By Danny Estacio   TIAONG, Quezon, Philippines – Mayor Vincent Arjay Mea formally opened the Bayan ni Juan Festival 2026 on its fourth year on Thursday, June 18, and until June 24. The festival was organised by the municipal government with the parish pastoral council in honor of the patron San Juan Bautista. The opening salvo is the mass dancing led by Mea, Sangguniang Bayan, LGU heads, Barangay officials, with the Tiaong Dance Troupe and the accompaniment of the official music festival. Mea said that the seven-day festival is in the spirit of unity, faith, and love for our people, let us together pay tribute and honor to the Patron. Mea added that this is an opportunity to once again demonstrate the strength of the united Tiaongins who continue to flourish our culture, tradition, and identity as a vibrant and prosperous community. He said that although, because of the present crisis being experienced, the activities were trimmed, the spirit remained. Everyone is encouraged to join in the meaningful and fun activities, he said. He announced that some popular artists and bands were invited, like Piolo Pascual and Chito Miranda. Some of the highlights of the events were Binyagan Bayan-Lingap Pamilya sa Pistang Bayan and Kasalang Bayan provided free by the LGU.      

By Orlan Jabagat   PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines  (PIA) — The Puerto Princesa City government started distributing 10 kilos of rice on June 11 to 16,000 poorest of the poor families in the city under the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The distribution was simultaneously conducted in 60 barangays. The Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program is financed through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), of which the city of Puerto Princesa received P48 million. According to City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Officer Remy Beltran, 60 out of 66 barangays in the city will benefit from the program, while six barangays declined it. Its beneficiaries are the poor and disadvantaged sectors such as poor farmers, poor fishermen, the transport sector, persons with disability (PWDs),  senior citizens, solo parents, and Indigenous Peoples (IPs). Beltran said the computation of beneficiaries was based on the actual total population of the city, which is 300,000 plus, and the 16,000 families turn out to be only five percent of the city’s population. “Kasi what is 16,000, kasi ilan ang population ng Puerto Princesa, nasa 300,000 plus. Sixteen thousand families lang ang beneficiaries natin, paano mo s’ya idi-distribute? So, I have to think of a way na equally distributed siya at lahat ng 66 barangays ay makakasali, but upon getting the right number based on the actual population para mag-esakto sa 16,000, lumalabas na five percent lang s’ya ng total actual ng population ng bawat barangay, kaya may mga barangay na kakaunti o maliit lang ang bilang ng mga beneficiaries,” Beltran explained. She also assured that all beneficiaries underwent validation by the CSWD Office and were certified and confirmed by the Barangay Chief and barangay council members. Beltran also said that those beneficiaries who were given rice at the beginning of the distribution will still be the same beneficiaries that will be receiving 10 kilos of rice within six months. Meanwhile, the barangays that declined the said program are the barangays of Bacungan, Pagkakaisa, Bagong Silang, Princesa, San Isidro, and Maligaya because their allocation is small based on population percentage. “Dahil maliit lang ang allocation nila batay sa population. Siyempre, kung maliit ‘yong population mo, maliit din ‘yong number of beneficiaries na mapupunta sa iyo na fiver percent. So ‘yon ang ginawa nilang dahilan, nag-refuse sila kasi marami daw magagalit na kabarangay nila. Pero ‘di ba dapat nga matuwa sila kasi biyaya ‘yan?” she