By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito has directed department heads and division chiefs of the provincial government to accelerate the implementation of programs and projects, citing delays in execution as a major concern. Presiding over the 1st Management Conference (ManCon) meeting held Monday, Gambito urged all offices to sustain the momentum and further speed up the implementation of programs and projects to ensure timely delivery of services. “We need to accelerate our efforts so that the people can immediately feel the impact of the services and projects of the provincial government,” he said. To address the issue, the governor announced key administrative reforms, particularly the shift to a centralized procurement system. Under the new setup, procurement will no longer be handled individually by each office but will instead be consolidated under a specific unit. Gambito said the previous per-office procurement system was identified as one of the reasons behind delays in project implementation. Provincial Administrator King Webster Balawing said centralized procurement means one designated office handles the purchase of goods and supplies for the entire provincial government, instead of each department buying separately. He added that this system, required under Republic Act 9184 and implemented through the DBM-Procurement Service, is meant to make procurement faster, more transparent, and more cost-effective. Balawing cited as an example the procurement of medicines for provincially managed hospitals. Under a centralized setup, purchase requests for medicines from all provincial hospitals can be consolidated so the province can buy in bulk, streamline delivery schedules, and help ensure that essential medicines remain available for patients. While acknowledging that the reforms may be challenging, Gambito stressed they are necessary to improve public service delivery, particularly for priority initiatives. “These reforms may be tough and there may be offices that will be affected, but we have to implement them,” he said. “We need to make sure that our programs—especially our flagship projects—reach the people and are truly felt by them.” Gambito emphasized that the reforms aim to ensure taxpayers see tangible benefits from government spending. “Hopefully, the effects of these reforms and innovations will ensure that what the people pay in taxes will be returned to them through concrete programs and projects of the provincial government,” he said. The governor also urged offices to fast-track implementation ahead of the expected election ban in October for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. “We need to implement our projects as soon as possible because once the election ban takes effect, it will slow down our operations,” Gambito said. “Be cooperative. We will try these new innovations to compensate for the lag that may be caused by the election ban.”    

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines  – Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega led the Agkaysa (Unity) Walk, on February 15, as a signal for the opening of activities in the celebration of the 176th Founding Anniversary of the province of La Union. Bannering the theme “Rikna ti Agkaysa”, the celebration kicked-off with the Agkaysa Walk, Unity Fun Bike, and the “Lagip ti Umili” Photo Exhibit. Ortega led the opening of the events together with Vice Governor Eric Sibuma and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members during the opening ceremony at SM City La Union. “We are bringing back the glow and joy of this celebration for my fellow ka-Elyucanos. This is more than just a celebration but also a grand showcase of our pride, unity, and resilience throughout the years”, Ortega said. This year’s founding anniversary goes beyond the celebration but also a reminder of a united and resilient La Union that continues to bind the people together towards solidarity and sustainable growth and progress. Ortega said that the celebration of the founding anniversary this year will be meaningful, happy and historic, because of the cooperation of every local government official, stakeholders and the community. He said, “This year’s founding anniversary goes beyond the celebration but also a reminder of a united and resilient La Union that continues to bind the people together towards solidarity and sustainable growth and progress.” Ortega also led the official sashing of the beautiful Mutia Ti La Union 2026 candidates, whose Coronation Night will be held on March 2. In a tribute to the province’s rich cultural and historical legacy, PGLU immersed visitors in a journey back in time as it launched the “Lagip ti Umili” Photo Exhibit. The exhibit featured a curated collection of photos that revisit the province’s cultural heritage and significant milestones that have forged La Union’s identity today. The people of La Union are set to witness the major crowd-drawing festivities that are set to return this year, such as the Battle of La Union Festivals Street Dancing Competition, which will feature performances from contingents of the 20 component Local Government Units, showcasing their vibrant artistry and culture. La Union is also ready to light up the streets as it welcomes back the Grand Electric Float Parade in a dazzling display of colorful lights and intricate designs. The lineup of activities also features the Culture and Arts Festival, Aldaw ti Umili, Am-among ti La Union 2026, and the Rescuelympics. Other highly anticipated highlights include the Elyulympics, Agkaysa Concert, and the prestigious coronation night of Mutia ti La Union 2026. (By Zaldy Comanda)                

