The employees of the Catanduanes Government are ready to whisk their skills today, March 11, 2025 as the 3-day Community-Based Training Program of Bread and Cake Making kicks off at the Provincial Capitol Dome. With 50 participants in attendance, this interactive training and lecture, in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Provincial Training Center, is designed to equip the employees with invaluable skills and knowledge, providing them with opportunities to generate additional income. On the first day, the participants engaged with an orientation and lecture, followed by the turn-over of baking tools and equipment which will be used in their hands-on training during the upcoming days. This TESDA program is held annually, with at least one or two conducted each year, aimed at further fostering skill development and community growth.            

The right-of-way (ROW) acquisition for the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) Railway Project continues to make headway as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) distributed another 36 Transfer Certificate of Titles (TCTs) to landowners affected by the project in Pampanga. In a ceremony held on March 4, BCDA Vice President and Subic-Clark Railway Project Director Jocelyn L. Caniones turned over the certificates to 17 lot owners from Porac and Floridablanca. She was joined by Pampanga Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon and Provincial Assessor of Pampanga Manuel N. Mendoza Jr., who represented Pampanga Governor Dennis G. Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia G. Pineda. Citing their contribution to the smooth implementation of the SCMB Railway Project, Caniones lauded the landowners for their cooperation, and for acknowledging the importance of this endeavor in the development of Central Luzon and the country. “Ang SCMB Railway Project ay hindi magtatagumpay kung hindi dahil sa suporta ng mga may-ari ng lupa na nagbigay daan sa mga pangangailangan ng railway na ito. Dahil dito, ang mga landowners ay may mahalagang bahagi sa katuparan ng adhikain ng Luzon Economic Corridor,” Caniones said. “(The SCMB Railway Project would not succeed without the support of the landowners who yielded to the railway’s requirements. This development emphasizes affected landowners’ important role in the realization of the Luzon Economic Corridor vision.)” This is the second batch of TCTs turned over by the BCDA for the SCMB Railway Project following the initial distribution of 68 certificates in November last year. Under Republic Act 10752 or the Right-of-Way Act, the owner of properties affected by a project and the implementing agency shall execute a deed of absolute sale, with the implementing agency facilitating the annotation of the deed of absolute sale on the TCTs. TCTs are legal documents that serve as evidence of ownership of registered land. The SCMB has a railway alignment of 26.9 kilometers in Porac and Floridablanca, affecting 519 lots in these municipalities. The BCDA has successfully completed the negotiations with 212 lot owners, 163 of which have already received either partial or full compensation. “Ang lalawigan ng Pampanga ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa bawat may-ari ng lote na apektado ng proyektong ito–sa inyong pasensya, kooperasyon at pang-unawa sa buong proseso. Ang inyong kahandaang makipatulungan ay naging mahalaga sa pagsasakatuparan ng proyektong ito,” said Gov. Pineda in a message delivered by Engr. Mendoza. “(The province of Pampanga sincerely thanks every lot owner affected by this project–for your patience, cooperation, and understanding during the whole process. Your readiness to help has been crucial in implementing this project.)” As an integral part of the Luzon Economic Corridor, the 250-kilometer SCMB will provide essential connectivity and freight transport services between four major economic points in Luzon, namely the Port of Subic, Clark International Airport, Port of Manila, and Port of Batangas. This will revolutionize the country’s transport and logistics sector, as these four ports facilitate about 80 percent of the entire country’s port traffic. The BCDA continues to facilitate the ROW acquisition for the project, as the national government remains optimistic about the project’s implementation. The feasibility study for the project will be jointly undertaken by the United States, Sweden, and the Asian Development Bank.