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Nov72026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

SEC and GCash renew partnership to intensify campaign against financial cybercrime

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and finance superapp GCash have renewed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen efforts against financial cybercrime and other illicit financial activities.First formalized in September 2023, the partnership enables close coordination between the SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (SEC-EIPD) and GCash during investigations into online fraud, illegal investment solicitation, unlawful lending, and other offenses.From left: Sheara Lupango-Tamaya, SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department Director; Rogelio Quevedo, SEC Commissioner; Ren-ren Reyes, G-Xchange Inc. President and CEO; and Atty. Cef Sison, Mynt Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer"Maintaining a secure digital environment and protecting the public fr...

Nov62026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

SC upholds law extending barangay, SK terms to 5 years, setting BSKE for November 2028

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Newly appointed Chief Justice Rodil V. Zalameda takes his oath of office at the Supreme Court (SC) En Banc Session Hall in Manila on Friday November 6.* SC photoThe Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 12326 that extends the terms of barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) members from four to five years and sets their next elections for November 2028.The decision penned by Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda dismissed the petition filed by election lawyer Romulo B. Macalintal challenging the law's validity, the SC Office of the Spokesperson announced Friday, Nov. 6.Enacted on Sept. 24, RA 12326 increases the term limit for barangay official from four years to five years while reducing the maximum number of consecutive terms they may ...

Nov62026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Negros First CyberCentre goes solar – Diaz

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The Negros First CyberCentre in Bacolod City is officially transitioning to clean energy following the successful installation of 949 solar panels at the facility.Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz announced Friday, Nov. 6, that the project was completed in partnership with private energy developer Wegen, marking another milestone in the provincial government’s shift toward sustainable power."Daytime power at the CyberCentre will come from solar energy, and evening power from the grid," Diaz said.At least 2,350 kWh per day will be generated by the solar panels on a sunny day, he added.“The provincial government is continuing to transition to clean and sustainable energy for all its facilities. This is our way of saving Mother Earth and cutting dependence on expensive f...

Nov62026 by Judy F. PartlowNo Comments

DENR steps up Negros fire, water preparations for El Niño

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Young trees planted less than five years ago in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, stand to be affected by the projected El Niño episode later this year.*PNA/Judy Flores Partlow photoThe Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is strengthening preparations against possible forest fires and water shortages in the Negros Island Region (NIR) amid the anticipated effects of El Niño.Charlie Fabre, DENR-NIR executive director, said on Friday, Nov. 6, that the agency will coordinate with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and provincial disaster committees to ensure prompt response to forest fires and water emergencies."DENR Undersecretary Ignatius Rodriguez has ordered thorough monitoring to ensure that the region will not experience a water supply shortfall dur...

Nov62026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Dry spell hits Negros in November, drought to start in December: DA

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A rice field hit by the dry spell in Negros.*OPA photoNegros Occidental is expected to experience droughts from December to March, a Department of Agriculture (DA) official said Friday, Nov. 6.In fact dry spell conditions are already being felt in the province despite intermittent rains, Engr. Marion Joseph Tagle, chief of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of the DA Negros Island Region (DA-NIR), said. A dry spell refers to a condition in which rainfall is below normal for three consecutive months, or when there is a 20 to 60 percent reduction in rainfall, Tagle said.Drought refers to a reduction in rainfall of more than 60 percent, he added.A DA-NIR report released Friday showed that agricultural damage to rice and corn has reache...

Nov62026 by Joann Santiago-VillanuevaNo Comments

Big-time oil price cut seen next week

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The drop in crude oil prices in the international market is projected to result in a big slash in domestic fuel prices next week.Citing price developments and foreign exchange movements as of Thursday, Leo Bellas, Jetti Petroleum President, said diesel prices are forecast to decline between PHP4.30 and PHP4.50 per liter, and gasoline prices will likely go down between PHP12.50 and PHP13.50 per liter.Bellas, in a message to journalists Friday, Nov. 6, said these figures exclude adjustments to ocean freight and insurance relative to last week."Oil weakened this week as diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran conflict eased renewed escalation concerns in the Middle East, despite lingering supply disruption worries as attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi ...

Nov62026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

LTO-NIR warns traffic enforcers to follow road laws after alleged violation in Ilog

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The Land Transportation Office-Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR) reminded government personnel that traffic laws apply equally to everyone following reports of an alleged traffic enforcer in Ilog, Negros Occidental, riding a motorcycle without a license plate and protective helmet.On Nov. 5, LTO-NIR Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Jeck Conlu said public officials and traffic enforcers must lead by example in complying with road safety regulations."If we enforce traffic laws, we should be the first to follow them. Otherwise, we will lose the public's respect and authority if we ourselves violate the law," Conlu said.The statement came after a photograph reportedly showed an alleged local government traffic enforcer in Ilog operating a motorcycle without a license plate and helm...

Nov62026 by Ruth Abbey Gita-CarlosNo Comments

DBM allows up to P30K CNA incentive for qualified gov’t employees

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The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has authorized the grant of a one-time Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) incentive of up to PHP30,000 for qualified government employees in 2026.Under Budget Circular 2026-1 signed by DBM Secretary Kim Robert De Leon on Nov. 4, the incentive may be paid from Dec. 15 to 31, subject to agency performance, compliance with eligibility requirements, and the availability of allowable funds.The DBM clarified that the PHP30,000 ceiling is not an automatic entitlement, as the actual amount will depend on their agency’s performance and available savings.The incentive recognizes the collective efforts of government employees and management in improving public service delivery, increasing productivity, and generating savings through cost-c...

Nov62026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod legislative building contract costs only ₱514.6M, not ₱764M or over ₱1B – SP

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The Bacolod legislative building that is currently under construction.*Three committees of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) clarified that the actual contract price of the Bacolod City Legislative Building is only ₱514.675 million, refuting claims that the project already costs ₱764 million or over ₱1 billion.In their Second Partial Joint Committee Report, Councilor Thaddy Sayson, chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations and Finance, explained that the additional ₱250 million often cited is a separate proposed completion component. This phase is still undergoing processing and has not yet been opened for bidding."The claim that the construction cost of the legislative building exceeds ₱1 billion is fake news," Sayson said in a press release Friday, Nov. 6. "The or...

Nov62026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

PRO-NIR warns public against scammers using names of police officials

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The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is warning the public against scammers impersonating Philippine National Police (PNP) officials and personnel to solicit money through phone calls, text messages, and online platforms.PRO-NIR, in its warning Thursday, Nov. 5, said individuals have been using the names and identities of police officials to deceive potential victims into providing financial assistance or transferring money.The police regional office urged the public and PNP personnel to exercise caution when receiving suspicious requests for financial assistance, particularly those claiming to come from police officials.Authorities advised recipients to verify the authenticity of such requests through official police communication channel...