Street Journal, Author at Street Journal Multimedia Services

By KJAbad, Albay PIO LEGASPI CITY,Albay — Nakahanda na ang lokal na pamahalaan Albay sa nalalapit na balidasyon ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) para sa pagkamit ng Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) sa lalawigan, na magaganap sa Setyembre 10. Nakatakdang dumating ang SGLG National Validators na sina LGOO V Francis Gabriel Juaton, at LGOO II Engr. Jeza Sumayod. Ayon kay Gov. Grex Lagman, kumpiyansa siyang magbubunga ang lahat ng pagsusumikap ng bawat departamento at executive department para sa matagal ng hangaring ito lalo na ang pagbibigay ng maganda at dekalidad na serbisyo sa mga Albayano. “The PGA’s relentless pursuit of its worthy goals in all areas in governance will soon bear fruit,” bahagi ng pahayag ni Gob. Lagman. Ang SGLG na igina-gawad ng DILG, ay isa sa pinaka-hinahangad na parangal; dahil ang bawat lokal na pamahalaan sa buong bansa ay dumadaan sa mahigpit na pagsusuri ng mga validators base sa sampung pamantayang ibinigay ng ahensya. Ang sampung pamantayan o criteria ay ang mga sumusunod: financial administration and sustainability, disaster preparedness, social protection and sensitivity, health compliance and responsiveness, sustainable education, business-friendliness and competitiveness, safety, peace and order, environmental management, tourism, heritage development, culture and arts, at ang youth development. Maaalalang nnoong Agoste 7 ay ginanap ang Regional SGLG Summit na dinaluhan ng mga gobernador, alkalde at mga representante ng anim na probinsya sa rehiyong Bikol at inihayag ang kahandaan ng bawat lokal na pamahalaan sa pagtataguyod ng maayos at dekalidad na serbisyo publiko.

No. 5 Regional Most Wanted for multiple crimes arrested in Laguna

Region 4

Region 4 / Street Journal

Camp BGen Vicente P Lim – Personnel of Biñan Component City Police Station arrested the Rank Number 5 Regional Most Wanted Person charged with multiple crimes of murder, illegal drugs and robbery during a police operation against Most Wanted Persons in Barangay San Antonio, Biñan City, Laguna, on September 6. The arrested fugitive was identified as alias Martin, 32, of Barangay San Antonio Biñan City who was arrested by virtue of Warrants of Arrest for the crime of Murder, issued by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 152, Biñan City, on August 17, 2022, with no bail recommended; 2 counts of robbery, issued by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 24, Biñan City, on September 4, 2023, with a recommended bail of P100,000.00; and Violation of Section 11, Article II of RA 9165 (Illegal Possession of Dangerous Drugs), issued by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 155, Biñan City, on May 17, 2023, with a recommended bail of P200,000.00. The operation was recorded thru Body Worn Camera to ensure the legality of the arrest. Regional Director, PBGen Paul Kenneth T Lucas praised the team’s efforts on the arrest of said fugitive. “Ito ay isang malaking tagumpay na bunga ng walang sawang pagtutulungan ng ating mga kapulisan, iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, at ng ating komunidad sa paghahanap sa mga nagtatagong pugante. Magsilbi sana itong tanda sa mga gumagawa ng labag sa ating batas na kailanman hindi tayo titigil na labanan ang kriminalidad upang tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan at komunidad,” he said.