said. “Kasi sa amin, binalik-balikan namin sila. Two, three, four, times, five times at ipinaliwanag na meron namang deserving qualified na constituents n’yo bakit hindi n’yo i-recommend, but they still refused. Isa sa kanila nag-waive, may documents kami na nag-waive sila. Tapos ‘yong iba naman na lima, ay ayaw nang makipag-usap sa amin,” Beltran added. Before the distribution, the CSWDO coordinated with the Punong Barangay on the actual date of distribution. They also requested the barangay officials to inform their constituents and bring valid ID for identification purposes to ensure that the rice entrusted by the national government to local government was received by the right beneficiaries. She added that this government’s rice subsidy program is a great help for deserving beneficiaries. “Malaking tulong siya sa mga… lalong-lalo na talaga sa mga mahihirap na talagang deserved nila na makakuha din ng tulong from the national government. We are happy to say na ‘yong talagang napili naming beneficiaries ay they really deserved to have it for the six months,” Beltran said. (OCJ/JBG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)

By Danny Estacio   PAGBILAO, Quezon — Upang maihanda ang dalawang lokal na paaralan sa pagbubukas ng klase, nakiisa ang Therma Luzon, Inc. (TLI), isang subsidiary ng Aboitiz Power Corporation, sa annual n Brigada Eskwela ng Department of Education (DepEd) sa bayan ng Pagbilao, Quezon. Katuwang ng mga mag-aaral, guro, at magulang sa Pagbilao ang mga boluntaryo mula sa TLI sa paghahanda ng mga paaralan. Kabilang sa mga ginawa ang paglilinis ng kampus, pag-aayos ng mga halaman, at pagpipinta ng mga gusali. Ang proyektong ito ay inilunsad sa dalawang paaralan sa Isla Grande: ang Pagbilao Grande Island National High School (PGINHS) at Binahaan Integrated School (BIS). Higit sa karaniwang paglilinis at pagsasaayos, nagbigay tulong din ang AboitizPower sa pamamagitan ng pagpopondo sa pagaayos ng mga pasilidad upang masiguro na ligtas ang kapaligiran para sa pag-aaral ng mga estudyante sa isla. Sa Pagbilao Grande Island National High School (PGINHS), tumulong ang AboitizPower sa pagaayos at pagpapaganda ng covered court ng paaralan. Dahil dito, muling magagamit ang mahalagang pasilidad na ito para sa mga klase sa Physical Education (PE), mga asembleya, at iba pang aktibidad ng mga mag-aaral. Samantala, sa Binahaan Integrated School (BIS) naman, pinondohan ng AboitizPower ang pagpapatayo at pagkakabit ng isang matibay at bagong main gate upang mas mapalakas ang seguridad sa loob ng kampus. “Ang epekto ng mga pagbabagong ito sa imprastraktura ay higit pa sa pagpapaganda ng itsura. Sa pamamagitan ng pagtatayo ng matibay na pangunahing gate sa Binahaan Integrated School, direktang nag-aambag ang AboitizPower upang mas maging ligtas at protektado ang ating kampus para sa ating mga mag-aaral,” pahayag ni Catalino L. Porta, Pagbilao Public School District Supervisor. Ang pakikibahagi ng TLI ay bahagi ng kanilang adbokasya para sa pagtutulungan at katatagan ng komunidad. “Hindi namin ito itinuturing na simpleng pamimigay lang ng donasyon o obligasyon ng kumpanya—ito ay tungkulin na ginagampanan namin kasama ang mga komunidad na aming pinaglilingkuran,” ani Lou Deligencia, AboitizPower AVP for Corporate Services for South Luzon & Metro Manila. “Sa pamamagitan ng paglahok sa Brigada Eskwela, binibigyang-pugay namin ang mga guro, magulang, at mag-aaral na walang pagod na nagsisikap para sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa.” Ang mga aktibidad ng Brigada Eskwela sa Pagbilao ay patunay sa magandang idinudulot ng pagtutulungan ng gobyerno at ng pribadong sektor para sa kapakanan ng mga paaralan at komunidad. Sa pagbubukas ng taong panuruan, hindi lamang mga silid-aralan ang isinaayos, kundi maging ang kolektibong pag-asa para sa isang ligtas, patas, at may kapangyarihang kapaligiran sa pagkatuto.

