BY ALEX ALAGON
THE PROPOSED service recognition incentive or financial assistance for barangay health workers (BHWs), barangay nutrition scholars (BNS), and other qualified barangay volunteer workers is being fast-tracked for possible inclusion in the Supplemental Budget.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, committee chair on finance, ways, means and appropriations, said the members will meet with the Local Finance Committee for fiscal management soon.
“We are studying how we can provide more for the barangay health worker and the barangay nutrition scholars,” Dayanghirang said during the City Council deliberation on Tuesday, Feb 3.
Dayanghirang stressed that BHWs and BNS are not considered job order workers and contract service workers, and they only receive an honorarium provided by the city.
The councilor added they are taking into consideration a one-time grant of P5,000 to each BHW and BNS, but it has to be studied “carefully”.
This year, there are 1,047 city-paid BHWS and 18 district coordinators, and 532 city-paid BNS with 18 district coordinators.
A city-paid BHW or BNS receives P6,000 monthly with a local government counterpart of P500 for PhilHealth insurance, while a district coordinator receives P6,400 a month and P500 downloaded for PhilHealth.
For the Annual Budget 2026, Dayanghirang said the total allocation for BHWs and coordinators amounts to P83,156,400, while a total of P42,986,400 is allocated for BNS and coordinators.
In a week, BHWs and BNs render service for three days only at P500 per day.
On top of the monthly honorarium, every BHW and BNS is provided a gift certificate every December, included in the Pasko Fiesta appropriation.
Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus clarified that there was no clamor to increase the honorarium but a proposal to provide the BHWs and BNS with financial assistance or service recognition incentive.
“More than the amount of money that we can give to them, it is the recognition that is most important,” Mahipus said.
Mahipus floated the idea to request the Local Finance Committee to provide P5,000-P7,000 for each of the BHWs and BNS as their special recognition, if the ordinance is passed.
Dayanghirang said, “Mahipus’ actions are laudable and reflect compassion and recognition of service. However, we have to do a lot of discussion on this matter, considering the huge amount involved.”
Councilor Ralph Abella suggested providing the barangay-paid BHWs and BNS with group insurance, as they are most vulnerable to threats and disasters being frontliners.
Barangay-paid BHWs and BNS are dependent on the Internal Revenue Allotment of the barangay.
“They are the most vulnerable nga madisgrasya but yet ilang allowance pirting gamaya especially in far-flung areas,” Abella said.
The City Health Board, chaired by the council committee chair on health, Councilor Trisha Ann Villafuerte, will review the proposal, especially since any changes on policies involving health workers require their approval.
“We are providing what is due to barangay health workers and the barangay nutrition scholars,” Dayanghirang said.
2GO SCVASI’s newest ISO tanks are now #Ready2GO.
Manila, Philippines, 04 February 2026 – 2GO Special Container and Value-Added Services, Inc. (SCVASI), the country’s leading ISO tank and cold chain logistics provider, is expanding its ISO tank fleet to strengthen its capability to move coconut-based products and biofuels for export markets. The additional units are expected to increase SCVASI’s ISO tank operations by at least 40 percent.
SCVASI’s recent acquisition of new ISO tanks last September supports the expected rise in demand as coconut-based exports continue to grow in major international markets. Reliable bulk liquid logistics are essential for exporters preparing to scale up shipments of coconut oils, oleochemicals, and other liquid derivatives.
The company’s expanded capacity ensures that food-grade liquids, chemicals, and temperature-sensitive derivatives are transported safely across domestic routes and international gateways.
Philippine Coconut Products in Strong Global Demand
The Philippines is one of the world’s top producers and exporters of coconut products. Industry and government data show the country as a major global source of coconut oil, virgin coconut oil, oleochemicals, desiccated coconut, and coconut water. These products serve key markets in the United States, Europe, China, and Southeast Asia and are used in food manufacturing, personal care, cosmetics, industrial applications, and renewable energy.
With global demand for coconut-derived oils and ingredients remaining strong, SCVASI’s investment is aligned with the operational needs of exporters who rely on secure bulk-liquid logistics, cold-chain handling, and consistent shipping capacity.
Recent developments in trade and market access are also expected to improve the competitiveness of Philippine coconut exports, which may contribute to higher volumes in 2026 and beyond.
Gearing Up for Import and Export Growth in 2026
Planned increases in the mandated coconut methyl ester biodiesel blend are expected to drive higher production and trade activity across the biofuels sector. This will raise demand for both coconut-based exports and essential raw materials, creating greater need for reliable ISO tank logistics to support bulk liquid imports and exports.
