FA-50 fighter jets of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), together with EA-18 Growlers of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), participated in Dissimilar Air Combat Tactics (DACT) and Basic Fighter Maneuvers (BFM) on August 19, 2025, as part of the ongoing Philippines-Australia Amphibious and Land Operations 2025 (PH-AUS Ex-ALON 25).

These combined air operations showcased the PAF’s advancing air combat proficiency and reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing joint interoperability with allies and partners.
Launched on August 15 and running until August 29, Exercise ALON 25 is a bilateral training between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), conducted within the Joint Operational Areas of Northern Luzon Command, AFP (NOLCOM) and Western Command (WESCOM).

The exercise aims to deepen defense cooperation, enhance interoperability, and strengthen joint capabilities in addressing shared security challenges in the region. It also underscores the growing Philippines-Australia strategic partnership, with defense and security as vital pillars. (PR)

BORONGAN CITY-PhilHealth-Borongan City Local Health Insurance Office has launched the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), highlighting its GAMOT benefit or Guaranteed and Accessible Medication for Outpatient Treatment, which grants members up to P20,000 worth of free medicines every year.

During the press conference held recently, PhilHealth officials announced that all members enrolled in YAKAP can access 53 free medicines under GAMOT, including antimicrobials, antithrombotics, anti-asthmatics and COPD medications, anti-dyslipidemia drugs, antidiabetics, antihypertensives, cardiology medicines, and others. By 2026, PhilHealth expects to expand this list to 75 medicines with the inclusion of 22 more drugs.

To avail of the GAMOT benefit, members must be enrolled in the YAKAP Program through the eGov application, consult a primary care physician for medical assessment, and secure a prescription with a Unique Prescription Security Code (UPSC). The prescription, along with a valid government ID, can then be presented at any accredited GAMOT facility.

PhilHealth emphasized that the benefit is free of charge for registered members, provided that their membership and dependents’ records are updated.(PIA-EASTERN SAMAR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has inspected the ongoing “Reinforcement of the Lo-om River Flood Protection System and Redevelopment for Resilient Communities and Livelihoods,” a P118-million climate resilience project in Borongan City funded through the People’s Survival Fund (PSF).

DBP’s Victor Stephen Cabrera led the site visit along Lo-om River and Barangay San Gabriel, joined by Borongan city officials to assess progress on infrastructure aimed at reducing flood risks and strengthening community resilience.

Launched on March 27, 2025, the project is among only five nationwide approved by the PSF Board out of 355 applications. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally turned over the funding in November 2023.

The initiative focuses on reforestation, disaster risk reduction, livelihood support, and infrastructure development. It is jointly implemented by five Borongan LGU offices, including the City Engineering Office and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda said the project will significantly benefit low-lying and flood-prone communities, emphasizing its role in climate adaptation.

The People’s Survival Fund, created under Republic Act 10174, provides grants to LGUs for climate change adaptation projects that prioritize transparency and participatory governance.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

NAVAL, Biliran – A 34-year-old man identified as a new drug personality was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Bernardes 2 Village, Barangay Atipolo, Naval, on Tuesday afternoon, August 19.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Val,” who yielded one sachet of suspected shabu during the transaction. A body search, conducted in the presence of witnesses, led to the recovery of three more sachets of suspected shabu and the marked P500 bill used in the operation.

The suspect faces charges for violating RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and is currently detained at the Naval Municipal Police Station.(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – Residents of Barangay Alegria in Julita, Leyte, expressed gratitude to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the completion of a P5.8-million road concreting project that now provides safer and easier access to nearby communities.
Barangay leader Marionito Adonis said the improved road is a big relief for farmers and traders. “Before, the road was rough and full of potholes. It was difficult for us who transport rice, copra, and bananas. Even small businesses were affected,” he shared.

The project, implemented by the DPWH Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO), involved a 0.20 mm-thick Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) covering 2,627.63 square meters, along with pipe culverts and stone masonry works for better drainage and durability. It was funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act and completed in the first quarter of 2025 by YFL Builders.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura emphasized the economic benefits of the project, noting that better road access will reduce transport costs and make it easier for residents to deliver goods. The new road connects Brgy.Alegria to Brgy. Balante and provides safer access to neighboring villages like Tolosahay and Sto. Niño.

DPWH-L2DEO is also implementing five more road projects in nearby areas to improve mobility and access to basic services across Julita.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)