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The One Negros Ecumenical Council urged the Filipino people to reject political dynasties and uphold the principles of democracy and good governance as the nation marked the 39th anniversary of the country’s People Power Revolution on Tuesday, Feb. 25.The passage of an anti-dynasty law is long overdue, but it will not materialize without the sustained clamor and action of the people, a statement from the council said.The statement was signed by One Negros co-chairpersons San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and Right Rev. Virgilio Amihan Jr. of the Philippine Independent Church, and member Bishop Fely Tenchavez of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.“True change begins with our choices, especially in the coming elections. Let us use our votes to break the cycle of poli...

Sipalay  small fisherfolk will be among those affected by the SC ruling.*Ronnie Baldonando photoThe Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Tuesday passed a resolution calling on national government agencies to take immediate action versus the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial fishing in municipal waters.The SP expressed grave concern over the SC decision’s removing local government authority over municipal waters and allowing unimpeded commercial fishing, said Board Member Adnrew Montelbano, SP Committee on Agriculture chairman, who moved for the passage of the resolution.The resolution calls for urgent action to safeguard the rights of municipal fishers and protect fisheries and marine resources.The Supreme Court, in its recent ruling, has removed the ...

The Federation of Urban Poor at the statue of former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino at Araneta St. In Bacolod City.*The Federation of Urban Poor - Negros (FedUp) marked the 39th EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary in Bacolod City with a call for citizens to exercise their right to vote for officials who are trustworthy, and not to allow money to determine their choices in May.The FedUp members laid flowers at the Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Monument at Araneta Street in Bacolod City and held a caravan to the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Barangay Bata for a mass to remember the ordinary Filipinos' heroism at EDSA 39 years ago, Joy Jarabelo, the groups head, said.She said the theme of their EDSA Day commemoration was “"the glory of saving one's country cannot be given to those...

The  ongoing repair of the Medina Water Treatment Plant spring intake.*San Carlos LGU photo Flooding damaged a water treatment facility in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday affecting 4,000 consumers. San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo said on Monday, Feb. 24, that the flooding damaged the Medina Water Treatment Facility cutting off a major source of water, as it produces about 4 million liters a day. The engineer said the repair of the facility could take a week, but he is pushing for it to be completed within three to four days, Gustilo said. Meanwhile, water tankers are rationing water to affected residents, he said. Heavy rains in the mountains of San Carlos City caused flooding in Brgy 1 and 5 on Sunday, Joe Recalex Alingasa, San Carlos ...

St. Scholastica’s Academy of Bacolod City   marked the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution with various activities at its school campus on Monday.*SSA photo Mayor Jose Nadie Arceo has  declared the suspension of work in government offices and classes in public schools in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the  EDSA  People Power Revolution on Tuesday, Feb. 25. The EDSA People Power Revolution, which took place on February 22-25, 1986, remains one of the most significant events in Philippine history, symbolizing the Filipino people's unity, democracy, and commitment to freedom, Arceo said in Executive Order 003,  Series of 2025, issued Monday, Feb. 24. Arceo said he was suspending classes to give an...

The remains of the Jaojoco ancestral home after the fire.*photo curtesy of Richard JaojocoThe ancestral home of Councilor Richard Jaojoco who is seeking a comeback as mayor of Toboso in Negros Occidental in the May polls was destroyed by fire on Friday, Feb. 21.Jaojoco said on Monday that he and his wife, Toboso Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco, were in Manila for the graduation of their daughter when the fire hit their house at 2 a.m. Friday.The fire that lasted for three hours destroyed the 80-year-old house valued at about P3 million and everything in it at Purok Malinawon, Barangay Poblacion, Toboso, he said.The fire was believed to have been caused by faulty electrical wiring.Jaojoco said his daughter, Dominique 22, graduated magna cum laude with an accountancy degree from D...

Former Negros  Occidental governor Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela*Former Negros Occidental governor Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela on Monday, Feb. 24, said “the power of the people needs to be rekindled, but it won’t happen without a spark, without leadership, and without an organization”.On Tuesday the nation marks the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s rule.On October 2024 President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation No. 727. which downgraded the celebration of the People Power Revolution to a Special Working Holiday.“The EDSA miracle was a golden opportunity that we wasted. Thirty-nine years of struggle and we are back to a Marcos presidency and self-serving politics dominated by corruption, misgovernance and underdevelop...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez  (left) and Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) at the  House Committee on Visayas Development meeting on Monday.*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he pushed to fast-track the appointment of the national government agencies' regional directors in the Negros Island Region on Monday, Feb 24.Benitez joined the House Committee on Visayas Development meeting on the appointment of the regional directors.“This morning at Batasang Pambansa, we pushed to fast-track the appointment of NIR’s regional directors - a crucial step in strengthening governance for the region,” Benitez said in a Facebook post.“We are building the Negros Island Region, step by step we continue to move forward,” he added.*

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. discusses the Kanlaon situation with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, mayors Nicholas Yulo of Bago City, Rex Jalandoon of La Carlota City, Gerry Rojas of Murcia and Jose Chubasco Cardenas of Canlaon City (l-r) in La Carlota City on Friday.*The mayors of the towns and cities affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s unrest have informed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that their local funds are running out, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday, Feb. 24.Lacson, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer and the mayors whose constituents have been staying in evacuation centers for more than two months met with the president during his visit to La Carlota City on Friday, Feb. 21.“The president su...