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Mar222026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

An ecotourism advocate

Joefel Relos preparing kinilaw* Ronnie Baldonado photo Joefel Relos, president of the Lapus-Lapus Floating Cottage Association in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, is a dedicated community leader and a central advocate for sustainable ecotourism.Raised in a fishing family, he self-funded his vocational education and remains a deeply hands-on leader in the local conservation movement today.He is a certified guide who has completed intensive training, including a seven-day paddling course, to better serve the area’s ecological interests.Beyond environmental work, Relos also champions Slow Food principles as a means to preserve local culinary heritage.The Lapus-Lapus floating cottages in Sagay City,*Ronnie Baldonado photos He effectively bridges the gap betw...

Mar202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Community radio announcer shot dead in La Castellana

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Julito “Jaz” Diamante Calo *A Himamaylan City job order worker, who was also a community radio announcer, was shot dead in Sitio Lapak Kawayanan, Barangay Robles, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, at about 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 20.Killed was Julito “Jaz” Diamante Calo, a 49-year old job order employee of Himamaylan City.Callo was the host of Waswasanay sa Quinto Distrito aired on 88.3 DNN News FM based in Himamaylan City, its station manager Marny John Yude said.Yude said Calo was shot in the head.Police investigation disclosed that the victim was standing in front of his house beside the road when a white SUV, coming from the direction of La Carlota City, stopped in front of him.A person onboard the vehicle then shot the victim causing his ins...

Mar202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

NDRRMC issues warnings as Kanlaon emits ash

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The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued warnings of ash fall from Kanlaon Volcano twice Friday night, March 20.The emergency alerts were issued after the volcano emitted ash at 9:02 p.m. and 11:23 p.m., the NDRRMC said. Meanwhile, the response cluster of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Negros Island Region convened Thursday to strengthen coordination and preparedness for the possible raising of the alert level at Kanlaon Volcano. Office of the Civil Defense NIR Director, Donato Sermeno III, who is also the chairperson of the RDRRMC, said they met on Thursday with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The activities at&...

Mar202026 by Richard Caballero JrNo Comments

Over 80 illegal structures delay desilting of Mambuloc Creek

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The waterway obstructions.*More than 80 owners of houses located at the Mambuloc Creek in Barangay 10, Bacolod City, have been served with notices to voluntarily remove illegal structures encroaching on the waterway. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) workers are struggling to desilt the creek because parts of these houses are obstructing their path. Retired PCol. Levy Pangue, head of the City Legal Office Enforcement Team, said on Friday, March 20, that among the notices issued, was for the removal of a house right in the middle of the creek. He clarified that only the house extensions obstructing the waterway are being removed by the DPWH. There is an immediate need to remove the structures that block the waterway, the DPWH said. Pangue said that the DPWH heavy equipment c...

Mar202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Alleged NPA member found dead in Moises Padilla after encounter

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The area where the alleged rebel was found dead.* An alleged member of the New People’s Army was found dead in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, following an earlier encounter with government troops on Tuesday, March 17. Police identified the fatality as alias “Pagat,” of legal age and a resident of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. Police investigation revealed that an encounter occurred on March 17 between the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and members of the Central Negros Front 1. Authorities said a barangay official reported the presence of the cadaver in Sitio Angalan, Brgy. Macagahay in Moises Padilla. Recovered at the scene were a KG9 firearm, a magazine, and 9mm ammunition. Police said the body was later identified by the victim’s wife and has be...

Mar202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

DSWD aid to NIR drivers out soon, large fuel price hike again next week

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Protesting drivers in Bacolod City calling for subsidy for all.*Richard Caballero photoThe Department of Social Welfare and Development will start distributing aid to public transportation drivers in Negros Island soon, with another large increase in fuel prices expected next week. Public transportation drivers in Negros will receive P5,000 each under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, DSWD NIR Director Arwin Razo said on Friday, March 20. The distribution in Metro Manila is being completed. It is expected to start in the Negros after Holy Week, Razo said. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) – NIR Director Gerry Llena reminded public transportation drivers not to charge fare hikes. They should not charge more than what is allowed under th...

Mar202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Minor accidentally shoots cousin after mistaking firearm for toy

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A three-year-old child died after being accidentally shot in Brgy. Bunga, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, on Thursday afternoon, March 19.Police said the incident happened at around 2:30 p.m. in Purok Mangga.Police investigation showed the victim and his cousin, both minors, found a firearm outside their house and mistakenly thought it was a toy.Authorities said the children brought the gun inside the house and played with it when the other minor accidentally pulled the trigger, hitting the victim in the chest.The child was immediately rushed to the San Carlos Doctors Hospital but was declared dead by the attending physician.Police said they are now investigating how the firearm was left unattended and who owns it.*

Mar202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Alvarez backs proposal to operate Sipalay hospital as CLMMRH annex

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Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) said she welcomes the Department of Health’s proposal to allow the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) to operate the Merceditas J. Montilla District Hospital (MJMDH) in Sipalay City in Negros Occidental as an annex facility. “This is a meaningful step forward. It allows us to breathe new life into an existing facility, strengthen it through proper supervision, and bring quality care closer to our communities,” she said in a Facebook post Thursday, March 19. For many families, this means shorter travel, quicker access, and a better chance at timely treatment, Alvarez added. “For MJMDH, this transition opens new possibilities. It will continue to gr...

Mar202026 by Shiela Gelera-BragaNo Comments

Fire destroys two classrooms at elementary school in Cauayan

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The burning classrooms*Fire destroyed a building with two classrooms at the Inayawan Central Elementary School in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, around 3 a.m. Thursday, March 20. The classrooms were used by Kindergarten pupils. It was a separate building, with two classrooms and a plywood partition. The fire caused P300,000 in damage. Firefighters fought the blaze for more than an hour. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.*

Mar202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Grade 5 pupil drowns in Bago

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An 11-year-old boy died after drowning in a river in Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday afternoon, March 19.Police said the victim, a Grade 5 pupil, went swimming with his classmates at around 4 p.m. when he drowned at the Maragandang River in Brgy. Don Jorge L. Araneta.Investigation showed the boy went to a deeper part of the river and was carried away by the current as he did not know how to swim.His classmates informed his grandmother about the incident, prompting a rescue.The victim was rushed to the Bago City Hospital but was declared dead.His body was brought to a funeral home for post-mortem examination.*