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BGen. Ted Dumosmog, 303rd Brigade commander*The creation of the Negros Island Region is a boost to the campaign against the Communist rebels in the area, BGen. Ted Dumosmog, 303rd Brigade commander, said on Wednesday, August 20.It is a big help because now we have a separate budget for NIR, he said.They can now focus their peace and development efforts on Negros Occidental, Negros Occidental and Siquijor only, he said.Provincial Peace and Order–funded projects were turned over to beneficiaries during a program held at the Social Hall of the Negros Occidental Capitol in Bacolod City on Wednesday, August 20.The turnover was led by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, together with Dumosmog, and Provincial Planning and Development Office OIC Anna Marie Lucasa...

All 267 inmates and jail personnel at the Guihulngan City District Jail tested negative for illegal drugs during a surprise search and seizure operation, authorities confirmed.The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region (PDEA-NIR) conducted the tests at the jail in Guhulngan City, Negros Oriental, on Monday, Aug. 18.Random drug testing was carried out on eight Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel and 219 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).The PDEA-NIR, in a press release, said the clean results, along with the absence of contraband found during the inspection, show the strong commitment of the PDEA, BJMP, and partner agencies to keep detention facilities drug-free and ensure personnel uphold integrity in the government’s anti-drug campaign.*

The Andoon River in Poblacion, San Carlos City.*Joe Recalex Alingasa Jr. photoMayor Renato Gustilo said on Tuesday, August 19, that his signature was forged on documents involving three "ghost" flood control projects claimed to have been constructed in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, for P306.4 million from 2023 to 2024.Gustilo has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the ghost flood control projects falsely claimed to have been entered into by the San Carlos City government with three contractors who are not from Negros Occidental."These anomalous ghost projects involving millions or even billions of pesos perpetrated by DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) personnel in cahoots with unscrupulous contractors must be thoroughly investiga...

Negros Electric and Power Corp. announced a minimal increase in residential electricity rates for August, despite a significant surge in the generation cost across the region.The average residential rate will be P11.50/kWh, an increase of P 0.13/kWh from July's rate of P11.37/kWh, Negros Power announced on Tuesday, August 19.The increase was primarily driven by the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), where the rate jumped from P4.88/kWh to P5.46/kWh, it said.This change alone would have led to a much higher increase for consumers, Negros Power said.However, Negros Power's careful cost management and supply strategies helped to lessen the impact, it added.The increase was also partially offset by a decrease in transmission costs, as the Ancillary Services–Reserve M...

Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr.*Former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr., who is currently detained on multiple murder charges, has offered to testify before the Senate on alleged graft in flood control projects.Through his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, Teves sent a letter to Senator Rodante Marcoleta, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, to offer to provide "invaluable" insights and information on how graft is being committed in these projects.Teves believes his experience as a long-time member of the House of Representatives will give him a unique perspective that can help the committee's investigation.His goal is to assist in identifying those responsible and help ensure better governance and legislation, Topacio said.Teves is currently facing ...

A man died after he was hit by a Canter truck while crossing the national highway in Sitio Pahilang, Brgy. Miranda, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, August 17.The police said the 36-year-old victim, who was temporarily residing in the town, was crossing the highway from west to east when he was struck by a Mitsubishi Canter truck driven by Paterno Sapatan, 51, of Brgy. 2, Hinigaran.Initial investigation showed that the vehicle was traveling south from Pontevedra to Hinigaran to deliver fish when the driver failed to notice the pedestrian and hit him.The victim fell on the pavement and sustained fatal head injuries.Hinigaran Police Chief Lt. Col. Eduardo Corpuz said the driver attempted to avoid the pedestrian but the victim suddenly moved back, which caused the coll...

The fire in Brgy. Oringao, Kabankalan City*Three houses and three motorcycles were destroyed in a fire that broke out in Sitio Pitgong, Brgy. Oringao, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Monday, Aug. 18.The Kabankalan City Fire Station said two houses were totally gutted while another was damaged.The fire also engulfed three parked motorcycles in the area.Authorities said the fire quickly spread because the village is located in an upland area of Brgy. Oringao that is accessible only to light vehicles, preventing fire trucks from reaching the site.The higher altitude and strong winds also fueled the blaze, allowing the flames to consume the houses rapidly.Three families were affected by the incident, with damage initially estimated at P20,000.Residents report...

The La Castellana Incident Management Team (IMT) is calling for the immediate dredging of Bagacay Creek and Tamburong Creek in Brgy Biak na Bato to prevent flooding.The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said both creeks, which were once about six meters deep, are now almost dry and filled with hardened lahar.This situation puts nearby residents at a high risk of flooding, especially during the rainy season, it said.The DENR Negros Island Region (NIR) Officer-in-Charge, Charlie Fabre, has already requested a resolution from the DENR Secretary to allow dredging without the need to haul away the dredged materials.Permission is needed because the creeks are part of the protected area of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.Biak na Bato village chief Joselito Marti...

DSSD Head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga (center) oversaw the rescue of the minors at the Bacolod Public Plaza.* The Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD)-Anti-Mendicancy Team, in collaboration with Police Station 1, has rescued 15 minors from the streets of Bacolod City since last week.The joint team has been patrolling the city at night to enforce the curfew for minors and provide case management interventions, focusing on rescuing those loitering late at night, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office (BCCO) aid.Their first encounter involved several children seeking shelter outside a mall in Barangay Mandalagan. Authorities rescued the children after discovering they were begging in the area, with some having stayed there for several years....

PRO NIR Regional Director BGen. Arnold Thomas Ibay*The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) reported a significant decline in crime incidents since the adoption of the Chief PNP’s 5-minute response time policy, attributing the improvement to faster and more visible police action across the island.PRO-NIR records showed that from June 2 to July 31 this year, crime incidents decreased by about eight percent or 146 cases compared to the same period in 2024, dropping from 1,834 to 1,688.The average monthly crime rate also went down by 1.47 percent, from 18.51 to 17.04, records said.PRO NIR Regional Director BGen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said the results highlight the impact of the 5-minute response system.“We have seen measurable and positive changes in our crim...