SORSOGON CITY, Philippines – The Maritime Industry Authority Regional Office V (MARINA V) joined government agencies, local government units, tourism officers, and key stakeholders during the Joint 2nd Quarter Meeting of the Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Planning Committee (SPTPC) and the Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Development Council (SPTDC) held at the War Room, SPDRRMO Building, Capitol Compound, Sorsogon City. Organized by the Sorsogon Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts Office (SPTCAO), the meeting served as a vital platform for strengthening inter-agency collaboration and advancing tourism development initiatives throughout the province. The gathering brought together representatives from National Government Agencies (NGAs), Municipal and City Tourism Offices, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and tourism stakeholders to discuss programs, accomplishments, and strategic directions for the tourism sector. During the meeting, participating agencies presented their respective mandates and milestones, providing updates on programs and services that contribute to the growth and sustainability of Sorsogon’s tourism industry. MARINA V highlighted its role in supporting maritime tourism through the promotion of safe, secure, and efficient maritime operations, as well as its continuing efforts in the registration and regulation of tourist boats and maritime transport services. The agenda also included discussions on the mandates of SPTPC members, the status of local tourism councils across the province’s local government units, and other matters essential to strengthening tourism governance and stakeholder engagement. A Signing of the Pledge of Commitment concluded the discussions, reaffirming the collective dedication of all participants toward fostering a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism industry in Sorsogon. MARINA V remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance maritime safety and contribute to the development of tourism destinations, recognizing the vital role of maritime transport in connecting communities, facilitating travel, and promoting economic growth across the province. Through continued collaboration among government agencies, local government units, and tourism stakeholders, Sorsogon moves closer to realizing its vision of becoming a premier and sustainable tourism destination in the Bicol Region.

By Jason B. Neola, CMO-Public Information Division head   NAGA CITY, Philippines — An economics instructor at Ateneo de Naga University said Naga City’s conversion into a Highly Urbanized City (HUC) is expected to bring significant economic and administrative advantages, but emphasized that maintaining the city’s long-standing commitment to good governance will be crucial to its success. In an interview, Ms. Danielle Belen, an economics instructor at Ateneo de Naga University, said HUC status would improve the city’s investment climate by enhancing its profile among local and foreign investors. “HUC status often elevates a city’s standing as an economic center, making it more attractive to investments in real estate, commerce, tourism, information technology, healthcare, and education,” Belen said. She added that the city’s new status could spur increased economic activity through the expansion of businesses, infrastructure projects, and employment opportunities. According to Belen, investor confidence in Naga’s expanded role as a regional growth hub could help create more jobs and provide local graduates with access to a more competitive workforce environment. “The HUC status is an affirmation that Naga continues to become a progressive city and is growing efficiently,” she said. Belen also noted that HUC status would allow city officials to exercise greater control over local affairs, enabling them to focus more directly on urban concerns such as transportation, housing, waste management, traffic management, and public health services. She said improved autonomy could contribute to better urban planning and more responsive service delivery to residents. The economics instructor further emphasized that the city’s new classification could strengthen Naga’s regional competitiveness. Belen likewise pointed to the potential for enhanced fiscal management under HUC status. With greater flexibility in allocating and prioritizing resources based on local needs, the city government may be able to improve the efficiency of public spending and development programs, she explained. She also cited the possibility of increased support from the national government, noting that national agencies often recognize HUCs as major urban centers. This recognition, she said, could improve Naga’s access to national programs, infrastructure projects, and development initiatives that would further accelerate the city’s growth. However, Belen stressed that the city government must preserve the governance principles that have long distinguished Naga if it is to fully realize the benefits of its new status. She said the local government should continue to uphold its core values of transparency, accountability, and people’s participation and empowerment in decision-making and governance. “With Naga’s best practices in governance, there’s no doubt that it can become a successful Highly Urbanized City,” Belen said. She added that sustaining these principles would help ensure that the gains from urbanization and economic growth translate into inclusive development and improved quality of life for Nagueños. Belen said the opportunities presented by HUC status, coupled with effective governance, place Naga in a strong position to sustain its development momentum and strengthen its role as one of the country’s leading regional cities.      

