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The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) assured doing its best to prevent the spread of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in the country. The RSSI, which was first discovered in Egypt, may reduce sugar content by almost 50 percent. This came after the SRA disclosed early reports of RSSI infestation in some farms in Victoria, Hawaiian …

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez yesterday welcomed the highly-urbanized city’s rise in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2025 rankings, reaching 518th spot this year from only 538th in 2024. “This leap reflects our city’s steady gains in economic strength, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance — a strong sign that Bacolod is …

By JEN BAYLON A one-year-old girl died while her six-year-old sister was injured after a devastating fire broke out at their home in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mandalagan around 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 24. The fatality was identified as Adelin Sayon, while her sister, Angela, sustained third-degree burns on different parts of her body. At …

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are set to intensify intervention to contain the infestation of red-striped soft-scale insects (RSSI) in some sugarcane farms in Negros Occidental. This came after the SRA reported that the infestation had already spread outside the northern part of the province where it was initially …

By JEN BAYLON The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) has reported a significant 147.2 percent increase in dengue cases this year, recording 356 infections and two fatalities, compared to 144 cases during the same period last year. According to the CHO’s Environment Sanitation Division, dengue continues to affect residents across all age groups and genders, transmitted …

The average residential electricity rates of all three distribution utilities in Negros Occidental decreased in May mainly due to lower prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). The Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) reported a downward adjustment of P1.7807 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) this month, settling at P13.28 per kWh from P15.07 per kWh in …

The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) fully supports the decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to evaluate the performance of the members of his Cabinet through a call for courtesy resignations. This after the 149-member league issued a statement of support yesterday signed by acting national president, Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina …

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Western Visayas has begun to take action to safeguard public health from harmful algal blooms (HAB). Having oysters and mussels among the top aquaculture commodities in Western Visayas, the bureau aims to enforce a critical step to protect fish farmers and the consuming public from HAB. According to …

By JEN BAYLON Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez submitted his courtesy resignation as part of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s call for all Cabinet secretaries to step down temporarily to recalibrate the administration following the May 12 midterm elections. “We are always ready to serve in any capacity, at the pleasure …

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) coordinated with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) to ensure it is ready to issue an emergency use permit (EUP) for insecticides meant to curb a pest infestation in Northern Negros Occidental. According to DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa, the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) at the University …