Community

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

NFSP holds 96th annual general assembly

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

Community, Top Stories

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...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Eight barangays give early look at MassKara 2026 competition

Community, Top Stories

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...