In the hustle and bustle of city life, Tita Mendeja’s sari-sari store serves as a proof to her perseverance and dedication. Many Filipinos, in pursuit of better employment and opportunities, leave their provincial homes behind to seek fortune in vibrant urban areas like Metro Manila.

Tita was no different. After completing her high school education, she moved into the city with high hopes of providing a better life for her family. Her journey began as a bakery shopkeeper, where destiny introduced her to her future husband, a master baker. Together, they built a life enriched by love and stability.

However, a sudden turn of events happened when her husband died in 1993, leaving her and their children. Making the tough decision to send her children to study in the province,  Tita took up work as a house helper in the city. The life of a single mother, coupled with increasing bills, was a challenging one.

It was not long before she quit her job as a housemaid since her boss had to migrate abroad. She refused to go along with her boss abroad when she was offered the job as she does not want to miss every special occasion of her children.

Fortunately, her relatives in Manila were kind enough to allow them to stay in the area where they lived. Tita then decided to venture into a sari-sari store to earn a living. With CARD Bank’s support, a microfinance-oriented rural bank, she was able to put up a modest store which she was able to expand over time, enabling her to send her youngest to college.

“Because of hard work, perseverance, and the support of CARD Bank, I was able to make ends meet and support the studies of my kids,” Tita said.

Tita’s ability to bounce back from challenges paid off, leading to a thriving business. Indeed, success comes when your hard work is rooted in supporting your dearest  family.

In a groundbreaking move, CARD Bank, Inc. a microfinance-oriented rural bank under CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), opened the Philippine’s first licensed Islamic bank in Cotabato City on January 22, 2024. This event is an important milestone in providing inclusive financial services to the local Muslim community.

As of September 23, 2023, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reveals that a significant section of unbanked communities comes from Mindanao, particularly the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The establishment of this Islamic branch aims to serve the unbanked and underbanked population to strengthen the economy of the Muslim-dominated region while providing ethical Shariah-compliant financial services.

Key officers from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, BARMM Government, Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI), and local government officials, who attended the grand opening, expressed their full support for CARD Bank’s commitment to diversify its services and meet the financial needs of the entire community.

According to Mohamad Omar Pasigan, Chairman of the Bangsamoro Board of Investment, “This day marks a significant milestone in the banking sector across the Philippines. BARMM takes pride in the opening of the first-ever Islamic Bank in the country. After extensive deliberations and numerous series of meetings, we have turned this vision into reality. I hope this is just the beginning, and we will continue to expand to other Islamic cities.”

In addition, Atty. Normina Datadacula, the Manager of Islamic Banking Supervisory Group of BSP said, “Today’s event truly marks another milestone in the country’s commitment to developing the Islamic finance ecosystem. Since the enactment of the Islamic Banking Law, the BSP has laid down the regulatory reforms to promote the growth of Islamic Banking in the Philippines, and CARD Bank has responded to the demands of times. As you begin your Islamic banking journey, rest assured that the BSP will be your steadfast partner, continuously issuing and enabling regulation to expand Islamic banking and finance in the country. May this opening ceremony be an impetus of more great things to come.”

Islamic banking and finance are inclusive, offering much-needed financial products and services to help Muslim communities start and expand their enterprises and livelihoods. This move by CARD Bank is anticipated to inspire other financial institutions to explore providing diverse financial options to Muslim communities.

Islamic Banking for Financial Inclusion

The new Islamic branch strictly adheres to Shariah-compliant banking principles, offering a wide range of financial products and services aligned with Islamic finance principles. This includes Wadiah Deposits accounts such as Wadiah Basic Savings, Wadiah Regular Savings, and Wadiah ATM Savings, Term Investment Deposit under “Mudharabah”, Micro-Agri Financing and Micro-Enterprise Financing under “Murabahah” or “Musharakah” contract, Supplemental Commodity Financing under “Murabahah 2”, all in compliance with Islamic finance law.

According to CARD Bank President and CEO Ms. Marivic M. Austria, “CARD Bank’s strategic move to open an Islamic banking branch aims to provide the Muslim community in Cotabato City and BARMM with accessible and culturally sensitive financial solutions. This initiative aligns with the goal of promoting financial inclusion and creating opportunities for economic empowerment of all people, irrespective of their faith and belief.”

