By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) had provided protective supplies to communities affected by Mayon Volcano's continuing unrest in the First District. APSEMO chief Oscar Robert Cristobal said Tuesday the provincial government coordinated with Bacacay after light ashfall was reported in several villages as southwest monsoon (habagat) winds worsened the spread of volcanic ash. "So far, only Bacacay has reported e

By MANUEL T. UGALDE LEGAZPI CITY --- The power situation in Albay has once again come under public scrutiny as the province’s electric cooperative grapples with recurring power interruptions and growing financial obligations, reviving discussions on whether it should again be privatized. The Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO), which serves about 250,000 consumers, has been experiencing frequent brownouts, prompting renewed calls from some sectors to seek private-sector partic

By Bennie Recebido With reports from the Bicol Mail Reportorial Team SORSOGON CITY --- The coastal waters of Sorsogon province remain free from harmful red tide toxins, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the Bicol Region. Although Shellfish Bulletin No. 16, Series of 2026 was issued on June 27, the advisory remains in effect because BFAR releases shellfish bulletins every two weeks unless monitoring results require an earlier update. BFAR Bic

By Sally A. Altea LEGAZPI CITY --- More than 200 farmers and fisherfolk in Albay received financial assistance through the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank), giving them access to affordable credit and livelihood support to help expand their agricultural enterprises. The financial support was distributed during the Uswag, Oragon MSME Fair at Albay Astrodome last week. LandBank President and Chief Executive Officer Lynette Ortiz sai

By Franshen Rochelle A. Estrella Naga City is one step closer to becoming a regional training center as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) conducted an ocular inspection and evaluation at the Metro Naga Sports Complex, marking another milestone in the city’s commitment to advancing grassroots sports development and expanding opportunities for young athletes. Representatives from PSC’s Planning Division, and Engineering and Maintenance Division, including Ms. Gloria Quinto

By Ernie Delgado MASBATE CITY --- A bomb threat targeting the government-operated Masbate National Comprehensive High School (MNCHS) in Masbate City on Sunday afternoon, July 5, prompted emergency sweeps by the explosive ordnance disposal unit. Authorities later declared the threat a hoax. The Masbate National Comprehensive High School releases an official statement, saying that: Classes at Masbate National Comprehensive High School (MNCHS) continue as scheduled after authori

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Public Works and Highways in Bicol (DPWH-5) said Tuesday that the Oplan Kontra Baha (OKB) operations in Naga City have so far improved the drainage capacity of major waterways serving flood-prone communities. In an interview, DPWH-5 spokesperson Justin Dayandante said ongoing declogging, clearing and desilting operations have enhanced the capacity of Sagop Creek and Capucnasan Creek to efficiently discharge water into the B

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The city government has allocated funds for 1,500 beneficiaries of its “Gift of Life” program, providing financial assistance to help pregnant women cover childbirth expenses and meet the immediate needs of their newborns. Mayor Hisham Ismail said the initiative reflects the city government’s commitment to promoting maternal and child health by providing financial assistance to mothers during one of the most financially challenging periods o

By Paulo DS. Papa NAGA CITY --- City government officials involved in the construction of the Outpatient Department (OPD) building of the Naga City General Hospital (NCGH) may face administrative and criminal charges over alleged violations of the National Building Code, City Legal Officer Atty. Angel Ojastro III said on Wednesday, July 8. Ojastro made the statement following Mayor Leni Robredo’s disclosure during a recent press briefing that several city government projects

By Kurt Domingo A 44-year-old fish vendor was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted shortly after midnight on Wednesday in Barangay Malubago, Sipocot, Camarines Sur, police said. The suspect, identified only by the alias “Mentong,” is a single and resident of the municipality Sipocot. According to the Sipocot Municipal Police Station (MPS), personnel of its Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit (MDEU), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- The Social Security System (SSS) has launched its Palengke Caravan in the Bicol Region to bring its services closer to market vendors, self-employed individuals, workers in the informal sector, and walk-in clients. Jeanette Mapa, SSS regional spokesperson, said the caravan was launched Wednesday at the New Legazpi Public Market in the Old Albay District, offering a convenient way for members and prospective members to access various SSS servi

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said it has completed the procurement process for approximately 1.2 million bottles of Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD) to maintain the treatment supply for people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV) nationwide. The DOH made the statement following LoveYourself Inc.’s advisory noting that antiretroviral (ARV) refills will be limited to a two-week supply due to delays in the replenishment o

By MANUEL T. UGALDE LEGAZPI CITY --- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has yet to meet the three-month target he set for the completion of the long-delayed Binitayan-Kilikao Bridge project in Daraga, Albay, a structure that has faced repeated setbacks over the past two decades. The bridge project, estimated at around P250 million, spans the Yawa River and is intended to connect upland barangays near the boundary of Camarines Sur. During a vi

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor A heat expert warned the public to limit their intake of coffee and processed foods as the country’s heat index hits dangerous levels in some parts of the country. Philippine College of Occupational Medicine - Zamboanga Peninsula Chapter president Dr. Abdul Javar Esturco noted that these common dietary habits significantly increase the risk of severe dehydration and heart complications. While Filipinos often turn to coffee to stay alert, Esturco expla

By Rhaydz Barcia TABACO CITY--- Senator Risa Hontiveros is considering measures that would restrict cellphone use among children aged 15 and below following the deadly shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte involving 14- and 15-year-old suspects that left four students dead. In an interview during the inauguration of Albay’s first Senior Citizens Adult Day Center in Barangay San Vicente, Tabaco City on Wednesday, Hontiveros said she would r