Press Release

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...

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...

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...

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...

Aug262026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Chiz urges senate to pass bill fixing 5-year term for barangay, SK officials

Press Release, Top Stories

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday exhorted his colleagues to act with urgency on Senate Bill No. 2387, which proposes to fix the tenure of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to five years instead of the current four-year term.Delivering his sponsorship speech on the measure under Committee Report No. 77, Escudero said the Senate must act swiftly on the proposal before the end of September to ensure predictability in the conduct of the upcoming Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE) scheduled this November.He noted that the filing of certificates of candidacy is already set for next month, underscoring the need for Congress to decide promptly whether the elections will proceed or be reset under the new term structure.“Mr. President, I ask that the body act o...

Aug112026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

79th IB, partners bring outreach, environmental initiative as part of 20th anniversary activity in Calatrava

Community, Press Release

The Association of Negros Producers, Inc. (ANP) participated in the community outreach program conducted by the 79th Infantry Battalion in Calatrava, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, August 9.The comprehensive initiative successfully brought essential public services and long-term environmental advocacy directly to the residents of Barangay Hilub-ang in Calatrava.The collaborative event was made possible through the strong support of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Calatrava, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Felix G. Yusay Foundation, Inc. Spag-ASA, the Association of Negros Producers, Inc. and various dedicated partner-stakeholders, a press release said.The event drew about a thousand participants from the community who availed themselves of ...

Aug112026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Chiz: Change in DOH leadership to bring stability to UHC rollout

Press Release, Top Stories

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has welcomed Malacañang’s appointment of a new Health Secretary, saying the Palace’s action helps resolve the leadership issues that have recently hounded the Department of Health (DOH) and threatened to disrupt the implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC).Escudero said the decision provides “much‑needed clarity and stability” for the agency, which he earlier urged Malacañang to intervene in to ensure the continuity and execution of the UHC program.“We welcome the new appointment and we wish the newly appointed Health Secretary, Dr. Edwin Mercado, all the best as he takes on his new role as the administration’s chief implementer of its health programs,” he said.Escudero also welcomed the designation of Dr. Beverly Lorraine C. Ho as the new ...

Aug32026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

GMEA@13: Celebrating The Next Great Filipino Story

Business, Press Release

The stories we tell today shape the Philippines we build tomorrow. For over a decade, Globe has celebrated the journalists, content creators, and newsmakers whose work moves, educates, and inspires the Filipino people to go forward as a nation. As it officially opens the 13th Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA@13), Globe renews its commitment to championing storytellers whose work helps shape a more informed, more connected, and more hopeful Philippines.This year's theme, "The Next Great Filipino Story," reflects a defining chapter in the country's journey. As artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and the digital landscape continue to reshape how Filipinos live, work, learn, and connect, the need for trusted, purposeful storytelling has never been greater.Across indu...

Aug32026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Chiz seeks to institutionalize ban on gambling ads, sponsorships to curb addiction

Business, Press Release, Top Stories

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has proposed a nationwide ban on gambling-related advertisements and sponsorships to curb excessive and irresponsible gambling behavior while protecting minors and other vulnerable groups.Escudero said the measure mirrors the country’s earlier approach to the tobacco industry under Republic Act 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which imposed sweeping restrictions on advertising to safeguard public health. “It’s about time that we regulate the gambling industry the same way we regulated tobacco two decades ago,” he said upon filing of Senate Bill No. 2347, noting that both sectors pose significant risks when promotions become pervasive and youth targeted.RA 9211, which Escudero supported during his tenure in the House of Repres...

Jun212026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Training on natural concoction development conducted for indigenous people, community organizations

Business, Press Release

A two-day training workshop on natural concoction development and a practical demonstration under the project title “Entrepreneurial Support and Value Formation for Vulnerable Areas, Indigenous People and Community-Based Organizations” was recently conducted in Barangay Puey, Sagay City, Negros Occidental. The activity was facilitated by the Tugdo Team serving as resource persons and initiated by the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), in partnership with the 79th Infantry Battalion, Sagay City government, and Barangay Puey headed by Punong Barangay JR Cobrado. During the first day, participants were oriented on the theoretical aspects, benefits, and proper preparation of natural concoctions — safe, organic solutions suitable for agricultural use, household appl...