HEADLINE

By JEN BAYLON Kanlaon Volcano erupted explosively yesterday afternoon, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to hoist Alert Level 3 over the volcano, indicating magmatic unrest. Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the eruption lasted for seven minutes at 3:03 p.m., with Kanlaon emitting plumes reaching approximately 3,000 meters and drifting west-southwest. Bacolcol …

By Jen Baylon The supply of pork in Negros Occidental is adequate for the holiday season, Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) head Dr. Placeda Lemana said, despite two local government units (LGUs) being classified as red zones for African swine fever (ASF). Lemana said pork supply is well-stocked at local markets in the province, although prices vary significantly …

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) will formulate programs to curb the decline in mill gate prices of sugar while increasing demand this month. “The SRA board is looking at various programs to bring up the prices,” SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said during a press conference at the SRA office in Bacolod City earlier this week. “The …

The Department of Health (DOH) is waiting for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the budget allocation for the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) for health workers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic. DOH Undersecretary Dr. Mary Ann Maestral said the DBM owes about P202.8 million in HEA to health workers in Negros …

By JEN BAYLON The One Hospital Command Center (OHCC), a vital patient referral initiative established by the Negros Occidental provincial government, will not be dismantled, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said yesterday. “We cannot simply abolish a system that has proven effective and beneficial for our communities,” PHO head Girlie Pinongan said. The OHCC is rooted in the …

The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) directed police commanders in the region to implement maximum visibility in strategic places and areas of convergence this holiday season. “There will be an influx of people and tourists in different areas in the region,” PRO-6 director Brigadier General Jack Wanky said. He said the heightened police …

By Jen Baylon The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Bacolod City said familiarization with the new automated counting machine (ACM) will ensure a smooth electoral process in the 2025 midterm elections. “We want our voters to experience how to vote using the new machine before election day,” Comelec-Bacolod officer Revo Sorbito said during the launch …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has reported a 12.81 percent decline in crime rate in the province this year. From January 1 to November 25, the NOCPPO recorded 3,525 crime incidents this year, lower than 4,043 incidents in the same period in 2023. The report was presented during the Police Regional …

The United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed) seeks the intervention of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) amid the huge drop in milling prices of sugar. “Somebody is playing with the market, and an immediate intervention to curb the downtrend in sugar prices is very much needed,” Unifed president Manuel Lamata said …

By JEN BAYLON The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Bacolod City has initiated a motu proprio investigation into the recent encounter at Barangay Gatuslao in Negros Occidental’s Candoni town, where seven alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels died. CHR-Bacolod head Vincent Parra said they are gathering relevant information regarding the identity of the alleged NPA rebels who …