Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 24  - Mayor Gerome Alcantara of Donsol, Sorsogon has appealed for presidential intervention to stop the rampant illegal trawling within the territorial water jurisdiction of this whale shark capital as well as in Masbate area.

Alcantara said that illegal trawling within the area continues to operate despite several attempts made by the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy. "I am just wondering why they operate within the territories of Donsol and in Masbate but up to now, no single apprehension has been made by the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard."

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 10  - Land Transportation Office (LTO) Bicol regional director Ramon Roco is pushing for the inclusion of driving and traffic lessons in the curriculum specifically in elementary level.

"This is in order for our children to learn about the right traffic rules and policy at the early stage," director Roco said.

He explained that traffic accident in the country continues to occur due to undisciplined drivers despite training and orientation given by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 29 - The Naval Forces Southern Luzon in partnership with Office of Civil Defense led anew an outreach project for the victims of Mayon Volcano eruption in response to a call of Albay Governor Joey Salceda for assistance.

The naval forces distributed rice to displaced families in Amore resettlement area as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) joint project dubbed as "TARABANGAN: Sama-sama sa pagtulong para sa mga Biktima ng Bulkang Mayon."

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 15 - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Bikol has ordered the suspension to travel of small sea vessels including wooden hull and outriggered boats, following the gale warning issued by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that the prevailing northeast winds of up to 60 kilometers per hour are expected to trigger rough to very rough seas with waves reaching as high as five meters.

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 28- The provincial government of Albay has issued a strict policy banning all types of firecrackers inside the evacuation centers specially during the New Year celebration.

Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) personnel conducted a routine inspection in all evacuation centers on Monday to enforce the policy issued by Albay Governor Joey Salceda.

Aside from banning the selling of all types of fire crackers, the BFP has warned the evacuees not to cook inside the classrooms.

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 17- The National Food Authority (NFA) regional office here assured local officials of Albay that there is a sufficient rice supplies not only for the province but for the entire Bicol region.

Catalina Jaylo, NFA regional Enforcement and Regulatory officer told members of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) that as of December 14, 2009, there are 1.5 million bags of rice available. "The available supply is good for 122 days consumption for the six provinces in the region."

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 6  - The Social Welfare and Development Office in the province of Albay has started its stock filing of food relief items specially rice which will be distributed to evacuees in case heavy rains continue to pour.

Albay Provincial Social Welfare Officer Yulanda Guanzon said that 1,000 sacks of NFA (National Food Authority) rice were released to the provincial government on Friday.

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 10  - Starting this month, the provincial government will no longer deduct the loan payments in the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) from the salaries of its employees.

"President Arroyo's approval of my demand side relief package with immediate effectivity will help both local and national government employees cope up with the recent crisis brought by the recent typhoons," Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said.

LEGAZPI CITY, July 15- Immediately after its reactivation, the Task Force Mayon is set to conduct massive dry run evacuation even as the alert status has remained at level 2 since Friday last week.

According to Abundio Nunez Jr., administrative officer of the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 901st Infantry brigade is tasked to lead the evacuation dry run.