PBBM names Philip Lo Presidential Assistant for the Visayas

CEBU CITY -- President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. appointed Philip Lo as Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, taking over a key post that coordinates national government programs in the region.

Marcos administered Lo's oath of office at Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, July 8. Lo thanked the President for the appointment and vowed to serve as a link between the Office of the President and the people of the Visayas.

"I sincerely thank the President for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas. I will serve as a bridge between the people of the Visayas and the Office of the President," Lo said.

He said he would work closely with national government agencies, local government units, and other stakeholders to help bring government programs and services to communities across the Visayas.

"One of my goals is to make government more accessible, responsive, and effective for every Visayan," he said.

The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) coordinates the implementation of national government programs and projects in the region. Lo is expected to work with government agencies and local officials to help advance the administration's development priorities.

His appointment comes as the Marcos administration continues to pursue projects aimed at improving public services, infrastructure, investment, and economic growth across the Visayas.

CPA outlines northern Cebu Port rehab plans

CEBU CITY – The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) led by General Manager Francisco Comendador III, formally updated the Cebu Provincial Board during its 17th Regular Session on June 15, regarding critical rehabilitation strategies for northern ports severely damaged by a recent magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

The briefing addressed immediate infrastructure restoration and opened conversations on restructuring revenue-sharing frameworks with local government units (LGUs). The CPA has designated targeted funding to reconstruct infrastructure across three heavily affected ports facilities—Port of Hagnaya, Port of Kawit and Port of Bogo.

Comendador explained that the full-scale rehabilitation has not yet started as these three affected ports are currently undergoing Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment (EGGA) studies.

He emphasized that these assessments are necessary to ensure that all rehabilitation works are safe, appropriate and sustainable in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

While we are equally eager to complete the rehabilitation of these ports, we must ensure that every intervention we undertake prioritizes the safety of port users and surrounding communities,” Comendador said.

He assured the Provincial Board that the planned repair and rehabilitation works form part of CPA’s broader strategy to restore and strengthen port infrastructure in Cebu Province.

To address concerns regarding the possible relocation of some port facilities, the session highlighted pivotal operational and financial themes as the province moves from emergency response into long-term infrastructure stabilization.

Safety and Sustainability First: Comendador emphasized that rushing into construction without data would jeopardize public safety. The ongoing EGGA studies are being fast-tracked in close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to ensure all structural interventions are resilient against future seismic activity.

LGU Joint-Investment and Revenue Sharing: In a notable policy shift, the CPA expressed openness to reassessing existing financial arrangements. LGUs willing to co-invest capital into developing and modernizing local port facilities may be eligible for new revenue-sharing models.

Regulatory Alignment: Any updated financial agreements will remain subject to existing maritime policies, requiring formal approval from the Cebu Port Commission (CPC) and close coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr). (Photos: Cebu Port Authority)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ateneo Cebu hosts free MBA trial class in Cebu on July 11

CEBU CITY -- The Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Business (AGSB) invites Cebuano professionals, executives, and aspiring business leaders to experience its distinct approach to leadership development at the upcoming AGSB MBA Trial Class on July 11 from 8am to 2 pm at the AGSB Cebu Campus, Cebu Holdings Center.

Carrying the theme "Leading Through Chaos: With and For Others," the event aims to demonstrate how an AGSB MBA equips professionals with the strategic vision, ethical judgment, and resilience needed to navigate today's volatile business environment.

The program features a curated lineup designed to give participants a firsthand look at the AGSB experience. This free MBA Trial Class will be led by Prof. Dennis Ryan Cruz, MBA, First Vice President and Center Head at Metrobank, and Director of Student Formation at AGSB. He will facilitate an immersive workshop on leading through complexity, uncertainty, and disruption.

The event will also feature alumni who will share how their AGSB MBA experience helped accelerate their careers and transform their leadership practices. A question-and-answer session will follow, allowing participants to engage directly with faculty members and alumni.

This event offers a unique opportunity to experience how an MBA grounded in Ignatian values prepares professionals for executive leadership and effective decision-making in an increasingly unpredictable world.

Registration is free, but slots are limited. Interested participants may secure their seats by scanning the QR code on the official event flyer or by registering online at https://bit.ly/AGSBCebuTrialClass2026.

