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Sep282026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

3 gas station workers arrested over alleged illegal fuel trading in Sibulan

Three gas station employees were arrested for allegedly selling petroleum products without the required Department of Energy (DOE) certification in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on Friday, Sept. 25.The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said its Negros Oriental Provincial Field Unit, together with the Sibulan Municipal Police Station, conducted the operation at a gas station in Brgy. Bolocboloc from 9:20 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Authorities confiscated two fuel dispensing machines containing gasoline with an estimated value of P1.3 million.According to the CIDG, the three employees were caught selling petroleum products despite the gas station’s alleged lack of a Certificate of Compliance from the DOE.The suspects were arrested for alleged violation of Batas Pambansa Bl...

Sep272026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Cadiz solidifies title as ‘solar capital’ of Visayas

Negros Oriental, Siquijor workers to get P42 daily wage hike starting Oct. 14

Business, Community, Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Minimum wage earners in Negros Oriental and Siquijor will receive a P42 daily wage increase starting Oct. 14, 2026, under a wage adjustment approved for private sector workers covered by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) VII.Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino announced the increase on Saturday, Sept. 26, saying it is equivalent to an additional P1,092 a month.The wage adjustment also covers Cebu and Bohol, with the Department of Labor and Employment estimating that 337,476 workers across the four provinces will benefit.Although Negros Oriental and Siquijor are part of the Negros Island Region (NIR), they remain covered by RTWPB VII for minimum wage-setting purposes, while Negros Occidental remains under RTWPB VI in Western Visayas.The wage adjustme...

Sep272026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

San Carlos bishop calls for renewable energy shift amid Negros, Visayas power crisis

Community, Top Stories

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza has called for greater investment in locally available renewable energy and stricter accountability for power generators amid recurring electricity interruptions in Negros and the Visayas.In a pastoral statement dated Sunday, Sept. 27, Alminaza said generation shortfalls, transmission constraints and limited power imports have contributed to recent grid alerts, affecting households, businesses, schools, hospitals and farmers.He urged authorities to distinguish between the causes of power shortages and the rotating power interruptions implemented by distribution utilities upon the grid operator’s instructions.Alminaza cited a review of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) advisories from May 12 to Sept. 8, 2026, which repeatedly ...

Sep272026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Woman killed, 3 injured in Murcia motorcycle collision

Police, Top Stories

An 28-year-old woman was killed while three others were injured after two motorcycles collided along the Murcia-Bago Road in Brgy. Blumentritt, Murcia, Negros Occidental, early Sunday, Sept. 27.Police identified the fatality as alias “Jonalyn”, a back rider of a Rusi TC 125 motorcycle driven by alias “Bobby”, 32.The collision occurred at around 2:53 a.m. in Hacienda Valing as both motorcycles were traveling toward Brgy. Cansilayan.Initial police investigation showed that a Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle driven by alias “Donie”, 28, with alias “Jobert, 18”, as his back rider, hit Bobby’s motorcycle, which was traveling ahead of them.Both motorcycles fell onto the road, injuring their drivers and passengers.Jonalyn sustained a head injury and was declared dead at the Murcia Ru...

Sep272026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Cemetery worker electrocuted while draining grave in Kabankalan

Police, Top Stories

A 33-year-old cemetery worker died after he was electrocuted while draining water from a grave at Angel’s Memorial Park in Brgy. 1, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, Sept. 26.Police identified the victim as alias “Roger”, a laborer and resident of Brgy. Talaban, Himamaylan City.According to police, Roger and his co-workers were preparing a grave for an upcoming burial at around 9:30 a.m.He was assigned to remove accumulated water from the grave using a submersible pump when he was electrocuted while setting up the equipment.The electrical shock caused him to fall into the water-filled grave.His co-workers immediately assisted him and brought him to the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.Roger’s sister reported th...

Sep272026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Former rebel surrenders firearm to police in Silay

Police, Top Stories

A 55-year-old man identified by police as a former member of a communist rebel group voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Silay City, Negros Occidental, on Friday, Sept. 25.Police identified the man as alias “Janjan”, a backhoe operator and resident of Brgy. E. Lopez, Silay City.He surrendered at the headquarters of the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (NOCPMFC) in Purok Sunshine at around 10:40 a.m. and turned over a .38-caliber revolver without ammunition.According to police, Janjan had previously been associated with the Northern Negros Front and said he had renounced his support for the group.He also sought assistance in clearing his name, police said.The surrender was facilitated by personnel of the 1st NOCPMFC led by its officer-in-charge...

Sep272026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Mass interrupted after man climbs cathedral altarpiece in Bacolod

Police, Top Stories

Ronnie Baldonado photoAn afternoon Mass was interrupted after a man climbed onto the ornate altarpiece behind the altar, prompting a rescue operation that lasted more than four hours at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City, Saturday, Sept. 26.Churchgoers were moved to safety as police and emergency responders secured the cathedral, while traffic along the road in front of the church was temporarily restricted.Rescuers set up an inflatable safety cushion and spent several hours persuading the man to climb down safely before he jumped onto the cushion at around 9:13 p.m.According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, its personnel arrived at the cathedral at around 4:37 p.m. and began assessing the situation.The inflatable safety cushion was set up at around 4:50 p.m. ...

Sep272026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Bacolod gears up for MassKara, Batang Pinoy, MMFF Parade of Stars

Community, Sports, Top Stories

Bacolod City is preparing to host three major events in the final quarter of 2026, with an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 athletes and delegates expected for the Batang Pinoy national youth sports competition.Mayor Greg Gasataya announced the city's preparations for the MassKara Festival in October, Batang Pinoy 2026 and the Metro Manila Film Festival's first simultaneous Parade of Stars in December during Bacolod Day at the 40th Negros Trade Fair in Taguig City, Sept. 26.Gasataya said the events are expected to bring more visitors to Bacolod and generate opportunities for local businesses.“This will be a very busy quarter for the City of Bacolod, and this will redound to the benefit of the people of Bacolod and, as much as possible, every business in Bacolod and Negros Occidental,...

Sep262026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments