Community

Sep232026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

DSWD opens satellite office in Ilog for southern Negros communities

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region opened its fourth Social Welfare and Development Satellite Office in Brgy. Dancalan, Ilog, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, Sept. 23.DSWD-NIR said the new satellite office will provide communities in southern Negros Occidental with closer access to the agency's social protection programs and services.The office is the fourth SWAD satellite facility established in the Negros Island Region as the agency expands its presence outside its regional offices.Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and DSWD-NIR Regional Director Arwin Razo led the inauguration, which included a ribbon-cutting and blessing of the facility.Rep. Mercedes “Cheding” Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) also attended the inauguration and e...

Sep212026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

DSSD training to strengthen child-sensitive, trauma-informed justice process starts

Community

The Department of Social Services and Development - Bacolod in partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines, Department of Justice, and Bacolod City Police Office, officially opened the five-day Videotaped In-Depth Disclosure Interview (VIDI) Training at Acacia Hotel, Bacolod City, on Monday, Sept. 21.DSSD Head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga emphasized the importance of making the justice and protection process more sensitive to the experiences and needs of children, particularly during interviews that may become a lasting part of their experience, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.“As among the frontline professionals, our goal is to ensure that our way of life is child-sensitive and trauma-informed. At the heart...

Sep212026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

NegOcc champion in National Robotics Competition-Visayas 2026

Press Release

NOLITC photoThe Province of Negros Occidental demonstrated its growing prowess in technology and innovation after emerging as the overall champion in the National Robotics Competition-Visayas 2026 last Saturday at the NOLITC Campus in Talisay City, capturing six victories across nine competition categories.Leading the province’s remarkable delegation was Cabacungan National High School, which achieved back-to-back championship titles in two separate categories: Edjay Bryle Gemotra and John Dale Bangcaya in Sumobot 1KG-Autonomous, and Shantelle Kate Ballesteros and Razor Chua in Line Tracing Beginner.Adding to the province’s dominant performance was the amazing run of Deanyvien Paculanang of Escalante National High School, who successfully maintained his championship streak, bui...

Sep212026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Chiz: Decent housing through usufruct to benefit millions of low-income families

Press Release, Top Stories

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has hailed the Senate’s approval on third and final reading of Senate Bill No. 2421, or the Adequate and Decent Housing Through Usufruct Act, saying the measure will provide millions of low‑income Filipinos with secure and decent homes. Escudero, chair of the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, said the bill institutionalizes adequate and decent housing program that allows qualified beneficiaries to occupy and use government‑owned land for residential purposes through usufruct arrangements, while the State retains ownership.“Through usufruct, families will gain the right to live in government housing without the burden of ownership costs, while ensuring transparency and legal protection through contracts registered with t...

Sep202026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

CHMSU honors new civil engineers in thanksgiving celebration

Community

The thanksgiving event proper was preceded by a solemn worship and prayer for the honorees by Rev. Armando Kole.*The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) program of Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) held its 17th Recognition and Thanksgiving Celebration at the SMX Convention Center, Bacolod City, on Friday, Sept. 18.This year's celebration carried the theme "His love endures forever" (Psalm 118), a press release from the university said Sunday.The program honored civil engineers who passed the November 2025 and March 2026 Civil Engineer Licensure Examinations. The gathering was also held as a send-off for the takers of the March 2027 CELE.In his welcome remarks, Engr. Russel Dela Torre, Vice President for Academic Affairs, congratulated the College ...

Sep172026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

SB19 headlines TM’s 25th anniversary TeaM Fair in Negros Oriental

Lifestyle, Press Release

TM brought 25 years of tuwa and tatag to Bais City, Negros Oriental as Ka-TeaMs came together for TeaM Fair 2026 on September 12. The milestone celebration filled the city with music and shared experiences, bringing TM’s anniversary closer to the community that has been part of its journey through the years.TM ambassadors SB19 headlined the event with fellow ambassador Jayat, guest artist Janine Berdin, and local bands and talents. Their performances capped a series of activities and brought the spirit of TM’s 2GEDER 5EVER anniversary celebration to Ka-TeaMs in the area.“TeaM Fair is our way of celebrating 25 years with the Ka-TeaMs who have been with us through the years,” said Bea Lacson, Senior Director for TM. “We wanted to bring this experience closer to them and give them...

Sep162026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Spoke Hub to boost delivery of social security services in upper Bago barangays

Community

Mayor Mayette Javellana, along with Social Security System (SSS) officials, led the launching of the SSS Spoke Hub at the SSS E-Center at the Barangay Ma-ao Auditorium, Bago City, Tuesday afternoon, September 15.Lodged within the Barangay Ma-ao Auditorium, the SSS Spoke Hub is now open and ready to serve members, especially those from the upper barangays of Bago City, a press release said.Open every second Monday of the month, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., it offers various services including updating of contact information, Annual Confirmation of Pensioner (ACOP), record verification, web registration on My.SSS, and password resetting.The mayor, in her message, said it marks another meaningful step towards bringing government services closer to the people.The...

Sep152026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Chiz pushes for digitized sea travel records to avoid crisis info gaps

Community, Press Release

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is pushing for the rapid, nationwide rollout of the government’s maritime digital passenger manifest system after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) raised the possibility that the ill-fated MV June Aster may have been carrying more passengers than its official manifest recorded.According to Escudero, the recent sea tragedy in Coron, Palawan once again exposes critical gaps in maritime safety protocols, underscoring the urgent need to real-time passenger data during emergencies.While the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has already mandated the use of digital passenger manifests to curb overloading and strengthen sea safety, Escudero observed that implementation across regional ports remains inconsistent.“What happened to MV June Aster show...

Sep112026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

12 teens bring advocacies to first Hari kag Hara sang Himoga

Community

Twelve teenagers carrying advocacies on youth and community concerns will compete in the first Hari kag Hara sang Himoga 2026 in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Sunday, September 13.The six young men and six young women, aged 14 to 19, will take the stage at the Himogaan Baybay Covered Court at 7 p.m. in a pageant designed to highlight Filipino heritage, youth excellence, advocacy and community involvement.The inaugural pageant carries the theme “Panublíon, Hanás, Pagláum,” reflecting heritage, skills and excellence, and hope as values the organizers want the candidates to embody throughout the competition.Representing Cluster 1, composed of Sitio. Tapon, Purok Masinadyahon and Sitio Pandanan, are John Paolo D. Chua for Hari and Jomai C. Alvarado for Hara.Cluster 2, compos...

Sep102026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Negros Occ. Capitol to host ‘Because Women Count’ conference on gender data

Community

About 100 Gender and Development stakeholders will convene at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City next week for the sharing of sex dis-aggregated data by selected provincial government offices and national government agencies, Provincial GAD Action Officer Marie June Pavillar-Castro said Thursday, Sept. 10.Dubbed as “Because Women Count”, the conference to be held September 16 and 17 at the Social Hall of Capitol, will be attended by the members of the Provincial Gender and Development Focal Point System and PGFPS Technical Working Group who have key roles in drafting the GAD Agenda, Plans and Budgets, and Programs, Projects and Activities.Pavillar-Castro said the 31 GAD Focal Persons from component cities and municipalities, and selected sectoral l...