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By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental 2nd District Representative Alfredo Marañon III has called on the national government to accelerate the implementation of infrastructure projects, citing delays that could affect economic growth. Marañon raised concern that as of March, bidding for several national government projects has yet to begin, a slowdown compared to previous years …

The Bacolod City government reminded Bacolodnons to use petroleum-grade containers when buying fuel at gas stations to ensure safety, based on the Department of Energy (DOE) guidelines. “Using the right container is important because gasoline and other petroleum products are flammable and dangerous if placed in ordinary plastic, thin bottles, or improvised containers that are …

By CESAR JOLITO III A 22-year-old student was arrested in a buy-bust operation that led to the seizure of around P142,800 worth of suspected shabu in Bacolod City’s Barangay 2 on March 16, authorities said. Anti-drug operatives conducted the intelligence-driven operation at Purok Sigay, resulting in the arrest of the suspect identified only by the …

By CESAR JOLITO III At least 59 former employees of the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) are calling for the immediate release of their full backwages, which they have long awaited, along with their reinstatement as stipulated in a previously signed compromise agreement with the agency’s Board of Directors. During a press conference, Baciwa Employees …

By CESAR JOLITO III Sagay City’s 30th Sinigayan Festival officially opened at the public plaza yesterday, highlighting the role of culture, creativity and education in strengthening community identity. Delivering the keynote message on behalf of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Assistant Secretary Jerome Buenviaje described festivals like Sinigayan as “living classrooms of culture and history” where …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Justice (DOJ) is moving forward with the establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR) prosecution office as part of efforts to strengthen prosecution services and improve access to justice in the newly formed administrative region. Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida led a series of high-level meetings in Bacolod City …

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s request to Congress to grant him emergency powers to reduce the excise tax on petroleum products has received the province’s support. As fuel prices continue to soar due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has expressed his support for the president’s intent to exercise emergency …

By CESAR JOLITO III The General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) is urging the government to provide an Emergency Relief Allowance (ERA) to workers in Western Visayas, citing the region’s declining purchasing power amid soaring inflation and the economic fallout from the ongoing war in the Middle East. In a statement, GAWA Secretary General Wennie …

By CESAR JOLITO III A 58-year-old man who previously served time in prison for a murder case was shot and killed in an ambush in Negros Occidental’s Bago City on Sunday afternoon, March 15. The victim was identified as Freddie Coronio, a resident of Purok Matam-is in Barangay Busay. Bago police chief Lt. Colonel James …

By CESAR JOLITO III Kanlaon Volcano had another moderate explosive eruption at 6:07 p.m. yesterday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. The eruption produced a massive ash column that rose approximately five kilometers into the sky before drifting toward the southeast and northeast directions. This marks the third recorded eruptive event of …