Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino Provinces

[allan_dude]

"Naturally Vibrant"

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ph_seal_nueva_vizcaya.png/140px-Ph_seal_nueva_vizcaya.png

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/74/217950638_cc9a345371_s.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/2145270000_5dcc0af49d_s.jpg http://farm1.static.flickr.com/89/248168355_772ecb2bcd_s.jpg
http://www.nvizcaya.gov.ph/


Above photo credits: 1. Wikipedia (seal) 2. Casecnan Hydroelectric courtesy of Flickr by worldwide.projects (http://flickr.com/people/hpeters/) 3. Vizcaya Oranges courtesy of Flickr by Shubert Ciencia (http://flickr.com/people/bigberto/) 4. by Nick Nichols (http://flickr.com/photos/nicknich4/248168355/in/set-72157594287400089/)

The province of Nueva Vizcaya, which was named after the people living in the coast of Mar de Vizcaine in Spain, was a part of the vast “Territorio de Missionanes” ofthe Spanish controlled government of Cagayan.The territory covered the eastern half of Northern Luzon, from Nueva Ecija to Aparri, including the Batanes Islands.

On May 24, 1839, Governor-General Luis Lardizabal, upon the advice of the alcalde mayor of Cagayan, issued an order making Nueva Vizcaya a separate politico-military province. The king of Spain through a royal decree approved the order on April 10, 1841. Gov. Pedro Menchaca was the first appointed politico-military governor of the new province. However, the Spanish sovereignty ceased upon the arrival of the Philippine revolutionary forces in Bayombong on August 1898.

The province had its first taste of civil government in 1902 when the Philippine Commission organized it. The present territory of Nueva Vizcaya was a result of the changes emanating from the formal creation of the province of Isabela in May 1865, wherein a great portion of its northern territory was ceded to the newly born province. The organization of the Ifugao province in 1908 further reduced the area of Nueva Vizcaya. The survey executed by the Bureau of Lands and the enactment of the Administrative Code in 1914 and 1917 respectively retrenched the province’s scope. In addition, the Republic Act No. 6394 in 1971 made Quirino a regular province further reducing the territory of the province.

Since its birth as a province, its history could still be reflected from the culture and customs of the early settlers, i.e.,Ilongots, Igorots, ifugaos, Isinais and the Gaddangs. The influx of civilization and the infusion of modern technology to the life stream of the province induced many settlers from adjacent provinces primarily the Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Pangasinenses and the Kapampampangans to migrate here.

The original inhabitants of Nueva Vizcaya were wild and semi-wild tribes. The wild tribes were the Igorots, Ifugaos, Ilongots and the Aetas. The semi-wild tribe includes the Gaddangs and the Maalats. The former led a nomadic life and roamed over the Cordillera, Ilongots Regions and Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges. The latter pursued a semi-nomadic existence along the river valleys and plains through hunting, fishing and cultivating of rice and sweet potatoes.

Endowed with rich natural resources, particularly in agriculture, the province attracts other tribes from other regions of the country. Among the migrants who form a big portion of the population are the Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Pangasinenses, Pampangos and others.

The province lies within the heart of Northern Luzon. It is one of the five provinces of Region II and one of the four provinces of Cagayan Valley.

It is geographically located at the southernmost part of the Region and is often referred to as the gateway to Cagayan Valley.

Approximately 60.21% of the province is mountainous characterized by very steep to steep landform.

Most of teh latter are agricultural areas concentrated in the North Sector. Only the municipality of Ambaguio and some parts of Quezon and Bayombong are considered mountainous in the North. Most of the mountainous areas are found in the South Sector

Nueva Vizcaya is relatively dry from November to April and relatively wet during the rest of the year. Maximum temperature ranges from 22-25 degrees Celsius. December and January are the coldest months when temperature falls to about 20 degrees Celsius while the warmest months are April and May. Nueva Vizcaya is often referred to as lowland Baguio because of its pleasant climate.

Nueva Vizcaya could be reached by at least four regular entry points, aside from reaching it by air travel. These are through the Dalton Pass reaching the first town of Santa Fe; through the Daang Maharlika, entering the town of diadi; through the Vizcaya-Banaue Road entering the town of Bagabag and through the Vizcaya-Benguet Road, entering the town of Kayapa.

The province has basically an agricultural economy with commerce, trade, and industry contributing to its growth and development. Among other major economic activities are farming and cattle and swine raising. Primary crops are palay and corn. Minor crops are rootcrops, vegetables, and fruits. The province produces quality onions and vegetables often sold in Metro Manila. Oranges and mangoes are now major crops being exported fresh to Asian countries.

http://www.dotpcvc.gov.ph/starstudded/images/map-nueva.gif
map from dotpcvc.gov.ph

Municipalities Nueva Vizcaya is composed of 15 municipalities with Bayombong as the provincial capital. Solano and Kayapa are its commercial center and summer capital respectively.

The province also consists of one congressional district with two (2) sectors, the North and South Sector. The subdivision follows the administrative jurisdiction set in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The North Sector comprises seven (7) municipalities namely: Ambaguio, Bagabag, Bayombong, Diadi, Quezon, Solano and Villaverde. On the other hand, the South Sector has eight (8) municipalities namely: Alfonso Castañeda, Aritao, Bambang, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Kasibu, Kayapa and Santa Fe. The boundary of the two sectors is drawn between the municipal boundaries of Ambaguio and Kayapa, Bayombong and Bambang and Quezon and Kasibu.

Barangays As of the 1996 inventory of barangays conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), there are 275 barangays of Nueva Vizcaya.

The municipality of Kayapa has the most number of barangays totaling to 30 while the municipality of Villaverde has the smallest number composed of only 9 barangays.

Things to Do and see in Nueva Vizcaya...

Dalton Pass
A rugged piece of terrain where Caraballo Sur reaches south and joins with the Sierra Madre. Being the only access between Pampanga and Cagayan Valley, the pass became the scene of much bloody fighting during the final stages of WW II and bore witness to the death of almost 17,000 Japanese, American, and Filipino soldiers. Commemorative markers stand by the road’s highest point, which also offers a good view into the headlands. The Dalton Pass National Shrine commemorates the death of General Dalton by a sniper’s bullet during WW II. At 3,000 feet above sea level, Dalton Pass is also the gateway to the Cagayan Valley Region and the Ifugao Rice Terraces.

Kirang Pass
A monument to the gallantry of the Japanese and Filipino soldiers during WW II, located at Barangay Kirang, municipality of Aritao, about 50 kilometers from Bayombong. Built in 1978 by the Rakunsankai Society of Japan, it was recently rebuilt using a black glazed stone, and a memorial was engraved in the tablet in Japanese and English. Also offers a breathtaking view of reforested mountains and hills.

Mt. Pulag National Park (Kayapa & Ambaguio)
The gateway to Mt. Pulag, the country’s second highest peak at 2,922 feet above sea level. Accessible by foot from the capital town of Bayombong and located west towards the boundary of Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet. The trail in Ambaguio town, 20 km. from Bayombong, promises a different kind of terrain from gradual ascent to rugged path amid mossy forests and cold temperature. Before the peak lies an area of Bonzai forests followed by grasslands with dwarf bamboos. A perfect ecotourism destination, the park is home to rare plants like the pitcher plant and rare animals like the giant cloud rat and whiskered pitta. Mt. Pulag provides resources to the indigenous Kalanguya, Ibaloy, Kankanaey, and Karao tribes.

Mt. Palali
1,705 meters above sea level, bounded by the municipalities of Quezon and Bayombong. Once the hunting ground of the Bugkalots, Gaddangs, and Ifugaos, this majestic mountain range offers a magnificent view of the low-lying municipalities of the province. Its diptherocarp forest contains a unique diversity of flora and fauna (bonsai forest, wild orchids and flowers). It was once the crash site of a WW II tora-tora plane.

Capisaan Cave System
The fifth longest cave system in the country and ranked among of the best, considered a geologist’s paradise due to its varying rare calcite formations and unique stalagmite and stalactite formations. Within its four kilometer length is a subterranean river that doubles as a passageway to the best part of this multi-chambered cave. Part of the cave network are the Lion and Alayan Caves, measuring 4.2 kilometers and relatively new hotspots, located in Brgy. Capisaan, Malabing Valley, Kasibu town.
Tours can be arranged with the Sang-at Salug Mountaineering Club or the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya. The spelunking adventure tour includes an orchard tour at Brgy. Malabing, Kasibu, where the famous perante oranges grow. Kasibu is about one and a half hours from Bayombong.

Heaven Cave (Brgy. Capisaan, Kasibu)
Features two big chambers of various calcite formations and a mezzanine of pure white limestones that has to be explored barefoot. Brgy. Capisaan is about four hours by jeep from Solano, on feeder-and-clay-soil road curved out of mountain sides. Other caves in the area are Alayan, Lion, and Sabrina.

Imugan Waterfalls (Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya)
A 35-foot two-level falls with a shallow catch basin of refreshing mountain spring interestingly located between two mountains. Trek over streams and rivers emanating from the falls. Enjoy trekking, exploration, swimming, fishing, and cultural immersion. Accessible by a 30-minute hike from Imugan poblacion which is about 30 minutes from the national highway.

St. Dominic Cathedral
Preserved to become the first cathedral in the province. Razed twice and rebuilt in the same old site, it is now approximately twice its original size. It maintains its original 18th century Spanish style façade.

St. Vincent Ferrer Church (Dupax del Sur)
One of the oldest and biggest churches in North Luzon, constructed in the 16th century as commissioned by two Augustinian priests. Declared by the National Museum as a National Cultural Treasure, it features a belltower that is among the town’s well-preserved Spanish colonial monuments and an ecclesiastical museum. Beside the church is what is acclaimed as the oldest acacia tree (Semanea-saman) in Luzon, planted by settlers from Nueva Ecija in 1880. Reachable in 45 minutes from Bayombong town proper.

Villa Margarita Mountain Resort
It rests on rolling hills and has spring-fed pools and water slides. The Banaue Rice Terraces, eighth World Wonder, is only two hours away. Located some 260 kilometers from Manila along the Maharlika Highway at Barangay Busilac, Bayombong.

Nueva Vizcaya Capitol Complex
A study of architectural ingenuity, the complex built by Governor Patricio Dumlao has a park with exotic plant species, concrete benches and sidewalks lighted with giant mercury lamps, a water pool, and a man-made lagoon ideal for rowing the colorful miniboats that are offered for rent and managed by a group of handicapped workers. Located along the national highway, it also houses the provincial offices of government.

Panagyaman Festival / Nueva Vizcaya Day (May 19-24)
Celebrated with parades, beauty pageant, trade shows, and agro-industrial fair, among others.

Citrus Festival (Malabing Valley, Kasibu; August)
During the festivities, visitors are allowed to pick-and-pay in the town’s popular citrus farms.

Kalanguya Festival
Celebrates the indigenous way of life of the Kalanguya tribe in the town of Sta. Fe.

Ecotourism Adventure
Trekking/spelunking at Alayan Caves and Malabing Rainforest and Citrus Farms, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. You may also try to explore Mt. Pulog Natural Park from Kayapa or Ambaguio

Sources:
http://www.nvizcaya.gov.ph/
http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph/
http://www.dotpcvc.gov.ph/

[allan_dude]

Self-help project aims to empower women in Nueva Vizcaya

Floro Taguinod
GMANews.TV

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – Members of a women’s group based here have been trained in figurine-making as part of the local government’s efforts to assist in the empowerment of women and their families.

The women, numbering about 600, were taught how to create art and functional pieces of ceramics-based ornaments by a team from the Nueva Vizcaya State University.

Solano town mayor Philip Dacayo said the project is given free and is aimed at uplifting the economic status not only of women but of families who aspire to have better lives despite the economic slump.

“This endeavor is very timely because it intends to teach the trainees to earn by themselves than just wait for dole-outs," Dacayo said.

"It’s high time that they become responsible members of our community and eventually, important partners of our economy," he said

The project which is part of the “Caravan Kaalaman" program has also benefited residents in Cagayan Valley.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/122884/Self-help-project-aims-to-empower-women-in-Nueva-Vizcaya

[allan_dude]

Pangasius: new darling of the aquaculture industry

FLORO TAGUINOD
GMANews.TV

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – What sounds like a product of Pangasinan, tastes like the priced salmon, is more profitable to raise than tilapia, and now a common entry on the menus of classy restaurants?

As the headline suggests, the answer is pangasius, a member of the catfish family that originated in Vietnam and now grown commercially in fishponds.

Farmer Cesario Manuel of barangay Sta. Rita in Bayombong says the pangasius was the most profitable venture he has gone into so far after he harvested 1,076 kilograms of the from his three fishponds with a total area of 406 square meters.

The three fishponds all exhibited good growth with a maximized stocking density of 3 pieces per square meter. The ratio is best for a high overall growth rate of 1 kilogram per body weight with some as high as 1.5 kilograms.

With a taste and texture comparable to the salmon or even the Alaska pollack, pangasius is categorized as a ‘white meat fish’ and is in high demand not just in classy restaurants but in fast food chains as well.

In Nueva Vizcaya, the project is the result of a joint undertaking of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 02 and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.

Provincial agriculturist Felipe Panganiban said pangasius farming can be a very profitable project since the fish has a ready vast market in the Philippines and abroad. It is now acknowledged as the ‘new darling of the aquaculture industry."

“The pangasius project is one way to attain higher fish sufficiency level for Nueva Vizcaya, “he said.

At a farm gate price of P90 per kilogram and net gain of P36,500, studies show that pangasius culture is more profitable than tilapia raising. Production cost, however, is higher mainly due to the longer culture period of six months, and the cost of fingerlings.

Dominador Abalos, project leader, said that production cost can be reduced as the fish can be fed with indigenous diet such as vegetable and fruit surplus and trimmings, kuhol and rice bran.

A Nueva Ecija-based supplier of pangasius fingerlings, likewise confirmed that the cost is bound to go down once demand in the Cagayan Valley is sufficient enough to cover transport and logistics costs.

