Negros Oriental

The scene of the fire* BFP photoAn 83-year-old person died after a fire destroyed a one-storey house in Brgy. Balugo, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, on Monday night, Aug. 10.The Dumaguete City Fire Station said the alarm was received at around 8:40 p.m. at Habitat 1, near the Brgy. Balugo gym.Firefighters were dispatched a minute later and arrived at the scene at around 8:46 p.m., recording a response time of about five minutes.The fire reached first alarm upon their arrival and was placed under control at around 8:56 p.m.It was declared out at around 9 p.m.The residential structure was destroyed, affecting one family composed of two individuals.The Bureau of Fire Protection said the 83-year-old victim sustained fourth-degree burns over the entire body.No ...

The Department of Education (DepEd) tightened security at the Dumaguete City National High School (DCNHS) on Tuesday, July 11,  following a threat circulating on social media that individuals armed with a gun and knife would enter a school and kill students, beginning with eighth graders.Dr. Juditha Mapue, assistant schools division superintendent of DepEd-Dumaguete City Division, said  that authorities decided to heighten security measures as a precaution, even though the social media post did not identify the school being targeted.The post's reference to "DCNHS" could also refer to another school, Mapue said."Better to be safe than sorry," she said, explaining the decision to implement stricter security measures.Parents were informed through their class group ch...

A reticulated python was safely captured after it was found inside a commercial establishment in Dumaguete City on Wednesday night, Aug. 5.The Bureau of Fire Protection-Dumaguete City Fire Station said its Shift 2 personnel responded to the establishment in Brgy. Calindagan after receiving a report about the snake.Firefighters secured the area and captured the python using proper wildlife handling procedures.No injuries, casualties or property damage were reported during the operation.The snake was later turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for proper care and eventual safe release.The BFP reminded the public not to attempt to capture or disturb snakes and other wild animals and to instead keep a safe distance and seek assistance from autho...

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region arrested the No. 10 most wanted person at the regional level during a manhunt operation in Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental, on Friday, Aug. 7.Police identified the accused only by the alias “Rob,” 41, a farmer and resident of Brgy. Ulay.Personnel of the Vallehermoso Municipal Police Station served a warrant of arrest against him for qualified rape of a minor, with no bail recommended.Police said the accused is the victim’s father and allegedly sexually abused her after she was allowed by her guardian to sleep at his house.Authorities said the alleged incident happened after the accused came home intoxicated from a birthday celebration.The accused was informed of his constitutional rights in a language he understood and is cu...

Dr. Jan Sibala Arco, municipal health officer of Sibulan in Negros Oriental, administers the supplemental measles-rubella vaccine to her three-year-old daughter during the launch on Friday.*PNA/Mary Judaline F. Parlow photoThe Department of Health-Negros Island Region (DOH-NIR) launched its Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization (MRSI) campaign in Sibulan town on Friday, Aug. 7Dr. Liland Estacion, Provincial Health Office chief, said Sibulan was selected as venue because of its large population of young children.During the launch, World Health Organization (WHO) consultant Dr. Mohammed Reazul Hasan delivered a message of support to the third phase and the largest component of the nationwide MRSI campaign.“It aims to protect more than 6.2 million children aged 6 to 59 mon...

The seized cigarettes in Bago City/*PRO NIR photoPolice seized an estimated ₱14.6 million worth of suspected illegal cigarettes during a coordinated anti-smuggling operation in Purok Narra, Barangay Malingin, Bago City, on Thursday afternoon, August 6.A laborer identified as alias "Kev," 32,  of Zamboanga City, was arrested during the operation, while two unidentified male suspects escaped over a perimeter fence and remain at large.The bust originated from a checkpoint in Barangay Lag-asan, where Bago City police flagged down a white Isuzu aluminum van following intelligence reports regarding untaxed tobacco distribution.Upon inspection, officers discovered reams of "Concept" brand cigarettes concealed beneath bundles of laundry. During questioning, the driver revealed...

The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has recorded 4,388 cases of conjunctivitis, or sore eyes, in Negros Oriental, with health authorities warning that infections could continue to rise because of the disease's highly contagious nature.PHO chief Dr. Liland Estacion said Thursday, August 6,  that 2,674 of the reported cases were from Dumaguete City, while the remaining 1,714 were recorded in other cities and municipalities across the province."Cases may continue to rise as conjunctivitis, caused by viruses or bacteria, is highly contagious and spreads easily through contact with eye discharge or contaminated surfaces," Estacion said in an interview.She, however, noted that despite the increasing number of cases, there is no need to declare a conjunctivitis outbreak in the pro...

The seized cigarettes*PRO NIR photoLaw enforcement authorities intercepted more than ₱15 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested three individuals during a joint anti-smuggling operation at the Port Area in Barangay Looc, Dumaguete City, on Wednesday evening, August 5.The coordinated operation, led by the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) alongside the Bureau of Customs, Philippine Coast Guard, and local police units, acted on targeted intelligence regarding contraband transported via a RORO vessel from Pagadian City. Intercepted aboard a green Canter truck were 263 master cases of undocumented cigarettes—comprising Walter Premium and Busqu Full Flavor brands—valued at ₱15,069,900, along with 200 boxes of dried fish used as cover, the PRO NIR...

The ECT distribution in Talisay City last week.*DSWD NIR photoThe Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to distribute ₱80.5 million in Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) payouts to 7,673 more smallholder sugarcane farmers affected by the Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) infestation in seven local government units in Negros Occidental starting Thursday, August 6.“We are also waiting for the validation of lists for ECT payouts to Negros Oriental farmers and workers of small farms affected by RSSI in the Negros Island Region,” DSWD-NIR Regional Director Arwin Razo said Wednesday, August 5.Small farmers and farm workers in severely affected areas will receive ₱10,325 each, so total payouts could reach billions of pesos, he said.“We need the validated li...