Street Journal, Author at Street Journal Multimedia Services

Clark to host Sports Tourism Forum

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines — Reinforcing its position as a major sports destination in the country, Clark Freeport will host the Sports Tourism Forum at the SMX Convention Center Clark on November 7, 2025. Sports and tourism stakeholders from national sports associations and clubs, local government units, hotel and resort executives, sports and MICE event organizers, sports facility managers and corporate sponsors from across the country are expected to attend this one day forum, organized by Philippine Sports Turismo Alliance, Inc. supported by Clark Development Corporation, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotion Board, SMX Clark and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. Strongly supporting the call of President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos, Jr, to make sports events a catalyst to boosting tourism in the country, Sports Turismo Alliance, Inc has intensified its role in organizing a series of fora across the country with the support of the Department of Tourism, under the leadership of Secretary Christina G Frasco. “The Philippines is off the starting blocks to prove itself as a great sports host country. International sporting events such as the FIBA World Cup in 2023, the ongoing FIVB World Championship and the forthcoming FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, are great testimonies of our capability and popularity as a sports hub,” explained Charles Lim, President and CEO of Sports Turismo Alliance, Inc. as well as founder and chairman of the Philippine Sports Tourism Awards. A power packed panel of international and local speakers, headed by the President of the International Children’s Games, Mr Igor Topole will further intensify the Philippines thrust in sports tourism. Other speakers invited include Ms Maggie Hsu the Sports Administrator of the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, Ms Marga M Nograles, COO of the Tourism Promotion Board, Mr Patrick Gregorio, Chairman, Philippine Sports Commission, Ms Princess Galura, President and General Manager, Sunrise Events, Inc., Mr Carlo Sampan, Milo Marathon Program Director and Mr Robby Alabado, Director Department of Tourism “Maximizing and sustaining our sports programs and facilities is still a challenge for major sports hubs while local sports tournaments can be developed in small cities into national and international events. These are topics we will be discussing at the Forum,” revealed Lim. Economic, cultural, socio, environmental and sports development impact on host cities will also be tackled by the panel of expert speakers. Clark Development Corporation will host a cultural dinner closing ceremony at the launching of the Happening On The Green for all delegates. For registration and more information, contact arantxa.selrahco@gmail.com (+639208404817) or jade.selrahco@gmail.com (+639604374034)

International Coastal Cleanup Day

Environment

Environment / Street Journal

On September 20, the world comes together for International Coastal Cleanup Day, a global movement to protect our oceans and coasts from plastic pollution. Every act of cleanup, big or small, helps restore balance to marine life and keeps our shorelines thriving.

VICTORY: Saltan Dams FPIC terminated, UTHP FPIC up for termination

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Representatives of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance–Kalinga (CPA–Kalinga) filed a petition at the NCIP Regional Office, on September 15, demanding the immediate cancellation of the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) applications for DPJ Engineers’ Upper Tabuk Hydropower Project (UTHP) and JBD Water Power Inc.’s (JWPI) Saltan Dams. A dialogue with NCIP Regional Director Roland Calde followed, where he revealed that the Saltan Dam projects FPIC processes have already been terminated and that the UTHP is up for similar termination. “This is a victory for the Kalinga tribes threatened by these development-aggression projects. We welcome the NCIP’s decision and hope that other opposed projects will meet the same fate. We will remain vigilant and expect more decisive action in the coming days,” said Juan Dammay, Chairperson of CPA–Kalinga. “The failure of the FPIC process to proceed is the result of sustained protests by affected communities over the years. The NCIP’s termination is long overdue, and those projects still up for termination should be cancelled immediately,” added CPA spokesperson Ned Tuguinay. JWPI’s terminated projects include the 49-MW Saltan D and 45-MW Saltan E along the Saltan River, a tributary of the Chico River. However, other renewable-energy and large-scale mining projects continue to threaten Kalinga, often accompanied by intense militarization. Among these is the 200-MW Abra-Kalinga Wind Farm, also by JWPI, which poses an urgent threat to the municipalities of Balbalan and Pasil in Kalinga, as well as Malibcong, Licuan-Baay, and Daguioman in Abra. Geothermal projects of the Aragorn Power and Energy Corporation would affect the municipalities of Lubuagan, Pasil, and Tinglayan. Placed alongside large-scale mining applications, these projects leave the province of Kalinga facing severe threats. CPA continues to call for the cancellation of these projects and for the genuine recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights. “Development should be self-determined. None of these projects are intended to address the lack of basic social services in the Cordillera, contrary to the promises of their proponents. They are all designed for profit. We have seen how much money is lost to corruption. These funds should have been spent on essential services. So-called development projects should never be used as a condition for the provision of those services,” Tuguinay concluded.

