Watchmen Daily Journal
2 MORE BACOLOD KIDS DIE OF DENGUE
Two more children died of suspected dengue in Bacolod City, bringing the total number of denguerelated deaths to three, Dr. Grace Tan, head of the City Health Office’s (CHO) Environmental Sanitation Division, said. The fatalities were a fouryear-old...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PUSH FOR HIGHER PAY
Bacolod City and Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town have recorded “very unhealthy” air quality levels as transboundary haze from forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia continues to affect parts of Negros Occidental, the Environmental Management...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SAGAY STEPS UP RSSI CONTROL AS INFESTATION SURGES
The Sagay City government has intensified efforts to contain the redstriped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation as the pest continues to spread rapidly across sugarcane-growing areas. Mayor Leo Rafael “Bebo” Cueva, along with Sangguniang Panlungsod...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Why do barangays need purok-based auxiliary teams for disaster response?
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) is pushing for the creation of trained and equipped purok-based auxiliary teams to provide immediate assistance during disasters, medical emergencies and public safety incidents. The SP recognizes the need for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Gasataya honors media role, responsibility
“Media was never simply a job. It was a way of listening to people, understanding their concerns and giving space to stories that mattered.” This was Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya’s message, delivered by his executive assistant, Richard Chiu,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
POWERING A STRONGER GRID
Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) has completed more than half of its planned grid modernization program after two years into its five-year development roadmap, with over P1.3 billion already invested to improve power reliability, expand...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CASES, FINES VS. GARBAGE HAULER AMONG CITY’S OPTIONS
Filing a case against Bacolod City’s former garbage hauler, IPM Construction and Development Corporation (IPM-CDC), remains among the options of the local government, including the possible imposition of penalties and fines. Earlier, the city...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CEBU EXTENDS NEGROS HOG BAN
The Cebu provincial government has extended its ban on the entry of live hogs, pork and pork products from Negros Island and other African swine fever (ASF)affected areas, citing the continuing threat of the hog disease and the need to protect the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MARAÑON STILL UNEGA’S TOP BET
Negros Occidental 2nd District Representative Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III is still the United Negros Alliance’s (UNegA) preferred choice for governor in the 2028 national elections, but the coalition is holding off on formally finalizing its slate...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
EX-OFW SHOT DEAD INSIDE CAR IN MANAPLA
A 57-year-old former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was shot dead while driving his car at Barangay 1-A in Negros Occidental’s Manapla town shortly after 11:00 a.m. yesterday. Police identified the victim as Mauro Estrella, a resident of the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
NegOcc adopts province-wide rules to protect crab industry
Negros Occidental has adopted a province-wide framework for the sustainable management of its blue swimming crab industry through strengthening conservation, monitoring and enforcing measures for one of the province’s important coastal resources. The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BACOLOD SP CALLS TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY, GUN-FREE ZONES AT SCHOOLS
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) called for stronger measures to protect students, teachers and school personnel in public and private educational institutions in the city in light of the recent school shooting incidents in parts of the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Get kids vaccinated vs. measles, parents told
Parents in Bacolod City are urged to take an active role in protecting their children from measles by availing themselves of the free supplemental vaccination under the Ligtas Tigdas Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign. The City Health Office (CHO)...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DILG PROBES 3 NEGROS LGUS OVER ‘SCHOLARSHIP FAVORITISM’
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Negros Occidental is investigating village officials in three barangays over allegations of favoring their children or relatives in the distribution of educational assistance under the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CONFRONT THE CHALLENGES
The United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed) has expressed full support for the current leadership of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) as the sugar industry confronts the combined threats of red-striped...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SECTOR SEEKS RSSI RELIEF
Sugar industry workers, farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries are pressing the national government for immediate financial relief, clearer farmlevel guidelines and greater stakeholder representation as the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI)...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE
Alert. Brownout. Apology. Repeat. This is how the Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS) describes the recurring cycle of unreliable power supply on the Visayas grid, as the group urged the Senate committee on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PEST, WEATHER FACTORS IN CRISIS
The National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) has warned that the Philippine sugar industry could face further decline unless the government moves swiftly to address falling sugar prices, pest infestation and worsening climaterelated threats.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
NegOcc local chiefs back regulated hog prices
The Negros Association of Chief Executives (ACE), Inc. has expressed support for the proposed regulation of hog prices in Negros Occidental amid concerns raised by hog raisers over declining and inconsistent live weight prices. Negros ACE President...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
An ECC for open dump site? Highly questionable —CLO
The issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECCs) for an old open dump site along Buri Road in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mandalagan has been questioned by the Bacolod City Legal Office (CLO) as procedures have been undertaken by developers...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
