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May262026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

Bacolodnons urged to report crime incidents directly to 911 hotline

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is urging Bacolodnons to report crimes directly to the 911 emergency hotline for fast response, instead of posting these incidents first on social media. Capt. Dax Santillan, BCPO public information officer, said on Tuesday that by dialing 911, the nearest police station can respond immediately after the operator informs the Philippine National Police (PNP) of the call for assistance. “This is to address concerns where people tend to post the incident on social media rather than reporting it immediately through 911,” he added. Santillan said that through the 911 emergency hotline, the BCPO hopes to address the gap in police response. With quick police action, the suspect or suspects can be a...

May262026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Guv lauds ANP at 40th Negros Trade Fair launch, cites MSMEs as strong economic drivers

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Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson today, May 26, thanked members of the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) for their steadfast commitment to empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and for sustaining programs that open doors for local industries.Lacson joined the ANP for the opening of the 33rd Bulawan Design Award and Innovative Food Competition, the 4th Pilak Awards, and the 3rd Balik Salig Crafts Competition, as well as the launch of the 40th Negros Trade Fair (NTF) at SM City Bacolod.Also present at the launch were ANP chairperson Arlene Infante and NTF chairperson Mary Ann Colmenares.“As we launch the 40th Negros Trade Fair, may this milestone remind us of how far the Negrense entrepreneurial spirit has come—and how much more we can achieve toge...

May262026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

2nd bulk water project hearing in EB Magalona June 1

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The Malogo RiverAnother public hearing for the Negros Bulk Water Supply Project in the Malogo River will be held in EB Magalona on June 1, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday. The first public hearing was managed by the Department of Energy and Natural Resources through the Environmental Management Bureau was very technical, which is mandatory, Lacson said. The provincial government will hold the second hearing where concerns will be explained in the dialect in simpler terms so the public understands what it is all about, he said. If EB Magalona agrees to the project proposed by the provincial government it will be given priority water s...

May262026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Comelec expects NegOcc to remain one of country’s vote-rich provinces

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The Commission on Elections still expects Negros Occidental to remain one of the vote-rich provinces in the country, COMELEC Negros Island Region Director Lionel Marco Castillano said on Tuesday, May 26.Negros Occidental was the 6th vote-rich province in the country in 2025 with 2,001,732 voters.He is not sure if the province will have more voters this year with the new registrants, as the old list was purged of double registrants, transferees, and voters who had died.The third and final Election Registration Board hearing for those who applied for voter registration for the Barangay and SK elections is scheduled for June 1, Castillano said.After that, the consolidation will be conducted and the final voters of the Negros Island Region will be determined, he said.The fi...

May262026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

NIR leads Palarong Pambansa medal tally in early results

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Jonel Metoda Jr. added another gold for the Visayan Vipers after ruling the Elementary Boys Javelin Throw with a 52.67-meter throw.*The Negros Island Region leads the early medal tally of the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur, based on partial and official results as of 9:43 a.m. Tuesday, May 26.NIR ranked first overall with four gold medals, one silver, and one bronze in the first days of the national games.Western Visayas followed in second place with three gold, four silver, and four bronze medals.CALABARZON ranked third with three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, while the National Capital Region placed fourth with three gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.NIR’s strong early performance came after Sagaynon athlete Marjen Iwayan delivered the reg...

May262026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

3 killed in Negros Occidental road crashes

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A minor was killed when a green weapon carrier truck crashed into a house in Purok Super L, Brgy. Pandanon , in Don Salvadro Benedicto.*Three persons, including a minor and two passengers, died in separate road crashes in two cities and a town in Negros Occidental on Monday, May 25.In Kabankalan City, a 33-year-old dialysis patient died after the Toyota Revo he was riding collided with a Fuso flatbed truck bus along the national highway in Brgy. Binicuil at around 11:44 a.m.Police identified the fatality as alias “John,” a resident of Brgy. Su-ay, Himamaylan City.The Toyota Revo was driven by his father, alias “Godo,” 62, a pastor, who was brought to the Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital for treatment.Initial investigation by the Kabankalan City Police Station showed the Re...

May262026 by Mary Judaline PartlowNo Comments

More women ’empowered’ to report VAWC cases in NIR

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

PCapt. Wilma Silva of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region*PNA/Mary Judaline Partlow photo Negros Oriental recorded the highest incidence of violence against women and their children among the provinces and a highly urbanized city (HUC) in the Negros Island Region (NIR) in 2025, a police official said on Tuesday, May 26. Police Capt. Wilma Encomienda Silva, chief of the Regional Women and Children Protection Desk (RWCPD) of the Police Regional Office-NIR, credited the increased number of reported cases to women being more conscious of their rights and no longer hesitating to seek assistance and report these abuses to authorities. She presented the data on domestic violence during the Regional Dissemination Forum on Key Indicators of the...

May262026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

PRO-NIR seizes P45.2M worth of shabu, arrests 89 wanted persons in one week

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The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region seized more than P45.2 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested 89 wanted persons in operations conducted from May 18 to 24.Based on its weekly accomplishment report released May 25, PRO-NIR conducted 53 anti-illegal drug operations that led to the arrest of 53 persons.Authorities confiscated about 6,660.52 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P45,291,536.Police also arrested 89 wanted persons during the same period.Of the total, 16 were classified as most wanted persons, while 73 were other wanted persons.In the campaign against illegal gambling, PRO-NIR conducted 28 operations that resulted in the arrest of 48 persons and the confiscation of P8,361 in bet money.Police also reported o...

May262026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Two men found dead in La Carlota, Bago

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Two men were found dead in La Carlota and Bago cities in Negros Occidental on Monday, May 25, police said.In La Carlota City, a 53-year-old farmer was found dead beside a sugarcane field at Hacienda Paz, Brgy. Batuan at around noon.Police said the victim was discovered by his wife and was already in the early stage of decomposition.Initial investigation by the La Carlota City Police Station showed the victim was last seen alive by his family at around 6 a.m. on Sunday when he left their house to go to their sugarcane field.He failed to return home until his body was found the following day.Police said further inquiry showed the victim had been suffering from hypertension and had previously suffered two mild strokes, which authorities said may have contributed to his dea...

May262026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Cadiz Councilor Frances Guanzon resigns due to health reasons

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Cadiz City Councilor Frances Guanzon, who is currently serving her second term, tendered her resignation today, May 26, due to health reasons.Guanzon, 72, a former prosecutor and outstanding Regional Trial Court judge, said she submitted her resignation to the Cadiz City Sangguniang Panlungsod, which will take effect on July 1.Guanzon said Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante had asked her not to resign, but she assured him that even without her council seat, she will continue to serve the people of Cadiz.Escalante described Guanzon as an irreplaceable public servant and a motherly figure to Cadiznons. He praised her for being an active, hardworking and performing councilor.He said Guanzon promised to remain "just a text away" whenever her help is needed, which will enable...