CALAPAN CITY — Nilagdaan na ang Power Supply Agreement para sa 57 Megawatts guaranteed dependable capacity power supply sa pagitan ng Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative Inc. (ORMECO), power supplier companies at ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan na ginanap sa Solidarity Hall ng ORMECO Inc., Barangay Sta. Isabel, Lungsod ng Calapan, noong Abril 14. “We are no longer celebrating a problem, we are celebrating a solution.” Ito ang binigyang diin ni Governor Bonz Dolor sa kanyang mensahe sa naturang okasyon. Aniya pa, hindi siya tumitigil sa paggawa ng paraan upang ang matagal nang kinakaharap na problema ng lalawigan at maging ng iba’t ibang nakaraang pamunuan sa isyu ng kuryente ay matuldukan na. Pinasalamatan naman ni ORMECO General Manager Humphrey A. Dolor ang mga walang sawang sumuporta upang maging isang ganap itong katuparan ng pinapangarap na solusyon sa usapin ng kuryente sa lalawigan na halos dalawang dekada nang kinakaharap ng mga nakaraang iba’t ibang pamunuan. Kapag napasimulan na ang operasyon ng mga karagdagang planta ng kuryente ngayong taon na itatayo ng nanalong power companies sa iba’t ibang natukoy na bayan, inaasahang bababa na ang taripa ng kuryente sa lalawigan sa pamamagitan ng naging commitment ng mag-ooperasyong power companies na pagpapababa ng generation charge sa maximum na 7.39 KWh. Ang labis dito ay tatawaging subsidized generation charge na kung saan ang magbabayad ay ang pamahalaan. Samantala, nakiisa at nagpahayag ng suporta sa naturang gawain sina Bokal Aleli Casubuan, dating Provincial Administrator Dr. Hubbert Christopher A. Dolor, at ilang mga member-consumer ng naturang kooperatiba.                      

Excitement builds as preparations for the 9th Abaca Festival kick off, with the Catanduanes Provincial Government convening at the Sanggunian Panlalawigan Session Hall to map out plans for this year’s celebration, on  April 14. The Abaca Festival, also known as Catanduanes Abaca Festival, is an annual celebration held in Virac, Catanduanes, Philippines, during the fourth week of May. It highlights the abacá fiber, the Manila hemp industry, and the resilient culture of Catanduanes.  The festival showcases the island’s unique identity and culture, particularly its strong connection to the abaca fiber industry. With the theme “Kusog nin Islang Maogma: Pinagtibay nin Abaca,” the festival will showcase the island’s strength, unity, and resilience—rooted in its thriving abaca industry. Highlights of the event include the 4th Arte Isla Art Exhibit, Agri, Trade and Tourism Fair, Drum and Lyre Competition, and the vibrant Street Dance Competition. Additional activities are still being finalized to complete the festival lineup. Now in its ninth year, the Abaca Festival continues to celebrate local culture, boost tourism, and foster a deeper sense of community pride throughout the island.        

Miss Universe Philippines Camarines Sur Shaina Rabacal shares her amazing experience in Northern Samar. “We are beyond grateful for the warm welcome and incredible experience in Northern Samar during our Miss Universe Philippines journey. The beauty of the province, from its stunning landscapes to its vibrant culture, has truly captured our hearts and we will forever cherish this in our memory. A heartfelt thanks to the Nortehanons for your generosity, kindness, and hospitality. This trip has been a reminder of the strength, resilience, and spirit of the Filipino people. We’re honored to have visited such an amazing place and to have shared in this unforgettable experience with all of you. We can’t wait to return and continue to celebrate the rich heritage of this beautiful region.

