Business

Oct42026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

DOE proposes immediate interventions to address Visayas power woes

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has proposed immediate interventions for the recurring power outages in the Visayas grid as she stressed the need for a whole of government approach to address major power supply issues.Garin discussed the Visayas power situation and presented course of actions during the House of Representatives joint public hearing at L'Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Saturday.“The earliest (long-term) solutions for the whole Visayas is at 2028,” she said.As an immediate measure, Garin proposed tapping battery energy storage to help cushion supply disruptions while the Department of Energy (DOE) pursues long-term solutions.She added that the agency is also working to bring in power barges to augment electricity supply in the region.The DOE chief thank...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

SSS rolls out LoanLite microloan of up to P20,000

Business, Community, Top Stories

The Social Security System has launched a new digital microloan facility allowing qualified members to borrow from P1,000 to P20,000 for short-term financial needs.In a press release, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph de Claro said the SSS Micro Loan Program, also called SSS LoanLite, is available to employed, self-employed, voluntary and overseas Filipino worker members who meet the eligibility requirements.Members must have at least 12 posted monthly contributions to qualify.The loanable amount depends on the average of the member’s 12 latest Monthly Salary Credits, or MSCs.De Claro said repayment terms are available for 15, 30, 60 or 90 days, with an interest rate of 8 percent per year, equivalent to about 0.67 percent per month.Members with at ...

Oct42026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Workers, ARBs commend SRA for inclusive consultation

Business, Top Stories

The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines (NACUSIP) and the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) nationwide commended the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Saturday following what it called a highly productive, industry-wide consultative meeting held in Makati City.NACUSIP National President Roland de la Cruz, who was at the meeting, in a press statement praised SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona “for his visionary leadership in bringing planters, millers, refiners, and traders together to forge a unified direction for the Crop Year 2026-2027 milling season”."We congratulate and thank Administrator Azcona for organizing this thorough and transparent dialogue," De la Cruz said. "For too long, the voices of the workers and small beneficiar...

Oct22026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Consensus reached to allocate all PH sugar for domestic market – SRA

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The sugar stakeholders meeting.*The Sugar Regulatory Administration announced on Friday, Oct. 2, that a consensus among industry stakeholders was reached that Philippine sugar this crop year will all be classified as “B” for domestic consumption.The decision was reached given the significant projected drop in production to 1.66 million metric tons, down from 1.85 million MT last year, it said in a press statement.Heads of sugar federations, millers, refiners and traders came together in a hybrid meeting hosted by the Philippine Sugar Miller's Association in Makati City to discuss sugar classification before the issuance of Sugar Order 1 and they agreed to recommend 100 percent "B", it said.SO1 sets the classification and allocation of locally produce...

Oct22026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

House Speaker Dy says Congress must listen to communities, address farmers’ concerns

Business, Community, Top Stories

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Congress must listen directly to communities and determine what more government can do for sectors that sustain the country, as he put farmers’ welfare, education, barangay governance, and public safety among the concerns raised during the House of Representatives’ LegisHear consultation in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Friday afternoon, Oct. 2.Speaking before local officials, barangay leaders and sectoral representatives at the Victorias Coliseum, Dy said bringing Congress closer to communities allows lawmakers to hear firsthand what policies and additional government support are needed.Dy gave particular emphasis to farmers, saying the country depends heavily on their work and that Congress should examine what additional measure...

Oct22026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Dead green sea turtle found in Dauin

Business, Top Stories

A dead green sea turtle weighing an estimated 60 kilograms was found along the shore of Poblacion 1 in Dauin, Negros Oriental, on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 1.The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the turtle was discovered by local residents at around 5 p.m.The turtle was already in a decomposed condition and was estimated to have been dead for about a week.DENR personnel measured the turtle at 40 inches in straight carapace length and 23 inches in straight carapace width.The cause of death could not be determined during the initial assessment.The turtle was assessed, measured and documented before its remains were buried in the area following proper procedures.*

Oct22026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Negros Occidental disperses 849 livestock, poultry to boost farm recovery

Business, Community, Top Stories

The Negros Occidental provincial government distributed 849 heads of livestock and poultry and 15 units of equipment worth a combined P1.289 million to farmers, associations and institutional partners to support agricultural recovery and livelihood programs.Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana led the turnover on Thursday, Oct. 1, under the province’s Swine Industry Recovery Initiatives and Animal Genetic Improvement and Livelihood Programs.The assistance included 500 two-week-old chicks, 100 Rhode Island Red chicks, 150 Itik Pinas, 54 female piglets, 32 castrated piglets, one uncastrated piglet, 10 sows and gilts, and two male ruminants.The weaners will be raised as breeding sows as part of efforts to accelerate the rebuilding of the province’s swine population while pro...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Globe boosts connectivity, empowers student leaders at Silliman’s Hibalag Festival

Business, Negros Oriental, Top Stories

DUMAGUETE CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL — Globe strengthened connectivity at Silliman University’s Hibalag Festival 2026, helping the university community stay connected during one of its biggest annual gatherings. The company also supported student leaders with training and grants to help turn their ideas into initiatives for the campus community.Hibalag, a local Visayan term associated with meeting or coming together, is a longstanding Silliman Founders Day tradition. Through organization booths, activities and homecoming events, it brings generations of Sillimanians together and celebrates the university’s heritage and enduring ties with Dumaguete City. To support increased network demand as more people gathered on campus, Globe deployed a Cellsite on Wheels (COW) at the Hibala...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

House to probe Visayas power crisis in Bacolod hearing

Business, Community, Top Stories

Three committees of the House of Representatives will hold a public hearing to look into recurring power outages and other electricity supply problems affecting the Visayas Grid in Bacolod City on Saturday, Oct. 3.The hearing will be jointly conducted by the House committees on Energy, Visayas Development, and Legislative Franchises from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at L’Fisher Hotel.Among the measures to be discussed is House Resolution No. 1429 filed by Deputy Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, which seeks an inquiry into the continuing power outages in the Visayas.The resolution calls for an examination of the causes of the outages and possible accountability, as well as measures to ensure a more stable, adequate and reliable electricity supply in the region.Lawmakers...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

GCash offers government bond investment from P5,000 for Negros residents

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Residents of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental looking to earn interest every three months can invest in a Philippine government bond through GCash, starting at P5,000, the company said.Retail Treasury Bond 32 (RTB 32) is available to eligible users through GBonds in the GCash app. The primary offer runs from September 29 to October 7, unless the Bureau of the Treasury closes it earlier.Buying a government bond means lending money to the government in exchange for interest payments and repayment of the principal under the bond’s terms.RTB 32 has a two-and-a-half-year term, with issuance scheduled for October 12, 2026, and maturity on April 12, 2029. Interest is paid quarterly, or every three months.For someone investing P5,000, the release estimates an interest pa...