New infrastructure to strengthen connectivity for students, communities, local businesses, and public institutions   LUCENA CITY, Philippines — Globe and Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) formed a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Globe to build its first on-campus cell site in Lucena.  This marks a significant step in expanding reliable connectivity in Southern Luzon and supporting digital inclusion in the local communities. Globe’s new investment will improve network coverage within the MSEUF campus and surrounding areas, providing stronger and more reliable connectivity for students, educators, residents, businesses, and public institutions that increasingly rely on digital access for everyday activities. MSEUF, regarded as one of the top universities in Quezon Province, is known for its accredited academic programs, strong information technology and criminology education, and its role in advancing innovation and academic excellence in the Southern Tagalog region. It also boasts of having the largest library in the region, a unique distinction of the university. The MOA signing was attended by MSEUF President and Chief Operating Officer Naila E. Leveriza, Globe Territory 5 team representatives, and Globe partners. The on-campus cell site is expected to help create a more connected learning environment where students and faculty can better access online learning platforms, research tools, cloud-based applications, artificial intelligence, and communication channels essential for modern education. Reliable internet connectivity has become a critical enabler of academic continuity, collaboration, skills development, and future-ready learning, particularly as schools continue integrating digital technologies and artificial intelligence into classrooms and student services. For students, improved connectivity can support access to virtual classes, digital libraries, online examinations, learning management systems, and research resources. Enhanced network access can also strengthen communication between students, teachers, and administrators for academic requirements, announcements, and campus services. Beyond the campus, the project is expected to benefit nearby communities by improving mobile connectivity for residents, workers, commuters, parents, and visitors who rely on mobile internet for communication, online transactions, remote work, and access to information and emergency services. The initiative also supports local government units and public institutions in strengthening digital public service delivery, emergency response coordination, disaster preparedness, and community information dissemination through more reliable digital communication channels. Small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs around the university community may likewise benefit from enhanced mobile connectivity. Improved internet access can help sari-sari stores, food vendors, transport operators, and local merchants adopt digital payments, manage online orders, access e-commerce platforms, and communicate more efficiently with customers. “We are happy with the support of MSEUF to allow its students and faculty to  bring 21st century learning to Lucena.  The infrastructure we bring will deliver reliable connectivity to where it matters most: schools, communities, businesses, and young Filipinos preparing for the future,” said Darius Delgado, Chief Commercial Officer at Globe. “We are building stronger network access in Lucena and laying the foundation for digital learning, local economic growth, along with youth empowerment.” The partnership reflects Globe’s broader efforts to expand connectivity across different parts of the Philippines, particularly in communities where digital access plays an increasingly important role in education, livelihood, public service, and economic participation. Supporting future-ready talent and digital citizenship Beyond network expansion, Globe and MSEUF will also explore future collaboration opportunities in next-generation networks, cybersecurity, data analytics, internships, mentorship programs, industry projects, and curriculum support. These initiatives aim to help bridge academia and industry while preparing students with skills relevant to the evolving digital economy. The MSEUF campus will also be integrated into Globe’s Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) and its youth-led initiatives. Through DTP, Globe promotes responsible digital citizenship, cybersecurity awareness, online safety, and the responsible use of technology among students. The partnership underscores Globe’s commitment to advancing digital inclusion, strengthening community connectivity, empowering the youth, and supporting local development through technology.    

PUERTO GALERA. Oriental Mindoro — Nagsagawa ng final inspection ang mga opisyal ng Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) sa Hyperbaric Chamber ng Puerto Galera, isang mahalagang pasilidad na inaasahang magbibigay ng agarang serbisyong medikal para sa mga diver at magpapalakas pa sa katayuan ng bayan bilang Diving Capital ng bansa, June 5, 2026. Pinangunahan ang inspeksyon nina Engr. Gregory A. Oller, Assistant Chief Operating Officer for Architectural and Engineering Services Sector; Rodolfo E. Ancheta, Assistant Chief Operating Officer for Assets Management Sector; at Engr. Micha Evangelista, Project Engineer ng TIEZA. Kasama rin sa isinagawang inspeksyon si Engr. Geraldin Bacay, Municipal Engineer ng Puerto Galera. Ang Hyperbaric Chamber ay isang napakahalagang pasilidad para sa Puerto Galera, na kilala bilang isa sa mga pangunahing destinasyon para sa diving tourism sa Pilipinas. Sa oras na maging ganap na operational, makatutulong ito sa mabilis na pagtugon sa mga diving-related emergencies at sa pagbibigay ng kinakailangang paggamot sa mga diver, na magdaragdag ng seguridad at kumpiyansa sa mga lokal at dayuhang turistang bumibisita sa bayan. Matapos ang final inspection, nagtungo rin ang grupo sa Tamaraw Falls upang inspeksyunin ang lugar na inaasahang paglalagyan ng Tamaraw Viewing Spiral, isang iminungkahing tourism infrastructure project na naglalayong mapaganda ang viewing experience ng mga turista habang pinapangalagaan ang likas na kagandahan ng isa sa mga pinakatanyag na atraksyon ng Puerto Galera. Ang mga proyektong ito ay patunay ng patuloy na pagtutulungan ng TIEZA at ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Puerto Galera sa pamumuno ni Mayor Robinhood D. Ylagan at Vice Mayor Rocky D. Ilagan sa pagpapaunlad ng turismo, pagpapahusay ng mga pasilidad, at pagbibigay ng ligtas at de-kalidad na karanasan para sa mga bumibisita sa bayan.      

