By Danny Estacio LUCENA CITY, Quezon- City Mayor Mark Don Victor Alcala bared accomplishment for first 100 days on his second term on Monday, Nov. 17. Alcala reported it before the city council regular session headed by presiding officer Vice-Mayor Roderick Alcala, his father. Thirteen members of city council were all present and witnessed by barangay officials, city employees, non-government organization and bussiness sector. Alcala focused his report on the vibrant local economy that continues to have more partnerships with businesses for commercial and industrial development which is a great help to support programs of the city residents. These programs and initiatives consist of Lucena VIP Ka, People’s Day, Electronic Business Permitting and Licensing System (eBPLS), renovation of the Lucena City Public Market and construction of the Lucena Public Market Central Terminal, the city’s much-improved Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation, the Journey of Hope program (Soup Kitchen and Mental Health Support and Counseling), and the strengthening of Quality Tertiary Education for Dalubhasaan Lungsod Lucena’s (DLL) students this college is run by the  city government. Alcala also boasted of the city’s continued increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) within three years (2022-2024) and the recognition of Lucena as a 2 Billion Peso City. The said city budget was accumulated from the 60 percent of national share and 40 percent of  local taxes. Young Alcala speech lasted for 30 minutes of his First 100 days report for 2025.    

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito has created “Task Force Uwan” to coordinate and accelerate recovery efforts in areas hit by Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung‑Wong), under Executive Order No. 22, s. 2025. The task force will be chaired by King Webster B. Balaw‑ing, Community Affairs Officer IV and head of the Public Affairs and Information Assistance Division (PAIAD) of the office of the Governor. Members include Provincial Engineer Engr. Jerry A. Tan; Provincial Agriculturist Absalom Rizal D. Baysa; Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Anthony F. Cortez; and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Flordelina C. Granada. The PAIAD of the Governor’s office will serve as the secretariat, providing administrative support and maintaining records. Task Force Uwan will act as the province’s central body for implementing and monitoring post‑disaster rehabilitation. Its mandates include drafting, carrying out, and tracking a Post‑Disaster Rehabilitation Plan; forming committees or technical working groups as needed; mobilizing other offices, agencies, LGUs, and stakeholders; and setting protocols and timelines to meet targets. It may also perform other functions as directed by the governor. The task force must submit quarterly implementation reports and an annual accomplishments report to the governor. Funding will be sourced from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund and other provincial funds, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules..    

Lingayen, Pangasinan , Philippines — The provincial government of Pangasinan has released the year-end bonus equivalent to one month’s salary and a cash gift of ₱5,000 to permanent and casual employees, including those with temporary and co-terminus status, of various offices and hospitals, following Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s announcement in a video message recently. The release of the benefits aims to provide a boost to the employees’ morale and financial well-being as they celebrate the holiday season. The governor expressed his gratitude to the employees for their hard work and dedication to serving the people of Pangasinan. The year-end bonus and cash gift are expected to benefit thousands of employees across the province, bringing joy and cheer to their families. The provincial government remains committed to supporting its employees and recognizing their contributions to the province’s development. The provincial government assures that Job Order/Contract of Service workers will also receive their share in the form of gratuity pay or financial assistance. Those who have rendered a total or an aggregate of less than four (4) months of service from January 1 to October 31 of the current year and are still in the government service as of October 31 of the same year, shall be entitled to a pro-rated Cash Gift pursuant to Section 2 of RA 8441. According to HRMDO records, there are a total of 7,110 employees assigned in various offices and hospitals, with 3,653 being permanent and casual employees, and 3,083 Job Orders. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)      

Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines  – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was given a Special Citation and Certificate of Recognition from the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) for implementing the Document Management System: A Paperless Solution for Collaboration. SBMA Office Services Department (OSD) OIC Manager Jaime Menor, Jr. received the citation from DAP President and CEO Leocadio S. Sebastian during the 2025 Powering Productivity event held at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City on November 11, 2025. The citation recognizes the SBMA’s effort to save one million sheets of paper by digitizing document routing and inter-office communication across its 46 offices. The SBMA implemented the DMS in its bid as one of more active paperless government agencies in the country. With the theme “Powering Productivity: Unlocking Ideas, Enabling Innovation,” the 2025 Powering Productivity event served as the culminating activity of two initiatives of the DAP Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity, which champions innovation and productivity among the youth and public-sector partners. The program featured pitching competitions to showcase creative and impactful solutions developed by students, including an awarding ceremony to recognize outstanding participants and entries from the 2025 Productivity Challenge. The event highlighted the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and the collective commitment to drive productivity growth in the Philippines.