BY ALEX ALAGON
SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go handed out assistance to 981 indigent residents in Mati City, Davao Oriental, on Friday, July 10, as part of continuing efforts to help vulnerable sectors access immediate government support.
The beneficiaries included vendors, women, persons with disabilities, porters, and daycare workers, according to the event details. The activity sought to provide practical support to residents facing difficult circumstances.
“Sa ating mga kababayan sa Mati City, maraming salamat po sa inyong tiwala. Alam ko po na marami sa inyo ang nagsusumikap araw-araw para sa inyong pamilya. Sa abot ng aking makakaya, patuloy po akong tutulong para mailapit ang serbisyo sa mga nangangailangan,” Go said.
Through Go’s office, each beneficiary received grocery packs, snacks, a shirt, and a pen. Selected beneficiaries received basketballs, volleyballs, shoes, a watch, a bicycle, and a cellphone.
Local officials and leaders, including Board Member Don Montojo, Board Member Jimboy Dayanghirang, Councilor Xander Alcantara, City Councilor Roger Pabio, City Councilor Junie Bardon, and City Councilor JR Pang, attended the activity.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate committee on health and demography, also reminded residents that those needing medical support may seek help through the Malasakit Center at the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City. The facility was launched on Oct. 9, 2020, as the 86th Malasakit Center in the country.
The Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored. The program brings together concerned government agencies in one location to help poor patients reduce hospital expenses.
“Kung may sakit po kayo o may kapamilyang kailangang magpagamot, lumapit po kayo sa Malasakit Center. Ginawa po natin ito para hindi na mahirapan ang mga pasyente sa paghahanap ng tulong mula sa gobyerno,” Go said.
The senator also continues to support the Super Health Centers to improve access to basic healthcare in communities. In Davao Oriental, Super Health Centers have been identified in several areas, including Mati City, Lupon, Manay, Cateel, Boston, Caraga, San Isidro, Tarragona, and other localities.
Go said assistance programs must continue to reach ordinary workers and vulnerable sectors, especially those who need direct and practical help.
“Ang mahalaga po ay maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan na may gobyernong handang tumulong. Maliit man o malaki ang tulong, basta makakadagdag sa pangangailangan ng isang pamilya, mahalaga po iyon,” Go said.
He likewise thanked the people of Mati City and Davao Oriental, where he ranked first in the previous elections, saying their support continues to encourage him to work harder in bringing services closer to communities.
- PDEA XI, NBI bust ecstasy-dealing DJ, 10 others
A LATE-NIGHT party scene ground to a halt early Saturday morning after authorities dismantled a suspected drug den at a local bar and arrested a disc jockey and 10 others in a joint operation.
Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office XI and the National Bureau of Investigation-Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office stormed the establishment along Sales Street, Barangay 27-C, at around 2:40 a.m. on July 11, 2026.
The primary target of the buy-bust was a 26-year-old disc jockey identified only as alias DJ Kar.
According to authorities, the suspect was caught red-handed after selling a tape-sealed plastic sachet containing four suspected Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) tablets—commonly known as ecstasy—to a PDEA agent acting as a poseur-buyer.
The transaction was valued at ₱14,000.
As agents secured the perimeter, they uncovered a fully functioning drug den operating within the premises.
A total of 11 individuals were taken into custody, including:
- The maintainer: Alias Edward, the alleged bar owner and drug den operator.
- The staff: Aliases Ryan, Harvey, and Raul, tagged as drug den employees.
- Six alleged visitors identified as Vince, Nathan, Agatha, Destin, Marl, and Kaito.
Inventory of contraband
According to the report, agents confiscated 65 marijuana vape cartridges, two 500 ML bottles filled with suspected diluted liquid ecstasy, assorted drug paraphernalia, and the ₱14,000 marked buy-bust money.
PDEA estimated the total street value of the confiscated illegal drugs at ₱255,000.
All 11 suspects are currently in government custody, facing stringent charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
AN ADDITIONAL 25 Bantay Bukid were deputized on Friday, July 11, to boost conservation and monitoring efforts in Mt. Apo National Park (MANP) with indigenous ecological skills.
The new batch of Protected Area field officers belonged to the unified Bagobo Tagabawa tribe, bringing the total number of active volunteer forest guards to 50.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI, through the MANP Protected Area Management Office, and the Philippine Eagle Foundation officially deputized the second batch of volunteers.
Dr. Jayson Ibañez, PEF director for operations, said the deputation of the forest guards emphasizes their role in taking care of the oldest nesting site of the Philippine Eagle.
Ibañez said there are 10 nesting territories in Mount Apo Key Biodiversity Area, all within ancestral domains.
“The Philippine Eagle conservation is already embedded in the tribe’s Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan, so they can appreciate the need to care for the biodiversity within their ancestral domain,” Ibañez said.
The responsibilities of these officers include keeping track of various flora and fauna, which serve as indicators of the ecosystem’s health.
He added that the Bantay Bukid underwent training in setting up camera traps to monitor the food of the Philippine eagle.
“Ang gusto naming ma-achieve kasama ng mga forest guards ay para din malaman kung ang patrolling ay nagreresulta sa pagdami ng mga pagkain ng Philippine Eagle,” he said.
Ibañez said the Bantay Bukid will also prevent illegal activities such as illegal logging, wildlife hunting, and other destructive activities that continue to threaten the lives of the Philippine Eagle.
According to PEF data, in 2020, there were a total of 20 Philippine Eagles rescued, the highest rescue rate in the history of PEF conservation efforts.
Of this number, seven were trapped, and seven were gunned down by marble guns. About 18 of these rescues are juvenile eagles.
Clint Michael Cleofe, MANP Protected Area superintendent OIC, said the involvement of the indigenous community is vital, as protecting the Philippine Eagle goes hand in hand with preserving the forests.
“Kay kung atoang mangong maprotektahan ang Philippine Eagle, maprotektahan pod nato ang lasang, maprotektahan pod nato ang protected area sa Mount Apo National Park,” Cleofe said.
The new batch will be strategically deployed to Barangay Sibulan and surrounding areas within the Toril District in Davao City. The volunteers will receive compensation to support their livelihood and sustain their efforts.
Funding will be sourced from the revenues generated by the MANP through its resource users to provide the park’s revenue back into the local community.
“Mas maayo pod nga kana nga income, atoa pod ibalik didto sa community alang, aron nga mahatagan og oportunidad sila nga duna pod silay alternatibo nga panginabuhian pinaagi aning patrolling nato sa atoang kalasangan,” Cleofe said.
The official said the deputation of Bantay Bukid will also contribute to the bid of Mount Apo to become a UNESCO Global Geopark.
UNESCO looks at the participation of the local community, especially the indigenous peoples, in managing, protecting, and conserving Mount Apo.
“Now, if they see our deputized officers actively patrolling our mountain, this is a huge help or plus points for our evaluators who will be coming here to our area this August 2026,” he said.
The DENR aims to eventually achieve an ideal monitoring ratio of one ranger per 1,000 to 2,000 hectares to ensure comprehensive coverage of the protected area.
THE POLICE Regional Office (PRO) XI issued a warning to citizens to remain vigilant against the notorious “budol-budol” gangs operating through various swindling and hypnosis-like schemes.
As part of their anti-criminality campaign, regional police authorities released a set of safety tips aimed at protecting the public from falling victim to these fraudsters, who often target unsuspecting individuals in public spaces.
The “budol-budol” modus operandi typically involves scammers using smooth-talking tactics, fake bundles of cash, or appealing sob stories to disorient victims and convince them to hand over their money, jewelry, or valuable belongings.
To counter these syndicates, PRO XI released four preventative measures for the public to follow:
- Avoid carrying large sums of cash: Limit the amount of money you bring when traveling or walking in public places to minimize potential losses.
- Refrain from wearing expensive jewelry: Avoid displaying flashy items that easily attract the attention of criminals and thieves.
- Avoid talking to strangers: Be highly suspicious of unfamiliar individuals who suddenly approach you with unsolicited offers, business proposals, or emotional appeals.
- Never accept anything from strangers: Refuse any packages, documents, or items handed to you by people you do not know.
“Be careful around strangers. Do not easily give in to offers or requests from people you do not know. Protect yourself and your property,” the advisory read.
The public is urged to immediately report any suspicious individuals or activities to the nearest police station. In case of an emergency, citizens can contact the national emergency hotline by dialing 911.
ANTI-ILLEGAL drugs agents seized an estimated ₱1.6 million worth of liquid marijuana and arrested a high-value suspect during a joint buy-bust operation in Juna Subdivision, Matina Crossing, early Saturday morning, July 11.
The suspect, identified only by his alias Cebastian, 22, a resident of Panabo City, was apprehended at around 5:10 a.m. on the second floor of a residence along Durian Street.
The operation was a collaborative effort between the Regional Special Enforcement Team of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency XI and the National Bureau of Investigation-Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office.
According to authorities, Cebastian was arrested immediately after selling a pack of vape cartridges containing suspected marijuana oil to a PDEA operative acting as a poseur-buyer for ₱3,000.
A subsequent search yielded an additional 39 vape cartridges filled with suspected marijuana oil, bringing the total estimated street value of the confiscated contraband to ₱1,600,000. Operatives also recovered the marked buy-bust money at the scene.
The suspect is currently in custody and faces formal charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
ANOTHER batch of fresh Saba/Cardava bananas from Davao Region was shipped to Auckland, New Zealand, on Friday, July 11, reflecting the region’s expanding agricultural export market.