Abalos said that the country currently imports forty 20-footer container vans of pangasius flesh each month. He said that pangasius fillet under the brand name Cream Dory costs 200 pesos per kilogram at local supermarkets.

BFAR Regional Director Dr. Jovita Ayson said, “This project shows feasibility and profitability of pangasius culture in Cagayan Valley. It will be a big boost to the region’s fishery production and farmer’s income."

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/125790/Pangasius-new-darling-of-the-aquaculture-industry

[allan_dude]

NVizcaya solon, TESDA ink MOA for free work training program

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya -- Nueva Vizcaya representative Carlos Padilla and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority(TESDA) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement(MOA) providing for an P5 million free work training program for Novo Vizcayanos.

The MOA consists of a P3.5 million fund from the TESDA and a P1.5 million from the office of Representative Padilla.

Rolando Manangan, TESDA provincial director said that the work- training scholarship program offers a skills education and actual application among Novo Vizcayanos. "This will help our constituents uplift their economic conditions, given the proper employment," Manangan said.

Manangan said TESDA will also facilitate the screening of scholars, coordination with training schools and the facilitation of their employment.

On the other hand, Padilla expressed optimism that the program will also help in reducing the number of unemployed Novo Vizcayanos in the province. (bme/PIA NVizcaya)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p081007.htm&no=24

[allan_dude]

"The Watershed of Cagayan Valley"


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fe/Ph_seal_quirino.png/140px-Ph_seal_quirino.png

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/79179/img_0071_s_.jpg (http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Philippines/Cagayan_Valley/photo759862.htm)
On To Greener Pastures (http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Philippines/Cagayan_Valley/photo759862.htm)
photo courtesy of TE by eaguilarmd (http://www.trekearth.com/members/eaguilarmd/)


Quirino Province acquired its juridical personality as a result of the division of the Provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela on June 18, 1966 under Republic Act 4734. Quirino was named in honor of the late President Elpidio A. Quirino.

On June 21, 1969, R.A. 5554 was enacted amending RA 4734 creating the Municipality of Cabarroguis taken from the portions of Diffun, Saguday and Aglipay. Finally, RA 6394 was passed on September 10, 1971 further amending RA 5554 separating the sub-province of Quirino from its mother province of Nueva Vizcaya constituting it into a regular province. Congressmen Leonardo B. Perez and Benjamin B. Perez had authored R.A. 6394.

OVERVIEW

Long before its creation, Quirino was the forest region of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya inhabited by tribal groups known as the Negritos. These tribal groups roamed the hinterlands and build their huts in the heart of the jungle area. Ilocano language is widely used in the lowlands of the various municipalities while Ifugao is the predominant dialect in the upland parts. Other dialects are Bugkalot, Pangasinense and Kankanai.

Geography

The Sierra Madre Mountain Range provides a natural barrier on the eastern and southern border and the Mamparang Range on the western part of the province. The province is generally mountainous, about 80 percent of the total land area is covered by mountains and highlands.

Location

Quirino province lies in the southeastern portion of Cagayan Valley. It is situated within the upper portion of the Cagayan River Basin bounded by Isabela on the north, Aurora on the east and southeast and Nueva Vizcaya on the west and southwest.

Area and Population

The province occupies an aggregate land area of 3,057.18 square kilometers which is approximately 8.4 percent of the total regional area and about 1.02 percent of the total land area of the country. Small as it may be, the little province has its own promise of making it big in the field of tourism. Part of the province's comparative advantage is its accessibility to Aurora. The population of the province as 1995 mid-decade census of population was 131,119, roughly 43 persons per square kilometer of land.

Climate

The province has a mean annual temperature of 26.6 degree Celsius. Warmest month is May and least dry months are March to August while the rest of the year is neither too dry nor too wet. These are the best times to visit the province--trek its mountains and explore its caves. Rainy days occur in September to November.

http://www.bar.gov.ph/finalweb/Provinces/1images/QuirinoMap.gif
map from www.bar.gov.ph (http://www.bar.gov.ph/finalweb/Provinces/quirino.htm)

Political Subdivision

Quirino has six municipalities and these are Cabarroguis, the capital town, Saguday, Diffun, Maddela, Nagtipunan and Aglipay. The province has only one congressional district and 110 barangays.

Language

The major language is Ilocano which is spoken by 71.46 percent of the total populace. Other dialects are Ifugao, Bugkalot, Pangasinense and Kankanai.

Major Industries

Agriculture is the main industry with rice and corn as major crops. These are sold to supply the demands of neighboring provinces and the metropolis. Banana is also a major product and is sold in Metro Manila and Pampanga. Small scale industries like basketry, rattan craft and dried flower production are prevalent in the province. Marble and lime processing awaits investors.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

NAGBUKEL CAVE is a dome-shaped mountain usually visited by local tourists during the Holy Week for picnics and hiking and is being developed by the Lamplighter, a religious sect. Located along the national highway at Diffun, it is four kilometers from Cabarroguis.

AGLIPAY CAVES promises a special venue for communing with nature. A series of 38 caves, seven of which have been developed as tourist spots. Located in the midst of rolling hills and verdant forests, the caves boasts of peculiar characteristics such as underground river and well preserved stalagmites and stalactites. The caves interlink with each other and run to a depth of 20.0 meters. In the area are six cottages and picnic huts for overnight tourists. The caves are ten kilometers from Cabarroguis.

GOVERNOR RAPIDS is famous for its gigantic perpendicular walls of limestone jutting out from one side of the Cagayan River framing the Sierra Madre Mountain and its swift turbulent deep blue water perfect fro white river rafting, swimming and fishing. The riverside offers a suitable picnic ground with magnificent view of the Cagayan River this part of the region and is very accessible at Barrio Bisangal/ Divisoria Sur, Maddela some 34 kilometers from Cabarroguis.

AGLIPAY TOWN is a history-laden town having gotten its name from Fr. Gregorio Aglipay, a Philippine Independent Church priest who rebelled against the Spanish colonizers in his time and settled at the banks of Addalam River in Aglipay.

NAGTIPUNAN TOWN is home to virgin forests and perfect for ecotourism. It is being developed as a gateway to Quezon Province. Nagtipunan is about 54 kilometers from Cabarroguis.

VICTORIA FALLS at barrio Sangbay, Nagtipunan is believed to be one of the sources of the mighty Cagayan River which bisects the valley and ends at Aparri Delta.

BISANGAL waterfalls in Maddela rests on a virgin forestland. It serves as a sanctuary for endangered species of wildlife and is located 35 kilometers from the town of Cabarroguis.

Sources:
http://www.quirino.com.ph/
http:// (http://www.dilg.gov.ph/region2/provinces/quirino/quirino.htm)www.dilg.gov.ph (http://www.dilg.gov.ph/region2/provinces/quirino/quirino.htm)
http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph

[allan_dude]

PGMA cites Quirino province's contribution to gov’ts food sufficiency and social justice thrust

CABARROGUIS, Quirino---President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cited today Quirino Province's important contribution to the government's thrust for self-sufficiently in rice in the next five years and the delivery of social justice for indigenous people.

In her message during the celebration of the 37th Araw ng Quirino at the Quirino Grandstand here, the President said Quirinians led by Rep. Junie Cua and Gov. Dax Cua have shown their love, not only for the province but for the whole nation as well, by sharing the bounty of their land to its neighbors and even to the people of Metro Manila and the Visayas.

''You have shown your love not only for your provincemates but also for to the rest of the country by sharing with them your land's bounty. The vegetables you grow here feed your provincemates as well as the people in other parts of Luzon and the Visayas,'' the President said in the Ilokano dialect.

''You play an important role in the midst of the global food crisis by being self-sufficient in rice and number one banana producer in Region 2. You also supply coffee and peanuts to other provinces. And because of Quirino being self-sufficient in rice, we only have to import 10 percent of our rice needs,'' the President added.

The President said the government has been working tirelessly to face the global food and oil crises and the slowing down of the world’s economy, and with Quirino province's contribution, the government has succeeded in ensuring that food supplies remain stable.

The Chief Executive said that to fulfill the government's goal of modernizing the nation in the next 20 years and rice sufficiency in the next five years, the government has embarked into an enhanced agriculture program on fertlizers, irrigation, equipment, loans, dryers and other farm implements and seeds or FIELDS

She cited the Addalam Dam which she earlier inaugurated, as an important infrastructure that will increase agricultural yield.

''It will add 5,800 new hectares to its production area which today already has 1,000 hectares operating in Quirino and Isabela. The P1.3 billion irrigation project has created 1,208 new jobs.

As to the delivery of social justice for indigenous people, the President said Quirino province, including Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora provinces, which are home to the Bugkalot, Ifugao, Kankana-ey, Ibaloi and Agta, certificates of Ancestral Domain titles (CADTS) were awarded for some 100,000 hectares.

''These CADTS and other agricultural inputs promise to bring in more production and increased income,'' she said.

The President told the over 6,000 Quirinians who patiently waited for her arrival at the Quirino Grandstand, that she joined in their Panagdadapun 2008 celebration to personally thank them for ''loving your province and the whole country.''

''I will be forever humble at having had the privilege of serving the Republic of the Philippines together with the people of Quirino,'' the President said.

After the short program at the Quirino grandstand, the President inaugurated the P9.4 -million PGMA cottages which were constructed as part of the development of Capitol Hills as primary tourist attraction in the province.

The PGMA cottages are situated on top of a hill overlooking the Island Quirino Park.

http://www.gov.ph/news/?i=22169

[allan_dude]

RDC-2 endorses establishment of micro hydro power plant in Nueva Vizcaya

Cabbaroguis Quirino -- The Regional Development Council endorsed to the Department of Energy (DOE) a resolution requesting for funding support for the conduct of a feasibility study regarding the establishment of a micro-hydro power plant for identified agrarian reform beneficiaries and rebel returnees in the highland farming communities of Nueva Vizcaya.

Tourism Regional Dir. Blessida G. Diwa presented before the council the need of the communities particularly on energy and agricultural infrastructure for the agrarian reform beneficiaries and rebel returnees of municipalities of Ambaguio, Alfonso Castaneda, Bayombong, Sta. Fe, Bagabag, and Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.

She said that the remoteness of these communities makes electric grid services difficult making renewable energy sources the only viable option to energize the areas.

The project involves the preparation of a feasibility study on the establishment of the power plant with power capacity ranging from 5-500 mega watts in the 7 municipalities covering 22 barangays in the remaining Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC) not covered by support services through the Official Development Assistance (ODA) portfolio of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Diwa said the objective of the project is anchored on best practices and approaches on food and energy security, poverty alleviation, people empowerment, productivity, sustainability and global competitiveness.

It also aims to improve farmer beneficiaries' productivity and income and likewise contribute to the utilization of indigenous energy sources to promote energy independence.

The project may cost about P60.060 million to be financed under the regular Barangay Electrification Program (BEP) of the DOE and other financing institutions.

The council said the project is consistent to the national and regional thrust that underscores the need to fight poverty and build prosperity to the greatest number of Filipino people.

They also pointed out that the project supports the program of the national government in the provision of support services for the welfare of the rebel returnees in pursuit of peace and national reconciliation and cessation of hostilities generated by armed conflicts. (PIA Cagayan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080923.htm&no=63

[allan_dude]

Quirino conducts tourism planning workshop

Cabarroguis, Quirino -- The Provincial Tourism Office here recently conducted a three-day tourism appreciation, tour guiding, packaging and tourism development planning at the Aglipay Caves and Campsite.

Aurea V. Martinez, Provincial Tourism Officer said the seminar was aimed at equipping the local tourist guides with the basics of tour guiding and the necessary skills they need in promoting or selling the province' tourist destinations to local and foreign tourists.

The three-day training also aimed to train the policy-makers, planners, business leaders and other stakeholders in creating, developing and implementing tourism programs and projects that will boost the tourism industry of the province.

Celso Turingan of the Department of Tourism discussed Tourism Appreciation and Awareness. He emphasized the importance of instilling in the minds of Quirinians the benefits derived from any tourism activity and at the same time preserving the natural beauty of the environment.

Turingan pointed out that many of the tourism potentials in Quirino need rehabilitation to expand tourism and visitor activities in the province.

Dr. Erwin Belane, Chief Tourism Operations Officer of the DOT talked about the need for a tourism plan and tour packages in the Local Government Unit level. He said a well-planned tourism activity will result to an increased employment opportunities among the local folks and an enhanced local economy.

Belane added that a well-crafted tourism package will increase visitor satisfaction. "If the tourists are satisfied, they will keep on coming back, and the more they come, more money will be invested in the area," Belane concluded.

After the lectures, Belane guided the participants in preparing tour packages and itineraries for tourists. (PIA Quirino)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p081003.htm&no=75

[allan_dude]

Quirino hosts Regional Tourism Quiz Bee

Cabarroguis, Quirino -- The province hosted the recently concluded Regional Tourism Quiz Bee (RTQB) which was participated by high school and college students from four municipalities and two cities in the region.

Director Blessilda Diwa of the Department of Tourism said the RTQB is a yearly event in celebration of the National Tourism Week from September 22- 26 to generate tourism awareness among the youth.

This year's celebration centered on the theme "Tourism: Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change".

Provincial Tourism Officer Aurea Martinez stressed the need to mitigate the effects of global warming by way of educating the youth on the adverse effects and causes of the warming of the climate system.

Adjudged as champions were Maria Edessa D. Tumbali, a fourth year student of Cagayan National High School (CNHS) in Tuguegarao City and John Albert C. Benesa, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science student of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU).

Other winners in the secondary level were: Marjorie B. Nicolas of Aldersgate College H.S. Department, Solano, NV (second place), and Florence D. Pelena of Gadu High School, Solana, Cag. (third place).

For the tertiary level, the other winners were Mc John Paul A. Fantonia, BS Accountancy student of Saint Paul University, Tuguegarao City (second place), and Robert Daco, BS in Information Technology student of STI, Cauayan City. (PIA Quirino)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p081003.htm&no=76

[allan_dude]

Quirino province to unveil biggest fossilized flower

Floro Taguinod
GMANews.TV

CABBAROGUIS, Quirino – This province’s annual festivities kicked off on Monday on the occasion of its 37th founding anniversary dubbed “Panagdadapun", a Bugkalot word which means “Assembly".