Collaboration with Islamic Financial Experts

To ensure the seamless integration of Islamic banking practices, CARD Bank collaborated with experienced Islamic financial consultants. Its staff and key officers underwent training in Indonesia to understand and implement the correct principles of Islamic banking and financing.

This collaboration with Islamic law experts ensures that  CARD Bank’s delivery of high-quality financial products and services is responsive to the needs of Muslim communities and at the same time, respectful of their culture and beliefs.

Islamic Branch and Technology

The Islamic branch of CARD Bank is located in Sinsuat Avenue, Rosary Heights VI9600, Cotabato City.  The bank’s design is culturally sensitive,  with an Islamic prayer room that clients may conveniently use for contemplation and worship. It is also equipped with the latest technologies to provide an efficient banking experience. Clients can expect digital banking services, including the mobile banking application konek2CARD, which enables them to manage accounts and conduct transactions easily using their Android mobile phones.

Community Impact and Economic Growth

More than 1,000 clients from CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO)’s Paglambo Project, a Shariah-inspired microfinancing program, are transitioning to the CARD Bank Islamic Branch’s banking products and services.

The opening of this Islamic Branch is expected to stimulate the local economy. As explained by CARD MRI Managing Director Mr. Aristeo A. Dequito, “By providing financial services tailored to the needs of the Muslim community, we aim to contribute to the overall development of Cotabato City and the Bangsamoro region.”

The community has warmly accepted the new Islamic branch of CARD Bank in their area. Parida Blah, a CARD client for 11 years, remarked: “We express our gratitude to Allah for providing us with the wonderful opportunity to have CARD Bank in Cotabato City. We take great pride in the fact that we now have this institution. At present, we are confident that the funds being utilized are halal. I am proud to be associated with CARD, as it has enabled me to build my own house and start my own sewing business.”

Looking Ahead

The opening of CARD Bank’s first Islamic Branch extends equal opportunities for all to improve their lives through much-needed financial services.

According to CARD MRI Founder and Chair Emeritus and CARD Bank Chairperson Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, “The opening of this Islamic Branch reflects the commitment of the entire organization to promoting financial inclusion, strengthening MSMEs, and ultimately ending poverty in the country.”

CARD Bank’s first Islamic branch marks a significant step towards promoting financial inclusion and cultural sensitivity in the banking sector. The bank looks forward to serving more Muslim communities and contributing to the region’s economic upliftment. “This opening is just the beginning. We will continue to expand to reach more Muslim communities in the country, ensuring that everyone has access to equal opportunities for progress,” said Dr. Alip.

Aside from the Islamic Branch, CARD Bank is also expected to open Branch-lite Units (BLUs) following Islamic principles to provide banking services to the neighboring towns of Cotabato City.

About CARD Bank

CARD Bank is the largest microfinance-oriented rural bank in the country, serving over 4 million individuals nationwide. Last year, it opened its 100th historic branch in Manila.

It provides a wide range of banking products and services to empower microentrepreneurs in the country. In addition to financial services, CARD Bank also provides community development services such as health, livelihood, education, and scholarship programs.

CARD Bank’s commitment to providing diverse and inclusive financial services reaffirms its position as a leader in the microfinance industry, dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of Filipino communities. To learn more about CARD Bank, visit its Facebook page, @CARDBankOfficial.

CITY OF MALOLOS–Mayor Christian Natividad continue to express dismay and frustration the 125^th anniversary celebration of the January 23, 1899 First Philippine Republic is only a Bulacan-declared non-working holiday but which should be a nationwide non-working holiday for all the Filipino people to stop for a day what they are doing and remember the most historic and glorious moment in our country’s freedom and independence.

Natividad in a media interview on Thursday expressed elation that it was President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who led the celebration this year of the First Philippine Republic held on Tuesday at Barasoain church, where it unfolds 125 years ago together with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and other high ranking officials of the country.

But the mayor said his happiness was painted with gloom, frustration and dismay because only a few people remembered and celebrated the First Philippine Republic Day and still, the rest of the Filipino people continue not to recognize its significant contribution to the freedom and independence we enjoy today as a nation.

According to Natividad, he is concerned that the celebration and commemoration of the First Philippine Republic will just stop in the level of the top leaders of the country and will not cascade to all the Filipinos.

