Community

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Chiz’s bill to recognize, protect line workers approved on second reading

The Senate has approved on second reading two measures—Senate Bill Nos. 2484 and 2485 principally authored by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero—seeking to honor and protect the country’s line workers for their crucial role in disaster response and in keeping a reliable power system.SB No. 2484, or the National Line Workers Appreciation Day Act, seeks to declare the first Monday of August every year as a day of recognition for electrical line workers to underscore their role in electrification efforts. The other proposal, SB No. 2485 or the Line Workers Insurance and Benefits Act, mandates employers to provide mandatory insurance coverage of at least P300,000 for line workers against death or disability arising from occupational hazards. The bill also ensures that such covera...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

House to probe Visayas power crisis in Bacolod hearing

Business, Community, Top Stories

Three committees of the House of Representatives will hold a public hearing to look into recurring power outages and other electricity supply problems affecting the Visayas Grid in Bacolod City on Saturday, Oct. 3.The hearing will be jointly conducted by the House committees on Energy, Visayas Development, and Legislative Franchises from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at L’Fisher Hotel.Among the measures to be discussed is House Resolution No. 1429 filed by Deputy Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, which seeks an inquiry into the continuing power outages in the Visayas.The resolution calls for an examination of the causes of the outages and possible accountability, as well as measures to ensure a more stable, adequate and reliable electricity supply in the region.Lawmakers...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Rotary, architects group turn over plans for literacy project at Bacolod school

Community

GVNHS faculty member Christina Castro receives the plans from the officers of Rotary Club of Bacolod Central and UAP Bacolod Azucar.*The Rotary Club of Bacolod Central and the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)-Bacolod Azucar Chapter formally turned over the detailed plans for the Book Nook project at Generoso Villanueva National High School, marking a major step in the collaborative initiative to promote reading and learning among students. Architect Demie Verde, chapter president of UAP-Bacolod Azucar, and Architect Robert Aguillon, president of the Rotary Club of Bacolod Central, jointly presented the plans to Christine Castro, who received them on behalf of Principal Osward Acebedo, a press release from the club said Thursday, Oct. 1. Architect Abemar Gega...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Mega Puppets, Electric MassKara ‘to spotlight art, barangay pride’ in Bacolod

Community, Lifestyle, Top Stories

Art and community participation will take center stage in two major MassKara Festival 2026 events this month as Mega Puppets and Mega Electric MassKara return to Bacolod.The Bacolod Gugma Foundation, organizer of MassKara Festival 2026, said Thursday, Oct. 1, that the activities are intended to highlight the festival’s artistic roots and provide platforms for local artists, students, performers and barangays.The Mega Puppets Competition will be held at Plaza de MassKara at The Upper East on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.This year’s competition carries the theme “Pinoy Icons in Their Winningest Moments: Celebrating Gugma, Sharing Their Smiles.”Ten groups representing barangays, schools and private institutions will create large-scale puppets inspired by Filipino personalities and moments...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

PRO-NIR trains 55 participants on cases involving minors exposed to violent extremism

Community, Negros Oriental, Police, Top Stories

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region has opened a three-day seminar-workshop in Bacolod City on handling cases involving minors who may be exposed to nihilistic violent extremism and harmful online content.The activity began Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Food Terminal Market along North Capitol Road and gathered 55 participants from law enforcement and partner government agencies.PRO-NIR said the training is intended to strengthen the ability of personnel to identify, prevent and respond to cases involving minors exposed to violent extremist ideologies.The seminar includes discussions on online environments where minors may encounter content promoting hatred, violence or acts that could cause serious harm.Participants are also being trained to recognize possible in...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Proposed Maceda Law changes could give Negros homebuyers longer payment grace periods

Business, Community, Press Release, Top Stories

Homebuyers in Negros who purchase residential properties on installment could receive stronger protection against contract cancellation and payment penalties under proposed amendments to the 54-year-old Realty Installment Buyer Protection Act.Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Thursday, Oct. 1, that he is pushing amendments to Republic Act No. 6552, commonly known as the Maceda Law, to provide additional safeguards for buyers who experience difficulty paying their installments.The existing law covers installment purchases of real estate, including residential condominium units, and provides grace periods and refund rights to qualified buyers who default on succeeding payments.The proposed changes would apply nationwide, including to covered installment homebuyers in Negros Islan...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade opens applications for rescue technicians

Business, Community, Top Stories

The Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade in Bacolod City has opened applications for individuals who want to train and serve as volunteer rescue technicians.In a press conference on Wednesday night, Sept. 30, Amity said the recruitment is open to applicants aged 21 to 40 who are at least senior high school graduates, physically and mentally fit to undergo training, and have no criminal record.Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade officials (from left) Jucar Caspe, assistant deputy for rescue; Parrick Palses, assistant fire chief for communication; Samuel Ko, fire chief of the Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade; Hitchel Mombay, assistant fire chief for maintenance; Rutha Rojo, planning officer; and Rumrum Rojo, deputy chief for emergency medical services, during a press conference announcing the opening o...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Bago becomes first Negros Island LGU with 2 licensed primary care facilities

Business, Community, Top Stories

Bago City has become the first local government unit in the Negros Island Region to operate two licensed primary care facilities after the Barangay Ma-ao Health Station passed its assessment on Wednesday, Sept. 30.The city government said the Ma-ao facility was granted a license to operate as a Primary Care Facility following an assessment conducted by the Regulation, Licensing and Enforcement Division of the Department of Health-Negros Island Region.The RLED team was led by Dr. Anna Andrea Libo-on, while the Barangay Ma-ao Health Station team was headed by Dr. Elijah Blaise Bimbao under the supervision of City Health Officer Dr. Ferdinand Ramon Mayoga.Bago City Mayor Marina Javellana said Brgy. Ma-ao is also the first barangay in the Negros Island Region to have a licensed...

Sep302026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Silay adopts 4-day workweek to cut energy, fuel costs

Community, Police

The Silay City government will implement a four-day compressed workweek beginning Monday, Oct. 5, as part of measures to reduce energy consumption and transportation fuel use.Mayor Joedith Gallego issued an executive order adopting the flexible work arrangement for city government offices, with employees required to report onsite from Monday to Thursday.Under the new schedule, covered offices will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., while Friday will be designated as a non-working day.Employees will still be required to complete 40 working hours per week under the compressed schedule.The arrangement covers city government offices, departments, services, units, city-funded projects and facilities, as well as permanent, temporary, contractual and job order personnel, subject t...

Sep302026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Diocese of Bacolod partners with 9 schools for environmental programs

Community, Top Stories

The Diocese of Bacolod has partnered with nine schools in Negros Occidental to promote environmental education, community engagement and ecological programs among students and communities.Bacolod Bishop Louie Galbines, Caritas Bacolod Director Fr. Julius Espinosa and representatives of the participating schools signed a memorandum of agreement at the Bishop’s House in Bacolod City on Wednesday, Sept. 30.The partnership is part of PANGGAS, an initiative of the Diocese of Bacolod that seeks to bring together schools and the Church for environmental education and activities encouraging ecological responsibility.The participating institutions are the University of St. La Salle, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, La Consolacion College-Bacolod, Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod ...