Community

Nov172025 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Allegations against Escudero are at best hearsay, lack basis, and are self-serving statements according to his lawyer

Former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo claims against Senator Chiz are not new. These allegations have been denied and and refuted before. This according to Atty. Ramon S. Esguerra. Counsel for Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.There is no direct evidence presented in the testimony of Bernardo linking Senator Chiz to any criminal act. Bernardo revealed that Escudero, who was earlier linked to P142.7 billion in budget insertions in the 2025 spending program, pocketed 20 percent in “commitment” fee for allegedly facilitating the funding for P1.4 billion worth of DPWH contracts.Esguerra added that Speculations and insinuations are not evidence. These are at best hearsay, lack basis, and are self-serving statements that ...

Nov172025 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Provincial gov’t celebrates WDoR

Community

The ceremonial handover of the Global Plan on Road Safety by May Cueva to WDoR attendees.*PPDO photoThe Negros Occidental provincial government in partnership with Project Cares commemorated the World Day of Remembrance (WDoR) for Road Crash Victims and Survivors attended by representatives of multi-sector groups at the Provincial Capitol Park, Bacolod City, on Sunday, November 16.The program started with a prayer and blessing of the Road Safety Marker, followed by a Holy Mass and lighting of candles at the memorial tree officiated by Fr. Raymam Asoy.Solidarity messages were delivered by Provincial Health Office head Dr. Girlie Pinongan in behalf of the health sector, Kevin Gaitan, executive director of Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute, Inc., representing th...

Nov132025 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

CHIZ: INFRA PROJECTS MUST BE BACKED BY FEASIBILITY STUDIES

Press Release

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is pushing for the institutionalization of budget transparency and accountability safeguards for all infrastructure projects introduced in the national budget as a way of preventing irregularities and the abuse and misuse of government funds.To ensure that only government infrastructure projects that are technically and financially viable are included in the national budget, Escudero has filed Senate Bill Number 1461 or the proposed Infrastructure Appropriations Integrity Act.Under the measure, all infrastructure projects will have to incorporate mechanisms such as station numbers, geotagging, geodetic coordinates, and other technology-based methodologies that will allow anyone to locate these at any time.“Ang geotagging ay isa sa pinakamahal...

Nov112025 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

GCash extends grace period and waives late penalty fees for typhoon-hit borrowers.

Community

Philippines’ leading super finance app, GCash, through official lending arm Fuse Financing Inc., is extending a 30-day due date extension for GLoan and GGives borrowers impacted by Typhoon Tino.This applies to borrowers whose loans are due between November 5 and 7, 2025 and residing in areas hardest hit by the typhoon: Guian (Samar), Cebu City, North Cebu, South Cebu, Dinagat Islands, Silago, Southern Leyte, and Toboso, Negros Occidental.Eligible accounts will automatically receive a one-month due date extension. For example, a loan originally due on November 5 will now be due on December 5. During this period, Automatic Debit Arrangement feature will be temporarily disabled, allowing customers to prioritize emergency needs and recovery. No additional interest, ...

Nov112025 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

LTO-NIR launches ‘Operation Bulig’ to aid evacuees, stranded passengers

Community

The Land Transportation Office–Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR) has launched “Operation Bulig”, a coordinated transport assistance initiative to help evacuate residents and stranded passengers in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental as Super Typhoon “Uwan” battered the region, Nov. 10.LTO-NIR Acting Regional Director Jeck Conlu led the emergency mobilization, deploying at least six buses across Negros Occidental to support both preemptive evacuations and emergency transport needs during the height of the typhoon.The operation was carried out together with various LTO District Offices, in close coordination with Fifth District Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo and the Vallacar Transit Corporation, which provided vehicles and logistical assistance. Conlu said the effort is part of the...

Nov112025 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

50 police personnel undergo R-PSB training in Negros Island Region

Community

A total of 50 police officers from various units in the Negros Island Region started their Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (R-PSB) Training at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City, Monday, November 10.Five teams, composed of ten members each, are participating in the program, one from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, two from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, one from the Siquijor Police Provincial Office, and one from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion–NIR.PRO-NIR in a press release said the R-PSB is a flagship initiative of the Philippine National Police that aims to bring peacekeeping and police services closer to far-flung and conflict-affected communities.It focuses on strengthening community engagement, promot...

Nov22025 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

ABML: No Property Owned by Sen. Chiz Escudero

Press Release

The management of Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges (ABML) has clarified that Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero does not own any property within the development, contrary to claims circulating online and in private circles.In a text message, ABML said that while the residential village does not publicly release its list of homeowners for privacy and security reasons, it was able to verify that no home is listed under the name of Sen. Escudero or any company associated with him.“ABML, like any other residential village in the country, does not divulge a list of its residents or homeowners. However, we are able to confirm that there is no home listed as owned by Sen. Chiz Escudero or any company associated with him,” according to management.ABML added that Escudero and his famil...

Oct302025 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Suntown Camp gala celebrates ‘Ohana’ for children with cancer

Community

The warmth of family and the magic of belonging filled the air as Suntown Camp Foundation held its annual gala night for children with cancer and chronic illnesses, with the theme "Ohana."The gala night, held at CICM in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, was attended by 24 brave children — many of them first-time attendees — alongside a dynamic mix of new and seasoned volunteers who had joined Suntown's five-day camp."True to its Hawaiian meaning, the term 'Ohana' is the very essence of the Suntown Camp Foundation: it signifies a family for these children, providing a haven of joy, laughter, and healing that transcends their medical battles," Dr. Ronel Sario, foundation president, said.The Ohana Gala Night capped off “Suntown Camp 18: Creating Waves”....

Oct292025 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Garden Club sows seeds for student nutrition

Community

Negros Occidental Garden Club members at Hilarion Gonzaga National High School, Talisay City - advancing the club's mission to nurture greener futures*The Negros Occidental Garden Club continues to cultivate community engagement in both spirit and soil.As part of its ongoing outreach programs, the club recently held a Vegetable Seeds Dispersal Activity at Hilarion Gonzaga National High School in Concepcion, Talisay City.The initiative promotes sustainable gardening and supports student nutrition through hands-on cultivation in school gardens, a press release from the club said.This seed dispersal activity is also in collaboration with the Negros Island Pearl Lions Club of Bacolod City, headed by its President Rosario “Chit” Alvarez, further strengthening the spi...

Oct292025 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Marapara Rotary marks 33rd year with polio drive

Community

Rotarian Erico Valdevia lends a steady hand to local health workers during the polio immunization drive*In celebration of World Polio Month and its 33rd Charter Anniversary, the Rotary Club of Bacolod-Marapara recently joined hands with the community in a vital Polio Immunization Drive in Bacolod City’s Barangay Tangub.This milestone event highlighted Rotary’s unwavering dedication to eradicating polio and safeguarding every child’s right to a healthy future, a press release from the club said.Club members gathered at the Tangub Barangay Hall to support local medical teams in administering life-saving vaccines to children in the community.The Rotarians and guests also came together for an evening of fellowship, celebration and reflection on the club’s 33 years of servic...