“It is both with happiness yet sadness, dismay, discontentment and dissatisfaction,” the mayor said.

He again amplify his sentiments that while the country annually observes the Chinese New Year (during the third-fourth week of January or until first weeks of February), as a non-working holiday, the First Philippine Republic held on January 23, 1899 which was the actual day the country stood as a free nation, because it already has its own constitution, its own laws of the land, had not been taught to all the Filipinos and had not been celebrated as a nationwide non-working holiday,” the mayor said.

“The First Philippine Republic Day is the most important day for every Filipino because we were called the Filipino nation.  This is the most historic and the  mother of all days. This is the pinnacle of all the sacrifices of our heroes, Marcelo del Pilar, the Ladia revolt, Lapu-lapu, Gregorio del Pilar, our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, even Gen. Isidorro Torres. I will repeat myself every now and then even a thousand times, my call for this very heroic day in all the lives of the Filipino people. We should give due recognition to the value, pride and dignity given to each and everyone of us by the First Philippine Republic. Let us pause for a day, let us stop doing whatever we are doing because we remember the day we became known to the world as a free and democratic nation, with our executive, legislative and  the laws of the land, we are a genuine nation. This is our birthday being a Filipino. For more than 300 years, we were just called the Filipino race, but because of the Philippine Republic, we are called the citizens of the Republic of the Philippines. We have our own identity and we have a government,’ the mayor added.

“Masyadong mahalaga ang pagpalit ng calendaryo ng mga Intsitk, wala tayong against them, sa China na sila mag-holiday. Pero sige nga nga, ok na. Pero ipatas man lang natin, huwag na lang angatan. Kelan pa natin masasabi na mahal natin ang pagka-Pilipino natin kung hindi mabibigyan ng importansiya ang araw na tayo ay talagang isinilang bilang isang malayang bansa. Tayong mga Pilipino ay mahigit 300 taong inapi, ginahasa ang ating yaman at ng mapatunayan na nating kaya na nating ipagmalaki ang ating bansa dahil kaya na nating tumindig sa sarili nating paa bilang isang malayang bansa, tayong mga Pilipino ay hindi natin ito kinikilala at hindi natin ito pinapahalagahan. Kailan ito kikilalanin ng bawat isang Pilipino, “ (The change of calendar of the Chinese are given much importance. They should celebrate in CHina. But then, let us agree to that. But at least, the celebration of the First Philippine Republic on January 23 be similarly observed as a non-working holiday. When can we say that we love our nation, our being Filipinos if we could not give due importance to this day, the day we was born as a free nation. We Filipinos were suppressed, oppressed and our natural wealth were abused for more than 300 years, and on the day we have proven that we are already a free nation, we cannot remember, give due honor and celebrate it. When would each of the Filipino people will recognize and remember it), the mayor lamented.

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo led delegates from all over the country in the ratification inside the Barasoain Church on January 23, 1899 of the Malolos Constitution that they first crafted on September 15, 1898 during the Malolos Congress also held inside the Barasoain Church.

The independence of the country following the June 12, 1898 declaration of Philippine Independence was deemed incomplete until the country’s constitution was crafted and ratified through the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899 at the historic Barasoain church.

Natividad said the Republic Act (RA) No. 11014,an Act declaring January 23 of every year a special working holiday in the entire country to commemorate the declaration of the First Philippine Republic approved into law in 2018 and filed by former Bulacan First District Jonathan Sy-Alvarado is not enough. He said, the First Philippine Republic Day should be a non-working holiday.

Despite the existing RA No. 11014, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), other concerned government national and even local agencies had not created noise or any programs to celebrate and let the public remember the First Philippine Republic Day.  

Celebration at Barasoain church

The President led this year’s 125h commemoration and celebration of the Republic Day through a flag raising and wreath laying ceremony held in front of the monument of Aguinaldo at the grounds of the Barasoain church.

He was welcomed by Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando, Natividad and was also joined by Zubiri, Romualdez, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., NHCP Director Emmanuel Franco Calairo and Barasoain church Parish Priest Domingo Salonga.

The Philippine Army also fired a 21-gun salute in honor of the First Philippine Republic.