Aboitiz Renewables secures P7.4-B loan for its Olongapo solar project

Region 3

Region 3 / Street Journal

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — Aboitiz Renewables Inc., through wholly-owned subsidiary AP Renewable Energy Corporation, signed a P7.4-billion project finance deal with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to fund the engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of the 221 megawatt peak (MWp) Olongapo solar power plant in Zambales. The project is currently 95% complete and is on track for testing and commissioning by the third quarter of 2025, connecting to the Castillejos 230 kilovolt substation of the grid operator. Upon completion, the solar PV capacity will be Aboitiz Renewables’ largest solar project to date. “Olongapo Solar represents a major contribution to AboitizPower’s clean energy portfolio and more so to achieving the Philippines’ energy transition targets,” said Aboitiz Renewables President Jimmy Villaroman. “Every project we build is the product of a highly motivated organization contributing to AboitizPower’s energy transition effort.” AP Renewable Energy Corporation is the project company for the construction of the Olongapo solar power plant, which began in the first quarter of 2024. The company is wholly-owned by Aboitiz Renewables, the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower). Aboitiz Renewables holds the investments and interests of AboitizPower in various renewable energy projects, including geothermal, large hydro, run-of-river hydro, wind, battery energy storage systems, and solar projects. According to the Energy Regulatory Commission, AboitizPower is the market leader in power generation capacity, with a national market share of 23.86% as of July 2025. Together with its partners, AboitizPower also offers the largest renewable energy portfolio in the Philippines based on installed capacity under its operational control.

PNP todo-higpit laban sa Private Armed Groups sa papalapit na BARMM Elections

Vis-Min

Vis-Min / Street Journal

MINDANAO, Philippines — Sa nalalabing 27 araw bago ang Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections 2025, binigyang-diin ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang matatag na paninindigan ng pamahalaan na tiyakin ang mapayapa, maayos, at kapanipaniwalang halalan sa darating na Oktubre 13, 2025, sa kabila ng mga kasalukuyang isyung legal. Bilang tugon, pinaigting ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang mga hakbang para mapanatili ang katahimikan at protektahan ang karapatan ng bawat botante. “Malinaw ang aming tungkulin—siguraduhin na ang mga mamamayan ng BARMM ay makakaboto nang malaya at walang takot,” ani PNP Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. “Mananatiling mahigpit ang aming pagiging neutral at propesyonal anuman ang tensyon sa pulitika, at ipatutupad namin ang batas nang walang kinikilingan.” Mula Agosto 14 hanggang Setyembre 16, nakapagtala ang PNP ng 14,828 Comelec checkpoint, na nagresulta sa 22 na naaresto at 32 na nakumpiskang baril kaugnay ng umiiral na gun ban. Tuloy-tuloy din ang mga operasyon laban sa mga pribadong armadong grupo at masusing pagbabantay sa paggalaw ng mga loose firearm. Nakahanda at operational na rin ang ating Regional Joint Security Control Center upang magbigay-daan sa agarang koordinasyon ng PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), at Commission on Elections (Comelec) para sa mabilis na pagtugon sa anumang insidente. “Aktibo naming kinakausap ang mga lokal na pamahalaan, mga lider-komunidad, at iba pang pangunahing sektor upang maiwasan ang anumang posibleng tensyon,” pahayag ni PNP Spokesperson at Public Information Office Chief, Police Brigadier General Randulf T. Tuaño. “Prayoridad namin ang kaligtasan ng mga botante at ang kredibilidad ng halalan, at hindi kami papayag na may sumira sa prosesong ito.” Tiniyak ng PNP na patuloy ang mahigpit na pagpapatrolya, pagpapatupad ng gun ban, at pagsasagawa ng inter-agency drills habang papalapit ang araw ng halalan.