NAGA CITY, Philippines — The City Government of Naga will strictly enforce its Oplan Disiplina starting Monday, June 8, 2026, as classes in public and private elementary and secondary schools resume for School Year 2026–2027. This developed after Mayor Leni Robredo directed the Public Safety Office (PSO) to intensify traffic management efforts, particularly along major thoroughfares and school zones, to ensure the safety of students and the smooth flow of vehicles during the opening of classes. Public Safety Office Executive Director Renne Gumba said his office, in coordination with the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Naga City Police Office (NCPO), will deploy personnel along major thoroughfares and in areas near schools. Gumba warned motorists against driving under the influence of alcohol. He said traffic enforcers are now equipped with breath analyzers, which are essential in determining whether a driver should be arrested or charged for violating traffic laws. According to Gumba, motorists found driving under the influence of alcohol will not only be issued citation tickets but may also face criminal charges that could result in imprisonment. He added that all forms of transport and mobility, including private vehicles, bicycles, e-trikes, and tricycles, will be closely monitored to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and prevent congestion. The PSO will likewise strictly enforce regulations on pedestrians, who are required to use designated walkways and pedestrian lanes. Gumba also said that the PSO and police personnel are set to use speed guns to monitor whether motorists are complying with prescribed speed limits. He noted that the devices will help reduce road crash incidents in the city. Appropriate signage will also be installed to inform motorists of speed limits in specific areas. To strengthen the campaign against illegal parking, around 200 wheel clamps are expected to be delivered to the city government. Deputized barangay officials have already undergone training and orientation on the proper use of wheel clamps and the corresponding enforcement procedures. Gumba also disclosed that the city government is considering proposals from private towing companies interested in providing towing services in Naga. He said the city already has a towing ordinance in place and that interested operators may formally present their proposals or apply for accreditation with the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The proposed partnership aims to further enhance the enforcement of traffic and parking regulations in the city. Street vendors occupying roadsides will likewise be monitored to ensure that they are operating only within their designated areas and are not causing obstructions along public roads. As part of the campaign against non-compliant businesses, Gumba said the city government will not hesitate to padlock establishments operating without mayor’s permits or other required documents. He further emphasized that, aside from securing the necessary business permits and clearances, all business establishments in the city are required to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras as part of the city’s safety and security measures. I via Jason Neola, CMO-Public Information Division head.        

By Rosalita Manlangit   DAET, Camarines Norte, Philippines (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has sent more than 19,000 workers from its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD program to help public schools in the Bicol region get ready for classes starting on June 8. Speaking at Labo Elementary School in Camarines Norte on Wednesday, DOLE Regional Director Imelda Gatinao announced that DOLE is working with the Department of Education on this year’s Brigada Eskwela, which seeks to ensure that public schools are clean, safe, and prepared to welcome millions of students and teachers at the start of classes. As part of the partnership, DOLE Bicol has set aside P103 million to help run Brigada Eskwela and offer temporary jobs to 19,348 workers through its TUPAD program. According to Gatinao, the workers will help get the school ready by cleaning classrooms, managing waste, moving furniture and learning materials, clearing plants, landscaping, repainting, and doing other simple campus improvement tasks. She said the workers have been sent to more than 1,295 schools in Bicol, covering 12,105 classrooms. She added that the workers may be assigned for up to 10 days during Brigada Eskwela and other preparations. Each worker will receive P4,550 for their work, Gatinao added. At the same event, DepEd Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad expressed his gratitude to those who provided support, such as national government agencies, banks, private individuals, and organizations in Camarines Norte, who gave in-kind and cash donations. “This Brigada Eskwela is what we need today: cooperation despite the many problems we are facing. If we help and support each other, these hardships will become lighter for us and our families,” he said. Emalyn Villaflores, 50, who supports her two grandchildren, expressed her appreciation for the DOLE-TUPAD program. She is one of the 76 TUPAD beneficiaries at Labo Elementary School. “It is encouraging that more people are working together, especially when they feel overwhelmed. We are here to help with the cleaning,” she said. She said that her earnings would significantly aid in covering her grandchildren’s school expenses.  (Reyjun Villamonte contributed to this article/PIA Bicol/Camarines Norte)    

