TACLOBAN CITY — The city government of Borongan is stepping up its climate resilience initiatives after joining an international training program on climate adaptation technologies organized by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Seoul, South Korea from May 25 to 29, 2026.

The five-day program brought together local government representatives from the Philippines to enhance knowledge and skills on climate change adaptation, innovation, and sustainable environmental planning.

Borongan City was represented by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, City Environment and Natural Resources Office Head Forester Jojito Acla, and City Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Maria Anne Lopez, following an invitation under KOICA’s Philippine Climate Resilient Cities Project.

During the training, the Borongan delegation presented its ongoing and proposed climate initiatives, including the project titled “Strengthening Borongan City’s Capacity for Sustainable Integrated Water Resource Management and Climate-Smart Agriculture.”
The proposed initiative aims to improve water resource management systems, strengthen climate-smart agriculture practices, and explore renewable energy solutions such as small-scale hydropower development. It also seeks to enhance irrigation systems and optimize river resources to help ensure stable water supply for communities.

The training included expert-led discussions on climate adaptation strategies, case study presentations, peer learning sessions, action planning workshops, and field visits to key Korean environmental facilities such as the Nowon Eco Center and the Han River Flood Control Office.

Mayor Agda underscored the urgency of proactive climate action, particularly for local government units in the Philippines that remain highly vulnerable to typhoons and other extreme weather events.

“We, the local government units of the Philippines, must be adaptive—we have to be proactive. That’s the most essential part of preventing the damage that climate change threatens to bring to each region,” Agda said.

He also encouraged fellow LGU leaders to pursue stronger investments in climate resilience programs to safeguard communities and ensure long-term sustainable development.
The city government said its participation in the KOICA training reflects Borongan’s continuing commitment to environmental sustainability, innovation, and climate adaptation, as it seeks to build a more resilient future for its residents.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ON its 62nd year, the Philippine Press Institute – the national association of newspapers and online publications – celebrates its milestone of trailblazing initiatives that benefit not just its members but the very communities they serve.

As digital innovations present both challenges and opportunities in terms of how news is produced and consumed, PPI tackles this transformative shift with twin goals – maintaining credibility amid a wave of disinformation and misinformation, and achieving sustainability through expanded revenue streams.

From June 4 to 6 at the Lucky Chinatown Hotel in Manila, PPI will hold its General Membership Meeting, Community Press Awards, National Press Forum, and PPI Media-Citizen Councils Roundtable Discussion.

The Community Press Awards, supported by PPI’s long-time institutional partner Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC), will be graced by Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Moreno Domagoso. It will be followed by a fellowship dinner hosted by Megaworld Corporation, led by Mr. Harold Geronimo, First Vice President of Corporate Communications and Media Affairs.

The Community Press Awards will recognize journalism excellence of community media for the following categories: Best News Website, Best in Photojournalism, Best in Environmental Reporting, Best in Business and Economic Reporting, Best Editorial Page, and Best Edited Community Newspaper.

Finalists for Weekly Category include Baguio Chronicle, Herald Express, MetroPost, Mindanao Cross, Mindanao Observer, and Pahayagang Balikas; while the Daily Category finalists include Daily Guardian, Panay News, Sunstar Daily Cebu, Sunstar Daily Davao, and Sunstar Daily Pampanga.

Finalists for the Best News Website category are Baguio Chronicle, Herald Express and Palawan News for Luzon; Sunstar Cebu, The Freeman and The Visayan Daily Star for Visayas; and Mindanews and Sunstar Davao for Mindanao.

The National Press Forum will focus on the new challenges and opportunities in the ever-evolving media landscape. Mr. Jose Bayani D. Baylon, NAC Senior Vice President – Sustainability, Risk Management and Corporate Affairs; Chief Sustainability Officer; and Chief Risk Officer will deliver the keynote address.

Media advisor Jaemark Tordecilla, who has worked with dozens of newsrooms around the world on AI systems and newsroom innovation, will lead the lecture and hands-on workshop on AI use for community newsrooms.

The PPI Media-Citizen Councils Roundtable Discussion will gather heads from the 14 MCCs across the country to discuss pressing issues within their respective communities. The PPI’s 62nd anniversary is also being supported by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, SM Prime, SM Investments, Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation, Shell Pilipinas Corporation, Japan Tobacco International, Meralco, Veterans Bank, Mondelez International Inc., and Neitiviti Studios.

A special supplement marking this milestone event to be published in Manila Standard is also supported City of Parañaque, City of Manila, Presidential Communications Office, PCSO, Prime Infra, Toyota Motor Philippines, Cebu Pacific, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines, Shell Pilipinas Corporation, Apex Mining, Camella Homes, Pag-IBIG, Maynilad and Metrobank.

PADRE BURGOS, Southern Leyte — Stakeholders from the tourism, fishing, environmental, and government sectors gathered in Southern Leyte to strengthen cooperation in protecting Sogod Bay’s marine resources while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

The dialogue took place during the closing of the dive conversation, one of the highlights of the three-day Sogod Bay Underwater Experience organized to promote sustainable dive tourism and marine conservation initiatives in the area.

In her message, Department of Tourism (DOT) Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes thanked local government officials, barangay leaders, fisherfolk, dive resort owners, tourism stakeholders, environmental groups, academe representatives, media practitioners, and national government agencies for participating in the discussions.

“Dive tourism and marine conservation are closely connected. Divers travel from different places because they want to experience healthy reefs and thriving marine life. This is why protecting our seas also supports tourism and local livelihoods,” Tiopes said.

Tiopes described the gathering as an open and inclusive platform where stakeholders were encouraged to share experiences, concerns, and recommendations regarding the future of Sogod Bay and its dive tourism industry.

She emphasized that communities surrounding the bay have long depended on the sea for food, livelihood, culture, and survival, with fishing sustaining families for generations.
At the same time, Tiopes acknowledged the continuing challenge of balancing economic needs with environmental protection to ensure that marine resources remain available for future generations.

The DOT regional director stressed that meaningful discussions among communities, tourism operators, and government agencies are essential in building a shared understanding of how individual actions impact marine ecosystems over time.

She also expressed hope that insights shared during the event demonstrate how dive tourism in other destinations has successfully supported both conservation efforts and local livelihoods through collaboration among communities and local governments.

Tiopes highlighted the ecological significance of Sogod Bay, citing its rich marine biodiversity, healthy coral reefs, and unique dive sites that continue to attract divers from different parts of the country and abroad.

She likewise recognized that fishing remains a primary source of livelihood for many families in Southern Leyte, emphasizing that the goal is not to choose between conservation and livelihood, but to achieve a sustainable balance between the two.

“This is why what we are really aiming for is balance — ensuring that our seas continue to provide for our needs today while remaining healthy enough to sustain future generations,” Tiopes added.

Tiopes also encouraged stakeholders to commit to practical and meaningful actions such as responsible fishing, coral reef protection, improved tourism operations, and support for sound environmental policies and governance.

“If we each take one small step that we can truly commit to, then together those steps can create meaningful change,” she said.

Meanwhile, guest speaker Sedfrey Cabaluna underscored the importance of collaboration among local governments, communities, and the dive sector in protecting marine ecosystems.

“The local government, the community, and the dive community need to work hand in hand on this matter,” Cabaluna said.

He added that communities should better understand how healthy reefs directly affect livelihoods, families, and future generations.

“People may only see the beauty of the coral cover. We can talk about percentages such as 40 percent or 80 percent coral cover, but communities may not fully appreciate that kind of language. We need to help them understand the implications of having healthy reefs and how these directly affect their livelihood, their families, their children, and their future,” he added.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)