COMMON DISPOSAL FACILITY
The clustered sanitary landfill system in La Castellana town will serve eight local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, years after the town was cited for violations over continued operation of an open dumpsite.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Sugar losses top P15-B; Confed seeks DA, SRA’s help
The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (Confed) is calling on the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to implement concrete and long-term measures to address the worsening crisis in the sugar industry,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
RSSI infests 10 Bacolod barangays
Ten barangays in Bacolod City have been affected by the infestation of the red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI), with estimated damage to sugarcane crops reaching at least P200 million. Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP)...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘WEAPONIZED’ TO DISCREDIT
Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (Confed) President Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama, Jr. claimed that a labor complaint filed against him was “weaponized” to discredit him, while disclosing before lawmakers that the dispute has already been...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ASF HITS 3 MORE TOWNS; HOG DEATHS NOW 2,338
Three more local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have recorded new cases of African swine fever (ASF), raising the number of affected localities to 17 as provincial authorities continue efforts to contain the disease. Governor Eugenio...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
NEGOCC TREATS OVER 77 HA OF RSSI-HIT SUGARCANE FIELDS
The Negros Occidental provincial government has intensified its campaign against the red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI), with more than 77 hectares of sugarcane plantations already treated as authorities continue efforts to contain the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
TRO DELAYS PAY RAISE
Labor organizations have strongly criticized the temporary restraining order (TRO) that halted the implementation of the P85 daily minimum wage increase in the National Capital Region (NCR), describing the court action as a setback for workers and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
KEEP ECONOMY AFLOAT, BACOLOD SP TOLD ADOPT FLEXIBLE BIZ POLICIES
While relocating families living under Lupit Bridge may take time, Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya said affected households will be prioritized for rescue, assistance and eventual transfer to safer and more permanent housing at the city’s relocation...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PAY RAISE IN LIMBO
The General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) strongly condemned the issuance of a status quo ante order and temporary restraining order (TRO) on the implementation of the P85 daily minimum wage increase for workers in the National Capital Region...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE HOTSPOT
The Bacolod City Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) said cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the city have reached an alarming level following the rescue of 10 minors aged 12 to 17 from livestreaming...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR BSKE
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental has declared that preparations for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in November are in full swing, emphasizing that there are no legal impediments that would delay the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
TAX RELIEF GETS PRAISE BUT …
The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines - Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (Nacusip-TUCP) welcomed the economic relief measures announced by President Ferdinand Marcos,Jr.inhis2026 State of the Nation Address...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘PLEASED’ BY THE SPEECH
Bacolod City officials expressed satisfaction with the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. delivered at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City yesterday, presenting both an accounting of his accomplishments and a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
P250 WAGE HIKE BACKED
The General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) has welcomed the proposal to increase the daily minimum wage in the region by P250, saying the adjustment is needed to provide immediate relief to workers grappling with rising living costs and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DA to allot P235-M for NegOcc RSSI response
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will download P235 million in funds to strengthen Negros Occidental’s response to the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation, with P200 million earmarked for cash assistance to affected sugarcane farmers and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DECIDE YOUR OWN STRATEGY
The United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (Unifed) has urged local chief executives across Negros Occidental to immediately implement large-scale measures against red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI), saying every available method...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PROBE ‘UNJUST WAGES’
Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, along with two workers’ groups, has called for a thorough government investigation into the labor complaints filed by farm workers at Hacienda Lolita against sugar stakeholder Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
NFSP DEFENDS VALDERRAMA
The National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) has denounced what it described as a “smear campaign” against Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (Confed) President Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr., linking the controversy to his outspoken...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
GOING ‘GREEN’ NOT SUFFICIENT
As the debate continues over the most effective response to the infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) affecting sugarcane plantations in Negros, the United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed) is set to convene a forum with a chemical...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SP conference on sanitary landfill foul odor set
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) will hold a committee conference on Thursday, July 23, to address the foul odor coming from the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa. Councilor Homer Bais, SP committee on environment and ecology...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FOR SAFE, QUICK PEST SOLUTION?
