CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, the Eastern Bicol Medical Center will not be privatized. Instead, its proponents say, its own income from PhilHealth reimbursements and users’ fees, as well as government grants and subsidies, would be plowed back to the provincial hospital to further improve its physical infrastructure, equipment and personnel. (Tata Francia)

138 KILOS OF AFRICAN NIGHT CRAWLER WORMS were distributed by the Bureau of Soil and Water Management last week to several entities and barangays for use in composting waste as part of their ecological solid waste management projects. (Bob Monterola)

BATO COUNCILOR GABRIEL TEJERERO questions the capability of the proposed EBMC economic enterprise to turn a profit as he joined stakeholders in the public conducted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last week at the capitol dome. (Bob Monterola)

THE NEW OFFICERS of the Holy Name Society – Virac Unit headed by its president, Bro. David Joson Jr., were installed the other Sunday at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The other officers are: Bro. Dante Tavor, 1st vice president; Bro. Eddie Tapel, 2nd VP; Sis. Herminia Apil, secretary; Bro. Joselito Olfindo, assistant secretary; Sis. Maricris Sarmiento, treasurer; Sis. Susan Romero, assistant treasurer; Bro. Felicito Camacho, auditor; Bro. Antonio Sarmiento, MMO; Bro. Crisogono Omadto, marshall; Bro. Renan Sarmiento, assistant marshall; Bro. Macario Magdaraog, Bro. Noel Sarmiento, Bro. Eulogio Frontuna, Bro. Conrad dela Rosa (assistant) and Bro. Joseph Arcilla, sector chairmen; and, Bro. Manuel Magistrado, Bro. Hermin Zafe, Bro. Raffy Zuniega, Bro. Rudy Romero, Bro. Jose Rodulfo, and Bro. Nonong Sorra, Board of Consultors.

AN OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLE gets some nudging from Gov. Joseph Cua as it is released at Twin Rock beach resort following its recovery from the net of a Camarines Sur fisherman, who turned over the mammal to Bislig barangay officials. (Prince Subion)

A WOODEN FOOTBRIDGE now spans the river at Tobrehon, San Miguel, following efforts by ACF, who put up P200,000.00, and the administration of Mayor Edna Bernal to provide residents easy access to their abaca plantations and nearby barangays. The footbridge, which still misses guard rails, has cost a total of P1.3 million and is expected to withstand floods.

CSC’s BUSINESS HUB Rev. Fr. Ed Zafe officiates the blessing and inauguration rites of the CSC Corporate Business Operations Center building, with Dr. Asuncion V. Asetre, SUC President III, cutting the ceremonial ribbon, assisted by Dr. Aida A. Dianela, VP for academic affairs.

UNIVERSAL COVERAGE FOR CATANDUANES. Gov. Joseph Cua (center) beams after being presented a plaque of recognition by PhilHealth president and CEO Dr. Rey Aquino (5th from left) for achieving the feat. Also in photo are (from left): Exec. Asst. VP Ruben John Basa, Area VP Greg Rulloda, Bicol regional VP Orlando Iñigo Jr., Senior VP for Operations Tito Mendiola, and Virac service office chief Dr. Ma. Zaila Bagadiong. (Bob Monterola)

CLOSE SHAVE. Unlicensed driver Salvador Tumpang, 33, of Dugui San Isidro, Virac, jumped off his Motorstar motorcycle just before it went under the Isuzu Elf closed van driven by Jeffrey Morales of Tabaco City. Both were turning right towards Rawis at the corner of the Virac Sports Center when the accident occurred Jan. 20.

IT WOULD TAKE DYNAMITE to demolish this house-sized boulder that came with the landslide that buried part of the provincial road to the two Aroyao barangays in Bato and San Miguel town last week and blocked traffic since then.

Headline Stories:
In 2010: Conversion of EBMC into economic enterprise seen
The transformation of the Eastern Bicol Medical Center into an economic enterprise is expected to be realized before midyear, with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan reportedly 100% behind the vital project of Governor Joseph C. Cua.

Full Story

Jan 28

Comelec sets March training for teachers in automated polls

Jan 21

Fund includes “pork”: Half of P81-M EDF set aside for infra projects

Past Headline Stories...

Lack of passengers force PAL Express to suspend flights
The budget airline PAL Express unexpectedly suspended its flights along the Manila-Virac-Manila route last week reportedly due to declining passengers.

Full Story

Bato SB is Bicol’s Best
The Sangguniang Bayan of Bato has been declared the regional winner in the 4th to 6th class category of the Local Legislative Award.

Full Story

In 2008: Bagamanoc bought P1-M worth of workbooks from Mindanao supplier
The Commission on Audit has found that the municipal government of Bagamanoc procured 3,125 copies of workbooks for high school students from a supplier based in Misamis Oriental in Northern Mindanao in 2008 without the concurrence of Sangguniang Bayan.

Full Story

Past Articles...

Editorial Page:

An encouraging partnership between the SP and the executive at the EBMC
It is refreshing, even uplifting, to those who are tired of political machinations on this island to know that the proposal to convert the derelict Eastern Bicol Medical Center into an economic enterprise is being backed to the hilt by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Inside Page:

No other way to go for EBMC
The Sangguniang Panlalawogan has already approved in principle the proposed conversion of the Eastern Bicol Medical Center in to an economic enterprise of the provincial government.

Isip-isipon Ta:

Mariringawon na candidato
Dae pa ngani Marso 26, nagpoon na man ang panabuyak nign odo duman sa Bato.

Tingnan Natin:

Masayang pagpupulong ng mga alkalde
Ang isa sa mga humahataw ngayong kandidatong senador ay si Mr Gets ko, Ramon Guico ang pangulo ng League of the Municipalities of the Phlippines (LMP) at dating mayor ng Binalonan, Pangasinan.

Between Islands:

Welcome to the Catanduanes Schools Mushroom Club
There's another school that has joined the school mushrooms in Catanduanes. And reports say it is owned by an appointed government official.

The Way I See It:

Manolo Sanchez, the Congressional bet
The Way I See It, takes off starting this issue. But first, my acknowledgment to the Catanduanes Tribune, through Engr. Fernan Gianan, for the kind accommodation.

Letters to the Editor:

Sala na Pagsingil nin Parking Fee sa Airport
Anong klaseng pasistema igwa diyan sa Virac Airport manongod sa pagsingil nin parking fee? Ang gasingil palan diyan mga tricycle drivers o grupo nin mga tricycle drivers? Pano nangyari na nagkaigwa nin poder diyan ang mga ordinaryong tricycle driver mantang propriedades nin gobyerno ang parking area diyan?

Nagpapamidbid na kandidato
Ako tabi si SALVADOR BRIONES GIANAN nagpapamidbid saindoang kandidato official kang partidong KBL para GOBERNADOR sa maabot na election, Mayo 10, 2010.