By AJEspiritu, Albay PIO LEGASPI CITY,Albay — The Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) is all set for the upcoming Albay Loop 2024, which will take place from August 23 to 25 at the Old Airport in Legazpi City. The Albay Loop is a motorcycle event organized by Loop Ph, in partnership with Philippine Motorcycle Tourism, with the goal of promoting tourism in Albay and advocating safe riding practices. In preparation for the event, 2nd District Board Member Melissa Abadeza-Armedilla led a coordination meeting with all relevant PGA offices and local government units (LGUs) in Albay to clarify their roles in ensuring the safe and successful execution of the event. Abadeza-Armedilla encouraged setting up booths at the airport to showcase and sell various Albay products. She also advised LGUs to prepare presentations to welcome participants upon their arrival in different localities and to coordinate closely with barangay councils. To ensure the safety and security of all participants, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) will deploy ambulance vehicles, particularly to assist VIP guests such as Sen. JV Ejercito, as requested by Loop Ph. Additionally, the board member sought the support of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army to maintain a strong police presence at the event and to manage the security plan and traffic arrangements.              

VIGA,Catanduanes– As the Rice Granary of Catanduanes, the municipality of Viga recently held in full display the 12th Paray Festival Street Dance Competition in honor of their rich agricultural heritage, bounty, and traditions, on August 14, 2024 This year’s competition featured the participation of four clustered barangays, each bringing their unique flair and energy with their representation of the Paray (Rice) Festival theme. In a colorful display, here are the clusters that emerged as top performers: Champion: Cluster 4 (Interior) – Summit, Oco, Burgos, Roxas, Sagrada, Osmeña, Quezon, Almojuela 1st Runner-up: Cluster 3 (Poblacion) – Peñafrancia, San Jose (Pob.), San Pedro, San Vicente, San Isidro, Asuncion 2nd Runner-up: Cluster 1 (Coastal) – Villa Aurora, Tinago, Botinagan, Soboc, Buenavista, Tambongon, Begonia, Quirino, Magsaysay, Batohonan Consolation Prize: Cluster 2 (Rinconada) – San Roque Special awards were also given, with Cluster 1 (Coastal), receiving 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗲, and Cluster 4 (Interior) earning Best in Moving Choreography. Additionally, Ms. Maria Kyla Ogalesco from Cluster 4 was adjudged as this year’s Festival Queen. The Catanduanes Provincial Tourism Office commends all participants for their creativity, dedication, and effort in making this competition a vibrant showcase! Congratulations to the winners and the whole municipality of Viga for the successful staging of the 12th Paray Festival!        

The streets of Legazpi City is once again filled withcolorful dances from various towns and cities of Bicol region flaunting Ibalong Festival’s rich history and cultural appreciatio. These eight competing contingents: Tribu Jovenes, Tribu Arabay, and Tribu D Oragon Epikultura of Legazpi City; Tribu Pagpagba of Tiwi, Albay; Tribu Pulang-Angui of Polangui, Albay; Tribu Ariba Iriga of Iriga City; Tribu Dantiawonon of Pilar, Sorsogon; and Tribu Manabang of Gubat, Sorsogon has exceptionally showed their talents under the scorching heat of the sun! .Ibalong Festival is the main festive celebration of Legazpi City. From the epic story of Ibalong accompanied by three legendary heroes Baltog, Handyong, and Bantong. (Photo & Text From DoT Region V)

By MLQuising, Albay PIO LEGASPI CITY,Albay — A total of 58 new (reappointment) and newly promoted employees of the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) took their oath at the SPA Session Hall, Capitol Building, Legazpi City,on August 7. The oath-taking ceremony was facilitated by the Provincial Human Resources and Management Office (PHRMO) headed by Concurrent Secretary to the Sanggunian and Officer-in-Charge Grace T. Magdamit and presided over by Governor Edcel Grex Lagman. In his address, Governor Lagman emphasized the importance of public service and acknowledged the dedication of those who genuinely serve the people of Albay. “This initiative is dedicated to all deserving and dedicated employees of the PGA, regardless of their position, and is purely based on qualifications and experience,” Governor Lagman stated. “Many are called, but few are chosen. I assure you that everyone here is deserving and hardworking, with no political bias.” The 58 newly sworn employees are an addition to 128 new permanent (51) and newly promoted (77) employees of Albay since September last year. It is noteworthy that during Governor Lagman’s term, the largest number of employees were promoted and granted permanent status, including those who have served the province for decades without recognition or advancement to higher positions.

