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The protest in front of the Fountain of Justice at Araneta Street, Bacolod City* Militant groups in Negros Occidental staged a protest to call for reforms to address the “multi-crisis” faced by the urban poor, in front of the Fountain of Justice at Araneta Street in Bacolod City on Tuesday, March 26.Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralita ng Lungsod (KPML) together with Partido Lakas ng Masa, Sanlakas, BMP-Negros, and other grassroots organization joined the protest against Charter change, low wages and high prices of goods.The rally is part of their annual “Kalbaryo sang Pigado (Calvary of the Poor)”, which is usually held during Holy Week to fight for the rights of the urban poor.The protestors slammed the incessant rise in commodity prices, inadequate wages, and loo...

A butcher was shot dead  by unidentified suspects  at Sitio Carolina, Brgy. II, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, March 25. Killed was a  48-year-old butcher whose name was withheld by the police. The  victim was traveling home on his motorcycle when he was approached by the suspects and  shot. He sustained gunshot wounds on his chest and was brought to the Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital where he was declared dead.* 

A jobless man  drowned in the river near the Casal-agan Bridge in  Brgy. Antipolo, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, on Monday. March 25. The  56-year-old man, whose name was withheld by the police, was found in the water  by a resident who was searching for fish, the police said. The victim’s friend said  they had gone on  a drinking spree. They were both intoxicated  and  at about 10 p.m.   Sunday he left the victim  lying on the edge of the bridge, the friend said. The victim was brought to the Pontevedra Rural Health Unit where he was declared dead on arrival.There was no sign of foul play, the police said.* 

TESDA-Western Visayas Regional Director Florencio Sunico Jr. (center) gives a certificate of recognition to Vallacar Transit Inc. through lawyer Julius Entila (2nd from right), VTI vice president for administration-Visayas and Luzon. They are joined by (from left) RTC-Talisay chief Eudina David, TESDA-Negros Occidental provincial director Niña Connie Dodd and VTI administrative officer Angelica Tancinco.* The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-Western Visayas (TESDA-6) will provide training and conduct national competency assessments for the workforce of Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), operator of the fleet of Ceres Liner buses. TESDA-6 Regional Director Florencio Sunico Jr. and lawyer Julius Entila, VTI vice president for administration-Visayas and Luzon, forma...

Two bettors from Metro Manila and Negros Occidental province will split the P8.9 million jackpot of Monday night's Mega Lotto 6/45 draw. In an advisory Tuesday, March 26,  the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said the winning combination 39-11-29-01-09-19 carried a total jackpot prize of P8.91 million. The tickets were purchased at Parohinog, Aurelio San Juan St., Bacolod,  and Lucky Circle Corporation Puregold Cubao, Aurora Blvd., Quezon City. Winners have one year from the date of the draw to claim the prize, as specified in Republic Act 1169, the law on PCSO lotteries. All jackpot prizes must be claimed at the PCSO main office in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City. Lotto winnings of more than P10,000 are subject to 20 percent tax u...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez* “Let's focus on Jesus Christ”. That was the call of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez in his Lenten message  posted  on his Facebook page on Monday, March 25. “Lent is a time for self-reflection and spiritual renewal, drawing us closer to His teachings and example,“ Benitez said. “As we journey through these forty days, let's embody Christ's love and compassion by forgiving those who wrong us. Like Jesus forgave in His darkest hour, let's find strength in forgiveness,” he added. Benitez said may  Lent be “a time of spiritual growth and reconciliation as we follow our merciful Redeemer, Jesus Christ”.* 

Tripping of the transmission lines of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) led to massive power interruptions in most parts of Bacolod and the neighboring localities past midnight on Tuesday. Jose Taniongon, manager of Ceneco’s Unified Engineering, Operations and Maintenance Department, said that three out of the four 69 kilovolt (KV) transmission lines went offline. “There was a short circuit and the installed protective equipment prevents damage to the line by tripping,” he added. Taniongon said the minimal rain early Tuesday morning triggered a breakdown of the insulator, which is supposed to protect the 69KV line from short circuit, after attracting heavy dust due to prolonged dry weather. ...

West Visayas State University claimed the overall championship title during the Culture and the Arts Conference and Festival 2024 in Negros that ended Monday, March 25.Besting 10 other participating members of the Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges (RASUC) in Western Visyas, WVSU won 176 points across 22 cultural events, a press release said Tuesday.In second place was host Carlos Hilado Memorial State University with 91 points, and Aklan State University in third place with 80 points. In fourth place was by Capiz State University, and  in fifth place was  the University of Antique. Trailing behind were Central Philippines State University (6th, 46 points), State University of Northern Negros (7th, 46 points), Northern Iloilo State University...

Negrenses are urged to voluntary use face masks to avoid catching pertussis, also known as whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory illness, Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Negros Occidental provincial health officer, said Tuesday, March 26.Pinongan issued the reminder as a 2-month-old boy suffering from suspected pertussis was admitted at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.Neighboring Iloilo City has been placed under a state of calamity due to a pertussis outbreak, Pinongan also pointed out.The Iloilo Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), during its special session Tuesday, approved the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDDRMC) to place the city under a state of calamity, Mayor Gerry Treñas said.The Iloi...

The scene of the accident in Sta. Catalina.*NOPPO photo A 2-year-old girl survived while her parents and 7-year-old brother died after a traffic accident in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, Sunday, March 24.The survivor is recuperating at a hospital in Bayawan City, Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), said on Monday.Her parents and brother were brought to a morgue in the same city.Initial police investigation showed that the family were on board a motorcycle when it collided with a tricycle around 9:15 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Poblacion.The male tricycle driver, 42, was unharmed and is detained at the Bayawan City police station.The police are coordinating with the City Social Welfare and Development Office o...