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...

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...

The chapter pays tribute to its current and past presidents.*The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Bacolod Azucar Chapter recently marked its 7th anniversary with a celebration that gathered chapter members and past leaders, among others, for a night of gratitude and fellowship.The chapter,  which was chartered on Sept. 3, 2019, paid tribute to its past presidents during the event, a press release from the group said  Tuesday.President Demie Verde said that every year adds a new story to the Azucar journey - from professional activities and learning opportunities to community involvement, fellowship, and chapter initiatives.These stories are being shaped by the leaders and members, who willingly share their time, talents, experiences, and passion, V...

PNA file photo Public school teachers will receive higher salaries, PHP10,000 annual teaching allowance, expanded career opportunities and additional benefits under the proposed 2027 national expenditure, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Saturday.The DBM said the Marcos administration puts teachers at the center of its nearly PHP1-trillion allocation for the Department of Education (DepEd).DepEd is set to receive PHP975.96 billion under the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), 5.11 percent higher than the 2026 level.Of the net increase, PHP61.02 billion will go to higher Personnel Services funding, providing additional resources for teachers and other DepEd personnel.DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert de Leon, in a media interview, said teache...

 The five percent increase in the base pay of uniformed personnel starting next year is expected to boost the morale of police officers as they continue serving communities nationwide.The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the improved compensation recognizes the demands of police service and could encourage personnel to remain committed to their duties, according to a news release Sunday.The Department of Budget and Management said PHP73.7 billion has been earmarked for the subsistence requirements of military and uniformed personnel in 2027.Additional funding has also been provided for salaries, personnel benefits, healthcare, equipment and other operating expenses.For the PNP, a proposed budget of PHP242.5 billion has been allocated for 2027 to support its person...

Sagay City opened its observance of the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary with a call for government employees to strengthen integrity, compassion, accountability, and responsiveness in serving the public.The month-long celebration began on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with a flag-raising ceremony and ecumenical prayer service at the Government Center grounds, led by Mayor Leo Rafael “Bebo” M. Cueva, Vice Mayor Narciso L. Javelosa Jr., city officials, and employees. This year’s theme is “Bawat Kawani, Lingkod Bayani: Puso, Dangal at Galing Para sa Bayan", a press release from Sagay City said.Guest speaker Atty. Philipp Bernard H. Capadosa, Provincial Director of the Civil Service Commission in Negros Occidental, said the anniversary should serve not only as a commemoration of the in...

Some of the food items rescued and donated at the Bacolod South (Libertad) Public Market in Bacolod City*Sagup Negros photoFood items donated and rescued at the Bacolod South (Libertad) Public Market in Bacolod City have benefited at least 40 families from three barangays in the month of August, city government data on Tuesday, Sept. 1,  showed.Under the G-Merkado Social Responsibility Program, about 622 kg. of fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, and groceries were received from vendors from Aug. 8 to 26.City Administrator Mark Mayo said the pilot implementation of the program at Libertad Market has drawn support from vendors who have long wanted to take part in such a program to give back to those in need.“We set up a corner at the market where they can donate food items. ...

The turnover of laptops and ICT support was attended by EDC representatives JayviValenzuela, Negros Community Partner; Frances Ariola, Head of Corporate Communications; andErwin Magallanes, Head of Negros Corporate Relations. With them are scholars Princess JoanneAceron, Jamilla Peñaflor, Chreashel Jane Milo, Valerie Llasos and Kyla Carina Dela Rosa (L-R).*First Gen’s geothermal arm, Energy Development Corporation (EDC), recently turned over five laptops to incoming freshmen scholars, at the Citadines Hotel in Bacolod City.The scholars, coming from EDC’s host communities in Negros Occidental, are supported under the company’s banner education initiative that provides holistic support to the youth, a press release from First Gen said Tuesday, September 1.The laptops, together wi...