Top Stories

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday, April 17, that cloud seeding is an option the provincial government may take to mitigate the effects of the dry spell on Negros Occidental’s crops, especially its sugarcane.“That is always an option, when there is a long drought we always request for cloud seeding,” he said.Lacson said maybe the timing is also good now because there are still rain clouds.He noted that in the past cloud seeding was undertaken with the help of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).Lacson said Negros Occidental is 80 percent self-sufficient in rice.Any crop will be affected by a long dry spell, he said.What is important is water in irrigation systems are not put to waste, he said.“We have to make su...

The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs decided on Monday, April 17, not to allow the "virtual" presence of Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves (Neg. Or., 3rd District) before the committee's inquiry into the assassination of late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, who chairs the committee, cited legal issues about the panel's jurisdiction over Teves, who is currently in an unknown location overseas."There may be legal issues that will arise as to the taking of oath as a basic requirement in taking testimonies of any resource person or witness. The whereabouts of Congressman Teves is not known or definite. Thus, jurisdiction as to his oath will be taken, maybe questioned legally," Dela Rosa told the committee, as he presided over the inqui...

Two persons fell in a well and died at Sitio Syding, Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava in Negros Occidental, on Saturday, April 15, the police reported Monday.The victims were identified as Jomar Noble Trencio, 32, and Ronel Alon Amaro, 24.Trencio went to clean the water in the deep well estimated to be about 20 feet deep but when he was in the middle he suddenly fell down and was unresponsive, the police said.Amaro who tried to rescue him also fell and died, the police added.*

Pamplona Mayor Janet Degamo at the Senate hearing Monday.*The family lawyer of the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo said they will be filing more cases soon in relation to about 60 killings in the province.In an interview on Monday, April 17, at the preliminary investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the March 4 slay of Degamo and eight others, lawyer Levito Baligod said suspended Rep. Arnolfo Teves (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) will be among those who will be sued.“I think in a few days from now, we will be filing new murder cases involving previous killings,” Baligod said. “Actually there are a lot more as I’ve said in my previous interviews. In my record alone, I have 64 already na (that are) incidents of killings”, he added.Baligod already filed murder ...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez visits the Taculing fire scene on Monday, April 17.*Adrian Prietos photoA person with disabilities and her 3-year-old daughter died, while an elderly man was injured, in a fire that destroyed seven houses and damaged one at Purok Bayanihan, Brgy. Taculing, Bacolod City, at 8:47 a.m. Monday, April 17.The fatalities were identified as Mengel Itchon, 39, who was a stroke victim, and her daughter, Jhanella Itchon, 3.Injured was Arthuro Aplacador, 84, who sustained minor burns on the back of his right shoulder, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported.The child was almost out of the house but appears to have tried to save her mother who could not get out, Chief Inspector Stephen Jardeleza, city fire marshal, said.When their charred ...

The note found beside the hand.*Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Monday, April 17, that the dumping of severed body parts in Bacolod City has become alarming that is why he is calling for the immediate appointment of a new city police director to address the problem.A severed right hand of an unidentified victim with a note bearing the name of policeman was found at Purok Riverside, Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, at 9:45 a.m. Monday.The hand was placed in a transparent plastic bag with a message printed on a bond paper.The message said: "Anthony ‘Tata’ Vistar pusher protector kawatan!!!Pang holdup imo ubra!!! Bulang pamore ah!!!"PCapt. Francis Depasucat, Police Station 5 commander, said PSSgt. Anthony Vistar is not involved in illegal drugs and gambling.In fact ...

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco takes a selfie with the Negros Occidental officials at the opening of the Panaad sa Negros Festival on Monday, April 17.*Ronnie Baldonado photoTourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the Department of Tourism (DOT) is eager to partner with the Negros Occidental provincial government to ensure that the tourism potential of the province is fully developed under the Marcos administration.Frasco, who was the guest speaker at the opening of the Panaad sa Negros Festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City on Monday, April 17, said in an interview that her presence at the festival with other DOT officials is a tacit manifestation of their full support for the province’s efforts at pushing for the full development of its tourism...

The eight Negrense UST graduates who were honored.*UST Atelier Alumni Association Inc. photoThe University of Santo Tomas Atelier Alumni Association Inc. honored eight Negrense UST graduates who dedicated most of their years to art education and artistry on Saturday night, April 15.Given Outstanding UST Atelier Alumni Honours (O.U.A.A.H) were Bamboo Tonogbanua, Rodney Martinez, Emiliano Varon, Mary Ann Manganti, Antonio Tejado, Paeng Paderna, Lindsey James Alvarez Lee and Gigi Villamor at rites held at the UST Alumni Center in Manila.The first ever Outstanding UST Atelier Alumni Honours honored Thomasian alumni artists, designers, cultural workers, academicians, and individuals who have been successful and prestigious in their respective careers since the foundation of UST Scho...

Expect fuel prices to have a mixed movement starting Tuesday, April 18, Unioil Petroleum Philippines said Saturday.Diesel prices should go down by P0.30 to P0.40 per liter, while gasoline should have no price change to a rollback of P0.10 per liter.Fuel firms implemented a per-liter increase of P2.60 for gasoline, P1.70 for diesel, and P1.90 for kerosene on Tuesday, April 11.*

The new NPC officers take their oaths before Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya*Andy Alvarez photoBacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya urged the media to continue to serve as the eyes and ears of the citizenry and be the voice of the marginalized to inspire action from the public and government.Gasataya was the guest speaker at the induction of the new officers of the Negros Press Club led by its president Bryan Morden of XFM Bacolod at Sugarland Hotel Sunday night, April 16.Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, who donated P500,000 to the club, was also at the induction rites.Gasataya, a former mediaman who administered the oath of the new officers, said “media's role is important as you are our direct line to the masses, enabling people to make crucial decisions, not only in pol...