Search Results

By Jordan Domingo IRIGA CITY --- Police arrested two suspected drug personalities and seized suspected shabu worth about P88,400 during the implementation of a search warrant in Barangay San Francisco, Iriga City on Monday afternoon, July 27. Arrested were aliases “Biboy,” 30, unemployed and a resident of Iriga City, and “Cole,” 19, a resident of Nabua who is currently staying in Iriga City. Authorities said operatives from the Iriga City Police Station’s City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) and intelligence unit, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region V, served a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 9165. Seized during the operation were 13 heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 13 grams with an estimated standard drug price of P88,400. Police said the seized items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the required witnesses. The suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and taken to the Iriga City Police Station for documentation. The confiscated substances will be submitted to the Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory examination while charges for violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 are being prepared. Man arrested, firearms seized BALATAN, Camarines Sur --- Authorities arrested a 40-year-old man and confiscated several firearms and ammunition during the implementation of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, in Barangay Siramag, Balatan on Monday morning, July 27. The suspect, identified only by the alias “Mar,” is currently under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Camarines Sur Provincial Field Unit. The operation was led by the CIDG Camarines Sur PFU with support from the Philippine National Police Special Action Force, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5, Camarines Sur Maritime Police Station, and the Balatan Municipal Police Station. Recovered from the suspect’s possession were a .38-caliber revolver without serial number, a .45-caliber pistol marked “AFP,” live ammunition for both firearms, three magazines, several 5.56-mm rounds, a sling bag, and a belt bag. Police said all seized items were properly marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the suspect and required witnesses. The evidence remains under the custody of the operating unit. The suspect was apprised of his constitutional rights and brought to the CIDG Camarines Sur PFU for documentation and appropriate legal proceedings. Buy-bust operation PILI, Camarines Sur --- A suspected drug peddler was arrested while his alleged cohort escaped during a buy-bust operation conducted by police in Barangay New San Roque, Pili, on Tuesday afternoon, July 28. Police identified the arrested suspect only as alias “Yanyan,” 29, a farmer and resident of Pili. His alleged companion, alias “Tagalog,” managed to flee and remains at large. According to police, operatives of the Pili Municipal Police Station’s Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region V, arrested the suspect after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu worth P500 to an undercover police officer. Recovered from the suspect were the marked P500 buy-bust money, four additional sachets containing suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, and other items. Authorities estimated the total weight of the seized suspected shabu at 0.59 gram with an estimated street value of P4,012. Police said charges for violations of Sections 5, 11, and 12 of Article II of Republic Act 9165 are being prepared against the arrested suspect. Authorities added that a records check showed the escaped suspect, alias “Tagalog,” has an existing warrant of arrest for frustrated homicide.

