LIBMANAN, Cam. Sur, March 17 — An official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and four of his men on board a police patrol car were critically wounded when they were ambushed by New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Binubon, Barangay Malinao, in this town, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Police […]
LEGAZPI CITY, March 14 – Despite the seeming unpreparedness in offering the proposed new senior high school (SHS) program, the Department of Education (DepEd) confirms that 1,251 schools in Bicol are ready (sic) to offer the K to 12 curriculum by 2016. DepEd V Education Program Supervisor Cecile Ferro disclosed […]
CALABANGA, Cam Sur, March 12 — The shoreline in barangay Sabang here is taking its natural course, easing out the thatched houses that once were on a safer level. Long time residents were forced to give way to nature’s incursion. During low tide, the muddy shore line is exposed only […]
Legazpi City, March 9– The controversial P47-million Malampaya fund that had been allegedly misappropriated during the 2009 Mayon eruption resurfaced here as Albay province claim it has been fully accounted for. Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda reportedly warned his provincial Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officer to resign after […]
LEGAZPI CITY, March 9 — The suspect in the killing of a cousin of Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Viilafuerte surrendered to Senior Supt. Marlo S. Meneses, Albay Philippine National Police provincial director, on Sunday morning inside Camp Gen. Simeon A. Ola. Meneses identified the suspect as Manny Rey, 40 […]
LEGAZPI CITY, March 2 — Almost halfway through its construction phase, only then that a commercial building rising in the city center here is getting its building permit processed by the city engineering office. For months, works on the construction of structure attributed to as the Yashano Mall has been […]
MASBATE CITY , March 1 — A local tabloid publisher and editor in Masbate province was murdered Saturday. Ariel Verano Lerit, the publisher-editor of the tabloid Masbate Times was stabbed to death while inside a KTB bar in this city with fellow media personnel Bobby Bornillo. The unfortunate incident happened […]
LEGAZPI CITY, March 1– Like a broken record, the press information on Albay tourism bets high hope on visitors mostly from the Chinese mainland. One Chinese tourism agent confirms that his company have selected Albay as a tourism destination for the meantime. Terrence Fang of Yueqiho International Travel Agency recalled […]
LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 27 — Calls and suggestions to declare Xian Lim as persona non grata in Albay, which was first suggested and mentioned on this site, yet Governor Joey Sarte Salceda did not yield, saying doing so contradicts their campaign to promote Albay. The tsinito charm and attraction of […]
It is not easy telling the organizers of the just recently concluded Fiesta Tsinoy Chinese Lunar new year celebration last Thursday to stop importing Manila-based so-called entertainers. The locals love to see paid talents sing and gyrate on the stage, and attempt to say a few Bicol words which all […]
Declare Xian Lim persona non grata of Albay Remember Ramon Bautista when he was in Davao city during the celebration of Kadayawn Festival in 2014? The city council passed a resolution afterwards which declared him a persona non grata for being a “corrupt influence to the youth.” Bautista made an […]
LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 21 — A select group of Bicol development projects of the Philippine government receives P644 million funding from the World Bank (WB). At least six major projects WB funds, worth over P644 million in three Bicol provinces that are expected to directly benefit some 65,000 persons or […]
LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 21 — The Filipino-Chinese community and the Albayano culture and traditions blended during the Fiesta Tsinoy Chinese Lunar new year celebration on Thursday here, the first time ever. Tourism department’s Bicol regional director Ma. Nini-Ong Ravanilla, infused the Pastores Bicol in this year’s Fiesta Tsinoy new year […]
Atty. Carol Sabio-Cruz narrates how the province of Albay warmly welcome Xian Lim as guest performer in the 1st Fiesta Tsinoy Chinese Lunar New Year celebration on Thursday here. In return, Lim showed his true nature and demeanor, unbecoming and totally to the dismay of Bicolanos. His publicist may come […]
Bicol NIA whistleblowers post bail for libel charge LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 17 -– Whistleblowers get no adulation and respect for telling the truth, they are charged for libel? Accused of libel for bringing to the attention of President Benigno S. Aquino III the alleged irregularities in the implementation of irrigation […]
Saving hundred-year old trees prevail on highway projects in Bicol LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 17 — The strong concerned citizen support and clamor for tree conservation, many over hundred years old, in highways prevail in Bicol road widening projects. The Department of Public Works and Highways here now follows the “tree […]
Bicol Pili production gets boost as landowners expand plantations PILI, Camarines Sur, Feb. 16 — The production of Pili nut products get the needed boost with several landowners in the towns of Minalabac, Camarines Sur has chosen to devote plantation of Pili trees. Two large farm owners joined the growing […]
