Editorial Staff Regions

Ninja for Philippine regional news.
CamSur Provincial Environmental Office launches clean-up drive
CamSur Provincial Environmental Office launches clean-up drive

Naga city (PNA) — The environmental office in the province of Camarines Sur is set to launch a clean-up drive this month, noting the proliferation of posters of candidates put up on trees planted along the highways and roads. Lawyer Arnel P. Rodriguez, provincial environment and natural resources officer (Penro), […]

Judge Cites Casureco II Exec for Contempt
Judge Cites Casureco II Exec for Contempt

PILI, Camarines Sur, (PNA) — For defying a court order issued in 2010 which suspended power rate a power cooperative here imposed, a regional trial court judge cited an electric coop executive for indirect contempt. Judge Marvel C. Clavecilla of the Regional Trial Court Branch 33 found Muriel Abonal, area […]

Albay Elections Not Exciting As Previous Years
Albay Elections Not Exciting As Previous Years

By Manilyn Ugalde Legazpi city, March 3 (PNA) –- The unfolding election episode in Albay this year is viewed as a boring one, with less excitement compared with the past electoral processes in the province and this city. The local non-government organization Pipol Against Graft and Corruption (PAGC) said that […]

Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges Now A State College
Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges Now A State College

Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges-Naga city campus is now known as the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology thru Republic Act 10231 last October 19. The law grants autonomy to the school as it is officially separated from the Camarines Sur State Polytechnic Colleges in Nabua. It now attains […]

Bicol Inflation Eases in October According to NSCB-Region V
Bicol Inflation Eases in October According to NSCB-Region V

NSCB-Legazpi city.– The Bicol region’s annual inflation rate declined in October, shedding off 0.4 percentage point from 3.5 percent the previous month, according to the official National Statistics Coordination Board-Region V. Based on basic data culled from the National Statistics Office, the year-on-year change was placed at 3.1 percent. This […]

Aquino: Robredo Deadly Plane Crash Caused by Pilot Error
Aquino: Robredo Deadly Plane Crash Caused by Pilot Error

(PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III bared on Tuesday the results of the investigation of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on the ill-fated Piper Seneca that killed Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, saying it was mainly due to pilot error. The President said three […]

CCTV Footage Could Help Solve Lupi Mayor Slay Case
CCTV Footage Could Help Solve Lupi Mayor Slay Case

LEGAZPI CITY, (PNA) Update — The police authorities would utilize the video footage of a close circuit television (CCTV) camera installed at the electronics repair shop where the shooting of Lupi mayor Raul Matamorosa took place last Saturday afternoon (October 27). The other day, a witness came forward to tell […]

Pinoy OFW Among 22 Killed in Fuel Tank Blast in Riyadh
Pinoy OFW Among 22 Killed in Fuel Tank Blast in Riyadh

MANILA, Update — A Filipino was among 22 people killed in a fuel truck blast and building collapse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez said. At least 12 other Filipinos were injured in the explosion. Nine were admitted to hospitals while three […]

Austrian Pilot Felix Baumgartner Breaks Sound Barrier in Historic Jump
Austrian Pilot Felix Baumgartner Breaks Sound Barrier in Historic Jump

Austrian pilot and daredevil Felix Baumgartner finally broke the sound barrier on Sunday, October 14, 2012. That happened in a skydive from the stratosphere, from the height of approximately 38.5 km (128,000 ft, 24.24 miles) above the Earth’s surface. The jumper reached Mach 1.24 or 1,342 km/h (833.9 miles per […]

Comelec Disqualifies Party-List  Ako Bicol in the May 2013 Election
Comelec Disqualifies Party-List Ako Bicol in the May 2013 Election

The Commission on Elections today announced the disqualification of party-list Ako Bicol from participating in the coming May 2013 mid-term election. It must be recalled during the 2010 general election, the Bicol party-list received about 1.5 million votes enough for three seats of their nominees in the House of Representatives. […]

Bicol Hit By High Rate of Underemployment in July
Bicol Hit By High Rate of Underemployment in July

Bicol has the highest underemployment rate among the regions in the country, according to the latest survey conducted by the National Statistics Office. About 33.5 per cent of workers or employees express the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job or to have additional job, or […]

New Trick on Creation of Nueva Camarines Known
New Trick on Creation of Nueva Camarines Known

There’s a new twist in town. The move to split the province of Camarines Sur into two may move forward under a new trick. The twist is here: reports said that the group belonging to those opposing the division have agreed to convert the Partido area or the 4rth congressional […]

West Philippine Sea, Kalayaan, Scarborough, Miangas, Sabah, Etc.
West Philippine Sea, Kalayaan, Scarborough, Miangas, Sabah, Etc.