As the region’s youngest province, the provincial government of Quirino has embarked on a vigorous preparation which will showcase the province’s tourism potentials among others.

“We made sure that this year’s events will be worth remembering since we are also acknowledging Quirino’s steady rise from a once obscure province to a major contributor to Cagayan Valley’s rising economy," Gov. Dakila Cua said.

Cua also said that this year’s affair will be unique as it is designed to bring out the best that the young province can offer.

Just like in previous years, tourists from many parts of the country are expected to take part in the province’s festivities.

One of the most awaited is the unveiling of the biggest fossilized flower.

Fossilized flower making is one of the renowned home based industry in the province, as it caters to a wide market based in Manila and neighboring provinces, it is also being exported outside the country.

“We are harnessing the dynamism of Quirinians to develop our tourism potentials, we are already successful in the promotion of our eco-tourism and cottage industries but we are not resting just yet, Quirino still has a lot to offer." Cua said

Among the featured activities for the three day affair include- environmental awareness activities, job fairs and medical missions, agro-industrial fair, exhibits, skills and academic competitions and sports events.

The affairs’ cultural night will showcase the celebrated unique presentation of the province’s most beautiful ladies and awarding of recognition to outstanding Quirinians.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/119118/Quirino-province-to-unveil-biggest-fossilized-flower

[allan_dude]

623 Novo Vizcayanos now working in Hanjin

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya -- At least 623 skilled workers from the province are now working at Hanjin Ship Building company in Olongapo City, officials of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) here said.

Eva Doniego, technical skills development officer said that the workers who completed a two-month skills training before their employment to the company are now sending their salaries to their respective families in the province.

"Despite the dangers and risks on their work, they remain to be safe. They told us that it is up to them to do and perform safety precautions during their work," Doniego said.

The workers, she said are now proud Novo Vizcayanos because of their contribution in reducing the unemployment rate in Nueva Vizcaya.

The 623 workers from the province, Doniego said was part of the huge number of skilled workers needed by the shipping company in the country. (bme/PIA NVizcaya)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p081006.htm&no=21

[allan_dude]

DBP, NVizcaya ink MOA for forest protection

Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya -- The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the provincial government here recently signed an agreement which seeks to reforest portions of the province which is one of the watershed areas of Cagayan Valley.

The Memorandum of Agreement(MOA) involves the reforestation of the 400 hectare area in barangay Namamparan in this town which serves as a critical watershed for the Magat river, supporting the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System(MARIIS) covering the provinces of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Ifugao.

The project has a P10 million funding where a revenue sharing of 30-70 percent will be undertaken from the income which will be generated from fruit bearing trees.

DBP's share is 30 percent while the provincial government shall receive 70 percent from the income that can be derived from the project which will be turned – over to a people's organization as its beneficiary. (bme/PIA NVizcaya)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p081015.htm&no=33

[allan_dude]

NVizcaya town launches "Munisipyo sa Barangay" project

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya -- In line with its thrust to bring government services closer to the people, the local government here recently launched a program designed to provide basic services and assistance to its villagers.

Mayor Benjamin "Jamie" Cuaresma III said the project dubbed "Munisipyo sa Barangay" aims to provide immediate assistance to the 25 barangays in town based on their pressing needs.

"We are doing this project to deliver the needed programs, projects and activities on the doorsteps of our constituents and also consult with them on their pressing problems so that these can be acted upon," Cuaresma told PIA.

Barangays Abian and Mauuan were the first communities who recently benefited from the project in terms of provision of 2,000 Tilapia fingerlings and 300 coconut trees to promote agriculture and fisheries as a source of income among the villagers.

The project is also participated by various divisions of the LGU, providing its frontline services such as issuance of community tax certificates, civil registration documents and health services among others.

The Tilapia fingerlings and coconut trees were jointly provided by the provincial government, municipal government, fisheries department and public market office of the LGU here. (PIA NVizcaya)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p081017.htm&no=49

[allan_dude]

Quirino gov swears in new PTC officers

Cabarroguis, Quirino -- Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua inducted the newly elected officers of the Provincial Tourism Council recently at the Capitol Plaza Hotel here.

The reorganized PTC is composed of DTI Provincial Director, Julie Alonzo as Chairman; Clemente Salvador (PGO), Vice Chairman on Marketing and Promotions; Samuel Benigno (QSC), Research and Development; Manahan Attagoy (NCIP) Culture and Arts.

Other elected officers are Aurea Martinez (PTO), Secretary; Evelyn Clemente (Abrasa MPC) Treasurer; SB Jojo Vaquilar (Diffun), Asst. Treasurer; Marcy Foryasen (DISADECO), Auditor; Thelma Bicarme (PIA) and Ronnie Baingan, (Maddela) PIO; Jun Biagan and Lemuel Malaluan, Bus. Managers.

Elected as Board of Directors are SP Edward Salvador, Paul Turla (QCCI), Mila Liclican (Diffun), Francisco Bareng (Maddela), SB Gloria Sanidad (Cabarroguis), SB Gilbert Eustaquio (Aglipay), Mario Garingan (KABALIKAT), Mario Fernando (Grecon) and Jose Candelario (CASAMATODA).

The PTC serves as a planning body which coordinates, supervises and assesses the implementation of programs and projects for the improvement and sustainability of the tourism industry in the province.

It is also committed to help the provincial tourism office promote the tourism industry of the province. The PTC will also explore potential tourism destination in their area and develop tour packages which will be sold to local as well as foreign tourists. (PIA Quirino)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p081013.htm&no=68

[allan_dude]

Construction of PGMA's Belance-Bitnung road in NVizcaya to start

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's commitment to develop a farm-to-market road connecting barangays Bitnung and Belance in the town of Dupax del Norte here will soon start without delay, this was bared by officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here said.

Engr. Rodolfo Torralba, district engineer of DPWH sub-district here said the P130 million construction of the intermittent sections of the Belance-Bitnung road will start in November this year which will be completed within 540 calendar days or 18 months.

"We have just completed the bid evaluation of qualified bidders, so we hope that there will be no more delays," Torralba said.

According to Torralba, the project's Special Allotment Release Order(SARO) for the total amount of the project was already released while the Sub-Allotment Advice(SAA) which will contain segmented funding for its gradual construction is underway.

The development and rehabilitation of the Bitnung-Belance road was committed by President Arroyo during her visit to the province in March this year where she stressed the need for more road development in the upland town of Dupax del Norte to help farmers in transporting their products without delay to the market.

Arroyo felt the need for the construction of farm-to – market roads to help vegetable farmers who are mostly cultural communities in the town.

The infrastructure project is in line with her vision to transform Cagayan Valley as part of the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle(NLAQ) which she emphasized in her 2006 State of the Nation Address(SONA) before the House of Representatives. (bme/PIA NVizcaya)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p081015.htm&no=35

[allan_dude]

Foreign funds for agrarian reform poured under PGMA administration

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya -- Funds for agrarian reform were poured by foreign institutions under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to fast track land distribution and support services, officials of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) here bared.

Joselito Garcia, provincial agrarian reform officer said compared with the past administrations, President Arroyo got more foreign funds from the Asian Development Bank(ADB) which were used on the construction of farm-to-market roads and irrigation facilities within the Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in the province.

"More foreign projects were noted during President Arroyo's term which enabled us and our partner agencies in developing the productivity of our ARCs," Garcia said.

According to Garcia, there were 5 FMRs constructed at present with foreign funds amounting to more than P17 million.

It was also during this administration that DAR, Garcia added that resolution of cases have been intensified with 772 at present compared to the 492 cases during the term of President Joseph Estrada, 239 during the Ramos administration and 136 during the Aquino administration. (PIA NVizcaya)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p081017.htm&no=47

[allan_dude]

NVizcaya gets new hospital equipment

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya -- The provincial government here recently acquired P2.3 million-worth of hospital equipments through its ties with the Novo Vizcayanos in Hawaii.

Governor Luisa Cuaresma said that after her successful trip in the United States, an anesthesia machine worth P1.8 million and P50,000 worth of hospital supplies were brought home to be turned-over to the provincial hospital.

The medical supplies and equipments were donated by the Nueva Vizcaya Association of Hawaii.

Dr. Edwin Galapon, Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital(NVPH) chief said more assistance is expected from the organization because of their strengthened relationship with provincial officials here headed by Cuaresma.

"We were assured of more health assistance for the province which are all focused for the betterment of health and wellness of Novo Vizcayanos", Galapon said. (bme/PIA NVizcaya)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p081015.htm&no=34

[garzland]

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5738/mapofnagave1.png

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

[[dx]]

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/8075/legazpixmasat3.jpg
Photo by when milko shoots (http://flickr.com/photos/when_milko_shoots/)

[kevinb]

:banana::banana::banana:Merry Christmas to everyone!!!:banana::banana::banana:

[METROPOLITAN_ILOILO]

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/3/12/24/f_christmasatm_a8eb058.jpg

[METROPOLITAN_ILOILO]

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/3/12/24/f_christmasatm_a8eb058.jpg

[garzland]

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5738/mapofnagave1.png

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

[garzland]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!

From SSC Naga

[Taz08]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/bobtaz08/SSC.jpg?t=1230790298

[Taz08]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/bobtaz08/SSC.jpg?t=1230790298

[venntro]

2 threatened owls escape cooking pot (http://http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=441905&publicationSubCategoryId=63)
By Charlie Lagasca Updated February 20, 2009 12:00 AM


SANTIAGO CITY, Philippines – Two endangered owls were rescued in Quirino province last weekend, according to the San Isidro community environment and natural resources office here.

Officer Pablo de la Cruz said the owls were turned over to the regional office of broadcaster ABS-CBN here.

“It’s fortunate that the finders thought of turning over the birds instead of selling or having them for food, which is the common practice,” said De la Cruz.

Farmers Elmer Pacio and Roseller Domingo found the owls wandering in a sprawling field, apparently weak.

Instead of selling or eating the owls, Pacio and Domingo gave them to a school utility worker who in turn handed them over to the ABS-CBN office here.

“It’s possible that the birds’ habitat was already running out of food, prompting them to scout for other feeding areas,” De la Cruz said.

Owls, which hunt small mammals, insects, and other birds (some specialize in hunting fish), belong to the order of birds of prey, comprising 200 species. The bird species, mostly solitary and nocturnal, is found in practically all regions of the earth except Antarctica and some remote islands.

A number of endangered species of birds including the Philippine eagle have been rescued in different parts of the northern Sierra Madre.

Environmentalists believe that endangered animal and flora species have been displaced or threatened due to illegal logging, kaingin or slash and burn farming, forest burning, hunting and other environmentally destructive activities.

[dandelionne]

SM Prime to build Santiago megamall
By R. Alluad, 26 Feb 2009
Source: Business Mirror
Santiago City—SM Prime Holdings, Inc., owner-operator of SM Megamall across the country, will construct a 5-hectare megamall and recreation center in Barangay Malvar in this city soon.

City Mayor Amelita Navarro said she has negotiated with officials of the SM Prime Holdings, and company owner Henry Sy is “very eager”to make the city as the newest SM Megamall.

Ïf fully realized this multimillion peso business venture will be a blessing for Santiago City folks in terms of business boom and employment opportunities,” she said.

The contractors are now cleaning the site before construction starts.

The new mall will have three levels of commercial space that would house a food court, entertainment zone, recreation area, and parking spaces.

The area used to be the government-foreclosed Pantranco terminal along Pantranco-Sagana Road in Malvar village.

It is in front of the P350-million integrated transport terminal and commercial center that is now in operation.

“They are raring to put up one in Cagayan Vallley, and this city was the area they have chosen because of its proximity to the provinces and for being the primary commercial area in the region,” Navarro said.

This city is accessible from the provinces of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Cagayan.


GUYS,YOU CAN CONFIRM IT AT WWW.SMPRIME.COM. on their NEWS Section.
__________________

[freightrunner]

PIA Press Release
2009/03/13

NVizcaya eyes full energization by 2010
Dupax Del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya (13 March) -- In support of the national government's thrust for the full energization of the country by 2010, Nueva Vizcaya is set to be of such as there are only 22 barangays left to be prioritized for electrification development by the electric cooperative here.

Abraham Reyes, Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative (NUVELCO) director for district 6 said out of the 22 remaining barangays to be energized, 13 are within the gridable coverage of the cooperative while 9 are within the non-gridable areas.

"This means that the non-gridable areas will have to use solar - powered facilities compared to the gridable areas where we can still provide them with our usual energization system," he said.

The remaining unenergized villages are located in the towns of Ambaguio, Deupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Kasibu and Diadi.

"We do not see any problems on the way and we are optimistic that we can reach our goal," Reyes said.

Lloyd Valdez, NUVELCO board of directors president said they have also discussed the energization of non-gridable areas with the Department of Energy(DoE) for the utilization of solar - powered facilities in these areas.

He said they are in the process of negotiating the maintenance of these facilities so that they can be maintained and repaired immediately from time to time.

"This is what we are endorsing to the DOE that whoever will win in the bidding, they have to establish their office in the province to immediately respond to these problems and to technically train our personnel for this purpose," Valdez said. (PIA NVizcaya) [top]

[garzland]

DOH gives P10 M to Nueva Vizcaya provincial hospital (http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Health_21/DOH_gives_P10_M_to_Nueva_Vizcaya_provincial_hospital.shtml)

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya, March 14 (PNA) - The Department of Health (DOH) recently gave P10 million to the Nueva Ecija Provincial Hospital (NVPH) for facilities improvement.

Dr. Edwin Galapon, NVPH chief, said the fund will be used to buy modern equipment and facilities improvement.

The modern equipment will be for the delivery, operating and intensive care unit rooms.

"With these improvements, NVHP will soon be elevated from secondary to a tertiary-level hospital where more services will be provided to patients," Galapon said.

Since 2004, the provincial government has invested much to the NVPH in its bid to transform it into a health-tourism enterprise.

