Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III has been elected today as the new House Speaker for the 20th Congress, replacing Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. He was nominated by Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel P. Tulfo and was the lone nominee for the post. A veteran politician, Speaker Dy has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and dedication to uplifting the lives of Isabelinos. He began his public service career in 1980 as the Action Officer of the Kabataan Barangay for Region II, later serving as Director of the Kapisanan ng mga Barangay ng Pilipinas in 1989, Vice Mayor of Cauayan from 1990 to 1992, and Mayor from 1992 to 2001. He then represented Isabela’s 3rd District in Congress from 2001 to 2010, served as Governor from 2010 to 2019, and as Vice Governor from 2019 to 2025. His efforts in championing legislation that strengthens agriculture and expands access to education during his tenure as vice governor of Isabela reflect his deep understanding of the people’s needs. His election to the fourth-highest position in the Philippine government marks a milestone in the province’s role in shaping the nation’s future. It shows the trust he has gained from his constituents and colleagues by living out the values of service, perseverance, and integrity. As the new Speaker, Dy now carries with him the aspirations not only of Isabelinos but also of the Filipino people. (Isabela PIO)

BATANGAS, Philippine — Once again proving its mettle on the national stage, the outstanding team of BatStateU Industrial Engineering students secured first place in the PITCH PH 2025 competition during the 10th International Conference on Engineering Education – Philippines (ICEE-Phil 2025) and 70th PAES General Assembly, held on September 13 in the University of Sto. Tomas, Manila. The winning team, Team SABANAYAN, composed of Ria Gale M. Asilo, Cleo Graciana R. Aya, Chastine Lyka Antoinette Jade H. Dorado, Alexis M. Granados, and Irish Lyn D. Lardizabal, triumphed over 19 participating universities across the country. With guidance from their coach, Engr. Ladyllyn M. Culla, the team delivered a powerful pitch that showcased technical brilliance, societal relevance, and entrepreneurial viability—all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their innovation, SABANAYAN, is a breathable textile, addressing both agricultural waste and the erosion of Filipino textile heritage. The project earned high praise for its financial feasibility, with a projected ₱19M investment and an expected return on investment within 4 years, strong validation from tailoring businesses, and support of five key SDGs: SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being. From one hectare of banana plantation, 140,000 yards of SABANAYAN fabric can be produced, demonstrating both environmental and economic viability. With a net profit margin of 17–27% and an FIRR of 21%, the project redefines what it means to “engineer the future.” PAES Innovation & Technopreneurship Challenge Hub Philippines (P.I.T.C.H. PH) 2025 is a premier platform for showcasing innovative ideas and creative solutions toward a better, sustainable future. It aims to empower young engineers to become catalysts of change through innovation and technopreneurship. 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙎𝘼𝘽𝘼𝙉𝘼𝙔𝘼𝙉! 𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩.

NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — The Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya, led by Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito, and the Provincial Agriculture Office headed by Provincial Agriculture Officer(PAO) Absalom Rizal D. Baysa, has received an Excellence Award for outstanding implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed and Extension programs. The recognition cites the province’s strong partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and PhilRice and its success in meeting seed delivery and distribution targets that improved the competitiveness and incomes of rice farmers. The Excellence Award (Medium-Scale Category — Luzon) covers the 2024 wet season and the 2025 dry season. It was conferred on 29 August 2025 at the DA–PhilRice Central Experiment Station in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, and was formally presented to the provincial leadership during the Monday flag-raising ceremony today at the Provincial Capitol. The award citation recognizes the province’s leadership and the Provincial Agriculture Office’s role in enabling LGUs to effectively roll out certified seed distribution and extension services. The award bears the signatures of RCEF Program Management Office Director Flordeliza H. Bordey and Executive Director John C. De Leon. “Agriculture is the top priority of my administration. I congratulate the Provincial Agriculture Office for this distinguished recognition — a clear indication that our programs are on the right path. We reaffirm the Provincial Government’s full and sustained support for the sector — from quality seeds and comprehensive farmer training to modern machinery and resilient infrastructure — so we can sustainably raise yields, increase farmers’ incomes, and strengthen rural livelihoods.” Following the recognition, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office No. 02 issued a Certificate of Allocation dated 13 September 2025, formally allocating PHP 70,262,665.65 to the Province of Nueva Vizcaya for the 2024–2025 cycle. The funds are earmarked for agricultural machinery and equipment, farm facilities, and infrastructure projects to boost productivity and support rice sector development across the Cagayan Valley. The certificate was signed by Regional Executive Director Rose Mary Aquino, Ph.D. PAO Baysa emphasized that both the award and the allocation reflect coordinated planning and effective implementation with the DA and PhilRice. He noted that the RCEF Seed and Extension initiatives—providing certified seeds, farmer training, and extension services—have contributed to higher yields and improved farm incomes in the province. The PHP 70.26 million allocation will finance an itemized package of interventions, including procurement of machinery and upgrades to farm facilities, subject to DA guidelines and procurement processes. The province will proceed with planning and implementation to ensure timely, transparent use of funds for the benefit of rice farmers throughout Nueva Vizcaya.    