By Danny Estacio   PAGBILAO, Quezon, Philippines – The Aboitiz Power subsidiary Therma Luzon, Inc. (TLI) and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc (AFI), presidents of Pagbilao local fisherfolk associations and the Pagbilao LGU officially kicked off the second year of “Alon at Ani” recently, in this town. The event aims to be a venue for dialogue where the challenges faced by the community and the hopes and aspirations of the fisherfolk are heard as part of TLI’s efforts to collaborate with local communities. The activity included storytelling, local entertainment, and casual consultations, laying the groundwork for longer-term action. It goals to award and recognize the hard work of local fisherfolk communities, expanding the event’s reach this year to support over 450 local fisherfolk. This renewed agreement solidifies a shared commitment to boosting sustainable livelihoods, strengthening community ties, and protecting the marine environment of Pagbilao Bay.              

By Danny Estacio   CITY OF STO. TOMAS CITY, Batangas, Philippines – About 41,000 incoming students will ensure a conducive learning space after the city government and the Department of Education (DepEd) launched a citywide Brigada Eskwela, said City Mayor Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan on Monday. Marasigan ensured conducive classrooms for 41,025 registered students for the school year 2026-2027 More than 1,500 city hall employees were deployed for the early execution of “Brigada Eskwela” of the city’s Schools Division Office (SDO) on May 28. As part of the city’s alternative work arrangement where city hall personnel were tasked to do community work to stay productive, dispatched local government staff were stationed in the city’s 33 public schools; 27 elementary schools, four junior high schools, an integrated school, and a senior high school, with 746 classrooms to help clean education premises and teaching corners. Marasigan said that the importance of a solid alliance between the city officials, educators, and stakeholders in shaping the future of Tomasino students. He is confident that the local government’s initiative will surely ignite the already established teamwork into a much stronger partnership, better participation, and solidarity among duty-bearers, stakeholders, and the community. He also pledges to a yearly conduct of the LGU-initiated city-wide “Brigada Eskwela” program. Marasigan said securing proper education for young learners is one of his priorities, ensuring no one is denied equitable access to learning opportunities and formulating policies to guarantee quality education for young Tomasinos. School Divisions Office Head Dr. Neil G. Angeles, expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the local government for its unwavering support in providing school essentials to address education challenges. Aside from school clean-up operations, city hall employees simultaneously conduct mentorship and guided reading sessions to advance literacy development and encourage students to make reading part of their daily routine – a habit-forming initiative. The City of Sto. Tomas Division of City Schools ranked number 1 in the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA) conducted at the beginning of SY 2025-2026, posting the lowest percentage of 23.43% of struggling readers, a significant milestone that cannot be achieved without the help of the local government, Angeles added.              

