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About 1,574 internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon have vacated evacuation centers in various public schools in two local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental ahead of the opening of classes on June 16. Data released by the provincial government on Friday night, June 13, showed that in La Castellana, …

Candoni Mayor Ray Ruiz has issued a final notice to Hacienda Asia Plantations Inc. (HAPI) to immediately cease all earth-moving and related activities in its palm oil plantation operations in the town. This, as HAPI has been criticized for causing widespread environmental degradation, severe soil erosion, and failing to implement mitigation measures in its operations, …

By MAE SINGUAY The Manapla municipal government is projecting to earn a revenue of about P10 million each year when the new port in Barangay Punta Salong officially begins operations. Mayor Manolet Escalante said the new port will bring economic growth to the local government unit as it will provide more opportunities for the locals. It also helps …

 By MAE SINGUAY Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz convened a meeting with La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan yesterday to discuss the transfer of evacuees to alternative locations amid Kanlaon Volcano’s continuing unrest. The transfer of evacuees ensures the uninterrupted holding of classes for the new school year on Monday, June 16. Mangilimutan said …

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza have sought the intervention of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the palm oil plantation project of Hacienda Asia Plantations Inc. (HAPI) in Candoni town due to the alleged lack of an environmental compliance certificate (ECC). On Friday, …

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) will deploy more than 500 police personnel throughout the province to secure the opening of classes on Monday, June 16. NOCPPO spokesperson Captain Judesses Catalogo said mobile patrols will be conducted for police visibility while police assistance desks will be established near schools. At least two police officers …

The local police office is expanding the deployment of their personnel in Bacolod City and the rest of Negros Occidental. In response to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to enhance police visibility throughout the country, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) and the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) have begun deploying police …

By MAE SINGUAY The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) will monitor ambulant vendors selling food outside public schools to ensure the health and safety of students when classes start on June 16. “We will work with the barangays to monitor it regularly because CHO cannot be there at all times,” CHO’s Environmental Sanitation Division chief Dr. Grace Tan said. The …

Authorities have identified a key person of interest in the killing of Christian Bawang, whose body was discovered in a grassy area of Purok Yap in Bacolod City’s Barangay Alangilan on Monday, June 9. Police Station 5 commander Major Marc Joeil Reclamado said information from the victim’s family and acquaintances helped focus the investigation on …

The La Carlota City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) has recommended the decampment of internally displaced persons (IDPs) temporarily residing outside Kanlaon Volcano’s six-kilometer extended danger zone (EDZ). The recommendation came after the education sector, parents and students appealed for a normal resumption of classes, as several schools in La Carlota have been converted into …