HEADLINE

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has offered a P50,000 bounty for anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of the suspect behind the murder of Pearl Joy Galve. In an interview with the media yesterday, Benitez said the reward money would personally come from him. “If there is a recommendation to increase …

The National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) said the importation of sugar should be transparent and consulted with stakeholders, stating that the country cannot produce enough sugar to satisfy domestic demand. “[The] government should publicly disclose the figures used as basis for the computation of the volume of sugar to be imported, and ensure that the …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has dismissed reports circulating on social media about alleged missing individuals in the province. “There were social media posts alleging individuals [being] declared as missing,” the NOCPPO said in a statement. “Upon our verification, these were not reported on our stations, and there were no blotter reports. …

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) said they have found no substantial evidence to support the alleged kidnapping and robbery incidents in the city. This comes after a photo of a black van with a “Libre Sakay” streamer, allegedly used in kidnapping activities, made rounds on social media on Thursday night, August 15, causing fear …

Around 80 percent of public transportation has been paralyzed due to a two-day transport strike in Bacolod City, according to the Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators and Drivers (BACOD). This only shows that the modernized jeepney units cannot yet accommodate the large number of commuters in the city, BACOD president Rudy Catedral said yesterday. At …

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported elevated sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from Kanlaon Volcano — the highest since instrumental gas monitoring began in 2010. Kanlaon emitted gas flux reaching 7,307 tons from its crater on Tuesday, August 13. “This is the highest emission from the volcano recorded since instrumental gas monitoring began,” a Phivolcs report …

Local labor group General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) has called on the leaders of the sugar industry to consult with workers’ groups on several concerns. In a statement, GAWA secretary-general Wennie Sancho said the issues hounding the sugar industry are like “a vicious circle,” pointing out that there should be “widespread consultation on sugar-related issues.” …

The supply of pork in Negros Occidental is still sufficient, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said, amid the recurrence of African swine fever (ASF) and its reported spread in some provinces. PVO head Dr. Placeda Lemana, in a radio interview yesterday, said more than 1,600 pork-related products were shipped from Negros Occidental to neighboring Panay Island …

By JEN BAYLON The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Negros Island Region (NIR) are scheduled to be signed this August. Negros Occidental 5th District Representative Emilio Bernardino Yulo said the IRR is targeted to be signed by the governors of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor in the third week of this month. …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), in collaboration with local government units, continues to enforce stringent border controls to prevent a resurgence of African swine fever (ASF) in the province. PVO head Dr. Placeda Lemana reported that strict border measures are in place in Kabankalan City and Hinoba-an town to monitor and control the …