By Kathlene Joyce C. Ramones-PIA   SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines  – La Union’s famous surf town of San Juan is known for its waves, sunsets, and thriving local businesses — but on International Coastal Clean-Up (ICC) Day, it became a symbol of a bigger battle: protecting the seas that sustain its people. On September 20, volunteers from Barangays Urbiztondo to Panicsican collected nearly 194 kilograms of trash — mostly cigarette butts, liquor bottles, foam fragments, and single-use plastic packaging. Over 300 participants from government agencies, schools, civic groups, and local barangays joined forces, proving that when a community acts together, it can make a visible difference in just a few hours. But the message of the day went beyond filling trash bags. For the Provincial Government–Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO), the clean-up is only a starting point. “Coastal clean-ups are temporary solutions. What makes a lasting impact is when people take the lesson home — choosing reusables, refusing single-use plastics, and managing their waste properly,” said Diana Jutba, senior environmental management specialist of PG-ENRO. The event’s impact was personal for student advocate Gliyan Antonio of Sto. Gliyan Antonio, a student advocate from Sto. Rosario National High School, participated in the clean-up. “I saw how much trash has piled up in the sea and along the shore. It was alarming, but it reminded me that we can still make a difference if we start with self-discipline in managing our waste,” Antonio said. Marine litter is more than an eyesore — it threatens the tourism industry, fishing livelihoods, and marine life that coastal towns like San Juan depend on. According to the Ocean Conservancy, plastic pollution kills thousands of marine animals yearly and contributes to declining fish stocks, a direct hit to communities relying on the sea for food and income. Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega, through Special Assistant Marc Cristopher Ortega, thanked participants for showing La Union’s trademark “agkakaysa,” or unity. “This collective action proves that we can protect our environment if we work together. The cleanliness of our seas is a legacy we must pass on to the next generation,” Ortega said. The clean-up was not limited to San Juan. Simultaneous efforts were held across La Union, reinforcing the province’s commitment to ICC, which is observed every third Saturday of September under Proclamation No. 470 (2003). While the nearly 200 kilograms of waste removed is significant, local officials emphasized that the real victory lies in changing daily habits. Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and eco-bags, say no to single-use plastics, segregate waste at home, and join monthly coastal clean-ups. For La Union, protecting the ocean means protecting its identity as the Surfing Capital of the North. Each cigarette butt refused, each plastic bag replaced, and each volunteer hour given is a step toward cleaner waves, healthier coasts, and a future where tourism and marine life thrive side by side. (AMB/KJCR, PIA La Union)                

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito has given provincial government hospitals and the Provincial Health Office a two-week window to submit the requirements for accreditation under PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), as part of his drive to bring healthcare services closer to Novo Vizcayanos. The directive was issued during the governor’s recent meeting with Ret BGEN. Llewelyn R. Binasoy Regional Vice-President of PhilHealth Region II, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Anthony S. Cortez, chiefs of the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital (NVPH), Dupax District Hospital(DDH)Kasibu Municipal Hospital, Lt. Tidang Memorial Hospital, Bagabag Hospital, and Diadi Emergency Hospital, along with members of the Local Finance Committee. Discussions centered on PhilHealth’s revitalized primary care benefit package, YAKAP. YAKAP expands the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) package to include more primary and outpatient care services such as medicines, check-ups, and basic laboratory tests. Cancer screening tests will also be available to members for free at selected hospitals through valid prescriptions from accredited primary care providers. The program further broadens access to essential medicines under the strengthened PhilHealth Guaranteed Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program. According to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Anthony S. Cortez, PhilHealth members can enroll in the YAKAP program by registering through the eGovPH app, the PhilHealth Member Portal, or any PhilHealth office and selecting a YAKAP Clinic. After registration, they should visit their chosen YAKAP Clinic for a consultation to obtain a prescription for essential medicines, which will then be dispensed at an accredited GAMOT provider. “Timely accreditation will enable Novo Vizcayanos to access these expanded benefits through local health facilities—from medicines and check-ups to basic lab tests and cancer screening—without having to travel far or pay out of pocket,” Governor Gambito said.

By Jason B. Neola   NAGA CITY, Philippines — In a strong expression of solidarity and the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, the City Government of Naga has dispatched an 18-member team from its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) to Masbate City to assist in ongoing citywide clearing operations following the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Storm Opong. The Naga DRRM team, which is spearheaded by Raynor Rodriguez as DRRMO head, is also bringing with them a boom truck—one of the most crucial pieces of equipment requested by Masbate’s local government. The truck will be used to clear roads, streets, and public facilities such as schools that were badly hit by the storm. Masbate bore the brunt of Typhoon Opong’s wrath, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), which confirmed the province as the hardest hit among affected areas across Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, and CALABARZON. The OCD Region 5 reported three fatalities in Masbate: one in Monreal town due to a fallen tree, and two in Masbate City—one from a collapsed wall and another from drowning. Mayor Leni Robredo, who personally coordinated with Masbate City’s LGU, said she was informed of the urgent need for a boom truck as part of the city’s intensive post-typhoon recovery operations. “Despite our own preparations for another incoming typhoon expected this Friday, we made the decision to send help to Masbate because we know how critical this period is for them. We have ensured that enough equipment remains in Naga for our own needs,” Mayor Robredo said. The Naga DRRM team is expected to stay in Masbate for five to seven days. Mayor Robredo expressed hope that the incoming typhoon will spare Naga so that the team can continue their assistance without having to cut the mission short. This gesture also comes as a form of reciprocation, as Masbate City had previously extended help to Naga during the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in 2024. That event had left Naga’s streets buried in debris and mud, prompting neighboring LGUs to come to the city’s aid. In a related development, Mayor Robredo also revealed that Naga City is implementing a new policy that will require all city government employees to report to work during typhoons—even if their services are not directly disaster-related. The move comes after the city faced challenges in distributing food packs to more than 6,600 evacuees during Typhoon Opong last week. “By adopting evacuation centers, employees can help distribute relief goods efficiently. This ensures that no evacuee goes hungry or waits too long for food assistance,” the mayor explained. Mayor Robredo underscored that proactive planning and shared responsibility are key to strengthening community resilience during disasters—values that are clearly being demonstrated by the city’s support for Masbate.