Carla P. Gomez

The PDRRMO section head has been asked to explain why no administrative, civil, or criminal cases should be filed against her.*Ronnie Baldonado file photoNegros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz has issued a Show Cause Order against a section head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) following allegations of professional misconduct.In a memorandum dated March 18, Diaz directed the section head to explain why no administrative, civil, or criminal cases should be filed against her.Diaz, in the show cause order, said his office received reports from drivers of the PDRRMO that, in a group chat, the section head used “offensive and inappropriate language” and made statements that disparaged the competence and qualifications of he...

Tricycles in Sipaway Island, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to initially distribute ₱240 million in fuel subsidy to 48,000 tricycle drivers in 22 local government units across Negros Island starting April 8.Under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, each driver will receive ₱5,000 to help cushion the impact of the rising fuel costs, DSWD Negros Island Region Director Arwin Razo said on Thursday, March 26.The recipients will be from the 19 cities of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, as well as the municipalities of E.B. Magalona, Pulupandan, and Murcia.Razo said that the lists of drivers are based on those issued franchises or permits by the Business P...

Sambayanan-Negros leaders after the filing of the petition before the CHR.*Leaders of the Sentrong Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Bayan (Sambayanan)-Negros have filed a petition before the Commission on Human Rights – Negros Island Region (CHR-NIR) to investigate a series of alleged summary executions and human rights violations committed by the New People’s Army (NPA).The petition filed on Thursday, March 26, targets the Armando Sumayang Jr. Command of the NPA for crimes against humanity and grave breaches of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Sambayanan Negros said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.SPY-TAGGINGSubmitted by Sambayanan-Negros President Jonel Moreno and Regional Coordinator Winefredo C. Doblizo Jr., the document outlines a violent campaign...

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not be processing voters’ registration or certifications on Mondays next month, COMELEC Negros Island Region Director Lionel Marco Castillano said on Thursday, March 26.A Comelec en banc resolution on Wednesday adopted a work-from-home arrangement effective April 6, 13, 20, and 27.This is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a national energy emergency amid the ongoing tension in the Middle East, Castillano said.Castillano said COMELEC offices will be open from Tuesday to Saturday, with the voter registration set to end on May 18.The COMELEC has already exceeded its expected number of registrants for the Barangay and SK Elections, he said.As part of the support for energy conservation, their travels have...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson (right) with Provincial Administrator Rayfrando P. Diaz II, Board Member Andrew Montelibano and Mambukal Resort OIC Shiela Fuentes (l-r) cut the ribbon at the inauguration of the renovated the Camp Nolan trail.* Cesar Jolito III photoGov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the inauguration of new and upgraded facilities at the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary on Thursday, March 26, reaffirms its place as one of the icons of tourism in Negros Occidental.The event marked the opening of the Camp Nolan trail, power house, river dipping area, and Garden Café at the resort located in Murcia, Negros Occidental, which is owned by the provincial government.With initiatives like this, we continue to give new life into the resort—ensuring that it remains relevant, ...

Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez*Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Wednesday, March 25, that he is finalizing the filing of the Bayanihan for Economic Resilience and National Stability Act of 2026 designed to help the country swiftly respond to external shocks.“Essentially, government must move from reactive response to pre-positioned response—so we act before the damage spreads,” he said.Benitez said he is finalizing the bill with House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III on Friday so it can be filed immediately.“Prepared systems lead to faster action. We are working to ensure government can respond quickly while protecting the needs of every Filipino,” Benitez added.The bill seeks to empower the Executiv...

The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) launched an investigation on Wednesday, March 25, into the diarrheal-like cases involving members of a family who fell ill after eating shellfish in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City.  A CHO report said the family ate shellfish for lunch on March 19 and clam soup on March 20. Out of the ten family members, six experienced watery stool, vomiting, stomach aches, and headaches.  These symptoms persisted throughout the weekend, the CHO said.  On Sunday, March 22, three family members sought medical attention at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital. Two were admitted, while the other one was treated as an outpatient, the CHO added. “Water sanitation and disinfection was advised… Pro...