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Fire destroyed approximately eight hectares of sugarcane land in Hacienda Constancia, Brgy. 5, Isabela, Negros Occidental, 11:08 p.m. Sunday, March 15.The Isabela police, together with Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel, proceeded to the area to verify the report and assist in the emergency response.The fire was officially declared under control at around 12:56 a.m. on Monday, March 16.The BFP said the agricultural fire spread quickly due to strong winds, which drove the flames rapidly across the plantation.The hacienda administrator estimated that around eight hectares of sugarcane were burned, with total damages reaching approximately ₱2 million.Authorities said the full extent of the damage and the exact cause of the fire remain under investigation by the Bure...

Forest fires triggered by  Kanlaon Volcano’s minor explosive eruption as seen from Canlaon City Sunday night.* Ethan Asentista photo Forest fires were raging on the slopes of Kanlaon Volcano following a moderately explosive eruption at 6:07 p.m. Sunday, March 15, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.Fifty-four barangays in ten local government units in Negros Occidental were affected by ashfall and, in some areas, by sulfuric odor, caused by the eruption, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported.The 10 LGUs are Binalbagan, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Hinigaran, Isabela, San Carlos, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Pontevedra, and Ilog.Mayor Añejo Nicor said about 60 percent of La Castellana’s barangays, including the ...

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has announced an updated fare hike guide for Provincial Public Utility Buses (PUBs) effective Saturday, March 14.The approved adjustments have already been reflected and incorporated in the newly issued Fare Guide to ensure uniform implementation across all provincial bus operators and routes, the LTFRB announced on its website Saturday.Under the updated Fare Guide, the following provisional fare adjustments shall apply:• PUB Provincial (Airconditioned) – Provisional fare increase of ₱0.35 per kilometer.• PUB Provincial (Super Deluxe) – Provisional fare increase of ₱0.35 per kilometer.• PUB Provincial (Deluxe) – Provisional fare increase of ₱0.35 per kilometer.• PUB Provincial (Luxury) – Provisional fare increase of ₱...

The scene of the crime*Police have filed murder and illegal firearms charges against three suspects linked to the shooting to death of a former barangay tanod in Brgy. 22, Bacolod City, on Friday, March 13. The victim was identified as Ruben Altamera, 55, a resident of Purok Gahili-ugyon, Barangay 23, Bacolod City. Authorities arrested the suspects identified only as siblings “Jeremy” and “Jun Jun,” and their brother-in-law “Jonathan.” The suspects were arrested during a hot pursuit operation and later traced to a boarding house in Brgy. 20. Police recovered a KG9 firearm, a .38 caliber revolver, and ammunition from the suspects. Investigation showed Jeremy allegedly shot the victim while Altamera was sitting at a stall in Barangay 22. Legada said Jeremy reportedly approached the victim...

Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael “Bebo” Cueva and Negros Occidental Police Director Co. Dennis C. Wenceslao led the send-off ceremony for around 130 security personnel deployed to secure the 30th Sinigayan Festival, Sunday afternoon, March 15. The ceremony, held at the Sagay City Government Center, marked the full deployment of police forces and force multipliers who will ensure a safe and orderly celebration of the city’s weeklong festivities from Monday to Friday, March 16 to 20. Sagay City Police Chief Lt. Col. Alvimar Flores said the deployment covers key festival venues and activity areas across the city. Of the total personnel, around 50 came from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office to augment the security forces in Sagay. Police Lt. Col. Serafin Jun D. Reyes, Force Company Com...

Four high-value drug targets were arrested after authorities dismantled a drug den during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, Saturday night, March 14. Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office–Negros Island Region led the operation at around 7:05 p.m. with support from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, Bacolod City Police Office Station 7, and other law enforcement units. Authorities arrested alias “Lito,” 29, alleged maintainer of the drug den; “Medardo,” 42; “Rollie,” 25; and “Michael,” 29. Recovered during the operation at Purok Mabinuligon were eight heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing about 12 grams. The seized illegal drugs have an estimated value of about P81,600 based on the standard drug price of P6,80...

Mayor Greg Gasataya with  reelected KBP- Neg. Occ. Chapter chairperson Dr. Jeony Bigay, Nona Magbanua  - treasurer,  Leah Navarro - secretary,  Serafin "Jopy" Plotria, Jr. - standard performance officer, Fr. Dominic Derramas  - auditor, Ferdinand Tan  - director, Jennifer Ellaga - directors, Jerry Mayordo – directors and  Joy Q. Pastoral – executive secretary (l-r) at the awards night.* BCCO photo Broadcasters and radio programs from across Bacolod and Negros Occidental were recognized for excellence in journalism, storytelling, and responsible broadcasting during the Tingug kag Handurawan Awards held at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Saturday, March 14.. The awarding ceremony was a joint project of the K...

Ruby Cruz in front of the mural being painted to mark the 13th anniversary of the Negros Farmers Weekend Market on Saturday.* CPG photoCelebrating over a decade of supporting local livelihoods, the Negros Farmers Weekend Market marked its 13th year by bridging the gap between agriculture and the arts through a youth trade fair and community mural project on Saturday, March 14.Established in March 2013, the weekend market at Magsaysay Avenue in Bacolod City began as a corporate social responsibility project of DC Cruz Trading Corp. to provide local farmers and home chefs with a venue to market their vegetables and food.Run through volunteerism, the weekend market allows the community to come together to shop for vegetables and bond over food.Beyond commerce, they want the we...

A minor involved in the viral “Superman stunt” motorcycle video has submitted a written explanation to the Land Transportation Office–Negros Island Region following a show cause order issued by the agency. The LTO-NIR on Saturday, March, 14, said the minor, accompanied by his father and legal guardian, appeared at the LTO San Carlos District Office to submit their reply regarding the incident. The stunt was captured in a Facebook video posted on March 2 by content creator “Trip ni John.” Authorities said the explanation will be forwarded to the LTO-NIR regional office in Bacolod City for evaluation and appropriate action. Earlier verification through the Land Transportation Management System showed the rider had no driver’s license and was a minor at the time of the incident. LTO-NIR reite...

The bloodletting activity on Saturday.* Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, in partnership with the Bacolod City government and the Negros First Provincial Blood Center, spearheaded a bloodletting activity aimed at strengthening the local blood supply to assist patients in need of life-saving transfusions. The initiative gathered volunteers from various sectors of the community, including members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, STI students, and mallgoers who willingly participated as walk-in donors at SM City on Saturday, March 14, Councilor Caesar Distrtito said in a press release. Benitez thanked those who took part in the activity, emphasizing the importance of collective action in saving lives. “Every bag of blood donated is a chan...