The Provincial Planning and Development Office, headed by Engr. Edgardo D. Sabado, hosted the Flag Raising Ceremony on March 24, 2025. Provincial Planning and Development Officer Edgardo D. Sabado addressed the employees of the provincial government in his speech about the recent achievements of the PPDO, the recent losses of the province due to Typhoon Pepito, and the ongoing and forthcoming projects for the betterment of the province.
The PPDO had a hand in the province’s achievement of the Seal of Good Local Governance and the SuBayBayani Award, as the infrastructure projects around the province rendered it both eligible and worthy of the awards. Of particular note are the new roads constructed to relieve traffic and allow closer farm-to-market transactions. The province was also the first to gain approval for its Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan in December, thanks to the efforts of the PPDO. In collaboration with the Provincial Advisory Committee on Poverty Alleviation, the last year has also seen a decline in poverty incidence, from 11.6% in 2018 to 7.3% in 2024.
The agricultural sector has also had considerable loss, however, as the onslaught of Typhoon Pepito resulted in a 2.7 billion loss in potential profit due to the damages in farmland and livestock. The effects of African swine flu (ASF) have also affected the prices of meat due to depleted supply. The PPDO implemented stop-gap measures and projects to address the resulting unemployment, including ‘stop-gap measures’ such as financial assistance programs. It was made clear that the PPDO’s focus would be on ‘sustainable interventions’ for the people of Nueva Vizcaya. These sustainable interventions include the future plans for the province, most of which are long-term agricultural investments which are under preparation and being included in the updated Provincial Development Plan. Engr. Sabado spoke of ‘new bases for new projects’, which include new agricultural initiatives such as fully organic farming practices.
Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito expanded on these plans in his closing speech for the ceremony, taking an economist’s point of view on the potential of the province. “I have observed that organic produce is unaffected by the law of supply and demand. As far as vegetable farming is concerned, we may become the richest province in the country if our negotiations go through as regards organic fertilizer production.”
The governor also clarified on the proposed productions of coffee and cacao in Nueva Vizcaya that Engr. Sabado had alluded to in his speech. “We in Nueva Vizcaya are disadvantaged compared to other provinces in Region 2 because of their wide plains,” said Governor Gambito. “Nueva Vizcaya only has 30% plains. But if our land is 70% mountains, why not make them our livelihood? We have the potential for the most delicious coffee because of our high elevated areas; high elevation is best for coffee farming, and our weather is conducive.”
We must take the risk. If we don’t take risks, we will stay the same. I am willing to take the risk to introduce innovation. Thank you for your cooperation, all chiefs of office. Please be with me throughout our innovations. I cannot guarantee risk free ventures, but we have to take risks to take advantage of the potentials of our province.”
The Provincial Planning and Development Office’s many achievements and comprehensive reporting show the progress of the province, which may only continue as far as the current administration and the efforts of the provincial government go to provide service and improve the lives of the people of Nueva Vizcaya. /igmb
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