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PNA file photoMotorists are facing another round of fuel price hikes on Tuesday, August 25, as global petroleum costs continue to surge due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.The Department of Energy (DOE) said local pump prices may increase across all petroleum products:Diesel: P2.31 per liter increaseGasoline: P1.08 per liter increaseKerosene: P0.95 per liter increaseThe adjustments take effect at 6 a.m, Tuesday for most oil companies.*

Councilor Caesar Distrito (left) authored the two resolutions*The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has approved a resolution strengthening school-based mental health, counseling and anti-bullying programs in Bacolod City, Councilor Caesar Distrito said Monday, August 24.The resolution authored by Distrito  calls upon the Department of Education – Schools Division of Bacolod City, Commission on Higher Education, City Health Office, Department of Social Services and Development, and all public and private educational institutions to strengthen school-based mental health programs, guidance and counseling services, anti-bullying mechanisms, and early-intervention and referral systems for students who need psychosocial support.Distrito said the measure recognizes that ens...

A red alert is up for the Visayas grid from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, as capacity is not enough to meet both the demand and the grid’s regulating requirement.In an advisory, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said a yellow alert is also in effect from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 8 p.m to 9 p.m.This came as available capacity is pegged to be around 2,312 megawatts (MW) while peak demand is projected to hit 2,395MW.NGCP issues a yellow alert when the operating margin is inadequate against contingency requirements, while a red alert is raised when capacity is not enough to meet both the demand and the regulating requirement of the grid.Capacity is low due to continued unavailability of the generating Units 1 and 2 of Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI), as well as Unit...

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito at a press conference in Silay City.*CPG photoThe Senate will hold a hearing  on Monday morning to deliberate on the proposed postponement of the November 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said Sunday, August 23.Ejercito, at a press conference in Silay City, Negros Occidental, said that the Senate remains split on the issue, with almost half of the members favoring a delay and the rest advocating to proceed as scheduled.“We will see and weigh which path will be more advantageous. As of now, based on an informal survey among senators, it is neck and neck, though those in favor of postponement have a slight lead,” Ejercito said. Ejercito said while his personal preference is to proceed wit...

Rep. Alfredo Marañon III and Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. (l-r) in Manapla.* contributed photoCadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., United Negros Alliance secretary general, on Sunday, August 23, reiterated that Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) remains UNegA’s best bet to run for governor of Negros Occidental, but no final decision has been made yet.Escalante, who along with Marañon and former Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante were interviewed during the Mananag Pula Festival in Manapla, said the elections are still too far away, and they need to focus on work for now.Everything will fall into place at the right time, he said.Marañon, when asked if he is ready to run for governor, said, “All of us in UNegA are very much qualified to take the he...

A wounded melon-headed whale was rescued and later released back into open waters off Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, the Philippine Coast Guard reported on Saturday,  Aug. 22.The Coast Guard Sub-Station Hinigaran responded on Wednesday, Aug. 19, after receiving a report of an injured marine mammal spotted in the waters off Brgy. 2.Personnel of the Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Negros Island Region, Hinigaran municipal government and Bantay Dagat assisted in retrieving and assessing the whale.The marine mammal was monitored before authorities determined that it could be returned to the sea.It was later released approximately 1.5 kilometers from the shoreline of Sitio Tugbongan in Brgy. 2.The Coast Guard did not immediately provide details on ...

An unidentified man was found dead inside a sugarcane field in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Friday afternoon, Aug. 21.The Victorias City police said the body was discovered at around 4:30 p.m. in Hacienda Cambao, Brgy. 12.Police said a 63-year-old hacienda overseer was passing by Field No. 4 when he noticed a person lying motionless inside the sugarcane plantation.The witness also reported a strong foul odor coming from the area.Responding police personnel found the body already in an advanced state of decomposition.The victim was wearing a white and red TUPAD sweatshirt and short pants.Police said the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, including whether there were signs of violence, could not yet be conclusively determined because of the condition ...