Cagayan

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO ICONIC FISH The ludong, also known as the ‘President’s Fish,’ is a culturally iconic species in the Philippines, particularly in the Cagayan Valley region, and catching it is prohibited during spawning season. PHOTO COURTESY OF BFAR TUGUEGARAO CITY (October 4, 2025)—The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) has announced a temporary ban on catching ludong fish, also known as lobed river mullet, in the Cagayan River from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15, 2025. This 45-day closed fishing season aims to protect the ludong during its spawning period, and allow the species to reproduce and maintain its population. BFAR Regional Director Angel Encarnacion emphasized the importance of giving ludong time to spawn in the mouth of the Cagay...

Photo shows Woogle Corporation’s conduct of information, education and communication in villages hosting the exploration area in the town of Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya. RPA PHOTO TUGUEGARAO CITY—The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) has rejected calls to immediately suspend the exploration activities of Woggle Corporation (WC) in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya. This decision was made after a thorough investigation conducted by the MGB Task Force, which found that the company had taken steps to address concerns and comply with regulations. Investigation Findings The investigation, conducted in response to calls from Nueva Vizcaya Lone District Rep. Timothy Joseph Cayton, the municipal and barangay local government units of Dupax del Norte, and ...

FAMILIES in Cagayan can now look forward to a modern, elevated lifestyle with Montana Misora Homes I, the latest residential and commercial development in Enrile, Cagayan. Strategically located just 10 minutes from Tuguegarao City’s commercial center, this master-planned community offers convenient access to essential establishments, including banks, malls, schools, hospitals, pharmacies, and popular dining options. Spanning 14.4 hectares, Montana Misora Homes will feature over 1,300 thoughtfully designed housing units, complemented by a spacious clubhouse with hotel accommodations. This community’s architectural inspiration is deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics, reflecting a collaborative vision between Montana Homes and Tact Home, a renowned Tokyo-based architectural des...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan - The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), is set to host the highly-anticipated 15th Regional Travel Fair (RTF) in this city from August 15 to 17, 2025. This biannual event promises to be a game-changer for the tourism industry in Northeastern Luzon, showcasing the region's rich history, scenic landscapes, and cultural heritage. The RTF will invite tourism stakeholders and travel enthusiasts to explore the untapped potential of Northeastern Luzon, comprising the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. By highlighting the region's unique attractions and experiences, the event aims to support the DOT's goal of equalizing tourism across the count...

BY VINCE JACOB VISAYA TUGUEGARAO CITY (September 2, 2024)—A hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) was rescued after it was accidentally trapped in a fish net in Diora Zinungan, Sta. Ana, Cagayan on Saturday, environment workers said on Thursday. Fisherman John Kenneth Recolizado found the turtle entangled in his net, prompting him to immediately report the matter to the Santa Ana Fishery Station of the Provincial Agriculture Office. Environmental workers Derick Adap and Jomar Cabingabang of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-Aparri met with Santa Ana local representatives, and they decided to bring the sea turtle back to its natural habitat after a checkup. The hawksbill sea turtle, a critically enda...

PHOTO FROM CDC.GOV BY VINCE JACOB VISAYA TUGUEGARAO CITY (August 31, 2024)—A total of 1,678 cases of dengue were recorded from January 1 to August 26 this year in Cagayan province, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported on Thursday. The PHO records show that most of these cases were from Lasam town with 225, Tuguegarao City with 184, followed by Aparri with 147 cases, Abulug with 135, and Gattaran with 117. The PHO has intensified close monitoring and on-site inspection in various towns in Cagayan to ensure the breeding grounds of mosquitos that carry dengue virus are cleaned to prevent the spread of the disease. In the face of increasing cases of dengue, the PHO has once again called on the public to follow the 5S strategy to prevent the further spread of the disease....

PIA PHOTO BY VINCE JACOB VISAYA TUGUEGARAO CITY (August 27, 2024)—The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) in Cagayan Valley has received numerous complaints from farmers about fake, unregistered and mislabeled pesticides and fertilizers. FPA regional manager Leonardo Bangad, in a statement, said the FPA is moving to pursue the people behind the counterfeit agriculture products as well as traders selling products with expired certificates of product registration. "It is a great help in catching the accused in complaints received from farmers such as selling them with strange colors, different packaging, and ineffective fertilizers and pesticides, reason for the FDA and law enforcement agencies to conduct surveillance and entrapment operations," Bangad said. Bangad said ...

BY VINCE JACOB VISAYA TUGUEGARAO CITY (August 25, 2024)—At least 8,481 tuberculosis cases have been registered in the first seven months this year in the Cagayan Valley region, with smoking tagged as one of the primary culprits. Janet Ibay, infectious disease cluster head of the Department of Health-Cagayan Valley, on Wednesday invoked the need for healthy living amid reports that the region has recorded a 106-percent notification rate of tuberculosis. Health officer Florentino Somera III noted that most of those affected were men with ages 50 and above. Ibay said that tuberculosis was minimal during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, but this was reportedly due to people's limited access to hospitals. Many patients were not immediately able to undergo examination and tre...

TUGUEGARAO CITY (August 15, 2024)— Some 45 former rebels in Cagayan province who surrendered to the government received financial assistance on Wednesday. The number of rebels who were awarded cash assistance was based on the data from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO). According to PSWDO, 36 of them were former members of the People's Militia each receiving P15,000 immediate assistance while nine former New People's Army regulars received P15,000 immediate assistance. For their reintegration, the surrenderers received P21,000 and P50,000 livelihood assistance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Cagayan. The financial assistance provided to the beneficiaries was funded under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration ...

MONEY FROM SEAWEEDS Two workers attend to their seaweed (Gracilaria), locally known as ‘guraman,’ in their backyard which is their primary source of income in Buguey, Cagayan. The local government unit headed by Mayor Licerio Antiporda III has collaborated with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region 2 to boost the seaweed industry and help fisherfolk improve their income. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BUGUEY, Cagayan (May 6, 2024)—The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 2 has collaborated with the local government unit (LGU) to boost the production of seaweeds (Gracilaria), also locally known as "guraman." Mayor Licerio Antiporda III said their fishing community during the second Buguey Agri-Fiesta conducted in April harvested ar...