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Mar132026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Gov’t moves to shield sugar industry from Middle East supply shocks

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (right) meets with Sugar Regulatory Administration officials led by Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona (left) to discuss government’s interventions for the sugar industry.* DA photoThe government has launched a preemptive push to safeguard fuel and fertilizer stocks for the sugar industry to shield the sector from Middle East-related supply shocks during its most resource-intensive harvest window, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said Friday, March 13.The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) are coordinating with other government agencies to ensure stable access to key farm inputs for sugar producers amid concerns that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could disrupt global pe...

Mar132026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

30th Panaad Festival launched: It will be ‘bigger, more meaningful’

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The 32 Lin-ay sang Negros candidates with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Governor Jose Benito Alonso, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz and Panaad Festival Director Charina Magallanes Tan (8th, 9th, 7th and 10th from left, front row),* Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Negros Occidental provincial government officially kicked off the countdown for the 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival on Friday, March 13, signaling the start of a month-long buildup to the province’s most anticipated "Festival of Festivals."“We look forward to celebrating the biggest and most meaningful Panaad sa Negros Festival to date,” Festival Director Charina Magallanes-Tan said.“Panaad — which means promise — reflects our enduring promise to keep hope alive, even in the face of difficult circumstances,” she sai...

Mar132026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

DSWD payout for Typhoon Tino victims in Negros Island surpasses ₱1B mark

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has successfully distributed over ₱1 billion in financial assistance to families devastated by Typhoon Tino across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, DSWD-Negros Island Region Director Arwin Razo said Friday, March 13.The disbursement, part of the government’s Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program, has already reached a 90 percent accomplishment rate, he said.Razon said the DSWD is currently conducting payouts in Bacolod City and is scheduling special payout sessions for "no-show" beneficiaries who were unable to attend previous distributions.As of the latest update on Wednesday, March 11, a total of 183,251 beneficiaries have received support across 14 cities and municipalities in Negros island.The ₱1,076,399,...

Mar132026 by Barbara MijaresNo Comments

Army Chief: Shift to external defense on but internal security won’t be neglected

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Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete in Murcia on Friday.*The Philippine Army is now shifting its focus to external defense but is not neglecting internal security operations, Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said on Friday, March 13.Nafarrete was in Negros Occidental to visit the 303rd Infantry Brigade troops at Camp Maj. Nelson Gerona in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia.There are no New People's Army guerrilla fronts left, only remnants, he said.Here in Negros, there are only a few NPA rebels left, Nafarrete said.Nafarrete renewed his call for the remnants of the New People's Army to give peace a chance and avail of assistance from the government.*

Mar132026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Woman arrested for theft of P500K jewelry in Cadiz

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A woman was arrested while her companion escaped after they allegedly stole more than P500,000 worth of jewelry at the Cadiz City Public Market in Barangay Zone 3, Cadiz City on Thursday morning, March 12.Police identified the victim as “Jess,” 40, a resident of Brgy. Banquerohan, Cadiz City.The arrested suspect was identified as “Jennette,” 46, a resident of Tagumpay Street, Tondo, Manila.Police said the suspect had a male companion who managed to escape.Investigation by the Cadiz City Police Station showed the victim was selling dried fish when the suspects approached and pretended to buy.Authorities said the suspects suddenly took the victim’s black bag.Police said the bag contained jewelry worth more than P500,000 and about P3,000 in cash.The victim’s husban...

Mar132026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Bacolod police seize gun, grenade, P102K in shabu

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The police recovered a firearm, a grenade, and suspected shabu during a raid in Brgy. 3, Bacolod City, Thursday night, March 12.Personnel of Police Station 2 served a search warrant for illegal possession of a firearm at a house in Purok Tilapia targeting a suspect identified as alias “Dose.”Authorities recovered a .45 caliber pistol, ammunition, a grenade, and three packs of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P102,000.Police Major Eugene Tolentino, commander of Police Station 2, identified the suspect as alias “Dose,” 41.Tolentino said the suspect is also linked to the killing of a female barker in Barangay 3 last year.The suspect is currently detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 2.Police said charges for illegal possession of a firearm, exp...

Mar132026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Fire hits sugarcane farm in Himamaylan

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A fire damaged an about one hectare of sugarcane in Barangay Libacao, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Wednesday afternoon, March 11.The fire started around 4 p.m. in Purok 5, San Jose Valing and damage was estimated at P150,000.Authorities said the caretaker was informed by a worker that a fire had broken out in the sugarcane plantation.Workers immediately attempted to put out the fire before responders arrived.Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection in Himamaylan responded to the incident and declared a fire out at about 4:48 p.m.Ka Dionesio Magbuelas, spokesperson of the Romeo Nanta Command of the New People’s Army, said they did not burn the sugarcane field in Barangay Libacao.*

Mar132026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Visayan Bloc meets to tackle regional, national issues: Albee

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Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (center) at the Visayan Bloc meeting*.Strengthening regional cooperation remains a top priority for Visayan lawmakers as they gathered recently to address critical issues impacting both the Visayas and the country at large.The meeting was led by Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, lead convenor of the Visayan Bloc.The legislative group focused on aligning their efforts to ensure regional concerns are represented in the national agenda, Benitez said in a Facebook post Thursday."Through continued dialogue and cooperation, we remain committed to working together in advancing policies and solutions that will benefit our communities and the nation as a whole," Benitez said.The session gained significant momentum with the attendance of House S...

Mar132026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Sinigayan Festival sched moved to March 16–20

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One of the pre-highlight activities of the Sinigayan Festival.*The Sinigayan Festival schedule has been moved from March 15-19 to March 16–20 to give prominence to the feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of Sagay City, Mayor Leo Rafael “Bebo” Cueva said.Cueva explained that the adjustment allows the church to fully celebrate March 19, which is the feast day of St. Joseph, while the city government will hold the festival highlight on March 20, a press release from Sagay City said Friday, March 13.“A fiesta is really a celebration of the Catholic Church, so this year we are giving March 19 to the church for whatever celebrations they have for St. Joseph,” Cueva said.He added that the local government intends to continue this arrangement in the coming years so that the relig...

Mar132026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

EMB sets public hearing in Bago for 150-MW wind power project

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The Environment Management Bureau-Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environment in Negros Island Region (EMB-DENR NIR) will hold a public hearing on April 1 for the 150-megawatt wind power project being proposed by the Bago Negros Energy Corporation (BNEC) in seven barangays across Bago City in Negros Occidental.“The public hearing aims to achieve efficient exchange of information and views between and among the project proponent, the EMB-DENR, relevant agencies, local government units and other stakeholders on environmental impacts of the proposed project currently applying for environmental compliance certificate,” the EMB-DENR NIR said in a notice posted on Facebook on Friday.The activity will be held starting 9:30 a.m. at the covered court of Barangay Sampinit, on...