CALUMPIT, Bulacan – The Social Security System (SSS) and Life Builder Fellowship formally sealed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under the Contribution Subsidy Provider Program (CSPP). SSS Vice President for Luzon Central 2 Division Gloria Corazon Andrada said that Life Builder Fellowship pledged to sponsor the monthly SSS contributions of an initial group of ten dedicated volunteers for a minimum of six months, with plans to extend the support to more volunteers in the future. “Many volunteers generously give their time and effort without any compensation,” Andrada said. “Through partnerships like this, we ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to social protection,” she added. Once the CSPP beneficiaries meet the qualifying conditions, they will now gain access to SSS benefits such as sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral, including loan privileges such as salary and calamity loan. “Life Builder Fellowship’s effort reflects the church’s holistic mission—providing not only spiritual guidance but also the long-term financial stability of its members through active social security membership. Their strong dedication in advancing social welfare is truly commendable,” Andrada said. Life Builder Fellowship’s Head Pastor Jesus Bagasin Jr. expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “We believe that serving God should not come at the cost of one’s future. By taking responsibility for our volunteers’ SSS contributions, we are not only fostering their spiritual growth but also securing their financial future. This is our way of honoring those who have tirelessly served the church and the broader community,” Bagasin concluded. The CSPP is a key initiative of the SSS designed to extend social protection to informal workers, low-income earners, and other vulnerable sectors. The program works by engaging individuals, organizations, or institutions willing to subsidize contributions on behalf of these members.            

More than P1 billion worth of white crystalline substances suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, were seized by joint forces of the PDEA Intelligence Service; PDEA Regional Office-National Capital Region (NCR); and PDEA Regional Office III; with the support of the AFP-Counterintelligence Group, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA); and the Philippine National Police during a search warrant conducted at a house on Orchid Street, Timog Hills Subdivision, Barangay Pampang, Angeles City, Pampanga, on May 26. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R Nerez said that the illegal drugs were placed inside 155 transparent plastic bags, weighing approximately one kilogram each. However, the house turned out to be abandoned. The subject of the search warrant, a Chinese national, was nowhere in sight and remains at-large. He will be facing charges for violation of Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Less than two weeks ago, PDEA confiscated more than 35 kilos of shabu following a buy-bust operation in Angeles City, Pampanga. One Chinese national and his Filipina cohort were apprehended as a result of the operation. “The two drug operations mentioned are linked to each other. What you see is the outcome of persistent tracking of previous operations targeting individuals connected to syndicated drug trafficking to include their sources”, Undersecretary Nerez said. “While PDEA prioritizes the conduct of high-impact operations resulting in the arrests of high-value drug personalities and high-volume drug seizures, it is at the grassroots level where most of the drugs are sold and abused. We will not relinquish our thrust to go after small scale drug dealers in communities as ordered by His Excellency Ferdinand R Marcos, Jr.”, the PDEA Chief said, adding that the Agency will realign its efforts in combating the illegal drug trade at all levels of society. PDEA continues to strengthen its partnerships with other drug law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, and encourage the participation of the citizenry in the anti-drug campaign by providing reliable information of illegal drug activities in exchange for monetary consideration through Operation: Private Eye (OPE).    

Subic Bay Freeport—In line with its thrust to make this premier Freeport a carbon-neutral economic zone by 2030, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) opened its doors to BYD Philippines, with its newest branch here. During its grand opening on May 19, 2025, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the opening of China’s leading electric vehicle maker here solidifies the stance of the agency in making Subic Freeport carbon-neutral. He added that the Harmony Auto Philippines-operated branch of BYD will certainly sell a huge volume of electric vehicles that will significantly reduce harmful emissions, while making this premier Freeport its home. The BYD Subic Branch offers consumers an option for owning a vehicle that is eco-friendly and energy-efficient. The showroom cum service center offers the newest and the latest electric vehicles to residents of Central Luzon. Aliño, BYD Philippines Country Head Adam Hu, BYD Cars Philippines Managing Director Bob Palanca, and Harmony Auto Philippines General Manager Owen Meneses led the inauguration of the fifth franchise of the Chinese EV brand in the country. Also gracing the event were Bataan Congressman Albert Garcia, former Hermosa Mayor Joseph Anthony Inton, and Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr., as well as the SBMA Board of Directors as guests of honor. Subic Bay Freeport is equipped with various EV charging stations that are easily accessible to the public. One is located at the ACEA Subic Beach Resort; another at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall at the Rizal Highway; and one at the Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. Subic.        

