By MANUEL T. UGALDE LEGAZPI CITY --- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has yet to meet the three-month target he set for the completion of the long-delayed Binitayan-Kilikao Bridge project in Daraga, Albay, a structure that has faced repeated setbacks over the past two decades. The bridge project, estimated at around P250 million, spans the Yawa River and is intended to connect upland barangays near the boundary of Camarines Sur. During a vi

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor A heat expert warned the public to limit their intake of coffee and processed foods as the country’s heat index hits dangerous levels in some parts of the country. Philippine College of Occupational Medicine - Zamboanga Peninsula Chapter president Dr. Abdul Javar Esturco noted that these common dietary habits significantly increase the risk of severe dehydration and heart complications. While Filipinos often turn to coffee to stay alert, Esturco expla

By Rhaydz Barcia TABACO CITY--- Senator Risa Hontiveros is considering measures that would restrict cellphone use among children aged 15 and below following the deadly shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte involving 14- and 15-year-old suspects that left four students dead. In an interview during the inauguration of Albay’s first Senior Citizens Adult Day Center in Barangay San Vicente, Tabaco City on Wednesday, Hontiveros said she would r

By Paulo DS Papa LEGAZPI CITY --- Camarines Sur 4th District Rep. Arnie Fuentebella is preparing a legal challenge against the order issued during the Duterte administration abolishing the Partido Development Administration (PDA), arguing that only Congress has the authority to dissolve the government agency created by law. Fuentebella recently disclosed that he participated in a meeting with local chief executives and officials of the Governance Commission for Government-Own

By Rhaydz Barcia TABACO CITY, Albay --- Albay’s first Senior Citizens Day Center worth P10 million was inaugurated Wednesday in Tabaco City, providing elderly residents with a venue for relaxation, medical check-ups, socialization, and recreational activities. The facility, located at Hiraya Manawari Nature Park in Barangay San Vicente, was funded through the efforts of the late former representative Edcel C. Lagman and Senator Risa Hontiveros. Albay First District Rep. Krise

THE City Government of Naga continues to expand its development initiatives through major investments in public safety, housing, employee development, and urban governance under the administration of Mayor Leni Robredo. The Philippine Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) recently donated P5 million to the city government for the construction of a community drug rehabilitation facility and youth hub. DDB Undersecretary Earl Saavedra said the project will strengthen Naga’s programs aime

THE deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City has shaken the nation not only because of the lives lost, but because the suspects are children themselves. Three students are dead, more than 20 others were injured, and countless families now carry emotional scars that may never fully heal. In the aftermath of the June 22 attack, attention has shifted toward the 14-year-old suspect whose family reportedly abandoned their home and relocated to Manila. Neig

A retired principal once asked a currently employed DepEd teacher, “Anong measures nindo sa school kayan ngunyan?” (What are your safety measures in school these days?) The teacher replied, “Pinapadara po hard hat saka whistle ang mga aki baka sakali po maglinog.” (We require the children to bring hard hats and whistles in case an earthquake hits.) The retired principal bluntly retorted, “Dai. Iyan sa baradilan sa eskwelehan.” (No. I mean for school shootings.) That exchange

Some of the most inspiring leaders I have met never attended prestigious universities, never occupied high government positions, and never delivered eloquent speeches. They simply chose to serve their people with quiet dedication. One of them is 33-year-old Rechel Medrano of Barangay Guinaban, Ocampo, Camarines Sur. I first met Rechel in 2022 during one of our community-based programs on women’s and children’s rights. She spoke softly and smiled shyly, but behind that quiet d

One of my favorite Beatles songs has been playing in my head for years. “She’s got a ticket to ride, but she don’t care.” Every time I hear it, I sing it exactly as written. It never feels wrong. Perhaps you have your own version—a favorite song whose lyrics would earn a few red marks in an English classroom but sound perfectly right the moment the music begins. Why do we notice a grammatical mistake in an email, a Facebook post, or a newspaper headline, yet happily sing alon

Dahil nagse-celebrar kita nin Nutrition Month ngonian na Hulyo, orolay kakanon muna kita. Tanda ko sa mga dating kolumn nasabi ko minsan maorolay kita nin kinalas, pero laktawan ta muna ini ta mas bago ang experiencia ko sa saro sa mga paborito kong merienda. Domingong hapon, bandang alas dos y media, nagpa-Queborac ako sa Bagumbayan Sur para magpangudto, na merienda na padagos ta harani naman sana sa alas tres. Bistado ang bakery asin kakanan padagos sa saindang pancit guisa

Atty., ano po an mga legal na kahagadan bago magdaos nin rally o protesta sa mga kalsada? --- An pagdaos nin rally o protesta iyo an sarong konstitusyonal na karapatan sa Pilipinas bilang katakod kan freedom of speech asin freedom of peaceful assembly. Pero kun sa pampublikong lugar ini gaganapon, partikular sa mga kalsada o plaza, kadalasang kinakailangan an permit hale sa lokal na gobyerno para sa pag-regulate kan oras, lugar, asin seguridad kan aktibidad. Importante man an

“A time comes when silence is betrayal.” — Martin Luther King Jr., Beyond Vietnam (1967) I have spent my life trying to be faithful to two institutions. One taught me about duty. The other taught me about conscience. As a retired United States naval officer, I understand that the first responsibility of government is to protect its people. I also understand that those who command armies carry burdens that few of us can fully comprehend. As a Christian, I have also learned tha

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- In a bid to uplift marginalized farmers and fisherfolk, the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) launched the Agrisenso Plus Lending Program Caravan alongside the Uswag Oragon MSME Fair, gathering more than 1,200 farmers, fishers, agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), and around 300 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Albay on Friday. May D. Arizabal, LANDBANK first vice president for SMLG-SME Mid Marketing Lending,