Isabela

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO CAMP MELCHOR F. DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela (September 18)—Communist New People’s Army (NPA) surrenderers have confirmed the recovered skeletal remains of their two former comrades who were buried in Baggao town in Cagayan province after a firefight with the Philippine National Police (PNP) three years ago. On Wednesday, the 17th Infantry Battalion (17IB) of the 5th Infantry Star Division (5ID) here told media that they have found skeletal remains of two individuals believed to be members of the NPA rebel movement under the Northern Front Committee ng Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley in Region 2. Lt. Col. Angelo Saguiguit, 17IB commander, said the skeletal remains were first learned through a report on Monday from a resident of Kilometer 16, Barangay Sta. Margar...

BY OLIVER T. BACCAY, PIA TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (September 17)—Some 31 Aetas in San Mariano town in Isabela have participated the training on leadership and livelihood skills initiated by the 95th Infantry Battalion (95IB) of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division (5ID). Lt. Col. Gladiuz Calilan, 95IB commander, said the Indigenous People's Leadership Summit with the theme “Ating mga Katutubo: Kultura ay ating Linangin at Pagyamanin” aims to capacitate the Aetas, especially on livelihood and other opportunities they can avail of from government. "Do not be shy or afraid of asking favor from your soldier. We are equal here and we are very much ready to serve you," Calilan urged the Aetas during the opening of the three-day training. Col. Danilo Benavidez, 502nd brigade commander, a...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela: A private higher education institution (HEI) in this city was ordered to stop its “face-to-face” classes after a student was tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). This led to the tracing up to 45 contacts of the said student identified by the Department of Health in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley). “Isabela Colleges should immediately stop conducting face-to-face classes until the issuance of CHEd [Commission on Higher Education] Guidelines,” Dr. J. Prospero De Vera 3rd, CHEd chairman, said in a press release. Dr. De Vera issued the order upon completion of CHEd fact-finding report which said it will issue a show-cause order on the alleged violations by the Isabela Colleges, Inc. (ICI) of the Inter-Agency Task Force...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela (August 30)—A renewable energy company has reaffirmed its commitment to support education in its host communities in the provinces of Benguet, Isabela and Ifugao as it welcomed 12 incoming college freshmen students to the Bridging Gaps in Higher Education through Tertiary Scholarships (BRIGHTS) program. Joseph Yu, SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) president and chief executive officer, said the students are from SNAP’s direct host municipalities of Bokod and Itogon in Benguet, Alfonso Lista in Ifugao, and Ramon in Isabela. SNAP’s hydropower generation facilities are located in these municipalities. He said the scholars will each receive funding for their tuition fees, school fees and living allowances. “These scholarships are especially signi...

BY MERLITO G. EDALE JR., PIA CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (August 26)—The local chief executive of this city has led today the groundbreaking of a muti-purpose commercial building located near the Isabela State University (ISU) in Ilagan campus and Isabela Museum and Library. Diaz said the construction of the building is in partnership with the ISU System led by Dr. Ricmar Aquino in which the said building will be utilized as a commercial building and dormitory for students. The construction is also part of the development of the city's streetscape, a place envisioned by the local government as a viable and suitable place for all which is eyed to be the show window of a Livable City. “We want this developed street with a commercial building from Mammangi Park to Osmeña to be a mode...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO ECHAGUE, Isabela (August 13)—The Isabela State University (ISU) will soon be a base for the National Dairy Authority–Northern Luzon Department (NDA-NLD) to boost its research and development (R&D) efforts for the dairy industry in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) and neighboring areas. ISU President Ricmar Aquino said the NDA-NLD is currently maintaining its presence at Marilao in Bulacan and catering to NDA’s satellite offices in Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Cagayan and Isabela. The Marilao office will relocate to ISU, he added. NDA Deputy Administrator Farrell Benjelix Magtoto said the agency is mandated to ensure the accelerated development of the Philippine dairy industry through policy direction and program implementation. ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY -...

BY LENDER C. DOMINGO CAUAYAN CITY (July 24)—Four people were confirmed dead as a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed and exploded here on Thursday night, authorities said. Air Force Lt. Col. Augusto Padua, Tactical Operations Group 2 (TOG2) commander, said they have yet to inform the relatives of the fatalities before officially releasing their names. Fire Chief Insp. Aristotle Atal, Bureau of Fire Protection Cauayan City chief, said they have recovered two more fatalities who were reported missing in addition to the two others who were identified as the pilot and co-pilot found inside the charred helicopter. THE wreckage of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) Huey (UH-1D) helicopter lies on the ground of the Tactical Operations Group (TOG-2) area at Cauayan Air Station in Isabel...