Community

Twenty-three qualified families in Barangay Cansilayan, Murcia,  officially secured titles to their own property lots during a turnover ceremony at the PASPAS Asenso Village.Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas and Sangguniang Bayan Member Kedy Yu led the conferring of the Certificates of Lot Award under the municipality's Handog Pabahay (PASPAS Asenso Shelter Program). They were joined by Cansilayan Punong Barangay Edgar Daquipil and members of the Barangay Council.The flagship local government housing initiative, launched under the administration of Rojas, reflects the Municipality of Murcia’s ongoing commitment to help deserving families attain safe, decent, and secure housing while driving community development, a press release from the town said Tuesday, August 11."Providing thes...

Marking four years under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Kabataan Party-list Negros slammed the administration’s alleged failure to address youth concerns during the State of the Youth Address (SOYA) 2026 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish-Kinder School in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, on Saturday, August 8.Gathering student leaders and campus journalists under the theme “Lapis o Bala? Pasismo at mga Suliraning Kinakaharap ng Kabataang Pilipino,” the group highlighted rising campus censorship and systemic education issues, including:Soaring educational costs and lack of accessible schoolingInsufficient student financial aid and resourcesShrinking democratic spaces and excessive administrative oversightIn response, participants officially launched the Students Alliance for L...

The UNO-R delegation with Chinese partners and the BrainCo Team.*The Academics, Research and Internationalization Team of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Inc.  (UNO-R), led by University President Rev. Fr. Joel A. Alve visited the AI District in Hangzhou, China on Monday, August 10.Introduced by its Chinese partners, the delegation visited BrainCo, a Hangzhou-based technology company specializing in brain-computer interface (BCI) and artificial intelligence technologies, where they received an orientation and toured its innovation center.The visit supports  Alve’s thrust to expose UNO-R students, particularly those in Engineering, Information Technology, and other technology-related fields, to emerging technologies and global innovation ecosystems. It al...

Celebrating its second anniversary under the theme “Stronger Together,” Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) conducted a river cleanup at Prk. Paghidaet, Barangay Salvacion , Murcia, on August 4.Led by Negros Power Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Engr. Joe-Mel Zaporteza, the early morning initiative brought together company personnel, local officials, and civic groups to collect and properly dispose of waste along the waterway to help restore local aquatic ecosystems.It was participated in by representatives from the   Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Municipality of Murcia, the Barangay Council of Salvacion headed by Captain Jenny Jimenea, and The Guardians of the Environme...

For many Filipino families, owning a home isn't something that happens overnight. It's a dream builtthrough years of hard work, careful planning, and saving for the future.That's why many first-time homebuyers don't begin by building a house. They begin by owning the landwhere that future home will one day stand.Villa Cristina Estates in Victorias City, Negros Occidental was created for families taking that importantfirst step.Today, families looking for a lot for sale in Victorias City have a new opportunity. Villa Cristina Estatesintroduces one of the city's newest residential communities, giving homebuyers the chance to own aresidential lot, build at their own pace, and enjoy a neighborhood thoughtfully designed for family livingfrom the very beginning.Instead of waiting unt...

Dr. Erlinda de los Reyes (seated) with her family Col. Isabelo de los Reyes (Ret) PA, his son Adrian de los Reyes, and daughter Rhiarose; Dr. Antonia Erlinda De los Reyes - Cruz, Rodulfo Victor Cruz, Brian Cruz, Ma. Elena de los Reyes - Reyes, Dr. Emory Lourdhs Reyes, and Luisito Reyes (l-r)*Members of the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine - Negros Occidental Chapter held their 23rd Dr. Telesforo J..De Los Reyes Jr. Memroral Lecture at L'Fisher Chalet 1, L'Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City on Wednesday,  August 5.The event is being conducted annually to honor the enduring legacy of the late Dr. Telesforo J. De Los Reyes, Jr., through a meaningful evening of learning,  camaraderie, and professional growth.PCOM chapter  president Dr. Lesel Ganancial gave the wel...

Residents of far-flung Barangay Caliling in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, receive solar lights and panels from representatives of Central Philippines State University and the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion.*CPSU photo Households in the remote Barangay Caliling in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, received 25 solar lights and panels from the Project SUGA, an initiative of the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) and the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB).“Suga” is the Hiligaynon term for “light”.“Through the initiative, the parties provide solar-powered lighting and charging stations to underserved households in remote communities that remain beyond the reach of conventional electrification services,” the CPSU, which has a main campus in Kabankalan C...

ersonnel of the Land Transportation Office - Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR) Regional Law Enforcement Service intercept a Nissan Urvan vehicle in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental.*LTO photo Continued enforcement campaign against illegal public transport operations led to the apprehension of a “colorum” or unregistered passenger van in southern Negros Occidental, the Land Transportation Office - Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR) reported on Wednesday, August 5.“We will not tolerate colorum operations. Every apprehension is a firm reminder that the law applies to everyone, and public safety will always come first,” LTO-NIR officer in charge Director Jeck Conlu said.The agency’s Regional Law Enforcement Service team intercepted a Nissan Urvan vehicle in Pontevedra town, traveling fr...

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is calling for applicants in Negros Island Region (NIR) to fill the 212 slots for the Scholarship Program for Coconut Farmers and Their Families (CoScho) for the academic year 2026-2027.In its announcement on Tuesday,  August 4, the CHED-NIR said applications are welcome until Aug. 31 through the official CoScho application portal.“Those who can apply are deserving coconut farmers duly registered in the National Coconut Farmers Registry System and undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in any CHED-recognized program,” it added.The NIR covers applicants from Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.Of the region’s 212 slot allocation, 80 percent will go to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) identified progr...

Red Horse Beer has officially opened registration for the 2026 edition of the Pambansang Muziklaban, calling on aspiring rock bands across the country to compete for the national title and a Php 1,000,000 cash prize.The country's longest-running battle-of-the-bands competition is open to all Filipino bands with members aged 21 to 45 years old.The tournament accepts various rock subgenres, including metal rock, alternative rock, punk rock, and reggae. Eligible groups will undergo nationwide screenings and elimination rounds leading to the grand finals.The winner will join the competition's roster of champions since its inception in 1999, which includes bands such as Mayonnaise (2004), Ibarra (2006), Even (2008), Hatankaru (2009), and Light of Luna (2010).Last season's title ...