Rang-ay Bank, the rural bank of choice in Northern Luzon, has long established its commitment in the financial landscape. Founded on January 16, 1956, by visionary Ilocano leaders Doña Numeriana Tavora-Querol and Don Teofilo A. Nisce, the bank has grown from its humble beginnings to become the biggest bank in its class in the Ilocos and Cordillera Regions, boasting a wide network of 31 banking offices. This remarkable journey is a testament to Rang-ay Bank’s unwavering commitment to the values of trust, resilience, and community spirit. MORE THAN JUST A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION. Rang-ay Bank sees itself as a partner in progress for the people and businesses of Northern Luzon. Their mission is clear: to empower the region with globally competitive banking services and to hasten progress in the communities they serve through accessible and affordable financial solutions. (L-R) Ives Jesus Nisce II President and CEO, Rang-ay Bank and Rang-ay Bank Chairman Ives Nisce with one of the bank’s valued client. As Rang-ay Bank celebrates its 70th year this 2026, building upon its strong foundation and legacy, its vision and mission continues to involve the people from Northern Luzon. From simple loans to business investments, Rang-ay Bank has established itself to be the leading and most trusted financial partner in Northern Luzon, driving inclusive growth and prosperity through innovative and sustainable banking solutions. Rang-ay Bank Chairman Ives Nisce continues to be hands-on when it comes to looking at the bank’s valued clients. “For decades, Rang-ay Bank has been driven by a clear vision: to empower North Luzon with globally competitive banking services. Our mission is to actively hasten progress in the communities of the Ilocos Region and the Cordillera through accessible and affordable banking services. We firmly believe that by providing the right financial tools and opportunities, we can contribute significantly to the overall economic prosperity of our region” shared Nisce. A significant aspect of Rang-ay Bank’s dedication lies in its robust support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including Agri-businesses. Recognizing the vital role these enterprises play in the local economy, the bank offers flexible loan programs designed to provide much-needed working or start-up capital. These MSMEs Business Loans cater to a wide range of needs, from launching new ventures and expanding existing ones to refinancing current loans and providing revolving credit lines. COMMITMENT BEYOND PROVIDING LOANS. Rang-ay Bank firmly believes in the entrepreneurial spirit and resourcefulness of the people of Northern Luzon. The company, now headed by Ives Jesus Nisce II continues to innovate and support the growth aspirations of local businesses in the North. “The dynamic movement of MSMEs here in Northern Luzon gave our company an idea on what we can develop in terms of banking products that can help our clients achieve their business objectives” said Ives Jesus Nisce II President and CEO, Rang-ay Bank. “Our commitment goes beyond simply providing loans. We will continue to innovate and offer competitive banking services tailored to help individuals and enterprises in our region expand their investments and contribute to the prosperity of our communities” said Nisce II. Understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in the provinces, Rang-ay Bank has streamlined its processes to provide efficient and accessible services. Unlike other institutions where loan applications might need to be sent to Metro Manila, Rang-ay Bank’s local presence allows for quicker processing, with housing, business, and agricultural loans potentially approved in as short as five working days. Furthermore, recognizing that not all borrowers have traditional collateral, the bank offers several collateral-free loan programs, ensuring that more individuals and businesses can access the financial support they need to grow. As Rang-ay Bank prepares for its 70th anniversary next year, its long-standing commitment to the business and economy of Northern Luzon remains unwavering. By providing accessible financial solutions, actively supporting MSMEs and the agricultural sector, and fostering strong community partnerships, Rang-ay Bank continues to invest in the future and contribute significantly to the progress and prosperity of the North. Their journey exemplifies the power of a locally rooted institution in driving regional economic growth and empowering the communities it serves.

By Christian Allister G. Tubadeza   BANGUED, Abra (PIA) — The Provincial Government of Abra and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) recently held a four-day workshop on the formulation of Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) at the Provincial Capitol. Said workshop discussed the guidelines, thrusts, frameworks, goals, strategies, objectives and corresponding Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) to lay out the provincial development roadmap. The activity was attended by the various sectors and key role players from the offices of the national government, the academe, civil society organizations and private sector representatives. Provincial Planning and Development Officer Santos Bernardez reminded everyone that the PDPFP is not just a technical document but a shared vision towards sustainable progress in the province. “This is not just a technical document. It is our shared roadmap towards a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient Abra. This workshop is both a challenge and an opportunity to reflect on where we are and envision where we want to go,” Bernardez stated. Vice Governor Anne Bersamin recognized the support of partners in joining the PDPFP workshop in the province. She said that the workshop is not for compliance purposes only but a blueprint for Abra’s growth in the coming years. “This gathering is not merely an academic exercise or a compliance requirement. Rather, it is a crucial undertaking that will shape the trajectory of Abra’s growth, development and resilience in the years to come,” she stated. The DepDev led by Regional Director Apollo Edwin Pagano  facilitated an efficient and effective collaborative workflow and interaction with the participants. (CAGT-PIA CAR, Abra)        

By Philippine Resources   BENGUET, Philippines — Benguet Corp., the country’s oldest mining company, reported a strong earnings performance for the second quarter of 2025 as revenues and net income rose sharply on the back of higher production and sales. The listed miner said consolidated revenues reached P1.1 billion in the April-to-June period, a 33% increase from P800 million in the same quarter last year. First-half 2025 revenues climbed to P2.1 billion, up 66% from P1.3 billion in the first six months of 2024. After-tax net income for the second quarter stood at P371 million, a 72% jump from P215 million in the same period last year. For the first half, net income surged to P624 million, more than double the P268 million posted a year earlier. Earnings per share amounted to P0.52 in the second quarter and P0.87 for the first half. The company’s operating margin also rose to 43%, compared to 29% a year earlier. Management attributed the stronger performance to both efficiency gains and higher commodity output. “The improvement in the margins is a reflection of the effort to increase commodity production and sales volume while maintaining efficiency in operations,” the company said in a statement. The results add to the company’s momentum from earlier this year when Benguet announced it had fully settled its decades-long debt, paving the way for diversification beyond its traditional mining business. “Looking forward, after having fully settled its long outstanding debt, the management is poised to undertake diversification strategies and to continue to improve shareholders value,” Benguet said in a disclosure in March. Currently, the Romualdez family-led firm operates a gold mine in Benguet, nickel mines in Zambales and a processing facility in Baguio City. Beyond mining, it has diversified into health care and diagnostics, logistics, industrial equipment trading, port services, shipping, real estate and lime kiln operations. In December 2024, Benguet unveiled plans to further expand its portfolio to include agriculture, bulk water and renewable energy projects. “Now with improved creditworthiness and clean balance sheet, [Benguet] can resume capital market activities and engage investors in undertaking new projects and expansion of existing operations that will create new revenue streams for the company and will hopefully lead to future dividend payouts,” the company said. Founded in 1903, Benguet is marking its 122nd year of operations. Management said its focus on sustainable growth has been key to its longevity, even as it continues to face volatility in global commodity prices and foreign exchange rates. “Despite volatility in foreign exchange rates and commodity markets, Benguet continues to deliver solid operating results,” the company said. With revenues already surpassing P2 billion in the first half and net income more than doubling year on year, Benguet said it is confident 2025 results will top last year’s performance. “Moving forward, management is committed to further strengthening its operations, pursuing growth opportunities, and enhancing shareholder value,” the statement added.          

By Zaldy Comanda   CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – Tatlungput-walong drug personalities ang nalambat, samatalang mahigit sa P27 milyong halaga ng iligal na droga ang nasamsam sa matagumpay na anti-illegal drug operations ng Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROC) sa loob ng buwan ng Agosto 2025. Ayon sa ulat ng Regional Operations Division ng PRO CAR, may kabuuang 74 na anti-illegal drug operations ang inilunsad, na kinabibilangan ng 42 marijuana eradication operations, 19 ang buy-bust operations, anim ang pagpapatupad ng search warrants, limang services of warrants of arrest, at dalawa ang police response. Ang mga pagsisikap na ito ay humantong sa pagkakaaresto sa 38 drug personalities, 22 sa kanila ay kinilala bilang High Value Individuals at 16 bilang Street Level Individuals. Makabuuang 126.6 gramo ng shabu, 93,528 fully grown marijuana plants, 12,290 marijuana seedlings, 25,000 grams ng pinatuyong dahon ng marijuana ang nakumpiska na may kabuuang Standard Drug Price na P27,643,288.84. Ang pinakamahalagang operasyon ay isinagawa sa Kalinga, kung saan nakumpiska ng Kalinga PPO ang iligal na droga na nagkakahalaga ng P15,196,220.00, habang Benguet PPO nakakumpiska din ng iligal na droga na may SDP na P9,107,128,000.00. Bukod dito, ang Baguio City Police Office ay nakasamsam din ng iligal na droga na nagkakahalaga ng P3,047,600.00, habang ang Mountain Province PPO ay nakasamsam ng habu na may halagang P142,128.84. Samantala, nakumpiska ng Abra PPO ang hinihinalang shabu na nagkakahalaga ng P132,940.00, at ang Ifugao PPO ay nakakumpiska ng shabu na nagkakahalaga ng P17,272.00. Ang mga nagawang ito ay binibigyang-diin ang hindi natitinag na pangako ng PRO CAR na paigtingin ang kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga. Sa pamamagitan ng sustained at coordinated operations, muling pinagtitibay ng PRO CAR ang kanilang determinasyon na protektahan ang mga komunidad mula sa mga panganib ng ilegal na droga, itaguyod ang panuntunan ng batas, at tiyakin ang pangmatagalang kapayapaan at seguridad sa rehiyon ng Cordillera.

MOUNTAIN PROVINCE, Philippines — A new chapter of leadership unfolds for the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office (PPO) as it officially welcomed its Officer-in-Charge, PCol Marcelo Polig, in a formal Assumption of Office Ceremony held at Camp Lt. Geronimo F. Montes, Bontoc, Mountain Province on September 3, 2025. The ceremony was graced by PCol Ledon Monte, Acting Deputy Regional Director for Operations of PRO CAR, who served as the Presiding Officer. The highlight of the program was the symbolic handing-over of the command standard and property book to Polig by the presiding officer officially marking the transition in leadership for the provincial office and ensuring the continuity of service, stability of operations, and sustained efforts in promoting peace and security in the province. In his message, Monte commended the leadership of the former Provincial Director and extended his congratulations, along with a challenge, to the OIC to continue the mission of safeguarding peace and strengthening public trust in the police force. He also encouraged the personnel of Mountain Province PPO to stand firmly beside their new leader. “Support him in his mission, just as you have supported those who came before him. Together, remain true to your oath of duty, and remember always that Sa Bagong Pilipinas, ang Gusto ng Pulis, Ligtas Tayong Lahat,” he added.

KIBUNGAN, Benguet – Two farmers who were caught in the act of applying fertilizer to their marijuana plants were arrested by the police in Barangay Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet. The suspects identified as High Value Individual marijuana cultivators, are an 18-year-old resident of Barangay Tacadang, Kibungan, and a 20-year-old resident of Barangay Bulaan, Sudipen, La Union. According to the report, personnel of the 1st Benguet Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) were conducting a marijuana operation when they caught the suspects applying fertilizer to marijuana seedlings in their plantation in Sitio Dalipey, Barangay Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet, on August 30. A total of 1,463 fully grown marijuana plants and 1,720 marijuana seedlings with a total value of P361,400.00 were uprotted from their plantation. The arrested suspects were brought to the Kibungan MPS for documentation and are currently facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. In a separate operation, four marijuana plantations were also discovered with 1,114 fully grown marijuana plants (FGMJP) and 1,040 marijuana seedlings with a SDP of P262,600.00 in Barangays Tacadang and Mogcao, Kibungan, Benguet. After the necessary documentation, the confiscated marijuana was immediately burned while sufficient samples were brought to the Regional Forensics Unit-CAR for qualitative test (By Zaldy Comanda)    

