By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Bicol (BJMP-5) has intensified dengue prevention efforts through cleanup drives and mosquito-control activities in jail facilities and nearby communities across the region. In a media release on Tuesday, the agency said personnel of the BJMP-Bicol, led by Regional Director Jail Senior Supt. Jose Gemelo Taol, joined local officials and residents in clearing waste, debris, and other potential mosquito-breeding sites along the riverside in Barangay Bogtong here. In Camalig, personnel of the Camalig District Jail conducted a cleanup activity in Barangay 7, Poblacion. In Masbate City, personnel of the Masbate City Jail, together with criminology interns from a local college, also participated in a cleanup activity in Barangay Kalipay. Personnel of the Tabaco City District Jail, meanwhile, continue to implement the 4Ts at 4 O'Clock Habit Kontra Dengue, which includes the regular inspection and elimination of potential mosquito-breeding sites every 4 p.m. The facility has also scheduled fogging operations within and around the jail as an additional mosquito control measure. In Sorsogon City, personnel of the Sorsogon City District Jail, in coordination with private-sector and environmental partners, conducted a coastal cleanup to remove waste and other materials that could serve as mosquito-breeding sites while promoting environmental sanitation and community participation. The activities are part of BJMP Bicol's continuing efforts to strengthen coordination with barangays, government agencies, educational institutions, and other partners in promoting environmental sanitation and disease prevention. The BJMP underscored the importance of sustained community participation in preventing dengue, particularly through the regular removal of stagnant water, proper waste disposal, and elimination of potential mosquito-breeding sites. The agency said the initiatives reinforce its commitment to supporting public health and safety through preventive measures in and around jail facilities. The prevention efforts come as health authorities continue to monitor dengue trends. (PNA) FIGHT VS. DENGUE. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Bicol personnel, local officials, and residents pose with their advocacy banner during a community cleanup drive along the riverside in Barangay Bogtong, Legazpi City, Albay, in this undated photo. The activity is part of BJMP Bicol's intensified regional campaign to eliminate mosquito-breeding sites and promote community-wide disease prevention amid a rise in provincial dengue cases. (Photo courtesy of BJMP Bicol)

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has so far disbursed PHP24.14 million in assistance to 2,539 dengue patients and families of individuals who died from the disease in the region this year. In a report on Tuesday, DSWD-Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio said the assistance was provided through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, primarily through the Crisis Intervention Section (CIS) satellite offices and Malasakit Centers from Jan. 1 to Sept. 18. "We remain active in ensuring that every Bicolano receives the support and care they need, particularly in times of difficulties and health challenges," he said. The assistance covered medical, funeral, and food needs of individuals and families affected by dengue. Albay recorded 661 beneficiaries who received PHP8.33 million in assistance, with PHP8.14 million in medical assistance for 624 clients, PHP20,000 in cash assistance for four clients, PHP86,000 in funeral assistance for six clients, and PHP81,000 in food assistance for 27 clients. Camarines Norte served the most dengue-related clients with 945 and received a total of PHP7.47 million. Of this amount, PHP7.28 million was provided as medical assistance to 925 clients, while PHP152,000 was extended as funeral assistance to 10 clients and PHP33,000 as food assistance to 10 clients. In Camarines Sur, 372 clients received PHP2.49 million in assistance. Medical assistance accounted for PHP2.29 million for 356 clients, while PHP147,000 was provided as funeral assistance to 13 clients and PHP10,000 as food assistance to three clients. Sorsogon assisted 351 clients, totaling PHP4.29 million. The amount included PHP3.96 million in medical assistance for 255 clients, PHP61,000 in funeral assistance for seven clients, and PHP267,000 in food assistance for 89 clients. In Catanduanes, 172 clients received PHP1.17 million, including PHP990,000 in medical assistance for 110 clients and PHP180,000 in food assistance for 62 clients. Meanwhile, Masbate assisted 38 clients with PHP432,400, of which PHP425,400 was provided for the medical needs of 36 clients and PHP7,000 as food assistance for two clients. DSWD reported that PHP463,000 was disbursed in January, followed by PHP688,400 in February, PHP533,000 in March, and PHP581,500 in April. The amount increased to PHP1.21 million in June, PHP3.32 million in July, PHP6.06 million in August, and PHP10.67 million in September as of the latest. September recorded the highest monthly disbursement at PHP10.67 million, as the agency continued assisting individuals and families seeking support for dengue-related medical and other needs. (PNA) DENGUE AID. A Department of Social Welfare and Development Bicol staff assists a client with loved ones affected by dengue in Albay on Sept. 18, 2026. DSWD Bicol has so far provided PHP24 million in assistance for 2,539 dengue patients in Bicol this year. (Photo courtesy of DSWD-5)

