Community

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Eight barangays give early look at MassKara 2026 competition

Eight barangay contingents competing in the 2026 MassKara Festival Streetdance and Arena Competition showcased their masks and costumes at Robinsons Place Bacolod on Sunday, Oct. 4.The participating contingents are from Barangays Bata, Alangilan, 10, Handumanan, 13, 6, Taculing and Mandalagan.The MassKara Mask and Costume Display Presentation gives festivalgoers an early look at the designs, colors and creative concepts the barangays will bring to this year’s competition.The entries were also evaluated Sunday by Carmelo M. Escototo, choreographer, artistic director and cultural advocate, Ricky P. Lapidante Jr., RSW, artistic director and choreographer of the Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival Dance and head of Ricky Organizing Entertainment Production, and Atty. Pinky Mirano-Ocampo, a ...

Oct42026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

DOE proposes immediate interventions to address Visayas power woes

Business, Community, Top Stories

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has proposed immediate interventions for the recurring power outages in the Visayas grid as she stressed the need for a whole of government approach to address major power supply issues.Garin discussed the Visayas power situation and presented course of actions during the House of Representatives joint public hearing at L'Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Saturday.“The earliest (long-term) solutions for the whole Visayas is at 2028,” she said.As an immediate measure, Garin proposed tapping battery energy storage to help cushion supply disruptions while the Department of Energy (DOE) pursues long-term solutions.She added that the agency is also working to bring in power barges to augment electricity supply in the region.The DOE chief thank...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

SSS rolls out LoanLite microloan of up to P20,000

Business, Community, Top Stories

The Social Security System has launched a new digital microloan facility allowing qualified members to borrow from P1,000 to P20,000 for short-term financial needs.In a press release, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph de Claro said the SSS Micro Loan Program, also called SSS LoanLite, is available to employed, self-employed, voluntary and overseas Filipino worker members who meet the eligibility requirements.Members must have at least 12 posted monthly contributions to qualify.The loanable amount depends on the average of the member’s 12 latest Monthly Salary Credits, or MSCs.De Claro said repayment terms are available for 15, 30, 60 or 90 days, with an interest rate of 8 percent per year, equivalent to about 0.67 percent per month.Members with at ...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Negrense youth urged to fight disinformation, demand accountability

Community, Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Young Negrenses were urged to scrutinize online disinformation and hold public officials accountable during the Bacolod leg of the GenZennial Tour: We Decide the Future at Carlos Hilado Memorial State University-Alijis Campus, Oct. 2.The event, organized by Team Pinas, focused on two national issues affecting young voters: disinformation surrounding the West Philippine Sea and public accountability in controversies involving government officials and the use of public funds.In a press release, Team Pinas described the nationwide tour as a civic education initiative designed for younger audiences who increasingly get information from social media platforms.The program combined short discussions with interactive activities aimed at helping participants evaluate information, unders...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

11 Bacolod schools unveil MassKara masks, costumes ahead of Oct. 17 showdown

Community, Top Stories

Eleven elementary and high schools in Bacolod City showcased their masks, headdresses, costumes and performance concepts ahead of the MassKara Festival 2026 Street Dance and Arena Competition-School Category on Oct. 17.The participating schools presented their entries during the Mask and Costume Display Competition-School Category at Ayala Malls Capitol Central, giving the public an early look at the designs and concepts they will bring to the festival competition.Seven elementary schools are participating: Vista Alegre Elementary School, Education and Training Center School II, Sum-ag Elementary School, Mandalagan Elementary School, Montevista Elementary School, Vista Alegre-Granada Relocation Elementary School and Handumanan Elementary School.The high school contingents are P...

Oct22026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

House Speaker Dy says Congress must listen to communities, address farmers’ concerns

Business, Community, Top Stories

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Congress must listen directly to communities and determine what more government can do for sectors that sustain the country, as he put farmers’ welfare, education, barangay governance, and public safety among the concerns raised during the House of Representatives’ LegisHear consultation in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Friday afternoon, Oct. 2.Speaking before local officials, barangay leaders and sectoral representatives at the Victorias Coliseum, Dy said bringing Congress closer to communities allows lawmakers to hear firsthand what policies and additional government support are needed.Dy gave particular emphasis to farmers, saying the country depends heavily on their work and that Congress should examine what additional measure...

Oct22026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

60 households in Moises Padilla sitio get electricity through P5.21M project

Community, Top Stories

Sixty households in Sitio Agogolo, Brgy. Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, now have access to electricity following the completion of a P5.21 million electrification project.The Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (NOCECO) formally energized the project on Thursday, Oct. 1, during a ceremony at Agogolo Elementary School.NOCECO said the project is the largest under its Sitio Electrification Program in the 5th District of Negros Occidental.Sitio Agogolo is classified as a Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area, making the installation of electric poles and other facilities more challenging.Fifth District Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo III commended NOCECO personnel for completing the project despite the difficult terrain.Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celes...

Oct22026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Negros Occidental disperses 849 livestock, poultry to boost farm recovery

Business, Community, Top Stories

The Negros Occidental provincial government distributed 849 heads of livestock and poultry and 15 units of equipment worth a combined P1.289 million to farmers, associations and institutional partners to support agricultural recovery and livelihood programs.Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana led the turnover on Thursday, Oct. 1, under the province’s Swine Industry Recovery Initiatives and Animal Genetic Improvement and Livelihood Programs.The assistance included 500 two-week-old chicks, 100 Rhode Island Red chicks, 150 Itik Pinas, 54 female piglets, 32 castrated piglets, one uncastrated piglet, 10 sows and gilts, and two male ruminants.The weaners will be raised as breeding sows as part of efforts to accelerate the rebuilding of the province’s swine population while pro...

Oct22026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Sagay remembers former Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. on 6th death anniversary

Community, Top Stories

Sagay City commemorated the sixth death anniversary of former Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon Jr., remembering a public service career that spanned more than five decades and helped shape programs in education, environmental protection, and local development, Oct. 1.A commemorative Mass attended by members of the Marañon family, relatives, city officials, and employees was officiated by Rev. Fr. Rodel Luneta, assistant parish priest of St. Joseph Parish.For Luneta, the remembrance was also personal.In his homily, he shared that he was among the beneficiaries of the AGM Scholarship Program established by Marañon, recalling how the program opened educational opportunities for young people and helped them pursue better futures.Luneta described Marañon as one ...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

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

Press Release, Top Stories

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...