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Department of the Interior and Local Government - Bacolod City Director Christian Nagaynay with mayor-elect Greg Gasataya (l-r, standing), and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Dana Marie Barzo, incoming councilor Caesar Distrito, and reelected councilors Em Ang and Jude Thaddeus Sayson (l-r, seated) at the city’s 87th Charter Anniversary program at the Bacolod City Government Center Wednesday night.*Ronnie Baldonado photoOutgoing Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya is getting ready for a smooth transition as he takes over as mayor on June 30, succeeding Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who was also elected as the city’s next congressman.“It will definitely be a smooth transition. We have the same vision. We came from the same political aggrupation. We have had a good working relat...

Bacolod City Police Office cops seized suspected shabu worth P2.1 million during their weeklong anti-illegal drug operations from June 9 to 15.They seized P2,146,080 worth of suspected shabu and arrested 14 persons during 12 operations, the BCPO reported Thursday, June 19.The Bacolod cops also arrested two most wanted and 12 other wanted persons.Their anti-illegal gambling operation also resulted to the arrest of 15 persons and the confiscation of bet money worth P1,931.*

A dead man was found in a vacant lot in North Junob, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, early Thursday morning, June 19.The victim identified as “Jessie”, was found dead in a pool of blood, the police said.Jessie's family claimed his remains and are calling for justice.The police said Jessie’s motorcycle and wallet were missing.*

The police are still  searching for a man who fell in the Cawitan River in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, on Sunday, June 15.The missing man was identified as Vicente Esogon Jr., 40,  of Purok 2, Brgy. Cawitan, Santa Catalina, the  police said.Investigation revealed that the victim was last seen at about 4 p.m. on  June 15.The victim and his friends, who were allegedly drunk,  decided to ride a boat.However, his friends did not notice him falling into the river because of drunkenness, the police report said.Capt. Edjel Tablate, Sta. Catalina police chief, said they are still  searching for the victim.*

The Ang Banwahanon Awardees Ian Fred Solas and Charlie Co (4th and 5th from left) with the Bacolod City officials led by Mayor-elect Greg Gasataya and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson (3rd and 6th from left).*Ronnie Baldonado photosTwo Ang Banwahanon and four “Be the Change” Awards were awarded to outstanding Bacolodnons during the city’s 87th Charter Day program at the Bacolod City Government Center lobby Wednesday night, June 18.Awards were also given to outstanding city government employees and top taxpayers at rites led by Bacolod mayor-elect Greg Gasataya.This year’s Banwahanon Awardees are renowned artist Charlie Co and green technology expert Ian Fred Solas.Co was cited for his “leadership and initiatives in developing and enhancing the talents of the artis...

All elected officials of Negros Occidental have filed their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) and can assume their posts, Negros Island Region Commission on Elections Director Lionel Marco Castillano said on Wednesday, June 18.Of the 778 candidates in Negros Occidental who ran for office in the midterm elections in May, 703 filed their SOCEs, Provincial Elections Officer Ian Lee Ananoria said.The 75 who failed to file their SOCEs were losing candidates, he said.Of the 40 who ran for provincial government posts, seven losers also failed to file their COCs, Ananoria said.Those who did not win and did not file their SOCEs will face administrative fines for a first offense, Castillano said.Repeat violations will result in stiffer fines and the offender ...

The Regional Joint Security Control Center press conference in Bacolod City on Wednesday.*Barbara Mijares photoThe Silay City barangay captain facing murder and frustrated murder charges for the death of two and the injury of seven in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, on election day tested positive for gunpowder nitrate.The positive paraffin test results of Barangay Captain Arnie Benedicto of Lantad, Silay City, was confirmed by PCol. Arwin Tadeo, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Negros Island Region chief, on Wednesday, June 18.Tadeo, who was at a Regional Joint Security Control Center press conference at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office headquarters, said Benedicto remains in the custody of the CIDG,The case against Benedicto and three others is...

Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, who is facing multiple murder charges, underwent a successful appendectomy at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said on Wednesday, June 18,"He is now recuperating well,” Topacio said in a statement released to the media.Teves was transferred late Tuesday night to the Philippine General Hospital from a private hospital and underwent surgery Wednesday morning, Topacio saidTeves returned to the Philippines on May 29 after being deported from Timor-Leste and has been detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.Teves will be brought back to detention immediately after being cleared by the hospital, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.The former lawmaker is facing a string of ...

The Red-Striped Soft Scale Insects.*PHILSURIN photoThe Philippine Sugar Research Foundation Inc. (PHILSURIN) has issued an advisory on how to protect sugarcane from the destructive Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI).Sugarcane farmers must stay alert and informed to prevent its spread and minimize crop damage, Gina Martin, PHILSURIN director general, said on Wednesday, June 18.RSSI (Pulvinaria tenuivalvata) was first detected in Pampanga in 2022 and was confirmed in various parts of Negros in early 2025.RSSI is a sap-sucking pest that feeds on the lower leaves of sugarcane and moves upward as the infestation progresses, the PHILSURIN advisory said.The pest produces a sticky substance called honeydew, which promotes the growth of black sooty mold — making the plants app...

Fishing boats docked at the Tambobo Port in Barangay Bonbonon, Siaton*PNA/Mary Judaline F. Partlow photoThe Philippine Coast Guard Station in Negros Oriental has cleared the Tambobo Bay in Siaton town of mooring lines and ship wrecks to allow roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) operations to commence at the port there.Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, Coast Guard - Negros Oriental station commander, said on Tuesday, June 17, that the clearing operations began on Monday, with scuba divers removing submerged mooring lines used by fishing boats.“The mooring lines were at the channel or mouth of the bay and had to be removed so that the Ro-Ro vessel can safely pass through toward the Tambobo Port,” Enopia said.She assured that fishing boats still have mooring lines to use or can drop anchor i...