By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — A delegation of students from Japanese universities visited the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Capitol to consult with the Provincial Tourism and Culture Office for an academic study on developing agritourism anchored on the province’s farmlands and other local assets. Held with the full support of Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito, the visit aims to surface practical strategies to grow agritourism and expand livelihood opportunities for farming communities. Acting Provincial Tourism and Culture Officer Marichelle O. Costales led the discussions with the students, joined by GLM Institute Representative Director Kazuhiro Yamamoto; Vizcaya FRESH Operations Manager Ronnel Acio and ARMLED, Inc. Operations Manager Alvin M. Agsalda, on August 6. With its extensive farmlands and deep agricultural heritage, Nueva Vizcaya is seen as an ideal setting for agritourism innovations that can create jobs, diversify farmers’ income, and bring local products to wider markets. The students are expected to consolidate their findings into recommendations that could inform pilot initiatives and future academic–industry collaborations. For the PTCO, insights from the exchange will help refine programs that advance inclusive and sustainable tourism. The meeting underscores the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya’s openness to international collaboration and fresh ideas that strengthen both tourism and agriculture—for the benefit of Vizcayanos today and in the years to come.        

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito led the payout of honorarium for 141 beneficiaries of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), a joint initiative of the provincial government and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that provides paid summer work to students, on August 14. Gov. Gambito reiterated his longstanding message that the provincial government is preparing the province for the youth through programs that build opportunities, skills and values—and, in turn, he urged young people to prepare themselves for the province by completing their studies, sharpening their competencies, and cultivating discipline and a spirit of service to the community. Under SPES’ cost-sharing scheme, the provincial government shoulders 60 percent of each beneficiary’s honorarium, while the remaining 40 percent is covered by DOLE. PESD Manager Dolly Rose C. Minas, who oversees the program’s implementation, said the provincial government allocated P1 million as counterpart funding for this year’s SPES cycle. Student-beneficiaries worked for 20 days, receiving a stipend of P619 per day. Minas added that high school beneficiaries were assigned to clean and maintain the provincial capitol grounds, while college students were deployed to various offices at the capitol for tasks related to their courses, giving them practical exposure to public service and workplace skills. Minas also noted that many of the student-beneficiaries rendered their service during the peak of the Grand Ammungan Festival in May, when the provincial capitol required heightened cleaning and maintenance to accommodate visitors and events. SPES, a program initiated by DOLE, aims to help students earn during their summer break while gaining work experience that strengthens their readiness for future employment and helps families offset educational expenses.

CAGAYAN, Philippines — Tuguegarao City, under the leadership of Mayor Maila Ting, has once again been recognized as National Special Awardee-Best City Government Category, during the prestigious award was conferred by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., PNP Chief Nicolar D. Torre III, and DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla during the 124th Anniversary Celebration of the Philippine National Police. In the same event, the Cagayan Provincial Police Office was named Best Provincial Police Office in the Philippines, while the Tuguegarao City Component Police Station was hailed as Best Component Police Station in the Philippines. These recognitions underscore the commitment of Tuguegarao City and its law enforcement agencies to excellence in governance, public safety, and community service. (From Mayor Maila Ting)    

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Congressman Atty. Timothy Joseph E. Cayton has hit the ground running in the opening week of the 20th Congress, filing five key bills aimed at strengthening social welfare, supporting educators, and empowering local government units. Leading his legislative agenda is House Bill No. 2691, which seeks to establish a universal social pension for senior citizens. By amending current statutes, this measure aims to guarantee financial support for all elderly Filipinos, reinforcing the country’s commitment to social justice and ensuring that no senior is left behind. Recognizing the vital role of teachers in nation-building, House Bill No. 2692 proposes a special bonus for public school teachers every October, in celebration of Teachers’ Month. This initiative not only offers much-needed financial incentives but also serves as a tribute to the unwavering dedication of educators shaping the nation’s future. With a vision for reliable and sustainable energy, House Bill No. 2693 seeks to grant a franchise to the Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative, Inc. This legislation will empower the cooperative to manage and distribute electric power throughout Nueva Vizcaya, ensuring consistent and dependable energy access for local communities. To further boost the welfare of local government employees, House Bill No. 2694 proposes to allow local government units (LGUs) to utilize their certified year-end savings to provide additional benefits to their personnel. This measure aims to cultivate a motivated and well-supported local government workforce, driving improved public service. Rounding out his legislative package, House Bill No. 2695 seeks to amend the Local Government Code of 1991 to increase appropriations for personal services. The bill is intended to ensure LGUs can offer competitive compensation to their employees, ultimately enhancing the quality and efficiency of public service delivery. “These bills are a reflection of my deep commitment to serve our senior citizens, educators, and local government personnel,” Congressman Cayton said. “By prioritizing their welfare and empowering our communities, we lay the foundation for a more just, equitable, and progressive society not only for the Novo Vizcayanos but for every Filipino.” All five bills have been formally referred to their respective committees for deliberation and further action    

By Zaldy Comanda   BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya- Pormal na inihain sa Kongreso ni Nueva Vizcaya  Congressman Tim Cayton ang House Bill 2691 (Universal Social Pension) na humihiling ng ₱1,500 monthly social pension sa lahat ng mga senior citizen sa buong bansa. Ayon kay Cayton, ang nasabing HB ay handog sa lahat ng mga seniors na Pilipino, anuman ang kanilang mga katayuan sa buhay, mahirap man o mayaman.   Sinabi ni Cayton na sa loob ng 9 na taon na pagiging Mayor nito sa kanyang bayan sa Dupax del Norte, mula 2016 hanggang 2025, ay walang naiwanan sa mga senior citizen sa kanyang nasasakupan matapos siyang gumawa ng programa para mabigyan silang lahat ng pension. “Walang maiiwan. Let’s give our elders the support and dignity they truly deserve,” pahayag ni Cayton na isang kilalang abogado. Dahil sa nasabing programa at  iba pang mga social services na ipinarupad ng LGU- Dupax del Norte ay pinarangalan si Cayton bilang outstanding mayor of the Philippines noong 2023. “Our senior citizens will always occupy a special place in my heart,” dagdag ng bagitong mambabatas. Dahil sa mga social services na ipinatupad ni Cayton lalo na sa pagtulong sa mga elders, kabataan, magsasaka at lahat ng sektor ay nag- umapaw naman ang suporta ng mga residente ng Nueva Vizcaya sa katatapos na May 12 elections matapos siyang makakuha ng malaking boto at magwagi bilang bagong Congressman sa kabila na siya ang pinakabata sa kanilang 7 na magkakatungali. Inaasahan naman ng mga senior citizen na maipasa ang nasabing HB upang matulungan ang lahat ng mga elders na walang pinipili, mayaman man o mahirap.