By Joela Mizchelle D. Dacillo For many Bicolano communities, the sea is not only a view from the shore. It is food on the table, work for the family, protection from storms, and part of everyday life. From the fishing grounds of Camarines Sur and Albay to the coastal barangays facing the Pacific, the health of our marine and coastal resources directly affects the safety, income, and future of our people. Yet these resources are under growing pressure. Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and fishing grounds are being threatened by overfishing, pollution, coastal development, climate change, and stronger typhoons. When these ecosystems weaken, fish catch declines, shorelines become more exposed, and coastal families become more vulnerable. This is why Marine and Coastal Resource Management must be treated not as an optional program, but as an urgent local priority. It is a practical approach to managing the use of coastal and marine resources while protecting the ecosystems that sustain communities. At the heart of effective coastal management is community participation. Fishers, gleaners, coastal residents, barangay leaders, and people’s organizations should not be treated only as beneficiaries. They are frontliners and stewards of the sea. Their knowledge of fishing seasons, spawning areas, currents, traditional grounds, and changes in the coast is valuable in planning and decision-making. Marine Protected Areas are also important. Properly managed no-take zones allow fish populations and habitats to recover. Over time, these protected areas can help replenish nearby fishing grounds through the movement of fish larvae and adult fish into surrounding waters. However, MPAs should not exist only on paper. They need clear rules, regular monitoring, community support, and fair enforcement. Equally important is Integrated Coastal Zone Management. The problems of the sea often begin on land. Waste from households, farms, rivers, businesses, and poorly planned settlements eventually reaches the coast. This means that coastal protection must involve not only fisheries offices, but also agriculture, environment, tourism, disaster risk reduction, planning, and barangay governance. Investing in coastal resource management is also a form of disaster preparedness. Healthy coral reefs can absorb much of the energy of incoming waves, reducing the force that reaches the shore. Studies have shown that healthy coral reefs can reduce wave energy by up to 97%, making them an important natural defense for coastal communities. Mangroves also serve as natural barriers that help protect coastal settlements from waves, erosion, and storm impacts. For Bicol, where many communities face both the sea’s abundance and its dangers, protecting coastal ecosystems is a matter of survival and responsibility. Stronger coastal management can support food security, sustainable tourism, fisheries livelihood, and climate resilience. It can also reduce future costs from disaster damage, habitat loss, and declining fish catch. The blue horizon must not be treated as an endless resource. It needs guardians - communities, schools, local governments, fisherfolk, researchers, and citizens working together. If we protect our reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and fishing grounds today, we protect not only nature, but also the lives and livelihoods of the next generation.

THE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hold the ground-breaking ceremony for the Naga Philippines Temple on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., marking a significant milestone for the Church and its growing membership in the Philippines. The ceremony will be presided over by Elder Steven D. Shumway of the Philippines Area Presidency. According to the Church, the temple will rise on a 3.7-hectare site in Barangay Concepcion Grande, Naga City. The project includes the construction of a one-story temple with an estimated floor area of 1,750 square meters, along with an ancillary building and a meetinghouse. Church leaders described the ground-breaking as a sacred and meaningful event that reflects the continued growth of the faith and its commitment to strengthening families and communities. Unlike meetinghouses or chapels where members gather for regular Sunday worship, temples hold a special place in the faith. They are regarded as the House of the Lord, where members participate in sacred ordinances and make covenants centered on the teachings of Jesus Christ. These include marriage and other religious ordinances that emphasize the eternal nature of families. Once construction begins, the Naga Philippines Temple will become the third temple currently under construction in the Philippines, underscoring the Church’s continued expansion in the country. The Church said there are now more than 900,000 Latter-Day Saints worshipping across the Philippines. The invitation to the ground-breaking was extended by the Naga Area Communication Coordinating Council, headed by Melvi A. Briones, PhD, who serves as its director. She said that among the confirmed attendees are the Naga City officials, Punong Barangays, Mayors of different towns in Metro Naga, key personnel of the Bicol Medical Center, mall managers and administrators.

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday warned the public against scammers using the name of Monetary Board Member Benjamin Diokno to solicit donations for supposed charitable causes. In an advisory, the central bank said scammers have falsely claimed to represent the BSP or its officials, sending electronic messages asking targeted individuals to make donations. The messages include bank account details supposedly belonging to the intended charitable organizations. “The BSP emphasizes that the central bank and its officials and personnel neither solicit donations, sponsorships, or financial assistance from the public, nor facilitate these activities for charitable organizations,” the advisory read. The BSP urged the public to verify the authenticity of any message or document claiming to involve the central bank, the Monetary Board, or BSP personnel by emailing bspmail@bsp.gov.ph or calling its hotline at (+632) 8811-1277 or 8811-1BSP. Meanwhile, BSP General Counsel Roberto Figueroa said the central bank has been coordinating with law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), which has filed more than 500 cases involving violations of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA). JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS, GMA News

