Street Journal, Author at Street Journal Multimedia Services

Subic Bay Freeport—With its vision to transform this premier Freeport into a smart port city, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is considering a partnership with the Port of San Diego. During their visit here on February 6, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño and Port of San Diego officials agreed to discover and identify areas of collaboration between both ports. “We offered to the Port of San Diego to explore areas in Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Break Bulk Cargo Handling and Management, Shore Power Connection, Cruise Ship Terminal and Market Development and Ship Repair,” SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator (SDA) for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao said. He added that the officials of the San Diego Port extended the invitation to Chairman Aliño to visit the Port of San Diego and explore other port-related initiatives since both ports proclaimed a partnership as sister ports in 2018. “We see the potential of Subic Bay Freeport in developing trade and commerce between our two ports,” Port of San Diego Commissioner Gil Anthony Ungab said expressing his desire to further explore opportunities that will benefit both ports. Also, Port of San Diego Director for Maritime Joel Valenzuela said that there are many similarities between the Ports of San Diego and Subic Bay; and that they are excited to strengthen and continue to develop our partnership in maritime and other related industries. Meanwhile, Chairman Aliño said that the SBMA welcomes the partnership between the two ports as the vision to develop concrete projects will be mutually beneficial to both ports. The Port of San Diego, according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, is one of America’s top 30 US containership ports, bringing in nearly 3 million metric tons (3,000,000 long tons; 3,300,000 short tons) of cargo per year through the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and the National City Marine Terminal. Aliño said that the proposed partnership is in line with the SBMA’s vision of becoming a port city, and that the partnership with the Port of San Diego is a vital step In advancing Subic Bay Freeport’s interests in maritime project development, automation, cruise terminal development and operations, artificial intelligence and trade development. SDA Yambao said, “This is a positive step in expanding the global reach and trade network of the Port of Subic Bay in the United States.” He added that aside from the Port of San Diego, the SBMA has also entered into a partnership with the Virginia Port Authority in 2015 to develop trade and exchange best practices in break bulk and cruise ship logistics management and operations.

BENECO Board Goes Paperless

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

By: Laarni S. Ilagan The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) Board of Directors (BOD) began 2025 by adopting a paperless system, aligning with global environmental efforts. The BOD held its first digital meeting on January 16, 2025. “The board’s digital shift is a significant effort by BENECO to uphold our Zero Waste-No Single Use Plastic company policy,” said General Manager Melchor Licoben. Licoben spearheaded the cooperative’s Zero Waste initiative in 2023, partnering with Zero Waste Baguio, Inc., a local environmental NGO. “Centralized emails have eliminated the need for four to five reams of bond paper previously used for preparing and reproducing the BOD’s meeting agenda and minutes for each meeting,” said Jeffered Monang, secretary to the board. Previously, Monang reproduced an average of 23 copies of the agenda and minutes, including attachments. This shift not only significantly reduces BENECO’s carbon footprint, but also saves the cooperative thousands of pesos spent on paper, ink, toner, photocopying, delivery, and gasoline, according to Licoben. “The carbon footprint of one A4 sheet of office paper ranges from 0.0043 to 0.0047 kg CO2e, and paper production accounts for 1.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions,” according to Google. A box of bond paper containing five reams costs an average of P1,050, while a photocopy machine toner costs around P5,000. BOD Chairperson Atty. George Dumawing, Jr., initiated discussions about transitioning to digital meetings and agenda preparation in October of the previous year. “During my time with Task Force BENECO (interim board), I noticed that meeting agendas and minutes were piling up and taking up space in my office,” Dumawing recalled. The board recognized the immediate benefits and convenience of digital technology, including instant online delivery of the agenda, easier review of discussion points, and readily accessible files on a finger’s click . “We can now access our files anytime, anywhere, without carrying heavy stacks of paper. It’s more convenient and faster,” said District 2 Director Joseph Zambrano. BENECO continue to embrace greener ways to streamline operations, cut cost, improve customer service while protecting the environment.

BTC muling namahagi sa drayber ng Gasolina Voucher

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

By Zaldy Comanda BAGUIO CITY – Muling namahagi ang Baguio Tourism Council (BTC), sa pangunguna ni Chairman Gladys Vergara ng Gasolina Voucher (Perks Card) sa mga drayber bilang pangako sa pagsuporta sa sektor ng transportasyon sa siyudad ng Baguio. Sa pinakahuling pamamahagi ni Vergara, kasama si City Councilor aspirant Glenn Gaerlan, ay namigay sila ng Gasolina Vouchers sa mga public utility jeepney (PUJ) at public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers sa Purok 20, San Carlos Heights, Barangay Irisan. Ang Gasolina Voucher (Perks Card) ay programa ng BTC na inilunsad noong Nobyembre 2024, bilang isang inisyatiba na mapagaan ang pinansiyal na pasanin ng mga transport operator habang pinapalakas ang pakikipagsosyo sa mga lokal na negosyo at mga istasyon ng gasolina. Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, ang mga kuwalipikadong driver ay tumatanggap ng hanggang P3.00 diskwento kada litro ng diesel o gasolina mula sa mga kalahok na istasyon ng gasolina. Bilang karagdagan sa mga diskwento sa gasolina, ang mga cardholder ay maaari ding makakuha ng mga diskwento sa mga serbisyo sa pagpapalit ng langis, lubricant, at iba pang mahahalagang bagay sa pagpapanatili ng sasakyan. Partikular na nilalayon ng voucher na tulungan ang mga PUJ at PUV drivers, kabilang ang mga operator ng school at tourist vehicles, sa pagbabawas ng gastusin sa gasolina sa pamamagitan ng mga kasosyong establisyimento ng BTC. Binigyang-diin ni Vergara ang kahalagahan ng inisyatiba sa pagpapanatili ng lokal na sektor ng transportasyon, na gumaganap ng mahalagang papel sa turismo at ekonomiya ng Baguio. “ Ang pagsuporta namin sa mga driver at operator ay isang pangunahing priyoridad na mga hakbangin tulad ng BTC Gasolina Voucher, nilalayon naming maibsan ang ilan sa kanilang mga gastos sa pagpapatakbo habang pinapalakas ang aming mga kasosyo sa mga lokal na negosyo at gasoline station,” pahayag ni Vergara. Ang pinuno ng BTC Tourism G9 Transportation Sector na si Wilson Bumay-et Jr., na siya ring Baguio Jeepney Federation President, ay naging instrumento sa pagpapatupad ng programa. Mula nang ilunsad ito, nakinabang na ang programa sa mahigit 450 driver at operator, na nagpapakita ng positibong epekto nito sa komunidad. Patuloy na pinalalawak ng BTC ang abot nito sa pamamagitan ng pagbisita sa iba’t ibang barangay upang matiyak na mas maraming trabahador ang makaka-access at masisiyahan sa mga benepisyo ng programa. Ang BTC Gasolina Voucher ay isa lamang sa maraming estratehikong programa na ipinakilala ng BTC upang mapahusay ang karanasan sa turismo ng lungsod habang sinusuportahan ang kabuhayan ng mga nasa sektor ng transportasyon. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon sa BTC Gasolina Voucher at mga paparating na pamamahagi, hinihikayat ang mga interesadong driver at operator na makipag-ugnayan sa kanilang lokal na asosasyon sa transportasyon o bisitahin ang BTC Office sa Visitors Information Center, Rose Garden, Burnham Park.

Globe launched Safer Internet Day

NCR

NCR / Street Journal

Globe reaffirms commitment to online child safety, seeks closer public-private collaboration Globe has called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to combat growing threats to child safety online, as it reaffirms its commitment to internet safety on Safer Internet Day. With the rapid evolution of digital technology, the internet has become both a vital tool and a potential risk, exposing children to exploitation and harm. The Philippines is the world’s highest producer of content rooted in online child sexual abuse and exploitation, according to a study led by the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Globe believes in promoting responsible and sustainable internet use— ensuring that digital platforms are not used to cause harm while also empowering individuals to use online resources for learning, productivity, and economic growth. “Public and private sectors need to work closely together, now more than ever, to fight growing threats to child safety online. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child. We also would like to say, in today’s highly digital world, it takes a village– in fact the whole nation– to protect every Filipino child,” said Carlo Santos, Senior Director for Analytics and Stakeholder Engagement at Globe. Globe has taken a proactive stance in protecting children online, investing $2.7 million for content-filtering technology that blocks malicious sites, including those with child sexual abuse content. In 2024 alone, the company blocked 3,096 child pornography domains and URLs, including 387 cases of AI-generated or computer-generated imagery depicting child abuse. It also works closely with government agencies, the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to effectively fend off online threats against children. While these measures serve as immediate interventions, Globe emphasizes the need for long-term solutions to evolving online threats. At the frontlines of online child safety To help promote online safety among children and their carers, Globe continues to drive digital literacy through its Digital Thumbprint Program, which has educated thousands of children and teens since its launch in 2017. In 2024 alone, DTP reached 6,194 young Filipinos across the country, equipping them with the knowledge to protect themselves from online risks. Parents also play a critical role in internet safety. Through its MakeItSafe website, Globe helps parents decode digital language, identifying seemingly harmless terms that may have hidden sexual connotations and serve as red flags for potential exploitation. Meanwhile, senior citizens — often targets of online scams — get essential digital safety training under the Senior Digizen program, helping them recognize and avoid cyber fraud. Globe also recognizes that poverty is a major driver of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM). Economic desperation can lead individuals to resort to exploitative practices. To address this, Globe launched The Hapag Movement in 2023, providing food and livelihood assistance to over 120,000 families, helping them become financially self-sufficient. Globe calls on policymakers, industry leaders, and the broader community to work together in building a safer and more secure digital environment for future generations.