By Ace Sapit   CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines — More than 150 residents of Barangay Wawa here availed themselves of various government services during the “Barangay Information Caravan with One-Stop Shop of Government Services” held on May 27. The activity was spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Oriental Mindoro to bring essential government information and frontline services closer to the community. According to PIA Oriental Mindoro, led by Information Center Manager Gene Ace Sapit, the program aims to make government services more accessible, especially for residents who experience difficulty traveling to government offices. Through the caravan, government services, information, and programs that address the daily needs of the public were delivered directly to the barangay, Sapit said. Participating agencies included the Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) together with the Small Business Corporation, Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Agricultural Program Coordinating Office, Philippine National Police (PNP) Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office and Calapan City Police Station, as well as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The agencies provided consultations, information about their programs and various frontline services to residents. The police also offered free haircuts, while the DA distributed free vegetable seeds. Meanwhile, the Barangay Government of Wawa expressed gratitude to the PIA, saying the initiative greatly helped bring government services closer to the people and allowed residents to immediately address some of their concerns without needing to travel to the city or other government offices. “Kami’y lubos na nagpapasalamat naman sa PIA dahil sa unang pagkakataon ay pinagsama-sama nila ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan upang dalhin dine sa aming barangay. Sa ngalan po ng aming Kapitana ay lubos ang aming pasasalamat at kahit na malayo kami sa bayan ay pinuntahan niyo po kami,” Barangay Councilor Gemma Carena Magsino said. (AS/JBG/ PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)

By Bhaby De Castro   LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Pilipinas (PIA)—Matagumpay na isinagawa ang magkatuwang na pagbababa ng iba’t-ibang serbisyong pampubliko mula sa Capitol on Wheels na hatid ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Batangas at Ease of Doing Business Grand Fair ng Anti-Red Tape Authority(ARTA) na ginanap sa New Calaca People’s Hall sa Calaca City Global College noong ika-18 ng Mayo. Libong Calacazens ang nakinabang sa mga serbisyong medikal kung saan may 1,258 ang kabuuang naserbisyuhan sa Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB-GYN, serbisyong dental, libreng tuli at minor surgey. Nagkaroon din ng libreng x-ray, ECG, RBS, hemoglobin, blood typing, dengue NS1, pregnancy test, HIV Testing, Syphilis testing at urinalysis. Alinsabay nito, napagkalooban din ang 420 scholars mula sa naturang lungsod ng educational assistance na nagkakahalaga ng P5K bawat isa. Iba’t-ibang mga uri naman ng pananim na gulay ang naipamahagi ng Office of the Provincial Agriculturist katuwang ang Department of Agriculture tulad ng pechay, mustasa,okra,labanos at sitaw. Upang mapalawig ang oportunidad at mas mapatatag ang kabuhayan ng mga kooperatiba, nagkaloob din ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng serbisyo para sa Balayan Agriculture Cooperative gayundin sa 137 Individual Livelihood Assistance applicants. Ayon kay Fel Favorito, isang senior citizen sa naturang lungsod, malaki ang kanilang pasaalamat sa paglalapit ng mga serbisyong ito sa kanila. “Mas madali matapos angmga pangangailangan namin tulad sa pagrerehistro sa Philhealth YAKAP at pag-uupdate sa SSS dahil sila na mismo ang pumunta dito, hindi na naming kailangang mag-sadya sa kanilang mga tanggapan at mamasahe. Mas maalwan para sa mag tulad namin na senior citizen,”ani Favorito. Sa bahagi naman ng National Government Agencies, nagkaloob din ang mga ito ng iba’t-ibang serbisyo batay sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan kung saan kabilang sa mga nakilahok dito ang Philhealth, Social Security System(SSS), Pag-IBIG Fund, Philippine Statistics Authority(PSA), Land Transportation Office(LTO), Department of Trade and Industry(DTI), Bureau of Internal Revenue(BIR), National Bureau of Investigation(NBI), Professional Regulation Commission(PRC), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration(OWWA), Department of Science and Technology(DOST), Department of Labor and Employment(DOLE),Cooperative Development Academy(CDA), Department of Information and Communications Technology(DICT), Department of Agrarian Reform(DAR) at ARTA.   Ayon kay ARTA Sec. Ernesto Perez, ang EODB Grand Fair sa pakikipagtuwang sa Capitol on Wheels ay isang programa hindi lamang upang ipagdiwang ang Ease of Doing Business Month kunsi upang iparamdam sa mga kababayang Batangueno na ang pamahalaan ang lumalapit sa tao. Ito ay batay na din sa direktiba ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na dapat lahat ng Pilipino ay mabigyan ng tama at sapat na serbisyo. “Sama sama po tayong magtulungan para sa isang mas produktibo at transparent na bagong Pilipinas. Kasabay ng ating pagtupad sa ating mandato para maging mas accountable sa publiko,”ani Perez.(MPDC-PIA Batangas)