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Oct212026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

PRO NIR to mobilize 3,119 security personnel for peaceful Undas

Andrew Altarejos file photoThe Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) will mobilize 3,119 personnel from the Philippine National Police, partner agencies, and force multipliers from October 30 to November 3, to strengthen security, intensify crime prevention, and safeguard the public during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.Of the 3,119 personnel to be deployed, 1,773 are PNP personnel, 340 are from other units, and 1,006 are force multipliers, the PRO NIR said Wednesday, Oct. 21.They will be strategically deployed across the NIR, particularly in cemeteries and columbaria, places of worship, major thoroughfares, transportation hubs, and tourist destinations.PRO NIR will be placed under full alert status to ensure operational readiness and ...

Oct212026 by Richard Caballero JrNo Comments

Transport groups protest vs. DOTr–World Bank partnership in jeepney modernization program

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Lilian Sembrano, head of KNETCO, expressed strong opposition to the program, stating that it will cause severe damage to traditional jeepneys.*Ronnie Baldonado photoTransport groups Kabacod Negros Transport Colaition and the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center on Wednesday, Oct. 21, called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to review its partnership with the World Bank regarding the continuation of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).The joint initiative between the DOTr and the World Bank aims to expand and accelerate the implementation of the PTMP. Under the agreement, the program will initially be rolled out in six Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) in the Philippines, including Bacolod City.Lilian Sembrano, head of KNETCO, expressed strong opp...

Oct212026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Wife tagged as mastermind in killing of Army corporal arrested in Negros Oriental

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

The arrested wife/*PNP photoA 29-year-old woman accused of masterminding the killing of her Army corporal husband and a CAFGU member in Sagay City was arrested in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, police said.Sagay City police chief Lt. Col. Alvimar Flores identified the suspect only as “Bang-Bang,” who was arrested in Brgy. Bulwang, Mabinay, on Monday, Oct. 19.Police said she is facing parricide and murder charges in connection with the May 12 shooting in Purok Kalubihan, Brgy. Maquiling, Sagay City.The attack killed 48-year-old Army Cpl. Robert Dador, a member of the 79th Infantry Battalion and an assistant detachment commander, and CAFGU Active Auxiliary member Johnrey Moncatar.Dador was a resident of Zarraga, Iloilo.Flores said their investigation allegedly showed that ...

Oct212026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

LTO-NIR warns commuters against riding colorum vehicles

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

The Land Transportation Office-Negros Island Region urged commuters to avoid colorum and unauthorized public utility vehicles, warning that using unregistered or non-franchised transport could put passengers at risk.In a statement issued Tuesday, Oct. 20, LTO-NIR officer-in-charge Regional Director Jeck Conlu advised the public to use only legal, registered and franchise-compliant transport services.Conlu said that passengers should not risk their safety by riding vehicles operating outside government regulation.LTO-NIR said colorum vehicles bypass requirements on registration, roadworthiness inspections and other safety standards imposed on legitimate public transport operators.The agency also warned that unauthorized operations undermine accredited transport providers tha...

Oct212026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

El Niño causes over ₱40M in Negros rice, corn losses

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

A El Niño hit ricefield in San Carlos City.*DA photoEl Niño has caused over ₱40 million in damage to rice and corn crops in Negros Island, Engr. Marion Tagle, Disaster Risk Reduction Management chief of the Department of Agriculture Negros Island Region (DA-NIR), said on Wednesday, Oct. 21.Rice production bore the brunt of the dry spell, with estimated losses reaching ₱35.9 million across 1,338 hectares of affected farmland.Tagle noted that nearly 42 hectares have been totally destroyed with no chance of recovery, while the remaining areas sustained partial damage and may still recover. The valuation reflects both the initial production costs and the anticipated market value of the expected harvest.The agricultural damage is heavily concentrated in rainfed or rain-dependent...

Oct212026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

SP aims to approve P8.52-B 2027 Negros Occidental budget by Dec. 1

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The Negros Occidental Capitol in Bacolod City.*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) is aiming to pass the proposed 2027 Negros Occidental provincial budget by December 1, Board Member Marlen dela Cruz said Wednesday, October 21.The proposed P8.52-billion budget for 2027 has officially been submitted to the SP for deliberation. This reflects an increase of P900.09 million, or 11.81 percent, compared to the 2026 budget.Budget deliberations with provincial department heads are scheduled for November 19, 20, 26, and 27, dela Cruz said.Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said that the 2027 budget is designed to strengthen essential public services and advance key programs in health, agriculture, infrastructure, economic development, education, and human develop...

Oct212026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Man shot several times in Calatrava, gunman escapes

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A 38-year-old man was wounded after he was shot several times by an unidentified assailant in Brgy. Patun-an, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, Tuesday evening, Oct. 20.Police identified the victim only as “Rigor,” a resident of Brgy. Patun-an.Investigation showed that the victim was walking along a dimly lit alley from his residence toward the main road when an unidentified person allegedly followed him.Upon reaching the area where the incident occurred, the suspect shot the victim several times before fleeing on board a red Baja motorcycle toward the hinterland area of Brgy. San Benito.The victim was initially brought by Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office personnel to the Calatrava District Hospital.He was later referred to St. Anne Hospital in Cadiz ...

Oct212026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Seafarer drowns while fishing off Sagay shoreline

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A 49-year-old seafarer drowned after he was swept away by strong current while fishing near the shoreline of Brgy. Taba-ao, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, Oct. 20.Police identified the victim only as alias “Dodoy,” a resident of Brgy. Bato, Sagay City.Another man, identified as alias “Joe,” 32, of Brgy. Poblacion 1, was also with him during the incident.Investigation showed that the two were fishing near the shoreline at Purok Suyak at around 8 a.m. when the tide suddenly rose.Police said the men were caught in the rising water and struggled to reach safety.One of them managed to swim back to shore, while Dodoy was swept away by the current and drowned.Local residents immediately conducted a search and rescue operation and later recovered Dodoy’s body....

Oct212026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

SP calls to strengthen mental health services in all 61 Bacolod barangays

Business, Top Stories

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Bacolod has approved a resolution urging city offices, national agencies, and all 61 barangays to strengthen and expand community-based mental health programs across the city.Authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, the resolution seeks to prioritize mental health awareness, early identification, psychosocial support, counseling referrals, crisis intervention, and training for frontline health workers.Distrito, in a press release on Wenesda, Oct. 21, emphasized that mental health must be given equal importance to physical health, noting that many individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, and emotional distress suffer in silence due to social stigma, financial constraints, and limited access to professional help.“Mental h...

Oct212026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

94-year-old woman found dead beside river in San Carlos

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A 94-year-old woman who had been reported missing earlier in the day was found dead beside a river in Barangay Punao, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 20.Police identified the woman only as alias “Punay,” a widow and resident of Sitio Bandera, Barangay Refugio, Calatrava.The San Carlos City Police Station received a report at around 5:50 p.m. that a woman was lying beside the river.Responding personnel proceeded to the area and found the woman unresponsive.Police said she was already lifeless when examined at the scene.No visible injuries were found on her body during the initial examination, police said.Further investigation showed that the woman had reportedly been missing since Tuesday morning.*