Negros Oriental

Aug52026 by Judy F. PartlowNo Comments

Slain American scientist’s partner seeks witness protection

One of the arrested suspects was identified by Carpenter's live-in partner as the one who allegedly sexually assaulted her.*PNA/Mary Judaline Flores Partlow photoThe live-in partner of slain American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter has applied for inclusion in the government's witness protection program following his fatal shooting in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, last month, a police official said Tuesday, August 4.Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), said the 37-year-old woman's application has been endorsed to higher authorities for evaluation and approval."Higher authorities will decide on her application for the government's witness protection program, but we can assure the woman of her safety and security pe...

Aug22026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Armed drug suspect arrested in Dumaguete; gun, suspected shabu seized

Negros Oriental, Police, Top Stories

A suspected drug personality was arrested after police recovered an unlicensed firearm and suspected shabu during the implementation of a search warrant in Dumaguete City on Friday, July 31.The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said operatives of the Dumaguete City police served a search warrant in Purok Gabi, Brgy. Banilad, which led to the arrest of alias "Otay," 36, a resident of the area.Police said the operation stemmed from information provided by a confidential informant alleging that the suspect was looking for buyers of an unlicensed firearm.Based on information gathered, the police secured a search warrant from the court before conducting the operation.Recovered during the search were a Colt .45 caliber pistol with a magazine, a sling bag, one ...

Jul312026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

3ID commander promoted to major general

Negros Oriental, Police, Top Stories

The commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has been promoted to major general, earning his second star.Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete conferred the new rank on Maj. Gen. Joey Escanillas during a ceremony at the Philippine Army Officers’ Clubhouse in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday, July 28.Escanillas, a native of Alimodian, Iloilo, was designated as the 36th commander of the 3rd Infantry Division on July 15.Before assuming the post, he served as the division’s assistant commander.He also previously held key leadership positions within the division’s area of responsibility, including assignments with Joint Task Force Cebu and the 302nd Infantry Brigade in Negros Oriental.The 3rd Infantry Division oversees mi...

Jul302026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Only 21 of 57 Negros LGUs have sanitary landfills; 9 towns ink clustered facility MOA

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

The La Castellana Sanitary Landfill* Richard Malihan photoOnly 21 of 57 local government units (LGUs) in Negros Island have sanitary landfill facilities (SLFs), a Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau official said Thursday, July 30.SLFs are required by law as the ultimate final disposal method for residual solid waste under Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.In Negros Occidental, 13 LGUs have SLFs, while sanitary landfill construction is underway in three other areas, DENR-EMB Negros Island Region Director Vicente S. Losbañes Losbañes said.The LGUs with SLFs are the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Sagay, San Carlos, Sipalay, Talisay, Silay, and La Car...

Jul292026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Marcos orders swift release of aid to 11,000 pest-hit farmers; initial 1,023 in 2 NegOcc cities get ₱10.5M

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Talisay Mayor Rowena Lizares and DSWD NIR Director Arwin Razo (3rd to 6th from left, front row) with the RSSI- hit farmers at the new Talisay City Public Market Wednesday morning.* Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is targeting an initial ₱113.5 million in emergency cash transfers for over 11,000 farmers affected by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation across the Negros Island Region (NIR).DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the pilot rollout of a ₱10.56 million payout to affected farmers in Talisay City and San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, July 29.Gatchalian said he was dispatched to the province under the direct orders of President Ferdinand...

Jul292026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

718 workers get P23-M claims, 43K others avail P378-M TUPAD aid in NIR

Negros Oriental

A total of 718 workers received PHP23.2 million in settlement claims through the Single-Entry Approach (SEnA) program of the Department of Labor and Employment-Negros Island Region (DOLE-NIR) from January to June 2026.In a report released on Tuesday, July 28, DOLE-NIR said these results were based on the 347 requests for assistance handled by the regional office across Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.“Through SEnA, parties are guided towards practical and mutually acceptable solutions before disputes develop into full-blown labor cases,” the agency said.In Negros Occidental, 256 requests were handled for 617 workers, who received a settlement amount of PHP19.8 million, while in Negros Oriental, there were 70 requests with the same number of workers, result...

Jul282026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Gatchalian arriving for cash aid distribution to RSSI-affected farmers in Negros Occidental Wednesday

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

More than 1,000 sugarcane farmers in Negros Occidental hit by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation will receive more than ₱10 million in emergency cash assistance starting Wednesday, July 29.The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will launch its pilot Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) payouts in Talisay City and San Carlos City, DSWD Negros Island Region Director Arwin Razo said on Tuesday. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian is scheduled to visit the payout sites in Talisay City and San Carlos City on Wednesday, Razo said.Razo said more than 600 farmers in Talisay City and 400 in San Carlos City will receive over ₱10,325 each. The amount was computed at 70 percent of the regional minimum wage across 25 days, he said., ...

Jul272026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

PRO NIR says zero security incidents in NIR during SONA

Negros Oriental

Protest in Bacolod City on Monday.*CPG photoThe Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) said it successfully maintained peace and order throughout the region during the 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 27, recording zero major security incidents.As part of its comprehensive security operations, PRO NIR deployed nearly 600 personnel across the region to secure public spaces before, during, and after the President’s address. All police units were placed on heightened alert, coordinating closely with local government units (LGUs), partner agencies, and volunteer force multipliers to monitor gatherings and maintain public safety.PRO NIR Regional Director PBGen. Romano Cardiño said "The pea...

Jul242026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Woman dies after being crushed by boulder in Ayungon

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

A 53-year-old woman died after she was crushed by a large boulder while digging in Brgy. Jandalamanon, Ayungon, Negros Oriental, on Wednesday afternoon, July 22.Barangay officials said the victim, identified only as alias “Bel,” borrowed a digging tool and excavated soil near the boulder.A relative had allegedly told her that the rock could be a sign that gold or other hidden valuables were buried in the area.After several minutes of digging, the boulder reportedly shifted and rolled toward the victim, trapping her underneath.Personnel of the Ayungon Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and residents worked together to lift the boulder and retrieve her body.The recovery operation lasted more than three hours because of the boulder’s weight.The victim ...

Jul242026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Former NPA member surrenders, turns over revolver in Hinigaran

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

A former Yunit Militia member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities and turned over a revolver in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, July 23.The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said the woman voluntarily surrendered at the headquarters of the 2nd Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company in Brgy. Gargato.Police said she was previously affiliated with the dismantled Central Negros 2 under the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor.She turned over a .357caliber revolver and two live rounds of ammunition.Authorities said the surrender was facilitated through former members who had earlier returned to the government.The woman reportedly joined the group in 2013 after being promised assistance in securing land for he...