Marcos speech

Marcos then  on a red carpet made his way inside the Barasoain Church for the program and led all the other officials waiting for him inside the Barasoain church

Adorned with Philippine flags, as a sort of re-enactment of the scene in the actual Philippine Republic inauguration 125 years ago, Marcos delivers a 10-minute speech.

According to the President, because of the Malolos Congress and the Philippine Republic, a new nation was made that showed the world that the country is ruled by law.

He said that the Filipino people were fully liberated and although the world was sceptical they can stand on their own, the Philippine Republic erases that doubt.  

“We will continue today with our forefathers who were behind the Philippine Republic and this is what makes our democracy stable, our future secure and our nation strong.  That is the only way we could only honor our forefathers  who established the Philippine Republic,” the President said in his speech.

“Isinasabuhay natin taun-taon ang kadakilaan ang diwa ng Malolos Congress at ng Philippine Republic. Buhay na buhay sa ating puso ang kanilang ipinakitang kagitingan. Sa ngayon, sa kabila ng patuloy na mga pagsubok sa ating lipunan katulad ng sakit, kalamidad, makakaasa kayong lahat na kasama ninyo ang pamahalaang nasyunal laban sa iba’t ibang pang-aabuso, boses na handang magtanggol para sa lahat at higit sa lahat, may puso, para sa bawat isa. Patuloy nating pag-ibayuhin ang pag-ibig natin sa ating bayan para sa lalo pang mga pagpapala sa ating Bagong Pilipinas,” the President said.

Bulacan governor

According Fernando, the Philippine Republic brings great honor and pride to the Filipino race and its 125th milestone celebration this year relives each and every Filipino’s great pride and dignity.

“Isang malaking karangalan para sa bawat isang Pilipino na tayo ay kinilalang isang bansa dahil sa kadakilaan ng Raw na ito, ang Raw ng Unang Republika ng Pilipinas na dito sa Lalawigan ng Bulacan isinilang,” the governor added.

NHCP recognition

The First Philippine Republic, established after the adoption of the Malolos Constitution of 1899, was Asia’s First Constitutional Republic that served as an inspiration for other Asiatic republics. The Republic replaced the Revolutionary Government created by President Emilio Aguinaldo 18 and 23 June 1898 decrees after the proclamation of Philippine Independence from the Spanish Empire on 12 June 1898. It lasted from January 1899 until Aguinaldo was captured by American Forces during the Philippine-American War in Palanan, Isabela on 22 March 1901, according to the NHCP.

The milestone is part of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood 2023-2026 which commemorates the events that led up to the Independence and the development of our nation from 1989 to 1901. President Marcos previously enjoined the nation to participate in the commemoration through Administrative Order No. 8, s. 2023 with the NHCP as the Chair of the National Steering Committee, the NHCP also said.

According to Calairo, the celebration reminds us of the freedom brought by the nationalism and the reforms led by our heroes Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan and the Philippine Republic led by President Emilio Aguinaldo but which was not recognized by the Americans.

“Tagumpay na naibalik ang dangal ng mga Pilipino, hindi na tayo insurekto, tayo ay mga republikano at kinikilala ng malayang bansa sa buong mundo. Ito ang panahon upang lalong magkaisa,” he said. Calairo enjoins every Filipino to support President Marcos Bagong Pilipinas thrust.

Romualdez and Zubiri speech

Romualdez on his part said the Philippine Republic in the Barasoain Church proves that the power reigns in the people including the power to choose their leaders. “Today, we have our freedom of expression, this is good. It is a reason to celebrate. We enjoy the democracy and freedom that was brought to us by the Philippine Republic,” he said.

Zubiri who traces his ancestry, Pablo Ocampo Sr. , one of the delegates to the Malolos Congress expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Republic being the first democracy in Asia.

“Sovereignty emanates from the people. Binigyang pundasyon at hugis ng Philippine Republic ang ating kalayaan,” he said.

The senate president also hailed the delegates to the Malolos Congress who were behind the Malolos Constitution and the Philippine Republic for not using the constitution they crafted for their own personal gain.

“Hindi sinamantala ang posisyon sa Constitution para sa pansariling kapakanan. They stood as uncompromising for freedom. We should continue this. We remain free from invasion, poverty, foreign aggression. These were what our forefathers did. Ano mang pagbabago sa atin, hindi dapat ang pansariling motibo. Upang balang araw ay mahusgahan tayo na gumawa tayo ng tama,” Zubiri also said.

by Jason de Asis

BALER, Aurora-The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion vows to continue to the fullest level its legacy in bringing the message of hope in serving the people of Aurora.  

