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Globe and AC mobility drive forward with Hybrid EV fleet partnership

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Globe has taken another decisive step in its journey toward sustainable operations through a partnership with AC Mobility, marking the rollout of 20 Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) for its Field Sales Service Vehicles (FSSVs) by end-2025. The ceremonial launch highlights Globe’s plan to transition nearly 500 vehicles in its fleet to hybrid or fully electric models by 2028.

The move will avoid an estimated 5 million kg of carbon emissions equivalent over the estimated 5-year useful life of the vehicles and generate at least P100 million in fuel savings. Beyond compliance with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), the initiative positions Globe as one of the country’s first major companies to make a substantial commitment to fleet decarbonization.

“Hybrid EVs are not just more efficient to operate and maintain, they also allow us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint,” said Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz. “This roadmap is a powerful example of how a strong business strategy can go hand in hand with environmental responsibility. With partners like AC Mobility and BPI Tokyo Century by our side, we are showing that meaningful change is possible.”

For AC Mobility CEO Jaime Alfonso Antonio Zobel de Ayala, the partnership represents leadership in action. “Globe’s decision to electrify its fleet is not just a purchase, it is a powerful statement of leadership. This is what action looks like, not waiting for the future, but ushering it in today. At AC Mobility, we are committed to enabling this transition with BYD vehicles, charging networks, and digital platforms that make sustainability practical, scalable, and accessible.”

BPI Tokyo Century Rental Corporation President Satoshi Matsuo added: “We are proud to stand alongside Globe and AC Mobility in this important milestone. Financing plays a key role in accelerating the adoption of electrified vehicles. By making sustainable fleet options accessible and practical, we can help companies like Globe achieve their environmental goals while strengthening operational efficiency.”

Globe’s EV roadmap sets clear targets: at least 20 HEVs by 2025, 200 units by 2026, and 300 more by 2028, expanding coverage from Luzon and Visayas to Mindanao as charging infrastructure grows. The first deployment will serve Globe’s B2B Sales and Customer Management teams, with future phases extending to network operations groups.

The partnership builds on Globe’s Net Zero Roadmap, launched in 2021 when it became the first publicly listed Philippine company to have its science-based targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Globe has since launched initiatives such as converting shuttles to EVs with Global Electric Transportation (GET), supporting the Evro charging network through 917Ventures, and enabling employees to shift to electric or hybrid vehicles under its G-Evolution program.

With this new milestone, Globe reinforces its belief that sustainability and sound business can go hand in hand, creating impact for both people and the planet. (PR)

VSU, DPWH collaborate through Lab visit

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Ormoc City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) welcomed 34 third-year Civil Engineering students from the Visayas State University (VSU) Main Campus on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, for an educational tour on construction materials and testing.

The VSU instructors shared that they chose the Leyte 4th DEO for the tour since the district office has complete sets of testing equipment which makes it an ideal venue for students to see their classroom lessons applied in real-world operations.

During the visit, the students were given a guided walkthrough of the Quality Assurance Section’s materials testing laboratory by the section chief Engr. Elmer A. Napoles, materials engineers, and laboratory technicians. Demonstrations were conducted on how equipment like the Digital Compression/Flexural Testing Machine, Rammering Hammer, Triple Beam Junior Balance, and Compaction Mold are used in evaluating the quality of construction materials.

“I hope today’s visit motivates the students as they continue their journey in the engineering field,” said OIC-District Engineer Peter Scheler V. Soco. “We are always glad to open our doors to those who are eager to learn and strengthen partnerships with academic institutions.” (PR)

Borongan City emerges as the next potential premier dive destination in Eastern Visayas

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MAJOR DIVE DESTINATION. The city of Borongan steps up its efforts to become a major diving center in the region with the development of the islands of Ando and Divinubo. A team from the Department of Tourism visited the sites as part of their assessment. (BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
MAJOR DIVE DESTINATION. The city of Borongan steps up its efforts to become a major diving center in the region with the development of the islands of Ando and Divinubo. A team from the Department of Tourism visited the sites as part of their assessment. (BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

TACLOBAN CITY – Borongan City is positioning itself to become the next major dive destination in Eastern Samar—and possibly in the entire Eastern Visayas region—as the Department of Tourism (DOT) steps up efforts to develop the city’s rich and largely untapped underwater resources.

