Community

Oct62026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

AABN marks 51st year with ‘Colors of Courage’ exhibit in Bacolod

The Art Association of Bacolod-Negros, one of the groups associated with the beginnings of the MassKara Festival, formally launched its “Colors of Courage” group exhibition at Robinsons Bacolod on Monday, Oct. 5.Organized in partnership with Robinsons Bacolod, the exhibit features works by 37 local artists and forms part of AABN’s activities as the association marks its 51st year.AABN is considered one of the country’s longest-running art organizations and has played a significant role in the development of Bacolod’s visual arts community.The association also traces its history to the origins of MassKara Festival. Its former president, artist Ely Santiago, coined the name “MassKara” from the English word “mass,” referring to a multitude of people, and the Spanish word ...

Oct62026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

NONECO, NOCECO raise September power rates while Negros Power posts slight cut

Business, Community, Top Stories

The varying movements came as distribution utilities in the Visayas dealt with higher Wholesale Electricity Spot Market costs following tight power supply conditions, generating plant outages and transmission constraints in August.*/ Ronnie Baldonado photoElectricity consumers in northern and southern Negros Occidental are paying higher residential rates for September, while customers of Negros Power in Bacolod and parts of central Negros saw a slight decrease, based on advisories issued by the province’s three distribution utilities.The Northern Negros Electric Cooperative recorded the highest September residential rate at P17.1454 per kilowatt-hour, up by P1.4054/kWh from P15.7400 in August.The Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative increased its residential rate to P16.0080/...

Oct62026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

GCash parent opens IPO at P660 minimum for interested Negros investors

Business, Community, Top Stories

Residents of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental interested in owning shares in the company behind GCash can apply for a minimum of 100 shares worth P660 through the app starting Tuesday, Oct. 6.Mynt Inc., the parent company of the group behind GCash, has set its initial public offering (IPO) price at P6.60 per share. The offer runs until Oct. 12, the company said.An IPO allows the public to buy shares in a company before these begin trading on the stock exchange. Buying shares gives an investor a small ownership stake in the business.The Mynt offering is accessible through GStocks PH within GCash, powered by AB Capital Securities Inc.For orders placed on Oct. 6 and 7, the first 100 shares will be allocated in real time while shares last, according to the company.&n...

Oct62026 by Judy F. PartlowNo Comments

Metro Dumaguete Water assures ample water supply amid El Niño threat

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Engr. Robert Cabiles, Chief Operating Officer of Metro Dumaguete Water, speaking on Monday during the firm’s celebration of 1 Million Safe Man Hours.*/JFP photoMetro Dumaguete Water (MDW) has assured consumers of sufficient water supply despite the threat of a strong El Niño phenomenon this year.Engr. Robert Cabiles, MDW chief operating officer, said Monday that the water utility continues to monitor its resources and has so far not recorded critical declines in water levels.“Actually, up until now, we are monitoring our water resources and so far, it has not dropped to a critical level,” Cabiles said in an interview.“Right now, there is no need to panic. But we cannot be complacent about this and we need to prepare for the upcoming El Niño,” he added.Cabiles said the c...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

NFSP holds 96th annual general assembly

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Officers of about 30 planters associations and sugar farmers cooperatives affiliated with the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) gathered at the Federation’s Main Office in Bacolod City on September 25 for the 96th Annual General Assembly and Board of Directors Meeting of the federation.“Since the founding of our federation in 1930, NFSP has always been vocal in defending the interests and promoting the welfare of our planter-members. We take pride in the long history of our Federation’s service to our planters and to the entire sugar industry,” said NFSP President Enrique D. Rojas.Rojas welcomed the leaders of the approximately 30 NFSP member-associations and cooperatives from all over the country, some of whom came from as far north as Cagayan Valley and as do...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

MassKara streetdance returns with three-category competition at new arena venue

Community, Top Stories

Organizers said preparations are complete for the MassKara Festival 2026 Streetdance and Arena Competition, which will bring together elementary, high school and barangay contingents on at the SM City Bacolod grounds, Oct. 17 and 18.The Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. said this year marks the return of a three-category competition after several years, with seven elementary schools, four high schools and eight barangays joining the festival showdown.Competing in the Elementary Category are Sum-ag Elementary School, Education and Training Center School II, Handumanan Elementary School I, Vista Alegre Elementary School, Mandalagan Elementary School, Vista Alegre-Granada Relocation Elementary School and Montevista Elementary School.The High School Category will feature Abkasa Nationa...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

TIEZA moves Bacolod plaza, NGC project deadline to Jan. 2027 as cost rises to P328M

Community, Top Stories

BOARD DOWN. The coverings surrounding the fountain area of the Bacolod City Government Center have already been removed on Monday, Oct. 5, although the area remains cordoned off as electrical works continue.*/Richard Caballero photoThe Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority has moved the contractual completion date of the redevelopment of the Bacolod City Government Center and Heritage Plaza to Jan. 27, 2027, following several work suspensions, weather delays and additional work that also raised the project cost to P328.09 million.TIEZA, however, said it and the contractor are still exerting efforts to complete the project within 2026.In a Sept. 30 letter to Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya, TIEZA said the project remains ongoing and cited work suspensions, inclement w...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod council seeks immediate rollout of PWD pension for first 1,000 beneficiaries

Community, Top Stories

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has urged the city government to immediately begin implementing its social pension program for persons with disabilities, starting with at least 1,000 qualified beneficiaries already identified through barangay screening, a press release on Oct. 5 said.The resolution, authored by Councilors Caesar Distrito and Celia Flor, calls on the Department of Social Services and Development and the City Budget Office, through Mayor Greg Gasataya, to provide the funding needed for the initial rollout.The first batch will come from qualified PWDs identified by barangay screening committees in coordination with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office.The city council is also seeking the gradual expansion of the program to include other qualified benefici...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bill seeks more affordable rental homes for low-income families

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Poor and low-income families in Bacolod City and other parts of Negros could gain more affordable rental housing options under a proposed law offering tax and financing incentives to private developers that build or operate qualified low-cost rental units.The Senate approved Senate Bill No. 2507, or the proposed Affordable and Decent Rental Housing Incentives Act, on second reading on Sept. 30, sponsored by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.The proposal seeks to increase the supply of affordable rental housing by encouraging private developers to construct, rehabilitate and operate units intended for poor and low-income households.Under SB 2507, qualified rental housing providers would have to register and secure certification for units covered by the program.Rental rates would ...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Miss Bacolod MassKara bets showcase barangay stories through festival costumes

Community, Top Stories

Fifteen Miss Bacolod MassKara 2026 candidates showcased the culture, livelihood and traditions of their respective communities during the Barangay Pride Costume Competition at a mall in Bacolod City, Oct. 4.Each candidate wore a festival costume inspired by a distinct feature of the barangay she represents, turning local traditions, industries and landmarks into designs presented onstage.The costumes featured the Agihis tradition of Barangay Alijis, Christmas parols of Barangay 29, agricultural heritage of Taculing, Mandalagan’s arts scene, the Sum-ag River, and the historic haciendas of Estefania.Other entries drew inspiration from Granada’s pomegranate harvest, Tangub’s forest heritage, Mansilingan’s mushroom industry, Bata’s basketry, Singcang’s Ati-Atihan tradition, Baranga...