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SRA Aministrator Pablo Luis Azcona at the Senate Committee on Finance subcommitte hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 8*Congress is expected to allocate P2.4 billion for the sugar industry in the 2026 national budget, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Wednesday, October 8.Laurel, speaking at a Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee J hearing, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) allocated P1 billion for the industry in the National Expenditure Program for 2026 and the Lower House approved an additional P1.4 billion.If the Senate approves it the industry will be granted P2.4 billion in 2026.Laurel told the senators that the Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015 needs amendments for more flexibility in the use the funds approved by Congress ...

Bureau of Customs file photoThe National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) is standing firm against any further sugar importation at this stage of the crop year, with its president, Enrique D. Rojas, warning that additional volume would be “suicidal to the sugar industry.”Rojas issued the statement on Tuesday, Oct. 7, while simultaneously condemning a news article in a national newspaper for what he termed as the “malicious use” and misrepresentation of an NFSP statement on importation.He said a national newspaper published an article on October 3 erroneously suggesting that the NFSP deemed importation necessary solely because of crop damage caused by the red-striped soft scale insect.Rojas said that the report made it appear the federation was giving uncondition...

Mae Llamas - PESO Manager, Erel Lim - Regional PESO focal person of DOLE NIR, Mayor Greg, Gasataya and DMW Regional Director Glenda Aligonza cut the ribbon to open the job fair.*Ronnie Baldonado photoA total of 5,282 applicants applied for jobs at the annual MassKara Job Fair at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center in Bacolod City on Sunday, October 5.It is the city’s biggest employment event, organized by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Bacolod in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).Of the 5,282 applicants 2,206 were female and 3,076 were male, PESO head Mae Llamas told DIGICAST NEGROS.She said 3,809 applicants qualified, 165 were near hired and 83 were hired on the spot.Mayor Greg Gasataya, who led the opening of the j...

Expect diesel prices to increase on Tuesday, October 7.Diesel prices are forecasted to increase by P0.50 to P0.70 per liter, Unioil Petroleum Philippines said on Saturday, Oct. 4.Gasoline prices will have no change, Unioil added.*

Regional Economic Affairs Staff acting head Roxan Mujeres presenting the Regional Economic Updates on Thursday *PNA/Nanette Guadalquiver photoThe increase in the number of banks and the continued growth in loans and deposits indicate that financial resources remain sound in Negros Island Region (NIR), the country’s newest administrative region.The development was part of the summary of the region’s economic prospects presented by Regional Economic Affairs Staff acting head Roxan Mujeres during the 2025 Media Information Session conducted by the Bangko Sentral Pilipinas-Visayas Regional Office (BSP-VRO) at the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation Building in Bacolod City on Thursday, Oct. 2.“This, as reflected by an increased number of banks, number of automated teller machines,...

Mixologist-bartenders Kalel Demetrio, Arcadius Ryback and Ken Alonso (l-r, front), chefs Charles Montanez, Patrick Go and Dedet dela Fuente, Slow Food Councilor for Southeast Asia Ramon “Chin Chin” Uy Jr., chefs David Amoros, Tina Legarda, Angelo Comsti, Thirdy Dolatre and Kevin Navoa (l-r, back) at the launching of Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025 in Makati City.*TMAP photoAbout 100 world-renowned chefs from Asia and the Pacific will participate in the Terra Madre Asia & Pacific (TMAP) 2025 in Bacolod City on November 19 to 23.The culinary talents will collaborate to showcase the region's rich culinary heritage — creating dishes that elevate local food systems and celebrate the philosophy of good, clean, and fair food, a press release from the organizers said Thursday, Oct....