By Rachell Galamay-Cagayan PIO   TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — Tiniyak ng Department of Education -Schools Division Office (SDO)-Cagayan na kanilang pagtutuunan ng pansin ang pagpapataas sa literacy and reading comprehension rate ng mga mag-aaral sa probinsiya. Sa ginanap na Oplan Balik Eskwela SY 2025-2026 Reporting Educational Progress and Outlining Reforms and Targets (PROJECT REPORT) Meeting, noong Hunyo 23, inihayag ni Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Reynante Caliguiran na sa pagbubukas ng School Year 2025-2026, target nilang pataasin ang lebel ng pang-unawa,kakayahan sa pagbabasa, at pagbibilang ng mga estudyante lalo na sa elementarya. Ilan sa mga istratehiyang kanilang ipatutupad na siya ring inilatag ng DepEd Central Office ay ang pagtatalaga ng mga guro sa bawa’t baitang anuman ang kanilang ranggo upang matulungan ang mga estudyante na linangin ang kanilang pagbabasa at pang-unawa. “Una, nagbaba ang ating central office ng abiso na ang mga Master Teachers natin ay kailangan i-reassign sa current Grade level kung nasaan sila. Yung mga nasa Key Stage 1 (Grade 1,2,3) stay put sila, yung mga nasa Key Stage 2 ay inilagay natin sila sa Key Stage 1. Ilalagay natin sila kung saan sila mas kailangan at trained,” saad ni Dr. Caliguiran. Maliban sa reassigning at realignment ng mga guro, nakikita rin ng SDO Cagayan na makatutulong ang pagkakaroon ng sapat na learning resource materials at pagyakap sa digitalization upang makausad ang mga ito at magkaroon ng pagbabago. Kaugnay rito, lubos ang naging pasasalamat ng SDO Cagayan sa Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Cagayan sa pamumuno ni Governor Manuel Mamba dahil sa pagbibigay nito ng pondo at iba pang kagamitan gaya ng mga libro na mamagamit sa kanilang pagtuturo. Matatandaang sa isinagawang Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) nasa 69.4% ang functional literacy rate sa buong Rehiyon Dos kung saan naitala ang Cagayan na may pinakamababang functional literacy rate kumpara sa ibang lalawigan. Ilan sa mga natukoy na salik na maaaring nakaapekto sa pagbaba ng literacy rate ng probinsiya ay ang labis na paggamit ng mga gadgets, online games, at iba pang online platforms at kawalan ng moral at emotional support ng mga magulang sa kanilang mga anak na maaaring nakaaapekto sa kanilang pag-aaral. Samantala, nanawagan naman si Amir Aquino, Public Affairs Officer ng DepEd Region 2 ng maigting na koordinasyon at kooperasyon hindi lamang sa mga ahensiya ng gobyerno nguni’t maging sa mga lokal na pamahalaan at magulang ng mga mag-aaral upang masolusyunan ang kinahaharap na problema hinggil sa pagbaba ng functional literacy rate ng probinsiya. “We are hoping a strong coordination with our stakeholders and also the parents of our students in Cagayan, dahil hindi lamang naman po dapat ang Kagawaran ang gumagalaw, naniniwala po ako na kapag tayo po ay gumalaw lahat at gumawa ng solusyon ay matutugunan po natin ang pangangailangan ng ating mga mag-aaral,” paliwanag ni Aquino  

By Ruben A. Veloria   OLONGAPO CITY — Nahaharap ngayon sa patong-patong na kasong estafa ang negosyanteng si Ramon Fernandez ng lungsod na ito makaraang mabigong maibalik sa mga investor ang multi-milyon pisong sosyong kapital. Si Fernandez ay walang kaugnayan sa dating professional PBA player at Sports Commissioner Ramon Fernandez nagkataon lang na ka-pangalan niya ang suspek. Sa sinumpaang complaint affidavit ni Atty. Theresa Tenazas, ipinakilala umano siya ng isang kaibigan kay Fernandez noong Oktubre 2021 na humimok sa kanya na maging kasosyo sa pagsusuplay ng ng bigas, pagkaing delata, at iba pang pangangailangan na ipinamamahagi ng mga munisipyo sa Zambales at Bataan bilang ayuda. Dahil sa kumbinsidong presentasyon ay nag-abot si Tenazas ng ₱500,000.00 kay Fernandez bilang sosyo, at nadagdagan pa makaraang tiyakin ni Fernandez na maibabalik ang pera dahil may mga “Notice of Award,” “Notice to Proceed” at “Purchase Order” na si Fernandez. Umabot ng kabuoang ₱5.2 milyon ang perang naibigay ni Tenazas hanggang noong Enero 2023. Nangako umano si Fernandez na mag-i-issue ito ng postdated checks sa biktima bilang patunay na ibabalik ang pera sa loob ng tatlong buwan. Ngunit umabot na ng isang taon, wala pa rin naibalik na pera sa biktima. Noong Abril 2023, kinausap ng biktima ang suspek para maisaoli nang maayos ang perang ginamit na kapital, ngunit isang milyong piso lamang ang ibinalik ni Fernandez. Bunsod nito, dumulog si Tenazas, kasama ang iba pang biktima, sa barangay upang resolbahin ang problema, kung saan ay nangako si Fernandez na magbabayad hanggang April 2025. Ngunit pagdating ng itinakdang araw, muling nabigong isauli ng suspek ang pera at muli na namang gumawa ng pangako. Dahil dito, nagsumite na ng affidavit sa korte si Tenazas para makasuhan na si Fernandez ng “syndicated estafa and/or multiple counts of estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code,” mga kasong “serious and non-bailable offenses under Philippine Law.” Umaabot sa ₱60 milyon ang nakuha ni Fernandez mula sa mga nabiktima nito, maliban pa sa mga lupain sa ibang probinsiya. Nauna nang nakipagpulong ang grupo kay Fernandez sa barangay sa bayan ng Subic upang puwersahin itong isauli ang pera at titulo ng lupa, ngunit hanggang sa kasalukyan wala pang tugon si Fernandez at hindi na nila ito makita.  

