By Rachel Magday   Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito is reinforcing his commitment to the marginalized communities of Nueva Vizcaya with the continuation of the TrPaTu (Trabaho para ti Umili) program, which also resonates with the Ilocano word “Taripato,” meaning “care” or “nurture.” This initiative, backed by a P25 million fund, aims to provide temporary employment to 5,000 disadvantaged and displaced workers across the province. Gambito expressed his dedication to uplifting the lives of his constituents, stating, “I want the people of Nueva Vizcaya to truly feel the support of their government as we work together to overcome poverty. This program is not just about financial assistance; it represents hope and opportunity for our community. The funds used for the TrPaTu program are sourced from the people themselves, embodying the principle of ‘kuarta ti umili para ti umili’—money of the people for the people. It’s about giving back to the community in ways that directly benefit them.” TrPaTu, envisioned by Governor Gambito, is a localized version of the national TUPAD program, specifically tailored to address the needs of workers who have lost their jobs or are struggling to find employment. The beneficiaries will have the opportunity to work for ten days, earning P500 per day, which totals P5,000. The work will involve community-based projects in their respective barangays, similar to the tasks in the TUPAD program of DOLE, such as cleaning and maintaining public spaces. Dolly Rose Minas, head of the Public Employment Service Division at the Governor’s Office, is leading the program’s implementation. “This year, we have increased our budget to P25 million, compared to last year’s P10 million, which successfully assisted 2,000 workers,” Minas shared. “Our goal is to extend this opportunity to more people, particularly those who have not yet experienced the benefits of TUPAD.” To join the program, applicants must provide documentation verifying their status as displaced workers, including certification from their Punong Barangay confirming their unemployment, underemployment, or low-income status. Priority will be given to those who have not previously taken part in TUPAD. The program is set to commence next month. The provincial government has also requested an exemption from the Commission on Elections to ensure the program’s smooth operation during the election period.                      

  Lingayen, Pangasinan—Ang unang batch ng 141 na mag-aaral ay nagtapos sa Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC) kamakailan at ngayon ay armado ng kaalaman at kasanayan na magbibigay sa kanila ng sapat na kompetisyon para makapagtrabaho. Ang paaralang itinatag sa pamamagitan ni Gov. Ramon Guico III ay naglalayong magbigay ng libreng edukasyon kung saan ang mga mag-aaral ay armado ng mga kasanayan, na ginagawa silang sapat na karampatang para sa mga in-demand na trabaho. Sa pamamagitan ng pagtatatag ng paaralan, inaasahan ng gobernador na mabigyang inspirasyon at bigyang kapangyarihan ang mga kabataan sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mga pagkakataon para sa pagtuklas ng sarili. Si Gov. Guico ay matatag na naniniwala na ang PPC ay hindi lamang isang walang ginagawang pangarap kundi isang maaabot na katotohanan para sa propesyonal pati na rin sa personal na paglago. Sa malakas na suporta ng gobernador sa PPC at sa pinalakas na partnership sa TESDA, ang Pangasinan ay mayroon na ngayong grupo ng mga skilled graduates na sumailalim sa Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) NC II program. Higit pang mga pagkakataon ang naghihintay sa Pangasinenses dahil ang PPC-CeLL ay isang TESDA-registered technical-vocational na institusyon na nagbibigay ng libreng pagsasanay. Samantala, ang mga nagsasanay na nagnanais na makapagtrabaho sa mga tanggapan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ay tinutulungan ng nasabing institusyon para sa kanilang mga aplikasyon. Bukod sa mga ito, may mga planong palawakin ang mga kursong inaalok ng PPC-CeLL sa pamamagitan ng TESDA (automotive servicing) ngayong taon. Sa pagtutulungan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan at ng PPC-CeLL, mas maraming magsasanay ang masasanay at sa huli ay makakahanap ng mga trabaho para sa mas maliwanag na kinabukasan. Habang isinusulat ang balitang ito, isa sa mga nagsipagtapos na si Cesar Arcelona ay natanggap na sa Provincial General Services Office (PGSO), at marami pa ang inaasahang mag-a-apply. By Zaldy Comanda  

