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.  

Operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Cavite Provincial Field Unit, in coordination with the Cavite Maritime Police Station and Donsol MPS, conducted a police operation that led to the apprehension of “Michael” in Barangay  Bororan, Donsol, Sorsogon, on December 21. According to CIDG Acting Director Brig.Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III, Michael is tagged as the No. 6 Most Wanted Person (Regional Level) of PRO 4A and was arrested by virtue of two Warrants of Arrest for Homicide issued by RTC Imus City, Cavite. One warrant was issued by Hon. Eduardo Cruz Solangon Jr., Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 125, dated November 13, 2024, with a recommended bail of P120,000.00, while the other was issued by Hon. Amabel Borbe Robles-Buenaluz, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 20, dated August 24, 2024, with a recommended bail of P40,000.00. Michael is known as a notorious serial killer, implicated in several heinous crimes, including the stabbing death of Domingo, a resident of Phase 1 B8 L4 Mary Cris Subd., Barangay Bucandala III, Imus City, Cavite, on November 2, 2015, following a heated argument during a drinking spree. He was also the prime suspect in the murder of Elisio in San Ramon, Donsol, Sorsogon, on September 11, 2012. Along with an accomplice, Micheal entered the victim’s bedroom, stabbing him multiple times and slashing his neck, which resulted in the victim’s death. Furthermore, Michael was involved in the stabbing and slashing of the necks of two victims, Ryan and Orlando , on October 15, 2023, at Barangay Alapan 1A, Imus, Cavite. The victims were sitting outside their house when Michael appeared and, without provocation, attacked them, leading to their deaths. After committing the crime, Michael went into hiding in his hometown of Donsol, Sorsogon. Chief PNP PGen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, commended the CIDG’s efforts “This operation demonstrates the PNP’s unwavering commitment to apprehending fugitives and ensuring public safety. The arrest of Michael sends a clear message that no criminal can evade justice. We remain steadfast in our fight for the peace and security of our nation.”        

By AJEspiritu, Albay PIO   LEGAZPI CITY,Albay — Namahagi ng food packs ang Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office para sa mga pamilya ng kababaihang Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) sa lalawigan. Laman ng bawat food pack ang limang kilong commercial rice, dalawang lata ng 175g na corned beef, dalawang lata rin ng 170g na meat loaf, at isang 300g pack ng gatas. Ang mga ito’y tinanggap ng siyam na PDLs ng Albay Provincial Jail  para sa kanilang pamilyo, noong Disyembre 23. Ito’y bahagi ng nagpapatuloy na aksyon ng Pamahalaang Lokal ng Albay sa pangunguna ng PSWDO para bigyang suporta ang mga kababaihang PDLs. Matatandaang namahagi rin ang naturang opisina ng mga hygiene kit, storage box, at foam sa 16 na women PDLs noong Marso 2024 bilang parte ng selebrasyon ng Women’s Month.

By Jayson de Lemon-CamSur-PIO   LEGAZPI CITY — Limang parangal ang naiuwi ng Camarines Norte Provincial Tourism Operations Office sa BICOL TOURISM STARS: RECOGNITION & CELEBRATION NIGHT 2024, na ginanap sa La Venezia Hotel, Legazpi City, noong Disyembre 13. Ang okasyon ay bahagi ng Year-Ender Recognition Activity ng Department of Tourism (DOT) – V, ngayong taon. Kinatawanan ni Tourism Operations Officer II si Ms. Genelyn David ang tanggapan ng turismo ng Camarines Norte sa nasabing gabi ng pagkilala. Ang mga parangal ay ibinigay bilang pagkilala sa kanilang natatanging pagganap at malaking ambag sa industriya ng turismo sa buong rehiyon ng Bicol. Narito ang mga parangal na natanggap ng Camarines Norte: Leading Province in Local Tourism Development Planning 2024 Statistical Progress Achievement 2024 (Provincial Level) Most Active Province Participating in Travel and Trade Fairs for CY 2024 Bukod dito, ang mga munisipyo ng Daet at Basud, na kinatawanan ng kanilang mga Municipal Tourism Officers na sina Jocelyn Cruz-Sarical (Daet) at Ariane Rodrigueza (Basud), ay tumanggap ng Certificate of Recognition, dahil sa kanilang naaprubahang Local Tourism Development Plan o LTDP. Ang LTDP ay mahalaga para sa patuloy na paglago ng turismo at ang positibong epekto nito sa ekonomiya sa susunod na mga taon. Nakakuha rin ng indibidwal na pagkilala ang dating Provincial Tourism Operations Officer na siMariano “Bong” Palma kung saan iginawad sa kanya ang Dedication and Service Excellence Award. Ipinahayag ng Camarines Norte Provincial Tourism Office ang kanilang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa DOT Region V, sa pangunguna ni RD Herbie Aguas at ARD Maria Salee Mora, sa lahat ng mga parangal. Nagpasalamat din sila sa 12 Municipal LGUs & Municipal Tourism Officers, Provincial Government of Camarines Norte sa pangunguna ni Gov. Dong Padilla, Vice Governor Engr. Joseph Villaverde Ascutia, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Members, at higit sa lahat, sa mga Tourism Stakeholders para sa kanilang patuloy na suporta. Patuloy na magsisikap ang tanggapan ng turismo ng Camarines Norte para sa ikabubuti ng kanilang minamahal na probinsya. Photo Courtesy: Cam Norte Provincial Tourism Office

