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The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has lowered the alert level on Mayon Volcano from four (4) to three (3) after the government agency had studied the sudden drop of volcanic activities.

Alert Level 3 means there is less probability of a hazardous explosive eruption, but that the state of unrest of the volcano has not ceased.

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 30, 2009-The provincial government spends at least P1.2 million daily for the upkeep of over 10,000 families who lived in evacuation centers for the past 17 days, since Mayon Volcano began belching ash and lava more than two weeks ago.

This, according to Albay Governor Jose Sarte Salceda, as he acknowledged the donations received by the Provincial Disaster Management Office from various local and international donors.

MANILA, Dec. 31- The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) received a US$ 100,000 (about P47 million) from the United States Government in immediate disaster relief assistance to families displaced by Mayon volcano in Albay province, who are now in evacuation centers.

PNRC officials led by Chairman Sen. Richard J. Gordon and secretary general Gwendolyn Pang confirmed this to early Thursday. They thanked the US government for the help.

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.

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur A member of the Philippine Army identified as Pfc Romeo Z Daza was shot to death by communist rebels at Brgy Veneracion, Pamplona, Camarines Sur last 29 December.

Pfc Daza was assigned at Cuco Detachment under Charlie CAFGU Company, 22IB, 9ID, PA based at Brgy Cuco, Pasacao, Camarines Sur. He suffered three gunshot wounds in the chest and two in the head that immediately resulted to his death. His remains were later brought to Bicol Medical Center.

Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and long-time partner, PhilHealth, recently signed a memorandum of agreement whereby PVB will be providing PhilHealth Region 3 employees ATM and payroll services including PVB's unique "5-in-1" card that works as a company ID, ATM, timekeeping card, debit card, and discount card . The MOA was signed by PVB President and CEO Ricardo Balbido Jr. (2^nd from left) and PhilHealth President Dr.

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."

"...if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (Rom 8, 25)

A Pastoral Letter of Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi on the Forthcoming Philippine Elections 2010

Introduction

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 - 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.

Every New Year finds us listing our resolutions for a brand new start. This usually covers our personal and family lives as well as our work. But an important aspect which we often take for granted is the community in which we live in, that, is, society at large from our own barangays and localities to the nation and the world.

Here, tradition bids us to consider the "Urbi et Orbi" message of no less than our Holy Father.

As the year was coming to an end, a Blue Moon was declared. The name conjures mysticism but it really is just a term given to the phenomenon when two full moons appear in one month. But names are names and the unusual always leads people to magic or business. Soon, over free national television, people were making the most of interpreting what this colored moon means.

Germany's president Horst Köhler spoke to the nation this Christmas. One might wonder and ask: Does Germany have a President? Does it not have a Chancellor? And in fact that is correct. True political power in Germany is concentrated in the position of the Chancellor, who happens to be Angela Merkel.

We from Bicol Movement for Disaster Response (BMDR) are saddened by the fact that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her economic spokesperson Gary Olivar are callous to the plight of Mayon residents who have been evacuated due to the volcano's imminent eruption.

With President Arroyo going to Hong Kong to have a vacation while many Albayanos are facing the loss of their lives and property she only showed her true nature and that she does not care for Albayanos or for Filipinos. She only thinks of what can extend her hold to power.

HERE IS THE LETTER I sent last December 14 to Emman Llagas, president for Bicol of the Kilusan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas. This is in connection with the ongoing radio airing of political advertisements employing children as voice talents. A copy of the letter was also sent to each media outfits in Naga.

Philippine politics is riddled with fraud, deceit, corruption, bribery, and manipulation. Politicians have been used to capitalizing on the weakness and powerlessness of the poor, and profiting from the silence and poverty of Filipinos. The son and daughter of a dictator mustered the callousness to run for senator and governor. An ousted president has filed his candidacy in a desperate attempt to go back to Malacanang.

MANILA - The Ampatuan massacre last November 23 shocked the nation and the world. It was shocking not only because of its ferocity, claiming the lives of 57 innocent people including passersby, and barbarity, which included the rape of women, desecration of bodies and beheading of some victims, but also because of the brazenness in the commission of such abhorrent atrocities.