HEADLINE

By CESAR JOLITO III High prices of fuel are casting a shadow over Holy Week travel plans in Negros Occidental, with both road and sea travelers likely to stay home. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson reported a visible decline in tourist traffic to popular road trip destinations like Don Salvador Benedicto town, signaling what …

By CESAR JOLITO III An ethanol distillery in Negros Oriental’s Bais City has been allowed to resume limited operations at 60 to 70 percent capacity following last year’s environmental incident involving a spill into the Tañon Strait, with the company now seeking an extension to continue operations. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in …

By CESAR JOLITO III A business sector leader in Bacolod City has called on fellow entrepreneurs to avoid laying off workers or shutting down operations despite the continued surge in petroleum prices, warning that such moves could further weaken local economic activity. Frank Carbon, co-chairman of the energy and power committee of the Philippine Chamber …

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent potential increases in crime incidents, citing economic pressures influenced by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Lacson stressed that maintaining peace and order remains critical to sustaining regional economic stability. “Let us continue to ensure that …

By CESAR JOLITO III A multi-sectoral coalition has called for urgent government action to address mounting environmental threats and food security concerns across Negros Island, outlining key reforms aimed at protecting critical ecosystems and strengthening sustainable agriculture systems. In their manifesto, participants and stakeholders examined ecological interconnections and promoted climate-resilient farming practices, including so-called “green …

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Island Region (NIR) has reiterated its full backing for the long-anticipated Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Link Bridge Project, despite a revised construction timeline that pushes the start of civil works to late 2027. The NIR Regional Development Council confirmed its unified support for the PGN Bridge Project during the 1st Quarter 2026 …

By CESAR JOLITO III The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (Nacusip-TUCP) has expressed strong support for the proposal to raise the country’s ethanol blend from E10 (10 percent) to E15 (15 percent), emphasizing its critical impact on thousands of sugar workers and …

By CESAR JOLITO III A labor coalition has raised alarm over the worsening impact of oil price increases on workers, warning that rising inflation is significantly eroding incomes and could trigger broader economic and social consequences if left unaddressed. In a press statement issued on March 22, Wennie Sancho, secretary general of the General Alliance …

By CESAR JOLITO III The La Castellana municipal government is set to partner with a private firm for a large-scale river dredging project aimed at reducing flood risks following the devastation caused by Typhoon “Tino” in November last year. Vice Mayor Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan confirmed that the local government is finalizing a collaboration with Jerry …

By CESAR JOLITO III Government troops neutralized three alleged remnants of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and seized high-powered firearms following an early morning encounter at Barangay Tampalon in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City on Saturday, March 21. The brief firefight, which lasted approximately two minutes, resulted in the deaths of three suspected rebels, the Philippine …