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The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday, April 23,  announced the pilot launch of P20 per kg. rice sale in the Visayas, in line with the food security, accessibility, and affordability targets of the Marcos administration. The program’s pilot was announced shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and 12 governors in Visayas. In a press conference streamed via Facebook Live, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said this will be the first time the cheapest rice will be available to the public. “We’re just launching it now, that’s why we have a meeting today. It’s because, well, the people need it more here and we also have enough stocks here,” Tiu Laurel said. Under the program, each family will be allowed a...

Workers clearing the BInalbagan River of molasses*Binalbagan PIO photoThe molasses spill that affected four barangays in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, is now contained, Mayor Alejandro Mirasol said on Tuesday, April 22.The Binalbagan Isabela Sugar Company’s (BISCOM) molasses spill in the Binalbagan River on Saturday, April 19, affected barangays Canmoros, Progreso, Marina and San Juan, he said.The spill has not affected the livelihood of fishermen because they fish in the sea and not in the river, Mirasol said.But there were reported fish kills from the spill in Canmoros, Forester Lucia Salazar, Supervising Environment Specialist of CENRO Kabankalan, said.Mirasol said it will be up to the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) to recommend sanctions to be imposed on BISC...

PSA-NIR Interim Regional Director John Campomanes (center) with PSA Siquijor head Joselito Maghanoy, PSA Negros Oriental head Ariel Fortuito, Marlon Jinon - chief economic development specialist and team leader of the National Economic and Development Authority-NIR, and OIC-Assistant National Statistician Mark Pascasio (l-r) during the news conference in Talisay City.*PNA/ Nanette L. Guadalquiver photoThe economy of the newly-formed Negros Island Region (NIR) expanded by 5.9 percent in 2024, with an estimated value of P636 billion, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday, April 22, showed.At constant 2018 prices, last year’s gross regional domestic product is higher by P35.35 billion compared to the value in 2023.“This makes the NIR the seventh fastest gr...

Kanlaon Volcano spewing ash on April 14.*Marvin Escander photoThe Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) of La Carlota City has recommended a ban on outdoor mass gatherings citing the continuing danger posed by restive Kanlaon Volcano.The DRRMC cited recent Kanlaon Volcano ash emissions that hit La Carlota City and the warning by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology that it could be a build up to a major eruption.The DRRMC recommended to Mayor Rex Jalando-on the issuance of an executive order banning mass outdoor gatherings, especially at the La Carlota City public plaza and the Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School oval.Mass gatherings during volcanic unrest can heighten community vulnerability and impede emergency response o...

The memorial corner at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City.*Andrew Altarejos photoThe San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City has set up a memorial corner for those who wish to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Pope Francis.One can pray, light candles, and offer flowers for the Holy Father at the memorial corner, a post on the Cathedral’s Facebook page said.“It serves not only as a place of mourning but also as a space for reflection and thanksgiving for the Pope’s enduring witness to faith, humility, and service,” it said.There is also an altar of remembrance for Pope Francis at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Kabankalan City.The Pope, who was 88 years old, died at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta at 7:35 a.m. on Monday (1:35 p.m...

Councilor Al Victor Espino speaks at the public consultation.*Bacolod PIO photoThe Bacolod City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) held a Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) consultation at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Tuesday, April 22.Present at the event were Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, councilors Al Victor Espino, Kalaw Puentevella and Celia Flor, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Region VI Director Richard Osmeña, city department heads and transport leaders, a press release from the Bacolod Public Information Office said.“This activity is one way of understanding the situation and the problems faced by the transport sector. We have tried making headway for us to really move forward concerning the industry,” Benitez said in his ...

Bacolod City is expected to get up to 3 million liters of water per day (MLD) for areas with limited water supply with the operationalization of PrimeWater’s Matab-ang River Surface Water Supply and Filtration Project in the coming days.The injection of water supply from the Matab-ang River in Talisay City is set from April 24 to 27, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said in a press conference on Monday, April 21.“Initially, they are targeting 3 MLD, but eventually it will reach 10 MLD,” he said.The additional water supply will mainly benefit affected areas in barangays Villamonte, Estefania, 27, 28, and 30.Last week, Benitez created a task force to expedite efforts for the energization of the Matab-ang River water supply project.He also met with officials of Bacolod City ...

The seized drugs in Kabankalan City*The police arrested a Kabankalanon and seized P100,000 worth of suspected shabu and marijuana from him in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Buri, Brgy. 4, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on April 21.Arrested was John Anthony Mordise, 22, of Brgy. 9, Kabankalan, the police said.Recovered from him were nine sachets of suspected shabu, an improvised glass tooter with traces of shabu, a sachet containing dried marijuana, an improvised plastic straw scoop with suspected shabu traces, the buy-bust money, a weighing scale, and other non-drug evidence, the police said.The suspect is now under the custody of the police and will be charged for violation of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.The seized drug it...

There has been an increase in respiratory illnesses among farm animals in Negros Occidental, especially poultry, because of the extreme heat, Dr. Placeda Lemana, provincial veterinarian, said on Tuesday, April 22.It is inevitable that the animals will get sick because of extreme weather conditions, she said.It is important to always provide water for livestock and pets, to prevent dehydration, she said.Animals should also be kept in the shade or in places with enough ventilation, especially when the heat is scorching, Lemana said.Poultry growers should avoid overcrowding chickens in pens, she also said.Some chickens have been observed to be suffering from runny noses, Lemana said.Lemana said pet owners should also avoid dressing up their dogs, because it will increa...

A farmer was hacked to death by another farmer over an irrigation dispute in Purok Nangka, Brgy. Quezon, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, April 22.Gil Lopez, 57, died after he was allegedly hacked by Arnold Laraño, 35, both of Brgy Quezon, the police said.Maj. Ronald Santillan, San Carlos Deputy Police Chief, said that before the incident happened there was a misunderstanding between the victim and the suspect over the irrigation system in their farms.Santillan said that when they met, a commotion happened, resulting in Laraño hacking Lopez multiple times.The suspect surrendered to the police after the incident.The police said they are waiting for the decision of the victim’s family whether to file a case or not.*