By CESAR JOLITO III A transport leader in Bacolod City said the expected rollback in fuel prices next week will not be enough to meaningfully ease the burden of drivers and the wider transport sector. Lilian Sembrano, president of the Kabacod Negros Transport Organization (KNETCO), described the anticipated reduction in fuel prices as only a …
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900 cops to ensure safe Panaad Festival
By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is set to deploy nearly 900 security personnel for the 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival, with a formal send-off ceremony scheduled at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mansilingan on Saturday, April 11. The ceremony, marking the official …
Work-from-home Fridays not vacation: Gasataya
By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has reminded city government employees that the implementation of the compressed four-day work week, particularly the work-from-home arrangement every Friday, is strictly for productivity and not an opportunity for leisure. In a statement, Gasataya emphasized that employees under the scheme are expected to remain at home …
Cloud seeding sought; dry weather threatens crops
By CESAR JOLITO III The sugar industry in Negros Occidental is calling for the immediate implementation of cloud seeding operations as dry conditions linked to the onset of the El Niño phenomenon continue to threaten sugarcane production across key growing areas. The United Sugar Producers’ Federation of the Philippines (Unifed) has formally appealed to the …
Labor group warns of power rate hike amid oil price surge
By CESAR JOLITO III Consumers may soon face higher electricity bills as global oil prices continue to climb due to tensions in the Middle East, a consumer advocacy group said. In a press statement, the Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS) cautioned that an increase in electricity rates has become “inevitable,” …
Bacolod solon seeks 6-month BSKE delay
By CESAR JOLITO III Deputy Speaker and Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is pushing for a six-month postponement of the 2026 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), citing the country’s ongoing fuel crisis as a pressing concern that warrants the reallocation of government resources. Benitez said the funds earmarked for BSKE — …
Blue alert up for Panaad sa Negros
By CESAR JOLITO III Emergency responders have been placed on blue alert status ahead of the Panaad sa Negros Festival, with a heightened readiness set to take effect starting Friday, April 10. In a memorandum, the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) announced that its Emergency Operations Center will be on …
1,500 NIR police to secure Araw ng Kagitingan
By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) will deploy nearly 1,500 personnel across the region to ensure a safe and orderly observance of Araw ng Kagitingan today. The large-scale security operation will cover key areas of public convergence, including major roads, transport terminals and venues for commemorative activities. …
Fuel crisis seen to drop Panaad sales
By CESAR JOLITO III A surge in fuel prices is expected to significantly impact tourism and overall sales during the 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival starting April 13, with provincial officials anticipating reduced travel and participation from local government units (LGUs) and tourists amid ongoing economic pressures. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the …
Measure ensures case due process vs. brgy execs
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has unanimously approved on third and final reading an ordinance establishing clearer and more structured procedures in handling administrative cases against barangay officials. The measure aims to streamline the investigation and resolution of complaints, ensuring both accountability and the protection of due process at the grassroots level. …