Business

Oct62026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

GCash parent opens IPO at P660 minimum for interested Negros investors

Residents of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental interested in owning shares in the company behind GCash can apply for a minimum of 100 shares worth P660 through the app starting Tuesday, Oct. 6.Mynt Inc., the parent company of the group behind GCash, has set its initial public offering (IPO) price at P6.60 per share. The offer runs until Oct. 12, the company said.An IPO allows the public to buy shares in a company before these begin trading on the stock exchange. Buying shares gives an investor a small ownership stake in the business.The Mynt offering is accessible through GStocks PH within GCash, powered by AB Capital Securities Inc.For orders placed on Oct. 6 and 7, the first 100 shares will be allocated in real time while shares last, according to the company.&n...

Oct62026 by Judy F. PartlowNo Comments

Metro Dumaguete Water assures ample water supply amid El Niño threat

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Engr. Robert Cabiles, Chief Operating Officer of Metro Dumaguete Water, speaking on Monday during the firm’s celebration of 1 Million Safe Man Hours.*/JFP photoMetro Dumaguete Water (MDW) has assured consumers of sufficient water supply despite the threat of a strong El Niño phenomenon this year.Engr. Robert Cabiles, MDW chief operating officer, said Monday that the water utility continues to monitor its resources and has so far not recorded critical declines in water levels.“Actually, up until now, we are monitoring our water resources and so far, it has not dropped to a critical level,” Cabiles said in an interview.“Right now, there is no need to panic. But we cannot be complacent about this and we need to prepare for the upcoming El Niño,” he added.Cabiles said the c...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

NFSP holds 96th annual general assembly

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Officers of about 30 planters associations and sugar farmers cooperatives affiliated with the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) gathered at the Federation’s Main Office in Bacolod City on September 25 for the 96th Annual General Assembly and Board of Directors Meeting of the federation.“Since the founding of our federation in 1930, NFSP has always been vocal in defending the interests and promoting the welfare of our planter-members. We take pride in the long history of our Federation’s service to our planters and to the entire sugar industry,” said NFSP President Enrique D. Rojas.Rojas welcomed the leaders of the approximately 30 NFSP member-associations and cooperatives from all over the country, some of whom came from as far north as Cagayan Valley and as do...

Oct42026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

DOE proposes immediate interventions to address Visayas power woes

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Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has proposed immediate interventions for the recurring power outages in the Visayas grid as she stressed the need for a whole of government approach to address major power supply issues.Garin discussed the Visayas power situation and presented course of actions during the House of Representatives joint public hearing at L'Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Saturday.“The earliest (long-term) solutions for the whole Visayas is at 2028,” she said.As an immediate measure, Garin proposed tapping battery energy storage to help cushion supply disruptions while the Department of Energy (DOE) pursues long-term solutions.She added that the agency is also working to bring in power barges to augment electricity supply in the region.The DOE chief thank...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

SSS rolls out LoanLite microloan of up to P20,000

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The Social Security System has launched a new digital microloan facility allowing qualified members to borrow from P1,000 to P20,000 for short-term financial needs.In a press release, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph de Claro said the SSS Micro Loan Program, also called SSS LoanLite, is available to employed, self-employed, voluntary and overseas Filipino worker members who meet the eligibility requirements.Members must have at least 12 posted monthly contributions to qualify.The loanable amount depends on the average of the member’s 12 latest Monthly Salary Credits, or MSCs.De Claro said repayment terms are available for 15, 30, 60 or 90 days, with an interest rate of 8 percent per year, equivalent to about 0.67 percent per month.Members with at ...

Oct42026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Workers, ARBs commend SRA for inclusive consultation

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The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines (NACUSIP) and the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) nationwide commended the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Saturday following what it called a highly productive, industry-wide consultative meeting held in Makati City.NACUSIP National President Roland de la Cruz, who was at the meeting, in a press statement praised SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona “for his visionary leadership in bringing planters, millers, refiners, and traders together to forge a unified direction for the Crop Year 2026-2027 milling season”."We congratulate and thank Administrator Azcona for organizing this thorough and transparent dialogue," De la Cruz said. "For too long, the voices of the workers and small beneficiar...

Oct22026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Consensus reached to allocate all PH sugar for domestic market – SRA

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The sugar stakeholders meeting.*The Sugar Regulatory Administration announced on Friday, Oct. 2, that a consensus among industry stakeholders was reached that Philippine sugar this crop year will all be classified as “B” for domestic consumption.The decision was reached given the significant projected drop in production to 1.66 million metric tons, down from 1.85 million MT last year, it said in a press statement.Heads of sugar federations, millers, refiners and traders came together in a hybrid meeting hosted by the Philippine Sugar Miller's Association in Makati City to discuss sugar classification before the issuance of Sugar Order 1 and they agreed to recommend 100 percent "B", it said.SO1 sets the classification and allocation of locally produce...

Oct22026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

House Speaker Dy says Congress must listen to communities, address farmers’ concerns

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House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Congress must listen directly to communities and determine what more government can do for sectors that sustain the country, as he put farmers’ welfare, education, barangay governance, and public safety among the concerns raised during the House of Representatives’ LegisHear consultation in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Friday afternoon, Oct. 2.Speaking before local officials, barangay leaders and sectoral representatives at the Victorias Coliseum, Dy said bringing Congress closer to communities allows lawmakers to hear firsthand what policies and additional government support are needed.Dy gave particular emphasis to farmers, saying the country depends heavily on their work and that Congress should examine what additional measure...

Oct22026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Dead green sea turtle found in Dauin

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A dead green sea turtle weighing an estimated 60 kilograms was found along the shore of Poblacion 1 in Dauin, Negros Oriental, on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 1.The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the turtle was discovered by local residents at around 5 p.m.The turtle was already in a decomposed condition and was estimated to have been dead for about a week.DENR personnel measured the turtle at 40 inches in straight carapace length and 23 inches in straight carapace width.The cause of death could not be determined during the initial assessment.The turtle was assessed, measured and documented before its remains were buried in the area following proper procedures.*

Oct22026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Negros Occidental disperses 849 livestock, poultry to boost farm recovery

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The Negros Occidental provincial government distributed 849 heads of livestock and poultry and 15 units of equipment worth a combined P1.289 million to farmers, associations and institutional partners to support agricultural recovery and livelihood programs.Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana led the turnover on Thursday, Oct. 1, under the province’s Swine Industry Recovery Initiatives and Animal Genetic Improvement and Livelihood Programs.The assistance included 500 two-week-old chicks, 100 Rhode Island Red chicks, 150 Itik Pinas, 54 female piglets, 32 castrated piglets, one uncastrated piglet, 10 sows and gilts, and two male ruminants.The weaners will be raised as breeding sows as part of efforts to accelerate the rebuilding of the province’s swine population while pro...