Carla P. Gomez

Jun82026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Benitez favors election of senators by region

Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Monday, June 8, said he favors the election of the country’s senators on a regional level to ensure that all regions in the country are properly represented.Benitez said that under the current system, where senators are elected nationally, the process inherently favors high-profile, popular individuals. As a result, genuine representation for each distinct region is often lost.Under Benitez’s proposal, two senators would be elected from each of the country’s 18 regions, bringing the total number of Senate seats to 36.However, while many agree with his proposal implementing it would require Charter Change, which would be difficult at this time, Benitez said.SENATE LEADERSHIP DISPUTEBenitez a...

Jun82026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Businesses ink MOAs for Benitez biodiesel project to benefit fisherfolk

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The signing of the MOAs on Monday*CPG photoIn a major push toward a circular economy, Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez launched city-wide partnerships with local businesses on Monday afternoon, June 8, to convert used cooking oil into affordable biodiesel, providing a much-needed lifeline to local fishermen struggling with high fuel costs.Representatives of the participating business establishments gathered at the SMX Convention Center Bacolod to sign memorandums of agreement (MOA) with Green Solutions Inc., the company tasked with implementing the "Biodiesel: Collect, Recycle, Renew" project.Green Solutions Inc., headed by Ian Fred Solas, is an accredited waste transporter and treatment, storage, and disposal facility.The initiative ...

Jun82026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Grade 7 student faces disciplinary action over fake class suspension post

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The student was summoned to the principal's office*BCCO photoA Grade 7 student who posted fake news on Facebook on Sunday claiming classes in Bacolod City were suspended will undergo disciplinary action and counseling to prevent a repeat of the incident, Secretary to the Mayor Jose Mary Go said.The student was summoned to the principal's office this morning, June 8, Go confirmed.The minor was accompanied by his mother, who claimed her son's Facebook account had been hacked."The city warns anyone who deliberately spreads fake news that they will be caught by authorities and held accountable for their wrongdoing," Go said.On Sunday, a post on the official Bacolod City Facebook page warned the public about the circulating fake news regarding the Monday class suspension....

Jun72026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

NIR’s most wanted man arrested for alleged rape of minor

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

A farmer tagged as the Negros Island Region’s No. 1 most wanted person for the alleged rape of a minor was arrested in Sitio Layawan II, Barangay Bago, Tayasan, Negros Oriental, on Saturday, June 6.Operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) arrested as alias "Jim," 42 of Sitio Layawan II by virtue of a warrant of arrest for four counts of rape.The PRO NIR said the suspect allegedly sexually assaulted the minor on several occasions while she was tending to his goats.He reportedly threatened to kill the victim and her parents if she disclosed what he did to anyone.The suspect was turned over to the Tayasan Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and custodial disposition.*

Jun72026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

1,612 cops to hit streets across NIR to secure opening of classes tomorrow

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Policemen at a school in Ayungon, Negros Oriental.*PRO NIR photoThe Philippine National Police is deploying 1,612 personnel across the Negros Island Region to ensure the safety of students and teachers for the opening of classes on Monday, June 8.Officers will be stationed at public and private schools, major thoroughfares, transportation terminals, and pedestrian crossings to maintain order and provide immediate assistance, the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) assured on Saturday.These personnel will staff Police Assistance Desks and conduct foot and mobile patrols in support of Balik Eskwela 2026 activities, it said.The PRO NIR added that teams will assist in traffic management, monitor high-density student areas, and coordinate closely with school au...

Jun52026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Crackdown on loose firearms, drugs nets two suspects in separate Negros raids

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

The arrest in Pamplona, Negros Oriental,* PRO NIR photoSearch warrant operations conducted by police led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and illegal drugs in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, the Philippine National Police Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) reported Friday, June 5.In Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, joint operatives from the Cadiz City Police Station, Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOcPPO), and the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU NIR) raided a residence in Hacienda Tagud, Barangay Luna, on Thursday, June 4.The operation, launched by virtue of a search warrant for violations of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), resulted in the arrest of a 41-year-old construct...

Jun52026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Classes start Monday, come prepared: DepEd

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The Department of Education (DepEd) is urging students to come prepared on Monday, June 8, for the opening day of classes in public schools.This school year will also mark the start of the implementation of the three-term school calendar, Almy Caezar Dequiña, spokesperson for the DepEd Negros Island Region (NIR), said.Dequiña said while school uniforms are not strictly required, students must still adhere to the official dress code.As of Thursday, June 4, the DepEd Quick Count showed 443,884 learners enrolled from kindergarten to senior high school across the NIR, though that number is expected to increase, Dequiña said.He said that while the official enrollment period ended on Friday, schools will still accept late enrollees next week.*

Jun52026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

UK climate envoy leads charge for resilience at NegOcc Environment Month opening

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The participants at the opening of Negros Occidental’s 34th Provincial Environment Month.* Capitol photoStrengthening climate action and advancing sustainable development partnerships are critical to building long-term ecological sustainability.This was the central message of British Embassy Manila Economic and Climate Counselor Lloyd Cameron, who was the keynote speaker at the opening of Negros Occidental’s 34th Provincial Environment Month on Friday, June 5. Cameron highlighted ongoing international and local collaborative efforts in environmental protection, focusing heavily on strategic frameworks for building climate-resilient communities and supporting grassroots initiatives throughout the province.The month-long celebration, officially spearheade...

Jun52026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Negros Occidental safely disposes of tons of decades-old hospital waste

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Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said that 7.99 metric tons of infectious waste materials were removed from the septic vaults, pathologic vaults, and infectious waste facility of the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital (LZDH) in Kabankalan City on Thursday and Friday.This is part of the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safe disposal of decades of infectious waste accumulated at its various hospitals, he said.Diaz said that the province had already disposed of 243.81 metric tons of infectious waste materials from the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, the Cadiz District Hospital in Cadiz City and LZDH between December 2025 and February 2026.The next facility slated for clean-up is the Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospi...

Jun52026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Fernando, Go rule JPGT Bacolod

Sports, Top Stories

Mhark Fernando III at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club on Friday.*Pilipinas Golf photoZamboagueño Mhark Fernando III secured the ICTSI Bacolod Junior PGT Championship, beating local favorite Eddie Gonzales Jr. by one stroke at Bacolod Golf and Country Club on Friday, June 5.He carded a 73 for a 154 total, while Gonzales posted a 71 to finish at 155.“I stayed patient and just played my game. When the situation got tough, I didn't force things," Fernando, the son of a former national champion and touring pro, said in a news release.“After I double-bogeyed the 10th, I got nervous, but I just calmed myself down, focused on hitting fairways and greens, and settled for two-putts,” he added.Fernando locked down a crucial 15 points, hiking his total to 33. He jumped from joint...