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Oct62026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

P340,000 suspected shabu seized in Bacolod buy-bust

Police classified alias "Jerick" as a high-value individual, although he was not listed in the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council records.*/BCPO photoPolice arrested a 33-year-old man and seized about 50 grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated P340,000 in a buy-bust operation in Barangay 39, Bacolod City, early Monday morning, Oct. 5.The Bacolod City Police Office identified the suspect only as alias “Jerick,” a resident of Brgy. Cabug.Police classified him as a high-value individual, although he was not listed in the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council records.The operation was conducted at around 1 a.m. by personnel of Police Station 1 where they recovered one sachet of suspected shabu used in the transaction, another knot-tied plastic bag containing suspected shabu, and s...

Oct62026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

NONECO, NOCECO raise September power rates while Negros Power posts slight cut

Business, Community, Top Stories

The varying movements came as distribution utilities in the Visayas dealt with higher Wholesale Electricity Spot Market costs following tight power supply conditions, generating plant outages and transmission constraints in August.*/ Ronnie Baldonado photoElectricity consumers in northern and southern Negros Occidental are paying higher residential rates for September, while customers of Negros Power in Bacolod and parts of central Negros saw a slight decrease, based on advisories issued by the province’s three distribution utilities.The Northern Negros Electric Cooperative recorded the highest September residential rate at P17.1454 per kilowatt-hour, up by P1.4054/kWh from P15.7400 in August.The Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative increased its residential rate to P16.0080/...

Oct62026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Negros Island inflation quickens to 6.9 percent in September, still below national rate

Business, Top Stories

For consumers, a 6.9 percent inflation rate does not mean that all goods and services became exactly 6.9 percent more expensive in one month.*/Ronnie Baldonado photoInflation in the Negros Island Region accelerated to 6.9 percent in September 2026 from 5.8 percent in August, meaning consumer prices in the region were, on average, 6.9 percent higher than they were in September last year.Despite the increase, NIR’s inflation remained below the 7.2 percent national rate and was the lowest among the four Visayas regions, based on data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Western Visayas posted the highest inflation among the Visayas regions at 9.2 percent, followed by Central Visayas at 8.3 percent and Eastern Visayas at 8.2 percent.The national in...

Oct62026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

GCash parent opens IPO at P660 minimum for interested Negros investors

Business, Community, Top Stories

Residents of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental interested in owning shares in the company behind GCash can apply for a minimum of 100 shares worth P660 through the app starting Tuesday, Oct. 6.Mynt Inc., the parent company of the group behind GCash, has set its initial public offering (IPO) price at P6.60 per share. The offer runs until Oct. 12, the company said.An IPO allows the public to buy shares in a company before these begin trading on the stock exchange. Buying shares gives an investor a small ownership stake in the business.The Mynt offering is accessible through GStocks PH within GCash, powered by AB Capital Securities Inc.For orders placed on Oct. 6 and 7, the first 100 shares will be allocated in real time while shares last, according to the company.&n...

Oct62026 by Judy F. PartlowNo Comments

Metro Dumaguete Water assures ample water supply amid El Niño threat

Business, Community, Top Stories

Engr. Robert Cabiles, Chief Operating Officer of Metro Dumaguete Water, speaking on Monday during the firm’s celebration of 1 Million Safe Man Hours.*/JFP photoMetro Dumaguete Water (MDW) has assured consumers of sufficient water supply despite the threat of a strong El Niño phenomenon this year.Engr. Robert Cabiles, MDW chief operating officer, said Monday that the water utility continues to monitor its resources and has so far not recorded critical declines in water levels.“Actually, up until now, we are monitoring our water resources and so far, it has not dropped to a critical level,” Cabiles said in an interview.“Right now, there is no need to panic. But we cannot be complacent about this and we need to prepare for the upcoming El Niño,” he added.Cabiles said the c...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

NFSP holds 96th annual general assembly

Business, Community, Top Stories

Officers of about 30 planters associations and sugar farmers cooperatives affiliated with the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) gathered at the Federation’s Main Office in Bacolod City on September 25 for the 96th Annual General Assembly and Board of Directors Meeting of the federation.“Since the founding of our federation in 1930, NFSP has always been vocal in defending the interests and promoting the welfare of our planter-members. We take pride in the long history of our Federation’s service to our planters and to the entire sugar industry,” said NFSP President Enrique D. Rojas.Rojas welcomed the leaders of the approximately 30 NFSP member-associations and cooperatives from all over the country, some of whom came from as far north as Cagayan Valley and as do...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

MassKara streetdance returns with three-category competition at new arena venue

Community, Top Stories

Organizers said preparations are complete for the MassKara Festival 2026 Streetdance and Arena Competition, which will bring together elementary, high school and barangay contingents on at the SM City Bacolod grounds, Oct. 17 and 18.The Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. said this year marks the return of a three-category competition after several years, with seven elementary schools, four high schools and eight barangays joining the festival showdown.Competing in the Elementary Category are Sum-ag Elementary School, Education and Training Center School II, Handumanan Elementary School I, Vista Alegre Elementary School, Mandalagan Elementary School, Vista Alegre-Granada Relocation Elementary School and Montevista Elementary School.The High School Category will feature Abkasa Nationa...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

TIEZA moves Bacolod plaza, NGC project deadline to Jan. 2027 as cost rises to P328M

Community, Top Stories

BOARD DOWN. The coverings surrounding the fountain area of the Bacolod City Government Center have already been removed on Monday, Oct. 5, although the area remains cordoned off as electrical works continue.*/Richard Caballero photoThe Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority has moved the contractual completion date of the redevelopment of the Bacolod City Government Center and Heritage Plaza to Jan. 27, 2027, following several work suspensions, weather delays and additional work that also raised the project cost to P328.09 million.TIEZA, however, said it and the contractor are still exerting efforts to complete the project within 2026.In a Sept. 30 letter to Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya, TIEZA said the project remains ongoing and cited work suspensions, inclement w...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Force multiplier shot dead while plowing field in Binalbagan

Police, Top Stories

A 55-year-old force multiplier was shot dead while plowing a field in a mountainous area of Brgy. Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, Monday morning, Oct. 5.Binalbagan police chief Maj. Joey Mara identified the victim only as alias “Jolito,” a resident of the said barangay.Mara said the victim was working in a field at Sitio Kapaklan at around 7 a.m. when he was shot by still unidentified assailants.The victim died at the scene.Mara said police have yet to determine how many assailants were involved and are still waiting for the results of the crime scene investigation.Authorities are also examining the victim’s background as part of the investigation.Mara said the victim had no record at the Binalbagan Police Station.Police have yet to establish the motive f...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Rape cases filed vs suspects in separate attacks on minors in E.B. Magalona, Bago

Police, Top Stories

Rape cases have been filed against two suspects in separate incidents involving minors in E.B. Magalona and Bago City, Negros Occidental, police said Monday, Oct. 5.Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office spokesperson Capt. Judesses Catalogo said both minors reportedly sustained physical injuries in the separate incidents.Police are withholding details that could identify the victims because they are minors and alleged victims of sexual abuse.In E.B. Magalona, police said the victim, an elementary school pupil, was on the way home around noon when an adult male suspect approached the child and allegedly introduced himself as someone who knew the victim’s father.The suspect, who reportedly worked as a pedicab driver like the victim’s father, allegedly offered to bring the...