By Ruben A.Veloria IBA, Zambales, Philippines — Intelligence agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested early morning on February 12, a soldier of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in his rented apartment, this town. Armed with a Mission Order No. 2026-063 dated February 12, 2026, Immigration agents, together with the personnel from Philippine Army and PNP, arrested a 30 year old Mongolian national, in his rented unit in Villamin Apartment, Barangay Lipay-Dingin-Panibuatan, this town. The suspect was arrested on violation of Commonwealth Act No. 613, at 6:51 AM on Thursday. Several aerial photographs of Iba Airport and Palauig River were captured from the suspect. He was later transported to BI main Office in Manila for booking procedures, medical examination and biometric processing. Based on the MO, the susect committed violation for engaging in activities inconsistent with the purpose of his visa and Special Study Permit; Entry by fraud or misrepresentation by failing to disclose his military affiliation and aviation combat training; Undocumented status or without valid immigration status during his arrest; and undesirability for posing a risk to national security. BI records revealed that the suspect graduated at Defense University of Mongolia, and Civil Aviation University of China, and obtained license as a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) jet fighter pilot from PLA Air Force Aviation University. He served as a soldier with jet fighter aircraft piloting experience. While in Zambales, the suspect has enrolled as student pilot at All Asia Aviation Academy in Iba, allegedly financed by the Chinese government. The suspect’s operations in Iba is approximately 120 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc. There he acquired dual-use aviation skills potentially applicable to surveillance or military operations which poses a strategic location risk, which raises serious concern that his “training flights” was only a cover-up, and is being used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence gathering for China, specially during his solo flight.

  SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union –Governor Mario Ortega expressed his full support and commitment to the province’s compliance with the directives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. regarding the national budget during the “Badyet ng Bayan at Mamamayan” (BBM) Usapang Budget Natin Forum held at the Bacnotan Public Market in Bacnotan, La Union, which hosted the Luzon portion of the forum, on February 13. Ortega and Bacnotan Mayor Divina Fontanilla welcomed cabinet secretaries, including DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon; heads of provincial and regional agencies, national officials from various departments, and other distinguished guests who attended the occasion. Fontanilla also expressed his deep gratitude to the national agencies for recognizing and choosing Bacnotan as the first-ever Luzon forum. According to Ortega, the importance of transparency in the use of the national budget to further strengthen priority sectors in line with the development goals of his administration. He also emphasized the important cooperation between the Provincial and National Governments in delivering accessible and quality services to the people of La Union and accelerating growth. “We are here to serve and I open my heart to all of them, let’s unite to improve La Union,” said Ortega. Secretary Dizon assured the province that they will complete the Bauang–San Fernando Bypass Road project by 2027, to completely relieve traffic in downtown areas and to benefit residents and tourists. In his statement at the forum, Dizon said that efforts are being made to expedite projects to further boost tourism in the Ilocos Region, including the Naguilian–Bagulin–Kapangan Road, both of which are targeted for completion also by 2027. He also said that the construction of the Rosario Bypass Road and the TPLEX Extension, are being expedited with the help of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and San Miguel Corporation. “This is the lowest budget of the DPWH. The DPWH budget is almost half, if we compare it to last year, because this year’s allocation is small, but don’t worry, the agency will work within its budget.” (By Zaldy Comanda)          

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines — Muling nagbigay ng karangalan sa Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, ang pitong taong gulang na si Haliya Catarina Flores Guzman matapos magwagi ng Gold Award sa Final Round ng Thailand International Math Olympiad (TIMO) nitong Pebrero 7, 2026. Si Guzman ang nag-iisang pambato ng lungsod at ng probinsiya sa naturang kompetisyon. Umabot sa 1,290 kalahok mula sa iba’t ibang bansa ang dumaan sa Heat Round kung saan pumangalawa si Guzman. Ito na ang ikalawang sunod na taon na nagkamit siya ng Gold Award sa naturang international math competition, matapos din siyang magwagi noong 2025. Sa tulong ng kaniyang lola na si dating Provincial EngineerBasilia Baccay Flores at ng kaniyang mga magulang, naging masigasig si Haliya sa paghahanda para sa patimpalak. Sa murang edad, patuloy niyang pinatutunayan ang kahusayan ng batang Cagayano sa larangan ng matematika sa pandaigdigang entablado. (Mae Amarles)