Opinion

EDITORIAL WHAT exactly is a government-issued permit worth? That question resurfaces following the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s suspension of Woggle Corporation’s exploration permit in Dupax, Nueva Vizcaya. The company received the suspension order on February 11. Curiously, however, the contents of the order had already been circulating publicly before the firm officially received it. Set aside, for a moment, the politics surrounding mining in Nueva Vizcaya. Strip away the noise of barricades, agitation, and competing narratives. What remains is a more fundamental issue: the stability of government grants. An exploration permit is not a casual indulgence handed out at whim. It is a formal government grant issued under statutory authority. It carries rights and obligations, create...

BY FIEL MING RAMONES THE recent order from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) suspending Woggle Corporation’s exploration activities in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, has sparked a heated debate about the value of government‑issued permits and the stability of the country’s mining investment climate. At its core, the controversy is not about whether mining should occur, but about how the state treats legally granted rights when they are challenged by external, often illegal, actions. Permits as Legally Binding Instruments An exploration permit (EP) is more than a piece of paper; it is a formal government grant issued under Republic Act No. 7942 (the Philippine Mining Act of 1995) and its implementing rules. Once granted, the permit creates a bundle of rights and obligations ...

BY FIEL MING RAMONES Rep. Timothy Cayton of the Lone Congressional District of Nueva Vizcaya. (Editor's Note: We are pleased to welcome Fiel Ming Ramones as a contributor to The Valley Journal News Online. The views and opinions expressed in his articles are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication. We believe in fostering a diverse range of perspectives and encourage open discussion on issues of public interest.) IN the intricate game of Philippine politics, few tactics are as predictable as the smear campaign launched by defeated candidates seeking to clove back into relevance. Nowhere is this more evident than in Nueva Vizcaya, where Congressman Tim Cayton has emerged as the latest target of a coordinated political demolition job. The weapon of choice? ...

THE declaration of a state of calamity in Nueva Vizcaya following Super Typhoon Uwan’s destructive path is a necessary step toward recovery, but it’s also a sobering reminder of the vulnerability we all share in the face of nature’s fury. With damages exceeding P3 billion, the swift action of the provincial board, led by the commendable efforts of Board Member Eunice Galima-Gambol, deserves applause. This is not just a procedural move—it’s a lifeline for communities grappling with the aftermath. Governor Jose Gambito rightly pointed out that while a national calamity declaration sets the stage, a local one empowers Nueva Vizcaya to act faster, smarter, and with more heart. Accessing calamity funds, enforcing price controls, and accelerating repairs are not just bureaucratic wins; they ...

EDITORIAL IN an era dominated by social media, internet technology, and artificial intelligence, it's no small feat for a traditional newsweekly to stand the test of time. Yet, The Valley Journal, based in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya, has defied the odds, marking an impressive 35 years of serving the community with dedication and integrity. Since its inception in 1991, The Valley Journal has been a trusted source of news and information for the people of Cagayan Valley, providing in-depth coverage of local issues, events, and stories that matter. In a world where fake news and misinformation spread like wildfire, The Valley Journal's commitment to fact-based reporting is a breath of fresh air. The Valley Journal's impact goes beyond just reporting the news. It has been a champion of c...

EDITORIAL THE recent arrest of a 43-year-old fisherman, known as "Bong," in Barangay Taggat Sur, Claveria, Cagayan, marks a significant win for the country's anti-drug efforts. Anti-drug operatives confiscated approximately P5.3 million worth of cocaine, a kilogram of the illicit substance packed with a "Coca Racing" label, during a buy-bust operation. This successful operation demonstrates the effectiveness of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the local police's relentless pursuit of drug peddlers. The seizure of P5.3 million worth of cocaine is a substantial blow to the illegal drug trade, and the arrest of the suspect sends a strong message that authorities will not tolerate such activities. This incident is not an isolated case, as Cagayan has been a hotspot f...

BY RODOLFO JOHN ORTIZ TEOPE, PhD, EdD THESE days, wherever I go, people seem to be talking about Sarah Discaya. She has become so viral that her name slips into conversations in the most unexpected places. I remember this very clearly one morning when I accompanied my daughter, Juliana Rizalhea, for her medical examination as a requirement for her Taekwondo competition. It should have been a quiet, personal moment for families waiting in the hospital, but instead, the chatter was all about Discaya—her umbrella, her Rolls Royce, her lifestyle. Outside, the rain was steady. I carried with me a golf umbrella, a gift from General Thompson Lantion, its fabric marked with the logo of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. As I stood there, hearing the chatter around me, I couldn’t help but...

TRAGEDY IN THE DEPTHS EDITORIAL Tragedy in the tunnels: A call for stricter enforcement against illegal mining THE recent tragic incident in Sitio Balcony, Barangay Runruno in Quezon town, Nueva Vizcaya where three small-scale miners and a volunteer rescuer lost their lives, is a stark reminder of the dangers of unauthorized mining activities. The incident highlights the need for stricter enforcement of mining laws and regulations to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The fact that the miners who were trapped in the tunnel were not employees of FCF Minerals Corp., the company operating in the area, underscores the risks associated with illegal mining. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has confirmed that the area where the incident occurred is not part of...