CebuPac achieves record ESG Score,ranks among leading Global Airlines for sustainability

Environment

Environment / Street Journal

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, has recorded its highest Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance to date, garnering a rating of 46 for its 2024 S&P Global ESG Score. This places the airline among the most sustainable carriers globally, reinforcing its contribution to sustainable air travel. The S&P Global ESG Score evaluates how companies manage their ESG risks, opportunities, and overall impact. CEB’s latest score marks significant improvements across key sustainability areas. CEB recorded a remarkable 17-point increase in its environmental score, rising from 26 to 43 points. This improvement is driven by its enhanced environmental policy, strengthened climate strategy, and progress in decarbonization efforts. The airline also continues to manage risks associated with water and energy use, as well as waste disposal and pollutants discharge. “A strong ESG performance isn’t just about hitting numbers; it’s about managing risks and building a more responsible business. Our latest S&P Global ESG score is our best yet. More than just a milestone, it reflects our meaningful progress toward a sustainable future,” said Xander Lao, CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer. Beyond environmental efforts, CEB remains a leader in social performance, scoring 51 points—well above the airline industry average of 44. This achievement reflects the airline’s commitment to fair labor practices, strict transportation safety compliance, robust passenger data protection, and effective workforce management. Additionally, CEB’s governance score rose by two points to 43, attributed to improvements in risk and crisis management and steady performance in cybersecurity, information security, ethical practices, and transparency reporting. CEB’s record ESG performance highlights its ongoing efforts to enhance the flying experience for passengers while minimizing environmental impact. The airline continues to refine its policies and practices to meet global sustainability standards.

3,250 residente nabiyayaan ng “Ilaw ng Tahanan” program sa Dupax del Norte

Region 2

Region 2 / Street Journal

By Victor Martin DUPAX DEL NORTE, Nueva Vizcaya – Umabot sa 3,250 na tahanan ang nabigyan ng isang buwan na libreng bayarin sa kuryente para sa taong 2025 sa bayan ng Dupax del Norte sa lalawigang ito. Ayon kay Mayor Tim Cayton, ang electric subsidy program ng lokal na pamahalaan na mas kilala bilang “Ilaw ng Tahanan sa Bayan ng Dupax del Norte” ay napagtibay sa pamamagitan ng isang ordinansa na ipinasa ng Sanguniang Bayan noong 2024. Layunin ng nasabing panukala na mabigyan ng isang buwan na libreng bayarin sa kuryente, sa loob ng isang taon, ang lahat na mga residente sa Dupax del Norte mahirap man o may kaya sa buhay. Nilinaw din ni Cayton na ang mga kwalipikadong benepisyaryo ay ang mga nagmamay-ari ng electric meters (kuntador) na nasa ilalim ng residential category ayon sa batayan ng Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative (NUVELCO) at hindi kasali ang mga commercial establishments. Ayon naman kay Municipal Councilor Atty. Paolo Cayton, pinuno ng Committee on Appropriation at may akda sa nasabing ordinansa, lahat ng mga may bayarin ng mas mababa sa P500 ay tatanggap ng buo na P500, P1,000 naman ang tatanggapin kung ang electric bill nila ay mas mababa sa P1,000 at P1,500 kung mas mataas sa P1,000 ang bayarin. Samantala, tumanggap din nitong Linggo ng tulong pinansyal ang lahat na mga Barangay Tanod, Lupong taga-pamayapa, Purok leaders, solo parents, Senior Citizen, rice at vegetable farmers at lahat ng mga guro sa nasabing bayan. Bukod sa mga ito ay regular din na may financial na tulong mula sa LGU ang lahat ng mga magsasaka ng mais, kasambahay, drivers, rebel returnees, OFW, SK officials, maging ang mga dating bilanggo. Si Cayton ay kinilala noong 2023 bilang outstanding Mayor of the Philippines dahil sa kanyang mga kakaibang programa sa larangan ng social services lalo na noong panahon ng COVID-19. Samantala, mula 2rd class municipality ay itinanghal na first class municipality ang Dupax del Norte nitong buwan ng Enero dahil sa mabilis na pag-angat ng ekonomiya at magandang pamamahala ng mga lokal na opisyal.

