By Ruben A.Veloria Subic Bay Freeport – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is currently keen on fast tracking the redevelopment of its Boton Wharf to address the growing influx of ship arrivals in the Port of Subic. Among the priority port expansion projects to be implemented, is the Boton Wharf which has a total length of 648 meters and depth of 10 meters, and currently being used as berthing for transshipment vessels, fishing boats, bulk cargoes and fertilizer terminal by Subic Seaport Terminal Inc. (SSTI). SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said, “The Boton Wharf Redevelopment project is part of the infrastructure roadmap under the Luzon Economic Corridor of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to improve port services for our stakeholders.” Aliño added that one of the main objectives is to ensure that Subic Bay Freeport is primed and ready to receive increased cargo volumes by adding more ports and wharves. “By doing so, this will yield additional direct and indirect employment, and economic opportunities in and around the Freeport,” he added. Meanwhile, during the Talakayan sa Freeport held at the Terrace Hotel here, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao disclosed that the agency has lined up various development plans that will boost the number of vessel arrivals here. Yambao mentioned that SBMA will undertake the Redevelopment of Boton Wharf which is targeted to commence in 2026, to consist of a new port terminal, and warehouses with cold storage facilities.    

By Jayson De Lemon Sa isang pakikipagtulungan upang palakasin ang paghahanda sa sakuna at kalamidad sa lalawigan, pinangunahan ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Camarines Norte (PGCN), sa pamumuno nina Gobernador Ricarte “Dong” Padilla at Bise-Gobernador Engr. Joseph Ascutia ang dalawang araw na pagsasanay sa pagpapaunlad ng kakayahan para sa mga tagapamahala ng mga boluntaryong tumutugon sa sakuna at kalamidad. Ang pagsasanay ay pinangisawaan ng Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) sa pamumuno ni Antonio Espana at ng Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) sa pamumuno ni Cynthia R. dela Cruz, RSW, MPA. Ang pagsasanay, na ginanap nitong Oktubre 10-11, 2024, sa Audio Visual Room (AVR) ng Kapitolyo sa Daet, Camarines Norte, ay naglalayong bigyan ng mahahalagang kasanayan at kaalaman ang mga tagapamahala ng mga boluntaryo para sa epektibong pagtugon sa sakuna. Ang kilalang eksperto na si Roy Nelson G. Layosa na nagmula pa sa karatig probinsya ng Camarines Sur ang nagsilbing tagapagsalita sa kaganapan. Ang unang araw ng pagsasanay ay nakatuon sa “Mga Elemento ng Isang Epektibong Organisasyon” at “Pag-andar ng Pamamahala ng Organisasyon”. Nakakuha ang mga kalahok ng mahalagang kaalaman tungkol sa mga prinsipyo ng epektibong pagbuo ng koponan, pamumuno, at pamamahala ng mga mapagkukunan sa mga sitwasyon ng sakuna at kalamidad. Sakop ng pagsasanay ang mga paksa tulad ng: – Pagkilala sa mga pangunahing elemento ng isang matagumpay na organisasyon na tumutugon sa sakuna at kalamidad. – Pag-unawa sa mga tungkulin at responsibilidad ng mga tagapamahala ng mga boluntaryo. – Pagbuo ng epektibong mga estratehiya sa komunikasyon at koordinasyon. – Pagpapatupad ng mahusay na mga sistema ng paglalaan at pamamahala ng mga mapagkukunan. Ang ikalawang araw ng pagsasanay ay nakatuon sa mga praktikal na aspeto ng pagtugon sa sakuna at kalamidad, kabilang ang: – Epektibong Komunikasyon – Mga Tip para sa Epektibong Mga Pulong – Talakayan sa Input na Pagganyak kumpara sa mga Output Inaasahang mapapalakas ng pagsasanay ang kakayahan ng mga tagapamahala ng mga boluntaryo sa Camarines Norte, na magbibigay-daan sa kanila na epektibong mamuno at mag-coordinate ng mga pagsisikap sa pagtugon sa sakuna sa kanilang mga komunidad. Sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mga kinakailangang kasanayan at kaalaman sa mga indibidwal na ito, naglalayong bumuo ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng isang mas matibay at handa na lalawigan na may kakayahang epektibong tumugon sa anumang sakuna.          

