By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- Political differences within the Sangguniang Panlalawigan have stalled the approval of Albay’s proposed P4.1-billion annual budget, as opposition board members repeatedly deferred deliberations over the absence of the province’s certificate of beginning balance (CBB) or surplus figure for fiscal year 2025. The delay stemmed from the insistence of Board Member Melissa Abadeza-Armedilla, chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations

By Paulo DS. Papa A 23-year-old female student from a university in Naga City will face criminal charges after authorities discovered her newborn child dead inside a boarding house in Zone 3, Rosal Street, Queborac, Barangay Bagumbayan Sur, Naga City, last Friday, January 23. PCapt. Anthony Bueza, officer-in-charge of Naga City Police Station 3, said in an interview that at around 2:00 p.m. on the same day, police received a report about a newborn baby boy found dead inside a

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Police Regional Office-Bicol (PRO-5) commemorated the bravery of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) officers who lost their lives during an anti-terrorist operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur in 2015. PRO-5 Acting Director Brig. Gen. Erosito Miranda led a wreath-laying ceremony at Camp Simeon Ola here on Sunday. Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., in his message read by Miranda, said the

FUNERARIA Imperial, a family-owned funeral service in the city, is more than a business milestone—it is a century-long blueprint for survival, resilience, and good management. Celebrating 100 years of service this year, the company stands as an inspiration to entrepreneurs across Bicol, demonstrating how dedication, innovation, and strong business ethics can sustain growth through generations. Jay Percival Ablan, Camarines Sur provincial director of the Department of Trade an

E-TRIKE driver Lionel Bandojo has called on his fellow public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers to rally behind the initiative of Mayor Leni Robredo to address the city’s worsening traffic congestion. Bandojo expressed confidence that the upcoming Transport and Mobility Summit will pave the way for the institutionalization of workable and efficient solutions to the traffic problem. The summit is scheduled on Saturday, January 31, at the BISCAST Student Pavilion, from 1:00 p.m. to

By Manuel T. Ugalde LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol conducted a low-key turnover ceremony for its new regional director on Tuesday, January 27, marking a departure from the traditionally elaborate rites associated with the post. The ceremony was held at the former DPWH regional office in Rawis, Legazpi City, and was attended only by district engineers, assistant district engineers, and selected regional staff. No media representati

BAAO, Camarines Sur --- Five individuals were arrested in an anti-illegal gambling operation conducted by Baao Municipal Police Station (MPS) on January 25, 2026, while police intelligence operatives also seized over P1 million worth of illegal drugs and a firearm in a separate operation in Minalabac. At around 1:40 p.m. on January 25, police led by PMaj Engelbert L. Toraldo, Chief of Police, conducted a raid at Sitio Luya, Barangay Lourdes, Baao, Camarines Sur, resulting in

This World Data Privacy Day, January 28, the City Government of Naga is partnering with civil society organization Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) to enhance the local government unit’s capacity to comply with data protection laws and to integrate data protection and information security measures into its day-to-day operations. FMA is a Quezon City–based non-profit organization that assists citizens and communities in the strategic and appropriate use of information a

By Bobby Q. Labalan LEGAZPI CITY --- The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged various supplies and equipment purchased by the provincial government of Camarines Sur for bearing “markings, logos and symbols associated with specific officials” of the province. In its audit report dated May 8, 2025 but was published only this month, the COA noted that the procured items, amounting to more than P50 million, violated Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Circular

By Benilda Recebido SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provided livelihood assistance to 40 beneficiaries in Sorsogon to help their businesses recover from the adverse effects of typhoons. Each livelihood kit, valued at P10,000, was distributed to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the municipalities of Barcelona, Bulusan, Castilla, Donsol, Gubat, Irosin, Magallanes, Pilar, Prieto Diaz, Sta. Magdalena, and Sorsogon Ci

By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY --- The effusive eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay continued for the 19th consecutive day on Sunday, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observing a notable crater glow at night. “Notable crater glow caused by superheated volcanic gas emitted at the summit crater was photographed from the Mayon Volcano Observatory between 06:20 PM to 06:22 PM, 25 January 2026 (PST),” Phivolcs said in the caption for photos of t

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has distributed 10,000 family food packs (FFPs) to residents of Catanduanes affected by the shear line and Tropical Storm Ada earlier this month. DSWD-5 Disaster Response Management Division chief Claudio Villareal said in an interview on Thursday that aside from Catanduanes, family food packs were also being distributed to Camarines Sur residents. Villareal said the Bicol of

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- Tabaco City in Albay declared a state of calamity Tuesday due to heightened unrest at Mayon Volcano, allowing access to its PHP18 million quick response fund (QRF). The city council approved the declaration on Jan. 20 through Resolution No. 9-250. Mayor Rey Bragais said the disaster funds will be used for emergency measures and direct assistance to evacuees. The city also plans to supplement Department of Social Welfare and Development food

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- Police in Bicol arrested 104 wanted persons during a weeklong operation that ended Saturday, authorities reported Tuesday. The Police Regional Office-5 (PRO-5) said those arrested from Jan. 19 to 25 included one regional-level, eight provincial-level, seven city-level, and nine municipal-level fugitives, along with 79 others. Brig. Gen. Erosito Miranda, PRO-5 acting regional director, attributed the results to the Enhanced Managing Police Op

By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY ---Aside from protective masks, people near the rumbling Mayon Volcano in Albay province should wear safety goggles whenever they go out, the Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH-BCHD) said on Tuesday. Dr. Aurora Teresa Daluro, head of the Public Health Preparedness and Response Unit of DOH-BCHD, said that individuals affected by ash fallout from Mayon should wear close-fitting eyeglasses with side shields to protect thei