By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito praised the 17th Grand Ammungan Festival(GAF) Executive Committee for mounting what he described as a successful and meaningful celebration of Nueva Vizcaya’s founding anniversary despite a compressed one-day schedule. Gambito commended the festival’s Executive Committee, led by Director General and Board Member Eunice Galima-Gambol, for efficiently managing the day’s activities after the original five-day celebration was scaled down. “This is beyond my expectation,” Gambito said during the opening program, thanking the committee for ensuring that the province’s annual festival would still push through. House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy served as guest of honor during the program and delivered a video message expressing his continued support for Nueva Vizcaya. He said his support would extend not only to tourism initiatives but also to other programs and projects that would benefit Novo Vizcayanos. Dy said he considers Nueva Vizcaya not just a neighboring province but one close to his heart, noting that many of his relatives live in the province. Gambito said the provincial government considered President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call for austerity measures amid the national emergency situation. However, he said thanksgiving, celebration and fellowship remain deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of Novo Vizcayanos. He said the provincial government found a way to hold this year’s Grand Ammungan Festival in a simpler but still meaningful manner. The day-long celebration opened with an ecumenical service attended by leaders of various religious groups, including Bishop Elmer Mangalinao of the Diocese of Bayombong. Also present during the opening program were Department of Tourism Regional Director Troy Alexander G. Miano, Rep. Timothy Joseph E. Cayton, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and municipal/ barangay officials from across the province. The Grand Ammungan Festival is Nueva Vizcaya’s annual gathering and thanksgiving celebration held in observance of the province’s founding anniversary. The festival highlights the unity, culture and traditions of Novo Vizcayanos, as well as the province’s rich heritage and diverse communities.

By Rachel Magday   Nueva Vizcaya Lone District Rep. Atty Timothy Joseph E. Cayton has urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to include vegetable farmers in the coverage of the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and their Families Program (PAFFP), citing their crucial role in ensuring the country’s food supply. Cayton made the appeal during the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle meeting, where he said vegetable growers are also bearing the impact of rising production costs, unstable farmgate prices and market uncertainties. “Our vegetable farmers are also carrying the burden of high production costs and fluctuating market prices. They are an essential part of our food supply chain, and they should not be left behind in government assistance programs,” Cayton said. He said Nueva Vizcaya is among the country’s vegetable-producing provinces and serves as one of the sources of vegetables supplied to Metro Manila. Cayton added that Nueva Vizcaya plays an important role in helping stabilize vegetable supply, particularly when production problems affect the Cordillera Administrative Region, another major vegetable-producing area. “When there are disruptions in vegetable production in the Cordillera, Nueva Vizcaya helps respond to the needs of Metro Manila. This shows how important our vegetable farmers are not only to the province but also to food security in the capital and other markets,” Cayton said. He said expanding the PAFFP to cover vegetable farmers would provide much-needed support to growers who continue to face increasing costs of seeds, fertilizer, fuel, labor and transport. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr. said the DA is open to expanding the coverage of the program if additional funding is made available by the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The PAFFP is a government assistance program intended to support farmers, fisherfolk and their families affected by economic challenges in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.    

By Ben Moses Ebreo   BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines (PIA) — The provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cagayan Valley have signed an agreement for the management of a warehouse facility to further strengthen disaster response and mitigation efforts in the province. The agreement covers the turnover and management of the warehouse facility under a 30-year usufruct arrangement. Under the pact, the facility will be used for the storage and prepositioning of Family Food Packs (FFPs), non-food items, ready-to-eat food packs, and other relief commodities intended for disaster-affected communities. The agreement also allows the DSWD to utilize the warehouse for 30 years without transfer of ownership, ensuring the long-term and sustainable use of the facility in support of disaster response and social protection operations in the province. “This is a big help in strengthening the Department’s logistics capacity and ensuring the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected families in the province and nearby areas,” DSWD Regional Director Lucia Suyu-Alan said. She also thanked Governor Jose Gambito for the continued support and partnership in advancing the Department’s mandate to protect and promote the welfare of poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors. Last year, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian vowed to strengthen the agency’s logistics capability in the province to bring government services closer to communities in need, especially during disasters and calamities. The warehouse facility is expected to enhance the province’s preparedness and response capability during emergencies and ensure faster delivery of relief assistance to affected residents. (OTB/BME/PIA Nueva Vizcaya)

