When Atty. Jose V. Gambito assumed the governorship in May 2023 following the passing of Governor Carlos M. Padilla, he pledged steady, people‑centered leadership and continuous momentum. By May 2025, after a decisive electoral mandate, that promise had been translated into visible improvements across the province. Fiscal Year 2025 emerged as a defining period—one in which policy direction became measurable results, programs reached scale, and Nueva Vizcaya earned sustained national recognition.

𝗔 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆

What distinguished FY2025 was not only the breadth of projects but the sustained pace of implementation. Many of the province’s most visible breakthroughs—and nearly all major awards and recognitions, including the coveted Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awarded in 2024—came within Gov. Gambito’s first two years. Faster execution, strengthened partnerships with national agencies, and active community participation produced outcomes that residents could immediately use and appreciate.

𝐅𝐘𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬

Under Gov. Gambito’s leadership, Nueva Vizcaya advanced priority initiatives that strengthened connectivity, improved public access to services, expanded infrastructure, and reinforced local governance:

𝘿𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨

• Expanded digital inclusion through Free WiFi Ti Umili, now reacv. ql pio www as z hing 161 barangays, and launched Free WiFi Ti Kapitolyo.

• Improved access to professional services by opening a PRC offsite center and hosting the LEPT and Criminologists Licensure Examination for the first time—reducing travel costs and making opportunities more accessible for Novo Vizcayanos.

𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙮𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 & 𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨

• Strengthened job matching, training, and frontline employment services through PESD

• Posted strong labor outcomes: the employed population rose to 232,000 in 2024, translating to a 98.31% employment rate—a clear indicator of a healthier local labor market.

𝘼𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩

• Advanced plans for a rice processing center and cold storage facilities in coordination with DA/PhilMech, strengthening post‑harvest capacity and farmer competitiveness.

𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮

• Secured ₱12 million for Bagabag Airport rehabilitation, supporting improved connectivity and longer‑term economic potential.

𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙮 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩

• Strengthened local operations with 15 multi‑purpose vehicles for barangay support and service delivery.

• Revived the bayanihan spirit through Dalan ti Umili, encouraging community participation and shared responsibility in local development.

𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩

• Accelerated infrastructure through Kalsada ti Kabanbantayan, securing nearly ₱700 million to build 43 farm‑to‑market roads and concretize seven mountain roads—projects that directly support farmers, traders, students, and commuters.

𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜

• Achieved a major milestone as Nueva Vizcaya became a First‑Class province.

• Posted a 100% passing rate in Good Financial Housekeeping, reinforcing sound governance and financial management.

𝐀 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞

FY2025 also marked an unprecedented run of awards and commendations—recognition that reflected performance, not publicity:

• DICT: Champion of Digital Governance

• DILG: Back‑to‑back SubayBAYANI distinction and Top‑10 finish

• BLGF: Top collection and revenue awards

• DOT: Multiple ATOP Pearl Awards for tourism promotion

• PIA: Recognition for PAIAD for outstanding public information service

• DOLE: PESO Best in Region 2

• PWAP: National Outstanding Provincial Jail honor

• PNP/RCSU2: Recognition for the province’s licensed Government Guard Force

• OCD/DSWD: Commendations for resilience and social welfare performance

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫

The final quarter of the year tested the province’s preparedness when Super Typhoon Uwan caused roughly ₱3 billion in damage to roads, bridges, and farms. The provincial government responded rapidly—providing relief, initiating repairs, and protecting livelihoods. Recovery plans prioritize “build back better” and climate‑resilient designs to reduce future vulnerability while maintaining service continuity.

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝

Two years into his term, Gov. Gambito’s leadership has emphasized tangible improvements—better farm roads, wider internet access, easier access to professional exams, and stronger employment facilitation. With a renewed mandate from the May 2025 election, the province will focus on completing recovery work, institutionalizing gains, and expanding services so more Novo Vizcayanos benefit.

From taking office in May 2023 to securing a landslide victory in May 2025, one message stands out: under Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito, 𝙩𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙜‑𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙠𝙖𝙙𝙖 𝙣𝙜 𝙉𝙪𝙚𝙫𝙖 𝙑𝙞𝙯𝙘𝙖𝙮𝙖. /RMI

[This article was initially created on Facebook – Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya. For PGNV updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/vizcayareporter]