MANILA-Reinforcing its commitment to community development and education, Vena Energy, a leading green energy solutions company in the Asia-Pacific region, through its project company Gemini Wind Energy Corp., has signed a 25-year memorandum of agreement (MOA) for a comprehensive scholarship program with Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU).

The landmark agreement, finalized on 26 May 2026, guarantees long-term financial assistance to promising students, underscoring Vena Energy’s dedication to extending meaningful, generational support to its host communities in recognition of their continuous partnership.

The MOA was officially signed by the newly elected President of NwSSU, Atty. Lorielie Tangaran, DM. Serving as witnesses to the milestone event were NwSSU vice president for academic affairs, Romeo Santos, and Marivic Acuyong, representing Vena Energy.

“Our host communities are the backbone of our operations, and we believe that investing in their future is the clearest demonstration of our appreciation and support,” said Samrinder Nehria, Head of Vena Energy in the Philippines. “This 25-year commitment ensures that we provide sustained, impactful assistance to the youth. By empowering these bright minds in STEM, we are helping them achieve their personal dreams while equipping them to become the future innovators of the province.”

Under the terms of the agreement, 10 deserving students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related courses will be selected as scholars. Each recipient will receive financial assistance of PHP 25,000 per semester to support their academic journey. The scholarship program will run for a continuous 25-year period, ensuring that multiple generations of students will have the resources they need to succeed.

“This historic partnership with Vena Energy is a monumental milestone for Northwest Samar State University and our students,” said Atty. Tangaran. “Beyond the vital financial relief it provides, this scholarship is a profound investment in the future of Samar. By supporting our STEM students today, Vena Energy is helping us cultivate the next generation of engineers, scientists, and local leaders who will drive sustainable progress in our province for decades to come.”

The NwSSU scholarship builds on Vena Energy’s ongoing community initiatives in Samar, which support young people from early childhood through higher education. It reflects Vena Energy’s commitment to the socioeconomic development of its host communities alongside its clean energy projects.

For more information about Vena Energy’s community programs and sustainability initiatives, please visit Vena Energy’s official website. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Baybay City government is moving forward with a P50-million housing project aimed at providing affordable and decent homes for government employees, with construction of the first 25 units scheduled to begin this year.

Mayor Jose Carlos Cari announced the initiative during Baybay City’s 19th Cityhood Celebration on June 16, 2026, attended by city officials, barangay leaders, clergy members, private sector representatives, and Leyte 5th District Representative Carl Nicolas Cari.
The housing project will rise on a city-owned property in Barangay Maitum and will initially consist of 25 housing units, including both single-storey and two-storey designs.

The city government has earmarked around P50 million for the project’s first phase. Prospective beneficiaries will be given the option to choose between single-detached and row-house units based on their housing preferences.

Mayor Cari said the detailed engineering design is currently being finalized, while the city government is also preparing the guidelines and eligibility requirements for government employees interested in availing themselves of the program.

He emphasized that the housing initiative will not be exclusive to City Hall personnel. Employees assigned to provincial government offices, the Department of Education, and other national government agencies may also qualify.

“You will be entitled to a decent housing project initiated by the city government,” Cari said.

In addition to the city-funded development, the local government is exploring a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with private developers to build more housing units for government workers in Barangay Hibunawan.

Cari said the city recognizes the need for housing options that can better accommodate larger families, noting that some existing national government housing designs may not fully address their needs.

To support the future housing communities, utility providers have started expanding essential infrastructure in the area.

The Leyte V Electric Cooperative has begun constructing a 25-kilovolt substation, while the Baybay City Water District, with assistance from the provincial government, has completed a water reservoir and pipeline network project.

The housing initiative forms part of the city government’s broader efforts to improve the welfare of public servants and address the growing demand for affordable housing in Baybay City.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA/LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

The Ayala Group, through Brigadang Ayala, mobilized 150 volunteers across General Santos City and Sarangani to carry out relief assistance, psychosocial support, school safety assessments, and other recovery efforts. The response followed the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck oA the coast of Mindanao on June 8, devastating communities across Southern Mindanao.

