Street Journal, Author at Street Journal Multimedia Services

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, has earned Bronze in the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) category at the 2025 Economic Times Human Capital Awards (ETHCA). It is the only Southeast Asian carrier recognized among this year’s honorees. The ETHCA celebrates organizations demonstrating outstanding human resource practices and people-first strategies. This recognition underscores CEB’s commitment to building a culture of inclusion and advancing equitable opportunities for all. “Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to how we lead and grow. This accolade reinforces our belief that empowering our people enhances the way we serve our passengers and communities,” said Felix Lopez, CEB Chief Human Resources Officer. Over the years, CEB has introduced progressive D&I policies and practices within Philippine aviation. It was among the first local carriers to employ openly transgender cabin crew, recruit female pilots, and extend health and travel benefits to common-law and same-sex partners of its employees. Central to its diversity efforts is the incluCEB Space campaign, which fosters psychological safety and inclusivity across the company. This initiative is supported by the Juan CEB Community (JCC), an employee-led network that runs programs such as EmpowHER, supporting women in non-traditional roles; Rainbow Routes, for LGBTQIA+ inclusion; and Sky Parents, for solo parents. The airline also provides mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training for leaders and new hires. In support of persons with disabilities (PWDs), CEB has partnered with The Vanguard Academy (TVA), an educational institution, through a three-year program to create internship opportunities for neurodiverse individuals, enabling more inclusive participation in the workforce. These efforts have positioned CEB as a workplace leader in the region. In 2024, it became the first airline in Southeast Asia certified as a Great Place to Work®. It was also recognized as one of the best employers for recent graduates by the education and careers platform Prosple. Operating 37 domestic and 26 international destinations spanning across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, CEB continues to expand its network while championing a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable workforce.

Over 200 families evacuated due to landslides in Benguet

CAR

CAR / Street Journal

ITOGON, Benguet — Over two hundred families in this mining town were evacuated after a series of landslides caused by incessant rains in Itogon,Benguet. Engr.Cyril Batcagan, head of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) – Itogon, asked miners to temporarily stop any mining activities while the bad weather continues. He also reminded residents, especially those living in landslide-prone areas, to be double-checked and evacuate immediately if necessary to avoid any tragedy. Reports from Barangay Captain Flordeliza Depayso in Sitio Goldfield, Barangay Poblacion, said fifteen families were affected after a large part of the mountain collapsed. Depayso, the assessment and monitoring are still ongoing, so the number of those affected is possible to increase. One house was buried by the collapsed soil, but fortunately, no one was reported injured because the residents had already evacuated before the incident. According to her, it may take a month to open the buried road due to the amount of soil that has blocked it. Batcagan said they are looking into the possibility of alternative routes, however, he admitted that they cannot recommend a route yet because other roads in the town are also affected by landslides and rockslides. He added that they are also investigating whether the landslide is related to mining, although at present there are no mining operations in the affected part of the barangay. In Camp 3, Acupan, Virac, Itogon, 213 families or 866 individuals were evacuated after fifteen houses were destroyed due to the ongoing landslide. The concerned agencies assured that assistance will continue to be provided to the affected families such as food, temporary shelter, and other basic necessities.

