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Aug282026 by Judy F. PartlowNo Comments

Coastal communities urged to help as hawksbill turtle rescued in NegOr

A hawksbill turtle rescued in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on Thursday afternoon *DENR Negros Oriental photoThe Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Negros Oriental is urging coastal communities to help protect marine creatures by cooperating with authorities in stranding response.Jimmy Panebio, the provincial DENR chief, said on Friday, August 28, that the rescue of an endangered hawksbill turtle in Sibulan town on Thursday was an example of how collaboration can aid in the protection and preservation of marine species."We now have in custody an adult hawksbill turtle, which a fisherman found close to the shore on Thursday afternoon, and showed signs of weakness and was unable to return to deeper waters," Panebio said.Jay Jabagat spotted the "weakened" ha...

Aug282026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

NegOr police, Comelec prepare for BSKE 2026

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Police, election officials and other government and community stakeholders in Negros Oriental have stepped up preparations for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections through a joint operational readiness activity.The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office participated in Project SAFE BSKE 2026 led by the Commission on Elections at Camp Lt. Col. Francisco C. Fernandez Jr. in Brgy. Agan-an, Sibulan, on Wednesday, Aug. 26.The activity brought together representatives from Comelec, the Philippine National Police, Department of Education, judiciary, Diocesan Electoral Board, Negros Oriental Association of Concerned Citizens for Elections and other partner organizations.Comelec Regional Election Director Lionel Marco Castillano led the activity, which focused on elect...

Aug282026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

2 injured in Bacolod dance practice attack; suspect also hurt after residents intervene

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Two people were injured after they were allegedly struck with a steel pipe during a dance rehearsal for an upcoming barangay festivity in Purok United Roadside, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City, Wednesday night, Aug. 26.Police identified the suspect only as alias “Rolly,” a resident of Purok Nagahili-ugyon, while the victims were identified as alias “Jes,” 33, and alias “Jeny,” 29.Initial investigation showed that the victims and other residents were practicing a dance choreography for the forthcoming Tangub festivity when the suspect arrived at the area.Police said the suspect was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and was carrying a steel pipe.Without apparent provocation, he allegedly struck the victims on the head and other parts of their bodies, causing injuries.Re...

Aug282026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

10 films named official selections for 3rd Bacolod Film Festival

Lifestyle, Top Stories

Ten films have been selected for the third edition of the Bacolod Film Festival, which is set to hold its screenings in November 2026.The Bacolod Film Festival announced the official selections on Friday, Aug. 28, featuring stories that explore folklore, faith, family, friendship and other aspects of Bacolodnon life and culture.The selected films are “Be ’Ware of Dog” by Rolf Dubouzet Baynosa, “Tigayon” by Nathan Bringuer, “Si Balong Gin Bulang” by Farlyn John Casidsid, “Buklod Balod Bakod Bacolod” by Dranreb Cimatu, and “Ka Aslum sang Batwan” by Renzo Grijaldo.Also selected were “Princaesar” by Jaden Tenzing Mijares, “Lumay” by Mai Montelibano, “Duwa Duwa” by Kurt Soberano, “Tukturuok” by Reginald Amador Zack Verzosa, and “Ang Tagabantay” by Pamela Reinee Viedor.Festival o...

Aug282026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Former rebel surrenders firearm in Kabankalan

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A former communist rebel surrendered to authorities in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 27, police said.The Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Negros Island Region said the individual voluntarily approached personnel of its 3rd Maneuver Company at around 3:03 p.m. and expressed his intention to return to civilian life.Police identified the surrenderer as a former finance and logistics officer of the Communist rebel group.During the surrender, he turned over a .38-caliber revolver without a serial number and five rounds of live ammunition.Authorities said the former rebel underwent initial profiling and debriefing following the turnover.He was also provided immediate assistance consisting of cash and one sack of rice for his family.T...

Aug282026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

SSS opens Spoke Hub at SM City Bacolod to expand frontline services

Community, Top Stories

The Social Security System (SSS) has brought its frontline services closer to members with the operation of an SSS Spoke Hub at the SM Government Service Express on the 3rd floor, North Wing of SM City Bacolod.The Spoke Hub operates as a satellite service site connected to a larger full-service SSS branch, allowing members, employers, pensioners, and beneficiaries in the area to access basic services without traveling to a main office.The site is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., a SSS press statement said.Services offered at the Spoke Hub include:Updating contact informationAnnual Confirmation of PensionersRecord verificationWeb registration and My.SSS account assistancePassword resetsWhile regular SSS full-service branches...

Aug282026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod SP urges barangays to form purok-based emergency teams

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The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has approved a resolution urging all 61 barangays of the city to organize, strengthen, train and equip Purok-Based Community Auxiliary Teams that can provide immediate community-level assistance during disasters, medical emergencies and public safety incidents, Councilor Caesar Distrito said Friday, August 28.The resolution, authored by Distrito, calls for the organization of trained volunteers in the different puroks who can serve as the community’s first line of support while waiting for professional responders from the barangay, city government, police, fire, medical and rescue units.Under the measure, the Purok Community Auxiliary Teams will focus on three principal areas: Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response; First Aid a...

Aug272026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Sugarcane workers demand urgent Social Amelioration Program reforms, abolition of pakyaw system

Business, Top Stories

Sugarcane workers staged a protest outside the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bacolod office on Thursday, August 27, demanding urgent reforms to the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) and the abolition of the pakyaw (piece-rate) system “as they battle the crisis in the sugar industry”.The protest was led by the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), alongside the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and PAMALAKAYA.In a position paper submitted to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) secretary the NFSW proposed SAP policy changes and reforms for consideration through the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC).It asked for a minimum amelioration bonus of not less than ₱5,000 for field workers and migratory sugar workers, whose ...

Aug272026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

DSWD aid to RSSI-hit sugarcane farmers in Negros Island reaches ₱236.6M

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

The La Castellana ECT payout.*DSWD photoThe Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program releases have reach reached ₱236,616,525 benefiting 23,009 sugarcane farmers in the Negros Island Region (NIR) as of Wednesday, August 26, DSWD Regional Director Arwin Razo said Thursday.The relief effort provides direct social protection to smallholder farmers whose livelihoods and crops were severely impacted by the Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) infestation in the region.Negros Occidental accounted for the vast majority of beneficiaries, with 18,252 farmers receiving a total of ₱188,451,900 in 13 municipalities and cities.The 13 areas are:Himamaylan City: 3,549 beneficiaries — ₱36,643,425Murcia: 2,322 beneficiaries — ...

Aug272026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

PhilHealth urges Negrenses to register for YAKAP amid low 9.04% turnout

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"Don’t wait for your illness to get worse," Marjorie Cabrieto, PhilHealth Regional Vice President, said.*CPG photoThe Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) appealed to Negrenses on Thursday, August 27, to enroll in its expanded Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) amid a low turnout in Negros Occidental.Enrolling in YAKAP allows PhilHelth members to access free preventive care and essential medical services that would prevent costly hospitalizations, PhilHealth officials said at a press conference in Bacolod City.Janimhe Jalbuna, head of the PhilHealth-Western Visayas public affairs unit, reported that only 293,506 members and dependents in the province had registered with YAKAP clinics as of July 31.This represents just 9.04 percent of Negros Occid...