In response, SCVASI is scaling up its ISO tank operations to meet increasing demand from coconut processors and biofuel producers. The expanded fleet strengthens the logistics infrastructure required to support domestic distribution and international trade.
“SCVASI has been one of the pioneers of ISO tank and cold chain services in the Philippines. We will continue to lead the industry by investing in solutions that help coconut farmers, processors, and exporters move their products efficiently across the country and around the world,” said Gener Lim, President of 2GO SCVASI.
With its specialized assets and technical expertise, SCVASI is well positioned to support a wide range of import and export requirements. Coconut oils, oleochemicals, and other bulk liquids require strict food-grade, chemical-grade, and safety handling. ISO tank logistics provide the secure and stable transport needed for these products, making SCVASI a vital partner in the export supply chain.
Strengthening Logistics Infrastructure for Philippine Trade
The additional ISO tank units are part of SCVASI’s long-term strategy to support industries that rely on specialized transport. These investments build on SCVASI’s existing fleet, which will continue to expand through 2026.
SCVASI also offers custom brokerage services that support both local and international suppliers, enabling the efficient movement of raw materials and finished products into and out of the Philippines through integrated land and sea logistics solutions.
Through continuous investment in specialized equipment, 2GO SCVASI reaffirms its commitment to delivering efficient, safe, and customer-focused logistics solutions that sustain industries and contribute to nation building.
For inquiries about 2GO SCVASI services, email special_containers@2go.com.ph.
THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) is set to deploy a hundred-strong security force to oversee the Chinese New Year celebration at the Bucana Bridge starting February 14, 2026.
DCPO spokesperson Captain Hazel Caballero confirmed during the Davao peace and security press corps held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, that the city police have finalized security preparations for the event.
A “soft deployment” will begin on Valentine’s Day to manage the initial crowds, in addition to other uniformed personnel assigned to maintain order in the surrounding areas.
Alongside the security rollout, the DCPO reminded the public regarding the city’s long-standing firecracker ban.
“We are praying for a successful and peaceful celebration,” Caballero said.
“We would like to remind everyone that fireworks are strictly prohibited under our city’s firecracker ban ordinance. Although there is already an official statement that no fireworks will be used during the event, we are maintaining strict monitoring.”
The local government continues to enforce the ban to ensure public safety and prevent fire-related injuries during major festivities.
- Pasay resident allegedly mauled by Chinese National in Davao hotel
A 21-YEAR-OLD girl was rescued by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Tourist Police on Wednesday morning, Feb. 4, after she was allegedly mauled by her boyfriend, a Chinese national, inside a local hotel.
The victim, 21, a resident of Pasay City, narrated that they traveled to Davao City, specifically for her boyfriend to obtain a fraudulent identification card.
Accordingly, the lady tourist police saw her shaking in fear at the hotel’s lobby and immediately asked her what was wrong, and that was when she recounted what happened.
In an interview with the media, she claimed this was not the first time she had been physically abused. She further alleged that the suspect is a “POGO boss,” who already had the fake ID in his possession.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to get the fictitious name, which would have made it easier for authorities to flag him at the airport.
“We were fighting because there was a girl, then I just asked him. Suddenly, he got angry and started to hurt me. He had done this to me before in Manila, in Pasay. There are pictures [of me] with bruises on me,” she said in Tagalog.
“[He] was my boyfriend for six months,” she added.
The victim was reportedly rescued once before. First, from a large shopping mall in the city on Tuesday, Feb. 3, during a physical argument with her boyfriend. following similar mauling incidents.
The victim has been turned over to the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), while authorities are currently tracking the suspect’s whereabouts.
In a separate interview, Captain Hazel Caballero, spokesperson for the DCPO, reminded the public that the law protects victims of domestic and partner abuse.
“Let us remind everyone that the country has Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act. This carries a penalty of up to six years imprisonment for husbands, boyfriends, or live-in partners,” Caballero said. “Report immediately to the nearest police station or ask for help from people around you whenever you are being harmed.”
Cebu City, Philippines — The Mall | NUSTAR Cebu celebrates Valentine’s season with shopping rewards, exclusive treats, and prizes for shoppers. From January 25 to February 12, 2026, shoppers who spend a minimum of PHP 1,000 at participating stores at The Mall | NUSTAR Cebu are eligible to earn electronic raffle entries. Every PHP 1,000 spent, whether in a single or combined receipt, earns one raffle entry. Receipts can be submitted at the Mall Concierge on Level 1.