Bicol netizens fired up with mall constructions in Naga and Legazpi Bicol netizens on social media sites are so fired up with the news and non-news of mall constructions, etc., in and around the cities of Naga and Legazpi. Hurling each other with verbal abuse, unbecoming of a Bicolano, when […]
Megamouth shark found in Burias pass preserved for public viewing LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 14 — A dead fifteen-footer male megamouth shark (Megachasma Pelagios) named “Totthless” was fished in Burias Pass by Albay fishermen early in the week. The huge fish underwent a necropsy or autopsy in Albay Park and Wildlife […]
Albay senior citizens celebrate early Valentines Day LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 14 — Various colors and scents of roses dominate the romantic atmosphere in Albay Astrodome here Thursday as grandfathers and grandmothers in Albay province celebrated an early Valentine’s Day. Love was all over the airconditioned structure as the elderly lovebirds […]
Phivolcs sows fear on Bicolanos of earthquake. Saying that Bicol should brace for possible strongest earthquake to strike the region in the future is like sowing fear in the hearts of Bicolanos straight from mouth of the Phivolcs officer. Director Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology […]
Lanete, 4 other former House members face plunder and graft The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday filed plunder, graft and malversation charges against five former members of the House of Representatives before the Sandiganbayan over alleged fraudulent transactions involving P339 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or “pork barrel” […]
Rich Bicol towns flunk DOF’s fiscal stability scorecard Yes, 94 Bicol municiplaities, including the 16 that are first class, flunked in financial accomplishments according to the Department of Finance tally for local government units of the country. These municipalities dumped a dismal performance rating in the DOF’s LGU scorecard on […]
13 Bicol towns pass fiscal stability scorecard – DOF Thirteen municipalities in Bicol garnered satisfactory ratings in financial accomplishments according to the Department of Finance tally for local government units of the country. These municipalities pulled a surprise by capturing either the “Good” or “Very Good” rating in the DOF’s […]
Lone Bicolano PNP-SAF hero casualty hails from Virac Published on: Jan 31, 2015 @ 07:47 The lone Bicolano casualty in the PNP-SAF, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters “misencounter” hails from Virac, Catanduanes. Police Senior Inspector Max Jim R. Tria belongs to the Philippine National Police Academy […]
CamSur sustains P187.3-M loss on agri crops due to Amang. Tropical Storm Amang left Bicol not without wreaking havoc on agricultural crops in Camarines Sur. The province sustained agricultural losses pegged at P187.3 million according to the regional disaster council. Other provinces registered agricultural damages including Sorsogon at P23.2 milliion, […]
MANILA, Jan. 18 – As the Papal Visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines nears its end gathering the faithful into unity, nature is also gathering storm. The state weather agency PAGASA on Sunday advised the public who will attend events of Pope Francis at the Rizal Park and the […]
Albay highlights Pope Francis Papal Visit at Astrodome. LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 17 — The province of Albay will highlight the Papal Visit of Pope Francis in the country with a program as celebration and communion of Albayanos with the Pope. But the main event will be the live streaming of […]
APEC plunges Albay 1st district in power blackout. Legazpi City, Jan. 11 — It might occur to many observers that local power retailer Albay Power and Energy Corporation is playing carrots and sticks all along. Last Thurdsday morning, Albay Power and Energy Corporation shut down the power connection of thousands […]
BIcol PNP, Albay province brace for Pope’s PH visit. The coming visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines, particularly in Manila and Tacloban, now reaches feverish proportions. Do not discount Albay to just stand by. Governor Joey Salceda has issued a no-work order for capitol employees and the suspension of […]
Ayala invests P1-billion in Legazpi mall project development. City mayor Noel Rosal said on Saturday evening during a social event celebration held at the city motorpool compound that the Ayala Corporation has invested P1-billion for the construction of a mall right at the heart of the city. Ayala took over […]
PLDT sucks in customer service. Calabanga, CAMSUR — The new year of 2015 is seen to augur inspiration and hope for many of us. But if the new year is epitomized in telecom service like the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), then it doesn’t look good at all. Before […]
LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 22 – This continuing story shows how in the vicinities of Albay province lurks the discombobulated goings on in the local power retail delivery and services. On December 4, 2014, Albay Power and Energy Corporation disconnected the electric service to Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation due to outstanding […]
There is no holding back on the construction of the Bicol International Airport (also known as Southern Luzon International airport), which is being built in Barangay Alobo of Daraga town in the province of Albay. This was learned from the project’s lead agency, the Department of Transportation and Communications, which […]
