By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito praised the 17th Grand Ammungan Festival(GAF) Executive Committee for mounting what he described as a successful and meaningful celebration of Nueva Vizcaya’s founding anniversary despite a compressed one-day schedule. Gambito commended the festival’s Executive Committee, led by Director General and Board Member Eunice Galima-Gambol, for efficiently managing the day’s activities after the original five-day celebration was scaled down. “This is beyond my expectation,” Gambito said during the opening program, thanking the committee for ensuring that the province’s annual festival would still push through. House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy served as guest of honor during the program and delivered a video message expressing his continued support for Nueva Vizcaya. He said his support would extend not only to tourism initiatives but also to other programs and projects that would benefit Novo Vizcayanos. Dy said he considers Nueva Vizcaya not just a neighboring province but one close to his heart, noting that many of his relatives live in the province. Gambito said the provincial government considered President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call for austerity measures amid the national emergency situation. However, he said thanksgiving, celebration and fellowship remain deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of Novo Vizcayanos. He said the provincial government found a way to hold this year’s Grand Ammungan Festival in a simpler but still meaningful manner. The day-long celebration opened with an ecumenical service attended by leaders of various religious groups, including Bishop Elmer Mangalinao of the Diocese of Bayombong. Also present during the opening program were Department of Tourism Regional Director Troy Alexander G. Miano, Rep. Timothy Joseph E. Cayton, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and municipal/ barangay officials from across the province. The Grand Ammungan Festival is Nueva Vizcaya’s annual gathering and thanksgiving celebration held in observance of the province’s founding anniversary. The festival highlights the unity, culture and traditions of Novo Vizcayanos, as well as the province’s rich heritage and diverse communities.

BATAAN, Philippines — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is ramping up efforts to advance electric vehicle (EV) development and sustainable mobility in Bataan, following a site visit and engagement with industry partners and local stakeholders at the 200-hectare Morong Discovery Park. BCDA Executive Vice President Atty. Gisela Kalalo and Vice President for Strategic Projects Management Randy Viacrusis, led a site visit and briefing at Morong Discovery Park with officials of Provincial Government of Bataan, V-Green Global Charging Station Development Corporation, and VinFast Electric Vehicle Philippines Corporation, to explore opportunities for the potential establishment of an EV manufacturing facility within Morong Discovery Park. The activity highlighted the park’s potential as a strategic location for green and future-ready industries. Following the site visit, BCDA witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Provincial Government of Bataan and V-Green Global Charging Station Development Corporation for the planning, deployment, and operation of EV charging infrastructure across the province. The partnership aims to establish a province-wide EV charging network, support the adoption of EV fleets, promote environmentally sustainable transport solutions, and develop long-term infrastructure for the EV ecosystem. Initial efforts include the rollout of DC fast charging stations, identification of suitable locations, coordination with relevant government agencies, and public awareness initiatives to encourage EV adoption. Morong Discovery Park is one of the key locations being considered for EV manufacturing investment. The development of the park supports BCDA’s goal of transforming its properties into centers of innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. BCDA Executive Vice President Atty. Gisela Kalalo emphasized the importance of partnerships in turning sustainability goals into action, “Partnerships like this turn long-term plans into concrete action. More importantly, they bring cleaner mobility and better air quality closer to our communities. At BCDA, we believe development should uplift people’s lives while caring for the environment. This initiative supports our vision of building green, inclusive, and future-ready communities, while opening opportunities for investments in EV manufacturing, logistics, and other sustainable industries in Bataan.” The initiative is aligned with the development agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., particularly in promoting green infrastructure, improving energy efficiency, and advancing sustainable economic development. About V-Green V-Green Global Charging Station Development Corporation is engaged in the planning, development, and operation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure aimed at building an accessible and reliable nationwide charging network.

NAGA CITY, Philippines — The city government’s Urban Agriculture Program has been named among the national finalists in the Walang Gutom Awards 2025, earning recognition as one of the 20 finalists from 50 applicants nationwide before advancing to the final 10. While the program did not place among the top winners, the city will still receive a P1-million financial grant to support the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The SLP is designed to address involuntary hunger, particularly among malnourished children, by providing sustainable sources of food and income for vulnerable communities. The city’s Urban Agriculture Program traces its roots to 2017 through the Integrated Community Food Production Project (ICFP). It was sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic under City Ordinance 2020-095, ensuring continuous food production efforts at the community level. Under the program, Barangay Agricultural Technicians plant, grow and monitor the progress of assorted vegetable seedlings distributed by the City Agriculture Office and oversee the maintenance of barangay-based nurseries. City Agriculturist Ernesto Asence III said that for a targeted approach in the implementation of the Urban Agriculture Program, the City Agriculture Office coordinates with the City Population and Nutrition Office in the identification of households with undernourished children. In addition, the i-Governance office assisted in the preparation and submission of the Walang Gutom Awards. Mayor Leni Robredo said the initiative aligns with her administration’s 2028 “Finish Lines,” which prioritize achieving zero hunger and zero malnutrition in the city. Robredo added that the P1-million grant will be used to expand the program by assisting small farmers in supplying produce for government feeding initiatives. She emphasized the program’s dual purpose: to improve farmers’ incomes through assured market access, and to ensure a steady supply of vegetables and other agricultural products for feeding programs benefiting malnourished children. I via Jason Neola  

By Dennis Nebrejo   BOAC, Marinduque, Philippines (PIA) — Authorities have returned 11 endangered coconut crabs to their natural habitat on Gaspar Island in Barangay Pinggan, Gasan town, after a resident allegedly attempted to sell the protected species to an undercover operative. According to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Marinduque Provincial Fishery Officer Joel G. Malabanan, the operation stemmed from information relayed by the Maritime Police regarding an individual from Gaspar Island, who was allegedly selling coconut crabs (Birgus latro), a species considered endangered. “The Maritime Police informed me that an individual from Gaspar Island attempted to sell 11 coconut crabs, which are considered an endangered species,” Malabanan said in an interview with PIA. Acting on the report, the Maritime Police conducted an entrapment operation in the morning of May 14 in coordination with personnel from the Gasan Municipal Police Station to verify the complaint. During the buy-bust operation, authorities arrested a male suspect inside his residence in Barangay Pinggan, where the transaction involving the sale of the captured crabs allegedly took place. Malabanan said the confiscated coconut crabs had a combined weight of nearly four kilograms and were reportedly being sold for P800 per kilogram. Under Section 102, paragraphs A and B of Republic Act No. 10654, the catching, possession, transport, sale, or exportation of rare, threatened, or endangered aquatic species carries administrative liabilities, including fines amounting to five times the value of the confiscated species or ranging from P500,000 to P5 million, whichever is higher, along with confiscation of the catch. Authorities said an investigation into the incident is ongoing while administrative charges are being prepared against the suspect, who remains under police custody. Malabanan also appealed to the public to refrain from catching, selling or harming endangered wildlife species, citing the important role these animals play in maintaining ecological balance. The coconut crab, locally known for its large size and unique appearance, is among the species facing threats from illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss. (DN/AS/JBG/PIA MIMAROPA-Marinduque)