town are now under police custody, while two of them are now facing robbery with homicide charges. Special Investigation Task Group Carpenter filed criminal complaints for robbery with homicide against 26-year-old Mark Oracoy …
Rethinking spirituality
By Herman M. Lagon I was once asked a question that seemed simple: Are you religious or spiritual? I surprised myself by pausing. Not because I was unsure, but because neither word felt complete on its own. That moment stayed with me as I read a friend’s reflection posted on social media, which gently reminds …
We are vital cooperators of Christ’s mission
By Fr. Roy Cimagala We need to realize this truth about ourselves more deeply and stably. We are meant to be living cooperators of Christ’s continuing mission of human redemption. And this is not only for a few, but actually for all of us. Of course, this truth of our faith can be acted on …
NUJP: Playing politics is subject to public scrutiny, hands off Marchel Espina
Editor’s note: We share this statement from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines to highlight the urgent need for further public discourse on certain topics. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemns the filing of criminal charges against one of its directors, Marchel Espina. A local leader of a religious …
Slaughterhouse seeks contract extension
By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA The private operator of AVM Bernardo Slaughterhouse has asked the Bacolod City government for a 10-year extension of its build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract to enable the abattoir to recover its investments and losses it suffered during its previous operations. Aileen Grace Aldeguer, plant manager of AVM in Barangay Handumanan, has already sent …
19 biz padlocked over lack of permits
By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA Nineteen business establishments in Bacolod City were ordered closed on Thursday, July 16, for operating without business permits. Levy Pangue, City Legal Office (CLO) enforcement unit head, said the establishments included eateries, grocery stores and other businesses located along Villa Angela East Block in Barangay Villamonte. The establishments were cited for …
Vlogger called out over animal cruelty
By CESAR JOLITO III Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara has summoned a social media vlogger after videos allegedly showing him inflicting harm on a dog sparked widespread outrage online and prompted an animal welfare complaint. The vlogger, identified online as JOMOND JTV, was formally notified by local authorities of the country’s animal welfare laws and …
Barber survives shooting try
By CESAR JOLITO III A 48-year-old barber survived a shooting attempt at Barangay Zone 12 in Negros Occidental’s Talisay City on Thursday night, July 16. Alias “Jeniri,” a resident of Barangay Zone 10, was unhurt after the suspect, 34-year-old alias “Roy,” a pedicab driver from Barangay Zone 11, allegedly opened fire at him along Bonifacio …