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Current Human Events & Stories

Who’s afraid of majestic Mayon Volcano?

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, […]

Government funds core housing for indigent victims of Typhoon Glenda

The government through the social welfare department is funding reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged residential units in identified barangays of San Jose town of Camarines Sur amounting to P6.7 million. The local municipal government in turn, will contribute a counterpart sum of P750,000 for the same endeavor. The targeted beneficiaries […]

Phivolcs: No way but towards eruption for Mayon

LEGAZPI CITY –- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that all indications lead to Mayon volcano towards eruption. Resident volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta said on Monday the edifice of the volcano continues to swell, based on the latest ground deformation survey by the geodetic team, which is still […]

Mayon: DepEd delivers monoblock chairs, supplies for teachers

Monoblock chairs and school supplies for teachers were delivered by the education department over the weekend as confirmed Sunday by the agency’s Twitter account with accompanying post of photos. The school equipments were dropped off by trucks. In a related story, governor Joey Salceda and education officials distributed to teachers […]

Mayon disaster tourism has positive side

Even with the impending eruption of Mayon volcano, there are tell tale signs that disaster tourism has positive economic benefits to the province of Albay and Legazpi city. The national government thru its various national agencies are pouring millions of pesos as ready funds to finance expenditures and purchases of […]

Mayon Evacuation: More funds needed, Salceda declare centers as “Open Cities”

LEGAZPI CITY — Government agencies augment dwindling fund for Mayon evacuees as Salceda declares evacuation centers “Open Cities” for donation. The province of Albay received P112 million from various government agencies according to Gov. Joey Salceda over the weekend. The funds will be used to augment the dwindling resources earmarked […]

Mayon alert level 3 stays despite decrease seismic activity

Mayon alert level 3 stays despite decrease seismic activity, at least for now. LEGAZPI CITY — No display of the fiery fury of Mayon yet even as many tourists and locals are rearing to see a live fireworks display. No explosion means frustration for the “stakeholders” who thrive on disaster […]

Why instant noodles is far from healthy food

Instant noodles has become permanent item in the food packs distributed by the government agencies, NGO’s and humanitarian groups to indigents and victims of calamities in the country. Coming out in different variety, brand name, flavor and appearance, instant noodles are really handy and easy to prepare. A compacted small […]

Forced evacuation starts as restive Mayon on Alert Level 3

As alert Level 3 was raised as of 10 P.M. on Monday, the state institute of volcanology recommends that the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone around Mt. Mayon in Albay province be enforced. The agency advised that the southeastern flank of the restive volcano exposed to the danger of rock […]

Alert level 2 as Mayon volcano rumbles

Legazpi City, Aug.16 — Albay provincial risk management council alerted local officials on the possibility of evacuation of residents living in the perimeters of the permanent 6-KM danger zone of Mount Mayon. Earlier, the state volcanology institute raised alert level 2 after an abnormal activity was observed on the volcano. […]

Forest fire in Mt Isarog put off by volunteers and guts

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 […]

DA: Bicol pilot area for climate change resistant crops

The Department of Agriculture selected Bicol Region as the pilot area for climate change resistant or adapting crops in line with the climate change resiliency program of the government. Agriculture secretary Proceso Alcala on Sunday said the region will also serve as the laboratory for the DA’s quick turnaround planting […]

Glenda aftermath: Coco farmers to suffer economic hardship

LEGAZPI CITY — Coconut farmers are projected to suffer from economic hardship due to loss of income until next year or even up to 2016 as the consequence of Typhoon Glenda. Philippine Coconut Authority-Albay senior agriculturist Alvin Trespeces said agency records estimated the total loss in terms of farmers’ income […]

Batan barangays report late, Rapu-rapu forest fire rage for 5 days

RAPU-RAPU, Albay– A forest fire which raged for five days almost engulfed the forested part of the island of Batan, of the two-island municipality of Rapu-rapu of Albay province. The fire began on Friday last week but came to the knowledge of Albay public safety and civil defense offices three […]

