By Victor Martin BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The FCF Minerals Corporation, a British-owned mining company, based in Runruno, Quezon in Nueva Vizcaya, won its third consecutive Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA), as well as two safety distinctions, during the 70th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) held at Camp John Hay in Baguio City on November 22 Nov. FCF Minerals’ General Manager for Operations Lorne Harvey said that aside from the PMIEA, the highest award conferred by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environmental Association (PMSEA), the company also bagged the Safest Surface Mining Operation Award and the Safest Mining Operation Award, as winners. “This award is for the men and women in our Runruno mine operation. Without their tireless dedication to excellence, none of this would have been possible,” Harvey said. Engineer Diosdado Dimalanta, Infrastructure and Security Manager, and Lawyer Rowena Marcos, Legal and Compliance Manager, accepted the PMIEA award, during the awards night and testimonial dinner held at Camp-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center. The PMIEA is given to mining companies that demonstrated outstanding performance in environmental management, occupational health and safety, and corporate social responsibility. Likewise, the Safety Awards were received by the company’s safety team Engineer Maria-Rica-Xtra Arguel, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) manager; Engineer Alex Lagbas, OSH superintendent; and Engineer Tiana May Bonoy, Safety Engineer. Harvey said the awards bestowed to FCF Minerals institutionalized the company’s zeal to go further towards outstanding levels of dedication and innovation in mining, enhancing the lives of their community while protecting and nurturing the environment. “I would also like to make mention of the support of our community as well as our local leaders and the work that they do in conjunction with our staff to enhance the lives of our local population. Without the support of our community, we as a business would not meet the success we have today,” Harvey added. Harvey said the FCF Minerals is also strongly committed as ever to working closely with its many stakeholder groups to continue providing significant benefits and leaving a positive and long legacy. Meanwhile, the FCF Emergency Response Team (ERT) also clinched second place in the First Aid Competition held at the Melvin Jones Grandstand. The ERT also demonstrated their exceptional skills across multiple challenges including Fire Brigade Competition, Fire Extinguishment Event and Tug of Peace Challenge. A local subsidiary of London based Metals Exploration, FCF Minerals has an existing financial and technical assistance agreement (FTAA) with the government to undertake the Runruno Gold-Molybdenum Project in Runruno village in Quezon town here. The project has been endorsed by the provincial board and the host town of Quezon as well as the barangay council in 2011 and started its commercial operation in 2017 after more than a decade of exploration and construction.                    

By Rachel Magday In a commendable display of corporate social responsibility, SN Aboitiz Power Magat has donated a substantial truckload of essential goods to aid those affected by Typhoon Pepito in the province of Nueva Vizcaya. The donation, valued at P350,000, was received today by Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito, on November 21. The donation was delivered by officials from SNAP Magat, led by Engr. Daryll Homer M. Ramos, AVP/Plant Manager; Melissa Joy C. Navarro, AVP for HR and Administration; and Ness Adsuara, Senior Manager for Plant Support Services. The relief goods include 70 sacks of rice (each weighing 25 kilos), 350 five-liter bottles of water, 2,100 packs of noodles, 1,050 cans of corned beef, 1,050 cans of Century Tuna, 2,100 sachets of 3-in-1 coffee, 350 packs of Rebisco crackers, 350 bars of bath soap, 350 bars of laundry soap, and 350 packs of sanitary napkins. According to Adsuara,these essentials will be distributed to 350 beneficiaries, with each relief pack valued at one thousand pesos. The goods was officially turned over to the office of Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management (PDRRM) Officer King Webster Balawing. Adsuara emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting communities in times of need, ensuring that the relief reaches those who need it most. Governor Gambito expressed gratitude for the support, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the private sector and local government in disaster response efforts.

