The employees of the Catanduanes Government are ready to whisk their skills today, March 11, 2025 as the 3-day Community-Based Training Program of Bread and Cake Making kicks off at the Provincial Capitol Dome. With 50 participants in attendance, this interactive training and lecture, in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Provincial Training Center, is designed to equip the employees with invaluable skills and knowledge, providing them with opportunities to generate additional income. On the first day, the participants engaged with an orientation and lecture, followed by the turn-over of baking tools and equipment which will be used in their hands-on training during the upcoming days. This TESDA program is held annually, with at least one or two conducted each year, aimed at further fostering skill development and community growth.            

The Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC), Provincial Council for the Protection of Children, and the Provincial Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children convened a Joint Council Meeting at the Provincial Capitol Dome, on March 5. A key highlight of the meeting was the announcement by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that the Catanduanes Local Council for the Protection of Children ranked 2nd regionwide, while the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (LCAT-VAWC) ranked 4th regionwide for the year 2023. Additionally, the DILG reported that the municipalities of Caramoran, San Miguel, and Virac have successfully completed 100% of their projects and implementations under the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP). The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office also reported that, from 2018 to the present, eight former rebels have surrendered and received financial and livelihood assistance from the Provincial Government of Catanduanes. Other key topics discussed during the meeting included the status of VAWC cases and strategies to address them, as presented by the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office. Additionally, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency provided updates on the status of barangay drug clearing efforts and ongoing operations.            

The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, in partnership with Veragon Technologies, held the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the new CamSur Manufacturing Hub on February 26, 2025 at the Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili. Present during the ceremony were CamSur Gov/ Luigi Villafuerte, Congressman Lray Villafuerte, Veragon Technologies CEO Dr. Alessio Lucattelli, Business Development Director Stephen White, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque. “With the addition of Veragon’s air-to-water facility here in CamSur, we are becoming a beacon of renewable energy and environmental stewardship. This development brings tremendous benefits, creating jobs, stimulating local businesses, and enhancing our infrastructures. But more importantly, they lay the groundwork for a greener, more resilient future for our children and the generations to come,” shared Governor Luigi. The CamSur Manufacturing Hub is the first atmospheric water generator (AWG) state-of-the-art facility in the country that converts air humidity into clean, safe, and mineralized drinking water. Through this, the supply of potable water will become more sustainable and accessible to all Camarinenses.  

  A hawksbill sea turtle was returned to the sea after being accidentally caught by a local fisherman the previous day. Julie Taniegra, a resident of Barangay Bote, Catanduanes unintentionally captured the turtle during a fishing trip last Sunday, February 9, and immediately turned it over to authorities. The turtle, measuring 34 cm in carapace length, 31 cm in width, and weighing 3.5 kg, was released off the coast of Bote, Bato, Catanduanes. Officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) oversaw the release, ensuring its safe return to its natural habitat.  

Bilang bahagi ng pagpapalakas ng pagtugon sa mga kalamidad, inilunsad ng Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) ang Project Resilient Emergency Communications for Enhanced Disaster Response (Project REACHED) sa Catanduanes. Ang proyekto ay isang kolaborasyon ng PDRF at ng Australian Government, na layong mapabuti ang komunikasyon at mabilisang pag-responde sa oras ng sakuna. Ipinahayag ni Mr. Joshua V. Frilles, Procurement and Finance Officer ng PDRF, ang mga resulta ng kanilang mga aktibidad sa isang pagpupulong kay Gov. Joseph C. Cua ngayong araw. Binanggit nito ang matagumpay na pagsasagawa ng Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) Training sa mga opisyal ng barangay sa Dugui Too, Dugui Wala, at Dugui San Isidro. Layunin ng pagsasanay na matutunan ng mga lokal na opisyal ang tamang pamamaraan ng pag-assess ng pinsala at pagkolekta ng mga pangangailangan matapos ang isang kalamidad. Dagdag pa rito, nakatanggap ang tatlong barangay ng Dugui ng Starlink internet services upang matugunan ang kakulangan ng internet connectivity sa kanilang lugar, na magpapadali sa mga aktibidad at komunikasyon sa oras ng kalamidad. Sa kasalukuyan, isinasagawa ang Emergency Communication Training at Radio Operator Licensing mula Pebrero 6 hanggang 7, 2025. Ang mga pagsasanay ay isinasagawa kasama ang PDRRMO Catanduanes, MDRRMO ng Virac, Baras, at Bato, pati na rin ang Office of Civil Defense R5, sa mga barangay ng Dugui. Ang mga hakbang na ito ay bahagi ng patuloy na pagsisikap na maghanda at magbigay ng agarang tugon sa mga kalamidad sa lalawigan ng Catanduanes.    