For inquiries, contact the AGSB Cebu Campus at 0919 078 8566 or email [cebu.gsb@ateneo.edu] (mailto:cebu.gsb@ateneo.edu). AGSB Cebu Trial Class Registration Form bit.ly

Cebu's Biggest Shows Are Coming: SM Seaside Cebu Arena Opens a New Era of Entertainment

CEBU CITY— SM Cebu continues to redefine how Cebuanos shop, dine, celebrate, and experience world-class entertainment with its three most-loved destinations—SM Seaside City Cebu, SM City Cebu, and SM J Mall. 

SM has become where communities gather, families create memories, and unforgettable moments come to life. Now, the excitement reaches new heights as Cebu counts down to the opening of the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, the region's next iconic destination for live entertainment.

The excitement is already building with a stellar lineup of performances set to inaugurate this new era and maxed out the experience. Fans can look forward to BINI's "Signals World Tour 2026" on July 11, followed by IV of Spades' "Andalucia Tour 2026" on July 18. Music lovers can also experience TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan's "In Between" concert on September 5, the uplifting Hillsong Worship Nights Asia Tour on September 18, and LANY's "Beautiful Mind World Tour" with two highly anticipated shows on November 6 and 12. These marquee performances affirm Cebu's growing stature as a premier destination for world-class concerts and live entertainment, with the SM Seaside Cebu Arena poised to become its biggest stage yet.

With an exciting lineup of world-class concerts, live entertainment, major sporting events, and international productions set to take center stage, the SM Seaside Cebu Arena is poised to become the region's newest entertainment destination. Every event promises not only unforgettable experiences for audiences but also a reason for visitors from across the country to make Cebu their next destination. Conveniently located across SM Seaside City Cebu and connected by a bridgeway, the arena allows guests to extend every show into a complete lifestyle experience with shopping, dining, and leisure all in one destination. 

“For years, SM has helped shape the country's live entertainment landscape by playing host to world-class events and bringing them closer to Filipinos. With SM Seaside Cebu Arena, we are extending that commitment to Cebu—creating a new beacon for live entertainment and sports events, bringing more international concerts, premier sporting events, and the best customer experience for fans that will inspire communities and place Cebu as the next global entertainment destination,” said Arnel Gonzales, Vice President and General Manager, SM Seaside Cebu Arena. 

Beyond the excitement of the performances, the SM Seaside Cebu Arena is expected to deliver a significant economic boost to Cebu. The influx of concertgoers and event attendees will drive tourism, increase hotel occupancy, boost local businesses across restaurants, retail, and transport services, and create new employment opportunities for local communities 

As more world-class events choose Cebu, the arena further strengthens the city's position as a premier destination for entertainment, business, and tourism, while reinforcing SM Supermalls' commitment to SM for Cebu by creating opportunities that benefit both local businesses and the economy. (Photos: SM)

Gov't, PLDT launch 4 new 'dialect-sensitive' Unified 911 command centers in Luzon, Visayas

CEBU CITY— Filipinos in distress will now be answered in their own language when they call 911, just as 

the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) with PLDT, PLDT Enterprise, and ePLDT, launched four new Unified 911 Satellite Command Centers in Batac, Ilocos Norte; Cauayan, Isabela; Leganes, Iloilo; and Tacloban, Leyte  in June this year— bringing dialect-sensitive emergency response to 20 more provinces across Northern Luzon and the Visayas.

The expansion follows last year’s launch of the National Command Center in Manila and the Regional Command Center in Cebu. Operators can now respond in Hiligaynon, Waray, Ilocano, and other local languages to cut delays in emergencies

"The answer will be in your language,” the DILG said.  The key upgrade—SCC operators are fluent in at least ten languages, including English, Tagalog, and their respective local languages.

"When you dial 911 in Iloilo, the answer will be in Hiligaynon. If you are in Tacloban, the answer is Waray; in Ilocos, Ilocano," said Philippine National Police Chief Melencio Nartatez Jr., who represented Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla at the flagship ceremony in Leganes, Iloilo. 

"That is how advanced our response is, faster, understood, and felt by every Filipino who calls in distress,”

he added. 

Officials said the dialect-sensitive system removes the need to route regional calls to Manila, reducing delays and miscommunication caused by translation errors. Callers can now speak naturally and get responders dispatched faster and more accurately.

Tech-powered and centralized

launched in September 2025, the Unified 911 system integrates police, fire, medical, and rescue services into one technology-enabled platform linking national agencies with local government units (LGUs).

The SCCs are hosted on ePLDT’s Pilipinas Cloud and feature 

multiple reporting channels including live video streaming

GPS-based location tracking of callers and responders

Geo-fencing for faster, more coordinated dispatch

Centralized data reporting

"The launch of the dialect-sensitive Unified 911 satellite command centers is a critical step toward more responsive, inclusive, and resilient emergency services," said PLDT Enterprise Head and ePLDT Chairman Blums Pineda. 

