By Ruben A.Veloria   IBA, ZAMBALES, Philippines – The sweetest festival in the country, locally known as Dinamulag Festival, kicked off on Friday (April 10) as thousands of runners of all ages joined the color fun run, the first activity of the three-day celebration. Dinamulag or Mango Festival is celebrated in Zambales during the month of April or May, when mangoes, especially the “Kinalabaw” or dinamulag, known world-wide for its exceptional sweetness, are being harvested. To formally start the festival, Gov. Ebdane, assisted by Vice Gov. Jacky Khonghun and Board Member Runsdedt Ebdane, led the countdown for the 10K, 5K and 3 kilometer run at exactly 6:00AM. At the end of the race, finishers picked–up their luck from a raffle draw for a chance to win home appliances. Meanwhile, later that morning, Gov. Ebdane graced the Governor’s Cup Shootfest at Camp Conrado Yap where he also opened the Zambales Provincial Police Office Firing Range to give the police force a refresherand practice area of their marksmanship. “This is an opportunity to see people, the protector of peace, to come together as, and play together as brothers,” he said in message. He also urged the competitors to become good examples of responsible gun owners, and to undergo Basic Pistol Course to get informed about the new guidelines, new laws, and trends related to gun owning. Competitors to Shootfest were from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army (PA), Phil. Navy, PDEA, BJMP from various stations and private groups in Metro Manila and Central Luzon. In line with the Shootfest, private individuals and companies took advantage of the three-day PNP evaluation and approval of application for License to Own and Posses Firearms (LTOPF), and Firearms display at Legislative Building in Iba here. Other activities lined-up for the day: Mango Cooking Festival, Thanksgiving Mass (San Agustine Church), and Drum and Lyre Competition (Botolan Peoples Plaza). Saturday, the day reserved for adrenaline and gun enthusiasts with the Mountain Bike Challenge to be held at Sports Complex), Airsoft Competition at Barangay Dirita, 2nd Day of Governor’s Cup Shootfest at Camp Conrado Yap, and Tuklas Talino: Final Night. The Festival will conclude on Sunday with more exciting games and challenges.

Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) generated ₱1.77 billion in revenue from port operations in 2025, reflecting steady growth driven by the port’s continued strength and resilience as a logistics and trade hub in the Southeast Asian region. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Engr. Eduardo Jose L. Aliño explained that the ₱1.77-billion revenue in 2025 is 4.2 percent, or ₱71.7 million, higher than the 2024 record ₱1.7 billion. Aliño added that the Seaport Department generated ₱1.47 billion of the total, followed by the Airport Department with ₱182 million, and the Trade Facilitation and Compliance Department (TFCD) with P125 million. “Our 2025 port revenue performance demonstrates how Subic Bay continues to thrive despite global economic uncertainties. This achievement highlights our modern infrastructure, efficient processes, and strong public-private partnerships,” Aliño said. Meanwhile, the SBMA port revenues have already surged by 13 percent at ₱113.7 million in January of 2026 on a year-on-year comparison with ₱100.4 million in January 2025. The ₱113.7 million earned in January, ₱97.7 million came from the Seaport Department, ₱5 million from the Airport Department, and ₱11 million from TFCD. Aliño said that some of the key factors that fueled the growth include a 52 percent increase in SBMA share collections primarily due to a surge in non-containerized cargo handling. He said that this includes rice (up 484 percent), corn (230 percent), wheat (48 percent), and soya (3 percent). Another factor, he added, is the 59 percent increase in vessel charges and 38 percent growth in cargo charges. Non-containerized cargo volumes grew by 47 percent, with imported petroleum products up by 46 percent. This was accompanied by a 17 percent increase in foreign ship calls, totaling 149 additional vessel arrivals. He assured that the SBMA remains committed to further investments in port modernization, digitalization, and sustainability initiatives. “Our vision is to sustain this momentum and position Subic Bay as a leading port in Southeast Asia, enhancing national economic development and global trade connectivity,” Aliño added.  