On November 18, 2025, the DOT regional office, together with experts from the DOT–dive committee and applied technical diving and marine solutions, conducted an extensive site assessment around Ando and Divinubo, two off-shore islands known for their scenic coastlines and robust marine ecosystems.

Working in coordination with the Borongan City Tourism Office, the assessment team examined coral cover, marine biodiversity, and environmental conditions to evaluate the city’s readiness for world-class recreational diving.

The inspection forms part of the DOT’s wider strategy to identify and develop market-ready dive sites in Eastern Visayas and to craft a long-term plan anchored on responsible, safe, and sustainable dive tourism.

While the technical report has yet to be finalized, initial findings point to high potential. The dive exploration team noted that Borongan’s underwater seascapes appear to be among the most vibrant and well-preserved in the region—fueling optimism that the city could soon join the Philippines’ growing list of premier dive hubs.

The latest assessment was made possible through collaboration among DOT-8, the City Tourism Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Divinubo Community Resource Management Association (DCRMA), and the barangay councils of Ando and Divinubo.

Borongan first tagged Ando and Divinubo as potential dive sites in 2023 following exploratory surveys conducted by the City Information Office, CDRRMO, Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), Agriculture Office, Tourism Office, and the Philippine Coast Guard.

The city government sees dive tourism as a strategic addition to its tourism portfolio—especially as a year-round attraction that complements Borongan’s established reputation as a surfing destination during peak surf months. Officials believe that diving offers significant opportunities for sustainable development, livelihood generation, and community-based tourism.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

RTWPB orders wage hike for EV workers and kasambahays

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Fishing boats remain docked at the Tacloban City port as the Philippine Coast Guard enforces a no-sailing policy on Monday, Nov.24, due to the threat of tropical depression Verbena. The order temporarily halts sea travel to ensure the safety of fishermen and passengers amid rough seas and worsening weather conditions.(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Fishing boats remain docked at the Tacloban City port as the Philippine Coast Guard enforces a no-sailing policy on Monday, Nov.24, due to the threat of tropical depression Verbena. The order temporarily halts sea travel to ensure the safety of fishermen and passengers amid rough seas and worsening weather conditions.(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

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TACLOBAN CITY —Private sector employees and domestic workers in Eastern Visayas are set to receive salary increases after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB–VIII) approved two new wage orders aimed at cushioning workers from rising living costs and improving income standards in the region.

The wage issuances — Wage Order No. 25 for private sector workers and Wage Order No. 06 for domestic workers — were published in this paper on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Both will take effect 15 days after publication.

Under Wage Order No. RB VIII-25, minimum wage earners in the private sector will receive a P35 increase in daily pay, implemented in two stages to allow employers to adjust.
First tranche will involve a P17/day upon effectivity of the order while the second tranche is P18/day that will take effect on June 1, 2026.

When the full increase takes effect in 2026, the new daily minimum wages will be P470 in the non-agriculture sector and retail/service establishments with more than 10 workers; and P440 in the agriculture, cottage and handicraft sectors, and retail/service establishments with 10 workers or fewer workers.

The board cited economic indicators — including 0.68% regional inflation (Dec 2024–Sept 2025), a poverty threshold of P444 for a family of five, and 6.2% regional economic growth — as basis for granting the increase.

Currently, minimum wage earners in Eastern Visayas receive P405 per day, making the adjustment the first since the previous wage order took effect in 2023.

Meanwhile, Wage Order No.06 mandates new minimum monthly salaries for domestic workers or kasambahays.

In chartered cities & 1st-class municipalities it will be now P6,400 and P5, 800 for other municipalities.

The wage order covers general househelp, babysitters (yayas), cooks, gardeners, and laundry workers. It does not apply to family drivers or service providers hired through recruitment agencies.

Domestic workers in the region currently earn P5,500 to P6,000, depending on their location.

Both wage orders were approved on November 10, 2025,and signed by Atty. Dax Villaruel, DOLE regional director & RTWPB-VIII chairperson and representatives of the workers’ and employers’ sectors

The wage hike comes amid continuing calls from labor groups for adjustments that keep pace with the cost of living, while business groups have cautioned against sudden rates that could strain micro and small enterprises. RTWPB’s staggered implementation is intended to balance both concerns.

