Vol. 27 Issue 59 04-10 July 2010
Leonardo DiCaprio
Bikol Green Group Asks DiCaprio to Visit Eco-critical Albay Areas
Sunday, July 4th, 2010

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."

Bikol News

Jesse Robredo
Friday, July 9th, 2010

For weeks, anxious Nagueños waited for their multi-awarded former city mayor to get appointed as the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Finally, nine days after the inauguration of  Noynoy Aquino as new Philippine President, spokesman Edwin Lacierda announced today that, indeed, Jesse M. Robredo is the new DILG secretary. President Aquino signed Robredo's appointment yesterday.

Monday, July 5th, 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.

Monday, July 5th, 2010

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.

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Pili, Camarines Sur (24 June) -- The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) recently launched its developed Philippine Animal Health Information System (PhilAHIS),  a national core reporting system for animal health.

This is to ensure proper flow of reports from the field to the local offices to the region and eventually to the BAI national office, the PhilAHIS was developed.

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

City of Naga - Mayor John G. Bongat launched Naga's latest promotion campaign on his first day of work as the eighth chief executive of the city.

The city mayor presented the "Naga SMILES to the World" promotions campaign to members of the media on the morning of July 1, his first official day in office.

CBSUA Research Confab
pbp
Sunday, July 4th, 2010

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

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

Close to a thousand participants coming from various universities and schools in the country gathered for the Federation of School Registrars Association's (FOSRA) 12th General Assembly held a few weeks back at the Medicine Auditorium, University of Santo Tomas, Manila .

Viewpoints

Editorial Logo
Monday, July 5th, 2010

It was the reference to these sirens utilized by the powerful (or those feeling powerful) that left a lasting impression on the throngs at the new President's inaugural and those watching from their television sets. And indeed why not?

Signos
Sunday, July 4th, 2010

I travel each week to Manila from Naga. In most of these trips, I always manage to have the single seat of the Peñafrancia Bus Q or X, which is one of the most sophisticated buses in the archipelago.

For Bikol and the World
Sunday, July 4th, 2010

"Are we not re-opening old wounds?"

This was then first-termer Congressman Noynoy's question on the issue of finding the real mastermind of Ninoy's assassination together with bringing to justice all those responsible for human rights abuses and corruption during the Marcos Dictatorship in one congressional hearing I attended as a resource person way back in 1998.

Sato Ini
Sunday, July 4th, 2010

An mga babasahon ngunyan na Domingo mga pagirumdom na an Dyos iyo an burabod nin kaogmahan asin katuninongan.

Church News

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

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.

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

MANILA, July 2, 2010-Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales is in favor of a Malacañang move to investigate the alleged crimes of former President Gloria Arroyo.

But Rosales is not happy with how things are currently going on in terms of looking into a wide range of controversies surrounding Arroyo's nine years in power.

He said that if the current administration is serious in putting closure to so many issues of graft of corruption, it should include even the past presidents or administrations.

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

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.

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

The first "Bishop Francisco Gainza Trade Fair" which would showcase the best of Bikol products is set to be conducted on September 9 to 20, 2010 at the Open Parking Area of SM City Naga from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

The activity is named in honor of Bishop Gainza who pioneered the first agricultural and industrial expo in Bikol in 1875 as a feature of the Peñafrancia Festivities.

Features

It would be interesting to see how Aquino III will be able to transcend his class background and political orientation. In Philippine politics, promises are bound to be broken unless elected leaders begin to walk the talk.
Sunday, July 4th, 2010

Something new happened in the Philippines' election system last May and this was the use of automation for the first time to generate quick election results. Despite the new technology, however, the elections hardly changed the country's political configuration. Political dynasties remain in power and not a few people's hopes of promoting reform politics were dashed with the defeat of reform-minded officials particularly in Pampanga and Isabela.