Magalong SOCA bares strong measures vs climate change,disasters

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

By Gaby B. Keith BAGUIO CITY — “We must complement our environmental efforts with strong measures to address climate change and disasters effectively.” Thus, stressed Mayor Benjamin Magalong in his State of the City Address 2024 during the 115th Baguio Charter Day Anniversary program, September 1, at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center. He disclosed that the city was recognized with the Gawad KALASAG Award for 2023, achieving the prestigious ‘Beyond Compliant’ status which reflects the Summer Capital’s “significant progress in disaster risk reduction and management.” In addition to the Flood Early Warning System (FEWS), the Mayor said the city recently implemented a Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) in Dontogan barangay developed by the University of the Cordilleras in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Philippine Council. “LEWS uses sensors to track soil movement, soil moisture, rainfall, and temperature, providing essential data to mitigate landslide risks.,” he explained. The Mayor said the city applied for the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s (UNDRR) ‘Making Cities Resilient 2030’ Program in 2021, “however, we are ambitiously aiming to achieve full resilience by 2026.” He revealed that the city is supported by a three-year capacity building program funded by a grant from the National Resilience Council (NRC) and Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE), and is implementing key initiatives such as the Green Building Code, Blue Walks to restore natural streams, and Green Walks to turn roads into green streets. “We also conducted a Social Vulnerability Assessment to address vulnerabilities in economics, population, housing, and disaster preparedness,” the Mayor said. He added that the city’s Comprehensive Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) leverages advanced technologies like digital twin mapping within its barangays.

P10.2-M shabu huli sa search operation sa Cagayan

Region 2

Region 2 / Street Journal

CAMP MARCELO ADDURU, Cagayan – Isang High Value Individual drug personality ang nasakote sa matagumpay na search warrant operation na nakumpiskahan ng P10.2 milyonghalaga ng shabu sa Tuguegarao City,Cagayan,noong Setyembre 5. Kinilala ang suspek na si alyas “Popoy”, 39 taong gulang at residente ng nabanggit na lugar, na kinasuhan ng paglabag sa Republic Act 9165 at RA 10591 o’ Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. Sa report ni Lt.Col. Pepito Mendoza, Chief of Police ng Tuguegarao Component City Police Station, kay BGen. Christopher Birung, regional director ng PRO-2, ang matagumpay na search warrant operation laban sa suspek, ay nakumpiskahan ito sa loob ng kanyang bahay ng 16 sachet na naglalaman ng hinihinalang shabu na may tinatayang timbang na kalahating kilo at nagkakahalag ng P3,400,000.00; isang vacuumed sealed plastic na naglalaman ng kaparehong kontrabando na may tinatayang timbang na isang kilo at nagkakahalaga ng P6,800,000.00 at isang magazine na naglalaman ng sampung live ammunitions. Pinuri naman ni Birung ang mga operatiba sa matagumpay na operasyon. “Hangad namin ang kaligtasan ng bawat Cagayanos kung kaya’t hinihingi ko ang inyong buong suporta sa pagtugis sa sinumang lumalabag sa ating batas. Kayo ang aming katuwang sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at katahimikan sa lambak ng Cagayan”.

Showdown Inspection of Individual Training Equipment

CAR

CAR / Street Journal

A total of 80 PRO-CAR cops who are set to undergo the Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC) join the Showdown Inspection of Individual Training Equipment conducted at the PRO-CAR Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Major Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet, on September 6, 2024. The activity was spearheaded by the Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division, along with the Regional Special Training Unit-CAR, wherein the equipment to be used by the participants was inspected to ensure that it met the required standards for effective training and operational readiness. This thorough check is crucial in preparing the BISOC participants for their training, ensuring that they are equipped with reliable, durable, and well-maintained gear.

