Street Journal, Author at Street Journal Multimedia Services

12 arrested in Baguio drug den

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Twelve people were arrested in a drug den during a surprise search warrant operation conducted by personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at a canteen in Barangay Sto. Niño, Baguio City, on April 17. According to the PDEA, the suspects were unable to escape while inside a canteen believed to be distributing local drugs at the slaughterhouse compound of the aforementioned barangay. During the search, authorities recovered 10 sachets containing suspected shabu, weighing approximately 21 grams, with an estimated street value of P142,800 and various drug paraphernalia at the scene. Twelve individuals were arrested, subject to a search warrant identified as Alyas “Stong/Estong”, 39; Alyas “Jay”, 33 and Alyas “Kiday”, 40, all residents of Sto. Niño, Baguio City, while the other arrested suspect is from Baguio City and neighboring provinces. All the suspect were charged with violation of Sections 6, 7, 11, and 12 of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The operation was a collaborative initiative led by the PDEA RO-CAR Baguio/Benguet Provincial Office and Baguio City Police Station 6, supported by a strong group of units, which included PDEA units: Abra Provincial Office, RSET, and LTIU; as well as PNP Units: BCPO Station 2, BCPO-City Drug Enforcement Unit, PNP Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Unit, and the City Intelligence Team Baguio RIU14.

SSS Candon inks MOA with NIA-ISIMO to cover JO, COS workers

Region 1

Region 1 / Street Journal

CANDON, Ilocos Sur, Philippines – In its continued effort to expand social security protection for all workers, the Social Security System (SSS) Candon Branch, partnered with National Irrigation Administration – Ilocos Sur Irrigation Management Office (NIA-ISIMO) for the social security coverage and protection of its 63 Job Order (JO) and Contract of Service (COS) workers and the continuation of SSS contribution of its 22 permanent workers. Under the KaSSSanga Collect Program (KCP), JO and COS workers will now benefit from a more accessible and convenient contribution system through an automatic salary deduction scheme facilitated by the partner agency. This ensures regular and uninterrupted SSS contributions, allowing them to build and maintain active membership coverage despite their non-regular employment status. SSS Luzon North 1 Division Vice President Normita M. Cruz said that JO and COS workers in government agencies are not covered under the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Law, thereby encouraging them to be SSS members. “Through the KCP, these workers in the government shall have access to a wide range of SSS benefits, including sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral benefits, as well as loan privileges,” Cruz said. The monthly contribution for self-employed members ranges from ₱760 to ₱5,280, depending on the member’s declared monthly income. This amount already includes Employees’ Compensation (EC) contribution, which ranges from ₱10 to ₱30. The EC Program provides additional benefits to employed and self-employed members in cases of work-related sickness, injury or death. Cruz encouraged other interested government agencies to participate in the program, noting that SSS branches are open to discuss partnership arrangements and program details. “Interested agencies are always welcome to visit our branches and learn more about the benefits of the KCP. This initiative is a meaningful way to show appreciation and recognition for the valuable contributions of JO and COS workers in advancing governance initiatives,” Cruz concluded.

After 10 years, E. Samar teacher earns promotion under ECP

Lifestyle

Lifestyle / Street Journal

By Reyan L. Arinto TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines (PIA) — A public school teacher from Eastern Samar expressed gratitude after finally securing a promotion under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System, following 10 years of service as a Teacher II. Starlet Mae Batica of Oras National High School was among the 1,798 newly promoted teachers and school heads who took the oath in a mass ceremony held at the Tacloban City Convention Center. Batica said the promotion to Teacher V was a long-awaited milestone in her teaching career. She thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for implementing the ECP system, which she said provided long-overdue opportunities for career advancement among public school teachers. “After 10 years as a Teacher II, I am deeply grateful to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. because I was only promoted to Teacher V now,” Batica said. The Expanded Career Progression System is part of the government’s effort to streamline promotion pathways in the education sector and to recognize teachers based on merit, performance, and experience. Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the mass oath-taking underscored the administration’s efforts to strengthen the teaching workforce and boost morale among public school educators nationwide. The ceremony in Tacloban brought together newly promoted educators and school leaders from across Eastern Visayas. (RLA, PIA-8)