Cebu Pacific Records 2.1M Passengers in August, Seat Load Factor Reaches 83.7%

NCR

NCR / Street Journal

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Pacific (CEB) carried 2.1 million passengers in August 2025, a 0.4% decrease compared to the same period last year. Seat load factor (SLF) increased to 83.7% from 81.3% last year while seat capacity declined by 3.2%. Domestic passengers decreased by 4.4% versus August 2024 on 10.7% lower seats, with a domestic SLF increasing by 5.7pts to 87.6%. International passenger traffic, meanwhile, grew 13.3% year-over-year on 21.4% higher seats, which resulted in a 5.3pts decrease in SLF to 74.2%. For year-to-date 2025, CEB passengers grew to 18.1 million, marking a 15.2% increase from 15.7 million in 2024. Domestic passengers grew 14.0% to 13.5 million, while international passengers grew 18.8% to 4.6 million. SLF averaged 85.2%, while overall capacity in seats grew 15.1% to 21.3 million. “The softer year-on-year traffic in August reflects the usual lean travel season in the Philippines, particularly for domestic routes, while international passenger growth remained strong. We see this as an expected and temporary dip, with traffic rebounding in the fourth quarter as peak travel season begins and aircraft availability improves,” said Mike Szucs, Chief Executive Officer of Cebu Pacific. “We moderated our domestic capacity growth in August due to some unscheduled engine removals, the flyadeal wet-lease, and scheduled maintenance events in preparation for the busy holiday months.These actions enable our capacity to be optimized so that we can deliver higher growth in the fourth quarter to coincide with the anticipated strong demand.”

Converge Global business launches Cyber Resiliency Bundle to arm businesses against evolving digital threats

Business

Business / Street Journal

MANILA, Philippines — Businesses across all industries face two key challenges: rapidly evolving cyber threats and the increasing need for optimized, high-performance network connectivity. To help organizations tackle these challenges head-on, Converge Global Business, the corporate and large enterprise unit of leading broadband and technology provider Converge, is proud to introduce the Cyber Resiliency Bundle, a comprehensive solution uniting reliable connectivity and SD-WAN technology. The Cyber Resiliency Bundle is designed to empower businesses with the secure, reliable, and high-performing connectivity they need to remain resilient in today’s digital-first world. Whether it’s ensuring business continuity during a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack or delivering seamless connectivity for mission-critical operations, this innovative bundle offers businesses an all-in-one solution to meet their growing demands. “Modern organizations can no longer afford downtime, inadequate performance, or vulnerabilities to cyberattacks,” said Converge Chief Technology Officer Paulo Martin Santos. “With the Cyber Resiliency Bundle, we’re equipping businesses with the tools they need to stay operational, secure, and ahead of the curve, all while simplifying network management.” The bundle provides a holistic approach to cyber resiliency with three core components: Reliable connectivity: High-speed, uncontended internet ensures consistent performance for critical applications and workflows. This includes Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) for headquarters and cost-effective fiber broadband for branches or Starlink, satellite internet. Software Defined-Wide Area Network (SD-WAN): support continuous connectivity and fail-over links, more so it provides best-in-class security features such as VPN tunneling between sites, Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), URL & application filtering, data leakage protection, and advanced malware protection, among others. Full turnkey approach: A one-stop-shop with a single point of contact that manages the entire process—from solution design and hardware procurement to final implementation. This Cyber Resiliency Bundle is particularly valuable for industries like finance, healthcare, retail, and e-commerce, where operational continuity and robust cybersecurity are of critical importance. Combining these technologies into one package simplifies implementation for IT decision-makers and delivers undeniable value by addressing multiple network and cybersecurity needs simultaneously. The launch of the Cyber Resiliency Bundle reflects a growing commitment to helping businesses proactively adapt to an increasingly complex digital landscape. It not only safeguards operations but also provides opportunities for businesses to streamline costs and boost efficiency, making it an integral part of future-ready strategies. Businesses looking to enhance their cyber resiliency, protect their digital assets, and ensure seamless connectivity are encouraged to explore the Cyber Resiliency Bundle.