Prizes include five PHP 3,000 dining vouchers, three Silver Tickets for two (2) to the Spotlight Sessions: Grand Concert on February 14, 2026 at the NUSTAR Grand Ballroom, featuring Zsa Zsa Padilla, Erik Santos, Angeline Quinto, and rising boy group AON. The grand prize is an overnight stay for two at Fili Hotel, complete with a buffet breakfast.
Raffle entries are valid for purchases from the following participating outlets: Airwheel, Break 100, Bruno’s Barbers, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery, Diagold, Doctor Leather, Estée Lauder, Eye Society, Han-Mart Convenience Store, Jewelmer, Jo Malone London, Kultura Atelier, Lacoste, Luk Fook Jewellery, NUSTAR Premier Cinemas, Oasis Nail Tropics, Open Source by Beyond the Box, Playville, Rose Pharmacy, R.O.X., Rustan’s Beauty Source, Seiko, Sole Republiq, and Timezone.
The electronic grand draw will be held on February 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Winners will be notified via email and SMS and announced on The Mall | NUSTAR Cebu’s official Facebook page. Prizes can be claimed the same day, from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, at the Mall Concierge. For more information, visit www.nustar.ph or call (032) 888 8282.
A LAWMAKER here lobbied for the creation of a centralized data center for all departments, offices, attached agencies, and instrumentalities of the city government to safeguard digital information.
Councilor Bonz Andre Militar introduced the ordinance recognizing the lack of a central system and the inefficiency of the fragmented setup in the government processes.
“As we move further into the digital age, our city government relies more than ever on digital systems to serve the public, manage records, and run our daily operations,” Militar said in his privileged speech during the regular session on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
The committee chair on information technology emphasized that the city’s data is disjointed as departments and offices maintain their own separate servers, databases, and information systems.
Militar noted the fragmented setup is “not just inefficient, it is risky,” leading to security vulnerabilities, wasted resources, and emergency risks.
He added that there is a higher risk of data breaches, system crashes, and even losing important government records.
The councilor also highlighted the duplication of ICT resources and a lack of coordination between offices.
Without central control, he said, the ability to keep essential public services running during natural disasters or cyberattacks is “seriously weakened.”
“The lack of clear rules, while we have some digital policies, we lack a specific, enforceable law that tells us exactly how our data should be protected and who is responsible for it,” he stressed.
The proposed ordinance will establish a centralized center to host and safeguard the digital systems of all city offices, including provisions on rules on data ownership, access, sharing, classification, retention, and disposal among city offices.
The measure ensures strict compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 to protect information and will align with existing Davao City ICT and e-Governance ordinances.
“It will also prepare us for disaster as it will require clear plans for backups and disaster recovery so our services do not stop when things go wrong,” Militar said.
Militar added that the ordinance will improve accountability by giving the City Information Technology Center (CITC) and other responsible offices the authority to manage, supervise, audit, and enforce high standards across the board.
Noncompliance by responsible officials or offices will result in administrative penalties.
“Our goal is simple: to manage government data as a strategic public asset, which is in line with the city government’s long-term plan of a transparent, secure, and future-ready government,” the councilor stated.
Nothing’s About to Happen to Us…until MITSKI comes to Manila! From quiet confessions whispered over trembling guitars to stadium-sized anthems of longing and self-reckoning, MITSKI has built a career out of telling the truth, no matter how uncomfortable, tender, or devastating it may be.
This 2026, the acclaimed singer-songwriter enters a bold new chapter with the release of her eighth studio album, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me, and brings that era to life on stage with her first-ever concert in the Philippines, presented by PULP Live World. MITSKI “Nothing’s About to Happen to Me” in MANILA will take place on July 14, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, marking a long-awaited moment for Filipino fans.
MITSKI began her career by self-releasing her first two albums, Lush (2012) and Retired from Sad, New Career in Business (2013) while attending college. Her breakout came with Bury Me at Makeout Creek (2014), a raw, guitar-driven record that established her as a powerful new voice in indie music.
MITSKI’s artistry continued to evolve with critically acclaimed albums such as Puberty 2 (2016) and Be the Cowboy (2018), the latter earning widespread commercial success and cementing her global reputation. Songs like “Nobody,” “Washing Machine Heart,” and “Your Best American Girl” became cultural touchstones, praised for their emotional honesty and sharp storytelling.
Her reach expanded even further with later releases, including the globally adored track “My Love Mine All Mine,” which became one of her most widely known songs to date. Beloved for its tender vulnerability and timeless melody, the song introduced Mitski to an even broader audience worldwide, solidifying her ability to create music that feels both deeply personal and universally felt. Across every era, MITSKI has remained unmistakably herself, an artist unafraid to sit with discomfort and turn vulnerability into power.
