Community

Sep212026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

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

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...

Sep92026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Chiz: Broader, uniform definition of indigency to make gov’t services more accessible

Community, Press Release

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has called for a broader definition of indigency to grant more Filipinos access to government services, saying current standards are too narrow and fail to capture the realities faced by many households. In his podcast “Chiz Wiz! Usapang May Laman” aired over the weekend, Escudero noted that indigency is often equated with membership in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, leaving out families who may not be income‑poor but are unable to absorb medical or litigation costs. He pointed out that under current laws, “indigency” lacks a uniform definition, varying across the different government agencies that define it. Barangays issue certificates of indigency in accordance with the Local Government Code, the Public Att...

Sep82026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

UAP Bacolod Azucar marks 7th anniversary

Community

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...

Sep72026 by Ruth Abbey Gita-CarlosNo Comments

DBM: Teachers to get higher pay, better career opportunities in 2027

Community

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...