TOP STORIES

By JEN BAYLON Two houses were destroyed in separate fire incidents in Bacolod City’s Barangays Estefania and Mansilingan yesterday. Fire Officer 2 Rolin Paulan, chief investigator of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod, said the first fire was reported in Barangay Estefania’s Sunshine Valley around 1:00 a.m. Paulan said the blaze fully razed two homes owned by Stephanie …

By JEN BAYLON Kanlaon Volcano continues to exhibit unrest, marked by ash emissions and elevated seismic activity, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. As of 8:00 a.m. yesterday, 14 volcanic earthquakes accompanied by two ash emissions were recorded at Kanlaon, which is currently at Alert Level 2, indicating increased unrest, Phivolcs said. …

The number of sugar migrants, also known as “sacadas,” working in the sugar-rich province of Negros Occidental is declining after their lives have improved with the assistance of Antique’s provincial government. “Negros Occidental Governor [Eugenio Jose] Lacson has already told me that they are now having difficulty in looking for sacadas because there are fewer …

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Saturday catch-up classes or night shifts may be implemented after several weeks of typhoon-driven class disruptions. In an ambush interview on the sidelines of the 2024 Regional Conference on Educational Planning in Asia at SEAMEO Regional Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology center in Quezon City, Angara underscored the urgency …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental provincial government has unveiled plans for the construction of 10 five-story dormitory-type evacuation centers at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City. Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said yesterday the project, which is valued at P50 million for each building, will have a total capacity of 5,000 people. “This is …

The Visayas’ top military official yesterday vowed to continue efforts to end local communist armed conflict in the central Philippines as the New People’s Army (NPA) in the region has suffered a series of setbacks. Lt. General Fernando Reyeg, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Visayas Command, said the recent blows suffered …

BY JEN BAYLON The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) proposed the establishment of three additional police stations to strengthen peace and order in the city. BCPO director Colonel Joeresty Coronica presented the plan to Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Monday, November 4, requesting the establishment of new stations in key areas with high population densities. According …

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the celebration of the 126th Al Cinco de Noviembre yesterday was the province’s unique narrative of heroism. During the rites held at the Capitol Park and Lagoon in Bacolod City, Lacson said heroism is often associated with extraordinary acts, yet the understanding of heroism must also evolve. “As …

The Negros Occidental provincial government-led multipartite monitoring team (MMT) will keep track of the environmental compliance and sustainability efforts of Hacienda Asia Plantations Inc. (HAPI) located in two villages of Candoni town. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued a directive creating the MMT, as environmental groups continue to oppose yesterday the firm’s proposed palm oil plantation …

By JEN BAYLON The Negros Occidental provincial government said it will provide financial assistance to approximately 112 informal settler families (ISFs) who are being asked to vacate a privately-owned donated property in Bacolod City’s Barangay 39. Provincial Legal Office head Atty. Alberto Nellas, Jr. said once the eviction process begins, the affected ISFs may receive financial …