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB said in an interview that the Sinagtala Battalion has achieved major accomplishments in the year 2023 through its operations in its peace efforts with various groups in the whole province of Aurora and the towns of Gabaldon and Bongabon in Nueva Ecija.

Recto said the biggest impact was the PHP11,798,444 livelihood programs awarded to 24 Peoples organizations (POs) whom members and officers were former rebels (FRs) and supporters of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG) of the New People’s Army (NPA). The POs entered their ventures in hito/karpa/tilapia raising, bigasang bayan, vegetable farming, rice farming, free Range Chicken, broiler chicken, sari-sari store, solar salt dryer, livestock in cow, piggery and poultry.

To help FRs cope with the increasing cost of production and sustain their productivity, Recto said the groups underwent Entrepreneurship and Financial Management Training with TESDA-Aurora, Tilapia fingerling Raising Seminar with the office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) Aurora; Bookkeeping Seminar with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR-Aurora) and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC1 with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) from Nueva Ecija.

He added that a total of Php1,520,000 were given to 27 FRs under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government. 39 Schools were also given info-drive against CTG infiltration and recruitment to the students.

The battalion commander also said that there were 120 enlisted personnel and 6 officers promoted last year. To maximize the expertise of each personnel inside the battalion, the 91st IB conducted 17 in-house training sessions.

Recto said that the year 2023 has achieved its accomplishments pursuant to the Marcos administration’s Five-Point Peace, Reconciliation and Unity agenda serving the people in their area of operations (AO).

“We are bringing the message of hope to our FRs and its supporters to rebuild their lives. Let us show good deeds and walk the path of peace with mutual understanding and solidarity to end local communist armed conflict. Let us push forward and sustain the gains of the comprehensive peace process together with the other concerned agencies,” Recto said.

By Jason de Asis

BALER, Aurora-The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala Battalion hosted the 2024 1st Kaugnay Media Defense Corps, Inc. (KMDCI) meeting in Aurora on Saturday, January 27.

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB said that the gathering of media practitioners in the province of Aurora was held inside the Sinagtala Coffee Bar, Camp Jaime P Bitong Sr, Barangay Calabuanan in this town.

It was also facilitated by Civil Military Operation Officer Captain Candidato Paduman and Radio TV Baler 92.1Mhz Station Manager Rommel Espinosa, the current President of the KMDCI Aurora Chapter.

Recto cited the important plays of media practitioners in keeping updated the 91st IB’s area of operations (AO) about the various events in the whole province of Aurora and in the towns of Gabaldon and Bongabon in Nueva Ecija.

He said that even the dismantled Komiteng Larangang Guerilla Sierra Madre (KLG-SM) of the New People’s Army (NPA) are updated based on the recent recovery of the cell phones that the Philippine Army recovered.

“Everyone or even in the far-flung areas our activities were reached through the latest news and current affairs being conducted by the 91st IB. I am very thankful for the continuous support of our media practitioners who plays the best of communication were the vast majority of people in our AO are updated on various ongoing activities that the Battalion conducted,” Recto said.

He encouraged everyone in the media to continue their efforts to keep the public informed in their various news platforms in broadcasts, online, prints among others.

On the other hand, KMDCI President Rommel Espinosa said that the burning desire of the media keeps them to continue to give the truest information to the general public.

Also discussed were the possible new members of KMDCI, the renaming of KMDCI to One Fort Magsaysay Aurora, issuance of new IDs, election of officers among others.

CITY OF BALIWAG–A 26 year old janitor of SM City Baliwag was commended for his honesty after he turned over more than P100,000 cash he found at the men’s urinal ledge on Thursday.

John David Sulit, from Barangay Pagala in this city, personally appeared at the Customer Relations Service (CRS) office of SM City Baliwag and handed over the cash worth P104,800 wrapped in plastic. According to Sulit, he recovered the money from the urinal’s ledge while doing his work. while cleaning a male comfort room of the mall.