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- A total of 281 officers from the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) were promoted to the next higher rank at a ceremony held at Camp Simeon Ola here on Wednesday. P RO-5 director Brig. Gen. Erosita Miranda, who led the ceremony, called on the newly promoted second-level uniformed personnel to embrace their new ranks as a greater responsibility during the simultaneous oath-taking, donning, and pinning of ranks. “Promotion is not just a new rank or a higher rank. Accept your promotion as a challenge,” Miranda said during his speech. He added that every promotion brings greater leadership responsibilities, citing officers promoted from police captain to police major who will now be entrusted with more personnel and heavier obligations. “With these new challenges, you must continue to expand your knowledge, gain more experience, undergo further training, and prepare yourself for greater responsibilities,” he said. Miranda also encouraged the newly promoted personnel to uphold integrity and professionalism by discarding undesirable practices and emulating good examples within the police service. The promoted personnel included 58 majors, three captains, 36 lieutenants, two executive master sergeants, 15 chief master sergeants, four senior master sergeants, 10 master sergeants, 83 staff sergeants and 70 corporals. (PNA)

By Marlon Atun LEGAZPI CITY --- For years, fisherfolk in Bulan, Sorsogon, have faced a common challenge: abundant catches during peak seasons but limited space, insufficient ice supply, and significant post-harvest losses that affect their income greatly. The inadequate supply of ice and lack of cold storage facilities compel many fishermen to either sell their catch at lower prices or discard unsold fish before they reach the market. This unfortunate situation is now set to change. During an on-site visit and dialogue with fisherfolk and stakeholders at the Bulan Fish Port, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the approval of a major expansion of the facility, transforming its current size from 1.8 hectares into a five-hectare modern fish port complex. “From the current 1.8 hectares, this will expand to 5 hectares. We will establish a smokehouse, a fish dryer, and a fishmeal plant here in Bulan,” Tiu Laurel said in Filipino. “This is no longer just a plan; we are going to make it happen. We will fund this initiative,” he added, emphasizing that the project aligns with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s goal of uplifting fishing communities and strengthening local food systems. He continued, “Let’s help the President monitor the construction and completion of this project because it is for you.” “The President is focused on your needs,” Tiu Laurel told the fisherfolk. “Just a little more time, and you will see the change—this project will strengthen your livelihoods.” The expansion, estimated to cost P800 million, includes the construction of key post-harvest and value-added facilities, such as a smokehouse, a fish dryer, and a fishmeal plant. An initial P150 million has already been allocated for 2026, and the remaining funds have been approved for rollout before 2028. For the fisherfolk, the impact goes beyond just infrastructure. A larger port means faster unloading of catches, reduced congestion, and decreased spoilage—issues that have long affected Bulan’s fishing industry. “When the port is more spacious, transactions will be quicker, and the quality of the fish will improve,” said BFAR Bicol Regional Director Ariel Pioquinto. “This will significantly strengthen our post-harvest programs and help ensure better prices for our fisherfolk,” he said. Complementing the port expansion is a strengthened cold chain system. A newly completed ice plant and storage facility, with a capacity of 60 metric tons, built by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), became fully operational in July 2026. The facility can produce ice within 24 hours and is equipped with a standby generator to ensure continuous operation, even during power outages, according to Romy Escandor, PFDA Bulan Port Manager. Ice blocks will be sold at P150 per 50-kilogram block, providing affordable access to preservation materials for fisherfolk, Escandor said. Recognizing seasonal demand—particularly during peak tamban fishing months—Tiu Laurel announced plans to install an additional ice plant and deploy break ice machines to augment supply immediately. After the expansion, it is expected to provide up to 100-120 metric tons of ice production per day during peak season. “Our goal is that 90 to 95 percent of the catch is properly iced and preserved, to minimize spoilage,” Tiu Laurel stated. “The Philippine Fish Port Development Authority (PFDA), as a government-owned and controlled corporation under the Department of Agriculture, will manage the operations of the fish port and related projects in Bulan,” said Glenn Panggpalan, the PFDA General Manager. For local fisherfolk like Joel Hona, chairperson of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, this development addresses a long-standing issue. “In the past, fish were being thrown away because there was a shortage of ice. When ice is scarce, prices drop,” Hona explained. He also mentioned that congestion at the port posed safety risks. “When boats arrive simultaneously, accidents occur due to the crowded berthing area,” Hona added. “Now, the ice plant is a significant help in ensuring that the catch won’t go to waste,” he said. “The expansion provides great relief for better unloading of the catch.” Bulan Mayor Romeo Gordola expressed gratitude to the national government, calling the project a “long-awaited dream” for the municipality. “This is a huge benefit for the people of Bulan. Thank you to the President and the Department of Agriculture for hearing our fishermen’s dreams,” he said. Fish brokers and traders also view the expansion as a catalyst for local economic growth. “When the port is more organized, and there is adequate ice, local trade will flourish,” said local fish broker Ely Valeriano. “Thank you to Secretary Tiu Laurel for visiting us here in Bulan and bringing good news to our community and fishermen,” Valeriano added. “Thank you, President Bongbong Marcos, for the improvements in Bulan; we are already seeing positive changes,” he concluded. (Keren Anne Bernadas contributed to this report/PIA Bicol)

