Bacolod cop slain in drug op hailed as hero by PNP, mayor

PMSgt. Romulo Galvez*A highly decorated member of the Bacolod City Police Office was killed in the line of duty during an anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, Mayor Greg Gasataya said on Friday, April 10.PMSgt. Romulo Galvez of Police Station 9 was conducting a buy-bust operation in front of Jade Court II along Alijis Road on Thursday night when a 32-year-old suspect opened fire with a .45 caliber pistol hitting him on the right thigh.Galvez, a member of the Station 9 Drug Enforcement Team , was immediately rushed to the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center but he was declared dead at about 12:08 a.m. Friday, due to hypovolemic shock secondary to a gunshot wound.The suspect was immediately arrested and recovered from him was marijuana est...

Apr102026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Health worker killed, 11 injured as trucks collide in San Carlos

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The Canter truck that figured in the accident.*San Carlos DRRMO photoA barangay health aide was killed while 11 others were injured when two trucks collided along a downhill road at Sitio Punod, Barangay Rizal, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, at around 8:58 a.m. on Friday, April 10.Killed was Perfecto Magbanua, 50, who sustained a head injury.Nine of those injured were personnel of the San Carlos City Health Office and an 81-year-old doctor on board a Canter truck, who were headed for Brgy Quezon for a bloodletting activity, Joe Recalex Alingasa, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer of San Carlos City, said.The doctor was the last to be extracted out of the front seat of the Canter truck, Alingasa said.The police said the Hino truck, driven by a 49...

Apr102026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

PNP to send-off full security force for Panaad Festival on Saturday

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The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) is deploying nearly 900 personnel for the Panaad Festival 2026 that opens on Monday, April 13.The send-off ceremony for Task Group Panaad Festival 2026 will be held at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11.The activity will be led by PBGen. Arnold Thomas C. Ibay, PRO NIR regional director, and PCol. Dennis C. Wenceslao, Negros Occidental provincial director.Gov. Eugenio Jose V. Lacson will be the guest of honor and speaker.The ceremony will feature a presentation of forces and resources followed by a blessing of the troops, symbolizing full operational readiness and the unified commitment of all involved units, the PRO NIR said.The PRO NIR said th...

Apr102026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Bacolod, DSB bets named media muses at Lin-ay sang Negros press presentation

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Lin-ay sang Bacolod Ysabella Wuthrich (left) and Lin-ay sang Don Salvador Benedicto Jamaica Bantigue.* Ronnie Baldonado photoCandidates from Bacolod City and Don Salvador Benedicto were named Muses of the Media during the Lin-ay sang Negros 2026 press presentation and talent competition at Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City on Friday, April 10.Ysabella Wuthrich of Bacolod City won in the city category, while Jamaicah Bantigue of Don Salvador Benedicto topped the municipal category.This year’s pageant marks the first time all local government units in Negros Occidental are represented, with contestants from 19 municipalities and 13 cities joining the competition.During the press presentation, each candidate answered questions from members of the media within 45 seco...

Apr102026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Diaz explains property tax update, assures no immediate increase

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Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II*Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II on Friday, April 10, clarified that the ongoing update in property valuations is in compliance with Republic Act No. 12001, a national law aimed at modernizing, standardizing, and professionalizing real property valuation across the country.Diaz issued the clarification in response to the United Sugar Producers’ Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) statement opposing a “proposed increase in real property tax” in Negros Occidental.UNIFED, in a board resolution, urged provincial government officials to reconsider and defer any such increase until economic conditions stabilize and the financial capacity of their constituents improves.The resolution was issued after ...

Apr102026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Couple dies in motorcycle crash along highway in La Carlota

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A couple riding a motorcycle died after a late-night crash along the national highway in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, April 9.Police said the victims, a 27-year-old service crew and his 29-year-old wife, were traveling from the city proper toward Brgy. Cubay when the incident happened.Investigation showed that the driver lost control of the motorcycle, causing it to swerve to the roadside and crash.Both victims were thrown onto the pavement and sustained serious injuries.They were rushed to a hospital, where the driver was declared dead.The back rider later died while undergoing treatment several hours after the incident.Authorities said the accident was only verified after co-workers checked on the victims at the hospital.*

Apr102026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

11 hectares of sugarcane destroyed in MPadilla fire

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Around 11 hectares of sugarcane was destroyed in a fire in Hacienda Pecaoco, Brgy. Odiong, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday night, April 8.The blaze started at the eastern section of the plantation at around 8 p.m., the police said.Firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection in Moises Padilla and Isabela responded and declared fire out at around 10:40 p.m., the police added.Authorities estimated the damage at about P350,000.An investigation to determine the cause of the fire is ongoing.*

Apr102026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

NegOcc DRRMOs honored with gold, silver plaques

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Joe Recalex Alingasa, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer of San Carlos City, (3rd from left) receiving the gold plaque of his city.*Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) in Negros Occidental were recognized for their commitment to public safety during an Assessment Awarding Ceremony held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Friday, April 10.The event highlighted the results of the Regional and Sectoral Assessment for 2025, with several local government units (LGUs) receiving Gold and Silver plaques for their exemplary performance in disaster preparedness and response, Donato A. Sermeno III, chairperson of the Regional DRRMC and director of the Office of Civil Defense Negros Island Region, said.The Province of Negr...

Apr102026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

Negros Island logs lowest inflation among 18 regions in March 2026

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The Negros Island Region (NIR) posted the lowest inflation rate in the country at 1.5 percent in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Friday, April 10.Inflation rose from 0.7 percent in February and 0.8 percent in January, bringing the first-quarter average to 1.0 percent.“In March 2026, NIR recorded the lowest inflation rate among all the regions,” PSA-NIR chief statistical specialist Ma. Goretti Novilla said in an online press briefing.NIR includes Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Bacolod City.The March increase was mainly driven by housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which jumped to 8.2 percent from -1.0 percent in February, contributing 60.6 percent to the uptrend.Gasoline rose to 23.8 percent and diesel to 57.6 p...

Apr102026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Man stabbed dead during fiesta drinking session in Isabela

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A 42-year-old man died after he was stabbed during a fiesta celebration in Brgy. Sikatuna, Isabela, Negros Occidental, early Thursday, April 9.Police identified the victim as alias “Rody,” a resident of Guihulngan City.Investigation showed the victim was drinking with the suspect beside a covered court in the barangay when a heated argument broke out.Authorities said the suspect, identified as alias “Erning”, allegedly drew a knife and stabbed the victim twice in the chest.The victim was brought to a hospital and later transferred to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City, where he was declared dead.The suspect was arrested in a hot pursuit operation and is now under police custody.*