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Sep212026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

4 nabbed, P101K shabu seized in Bacolod drug busts

Four men were arrested and about P101,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized in separate buy-bust operations in Bacolod City from Saturday night, Sept. 19, to early Sunday, Sept. 20.The Bacolod City Police Office said the suspects were identified as aliases “Ralph,” 31, of Brgy. Vista Alegre; “Chok,” 25, of Brgy. Handumanan; “Rey,” 32, of Brgy. Taloc, Bago City; and “Jay Ivert,” 30, of Brgy. Sum-ag.Police classified the four as street-level individuals who were not listed by their respective Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.Operatives recovered a combined 14.9 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P101,320.The first operation was conducted by Police Station 5 with support from the City Drug Enforcement Unit in Brgy. Vista Alegre at around 11 p.m. Saturday...

Sep212026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

E-bike driver shot dead in Bacolod

Police, Top Stories

A 40-year-old e-bike driver was shot and killed in Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod City, on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 20.The Bacolod police identified the victim as alias “Rene,” a married resident of Brgy. Handumanan.Police said the shooting occurred at around 3:30 p.m. in Purok Saturn Phase 6B.Personnel of Police Station 10 responded to the area after receiving a report from a concerned citizen.Rene was rushed to a hospital for medical treatment but was declared dead by the attending physician at around 5:25 p.m.Police identified the alleged gunman as alias “Reymark,” also a resident of Brgy. Handumanan, who fled after the shooting.The motive for the killing has yet to be determined.Police Station 10 has launched a hot pursuit operation and follow-up investigation to ...

Sep212026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Sagay artist Kennette Luague wins 2026 MADE grand award for mixed media

Lifestyle, Top Stories

Sagaynon visual artist Kennette A. Luague has been named the 2026 Grand Awardee for the Featured Medium: Mixed Media category of the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) Competition for his work “Taya” (Bet), bringing another national arts recognition home to Sagay City.The Metrobank Foundation announced on Sept. 18 that Luague was among seven artists recognized in this year’s competition, which honors emerging Filipino artists working in painting, sculpture, and mixed media, a press release from Sagay City said Monday, Sept. 21.Luague, who grew up in Brgy. Maquiling, Sagay City, has been creating art since childhood, beginning with drawing, painting, and sculptures made from materials available to him. He later joined local and national competitions while developing his pr...

Sep212026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Chiz: Decent housing through usufruct to benefit millions of low-income families

Press Release, Top Stories

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has hailed the Senate’s approval on third and final reading of Senate Bill No. 2421, or the Adequate and Decent Housing Through Usufruct Act, saying the measure will provide millions of low‑income Filipinos with secure and decent homes. Escudero, chair of the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, said the bill institutionalizes adequate and decent housing program that allows qualified beneficiaries to occupy and use government‑owned land for residential purposes through usufruct arrangements, while the State retains ownership.“Through usufruct, families will gain the right to live in government housing without the burden of ownership costs, while ensuring transparency and legal protection through contracts registered with t...

Sep202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

DSWD disburses over ₱410M aid to RSSI-affected sugarcane farmers in Negros, more to be released

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Negros Island Region has distributed ₱410,283,675 in Emergency Cash Transfers (ECT) to 39,847 sugarcane famers affected by the red-striped soft scale insects so far, DSWD NIR Regional Director Arwin Razo said Sunday, Sept. 20.More disbursements to Negros Island farmers will continue until the end of the year, Razo said.They are just waiting for the downloading of additional funds, he said, reiterating that the total disbursement could reach more than P1 billion.The RSSI damages sugarcane crops by feeding directly on the stalks and leaves, sucking out vital plant sap and causing severe nutritional depletion, the Sugar Regulatory Administration said earlier. As the insects feed, they excrete ...

Sep202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

P6.8 million shabu seized from high-value target in Bacolod

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The seized suspected shabu.*PNP photoAbout P6.8 million worth of suspected shabu was seized from a 25-year-old man during a buy-bust operation in Bacolod City on Saturday, Sept. 19.The Bacolod City Police Office identified the suspect as alias “Jak,” a resident of Purok Fatima, Islamic Center, Brgy. 31.Police classified Macaulang as a high-value individual, although he was not listed by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council.The BCPO City Drug Enforcement Unit conducted the operation at around noon in Purok Fatima, which resulted in the suspect's arrest.Operatives recovered around one kilogram of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P6.8 million.The seized drugs consisted of seven sachets and 10 knot-tied transparent plastic bags containing suspected shabu, p...

Sep202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

6 from Negros schools among top nursing board exam passers

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Six graduates from four Negros Island nursing schools were among the of top 10 passers in the August–September 2026 Philippine Nurses Licensure Exam (PNLE), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Saturday, September 19.Two Negros universities also ranked among the country’s top-performing nursing schools, with St. Paul University Dumaguete securing third place and the University of St. La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod City ranking tenth.Leading the top-passer list from the island were fifth-place placers Allanah Beatriz Tubal of USLS and Therese Erika Aliboso Gomez of Colegio de San Agustin – Bacolod (CSA-B).Joining them were J. Eugene Christian Segura Jolito of CSA-B in eighth place, Joriel C. Racho of the State University of Northern Negros and Lyzel...

Sep202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Air quality in Bacolod, La Castellana unhealthy: EMB

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Air quality in Bacolod City was classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups and very unhealthy in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, Sept. 20, the Environmental Management Bureau–Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR) reported.The air quality in La Carlota City was fair and good Canlaon City, the EMB added.The EMB-NIR said residents in areas designated as a very unhealthy should avoid high-traffic zones. Individuals with heart or respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are strongly advised to stay indoors and rest as much as possible. The agency also urged the public to postpone unnecessary trips and to voluntarily restrict vehicle use to prevent further air degradation.In locations categorized ...

Sep202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Motorcycle driver killed, back rider injured in Manapla crash

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A 43-year-old motorcycle driver died while his back rider was injured after their motorcycle crashed into a concrete post along the national road in Brgy. Punta Mesa, Manapla, Negros Occidental, on Friday afternoon, Sept. 18.Police identified the driver as alias “Jessie,” 43, a resident of Brgy. Tortosa, Manapla, and his back rider as alias “Marco,” 40, of Brgy. Cansilayan, Murcia.The two were traveling aboard a Rusi TC Macho 125 motorcycle from Victorias City toward Manapla at around 3 p.m. when the road incident occurred at Hacienda Gaston.Police said the motorcycle was allegedly traveling at excessive speed when the driver lost control while negotiating a curved portion of the road.The motorcycle overshot the curve and struck a concrete post supporting a steel roadside b...

Sep202026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

DOH to establish mental hospital, drug rehab center in Sipalay

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Negrense philanthropist Merceditas Montilla and Health Undersecretary Mary Ann Maestral (seated, 2nd and 3rd from left) show the signed the deed of donation for a 30,000-square meter lot during a signing ceremony in Bacolod City on Saturday.*DOH photo The Department of Health (DOH) will establish a mental hospital and drug rehabilitation facility in southern Negros to expand access to specialized mental health care and substance use treatment in the Negros Island Region (NIR).The proposed institution, to be called the Merceditas J. Montilla Mental Hospital and Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, will be the first of its kind in Negros and Siquijor.On Saturday, the DOH formally accepted the donation of a 30,000-square meter lot for the site of the twin healthcare facility ...