The export is bound for Fresh Produce Group NZ Ltd., a New Zealand-based grower, marketer, and exporter that supplies premium fresh fruit and vegetables globally.
In a statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI said that the bananas are sourced directly from accredited farms in Davao del Norte.
The shipment consists of a 40-foot refrigerated container carrying 1,400 boxes of bananas, with each box weighing 12 kilograms.
The agency said the boxes are palletized and packed to ensure proper handling and product preservation during transit.
“This second export order was secured after the first container arrived in excellent condition, passing the New Zealand buyer’s stringent quality expectations,” the agency said.
DA is expecting more regular shipments in the coming months as market confidence for Saba bananas continues to grow.
“To guarantee that the export meets international standards, the bananas were processed in an accredited packing facility in strict compliance with the food safety and phytosanitary requirements of the Plant Quarantine Service,” it added.
DA XI led the send-off ceremony, organized by the Bureau of Plant Industry-National Plant Quarantine Services Division XI.
DA XI regional executive director Macario D. Gonzaga and regional technical director for operations Marie Ann M. Constantino, along with personnel from the DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division and the High Value Crops Development Program, were present during the send-off.
I USED to think that I was better off than my mother. I have things she never had. I have shelves of books on marriage and motherhood, while she relied on instinct and the wisdom of her own mother. I have gadgets that save me time, while she has only her hands and endless chores.
I have a washing machine that hums away while I sip coffee or play with my children. She had mornings spent scrubbing clothes by hand, fetching water from the pump, and waxing floors with melted candles. My “exercise” happens at the gym; hers was built into survival.
I can serve a variety of dishes in minutes, thanks to my double burner, microwave, and refrigerator. She cooked over firewood, eyes stinging from smoke, and served whatever fresh ingredients she carried home from the market at dawn. Her meals were simple, but they were always nourishing. Mine are more varied, but sometimes rushed.
I can sew fancy dresses for my daughters with an electric machine and a stack of craft books. She stitched by hand for seven children, mending more than creating, crocheting from imagination rather than patterns. I have Pinterest boards and glossy magazines; she had creativity born of necessity.
I scroll through emails, posts, and memes. She tuned into the radio, carefully recharging batteries on the windowsill so she wouldn’t miss the news. I have endless channels of information, but sometimes too much noise. She had fewer choices, but perhaps more peace.
Yes, I am busier. I juggle deadlines, notifications, and appointments. She didn’t have emails to answer or memes to keep up with. She didn’t need a masseur to relieve stress. She had her own rhythm, her own quiet strength.
So yes, I am “better.” Better equipped, better informed, better connected. But here’s the truth: my mother’s days were harder, yet she found joy in simplicity. She didn’t have gadgets, but she had grit. She didn’t have convenience, but she had contentment.
And that is why I honor her. Because while I may have more, she taught me that satisfaction doesn’t come from abundance—it comes from grace. As a saying reminds me, “Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil” (Proverbs 15:16). My mother lived that truth without quoting it. She showed me that peace is not found in possessions but in faith and perseverance.
When I look back, I realize that every generation has its own kind of “better.” My mother’s generation was better at patience, endurance, and making do with little. My generation is better at efficiency, multitasking, and accessing knowledge. But neither is superior. We are simply different, shaped by the times we live in.
Her world was slower, but it allowed her to savor moments. Mine is faster, but it pushes me to chase opportunities. She found joy in the rhythm of ordinary days; I find joy in the variety of modern life. Both are valid. Both are beautiful.
So perhaps the question is not “Why am I better than my mother?” but “How am I blessed because of her?” My conveniences are built on her sacrifices. My abundance is rooted in her simplicity. My freedom to choose is a gift from her resilience.
God bless our mothers, who lived with less yet gave us more.
Ruth Sitchon Morales is a full-time instructor at a state university in Mindanao, specializing in foreign language education. She is a resource speaker, freelance writer, and textbook author, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in applied linguistics. Along with her husband and their three children, Ruth served as a cross-cultural worker and as an ESL teacher and in China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Africa. Her formal studies in foreign languages, enriched by immersion in diverse foreign and local cultures, have given her a broad perspective on life and a wealth of stories to share with her readers.
TAGUIG CITY, PHILIPPINES — Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) is reinforcing its commitment to making digital banking more accessible by offering unlimited free InstaPay and PESONet fund transfers through its RCBC Pulz and RCBC DiskarTech mobile banking apps.
Following the launch of unlimited free InstaPay person-to-person (P2P) fund transfers last week, RCBC will extend the same benefit to PESONet starting July 15. All RCBC Pulz and RCBC DiskarTech users will enjoy unlimited free P2P transfers via both InstaPay and PESONet, giving customers greater flexibility to send money, pay bills, transfer funds, and manage both everyday and higher-value transactions without paying transfer fees.
