Business

Crab meat pickers in Barangay Tomongtong, EB Magalaona.* Ronnie Baldonado file photoThe Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Negros Occidental has issued an urgent call for national government intervention following the closure of the United States market to Philippine blue swimming crab products, Board Member Hope Marey Depasucat  said Thursday, June 11.The provincial board in  a resolution, authored by Depasucat, expressed "deep concern" over the immediate economic fallout threatening thousands of local fishers, crab meat pickers, and processing plant workers.The market closure, enforced by the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service under its Marine Mammal Protection Act, took effect on Thursday, June 11.The SP resolution said  the restriction was not imposed ...

Rep. Julio Ledesma IV (Neg. Occ., 1st District)*Expressing frustration over national funding delays, Rep. Julio Ledesma IV (Neg. Occ., 1st District) on Thursday, June 10, declared his readiness to personally deploy ₱3.5 billion in private equity to construct the 1st district's long-awaited airport in San Calos City if the national government fails to fund it by 2028.Ledesma, who is seeking reelection in  2028,  said  he refuses to leave office without the infrastructure project secured, vowing to replicate the self-reliant "bootstrap" approach that has historically driven the district's major developments."If the President won’t fund our airport, I will do what we've always done — build it ourselves," Ledesma said, adding that he will not end his final term with...

A gasoline station in Bacolod City.*PNA Bacolod file photoThe Department of Energy (DOE) is calling on more liquid fuel retail outlets (LFROs) in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, to participate in the fuel subsidy program (FSP) to allow public utility jeepney and utility vehicle express drivers to claim their fuel benefits.As of June 1, only 48 out of the estimated 500 LFROs or stations in Negros Occidental have registered to participate in the FSP.Engr. Jose Rey Maleza, chief of the DOE-Visayas Energy Industry Management Division, said on Wednesday all registered LFROs nationwide are mandated to take part in the program.“This is mandatory for all, there’s no exemption. The Land Bank of the Philippines has already issued a station code for each retail outlet,” he ...

Bacolod City’s vision of becoming a circular, resilient, and inclusive city by 2030 received a boost as representatives from the European Union (EU) and the European business community met with local leaders to explore partnerships in sustainability, green investments, and economic development.The visiting delegation was led by Dawn Marie Cabigon of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and Tsvetomir Svilenov, Program Manager of the EU-Philippines Green Economy Partnership under the EU Delegation to the Philippines.Mayor Greg Gasataya welcomed the delegation, together with city officials, national government representatives, business leaders, and members of the academe during an investment and economic dialog at the Bacolod City Government Center.Gasataya e...

NACUSIP‑TUCP National President Roland de la Cruz*The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (NACUSIP‑TUCP) announced on Sunday, June 7,  that  ₱3.815 million in initial cash assistance has been released to  typhoon‑affected sugarcane workers in Negros Occidental.The release was a direct result of the union’s formal request through NACUSIP‑TUCP National President Roland de la Cruz who sits as Field Worker Representative of the  Sugar Tripartite Council (STC), a press statement from the unions said.This action is grounded in the mandate of the Social Amelioration Program under Republic Act No. 6982, which ensures that sugar workers receive financial benefits funded by the industry itself. The ...

Parents buying school supplies in Bacolod City.*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Department of Trade and Industry-Negros Occidental has released the “Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies” to guide consumers in buying school supplies for the opening of classes.DTI said the price guide aims to help parents, guardians, and students make informed choices as they prepare for the upcoming school year.Based on the guide for school year 2026-2027, writing notebooks and composition notebooks with 80 leaves and 148mm x 200mm size range from P13 to P52.Spiral notebooks range from P14 to P49, while yarn notebooks range from P14 to P47.Grade pad paper ranges from P13 to P37, while intermediate pad paper ranges from P22 to P69.75.Pencils range from P12 to P18 per piece and P15 to P24 ...

A team from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental inspects prices of goods and other commodities at a major retail outlet in Dumaguete City.*DTI photo The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental is closely monitoring big retail stores in the province to ensure that prices of school supplies and other commodities remain at acceptable levels, an official said Thursday, June 4.Krystle Jade Bato, DTI spokesperson and officer-in-charge of the Consumer Protection Division, said in a media interview that they have teams visiting these retail outlets and keeping track of the prices of school supplies.“As early as April, we already started our monitoring and surveillance of Balik Eskwela items, such as notebooks, ballpens, pencils, and oth...