Ramil Manalastas of Mapaniqui, Candaba, Pampanga, who owns the cash money, used the men’s comfort room around 3:00 p.m. that day when he accidentally left inside near the urinal ledge.

Mapaniqui was already at the parking area of the mall when he remembered his cash he accidentally left inside the comfort room but it was no longer there. He then reported it to the management of the mall.

Unknowingly, Sulit had already cleaned the comfort room and already found the said item and turned it over to the CRS office.

In less than 30 minutes, Sulit’s money was returned to him, Veronica Cunan, SM Bulacan Malls Press Relations Officer told NEWS CORE on Sunday.

Sulit has expressed his gratitude to Sulit and the entire CRS team for the recovery of his money and in a very swift time.

The SM City Baliwag management has commended Sulit for his honesty and dedication to work.

This is not the first time SM Bulacan malls’ personnel were able to return valuables left by mall patrons. In June 2021, amid the COVID 19 pandemic, security guard Rodel Victorino of SM Center Pulilan also returned a wallet containing P46,798.00 he found while on duty.

Pinangunahan ni Gob. Daniel R. Fernando ang panunumpa sa tungkulin ng mga bagong opisyal ng Liga ng mga Barangay
(Bulacan Chapter) na binubuo ng muling naihalal na Pangulo Bokal Ramilito Capistrano, Jr.; Pangalawang Pangulo
Fortunato SJ. Angeles; Dennis M. Cruz, Auditor; at Board of Directors na kinabibilangan ng mga opisyal ng ABC na sina
Alejandro SJ. Angeles, Reymund B. Estrella, Allan Lawrence s. Galvez, Michael R. Lopez, Marcelino D. Maros, Jr., Aries R.
Pengson at Leoncio C. Ramos sa isinagawang Panunumpa ng mga Opisyal ng Panlalawigang Liga ng mga Barangay (Bulacan
Chapter) Cum Bagong Pilipinas Kick-off Ceremony Coordination Meeting sa Palawan Hall, EDSA Shangri-la, Manila
kamakailan.

Kasama rin upang saksihan ang seremonya sina Bise Gob. Alexis C. Castro, Assistant Regional Director Jay
Timbreza ng Department of the Interior and Local Government R-3 at DILG Bulacan Provincial Director Myrvi Apostol-Fabia
(wala sa larawan).

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS – Bilang nakikita ang potensiyal na maging isang first world province, pumirma ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan sa pangunguna ni Gobernador Daniel R. Fernando ng kontrata kasama ang Palafox Associates para sa pag-a-update ng Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) ng Lalawigan ng Bulacan na isinagawa sa Palawan Hall sa Edsa Shangri-la, Lungsod ng Mandaluyong kamakailan.

Binalangkas naman ni Arkitekto Felino A. Palafox, Jr., principal architect at urban planner ng Palafox Associates ang kanyang mga bisyon para sa lalawigan sa susunod na 15 taon.

“Natulungan ko ang Dubai, desert town ng Dubai, na maging first world in 15 years, because there are roots of Dubai which I see also in the leadership here– visionary leaders, strong political will, good appreciation of urban planning, good appreciation of good design architecture engineering, excellent management and good governance. With those ingredients, I think Bulacan can be ahead to join the first world,” ani Palafox.

Aniya, malaki ang potensyal ng Bulacan sa larangan ng paglago at pag-unlad, at sinabing ang lalawigan ay apat na beses na mas malaki sa Metro Manila, Singapore at dalawa at kalahating mas malaki sa Hong Kong.

“The first highest development potential counter-magnet to Metro Manila is Bulacan. The topography is so nice like we can plan from ridge to reefs– from the top of the mountain, highlands, lowlands and coastal areas,” dagdag pa niya.

Sa kanyang mensahe, binanggit ni Fernando na parehong ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan at San Miguel Corporation ay may pantay na bahagi sa pagsusulong ng pag-unlad ng lalawigan, dahilan upang maisakatuparan ang contract signing.

“Bulacan now is the target– the target of economy, the target of development and infra, everything po. We cited already kung ano ang dapat gawin, may mga bayan na inilagay namin under economic development, ‘yung ibang bayan naman ay under sa infra,” ani Fernando.