  By Rachel Magday The provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya has once again demonstrated its excellence in governance and fiscal management by securing the fourth spot nationwide for year-on-year growth in local source revenues for 2023. This prestigious recognition was awarded during the 37th anniversary of the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) and stakeholders recognition ceremony, held at Seda Bay, Manila, with Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto presiding over the event. Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito, accompanied by Provincial Treasurer Rhoda S. Moreno, proudly accepted the award, highlighting the province’s remarkable 68.20 percent increase in local source revenues. This achievement underscores Nueva Vizcaya’s effective strategies in revenue generation, fiscal discipline, and economic development initiatives. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our local government and the people of Nueva Vizcaya,” said Governor Gambito. “Our commitment to innovative governance and fiscal responsibility has paved the way for this success, and we will continue to strive for excellence in serving our community. We are not only setting a benchmark for other provinces but also ensuring a brighter future for our constituents by fostering sustainable economic growth.” Provincial Treasurer Moreno added, “The remarkable escalation of our local sources is the result of the various innovative approaches introduced by the Provincial Treasury coupled with the tax ordinances passed by the SP granting discounts and providing convenience for our taxpayers to pay in staggered payments without penalties, and of course, the strong support of our Governor, Atty. Jose Gambito, to our revenue generation activities geared toward the increase of our locally-sourced revenues.” The accolade was part of the BLGF’s initiative to acknowledge top-performing local government units in strengthening local government finance for fiscal years 2022 and 2023, as outlined in BLGF Memorandum Circular 017-202, dated August 19. The data supporting these achievements were drawn from the Statements of Receipts and Expenditures (SRE) reports for FY 2019, 2022, and 2023. These reports, submitted by Local Treasurers, were meticulously evaluated by the Bureau of Local Financial Data Analysis Division (LFDAD) and verified by the concerned BLGF regional offices. Nueva Vizcaya stands out as the only province from the Cagayan Valley region to rank in the top ten for local revenue growth in 2023, showcasing its leadership and innovative governance. Other provinces in the top ten include Negros Occidental, Camarines Sur, North Cotabato, Misamis Occidental, Zambales, Palawan, Nueva Ecija, Sorsogon, and Davao Oriental.  

Iniulat ng Quezon Police Provincial Office, sa pamumuno ni Col.Ledon Monte ang mapayanag paghahain ng Cerificate of Candidate at Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) ng mga kandidato at ipinabot din niya ang kanyang pasasalamat sa ipinakitang kahandaan ng kapulisan sa naganap na filing, noong October 1 to 8, 2024. Batay sa datus ng Provincial Operations Management Office (POMU), walang naitalang insidente na nakaapekto sa mapayapang pagpafile ng nasa 1,037 aspiring candidates sa buong lalawigan ng Quezon. “Sa ngayon, patuloy pa rin ang ating pagbabantay para sa kaligtasan ng ating mga kandidato. Nakahanda rin tayo kung kailangan nila ng police assistance.”pahayag ni Monte. Base sa datos ng POMU, apat ang nagfile para sa pagka Governor, lima para sa Vice-Governor, lima para sa Congressman, 18 Board Members, 105 Mayors, 87 Vice-Mayors, at 813 Councilors.( Quezon PNP PIO)    

The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), turned over Php5 million ($89,500) in aquaculture equipment to the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte to support fisherfolk in sustainably farming tilapia. USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks handed over the donation to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc at the government-owned Pasuquin Fish Farm on October 10. “The United States is proud to support fishers in Ilocos Norte with tools that can increase their income and create resilient communities,” Deputy Mission Director Eubanks said.  “These supplies will help fishers, especially those impacted by the recent Super Typhoon Julian, restore their livelihood and contribute to long-term food security by increasing affordable sources of protein for local communities.” “I’d like to express my deepest and sincerest gratitude to USAID on behalf of our fisherfolk and on behalf of over 610,000 Ilocanos.  We really look forward to working closer with USAID for the benefit of our Ilocanos,” Governor Manotoc said. The donation includes a generator, a 1,000-watt solar-powered outdoor light, a ring blower, an oxygen tank, a submersible pump, an aerator for a paddle wheel, a sewing machine for net production and repair, fish fingerlings, fish breeders, and feed.  The equipment and supplies are expected to boost the farm’s current tilapia production by 20 percent by ensuring a stable supply of electricity, increasing the stock of fingerlings and breeders, and maximizing the facility’s overall efficiency. USAID also donated fish cages to 70 fishers representing fisherfolk associations from the municipalities of Pasuquin, Bangui, and Pagudpud, and whose fishing equipment were damaged by Super Typhoon Julian. This assistance is part of USAID’s Php41-million grant to Impl. Project Philippines to create conservation-based livelihood projects, help manage marine protected areas, and conduct research and development into seaweed and aquaculture farming in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and Palawan. While in Ilocos Norte, Deputy Mission Director Eubanks also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to boosting innovation, education, and economic development in the region. On October 9, Deputy Mission Director Eubanks visited the Batac Campus of Mariano Marcos State University to mark its inclusion in a network of 22 universities under USAID’s Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) project. Through this program, USAID provides career mentoring to help students embark on successful careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  She also launched USAID’s WISER app, an interactive platform that educates the public about renewable energy. She also delivered remarks at the graduation ceremony of 91 young Ilocanos who completed a 15-day course in construction as part of USAID’s YouthWorks PH project.  This course helped the graduates obtain jobs at construction firms such as AsiaPro, Worklife, and Datem. During her visit, Deputy Mission Director Eubanks witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between USAID’s U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) Program and the Ilocos Norte Regional Development Council’s Regional Research, Development, and Innovation Committee. This new partnership will create new relationships and strengthen existing cooperation between the government, private sector, and the academia to align investments and foster innovation that will drive growth and development in the region.