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Current Human Events & Stories

Catanduanes promotes eco-tourism with “One Tourist, One Tree” program

The province of Catanduanes has adopted a new local tourism promotion program that gives tourists the privilege of taking part in tree planting during their stay. Dubbed as “One Tourist, One Tree,” the recently launched program is directed towards making the local tourism industry an avenue for keeping the verdant […]

Saving hundred-year old trees prevail on highway projects in Bicol

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 […]

Smart offers 66 million subscribers free internet access

Wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) with Talk ‘N Text and Sun Cellular announced recently that they will start providing free Internet access to their prepaid subscriber base via their mobile phones. Through this special offer, all of the 66 million Smart Prepaid, Talk ‘N Text, and Sun Cellular […]

Protected wildlife animals fall prey to Bicolano poachers

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 […]

Not game changer: Environment agency intercepts illegal logs

Over the week, 75,000 board feet of alleged illegal logs from Partido area of the province of Camarines Sur were reported to be intercepted by the task force of the Bicol office of the environment and natural resources department. It was the second apprehension this year in the areas around […]

CamSur spearheads climate change advocacy campaign

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 […]

ALECO: A call for legal assistance

A CALL FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE by Oliver O. Olaybal All Albay lawyers are requested to provide legal assistance to their fellow member-consumers in Aleco. Aleco needs your help. A group of unelected individuals have subcontracted the franchise operations of Aleco without the consent of Aleco member-consumers, and without the approval […]

Watch Michael Christian Martinez, only Pinoy in Winter Olympic Games

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 13 – To financially assist the lone Filipino skater competing in the Winter Olympics in Russia, Albayanos have launched a fund-raising campaign for Michael Christian Martinez as their pre-Valentine gift to the Filipino figure skater. The campaign, dubbed as “Piso para sa Pusong Pilipino: People’s Valentine Gift […]

Green Climate Fund headhunts for management experts

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 4 — The Green Climate Fund will be operational this January with the assumption of duties by the start-up secretariat within a few days. The Fund has headquarters in Incheon, South Korea. On Saturday, GCF co-chair and Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda said the first batch of […]

Salceda offers cash reward VS gov’t employees lighting firecrakers

Albay governor Joey Salceda is giving a P1,000 cash reward to anybody who could furnish a video or photo, much better if accompanied by audio recording, of any provincial employee lighting firecraker on New Year’s eve. Identity of the “whistleblower” will also be kept confidential. “This is not a joke,” […]

DOH Dugong Bicol Awards given to LGU heads

Sixteen town and city mayors, and hundreds of barangay captains, received recognition from the regional office of the Department of Health for initiating blood-letting drives in their localities during the agency’s Dugong Bicol Awards. Awardees include the mayors of Tabaco city and Tiwi in Albay, Naga city, Ragay, Sipocot, Cabusao, […]

UN Green Climate Fund HQ opens in Inchon City on Dec. 4

LEGAZPI CITY — The United Nations Green Climate Fund (GCF) headquarters will formally open on Wednesday, December 4 with an inaugural dedication at 10:30 A.M. The center is located at the G-Tower of Songdo in Incheon City, South Korea. The G-Tower building is specially designed for the GCF and other […]

DPWH, DENR condemns 785 trees in Sorsogon highway

A total of 785 old first-class species of shady and fruit-bearing trees that have been giving life to the environment will be cut down in Sorsogon. Earlier, there was a similar plan to remove more than 650 same old trees in Naga city, and discussed also here 651 Trees on […]

Salceda urges foreign donors to start giving cash relief to the Philippines

LEGAZPI CITY — Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has urged foreign donors to start giving cash relief to the Philippines or donate to the World Food Programme, an agency with proven expertise in addressing protracted humanitarian crises, to help expedite positive impacts and improve aid effectiveness. Salceda, co-chair of the United […]

DOH Bicol regional office dispatch medical team to Tacloban City

The Department of Health Bicol regional office on Tuesday sent a 26-man medical team to assist in the disaster response operation in the super typhoon “Yolanda”-devastated Tacloban City, a DOH officer said Wednesday. On Monday night, a group of medical personnel led Dr. Gloria Balboa, DOH regional director, also left […]