Under this thrust, the provincial government has fast tracked the upgrading of the hospital's facilities, acquiring of modern equipment and construction of additional buildings.
The hospital has recently established a dialysis center, where kidney patients can avail of lower cost of treatment. (PNA)

[zoroethgenre_003]

Saint Mary's University - Bayombong

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8d/Smu_colored_logo.jpg

[garzland]

100 new high schools await PGMA green light --Nograles (http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Education_20/100_new_high_schools_await_PGMA_green_light_--Nograles.shtml)

MANILA, March 25 (PNA) -- Even as the country counts every strand of economic options to shield the Filipino family from the effects of the global economic crunch, Speaker Prospero Nograles on Tuesday said education remains the highest priority.

"This is a Constitutional mandate we will never deviate from," said Nograles as he reported that awaiting the signature of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are 100 local bills establishing the same number of new national high schools spread nationwide.

The Speaker noted that during the first regular session of the 14th Congress, the legislature has approved and transmitted to the Office of the President 114 local bills, 100 of which seek the establishment of new national high schools all over the country.

The proposed high schools are to be located in Surigao del Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Leyte, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Oriental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Bulacan, Nueva Vizcaya, La Union, Agusan del Sur, South Cotabato, Kalinga, Bohol, Mandaluyong City, Ifugao, Zamboanga Sibugay, Nueva Ecija, Dinagat Islands, Misamis Occidental, Mountain Province, Benguet, Antique, Batangas, Tarlac, Davao City, Masbate, Lanao del Sur, Cagayan de Oro City, and Aurora.

Marikina City Rep. Del de Guzman said the building of these new schools would be part of the infrastructure development for education, which would also generate jobs during their construction and spur productivity among downstream industries supplying building materials and related enterprises.

"These are collateral benefits resulting from the development of educational infrastructures," he added.

Nograles and House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor noted that the committee on basic education chaired by Rep. De Guzman is one among the most prolific committees during the first regular session in terms of number of bills acted upon and approved by both chambers of Congress.

Defensor said that apart from the 25 measures signed into law, there are some 10 bills of national interest that await the President’s signature.

Seven other bills -- five national and two local -- are pending in conference committees and expected to be ratified during the early weeks of the resumption of the regular session of Congress on April 13.

Statistics from the Bills and Index Section of the Plenary Affairs Bureau show that as of March 9, the House recorded some 6,090 bills filed (3,268 national and 2,822 local), and some 6,067 have been referred for committee actions.

Some 960 bills -- 22 national and 838 local -- are also pending action by the Senate. A total of 33 measures (18 national and 15 local) have been approved by the House on second reading.
During the same period, 1,042 resolutions have been filed, 373 were adopted by the House, and 669 referred for action by the various standing and special committees. There were 25 concurrent resolutions, eight adopted by the House, three House resolutions adopted by the Senate, and one adopted by both Chambers. There were also 33 House Joint Resolutions filed. (PNA)

[garzland]

Nueva Vizcaya eyes 1st class status in 2011 (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Nueva_Vizcaya_eyes_1st_class_status_in_2011.shtml)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, April 9 (PNA)--– Nueva Vizcaya is expected to be elevated into a first class province in 2011.

“We hope that by 2011, with the leadership of our provincial officials, we will attain our first-class status,” said Perfecto Martinez, Jr., provincial treasurer.

Martinez said if the 2009 projected tax collection which is P576,302,000 will be sustained until 2011, the province, which currently has 2nd-class status, will be able to consistently attain the required P450,000,000-income bracket.

“The attainment of a 1st-class status means that we are progressive, we have saturated our local tax sources and we will have more than sufficient funds for projects and services for our constituents,” he said.

According to Martinez, the recent discovery of the Provincial Assessor’s Office (PAO) of the alleged fraudulent declaration of CMIPP properties in Alfonso Castaneda town will also boost the provincial government’s bid for a first–class status since these will become tax collectibles for the province amounting to more than P1.75 billion.

“In fact, we have a dialogue on this with officials from the Department of Finance, National Irrigation Administration and CMIPP operators,” Martinez said.

The CMIPP real property tax, he said represents the biggest collectible amount from local sources.
He said the position of the provincial government is to collect the amount and if they will refuse to pay, they will apply civil remedies. (PNA)

[garzland]

Nueva Vizcaya tax collection up in 2008 (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Nueva_Vizcaya_tax_collection_up_in_2008.shtml)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, April 9, (PNA) – The province improved its tax collection last year, an official of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) here said.

“Because of the full support of our provincial officials to the revenue generation program, we were able to increase our tax collection for 2008,” Perfecto Martinez, Jr., provincial treasurer, said.

The improved tax collection, Martinez said, will pave the way for the implementation of more infrastructure projects in the province particularly farm-to-market roads, schools in upland areas, Dumlao boulevard project in Bayombong town and the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park in Diadi town.

The increase in tax collection, Martinez added, came from the beginning balance or unspent budget for 2007, local sources such as local taxes, fees and charges and income from local government-managed hospitals.

Most of the collected taxes, he said came from the real property taxes such that the target collectibles for last year which was P105 million was surpassed with more than P43 million or a total of more than P148 million.

“The increase includes a windfall or unexpected tax remitted from the operation of the Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project (CMIPP),” Martinez said.
CMIPP operators remit more than P62 million real property tax payments yearly to the provincial government. From the amount, P14 million is the share of the provincial government. (PNA)

[garzland]

Collect more than P19M from telecom firms (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Collect_more_than_P19M_from_telecom_firms.shtml)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, April 10 (PNA) -– The provincial government here was set to collect more than Php19 million in real property tax from giant telecommunication firms in the country.

Perfecto Martinez, Jr., provincial treasurer, said the Php19,583,000 real property taxes will be settled by SMART with Php7.4 million, Globe with Php7 million and Digital Telecommunications Philippines(Digitel) with Php5 million.

“We are optimistic about this, because based on Supreme Court cases where it sustained the taxability of telecommunication companies in Batangas City, Pangasinan and other provinces in the country,” he said.

Martinez said delinquent properties are also being studied for further imposition of penalties and sanctions.
Martinez said the improving tax collection would also boost Nueva Vizcaya’s bid as first-class province in 2011. (PNA)

[Rodel]

near the Nueva Ecija boundary in Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/misc/P1020007.jpg

[Ecija]

Nueva Vizcaya deserves first class status.:)

[jsl_bxu1206]

Nueva Viscaya

http://www.paraisophilippines.com/img/nueva%20vizcaya.jpg

http://images.google.com.ph/imgres?imgurl=http://www.paraisophilippines.com/img/vizcayacave.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.paraisophilippines.com/2008/07/page/2/&usg=__23d9c2exHmxW3Bxv1HjBCe78NT4=&h=519&w=780&sz=446&hl=en&start=4&tbnid=HEQyPwBNI_UMwM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=142&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnueva%2Bviscaya%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

[jsl_bxu1206]

Citrus Capital of the Philippines - Nueva Viscaya

http://www.paraisophilippines.com/img/vizcayafruits.jpg

http://images.google.com.ph/imgres?imgurl=http://www.paraisophilippines.com/img/vizcayacave.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.paraisophilippines.com/2008/07/page/2/&usg=__23d9c2exHmxW3Bxv1HjBCe78NT4=&h=519&w=780&sz=446&hl=en&start=4&tbnid=HEQyPwBNI_UMwM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=142&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnueva%2Bviscaya%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

[jsl_bxu1206]

Capisaan Caves in Kasibu, Nueva Viscaya

http://www.paraisophilippines.com/img/vizcayacave.jpg

http://images.google.com.ph/imgres?imgurl=http://www.paraisophilippines.com/img/vizcayacave.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.paraisophilippines.com/2008/07/page/2/&usg=__23d9c2exHmxW3Bxv1HjBCe78NT4=&h=519&w=780&sz=446&hl=en&start=4&tbnid=HEQyPwBNI_UMwM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=142&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnueva%2Bviscaya%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

[jsl_bxu1206]

Pine trees of Aritao, Nueva Viscaya

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/3901884.jpg

http://images.google.com.ph/imgres?imgurl=http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/3901884.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3901884&usg=__4qYFbtuzfqwz49cFhXMD6FCxKFI=&h=1536&w=2048&sz=1068&hl=en&start=13&tbnid=A3BwXxGwbV0O0M:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnueva%2Bviscaya%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

[jsl_bxu1206]

Dupax del Sur Church, Nueva Viscaya

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[jsl_bxu1206]

Dampol Bridge (Dupax del Sur), Nueva Viscaya

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http://images.google.com.ph/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/2187786216_2a7317f4c7.jpg&imgrefurl=http://heritageconservation.wordpress.com/category/nueva-vizcaya/&usg=__HW2nw5xep4j8uuXR6o7ZBlaXvf8=&h=375&w=500&sz=132&hl=en&start=23&tbnid=ZuC7j_m-_XjYqM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnueva%2Bviscaya%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20

[jsl_bxu1206]

Santa Fe, Nueva Viscaya Philippines

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http://images.google.com.ph/imgres?imgurl=http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/4513166.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.panoramio.com/photo/4513166&usg=__Mur-2616bsmkGZdHf486s_W245U=&h=2448&w=3264&sz=3508&hl=en&start=29&tbnid=JYd6P1o46iruuM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnueva%2Bviscaya%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20

[garzland]

NV TESDA, UK-based mining firm bag international award (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Inspirational_25/NV_TESDA_UK-based_mining_firm_bag_international_award.shtml)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, April 18 (PNA) – The Out of School Youth (OSY) Skills Development and Placement Program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the UK-based FCF Minerals Corporation has won an international award.

The award was given during the recent Asia Mining Congress Sustainability awards 2009 in Singapore.

The program features the transformation of OSYs and unemployed males in barangay Runruno, Quezon town into workers, who now support their families.

Stage 1 of the project involves the accommodation of 24 OSYs into Work Scholarship slots on technical skills such as shielded and gas metal arc welding by TESDA and eventually employed in Polarmarine and Hanjin Heavy Industries Inc., both international companies based at Subic, Zambales.

Stage 2, all the recruited unemployed males of the province will be trained and to work at Hanjin shipyard.

”It was a tough call but FCF Minerals won by organizing a community development initiative that truly embodies what community development should be. Their initiative has played a major role in connecting with and developing local communities,” a statement of one of the World Bank Board of Judges said.

A series of Job Fairs were also conducted in various locations with TESDA and FCF Minerals wherein 640 OSYs are now employed at the shipyard.

Some of the workers are now promoted as deputy foremen, foremen, leadmen and trainors.

The program is timely because of the global financial crisis where thousands lose their jobs as a result of company recessions and financial meltdowns.

This is the first time that an entry from the Philippines won the award.
Other FCF Minerals Corporation officials who joined Dr. Ernesto Mendoza in receiving the awards in Singapore are FCF Director Ian Holzberger and Jonathan Beadsworth. (PNA)

[garzland]

Nueva Vizcaya eyes forest jobs to former rebels (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Nueva_Vizcaya_eyes_forest_jobs_to_former_rebels.shtml)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, May 8 (PNA) – Former rebels of this province were offered jobs by the government through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Robert Apigo, provincial government and natural resources officer (PENRO), said that around 200 rebel returnees of the province availed the government’s program on Upland Development.

Under the program, Apigo said the rebels can be tapped as forest rangers and will be assigned in the areas of the province with P3,000 monthly salary.

”We are asking you to furnish us list of able-bodied members and we will provide them a source of livelihood,” Apigo said during the recently done Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting with the representatives of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) and Nueva Vizcaya Rebel Returnees’ Association (NVRRA).
"The program will provide source of income while we are still in the process of developing your livelihood projects as contained in the proposals,” Apigo said. (PNA)

[garzland]

Nueva Vizcaya tribesmen turn to new knowledge for livelihood (http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Nueva_Vizcaya_tribesmen_turn_to_new_knowledge_for_livelihood.shtml)

By Mediatrix P. Cristobal

MANILA, May 17 (PNA) -- Native tribesmen of Nueva Vizcaya are turning to entrepreneurship by making import-quality hand-made paper, through salago bark and cogon leaves that are abundant in their community in a bid to help them start up their own businesses.

"We taught the participants how to make handmade paper from salago bark, cogon leaves and wild banana leaf sheaths. They were surprised to learn that these raw materials that thrived in their land and have little use to them can easily be transformed into beautiful handmade paper," said DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute Region 2 coordinator Cesar O. Austria.

The Kalahans are among Nueva Viscaya's ethnic tribes who dwell in the provinces' mountain communities.

They used to make jams and jellies from wild mountain fruits and sell it to small markets in Metro Manila to support their families.

The DOST, through the Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Program (NTFP) aims to provide them alternative or additional livelihood.

A three-day training course participated by 13 Kalahans, mostly housewives and students, learned how to make handmade paper from FPRDI.

"With the support of the NTFP, it can become a full-blown livelihood project that can open other doors for the community.”

Austria said the craft is very suitable to the Kalahans since it uses simple tools that can be found in their homes.

"It does not need any specialized skill and requires only minimal investment. It is also very apt for housewives who can make handmade paper at home in their spare time,” he said.

“Handmade paper production is a promising opportunity for the Kalahans who soon may not have to sustain themselves only through farming and selling of preserves," Austria noted.

From 1995 to 1999, Philippine homemade paper was a sunrise industry with exports averaging 120.22 million dollars annually. Rough or chemi-mechanical processed paper made Filipino ingenuity a byword among international buyers.

The Handmade Paper Industry is highly export-oriented as evidenced by the 96 percent export share of the total sales in 1999, contributing 24 percent of the total handmade paper exports of the Philippines. Handmade papers and paper products from Philippines are been exported to the U.S., Australia, Europe, and Japan. (PNA)

[garzland]

Micro–hydro project to rise in Nueva Vizcaya town (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Micro_hydro_project_to_rise_in_Nueva_Vizcaya_town.shtml)

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya, May 20 (PNA)-– A micro-hydro power project is set to be completed here in June next year to help reduce the cost of electricity within the affected community.

Once completed, the project will generate 1.895 megawatts of power within barangay Commonal of this town said Kraub Heageder, vice president of Smithbell Mini-hydro Corporation.