Can’t wait to see the “actual” new map of the Philippines that reflects the West Philippine Sea, the previous name of which “was” South China Sea. We learned earlier that Philippine President Benigno Aquino III signed administrative order (AO) number 29 officially renaming that portion of the sea west of […]

Rome Appoints Tirona New Archbishop of Caceres
Rome Appoints Tirona New Archbishop of Caceres

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed a new bishop for the Archdiocese of Caceres. Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona, OCD, DD., (left) will occupy the post replacing Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legazpi, OP, DD, PhD. (right). The new archbishop’s appointment was published in Rome with an announcement made on September 8 at 12 […]

Senate Poster Exhibit in Support of Breastfeeding Might Draw Mixed Views
Senate Poster Exhibit in Support of Breastfeeding Might Draw Mixed Views

It will not take long before above photo, among the poster exhibits on breastfeeding at the senate, will take some attention and comment, negative or otherwise. Published by the Manila Standard, today September 4, 2012, as photographed by Lino Santos. Captioned “Senator Pia Cayetano, chairwoman of the Senate committee on […]

An Inspirational View of the Lunar Surface
An Inspirational View of the Lunar Surface

With Introduction by David A. Kring “From the Earth to the Moon” is a brief, but vivid video and audio recording that provides an inspirational view of the lunar surface, which humans have not visited since 1972, despite being the best and most accessible place in the solar system to […]

ISS Time-lapse Photography of Illuminated Earth
ISS Time-lapse Photography of Illuminated Earth

From high above the Earth, the International Space Station (ISS) provides a unique vantage point to view our home planet. Stunning time-lapse photography of cities, aurora, lightning and other sights are seen from orbit. Famed astronomer Galileo imagined these views from space and now through the technological marvel of the […]

Astonishing One Half Million Mile Solar Filament
Astonishing One Half Million Mile Solar Filament

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captures a very long, whip-like solar filament extending over half a million miles in a long arc above the sun’s surface. Filaments are cooler clouds of solar material that are tethered above the sun’s surface by unstable magnetic forces. The image and video, which covers […]

The Amazing Quest of Curiosity Bound for Planet Mars
The Amazing Quest of Curiosity Bound for Planet Mars

We are posting here several video clips courtesy of NASA following the incredible journey of a rover designed to gather more scientific information about Mars and can withstand the hostile Martian environment. Enjoy and be informed. It must be recalled that a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space […]

Mobile Devices With Internet Connectivity Call for Security
Mobile Devices With Internet Connectivity Call for Security

(NewsUSA) – With the wealth of internet activity and connected communications offered by smartphones and tablets, our laptops and desktop computers are practically becoming passé. This means your “cell phone” isn’t just a phone anymore, your tablet isn’t just for reading the latest romance novels, and it’s giving software and […]

Children in Developing Countries Aspire to be Teachers, Doctors
Children in Developing Countries Aspire to be Teachers, Doctors

(NewsUSA) – Ask an average group of 10- to 12-year-olds in the United States what they want to be when they grow up, and more than one in four will say famous athlete or singer/actor. Pose the same question to their counterparts in the developing world and professions requiring a […]

From YouTube: Horrible Roadtrip to Siruma
From YouTube: Horrible Roadtrip to Siruma

As if the information posted in here on several instances about the town of Siruma may not be enough, yet, here comes a graphic understanding on what to expect on the road to the forsaken and almost forbidden frontier. Thanks to the abundance of resources at self publishing anything from […]

Bicol Charity Foundations Loses Financial Assistance From PCSO
Bicol Charity Foundations Loses Financial Assistance From PCSO

Seven charitable foundations and institutions in the Bicol region had been cut-off of their monthly and quarterly funding by the numbers gaming agency Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Many more similar institutions around the country suffered the same funding stoppage. This was revealed by chairwoman Margarita Juico who said the […]

The 2011 Miss Bicolandia Beauties Proclaimed
The 2011 Miss Bicolandia Beauties Proclaimed

The most prestigious beauty pageant in southern Luzon was held on September 7 with the venue at the Naga city coliseum. Seventeen Bicol lass vied for the coveted title.

