Luzon Morning Sun

13/06/2025

𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐀 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐖𝐈-𝐅𝐈 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒, 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄.

Kalinga province achieved a significant milestone in digital inclusivity with 200 free Wi-Fi internet access points successfully installed across the province as of May 2025.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Kalinga Field Office said this ambitious initiative, part of the national government's "Free Wi-Fi for All Program," seeks to bridge the digital divide, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).

DICT Kalinga Provincial Officer Monalisa Vizcarra explained, the widespread installation was made possible through strong partnerships with local government units (LGUs) and various stakeholders.

"This marks a significant step toward digital inclusion and improved connectivity in the province," Vizcarra said highlighting the program's crucial role in supporting the advancement of information and communication technology under the "LUMIN-AWA (prosperity or well-being) Agenda."

The free internet access is expected to be vital for education, livelihood opportunities, seamless government transactions, and essential emergency communications for Kalinga residents.

The installations were strategically distributed to ensure maximum public benefit, covering key public spaces such as barangay halls, municipal grounds, schools, rural health units, and other community centers.

Pinukpuk town had the highest number of installations at 37 sites, followed by Tabuk City with 28. Balbalan and Tanudan towns each have 26 sites. Pasil town now boasts 24 sites, Tinglayan 22, Rizal 21, and Lubuagan 16.

Kalinga Governor James S. Edduba underscored the importance of expanded internet access, aligning it with the province’s broader goals of digital transformation and inclusive development. He said that such milestone is more than just numbers — it is about empowering our communities through connectivity.

"From students to farmers, from entrepreneurs to government workers, everyone stands to gain from accessible and reliable internet," he said.

13/06/2025

𝟑𝟒 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐔 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐃 “𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐙𝐄-𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐃 𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍.”

Fished-out crystal m**h in plastic packaging packaging labeled as “Freeso-dried Durien” has reached a total of 34 packs.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Ilocos region spokesperson Rio Maripie de Guzamn said the number has climbed up from 25 packs on Sunday as retrieval operations and turn-overs from fishermen continued.

She said the value has to be ascertained still though authorities pegged the packs are a kilo each.

On Saturday afternoon, June 7, 2025, Ilocos Sur police said two fishermen turned over 25 packs to Sta Cruz town policemen. They were reportedly found 30 nautical miles from the shore.

The fishermen, both from Brgy. Mantanas, Sta Cruz, brought ashore the packs where three packs were melted already and the 22 packs intact.

The 25 packs, estimated 25 kilograms, was valued by the Dangerous Drugs Board at P149,600,000.00 or P5.984M a kilo, hence the total haul as of Monday afternoon would reach a whooping P203,456,000.00.

The Coast Guard District North Western Luzon (CGDNWLZN) said it was possible that there was a northward drift of illegal drugs because authorities also retrieved from Pangasinan fishermen on Friday almost P4B of shabu also in plastic packaging tucked inside chute sacks.

13/06/2025

𝐃𝐒𝐖𝐃 𝐄𝐗𝐄𝐂 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐇’𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐀 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐔𝐌

DSWD exec cites PH’s disaster resilience programs in Geneva forum
A senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) highlighted the Philippines’ approach to disaster resilience, citing several key national programs aimed at reducing disaster risks and losses, especially for the most vulnerable population.

Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) represented the Philippine Government in a plenary session titled “Leave No One Behind: Realizing the Guiding Principles of the Sendai Framework,” during the Eighth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025) held in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday (June 4).

“During the commemoration of the 11th anniversary of Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) which caused the displacement of more than 918,000 families, equivalent to 4.5 million individuals, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., emphasized the need for intensified efforts to help the country adapt to the challenges of climate change and build disaster-resilient communities,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said in her speech.

In her message, Asst. Secretary Dumlao mentioned two major disaster resilience programs of the Philippines under the DSWD—the Panahon ng Pagkilos: The Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP) and the Project LAWA at BINHI or Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished.

According to Asst. Secretary Dumlao, the Panahon ng Pagkilos: PCRP targets 500 municipalities identified as highly vulnerable due to a combination of high poverty incidence, significant exposure to environmental and natural hazards, elevated rates of childhood stunting, and a substantial Indigenous Peoples population.

“Through participatory resilience planning, communities are empowered, enabling them to proactively address risks rather than simply reacting to disasters,” the DRMG official said.
The Project LAWA at BINHI, as mentioned by Asst. Secretary Dumlao, targets two salient areas of disaster vulnerability: water insecurity and food insufficiency.

The project is designed to maintain agricultural productivity during dry periods and to manage excess water during periods of heavy rainfall associated with La Niña.

“These multi-layered interventions constitute a paradigm shift towards resilience-building from disaster recovery. By providing knowledge, tools, resources, and livelihood opportunities, the State establishes spaces where displacement does not equal prolonged suffering,” the DRMG official pointed out.

In concluding her speech, Assist. Secretary Dumlao affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

“The Philippines is a great example of how inclusive, integrated, and forward-looking approaches under the Sendai Framework are truly able to "leave no one behind" in the journey towards disaster resilience,” Assist. Secretary Dumlao said.

In a side event of the GP2025 dubbed as “Displacement in Disasters - Participation and Innovation for Resilience,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the Philippines, as one of the world’s most hazard-exposed countries, is shifting from reactive responses to anticipatory action.

“We are no longer content to wait for the next storm, the next eruption, the next wave of displacement. We are choosing to act—decisively, inclusively, and sustainably. The Philippines remains ready to work with all of you—with governments, civil society, the private sector, and the communities we serve—to build a future where resilience is not the exception, but the norm,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

12/06/2025

Pugo, La Union— A woman farmer “breaks her back” for the whole day and under heavy rains during the “panag-sikka” (Iluko for preparing palay seedlings) over a rain-fed rice paddy in barangay Cuenca, Pugo, La Union Wednesday.

Most farmers who had been waiting for the rains had started to prepare for their palay seedlings ready for this planting season.

📸✍️Art Dumlao

12/06/2025

𝐌𝐀𝐁𝐔𝐇𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐀𝐍!

Today, we honor the bravery of those who fought for our freedom, and the responsibility we carry to protect it.

May we continue to build a nation that reflects the strength, spirit, and resilience of the Filipino people.

Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan!

10/06/2025

LOOK: VP Duterte Heads to Malaysia for Personal Trip

Vice President Sara Duterte is traveling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a personal trip with her family, according to a statement from the Office of the Vice President.

📸: Office of the Vice President of the Philippines

10/06/2025

𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐎 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄: 𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝟗𝟓% 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝟓 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇𝐒.

Human error is the leading cause of traffic accidents in the city, the Baguio police said, citing that it caused approximately 95 percent of incidents recorded over the past five months.

Thus, local authorities are calling for strategic interventions seeking to reduce the number of accidents and improving road safety in this mountain tourist enclave.

BCPO Strategic Management Team Chief, Police Col. Judy Jasmin Palicos, though emphasized that human error does not solely refer to driver mistakes but also includes factors such as road conditions, infrastructure, and environmental influences that affect driving performance.

“We need a multi-faceted approach to addressing these incidents, one that involves the active participation of everyone in the community,” Palicos urged. “By doing so, we can work toward a significant reduction in traffic accidents.”

BCPO data from January 1 to May 27, 2025, reveals that there were 375 recorded traffic accidents, a notable increase compared to 322 incidents during the same period last year.

Of these accidents, 307 resulted in property damage, 60 caused physical injuries, and 8 were fatal. While most incidents involved motor vehicles where there were recorded 356 cases, motorcycles were involved in only 19 accidents.

The majority of accidents, 166, occurred within the central business district area, though incidents were reported in various parts of the city.

Seeking to curb the rising number of accidents, the Baguio police has rolled out its Operation Plan DRIVE or Discipline, Respect, Infrastructure, Vigilance, and Education aiming to educate motorists and the public on road safety responsibilities.

Palicos appealed for support to the initiative and “become proactive agents of change in ensuring safer roads, thereby helping to prevent accidents, injuries, and loss of life.” “We all share the responsibility of keeping our streets safe,” she said.

10/06/2025

𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝟒𝐏𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐋𝐀 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐃 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒.

Former monitored child of government’s Conditional Cash Transfer tact Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Rodiyo Tacdoy of La Trinidad, Benguet had made a huge success in selling coffee beans.

Former monitored child of government’s Conditional Cash Transfer tact Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Rodiyo Tacdoy of La Trinidad, Benguet had made a huge success in selling coffee beans.

10/06/2025

𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐄𝐗-𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐑 𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐀’𝐒 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐒’ 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐘𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐘.

Investigators are getting good leads in last Tuesday morning’s assassination of former Lagayan, Abra mayor Jendricks S. Luna, 54, infront of his own home in barangay Dangdangla, Bangued, Abra, after the two motorcycles used by the assassins were found abandoned in another barangay around 2-3 kilometers away from the crime scene.

Luna, who ran but lost in the Abra Sangunniang Panlalawigan (SP) in the May 2025 polls, was peppered with bullets by four motorcycle-riding gunmen, apparently professional assassins.

A CCTV footage showed how the four positioned and executed “the kill” in stealth and precision negating any police response and any possible retaliation from the victim, also veteran practical sports shooter.

Crime scene probers found 28 fired cartridge cases of caliber 5.56mm, eight fired cartridge cases for Cal .45, and one deformed fired bullet believed to be from Cal .45 where Luna was killed.

Relatives rushed Luna to the Seares Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Policemen who conducted a hot pursuit operation against the assassins found the two black Honda XRM motorcycles used by the suspects, described as 125cc with chassis numbers KPY10009548 and KPYR1013446 along the road at barangay Cosili East, also in Bangued.

Cordillera police spokesman Lt. Col. Carol Lacuata said they are still in the midst of a deeper investigation on the killing and could not offer further details with the developments in the police operations against the suspect.

Disturbing though, an Abrenian villager who had been observing the political rivalries in the province fo long, including the dynamics that recently occured in Abra during the campaign and actual elections is, ‘how come were Comelec checkpoints did not detect the rifle-bearing motorcycle-riding assassins?’

Luna, son of former Abra congresswoman Cecille Seares Luna and brother of ousted Bangued, Abra mayor Ryann Luna, had been a vocal critic of alleged police partisanship during the last elections in that province.

09/06/2025

𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐏 𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄.

The Baguio City government is frantically looking for another location to dump its tons of waste.

This after the Urdaneta City (Pangasinan) sanitary landfill was shut down after its operator failed to comply with its agreement with the host barangay.

The city government had notified Baguio City residents on Tuesday not to bring out their non-biodegradable waste until the problem is addressed.

The Baguio City General Services Office (GSO) bared it is preparing necessary documents for a new contract to a new sanitary landfill.

GSO chief Eugene Buyucan said there are three sanitary landfill operators in the province of Pampanga where they asked for quotations.

According to Buyucan, only one in Porac, Pampanga submitted a quotation to them. He said that once the needed paper works be done, the garbage will be brought to the new landfill.

He hope that the garbage collection in the city will resume next week.

Baguio City churns out at least 400 tons of garbage daily and has bene spending at least P200million a year for its waste getting to a waste dump facility outside the city.

09/06/2025

𝐍𝐁𝐈-𝐃𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐍 𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐋𝐔𝐙𝐎𝐍

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Dagupan District Office caught five alleged members of a swindling syndicate operating all over Northern Luzon provinces.

The syndicate members identified as Melita Bulatao de Vera, Lorelie Taruc Lim, Maria Dynalyn Lambino Sarote, Amor Ranole Tamayo and Perfecto Macaraeg Soriano Jr., the NBI agents said, loaned a total of P4 million from a businesswoman in Calasiao town.

The ring members reportedly used a house and lot in Bical Norte, Bayambang, also in Pangasinan allegedly registered to the deceased husband of de Vera as collateral.

The businesswoman-complainant grew suspicious after noticing that the said property the five used as a collateral is different from what is allegedly registered in the original certificate of title (OCT).

Seeking the NBI DADO offices, said NBI Director, retired Judge Jaime Santiago, the businesswoman was advised to surrender the OCT to the Registry of Deeds in Lingayen town.

Not contended, the five suspects asked for an additional P1 million loan from their victim and agreed to meet last May 29, 2025.

Ten days before the agreed meet, the Lingayen Registry of Deeds issued a certification confiscating the surrendered OCT.

An entrapment operation was launched and the five were caught, Dir. Santiago said, adding, and the five are now facing charges of the complex crime of estafa and falsification of document.

NBI-DADO Agent-in-charge, Senior Agent Mamerto B. Tello Jr., as ordered by Dir. Santiago, is urging those who may have been scammed by the five to come forward and seek any NBI office in Northern Luzon to file charges against the group.

Tello added they are verifying further if there is truth that the group had victimized a number of people in Baguio City and Pangasinan.

08/06/2025

𝐁𝐂𝐃𝐀 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐓𝐂 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐎 𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐘

State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it welcomes the favorable decision of the Regional Trial Court of San Fernando in La Union, which dismissed the Petition for Land Registration filed by Shipside, Inc. over a parcel of land within the Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ).

“This legal affirmation strengthens BCDA’s mandate over the property and paves the way for the continued advancement of its strategic development initiatives in PPFZ properties,” it said.

These development initiatives include the revitalization of the San Fernando Seaport and the comprehensive enhancement of PPFZ, said the BCDA.

The court’s decision marks a critical milestone in unlocking the full potential of Northern Luzon, BCDA believed, adding, “with PPFZ poised to become a key hub for tourism, logistics, and investment, the (Northern Luzon region) is set to benefit from increased economic activity and long-term growth.”

According to the BCDA, central to its vision at the PPFZ is the San Fernando Seaport, whose continued operation and planned upgrades are vital to generating jobs, supporting livelihoods, and driving inclusive progress in the local community.