HEADLINE

By JEN BAYLON The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will initiate “Operation Baklas,” which aims to remove campaign posters illegally displayed in public places, as the campaign period for national candidates and party-lists in the midterm elections starts today. Ian Lee Ananoria, Negros Occidental provincial election supervisor, said the Comelec head office has instructed all its field offices nationwide to …

By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the Negros Island Region (NIR) will only be “fully operational” if it has its own budget. “We will see the full implementation of the NIR in 2026 because they are now preparing its budget inclusion in next year’s General Appropriations Act [GAA],” Lacson said. According …

By JEN BAYLON A minor explosive eruption at Kanlaon Volcano on Thursday, February 6, prompted concerns over potential lahar flows due to rainy conditions. Mari-Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology’s (Phivolcs) Kanlaon Volcano Observatory, confirmed that muddy stream flows from the volcano were recorded in two rivers following the …

By JEN BAYLON The Commission on Elections in Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) will implement some adjustments in contingency plans if Kanlaon Volcano is placed under Alert Level 4. Comelec-NIR Director Lionel Marco Castillano said some changes need to be adopted, and the established contingency plan will be followed during the electoral process in the midterm elections …

By JEN BAYLON The supply of rice in Negros Occidental remains sufficient, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday. Lacson said the 84 percent rice sufficiency means that there is no hunger. Rice production, particularly in Bago City, did not decrease amid the El Niño phenomenon last year, but instead recorded a slight increase in their yield, he said. …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental provincial government resumed the second round of food assistance for the evacuees of Kanlaon Volcano in three local government units affected by the volcanic eruption. Chiqui Gonzales, provincial social welfare and development officer, said the Capitol is expected to spend P13 million on food aid for displaced residents staying …

By JEN BAYLON Silay City Legal Officer Atty. Janus Jarder may face insubordination charges for failing to submit himself to the House of Representatives amid the hearing on the alleged irregularities surrounding a P1.1 billion loan procurement by the city government, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said. During the hearing by …

By JEN BAYLON Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares ordered an investigation into an incident where a security guard allegedly fired his weapon at several agrarian reform beneficiaries due to a land dispute at Hacienda San Antonio Dos in Barangay Dos Hermanas. “The recent incident is alarming and unacceptable,” Lizares said in a statement on Saturday, …

The Negros Occidental provincial government is preparing the second round of food assistance for the evacuees of Kanlaon Volcano. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the Capitol is waiting for Malacañang to sign its deed of donation for the P50 million in financial assistance for those affected by Kanlaon’s explosive eruption. Local government officials and affected communities near …

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has suspended the implementation of Sugar Order (SO) No. 6, which sets the guidelines for the importation of certain sugars and sugar confectionery, pending further consultations with industry representatives. SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona said the decision to suspend SO6 was in response to concerns raised by stakeholders in the sugar …