By Benilda Recebido SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- Access to the internet and essential online services has become more accessible for people in Sorsogon, following the launch of the Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP) by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in the Bicol region. The program was introduced on September 14 during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” service caravan held at the Sorsogon Convention Center. FPIAP was expected to benefit 352 public schools in the province. The event included 357 participants, including representatives from the Department of Education in Sorsogon, local government officials, and various organizations that support the FPIAP. The program, themed “Konektadong Sorsogon: Libreng Internet, Mas Malawak na Oportunidad,” aimed to provide reliable internet connectivity and bring the advantages of digital technology closer to students, teachers, and the community as a whole. With this new internet access, students and teachers can easily use online resources, educational platforms, and virtual classrooms. Additionally, community members will find free internet access points in barangay halls, public markets, health units, and tourist areas, allowing them to access government services and explore opportunities for work and development. Edgar Navarro, assistant project director of FPIAP, emphasized the ongoing expansion of free Wi-Fi connectivity in public spaces and essential community facilities. These include schools, barangay halls, public markets, hospitals, tourist destinations, and other areas where internet access can provide significant opportunities for the public, he said. With improved connectivity, beneficiaries can access a broader range of online learning materials, digital platforms, communication channels, and government services, Navarro added. Additionally, DICT Regional Director Christian Roy Melad highlighted that the success of the program involves more than just installing connectivity equipment. “We know that installing the equipment is only the first step. The value of this project depends on how we use and take care of it,” Melad said, calling for sustained cooperation among LGUs, DepEd, and schools to ensure that the connection remains reliable, safe, and used for its intended purpose. The initiative also featured the Provision of Internet Access via Low Earth Orbit Satellites, a space-based technology that allows the DICT to bypass traditional, terrestrial cable challenges and beam high-speed internet directly into Sorsogon’s most geographically isolated and mountainous school campuses. It is designed to help provide connectivity in public areas and geographically isolated locations where traditional infrastructure can be challenging to establish. John Nomel Ebuenga, the DICT head for Sorsogon, said that the FPIAP launch is not just about installing routers, it is about building a foundation for sustainable economic growth and digital empowerment. “By embedding stable internet access directly into the heart of the school communities, the program ensures that the next generation of Sorsoganons is fully equipped to thrive in a highly competitive, global digital economy,” he said. (Mavic L. Aringo contributed to this report/PIA Bicol/Sorsogon) More than 350 beneficiaries from the Department of Education, local government units, and agencies that support the Department of Information and Communications Technology express their commitment to improving digital access for learners and communities in Sorsogon during the DICT Region V’s launch of the free public internet access program for schools on September 14, 2026. (Image from DICT Region V)

MEXICO City --- Bikolano poet and filmmaker Kristian Sendon Cordero delivered a poetic meditation on the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia and its relationship to his poetics at the former house of Mexican poet and Nobel laureate Octavio Paz in Mexico City on September 17. The reading brought Bikolano literary and religious memory into conversation with one of Mexico’s most important literary spaces, creating a meeting of places, traditions, and artistic practices. For Cordero, the Peñafrancia devotion is not simply a religious subject but a deeply embedded part of Bikol’s cultural imagination. Every year, the celebration of Our Lady of Peñafrancia transforms Naga into a site of pilgrimage, homecoming, collective memory, and the reaffirmation of regional identity. His poetic and cinematic work has repeatedly returned to questions of place, language, memory, faith, and the ways in which local experience can be transformed and represented through literature and film. In Mexico, these concerns acquired another dimension as Cordero situated the cultural memory of Bicol alongside the literary legacy of Octavio Paz and the long historical and cultural connections between the Philippines and Mexico. The presentation also formed part of Cordero’s wider participation in Mexican literary and cultural programs in September 2026. During his stay, he participated in the Feria del Libro of the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, where he met scholars, writers, artists, and readers and presented his poetry from Bicol and Rinconada, now available in Spanish translation. Cordero is a poet, fictionist, translator, essayist, and filmmaker based in the Bicol region of the Philippines. His poetry in three Philippine languages has received major literary recognition, including the Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award, the Philippine National Book Awards, and the Gintong Aklat Awards. His work as a translator has included writers such as Rainer Maria Rilke, Jorge Luis Borges, Franz Kafka, and Oscar Wilde, translated into Bikol and Filipino. His poetry collection, La Tristeza de lo Alado (The Sadness of the Winged), translated into Spanish by Lawrence Schimel, was published in Mexico by Círculo de Poesía, an independent Mexican publishing house dedicated to poetry from Mexico and around the world. The September 17 reading was organized in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Mexico, Círculo de Poesía, and the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, which hosted Cordero as part of its annual Feria del Libro. The event offered not only a literary reading but also a cultural encounter: an attempt to place Bicolano experience, its languages, devotional traditions, and poetic imagination within a broader transpacific conversation between the Philippines and Mexico.

