By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA The Bacolod City government will distribute free school supplies to all public elementary students as well as school bags and physical education (PE) uniforms for Grade 7 to Grade 12 students in the locality during the opening of classes next week. Mayor Greg Gasataya said they are now finalizing with the …
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2 suspects in doctor’s robbery holdup arrested
By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA Two suspects were arrested in follow-up police operations after they allegedly robbed a female doctor at her apartment in Bacolod City’s Barangay 19 on May 28. Police identified the suspects as 27-year-old “Rem,” a resident of Barangay 40, and 32-year-old “Shaun,” from Barangay Cabug, both in Bacolod. Police Colonel Eugene Rebadomia, …
INTENTIONAL FIRE? Woman ‘sets’ Victorias house ablaze
By CESAR JOLITO III A residential fire that caused an estimated P2.88 million in damages in Negros Occidental’s Victorias City is now being linked to an alleged intentional burning incident involving a female renter, initial reports and police investigation suggest. The fire broke out at 10:30 p.m. on May 30, at Block 4 in Barangay …
Bacolod bids for Creative City of Gastronomy title
By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA The Bacolod City government has expressed its interest in being a Creative City of Gastronomy for 2027 under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). “We submitted our bid to be a Creative City of Gastronomy for 2027 because when we talk about gastronomy, food and flavor, it’s Bacolod …
Raps filed vs. suspects in teen rape-slay
By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA Rape with homicide complaints were filed against two persons of interest in the killing of 17-year-old Freya Mae Go, whose body was found hogtied in a vacant lot at Reclamation Area in Bacolod City’s Barangay 12 on October 22, 2025. Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Colonel Eugene Rebadomia, said the …
Sagay eyed for NIR police permanent HQ
By CESAR JOLITO III The Sagay City government expressed openness to donating a parcel of land intended for the construction of permanent headquarters of the Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR). The proposal was discussed during a meeting between PRO-NIR Director Police Brigadier General Romano Cardiño and city officials. PRO-NIR said the …
Environmental advocates reject permits for bulk water project
By CESAR JOLITO III Environmental groups and disaster risk reduction specialists are urging local government units in northern Negros Occidental to reject approvals for the proposed P1.2-billion Negros Occidental bulk water supply project, citing what they described as “fatal flaws” in its environmental and governance processes. In a position paper dated May 24, the group …
NegOcc could be spared from El Niño: Pagasa
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental is projected to be largely spared from the severe dry conditions typically associated with the El Niño phenomenon, based on the latest climate outlook from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). Irene Bel Ploteña, chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said recent …
NTF-ELCAC refutes ‘biggest NPA recruiter’ tag
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) dismissed claims of human rights group Karapatan, calling it the “biggest NPA (New People’s Army) recruiter” in the country. In a statement, NTF-ELCAC executive director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., said this “latest propaganda piece” is an attempt by the militant group to distort reality …
Brigada Eskwela set for June 1
By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Education’s Negros Occidental Schools Division will simultaneously launch the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela programs on Monday, June 1 as part of preparations for the opening of classes on June 8. Schools Division Superintendent Gladys Amylaine Sales said the weeklong activity aims to ensure schools are ready …