The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crime Unit, in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and local law enforcement, successfully executed simultaneous OPLAN OLEA and dismantled a large-scale illegal manufacturing and distribution operation, seizing over P2.4 billion worth of counterfeit cigarettes and smuggling equipment in Bulacan and Valenzuela from November 6–7, 2024. The operation focused on Bulacan, allegedly the main hub for the illegal production of counterfeit cigarettes, which were then distributed to Valenzuela. Carried out under the authority of BIR Mission Order No. MS0201700024179, and in accordance with Section 6(C) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, the operation led to the seizure of various brands of illicit cigarettes and an extensive array of cigarette manufacturing equipment. The operation also revealed the illicit plant’s capacity to produce an estimated 12.9 million cigarettes daily, valued at approximately P45 million per day. The total market value of the confiscated items, including production machinery and raw materials, is estimated at P1.245 billion in the factory in Bulacan. Additionally, 155 trafficked individuals were rescued from the illegal plant. Furthermore, authorities confiscated a significant amount of illicit cigarette brands valued at an estimated P1.158 billion during three separate operations in Valenzuela. Several individuals were arrested, including foreign nationals alias “Yanliang” , “Rock”, “Zizhan” “Zili”, and “Ziqiang”, arrested in Valenzuela, and “WU” in Bulacan. They now face charges related to tax evasion, intellectual property violations, and human trafficking, among other crimes. Seizure and inventory operations were carefully conducted by BIR Revenue Officers in the presence of local Barangay Moranquillo, San Rafael Bulacan officials, ensuring complete transparency. The arrested suspects have been transferred to the CIDG Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crime Unit (AFCCU) for documentation and further legal processing. Meanwhile, all confiscated evidence remains under the temporary custody of the BIR. Charges for violations under R.A 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (as amended by RA 10364), and R.A. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) are currently being prepared against the suspects. “This successful operation highlights our firm commitment to dismantling criminal syndicates that exploit vulnerable individuals and jeopardize public safety. The CIDG is determined to ensure that no one is above the law—dahil ang gusto ng pulis, ligtas ka ” emphasized Brig.Gen.Nicolas Torre III.

TAYUG,Pangasinan — “ Mga minamahal kong kababayan, sa ating pagsusumikap at sama-samang pagkilos para sa ikabubuti ng bayan ng Tayug, muli tayong pinarangalan! Ikinagagalak kong ibahagi sa inyo ang apat na prestihiyosong parangal na iginawad sa ating bayan sa Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) 2024 Regional Awarding Ceremony ng Department of Trade and Industry,” pahayag ni Atty. Tyrone D. Agabas, Municipal Mayor Top 1 sa Overall Competitiveness sa Region 1 at Top 5 sa buong Pilipinas Ipinapakita nito na ang Tayug ay isang bayan na may balanseng kakayahan at progreso sa larangan ng ekonomiya, serbisyong pampubliko, at imprastruktura. Ang ating pangarap na maging mas maunlad na komunidad ay unti-unting natutupad, at ito ay pagkilalang mahalaga sa ating mga hakbang tungo sa tagumpay. Top 1 sa Economic Dynamism sa Region 1 at Top 6 sa buong bansa Ang parangal na ito ay patunay ng ating masiglang ekonomiya, kung saan ang bawat negosyo, malaki man o maliit, ay lumalago. Ito ay dahil sa suporta ng lokal na pamahalaan at ng bawat isa sa atin, mula sa ating mga mamamayan hanggang sa mga nag-iinvest sa ating bayan. Top 1 sa Government Efficiency sa Region 1 at Top 5 sa buong bansa Tunay na mahalaga ang pagiging epektibo at mabilis ng serbisyo ng ating lokal na pamahalaan. Ang parangal na ito ay sumasalamin sa ating dedikasyon na tugunan ang bawat pangangailangan ng Tayugenians at patuloy na pagsusumikap na maging tapat at mahusay sa pamamahala. Top 3 sa Infrastructure sa Region 1 at Top 25 sa buong bansa Sa ating pagtutok sa imprastruktura, ang Tayug ay nagiging mas makabago at angkop para sa pangangailangan ng bawat mamamayan. Ang mga proyektong ito ay sumusuporta sa ating layuning magkaroon ng ligtas at progresibong bayan. Ayon kay Agabas, pinasasalamatan niya ang kanyang katuwang sa pagpapa-unlad ng  bayan na si Vice Mayor Lorna Primicias, kasama ang mga konsehal, department heads, empleyado ng munisipyo, at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno. Ang bawat parangal na ito ay para sa lahat ng Tayugenians na walang sawang tumutulong, nag-aambag, at sumusuporta sa ating mga programa at adhikain. Sa ating pagkakaisa at pagtitiwala sa bawat isa, patuloy nating mapapaunlad ang ating bayan.

Get ready to experience the CHRISTMAS FLIGHT around the world! Experience a magical odyssey at SM City Cabanatuan’s Christmas Centerpiece, where a tapestry of diverse traditions awaits. The focal point is a towering 35-foot Christmas tree adorned with glistening lights, complemented by a 15-foot Santa Claus riding a plane, poised to embark on an exhilarating journey! Surrounding them are representations of Santas from around the world, alongside Christmas trees of different heights and an abundance of holiday presents, each showcasing the unique culture and heartwarming celebrations of the season.

