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Mar192026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Cops nab 7 in Escalante for alleged fish theft

Seven men were arrested for allegedly stealing fish from a fishpond in Brgy. Alimango, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Monday, March 16.The police identified the suspects as “Jay,” 30; “Warli,” 38; “Dan,” 42; “Kaloy,” 24; “Mel,” 19; “Efen,” 38; and “Bani,” 47, all residents of Barangay Tamlang, Escalante City.The victim was a 55-year-old female administrator of a fishpond owned by 115 Diversified Corporation.Investigation by Escalante City Police Station showed the suspects allegedly entered the irrigation area of the fishpond and used a net to catch fish without the owner’s consent.Authorities said the suspects placed the fish in sacks before the incident was reported to police.Responding officers conducted an operation that led to the arrest of the seven individ...

Mar192026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Police eye love triangle in killing of Tangub resident

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The police are looking into two or more persons of interest in the killing of a man whose body was found in Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City.The victim identified as alias “Wilthon”, a resident of Barangay Tangub, was found dead in Bangga Adam past 6 a.m. on March 5, Bacolod City Police Office Spokesperson Capt. Dax Santillan, said at a press conference on Wednesday, March 18.Initial investigation showed that possible motives include a love triangle and illegal drugs.Santillan said the persons of interest are also residents of Bacolod City.Police are continuing to gather evidence for the possible filing of murder charges against those involved.*

Mar192026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

185K Tino-hit households in Negros get P1.09-B in cash aid

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Sunflowers at the front of the house*At least 185,315 household beneficiaries in the Negros Island Region (NIR) directly affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Tino in November 2025 received PHP1.09 billion in Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) assistance as of Wednesday, March 18.Based on the data released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the payouts, which began mid-February, covered beneficiaries from across 14 local government units (LGUs).“Already 100 percent of the ECT has been distributed in the towns of Hinigaran and La Castellana, indicating quick and smooth implementation of the program in these areas,” the DSWD-NIR said in a report.Hinigaran has 23,636 beneficiaries, receiving PHP142.72 million, while La Castellana has 17,511 beneficiaries, ...

Mar172026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Jeepney fare hikes granted, met with protest in Bacolod

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Bacolod protestors call for an end of the war in the Middle East.* Romeo Subaldo photoMilitant groups staged a protest in Bacolod City on Tuesday, March 17, following the government’s announcement of a ₱1 fare hike for traditional jeepneys and a ₱2 increase for modern units amid soaring fuel prices. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Vigor Mendoza II said the adjustment raises the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys to ₱14, with a ₱2 charge for every succeeding kilometer. Modern jeepney fares will rise to ₱17, with a ₱2.30 rate for every kilometer beyond the minimum. The Department of Energy reported that diesel prices surged by ₱20.40 to ₱23.90 per liter, while gasoline rose by ₱12.90 to ₱16.60 on Tuesday. Noli Rosales, Bayan Muna Negros secretary gen...

Mar172026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Cops seize P142K in shabu, arrest Bacolod student

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Police arrested a 22-year-old student and seized about P142,800 worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. 2, Bacolod City. Monday, March 16.The suspect, identified as alias “Mak”, a resident of Purok Sigay, was arrested by operatives of Police Station 2.Authorities said about 21 grams of suspected shabu were confiscated during the operation.The police said the operation was conducted after they received information from a confidential informant that the suspect was involved in illegal drug activities.Authorities said the seized items were submitted to the Negros Occidental Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory examination.Police said charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the su...

Mar172026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Smuggled cigarettes worth P4.7M seized

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Authorities seized about P4.7 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes during a maritime interdiction operation before dawn in Brgy. Nagbo-alao, Basay, Negros Oriental, on Saturday, March 14.The operation was conducted by operatives of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group 4th Special Operations Unit with support from the Basay Municipal Police Station and the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office.Police said the operation stemmed from information about the unloading of contraband cigarettes along the coastal area.Authorities said several individuals fled upon sensing the presence of law enforcement, leaving behind boxes of cigarettes.A motorized banca believed to have transported the contraband also left the area before authorities arrived.Operatives r...

Mar172026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

59 former BACIWA employees seek payment of P123.5M in back wages

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BACIWA Employees Union officers Gary Garcia, Herlene Joy Pacite, Leny Espina and Benjie Oray with Noli Rosales of Bayan-Negros (l-r) at a press conference on Tuesday.*Fifty-nine former Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) employees are seeking the payment of their back wages and other benefits amounting to P123,573,725.36.Leny Rojo-Espina, president of the BACIWA Employees Union, said during a press conference on Tuesday, March 17, that they have filed a Motion for Execution based on the Compromise Agreement signed and notarized between BEU-National Federation of Labor Unions, representing the employees, and BACIWA on Jan. 30, 2026, before the Civil Service Commission (CSC).The motion filed before the CSC seeks the enforcement of compromise agreement that grants th...

Mar172026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2 but residents must be prepared: Phivolcs

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Kanlaon’s moderately explosive eruption on Sunday.* Marvin Escander photoKanlaon Volcano will remain under Alert Level 2 for now despite its recent moderately explosive eruption, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Teresito Bacolcol said on Tuesday, March 17.The recent moderately explosive eruptions at Kanlaon are consistent with its Alert Level 2 status, he said.“For now, we are not considering raising it to Alert Level 3… at this point, the assessment remains at Alert Level 2,” Bacolcol said.However, residents living beyond Kanlaon’s 4-kilometer permanent danger zone must be ready at any time should activities at Kanlaon escalate to Alert Level 3, Bacolcol added.Donato Sermeno III, Director of the Office of Civil Defense for the Ne...

Mar172026 by Ferdinand PatinioNo Comments

Private firms may implement flexible work schemes – DOLE

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The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday, March 17, reminded the private sector of available flexible work arrangements -- such as a four-day/compressed workweek or work-from-home scheme -- that can help ease operational costs while protecting workers’ welfare. Under a compressed workweek arrangement, the standard 40-hour workweek may be distributed across four working days instead of five, with the corresponding hours added from Monday to Thursday if work is suspended on Friday. On the other hand, under a work-from-home arrangement, employees may follow a regular eight-hour onsite schedule from Monday to Thursday with work performed remotely on Friday, depending on the nature of work. DOLE spokesperson Assistant Secretary Lennard Constantine Serrano said such arrangements ...

Mar172026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Two decomposing bodies found in Pulupandan, Isabela

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Two men were found dead in Pulupandan and Isabela, Negros Occidental, on Monday, March 16.In Pulupandan, the body of a 70-year-old man was discovered at around 2:12 p.m. in a sugarcane plantation in Purok Daisy, Brgy. Pag-ayon.Police said the cadaver, already in a state of decomposition, was found by a resident and later identified by the victim’s daughter through his clothing and necklace.The victim had been missing since February 21 and was reportedly suffering from a nervous breakdown, the police said.Authorities said no signs of foul play were observed and the death is believed to be due to natural causes.In Isabela, a 51-year-old man was found dead inside his house in Zone 3, Brgy. Tinongan at around 6 a.m., the police said.Police said a relative discovered the...