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS – Muling namahagi ng tulong si Gobernador Daniel R. Fernando sa mga mangingisdang Bulakenyo sa pamamagitan ng Provincial Agriculture Office sa ginanap na Distribution of Livelihood Assistance to Fisherfolks sa Bulacan Polytechnic College Covered Court sa lungsod na ito.

May kabuuang 483 na gillnets, 108 na coolers, at 50 na marine engines ang naipamahagi sa mga Bulakenyong mangingisda na mula sa mga bayan ng Bulakan, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Obando, Paombong, at Lungsod ng Malolos.

Ayon kay Fernando, malaki ang naging ambag ng mga mangingisda sa pag-unlad ng ekonomiya at ang pamamahagi ng ayuda sa mga mangingisda ay mahalaga upang matugunan ang kanilang pangkabuuang seguridad at katatagan ng kanilang pangisdaang komunidad.

“Patuloy lang po tayong nagpapaabot ng tulong para sa ating mga kapwa mangingisda dahil sa kanilang hanapbuhay ay nabibigay hindi lamang ng kanilang pangunahing kita para sa kanilang pamilya kundi pati na rin ng pagkain para sa marami. Sa ating pagkikipagtulungan, maaari nating mapanatili ang kanilang kabuhayan at mahalagang gampanin sa ating lalawigan,” ani Fernando.

Less than four months since completing its P2-billion initiative to clean up the Pasig River, San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) comprehensive efforts to rehabilitate major river systems has shifted to high gear in Central Luzon.

In a little over a year, the company has removed more than 2 million MT of silt and waste covering a distance of around 25 kilometers of river channels in Bulacan, initially focusing in areas around the future New Manila International Airport and upstream rivers in Obando, Bulakan, Bocaue and Meycauayan City within the same catch basin.

Additionally, SMC has started conducting bathymetric studies at the Pampanga River, following the completion of river studies in another catch basin in Bulacan.

These studies aim to assess the depth of water across the river channels and determine the shallow areas that restrict the flow of water through both provinces before reaching Manila Bay. Heavy siltation and pollution in these rivers are major contributors to the widespread flooding in both Bulacan and Pampanga.

Ramon S. Ang, SMC President and CEO, said that although the rainy season is months away, their cleanup teams have started working to increase the water-carrying capacity of these rivers and mitigate flooding, especially in low-lying areas, during heavy rains.

Ang explained that siltation and pollution have made many rivers narrow, shallow, and less capable of handling large volumes of floodwater, leading to severe flooding in adjacent areas.

He added: “Similar to our efforts at the Pasig and Tullahan Rivers, we are removing years of solid waste and silt accumulation to increase the rivers’ depth and capacity. This will not only improve water flow but also ensure safer conditions for water vessels.”

Last October 2023, SMC launched its expanded river cleanup program by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the local government units of several cities and provinces. 

The expanded program will include the upstream areas of the Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue and Guiguinto; other main river systems in different catch basins in Malolos, Hagonoy and Calumpit; the Pampanga River, and rivers in Laguna, Cavite, Navotas, and San Juan.

“Since the completion of our Pasig and Tullahan river cleanups, communities and stakeholders have reported lesser incidence of heavy flooding in their areas. In instances where there is still flooding, floodwaters still recede faster,” Ang noted.

He added: “Our recent project to clean up the Tullahan and Pasig Rivers has given our people significant experience and expertise in carrying out such massive efforts.  Combined with our robust fleet of heavy equipment that we’ve already invested in, we’re fully prepared and committed to undertake this expanded cleanup to rid our rivers of pollution and mitigate flooding” Ang said.

To date, SMC has removed a total of 2,017,336 metric tons of silt and waste completing the surrounding rivers of future site of the  New Manila International airport in Maycapiz – Taliptip River, downstream part of Meycauayan River, and moving upstream of Meycuayan River, Mailad- Sta Maria River and Guiguinto River.

Including the total output of its Pasig River cleanup, which includes the still-ongoing cleanup of the San Juan River (1,437,391 tons of silt and wastes) and the completed Tullahan River cleanup  (1,124,183 metric tons), SMC’s river rehabilitation efforts have removed over 4.5 million tons of wastes from approximately 68 kilometers of river systems.

SMC is further extending its cleanup operations in Bulacan to include the Pamarawan River, Malolos River, Hagonoy River, Labangan-Angat River, and Pampanga River, extending up to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).