20,000 sacks NFA rice, relief goods, spoil in Albay

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) […]

Geothermal plant enundates Sorsogon barangay with flooding

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 […]

APEC delay on power restoration irks Albay governor

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 officials say Albay bloats disaster report

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 […]

Phivolcs repairs 15 monitoring stations disabled by “Glenda”

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 […]

Go home: Typhoon Glenda evacuees told to decamp

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 […]

Update: Bicol mainland, other areas under massive power blackout

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 […]

Albay coco industry sustain P1.3-Bn damage from Glenda

LEGAZPI CITY — Albay’s coconut industry sustained an estimated Php 1.3 billion to typhoon ‘Glenda’, affecting 70% of 900 million trees, covering 9,415 hectares. In an early update by the information office of the Bicol branch of the Philippine Coconut Authority said that some of the damages can be recovered […]

‘Glenda’ expected to hit Albay; 30,359 families evacuated in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY, July 15 — As of 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, tropical storm “Glenda” was located at about 90 kilometers of this city and is expected to hit Legazpi City at about 4:00 p.m. The typhoon is expected to pass by Prieto Diaz in Sorsogon, then Legazpi and the First District […]

Belated report confirms Tilapia fishkill in Bato Lake

BATO, CamSur — A belated report on Tilapia fishkill in Lake Bato of Camarines Sur was recently confirmed by the municipal agriculture office here. The downpour of rain after long sunny days has brought about fishkill in 70 percent of the fish cages of “tilapia” in the lake. This report […]

DOST launches “science for safer communities” in Naga City

NAGA CITY — For communities to achieve disaster resiliency, understanding of hazards and their resultant risks is a must, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo stressed on Monday. Montejo was the keynote speaker during the launch of the “Science for Safer Communities” campaign in Bicol held at […]

Catanduanes province soon to be mining-free zone

There is a silver lining on the quest of the people of Catanduanes to eventually stop any possibility of mining activity in the island. The lower house of representatives recently approved a bill declaring the province a mining-free zone. House Bill 670 was passed on final reading as endorsed for […]

“Agaton” strand thousands of passengers and vehicles in Matnog

LEGAZPI CITY — About 7,500 passengers and 445 vehicles composed of 251 trucks, 128 buses and 66 cars have been stranded at the Matnog port in Sorsogon, the Office of Civil Defense said Friday. The number of stranded passengers at the Matnog port surged due to shortage of ferry boats […]

Low pressure area will dump rainshowers over Bicol

MANILA, Jan. 15 — The low pressure area off Mindanao has a high chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours, the state weather bureau said on Wednesday. PAGASA weather forecaster Connie Dadivas said that as of 4:00 a.m., the LPA was spotted at 100 km […]

Population breaching the 100 million mark is a challenge

MANILA — This is never good news. And should never be taken too lightly. But read, Malacanang seems to have a different view. The prospect of the Philippine population reaching the 100-million mark presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the country, the palace said Sunday. More in the […]

UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon calls for unity of int’l community in reconstruction

TACLOBAN CITY — United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called for unity of the international community in the bid to reconstruct the areas battered by super typhoon Yolanda. Saddened by the magnitude of destruction wrought by the super typhoon, the highest UN official said the international community will […]

Yolanda death toll climbs to 6,100

MANILA, Dec. 20 — The death toll from super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) rose to 6,100, with most of the fatality from Eastern Visayas, the national disaster council said on Friday. The running total of the death toll is broken into at the Calabarzon, 3; Mimaropa, 19; Bicol, 6; Western Visayas, […]

US $24.6M boost humanitarian aid to typhoon-afflicted areas

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 18 –United States government boosted its humanitarian aid to typhoon-afflicted areas of the Philippines with an additional US$24.6 million on top of its $ 62 million already been provided. US Secretary of State John Kerry during his visit here Wednesday underscored the additional assistance to be coursed […]

