TOP STORIES

By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya clarified that only business establishments with a capitalization of more than P3 million are required to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems as a condition for securing or renewing business permits, amid confusion following earlier advisories from the Office of the Building Official (OBO). Gasataya said the …

By CESAR JOLITO III A consumer advocacy group has thrown its support behind the proposed partnership between Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) and the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco), saying the joint venture could significantly improve power services in Northern Negros amid growing demand and persistent complaints from consumers. Alliance of Concerned Consumers …

The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Cimafranca is handling new and additional information that will help build a strong case against a police officer charged with the murders of three fellow officers and a female civilian in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. Suspect Staff Sergeant Bonifacio Saycon was presented for inquest proceedings at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) renewed its commitment to public safety and cooperation with the provincial government during a New Year’s Call on Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol yesterday. Led by NOCPPO Director Colonel Dennis Wenceslao, the delegation included chiefs of police from the cities and …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) categorically denied claims that the government is pursuing sugar import liberalization, as the agency moved to counter statements warning of an impending collapse of the local sugar industry. SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona described as “a blatant lie” allegations made by Save the Sugar Industry Movement …

By CESAR JOLITO III Police are investigating the death of a 17-year-old boy who died after falling from the fifth floor of a mall in Bacolod City on January 7, with authorities saying it is still too early to determine whether the incident was accidental, suicide-related or involved foul play. Bacolod City Police Station 1 …

By CESAR JOLITO III In a bid to prevent recurring water service interruptions during power outages, the Bacolod City council has unanimously approved on second reading an ordinance requiring all water service providers in the city to install standby power generators in their wells and pumping stations. The proposed measure, titled the Permanent Power Generators …

By CESAR JOLITO III The La Castellana municipal government has begun transferring evacuees of Typhoon “Tino” from public school classrooms to temporary family tents as part of efforts to resume face-to-face classes while a longer-term relocation is being prepared. Municipal public information officer Remuel Lajo said the local government will start relocating displaced families this …

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has vowed strengthened coordination and continued proactive response as the leadership of Regional Task Force Kanlaon (RTF) was transferred from Western Visayas to Negros Island Region (NIR) yesterday. In a ceremony held at Seda Capitol Central in Bacolod City witnessed by Civil Defense Administrator Harold Cabreros, OCD-Western Visayas Director …

By CESAR JOLITO III A labor and industry advocate has warned that the continued liberalization of sugar imports could lead to the collapse of the local sugar industry, threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers in the Negros Island Region and other sugar-producing areas nationwide. In a statement issued yesterday, Wennie Sancho, convenor …