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Jun242026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

PRO-NIR warns cops on firearm accountability, orders tighter school security measures

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has reminded police personnel to strictly safeguard government-issued firearms while also ordering intensified monitoring and security measures in schools amid concerns over youth violence.In separate directives issued on June 23, Acting Regional Director Police BGen. Romano Cardiño emphasized the importance of firearm accountability following a recent incident in Tacloban City involving the unauthorized use of a police-issued firearm.Cardiño said all police officers must ensure that their issued firearms are properly secured and inaccessible to unauthorized individuals, including family members and minors.“All government-issued firearms remain under the accountability of the personnel to whom they are entrusted. We remi...

Jun242026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

NegOcc state of calamity to remain as RSSI hits 32.18 percent of its sugarcane fields: guv

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Gerrard Joseph Sarrosa, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona and United Sugar Producers Federation president Manuel Lamata (l-r) meet with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Tuesday.*CPG photoA state of calamity over Negros Occidental will remain in effect amid reports that 32.18 percent of its sugarcane fields have already been hit by the highly destructive Red Striped Soft-Scale Insects (RSSI), Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Tuesday, June 23.Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona and United Sugar Producers Federation president Manuel Lamata briefed the governor and members of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan on the extent of the RSSI damage at the SP session hall at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday.A state of calamity is necessary to hast...

Jun242026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Police nab 2, seize homemade shotgun, P238K in suspected shabu in Manapla raid

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Two men were arrested after police recovered firearms and suspected shabu worth P238,000 during the implementation of a search warrant in Manapla, Negros Occidental, on Monday, June 22.Arrested were aliases “Raprap,” 30, and “Rey,” 18, both laborers and residents of Hacienda Unson, Brgy. Sta. Teresa, Manapla.Personnel of the Manapla Municipal Police Station and the Regional Intelligence Unit-Negros Island Region implemented a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act at around 10 a.m. in Hacienda Unson.Police said the warrant was served at the residence of alias “Raprap” and was witnessed by barangay officials and a media representative.Recovered from the possession of alias “Raprap” were a .38 caliber re...

Jun242026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

FAP urges Visayas filmmakers to organize guilds, associations ahead of regional summit in Negros Occidental

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Film Academy of the Philippines Director General Paolo Villaluna, Communications Division Chief Pocholo Goitia, and Legal Unit Head Andi Bañadero (l-r) address the media during a press conference at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City.*Ronnie Baldonado photos.Officials of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) on Tuesday, June 23, urged film and audiovisual workers in the Visayas to organize associations and guilds as part of efforts to strengthen industry representation, access government support, and improve professional standards.The call was made during a media meet-and-greet held at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City ahead of the 2026 Visayas Guild Summit scheduled on June 24 in Negros Occidental.Leading the delegation were FAP Director General Jose Paolo ...

Jun242026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Alminaza backs Bayombong bishop, Kasibu communities’ mining concerns

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San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza*Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos has expressed solidarity with Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao of Bayombong and communities in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, amid concerns over mining activities and their potential impact on the environment, livelihoods, and ancestral lands.Alminaza, who also serves as chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace and president of Caritas Philippines, said the Church stands with Indigenous Peoples, farmers, and local communities whose lives depend on the area’s forests, rivers, watersheds, and ancestral domains.Alminaza said the Church’s support is rooted in its mission to accompany vulnerable communities and advocate ...

Jun242026 by Mary Judaline PartlowNo Comments

NegOr host communities to get higher geothermal remittances in 2026

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Remittances from the Energy Regulation (ER) Program 1-94 for 2025 turned over to representatives of the Municipality of Valencia and Barangays Puhagan, Malaunay, and Caidiocan in Negros Oriental.*EDC photoHost communities of the Southern Negros Geothermal Project (SNGP) in Valencia, Negros Oriental, are set to receive significantly higher remittances in 2026 following the implementation of the enhanced Energy Regulation (ER) Program 1-94 by the Department of Energy (DOE).Erwin Magallanes, head of the Public Relations Division of First Gen-owned Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in Negros, said Tuesday, June 23, that the updated policy under Department Circular DC2025-10-0023 increases the financial benefits for host communities of energy resource and power-generating faciliti...

Jun242026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Grade 9 student injured in stabbing outside school in San Carlos, minor arrested

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A 17-year-old Grade 9 student was injured in a stabbing incident involving another minor in San Carlos City on Tuesday afternoon, June 23, police said.The incident occurred at around 3:40 p.m. in Teachers Village, Brgy. 2, San Carlos City, outside school premises and after class hours.In a statement, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said the victim sustained an injury to the lower right side of his abdomen and was immediately brought to the San Carlos City Hospital for treatment.Authorities said the student is conscious and receiving medical care.The alleged suspect, 17, a Grade 10 student, was apprehended during a pursuit operation conducted by responding police officers.Police also recovered the bladed weapon allegedly used in the incident....

Jun242026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Criminology student killed, another injured in Pontevedra stabbing

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The crime scene in Pontevedra*A 20-year-old criminology student was killed while a 53-year-old man was injured in a stabbing incident in New Casal-agan, Brgy. Antipolo, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental. on Monday night, June 22.The fatality was identified as alias "Tam Tam", a second-year Bachelor of Science in Criminology student at La Carlota City College and a resident of the area.Injured was “Gusting”, 53, who is undergoing medical treatment while the suspect, identified as “Atong”, 43, is now under police custody.Investigation revealed that the suspect was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and causing a disturbance at their residence when family members attempted to pacify him.A confrontation ensued after Gusting, who is the suspect's brother-in-law, intervene...

Jun242026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Mayor reconstitutes task force to prevent ASF in Bacolod

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Mayor Greg Gasataya issued an executive order on Tuesday, June 23, reconstituting a task force to formulate a comprehensive contingency plan for African Swine Fever (ASF) prevention in Bacolod City.This proactive step is part of the city's continuous efforts to protect local farmers, hog raisers, vendors, consumers, and the entire swine industry against the ongoing threat of the disease, he said.The EO was issued after ASF cases were confirmed to have resurfaced in some part of Negros Occidental.Under the executive order, the task force will focus on executing a more organized and concerted action plan.This includes forming specific control measures, conducting widespread information and awareness campaigns among stakeholders, and establishing investigation and control pro...

Jun242026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

PSC, Bacolod ‘All In’ for Batang Pinoy 2026 in December

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The crime scene in Pontevedra*The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has expressed full confidence in the Bacolod City’s readiness to host Batang Pinoy 2026 from December 12 to 18.Speaking during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, June 23, at the PSC Main Building inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, PSC Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio highlighted the strong partnership between the PSC and Bacolod City in staging Batang Pinoy and other sports development initiatives, a Bacolod City Communications Office press release said.“That’s what I always say when asked about the criteria for considering an LGU, a city, or a province to host a PSC event in partnership with DepEd and DILG. It’s important to note how involved the mayor a...