OCEANGOLD Philippines (OPG) recently turned over three more farm-to-market (FMR) projects worth P9 million to villagers in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces in simple ceremonies.

“For hundreds of villagers in these two provinces, a simple road means more than just a path. It is a bridge to opportunity, security and progress,” said Joan Adaci-Cattiling, OGP president and general manager for external affairs and social performance.

With these newly completed FMR projects, Adaci-Cattiling said around 500 residents are now able to travel more safely and conveniently to schools, farms and nearby towns.

These new FMRs included those constructed at Barangay Villa Aurora, Diadi in Nueva Vizcaya, a 223.5-meter road reinforced with three cross drainages and a sturdy retaining wall; Barangay Ricarte Sur, Diffun in Quirino, a 246-meter road with a cross drainage unit, a retaining wall, and a drainage canal for better water flow; and Barangay Pinaripad Norte, Aglipay, also in Quirino, a 247.5-meter road strengthened with a pipe culvert and slope protection.

Adaci-Cattiling noted that for many years, villagers traveled through rough and muddy trails, making it difficult for farmers to bring their produce to the market and for children to go to school.

“Now, with these newly built roads, funded through OGP’s Community Development Fund (CDF) everyday life becomes a little easier, and possibilities grow a little bigger,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Diffun and Aglipay roads in Quirino province were officially turned over in January, while the Diadi project in Nueva Vizcaya was completed in December 2024.

As these roads open new doors for the communities, they stand as a testament, Adaci-Catting added.

BY VINCE JACOB VISAYA

CABARROGUIS, Quirino (September 12, 2023)—The performances of the cultural groups from each of the six towns of the province in the street dancing event served as a fitting opening for the Panagdadapun Festival at the capitol grandstand here on Sunday.

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chairman Junie Cua, who served as the guest speaker at the opening ceremony, said that the “diverse but unified culture” among the people of Quirino has been instrumental in the continuing development and advancement of the province.

“As long as I live, I will continue to serve and help guide our province to maintain peace and political stability,” said Cua, who is also a former representative of the lone district of Quirino.

“I salute every one of you for the great partnership. This celebration presents the best and the greatest testimonies of what we had done for the Quirinians.”

The street dance event showcased the diverse but rich and unique culture and traditions of the six towns of the province.

The street dancers performed in their own festivals like the Penenkakasisit of Nagtipunan town, Pagay-Pagay of Saguday, Panagsasalog of Maddela, Ginnamuluan of Cabarroguis, Pammadayaw of Diffun, and Panagsalukag of Aglipay.

The weeklong festival also features a fun run, historical dance performances, exhibits, agri-trade fairs, jobs fair, coffee table book launching, street dancing, family games, concert, dance and singing contests, beauty pageant, medical and dental services, sports festival, tree planting, and bike race, among others.

Exhibits were also opened to guests and visitors who can take glimpses of the repository of Quirino’s unique cultural heritage of the indigenous tribes such as the Dumagats, Ifugaos, Isinays, Bugkalots, and Gaddangs, as well as lowland villagers.

Quirino was born on September 10, 1971, from the mother province of Nueva Vizcaya.

Quirino province is known for its natural attractions such as the Governor Rapids at the Cagayan River in Maddela, Aglipay Caves and Provincial Forest Park, the Siitan Nature Park and Landingan in Nagtipunan, and various waterfalls and caves, among others.

BY VINCE JACOB VISAYA

CABARROGUIS, Quirino (December 11)—Amid glowing lights highlighting a three-week Christmas variety fair, the 10th Paskuhan sa Quirino, opened on Friday night at the capitol compound at 7:30 p.m.

“We highlight our own handicraft, customs, culture and traditions with exhibit booths adorned with ethnic motifs from the province’s Indigenous peoples such as Bugkalots, Agtas, Igorots, Kalingas, Ilocanos, among other tribes and groups,” Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua said.

The event is focused on the theme “Paskuhan sa Tribu: Magsaya, Magkaisa at Magsama-sama.”

First hatched in 2012, the annual event has been a way to attract residents and tourists in visiting the holiday sites, he added.

A street parade capped the start of the opening while about 2,500 people flocked to the lighted decorated cathedral, photo station, lighted Santa and Reindeer, kiosks, giant Christmas tree, giant Belen, and giant Bear.

Christmas gifts, Christmas trees, decorations, food products and handicrafts were common sights while variety shows, raffle draws, bazaars, food plazas and raffle draws also capped the gathering.

Nelma Uao, Cabarroguis tourism officer and exhibitor, told The Manila Times that their town officials and other participants ensured that the materials used were recycled, indigenous, and biodegradable.

Cultural dances and practices by tribes who wore ethnic attire and used local musical instruments were also shown to spectators.

William Bill Doria, Saguday acting tourism officer, said they tried their best to depict the town’s identity with local items associated with local folk.

BY THELMA BICARME, PIA

DIFFUN, Quirino (August 11)—The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has conducted a series of Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with various Shared Service Facilities (SSF) cooperators in the province recently.

Silvester Miguel, information officer, said the activity aimed to learn first-hand from the cooperators the present challenges they are facing, their needs and expectations from the agency.

Miguel further said the series of FGDs also aimed to gather the best practices that other cooperators may opt to adopt.

Provincial Director officer in charge Mary Ann Corpuz-Dy assured to help the cooperators to strengthen and sustain their business operations through the different existing programs of the agency.

Corpuz-Dy further affirmed that the agency will serve as a cooperators’ bridge to other government and non-government institutions to access services that will advance their productivity and provide access to the market.

Meanwhile, SSF Project Technical Assistant Joyce Marie Reyno said 14 cooperators participated in the FGDs which were conducted in Diffun, Maddela, Nagtipunan, Cabarroguis and Aglipay towns.

The business counselors of said towns also facilitated training workshops on updating the SSF Manual of Operations which focused on crafting effective and efficient business operations and sustainability plans

Six more cooperators are set to undergo the same FGD this August.

CABARROGUIS, Quirino (June 20)—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 has denied any illegal activities causing a landslide in the Sierra Madre mountain, particularly in this province.

“This incident in the Sierra Madre mountain in Quirino province was not due to mining, logging or any illegal activities near or where the landslide was located,” DENR Region 2 officials said.

DENR Region2 executive director Gwendolyn Bambalan said the landslide — approximately 90 meters wide at 1,592 meters above sea level — took place at Sitio Dioriong, Barangay Villa Gracia in Maddela town in Quirino.

“The incident was a natural occurrence due to heavy rains,” Bambalan explained.

A team from the community DENR offices of San Isidro town in Isabela and Nagtipunan town in Quirino and the local government units of San Agustin (Isabela) and Maddela (Quirino) investigated the incident.

Their finding, according to the DENR Region2, showed that the area is covered with mossy forest and limestone rock formations within the Quirino Protected Landscape.

It said the team also discovered bedrocks and boulders along the Sili Creek found at the foot of the incident area, and discolored flowing water from the top of the landslide site.

Bambalan said the absence of inhabitants or community in the area with no traces of illegal activities found in the site and nearby areas only shows that the landslide was not man-made.

She also said the investigating team that trekked for almost a week to reach the landslide’s exact location found no activities conducted in the area.

Meanwhile, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau led by Region 2 Director Mario Ancheta said they are also conducting aerial surveillance together with the DENR regional office in coordination with proper authorities to ascertain the condition of the uppermost area of the mountain.

“This way, we will be able to determine what possibly caused the landslide,” Ancheta added. LEANDER C. DOMINGO

CABARROGUIS, Quirino (October 8)—A provincial board member of this province has filed his certificate of candidacy to run for mayor of Nagtipunan town.

In support of his candidacy, lawyer Tomas Baccac was accompanied by Rep. Junie Cua and his son Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua of this province at the Commission on Elections office in Nagtipunan.

Prominent political leaders of Quirino like Evan Uy and his son Toto Uy also witnessed the filing of Baccac’s candidacy.

Supporters said the broad support for Baccac was evidenced by the presence of the leaders from the different cultural communities in the area.

Also a pastor, Baccac prayed for unity and continuing progress in Nagtipunan before he proceeded to file his CoC.

Baccac had served as member of the Sangguniang Bayan and as vice mayor of Nagtipunan.

QUIRINO Governor Dakila Carlo Cua has approved on July 15, 2021 the Ganano Watershed Committee’s Manual of Operation during the launch of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-led Save Our Watershed Campaign.

Citing Section 16 of Republic Act 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, Cua explained that local government units (LGUs) are empowered to efficiently and effectively govern their territory, as well as enact measures to protect the environment.

The Ganano sub-watershed in this town which is adjacent to the Magat watershed is one of the Cagayan River’s sub-river basins. It is one of the province’s most important sub-watersheds, supplying water to around 1,000 hectares of irrigated land and that more than half of the sub-watershed which is 7,000 hectares covered by the Quirino Protected Landscape or QPL is a biodiversity hotspot in the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges.