Subic Bay Freeport—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has pegged its 2024 workforce at 164,400 showing a minimal but steady increase with 4.8 percent. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño attributed the increase in the workforce to the number of orders in the manufacturing sector that drove the workforce from 2023’s 156,811 workers to this year’s 164,400. He said that the manufacturing sector of the Subic economic zone recorded 27,484 workers employed by 110 companies here in 2024, compared to 21,433 workers in 2023. “And we are anticipating more employment opportunities in Subic Freeport because of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s aggressive efforts to bring more foreign companies to invest in the country since it has been his administration’s thrust to create more jobs for Filipinos through foreign direct investments,” he said. The manufacturing sector of Subic Bay Freeport has employed workers from Olongapo City (13,738), Bataan (3,843), Zambales (8,154), Pampanga (188), National Capital Region (140), Tarlac (79), and other areas (1,342). Aliño added that the services sector of Subic’s workforce still has the biggest number of workers with 116,776 employees employed by 4,014 companies in 2024. It recorded an increase of 1,134 workers from 2024’s 116,776 employees, compared to 2023’s 115,642 employees. The companies in the services sector employed workers from Olongapo City (46,857), Bataan (14,984), Zambales (17,999), Pampanga (4,419), National Capital Region (5,441), Tarlac (1,727), and other areas (25,349). The shipbuilding/marine-related services with 153 companies recorded an increase of 309 workers for 2024’s 6,187 employees compared to 2023’s 5,878 employees. The male-dominated sector recorded 5,512 male workers and 675 female workers. It employed workers from Olongapo City (2,742), Bataan (693), Zambales (1,543), Pampanga (59), National Capital Region (347), Tarlac (11), and other areas (792). Meanwhile, the number of employees in the construction sector reached 13,953 and employed by 320 companies. Another male-dominated industry, these 320 construction companies employed 13,357 male workers and 596 female workers coming from Olongapo City (4,749), Bataan (1,747), Zambales (2,214), Pampanga (603), National Capital Region (916), Tarlac (296), and other areas (3,428). Aliño said that an increase of 95 workers was recorded in the construction sector, with 13,953 workers recorded in 2024, and 13,858 workers recorded in 2023. The SBMA chief said that with the current trend the Subic Bay Freeport workforce is experiencing, any fluctuation in the country’s unemployment rate would not adversely affect the number of workers here since the steady increase is a good sign of a constant upward pace in the employment sector.

  Camp BGen Vicente P. Lim – The Drug Enforcement Team of the Angono Municipal Police Station successfully arrested 5 drug suspects and seized P2,720,000.00 worth of shabu in Brarangay San Isidro, Angono, Rizal, on January 19, 2025. The arrested suspects were identified as alias “Rodney,” 27; alias “Melquiadez,” 73; and alias “Gladdys,” 45, all residents of Barangay San Isidro, Angono, Rizal, and listed as High-Value Individuals (HVI). Also arrested were alias “Jose,” 32, a resident of Barangay Muzon, Taytay, Rizal, and alias “Samuel,” 48, a resident of Barangay San Isidro, Angono, Rizal, both categorized as Street-Level Individuals (SLI). All suspects are under the Angono MPS Drug Watchlist. During the operation, authorities confiscated 11 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets and 2 knot-tied transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu, weighing 400 grams with a standard drug price of P2,720,000.00. Also seized were two Android phones, a digital weighing scale, a brown handbag, and buy-bust money. Regional Director PBGen Paul Kenneth T Lucas lauded the successful operation. “This accomplishment demonstrates our relentless efforts in combating illegal drugs. The arrest of these high value individuals is a significant step toward ensuring the safety and security of the community. Rest assured, we will continue to intensify our operations to protect the public and uphold the rule of law,” he said. Meanwhile, the arrested suspects, along with the confiscated evidence, are under the custody of the Angono MPS Custodial Facility, while cases for violation of RA 9165, also known as the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” is being prepared for filling at Rizal Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, Hilltop, Taytay, Rizal. RPIO4A

Vice Governor and Director General of the Bambanti Festival 2025, Hon. Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, officially inaugurated today the Bambanti Village’s Agri-Ecotourism Exhibit and Sale with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the Isabela Provincial Capitol Compound, on January 20. Tourism Regional Director Troy Alexander G. Miano, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and department heads of the Provincial Government of Isabela (PGI) also participated in the event. This year’s agri-ecotourism booth competition features 32 municipalities, along with the cities of Ilagan and Cauayan, each presenting unique Bambanti (scarecrow) installations. The competition is divided into two categories: Category A, comprising 11 participants from nine municipalities and two cities, and Category B, comprising 23 municipalities. The Bambanti Village aims to showcase the cultural heritage, traditions, and products of each municipality and city to the public.