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Social Security System - Legazpi Branch will start releasing the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program cash aid for qualified beneficiaries through their accredited bank accounts, an official said Tuesday. In an interview, Jeanette Mapa, SSS Legazpi regional communications officer, said the UPLIFT Program will provide PHP2,000 in monthly assistance from July to December 2026. Mapa said the release of the assistance began last week at the central office, adding that qualified beneficiaries will be notified directly through their My.SSS accounts. To qualify, members must be employed and listed in the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System, have a monthly salary credit equivalent to an income of PHP20,000 or below, have at least one posted SSS contribution from 2025 to 2026, and have an enrolled disbursement account through the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module in their My.SSS account as of April 30, 2026. She reminded members to remain vigilant against scammers taking advantage of the program. “We advise members not to respond to text messages or emails asking for one-time passwords or directing them to click suspicious links,” Mapa said. She also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call during his fifth State of the Nation Address for more Filipinos, particularly those in the informal sector, to become active SSS members. “We are grateful that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recognized the SSS during his fifth State of the Nation Address by highlighting our 44 million members. We are also pleased that he encouraged more Filipinos, particularly those in the informal sector, to become active SSS members,” she said. Mapa said the President’s message reinforces the importance of social security coverage, noting that SSS membership provides protection not only to members but also to their families. “SSS membership is more than just social protection. It is also a form of savings and investment that members and their families can rely on during life’s contingencies, such as sickness, maternity, disability, death, and retirement,” she said. She encouraged Bicolanos, particularly self-employed individuals and workers in the informal sector, to register with the SSS and regularly pay their contributions to secure future benefits. “By paying their contributions regularly, they can secure benefits today and look forward to receiving a retirement pension in the future,” Mapa said. (PNA)

By CBCP News Catholic bishops from across Asia closed a week-long summit Sunday with a call to build “bridges, not barriers” across a continent strained by war, migration and inequality. The message came at the end of the 12th plenary assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, which brought together cardinals and bishops from 22 member episcopal conferences for six days of prayer and discussion in the Indonesian capital. In their closing statement, the bishops said Christ himself should be seen as a “living bridge” connecting heaven and earth, and that the church in Asia is called to follow that example in a time of division. “Our faith calls us to build bridges and not barriers,” the bishops wrote, pointing to their visit to the passage connecting Jakarta’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption with the Istiqlal Mosque as proof the idea can work in practice. The bishops listed the challenges they say are testing the region: political polarization, the weakening of global institutions, fast-moving technology, migration, environmental damage, shrinking room for democracy, and growing gaps between rich and poor. Rather than treating those problems only as threats, the bishops said they see them as opportunities for the church to demonstrate its values through education, interfaith dialogue, hospitality and support for the poor. The bishops also pointed to a problem closer to home: clericalism, or excessive power held by clergy, which they said can get in the way of shared decision-making within the church. “This calls us to ongoing pastoral and synodal conversion, fostering a culture of listening, shared discernment, and servant leadership,” they said. In a video message to the assembly, Pope Leo XIV told the bishops that closer unity among Asia’s local churches is key to carrying out their mission as bridge builders in a region with many religions and cultures. The message leaned heavily on the idea of “synodality,” a term Pope Leo XIV and his predecessor, Pope Francis, have used to describe a more collaborative, listening-based style of church leadership, in contrast to top-down decision-making by clergy alone. The bishops also pledged to walk with other faiths as “fellow pilgrims” in the search for truth, justice and peace, and to stand with the poor and vulnerable as they push for stronger environmental protections. “We renew our commitment to walk together in an ecumenical way as a missionary synodal Church with our neighbor religions and cultures, recognizing them as fellow pilgrims seeking truth, justice, peace, and the care of our common home,” they added. The message was delivered during the assembly’s closing Mass at Jakarta Cathedral by Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon was one of the delegates at the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference (FABC) 12th Plenary Assembly held in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 20-26. The Assembly, which largely focused on synodality, also discussed servant leadership, discernment, regional partnership, and evangelization. (Photo credit: Radio Veritas Asia/Facebook)

