Tag: Negros news

Oct82026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Climate group urges coal-free solutions to Visayas power crisis

The Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment (NICE) has urged government to address the Visayas power crisis without abandoning Negros Occidental’s coal-free policy, calling instead for renewable energy, battery storage and stronger grid infrastructure.In a statement following the Oct. 3 joint congressional hearing on the Visayas power situation in Bacolod City, NICE welcomed what it described as Energy Secretary Sharon Garin’s assurance that the government has no plans to establish a coal-fired power plant in Negros.The hearing was conducted by the House committees on Energy, Visayas Development and Legislative Franchises to investigate recurring grid alerts, rotational brownouts, generation shortages and transmission constraints affecting the Visayas. During...

Oct72026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

First Gen seeks stronger policies to de-risk geothermal projects as Negros plant undergoes P3-B upgrade

Community, Negros Oriental, Press Release, Top Stories

The Southern Negros Geothermal Project in Valencia, Negros Oriental has a total installed capacity of 222.5 megawatts of clean and renewable energy.*/EDC photoFirst Gen Corp. is calling for stronger government policies and financing mechanisms to reduce the risks of geothermal development across Southeast Asia, as its subsidiary Energy Development Corp. continues to operate and expand geothermal facilities in Negros Oriental, recently.In a press release, The company raised the proposal during a strategic side event at the opening of the ASEAN Energy Business Forum, where industry leaders, policymakers and energy experts discussed barriers to tapping the region’s estimated 34 to 35 gigawatts of geothermal resources.First Gen said Southeast Asia accounts for nearly 48 percent of ...

Oct72026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

NPA claims responsibility for Escalante attack that killed CAFGU member, wounded 2 soldiers

Business, Police, Top Stories

The New People's Army has claimed responsibility for the Sept. 29 attack on government troops in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, that left one Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member dead and two soldiers wounded.In a statement on Oct. 7, Ka Cecil Estrella, spokesperson of the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-NPA Northern Negros Guerrilla Front, said its members carried out what it described as a harassment operation against personnel of the Army's 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) and CAFGU in Sitio Bautista, Brgy. Malasibog, at around 3 p.m.The NPA claimed its fighters opened fire on government troops conducting a patrol in the area, resulting in one fatality and two injuries on the government side.Estrella said the exchange of gunfire lasted about three minutes and ...

Oct72026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Two men found dead in separate Victorias, Candoni incidents

Police, Top Stories

In Victorias City, an unidentified man was found lifeless inside a sugarcane plantation at Hacienda Angelina 1, Brgy. 12, at about 11:30 a.m.Two men were found dead in separate incidents in Victorias City and Candoni, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, police reported.In Victorias City, an unidentified man was found lifeless inside a sugarcane plantation at Hacienda Angelina 1, Brgy. 12, at about 11:30 a.m.Police said a farmworker passing through Field No. 14 noticed the man lying face down inside the plantation.The victim was wearing a black T-shirt and gray shorts and had several tattoos on different parts of his body.The discovery was reported to the Victorias City Police Station at about 11:40 a.m.Responding personnel proceeded to the area, while Scene of th...

Oct72026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

No. 1 regional most wanted person arrested in Negros Oriental

Negros Oriental, Police, Top Stories

Police arrested the No. 1 Regional Most Wanted Person for a murder case with no bail recommended, in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, on Monday, Oct. 6.The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region identified the accused only as alias “Jov,” 37, married, and a resident of Sitio Avocado, Brgy. Talalak, Santa Catalina.Police also tagged the accused as a non-PSR-listed member of a communist terrorist group and linked him to the RMPC SEF and KRNCBS-D, based on police records.The arrest was carried out by joint personnel of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, PNP Special Action Force, Regional Intelligence Unit-Negros Island Region and Santa Catalina Municipal Police Station.Police said the operation was based on warrants of arrest for murder under Article 248 of the...

Oct62026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Negros Island inflation quickens to 6.9 percent in September, still below national rate

Business, Top Stories

For consumers, a 6.9 percent inflation rate does not mean that all goods and services became exactly 6.9 percent more expensive in one month.*/Ronnie Baldonado photoInflation in the Negros Island Region accelerated to 6.9 percent in September 2026 from 5.8 percent in August, meaning consumer prices in the region were, on average, 6.9 percent higher than they were in September last year.Despite the increase, NIR’s inflation remained below the 7.2 percent national rate and was the lowest among the four Visayas regions, based on data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Western Visayas posted the highest inflation among the Visayas regions at 9.2 percent, followed by Central Visayas at 8.3 percent and Eastern Visayas at 8.2 percent.The national in...

Oct62026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

GCash parent opens IPO at P660 minimum for interested Negros investors

Business, Community, Top Stories

Residents of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental interested in owning shares in the company behind GCash can apply for a minimum of 100 shares worth P660 through the app starting Tuesday, Oct. 6.Mynt Inc., the parent company of the group behind GCash, has set its initial public offering (IPO) price at P6.60 per share. The offer runs until Oct. 12, the company said.An IPO allows the public to buy shares in a company before these begin trading on the stock exchange. Buying shares gives an investor a small ownership stake in the business.The Mynt offering is accessible through GStocks PH within GCash, powered by AB Capital Securities Inc.For orders placed on Oct. 6 and 7, the first 100 shares will be allocated in real time while shares last, according to the company.&n...

Oct62026 by Judy F. PartlowNo Comments

Metro Dumaguete Water assures ample water supply amid El Niño threat

Business, Community, Top Stories

Engr. Robert Cabiles, Chief Operating Officer of Metro Dumaguete Water, speaking on Monday during the firm’s celebration of 1 Million Safe Man Hours.*/JFP photoMetro Dumaguete Water (MDW) has assured consumers of sufficient water supply despite the threat of a strong El Niño phenomenon this year.Engr. Robert Cabiles, MDW chief operating officer, said Monday that the water utility continues to monitor its resources and has so far not recorded critical declines in water levels.“Actually, up until now, we are monitoring our water resources and so far, it has not dropped to a critical level,” Cabiles said in an interview.“Right now, there is no need to panic. But we cannot be complacent about this and we need to prepare for the upcoming El Niño,” he added.Cabiles said the c...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

TIEZA moves Bacolod plaza, NGC project deadline to Jan. 2027 as cost rises to P328M

Community, Top Stories

BOARD DOWN. The coverings surrounding the fountain area of the Bacolod City Government Center have already been removed on Monday, Oct. 5, although the area remains cordoned off as electrical works continue.*/Richard Caballero photoThe Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority has moved the contractual completion date of the redevelopment of the Bacolod City Government Center and Heritage Plaza to Jan. 27, 2027, following several work suspensions, weather delays and additional work that also raised the project cost to P328.09 million.TIEZA, however, said it and the contractor are still exerting efforts to complete the project within 2026.In a Sept. 30 letter to Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya, TIEZA said the project remains ongoing and cited work suspensions, inclement w...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Rape cases filed vs suspects in separate attacks on minors in E.B. Magalona, Bago

Police, Top Stories

Rape cases have been filed against two suspects in separate incidents involving minors in E.B. Magalona and Bago City, Negros Occidental, police said Monday, Oct. 5.Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office spokesperson Capt. Judesses Catalogo said both minors reportedly sustained physical injuries in the separate incidents.Police are withholding details that could identify the victims because they are minors and alleged victims of sexual abuse.In E.B. Magalona, police said the victim, an elementary school pupil, was on the way home around noon when an adult male suspect approached the child and allegedly introduced himself as someone who knew the victim’s father.The suspect, who reportedly worked as a pedicab driver like the victim’s father, allegedly offered to bring the...