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Aug192026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Bata fire hits two houses, one injured

The fire in Purok Tunay, Zone 1, Barangay Bata.*Thur Yap photoA fire destroyed two houses in Purok Tunay, Zone 1, Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, Wednesday afternoon, August 19, leaving one individual injured, the Bureau of Fire Protection reported.The affected property, owned by Nonito Losbañez, housed two families with five individuals.Raegan Losbañez, 40, sustained burns to both arms and a laceration on his neck, the BFP reported.The BFP estimated the damage at ₱38,000.*

Aug192026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

NegOr orders province-wide school security review after Zamboanga shooting

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria*Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria has ordered a province-wide review and strengthening of security measures in and around schools following the shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University campus that left two students dead on Tuesday, Aug. 18.In a statement, Sagarbarria directed concerned provincial offices to coordinate with the Philippine National Police, Department of Education, component cities and municipalities, and school administrators to assess existing security arrangements and emergency response procedures.The governor said the review should cover school access and security protocols, coordination with law enforcement and local authorities, security visibility where necessary, and preparedness for emergencies.“We m...

Aug192026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Activists seek justice for Toboso 19, call for end to militarization

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The protest in front of the Bacolod City Government Center replica*Human rights activists, church groups, and local communities marked four months since a military operation left 19 dead in Toboso, Negros Occidental, by holding a lightning protest in front of the Bacolod City Government Center replica at the public plaza on Wednesday, Aug. 19, to demand justice and an end to militarization.Led by DefendNegros and human rights alliance Manindigan Negros, the demonstrators called for accountability for the April 19 incident involving the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Toboso that left 19 dead, including Alyssa Alano, RJ Ledesma, Errol Wendel, Maureen Keil Santuyo, Kai Sorrem, Lyle Prijoles, Dexter Patajo, and Jolinda Gemina whom they identified as civil...

Aug192026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Philippine cobra turned over to DENR in San Carlos

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A Philippine cobra was voluntarily turned over to authorities in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Aug. 18.The Negros Occidental Maritime Police Station said the snake, locally known as “banakon,” was surrendered by a resident of Sitio Tagda, Brgy. Nataban.Personnel stationed at Port San Carlos later transported the cobra to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources satellite office in the city.The snake was received by DENR personnel for documentation, care, custody and proper disposition.Authorities said the turnover was conducted in accordance with Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.The Philippine cobra is a native venomous snake species, and authorities reminded the public to avoid harming or attemptin...

Aug182026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

DILG probes nepotism in distribution of scholarship funds in 3 NegOcc brgys

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The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is investigating complaints against officials from three barangays in Negros Occidental for alleged nepotism and improper distribution of funds under the national Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Scholarship Program.DILG Assistant Regional Director and concurrent Negros Occidental Provincial Director Teodora Sumagaysay confirmed Tuesday, August 18, that field officers have been deployed to look into reports from three barangays located in Bago City, Cauayan and Moises Padilla.The complaints involve officials who allegedly awarded scholarship grants to their relatives.Under the rules of the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program—a nationwide initiative that provides ₱20,000 in educational assistance to each of five ...

Aug182026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Lacson pushes for unified slate amid speculation of Marañon vs. Benitez 2028 clash

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Will there be a battle between Rep. Alfredo Marañon III and Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez (right)?*Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday, August 18, that he is still hoping a Love Negros and United Negros Alliance (UNegA) coalition will field a unified ticket for governor and vice governor in 2028.His statement comes amid political speculation over a potential gubernatorial clash in the 2028 polls between Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) of UNegA and Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) of Love Negros.Lacson, who is serving his third and final term as governor, stressed that whoever succeeds him must prioritize the welfare of Negrenses.“If there are names already floating around, that is exactly what we’re tryin...

Aug182026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Dead rebel abandoned, high-powered firearm recovered: Army

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An alleged remnant of a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) was found dead after being abandoned by his comrades following a brief gunbattle with government troops in Sitio Calambia, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City in Negros Occidental, on Monday, August 17.The military identified the casualty as Cristito Nilles Sr.., alias Dagohoy, a member of Squad 2 and commanding officer of Section Guerilla Unit 3 under the dismantled Central Negros 1 (CN1).The 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) reported that troops were conducting security operations in response to reports of armed elements in the area when CTG remnants opened fire. The ensuing firefight lasted five minutes.Nilles was reportedly wounded during the exchange of fire and was later abandoned by his fleeing comrades in ...

Aug182026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Contractor targets new Provincial Administration Center completion by December: guv

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The unfinished new PAC.* Barbara Mijares photoConstruction of the new seven-story Negros Occidental Provincial Administration Center (PAC) along Aguinaldo Street in Bacolod City is targeted for completion by December, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday, August 18.A representative of Dynamic Builders and Construction Co. assured that they are committed to finishing the nearly P1-billion project, he said.The governor earlier said that construction had stopped due to alleged financial difficulties.“While I did say that the work has completely stopped, it does not mean that the contractor has abandoned work,” the governor said.“I’m still confident that they will finish that building...I trust this company, if they say they will finish it, they will fin...

Aug182026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Guv prefers holding of BSKE on Nov. 2 as scheduled

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Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson*Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday, August 18, that he prefers that the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to push through on November 2 as scheduled.“The budget is already there, so why not use it? There is no guarantee that if we postpone it to a later date, we will still have the budget to do so,” Lacson said.He added that if the BSKE is deferred to 2028, some incumbent officials could end up serving for nine years, and if re-elected, they would serve even longer. Lacson noted that nine years is the maximum term limit for incumbent officials.Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) and 63 members of the House of Representatives on August 4 filed House Bill No. 10591 seekin...

Aug182026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Negrense labor leader Chit Dodd, mother of actress Sue Ramirez, passes away

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Concepcion “Chit” Dodd, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) vice president, passed away Monday evening, August 17.TUCP said it mourns the passing of Dodd, who also served as national president of the Confederation of Labor and Allied Social Services.“In her long service to the labor movement, she left behind an important contribution in advancing the welfare and rights of workers. More than her service to the labor movement, she was also a loving mother who was a pillar and inspiration to her family,” the organization stated, adding that her memory and legacy will live on.Dodd, a native of Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, is the mother of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Negros Island Region head Niña Connie Dodd and actress Sue Rami...