Member-consumers of the Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO) expressed a sigh of relief after the local electric cooperative was successful in getting a bilateral agreement with Aboitiz Power Renewable’s Inc. to supply cheap electricity in the province. ALECO has recently entered into an agreement with Aboitiz, an independent power provider (IPP), for the latter to provide the cooperative with 40 percent of its electricity requirements.

Dethroned beauty queen and Albay’s youth envoy for climate change Maria Venus Raj just might be the Philippines’ representative to the Miss Universe 2010 pageant after all. The Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) announced in a statement released today that “for humanitarian reasons” they are allowing Raj to reclaim her title. She only needs to get a valid Philippine passport.

Philippine peso bills will soon feature national natural wonders including the majestic Mayon Volcano of Albay. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is set to release the new design of Philippine monetary bills and coins by the end of 2010. The new currency design will have brighter colors and will feature the Philippines’ natural wonders at the back side of the bills. The current design features historical landmarks.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) here is fast tracking the completion of its new office building along Rizal St. in Old Albay District to have a bigger Economic and Financial Learning Center (EFLC), an official of the agency reported. The new facility is expected to open this year.

The Bicol International Airport project in Barangay Alobo in Daraga received an additional P23 million to complete its right-of-way acquisition which has so far attained close to a 75 percent mark of accomplishment. The amount is on top of the P82 million earlier released by Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to compensate the land owners whose property the new airport will occupy.

A college graduate in every Albayano home – that is the dream and vision of the Albay Higher Education Contribution Scheme, a novel education assistance program that will kick off in the 2010-2011 school year.

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 Geothermal 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.