Schools, individuals benefit from DENR’s Handog Titulo Program in Abra

CAR

CAR / Street Journal

By Jamie Joie Malingan BANGUED, Abra, Philippines (PIA) — Thirty-three land titles were distributed to individuals and schools in Abra under the Handog Titulo Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “We have 24 agricultural patents and nine special patents. Special patents ang binibigay sa ating mga government agencies like school sites,” DENR-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Marcos Bias said during the DENR Express activity on April 14, 2026, at the Provincial Capitol. He said that the Handog Titulo Program aims to facilitate the faster transfer of public lands to qualified individuals and institutions. “Sa mga school sites na nabigyan ng titulo, they will be eligible for infrastructure projects. Bibigyan ka ng funding para i-improve ang ating mga facilities sa schools,” he added. Bias also noted that educational institutions that are given special patents are exempted from real property tax under the Constitution. “Thank you, DENR. These [land titles] imply security among school personnel that the schools own the land and we can finally do a lot more for school facility development and environment protection,” said Principal Hilda Palecpec of the Mabungtot Elementary School in Langiden, Abra. Other schools that received land titles during the DENR Express activity in Bangued on April 14 are the Pidigan Central School, Baac Elementary School, Manabo Pilot Elementary School, Cardona Primary School, Dolores Central School, San Juan Central School, and Supiil Elementary School. An agricultural patent was also awarded to Mr. Emilio Quemerista. (JDP/JJMT- PIA-CAR, Abra) Representatives of beneficiary schools and an individual patent receive land titles under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Handog Titulo Program during the DENR Express held on April 14, 2026, at the Provincial Capitol, Bangued.

Globe Business empowers PH enterprises with context-rich, real-time AI through new managed data streaming platform

Business

Business / Street Journal

Globe Business has launched its Managed Data Streaming Platform in partnership with Confluent, establishing itself as the authority enabling intelligent transformation for Philippine enterprises. This new real-time data infrastructure is designed to power the next generation of context-rich, data-intensive AI applications. The platform addresses a critical bottleneck: the AI stall. Studies show up to 95 percent of AI efforts underdeliver because they are fed with stale and fragmented data from legacy batch systems. To bridge this gap, Globe Business is providing the data-in-motion foundation that activates stagnant information into a high-velocity stream of actionable, context-rich intelligence. “In the race for AI leadership, success will depend not only on model quality, but on the ability to continuously capture and act on fresh, real-time data.,” said KD Dizon, Vice President and Head of Globe Business. “By making real-time data an operational reality, we are giving businesses the high-velocity fuel they need to achieve true intelligent transformation” Built by the original creators of open source Apache Kafka® — trusted by over 80% of the Fortune 100 — Confluent offers a complete data streaming platform that allows enterprises to stream, connect, process, and govern data as it flows throughout their business in real time. Confluent’s proven, enterprise-grade technology is now hosted on Globe’s local Virtual Private Cloud enabling Philippine businesses to transform raw data into reusable AI-ready data products that fuel the next generation of intelligent applications. This managed approach significantly lowers the total cost of ownership compared to self-managed systems, allowing enterprises to bypass the steep expenses of specialized talent and complex infrastructure. By removing these financial and technical hurdles, companies across the banking, retail, logistics, manufacturing, and service sectors can build AI-powered applications faster while ensuring full support for local data residency compliance. “AI is only as powerful as the data behind it,” said Kamal Brar, Senior Vice President of Partners and Technology Group at Confluent. “Through this collaboration with Globe Business, enterprises in the Philippines can tap into real-time data streams that are secure, reliable, and ready for scale.” Early adopters have seen measurable gains. Retailers using real-time data streaming have raised inventory accuracy to 95 percent. Customer service teams supported by AI agents have automated up to 80 percent of inbound requests, cutting resolution time from hours to minutes. Companies like Notion report saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually after switching to managed data streaming. Globe Business is also applying these lessons internally. With 80 percent of its workforce now using AI tools, the company has improved efficiency across operations, from hiring to service delivery. By positioning real-time data as the essential infrastructure for the AI era, Globe Business is enabling modern organizations to achieve sustained business excellence through intelligent transformation.

