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Oct282026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

77-year-old woman arrested in Bacolod for 1992 estafa case

A 77-year-old woman was arrested in Bacolod City on Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, over an estafa case covered by a warrant issued more than three decades ago.The Bacolod City Police Office identified the suspect only as “Sonya,” a housewife presently residing in Brgy. Pahanocoy.She was arrested at around 8:15 a.m. in Brgy. Mandalagan by intelligence operatives of Police Station 3, with the City Intelligence Unit and BCPO Tracker Team.Police said the warrant was issued on Jan. 28, 1992, in connection with an estafa case docketed as Criminal Case No. 11433 before the Regional Trial Court in Bacolod City.Bail was set at P20,000.The suspect is temporarily detained at Police Station 3 pending proper disposition and further legal proceedings.BCPO said the arrest forms p...

Oct282026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

35,894 delegates expected for Batang Pinoy 2026 in Bacolod

Sports, Top Stories

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo (center) joins Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya and other key officials during the Batang Pinoy 2026 Stakeholders Coordination Meeting at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City*The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), led by Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, held a coordination meeting with the Bacolod City government and key agencies on Wednesday, October 28, to finalize plans for Batang Pinoy 2026 — the country’s flagship national youth multi‑sport competition set for December 12‑18.Gregorio noted the special bond between the tournament and the City of Smiles as preparations get underway for its much‑anticipated return, a press release from the Bacolod City Government Center said.“This is not just a simple hosting....

Oct282026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

DTI-Philippine Trade Training Center holds Lakbay Ensayo in Bacolod to promote creative industries

Business, Top Stories

DTI Negros Occidental Division Chief Engiemar Tupas, Christina Gaston - Association of Negros Producers president, Tanya Lopez - Negros Cultural Foundation executive director, Aisel Tupas - Bacolod City LGU, Lynna Joy Cardinal - DTI NegOcc provincial director and Gabriel Advincula (l-r) at the Lakbay Ensayo.* Ronnie Balsonado photoThe Philippine Trade Training Center, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negros Occidental Provincial Office, held Lakbay Ensayo to highlight the importance of supporting creative industries, its stakeholders and products at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City on Wednesday, Oct. 28.Carrying the theme “Tuklasin, Linangin, Pagmalak-Malikhang Pilipino,” the event brought together repres...

Oct282026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

MOU signed to boost protection of Sipaway Island’s marine protected areas

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San Carlos City Mayor Renato Y. Gustilo at the MOU signing* San Carlos LGU photoA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening the protection and management of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Sipaway Island was officially signed at the SCC Multi-Purpose Hall in Park Marina on Tuesday, October 27. The agreement brings together key local government and national agency leaders to safeguard fragile marine habitats, with signatories including San Carlos City Mayor Renato Y. Gustilo, Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group Deputy Director for Administration PCol. Rhoderick B. Campo, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Negros Island Region (NIR) Regional Executive Director Charlie E. Fabre, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR...

Oct272026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

DA-NIR requests ₱30M for add’l cloudseeding as Negros crop damage hits ₱41.9M

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A Negros rice field hit by the dry spell.*DA photoThe Department of Agriculture in the Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) is seeking an additional ₱30 million for cloudseeding operations before the year ends, DA Regional Director Albert Barrogo said on Tuesday, Oct. 27.Crop damage in Negros Occidental due to moisture stress caused by dry conditions has reached ₱41.9 million as of Oct. 23, a report submitted by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson showed.The report showed that rice field losses accounted for ₱38.2 million, while corn damage totaled ₱3.7 million.The affected agricultural areas are located in San Carlos City, Toboso, Don Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Cadiz City, Sagay City, Moises Padilla, Hinigaran, La Castellana, Isabela, ...

Oct272026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

New DepEd guidelines give principals authority to halt classes over extreme heat

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The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued new guidelines allowing school heads to decide whether to continue, shorten, or suspend classes based on actual classroom temperatures to safeguard students, teachers, and school staff against severe heat.The policy directive comes as the DepEd rolled out its new "4H Framework" under DepEd Memorandum No. 64, Series of 2026, putting proactive measures in place ahead of the expected impact of the El Niño phenomenon in the coming months.Ian Arnold Arnaez, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental DepEd Division, said on Tuesday, Oct. 27, so far they have not received any reports on the need to suspend classes because of extreme heat.Under DepEd Memorandum No. 64, the 4H Framework sets four response tiers tied to temperature threshol...

Oct272026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

NWPC affirmation awaited before ₱40–₱45 pay increase takes effect

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Minimum wage earners in Western Visayas and Negros Occidental are now waiting on the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) to affirm Wage Order No. 30, which grants them a ₱40 to ₱45 daily pay raise.Lawyer Mark Dioquino, spokesperson for the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) VI, said that once the NWPC affirms the order, the new rates will officially take effect 15 days after its publication.Last year’s Wage Order No. 29 took effect on Nov. 19, so the new wage adjustment is expected to take effect on or around the same date. Dioquino added that parties opposed to Wage Order No. 30 may still file an appeal following its publication.The RTWPB-6 approved the daily minimum wage increase for private-sector workers in Western Visayas, Negro...

Oct272026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Negros Island’s No. 4 most wanted for allegedly sexually abusing stepdaughter arrested in Nueva Ecija

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

The suspect (right) during his arrest in Nueva Ecija*Operatives of the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) arrested the region’s No. 4 most wanted person in Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, Oct. 27, for allegedly sexually abusing his minor stepdaughter.The suspect, identified only by the alias “Sid,” 46, a caretaker and resident of Sitio Tan-ayan, Barangay Nangka, Bayawan City, was apprehended during a manhunt operation in Barangay Bayanihan, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija.The operation was conducted by personnel of the Bayawan City Police Station, Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office and the Gapan City Police Station.Sid was arrested by virtue of warrants for Qualified Rape of a Minor under Article 266-A(1), in relation to Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Cod...

Oct272026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

10 Coast Guard units, personnel honored in Southern Visayas

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Ten Coast Guard units and personnel groups were recognized for search and rescue, emergency response, civic activities and other accomplishments during an awarding ceremony in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, on Monday, Oct. 26.The Coast Guard District Southern Visayas held the recognition during its Monday Morning Colors at its headquarters in Brgy. Lo-oc, led by district commander Commodore Christopher Auro.Coast Guard Station Siquijor personnel received the Coast Guard Search and Rescue Medal for their participation in search and retrieval operations for a missing fisherman off Brgy. Tambisan, Siquijor, from Oct. 5 to 15.Several groups received the Coast Guard Merit Medal Ribbon, including personnel involved in the response to the Oct. 21 fire during the Buglasan Festival in...

Oct272026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Mt. Talinis trails in Valencia to close starting Nov. 1

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

All trails leading to Mt. Talinis within the jurisdiction of Valencia, Negros Oriental, will be temporarily closed starting Nov. 1 to allow the mountain’s ecosystem to recover.Valencia Mayor Edgar Teves Jr. signed Executive Order No. 45 on Oct. 26 ordering the temporary closure.The order cited the increasing number of climbers and outdoor enthusiasts visiting Mt. Talinis, also known as Cuernos de Negros, which has contributed to the deterioration of its ecosystem after years of continuous human activity.The municipal government said the closure is intended to provide the mountain with an undisturbed period for ecological recovery.Under the order, the Philippine National Police will lead the implementation of the closure in coordination with the Valencia Tourism Office.T...