JOEY A. GABIETA

Northern Samar’s anti-insurgency model draws national attention as Ilocos delegation benchmarks its peace programs

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TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar’s sustained campaign to end decades-long NPA insurgency — anchored on intensive reintegration programs and community-based peace initiatives — continues to draw nationwide recognition, most recently from the Ilocos Region, whose officials visited the province on Friday, November 21, to learn from its successful model.

The 18-member delegation, led by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Regional Director Paulino Lalata Jr., was composed of E-CLIP committee officials and local government representatives from Region I.

The group studied Northern Samar’s approaches to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and other peacebuilding strategies that have contributed to the steady decline of communist armed activities in the province.

Northern Samar, once among the most affected by NPA presence in Eastern Visayas, has gained national attention for its peace and reintegration programs built on strong collaboration between the provincial government, LGUs, the military, and partner agencies.
A major focus of the benchmarking was the “Balay Darangpan”, a halfway house managed by the provincial government for former rebels. Since opening in 2019, it has assisted more than 200 former combatants through personality development activities, healing and debriefing sessions, livelihood and skills training, and preparation for civilian life.

Vice Governor Clarence Dato, speaking on behalf of Governor Edwin Ongchuan, welcomed the delegation and emphasized the province’s commitment to peace.

“Thank you for placing Northern Samar on your radars. May this visit be just the beginning of future exchanges that will help strengthen the programs of our respective LGUs,” Dato said.

Northern Samar was chosen as a benchmarking site after it was named ‘Best E-CLIP Implementer’ by the National Task Force ELCAC and Balik-Loob earlier this year.

The province’s peace framework also includes the ‘Local Social Integration Program (LSIP)’ — implemented as early as 2011, even before the national E-CLIP was institutionalized — offering socio-economic support and psychological services to former rebels.

Other long-term reintegration programs include the ‘Kauswagan Village’ , a settlement site providing housing for former NPA members and their families.

Delegates from the Ilocos Region included DILG provincial directors from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan, along with representatives from the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, and other E-CLIP stakeholders.

Vice Governor Dato noted that the provincial government intends to sustain its anti-insurgency momentum.

“With Governor Harris leading the way toward peace and reconciliation, our E-CLIP and LSIP programs continue to perform well. We are proud to share our experience so others may learn how to address similar challenges,” he added.

Provincial officials reiterated that these initiatives form part of the government’s long-term effort to ensure that former rebels can rebuild their lives — and that lasting peace can take root in Northern Samar.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

Rep. Acidre stresses law and faith as drivers of women, peace, and security at international forum

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MORAL ROLE OF LAW AND FAITH. Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list group was the guest speaker during the 7th International Forum on Law and Religion wherein he discussed the moral role of law and faith and how religious principles and constitutional law can strengthen democratic participation and support women’s leadership in peace and security.(PHOTO COURTESY)
MORAL ROLE OF LAW AND FAITH. Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list group was the guest speaker during the 7th International Forum on Law and Religion wherein he discussed the moral role of law and faith and how religious principles and constitutional law can strengthen democratic participation and support women’s leadership in peace and security.(PHOTO COURTESY)

TACLOBAN CITY — House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairperson and Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre highlighted the moral role of law and faith in advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda during the 7th International Forum on Law and Religion at the University of the Philippines Bonifacio Global City on Nov. 21, 2025.

Speaking before legal scholars, religious leaders, and peace practitioners from Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Pacific, Acidre explored how religious principles and constitutional law can strengthen democratic participation and support women’s leadership in peace and security. He outlined a “three-fold framework” of conscience, complementarity, and community, emphasizing that faith-based engagement complements democratic institutions and promotes the common good.

Acidre cited the Philippine doctrine of benevolent neutrality, noting how legal frameworks allow religious communities to contribute to public life without undermining pluralism. He stressed that faith plays a vital role in sustaining community support during crises, mediating local conflicts, and empowering women in peacebuilding efforts.

During the forum, Acidre also announced the creation of the Southeast Asia Consortium on Law and Religion Studies (SEACRS), aimed at fostering regional research, policy dialogues, and interfaith collaboration.

He concluded by underscoring that meaningful engagement between law, faith, and public policy strengthens democracy: “When faith finds its rightful place in public life, it unites, liberates, and gives voice—turning belief into service and conviction into compassion.”

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

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