“The power that will be generated from the project will be sold to the Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative at five percent lower from the current market rate,” Heageder said.

The project involves the utilization and development of the hydro-power potentials of the Bintawan river to generate electricity by using 2,900 kilowatt turbines.

He said some of the benefits of the project are investments on small and medium enterprises, savings from foreign exchange requirements and reduction of carbon dioxide gas emissions, stabilization of weak sections of the watershed and job opportunities for the local community, among others.
The project has been endorsed by the Uddiawan Irrigators Association, barangay councils of Commonal and Uddiawan, municipal council and National Commission on Indigenous Communities (NCIP), among others. (PNA)

[garzland]

NV officials donate P50,000 to honest HK OFW's family (http://positivenewsmedia.com/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/NV_officials_donate_P50_000_to_honest_HK_OFW_s_family.shtml)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, June 5 (PNA) -– Provincial officials, led by governor Luisa Cuaresma, has approved the granting of P50,000 initial assistance to the family of Mildred Perez, a jobless contract worker in Hongkong who returned HK$ 350,545 or P2.1 million in cash and checks she found in a garbage bin to its owner.

Cuaresma said the assistance will be granted after the provincial board approved Wednesday a resolution for such.

The resolution also commended Mildred for portraying the age–old value of honesty among Novo Vizcayanos, the governor said.

“That is how Novo Vizcayanos, particularly Bambanguenos are. Because even her husband did the same to an official of the Nueva Vizcaya State University(NVSU),” Cuaresma said.

She said they are also looking for other assistance that can be extended to Mildred and her family in Bambang town.

Novo Vizcayanos are in high spirits because of Mildred’s unusual display of honesty despite her own needs.

Last April 29, Mildred’ found the P2.1 million in cash and checks inside a garbage bin while scavenging for garbage and other salable left–overs in Hongkong just to support her daily needs after she was terminated from her job due to a harassment case she filed against her employer.
The money's owner rewarded Mildred with a can of cookies. (PNA)

[garzland]

NIA bares plan to protect irrigation systems in Nueva Vizcaya (http://positivenewsmedia.com/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/NIA_bares_plan_to_protect_irrigation_systems_in_Nueva_Vizcaya.shtml)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, June 5 (PNA) – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is to intensify rehabilitation of this province’s mountains, which has been identified as a crucial measure in preventing the continued destruction of irrigation systems in the wake of typhoons.

Provincial Engineer and NIA Officer-in-Charge Francisco Domingsil today said, “This plan if realized is more effective and it will eventually reduce the expenses of our national as well as local government units in maintaining our irrigation systems.”

Domingsil was referring to the ongoing talks between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), NIA and irrigators’ association in Cagayan Valley for a community-based reforestation project that will focus on rehabilitating mountains as critical areas of erosion that contribute to the siltation of rivers.

The talks which started in 2008, Domingsil said, will be contained in a memorandum of agreement between the three parties.

He said the plan came due to the perennial erosion in the province alone brought by strong typhoons, which has forced rivers and creeks to swells, thereby inundating irrigation systems and destroying many farm lots.

“Nueva Vizcaya is the most affected area during strong typhoons since the level of our rivers is highly – elevated from Sta. Fe town down to Diadi town. Therefore, siltation, due to weak mountain slopes can easily fill our rivers and irrigation canals,” he said.

Domingsil said several mountains in the province have been weakened after the July 1990 earthquake and the lack of forest cover which can be easily washed away during strong rains.

He said the proposed community-based reforestation program is being carefully studied in order to involve farmer–irrigators in the unified effort to reforest the mountains.
“It is now being studied by the DENR so that identified areas for the program will be consistent and can blend with existing reforestation projects in the region,” Domingsil stressed, saying further that responsibilities of concerned agencies and organizations have already been formulated. (PNA)

[garzland]

Youth group, DENR sign agreement for environment protection (http://positivenewsmedia.com/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Youth_group_DENR_sign_agreement_for_environment_protection.shtml)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, June 5 (PNA)-– Members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) designed to protect and rehabilitate the environment of the province, being the watershed area of Cagayan Valley.

Angie Burton, SK chairman of the province, said the signing of the MOA was made during the first SK provincial congress recently attended by 218 delegates with 131 SK chairpersons and 87 SK councilors.

The congress, she said, solely focused on giving importance to the protection and rehabilitation of the environment with the theme, "Sama–sama para sa Kalikasan.”

Burton said the focus of the congress is timely because of the inundation of flash floods in the province triggered by loosening of mountain soils due to dwindling forest cover.

“During the congress, a pledge of commitment was made among our provincial officials and SK members in order to undertake efforts in rehabilitating our environment,” Burton said.

Under the MOA, the youth will undertake tree planting activities in the towns of Dupax del Sur, Aritao and Bayombong in coordination with the concerned Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENROs) in these areas.

Burton said initially, a one-hectare area has been identified in Barangay Indiana in Bambang town for their tree planting activity, an area in Barangay Dopaj in Dupax del Sur and the Lower Magat Eco-tourism Park in Diadi town.
She said they have proposed a P100,000-funding requirement for the project before the SK national federation. (PNA)

[Rodel]

guys, question...may part ba ng cordillera mountains na under sa jurisdiction ng nueva vizcaya?

[bledzoe]

http://anton.blogs.com/flag/large.jpg

HAPPY 111th INDEPENDENCE DAY!

credit to Mr. Anton Diaz for the photo.

[garzland]

Spain donates P31.4M for tribal hospital, absorbs 15 nurses from Nueva Vizcaya (http://positivenewsmedia.com/am2/publish/Health_21/Spain_donates_P31_4M_for_tribal_hospital_absorbs_15_nurses_from_Nueva_Vizcaya.shtml)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, July 9 (PNA) - The Spanish government has recently approved a package of health assistance including the deployment of nurses from the province in their country.

Jimmy Calata, information technology head of the provincial government here and the project coordinator of the Vizcaya-Bizkaia sisterhood agreement, said the package of Spain's assistance came following a visit of the provincial officials headed by Governor Luisa Cuaresma, Vice Governor Jose Gambito and Bishop Ramon Villena of the diocese of Bayombong and Quirino province in Basque Country in Spain last January 21.

The visit, he said, resulted in a closer relationship between Nueva Vizcaya and Bizkaia officials and understanding each province's related historical and cultural roots including the exploratory talks on other possible areas for collaboration.

"In fact, the original fund that we proposed for the construction of a hospital in our province was doubled," Calata said.

Under the agreement, Bizkaia province of Spain will provide P31.4 million for the establishment of a 25 bed, state-of-the art indigenous people's hospital in Aritao town that would provide sufficient medical and health services to indigenous communities in the upland villages who comprise 63 percent of the province's total population.

The P31.4 million assistance from Spain is in addition to the P2.8 million earlier raised by Villena, Calata said.

Bizkaia has also approved the deployment of at least 15 nurses from the province to its hospitals.

The first batch of 15 nurses from Nueva Vizcaya is part of the 28 nurses required by the Spanish Immigration Office from the country to work with Urgatzi, a company that manages a number of homes for the aged along with Olimpia Bass, Aulaga and Igurco companies in the province of Bizkaia, an autonomous region in northern Spain.

Calata said the deployment of Philippine nurses in Spain is under the Philippine-Spain Memorandum of Intent on migratory flows particularly the deployment of nurses which was approved by the Spanish Ministry of Labor in 2006.

"Our nurses will travel on July 10. So far, there are now 190 Filipino nurses working there. We hope that our nurses will be treated well," Calata said.

He said that during their visit to Bizkaia, Urgatzi officials promised to provide equal treatment and privileges to Nueva Vizcaya nurses who are new since their counterparts are already earning 40 percent higher than elsewhere in Spain.
Before their deployment to Spain, the 15 nurses from the province have completed Spanish language training as part of their preparatory requirements, Calata said. (PNA)

[allan_dude]

Vizcaya town eyes child and youth center

Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya -- A child and youth center will soon rise in this upland town to provide computer literacy among villagers here, local officials here said.

Mayor Moises Amokla said the establishment of a child and youth center is now being proposed for funding by the European Union(EU) with 600,000 Euros.

The center, he said will be equipped with at least 20 computers with rooms for conferences and seminars to house training needs of their constituents.

"We are now preparing documents for this so that it will materialize the soonest possible time," he said.

Amokla said they are also coordinating with various government agencies for possible funding support inorder to rehabilitate and improve their farm-to-market roads which were devastated by the typhoon "Emong".

"If you remember the July 16, 1990 earthquake, we have suffered the same damages after the onslaught of typhoon Emong," he said.

The Mayor's League Nueva Vizcaya Chapter Tuesday approved a resolution, requesting the Department of Agriculture for assistance particularly provision of funds for the needed farm-to-market roads in the municipality.

At present, Ambaguio is in the process of doing rehabilitation works on its access roads since these were totally washed out and covered by landslides due to the heavy rains brought by typhoon "Emong". (PIA NVizcaya)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=r02&y=&mo=&fi=p090716.htm&no=37

[garzland]

e-Health project launched in Nueva Vizcaya (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Health_21/e-Health_project_launched_in_Nueva_Vizcaya.shtml)

KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya, July 27 (PNA) -– A Philippine-based foundation has recently inked an agreement with hospitals and local health units in the province in a bid to eliminate deaths among pregnant women in this upland town.

The Molave Development Foundation, Inc., (MDFI) funded by Pan-Asian Collaboration for Evidence-based E-Health Adoption and Application (PANACEAA) in partnership with health sciences university of Mongolia, has launched the e-Health project in this town to provide collaborative research and intervention on improving maternal health care services by using information and communication technologies for remote consultation and education.

The project was given under a grant from the International Development Research Center of Canada (IDRCC) composed of three desktop computers for the regional, provincial and municipal hospitals and six laptop computers for Barangay Health Workers(BHWs).

All computers are internet enabled that work under Wi-Fi Smart Bro and Globe Tattoo capabilities with one-year free subscription.

Jimmy Calata, Nueva Vizcaya Community E-Center (NVCeC) project manager, said the project seeks to address the lengthy period of medical procedures that serve as delaying periods for the needed immediate response to maternal health care cases specially in upland areas such as hemorrhage, infection, abortion, arterial hypertension and delayed deliveries.

“Based on records, deaths due to maternal health care cases are rampant in Kasibu in the past. With this project, we hope to eliminate these cases through speedy medical referrals and preparation of the needed records of patients so that they can be given immediate attention even before they reach the health centers," he explained.

Calata said the internet–based medical referral system that will be institutionalized under the project will also reduce expenses of patients from the upland barangays of Kasibu since they will be served by designated BHWs who shall refer the needed treatment and other medical recommendations using the internet.

"BHWs will be oriented with basic computer operation in order to equip them with the proper skills in operationalizing the project in their assigned clustered villages,” he added.

The BHWs will also be taught on Community Health tracking System (CHITS) that will basically contain medical records of patients in their villages to enhance the existing maternal health care referral system of this town.

The e-Health project is supported by the Veterans Regional Hospital(VRH), Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital(NVPH), Provincial Health Office(PHO), Kasibu Municipal Hospital(KNH), Municipal Health Office(MHO), Nueva Vizcaya Community e-Center(NVCeC) and the National Telehealth Center of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital(NTC-UP-PGH).

Calata said Kasibu and Quezon town in Quezon province serve as pilot areas for the project since their similar terrain along with Mongolia serve as delaying obstacles in the provision of immediate maternal health care services among villagers.
“We hope that when this will work according to plan, it will be adopted as a system of health departments to provide proper health care in similar areas not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well,” he said. (PNA)

[wise_zech]

Pine trees of Aritao, Nueva Viscaya

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ok rin to ah...

[hakz2007]

MFPC confiscated 18,000 board feet assorted lumbers
(http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=229823)
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Sept. 16 (PNA)-- The Multi-sectoral Forest Protection Committee (MFPC) has confiscated more than 18,000 board feet of various lumbers in the province as of Sept. this year.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Roberto Apigo, said the successful haul of forest products from illegal poachers can be attributed to the series of information, education and communication campaign activities of the MFPC for the 15 municipalities of Nueva Vizcaya since January.

The 18,064.70 board feet of assorted lumbers such as Gmelina, narra and teak have been confiscated due to vigilance of MFPC members.

The volume of confiscation came from barangays Didipio and Tadjie in Kasibu town, Malasin in Dupax del Norte town, Cawayan in Alfonso Castaneda, Ocapon in Villaverde town, Dulli in Ambaguio town, San Luis, Villa Aurora, Escoting and Bugnay in Diadi town, Tuao in Bagabag town and Casat and Masoc in Bayombong town.

He said more confiscations are expected to come by the end of the year as illegal transporters of forest products prepare for the coming Christmas season.

“We are asking our members to be always vigilant specially those who are manning our checkpoints,” he said.

The MFPC is manning checkpoints along the national highway in the towns of Bagabag, Aritao and Sta. Fe.(PNA)

[hakz2007]

Task force formed in NV to address alleged squatting along the watershed area (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=229825)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Sept. 16 (PNA) -– The Multi-sectoral Forest Protection Committee (MFPC) formed a task force to address alleged squatting within the Barobbob watershed in barangay Masoc here.

Provincial environment and natural resources officer Roberto Apigo Wednesday said the mobilization of a multi-sectoral task force will prevent the reported influx of new migrants within the watershed.

“We need to prioritize this issue because it is a watershed and it is supposed to be free from human intrusion,” Apigo added.

The watershed serves as a source of potable water among villagers in this town and some parts of Solano town.

Reports reaching the MFPC revealed that tenurial instruments issued to villagers within the watershed have been sold to new migrants.

Apigo said the report also disclosed that resorts have been constructed within the watershed where several trees were cut in the process.

“Some migrants might not even know if their area is already within the forest zone which is prohibited,” he said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) granted the Barobbob watershed in the early 1990s with a forest co-management permit through the provincial government.

The provincial government offered the “Tree for a Legacy” program in the area to appease and transform settlers from being destructive forest dwellers to co-managers of the watershed.

The program serves as a tenurial agreement with the provincial government which allows the recipient to plant and develop their areas for their livelihood.