DSWD – Bicol office to lead relief operations in typhoon-ravaged Samar

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol will be the lead agency in conducting relief operations in eastern and western Samar, among the worst-hit provinces in Central Visayas by super typhoon “Yolanda” on Friday, a DSWD regional official said Monday. Arnel Garcia, DSWD regional director, said he had […]

Team Albay OCD-5 humanitarian mission priority deployment is Tacloban City

The 179-man Team Albay-Office of Civil Defense 5 has been assigned for priority deployment in Tacloban City on Monday based on order of Undersecretary Eduardo Del Rosario, Office of Civil Defense administrator and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director. This was learned from Governor Joey Sarte Salceda […]

More Detailed Account on GWR of Albay No Smoking Sign in Bicol University

Bicolanos from Albay province, numbering 13,892 out of 17,000 registered for the event from all walks of life led by Gov. Joey S. Salceda showed determination in shaping the world’s largest human no smoking sign for the Guinness World Record Friday at Legazpi city’s Bicol University football field. Braving the […]

DOH-Bicol Warns Public E-Cigarette Contain Harmful Substances

The regional office of Department of Health in Legazpi city warned the public that electronic cigarette and shisha are not safe alternatives and never healthy substitutes for typical tobacco products. An e-cigarette also known as personal vaporiser or PV is an electronic inhaler that vaporises a liquid solution into an […]

Guinness World Record: Albay’s Largest Human No Smoking Sign!!!

Early photos of the successful attempt by the joint effort of organizers to set a world record for the biggest human no-smoking sign in the province of Albay staged at the school campus of the Bicol University in Legazpi city, June 28, 2013, Friday. Photo courtesy of Dr. Elnora Brocales. […]

651 trees on Naga City main thoroughfare presents road block to proposed widening

651 trees on Naga City main thoroughfare presents road block to proposed widening The Department of Public Works and Highways in Bicol has lined up a road widening project which will pass by the city of Naga encompassing the national road that traverses the barangays of Concepcion Pequeña, Concepcion Grande, […]

Catanduanes, Church, Renews Stand VS Coal Mining

From the glory hole, the provincial government of Catanduanes has retrieved a resolution it used to repel a coal mining in the province four years ago, this time for use against a similar venture that an Australian firm is pressing on. The provincial legislative board recently passed a measure that […]

Bayani Challenge Volunteers Build 44 Houses in CamNorte

San Lorenzo Ruiz (Imelda), Camarines Norte (PNA) — Some 2,000 Bayani Challenge volunteers who built 44 houses for poor, homeless families here have completed their five-day tour of duty, leaving behind hopes for brighter life ahead to the beneficiaries. “I see in their faces the signs of hope for brighter […]

Caceres Archbishop Launches Voters’ Education Program

Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona called on the faithful to participate in the coming elections enlightened by the teachings of the Church. He said Catholic citizens should take part in the country’s electoral exercise and cast a Catholic vote that is free, informed, and evangelized. On Palm Sunday, the archdiocese […]

Albay Marks World Water Day with Scubasura

(PNA) – A group of Bicolano divers did their share of cleaning Albay’s marine environment with a seabed clean-up activity off the coastline of Legazpi city. The event was tagged as scubasura which marked the recent observance of the World Water Day. The drive was spearheaded by the regional office […]

Camarines Norte Intensifies Mangrove Rehab Project

Daet, Camarines Norte (PNA) — Camarines Norte has intensified its Mangrove Rehabilitation Project by planting at least 50,000 new propagules in every 10 hectares of local mangrove area yearly. Being implemented by the Fisheries Development Division of the office of the provincial agriculturist based at this provincial capital, the project […]

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), […]

The Jesse Robredo Spell: How Long Will It Last?

