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The Department of Health - Negros Island Region (DOH-NIR) is hiring 432 health personnel to be assigned to local health offices and units across the region starting in 2026. The needed personnel include 245 nurses, 152 midwives, 15 medical technologists, eight nutritionist-dieticians, six pharmacists, three physical therapists, and three dentists. They will be deployed to all cities and municipalities in the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. In an advisory dated Oct. 21, Regional Director Razel Nikka Hao said that as a newly established implementing agency with a direct General Appropriations Act allocation, “the DOH-NIR will implement the recruitment and hiring process for human resources for health under the...

The national road at  KM167+400 going to  Camp Valdez in Brgy Mambaroto, Sipalay City, will be temporarily closed to all vehicles from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 26,  the Department of Public Works and Highways Negros Island Region (DPWH NIR) announced on Thursday. “This temporary closure is needed to enable the conduct of Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) scans and a Geo-Resistivity Test by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) following the recent ground cracks and landslide in the area,” the  DPWH NIR announcement said.  This activity is necessary to ensure public safety, it said. The Sipalay City government said based on the MGB assessment the ground collapse in the area was triggered by a sinkhole. Motorists passing the area are advised...

Two suspected drug personalities, including a high-value target, were arrested while another suspect escaped during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office–Negros Island Region in Brgy. Vista Alegre, Bacolod City, Thursday morning, Oct. 23. At around 11:35 a.m., agents of PDEA RO-NIR Negros Occidental Provincial Office, in coordination with the Seaport Interdiction Unit and Bacolod City Police Station 7, launched the operation at Zone 5, Progreso Village 1, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as alias “Irene,” 40, a high-value target, and alias “Dave,” 18,  both residents of Brgy. Vista Alegre. A third suspect, identified as alias “Jhongel,” 22, also of Brgy. Vista Alegre, managed to evade arrest an...

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) released PHP822.388 million to 237,052 clients in the region under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program from January to October this year, data showed on Thursday, Oct. 23. “Through AICS, we continue to provide timely aid to individuals and families in need of medical, food, education, transportation, burial, and cash relief assistance,” the DSWD-NIR said in a statement. Negros Occidental received the bulk of AICS, totaling PHP418.209 million for 142,136 clients as of Oct. 1. For medical assistance, 3,208 clients were given PHP84.928 million; food assistance - 138,738 clients, PHP330.962 million; funeral assistance - 173 clients, P...

The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has approved a resolution requesting the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Negros Island Region and the DSWD Secretary to increase the allocation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries for Bacolod City starting 2026. The measure, authored by Councilor Caesar Z. Distrito and co-authored by Councilor Celia Flor, underscores the need for Bacolod City’s 4Ps allocation to keep pace with the city’s population growth, migration from neighboring provinces, and the continuing socioeconomic challenges faced by low-income families. Distrito, in a press release on Thursday, Oct. 23, said the resolution seeks to ensure that social protection remains responsive to Bacolod’s evolving realities. “Bacol...

A 17-year-old trainee at a construction supply firm was found dead, hogtied and stripped of her underwear, in a grassy area of the reclamation area in Brgy. 12, Bacolod City, on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 22.Capt. Francis Depasucat, Bacolod City Police Station 1 commander, said that at around 1 p.m., a tricycle driver discovered the body and immediately reported it to the authorities.Blood stains were also found near the area.They are still waiting for the official findings on her cause of death, Depasucat said.They are also still determining if she was killed in the reclamation area or if the crime was committed elsewhere, he added.Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya, in a statement Wednesday night, said he strongly condemns the cruel and despicable act committed at the BREDCO ...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has suspended the Negros Occidental provincial tourism officer and four employees previously assigned to the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary  for six months without pay due to “simple neglect of duty”.Suspended was Cheryl F. Decena, former officer-in-charge (OIC) of the provincial government-owned  Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary  in Murcia and current provincial tourism officer.Also suspended were Mark L. de la Cruz - storekeeper/disbursing officer, Ester Jane T. Ignacio - disbursing officer, Alfredo C. Tolosa III- disbursing officer, and April Love E. Wee - recreation and welfare services officer II/disbursing officer, Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. confirmed on Wednesday, Oct. 22."We will be filing a Motion f...