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Aug312023 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Globe MSCI ESG rating soarsto AA, highest in PH to date

Globe has achieved a historic milestone in its commitment to sustainability, as it achieved a ratings upgrade to AA from MSCI, marking the highest rating among companies and within the telco industry in the Philippines to date.MSCI ESG Research provides MSCI ESG Ratings on global public and a few private companies on a scale of AAA (leader) to CCC (laggard), according to exposure to industry-specific ESG risks and the ability to manage those risks relative to peers. These evaluations are based on governance structures, policies, targets, quantitative performance metrics, and any relevant controversies, a press release from Globe said.The firm’s ESG Research aims to provide investors with insights into the ESG risks and opportunities of companies worldwide. With Globe's upgrade from...

Aug312023 by Mary Judaline PartlowNo Comments

‘Hired gun’ arrested in Negros Oriental

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Police operatives arrested on Wednesday morning, August 30, an alleged gun-for-hire and seized firearms and ammunition in Barangay Lumbangan, Mabinay town in Negros Oriental.Albert Kadusale Durango, an alleged member of the criminal gang, Birador Group, was arrested at his residence during the service of a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, a report from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) said.Confiscated during the police operation were a .45 caliber pistol; a Super .38 caliber; several rounds of live ammunition of different calibers; fired cartridges; a pistol box; a sling box; an inside holster; and two pouches for ammunition.Durango, according to the police, is engaged in gun-for-hire activities in the province of Negros Orie...

Aug312023 by Stephanie SevillanoNo Comments

Comelec sets Dec. 9 poll for Teves’ district in NegOr

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Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia*PNA file photoThe Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, August 30, said it will conduct the special polls in the third legislative district of Negros Oriental by the second week of December.In a Viber message, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia confirmed the schedule following the call of the House of Representatives to fill the vacant seat of former Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr."Special election in the 3rd District of Negros Oriental is on December 9, 2023," he said.Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco told the Philippine News Agency that they will allot around P75 million for the special polls.According to Comelec Resolution No. 10945, aspiring candidates for the seat have three days to file their certificate...

Aug312023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

OVY receives honorary doctorate, plans to donate evacuation center

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Olivia V. Yanson, flanked by her children, Leo Rey and Ginnette, receives her honorary doctorate degree at UNO-R on Wednesday.*Ronnie Baldonado photoOlivia V. Yanson, co-founder of the biggest bus firm in Southeast Asia, was conferred an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management degree by the University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos in Bacolod City Wednesday morning, August 30.Yanson, 89, citing the recent heavy rains that hit Negros Occidental and Bacolod, said she wants to donate an evacuation center where people can stay and be safe in times of calamity.Her mother hopes that with the cooperation of the Bacolod City government led by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and the city council, and the guidance and help of UNO-R, her dream of putting up an evacuation cen...

Aug312023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Bacolod under state of calamity, classes suspended until Friday

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Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (right) with Councilor Vladimir Gonzalez visit flood hit areas in Bacolod.*Bacolod PIO photoMayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Wednesday, August 30, declared a state of calamity in Bacolod City and extended the suspension of classes at all levels until Friday, September 1.Benitez said the declaration will enable the city government to use its calamity funds to assist Bacolod residents affected by the Typhoon “Goring” induced rains and flooding.The flooding in Bacolod affected 3,998 families or 12,868 individuals in 33 of the 61 city barangays, a Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) report released Wednesday afternoon showed.There were 4,446 individuals still in evacuation centers as of Wednesday.All those affected will be given...

Aug302023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

‘Goring’ affects 100,337 residents, damage rises to P120.8M in Negros

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San Enrique Fire Station personnel conduct a feeding program for evacuees.*San Enrique BFP photoTyphoon “Goring” floods have affected 100,337 residents and caused P120, 824,933.71 in damage to crops, fisheries and livestock in Negros Occidental, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported at 5 p.m. Wednesday, August 30.There were 30, 917 families with 100, 337 members affected in 16 cities and municipalities.Those still inside evacuation centers were 7,319 and outside evacuation centers were 8,874, the PDRRMC reported.The report also said 24 houses were destroyed and 67 were damaged.Damage to rice, high value crops and corn was P116,808,553, fisheries – P1,447,000 and livestock – P2,569, 380, the PDRRMC reported.The report also sa...

Aug302023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

13,519 in Negros file COCs for barangay, SK posts

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Provincial Election Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said 13,519 aspirants have filed their certificates of candidacy to run in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Negros Occidental.There were 8,030 bets who filed their COCs on Monday and 5,489 on Tuesday, Ananoria said on Wednesday, August 30.Those running for barangay captain are 783 and Sangguninag Barangay member are 7,223.Running for SK chairperson are 850 and for SK member – 4,663.The filing of COCs will end on Saturday, September 2.*

Aug302023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

753K enroll in Neg. Occ.

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There are 753,929 elementary and high school students who have enrolled in Negros Occidental so far, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported Wednesday, August 30.The DepEd Western Visayas quick count records on Wednesday showed that the combined enrollees in the Negros Occidental divisions comprise 48.31 percent of the total public school enrollees in WV.The DepEd Division of Negros Occidental had the highest number of enrollees in the province with 287,835, followed by Bacolod City with 141,122, and Kabankalan City with 53,260.The number of enrollees in other school divisions were 36,409 (Bago), 35,725 (Cadiz), 22,707 (Escalante), 22,740 (Himamaylan), 15,420 (La Carlota), 37,596 (Sagay), 28,345 (San Carlos), 31,041 (Silay), 18,434 (Sipalay), and 23,295 (Victorias).In ...

Aug302023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

COCs of 5 SK bets rejected

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The Commission on Elections rejected the certificates of candidacy (COCs) of five Bacolodnons for being overage to run for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) posts in Bacolod City.Bacolod Election Officer Kathrina Trinio-Caña said the persons whose COCs were rejected were from barangays 11, 5, and 20.Aspiring candidates should be 18 to 24 years old on the day of the elections to run for SK posts.There was also an aspiring candidate who was found to be a relative of an incumbent barangay kagawad whose COC was rejected, she said.Caña said that so far there were no major issues in the first three days of the COC filing for the barangay and SK elections.She reminded aspiring candidates to ensure that they have complied with all the requirements so they do not have to go back and for...

Aug302023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

13-year-old found dead

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A 13-year-old girl was found dead near the shoreline of Sitio Pulo, Brgy. Tortosa, Manapla, Negros Occidental, early Tuesday morning, August 29.The police said that at about 5 a.m. a fisherman found the body of the victim floating near the shore.The victim was identified by her father as Lorry Balu-an, 13, from Brgy. 14, Victorias City.Manapla Police Chief, Maj. Jaynick Bermudez, told DIGICAST NEGROS that her body was claimed by her father.Police investigation revealed that the victim fell in the river and was drifted by the current, he said.The victim was suffering from epilepsy, he added.*