The Provincial Government of Catanduanes and the local agricultural community proudly celebrate Sonia S. Padilla, who has been named the 2024 National Winner of the Department of Agriculture’s Search for Outstanding Rural Women. Padilla, known as Tiya Lolay, stood out among eight of the country’s top contenders, securing an impressive 92% rating in the final evaluation. She was formally recognized on March 28, during the awarding ceremony at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Convention Hall in Quezon City. This prestigious award honors rural women who have made exceptional contributions to agriculture, rural development, and food security. A symbol of resilience and innovation, Padilla has transformed her 2.9-hectare RGSP Farm into a thriving model of integrated and diversified farming, producing rice, watermelons, lowland vegetables, peanuts, tilapia, and various livestock and poultry. She champions organic and climate-resilient agriculture, implementing sustainable practices such as planting wind-resistant and flood-tolerant crops, adopting soil and water conservation measures, and utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and off-season planting. One of her most notable innovations, an organic fruit fly attractant made from sugar and tuba, has been widely adopted by local farmers. Beyond her success in farming, Tiya Lolay is a dedicated mentor and trainer, sharing her expertise to empower fellow farmers and advocate for sustainable agriculture. Through her leadership, she has helped strengthen community-based farming practices, proving that women are at the forefront of agricultural transformation. Her victory is also a testament to the strong support from the Municipal Government of San Miguel, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Office V, the Provincial Government of Catanduanes under Governor Joseph C. Cua, and the Provincial Agricultural Services Office headed by Provincial Agriculturist Ace William Tria. This national recognition cements Tiya Lolay’s legacy as a trailblazer in Philippine agriculture, inspiring future generations of farmers to embrace resilience, innovation, and sustainability. From your Catanduanes Government, Congratulations, Tiya Lolay!

Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), in collaboration with other law enforcement units intercepted an attempt to smuggle P816,000,000.00 worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, at the Port of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez said the shabu haul was confiscated from the suspect identified as alias “Cris”, 43 years old, a male truck driver and resident of Oton, Iloilo. On March 21, 2025 at around 9:30 in the morning, combined elements of PDEA Regional Office MIMAROPA Calapan Seaport Interdiction Unit and K9 Unit; PDEA MIMAROPA Oriental Mindoro Provincial Office; PDEA Intelligence Service; PDEA Regional Office-National Capital Region (RO-NCR) Regional Special Enforcement Team 2; PDEA SIU- Batangas; PDEA Regional Office IV-A; NBI MIMAROPA; Philippine Coast Guard Sub-Station Calapan K9 Unit; PPA-PMO Min doro; PNP-DEG, Calapan City Drug Enforcement Unit; Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, Calapan City Police Station; Philippine Army; PNP Regional Highway Patrol Unit; and PNP Maritime Group 4B, arrested alias “Cris” after a random inspection and K-9 sweeping inside the compartment of his vehicle that yielded traveling bags containing120 packs of suspected shabu, weighing more or less 120 kilograms worth P816,000,000.00. Also seized during the seaport interdiction operation are one Toyota Camry, one mobile phone and the commercial transport documents of the suspect. Alias “Cris” will be facing charges for violation of Section 5 (Transportation of Illegal Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. “The operation is the first major seizure of illegal drugs in Oriental Mindoro. Beside the country’s airports and parcel system, we also need to protect our seaports from becoming transit and dropping points for large volumes of illegal drugs,” Undersecretary Nerez said. “Another high-impact operation that saved countless lives. This is going to be a regular part of PDEA life”, Nerez expressed. Neres said, in Cavite, a Chinese national identified as alias “Li”, 35 years old, a male Chinese national and resident of Mandaluyong City, was arrested and yielded a Methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, and ecstasy tablets worth P217,642,000.00 were confiscated following a buy-bust operation in Bacoor City, Cavite. Combined elements of PDEA Special Enforcement Service (SES); PDEA Regional Office IV-A, Cavite Provincial Office; and the Philippine National Police Maritime Police Station and Bacoor City Police Station, arrested “Li” after he sold one transparent self-sealing plastic bag containing suspected shabu, weighing approximately one kilogram worth P6,800,000.00 to a poseur-buyer in the parking lot of popular fast food chain restaurant along Bacoor Boulevard, Bacoor City, Cavite. Seized also in the suspect’s possession were 31 more plastic bags containing suspected shabu, weighing more or less 31 kilograms, worth P210,800,000.00; four plastic sachets containing 35 pieces of red-colored ecstasy tablets worth P42,000.00; one Honda City and other personal belongings. Nerez said that the total estimated weight of shabu seized during the operation is more or less 32 kilograms, with a standard value of ₱217,600.000.00. Alias “Li” will be facing charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Illegal Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. “The arrested Chinese national has been under our tight watch for quite some time now under COPLAN: “Mafioso”. He is capable of distributing voluminous amounts of illegal drugs, and is now behind bars,” the PDEA chief said.