Sorsogon first district Rep. Evelyn Escudero in a special committee hearing of the House Special Committee on Bicol Recovery and Economic Development, quizzed Director Renato Solidum, of the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology, on the actual situation of Mayon. She was following the argument of Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal that the […]
Mayon may have yet to explode, but we are sensing a brewing controversy on how the disaster and relief operations are being stage-managed. For the many times that Mt. Mayon threatened the livelihood and well-being of the people in its environs, there is always that factor of receipts from donors […]
GUINOBATAN, Albay, Dec. 9 — Boulders, mudflows isolate several barangays of Albay town. At the height of Typhoon Ruby’s howling wind and torrential rains, car-sized boulders tumbled and vulcanic mudflows ran down the lower slopes of Mayon towards Barangay Maipon of Guinobatan town of Albay. The heavy debris caused the […]
Daet, Camarines Norte — Fire burns Jose Panganiban public market at the height of Typhoon Ruby. An estimated P10-million worth of goods and materials at the grocery section of the public market of the Jose Panganiban town of Camarines Norte went up in smoke early Monday morning while the town […]
Soldier on disaster response mission wounded in mine explosion in Sorsogon LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 6 — A soldier assigned to a disaster response mission in Sorsogon was wounded after his team stumbled on a mine in Irosin, Sorsogon, around 11.45 a.m. Friday. Army Col. Cesar M. Idio, commanding officer of […]
Safety of Pope Francis’ visit in the hands of PNP. This early, the PNP is making early preparations to ensure the safety of Pope Francis during his much-awaited apostolic visit on January 15-19, 2015. PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said they will apply the principle of “Whole of Government […]
Photo update on St. Peregrine Laziosi parish and church. This a photo update about the parish of St. Peregrine de Laziosi located at barangay Sto. Domingo in the town of Calabanga. The parish is the “newest” and one among the six Catholic parishes in the town. Its pious Catholic community […]
PH to send medical resources to Ebola-stricken W. Africa The Philippines is sending medical resources to Ebola-stricken countries in Western African region according to President Benigno S. Aquino III. He said the Philippines will send medical resources in support of the global effort to help nations overwhelmed by the Ebola […]
LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 6 — Albay governor Jose Salceda finally gave the green light for 9,841 families or 34,151 people within seven to eight-kilometer-radius danger zone to decamp. The directive was issued Tuesday afternoon during the cluster meeting of disaster officials presided by regional officer Raffy Alejandro for disaster risk […]
The long wait continues for that dreaded explosion of the beautiful, majestic Mayon volcano for 50 days or so now since Phivolcs raised Alert Level 3. The evacuees are holed in less comfortable camping situation of their lives, on dole outs from the government and private sectors of relief food, […]
PILI, Camarines Sur -– Five local government units in Bicol are among this year’s awardees of the agriculture department’s 2014 Pinoy quality corn achievers award. Named for their performances in implementing the corn program in their localities are Ligao City (Albay), Naga City, and three Camarines Sur municipalities of Baao, […]
We have covered the Traslacion and the street and Fluvial procession of the venerated images of the Virgin of Penafrancia and the Dvino Rostro for so many times, either live blogging, video live stream courtesy of local TV channels, photos and images thru our Tony Abalayan’s lenses, if you would […]
The colorful military parade should begin to unfold in the morning, today, on the main streets of the city of Naga and each contingent show the best right at the front of the “review stand” of Plaza Quezon. A lucky day would mean our favorite local TV station will broadcast […]
The Bicol office of the environment department in Legazpi will pursue the complaint against a wildlife hunter found in possession of a wounded Philippine Hawk Eagle in Mayon Volcano Natural Park in Sto. Domingo, Albay. Forest officers reported that around noon of August 6th the team apprehended Tirso Bañares in […]
NAGA CITY -– The Bicol regional office, here, of the National Irrigation Administration has a new chief, part of the reorganization instituted by the current board of directors. Engineer Vicente Vicmudo was named the new regional manager replacing engineer William Ragodon, who has been reassigned to Region 4A or the […]
LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 26 — Ten regional and provincial officers of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and 30 resident inmates are now ready to make vinegar and nata de coco either for their families’ use or for business purposes. They learned the process in a recent skills training […]
The proposed P3.58-billion Naga airport development project, situated in Camarines Sur capital town of Pili, which include re-orientation of the runway, upgrading for night flight capabilities and provision for wide-body jet service is a cow passing through the hole of a needle. The transportation department is up to procuring consultancy […]
