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The scene of the crime.*PNP photoThe police are  investigating the  fatal shooting of a 30-year-old laborer who was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds to the face and head along the roadside in Hacienda San Jose, Barangay Sag-ang, La Castellana.The victim who was temporarily residing in Sitio Dulaca, Barangay Sag-ang, was found lifeless early Friday morning, July 31.The victim  sustained fatal gunshot wounds to his forehead, nose, and the right side of his face.Witness accounts collected by investigators suggest the shooting occurred late Thursday evening.The victim's grandfather told police that he woke up at around 10 p.m. Thursday and noticed his grandson was no longer inside their residence.Family members initiated a search, which ultimately ...

The ceremonial turnover of the P200,200,000 at the Panaad Stadium on Friday.*Ronnie Baldonado photoA total of 3,005 graduating college students from 601 barangays in Negros Occidental will receive financial aid under the Presidential Assistance to Barangays.They will receive P20,000 each from the P200,200,000 turned over to the 601 Negros Occidental barangays at ceremonial rites held at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Friday, July 31, Assistant Secretary Rea Uy Epistola from the Office of the Executive Secretary said.Each barangay received P200,000 — P100,000 for five scholars and P100,000 for development priority projects under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang  Presidential Assistance to Barangays program, Epistola added.The 61 barangays of Bacolod, which is a hi...

President Ferdinand Marcos with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Malacañang Palace on July 22.*PCO photo President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. brought  the Philippines’ appeal to resume exporting its blue swimming crabs to the United States to the attention of   US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his recent visit to the country, Cabinet Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said on Friday,  July 31.“It has been discussed as a top priority by our president,” he said.“It has been brought to their attention, I’m sure they are now working  on this blue crab issue,” he added.Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. during his visit to Negros last week  said he is very confident that the Philippines will be able to resume exporting its blue...

Rep.  Javier Miguel Benitez (right) and Rep. Alfredo Marañon III at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Friday*Office of Rep. Javi Benitez photo.Rep.  Javier Miguel “Javi”  Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said they will know on Monday,  when Congress resumes its sessions, whether the postponement of the Nov. 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections will still be pursued.“The house leaders have been asking the  sentiments of the members and a consensus may be formed on Monday,” Benitez said on Friday, July 31.Benitez said he heard the majority in Congress are in favor of holding it on November  2028.Cabinet Secretary  Benjamin Abalos, who was in Bacolod City Friday,  said “It is  Congress that will l have the final say on...

Infographics courtesy of Negros Occidental Tourism DivisionConcerned government agencies have warned residents of Negros Occidental to be alert against social media pages posing as official tourism establishments and tourism-related businesses to deceive guests booking for accommodations.On Friday, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) advised guests to be aware of red flags when making online reservations in hotels, resorts and similar accommodation establishments.“Sadly, scammers are getting smarter. Even fake Facebook pages are with thousands of followers and respond professionally. A common red flag is being asked to pay upfront to secure a booking,” DICT-Negros Occidental head Mary Jane Agonace told the Philippine News Agency.Agonace encour...

Stroke patient Rolli Gonzaga was rescued and temporarily relocated to the home of his younger sibling in Barangay 39.*BCCO photoMayor Greg Gasataya has ordered the immediate deployment of a multi-agency task force to assist seven families currently living under the Lupit  Bridge in Barangay 39, Bacolod City,  following heavy rains that damaged several of their  makeshift homes on Thursday evening, July 30.The task force, composed of personnel from the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), Bacolod Housing Authority (BHA), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), City Health Office (CHO), and City Legal Office, conducted a joint onsite inspection together with barangay officials and rescue volunteers from Barangays 39 and Taculing....

A 38-year-old farmer died after he was repeatedly gored by a carabao in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, on Thursday morning, July 30.Police identified the victim only as “Ronald,” a resident of Brgy. Quiwi.The Hinigaran Municipal Police Station said the incident happened at around 6 a.m. on an agricultural property in the barangay.According to the victim’s live-in partner, she heard someone screaming for help while she was fetching water.She found the victim lying on the ground with multiple wounds while the 7-year-old male carabao he used for farming was still attacking him.Nearby residents helped pacify and restrain the animal.The victim was rushed to the Hinigaran Medical Clinic but was declared dead by the attending physician.His body was brought to a funeral ...