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Inflation in Western Visayas remained steady at 2.7 percent in March, matching the figure recorded in February, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report released on Friday, April 11. This rate is lower than the 3.1 percent recorded in March 2024. Despite the slight year-on-year drop, Western Visayas posted the second-highest inflation rate among …

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has signed two key agreements to boost disaster resilience across Negros Island, partnering with the city government of Victorias and the Negros Association of Chief Executives (ACE). The signing comes in the wake of the April 8 eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, which displaced more than 25,000 residents. The memorandum …

A Catholic priest said blessed palm fronds are not mere ornaments but a reminder to the faithful of the importance of accepting Jesus Christ into their lives. “Blest palm fronds are not to be stored in the house to serve as lucky charms or weapons against evil forces,” Fr. Jerome Secillano, spokesperson of the Roman …

With just weeks to go before the 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared Western Visayas 100 percent prepared, citing the completion of training, security planning, and logistical coordination across the region. Comelec Regional Election Director Dennis Ausan, who also chairs the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC), confirmed in a press …

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is preparing for the eventuality of a more destructive eruption of Mount Kanlaon in Negros Island, after a series of phreatic eruptions in recent months. In the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay, OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno says if Kanlaon’s alert level is raised to 4, more than 90,000 individuals …

The Negros Oriental police is preparing to fully deploy its personnel ahead of Holy Week, with heightened security measures starting on Palm Sunday on April 13. Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), said they are awaiting final orders for the implementation of Oplan Semana Santa from higher authorities. “We …

Anti-illegal drug operatives seized some P27.2 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Sibulan, Negros Oriental yesterday that also led to the arrest of one high-value suspect. Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), told the Philippine News Agency that the operation stemmed from “lengthy intelligence efforts” …

The national government stands ready to assist local government units (LGUs) affected by the latest eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island early Tuesday, April 8. In a press briefing in Malacañang, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is actively coordinating with local …

The Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) of the Diocese of Dumaguete will mobilize about 15,000 volunteers for the upcoming May 12 national and local elections. Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, DEB convenor and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) coordinator for Negros Oriental and Siquijor, said yesterday that the volunteers would assist before, during and after …

Drug enforcement teams seized more than P14 million worth of shabu in separate operations in Calatrava town and in the highly-urbanized Bacolod City on Monday evening, April 7 and yesterday morning, respectively. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Western Visayas Special Enforcement Team-Bravo arrested alias Khent, 23 years old, during a buy-bust in Barangay Bantayanon, Calatrava around 10:45 …