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Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. (center) hands over the “Handa Pilipinas” guidebook to Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (3rd from right) and Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya (right), in the presence of other Department of Science and Technology officials at the opening of the Handa Pilipinas-Visayas Leg at SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City on Monday.*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Department of Science and Technology (DOST) pushed for a unified Visayas towards disaster preparedness and climate resilience at the opening of the Handa Pilipinas-Visayas Leg at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City on Monday, Oct. 27.The three-day exposition, themed “Padayon Visayas: Science, Technology and Innovation for Resilient, United, and Sustainable Visayas,”...

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz (center) in the Netherlands*Negros Occidental is moving toward a landmark collaboration with top Dutch water institutions to boost its local capacity and implement advanced solutions for water security and sustainability.Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz recently met with Dr. Eddy Moors, Director of the Institute for Water Education (IHE Delft) in the Netherlands, to explore opportunities for addressing the province's water challenges, a post on the Negros Occidental Facebook page said.The meeting has paved the way for future cooperation, including the immediate plan to send provincial and water district personnel to the Netherlands. There, they will study advanced technical solutions and management strategies related to water secur...

The seized firearms during the arrest of alias "Binoy"*Authorities confiscated a .38 caliber revolver and improvised “boga” firearms during a search operation against a suspected holder of unlicensed guns in Sitio Malipayon, Brgy. San Jose, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, Oct. 25.Police identified the suspect as alias “Binoy”, 38, a laborer and resident of Brgy San Jose.The search operation was conducted by Sipalay City policemen by virtue of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.Recovered from the suspect’s possession were a .38 caliber revolver, three live rounds of ammunition, and two improvised firearms made of PVC pipes, commonly known as “boga.”The operation stemmed from a report by a co...

The police arrested a 34-year-old man and seized P122,400 worth of suspected shabu during an anti-drug operation in Purok Sling, Brgy. 1, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, Sunday afternoon, Oct. 26.The suspect was identified as “Jan-Jan”, single, unemployed and a resident of Brgy 1.San Carlos City policemen were conducting surveillance in the area when they saw the suspect throw away a sachet of suspected shabu in plain view, prompting his immediate arrest.Upon searching the suspect, authorities recovered six more heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu.Police estimated the total confiscated drugs at 18 grams, with a standard drug price of P122,400.Confiscated items were turned over to the Negros Occidental Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory examin...

The ash covered Sitio Lunao in Brgy Mailum, Bago City, after Friday night’s eruption.*Ruel Cadigal photoThe minor explosive eruption at Kanlaon Volcano on Friday, Oct. 24, caused ashfall and sulfuric stench to hit 18 barangays in seven towns and cities in the Negros Island Region, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported.The volcano also emitted more ash from 7:04 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., and 9:33 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. on Saturday.The ash contaminated open water sources in some areas in Mailum, Bago City, OCD Negros Island Region director Donato Sermeno III said on Sunday, Oct. 26.Affected by the ashfall and sulfuric stench are Bago City – 10 barangays, La Castellana and Canlaon City – 2 barangays each, La Carlota City, San Carlos City, Pontevedra and Murcia – one each, the OCD ...

Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered units nationwide to heighten patrol operations, including in residential areas and business establishments, for the observance of All Saints' and All Souls' Days on Nov. 1 and 2.“We’ve instructed our personnel to maintain (a) visible police presence and work closely with local government units and barangay officials to prevent burglary and other crimes while families are away visiting their (deceased) loved ones,” he said in a statement Sunday.Nartatez also reminded the public to take extra precautions before leaving their homes.“Make sure all doors and windows are locked, unplug appliances, and inform trusted neighbors or barangay officials if you’ll be away. If you notice any suspici...

One of the thresher sharks spotted in San Carlos City*Thresher sharks were spotted in the Sipaway Island Marine Protected Area (MPA) in San Carlos City on Saturday, August 25.Their presence was captured in underwater videos by Lasse Gerres, Ronja Trübger, and the team from Whispering Palms/Sipaway Divers.This is part of an assessment being conducted by Pacific Environment, a global organization working to protect the Pacific Ocean, combat the climate crisis, and advance environmental justice.The organization was accompanied by the City Environment Management Office-Coastal Resources Management Division, the San Carlos City government reported on its Facebook page on Sunday.Thresher sharks are known to be a rare sight globally, which is why Malapascua Island in Cebu, ha...

An 18-year-old pedestrian died while another was injured after they were sideswiped by a tricycle in Brgy. Maricalum, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday night, Oct. 25.Police identified the fatality as alias “Jiboy”, 18, of Sitio Dalipi, Brgy. Maricalum.The injured victim was alias “Jason”, 22, of Brgy. Tabugon, Kabankalan City.The victims were walking home when they were hit by a tricycle driven by alias “Edwin”, 58, who did not stop and fled toward his residence.Sipalay Rescue Team personnel rushed the victims to the Sipalay City Infirmary, but Jiboy was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.Jason sustained multiple bruises on different parts of his body.The suspect was later arrested and are detained at the Sipalay Police Station.*...

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) led a crucial geotechnical survey of the cracks and landslide site at a mountain slope in Camp Valdez, Barangay Mambaroto, Sipalay City in Negros Occidental on Sunday, Oct. 26.The comprehensive assessment utilized advanced Georesistivity and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology to investigate subsurface conditions and mitigate future risks, the Sipalay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported.Georesistivity and GPR are key non-invasive methods used to map underground structures, detect anomalies, and determine critical soil characteristics."The data gathered from this survey is essential... It will help us definitively map the area's geology, detect possible underground anomalies, and most importantly, guid...

Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, left, and Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.*Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Sunday, Oct. 26, that he is in favor of local government units taking over the building of classrooms and road concreting.“Funds for these projects should be downloaded from the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) budget” to the LGUs, Lacson said.Lacson was reacting to the announcement last week that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered that funds be directly sent to LGUs to help expedite the construction of more classrooms to address the acute shortage across the country.Palace press officer Claire Castro said the Department of Education (DepEd) and the DPWH were expected to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with LGUs on this matter....