Negros Now Daily / Negros Weekly

10/10/2025

ROSARY RALLY VS. CORRUPTION
IN BACOLOD THIS AFTERNOON

Amid a wave of corruption scandals rocking the country, Bishop Patricio Buzon of the Diocese of Bacolod has called on the faithful to turn to prayer, conversion, and renewal during a rosary rally this afternoon, Oct. 11.

The religious event will bring together the clergy, consecrated persons, and laypeople from various parishes, who will march from different points of Bacolod, toward the San Sebastian Cathedral while praying the rosary.

The gathering also marks the feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, the diocese’s second patroness, and forms part of the local Church’s observance of the Jubilee Year of 2025.

Buzon said in a CBCP report that the rally is both a spiritual act of penance and a public witness of faith amid widespread frustration over government corruption and misuse of public funds.

“It’s appalling to see how much waste is done at the expense of lives and properties of our people, only to end up in the pockets of a few who are in power,” he said at a press conference Oct. 10.

Buzon said the nation’s problem goes beyond those implicated in scandals, describing it as a “culture of corruption and impunity” that has taken root across society.

“This is not just the sin of those identified in investigations,” he stressed. “It’s our collective problem, because we tolerate a culture of corruption.”

Buzon described the rosary rally as a “pilgrimage of hope,” symbolizing the Church’s journey toward moral and social renewal.*

10/10/2025

Chiz commiserates with earthquake victims,
seeks strengthening of Nat’l Building Code

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero expressed deep concern for the families affected by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Davao Oriental and nearby provinces this morning, Oct. 10, and triggered tsunami warnings and widespread evacuations.

“Sa gitna ng lindol na yumanig sa Davao Oriental at mga karatig-lugar ngayong umaga, ako’y lubos na nababahala at nakikiramay sa mga pamilyang apektado,” Escudero said in a statement. “Hindi biro ang lakas ng pagyanig at ang takot na dulot nito ay dama sa buong rehiyon. Kasama ninyo ako sa panalangin para sa kaligtasan ng bawat isa, lalo na sa mga nasa baybayin at mga lugar na may naitalang pinsala.”

“Nananawagan ako ng agaran at mabilisang pagkilos mula sa mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan. Kailangang tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga lumikas, ang maayos na pagresponde sa mga nasaktan, at ang masusing pagsusuri sa mga imprastrukturang maaaring naapektuhan,” he added.

In light of the powerful temblor that came after the recent magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu province, Escudero renewed his call for the expeditious passage of Senate Bill 277 he filed in July.

The bill seeks to strengthen the National Building Code of the Philippines through mandatory structural inspections and higher penalties for violations of construction regulations and safety standards.

SB 277 mandates regular, comprehensive structural inspections of buildings nationwide, with accountability measures for officials, who issue fraudulent permits or clearances. The bill further aims to close the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that buildings are not only compliant on paper but structurally sound in reality.

Escudero emphasized that while the National Building Code provides for general guidelines, it lacks specific provisions on earthquake resilience. Builders often rely on the 2015 National Structural Code of the Philippines, which requires buildings to withstand earthquakes ranging from magnitude 7 to 8.4.

“But referral codes are not enough,” he said. “We need enforceable standards and regular checks.”

Escudero cited the 2004 joint study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, which warned of catastrophic consequences should a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Metro Manila. It projected the collapse of 170,000 homes and deaths of over 34,000.

Under SB 277, local government units will be required to maintain updated inventories of buildings, and conduct periodic audits, especially in high-risk zones. The bill also proposes penalties for non-compliance, including suspension or revocation of licenses for negligent officials and contractors.

Escudero called on his colleagues in the Senate to prioritize the measure, citing its potential to save lives and prevent billions in damage.

“We owe it to our people to build not just with concrete, but with conscience,” he said.

SB 277 was first read on Aug. 5, and has since been referred to the committees on Public Works, and Local Government.*

10/10/2025

WATER KIOSK. One of the eight water kiosks installed by AIDFI, in partnership with Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines under its Agos program, in Sitio Tiguisan, Brgy. Montilla in Moises Padilla, where residents can insert P1 to get water via the ram pumps installed in the river. The pooled money is used by the community for maintenance of the kiosks and the ram pump system.
🎥 CGCruz, Oct. 9

10/10/2025

RAM PUMPS. These ram pumps, installed by AIDFI (Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation) in Sitio Tiguisan, Brgy. Montilla in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, and funded by the local government more than a decade ago, continue to benefit residents, who no longer have to travel for two kilometers to fetch water from the river.
🎥 CGCruz, Oct. 9

10/10/2025

MASSKAREPPIN. Event head John New Year Valencia invites Bacolodnons to see the final round of MassKareppin “Rekta sa Kalye”, the battle of best barangay dance crews, on Oct. 13 at the Bacolod Public Plaza.

