Isabela News

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Province of Isabela - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Isabela

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.



Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Cauayan City, region 2’s most outstanding AgriPinoy rice achiever

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela– The Department of Agriculture (DA) - Region 2 office has adjudged the city of Cauayan as Most Outstanding Agripinoy rice achiever for having produced and surpassed the minimum production per hectare of rice last year compared to other cities and municipalities.

The city government will receive the award today at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) through Mayor Benjamin G. Dy and city agriculture officials of Cauayan.

City agriculturist Rufino Arcega said the city government is set to receive a certificate of recognition and a cash award of P1 million from DA.

Arcega planned to propose to Mayor Dy that the cash award will be used to purchase of rice land to be used as research center to better improve rice and corn yields.

He said once the city government has established a research center, the best farming technology will be shared to the farmers in the city to improve more their yields.

City councilor Ruben Tumbaga, committee chairman on agriculture and agricultural technician Mary Jane Yadao will also be receiving a regional award for their outstanding contribution in the improvement of rice yield and support to agriculture sector in the city.

PENRO – Isabela, environment task force to intensify anti-illegal logging operations

ILAGAN, Isabela– The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) will intensify its anti-illegal logging operations this year to halt the depletion of the remaining forest resources in the province.

PENRO – Isabela chief William Savella said that being the lead agency in the implemetation of the total log ban, they will see to it that the law will be strictly enforced whoever is affected.

Savella lauded the present provincial leaders in the sincere desire to stop illegal logging in the province by enforcing anti-logging ordinances even before the E.O 23 was issued .

He said that as part of the agency’s role to protect the environment, has coordinated with the provincial government for the strict implementation of total log ban to ensure that forest resources are being protected and maintained.

PENRO-Isabela in coordination with the Isabela Environment Task Force (IEPTF) has yielded numerous confiscations and apprehensions of illegally transported logs and lumbers through its established checkpoints in various parts of the province.

“Our joint efforts with the provincial government on anti-illegal logging is now reaping positive results as there are now lesser and lesser confiscations and apprehensions of illegally cut logs and lumbers," Savella said.

Savella urged local government units and even the residents to report to the environment task force any illegal logging activity or transportation of illegally cut trees from the natural forest to stop the depletion of the remaining forest resources in the province.

Isabela police investigators undergo e-blotter system seminar

ILAGAN, Isabela- Police investigators from all police stations in the province have undergone a one-day seminar on electronic crime incident reporting system otherwise called as e-blotter held at the Isabela Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

The e-blotter system seminar aims to speed up access and preparation of complaints from the public which are usually logged at police stations.

Police chief inspector Melchor Agusin, team leader of the e-blotter mobile training system from Camp Crame, said the e-blotter will become accessible to police stations and the higher police commands for speedy coordination for solution of crimes.

Agusin said the e-Blotter does not only facilitate crime documentation and modernize data storage but also presents quick, fast and reliable transmission of crime information from police station to the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

“The e-blotter is an effective management tool for decision makers and security strategists to have an easy and intelligent way of mapping out peace and order and anti-criminality strategy," Agusin said.

However, Agusin clarified that concerned individuals or the public who wanted to secure blotters from the police stations are still required to personally appear to the police stations as blotters cannot be accessible to the public online and personal appearance to the police stations is still required before issuing police blotters.

Agusin said the Philippine National Police (PNP) saw the necessity of the e-blotter system for interconnecting the police in the fast solution of crimes in the country.

The new system still requires to be logged manually but at the same time, they will be encoded immediately in a computer linked to the police's central reporting network called the PNP Crime Incident Reporting System.

Farmer surrenders endangered bird to a local TV station

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela– A farmer at barangay Nagassican in this city has turned over to a local television station here a rare bird which he caught in his farm recently.

The bird identified as a baby owl was seen by Rodrigo Albay while he was working in his farm and he caught it, unaware that it is an endangered species.

Albay said he used to see birds of this kind in his farm but this is the only time that he was able to catch one because the birds are elusive especially to human beings.