By Rachel Magday   Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Atty. Timothy Joseph E. Cayton said his vote in favor of the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte was grounded on the constitutional mandate of Congress to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability in public office. “The duty of Congress is to obey and defend the Constitution. No one is above the law,” Cayton said, explaining his vote to affirm the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President. Cayton said the role of the House of Representatives under the 1987 Constitution is to determine whether impeachment complaints are sufficient in form and substance, and whether probable cause exists to send the case to the Senate for trial. He stressed that a vote to approve the Articles of Impeachment is not a vote to convict. “The House does not determine guilt or innocence. We are not a court. The only question is whether there is sufficient basis to bring the matter before the Senate for trial in accordance with due process,” Cayton said. According to Cayton, the House Committee on Justice had conducted proceedings in line with the Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings and found probable cause based on the verified complaints filed before the chamber. “We have a process to follow. The Constitution provides a clear mechanism for matters like this. Our responsibility is to ensure that the process is allowed to proceed, not to obstruct it,” he said. Cayton said his position was not driven by political pressure or personalities, but by the need to protect democratic institutions and uphold accountability. “We must not allow our province to be compromised by politics or noise. Nueva Vizcaya must remain on the side of the law, good governance and accountability,” he said. “This is bigger than personalities and politics. This is about accountability to the people and respect for our institutions,” he added. Cayton also expressed confidence that the Senate, once convened as an impeachment court, would carry out its constitutional duty with fairness and impartiality. He said the proceedings should be viewed through the lens of the Constitution, accountability and the rule of law, rather than partisan politics. “In the end, what matters most is that our democracy remains strong, our institutions continue to function, and the Constitution and the law prevail above anyone else,” Cayton said.

MADDELA, Quirino — Kusang sumuko sa mga pinagsanib na pwersa ng kapulisan at kasundaluhan ang isang dating high-ranking official ng New People’s Army sa Barangay San Dionisio I, Maddela, Quirino. Kinilala ito na si Alyas “Benson”, 42 anyos, may asawa, residente ng nasabing bayan, at dating Platoon Leader at Intelligence Officer ng Platoon Remo sa ilalim ng Komiteng Probinsiya ng Isabela (KOMPROB Isabela) ng Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley. Ayon sa ulat, ang sumukong rebelde ay itinuturing din bilang regional top one most wanted person dahil sa mga kinahaharap nitong kaso na kinabibilangan ng murder, attempted murder, attempted homicide, at direct assault. Kaugnay nito, kasabay ng kanyang pagbabalik-loob ay isinuko rin nito ang ilang armas at pampasabog sa mga awtoridad. Bagama’t idineklara nang insurgency-free ang buong Rehiyon Dos ay patuloy pa ring pinaiigting ng pamahalaan ang kampanya laban sa insurhensiya upang tuluyang mapanatili ang katahimikan at maiwasan ang muling pag-usbong ng armadong grupo sa rehiyon. Samantala, patuloy na isinusulong ni Gobernador Edgar “Manong Egay” Aglipay, bilang Chairperson ng Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) ang patuloy koordinasyon ng mga LGU, pulisya, at militar upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa rehiyon kasunod ng deklarasyon na insurgency-free na ang Cagayan Valley. (Cagayan Information Office)      

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Nueva Vizcaya’s tourism sector continued to gain momentum, with overall visitor arrivals rising in 2025 and paying tourists increasing by 28.02 percent in the first quarter of 2026, the Provincial Tourism and Culture Office (PTCO) said. Provincial Tourism Officer Marichelle O. Costales told Monday’s flag‑raising ceremony that total tourist arrivals in the province rose 10.2 percent in 2025 compared with 2024. Day visitors and excursionists also rose by 5.4 percent, reflecting sustained interest in the province’s destinations and tourism activities, she said. In the first quarter of 2026, visitors reached 10,478, up from 8,185 in the same period last year. Costales thanked Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito for including tourism among his administration’s priority programs, saying the provincial government’s support has strengthened efforts to promote Nueva Vizcaya’s destinations and develop tourism-related initiatives. Collections at the Lower Magat Eco‑Tourism Park (LMET) totaled P6.8 million in 2025, down from P9 million in 2024 — a 24.4-percent decrease, Costales said. She attributed the decline to the temporary closure of the LMET Conference Center after damage from Typhoon Uwan, and to reservation cancellations caused by road construction and heavy traffic along portions of the Maharlika Highway. She said the conference center and other halls at LMET are among the park’s major income-generating facilities, making their temporary closure a significant factor in the decline in collections. Costales, however, said the outlook remained positive, noting that LMET’s accommodations reached full occupancy during a recent long holiday weekend. This, she said, indicated the park’s strong potential to recover revenue once rehabilitation work is completed. LMET remained Nueva Vizcaya’s top tourist attraction in 2025, drawing 37,284 visitors. The province is also preparing to host next year the International Summit on the Conservation of the Gray-faced Buzzard, expected to draw birdwatchers and conservationists from Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Borneo. Costales said the province is likewise promoting airsports, including paragliding, and supporting the reactivation of Bagabag Airport to expand tourism opportunities in Nueva Vizcaya.

