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Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he does not expect President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss the concerns of Negros Occidental in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28.The  President will likely focus his report on his recent visit to the United States, Lacson said on Friday,  July 25.Among the specific concerns the governor hopes to see addressed are the improvement of the Bacolod-Silay Airport and enhanced support for farmers.However, Lacson acknowledged these issues might not be considered big enough to be included in the SONA.*

Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Friday  congratulated  the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on the celebration of its 111th Founding Anniversary on Sunday, July 27.“For more than a century, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has been a strong pillar of faith, unity, and service — not just in the Philippines but around the world,” Benitez said in a press statement.“I join the people of Bacolod in honoring its continued impact on spiritual life and community development.”Benitez commended the INC’s humanitarian programs such as “Lingap sa Mamamayan,” its efforts to promote peace and moral values, and its longstanding partnership with Bacolod in civic initiatives like medical missions, environmental campaigns, and interfaith activities.He also recognized the Church’s contribution...

Pulupandan Vice Mayor Anthony Gerard A. Suatengco was  elected president  of the  Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Negros Occidental Chapter on Friday, July 25.The league’s officials were elected for the  term 2025–2028, a post on Bacolod Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus Raymundo A. Puentevella’s  Facebook page said.It also said the other elected officers are:• Vice President: Francis Frederick D. Palanca – Victorias City• Secretary General: Thomas Maynard Ledesma – Silay City• Treasurer: Edgar B. Pagayonan - Manapla• Auditor: David T. Baga, Jr. -La Carlota City• Public Relations Officer: Marvin M. - Malacon – E.B. MagalonaMembers of the Board of Directors are:• Bacolod Lone District:- Claudio Jesus Raymundo A. Puentevella• 1st...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson (right) and the relatives of Leah Mosquera at the Bacolod Silay Airport Thursday morning. *Richard Malihan photoA "modern-day hero, home at last" was the somber welcome for Leah Mosquera, a Negrense caregiver who tragically died following an Iranian missile attack in Israel.The remains of Mosquera, 49, from San Enrique, Negros Occidental, arrived at the Bacolod Silay Airport Thursday morning, July 25.A streamer from the Negros Occidental provincial government at the airport read: “The final journey of a modern day hero, home at last. Welcome home Leah Mosquera, Salamat at Paalam”.Her casket, which was accompanied by her younger sister Mae Joy Mosquera, who also works as a caregiver in Israel, was met by grieving relatives.Also present at the air...

CPD NIR Acting Regional Director Bruce Ragas (4th from left) with Gilda Lluisma, Charissa Lipa, Jonathan B. Dioteles, Johanna Ledesma and  Eric Genzon at the  press conference in Bacolod City on Thursday*PIA photoThe Negros Island Region (NIR) now has a population of 4,904,944, making it the second most populous region in the Visayas and 10th nationwide.This was announced Thursday, July 24, by the Commission on Population and Development-Negros Island Region (CPD NIR ), citing results from the 2024 census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).The newly established CPD NIR office in Bacolod City, led by Acting Regional Director Bruce Ragas, held a press conference to present the census findings and commemorate World Population Day.According to Raga...

Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya signing the order for the release of the allowances.*BCCO photoBacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has authorized the release of ₱27,196,500 in allowances for 5,007 public school teachers, and Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel.The mayor, who signed the release of the allowances on Thursday, July 24, said he recognizes the critical roles these groups play in community safety and education.The disbursement includes the ₱2,200 monthly Emergency Cost of Living Allowance (ECOLA) for 3,860 public school teachers, covering the months of April to June, for a total of ₱25,476,000.There will also be 1,023 PNP and 124 BFP personnel in Bacolod City who will each receive a ₱1,500 allowance for June for a total of ₱1,7...

The Negros ACE officials take  their oaths of office before Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.*Richard  Malihan photo   Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson called on the mayors of Negros Occidental to revisit their disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) protocols to prevent the loss of lives following the death of six Negrenses last week as heavy rains and floods hit the province.“In light of the recent flooding in parts of the province, which tragically claimed the lives of several individuals, we are once again reminded of the unpredictability and force of nature. This painful loss calls us to action,” the governor said in his speech at the oathtaking rites of the Negros Association of Chief Executives' officers at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Thursday, July 24....

A flood-submerged rice field in Negros Occidental last week.*Agricultural damage in Negros Occidental from last week's heavy rains and flooding has increased to P45,550,629, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) reported Thursday, July 24.The rice sector bore the brunt of the damage, with losses reaching P29,623,600. This affected 1,511 farmers and covered 1,313 hectares of rice crops.Corn damage was estimated at P12,176,000, affecting 244 farmers across 157 hectares.High-value crops also sustained losses totaling P2,884,923 over 21 hectares and affecting 64 farmers.Damage to livestock and poultry was reported at P865,400.*

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Negros ACE president Salvador Escalante and Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya at the oathtaking rites* Richard Malihan photoGovernor Eugenio Jose Lacson called on the mayors of Negros Occidental to adopt solar energy in government buildings to reduce the province's carbon footprint and enhance energy resilience.Lacson made the appeal during his speech at the induction of the Negros Association of Chief Executives (Negros ACE) officers at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Thursday, July 24.He pointed out that provincial government's recent Renewable Energy Week reinforced Negros Occidental’s commitment to transitioning towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources."In answer to the growing demand to reduce our carbon footprint and embrace ene...

Bacolod City Administrator Mark Mayo clarified on Thursday, July 24, that the school administrative staff arrested in a recent buy-bust operation is not employed by the city government and will not be considered for reappointment.The suspect, identified by the police as alias “Cha,” 34, was arrested early Wednesday morning, July 23, in a buy-bust operation in Purok Masinulondon, Brgy. Punta Taytay.She was caught with one sachet of suspected shabu used in the transaction and 10 additional sachets in her possession, totaling approximately 50 grams with an estimated street value of P340,000.Mayo said Bacolod City Police Director Col. Joeresty Coronica confirmed the arrest and verified the suspect’s identity.The city administrator said the woman had worked under a job order con...