Sa pangunguna ni Governor Doktora Helen Tan, matagumpay na naisagawa ang pormal na pagbabasbas ng bagong Patrol Boat para sa islang bayan ng Perez, Quezon, Nobyembre 7. Ang nasabing 40-footer patrol boat ay malaking tulong upang masugpo ang iligal na pangingisda sa isla sapagkat siniguradong mabilis ito na mayroong 3 makina (Triple 150 Hp, 4 Stroke) at kayang tumakbo ng hanggang 55 knots per hour. Samantala, nakasama naman sa ginanap na seremonya upang ipaabot ang kanilang pagsuporta sina 4th District Congressman Atorni Mike Tan at Mayor Charizze Marie Escalona.  

By: Dante M. Salvaña The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has formalized a strategic partnership with the National Development Co. (NDC), enabling the BCDA to tap NDC’s expertise in financing and implementing high-impact projects in New Clark City. BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua M. Bingcang and NDC General Manager Antonilo DC Mauricio signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) creating a collaborative framework for the urban development of New Clark City. BCDA Chairperson Hilario B. Paredes and NDC Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications Leopoldo Acot served as witnesses. “We thank the NDC for readily offering to share with BCDA its knowledge and expertise in financing and implementing projects, particularly in urban expansion, industrial development, and energy, among others. With more than a hundred years of experience and track record, NDC will surely become instrumental in the transformation of New Clark City into the country’s first smart, sustainable, and future-ready metropolis,” PCEO Bingcang said. Chairperson Paredes, for his part, said: “With our shared vision to spur national development, we believe that this new partnership will enable us to implement transformative projects that will help New Clark City achieve its fullest potential.” Under the MOU, both parties intend to discuss and explore potential collaboration opportunities, leading to the preparation of a feasibility study report that may include technical and commercial assessments of developments within the BCDA’s properties. NDC is interested in New Clark City, a 9,450-hectare greenfield development inside the Clark Special Economic Zone positioned to be an inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and smart city. This major metropolis is being developed to help decongest Metro Manila, and to serve as an investment hub to catalyze growth in Central Luzon. GM Mauricio said this partnership will allow NDC to leverage on the BCDA’s experience in building great cities, like the Bonifacio Global City, paving the way for the implementation of innovative projects that will improve the lives of Filipinos. “We want to leverage our strategic areas with partners who understand city-building, especially the BCDA. Thank you very much to BCDA for this honor of signing an MOU with NDC,” he said. As the government’s investment arm, the NDC pursues commercial, industrial, agricultural, and mining ventures to provide necessary impetus to national economic development. This is aligned with the BCDA’s mission of transforming former military bases into centers of economic development.            

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Ang mga opisyal ng Pangasinan ay sasama sa iba pang pandaigdigang dadalo na umaabot sa humigit-kumulang 25,000 mula sa publiko at pribadong sektor sa buong mundo. Ito ay alinsunod sa imbitasyon ni Consul General Maria Theresa SM. Lazaro na dadalo sa taunang Smart City Expo World Congress mula Nob. 5 hanggang 7. Ang mga delegado ng lalawigan ay nakatakda sa isang 10-araw na opisyal na pagbisita sa Barcelona, ​​Spain, na nakatakda sa Nobyembre 2 hanggang Nobyembre 10. Ang Smart City ay ang pinakamalaking at pinaka-maimpluwensyang kaganapan sa mundo para sa mga lungsod at urban innovation, na nagsisilbing daan upang matuklasan ang mga pinakabagong teknolohiya at masiyahan sa nangungunang networking kasama ang mga pinuno sa gobyerno at negosyo mula sa buong mundo. Ayon sa invitation letter na naka-address kay Atty. Verna T. Nava-Perez, Pangasinan Provincial Board Secretary, at iba pang opisyal ng pamahalaang panlalawigan, ang taunang kongreso ay nagsasama-sama ng mga pinuno ng gobyerno, C-level executive, pandaigdigang eksperto, at mga visionaries upang ilipat ang mga lungsod patungo sa isang mas magandang kinabukasan sa pamamagitan ng pagbabahagi ng kaalaman at pinakamahusay na kasanayan na naglalayong sa pagbibigay kapangyarihan sa mga lungsod na harapin ang kasalukuyang mga kritikal na hamon. Ang mga delegado ng lalawigan ay inaasahang may nakaimpake na iskedyul ng trabaho/itinerary sa kanilang paglalakbay sa ibang bansa, na kinabibilangan ng courtesy call kay Consul General Ma. Theresa SM Lazaro, Philippine Consulate General, Barcelona, ​​Spain (Nov. 4); Keynote Session: Majora Carter Infrastructure & Building: Paano Mag-uugnay ang Urban Resilience at Talent Retention (Nov. 5); Enerhiya at Kapaligiran Mobility Dialogue: Elevating Urban Living: Engaging Communities and Integrating Services for a Net Positive Smart City (Nov. 6); Keynote Session: Stephanie Hare Enabling Technology (Nob. 7); at Benchmarking Tour sa Lungsod ng Barcelona (Nob. 5 hanggang 7). Ang mga ito ay bahagi ng maraming sesyon na sasalihan ng mga kalahok mula sa lalawigan na mahalaga sa pagkamit ng mga tagumpay para sa lalawigan tungo sa mga sosyo-ekonomikong pagkakataon bukod sa pagkuha ng mga pag-aaral na maaari nilang personal na magamit kaugnay ng kani-kanilang mga tungkulin at responsibilidad sa pamahalaang panlalawigan . Bukod dito, ang nasabing paglalakbay sa ibang bansa ay magiging isang paraan para sa paglikha ng mga ugnayan sa higit sa 130 mga kalahok na bansa. Ang mga aktibidad o komposisyon ng kaganapan ay nakahanay at makabuluhan sa bisyon at misyon ng lalawigan sa ilalim ng pangangasiwa ni Gov. Ramon V. Guico III.