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By JEN BAYLON The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has ordered the evacuation of its personnel from its research facility at Barangay La Granja in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City following the recent eruption of Kanlaon Volcano. The evacuation involved 227 personnel, comprising 187 employees and 40 field workers, with only a skeletal force remaining on …

The Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) has secured the transmission devices to be used in the May 12 midterm elections following yesterday’s eruption of Mt. Kanlaon. In an interview, Comelec-NIR director Lionel Marco Castillano said these transmission devices play a critical role in the conduct of the elections. “These transmission devices …

An additional 30 Small Town Lottery (STL) illegal collectors, known as “bookies,” were arrested by authorities in Negros Occidental’s Himamaylan City and in capital Bacolod City this year. This came after the Bacolod City Police Office and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office further intensified their campaign against the proliferation of “bookies,” or illegal betting outlets …

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has set up 278 police assistance desks (PADs) to secure travelers across the province as part of the Philippine National Police’s Oplan Ligtas Summer Vacation (SUMVAC) 2025. “The Oplan Ligtas SUMVAC guarantees the safety and security of both residents and visitors during the extended holiday period,” NOCPPO Director …

By JEN BAYLON Typhoid fever cases in Negros Occidental have risen sharply in the first three months of this year, recording an 86.06 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. According to the Provincial Health Office (PHO), 387 cases were reported from January 1 to March 29, significantly higher than the 208 cases …

Five more units of electric jeepneys (e-jeeps) will operate in the highly urbanized Bacolod City under the franchise of the Cebu People’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CPMPC), owner-operator of the modernized People’s Jeep. The additional units, which will ply the Fortune Towne-Central Market loop, complete the 10 units obtained by the CPMPC from Chinese-Korean e-vehicle company e-Future …

By JEN BAYLON The camp of the truck driver involved in a road accident is alleging possible bias in the police investigation. Atty. Ariel Caldit, legal counsel for truck driver Romer Estrada, expressed concern over what he described as “preferential treatment” given to 57-year-old retired Police General Lope Ma Lim. Estrada, 51 years old, a …

By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson emphasized the importance of improved connectivity between Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental as a key priority for the newly established Negros Island Region (NIR). “Connectivity would really be a priority,” Lacson said, highlighting that enhancing transportation infrastructure will significantly reduce travel time and foster economic growth across …

By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental is forecast to experience near-normal rainfall this April, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). “For April, the province is expected to receive a maximum of 50 millimeters of rain,” Irene Bel Ploteña, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said. Near-normal rainfall corresponds …

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said 40,151 cops will be mobilized nationwide as part of its “Oplan Ligtas SumVac 2025” campaign to ensure public safety during Holy Week and to secure summer vacation travelers. PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil assured the public of the police force’s readiness to maintain peace and order throughout the …