By Benilda Recebido SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is connecting farmers with more consumers and institutions to help increase their income and reduce food waste, especially as global oil prices rise sharply. By linking farmers directly with hospitals, correctional facilities, and other markets, the initiative aims to ensure that farmers receive fair and steady prices for their goods while also providing these institutions with a reliable

By Paulo DS Papa The Crime and Corruption Watch International (CCWI) on Thursday, May 14, filed complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte over alleged violations of procurement and transparency laws. CCWI chairman Carlo Batalla, a former provincial board member, filed the complaint against Villafuerte along with Janis Ian Regaspi-Cleofe, chairperson of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), and Hernanie Morales, head of the Inform

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned the public, local government units, and disaster officials to remain alert and prepared as Bulusan Volcano showed increasing activity, recording 442 volcano-tectonic earthquakes associated with rock fracturing over the past two days. In its latest bulletin issued today, Phivolcs said a total of 442 volcano-tectonic earthquakes have been detected by the Bulusan Volcan

By Ana-Liza Sapinoso Macatangay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Police Regional Office 5 (PRO 5) continues to provide humanitarian assistance and public safety services to thousands of residents affected by the ongoing unrest at Mayon Volcano, particularly in the towns of Guinobatan and Camalig, where frequent lava collapses have triggered Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs). Under the leadership of Acting Regional Director Brig Gen. Erosito Miranda, PRO 5 immediately mobilized its per

By Jason B. Neola ALARMED by the very low cervical cancer screening rate among women, the local government of Naga City has intensified its campaign to eliminate the disease through a multi-sectoral summit held on May 20. Led by the City Health Office I in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), and MSD Philippines, the Cervical Cancer Elimination Summit 2026 gathered health officials, barangay health workers, punong barangays, stakeholders, and partners at Summit Ho

By Jason B. Neola NABUA, Camarines Sur --- The Ako Bicol Party-list, in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and in partnership with the Rotary Club of Legazpi Central and the Metro Sorsogon Rotary Club, staged the awarding ceremony for the 11th Search for the Ten Outstanding Students of Bicol (TOSB) for School Year 2025–2026 on May 15, this year. The event, which was held at the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges Auditorium, here, is an annual search ai

GUINOBATAN, Albay --- The Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) conducted a series of disaster relief operations for families affected by the Mayon Volcano eruption on May 8, 9, and 10 this year, bringing essential aid to hard-hit communities in Albay province. The massive humanitarian relief operation was conducted in Barangay Quirangay, Camalig, and Barangay San Rafael, Guinobatan in Albay, bringing food, water, and essential supplies to families affected by the recent

By Rhaydz B. Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- A proposed 500-megawatt offshore wind power project in San Miguel Bay, Camarines Sur may pose risks to marine biodiversity, including the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, according to a University of the Philippines marine scientist. Dr. Lemnuel V. Aragones, professor at the University of the Philippines Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UP-IESM) and principal investigator of the Marine Mammal Research and Conser

GUINOBATAN, Albay --- In an effort to ease the plight of Albayano farmers affected by the Mayon Volcano eruption, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian released P65 million in funds in three cities and five municipalities for the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program benefiting 6,411 farmers whose crops, vegetables, and palay plantations were damaged by volcanic ashfall. The 6,411 farmers from the municipalities of Camalig, Guinobatan, Daraga, Sto. Domingo,

By Jordan Domingo Grass fire hits Balatan village BALATAN, Camarines Sur --- A grassy area in Sitio Mang-it, Barangay Cabanbanan here was razed by fire Tuesday morning, May 19, authorities said. Initial reports said the fire broke out at around 9:30 a.m., prompting personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Balatan Municipal Police Station (MPS) to immediately respond and conduct fire suppression operations. Authorities were able to place the fire under contro

By Ana-Liza Sapinoso Macatangay PILI, Camarines Sur --- More than 100 farmers and livestock raisers from Camarines Sur gathered for a learning and networking activity organized by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 5 (DA RFO 5) as part of this month’s Farmers’ Festival celebration. Led by the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) in partnership with the DA Rice Program, the Rice Information Caravan was held on Thursday, May 14, at th

By Rhaydz Barcia To prevent deaths and ensure immediate response during the critical “golden hour” of stroke management, the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC) formally opened the region’s first Acute Stroke Unit and Brain Attack Team on Monday, May 11, 2026. “Golden hour” refers to the critical first hour after a person experiences a stroke (or other life-threatening emergency). It is called the “golden” hour because this is when fast medical treatment has t

The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) has urged parents facing severe personal, social, or financial hardships to take the legal route of voluntarily surrendering their children instead of abandoning them. NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada stressed that child abandonment places children at risk and deprives them of their rights to identity, protection, and family care. While emphasizing that biological parents remain the primary caregivers of children, Estra

By Larry A. Limjoco May 9, 2026 Naga City, Camarines Sur. The Endurocross (EX) riders of Naga City took off from Naga City Lights View in upper Barangay Carolina at about 9:00 a.m. and headed straight to the now-paved Panicuason Road, which back in 1973 was still rough and rugged. Their target entry point for the ride was through the Harubay area. The Mt. Isarog 360 Trail Route The pack hit the dusty, rocky, muddy, and uneven outskirts of Calabanga, Goa, Tigaon, Ocampo, and b

By Bobby Q. Labalan Legazpi City--- Farmers in two Bicol provinces lost P188 million worth of crops due to Mayon Volcano eruption and the on-set of the dry season, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bicol regional office reported. In an interview today, May 6, Lovella Guarin, the DA-Bicol regional information officer, said that the damages were recorded in the provinces of Camarines and Albay for the Month of April and May. Based on the agency data, the recent Mayon eruption