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said a total of P200,000 cash reward will be given to anyone who can provide information that could lead to the arrest of a suspect who killed two police operatives in an anti-illegal drug operations in Bulacan on March 8. In a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City, PNP spokesperson and Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3) chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the force mourns the death of Staff Sergeants Dennis Cudiamat and Gian George Dela Cruz, both of Bocaue Municipal Police Station. Fajardo said the PRO-3 cops are conducting a manhunt to locate alias Xander. The other suspect, his brother Dado, was arrested in a follow-up operation. “Naglabas kami (PRO-3) ng reward na P100,000 at nagbigay din ng P100,000 reward ang LGU [local government unit] ng Bocaue as per PD [Provincial Director] of Bulacan sa sinuman makakapagbigay ng information sa posibleng kinaroroonan nitong si alias Xander na maaari makapagturo sa atin at maaresto natin ito sa lalong madaling panahon Fajardo urged the public to cooperate for the immediate arrest of the remaining suspect. On March 8,  a police operation in relation to R.A. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) resulted in an armed encounter that led to the tragic death of two police operatives in Sitio Tugatog, NIA Road, Brgy. Tambubong, Bocaue, Bulacan. At around 12:00 p.m., Cudiamat and Dela Cruz were conducting a buy bust operation against illegal firearms when they were suddenly attacked by unidentified gunmen. Cudiamat sustained a gunshot wound to the head and did not survive, while Dela Cruz, who suffered critical injuries, was rushed to the hospital. Despite medical intervention, he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 3:00 p.m. the same day. The perpetrators fled toward Pandi, Bulacan, taking the officers’ firearms. In response, the Bulacan Provincial Police Office launched an aggressive follow-up operation, leading to the apprehension of one suspect with alias “Dado,” a 38-year-old resident of Brgy. Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan. However, his cohort, alias “Athan,” remains at large after engaging the police officers in a shootout and fleeing with the police officers’ service firearms. Confiscated from the arrested suspect were one caliber .38 revolver without a serial number, one hand grenade, one Rusi 125 motorcycle with a sidecar, one  genuine one-thousand-peso bill used in the buy-bust money, and four boodle money bills. Further investigation led to the discovery of a Honda Beat motorcycle in Brgy. Bunsuran 2nd, Pandi, Bulacan, believed to have been used by the fleeing suspect. Authorities are actively tracking him using surveillance footage and intelligence reports. Criminal charges for violations of R.A. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) in relation to the Omnibus Election Code, R.A. 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives), and double murder are now being prepared against both the arrested and at-large suspects. Fajardo, strongly condemned the attack and assured that justice will be served. “The Philippine National Police will relentlessly pursue all those responsible for this heinous attack. We will not rest until justice is served. This act of violence against our personnel will not go unpunished, and we will ensure that the full force of the law is brought down upon the perpetrators.” She also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the two officers. “We mourn the tragic deaths of our brave police operatives who dedicated their lives to serving and protecting the public. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, and we assure them of our support during this difficult time. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.” PRO 3 remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice and urges anyone with relevant information to report to the nearest police station. Intensified operations are ongoing to locate and apprehend the remaining suspect.            

In celebration of the 2025 Women’s Month, the City Government of Candon hosted the Symposium on Environmental Awareness Campaign and Advocacy titled “Babai, Agesrbi: Ti Akem Ni Juana Iti Aglawlawna” on March 8, 2025, at the Candon Civic Center. The event highlighted the crucial role of women in climate change action and adaptation, featuring talks from Ms. Peachie Dioquino-Valera on The Role of Women in Climate Change Action and Adaptation and Ms. Virginia Benosa-Llorin on The Impact of Climate Change on Women’s Health. City Vice Mayor Atty. Kristelle G. Singson, SPM Lerisa Llanes, Chairperson of the Committee on Gender & Development, Ms. Grace L. Ramos, GAD Focal Point Person, and the GAD unit of the City Government of Candon graced the event. Women from various sectors, including barangays, government agencies, academic institutions, and women’s organizations, actively participated in the symposium, reinforcing the city’s commitment to gender equality and environmental sustainability. This symposium serves as a call to action, urging women to take active participation in addressing climate challenges while promoting gender equality and environmental resilience in their communities.