"We believe that technology, combined with local language and local knowledge, can further empower our responders to act faster and serve our communities better,” he added. 

Wider coverage coming

The four new SCCs in Batac, Cauayan, Leganes, and Tacloban cover the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas regions. They joined the Leganes launch virtually to present their capabilities.

PNP Chief Nartatez also announced that two more SCCs are set to be launched soon in Cagayan de Oro and Maguindanao.

Also present at the Iloilo launch were Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas, Leganes Mayor Vicente Jaen II, New Lucena Mayor Carl Vincent Mondejar, BFP OIC Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu, and NGA CEO Ishka Villacisneros.

PLDT said its support for Unified 911 is part of broader efforts to modernize emergency response and build disaster-resilient communities through robust digital infrastructure.

For emergencies, the public is reminded to just dial ‘911’.

DOE, NGCP strong coordination delivers 40 completed energy projects in 2026

CEBU CITY – The strong coordination between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) delivered significant progress under Task Force 200 with 40 energy projects completed in 2026 and additional generating capacity moving steadily toward commercial operation.

Task Force 200 is a DOE-led initiative created to fast-track 200 power projects over the next three years, as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his 4th State of the Nation Address.

The task force focuses on removing implementation bottlenecks, streamlining regulatory requirements, and ensuring grid readiness — with NGCP playing a central role as system operator in enabling timely connection and dispatch of new power supply nationwide.

“The cooperation between DOE, NGCP, and project developers has been critical. NGCP’s timely facilitation of testing, commissioning, and grid connection activities ensures that once these plants are ready, they can immediately deliver power to consumers,” Energy Undersecretary Mario Marasigan said.

Marasigan emphasized that the Task Force, together with NGCP, continues to closely monitor each project to keep implementation schedules on track.  To date, the completed projects have delivered 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity into full commercial operation.

Among these are nine Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects with a combined capacity of 169.7MW, which are now helping stabilize the grid and provide greater flexibility as more renewable energy enters the system — with NGCP integrating these facilities into grid operations and ensuring compliance with grid codes and reliability standards.

Another 14 projects totaling 371.8MW are in the advanced stages of testing and commissioning. These are expected to enter commercial operation soon, pending final technical and regulatory clearances in coordination with NGCP’s system impact studies and grid connection processes.

Among the major projects under active monitoring are the Bugallon and Terra Solar power facilities, with expected capacities of 530MW and up to 750MW, respectively. Both facilities are currently undergoing commissioning activities in close coordination with NGCP as system operator.

The DOE and NGCP are working with project proponents to expand testing capacity in the coming weeks as part of the phased commissioning toward full commercial operation.

“The steady progress of Task Force 200 demonstrates what can be achieved through strong coordination between government, the private sector, and our grid operator. Every project that NGCP successfully connects to the grid strengthens our energy security, improves system reliability, and ensures sufficient electricity to support economic growth and Filipino consumers,” Marasigan added. (Photos: DOE FB/Google Images)

 

 

PSA-7, PhilHealth ink MOA to strengthen National ID access

CEBU CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Central Visayas and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) continue to strengthen their collaboration to bring National ID services closer to the public through the implementation of National ID colocation activities in PhilHealth offices and participation in community-based service caravans across Cebu and Bohol provinces.

In a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between PSA and PhilHealth provides for the establishment of National ID colocation sites in selected PhilHealth offices nationwide that aimed to improve access to National ID services while promoting efficient and citizen-centered government service delivery.

PSA-Central Visayas OIC-director, Wilma Perante bared that the PSA established National ID colocation sites in selected PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Offices (LHIOs) in Cebu, where weekly colocation activities were conducted for the month of June 2026.

These sites provide convenient access to National ID registration and issuance of the National ID on Paper (ePhilID), with priority given to current and prospective PhilHealth members, Perante said.

The PSA also deployed its National ID mobile registration teams to selected YAKAP mobile service caravans across Central Visayas where residents are able to avail themselves of National ID and PhilHealth services provided during the outreach activities, bringing essential services closer to the communities.

Through these collaborative efforts, Perante added that PSA Central Visayas and PhilHealth Region VII reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the reach of the National ID System and ensuring that more Filipinos are able to enjoy the benefits of a secure and reliable identity. (Photos: PSA-Central Visayas)