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Sep102026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Margaha now home to a National Artist, Sagay celebrates honor bestowed on Nunelucio Alvarado

Social realist painter Nunelucio ‘Nune’ Alvarado* Ronnie Baldonado photoSagaynons are proud and jubilant that a beloved son of Sagay City in Negros Occidental, Nunelucio ‘Nune’ Alvarado, who has given back so much to his hometown through his art is now a National Artist, Helen Arguelles, the city’s tourism officer, said Thursday, Sept. 10.“The black-sand shores of Margaha Beach in Sagay City, long shaped by the colors, stories, and community work of Maestro Nunelucio ‘Nune’ M. Alvarado, are now home to a National Artist of the Philippines,” she said.Alvarado, 76, a renowned Negrense visual artist famous for immortalizing the struggles of seasonal sugarcane workers (sakadas) in his paintings, has been named one of ten new National Artists of the Philippines for 2025 in the fie...

Sep92026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Negrense Nunelucio Alvarado named National Artist

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Negrense visual artist Nunelucio "Nune" Alvarado.* Ronnie Baldonado photoRenowned Negrense visual artist Nunelucio "Nune" Alvarado, famous for immortalizing the struggles of seasonal sugarcane workers (sakadas) in his paintings, has been named one of ten new National Artists of the Philippines for 2025 in the field of visual arts.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared the 10 new National Artists through Proclamation No. 1414, Series of 2026, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts and culture.Alvarado’s wife, Rosalia Alvarado, said that their family was unofficially informed of the conferred distinction and is awaiting official confirmation. She said her 76-year-old husband suffers from dementia and resides at...

Sep92026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Senate approves bill setting 5-year term for barangay, SK officials on 2nd reading day after ok’d by Lower House

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The Senate approved on second reading Wednesday, Sept. 9, a bill establishing a fixed five-year term for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, just a day after the House of Representatives passed its own version on final reading.Both measures postpone the upcoming village and youth council elections from November 2026 to November 2028.On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the House approved House Bill No. 10971 on third and final reading with a 211-13 vote and one abstention.Once fully enacted into law, the legislation will amend Republic Act No. 12232, formally extending the term length of barangay and SK leaders from four years to five years.House Bill No. 10971 also establishes clearer term-limit provisions for local leaders. Under the measure, barangay officials will be limi...

Sep92026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

11,351 hectares of rice fields in NIR at risk of drought, DA warns

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A rice field in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.*Ronnie Baldonado file photoA total of 11,351 hectares of rice production areas in the Negros Island Region (NIR) have been identified as susceptible to drought, a Department of Agriculture - Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) advisory said Wednesday, Sept.9.DA-NIR Regional Executive Director Engr. Jose Albert A. Barrogo urged rice farmers, Local Government Units (LGUs), and agricultural stakeholders to take proactive measures to prepare for potential dry spells brought by the El Niño phenomenon.Data consolidated from PhilRice-PRiSM, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) showed that Negros Occidental accounts for the largest vulnerable footprint with 8,247 hecta...

Sep92026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Ananoria may head Bacolod Comelec in concurrent capacity

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Negros Occidental Provincial Election Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria may temporarily serve as acting election officer of Bacolod City in a concurrent capacity.Commission on Elections Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) Director Lionel Marco Castillano said he recommended Ananoria to take over the post when current Election Officer Kathrina Trino-Caña leaves on Sept. 16 to join the judiciary.Castillano noted that Ananoria’s designation remains subject to approval by the Comelec main office.Meanwhile, Ananoria confirmed that election officer positions in Moises Padilla and La Carlota City are currently vacant, while Cadiz City’s new election officer is expected to assume office this week.*

Sep92026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Negros Occidental Capitol suspends work following shooting threat

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The provincial government employees at the Capitol going home after work was suspended Wednesday afternoon.* Barbara Mijares photoGov. Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered the immediate suspension of work across all offices inside and surrounding the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 9, following an alleged direct shooting threat targeted at government personnel.The emergency shutdown was prompted by a security breach involving a private individual who allegedly threatened to shoot provincial government workers, the governor’s memorandum said.In issuing the order, Lacson emphasized that the immediate danger posed to staff, officials, and visitors demanded paramount consideration, noting that the incident had already severely disrupted t...

Sep92026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Negros Power building P250M digital substation at The Upper East

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The first digital substation in the Negros Island Region will be built at The Upper East of Megaworld, as part of the modernization effort of the Negros Electric and Power Corporation.Negros Power President and CEO Roel Castro led the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning, Sept. 9.This substation will increase Negros Power’s capacity to distribute power at The Upper East.The substation will initially have five feeders, two for Megaworld and the rest for other areas, Castro said.Its urban design will be able to blend with the Megaworld design and has the capacity for another five feeders.It has a 37.5 MVA capacity that can support the growth of the entire Megaworld estate, with a provision to expand.Castro said the construction of the substation will take a year ...

Sep92026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Construction worker dies after motorcycle overshoots curve in Escalante

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A 35-year-old construction worker died after his motorcycle overshot a curved section of a barangay road in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, Sept. 8.The Escalante City Component Police Station identified the victim only as alias “Ally,” a resident of Sitio Gaway-gaway, Brgy. Jonob-jonob.Police said the victim was traveling from Cadiz City toward Escalante City to get work materials when the incident happened along Crossing Timot in Sitio Homelot, Brgy. Jonob-jonob.Police investigation showed that the victim was negotiating a left curve when the motorcycle overshot and its front wheel fell into a gutter.The driver then lost control of the motorcycle and was thrown into a sugarcane field, where his head struck a rock.Personnel of the Escalante City Dis...

Sep92026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Capitol honors war veterans on 81st Negros Island Victory Day

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Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the 81st Negros Island Victory Day rites.*Richard Malihan photoThe Negros Occidental provincial government commemorated the 81st Negros Island Victory Day by paying tribute to the courage and sacrifices of World War II veterans who fought for the country's liberation at the Capitol Park in Bacolod City, Wednesday morning, Sept. 9.Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, in his speech, cited the enduring legacy of the freedom fighters."Eighty-one years have passed since our island was liberated from Japanese forces. Much has changed since then, but the courage and sacrifices of those who lived through those difficult years should never be forgotten," Lacson said.The governor expressed deep gratitude to the veterans, post-war District Commanders, and retire...

Sep92026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Kabankalan LDRRMO employee dies after collapsing inside Binalbagan pension house

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A 57-year-old employee of the Kabankalan City Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office died after collapsing inside a pension house in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, Sept. 8.The Binalbagan Municipal Police Station identified the victim only as alias “Ely,” a resident of Brgy. 1, Kabankalan City.Police said the victim entered a pension house in Villa Santa Maria, Brgy. Santo Rosario, at around 11:45 a.m.A woman entered the establishment at around 12:05 p.m. and went to the same room occupied by the victim, according to the police report.About five to 10 minutes later, the victim suddenly collapsed on the floor.Personnel of the Binalbagan LDRRMO responded and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation before rushing him to the Binalbagan Infirmary. ...