NAGA CITY, Philippines — The city government of Naga City will conduct a Cervical Cancer Elimination Summit on May 20 this year at Summit Hotel Naga to further strengthen its advocacy against the disease and adopt direct strategies for its eradication through a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach. Mayor Leni Robredo said the dreaded disease—considered the second leading cause of death among women, especially in communities that lack awareness or understanding of how to address it—can be eliminated if properly managed. She said the advocacy is being pursued in partnership with MSD Philippines, a pharmaceutical firm. The mayor added that at least 400 participants are expected to attend the summit, most of whom are Barangay Health Workers and other community volunteers. “We are expecting that these volunteer workers will bring to residents in their respective villages the learnings, know-how, and awareness they will gain from the summit,” she said. Robredo also emphasized the importance of helping participants understand the hardships and suffering experienced by cervical cancer patients so they will recognize the need to undergo preventive measures such as vaccination and regular screening. She said the advocacy is being advanced with the active support of the Public Information Division of the City Mayor’s Office, members of the Naga City Hall Press Corps, and personnel from various media outfits in the city. She added that the city government, through the City Health Office I, aims to reduce cervical cancer cases, underscoring the need for massive and widespread dissemination of relevant information. I via Jason Neola

Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has temporarily taken measures to provide port clients with the much-needed financial support, amid the ongoing rise in fuel costs in the global market. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño explained that this is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order No. 110, which immediately placed the entire country in a state of national energy emergency due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Aliño added that such temporary measures aim to provide aid to industries affected by the Middle East crisis by ensuring that cost-stabilizing strategies for the transport and food sectors are implemented without delay. “These initiatives, including reduced fees and extended free storage, provide a fiscal cushion to reinforce investor confidence and prevent supply chain bottlenecks,” said Aliño. He also cited that key industry participants namely, importers, suppliers, consignees, vessel owners, and consumers, will experience the impact of these measures through their respective counterparts – terminal operators, cargo handlers, brokers, consolidators, processors, ship agents, and shipping lines, resulting in a cascading effect throughout the supply chain. As part of this initiative, the SBMA will implement a five percent tariff reduction on all commercial vessels, including harbor fees, berthing fees/ anchorage fees, and harbor cleaning fees, as well as a five percent tariff reduction on cargo charges including wharfage fees, and storage fees.   “We will also implement a five percent tariff reduction on SBMA shares such as pilotage fee, hauling services, tugboat services, heavy equipment rental, line handling services, chandling services, water tendering, cargo handling for containerized cargo, and bunkering services,” he added. Additionally, the SBMA is also offering free storage for non-containerized cargo, and free storage period for an additional 2-day extension. To further aid port clients, the SBMA will temporarily suspend the collection of shares from terminal operators/cargo handlers for liquid bulk cargo handling and related activities; the implementation of the one percent admission fee for liquid bulk; and the implementation of the ten percent increase on cargo handling and miscellaneous charges of non-containerized/ general cargoes. Chairman Aliño assured port stakeholders that these measures shall take effect immediately upon its approval and ratification by the SBMA Board of Directors, adding that these will remain in force until geopolitical tensions subside, at which point they shall be lifted via a formal issuance following Board approval. SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao said that the 2026 revenue projections will generate ₱76 million in fiscal relief over a one-year period. Yambao added that the direct tariff reductions will specifically account for approximately ₱49 million (a computation arriving at this figure is attached to this Memorandum, for your reference), while the suspension of new policies is expected to save stakeholders and domestic consumers an additional ₱25 million annually. Furthermore, the extension of free storage periods will contribute approximately ₱2 million in operational savings for port stakeholders for a year.    

ILOCOS SUR, Philippines – The Social Security System (SSS) Candon Branch recently recognized two employers in Ilocos Sur for their consistent compliance in remitting the SSS contributions of their employees. The awardees were William Chua Rice Mill and Rural Bank of Sta. Maria Ilocos Sur both cited for their timely and regular remittance of workers’ SSS contributions. SSS Vice President for Luzon North 1 Division Normita Cruz said the prompt remittance of contributions ensures that employees remain eligible for various social security benefits and loan privileges under the Social Security (SS) and Employees’ Compensation (EC) Programs. “Employers play a vital role in safeguarding the social protection of Filipino workers by ensuring that their contributions are remitted on time and in full. Through initiatives like this, SSS commends responsible employers while encouraging others to uphold the same standard of commitment and accountability,” Cruz said. The William Chua Rice Mill, an SSS-registered business since 1996, employs 33 workers. Meanwhile, the Rural Bank of Sta. Maria, registered with the SSS as early as December 1969, currently employs 29 workers, all of whom are covered under the SSS through their respective employers.