Six new bridges worth P212 million are to be built in the province of Albay. Funding for the six bridges have recently been approved under the French Protocol. The new bridges will be part of a road network that surround the Southern Luzon International Airport (Bicol International Airport) in Barangay Alobo, Daraga.

Bicol’s entrepreneurs across the region will showcase their products at the 13th “Orgullo kan Bikol” regional trade fair on October 22-25 at the SM Mega Mall in Mandaluyong City, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office said on Wednesday.

The province of Albay continues to improve its disaster preparedness and risk reduction program by using an advanced software that will allow planners and development officers to prepare for and cope against all types of calamities including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and typhoons. Albay’s planners and development officers will undergo an intensive five day training on the REDAS (Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment) system.

A new coastal road and seawall project in Legazpi City was inaugurated last September 30, 2009. The Legazpi boulevard extension is a scenic 4.095 kilometer seaside road that takes advantage of the panoramic view of the azure Albay Gulf, the Kapuntukan (Sleeping Lion Hill) and the surrounding islands. The road will feature a bicylcle lane and a wide promenade with landscaping and decorative lamps perfect for jogging and strolling.

Albay-based Sunwest Water and Electric Power Co. Inc. (Suweco) has adjusted upwards its planned investments for three mini-hydropower projects to P1.16 billion from the previous estimate of P729 million. Suweco told the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) that it had to adjust the project cost to take into account the rise in the cost of steel and other raw materials and other factors.

A P920-million road project will soon be implemented linking the coastal towns of Libon and Pioduran in the west coast side of Albay, a top provincial official said on Monday. Albay Governor Joey Salceda said he has secured the funding for the Albay West Coast Road project involving the construction of a 46-kilometer road network from the municipalities of Libon to Pioduran.

The Albay Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) on Wednesday said that disaster preparedness action plan is now in place and ready for implementation in the event Mayon volcano’s exhibits possible signs of an eruption. Albay Governor Joey Salceda, PDCC chairman, said disaster operating scenarios have been drawn up and ready for execution in times the volcano’s abnormal behavior turns worst.

The provincial government of Albay and Pfizer, a multi pharma company, have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the full implementation of “Kalusugan Para sa Mamamayan” (KASAMA) of Albay. Albay governor Joey Salceda explained during the MOA signing held here, Thursday, that KASAMA program goal is in line with the government’s thrust to expand access of Filipinos to quality health care.

The Aquinas University of Legazpi (AUL) has implemented a project dubbed “Urban Agriculture through the High-Value Commercial Crops Techno-Demo Farm” within its expansive campus here. The project features 60-square-meter greenhouse where vegetables highly sensitive to rain and changes in temperature like broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower and honeydew melon are being propagated.

With the church maintaining its strong opposition for any form of gambling, the city government opted to stop the potential of casino operation despite initial popular support from the business community and the public. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. applied for a casino operation on a 24-hour basis at the soon-to-operate P1 billion commercial complex known as Embarcadero.

Legazpi City — Local government units (LGUs) all over the country look up to Albay as model in the implementation of disaster management and control measures, it was reported here. Many of these LGUs are sending their technical personnel to Albay to study its disaster-management programs and activities. Some local government officials said they are studying Albay’s disaster-preparedness and risk-reduction measures after it was cited by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).