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Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Motorcycle rider dies after hitting concrete wall in Hinoba-an

A 29-year-old motorcycle rider died after his motorcycle went off the roadway and crashed into a concrete wall in Brgy. 2, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, early Sunday morning, Oct. 4.Police identified the victim only as alias “Carlo,” a resident of the municipality.The incident happened at about 4 a.m. along the national highway in Purok 5.Police said the victim had been drinking alcoholic beverages with friends at an establishment in Brgy. 1 beginning around midnight before deciding to go home on his motorcycle.Upon reaching the area, the rider allegedly overshot the roadway and collided with a concrete wall.He sustained an injury to his left chest and was brought by the Hinoba-an Rescue Team to the Hinoba-an District Hospital, where he was declared dead by the attendin...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Farmer shot dead in Cauayan

Police, Top Stories

A 59-year-old farmer was shot dead by unidentified armed men while he was about to feed his pigs at the rear portion of his house in Brgy. Yao-yao, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Sunday morning, Oct. 4.Police identified the victim only as alias “Natoy,” a widower and resident of Purok 1 in the barangay.The shooting happened at about 5:40 a.m., according to the Cauayan Municipal Police Station.Police said the victim was preparing to feed his pigs when the assailants fired several shots at him using still unidentified firearms.He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.The incident was reported to police at about 9:55 a.m. by a concerned citizen.Personnel of the Cauayan police, including intelligence and alert teams, proceeded to the area to investigate. ...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod council seeks immediate rollout of PWD pension for first 1,000 beneficiaries

Community, Top Stories

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has urged the city government to immediately begin implementing its social pension program for persons with disabilities, starting with at least 1,000 qualified beneficiaries already identified through barangay screening, a press release on Oct. 5 said.The resolution, authored by Councilors Caesar Distrito and Celia Flor, calls on the Department of Social Services and Development and the City Budget Office, through Mayor Greg Gasataya, to provide the funding needed for the initial rollout.The first batch will come from qualified PWDs identified by barangay screening committees in coordination with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office.The city council is also seeking the gradual expansion of the program to include other qualified benefici...

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bill seeks more affordable rental homes for low-income families

Community, Top Stories

Poor and low-income families in Bacolod City and other parts of Negros could gain more affordable rental housing options under a proposed law offering tax and financing incentives to private developers that build or operate qualified low-cost rental units.The Senate approved Senate Bill No. 2507, or the proposed Affordable and Decent Rental Housing Incentives Act, on second reading on Sept. 30, sponsored by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.The proposal seeks to increase the supply of affordable rental housing by encouraging private developers to construct, rehabilitate and operate units intended for poor and low-income households.Under SB 2507, qualified rental housing providers would have to register and secure certification for units covered by the program.Rental rates would ...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Miss Bacolod MassKara bets showcase barangay stories through festival costumes

Community, Top Stories

Fifteen Miss Bacolod MassKara 2026 candidates showcased the culture, livelihood and traditions of their respective communities during the Barangay Pride Costume Competition at a mall in Bacolod City, Oct. 4.Each candidate wore a festival costume inspired by a distinct feature of the barangay she represents, turning local traditions, industries and landmarks into designs presented onstage.The costumes featured the Agihis tradition of Barangay Alijis, Christmas parols of Barangay 29, agricultural heritage of Taculing, Mandalagan’s arts scene, the Sum-ag River, and the historic haciendas of Estefania.Other entries drew inspiration from Granada’s pomegranate harvest, Tangub’s forest heritage, Mansilingan’s mushroom industry, Bata’s basketry, Singcang’s Ati-Atihan tradition, Baranga...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Eight barangays give early look at MassKara 2026 competition

Community, Top Stories

Eight barangay contingents competing in the 2026 MassKara Festival Streetdance and Arena Competition showcased their masks and costumes at Robinsons Place Bacolod on Sunday, Oct. 4.The participating contingents are from Barangays Bata, Alangilan, 10, Handumanan, 13, 6, Taculing and Mandalagan.The MassKara Mask and Costume Display Presentation gives festivalgoers an early look at the designs, colors and creative concepts the barangays will bring to this year’s competition.The entries were also evaluated Sunday by Carmelo M. Escototo, choreographer, artistic director and cultural advocate, Ricky P. Lapidante Jr., RSW, artistic director and choreographer of the Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival Dance and head of Ricky Organizing Entertainment Production, and Atty. Pinky Mirano-Ocampo, a ...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Alminaza calls for gov’t accountability over power outages

DOE proposes immediate interventions to address Visayas power woes

Business, Community, Top Stories

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has proposed immediate interventions for the recurring power outages in the Visayas grid as she stressed the need for a whole of government approach to address major power supply issues.Garin discussed the Visayas power situation and presented course of actions during the House of Representatives joint public hearing at L'Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Saturday.“The earliest (long-term) solutions for the whole Visayas is at 2028,” she said.As an immediate measure, Garin proposed tapping battery energy storage to help cushion supply disruptions while the Department of Energy (DOE) pursues long-term solutions.She added that the agency is also working to bring in power barges to augment electricity supply in the region.The DOE chief thank...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

SSS rolls out LoanLite microloan of up to P20,000

Business, Community, Top Stories

The Social Security System has launched a new digital microloan facility allowing qualified members to borrow from P1,000 to P20,000 for short-term financial needs.In a press release, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph de Claro said the SSS Micro Loan Program, also called SSS LoanLite, is available to employed, self-employed, voluntary and overseas Filipino worker members who meet the eligibility requirements.Members must have at least 12 posted monthly contributions to qualify.The loanable amount depends on the average of the member’s 12 latest Monthly Salary Credits, or MSCs.De Claro said repayment terms are available for 15, 30, 60 or 90 days, with an interest rate of 8 percent per year, equivalent to about 0.67 percent per month.Members with at ...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Negrense youth urged to fight disinformation, demand accountability

Community, Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Young Negrenses were urged to scrutinize online disinformation and hold public officials accountable during the Bacolod leg of the GenZennial Tour: We Decide the Future at Carlos Hilado Memorial State University-Alijis Campus, Oct. 2.The event, organized by Team Pinas, focused on two national issues affecting young voters: disinformation surrounding the West Philippine Sea and public accountability in controversies involving government officials and the use of public funds.In a press release, Team Pinas described the nationwide tour as a civic education initiative designed for younger audiences who increasingly get information from social media platforms.The program combined short discussions with interactive activities aimed at helping participants evaluate information, unders...