HEADLINE

By JEN BAYLON The Commission on Elections in Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) has not yet identified any election hotspots in Negros Occidental ahead of the May 2025 national and local elections. Comelec-NIR Director Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano said discussions regarding identifying potential election hotspots in the province will take place during the meeting of city and municipal …

A contingency plan is being prepared by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Island Region (NIR) for the 2025 midterm elections in case of Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption. Comelec-NIR director, Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano said municipal and city election officers are directed to draft contingency plans for a possible eruption, and identify alternative voting centers. Castillano said Comelec-NIR …

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is urged to fast track the inspection of sugar mill equipment, after “very doubtful” produce was released by the processing plants. Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (Unifed), said they demand the SRA to conduct proper calibration of sugar milling equipment. “We have had …

By JEN BAYLON As Kanlaon Volcano’s heightened unrest — marked by persistent ash emissions and elevated sulfur dioxide levels — continues, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said there is no reason to raise the alert level yet. Alert Level 2 has been maintained over Kanlaon, signifying moderate volcanic unrest. Phivolcs Director Teresito …

There were no irregularities in the procurement process of the projects undertaken by the Silay City government amounting to P1.4 billion, Mayor Joedith Gallego said during the congressional inquiry by the House Committee on Public Accounts yesterday. Gallego and several city government officials, as well as several representatives from various sectors, attended the hearing at …

Kanlaon Volcano had 28 “ashing” events, with plumes reaching heights of up to 800 meters above the summit over the weekend, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported yesterday. “Emission episodes lasted four minutes to one hour and 18 minutes, and generated grayish plumes that rose 300 to 800 meters above the summit …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) has reported a dramatic increase in the number of dengue cases in the province. PHO’s Morbidity Week No. 44 report, as of November 2, showed dengue cases surged to 5,528, higher by 322.33 percent, compared to 1,309 cases logged in the same period last year. Bago City currently has …

No candidates running in the 2025 midterm elections in Western Visayas support Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs), the 301st Infantry Brigade (301IBde) said yesterday. According to 301IBde commander Brigadier General Michael Samson, they believe there are no candidates backing the now-weakened CTG, with only remnants of the group remaining. While the Army acknowledges the potential for …

By JEN BAYLON The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) recovered a total of P28.6 million worth of illegal drugs during its month-long anti-illegal drug operations in October. BCPO director Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica, in a statement, said they conducted 52 drug buy-bust operations that resulted in the seizure of 4,245.243 grams of suspected shabu. Sixty individuals were …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported a 313.16 percent increase in the number of dengue cases in the province this year. Based on PHO’s Morbidity Week No. 43 Report, as of October 26, the province recorded 5,338 dengue cases with 15 deaths. This is higher than the 1,292 cases in …