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Aug262026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

P26.6M in illegal cigarettes seized in Escalante

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...

Aug262026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Vlogger among 2 arrested in Bacolod drug sting; P340,000 shabu seized

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A vlogger and a man were arrested and about P340,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized in a buy-bust operation in Bacolod City on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25.The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region said the operation was conducted at around 2:50 p.m. in Purok Magtiayon, Brgy. 10.The suspects were identified only as alias “Joselito,” 35, a vlogger, and alias “Christian,” 32, both residents of the area.PDEA said the two were allegedly involved in the distribution of illegal drugs in the area.Authorities recovered 13 plastic sachets containing approximately 50 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P340,000.https://youtu.be/VblI14Q8co8?si=0u7gCmVBU0XMtv5DAn improvised tooter containing suspected drug residue was also seized....

Aug262026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Chiz urges senate to pass bill fixing 5-year term for barangay, SK officials

Press Release, Top Stories

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday exhorted his colleagues to act with urgency on Senate Bill No. 2387, which proposes to fix the tenure of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to five years instead of the current four-year term.Delivering his sponsorship speech on the measure under Committee Report No. 77, Escudero said the Senate must act swiftly on the proposal before the end of September to ensure predictability in the conduct of the upcoming Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE) scheduled this November.He noted that the filing of certificates of candidacy is already set for next month, underscoring the need for Congress to decide promptly whether the elections will proceed or be reset under the new term structure.“Mr. President, I ask that the body act o...

Aug262026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Bacolod dengue cases down 47.6%: CHO

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Dengue cases in Bacolod City have dropped by 47.6 percent compared to the same period last year, the City Health Office Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit reported Wednesday, August 26.There were 389 cases and one death from January 1 to August 15, a significant decrease from the 743 cases and five deaths recorded during the same period last year.Recent weekly trends reflect a general decline in transmission across the city. Health data shows 37 cases recorded in Morbidity Week 29 (July 19 to 25), followed by 30 cases in MW 30 (July 26 to August 1), 39 cases in MW 31 (August 2 to 8), and 24 cases in MW 32 (August 9 to 15). Barangay Mansilingan has the highest number of cases at 47, followed by Handumanan with 37, Estefania with 34, Singcang wi...

Aug262026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

22-year-old student electrocuted in Himamaylan

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A 22-year-old student died after he was allegedly electrocuted while plugging in an electric water heater in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Aug. 25.The Himamaylan City Component Police Station identified the victim only as alias “RJ,” a resident of Purok 9, Brgy. Aguisan.Police said the victim was in the kitchen when his family suddenly saw him thrown backward and fall to the ground.His mother told investigators that the victim had been plugging in an electric heater to boil water when he was allegedly electrocuted.She also told police that the family had previously experienced electrical shocks from the same appliance.RJ was rushed to the Binalbagan Infirmary but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.His remains were brought to a f...

Aug262026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Directorate for Police Community Relations headed by Alba gets Golden Eagle Award

Community, Top Stories

PMGen. Roderick Alba (center) receiving the Gold Eagle Award.* PNP photoThe Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR), under the leadership of PMGen. Roderick Augustus B. Alba, reached a historical landmark on Monday, August 24, after attaining Institutionalized Status—the final stage of the PNP Governance System—and receiving the prestigious Gold Eagle Award with an outstanding 96.50 percent numerical rating.Representing PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., PLtGen. Bernard M. Banac, PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, presented the award to Alba during a ceremony recognizing DPCR's operational and administrative management excellence.The institutionalized status signifies that DPCR’s community engagement frameworks, crime prevention strategies, and public tr...

Aug262026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Tricycle driver found dead inside Hinigaran home

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A 48-year-old tricycle driver was found dead inside his residence in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, after relatives had not seen him for two days.The Hinigaran Municipal Police Station identified the victim only as alias “Mike,” a resident of Purok Pag-asa, Brgy. Paticui.Police said the victim’s cousin became concerned after she had not seen him since Sunday, Aug. 23, and went to check on him at his house.She reportedly smelled a foul odor coming from the residence and repeatedly called for the victim but received no response.After securing permission from the victim’s sibling who was working abroad, the door was forced open and the victim was found dead on his bed.Police said the body was already in an advanced state of decomposition.Investigato...

Aug262026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

P692,920 in suspected shabu seized in Bacong

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

A 24-year-old man classified by police as a high-value drug suspect was arrested after authorities seized about P692,920 worth of suspected shabu during the implementation of a search warrant in Bacong, Negros Oriental, on Tuesday, Aug. 25.The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region identified the suspect only as alias “JC,” a resident of Purok 4, Brgy. San Miguel.Personnel of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and Provincial Intelligence Unit, in coordination with Bacong police, conducted the operation at around 5:11 a.m.Police said the operation stemmed from information that the suspect was allegedly selling illegal drugs from his residence.Authorities conducted casing, surveillance and test-buy operations before securing a...

Aug252026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

CHED approves tuition increases for 22 NIR universities, colleges

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

The Commission on Higher Education – Negros Island Region (CHED-NIR) has approved the applications of 22 higher education institutions (HEIs) across the region to increase their tuition and other school fees (TOSF) for Academic Year 2026–2027.The approvals were granted pursuant to CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 03, series of 2012, as amended by CMO No. 08, series of 2012. The decisions were formally sanctioned by the Commission En Banc (CEB) and implemented through MOED No. 1151, series of 2026, CHED-NIR announced on its Facebook page Tuesday, August 22.The 22 private colleges and universities authorized to implement fee increases for the upcoming academic year are:In Bacolod City and Negros Occidental - La Consolacion College Bacolod, Riverside College Inc., Unive...