Through the collaborative efforts of Governor Joseph Cua, RTC Executive Judge Lelu Contreras, and PNP Provincial Director PSSupt. Jesus Martirez, Catanduanes leads to being the first in the country to launch a well-organized treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration program for Surrendering Drug Users (SDUs).

With the increasing number of SDUs nationwide and intending to effectively address the expected rise in number of SDUs in the province in the latter part of 2016, the three had an urgent meeting together with Provincial Health Officer Dr. Hazel Palmes earlier in July to establish a program regarding the matter. The meeting led to the formulation of Catanduanes’ coined Community Based Treatment and Rehabilitation (CBTR) Program. CBTR formally started last July 18 and is now on its third level according to Dr. Palmes.

VIRAC, Catanduanes– To establish and strengthen local structure that will collaboratively address the problems of trafficking and violence against women and their children, Gov. Joseph C. Cua has issued  Executive Order No. 13 creating the Provincial Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (PIACAT-VAWC) in the province.
 
Republic Act 9208 declares that the State shall give highest priority to the enactment of measures and development of programs that will promote human dignity, protect the people from violence and exploitation, eliminate trafficking in persons, and mitigate pressures for involuntary migration and servitude of persons to ensure their recovery, rehabilitation, and integration.
 

NAGA CITY---  In recognition of their invaluable contribution in nation building and support of its advocacy programs, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) conferred accolades to their deserving institutional partners and stakeholders on Tuesday at the BSP Assembly Hall here.
 
Now on its 23rd year, BSP honored organizations and institutions that have provided exemplary support to the BSP’s statistical undertakings, especially in disseminating vital information regarding the BSP’s programs and advocacy in its 2016 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for their stakeholders in Bicol region.
 
With the theme “sustained partnership, sustained economic growth,” BSP took cognizant of the successful alliance that they have built with their partners through the years, highlighting their assistance in delivering the BSP’s primary mandate of promoting price stability and ensuring financial stability.
 
Ngo & Sons Trading and Industries, Inc. was this year’s Outstanding Respondent among Large and Medium Firms while Ramarplus Incorporated was recognized as the Outstanding Respondent among small firms for the Business Expectation Survey (BES) in Region V.
 
The award is given to respondents who have regularly submitted their responses to the quarterly BES on time.
 
This year’s Outstanding Partner for the report on regional economic developments award went to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Region V.  Also awarded as Outstanding Regional Partners in currency programs of BSP were the Diocese of Legazpi for coin recirculation and Albay Bankers Association and Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the Demonetization of the New Design (NDS) series.
 
The award given to the outstanding regional partner in currency program of the BSP for the demonetization of the NDS reconizes stakeholder’s efforts in providing exemplary support in the promotion, coordination and implementation of the demonetization of the NDS banknotes of the BSP.  Recipients may come from partners coming from the private, public, non-government organizations, groups or individuals.
 
This year’s Outstanding regional partners for implementing BSP advocacy on the conduct of Public Information Campaigns was awarded to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol regional office and Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) (Naga Branch).  
 
DSWD and CBSUA were cited in terms of their responsiveness to requests, logistics support and invitation of participants to ensure the smooth conduct of PICs in their respective localities. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)

LEGAZPI CITY, Sept. 28 (PIA) – The number of contract workers being absorbed as regular employees by their companies has been increasing since, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol.
 
DOLE Bicol officer in charge Atty. Ma Karina Perida-Trayvilla stated that more local firms in the region have voluntarily absorb their contract workers fourteen days after attending the End of Contractualization  (ENDO) Regional Consultation conducted by DOLE Bicol on September 1.

NAGA CITY, Sept. 28 (PIA)     ---  The imminent impact of digital prominence to the economy prompted the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bicol to launch in Camarines Sur  the “Grow Competitive with E-Commerce”  Seminar held September 26at the Starview Plaza Hotel, here.  
 
The gathering of more than 100 entrepreneurs with ventures on processed food, wearables and homestyle, and tourism support sectors intends to encourage these entrepreneurs to widen their services and products by venturing on E-Commerce or E-marketing.

VIGA, CATANDUANES – Isang Improvised Explosive Device (IED) ang sumambulat, may limampung metro lamang ang layo sa posisyon ng pulisya na noo’y naghahanda para magsagawa ng regular COMELEC checkpoint.

VIRAC, CATANDUANES – Nakauwing ligtas sa kani-kanilang tahanan noong nakaraang Martes, Enero 26, ang dalawang mangingisda na nawala sa laot at ipinadpad sa dalampasigan ng Sorsogon.
Sa ulat ni Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (LDRRMO) Jerry Beo, ikawalo ng umaga noong January 22 nang pumalaot sina Jervel Avila, 29 taon gulang at Roland Tabor, 33 years old upang mangisda. Ngunit pagdating umano sa Pasipiko, namatay ang makina ng kinalululanan nilang motorized banca, at sa loob ng mahabang oras ay iginaod sila ng malakas na hagunot ng hanging Amihan sa direksiyon ng lalawigan ng Sorsogon.

VIRAC, CATANDUANES – Anim (6) na mga panabong na manok ni dating Virac Mayor Cito Alberto ang ninakaw ng isang binatang tambay noong nakaraang linggo sa farm sa Barangay Palta.

Samantala, matapos ang paggagalugad, natagpuan ito sa pag-iingat ng ilang residente, kung kaya’t isinabit ang bumili sa kasong paglabag sa Anti-fencing law.

Virac, Catanduanes – Ipinagdiwang ng Philippine Councilors League Catanduanes Chapter sapamumuno ni Liga President at Ex-officio Provincial Board Member Shirley A. Abundo ang PCL week sa pamamagitan ng tatlong araw na sports fest.

            Since its inception as an institution of higher learning in early 70s, the Catanduanes State Colleges has been formed out of the former Virac National Agriculture and Trades School (VNATS) through the initiative of Cong. Jose M. Alberto.  The conversion of that secondary vocational school into a state institution of higher learning is one of the long-lasting legacies bestowed upon Catandunganons by the proactive and visionary leader---JMA.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
(Violet) CYCLE C/ YEAR II (February 21, 2016)
Gn 15:5-12, 17-18/Phil 3:17-4, 1 or Phil 3:20-4, 1/Lk 9:28b-36

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
National Migrants’ Sunday
(Violet) CYCLE C/YEAR I (February 14, 2016)
Dt. 26:4-10/Rom 10:8-13/Lk 4:1-13

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(Green) CYCLE C/YEAR II (February 7, 2016)
Is 6:1-2a, 3-8/1 Cor 15;1-11 or 1 Cor 15:3-8, 11/Lk 5:1-11

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(Green) Cycle C/Year II (January 24, 2016)
Neh 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10/1Cor 12:12-30/Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21

FEAST OF THE SANTO NIÑO
(White) CYCLE C/ Year II (January 17, 2016)
Is 9:1-6/Eph 1:3-6, 15-18/Lk 2:41-52

FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
(White) Cycle C, Year I (January 10, 2016)
Is 42:1-4, 6-7/Acts 10:34-38/Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
(White) Cycle C, Year I (January 10, 2016)
Is 42:1-4, 6-7/Acts 10:34-38/Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
(White) CYCLE C/Year II (January 3, 2016)
Is 60: 1-6/Eph 3:2, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12