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Golfers are gearing up for the annual Rotary Club of Bacolod-Marapara golf tournament at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City from Friday to Sunday, July 18-20.“This marks our 24th tournament, a significant event that allows us to support vital community outreach initiatives through its proceeds. We’re eager to welcome a record number of participants this year,” club president Virgil Rupert "Igie" Villarosa said.Incoming club president April Kitagawa said the tournament provides a wonderful opportunity for golfers of all skill levels to enjoy three great days of golf while making a meaningful difference to the lives of those in need, a press release from the club said.Registration will take place on the opening day at the Negros Occidental Golf and Countr...

The La Carlota City evacuees who went home on Friday.*La Carlota City Facebook page photoMore than 1,300 residents of La Carlota City and La Castellana in Negros Occidental displaced by Kanlaon Volcano’s unrest who have been living in school buildings turned into evacuation centers for about six months began decamping on Friday, June 13, to make way for the opening of classes.Those from outside the 6-kilometer danger zone were allowed to go home, while those from within will be relocated to non-school evacuation sites.The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council issued a memorandum directing 11 schools used as evacuation centers in La Carlota City and La Castellana in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Occidental to be vacated in preparation for the re...

The earth moving operations in Candoni.* photo courtesy of Joshua VillalobosMayor Ray Ruiz has issued a final notice to Hacienda Asia Plantations Inc. (HAPI) to comply with the cease-and-desist instructions issued by the provincial government-created Multi-partite Monitoring Team (MMT) to halt its earth-moving operations in Candoni, Negros Occidental.The Candoni mayor issued his notice in a letter to Alfred Joseph Araneta, chief executive officer of HAPI, and its Board of Directors on Thursday, June 12.“You have betrayed the confidence that was once extended in good faith. I urge you before irreversible consequences follow to make amends, comply, and restore accountability to your name,” Ruiz said.“This is your final notice. You are hereby directed to immediately halt all e...

To ensure safety of schoolchildren, adults are encouraged to teach children to use sidewalks and pedestrian lanes.*PNA file photoThe Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department (BTTMD) have intensified preparations to ensure a safe and secure opening of classes on Monday, June 16.Capt. Ma. Liberty Indiape, BCPO public information officer, said on Friday that all 10 police stations have been ordered to secure the schools located in their respective areas of coverage.“We will deploy beat patrollers in every school. Mobile patrol units will also go around the areas where schools are located,” she said.Police officers will monitor and secure learners and teachers from the start of the classes in the morning until the dismissal ...

The teenager who was shot at a basketball court in Purok Langis, Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City, on Wednesday, died, the police reported on Friday, June 13.The 15-year-old boy was a bystander who was hit by a bullet.An unidentified suspect shot alias “Alvin”, 32, an alleged drug suspect, that resulted in the teenager also being hit, the police reported.Both were injured but the teenager later died at a hospital.Maj. Rondyl Tapang, Bacolod Police Station 3 commander, said the grandmother of the teenager had gone to the police station to file a case against the suspect.The police are still gathering more information to identify the suspect who was allegedly having an illegal drugs transaction with Alvin when he suddenly shot him and hit the teenager.*

Energy Undersecretary and incoming OIC Sharon Garin and outgoing Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla hold a briefing on Friday*PNA/Leah Gonzales photoSiquijor Island Power Cooperative (SIPCOR) committed to improve the power situation in Siquijor within the week, Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary and incoming officer in charge Sharon Garin said Friday, June 13."There was a commitment from SIPCOR themselves that they will fix the gensets (generator sets)," Garin said in a briefing at the DOE office in Taguig City.Siquijor was earlier placed under a state of calamity due to long hours of power outages."At that time, there were five only running out of the nine gensets. For so many reasons. And that is still under evaluation. But what we needed was SIPCOR committed that th...

A criminology graduate died, while his backrider was injured, when his motorcycle hit an 18-wheeler truck in Brgy. Purisima, Manapla, Negros Occidental, on Friday, June 13.Rolando Moldes III, 25, of Brgy. Caduha-an, Cadiz City, died while his backrider identified only as “Janice”, 18, of Brgy. Santa Teresa, Manapla, was injured when their motorcycle hit a truck driven by alias “Felix”, 39, of Brgy. Tabalong, Dawis, Bohol.Maj. Vicente Buenaflor, Manapla Deputy Police Chief, said the motorcycle headed for Cadiz City was moving in a zigzag manner, went to the other lane, and hit the truck that was headed towards Victorias City.The victims sustained serious injuries after they were ran over by the truck and were brought to the Dr. Ramon B. Gustilo Hospital.Moldes was declared d...

The P45-million public market at Brgy. Old Sagay*The P45-million public market at Brgy. Old Sagay was inaugurated during the 29th Charter Anniversary of Sagay City in Negros Occidental on Wednesday, June 11.The inauguration of the two-storey building was led by Sagay City Mayor Narciso L. Javelosa Jr., Vice Mayor Leo Rafael M. Cueva, and Rep. Alfredo D. Marañon III.The building features 8 commercial blocks, 26 fish stalls, 7 meat stalls, 12 vegetable stalls, and three comfort rooms on the first floor while the second floor offers 11 stalls designed for cafes and restaurants, also with comfort rooms, a press release from Sagay City said Friday.The project also integrates a Material Recovery Facility (MRF), a Sewage Treatment Plant, and a water system.Javelosa presented ...

The police are now preparing reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges against the motorcycle driver who fatally hit a mother who was crossing a pedestrian lane at Araneta Street, Brgy. Pahanocoy, Bacolod City, at about 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11.Police EMSgt. Rodney Tiania of the Traffic Management Unit said that the family of alias “Ruth”, 40, of Brgy Pahanocoy will not agree to a settlement with the motorcycle driver.Investigation revealed that Ruth was walking eastward with her minor child when she was hit by the motorcycle driven by alias “Cris”, 20.Ruth along with the motorcycle driver and his backrider were brought to the Bacolod South Hospital due to injuries, but she died later.Tiania said that the motorcycle was travelling fast that is why the driver was...

Mt. Kanlaon is featured prominently in Bago City’s historical float design entry at the Parada ng Kalayaan 2025 during the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Thursday.*PCO photoThe winning float of Bago City, Negros Occidental, during the Parada ng Kalayaan 2025 Independence Day celebration at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila symbolized the burning spirit, strength, and unyielding resilience of the Negrenses, the Bago City Tourism Office (BCTO) said on Friday, June 13.Bago City placed second runner-up behind Santa Barbara, Iloilo’s “Sigaw ng Santa Barbara” and Candon City, Ilocos Sur’s “Ikkis ti Candon” which placed first runner-up and champion, respectively.According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the...