LEGAZPI CITY — The Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) is set to receive the Gawad Kalasag (GK) Seal for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance for Calendar Year 2024, from the Office of the Civil Defense Regional Office 5 (OCD 5) in recognition of its exemplary disaster risk reduction and management efforts. The award will be conferred to Albay along with seven other local government units (LGUs) during a ceremony on December 12, 2024. Albay has been recognized under the “Fully Compliant LGUs” category, along with Tabaco City and the municipalities of Polangui, Daraga, and Sto. Domingo. Meanwhile, Camalig and the cities of Legazpi and Ligao are included in the “Beyond Compliant LGUs” category. The Gawad Kalasag is one of the most prestigious awards given to LGUs nationwide, acknowledging their outstanding achievements in disaster risk reduction and management, effective calamity response, and the successful implementation of disaster mitigation efforts within their jurisdictions. Albay holds a historic distinction as the first province in the country to receive this prestigious honor since the establishment of the Gawad Kalasag in 1998. In 2012, it was declared a Hall of Famer after winning three consecutive awards.          

By LJLorejo, Albay- PIO   LEGAZPI CITY – Mahigit 130 kaso na ng pertussis ang naitala ng Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development Bicol (DOH CHD) sa lalawigan ng Albay. Sa record mula sa Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Database Morbidity Week 47, mayroon ng 132 kaso ng pertussis ang naitala sa lalawigan simula nitong Enero taong kasalukuyan. Dumagdag ito ng 30 na kaso ngayong Nobyembre mula sa 102 cases na nairehistro noong buwan ng Oktubre. Paglilinaw naman ng PHO, na nasa 18 lamang sa mga ito ang laboratory-confirmed para sa mga buwan mula Enero hanggang Nobyembre. Dahil sa patuloy na naitatalang kaso ng nasabing sakit, mahigpit na iminumungkahi ng DOH-CHD na agarang magpa konsulta sa pinaka malapit na health center sakaling sabay-sabay na maramdaman ang mga sintomas gaya ng sipon, lagnat at ubo na lumala na sa loob ng isa hanggang dalawang linggo. Ang pertussis o “whooping cough” ay isang nakakahawang sakit na nakamamatay at karaniwang tumatama sa mga bata partikular na sa mga sanggol na mas bata pa sa anim na buwang gulang.    

By CMDacoro, Albay PIO LEGASPI CITY, Albay — Mahigit 600 na residente ng bayan ng Bagamanoc, Catanduanes ang naging benepisyaryo ng medical mission na hatid ng Albay Provincial Health Office (APHO) sa unang araw ng nagpapatuloy na medical mission nito,noong Nobyembre 23. Kabilang sa mga serbisyong dala ng APHO ang libreng check-up, blood pressure testing, at ECG. Patuloy rin ang pamamahagi ng opisina ng aabot sa 1,500 na sachet ng nutrition commodities kabilang ang ready-to-use therapeutic food, at ready-to-use supplementary food para sa mga batang severely, at moderately malnourished. Mayroon ding ipinamahaging higit 100 na hygiene, breastfeeding, at prenatal kits sa mga residenteng nakatira lalo na sa mga coastal areas. Bukod pa rito, nagpapatuloy rin ang pamamahagi ng daang-daang mga gamot kabilang ang mga antibiotics, analgesics, gamot sa high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, at mga bitamina. Kasama ang higit 30 katao na binubuo ng 6 na mga doctor, at mga nurses, dala rin ng Albay ang Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) team para maghatid naman ng Mental Health Support sa mga batang edad 3 hanggang 12 taon gulang na lubhang nasalanta ng nagdaang Super Typhoon (STy) Pepito.      

The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an additional Php196 million ($3.5 million) to support the Philippine government’s response to Tropical Storm Kristine, known internationally as Tropical Storm Trami. Through this assistance, USAID will support logistics and provide clean water, sanitation, shelter, and cash assistance to help residents in the most affected areas of Bicol and Batangas meet their basic needs.  This assistance is also supporting communities that have been affected by subsequent disasters. This new funding is in addition to the Php84 million ($1.5 million) announced in October to provide emergency shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene assistance, and critical logistics support, raising the total value of U.S. support for the Philippines’ disaster response to Php280 million ($5 million). “As your friend, partner, and ally, the United States is committed to working with the Philippine government and people as they rebuild and recover,” U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said. Since October 25, the United States has been working with humanitarian partners to deliver lifesaving assistance to communities affected by tropical storms, typhoons, and subsequent flooding.  The Philippines’ Office of Civil Defense (OCD) distributed 1,500 shelter-grade tarpaulins and 1,500 kitchen sets funded by USAID to disaster-affected families in Albay and Camarines Sur.  These relief items were prepositioned in the OCD humanitarian relief depot at Fort Magsaysay, an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site in Nueva Ecija. USAID and IOM are working together to assist more than 4,000 families in the Bicol region, Ilocos region, and Batangas by providing shelter grade tarpaulins, shelter repair kits, and WASH kits.  Through USAID funding, the United Nations World Food Programme also mobilized 92 trucks that supported Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development in delivering more than 150,000 family food packs and other relief items to Albay, Benguet, Camarines Sur, Ilocos Norte, and La Union. This new assistance builds on the United States’ previous support to Philippine government’s disaster response efforts, including during catastrophic flooding in Mindanao in February, Super Typhoon Carina in July, and Super Typhoon Julian in October. Since 2010, the United States government has provided more than Php22 billion ($393.6 million) in disaster relief, preparedness, and early recovery in the Philippines. USAID works year-round to help communities build resilience in preparing for, and responding to, the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters.