Former Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Roberto V. Garcia, is widely credited with transforming the Subic Bay Freeport from a struggling agency into a profitable, vibrant economic zone during his tenure from 2011 to 2016. Appointed by President Benigno Aquino III, Garcia inherited an agency plagued by financial difficulties, low…
Located in the northern part of Luzon, in the province of Zambales, San Antonio has attracted growing interest because of its large reserve of hydrogen gas. The discovery of this reserve presents great potential for transforming both the local economy and the overall energy landscape of the Philippines. Unlike traditional fossil fuels, hydrogen represents a…
The issues surrounding the construction of a supposed municipal complex in Famy, Laguna, have surfaced as a significant source of heightening public concern, particularly regarding allegations of corruption, mismanagement of funds, and the apparent neglect of taxpayers’ money. With an initial investment of approximately 29.9 million pesos earmarked for phase 1 of the project, the…
Dear mindful readers,Hey! I’m sure you can already feel the Yuletide vibe in the air. How’s your Christmas shopping going? With all the whirlwind of hullabaloos happening around us—calamities everywhere, political drama, and the mundane zarzuela of celebrities—I felt it would be a breath of fresh air to pause and appreciate the efforts and sacrifices…
The Iloilo City government, in collaboration with Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) through its subsidiary Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC), officially inaugurated a new PHP17.3 million international-standard football field lighting system at the La Paz Plaza on Wednesday evening. The project marks a significant milestone, making Iloilo City the first local government unit in Western Visayas…
Dear mindful readers, As a family physician, my mother based the professional diagnoses of her patients from learnings she acquired from medical school at Manila Central University (MCU) where she graduated with Latin honors. There were times however when she’d encounter a patient who felt that a “curse” of some sort had befallen him or…
Disclaimer: This article contains only my personal observations and thoughts on current issues and is not meant to malign or besmirch the reputation of any individual The horrifying magnitude of corruption in the Philippine infrastructure landscape, in particular the “ghost” projects that everyone is so abuzz with, has become a major concern for citizens, watchdog…
I am a daughter, a sibling, a granddaughter, a wife, and the greatest, most gratifying of my multifarious roles, a mother. In all of these, open communication throbs as the heart and soul that creates, binds, and strengthens every relationship we have. Simply put, communication is that magic wand with the unique ability to create…
Dear mindful readers, It has been raining all week. Chest-high floodwaters everywhere. My heart goes out to the ambulant vendors who brave disease-infested floodwaters hoping and praying they could sell their products to feed their families. Just my heart talking though. I am not joining the bandwagon of opinion pieces about the depressing state of…
Dear mindful readers, Just recently, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) under the Office of the President and created under Republic Act no. 7227, or the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, distributed revenue shares or dividends to Olongapo City and the seven other municipalities in recognition of…