Iriga.Gov.Ph 2009
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2010
March

:: The local election officer in Iriga has designated the Common Poster Areas in the city for the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections. [3/3/2010]
According to COMELEC Resolution No. 8758, a common poster area is a structure “that is temporarily set up by the candidates or political parties for the exclusive purpose of displaying their campaign posters.” It does not refer to a “post, a tree, the wall of a building or an existing public structure that is in active use.” Its location and number is determined by the Commission.
February

:: IRIGA PNP IS BEST POLICE STATION ANEW [2/26/2010]
The Iriga City Police Station has been adjudged again as the Best Police Station of the Year (City Level); while two of its personnel similarly received separate recognition for their respective achievements.

:: Iriga Best Practices Get Unanimous Nods of 5 Cities [2/26/2010]

Some of Iriga City’s reform programs won praises in the recently concluded Closing Conference for the Transparent and Accountable Governance (TAG) Program Grant for 6 Cities of the Asia Foundation and the British Embassy held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.  

:: IRIGA PUPILS MAKE WAVES IN DAVAO CHANT CONTEST [2/26/2010]
Selected Grade III to Grade VI pupils of the Iriga Central School topped both the Luzon and Visayan contenders to finish First Runner-Up to the National Winner for Mindanao, during the 3rd National English Jazz Chant Festival held in Tagum City in Davao del Norte from February 15-17, 2010.

:: Iriga RDO 1 of 2 Top Performing Tax Collectors in Bicol [2/24/2010]
Three main features of the kick-off program was the launching of the Juan asin Maria ad board which encourages citizens to demand receipts from sellers of products and services, the launching of the Search for the 2010 Student Tax Wizard, and the signing of the Pledge of Support of the various Chambers of Commerce and civil society organizations in the region for the tax campaign.

:: PROBE ON MOUNTAIN FIRE ON [2/19/2010]

Observers say that the fire, aggravated by the onset of the El Nino, nevertheless drew out the best in the Iriguenos, with their sense of volunteerism and community. They added that it also underscored once again the need to draw out more protective measures for the fragile ecosystem of Mt. Iriga, the city’s most noticeable natural landmark

:: CITY HALL EMPLOYEES UNDERGO EARTHQUAKE DRILL [2/17/2010]

an earthquake drill conducted by members of the local chapter of the  Bicol Search and Rescue and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

:: MASBATE CITY’S BIRD DANCE TOPS FESTIVAL SHOWDOWN [2/17/2010]

IRIGA CITY – Lapay Bantigue, Masbate City’s signature dance festival, bested eight other festivals of other places in the Bicol region as it topped the Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals held here coinciding with the host city’s own Tinagba Festival last February 11, 2010.

Related News

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/feb18/xtinag.html

 

:: KAPUSO, KAPAMILYA STARS IN IRIGA’S TINAGBA FESTIVAL [2/8/2010]
IRIGA CITY. This city’s Tinagba Festival is guaranteed to be a star-studded affair as talents of the two national TV networks in the country join the ancient Bicol’s first-harvest celebration.

:: SEC. DEVANADERA IN FIRST BICOL PROSECUTORS MEET [2/8/2010]
IRIGA CITY . Government prosecutors in Bicol will have their first-ever regional meeting here, one of the important events that will be held in time for the celebration of the Tinagba festival of this city which is also hosting the Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals showdown on February 11, this year.

:: ALFELOR-GAZMEN ENJOYS HIGH TRUST RATINGS AMONG IRIGUENOS: SWS SURVEY [2/1/2010]

ALFELOR-GAZMEN ENJOYS HIGH TRUST RATINGS AMONG IRIGUENOS: SWS SURVEY

:: 2010 TINAGBA GAYON BICOL PROMISES MORE GLITZ AND GLAMOR [2/1/2010]

IRIGA CITY - A national winner in the country’s biggest street dancing competition last year heads a talented group of entries in this year’s Gayon Bicol Festival which this city is hosting on February 11, 2010 coinciding with its very own Tinagba Festival

:: The Tinagba 2010 Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals TVC [2/1/2010]

Watch the Tinagba 2010 Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals Showdown at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pZ0Y-CNS1k
January

:: in 2010 Tinagba Gayon Bicol [1/14/2010]
There are festivals and there are festivals, but which is the fairest of them all?
2009
October

:: Philippine Panorama Article on Mayor Madelaine Alfelor Gazmen [10/28/2009]
Philippine Panorama Article on Mayor Madelaine Alfelor Gazmen

:: PSEAP Seminar [10/28/2009]
LGU employees undergoing the Public Service Excellence and Accountability Program conducted by the CELACOM and the Asia Foundation.
September

:: One dance for one Iriga [9/22/2009]

Iriga City, Philippines — Noel Cabangon’s song titled Beautiful City of Iriga says it all. What used to be a former barrio where showbiz personalities like Nora Aunor, Eddie Ilarde, Jaime Fabregas and Rez Cortes hailed from has Mt. Iriga to calm everyone’s wondering mind, sinful delicacies and mouthwatering dishes (laing and pinangat) to satisfy one’s appetite and a city layout where you can find your basic needs in just a full turn around the plaza. The city’s charm emanates from its amiable people.

:: Iriga City marks a milestone [9/22/2009]
JUST A THOUGHT: Past is experience. Present is experiment. Future is expectation. Use your experience in your experiment to achieve your expectations.

:: Aeta kids learn healthy living [9/22/2009]

IRIGA CITY — A big white truck brought the children of Mt. Asog to the city that Sunday morning, under the watchful eye of their tribal chieftain.

:: JUST A THOUGHT: He who angers you controls you [9/22/2009]
THEY sure learned their lessons well from Douglas Nierras, the strict, screaming tito and veteran choreographer behind Power Dance who mentored them for two straight weeks.

:: USANT Prexy is Irigueno Lifetime Achievement Awardee - Vows to Put Iriga in the Country’s Map [9/9/2009]
A highlight of this year’s 41st City Charter Anniversary celebration was the conferment on University of Saint Anthony President Atty. Santiago Ortega Jr. of the very first Irigueno Lifetime Achievement Award, for his lifelong devotion to the development of the city.

:: 5 Receive Sumagang Award [9/9/2009]

Four outstanding individuals and a chorale group received the 2009 Sumagang Award, the first such group of awardees since 2006 when the conferment of the award was set every after three years, instead of every year as it had originally been intended.

:: DILG USec. Soliman Hails Iriga’s Citizen’s Charter [9/9/2009]

Describing the citizens’ charter required by law to be implemented by local government units as “a manual and standard for performance,” DILG Undersecretary Eduardo R. Soliman, Jr. praised the Iriga Citizens Charter for its comprehensiveness and brevity during its soft launching during the testimonial dinner for the Sumagang Awardees at the Iriga City Convention here.

:: Eco-Park To Rise Near Ilian Hill [9/9/2009]
Ground-breaking rites has recently been made for the development of an initial 15-hectare land near the Ilian Hill as an Eco-Park.

:: Sumagang Awardee Talks on Suicide Prevention [9/8/2009]
Sumagang Awardee Talks on Suicide Prevention One of these year’s Sumagang Awardees delivered the inaugural lecture in a nascent initiative to engage Bicol professionals and experts in the discussion of the region’s state-of-affairs through the holding of a bi-annual lecture series.

:: Dance Concert Raise Funds for New SPED Building  [9/8/2009]
Dance Concert Raise Funds for New SPED Building Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen has urged Iriguenos to be part of the weaving of the continuing story of development of the city.

:: Iriga Wins Regional Barangay Bagsakan Search [9/8/2009]
The City of Iriga, through the San Antonio Barangay Bagsakan, will represent the Bicol region in the national search for Outstanding Barangay Bagsakan 2009.

:: Citizen’s Charter being readied for formal launching [9/1/2009]
The local government of Iriga is presently in the process of printing its Citizen’s Charter meant to help its constituents transact business at the City Hall with much ease and in so short a time.
August

:: Iriga City Qualifies for AusAID ISF-LAMP2 Small Grant [8/29/2009]
Iriga City was awarded a small grant worth Php 1M by the Australian Government thru the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
July

:: Office of Civil Defense Region 5 Signs MOA with Iriga City, Turns Over Emergency Equipment [7/6/2009]
The Office of Civil Defense Region Five (OCD5), represented by Regional Dir. Bernardo Alejandro IV, and Mayor Madel Alfelor-Gazmen representing the Iriga City LGU entered into a Memorandum-of-Agreement today in connection with the Php 1.5M worth of Search, Rescue and Retrieval Equipment officially turned over to the City by the Bicol Calamity Assistance and Rehabilitation Effort (BCARE).

:: Sumagang Awards 2009 Nomination Officially Opened [7/1/2009]
Nominations for the Sumagang Awards has been officially opened as the Sumagang Awards Committee members held their first meeting on July 1, 2009. Mayor Madel had approved the appointment of the committee to be jointly chaired by Hon. Romulo M. Corporal and Hon. Rufino L. Villagomez, both members of the Iriga City Sangguniang Panlungsod.
June

:: Iriga City takes pride in its beautiful young ladies [6/28/2009]
IRIGA CITY – We were in this tranquil and beautiful city with warm, respectful people last weekend for the Ms. Iriga 2009 beauty pageant. The very down-to-earth, simple and likeable mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen invited us and made sure our stay at her city was most memorable and without any hitch.

:: DOLE turns-over laptop to Iriga PESO [6/24/2009]
Director Ernesto Bihis, Regional Director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-RV), recently visited Iriga City to turn over one Laptop computer to the Iriga City Public Employment Service Office.