By Rachell Galamay -Cagayan PIO   Naniniwala si Governor Manuel Mamba na hindi malulutas ang problema sa malawakang pagbabaha na nanaranasan sa Cagayan kung hindi ito malalaman at makikita ng National Government. Binigyang-diin ni Gob. Mamba na kinakailangang malaman ng National Government ang problemang mayroon ang Cagayan dahil sa patuloy na pagbabahang nararanasan sa lalawigan Cagayan matapos itong sunud-sunod na bayuhin ng mga nagdaang bagyo. Nangangamba rin si Gob. Mamba na magiging decaying province ang probinsya dahil sa kakulangan sa polisiya at epektibong batas na tututok sa paglutas sa suliraning pangkalikasan. “Problema ito ngayon, habang sinisira natin ang environment natin, habang hindi tayo nagkakaroon ng mga polisiya at regulasyon, habang wala tayong enforcement authorities na tututok dito, our province will become a dessert soon, this is where we are going. This is the reality, it will be a decaying province ang probinsiya natin, if we will not do something, if we will let the National Government know our problems this will end, yung nangyari sa Gonzaga, inilapit na natin sa DENR to investigate it,” pahayag ng Gobernador. Nakikipag-ugnayan na rin si Mamba sa mga kinauukulan at national leaders upang mabigyan ng tamang solusyon ang mga problemang kinahararap. Ayon kay Mamba, ang mga ginagawang pagsisikap ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Cagayan ay hindi para sa pansariling kapakanan nguni’t higit lalo sa susunod na henerasyon. “I will thrive nations, I will thrive leaders about our problem, yung mga tao na who never surrender, who never stop initiating. What we are doing is to organize people, capacitate people, letting everyone know the problem [in our province] na hindi involve ang pulitika, problema lang. Because we are doing this not for ourselves, but for our children, for our future generations, haan nga mabalin nga ipatawid tayo daytoy nga klase iti rigat kadagiti annak tayu,” dagdag pa nito. Siniguro din nito na patuloy ang ginagawang pagsisikap ng PGC upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mamamayan lalo na ang paglalaan ng pondo at mga proyekto upang mabigyan ng kapasidad ang bawat Local Government Unit (LGU) lalo na sa pagkontrol sa mga nararanasang localize flooding sa kanilang nasasakupan. Samantala, hinikayat ni Gob. Mamba ang mga empleyado ng Kapitolyo ng Cagayan na gawin ang kanilang trabaho higit sa pagbibigay serbisyo sa mga mamamayan, dahil sa gobyerno lamang umaasa ang taong-bayan lalo na sa panahon ng pangangailangan.

By Badz Heralde   TUGUEGARAO CITY — Pumirma ng Memorandum of Agreement ang Provincial Government of Cagayan (PGC) at Department of Interior and the Local Government (DILG) Region II, kaugnay sa proyektong “Kwarto ni Neneng” sa Capitol Main Building, Tuguegarao City, noong Nobyembre 18. Si Gov. Manuel Mamba ang lumagda bilang kinatawan ng PGC habang si Regional Director Agnes De Leon na inirepresenta ni Assistant Regional Director Elpidio A. Durwin para naman sa DILG. Ang “Kwarto ni Neneng” ay proyekto na binuo ng mga miyembro ng Provincial Peace and Order Council sa pamumuno ni Gov. Mamba na may layuning tugunan ang problema sa “rape, acts of lasciviousness” at iba pang karahasan sa mga kababaihan at kabataan sa lalawigan. Tinukoy sa MOA ang tungkulin ng PGC kung saan kabilang dito ang paggawa ng plano, disenyo at implementasyon ng proyekto. Sa panig naman ng DILG, naglaan ang ahensiya ng P500,000 na halaga para sa pagpapatupad nito. Sa pondong ibinigay ng DILG, mayroong 29 na benepisaryo ang tinukoy ng Technical Working Group na kinabibilangan ng PNP-Women and Children Protection Desk, DILG, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) at Provincial Engineering Office (PEO). Ang 29 na benepisaryo ay mula sa 27 na bayan sa Cagayan na may mga biktima ng panggahasa. Layunin ng “Kwarto ni Neneng” project na lagyan ng kwarto ang mga kabahayan ng mga benepisyaryo na maghihiwalay sa mga lalaki at babae. Ang hakbang na ito ay nabuo matapos lumabas sa imbestigasyon ng mga otoridad na ang mga biktima ng karahasan o panggagahasa kadalasang may iisa lamang na kwarto sa kanilang tahanan o “shared room” na posibleng dahilan kung bakit nangyayari ang krimen lalo na kapag nasa impluwensiya ng nakalalasing na inumin ang lalaking miyembro ng pamilya. Samantala, nakasama sa MOA signing si Col. Mardito Anguluan, hepe ng Cagayan PNP;  Elvira Layus ng PSWDO; Engr. Maria Loida Urmatam, provincial director ng DILG Cagayan, mga kawani ng DILG R02, PGC at PNP.    