19 year old from Lubuagan crowned as Miss Kalinga 2025

CAR

CAR / Street Journal

By Rio Bassong The Kalinga’s newly crowned queen took home several prizes including P60k from the PLGU, P10k worth of McDonalds gift certificate, and P10K from Miss Gandang Lanie Salon Aesthetic Center, during the Search for Miss Kalinga 2025 coronation night held at the Kalinga Sports Center, on February 10. Fatima Rose Peralta, a 19-year-old stunner from Barangay Tanglag, Lubuagan, is a second year criminology student at the Kalinga State University. Peralta also won special awards, including Best in Creative Attire and Best in Evening Gown. She is the first-ever representative from Lubuagan to win the title. Tabuk City’s Ezra Kiser Lagasi bagged the Miss Kalinga Tourism title while Claire Bagitan from Rizal was crowned Miss Kalinga Environment. Ehdrian Nicole of Lubuagan, sponsored by the Pallayoc Club, was named first first runner-up, and Mary Ann Solog of Tinglayan finished second runner-up. With the theme “Elevating Timeless Beauty and Elegance,” the event was part of Kalinga’s 30th Founding Anniversary and 6th Bodong Festival.

Pangasinan, pinarangalan bilang Kampeon ng Kalusugan sa Komunidad

Region 1

Region 1 / Street Journal

Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, kinilala ng Department of Health ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Pangasinan bilang National Awardee sa Kampeon ng Kalusugan sa mga Komunidad. Tinanggap ni Gov. Guico ang parangal mula kay Dir. Dominic Maddumba OlC-Director ll ng Health Promotion Bureau at Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco ng DOH Region 1. Ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na naigawad sa Pangasinan ang nasabing parangal. Kabilang din sa pinarangalan ang Davao de Oro at Pasay City. Layunin ng prestihiyosong parangal na kilalanin ang mga hakbang ng mga local government unit (LGU) sa pagpapanatili at pagsulong ng mahusay, ligtas at malusog na komunidad. Ang batayan sa pagpili ay kinabibilngan ng mga sumusunod: * Potable Water and Food Security * Open Spaces, Active Transport Road Safety * Housing and Shelter * Efficient and quality essential health services * Accessible and Quality Education * Clean and Sustainable Environments * Income and Support * Health services accessible to all members of the community * Cultural Heritage * Tobacco- and Vape-, Alcohol-, Drug-Free Safe * Violence free and Inclusive – [ ] at Equitable health financing Hanga ang DOH sa mga hakbang na ginagawa ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Pangasinan sa pagpapanatili ng malusog na mga komunidad sa probinsya. “Nakita ko po sa best practices ng Pangasinan, meron pong nabanggit na Capitol Redevelopment Project. Nakita ko na dito naka-focus sa open spaces, active transport, at road safety,” saad ni Dir. Dominic Maddumba, OIC-Director III, DOH Health Promotion Bureau. Partikular ding binanggit ang Provincial Ordinance No. 325-2024 kung saan nakapaloob ang pagsusuot ng reflective vests ng mga motorcycle riders. Mayroon ding Provincial Ordinance No. 317-2024 na nag-reregulate sa pagbenta, distribusyon, at pag-advertise ng mga sigarilyo at tobacco products, electronic nicotine at non-nicotine delivery systems, heated tobacco products at novel tobacco products. “Our responsibility as public servants is to pursue the balance of hard infrastructure and soft infrastructure which includes education, healthcare, social services, and moral infrastructure. That is what we are doing in Pangasinan. That is why our vision is “Pangasinan, Ang Galing!” This [award] is already an affirmation that in less than three years, we have done so much,” pahayag ni Gov. Guico. Saksi sa pagtanggap ng award si Vice Governor Mark Lambino, Board Member Shiela Baniqued, mga chief of hospitals at mga department heads. (Eira Gorospe, JP De Vera, Orland Llemos | PIMRO