It also intends to discourage them from the slash and burn type of farming but encouraged them to become responsible forest guards. (PNA)

[hakz2007]

TESDA launches program in NV to intensify technical and vocational graduates hiring (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=229826)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Sept. 16 (PNA) -– The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)launched recently at the Provincial Capitol ground here the Blue Desk Jobs Bridging Services (BDJBS) to intensify employment of technical and vocational graduates in the province.

Rolando Manangan, TESDA officer-in-charge, said the BDJBS, which was launched in line with the celebration of the agency’s 15th founding anniversary, will be managed with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and London-based FCF Minerals Corporation.

“This program aimed at positioning Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as an enabler of graduates with priority given to TESDA scholar-graduates to assist them in finding employment thru referral or job matching,” Manangan said.

The Blue Desk Vizcaya version, the services will go from municipality, barangay and other institutions in cooperation with the different stakeholders of the province.

The program has two components -- the “Blue-Desk” which is a mini-employment facilitation office that provides services on Labor Market Intelligence Data, Career Guidance, Referral and Placement for wage employment (local and overseas), emergency employment including On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship and Referral for Business Development Support for self-employment and the “Jobs Bridging”, a major employment facilitation event to assist the TVET graduates at least four times within the next five months, from August to December, 2009.

As partners of the program, DOLE is tasked to provide assistance through the conduct of job fairs and micro-enterprise development projects while the FCF Minerals Corporation shall also provide assistance on technical education and skills development program as part of their corporate social responsibility.

The blessing/inauguration of the Blue Desk Kiosk and formal launching of the program was witnessed by government officials, academe, clergy and private institutions representatives. (PNA)

[hakz2007]

Feature: Balay ni Angkuan rises in Quirino (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p090918.htm&no=54&r=r02&y=&mo=)

Cabarroguis, Quirino (18 September) -- In support to the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) of the Arroyo Administration, the multi-media group of this province recently launched "Balay ni Angkuan", a media advocacy campaign aimed to promote good nutrition in the province.

Laura A. Matammu, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, said the "Balay ni Angkuan" was designed and conceptualized by the multi-media group to assist the National Nutrition Council in its massive information and advocacy campaign.

Matammu who is also the Assistant Provincial Nutrition Action Officer added that the total concept of the campaign is "sadiay balay ni angkuan, adu ti makan, awan ti mabisinan". (There are plenty of foods in Johnny's home, no one will go hungry).

Balay (home) symbolizes the nutrition programs of the national and provincial governments addressed to Angkuan (Johnny), the Quirinians. The multi-media group will be called "Pagayam ni Angkuan" (Johnny's friends).

The multi-media group includes information officers of the national and local government offices, editor-in-chiefs of school publications and private media practitioners assigned in the province.

The group will provide newspaper space for nutrition columns, news, editorials and photo releases.

Aside from these, the group will also assist the Provincial Nutrition Committee in conducting lectures in schools and in the community.

Matammu is optimistic that through the "Balay ni Angkuan", malnutrition among the children in the province will be eradicated.

[lgseccionph]

3,116 Novo Vizcayano benefit from TESDA's PGSP

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Dec. 3 (PNA) -- Some 3,116 Novo Vizcayanos have benefited from the President Gloria Scholarship Program (PGSP) during its four-year implementation in the province.

Feliza Carag, TESDA regional director, said the PGSP program, which started as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Training for Work Scholarship Program (PGMA-TWSP) in 2006 benefited 129, 579 in 2007, 921 in 2008 and 1,487 scholars in 2009.

The PGMA Training for Work Scholarship was conceived to ensure that skills training programs produce the best quality workers for job openings in industry. President Arroyo has allocated P500 million from the government's pump priming fund for the PGMA Training for Work Scholarship Project.

The scholarship, either full or partial, pay for the training costs for finishing courses in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry: call center, medical and legal transcription, animation, software development, and other industries with critical skills requirements.

Some 100,000 scholars in the BPO industry and other industries with critical skills requirements benefit from the scholarship project.

The project hopes to provide skills and competencies to job seekers through appropriate training programs that are directly connected to existing jobs for immediate employment and to empower private education and training institutions to offer relevant training programs that meet job requirements.

The project partners include TESDA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Office of the President Adviser for Job Creation (OPAJC), private sector organizations and associations, and private education and training institutions. (PNA)
FFC/SCD/BME/mba

[lgseccionph]

Gov't launches KALAHI village in Nueva Vizcaya (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p091203.htm&no=24)

by Ben Moses Ebreo

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (December 3) -- Government officials in Cagayan Valley have launched another Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) site in the remote village of barangay Pelaway in alfonso Castaneda town, some 5 hour drive from here.

The launching marks the establishment of the second KALAHI village in the province which also include barangay Poblacion in Villaverde town, located on the northern part of the province.

Undersecretary Monina Plan, chairperson of the Regional KALAHI Committee and Presidential Assistant for Cagayan Valley said the launching of the KALAHI site in Alfonso Castaneda town symbolizes the government's dedication and commitment in bringing development programs and projects in villages where basic services have not been delivered and sustained.

KALAHI project seeks to provide suitable development opportunities to target areas by pooling government resources through convergence of efforts.

Barangay pelaway, which serves as one of the watersheds of Nueva Vizcaya also hosts a portion of the government's Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project (CMIPP) built to provide additional irrigation water for farmers in Central Luzon and additional power to the Luzon grid.

The village is inhabited by the Ilongots, known in the 50s as the head hunting tribe in the provinces of Aurora, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya.

With the influx of catholic missionaries however, their head hunting practices have ceased over the years.

With its establishment as a KALAHI site, barangay Pelaway is set to receive various government assistance committed by line agencies. These are skills training on handicrafts, carpentry and electrical wiring and installation through the provision of capital assistance by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); provision of capital income generating projects, training on livelihood management, provision of fruit tree seedlings, hog dispersal and chicken dispersal projects by the Department of Agriculture (DA); provision of barangay governance books by the Department of the Ingterior and Local Government (DILG); allocation of 1 alternative learning system teacher, parents education, Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), school/ communal/backyard gardening, conduct of supplemental feeding, conduct of solid waste management training, provision of mono block chairs for day care children; construction of water tank and installation of efficient water supply system for household; provision of ambulance and training /seminar of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) on life saving and intravenous fluids by the DILG, Municipal Health Office (MHO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWD), DOLE and DA.

KALAHI members said they are also eyeing another site in barangay Biruk in Dupax del Sur town here for its possible development as an upcoming target of the national government for the provision of pro-poor projects and assistance. (PIA NVizcaya)

[lgseccionph]

Environmentalists move to recommend NVizcaya mountain range as bio-diversity site (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p091203.htm&no=25)

by Ben Moses Ebreo

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (December 3) -- Environmentalists here are in the process of collaborating with American scientists inorder to complete the requirements needed for the inclusion of the Mt. Palali mountain range to the three biodiversity areas in the country.

Located at the foorhills of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges, Mt. Palali straddles from the town of Diadi to Alfonso Castaneda, portion of the range also occupy villages of Bayombong, Solano, Quezon, Kasibu and Sta. Fe towns.

"This is an important biodiversity area since there is an interconnectivity of habitats," said Teresita Acosta, executive director of the Friends of the Environment for Development and Sustainability (FRENDS).

FRENDS is currently implementing the Merging Social Economic Development and Biodiversity Conservation (MSEDBC) project in the area through community-based approaches in the area.

The MSEDBC, she said is being undertaken to prevent the settlement of communities on Mt. Palali's primary and secondary forest covers.

According to Sermonia, volunteer scientists from Kansas University in the United States will be conducting amonth-long study on Mt. Palali's biodiversity potentials this December in coordination with the National Museum.

The focus of the study, she said will be on the inventory of its flora and fauna to come up with inputs for proper conservation and protection.

The study is being funded by the Philippine Tropical Forest Foundation (PTFF) which manages the country's debt interests for the environment.

The output of the new study, Sermonia said will bolster the earlier discovery of volunteer US scientists who discovered new types of grasses within the Mt. Palali mountain range.

"Once the study will result in the positive discovery of new flora and fauna, it will become a basis for its declaration as a biodiversity area and this will contribute to the protected few biodiversity sites in our country," she said. (PIA NVizcaya)

[freightrunner]

SPUP, SMU among top 20 nursing schools in RP
Tuguegarao City (9 December) -- The Commission on Higher Education Region 2 (CHEDRO 2) has commended the St Paul University Philippines, Tuguegarao City and St. Mary's University, Nueva Vizcaya for being the top 6th and 9th respectively in the Top 20 Nursing Schools in the country.

Dr. Antonio Talamayan of CHEDRO 2 said the two schools deserved a commendation for their efforts in giving the best nursing education to their students.

Based on the list released by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the SPUP outshone some of the well-known universities in Metro Manila and in the entire country such as De La Salle University, Central Philippines University, among others.

The SMU, on the other hand, outperformed Centro Escolar University, Angeles University Foundation and other well known schools.

SPUP has recorded an average of 89.79% passers in the last five years (2004-2008) while SMU got 84.10%.

Earlier, the CHED also released the list of low performing schools in its drive to upgrade the quality of nursing programs/schools in the country, make them globally comparable and encourage them to improve their performance in nursing board examinations.

Five schools in Region 2 were identified as low performing nursing schools based on a series of validation processes conducted by CHED.

Dr. Antonio P. Pascual, Chief, Technical Division of CHEDRO 2 said they are continuously monitoring these schools to improve their performance in Nursing Licensure Exams. He added CHED has legal authority to order the closure or phasing out of degree programs that failed to meet the standards in all licensure exams.

Pascual warned that effective School Year 2010-2011, programs of Higher Education Institutions (HEI's) whose passing percentage in the licensure examinations is zero per cent (0%) for the last three (3) years shall be phased out. (PIA 02) [top]

[hakz2007]

NVizcaya sets P60M for education programs and projects (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Education_20/NVizcaya_sets_P60M_for_education_programs_and_projects.shtml)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Jan. 6 (PNA) – The provincial government here has allocated some P60 million to pursue its programs, projects and activities in a bid to raise the quality of education in this province.

Board member Edgardo Balgos, provincial board’s chair on education, said the amount, which was approved by the Provincial School Board (PSB), will be spent for the construction of additional school buildings, purchase of computer sets, trainings and seminars for public school teachers and in raising the incentives of Special Education Funded-teachers in the province who only receive P4,500 each.

The P60 million was shelled out from the P150-million share of the provincial government from the P750 million payment of the Casecnan Water and Energy Company(CWEC), contractor of the Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project (CMIPP) in Alfonso Castaneda town.

The amount represents the past and previous tax payments of the company from its real properties since the start of its operation in 2000.

The town of Alfonso Castaneda also got its 40-percent share from the P750-million real property tax payment.

CMIPP, which was built under the build-operate-transfer(BOT) scheme, seeks to augment irrigation needs of farmers in Central Luzon and provide additional 100 megawatts of power for the Luzon grid.
The project siphons waters from the Casecnan and Taang rivers in Nueva Vizcaya through a 36-kilometer diversion weirs to the Pantabangan dam in Nueva Ecija.(PNA)

[karirista]

Solano Commercial Center (Maharlika Highway)
http://i48.tinypic.com/30cwxz7.jpg

Solano heading toward Tuguegarao (backdrop: Solano Civic Center/Gym)
http://i48.tinypic.com/2ngy3qd.jpg

Cannon at the opposite end of the plaza
http://i45.tinypic.com/2ih32jb.jpg

Save More - Solano (first in Region 2, talo pa ang Santiago at Tuguegarao)
http://i50.tinypic.com/2m7tgea.jpg

[hakz2007]

^^kung galing ka ba ng Cauayan going to Ifugao...dinadaanan ba ang Solano?

[Ph Man]

^^ Dapat hindi na kasi kakanan ka na sa Bagabag to Ifugao/Baguio.

guys, question...may part ba ng cordillera mountains na under sa jurisdiction ng nueva vizcaya?

None. I think it's Caraballo and Sierra Madre that's covered by N. Vizcaya. :)

[296619]

Solano Commercial Center (Maharlika Highway)

Save More - Solano (first in Region 2, talo pa ang Santiago at Tuguegarao)
http://i50.tinypic.com/2m7tgea.jpg

Iba kasi naman ang aim ng Tugue and Santiago. Both are aiming for a mall and not just Savemore or a grocery store. Madami na kasing grocery store and dept store dun. pero Kudos parin sa kaibigan kong si Mayor Philip Dacayo! Animo!

[296619]

^^ Dapat hindi na kasi kakanan ka na sa Bagabag to Ifugao/Baguio.



None. I think it's Caraballo and Sierra Madre that's covered by N. Vizcaya. :)

Alam ko meron. Mount Pulag is mas malapit sa Nueva Viscaya. Bale Caraballo and Cordillera Mountain ranges dadaan sa NV. Ang Sierra Madre nasa east side ng region 2, so dadaan siya ng Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, and Cagayan. It is Sierra Madre that isolates Palanan from the whole of Isabela.

[Ph Man]

:) Ganun ba.

Kakahilo magtravel sa mountain range. Pero nakakaaliw pag nasa near summit ka ng Sta Fe, naghahamog, minsan di mo na kita kasalubong mo. Buti na lang walang masyadong mga active volcanoes ang region 2.

[hakz2007]

^^ Dapat hindi na kasi kakanan ka na sa Bagabag to Ifugao/Baguio.

Thanks, akala ko kasi yan yung dinaanan ko, Bagabag pala :okay:

[Ph Man]

Dumaan ka ba ng Cauayan? Dati pag may mga visitors na pupunta ng Banaue Rice Terraces, dumadaan sila sa Cauayan Airport, then helicopter to the Mountain Province. Tanda ko parang dumaan dati si Ms Universe Dayanara Torres. :D

[hakz2007]

^^yup..dumaan kami ng Cauayan diretsong Bagabag then Ifugao...

