By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Another 69 couples in Nueva Vizcaya who have been married for 50 years or more received P50,000 each from the provincial government under its Enduring Devotion Ordinance, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 681 and the total disbursement to P34.05 million since the program was implemented. The latest distribution, totaling P3.45 million, was held yesterday at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center and was led by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Flordelina C. Granada. Granada said the recipients make up the 12th batch of beneficiaries of the program, which covers qualified couples from the different municipalities of the province. Granada added that the provincial government is continuously processing applications for the incentive, noting that another P10 million has been allocated to accommodate additional 2025 applications, an amount enough to cover 200 more qualified couples. Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito said the provincial government remains committed to sustaining the initiative, which he described as a tribute to couples who have shown enduring love and commitment. “We have already disbursed more than P30 million for this program. This is a significant amount, and while it could have been used for many other projects, I do not mind because this is more than a financial reward. It is the provincial government’s way of recognizing your lasting commitment, sacrifices and devotion to one another,” Gambito said. He said he hopes the program will inspire younger couples to nurture their relationships and remain committed to keeping their families intact. Gambito also reiterated his observation that many troubled children come from broken families, stressing the importance of strong and stable family relationships. Notably, Gov. Gambito and his wife, Beth, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary making the program personally meaningful for the governor as the province continues to honor couples who have reached the same milestone. The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the provincial government, saying the cash assistance would help them meet their daily expenses, particularly the purchase of maintenance medicines. The Enduring Devotion Ordinance, authored by then Board Member Patricio F. Dumlao Jr., grants P50,000 to couples who have been married for 50 years or more.The ordinance aims to recognize and honor couples who have stood the test of time and who serve as role models for younger generations.

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — The provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya has released P70,000 in educational assistance to seven college students who served as tutors under the Tara, Basa Tutoring Program in Villaverde, the first municipality in Cagayan Valley to implement the initiative. Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito distributed checks worth P10,000 each to the student tutors as recognition of their service and to help them meet school-related expenses. “We fully support the Tara, Basa Tutoring program it helps our children become better readers while giving our youth the opportunity to serve their communities and continue their studies,” Gambito said. Jesusa P. Dyte, Social Welfare Officer IV of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and focal person for the program, said the one-time grant was provided through the provincial government’s Project SHIFT, which supports households that have exited or graduated from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, or 4Ps. Dyte said the assistance forms part of the province’s counterpart contribution to the literacy program and is intended to encourage continued youth participation in community-based development activities. The Tara, Basa Tutoring Program is implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region II in partnership with the municipal government of Villaverde and the Department of Education. The program aims to improve the reading proficiency of public elementary school learners while providing temporary employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged college students and out-of-school youth. According to Dyte, the seven recipients were among 25 college students from Villaverde who participated in the program as tutors and youth development workers. The incentives for the remaining 18 college students were provided by the municipal government of Villaverde as part of its counterpart support to the program. Of the 25 participants, 13 served as tutors for 53 incoming Grade 2 pupils, while 12 worked as youth development workers who facilitated “Nanay-Tatay” sessions for the parents and guardians of the learners, who also received cash incentives from the DSWD for their participation in the program. Dyte said the program not only addresses early-grade reading gaps but also provides young people with an opportunity to contribute to their communities while earning support for their education. She added that the cash assistance seeks to recognize the contribution of the tutors, support their academic needs, strengthen partnerships among government agencies and local stakeholders, and sustain youth involvement in literacy and social development programs.          

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Fire incidents in the province rose sharply from February to April 2026, causing an estimated ₱12.58 million in damage, according to Fire Supt. Aristotle V. Atal, provincial fire marshal of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Nueva Vizcaya. Presenting the BFP’s “Fire Suppression Data: February–April CY 2026” at the second-quarter joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), and Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) at Ammungan Hall, Provincial Capitol, Atal said the BFP responded to 31 fire calls over the three-month period: 17 structural, 12 non-structural and two vehicular incidents. Year-on-year comparisons showed steep increases across categories. Structural fire responses more than doubled, from eight in February–April 2025 to 17 in the same period this year (about 112.5%). Non-structural incidents jumped from one to 11 while total fire responses climbed from nine to 31 (about 244%). Reported property damage ballooned from ₱677,000 in 2025 to ₱12,581,000 in 2026—an increase of roughly 1,758%. One civilian fatality was recorded this year; no firefighter deaths were reported in either period. Dupax del Norte accounted for the largest share of losses at approximately ₱8.659 million. Other municipalities with significant damage included Bayombong (about ₱734,000), Ambaguio (about ₱351,500) and Solano (about ₱346,000). One incident in Santa Fe remains under investigation, Atal said. The BFP report was part of the second‑quarter joint PPOC–PADAC–PTF‑ELCAC meeting, chaired by Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito and presided over by Board Member Flodemonte S. Gerdan, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s committee on peace and order, emphasized coordinated measures to boost fire prevention and public safety across the province.      

