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The peace and order situation in Negros Oriental is “good,” as there are no reports of intimidation or violence ahead of the May 2025 elections, the Commission on Elections in Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) said. Comelec-NIR Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano said security personnel will augment forces during the 2025 polls in Negros Oriental, since …

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is planning to set up a warehouse in every local government unit (LGU) in Western Visayas. The initiative aims to ensure prompt assistance to communities impacted by disasters, DSWD Regional Director Arwin Razo said at a press conference yesterday. “If they have a storage facility, we can …

The number of cases of violence against women (VAW) in Negros Oriental dropped in the first 10 months of 2024 due to government and private sector interventions and higher public awareness. The Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) recorded a total of 369 VAW cases from January …

By JEN BAYLON The Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) for medical workers in provincial and district hospitals in Negros Occidental remains unreleased. Randy Peacita, president of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees, said the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas has yet to download the HEA for health workers at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial …

The highly urbanized Bacolod City is eyeing establishing five more police stations to boost the safety and security of its growing populace. “This will enhance our ability to ensure the safety and security of every Bacolodnon,” Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said in a statement yesterday. Based on initial plans, the locations would be in the barangays …

By JEN BAYLON About 112 families have received their third notice to vacate the privately owned donated property in Bacolod City’s Barangay 39, Negros Occidental Provincial Legal Office head Alberto Nellas, Jr. said. Nellas said several families received the notices to vacate, while some refused to accept them. However, he emphasized that acceptance does not …

The number of arrested illegal Small Town Lottery (STL) bet collectors in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental has climbed to 74, authorities said. Of the number, three were arrested in Bacolod, identified as Riclos Llesos, Orly Tolentino and Ronmark del Rosario, the Bacolod City Police Office said in a report. Mengie Abellar, Raylin Dayrit, Teresita …

The City of Sipalay, a top tourist destination in Negros Occidental, is pushing for the development of its local creative industries through integration with the tourism sector under the “Lakbay Sipalay Creative Tours Project.” Supervising tourism officer Jerick Lacson said on Tuesday, November 26, that with the growing number of tourists in Sipalay City, the …

Guimaras is positioning to become a logistics hub, catering for Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region. Governor JC Rahman Nava said yesterday they are banking on history when Guimaras used to serve as a trans-loading facility for bulk sugar that was exported by Western Visayas, although it is not a sugar-producing province. “Guimaras contributed …

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has welcomed the support of farmers in Mindanao and Luzon for the national government’s move to delay sugar importation until the middle of next year amid a stable supply of raw and refined sugar. The SRA and the Department of Agriculture (DA) received letters of support from the Sugarcane Growers …