LA UNION, Philippines — The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), in partnership with the La Union Association of the Deaf (LUAD), successfully spearheaded a three-day Disability Sensitivity and Sign Language Training for frontline service providers in the province. The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers (MSWDOs), Persons with Disability Affairs Officers (PDAOs), and designated PDAO Focal Persons from the different Local Government Units (LGUs) of the province were invited to learn the fundamentals of English Sign Language at the PSWDO Conference Room, City of San Fernando, La Union held on August 25–27, 2025. In a message of Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega, delivered by Executive Assistant V Mr. Denver Badua, he encouraged the participants to integrate disability-inclusive practices in all aspects of local governance and uphold equity, justice, and respect for human rights across the Province of La Union. PSWDO Head Ranilo P. Ipac also challenged the participants to actively safeguard and advocate for the rights of Persons with Disability. The training aimed to develop the capacities of government employees to effectively communicate and engage with the deaf community, in support of the province’s efforts to promote inclusive public service.

CAGAYAN, Philippines — Muling nanawagan ang Provincial Health Office (PHO) ng Cagayan para sa mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng 5S strategy laban sa dengue matapos sumirit sa 2,367 ang naitalang kaso sa lalawigan mula Enero hanggang Agosto 27, 2025. Batay sa datos ng PHO, ang bayan ng Baggao ang may pinakamaraming kaso na umabot sa 325, sinundan ng Solana na may 236, at Aparri na may 163. Sa Tuguegarao City, bahagyang tumaas ang kaso sa 144, nguni’t nananatiling kontrolado ayon sa PHO dahil sa pagpapatupad ng mga kaukulang hakbang. Paliwanag ng PHO, ang tag-ulan at ang kakulangan sa regular na pagpapatupad ng 4 o’clock habit o clean-up drive ang pangunahing dahilan ng pagtaas ng kaso. Sa isinagawang monitoring ng PHO, ilang barangay ang natukoy na may mga breeding site ng lamok. Dahil dito, muling ipinaalala ng PHO sa mga Cagayano ang kahalagahan ng 5S strategy: Search and destroy – tuklasin at alisin ang mga lugar na posibleng pamugaran ng lamok. Self-protection – gumamit ng proteksyon laban sa kagat ng lamok. Seek early consultation – agad na magpakonsulta sa doktor kung may sintomas ng dengue. Support fogging and spraying – makiisa sa isinasagawang fogging at spraying sa mga lugar na mataas ang kaso. Sustain hydration – panatilihing hydrated ang katawan upang maiwasan ang dehydration dulot ng sakit. Nanawagan din ang PHO sa lahat ng barangay officials na mas paigtingin ang community clean-up drive upang mapigil ang lalo pang pagdami ng kaso. (JOVY ANDRES)      

By Rachel Magday   BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines — Five employees of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 2 were arrested in an entrapment operation after allegedly accepting P40,000 in marked money in exchange for “unhampered operations” and the release of an impounded vehicle, on September 1. The joint operation by the Bambang Police Station, the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Intelligence Unit and the Provincial Intelligence Team–Nueva Vizcaya, in coordination with DOTR–CAR and led by PMaj. Randy R. Velarde, took place at about 6 p.m. in front of the Baldovi Terminal Compound on Sulucan Street, Purok 1, Barangay Banggot, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya. Police said the operation followed walk-in complaints filed at the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Police Office, in which motorists alleged the suspects demanded P200,000 for the release of an impounded van or P25,000 as an outright settlement. After an initial transaction, the complainants said the group later agreed to collect P1,000 per unit and P2,000 per green-plate van as a monthly payoff in exchange for unhampered operations. Investigators prepared P40,000 in marked money—P6,000 in genuine bills and P34,000 in “boodle” or facsimile money—and set a meet-up at the location, police said. The suspects arrived aboard an LTO-issued Nissan Navara (plate SAA 9655). After the marked cash was handed over, operatives gave the prearranged signal and arrested the five “in flagrante delicto,” or caught red handed alleging violations of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees). A search incidental to arrest, conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses, yielded firearms, cash, mobile phones, IDs and other items, police said. Among the pieces of evidence logged: Two magazines, citation tickets, a driver’s license with photocopy of official receipt, a pouch with two cellphones, cash and IDs One caliber .45 pistol loaded with a magazine and seven live rounds, a wallet with IDs, and cash Cash in various denominations, two cellphones, and a wallet with IDs One touchscreen cellphone One caliber .45 pistol with magazine and five live rounds; one Glock 29 (9mm) pistol with three magazines and 21 live rounds; a sling bag with IDs, receipts, a wallet and cash; six genuine P1,000 bills ;34 pieces of boodle money; one plastic sachet containing suspected shabu weighing about 0.69 gram with an estimated value of P4,692; two pipe tubes; two disposable lighters; one inside holster; and one LTO badge. Other items listed as recovered included a sling bag with a wallet and P16,000 cash; a belt bag with P31,500 cash; a green bag with P20,300 cash; and four touchscreen cellphones. The suspects were brought to the Bambang Police Station for disposition and documentation. Police said appropriate complaints for alleged violations of RA 3019 and RA 6713 will be prepared, with other possible charges to be determined based on the seized firearms and the suspected illegal drugs pending verification and examination. Authorities said the operation is part of the Philippine National Police’s intensified anti-criminality drive under Enhanced Managing Police Operations and the PNP chief’s 7-point agenda. All five suspects remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 3 Director Richard C. Daenos (center) joins Rossell L Abuyo, SBMA Ecology Center OIC and SBMA Tourism manager Mary Jamelle A. Camba to address media practitioners during the media launch for the upcoming 2025 Sustainable Tourism Summit on September 10-12, 2025 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), which is seen as the region’s biggest gathering of local governments, tourism officers, MSMEs, academe and community leaders advocating tto shape a greener, more inclusive, and future ready tourism industry.