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Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative aims to restore electricity across the province by December 12, 2025, following widespread damage from Super Typhoon Uwan. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya — The Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative (Nuvelco) has been working tirelessly to restore electricity across the province, aiming to complete the task before Dec. 12. Super Typhoon Uwan left a trail of destruction, damaging approximately 19,000 of its 20,896 poles in the province. The typhoon’s fury has caused significant damage to Nuvelco’s infrastructure, with many poles toppled, broken or otherwise damaged. The cooperative estimates the initial cost of damage to be around P12 million. Nuvelco general manager Fredel Salvador reported that crews are workin...

An anti-mining group blocked the access road, trapping a Global wheel excavator, two Hilux units, and an Elf vehicle, along with their operators and crew, on Friday, November 14, 2025. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO DUPAX DEL NORTE, Nueva Vizcaya—A tense standoff unfolded in Sitio Tacbao in Barangay Bitnong on Friday ( November 14, 2025), as an anti-mining group blocked the access road, trapping a Global wheel excavator, two Hilux units, and an Elf vehicle, along with their operators and crew. According to eyewitnesses who refused to be named for fear of reprisal from anti-mining group, the incident began around 7:00 a.m. when Global contractor personnel and Woggle Corporation team members entered the area to begin clearing the access road damaged by Typhoon Uwan. They said the team was also ...

BY LEIF C. DAHL After the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan, Woggle Corporation deploys its excavator to assist in the clearing of major and secondary roads in Dupax del Norte, ensuring that commuters could quickly regain access and resume their daily activities. RPA PHOTO DUPAX DEL NORTE, Nueva Vizcaya—When Super Typhoon Uwan unleashed its fury on the province, the people of this town knew they could count on one stalwart ally: Woggle Corporation. As the storm raged on, the company's swift and selfless response shone like a beacon of hope, illuminating the darkness. In a remarkable display of corporate social responsibility, Woggle Corporation opened its staff house as a temporary evacuation center, providing a haven for families seeking refuge from the tempest. The company...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO FCF Minerals Corporation - Runruno Gold Project's central nursery in the village of Runruno, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—FCF Minerals Corporation, operator of the Runruno Gold Project here has generated a staggering P5.71 billion in taxes, fees and duties since the start of its commercial operations in 2017. In a statement, FCF Minerals said, “The project is a testament to the company's commitment to responsible mining practices and community development.” According to available data, the taxes and fees paid by FCF Minerals have significantly contributed to the local economy and national coffers.  Mining companies in the Philippines are typically subject to a range of taxes and fees, including excise tax on miner...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The Nueva Vizcaya Police Provincial Office (NVPPO) successfully provided police assistance for the full implementation of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in Dupax del Norte (DDN) on October 17, 2025. The TRO, issued by the Regional Trial Court – Bayombong, Branch 30, presided by Judge Paul Attolba, directed residents and anti-mining groups to refrain from installing or maintaining any barricade and from obstructing or barring Woggle Corporation from accessing and conducting exploration activities in Sitio (sub-village) Keon, Barangay (village) Bitnong in Dupax del Norte. Personnel from Dupax del Norte Police Station and the First and Second Nueva Vizcaya Police Mobile Force Company were dispatched to the area to maintain peac...

BY LEIF C. DAHL The Regional Trial Court, Branch 30, in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, issues a temporary restraining order against anti-mining groups that have been maintaining barricades since October 6, 2025, preventing government-sanctioned Woggle Corporation’s employees and contractors from entering the exploration site in Dupax del Norte town. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—A court decision has restrained anti-mining groups from blocking Woggle Corporation's access to a mineral exploration site in Dupax del Norte in this province with the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). The TRO, which also prevents further obstruction, allowing the Woggle to proceed with its exploration activities, will remain in effect until October 30, unless withdrawn earlier by t...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO THE Piggatan Bridge in Alcala town in Cagayan province collapsed on Monday, rendering the route impassable to all vehicles. Collapsed Piggatan Bridge in Alcala, Cagayan. PHOTO COURTESY OF VINCENT DUMON RAMOS The bridge gave way while several ten-wheeler trucks were passing, leaving them stranded. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in Alcala confirmed the bridge's collapse, prompting immediate response from authorities. Personnel from the MDRRMO, Philippine National Police- Alcala, and Bureau of Fire Protection conducted rescue and clearing operations. The cause of the bridge collapse is still under investigation, with authorities working to determine if anyone was injured or missing in the incident. The local gov...

IN a bid to harness its renewable energy (RE) potential, the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya has taken a proactive approach to attract investors in renewable energy, particularly hydro and solar power projects. It started by hosting its first Connecting Low Emission Alternatives Energy Investment Forum at the Carlos Padilla Convention Center in the capital town of Bayombong on Sept. 11. In attendance were private sector entities, and officials and representatives from government agencies, including the Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Investments, Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines. According to Edgardo Sabado, p...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO FCF Minerals Corporation hosts the 3rd Intercompany Visit of large-scale mining companies - OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. (OGPI) and Dinapigue Mining Corporation (DMC) - together with representatives from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 2 on October 1-2, 2025. FCF PHOTO QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—In a remarkable display of collaboration and commitment to responsible mining practices, FCF Minerals Corporation recently hosted the 3rd Intercompany Visit at its mining site in Nueva Vizcaya from October 1 to 2, 2025. The event, attended by leaders from OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. and Dinapigue Mining Corporation, along with representatives from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 2, aimed to strengthen industry partnerships and share best p...