Ex-MNWD Board chair claims: GM misled consumers on water shortage

By Paolo Gabriel Jamer The former chairman of the Board of Directors (BOD) of the Metro Naga Water District (MNWD) has accused its general manager of misleading customers and the members of the BOD that there was an impending water shortage in its area of coverage to justify the purchase of the P28.6-million lot as site of the proposed Bicol River Surface Water Treatment Facility (BRSWTF). Engr. Emeterio “Boy” Aman, who chaired the MNWD BOD in 2021 and currently an incumbent

10 cops wanted for murder surrender to Legazpi PNP

By Mar S. Arguelles Ten police officers facing two murder complaints in the killing of a woman and the bodyguard of former Biliran representative and lawyer Glenn Chong in Cainta, Rizal on Dec.10, 2018, surrendered to the Legazpi City Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, Feb. 21, a police report said. Those who surrendered are Police Staff Sergeants Julius Villadarez Quezon and Richard Raagas, Corporal Arthur Gerard Ignacio, Patrolmen Napoleon Relox, Jordan Antonio,

LEGACY BUILDING

This is the former Filipinas Life Assurance Company Building along the national highway in Concepcion Grande, Naga City. It was designed and constructed in 1970 by Leandro Locsin, the country’s national artist for Architecture in 1990. As such, the building is listed by the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) as an Important Cultural Property (ICP). It is scheduled for demolition in the near future to give way for the construction of a new six-storey modern buildi

Mariners’ schools commemorate 48th Foundation Anniversary

The schools of the Mariners’ System consisting of Mariners Polytechnic Colleges (MPC) in Naga City, and the Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation (MPCF) in Canaman, Camarines Sur & Legazpi City, Albay will celebrate the 48th Foundation Anniversary on March 4, 2022. This year’s event carries the theme, “Honoring the Past and Embracing the Digital Transformation during the Pandemic and Beyond”. The Maritime Institutions of MPCF-Camarines Sur and Legazpi City offer the academ

Road to Naga’s new growth area now passable

By Jason B. Neola The new road leading to the Balatas New Development Area (BNDA) from the Naga City Science High School in Barangay Balatas is now open to vehicles. Aside from serving as an alternate route that will help decongest the vehicles running along Magsaysay Avenue, the Naga City Science High School - Balatas Road will also serve as a facility to access the city’s new growth area. The 800-meter long thoroughfare, which is 10 meters in width, was formally opened on M

Naga SLF awaits DENR OK to release water to Yabo creek

By Mark A. Gomez The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Naga City government both washed their hands for the continued non-issuance of permit that will allow the latter to release the processed residual water of the San Isidro Sanitary landfill to the Yabo River. In an interview with Engr. Julius Indionela, Engineer III of DENR on Feb. 14, he said that the DENR did not issue a permit to the city government due to absence of a pollution control offi

Clavecilla optimistic on Quezon-Bicol Expressway

By Paulo DS. Papa Undersecretary Marvel Clavecilla, Presidential Assistant for Bicol Affairs, expressed optimism that the construction of Quezon-Bicol Expressway (QBEx) would continue under the next administration. Clavecilla told Bicol Mail that he is hopeful that the next president would allow the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to continue the construction of the QBEx. He added that its construction has already started in Calamba, Laguna. However, the road w

EDITORIAL: MNWD’S Systemic flaws

For a while the call for a realistic vetting of those tasked to handle the affairs of the Metro Naga Water District (MNWD )started to register its impact, with the rank and file personnel taking the initial move by calling for a dialog among them and the water system’s top-brass. The move intended to invite certain personalities, including the media and former officers of the water district. But as the initiative gradually gained momentum, MNWD bigwigs including GM Virgilio

Burning Outside, Burning Inside

What do you do if houses around your own are burning and blazing and yours seems to be the only safe one? First of all, that should scare you out of your wits. It should be just a matter of time before some of the structure catches fire. But then, for some reason, your hut seems to be relatively safe and sound, which blesses you with the opportunity to optimize the current conditions. Maybe, you could help in putting out the fire all around. But then, that’s too much of a

Where do Trains Go? (For Ampy & Alex Ferrer)

Trains never rust away and die; they just become memories. As I write this last of the series of essays honoring the trains of Bicol, I am amazed more than ever how I remember this means of transportation and the days I link with them through the years. In the 70s, the improvement on the trains was so vast that for each train leaving Naga, there was a medical personnel on board. For several years, a relative, Tita Lozano was that person. She would usually stay with us in Aten

Hagad kita nin pasabong

Tutal amay pa man, maboroto baga kita Mayo 9, 2022. Kaya ngonyan magturukaw daw kita o magrolohod asin mag-atid-atid, magmuni-muni kun sairisay talaga an dapat tang botohan sa nagdadangadang na eleksyon. Dai ngona kita magtubod sa hinghing kan satong kaklase o paryentes, dai ngona kita magtubod sa radyo o telebisyon o dyaryo o social media na satuyang binabasa. Ano talaga an kalidades nin sarong kandidato o kandidata?, ano an karakter o pan-uugali?, ano an inadalan?, sa irisa

May Bering labs Pay Terong

Maski mga senior citizens na kita, dai pa mahali satuya ang inaapod na Love , ta an pagkamoot iyo an pinaka magayon na regalo satuya kan mahal na Diyos. Sa sarong nausong ire-estorya sa Maritatas Section kan Supermarket, nangyari ang haloy nang kasabihan na Love is lovelier the second time around. Ini nangyari sa duwang dating mag elosyon kaya lang iba an saindang naka-pangagom, arog sa istorya sa mga pelikulang English na Wuthering Heights asin Romeo and Juliet, an kaibahan

Illiberal democracy needs a strong and experienced leader, Part 12

“The truth has a way of changing plans.” INSURGENT, Chapter 3 Survey after survey, numbers are solidifying ex-senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s hold as a frontrunner in the presidential campaign. What is remarkable is Marcos breaching the 50% threshold in a multi-party system that produced presidents by mere plurality of votes. Perhaps the recent poll that shows Filipinos favor leaders to be strong (69%), honest (55%), intelligent (42%), morally upright (33%) and compassionate (

Edsa Revolution Revisited

We write this column as the nation commemorates the 36th anniversary of the EDSA revolution this coming Friday February 25. My personal experience of the fateful event reverberates in my fertile mind even up to now. I was then a member of the Provincial Board of Camarines Sur with the late Gov. Felix A. Fuentebella as the provincial governor, under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) as our party standard. Together with the other board members, to wit: Jaime Claveria, Jose A. C

Recounting UNC’s 74th Foundation Anniversary Celebration

The weeklong celebration of the 74th Foundation Anniversary of the University of Nueva Caceres started and ended with a blast and a bang! Through the Foundation Day Mass, UNC honored God first and above all, with thanksgiving for His grace and goodness upon this institution through the years. In the Opening Program, the University President, Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya jumpstarted a whole ensemble of memorable activities. A highlight of the festivity was the talk given by o

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