Pasok sa 2025 National Gawad Saka   Kinilala ang Catanduanes bilang Top 1 Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) Implementor sa Bicol Region sa Regional Gawad Saka 2025, dahilan upang ito ay awtomatikong maging kwalipikado para sa parehong kategorya sa 2025 National Gawad Saka Awards. Inanunsyo ito noong Marso 20 sa isang pagpupulong ng Provincial Agricultural Services Office (PASO) sa Provincial Multipurpose Training Center, kung saan tinalakay rin ang mga estratehiya upang higit pang mapalakas ang pagpapatupad ng KNP sa lalawigan. Bukod sa naturang parangal, kinilala rin ang Catanduanes bilang may pinakamaraming Kadiwa ng Pangulo na isinagawa sa antas panlalawigan mula Enero hanggang Abril 2024—isang pagkilalang natanggap ng lalawigan noong Mayo ng nakaraang taon. Sa inilabas na ulat ng PASO, umabot sa P322,157 ang naitalang kita ng KNP mula Pebrero hanggang Marso 19, 2025, na nagpapakita ng patuloy na tagumpay ng programa sa pagbibigay ng direktang merkado para sa mga lokal na magsasaka at mangingisda. Upang mapanatili ang tagumpay ng KNP, target ng PASO na palawakin pa ang partisipasyon ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda, kasabay ng pagpapatibay ng farm-to-table system na layong mapalakas ang lokal na agrikultura at ekonomiya. Samantala, isang Kadiwa ng Pangulo ang itinakdang ganapin sa Marso 25-26 sa Provincial Capitol Grounds mula 8 AM hanggang 5 PM, kung saan hinihikayat ang publiko na suportahan ang mga lokal na produkto at kabuhayan. Dinaluhan ang pagpupulong ng mga kinatawan mula sa Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Food Authority (NFA), at iba pang ahensya, kasama ang mga Rural Improvement Clubs, na nagpapatibay sa sama-samang pagtutulungan para sa ikauunlad ng KNP sa lalawigan.      

The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region V Extension Office, in partnership with the Provincial Cooperative Development Office, Provincial Cooperative Development Council and Cooperative Union of Catanduanes, officially launched Coop My Day! CDA Updates and Services on Wheels 2025 on March 18, 2025 at Queen Maricell Inn. This annual initiative by CDA Region V brings together cooperatives from across the province, offering an opportunity to engage directly with participants, and bringing CDA’s services closer to them. Through this information caravan, the CDA aims to encourage cooperatives to reflect, renew and recommit to strengthening cooperative efforts and fostering growth With CDA Region V Director Atty. Emilio D. Escueta III and other distinguished speakers in attendance, the event facilitated discussions on various Memorandum Circulars, including topics on legal matters, credit surety funds, registration, cooperative project development assistance, and the supervision and examination of cooperatives.  

  The employees of the Catanduanes Government are ready to whisk their skills today, March 11, 2025 as the 3-day Community-Based Training Program of Bread and Cake Making kicks off at the Provincial Capitol Dome. With 50 participants in attendance, this interactive training and lecture, in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Provincial Training Center, is designed to equip the employees with invaluable skills and knowledge, providing them with opportunities to generate additional income. On the first day, the participants engaged with an orientation and lecture, followed by the turn-over of baking tools and equipment which will be used in their hands-on training during the upcoming days. This TESDA program is held annually, with at least one or two conducted each year, aimed at further fostering skill development and community growth.            

The Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC), Provincial Council for the Protection of Children, and the Provincial Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children convened a Joint Council Meeting at the Provincial Capitol Dome, on March 5. A key highlight of the meeting was the announcement by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that the Catanduanes Local Council for the Protection of Children ranked 2nd regionwide, while the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (LCAT-VAWC) ranked 4th regionwide for the year 2023. Additionally, the DILG reported that the municipalities of Caramoran, San Miguel, and Virac have successfully completed 100% of their projects and implementations under the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP). The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office also reported that, from 2018 to the present, eight former rebels have surrendered and received financial and livelihood assistance from the Provincial Government of Catanduanes. Other key topics discussed during the meeting included the status of VAWC cases and strategies to address them, as presented by the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office. Additionally, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency provided updates on the status of barangay drug clearing efforts and ongoing operations.