BENGUET, Philippines – A pregnant woman and a student were both killed in landslides during heavy rains in separate areas in Mankayan, Benguet and Tabuk City, Kalinga, on September 3. According to the Mankayan Municipal Police Station, the victim, an eight months pregnant, native of Atok, Benguet, was sleeping at around 4:40 p.m. in their house in Sitio Lower Lip-atan, Barangay Guinaoang, Mankayan, Benguet, during heavy rains, when the riprap wall behind their house suddenly collapsed and she was buried under soil and debris. Personnel from the Mankayan MPS, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Guinaoang Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC), and volunteers immediately responded to conduct a search and retrieval operation. The victim’s body was recovered and rushed to the Lutheran Hospital in Abatan, Buguias, but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. In Kalinga, a 17-year-old grade 11 student also died after being buried under a landslide during heavy rains in Sitio Brookside, Barangay Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga. Based on the statement of the victim’s mother at the Tabuk City Police Station, they had just finished eating when her son went to his room. Later, she felt the ground collapse on the side of their house, covering one part of the house. The mother quickly got her youngest child out of the house, but the victim was left in his room. The incident was reported at around 5:45 pm, which was immediately responded to by personnel from the Kalinga PDRRMO, Tabuk CDRRMO, PNP, and barangay and the unconscious victim was recovered at around 8:07 pm.          

  LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — The family has offered a total of P200,000 as a reward for anyone who can see or provide information on their family member, Patrolman Aaron Blas, who has been missing for 45 days in Itogon town, Benguet. Blas, 25, a native of San Gregorio, Luna, Apayao, was among the new police officers who underwent the land navigation activity of the PNP Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC) in Barangay Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet, when he went missing on July 14. According to the Benguet Provincial Police Office, after their training that day, he failed to return for headcount, so several police trainees immediately returned to their place of origin and the routes they had taken but they found no trace of him. Based on CCTV footage from Philex Mines, Blas was seen returning to the Zigzag Dam 2 area on the terrain at around 5:30 p.m. that same day, but his departure from the said area was not seen on CCTV. Since then, until now, through the formed Task Force Blas of the Benguet PPO, the search has continued along the river and many areas in Itogon town. According to the police, they cannot yet provide details on whether the victim is alive or dead and if he went AWOL, until his whereabouts are found. The Benguet PPO further assured that search operations are still ongoing, with the help of the local government unit Itogon, Philex Mines Inc., other concerned agencies, and volunteers.    

By Christian Allister G. Tubadeza   The Indigo Subdivision was built with a multipurpose hall and an elevated water tank and each two-storey houses were also equipped with electricity and water utilities TAYUM, Abra (PIA) — Abra families whose houses were damaged by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit Abra in July 2022 will soon have their own new houses. A total of 126 free housing units located in a 17,000-square meter property of the local government unit Tayum in Barangay Basbasa were turned-over to the  municipal government on August 19, 2025. The project was realized  through the partnership of the SM Development Corporation (SMDC), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP) Foundation, and the Tayum LGU. Aside from earthquake-affected families, those living in identified danger zones will be accommodated as beneficiaries of the housing project. Each two-storey house with a kitchen and a comfort room is equipped with electricity and water utilities. The beneficiaries will not be charged with any rental fees, but they will shoulder the monthly electric and water bills. Nenita Velasquez Brabat, a beneficiary from Gaddani, Tayum, shared in an interview that their house was totally damaged during the earthquake. She expressed gratitude as she can soon enjoy a structurally sound and safe house. “Bungalow diay balay mi. Idi nagingined, totally damaged isu nga agyamanak met ah ta maysaak a napili nga maikkan ti balay ditoy Indigo Subdivision. Makaginawa kami tattan a pamilia,” Brabat said in an interview. (Our bungalow house was totally damaged during the earthquake, so I am thankful because I was chosen a beneficiary here at Indigo Subdivision. This is a huge relief for my family.) The blessing and turnover of the Indigo Housing Subdivision was led by SMDC VP for Business Planning and Development Sheila Ching, DHSUD Assistant Secretary Angelito Aguila, DHSUD-Cordillera Director Marvin Feraren, ANCOP Foundation President Bro. Rudy Gaspillo, Vice-Governor Anne Bersamin, Tayum Mayor Placido Eduarte Jr., and other stakeholders. (CAGT-PIA CAR, Abra)