Community

Jul272026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Marapara Rotary holds 34th induction, turnover ceremonies

Incoming president Donalyn Lastima (front row, third from right) with the officers and directors for Rotary Year 2026–2027. Front row (l–r): AG Maricar Acuna, Francine Del Castillo, outgoing president April Kitagawa, Sandra Mae Sta Rita, Stella Lopez. Back row (l–r): Virgil Rupert Villarosa, Archie Acuña, Jahmes Gever, Rolando Corona, Robert Harland, Jon Candelario, Past District Governor Rafael Jocson and Michael Bantug.*The Rotary Club of Bacolod-Marapara celebrated its 34th Induction and Turnover Ceremonies recently at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, Bacolod City. The occasion celebrated fellowship, continuity of service and the club’s renewed commitment to Rotary’s ideals of Service Above Self, a press release from the club said Monday, July 27.Outgoing Pr...

Jul272026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Una Konsulta Celebrates 9 Years of Bringing Primary Healthcare Closer to Every Negrense

Community, Top Stories

“Sa kada aga nga naga-abri ang pwertahan sang Una Konsulta, mga tawo nga may naglain-lain nga istorya kag paglaum ang nagaabot. May nagapangita sang sabat, may nagakinahanglan bulig, kag may nagasalig nga diri nila mabaton ang pag-atipan nga ila kinahanglan. Kag sa likod sang kada serbisyo, may mga tawo nga handa magserbisyo para sa komunidad.”This July, Una Konsulta, the Primary Healthcare Center of Riverside Medical Center, proudly celebrates its 9th anniversary.What began nearly a decade ago as a humble one-stop health center at SM City Bacolod has grown into one of the region's trusted providers of primary healthcare. Through the years, Una Konsulta has remained committed to making quality healthcare more accessible, affordable, and patient-centered for every Negrense.The a...

Jul262026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Negros NGO among country’s best in poverty reduction challenge

Community, Top Stories

The Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc. (HBONI) was recognized by the Villar Foundation as one of the country's top civic organizations during the 9th Villar Awards Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge, emerging from more than 60 participating organizations nationwide.During the awarding ceremony at the Villar Foundation Hall in Las Piñas City on Saturday, July 25, the foundation honored nine organizations—seven from Luzon, one from the Visayas, and one from Mindanao—for their outstanding community-based initiatives in reducing poverty.Two organizations from Las Piñas City also received special awards.HBONI was the only organization from the Visayas to receive the national recognition.In a statement, HBONI said the award affirms that grassroots leaders play a vit...

Jul242026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Elderly couple wed after nearly five decades of togetherness

Community

Samson and Mercedita Rica on their wedding day.*BCCO photoLove proved that it is patient for newlyweds 69-year-old Samson and 62-year-old Mercedita Rica, who finally tied the knot after nearly five decades of love, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment.They were among the four pairs who exchanged vows before Mayor Greg Gasataya at the Bacolod City Government Center on Wednesday, July 22.Their inspiring love story began 47 years ago when they first met in Bago City before eventually settling in Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said Thursday, July 23.“My prayer is that God continues to bless us with good health so we can stay together. I hope he never grows tired of me because he loves me, and I love him,” Mercedita sai...

Jul242026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

New member joins Negros Occidental Garden Club

Community

NOGC President Nonoy Napao inducts Rosemarie Japitana into the club as Rose Group member Carmelo Jalando-on and club secretary Teresita Gonzales look on.*The Negros Occidental Garden Club (NOGC) welcomed Rosemarie Japitana as its newest member during its recent general assembly at the Acacia Hotel in Bacolod City. Japitana, a retiree from Lopue’s San Sebastian, was formally inducted by Club President Nonoy Napao, a press release from the club said.A keen gardener based in Bacolod, she has developed a particular passion for succulents, which she admires for their beauty and the uplifting energy they bring.“I’ve been growing succulents since 2021,” she said.Her membership brings NOGC’s roster to around 140 gardening enthusiasts and she will be part of the club’s Rose...

Jul222026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

Bacolod calls on student filmmakers to join MMFF shorts contest

Community

The Bacolod City government here is calling on student filmmakers to join the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Student Shorts Competition themed “Paskong Pinoy /Pasko Sa Atin” as Bacolod becomes the first city outside the National Capital Region to host MMFF-related events in December.The MMFF, now on its 52nd year, is an annual film festival organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority.“Do you have a story you want to share with the whole Philippines? This is your chance. Show the talent of Bacolodnon and make our Christmas felt through film,” the city government said in its invitation on Tuesday.The MMFF Student Shorts Competition, which seeks original stories that celebrate the Filipino Christmas experience, is presented by the MMFF, in partnership with the Film Deve...

Jul222026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

37K kids eyed for ‘Ligtas Tigdas’ vaccination in Negros, Siquijor

Community

At least 437,586 children aged 6 to 59 months are targeted for the measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity (MR-SIA) in Negros Island Region (NIR) from Aug. 10 to 28, data from the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, July 21, showed.The DOH-NIR, which covers Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Bacolod City, called on parents and caregivers to have their children vaccinated for free and help protect them from measles and rubella, and also have them receive Vitamin A supplementation.In Negros Occidental, several local chief executives have expressed support for the “Ligtas Tigdas” campaign next month.“Bring your child for vaccination to the nearest health center in your barangay,” Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., president of the Negros Associati...

Jul212026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

10K near-poor households in Negros Occidental get UPLIFT cash aid

Community

The start of the payout of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport cash assistance for beneficiaries in Talisay City on Monday *DSWD-NIR photo A total of 10,285 near-poor households in three local government units (LGUs) are the initial beneficiaries of the national government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) cash assistance in Negros Occidental.Data of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) on Monday showed Sagay City has 4,625 beneficiaries; Hinigaran, 3,160 beneficiaries; and Talisay City, 2,500 beneficiaries.The payouts kicked off in designated venues in the three LGUs and will run until July 24.Group 2 beneficiaries or households classified as “near-poor” ...

Jul212026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

ALS continues for inmates in 3 Bacolod district jails

Community

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Negros Island Region Director chief Supt. Brendan Fulgencio (left) and Department of Education Bacolod City Senior Education Program Specialist Celestino Nifras Jr. sign the two-year memorandum of agreement.* BJMP-NIR photoThe implementation of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in three district jails in Bacolod City continues with the renewal of partnership between the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).BJMP-Negros Island Region (NIR) Director Chief Supt. Brendan Fulgencio on Monday. July 20, signed the two-year memorandum of agreement with DepEd Bacolod City Schools Division Senior Education Program Specialist Celestino Nifras Jr., who represented OIC Schools Division Superintend...

Jul172026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

Sagay City provides safer space for kids, youth in conflict with law

Community

Sagay City in Negros Occidental is providing a safer space for children and youth in conflict with the law in the newly opened PHP15-million facility.“It is our responsibility to help those who have fallen to rise again, especially our youth,” Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva said in a statement on Friday. July 17.Situated at Eusebio Heights in Barangay Paraiso, the Sagay City Development Center for the Youth was inaugurated on July 15.It can house up to 12 male occupants who need to undergo rehabilitation, guidance and personal development.“This is an important investment in our community because our local government remains committed to the positive growth and development of every child,” the mayor said, noting that around 65 percent of the city’s population is composed of children...