Top Stories

Incoming Sagay Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva vowed to lead a movement of selfless individuals fueled by volunteerism as he took his oath as the new chief executive of the city along with other officials during the city’s 29th Charter Anniversary.Cueva, in his inaugural speech at the Sagay City gymnasium on June 11, said that as the incoming mayor he wants to lead this movement to encourage everyone to play an active part in community building.“I want to spearhead a movement of selfless individuals who are deeply motivated by the spirit of volunteerism among our people”, he said.Cueva, along with incoming Vice Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr., 2nd-termer Congressman Alfredo Maranon III, Provincial Board Member Arthur Christopher Maranon, and the 10 city councilors took their oaths administer...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Saturday, June 21, said he is supportive of the initiative of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to privatize the operations of the Bacolod-Silay Airport provided that the private partner has the proven capacity, resources, and vision to implement the necessary improvements.“The success of this project depends greatly on choosing the right partner — one that is committed to public service, long-term sustainability, and development,” Lacson said.Bacolod Mayor and Representative-elect Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he welcomes the privatization of the airport operations "if facilities and services will be improved”.Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon earlier said the DOTr is committed to privatize the operations and maintenance...

The workers will bear the brunt of the soaring fuel prices*Ronnie Baldonado photoWorkers are facing a double blow, Wennie Sancho, General Alliance of Workers Association secretary general, said on Sunday, June 22.First, Congress failed to approve the legislated wage hike, which would have provided some relief to workers struggling to make ends meet, he said.And now with the significant increases in the prices of petroleum products triggered by the escalation of the war between Israel and Iran, the workers are facing another economic squeeze, he added.The fuel price hikes in the Philippines are expected to go higher than initial estimates as the US joined Israel in bombing Iran.“The rising cost of fuel will have a ripple effect on the prices of goods and services making ...

The New People’s Army (NPA) claimed the death of two persons in another shooting incident in Brgy. San Isidro, Toboso, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, June 22.They shot Elias Palay, whom they alleged was a military, spy and Putot Alsado, the NPA’s Roselyn Jean Pelle Command, said in a press statement.The police said the victims were shot by four unidentified armed men in the San Isidro public market.The RJPC-NPA alleged that that Palay had conducted surveillance work versus the rebel movement and was involved in the plunder of financial resources of a cooperative, while Alsado was a “drug pusher.”The RJPC-NPA earlier also claimed the killing of Leonardo Nepalar alias “Tolindoy”, a farmer, in Calatrava, on June 18.*

The City Health Office (CHO) on Sunday, June 22, reported one more probable leptospirosis death in Bacolod City bringing the total number to six this year.The victim was identified as a 20-year-old male from Brgy. Sum-ag Bacolod City.The patient had fever, joint pain, vomiting and nausea that was medicated with paracetamol and on consultation he was advised to hydrate.He was admitted at a Bacolod hospital on June 8 and died the next day, the CHO reported.He had swum in a river less than a week prior to onset of fever, the CHO said.There have been 12 reported leptospirosis cases in Bacolod City this year and six deaths.The five other fatalities were from barangays 21, Handumanan, Villamonte, Banago and Bata, the CHO reported.Leptospirosis is a bacterial infec...

Cadiz City's "super lola" has turned 109 years old.She is Visitacion Victorama Contenido, or "Lola Visitacion" to family, friends and village mates at Purok Awa, Barangay Zone 6, Cadiz City.Lola Visitacion was born in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City, on May 28, 1916, a press release from Cadiz City said on Sunday, June 22.But for 32 years now, she and her family have settled in Barangay Zone 6, Cadiz.Lola Visitacion has 12 children - 7 from her first marriage and 5 from her second husband.With poverty constantly knocking on their door, she did everything she could to survive and raise her family.She used to be a paltera (traditional/unlicensed midwife).When she was not delivering babies she sold vegetables, fish and seashells.Despite her age, and almost being b...

The drug bust in Purok Mapalaron, Brgy. 30, Bacolod City.*BCPO photoThe police arrested two suspects and seized P1,972,000 in drugs in Bacolod City on Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21.On Saturday the police arrested a high value drug personality and seized about P1,190,000 worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation in Zone 5, Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod City.The Bacolod City Drug Enforcement Unit arrested Eduardo Navarro, 44, of Brgy Handumanan, the police reported.Recovered from him were 175 grams of shabu, the police said.On Friday an Iloilo City resident was arrested in a buy-bust operation after the police seized P782,000 worth of suspected shabu from him in Purok Mapalaron, Brgy. 30, Bacolod City.The Bacolod City Drug Enforcement Unit arrested Joseph Bay...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Rep. Greg Gasataya (right).*Incoming Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said on Saturday, June 21, that the smooth turnover of documents by the team of outgoing mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to his transition team was a “powerful moment of unity”.The Local Governance Transition Team held a turnover ceremony at the City Mayor’s Office at the Bacolod City Government Center on Friday in line with the Department of the Interior and Local Government guidelines.“The smooth and respectful turnover of documents to our transition team marks more than a ceremonial handover - it is a quiet but powerful moment of unity and responsibility and a reminder of how a relationship that is harmonious and focused on the public ensures peace and continuity,” Ga...

Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod personnel rescuing Erniel Lanza on Friday.* BFP Bacolod photoA contractor who was pinned beneath a wall of a warehouse that fell on him at the Goldenfield Commercial Complex in Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, died, the police said on Saturday, June 21.The wall of the warehouse that is under renovation fell on Erniel Lanza, 55, on Friday, Capt. Greeky Cayao, Bacolod Police Station 8 Commander, said.Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod responders extracted Lanza who sustained head injuries from beneath the debris.He was declared dead at the hospital, Cayao said.There was no foul play involved, the police said.*