Globe accelerates tower sale and leaseback deal completion

Business

Business / Street Journal

Slashes 1H 2024 capex by 25% to achieve positive free cash flows by 2025 Globe expects to finalize its landmark tower sale and leaseback deal by the end of 2024. As oof July this year, 88% of the towers in the portfolio have been officially transferred to the tower companies, generating around Php 85.2 billion in gross proceeds. This significant financial inflow is expected to support Globe’s strategic initiatives and further strengthen its financial position. Also, as part of Globe’s strategy to optimize capital deployment, the company slowed down its capital expenditures (capex) investment by 25% in the first six months of the year, aligned with its goal to achieve positive cash flow by 2025. Rizza Maniego-Eala, Globe’s Chief Finance Officer, expressed confidence in the timeline for the completion of the sale. “We are aiming to complete 100% of our tower sale by this year. However, even if we only reach about 92% by December, we will still be on track, considering that the fourth tranche of our tower sale came six months after the first three transactions,” she said. The tower sale, which started in 2022, has seen significant progress throughout 2024. Globe successfully transferred an additional 48 towers to Phil-Tower Consortium, Inc. (PhilTower) on June 21, for approximately P710 million. On June 28, Globe handed over 140 towers to Miescor Infrastructure Development Corporation (MIDC) for P1.68 billion. Simultaneously, 187 towers were transferred to Frontier Towers for approximately Php 2.38 billion. By July 23, Globe completed the transfer of the last batch of 1,037 sites to Frontier Towers for P13.17 billion, marking the full completion of its Tower Sale and Leaseback Deal with the company. In his recent State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. emphasized the importance of common towers for national connectivity, a strategy that Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu fully supports. “This (referring to the President’s statement) reinforced Globe’s strategy of using common towers,” Cu said. “We believe in the concept that shared tower cost and shared tower build reduces the capex requirements for the telcos. We hope that with the reduced Capex requirement, we’ll be able to collectively put up more towers between the towercos and us.” With the tower sale almost completed, Globe’s financial outlook remains optimistic. “Our free cash flow after interest payments for the second quarter of 2024 already entered positive territory, which included proceeds from our tower sale initiative,” said Maniego-Eala. She added, “We expect the momentum coming from strong operating cash flows to continue through to next year, driven by both top-line growth and our efforts on cost and investment optimization. This positions us to continue posting free cash flow positive results in 2025, even without one-offs.” To achieve sustainable free cash flow, Globe invested P23.8 billion in capex in the first half of 2024, a 25% drop from 2023, consistent with its capex guidance of USD 1 billion this year as part of its sustainable capex spending strategy. This capex investment, equivalent to just 34% of Globe’s topline, marks a significant decrease from the 44% Capex-to-revenue ratio recorded in 2023. Globe aims to return to the industry’s average levels, targeting a Capex-to-revenue ratio of 30-35% for the year. As Globe continues to optimize its investments, the company is poised to maintain its leadership in the telecom sector while ensuring sustainable growth and profitability in the years ahead.

Calajo Food House,SI Baguio and Rotary Club of Creative Baguio adopts park

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

BAGUIO CITY — The City Government of Baguio, represented by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong and City Environment and Parks Management Officer (CEPMO) Renan Diwas, facilitated the MOA signing ceremony for the Adopt-a-Park program. The three Private groups that participated in the program are the Calajo Food House, represented by Lendl Patrick Won and Francis Anthony Villalba. S.I. Baguio (Soroptimist International of Baguio), represented by Elizabeth Balagtey Perez and Aurora Verceles Alambra, and The Rotary Club of Creative Baguio, represented by Audrey Olay Sungduan. The groups signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in the Adopt-a-Park Program of the city to improve the condition of the parks. The Calajo Food House adopted the Circle/Street Island located along the stretch of Lower Session Road, while S.I. Baguio adopted the T.M. Kalaw St. corner of Luneta Hill Drive and North Drive to maintain the cleanliness, landscaping, and beautification of the Park. Meanwhile, The Rotary Club adopted Upper Wright Park to ensure the proper installation and maintenance of the solar lights. Photos by: Eunice Tomacder

Protecting communities: SM Prime remains committed to disaster resiliency innovations