By Rachel Magday BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Highlighting the essence of true public service, Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito called on newly appointed and promoted provincial government employees to prioritize serving the citizens of Nueva Vizcaya during an Oathtaking Ceremony held last Friday, November 8. Speaking from his office, Gov. Gambito emphasized that the real power lies with the people, urging employees to work with integrity and commitment for those who are the rightful owners of the government. “I am not your boss, so you don’t need to please me,” Gov. Gambito stated. “Work diligently for the people because they are the true owners of the government we work for.” The governor stressed the need for government employees to be cordial and treat clients with respect, as they are entrusted with the responsibility of managing the government on behalf of the public. He specifically appealed to the newly hired doctors and nurses at the provincially managed hospitals to provide compassionate care to their patients. “As governor, it reflects poorly on us if hospital staff do not treat patients well,” he noted. “I understand the challenges and stress of your work, but please also consider the difficult circumstances of patients who are in survival mode every day.” Gov. Gambito also advised employees to focus on their duties and not engage with toxic colleagues, encouraging them to maintain professionalism and dedication. He expressed gratitude for the exemplary conduct of the Capitol employees, which earned the provincial government a Silver Award for a very satisfactory rating of 90.1 in the ARTA report card survey, recognizing their outstanding efforts in public service. Among those who took their oaths of office were: Kathyleen D. Marcelo, appointed as the new Provincial General Services Officer (PGSO Department Head) Marichelle O. Costales, Assistant Department Head of the Provincial Tourism and Culture Office Delano Ross B. Pahimna, Admin Officer IV (Governor’s Office) John Paul R. Ngabbu and Joanna M. Galanta, Executive Assistant I (Governor’s Office) Erickson C. Miranda, Licensing Officer II (PENARO) Shemah Angela G. Claveria, Admin Assistant III (Provincial Legal Office) Jonem Mae B. Billedo, Nursing Attendant I Evangeline M. Hernaez, Midwife II (Provincial Health Integrated Office – PIHO) Dr. Irina G. Cortez, Medical Officer III (NVPH) Dr. Arthur Jake C. Aguedan, Medical Officer III (Diadi Emergency Hospital) Dr. Chelsea Mara G. Fragara, Medical Officer III (Bagabag District Hospital) Erenia W. Quines, Pharmacist II (LTMH) Cenon Reymund T. Tanwangco, Nurse III (BDH) The swearing-in of new employees underscores the provincial government’s dedication to enhancing public service, ensuring that the needs of Nueva Vizcaya’s citizens are met with greater efficiency and care.

  By Rachell Galamay-Cagayan PIO Nakatakdang ipatupad ng Department of Education (DepEd) ngayong Nobyembre ang Dynamic Learning Program sa mga paaralan na matinding naapektuhan dahil sa pananalasa ng mga nagdaang kalamidad. Ayon kay DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, layunin ng bagong programa na matugunan ang pagkaantala sa pag-aaral ng mga estudyante sa pamamagitan ng pagsasagawa ng make-up classes, paggamit ng simple at targeted activity sheets, at pagbuo ng temporary learning spaces. Bukod dito, maaari ring magsagawa ang mga apektadong paaralan ng parallel classes, activity-based learning, at minimal homework load na ibibigay sa mga estudyante. Sisimulan ang pilot implementation ng Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) sa mga paaralan na matinding naapektuhan ng kalamidad partikular na sa Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, at Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Sa pinakahuling datos ng naturang ahensiya nasa halos 3.97 milyong mag-aaral at 181,270 teaching at non-teaching staff mula sa 10,947 paaralan ang apektado sa suspensyon ng klase noong nagdaang bagyo. Aabot na rin sa higit P396-milyon ang kinakailangang pondo para sa pagsasaayos ng mga nasirang imprastruktura, kabilang na rito ang 113 totally destroyed classrooms at 227 na partially destroyed, kasama na ang mga nasirang palikuran, wash facilities, at kagamitan.