PILI, Camarines Sur — The province of Camarines Sur kicks-off the regional climate change advocacy campaign in Bicol on August 26th at the convention center within the capitol complex. Gov. Miguel Villafuerte will keynote the event while Pili municipal mayor Alexis San Luis and Central Bicol State University of Agriculture […]
The Catholic faithful in Bicol paid last respects to the late Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, former CBCP president and archbishop emeritus of Caceres who passed away at UST Hospital on August 8 of Friday, 5:00 A.M. at the age of 78 after a long battle with cancer. His remains was flown […]
Calabanga — Putting out forest fire is an emerging challenge for local governments and communities which has no equipment nor dedicated personnel for the task. Take the current case of the huge fire that gutted about 100 to 150 hectares of second forest growth in the shoulders of Mount Isarog […]
LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 8 — Several still uncontrolled forest fires rages in Albay as this story is being written. Ominous signs that challenges the touted disaster preparedness of the province. The forest fire in Cagraray island in Bacacay town, which started two days ago in the mountainous area of Barangay […]
Mention disaster preparedness and the province of Albay always comes to mind. But not all LGUs and government offices in the province “walk the walk” and “talk the talk” of the indefatigable governor Joey Sarte Salceda. In Tabaco, at least 21 sacks of rice and cartons of relief goods (noodles) […]
SORSOGON CITY — A village in Bacon district here may soon be erased from the map if the geo-hazard threatening it would not be acted upon, the village chief on Monday warned. Osiao barangay chairman Tito Dio said typhoon Glenda spawned massive flooding in their locality, made worse by the […]
Albay governor Joey Salceda expressed irritation on the announcement of the Albay Power Energy Corp. (APEC) that the electricity supply in the entire province will be restored in October this year yet. The announcement crossed the eyebrows of consumers in the province. Salceda said Saturday he has asked the assistance […]
SORSOGON CITY – After the storm that hit the Bicol region comes the backlash. Sorsogon provincial officials accuses the Albay leadership of allegedly seeming and deliberate exaggeration and padding on estimated disaster report on the value of devastation wrought by Typhoon Glenda. Of the six Bicol provinces, Albay claimed to […]
LEGAZPI CITY — Two teams from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in Manila repaired nine of the 10 monitoring stations around Mount Mayon including six of the seven similar equipments around Bulusan volcano disabled by typhoon “Glenda” on July 15. Headed by Dr. Maria Antonia V. Bornas, Phivolcs […]
Bicol region is reeling from the massive blackout, total power disruptions in all areas, while affected residents are just beginning to face the difficult task of rebuilding, again. Even with the absence of electric power in the entire region, the provincial governments in Bicol have ordered the decampment of a […]
Typhoon “Glenda” left behind with majority of electric cooperatives, power retailers, in the Bicol mainland and other areas powerless, as noted by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). In the NGCP’s 7:00 a.m. update Wednesday, identified these cooperatives as the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative Inc. (ESAMELCO), Samar Electric […]
Officials of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said in a briefing that Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon in Region 5; and Quezon, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite and Rizal in Region 4, Bataan in Region 3 were all cut off from the grid as of 8:00 P.M., […]
No lesser than 3,000 estimated former victims of Marcos-era martial law rule are seen to file their compensation suits beginning Monday in Legazpi city. Presumed victims of human rights violations, the claimants will come from Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate and Albay or from all provinces that comprises the region. […]
Legazpi City — The province of Albay and this city will be able to showcase as a booming economic and tourism hubs outside Manila in the coming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in 2015, DFA Undersecretary Laura del Rosario said Thursday. Earlier, reported here that probably 10 of 63 APEC ministerial […]
Mt. Mayon in the province of Albay, in the Philippines is again rumbling. And that restlessness has been going on for sometime now. The ultra active strato volcano in the region of Bicol is living up to its reputation. The mountain towers with the height of 2,463 meters or 8,081 […]
LEGAZPI CITY – Despite the emergence of synthetic substitutes, abaca, keeps Bicol on top of its producers’ circle. It remains unshakable in both the domestic and international markets, according to the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development. Synthetic ropes may have some technical advantages but abaca has […]
The Maqueda channel separates the island of Catanduanes from Bicol mainland province of Camarines Sur in its nearest opposite points at approxiamtely 10.8 kilometers. And provincial governor Araceli Wong hopes that one day that great divide will become part of the past. The solution is a proposed bridge, linking Barangay […]
Beside the gate of the public Calabanga central division pilot school is its massive, proud, yet paint-fading marker signage.