Ex-Quezon mayor, aide ordered to be arrested for illegal recruitment

Region 4

Region 4 / Street Journal

By Danny Estacio LUCENA CITY, Quezon -A Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge in Catanauan, Quezon, has issued a warrant of arrest for former Gen. Luna, Quezon Mayor Matt Erwin Florido, and his administrative aide for two counts of large-scale illegal recruitment revealed in a press briefing at Fresh Air Hotel here, on Saturday, July 26. Complainants’ legal counsels Sonny Pulgar, Kath Noveno, and Mia Pulgar Navarro, said before the media that presiding judge Julius Francis Galvez of the Regional Trial Court Branch 96 in this town has issued the order on July 15 against Florido and his co-accused Joma Christina Briones found probable cause to hold the two accused for trial. According to the lawyers, the information was signed by Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Lirio Roces Munoz and approved by Provincial Prosecutor Rodrigo Domingo on May 16, 2025, said the accused Florido and Briones of violating Section 6 of Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, Illegal Recruitment on a Large Scale. The charge sheet said in brief that both Florido and Briones committed the crimes when they criminally recruited and promised overseas employment to Ginabel Aguila, Mary Rose Roldan, Jun Carlo Roldan, Renato Moreno Jr., Reynan Ricamara, Richie Moreno, Romulo Rodelas, and Efleda Alano, all residents of Brgy. Recto, in Gen. Luna, as seasonal farm workers in South Korea without any permit or license from the Department of Migrant Workers or any valid and signed resolution from the municipal council of Gen. Luna. They added that after the complainants, Aguila, Mary Rose, and Jun Carlo Roldan, Renato and Richie Moreno, Ricamara, Rodelas, and Alano have submitted passports and other documents and have parted away their hard-earned money, set aside their livelihoods, and even incurred loans with high interest in complying with the requirements, but the two accused failed to deploy them abroad. On Florido’s side, Florido claimed that he posted the FB page on September 14, 2022, as the initiative of their municipality to provide their farmers opportunity to work in Korea through a partnership with a local government counterpart represented by Mr. Lee Dee-Kyung. He added that the partnership is supported by a commitment signing at their municipal hall and attended by members of the Sangguniang Bayan. Florido claimed that he did not promise to cover all the applicants’ expenses and denied that he guarantees the applicants in the processing of the passport at the DFA. Both Florido and Briones also explained that the selection of the successful participants is not within their authority but handled exclusively by their local government counterparts in Korea. Florido also said that the delay in the deployment in Korea was due to the moratorium imposed by the DMW it issued on January 11, 2024. He stressed that the seasonal farmer program bound for Korea is a valid program of their municipality, and backed up by the resolution of their municipal council. Florido ran as a congressman against incumbent Rep. Reynan Arrogancia for Quezon 3rd district in the May 12 midterm elections, but he lost.

CWSDO attends 378 families affected by typhoons,habagat

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

By Aileen P. Refuerzo BAGUIO CITY — The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has been attending to the victims of the successive weather disturbances and the lingering southwest monsoon in the city since July 19, 2025. CSWD Officer Liza Bulayungan said that as of July 29, 2025, they have served a total of 378 families composed of 1,593 individuals who were affected by flooding and landslides in different parts of the city due to incessant rains and winds caused by severe tropical storm “Crising,” tropical storm “Dante,” typhoon “Emong” and the “habagat.” Of this total, 204 families with 870 individuals were displaced while 175 or 753 individuals stayed in place. There were 109 families that stayed in the city’s eight evacuation centers while 94 moved in with relatives. As of July 29, only 17 remained in the centers. As per the report, there were 66 affected houses, nine of which were totally destroyed and 57 were partially damaged. The office also provided assistance to the casualties — one deceased, two injured and one missing person. A total of P607,470 was disbursed as assistance to the victims, P337,787.50 came from the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development Cordillera (DSWD-CAR); P264,682 from the city government and P39,500 from donations. The government assistance came in the form of cash assistance, food assistance and family, hygiene and sleeping kits. Mayor Benjamin Magalong thanked the social workers who worked tirelessly despite the rains and perils posed by the weather disturbances. “They went about their duties — going on the ground assessing calamity victims’ situations, distributing family food packs and hygiene kits, monitoring evacuation centers and providing emotional and all kinds of support — with purpose and heart.” “They all subscribe to their service dictum, ‘In times of crisis, compassion knows no rest.’”