SORSOGON --- Photography, poetry and environmental advocacy will come together in “LAKAT-LENTE nan RAWIT-DAWIT SA BAYBAYON: Photowalk x Poetry Reading at Gubat Bay,” happening on October 3, 2026, in Gubat, Sorsogon, as part of Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk and Design Week Philippines, in partnership with the DTI Design Center of the Philippines. Organized by the Kurit-Lagting Art Collective in partnership with the Save Gubat Bay Movement (SGBM), a community movement composed of fisherfolk and coastal residents, with Rhymes of PEG as poetry partner, the activity brings together photographers, artists, poets, environmental advocates and community members to explore and document the coastal heritage, livelihoods and stories of Gubat through creative expression. The collaboration connects people whose relationships with the coast are shaped by different experiences: the daily work and lived realities of fisherfolk and coastal communities, and the creative practices of photographers, artists and poets. Together, they will use photography and poetry to document the places, people and stories that shape the community. Anchored on the “Sama All” theme of Design Week Philippines, the activity highlights the role of collaboration in using the arts to foster community engagement, appreciate local heritage and encourage greater care for the environment. “Our coastal areas are not just landscapes. They are part of our heritage, livelihood and identity. For fisherfolk, the sea is also where their livelihoods are rooted. Through photography, we can document what we have, show what is at risk and help more people understand why our bays and coastal communities are worth protecting,” said Allan Espallardo, president of the Save Gubat Bay Movement. Photography also serves as a way to preserve community memory and create conversations about place. For Kurit-Lagting Art Collective, the photowalk provides an opportunity to bring people together through visual storytelling. “When we photograph our communities and coastlines, we create visual records of our heritage while opening conversations about what we value and what we need to protect. Lakad-Lente is our way of bringing people together to look, create and tell these stories collectively,” said Allan Abrigo, walk leader and co-founder of Kurit-Lagting Art Collective. Poetry adds another dimension to the experience, allowing participants to interpret the coastal landscape through words, memory and emotion. “Photography captures what we see, while poetry gives voice to what we feel. Bringing them together allows us to tell a deeper story about our bay, our community and our shared responsibility to protect it,” said Geri Matthew “Choi” Carretero, co-founder of Kurit-Lagting Art Collective. The collaboration also creates an opportunity for photography and poetry to meet in one shared creative experience. Jessa Erandio, representative of Rhymes of PEG, said the group was looking forward to exploring this combination. “This is the first time that photography and poetry will be combined in one event, and we are really looking forward to it. As artists, it feels like enjoying the best of both worlds in a single event, and that in itself is a masterpiece. We also hope that through this activity, we can raise greater awareness about the situation in Gubat Bay and encourage more people to join the cause,” said Erandio. The same spirit of collaboration extends to the way participants will experience and interpret the place. Biernes Atrece, founding partner of MaLikhain Studio, said the photowalk would offer an opportunity to see the same landscape through different perspectives. “This photowalk is a wonderful way of bringing diverse perspectives together, creating a collective experience where we not only capture the world through our own lenses, but also discover, learn and share through the eyes of others,” said Atrece. The creative process can also help amplify stories from local communities. “Photography gives communities a powerful way to document and share their stories. We hope to help amplify these local narratives and bring them to wider audiences,” said Rey Anugon, president of Friends of Saint Mary MacKillop, Inc. For Gadgetry City, supporting the photowalk is a way to support those who use photography to tell stories and preserve memories. “Every photograph captures more than a moment. It captures a story. Gadgetry City is proud to support those who use photography to turn moments into memories and make Sorsogon worth remembering,” said Dudz Clotario, COO of Gadgetry City. Through LAKAT-LENTE nan RAWIT-DAWIT SA BAYBAYON, participants are invited to see photography not only as an art form, but also as a means of documenting heritage, telling environmental stories and building community connections. By bringing artists and photographers together with fisherfolk and coastal communities, the activity creates space for local experiences and perspectives to become part of the stories being told through the