Business

Feb92026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Lacson hopes Congress legislates policy on all agricultural imports

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he hopes Congress passes legislation to establish a policy not just on the importation of sugar but all other agricultural products.He hopes the congressional hearings will result in improved prices for sugar, Lacson also said Monday, Feb. 9.Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) earlier announced that an official congressional hearing on the sugar industry will be held in the last week of February.In an earlier congressional consultation in Negros, sugar industry stakeholders called on Congress to take action to help arrest the drop in sugar prices, which they blamed on over-importation.*

Feb62026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

La Carlota unveils 10-year roadmap for economic growth, disaster resilience

Business, Top Stories

La Carlota City Mayor Jose Luis "Joelu" Jalandoni, DHSUD Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer Brechelle Grace Benotapa and City Administrator Fini Jalandoni (front row, r-l) with the La Carlota City Planning Team at the City Social Hall on Friday.* La Carlota City PIO photo La Carlota City in Negros Occidental has unveiled a 10-year development roadmap designed to transform the city into a regional economic gateway while strengthening disaster resilience through 2032.The Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2023-2032 presented at the La Carlota City Social Hall Friday, Feb. 6, prioritizes ecologically balanced growth and improved quality of life for Mangkasanons, a report on La Carlota City’s Facebook page said.Mayor Jose Luis “Joelu” Jalandoni led ...

Feb62026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Alveo Land expanding Visayas footprint with 1st residential village in Negros Occidental

Business

Alveo Land is expanding its footprint in the Visayas with the launch of its first residential village in Negros Occidental located within Northpoint, Ayala Land’s premier estate in Talisay City.This new development will reflect Alveo’s hallmark principles of sustainability, design excellence, and community-centric living—carefully attuned to the natural landscape, pace, and character of Negros.This milestone signals Alveo’s confidence in the province’s long-term potential and its commitment to delivering communities that endure—places where families can grow, connections can flourish, and a legacy can be built.More details on the Alveo Northpoint residential village will be announced in the coming months.With over 35 years of experience in enhancing land and e...

Feb52026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Javi says congressional hearing on sugar industry end of February

Business, Top Stories

Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez*Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) announced on Thursday, Feb. 5, that an official congressional hearing on the sugar industry will be held on the last week of February.His office is currently organizing the list of attendees, and the statements and concerns of stakeholders that will be discussed, Benitez said.“We have read the statements, listened to stakeholders, and engaged our farmers and workers on the ground on the challenges facing the sugar industry. These concerns are clear, and they deserve a proper venue for discussion,” Benitez said.Benitez said he has spoken with Rep. Mark Enverga, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, and “we are moving this forward as an official congressional hearing on the su...

Feb52026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

DA reminds farmers to protect crops, livestock as ‘Basyang’ approaches

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Department of Agriculture Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) Director Jose Albert Barrogo reminded farmers on Thursday, Feb. 5, to take immediate measures to protect their crops, livestock, and equipment from the onslaught of Typhoon “Basyang”.Barrogo said that “Basyang” is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds that may cause significant flooding and damage to the NIR agricultural sector.The DA-NIR advised rice, corn, and high-value crop (HVC) farmers, as well as livestock raisers across NIR to take the following preparatory steps:RICE AND CORN FARMERS· Harvest ripe or nearly ripe crops immediately.· Clear canals and drainage waterways to prevent waterlogging.· Avoid applying fertilizers and pesticides during heavy rains.HIGH-VALUE CROP FARMERS· Harvest all marketab...

Feb32026 by Mary Judaline PartlowNo Comments

Sibulan port damaged by ‘wayward’ barge: PCG

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A roll-on, roll-off barge, driven by strong waves, hits a portion of the Sibulan port in Negros Oriental on Monday afternoon.*Video screen grab from Carene Borbon Facebook/courtesy of Coast Guard Station Negros Oriental The fast craft port in Sibulan, Negros Oriental sustained partial damage when a commercial roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessel lost control amid large waves and collided with the front section of the port. Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, Coast Guard Station Negros Oriental commander, said Tuesday, Feb. 3, that M/V Geok Chong II of Maayo Shipping Lines was departing from its port Monday afternoon to move to a different site when it was swept by powerful waves toward the fast craft port. “The barge was undocking from its port to transfer to the nearb...

Feb32026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

GCash lending arm Fuse advances AI use to strengthen responsible collections practices and protect customer dignity

Business

Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash, advances responsible AI in lending to strengthen collection practices and protect customer dignity, enhancing financial inclusion(L-R) Alex Song, Chief Operating Officer, Wiz.Ai; Pebbles Sy, Chief Technology and Operations Officer, Mynt, the parent company of GCash; Jianfeng Lu, Chief Executive Officer, Wiz.Ai; Tony Isidro, President and CEO of Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash. Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash, is enhancing its customer servicing as it expands its strategic partnership with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions provider Wiz.AI, automating key processes within its collections operations, particularly Quality Assurance (QA) to strengthen the audit proce...

Jan312026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Celebrate everyday wins with McSavers Snack and Match

Business

For McDonald's, every win deserves a celebration. From waking up early, arriving on time, or even avoiding traffic - they all deserve a celebration! Starting January 15, celebrate your everyday wins at McDonald's for as low as P59.McSavers Snack and Match gets more snaaaks sa sarap with the new Smokey Melt Chicken Sandwich, available solo at P59, or as combo with other snacking favorites at P79 . Available for a limited time only, the Smokey Melt Chicken Sandwich is a delightful combination of smokey, meaty flavor with a tangy, spicy kick. Just perfect for those looking to try a new, flavorful snack.“We’ve said this last year and we’ll say it again: McDonald’s is about making our customers feel that their everyday wins are special. With McSavers Snack and Match, we want to he...

Jan292026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod gov’t provides assistance to family of 12-year-old who drowned

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The Bacolod City government has provided assistance to the family of a 12-year-old student who drowned in a river in Barangay Vista Alegre on Wednesday afternoon, January 28.The victim, identified as Johneil Beligan, was a Grade VI student.Reports indicate that Beligan and several classmates went to the river after an early school dismissal, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office (BCCO) said on Thursday..According to witnesses Beligan jumped into the water and his chin accidentally hit a classmate’s head. The blow caused him to lose consciousness and sink, the BCCO said.A nearby resident attempted a rescue, but the depth of the water delayed retrieval by approximately 10 minutes.Beligan was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead despite resusc...

Jan292026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Gamboa warns of no water supply, calls for return of water district to BACIWA

Business

The hot and dry season is here and Bacolod Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. warned on Wednesday, January 28, of another “no water supply situation” in Bacolod City, citing a repeat of issues about the non-payment of past dues and loans owed by the BACIWA-PrimeWater to its suppliers.Gamboa, in a press release, expressed concern that Bacolod residents may once again face threats of total water supply cuts thus reiterated his call for BACIWA to be restored and returned to consumer-households and re-assert BACIWA’s mandate as a government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC).He questioned the usefulness of the Bacolod Bulk Water, Inc. (BBWI) system if half of Bacolod’s water consumer-households have no pipeline connection, no access to pipelines and the other half are connected to aging,...