Globe backs DICT’s Digital Bayanihan in Tawi-Tawi

Vis-Min

Vis-Min / Street Journal

Globe reaffirmed its role as a committed government partner in promoting digital inclusion and sustainable connectivity during the Digital Bayanihan Tawi-Tawi leg, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Digital Bayanihan highlighted a shared goal between the public and private sectors to expand digital access in far-flung areas, where connectivity serves as a gateway to education, livelihood, and vital public services. Globe’s participation demonstrated its support for the national digitalization agenda through sustained investments in infrastructure and digital tools that close connectivity gaps and enhance daily life in underserved communities. “Globe is proud to stand beside the national government in realizing the dream of a digitally empowered Philippines. Our work in Mindanao, especially in areas like Tawi-Tawi, reflects our belief that no one should be left behind in the digital age,” said Robert Aquino, Assistant Vice President for Government Relations at Globe, during the event. In line with this vision, Globe has built and upgraded around 2,000 cell sites across Mindanao in 2024 and continues to expand its fiber footprint to deliver reliable mobile and broadband connectivity where it is needed most. Globe pairs its infrastructure efforts with community‑focused initiatives that drive digital empowerment. Partnering with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the company provided nearly 500 mobile phones to 4Ps beneficiaries, enabling them to receive government aid via GCash and improve their quality of life. “Connectivity is a human right. Through stronger infrastructure and community programs, we help Filipinos access opportunities, public services, and economic mobility,” added Aquino.. Globe also encourages the responsible and purposeful use of the internet, guiding communities to harness connectivity for personal and collective development by using digital tools to build resilience and uplift local economies. With the President in attendance, the event gathered leaders including DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez, Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael Sali, Bongao Mayor Jimuel Que, and Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) Chancellor Dr. Mary Joyce Gunto-Salih. Globe’s active involvement in Digital Bayanihan reinforces its long-term alignment with the government’s universal connectivity goals, rolling out infrastructure to expand access in remote areas like Tawi-Tawi and help build a digitally inclusive Philippines.

Globe Business shares cloud strategy blueprint for smarter, safer operations

Business

Business / Street Journal

Many companies have already made the move to the cloud, hoping to unlock new growth, flexibility, and innovation. But not all are getting the full value out of that shift. At one of the breakout sessions during G Summit 2025, Globe Business experts tackled a growing challenge. While 85% of enterprise workloads are expected to be in the cloud this year, many businesses still face slow performance of infrastructure and systems, rising operational costs, and security gaps. The solution, they said, lies in a holistic architecture that seamlessly integrates cloud, connectivity, and security, forming the foundation for a future-ready enterprise. These elements must work as one to unlock the promise of digital transformation. “Cloud is not just about storing files or using apps online. It’s how today’s businesses operate,” said Gerald Manalo, Solutions Consultant at Globe Business. He stressed that without proper connectivity and security woven into its fabric, the cloud ecosystem becomes fragile and underperforms. “Choosing the right connection to the cloud directly impacts performance, cost, and crucially, security.” This is precisely where Globe Premium Cloud Connect (GPCC) comes in. It provides a dedicated, private connection between a company’s systems and cloud platforms, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. This private path to the cloud, distinct from the risks of the shared internet, ensures reliable performance, secure data transfer, and significantly reduces cloud egress costs. GPCC further enhances uptime and robustly supports real-time applications, thereby improving the overall resilience and efficiency of the cloud ecosystem. Beyond just connectivity, a proactive security strategy is also a crucial requirement, keeping threats in check before they cause damage. Saravanan Rajasekaran of Versa Networks introduced the idea of a self-protecting network, an intelligent system that can detect, respond to, and even anticipate threats. “Security must be foundational—not an afterthought retrofitted onto your network. It should be intrinsically woven into every layer of your infrastructure, from LAN and WAN to hybrid workforces, Data Centers, and Cloud/SaaS access,” he said. Meanwhile, Varunendra Tripathi of Orca Security stressed the importance of visibility. “You can’t protect what you can’t see,” he said. “With full visibility across your cloud environments, you can prioritize risks, cut through the noise, and act before threats turn into real problems.” The breakout concluded with a fireside chat among the speakers, where they echoed one shared message: the future of business depends on proactive, integrated strategies. From fast and secure connections to intelligent, built-in protection, digital resilience begins with the right foundation. “The future of business demands not just cloud adoption, but intelligent cloud integration to truly thrive,” said KD Dizon, Head of Globe Business. “At Globe Business, our purpose is to empower Filipino enterprises to navigate this shift. Through platforms like G Summit and our integrated solutions, exemplified by offerings like GPCC, we equip businesses with the strategies and tools to build resilient, future-ready operations. This contributes to a digitally empowered nation and also provides businesses the control and confidence to scale faster, operate smarter, and protect what matters most.” Globe Business continues to help organizations navigate their digital journey through innovative cloud strategies, dedicated connectivity, and partner-driven security solutions.

