By Cet Dematera Incoming Albay Governor Noel Rosal, former chairman of the Bicol Regional Development Council (RDC), has expressed optimism that the region’s economy would start to improve in the last quarter of the year due to the ongoing opening of businesses that could provide employment to those who lost jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “I am optimistic that the continuing opening of the region’s economy will boost employment growth until it finally goes back to its pre

Vice President Leni Robredo, Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr., Vice Mayor Nene de Asis, and Mayor Nelson Legacion along with the city councilors unveil the official logo for Naga City’s 75th Charter Anniversary next year. The unveiling was held during the inauguration ceremony of newly elected city officials at Plaza Quezon in Naga City. Photo by Abegail Kyla Bilan

To promote balanced fertilization which combines organic and inorganic fertilizers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol launched Abonong SWAK through the establishment of a 10-hectare rice techno demo area in San Jose, Camarines Sur. Abonong SWAK urges farmers not to rely so much on inorganic fertilizer which are imported, thus very expensive and scarce nowadays. By following the Abonong SWAK combos, farmers can save P2,000 – P4,000 per hectare. Eight rice farmers belo

By Rhaydz B. Barcia Ten days before he steps down from his post, outgoing Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara met on Tuesday, June 21 with his political rival, incoming Governor Noel Rosal at the Governor’s Guest House to pave the way for the smooth transition of the leadership of the provincial government. Bichara called the transition meeting with Rosal “to ensure an effective turnover of responsibility, ensure smooth transition and continuity in good local governance.” Last mont

By Cet Dematera Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon had acted up again on Tuesday, June 21, after its volcanic earthquakes shot up 80 times in the past 24 hours monitoring period, from merely seven times in the last three days, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) data showed. Phivolcs said that from only one quake on June 20, six on Jume 19 and five on June 18, Bulusan’s seismic activities resumed again to two digits, even accompanied by a volcanic tremor.

By Jason B. Neola The new batch of Naga City officials who will be occupying their posts at the city government for the next three years beginning July 1, will be working to improve the services on the sectors of education, health, tourism, business, and agriculture. This was given emphasis by Mayor Nelson Legacion, now in his second term as the city’s chief executive, after taking his oath of office on June 18 along with Vice Mayor Cecilia V. de Asis and the 10 newly elected

By Kyna de Castro The Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, officially opened the CamSur Business Expo 2022 with the 1st Bicol Tourism Expo on June 16-18, 2022 at the Capitol Convention Center. With the theme, “Exploring New Frontiers and Extraordinary Experiences”, the 1st Bicol Tourism Expo highlights the tourism industries and stakeholders that thrived and embraced innovations amid the global

The removal of Engr. Jojo Luansing as general manager I(GM) of the Metro Naga Water District (MNWD) may have helped create an impression of normal operations temporarily. The outcome should not however pave the way towards whitewash. This is so because what the water district needs is a top to bottom cleansing which may even necessitate a holistic approach and the relief of Luansing only serves as palliative. That is why the pronouncements of the erstwhile GM though apparent

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my thoughts on how some people can’t wait. After I sent that piece, I thought to myself, maybe, that was nothing but some pointless ranting. On one hand, there is some wisdom in early laying of groundwork. After all, incoming elected officials could not deny their awareness of approaching positions and functions. Some may say that such reactions are manifestations of overexcitement, but the public has to appreciate the eager willingne

Experience this: a plane destined for another airport had to turn around fast to make it back to the airport where it came from. Last June 19, I was on a connecting flight from Bacolod, where I conducted a two-week film appreciation and film criticism workshop. I was not alone in that gentle city; there were three other resource speakers with me: Dr. Roland Tolentino, a film scholar and a fellow Manunuri; Elvert Bañares, a pioneering experimental filmmaker and a film festival

An Father’s Day negosyo, pig-imbento kan mga negosyante duman pa sa Amerika tanganing sa aldaw na iyan maggarastos an mga aki, makuapo, ina asin lola, magkarakan sa restawrant, magbarakal nin mga regalo para sa mga pigtitingag na ama kan tahanan. An harigue kan pamilya iyo an ama. Naguimatan ko kan dekada 50, 60 asin 70 mayo nin celebrasyon nin Father’s Day pero pigtitngag ko an sakuyang ama, pigtitingkalag ko bilang idolo na nag-guiguiya sa sakuyang dalan na piglalakawan aro

Pig buklat ko an naka lista sa Google tanganing aramon sana an pinag gikanan kan pag celebrar nyato kan Father’s Day sa kada 19 kan Hunyo. Ini nag poon sa espuerezo ni Sonora Smart Dood, taga Spokane City, Washington, duman sa America. Pig saysay ni Sonora an sakripisyo kan saiyang ama na si John Bruce Dood, na makalihis na magadan sa pangaki an saiyang ina, solamente si John an nagpaka higos para buhayon sindang anom na magturugang. Nahiling ni Sonora an tunay na gawi nin sa

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Universal Health Care (UHC) Bill into law (Republic Act No. 11223) in February 2022 that automatically makes all Filipinos members in the National Health Insurance Program or PhilHealth, giving the citizens access to free health care services. Five women met me on separate occasions this year to talk about their harrowing experiences in gaining access to the country’s available free health care system. Their plight --shared by millions of othe

On June 19, 2022, we commemorated the 161st birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, National hero of the Republic of the Philippines. Traditionally, we have always had this celebratory event on the day of his birth, and on his death anniversary on the 30th of December as instituted by Emilio Aguinaldo through a decree in 1898. We might ask: how have these celebrations helped us in realizing the impact of his contribution to today’s Philippine society? How much do we truly hon

The Ateneo de Naga University Press, despite being a small, provincial university press, continues to break new frontiers by publishing books that will intensify the decolonization studies in areas under the Humanities and Social Sciences. Fr. Wilmer Tria, the university press director is pleased to present the Philippine edition of this new book by Dr. Stephen Acabado and Mr. Marlon Martin entitled Decolonizing Ifugao History: Indigenous Archaeology in the Philippines. The