:: The beauties of Iriga City, FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo  [6/18/2009]
Cris Belen and I realized why Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen is described as a “hands-on mayor.” A UP graduate, Mayor Madelaine is “cowboy na cowboy.” We saw her during the rehearsal dressed very casually in black shirt and white pants, so petite that she looked more like a student than a city executive. And the winner is...Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen. Take a bow, Mayor Madelaine!

:: The City Hall that looks like a Mini Mall [6/18/2009]
Most city halls tend to be crowded and unpleasant. But of course, there are exceptions to the rule. One of them is the newly built hall of Iriga City in Camarines Sur province. It’s a modern, two-storey edifice located a few kilometers off the city plaza, where the original hall once stood.

:: Ms Iriga Beauty Pageant, Something Different [6/17/2009]
The 2009 Ms Iriga/Ms Rinconada/Ms Tourism beauty pageant was no ordinary beauty pageant. It took a different scale of entertainment when it was conceived by the City Mayor, Madelaine Alfelor.

:: Forward-thinking Iriga -DIRECTLINE By Boy Abunda [6/16/2009]
"Now, I also declare my admiration for Mayor Madel and the kindhearted and warm people of Iriga. I’ve been to their city a few times."

:: A place in the sun, The GK housing project in Iriga is as scenic as it can g [6/16/2009]
Waking up at 5 a.m. to shoot the dawn in a new place isn’t easy. From the place where I stayed, the Le Mars Hotel in Iriga city proper, it was another six kilometers to the Gawad Kalinga site. We wanted to shoot at this time as nothing can beat the symbolism of a sunrise.

:: Celebrities take time out in Iriga  [6/16/2009]
The Katinko All-Stars Team of Ronnie Ricketts, Bayani Agbayani, Jestoni Alarcon, Jhong Hilario, Bong Alvarez, Gene Padilla and Rey Jhun Vijar played hard ball against the city’s local cagers with a twist. The celebrities spoofed the game and made fun of it. They cheated and provided comedic stints in the course of the ball game. The crowd and their competitors were left stunned and laughing. The recently-held celebrity basketball exhibition here was reminiscent of Harlem Globetrotters.
May

:: Presidentiables visit iriga city [5/18/2009]
Two personalities widely believed to be after the highest post in the country, the presidency of the Republic of the Philippines visited the City of Iriga in time for the closing of the 4th National PAGSO Convention held at newest world-class hotel in the region, the Iriga Plaza Hotel located at the old Ibalon Hotel.

:: 4th PAGSO National Convention Concluded, VIPs Bid Delegates Farewell [5/18/2009]
The 4th National Convention of the Philippine Association of General Services Officers was formally concluded last Friday, May 15 in formal ceremonies held at the Iriga Plaza Hotel with newly elected PAGSO President Lauro Monzon of Cavite and immediate Past President Rolando Montiel of Quezon City banging the Gavel for the final time this year.
April

:: Iriga City to Host 4th PAGSO National Convention  [4/21/2009]
The 4th National Convention of the Philippine Association of General Services Officers (PAGSO) will be hosted by Iriga Cityon May 13-17, 2009. The convention’s theme for this year is “PAGSO’s Response to Global Challenges in the midst of Climate Change”

:: Iriga City’s hip new public library (Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section Article) [4/15/2009]
Click here to read the Manila Bulletin article about our very own Iriga City Public Library located at the Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen Hall. It was featured in its Lifestyle Section and at its website at www.mb.com.ph. We are just so proud of its functionality and coziness, and they call it HIP! Read on.......

:: KABAYAN NOLI DE CASTRO VISITS IRIGA CITY [4/3/2009]
Vice-president Noli "Kabayan" De Castro visited Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen at the Iriga City Government Center on his way to a speaking engagement at the University of Northeastern Phillipines Commencement Rites.
March

:: Iriga City to Join Earth Hour 2009 [3/27/2009]
2,399 cities, towns and municipalities in 83 countries, including our very own City of Iriga, through Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen, a passionate nature conservation advocate, have already committed to VOTE EARTH for Earth Hour 2009, as part of the world’s first global election between Earth and global warming.
February

:: IRIGA SIGNS MOA WITH PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK [2/27/2009]
In a simple ceremony held on February 26 at the recently opened Shakey’s Restaurant in Iriga City, Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) for the bank to provide Cash Management Services to LGU-Iriga.

:: Tinagba 2009 Was Hotly Celebrated [2/25/2009]
It was the usual MAG weather. The sun did not shine the brightest to wear out the participants easily. Just the perfect weather for an all day of celebrating life…the Tinagba 2009, a celebration of life, Iriga’s culture, Iriga’s pride.

:: The New Iriga City Library… an Educational Treat  [2/9/2009]
The recent opening of the Iriga City Library housed in the Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen Hall could spark among the young that enthusiasm to discover the world and many things through books. The library which is air-conditioned to provide the reader that comfort he so desires, is very well equipped with voluminous books purchased by the city while some donated by individuals and agencies that believe reading is a very worthwhile experience and habit.

