By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay   LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  — For years, Alicia Umali and her family have lived with the constant threat of flooding in their community and the uncertainty that every heavy downpour brings. Through the national government’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (4PH), the Umali family of Barangay Lerma is among hundreds of Naga City residents moving closer to safer housing. “Nagpapasalamat po kami kasi natawan po kami ning pagkakataon na matawan niyo na sa kabila san pagsubok na pig-aagihan mi duman sa dati ming pinag-iistaran,” Umali said after being selected as one of the beneficiaries of a modular shelter unit (MSU) during the turnover ceremony on June 18 in Barangay Pacol. Through the Expanded 4PH Program, the national government is expanding access to safer housing and security of tenure for vulnerable families in Naga City. The housing initiatives include modular shelter units, rental housing projects, and the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), all aimed at providing safer homes for families living in danger zones and vulnerable communities. Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo said the housing projects address the long-standing challenges faced by many urban poor families in the city. The first occupants of the city’s vertical housing project will be 127 residents of Barangay Lerma who were displaced by the clearing operations in the area. The barangay is also among the communities most vulnerable to flooding in Naga City. The vertical housing project has been a long-standing plan of the city government since 2001. The rental housing project will consist of five four-story buildings with a total of 320 housing units, providing affordable and secure housing opportunities for low-income families in the city. “Nagpapasalamat tayo sa national government. Bahagi ito ng programa sa administrasyon ni President Bongbong Marcos na talagang aggressive na pabahay para sa mga walang bahay,” Robredo said. She added that 101 MSUs have already been completed and will serve as transitional housing for families awaiting permanent homes. According to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the target number of modular shelters within the two-hectare site is 300 units. As construction of the MSUs continues, several facilities still need to be completed, including electrical and water connections and common bathroom facilities. Robredo said DHSUD also plans to build a training center within the area to help residents acquire livelihood skills. A clinic, playground, and vegetable garden are likewise included in the development plan. She announced that the MSUs will be ready for occupancy about two weeks after the turnover ceremony. Beyond families living in flood-prone areas, the housing project is also providing immediate shelter to disaster-affected residents. Among the first recipients of an MSU is Ryan Biñas and his family, who lost their home and two daughters in a fire that struck Sitio Salunguigui in Barangay Cararayan on June 10. In his message, Biñas expressed gratitude to the national and city governments, as well as to everyone who extended condolences and support during their difficult time. “Nagpapasalamat po kami sa indo—sa gabos at dae po nindo kami pinabayaan sa panahon kan kasakitan asin katiusan,” Biñas said. The housing initiatives were made possible through support from the national government under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded 4PH Program. Robredo said nearly P700 million worth of housing investments have been brought to Naga City. Of this amount, P480 million was allocated for the rental housing project, while the city’s first transitory housing project is valued at around P80 million. “Dakula po na swerte sa Naga na natawan kita ning arug kaining kadakulang proyekto haling national government dahil haloy na pong pigmamawot kan gobyerno lokal,” Robredo said, emphasizing that Naga City residents will be prioritized as beneficiaries. For beneficiaries, the projects represent more than just new housing structures. Evelyn Deocareza, president of Sabang Puro Urban Kabisig Organization Inc. (SPUKOI), thanked the administration for giving them the opportunity to avail themselves of affordable housing that they can finally call their own. “An pangaturugon mi, na-realize mi na,” Deocareza said. Having lived in Naga City since 1995, Deocareza said the project has given her peace of mind and relieved her fears of being displaced from her home. “Lesser na po ang iniisip namin. Na-boost ang morale mi na sa amin na yun. Igwa na kaming dignidad na sa amin talaga ito. Makakatulong ‘yan kasi lesser na ang iisipin namin, ta kaya na namin bumayad sa lower cost,” Deocareza said. “Salamat po, Presidente, sa pag-iisip nito para makagaan sa buong Pilipino.” Two communities also received checks from the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) through the Community Mortgage Program under the Expanded 4PH Program, which aims to provide security of tenure and land ownership. Mabolo Homes Subdivision received P17,961,600, while SPUKOI received P8,062,400. For Deocareza and other beneficiaries, the housing initiatives provide more than just shelter. They offer families the security, dignity, and peace of mind that come with having a place they can finally call their own. (Nicole Frilles contributed to this story/PIA Bicol/Camarines Sur)