In 2026, MITSKI releases her highly anticipated eighth studio album, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me, out February 27. The album introduces a new era for the artist, led by its first single and music video, “Where’s My Phone?”, offering a glimpse into the album’s introspective yet striking sonic direction.
Following the album’s release, MITSKI brings Nothing’s About to Happen to Me to the stage, and for the first time, to Philippine shores!
MITSKI “Nothing’s About to Happen to Me” in MANILA happens on July 14, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. This is the show fulfilling a long-standing wish of fans who have supported her from afar for years.
Audiences can expect an immersive live experience that blends new material with beloved songs from across her discography, each performance carefully crafted, emotionally charged, and unforgettable. Known for her captivating stage presence and intentional live production, MITSKI’s concerts are as much felt as they are heard.
Ticketing Information
Ticketing Dates:
• Artist Presale: February 11, 2026, 10AM–10PM PHT
• Spotify Presale: February 12, 2026, 10AM–10PM PHT
• General Onsale: February 13, 2026, 10AM PHT onwards
Tickets will be available at SM Tickets outlets nationwide and online at smtickets.com. Fans can get early access by signing up at mitski.com/live
For more information and updates, follow PULP Live World on social media or visit pulpliveworld.com
GCash warns users to beware of fake government IDs, suspicious video calls, screenshare requests, and bogus app downloads from unfamiliar websites.
GCash is warning the public against new scam tactics that involve fraudsters posing as representatives of legitimate organizations or government agencies. Scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, including phone calls, emails, fake apps, and staged online video meetings, to pressure victims into revealing their account credentials, resulting in unauthorized access and financial loss.
Here are new tactics that scammers are using to target victims, and what to do in case you encounter these:
Fake eGovPH and PhilSys representatives
- Scammers will pretend to be from a company or government agency and say your National ID is ready or needs verification.
- They will ask you to join a Google Meet call, send a link, and tell you to download a fake app and share your screen.
- By watching your screen, they will steal your OTPs, PINs, and passwords, then access your banking and e-wallet accounts.
Fake promos, expiring rewards, and offers that are too good to be true
- Scammers will pretend to be customer service or company representatives and contact you about rewards, points, or promos.
- They create urgency and say an OTP is needed to redeem the offer or secure the reward.
- Some scammers will pretend to be from GCash or a bank and offer account verification, cashback, or security updates.
How to protect yourself
- Ignore unexpected calls or meeting invites about account or ID verification. If pressured to act fast, hang up or decline immediately.
- Never share your OTP, MPIN, passwords, or screen during logins or transactions.
- Do not download apps from links sent by email or text: use the official Apple App Store, Google Play, or Huawei AppGallery.
Report suspicious activity and stay informed
GCash users can report suspected scams through the GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com by chatting with Gigi and selecting “I want to report a scam”, or by calling the official GCash hotline at 2882.
Users may also report incidents to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group at (02) 8414-1560 / 0998-598-8116 or acg@pnp.gov.ph, and to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) via hotline 1326, mobile 0991-481-4225, or report@cicc.gov.ph.
GCash actively monitors and blocks suspicious activity, takes down reported scam links and accounts, and works closely with law enforcement and government agencies to protect the public.
For more information and updates on cybersecurity, visit the PNP ACG Facebook Page and the GCash website at https://www.gcash.com. The GCash app is available for free on Google Play Store, Apple App Store or Huawei App Gallery. For safety reminders and updates, visit the official Facebook page at GCash Official.
AFTER more than two weeks of intensive searching, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has officially shifted its mission for the missing passengers of the motorbanca (MBCA) Amejara from rescue to retrieval.
Commodore Philipps Soria, commander of the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM), made the announcement during a press briefing at the Sasa headquarters on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
“Survival is no longer feasible,” Soria stated.
Expanded retrieval zone
Despite the shift in mission status, Soria emphasized that the operation is far from over.
Retrieval efforts have officially extended beyond the Philippine maritime boundary and into Indonesian waters. The expansion follows a drift analysis indicating that remains or debris may have been carried further southwest by the peak Amihan currents.
The PCG is coordinating with the Indonesian Maritime Agency, which has already reported sightings of floating objects potentially linked to the ill-fated vessel.
As retrieval operations continue, two specialized teams—the Marine Casualty Investigation (MCI) Team and the Incident Investigation Team (IIT)—are expected to finalize their reports within the week.
These probes will determine the administrative and criminal liabilities of the vessel’s owner and crew regarding the unauthorized voyage that began on Jan. 17.
To date, the Amejara tragedy has resulted in one survivor and six confirmed fatalities, with nine individuals still missing at sea.
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