:: TINAGBA SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY PARK [2/6/2009]
TINAGBA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARK OPENS One of the main features of this year’s Tinagba Celebration opened with simple ceremonies that belie the wealth of knowledge, activities and fun it has to offer. The Tinagba Science and Technology Park will feature a Mini Zoo, a Foot Spa where little fishes will tug at your toes, an Activity Center for the kids, a Wall of Wonder/Science Exhibit where students from local schools can display their science projects and a Film Showing where educational/documentary films will be screened. There will also be an Acrobatics Show, a Mad Science Presentation, a Target Shooting Range and a Quiz Show where 36 bright young minds from local Elementary and High Schools will compete for prestige and cash prizes.

:: THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE TINAGBA [2/2/2009]
Spirituality lies beneath the etymology and practice of the Tinagba. In the early Seventies, the late Jose Calleja Reyes, a topnotch lawyer whose avocation is Bicol culture and history, first staged the Tinagba, as an expression of his own faith, his researches into the Bicol past and, as a tourism strategy for his nascent hotel business. Tinagba, whose root word is tagba, is defined by Lisboa in his 17th-century Bicol dictionary as "coger las primicias del arroz," or "to pick, gather or harvest the first fruit of rice."
2008
December

:: ADOPT-A-HOLIDAY-TREE CHRISTMAS LIGHTING CEREMONY HELD [12/17/2008]
Feeling the economic crunch, the local government of Iriga City decided to tap local concerned citizens to help beautify and brighten up the Iriga City Park for the Holiday Seasons. Sixteen (16) entities from the Academe, Local Offices, NGOs and POs responded to the call of Mayor Madel not to allow the prevailing gloom and darkness brought about the global financial crisis to prevail.

:: Iriga Central School Bags Top Prize in National Dance Drama Competition [12/7/2008]
Thirteen children ages 9-11 composed the dance drama entry of the Iriga Central School to the national Sayaw-Awit-Tugtog competition held December 4 at the Bahay ng Alumni of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. The nationwide competition was sponsored by the International Organization of Folk Arts (IOFA).

:: Iriga Central School Entry is Bicol’s Bet in the National Dance Drama Competition  [12/3/2008]
After having won the regional dance drama competition held sometime September this year, the Iriga Central School entry that bested all the entries from the different provinces in Bicol, is now poised to capture the grand prize in the Dance Drama Contest scheduled December 4, 2008 at the Bahay ng Alumni in Diliman,Quezon City.

:: Inter-Agency Literary-Musical Wowed Crowd [12/3/2008]
This year’s Inter-Agency Sports Fest held November 17-28 was marked with a musical fete that included contests in vocal solo (male and female) mixed comedy vocal duet, folk dance and extemporaneous speaking. More than the sports events like basketball and volleyball which drew a big crowd, mostly employees of the participating agencies, the literary-musical contests drew a much bigger crowd that came to witness the events that promised an entertaining afternoon.
November

:: Irigueña-American Hurdles California Bar  [11/28/2008]
A daughter of a migrant Irigueno couple is one of the more than five thousand applicants who passed the July 2008 General Bar Examination here administered by the State Bar of California`s Committee of Bar Examiners. (contributed by: H. Frank V. Peñones, Jr., San Jose, CA)

:: 2008 Iriga City Inter-Agency Sportsfest Opens [11/20/2008]
Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen led the Crowd of sports-minded merry-makers as the 2008 edition of the annual sportsfest opened November 19 in a spectacular program that showcased the Unity and sportsmanship of Irigueño employees.

:: Iriga City To Benefit on SC Decision Voiding Conversion of 16 cities  [11/20/2008]
The recent decision of the Supreme Court (SC)declaring the laws that converted 16 towns into cities last year was welcomed by the city of Iriga. Iriga was one of the cities whose Internal Revenue Allotment was decreased by the conversion to the tune of around Php30M. Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen, PRO of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), has actively participated in the LCP led move to protest these conversions. The LCP has initiated the filing of the petition to nullify the conversion of the 16 cities with the SC. Click for more details.

:: Mostly Happy Feet [11/8/2008]
Over one hundred participants, mostly choreographers, cultural coordinators and music and physical education teachers turned the whole seven hours or so dancing, what else. The occasion was the Tinagba Dance Workshop held November 6, 2008 at the MCM Restaurant. The workshop was facilitated by terpsichorean expertise Geleen Eugenio supported by William de Leon who came all the way from Manila to pave the way for a truly danceable Tinagba Festival come February 11, 2009.

