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The Department of Public Works and Highways-Negros Island Region (DPWH-NIR) on Tuesday , Feb. 24, alerted the public on persons soliciting money from contractors in exchange for government projects.In an advisory, it said “these individuals have reportedly been soliciting commissions from contractors.”They are “falsely claiming to have communicated with Regional Director Jose Al V. Fruto, and even showing photos with him to support their claims.”“The DPWH-NIR warns the public against these unscrupulous individuals claiming to represent proponents of 2026 projects,” the advisory stated.It further said the “DPWH-NIR top management emphasizes that no one has been authorized to solicit money or favors for any government project. Any such act is illegal and will be dealt with ac...

A total of 71 individuals tested negative for illegal drugs during a joint search, seizure, and drug testing operation at the Sagay City Jail in Barangay Rizal, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday morning, Feb. 19.The operation was conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Negros Island Region in coordination with the Sagay City Jail and the Sagay City Police Station.Authorities said 32 Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel underwent random drug testing during the activity.Police added that 39 persons deprived of liberty were also subjected to drug testing.All 71 individuals who underwent drug testing yielded negative results, PDEA said.No illegal drugs or contraband were recovered during the operation.*

Desilting operations at the Mandalagan River*BCCO photoBacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya has directed the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) to augment the ongoing desilting operations of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at the Mandalagan River, reinforcing flood mitigation efforts in the city.An amphibious excavator has been deployed at the river mouth in Barangay 1, while a newly acquired long-arm crawler excavator will begin separate desilting operations along Lacson Street, near the Rolling Hills area, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office (BCCO) said Tuesday, Feb. 24The initiative aims to rehabilitate the river and prevent backflow that worsens flooding during heavy rains in nearby barangays.Gasataya said that the river clearing must be con...

A 21-year-old man was hacked dead at Sitio Aglahog, Brgy. Mahalang, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, early Monday morning, Feb. 23.The victim, a laborer and resident of Brgy. Mahalang, sustained a hack wound on the nape and a stab wound on the abdomen.The Himamaylan City Police Station said they received the report at around 6:45 a.m. from a barangay kagawad on the discovery of the victim’s body.Police investigation showed that the victim was drinking with a companion inside his residence prior to the incident.Police said the victim’s live-in partner and her mother-in-law briefly left the house to get coffee and found the victim seriously wounded upon their return.Authorities said the victim was still able to ask for help but later succumbed to his injuries.The v...

The police dismantled an alleged drug den following a buy-bust operation at Sitio Looc, Brgy. Pisong, La Libertad, Negros Oriental, on Sunday evening, Feb. 22.Three suspects identified by police as high-value individuals were arrested during the operation.Authorities said eight heat-sealed sachets containing suspected shabu weighing about six grams were recovered from the drug den.The operation was conducted at around 6:14 p.m. by the Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit of the La Libertad Municipal Police Station in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group–Negros Island Region.The police said that the seized illegal drugs have an estimated value of P40,800.Two empty sachets with traces of suspected shabu and a marked P500 b...

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has unanimously approved on third and final reading the PWD Social Pension Reform Ordinance of Bacolod City.The ordinance, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, Chairperson of the SP Committee on PWD Affairs, will strengthen and expand the City’s Social Pension Program for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).The measure, entitled the “PWD Social Pension Reform Ordinance of Bacolod City,” amends Sections 3 and 4 of City Ordinance No. 1010, Series of 2022 authored by Councilor Celia Flor, to broaden the definition of persons with disabilities and clearly specify expanded qualifications for social pension eligibility.The ordinance updated definition now expressly includes disabilities such as orthopedic, visual, hearing, chronic illness, deaf-mute,...

Fr. Aniceto Buenafe, Fr. Julius Espinosa, Fr. Arman Onion, Fr, Michael Cuenca and Fr. Melvin Fajardo (l-r) urge the public to keep the EDSA People Power Revolution spirit alive by joining a commemorative mass and rally in Bacolod City on Wednesday, Feb.  25.* CPG photo Four decades after the historic 1986 People Power Revolution, religious and civil society groups in Negros Occidental on Monday, Feb. 23, called on Negrenses to keep its spirit alive by renewing the fight to keep freedom, justice and genuine democracy alive.Leaders of the One Negros Ecumenical Council, Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA! Negros), and the Clergy for Good Governance — Bacolod announced at a press conference that a mas...

Vice President Sara Duterte’ early announcement that she is running for president in 2028 is a calculated move to deflect the issue from the impeachment raps being lodged against her, Fr. Arman Onion said on Monday, Feb 23.Onion, at a press conference to announce the holding of an anti-corruption rally in Bacolod City to mark the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution on Wednesday, said the beleaguered vice president must be held accountable for the graft allegations against her.The announcement that she is running for president is politically motivated not to serve the people but to avoid answering the corruption allegations hurled against her, Onion said.Replacing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with Duterte certainly is not the solution to the country’s woes, a Pro...

Mayor Grace Arceo has ordered the suspension of work in all government offices and classes in public and private schools in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, to mark the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.February 25 is not a national non-working holiday."The EDSA People Power Revolution of February 1986 stands as a monumental chapter in our nation's story and a testament to the world that the collective pursuit of truth, justice, and liberty can peacefully dismantle even the most formidable walls of oppression", she said in Executive Order 008, Series of 2026.“The spirit of EDSA is not merely a memory of the past but a living legacy of courage and unyielding faith in democracy that continues to define our identity as Filipinos and our respo...