Mary Judaline Partlow

The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) will recall officers assigned as security details to government officials and private individuals before the election period begins on Jan. 12, an official said on Tuesday, Jan. 7.Lt. Stephen Polinar, NOPPO spokesperson, said fewer than 100 police officers in the province currently serve as security details for the governor, mayors, other local officials and some private individuals.Once the recall takes effect, those needing security must secure approval from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which will oversee the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the election period.Polinar said NOPPO would consult with Comelec and higher PNP authorities regarding security arrangements for...

The  Canlaon City government and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conduct  a table-top simulation for a possible Kanlaon Alert Level 4 scenario  on Tuesday.*The Canlaon City government in Negros Oriental is optimistic of receiving more disaster response funds and assistance following the province's declaration of a state of calamity due to the ongoing threat posed by Mt. Kanlaon.Edna Lhou Masicampo, Canlaon City’s information officer-designate, said on Wednesday, Jan. 1, that the provincial government can now utilize its Quick Response Fund to support those affected by the volcanic activity.“We are hopeful that more relief aid will come in, especially with the persistent threat of a major eruption,” Masicampo said.On Tuesday, the city government ...

The giant Christmas tree on the right side of fountain was razed by fire* Woodrow Maquiling Jr. Facebook page photoA fire engulfed the 30-foot Christmas tree at the Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park in Dumaguete City near midnight Friday, Dec. 27.Fire Officer 1 Juvan Carcedo said the tree was already ablaze when responders arrived.Civil Security Unit personnel attempted to extinguish the fire but failed.Two fire trucks contained the blaze shortly after midnight, with no injuries reported.The Christmas tree had its own circuit breaker. Damage cost was still being assessed.*PNA

The police seized more than 149 grams of suspected shabu.*NOPPO photoAnti-illegal drugs operatives arrested a "high-value" suspect and seized more than P1 million in shabu during a buy-bust operation in Dumaguete City early Saturday, Dec. 28.Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said the suspect is a 40-year-old unmarried male residing in Purok Narra, Barangay Cadawinonan, Dumaguete City.The suspect was arrested around 2:30 a.m. while allegedly trying to sell suspected shabu to an undercover agent in Barangay Bolocboloc, Sibulan town.The suspected shabu weighed about 149 grams.A complaint for alleged illegal possession and sale of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act is being readi...

Senator Imee Marcos and Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria (center, in red) lead the distribution of e-titles and certificates of loan condonation to thousands of farmers on Dec. 19.*DAR photoMore than 5,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Negros Oriental received financial relief in 2024, as the Philippine government condoned more than P692 million in loan debts under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.Manuel Galon, provincial agrarian reform officer of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Negros Oriental, announced Saturday, Dec. 28, that 6,612 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages (CoCRoM) were distributed to 5,321 ARBs since July, covering 7,605.83 hectares of agricultural land.DAR-Negros Oriental is targeting 40,000 h...

Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas (with megaphone) addresses evacuees during the distribution of cash assistance on Thursday*The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) on Friday, Dec. 27, recommended placing Negros Oriental under a state of calamity due to the continued unrest of Mt. Kanlaon.PDDRM chief Adrian Sedillo said the council voted for the recommendation after the local government unit (LGU) of Vallehermoso declared a state of calamity, recentlyThe legal requirement of at least two LGUs had been met as Canlaon City has remained in a state of calamity since the June 3 eruption.The council's resolution has been forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for deliberation, with Sedillo expressing hope for swift approval."Once decl...

The Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) is bracing for a worst-case scenario in the event of a “major” eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, which could disrupt the May 2025 elections in high-risk areas of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.Comelec-NIR Regional Election Director Lionel Marco Castillano on Monday, Dec. 17, emphasized their readiness to respond to the situation.He said the Comelec has previously experienced a similar situation where an election had to be postponed due to “force majeur”, citing the Marawi and Zamboanga sieges.If the current conditions prevail or worsen by the time of the election next year and “rehabilitation will not be possible, then there will be a postponement,” he said.Castillano explained that under the Omnibus Electi...

Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas (right) welcomes the internally displaced persons at a newly designated evacuation center on Wednesday evening*In response to the growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, the local government of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, has opened additional evacuation centers to ensure adequate shelter for affected residents.Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), confirmed on Thursday, Dec. 12, that five evacuation centers are now fully operational.These include the Macario Española Memorial School, the Jose B. Cardenas Memorial High School Uptown Annex, the main campus of the same high school, the city gymnasium, and the Panubigan Elementary ...

Consumers in Negros Oriental now have a wider selection of Christmas hams and other pork by-products for the holidays following the easing of restrictions related to the African swine fever (ASF).Dr. Alfonso Tundag, quarantine officer for the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) in the province, announced on Monday, Dec. 2, that suppliers can now ship Christmas hams and pork by-products to Negros Oriental as long as they meet the necessary requirements.“Incoming deliveries from ASF-infected areas are now allowed but the supplier must first secure a certificate of acceptance from the Provincial Veterinary Office of Negros Oriental,” Tundag said.He added there are additional requirements to be met or documents to be obtained from the point of origin.Failure to present these docum...