Sorsogon City, Philippines -- Business activities halted at the  busy Streets of Magsaysay and Rizal here to give way to yet another extraordinary observance of the death of Jesus Christ in a funeral procession.

CATHOLIC devotees in Sorsogon pay homage to the image of Jesus Christ lying  in  the   casket   as  thousands   join  this  Holy  Friday's  procession  in

observance of Christ's fulfillment of his promise to redeem the world from sin through his death and resurrection.

Men and women, young and old, rich and poor all with exposed feet marched the 4-kilometer stretch that took all of 4 hours stretching end to end  from the Saints Peter and Paul

CHILDREN as young as six months old are brought in by their parents perhaps   instilling   in   their  innocent   minds   how  important  the  death

Sorsogon  -  For more than three years now, Sorsogon Bay has deprived shellfish eaters from consumption of shellfish particularly green mussel (locally known as tahong) due to the presence of red tide. Latest laboratory results, however, of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed that Sorsogon Bay is now free from the red tide toxin based on the samples collected.
        Gil A. Adora, officer-in-charge of BFAR laboratory in Diliman Quezon City said that with the negative results obtained from the water and shellfish meat samples at Mandaon and Milagros waters in Masbate, Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon, which was declared negative of harmful algal bloom or red tide in February this year,

and now, Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon City, coastal waters of Bicol region is generally safe from the noxious red tide toxin.
        He, however said, that despite the declaration, the public should take extra caution and remain vigilant in buying shellfish products, wash them thoroughly and remove the internal organs

before cooking. Also he advised to buy only those that are fresh.
        "Particularly that the country is currently suffering from El Niño phenomenon, there is a high possibility of re-occurrence of harmful algal bloom or red tide to previously contaminated coastal waters, so the public

Legazpi City -- At least 300 examinees around the Bicol Region will take the first batch of Career Service Examination-Paper and Pencil Test (CSE-PPT) for the Professional and Sub-Professional levels this month.

Buddy Villaroza, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Assistant Regional Director said the examination will be held in different testing centers in the city: Divine Word College, Divine Word High School Department,

Legazpi City --  The Bicol University (BU) Graduate School of Public Administration (PA), in coordination with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here had conducted over the weekend a voters' education in Barangay Alobo, Daraga, Albay.
        Spearheaded by students of the College of Business, Economics and Management and PA Graduate students,

led by its Professor Dr. Rosemarie Frias, the campaign program held at the Immaculate Conception Chapel in the said barangay,

        The voters' education was aimed to help enhance voters' awareness in the coming electoral process. It also seek to educate voters in the conduct of the first poll automation in the country and ultimately encourage them to exercise

MANILA --The Independent Commission Against Private Armies (ICAPA) -- the Presidential body created by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to look into the existence of partisan armed groups in the country, has directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police(PNP) to step up efforts to dismantle those groups to ensure

For over three years, Sorsogon Bay is in ailing condition caused by the Red Tide toxin that displaced hundreds of fishermen their only means of livelihood.