Business

Negros Island Region bracing for El Niño.*Andrew Altarejos photoThe damage to rice and high-value crops in Negros Occidental caused by moisture stress reached P16.2 million on Friday, April 22.The damage from April to May was included in a report submitted by OIC Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola to Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.The report said damage to rice was P15,889,421 and to high-value crops - P323,220, for a total of P16,222,641.The rice damage was reported in 26 barangays across Silay City, San Enrique, Bago City, Pulupandan, and Hinoba-an.Damage to high-value crops was reported in Pulupandan.Moisture stress is caused by a lack of water driven by extreme heat, Genzola said.Lacson earlier said that mitigating measures are being undertak...

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos was among the first visitors to the Negros Occidental booth at the IFEX Philippines 2026 at the World Trade Center in Metro Manila that opened on Thursday, May 21.IFEX Philippines 2026 runs until Saturday.The provincial showcase is a collaborative push by the provincial government and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Negros Occidental to catapult local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), heritage craftsmanship, and iconic flavors into the national spotlight, the provincial government announced.Organizers said that public engagement at the three-day expo directly impacts grassroots development, noting that every visit, purchase, and show of support helps uplift MSMEs and strengthens local communities across Negros Occide...

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Visayas members meet*The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Visayas has unanimously approved five game-changing resolutions aimed at driving economic resilience, technological advancement, and tourism growth across the newly formed Negros Island Region (NIR), PCCI official said on Tuesday, May 19.The endorsement of the resolutions to the national government was finalized during the conclusion of the 3-day 35th Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC) in Bacolod City last week, which brought together regional business leaders and public officials, Edward Du, PCCI Philippine Chamber Development Institute Visayas vice chair, said.Originally drafted and presented by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Negro...

Senators take oath as impeachment court judges*Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday, May, 19, that if the members of the Senate want to redeem their integrity they should prove it during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.“The public will really be closely monitoring or watching this to find out if they really can redeem themselves,” he said.Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday called on the public to remain vigilant after the Senate convened as an impeachment court Monday.Lacson described the convening as a "breath of fresh air," especially in contrast to last week’s tense events, including the "smell of gunpowder" from a shooting incident in the Senate building.On Monday, the Senate formally convened into an impeachment court to tr...

Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya at the 35th Visayas Area Business Conference.*Mayor Greg Gasataya assures businessmen in the Visayas that the Bacolod City government is fully committed to protecting all investments made in the city.Gasataya, in his speech at the 35th Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC) at L’Fisher Hotel Thursday, said creating a safe and supportive environment for enterprises remains a key priority of his administration.“We know that when you choose to invest, you are committing billions of pesos. And for us in Bacolod, we assure you that we will protect whatever you invest in your business in Bacolod City,” Gasataya said.The mayor reiterated that Bacolod continues to uphold policies designed to give confidence to investors and ensure that businesses ...

Senator Risa Hontiveros (3rd from left) with Visayas government and business leaders at the VABC  opening on Thursday.*Richard Malihan photo  “May this conference inspire stronger partnerships, bolder ideas, and meaningful action toward a Visayas that is more resilient, more competitive, and more inclusive.” That was the challenge posed by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the opening of the 35th Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC) at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Thursday, May 14. This year’s conference theme, “Future Forward: Shaping Sustainable and Resilient Communities and Smarter Business,” reflects the realities and responsibilities of our time,  the governor said. He said  r...

Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District)*Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said a House Committee on Agriculture meeting to tackle his bill seeking amendments to the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA) of 2015 is  being finalized. The measure is on the agenda for the next Committee on Agriculture meeting, Benitez said on Thursday, May 14.  He said  committee meeting will definitely take place to tackle the initial SIDA amendments before the House adjourns in June. Benitez filed House Bill No. 9088 on May 5, seeking a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s sugar industry to protect farmers from market volatility and over-importation. Dubbed the “TUBO Act of 2026” (Tu...

Public utility jeepney drivers in Bacolod City queue up to receive cash relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development - Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) at SM City Bacolod on  Thursday* At least 2,111 public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers in Bacolod City received cash relief assistance (CRA) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development - Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) starting Thursday, May 14.The three-day payout is being held at SM City Bacolod with assistance from the city’s Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD).Each beneficiary is entitled to receive P5,000 to help ease the impact of rising fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict.In an interview, DSSD head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga said those included in the payroll ar...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has not given any instructions for the Negros Occidental provincial government to revert back to a five-day workweek, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Wednesday, May 13.He said under the four-day work week the provincial government employees have continued to carry out the work and serve the public.“I’m trying to get a feel from our employees on how they are performing under the four-day work week. What I heard is they can do more,” Diaz said.“In terms of delivery of services, I believe we’re equally efficient. There has been no delay, no one suffered among those being served by the province. If that is the barometer then, there is no difference,” Diaz said.The Capitol employees have said that having three days off from work...