event. The activity builds on Kurit-Lagting’s continuing efforts to bring creative practice into communities and create meaningful conversations about place, culture and the environment. It also builds on the collective’s previous collaboration with the DTI Design Center of the Philippines, including Lakat-Lente in Pampanga in 2025, as well as Kurit-Lagting and SGBM’s earlier community engagement in Gubat in 2022. Following the photowalk, Kurit-Lagting Art Collective and Rhymes of PEG, in collaboration with Save Gubat Bay Movement, are also planning an exhibition featuring works and creative responses generated from the activity. The exhibition will provide another platform for participants, fisherfolk and the wider community to share their perspectives on Gubat’s coastal landscape and the stories connected to it. The event is supported by Delta Beta Omega Sorsogon (DBO), MaLikhain Studio, DigitalCrafters Printing Services, Gubat Photographers Club, Bicol Traveler, Friends of Saint Mary MacKillop, Inc. (FSMM), Anugon Water Refilling Station, Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative (GSAC), Gadgetry City and the Chancery. Their contributions help make the community-based creative initiative possible. LAKAT-LENTE nan RAWIT-DAWIT SA BAYBAYON is part of Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk 2026, Sorsogon Edition, bringing together photography, poetry and community participation in a shared creative experience along Gubat’s coast. Participants of the 2025 Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk in Sorsogon City, organized by Kurit-Lagting Art Collective. Photo walkers explored and documented local stories during the 2025 photowalk in Sorsogon City.

DAET, Camarines Norte --- More than 6,000 beneficiaries received government aid and services during the Handog ng Pangulo caravan at the University of Camarines Norte on Sept. 14, celebrating President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s birthday. “On behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I extend his heartfelt greetings and gratitude to all of you. Although the past few months have been challenging due to rising fuel prices, heavy rainfall, and flooding, we Filipinos always come together to overcome adversity, supporting one another in difficult times,” said Undersecretary Georgina Ann Hernandez-Yang of the Office of the Executive Secretary. Yang said that the celebration of the President’s birthday included providing government services directly to various cities and provinces. She added that the nationwide Handog ng Pangulo aimed to enable local and national government agencies to deliver healthcare services, employment and livelihood assistance, opportunities for students and workers, support for farmers, fisherfolk, and small business owners, as well as programs that address the needs of families and communities. “President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wanted his birthday celebration to focus on delivering government projects and public services directly to the people,” said Melody Relucio, Department of the Interior and Local Government director for Camarines Norte. “I want to express my gratitude to all the agencies because the assistance brought by Handog ng Pangulo is a huge help to the beneficiaries of our province,” said Gov. Ricarte Padilla. He said that the national government has not forgotten Camarines Norte, noting that the celebration proves its support is genuinely felt. The governor requested support for President Marcos Jr., whose sincerity he noted, and urged everyone to offer help, assistance, and prayers over the President’s remaining two years in office to ensure the administration’s success. “The success of the President is the success of every Filipino,” he said. During the event, the Department of Agriculture (DA) sold 100 sacks of rice available at P20 per kilo (Benteng Bigas) assisted by the National Food Authority and Food Terminal Inc. The DA also extended cash assistance under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program to 148 farmers in Daet town. “Happy Birthday, PBBM, ‘Idol po kita’ (You are my idol). Thank you for the P20-per-kilo rice; this is a tremendous help to me, especially since I wasn’t able to receive assistance from your other cash programs,” said Yolanda Austria, a senior citizen from Barangay Pasig, Daet, Camarines Norte. The National Irrigation Administration-Camarines Norte Irrigation Management Office inaugurated five units of Solar-Powered Irrigation Projects (SPIPs) worth some P45 million. Local farmers formally received ownership of these modern agricultural systems, which are expected to boost crop production through sustainable energy. Jocelyn Vega was one of the local landowners who donated a portion of her land in Barangay Pinagwarasan, Basud. The SPIP Pinagwarasan 2 facility is designed to irrigate 15 hectares of agricultural land and will benefit 33 farmers. “We are very grateful because we no longer have to rely solely on