In a country gnawed with incessant and unperturbed corruption in all levels of the government and public service, the uncommon yet outstanding ideals that the late DILG secretary Jesse Robredo represent, stood for, and lived by was as rare as the trace of water or liquid in the solar planet […]

Focus on Qualities of A Good Teacher

One week after the grand school opening hereabout, we expect students and teachers will have started slowly settling into their comfort zones. I should know. I am a classroom teacher for more than two decades in different private schools in Legazpi city and Rizal province. At one time and for […]

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 […]

Calabanga and the Earth Day Movement

Today, April 22nd is Earth Day. The international advocacy group Earth Day Network has chosen the theme “A Billion Acts of Green,” a people-powered campaign to generate a billion acts of environmental service and advocacy before Rio +20. And the local scene is alive with enthusiasm and effort at protecting the environment.

Is PH’s Conditional Cash Transfer Program a Failure?

The Social Weather Station survey from March 4 to 7, from sample respondents of 1,200, revealed that 20.5 percent of respondents or about 4.1 million families say they went hungry at least once in the past three months.

A Sweeping Look at Mining in the Philippines

The prevailing Philippine mining laws grant the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the sole authority to approve large-scale mining. Neither the provincial or local governments enjoy the same authority. At last, the powers that be in the government showed the true color of their skins.

The Sand and Gravel Mining in Calabanga

Riding a motor bike on a rainy afternoon is a no-no recommendation when the destination is that portion of the national road that traverses the area about barangay Sibobo. Quite a coincidence we were right in the vicinity of the gravel-and-sand mining operation on the mountainous part bordering the area.

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.

The Thin Line That Divides Everything in Our Lives

The big, influential businesses accumulate profits and get the government’s favorable attention much of the time. On the other side are hapless workers literally wrapped in the palms of big business, choking. Already, they howl and scream on the city streets yet get the caressing water guns of the government. Hence, workers are warped into a time very much comparable when there exist no justice for all but for the people wtih deep pockets and capital.

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 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).

Is it Quo Vadis, Mount Isarog?

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?

A Sperm Whale Dies in Rapu-rapu

The recent discovery of the humongous dead sperm whale is another thorny issue that is being blamed and connected to the current mining operations in the island of Rapu-rapu.

San Miguel Iron Ore Deposit Up for Grabs

With the looming prospect of the San Miguel bay to exploratory mining for iron ore deposit, we surmised the immediate areas that maybe opened. Here we conceptualized that prospective zone of one kilometer from the shore and three kilometers outward. The same area runs in conflict with municipal ordinance that […]

San Miguel Bay Faces Mining Activities

The current environment in the area about San Miguel bay may endure some changes in the very near future with the entry of a new player. Bogo Resources and Mining corporation (BRMC) has been granted by the mines and geosciences bureau (MGB) to explore iron-ore sand in approximately one third of the bay’s offshore area.

How to Kill a Bird

On Wednesday, I went early to the market if only to avoid the rush and hustle as many people surely will be a crowd too many, buying and selling food stuff.

What's Recommended

Catanduanes, Church, Renews Stand VS Coal Mining

From the glory hole, the provincial government of Catanduanes has retrieved a resolution it used to repel a coal mining in the province four years ago, this time for use against a similar venture that an Australian firm is pressing on. The provincial legislative board recently passed a measure that […]

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).

Bayani Challenge Volunteers Build 44 Houses in CamNorte

San Lorenzo Ruiz (Imelda), Camarines Norte (PNA) — Some 2,000 Bayani Challenge volunteers who built 44 houses for poor, homeless families here have completed their five-day tour of duty, leaving behind hopes for brighter life ahead to the beneficiaries. “I see in their faces the signs of hope for brighter […]

DOH Dugong Bicol Awards given to LGU heads

Sixteen town and city mayors, and hundreds of barangay captains, received recognition from the regional office of the Department of Health for initiating blood-letting drives in their localities during the agency’s Dugong Bicol Awards. Awardees include the mayors of Tabaco city and Tiwi in Albay, Naga city, Ragay, Sipocot, Cabusao, […]

