Tag: Negros Occidental

Oct52026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

MassKara streetdance returns with three-category competition at new arena venue

Organizers said preparations are complete for the MassKara Festival 2026 Streetdance and Arena Competition, which will bring together elementary, high school and barangay contingents on at the SM City Bacolod grounds, Oct. 17 and 18.The Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. said this year marks the return of a three-category competition after several years, with seven elementary schools, four high schools and eight barangays joining the festival showdown.Competing in the Elementary Category are Sum-ag Elementary School, Education and Training Center School II, Handumanan Elementary School I, Vista Alegre Elementary School, Mandalagan Elementary School, Vista Alegre-Granada Relocation Elementary School and Montevista Elementary School.The High School Category will feature Abkasa Nationa...

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

Force multiplier shot dead while plowing field in Binalbagan

Police, Top Stories

A 55-year-old force multiplier was shot dead while plowing a field in a mountainous area of Brgy. Santol, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, Monday morning, Oct. 5.Binalbagan police chief Maj. Joey Mara identified the victim only as alias “Jolito,” a resident of the said barangay.Mara said the victim was working in a field at Sitio Kapaklan at around 7 a.m. when he was shot by still unidentified assailants.The victim died at the scene.Mara said police have yet to determine how many assailants were involved and are still waiting for the results of the crime scene investigation.Authorities are also examining the victim’s background as part of the investigation.Mara said the victim had no record at the Binalbagan Police Station.Police have yet to establish the motive f...

Oct52026 by Shiela Gelera-BragaNo Comments

Force Multiplier Ginpatay sa Binalbagan

Balita Hiligaynon

Naga-arado sa kampo ang 55-anyos nga force multiplier sang siya ang gintiro mga pasado las 7 sang aga, Lunes, Oktubre 5 sa nabukid nga bahin sang Sitio Kapaklan, Barangay Santol sa banwa sang Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.Ginsiling ni Police Major Joey Mara, hepe sang Binalbagan PNP, wala pa mahibaluan kung pila kabilog ang suspek nga nagtiro sa biktima.Dead on the spot ang force multiplier nga ginkilala kay alyas “Jolito”, residente sang Brgy. Santol.Suno kay Mara, wala sang record sa Binalbagan Police Station ang biktima.Padayon pa ang imbestigasyon sa motibo kag identity sang mga suspek sa krimen.“Based sa initial investigation, nag-aararo po yung force multiplier natin then binaril. We are not sure pa sa ngayon kung ilan po yung perpetrator natin. Hintayin na lang n...

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...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Motorcycle rider dies after hitting concrete wall in Hinoba-an

Police, Top Stories

A 29-year-old motorcycle rider died after his motorcycle went off the roadway and crashed into a concrete wall in Brgy. 2, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, early Sunday morning, Oct. 4.Police identified the victim only as alias “Carlo,” a resident of the municipality.The incident happened at about 4 a.m. along the national highway in Purok 5.Police said the victim had been drinking alcoholic beverages with friends at an establishment in Brgy. 1 beginning around midnight before deciding to go home on his motorcycle.Upon reaching the area, the rider allegedly overshot the roadway and collided with a concrete wall.He sustained an injury to his left chest and was brought by the Hinoba-an Rescue Team to the Hinoba-an District Hospital, where he was declared dead by the attendin...

Oct52026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Farmer shot dead in Cauayan

Police, Top Stories

A 59-year-old farmer was shot dead by unidentified armed men while he was about to feed his pigs at the rear portion of his house in Brgy. Yao-yao, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Sunday morning, Oct. 4.Police identified the victim only as alias “Natoy,” a widower and resident of Purok 1 in the barangay.The shooting happened at about 5:40 a.m., according to the Cauayan Municipal Police Station.Police said the victim was preparing to feed his pigs when the assailants fired several shots at him using still unidentified firearms.He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.The incident was reported to police at about 9:55 a.m. by a concerned citizen.Personnel of the Cauayan police, including intelligence and alert teams, proceeded to the area to investigate. ...

Oct42026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

DOE proposes immediate interventions to address Visayas power woes

Business, Community, Top Stories

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has proposed immediate interventions for the recurring power outages in the Visayas grid as she stressed the need for a whole of government approach to address major power supply issues.Garin discussed the Visayas power situation and presented course of actions during the House of Representatives joint public hearing at L'Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Saturday.“The earliest (long-term) solutions for the whole Visayas is at 2028,” she said.As an immediate measure, Garin proposed tapping battery energy storage to help cushion supply disruptions while the Department of Energy (DOE) pursues long-term solutions.She added that the agency is also working to bring in power barges to augment electricity supply in the region.The DOE chief thank...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

SSS rolls out LoanLite microloan of up to P20,000

Business, Community, Top Stories

The Social Security System has launched a new digital microloan facility allowing qualified members to borrow from P1,000 to P20,000 for short-term financial needs.In a press release, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph de Claro said the SSS Micro Loan Program, also called SSS LoanLite, is available to employed, self-employed, voluntary and overseas Filipino worker members who meet the eligibility requirements.Members must have at least 12 posted monthly contributions to qualify.The loanable amount depends on the average of the member’s 12 latest Monthly Salary Credits, or MSCs.De Claro said repayment terms are available for 15, 30, 60 or 90 days, with an interest rate of 8 percent per year, equivalent to about 0.67 percent per month.Members with at ...

Oct42026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Negrense youth urged to fight disinformation, demand accountability

Community, Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Young Negrenses were urged to scrutinize online disinformation and hold public officials accountable during the Bacolod leg of the GenZennial Tour: We Decide the Future at Carlos Hilado Memorial State University-Alijis Campus, Oct. 2.The event, organized by Team Pinas, focused on two national issues affecting young voters: disinformation surrounding the West Philippine Sea and public accountability in controversies involving government officials and the use of public funds.In a press release, Team Pinas described the nationwide tour as a civic education initiative designed for younger audiences who increasingly get information from social media platforms.The program combined short discussions with interactive activities aimed at helping participants evaluate information, unders...