BCDA inks deal with Baguio-based Sophia Real Estate for CHJ themed cafe

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

15-year agreement brings themed café development to Camp John Hay, reinforcing its place as a tourism destination BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) continues to strengthen Camp John Hay’s investment appeal with the signing of a 15-year lease agreement with Sophia Real Estate Executives and Development Corporation (SREEDC) for the construction and development of a themed café within the property. The agreement, signed on 30 March 2026, covers a 500-square-meter site within Camp John Hay and a step forward in BCDA’s ongoing efforts to attract quality investments that elevate the camp’s position as a premiere leisure and ecotourism destination in Baguio City. Beyond enhancing the visitor experience, the project is expected to spur local economic activity and create jobs in construction, hospitality, and day-to-day operations. BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang said this development reflects sustained private sector confidence in Camp John Hay’s long-term potential. “Our goal is to build a stable investment climate that empowers our partners to succeed,” said Engr. Bingcang. “By aligning with our Master Development Plan, this project brings a fresh dimension to the camp, further establishing it as a world-class tourism hub where nature and leisure meet.” SREEDC President Donna Mae B. Ame affirmed the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality products and services to the Camp John Hay community. “We are very excited to embark on this journey with BCDA and JHMC,” she said. New offering for the Camp Artist’s render from the 2025 Comprehensive Master Development Plan for Camp John Hay The upcoming themed café will introduce a distinctive new offering within the John Hay Special Economic Zone (JHSEZ), diversifying the ecozone’s portfolio of commercial and hospitality establishments. The project is fully aligned with the updated Master Development Plan of Camp John Hay, ensuring that it contributes to the integrated and sustainable growth of the property. It is expected to draw both local and international visitors seeking curated leisure experiences in Baguio’s highland setting. The signing event was led by BCDA President Joshua M. Bingcang and SREEDC President Donna Mae B. Ame, marking the beginning of a promising partnership for Camp John Hay’s future growth. Also present were SREEDC Director Man Sik Jang, SREEDC Corporate Secretary Analiza B. Intuya, John Hay Management Corporation Director Atty. Kristoffer Lee V. Dance, and BCDA Vice President for Investment and Promotions Erwin Kenneth R. Peralta.

PBBM visits Agri-Pinoy Trading Center to address impact of crisis on Benguet agricultural sector

CAR

CAR / Street Journal

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) in La Trinidad, to ensure the government’s ongoing efforts to address the impact of the crisis on the agricultural sector and outlined some of the measures to help farmers, on April 17, 2026. PBBM, together with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., led the distribution of farm equipment and inputs to crisis to about 45 cooperatives and associations in Benguet, following interventions under the High Value Crops Program of the Department of Agriculture, PBBM visited the Spot Trading Building 2 (Wholesale Area), where post-harvest activities are conducted, and interacted with farmers and key stakeholders in the vegetable industry in the Cordillera mountains. The visit underscores the government’s commitment to strengthen the agricultural value chain by improving market efficiency, price stability and supply distribution. “We are now at the trading center and market, because we were surprised by reports that most vegetable products here from mountainous areas are no longer imported due to the high gasoline prices we are experiencing. So we are looking into it and looking for a way out. First of all, we reduced the price of diesel by ten pesos and the local government charges were waved, then we also removed the toll fee for trucks traveling. The ten wheeler was supposed to pay P3,000 and the four wheeler was P1,000, now they will not pay until this oil price increase is over,” PBBM said in a media interview. He said that drivers who need assistance were also included in the TUPAD program (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). “This is our help, first of all to ensure our food supply, secondly, to ensure that our farmers, our producers, wholesalers do not feel too bad, to ensure that our food supply continues so that we do not have problems with food prices and supply.” He added that because of the initiatives, there is now a better system that is already in place and the initiatives are ongoing. “That is why we are here to talk to the vendors about what else they think we can do.” PBBM added that they are continuing to monitor to ensure that everyone feels the government’s help now in the current crisis caused by the war in the Middle East. Vegetable Trader Mona Dongkasi expressed her gratitude for the personal visit of President Marcos, Jr. and hopes that the situation in the trading area in Benguet will be resolved. “Now our President has seen our situation here where vegetable prices are falling and our buyers are decreasing due to the increase in crude oil prices. We ask our dear President to help him find a solution to this current crisis,” Dongkasi said. (By Zaldy Comanda with reports from PIA-Cordillera)