Communal prayer, 10-Km candle light ceremony closes 40th day of mourning in Tacloban

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 16 — On Tuesday, the city of Tacloban and regions ravaged by destructive typhoon Yolanda, come full circle in honoring the lives of thousands of people who perished in the calamity. Thousands of Tacloban residents whose family members died due to Typhoon Yolanda will mark the 40th […]

Japan raises PH standby loan to US $500 million – Aquino

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed that the P130-bllion fund needed by the Philippines to finance the rehabilitation of devastated communities in the Visayas regions is almost complete. This he said, after noting that it will be thru the help coming from Japan, the World Bank, Asian Development […]

Yolanda death toll now 5,924 with damage at P35.527 billion

MANILA, Dec. 9 — The death toll from super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) rose to 5,924 according to the national disaster council on Monday. The death toll is broken into at the Calabarzon, 3; Mimaropa, 19; Bicol, 6; Western Visayas, 238; Central Visayas, 74; Eastern Visayas, 5,582; Zamboanga Peninsula, 1; and […]

Housewife dies, 23 others survive in Albay river crossing accident

CAMP GEN. SIMEON A. OLA, Legazpi City, — A housewife died while 23 other passengers swam to safety when their boat capsized after hitting a floating big piece of wood while cruising the Tipya River in Jovellar town, Albay, early Friday afternoon at the height of heavy rains in the […]

Inter-cropping for typhooon hit areas alternative for coco farmers- PCA

The Philippine Coconut Authority is recommending the inter-cropping strategy to coconut farmers after the devastation brought by killer typhoon “Yolanda” in Samar and Leyte provinces. PCA Albay official Ed Bailon said inter-cropping should be introduced as an alternative income of the affected coco farmers while waiting for the total recovery […]

Latest Yolanda Update: Death toll now at 5,680

MANILA, Dec. 3 — The death toll from super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) rose to 5,680 while the missing persons almost reach 1,800, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Tuesday. The death toll is broken into as follows: Calabarzon, 3; Mimaropa, 19; Bicol, 6; Western Visayas, 238; […]

House extends validity of appropriations under calamity funds until end of 2014

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading Joint Resolution No. 7 extending the validity of appropriations under the calamity and quick response funds until Dec. 31, 2014. This includes those sourced from savings realigned in the current year, as well as all unobligated […]

PH government eyes P40.9-B post-calamity rehab budget

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III and his Cabinet ironed out government programs aimed at immediately rehabilitating typhoon-affected areas in Eastern Visayas, a Palace official said on Saturday. In a statement Saturday, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government priority areas are the localities within […]

Yolanda fatalities now at 5,598 while cost of damage rise to P27.8B

Nov 29, 2013 @ 10:24 MANILA, Nov. 29 — The official death toll from super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) rose to almost 5,600 while the cost of damage also went up to P27.839 billion, according to the national disaster council on Friday. The death toll is now at 5,598 and broken […]

Sorsogon serves as jump-off point of Typhoon Yolanda survivors from Samar

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 27 – Sorsogon serves as jump-off point of Typhoon Yolanda survivors from Samar. As of Nov. 25, there were 21 families and 69 individuals who received aid from DSWD through the Public Assistance Desk. Herminia Diorico of Barangay Maya, MacArthur, Leyte, and six other members of her […]

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 […]

Update on Typhoon Yolanda damage now at P22.65-B

The national disaster council on Sunday announced that the damages caused by super typhoon “Yolanda” to properties and infrastructures has hit the P22,659,851,383.76 mark. Damage to agriculture was estimated at P10,701,971,349.76, including P5,096,116,351.70 in crops and P2,184,011,881 in livestock. While damage to infrastructure was estimated at P11,957,880,034. As of Sunday, […]

Bicol DSWD relief assistance update: 60,307 families in Eastern Samar given top priority

