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Globe, Ayala Foundation launch CENTEX Digital Education wallet on GlobeOne to bridge learning gaps in public schools

When you donate your Globe Rewards points to CENTEX, you become part of a community working alongside schools and DepEd to strengthen teaching, support learners, and close learning gaps—one classroom at a time. Photo courtesy of Ayala Foundation, Inc. Globe, alongside the Department of Education and local government units, is supporting the continued expansion of Ayala Foundation’s CENTEX Digital Education program, reinforcing a shared commitment to improving access to quality digital learning for Filipino learners. The program introduces a “High Touch, High Tech” approach to education, combining digital modules, in-person coaching, and Professional Learning Communities – enabling teachers to use digital tools and real-time data to deliver targeted instructional support based on students’ actual learning needs. CENTEX Digital Education is built on the belief that technology alone is not enough, and that meaningful improvement requires a strong support system anchored in real-time data—so instruction can be adjusted, timely, and responsive to each learner and sustained by community engagement. In its pilot phase in San Marcelino, Zambales, the program showed a 13.8 percentage point improvement in math learning outcomes among students in treatment schools compared to control schools within just 12 weeks. “Learning improves when technology is paired with care, guidance, and accountability,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer at Globe. “CENTEX Digital Education reflects our commitment to help teachers lead confident digital classrooms and ensure students learn at the right level, not just move through the system.” The program empowers educators to become confident, data-driven mentors who can address individual learning needs, helping build a thriving, learning community for both teachers and students. It also exposes students early to digital tools that build future-readiness and confidence in learning. “CENTEX is about helping students learn better by supporting the teachers who guide them,” said Tony Lambino, President of Ayala Foundation. “By strengthening teacher capacity and using data to inform instruction, we help teachers differentiate learning and provide support that responds to each student’s needs.” Globe customers can support the initiative through Globe Rewards or GoGIVE. Donations fund the setup of Digital Learning Labs, support connectivity, and help integrate platforms such as Khan Academy for personalized learning. To support Ayala Foundation through GoGIVE: Tap GoGIVE on the GlobeOne app Select Building Learning Communities through CENTEX Digital Education as your advocacy to start earning hearts Support your advocacy automatically every time you use mobile data. More than 8,000 students and over 300 public school teachers are expected to directly benefit from the program. The model also builds local teacher-leaders and secures support from LGUs and DepEd, making the initiative scalable and sustainable across the public school system. Through this partnership, Globe continues to champion digital inclusion in education, making sure no child is left behind in today’s evolving learning landscape. PHOTO 1: PHOTO 2:

Benguet solon welcomes approval of consolidated bill granting President power to suspend fuel excise tax

CAR

CAR / Street Journal

BENGUET, Philippines — The House of Representatives moved closer to granting the president emergency authority to lower fuel costs after approving a consolidated measure on second reading Wednesday, a move hailed by Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap as a vital step toward protecting consumers from global price shocks. House Bill 8418, titled “An Act authorizing the President to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products during national or global economic emergencies,” serves as a substitute for 16 separate bills and two joint resolutions, including House Joint Resolution no. 5 introduced by Yap. Among the key measures integrated into the final version was Yap’s House Bill 8351, which he filed to address the economic fallout from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and disruptions in global energy supply chains. The consolidated bill empowers President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to temporarily lift or lower fuel excise taxes when the price of Dubai crude oil reaches or exceeds $80 per barrel for one month or when a declared state of national emergency results in extraordinary increases in domestic pump prices. Yap expressed gratitude to the Committee on Ways and Means for incorporating his proposal into the unified measure that is now slated for final approval before the legislative break. “We are grateful to our colleagues for recognizing the urgency of this intervention and consolidating our earlier proposal into this landmark measure,” Yap said. “This is not just about numbers; it is about the farmers in Benguet who struggle with transport costs and the everyday Filipino who feels the weight of inflation at the pump. We look forward to passing this bill on third reading before we take a break to ensure the government has the tools ready to act the moment our people need relief,” added Yap. The measure includes specific safeguards to maintain fiscal responsibility while providing public relief. The authority to suspend or reduce taxes is limited to a period of six months per order and cannot exceed a total of one year. Furthermore, the president is required to report to both chambers of Congress within 15 days of any such order to explain the factual basis and the expected economic impact. House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos and Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III joined Yap in pushing for the bill’s swift passage. They noted that the legislation allows the executive branch to respond with speed and precision to international events, such as supply disruptions, without waiting for a new law to be enacted during the height of a crisis. Under the provisions of House Bill 8418, the authority to exercise these powers remains effective until December 31, 2028.