rainfall; previously, we couldn’t plant crops during the dry season,” Vega said. The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) featured agricultural and fishery products at the KADIWA ng Pangulo fair, alongside local goods featured under the Department of Trade and Industry’s One Town, One Product program. The Department of Agrarian Reform formally turned over a P680,000 ‘Kakanin Processing Facility’ to the Napilihan Agricultural Cooperative, while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, along with OPAg, distributed fingerlings to local fisherfolk. The DTI also facilitated loan releases, business registrations, and advisory counseling, while the Department of Migrant Workers Region 5 extended livelihood and financial assistance to beneficiaries. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office distributed tree seedlings alongside information, education, and communication (IEC) materials on land titling and other environmental programs. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conducted a jobs fair and payouts for 20 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program, 25 under the Government Internship Program, and 87 under the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES). A total of P617,977.75 in aid was provided to the beneficiaries. JC Jeremi Ropeta, a fourth-year college student at Mabini Colleges, was one of the 87 recipients who received P6,400 under DOLE’s SPES program. “This is a huge help for my tuition and other expenses in college, especially since my father earns a modest income as a track helper,” he said. The Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed P2,000 each under the second tranche of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) to 1,992 beneficiaries, while the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration provided Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay, the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program, and medical and bereavement assistance to 10 beneficiaries. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority provided scholarship allowances, vouchers, and starter toolkits to 357 beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education released Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education grants and scholarships to 30 beneficiaries, and the Department of Science and Technology provided applications for scholarships. Free medical, dental check-ups and medicines were the services provided by the Department of Health and the Provincial Health Office. The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. joined a nationwide activation program dubbed “YAKAP na Handog sa Pangulo,” which was a community-based event held at the venue, while the school-based event was simultaneously held at Daet Integrated School. The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian provided vaccinations, vitamins, and deworming for animals and pets. Other services were provided by the Philippine Statistics Authority for National ID registration, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology for social media training and eGovPH assistance. The National Bureau of Investigation provided free clearance processing for 200 individuals. Additionally, the Parole and Probation Administration, along with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, offered free legal assistance. Meanwhile, the Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office contributed by providing police clearances, help desk support, and hot meals through its Project BUSOG initiative. In addition, the University of Camarines Norte facilitated on-site college admission applications for prospective students. (Reynaldo Villamonte Jr. contributed to this story/PIABicol/Camarines Norte) National and local officials celebrate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s birthday during the “Handog ng Pangulo” event held on September 14, 2026, at the Gymnasium of the University of Camarines Norte. (PIA Camarines Norte)

QUEZON CITY --- The Social Security System (SSS) honored nearly 4,000 pensioners at its annual Pensioners’ Day celebration on 11 September 2026, held in 19 selected venues nationwide as part of the pension fund’s 69th anniversary. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph M. de Claro said the event recognizes pensioners’ years of hard work and contributions to the Philippine economy. “We institutionalized this activity as an expression of gratitude to them for their significant contribution to our society,” de Claro said, describing pensioners as pillars of nation- building. The celebration carried the anniversary theme, “Bawat Isa Protektado, Bawat Bukas Sigurado”, which underscores the SSS’ commitment to protecting workers, members and pensioners against life’s uncertainties while helping secure their families’ future. Pensioners urged to avail of Pension Loan Program De Claro encouraged retiree and surviving spouse pensioners to avail of the Pension Loan Program (PLP) to help