BY ALEX ALAGON
MAKATI CITY, Philippines – Security Bank announced that John Cary Ong has decided to step down as head of the Wholesale Banking Segment (WBS).
Mr. Ong has been a valued member of Security Bank’s leadership team and has contributed to the growth and development of the Bank’s wholesale banking franchise. “John has made meaningful contributions to our wholesale banking business, and we thank him for his leadership and service. We wish him every success in his future endeavors,” said Security Bank president and CEO Victor Lee.
In the interim, Victor Lee will oversee the segment, working closely with Hirofumi Umeno, head of Alliance Segment, Yvonne Marcelo, head of Corporate Banking, Jorge Lindley Ong, head of Commercial Banking, and Virgilio Chua, president and CEO of Security Bank Capital. Their leadership and industry experience will ensure a seamless transition and continued momentum across the business.
Lee added: “Wholesale banking remains a key growth engine for the Bank, underpinned by an experienced leadership team and a strong foundation for the future. With the support of our alliance partner and shareholder MUFG, we are well-positioned to capture emerging opportunities and create long-term value for our stakeholders. Our clients can expect continuity in leadership and service as we further strengthen our corporate, commercial, and institutional banking franchise.”
Security Bank Corporation is one of the Philippines’ leading universal banks, with total assets of PHP1.2 trillion as of March 31, 2026. Founded in 1951, the Bank has a nationwide network of 390 branches and 666 ATMs, Cash Recycler Machines (CRMs), and Cash Acceptance Machines (CAMs).
Security Bank was recognized as Best Private Bank in the Philippines by Global Finance and Philippines’ Best for High-Net-Worth by Euromoney in 2026. The Bank was also named the top Philippine bank in the TIME and Statista Best Companies Asia-Pacific rankings and holds an MSCI ESG Rating of “A.”
THE PHILIPPINE Statistics Authority (PSA) XI has surpassed its first-quarter target for National ID registration under the National ID System.
As of March 31, 2026, a total of 46,330 individuals have been registered, exceeding the target of 34,060 and achieving a 136.02% completion rate.
All provinces in the region exceeded their respective targets. Davao Occidental recorded the highest accomplishment rate at 161.62% with 3,297 registrants, followed by Davao del Sur with 18,593 (146.40%) and Davao del Norte with 12,778 (143.25%). Davao de Oro registered 6,283 (120.83%), while Davao Oriental posted 5,379 (103.44%).
This significant achievement highlights PSA’s unwavering commitment to establishing a robust, inclusive, and secure identification system that not only enhances convenience but also strengthens security and reduces identity fraud.
To those who have yet to register, PSA XI encourages residents to visit their nearest Registration Center and take advantage of this free service. The National ID is a vital document that facilitates easier access to government services, promotes financial inclusion, and contributes to national security.
MASTERCARD, in collaboration with CrescentRating, released a report highlighting the growing economic potential of Muslim-friendly sports tourism, projecting the market could reach US$21 billion globally by 2030 if destinations and event organizers strengthen inclusion and confidence across the travel journey.
Proof Wins: The Convergence of Sports, Travel, and Faith examines how Muslim travelers discover, plan, and attend sports events, and identifies the key factors that convert interest into bookings. The research finds that while enthusiasm for sports travel among Muslim travelers is high, participation depends heavily on clear and trusted information around essentials such as Halal food availability, prayer facilities, transport logistics, and secure payment options.
A growing opportunity in sports tourism
With global Muslim travel continuing to expand, sports events represent an increasingly valuable tourism driver. Current projections show the Muslim sports-event travel spend pool growing from around US$11 billion in 2025 to US$17 billion by 2030. When destinations make Muslim-friendly readiness visible during the booking stage and deliver it consistently on the ground, the opportunity could expand further to US$21 billion by the end of the decade.
This potential growth is fueled by two measurable shifts: greater participation from Muslim travelers when faith-compatible services are clearly communicated, and stronger in-venue spending when Halal food options are well-labeled, accessible, and trusted.
