ben balce

Ben Balce is the Associate Editor of Mindanao Gold Star Daily. A veteran journalist since 1997, Ben has served as a city reporter, editorial cartoonist, and regional correspondent for national dailies like Malaya and Abante. An active member of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club, he specializes in regional governance, investigative reporting, and visual commentary.

1557 stories

Misamis Occidental Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator William I. Valles Jr. speaks at a podium during the Philippine Statistics Authority's Provincial Product Accounts Data Dissemination Forum.

Business

Misocc bets on tourism as agriculture, construction decline

Misamis Occidental is focusing on tourism expansion and targeted agricultural assistance to sustain economic momentum after posting a 3.8% growth rate in 2025.

Oct 21, 20262100

Officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Camiguin and local leaders perform a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to open the Diskwento Caravan Lanzones Festival Edition at the UGMAD Activity Center in Mambajao.

News

Camiguin households face 5.2% inflation as rice, fuel prices rise

Rising prices for rice and fuel pushed Camiguin’s inflation rate to 5.2% in September, adding financial pressure on households across the island province.

Oct 21, 20261600

An official press statement from the Supreme Court Office of the Spokesperson dated October 20, 2026, declaring congressional increases to unprogrammed appropriations in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 national budgets unconstitutional.

Supreme Court voids ₱449.5-B budget increase, 2025 GAA over spending limits

In a landmark En Banc decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the Supreme Court declared the 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Acts unconstitutional after Congress breached the constitutional cap on executive budget recommendations.

Oct 21, 20262500

A official court order document from the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 152 for SCA Case No. R-PSG-26-02406-SC involving petitioners Readycon Trading and R-II Builders Inc. against the RTWPB-NCR and NWPC.

Business

Wage hike injunction raises fears in CDO, Normin

A court injunction halting Metro Manila's minimum wage increase has raised concerns among Northern Mindanao labor groups that similar legal challenges could delay future pay hikes in Cagayan de Oro and across Region 10.

Oct 21, 20262000

An official graphic statement from the Cagayan de Oro City Education and Development Office (CEDO) regarding concerns raised by City Scholars and HK-MKU Scholars enrolled at PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College.

3,000 COC scholars seek clarity as city responds to concerns

The Cagayan de Oro City government is coordinating with PHINMA-Cagayan de Oro College to clarify conflicting payment instructions that raised concerns among about 3,000 city scholars ahead of scheduled examinations.

Oct 20, 20262300

Marawi City Vice Mayor Majul U. Gandamra stands at a wooden podium under a covered outdoor pavilion flanked by floral arrangements while speaking during the ninth anniversary of Marawi's liberation.

Mindanao

Nine years after Marawi siege, families still await full recovery

Nine years after the 2017 siege, Marawi City marks its 9th liberation anniversary with signs of economic progress, even as affected families continue waiting for complete housing and livelihood restoration.

Oct 20, 20262100

Iligan City Mayor Frederick W. Siao and Korean Freedom Federation President Capt. Yunkwon Ko hold signed memorandum of understanding documents at a blue table in front of city officials and event attendees at Iligan City Hall.

Mindanao

Iligan school to get e-library through Korean partnership

Students of South 1-A Central School in Barangay Tubod, Iligan City will soon access digital learning resources through a new e-library partnership with the Korean Freedom Federation.

Oct 20, 20262100

CoScho scholars, program graduates, and organizers wearing woven ceremonial sashes pose for a group photo inside a decorated hotel ballroom during the inaugural regional Scholars’ Summit in Cagayan de Oro City.

Mindanao

Coconut farmers’ children gain college opportunities through CHED scholarship

The CoScho scholarship program implemented by CHED-10 and PCA has produced 308 graduates from coconut farming families across Northern Mindanao and BARMM since 2023.

Oct 19, 20262300

Kauswagan Vice Mayor Rommel C. Arnado, wearing a Barong Tagalog and ceremonial floral lei, stands inside the Kauswagan International Organic Convention Center during an interview on municipal water source development.

Business

Kauswagan town in Lanao plans ₱20M water projects, promotes organic farming vs. El Niño

Kauswagan plans to develop six major water sources worth ₱20 million and expand organic farming initiatives to protect local agriculture from Super El Niño.

Oct 19, 20261610

Philippine Statistics Authority-10 Regional Director Janith Aves wears eyeglasses and a purple patterned jacket while speaking into a microphone during the Kapihan sa PIA media forum in Cagayan de Oro City.

Business

Tourism data can help protect jobs, heritage, PSA says

PSA-10 urged local leaders to use reliable tourism statistics to ensure industry growth brings jobs and protects heritage during National Statistics Month.

Oct 19, 20262900

Iligan City to purchase metal detectors for schools using 2026 CPOC funds while preparing for key international delegation visits.

News

Iligan plans school metal detectors using 2026 peace funds

Iligan City plans to use unspent 2026 CPOC funds for school metal detectors while hosting international delegations to boost tourism and security ratings.

Oct 19, 20262000

Philippine Statistics Authority-Misamis Occidental Chief Statistical Specialist Julieta M. Nacario speaks into a microphone while wearing traditional patterned attire during the 2025 Provincial Product Accounts economic dissemination forum in Ozamiz City.

Business

Misocc economy grows 3.8%, but industry and farming decline

Misamis Occidental’s economy grew 3.8% to ₱142.07B in 2025, driven by services and trade, though contractions in agriculture and industry reflect uneven sectoral performance.

Oct 19, 20261700