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Mar122026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Bacolod police intensify monitoring of fuel, prices

The Bacolod City Police Office has intensified its monitoring of fuel supply and pricing across the city amid volatility in the global oil market.BCPO officer-in-charge Col. Eugene N. Rebadomia directed all station commanders and unit commanders to conduct inspections of gasoline stations within their respective areas of responsibility.Police said the initiative aims to ensure that fuel retailers comply with allowable and government-regulated prices for petroleum products.Authorities also aim to prevent overpricing and other irregularities in fuel stations.BCPO said the monitoring activities also seek to maintain public order and ensure orderly fuel supply operations during periods of market instability.Rebadomia said the police will coordinate with concerned regulatory...

Mar122026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod, NegOcc inflation rates ease further in February: PSA

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Inflation rates for all income households in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental decelerated further in February, data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday, March 12, showed.Last month’s inflation, or the change in the average prices of goods and services in Bacolod City, was pegged at 0.1 percent, from 1.1 percent in January 2026 and 2.7 percent in December 2025.PSA-Negros Occidental supervising statistical specialist Diesah Biaoco said that in the previous month, the main driver of deceleration in Bacolod was personal care and miscellaneous goods and services, with an inflation rate of 2.3 percent, or 59.6 percent share of the overall inflation.She said the personal care commodity group recorded only a 2.5 percent inflation rate in February, from 3...

Mar112026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Capitol to provide counterpart subsidy for drivers; DSWD P5,000 aid expected

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LTFRB Negros Island Region Director Gerry Llena* The Negros Occidental provincial government is stepping in to boost subsidies for public utility drivers. It will provide counterpart assistance to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) fuel subsidy for public utility drivers affected by rising fuel prices triggered by the Middle East crisis, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Wednesday, March 11. “Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is okay with allocating a counterpart fund to help hold off fare increases and to aid the drivers,” Diaz said. LTFRB Negros Island Region Director Gerry Llena met with Diaz on Wednesday, March 11, to discuss the need for counterpart assistance for the drivers. Llena said that he does not know how much the LTFRB fuel assistanc...

Mar112026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

Bacolod cops on alert vs. crimes resulting from fuel price hikes

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The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is heightening its alert on the possible increase in crimes against property as a result of rising fuel prices. “We are crafting action plans in case of domino effect. Looting, theft, and robbery cases might increase. The Philippine National Police is preparing for that," BCPO Director Col. Eugene Rebadomia said in a press conference on Wednesday. Rebadomia said the BCPO underwent an orientation with the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Trade and Industry to outline ways they can assist the concerned agencies in the regulation of fuel prices. During the press conference, Rebadomia shared that BCPO personnel called the attention of a certain gasoline station, which displayed the price of diesel at PHP108.50 per liter even before the schedule...

Mar112026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

LTO orders modernized jeep operator to explain viral ambulance incident

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A screengrab of the viral video.*The Land Transportation Office–Negros Island Region has issued a show cause order to the operator of a modernized jeepney company after a viral video showed one of its units allegedly failing to yield to an approaching ambulance in Bacolod City. LTO-NIR, in a press statement, said the order directs the operator to explain the incident to determine possible administrative liabilities. The LTO served the show cause order on Monday, March 9. The video circulating online drew public concern after the jeepney was seen failing to yield to an approaching ambulance. Officials said the situation could have delayed an emergency response and posed risks to public safety. LTO-NIR said a separate show cause order will also be issued to the driver after authorities co...

Mar112026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Newly renovated comfort rooms at Capitol park vandalized: Diaz

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A damaged comfort room sink under repair.* Barbara Mijares photoThe newly renovated comfort rooms at the Provincial Capitol Park and Lagoon in Bacolod City have been vandalized, and a group of high school students are the suspected culprits.Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz on Wednesday, March 11, said the vandals cracked a toilet tank, broke sink tiles, and a door knob.Diaz said that while they were unable to identify the specific high school students who vandalized the facilities, the provincial government has already undertaken the necessary repairs.The park guards and comfort room attendants have been instructed to be more vigilant to prevent such vandalism from occurring again, he said.The provincial government's main goal remains to provide good facilities...

Mar112026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod City gov’t , PNP to monitor gas stations amid fuel price concerns

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Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya presides over a meeting on the monitoring of gasoline stations.*The local government of Bacolod will form a monitoring team to oversee all gas stations, as fuel prices continue to rise. Following a scheduled meeting with the Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday, March 12, Mayor Greg Gasataya announced that monitoring activities will start immediately. The initiative is intended to address ongoing fuel price increases linked to the Middle East crisis and to ensure compliance with DOE guidelines on fair pricing, he said. “The PNP and LGU will monitor possible complaints and violations in the gas stations based on what the DOE allows for their price adjustment,” the mayor said. The monitoring will cover assessments of complaints and potential violations relat...

Mar112026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Taxi stolen in ‘salisi’ incident recovered in Mandalagan

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Police recovered a taxi that was allegedly stolen in a “salisi” theft incident in Bacolod City, Tuesday night, March 10. The complainant was identified as Romel Baldonado, 60, a taxi driver and resident of Brgy. Zone 14-A, Talisay City. Col. Eugene Rebadomia, Bacolod police director, urged taxi drivers to remain vigilant and avoid being too trusting. The suspect boarded the taxi outside a hotel along Lacson Street around 8:30 p.m., the police said. Authorities said the passenger initially asked to be dropped off at a hardware store in Brgy. 5. However, upon reaching 6th Street Lacson in Barangay 7 near the Capitol Lagoon, the passenger asked the driver to deliver a laptop to a spa employee he identified only as “Ellen.” Police said the driver left the key in the ignition while the tax...

Mar112026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Commission on Population opens NIR office in Bacolod

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The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) inaugurated its Negros Island Region (NIR) office in Bacolod City on Wednesday, March 11, marking a key step in bringing population-centered services closer to the newly formed administrative region. The office located at the 2nd East 4 Building on Burgos St. Extension, Brgy. Villamonte, complies with Republic Act No. 12000, which mandates national government agencies to set up regional hubs within the NIR. The new facility is designed to serve as a central hub for the implementation of the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action 2023-2028 (PPD POA 2023-2028), a CPD NIR press release said. It aims to provide technical assistance, capacity development, and strategic guidance to local government units (LGUs) and partner organiza...

Mar112026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

LTO-NIR inspects sugarcane trucks in Southern Negros for overloading

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Personnel of the Land Transportation Office–Negros Island Region conducted inspections of sugarcane-hauling trucks in several towns and cities across Southern Negros as part of an anti-overloading drive on Tuesday, March 10. Authorities checked trucks transporting sugarcane to ensure compliance with prescribed load limits and road safety regulations. The LTO NIR also reminded drivers and operators of the risks and penalties associated with overloading. LTO-NIR said overloaded trucks can pose safety risks on the road and cause damage to public infrastructure. The inspections form part of their continuing campaign to promote road safety and protect national and local roads, the LTO NIR said.*