By Rachel Magday   SOLANO,Nueva Vizcaya,Philippines — Mayor Philip A. Dacayo of Solano,Nueva Vizcaya has outlined a vision for the municipality’s growth and development as it works toward achieving cityhood. In a recent interview, Dacayo emphasized that while Solano is not yet a city, the local government is committed to providing services and benefits comparable to those of a city. “We may not be a city, but we will strive hard to deliver the services and privileges that a city can provide to its constituents. City is just a name or a branding,” he stated, reflecting his determination to enhance the community’s well-being. Solano is making significant progress in meeting the requirements for cityhood. The municipality has generated approximately 300 million pesos in local income and meets the land area criteria. However, Dacayo acknowledged that the population requirement remains a challenge. He clarified that, according to current laws, meeting either the population or income criteria is sufficient for cityhood eligibility. Dacayo also took pride in announcing that Solano is the only municipality in the province that is ISO certified in Quality Management System(QMS). This achievement underscores the local government’s commitment to maintaining high standards in service delivery and operational efficiency. Key investments are on the horizon for Solano, including the upcoming Camella subdivision, which is set to begin pre-selling in the coming months. Additionally, discussions are ongoing with Robinsons for the construction of a new mall, which is expected to create jobs and stimulate local economic growth. Dacayo highlighted the importance of activating Bagabag Airport, a priority for Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito, which he believes will enhance connectivity and open up new opportunities for the municipality. He is also collaborating with Cagayan Valley Regional Tourism Council (CVRTC)Chair Ruth R. Padilla to work on various infrastructure projects for Solano. Acknowledging her connections, Dacayo believes that her support will be instrumental in securing funding for these initiatives. Plans are underway for a new four-story municipal or city hall, with an estimated budget of 400 to 500 million pesos. Congressman Timothy Joseph E. Cayton has pledged an initial fund of 150 million pesos to support the first phase of this project. Furthermore, a central terminal is planned to accommodate various national government offices, positioning Solano as an institutional center. As Solano moves forward in its development efforts, Mayor Dacayo emphasizes that the people of Solano deserve the best. He believes that the community should live up to its reputation as the best of Nueva Vizcaya, striving for excellence in services and opportunities for the Solanoans.      

ILAGAN CITY, Isabela,Philippines — A new learning center dedicated to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and smallholder farmers will soon rise in Isabela, following a groundbreaking ceremony led by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Provincial Government of Isabela (PGI) on July 31. The site is located in front of the Isabela Sports Senior High School, behind the Isabela Sports Complex within the Capitol Compound in Alibagu, City of Ilagan. Leading the ceremony were DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, DAR R02 Director Primo C. Lara, Isabela Governor Rodito T. Albano, and several municipal mayors from the province. To commemorate the occasion, the officials placed a time capsule containing a copy of the project plan at the site. The project is funded by DAR under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project, and will be implemented by the PGI. Key infrastructure components of the learning center include a training center and dormitory, processing center, product display center, administrative building, greenhouse facility, and a tissue culture laboratory. Once completed, the center is expected to benefit more than 166,000 ARBs, approximately 52,000 potential ARBs, and 467 Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) across 58 agrarian reform communities in the Cagayan Valley Region.  

Congressman Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III of Isabela’s 6th District has been elected Deputy Speaker during the opening of the first regular session of the 20th Congress on July 28. Dy, a seasoned public servant, previously served as Governor of Isabela from 2010 to 2019 and as Vice Governor from 2019 to 2025. As Deputy Speaker, he will assist the House Speaker in presiding over sessions and help steer legislative priorities and proceedings in the House of Representatives.

Basco, Batanes, Philippines – Globe is upgrading its sites using alternative and innovative transport technology as a strategic initiative to greatly improve its mobile network experience in Batanes Islands. This will allow residents and visitors in the northernmost province to enjoy a more reliable and highspeed connectivity. The upgrade addresses the growing demand for internet connectivity in the geographically unique and often challenging terrain of the Batanes Islands. The deployment and expansion of 4G LTE provides a robust and resilient solution needed in remote island communities. “We’re thrilled to bring a new level of connectivity to our valued customers in Batanes,” said Joel Agustin, Globe’s Head of Service Planning and Engineering. “This initiative underscores Globe’s unwavering commitment to digital inclusion, ensuring that even our remotest communities have access to the same quality of mobile services enjoyed in urban centers. The upgraded sites are a game-changer for Batanes, enabling faster downloads, smoother streaming, and more seamless online interactions for everyone.” Customers in Batanes can now experience a noticeable improvement in their mobile data experience, facilitating better access to online education, e-commerce, digital entertainment, and vital communication services. This enhanced connectivity is expected to further support local businesses, tourism, and the overall socio-economic development of the Batanes Islands. Globe remains dedicated to continuously improving its network infrastructure across the Philippines, bridging the digital divide and empowering Filipinos with world-class connectivity.