Magalong urges passage of ordinance regulating ‘spaghetti’ wires

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

By Aileen Refuerzo BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin Magalong is urging the city council to adopt an ordinance that will regulate the so-called “spaghetti” wires in the city. Magalong said the measure should include stiff penalties for misdeeds like irresponsible laying of utility cables, poor maintenance of these fixtures and failure to comply with the standard height requirements. He said this is the only way to correct this pesky malpractice of some utility companies and finally address the dangling, sagging and tangled wires that has been causing eyesores and public safety and nuisance issues in the city. The mayor expressed frustration that despite aggressive corrective measures done through the dangling wire clearing campaign, no improvement can be seen in the manner and system of wire installation of most telecommunication companies. “Cables remain unkempt, unserviceable or dead wire remain unattended as if we’re not learning. We have no recourse but to impose penalties to compel them to improve their system,” he said. He however said that the ongoing dangling wire correction program will continue in the different parts of the city. The city council said spaghetti wires are among the nuisance covered in City Ordinance No. 36-2024 or the Baguio City Anti-Public Nuisance Administrative Board of 2024. The measure, authored by Councilor Jose Molintas, mandates the creation of the board which is tasked to receive complaints and declare acts as public nuisance and upon approval by the city council “petition the Regional Trial Court for permanent injunction and collect damages incurred in the implementation of the order to abate the nuisance.”

ISABELA’S 6TH DISTRICT REP. BOJIE DY ELECTED DEPUTY SPEAKER

Region 2

Region 2 / Street Journal

Congressman Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III of Isabela’s 6th District has been elected Deputy Speaker during the opening of the first regular session of the 20th Congress on July 28. Dy, a seasoned public servant, previously served as Governor of Isabela from 2010 to 2019 and as Vice Governor from 2019 to 2025. As Deputy Speaker, he will assist the House Speaker in presiding over sessions and help steer legislative priorities and proceedings in the House of Representatives.

SM Debuts Biggest Rooftop Solar Panel System at SM Fairview

Environment

Environment / Street Journal

In line with its 40th anniversary, SM Supermalls has unveiled the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system on a commercial building in the country at SM City Fairview, reinforcing its commitment toward environmental sustainability and corporate resilience. This is a significant contribution to SM Prime Holding’s Net Zero 2040 goal. With a 3.785-Megawatt peak (MWp) solar power capacity, the SM City Fairview solar PV system has 6,882 solar modules over a total area of 4.3 hectares and an average annual solar production of up to 5,960-Megawatt-hour (MWh). This means that 11% of the mall’s annual energy consumption will now come from the sun, which is equivalent to powering SM City Fairview’s 44 escalators and all its mall and perimeter lights for up to two (2) and a half years. The mall ultimately offsets or prevents the release of 4,133 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere with every year of operations, supporting climate action and ensuring a more sustainable future for Filipinos. The SM City Fairview solar PV system also contributes to the malls’ program solar pipeline and SM Prime Holdings’ Net Zero 2040 goal towards a significant reduction of the company’s total carbon footprint. SM Prime’s total rooftop solar capacity is currently at 73-MWp and will be further boosted up to 100-MWp by the end of the year. In partnership with Buskowitz Energy, this project enables SM to further reduce its carbon footprint and reliance on the national grid. It also supports the government’s thrust towards renewable energy for the benefit of the environment. The first Philippine mall to have a rooftop solar PV installation was SM North EDSA in 2014 with a 1.5MW peak capacity. The installation at SM Fairview augments the rooftop solar PV system of SM City Santa Rosa, which was previously the largest installation with a 3.088MW peak capacity. Mr. Hans T. Sy, SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee, is at the forefront of the property giant’s sustainability programs – from energy demand management to potable water and wastewater management to solid waste management, which he has led for more than two decades.

Author name: Street Journal

Cebu Pacific Wins Bronze at 2025 Economic Times Human Capital Awards