Good News here. Eleven municipalities and one city in Eastern Samar with a total of 60,307 dislocated families after the devastation brought by “Yolanda” have been given top priority for relief assistance by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Bicol regional office. “Operation for relief assistance continues to reach […]

3rd Batch of Bicol humanitarian team off to Eastern Samar

There is the continuous dispatch of relief teams from Bicol to typhoon-stricken areas of Eastern Visayas region. On Thursday, the third humanitarian group left from Legazpi destined to the province of Eastern Samar. The mission from Team Albay-Office of Civil Defense Bicol, composed of 63 members, left in the afternoon […]

GSIS opens emergency loans for pensioners in areas hit by Typhoon Yolanda

BACOLOD CITY, Nov. 19 (PNA) — The state pension fund Government Service Insurance System is opening a window for emergency loans for its pensioners from the areas devastated by super typhoon “Yolanda,” including Negros Occidental, its chairman Daniel Lacson Jr. announced Tuesday. The EML for pensioners facility is being rushed […]

Update: Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (Haiyan) death toll now at 3,982

MANILA, Nov 19 — In its latest official tally, the national disaster council on Tuesday announced the death toll for Supertyphoon “Yolanda” has reached 3,982 while damage to lives and property reached over P11 billion The casualty count is broken down in Calabarzon with 2; Mimaropa, 5; Bicol, 5; Western […]

Yolanda death count update now 3,976

In its latest official tally, the national disaster council on Monday announced the death toll for Supertyphoon “Yolanda” has reached 3, 976. The update was issued by disaster spokesperson Major Rey Balido around 6:50 p.m. Number of injured was placed at 18, 175 with 1,602 missing. In relateed news, the […]

Bicol sends off 25 truckloads of relief goods for eastern Samar Monday

A convoy of twenty five truckloads of relief goods from Bicol intended for Leyte and Samar leaves Matnog port in Sorsogon Monday and will arrive at their destinations on the same day, a regional official of the Office of Civil Defense said. Rafael Bernardo Alejandro, civi defense regional director, on […]

Albay province to host 10,000 Yolanda survivors from Leyte and Samar

The province of Albay is preparing to accomodate 10,000 individuals or 2,000 families from among the survivors of typhoon Yolanda from Samar and Leyte. This was known Sunday as governor Joey Sarte Salceda made the announcement, that displaced families will be accommodated in the newly constructed Japan-standard evacuation centers of […]

PH government sets up website for monitoring foreign aid for Yolanda survivors

The government has launched a website that allows the public to monitor the status of foreign aid for relief operations in super typhoon Yolanda-hit areas. Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary and Chief Information Officer Richard Moya said the initiative, called Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAiTH), may be accessed through […]

CNN host Anderson Cooper get praise from Malacanang

Malacanang on Sunday welcomed the tribute that CNN anchor Anderson Cooper paid to Filipinos affected by super typhoon “Yolanda.” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said it was indeed good that Cooper thanked Filipinos for showing others how to live. “Ikinalulugod po natin ang patuloy na pagpapahayag […]

Russia to provide additional humanitarian aid to PH if needed

The Russians are leaving. “Our relief mission in the Philippines is over for now,” Deputy Emergencies Minister Vladimir Stepanov said on Saturday. “We arrived in the country, considered all questions of assistance to rescuers and medics, and discussed all options of using a mobile hospital and providing humanitarian aid.” The […]

EU commissioner notes PH overwhelmed prepositioned coordination capacity

An European Union commissioner noted that the Philippine government’s pre-positioned coordination capacity for Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) was quickly overwhelmed, underscoring that investment in preparedness should be towards disaster of the future. European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva underscored the need for everyone to arm themselves with a “mindset of preparedness and prevention, […]

Watch We are the World for the Philippines

For the nine Philippine regions battered by the typhoon. We are the World for the Philippines. (Eastern Visayas) We are the World for the Philippines. (Central Visayas) We are the World for the Philippines. (Western Visayas) We are the World for the Philippines. (Mimaropa) We are the World for the […]

