By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY --- Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon has seen a significant increase in seismic activity since June 12, recording 528 volcanic earthquakes over three days, according to state volcanologists. In monitoring bulletins from June 13 to 15, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that this sustained seismic activity, which occurred from 12 a.m. on June 12 to 12 a.m. on June 15, primarily consisted of volcano-tectonic earthqu

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- The First Division of the Court of Appeals (CA) has reversed and dismissed the administrative case for conduct unbecoming of a public official against Camarines Norte Governor Ricarte Padilla. In a 15-page decision penned by Presiding Justice Fernanda Lampas Peralta and promulgated on May 29, 2026, the appellate court set aside the December 26, 2024 decision and July 29, 2025 order of the Office of the Ombudsman in Case No. OMB-L-A-SEP-23-015

(As a manifestation of support for members of the press covering the Philippine Senate, and for the entire Fourth Estate that was directly or indirectly maligned by Senator Rodante Marcoleta's statement tagging journalists as “bayaran” or paid hacks, BICOL MAIL is republishing this advocacy statement. — The Editor) Not Our Job, Senators Here is a lesson in media literacy: No public official is entitled to favorable coverage from the press. Again, for emphasis: No public offic

By Manuel T. Ugalde LEGAZPI CITY — Attendees at the June 12 Independence Day celebration in Albay were surprised when the Philippine flag was raised upside down, with the red field positioned above the blue during the singing of the national anthem. Albay Governor Noel Rosal, however, downplayed the incident, saying it was purely unintentional. He noted that personnel from the Philippine Navy were responsible for raising the flag during the ceremony. The flag-raising rites we

By Sally Atento-Altea LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) convened media practitioners and government information officers in Albay to bolster public awareness and advocacy against financial fraud and scams. BSP South Luzon Regional Office Director Tomas Cariño Jr. emphasized that media practitioners and information officers play a crucial role in protecting the public from fraudulent schemes by providing timely and accurate information. “This initia

By Paulo DS Papa The Crimes and Corruption Watch International (CCWI) has filed a complaint-affidavit before the Office of the Ombudsman against Camarines Sur Vice Governor Sal Fortuno Jr. and the majority members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) for their alleged inaction to address transparency and procurement issues within the provincial government. Earlier, on May 14, 2026, CCWI Chairman Carlo Batalla filed a complaint before the Ombudsman against Governor Luis Raymun

By Jason B. Neola THE Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), in partnership with PMM Multimedia Services, has formally launched the Weddings, Travel & Lifestyle Expo Naga City 2026, a three-day event aimed at strengthening the region’s growing wedding, tourism, and lifestyle industries. The project was officially unveiled during a press conference held on June 15 at Villa Caceres Hotel, bringing together representatives from the media, business community, touris

By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is encouraging its members who experience early symptoms of dengue fever to take advantage of the primary care benefit offered through its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (Yakap). Norlinda Castillo, chief social insurance officer in Masbate, said on Wednesday that enrolled individuals can access medical consultations, laboratory services, certain medications, and diagnostic tests at over 4,000 cli

By Franshen Rochelle A. Estrella AS the City of Naga strengthens the implementation of Oplan DisipliNaga street vendors have become one of the focal points of the campaign. The initiative, which forms part of the city's broader effort to improve traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and public order, includes monitoring vendors occupying roadsides and sidewalks to ensure that they operate only within designated areas and do not obstruct public spaces. City Mayor Robredo has emphas

By Maida M. Boragay Community health workers in Naga may soon spend less time tied to administrative work and more time saving lives. Dismantling the systemic bottlenecks that slow down grassroots healthcare, Naga City has partnered with global and national health experts to improve its health information system and reduce the administrative burden on frontline workers. Pioneered as the Health Data Governance Project, this initiative aims to steer the city away from a mere cu

By Rosalita Manlangit DAET, Camarines Norte --- Local government units in Camarines Norte are currently procuring supplies to fully implement the Food Assistance-Rice Distribution Project under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. According to Melody Relucio, director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for Camarines Norte, the provincial government received P91 million under the initiative, while eac

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- After 20 long years, at least 70 residents of this city are now holders of land titles following the execution of a deed of donation and the awarding of titles for the Taysan resettlement site. In an interview, lawyer Raphaela Albor, chief of Legazpi City’s Resettlement, Housing, and Community Development Office, said the beneficiaries are residents who have lived in the area for about 20 years and long held certificates of award from the Ci

By MANUEL T. UGALDE DUBBED as “the bridge too far” because of its nearly 20 years of delays and controversies, the unfinished Binitayan-Kilikao Bridge in Daraga, Albay has once again drawn public attention after Public Works and Highways Secretary Vincent Dizon vowed to complete the project within three months. The Binitayan-Kilikao Bridge serves as the only access route to five villages situated within the seven-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone of Mayon Volcano. The area once

By Jason B. Neola VIRAC, Catanduanes --- Catanduanes Governor Patrick Alain Azanza has been charged with cyber libel before the Regional Trial Court Branch 93 in Quezon City over statements he made in a Facebook post regarding fuel supply arrangements and electricity rates in the province. The case, filed on May 6, 2026, accuses Azanza of violating Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- The Legazpi City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) on Saturday urged residents to remain vigilant against possible aftershocks and inspect their homes and buildings for damage after a magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck Albay on Friday night. The CDRRMO, which recorded Intensity V shaking in Legazpi City based on the Philippine Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS), advised the public to remain calm but alert and avoid areas wher