By Ruben A. Veloria Almost no cost to the province ZAMBALES, Philippines – The provincial government of this province is fast tracking the development of the 62-hectare campsite to house the 30,000 scouts from Asia and the Pacific countries who will be attending the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree in December 14, 2025. According to Zambales Provincial Engineering Office chief Engr. Domingo Mariano, provincial crews are now working 24/7 to meet the deadline to develop the campsite in Barangay San Juan, Botolan here, into the best scout jamboree campsite ever prepared. Having the theme “Be Prepared: Scouts for Peace and Sustainable Development,” this year’s scouting event aims to gather thousands of young people ages 12 to 17 from across the region for a week of learning, growth, cultural exchange, and creating lasting friendships. “The scouts will advocate sustainable development, the Global Development Village, the Asia-Pacific Village, Faith Valley. They will also treat with exciting outdoor activities, and the opportunity to experience traditions, and cultures, and the taste local delicacies,” said Engr. Mariano. Based on Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP) website, among the delegations who have already submitted their confirmation for the event, include Bangladesh, Fiji, Hong Kong, South Korea, TGA Scouts of China, Brunei Darussalam, Maldives, USA, Canada, Kuwait, and the host country, the Philippines which will be sending 26,800 scouts. Provincial Engineer Mariano boasted that despite the seemingly grandeur project, the local provincial government has not spent a single peso for the development of the area, except for fuels of the machineries and machines. The BSP has shouldered the cost of rental of the site. “Through the prudent initiatives of Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., the local government of Zambales is purchasing heavy equipment and trucks using revenue earnings of the province,” said Mariano. Mariano explained that as chairman of the Zambales Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Gov. Ebdane wanted to have a fleet of heavy equipment and ready-to-use supply of construction materials that can be used during emergency, and for other community projects. The official also noted that old but reusable materials from demolished old buildings and bridges were kept for future use. “As you can see, we already built five small bridges inside the campsite with no cost to the province,” he added. Meanwhile, Engineer Mariano showed to media the four major infrastructure projects of the provincial government worth ₱1-Billion which contracts were terminated or cancelled prior to review of the Commission on Audit (COA). The projects were awarded to contractors included in the 15 contractors named by the President which bagged P100 billion in flood control projects, including: 5-story New Capitol Building worth ₱499,661,764; and the two-storey sports complex, tract and football stadium, with a capacity of 20,000 persons, worth ₱499,000,600, both were awarded to St. Gerald Contraction owned by Cezarah Cruz-Discaya. The other two projects were: Provincial Capitol Annex Multi-Purpose Building worth ₱213,280,421 (RD Talens Construction); and the 165-bed capacity PRMMH Provincial Hospital worth ₱399,773,774, awarded to Hi-Tone Construction and Dev’t. Corp. Engr. Mariano, clarified that construction of the projects were partially completed with an average of 2.0% ahead of schedule. “Despite all the news we heard about the allegedly anomalous projects involving the construction firms, all their projects here in Zambales have no problem recorded,” he added. Engr. Mariano has assured the public that the construction of the projects will resume immediately once they receive clearance from COA.