By Rachel Magday   BAYOMBONG,Nueva Vizcaya,Philippines — In response to the challenges faced by farmers due to low palay prices, Nueva Vizcaya Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito has vowed that the provincial government will take decisive action to alleviate their hardships. Gov. Gambito personally called for a dialogue yesterday(August 7) with farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector to discuss potential solutions. During the dialogue, Gov. Gambito expressed his concern over the current situation, describing it as a “great injustice.” He stated, “What is happening to our farmers is a significant injustice, and my conscience cannot bear to stand by without taking action to help them.” “If the national government’s actions are insufficient to address the issues faced by our farmers, the provincial government will do everything possible to ease their suffering,” he added. Gov. Gambito highlighted the disparity between the low prices at which palay is purchased from farmers and the high prices at which rice is sold by traders, suggesting that there may be underlying issues in the processing chain. Discussions are already underway regarding funding for a Palay Processing Center, which will serve as a one-stop hub for farmers to process their harvest and sell directly to the provincial government at fair prices. “If the provincial government sets a good buying price, private traders will have no choice but to match it, otherwise they won’t have any palay to buy and sell. This will ensure our farmers are no longer forced to accept low prices for their hard work,” Gambito stressed. “There must be something wrong when palay is bought at a low price, but when it becomes rice, it is sold at a much higher price. Someone is profiting significantly at the expense of the farmers. There is an anomaly happening in between, and we want to uncover it so we can take the necessary steps to help our farmers,” the governor continued. Gov. Gambito emphasized the need for concrete actions rather than mere expressions of sympathy for the farmers’ plight. He expressed his determination to implement measures that will genuinely alleviate the farmers’ difficulties, as he finds it distressing to witness their dire conditions. Furthermore, Gov. Gambito warned that if any anomalies involving government officials are discovered, he will personally file charges against those responsible. The provincial government is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in addressing the issues affecting the agriculture sector. The governor’s plan aims to create a level playing field for Nueva Vizcaya’s agricultural sector and bring lasting benefits to local communities. “With these reforms, we are giving our farmers hope and a fighting chance,” Governor Gambito concluded. “Agriculture is the backbone of our province, and as governor, I am determined to see our farmers thrive.”    

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, has formally turned over 10,000 mangrove trees to the Tapon Fisherfolks Association and the local government of Dumanjug, Cebu, reaffirming its commitment to environmental stewardship and community resilience. The ceremonial turnover was attended by local fisherfolk leaders, government officials, and representatives from Cebu Pacific and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), signifying their shared mission to protect marine ecosystem and promote sustainable livelihood. “This initiative is a long-term investment in our community and the environment,” said Aileen Isidro, CEB Vice President for Corporate Strategy and Risk Officer. “We are proud to stand alongside RAFI and the Tapon Fisherfolk Association as we work to restore and protect our coastlines. These efforts help preserve biodiversity, strengthen community resilience, and secure livelihood for future generations.” Launched in January 2023, the program forms part of CEB’s broader sustainability roadmap. It leverages nature-based solutions to reduce environmental impact and offer alternative livelihood opportunities to residents. “Sustainability takes root when communities are at the center. Through this initiative, we aim to restore our coastlines, reduce our environmental impact, and create spaces where communities lead and thrive,” said Dio Angelo Alojado, CEB Director for Corporate Strategy and Sustainability, during his remarks at the ceremonial turnover.   To date, the program has restored over five hectares of coastline and trained 35 members of the Tapon Fisherfolks Association in seedling propagation, site preparation, and mangrove planting.  With the successful turnover, the association will now take the lead in maintaining and monitoring the mangrove sites. “We believe that through strong partnerships like this, we are taking meaningful steps together toward building a climate-resilient and greener Cebu,” said Estee Marie Plunket, RAFI Chief Communications and Partnerships Officer. “We are grateful to Cebu Pacific for growing with us, supporting community-based mangrove tree-growing efforts that protect our environment and uplift local livelihoods.” Through its sustainability programs and partnerships, the airline continues to support the aviation industry’s net-zero goal by 2050 and promote responsible travel in the regions it serves. CEB currently operates to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

By Aileen P. Refuerzo   Mayor Benjamin Magalong urged residents to continue practicing waste segregation and composting in their households and business establishments to sustain waste reduction efforts in the city. At the same time, the mayor called on the barangays to be more strict in prohibiting their constituents from dumping their biodegradable garbage in their waste disposal areas. “We should fight off complacency and continue taking segregation and composting practices seriously.  It destroys the momentum we had gained early this year in our waste reduction efforts,” the mayor said. The mayor earlier inspected the waste transfer station and observed substantial increase in food wastes indicating slackening in segregation and composting efforts at source. The mayor expressed concern that if this  remains unchecked, the city will have a hard time managing the decomposable refuse despite its best efforts to make use of available methods and technologies. City General Services Officer Eugene Buyucan reminded barangays that managing their own decomposable waste is an obligation of the communities pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the city’s Environment Code. But for biodegradable waste sneaked in by residents which barangay officials had no way of tracing,  Buyucan said the General Services Office (GSO) had no recourse but to collect them. “That is why we are again reminding barangays to be more strict in ensuring that no biodegradable waste will make their way to the collection areas,” he said. He said they also encourage households to dispose of their recyclable wastes on their own to help in reductio efforts. Households and barangays are also urged to practice composting.  He said a simple composting method would only require any container, big or medium-sized and can be plastic, wood or cement where biodegradable wastes can be stored. “Just cover the refuse with small amount of soil for drying and repeat the process.  The compost can be used in one to two months for their backyard garden,” he said. The GSO head offered simple tips on how to reduce wastes at home: *Lessen if not totally avoid purchase of goods with too much packaging.  The GSO had noted an increase in plastic wastes in the city since the pandemic when online selling and delivery became popular *Learn to minimize food waste by preparing just enough food; *Buy items in bulk to avoid packaging wastes especially basic items like rice, kitchen condiments and hygiene needs like shampoo.  Sachets create more wastes; and *Segregate your wastes into recyclables, biodegradable which you can convert to compost or feed for animals and residual which should be collected by the city. The GSO also urged the practice of the 10R principle under the circular economy concept of the Green LGUs Project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Dept. of Interior and Local Government (DILG) which aims to minimize waste and promote sustainable use of natural resources through smarter product design, longer use, recycling and more as well as regenerate nature (with the end in view of) helping tackle the problem on pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss. These are: Refuse (make product redundant by abandoning its function or by offering the same function with a different product), Rethink (make product use more extensive like sharing products or putting multi-functional products on market), Reduce (increase efficiency product manufacture or use by consuming fewer natural resources), Reuse (reuse of discarded product in good condition by another consumer), Repair ((repair and maintenance of defective product so it can be used with its original function), Refurbish (restore and old product and bring it up to date), Remanufacture (use parts of a discarded product into a new product with the same function or rebuild a product to specifications of the original manufactured product using a combination of reused, repaired and new parts), Repurpose (use discarded products or its part in a new product with different function or use things again in an entirely new way), Recycle (process materials to obtain the same or lower quality), and Recover (further material or energy recovery).  

Subic Bay Freeport – A P1.1-billion dormitory complex is set to be constructed soon to become the site for a “home away from home” for some 6,000 employees working here. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño on March 19, 2025 led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a five-storey building. “This is why I cannot hide how overjoyed I am today,”  SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said about the realization of his dreams for SBF workers. The chairman was elated over the start of the realization of his dream of providing housing facilities to the workers of this premier Freeport. “To me, this is the first step towards the realization of a strong, comfortable and peaceful way of life for our Freeport workers, the same as the dream of our dear President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for every Filipino in the country,” he added. “In fact, this dormitory project is in response to the President’s instructions in connection with his Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino, or 4PH program,” he continued. Isuzu Gencars Inc. General Manager Edgard Cabangon said that the collaboration between his company, the SBMA, and RDBT Construction Corporation has identified several worker dormitories as priority projects that recognize the need for affordable, accessible, and decent housing within the Freeport. He said that by building these dormitories close to factories, industrial areas, and technoparks, it not only improves the workers’ efficiency, but also helps companies and employees reduce the cost of living.He also cited that this initiative will also ease traffic congestion by reducing the number of vehicles and commuters on the road, contributing to a greener and more sustainable environment. According to Cabangon, this proposal is the first of its kind in the Freeport zone, which offers large-scale accommodations catering to workers, employees, and even students of nearby schools and colleges. RDBT Construction Corporation will be constructing the five buildings, which includes four dormitory blocks and an administrative building, all of which are rising at five storeys, on a one-hectare parcel of land. Architect Rafael Demacio Tecson, RDBT Construction Corp. CEO said that each dormitory block will have 188 units, with an approximate bed capacity of 1,500, which is 6,000 beds in total. Tecson said that the common areas will be designed to allow natural ventilation, which is key for the green structure development. This does not only improve indoor air quality, but also promotes the health and well-being of everyone using the space. Each dormitory is designed for eight occupants, shared by four people at a time. The layout shows smooth traffic flow, allowing residents to take turns using the shared bath, toilet and lavatories without overcrowding. The ground floor will be used as commercial spaces including laundry services, 24/7 convenience store, a cafeteria, coffee shops, and restaurants, providing essential services for the workers throughout their stay. SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Group Renato Lee III said that the dormitory complex is a testament of both investor confidence in the SBMA and our readiness for the influx of jobs in the zone. “We are very optimistic in the investment attractiveness of the country because of the benefits of CREATE MORE or RA 12066, the government’s  efficiency and accountability brought about by the strict implementation of the EASE of Doing Business Act or RA 11032 and the overall reduction in the cost of doing business here in the Philippines,” Lee said. “I have no doubt that we will be able to generate more investments in the coming years. When you generate investments, you generate jobs. But what is crucial here is not just Subic Freeport being investment-ready, but employment-ready as well,” he added. Lee added that it is where the project plays a crucial role in the overall direction of the SBMA by making sure that the Freeport workers are also taken care of.            

