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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported that 109,509 residents have registered to vote in the Negros Island Region from October 2025 to Saturday, February 14. The number increased with 11,196 new registrants last week for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on November 2. Negros Occidental recorded the highest volume of registrants with 73,889 applications since the resumption of the voter registration in October, the Comelec reported. This was followed by Negros Oriental with 33,745 applications and Siquijor with 1,875. The female applicants reached 57,969, significantly outpacing the 51,540 males.*

Police arrested 341 individuals and seized more than P4.2 million worth of suspected shabu during Simultaneous Anti-Criminality and Law Enforcement Operations conducted across the Negros Island Region from Feb. 4 to 14.The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region said the 11-day operation involved 339 synchronized law enforcement activities targeting wanted persons, illegal drugs, loose firearms, and illegal gambling.Authorities said 83 drug personalities were arrested in 78 anti-illegal drug operations, leading to the confiscation of around 625.9 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P4,249,320.Police also arrested 134 wanted persons in separate manhunt operations, including 37 listed as most wanted and 97 other wanted individuals.In the camp...

The 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army formally installed its new assistant division commander for Reservist and Retiree Affairs during an assumption of office ceremony in Jamindan, Capiz, on Friday, Feb. 13.Col. Antonio Burton officially assumed the post during the ceremony held at Tagapanguna Hall, Camp General Macario B. Peralta Jr., which was presided over by 3rd Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Michael Samson.Burton previously served as director of the Army Holding Center under the Headquarters and Headquarters Support Group of the Philippine Army.He replaced Brig. Gen. Lennon Babilonia, who has been designated as deputy commander of the Training Command, Philippine Army.The ceremony was attended by officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian human resour...

A total of 86 officials and personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology–Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR) tested negative for illegal drugs during a drug testing activity held in Bacolod City recently.Those tested included members of the command group, division chiefs, section heads, jail wardens and acting wardens, officers-in-charge, and regional office personnel, a press release from the BJMP-NIR said on Saturday, Feb. 14.Nurses from the BJMP Health Service Division supervised the proper handling and processing of samples in accordance with standard protocols during the testing on Feb 10.BJMP-NIR said no resistance or issues were encountered during the conduct of the activity.The bureau said the drug testing reflects its commitment to integrity, professionalism...

The Alliance of Consumers in Northern Negros (ACNN) was officially established on Saturday, February 14, in response to looming power supply shortages across the Visayas and the Negros Island Region (NIR).  Its creation follows recent warnings regarding a projected supply deficit issued by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), a press release from ACNN said.Its primary mission is to address the ongoing inefficiencies in the services of the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (NONECO), as well as the inadequate power supply, through direct consumer consultations and consistent dialog with management, the press release added.The alliance also expressed openness to a proposed partnership between Negros Power and NONECO...

Senator Risa Hontiveros at the public consultation on the anti-political dynasty bill in Bacolod City with Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya, Himamaylan City Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao, and former provincial elections supervisor Jessie Suarez (l-r).* Senate photoSenator Risa Hontiveros said she is hopeful the anti-political dynasty bill will be passed in March, but called on local governments and student groups in Negros to pass resolutions in support of the measure to boost its chances.“I am not yet optimistic, I am hopeful — that’s even stronger,” Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, said on Friday, Feb. 13.Hontiveros led a public consultation on the proposed anti-political dynasty bill at the Carlos Hilado Memorial S...

Kanlaon Volcano as seen from Brgy Cabacungan, La Castellana, Friday morning, Feb. 13.* Marvin Escander photoAshfall from Kanlaon Volcano was reported in two cities and three towns in Negros Occidental on Friday, Feb. 13.A Kanlaon Volcano ash eruption at 12:50 a.m. Friday lasted for 17 minutes, Mari Andylene Quintia of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observatory in La Carlota City said.The ash plume rose 300 meters above the crater of the volcano, she said.The Phivolcs received reports of ashfall in several barangays in Bago and La Carlota cities, she said.Ashfall on roofs in Bago City on Friday.*Bago CDRRMC photosIn La Carlota City, ashfall was reported in barangays Ara-al, Yubo, San Miguel, Haguimit, La Granja, RSB, Nagasi, Cub...

Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo*Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo announced on Friday, Feb. 13, the expansion of the relocation site for families displaced by Typhoon Tino in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, from one hectare to two hectares.The property has been donated by the estate of Cecilia Garcia Golez, she said.This move allows the local government to accommodate a greater number of residents and provide enhanced housing support.Garcia said the expansion is a cornerstone of the town’s ongoing rehabilitation efforts, aimed at ensuring that typhoon-impacted families have a safer, more secure environment in which to rebuild their lives.Beyond housing, the mayor raised urgent concerns regarding students from Barangays Inolingan and Quintin Remo who currently commute to t...

At least 28 individuals have been brutally murdered across Negros Island since March 2025 in a violent campaign perpetrated by remnants of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division reported on Friday, Feb. 13.The most recent victim was a 74-year-old woman who was shot to death outside her residence in in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on February 3, the report said.“The victims of these killings are not combatants. They are ordinary citizens, including farmers, peasants, and elders, whose only crime was choosing peace over violence,” the Army said.“Every life taken by the CTG leaves behind grieving families and traumatized communities, deepening fear while exposing the emptiness of the group’s revolutionary tactics,” it...