By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has urged residents to remain calm and united as the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague continues to hold former President Rodrigo Duterte in custody. “I will not say [whether] it is right or it is wrong,” Lacson said when pressed to comment about the arrest. “I’m …
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Army urges Negrense communities to reject NPA extortion
The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) is urging communities in Negros Island to reject any form of extortion by the New People’s Army (NPA) to completely eliminate their illegal activity following the death of the rebels’ regional finance officer, Hans Pontreras. While the neutralization of Ponteras weakened the financial backbone of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, …
Bago City transforms farmers into agripreneurs via ‘green’ tourism
The city of Bago in Negros Occidental has transformed its farmers into agripreneurs through the initiative called “Regenerative Agritourism: Cultivating a Sustainable Future for Bago City,” which was recognized as one of the global winners in the 2025 Green Destinations Stories Awards. The story focuses on the “Booming GREEN AGritOurism” or (BAGO) program launched in …
4-year-old girl dies in San Carlos fire
By JEN BAYLON A four-year-old girl died in a fire that devastated 27 houses and left around 30 families displaced at Barangay 1 in Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City on Saturday, March 15. Fire Officer 1 Reynan Jundos of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in San Carlos reported that the victim was found lifeless in …
Public schools ready for blended learning amid rising heat index
Public schools under the Department of Education (DepEd) in Dumaguete City are prepared to implement alternative learning methods as the dry season approaches and heat indexes rise. Dr. Juditha Mapue, chief of the Curriculum Implementation Department, told the Philippine News Agency that they are ready to shift to blended learning and modular approaches if face-to-face …
Silay market vendor nabbed for illegal firearm possession
By MA. THERESA LADIAO A 52-year-old market vendor was arrested after authorities discovered an unlicensed firearm and ammunition during a police search at Barangay 2 in Negros Occidental’s Silay City on Saturday, March 15. Personnel from the Silay Component City Police Station served a search warrant at 11:43 a.m., leading to the arrest of the …
Firm obtains addt’l water supply for southern Bacolod villages
Improved water supply will be experienced by residents in three major barangays in the southern part of the city with the injection of four million liters per day (MLD) starting yesterday. This was confirmed by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez as water shortage has been reported in several areas of some barangays amid the extreme heat, …
PNP to activate Negros Island police office on March 27
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will activate the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) in a ceremony to be held at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano in Bacolod City on March 27. This was announced by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) yesterday after the final meeting for the establishment of the PRO-NIR …
NegOr folk reminded to report live wires to avoid accidents
Negros Oriental police on Thursday, March 13, reminded residents of the province to be wary of live wires and to report them to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the police, or electric cooperatives to avoid accidents. Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), issued the reminder after two young …
52 violation notices issued vs. erring poll bets
By JEN BAYLON The Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued 52 notices of violation against national candidates in the upcoming May 12 midterm elections after the removal of 4,570 illegal campaign materials in Negros Occidental. Thirty-nine violation notices were issued after 2,322 campaign materials were taken down during Oplan Baklas from February 24 to March 1, …