TOP STORIES

At least 40 commercial establishments were issued notices of violation for operating without the required permits during a joint inspection conducted along Lopez Jaena Street in Bacolod City on Tuesday, April 21. The operation was led by the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), together with the City Legal Office Enforcement Team and the Bacolod …

By CESAR JOLITO III At least 71 families were left homeless after a fire struck Purok Ramon Magsaysay in Bacolod City’s Barangay 14 on Tuesday afternoon, April 21. The Bureau of Fire Protection said at least 22 houses were destroyed while 10 others were damaged, displacing about 289 individuals. The blaze, which broke out around …

By CESAR JOLITO III A public hearing on the proposed Negros Bulk Water Supply Imbang Watershed – Hinalinan River Project is scheduled on Monday, April 27, in Negros Occidental’s Silay City, as stakeholders continue to weigh in on its potential environmental and social impacts. The hearing, organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City government has launched a dedicated hotline to address growing water supply concerns as the ongoing dry spell continues to affect several communities. Mayor Greg Gasataya announced the initiative following a coordination meeting with key departments and representatives from the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) – PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Diocese of San Carlos has issued a pastoral statement expressing deep sorrow and renewed calls for peace following a recent armed encounter in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town between government security forces and suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA). Bishop Gerardo Alminaza described the deadly encounter as a painful …

By CESAR JOLITO III Concerns over a looming water shortage are intensifying as supply levels decline, prompting calls for urgent intervention from both government and utility providers. Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez sounded the alarm, warning that dwindling water resources could disrupt households, businesses, schools, and essential services across the city. He …

By CESAR JOLITO III A surge in grass fire incidents has raised concern among public safety officials, with 88 cases recorded this month alone in Bacolod City, prompting intensified prevention efforts. The spike was highlighted during the 2nd quarter meeting of the City Management Coordinating Committee yesterday, where the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – …

By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has directed a technical working group (TWG) to evaluate a proposed amendment that would significantly scale down the Yuhum Housing Project in Barangay Vista Alegre. The move follows a formal request from project proponent William Russel Scheirman Holdings, Incorporated, which sought to reduce the development from …

By CESAR JOLITO III A labor group is urging lawmakers to fast-track a proposed measure that would grant automatic wage relief to minimum wage earners, while also calling for the abolition of regional wage boards, which it says have failed to respond swiftly to rising living costs. In a press statement, Wennie Sancho, secretary general …

By CESAR JOLITO III The 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival concluded on a high note after generating a record-breaking P29.42 million in total sales, the highest in the past three years, underscoring strong public support and economic activity despite prevailing challenges. Data released by festival organizers showed that this year’s earnings had an increase of …