[Ph Man]

I see. Kumusta naman ang trip? Nagpunta kayo ng Rice Terraces? Sa totoo lang, taga Cauayan ako, pero mismong town namin di ko nagagalugad. How much more yung mga karatig na provinces. Gusto ko magpunta ng mountain province, Ifugao, Quirino atbp. :)

[hakz2007]

^^breathtaking ang Ifugao lalo na yung Rice Terraces at thrilling yung sa Mountain Province.

[karirista]

Bayombong starting to push for cityhood

http://i48.tinypic.com/vi1pbl.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/298tc4.jpg

[lgseccionph]

World-class sports coliseum soon to rise in Quirino province (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p100118.htm&no=36)

Cabarroguis, Quirino (18 January) -- The youth of this province will soon enjoy world-class sports facilities as a world-class sports coliseum will soon rise here.

This was disclosed by Gov. Dakila Carlo E. Cua in his opening and welcome remarks during the four-day Provincial sports meet from January 16-19, 2009 at the Quirino Sports Complex.

"I welcome you not only to this 2010 Provincial meet here in our sports complex but to the future sports development, a world-class sports coliseum of Quirino," Cua announced.

"The provincial government and the office of the congressman have already sourced out initial funds for the construction of world-class sports facilities such as basketball and tennis courts, boxing arena, swimming pools, wakeboarding area and other sports facilities," Cua added.

"Hopefully, this will be the last provincial meet in this sports complex and the next venue will be the new sports coliseum," Cua told the athletes, sports officials and spectators.

Cua commended the officials of the Department of Education headed by Schools Division Superintendent Orlando G. Gundayao and the Local Government Units for their full support to the sports development of the youth.

"This is a venue for training our athletes for higher level sports competition and through your hard work, we hope to produce the next Manny Pacquiao," he added.

Governor Cua urged the athletes to work hard and aim for excellence in their chosen event.

From the division level sports competition, the DepEd will choose the best youth athletes in different sports competition to represent the province in the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) to be held in Nueva Vizcaya province.

A total of 1,859 athletes from the seven competing teams such as Diffun, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Aglipay, Maddela, Nagtipunan and the Vicarial group (St. Mark's School- Cabarroguis, St. Mary's Academy- Diffun, St. Vincent School-Madded and St. Lourdes-Aglipay) will be competing in the four-day sports meet.

Sports events to be conducted are ball games, dance sport, track and field, badminton, table tennis, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, swimming and others.

The theme of this year's Provincial Meet is "Palarong Panlalawigan 2010: Sports for Discipline, Teamwork and Excellence." (TCB/PIA Quirino)

[jpdm]

Solano Commercial Center (Maharlika Highway)
http://i48.tinypic.com/30cwxz7.jpg

Solano heading toward Tuguegarao (backdrop: Solano Civic Center/Gym)
http://i48.tinypic.com/2ngy3qd.jpg

Cannon at the opposite end of the plaza
http://i45.tinypic.com/2ih32jb.jpg

Save More - Solano (first in Region 2, talo pa ang Santiago at Tuguegarao)
http://i50.tinypic.com/2m7tgea.jpg

These pictures are great for people like me who dont have any idea about a progressive town like Solano in Nueva Vizcaya.

[jpdm]

SPUP, SMU among top 20 nursing schools in RP
Tuguegarao City (9 December) -- The Commission on Higher Education Region 2 (CHEDRO 2) has commended the St Paul University Philippines, Tuguegarao City and St. Mary's University, Nueva Vizcaya for being the top 6th and 9th respectively in the Top 20 Nursing Schools in the country.

Dr. Antonio Talamayan of CHEDRO 2 said the two schools deserved a commendation for their efforts in giving the best nursing education to their students.

Based on the list released by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the SPUP outshone some of the well-known universities in Metro Manila and in the entire country such as De La Salle University, Central Philippines University, among others.

The SMU, on the other hand, outperformed Centro Escolar University, Angeles University Foundation and other well known schools.

SPUP has recorded an average of 89.79% passers in the last five years (2004-2008) while SMU got 84.10%.

Earlier, the CHED also released the list of low performing schools in its drive to upgrade the quality of nursing programs/schools in the country, make them globally comparable and encourage them to improve their performance in nursing board examinations.

Five schools in Region 2 were identified as low performing nursing schools based on a series of validation processes conducted by CHED.

Dr. Antonio P. Pascual, Chief, Technical Division of CHEDRO 2 said they are continuously monitoring these schools to improve their performance in Nursing Licensure Exams. He added CHED has legal authority to order the closure or phasing out of degree programs that failed to meet the standards in all licensure exams.

Pascual warned that effective School Year 2010-2011, programs of Higher Education Institutions (HEI's) whose passing percentage in the licensure examinations is zero per cent (0%) for the last three (3) years shall be phased out. (PIA 02) [top]

This only shows that there are alot of good schools outside Metro manila and the government should also take a second look on them.

[freightrunner]

PIA Press Release
2010/02/02

Nueva Vizcaya eyes super 1st class status by 2012
by Ben Moses Ebreo

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (February 2) -- The continuing inflow of generated income from various taxes in the province will soon elevate its status into a super 1st class, provincial officials here said.

Perfecto Martinez, Jr., provincial treasurer said that due to innovations and approaches made by their office their tax collection system has improved over the years.

"Tax rates are still the same but due to our innovations, we have improved tax collection in the province and this can only be done with the strong support of our political leaders," he said.

Martinez said that with the strong tax generation now in place with the institutionalization of 275 deputy tax collectors and establishment of tax collection centers in the villages, collection of taxes continue to increase.

According to Martinez, the province needs P46 million to be classified as first ? class province, a status which is given to cities and provinces every four years.

"With our collection of P750 million last year and the continuing payment of real property taxes by the Casecnan project contractor, our province will achieve its super first-class status by 2012," he said.

The P750 million real property tax was paid by Cal Energy Water Company(CEWC) covering past and previous taxes with the operation of the Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project(CMIPP) in Alfonso Castaneda town. (PIA NVizcaya) [top]




PIA Press Release
2010/02/02

NVizcaya to host 2010 regional sports meet
by Ben Moses Ebreo

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (February 2) -- This province will host this year's 5-day regional sports competition dubbed Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association(CAVRAA) meet at the Dumlao Stadium here from February 5 to 12.

The sports meet will be participated by the provinces of Cagayan Valley region such as Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Batanes and Nueva Vizcaya including its three cities such as Santiago, Cauayan and Tuguegarao.

"This will be a big event since technical officials alone will be numbering to more than 500 and this excludes the athletes of delegations," said Schools Division Superintendent Alma Dolores Bodino of the Department of Education(DepEd) here.

During the opening program, a parade of all delegations with their athletic uniforms and muses will be done around the town of Bayombong, the capital town of Nueva Vizcaya.

Former Senate President Manuel Villar is expected to grace the CAVRAA 2010 meet opening program.

Bodino said all preparations are already set to accommodate and secure the participants who will be flocking to the province during the duration of the athletic meet.

"We have already coordinated and made arrangements with our local police regarding the security of the participants and the whole event with the help of village guards," Bodino said in a statement.

This year's regional sports meet will open up the opportunity among challengers in beating the province of Isabela, presently a two-time champion in previous CAVRAA meets.

Nueva Vizcaya in 1987 also emerged as CAVRAA champion, besting other provinces in Cagayan Valley region.

The 2010 CAVRAA meet is jointly sponsored by the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya, municipal government of Alfonso Castaneda and the DepEd. (PIA NVizcaya) [top]

[tona siye]

PIA Press Release
2010/02/02

Nueva Vizcaya in 1987 also emerged as CAVRAA champion, besting other provinces in Cagayan Valley region.

(PIA NVizcaya) [top]


E, 1987 pa yun a, kulelat ba! Buti sana kung ang news na ito ay " SINCE 1987, NUEVA VIZCAYA HAS EMERGED AS THE UNDISPUTED CAVRAA CHAMPIOM, BESTING OTHER PROVINCES IN CAGAYAN VALLEY REGION!" je,je,je......:lol::lol::lol::lol::righton:

[freightrunner]

^^Thank you sir. Go ahead, laugh all you want. The forumers would know what kind of person you are. Naligaw ka yata. :ohno:

[freightrunner]

PIA Press Release
2010/02/09

NVizcaya town opens P15-M PNP building
by Ben Moses Ebreo

Solano, Nueva Vizcaya (February 9) -- A brand new Philippine National Police (PNP) building was formally opened in barangay Roxas here Monday (February 8) by police and local officials to house policemen in keeping peace and order in this bustling commercial town.

The P15 million-worth city-type 2 storey PNP building which was built on a 1,500 square meter lot will house the PNP's administrative and finance section, operations and logistics room, Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCO) room and reception hall among others.

Sr. Supt. Romeo Hilomen, chief of the PNP Directorate for Comptrollership who was invited as guest speaker said the PNP building is one of the priority integrated transformation programs of the PNP.

The funding for the new building came from the PNP through the facilitation of Rep Carlos Padilla and mayor Phillip Dacayo.

The lot was purchased by the municipal government as counterpart inorder to realize the project. The PNP building here is so far the biggest and most beautiful police station ever built in Cagayan Valley, according to Police Inspector Bert Aldea, chief of the Provincial Police Office's (PPO) Police ? Community Relations (PCR) section.

"Definitely, this new building and station will boost the morale of our personnel in managing and preserving evidences. There is no more reason for us not to deliver quality service," Hilomen said.

He added that while this town is not included in the COMELEC watch lists of provinces, cities and municipalities with high crime rate and political violence, "police should not let their guard down in serving their country."

Hilomen said that the new PNP building had been proposed during his stint as police provincial director in the province in the late 90s.

Hilomen was in this town after attending the PNP anniversary program in Camp Adduru in Tuguegarao City earlier.

Police officials said another new police station is set to be inaugurated early this year in the upland town of Kayapa. (PIA NVizcaya) [top]

[freightrunner]

http://i44.tinypic.com/w2nmmc.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5zmQN20EOc/SKGEUzeW2jI/AAAAAAAACMI/CfgxT7O9fkE/s400/philippines+nueva+vizcaya+solano+centro+jollibee.jpg
downtown solano

[tona siye]

^^Thank you sir. Go ahead, laugh all you want. The forumers would know what kind of person you are. Naligaw ka yata. :ohno:

:banana: No:ohno:Freightrunner, hindi po ako naliligaw, I was there during the opening ceremonies of the CAVRAA. I was not pleased with the way the PIA people wrote about the CAVRAA news- its treatment and presentation- compared to the success of that 1st day!!! But any way thanks for the reminder...

[freightrunner]

:banana: No:ohno:Freightrunner, hindi po ako naliligaw, I was there during the opening ceremonies of the CAVRAA. I was not pleased with the way the PIA people wrote about the CAVRAA news- its treatment and presentation- compared to the success of that 1st day!!! But any way thanks for the reminder...
OK, I guess you have a valid reason. :)

[hakz2007]

Nueva Vizcaya gets P13.6M forest management grant from Japan
(http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=259044)
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Feb. 16 (PNA) - Forests in four municipalities of this province will be enhanced, sustained and improved with the recent approval of some P13.6 million grant by Japan.

The grant was given under the contract project, dubbed “Promotion of Participatory Forest Management in the Critical Watershed of Nueva Vizcaya Province,” now on its third year of implementation which features community-based projects now expanding to include four new barangays in Kayapa, Dupax del Sur, Santa Fe and Kasibu municipalities in Nueva Vizcaya.

The project, supervised by the GLM Institute (GLMI), a Japanese non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Nueva Vizcaya, is expected to benefit over 1,000 families in these villages.

The recent signing of the contract marked the appropriation of some 1,262 or about P13.6 million from the “Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects” under Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).

The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO projects was launched in 2002 to enhance cooperation between the Government of Japan and Japanese NGOs in the implementation of ODA to promote effective and efficient aid for developing countries.

Japanese government’s assistance to the country’s forestry sector focuses on the establishment of sustainable forest management through various projects such as the Forestry Sector Project through Japanese ODA loans and technical cooperation through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), among others.

The “Promotion of Participatory Forest Management in the Critical Watershed of Nueva Vizcaya Province,” contract project’s third phase, has four main components: dissemination of sustainable upland agriculture and soil conservation techniques, expansion of water catchments management areas and community irrigation system, marketing exploration, and material development for environmental education.

Aside from the construction of new compost stations and additional community irrigation systems, the project involves the training of local government unit (LGU) personnel and farmer leaders to further develop their capacities on sustainable upland agriculture technologies, watershed and forest management, monitoring skills, leadership, and others.

The LGU training is in line with Japan’s ongoing commitment to help strengthen the Philippines’ efforts in the preservation of forest resources through its Community-Based Forest Management Program. (PNA)

[zahrastouch]

PIA Press Release
2010/02/19

Our Lady of Piat graces Aquero Festival in Aglipay
Aglipay, Quirino (19 February) -- Thousands of parishioners of St. Lourdes here and the nearby parishes welcomed the replica of Our Lady of Piat from Piat Basilica Minore in the Aquero Festival from February 11-14, 2010.

Aquero in Lourdes dialect pertains to the Blessed Virgin Mary herself. It can be recalled that after 18 appearances of the Lady to the peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, Fance, the Lady finally told her that she is the Immaculate Concepcion.

Director Diwa in her invitation said that the parishioners will be able to experience a local replica of the Our Lady of Lourdes in Paris because the parish in Aglipay is situated beside the Cagayan river tributaries.

In Paris, the location of the spring was described to Bernadette Soubirous by an apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes on 25 February 1858. Since that time many thousands of pilgrims to Lourdes have followed the instruction of Our Lady of Lourdes to "drink at the spring and wash in it".

Although never formally encouraged by the Church, Lourdes water has become a focus of devotion to the Virgin Mary at Lourdes. Since the apparitions, many people have claimed to have been cured by drinking or bathing in it and the Lourdes authorities provide it free of charge to any who ask for it.

The festival which started on February 11, the World Day of the Sick, featured the images of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Our Lady of Piat in the spiritual Healing Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Didier Badiangas Tona, CICM last February 12. (PIA 2) [top]

[hakz2007]

NVizcaya Comelec starts public demo on PCOS (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100223.htm&no=67&r=r02&y=&mo=)

by Ben Moses Ebreo

Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya (February 23) -- The Commission on Elections(COMELEC) here has started a series of public demonstrations on the operation of the Precinct Count Optical Scan(PCOS) in a bid to draw support and understanding among voters in the province.

