By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY --- Ferry trips in the Bicol region and other parts of Luzon and the Visayas were canceled on Tuesday, Aug. 11, due to the effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat, according to maritime authorities. In an advisory issued at 12 noon, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported canceled trips at ports in Masbate, Mindoro, Batangas, Palawan, Panay-Guimaras and Western Leyte-Biliran. The agency clarified that it does not directly cancel voyages

By JORDAN DOMINGO LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has maintained Mayon Volcano in Albay under Alert Level 3 despite a noticeable decline in volcanic activity, while Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon has recorded a sharp surge in seismic activity, prompting authorities to renew calls for heightened public vigilance across the Bicol Region. Dr. Paul Karson Alanis, senior science research specialist of Phivolcs, said Mayon has shown a d

By Manly M. Ugalde TABACO CITY, Albay — Four barangay kagawads of Barangay San Roque in this city have been suspended for one month without pay after repeatedly failing to attend the mandatory Monday flag-raising ceremony. One of the suspended officials, a female barangay kagawad, reportedly failed to attend the weekly flag ceremony for six months. According to reports, the three other suspended kagawads followed the same practice in Barangay San Roque, which is located near

By Jason B. Neola MAYOR Leni Robredo has called on parents to have their young children vaccinated against measles and rubella during the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) from August 10 to 28, stressing that the city cannot afford even a single case of these highly contagious diseases. Robredo said the local government remains committed to protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases, emphasizing that the government should never relax its e

By Jordan Domingo BAAO, Camarines Sur --- A 44-year-old Grab driver was arrested after police seized about 95 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P646,000 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sta. Teresita, Baao on Tuesday afternoon, August 4. The suspect, identified only by the alias “Jam,” is a resident of Manila. He was apprehended at around 2:37 p.m. after allegedly selling one sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover police officer for P12,500

By Rhadz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- On the first day of August, thousands of Albayanos from the four island communities of Albay paid tribute to the miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de Salvacion through the 45th Annual Maritime Procession, held three weeks before the celebration of 250 years of devotion and the 50th anniversary of the image’s Canonical Coronation. The annual maritime procession brings together devotees from the BARACAS Islands—Batan, Rapu-Rapu, Cagraray, and S

THE Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading Senate Bill (SB) 1905 or the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), which seeks to institutionalize their roles and provide them with incentives and benefits. Sponsored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, SB 1905 was passed with a vote of 20-0 during plenary session. The bill will provide BHWs a monthly volunteer benefit of P3,000, financial support for transportation, hazard allowance, cash gift, loyalty incentive, insuranc

BUSINESS owners, self-employed professionals, and individual taxpayers in the country can expect easier access to Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) services as the agency rolls out reforms aimed at simplifying tax compliance while offering relief to qualified micro taxpayers. BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said the agency is expanding its digital services and implementing a one-time tax abatement program that allows eligible micro taxpayers to settle outstanding tax

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- Bishop Joel Z. Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi has lauded the City Government of Legazpi’s “Gift of Life” program, which provides cash assistance to pregnant mothers to help cover childbirth-related expenses. Baylon said the city government’s initiative would significantly help mothers meet their immediate needs, particularly those from underprivileged families, while also supporting the welfare of their new-born children. The bishop made th

By Rosalita Manlangit DAET, Camarines Norte --- The municipal government of Labo in Camarines Norte has begun distributing rice subsidies under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). A total of 1,295 households from 52 barangays will receive 10 kilos of rice every two months for six months. This initiative is part of the Assistance to Indigent Individuals or Families-Food Assistance (AIIF-FA) to provide essential food support during

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- More than PHP7 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated and 408 wanted persons were arrested in July, the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) said Tuesday. PRO-5 spokesperson Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib said during 144 anti-illegal drug operations, a total of 1.1 kilograms of shabu and 544.92 grams of marijuana were confiscated, which were immediately removed from circulation to prevent the possibility of being used in other criminal

SEVEN priority bills authored and filed by Camarines Sur’s 3rd district Rep. Nelson S. Legacion Sur have been approved on first reading in the House of Representatives, marking the initial step in the legislative process for measures aimed at improving healthcare, disaster preparedness, social protection, and support for farmers, fisherfolk, and persons with disabilities. The proposed measures include the Liver Center of the Philippines Bill, Plasma Donation and Collection Ac

By Paulo DS Papa THE City Government of Naga is set to fully comply with Republic Act (RA) 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, as the garbage compactor truck donated by the Okada Foundation begins operating in Central Business Districts I and II this August. City Mayor Leni Robredo worked to secure the equipment, which was donated by the Okada Foundation and delivered from Japan, according to Engr. Joel Martin, head of the Solid Waste Management Office

By Jordan Domingo with the Bicol Mail Reportorial Team THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned of a heightened possibility of steam-driven or phreatic eruptions at Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon following a significant increase in volcanic activity. In an advisory issued Tuesday, Phivolcs reported that 109 volcanic earthquakes were recorded since midnight, with nearly all classified as volcano-tectonic events caused by the fracturing of rocks

By Paulo DS Papa A grieving mother is seeking accountability following the death of her son, a government maintenance worker who was electrocuted while on duty along Maharlika Highway in Barangay San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur. Elsa Sales, 50, of Zone 7, Austria Village, Barangay Carolina, Naga City, is demanding answers over the death of her son, Melvin Sales, 25, who died during a roadside clearing operation on Monday afternoon, July 27. At around 3:00 p.m., Melvin was remov