Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines – The Filipino Shipmates monument, located along Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) was inaugurated on January 14, 2026. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño recognized the United States Sailors Alliance of the Philippines (USSAP) for paving the way for the construction of a commemorative monument of Filipino-American naval history and friendship, as well as the strong bond between them. “Here in Subic Bay, a place rich in maritime history, it is fitting that we honor their contributions. Subic has long been a bridge connecting our two nations, and today, this monument shows the strengthening of this bond even further. It tells future generations that Filipinos played an essential role in safeguarding peace and freedom across the seas,” he said. Led by the USSAP, the monument was built to symbolize the dedication of Filipino sailors who were recruited by the United States of America (USA) between 1901 and 1991 in the Philippines. According to the USSAP, over 35,000 Filipinos were recruited through centers like the US naval bases at Subic Bay and Sangley Point during this period, leaving a significant legacy of service. The USSAP has been instrumental in preserving and recognizing this history, including the funding and presentation of a Filipino Shipmate statue to honor these sailors in Olongapo City. Olongapo City Mayor Atty. Rolen Paulino Jr., Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Director Rolen Paulino, officials from the USSAP, and the US Embassy in the Philippines were present during the unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The USSAP is strongly committed to celebrate the deep history and contributions of US-Filipino sailors, especially in Subic Bay, Olongapo, where many were recruited, honoring significant personalities such as Medal of Honor recipient Telesforo Trinidad, and recognizing Filipino contributions to U.S. maritime forces. The Filipino Shipmate monument memorializes their services    

  PANGASINAN, Philippines — “Sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan ng Pambansang Pamahalaan, Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Pangasinan, at ng ating mga magsasaka, naniniwala tayo na ang mga programa tulad ng “Benteng Bigas Meron na!” ay patuloy na magbibigay tulong at ginhawa sa mamamayan na naglalayong magtaguyod ng seguridad sa pagkain, pag-angat ng kabuhayaan ng magsasaka, at kaunlaran para sa lahat ng Pangasinense,” stated Gov. Ramon V. Guico III during the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing for the provincial launch of “Benteng Bigas, Meron na!” project on January 13. The program — spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA), along with Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) and the National Food Authority (NFA) aims to provide affordable and sufficient rice for all Filipinos. Under this initiative, rice is made available at P20 per kilo, targeting the low-income households and vulnerable groups. Beyond providing price relief for consumers, the project also ensures fair trade for farmers. For every kilogram of Benteng Bigas, the NFA commits to purchasing two kilograms of palay from local farmers. Gov. Guico further stated that this program, integrated with the Kadiwa ed Kapitolyo, is partnered with other agricultural initiatives in the province, such as Corporate Farming. This initiative uses a convergence approach by uniting farmers into cooperatives, providing farming inputs and machinery, and giving technical assistance to increase crop yields and lower production costs. This guarantees long-term assistance for all Pangasinenses. For a construction worker like Damon Sarmiento, 64, a resident of Binmaley, the program is a big help. “Balbaleg so tulong ‘to ‘yan programa ta akamenos ka lay balbaleg [ed gastos],” (This program is a big help because you can really save a lot on expenses), he shared. Under the leadership of Gov. Guico, the provincial government remains committed to providing people-centered governance. PGP is balancing immediate relief with long-term sustainability by addressing present challenges and building a food-secure future for every Pangasinense. (Eira Gorospe, photo by Ervin Alcantara | PIMRO)

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito announced plans to establish a paragliding pilot school in Nueva Vizcaya, saying the province’s mountainous terrain can be further developed to strengthen tourism. Gov. Gambito made the announcement during this morning’s flag-raising ceremony sponsored by the Office of the Governor, where the Nueva Vizcaya paragliding team who participated in the SEA Games in Thailand last December 2025 performed a paramotor flyby. “Even if Nueva Vizcaya has no beaches, we have many mountains, and these are assets we need to use for tourism,” Gambito said. “There are many possible paragliding sites for takeoff and landing across different towns. We will make Nueva Vizcaya the paragliding capital in the Philippines”. The provincial government also presented members of the Nueva Vizcaya paragliding team during the ceremony, including Kelvin Liyangna and Dominique Lucasi. They were joined by Violet Lucasi, who initiated paragliding activities in the province. The provincial government has asked for her assistance in setting up the planned paragliding pilot school. Two Novo Vizcayano educators from the Department of Education (DepEd) were also recognized for their achievements. Brenda Ramos Zinampan, a teacher and athletics coach at Bascaran National High School in Solano, was honored for winning four gold medals at the 23rd Asia Masters Athletics Championships in Chennai, India (Nov. 5–10, 2025). Competing in the Women’s 45+ category, Zinampan won gold in the 100-meter dash, 80-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, and pole vault. Also recognized was Noel V. Sadinas, Master Teacher II of Macalong Elementary School in Kasibu, for his accomplishments and service in education. Sadinas is a recipient of the Metrobank Foundation’s Ten Outstanding Filipinos award and was recently named an awardee of the Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Gintong Parangal para sa Edukasyon.