San Pablo City, planong magtayo ng Agri-Industrial Economic Zone

Region 4

Region 4 / Street Journal

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna, Philippines – Ipinahayag ni Mayor Arcadio “Najie” Gapangada Jr., na sinangayunan na ng Sangguniang Panlungsod ang kanyang panukala na magtayo ng agri-industrial economic zone sa lungsod. Ayon sa ulat ng City Information Office, ang resolusyon ay inisponsoran ni City Councilor Chad Pavico. Ayon sa alkalde, ang plano para sa ecozone, na kanyang ipinangako noong eleksyon, ay isusumite sa Director General ng PEZA at kalaunan kay Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. upang ideklara ang site bilang isang special economic zone. Matatandaang noong bumisita ang Pangulo sa San Pablo noong Setyembre 15, sinabi nito kay Mayor Najie na agad isumite ang mungkahing ecozone sa Malacañang. Unang nagpakita ng interes sa nasabing proyekto si businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, na bumili ng Franklin Baker Company, at nangangailangan umano ng 20 ektarya para sa kanilang operasyon. Inaasahang makalilikha ng maraming trabaho para sa mga San Pableño ang itatayong ecozone. Pinasalamatan ni Mayor Najie si OIC City Administrator Rick Jason Tatlonghari na naghanda ng concept paper para sa proyekto. Si Tatlonghari ay may malawak na karanasan sa paggawa ng concept papers at feasibility studies para sa mga programang pangkaunlaran, kabilang na ang dating at kasalukuyang binubuong Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) ng San Pablo. SPC Update)

Pangasinan marks 500,000 seedlings planted under Green Canopy Program

Region 1

Region 1 / Street Journal

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines — The Provincial Government of Pangasinan has successfully planted 500,000 seedlings under Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s Green Canopy Program since its launch in 2023, signaling a major step in the province’s campaign for environmental protection and sustainable development. This achievement was highlighted during a tree planting activity led by Governor Guico at the Eco-Tourism Park in Brgy. Estanza, Lingayen on September 16, in celebration of National Tourism Month and the 125th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary. Coconut seedlings were planted on-site in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), while simultaneous tree-growing activities were also conducted in Mangatarem and Umingan. “Itong ating Green Canopy Program, pagdating ng ilang taon, lalaki ang mga punong ito, yayabong at makakatulong tayo to make our planet very green. Pinopromote po natin ito, ang pagiging makakalikasan natin sa ating lalawigan,” Governor Guico said in his speech. The governor also pointed out the role of coconuts in reviving local livelihoods. “Maghanap tayo ng iba’t ibang lugar para gawin natin mga coconut plantations, especially dito sa Lingayen, and let’s try to revive ang bucayo industry,” he added. Looking ahead, Governor Guico laid out a bigger vision of planting another half a million seedlings under his second term, bringing the program’s overall target to one million trees across Pangasinan. Vice Governor Mark Lambino, who also joined the activity, emphasized the program’s long-term impact. “Layunin po nito na siguraduhin ang ating kinabukasan para sa ating mga kabataan. May maaasahan po sila na kagandahan mula sa ating likas na yaman,” he said. Also present during the tree-growing activity were 2nd District Board Member Philip Cruz, Acting Provincial Administrator Atty. Babyruth Torre, Pangasinan Provincial Community and Livelihood Development Office (PPCLDO) head Ellsworth Gonzales, provincial department heads and employees, and TUPAD volunteers.

Author name: Street Journal