meet their immediate financial needs. The SSS launched the PLP in September 2018 to provide retiree pensioners with access to low-interest loans without requiring ATM cards as collateral. In September 2025, the program was expanded to include surviving spouse pensioners, giving them access to safe and affordable credit. “The SSS pension loan is a secured cash loan with a transparent interest rate of 10% per year, computed based on a diminishing principal balance,” de Claro said. Qualified retiree pensioners may borrow an amount equivalent to three, six, nine, or 12 times their Aggregate Monthly Pension, subject to a maximum loan amount of ₱300,000. Available repayment terms are six, 12, and 24 months. “For qualified surviving spouse pensioners, the loan amount is equivalent to 50% of their Aggregate Monthly Pension multiplied by three, six, nine, or 12 months, subject to a maximum of ₱150,000. Available loan terms are six and 12 months,” he added. The Aggregate Monthly Pension consists of the basic monthly pension and the ₱1,000 additional benefit. A dependent’s pension is excluded from the computation. He said the SSS ensures that pensioner-borrowers retain a net take-home pension of at least 40% of their Aggregate Monthly Pension once monthly loan amortizations begin. Eligibility and application Retiree pensioners applying for the loan must be registered on the SSS website with updated contact information and an enrolled disbursement account. They must be 85 years old or younger at the end of the loan term, have no deductions from their monthly pension and have no existing advance pension under the SSS Calamity Loan Package. They must also have been receiving an active monthly pension for at least one month and must not have been disqualified because of fraud committed against the SSS. Surviving spouse pensioners must have an SS number and be registered on the SSS website with updated contact information and an enrolled disbursement account. Those who are not SSS members must secure an SS number as a surviving spouse pensioner before registering online. They must be at least 18 years old when applying and no older than 85 at the end of the loan term. They must have no pension deductions, no existing advance pension under the SSS Calamity Loan Package, and must have been receiving an active monthly pension for at least one month. Surviving spouse pensioners must also be the sole payee of the death benefit and must not have been disqualified because of fraud committed against the SSS. De Claro said that PLP applications can be filed either over-the-counter through the E- Centers of any SSS branch/service office, through E-Partners or online using the My.SSS account. “Pension loan proceeds will be credited to the borrower’s existing pensioner disbursement account or to another account enrolled through the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module,” he added.

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The city government here will begin disbursing cash incentives to teachers and employees via GCash, replacing traditional cash payouts and reducing the need for beneficiaries to queue. After Monday’s flag-raising ceremony, Legazpi City Mayor Hisham Ismail said in an interview that the initiative is part of the city government’s digital transformation program to improve public services. The digital payout system will cover teachers, city government employees, and uniformed personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Philippine National Police (PNP). Payouts are targeted to begin in December. Ismail said office heads were instructed to submit the names of employees to be included in the digital payout. “First of all, we thank GCash for providing free slots at no cost. This will include our workers, uniformed personnel, our partners from the BFP, BJMP, and PNP, as well as teachers for the digital payout this coming December,” Ismail said. The mayor said the initiative would also reduce the workload associated with traditional cash payouts, noting that City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) personnel had to process honoraria payouts until late December. Meanwhile, the city government has begun using GCash to distribute social pensions to senior citizens under its city-level program. Ismail said more than 100 of the city’s 3,522 social pensioners had already received their payouts through GCash. GCash registration is also being facilitated during payout activities, allowing more senior citizens to enroll in the digital payment system, he said. The mayor said the GCash cards are being provided free of charge through the city’s partnership with GCash, instead of the usual PHP250 fee. Ismail also encouraged senior citizens from the northern and southern barangays (villages) to use the digital payout system to avoid transportation costs when claiming their benefits in the city center. “Instead of spending PHP300 to PHP500 on transportation, only PHP10 to PHP15 will be deducted from your payout through GCash,” he