Business

Aug312026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Bacolod ranks 3rd among PH’s fastest-growing economies

Bacolod recorded a 6.8 percent economic growth rate.*Ronnie Baldonado file photoBacolod City ranked third among more than 33 highly urbanized cities (HUCs) in the country with the fastest-growing economies in 2025, Mayor Greg Gasataya announced.Citing the 2025 Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Gasataya said in a Facebook post Saturday, August 29, that Bacolod recorded a 6.8 percent economic growth rate, outpacing most cities nationwide.General Santos City topped the list with an 8.0 percent growth rate, followed by Cagayan de Oro City in second place at 7.4 percent.Iloilo City placed fourth at 6.1 percent, while Pasig City and Cebu City tied for fifth at 5.8 percent. Baguio City ranked sixth with 5.6 percent.Bacolod c...

Aug312026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

7-year-old boy, 2 others wounded in Hinigaran shooting over parked vehicle

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Three people, including a seven-year-old boy, were wounded after a man allegedly opened fire following an argument over a vehicle parked along a roadside in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental on Sunday morning, Aug. 30.The Hinigaran police said the shooting happened at around 11:25 a.m. along Osmeña Street in Brgy. 2.The victims were a 37-year-old woman, a 64-year-old man and the seven-year-old boy, all residents of the area.Police identified the suspect only as alias “Lino,” 52, a job order employee of the municipal water district and a resident of Brgy. Gargato.Initial investigation showed that the suspect allegedly asked the victims to move their family vehicle slightly to give way to his vehicle.A heated argument followed, after which the suspect allegedly went to his veh...

Aug312026 by Darryl John EsguerraNo Comments

Recto: New ecozones in Dumaguete, 3 other areas to draw P9.7-B investments

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Executive Secretary Ralph Recto*PNA file photoFour newly proclaimed economic zones are expected to attract nearly PHP9.7 billion in fresh investments and generate new jobs, bringing to 46 the total number of economic zones created or expanded under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.In a statement Monday, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the four latest proclamations cover economic zones in Cavite, Batangas and Negros Oriental, supporting the administration’s thrust to spread investments and employment opportunities beyond Metro Manila.The 46 economic zones are projected to generate PHP141.2 billion in investments and nearly 189,000 jobs, according to Recto.Twenty-nine of the zones are in Luzon, 12 in the Visayas, and five in Mindanao. Only three are...

Aug302026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

UNIFED thanks national government for RSSI subsidy

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UNIFED President Manuel Lamata (right) with allied sugar federations, Mindanao Federation's Manuel Zubiri (left) and Cornelio Toreja (center) of LuzonFed during the recent Philsutech Convention in Cebu City*UNIFED photoThe United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) on Saturday, August 29, thanked the national government for its timely assistance to sugar farmers who were affected by the Red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) infestationUNIFED President Manuel Lamata said he personally sent a message of thanks to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza for giving importance to the sugar industry."Their continued support to the industry is laudable despite the incessant criticisms from some sectors," Lamata said.UNIFED also...

Aug302026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

TESDA marks 32nd anniversary with Color Fun Run in Bacolod

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Rep. Javier Miguel L. Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) at the TESDA 32nd Anniversary Color Fun Run*Around 1,500 runners took part in the TESDA 32nd Anniversary Color Fun Run, held from CityMall Mandalagan to the Provincial Lagoon, Bacolod City on Saturday, August 29, themed "Strong Body. Strong Mind."The Association of Technical Institutions of Negros Occidental (ATINO) organized the run as part of the local celebration of the 32nd founding anniversary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, observed nationwide under the theme "TESDA @32: Husay, Tibay, Tagumpay."Participants included TESDA scholars, trainees, trainers, technical-vocational institutions, and industry partners.TESDA Negros Island Region Regional Director Dr. Niña Connie Dodd delivere...

Aug302026 by Joann VillanuevaNo Comments

Up to P4/L oil price rollback possible Tuesday

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PNA file photoDomestic fuel prices are projected to decline by as much as PHP4 per liter on Tuesday, Sept 1. , after a big jump this week, as market expectations for the risks from the US-Iran conflict eased.Citing price developments in the international market as of Thursday, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said diesel prices will likely go down between PHP3.50 and PHP4 per liter and gasoline between P0.25 and PHP0.75 per liter.In a message to the media Friday, Bellas said fuel prices went down this week “as threatened US sanctions fell short of the market’s expectations and (investors) viewed the economic pressure as a lower-risk path for physical supply than a military escalation, reducing the oil market’s anxiety and easing immediate supply concerns.”He also noted ...

Aug282026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Globe helps parents guide children’s digital journey with GPlan Junior

Business

As children spend more time online for learning, communication, entertainment, and everyday activities, many parents are looking for ways to support their growing digital needs while maintaining appropriate guidance and oversight.To help families navigate this stage, Globe has introduced GPlan Junior, a dedicated postpaid line designed for dependents aged 7 to 20 years old. Available as an additional line under an existing Globe Postpaid Plan 999 and above, the offering provides reliable connectivity for children and students while allowing parents and legal guardians to manage the account under their supervision.Designed for dependents aged 7 to 20, GPlan Junior helps families stay connected through a parent-managed postpaid experienceThe initiative reflects Globe's commitm...

Aug282026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Globe ‘Just for You Goes Extreme’ with fresh customer experiences to connect, care, and delight

Business

Globe leaders at the latest The Blueprint by Globe, where the company unveiled new ways to make connectivity more convenient, rewarding and personal for customers.In August, The Blueprint by Globe brings together new technologies, partnerships and customer experiences that make more personal moments matter. Focusing on connectivity with greater convenience and value personalized to each customer, Globe is making the overall experience even better.The latest Blueprint builds upon the first two events this year which explored the growing importance of connectivity and how it enables Filipinos to work, learn, earn, move and stay close to the people they care about. This time, the focus moves from simply being connected to getting more from that connection, whether through ea...

Aug272026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Sugarcane workers demand urgent Social Amelioration Program reforms, abolition of pakyaw system

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Sugarcane workers staged a protest outside the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bacolod office on Thursday, August 27, demanding urgent reforms to the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) and the abolition of the pakyaw (piece-rate) system “as they battle the crisis in the sugar industry”.The protest was led by the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), alongside the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and PAMALAKAYA.In a position paper submitted to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) secretary the NFSW proposed SAP policy changes and reforms for consideration through the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC).It asked for a minimum amelioration bonus of not less than ₱5,000 for field workers and migratory sugar workers, whose ...

Aug272026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

New Bacolod water service provider summoned to present upgrade plan

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The City Council has summoned officials of Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and Hiraya Water Corp. to a committee conference after the latter recently took over the operations of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. as the water service provider if Bacolod.Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. said he authored a resolution approved during the regular session on Wednesday, August 26, requesting the two firms to appear before the committee on energy and public utilities to report on the sale of PrimeWater and the plans to improve the water services in the city.“There is no need to send a letter. They will just be furnished a copy of the resolution and informed of the scheduled committee conference,” Gamboa said on Thursday.He said the action is a joint call of the City Council, ...