By Danny Estacio TIAONG, Quezon- Some 50 local business owners were honored during the 2nd Pillars of Prosperity 2025 event on Sunday night, June 22, at the town plaza, here. An excellence awards night was held in their honor as a gesture of appreciation from the municipal government, headed by Mayor Vincent Arjay Mea, and the Sangguniang Bayan. Their entrepreneurship is established in various villages, making a big contribution to the local economy that catapulted the town into a new business capital, particularly in Quezon’s second district. Even sari-sari stores in the barangays were given an award and were duly registered with the business permit and licensing office, and witnessed by Emily Singson, head of the Revenue District Office 60. On the part of the awardees, Anday Albao expressed thanks to the municipal government for recognizing their significance to the local economy. The Pillar of Business Honor is the highest recognition bestowed upon businesses that exemplify enduring excellence, leadership, and transformative impact. This honors a trailblazing enterprise that has consistently uplifted the local economy, inspired others, and stood as a steadfast pillar of progress in Tiaong. Business owners received respective awards, like recognition and distinction, based on the contribution and performance of their business in the community and in the town as well. Also 10 top business taxpayers of the year were also named for their outstanding contribution to the town’s growth through consistent tax compliance.

By Ruben A. Veloria   SUBIC BAY FREEPORT- The Bureau of Customs (BOC)- Port of Subic reaffirming its commitment to public service and national security extended its support to PNP-SAF 2nd Special Action Battalion through corporate social responsibility (CSR) project. In a simple ceremony held at the BOC- Port of Subic head office at Building 307 here, officers and personnel of the BOC led by District Collector Noel C. Estanislao, handed-over to P/Major Roy Banganan, Asst. Battalion Commander, 2SAB, a token of logistical assistance. Embracing the “Stronger Together: Supporting Our Partners, Serving the Public”, Collector Estanislao said the token is a show of appreciation to security forces in the region, in recognition of their dedication to national safety and peacekeeping. It also serves as the Port’s continued support to its law enforcement and military partners, he added. This initiative forms part of the Port’s broader CSR program, aimed at reinforcing partnerships with stakeholders and aligning with the national government’s “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign for inclusive and sustainable progress. “We believe that a secured nation is a shared responsibility,” Estanislao said. And added, “By standing with our partners in uniform, we contribute not only to their mission, but also to the greater cause of serving the Filipino people.”      

By Ruben A. Veloria   SUBIC BAY FREEPORT- To promote values formation and spiritual growth in the workplace, the Bureau of Customs– Port of Subic launched recently its first-ever Moral Recovery Presentation. Under the leadership of District Collector Noel C. Estanislao and Deputy Collector for Administration Mr. Isagani D. Galsim, all employees of the Port were enjoined to participate in the activity which aimed to provide all personnel the opportunity to develop their personal values, beliefs, and principles. All these when applied will serve as guide for their appropriate behavior and actions while performing their duties in the workplace, even at home. This initiative supports Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio’s Five-Point Priority Program, particularly in advancing employee welfare and development. The presentation was delivered by Dr. Ronnie Delfin, who inspired and engaged the participants through thought-provoking insights on integrity, accountability, and purpose-driven work. Employees warmly welcomed the activity, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering a positive and values-centered work environment. The Port of Subic intends to continue holding similar sessions in the future as part of its ongoing efforts to support the moral and emotional well-being of its workforce.