said. Ismail added that all 70 barangays in the city have GCash payout stations, including stores that offer GCash services. CTO head Constance Oliveros said the shift to digital disbursement would simplify fund releases. She cited online disbursement and Republic Act No. 8792, or the Electronic Commerce Act, as part of the city’s move toward digital transactions. Oliveros said the city is helping teachers apply for GCash accounts and will assist those who encounter difficulties during the application process. Under a memorandum of agreement between the city government and GCash, Oliveros said more than 20,000 free GCash cards will be provided. The CTO is also considering extending the digital disbursement system to barangay health workers and other beneficiaries, including casual employees and job order workers. (PNA)

By Keren Anne Bernadas LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- College students from Capuy, West District, Sorsogon City, expressed their gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for the assistance they received through the Bagong Pilipinas Scholarship Program. During the awarding ceremony on September 15, the scholars said the support has encouraged them to persevere in their studies and work toward achieving their dreams. The Bagong Pilipinas Scholarship is supported through the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) of the Office of the President. It is a government assistance initiative that provides P20,000 to each presidential scholar. Qualified students in Sorsogon receive additional support to pursue their education and work toward building better opportunities for themselves and their families. Coming from a family of eight siblings, Arwin Anzano, a mechanical engineering student at Sorsogon State University (SSU), said he is on the path to becoming the first in his family to earn a college degree. “Balancing my academic needs alongside my family’s daily expenses has not been easy, but this financial assistance greatly eases our burden, allowing me to focus on my studies and my dream of becoming an engineer,” Anzano said. He added that the presidential scholarship is a “life-changing opportunity.” “This support does not only fuel my education; it gives hope to my entire family. I promise to work hard, honor this gift, and make this investment in my future truly worthwhile,” he said. Meanwhile, Kim Allen Sarminto, a mechanical technology student at SSU and the son of a solo parent who works as a food vendor, said the assistance has allowed him to continue his studies with less financial worry. “Because of this assistance, I am able to continue my studies with less financial worry and focus more on my school. I would like to sincerely thank President Marcos and all the people behind this assistance for believing students like me to achieve their dreams,” he said. For Rodolfo Luares Jr., a senior automotive technology student at SSU, the scholarship has provided much-needed support for his educational expenses. “This support is a great help to me and my family. I will use it for my school expenses, such as projects, school supplies, transportation, and other educational needs. “Because of this assistance, I am more motivated to work harder in my studies and pursue my dreams. Thank you, PBBM, for your kindness, support and generosity,” he said. The students said the scholarship has helped ease the financial challenges associated with pursuing higher education, allowing them to focus on their studies and stay motivated to complete their degrees. They also expressed appreciation for the government’s continued efforts to make education more accessible and provide opportunities for students from communities across the country. Among the scholars is Angela Faye Dometita, an elementary education student at SSU who also works as a student teacher at Capuy Integrated National School. As the eldest of six siblings, with her father as the sole provider, Dometita said the presidential scholarship will lessen their financial burden and allow her to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a professional teacher. “Thank you so much to PBBM, and to our barangay officials. This assistance is a great relief. I will always be forever grateful,” she said. Similarly, Charmaine Valladolid, an electronics technology student at SSU, said the assistance will enable her to complete her on-the-job training, particularly by helping her purchase the tools and electronic components needed for her major subjects. Coming from an extended family and with a father who works as a laborer earning minimum wage, Valladolid thanked the President and said she would make the scholarship meaningful by using it to support her education. Ramon Licup, barangay chairperson of Capuy, congratulated the students after they qualified for the scholarship. “Congratulations, our dear scholars! May you continue to aim high and make Barangay Capuy proud!” he said. (PIA Bicol)

