"Earth Hour" is a global campaign initiated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia held annually to promote energy-conservation and highlight the problems brought by global warming. Participants are encouraged to turn off non-essential lights and appliances from 8 PM to 9 PM on a set date in an effort to reduce electricity consumption.

RAPU-RAPU, ALBAY (Nov. 14) – Dr. Emelina Regis of Ateneo de Naga University's Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR), along with three of the institute's staff went to Rapu-Rapu island in Albay to conduct preliminary investigations into the reported fishkill from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2.

NAGA CITY (Nov. 16) – Police investigators here are nearing the completion of their investigation into the fatal Jollibee Panganiban robbery two weeks ago. Metrobank security guard Rowenel Gavarra died from multiple gunshot wounds after being shot by the armed suspects. The fast-food chain's security guard, Joey Robarios, was also shot but survived the incident. Gavarra was with an employee of Metrobank, picking up around Php 212,000 in cash from the said establishment. The eight robbers were able to escape with the money by motorcycle.

NAGA CITY (Nov. 17) – In a joint public hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government headed by Sen. Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III and the Senate Committee on Public Order headed by Sen. Gringo Honasan, Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo as well as other local government officials from Bikol assailed OIC Regional Director Police Senior Superintendent Balluigi Agnanayon Tira's mishandling of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the region.

Naga City (November 14) - City officials here urged for the creation of a local police force under the supervision of the mayor to serve as augmentation force in maintaining peace and order in the locality.

While attending the senate hearing on peace and order crisis involving the City, City Mayor Jesse Robredo said that this idea presented itself as an alternative solution to similar problems that any locality will confront.

Pili, Camarines Sur (15 November) -- The Biotech for the Media and Advocacy Resource Center (BMARC) spearheaded the Training on Biotechnology for some 100 town/provincial officials of the two Camarines provinces last November 8-9 at the Capitol Complex, here.

The trainees, who came from the agricultural, fisheries, health, business sector, NGOs, LGUs, and the academe were given opportunities to explore economic opportunities and other advantages of biotechnologies.

Naga City – Several Punong Barangay candidates and kagawads supported by Mayor Jesse Robredo were defeated during the recently concluded October 29 elections.

Four of Robredo’s supported candidates as Punong barangay lost to their opponents while some of his incumbents who ran as kagawads were defeated by a large margin of votes.

Legazpi City – Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Maria “Nini” Ravaanilla aired her protest that a recent travel advisory of the Austrian Government to avoid Bikol in ther travel plans in the country due to rebel attacks, “will definitely hurt the local tourism in this region,” Ravanilla said.