FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City—The Philippine Army (PA) and the Megaworld Corporation formalized the “PA-Megaworld “Pag-Alab” Program Partnership aimed at igniting Filipino nationalism and patriotism, volunteerism, and social responsibility towards a united, resilient, and developed nation, in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing at the Alliance Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, on January 22, 2025.

“The Philippine Army believes that peace and development are two sides of the same coin. We believe that for our nation to thrive, both must go hand in hand. As part of this commitment, we engage with the private sectors such as Megaworld to promote nationalism, unity, and patriotism. We believe your media platforms can significantly contribute to shaping the nation in attaining national resiliency which is good for business and investments,” the Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido said during the MOU signing.

“We look forward to working with Megaworld to inform, educate, and inspire our citizens—working hand in hand to build a better, stronger future for the Philippines,” he added.
Megaworld Corporation President, Ms. Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso who signed the agreement on behalf of the company, thanked the Philippine Army for supporting the company’s environmental and sustainability initiatives. The Megaworld President also lauded the Army’s commitment to assisting their nation-building programs which align with the Army’s dedication not only to national security but also to environmental stewardship and community development.

“We will ensure that the messages and information products of the Philippine Army about love for country and patriotism will become prominent in all of Megaworld’s townships, lifestyle cinemas, LED Walls, and other available platforms,” the Megaworld President, said.
It can be noted that Megaworld currently has 20 lifestyle malls in key urban centers across the country. It also develops large-scale, mixed-use, planned communities incorporating residential, commercial, educational, and leisure components and is the biggest township developer in the country.

Lt. Gen. Galido expressed his gratitude to Megaworld for the opportunity to enter into a collaborative partnership with the Army. Beyond the public affairs program partnership, several partnership opportunities were also tackled such as Army base and estate development, and employment for retiring Army personnel.(PR)

TACLOBAN CITY– Twenty-one disaster-stricken homeowners from Leyte and Tacloban recently received cash relief assistance from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Regional Office VIII.

As highlight of their 6th year anniversary, DHSUD VIII distributed P210,000 worth of cash assistance under the agency’s Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP).
This is a one-time, unconditional cash assistance of P30,000 provided to families whose houses are totally damaged; while, P10,000 given to those with partially-damaged shelters due to calamity, either man-made or natural.

Grateful beneficiaries said the assistance will help them go through recovery and rehabilitation and build back a sense of normalcy and stability in their lives after disaster.
All the beneficiaries in the recent distribution were affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Kristine in October which caused widespread damage leaving thousands of families from different provinces in the country with destroyed homes.

Under this emergency assistance program, DHSUD extends shelter assistance to beneficiaries whose houses are damaged or destroyed by disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, landslides, and fires.

DHSUD VIII Regional Director Michael Victor Tezon said during the Kapihan sa PIA that DHSUD ensures to stay at the frontline of disaster response both at national and local levels and to immediately aid families to rebuild their homes.

“When others help are in the form of food assistance or clothing, with DHSUD we would like to assist those disaster-affected to rebuild homes, as it is really hard to lose homes that provide safe shelter for their families,” Tezon said.

He added that the program will further develop into providing beneficiaries with actual building materials such as GI Sheets, plyboards and others and not just cash assistance.
Launched in February 2024, the IDSAP has already distributed P2.44 million cash assistance to 155 beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas who were affected by fires and Typhoons Aghon, Enteng and Kristine in 2024.

(AHLETTE C. REYES/PIA-8)

TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Northern Samar has provided P1.12 million in financial and livelihood assistance to 28 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) currently housed at Balay Darangpan, a halfway house established to support their reintegration into society.

Each beneficiary, who returned to the fold of the law, received P40,000 under the Local Social Integration Program, which includes financial aid, livelihood training, firearm remuneration, and other social services.

This marks the 8th batch of former rebels assisted through Balay Darangpan, which is located in Catarman, since its inception.

Vice Governor Clarence Dato led the distribution of assistance, joined by members of the Provincial Task Force Balik Loob (PTF-BL), including representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army, the Provincial Legal Office, and faith-based organizations.

The provincial government aims to foster lasting peace and stability in Northern Samar by helping former rebels transition to civilian life and become productive members of their communities.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY-A female drug personality who is listed as a high-valued individual in the PNP drug watchlist was apprehended by operatives led by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of Southern Leyte Police Office and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the local police during a buy-bust operation at about 5:18 pm on February 10, in Brgy. Talisay, Bontoc, Southern Leyte.

The suspect, said to be ranked number 6 in the regional priority target list, was identified as alias “Malyn,” 53, single, businesswoman and a resident of Brgy. Talisay, said town.
Recovered from her possession was one sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu procured by an operative for P500.

During the conduct of a body search done in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, the searching cop recovered another one more sachet containing the same white crystalline substances also suspected to be shabu, and cash amounting to P4,197.00 in different denominations, and one P500 bill which is the buy-bust money used in the operation.

The suspect was informed of the nature of her arrest and was apprised of her constitutional right through the Miranda Doctrine in a language he understood and spoke.

Charges of Violations of Secs. 5 (selling illegal drugs) & 11 (possessing illegal drugs) of Art. II of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002 was already filed at the Provincial Prosecutors Office against the suspect who is temporarily detained at the locked-up cell Bontoc MPS.
(ROBERT DEJON)