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The Commission on Elections will kick off the local campaign period with a synchronized nationwide Grand Baklas Operation on Friday, March 28, Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano of the COMELEC Negros Island Region said on Tuesday.The campaign period for candidates for member of the House of Representatives, and provincial, city and municipal posts will start Friday until May 10, excluding April 17 (Maundy Thursday) and April 18 (Good Friday).Tarpaulins, posters, banners and all illegal campaign materials posted by local and national candidates will be removed during the “Grand Baklas Operation”, Castillano said.Castillano said they already received an order from Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia for all towns and cities to conduct Oplan Baklas operations.Campaign ...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.*Enjoy the campaign, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson urged local candidates on Tuesday, March 25.The local campaign period kicks off on Friday, March 28.“As I’ve always said enjoy the campaign. Let’s keep it as civil as possible and always respect the outcome of the election results,” Lacson said on Tuesday, March 25.“Let’s make sure the purpose of our going out to campaign is to let the community know what we plan to do if elected,” was Lacson’s advice to the candidates. Lacson also called on supporters to follow the lead of their candidates and keep the campaign at a high level.The governor said he has no plan to hold an opening salvo campaign on Friday.“I will just continue working”, he said..He advised candidates not to u...

Torsten Martin Groschupp (seated, left) and Alexander Radvanyl (5th from left) share their experience getting lost on the trail of Mount Talinis in Valencia, Negros Oriental after they were rescued Friday, March 21,*PNA/Judy Partlow) photoThe Valencia local government in Negros Oriental is tightening its enforcement of an ordinance regulating activities in Mount Talinis following the rescue of six foreigners who went missing on their way to the complex volcano, officials said Monday, March 24.Desiderio Tilos Jr., Valencia municipal tourism officer, said that Ordinance No. 4 series of 2020 (An Ordinance Enacting the Tourism, Heritage, Culture and Arts Code of the Municipality of Valencia includes) regulates activities in Mount Talinis.Article 8 of the ordinance provides for the ...

A Cauayan resident who was abducted by unidentified persons in Ilog, Negros Occidental, last week was found dead in Sitio Kabangahan, Brgy. Mandu-ao, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, on Monday, March 24.Albert Balansag, 51, of Brgy. Proper Talakdan, Cauayan, was found dead in Bayawan after he was abducted on March 18.The victim’s wife, in a Facebook post, said he was forcibly abducted by four men who wore bonnets and were on board in a blue car on March 18, while he was waiting for a bus in Brgy. Tabu, Ilog.Lt. Col. Lowell Garinganao, Cauayan police chief, confirmed that the victim was abducted in Brgy. Tabu.*

The Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival performers Monday night.*Ronnie Baldonado photoNegros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Tuesday, March 25, congratulated the winners of the Best of Festival Dances competition, saying the quality of their performances raised the bar for future competitions.He congratulated Victorias City and La Castellana’s Bailes de Luces who were the champions in the city and municipal categories at the competition that was held at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City Monday night, March 24.Victorias City made history as the Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival performers clinched a grand slam in the city category.The Victorias delegation was composed of 80 dancers, 10 characters, and 90 propsmen.Victorias also achieved a back-to-back victory in the Best Intro...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson with the Esports competition participants.*Richard Malihan photoNegros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson opened the 3rd Panaad sa Negros Festival Governor's Cup MLBB Esports Competition 2025 “Battle of the Champions” at Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City on Tuesday, March 25.The pioneering Panaad sa Negros Festival event is organized by the Negros Occidental provincial government through Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center.Lacson said that the 3rd Governor's Cup MLBB Esports Competition is a proof of our commitment for inclusivity and innovation.Esports is not just a pastime, it’s a platform for skills development, strategic thinking and collaboration, he said.He stressed that beyond the competition, this even...

A farmer was shot dead by three armed persons inside his house in Sitio Calanugan, Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, March 25.Killed was alias “Cyril”, 41, the police said.Police investigation showed that the suspects arrived at the victim's house and invited him to go with them to Sitio Yamingon but he refused.When the victim closed the door of his house, the suspects forcibly opened it and shot the victim multiple times, the police said.The suspects fled immediately after the shooting.*

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Councilor Celia Flor (6th and 7th from left) cut the ribbon to open the Breastfeeding and Lactation Room .*The City of Bacolod, through its Urban Basic Services Division (UBSD), officially launched its Breastfeeding and Lactation Room at the Bacolod City Government Center on Tuesday, March 25.The Breastfeeding and Lactation Room was made possible through Resolution No. 168 s. 2025 and its opening is in line with the celebration of the National Women’s Month with the theme, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas”, a press release from the city information officed said.The room, co-shared with the Department of Social Service and Development’s (DSSD) child minding room wherein breastfeeding mothers can allow their child...

A 48-year-old man who allegedly refused medical attention for his flu-like illness was found dead in Sitio Pasil, Brgy. Poblacion, San Enrique, Negros Occidental, on Monday, March 24.The neighbor of the victim found him lying on his bed lifeless and informed his sister-in-law.The victim was rushed to the San Enrique Rural Health Unit but declared dead.The victim had been experiencing flu-like symptoms for about two weeks but refused to seek medical attention, a police report said.There were no visible wounds or signs of struggle, and his personal belongings were intact, the police said.The police requested a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.*

The Sidlak Kadalag-an performers at the Panaad.*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival of Victorias City  and the Bailes de Luces of La Castellana town were the champions in the  Best of Festival Dances competition at the Panaad sa Negros Festival  at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on  Monday, March 25.Victorias City is  a grand slam winner – having won the   Best of Festival Dances championship three timesIt bested 12  other festivals that competed in the city category  on Monday. The other winners in the city category are 1st runner up - Kansilay Festival of Silay City,2nd runner up - Pinta Flores Festival of San Carlos City, 3rd runner up – Al Cinco de Noviembre of Bago City and 4th runner up - Dinagsa Festival of Cadiz...