BAGULIN, La Union — Sa bulubunduking bayan ng Bagulin, mas mapapabilis na ang pagsasaliksik ng mga estudyante at mga transaksyon ng mga residente gamit ang internet matapos pasinayaan ng Lokal na Gobyerno sa pangunguna ni Mayor Virgilio Flor at ng Catalyste+ Canada ang kanilang bagong IT Hub. Ang nasabing pasilidad ay ikalawa na sa probinsya na may layuning palawakin ang access sa digital na teknolohiya at mga oportunidad para sa mga residente. Nakiisa rin sa pagpapasinaya si Vice Mayor Jaime Lictao, mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Bayan at mga kinatawan ng Catalyste+ Canada sa pangunguna ni Country Representative Matt Navalta na malaki ang naging papel sa pagpapatayo ng proyekto. Layunin ng LGU Bagulin katuwang ang Catalyste+ Canada na mabigyan ng mas maraming oportunidad ang mga residente sa pamamagitan ng teknolohiya at mas mapadali ang kanilang pag-access sa mga serbisyo at impormasyong makukuha online. Inaasahang magiging mahalagang tulay ang IT Hub sa pagsusulong ng digital learning, innovation, at pakikipag-ugnayan sa komunidad. Kabilang sa mga serbisyo ng IT Hub ang libreng paggamit ng computer at internet, tulong sa pag-aaral at pananaliksik, pag-aasikaso ng mga online na serbisyo ng gobyerno, paghahanap at pag-apply ng trabaho online, at access sa mga digital na materyales at aralin. Nagpasalamat ang LGU Bagulin sa Catalyste+ Canada sa kanilang tulong at suporta para mailapit ang teknolohiya sa mga residente at mabigyan sila ng mas maraming oportunidad sa pag-aaral at mapakinabangan ang iba pang serbisyo.

LAGUNA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) officially launches its newest domestic tourism campaign, “Discover More to Love,” to encourage Filipinos in exploring the country’s hidden gems and emerging local destinations in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, on June 26. Through more than 3,000 travel deals across hotels, tour operators, airlines, and travel-related industries nationwide, the Discover More to Love program provides Filipinos with easier and more affordable options to explore the country’s tourist attractions. Speaking at the opening of the Central Philippines Tourism Expo (CPTEX), DOT Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay emphasized that Discover More to Love will strengthen and not replace the current “Love the Philippines” tourism slogan. “Love the Philippines is still our national tourism brand. [Discover More to Love] is a domestic tourism campaign under that same brand, created to encourage Filipinos to explore more of our own country and discover even more reasons to Love the Philippines.” More than a traditional discount initiative, Discover More to Love is a nationwide multi-sectoral movement that mobilizes DOT regional offices, local government units, and key private sector partners across accommodations, aviation, online travel agencies, tour operators, and other allied sectors. The exclusive discounts and packages from the participating companies can be viewed in DOT’s newly revamped website: www.tourism.gov.ph.  

ZAMBALES, Philippines — The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., unearthed a buried cache of firearms, ammunition, explosive materials, and subversive documents in Sitio Buri, Barangay Inhobol, Masinloc, Zambales on June 25, 2026, in a focused Internal Security Operation conducted by the Zambales 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), in coordination with the Zambales Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit (ZPECU) and the Masinloc Municipal Police Station (MPS). The discovery stemmed from information provided by a former member of a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), prompting a three-day internal security operation from June 23 to 25, 2026 that led police personnel to a buried repository of war materiel. Recovered from the site were two improvised shotguns; 123 rounds of assorted ammunition composed of 10 rounds of 40mm, 33 rounds of 5.56mm, 26 rounds of 7.62mm, 23 rounds of 7.62×39, six rounds of .30 caliber, 25 rounds of 9mm, and six rounds of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition; 20 empty magazines, including 17 for caliber 5.56 rifles and three for caliber 7.62 rifles; one bandolier; four high-explosive rifle grenades; one canister; one non-electric blasting cap with fuse-time and commercial fuse measuring .28 meter; two commercial detonating cords measuring 1.98 meters and 5.46 meters; assorted tactical medical items; and one folder containing subversive propaganda materials. All recovered firearms, ammunition, and other non-explosive items are now under proper documentation and custody of the Zambales 1st PMFC, while the explosive materials will be turned over to the Zambales Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit for proper handling and disposal. “Mahalagang tagumpay ito sa ating patuloy na kampanya laban sa mga armadong banta sa kapayapaan at seguridad. Ang pagkakarekober ng mga nakatagong armas at war materiel ay isang malinaw na hakbang upang mapigilan ang anumang pagtatangkang gamitin ang mga ito laban sa mamamayan,” said PGEN Nartatez. The successful recovery reflects the PNP’s continuing commitment to sustaining internal security operations and denying armed threat groups access to resources that may be used to sow violence and fear in communities. It also advances the PNP Focused Agenda, a strategic direction for transformation designed to make police service more responsive and more attuned to public safety needs, particularly through the priority on Enhanced Managing Police Operations, which strengthens intelligence-driven efforts against armed threats and other security risks. “We will continue to act on every piece of information and pursue locations believed to be used to hide firearms, explosives, and other materials of armed groups. Our operations will not stop until these threats are located, recovered, and removed from our communities,” the PNP Chief added. As the PNP continues to intensify internal security operations to locate and recover hidden war materiel and prevent its possible use by armed groups, under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it assures the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.” (PNP-PIO)