The farmer said he was advised by his neighbors to surrender the bird to ABS-CBN Cagayan Valley based in the city, as the said station has a program for caring and protecting the environment.

ABS-CBN Cagayan Valley management will turn over the said owl to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Last year, the TV station also turned over an endangered bird to the DENR.

DOST’s SET UP beneficiary produces biggest fresh water prawn

ILAGAN, Isabela- A university professor in this capital town who is a recipient of the “Ulang project” under Small Entrepreneur Technology Upgrading Program (SET UP) of the Department of Science and Technology has produced the biggest ulang or fresh river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) compared to the same specie produced by Regions 5, 6, 9 and 12, according Director Urduja Tejada.

“The fish farmer-professor identified as Enrico Santos whose farm is located at Barangay Marana here harvested 12 piece per kilo, breaking the existing record harvest of the Bicol region which registered 20 pieces per harvest,” Tejada said.

The project is in collaboration between with DOST and the World Fish Center which provided technical assistance through the latter’s Aquaculture Scientist Hermogenes Tambalque.

“We assisted five other regions in the country and this is the first time we were able to harvest such sizes,” Tambalque said.

Prior to last week’s ceremonial harvest attended by both agencies and other fish farmers in the area, Santos already has a ready market for his produce which he intends to sell at P350 a kilo.

From his 600 square meter pond, he will be able to net an income of P40,000 or a return of investment of 75 percent. He said he will develop another pond for his ulang as a result of such encouraging income which he earned in just four months.

Santos revealed that during the first two months, he spent almost 40 bags of commercial feeds until DOST and World Fish introduced to him the green feeding technology.

As the name suggests, vegetable waste are chopped and blanched as an alternative feeds to the prawns. The technology, Santos admitted, saved him production cost as his commercial feeds dramatically dropped from 40 bags to only 4 bags during the last two months of the operation.

DOST provided Santos with 4,000 pieces of post larvae ulang which he seeded in June.

Tejada expressed hope that with more production at less expense, other fish farmers will likewise venture into ulang culture as alternative to rice and corn production.

“Ulang production can be the best alternative source of income at the same time increase fisheries production at a time when the catch in municipal and marine waters is dwindling,” Director Tejada said.

BIR – Isabela intensifies tax mapping operations

NAGUILIAN, Isabela- Bureau of Internal Revenue – Isabela Revenue District Office (BIR-IRDO) chief Nerissa Agraam has ordered the tax collection agents to intensify the tax mapping operations in the province to assess all business establishments that are operating in Isabela.

Agraam said the intensification of tax mapping operation aimed to know the right taxes due to the government. "The tax mapping operations will also ensure that all business establishments are all accounted by the government’s revenue collection agency and to assess the right taxes of the business establishments being paid to the BIR annually," she added.

Agraam advised businessmen to pay taxes religiously to avoid inconveniences or closure of their establishments, adding that several establishments have been padlocked in the past for their failure to pay their taxes.

She also warned that they are continuously implementing the Run-After-Tax-Evaders (RATE) program to ensure that all business establishments are complying with the tax regulations of the BIR.

The revenue chief also reminded business establishments to always and automatically issue official receipts to customers in every transaction.

The intensified tax mapping operations in the province will continue until all business establishments have fully complied in paying the right taxes due to the government.

NIA 2 introduces five rice-cropping in two years scheme

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela- The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) 2 has introduced a five rice-cropping in two years time scheme to ensure more yield for a period of two years.

NIA 2 director Engr. Vicente E. Galvez said the scheme would help the government attain its rice self-sufficiency program come year 2013 and it would also help farmers gain income through farming.

The scheme will also evade calamities which affect palay that are about to be harvested in September and October cropping season by moving the planting season a little bit backward.

Galvez said the usual cropping season starts at July for first cropping season and November for the second cropping season in the region.

Based on the demonstrations and study conducted by the NIA 2, Galvez said the first cropping season will be started after the harvest this March 2012 and the scheme will also be introduced to farmers under the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MRIIS).

Irrigation water systems under the NIA will operate two weeks after harvest this March to ensure the continuous flow of water for rice lands.

The program of NIA will run until 2013 and it will be sustained depending on the climate situation.

NIA 2 has piloted the program in some areas in the region and seems effective and the agency will try to expand to other areas using the existing facilities of NIA.

These areas in the region include the NIA operated pumping stations where water for irrigation are pumped up from the rivers and mini dams that are constructed by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

NFA 2 lauds LGUs for supporting I-Rice promotion

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela- The National Food Authority (NFA) regional office located in this city has lauded the support of the region’s five provinces, municipal and city local government units in promoting Iron Fortified Rice (I-rice).

Ruben Reside, NFA 2 director, said the launching of I-Rice last year has gained positive results from local governments as shown in the resolutions which they passed supporting the promotion of I-Rice and urging their constituents to utilize I-Rice.

“I-Rice helps fight anemia and infections. It also helps maintain healthy body and body resistance against diseases,” the NFA chief said.

Reside said the agency is supplying I-Rice in local government units’ bigasang bayan retail outlets to give the public an access for the said commodity.

I-Rice is also be supplied to local government units on their relief operations in time of calamities.

Meanwhile, NFA 2 information officer Fe Salem said that as of January 15 inventory, there are 8,772 bags mixed with fortificant, a yellowish rice-form piece mixed in well-milled or regular-milled rice.

“There are also a total of 730 bags stand by rice ready to mix with fortificant,” Salem assured.

At present there are 161 bigasang bayan and 639 bigasan sa barangay outlets which sell I-rice.

I-Rice is sold by the agency at a reasonable price of P27 per kilo, cheaper than commercial rice sold at P35 to P40 in the markets.

Reside assured the continuous supply of I-Rice in public markets through their designated bigasang bayan.

He also urged the public particularly those who have not tried the I-Rice to visit and buy I-Rice as it is more affordable compared to commercial rice.

SK to conduct counseling sessions to campus students

ILAGAN, Isabela- The Sangguniang Kabataan provincial federation headed by Kristyna Louise Dy will conduct counseling sessions to students of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the province to avert early pregnancy cases among students.

Dy who is also an ex-officio member of the province’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan and chairman of the committee on youth affairs, said she was informed by higher education institution officials in the province that there are some cases of early pregnancy among students.

“The HEIs has requested the SK office to conduct counseling sessions to students to enlighten and guide them in their education paths without hassle and not to be victims of early pregnancy,” Dy said.

She said the SK leadership took note of the reports and is now planning to launch a counseling sessions to students in higher education institutions of Isabela although the program is supposed to be implemented in secondary schools only.

The SK official believed that through counseling, students will not become victims of early pregnancy and continue their studies well until they can finish their respective curriculum courses.

The SK will be inviting effective and expert counselors to give advice to students.

Aside from counseling, the SK will also be conducting anti-drug campaigns inside the school campuses.

Dy likewise assured that the SK basketball tournaments participated by youths from the different municipalities will still be continued.

Provincial gov’t moves to mitigate impact of floods

ILAGAN, Isabela- The provincial government is ironing out possible solutions to mitigate the impact of floods in the province during the climate change summit held here recently.

Provincial Planning and Development officer Nestor O. Salvador said the provincial government has proposed projects on flood control along the Cagayan river area in the municipalities of Cauayan, Angadanan, Reina Mercedes, Ilagan, Naguilian, Tumauini, Cabagan; Magat river in San Mateo, Reina Mercedes, Gamu; Siffu river in Roxas, Aurora, San Manuel; Ganano river in Echague, Cordon, Santiago City; and Pinacanauan river at San Mariano.

He said these projects will be implemented as soon as the budgetary requirements will be available. Under the proposal, projects on flood control will need P2.350 billion from funding agencies and P235 million as counterpart fund from the provincial government.