The Final 10 competitors are Polyclass, Lock & Counter, Krispy Kream, DVAS, LCDC, Obsequious Negros, Yuri’s Freestylerz, JBDC, Buklod, and Estefania Dance Community.

10/10/2025

MASSKARAMBOLA. Shanel Golingay, event head of MassKarambola, invites Bacolodnons to watch the vibrant and crowd-favorite event presented by the city's LGBTQ Federation on Oct. 16, 5 p.m., at the Bacolod Public Plaza.

This colorful showcase celebrates diversity, self-expression, and talent through live impersonations of international icons brought to life by local barangay performers.*

10/10/2025

Miss Bacolod MassKara judges
on coronation night Oct. 12

10/10/2025

CLASS SUSPENSION DUE
TO DAVAO ORIENTAL QUAKE

10/10/2025

FOR SAFETY. Students of Negros Oriental High School (NOHS) in Dumaguete City wait for clearance from school authorities before returning to their respective classrooms, after rushing out of class following a strong tremor caused by the magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Davao Oriental at 9:43 this morning, Oct. 10.*
📸 PIA Negros Oriental

10/10/2025

7.5 MAGNITUDE QUAKE
HITS DAVAO ORIENTAL

Date and Time: Oct. 10 at 9:43AM
Magnitude = 7.5
Depth = 020 km
Location = 07.25°N, 126.93°E - 044 km N 85° E of Manay, Davao Oriental

Reported Intensities:
Intensity V - City of Davao
Intensity IV - City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Instrumental Intensities:

Intensity V - Hinunangan, SOUTHERN LEYTE; City of Gingoog, MISAMIS ORIENTAL; Nabunturan, DAVAO DE ORO; City of Davao, CITY OF DAVAO; Santa Maria, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL; City of Kidapawan, COTABATO; Alabel, and
Malungon, SARANGANI; City of Koronadal, and Tupi, SOUTH COTABATO

Intensity IV - City of Cebu, CITY OF CEBU; Sulat, EASTERN SAMAR; Abuyog, Alangalang, Dulag, and Hilongos, LEYTE; Hinundayan, Silago, and Sogod, SOUTHERN LEYTE; Kalilangan, City of Malaybalay, and San Fernando, BUKIDNON; City of Cagayan De Oro, CITY OF CAGAYAN DE ORO; City of Digos, Magsaysay, and Matanao, DAVAO DEL SUR; M'lang, and Magpet, COTABATO; Glan, Kiamba, Maitum, and Malapatan, SARANGANI; Banga, Polomolok, and Tampakan, SOUTH COTABATO; City of General Santos, CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS; Columbio, and Palimbang, SULTAN KUDARAT; City of Cabadbaran, AGUSAN DEL NORTE; City of Surigao, SURIGAO DEL NORTE; City of Bislig, SURIGAO
DEL SUR

09/10/2025

FLOODWATERS RISE ANEW
IN DOWNTOWN BACOLOD
• Cheryl G. Cruz

Floodwaters rose anew in downtown Bacolod and several other areas prone to flooding following heavy rainfall last night, Oct. 9, due to Tropical Storm “Quedan” and the Low Pressure Area, with several residents trapped and needing rescue.
Knee to waist-deep floodwaters were reported along Barangay Mandalagan, particularly in Purok Carvi, along Lacson Street, Araneta-Magsaysay area, corner Alijis-Araneta, and barangays Villamonte, Taculing, and 20.
FULL STORY >> CLICK PHOTO

Floodwaters rose anew in downtown Bacolod and several other areas prone to flooding following heavy rainfall last night, Oct. 9, due to Tropical Storm “Quedan” and the Low Pressure Area, with several residents trapped and needing rescue.

09/10/2025

COPS CONFISCATE
P860K IN SHABU

More than P860,000 worth of suspected shabu were seized by the police from five suspects in separate buy-busts in Negros Occidental on Oct. 8.
The operation in Barangay 2 Poblacion, Pontevedra led to the arrest of two persons, including a former barangay councilman in Kabankalan City and his live-in partner.
FULL STORY >> CLICK PHOTO

More than P860,000 worth of suspected shabu were seized by the police from five suspects in separate buy-busts in Negros Occidental on Oct. 8.