Top Stories

Sep222026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

DSWD launches first-ever nationwide digital payout for UPLIFT beneficiaries in Bacolod

From left Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, GCash Integrated Ecosystem Partnerships Head and Vice President Chai Alano and Rep. Emilio "Dino" Yulo (Neg. Occ., 5th District) during the launch of the first-ever nationwide digital payout for beneficiaries of the UPLIFT Assistance Program.*BCCO photoThe Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, officially launched the first-ever nationwide digital payout for beneficiaries of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program at the Bacolod City Government Center on Tuesday, Sept. 22, making Bacolod City the pilot site for the program’s shift from manual disbursement to direc...

Sep222026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Classes suspended in E.B. Magalona schools over online threat, cybercrime unit tapped

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Classes at two schools in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, were suspended Tuesday, Sept. 22, after an online message threatening students surfaced, prompting police to tighten security and seek the assistance of the regional anti-cybercrime unit to identify its sender.The threat, sent through Facebook messenger and reported at around 10 a.m., warned E.B. Magalona residents of deaths and claimed that no one would be spared.Police have yet to establish whether the threat is credible or identify the person behind the account.E.B. Magalona Police Chief Capt. Armel Lasap said investigators are validating the threat while treating it seriously as authorities work to trace the sender.“The first thing we are doing is validating the threat and assessing it. We are taking it serious...

Sep222026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Negros creativity lauded at opening of 40th NTF, Jose Mari Chan brings early holiday cheer

Business, Top Stories

Officials led by Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel "Chaco" Sagarbarria ring the bell to signal the opening of the trade fair.*Ronnie Baldonado photoForty years after Negrense women banded together during a devastating sugar crisis to sell homemade goods in Manila, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the landmark 40th Negros Trade Fair at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura that opened on Tuesday, Sept. 22, has proven that the province is "more than just sugar".Lacson and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. lauded the Negros producers and the Association of Negros Producers for the quality of their goods and their creativity that has spanned 40 years.N...

Sep222026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

DSWD calls for stronger community participation, partnerships to build resilient communities

Top Stories

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), called on local government units (LGUs), communities, partners, and the public to strengthen community participation, shared accountability, and sustained local action in building resilient communities.The call took center stage during the 2026 National Bayani Ka! cum Tatak KALAHI-CIDSS LGU Awards and the launching of the Performance-Based Grant for Sustainability (PBGS) at the SM Sky Hall in Bacolod City on Tuesday, September 22.With the theme "Recognizing Excellence in Community-Driven Development (CDD): Sustaining Partnerships and Strengthening Local Governance by Building Resilient Communities," the event ga...

Sep222026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

6 arrested as PDEA dismantles alleged drug den in La Carlota

Police, Top Stories

Six persons were arrested and P115,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized after anti-drug operatives dismantled an alleged drug den in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, on Sept. 16.In their Facebook post on Sept. 21, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region conducted the buy-bust operation in coordination with the La Carlota City Police Station at around 1:35 p.m. in Purok Bucros Gamay, Brgy. 2.PDEA identified alias “Bor Bor” as the alleged maintainer of the drug den, while aliases “Mark,” “Perry,” “Sammy,” “Cris” and “Renan” were identified as alleged visitors.Operatives recovered 10 sachets containing about 17 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P115,000.Authorities also recovered buy-bust money, a coin purse, three lighters and an...

Sep222026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Fire destroys house in Himamaylan, damage pegged at P445K

Police, Top Stories

A house was destroyed by fire in Sitio Olalia, Brgy. Cabadiangan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, with damage initially estimated at P445,000 on Monday night, Sept. 21,The fire broke out at around 7:20 p.m. at the residence of alias “Eli,” 58, the Himamaylan City police reported.Initial investigation by the Bureau of Fire Protection showed that the homeowner noticed flames engulfing the roof before the fire spread throughout the house.Himamaylan BFP personnel responded to the area, but the blaze had already been extinguished when they arrived.No injuries were reported in the initial police report.The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the BFP.*

Sep222026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

LTO-NIR says probe found no assault in Bacolod traffic apprehension

Police, Top Stories

The Land Transportation Office-Negros Island Region said its internal investigation found no physical assault or excessive force by an LTO enforcer during a traffic apprehension in Bacolod City.In a statement on Tuesday, Sept. 22, it said the investigation stemmed from allegations following a roadside operation at the intersection of Araneta and Hernaez streets in Brgy. 36, where a motorist allegedly attempted to evade authorities after being flagged down for multiple traffic violations.LTO-NIR said it reviewed reports from its enforcement personnel and statements from eyewitnesses before concluding that no physical assault or excessive force occurred during the apprehension.The agency did not provide in its statement further details on the alleged traffic violations, when the ...

Sep212026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Protestors slam Marcos Jr. for being no different than father, cite continuing sugar crisis, poverty

Business, Top Stories

Protestors marking the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in Bacolod City on Monday, Ronnie Baldonado photoAbout 100 Negrenses marked the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law by accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of being no different than his father, at a rally in front of the Bacolod City Government Center replica in Bacolod City on Monday, Sept. 21.Noli Rosales, secretary-general of Bayan Negros, said the vast majority of people in Negros continue to live in poverty amid a sugar industry crisis reminiscent of the Martial Law era under former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.Rosales slammed government’s sugar importation, and government’s failure to address the industry’s decline.He also said land grabbi...

Sep212026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

DSWD secretary joining launch of 2 Major KALAHI-CIDSS initiatives in Bacolod Tuesday

Top Stories

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to launch two major initiatives under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program at the SMX Sky Hall in Bacolod City Tuesday morning, September 22.Organized by the KALAHI-CIDSS National Program Management Office (NPMO), the event will introduce the Performance-Based Grant for Sustainability (PBGS) and the Learning Management System (LMS) to partner-beneficiaries and local government units (LGUs) to strengthen the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, a DSWD statement said.DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian will lead the event alongside Undersecretary Pinky Romualdez and Assistant Secretary Edmon Montverde of the Promotive Programs under the ...

Sep212026 by Mary Judaline PartlowNo Comments

First Gen to supply 24 MW geothermal power to 10 Visayas ECs

Business, Top Stories

Atty. Allan Barcena, Net Zero Carbon Alliance Executive Director; Jerome Cainglet, President and Chief Operating Officer of Energy Development Corporation; DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna; and Francis Giles Puno, President and Chief Operating Officer of First Gen Corp. Inc. (l-r)* Net Zero Carbon Alliance photoFirst Gen Corp. will supply more than 24 megawatts (MW) of renewable baseload power to 10 electric cooperatives (ECs) in the Visayas under 15-year Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) forged following a competitive selection process.The power will come from First Gen’s Unified Leyte Geothermal Power facilities and will be supplied to the ECs on a 24/7 baseload basis, First Gen said in a media release.Among the 10 recipient cooperatives are Negros Oriental I Electric Cooperati...