Globe is extending free call, text and data services to customers in Turkeye after a massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern part of the country and northern Syria.
This will allow Globe customers to use its roaming services to connect with and update their loved ones on their status in the wake of the deadly quake.

“We understand how connectivity is of utmost importance to our customers in the wake of the massive quake in Turkey. We wish to provide them assistance so they could reach out and communicate with their loved ones back home at this difficult time,” said Coco Domingo, Globe VP for Postpaid and International Business.

Globe is extending 15 minutes of incoming and outgoing calls, 15 texts to all networks, and 1GB data (whichever service is currently available) good for 7 days at no extra cost. To avail of these free-roaming services, customers only need to connect to Globe’s roaming partners Turk Telekom and Turkcell.

Registration is not needed as the goodwill offer will be automatically provided to Globe customers detected in Turkey. A confirmation message will be sent advising them that the free roaming offer is ready for use.

To make a call, dial “+”+ country code + area code + telephone number (ex. +63773101212) or dial “+” + country code + mobile number (ex. +639171234567). To send a text, type “+”+ country code + mobile number (ex. +639171234567).

To use the free 1GB data allocation, simply turn on mobile data and data roaming on your phone’s settings, and set the network connection to 3G or LTE. Postpaid customers are encouraged to only turn on their mobile data and data roaming once they have received the activation message.

One of the strongest temblors to hit the region in a century, the quake struck early Monday and has left thousands dead, with the death toll still rising. According to news reports, buildings and other infrastructure collapsed across the region, triggering chaotic search and rescue operations.

For additional information on Globe’s Roaming services, visit www.globe.com.ph/international/roaming. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY-Some 14 barangay chairmen and representatives from Area 3 barangays committed on Thursday, February 9, to support the solid waste management program of the city government.

During the meeting held at the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) Conference Room, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Jonathan R. Hijada presented the SWM initiatives that will be piloted in the following barangays: 79, 81, 82, 83, 83-B, 83-C, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, and 83-A.

The initiatives include the daily collection of trash in said barangay, which is scheduled as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday for biodegradable (madurunot) wastes; Tuesday for recyclable (mabaraligya) garbage; and Thursday for residual (igharapil) trash.
As agreed during the meeting, the daily collection of garbage, based on the schedule, will commence on Friday, February 10, 2023.

A no-collection policy for unsegregated waste was also decided during the meeting to compel the residents of said barangays to sort out their trash as mandated by the city ordinance and RA 9003, s. 2000, which identifies the LGU as the primary responsible for the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

On December 1, 2022, the Department of Interior and Local Government issued a regional memorandum reiterating the strict implementation of said laws, among other measures in LGUs (including barangay LGUs).

The gathering also highlighted the commitment signed by the barangay officials as an indication of their strong support for the clean and green efforts of the local government unit.

Barangay 85 San Jose Chairman Salvador Santiago welcomed the development, saying it would be good for the barangays and communities as a whole.

“Maupay gud ine para hiton syudad, para hiton aton health ngan kalibungan. Magigin trabaho ine hit City ngan barangay, upod an komunidad. Dire ine para ha iba nga tawo kundi para ha aton amo nga magburublig kita,” he said.

Also present during the meeting were representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Environmental Management Bureau.
(HJ ROCA/TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

TACLOBAN CITY– A member of the communist armed group, the New People’s Army (NPA), surrendered to the government while another rebel was arrested, both in Samar province.

‘Ka James’, 44, surrendered on Sunday (Feb.12) before the police in Basey, Samar, and turned over two Caliber 38 firearms with seven ammunitions.

The surrendered rebel was said to belong to the Regional Guerilla Unit headed by ‘Ka Adong’ under the South Samar 2 (SS2) operating in the areas of Sta. Rita, Basey, and Marabut, all in Samar; and other municipalities of Eastern Samar.

It was learned that Ka James decided to abandon the armed group due to difficulties living in the mountains and the campaign of the government persuading the rebels to surrender and enjoy the programs for those returning to the folds of the law.

Meantime, police arrested alias ‘Ka Dadang’, 34 in Barangay Pulangi, Calbiga, Samar, also on Sunday.

Dadang’s arrest was by virtue of a warrant issued by a court in 2010 for murder and attempted murder which was in relation to her being a member of the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Dadang’s group was said to solely operate in Calbiga, known then to be a communist lair.
“She did not resist when she was being arrested. Ka Dadang is now detained in our lock-up facility and had just undergone a medical check-up. She is treated here well as her husband and three children could visit her, freely,” a police officer of Calbiga, who declined to be named being unauthorized, said in a phone interview.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

Manila-The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines invites senior high school (grade 11) students to join the 2023 U.S. Embassy College Prep Program, a personalized mentorship and support initiative for young Filipinos interested in applying to colleges and universities in the United States.

The College Prep Program offers extensive advising and resources for prospective students, including an in-person summer application boot camp, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Test (ACT) training, and guidance on selecting college programs and scholarships.

Filipino senior high school students with excellent grades, active participation in extracurricular activities, leadership potential, and a family income of less than Php 1.25 million per year are eligible to apply to this 18-month virtual program. Interested participants must submit their application on or before February 10, 2023 through the following link: https://educationusaph.org/CollegePrepProgram-Application.

The U.S. Embassy College Prep Program was launched in 2022 with a cohort of 11 students. To date, two out of the 11 students have received full scholarships to their top college choice while others have been accepted to American colleges under partial scholarships. Among them is scholar Carl Audric Guia, who recently received admission and a full tuition scholarship to his top-choice school, the University of Notre Dame.

“I started to take an interest in studying in the United States when I was in the 10th grade, but as a public high school student, I did not have a lot of opportunities to become familiar with the application process,” Guia said. “The College Prep Program came at the right time—I met hands-on advisers who helped me choose best-fit colleges, prepare for standardized tests, edit essays, and much more.”

EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 430 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories. The network promotes U.S. higher education to students worldwide, offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about educational opportunities at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States. EducationUSA also provides services to the U.S. higher education community to help institutional leaders meet their recruitment and campus internationalization goals. (PR)