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UNEP PR Exec Attends Malaysia Media Seminar

Vox Bikol

IRIGA CITY --- In its quest to further improve its corporate communication strategies, the University of Northeastern Philippines here has sent its media relations director to attend a two-day media seminar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia held from March 30-31.

Terrorist Bombing Claims Lives of 45 Iranians North of Iraq

PNA

 et al.

BAGHDAD, April 24 -- A terrorist bombing in Diyala, east of Iraq, killed 45 and injured 67 Iranians on Thursday.
Based on latest dispatches, the terrorist incident overall killed 47, including 45 Iranians, and injured 70 others, including 67 Iranians, who traveled to Iraq to visit the country's holy sites.
Local sources told IRNA that 42 Iranian injured are in Baquba hospital in Diyala, north of Iraq, to receive medical treatment. Some of the Iranian victims are reportedly in a deteriorating condition, according to the sources.

Court of Appeals Acquits Smith of Rape Charges

Perfecto T. Raymundo Jr.

MANILA, April 23 (PNA) -- The Court of Appeals (CA) has acquitted United States Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith of rape charges filed against him by Suzette "Nicole" Nicolas, thus reversing the earlier ruling of the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) of life imprisonment for the US serviceman.
Three women justices of the CA 11th Division, namely: Associate Justices Monina Arevalo-Zenarosa, Remedios Salazar-Fernando and Myrna Dimaranan-Vidal issued the decision on Smith.
The three CA justices were convinced that no rape was committed.

Philhealth Issues Alert on Salmonella

Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, April 21 (PNA) - PhilHealth Bikol vice president and regional director Orlando Iñigo, Jr. announced that members and dependents can now enjoy the New In-Patient Benefit Package effective this month if they are victims of Salmonella and in conditions when hospitalization is needed.
Iñigo noted that the occurrence of the salmonella alarm in several places in and outside the Philippines scares the public as it displays serious conditions caused by severe infections which are dangerous and could be fatal.

Shellfish Ban Remains in Sorsogon Bay

Mike dela Rama

SORSOGON CITY, April 23 (PNA) -- The shellfish ban remains hoisted in Sorsogon Bay with still high concentration of red tide organism, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
BFAR has recently issued a shellfish bulletin that included anew Sorsogon Bay and Juag Lagoon in Matnog town, this province, as among the bodies of water where the shellfish ban is imposed.

PPCRV Blasts ‘premature campaigns’

CBCPNews

MANILA, April 21, 2009-A Catholic Church-based election watchdog lashed at politicians for premature campaigning by taking cover behind commercial advertisements or personal advocacies.
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said political ads on television, radio and other media outlets this early must be stopped.
According to its chairperson, Henrietta de Villa, what some politicians are doing is a complete disregard on the rule against early campaigning.

Safety of Freed Filipino Crew of "M/T Stolt Strength" Assured

Gloria Jane Baylon

MANILA, April 24 -The 23 Filipino crew of the chemical tanker "M/T Stolt Strength," are now navigating supposedly on safe waters in the Indian Ocean after they were released by Somali pirates on April 20, the Department of Foreign Affairs said today.
The foreign affairs department said that the vessel and its crew even received bunkering assistance.

PGMA Promises Government Aid During PRISAA Opening

Jason B. Neola

NAGA CITY, April 20 (PNA) --- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today promised to undertake more approaches to lessen the impact of the global economic crisis on the country.
The President spoke to a jam-packed crowd attending the grand opening ceremonies of the National Private Schools Athletics Association (PRISAA) Games at the University of Nueva Caceres Sports Palace.

Restoration of Pantao Port Urged

Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, April 21 (PNA) - Bicol Regional Development Council and Albay Governor Joey Salceda has urged the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to restore the construction of Pantao Port project in Libon, Albay.
"The point is the province is taking a strong stand that should make Pantao port an integral part of economic development," Salceda said.
According to the governor, the provincial government is working hard to get Pantao port restored.
"The two roads, Libon Pnato and Ligao - Pioduran are vital signs of our continuing commitment to the project," he said.

NCF TPC Launching and Fundraising Dinner

Vox Bikol

The Naga College Foundation, in partnership with the University of the Philippines National Institute for Geological Sciences, Christian Aid, and the Manila Observatory, will be holding a Grand Launching and Fundraising Dinner of the TYPHOON PREPAREDNESS CENTER (TPC) on 30 April 2009, 6:00 p.m., at the NCF compound.

DENR Probes Death in Masbate Mining Operations

DENR-MGB V

 et al.

Legazpi City (24 April) -- A joint investigating team composed of technical personnel from the Bikol regional offices of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has investigated the death of two persons in Sitio Gintong Araw, Barangay Panique in Aroroy, Masbate.

AMRSP Slams Arrest Warrant Issued Against Lozada

CBCPNews

MANILA, April 22, 2009-One of the influential Catholic Church institutions slammed as "unjust" the arrest warrant issued against whistleblower Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada for alleged perjury crimes.
The warrant is "undeserved" for someone who just exposed an alleged anomalous government project, the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) said.
"This order is grossly unjust considering that the charge for which Lozada is being arrested is the crime of perjury or lying under oath," the group said.

Hillary Confident in Thai Politics, Says Thai Minister

PNA

 et al.

BANGKOK, April 24 (PNA/Xinhua) -- The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had expressed confidence in Thailand's politics and hoped the Thai government would be able to restore stability, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Friday.
Kasit met with Clinton during his official visit to Washington this week to boost the bilateral tie, the website by The Nation newspaper reported.

