Street Journal, Author at Street Journal Multimedia Services

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — In a bid to safeguard access to clean water during calamities and crises, the Baguio Water District (BWD) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-FOCAR) have sealed an agreement to guarantee the timely and reliable delivery of safe drinking water to disaster-affected communities and families. BWD General Manager Engr. Salvador M. Royeca and DSWD-FOCAR Regional Director Maria Catbagan-Aplaten signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on August 11, 2025, at the BWD Office located at 003 Utility Road, Barangay Marcoville, Baguio City. Under the agreement, BWD will prioritize the sale of potable water to DSWD during calamities, disasters, and other emergencies at the lowest prevailing rate. The supply will be free from metering and installation fees, environmental and/or sewer charges, late payment penalties, and other operational costs – ensuring equitable and timely distribution to affected residents. This initiative supports DSWD’s mandate under Republic Act No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, to coordinate and monitor the provision of relief goods. It also aligns with National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Memorandum Circular No. 02, s. 2020, which authorizes the inclusion of potable water in relief assistance alongside family food packs. “Access to safe and clean drinking water is not just a basic necessity—it is a lifeline, especially during times of crisis.” GM Royeca stressed. “Through this partnership, the Baguio Water District reaffirms its commitment to go beyond regular operations to serve our communities. This MOA ensures that when calamities strike, water will be the last thing our people will have to worry about.” While Baguio City will be the primary beneficiary, the agreement allows the extension of support to nearby local government units once the city’s water supply has stabilized. All water provided under the MOA will be strictly for relief purposes. “We are prepared to respond swiftly to DSWD’s requests to make sure that affected families – here in Baguio and, when possible, in neighboring areas, receive the clean water they need to survive and recover.” GM Royeca added. The partnership will be in effect for five years, providing disaster-affected communities the assurance of reliable access to one of life’s most vital resources during emergencies.

La Union thanks donors for aid to Emong-affected constituents

Region 1

Region 1 / Street Journal

LA UNION, Philippines — The spirit of La Union Agkaysa continues to resonate hope and strength in the province as the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), together with various government agencies, private organizations, and civic groups, collaborate to provide immediate aid and response to the families affected by the widespread impact of Typhoon Emong. Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega expressed deep gratitude for all the help and support of the private sectors and for responding to the province’s call for unity and collaboration. “Thank you very much for all your efforts and initiatives for our kailians.This is the essence of our La Union Agkaysa as we remain united to surpass these challenges,” the Governor emphasized. To supplement the ongoing relief efforts, Governor Mario along with First District Representative Paolo Ortega V and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, received another 350 sacks of rice and food packs from Senator Win Gatchalian on Friday. The Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Industry Inc., led by Consul Ren Faquiang also turned over 700 food packs to the Governor, while Liga ng mga Barangay President Ex-Officio Board Member Ramon Ortega Jr. provided 200 sacks of rice. Other donors, which include the Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Firefighters of the Philippines, International Pharmaceutical Incorporated, Koka Enterprise, 568 Emporium, San Miguel Corporation, 1590 Corporation, Thunderbird Resorts, Abra Diocesan Teacher & Employees Multi-purpose Cooperative, GMA Kapuso Foundation, and Boysen Philippines, also donated food supplies, hygiene kits, and medicines to be distributed to the affected communities. As of this writing, PGLU has already distributed 19,580 family food packs to the City Government of San Fernando and different municipalities. The food pack contains six kgs of rice, eight canned goods, and six sachets of 3-in-1 coffee. Gov. Mario also confirmed that a total of 73,218 food packs have been already delivered to the component local government units (LGU), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Office of the First District Representative, and United Senior Citizens Partylist. Furthermore, Second District Representative Dante Sotelo Garcia has already distributed 5,000 food packs to the affected residents in the Second District.