Within 24 hours of the earthquake, Ayala Foundation deployed volunteers to distribute relief packs to families in Purok Balite, Barangay Lagao, General Santos City. The Foundation also conducted rapid assessments to identify priority needs in selected communities.

Ayala Foundation and the WeAreAyala Business Club (WAABC) Davao mobilized more volunteers on June 16 to support expanded relief and recovery operations in South Cotabato and Sarangani Province.

The ongoing Brigadang Ayala operations provided relief food packs to around 6,500 individuals in Barangay Ligaya, General Santos City and Barangay Kawas, Alabel,
Sarangani.

“Brigadang Ayala’s disaster response combines immediate relief with volunteerism, including skilled expertise — supporting LGUs together with local communities and partners to address urgent needs while helping lay the groundwork for recovery and resilience,” said Tony Lambino, President of Ayala Foundation.

Volunteers also provided psychosocial support and community resilience initiatives designed to address the longer-term impacts of the disaster.

Through Project Aruga, a psychosocial intervention initiative for children in evacuation areas, volunteers from the Psychology Community of General Santos came together to support more than 100 children aAected by the earthquake. Volunteers ran activities designed to help children process their experiences, restore a sense of safety, and support their emotional well-being following the disaster.

The response mobilized volunteers from across the Ayala Group, including Alveo, Avida, Ayala Land, Ayala Land Premier, BPI, Globe and MDC.

For many volunteers, the effort was deeply personal. Queenie Miranda-Asensi, Human Resources Officer of MDC Mindanao and a native of General Santos City, joined the relief mission to support communities in her hometown.

“Volunteering for Brigadang Ayala reminds me that even small acts of service can make a big diAerence in people’s lives. Being able to help communities in my hometown during a difficult time made the experience even more meaningful,” she shared.

“We are grateful to every volunteer across the Ayala Group and every partner who showed up with care, compassion, and discipline. Our commitment is to keep working alongside affected communities in Mindanao, supporting them as they recover and rebuild with
dignity and hope,” said Paolo F. Borromeo, Ayala Corporation Chief Social Infrastructure Officer.

As communities continue to recover, Brigadang Ayala remains committed to working alongside local partners, volunteers, and affected families to support rebuilding eAfforts and strengthen community resilience. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – More than 1,400 transport workers across Eastern Visayas will receive temporary employment and wage assistance under the TUPAD Tuloy Pasada 2026 program launched by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices.

The initiative, formally launched by DOLE Regional Office 8 and LTFRB Regional Office 8, seeks to provide immediate financial relief to drivers, conductors, mechanics, and other transport workers whose incomes have been affected by increasing fuel costs amid continuing tensions in the Middle East.

A total of 1,474 beneficiaries from Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, and Eastern Samar have been identified to receive assistance under the program, with DOLE allocating more than P15 million for wages.

Speaking during the launching ceremony, DOLE Regional Director Dax Villaruel said the program demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting workers during periods of economic uncertainty.

“This is a program that represents government commitment to ensure that every worker is taken care of, especially in this time of economic uncertainty,” Villaruel said.

He added that the initiative aligns with the administration’s goal of delivering responsive, inclusive, and people-centered programs that directly address the needs of workers.

TUPAD Tuloy Pasada forms part of the government’s Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport interventions designed to support sectors most vulnerable to fuel price increases while ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of public transportation services.

Under the program, each beneficiary will render six hours of work per day for 20 days and receive a daily wage of P470.

To distinguish participating vehicles, beneficiary-drivers will display tarpaulins bearing the “TUPAD Tuloy Pasada 2026” signage on the front of their units.

Officials said the program not only provides temporary income support but also helps sustain public transportation operations amid rising operating costs faced by transport workers.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)