Ginhawa Venture, programang pangkabuhayan sa Baguio

Business

Business / Street Journal

BAGUIO CITY — Nananatiling matatag si Baguio Tourism Council Chairperson Chair Gladys Vergara sa kanyang pangako sa pagpapalawak ng mga programang pangkabuhayan sa buong Baguio, na nagpapatibay sa kanyang pananaw sa pagtatatag ng mga sentrong kabuhayan sa bawat barangay. Matatandaan, noong Enero 22, ay inilunsad ni Vergara ang kanyang kauna-unahang Ginhawa Venture (GV) Livelihood Hub, sa pakikipagtulungan ng TESDA at Department of Agriculture, na matatagpuan sa Barangay Irisan, Baguio City. Ayon kay Vergara, ang inisyatiba na ito ay naglalayong bigyan ang mga residente ng mahahalagang kasanayan habang nagbibigay ng patuloy na suporta upang matiyak ang paglago at pagpapanatili ng kanilang mga pakikipagsapalaran sa kabuhayan, na isang isang transformative power tungo sa entrepreneurship. Aniya, sa tulong ng TESDA, ang Nail Care Training ay matagumpay na naisagawa sa Barangay Asin Road, noong Pebrero 3, para ipagpatuloy ang pagbibigay kapangyarihan sa mga komunidad sa pamamagitan ng sustainable livelihood programs. Noong Pebrero 6, ang BTC ay nagsagawa ng isang sesyon ng pagsasanay sa Dishwashing Liquid training session mula sa 33 kalahok ng mahahalagang kasanayan para sa pagbuo ng kita at pag-iipon ng sambahayan sa Barangay Asin Road. Ang inisyatiba na ito ay naging posible sa suporta ng Sangguniang Barangay Member Tita Dinulong, higit pang pagpapalakas ng mga pagsisikap na magbigay ng mga pagkakataon sa kabuhayan, partikular para sa mga kababaihan. Ang mga kalahok ay nakikibahagi sa hands-on na pag-aaral, pagkakaroon ng praktikal na kaalaman sa paggawa ng cost-effective at de-kalidad na dishwashing liquid—isang kasanayang maaaring gawing maliit na negosyong pakikipagsapalaran o magamit para sa pagtitipid ng sambahayan. Bilang bahagi ng programa, nakatanggap ang mga kalahok ng business starter kits at ginawaran ng certificate of completion mula sa TESDA pagkatapos ng pagsasanay. Ang inisyatiba na ito ay naaayon sa 3 Ls ng isang Organisasyon—Pag-aaral, Pamumuno, at Pag-angat—na tinitiyak na ang mga indibidwal ay hindi lamang sinanay sa mahahalagang kasanayan ngunit ginagabayan din tungo sa pagiging makasarili at entrepreneurship. Sa pangunguna ng TESDA trainer na si Fe Lucaben sa session BTC, TESDA, at mga lokal na lider ay patuloy ang suporta para sa mas maraming livelihood training programs ang nakatakdang sundin—na maghahatid ng accessible skills development sa bawat barangay sa Baguio. “Ang inisyatiba ng Ginhawa Venture ay higit pa sa isang programang pangkabuhayan—ito ay isang hakbang tungo sa pagbibigay kapangyarihan sa mga indibidwal na kontrolin ang kanilang mga pang-ekonomiyang hinaharap. Alam ko mismo kung paano nababago ng entrepreneurship ang buhay, dahil sa mga naunang taon, sinimulan ko ang aking paglalakbay sa pagbebenta ng mga processed meat products habang sinusuportahan ang aking pamilya bilang single mother. Ngayon, hinihikayat ko ang lahat ng kalahok na tanggapin ang pagkakataong ito, gamitin ang mga kasanayang ito upang magsimula ng maliliit na negosyo, at pagaanin ang mga pinansiyal na pasanin para sa kanilang mga pamilya. Ang programang ito ay naglalayong itaguyod ang pag-asa sa sarili sa mga kababaihan at pamilya sa mga barangay, na lumayo sa pag-asa sa isang beses na ayuda o dole-out,” paliwanag ni Gladys.

Author name: Street Journal

SBMA,Port of San Diego eye partnership to make Subic Freeport into a smart port city