Globe urges PBBM to return KP Bill to Congress, reinforces commitment to inclusive growth

NCR

NCR / Street Journal

MANILA, Philippines — Speaking at the 1H 2025 financial media briefing, Globe reiterated its strong support for inclusive internet access and urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (PBBM) to return the Konektadong Pinoy (KP) Bill to Congress for further refinement, ensuring it fully delivers on its transformative objectives. The company emphasized that while the KP Bill’s core intent is to make internet access more affordable and universally available for all, this vision can only be achieved with a level playing field across the telecommunications industry. Globe continues to expand its network and launch innovative digital solutions, fully aligned with the government’s mission to bridge the digital divide and foster inclusive growth. For years, Globe has championed equitable access to affordable and reliable internet, recognizing connectivity as a cornerstone of national development and social empowerment. The company fully supports KP Bill’s vision and objectives.However, it also believes that the bill requires careful revisions, so it can become an even stronger framework to empower every Filipino. “We are advocating for universal access to affordable and reliable internet. But we believe this bill needs further study and reform. We hope the President understands the concerns raised by many in the industry, including respected voices and notable personalities,” Froilan Castelo, General Counsel at Globe said. “Our key concerns include regulatory imbalance, uneven competition, and the lack of transparency and oversight for new players.” By linking its solid financial performance to its advocacy for inclusive connectivity, Globe underscored how sustainable business growth fuels greater investment in nationwide digital access and socio-economic progress. Globe also called for close collaboration between the government, industry stakeholders, and Congress to ensure that the KP Bill not only accelerates connectivity but also integrates vital safeguards for long-term stability, fairness, and security in the digital ecosystem. “Globe will be in support. If this bill has been returned to Congress, we’ll be in support,” Castelo said.

ECOP Kapatid Awards honors SM Supermalls for championing business continuity, sustainability

Lifestyle

Lifestyle / Street Journal

MANILA, Philippines — SM Supermalls was recently recognized at the 2025 Kapatiran sa Industriya (KAPATID) Awards of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), held during the National Conference of Employers at the historic Manila Hotel on July 30, 2025. This biennial awards program, now on its 30th year, celebrates companies that exemplify responsible business conduct, industrial peace, ethical labor practices, and innovation-driven sustainability. The recognition highlights SM Supermalls’ unwavering commitment to its people, communities, and long-term business continuity—especially in the face of disruptions and evolving industry challenges. SM Supermalls was honored for fostering a workplace anchored in trust and collaboration, its implementation of forward-looking policies to ensure employee welfare and operational resilience, and its integrated sustainability efforts that align with the values of the ECOP Kapatid Awards. SM continues to embed sustainability at the core of its operations—championing energy efficiency, solid waste management, disaster resilience, and green infrastructure across its nationwide mall network. Through its long-term sustainability roadmap, the company aims to create shared value for its stakeholders while helping build a more climate-resilient future for the country. These values include promoting inclusive work environments, powering through transitions with agility, and contributing to a sustainable future. As ECOP celebrates its 50th anniversary with the theme “Empowering Employers, Building the Nation,” SM Supermalls stands proud to be part of a collective that moves Philippine industries forward through responsible leadership and meaningful impact.

Honest BENECO employee returns student’s lost wallet with tuition money

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

By Laarni Ilagan BAGUIO CITY,Philippines -For many students, losing money meant for tuition can be a nightmare. For one Saint Louis University (SLU) student, it could have been—but thanks to an honest Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) employee, a crisis was averted. Melson Cadate, a veteran meter reader who has been with BENECO for 19 years, was on his usual route in the Eagle Crest area of Bakakeng, Baguio City, early morning of August 12 when he spotted a light brown wallet by the roadside. Initially, Cadate walked past it, assuming the owner would soon return. “I thought maybe someone would come back for it. I didn’t want to touch it right away,” he recalled. But when he finished his meter reading rounds in the area a couple of hours later and passed by the same spot, the wallet was still there—untouched and unclaimed. Cadate picked it up and brought it home during lunch. Out of respect and caution, he asked his wife, Cheryl, to check its contents. They discovered the wallet belonged to a young woman, containing a significant amount of cash, along with IDs, credit and ATM cards. “It felt wrong to go through it myself, so I asked my wife to help,” Cadate said. Using the student’s identification cards, the couple searched for her on Facebook and sent a message to her account, informing her they had found her wallet and how she could retrieve it. The owner, a graduating Tourism student from SLU’s Bakakeng campus who requested anonymity, was overwhelmed with relief. She had just returned to Baguio from Isabela province and suspected the wallet fell out after getting off a cab. “I didn’t even realize I lost it until lunchtime. I turned my apartment upside down looking for it,” she shared. “Then I saw a message from someone at BENECO. I didn’t believe it at first. Naiiyak na ako—I didn’t want my parents to know I lost the money meant for my enrollment and apartment.” When they met at the BENECO main office along South Drive, the student personally thanked Cadate, who returned the wallet and all its contents intact. “Pinabuklat ken pinakontak ko ken ni baket tapnu insigida maisubli, ta estudyante piman,” said Cadate in Ilocano. “We realized she came all the way from Isabela idi napukaw na, kaasi met diay ubing.” Cadate, 45, is also a father of four. His eldest is a first-year student at SLU’s main campus, giving him an even deeper understanding of the student’s situation. He is one of BENECO’s 37 regular meter readers, quietly doing his rounds with integrity and a sense of service. His actions have since inspired co-workers and community members alike. This is his second time to return valuables he found while doing his job as a meter reader. Last Summer, he also returned a Samsung cellular phone, according to Grace Bautista, one of the security guards of BENECO whom he entrusted the phone for the owner to claim at a later date. “Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching,” Melchor Licoben always remind BENECO employees. “And Mr. Cadate did just that.” (LSI)

