By Jason B. Neola The City of Naga in the Bicol Region has officially joined the ranks of the country’s highly urbanized cities (HUCs), becoming the 34th such city in the Philippines following a proclamation signed on Wednesday by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga formally initiated the city’s bid for highly urbanized city status through the adoption of Resolution No. 2026-078 on January 27, 2026, citing that the city had already met the statutory r

By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY --- Following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to the Social Security System (SSS) to support its members and pensioners, as well as employers, amid the escalating cost of living, the SSS will raise pensions three months earlier than planned, expand access to its loan programs, and offer loan penalty condonation. These relief measures have been allocated a budget of P60 billion to assist workers, pensioners, and employers who

Savage Mind, an independent publishing house and bookshop based in Naga City, together with Corner 26, is pleased to invite you and seek your support for the Bikol screening of the documentary film Mga Nakabuhing-Agi-Agi (Found Objects, Freed Stories) on May 30, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Corner 26, Maaalahanin Street, Diliman, Quezon City. The documentary film, directed by Kristian Sendon Cordero, is an attempt to explore ethnography and cinema from the region through narratives th

By Paulo DS Papa THIRD District Rep. Nelson Legacion has moved to secure the franchise renewal of the Camarines Sur III Electric Cooperative (CASURECO III), which supplies electricity to the Rinconada area. Legacion said the cooperative’s management sought his assistance to ensure continued power service in Iriga City and the municipalities of Bula, Baao, Buhi, Bato, Balatan, and Nabua. He noted that Casureco III had difficulty obtaining support from Rinconada District Rep. M

By Keren Anne Bernadas LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- Long before sunrise, 62-year-old rice farmer Nard (not his real name) was already on his way to the city from Sto. Domingo, Albay, hoping to secure a few kilos of rice priced at only P20 per kilo. By 5 a.m., dozens of residents had already lined up, all eager to take advantage of the government’s affordable rice program amid rising food costs. In Albay, only two warehouses have been designated for the rollout of the “Benteng Bi

By Jordan Domingo Man killed, another hurt in Goa motorcycle collision A 38-year-old man died while another was seriously injured following a head-on motorcycle collision at around 2:30 a.m. on May 26 in Barangay Pinaglabanan, Goa, Camarines Sur. Police identified the fatality as alias “Rodel,” who was declared dead on arrival at the Goa Municipal Infirmary. The other driver, alias “Richard,” 39, sustained serious injuries. Investigation showed that the victim was traveling e

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- More than PHP15 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated and 12 drug personalities were arrested in a series of coordinated anti-drug operations conducted over the weekend. Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) Director Brig. Gen. Erosito Miranda said authorities seized 2.2 kilograms of shabu worth an estimated PHP15.08 million and 2 grams of marijuana valued at PHP240 during eight anti-drug operations across the Bicol Region. In Al

By Benilda Recebido SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- The city government of Sorsogon officially handed over 214 housing units to families living in informal settlements and flood zones on Tuesday, May 19. The initiative highlighted the local government’s efforts to help more low-income families gain access to safe and decent homes. It aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s national housing program, which encourages local governments to use public land to provide safe and af

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Kiko Benitez led the ceremonial graduation rites for 98 Child Development Workers (CDWs) after completing their Early Childhood Care and Development Services (ECCDS) course. The graduates, who completed the specialized training program with renewed dedication to nurturing young learners, marked another milestone in TESDA’s continuing efforts to strengthen early childhood education

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