Converting interest into attendance
Muslim international arrivals are expected to grow from 186 million in 2025 to 245 million by 2030, supported by a young and digitally connected population that is increasingly motivated by experience-led travel. Yet today, only around 6% of international Muslim trips include attendance at a sports event, highlighting a substantial untapped market for destinations and organizers that can convert interest into attendance.
Several factors shape whether travelers ultimately commit to a sports trip. Affordability and value remain the most important considerations, followed by access to Halal food and prayer facilities, and confidence in safety and crowd management. When these elements are visible early—particularly during ticket discovery and trip planning—travelers are significantly more likely to follow through with bookings.
Building confidence across the travel journey
Digital discovery plays a decisive role in the sports travel journey. Social media is the primary channel through which Muslim travelers learn about sports events, often inspiring group travel among friends and family. However, conversion happens only when that discovery leads quickly to trusted information, including official ticket links, venue access details, transport plans, and reliable digital payment options.
“Sports tourism is entering a new phase of global growth, where experiences, community, and cultural connection matter as much as the event itself,” said Aisha Islam, senior vice president, Customer Solutions Center, Southeast Asia at Mastercard. “Through Mastercard’s long-standing presence in global sports, including collaborations with the UEFA Champions League, the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, and the Australian Open, Mastercard sees how major sporting moments can connect fans, destinations, and businesses at scale. As major sporting calendars continue to make their way across Southeast Asia, the region is firmly establishing itself as a hub for high-profile sporting experiences. Muslim travelers represent one of the fastest-growing segments in global travel. When destinations provide clarity and confidence — from payment security to Halal dining and prayer access — they unlock significant participation and spending potential.”
“What this research clearly shows is that demand alone is not the constraint—confidence is,” said Fazal Bahardeen, founder and CEO of CrescentRating. “Muslim travelers are highly motivated by major sporting events. But participation increases only when essential needs such as Halal food, prayer access, and transport are clearly communicated and trusted well before travel begins. Destinations in Southeast Asia that connect iconic sports moments with visible Muslim-friendly readiness are best positioned to convert interest into attendance and sustained economic impact.”
For destinations and event organizers, the report findings highlight a clear opportunity to strengthen the appeal of sports events for Muslim travelers. When faith-friendly amenities such as Halal food assurance, prayer-ready spaces, and accessible venue infrastructure are embedded into event planning and clearly communicated before booking, they strengthen visitor confidence, increase attendance, and boost spending across the travel ecosystem.
LA UNION, Philippines — Holcim Philippines continues to strengthen its commitment to building progress for people and the planet through a water supply system and rainwater harvesting facility in Barangay Quirino, La Union.
Recognizing the community’s need for more accessible and reliable water sources, Holcim Philippines began working closely with local stakeholders and residents in the second quarter of last year to develop a sustainable domestic water solution that would directly benefit families in the area.
Today, the initiative is helping provide safer, cleaner, and more reliable water access to around 400 households in Barangay Quirino, benefiting approximately 3 to 4 individuals per household.
Through the project, households now have access to an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 liters of domestic water supply for daily household needs such as cooking, cleaning, washing, and sanitation. Ultimately, this helps families reduce expenses previously allocated for purchasing water from external sources, contributing to healthier homes, improved living conditions, and greater financial relief for the community.
“The water supply and harvesting facility will help the community by reducing the use of extracted water from deep wells. It will also help improve the water supply for the barangay’s facilities,” according to Barangay Captain Marvin Cardinez.
The project reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability and community partnership by helping address essential needs while promoting responsible water management practices through rainwater harvesting.
Holcim Philippines continues to work hand in hand with communities, local government units, and partners to implement initiatives that contribute to safer, healthier, and more resilient communities.
THE DAVAO City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), a public-private partnership (PPP) between Aboitiz InfraCapital Water (AIC Water)’s subsidiary Apo Agua and the Davao City Water District (DCWD), was recently highlighted as a model for advancing water security during the Cebu Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit held on June 4 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City, as part of Cebu Business Month 2026.