11 former rebels received E-Clip assistance LEGASPI CITY, Albay — DILG Albay Provincial Office in partnership with the Provincial Government of Albay released the DILG-Administered Package of Assistance to the Former Rebels (FRs) under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to eleven beneficiaries at the Albay Provincial Capitol, Legazpi City, on August 7, 2024 DILG USEC. Marlo L. Iringan, CESO III graced the activity with his presence together with DILG R5 ARD Jhoaden G. Lucero, CESO IV, and DILG Albay Provincial Director Ray B. Caceres along with the Albay Provincial E-CLIP Committee led by Albay Governor Atty. Edcel Greco Alenxandre B. Lagman. A total of P896,000.00 was awarded for the immediate, livelihood and reintegration assistance for the FRs. The Provincial Government of Albay also gave financial assistance to the rebel returnees prior to this activity. The E-CLIP is one facet of many strategies of the government to obtain just and lasting peace, social transformation, and inclusive development by catering to individuals who surface and signify interest to return to the folds of the law and become productive citizens of the society.  

By MLQuising, Albay PIO LEGASPI CITY, Albay — Tiniyak ni Governor Edcel Greco AB Lagman na katuwang ito ng bawat Albayano sa paghahanap ng solusyon sa matagal ng problema sa suplay ng kuryente sa lalawigan. Sa kanyang mensahe, binigyang-diin ng opisyal ang pagsusumikap ngayon ng lalawigan para makahanap ng pangmatagalang solusyon sa nasabing problema. Kabilang dito ang nakatakdang Renewable Energy Summit ngayong Setyembre kung saan inaasahan ang pagdalo ng mga stakeholders at investors mula sa iba’t-ibang bansa na maaring makatulong na maisakatuparan ang pagiging renewable energy hub ng Albay sa taong 2030. “Seryoso po ang problema asin mga issue manungod sa kuryente, bako man kita bota ta ako mismo, halos uro-aldaw nakaka-ekspiriyensya ki pagpuro-palsok nin kuryente, asahan nindo na sa mga maabot na semana, partikular ngonyan na Agosto, igwa kitang Renewable Energy Summit. “ Importantihon po na maski sa ley, na an National Government Agencies an naghahanap nin solusyon sa mga problema, as your Governor, I took it upon myself na an problema ninda, maging problema ko man, ta ini po problema kan gabos na Albayano,” pahayag ni Lagman. Maliban dito, nais rin ng gobernador na hindi lang agaran kundi pangmatagalan na solusyon ang mailatag para sa problema ng Albay sa kuryente. “Muya ko tabi makisumaro saindo na tawan ini nin solusyon, agaran buda long term ta ini po talaga perennial na problema sa Albay pero kaipuhan ta tabi nin sarung governor ma-involve sa arog kaining problema sa pagtaong solusyon ta haluyon na ining problema, it has been pestering for the past two decades and it’s about time that we really make sure na pag tayo po ay pumasok dito, handa tayo with the right intervention, the right plans, and giving the right information to the people ta bako po ini simpleng problema, its a problem that everyone deals. Asahan tabi nindo na ipaglalaban ko an karapatan kan gabos na Albayano sa maray, predictable asin efisyente na kuryente sa bilog na probinsiya.” Matatandaan na ito rin ang unang inaksyunan ni Lagman sa kanyang pag-upo noong December 1, 2022 dahil sa naka-ambang province-wide blackout sa Albay na inaasahang mangyari ng Disyembre hanggang sa katapusan ng Enero 2023 kung saan nakipagtulungan ang opisyal sa NEA at San Miguel Power.