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Mar52025 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Pagasa: NegOcc heat index 40 degrees on Thursday, extreme caution needed

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Negros Occidental is forecasted to have a heat index of 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday, March 6.Extreme caution should be taken, it said.Mayor Raymund Tongson has ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes and schoolwork at all levels for both public and private schools in Himamaylan City on Thursday because of the high heat index expected.Modular Distance Learning will be implemented as an alternative, he said.He reminded residents to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged sun exposure.*

Mar52025 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Organization of NIR RDC discussed, Capitol offers 2 sites for reg’l offices

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NEDA Regional Director Arecio Casing Jr. and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson with the NIR regional directors on Wednesday.*The Negros Occidental provincial government offered two of its properties as sites for the regional offices of the Negros Island Region (NIR) at the first coordination meeting of its regional directors convened by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) on Wednesday, March 5.The NIR coordination meeting held at the Social Hall of the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City was led by NEDA NIR Concurrent Regional Director Arecio Casing Jr. and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.They discussed the organization of the NIR Regional Development Council (RDC) and budget concerns.“The fact that we are gathered here, is proof of our commitment to...

Mar52025 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Double victory for Neg. Occ. in Berlin, Nature’s Village Resort, Bago winners

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The top three winners in Environment and Climate Category of the global Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards in Germany Tuesday night.*It was a double victory for Negros Occidental in the Environment and Climate Category of the global Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) Berlin in Germany Tuesday night, March 4.Nature’s Village Resort (NVR) in Talisay City won 1st place and Bago City was in 3rd place, the Department of Tourism Western Visayas announced on Wednesday.“This prestigious recognition highlights Nature’s Village Resort’s dedication to eco-friendly hospitality and sustainable tourism, setting a benchmark for green accommodations in the Philippines,” the DOT said.Bago City continues to lead in climate action and ...

Mar52025 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Keep Panaad festival apolitical, no campaigning recommended

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A recommendation has been made to prohibit politicians from campaigning at the upcoming Panaad sa Negros Festival, Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Wednesday, March 5.The recommendation was made by former Negros Occidental governor and provincial government consultant, Rafael Coscolluela, which will be presented to the Executive Committee of the Panaad sa Negros Festival."The recommendation is to keep Panaad apolitical, which would also mean not allowing campaign materials at the festival site", Diaz said.The annual festival will be held at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, March 24 to 30.Diaz said the artists who will perform at the Panaad have already stated that they will not endorse or promote any candid...

Mar52025 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Bacolod resident dies from probable dengue

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A 64-year-old male is the first probable dengue death in Bacolod City for 2025, the City Health Office reported Wednesday night, March 5.The fatality from Barangay Alijis was admitted on Feb. 3 and died two days later, the CHO said.He had fever for four days, cough, shortness of breath and was vomiting.There have been 180 dengue cases in Bacolod City from Jan. 1 to Feb. 22, the CHO said.That is a 172.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year with 66 cases and no death recorded.Mansilingan has the highest number of dengue cases this year with 17, followed by Alijis and Estefania with 16 each.*

Mar52025 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Star-studded Kadalag-an Festival set, 12 vying for Sidlak Kadalag-an Queen

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Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez and Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III with the 12 Sidlak Kadalag-an Queen contestants at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City on Wednesday* Ronnie Baldonado photoThe 27th Kadalag-an Festival of Victorias City in Negros Occidental from March 19 to 23 will bring an exciting mix of sports, music and star-studded performances to make it the brightest and most vibrant, Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said on Wednesday, March 5.Benitez, with Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, led the launching of the festival and the presentation of the 12 Sidlak Kadalag-an Queen candidates at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central activity center in Bacolod City Wednesday afternoon.New at this year’s festival is a midnight victory run and fireworks salubong on March 2...

Mar52025 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Police seize marijuana from plantation in Sibulan

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One hundred sixty fully grown marijuana plants were uprooted by the police in the upland area of Brgy. San Antonio, Sibulan town in Negros Oriental, on Saturday, March 1.The police said they arrested alias “Micheal” after they caught him planting marijuana while they were on their way to Sitio Cambahaw-Bayog in Brgy. Tubigon, to serve a warrant of arrest.Sibulan Police Chief Joeffrey Garsola said that when the suspect saw the police, he ran inside his house and took a gun.The suspect eventually surrendered to the police after minutes of negotiation and his 22 caliber rifle with 10 live bullets was confiscated.Micheal claimed that he did not know that he was growing marijuana, the police said.He only grows bananas and other root crops, he said.The seized marijuana pl...

Mar52025 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

SSS warns members against calls, text messages from fake SSS employees

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The Social Security System (SSS) is warning its members to be cautious of suspicious calls and text messages from individuals claiming to be SSS representatives.SSS Vice President for Visayas West 1 Division Lilani B. Benedian, in a press release, said these scammers are using various tactics, including vishing calls, to trick victims into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials and personal data."We received reports that these unscrupulous individuals are making personal calls to our members advising them to update their contact or login details. However, these are merely ploys to extract confidential information and use it for fraudulent activities," Benedian said.She further explained that these scammers either pose as Tech Support Teams asking for access t...

Mar52025 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

P98M worth of drugs seized in city under Coronica’s term

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Col Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod City police director*The Bacolod City Police Office seized about P98 million worth of illegal drugs in the first seven months of Col. Joeresty Coronica’s term as city police director.A police report on Wednesday, March 25, showed that from July 23, 2024 to February 22, 2025, the police seized illegal drugs worth P98,016,482.44 under Coronica’s leadership.The police seized 14,387.021 grams of shabu worth P97,831,742.80 and 1,539.497 grams of marijuana worth P184,739.64, the report said.The drugs were seized in 337 operations that led to the arrest of 435 persons, the report said.The Bacolod police also arrested 77 most wanted and 240 other wanted persons in the last seven months, it added.*

Mar52025 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Motorcycles collide, Indian, minor injured

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An Indian national and a minor were injured when their motorcycles collided in Brgy. Batuan, San Enrique, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, March 2.Injured were a 31-year-old Indian national who is a lending collector temporarily residing at East Homes 2, Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City, and a 15-year-old boy, the police, who withheld their names, said.Investigation revealed that the minor suddenly accelerated his motorcycle causing it to collide with the motorcycle of the Indian national.They both fell on the pavement and sustained several injuries.The minor allegedly took the key of the motorcycle from his stepfather without consent, the police said.*