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Aug32026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

111 metric tons of decades-old medical waste removed from 4 NegOcc hospitals

The medical waste being removed.* Rayfrando Diaz FB page photoThe Negros Occidental provincial government has successfully collected and transported 111 metric tons of hazardous medical waste from four of its hospitals to a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-accredited treatment facility between June and August 1. The proper disposal of the massive waste was reported by the Pollution Control Officers under the Provincial Administrator’s Office, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Monday, August 3.The hazardous medical waste materials accumulated in septic vaults and storage areas for over three decades, were removed from the Gov. Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial Hospital in Himamaylan City, Lorenzo D. Zay...

Aug32026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Therapist hacked to death by nephew in Sipalay

Police, Top Stories

A 50-year-old man was hacked to death allegedly by his nephew inside their home in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, early Monday morning, Aug. 3.Police identified the victim only as “Rex,” a therapist, and the suspect as alias “Orlando,” 37, a farmer.The Sipalay Component City Police Station said the incident happened at around 1:55 a.m. in Purok Balatong, Brgy. Gil Montilla.According to the victim’s father, the victim was seated on a wooden chair when the suspect, who was allegedly under the influence of liquor, entered the house.The suspect reportedly confronted the victim over his belief that the victim had repeatedly physically abused the suspect’s mother.Police said the suspect went outside after the confrontation but returned minutes later carrying a bolo.He a...

Aug32026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Valderrama amicably settles labor dispute with 28 farmworkers

Business, Top Stories

Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr.'s lawyer Roland D. Ravina (right) with the workers and their lawyer Clarence Gordoncillo (left)* Contributed photoConfederation of Sugar Producers Associations (CONFED) president Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr. has agreed to amicably settle differences with his 28 farmworkers to foster industrial peace and preserve a harmonious working environment on the farm, his lawyer Roland D. Ravina said.“Mindful of the prevailing economic hardships faced by agricultural workers, Mr. Valderrama took the unilateral initiative to provide a financial settlement package that far exceeds the initial claims filed with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),” Ravina said in press statement Sunday, August 2.“This voluntary gesture was made out of pure g...

Aug32026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Sagay captures second world softball title as 12U team wins PONY championship

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Sagay City has claimed another international softball crown after Team Sagay City won the 12-under division of the 2026 PONY International West Zone Softball World Series in Hemet, California.The achievement was announced by Schools Division Superintendent Dannie Clark M. Uguil on Sunday, Aug. 2, congratulating the young athletes for bringing another world championship to Sagay.Representing Jose B. Puey Sr. Elementary School and Sagay National High School, Team Sagay City emerged unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating more than 10 teams from the elimination round to the championship to secure the title, a press release from Sagay City said.The latest victory comes just days after Sagay City’s 14-under squad also captured the championship in the 2026 PONY International So...

Aug32026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Man stabbed dead while trying to pacify disturbance

Police, Top Stories

A 26-year-old man was stabbed dead after he intervened in a disturbance in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on Sunday night, Aug. 2.Police identified the victim only as “Andoy,” a resident of Brgy. Odiong.The suspect, identified as “Danny,” around 20 years old and a resident of La Castellana, remains at large.The Moises Padilla police said the incident happened at around 9:30 p.m. in Sitio Buringot.Initial investigation showed that the suspect arrived near a waiting shed with several companions while allegedly under the influence of liquor.Police said the suspect became unruly and challenged people in the area to a fight.A resident attempted to pacify him but was allegedly punched.The victim then intervened, but the suspect allegedly drew a bladed weapon and s...

Aug32026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod launches 3rd Bacolod Film Festival, calls for entries from homegrown filmmakers

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Noel Pahayupan, Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion head Mae Llamas, Councilor Em Ang, Mayor Greg Gasataya, Secretary to the Mayor Jose Marty Go and Bacolod Film Festival Director Tanya Lopez (l-r) during the launch of the Bacolod Film Festival 2026 on Monday.*BCCO photoMayor Greg Gasataya led the official launching of the 3rd Bacolod Film Festival 2026 during the regular flag-raising ceremony at the Bacolod City Government Center on Monday, August 3.The mayor expressed optimism for the annual film festival as he encouraged aspiring and returning filmmakers to tell stories that celebrate Bacolod’s rich heritage while inspiring a more inclusive future.Joining the mayor during the official launch and simultaneous call for entries were Councilor...

Aug32026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Man found dead in Moises Padilla river 2 days after being swept away

Police, Top Stories

A 34-year-old man was found dead in the Binalbagan River in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, Aug. 2, two days after he was swept away by strong currents while fishing.Police identified the victim only as “Joe,” a resident of Brgy. Montilla.The Moises Padilla police said the victim and his younger brother went to the river in Brgy. Macagahay at around noon on July 31 to catch fish.While crossing the river, both were reportedly swept away by strong currents caused by flooding.The victim’s brother survived and sustained minor injuries, while the victim was carried downstream and reported missing.A resident reported the recovery of the victim’s body to police at around 1:50 p.m. on Aug. 2.Police said the body was already in an advanced state of decompositio...

Aug32026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

LTO-NIR issues show cause order over viral red-light violation

Police, Top Stories

The Land Transportation Office-Negros Island Region has issued a show cause order to the operator of a public utility vehicle allegedly caught beating a red traffic light in Bacolod City.LTO-NIR said personnel of its Intelligence and Investigation Unit served the order at the company’s office in Brgy. Mansilingan on Friday, July 31.The administrative action stemmed from a video circulating on social media showing one of the company’s public utility vehicles allegedly passing through an intersection despite a red traffic signal.The agency said the alleged violation placed passengers, motorists and pedestrians at risk.Investigators explained the contents of the show cause order to the operator and directed the company to answer the allegations as part of due process.LTO-N...

Aug32026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

7 drug suspects arrested, nearly P1M worth of suspected shabu seized in Bacolod

Police, Top Stories

Seven suspected drug personalities, including a high-value individual, were arrested while nearly P1 million worth of suspected shabu was confiscated in a series of anti-illegal drug operations conducted by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) from July 31 to Aug. 2.The BCPO said the successive buy-bust operations resulted in the arrest of one high-value individual (HVI) and six street-level individuals (SLIs), with authorities recovering about 143.5 grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated P972,600.The first operation was conducted at about 3:41 p.m. on July 31 in Purok Candelaria, Brgy. Sum-ag, where operatives of Police Station 9 arrested a 35-year-old street-level drug suspect.Police seized about six grams of suspected shabu worth P40,800 and a .38 caliber revolver load...

Aug32026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Chiz seeks to institutionalize ban on gambling ads, sponsorships to curb addiction

Business, Press Release, Top Stories

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has proposed a nationwide ban on gambling-related advertisements and sponsorships to curb excessive and irresponsible gambling behavior while protecting minors and other vulnerable groups.Escudero said the measure mirrors the country’s earlier approach to the tobacco industry under Republic Act 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which imposed sweeping restrictions on advertising to safeguard public health. “It’s about time that we regulate the gambling industry the same way we regulated tobacco two decades ago,” he said upon filing of Senate Bill No. 2347, noting that both sectors pose significant risks when promotions become pervasive and youth targeted.RA 9211, which Escudero supported during his tenure in the House of Repres...