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

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