Bacolod Dateline

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐊𝐓𝐎 𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐗 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐒𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 & 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐘, 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐘𝐎𝐍!

Nilinaw ni Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Chairperson Sen. Raffy Tulfo sa mga kinauukulang ahensya ang ilang mga bagay na ikinababahala ng publiko kaugnay sa planong Pax Silica AI Hub sa Tarlac, gaya ng posibleng maging epekto nito sa supply ng tubig at kuryente sa mga komunidad, maging job opportunities na maibibigay nito.

Sa hearing ng nasabing komite ngayong araw, Agosto 14, tinanong ni Sen. Raffy kung ano ang pangunahing pagkukunan ng supply ng tubig ng pasilidad gayong lumalabas na tinatayang nasa 65 million - 90 million liters per day (MLD) ang dambuhalang water requirement nito kapag nag-operate na.

Sinabi ni Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Joshua Bingcang na hindi sila gagamit ng ground water extraction sa lupa upang hindi maapektuhan ang suplay ng tubig para sa residential at agricultural areas na pangunahing gumagamit ng water source na ito. Plano daw nila ang surface water harvesting kung saan mag-iipon at mag-iimbak ng surplus water mula sa mga ilog at sa tag-ulan gamit ang mga tangke.

Paliwanag pa ni Bingcang, identified na nila ang ilan sa mga ilog na posibleng maging water source gaya ng Bangut River, O'Donnell River at Abacan River. Ayon sa initial assessment ng BCDA, sa Bangut River pa lamang daw ay lampas na ang kapasidad nito mula sa kanilang pangangailangan dahil tinatayang nasa 130 hanggang 200 MLD ang maaaring makuhang tubig kahit tuwing dry season—mas mataas kaysa sa projected requirement na 65-90 MLD ng proyekto.

Inirekomenda naman ni Sen. Raffy ang paggamit ng desalination plants. Bagamat may kamahalan, ipinunto ni Sen. Idol na sa ganitong paraan ay hindi tayo mauubusan ng water supply dahil direkta na itong mula sa dagat kumpara sa pagiging dependent sa mga ilog na posibleng matuyuan, bagay na sinang-ayunan ni Bingcang.

Ibinahagi ni Bingcang na pinag-aaralan na nila ang posibilidad nito at nagkaroon na sila ng inisyal na Memorandum of Understanding sa Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) kung saan sila ang may area ng dagat na maaaring pagkunan ng seawater at gagamitin ang ruta ng Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) para sa mga tubo ng desalination plant papuntang Capas, bagay na hindi na sila mahihirapan pa dahil may existing right-of-way na sa loob nito.

Sa aspeto naman ng enerhiya, tinanong ni Sen. Tulfo kung saan kukunin ang malaking power requirement ng Pax Silica. Ayon kay Bingcang, mayroon na silang mga initial investors para sa solar farms ngunit aminado silang hindi ito sapat bilang 24-hour baseload power source. Sinabi ni Bingcang na pinag-aaralan din daw nila ang paglalagay ng pipeline ng Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) sa SCTEX papuntang Capas at battery storage bilang baseload reliable power sources upang hindi maapektuhan ang suplay ng kuryente ng mga residential consumers.

Hindi rin pinalampas ni Sen. Raffy ang ipinapangakong 200,000 employment opportunities na maaaring likhain ng Pax Silica Hub. Diretsahang ipinunto ni Sen. Idol na hindi dapat sa foreign workers lang mapupunta ang mga management at executive positions kundi sa mga Pilipino rin at hindi dapat sila maiwan sa low-paying jobs.

Dito ay tiniyak ni DTI Undersecretary for Industry, Development and Investment Promotions Group Ceferino Rodolfo na may mga umiiral na requirements sa ilalim ng CREATE MORE Act at Board of Investments (BOI)/ Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) regulations hinggil sa employment ng foreign workers. Tiniyak din niya na limitado lang sa humigit-kumulang 10% ang foreign participation sa workforce, habang ang malaking bahagi ay mapupunta sa mga Pilipino.

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

10/08/2026

Bacolod Rum Festival 2026 Brings Exciting Competitions, Street Party on August 15

Bacolod is ready to turn up the energy and fun as the Bacolod Rum Festival 2026 brings together exciting competitions, music, dancing, and entertainment at SM City Bacolod North Block and North Capitol Road on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The celebration kicks off at SM City Bacolod North Block with the Flair Bartending Competition where participants will showcase their creativity, precision, and flair behind the bar from 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon.

The Bacolod Signature Cocktail Competition will also feature innovative cocktail creations inspired by Bacolod’s flavors, sugar heritage, and renowned hospitality from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

As evening comes, the celebration moves outdoors for one of the festival’s most exciting highlights - the FREE Rum Dance Street Party at North Capitol Road starting at 6:00 PM.

Everyone is invited to join the street and celebrate with an exciting lineup of Zumba parties, live DJ sets, band performances, music, dancing and entertainment that will keep the energy going throughout the evening.

Festival-goers can also enjoy FREE sampling of selected rum products from three participating brands - Ginebra San Miguel, Tanduay, and Emperador - for guests of legal drinking age, with responsible drinking strongly encouraged.

The Bacolod Rum Festival celebrates not only one of the products closely associated with Negros’ rich sugar heritage, but also the vibrant energy, creativity, and warm hospitality that Bacolod is known for.

So gather your friends and come celebrate with us!

•August 15, 2026
•SM City Bacolod North Block – Bartending & Cocktail Competitions
•North Capitol Road – Rum Dance Street Party
•6:00 PM onwards | FREE ADMISSION
🎶 Zumba Parties • DJs • Live Bands • Street Dancing • Entertainment
•FREE Rum Sampling from Ginebra San Miguel, Tanduay & Emperador
•Rum sampling is strictly for adults of legal drinking age. No alcoholic beverages will be served to minors. Please drink responsibly.

Come for the competition. Stay for the party. Experience the energy of Bacolod!

See you at the BACOLOD RUM FESTIVAL 2026!

10/08/2026

Negros Power Celebrates 2nd Anniversary with River Cleanup in Murcia

Celebrating its second anniversary with the theme “Stronger Together,” Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) reaffirmed its commitment to environmental protection and community stewardship through a River Cleanup Activity held at Prk. Paghidaet, Barangay Salvacion, Municipality of Murcia on August 4, 2026.

Held in the early morning, the activity brought together Negros Power personnel and partner organizations, demonstrating the importance of collective action in protecting the environment and supporting local communities.

Leading the activity was Negros Power Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Engr. Joe-Mel Zaporteza, together with representatives from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Municipality of Murcia, Barangay Council of Salvacion headed by Hon. Barangay Captain Jenny Jimenea, and The Guardians of the Environment.

Through the collective efforts of the volunteers, the river and its surrounding areas were cleaned, with various types of waste properly collected and disposed of. The activity helped improve the condition of the waterway while contributing to the protection of aquatic ecosystems and the preservation of the surrounding environment.

More than simply a cleanup effort, the initiative served as a reminder that environmental protection is a shared responsibility. The participation of different organizations and community stakeholders highlighted how working together can create a meaningful and lasting impact.

The River Cleanup Activity embodies the spirit of Negros Power’s second anniversary theme, “Stronger Together,” emphasizing the value of collaboration among employees, government agencies, community leaders, environmental groups, and residents in building cleaner and more sustainable communities.

As Negros Power marks two years of service, the company continues to strengthen its commitment not only to providing dependable electricity but also to supporting meaningful initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and community well-being.

Together, Negros Power and the communities it serves continue to work toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Negros./via Negros Power