Top Stories

Oct22026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Laborer electrocuted while repairing solar panel post in La Castellana

A 37-year-old laborer died after being electrocuted while helping repair a solar panel post in Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Thursday morning, Oct. 1.Police identified the victim as alias Doroy, a resident of Brgy. Cabacungan.The incident happened at around 9:30 a.m. in Purok 4 while the victim and a barangay electrician were conducting repairs on the solar panel post.Initial police investigation showed that Doroy climbed the post and allegedly came into contact with an exposed electrical wire.He suffered an electric shock and was rescued by emergency personnel.The victim was brought to the La Castellana Rural Health Unit, where he was declared dead.La Castellana police received the report at around 11:30 a.m. and proceeded to the health fac...

Oct22026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Sagay remembers former Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. on 6th death anniversary

Community, Top Stories

Sagay City commemorated the sixth death anniversary of former Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon Jr., remembering a public service career that spanned more than five decades and helped shape programs in education, environmental protection, and local development, Oct. 1.A commemorative Mass attended by members of the Marañon family, relatives, city officials, and employees was officiated by Rev. Fr. Rodel Luneta, assistant parish priest of St. Joseph Parish.For Luneta, the remembrance was also personal.In his homily, he shared that he was among the beneficiaries of the AGM Scholarship Program established by Marañon, recalling how the program opened educational opportunities for young people and helped them pursue better futures.Luneta described Marañon as one ...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Chiz’s bill to recognize, protect line workers approved on second reading

Press Release, Top Stories

The Senate has approved on second reading two measures—Senate Bill Nos. 2484 and 2485 principally authored by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero—seeking to honor and protect the country’s line workers for their crucial role in disaster response and in keeping a reliable power system.SB No. 2484, or the National Line Workers Appreciation Day Act, seeks to declare the first Monday of August every year as a day of recognition for electrical line workers to underscore their role in electrification efforts. The other proposal, SB No. 2485 or the Line Workers Insurance and Benefits Act, mandates employers to provide mandatory insurance coverage of at least P300,000 for line workers against death or disability arising from occupational hazards. The bill also ensures that such covera...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Globe boosts connectivity, empowers student leaders at Silliman’s Hibalag Festival

Business, Negros Oriental, Top Stories

DUMAGUETE CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL — Globe strengthened connectivity at Silliman University’s Hibalag Festival 2026, helping the university community stay connected during one of its biggest annual gatherings. The company also supported student leaders with training and grants to help turn their ideas into initiatives for the campus community.Hibalag, a local Visayan term associated with meeting or coming together, is a longstanding Silliman Founders Day tradition. Through organization booths, activities and homecoming events, it brings generations of Sillimanians together and celebrates the university’s heritage and enduring ties with Dumaguete City. To support increased network demand as more people gathered on campus, Globe deployed a Cellsite on Wheels (COW) at the Hibala...

Oct12026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

House to probe Visayas power crisis in Bacolod hearing

Business, Community, Top Stories

Three committees of the House of Representatives will hold a public hearing to look into recurring power outages and other electricity supply problems affecting the Visayas Grid in Bacolod City on Saturday, Oct. 3.The hearing will be jointly conducted by the House committees on Energy, Visayas Development, and Legislative Franchises from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at L’Fisher Hotel.Among the measures to be discussed is House Resolution No. 1429 filed by Deputy Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, which seeks an inquiry into the continuing power outages in the Visayas.The resolution calls for an examination of the causes of the outages and possible accountability, as well as measures to ensure a more stable, adequate and reliable electricity supply in the region.Lawmakers...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Mega Puppets, Electric MassKara ‘to spotlight art, barangay pride’ in Bacolod

Community, Lifestyle, Top Stories

Art and community participation will take center stage in two major MassKara Festival 2026 events this month as Mega Puppets and Mega Electric MassKara return to Bacolod.The Bacolod Gugma Foundation, organizer of MassKara Festival 2026, said Thursday, Oct. 1, that the activities are intended to highlight the festival’s artistic roots and provide platforms for local artists, students, performers and barangays.The Mega Puppets Competition will be held at Plaza de MassKara at The Upper East on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.This year’s competition carries the theme “Pinoy Icons in Their Winningest Moments: Celebrating Gugma, Sharing Their Smiles.”Ten groups representing barangays, schools and private institutions will create large-scale puppets inspired by Filipino personalities and moments...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

P102,000 shabu seized in Kabankalan buy-bust

Police, Top Stories

A 28-year-old man was arrested after police seized an estimated P102,000 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 30.Police identified the suspect as alias Jee, a resident of Brgy. Tan-awan, Kabankalan City.The operation was conducted at around 3:13 p.m. in Purok 6, Brgy. 1 by personnel of the Kabankalan Component City Police Station.Police said the suspect allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu to a poseur buyer during the operation.Authorities recovered a total of 11 sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 15 grams and a standard drug price of P102,000.Police also recovered P1,105 in cash, including the marked buy-bust money, and other non-drug evidence.The ...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

5 hurt in Manapla motorcycle collision, both drivers unlicensed

Police, Top Stories

Five people sustained minor injuries after two motorcycles carrying three persons each collided along a barangay road in Brgy. Purisima, Manapla, Negros Occidental, early Wednesday, Sept. 30.Police said the collision happened at around 5:15 a.m. while both motorcycles were traveling from Brgy. Purisima proper toward Crossing Purisima.Initial investigation showed that a Honda Beat driven by alias Kyrald, 20, allegedly failed to notice a Honda Click ahead that was moving slowly and stopping along the roadside.The Honda Beat then hit the other motorcycle, causing injuries to Kyrald and his two back riders, identified as aliases Cody, 24, and Arman, 26.Two passengers of the Honda Click, identified as aliases Sophea, 21, and Irish, 20, also sustained minor injuries, while it...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

PRO-NIR trains 55 participants on cases involving minors exposed to violent extremism

Community, Negros Oriental, Police, Top Stories

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region has opened a three-day seminar-workshop in Bacolod City on handling cases involving minors who may be exposed to nihilistic violent extremism and harmful online content.The activity began Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Food Terminal Market along North Capitol Road and gathered 55 participants from law enforcement and partner government agencies.PRO-NIR said the training is intended to strengthen the ability of personnel to identify, prevent and respond to cases involving minors exposed to violent extremist ideologies.The seminar includes discussions on online environments where minors may encounter content promoting hatred, violence or acts that could cause serious harm.Participants are also being trained to recognize possible in...

Oct12026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

1,794 police personnel deployed for MassKara Festival 2026

Police, Top Stories

A total of 1,794 police personnel have been deployed in Bacolod City to secure the MassKara Festival 2026, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said.PRO-NIR formally sent off the security contingent on Wednesday, Sept. 30, ahead of the festival activities in October.The deployment includes personnel from provincial police offices, the PRO-NIR regional headquarters and national support units.Police will be assigned to festival venues, parade routes, transport hubs, public convergence areas and other key locations across Bacolod.PRO-NIR said the deployment will focus on crime prevention, police visibility, crowd and traffic management and rapid response to incidents.The security contingent will be supported by personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Phili...