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Aug42026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Fisherman stabbed dead in Sipalay, suspect arrested

A 44-year-old fisherman was stabbed to death allegedly by a fellow fisherman in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, on Monday afternoon, Aug. 3.Police identified the victim only by the alias “Marijoe,” while the arrested suspect was identified as alias “Roger,” 52.The Sipalay police said the incident happened at around 1 p.m. in Sitio Calangcang, Brgy. 4.Initial investigation showed that the victim was eating lunch with several companions aboard a pump boat when the suspect allegedly arrived and stabbed him in the left side of the abdomen.Police said the victim attempted to flee, but the suspect chased him and allegedly stabbed him twice more in the back and abdomen.The victim was brought by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to the Sipalay City Primary...

Aug42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod SP approves ordinance elevating PESO into full-fledged department

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The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has unanimously approved on third and final reading an orddinace elevating the Bacolod Public Employment Service Office (PESO) into a full-fledged department under the Office of the City Mayor, Councilor Ceasar Distrito said Tuesday, Aug. 4.The measure, authored by Distrito, amends City Ordinance No. 957, Series of 2021, with the objective of strengthening the City’s employment generation programs, improving labor market services, and making government employment assistance more accessible to every Bacolodnon.Distrito said the ordinance is a major step toward modernizing the Bacolod’s employment services in line with Republic Act No. 8759, as amended by Republic Act No. 10691, which mandates the strengthening of Public Employment Service O...

Aug42026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Javi hails Eala as first Filipino to win WTA 500 crown, cites pa’s roots in Negros

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Alex Eala celebrating her victory.*WTA Facebook page photo“At the end of the fight, heart spoke. Alex Eala's victory is a victory for every Filipino who doesn't know how to give up,” Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District) wrote on his Facebook post today, August 4.Benitez was reacting to Eala’s win at the Mubadala Citi DC Open Final in Washington, where she made history as the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA (Women's Tennis Association) Tour title by beating world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also earlier congratulated Eala on Facebook for her historic achievement.“You continue to redefine what is possible for Philippine tennis and inspire countless young Filipinos to dream without limits,” he...

Aug32026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

11 injured after fireworks malfunction at Kabuganaan Festival

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Eleven people, including a 17-year-old student, sustained minor injuries after aerial fireworks malfunctioned during the Kabuganaan Festival in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday night, Aug. 2.Kabankalan police chief, Lt. Col. Gary Alan Resuma, said all the victims received medical treatment and were later discharged from the hospital.The incident happened at around 9:30 p.m. at the football field in Brgy. 4 during the festival’s fireworks display.Initial investigation showed that aerial fireworks operated by Peacock Fireworks failed to launch properly and fell into an area where spectators and event personnel were gathered.The device prematurely exploded on the ground, sending shrapnel and debris toward the crowd.The injured included a reservist, city and of...

Aug32026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Pontevedra returns to compressed 4-day workweek

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Fridays will serve as the non-working day for most regular municipal operations in Pontevedra.*Ronnie Baldonado photoPontevedra, Negros Occidental, has returned to a compressed four-day workweek for municipal government offices and personnel starting this week, Mayor Jose Maria Alonso said Monday, August 3.Alonso on July 29 issued Executive Order No. 2026-33 ordering the return to the four-day work week.It supersedes Executive Order No. 22, Series of 2026, which had previously reverted municipal offices to a standard five-day schedule on June 1.Under the new order, municipal government employees will work from 7:30 a.m. . to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with a one-hour lunch break, maintaining the required standard total of 40...

Aug32026 by Joann VillanuevaNo Comments

Oil price rollback tomorrow

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PNA file photoFuel prices will decline by as much PHP2.09 per liter this week after a huge jump last week amid the supply risks given the latest United States-Iran military exchanges.According to the Department of Energy (DOE), gasoline prices are set for a decline of not less than PHP0.73 per liter, diesel by PHP0.60 per liter, and kerosene by PHP2.09 per liter.In an advisory, Jetti Petroleum said it will cut diesel prices by PHP0.60 per liter and gasoline by PHP0.80 per liter effective 6 a.m. on Tuesday.“Price change varies in some locations,” it said.Meanwhile, Seaoil said it will reduce gasoline prices by PHP0.73 per liter, diesel by PHP0.60 per liter, and kerosene by PHP2.09 per liter.Data released by the DOE during the day showed that domestic fuel supply rema...

Aug32026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

111 metric tons of decades-old medical waste removed from 4 NegOcc hospitals

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The medical waste being removed.* Rayfrando Diaz FB page photoThe Negros Occidental provincial government has successfully collected and transported 111 metric tons of hazardous medical waste from four of its hospitals to a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-accredited treatment facility between June and August 1. The proper disposal of the massive waste was reported by the Pollution Control Officers under the Provincial Administrator’s Office, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Monday, August 3.The hazardous medical waste materials accumulated in septic vaults and storage areas for over three decades, were removed from the Gov. Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial Hospital in Himamaylan City, Lorenzo D. Zay...

Aug32026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Therapist hacked to death by nephew in Sipalay

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A 50-year-old man was hacked to death allegedly by his nephew inside their home in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, early Monday morning, Aug. 3.Police identified the victim only as “Rex,” a therapist, and the suspect as alias “Orlando,” 37, a farmer.The Sipalay Component City Police Station said the incident happened at around 1:55 a.m. in Purok Balatong, Brgy. Gil Montilla.According to the victim’s father, the victim was seated on a wooden chair when the suspect, who was allegedly under the influence of liquor, entered the house.The suspect reportedly confronted the victim over his belief that the victim had repeatedly physically abused the suspect’s mother.Police said the suspect went outside after the confrontation but returned minutes later carrying a bolo.He a...

Aug32026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Valderrama amicably settles labor dispute with 28 farmworkers

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Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr.'s lawyer Roland D. Ravina (right) with the workers and their lawyer Clarence Gordoncillo (left)* Contributed photoConfederation of Sugar Producers Associations (CONFED) president Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr. has agreed to amicably settle differences with his 28 farmworkers to foster industrial peace and preserve a harmonious working environment on the farm, his lawyer Roland D. Ravina said.“Mindful of the prevailing economic hardships faced by agricultural workers, Mr. Valderrama took the unilateral initiative to provide a financial settlement package that far exceeds the initial claims filed with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),” Ravina said in press statement Sunday, August 2.“This voluntary gesture was made out of pure g...

Aug32026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Sagay captures second world softball title as 12U team wins PONY championship

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Sagay City has claimed another international softball crown after Team Sagay City won the 12-under division of the 2026 PONY International West Zone Softball World Series in Hemet, California.The achievement was announced by Schools Division Superintendent Dannie Clark M. Uguil on Sunday, Aug. 2, congratulating the young athletes for bringing another world championship to Sagay.Representing Jose B. Puey Sr. Elementary School and Sagay National High School, Team Sagay City emerged unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating more than 10 teams from the elimination round to the championship to secure the title, a press release from Sagay City said.The latest victory comes just days after Sagay City’s 14-under squad also captured the championship in the 2026 PONY International So...