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By CESAR JOLITO III The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) hailed the declaration of a state of calamity in Negros Occidental as a critical step in triggering emergency measures to combat the widespread infestation of the red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in sugarcane fields. SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona expressed gratitude to the provincial government, swiftly …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) is maintaining a heightened alert for possible disease outbreaks in the aftermath of heavy rains and widespread flooding across the province last week. PHO head Dr. Girlie Pinongan confirmed that the province remains under Code White Alert — a heightened monitoring status requiring readiness to …

By CESAR JOLITO III The remains of Leah Mosquera, a Negrense overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was killed in a missile attack in the midst of the Israel-Iran War on June 15, arrived at the Bacolod-Silay Airport yesterday morning. Mosquera, supposed to turn 50 this July 29, tragically lost her life after being trapped under …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental Association of Chief Executives (ACE) has elected a new set of officers, ushering in a renewed push for stronger collaboration among local governments amid growing environmental and governance challenges in the province. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson underscored the significance of Negros ACE as a vital platform that promotes …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has activated its Joint Focus Legal Action Team (JFLAT), a multi-agency initiative aimed at improving coordination between law enforcement and the justice sector to ensure stronger criminal case-building and prosecution. PRO-NIR Director Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay led the activation of JFLAT, …

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) will establish a warehouse for the prepositioning of food and non-food items in the sixth district of Negros Occidental. In a report on Tuesday, July 22, the Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) said the team led by officer-in-charge chief Beverly Salazar inspected the proposed warehouse …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Agriculture (DA) is mobilizing efforts to provide rice seeds to farmers whose crops were destroyed by recent flooding due to heavy rains. According to DA-Western Visayas Regional Director Engineer Jose Albert Barrogo, rice planters can resume planting soon as sufficient seed supply is available. The new cropping season is expected …

By CESAR JOLITO III Malacañang has announced the suspension of classes and government work in Negros Occidental and 36 other provinces today due to the persistent heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat, intensified by recent weather disturbances. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the Palace issued Memorandum Circular No. 90, ordering the suspension …

By CESAR JOLITO III Health authorities have raised alarm over a surge in cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and leptospirosis in Bacolod City this year, linking the uptick to worsening sanitation issues fueled by a growing population and increasing garbage. Dr. Grace Tan, head of the City Health Office’s (CHO) Environmental Sanitation Division, …

Concerned government agencies are closely monitoring possible lahar flow from Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island amid continuous rains in surrounding areas. “Lahar flow is also constantly monitored that may affect low-lying areas surrounding the volcano,” the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council-Negros Island Region (RDRRMC-NIR) said in a situation report yesterday. Kanlaon Volcano remains …