DPWH-Bicol helps in clearing, rehabilitation in Samar, Leyte

In the aftermath after the super storm Yolanda pummelled many areas of the country, Team Bicol stand as one in offering an immediate helping hand. It can be said of the personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways Bicol regional office. They are now on their seventh day […]

NDRRMC updates: Yolanda death toll rise to 3,631 dead, 12,487 injured and 1,179 missing

Here is the official tally update on the death count, injuries, damages and destruction brough about by the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda. According to the official report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, a total of 1,962,898 families or 9,073,804 persons were affected in 9,303 barangays in […]

Watch CNN’s Anderson Cooper report about chaos in Tacloban

Watch CNN’s Anderson Cooper report about chaos in Tacloban. This is a video aired earlier than the interviews conducted by Christianne Amanpour with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and Andrew Steven with Mar Roxas. There is no telling a lie now, all these confirmed the ineptness on how the government […]

Watch interview of Sec Mar Roxas with CNN’s Andrew Steven

Watch interview of Sec Mar Roxas with CNN’s Andrew Steven. It is very interesting on this interview of Secretary Mar Roxas onsite, in Tacloban disaster area with CNN reporter Andrew Steven. Pay attention on Steven’s inquiry regarding the bodies he pass by on the streets and the answer of Secretary […]

What's Recommended

Government funds core housing for indigent victims of Typhoon Glenda

The government through the social welfare department is funding reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged residential units in identified barangays of San Jose town of Camarines Sur amounting to P6.7 million. The local municipal government in turn, will contribute a counterpart sum of P750,000 for the same endeavor. The targeted beneficiaries […]

Latest Yolanda Update: Death toll now at 5,680

MANILA, Dec. 3 — The death toll from super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) rose to 5,680 while the missing persons almost reach 1,800, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Tuesday. The death toll is broken into as follows: Calabarzon, 3; Mimaropa, 19; Bicol, 6; Western Visayas, 238; […]

Southern Bicol provinces prepare for landfall of Typhoon Yolanda

The southern Bicol provinces of Sorsogon, Masbate and Albay are getting ready for typhoon Yolanda. The howler is expected to bring heavy rains that could cause widespread flooding in the areas. In the thick of preparations for the coming typhoon, the Department of Education- Bicol regional office has readied schools […]

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.

US $24.6M boost humanitarian aid to typhoon-afflicted areas

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 18 –United States government boosted its humanitarian aid to typhoon-afflicted areas of the Philippines with an additional US$24.6 million on top of its $ 62 million already been provided. US Secretary of State John Kerry during his visit here Wednesday underscored the additional assistance to be coursed […]

The Aftermath of the Storm

After a devastating typhoon, villagers would immediately act to salvage whatever household items could be useful and still serviceable. Us in Bicol having undergone the same experience more than many times in the past several years as our fellow Filipinos in northern Luzon, can not help but feel the sorrow and pain of typhoon victims.

Bonot and a Beach Memoire

It was one of those summer and Holy week scheduled vacations when we packed our bags for a short respite from the pressures of office work and daily commute from Antipolo to Makati. Days we looked up to as the only opportune time we connect with relatives in the province.

Housewife dies, 23 others survive in Albay river crossing accident

CAMP GEN. SIMEON A. OLA, Legazpi City, — A housewife died while 23 other passengers swam to safety when their boat capsized after hitting a floating big piece of wood while cruising the Tipya River in Jovellar town, Albay, early Friday afternoon at the height of heavy rains in the […]

Mayon disaster tourism has positive side

Even with the impending eruption of Mayon volcano, there are tell tale signs that disaster tourism has positive economic benefits to the province of Albay and Legazpi city. The national government thru its various national agencies are pouring millions of pesos as ready funds to finance expenditures and purchases of […]

On Time Harvest Saved Crops from Flood

Exactly two weeks before the rain floods of typhoon Bebeng hit the bountiful ricefields of Calabanga, in the quadrant bounded by sitios and barangays of Taculod, San Roque, San Pablo and Ratay, the farmers got busy with their hand-driven rice harvesting tool of sickle (asyab). The farm workers worked fast and quick for the scorching heat of the summer sun has a skin-burning effect.