The City of Naga in the Bicol Region has officially joined the ranks of the country’s highly urbanized cities (HUCs), becoming the 34th such city in the Philippines following a proclamation signed on Wednesday by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga formally initiated the city’s bid for highly urbanized city status through the adoption of Resolution No. 2026-078 on January 27, 2026, citing that the city had already met the statutory requirements, including the prescribed annual income and population threshold necessary for such classification. The milestone announcement coincided with the commemoration of the 68th birth anniversary of the late Jesse M. Robredo, widely regarded as the “Father of Good Governance” in the Philippines for his transformative leadership anchored on transparency, accountability, and people empowerment. The proclamation took center stage during the day’s activities, which included a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony honoring Robredo’s legacy. The event was led by his widow, Leni Robredo, alongside members of the Robredo family, including his elder brother Butch, as well as barangay officials, educators, students, local government employees, and representatives from national government agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Department of Education. It was Mayor Robredo who formally announced to the public Naga’s elevation to HUC status, drawing applause from the gathered crowd. In his opening remarks, Vice Mayor Gabriel Bordado Jr. underscored the enduring impact of Jesse Robredo’s leadership, particularly in fostering strong people’s participation in governance—a model that has since been replicated by many local government units across the country. Jesse Robredo served as mayor of Naga City for 19 years before his appointment as Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government during the administration of former president Benigno Aquino III. In her message, Mayor Robredo expressed the family’s deep gratitude to Nagueños for their continued remembrance and affection for Jesse, noting the community’s unwavering support in commemorating both his birth and death anniversaries. The conferment of HUC status marks a historic chapter for Naga City, reflecting its sustained growth and development, as well as the enduring legacy of leadership that has shaped its governance. The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160, specifically Rule VIII, Article 12, states that within 120 days from the declaration of the president of the Philippines, the Comelec shall conduct a plebiscite in the city proposed to be converted. I via Jason Neola, head CMO-Public Information Division.            

NAGA CITY, Philippines — The city government’s Urban Agriculture Program has been named among the national finalists in the Walang Gutom Awards 2025, earning recognition as one of the 20 finalists from 50 applicants nationwide before advancing to the final 10. While the program did not place among the top winners, the city will still receive a P1-million financial grant to support the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The SLP is designed to address involuntary hunger, particularly among malnourished children, by providing sustainable sources of food and income for vulnerable communities. The city’s Urban Agriculture Program traces its roots to 2017 through the Integrated Community Food Production Project (ICFP). It was sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic under City Ordinance 2020-095, ensuring continuous food production efforts at the community level. Under the program, Barangay Agricultural Technicians plant, grow and monitor the progress of assorted vegetable seedlings distributed by the City Agriculture Office and oversee the maintenance of barangay-based nurseries. City Agriculturist Ernesto Asence III said that for a targeted approach in the implementation of the Urban Agriculture Program, the City Agriculture Office coordinates with the City Population and Nutrition Office in the identification of households with undernourished children. In addition, the i-Governance office assisted in the preparation and submission of the Walang Gutom Awards. Mayor Leni Robredo said the initiative aligns with her administration’s 2028 “Finish Lines,” which prioritize achieving zero hunger and zero malnutrition in the city. Robredo added that the P1-million grant will be used to expand the program by assisting small farmers in supplying produce for government feeding initiatives. She emphasized the program’s dual purpose: to improve farmers’ incomes through assured market access, and to ensure a steady supply of vegetables and other agricultural products for feeding programs benefiting malnourished children. I via Jason Neola  

Former Vice President and current Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo visited the campus of Asian Institute of Management on May 8, 2026 to meet with academic program directors and discuss possible collaboration between the City Government of Naga and the institute. During the meeting, Robredo shared the development challenges faced by Naga City, noting that despite being geographically landlocked and constrained by infrastructure limitations, the city continues to pursue reforms aimed at improving governance and public service delivery. A major focus of the discussion was the need to accelerate digital transformation in local government operations. Robredo noted that many city government processes remain manual and underscored the importance of digitization in improving efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness in public services. The discussions also explored possible technical collaboration related to the People’s Survival Fund (PSF), the national financing mechanism for climate adaptation projects, as Naga City prepares submissions ahead of the May 29 deadline. Representatives from AIM shared insights on leadership, sustainability, public management, and digital governance, while discussing possible capacity-building initiatives for senior city officials through the institute’s degree and executive education programs. “The climate discussions are landing in the middle of a food and fuel crisis, with another El Niño looming. Building climate strategies under those conditions isn’t a technical writing exercise — it requires bringing together stakeholders and expertise that do not usually sit in the same room. That’s what AIM and Naga can do together,” said Chad Briggs, academic program director of AIM’s Executive Master in Disaster Risk and Crisis Management program. The meeting reflected a shared commitment between AIM and the City Government of Naga to strengthen local governance, sustainability, and innovation through academic-practice partnerships. I via Jason Neola