In his plenary speech during the event, AIC Vice President and Head of Water Business, Eduardo ‘Dudes’ Aboitiz, said that the DCBWSP provides Davao City with 300 million liters per day (MLD) of safe and potable water through DCWD, benefiting more than one million Davaoeños.
“Sari-sari store owners say they can now grow their businesses without relying on expensive water deliveries or spending time fetching water from communal sources,” Aboitiz said.
The Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project augments DCWD’s water supply, enabling the water district to expand its operations and coverage area. This led to an increase in the number of businesses and housing developments in Davao City, contributing to more economic opportunities for Davaoeños.
In an independent study by the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), the DCBWSP contributed more than PHP 15.5 billion worth of investments in the city. It also generated PHP 1.1 billion gross revenue and contributions to Davao City’s gross regional domestic product in 2024.
The DCBWSP supports DCWD’s conjunctive use strategy, where surface water from Apo Agua complements existing groundwater sources to ensure supply reliability and redundancy. This is especially important during El Niño, which can bring long dry periods and lead to water shortages.
Recognizing the role of public-private partnerships in advancing water security, Aboitiz referenced the DCBWSP in discussing how PPPs can support water resilience in Cebu.
“Building Cebu’s water security cannot be done overnight. It requires long-term planning and foresight. To achieve this, we should continue embracing PPPs as a framework to develop critical infrastructure and attract investment,” Aboitiz said.
Organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of Cebu Business Month, the Cebu Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit brought together investors, business leaders, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to discuss opportunities and solutions that advance Cebu’s economy.
THE DAVAO City government urged residents to remain calm and be vigilant against aftershocks following the Intensity V earthquake that hit the city on Monday morning, June 8.
In an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio, Harvey Lanticse, chief of the City Information Office, emphasized that authorities are actively monitoring the situation.
“Our call to our fellow Davaoeños is to remain calm, listen, and cooperate with the orders of the authorities, especially the city government of Davao,” the official said, adding that residents should check their homes for structural damage or cracks.
Residents are advised to report any visible damage directly to Davao City Reports or via the Central 911 hotline for immediate assistance.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office has been directed to preposition relief commodities, including food packs, to ensure rapid deployment if evacuations become necessary.
As of 11 a.m., there were no reported earthquake-related evacuations, and no reported major infrastructure damage within the city.
Despite this, Lanticse said emergency response units from both the CSWDO and the City Health Office remain on standby to address any immediate social welfare or medical needs.
The city government expressed solidarity with neighboring areas in the region, noting that heavy structural damage has been observed in other localities based on initial social media monitoring.
All private building owners were directed to conduct structural damage assessments of their facilities through licensed engineers and immediately report the results to the Office of the City Building Official.
Classes at all levels in both public and private educational institutions, and work in all local and national government offices in the city have been suspended, except for agencies involved in emergency response and the delivery of essential services.
Private offices and institutions are strongly encouraged to do the same in consideration of the welfare and safety of their employees.
The earthquake on June 8, at 07:37 a.m., was recorded at a magnitude of 7.8 in Maasim, Sarangani.
The reported intensities were: Intensity VII – General Santos City; Intensity VI – Palimbang, and Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat; Intensity V – Davao City; City of Kidapawan, and Carmen, Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Kalamansig, and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; Sibuco, and Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.
Intensity IV was recorded in the City of Mati, Caraga, Manay, and Tarragona, Davao Oriental; and Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay.
The City of Butuan; Mainit, Surigao del Norte; City of Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte; Kumalarang, Vincenzo Sagun, Zamboanga del Sur recorded Intensity III.
Intensity II was recorded in the City of Dipolog, Labason, Liloy, President Manuel A. Roxas, and Salug, Zamboanga del Norte; Alicia, Ipil, Mabuhay, Olutanga, and Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay; Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; Abuyog, and Dulag, Leyte; San Francisco, Southern Leyte.
Another Magnitude 3.7 quake was felt at 8:18 a.m., and an aftershock with magnitude 7.8 was recorded at 8:55 a.m. northwest of Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, and Davao City was under intensity III.
THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) immediately activated its full emergency response protocols on Monday morning, June 8, after a powerful Magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Maasim, Sarangani, sending strong tremors across Davao Region and triggering scattered power outages.
As of 9 a.m., the official DCPO situation report confirmed zero deaths, injuries, or missing persons in Davao City.
City police director Col Peter B. Madria mobilized all units and tactical personnel to coordinate with the safety and security cluster for immediate rescue, relief, and structural integrity assessments.
Earlier monitoring just before the earthquake struck indicated that 409 PNP personnel had already blanketed the public and some private schools for the opening of classes.
Following the tremors, 61 schools remained closed as authorities shifted focus to safety evaluations.
Traffic conditions across major city arteries choked into moderate to heavy congestion, while rolling power interruptions knocked out grids in Barangays Malabog, Ecoland, Tugbok, Mandug, and Eden.
Madria urged Davaoeños to remain calm as structural assessments continue. “The safety and security of the public remain the utmost priority of the DCPO,” Madria emphasized, calling on citizens to cooperate with emergency responders as the city moves toward rapid recovery.
THE 10TH Infantry Division mobilized 69 personnel, along with a fleet of military vehicles and drones, to launch Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) following a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that shook parts of Mindanao on Monday, June 8.
According to Major Ruben Gadute, the 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief, the disaster response teams were drawn from multiple units under the division, including the 27th Infantry Battalion, 28th Infantry Battalion, Task Force GENSAN, the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, and the 10th Emergency Response Company.
The mobilized troops were sent to affected communities to assist with critical search and rescue, damage assessment, and route-clearing operations.
To maximize the efficiency of the rescue and assessment efforts, the 10ID deployed 16 military trucks to transport relief and equipment, alongside three drones utilized for rapid aerial damage assessment in hard-to-reach areas.
Major General Alvin Luzon, 10ID commander, confirmed that troops are already actively operating on the ground, particularly in General Santos City and surrounding areas, to ensure public safety.
“Our troops, particularly those under Task Force GENSAN and the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, are already on the ground conducting disaster response and rescue operations in support of affected communities,” Luzon said.
The military commander added that the division is working in close lockstep with civilian and emergency management agencies to streamline the relief grid.
“In close coordination with the Office of Civil Defense, local government units, and partner agencies, we remain committed to helping ensure the safety and welfare of our fellow Mindanaoans during this challenging time,” Luzon added.
The 10ID stated that all frontline units in the region remain on heightened alert as they continue to monitor the situation on the ground and provide sustained humanitarian assistance to the affected localities.
A TOTAL of 17 flights to and from General Santos Airport have been cancelled following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao on Monday morning, June 8.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said cancellations have affected three major domestic carriers, disrupting travel routes connecting the region to Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo.
A total of 11 flights operated by Cebu Pacific, four by PAL Express, and three by Philippine Airlines have been grounded. The complete list of cancelled flights includes:
Cebu Pacific:
5J4843 / 5J4844– Iloilo – General Santos – Iloilo
5J993 / 5J994 – Manila – General Santos – Manila
5J995 / 5J996 – Manila – General Santos – Manila
5J991 / 5J992 – Manila – General Santos – Manila
5J249 / 5J250 – Cebu – General Santos – Cebu
5J998 – General Santos to Manila
PAL Express:
2P2357 / 2P2358– Cebu – General Santos – Cebu
2P2455 / 2P2456– Manila – General Santos – Manila
Philippine Airlines:
PR453 / PR454 – Manila – General Santos – Manila
Passengers are advised to rebook/reroute; convert the value of the ticket into travel credits, or have a full refund of the ticket, subject to applicable policies.
CAAP announced the temporary suspension of airport operations at General Santos Airport following the earthquake in Sarangani and the tsunami warning issued by PHIVOLCS.
Passengers are advised to coordinate with their respective airlines for updates on their flight status.
CAAP said assessments of air navigation facilities, equipment, and operational capabilities are conducted to ensure the continued safety and integrity of airport operations.
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