HEADLINE

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson backed the calls of Negrenses and other Filipinos who joined the nationwide Trillion Peso March on Sunday, September 21, stressing that the protest was a powerful message against corruption and budget insertions tied to alleged ghost projects in the national budget. “The message is clear — the Filipinos …

By CESAR JOLITO III Thousands of Negrenses marched through the streets of Bacolod City yesterday, joining the nationwide “Trillion Peso March” — a protest action against corruption that, organizers said, has robbed generations of opportunities and continues to weaken the country’s democratic institutions. According to Fr. Mao Buenafe of the Concerned Council Citizens, around 5,000 …

By CESAR JOLITO III A brewing debate over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Negros Occidental has intensified after San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza joined groups opposing the proposed ordinance that would lift the province’s 18-year ban on GMO crops. Alminaza warned that the GMO ordinance would mainly benefit “profit-oriented millionaires or billionaires” while exposing small …

By CESAR JOLITO III Major transport groups in Bacolod City, joined by progressive organizations, staged a protest action at the Bacolod City Government Center Replica yesterday to commemorate the first anniversary of what they described as the “unjust arrest” of local transport leaders and the “water cannon incident” that took place in front of a hotel. The …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City government unveiled a long-term plan to provide permanent housing for the 295 families displaced by the recent fire that gutted a residential area in Barangay 27. Speaking during a consultation with survivors at the Bacolod City Government Center, Mayor Greg Gasataya assured residents that the city government is working toward …

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson described as “bad news” the decision of the South Korean government to suspend the P28.7-billion feasibility study on several rural bridge projects in the Philippines, which may directly impact the long-awaited Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Bridge. “Definitely, it is not good news. Again, it will delay the aspiration …

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez has openly opposed the proposed genetically modified organism (GMO) regulatory ordinance being deliberated by the provincial board, questioning its necessity and timing as the province continues to position itself as a leader in organic agriculture. “Saying no to GMO is the best thing …

By CESAR JOLITO III Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2 after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported heightened unrest, marked by a surge in seismic activity and a series of earthquakes that rattled Negros Island over the weekend. A total of 41 volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes ranging from magnitude 0.8 to 4.6 …

By CESAR JOLITO III A massive fire gutted at least 180 houses and damaged 36 others in Bacolod City’s Barangay 27 around midnight yesterday, leaving an estimated P4.5 million worth of damages and 314 families homeless. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod Fire Superintendent Jenny Mae Masip said the blaze in Purok Cheriza was first reported at 12:09 …

  By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson assured residents that the provincial government is doing its utmost to address the clearing of hardened lahar from creeks in La Castellana but admitted that clearing operations will take time due to limited equipment. “We are doing our utmost best to clear the lahar. …