Nueva Vizcaya

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allowing the Woggle to proceed with its exploration activities, will remain in effect until October 30, unless withdrawn earlier by t...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...

September is Philippine Bamboo Month. In its celebration, the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) of the Community Relations Office of FCF Minerals Corporation in partnership with the Barangay Local Government Unit of Runruno, conducts a bamboo planting activity and bamboo-made craft competition dubbed as “Bamboo Awareness Day: Weaving Sustainability and Culture on September 26, 2025, at Runruno, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—In celebration of Philippine Bamboo Month, FCF Minerals Corporation's Community Relations Office - Information, Education and Communication (IEC) in partnership with the Barangay Local Government Unit of Runruno, held a bamboo planting activity and craft competition on September 26, 2025. Anch...

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources strengthens its partnership with stakeholders in the furniture and charcoal industries in Nueva Vizcaya to promote sustainable forest management and responsible use of natural resources. DENR PHOTO BY BEN MOSES EBREO BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (September 12, 2025) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is strengthening its partnership with furniture and charcoal industry players in Nueva Vizcaya to promote sustainable forest management and responsible use of natural resources. Engineer Giovannie Magat, provincial environment and natural resources officer, said they have intensified their information, education, and communication efforts targeting furniture shop owners and wood charcoal production permit holde...

PHOTO FROM OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ATTY. JOSE V. GAMBITO FACEBOOK PAGE BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (September 12, 2025)—Gov. Jose Gambito signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Link Impact for the deployment of seasonal workers to South Korea. This partnership aims to provide a secure pathway for Vizcayano farmers to work in South Korea’s agricultural sector. The MOA signing was the culmination of a Zoom meeting between Gambito and Hyo Joon Kim, director of Global Programs at Link Impact, and other Korean partners. The meeting discussed the terms of the local government unit (LGU)-to-LGU collaboration, including worker qualifications, contract duration, health benefits, and safeguards to address concerns about workers absconding. “The government-to-govern...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—FCF Minerals Corporation, a leading mining company in the Philippines, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Best Practices in Mineral Processing (Metallic Category) at the 4th ASEAN Minerals Awards (AMA).  Engineer Mario Ancheta, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 2 Director, said this recognition underscores the company's commitment to “responsible, efficient and innovative operations that align with regional sustainability standards." Citing the AMA as an esteemed initiative by the ASEAN mining ministers to recognize best practices and exemplary models in sustainable mineral mining, processing and distribution among its member countries, Ancheta said FCF Minerals Corporation's shortlisting highlights its contributions to the indu...

Nueva Vizcaya’s Provincial Treasurer’s Office expects to surpass 2025 local revenue collection target. PIA PHOTO BY BEN MOSES EBREO BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (September 9, 2025)—The Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) of Nueva Vizcaya is on track to meet its 2025 local revenue collection target, with strong performance reported in the first eight months of the year. Provincial Treasurer Rhoda Moreno reported that as of July 2025, the province had already achieved 92 percent local revenue collection efficiency. From locally sourced revenues, the province collected P258,410,171, which accounts for 91.90 percent of its annual target of P281,160,674. Collection from external sources reached P1,423,448,610 or 63.37 percent of the projected amount. “In July alone, our overall coll...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—The death toll has now reached five, including two rescue volunteers and three small-scale miners, following the loss of another rescue volunteer involved in the retrieval operation inside the mine tunnel in Sitio Balcony in Barangay Runruno here. TRAGEDY IN THE DEPTHS. Rescue efforts marred by loss, as the death toll reaches five in a small-scale mining incident in Sitio Balcony, Barangay Runruno, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya. LCD PHOTO The second rescue volunteer who died was Johny Ayudan, 38, the brother of Lipihon Ayuda, 56, who was one of the three miners who were previously trapped and died inside the tunnel. Johny, along with John Philip Guinihid and another volunteer, entered the tunnel on Wednesday, June 25, at dawn to assist in th...