Alec Francis A. Santos

If the City Government of Naga were to be asked, one man's trash is another man's treasure indeed.

The local government recently signed a joint venture agreement with an energy group for the construction of a power facility using trash from the city's landfill in Brgy. Balatas.

According to Oscar Orozco, head of Naga's Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), the newly signed agreement would facilitate the establishment of a gasification facility in the city landfill that could generate energy to augment the needs of local electric cooperatives.

Eighty-six volunteers literally bled for a cause during a bloodletting activity organized by Naga City councilor David Casper Nathan Sergio as part of the city's Sandugo Program. Blood donors flocked to the city hall lobby on Feb. 16 to participate in the activity.

Sergio was appointed by Mayor Jesse M. Robredo last year as the director of the new blood program to boost the city's efforts in ensuring ample supply of blood transfusions as mandated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH).

A team of specialists from the Czech Republic returned to Naga City this month to assist in the implementation of the city government's 10-year solid waste plan.

Jan Pavlik, the team's project manager, was accompanied by technical experts Jaroslav Jakubes, Jiri Klicpera, Jaroslav Koubal, and Ivo Pospisil. The experts conducted several inspections and engaged in dialogues with some city officials during their week-long stay.

Rod revealed that he has contacted Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz and Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson about his defection from the underground business. He has also surrendered several bundles of jueteng receipts and collection tallies to Archbishop Cruz as evidence. Along with his exit from the jueteng business, Rod divulged information about the daily collections from the province's four congressional districts.

According to Rod, jueteng operators operated along the political structure of the province, with management teams controlling each congressional district. He added that operators are able to maintain their grip on the province because of protection money allegedly being paid weekly to police officials, government officials, and journalists.

Legazpi City - A region-wide transport strike has resulted in paralyzing up to 85% of public transportation in Bikol. A week-long preparation culminated in a strike that paralyzed 70-80% of transportation in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Masbate. In Albay, the figure is higher at 95%.

The mall is expected to generate substantial revenue for the city in the form of taxes, he adds.

NAGA CITY--City officials are mulling the possibility of getting grants from the World Bank to fund some of the city’s projects.

In a high-level meeting with World Bank country director Bert Hofman and other World Bank executives, Planning and Development Officer Willy Prilles and Vice Mayor Gabriel Bordado bared plans for the rehabilitation of the Naga River.

The city officials informed the visiting executives about the city’s plans to revive and transform the Naga River into a viable resource for the city and its residents. The rehabilitation of the said river was part of the recommendations by the World Bank during the 2003 City Development Strategy report. According to Prilles, the city has accomplished most of the goals enumerated in the report, except the Naga river rehabilitation. He explained that the said project would require a substantial amount of capital which the city does not have.

"Earth Hour" is a global campaign initiated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia held annually to promote energy-conservation and highlight the problems brought by global warming. Participants are encouraged to turn off non-essential lights and appliances from 8 PM to 9 PM on a set date in an effort to reduce electricity consumption.