:: TINUKTUK AND INUBASAN NA KATNGA WOWED NON BICOLANOS [11/3/2008]
Among them were Senator Mar Roxas and ex-Senator Butz Aquino who visited the Iriga display booth during the recent Orgullo Bikol/Gayon Bikol held at the Megatrade Center of SM Mega Mall in EDSA,.They sure had a taste of Iriga’s specialty,,,our very own tinuktuk and inubasan na katnga, both with a pungent taste.
October

:: Elderly taga-Iriga had their Day [10/19/2008]
One has to be sixty to join the ranks of the Elderly. But being elderly does not mean one is old and forgetful. These elderlies are still the most useful citizens in the country, and in Iriga, for a week, from October 11-15, they prove their mettle as the Elderly Filipino Week was celebrated and the local government was run by elderlies headed by Eddie Dy Espiritu who was city mayor; Onisimo M. Villamer Jr., vice mayor; Mrs. Flora C. Damayo, city administrator; Ernesto F. Pana. Secretary to the mayor; Dr. Isabel A. Borromeo, sangguniang panlungsod secretary; and the following were kagawads: Rudy Aguilar, Mrs. Paz Amaro, Jaime R. Berina, Manuel Cabaltera, Mrs. Teodora Martinez, Miss Soledad Nerva, Mrs. Eufronia E. Robles, Mrs. Lourdes Toralde, Mrs. Helen O. Reyes, Elfren R. Turiano, Teodoro Turallo and Mrs. Teodora V. Montanez.

:: October 27, 2007 Remembered [10/19/2008]
Almost a year after the October 28 landslide that practically submerged a big portion of the City of Iriga, specifically the poblacion area, the people have recovered from the adverse effect of Nature’s wrath. But they have not forgotten. They still have fears. What if another landslide of that magnitude occur again? They do not like to think about it. But nobody could tell.
September

:: PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO VISITS IRIGA CITY [9/9/2008]
The President was in Iriga City in Camarines Sur on Thursday afternoon to talk with local officials and regional directors on the proposed Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project.
August

:: MAG SHARES STRATEGIES TO BICOL CITIES AT THE 12th BIKOL CITIES SHARING & PLANNING WORKSHOP HELD IN LIGAO CITY [8/14/2008]
The City of Iriga headed by Mayor Madel participated in the recently concluded 12th Bikol Cities Sharing & Planning Workshop held on August 12-13, 2008 at the Twin Peaks Resort, Brgy. Batang, Ligao City, Albay. The Theme is “Bikol Cities Redesigning Relationship with Nature and Energy through Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) & Climate Change Adaptation Initiatives”.

:: Tsomlee Go, Irigueño Olympian, is from San Jose, Iriga City [8/8/2008]
27-year old Taekwondo Jin, Tshomlee Go is one of the country’s best bets for the first-ever, much coveted Olympic gold. Getting to the Olympics wasn’t one of Tshomlee’s goals at first, but his natural talent made him worthy to take part in the world’s most prestigious sporting event. The 2008 Beijing Olympics will be Tshomlee’s second trip to the Olympics, having competed in Athens in 2004.

:: Philippine Star Article: Promising Iriga City by Boy Abunda [8/6/2008]
I truly love Iriga City. (It’s so much like my birthplace, Borongan City, Eastern Samar.) It is the City of Crystal Clear Springs with more than 30 natural springs spread around the thriving city.
July

:: League of Cities P.R.O. Mayor Madel Represents LCP in UCLG-ASPAC Convention in Thailand  [7/31/2008]
Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen, Public Relations Officer of the League of Cities of the Philippines represented the League in a UN funded assembly of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific Regional Section (UCLG-ASPAC) held in Pattaya, Thailand.

:: Iriga City's University of Northeastern Philippines Chorale Wins old and Silver in Prestigious Hong Kong Tourney [7/31/2008]
Iriga City - The University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) Chorale bagged Gold and Silver in the recently concluded 2008 Hong Kong International Youth and Children’s Choir Festival besting some 20 contenders from all over the world.

:: BRIDGE TO LINK IRIGA AND POLANGUI [7/28/2008]
Iriga City - Residents of Polangui, Albay will soon have an easy access to this city with the completion of the bridge that will link barangays Salvacion of the Albay town and San Antonio of this city.

:: IRIGA RECEIVES SARINGAYA AWARD [7/7/2008]
Naga City - The regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR) here has bestowed on the City government of Iriga led by Mayor Madelaine Alfelor Gazmen its environment award called Saringaya Award.

:: RETAIL CENTERS ESTABLISHED IN 4 BARANGAYS [7/7/2008]
San Ramon, Iriga City - Four barangay-based convergence centers providing basic services such as food-stuff retail, have been launched over the weekend here by the regional office of the Department of Agriculture and the Iriga City local government unit.

:: St. Anthony of Padua Church's New Facade [7/7/2008]
The new facade of the Saint Anthony of Padua was finished and unveiled.(photo courtesy of tiburshock/UGAT Blogspot)

:: Iriga City Schools Division Ranks No. 1 Regionwide in the National Achievement Test [7/4/2008]
The Iriga City Division of City Schools took 1st place over-all in the entire Bicol Region in the National Achievement Test conducted each year by the Department of Education DepEd. The test is taken by Grade Six pupils and high school students to determine their competency and level of achievement during the year.
June

:: "A City After My Own Heart" Boy Abunda's PhilStar Article [6/30/2008]
I was in Iriga last week to judge Miss Iriga where I sat as the chairman of the board of judges and to tape episodes for my show Boy & Kris. I remember visiting Iriga several years back but I really did not have the time to move around the city. So, on my second trip to Nora Aunor's birthplace, I promised to visit as many places as I can and to savor the food and fun the city offers.

