Regional Level Most Wanted Person Arrested by Naic PNP

Camp BGen Pantaleon Garcia, City of Imus, Cavite—Warrant personnel of the Naic Municipal Police Station, successfully apprehended a Most Wanted Person Regional Level at about 5:04 PM of April 16, 2025 in Barangay Bancaan, Naic Cavite.

PLTCOL Resty E Soriano, ACOP, Naic MPS, identified the accused as alias Henry, 46 years old and presently residing in Barangay Bancaan, Naic, Cavite.

The warrant personnel of Naic Municipal Police Station conducted an operation against a Most Wanted Person Regional Level, which resulted in the arrest of the accused by virtue of a warrant of arrest for Violation of Sec. 5, and Sec. 11 Art II, of RA 9165, with CC # NC-982-23 and NC-811-23 of RTC Branch 15, Naic, Cavite, issued and signed by Presiding Judge Leeio C Castigador. Not bailable for Violation of Sec. 5, and Php 200,000 for Sec. 11 Art II, of RA 9165.

The Cavite PPO commends its officers for their dedication and hard work in enforcing the law and ensuring the safety and security of the community.

We assure the public that the Cavite PNP remains steadfast in its mission to uphold justice and safeguard the well-being of every Caviteño. We always count on your support and active participation in ensuring a safe and secure environment for everyone. Together, let us work hand in hand to build a community rooted in trust and mutual respect.

The government aims to set up 1,500 Kadiwa stores nationwide by 2028, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Monday.

In a Malacañang briefing, Castro said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program.

“Mula sa anim na post office na dati ng nag-host ng Kadiwa pop-up stores, palalawakin na ito sa 67 post office sa Metro Manila at iba pang bahagi ng Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao. At inaasahang aabot pa sa 1,500 ang Kadiwa stores sa buong bansa pagsapit ng 2028,” Castro said.

Castro said this is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to make essential food products accessible to all Filipinos, particularly the vulnerable.

“Alinsunod sa pangako ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na magbigay ng abot-kaya at dekalidad na pagkain, pumirma ng kasunduan ang Department of Agriculture at Philippine Postal Corporation or PHLPost para palawakin pa ang Kadiwa ng Pangulo program sa buong bansa,” Castro said.

Under the MOU, Castro said the PHLPost will provide more spaces for Kadiwa stores in identified post offices across the country to widen the program reach. The post offices will provide necessary equipment for better operations.

The DA, for its part, will handle the logistics and ensure the safety of the products, according to the MOU.

PHLPost has 1,100 post offices nationwide, which could eventually host Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores and centers.

Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores offer basic commodities such as rice, meat, and fish at affordable prices. | PND

Malacañang on Monday denounced the reported increasing cases of bullying, harassment, and violence in schools and online.

“Nagpalabas na rin po ng mensahe po dito at kinokondena po kung anuman po na bullying, pangha-harass sa mga estudyante po natin, sa mga kabataan po,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered concerned agencies to address the problem after the Department of Education (DepEd) reported a high number of these incidents occurring.

“Ginawan na po talaga agad ng agarang aksyon ito ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan din po ng direktiba ng ating Pangulo,” Castro said.

Dumlao said victims received help and support from social workers sent by the government.

Castro also said DepEd is investigating a recent stabbing incident in a Las Piñas City school.

Castro added that DepEd personnel have talked to a representative of the Schools Divisions Office (SDO) and the principal of the school where students have been involved in the violent incident.

Data from DepEd earlier showed that more than 79,000 cases of bullying, both physical and online, were recorded from 2019 to 2022. | PND

By Allan Mauro V. Marfal, DOST-STII

 Science and Technology Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. encouraged students from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) to leverage their knowledge to uplift lives and improve communities in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas. 

During a recent visit to the PSHS-MIMAROPA campus in Odiongan, Romblon, Secretary Solidum emphasized that what distinguishes “Pisay” graduates is their commitment to giving back, serving others, and fostering innovation. 

“At the DOST, we want to nurture this spirit,” Solidum pointed out. “That’s why we created the Technopreneurship Program to help young innovators like you become your own boss.” Solidum who also hails from Odiongan, Romblon stressed the need to cultivate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship — “where your ideas can grow into solutions and solutions into sustainable enterprises.” 

He also encouraged the students in MIMAROPA to reach out to the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Office and collaborate through the Innovation Hub (iHub) and pursue their ideas and turn them into products and services.

“For true innovation to thrive, and for meaningful startups to emerge, three things must work hand in hand: education, infrastructure, and opportunity. And among these, education is the most crucial. Once we strengthen education, everything else follows,” said Sec. Solidum. 

Innovation Hub for Student-Researcher in Romblon

An innovation hub is set to be established in Odiongan, Romblon, in support of a new initiative. In an interview during the Kapihan sa PIA Romblon two months ago, Mae Angelica Famini, the Science and Technology Officer of the Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO-Romblon), shared that the DOST is drafting plans for this Innovation Hub (iHub) to assist student researchers and innovators from Romblon. 