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) has raised a Code Blue alert across the region following a 19-percent increase in dengue cases, prompting the mobilization of health resources and heightened preparedness. DOH-Bicol said Tuesday that records from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit showed 2,167 dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Sept. 5, up 19 percent from the same period last year. The increase has also placed pressure on health facilities across the region, with dengue bed utilization reaching 107 percent as of Sept. 17, exceeding available capacity. Through Regional Memorandum 2026-0165, the DOH Bicol CHD formally raised the Code Blue alert to strengthen preparedness and response measures amid the rising number of cases. The directive covers all DOH hospitals, Provincial DOH Offices, Health Emergency Management Services point persons, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health coordinators. It directs them to maintain heightened preparedness and submit flash reports on dengue-related incidents and other health emergencies. The Public Health Preparedness and Response Unit will also actively monitor dengue-related events and coordinate with local government units, health facilities, and partner agencies to ensure a unified response. The DOH-Bicol CHD likewise reminded the public to remain vigilant and take preventive measures against dengue through the 4S strategy: search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites; seek early consultation when symptoms appear; self-protect against mosquito bites; and support fogging or spraying in hotspot, clustering, and outbreak areas. The health agency said community participation remains important in preventing further transmission, particularly as health facilities continue to manage the growing demand for dengue-related care. (PNA)

Ni Sonny Malate Goa, Camarines Sur --- Sarong biktima nin pangbubully an suspetsado sa incidente nin paghuma sa social media na may papaboagon na bomba sa tolong mga escuelahan digdi, sarong privadong colegio asin duwang pampublicong secondarya. An incidente nagcausa nin pagkaalarma, hadit asin takot sa mga estudiantes asin personahes sa tolong escuelahan. Ini nagresulta sa pagsuspende kan klase asin pagkasibot kan Goa Municipal Police Station sa pangengenot ni PCPT Jesson Max F. Barcenas asin LGU sa pamamayo ni Alkaldesa Raquel S. Lim. Sa initial na pakikiulay ni Luz L Eguia, Social Welfare Officer II kan Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) ki alyas "Mark Anthony,' ini nagboyboy na siya biktima nin pangbubully sa escuelahan asin comunidad. Si Mark Anthony, 17 años, sarong residente kan poblacion digdi. Siya ika- walo sa siyam na magturogang, Grade 12 sa sarong pampublicong secondaryang escuelahan digdi, sarong kabale sa LGBTQIA+.community. Tios an saindang pamilya mantang an ama mayong trabaho huli sa helang na pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). An pagbuhay kan pamilya gikan sa pakikilabada kan ina. Duwa na lang sindang magtugang na kairiba kan magurang mientras na an iba pamilyado na. Maluhaluhang pigsaysay ni Mark Anthony an soboot pagkantyaw, pagmenos, pagngirit asin iba pang raot na ugaling ginigibo kan dakol na tawo sa saiya sa laog kan campus asin comunidad huli sa saiyang hirohiro, pagtaram asin hitsurang sa bakla. Huli kaini, siya nakamati nin magkaharalong anggot, pagkaherak sa sadiri, pagkauri sa iba asin depresyon na pigsasadiri sana niya sa halawig nang mga taon. An ginibong bomb threat ni Mark Anthony posibleng sarong manifestasyon kan "paglaban" niya sa makuris saka mapanghusgar na sociodad. Dagdag pang stress ki Mark Anthony iyo an makuring pagtios kan saindang pamilya, Naglalakaw sana siya sa paglaog asin pag-uli hale sa escuelahan. Nadedeficilan man siyang magcomple kan mga project sa klase huli sa kawaran nin kwarta. Segun ki Eguia, sa presente, si 'Mark Anthony' nasa Metro Manila para sa atencion medical. Siya may contact sa pamilya niya asin ini mauli sa Bicol kun kinakaipohan an presencia Dagdag kan SWO II nakicoordinar na sinda sa escuelahan kan suspetsado tanganing makagraduar ini posible sa paaging modular, ALS, face to face class o magbalyong escuelahan ini. Mientrastanto, segun ki Eguia dae pa ninda masabi kun dae makakasohan kan institution, individual o kan PNP Anti Cyber Crime Unit mismo an estudiante. Kun mangyari ini, nag-asegurar siya na si Mark Anthony protehido kan mga leyes para sa sarong menor de edad. Katakod kaini, si Jocelyn Peralta, pamayo kan MSWDO asin si Eguia nangapodan sa mga magurang na higot na imonitor an paggamit kan saindang mga aki nin gadget tanganing mairayo sa kararatan sa social media orug na an cyber crime, kausmakan asin violencia. Siring man, sinda nag-apelar sa comunidad na isikwal an gawing pangbubully asin pagmaltrato sa kapwa. An arog kaining negatibong situacion minacausa nin anggot, depresyon asin pagrebelde na magkaminsan minaresulta sa violencia. Miembros kan Goa MPS nagdidistribuer nin fliers dapit sa Anti-Cyber Law sa publico. (Photo - Bicol Mail)