:: InfRes Update: Farm-to-Market roads upgrade  [6/24/2008]
The City Government of Iriga in partnership with Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is rehabilitating 37 kms of rural roads. This project is a sub-project of the Local Government of Iriga City with the DA/ADB Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector (InfRES). The goal of InfRES is to increase rural incomes with distributional gains favoring the poor in areas with high agricultural potential.

:: The Conceptualization of “Fashionista” [6/10/2008]
Even this early people are talking about the Ms. Iriga/Ms. Rinconada/Ms. Tourism 2008 beauty pageant with reasons. This year’s beauty pageant promises a grand show of aesthetic creativity but anchored on the programs of the local government of Iriga City under the leadership of the Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen.
May

:: Taga-Iriga Atty. Leila De Lima, New Commission on Human Rights Chief [5/26/2008]
Congratulations to Atty. Leila de Lima for being appointed as the new chairperson of the Commission of Human Rights.

:: Celebrity Basketball Team Plays Local Squad [5/7/2008]
Ronnie Rickets and his merry band of athlete/actors came to Iriga to entertain Irigueños with a basketball game against a local team, composed of LGU Department Heads, and other crazy antics.
March

:: TINAGBA `08, Our Culture, Our Pride [3/6/2008]

This year`s celebration of Tinagba Festival can be considered the longest celebration ever since it was started in 1975.
February

:: Fil-Am Iriguena Launches First Book [2/29/2008]
Sacramento, Ca. - An Iriguena native who was named last year as one of the Most Influential Fil-American Women in the United States, recently launched here her first book on treating bi-polar disorder. Titled, "The Bipolar Spectrum: Fighting a Disease With a Thousand Faces," the book is written by Dr. Marietta Nagrampa-Almazan, a psychiatrist.
January

:: IRIGUEÑOS SATISFIED WITH MAYOR MADEL, SWS SURVEY SHOWS [1/23/2008]
A Social Weather Station (SWS) Survey commisioned by the Asia Foundation in connection with the Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) Localizing Counter-Corruption Project shows a relatively high net satisfaction rating for the Local Government of Iriga.

:: Asia Foundation Consensus Building Seminar for City Leaders Held in Iriga  [1/23/2008]
The Asia Foundation, in cooperation with the League of Cities of the Philippines and the British Embassy Manila, conducted a Consensus Building Workshop for local government office heads, business sector and NGOs at the MCM Restaurant on January 22-23, 2008 in connection with its Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) Program.
2007
December

:: IRIGUEÑO GETS FREE MASON'S HIGHEST AWARD [12/11/2007]
San Leandro, California-Another Irigueno won a distinct honor here when he was recently awarded the Mason's highest award. other than being a Master of the Lodge.

:: Complete List Of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Officials [12/11/2007]
Complete List of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Officials.

:: Voices in the Park with Kyla a Huge Success! [12/8/2007]
Last night`s "Voices in the Park" Musical and Cultural extravaganza with R&B Princess Kyla was a huge success. The 4-hour performance of the more than 600 children from 21 public and private schools in the city filled the streets of Iriga with spectators and revelers.

:: Kyla Featured in  [12/8/2007]
R&B Princess Kyla is featured in Iriga City`s "Voices In The Park" Christmas Lighting Concert to be in the street fronting the City Ceremonial Grandstand and the Colloseum.
November

:: New Barangay Officials Sworn-in [11/30/2007]
576 newly elected officials for the 36 barangays of Iriga City will take their oaths of office today with the Honorable Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen as administering Officer.

:: Disaster Management Training to be Held Dec. 18-19, 2007 for CDCC [11/27/2007]
A short course on Disaster Management willbe held in Iriga City for City Officials, Barangay Officials and members of the City Disaster Response Team.

:: Iriga City Disaster Response Council Convened [11/27/2007]
After visiting pre-emptive evacuees at several centers and supervising the distribution of relief goods as typhoon Mina (Mitag) was threatening Bicol Region and Iriga, Mayor Madel convened the Iriga City Disaster Response Coordinating Council.

:: Breaking News! Typhoon Mina May Veer to North Luzon, Bicol Still Affected [11/22/2007]
MANILA, Philippines -- Tropical Storm "Mina" (international codename: Mitag) could change its course and make landfall in Central or Northern Luzon, instead of the Bicol Region as forecast earlier, the chief state weather forecaster said Thursday.

:: Iriga City's 7 point Flood Control Plan [11/22/2007]
Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen started into motion a 7 point flood control measure to lessen the effects, if not prevent flooding similar to the October 27, 2007 flash floods.