The iHub will function as a co-working space where students and researchers can access the internet and use various gadgets to develop their ideas. They will also receive mentorship from experts who will guide them in refining their projects and innovations. 

This hub is expected to be operational at the DOST MIMAROPA Provincial Science and Technology Office in Odiongan, Romblon. 

Notable iHubs in other regions include those in Kalinga, Zamboanga del Norte, and Guimaras, each designed to address local innovation needs and promote inclusive economic development through public-private partnerships.

Additionally, Secretary Solidum visited the construction site for the new Academic Building 2, which is planned to include additional classrooms and state-of-the-art laboratories. This new hub is inspired by the DOST logo, featuring four interconnected circular segments that reflect the iconic DOST emblem. 

By Apple Jean C. Martin- de Leon & Glenn B. Manongsong, DOST-FPRDI

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) taps the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to help guarantee the quality of papers to be used in the coming elections on May 12, 2025.

DOST through the Forest Products Research and Development Institute’s (DOST-FPRDI) Pulp and Paper Testing Laboratory (FPPTL) is the COMELEC accredited government laboratory to ensure that paper products from the private companies are tested and certified before they can join the bidding process.

For more than a decade, the FPPTL has been COMELEC’s partner in ensuring the high quality and at par with standards set by the poll body on paper products to be used in the election.

The laboratory evaluates the paper quality based on its opacity and brightness, grammage, thickness, stiffness, tear and dimension. Among the paper products tested at the laboratory are multi-copy papers, continuous forms, envelopes, thermal papers, paper seals, vellum papers, newsprints, folders, and specialty papers.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. has lauded DOST-FPRDI’s advanced testing services that are crucial in the conduct of important events such as the elections.

“By ensuring that election materials meet quality standards, we contribute to a smooth and reliable voting process. High-quality paper ensures ballots are durable and easily readable, which minimizes the occurrence of errors,” Solidum stressed.

FPPTL is the only pulp and paper testing laboratory in the country and is certified by the International Organization for Standardization through the Philippine Accreditation Bureau.

Aside from COMELEC, other DOST-FPRDI clients include the Department of Education, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Transportation Office, National Printing Office, and the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

According to FPPTL Technical Manager Aimee Beatrix R. Habon, “the government saves millions of pesos by availing of FPPTL services, instead of having their paper products tested and certified abroad.”

The Institute continues to expand its ISO-accredited testing services to address the evolving needs of the forest-based and allied industries. These include the introduction of advanced testing methods and the acquisition of additional machines to create more innovative products.

According to Habon, the laboratory has procured new equipment to test the paper’s brightness, opacity and whiteness, smoothness, porosity, and roughness. Also acquired is the double-fold tester for measuring the folding endurance of paper, and burst for tissue to evaluate its strength. This is through the assistance and funding support from the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development, and the Smarter OneLab for Industry 4.0.

“Our mission at DOST-FPRDI is to support the forest products industry by providing reliable and cutting-edge testing services. The expansion of our services reaffirms our commitment to help local manufacturers compete in both local and global markets,” explained Institute Director Rico J. Cabangon.

“With these advancements, FPPTL strengthens its role in ensuring the quality and integrity of paper products, not just for the elections but for everyday use. By setting high standards for testing, we protect consumers from substandard and overpriced paper products,” Cabangon added.

Camp BGen Pantaleon Garcia, City of Imus, Cavite—In a major breakthrough in the fight against illegal drugs, joint operatives of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of Cavite Police Provincial Office (CAV PPO) and Dasmariñas Component City Police Station (DASMA CCPS) successfully conducted a buy-bust operation on April 16, 2025, at Brgy. Burol 1, Dasmariñas, City, Cavite, leading to the arrest of a Street-Level Individual (SLI).

PLTCOL CHESTER NOEL BORLONGAN, C, PIU, identified the suspect as alias “Manok”, and a resident of Brgy. Datu Esmael, Dasmariñas, City. The operation, carried out at about 5:30 PM, with proper coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

During the operation, authorities seized a significant quantity of illegal substances, further disrupting the local drug trade and enhancing community safety. Evidences recovered during the said operation were Two (2) pieces heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, weighing approximately 30 grams, with a standard drug price of Php 204,000.00.

The operation was conducted in the presence of Media Representative and Elected Official to ensure transparency. Furthermore, the entire procedure was recorded using an Alternative Recording Device in compliance with standard operating procedures.

The successful apprehension of alias Manok underscores the unwavering commitment of the Cavite Police in combating illegal drugs and ensuring the safety of communities. The suspect is now in police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

The Cavite Police Provincial Office remains steadfast in its anti-drug campaign and urges the public to report any suspicious activities to help maintain peace and order in the province.