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The Social Security System (SSS) released ₱63.74 billion in death benefits in the first nine months of 2026, a 10.4 percent increase from ₱57.74 billion during the same period last year.SSS President and CEO Victor Alfonso A. Limlingan credited the rise to an expanded beneficiary base and an early 5 percent pension hike under the Pension Reform Program implemented in June 2026.The number of death benefit recipients grew 5.7 percent to 1.4 million, with surviving spouses making up nearly 90 percent of total claimants, a press release from the SSS saud Friday, Nov. 6. As of September 2026, monthly death pensions averaged ₱4,568, ranging from ₱2,000 to ₱23,422.The state pension fund also saw a 5 percent surge in funeral benefit payouts, totaling ₱3.25 billion for 151,844 ...

Riverside Medical Center, Inc. (RMCI), in partnership with the Office of Representative Javier Miguel “Javi” L. Benitez, completed the “Ikaayong Lawas On Wheels Serbisyo Mediko sa Tersero Distrito,” a mobile medical services program that served 5,333 beneficiaries across the Third Legislative District of Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, November 4.The program held its final visit in Talisay City, serving 217 beneficiaries, a press release from the office of Benitez said.Since its launch on March 2, medical teams have conducted 35 visits covering the 115 barangays of Victorias City, E.B. Magalona, Silay City, Talisay City, and Murcia.E.B. Magalona served the most residents with 1,186 beneficiaries. Talisay City followed with 1,123, then Murcia with 1,010, Silay City with 1,008, ...

Engr. Rey Ramos, Extension and Community Services Director Wanny Jaron, BS Applied Mathematics Program Chair Joy Picar, and Perseus Bravo (l-r) receive the awards on behalf of CHMSU.*Two extension projects from two colleges of Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) earned top awards at the 1st Philippine Extension Managers Network (PEMNet) National Extension Conference at Hue Hotels and Resorts Boracay in Malay, Aklan,  October 27-30.The university’s entries competed in the Completed Extension Project Papers category,  a press release  from  CHMSU said Tuesday, Nov. 3.The conference was organized by PEMNet Inc. in partnership with Capiz State University.“Bottle-Net Life Jacket: A Lifeline from Floating Waste” of the College of Engineering was de...

The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) held the oath-taking and donning of ranks ceremony for PCol. Gaylord P. Tamayo  at  Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City, Friday, October 23.Tamayo, currently serving as the chief of the Regional Education and Training Division, took his oath of office before PBGen.  Rudecindo L. Reales, Regional Director of PRO NIR, who served as the administering officer.Tamayo is a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class of 2004Reales extended his congratulations to Tamayo while emphasizing the added weight of senior leadership.“Promotion is not simply about moving up in rank; it is about stepping up in responsibility,” Reales said, calling on the newly promoted colonel ...

The University of the Philippines Los Baños – Negros Alumni Association, Inc. (UPLB-NAAI) is inviting all UPLB alumni across Negros to gather for the 70th Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming at the Acacia Hotel in Bacolod City, on Saturday, October 24.The event will centered around the theme "Ugnayang Alumni Tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago at Kaunlaran," aiming to strengthen alumni connections, rekindle shared memories, and foster collaborative opportunities for progress and service, a press release from the organizers said.Dr. Jose V. Camacho Jr., Chancellor of UPLB, will be the event’s guest of honor and speaker.A registration fee of ₱1,000  can be made in advance via GCash to Lawrence Ledesma at 09199934482 or directly on-site at the venue’s registration desk on the day o...

Senior Tourism Operations Officer Leana Reynes, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Meneil Lopez-Poquiz, Tourism Operations Officer II Darlwin Sales, Department of Tourism (DOT) concurrent Negros Island Region Director Cristanta Marlene Rodriguez, Chief Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili, and Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Jose Marty Go (l-r) with representatives of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) during the annual Pearl Awards at Ormoc City.*BCCO photoThe Bacolod City, in coordination with the Bacolod City Tourism Development Office, garnered five recognitions at the annual Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards held at the Ormoc Development and Training Convention Complex on Wednesday, October 2.Bacolod ...

Sagay City brought home three grand winner awards in the component city category of the 2026 Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards, recognizing the city’s work in community-based tourism, sustainable souvenir development, and tourism promotion, in Ormoc City, Leyte, Oct. 21.The city was named Grand Winner for Best Practices in Community-Based Tourism for its entry, “A Maze of Wonders, A Lifeline for All: The Lapus-Lapus Community-Based Tourism Story.”Sagay also won Grand Winner for Best Tourism Souvenir – Non-Food Category for “From Waste to Wear: Bilidhon Upcycled Accessories,” and Grand Winner for Best Tourism Promotions: Brochure.The awards were presented during the 27th ATOP National Convention and Pearl Awards hosted by Ormoc City from Oct....

Young filmmakers and participants from various schools during the MMFF University Caravan at Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center.*BCCO photoSetting the stage for Bacolod City's hosting of the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) this December, the MMFF and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in partnership with the Bacolod City, brought the MMFF University Caravan to Bacolod City, on Tuesday, October 20.The educational caravan, held at Roy's Hotel and Convention Center, aimed to engage young people and provide them with an opportunity to learn more about filmmaking and the Philippine film industry, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.The event also officially launched the city’s countdown to the flagship national film celebration, ...

In a strong demonstration of civil-military cooperation and youth volunteerism, the Philippine Army’s 82nd Infantry "Bantay Laya" Battalion (82IB) and the Negros Occidental-based non-profit Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc. (HBONI) delivered essential social and basic services to one of Aklan’s most geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and historically conflict-affected communities.The joint team navigated steep mountain cliffs, rugged terrain, and hazardous river crossings on October 14, to reach Sitio Taroytoy in Barangay Manika, Libacao, as part of the Aklan Provincial Government’s flagship "Gobyerno sa Baryo" (Government in the Village) outreach program.Situated nearly 500 meters above sea level, Sitio Taroytoy has long faced severe geographic isolation and envir...