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Sagay City in Negros Occidental on January 1 officially enforced a total ban on single-use plastics, as part of its commitment to a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future. “Let’s reduce waste, protect our seas and land, and choose reusable alternatives. Sagay is where the love for nature begins,” the city government said in a …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City government has moved to address a weeklong garbage backlog by deploying a new private waste management consortium, with city officials confident the situation will ease within days. Mayor Greg Gasataya formally signed a one-year contract on Thursday, January 1, with a consortium led by International Solid Waste Integrated …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) reported a generally peaceful and orderly New Year celebration across the region, citing the effective implementation of Ligtas Paskuhan. According to PRO-NIR, heightened police visibility and strategic deployment played a key role in maintaining public safety during the holiday season. More …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Oriental provincial government mobilized its resources and coordinated closely with local government units to address the impact of heavy rains brought by a series of thunderstorms that hit parts of the province on Wednesday, December 31. Under the leadership of Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria, provincial authorities, through the Local …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Health in the Negros Island Region (DOH-NIR) has recorded a significant number of injuries linked to firecrackers and road crashes based on its ongoing holiday surveillance period. DOH-NIR documented 37 fireworks-related injuries and 290 road crash injuries across Negros Island and Siquijor since December 21. Of the 37 …

As part of the heightened security measures for the holiday season, Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. General Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. reiterated yesterday its strict enforcement of the one-strike policy against indiscriminate firing. Sanctions include dismissal from the service and the filing of appropriate criminal cases. “The Philippine National Police is strictly enforcing …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Hinigaran municipal government has formally called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 2nd Engineering District to expedite the ongoing road construction along a section of the national highway, citing worsening traffic congestion and growing public frustration. In a statement, Hinigaran Mayor Grace Arceo expressed concern over the …

Pending the issuance of a notice of award, Mayor Greg Gasataya will formalize an agreement with a new private garbage collector after the Bacolod City council approved his request to sign separate service contracts for the city’s solid waste management project during a special session yesterday, December 29. The council greenlit the contracts for a …

By CESAR JOLITO III A Christmas celebration in Bacolod City’s Barangay Cabug took an alarming turn after a 38-year-old man was injured by what police believe may have been a stray bullet early Christmas morning. The victim, identified only as alias “Joeben,” a resident of Barangay Pahanocoy, was wounded while having a drinking session with …

By CESAR JOLITO III Days before New Year’s Eve, authorities reported two separate firecracker-related cases on Sunday, December 28, in Negros Occidental towns of Valladolid and E.B. Magalona, involving an illegal sale of firecrackers and a firecracker-related injury to a minor. Valladolid police apprehended a 59-year-old store owner for selling firecrackers outside the designated zones …