Subic Bay Freeport – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has inaugurated and opened the ₱44-million new Upper Binictican Bridge at the Binictican Area of this premier Freeport on May 15, 2025. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the new Upper Binictican Bridge replaced the old structure that was built by the Americans in the 1960s when this Freeport was still a US Naval Base. Aliño added that the old bridge has already served motorists in this Freeport for more than 60 years now and should be replaced since it connects the residential area of Binictican to the rest of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. He further said that the SBMA Engineering Department and maintenance management company A. C. Ong conducted a structural investigation that revealed the old bridge was already in the advanced stage of deterioration due to long-term structural damage. A few years back, the SBMA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of a new bridge that will replace the old one. The SBMA’s Office of the Deputy Administrator (ODA) for Public Works and Technical Services Group (PWTSG) led the construction of the new bridge that was designed and supervised by the DPWH Bataan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO). PWTSG Deputy Administrator Engr. Marco Estabillo said that the construction commenced on May 8, 2024, and was foreseen to be completed by May 15, 2025. Estabillo further said that the new bridge design is a reinforced concrete deck girder (RCDG) bridge with a single span and two lanes. The bridge, meanwhile, will be supported by reinforced concrete abutments and a mat/ spread foundation due to the rocky/ boulder nature of the earth. The old bridge measured 17.30m in length, 7.30m in width with no sidewalks. Meanwhile, the new bridge, Estabillo added, is 22.80m in length, 7.32m in width with 1.11m sidewalks on both sides, and is now higher by 1.20 meters to prevent log clogging and higher river water capacity absorption during typhoons. “Transition roads will be regraded and repaved with six meters of Portland cement with asphalt overlay and extensions,” he said. The new bridge will now allow tourists to visit the Pamulaklakin Trail, one of the most visited areas of the Subic Bay Freeport since it is part of the Pastolan Ayta’s facility that allows tourists to experience outdoor life while learning survival skills from the Ayta instructors. (30)                  

Subic Bay Freeport – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Public Health and Safety Group (PHSD) has tapped the expertise of United States Navy retired Chief Petty Officer Michael Walls to educate stakeholders here on Box Jellyfish Awareness and Treatment. Around one hundred participants, mostly SBMA employees, locators, residents, guests, and other SBF stakeholders, Association of Ambulance Operators in Olongapo and Zambales, and other medical responders, especially locators in the beach resort business, took part in the seminar held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on May 9, 2025 . According to Walls, they are expecting increased presence of box jellyfish infestation compared to previous years. “Stings from the box jellyfish can be fatal, especially in children,” Walls said. He expounded further by imparting ways on how to avoid incidents of jellyfish sting, as well as immediate treatment when subjected to such. Walls added that the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman-College of Science cited that the box jellyfish is known for its distinctive box-like appearance and potent venom that can cause potentially systemic effects, which if not immediately addressed, could be fatal. The Chironex yamaguchii, a dangerous species of box jellyfish known to originate from Japan, is also present in Philippine waters, as well as  in the Indo-Pacific and Western Pacific regions. Their tentacles can inflict extreme pain, cause skin injuries with welts, and even trigger heart attacks and death. The Box Jellyfish Awareness and Treatment seminar, which aims to promote critical knowledge that could help save lives in case of a box jellyfish sting, is part of the SBMA’s Public Health and Safety Group’s Health and Wellness Caravan.        

