A public health advocacy group and more than 60 youth organizations on Tuesday intensified calls for a nationwide vape ban to protect young Filipinos from what they described as a worsening “vapedemic.” In a collective appeal coinciding with World Health Day, HealthJustice Philippines and allied groups urged the government to align its policies with several ASEAN neighbors that have already imposed total bans on electronic cigarettes and other novel nicotine products. “We app

By Keren Anne Bernadas As temperatures rise in the Bicol region, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has assured the public that benefit packages for heat-related illnesses and other summer medical conditions are available for members and beneficiaries. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), parts of the Bicol region have already recorded heat indices exceeding 40 degrees Celsius this month. This

NAGA CITY — On May 13, 2026, coinciding with the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, an extraordinary convergence of faith, environmental stewardship, and community solidarity unfolded at the Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO) of LGU Naga, headed by Engr. Joel Pascual Martin, at the Motorpool Compound along Roxas Avenue, Concepcion Pequeña. Stakeholders from various sectors gathered for the meaningful continuation of “Bayanihan sa Barangay Part 4: From Waste to Growth — Recycling

By Paulo DS Papa NAGA Mayor Leni Robredo said that the judiciary shall also focus on training police officers on proper case handling and investigation to secure the conviction of suspects in rape and murder cases. The mayor, who is a lawyer, made the remark in connection with the Muceros rape-slay case, in which the suspect remains cleared of the sexual offense due to the lack of sufficient evidence linking him to the crime. The Muceros rape-slay case in Naga City involves t

By Jordan Domingo Manhunt ops net wanted persons Police authorities in Camarines Sur arrested several wanted persons in separate manhunt operations conducted on May 11 in different municipalities across the province. In San Jose town, police arrested a 32-year-old welder identified only as “Alias Piter” at about 7:30 a.m. in Zone 4, Barangay Tambangan. Authorities served a warrant of arrest against the suspect for Less Serious Physical Injuries, with recommended bail set at P

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The government continued to provide assistance to everyone affected by Mayon Volcano’s unrest in Bicol, including households, farmers, drivers, and even animals. In an interview with PTV Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Thursday, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) Director Norman Laurio said nearly 70,000 affected families have already received food and non-food assistance, including emergency cash transfers, distributed

By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY --- The air quality in Guinobatan town in Albay reached a critically dangerous level shortly after heavy ashfall from Mayon Volcano occurred on Saturday (May 2) afternoon. Monitoring conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in areas surrounding Mount Mayon indicated that the air quality index measured 1,106 per cubic volume of air of inhalable particulate matter, or particulate pollution (PM), from May 2 to 3 (Saturday and Sunday).

LEGAZPI CITY --- The city government here has created an El Niño Task Force and is pursuing long-term water supply projects to strengthen preparedness for a possible prolonged dry spell. In an interview Monday, Mayor Hisham Ismail said the task force will convene to discuss measures to mitigate the impact of El Niño on water supply, agriculture and public health. The task force will include concerned agencies and stakeholders involved in disaster preparedness, water resource

Police units across Camarines Sur responded to a series of vehicular accidents, arrests, a grass fire, and a drowning incident on May 12, 2026, in separate areas of the province. At around 3:30 AM, a side-swipe collision occurred along the Rolando R. Andaya Highway in Brgy. Banga Caves, Ragay, Camarines Sur involving a Toyota Hilux (northbound) and a Mitsubishi L300 (southbound). The L300 driver sustained abrasions on the left leg and right arm, while both vehicles incurred s

By Marlon Atun and Keren Anne Bernadas CASTILLA, Sorsogon --- For many newly admitted beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the assistance represents more than financial aid—it offers hope for a more stable future for their families. Jory Levantino Abila, a construction worker from Barangay Monte Carmelo in Castilla, expressed gratitude after learning that his family was accepted into the program. With an irregular and limited income, Ab

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- Police arrested a high-value suspect and seized shabu drugs worth PHP3.4 million during a service of warrant of arrest in Virac, Catanduanes on Monday. In an interview on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5), identified the suspect as alias “Jer,” 44, and a resident of Virac. Operatives from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, Police Intelligence Unit, and Virac Municipal Polic

By RHAYDZ BARCIA LEGAZPI CITY --- More than 10,000 families, or over 50,000 residents living around the foot of restive Mayon Volcano, may be evacuated if the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) expands the current 7-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ), Albay Governor Noel Rosal said. Rosal said the provincial government is preparing for the possibility, especially if Mayon’s alert level is raised from Level 3 to Level 4 in the coming days. During

By Paulo DS Papa The suspect in the rape-slay of an 18-year-old lass in Barangay Panicuason, Naga City five months ago has yet to be charged with rape. Rosalie Muceros, a resident of Zone 4 of the said barangay, was found lifeless in a grassy lot in Zone 6 on November 28, Thursday. Police authorities confirmed through post-mortem examination that the victim had been raped and murdered. Police Capt. Gil III Guban, then acting station commander of the Naga City Police Station 4

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Labor and Employment in Bicol (DOLE-5), along with the provincial government of Albay, is set to provide emergency employment to residents in various local government units (LGUs) affected by the massive ashfall from Mayon Volcano. In a Tuesday interview, Imelda Gatinao, regional director of DOLE-Bicol, said affected residents will be recipients of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program, wh

By Ryan Mostar AS early as 4:00 a.m. on May 2, the Balatas Development Complex came alive with steady footsteps and quiet determination as participants gathered for the Oragon Run 2026 Half Marathon, a community-driven event supporting Street Paws Naga and the community service initiatives of APO Oragon. Under the leadership of Race Director Oca Borja, Jr. and the APO Oragon Metro Naga Alumni Association, headed by its President Atty. Her Lynn Balares, the event brought toget