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Oct62026 by Judy F. PartlowNo Comments

Metro Dumaguete Water assures ample water supply amid El Niño threat

Engr. Robert Cabiles, Chief Operating Officer of Metro Dumaguete Water, speaking on Monday during the firm’s celebration of 1 Million Safe Man Hours.*/JFP photoMetro Dumaguete Water (MDW) has assured consumers of sufficient water supply despite the threat of a strong El Niño phenomenon this year.Engr. Robert Cabiles, MDW chief operating officer, said Monday that the water utility continues to monitor its resources and has so far not recorded critical declines in water levels.“Actually, up until now, we are monitoring our water resources and so far, it has not dropped to a critical level,” Cabiles said in an interview.“Right now, there is no need to panic. But we cannot be complacent about this and we need to prepare for the upcoming El Niño,” he added.Cabiles said the c...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

NFSP holds 96th annual general assembly

Business, Community, Top Stories

Officers of about 30 planters associations and sugar farmers cooperatives affiliated with the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) gathered at the Federation’s Main Office in Bacolod City on September 25 for the 96th Annual General Assembly and Board of Directors Meeting of the federation.“Since the founding of our federation in 1930, NFSP has always been vocal in defending the interests and promoting the welfare of our planter-members. We take pride in the long history of our Federation’s service to our planters and to the entire sugar industry,” said NFSP President Enrique D. Rojas.Rojas welcomed the leaders of the approximately 30 NFSP member-associations and cooperatives from all over the country, some of whom came from as far north as Cagayan Valley and as do...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

MassKara streetdance returns with three-category competition at new arena venue

Community, Top Stories

Organizers said preparations are complete for the MassKara Festival 2026 Streetdance and Arena Competition, which will bring together elementary, high school and barangay contingents on at the SM City Bacolod grounds, Oct. 17 and 18.The Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. said this year marks the return of a three-category competition after several years, with seven elementary schools, four high schools and eight barangays joining the festival showdown.Competing in the Elementary Category are Sum-ag Elementary School, Education and Training Center School II, Handumanan Elementary School I, Vista Alegre Elementary School, Mandalagan Elementary School, Vista Alegre-Granada Relocation Elementary School and Montevista Elementary School.The High School Category will feature Abkasa Nationa...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

TIEZA moves Bacolod plaza, NGC project deadline to Jan. 2027 as cost rises to P328M

Community, Top Stories

BOARD DOWN. The coverings surrounding the fountain area of the Bacolod City Government Center have already been removed on Monday, Oct. 5, although the area remains cordoned off as electrical works continue.*/Richard Caballero photoThe Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority has moved the contractual completion date of the redevelopment of the Bacolod City Government Center and Heritage Plaza to Jan. 27, 2027, following several work suspensions, weather delays and additional work that also raised the project cost to P328.09 million.TIEZA, however, said it and the contractor are still exerting efforts to complete the project within 2026.In a Sept. 30 letter to Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya, TIEZA said the project remains ongoing and cited work suspensions, inclement w...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Force multiplier shot dead while plowing field in Binalbagan

Police, Top Stories

A 55-year-old force multiplier was shot dead while plowing a field in a mountainous area of Brgy. Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, Monday morning, Oct. 5.Binalbagan police chief Maj. Joey Mara identified the victim only as alias “Jolito,” a resident of the said barangay.Mara said the victim was working in a field at Sitio Kapaklan at around 7 a.m. when he was shot by still unidentified assailants.The victim died at the scene.Mara said police have yet to determine how many assailants were involved and are still waiting for the results of the crime scene investigation.Authorities are also examining the victim’s background as part of the investigation.Mara said the victim had no record at the Binalbagan Police Station.Police have yet to establish the motive f...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Rape cases filed vs suspects in separate attacks on minors in E.B. Magalona, Bago

Police, Top Stories

Rape cases have been filed against two suspects in separate incidents involving minors in E.B. Magalona and Bago City, Negros Occidental, police said Monday, Oct. 5.Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office spokesperson Capt. Judesses Catalogo said both minors reportedly sustained physical injuries in the separate incidents.Police are withholding details that could identify the victims because they are minors and alleged victims of sexual abuse.In E.B. Magalona, police said the victim, an elementary school pupil, was on the way home around noon when an adult male suspect approached the child and allegedly introduced himself as someone who knew the victim’s father.The suspect, who reportedly worked as a pedicab driver like the victim’s father, allegedly offered to bring the...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Motorcycle rider dies after hitting concrete wall in Hinoba-an

Police, Top Stories

A 29-year-old motorcycle rider died after his motorcycle went off the roadway and crashed into a concrete wall in Brgy. 2, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, early Sunday morning, Oct. 4.Police identified the victim only as alias “Carlo,” a resident of the municipality.The incident happened at about 4 a.m. along the national highway in Purok 5.Police said the victim had been drinking alcoholic beverages with friends at an establishment in Brgy. 1 beginning around midnight before deciding to go home on his motorcycle.Upon reaching the area, the rider allegedly overshot the roadway and collided with a concrete wall.He sustained an injury to his left chest and was brought by the Hinoba-an Rescue Team to the Hinoba-an District Hospital, where he was declared dead by the attendin...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Farmer shot dead in Cauayan

Police, Top Stories

A 59-year-old farmer was shot dead by unidentified armed men while he was about to feed his pigs at the rear portion of his house in Brgy. Yao-yao, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Sunday morning, Oct. 4.Police identified the victim only as alias “Natoy,” a widower and resident of Purok 1 in the barangay.The shooting happened at about 5:40 a.m., according to the Cauayan Municipal Police Station.Police said the victim was preparing to feed his pigs when the assailants fired several shots at him using still unidentified firearms.He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.The incident was reported to police at about 9:55 a.m. by a concerned citizen.Personnel of the Cauayan police, including intelligence and alert teams, proceeded to the area to investigate. ...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod council seeks immediate rollout of PWD pension for first 1,000 beneficiaries

Community, Top Stories

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has urged the city government to immediately begin implementing its social pension program for persons with disabilities, starting with at least 1,000 qualified beneficiaries already identified through barangay screening, a press release on Oct. 5 said.The resolution, authored by Councilors Caesar Distrito and Celia Flor, calls on the Department of Social Services and Development and the City Budget Office, through Mayor Greg Gasataya, to provide the funding needed for the initial rollout.The first batch will come from qualified PWDs identified by barangay screening committees in coordination with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office.The city council is also seeking the gradual expansion of the program to include other qualified benefici...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bill seeks more affordable rental homes for low-income families

Community, Top Stories

Poor and low-income families in Bacolod City and other parts of Negros could gain more affordable rental housing options under a proposed law offering tax and financing incentives to private developers that build or operate qualified low-cost rental units.The Senate approved Senate Bill No. 2507, or the proposed Affordable and Decent Rental Housing Incentives Act, on second reading on Sept. 30, sponsored by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.The proposal seeks to increase the supply of affordable rental housing by encouraging private developers to construct, rehabilitate and operate units intended for poor and low-income households.Under SB 2507, qualified rental housing providers would have to register and secure certification for units covered by the program.Rental rates would ...