Making Friztory: Goodday Friz Breaks GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ For Largest Carbonated Beverage Party with 766 participants

Lifestyle

Lifestyle / Street Journal

It was fizzy. It was flavorful. It was Friztory in the making. QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Goodday Friz, a carbonated cultured milk drink, officially exploded onto the scene with a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™-breaking launch. The event brought together 766 Filipinos to set a new world record for the Largest Carbonated Beverage Party. Held at the Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan in Bridgetowne, Quezon City last July 30, 2025, the event, aptly named “Making Friztory,” was a crazy good fusion of pop, fizz, and fun. The crowd raised their cans of Goodday Friz in a massive, synchronized toast, officially earning the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ for the Largest Carbonated Beverage Party. The once-in-a-lifetime celebration was an epic moment in beverage history. Also present at the Goodday Friz launch were industry leaders Lance Gokongwei, President and CEO of JG Summit Holdings, Inc, and Asahi South, Central and Southeast Asia Group CEO Erwin Selvarajah, marking the beginning of an exciting collaboration that redefines the beverage landscape in the Philippines. A Healthier Fizz for a New Generation Goodday Friz combines the zesty sparkle of soda with the creamy tang of cultured milk, fortified with Lac-Shield™ paraprobiotics to support immunity while delivering a crazy good taste. It is soda reimagined for Filipinos who are conscious of their food choices. “Goodday Friz isn’t just your regular soda, it’s a new kind of refreshing and flavorful carbonated drink with a unique twist because it’s made with cultured milk,” said Oscar Villamora Jr., URC Managing Director for Beverages. “We want to offer an innovative drink, and what better way to launch our newest Goodday product than by celebrating with our consumers during this exciting history-making event.” Joining the excitement was rising P-pop sensation CLOUD 7 who was introduced as Goodday’s first-ever brand ambassador. Their dynamic live performance electrified the crowd during the record-breaking event. CLOUD 7 also did a fun dance cover of “Soda Pop” to celebrate the occasion. “We’re thrilled to enter the Philippine soda space with a product that offers both fizz and function,” said Hemalatha Ragavan, CEO of Asahi Southeast Asia and Exports (Multi-Bev). “Goodday Friz delivers a refreshing taste with a health boost. It’s perfect for today’s on-the-go, wellness-minded consumers.” The fun didn’t stop as guests were treated to Goodday Friz-themed activities, including “Friz Fill-Up Frenzy,” where players caught fizzy bubbles, cultured milk, and oranges to fill a virtual can, and “Friz Fuzed,” a puzzle challenge to unlock the perfect path to Friz. Goodday Friz is available in two crazy good flavors—Original and Orange—both low in calories and packed with paraprobiotics to help boost immunity. Combining the smooth creaminess of cultured milk with the zesty fizz of soda, Goodday Friz is crafted to refresh your taste buds and energize your vibe—whether you’re chilling solo or out with your crew. Now available nationwide, Goodday Friz invites everyone to experience this crazy good fusion of flavor and function.