:: Rinconada Government Engineers Hold Flood Confab [11/19/2007]
The City/Municipal Engineers and other officials of Iriga City, Nabua, Baao and Buhi (Bato and Bula towns did not send representatives) held an impromptu conference at the prodding of Hon. Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen to discuss ways of preventing floods or otherwise lessen its effect to the citizens of the Rinconada Area (4th Disctrict, Camarines Sur) where the Bicol River Basin System is located.

:: Iriga Cooking Attracts Visitors at the Adidas GK Fun Run held at the Mall of Asia [11/8/2007]
Participants of the Adidas Gawad Kalinga Fun Run were treated to a hot dose of a bicol delicacy at the GK Iriga Character Village Booth after their exhilarating 5km run last October 27, 2007.

:: Complete List of Newly Elected Barangay Captains [11/5/2007]
The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections held on October 29, 2007 was declared as one of the most peaceful elections in the City of Iriga in recent years.

:: IRIGUEÑA DOCTOR IS ONE OF 100 TOP FIL-AMERICAN WOMEN [11/5/2007]
A psychiatric doctor whose roots is the city of Iriga in the Philippines, is one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S. which include such known Fil-Am women like Loida Nicolas Lewis, Josie Natori, and Lilia Calderon-Clemente; the president of the award sponsor announced in an official email to this writer over the weekend.
October

:: Unusual 24-Hour Heavy Downpour Causes Massive Flooding and Landslides [10/31/2007]
A freak heavy downpour that continued almost unabated for more than 24 hours had overwhelmed the rivers and drainage systems of the city causing massive flooding and landslides.
August

:: "Vision of Love II" Cataract Removal Operation held during National Disabilities Prevention and Rehabilitation Week,  [8/2/2007]
The second staging of the Visions of Love Cataract Removal Operation was held on July 19 & 20, 2007 at the Sta. Maria Josefa Hospital Foundation, Inc. This year’s event was sponsored by the Irigueños Association of Italy, Rome while the cataract operations was performed by Dr. Roy Teodoro B. Principe
July

:: Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen Retains Post as PRO of the League of Cities of the Philippines [7/25/2007]
Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen retained her post as National PRO of the League of Cities of the Philippines in an electon held at the Trader`s Hotel in Pasay City on July 21-22, 2007.

:: Mayor Gazmen Stresses Strategic Planning in Her State of the City Address [7/13/2007]
Saying patch-up planning is “no longer viable”, Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen, stressed the importance of long-term planning as the sure path the city government will take in its development strategies in the next three years of her administration after winning a fresh mandate in the May election.

:: The 36-Day Barangay Program in Iriga City [7/11/2007]
They were hectic. Thirty six days of service to the 36 barangays in Iriga City. The whole idea is to bring government to the masses.. Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen knows very well that some constituents very obviously, especially in the far flung barangays, could not avail of government. The constraints are time, money and distance. So, if the constituents can not come, then government should go to them. This was the rationale of the 36-Barangay Day program which started March 12 and ended May 3, 2007. Some of these barangays are located in the mountainous part of the city and travel time to these far-flung barangays located by the slope of Mount Iriga and even further would take some two hours and the roads were rough and steeped. The force that made their way to all these barangays were staff from the local City Health Office, the Civil Registrar’s, Social Welfare and Development, Livelihood Development and Technology,, the office of the City Veterinarian, City Engineer, City Agriculturist, and the General Services.. The members of the City Sanggunian joined in what appeared to be a whole day of service with most of the activities done in very light manners.

:: Pilipinas Shell Chairman Visits Iriga to Look Into Putting Up Farmer's Training Center [7/7/2007]
Shell Companies Philippines Country Chairman Mr. Edgar O. Chua together with Hon. City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen and Gawad Kalinga Founder Tony Meloto held a Groundbreaking Ceremony at the Gawad Kalinga Character Village Site in Brgy. Perpetual Help in this city for the Shell Farming Institute. The institute they are planning to build here will serve as a training center where farmers can learn new planting/farming technology from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Shell’s agro-industrial research facility.

:: Iriga City Chief Executive and Legislative Officials Formally Took Oath to Begin New Term [7/4/2007]
Iriga City Mayor Madelaine alfelor-Gazmen, Vice-Mayor Jose "Boboy" Villanueva, Jr. and 8 of 10 City Councilors took their oaths of office before Judge Alfredo D. Agawa of RTC Br. 35 signifying the start of their new terms which will end in 2010.

:: Iriga Declares / Celebrates June 25-30, 2007 as Environment Week  [7/4/2007]
Mayor Madel, in cooperation with the Alliance of Sumagang Outdoor Groups (ASOG), led the city in observing environment week from June 25 to 30, 2007. This annual event is held to promote public awareness on the reality of Global Warming, its effect on us and ways to prevent it or delay its occurrence. It also aims to find ways of making zero solid waste management a reality and encourage the citizenry to join hands in the preservation and conservation of our natural resources.
June

:: MORE ROADS AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR RURAL AREAS [6/26/2007]
Mayor Madelaine Alfelor Gazmen, in her quest for excellence in government service, is continuously searching for ways to improve the lives of Irigueños.

