By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The provincial government of Catanduanes reported on Friday that Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong, which struck on Nov. 9, caused over PHP4.4 billion in damage to agriculture and infrastructure across the province. In a situation report, Governor Patrick Azanza said that agricultural losses amounted to over PHP1.5 billion, while damage to infrastructure reached PHP2.8 billion. An additional PHP27 million was reported in dama

By Sally Atento - Altea LEGAZPI CITY --- The provincial government of Albay has assured a swift response and rehabilitation efforts for communities affected by Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong). The Albay provincial board on Tuesday afternoon (November 11) approved the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to declare the entire province under a state of calamity due to extensive damage to lifeline infrastructure and facilities. The decla

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- At least 64,939 families in Catanduanes received food packs and bags of rice after Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong) pummeled the island province. Catanduanes Governor Patrick Azanza said 55,207 family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol, along with 9,732 bags of rice from the provincial government, were distributed. "The trucks with food packs are now in Caramoran, Pandan, Pangan

NAGA CITY — A renewed wave of public frustration over corruption is expected to fill the streets of Naga City on November 29, as thousands join the Second Trillion-Peso March, a prayer-protest calling for long-delayed accountability in government. The march will converge at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, where participants will carry the movement’s central call: “Tama na. Sobra na. Ikulong na.” Organizers say the phrase reflects growing impatience among citiz

By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY --- President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. has directed local officials to plan the relocation of a seaside village in Catanduanes province to safer resettlement areas after large waves spawned by Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong) swept away the villagers’ houses. During his inspection of Barangay Tubli in Caramoan town on Thursday (Nov. 13), Marcos said the government should relocate the villagers to a site that is safe from storm surges. “Kaila

By Keren Anne Bernadas and Bennie Recebido LEGAZPI CITY --- Two days before Super Typhoon Uwan struck the Bicol region, Jelly Buendia and her family packed their belongings to evacuate from their home in the low-lying Barangay Matnog in Daraga, Albay province. “Naghintay po kami ng anunsyo ng local government unit tsaka po kami nag-evacuate ng Sabado nang umaga (We waited for the LGU’s announcement and then we evacuated on Saturday morning),” she said. On Monday morning, the

By Ernie Delgado MASBATE CITY --- A 25-member humanitarian mission from Masbate arrived in Catanduanes on Wednesday, the province hardest hit by Super Typhoon Uwan. The team brought a water desalination machine capable of producing thousands of liters of potable water for distribution to residents, along with a power generator and a Starlink satellite internet system. “Nagdala din po kami ng Starlink at power station upang ang mga tao sa Catanduanes ay makapag-charge at maka

By Rosalita Manlangit DAET, Camarines Norte --- Nearly 3,600 farmers and fishermen in Camarines Norte lost crops and fishing boats to Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong), which swept through the Bicol region on November 9 and the following day. The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported that the agricultural damage caused by Uwan has reached an estimated P105.4 million, affecting 712.97 hectares of farmland. Of this, 301.15 hectares are still recoverable, while 399.45 hec

By Sally Atento-Altea LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is engaging students as partners in promoting consumer awareness through a Consumerism Challenge, which is part of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration. “We’re making use of our students to be our instrument in advocating and helping us educate consumers, specifically about their rights and responsibilities,” said DTI Bicol Regional Director Dindo Nabol. Nabol stated that the initiative aims t

By Manuel T. Ugalde LEGAZPI CITY --- A 60-year-old engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Sorsogon allegedly took his own life early Wednesday morning, reportedly unable to bear the pressure of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in public infrastructure projects. According to colleagues at the Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office, the victim, identified as Engr. Cesar “Larry” Perez, was found dead after hanging himself inside h

By Manly M. Ugalde LEGAZPI CITY --- “Stop Mayon quarrying now, or face the same catastrophic fate suffered by Cebu during Typhoon Tino on November 4.” This is the resounding clamor of Albay residents following the devastation in Cebu, where Typhoon Tino toppled cities and towns to the ground, causing massive floods attributed to environmental degradation. Houses and vehicles were swept away—an unprecedented disaster that claimed more than 200 lives. To make matters worse, an

By Soliman M. Santos Jr. President Marcos declared last November 6 a state of national calamity following the deadly Typhoon “Tino” in the Visayas and anticipating Supertyphoon “Uwan” in Luzon but with a practically nationwide range. Warranted indeed. But how about also declaring a unilateral nationwide ceasefire for calamity-related humanitarian purposes in relation to the local communist armed conflict? Ideally, it best be a declaration by both sides involving the Armed F

By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY --- The regionwide earthquake drill scheduled for Thursday, November 6, has been postponed to allow organizers to focus on disaster response due to impending tropical cyclones. Claudio Yucot, the director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for Bicol and chair of the Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), stated in a memorandum that the Emergency Operations Center of RDRRMC will focus its efforts on responding to

By Keren Anne Bernadas SORSOGON CITY --- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) is urging government information officers to not only provide information but also encourage audiences to take action on the critical issue of climate change. Darrel Winthrop Torres, chief of the PIA Program Management Division, emphasized the importance of motivating the audience to adopt sustainable behaviors in order to achieve climate stabilization. “Our role is foundational to behavioral cha

By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Bicol allowed domestic vessels to sail and move stranded passengers and rolling cargoes on Monday evening, after Typhoon “Uwan” (Fung-Wong) left the region. The PCG confirmed the lifting of the sea travel ban in separate advisories, following the removal of the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) for the entire region by the state weather bureau. This means that 2,595 passengers and 1,147 rolling cargoes st