News

2Jun

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Cagayan, News

Housing program offered to ex-rebels

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Isabela (June 2)—After having endured beds made of woven leaves and other materials, former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) rebels can now own homes under the Housing Assistance Packages for Former Rebels (HAPFR) program of the government. Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, 5th Infantry Division (ID) commander, said the program is the first of its kind in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) in partnership with the National Housing Authority (NHA). One of the first beneficiaries who was identified only as "Rico" for security reasons was present during the "signing agreement" on Monday in Barangay Bangag in Lal-lo town, Cagayan province. "Within the movement, our bedrooms were of woven leaves in the wild. I have no regrets...

1Jun

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

Covid cases up in Tuguegarao, Baguio

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO CAGAYAN VALLEY (June 1)—As Covid-19 cases continue to decline in the National Capital Region, infections and deaths rose in Baguio City and Cagayan Valley, greatly alarming local officials. Baguio City recorded its highest case fatality rate (CFR) at 2.09 percent on May 20 with 247 deaths out of 11,814 cases. City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit head Dr. Donnabel Panes said Baguio's CFR is higher than the national rate of 1.69 percent. She said more than half of the fatalities were aged 50 and above and there were more males than females. "These statistics put the 50 and above age group at higher risk of death so we would want them to get vaccines to prevent severity and decrease chances of dying," Panes said. "As to the men, we have to encourage th...

31May

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Cagayan, News

P1-M Marijuana intercepted in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO CITY (May 31)—At least nine packs of marijuana were confiscated in anti-illegal drug operations of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police in Lasam town, Cagayan, according to police reports released on Sunday. Lasam town police identified the suspected drug pusher as Romel Maguddayao, 36, a resident of Lasam. Tagged as a high-value target, Maguddayao was arrested in Centro 1 village in the town after an agent acted as a poseur buyer of marijuana leaves. The arrest of Maguddayao yielded nine blocks wrapped in packing tape containing dried marijuana leaves with fruiting tops and stalks of approximately 8,500 grams. Police said the marijuana packs had a street value of more than P1.020 million. The suspect was ...

30May

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

Kalinga village gets P20M

KALINGA (May 30)—Mayor Karl Bugao Baac of Rizal in Kalinga province received P20 million to fund projects in Barangay Babalag East under the anti-insurgency program of the national government. According to Baac, the fund came from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac). "This village with 500 families is only receiving an internal revenue allotment, ranging from P1 million to P2 million, and that we are thankful that the village was included in the NTF-Elcac development program," he said. Baac added that P15 million will be used for the rehabilitation of the Barroga-Baggas farm-to-market road, P3 million for the improvement of the water system and P2 million for the rehabilitation of the health center building. LCD

Renewable energy firm helps families ‘rebuild’ homes in Isabela

30May

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Isabela, News

Renewable energy firm helps families ‘rebuild’ homes in Isabela

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO SANTIAGO CITY (May 30)—At least 53 households ravaged by Typhoon Ulysses last year in the municipalities of Cabagan and Sto. Tomas and the city of Cauayan in Isabela province received home repair kits from the renewable energy solutions provider SN Aboitiz Power-Magat (SNAP-Magat). Renewable energy solutions provider SN Aboitiz Power-Magat (SNAP-Magat) distributed home repair kits to 53 households in Cabagan, Cauayan, and Sto. Tomas in Isabela province who were affected by Typhoon Ulysses last year. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO In a press statement, SNAP-Magat said each beneficiary received through "Project Rebuild" a home repair kit worth around P6,500 consisting of galvanized iron sheets, hollow blocks, cement, and roofing nails. The Isabela Provincial Social Wel...

DTI assists Quirino watermelon growers sell harvest

30May

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Quirino

DTI assists Quirino watermelon growers sell harvest

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO DIFFUN, Quirino (May 30)—Under the “Walang Sayang Project” (WSP) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), a group of local farmers growing watermelons here was able to sell some 2.5 tons of their harvest. THROUGH the Department of Trade and Industry's Walang Sayang Project, watermelon growers in Diffun town in Quirino province were able to sell some 2.5 tons of their harvest to partners based in Bulacan province and the National Capital Region. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Leah Pulido Ocampo, DTI Region 2 director, said watermelon grower Leah Prieto was able to establish partners from Bulacan and the National Capital Region benefitting nine other local farmers who work with her from Barangay Ricarte Sur in this town. According to Prieto, they still have around...

US, Korea joint projects boost Philippine climate resilience

30May

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, World

US, Korea joint projects boost Philippine climate resilience

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO MANILA (May 30)—To boost the country’s climate resilience and address ocean plastic pollution, the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (Koica) have forged an agreement in their pursuance of development projects in the Philippines. In a United States Embassy press statement, these leading development assistance agencies of the United States of America and the Republic of Korea said they have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoU) on April 7, 2021 to explore potential partnership in an array of sectors. The US Embassy said their partnership projects include poverty reduction in rural areas, empowerment of women and girls, water resource management, community rehabilitation in Ma...

Cagayan govt gives P4.9M for villages’ isolation facilities in Tuguegarao City

30May

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Cagayan, Covid-19, News

Cagayan govt gives P4.9M for villages’ isolation facilities in Tuguegarao City

CAGAYAN GOV. MANUEL MAMBA TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (May 30)—The Cagayan provincial government is giving out P4.9 million to all barangay (villages) in Tuguegarao City for the establishment of isolation facilities to solve the problem of home quarantine which is known to have been causing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the city. During the flag-raising ceremony on Monday, Governor Manuel Mamba confirmed the amount which will be distributed to all the 49 villages in Tuguegarao City at P100,000 for each village. Mamba said this way Tuguegarao City will be able to slow down or even stop the high rate of local transmission of the disease and causing death so many of those who were infected. The Tuguegarao City Information Office has recorded a total of 5,287 C...

British mine firm cited for safe operations

29May

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

British mine firm cited for safe operations

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (May 29)—A London-based mining company operating in Quezon town in Nueva Vizcaya was recognized for its safe mining operations from the Philippine Mines Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) for the year 2020. The announcement was made through a letter from lawyer Wilfred Moncano, Director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau Central Office, to FCF Minerals Corp. Darren Bowden, FCF Minerals Corp. president and chief executive officer, said this recognition shows the tremendous cumulative record of accomplishment of the company as it was awarded Safest Surface Mining Operation, Safest Mining Operations, and 2nd Runner Up for Best Mining Forest. "As a company, FCF Minerals is not focusing on winning awards, but it is gratifying whe...

28May

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

P58-M JICA loan projects completed

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (MAY 28)—Four Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded agroforestry support facilities worth P58.3 million have been turned over to three Southern Nueva Vizcaya municipalities, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Corie Corpuz, a Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) information officer, said the facilities were constructed under the DENR's Forestland Management Project (FMP). The projects, according to Corpuz, aim to ensure the protection and maintenance of about 3,000 hectares of reforestation and agroforestry plantations developed by people's organizations in the municipalities of Dupax del Sur, Kasibu and Kayapa. She noted these JICA-funded projects under a loan agreement are part of the...