Based on the 2015 National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) forest cover estimates, the sub-forest watershed has 23 percent forest cover and that forest conversion to agricultural uses is continuing, jeopardizing the integrity watershed’s ecosystem.

The Ganano River Sub-Watershed Management Committee (GRSMC) was formed and organized with the goal of promoting and advancing Ganano sub-watershed administration and ensuring long-term management of this natural resource.

GRSMC’s operations will be guided by the manual to provide sustainable directions and given the council’s limited financial resources, the Strategic Direction/Plan is included to provide a blueprint for maintaining and administering the Ganano Subwatershed.

All stakeholders in the Diffun and Ganano sub-watersheds, the GRSMC’s Strategic Direction defines their vision, mission and objectives.

Part of the resolution is the cost-sharing mechanism which aims to create a local fund-generation mechanism that includes contributions from various stakeholders, particularly those who benefit from the supply of ecosystem services, in order to enable a meaningful intervention that conserves and improves the Ganano Watershed’s integrity or condition.

This cost-sharing/co-financing strategy aims to build a responsible constituency in the province that values the watershed/s and the resources contained within it, such as forest, biodiversity, and watershed/water resources as the primary life-support system.

It will enhance existing financing granted and used for this purpose by responsible national government organizations (DENR, DA), as well as the provincial government of Quirino and Diffun LGU.

Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and PES-like systems should be looked into as a way to raise revenue from those who consume ecosystem services in the watershed. It will be easier for the LGU to allocate funding if local ordinances are passed to support the implementation of watershed management programs and projects through cost-sharing.

Other ordinances, such as improving the environment code, establishing green infrastructures such as planting open spaces/tree parks, and enacting support mechanisms for the enforcement of zoning ordinances for land use regulations in watershed/s, may be enacted to aid in the implementation of watershed management projects.

DIFFUN, Quirino (July 15)—The Provincial Government of Quirino has joined the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB) in launching the provincial campaign dubbed as “Save Our Watershed” or SOW.

Gov. Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua said it is critical that the provincial government strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders and partners as this pandemic is testing everyone’s resilience.

“We deeply advocate genuine concern for our environment, and together, we can be instruments in creating a safer and more resilient community, and continue to sustain our efforts in the rehabilitation, recovery, and protection of our environment. I believe we will be able to Save and Sustain Our Watersheds if we take this seriously,” Cua said.

A small province that comprises six municipalities and 132 barangays (villages), Quirino is the headwater of the Cagayan River Basin and plays an important role in making Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) a significant watershed.

Also known as the watershed haven in Region 2, Quirino also serves as one of the main sources of water for irrigation, home and industrial needs in the Cagayan Valley region.

During the launching, keynote speakers delivered messages while watershed stakeholders have expressed commitment in joining the governor’s all out-effort in saving the watersheds.

As a symbol of their commitment, the DENR, people’s organization leaders, members of the Watershed Committee, various local government units led by the governor signed the symbolic commitment wall as their pledge.

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.

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 20 tons of watermelon set to be harvested in the coming weeks and that her group is looking for other interested buyers and resellers.

Ocampo said WSP with a theme Livelihood Enhancement and Harmonizing Government Interventions is an initiative that aims to enhance farmer’s productivity and competitiveness by harmonizing government interventions to address gaps in all value chain.

THE pandan leaves are woven together by the members of the Macate Diffun Upland Farmers Association (MDUFA) Inc. in Diffun town, Province of Quirino, before being transformed into colorful bags, and the traditional “bayong” modernized as “Ecobags” that we used to carry goods from the market or grocery stores.

Rather than planning a family hike or outing, weaving provided an alternative treat for families in Barangay Macate in Diffun to spend more time together, staying safe at home, while increasing their productivity or cash flow during this seemingly unending pandemic.

This people’s organization is one among the ten partner beneficiaries of the Forestland Management Project (FMP) which is a foreign-assisted project implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The project aims to improve the conditions of three degraded river basins in the Philippines namely the Upper Pampanga, Jalaur in Iloilo and Upper Magat where Ganano River in Quirino is the sub-watershed.

It is a holistic, integrated and comprehensive program that aims to attain a balance between sustainable forest and natural resource management, conservation and governance through community organizing, massive reforestation and agro-forestry and other appropriate land uses.

This program will also improve the socio-economic conditions of its assisted forest communities through micro-enterprises.