By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- Hospitals in the Bicol region are ready for the anticipated surge of patients during the holiday season, the regional health office assured. As part of its Ligtas Christmas campaign, health officials inspected several hospitals in Albay to assess their readiness for the anticipated surge of patients. Dr. Rosa Maria Rempillo, officer-in-charge and director of the Department of Health 5 (Bicol), visited the Josefina Belmonte Duran Albay Provin

As Funeraria Imperial approaches its 100th year in 2026, its story stands as more than a tale of a business reaching a rare milestone. It is, in many ways, the story of Naga City itself—its culture, its heritage, and the progressive spirit of its people. Founded in 1926, the funeral company has become a fixture in the lives of Nagueños and Bicolanos, who have patronized the establishment not only because it is a home-grown enterprise but also because it has long embodied the

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- Four passengers were killed while 23 others were injured after a passenger bus they were riding fell into a 10-foot-deep ravine in Barangay Magais I, Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, in the wee hours of Friday, December 26, 2025. Police Captain Bernie Undecimo, chief of police of the Del Gallego Municipal Police Station, said the incident occurred at around 2 a.m. while the bus was traveling along the Maharlika Highway and fell into a ravine in Ba

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- For its significant contributions to the country’s clean and renewable energy sector, the First Gen–Energy Development Corporation’s (First Gen-EDC) 197.27-megawatt Bac-Man Geothermal Power Plant in Bicol was awarded the Sustainable Energy under Renewable Energy (RE) Projects in On-Grid Areas citation by the Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE recognized the Bac-Man Geothermal Power Plant for its outstanding contributions to renewable energy

By JASON B. NEOLA THE Archdiocese of Caceres, through the Holy Cross Parish and the Hijos de Nazareno Bicol Unit, has declared “all systems go” for the 37th Feast of the Black Nazarene in the Pilgrim City of Naga, with at least 100,000 devotees, pilgrims, and guests expected to join all the major religious activities. The Feast of the Black Nazarene is considered the second-largest religious event in Naga City, drawing overwhelming participation from devotees within the provi

By Keren Anne Bernadas LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Department of Education (DepEd) collaborated to engage over 300 social science teachers in the Bicol region to raise awareness about the West Philippine Sea during a film screening and seminar-workshops on December 4. Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the WPS, emphasized the vital role of social studies educators in shaping the perspectives of the youth. “I highlighted the importance o

By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY --- Barangay captains may face administrative liability under a law protecting abused women for failing to fulfill their duties, including issuing protection orders and adhering to the law’s prohibitions, according to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in the Bicol region. During a media briefing on violence against women, CHR Regional Director Arlene Alangco stressed that barangay captains must protect the rights of victims under the Anti-Viol

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Bicol distributed a total of 6,960 land titles and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages (CoCRoMs) to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the region on Thursday. DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III led the distribution of a total of 3,497 land titles to 2,697 ARBs, covering 5,929.36 hectares of agricultural land at the Fuerte Camsur Sports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur. Estrella

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Migrant Workers Bicol (DMW-5) has assisted nearly 80 repatriated overseas Filipino workers this year. In an interview on Friday, Merry Christ Joely Eguia, the DMW-5 information and liaison officer, reported that a total of 79 OFWs from the region had been assisted, including 28 whose remains arrived. Eguia said these OFWs received airport assistance and financial aid through the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo Para Sa Mga OFW Na

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- Farmers cooperatives in Bicol region received nearly PHP15 million in aid, including trucks and financial support, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. DA-Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla said the assistance to five cooperatives under the Corn and Cassava Program would enhance harvesting efficiency and transporting the produce. The beneficiaries of the vehicles, each valued at PHP2.6 million, include the Daet Corn Growers

By Sally Atento-Altea LEGAZPI CITY --- For the fourth consecutive year, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in the Bicol region has been recognized as a 100 percent smoke-free workplace by the city government of Legazpi. During the awarding ceremony held in this city on December 2, both the PIA regional office and the PIA Information Center in Albay were among 54 offices and establishments honored for their commitment to maintaining a smoke-free environment. Mayor Hisham

THE Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office, under the leadership of Provincial Director Police Col. Virgilio O. Olalia Jr., strongly condemns the violent killing of two Army soldiers by the members of the outlawed Communist Terrorist Group–New People’s Army (CTG–NPA). The slain government troopers were members of the 9th Infantry Battalion and 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Barangay Cabungan, Balatan, Camarines Sur, The killing was staged on December 19

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay Twelve official partners of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Bicol region participated in a tourism fair to showcase their local products as part of the annual celebration of “Pastores” on Tuesday, December 16, at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City. Hunny Quiano, the proprietor of HGQ Handicrafts from Camarines Sur, exhibited their native handmade bags crafted from raffia, abaca, and bangkuan—materials that are all endemic to Bicol. She noted

By Sally Atento-Altea LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Trade and Industry in Bicol has launched SPICY (Support to Product Innovation for Youth Entrepreneurs), a facility designed to support small businesses in creative fields and technology. The facility was officially opened on December 2 at the Southern Luzon Technological Colleges Foundation Inc. (SLTCFI) in Albay. Dindo Nabol, the DTI director for Bicol, explained that the goal of SPICY is to provide young innovators, f

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine Coast Guard in Bicol (PCG-5) is expecting an influx of about 185,000 passengers in various ports in the region as it carries out maritime safety measures for the holiday season. In a phone interview on Friday, Commodore Ivan Roldan said ports are monitored and vessels are inspected to ensure safe and orderly travel from Dec. 20, 2025 until Jan. 4, 2026. Department of Transportation’s Malasakit Help Desks are set up at major se