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The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) has a P6 million budget for cloudseeding operations to induce rain in Western Visayas and Negros Occidental, a Department of Agriculture official said Wednesday, May 20.The BSWM has completed the validation of the request for cloudseeding to mitigate the effects of the dry spell on crops in the area, DA Negros Island Region Director Jose Albert Barrogo said.Barrogo said he is waiting for the BSWM notification on when the cloudseeding operations will start.Sugarcane crops will be affected by the dry spell that is why cloudseeding is needed, he said.*

A wounded alleged member of the New People’s Army was found and rescued by soldiers of the 15th Infantry Battalion following an encounter in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, May 16.The Army identified him as alias “Joey,” 21, of Sipalay City, in a report on Wednesday, May 20.Soldiers were conducting a clearing operation several hours after the encounter when they followed blood traces from the encounter site leading to a house in Brgy. Poblacion, Cauayan.There, they found the wounded alleged rebel alone.The Army said alias “Joey” sustained gunshot wounds on his leg and buttocks, as well as a minor hip injury.Based on information gathered by the military, he had reportedly left his family about a year ago.Soldiers brought him to Isio District Hospital before ...

The delegation from Negros Occidental, representing the Negros Island Region (NIR), arrives at their billeting school, Agusan del Sur College, in Bayugan City on Tuesday*The 865-strong delegation of the Negros Island Region (NIR) is seeing action as the newest contingent in the 66th Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur on May 24 to 31.This is the first time the NIR, composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Bacolod City, is competing as the Visayan Vipers in the Department of Education (DepEd)-led national multi-sport event since it was formed through Republic Act 12000 in 2024.On Wednesday, the majority of the Bacolod City delegation traveled to Agusan del Sur, passing through Cagayan de Oro City, after its volleyball, softball, athletics and paragames teams ...

Mayor Greg Gasataya discusses plans with members of the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. led by its president Rodney Ascalon (seated, second from right).*This year’s MassKara Festival in Bacolod City is officially set to run from October 1 to 18.The Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. (BGFI) finalized the dates during a recent meeting with Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya to present their plans and preparations for the annual celebration.While pre-festival activities will kick off at the start of the month, the festival's major events and highlights will take place from October 9 to 18, followed by the closing and awarding ceremonies on October 25.Gasataya expressed strong support for the upcoming festivities, noting that he is set to meet with the City Council to ensure seamless coord...

Human skeletal remains found in a sugarcane plantation in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, were identified by the victim’s son on Tuesday, May 19.Police said the remains belonged to a 75-year-old man from Brgy. Guinpanaan, Moises Padilla.The remains were discovered in Sitio Ubay, Brgy. Guinpanaan, by a sugarcane worker.The Moises Padilla police investigation showed the remains were found in the middle of a sugarcane plantation with lower and upper garments still attached.Police said the victim was positively identified by his son through his clothing and dental features.The son said his father left their house on Nov. 6, 2025, while in poor health and after being upset with his wife.On Sunday, May 17, skeletal remains were also found in a sugarcane field in Br...

A 69-year-old fish vendor died after he lost control of his motorcycle in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, early Wednesday morning, May 20.Police identified the victim as alias “Jowel,” a resident of Brgy. Sara-et, Himamaylan City.The accident happened at around 1:35 a.m. in Brgy. Libacao.The Himamaylan police investigation showed that the victim was riding a Rusi Scooter 125 motorcycle from Brgy. Payao going to Brgy. Aguisan when he passed through an uneven portion of the road.Police said the victim lost balance and fell on the concrete road.He sustained a head injury and was brought by the Himamaylan Rescue Team to the Gov. Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial Hospital.The victim was declared dead by the attending physician.Police said the victim was observed to ...

A 38-year-old man was shot dead by an unidentified suspect in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday night, May 19.The victim, a married resident of Brgy. Santol, was walking from the barangay proper toward Purok Vanda when the shooting happened at around 8:30 p.m., the police said.The Binalbagan police said the suspect blocked the victim’s path and shot him several times.The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head and different parts of his body, causing his immediate death.The police recovered six empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol from the crime scene.*

PLt. Col. Romeo Vargas (center)*A ranking officer of the Bacolod City Police Office was found dead inside his residence in Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod City, on Tuesday morning, May 19.The police identified him as PLt. Col. Romeo Vargas, 56, chief of the City Administrative and Resource Management Unit of the BCPO.Police Station 10 received a call from the Handumanan Emergency Rescue Team at 9:07 a.m. reporting that a body had been found inside a residence.Initial investigation showed the victim went to his room to sleep at around 11:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18.At around 8 a.m. the following day, his daughter wondered why his motorcycle was still at the house and later checked his room.She found him lying on the floor bleeding, police said.Responding police personne...

Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez took his oath as Deputy Speaker before House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Tuesday, May 19.Benitez was elected to the post on March 18.“ I accept this role not only as a privilege, but as an opportunity to serve more meaningfully and help shape policies that uplift communities across the Visayas and the entire country. I remain committed to listening, working, and delivering for our people, while helping strengthen trust in public service and our institutions,” Benitez said.He thanked Dy and his colleagues in the House of Representatives for their trust and confidence.“As Deputy Speaker, I take on this role with a clear responsibility to Bacolod, the Visayas, and the country. It is a reminder to keep our work grounded on the needs ...