By Rachel Magday NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Jobseekers and residents seeking frontline government services will have access to both in one venue as the provincial government holds the Gayyem ti Umili Jobfair cum Government Service Caravan on May 6 and 7, 2026, at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center. More than 750 job vacancies from local to international will be available at the job fair. The two-day event, part of the Pre Grand Ammungan activities, is spearheaded by the Office of Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito through the provincial government’s Public Employment and Service Division(PESD). Carrying the slogan “Bring Best • Look Best • Speak Best,” the fair will assemble private employers across banking and finance, retail, logistics, healthcare and manufacturing — plus accredited overseas recruiters — to recruit for local and overseas positions and conduct on‑the‑spot hiring. “This job fair and service caravan is our way of bringing opportunities and government services closer to the people,” Gambito said. “We want our constituents to find decent work, secure the documents they need, and access public assistance without having to go from one office to another. Government must be felt where the people are.” The government service caravan will provide on-site assistance from national agencies, including National ID registration and verification by the Philippine Statistics Authority; membership registration and updating by PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund and the Social Security System; and motorcycle and tricycle plate distribution for 2017 model year and below by the Land Transportation Office. The Department of Information and Communications Technology will promote e-government systems, while TESDA will process National Certificate applications and renewals, as well as scholarship applications. The National Bureau of Investigation will offer clearance processing and verification. For overseas Filipino workers, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Migrant Workers will provide welfare services, Overseas Employment Certificate issuance for balik-manggagawa, legal assistance, OFW records issuance, e-registration, anti-illegal recruitment and anti-trafficking campaigns, and Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar services. The Department of Social Welfare and Development will also offer Employment Assistance Fund services. Dolly Rose C. Minas, Supervising Labor Employment Officer and head of the PESD, urged jobseekers to bring updated résumés, government-issued IDs and other necessary documents for hiring and service processing.

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines -‘ Nueva Vizcaya officials and the Chinese Consulate in Laoag have discussed a possible sisterhood agreement with a province in China, along with potential cooperation in agriculture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. The proposals were raised during a courtesy call by Li Xiaoyan, consul and head of the Chinese Consulate in Laoag, on Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito at the provincial capitol on Monday,April 27. Vice Gov. Eufemia Ang Dacayo, members of the provincial board and provincial department heads also attended the meeting, which focused on possible Chinese assistance for Nueva Vizcaya’s agriculture and tourism sector. Areas of cooperation discussed included the sharing of best practices, provision of farm machinery and technical assistance to help local farmers adapt to emerging agricultural technologies and trends. Li said the discussions could help strengthen relations between Nueva Vizcaya and China, particularly through exchanges in culture, development and local governance. “I hope we can deepen our understanding and friendship, and we can explore many more collaborations like people-to-people exchange,” Li said. Li also praised Nueva Vizcaya, describing the province as beautiful, and invited its residents to visit China to observe development projects. She said the consulate could extend assistance to those applying for Chinese visas. Gambito welcomed the proposed cooperation, saying outside support would help the province pursue development programs, particularly in agriculture and tourism. “Nueva Vizcaya is not one of the richest provinces in the region, so we welcome any outside assistance that can help our people,” the governor said. Gambito also thanked Li for visiting the province, noting that she was the first Chinese official to pay a courtesy call on the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya. He said the provincial government hoped the prospective partnership would provide technical support, resources and possible funding assistance for priority projects. The visit ended with an exchange of tokens of gratitude between Gambito and Li, symbolizing the two sides’ interest in pursuing further cooperation. Gov. Gambito said the proposed sisterhood agreement and areas of cooperation would still be subject to further discussions and coordination between the provincial government and the Chinese Consulate.