By making the country’s two major electronic fund transfer services free, RCBC continues to remove cost barriers that discourage wider digital payments adoption. The initiative empowers Filipinos to maximize the convenience of digital banking while keeping more of their hard-earned money, further supporting the country’s drive toward a more inclusive and cash-lite digital economy.
“Digital banking should be simple, affordable, accessible, and safe. By eliminating transfer fees across more payment channels, we continue to remove everyday friction and give customers greater value and confidence every time they bank with RCBC,” said RCBC president and CEO Reggie Cariaso.
MAKATI CITY, Philippines — Security Bank Corporation (PSE:SECB) is supporting renewable energy development in the Philippines as the sole lender for the 17.4 MW Solana Solar Beta, Inc.’s (“SSBI”) Solar Power Project (the “Project”) in Hermosa, Bataan, supplying electricity to Peninsula Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“PENELCO”).
Developed by SSBI, part of CN Green Roof Asia (“Green Roof Asia”), the Project is expected to generate approximately 35.5 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually and supply 10 MW of equivalent generation under a 20-year power supply agreement with PENELCO. Green Roof is grateful for the opportunity to supply PENELCO with renewable energy to meet its customers’ energy needs in the province.
The transaction is the Bank’s first partnership with Climate Fund Managers, a climate-focused blended finance investment manager, and Norfund, the Norwegian investment fund for developing countries – two globally recognized institutions working to mobilize capital for sustainable infrastructure across emerging markets.
The Bank provided a project refinancing facility, with Security Bank Capital Investment Corporation acting as arranger and the Bank’s Trust and Asset Management Group serving as Facility Agent and Security Trustee. The Omnibus Loan and Security Agreement was signed on May 26, 2026, and the loan disbursement was completed on June 25, 2026.
“Electric cooperatives play an important role in delivering electricity to communities across the country,” said Yvonne Marcelo, EVP and Corporate Banking Group Head at Security Bank. “Through this transaction, we are supporting the delivery of additional renewable energy capacity in Bataan while establishing our first partnership with Climate Fund Managers and Norfund. As the sole lender, we continue to support investments that contribute to the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure in the Philippines.”
“We are pleased to partner with Security Bank on this transaction, which demonstrates the growing role local financial institutions can play in supporting renewable energy infrastructure in the Philippines,” said Ryan Oetama, Investment Director at Climate Fund Managers. “The financing of the Bataan solar project reflects increasing confidence in renewable energy as an attractive investment opportunity that can deliver both commercial returns and positive environmental impact.”
“This transaction augments a niche renewable energy supply segment in the Philippines, a core market and a meaningful strategy for Norfund. It will help meet a larger share of domestic energy demand, improve energy security, and increase diversification in both the provincial and national energy mix at a much-needed time. We are grateful to our JV partners in Climate Fund Managers and congratulate Green Roof Asia for delivering this project for its host community. We look forward to working with Security Bank on more transactions in the Philippines,” said Felix Barwinek, Senior Investment Manager at Norfund.
“This refinancing is an important milestone for Green Roof Asia in the Philippines as it demonstrates that well-structured renewable energy projects continue to attract strong financial backing, allowing us to continue to develop, construct, and deliver reliable clean energy infrastructure across Southeast Asia. We look forward to supporting more electric cooperatives and meeting their growing demand,” said Steve Rawles, CEO at CN Green Roof Asia.
Financing renewable energy for electric cooperatives
Security Bank’s participation supports the financing of renewable energy projects serving electric cooperatives, a segment with limited participation from local banks.
PENELCO, the Project’s offtaker, has a peak demand of approximately 148 MW and serves customers across multiple barangays and municipalities in Bataan.
The Project is connected to PENELCO’s distribution system through an embedded connection, enabling the delivery of renewable energy within the cooperative’s service area.
Part of a regional renewable energy platform
The Project forms part of Green Roof Asia’s portfolio of solar developments across Southeast Asia, covering rooftop and utility-scale systems.
Green Roof Asia is a joint venture between Climate Fund Managers’ EU-supported Climate Investor One Fund and Norfund.
Climate Fund Managers raises and deploys blended climate finance funds, working in partnerships to deliver climate mitigation and adaptation solutions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Norfund’s mandate is to invest in businesses that support sustainable development and the transition to net zero.
A growing renewable energy portfolio
The transaction adds to the Bank’s growing renewable energy portfolio, reflecting its participation in financing 24 renewable energy developments nationwide that collectively represent 4.30 GW of installed capacity. It also contributes to the Bank’s broader sustainable finance portfolio, which reached PHP116.95 billion in total disbursements as of May 2026.
By financing renewable energy projects and expanding partnerships with institutions committed to sustainable development, Security Bank continues to support renewable energy infrastructure in the Philippines.
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