Top Stories

A man who was sitting on his hammock was shot dead by unidentified suspects in Hacienda Banilad I, Brgy. Nanca, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental,  on Wednesday, April 9.Killed was  Renant Belleza, 43, of Brgy Nanca.He sustained  gunshot wounds on his  head and chest, the police said. The police said they found  out that the victim was allegedly using illegal drugs along with other persons near his residence.*

Chief Science Research Specialist of the UP Resilience Institute Jose Abraham Ongkiko, OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez and Disaster Preparedness Service Director III Caesar Agnir Jr. (l-r) at the MOA signing.*The Victorias City government formalized two separate agreements with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Negros Association of Chief Executives (Negros ACE) to reinforce disaster preparedness and resilience at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on Friday, April 11.The first Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between Victorias and the OCD, aims to strengthen local disaster risk reduction and management efforts.This partnership marks a significant step in building a more disaster-resilient Victorias, a...

The Philippine Red Cross Negros Occidental - Bacolod City Chapter delivering water to affected communities in La Carlota City following Kanlaon's latest eruption.*PRC photoPotable drinking water is being rationed to about 12,000 residents of two barangays in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, whose water sources were clogged and polluted by ash and sulfur spewed by Kanlaon Volcano during its 56-minute explosive eruption on Tuesday, April 8.Three springs in Barangay Araal where the La Carlota City Water District taps water have been affected, La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalandoon said on Thursday, April 10.The ash covered the spring boxes, he said.This has affected 3,000 households or about 12,000 residents of barangays Araal and San Miguel.Affected are two Balagac...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson receives his RPOC appointment papers from NIR DILG Regional Director Lailyn Ortiz (center) and OIC-Assistant Regional Director Teodora Sumagaysay.*President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson the first chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) of the newly created Negros Island Region (NIR).Lacson received his appointment papers from the Regional Director Lailyn Ortiz of the NIR Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and her OIC-Assistant Regional Director Teodora Sumagaysay at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Thursday morning.The governor previously headed the RPOC-Western Visayas.DILG Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla called him over a month ago to inform him of his appoi...

A man who was running for town councilor died after his tricycle collided with a truck in Hacienda Carmenchita, Brgy. Don Salvador Benedicto, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, April 8.John Espinosa, 54, of Brgy. Antipolo in Pontevedra died when his tricycle bumped a truck driven by Jose Malicse, 41, of Brgy. La Granja, La Carlota City.The victim came from a campaign sortie in the town proper and was on his way home, the police said.However, his tricycle allegedly went out of its lane causing him to bump the truck.The victim was brought to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.The police are waiting for the decision of the victim’s family whether to file a case against the truck driver or agree to a settlement.*

The Haguimit Hilltop Resort.* Brgy Haguimit FB page photo Eleven tourism sites in La Castellana and La Carlota City have temporarily closed following Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption, Negros Occidental provincial tourism officer Cheryl Decena said Thursday, April 10.Trekking has also been halted at the Magon-on Falls in San Carlos City, she said. Closed in La Carlota City are the Guintubdan Pavilion since the first Kanlaon eruption in June and Camp Sitio Maya since Dec. 9 last year, and the Haguimit Hilltop Resort, Decena said.The establishments closed in La Castellana are the Tambayan sa Calapnagan, Acantilado, Fabricanus Village, Natures View Café, Domeino Suites, Highland Vista Resort, La Blanca Resort and 13th Café, Decena added.She said the lists of closed establishm...

The Bacolod City Drug Enforcement Unit arrested a high-value drug personality and seized suspected shabu worth P510,000 in a buy-bust operation in Purok Sigay, Brgy. 2, Bacolod City, Wednesday night, April 9.Arrested was alias “Tata” who was temporarily residing in Purok Sigay, the police said.The police said they seized 75 grams of suspected shabu from “Tata”.The suspect is now under police custody and will be charged for violation of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.*

Rep. Emilio “Dino” Yulo campaigning in Barangay Masulog, La Castellana.*Rep. Emilio “Dino” Yulo III (Neg. Occ., 5th District) said on Thursday, April 10, that he is thanking Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson for endorsing his opponent for the fifth congressional seat because it has awakened the determination of his supporters to campaign even harder for him.Lacson on Monday said he is endorsing the candidacy of Negros Occidental Board Member Anthony Dennis “Anton” Occeño of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) for representative of the 5th District of Negros Occidental.Yulo said maybe the people feel sorry for him because now they are even more determined to campaign for him.The people have already felt his brand of service in the last three years, Yulo said.Meanwhile, L...

Negrense chef Nico de Asis Millanes at the Raffles Courtyard.*Celebrating the vibrant and diverse flavors of Southeast Asia, the Raffles Hotel Singapore, in collaboration with Makansutra’s K.F. Seetoh, is featuring Negrense chef Nico de Asis Millanes in the relaunch of its Southeast Asia Regional Hawker Series.The week-long culinary event started on Monday and will run until Sunday, April 13, at the Raffles Courtyard.Chef Nico, a Bacolodnon and a graduate of the Enderun Colleges’ École Ducasse pioneer batch, brings to Singapore his signature take on Kansi - a hearty and soulful Negrense beef shank soup traditionally slow-cooked with jackfruit or langka and the uniquely tangy batwan, a fruit endemic to the Negros and Panay Islands.Chef Nico's “kansi”*Known for his refine...

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended over P132 million worth of humanitarian aid to families and individuals affected by the continuing restiveness of Mt. Kanlaon.Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said on Thursday, April 10, that the aid covers 107,825 family food packs (FFPs) and 24,990 non-food items that have been augmented to local government units (LGUs) since the Dec. 9 eruption, as well as P28 million in financial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).The DSWD also provided over 3,500 other food items such as potable water and hot meals.Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, told reporters that the agency is striving to address "food-pack fatigue...