Articles

LEGAZPI CITY (8 July) -AN EARLIER directive from President Benigno Aquino III requiring the installation of Career Executive Service Officers (CESO) to assume major positions in national government agencies nationwide has actually worried chiefs-of-offices in this region.

Masbate City - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Office No. 5 in partnership with the City Government showcased the first harvest from the Mariculture Park Project in Masbate Bay, with the theme, "Produktong Mariculture: Una nga Pag-ani" held on June 10, 2010.

City of Naga - Mayor John G. Bongat assumed his office on Thursday, July 1 after winning a landslide victory in the May 10 polls.

The mayor started his first official day in office with a press conference where he presented the Naga SMILES promotions program as well as changes to his administration line-up.

Talking before members of the media, Bongat explained the Naga SMILES campaign, which he said was the product of weeks of constant discussion and consultation with other city officials and employees.

MANILA, July 1, 2010-One of the strongest defenders of civil rights among the bishops at the height of strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos' Martial Law passed away at 2:41 AM today at the Intensive Care Unit of pulmonary embolism at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center in San Juan, Metro Manila.

Pulmonary embolism is a condition that occurs when one or more arteries in one's lungs become blocked. Medical professionals say in most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from another part of the body and most commonly, from one's legs.

MANILA, July 2, 2010- Former President Gloria Arroyo only showed her funny side when she filed a bill seeking for Constitutional amendments, a priest said.

Constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas said it's "humorous" that Arroyo herself is seeking Charter Change (Cha-cha) just a day after she began her first day as Pampanga's 2nd District Representative.

While he has nothing against amending the Charter, Bernas said Arroyo's move is "too early" as process for it should not be initiated until next year.

The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) conducted its 23^rd R&D Project Review and Information Dissemination (RDPRID) on June 15-16, 2010 at the CN Divinagracia Hall, CBSUA, Pili, Camarines Sur.

The PANGATAMAN-Bikol (Bicol Center for Environmental Protection) welcomed the planned visit of international actor Leonardo DiCaprio to Albay to launch environmental promotion and protection activities in the province.

According to Professor Joel Batanes, president of the Board of Trustees of PANGATAMAN-Bikol, "while it is welcome that an international environmental advocate will be coming here to boost our advocacy, it would be best if DiCaprio prioritize visiting eco-critical areas in the province rather than be more of a tourist."

Batanes said that the international celebrity should visit areas like Rapu-rapu Island and see the creeks that have been contaminated by mine tailings, Palanog in Camalig where a cement factory destroyed the local habitat, and Tiwi, where "a dubious solid waste injection project is being done."

MANILA, June 26, 2010-The Health Care Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has launched its own website yesterday during the Core Group meeting at the St. Paul University in Pedro Gil, Manila.

The website's content includes the activities and programs of the commission; the background of the commission; and statements and messages of the commission chairman.

MANILA, June 25, 2010-Incoming Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro said he will conduct a comprehensive review of the sex education program as soon as he assumes his post.

Luistro of the La Sallian Brothers, a Catholic religious order, vowed to take steps to make sure the sex education modules do not contradict Christian values.

While there are programs of the education department that needs to be continued, he said, the issue on sex education is something that needs careful assessment.

Legazpi City (25 June) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in Bikol has maintained that three rivers in the region reported earlier as biologically dead are actually not dead at all, according to the agency's regional official.

Truly an epitome of simplicity, Atty. Remelisa Afelor-Moraleda, University President of the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) chose to celebrate another chapter of her life with her beloved UNEPians in an unfussy but remarkable event.  She opted to offer a mass, as she usually does, to thank the Almighty for another fruitful year, instead of a lavish celebration to mark one of the most important days of her life.

Naga City (21 June) -- As tourism industry in Bikol continues to soar high by posting positive growth, much as the fervor and spirit of tourism stakeholders as they gear up for the 21st Philippine Travel Mart Road Show set June 19 in this city.

Dubbed one of the biggest and most anticipated travel and tourism trade shows in the Philippines, Travel Mart will not only showcase enticing travel and tour packages in the region but will also provide a wide array of opportunities for travel operators to closely work with other industry partners.