Philippine, U.S. Forces Kick Off Most Expansive Balikatan Exercise to Date

NCR

NCR / Street Journal

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military will conduct the 41st iteration of Exercise Balikatan across the Philippine archipelago from April 20 to May 8. Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty, more than 17,000 personnel from the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand will train shoulder-to-shoulder, and an additional 17 nations will participate as part of the international observer program. “Balikatan is the embodiment of our nation’s commitment to a strong and credible defense posture,” said Philippine Army Maj. Gen. Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Education and Training Command Commander. “This exercise is a prime opportunity for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to accelerate our modernization and enhance our capabilities as a vanguard of regional peace. Training shoulder-to-shoulder with our oldest ally and our many partners ensures our forces are prepared to face any challenge, together.” The exercise will feature cutting-edge training across the air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. Key events include: AFP and U.S. forces will sharpen their ability to command and control by establishing parallel exercise joint task forces to navigate a challenging training scenario. Field training exercises throughout the Philippines will culminate in capstone events to rehearse warfighting skills in maritime security, coastal defense, and the integration of combined and joint fires. Dynamic maritime sustainment and distributed logistics through ship-to-shore equipment offloads and movements. Prior to the start of Balikatan 2026, the AFP and U.S. forces rehearsed equipment and supply offload from maritime prepositioning force shipping at Port of Cagayan de Oro that was transported and distributed across Luzon. Supplies and equipment movement and distribution will continue throughout the exercise in support of the training. Ships from four countries will participate in a multi-day multilateral maritime exercise along the west coast of the Philippines conducting deck landing qualifications, live-fire gunnery, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue training. Humanitarian and civic assistance activities including engineering and construction projects and community health engagements at five locations across the archipelago to directly benefit Filipino communities and strengthen humanitarian assistance preparedness. “Our alliance with the Philippines has been a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific for 75 years,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Christian Wortman, I Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General. “Balikatan 2026 is a powerful demonstration of our ironclad commitment to that alliance. By training together with our friends and partners using the most advanced systems, we are not just enhancing our shared capabilities; we are forging the trust and readiness required to secure a prosperous and peaceful future for the region.” News media representatives interested in additional information or coverage opportunities may contact the exercise Public Affairs Combined Joint Information Bureau media officer at balikatan_media@usmc.mil.

PIA empowers campus journalists to use AI tool responsibly

Vis-Min

Vis-Min / Street Journal

By Harvy T. Bangayan and Gadjel M. Herodias PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here strengthened the capacity of campus journalists on responsible and ethical storytelling amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The activity gathered student writers to enhance their media literacy and adapt to the evolving digital landscape, held during the Journalism Seminar-Workshop at Josefina H. Cerilles State College (JHCSC)-Pagadian Extension. One of the participants, TJ Pahayac, noted the growing dependence of students on AI tools. Dako kaayo nga reminder for us na we should not be replaced by AI since halos kita tanan na ang mogamit, especially students who engaged in AI tools the most,” he said. (This is a big reminder for us that we should not allow ourselves to be replaced by AI since almost all of us are already using it, especially students who are the most engaged with AI tools.) Guided by the theme “Strengthening Campus Journalists for Ethical and Impactful Storytelling,” PIA highlighted the importance of balancing innovation with accountability, particularly in the use of AI tools in journalism. PIA Government Information Center Coordinator Clennkei C. Peñalosa emphasized that while AI is becoming more present in media and communication, journalists must remain grounded in truth and responsibility. AI should not replace you,” Peñalosa said. She stressed that authenticity and human judgment remain essential in producing credible and meaningful stories. She explained that AI may be used as a support tool for research and information gathering, but should not be relied upon to fully generate journalistic content, as this may compromise accuracy and ethical standards. Among the topics discussed by the PIA were developmental news writing, photo captioning, and mobile journalism. The seminar underscores the government’s commitment to empowering young communicators with the right knowledge and values to navigate modern journalism, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for truth rather than a substitute for it. J.H. Cerilles State College is an official member of PIA’s Information Volunteers (iVolts) Network, which aims to strengthen the dissemination of government information within academic institutions and communities. This network is composed of students and advisers who serve as citizen reporters, helping ensure that essential information on government programs, opportunities, and services reaches students and the wider community. (JPA/CCP/HTB/GMH/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur with reports from JHCSC)

Author name: Street Journal