SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) Group held clean-up drives at their host communities in Magat, Isabela on April 22, and Ambuklao and Binga in Benguet on April 23 to mark Earth Day 2024.
Volunteers composed of SNAP employees, contractors, local workers and residents, and government representatives participated in the clean-up drive. At SNAP-Magat, volunteers collected around a dozen garbage bags filled with plastics, styrofoam, and bottles at the Magat dam crest in Ramon, Isabela, which were then brought to a materials recovery facility (MRF) at the Magat dam complex for disposal. In SNAP-Benguet, mixed wastes were collected and disposed of by volunteers to the plants’ MRF. In addition to the clean-up drive, a fuel break was also established at Binga Hilltop to support forest fire prevention. Fuel breaks or firelines are vegetative structural control measures that act as a barrier to stop or slow down the widespread forest or grass fires.
Earth Day is an annual celebration held on April 22 to commemorate the achievements of the environmental movement and raise awareness on the need to protect and conserve the planet’s natural resources. This year’s theme, “Planet vs Plastics”, is a call to action to reduce plastic waste. #
Photo Courtesy of 5th Infantry "Star" Division, Philippine Army
18 outstanding Grade 12 students from the Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS) class of San Agustin National High School have achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing their work immersion program at Headquarters Delta Company, 86th Infantry “Highlander” Battalion, Philippine Army.
Aligned with the Department of Education’s program, these students embarked on an 80-hour work immersion journey, commencing on April 1st and culminated on April 17th, 2024. This program provides a unique opportunity for the students to immerse themselves in a professional military environment thereby gaining invaluable real-world experiences and insights.
During the culmination ceremony, these students shared their transformative experiences and newfound knowledge and underscoring the immense value of the work immersion program. Ms. Marites Diego, Assistant Principal, extended her sincere gratitude to the 86IB for their steadfast support and mentorship throughout the DepEd’s Work Immersion Program.
LTC EMPIZO W ANGALAO INF (GSC) PA, Acting Commanding Officer, said in his message, “As you return to your school, I urge you to reflect on the lessons you have learned from your work immersion. Carry forward the values of integrity, perseverance, and respect that are the bedrock of our profession. Let the discipline you have cultivated guide you in overcoming all obstacles and seizing opportunities in the future.”
The 86IB reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to guiding, training, and empowering students to become exemplary members of society, grounded in principles of reverence, respect, and responsibility.
This collaborative effort between San Agustin National High School and the Philippine Army underscores the power of experiential learning and mentorship, shaping a generation of leaders poised to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.#
Machida Shoten – a renowned Japanese ramen restaurant chain which currently operates throughout Japan, Asia and US has finally landed in the Philippines with the opening of its newest branch at SM City Cauayan, on April 18, 2024.
Located at Level 2, Building C of SM City Cauayan, Machida Shoten is set to bring the joy of eating good food to everyone and creating a memorable dining experience. The brand is dedicated to satisfying all the five senses, serving its guests with passion and pride.
A dynamic gourmet experience awaits the Filipino food enthusiasts with its newest store opening. Machida Shoten offers Yokohama Style Ramen to the world, including the world’s famous Yokohama Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Miso Ramen, Vegetable Champon Ramen and Tsukemen
In addition to their signature ramen, they also serve Japanese Style Gyoza, rice bowls and appetizers such as Juicy Chicken Karaage, Osaka Takoyaki and Edame.
Head on over to SM City Cauayan and savor the true taste of Japan at the first ever store of Machida Shoten in the Philippines. #
Two Philippine Navy (PN) pilots were killed when the Robinson R-22 light training helicopter they were flying crashed near the Cavite City Public Market while attempting to make an emergency landing Thursday morning, the Philippine Navy and Philippine National Police said. The helicopter took off from Sangley Airport while having a training flight with two officer pilots onboard before the crash. The pilots were rushed to nearby hospitals by the responding teams from the Philippine Fleet and Naval Air Wing but they died due to severe multiple injuries, Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said in a statement. The names of the fatalities have yet to be publicized pending notification of their relatives.#
On Thursday, April 4, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally assisted 500 displaced workers in Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas, after attending the groundbreaking of a dialysis center and inspecting the Culture and Arts Auditorium, both of which he supported to be constructed to improve public service delivery in the town.
“Bilang mambabatas naman po ay susuportahan ko yung mga panukalang batas na makakatulong sa mga mahihirap. Uunahin ko siyempre ang kapakanan ng mga mahihirap. Mas kailangan ng mga kababayan nating mahihirap ang tulong ng gobyerno. Kaya kung batas ang pag-uusapan, pro-poor-programs po prayoridad at isinusulong ko parati,” Go reaffirmed in an interview on the same day. “Yung trabaho ko naman bilang senador ay sumuporta po sa mga priority projects niyo po rito para sa pag-unlad. Magtutulungan talaga tayo para sa ikakabuti ng Batangas,” he continued.
During the activity held at the municipal gymnasium, Senator Go, an adopted son of CALABARZON with familial origins in Batangas, distributed grocery packs, meals, vitamins, masks, and shirts to all beneficiaries. He also provided bicycles, mobile phones, shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients. Meanwhile, representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) held an orientation for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. They detailed how the program aims to provide livelihood support to those who qualify. Go commended DOLE’s proactive approach in addressing the pressing issue of unemployment, stating, “The TUPAD program exemplifies the government’s commitment to uplifting the lives of those who need it the most. By extending a helping hand to the most vulnerable sectors, we create an environment where every Filipino can strive for a better future.”
In his speech, Go thanked the local government, including Governor Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Congresswoman Maitet Collantes, Mayor Janet Magpantay Ilagan, and Vice Mayor Jay Manalo Ilagan, among others, for their unified dedication to addressing the needs of their community. Balete Vice Mayor Alvin Payo, Tanauan City Vice Mayor Herminigildo “Jun-Jun” Trinidad, and Board Member Rodolfo Bamba were also present during the relief activity. “Una po ang pasasalamat natin sa ating Senator Bong Go dahil tayo po ay kaniyang nadalaw at nabigyan ng pagkakataon na makasama po siya. Ang atin pong bayan na Mataas na Kahoy ay 4th class pero dahil ginagawan po ng paraan sa tulong po niya ay (nagiging) world-class,” Mayor Ilagan said, expressing her gratitude back. “Marami na pong naitulong si senator sa ating mga hard projects at ganun din po sa mga soft projects at ngayon po ay meron tayong TUPAD orientation for 500 beneficiaries kaya naging malaking bahagi po kayo ng bayan ng Mataas na Kahoy sa pag-unlad,” she added. In addition to the dialysis center and the auditorium, Go, who serves as the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, also supported the construction of a multipurpose building for the town.
Meanwhile, Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also advocated for more health facilities in the country. Through the collective efforts of the Department of Health (DOH) led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under the DOH for the construction of around 700 Super Health Centers, including 18 in Batangas. He also mentioned that there are two Malasakit Centers located at Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City and Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery, which Batangueños with health-related concerns may visit if they need assistance with their hospital bills. Go principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
There are now 161 Malasakit Centers established nationwide, which have assisted more than ten million poor Filipinos. Additionally, Go has played a key role as the principal sponsor and one of the authors of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. This legislation requires the creation of Regional Specialty Centers at existing DOH regional hospitals. Specialty centers are currently available in Batangas Medical Center that focus on mental care, neonatal care, and geriatric care. It also plans to have Cancer Care, Cardiovascular Care, Renal Care and Transplant Center, Lung Care, Brain and Spine Care, Orthopedic Center, Physical Rehabilitation Medicine, Burn Care, Trauma Care, Toxicology, Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, and Eye Care. After visiting Batangas, Go then went to Quezon City, where he personally assisted cooperatives that qualified under the Malasakit at Kooperatiba program of the Cooperative Development Authority which he advocated for. #
CAMP MELCHOR F. DELA CRUZ, UPI GAMU, Isabela – Bukas na sa publiko ang bagong pasiyalan sa Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz, Upi Gamu, Isabela – ang 5ID Rangers’ Park. Nagsilbing Guest of Honor and Speaker si retiradong Police Lt. Gen. Ricardo F. De Leon na kasalukuyang Director General ng National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) sa naganap na Inauguration Ceremony nitong ika-08 ng Abril 2024.
Sa mensahe ni PLt. Gen. Deleon, “Ang parke na ito ay hindi lang isang karagdagang pasilidad, kundi isang paraan upang ipaalam sa kanila [sibilyan] kung paano nag-aalay ng serbisyo at nagsasakripisyo ang mga sundalo at kung paano nahubog at patuloy na nililinang ang pagiging makabayan na kailangan natin”.
Ang 5ID Rangers’ Park ay naglalarawan ng pagkakaisa at pagkakapatiran ng mga kasundaluhan para magampanan ang kanilang mandato para sa kapayaapan at kaularan sa mga komunidad na nasasakupan ng 5ID.
Nagpapasalamat naman si Major General Audrey L. Pasia, Commander ng 5ID sa mga kasundaluhang nangasiwa sa pag-aayos at pagpapaganda sa 5ID Ranger’s Park na siyang sumasalalim sa dekalidad at tapat na serbisyo ng mga Startroopers.
Dumalo din sa nasabing pagpapasinaya ang Regional Director ng NICA2 na si Ginang Plormelinda P. Olet, ang Chief of Staff ng 5ID Col. Narciso B Nabulneg Jr. at ilang mga matataas na opisyal ng 5ID kasama ang mga Startroopers na nakapagtapos ng Ranger Course.#
Photo Courtesy of 5th Infantry “Star” Division, Philippine Army
A total of Php1,284,000.00 worth of marijuana plants were discovered in the municipalities of Kibungan and Bakun Benguet following separate marijuana eradication operations conducted by the Kabalyero cops of Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO) on April 9, 2024.
In Brgy. Tacadang, Kibungan, joint anti-illegal drugs operatives from the different units of the Benguet PPO together with the Regional Intelligence Division (RID), and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency- Cordillera discovered a total of 3,000 pcs Fully Grown Marijuana Plants (FGMJP) with a Standard Drug Price (SDP) of PhP600,000.00 from one plantation site at Sitio Bana.
Moreover, in another marijuana operation in Brgy. Tacadang, Kibungan, joint anti-illegal drugs operatives of Kibungan MPS PIU, Benguet PPO; RID, and PDEA-CAR discovered an additional 3,000 pieces of FGMJP with an overall SDP of PhP600,000.00 from two marijuana plantation site at Sitio Talo-an.
Meanwhile, in Brgy. Kayapa, Bakun, joint anti-illegal drugs operatives of Bakun MPS; PIU, Benguet PPO, Regional Intelligence Unit 14; and PDEA-CAR discovered a total of 420 pieces of FGMJP with a SDP of PhP84,000.00 from one plantation at Sitio Baey-Anito.
After proper documentation, all discovered marijuana plants were uprooted and burned on-site, while investigations are still ongoing to identify possible marijuana cultivators in the area.#
CAMP MELCHOR F. DELA CRUZ, UPI GAMU, Isabela- Muling pinatunayan ng 5th Infantry Division (5ID) na hindi lang buhay, kaligtasan, at kalayaan ang kanilang pinapahalagahan kungdi maging ang kultura at mataas na respeto sa pagkakaiba ng tradisyon at kaugalian.
Ito ay matapos pasinayaan ang Ifugao Hut sa Indigenous Village sa loob mismo ng Camp Melchor Dela Cruz noong Abril 4, 2024. Sa pagsisikap ng 5th Installation Management Battalion (5IMB) sa panunguna ng kanilang Commanding Officer na si LtCol Rhea Valera ay napatunayan sa inauguration na may pagkakaisa sa pagkakaiba ng kultura, paniniwala at tradisyon. Personal itong dinaluhan ng mismong Commander ng Installation Management Command, Philippine Army na si BGen Domingo Gobway na tubong Ifugao. Dumalo din si BGen Santiago Enginco, Assistant Division Commander ng 5ID. Nakiisa at tinunghayan din si Colonel Narciso Nabulneg Jr., Chief of Staff ng 5ID, kasama ang iba pang mga opisyal ng 5ID. Hindi rin pinalagpas ng mga pinuno ng LGU Ifugao ang mahalagang pagkakataon na ito. Sinaksihan ito ni Ifugao Vice Governor Glenn Prudenciano kasama ang mga Board Members ng dalawang distrito ng kanilang lalawigan.
Labis ang pasasalamat at hindi maitago ang kasiyahan ng mga opisyal ng Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Ifugao sa oportunidad na maipagmalaki ang kanilang kultura sa loob ng 5ID.
Naniniwala ang 5ID na ng tradisyonal na bahay ng mga Ifugao ay simbolo ng katutubong pamana ng kultura at ang mga katutubong kasanayan.
May pangangailangan na magtatag at suportahan ang pakikipagtulungan sa mga partner stakeholders at alagaan at mapanatili ang maayos na relasyon ng mga tao mula sa iba’t ibang antas ng pamumuhay. Ang mga maayos na ugnayan at pangmatagalang pakikipagtulungan sa pagitan ng kasundaluhan, komunidad at iba pang stakeholders ay mga susi sa pagpapalaganap ng cultural sensitivity na nagpapakita na mataas na respeto sa bawat isa.
Kasabay sa pagpapasinaya ay ang blessing sa Ifugao Hut sa pinangunahan Captain Jonathan Marcos ang Evangelical Chaplain ng 5ID.
Hindi madaling pagsama-samahin ang mga tao mula sa iba’t ibang pinagmulan, ngunit higit pa sa isang struktura ng bahay, ang paglikha ng mga puwang para sa pakikipagtulungan at pagpreserba sa mga yaman ng kultura ay napakahalaga lalo na sa pagpapakita ng pagkakaisa at respeto para matiyak ang matatag na komunidad.#
Photo Courtesy of 5th Infantry “Star” Division, Philippine Army
As part of PRO Cordillera’s intensified campaign against illegal logging, the Pasindayaw cops of the Apayao Police Provincial Office (PPO) recovered 100 board feet of illegally sawn Tanguile flitches along the Tawit riverbank, in Brgy. Aurora, Pudtol, Apayao on April 9, 2024.
According to the Officer in Charge of Pudtol MPS, PCPT THOMAS B CAYOMBA JR, they immediately responded after receiving information from a concerned citizen regarding abandoned Tanguile flitches along the Tawit riverbank.
Upon arrival, police officers, together with personnel from the CENRO Calanasan-Luna Sub-office, recovered 10 pieces of Tanguile flitches with a total of 100 board feet, amounting to Php3,500.00.
The recovered lumber was brought to the CENRO Calanasan-Luna Sub-Office in Brgy. San Gregorio Luna, Apayao, for documentation and proper disposition, while an ongoing investigation is being conducted to arrest possible suspects who will face charges for violating PD 705, or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.
Furthermore, the Apayao PPO urges the community to promptly report any suspicious activities related to illegal logging. Not only does illegal logging harm the environment, but it also affects the livelihoods of our fellow kakailyans who depend on forest resources.#
CAMP LT. ROSAURO TODA JR. CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela- Nakiisa ang kapulisan ng Isabela sa paggunita ng ika-82 Araw ng Kagitingin ngayong araw, ika-9 ng Abril, 2024 sa Veterans Tribute Skate Park, Barangay Tagaran Cauayan City, Isabela.
Pinangunahan ito nina Hon. Faustino A. Dy V, Congressman, 6th District of Isabela kasama sina PLTCOL SHERWIN F CUNTAPAY, DPDO, IPPO, PLTCOL ERNESTO DC NEBALASCA JR, COP, Cauayan CCPS, PLTCOL AVELINO D CANSERAN, FC, 2nd IPMFC, at PCPT ROBERTO C MASIDDO JR, CAD PCO, Ilagan CCPS maging sina BGEN EUGENE M MATA, Brigade Commander, 502nd Brigade Infantry Division; Hon. Caesar S. Dy Jr., Cauayan City Mayor; Ms. Marilen A. Tolentino, Head PVAO Field Service Office-Bayombong; COL CHARLIE SANCHEZ, PA (Ret), VFP 3rd Isabela District Consultant; at COL MARCELINO B TACADENA JR, (GSC) PA (Ret), President, VFP Nueva Vizcaya District .
Bahagi nang nasabing aktibidad ang Three Volleys of Fire Sounding of Taps, Wreath Laying Ceremony, at pamamahagi ng makubuluhang mensahe ni Congressman Dy.
Samantala, nagsagawa naman ang kapulisan ng 1st IPMFC at 34 Municipal PS ng kaparehong aktibidad sa pamamagitan ng Flag Raising at Wreath Laying Ceremony sa mga Historical/Veteran’s Memorial Sites sa kanilang nasasakupan.
Ang naturang aktibidad ay isinagawa upang gunitain ang sakripisyo, katapangan at pagmamalasakit ng ating mga kababayan noong panahon ng digmaan at ito’y pagpapakita rin na ang kanilang alaala ay patuloy na nabubuhay sa ating mga puso at sa kalayaang tinatamasa natin ngayon. #
