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Oct72026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

First Gen seeks stronger policies to de-risk geothermal projects as Negros plant undergoes P3-B upgrade

Community, Negros Oriental, Press Release, Top Stories

The Southern Negros Geothermal Project in Valencia, Negros Oriental has a total installed capacity of 222.5 megawatts of clean and renewable energy.*/EDC photoFirst Gen Corp. is calling for stronger government policies and financing mechanisms to reduce the risks of geothermal development across Southeast Asia, as its subsidiary Energy Development Corp. continues to operate and expand geothermal facilities in Negros Oriental, recently.In a press release, The company raised the proposal during a strategic side event at the opening of the ASEAN Energy Business Forum, where industry leaders, policymakers and energy experts discussed barriers to tapping the region’s estimated 34 to 35 gigawatts of geothermal resources.First Gen said Southeast Asia accounts for nearly 48 percent of ...

Oct72026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod records 822 dengue cases, 5 deaths as of Sept. 26

Community, Top Stories

Health authorities recommend eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed, keeping water containers covered, cleaning surroundings regularly and seeking prompt medical attention when dengue symptoms appear.*/Bacolod CHO photoBacolod City recorded 822 dengue cases and five probable deaths from January to Sept. 26, 2026, with Barangay Mansilingan posting the highest number of infections, according to the City Health Office.Data from the city's Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit on Oct. 6 showed that dengue cases were 4.1 percent lower than the 857 cases recorded during the same period in 2025.The city also reported fewer deaths compared with six recorded during the corresponding period last year.Brgy. Mansilingan registered the highest number of dengue cases at 99, f...

Oct72026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

NPA claims responsibility for Escalante attack that killed CAFGU member, wounded 2 soldiers

Business, Police, Top Stories

The New People's Army has claimed responsibility for the Sept. 29 attack on government troops in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, that left one Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member dead and two soldiers wounded.In a statement on Oct. 7, Ka Cecil Estrella, spokesperson of the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-NPA Northern Negros Guerrilla Front, said its members carried out what it described as a harassment operation against personnel of the Army's 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) and CAFGU in Sitio Bautista, Brgy. Malasibog, at around 3 p.m.The NPA claimed its fighters opened fire on government troops conducting a patrol in the area, resulting in one fatality and two injuries on the government side.Estrella said the exchange of gunfire lasted about three minutes and ...

Oct72026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

3 Negros Island graduates among topnotchers in fisheries licensure exam, CHMSU-Binalbagan ranks 4th nationwide

Community, Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Three graduates of universities in the Negros Island Region secured places in the top 10 of the October 2026 Fisheries Professionals Licensure Examination, while Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU)- Binalbagan campus ranked fourth among the country's top-performing schools.Based on results released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Tuesday, Oct. 6, Rain Jay Villamor Punayan of Negros Oriental State University-Bais Campus placed seventh nationwide with a rating of 88 percent.Halex Tabanao Pastor of the State University of Northern Negros (SUNN) secured eighth place with a rating of 87.75 percent.Josh Daniel Palma Nombre of Carlos Hilado Memorial State University-Binalbagan Campus ranked 10th with a rating of 87.25 percent.The three were among the...

Oct72026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Two men found dead in separate Victorias, Candoni incidents

Police, Top Stories

In Victorias City, an unidentified man was found lifeless inside a sugarcane plantation at Hacienda Angelina 1, Brgy. 12, at about 11:30 a.m.Two men were found dead in separate incidents in Victorias City and Candoni, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, police reported.In Victorias City, an unidentified man was found lifeless inside a sugarcane plantation at Hacienda Angelina 1, Brgy. 12, at about 11:30 a.m.Police said a farmworker passing through Field No. 14 noticed the man lying face down inside the plantation.The victim was wearing a black T-shirt and gray shorts and had several tattoos on different parts of his body.The discovery was reported to the Victorias City Police Station at about 11:40 a.m.Responding personnel proceeded to the area, while Scene of th...

Oct72026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

No. 1 regional most wanted person arrested in Negros Oriental

Negros Oriental, Police, Top Stories

Police arrested the No. 1 Regional Most Wanted Person for a murder case with no bail recommended, in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, on Monday, Oct. 6.The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region identified the accused only as alias “Jov,” 37, married, and a resident of Sitio Avocado, Brgy. Talalak, Santa Catalina.Police also tagged the accused as a non-PSR-listed member of a communist terrorist group and linked him to the RMPC SEF and KRNCBS-D, based on police records.The arrest was carried out by joint personnel of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, PNP Special Action Force, Regional Intelligence Unit-Negros Island Region and Santa Catalina Municipal Police Station.Police said the operation was based on warrants of arrest for murder under Article 248 of the...

Oct62026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Sagaynon makes history with Asian Games sepak takraw silver

Community, Sports, Top Stories

Abegail Sinogbuhan*Sagaynon athlete Abegail Sinogbuhan helped make Philippine sports history after the national women’s sepak takraw doubles team captured the silver medal at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan, the country’s best-ever finish in the sport at the continental games.Sinogbuhan, team captain and feeder, played alongside striker Jean Marie Sucalit, with Nelly Jay Salon as substitute, in the gold-medal match against Vietnam on Sept. 29 at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium. Vietnam won the final, 15-8, 15-4.The silver marked the Philippines’ first-ever appearance in an Asian Games sepak takraw final and its highest finish in the sport since sepak takraw was introduced to the Games in 1990.It was also a historic breakthrough for the Philippine women’...

Oct62026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Woman arrested after suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia found during jail visit

Police, Top Stories

Alias "Girlie" goes to the station to visit and deliver food to her partner, who was being held in connection with a separate case involving Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.*/BCPO photoA 31-year-old woman who went to Police Station 5 in Barangay Granada, Bacolod City, to bring food to her detained partner was arrested after police allegedly found suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia in her possession Sunday afternoon, Oct. 4.Police identified the woman only as alias “Girlie,” a Bacolod resident.The incident happened at about 4:18 p.m. while personnel were conducting routine inspections of persons visiting and delivering food to individuals detained at the police station.Police said an improvised “tooter,” or drug paraphernalia commonly ...

Oct62026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

AABN marks 51st year with ‘Colors of Courage’ exhibit in Bacolod

Community, Top Stories

The Art Association of Bacolod-Negros, one of the groups associated with the beginnings of the MassKara Festival, formally launched its “Colors of Courage” group exhibition at Robinsons Bacolod on Monday, Oct. 5.Organized in partnership with Robinsons Bacolod, the exhibit features works by 37 local artists and forms part of AABN’s activities as the association marks its 51st year.AABN is considered one of the country’s longest-running art organizations and has played a significant role in the development of Bacolod’s visual arts community.The association also traces its history to the origins of MassKara Festival. Its former president, artist Ely Santiago, coined the name “MassKara” from the English word “mass,” referring to a multitude of people, and the Spanish word ...

Oct62026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

BCPO reminds motorists, pedestrians to follow safety measures during road closures

Police, Top Stories

The Bacolod City Police Office reminded motorists and pedestrians to observe safety measures and follow traffic instructions during road closures in the city in time with the MassKara Festival.In a Facebook post on Oct. 5, BCPO advised the public to obey barricades, road closure signs and instructions from police personnel and traffic enforcers.Motorists were also urged to use designated alternate routes, slow down in detour areas, remain alert and allow additional travel time.The police office said restricted and closed roads should not be entered and emergency lanes must be kept clear to allow ambulances, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles to pass without obstruction.The public was also encouraged to monitor official announcements on road closures and reopening sche...