Environment

Environment / Street Journal

SM Prime remains committed to ensuring the integration of climate adaptation and sustainability into its projects while expanding partnerships with government and other stakeholders to grow more resilient communities. SM Prime Holdings executive committee chairman Hans T. Sy believes the government and private sector must work together in finding solutions for greater resiliency so disaster risk reduction is one of its core business strategies. “Resilience is not just a word, it is a way of life. It is a commitment to ensure that we act on our responsibility to care for others and that no one is left behind,” Sy said. SM Prime Holdings recently marked its 30th year as a publicly-listed company highlighted by its exemplary track record of sustainable development. He said climate adaptation and resilience are keys to thriving despite damage and losses brought about by climate change, and SM has translated this to action with a significant portion of its capital expenditure allocated to incorporate resiliency and sustainability in its infrastructure designs As an engineer, Sy said he remains passionate about constructing well-designed structures that are not only efficient, but strong and resilient. Sy sits on the Philippine board of ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies of the United Nations, and he is co-chairman of the National Resilience Council, a private-public sector initiative whose goal is to strengthen the resilience of local government units. SM Prime’s mall arm, SM Supermalls, has been leading in climate adaptation through effective mitigation of flood risks in the communities where these malls serve. Liza Silerio, SM Supermalls head for corporate compliance and sustainability, said a prime example is the network of more than 25 rainwater catchment basins strategically positioned in SM malls across the country. These reservoirs act as crucial buffers during heavy downpours, collecting and holding excess rainwater to prevent flooding in surrounding communities. “We’ve seen firsthand how our catchment basins have spared communities around our malls from severe flooding during typhoons like Carina. This validates our commitment to investing in sustainable and resilient infrastructure,” Silerio said. She cited the SM Mall of Asia Complex, designed with a sturdy seawall to protect the surrounding communities from potential storm surges or rising sea levels. The property also uses specialized foundation systems to provide more robust protection against liquefaction and seismic events. The first of catchment basins, built at SM City Masinag in 2011, has a capacity of 17,681 cubic meters – equivalent to over seven Olympic-sized swimming pools. Located underneath the premises of these catchment basin malls, the combined rainwater reservoirs have a total capacity of 85,272 cubic meters, collecting floodwaters and protecting nearby communities. Also, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) recognized SM City Marikina for being a prepared facility during calamities. Its proximity to the Marikina River and the area’s flood history necessitated the mall’s elevation onto 246 concrete stilts, allowing flood water to enter and flow through the structure away from residential areas and avoid damage to the mall itself. SM Supermalls, together with its holding company SM Prime, remain committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. SM Prime is pursuing the next horizon on integrated property development and onward to building sustainable cities of the future. Silerio assured that the SM malls have facilities and structures that take into account natural hazards, thus protecting communities around them.

Drug couriers intercept in Samar

Vis-Min

Vis-Min / Street Journal

CAMP CARLOS DELGADO, CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Following the continuous PNP operations on anti-illegal drugs and anti-carnapping, authorities intercepted drug couriers and were able to seize illegal drugs loaded in a vehicle in Allen, Northern Samar, on September 6. Based on the report, a metallic gray Toyota Avanza was driven by a 44-year-old businessman alongside two cohorts who are residents of Antipolo City and Lanao Del Sur. They traveled from Malabang, Lanao Del Sur, to Tubod, Iligan City, where they picked up the illegal drugs and were bound for Baclaran, Manila. The vehicle was flagged down in a checkpoint by the Northern Samar Provincial Highway Patrol Team in Barangay Jubasan, Allen, Northern Samar for non-wearing of seatbelt. Further, the accosted driver failed to present an Official Receipt/Certificate of Registration (OR/CR) of said vehicle. Upon search, police found a pack with black packaging that resembled the drugs previously seized in the same area on August 31, 2024. With the aid of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) K-9 Unit together with Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO), Northern Samar Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (NSPDEU), Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), 1st and 2nd Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (NSPMFC), Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 8 (RDEU8), PIP, Regional Intelligence Division 8 (RID8), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), 8th Military Intelligence Battalion (MIB) – Philippine Army, Philippine Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), and in the presence of witnesses, 36 packs were further discovered loaded in the said vehicle. The 37 packs seized illegal drugs were turned over to the Provincial Forensic Unit for examination while arrested individuals were brought to Allen Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. Col. Sonnie Omengan, provincial director, pointed out that the arrested individuals will be facing charges for possessing and transporting 37 packs of illegal drugs. “We will be filing charges against the suspects for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (R.A. 9165),” Omengan stated. Omengan has ordered an in-depth investigation for the possible identification of parties involved, if there is any, and intensified checkpoint operations. “I have instructed the concerned units to prioritize the filing of cases as well as the continuous investigation and intelligence monitoring pertaining to the incident. We shall continuously strengthen our police operations in border-controlled areas since there were similar incidents and violations in previous months,” Omengan stressed.

Author name: Street Journal

Albay nakahanda na para sa 2024 SGLG validation