By JASON B. NEOLA TEACHERS, social workers, and students in this city expressed mixed reactions to the proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility, following recent violent crimes involving minors across the country. A public secondary school teacher in this city supported the proposal to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, saying that minors today already possess discernment and are increasingly exposed to violence because of gadgets and online games

By Paulo DS Papa THE Naga City Police Office (NCPO) is now conducting school visitations and a series of dialogues with teachers, school officials, and even parents to discuss incident management and safety measures aimed at ensuring the safety of students. PCol. Rizaldy Caballero, officer-in-charge of the NCPO, during a press briefing last Tuesday, June 23, revealed his directive ordering a massive, citywide police coordination with schools in response to the shooting incide

As Naga City celebrated its 78th Charter Anniversary, the city paid tribute to one of its most distinguished families through the formal unveiling of the Arejola Mausoleum Historical Marker — a symbol of remembrance, patriotism, and enduring legacy. The marker honors the Arejola family, whose contributions shaped both Naga’s local history and the broader story of the Filipino struggle for freedom. Through generations marked by courage and service, the family became deeply wov

THE city government of Naga is taking steps to acquire additional medical equipment and apparatuses for its primary healthcare centers. Mayor Leni Robredo emphasized the initiative as part of her commitment to ensure that Nagueños enjoy quality healthcare services and faster medical assistance under her “2028 Finish Lines” agenda. Robredo discussed the matter with local newsmen following inquiries about the expected operationalization of the Naga City Super Health Center (NCS

By Bobby Q. Labalan Sorsogon City --- Electronic cigarette, popularly known as vape, is gaining patronage among adults and older people but declining among adolescents, latest data published by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) showed. In its 2025 Clinical and Health Survey which “assessed the prevalence of noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors in the general population, it listed smoking as the top behavioral risk factor chronic NCDs together with harmful

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor FILIPINO men can ease their financial worries if diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer through a dedicated care package worth P100,000 the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said Monday. Under the state insurer’s specialized Z Benefit Package, the P100,000 health subsidy is specifically allocated to cover treatment costs for patients diagnosed with low to intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The package is available to male member

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), together with the Canadian Red Cross, distributed conditional cash grants to 62 individuals from the vulnerable sector for livelihood support at the Legazpi City Convention Center on Friday. Bea Aguilar, PRC national project coordinator, said the identified beneficiaries from the city received PHP50,000 as the first tranche of the PHP100,000 grant, with the remainder expected to be disbursed within the year. “

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- For weeks, Australian and Philippine forces jointly conducted Exercise KASANGGA 2026 in Camarines Sur, showcasing their bilateral efforts to strengthen interoperability, capabilities, and combined arms operations in the region. Yesterday, the Australian Army (AUSA) and troops from the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division demonstrated territorial defense capabilities through a war scenario simulation, where successive gunfire reverberated a

By Rhaydz B. Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- A 40-year-old police major from La Union assigned at Camp General Simeon Ola, the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional command in Bicol, was arrested for alleged extortion after reportedly demanding grease money from police recruits. Police Lt. Col. Maria Luisa “Malu” Calubaquib, spokesperson of the PNP Bicol regional office, said the police officer entered the service on August 24, 2020 and has been assigned to the Regional Medical a

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora The Trump administration is tightening rules for non-immigrant visa holders planning to “adjust status” and obtain their green card while they are in the U.S. — a policy that would require foreigners, including Filipinos to return to their home countries to process their U.S. residency appeal. While the rule is unlikely to impact a “big majority” of Filipinos given that most of them apply from the Philippines through family petitions or employers, the

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo said the city’s housing gap is being addressed through the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Plus Program, which includes a groundbreaking PHP480-million rental housing project and PHP17 million Community Mortgage Program (CMP) assistance. During the city’s 78th Charter Anniversary celebration on Thursday, Robredo thanked the national government and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Developmen

QUEZON CITY, 23 June 2026 – The Social Security System (SSS) announced that its Pension Booster Program, also known as the Voluntary Provident Fund, continues to deliver strong financial performance in 2026, posting an average return on investment (ROI) of 6.2 percent from January to May this year despite prevailing economic challenges. The program remains a reliable retirement savings option for Filipino workers. While slightly lower than the previous year’s performance due

MASBATE CITY --- Emergency responders from various towns and provinces across the country are gathering this week in Cataingan, Masbate province, as the 2026 National Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Olympics officially kicks off today, Monday, June 22. The WASAR Olympics will take place at Matayum Lagoon from June 22 to June 24, featuring numerous water, search, and rescue teams competing in simulated emergency scenarios, including knot-tying relays, rubberboat paddling, spin

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Camarines Sur Provincial Office has recognized local government units (LGUs) in the province for demonstrating exemplary leadership and effective governance. The recognition was made through the Luminary Isarog Awards held at the DTC Hall in the Provincial Capitol Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur, which highlights the LGUs’ accomplishments on peace and order, anti-drug abuse, child protection,

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Agriculture in Bicol (DA-5) has prepared measures to help farmers in the region cope with the potential impacts of the anticipated dry season. DA-5 spokesperson Lovella Guarin said the agency has rolled out various programs to protect and sustain production, ensuring food security. Initially, she mentioned that from April to June, the agency distributed 26,729 bags of hybrid rice seeds to 142 farmers’ cooperatives and assoc