By Zaldy Comanda   BAGUIO CITY — Isang 28-anyos na lalaking top most wanted sa Iloilo City ang nasakote ng mga operatiba ng Baguio City Police Office – Police Station 7 sa isang manhunt operation sa Lower General Luna, Baguio City, noong Nobyembre 4. Ayon kay Col.Ruel Tagel, city director, ang wanted na si Alyas Boy,tubong San Juan,Iloilo City ay nakalista bilang Top Most Wanted Person sa iba’t ibang antas sa Western Visayas: Top 8 sa Regional Level sa ilalim ng Police Regional Office 6, Top 8 sa City Level ng Iloilo, at Top 3 sa Station Level ng Station 4, Iloilo City . Nakatakdang sagutin ni Boy ang mga kaso laban sa kanya para sa mga paglabag sa iba’t ibang probisyon ng Republic Act 9165, o Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Kabilang sa mga paglabag ang pagbebenta at pag-iingat ng mga mapanganib na droga, at pagkakaroon ng mga drug paraphernalia. Nagpapatuloy na ang koordinasyon sa Iloilo City Police Station 4 para sa paglipat ng mga akusado sa Iloilo City. Kabilang sa iba pang yunit na sangkot sa matagumpay na pag-aresto ang mga miyembro ng BCPO City Investigation and Detective Management Unit, City Intelligence Unit, investigation and intelligence unit ng PRO-CAR, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, at Iloilo City Police Station 4. Ayon kay Tagel, ang e-Warrant System ng Philippine National Police na naging daan sa pagkaka-aresto ng suspek. “ Ang advanced na sistemang ito ay nagsasentro at nagdi-digitize ng mga warrant of arrest sa buong bansa, na nagpapahintulot sa mga yunit ng pagpapatupad ng batas mula sa iba’t ibang rehiyon na ma-access ang real-time na data sa mga wanted na tao. Sa pamamagitan ng e-Warrant System at patuloy na pagtutulungan ng mga yunit ng pulisya, pinalalawak namin ang aming pag-abot upang matiyak na kahit na ang pinakamahirap na mga nagkasala ay dinadala sa hustisya, at upang matiyak na ang bawat sulok ng bansa ay mananatiling ligtas at ligtas,”pahayag ni Tagel.

PAMPLONA,Cagayan — Pinaiigting ngayon ng Cagayan Probincial Police Office ang kanilang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga mangingisda sa mga coastal municipality, upang makapagbigay ng tamang impormasyon kaugnay sa mga narerekober na mga kontrabando sa karagatan. Ito ay kasunod ng panibagong pagkakarekober ng isang mangingisda ng sa isang plastic na may lamang hinihinalang shabu sa karagatang sakop ng Pamplona, Cagayan, noong Agosto 17, 2024. Batay sa ulat ng pulisya, habang nangingisda sa karagatang sakop ng Pamplona si Alyas Dencio, 50, residnete ng Barangay Bisagu Aparri, Cagayan ay nakita nito ang isang kahina-hinalang plastic na palutang-lutang sa dagat. Nang buksan umano ni Dencio ay nakita ang hinihinalang shabu kaya agad siyang nakipag-ugnayan sa opisyal ng kanilang barangay at ipinagbigay-alam naman ito sa himpilan ng Aparri MPS, para sa kaukulang dokumetasyon at disposisyon. Batay sa pagsisiyasat ng pulisya, aabot sa mahigit P6.7 milyon ang halaga ng naturang kontrabando na may timbang na 998.37 gramo. Sinabi ni Capt. Shiela Joy Fronda, tagapagsalita ng Cagayan PNP ,na mahigpit ang direktiba ng pamunuan ng pulisya sa probinsya ng Cagayan kaugnay sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga mangingisda mula sa mga munisipalidad na malapit sa mga baybayin upang maturuan ng tamang kaalaman kapag may mga narerekober kahinahinalang bagay sa dagat. Matatandaang una rito ay apat na insidente ng pagkakarekober ng mga plastik na may lamang shabu na palutang-lutang sa dagat na sakop ng bayan ng Sachez Mira, Abulug at daawang magkasunod sa Calayan ang naiulat. Inihayag ni Fronda na ang mga mangingisdang nakarekober sa bayan ng Calayan ay nakatanggap naman ng pabuya mula sa Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Calayan habang ang mangingisdang nag-surrender din sa napulot na shabu sa bayan ng Abulug ay nakatanggap din ng pabuya mula sa 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, PNP Abulug at mula sa kanilang mga stakeholder. (By Cagayan PIO)

