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By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya assured residents that all government assistance earmarked for beneficiaries will be released in full, warning that any attempt to divert or withhold funds will be met with legal action. Speaking during an assistance payout at the Bacolod City Government Center, Gasataya stressed transparency and accountability in …

By CESAR JOLITO III Women’s rights advocates in Negros Occidental intensified their condemnation of Quezon City Representative Bong Suntay after details of his controversial remarks surfaced, saying the statements reflected sexist undertones and were inappropriate for a lawmaker speaking in an official legislative setting. The incident occurred during a hearing of the House Committee on …

By CESAR JOLITO III About 16,623 Negrenses are currently residing in the Middle East, according to Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II, who also confirmed that three of them have requested assistance to return home. Diaz said the provincial help desk has received around seven requests for support from Negrenses abroad, most of …

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) – Negros Island Region (NIR) is celebrating National Women’s Month this March to honor women and young girls through special activities. Comelec-NIR election director Lionel Marco Castillano told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that election officers across the region were instructed to undertake these simple but meaningful activities …

By CESAR JOLITO III A mobile medical services program aimed at expanding access to basic healthcare in remote communities has been launched in Negros Occidental’s 3rd District. The initiative was formally introduced on Monday, March 2, is set to cover 115 barangays across the district. Dubbed “Ikaayong Lawas On Wheels Serbisyo Mediko sa Tersero Distrito,” …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment (NICE) Inc. has formally challenged the inclusion of a waste-to-energy (WTE) component in Bacolod City’s proposed 10-year solid waste management plan, citing the absence of public consultation prior to the passage of a related ordinance. In a statement submitted on Monday, March 2, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …