Northern Bulletin News Publishing, Ugac Sur (2026)

05/06/2026

𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Department of Labor and Employment shells Php2 billion for the implementation of this year’s Brigada Eskwela through the hiring of 240,000 TUPAD workers.

The move strengthens partnership between DOLE and the Department of Education with skepticism on top of issues and concerns affecting the latter.

The program metamorphosed from ‘Adopt A School’ program in 1998 through Republic Act 8525 signed by then-President Fidel Ramos. It encourages volunteerism in the community and is seen as the modern-day version of the Filipinos’ Bayanihan spirit or a culture of helping each other, a core value and concretized by the Lipat-Bahay Kubo scenario, then, common in the countryside without expecting anything in return. Again, without expecting anything in return.

While the entry this year of DOLE is significant, it diminishes the real essence of Bayanihan. Remember that in the implementation of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantage/Displaced workers (TUPAD), issues of corruption among barangay officials are rife and aplenty. Such issues stood unresolved. Still thank you, DOLE.

Government agencies and private sector have pledged resources, technical support, volunteer services and community-based programs to support. The program is laudable as it aims to address resource gaps faced by the agency.

The movers of Brigada Eskwela should be lauded for a very significant program where partnership between government and private sector highlights the program. The Philippines is faced with classroom shortages, overcrowded class and unprepared classrooms annually. The program can be an anti-dote to perennial physicality problems among schools.

The program showed how much the Filipinos can do when helping each other. However, buried under this program are problems that should be address so as to attain real success. There are insufficient number of volunteers, the incompatible relationship of the school heads among community people and perceived corruption among school heads. These are just some of the problems that need solutions.

We wish the best of luck to the education front and less we forget, we have to tap each other’s back for the small thing we shared in shaping the future leaders of this country.

04/06/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

While we were not looking, the government approved the implementation of a 3-term school year, a shift from the 4-quarter academic calendar this school year. It was a very abrupt decision as even teachers are weary of another adjustment. They have to adjust, they chorused.

Department of Education said there was a consultation among teachers, learners and school heads but missed a vital sector in education; the parents. Was there really consultation when and where. The move is another shift but the 200 school days per year remain. This came at the height of poor performance of Filipino students among their Asian counterparts. Nothing new. Even Guinea pigs can shy away from experiments.

It claimed to address learning periods under the current system. While it is a program to address systematic inefficiencies, it is not a stand -alone solution. The education front has the penchant for introducing various programs based on what’s the lates on the global stage without closely considering our own culture. It has become trial and error. Then we were all convinced that once a student graduates from the K to 12 program, he can gain immediate employment. Until today, there are no popular data on the effects of K to 12 on employment.

There are 150 documented celebrations under DepEd and these will be integrated into lessons under the 3-term school year. Again, the question is how prepared are teachers. Remember the Mother-Tongue based curriculum? The country was not prepared.

The government should first address pressing problems like inadequacy of classrooms, lack of transportation for students in far-flung areas and the high cost of school supplies. Until some of these problems are met head-way, the country is in for another experiment.

04/06/2026

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝐀𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

There’s no harm in it. It is practical and at most, safe. The urge from stakeholders to finally push the use of traditional herbal medicine in the country amid the skyrocketing cost of commercial drugs has become stronger, now a global phenomenon.

The Philippines speaks of 120 plant species identified as herbal. Ergo, it is uncomfortable to think that Filipinos demand much from physician- prescribed drugs. The government never remiss on its advocacy to promote these herbal plants as Congress enacted Republic Act 8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997, creating the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care.

The Department of Health reported that sales of herbal medicines take only one percent of the total drug trade. A survey at the National Capital Region revealed that eight percent of the population takes traditional medicines only once a year. Urbanization can be traced to its negative impact. In Cagayan Valley region, there is no report as to the rate of utilization of such alternative drugs from the DOH. The good news is, the region has manufactured and produced at least three of these healthy herbs and has been in the market for the last decade or so.

While synthetic drugs rule, hope springs eternal as the government already identified ten Philippine plant species which can be tapped for medicine and money. The potentials are huge but the medical industry is faced with multi-nationals who dictate what drugs the Filipinos should take leaving our own backyard behind. Promotion and level of awareness is another area which commands a second look to propel the acceptance level of the Filipinos on herbal medicines.

More and more Cagayanos are into herbal medicines these alongside self-education and awareness as to its financial and health advantages. We can credit that to social media but caution should be top agenda as to the veracity of such claims.

Synthetics should be a big no.

03/06/2026

𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬

Most local and foreign companies complained that majority of job applicants in the country are not qualified for the jobs they are applying for. It’s one issue which should be addressed by the government. This year, we are expecting hundreds, if not thousands, of college graduates. Quo vadis?

Unemployment rate for college graduates reached 44.1 percent in February of 2025. Questions arise: are colleges and universities not providing the right education to make students employable? What’s really wrong with the country’s educational system? K to 12 program has assured immediate employment after graduation but the government itself is so ashamed to present data to support effectivity of the program. Most questions remain unanswered.

College graduates, in a 2025 report, indicate they accounted to an increasing larger portion of the unemployed population. This is at the height of the total unemployment rate of three percent in March 2026, the lowest level in three months. While our economy struggles to address political squabbles, ‘the Filipinos want the government to really address unemployment,’ Pulse Asia Survey said.

An informal local survey predicted that some of our graduates this year will have no options but to immediately apply for work overseas or render themselves underemployed. It has been the system, the culture, as the Filipinos struggle for unpredictable leadership marred by corruption, allegedly from the highest level bulldozing nearly all national agencies of reputation.

The graduates of 2026 will have to fend for themselves. It will be a challenge of ‘diskarte’ to each his own as the country continues to wallow into poverty and regain its old title of ‘the sick man of Asia.’ The Second Congressional Commission on Education showed that Filipino students’ proficiency is in a critical decline. We are a dismal performer in creative thinking, ranking 60th out of 62 countries, hail education front.

Are we losing our quality of education, the Philippine News Agency thought so. We see an overly progressive and libertarian approach to education as the possible culprit.

It’s now or never.

03/06/2026

𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡

Filipinos set all media platforms ablaze as an aftermath of the Britain Got Talent Finals results Saturday.

They exploded with fury and fueled an on-going debate as Matty Juniosa, two-time Golden Buzzer, a rare feat, landed fourth from ten finalists.

Accusations overlap as the show failed expectations of the Filipinos. This is expected. Juniosa ripped social media far and wide. He dominated the stage from auditions to finals. Superlatives from the judges themselves were hurled and these may have convinced Filipinos of a sure win, the first if ever on BGT. No silver platter.

This is Britain, home court and only British can vote. Don’t expect British to vote Juniosa. It will be a slap on their faces. Winning BGT is next to impossible especially if you’re non- Caucasian. They always favor their talents. Call that nationalism. The result is expected wherever and whenever Simon Cowell is. Marcelito Pomoy and the 4th Impact are classic examples.

The fourth place is a feat even Juniosa admitted. BGT opened doors for him as it did non-winners Calum Scott and Loren Allred. He is cast as Annas in the West End production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ the same street where Lea Salonga was introduce to the world. His road to greatness is being sculptured as he is into theater courses and productions.

Filipinos should count their blessings in the entertainment world, particularly, talent shows. BGT opened doors to Juniosa. He will pick up from there. His vocal power, personality and attitude will play roles in his packaging. He has etched a name for himself in the history of the show. No, he was not disappointed, again, with the results. He was thankful and that earned him respect from the Londoners.

There are plenty of Jessica Sanchezes, Marcelito Popoys, 4th Impact, Bella Santiagos, Rose Fontanes’ and Matty Juniosas in our midst.

Move on Filipinos. Juniosa immediately did.

02/06/2026

𝐆𝐨𝐯’𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐅𝐖 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦
By Benjamin De Yro

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will strengthen reintegration mechanism for a wholistic support to Overseas Filipino Workers as it institutionalizes a network for reintegration.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac led the regional conduct of the Regional Reintegration Network over the weekend here with government agencies, academe, institutions and other stakeholders.

“We want to institutionalize partnerships while simultaneously delivering direct services and assistance to OFWs, “he said.
The activity was highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the institutionalization of the project with 15 government agencies, higher education institutions, state colleges and universities.

The activity likewise promotes sustainable livelihood and employment activities, enhances access to government programs and interventions and to support OFWs affected by international crisis.

It will target returning and active OFWs, their families and dependents, OFW entrepreneurs, jobseekers and reintegration program beneficiaries. A dialogue with 50 OFW affected by the Middle East crisis was likewise conducted to assess their current conditions and to identify their intervention needs for support.

Ten OFW entrepreneurs showcased their locally produced products and services in an exhibit called “Buy Local, Buy OFW.’

In a related news, Director Virsie Tamayao of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said her agency is expected to sign a MOA with DTI Director Sofia Narag. Under the MOA, products of OWF in the region will be displayed in all Negosyo Centers as partnership between the two agencies. The partnership will be another first in the country.

02/06/2026

𝐃𝐌𝐖 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐅𝐖
By Benjamin De Yro

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela – The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) is offering courses in Artificial Intelligence as part of the Expanded Kaalaman2Kabuhayan of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

DMW Regional Director Atty. Rogelio T. Benitez said the program is in cooperation with Systems Technology Institute (STI) College here and other partners. He said NRCO supports OFWs through reintegration, financial literary, upskilling, retooling and livelihood preparedness.

Cauayan City is one of the seven areas in the country. Earlier, DMW has proposed for the expansion of its K2K program through the rollout of Curated Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in selected areas in the country.

“The proposed programs are aligned with current local and overseas employment opportunities, industry demand and learners interest including Artificial Intelligence-related courses to prepare returning OFWs for the digital economy, “Benitez said.

The agency said that upon successful completion of the TESDA-TVET course, it will enroll OFW program graduates under the Amazon Web Service (AWS) Academy training certification under the following AWS Foundational Certifications, the AWS Generative AI Foundations and AWS Machine Learning Foundations.

The program aims to equip OFWs with industry-relevant and future-ready skills, in particular through AI -related training programs to enhance employability and support sustainable reintegration.

The program is in cooperation with TESDA, STI, AMA Computer University Amazon Web Services and local government units. Under the program, career opportunities await the qualified individual namely as AI Data collector, Data Collection Specialist, Data Collection Assistant, AI Data Annotation and Labeling Specialist, among others.

Classes commence next month, DMW added.

photo coutesy: DMW Tuguegarao

02/06/2026

Volume IV | Issue No. 31 May 25-31, 2026

02/06/2026

Volume IV | Issue No. 30 May 18-24, 2026

02/06/2026

Volume IV | Issue No. 29 May 11-17, 2026

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