Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga – The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) has intensified its crackdown on illegal firearms in a relentless push for a safe and peaceful May midterm elections. From January 12 to January 28, PRO3 seized 101 firearms—including revolvers, caliber .45, and caliber 9mm pistols—and arrested 103 individuals for violating the nationwide gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Regional Director BGen/. Jean S. Fajardo reaffirmed PRO3’s unwavering commitment to security, stating “This is more than just enforcement—this is about protecting lives and ensuring that every voter feels safe. Every illegal firearm we confiscate is one less threat to public safety. We will not relent in our efforts to keep Central Luzon secure during this critical election period.” Of the 101 firearms seized, 38 were confiscated at checkpoints, 21 recovered through police responses, 39 seized in buy-bust operations, and three from other law enforcement actions. Among the 103 arrested, 98 were civilians, four were security guards, and one was a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Fajardo stressed that public cooperation is a game-changer in ensuring peaceful elections: “We are calling on everyone—follow the rules, report violations, and work with us. A single tip-off could prevent violence and save lives. This is our shared responsibility.” Under COMELEC Resolution No. 10918, carrying firearms and deadly weapons in public is strictly prohibited unless covered by a COMELEC-issued Certificate of Authority. Even licensed gun holders, including law enforcement personnel, must comply with this regulation. As election day approaches, Fajardo assured that PRO3 will further intensify security measures, ramping up operations and checkpoints across the region: “We are stepping up. Expect more checkpoints, more police visibility, and swift action against those who defy the law. The safety of our people is non-negotiable.” PRO3 urges the public to report any violations of the gun ban or suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through official hotlines. Your vigilance and cooperation are key to keeping Central Luzon safe.    

Subic Bay Freeport—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has pegged its 2024 workforce at 164,400 showing a minimal but steady increase with 4.8 percent. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño attributed the increase in the workforce to the number of orders in the manufacturing sector that drove the workforce from 2023’s 156,811 workers to this year’s 164,400. He said that the manufacturing sector of the Subic economic zone recorded 27,484 workers employed by 110 companies here in 2024, compared to 21,433 workers in 2023. “And we are anticipating more employment opportunities in Subic Freeport because of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s aggressive efforts to bring more foreign companies to invest in the country since it has been his administration’s thrust to create more jobs for Filipinos through foreign direct investments,” he said. The manufacturing sector of Subic Bay Freeport has employed workers from Olongapo City (13,738), Bataan (3,843), Zambales (8,154), Pampanga (188), National Capital Region (140), Tarlac (79), and other areas (1,342). Aliño added that the services sector of Subic’s workforce still has the biggest number of workers with 116,776 employees employed by 4,014 companies in 2024. It recorded an increase of 1,134 workers from 2024’s 116,776 employees, compared to 2023’s 115,642 employees. The companies in the services sector employed workers from Olongapo City (46,857), Bataan (14,984), Zambales (17,999), Pampanga (4,419), National Capital Region (5,441), Tarlac (1,727), and other areas (25,349). The shipbuilding/marine-related services with 153 companies recorded an increase of 309 workers for 2024’s 6,187 employees compared to 2023’s 5,878 employees. The male-dominated sector recorded 5,512 male workers and 675 female workers. It employed workers from Olongapo City (2,742), Bataan (693), Zambales (1,543), Pampanga (59), National Capital Region (347), Tarlac (11), and other areas (792). Meanwhile, the number of employees in the construction sector reached 13,953 and employed by 320 companies. Another male-dominated industry, these 320 construction companies employed 13,357 male workers and 596 female workers coming from Olongapo City (4,749), Bataan (1,747), Zambales (2,214), Pampanga (603), National Capital Region (916), Tarlac (296), and other areas (3,428). Aliño said that an increase of 95 workers was recorded in the construction sector, with 13,953 workers recorded in 2024, and 13,858 workers recorded in 2023. The SBMA chief said that with the current trend the Subic Bay Freeport workforce is experiencing, any fluctuation in the country’s unemployment rate would not adversely affect the number of workers here since the steady increase is a good sign of a constant upward pace in the employment sector.

Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga – A mother and son, both listed as High-Value Individuals (HVI), were arrested in a successful anti-illegal drug operation conducted by joint operatives from the Gapan City Police Station and the Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit (PPDEU) of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office (NEPPO). The operation, which took place at around 4:15 a.m on January 16, in Barangay Mahipon, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija, resulted in the apprehension of 44-year-old mother alias “Osel” and her 22-year-old son alias “Chao.” Following weeks of intensive surveillance, the buy-bust operation led to the confiscation of 60 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of  P408,000. The suspects, along with the seized illegal drugs, were promptly transported to the Gapan City Police Station for proper documentation and further legal processing. Police Regional Office 3 Regional Director Brig.Gen Jean Fajardo commended the operatives for their diligence and commitment to the fight against illegal drugs. “This operation demonstrates the PNP’s unwavering resolve to rid our communities of the harmful effects of illegal drugs. Let this be a strong message to those involved in the drug trade – the law will catch up with you,” she stated. Fajardo emphasized PRO3’s continued dedication to strengthening anti-drug operations and ensuring that individuals violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165) face the full force of the law. “Under my leadership, we will relentlessly strengthen our collaboration with the community to eradicate illegal drugs and confront all forms of criminality head-on,” she added.      

Subic Bay Freeport – Recognizing their contribution to the waste segregation efforts of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), 91 utility workers received proceeds from the 14th Recyclables Collection Event (RCE). During the opening program of the SBMA’s week-long celebration of Zero Waste Month at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on Monday, these utility workers were given grocery packs as a simple token worth a total of P56,987 from the recyclable materials turned over by Freeport stakeholders. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the recyclable materials were collected from the recyclables generated from Subic Bay Freeport companies, SBMA departments and residents of the Freeport. He added that the SBMA Ecology Center spearheaded the event, kicking off the month of January as Zero Waste Month Celebration in the SBFZ program that commenced on January 13 and will run until January 17. “This is a part of our Race to Carbon Neutrality Program and a continuing action for the Agency’s ISO 14001:2015 Recertification,” Aliño added. Ecology Center Manager and OIC Senior Deputy Administrator for Regulatory Amethya Dela Llana said that the 91 beneficiaries were from Omniworx, the cleaning services provider tasked with cleaning and maintaining SBMA buildings throughout Subic Bay Freeport. “Why Omniworx? Because they are our waste heroes. Omniworx is our partner in the segregation of wastes at source. They ensure that recyclables are segregated properly, which allowed for the efficient delivery of segregated wastes during the bi-annual RCE for proper disposal through our recyclers,” Dela Llana explained. SBMA Chief of Staff Atty. Von Rodriguez, representing Chairman Aliño, along with Dela Llana and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Director Enrique Tacbad, were present during the turnover ceremony of the tokens for the 91 Omniworx employees. Tacbad said that materials such as foil from 3-in-1 coffee sachets or juices in tetra packs are being repurposed to make items such as handbags, wallets, and other fashionable knickknacks that can be sold to consumers. He added that one example is the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) business that the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) is currently conducting with the help of the inmates, citing that these fashionable items were made by them using recycled materials. Proclamation No. 760 series of 2014 declared the month of January as Zero Waste Month celebration. This year’s celebration, themed “Food Waste No More and Break Free from Plastics,” aims to usher consumers to consider changing their lifestyles and practices, and emulate sustainable natural cycles where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.      

Subic Bay Freeport – A new firing range inside this premier Freeport providing a place for gun enthusiasts and law enforcers to practice their shooting skills was opened on January 7. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño disclosed that the new Subic Freeport Shooting Range Inc., located at the Corregidor Highway, Ilanin Forest, has a committed investment of P25 million. The commercial shooting and target range aims to promote target shooting as a sport inside this premier Freeport, while also developing target shooting or shooters at par with the world’s best target shooters. Aliño and the SBMA Board of Directors led the opening of the firing range, together with the country’s best shooters, Jethro Dionisio and Khalil Viray. The 3,000 square meter facility is a former US naval building (Bldg. 2027) with an indoor range measuring 100 square meters. The company leased the area for 25 years and has 15 employees. A special provision was accorded to SBMA Law Enforcement personnel to utilize the facility free of charge for training purposes.          

By: Dante Salvaña   San Miguel Corporation (SMC) recorded another win in its ambitious effort to help mitigate flooding throughout Luzon, as it recently completed its extensive Pampanga River cleanup effort, with the removal of close to 700,000 tons of silt and solid wastes. From mid-August to December, SMC removed some 694,372 cubic meters of silt and solid waste from 26.3 kilometers of the Pampanga River, as part of its long-running “Better Rivers Ph” initiative. The project, led by SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang and done at no cost to government and taxpayers, also effectively deepened the river’s channels and improved water flow out to Manila Bay. “Flooding is a major issue for our cities and provinces, with many contributing factors. For our part, we’re committed to do what we can to clean up our river systems and help government and our communities,” said Ang. He emphasized the importance of cleaning up the Pampanga River: “The Pampanga River is a major waterway in Central Luzon. Waters from here go to many other provinces, including Bulacan, which is downstream.” “Since the river was already quite shallow due to siltation and pollution, during heavy rain, water would easily overflow in many areas, affecting farmlands and communities and even contributing to flooding in other areas. So, it was imperative for us to come here and help clean up the river,” said Ang. In Macabebe, a riverside fishing town in Pampanga, Vice Mayor Vince Flores says the dredging of the Pampanga River represents more than just a cleanup. “It’s a lifeline for a town burdened by its role as a natural catch basin,” Flores said in an interview last November. “Floodwaters from Nueva Ecija and San Fernando end up here. Before this (river cleanup), it took days, even weeks, for water to recede. Now, with deeper channels, the flood subsides faster.” The effort, he said, is crucial not only for mitigating floods but also for reviving the local economy, citing how silt extracted from the river has been used to fortify their dikes and coastal roads. The vice mayor said some of the silt is used as paving materials to elevate critical public infrastructure in Macabebe, like schools. The Pampanga River cleanup adds to SMC’s list of completed river initiatives, following its massive cleanup of Bulacan River systems last year, where it extracted over 4.31 million metric tons (M/T) of silt and waste from 74.5 km of rivers. These include major waterways such as the Taliptip-Maycapiz-Bambang, Meycauayan, Marilao, Mailad-Sta. Maria, Guiguinto, Balagtas, Pamarawan, Kalero, and Labangan-Angat Rivers.Overall, Better Rivers PH, launched in 2020, has already covered a total of 156.42 km of waterways, extracting a total of 8,348,440 M/T of silt and solid wastes as of January 2, 2025. This includes 1.12 M/T removed from 10.9 km of Tullahan River; 1.18 M/T from 26 km of Pasig River; 322,739 M/T from 7.61 km of San Juan River; and 417,044 M/T from 5.3 km of San Pedro River — on top of its Bulacan and Pampanga cleanups and other ongoing efforts in Metro Manila and south Luzon. Ang underscored how SMC’s commitment to cleaning up major rivers bears the company’s time-honored value of “malasakit,” recognizing how Filipinos living in coastal communities would be protected in terms of economic and safety risks. “As an added benefit, our Better Rivers PH cleanup enables safer operations of water ferries like along Pasig River, and even improves water quality — and people say it reduces foul odors, and, of course, it restores marine ecosystems,” Ang said. “So, it really makes us happy to continue providing this service to the Filipino people.”     PHOTO CAPTION:    

By: Dante Salvaña   Subic Bay Freeport – Sinabi ni Senatorial candidate at SAGIP Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta na mas marami siyang magagawa para sa bansa kung mananalo siya sa pagka-senador sa darating na 2025 elections. Ito ang pahayag  sa isang press conference na idinaos ng mambabatas sa Essa Restaurant ng Riviera Hotel dito sa Subic Bay Freeport Zone noong Enero 6. Sinabi ni Marcoleta na nakakadismaya ang pagtatrabaho sa Bicameral Conference Committee. Binanggit niya na hypothetically pagsasalita, ang parehong mga bahay ng pambatasan ay may tig 15 opisyal bawat isa na inaasahang makilahok sa mga talakayan, ngunit dalawa lamang ang gumagawa ng mga desisyon. Yan ang chairman ng appropriations at chairman ng finance committee. “Silang dalawa lang nag-uusap. Kaya yung final form ng ating budget, kamukha ng nangyayari ngayon, produkto ng dalawang tao lang. Naiimagine mo ba ang pormalidad ng pagtalakay at pagdedebate sa buong spending bill, P6.325 trilyon pesos sa apat na buwan!” sabi niya. Pagkatapos ng lahat ng diskusyon na iyon, dalawang tao lamang ang magpapasya sa badyet. “Katapustapusan, dalawang tao lang poporma non. Bakit nagkaroon ng AKAP? Bakit tinanggal ang subsidy ng gobyerno sa PhilHealth?” aniya, binanggit na ang mga tanong na ito ay dapat na itanong sa mga pagpupulong. Ipinahayag ni Marcoleta na maririnig ang kanyang boses kung manalo siya sa senatorial race ngayong 2025 elections. Binanggit din ng mambabatas na suportado ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang kanyang kandidatura. Ang opisyal ay may suporta rin ng Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) sa kanyang senatorial bid gayundin ang Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), na naging dahilan upang siya ay isa sa pinaka hinahangad na kandidato ng mga relihiyosong grupo ng Pilipinas. Ang isang billboard niya at ng KOJC Founder na si Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy ay makikita rin sa South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Northbound, na may mga salitang  “Para sa Diyos at sa Pilipinas nating mahal”. Parehong tumatakbong senador sina Quiboloy at Marcoleta ngayong taon.