By Rachell Galamay-Cagayan PIO Idineklara ni Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. ang Nobyembre 04, bilang National Mourning Day upang alalahanin ang mga nasawing biktima ng pananalasa ng bagyong ‘Kristine’. Ito ay batay sa Proclamation No. 728 na inilabas ng Malacañang Palace, kung saan hinimok ng Pangulo ang mamamayang Pilipino sa bansa na ipagdasal, bigyang paggalang, at pakikiramay ang mga nasawi bunsod ng malawakang pagbaha at pag-uulang dala ng bagyong ‘Kristine’ noong Oktubre 21 hanggang 25. Ipinag-utos din ng Pangulo sa lahat ng opisina at tanggapan ng gobyerno na isagawa ang paglalagay ng watawat sa ‘half-mast’ alinsunod sa Republic Act No. 8491 o Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines bilang tanda ng pakikiramay at pagpupugay. Sa pinakahuling pagtataya ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC),umabot na sa mahigit 7 milyong mamamayang Pilipino ang naapektuhan ng bagyo, 139 dito ang nasawi. Bukod dito, iniulat din ng Department of Agriculture (DA) na umabot na sa P3.11-B ang natamong pinsala sa sektor ng agrikultura dahil sa bagyo.

By Rachel Magday In an inspiring achievement for both her community and the province, Hannah Mae R. Guimbongan has emerged as the topnotcher in this year’s Geodetic Engineers Licensure Examination. A proud Sagut scholar and cum laude graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Geodetic Engineering from Nueva Vizcaya State University(NVSU), Guimbongan’s success is a testament to her hard work and determination. With the support of the provincial government led by Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito, she has proven that students from small provinces can excel and compete with their peers from larger universities. Reflecting on her unexpected success, Guimbongan shared, “I knew I would pass the board exam because I gave it my all, but I never anticipated being number one.” The moment she learned of her achievement was filled with emotion; she was at her aunt’s house and immediately reached out to her parents in Baracbac, Sta. Fe. The news sparked an outpouring of joy, with both parents shedding tears of happiness. Her mother, Emilita, hails from an Ilocano background, while her father, Noel, is a Kalanguya. Guimbongan expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the provincial government, stating that the Sagut Scholarship Program played a crucial role in her ability to complete her studies and achieve this milestone. Interestingly, Guimbongan’s journey to Geodetic Engineering was not her original plan. Initially aspiring to study Civil Engineering, she was unable to secure a spot in that program and instead enrolled in Geodetic Engineering—a decision that ultimately led her to discover her passion for the field. The board examination, held on October 17-18, 2024, not only tested the skills of aspiring geodetic engineers but also highlighted the potential of students who receive support from government scholarship programs. In recognition of her remarkable achievement, Guimbongan will receive a ₱200,000 incentive, becoming the second recipient of the Topnotchers Incentive Ordinance established by the provincial government. This ordinance rewards Novo Vizcayanos who achieve top rankings in board examinations. The first recipient was Kharam Molbog from Solano, who topped the Medical Technology Licensure Examination. Governor Gambito expressed his pride in Guimbongan’s accomplishment, stating, “Hannah Mae’s success is a shining example of what hard work and determination can achieve. As I often say, I am committed to preparing our province for the youth, and I encourage them to prepare themselves in return. One of the most effective ways to do this is by dedicating themselves to their studies and earning a degree. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and hope that her story inspires other students to pursue their dreams. The provincial government remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting our youth in their educational endeavors.” Guimbongan’s achievement inspires aspiring engineers in the region, showcasing the value of hard work and the importance of support programs like the Sagut Scholarship, initiated during Governor Carlos M. Padilla’s administration. The program maintains 300 scholars annually with an allocation of around ₱20 million each year.      

By Rachel Magday The provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya, under the leadership of Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito, through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENARO), proudly reported a significant increase in the collection of sand and gravel fees, amounting to ₱46,936,691.62 from January to September 2024. This impressive figure represents a collection efficiency of 144.39%, a testament to the rigorous regulations implemented by PENARO. During the flag-raising ceremony today, PENARO head, Forester Tito Tanguilig shared the positive news, highlighting that the revenue generated from sand and gravel fees is distributed among the barangays (40%) and the municipal and provincial governments, each receiving 30%. The provincial government’s share alone amounts to ₱23,083,244. Forester Tanguilig expressed optimism that, with three months remaining in the year, they could potentially collect an additional ₱10 million. The PENARO has set a target collection of ₱32.5 million for sand and gravel fees this year, and with the current momentum, achieving this goal seems increasingly attainable. Governor Gambito commended the efforts of PENARO in ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources while also maximizing revenue for local development. The ongoing increase in collections not only reflects the effectiveness of their regulatory measures but also underscores the provincial government’s commitment to fostering growth and benefiting local communities.