Globe scales partnership with transcelestial; rolls out 400-link laser tech for 5G network

NCR

NCR / Street Journal

Globe is accelerating the Philippines’ digital future by scaling its partnership with Transcelestial, committing to a nationwide rollout of over 400 wireless laser links over the next three years. This strategic expansion positions Globe as a global pioneer in deploying wireless optical infrastructure at a national scale. By leveraging laser technology for last-mile and backhaul connectivity, Globe is overcoming traditional infrastructure bottlenecks to deliver faster, more resilient 5G services to Filipinos. Transcelestial’s technology directly responds to the unique terrain challenges of the Philippine archipelago, where laying physical fiber-optic cables across coastlines, mountains, and disaster-prone areas is often slow and cost-prohibitive. By utilizing wireless laser links, Globe can now deliver fiber-class capacity for 5G and small cells through a rapid deployment model that bypasses traditional construction delays. This innovation provides a secure, interference-free connection that remains highly flexible for diverse use cases, ranging from large-scale events and emergency response to permanent connectivity for temporary or remote sites. Flexible, future-ready network “Globe’s strategy recognizes that no single technology will define the future of national networks. The move to deploy Transcelestial lasers represents an acceleration of our commitment to bring better access to more Filipinos at speed. We are creating a flexible, future-ready network that adapts to rising capacity needs and environmental constraints,” Joel Agustin, Senior Vice President for Engineering and Network Planning at Globe said. Rohit Jha, CEO and Co-Founder of Transcelestial, added: “Our 400-link rollout with Globe is a signal that the country is embracing new infrastructure models to overcome old constraints. We are proud to work with a forward-thinking partner like Globe to accelerate the digital economy for all Filipinos.” Scalable, resilient connectivity solutions The partnership is deepened by the fact that Transcelestial is a portfolio company of Kickstart Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Globe. This investment underscores Globe’s commitment to scouting and scaling transformative technologies that solve local connectivity challenges. “Kickstart’s investment in Transcelestial reflects Globe’s broader commitment to strengthening the country’s digital backbone. By supporting scalable, resilient connectivity solutions, we’re helping enable more inclusive economic participation across regions, which is fundamental to building a more future-ready Philippines,” said Joan Yao, General Partner at Kickstart Ventures. The nationwide rollout follows successful deployments in Visayas and Mindanao, as well as high-demand trials at the Philippine Arena during large-scale events in 2024-2025. These early deployments gave Globe the operational confidence to scale the technology nationwide. To ensure seamless integration, Asticom, a Globe-owned shared services company, meanwhile serves as the local engineering partner. Since 2023, Asticom has provided the critical on-the-ground technical and engineering expertise to deploy and maintain these laser links across the country. “We are proud to enable Globe’s high-tech rollout by bridging the gap between cutting-edge innovation and local infrastructure,” said Mharicar Castillo-Reyes, President and CEO of Asticom. “Our goal is to build meaningful connections that improve Filipino lives through reliable, future-ready connectivity.”

Converge Global Business Clinches

Business

Business / Street Journal

B2B Client Initiative of the Year at the 2026 Asian Telecom Awards Manila, Philippines — Converge Global Business, the corporate and large enterprise unit of leading fixed broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. (Converge), has been honored with the B2B Client Initiative of the Year – Philippines at the prestigious Asian Telecom Awards 2026. Recognized for its Elevating Connections series, this initiative continues to set the standard for customer engagement by bridging the gap between advanced technology and public service. The award reflects documented success across lead generation, event attendance, and high client satisfaction for activities conducted in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. “Accepting this award on behalf of the team is a deeply proud moment for us,” said Valery Briones, VP and Head of Global Marketing. “The success of Elevating Connections is a result of the seamless collaboration with our Global Business Sales partners nationwide. This award validates our shared commitment to turning ICT into a strategic advantage for enterprises and government units alike, empowering them to thrive in a digital-first economy.” The Elevating Connections series was developed as a structured series of enterprise engagements focused on direct interaction with decision-makers, offering industry-specific discussions on topics such as cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and infrastructure planning tailored for sectors including manufacturing, education, and hospitality. The program exceeded engagement benchmarks, with attendance surpassing targets and achieving a high volume of prospective partners. Post-event feedback demonstrated exceptional client satisfaction, with attendees praising the relevance of topics and the value of direct exchanges with subject-matter specialists. “Receiving this award is a testament to our dedicated approach in understanding and meeting the evolving needs of the Philippine enterprise sector,” said Grace Jarin-Castillo, Senior Vice President and Head for Sales and Marketing of Converge Global Business Group. “Elevating Connections was built to be more than just a series of events; it is a platform for meaningful collaboration. By providing industry-specific insights and tailored technology solutions, we are empowering businesses to navigate their digital transformation successfully.” Converge continues to solidify its status as a leader in the technology and ICT industry with this win, following the standout achievement of being named the Broadband Telecom Company of the Year – Philippines at the Asian Telecom Awards for four consecutive years (2022–2025). The Asian Telecom Awards recognizes leading ICT companies across the Asia Pacific for their contributions to industry advancement, technological innovation, and digital infrastructure development.