Caceres Archbishop Launches Voters’ Education Program

Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona called on the faithful to participate in the coming elections enlightened by the teachings of the Church. He said Catholic citizens should take part in the country’s electoral exercise and cast a Catholic vote that is free, informed, and evangelized. On Palm Sunday, the archdiocese […]

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 […]

ALECO: A call for legal assistance

A CALL FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE by Oliver O. Olaybal All Albay lawyers are requested to provide legal assistance to their fellow member-consumers in Aleco. Aleco needs your help. A group of unelected individuals have subcontracted the franchise operations of Aleco without the consent of Aleco member-consumers, and without the approval […]

Protected wildlife animals fall prey to Bicolano poachers

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 […]

Focus on Qualities of A Good Teacher

One week after the grand school opening hereabout, we expect students and teachers will have started slowly settling into their comfort zones. I should know. I am a classroom teacher for more than two decades in different private schools in Legazpi city and Rizal province. At one time and for […]

The Sand and Gravel Mining in Calabanga

Riding a motor bike on a rainy afternoon is a no-no recommendation when the destination is that portion of the national road that traverses the area about barangay Sibobo. Quite a coincidence we were right in the vicinity of the gravel-and-sand mining operation on the mountainous part bordering the area.

Watch Michael Christian Martinez, only Pinoy in Winter Olympic Games

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 13 – To financially assist the lone Filipino skater competing in the Winter Olympics in Russia, Albayanos have launched a fund-raising campaign for Michael Christian Martinez as their pre-Valentine gift to the Filipino figure skater. The campaign, dubbed as “Piso para sa Pusong Pilipino: People’s Valentine Gift […]

Saving hundred-year old trees prevail on highway projects in Bicol

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 […]

What's Throwback

San Miguel Iron Ore Deposit Up for Grabs

With the looming prospect of the San Miguel bay to exploratory mining for iron ore deposit, we surmised the immediate areas that maybe opened. Here we conceptualized that prospective zone of one kilometer from the shore and three kilometers outward. The same area runs in conflict with municipal ordinance that […]

DSWD – Bicol office to lead relief operations in typhoon-ravaged Samar

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol will be the lead agency in conducting relief operations in eastern and western Samar, among the worst-hit provinces in Central Visayas by super typhoon “Yolanda” on Friday, a DSWD regional official said Monday. Arnel Garcia, DSWD regional director, said he had […]

The Sand and Gravel Mining in Calabanga

Riding a motor bike on a rainy afternoon is a no-no recommendation when the destination is that portion of the national road that traverses the area about barangay Sibobo. Quite a coincidence we were right in the vicinity of the gravel-and-sand mining operation on the mountainous part bordering the area.

Not game changer: Environment agency intercepts illegal logs

Over the week, 75,000 board feet of alleged illegal logs from Partido area of the province of Camarines Sur were reported to be intercepted by the task force of the Bicol office of the environment and natural resources department. It was the second apprehension this year in the areas around […]

Bayani Challenge Volunteers Build 44 Houses in CamNorte

San Lorenzo Ruiz (Imelda), Camarines Norte (PNA) — Some 2,000 Bayani Challenge volunteers who built 44 houses for poor, homeless families here have completed their five-day tour of duty, leaving behind hopes for brighter life ahead to the beneficiaries. “I see in their faces the signs of hope for brighter […]

How to Kill a Bird

On Wednesday, I went early to the market if only to avoid the rush and hustle as many people surely will be a crowd too many, buying and selling food stuff.

DOH Bicol regional office dispatch medical team to Tacloban City

The Department of Health Bicol regional office on Tuesday sent a 26-man medical team to assist in the disaster response operation in the super typhoon “Yolanda”-devastated Tacloban City, a DOH officer said Wednesday. On Monday night, a group of medical personnel led Dr. Gloria Balboa, DOH regional director, also left […]

A Sweeping Look at Mining in the Philippines

The prevailing Philippine mining laws grant the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the sole authority to approve large-scale mining. Neither the provincial or local governments enjoy the same authority. At last, the powers that be in the government showed the true color of their skins.

Protected wildlife animals fall prey to Bicolano poachers

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 […]