By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- Albay Governor Noel Rosal, the newly appointed chairperson of the Regional Development Council in Bicol, will focus on infrastructure and connectivity projects to boost Bicol’s economic growth during his three-year term. Recently appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the RDC position, Rosal identified 30 flagship projects, including upgrading the Bicol International Airport, improving major seaports like Matnog and Pantao, and en

By Ernie Delgado MASBATE CITY --- Weeks after Typhoon Opong devastated the island province of Masbate, local officials are reflecting on the restoration efforts by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the lasting impact of its initiative to upgrade transmission lines. The NEA launched a comprehensive restoration effort, mobilizing nearly 400 personnel—mainly linemen and boom truck operators—from 47 electric cooperatives across Luzon and the Visayas, while als

By Paulo DS Papa POLICE authorities in Naga City are ready for deployment inside and outside both public and private cemeteries this coming All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. Police Lt. Col Chester Pomar, spokesperson of the Naga City Police Office, said that about 33 personnel have been assigned to man motorist assistance desks to be installed in critical and strategic areas of the city. Pomar also mentioned that the city police office has prepared around 70 personnel for poli

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) 5 (Bicol) has raised its alert status and operational readiness to manage the massive influx of passengers expected for Undas 2025. PCG-5 Commander, Commodore Ivan Roldan, said Tuesday that they have intensified Vessel Safety Enforcement Inspections (VSEI) to ensure all vessels comply with safety standards set by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). Roldan said the VSEI is an important step to ensure tha

By Rosalita Manlangit DAET, Camarines Norte --- Local chief executives and healthcare providers have expressed their support for the implementation of the YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program), which aims to provide health services at the barangay level. YAKAP is an expanded version of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) Konsulta Package, designed to bring comprehensive health services closer to every Filipino. “I am happy that the Universal Health Care la

By Manuel T. Ugalde LEGAZPI CITY — Albayanos have criticized neophyte Albay Congressman Carlos Loria for his solo efforts to push for the reprivatization of the Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO), recalling the province’s dismal power service experience during the eight years it was managed by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) through the Albay Power and Energy Corporation (APEC). SMC created APEC to operate and rehabilitate ALECO under a 25-year concession. However, the SMC-A

By Ernie Delgado and Marlon Atun LEGAZPI CITY --- Projects not aligned with the Bicol region’s master plan will not receive support from the newly appointed chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC). “Bakit ka pupunta sa mga unprogrammed eh hindi pa natatapos ang master plan mo,” said RDC Chair and Albay Governor Noel Rosal during an interview with the Philippine Information Agency. (Why pursue unprogrammed items when your master plan is not yet fully implemented?) Rosa

By Benilda Recebido SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has entered into a partnership with MKV Builders and Construction Supply, designating the latter as an official training ground for aspiring construction professionals in Gubat, Sorsogon. “The partnership marks a significant step in advancing the enterprise-based education and training (EBET) program in the province,” said Gilda Ranido, the TESDA provincial directo

PAMPLONA, Camarines Sur --- Aligned with the Chief PNP’s tagline, “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman,” which underscores the commitment to ensuring peace and order, public safety, and security, the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (CSPPO). At around 8:45 PM on October 27, 2025, personnel of Pamplona Municipal Police Station (MPS), in coordination with PDEA ROV, conducted a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Veneracion, Pamplona, Ca

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY — Slain radio broadcaster Noel B. Samar, 54, had no prior death threats, according to his wife, Rogelyn P. Samar, in an interview with The Manila Times via Messenger. Samar, who also served as a village councilor of Barangay Pag-asa, Legazpi City, hosted the social media program Kadunong iTV and radio programs over DWIZ. He was attacked by unidentified assailants on Monday, October 20, 2025. When asked whether her husband had received any death t

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are warning the public to be extra vigilant against online scams, particularly those involving fake Airbnb listings and fraudulent vehicle rental or “rent-tangay” schemes, as millions of Filipinos prepare to travel for Undas 2025. At the DILG Media Forum, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf T. Tuaño said the campaign is part of the PNP’s commitment to the directiv

NAGA CITY — In an inspiring display of unity and compassion, hundreds of runners from across the region gathered at dawn on October 26, 2025, for the Universi3 Run 2025, held at the PAGCOR Multipurpose Event Center in Balatas, Naga City. Organized by the High School Batch 2000 alumni of Ateneo de Naga University, University of Nueva Caceres and Universidad de Sta. Isabel, the event carried the powerful theme “Three Schools. Three Universities. One Purpose. Running as One.” an

By Rhaydz Barcia and Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol Regional Director Brig. Gen. Nestor C. Babagay, Jr. has ordered an all-out manhunt for the suspect behind the shooting of local radioman Noel Samar in Guinobatan, Albay. Samar, 54, a media practitioner affiliated with Kadunong ITV and DWIZ Legazpi, was shot dead along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Morera around 9:05 AM on October 20. He sustained gunshot wounds of yet undetermined

By Jordan Domingo PILI, Camarines Sur --- A suspect involved in a shooting incident along Diversion Road, Zone 2, Brgy. San Agustin, Pili, was swiftly arrested by responding officers of the Pili Municipal Police Station (MPS) on October 16, 2025, following the implementation of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) 5-Minute Response Policy. According to the Pili MPS, the shooting was reported at around 10:58 AM. Duty patrollers stationed at the nearest fixed visibility point

By Jordan Domingo IN a major anti-drug operation, police authorities in Camarines Sur arrested a female high-value individual on October 21, 2025. Seized from her an approximately P4.08 million worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation staged in Brgy. Anayan, Pili. The intelligence-driven operation, which unfolded at around 3:55 PM, was carried out by joint operatives from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 5, PDEG SOU 5, Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of C