The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (Confed) supports immediate, large-scale spraying using drones and manual ground-based methods to combat the ongoing red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation, while cautioning against the use of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MULTI-PRONGED RSSI APPROACH
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) defended its consistent natural and biological methods to combat the infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI), saying its initiative began years before Negros Occidental announced its “gogreen”...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DECLARE WASTE PACT ‘NULL, VOID’
Alyansa Kontra Basura lead convenor Wennie Sancho has requested the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod to officially acknowledge Victorias City’s withdrawal of its proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) for waste disposal at a landfill in Barangay Felisa.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
LACSON REJECTS AERIAL SPRAYING
Lacson reiterated that while the province recognizes the growing threat posed by RSSI to the sugar industry, it will not finance the aerial spraying campaign being pushed by the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (Unifed). “We will...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘ONE-TIME, BIG-TIME’
Sugar producers are pushing for a P200-million emergency aerial spraying program to contain the rapidly spreading infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) before the start of the milling season in October, warning that immediate...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PRO-NIR PROBES ONLINE BOMB THREAT AFTER SAN CARLOS SITES CLEARED
The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has launched a cybercrime investigation to identify the individual behind an alleged bomb threat posted on social media after authorities found no explosives or suspicious items during security...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ashfall hits 10 brgys in Canlaon City
Ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption has affected at least 10 barangays in Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City on Thursday morning, July 9, prompting local authorities to assess damage and advise residents to take health precautions. Seth Barilag,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Olivia, Leo Rey Yanson face perjury, falsification raps
A 78-year-old retired executive of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies (YGBC) has filed separate criminal complaints against Olivia Yanson and her son, Leo Rey, alleging that false sworn statements they executed led to the filing of a carnapping case...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
NegOcc moves to protect municipal waters from commercial fishing
The Negros Occidental provincial government is pushing to strengthen its existing ordinance banning commercial fishing within municipal waters as officials intensify efforts to safeguard the livelihood of more than 45,000 small-scale fisherfolk across...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
2 BACOLOD SCHOOLS GET THREATS
Classes at the University of St. La Salle (USLS) and Luisa Medel National High School in Bacolod City were suspended yesterday due to alleged threats received by the schools. Lt. Colonel Joem Malong, Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
LANDFILL ACCESS TO PROCEED IF IT HAS SUPPORT: COUNCILOR
The proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) to allow Victorias City to temporarily dispose of its residual waste at the sanitary landfill in Bacolod City’s Barangay Felisa should proceed only if the Bacolodnons support and accept it, Councilor...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
UNIFORM CONTROL MEASURES
Varying protocols among local government units (LGUs) have resulted in inconsistencies that could hamper efforts to contain African swine fever (ASF) in Negros Island Region (NIR) as the Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to establish a regional...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Victorias access to Bacolod landfill ‘allowed’
The Bacolod City Legal Office (CLO) said Victorias City government’s request to temporarily dispose of its residual waste at the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa is allowed “under the law” as the initiative has been approved by the Bacolod...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ASF kills over 2,000 hogs in 13 NegOcc LGUs
African swine fever (ASF) has affected 13 local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, resulting in the deaths of 2,130 hogs as of Tuesday, June 30, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said. ASF has affected a total of 55,961 hogs in 13...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Bacolod confirms 4 positive ASF cases
Bacolod City logged four positive cases of African swine fever (ASF), City Veterinary Office (CVO) head Dr. Maria Agueda dela Torre confirmed yesterday. The hog samples were collected on Monday, June 29, from backyard hog raisers in Barangays Alijis...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Student assault, stabbing ‘alarming’: DepEd-Bacolod
“Physical assault and stabbing incidents among students in various public schools in Bacolod City can be considered alarming.” This was stressed by Lila Vaflor Aro, spokesperson of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Bacolod after...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Kabankalan to declare state of calamity due to RSSI
Kabankalan City is set to be placed under a state of calamity as the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation continues to spread across sugarcane plantations, with the Negros Island Region (NIR) now recording the highest number of affected...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Negros Power recognized by ERC for leadership in clean energy transition
