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The 29th Panaad sa Negros Festival ended on a high note on Sunday night, March 30, capping a week-long celebration that drew thousands of Negrenses and generated more than P16 million in sales. Figures released by the organizers yesterday showed total sales reached P16.6 million, coming from the local government unit (LGU) pavilions, trade fair, …

The highly-urbanized Bacolod City logged a 6.72 percent increase in overnight tourist arrivals in 2024, further strengthening its status as a top destination in the country. Data from the City Tourism Office yesterday showed Bacolod accommodated 833,345 overnight travelers last year compared to only 780,916 in 2023. In a statement, Tourism Operations Office chief Ma. …

Forty-four former New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental were granted P1.32 million in financial assistance by the provincial government as counterpart support to the national government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). Anna Marie Lucasan, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, said the cash grant of P30,000 per beneficiary is part of …

By JEN BAYLON Jada Biaxyl Celeste of Negros Occidental’s Victorias City was crowned Lin-ay sang Negros 2025 during the coronation night at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Friday, March 28. The 21-year-old Celeste, who advocates for women’s empowerment and gender equality, bested 26 other candidates in the highly anticipated pageant. She also clinched the …

Fur parents and about 100 cats and dogs joined a pet walk event at Panaad Park in Bacolod City on Saturday, March 29, to kick off the 1st Bacolod Pet Festival in line with the observance of Rabies Awareness Month. Organized by the City Veterinary Office (CVO), the weeklong event, themed “Building a Safe and Rabies-Free …

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged candidates and their supporters to take the lead in removing illegally mounted campaign materials and not wait for orders to do so. In a radio interview, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said those who are running in the May 12 polls may face charges and even disqualification if they violate …

By JEN BAYLON A woman died while seven others were injured after a sports utility vehicle fell into a ravine at Barangay Pandanon in Negros Occidental’s Don Salvador Benedicto town on Saturday, March 29. Municipal police chief, Major Ryan Villasario, said the fatality, a 58-year-old resident of Bago City, is yet to be identified. She …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental provincial government is advancing efforts to establish a permanent evacuation center in La Castellana, a municipality at risk due to the activity of Kanlaon Volcano. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II revealed that La Castellana requested a P14 million budget for materials and labor needed to construct the evacuation facility, which …

By MA. THERESA LADIAO The first day of the local campaign period in Western Visayas remained generally peaceful, with no major political gatherings or security threats reported, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) said. PRO-6 spokesperson Lt. Colonel Arnel Solis said, as of their latest monitoring, there had been no large-scale campaign activities across the …

The Department of Education (DepEd) – Division of Negros Occidental reminded schools in the province of the “no collection policy” during recognition and graduation rites. Ian Arnold Arnaez, DepEd-NegOcc Division spokesperson, said all recognition, moving-up and graduation rites are covered by the school’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses. “There is no reason to collect from …