By Sally A. Altea   LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines (PIA) — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a warning on Thursday for residents near Mayon Volcano to remain vigilant, as dangerous volcanic flows and lahars may still occur despite the volcano maintaining its current Alert Level 3 status. In its volcanic activity report released on May 7, Phivolcs noted that Mount Mayon continues to produce lava flows, rockfalls, and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), locally known as “uson,” on the southern and eastern slopes of the volcano. The state volcanology agency described PDCs as fast-moving clouds of extremely hot gas, ash, and rocks that can burn, bury, and suffocate anything in their path. “PDCs move at speeds that cannot be outrun and can burn, bury, forcefully impact and asphyxiate all living things in its path,” it said. Phivolcs noted that newly flowing lava has temporarily filled portions of the Mi-isi Gully, increasing the risk of large volcanic collapses. “Presently, steep slopes in the upper Mi-isi Gully are being built-up by the effusion of the newest lava flows, alleviating the threat of large-volume lava-collapse PDCs similar in magnitude to the May 2 series,” it said. The agency has warned that larger and more dangerous PDCs could occur again if lava deposits become unstable or overly steep. Phivolcs also expressed concern about thick volcanic deposits along the Mi-isi-Binaan Channel, which remain extremely hot and may trigger sudden steam explosions. The temperatures inside these deposits could exceed 500 degrees Celsius. Authorities are reminded to strictly prohibit entry into the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone, particularly on the southern side of the volcano. Communities within a seven-kilometer radius are advised to prepare for possible evacuation in the event of similar large PDC incidents. Phivolcs has also warned residents living near rivers and waterways around the volcano to remain vigilant against lahars, or volcanic mudflows, especially during heavy rain. The agency noted that loose volcanic materials could be carried downstream by intense rainfall, potentially overflowing into communities along the Mi-isi-Binaan Channel, including areas near the Binaan and Yawa Rivers in Daraga and Legazpi City. Residents are urged to wear masks during ashfall, protect food and water supplies from contamination, and closely monitor official advisories. Special attention should be given to vulnerable individuals, such as senior citizens, pregnant women, infants, and persons with medical conditions, according to the agency. Civil aviation authorities have also been advised to prevent aircraft from flying near Mayon’s summit due to potential ash hazards. Phivolcs said that it will continue to monitor the volcano closely and will immediately relay any significant developments to local government units and disaster response agencies. (PIA Bicol/Albay)

ALBAY, Philippines — Globe is providing immediate relief and connectivity support to residents in Albay as Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3, with ongoing volcanic unrest and intermittent eruptive activity as of Sunday,May 3, based on updates from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST–PHIVOLCS). Recent monitoring indicates continued effusive eruption, with lava flows, rockfalls, and the risk of pyroclastic density currents (PDCs or “uson”), including activity observed along the Mi-isi gully on the volcano’s southern slopes. Authorities continue to enforce safety measures in affected areas as communities remain on alert. Globe’s network facilities remain unaffected and services continue to operate normally in the area. The company has likewise activated its #AlagangGlobe initiative to ensure residents in high-risk and surrounding areas remain connected and supported. Support for affected customers. Globe and TM subscribers in selected areas will receive free unlimited calls and texts to all networks, 100MB open access data for all apps and additional 100MB for social apps such as Facebook and Viber for one day. While for broadband customers, Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi users will receive 5GB of open access data valid for three days, GFiber Prepaid users will receive a three-day promo extension, and GFiber Postpaid and Globe Postpaid customers in affected areas will be granted extended payment due dates. GFiber Postpaid customers will also get an additional 15GB valid for 15 days. These measures aim to ensure continuous access to vital communication services for families, responders, and local communities. Globe is also mobilizing its platforms to support relief efforts: Globe Rewards users may donate points via the GlobeOne app to Rise Against Hunger Philippines Donations may also be made through GCash to support ongoing relief operations Relief support will be extended across key municipalities in Albay, including Camalig, Guinobatan, Jovellar, Daraga, Ligao, Tabaco, Malilipot, Bacacay, Sto. Domingo, Polangui, and Oas. “Our priority is to help communities stay connected and supported, especially during times of uncertainty,” Globe Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer Yoly Crisanto said. “We continue to stand with Bicolanos and do our part to help them keep going.” Globe will continue to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with authorities, ready to scale assistance as needed.