Jrtf-Elcac Cagayan Valley (2026)

30/10/2026

𝗥𝗦𝗖𝗪𝗖 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) — Strengthening child protection mechanisms and creating safer and more supportive environments for children were among the key concerns discussed during the 3rd Quarter Meeting of the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) in Region 2.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director and RSCWC Chairperson Lusia Suyu Alan underscored the importance of sustained coordination and shared responsibility among government agencies, local government units (LGUs), schools, families, and other stakeholders in promoting and protecting children’s welfare.

Alan emphasized the need for continued preventive measures and early intervention to address concerns affecting children, particularly bullying, violence, and other risks in schools and communities.

One of the concerns discussed was the need to strengthen child protection mechanisms in schools. The committee recommended that the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 2 review its Child Protection Policy, including the roles and responsibilities of Child Protection Committees, to further improve the prevention of and response to bullying, violence, and other child protection concerns.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of equipping children, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to recognize risks, understand children’s rights, and identify where to seek appropriate assistance.

“This will be supported through continuing advocacy and capacity-building activities, as well as technical assistance for schools, universities, LGUs, and other stakeholders,” Alan said.

She said the availability of safe spaces where children can play, interact, and develop was also raised during the meeting.

Based on the presentation of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Local Government Operations Officer V Shara Jane Pizarro, there are 583 playgrounds across Region 2.

Charmagne A. Corpuz of OASIS Psychological Center and Psychological Association of Cagayan Inc. emphasized that playgrounds serve purposes beyond recreation, providing children with opportunities to interact with others, express themselves, develop social skills, and learn healthy ways of coping with stress.

To promote safer spaces for children, the council members agreed to identify LGUs that need technical assistance on playground safety and daycare center accreditation.

Alan said the region will likewise work toward conducting training and orientation on Child and Family-Based Early Childhood Education and Training (CBETT) by 2027, with priority LGUs to be identified.

She said the initiatives underscore the RSCWC’s continuing efforts to strengthen coordination among agencies and communities and ensure that children in Region 2 are provided with safer environments, responsive protection mechanisms, and support services that promote their overall well-being. (OTB/MFJ/PIA Region 2)

29/10/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 ‘𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲’ 𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) — Healthcare leaders from public and private hospitals across Cagayan Valley have renewed their commitment to making patient safety an everyday practice, rather than limiting it to compliance requirements, during the 3rd Patient Safety Summit held in Santiago City on September 30.

Organized by the Southern Isabela Medical Center (SIMC), the summit carried the theme “Safe Care for Life” and brought together patient safety champions, quality improvement officers, and hospital administrators to share best practices and strengthen collaboration among healthcare institutions in the region.

SIMC Officer-in-Charge and Medical Center Chief II Dr. Butch Loreto O. Garcia III said the summit was intended to provide hospitals with an opportunity to learn from one another and identify practices that could improve the safety of healthcare delivery.

“We created this summit not to claim that everything has been achieved, but to share our journey, learn from one another, and share meaningful practices that can make healthcare safer,” Garcia said.

He emphasized that patient safety challenges cannot be addressed by a single institution, noting that solutions developed by one hospital could help others facing similar concerns, while innovations from one team could inspire improvements in another.

Dr. Ferdinand M. Benbenen, regional director of the Cagayan Valley Health Center for Development (CVCHD), challenged hospital leaders to take a more active role in building a culture of patient safety.

“Patient safety is a leadership responsibility, not committees and paperwork,” Benbenen said.

He urged hospital leaders to demonstrate their commitment through proper allocation of resources, prompt action on near-miss reports, and support for frontline healthcare workers.

Benbenen said a culture of safety starts with leadership but must ultimately be demonstrated at the bedside. He also encouraged healthcare institutions to view adverse events as opportunities to identify gaps, learn from them, and improve systems rather than simply as failures.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ma. Theresa G. Dalmacio, chief of the Allied Health Professional Service of SIMC, underscored the responsibility of healthcare workers in protecting patients and maintaining public trust.

“We are not just healthcare workers. We are guardians of trust. We are keepers of the sacred oath. We are the ones who stand in the gap between harm and healing,” Dalmacio said.

She identified three key elements in advancing patient safety: patient safety as the value, quality improvement as the method, and risk management as the shield.

The summit featured technical sessions on best practices in public and private hospitals, continuous quality improvement, and learning from harm through event reporting.

Among the resource speakers were Dr. Reachel A. Sanidad, Dr. Angelie Merci Porto, Dr. Jason T. Suquila, and Dr. Christian Mark B. Mariano.

The activity culminated in the formal launching of the Patient Safety Team Region 2 and the establishment of a Viber community to facilitate continuing communication and collaboration among participating hospitals.

Garcia urged the participants to bring home “new ideas, renewed commitment, and the courage to act” and translate the lessons from the summit into concrete improvements in their respective institutions.

The summit underscored that patient safety is a continuing responsibility that must be reflected in everyday healthcare practice, from management decisions and hospital systems to actual patient care at the bedside. (OTB/MGE/PIA Isabela) – Photos courtesy of SIMC

28/10/2026

𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗠𝗦𝗠𝗘𝘀, 𝗔𝗥𝗕𝘀 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗗𝗧𝗜 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) — Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Quezon, Isabela, gained practical digital marketing skills through a hands-on training conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Isabela Provincial Office.

The training, held on September 24 at the Epiphany Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Barangay Abut, gathered 21 participants who learned practical strategies for promoting their products online, reaching more customers, and adapting to changing market trends.

DTI Isabela Supervising Trade and Industry Development Specialist Mary Rose Dumpit said the activity went beyond lectures as participants were given opportunities to apply the concepts through actual exercises.

Participants developed their own social media content calendars, presented their outputs, and exchanged ideas and experiences with fellow entrepreneurs.

Dumpit said the interactive approach allowed the participants to immediately apply the digital marketing strategies discussed during the training to their own businesses and products.

She said the activity is part of DTI Isabela’s efforts to bring relevant business development programs closer to entrepreneurs, particularly those in rural communities.

“Ang digital marketing ay hindi na option; ito ay necessity. Sa pamamagitan ng online platforms, ang ating mga entrepreneurs ay puwedeng mag-promote ng kanilang produkto, kumonek sa mga customer, at magbukas ng oportunidad para sa paglago ng kanilang negosyo,” Dumpit said.

(Digital marketing is no longer an option; it is a necessity. Through online platforms, our entrepreneurs can promote their products, connect with customers, and open opportunities for business growth.)

Dumpit said the training is expected to help MSMEs and ARBs improve their online presence, expand their market reach, and explore new opportunities to increase sales.

She added that the activity forms part of DTI Isabela’s continuing efforts to equip local entrepreneurs with skills needed to remain competitive and responsive to changing market demands. (OTB/MGE/PIA Isabela) – Photos courtesy of DTI Isabela

27/10/2026

𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗚𝗨𝘀, 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝗣𝗛 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Cagayan Valley is training local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies on the use of GeoRisk Philippines (GeoRiskPH) to strengthen disaster preparedness and support science-based planning.

The three-day training, being held from October 6 to 8, is conducted in partnership with the DOST-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), Regional Geographic Information Network (RGIN), and Isabela State University-Cauayan Campus.

The activity provides participants with hands-on training in using hazard and risk information for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), planning, and decision-making.

Participants are being trained in field data collection using the GeoMapperPH mobile application and in accessing GeoRiskPH web services through desktop geographic information system (GIS) software, including ArcMap and RGIS.

The training also covers building typology, earthquake and volcanic hazards, digitized footprint mapping, database management, and the use of the PlanSmart application.

DOST Regional Director Dr. Virginia G. Bilgera underscored the importance of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in addressing community needs and strengthening disaster resilience.

Bilgera emphasized the need to bring science-based technologies closer to communities, government institutions, and other stakeholders and translate scientific knowledge into practical tools that can support disaster preparedness and informed decision-making.

The sessions also introduce participants to the GeoRisk Philippines Initiative and the web and mobile applications under GeoRiskPH.

She said the activity further aims to develop selected participants as GeoRiskPH trainers who can share their knowledge and help sustain the use of the technology in their respective organizations.

Through the training, Bilgera said DOST seeks to strengthen the capacity of government personnel to use hazard and risk information in planning and implementing measures that can reduce disaster risks in communities. (OTB/MJFJ/PIA Region 2) With photos and reports from DOST Region 02

26/10/2026

𝗗𝗦𝗪𝗗 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗧 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝟭,𝟬𝟯𝟵 𝗖𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

TUGUEGARAI CITY, Cagayan (PIA) — A total of 1,039 qualified beneficiaries in Baggao, Cagayan received financial assistance under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Program during the second payout in the municipality.

The beneficiaries came from various barangays of Baggao and were identified as qualified poor and near-poor households under the program.

The DSWD facilitated the payout, in partnership with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and the Local Government Unit of Baggao, to ensure the orderly and efficient delivery of the assistance to qualified recipients.

DSWD Regional Director Lucia S. Alan said the UPLIFT assistance is part of the Marcos administration’s efforts to provide immediate financial support to families who are vulnerable to the effects of rising prices of basic commodities and other household expenses.

“The UPLIFT assistance is intended to provide additional support to families who are struggling to meet their daily needs. This may help beneficiaries cope with expenses for food, transportation, utilities, education, health needs, and other essential household requirements,” Alan said.

She explained that UPLIFT is a government assistance program designed to help poor, near-poor, and low-income Filipinos cope with the economic impact of the energy emergency and rising costs of basic goods and services.

Alan said that the assistance is additional support to help households manage their expenses.

“While this assistance may not cover all of a family’s needs, we hope that it can ease some of their financial burden and help them prioritize their most urgent expenses,” she said.

She also encouraged beneficiaries to use the assistance wisely and to continue availing themselves of other government programs and services for which they may qualify.

She explained that the UPLIFT Program is among President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s measures to help vulnerable households amid further economic hardship as costs of necessities and essential service continue to increase.

Marlon Antonio, a beneficiary, said he can use the assistance to meet the family’s immediate needs.

“Malaking tulong po ito sa amin. Nagpapasalamat kami sa gobyerno at sa DSWD dahil may dagdag kaming magagamit para sa aming mga pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan,” the beneficiary said.

(This is a big help to us. We are grateful to the government and the DSWD because we now have additional resources that we can use for our daily needs.)

The beneficiary also expressed appreciation to the DSWD and the LGU of Baggao for bringing the assistance closer to families in the municipality.

The DSWD reminded the public to rely only on the agency’s official communication channels for announcements regarding UPLIFT and other government assistance programs, particularly amid the circulation of fake online registration links. (OTB/PIA Region with reports from LGU Baggao and DSWD)

25/10/2026

𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝟭𝟬𝟬𝗞 𝗕𝗕𝗠 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA) — Barangay San Marcos in this provincial capital will use P100,000 from the Socio-Civic Project Fund (SCPF) under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) program to install solar-powered street lights and improve nighttime visibility in areas with peace-and-order concerns.

The barangay received P200,000 in SCPF assistance under the President’s BBM program, half of which was allocated for a community-identified project.

Punong Barangay Lorna Gurat said the barangay council decided to use the P100,000 allocation to purchase solar street lights for poorly illuminated areas.

“We are starting to make our community brighter to help prevent different kinds of criminal activities, including theft,” Gurat said.

She said the procurement of the solar lights had already undergone bidding at the time of the interview.

Gurat said the project is intended to help address reports of theft and other security concerns in the barangay, noting that improved lighting could help residents and authorities monitor areas where incidents may occur.

She emphasized, however, that street lighting alone would not be enough to maintain peace and order, urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with barangay officials and law enforcement authorities.

Gurat said the barangay continues to coordinate with the Philippine National Police and other concerned agencies to strengthen security measures and promote community safety.

She also encouraged residents to contribute to maintaining peace and order by observing community rules, keeping their surroundings safe, and guiding children and young people.

Gurat said the project demonstrates how the BBM program allows barangays to direct government assistance toward their most pressing local needs.

The BBM program is a flagship community initiative of President Marcos that provides resources for projects and interventions identified by barangays based on their local priorities.

For San Marcos officials, the P100,000 allocation will be invested in solar-powered street lights as part of efforts to create a safer and more secure community, particularly at night. (OTB/TCB/PIA-2, Quirino)

24/10/2026

𝗡𝗜𝗔 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗘𝗹 𝗡𝗶𝗻̃𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀

PEÑABLANCA, Cagayan (PIA) — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Cagayan Valley is strengthening its irrigation and water-saving interventions to protect agricultural production and help farmers cope with the potential effects of El Niño.

NIA Regional Manager Engr. Raymundo B. Apil said the agency is preparing measures to maximize available water resources and ensure the continued delivery of irrigation water to agricultural areas that may be affected by prolonged dry conditions.

He said that among the key interventions is establishing shallow tube wells, as well as the deployment of Mobile Solar Pump Irrigation Projects to augment water sources in areas that may experience shortages.

“NIA is also promoting water-saving practices such as Alternate Wetting and Drying, along with appropriate irrigation rotation and scheduling, to maximize the use of available water,” he said.

Apil also said the engineering and operations personnel are conducting canal desilting, clearing, rehabilitation, and maintenance activities to improve the efficiency of irrigation water conveyance and distribution and minimize water losses.

He said these measures are being implemented under the government’s broader response to El Niño, consistent with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen preparedness and provide timely interventions to communities and sectors vulnerable to the effects of the phenomenon.

NIA is also coordinating with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Department of the Interior and Local Government, local government units, and other concerned agencies under the Whole-of-Nation Approach to El Niño mitigation.

Apil said the coordination aims to align government interventions and ensure that appropriate assistance reaches affected communities.

“Beyond water management, NIA is encouraging farmers to consider diversified and alternative crops suited to prevailing water availability and climatic conditions,” he added.

The agency is also coordinating cropping calendars and planting schedules and pursuing market linkages and institutional support to help farmers identify potential markets for alternative crops and produce.

Apil underscored the importance of early action and close coordination among NIA offices and personnel as the agency prepares for possible changes in irrigation water availability.

He said NIA must maximize existing water resources and immediately implement appropriate interventions in areas that may be affected by prolonged dry conditions.

Apil said NIA Region 2 will continue to implement engineering, operational, institutional, and climate-adaptive measures to strengthen irrigation systems and help sustain agricultural production amid the potential impacts of El Niño in Cagayan Valley. (OTB/MJR/PIA Cagayan/with reports and photos from NIA Region 02)

23/10/2026

𝗡𝗖𝗦𝗖 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) — Seven senior citizens in Cagayan received P10,000 each in cash assistance from the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) during the Government Service Express at SM City Tuguegarao Downtown.

The assistance is intended to augment the beneficiaries’ resources for daily needs, including medicines and other essential expenses.

NCSC Commissioner for North Luzon Cluster II Atty. Ma. Dolores M. Rigonan said the agency aims to sustain the provision of assistance to senior citizens, particularly in areas where government services are brought closer to communities.

She emphasized the importance of providing accessible venues where senior citizens can conveniently receive government assistance and avail themselves of various programs and services.

Rigonan said bringing government services closer to communities can help ease the difficulties senior citizens may face when traveling to government offices to access benefits and assistance.

NCSC Region 2 Director Dulceneah Lyra F. Dela Cruz said the Government Service Express provides an opportunity for the agency to make its programs and services more accessible to senior citizens.

She said the convergence of government agencies in one venue allows beneficiaries to access various services without having to visit separate government offices.

One of the beneficiaries, Estrella Magannig of Piat, Cagayan, said the P10,000 assistance would help her meet some of her daily expenses, particularly for medicines.

“This cash assistance I received from the government program is a big help in my daily living. At my age, I still have many needs, especially medicines, and I will use this assistance to help purchase them,” Magannig said.

She expressed hope that similar assistance would continue under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and reach more senior citizens, particularly those who need additional support for their daily needs.

Magannig thanked the government for extending assistance to senior citizens, saying the program provides meaningful support to older persons. (OTB/MJR/PIA Cagayan)

22/10/2026

𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀

Career advancement for teachers rarely happens overnight. Behind every new title is a journey of years spent teaching, learning, taking on additional responsibilities, and waiting for an opportunity to move forward.

For 4,244 educators in the Cagayan Valley, that opportunity finally came as they were promoted to higher positions under the Department of Education’s career progression program.

Some of them took their oath in a mass ceremony attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara on October 2 in Santiago City, Isabela, turning what had long been a professional aspiration into a defining moment in their careers.

For many, the ceremony was more than a formal requirement. It was a recognition of years of work in classrooms, schools, and communities.

Among those who reached that milestone was Pacita M. Magno, who was promoted from Teacher III to Teacher VI after a decade in the profession.

Ten years of teaching meant countless lessons delivered, learners guided, school activities supported, and responsibilities carried beyond the classroom. Her promotion represented not only a change in position but also an acknowledgment of the experience and commitment she had built over the years.

For Magno, being able to personally witness the mass oath-taking with the President made the occasion even more meaningful.

She expressed gratitude to President Marcos, describing her promotion as a fulfillment of his commitment to provide teachers with opportunities for career growth.

For her, the advancement is both an achievement and a renewed responsibility to continue serving learners.

She also expressed hope that government efforts to support teachers would continue, particularly initiatives that recognize their work and provide opportunities for professional development and advancement.

A bigger responsibility
For Amelinda C. Abu of Sitio Lagis Elementary School in Ilagan City, the promotion marked another chapter in her journey in public education.

She moved from Assistant School Principal to School Principal I, taking on a position that carries greater responsibility in leading teachers, managing school operations, and helping create an environment where learners can thrive.

Her promotion was made more memorable by the opportunity to personally witness President Marcos during the mass oath-taking.

For Abu, standing among thousands of newly promoted educators before the country’s highest official gave special meaning to the milestone she had reached.

She thanked the President for recognizing the importance of teachers and said the attention given to educators serves as an inspiration for them to improve their work and remain committed to providing quality service to Filipino learners.

Her new position, she knows, is not simply a new designation.

It means taking on a greater role in guiding fellow educators, responding to the needs of learners, and helping shape the direction of her school.

From a dream to a reality
For Rommel A. Simon of Patul National High School, the promotion carried a different kind of meaning: the realization of something he once thought might remain only an aspiration.

Simon moved from Teacher III to Teacher VI, a career milestone that he had worked toward throughout his years in the teaching profession.

“Before, it seemed like just a dream, but now it has finally become a reality,” Simon said.

The simplicity of his words captures what the promotion meant to him: years of hoping and working toward a goal had finally led to a moment he could call his own.

Simon also expressed gratitude to President Marcos for the support and opportunities extended to teachers.

For him, the promotion is not an endpoint but a motivation to continue doing his work and meeting the expectations that come with his new position.

Beyond the new titles
The experiences of Magno, Abu, and Simon mirror those of thousands of educators across the region who have spent years building their careers in public education.

For them, career advancement is not only about a higher position or a new designation. It is also about recognition, the acknowledgment that the years they spent teaching and serving their communities matter.

A promotion can bring better opportunities, but it also comes with greater expectations.

Teachers who move to higher positions are entrusted with expanded responsibilities, whether in mentoring fellow educators, managing schools, leading programs, or taking on more complex roles in the delivery of education.

For those who spent years waiting for the opportunity, the new positions also bring a chance to use their experience in new ways.

The mass oath-taking in Santiago City therefore marked more than the formal appointment of thousands of educators. It represented a turning point for teachers who had spent years working toward career growth and were finally given the opportunity to take the next step.

Their stories are reminders that behind every promotion is a person who stayed in the profession, continued to serve, and waited for the chance to move forward.

Now, with new titles come new responsibilities, and for these teachers, another opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Filipino learners. (OTB/MJFJ/PIA Region 2)

21/10/2026

𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝟰𝟭.𝟲-𝗠 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗘𝗹 𝗡𝗶𝗻̃𝗼

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) — Some 7,930 rice farmers severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Isabela have received a total of P41.63 million in emergency cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cagayan Valley Region.

The Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) payouts were conducted from September 14 to October 3 in 24 local government units across the province, with each qualified farmer receiving P5,250.

DSWD Region 2 Director Lucia Suyu-Alan said the assistance aimed to help affected farmers meet their basic needs after El Niño caused significant losses in agricultural production and reduced their income sources.

Alan said the ECT serves as an immediate intervention for farmers who lost income due to the effects of the natural phenomenon.

“The ECT is not just assistance. It is an immediate response to help our farmers recover, even to some extent, while waiting for the next planting season. Its goal is to ensure that they do not go hungry and remain capable of starting anew,” Alan said.

She said the ECT is part of the government’s disaster response efforts under the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to provide timely and targeted assistance to vulnerable sectors affected by disasters and other crises.

Provincial Agriculturist Sergio Galamgam said the City and Municipal Agriculture Offices validated the beneficiaries to ensure the assistance reached farmers most severely affected by El Niño.

“The damage caused by El Niño to our rice and corn crops is extensive. These farmers directly experienced the decline in their harvests. Through the ECT, they were provided assistance that they can use for their daily needs,” Galamgam said.

He said the cash assistance was distributed following the declaration of a state of calamity in the province due to the widespread effects of El Niño on agriculture, particularly rice and corn production, which are among the major sources of livelihood for farming families. (OTB/MGE/PIA Isabela) –Photos courtesy of DSWD Cagayan Valley

Jrtf-Elcac Cagayan Valley

30/10/2026

29/10/2026

28/10/2026

27/10/2026

26/10/2026

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