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines — The Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) has taken a decisive step toward sustainable transport with the acquisition of electric vehicles (EVs), becoming the first government agency in the Clark Freeport Zone to integrate EVs into its official fleet in support of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA). CIAC President and CEO Jojit Alcazar said the acquisition of five EV units aligns with EVIDA, which mandates the gradual adoption of electric vehicles in government fleets to strengthen the local EV industry, cut fossil fuel dependence, and help decarbonize the transport sector. “CIAC’s acquisition of electric vehicles is our concrete contribution to the EVIDA law and the national drive toward cleaner and more sustainable mobility,” Alcazar said. Alcazar noted CIAC has already disposed of several decades-old, unserviceable vehicles and replaced them with EVs as part of its fleet modernization program. The initiative complements Executive Order No. 62 (s. 2024), issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 20, 2024, which extended and expanded zero import duties on EVs and their components until 2028. The order covers battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid EVs (HEVs), plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs), as well as e-motorcycles, e-bicycles, and e-tricycles, making electric mobility more affordable and accessible nationwide. The Palace directive, which took effect in July 2024, targets a 10-percent EV share in government fleets and supports broader national goals of deploying millions of EVs by 2028. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) continues to fast-track electric mobility through its Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI), which aims for a 50-percent EV fleet share by 2040. Under the roadmap, the country targets 2.45 million EVs, including cars, motorcycles, tricycles, buses, and public utility vehicles, by 2028. Alcazar emphasized that CIAC’s transition to electric vehicles reflects a global shift toward green technologies and climate-resilient development. “We have integrated EVs into our corporate operations to promote innovation in clean, sustainable, and energy-efficient solutions while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. He added the move also strengthens the country’s energy security by lowering dependence on imported fuel for the transport sector. As the Bases Conversion and Development Authority’s premier aviation and land development arm, CIAC remains committed to transforming the Clark aviation complex into the Clark Aviation Capital, a dynamic business center poised to become the country’s leading global aviation and logistics hub.          

PALAWAN, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) MIMAROPA (MIndoro (Occidental & Oriental), MArinduque, ROmblon, and Palawan) Regional Office, in close coordination with the 584th Aircraft Control and Warning Group, has successfully recaptured the remaining escapees following an intensive and sustained manhunt operation. The successful recapture of Princess Dorothy Dela Cruz y Alcala, of Bagong Silang, Puerto Princesa City and Paul Alexis Cacho Camias ,of Barangay San Manuel, Puerto Princesa City was made possible through the combined efforts of PDEA operatives, CDPPCO, PD- PALAWAN PPO, NICA, WESCOM, Phil Airforce, and other law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly to track down and apprehend the fugitives. The operation demonstrated strong inter-agency cooperation, effective intelligence sharing, and swift operational response. PDEA MIMAROPA extends its sincere gratitude to the other law enforcement units, local government units, media partners and the communities for their unwavering support and assistance throughout the operation. The Agency also commends the public for their vigilance and cooperation, particularly those who provided valuable information that contributed significantly to the successful outcome of the manhunt. PDEA MIMAROPA reiterates its commitment to strengthening security measures and continuously enhancing operational protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Agency also encourages the public to remain alert and continue supporting law enforcement efforts by promptly reporting any suspicious activities to authorities. It can be recalled that on January 13, four prisoners escaped from the PDEA Palawan Provincial Office detention facility. Through the immediate and coordinated efforts of PDEA MIMAROPA personnel, Puerto Princesa City Police Office, and other law enforcement partners, two of the escapees have been successfully recaptured on that day identified as Jonathan Palanca, of Bagong Sikat, Puerto Princesa City and  Harold Sanchez Desoro, of Sicsican, Puerto Princesa City.