Banks Rise and Fall? LBC Placed Under Receivership
Banks Rise and Fall? LBC Placed Under Receivership

The past weekend the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation has taken over the assets and liabilities of the LBC Development Bank per MB Resolution No. 1354 dated September 9, 2011.

DENR: Bicol Rivers and Lakes Hyacinth-Free
DENR: Bicol Rivers and Lakes Hyacinth-Free

There is no fear that hyacinths or water lilies would clog rivers and lakes in Bicol to cause floods and pollution resulting in fish kills, the environmental management bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional office in Legaspi said.

Calabanga, Naga and Daraga Gears for Religious Festivities
Calabanga, Naga and Daraga Gears for Religious Festivities

Local government units, non-governmental agencies, Catholic heirarchy, parishes, parishioners and the general citizenry are gearing up for the coming religious and civic festivities in Calabanga, Daraga and Naga city this September 2011.

Rehabilitation of Camaligan Regional Fish Port Loses JICA Funding
Rehabilitation of Camaligan Regional Fish Port Loses JICA Funding

The proposed rehabilitation of Camsur’s Camaligan fish port met a stumbling block with the withdrawal by its funding source. The Japan International Cooperation Agency has withdrawn as it rechannels funding at home in the aftermath of overwhelming devastation brought about by the earthquake and tsunami last March.

Heroism of Malinao School Girl Receives Public Adulation
Heroism of Malinao School Girl Receives Public Adulation

A six-grader at the Malinao Central School braved the hip-deep rampaging flood waters to save the Philippine flag left on its pole when classes were suspended amidst the raging storm in the middle of the day.

Cobra Iron Man 70.3 Philippines Reels Off At CamSur Today
Cobra Iron Man 70.3 Philippines Reels Off At CamSur Today

Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines reels off with a big bang early this morning, August 14, at the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) of the Provincial Capitol Complex here from over 1,100 triathletes from 28 countries around the world.

Twitter Introduces Filipino Translation of Tweets
Twitter Introduces Filipino Translation of Tweets

It is more of affirmation than surprise that more Filipinos are on board the social microblogging network of Twitter. The Pinoy penchant for technology and innovation in communication, among others, is a common knowledge. Here’s a new development. Twitter announced on 1st of August that its translation center is now available for Filipino and Malay languages.

Tilapia frys from Bicol Regional Fisheries Center washed by Bebeng
Tilapia frys from Bicol Regional Fisheries Center washed by Bebeng

The recent typhoon (Bebeng) hit the streets of Calabanga and poured enormous flood water on our living rooms. The storm also drained out about one thousand tilapia fingerlings me and my kumpadre seeded on the portion of the creek at the back of our house.

Drug Mules Execution Highlights Crisis of PH Labor Export Policy
Drug Mules Execution Highlights Crisis of PH Labor Export Policy

No Filipino goes out of the country with a death wish. When the 122 others on death row and more than 7,000 in jails abroad left, they were full of hopes and dreams to provide a better future for their families. Fifteen million overseas Filipino workers left the country to seek greener pastures abroad in the absence of jobs, livelihood and decent living conditions in the country.

Government Urged to Probe Military Torture Training
Government Urged to Probe Military Torture Training

A torture video was uploaded in a popular video-sharing site showing some Philippine military men beating young and new trainees. The torture video was, accordingly, submitted by the beaten soldiers, to express their dismay over the extremely cruel exercises of the Philippine Military.

Poverty Methodology Unreflective of Real Situation
Poverty Methodology Unreflective of Real Situation

The revised PH methodology pegs the official poverty threshold, or the amount supposedly necessary for a tolerable standard of living, at just PhP46 per person per day in 2009. This is lower than what would have been a national poverty line of PhP52 according to the old methodology, and effectively reduces the number of poor by 5.32 million without really improving the poverty situation.

Neglect of PH Government on OCWs Seen
Neglect of PH Government on OCWs Seen

After nine years of neglect under former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, expectations among overseas Filipino workers were high when the Aquino administration was installed.

