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Aug272026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Benitez welcomes P1-B Project NOAH fund release, pushes permanent climate resilience institute

Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez (Neg. Occ. 3rd District)*Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez (Neg. Occ. 3rd District) welcomed the release of P1 billion for Project NOAH but said the disaster risk program should eventually have permanent funding instead of depending on annual budget decisions.In a statement Thursday, Aug. 27, Benitez said the allocation would strengthen the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute’s work on flood forecasting, hazard mapping and disaster preparedness.The Department of Budget and Management announced on Aug. 24 that it released P1 billion to the UP System for Project NOAH, including P935 million for research services and P65 million for general management and supervision.The funding will support AI-enhanced flood modeling, LiDAR mapping, real-ti...

Aug272026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

New Bacolod water service provider summoned to present upgrade plan

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The City Council has summoned officials of Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and Hiraya Water Corp. to a committee conference after the latter recently took over the operations of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. as the water service provider if Bacolod.Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. said he authored a resolution approved during the regular session on Wednesday, August 26, requesting the two firms to appear before the committee on energy and public utilities to report on the sale of PrimeWater and the plans to improve the water services in the city.“There is no need to send a letter. They will just be furnished a copy of the resolution and informed of the scheduled committee conference,” Gamboa said on Thursday.He said the action is a joint call of the City Council, ...

Aug272026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Gasataya meets sports organizations, coaches for upcoming Batang Pinoy 2026

Sports, Top Stories

Mayor Greg Gasataya (center) with City Administrator Mark Mayo, Rhett Demonteverde, Officer-in-Charge of the Bacolod City Youth Development Office, and representatives and coaches from various sports organizations Bacolod.*BCCO photo.Sports organizations and coaches gathered for a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss preparations for the athletes who will represent Bacolod City in the upcoming Batang Pinoy 2026, which the city is set to host.Mayor Greg Gasataya assured the city’s contingent of the local government’s full commitment, emphasizing that both financial and logistical support will be provided to ensure athletes are well-prepared for the national youth games, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said Thursday, August 27.“We assure you that the sup...

Aug272026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

4th Negros Coco Expo showcases local ‘cocopreneurs’

Business, Top Stories

The 4th Negros Coco Expo is currently underway at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center in Bacolod City, bringing together government agencies, industry partners, and local producers.The five-day trade exhibition runs until Sunday, Augus 30.Organized under the theme “One Province, One Vision: Regenerating the Coconut Industry Together,” the event highlights the growing strength, innovation, and unity of the province’s coconut sector, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Negros Occidental said.The ongoing expo features 29 local coconut-based Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) showcasing a diverse selection of products, including food and beverages, natural beauty and wellness goods, handicrafts, and value-added sustainable items.The offici...

Aug262026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

BCC shifts to online classes after note warns ‘bullies will be finished off’

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Bacolod City College (BCC) will shift to online classes on Thursday, August 27, as a security precaution following the discovery of a note containing an alleged threat inside a comfort room, Mayor Greg Gasataya announced Wednesday night.School officials reported the incident to authorities immediately after finding the note around 2:05 p.m. The message written on a brown piece of paper warned teachers and students to be careful on Thursday, and that bullies would be "finished off," though it provided no specific details.“Especially sa mga bullies ubuson ta kamo tanan (Especially for the bullies, I will finish you all off)”, the writer said.In response, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) deployed personnel to secure the campus, initiate an investigation, and confe...

Aug262026 by Judy F. PartlowNo Comments

PDEA: 11 new brgys cleared; 78% of NIR now drug-free

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

PDEA-NIR Assistant Regional Director Marjorie Ballesteros (seated, 2nd from left) leads the regional oversight committee deliberation on drug-cleared barangays in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Wednesday* Photo courtesy of Yett CalulotThe Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has declared 11 barangays across the Negros Island Region (NIR) "drug-cleared," an official said Wednesday, August 26.The declaration was made during the 13th deliberation of the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Clearing held in Dumaguete City, attended by representatives of law enforcement agencies, local government units (LGUs), and civilian sector partners.PDEA-NIR Assistant Regional Director Marjorie Ballesteros identified the newly cleared barangays as Magsaysay and Nagsaha in Guihulng...

Aug262026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

DA-NIR eyes lacewing larvae as potential biological control agent against RSSI

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The Department of Agriculture - Negros Island Region Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-NIR RCPC) is conducting a laboratory observation on lacewing larvae to evaluate their potential as a biological control agent against the Red-Striped Soft Scale Insects (RSSI) that have caused widespread damage to sugarcane crops, it announced on Wednesday, August 26.The study is focusing on documenting the predatory behavior and feeding activity of the larvae against RSSI.Lacewing larvae are described as voracious predators known for their role in controlling aphid populations in agricultural fields.The initiative forms part of the agency's broader efforts to develop sustainable, science-based integrated pest management strategies using natural predators to suppress pest populations,...

Aug262026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Cops nab 3, seize P408,000 shabu, 4 homemade guns in Bacolod

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Three men were arrested while about P408,000 worth of suspected shabu and four homemade firearms were seized in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod City on Tuesday, Aug. 25.The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said the operation was conducted in Zone 1 and led to the arrest of one high-value individual and two street-level individuals.Police identified the suspects only as alias “Noy,” 34, of Brgy. Handumanan; alias “Mel,” 31, also of Handumanan; and alias “Bal,” 32, of Brgy. Felisa.Authorities said the operation stemmed from information that alias Noy was allegedly involved in the sale of illegal drugs and was also keeping several firearms reportedly obtained from customers.Police said surveillance was conducted before an undercover transaction was...

Aug262026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

P26.6M in illegal cigarettes seized in Escalante

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A 29-year-old man was arrested while about P26.6 million worth of alleged illegal cigarettes were seized in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, Aug. 25.The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said the operation was conducted in Purok Cogon 1, Brgy. Alimango, following information about an alleged transaction involving illicit cigarettes near a beach resort in the area.Police identified the suspect only as alias “JC,” a resident of Brgy. Vito, Sagay City.Authorities said the suspect was allegedly found in possession of 447 master cases of Cannon Menthol cigarettes.The seized cigarettes had an estimated total value of P26,613,100, the PRO-NIR said.Police said the cigarettes bore unauthorized tax seals and did not carry the required graphic health warn...

Aug262026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

CENECO transitions to asset management entity, sets consultative stakeholders meeting

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Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CENECO) is taking its next major step in transitioning from an electric distribution utility into a full-fledged asset management entity.To present this institutional transformation, CENECO has invited key sector leaders and stakeholders across its franchise area to a consultative meeting at the Acacia Hotel in Bacolod City 1:30 p.m. on Friday, August 28.The transition follows the execution of a Joint Venture Agreement with Negros Electric and Power Corporation, which officially transferred CENECO’s distribution assets to NEPC after earning approval from member-consumers during a plebiscite, Ceneco Acting General Manager Arnel Lapore said Wednesday in a letter to invited sector leaders.NEPC now manages and operates the enti...