Lawyer Abraham Asuncion, COMELEC provincial supervisor said the series of public demonstrations will be coordinated with local officials, voters, teachers and poll watch organizations to properly orient them on the poll automated machines.

"With this, we can educate our voters and other concerned organizations on the operation and features of the PCOS so that they can appreciate their use and assistance this coming May elections," Asuncion said.

Comelec officials have started their public demonstration in this town Monday, particularly at the gymnasium where local officials and voters attended and participated during the demonstration.

Asuncion said the other targeted towns for public demonstrations are in Solano, Villaverde and Quezon which will be conducted at the Tomas Dacayo gymnasium in February 23, Bambang, Kasibu and Kayapa on February 25, Aritao and Sta. Fe town on February 26 and the towns of Dupax del Norte and Dupax del Sur on February 27.

Asuncion also said that an orientation on the PCOS was also conducted last week among Bureau of Election Inspectors in the province at the Highlander Hotel in Solano town in preparation for the May elections. (PIA NVizcaya)

[hakz2007]

DENR distributes free titles to 33 NVizcaya villagers (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=260830)

ARITAO, Nueva Vizcaya, Feb. 25 (PNA) -– At least 33 villagers in this town received their farm lot titles to legalize their ownership from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in barangay Sta. Clara here Wednesday.

Provincial environment and natural resources officer Robert Apigo said the farm lot titles were awarded under their yearly “Handog Titulo” program which targets poor farmers by processing their titles for free.

“With these titles, the beneficiaries will become legal owners of their lots because it is already legally documented. Hence, they will have freedom without fear that their lot will be claimed by others,” Apigo said.

The titles, Apigo said were fast tracked after the requirements were properly submitted by the applicants to their office.

He said the titles were properly processed in coordination with the Register of Deeds (RoD) in the province.

Next month, more than 80 farm lot titles are scheduled to be distributed in Alfonso Castaneda town.

Apigo said more than 300 farm lot titles will be distributed to various municipalities in the province. (PNA)

[hakz2007]

Nueva Vizcaya eyes another government hospital (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=261133)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Feb. 26 (PNA) - Employment opportunities for medical practitioners in the province are in the pipeline as provincial health officials here are preparing the requirements for the establishment of another government hospital in the northern part of the province.

Dr. Edwin Galapon, chief of the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital(NVPH), said a 2-hectare government hospital would rise in barangay Tuao North in Bagabag town to cater for patients coming from the northern municipalities of the province, including neighboring provinces of Ifugao, Isabela and Quirino.

“The site is an ideal one considering its accessibility and the presence of potable spring water near the area,” Galapon said.

Galapon said philanthropist Nathaniel Soriano donated the lot where the new hospital would be located. Soriano also donated additional health equipment of the NVPH.

“Once this will be completed, we can accommodate our nurses and doctors to work. We can also accommodate other patients,” he said.

The proposed government hospital was part of the provincial government's thrust to develop and improve the health facilities and services in the province. (PNA)

[hakz2007]

NVizcaya DENR cautions ant egg gatherers vs fires (http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100301.htm&no=10&r=r02&y=&mo=)

by Ben Moses Ebreo

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (March 1) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has called on ant egg gatherers and hunters in the province to be careful in disposing off their materials inorder to prevent forest and grass fires in the mountains here.

Robert Apigo, provincial environment and natural resources officer (PENRO) said ant or 'Abuos' egg gatherers were indiscriminately throwing their burning materials or cigarettes during their hunting activities.

Ant egg hunting requires gatherers to use burning poles to rid the nest of ants on top of trees before collecting their eggs inside the nest.

"During gathering, their materials are usually left burning and this will ignite dry grasses specially now that the dry spell is occurring. This is also attested by Ambaguio town mayor Moises Amokla," Apigo said.

He said that while the trade cannot be stopped because of its economic benefits among the villagers, there is a need to teach ant egg hunters, usually children and adults the proper disposal of their materials.

From January to June each year, ant egg gatherers scour the mountains in search for their prey. Ant eggs sell like hotcakes in the public markets because of its high protein value.

A cup full of ant egg is sold at P50.00 and the price becomes higher as the supply is slowly vanishing before the end of June each year.

Ant eggs are usually cooked with soup, steamed or slightly fried and served as aphrodisiacs 'pulutan' during drinking sessions or a simple meal for villagers. (PIA NVizcaya)

[296619]

Guys from Santiago City, the whole of Isabela, as well as people of Quirino and Nueva Viscaya... Under construction na ang La Salette Hospital. It's a 300 bed capacity with a whooping almost 700 million peso budget... Its almost five times larger than De Vera's Hospital. Located in La Salette Campus, Dubinan Santiago City, it's expected to open this year! Viva Santiago!!!:)^^

[hakz2007]

PGMA’s irrigation projects boost agri production in the north (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=262503)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, March 5 -– President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s irrigation projects implemented under the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle (NLAQ) has raised agricultural production in northern Luzon, NLAQ report said.

In March last year, President Arroyo ordered the release of P2 billion for the repairs, rehabilitation and restoration of neglected irrigation systems in NLAQ provinces to increase their productivity and boost national food security.

This involves the construction of three major irrigation systems such as the P7.46-billion Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project in Nueva Vizcaya, the P2.46-billion Banaoang Pump Irrigation Project in Bantay, Ilocos Sur and the P7.46-billion Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project in Pangasinan.

Since 2001, a total of 54,506 hectares of farmlands in the region were provided with communal irrigation systems that also resulted in the rehabilitation of 669,916 hectares of farmlands.

These projects, the report added increased rice production in the NLAQ areas by 39 percent or from 5.21 metric tons in 2000 to 7.23 metric tons in 2008. (PNA)

[hakz2007]

Nueva Vizcaya day care centers get more than P1.4-M assistance (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=263424)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, March 10 (PNA) -- Various day care centers here received more than P1.4 million worth of assistance to enhance and improve the learning process of children in the province.

Karla Bernadette Aldea, assistant provincial on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), said that by batches, the day care centers were given water dispensers, stand fans, 21” color TVs, manipulative toys, free back packs, pencils, crayon, paper and coloring story books under the provincial government’s "Alay sa mga Bata" project through its 20 percent development fund.

The recipient day care centers are Ibung Extension Day Care Center in Villaverde town, Nagsabaran Day Care Center in Diadi town, Sto. Domingo Day Care Center in Bambang town, Bitnong Day Care Center in Dupax del Norte town, Bangar Day Care Center in Solano town, Orang Day Care Center in Aritao town, Lublub Day Care Center in Alfonso Castaneda town, Maddiangat Day Care Center in Quezon town, Nangalisan Day Care Center in Bagabag town, Bonfal East Day Care Center in Bayombong town, Poblacion Day Care Center in Ambaguio town and Macalong Day Care Center in Kasibu town.

“Other Day Care Centers in the towns of Kayapa, Dupax del Sur and Sta. Fe will also be released soon," Aldea said.

She said the objectives of the program is to provide facilities and supplies to Day Care Centers and children to further enhance their eagerness to go to school.

The “Alay sa mga Bata” project is in support of the National Children’s Month in October each year. (PNA)

[hakz2007]

Quirino: Latest province to be cleared of NPA threat (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=1&rid=264163)

MANILA, March 14 (PNA) -- The province of Quirino formally had its internal security responsibility handed over to local government officials through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed last March 5 after it was declared free from the threat of the communist New People's Army (NPA), which the military also calls as the Communist Terrorist Movement (CTM).

The MOA was signed by Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo Cua, Col. Arnulfo Marcos, the commanding officer of the 502nd Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, Provincial Police Superintendent Delfin Millo, and other local officials.

It states that “the CTM threat to the province’s stability, peace and order was significantly reduced and relegated to inconsequential level which means that the prevailing security situation is within the capacity and function of law enforcement.”

Combined efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units (LGUs) had led to the clearing of the province from the influence of CTM.

“It was the ‘Whole Government Approach’ that was implemented. It was the addressing of the insurgency problem from the root causes that was decisive in making the province insurgency free,” Brig. Gen. Francisco N. Cruz Jr., commander of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service, said.

The approach was the combined efforts of various stakeholders. It includes the removal of CT presence and influence from communities; the neutralization of the CT armed group; and fostering development to deny the CTM a return.

One of the ways in fostering development was the deployment of AFP Peace and Development Teams (PDTs) in the province.

“PDTs, formerly known as Special Operations Teams, though not specializing in combat, helped in the development stage of fighting insurgency by empowering the people. For example, with support of the local government and non-government organizations (NGOs), the PDTs helped implement livelihood projects for farmers for the latter to earn some extra income,” Cruz explained.

With the formal turnover, the provincial government has assumed the lead role in securing the province against any attempt of the NPA to once again infiltrate the province.

“The success in making Quirino province insurgency-free came through the combined efforts of the AFP and other stakeholders not only by the use of force alone but also by advocating peace and fostering development,” Cruz said.

Quirino is the most recent province to be declared insurgency-free and had its internal security handed over to local government following Cebu that had its turnover last March 1.

“After Quirino, over 25 more provinces will be declared insurgency-free by the end of the second quarter this year. This shows our progress in solving the problem of insurgency in our country once and for all,” Cruz added. (PNA)

[hakz2007]

PGMA to launch coconut plantation in Nueva Vizcaya
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (15 March) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to spearhead the launching of coconut plantation project for some priority planting areas in the province of Nueva Vizcaya.

The project is in line with the thrust of President Arroyo's Administration in addressing hunger, health, environment and literacy in the countryside and in uplifting the economy, particularly the coconut industry being the top export agricultural commodity of the country.

The President, during her visit at the Bishop's Palace here, will witness the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) represented by Administrator Oscar Garin, Rotary International District 3780 represented by past President Atty. Rufino V. Mijares, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) represented by Secretary Conrado A. Limcaoco and Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) represented by the University President Dr. Marilou S. Guilo-Abon.

The project is called "A Dollar for a Tree of Life" because for each dollar donated by a Rotarian, one coconut tree also known as the "Tree of Life" will be planted by the farmer beneficiaries for their livelihood.

Initially, some 3,000 seednuts will be distributed to the beneficiaries of the priority areas namely Diadi, Bagabag, Solano, and Bayombong. The project will be expanded depending on the dollars to be donated by the Rotarians.

The seednuts are planted at the nursery located at Nueva Vizcaya State University located at Brgy. Don Mariano Perez, Bayombong Nueva Vizcaya.

The MOA signing will also be witnessed by Bishop Ramon Villena, Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, Cong. Carlos Padilla, municipal mayors, other local officials, coconut farmer representatives and other Novo Vizcayanos.

Meantime, Bishop Villena is expected to award a plaque of appreciation to President Arroyo as an expression of Novo Vizcayanos' gratitude to her for the projects and programs that is now benefiting them and their visitors such as the Bagabag airport, farm to market road projects, road and bridge developments, jobs generation and many others. (PIA 2)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100315.htm&no=55

[hakz2007]

http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-mar2010/ph1-031610.jpg

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo witnesses the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) and Isabela State University (ISU) for the massive coconut planting in Regions 1 and 2 and another MOA among the Philippine Coconut Authority, the Nueva Vizcaya State University and Isabela State University, the Rotary Club of Centennial Quezon City and the Philippine Information Agency for the " A Dollar for A Tree of Life ' Project. The signing was held in Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya Tuesday (Mar. 16.)

Source (http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/photos-mar2010/photo1-031610.htm)

[hakz2007]

NVizcaya bishop praises PGMA for her governance
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, March 18 (PNA) -– Bishop Ramon Villena of the diocese of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces praised President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her gallantry in leading the country through her governance during her visit here Tuesday.

Villena also recognized President Arroyo, who graced his 71st birthday at the clergy house here, as the Queen of Infrastructure for establishing various big ticket projects in the country through the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle (NLAQ).

NLAQ seeks to harness the potentials of Northern Luzon as agri-business economic hub in the country through the establishment, development and improvement of farm-to-market roads, airports, seaports, irrigation systems and post–harvest facilities, among others, to help farmers in bringing their products to the market easily.

“Our President is working hard for our country. Let us give her our respect and love for everything she has done,” Villena said before a crowd of Catholic faithful who gathered at the clergy house in this town.

While he remains a personal friend of President Arroyo, the bishop clarified he also serves as a bridge of dialogue and unity for peace and development in the country.

In her response, President Arroyo expressed gratitude for the clergy and the Catholic faithful for supporting her governance.

“I am very grateful for them and the diocese of Bayombong and Quirino. Thank you, it is an honor to serve you,” President Arroyo said after she was handed by a plaque of appreciation by bishop Villena.

President Arroyo was welcomed by Nueva Vizcaya Governor Ma. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, Lone District Rep. Carlos Padilla, Bayombong Mayor John Severino Bagasao, Presidential Assistant for Region 2 Monina Plan, 5th ID PA Commanding General B/Gen. Rommel Gomez and PRO II Regional Director C/Supt. Roberto Damian.

President Arroyo also witnessed the launching of coconut plantation project for some priority planting areas in the province of Nueva Vizcaya through the signing of memorandum of agreements.

The project is in line with the Chief Executive’s thrust in addressing hunger, health, environment and literacy in the countryside and in uplifting the economy, particularly the coconut industry being the top export agricultural commodity of the country.

The MOAs were signed between Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator Oscar Garin, Rotary International District 3780 past president Atty. Rufino V. Mijares, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) regional director Purita S. Licas and Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) president Dr. Marilou S. Gilo-Abon.

The project is dubbed “A Dollar for a Tree of Life” because for each dollar donated by a Rotarian, one coconut tree, or known as the ‘Tree of Life” will be planted by farmer beneficiaries for their livelihood.

An initial number of 3,000 seednuts will be distributed to farmers within the priority towns in the province such as Diadi, Bagabag, Solano and Bayombong.

These will be planted at the nursery located at NVSU located at Brgy. Don Mariano Perez, Bayombong Nueva Vizcaya. (PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=265009