By Jason B. Neola   NAGA CITY, Philippines — ONE month into her administration, Mayor Leni Robredo expressed satisfaction over the early gains made under her leadership, citing enthusiastic support from city government personnel and the implementation of 24 executive orders that signaled a shift toward more transparent, efficient, and inclusive governance. Robredo, who took her oath of office on June 30, said she is “inspired” by the positive response of her “coworkers” in the city government as she began enforcing policy reforms aligned with her 2028 Finish Lines — a roadmap outlining strategic goals in eight thematic outcome areas: economic inclusion, environmental sustainability, mobility and order, health, education and well-being, heritage and identity, digital governance, good governance innovation, and local government efficiency. Among her administration’s landmark directives are a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, the mass regularization of long-serving casual personnel, a baseline performance review of city offices, the reconstitution of the Naga City School Board, and the institutionalization of stronger civil society participation in local governance. “Seeing their commitment and openness to change motivates me even more to pursue the long-term objectives we have laid down,” Robredo said. In her first month, the city government conducted clearing operations of waterways, drainage canals, and water outfalls, spearheaded by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), the City Engineer’s Office, and the Solid Waste Management Office. “They [personnel] work almost 24/7 just to ensure that siltation due to the dumps of garbage are removed, clogged drainages are unblocked, and water outfalls are cleared,” Robredo said. “They are doing this to minimize the flooding in the city, if not totally prevented.” Robredo also emphasized partnerships with national and local government units and private stakeholders as vital to achieving her administration’s goals. Key collaborations include a partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the Naga River Rehabilitation focused on clean-up and flood control, and a joint effort with the Metro Naga Water District to strengthen potable water infrastructure and ensure sustainable water supply. Another notable development is a sister-city cooperation with Quezon City, which will pave the way for urban and administrative collaboration in areas such as housing and digital governance services. As her administration moves forward, Robredo remains firm in steering the city toward a governance model that is responsive, participatory, and future-ready.

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Congressman Atty. Timothy Joseph E. Cayton has hit the ground running in the opening week of the 20th Congress, filing five key bills aimed at strengthening social welfare, supporting educators, and empowering local government units. Leading his legislative agenda is House Bill No. 2691, which seeks to establish a universal social pension for senior citizens. By amending current statutes, this measure aims to guarantee financial support for all elderly Filipinos, reinforcing the country’s commitment to social justice and ensuring that no senior is left behind. Recognizing the vital role of teachers in nation-building, House Bill No. 2692 proposes a special bonus for public school teachers every October, in celebration of Teachers’ Month. This initiative not only offers much-needed financial incentives but also serves as a tribute to the unwavering dedication of educators shaping the nation’s future. With a vision for reliable and sustainable energy, House Bill No. 2693 seeks to grant a franchise to the Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative, Inc. This legislation will empower the cooperative to manage and distribute electric power throughout Nueva Vizcaya, ensuring consistent and dependable energy access for local communities. To further boost the welfare of local government employees, House Bill No. 2694 proposes to allow local government units (LGUs) to utilize their certified year-end savings to provide additional benefits to their personnel. This measure aims to cultivate a motivated and well-supported local government workforce, driving improved public service. Rounding out his legislative package, House Bill No. 2695 seeks to amend the Local Government Code of 1991 to increase appropriations for personal services. The bill is intended to ensure LGUs can offer competitive compensation to their employees, ultimately enhancing the quality and efficiency of public service delivery. “These bills are a reflection of my deep commitment to serve our senior citizens, educators, and local government personnel,” Congressman Cayton said. “By prioritizing their welfare and empowering our communities, we lay the foundation for a more just, equitable, and progressive society not only for the Novo Vizcayanos but for every Filipino.” All five bills have been formally referred to their respective committees for deliberation and further action    

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) contiguous to this premier freeport received their revenue shares worth Php197.85 million. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) released today the revenue shares for the first semester of this year in a simple turnover ceremony at the SBMA Corporate Boardroom. “Rest assured that we will do our best to make progress in the Freeport so that our neighboring LGU partners will also benefit including the 166,000 freeport workers who chose to work here instead of working abroad,” SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said. According to Aliño, for the current period, the shares came from revenues collected between January and June this year, and are given to contiguous LGUs to augment funds for their projects in tourism, infrastructure, education, peace and order, health, livelihood generation, and social services that will benefit more than 785,000 individuals from their respective LGUs, especially households who have been severely affected by the recent calamities. Olongapo City, the lone recipient city, received the largest share due to its population and land area among the seven LGU recipients, which is Php46,270,769.33. In Zambales, Subic received Php29,683,317.56, the second biggest amount received. Next is San Marcelino with Php23,763,694.31, while Castillejos received Php17,987,887.14, and San Antonio received Php16,824,398.47. In Bataan, Dinalupihan received Php24,643,508.58, while Hermosa received Php21,186,145.67, and Morong received Php17,489,910.85. SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Atty. Ramon Agregado said that the LGU shares distribution came timely since the provinces of Zambales and Bataan were affected by three typhoons that hit the country recently. “Hermosa has hit a deficit in resources because of the calamity. This LGU shares distribution will be a huge boost to augment the resources we lost. As you all know, Hermosa was among the most hardly hit municipalities by the heavy rains brought about by the typhoons and the southwest monsoon, as 18 out of 23 barangays got flooded,” newly-elected Hermosa, Bataan mayor Atty. Anne Inton said. Aliño explained that the LGU share is determined according to 50 percent population, 25 percent land area, and 25 percent equal sharing. Net shares are computed by adding the current base share to the ten percent retention amount from two years prior, but less ten percent retention amount from the current period. He also shared that the reduction in the amount of dividends for the same period in 2024 in the amount of ₱204.7 million to ₱197.8 million in 2025 was due to the imposition of 25 percent tax by the Department of Finance, which is remitted by the Agency to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the removal of the five percent tax privilege wherein three percnet used to be remitted to the BIR, and two percent used to be distributed as dividends among the eight contiguous LGUs. These revenue shares collected from January to June are released in August, and revenue shares collected from July to December are released in February of the following year. (30)          

LA UNION, Philippines — La Union Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega enjoins the cooperation of the provincemates to expedite the restoration of power two weeks since Typhoon ‘Emong’ ravaged the province, leaving a large population without electricity. In a press conference on Tuesday, Gov. Mario said that he had a dialogue with the two electric companies in the province and assured the residents on their prompt response as they work double time to fully restore the power to all affected households. “Kaunting patience na lang po, inaayos na po ng ating linemen ang mga linya ng kuryente at ginagawa po nila lahat ng kanilang mga makakaya upang maibalik ang suplay ng kuryente sa inyong lugar sa lalong madaling panahon,” Gov. Mario said. “We ask everyone to cooperate and unite in the road clearing to hasten the restoration of electricity,” Gov. Mario added. Board Member Gerard Ostrea reported that electricity has been restored in 83.33% of households. Board Member Chary Nisce has also ensured sufficient calamity fund to be used in the recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Ex-Officio Board Member Ramon Guio Ortega Jr. highlighted that barangay officials have been exerting efforts to clear the debris, toppled trees and electric posts along the road within their jurisdiction to help the electric companies easily navigate the affected areas. Electric companies from neighboring provinces also heeded the province’s call for La Union Agkaysa as they deployed their personnel and extended help to the local electric supply providers to hasten the province’s power rehabilitation. “We thank all the electric companies from neighboring provinces for lending their hands to bring back our power supply.” Gov. Mario added