Albay’s youth ambassador on climate change has brought another honor to the province after she was proclaimed as this year’s Binibining Pilipinas Universe. She will compete in this year’s Miss Universe pageant. The 21-year-old Maria Venus Raj is five feet and nine inches tall and hails from Bato, Camarines Sur. She graduated with honors (Cum Laude) from Bicol University with a degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Journalism. Raj also represented Legazpi City in Miss Philippines-Earth 2008 and was crowned Miss Philippines Earth Eco Tourism 2008. Dianne Necio of Polangui, Albay was named First Runner-up.

A special environmental task force aptly named Guardians of Nature, and dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Albay’s healthful environment, was launched here recently. Chaired by Albay Gov. Joey S. Salceda, the Task Force includes as officers and members the top officers in Albay of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and all schools in the province led by the Bicol University.

Albay is the first province in the country to pioneer a tool to battle climate change, address disaster risks, and achieve sustainable development when a tripartite agreement on the creation of the Albay Sustainable Development Guidebook was finally given the green light. The Albay provincial government, the Manila Observatory (MO) and Chevron Geothermanl Philippines (CGPHI) signed through a Memorandum of Agreement on Thursday (February 24).

From the emergency of the recent Mayon volcano eruption where Albay registered another zero casualty performance, the Albay Provincial Government here is again busy setting in place measures to counter the potential adverse impact of the twin El Niño and La Niña phenomena. El Nino refers to the drought condition brought about by the prolonged absence of rain, while La Nina is the opposite characterized by heavy and continuous rains that spawn destructive flashfloods.

Legazpi’s SmokeFree Campaign is nominated for the 1st Red Orchid Awards of the World Health Organization and Department of Health. DOH Regional Director Nestor Santiago informed Mayor Noel Rosal that “considering the success that Local Government Unit has achieved towards a Smoke-Free Legazpi City” the DOH –Bicol conducted a team visit to orient the Smoke-Free Committee on the criteria and requirement of the said Awards.

A 10-man delegation of South Korean dignitaries, led by Congressman Lee Hwa Soo, visited Legazpi City last January 20, 2009. They paid a courtesy call on Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal. Members of the City Council of Legazpi were also present to welcome the visitors. According to Paolo Kang, spokesman of the group, the purpose of the visit is to promote cultural and trade ties between Legazpi City and South Korea, specifically the city of Asan.

Legazpi continues to adapt ways to help mitigate the negative impact of climate change and global warming caused by pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. New electric-powered, non-polluting jeepneys now provide eco-friendly transportation in the city of Legazpi.

The Diocese of Legazpi welcomes its sixth bishop, the 55-year old Bishop Joel Z. Baylon in a liturgical reception and canonical installation held December 10, 2009 at the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral. Bishop Baylon will succeed the Apostolic Adminstrator Bishop Lucilo B. Quiambao. Prior to his appointment as the new bishop of Legazpi, Bishop Baylon served as Bishop of Masbate since 1998.

For pioneering climate change adaptation initiatives, Albay have been recently chosen by an international research group as a model for the study of the impact and the perceived defense against the threat of the global warming phenomenon. The Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) has chosen Albay for initiating projects on climate change simulation research and study, which it will conduct jointly with the College of Forestry and Natural Resources of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

Albay province, known for Governor Joey Sarte Salceda administration’s thrust to have at least one college graduate in each Albayano family has lauded Efren Peñaflorida, the Cable News Network (CNN) hero of the year, for extending exemplary help to poor and eager students off the streets.