Subic Bay Freeport – The MV Silver Dawn, a luxury cruise ship by Silversea Cruises, made its maiden call at this premier Freeport carrying around 1,000 passenger tourists, on December 31. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño shared that the Silversea Cruises is part of the prestigious Royal Caribbean Group, and is an ultra- luxury and expedition travel brand based in Monaco. “This is the maiden visit of the MV Silver Dawn to the Port of Subic. We can expect that 596 passengers, as well as 411 crew members of the ship, will spend their New Year’s Eve here,” he said, hoping that the people of Subic Bay Freeport will welcome them during their stay here. SBMA Port Operations Senior Deputy Administrator Ronnie Yambao said, “As the Chairperson of the SBMA Cruise Ship Industry Committee, we are eyeing to breach the pre-pandemic level of cruise ship arrivals in Subic Bay to reach 20 in 2025.” He added that the MV Blue Dream Star, among many other cruise ships that have confirmed its arrival in 2025, will be here on April 11, May 3 and July 8 and bring 1,053 passengers on board. “Next is the Viva Vie Odyssey on September 23. The ship will bring in 924 passengers at double occupancy, along with 370 crew members,” he added. Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco recently expressed her confidence in the cruise tourism industry of the Subic Bay Freeport zone. During a meeting with the SBMA and other officials from Zambales at the Subic Bay Yacht Club, Frasco said that Subic Bay’s cruise tourism can be expanded to include homeporting and creating dedicated cruise port initiatives. Frasco was in Subic Bay Freeport as part of the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) Central Luzon leg. She added that Zambales can develop their billeting facilities via the Mabuhay accommodations and homestays, integrating Tourist-Oriented Police enforcers for the Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) program with barangay tanods in Olongapo City to ensure tourist safety, and promote dive tourism.          

By Ruben Veloria   Subic Bay Freeport – The Subic Bay Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SBMPC) is among the 30 companies inside this Freeport that were honored during the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Mabuhay Business Awards this year held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on December 13, 2024. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said the 30 awardees were recognized, out of the 1,909 locators, for there exceptional contribution to the business growth of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone this year. Aliño added that the SBMA Mabuhay Awards embodies the agency’s commitment to recognizing the outstanding contributions of these companies who have significantly enriched the domestic economy; hence, “Mabuhay” symbolizes life, enthusiasm and positivity. Recipient of the Loyalty Business Award, SBMPC is the oldest cooperative in the area, with more than 2,000 members from various companies in the Freeport, the nearby Olongapo City, Zambales, and Mariveles, Bataan. Other recipients in the same category were Idess Interactive Technologies Inc., MOF Company Subic Inc., Royal Duty Free Shops Inc., and Mikuni Terminals Mechatronics Philippines Corporation. For the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) of the Year Award, the awardees were the MJY 88 Medical Clinic, La Banca Travel and Tours Corp., and the Grand Food Venue Corp. that owns Xtremely Xpresso, Subic Ben’s Kitchen and Iron Grill Asian Fusion. For the New Business of the Year, the recipients were Skarya Builders Inc., Maritime Expert General Services Corporation, Bistro Italiano Corp., Good Manufacturing Leathers Inc., Intelligent Outsourcing Inc., MSK Group Work Incorporated, Strategic Channel for Career Development Corporation, Swire Agrotech Agricultural Products Inc., Pure Petroleum Corporation, Sands of Triboa Resorts and Spa Inc., Subic Bay Yacht Club., Norden Subic Entrepreneurs Inc., and Grainpro Philippines Inc. For the Top Importer of the Year, the award was given to Raizen Asia PTE. LTD., while the Top Exporter of the Year went to the Sanyo Denki Philippines Inc. For the Eco-Innovation Award, the SBMA hailed the Subic Smart Community Corporation. Subic Bay Town Center, Inc. bagged the Health and Wellness Business of the Year award. For the Corporate Social Responsibility Award, the SBMA hailed the Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corporation. For Business Developer of the Year, the awardees were Aolly Home Inc., and  Sachi Subic Inc. For the Excellence in Occupational Health and Safety Practices, the top performer was Tong Lung Philippines Metal Industry Co. Inc. Meanwhile, a Special Award was given to the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce Inc. Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato W. Lee III said that these 1,909 companies not only contributed to the business growth of the Subic Bay Freeport, but also provided employment to 162,891 workers. “Aggregate investments amounting to P577.99-billion as of third quarter of 2024 accrued to the SBMA and the Total Operating Revenue generated from 1992-2023 has amounted to P64.36-billion. In the first half of 2024, the SBMA released a total of P204.7-million Net Revenue Shares, higher than last year’s same period,” he said.