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Timothy Joseph E. Cayton is pushing for a measure that would raise the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) of government employees to P9,000 a month from the current P2,000. House Bill No. 9331 seeks to provide additional financial relief to public sector workers amid the continued increase in the prices of fuel, food and other basic commodities. The proposed increase could benefit an estimated two million civilian government workers nationwide, including personnel in national government agencies and local government units. Based on recent government manpower estimates, national government agencies account for roughly 1.3 million employees, while LGUs employ about 500,000 to 600,000 workers. Cayton said the proposed adjustment is intended to help government employees cope with the rising cost of living and the weakening purchasing power of fixed incomes. PERA is a monthly allowance granted to government personnel to supplement their income and help cushion the impact of economic pressures.        

By Rachel Magday   BAGABAG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines — A P6-million rehabilitation project funded under the Department of Health’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program(HFEP) is set to begin at the Bagabag District Hospital to restore critical services and repair facilities damaged by Typhoon Uwan last year. Bagabag District Hospital is headed by Chief of Hospital Dr. Jocelyn S. Bumidang and is one of six district hospitals operated by the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya. Ma. Cristina S. Opena, administrative officer of Bagabag District Hospital, said a team from the Department of Health Regional Office 2 conducted a site inspection on May 8 to assess the extent of the damage and validate the proposed repairs. The DOH HFEP team was composed of engineers Jay R. Tatto, Jones Pascual Jr. and Frank Ivan Santos. They were joined by engineers from the Provincial Engineering Office, led by Architect Audry Mae C. Dominguez. Dominguez said the inspection was conducted to evaluate the hospital’s condition, validate storm-related damage and finalize the list of repairs and improvements needed for the facility. Areas identified for immediate rehabilitation include the ward, laundry and dietary building, emergency room, laboratory and X-ray building, and cadaver holding area. Dominguez said the project will cover the repair of damaged structural and architectural components, repainting of affected interior and exterior areas, and upgrading of electrical systems and fixtures to meet safety and operational standards. Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito, who recently inspected the Bagabag District Hospital, expressed his gratitude to the Department of Health for the P6-million allocation intended for the facility’s rehabilitation. He said the funding will help fast-track the hospital’s recovery from typhoon damage, restore vital health services, and ensure the continued delivery of safe and responsive medical care to residents of Bagabag and nearby communities.

By Rachel Magday   Nueva Vizcaya emerged as one of the region’s top-performing provinces at the WorldSkills Philippines Cagayan Valley Regional Skills Olympics, placing third overall and bringing home four golds, four silvers, three bronzes and two medallions of excellence at the May 19–20 competition held at the Aparri Polytechnic Institute in Maura, Aparri. Isabela topped the overall standings, followed by Cagayan in second place. The 55-member Nueva Vizcaya delegation — composed of technical-vocational (tech-voc) trainees and recent graduates from training centers and schools across the province — competed in 14 of the meet’s 33 trade areas. The team was led by TESDA provincial director Benhur Baniqued. Eva Doniego, supervising technical education development specialist of TESDA Nueva Vizcaya, expressed gratitude to the Office of Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito for providing PHP 250,000 in financial assistance, saying the support was instrumental in enabling the delegation’s participation and preparation for the regional meet. Governor Gambito also extended his congratulations to the Nueva Vizcaya delegation, praising the trainees, their trainers and TESDA officials for demonstrating excellence and dedication. He reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening skills development programs and expanding employment and international-competition opportunities for the province’s youth. Medal summary for Nueva Vizcaya Gold: Cyber Security (SMU); Cooking (PLT); Bakery (PLT); Landscaping (Nueva Vizcaya Polytechnic Institute) Silver: Web Technologies (SMU); Patisserie (PTC); Carpentry (Bambang NHS); Fashion Technology (Nueva Vizcaya Polytechnic Institute) Bronze: Information Networking (SMU); Automotive (Bambang NHS); Electrical (Bambang NHS) Medallion of Excellence: Hotel Reception (SMU); Restaurant Service (PLT College Inc.) The TESDA Skills Olympics, or WorldSkills Philippines, is an annual contest that tests the vocational and technical skills of Filipino youth. Regional meets like the Cagayan Valley event spotlight top performers who can advance to national and international competitions and highlight local efforts to improve tech‑voc training.

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)