Back-to-Back awards for the province of Cagayan

Region 2

Region 2 / Street Journal

CAGAYAN, Philippines — Tuguegarao City, under the leadership of Mayor Maila Ting, has once again been recognized as National Special Awardee-Best City Government Category, during the prestigious award was conferred by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., PNP Chief Nicolar D. Torre III, and DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla during the 124th Anniversary Celebration of the Philippine National Police. In the same event, the Cagayan Provincial Police Office was named Best Provincial Police Office in the Philippines, while the Tuguegarao City Component Police Station was hailed as Best Component Police Station in the Philippines. These recognitions underscore the commitment of Tuguegarao City and its law enforcement agencies to excellence in governance, public safety, and community service. (From Mayor Maila Ting)

CIAC scores another unmodified opinion from CoA

Region 3

Region 3 / Street Journal

CLARK AVIATION CAPITAL, Pampanga, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (CoA) has once again issued an unmodified opinion to the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), marking the agency’s eighth consecutive year of clean audits from 2017 to 2024. The CoA’s 2024 Annual Audit Report released last May 16, 2025 attributed CIAC’s compliance to “exceptional financial performance, characterized by its ability to generate revenues that exceeded the revenue targets set by the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GCG) based on its Performance Scorecard for calendar year (CY) 2024. Notably, CIAC’s contributions through dividend remittances play a pivotal role in providing the government with the essential funds needed to achieve its socio-economic objectives.” CIAC President Jojit Alcazar welcomed the recognition from the COA, describing it as “a testament to the fair and transparent presentation of CIAC’s financial position, and a significant outcome of the corporation’s financial management expertise and unwavering commitment to transparency and good governance.” The recent audit includes the independent auditor’s report, CIAC’s audited financial statements as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, updates on prior audit recommendations, and a summary of key accounting policies. “In our opinion, the financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, CIAC’s financial position as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, in accordance with Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRSs),” the report stated. The audit report noted that CoA conducted its review in line with the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs), providing a sound basis for the audit results. As a result, CoA issued an unmodified opinion on the fair presentation of CIAC’s year-end financial statements. The report also highlighted CIAC’s consistent compliance with Republic Act No. 7656, or the Dividend Law, by regularly declaring and remitting the mandated cash dividends to the National Government through the Bureau of the Treasury. According to the Commission on Audit, an “unmodified opinion … is issued when the auditor concludes that the financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework such as the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and Philippine Financial Reporting Standards. For this purpose, the auditor’s evaluation includes due consideration on quantitative and qualitative materiality established based on the prescribed COA’s audit guidelines.”

Five URC brands are still top picks among Filipino homes

Business

Business / Street Journal

Five flagship brands from food and beverage firm Universal Robina Corp. (URC) have landed in an exclusive list of products consistently chosen by millions of Filipino households. Great Taste, C2, Piattos, Nissin and Payless were all among the most chosen FMCG brands in the Philippines according to the 2025 Brand Footprint Report of global consulting firm Worldpanel by Numerator. “The results of this study show that our brands continue to earn the trust and loyalty of Filipino consumers,” said URC Chief Marketing Officer Karen Ong. “We’re proud that our products remain staples in homes across the country,” she added. The Brand Footprint report is Worldpanel’s annual ranking of the most chosen FMCG brands worldwide. It uses a metric called “consumer reach points” (CRP) to measure a brand’s strength based on how many shoppers are buying the brand and how often. It essentially shows which brands are winning at the point of purchase. One CRP represents a single instance of a shopper choosing a brand – integrating data on population, penetration and frequency – to provide a holistic view of brand performance. “With more time spent out and about and an easing of inflation, Filipinos shop more often. This means more opportunities for each brand to be bought.” said Marie-Anne Lezoraine, Managing Director for Worldpanel by Numerator in the Philippines Coffee brand Great Taste was in the top 10 most chosen FMCG brands in the Philippines, with 367 million CRP. It was also the fourth most chosen brand in the beverage sector. Ready-to-drink green tea beverage C2 also landed in the beverage sector list with 33 million CRP. Potato snack Piattos outpaced its rivals in the food sector, holding steady at seventh in the rankings, with 180 million CRP. Noodle brands Nissin, with 101 million CRP, and Payless, at 73 million CRP, likewise landed in the most chosen brands list for food sector. Worldpanel said an economic rebound in 2024 had led to a 6 per cent jump in consumer spending on FMCG brands. “Brands that remained visible and accessible during this recovery period saw stronger gains in consumer engagement,” said Karen Ong. “URC’s portfolio clearly benefited from that momentum.” URC produces iconic brands such as Great Taste, C2 Cool & Clean, Piattos, Maxx candy and Cream-O cookies, which have been part of Filipinos’ lives for decades. One of the country’s largest food and beverage manufacturers, URC also has significant, and growing, presence in ASEAN. Its leading regional brands include Lexus, Tivoli and Fun-O.

Author name: Street Journal

BWD,DSWD-FOCAR Seal Agreement to secure potable water supply in times of calamity