Quezon solon files bill to investigate rapid hike fuel prices

Region 4

Region 4 / Street Journal

By Danny Estacio LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines – House deputy speaker Rep. David C. Suarez announced on Monday that he filed a House Bill in Congress in aid of legislation to provide a clearer explanation for why oil prices are rising rapidly, even though there is supposedly an adequate fuel supply in the country. Suarez posted on FB said that if the country has sufficient stock, consumers should also have immediate protection against sudden price increases. The Quezon 2nd district lawmaker acknowledged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier statement that the country has sufficient fuel inventory, including more than 50 days’ supply of diesel and gasoline, more than 60 days for kerosene, and almost a month for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). However, Suarez said that the public still questions why global market movements are immediately reflected in prices even though the country has reserves. Of this, he filed House Resolution No. 852 to investigate the recent and expected fuel price hikes and to determine whether the government is adequately protecting consumers. He also asked the Department of Energy to submit a detailed report to Congress on the movement of oil prices, fuel inventories, and the basis for price adjustments in the country. Suarez insisted that transparency is important to ensure that ordinary Filipinos are not overly affected by the fluctuating oil prices in the global market.

Cayton supports abolition of Provincial Wage Rate

Region 2

Region 2 / Street Journal

Nueva Vizcaya Lone District Representative Timothy Joseph Cayton has expressed his full support for the proposed National Minimum Wage Act, which aims to abolish the current regional and provincial wage system and establish a single national minimum wage for all Filipino workers. According to Cayton, it is time to implement a fair wage system where workers in provinces are not paid less despite doing the same job and sacrifices as those in Metro Manila. “It is unjust that a worker in the province is paid less compared to Metro Manila, given the same hardship and value of their work,” Cayton said. Currently, the provincial minimum wage in Nueva Vizcaya is around ₱500 per day, far from the minimum wage in the National Capital Region. “HB 8081 is one of the most historic reforms for workers in a long time. Under the proposal, the current regional wage structure will be abolished and replaced with a single national minimum wage to ensure fairer and more equitable wages for all,” he added. Under the proposal, the initial national minimum wage rate will be based on the region with the highest wage in the country. Currently, the minimum wage in Metro Manila is ₱695 per day, which will serve as the basis for the new national rate. Cayton emphasized that this reform is not just about wages but about dignity and recognition of the value of every Filipino worker. “The goal is simple but fair. Equal pay for equal work. Workers should not be penalized just because they are in the provinces. Raising the minimum wage will also boost the local economy as families will have more ability to spend and support businesses in their community,” he explained. For Cayton, this proposal is a significant step towards reducing wage inequality in the country and ensuring that economic progress is truly felt by Filipino workers everywhere. “Ending provincial wage disparity is a clear message that progress is not just for cities, but for the entire country,” Cayton concluded.

Pangasinan Achieves 95.63% Employment Rate in 2025

Region 1

Region 1 / Street Journal

PANGASINAN, Philippines – The Provincial Government of Pangasinan’s continuous effort in implementing its manpower development and employment program has yielded impressive results, with a recorded employment rate of 95.63% in 2025. The Pangasinan Public Employment and Services Office (PESO), led by Ms. Richelle Raguindin, reported that the province saw 10,204 job placements for local and overseas employment last year. On record, the PESO conducted 31 job placement activities, including seven Job Fairs, eight Job Fair Caravans, 12 Local Recruitment Activities, and four Special recruitment events. These activities were designed to provide easier access to job seekers, particularly in far-flung municipalities. To inform job seekers of various opportunities, the province posted employment activities on social media platforms, resulting in 11,243 students and job applicants participating in 83 Career Development Support Programs. Additionally, some 1,193 participants acquired employable skills through the Employability Enhancement Program (EEP), which offered trainings on skills, livelihood, and career/entrepreneurship development. The province also provided financial assistance to Out of School Youth (OSY), unemployed adults, LGBT community, and other beneficiaries from different disadvantaged groups, worth P2,000 for Bread and pastry Production and tool kits worth P1,000 for various skills training. In partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the province implemented the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, benefiting 3,139 displaced,underemployed and seasonal workers. The Government Internship Program and Special Program for Employment of Students also benefited 26 and 130 individuals, respectively. The province’s Skills Registry/PESO Employment Information System (PEI) registered 5,067 job applicants in 2025, further solidifying its commitment to providing employment opportunities for Pangasinenses and realizing Governor Ramon V. Guico’s goal to create more jobs during his term. (Ruby F. Rayat| PIMRO)