New Book Debunks Black Legend About Galileo and the Church

CNA

VATICAN, April 20, 2009-- "Galileo and the Vatican" is the title of a new book that gathers together the documents of the commission created by Pope John Paul II on the famous Italian scientist and seeks to debunk the black legend and other myths about this case.
In statements to the Mexican news agency Notimex, Cardinal Paul Poupard recalled that John Paul II publicly apologized about Galileo in October of 1992.

UK Seeks Full EU Backing to New US Engagement with Iran

PNA

 et al.

LONDON, April 24 -- British Foreign Secretary David Miliband is to attend the next General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, where he will seek full backing of the European Union (EU) to the changed US policy towards Iran.
"We will encourage the EU to state its clear support for the new US approach," Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown (pictured) said in a written parliamentary statement published Friday.

DOST Awards Scholarships to 366 Bikolano Youths

PNA

LEGAZPI CITY, April 22 (PNA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) regional office in Bikol has announced that 366 Bikolano youths have qualified as DOST- SEI undergraduate scholars for SY 2009-2010.
Pilita Lucena, DOST regional information officer said of the 366 incoming freshmen, 68 will be awarded with Merit Scholarships and 298 with undergraduate scholarships under Republic Act 7687.

Daet Farmers Receive Free Fertilizers

PNA

DAET, Camarines Norte, April 20 (PNA) - The Daet municipal government led by Mayor Tito S. Sarion distributed some 2,817 bags of assorted fertilizers to farmers in nine rice-producing villages here to boost the town's rice production.
The bags of fertilizers were distributed to farmer leaders of the nine barangays consisting of Lag-on, Gahonon, Alawihao, Mambalite, Cobangbang, Pamorangon, Gubat, Awitan and Borabod.
Each barangay was given 50 bags of urea, 250 bags organic fertilizer, five bags of 14-14-14, and eight bags of potash 0060.

Camarines Sur Hosts National Agri Engineers Confab

PNA

PILI, Camarines Sur, April 20 (PNA) - Some 350 agricultural engineers from all over the country are gathered at the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College (CSSAC) here for the 59th Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE) annual general convention scheduled April 20-24.

Cebu Archdiocese Celebrates 75th Anniversary

PNA

CEBU CITY, April 20 (PNA) -- A total of 32 Catholic bishops and archbishops from all over the country are expected to attend the celebration on April 28 of the 75th founding anniversary of the Cebu Archdiocese.
The archdiocese has grown over the years with 144 parishes all over Cebu, said Msgr. Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer of the Cebu Archdiocese.
"We have covered the Cebu islands with more parishes and priests all over," he said.
"The birth of parishes from mother parishes shows that the archdiocese is growing and that we are not breaking," said Dakay.

Bikol Bishops' Anti-Rapu-rapu Mining Letter Gains Support

Vox Bikol

A local environmental group has expressed its support of the Bikol bishops' opposition to the ongoing mining operations at Rapu-rapu, Albay. PANGATAMAN-Bikol (Bicol Center for Environmental Protection) external vice-president Engr. Virgilio Perdigon, says his group "welcome[s] and support[s] this letter to the Pope by the bishops because it is a way to highlight the environmental degradation being experienced by the island of Rapu-rapu and also the whole region as well."

‘Kabayan’ Cites UNEP Matriarch’s Valuable Contribution to Education

Vox Bikol

IRIGA CITY ---   "Please tell Dr. Remedios 'Wawa' R. Alfelor that I have come to Iriga City to honor her valuable contribution to the formation and education of many generations of Filipinos in this part of our country," said Vice President Noli "Kabayan" de Castro, in his speech during the 61st commencement exercises of the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) here recently.
As De Castro lauded the Alfelor matriarch as "an epitome of the sterling qualities of a Filipino teacher - dedicated, determined and persevering,"

Church Leaders Welcome Tuason Appointment

Melo M. Acuña

MANILA, April 16, 2009- The appointment of businesswoman and civic leader Ma. Mercedes "Mercy" Reinares Arrastia-Tuason to the position of Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See was not a surprise at all for some Catholic Church leaders.
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Jaro Archbishop Lagdameo said he was informed of the appointment two weeks ago by the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila.

Rice Hull Eyed as Alternative Cooking Fuel

BA Recebido

Sorsogon City (16 April) -- The increasing prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and the prohibition of cutting of woods for fuel use, prompted the City Agriculture Office here to promote the use of rice hull, a farm waste common in agricultural areas, as an alternative cooking fuel.
Ms. Adeline Detera, city agriculturist, said that the common problem confronting the locals here is the need for readily available, cheap and alternative to LPG for cooking.

Naga City Braces for PRISAA National Games 2009

Vox Bikol

The City of Naga will be hosting this year's Private School Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games '09 scheduled on April 19 to 26, 2009.
Dr. Carlo P. Villanueva, president of Naga College Foundation and this year's Host PRISAA Executive Director, said that the working committees, along with the parallel City Hall Committees formed by Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo -- are now doubling their efforts in preparation for the week-long event.

NATO Forces Free 20 Hostages from Control of Somali Pirates

PNA

MOGADISHU, April 18 (PNA/Xinhua) -- NATO forces on Saturday captured seven Somali pirates and freed 20 people taken hostage by the pirates in the Gulf of Aden, according to agencies reports.
The reports quoted a NATO spokesperson as saying that a Dutch warship with NATO mission took action after the pirates launched attack on the tanker MT Handytankers Magic in the Gulf of Aden.
They chased the pirates fleeing on a small skiff and later boarded a Yemeni-flagged fishing dhow which was captured by the pirates on Sunday and taken as their "mother ship".