Nueva Vizcaya

The seven individuals arrested—including prominent anti‑mining leader Florentino Daynos—hold a copy of the Nueva Vizcaya prosecutor’s resolution dismissing charges of alleged direct assault, resistance and disobedience to a person in authority, and obstruction of justice. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO THE VALLEY JOURNAL NEWS TEAM BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—In a decision that has reverberated across this province and beyond, the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office here on January 26, 2026 dismissed every criminal charge filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) against seven members of a local anti‑mining coalition. The group—six women and their leader, Florentino Daynos—had been taken into custody on January 23 in Sitio Keon, Barangay Bitnong, Dupax del Norte, after allegedly obstructing the en...

The Nueva Vizcaya Police Provincial force on Friday, January 23, 2026, disperses peacefully anti-mining groups forming as a human barricade along the Sitio (sub-village) Keon road, Barangay Bitnong, Dupax del Norte, with seven individuals arrested, including professed anti-mining leader Florentino Daynos, for obstructing the lawful implementation of a court order. PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – On Friday, Jan. 23, the Nueva Vizcaya Police Provincial Office (NVPPO) announced that a human barricade set up along the Sitio Keon barangay road in Dupax del Norte had been peacefully dispersed, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals, including prominent anti-mining leader Florentino Daynos. The arrests were made for obstructing the la...

Newly-appointed Acting Provincial Administrator King Webster Balaw-ing (left) and Governor Jose "Jing" Gambito (right). PLGU PHOTO BY RACHEL M. ITCHON BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Governor Jose Gambito issued a Designation Order appointing King Webster Balaw-ing, Community Affairs Officer III, as Acting Provincial Administrator of this province. According to the order dated December 10, 2025, Balaw-ing will assume the duties and functions of the Provincial Administrator in addition to his regular responsibilities, effective immediately. The designation is valid for one year unless revoked earlier. A pastor's kid, Balaw-ing expressed his gratitude for the appointment, stating, "I am deeply honored by this appointment and grateful that the governor, in exercising his prerogative, pl...

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...