Two Bicol Provinces Hit by Flash Floods
Two Bicol Provinces Hit by Flash Floods

Albay Governor Joey Salceda has ordered the reactivation of evacuation plans for landslide and flood prone areas and residents in six towns following the continuous and heavy rains almost all throughout the Bicol region, and most heavily Albay for the past six days.

BPO: PH Employees Receive Low Salaries
BPO: PH Employees Receive Low Salaries

Despite the supposed high salaries of Filipino call center agents, they could only out-earn their American counterparts by 2037, based on a Watson-Wyatt study released last year and published by the CCAP magazine “Connect”. At that time, the salary rate hikes for the “low-cost but qualified labor” of Filipinos were rising at 9-percent on average versus 3-percent in the US.

Call center employees in the PH receive low-end jobs
Call center employees in the PH receive low-end jobs

The news that the Philippines has overtaken India in the number of new hires in the call center industry has prompted a labor education NGO recently to warn industry stakeholders and the government against risking its workers’ welfare for the sake of such boom, or the projected boom up to 2016.

Maricel Delen: A Human Rights Worker, a Widow, Now a Victim of Persecution
Maricel Delen: A Human Rights Worker, a Widow, Now a Victim of Persecution

How can the government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines claim that it respects human rights when human rights defenders themselves are being the target of attack? How can there be claims of “change” when the lives of the majority remain the same, and even getting worse, and those who defend the rights of the poor and the oppressed are still being treated as “enemies of the state”?

Filipinos to Shoulder P44 Billion in CCT Loan Repayment
Filipinos to Shoulder P44 Billion in CCT Loan Repayment

Research group IBON calls on lawmakers deliberating on the budget for the controversial Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program to look into the resulting additional debt burden that Filipinos will shoulder to repay the program’s loans.

Cases of EJKs, Other Rights Violations Under Aquino Piling Up
Cases of EJKs, Other Rights Violations Under Aquino Piling Up

After Justice Secretary Leila de Lima submitted her review on the case of the Morong 43, the legal team of Malacanang also reviewed de Lima’s review and forwarded recommendations to the President. Aquino already said twice that he would let the courts decide on the case of the health workers.

Cases of Extrajudicial Killings Under New Government Piling Up
Cases of Extrajudicial Killings Under New Government Piling Up

Human Rights group Karapatan noted the number of victims of extrajudicial killings, now numbering 20 under president Aquino, has surpassed former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s record during her last six months in office.

Sorsogon NPA’s Declare Unilateral Ceasefire
Sorsogon NPA’s Declare Unilateral Ceasefire

The threat of eruption of Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon and its possible challenges to the surrounding populace has one immediate positive effect, if we can qualify it as one. The provincial unit of the rebel movement in the province has made known their declaration of a unilateral suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO) in areas near the volcano.

Advocacy Group Urges DFA to Bring Home OFWs in Distress
Advocacy Group Urges DFA to Bring Home OFWs in Distress

Advocacy group Migrante International on November 19th staged a picket in front of the department of foreign affairs (DFA) building in Manila to call on the government to facilitate the repatriation of distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

PPP: Less Gov’t Responsibility, More Public Debt
PPP: Less Gov’t Responsibility, More Public Debt

Through PPP projects, many crucial responsibilities of the government are being transferred to profit-oriented private corporations and banks, particularly the development and operation of core infrastructure such as roads and mass transportation network, power generation, and water supply and distribution, among others.

PPP: More Public Debt, Less Gov’t Responsibility
PPP: More Public Debt, Less Gov’t Responsibility

Experiences show PPPs did not guarantee savings for the government but even bloated the public debt. And it can only get worse under the Aquino government’s new schemes for more of PPPs.

CBSUA Masteral Students Clean-up Beach
CBSUA Masteral Students Clean-up Beach

Masteral students enrolled at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Calabanga rolled their sleeves for a day of community service. Mostly teachers from the state schools in the municipality, they went out to the nearby shoreline for a beach clean-up. All are pursuing masteral studies but met together in the environmental governance class for the first semester of 2010-2011.

Mt. Bulusan’s Seismic Activities Continue
Mt. Bulusan’s Seismic Activities Continue

Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon continued to show signs of increasing volcanic activities, recording explosion-type quakes and belching a 200-meter high white steam clouds above the crater rim, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.