By MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN POLICE in the Bicol region have accounted for 765 firearms with expired registrations, including 535 voluntarily deposited by their owners and 230 surrendered during police operations, the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO 5) said. The figures were reported on Tuesday (Nov. 2) during the launch of Project Kasurog: Bantay Baril at the PRO 5 Multi-Purpose Building in Camp BGen. Simeon A. Ola, in this city, led by Bicol police chief Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvi

By Rhaydz Barcia and Jordan Kurt Domingo LEGAZPI CITY --- Mayon Volcano in Albay continued to show signs of unrest, spewing an ash plume that rose 1,600 meters above its summit on Tuesday morning, as authorities maintained heightened precautions following the volcano’s moderately explosive eruption on October 30. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the latest ash emission occurred from 8:22 a.m. to 8:25 a.m., with the plume drifting southwes

By Benilda Recebido SORSOGON CITY --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) field office in the Bicol region has activated rapid disaster response protocols to provide immediate relief following a massive fire that devastated the Sorsogon City Public Market late on Saturday night, October 24. The catastrophic blaze resulted in significant property damage, completely destroying the livelihoods of local business owners, and claimed the lives of five individu

By Jason B. Neola DETERMINED to help farmers protect their livelihood against the looming threat of super El Niño, local economic development specialist Ronald “Bong” Rodriguez is reaching out to farming communities in the province to introduce practical measures that would allow them to continue producing food despite prolonged dry spells and possible water shortages. Rodriguez has been meeting with farmers’ associations and cooperatives in various municipalities to explain

By Jordan Kurt Domingo A municipal councilor was allegedly assaulted during a session in Goa, two suspected drug personalities were arrested in separate anti-illegal drug operations, and four pieces of suspected vintage ordnance were discovered at a construction site in Camarines Sur, police reported on Tuesday, November 3. The incidents, reported by the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (CSPPO), involved separate operations in Goa, Sagñay, Ragay and Camaligan. In Goa, a

By Jordan Kurt Domingo BICOL residents are being urged to prepare for the possible effects of the impending super El Niño, with the Department of Health (DOH) warning that household water filters alone may not guarantee safe drinking water as drought conditions threaten water supplies. The DOH advised the public to properly treat contaminated raw water before filtration and to use appropriate disinfection methods to eliminate harmful microorganisms that some filters may fail

By Paulo DS. Papa EVEN young males may become victims of sexual abuse, said Police Major Rowena Lim, commander of Naga City Police Station 1, referring to a case involving a 16-year-old boy from Barangay Sabang, Naga City, who allegedly had a sexual relationship with an older woman. Police withheld the identity of the 28-year-old woman in compliance with privacy laws. She was identified as a resident of Zone 1, Barangay Maragñi, San Fernando, Camarines Sur, who previously ren

By Ana-Liza S.Macatangay LEGAZPI CITY --- The city government of Naga has acquired two mobile water pumps to help mitigate flooding, particularly in areas that have experienced flooding even during light rainfall. Naga City Administrator Noreen Bernadette San Luis-Lutey said that the pumps, which were delivered to the city hall on October 27, will be deployed in Central Business District 2, where the accumulation of floodwater has been a significant concern for the city’s d

By Jordan Kurt Domingo THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has warned the public against scammers impersonating its president and chief executive officer, Beverly Lorraine Ho, to solicit money, donations and conduct unauthorized financial transactions. In an advisory issued Tuesday, PhilHealth clarified that social media posts, emails and private messages seeking money or donations in the name of the agency or its officials are fraudulent and constitute a

QUEZON CITY --- The Social Security System (SSS) today announced that eligible members under the expanded coverage of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) UPLIFT Assistance program will receive up to ₱8,000 in financial assistance beginning 30 October 2026. The latest payout will cover qualified SSS members with monthly salary credits (MSC) not exceeding ₱10,000. The UPLIFT Assistance aid consists of four tranches of ₱2,000 each, to be credited directly t

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Dean of the College of Cardinals, reminded Catholics that while technology can help advance the Church’s mission, only people—not gadgets, social media posts or buildings—can become missionaries and bring others to faith. Presiding over the Holy Mass marking the 75th anniversary of the canonical erection of the Diocese of Legazpi and the Pontifical Coronation of the venerated image of Nuestra Señora de Salvació

ACTING on a directive issued by Mayor Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo months ago, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) has intensified further its information, education and communication (IEC) campaign to raise public awareness of the impending prolonged drought, its potential adverse effects, and the necessary measures residents must take to conserve water and prepare for possible shortages. The campaign comes as the city braces for the effects of the

MAYON Volcano continues to show signs of heightened volcanic activity following its moderately explosive eruption last week, with state volcanologists maintaining Alert Level 3 as they monitor indications of a possible escalation. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol said Monday that minor Strombolian activity was observed at dawn, lasting 41 seconds and producing a plume that rose 300 meters above the crater. Bacolcol said

By Trisha-Marie A. Pablo THE Rotaract Club of Naga Inc. launched the PANDA Project: Protecting Areas, Nurturing Diversity and Awareness, an environmental initiative that brought together youth leaders, civic organizations, government partners, and local farmers in a shared effort to protect watersheds and promote sustainable livelihoods. The project is headed by Rtr. Jhun Favorito. The initiative began with the planting of 100 high-yielding seedlings in partnership with the M

VIRAC, Catanduanes --- A total of 1,575 graduating college students in this island province will receive P31.5 million in financial assistance from the Office of the President (OP). The assistance, known as a “finisher fund,” will provide each student with P20,000 under the “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang” initiative, which is funded by the OP’s Socio-Civic Projects Fund. The funds can be used for tuition balances, learning materials, transportation, and other school-related e