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By CESAR JOLITO III The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Negros Island Region (PDEA-NIR) has elevated to the Office of the Ombudsman – Visayas a series of administrative and criminal complaints against three government officials and a public school teacher arrested in separate anti-drug operations this year — marking one of the region’s strongest moves yet to tighten …

By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has called for a congressional inquiry into how the growing Slow Food Movement in Negros Occidental can be harnessed to advance sustainable development and inclusive economic growth across the Visayas. Under House Resolution No. 462, Benitez asked the House Committee on Visayas Development …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Toboso municipal government imposed a total ban on the filming and posting of personal social media content by government employees during office hours and within all local government unit (LGU) premises. In Memorandum No. 10 dated December 4, Mayor Richard Jaojoco enforced a “strict prohibition” on TikTok filming, Facebook Reels, Instagram content …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Regional Development Council in the Negros Island Region (RDC-NIR) is pushing to balance infrastructure investment across the newly reestablished region, with Negros Oriental officials expressing hopes that more major projects will be allocated to their province beginning next year. RDC-NIR chairperson and Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria said during the …

Local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have been ordered to preemptively evacuate their residents living in high-risk areas due to the threat of Tropical Depression “Wilma.” Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in an executive order, directed that flood, landslide and storm surge-prone areas be vacated to secure lives and property amid the new weather disturbance. …

By CESAR JOLITO III La Castellana Vice Mayor Alme Rhummyla “Mhai” Nicor-Mangilimutan clarified that the P10 million financial assistance extended by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to the municipality comes with specific guidelines on how the funds must be used, amid public confusion over its allocation. Nicor-Mangilimutan said the amount — turned over during Marcos’ visit …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Negros Island Region (DENR-NIR) is seeking the voluntary relocation of residents living inside the strict protection zone of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP), following the destructive flashfloods and landslides triggered by Typhoon “Tino” on November 4. DENR-NIR Regional Executive Director Charlie Fabre said …

By CESAR JOLITO III Some residents are already heading to evacuation centers on their own, most likely due to trauma from Typhoon “Tino” in November, as local authorities and disaster response teams in Negros Occidental are ramping up preparations for Tropical Depression “Wilma” this weekend. “Just because ‘Wilma’ might not directly pass through your area …

By CESAR JOLITO III Major roads and bridges in Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City are now passable, exactly a month after massive flooding and landslides due to Typhoon “Tino” left at least 20 people dead and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture, as the city begins a slow road to recovery. During the Negros Island …

The Philippine Army in Negros Oriental is not letting its guard down against the remnants of the communist New People’s Army (NPA), who may still carry out liquidation tasks. Captain Marlon Mopiang, public information officer of the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, confirmed on Thursday that …