LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 5 - The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) hailed Albay's Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) for its recent Mayon volcano eruption disaster preparedness and response strategy.

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 7 - Bishop Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi called on the PNP to conduct a more intensified campaign against loose firearms proliferating in the Bikol provinces.

Ang sabi ng nakakatanda, mahalaga ang tradisyon. Ito ang tagapagpadaloy ng sinaunang napapatagumpayan, kundi man may halaga, pa rin hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Sa nakaraang kagyat na panahon, dinulubyo ang bansa ng baha't bagyo, sumasabog na bulkan, lumulubog na mga ferry, masaker ng warlord ni Gloria Arroyo, deklarasyon ng batas militar, at iba pang natural at gawang-taong sakuna.

MANILA - The Arroyo administration is, hopefully, about to end its term by the middle of next year. Lasting for nine years and a half, it is the longest-running presidency since the Marcos dictatorship. In fact, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is second only to Ferdinand E. Marcos who, for 20 years, held the reins of power the longest in the country's history. But the similarities between the Marcos dictatorship and the Arroyo government do not end with them having the longest terms.

As we celebrate the motherhood of Mary, we reflect on her faith and how she cooperated with God's plan. As the Mother of God, she is our hope and refuge. Ina, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, is the hope of every Bikolano and every devotee.

MANILA, Jan. 2, 2010-The Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has lined up various activities in celebration of National Bible Week slated from January 25 to 31.

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (UCAN) -- Filipino national hero Jose Rizal died 113 years ago but the controversy over his alleged heresies still rages. This year, blogs and newspaper editorials continued the debate on the issue.

VATICAN CITY, December 28, 2009--Dominican Father Edward Schillebeeckx, a theologian whose work had a huge impact on the Dutch church, died at the age of 95 Dec. 23 in Nijmegen, Netherlands, where he lived since 1957.

VATICAN, Jan. 1, 2010-- Benedict XVI is urging those involved in violence of any kind to stop and reflect and thus embark on a path of peace. The Pope made this exhortation today before praying the first midday Angelus of the year with those gathered in St. Peter's Square. The Holy Father acknowledged that for those involved in violent groups, a change of life might seem impossible. But, he assured, God can make it happen.

The implementation of the "election gun ban" as defined by the Commission on Election in its Resolution 8714 is to take effect on January 10 of this year and is to last until June 9. Intended as a measure to curb and prevent election-related violence, the "election gun ban" has been touted to be "total."