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By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) is calling on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to tighten its enforcement of disaster preparedness standards among Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms and other large private establishments following recent safety lapses reported in the wake of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu province …

By CESAR JOLITO III Some infrastructure in Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City suffered minor cracks from the magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck the city on Tuesday morning, October 7. The Sipalay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) observed minor damages in several establishments, such as the Gil Montilla National High School, market stalls in Barangay …

By CESAR JOLITO III The two-month rice importation ban imposed by the national government has yet to make a difference for farmers in Negros Occidental, as the farmgate price of palay continues to hover between P12 and P14 per kilo, barely enough to cover production costs. Pedro Limpangog, president of the Federation of Irrigators’ Association …

By CESAR JOLITO III The National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) has raised alarm over what it describes as “excessive sugar importation” under Sugar Order No. 8, issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), warning that it could trigger a price slump at the start of the new milling season. NFSP President Enrique Rojas said …

By CESAR JOLITO III Two earthquakes struck Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City yesterday morning, prompting the temporary suspension of morning classes in some public schools in nearby localities. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the first tremor occurred at 5:58 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.5, a depth of three kilometers, and …

By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya announced that the city government will donate P2 million in financial assistance to Bogo City in Cebu province, one of the areas severely affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 30. Gasataya said the move underscores Bacolod’s commitment to extending solidarity and support to fellow local government units …

By CESAR JOLITO III A group has expressed strong opposition to the proposed provincial ordinance regulating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Negros Occidental, emphasizing the need to protect farmers, food security, and the province’s reputation as the Organic Capital of the Philippines. In a statement issued on Monday, October 6, the MASIPAG Provincial Consultative Body …

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson described as a “difficult but popular” proposal the suggestion of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano for the country’s top officials to step down from their posts. Cayetano earlier called on the president, vice president, senators, and members of Congress to resign amid the growing …

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental is stepping up its assistance to earthquake-stricken Bogo City in Cebu province, sending P2 million in financial aid to help affected residents recover. The cash assistance comes on the heels of a large-scale humanitarian mission mounted by the province and several local government units, collectively known as the One Negros Response Team. …

By CESAR JOLITO III Two people died in a fire that gutted three houses in a subdivision at Barangay 6 in Negros Occidental’s Victorias City yesterday morning, October 6. Authorities identified one of the fatalities as 58-year-old Angela Pineda, who reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to escape the fire. Although her home …