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — The total market value of real properties in Nueva Vizcaya rose to P155.89 billion in 2025, with 290,657 registered properties boosting the province’s revenue base, according to the Provincial Assessment Office. Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito said the increase signals steady growth and growing investor and public confidence. “The increasing value of real properties in Nueva Vizcaya reflects the province’s steady growth and the rising confidence of our people and investors. More importantly, it strengthens our capacity to deliver better services through a fair and transparent real property assessment system,” he said. Acting Provincial Assessor Salvador G. Aquino said projected real property tax collections for 2025 reached P299.18 million, highlighting the importance of property-based revenues for provincial services. Office records showed 13,090 assessment-related documents — including tax declarations, certified true copies, and property certificates — were issued in 2025, generating P1.09 million in fees. The office also approved 8,897 new tax declarations for subdivisions, transfers and improvements, yielding P1.03 million in transfer tax collections. Aquino said updating the Schedule of Market Values (SMV) remains a top priority. The proposed 2027 SMV has been posted on bulletin boards, social media and the provincial website in compliance with Republic Act No. 12001. Public consultations are scheduled for April 7 and 13, 2026, with business groups, property owners, farmers, local governments and revenue offices invited to attend. The Provincial Assessment Office and the Provincial Treasury are preparing a Real Property Tax Compliance and Impact Study for the Department of Finance’s approval. The study will review taxpayer compliance, revenue implications and possible socioeconomic effects, and its findings will help the Sangguniang Panlalawigan set assessment levels. Aquino said the province is also preparing for a general revision of real property assessments in 2027 to keep valuations current and aligned with market conditions. Aquino, also reported that province ranked first in Cagayan Valley in real property tax collection efficiency and total locally sourced revenues. He announced the recognition during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony, saying the province also placed third in the growth of assessed property values from 2020 to 2024 and in overall local revenues. Aquino said Nueva Vizcaya ranked second in the timely and accurate submission of real property assessment reports, including for the first quarter of 2024, before rising to first in the second, third and fourth quarters. The province also received recognition for its Outstanding Focal Persons for fiscal year 2024. “These achievements reflect our sustained efforts to strengthen database management, improve assessment services, and uphold the integrity of our property records,” Aquino said. Gambito said the awards underscore the contribution of assessment personnel to the province’s revenue generation and public service delivery. “These recognitions are a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our assessment personnel. Their work directly contributes to strengthening our revenue base, which in turn allows us to deliver better services and programs to our people,” Gambito said. He said the provincial government remains committed to transparency, efficiency and innovation in governance.

  Amid growing concerns over watershed protection and water supply in Central Luzon, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) joined over 140 volunteers  in implementing the Abacan River Sustainable Clean-Up Program on March 21, as part of activities leading up to World Water Day and in observance of National Water Month The program, led by Balibago Waterworks System, Inc. and the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (MACCII), is conducted every third Saturday of the month. BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang underscored the agency’s approach of aligning infrastructure development with environmental stewardship. “At BCDA, we see sustainability as a core responsibility. As we build infrastructure that drives economic growth, we are equally focused on protecting natural systems that sustain our communities. Development must not come at the expense of our water sources,” Engr. Bingcang said. Volunteers waded into the Abacan River in Brgy. Pampang, Angeles City and cleared 158 sacks of waste from a waterway that supports nearby communities and wildlife. According to Mini Arceo, CSR Manager of Balibago Waterworks System, Inc, water supply has been a challenge in areas of Metro Manila and Central Luzon. She explained: “Ang Abacan River Sustainable Clean-up ay inilunsad natin upang protektahan ang sources ng tubig natin. Dito sa Angeles City, Mabalacat, and City of San Fernando, kasama ito sa mga high risk of losing water…  Kailangan po talaga palaguin, pagandahin, paunlarin, ingatan ang ating mga water sources kagaya po ng Abacan River.” (“We launched the Abacan River Sustainable Clean-up to protect our water sources.  Angeles City, Mabalacat City and the City of San Fernando are among areas with high risk of losing water.  There is a need to grow, improve, develop and preserve our water sources such as the Abacan River.”) The recent return of migratory birds in some parts of the river shows how the continuous clean-up and rehabilitation are helping the ecosystem recover. This activity marks a step forward in how BCDA is advancing sustainability in Central Luzon and working with communities and partners to tackle environmental issues where it operates. Beyond clean-up drives, BCDA is also advancing a broader watershed restoration strategy in Central Luzon in support of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). In connection with the implementation of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Calamba Extension Project, the agencies are supporting the planting of approximately 700,000 indigenous tree seedlings across the Sapangbato Watershed in Angeles City and the Sacobia Watershed in Mabalacat City. The initiative is being implemented by the DOTr, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI) and BCDA. The large-scale reforestation effort aims to restore forest cover, protect water sources, and mitigate the environmental impact of major infrastructure developments. Both projects show how BCDA is carrying out its sustainability work through partnerships with local groups, government agencies, and communities, in line with SDG 17. For BCDA, protecting rivers and greening projects in partnership with communities are critical initiatives on the ground.  These efforts support the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to pursue development that is climate-resilient, sustainable, and environmentally responsible.