By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental provincial government has decided not to pursue sourcing supply from the rivers of Silay City for the proposed P1.1 billion bulk water project after the Silay City council denied Capitol’s request for a Resolution of No Objection (RONO), which was triggered by strong opposition from local barangays. Governor …
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Power costs up? | Consumers group flags transmission charge hike
By CESAR JOLITO III A consumer advocacy group has raised alarm over the recent increase in electricity transmission charges, warning that the adjustment could further strain households already grappling with rising living costs. In a statement, the Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS) said the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) approval of …
Subsidence worsens | ‘Sinkhole,’ ground cracks threaten infra, road access
By CESAR JOLITO III Safety measures have been tightened in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town after widening ground cracks raised fears of a possible sinkhole or landslide, with students among those most at risk. Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco said that the local government is awaiting an urgent on-site assessment from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) …
2 deaths per month | Rebel remnants blamed for 28 killings in Negros
By CESAR JOLITO III Security forces have blamed remnants of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) for at least 28 killings on Negros Island since early last year, describing the violence as a campaign of terror targeting civilians rather than combatants. The killings average about two victims per month based on data compiled by security …
Unified voice | New alliance to form consumer-focused power framework
By CESAR JOLITO III A broad coalition of electricity consumers and church workers is set to formally launch the Alliance of Consumers in Northern Negros (ACNN) in Bacolod City, positioning itself as a unified consumer voice as the Visayas braces for possible power supply shortfalls. The formation of ACNN comes amid warnings from the National …
Access to care | Bacolod launches digital HIV/AIDS service platform
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City government has rolled out a new digital platform aimed at strengthening access to services for treating persons living with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) as the city recorded 1,312 confirmed HIV/AIDS cases as of November 2025, ranking 22nd nationwide among more than 140 local …
Do kids know the suspect? | Police identify 2 persons of interest in siblings attack
By CESAR JOLITO III Investigators have identified two persons of interest in the brutal attack that killed a nine-year-old girl and seriously injured her two siblings inside their home at Barangay E. Lopez in Negros Occidental’s Talisay City. Police said the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) handling the case is now focusing on the two …
Firm policy support | Lacson urges Congress to act on sugar prices
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has renewed his call for decisive congressional action to address the worsening sugar price crisis that continues to batter farmers and agricultural workers in Negros Occidental, the country’s top sugar-producing province. With mill-gate prices remaining low, Lacson said the upcoming congressional hearing on the sugar …
Keep the pace | Some SIDA provisions no longer reflect industry
By CESAR JOLITO III The government is set to roll out comprehensive stakeholder consultations as the cornerstone of its plan to amend the Sugar Industry Development Act (SIDA), ensuring that the law keeps pace with the evolving conditions of the sugar industry. The stakeholders said the planned consultations will serve as the primary mechanism for …
Who mauled the kids? | Probe ordered into girl’s death, siblings’ attack
By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has ordered a thorough and impartial investigation into an alleged mauling incident involving three minor siblings in Negros Occidental’s Silay City that left one child dead. Authorities said a nine-year-old girl was found lifeless, while a 14-year-old girl and a three-year-old …