"Dredging will be the top priority to be conducted at heavily silted river sections, creeks and other waterways particularly in Ilagan, Tumauini, San Pablo, Roxas, San Mariano, San Manuel, Angadanan, Reina Mercedes, Cauayan City, San Mariano, Cordon, Santiago City and Echague," Salvador presented.

A watershed development and riverside control and protection are also proposed.

Functional operation center for disaster risk reduction pushed

ILAGAN, Isabela- The Cagayan Valley’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources chief has urged the provincial leadership of Isabela to establish a functional risk reduction and management operations center exclusively for the monitoring of calamities that may hit the province.

DENR 2 director Benjamin Tumaliuan said during the first ever Climate Change Summit held at the provincial capitol last week that necessary equipment and manpower should be available in the operation center to ensure the province's preparedness to quickly respond to affected Isabelinos.

He said the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), National Irrigation Administration, Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MRIIS), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other government agencies and offices should also have their agency representatives in the operation center so that necessary precautions to avert damages on lives and properties in Isabela and in the lower Cagayan river basin as well.

Tumaliuan lauded the provincial government of Isabela for initiating a climate change summit which he said is a venue for all government offices, non-government organizations, academe, clergy and other sectors in the province to mitigate the effects of climate change in the province.

He added that the onslaught of typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao which killed more than a thousand individual and affected thousands of families in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City and the typhoons and floods that hit the province in previous years were alarming so actions must be done to lessen the impacts of these disasters.

BFAR to release funds for fishing boats of fisherfolks in Isabela

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) region 2 is set to release funds to replace fishing boats of fisher folks in the coastal towns of Isabela.

These boats were destroyed during the onset of typhoon “Juan” in December 2010.

Regional director Jovita P. Ayson stated that they are yet to determine the number of beneficiaries based on the reported number of victims during the said calamities and the number of boats to be built by the beneficiaries.

Ayson also stated that they will let the fisher folk build their own fishing boats and BFAR will finance the materials needed to implement counter parting scheme wherein the beneficiary shall be responsible for the labor and the materials will come from the government.

Typhoon “Juan” was one of the most devastating disasters in the region where many families lost their homes and livelihood. A lot of casualties were also recorded. Most of the victims were from the coastal towns of Isabela and the 1st district area.

“This is our efforts in helping the fisher folk restore their livelihoods and part of our rehabilitation and recovery plan which we contributed in the disaster management council,” Ayson said.

She mentioned that the fishing boats will both be motorized and non-motorized, depending on the needs and to where it will be utilized.

On the other hand, Ayson further stated that they will also release some fishing gears to the fishermen and provide post harvest facilities to help boost their productions and upgrade the quality of their products.

P 2M worth Kabuhayan starter kits awarded to workers, OFWs in 2011

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) region 2 awarded a total of ₱2.64 million worth of Kabuhayan starter kits to some 264 beneficiaries in 2011.

Based on a report forwarded to this office, 253 of the beneficiaries were skilled workers in the informal sector and 11 were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The Cagayan province had the biggest number of beneficiaries with 151 who came from the municipalities of Camalaniugan, Gattaran, Baggao, Lallo, Claveria, Sta. Teresita, Gonzaga, Sta. Ana, Iguig and Rizal. The total amount of the assistance was ₱1.51 million.

In Isabela, there were 53 beneficiaries from the municipalities of Maconacon, Quirino, Angadanan and San Manuel given kits worth ₱0.53 million.

The province of Quirino had 49 beneficiaries, 14 of them were returning OFWs from the municipalities of Diffun, Maddela, and Saguday. The amount of assistance totaled ₱0.49 million.

Lastly, there were 11 beneficiaries from the province of Nueva Vizcaya particularly in the municipality of Villaverde; the kits amounte to ₱0.11 million.

The Kabuhayan Starter Kit Program is one of the livelihood support strategies of the agency to alleviate poverty in this part of the country. It provides opportunities to start a livelihood undertaking of the identified beneficiaries who must have undergone TESDA training and certification on the trade of endeavor they will carry out.

The Kit contains materials, tools, and equipment that allow beneficiaries to engage in various businesses such as but not limited to plumbing, massage, cosmetology, appliance repair, upholstery, rags making, hair dressing, manicure or pedicure and the like.

Feature: Magat Dam, the lifeblood of Isabela

In the idyllic town of Ramon, Isabela, located some 350 kilometers north of Metro Manila, lies what is touted as one of the biggest dams in Asia— the Magat dam.

With its still waters and magnificent sunset, the Magat Dam is a favorite hang-out spot among local and foreign tourists. The dam is also the lifeblood of the Isabela, as more than 1.2 million residents rely on agriculture as the source of livelihood.

The dam was part of the Magat River Multi-Purpose Project which was based on a preliminary study conducted in 1973 by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), with the assistance of the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The construction of the Magat Dam and appurtenant structures was authorized by Presidential Decree 693 signed on May 7, 1975 by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos to increase the annual paddy production and corresponding per capita income of farmers, accelerate economic development through the generation of related agro-industrial activities, create employment opportunities and develop cheap source of power energy.

The completion of the project and its inauguration on October 27, 1982 marked the realization, if not the onset of the realization of all the project’s objectives.

Irrigation for 80,000 hectares of ricelands

The Magat Dam with its total storage capacity of 1.25 billion cubic meters at full supply level provides year round irrigation requirement for 80,000 hectares of ricelands in 17 municipalities and 2 cities in Isabela, three municipalities in Quirino Province, and one in Ifugao.

These ricelands are tilled by almost 65,000 farmers and have a potential of 8 million cavans of paddy rice production every cropping season or 480,000 cavans of milled rice at 65 percent recovery.

Prior to the construction of the Magat Dam, rice farmers in Isabela posted an average yield of 50 cavans per hectare, with their crops primarily rainfed. However, with the establishment of a reservoir-type irrigation system, the current average yield in the service area of the Magat River Integrated Irrigation is at 100 cavans per hectare. This is a remarkable improvement from the 50 cavans of the early years.

Hydro-electric power generation

Aside from providing irrigation water, the Magat Dam also became a primary source of power with the 360 megawatt Magat Hydro-Electric Power Plant (MHEPP) and the 6 megawatt Baligatan Hydro-Electric Power Plant (BHEPP).

Water from the Magat Reservoir passes through the turbines of the MHEPP to generate power before it goes to the supply canals to irrigate ricelands.

A portion of the power generated by BHEPP is used to operate the three pumping stations in MARIIS, one in Angadanan, (Division IV) which serves 661 hectares and two in Division III (4,989), one in Burgos which serves 4,989 hectares and the other one in Gamu which serves 2,885 hectares.

The three pumping stations serve a total of 5,650 hectares of Riceland in Isabela.

The MHEPP was originally owned and managed by the National Power Corporation until the former’s privatization in April 2007 when its operation was fully turned over to SN Abotiz Power Inc., a joint venture of a local company, Aboitiz Equity Venture (AEV), and the Norwegian SN Power Invest (SN Power). Power generated by the MHEPP provides electricity to a portion of the Luzon grid.

Magat Dam as a landmark tourist destination

The irrigation and power components of the Magat Dam have been fully developed and authorities are now considering its eco-tourism potential.

The Magat Dam Park Development Plan drawn by the MARIIS-Dam and Reservoir Division included the construction of a Multi-Purpose Hall, Conference Room, Coffee Shop/Restaurant and Souvenir Store, Resort/Pool Area and Skating Rink.

Should the plan be implemented, it would create more employment opportunities for the Isabelinos.

Rats attack rice fields in Isabela

Farmers in Cauayan, Isabela are facing infestation problem in their rice fields, prompting the Department of Agriculture (DA) to launch an information dissemination campaign to control it.

Aside from mass baiting, DA will provide free pest-control chemicals or rodenticides to the farmers.

Authorities said the affected rice fields have reached nearly 2,000 hectares.

The rats destroy the crops by chewing on the stem, even those not yet ready for harvest.

Authorities have yet to determine the amount of damage caused by the infestation.

DOLE to conduct construction safety trainings

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) region 2, through the Occupational Safety and Health Network (OSHNet), is set to conduct series of trainings for construction workers on safety and health in the workplaces.

Engr. Marvin Sales, senior labor employment officer, said they will open 35 slots for the construction safety training which will be held in Cauayan City, Isabela on February 4 and also for the basic occupational safety and health training which will be conducted on March 5-9 in this city.

Sales said the trainings are very vital in the pursuit of accident prevention in the workplaces, especially those in the construction areas.

“We need these trainings so that our construction workers will be given assurance that they will not meet accident within their workplaces. This is in the pursuit of zero accident program of the government,” Sales said.

He also added that the training is a requisite for workers before they will be issued a permit to work in registered construction companies.

However, he explained, they need to limit the slots to ensure that all participants will be properly trained.

After the two trainings, Engr. Sales said another set of trainings will be scheduled in the 2nd up to 4th quarter of the year.

BI – Isabela urges permanent residence foreigners to report and settle obligations this month

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) based in this premier city of Isabela has urged permanent residence foreigners in the province to report and settle their obligations to the provincial government to avoid monthly penalty and charges.

Loreto Tumaliuan, Alien Control Officer of BI – Isabela, said aliens residing in the province are obliged to pay P310 for a year of stay in the country and their failure to pay on their annual dues would mean additional payment of P200 monthly as penalty.

"There are registered more than one thousand aliens in the province who are holder of permanent residence visas and now residing and doing business within the province," Tumaliuan said.

Tumaliuan said most of these aliens are Indian nationals who are doing business activity and some are residing in the province followed by Chinese, Americans, Germans, Mexicans and other foreign nationals who are already in the province.

Tumaliuan said his office is monitoring the registered and permanent residence foreign nationals who are in the province and is maintaining data of foreigners who are in the province.

The BI – Isabela is annually requiring permanent residence nationals who are in the province to pay the annual registration fee and advises them to regularly pay their obligation to avoid penalties and surcharges.

Prov’l government to hold climate change summit this week

ILAGAN, Isabela- The provincial government of Isabela will be conducting the first ever climate change summit on Friday, January 13 at the Francisco N. Dy Sr. session hall at the Isabela capitol.

Governor Faustino G. Dy III has urged partner agencies and private institutions to adopt flood control measures to cushion the impact of disasters.

“The effects of climate change in our province is already felt and we, as your leaders, would like to ask your help to mitigate the impact of this climate phenomenon like reducing damage in terms of infrastructure and agriculture and saving lives of Isabelinos that are affected," Dy said.

During the climate change summit, Dy is expected to share insights on the issue of flood control and impact mitigation measures in the face of the disastrous effects of climate change.

This will also be a venue to unveil the province’s flood control mitigation plan and to come up with a water release protocol that will govern coordinate links among local government units and government agencies.

The provincial government is hoping for a successful climate change summit in the province this week to cushion the effects of climate change in Isabela.

River swallows 3 kids

AUTHORITIES are scouring a river in Isabela province in search of three schoolchildren who were believed to have fallen and drowned while on their way home in Barangay Daburab, Cauayan City Friday.

The victims were identified as siblings Rickson, 7, and Eric John Rasa, 6, and their friend Maureen Corpuz, 6.

The parents of the victims sought the help of barangay officials after the children failed to return home from school.

The children’s teacher said she sent the student home early Friday afternoon.

Authorities believe the children may have decided to go swimming or have fallen into the water while crossing the river and were swept away by the current.

Village watchmen found the children’s bag and slippers beside the river.

Ilagan town launches massive tax collection

ILAGAN, Isabela– The local government unit of the capital town of Isabela has started this week its massive tax collection activity among business establishments, tricycle and jeepney operators, real property owners and other collectibles from the town.

Information officer Antonio Montereal said the local treasury office has put up a one-stop shop within the lobby of the municipal hall to speed up the flow and processing of business permits and collections.

Montereal said the local government unit is doing the activity annually and is appreciated by Ilaguenos since it gives them shorter time in processing their business permits and in paying their taxes.

He urged Ilaguenos to pay their taxes before the January 20 deadline to avail tax discounts for early taxpayers.

He said taxes that are being paid are being utilized by the local government on various programs, projects and activities that will benefit Ilaguenos like social services, infrastructures, and other programs for the welfare of Ilaguenos.

NFA 2 to supply additional 100 thousand bags of rice to NCR this month

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela– The Cagayan Valley’s National Food Authority (NFA) is set to send 100,000 bags of rice to the National Capital Region (NCR) this month on orders from the NFA central office.

NFA 2 Regional Director Ruben Reside said the region has enough supply of rice for consumption of region 2 populace and the excess are being set aside for Metro Manila residents.

He said the NCR is now dependent on the rice supply from rice-producing regions like regions 1, 2, 3, and 4 as the NFA has minimized importation of rice from other countries since the country is aiming to be rice self-sufficient by 2013.

Reside said NFA 2 has already supplied 300 thousand bags of rice in previous months to NCR and this month another 100 thousand is set to be delivered to NCR.

Reside said the agency is now busy milling some of its palay stocks to be delivered to the National Capital Region as NFA region 2 has committed to supply 400 thousand bags until the end of this month.

Despite the dispersal of some rice stocks of NFA 2, Reside assured that region 2 has enough rice stocks for consumption of Cagayan Valley residents.

Waste segregation trash cans now a requirement for business permit renewal in Cabatuan

CABATUAN, Isabela– Starting this year, business establishment owners in this municipality are already required to produce waste segregation trash cans at their respective business establishments before they could renew their business permits.

The local government unit of Cabatuan has made the policy in support to Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as Solid Waste Management Act of 2003.

Mayor Cid Dayrit said under his watch, he would like to strictly implement the waste segregation program through requiring business establishment owners to minimize littering of wastes especially in public places.

Dayrit has called on business establishment owners to follow the new policy of the locality in order to make the locality maintain its cleanliness even without any searches relative to cleanliness.

He said cleanliness of a certain place is one of the barometer of tourists to come back to the place if they know that it is clean, peaceful and with tranquility.

3 typhoon-affected Isabela towns to benefit from foreign org program

ILAGAN, Isabela– The typhoon-affected southern Isabela towns of Jones, Echague and San Agustin, Isabela are beneficiaries of the European Commission Humanitarian Organization (ECHO) program through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

Antonietta Asis, chapter administrator of PRC Isabela, said a total of P18 million were allotted by the European Union in the said towns for the provision of food packs and trainings to selected health volunteers in the area.

The health volunteers will serve as partners of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council (PDRRMC) of the province in times of calamities.

Asis said the selection of the three towns depends on the prerogative of the European Commission and the Red Cross will serve as the bridge in implementing the humanitarian mission of the agency.

Asis said residents in the area felt elated for choosing their towns as area for implementing the ECHO program.

The program will officially start this month and is expected to end in the month of May this year.

City treasury office calls on Santiaguenos to pay taxes early

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela– The city treasury office of Santiago has called on Santiaguenos to pay their tax obligation to the city government early to avail of discounts intended for early payers.

Claro Rosendo, local treasury operations officer, said taxpayers should avail of the 20 per cent discount on total taxes until January 20, 2012.

“Failure to pay on or before the January 20 deadline would mean additional surcharges and interests to the total computed taxes,” Rosendo added.

Taxes that are being collected by the city government include real property taxes, income and business taxes and these are added to the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) that are appropriated for the annual operations of the city.

The city treasury office hoped to exceed their tax collection this year, as massive tax information campaign has been conducted last year.

Each year, the city treasurer office is conducting tax information drive to inform the tax obligations of the residents.

This year, the city treasurer’s office has already started their scheduled tax information campaign in the barangays and they have already posted tarpaulins and other information materials in the strategic places to encourage taxpayers to pay their taxes on time.