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Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

House to probe Visayas power crisis in Bacolod hearing

Three committees of the House of Representatives will hold a public hearing to look into recurring power outages and other electricity supply problems affecting the Visayas Grid in Bacolod City on Saturday, Oct. 3.The hearing will be jointly conducted by the House committees on Energy, Visayas Development, and Legislative Franchises from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at L’Fisher Hotel.Among the measures to be discussed is House Resolution No. 1429 filed by Deputy Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, which seeks an inquiry into the continuing power outages in the Visayas.The resolution calls for an examination of the causes of the outages and possible accountability, as well as measures to ensure a more stable, adequate and reliable electricity supply in the region.Lawmakers...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Mega Puppets, Electric MassKara ‘to spotlight art, barangay pride’ in Bacolod

Community, Lifestyle, Top Stories

Art and community participation will take center stage in two major MassKara Festival 2026 events this month as Mega Puppets and Mega Electric MassKara return to Bacolod.The Bacolod Gugma Foundation, organizer of MassKara Festival 2026, said Thursday, Oct. 1, that the activities are intended to highlight the festival’s artistic roots and provide platforms for local artists, students, performers and barangays.The Mega Puppets Competition will be held at Plaza de MassKara at The Upper East on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.This year’s competition carries the theme “Pinoy Icons in Their Winningest Moments: Celebrating Gugma, Sharing Their Smiles.”Ten groups representing barangays, schools and private institutions will create large-scale puppets inspired by Filipino personalities and moments...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

P102,000 shabu seized in Kabankalan buy-bust

Police, Top Stories

A 28-year-old man was arrested after police seized an estimated P102,000 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 30.Police identified the suspect as alias Jee, a resident of Brgy. Tan-awan, Kabankalan City.The operation was conducted at around 3:13 p.m. in Purok 6, Brgy. 1 by personnel of the Kabankalan Component City Police Station.Police said the suspect allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu to a poseur buyer during the operation.Authorities recovered a total of 11 sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 15 grams and a standard drug price of P102,000.Police also recovered P1,105 in cash, including the marked buy-bust money, and other non-drug evidence.The ...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

5 hurt in Manapla motorcycle collision, both drivers unlicensed

Police, Top Stories

Five people sustained minor injuries after two motorcycles carrying three persons each collided along a barangay road in Brgy. Purisima, Manapla, Negros Occidental, early Wednesday, Sept. 30.Police said the collision happened at around 5:15 a.m. while both motorcycles were traveling from Brgy. Purisima proper toward Crossing Purisima.Initial investigation showed that a Honda Beat driven by alias Kyrald, 20, allegedly failed to notice a Honda Click ahead that was moving slowly and stopping along the roadside.The Honda Beat then hit the other motorcycle, causing injuries to Kyrald and his two back riders, identified as aliases Cody, 24, and Arman, 26.Two passengers of the Honda Click, identified as aliases Sophea, 21, and Irish, 20, also sustained minor injuries, while it...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

PRO-NIR trains 55 participants on cases involving minors exposed to violent extremism

Community, Negros Oriental, Police, Top Stories

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region has opened a three-day seminar-workshop in Bacolod City on handling cases involving minors who may be exposed to nihilistic violent extremism and harmful online content.The activity began Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Food Terminal Market along North Capitol Road and gathered 55 participants from law enforcement and partner government agencies.PRO-NIR said the training is intended to strengthen the ability of personnel to identify, prevent and respond to cases involving minors exposed to violent extremist ideologies.The seminar includes discussions on online environments where minors may encounter content promoting hatred, violence or acts that could cause serious harm.Participants are also being trained to recognize possible in...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

1,794 police personnel deployed for MassKara Festival 2026

Police, Top Stories

A total of 1,794 police personnel have been deployed in Bacolod City to secure the MassKara Festival 2026, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said.PRO-NIR formally sent off the security contingent on Wednesday, Sept. 30, ahead of the festival activities in October.The deployment includes personnel from provincial police offices, the PRO-NIR regional headquarters and national support units.Police will be assigned to festival venues, parade routes, transport hubs, public convergence areas and other key locations across Bacolod.PRO-NIR said the deployment will focus on crime prevention, police visibility, crowd and traffic management and rapid response to incidents.The security contingent will be supported by personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Phili...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

GCash offers government bond investment from P5,000 for Negros residents

Business, Top Stories

Residents of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental looking to earn interest every three months can invest in a Philippine government bond through GCash, starting at P5,000, the company said.Retail Treasury Bond 32 (RTB 32) is available to eligible users through GBonds in the GCash app. The primary offer runs from September 29 to October 7, unless the Bureau of the Treasury closes it earlier.Buying a government bond means lending money to the government in exchange for interest payments and repayment of the principal under the bond’s terms.RTB 32 has a two-and-a-half-year term, with issuance scheduled for October 12, 2026, and maturity on April 12, 2029. Interest is paid quarterly, or every three months.For someone investing P5,000, the release estimates an interest pa...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Proposed Maceda Law changes could give Negros homebuyers longer payment grace periods

Business, Community, Press Release, Top Stories

Homebuyers in Negros who purchase residential properties on installment could receive stronger protection against contract cancellation and payment penalties under proposed amendments to the 54-year-old Realty Installment Buyer Protection Act.Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Thursday, Oct. 1, that he is pushing amendments to Republic Act No. 6552, commonly known as the Maceda Law, to provide additional safeguards for buyers who experience difficulty paying their installments.The existing law covers installment purchases of real estate, including residential condominium units, and provides grace periods and refund rights to qualified buyers who default on succeeding payments.The proposed changes would apply nationwide, including to covered installment homebuyers in Negros Islan...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade opens applications for rescue technicians

Business, Community, Top Stories

The Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade in Bacolod City has opened applications for individuals who want to train and serve as volunteer rescue technicians.In a press conference on Wednesday night, Sept. 30, Amity said the recruitment is open to applicants aged 21 to 40 who are at least senior high school graduates, physically and mentally fit to undergo training, and have no criminal record.Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade officials (from left) Jucar Caspe, assistant deputy for rescue; Parrick Palses, assistant fire chief for communication; Samuel Ko, fire chief of the Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade; Hitchel Mombay, assistant fire chief for maintenance; Rutha Rojo, planning officer; and Rumrum Rojo, deputy chief for emergency medical services, during a press conference announcing the opening o...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Bago becomes first Negros Island LGU with 2 licensed primary care facilities

Business, Community, Top Stories

Bago City has become the first local government unit in the Negros Island Region to operate two licensed primary care facilities after the Barangay Ma-ao Health Station passed its assessment on Wednesday, Sept. 30.The city government said the Ma-ao facility was granted a license to operate as a Primary Care Facility following an assessment conducted by the Regulation, Licensing and Enforcement Division of the Department of Health-Negros Island Region.The RLED team was led by Dr. Anna Andrea Libo-on, while the Barangay Ma-ao Health Station team was headed by Dr. Elijah Blaise Bimbao under the supervision of City Health Officer Dr. Ferdinand Ramon Mayoga.Bago City Mayor Marina Javellana said Brgy. Ma-ao is also the first barangay in the Negros Island Region to have a licensed...