Phivolcs repairs 15 monitoring stations disabled by “Glenda”

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 […]

PH government eyes P40.9-B post-calamity rehab budget

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III and his Cabinet ironed out government programs aimed at immediately rehabilitating typhoon-affected areas in Eastern Visayas, a Palace official said on Saturday. In a statement Saturday, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government priority areas are the localities within […]

Watch CNN’s Christianne Amanpour interview clueless President Aquino

Watch CNN’s Christianne Amanpour interview hammers almost clueless President Aquino. We invite readers to watch this video, an interview of President Benigno Simeon Aquino, III by CNN host, Christianne Amanpour. A visibly almost clueless, evasive and unconcise Pinoy president, kind of wanting to pour the blame on the local government […]

Juban, Irosin Towns Get Flood Warning System from Germany

Juban, Sorsogon (PNA) — A German agency is providing a flood warning system along a major river that serves as flood path of rain water coming from the slope of Mt. Bulusan. To be put up along Cadac-an River, which stretches from the lower slope of the volcano and traverses […]

Yolanda death count update now 3,976

In its latest official tally, the national disaster council on Monday announced the death toll for Supertyphoon “Yolanda” has reached 3, 976. The update was issued by disaster spokesperson Major Rey Balido around 6:50 p.m. Number of injured was placed at 18, 175 with 1,602 missing. In relateed news, the […]

What's Throwback

Super Typhoon Juan (Megi) and Weather Watching

We are on an intense weather watch due to the tropical disturbance by typhoon Juan (international code name: megi). But rather than get the bulletin from the local channels, we have to rely on the internet which are much more detailed (words and graphic) with updates as often as the sites get one, without the interruption of lengthy advertisements except those pay per click links.

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.

The Majestic Mayon Volcano in Albay

With its towering height of 8,077 feet (2,462 meters), the almost perfect-coned volcano is the main tourist attraction of the province and the regions’ natural wonder.

But don’t be guiled with its beauty and charm, for it has erupted times too many since its first recorded activity in 1776. The most destructive was in 1814 when the town of Cagsawa was buried under its mudflows and only the church belfry was left standing. The town was later relocated into what is now the bustling trade center of Daraga.

The Season to Prepare and be Proactive

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reminded us these weather systems are expected to affect the nation from October until December, more of the tail end of a cold front, inter-tropical convergence zone, easterly wave, ridge of high pressure area, the easterlies, and more tropical cyclones.

Yolanda death toll climbs to 6,100

MANILA, Dec. 20 — The death toll from super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) rose to 6,100, with most of the fatality from Eastern Visayas, the national disaster council said on Friday. The running total of the death toll is broken into at the Calabarzon, 3; Mimaropa, 19; Bicol, 6; Western Visayas, […]

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 […]

House extends validity of appropriations under calamity funds until end of 2014

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading Joint Resolution No. 7 extending the validity of appropriations under the calamity and quick response funds until Dec. 31, 2014. This includes those sourced from savings realigned in the current year, as well as all unobligated […]

Mayon alert level 3 stays despite decrease seismic activity

Mayon alert level 3 stays despite decrease seismic activity, at least for now. LEGAZPI CITY — No display of the fiery fury of Mayon yet even as many tourists and locals are rearing to see a live fireworks display. No explosion means frustration for the “stakeholders” who thrive on disaster […]

DPWH-Bicol helps in clearing, rehabilitation in Samar, Leyte

In the aftermath after the super storm Yolanda pummelled many areas of the country, Team Bicol stand as one in offering an immediate helping hand. It can be said of the personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways Bicol regional office. They are now on their seventh day […]