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Negros Occidental ranked first in terms of average yield per hectare in rice production in Western Visayas in the first half of 2025, making it one of the region’s top producers recognized by the Department of Agriculture (DA). The province’s average yield is 3.94 metric tons (MT) per hectare, data released by the Office of …

The detailed engineering design of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) bridge is already 84.10 percent completed, according to the latest project briefer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Data from the DPWH revealed that the design of Segment A or the Panay-Guimaras portion of the bridge is already 93.60 percent completed, while Segment B …

By CESAR JOLITO III Around 1,900 job order (JO) workers have been officially endorsed and are now working under the administration of Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya, even as the city government implements tighter controls on hiring to address budget constraints. In a press conference earlier this week, Gasataya confirmed that a skeletal workforce arrangement …

By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya confirmed that the highlights of the annual MassKara Festival will still be celebrated on the fourth Sunday of October, as stipulated under Republic Act 11146. This announcement comes after earlier moves by the Sangguniang Panlungsod to consider adjusting the schedule due to frequent rains during that …

A strong partnership between the government and business sector is vital for the economy to thrive in the newly-formed Negros Island Region (NIR). This was underscored by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson during the Economic Drivers Forum of the Siquijor and Negros Island Business Week led by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry …

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental 5th District Representative Emilio Yulo III has criticized the recent simulation exercise (simex) conducted among internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s heightened activity, calling the exercises “unnecessary.” Yulo raised concern over the practicality and timing of the disaster preparedness activities led by the Office of the Civil …

By CESAR JOLITO III Remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) set fire to three heavy equipment units at Sitio Medel, Barangay Carabalan in Negros Occidental’s Himamaylan City, an incident now being linked to an ongoing dispute over quarry operations in the area. The NPA’s South Central Negros Guerrilla Front has claimed responsibility for the …

MANILA, Philippines — In a move poised to reshape the energy landscape of the Visayas and Palawan, Primelectric Holdings, Inc. and ACWA Power Company of Saudi Arabia formally signed a Joint Study Agreement to jointly explore renewable energy and energy storage opportunities in the region. Roel Z. Castro, President of Primelectric Holdings Inc., and Thomas Brostrom, …

By CESAR JOLITO III In a proactive measure to strengthen disaster preparedness, a full-scale simulation exercise (simex) was conducted on Saturday, July 5, to test emergency response systems in the event of an eruption at Kanlaon Volcano under Alert Level 4. The large-scale drill, held at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City, simulated the …

By CESAR JOLITO III In a renewed push for urban cleanliness and revitalization, Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya has launched a sustained cleanup and rehabilitation initiative targeting Bacolod City’s three major public markets and the iconic public plaza. Gasataya personally led flushing operations at Burgos, Libertad and Central markets over the weekend, aiming to address long-standing …