General

Iloilo City: The economy of Western Visayas expanded by 4.3 percent in 2024, a deceleration from the 6.8 percent growth recorded in 2023, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday. This slower growth is attributed to the exclusion of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, now part of the newly formed Negros Island Region (NIR). According to Philippines News Agency, PSA Western Visayas chief statistical specialist Nelida Amolar explained that this growth rate corresponds to PHP641.76 billion. Despite the slower pace, the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) for 2024 is PHP26.5 billion higher than the previous year’s GDP

Dumaguete City: Key officials from the energy sector in Negros Oriental have assured that schools in remote areas, designated as voting centers for the May 12 polls, will have stable and reliable power. According to Philippines News Agency, Lawyer Fe Marie Tagle, general manager of the Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (Noreco II), confirmed in an interview that a backup plan is in place for unenergized schools where solar power will be utilized. Tagle highlighted a partnership between the Department of Education and the National Electrification Administration to energize last mile schools using photovoltaic modules. Eight schools within the Noreco

Manila: The Philippine Army (PA) announced the commendation of 10 soldiers who were part of the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC) for their role in aiding the victims of the recent earthquake in Myanmar. These soldiers were recognized with the Meritorious Achievement Medal during a ceremony held at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. According to Philippines News Agency, Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido led the awarding ceremony, where the soldiers from the Army’s 525th Combat Engineer Battalion, Combat Engineer Regiment, were honored. The awardees included 1st Lt. Alexis Nocos, 1st Lt. Joey Labiang, Staff Sgt. Ricky

Manila: Over 800,000 inbound and outbound passengers were recorded during the Holy Week, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Tuesday. There were 371,092 arrivals and 432,763 departures in the country’s international airports during the period, according to a news release. According to Philippines News Agency, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) alone, daily arrivals peaked at 51,000 while daily departures reached 61,000. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the smooth flow of passengers was due to the deployment of more than 40 additional immigration officers at the NAIA, ensuring that all counters remained fully manned throughout the holiday period.

Tayum: A shooting incident between the groups of a mayoral candidate and a municipal councilor left one person dead and another wounded in Tayum, Abra. The conflict unfolded on Monday as tensions escalated between the political factions. According to Philippines News Agency, Abra Police Provincial Office Director, Col. Froiland Lopez, in a phone interview with reporters at Camp Crame on Tuesday, identified the fatality as Jay-ar Tanura. The injured individual was named as Jordan Calaustro Barcena. Both Tanura and Barcena were traveling in a convoy with mayoral candidate Kathlia Cari±o Alcantara, along with Barangay Budac chairman Ryan Luna and Raffy