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Aug202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Mambukal to unveil Lake View Villas, nature trail, spotted deer enclosure

The Lake View Villas at the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary.*Rayfrando Diaz photoThe inauguration of three Lake View Villas and a nature trail at the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia, Negros Occidental, will be held in early September, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Thursday, August 20.Each two-bedroom villa can accommodate up to five guests.The area also features private hot and cold dipping pools, as well as a designated bonfire site, Diaz added.Also set for official opening is the access trail leading to the resort's first waterfall.Endangered Visayan spotted deer will also be transferred to an enclosure within the resort on August 29 to allow visitors, especially children, to observe the wildlife up close, Diaz sai...

Aug202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Alonso NegOcc acting governor Aug. 23 to Sept. 1

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Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose V. Lacson has designated Vice Gov. Jose Benito A. Alonso as acting governor while he goes on official leave from August 23 to September 1.He also designated Board Member Genaro G. Alvarez IV as acting vice governor for the duration of his leave.Lacson, in Executive Order No. 26-16, Series of 2026 signed Thursday, August 20, said the designations were made "to ensure the continuous and effective delivery of basic and social services" across the province during his absence.The order did not state why the governor was going on leave.*

Aug202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

2 motorcycle riders killed in separate NegOcc road incidents

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Two motorcycle riders died in separate road incidents in Kabankalan and Silay cities in Negros Occidental from Wednesday to Thursday, Aug. 19 to 20.In Kabankalan City, a 44-year-old laborer died after his motorcycle went into a portion of the road undergoing repairs in Punta Coloso, Brgy. 6, at around 2 a.m. Thursday, August 20.Police identified the victim only as alias “Toto,” a resident of Brgy. Mambugsay, Cauayan.Investigation showed that Toto was driving a red Rusi 110 motorcycle from Kabankalan City proper toward Cauayan when he fell into the road section under repair.He sustained severe head injuries and was brought by rescuers to the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital, where he was declared dead.Police said the victim had no driver’s license.Meanwhile, a 23-y...

Aug202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

12 trucks apprehended in Bacolod road clearing operations

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Twelve trucks were apprehended for various traffic and roadworthiness violations during separate road clearing operations in Bacolod City on Wednesday, Aug. 19.The Land Transportation Office-Negros Island Region said five trucks were apprehended in Brgy. Bata and seven others in Brgy. Mansilingan between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.The violations included illegal parking, obstruction and the use of worn-out tires, the LTO-NIR said.The agency said the operations were part of its continuing campaign to clear road obstructions and ensure that vehicles operating on public roads comply with safety and roadworthiness requirements.LTO-NIR also warned that illegally parked trucks and other road obstructions could pose risks to motorists and pedestrians and contribute to road incidents....

Aug202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

P408,000 in suspected shabu seized from appliance collector in Sagay

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A 30-year-old appliance collector classified by police as a newly identified high-value drug suspect was arrested with about P408,000 worth of suspected shabu in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, Aug. 19.The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said the buy-bust operation was conducted at around 10:50 a.m. in Purok 1, Brgy. Poblacion 1.Police identified the suspect only ay “Babyboy,” a resident of Brgy. Tadlong, Sagay City.The Sagay City Police Station launched surveillance after receiving information that the suspect was allegedly involved in the distribution of illegal drugs.Police said their validation indicated that the suspect allegedly sourced suspected shabu from Bacolod City and distributed it to customers in Sagay.The suspect was a...

Aug202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

LTO-NIR to issue show cause order vs. driver in Himamaylan traffic enforcer assault

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The Land Transportation Office-Negros Island Region is set to issue a show cause order against a driver allegedly involved in the assault of a traffic enforcer in Himamaylan City on Wednesday, Aug. 19.LTO-NIR said the incident happened at around 11 a.m. behind Himamaylan Central School.The driver was reportedly reprimanded by the traffic enforcer for roadside parking when the confrontation escalated.The driver allegedly punched the traffic enforcer, causing an injury to the latter’s mouth, the LTO said.The driver was subsequently placed under the custody of the Himamaylan Component City Police Station.The traffic enforcer, meanwhile, is preparing to file a complaint in connection with the incident.LTO-NIR OIC Regional Director Jeck Conlu said the agency will issue a...

Aug202026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod SP calls for strengthening security, gun-free school zones

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The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has approved two resolutions calling for stronger measures to protect students, teachers, school personnel, and visitors in public and private educational institutions throughout the city following recent school shooting incidents in other parts of the country.Both resolutions were authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, a press release from his office said Thursday, August 20.The first resolution urges the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), Department of Education – Schools Division of Bacolod City, Commission on Higher Education, concerned barangays, and all public and private educational institutions to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of gun-free school zones, consistent with Republic Act No. 10591 or the Compre...

Aug192026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

DA secretary allocates ₱300M for bioagent labs to fight sugarcane pest, explains importation stand

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DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. (center) with SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona and Sugar Board member Dave Sanson (right) at the PhilSuTech convention in Cebu.*SRA photoThe Department of Agriculture has allocated a 2027 budget of P300 million for the development of laboratories or incubation centers to create bioagents versus the red-striped soft scale insects per municipality where sugarcane is planted, DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Wednesday, August 19.Tiu Laurel, who made the announcement in his speech at the opening of the 72nd PhilSuTech Annual National Convention in Cebu, said they are also putting on standby chemicals to fight the RSSI spread.The secretary has also mandated all available DA laboratories to augment the production of RSSI bi...

Aug192026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

SRA launches 3 new high-yield sugarcane varieties to boost production

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Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr .(2nd from left) and SRA Administrator Paul Azcona (right) lead the launching of the new cane varieties.* SRA photo.The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) launched three new high-yielding sugarcane varieties during the opening of the 72nd Philippine Sugar Technologists Association (PhilSuTech) Annual National Convention in Cebu on Wednesday, August 19. The new varieties—PHIL 2015-0445, PHIL 2015-0953, and PHIL 2015-0867—were developed over a 10-year period to raise farmer productivity, boost local sugar supply, and increase farmer incomes.Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. noted that deploying these high-yielding varieties alongside DA-SRA support programs "will help farmers raise productivity and incomes"...

Aug192026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

2028 can wait: Marañon, Benitez say they’re focusing on work

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Who will be the next governor of Negros Occidental?Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) and Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) on Wednesday, Aug. 19, said it is too early to talk about politics and that they are focusing on work for now.Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday that he is still hoping a Love Negros and United Negros Alliance (UNegA) coalition will field a unified ticket for governor and vice governor in 2028.His statement came amid political speculation over a potential gubernatorial clash in the 2028 polls between Marañon of UNegA and Benitez of Love Negros.Marañon said a united ticket would be good, but for now he is focusing on work and the concerns at hand.A survey on the 2028 governor pr...