Cebu Pacific Marks 30th Year with First Aircraft Delivery of 2026

NCR

NCR / Street Journal

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, took delivery of its first aircraft of the year – an Airbus A320neo – on March 6, just days before marking its 30th anniversary on March 8. The aircraft arrived in Manila from Airbus’ facility in Toulouse, France and is the first of four A320neos anticipated to join CEB’s fleet this year. CEB expects to receive a total of seven aircraft in 2026 as it continues to strengthen capacity amid sustained travel demand. “This delivery sets the tone for our 30th year,” said Xander Lao, CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer. “It reflects our continued investment in growth so more passengers can look forward to accessible and reliable air travel in the years to come.” Airbus NEOs are the latest-generation aircraft that burn about 15% less fuel per flight and produces less noise compared to previous models, resulting in a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions. CEB operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with its diversified commercial fleet mix of 14 Airbus 330s, 27 Airbus 321s, 39 Airbus 320s, and 20 ATR turboprop aircraft enabling the widest network coverage in the Philippines.

CIAC renews push for gender equality,inclusivity, among Clark locators

Region 3

Region 3 / Street Journal

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines — The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) has reaffirmed its strong support for Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives, underscoring the importance of sustained programs that promote gender equality, inclusivity, and women’s empowerment both within the agency and among its partner stakeholders. As part of its continuing commitment, CIAC announced the conduct of a GAD lecture-seminar on March 26 at the Clark civil aviation complex which will gather employees from companies operating within the Clark Freeport Zone. The activity forms part of the CIAC’s broader GAD advocacy and its celebration of National Women’s Month this March. CIAC President Jojit Alcazar emphasized the role of collaborative efforts in advancing gender equality, noting the participation of locator companies and their workforce is crucial in expanding awareness and strengthening inclusive workplace practices. “CIAC remains committed to supporting GAD programs that promote inclusivity and gender equality. By engaging our locators and encouraging their employees to participate in these initiatives, we hope to further broaden awareness and reinforce the importance of equal opportunities in the workplace,” Alcazar said. Major CIAC locators, including Global Gateway Development Corp., Luen Thai International, and Outback Five Star Clark Phils., Inc., employ thousands of workers, a significant number of whom are women. CIAC said the involvement of these companies in GAD-related activities helps ensure that gender-responsive policies and practices are promoted not only within government but also in the private sector operating within the Clark Aviation Capital. CIAC GAD Focal Person and Chief Finance Officer Nancy Paglinawan stressed that the agency continues to champion the protection of women’s rights and the promotion of safe and equitable working environments. “Our GAD programs aim to strengthen awareness on non-discrimination and protection from all forms of violence, particularly against women workers. Through these activities, we hope to cascade these important principles to the private sector and encourage workplaces that are respectful, safe, and inclusive,” Paglinawan said. CIAC’s lineup of GAD-related activities this month includes a seminar on “Women’s Reproductive Health System and Diseases Affecting Women” scheduled on March 17. The agency will also conduct an outreach program titled “Serbisyo para kay Juana” on March 25 at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-run Haven for Girls in Pampanga, further demonstrating CIAC’s commitment to community engagement and women-centered support services. Paglinawan noted CIAC’s continued efforts in implementing gender-responsive programs have gained national recognition. Late last year, the agency received an award from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) for its exemplary implementation of GAD programs and for recording the highest organization-focused GAD budget expenditure among government-owned and controlled corporations. The National Women’s Month Celebration serves as an important platform for recognizing women’s achievements while highlighting key issues related to women’s empowerment and gender equality. This year marks the third installment of the 2023–2028 recurring campaign banner, “WE for Gender Equality and an Inclusive Society,” which calls for stronger collaboration and collective action to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. For 2026, the celebration carries the sub-theme “Lead Like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”, drawing inspiration from the babaylans of pre-colonial Philippine society, who were regarded as wise, compassionate, and respected community leaders. Through its GAD initiatives, CIAC said it remains committed to supporting this vision by promoting inclusive development and empowering women within and beyond the Clark aviation community.

Author name: Street Journal