:: ADB APPROVES 86M PESO GRANT FOR ROADS REHAB [6/26/2007]
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved the Php86,000,000.00 grant applied for by the City Government of Iriga under the leadership of Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen for the rehabilitation of 37kms of rural roads to benefit 4,766 households in 13 barangays.

:: Bicolanos National Association of America to Visit Iriga  [6/26/2007]
Officers and members of the Bicol National Association of America (BNAA) will visit Iriga City on June 28, 2007. Their visit is part of their itinerary that will take them to various places in the region.

:: IRIGA CITY’S INCENTIVES AND AWARDS PROGRAM [6/26/2007]
The DILG City Operations Office, Iriga City initiated an Incentives and Awards Program in cooperation with the City Government of Iriga and the Liga ng mga Barangay, which was held last March 21, 2005 at the City Coliseum, attended by 607 elected and appointed barangay officials from the 36 component barangays of the city.

:: Rotary Club of Iriga Donates Fire truck to Iriga BFP [6/20/2007]
The Rotary Club of Iriga donated a newly refurbished Fire Truck to the Iriga City Fire Station to augment their existing fleet of firefighting equipment and increase their effectivity and mobility. The Rotary Club, headed by its president Atty. Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda and Immediate Past President (IPP) Eric Mendez officially turned over the fire truck to Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen and Iriga Fire Marshall Benito Salcedo in a simple ceremony in front of the Iriga City Fire Station with a handful of Rotarians and City Officials.

:: IRIGA PIO-AT-LARGE GETS AWARD IN US [6/16/2007]
Philippine poet Frank Penones Jr. recently received a James D. Phelan Literary Awards from the San Jose State University in California where he is anInternational Ford Foundation Fellow taking up Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

:: MISS IRIGA IS KATRINA EUDA SUMAYAO [6/12/2007]
A seventeen year old unassuming college lass won the title of Miss Iriga 2007 and the top prize of Php 50,000.00 plus three other minor awards in this year`s edition of the Iriga City Beauty Pageant held in connection with the city`s celebration of its pintakasi each year on June 13. Katrina Euda R. Sumayao bested a field of 20 young, beautiful and talented ladies in an elegant and spectacular coronation night held at the newly repaired (damaged by Typhoon Reming) City Colosseum on June 11, 2007

:: MS. IRIGA AND ROYAL COURT CROWNED! [6/12/2007]
A seventeen year old unassuming college lass won the top prize of Php 50,000.00 and three other minor awards in the 2007 edition of the Iriga City Beauty Pageant held in connection with the city`s celebration of its pintakasi each year on June 13. Katrina Euda R. Sumayao bested a field of 20 young, beautiful and talented ladies in an elegant and spectacular coronation night held at the newly repaired (damaged by Typhoon Reming) City Colosseum on June 11, 2007.

:: Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen wins Via Landslide [6/12/2007]
Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen wins a fresh three-year term by garnering eighty percent of the total votes cast during the may 14, 2007 polls.

:: Mayor Madel Launches Firetruck, K9 & Website [6/9/2007]
Mayor Madel Launches a newly purchased firetruck to the Iriga City BFP and two of three K9 dogs to the Iriga PNP and Civil Security Unit (CSU) in a simple program held on June 9, 2007. The Official Iriga City Website was also formally launched during the same program.

:: 2nd Mayor MAG Invitational Airsoft Competition  [6/7/2007]
The United Rinconada Airsoft Group (URAG), thru its founder Dr. Vic Turiano, is inviting all bicol airsoft teams to take part in this highly competitive event on June 10, 2007 at the Iriga Sports Complex, San Nicolas, Iriga City.

:: 20 hopefuls for beauty title picked [6/7/2007]
Iriga City launches The Search for 2007 MS. IRIGA, MS. RINCONADA and MS. TOURISM.
May

:: Preparations For Iriga City Pintakasi On [5/29/2007]
Iriga will hold its annual Pintakasi on June 13. To celebrate this occasion as only Irigueños can, Mayor Madel & LGU Iriga has lined up a month long list of activities. In one of the highlights, Sponge Cola, a very popular alternative OPM band will headline the Street Party slash Concert on June 8, 2003 to be held at JP Rizal St. from the railroad crossing to the old Alan Theater.

:: Mayor Madel was proclaimed last night (May 16) [5/20/2007]
Mayor Madel was proclaimed last night (May 16) at 10:30 pm after the Board of Election Election Canvassers headed by city prosecutor Atty. Raul E. Contreras and City Election Officer (COMELEC) Alex

:: Mayor Madel wins by 21,000 votes over opponent [5/19/2007]
Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen's first term, during which the city's revenues exponentially increased while at the same time brought the city's basic services closer to the people, propelled her to a fresh three-year term by garnering eighty percent of the total votes cast during the may 14, 2007 polls winning the election by a margin of 21,000 votes or 80% of the total votes cast or 50% of the total number of voters in the city of Iriga.