By Ishmael Adibuah/EWTN News Ahead of the 2028 ecclesial assembly for the Synod on Synodality, the Vatican has called on dioceses to provide an assessment of their implementation of synodality. The General Secretariat of the Synod published the document “Recollecting” on July 27, providing diocesan synodal teams with a resource to draft their reflections on their progress since the diocesan phase began in October 2021. In the accompanying press release, Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the synod, explained that the notes are intended to help local Churches “recollect” their synodal journey with gratitude. “Evaluation is not a technical exercise but an experience of gratitude and truth,” Grech said. “Recollecting means recognizing what the Lord has brought to maturity in the journey of our communities and allowing ourselves to be guided towards the next steps.” The recollecting phase is part of the 2028 preparation for synodal teams and will culminate in a broader reflection during the first half of 2027. Each diocese is to prepare two documents around that time: a narrative report and a letter to the other Churches. The document “Recollecting” called for discussions about the challenges facing synodality at the local level, including resistance. “Particular attention should be given to the difficulties encountered, resistance to renewal, obstacles that have hindered the journey, unsuccessful attempts and questions that remain open,” the document stated. The recollecting phase of the synod’s implementation path is one of four preparatory stages before the ecclesial assembly in 2028. The other three are “Interpreting” in the second half of 2027, “Orienting” in the first four months of 2028, and “Celebrating” in October 2028. Sorsogon Bishop Jose Alan Dialogo facilitated the Clergy recollection of their Diocese last July 20, reflecting on the ten points of a Synodal Church. (Photo credit: Diocese of Sorsogon/Facebook)

The visitation of the sacred images of El Divino Rostro and Inâ, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, to the different chapels, schools and offices under the jurisdiction of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Bombon, Camarines Sur, culminated with a fluvial procession at the Sto. Domingo River. Many devotees participated in the annual tradition, in time for the feasts of El Divino Rostro and Inâ in September. (Photo credit: Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish Social Communications Ministry/Facebook)

Upper Photo: Two teenage boxers exchange punches during the 1st Bula Masarig Boxing Tournament, officiated by a DepEd-ABAP referee/judge at the Bula Municipal Covered Court/Sports Complex on July 18, 2026, one of the highlights of the Municipality of Bula's pre-fiesta celebration. Center Photo: Round girls Kaith Angel Soliman (left) and Jasmine Joy Flotildes (right) pose with DepEd-ABAP National Referee/Judge Richard Bechayda of San Fernando, Camarines Sur. Also present is Bula Mayor Manuel "Nonoy" Ibasco Jr., who expressed his full support for the tournament. Lower Photo: DepEd-ABAP National Referee/Judge Angelo C. Baguio briefs the participating boxers before the start of the tournament. The event is headed by retired principal Jimmy Sertan, also a DepEd-ABAP National Referee/Judge. The tournament is primarily sponsored by the LGU of Bula, through the Bula Tourism, Culture and Arts Office, in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, which provided the boxing ring and other equipment. Alex B. Bustamante