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By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Agriculture in the Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) has increased its allocation for cloud seeding operations to P6 million as the prolonged dry spell continues to affect agricultural areas on Negros Island. DA-NIR Regional Executive Director, Engineer Jose Albert Barrogo said the move is part of intensified government efforts …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City council has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance seeking to regulate the malicious use of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology, amid growing concerns over digital misinformation and online impersonation. The proposed ordinance aims to protect the public from deceptive AI-generated content and preserve the integrity of …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in the Negros Island Region (RDRRMC NIR), chaired by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) – NIR, has conducted a post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) for Typhoon “Tino” from May 12 to 15, as part of ongoing efforts to map damages and guide rehabilitation …

By CESAR JOLITO III Long queues and a surge of last-minute applicants marked the final day of voter registration in Negros Occidental, as election offices across the province processed a total of 7,548 registrants on Monday, May 18. Provincial elections supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said turnout was heaviest in major cities, where long lines were …

By CESAR JOLITO III The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) renewed its warning against alleged communist rebel recruitment among the youth following the death of former student leader Vince Francis Dingding during an armed encounter in Negros Occidental’s Cauayan town on Saturday, May 16. In a statement, NTF-ELCAC described Dingding’s …

By CESAR JOLITO III Persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in Bacolod City renewed calls to end discrimination and stigma as the community commemorated victims of HIV through a candlelight memorial ceremony held at a mall in the city. One of the advocates, identified as alias “Jhade,” shared the challenges faced by PLHIV, including …

By CESAR JOLITO III Thousands of farmers in southern Negros are calling on Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Director-General Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez to take immediate steps toward the long-delayed revival of the Dacongcogon Sugar Mill project, which they describe as a key driver for economic recovery and peacebuilding in insurgency-affected communities. In …

By CESAR JOLITO III Eleven passengers from Negros Occidental’s Bago City were safely rescued after a motorbanca capsized in the Guimaras Strait on Friday afternoon, May 15. The Coast Guard Substation in Pulupandan said the vessel was en route from Bantayan Park in Bago City to San Lorenzo town in Guimaras when it encountered strong …

By CESAR JOLITO III A recent fact-finding mission has raised serious questions over the Philippine Army’s account of the April 19 armed encounter in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town, with participating human rights groups alleging that several of those killed were unarmed civilians. The findings, endorsed by the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines …

By CESAR JOLITO III Authorities confiscated more than P40.8 million worth of untaxed and smuggled cigarettes and arrested 12 individuals in two separate anti-smuggling operations conducted across Negros Island over two days, underscoring intensified efforts against illicit trade networks in the region. The biggest breakthrough occurred on Saturday night, May 16, in Sitio Labugon, Barangay …