Comelec officers led by COMELEC Zambales Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Cristina Guiao-Garcia (left) raised the hand of gobernatorial re-electionist Hermogenes Ebdane after winning for the third term as governor of Zambales. Assisting the proclamation was Zambales School Div. Supt. Dr. William Roderick Fallorin. Ebdane garnered 306,367 votes, to secure his post in the Capitol Building from sole rival Chito Balintay who received only 30,857 votes. Meanwhile, Zambales’ Nanay Bing Stays, Zambales 2nd District Congresswoman Doris Bing Maniquiz, was officially proclaimed by Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Cristina T. Guiao-Garcia (extreme left) her second term at 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, after securing a landslide victory over his sole opponent. Maniquiz received 173,704 votes, while his challenger Atty. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, garnered only 79,928 votes. (Ruben A. Veloria)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — EduAksyon Party-list, advocating for realistic and practical educational reforms, received on Friday encouraging response from students and parents during the recently held Students’ Forum 2025. In a forum held at The Manila Times College of Subic, parents and students-participants expressed support to EduAksyon Party-list’s advocacy they considered as realistic and practical but which they never heard from other parties. EduAksyon first nominee Michael Alexander Ang, and second nominee Atty. Kristjan Vincent Gargantiel explained that among their programs in Congress is to file a bill that will shorten college years to only two, instead of regular for years. According to Ang, aside from having the lowest budget in the whole of Asia, there is also something wrong in the implementation of the K-12 program, as first year and second year college students have to take subjects that have already been taken in Grade 11 and 12. “This mistake contributes to the reason why the Philippine education system is lagging behind. We are in the second to last position in terms of quality education,” Ang said. He added that minor subjects should be removed from the college curriculum making college years only two years. But students should undergo mandatory one-year on-the-job training (OJT) as employees of companies as a requirement for graduation.  “What the EduAksyon will do is to file a bill that will reduce the academic years of college to only two years, but require them to undergo one year extensive training in a company, with allowance equivalent to 75% of the salary of newly hired employees,” said Ang. This concept is already being implemented in the United States, Europe and progressive countries in Asia, like Singapore and Japan. “CHED’s four-year system was outdated long ago and no longer reflects today’s rapidly changing job market, he said. EduAksyon enumerated some of the advantages of the Bill, if passed, including first, cost efficiency as parents could save more money equivalent to four semesters of tuition fees, transportation fares, allowances, and possibly board and lodging; and the students will be receiving allowances equivalent to 75% of the minimum wage during their OJT. Secondly, the educational system will become more efficient since redundant curriculum subjects will be removed; Thirdly, students will enter into the workforce earlier because of the intensive training he received during OJT. Fourthly, Academic curriculum will be aligned with the needs of the industry in the locality, and Fifthly, because of the system, there will be flexibility, specialization and competition. Aside from reducing college years, EduAksyon will also push for the provision of breakfast to all public elementary schools; distribution of free tablets, E-books, school supplies to all public school students; Free internet to all students; and distribution of educational financial assistance for all deserving students.  

  Freeport stakeholders join the Mass Hands-only CPR training event organized by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority –Public Health and Safety Department in cooperation with the Philippine Heart Association, Inc.-Central Luzon. The training was held at the Ayala Malls Harbor Point Mall on Wednesday, April 30. The participants were trained to respond to possible victims of cardiac arrest in the workplace. Hands-only CPR, or compression-only CPR, is designed to make CPR easier for untrained bystanders to perform in the event of a cardiac arrest. Its primary purpose is to maintain blood circulation to the brain and vital organs until professional medical help arrives. This is achieved through chest compressions, which help pump the remaining oxygenated blood throughout the body. The project is also supported by the Olongapo City Medical Society, the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians-Olongapo City Chapter and the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine-Olongapo City Chapter.

Subic Bay Freeport—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s (SBMA) Passport on Wheels (POW) project at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on April 29, 2025 was able to process 92 passports in record time of 4 hours. SBMA Human Resource and Management Department (HRMD) Manager Vivian Abalos shared that the successful processing of the 92 passports was just a portion of the total 200 passport applications since the other 108 that were supposed to be processed did not materialize due to incomplete documents and payments. Abalos extended her gratitude to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Harbor Point Ayala Mall for their cooperation in the said corporate social responsibility (CSR) project of the agency. The SBMA has been conducting the POW project even before the pandemic, and it has helped  stakeholders within and around the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) in conveniently processing their passport applications and renewals. Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño explained that the SBMA does not issue passports, but rather, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). He said that this project is a part of the agency’s CSR program in collaboration with the DFA. “This project aims to provide convenient access to passport services for individuals within the Subic Bay area. The SBMA brings passport application and processing services directly to Subic Bay Freeport to extend convenience to SBF residents, employees, and their dependents,” he added.