HEADLINE

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) is optimistic about peaceful and orderly midterm elections, as the province remains relatively free from major security concerns. NOCPPO Director Police Colonel Rainerio de Chavez assured the Negrenses that they are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of voters during the upcoming May …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) attempted to serve a contempt order issued by the House of Representatives against Silay City Legal Officer Atty. Janus Jarder on alleged irregularities surrounding a P1.1 billion loan procurement by the Silay City government. However, the attempt was unsuccessful as Jarder was reportedly not at …

By JEN BAYLON Ash emissions from Kanlaon Volcano will now be called eruptions, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said, as confirmed by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson. “Whether it’s a major or minor one, [the ash emission] will still be called an eruption,” Lacson said yesterday. Before Kanlaon returns to a …

By JEN BAYLON The Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD-6) is conducting an inventory of unoccupied housing units as temporary shelters for evacuees should Kanlaon Volcano erupt. OCD-6 Regional Director Raul Fernandez said he had talked with local government units in northern Negros Occidental, where there are Yolanda housing projects of the National …

By JEN BAYLON A P30 million budget has been allocated by the Negros Occidental provincial government for the 29th Panaad sa Negros Festival from March 24 to 30. Each participating town and city in the province will be provided P400,000 in financial assistance, and P50,000 each for Lin-ay sa Negros contestants. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz …

By JEN BAYLON Local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano will present their contingency plans today to assess their readiness in case of another eruption, the Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD-6) said. “We will also know the gaps [in the plans] so that agencies can …

By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed his reservations about House Bill 11211, which proposes the imposition of the death penalty by firing squad against government officials found guilty of corruption. While acknowledging the need for strict accountability among public officials, Lacson believes that the death penalty is excessive for such offenses, including malversation …

By JEN BAYLON The United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (Unifed) encourages sugarcane farmers to harvest their crops early amid looming challenges to sugar production brought by Kanlaon Volcano’s explosive eruption. Unifed President Manuel Lamata, in a statement, said Kanlaon’s volcanic activity has been posing significant threats to sugar production since last year. Lamata believes …

By Jen Baylon The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental will reassess the security situation of the province after five local government units (LGUs) have been tagged as areas of concern for the midterm elections. This decision follows the initial categorization of the municipalities of Isabela and San Enrique in the yellow category, while Sipalay …

By JEN BAYLON Five local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have been identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as areas of concern for the 2025 midterm elections. The municipalities of Isabela and San Enrique have been placed in the yellow category, indicating a documented history of election-related violence. Comelec said areas under the yellow …