BACOLOD CITY — Negros Power has earned national recognition from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for its outstanding contribution to advancing renewable energy and promoting consumer participation in the country’s clean energy...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BACOLOD BRACES FOR ASF
Mayor Greg Gasataya, who recently convened the city’s Task Force on ASF, said the city will impose a ban on imported pork and pork byproducts to protect hog raisers, vendors, transporters, and consumers who are part of the billion-peso swine industry.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CURB ASF SPREAD
The swine deaths from May 20 and June 22 caused losses accounting for 4.06 percent of the province’s 29,880 hog population, according to data released by the Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier confirmed...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Lacson, PRO-NIR call for keeping schools safe
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and the Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) have called for heightened vigilance inside schools following a recent stabbing incident involving students in San Carlos City. In a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ASF HITS NEGOCC TOWN
Lacson affirmed yesterday that laboratory test results have verified the presence of ASF in the town.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Blue crab ban seen to worsen small fishers’ plight, poverty
Small fishers and civil society organizations from Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Guimaras have raised concerns over the recent United States ban on blue swimming crabs from the Philippines, warning that the measure could have severe economic...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Diaz defends appointment, pushes hospital mgt reforms
Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II has defended his appointment as officer-incharge of the Provincial Health Office’s Hospital Operations Services, emphasizing that the position focuses on hospital management and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Bacolod, NegOcc should work together’
Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez urged the Bacolod City government and the provincial government to work together rather than compete. Speaking as the guest speaker during Bacolod’s 88th Charter Day celebration on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FUNGUS ‘ARMY’ VS. SUGAR PEST
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered the mass production of a naturally occurring fungus to combat the destructive redstriped soft scale insect (RSSI) as the infestation spreads to 4,847.63 hectares of sugarcane farms across the Visayas,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Kanlaon’s constant degassing lowers blast chance: Phivolcs
The continuous degassing at Kanlaon Volcano is a more favorable scenario than a closed volcanic unrest, where pressure can build up and potentially trigger a more explosive eruption. The current activity suggests the volcano’s system remains open,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Raisers look into pattern on rising hog deaths
Hog raisers in Negros Occidental are being urged to tighten biosecurity measures following reports of increasing hog deaths across several local government units in the southern part of the province. The Alliance of Hog Raisers Association of Negros...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SUGARCANE PEST HOTSPOT
Negros Occidental remains the hardesthit province amid the infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in at least 1,949.45 hectares of sugarcane fields, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said, as the pest continues to spread across...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
STRONG ENFORCEMENT OF ANTI-SMOKING ORDINANCE URGED
The Bacolod City council urged authorities to reinvigorate and intensify the enforcement of the city’s Comprehensive AntiSmoking Ordinance through a coordinated multi-agency effort. The Sangguniang Panlungsod urged Mayor Greg Gasataya to direct and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Lacson: Freedom carries responsibility
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson underscored the importance of history, freedom and nation-building during the 128th Philippine Independence Day rites at the Provincial Capitol yesterday, stressing that freedom carries continuing...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SECURE PERMITS, BACOLOD TELLS ASENSO MARKET VENDORS
The Bacolod City government will still require vendors at the Asenso Market in Barangay Alijis to secure special permits despite the issuance of a temporary permit as requested by village captain Deogracias de la Vega. “The city council approved the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Prank call, fake food orders prompt BFP warning
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bacolod City has condemned the spread of false emergency calls after firefighters were dispatched to a supposed residential fire that turned out to be a hoax, while the same address was also allegedly used for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Intensified police visibility urged
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is urged to intensify police visibility and crime prevention measures following the recent holdup incident involving a female doctor in Barangay 19. Councilor Em Ang, chairperson of the city council committee on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
1,612 NIR cops to secure class opening
The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has deployed 1,612 police personnel across the region as part of its SAFE Balik Eskwela 2026 initiative to ensure a peaceful, orderly and secure opening of classes today, June 8. The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Cadiz mayor tells senators: Set aside political rift
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante has expressed concern over the ongoing crisis in the Senate, urging lawmakers to put aside political disputes and return their focus to serving the Filipino people. Speaking in his personal capacity,
Read Full Story (Page 1)