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Senator Risa Hontiveros at the public consultation on the anti-political dynasty bill in Bacolod City with Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya, Himamaylan City Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao, and former provincial elections supervisor Jessie Suarez (l-r).* Senate photoSenator Risa Hontiveros said she is hopeful the anti-political dynasty bill will be passed in March, but called on local governments and student groups in Negros to pass resolutions in support of the measure to boost its chances.“I am not yet optimistic, I am hopeful — that’s even stronger,” Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, said on Friday, Feb. 13.Hontiveros led a public consultation on the proposed anti-political dynasty bill at the Carlos Hilado Memorial S...

Kanlaon Volcano as seen from Brgy Cabacungan, La Castellana, Friday morning, Feb. 13.* Marvin Escander photoAshfall from Kanlaon Volcano was reported in two cities and three towns in Negros Occidental on Friday, Feb. 13.A Kanlaon Volcano ash eruption at 12:50 a.m. Friday lasted for 17 minutes, Mari Andylene Quintia of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observatory in La Carlota City said.The ash plume rose 300 meters above the crater of the volcano, she said.The Phivolcs received reports of ashfall in several barangays in Bago and La Carlota cities, she said.Ashfall on roofs in Bago City on Friday.*Bago CDRRMC photosIn La Carlota City, ashfall was reported in barangays Ara-al, Yubo, San Miguel, Haguimit, La Granja, RSB, Nagasi, Cub...

The landslide and erosion at Prk. Agsisibay, Brgy. Bago, Don Salvador Benedicto town.*DSB Facebook page photoA sinkhole discovered in Toboso, Negros Occidental, is worsening and is a cause for concern, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Hospicio Carbajosa Jr. said Friday, Feb. 13.The crack in the ground is situated on a mountainside in Sitio Bairan, Brgy. Gen. Luna, which is about 500 meters from the East Negros Fault System (ENFS).Carbajosa noted that the opening is now deeper. Its depth increased from 6 feet on Thursday to 9 feet on Friday and could worsen further, he said."The sinkhole has a radius of 30 meters and a diameter of 60 meters," Carbajosa said.It is located near the Calatrava-Toboso earthquake fault line, which is part of the ENFS.Th...

Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo*Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo announced on Friday, Feb. 13, the expansion of the relocation site for families displaced by Typhoon Tino in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, from one hectare to two hectares.The property has been donated by the estate of Cecilia Garcia Golez, she said.This move allows the local government to accommodate a greater number of residents and provide enhanced housing support.Garcia said the expansion is a cornerstone of the town’s ongoing rehabilitation efforts, aimed at ensuring that typhoon-impacted families have a safer, more secure environment in which to rebuild their lives.Beyond housing, the mayor raised urgent concerns regarding students from Barangays Inolingan and Quintin Remo who currently commute to t...

At least 28 individuals have been brutally murdered across Negros Island since March 2025 in a violent campaign perpetrated by remnants of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division reported on Friday, Feb. 13.The most recent victim was a 74-year-old woman who was shot to death outside her residence in in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on February 3, the report said.“The victims of these killings are not combatants. They are ordinary citizens, including farmers, peasants, and elders, whose only crime was choosing peace over violence,” the Army said.“Every life taken by the CTG leaves behind grieving families and traumatized communities, deepening fear while exposing the emptiness of the group’s revolutionary tactics,” it...

An 18-year-old man was killed while his companion was injured after they were shot while riding a motorcycle in front of a mall at Gatuslao Street, Brgy. 9, Bacolod City, on Thursday night, Feb. 12.Police identified the fatality as an 18-year-old male known as “Christian,” a resident of Purok Nangka, Brgy. 6, Bacolod City, while the injured victim was identified by the alias “Nognog.”Police investigation showed that the victims were traveling on a motorcycle at around 10:15 p.m. when they were shot by unidentified suspects who were also riding a motorcycle.Authorities said the victims sustained gunshot wounds on different parts of their bodies and were rushed to a hospital, where Christian was later declared dead.Police said the suspects fled i after the shooting.Recove...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at a Valentine’s Day booth at the Capitol Park and Lagoon in Bacolod City on Friday.* Ronnie Baldonado photoNegros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has signed the contracts for the modernization of the radiology departments in five province-run hospitals, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Friday, Feb. 13.“Work will commence immediately”, Diaz said.Digital Medical X-Ray Radiography Systems will be installed and operated at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, Valladolid District Hospital in Valladolid, Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital in La Carlota City, Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial Hospital in Himamaylan City and the Merceditas Montilla District Hospital in Sipalay City.An AnKe CT Scan 64 ...

The area where the electrocution took place*A 10-year-old boy sustained third-degree burns after he was electrocuted while climbing an electrical facility platform at Crossing Purong, Brgy. Nabulao, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 12.The victim, identified only as “Marlon,” climbed an AVR platform of the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative to get a bird’s nest.Sipalay deputy police chief, Lt. Cipriano Lumanong, said the boy, described as mentally challenged, climbed a platform which stands around five to six feet high.The child was electrocuted upon reaching the platform, resulting in severe burns, the police said.The incident also caused a power interruption in some parts of Hinoba-an town.The victim was initially brought to the Sipa...

The Fo Guang Shan Yuan Thong Temple at Burgos Street.*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe community of Fo Guang Shan Yuan Thong Temple at Burgos Street in Bacolod City will mark the Chinese New Year at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16.This year’s festivities hold special significance as the temple honors the legacy of Venerable Master Hsing Yun through the theme: “60 Years of Passing the Lamp and Honoring a 100-Year Legacy.”As the community welcomes the 2026 Year of the Horse—a symbol of strength, vitality, and courageous progress—the event commemorates six decades of transmitting Humanistic Buddhism.The theme “Passing the Lamp” signifies the living transmission of light and wisdom from heart to heart, highlighting how the Dharma continues through mindful actions and compassionate vows.Gui...