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By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City government has strengthened its law enforcement capabilities with the acquisition of 10 electric vehicles (EVs) for the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), aiming to improve response time while reducing operational costs. Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city allocated P14 million for the new fleet as part of efforts …

By CESAR JOLITO III A human rights organization in Negros has condemned the killing of community journalist RJ Ledesma during a military operation in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town. In a statement, Human Rights Advocates in Negros (HRAN) expressed grief over Ledesma’s death and called for an independent investigation, asserting that the victim was a non-combatant …

By CESAR JOLITO III Two individuals identified by advocacy and academic groups as student activists and community journalists were among those killed in an armed encounter in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town on Sunday, April 19, that left 19 people dead. Alternative media network Altermidya and the University of the Philippines (UP) – Diliman University Student …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has created a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) “Toboso” to determine the identities of those killed in the recent armed encounter at Barangay Salamanca in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town. Authorities said identification of the remaining fatalities is ongoing through forensic examinations, …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod approved on first reading a proposed ordinance that seeks to institutionalize energy efficiency standards for buildings, marking a significant step toward sustainable urban development in the city. The measure aims to establish the Bacolod City Energy Efficiency Code for Buildings, which sets minimum energy performance standards designed …

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental provincial tourism officer Cheryl Decena has officially returned to government service following a six-month suspension without pay but has been reassigned to a different post instead of resuming her previous role. Decena reported back to the provincial capitol and was immediately issued a detail order assigning her to the …

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. …