The billeting schools of the 2026 Negros Island Regional Athletic Association Meet (NIRAAM) hosted by Bacolod City remain safe for occupancy despite a magnitude 4.8 earthquake on Monday night, March 2. The buildings in 16 schools underwent rapid damage assessment and needs analysis conducted by the City Engineer’s Office (CEO). The list included Andres Bonifacio …
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Molocaboc tapped as site for desalination facility
By CESAR JOLITO III Molocaboc Island in Negros Occidental’s Sagay City has been selected as the pilot site for the proposed P8.5-million desalination project aimed at addressing chronic freshwater shortages in island communities. The initiative will be led by the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and …
PNP to hire 279 add’l cops for Negros Island Region
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is hiring 279 police officers for the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) this year during the recruitment process set to start this month. Patrolman and patrolwoman aspirants can apply for the 111 slots under the regular quota and the 168 slots allocated for the attrition quota. Colonel …
Guv: Set aside Panaad Stadium issues; focus on NIRAAM
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has urged the public to set aside ongoing controversies surrounding the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City and concentrate on supporting athletes participating in the first-ever Negros Island Regional Athletic Association Meet (NIRAAM) 2026. Reports have surfaced that Bacolod City, host of this year’s …
Frequency of Kanlaon Volcano’s ash emission normal: Phivolcs
The frequency of ash emissions in Kanlaon Volcano for the past few days is still normal, but the public is advised not to be complacent and to remain vigilant, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. “Under Alert Level 2, ash emissions occurring daily or even twice a day are …
Hot weather threatens NIRAAM sched, games
By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Education in the Negros Island Region (DepEd-NIR) has rolled out strict heat-safety protocols for student-athletes after heat index levels in parts of the region surged to as high as 40 degrees Celsius yesterday, prompting concerns over athlete welfare during the ongoing Negros Island Region Athletic Association Meet (NIRAAM). …
Negrense OFWs to get aid amid Middle East tensions
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental is preparing financial assistance for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who may be stranded or displaced amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, as local authorities intensify coordination with national agencies to facilitate repatriation efforts. Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II said the Capitol is responding to calls for help …
NegOcc to focus on ‘scaled-down’ bulk water project after Silay rejection
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental is exploring a smaller-scale version of its bulk water project following rejection from the Silay City council of a key clearance needed for the original plan. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the proposed project could tap the water surface of the Malogo River in E.B. Magalona town, potentially supplying …
Bacolod council OKs PWD social pension reform
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City council has approved on third and final reading its persons with disabilities (PWDs) social pension reform ordinance, a measure aimed at strengthening and expanding financial assistance for PWDs, particularly those in vulnerable and disadvantaged situations. The ordinance amends key provisions of City Ordinance No. 1010 in 2022. The …
SRA hopes to clear backlog in SIDA support
By CESAR JOLITO III The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has intensified its efforts to clear pending farm support for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and sugar farmers in Negros Occidental, as the agency targets “zero backlog” under the Sugar Industry Development Act (SIDA) program. “Our target is zero backlog. We are committed to ensuring that all …