Camp BGen Efigenio C. Navarro, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro – The Police Regional Office MIMAROPA (PRO MIMAROPA), led by Brig.Gen. Roger Quesada, continues its intensified anti-illegal drug campaign, arresting 35 drug suspects and confiscating 146.98 grams of shabu worth nearly P1 million in the first 29 days of 2025. According to data from the PNP Drug-Related Data Integration and Generation System (DRDIGS) of the Regional Operations Division, PRO MIMAROPA conducted 31 successful anti-drug operations from January 1 to 29, 2025. The latest arrests are part of  ntensified anti-drug strategy, launched upon assuming office in December 2023, which led to a significant increase in enforcement effort. In 2024, PRO MIMAROPA conducted 402 operations, resulting in 475 arrests and the confiscation of 15,391.57 grams of illegal drugs worth PhP101.6 million, compared to 339 operations, 388 arrests, and 3,041.86 grams of illegal drugs worth PhP8.57 million in 2023. “These accomplishments reflect the tireless dedication of our operatives and our strong partnerships with various PNP units in keeping our communities safe,” said Quesada. One of the most recent operations resulted in the apprehension of alias “Volter,” a 56-year-old suspected street-level drug dealer, in Purok Pagkakaisa 2, Brgy. Panacan 1, Narra, Palawan, on January 29, 2025. In a joint operation conducted by the Narra Municipal Police Station and the Palawan PPO Drug Enforcement Unit, authorities seized 7.73 grams of suspected shabu worth PhP35,000, along with buy-bust money and drug paraphernalia. Undercover officers posed as buyers during the operation, purchasing a sachet of shabu worth PhP1,000 from the suspect before making the arrest. “Volter” is now in police custody and faces charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Quesada commended the dedication of law enforcement personnel and reaffirmed PRO MIMAROPA’s commitment to its intensified anti-drug campaign. “Our success in these operations is a testament to the dedication and bravery of our personnel. We recognize their relentless efforts and assure them of PRO MIMAROPA’s full support in the fight against illegal drugs.” The MIMAROPA top cop assured the public that PRO MIMAROPA remains committed to enhancing operational strategies, expanding intelligence-driven operations, and strengthening collaborations with various agencies. “We are continuously refining our enforcement strategies, increasing community engagement, and utilizing advanced technology to strengthen our anti-drug operations. We will not stop. Our campaign against illegal drugs will continue, and we will remain relentless in our pursuit of a safer MIMAROPA,” Quesada added.      

Tinatayang mahigit 3,000 pamilya mula sa mga bayan ng San Miguel at Caramoran ang muling nakatanggap ng 10-kilong NFA rice noong Enero 24, 2025, bilang bahagi ng programang early recovery efforts ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Catanduanes. Sa ilalim ng nasabing hakbang, 2,197 pamilya mula sa pitong barangay ng Caramoran at 974 pamilya mula sa apat na barangay ng San Miguel ang nakinabang mula sa pamamahagi ng bigas. Ayon sa lokal na pamahalaan, isang araw bago ito, namahagi rin sila ng parehong halaga ng bigas sa bayan ng Panganiban bilang bahagi ng patuloy na programa ng tulong sa mga naapektuhan ng kalamidad. Ang nasabing early recovery response ay inaasahang magpapatuloy sa mga susunod na araw upang matulungan ang mga pamilyang labis na apektado ng mga kalamidad at mapabilis ang kanilang pagbangon. (Catanduanes PIO)      

By AJEspiritu, Albay PIO   LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD Field Office 5-Bicol) has extended immediate aid to families affected by two fire incidents in Legazpi City, Albay. Two Family Food Packs (FFPs) and other non-food items, totaling over P9,000, were provided to the affected family in Purok 5, Barangay Rawis, Legazpi City. Additionally, the family will receive financial and funeral assistance through DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) after losing two family members in the tragedy. Meanwhile, similar relief items valued at nearly P14,000 were also provided to the victims of a fire incident in Barangay 17, Ilawod, Legazpi City. Three establishments, including a boarding house, were destroyed in the fire, which resulted in the death of a 19-year-old tenant. The family of the deceased is set to receive assistance, including funeral aid, from the agency. Currently, DSWD Bicol is working closely with the Local Government Unit of Legazpi and other concerned offices to further assist the bereaved family.  

By EDumlao, Albay PIO   LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — Patuloy ang abiso ng Provicial Tourism,Culture (PTCAO) sa mga ipinagbabawal na aktibidad malapit sa bulkang Mayon. Ayon kay Dorothy F. Colle, Albay Provincial Tourism Officer, pinagbabawal ang mga aktibidad na gaya ng summit trekking o ang pag-akyat malapit sa aktibong bulkan. Ito ay dahil sa mga naitatala pa rin na rockfall event mula rito. Samantala, ang mga aktibidad lamang sa Mayon Skyline Viewdeck at Mayon SkyDrive ATV Adventure ang maari sa kasalukuyan.