Subic Bay Freeport – This premier Freeport community gathered on Friday to celebrate the 78th feast day of San Roque, its patron saint. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño shared that the 78th Feast of San Roque culminated with the traditional Karakol, a street dance where an image of the saint is paraded while dancing along the streets of the Central Business District in Subic Bay Freeport. “It has been awhile since we had a festive atmosphere in this Freeport, and I think the morale of the people here, as well as the tourism industry will benefit from such festivities as the Feast of San Roque Karakol,” Aliño said. The celebration kicked off with a Holy Mass at San Roque chapel, one of the oldest churches in the country, followed by the Karakol, which ended with the street dance competition at the Subic Bay Gym. Three nearby schools participated in the competition namely, Iram High School w/ Senior High School, College of Subic Bay Montessori, and Lyceum of Subic Bay, competing for the best street dance performers at the Karakol Street Dance Competition 2024. Lyceum of Subic Bay emerged as the grand winner of the Karakol Festival Dance Competition, followed by College of Subic Montessori at second place, and Iram High School at third. St. Roch’s Day or Pista ni San Roque is observed on August 16 every year. St. Roch, who was a Frenchman, is recognized as the patron saint of dogs. The San Roque Chapel in Subic Bay Freeport is considered as one of the oldest chapels in the region and was constructed sometime in the 1800s, back when Olongapo was declared a bayside settlement for the Spanish naval fleet. The chapel became the center of spiritual life for the Spanish sailors as well as of the Filipino converts who resided within the vicinity of Subic Bay, then known as Subig. The San Roque chapel was built in 1932, replacing the dilapidated mission church of the Spanish missionaries in Olongapo in the 1800s.

The Baguio Tourism Council (BTC) is leading the charge in promoting responsible tourism at the grassroots level, starting with a tree-planting activity that literally digs into the ground. BTC Chairperson Gladys Vergara is focused on expanding tourism into the city’s outskirt areas. She expressed her gratitude to the Kapisanan ng Brodkasters ng Pilipinas (KBP) Baguio chapter, led by Rico John Ferrer and Letlet Dela Cruz of 95.9 Big Sound FM, for spearheading this annual environmental initiative called “Oplan Broadcatreeing.” Approximately 100 pine tree saplings were planted, along with an equal number of coffee seeds, in an area designated by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) as an adopted space for the broadcasters’ group to nurture. Ms. Vergara emphasized that she doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty, as long as the effort contributes to preserving Baguio’s forest cover, which is one of the city’s unique natural charms. “Caring for our forest resources will help instill a love for our natural environment,” she said, highlighting that forest preservation is crucial to conserving Baguio’s assets and attracting more tourists. She stressed that a key part of BTC’s tourism mandate is to preserve Baguio’s forested landscape, a natural attraction for visitors. “Let us persevere in doing our part in caring for our environment,” she urged. “By conserving our natural mountain assets, we can attract more tourists, providing them with opportunities to engage in meaningful activities where they, too, can contribute.” During a visit to another barangay, she reiterated the importance of fostering community care for inclusive socio-economic growth. “Every area in Baguio has the potential for social cohesion and economic development,” she pointed out. “The more we care for our forest resources, the more we can sustain growth and development for everyone.” “Nothing is impossible when we all work together,” she said, underscoring that community bonding can pave the way for collective growth. “Looking ahead, I am committed to intensifying our efforts to develop the limitless tourism potential that Baguio has to offer.” At the end of the day, Gladys recalled that in 2016, she launched a green energy advocacy called “Glad to be Green.” Through this initiative, a solar-electric powered Green Bus tech demonstration was conducted for two months, aiming to achieve the following: Promote the use of solar-electric vehicle technology and educate the public on its benefits. Advocate for zero-emissions and contribute to lowering CO2 concentrations in the central business district. Assist in pedestrianizing and decongesting the central business district. The “Glad to be Green” Bus, an environmentally friendly, zero-emissions public transport initiative, was just one of the many green projects lined up for the city in 2016. It provided free rides, reduced the volume of cars clogging the main thoroughfares, and improved the city’s air quality. “Those were years when the passion to serve reached new heights,” she said, noting that she strongly advocated for renewable energy in 2016 as part of an initiative to mitigate the looming effects of climate change by reducing gas emissions.