Press Release

Oct72026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

First Gen seeks stronger policies to de-risk geothermal projects as Negros plant undergoes P3-B upgrade

Community, Negros Oriental, Press Release, Top Stories

The Southern Negros Geothermal Project in Valencia, Negros Oriental has a total installed capacity of 222.5 megawatts of clean and renewable energy.*/EDC photoFirst Gen Corp. is calling for stronger government policies and financing mechanisms to reduce the risks of geothermal development across Southeast Asia, as its subsidiary Energy Development Corp. continues to operate and expand geothermal facilities in Negros Oriental, recently.In a press release, The company raised the proposal during a strategic side event at the opening of the ASEAN Energy Business Forum, where industry leaders, policymakers and energy experts discussed barriers to tapping the region’s estimated 34 to 35 gigawatts of geothermal resources.First Gen said Southeast Asia accounts for nearly 48 percent of ...

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...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Proposed Maceda Law changes could give Negros homebuyers longer payment grace periods

Business, Community, Press Release, Top Stories

Homebuyers in Negros who purchase residential properties on installment could receive stronger protection against contract cancellation and payment penalties under proposed amendments to the 54-year-old Realty Installment Buyer Protection Act.Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Thursday, Oct. 1, that he is pushing amendments to Republic Act No. 6552, commonly known as the Maceda Law, to provide additional safeguards for buyers who experience difficulty paying their installments.The existing law covers installment purchases of real estate, including residential condominium units, and provides grace periods and refund rights to qualified buyers who default on succeeding payments.The proposed changes would apply nationwide, including to covered installment homebuyers in Negros Islan...

Sep212026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

NegOcc champion in National Robotics Competition-Visayas 2026

Press Release

NOLITC photoThe Province of Negros Occidental demonstrated its growing prowess in technology and innovation after emerging as the overall champion in the National Robotics Competition-Visayas 2026 last Saturday at the NOLITC Campus in Talisay City, capturing six victories across nine competition categories.Leading the province’s remarkable delegation was Cabacungan National High School, which achieved back-to-back championship titles in two separate categories: Edjay Bryle Gemotra and John Dale Bangcaya in Sumobot 1KG-Autonomous, and Shantelle Kate Ballesteros and Razor Chua in Line Tracing Beginner.Adding to the province’s dominant performance was the amazing run of Deanyvien Paculanang of Escalante National High School, who successfully maintained his championship streak, bui...

Sep212026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

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

Press Release, Top Stories

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 ...