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Apr102026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Diaz explains property tax update, assures no immediate increase

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II*Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II on Friday, April 10, clarified that the ongoing update in property valuations is in compliance with Republic Act No. 12001, a national law aimed at modernizing, standardizing, and professionalizing real property valuation across the country.Diaz issued the clarification in response to the United Sugar Producers’ Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) statement opposing a “proposed increase in real property tax” in Negros Occidental.UNIFED, in a board resolution, urged provincial government officials to reconsider and defer any such increase until economic conditions stabilize and the financial capacity of their constituents improves.The resolution was issued after ...

Apr102026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Couple dies in motorcycle crash along highway in La Carlota

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A couple riding a motorcycle died after a late-night crash along the national highway in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, April 9.Police said the victims, a 27-year-old service crew and his 29-year-old wife, were traveling from the city proper toward Brgy. Cubay when the incident happened.Investigation showed that the driver lost control of the motorcycle, causing it to swerve to the roadside and crash.Both victims were thrown onto the pavement and sustained serious injuries.They were rushed to a hospital, where the driver was declared dead.The back rider later died while undergoing treatment several hours after the incident.Authorities said the accident was only verified after co-workers checked on the victims at the hospital.*

Apr102026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

11 hectares of sugarcane destroyed in MPadilla fire

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Around 11 hectares of sugarcane was destroyed in a fire in Hacienda Pecaoco, Brgy. Odiong, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday night, April 8.The blaze started at the eastern section of the plantation at around 8 p.m., the police said.Firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection in Moises Padilla and Isabela responded and declared fire out at around 10:40 p.m., the police added.Authorities estimated the damage at about P350,000.An investigation to determine the cause of the fire is ongoing.*

Apr102026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

NegOcc DRRMOs honored with gold, silver plaques

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Joe Recalex Alingasa, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer of San Carlos City, (3rd from left) receiving the gold plaque of his city.*Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) in Negros Occidental were recognized for their commitment to public safety during an Assessment Awarding Ceremony held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Friday, April 10.The event highlighted the results of the Regional and Sectoral Assessment for 2025, with several local government units (LGUs) receiving Gold and Silver plaques for their exemplary performance in disaster preparedness and response, Donato A. Sermeno III, chairperson of the Regional DRRMC and director of the Office of Civil Defense Negros Island Region, said.The Province of Negr...

Apr102026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

Negros Island logs lowest inflation among 18 regions in March 2026

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The Negros Island Region (NIR) posted the lowest inflation rate in the country at 1.5 percent in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Friday, April 10.Inflation rose from 0.7 percent in February and 0.8 percent in January, bringing the first-quarter average to 1.0 percent.“In March 2026, NIR recorded the lowest inflation rate among all the regions,” PSA-NIR chief statistical specialist Ma. Goretti Novilla said in an online press briefing.NIR includes Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Bacolod City.The March increase was mainly driven by housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which jumped to 8.2 percent from -1.0 percent in February, contributing 60.6 percent to the uptrend.Gasoline rose to 23.8 percent and diesel to 57.6 p...

Apr102026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Man stabbed dead during fiesta drinking session in Isabela

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A 42-year-old man died after he was stabbed during a fiesta celebration in Brgy. Sikatuna, Isabela, Negros Occidental, early Thursday, April 9.Police identified the victim as alias “Rody,” a resident of Guihulngan City.Investigation showed the victim was drinking with the suspect beside a covered court in the barangay when a heated argument broke out.Authorities said the suspect, identified as alias “Erning”, allegedly drew a knife and stabbed the victim twice in the chest.The victim was brought to a hospital and later transferred to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City, where he was declared dead.The suspect was arrested in a hot pursuit operation and is now under police custody.*

Apr102026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Ambulance driven by brgy captain crashes, patient, crew member die

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The ambulance after the accident.eTwo people were killed when an ambulance driven by a barangay captain crashed into a streetlight post during heavy rain in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, at around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8.The vehicle, driven by Barangay Captain Stephen Peñonial, 48, of Brgy. Sebucawan, Isabela, was en route to Bacolod City when the accident occurred along the national road in Brgy. Recreo.Police reports indicate that Peñonial lost control of the vehicle after stepping on the brakes to avoid hitting a tricycle.The ambulance swerved sharply before hitting a concrete post of a solar streetlight.A 70-year-old patient who has suffering from hypertension, identified only as Dalia, and a 30-year-old ambulance crew member named Peter were rushed to a h...

Apr102026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

UNIFED urges immediate cloud seeding as El Niño threatens sugarcane crops

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The United Sugar Producers’ Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) is calling for emergency cloud seeding operations to save sugarcane crops from worsening dry conditions brought on by the onset of El Nino.In letters to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, UNIFED President Manuel Lamata emphasized the "urgent need" for government intervention to prevent a productivity crisis.“The lack of sufficient rainfall is adversely affecting crop growth, reducing yield potential, and increasing the risk of substantial economic losses”, Lamata said on Thursday, April 9.Lamata said without any intervention the sugar industry, particularly the livelihood of hundre...

Apr102026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Waste over oil: Slow Food leader urges Senate to shift to agroecology amid fertilizer price surge

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Slow Food International Councilor Ramon “Chinchin” Uy Jr. (center) at the Senate Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform hearing on Wednesday.*As chemical fertilizer prices skyrocket by 35 percent in a single week, Slow Food International Councilor Ramon “Chinchin” Uy Jr. told the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform Wednesday that the secret to national food security lies in "waste, not oil."Testifying during a Senate inquiry on the impact of rising oil prices on agricultural and fisheries production, Uy, who represents Slow Food in Southeast Asia and operates the Fresh Start Organic Farm in Negros Occidental, pointed out that agroecology acts as a shield against global economic shocks.At the hearing to evaluate the preparedness of go...

Apr102026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Blue Alert for Panaad starts

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Ben & Ben will perform at the Panaad sa Negros Festival Monday evening* The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Emergency Operations Center will go on Blue Alert starting Friday, April 10, to ensure the safety of the 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival in Bacolod City, which kicks off this Monday. The Blue Alert will be in effect from 8 a.m. Friday until 8 a.m. on April 20. Under this status, disaster response teams and medical personnel are placed on standby for immediate deployment, and the EOC is partially activated to provide 24/7 monitoring of the large crowds expected at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City. A gun ban in Bacolod City will also ...