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.
On June 11, 1978 the Philippine national historical commission by virtue of presidential decree 1505 declared the baroque-inspired Quipayo church as a national historical landmark.
Business boom in Pili, but what about the hazardous waste products? The pronouncements of Pili mayor Alexis San Luis on the arrival of new business ventures relocating to the provincial capital of Camarines Sur should be a source of envy to local chief executives of other municipalities. Pili is in […]
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.
Security during the Holy Week feastivities and summer season is now in place, according to top Philippine National Police Bicol official on Tuesday. Bicol regional director Police Chief Supt. Augusto M. Marquez Jr. said his directive for this purpose stands effective up to May 31. The summer vacation and holy […]
New Tropical Depression expected to enter PAR Thursday – PAGASA MANILA, May 4 — The low-pressure area (LPA) outside the country has intensified into a tropical depression, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday. With its speed and movement, the tropical depression is expected to […]
If the Philippine department of education (DepEd) and the government cannot deliver a functional and effective public school system in its bare and minimal level in terms of instructional support and facilities, what can we expect if it adds two more years, more likely as Grades 11 and 12?
One way we can learn about the the town is by wandering at the market. And on this our particular stroll, we came upon this makeshift-stall selling new and second hand clothes.
Rich Bicol towns flunk DOF’s fiscal stability scorecard Yes, 94 Bicol municiplaities, including the 16 that are first class, flunked in financial accomplishments according to the Department of Finance tally for local government units of the country. These municipalities dumped a dismal performance rating in the DOF’s LGU scorecard on […]
As the Philippine National Police under Director Ronald dela Rosa digs deep into the war against illegal drugs and personalities involved, either users, pushers, dealers, financiers and the dragons in the trade, its mother agency is stomping another foot further. PNP’s parent executive dapartment level agency is the Interior and […]
Employment rate in the Bicol region dropped by 0.9 percentage point in April this year in comparison to the same period last year. This information was released by the National Statistics Office based on the result of their current labor force survey. The jobless rate in April of 2012 was […]
With all these exploration and mining actions in the Bicol region initiated by the national government which contradicts itself, and at times awarded to foreign companies that solely enjoy the benefits and fruits of the national patrimony, whom do we ask for relief?
Students enrolled at the Associate in Computer Technology (ACT) course of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture here in Calabanga are engaged in an immersion project in the community and residents of barangay Belen.
Search for Miss World Philippines 2011 with five candidates named as finalists, #24- Helen Nicolette Henson, #9 Martha Chloe McCulley, #15 Jaysel Arrozal, # 22 Ma Paula Bianca Paz, #13 Gwendolyn Rauis.
Mayor SEVERO, EDUARDO (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 14,335 DUMALASA, PHILIP (LP) LIBERAL PARTY 13,508 CALISURA, CARDING (PDP) PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO PILIPINO LAKAS NG BAYAN 3,697 Vice Mayor ROBLES, RAMONCITO (LP) LIBERAL PARTY 16,527 GONZALES, DANNY (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 10,690 MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of CAMARINES SUR – CALABANGA – LONE DIST […]
Previously featured here were news items about a giant leatherback sea turtle which laid eggs at Legazpi coastlines and local government agency urges non-disturbance of turtles released by Saipan. Both items lean more on conservation and preservation of the critically endangered specie, which according to the International Union for the […]
DAET, Camarines Norte – The National Electrification Administration has taken over the management operations of the Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative when it designated Engr. Wilfredo Bucsit as project supervisor beginning last March 10th up until a new general manager is hired. Bucsit officially reported to the Canoreco office while officer-in-charge […]
The Catholic faithful in Bicol paid last respects to the late Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, former CBCP president and archbishop emeritus of Caceres who passed away at UST Hospital on August 8 of Friday, 5:00 A.M. at the age of 78 after a long battle with cancer. His remains was flown […]
Phivolcs sows fear on Bicolanos of earthquake. Saying that Bicol should brace for possible strongest earthquake to strike the region in the future is like sowing fear in the hearts of Bicolanos straight from mouth of the Phivolcs officer. Director Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology […]
LEGAZPI CITY, April 18 — Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda is facing a P47 million malverzation charge filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) before the Office of the Ombudsman. Unfazed Salceda on Thursday said he is ready to face the charge for alleged ghost deliveries of relief […]