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.

The Metro Integrated Transport Terminal (MITT) started operation on Monday giving commuters from all over Albay province the experience of a world-class transport terminal. Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal led the formal opening of the state of the art terminal l at the corner of Tahao and Alternate roads in a simple ceremony attended by top executives of the province.

Legazpi’s colorful month-long Ibalong Festival returns this October 2009. This year’s celebration promises to be more exciting and festive than ever before. The Ibalong Festival is a feast that celebrates Bicol’s ancient history as told in the Ibalong folk-epic fragment that recounts the adventures of Bikol’s early heroes: Baltog, Handiong and Bantong.

Real estate and mall developers Ayala Land, Megaworld and the SM Group are exploring a possible partnership with Misibis Land Inc. for the development of the Embarcadero retail and ICT complex in Legazpi, Albay. This was revealed to The STAR by Bicolano businessman Elizaldy S. Co whose real estate arm, Misibis Land, is investing P1.6 billion to develop the 51,000 square meter Embarcadero fronting Albay Bay and with a commanding view of the famous Mayon Volcano.

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.

Ibalong, the sixty stanzas the remain of a full-length folk epic that is today little known even in Kabikolan itself, was presumably jotted down in its complete Bicol narrative by Fray Bernardino de Melendreras (1815-1867), a Franciscan missionary in Ginobatan, Albay, from a minstrel referred to in the epic as Kadungung and who could be the same wandering bard described years later by another Franciscan, Fray Jose Castaño (b. 1854), as “Homero de Ibalon.”

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.

In celebration of the 2nd anniversary of the National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation (NCCCA). The Albay CIRCA (Center for Initiatives and Researche on Climate Adaptation) is holding the first ever Albay Eco Challenge. The event is designed to increase awareness on climate change and other important environmental issues.

In December 2001, Landco Pacific Corporation opened Landco Business Park in Legazpi. The masterplanned business park is envisioned to be the city’s premier central business district. Centrally located in the Legazpi Port District, Landco Business Park is easily accessible to all major thoroughfares, as well as the integrated terminal and the Legazpi Public Market.