CITY OF MALOLOS—Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando is back to work more than a month after he was rushed to a hospital due to exhaustion and dehydration while speaking in a past midnight event during the annual Sining Kalinangan ng Bulacan (Singkaban) Festival on Sept. 11. 

The governor on Tuesday surprised residents when he made his first public appearance inside the Capital Gymnasium for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Integrated Livelihood Program.

“Narito muli po tayo. Napakabait po ng Diyos sa atin. Maraming salamat po sa inyo, sa inyong mga pagdarasal. Napapaiyak po ninyo ako,” he told Bulakenyos. 

He said their leadership of Vice Gov. Alex Castro will continue to provide residents with their needs through the joint initiative and programs of the provincial and the national government. 

The DOLE program provides kabuhayan package to residents in need. 

It was inside the Capitol Gymnasium when the governor cut short his speech past 1:00 a.m. on Sept. 11. He was then rushed to a nearest hospital and was diagnosed of over fatigue and dehydration. 

Fernando also graced the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distribution of P5000 worth Cash Assistance to 8,000 typhoon Egay residents at The Pavilion of the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center. 

Fernando also acknowleged and thanked the media for the prayers for his speed recovery. 

The governor’s health deterioated due to non-stop mountful of relief distribution to flooded victims in Bulacan’s coastal areas and other towns affected of high tide including paper works, people’s hour at the Capitol, Singkaban and other meetings from wee hour of the night until dawn. 

However, the he has been back to work and official fucntions since late September through online meetings and limited personal meetings. 

Castro since then represented him in a number of provincial government affairs and people’s invitations. 

A festive season awaits Bulekenyos as SM City Marilao proudly presents a magical journey with the launch of its captivating Christmas centerpiece, the newest holiday attraction in the province.

Mallgoers are treated to a delightful holiday celebration as SM City Marilao transforms its 3,229-square-foot mall atrium into Santa’s giant Jingle Bell Jog. This brings together the festive spirit of Christmas with the concept of Santa engaging in a merry workout adventure.

Located at SM City Marilao’s Ground Level, Main Mall Atrium, the centerpiece is highlighted by a towering 30-foot tree where shoppers will experience the festive spirit when they enter a captivating toy factory embellished with stars. Lively Santa’s engage in joyful activities, elevating their seasonal glee to new heights.

“The symbolic lighting of our Christmas centerpieces is our way of thanking shoppers and partners for being one with the SM Supermalls community and making us their home all throughout the year,” shares Assistant Vice President for Mall Operations Ana Datu.

In line with the launch of the holiday centerpiece, SM’s annual tradition of the Bears of Joy to keep and collect also begins at SM City Marilao. For every two pieces of bear purchased, one will be given to a community charity. This year, Bears of Joy will be donated to the beneficiaries of Sto. Nino Parish Church in Calumpit, Bulacan, on Christmas. 

Experience your #HappiestChristmasAtSM, where SM Supermalls aims to offer a joyful world of the longest, brightest, and happiest holiday celebration for everyone. The coming days will be merrier as SM City Marilao celebrates Christmas in full swing with festivities, Christmas markets, and entertainment the malls have in store all throughout the holiday season.

For updates, visit https://www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM Supermalls on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @smsupermalls.

NLEX Corporation will implement additional traffic management measures from October 27 to November 6 in anticipation of the increased traffic volume this coming Undas and barangay elections.  

The intensified traffic operations are part of the “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” motorist assistance program of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) which aims to enhance expressway services for a safer and more convenient travel.  

The tollway company is deploying over 1,500 traffic, toll and systems personnel for increase patrol visibility and toll plaza assistance from October 27 to November 6.

“For northbound, we are expecting the surge of travelers in the afternoon of October 27 (Friday), until early afternoon of October 28 (Saturday) and in the morning of October 30 (Monday) and November 1 (Wednesday). While for southbound, motorists are expected to come back to Manila in the afternoon of November 4 (Saturday) and 5 (Sunday), and early morning of November 6 (Monday). With the huge volume of vehicles, NLEX is on high alert to ensure that we address every motorist needs immediately,” said NLEX Corporation President, J. Luigi Bautista.

With an expected 10% increase in traffic volume during this season, motorists are advised to plan their trips and to travel during non-peak periods to avoid the expected surge of travelers.  NLEX management is also reminding motorists to check their vehicles before traveling as well as ensure that they are fit to drive to avoid any untoward incidents. In case of emergency, motorists may reach NLEX Corporation through its social media pages @NLEXexpressways or customer service hotline 1-35000.

For added convenience to its valued customers, NLEX Corporation also announces the early completion of the San Simon pavement raising project. Together with the Abacan bridge, both bridges will be completed before the Undas peak. In addition, from October 27 (0600H) to November 6 (1200H), construction and lane closures along the mainline road of NLEX, SCTEX, and NLEX Connector will be suspended unless safety repairs area necessary.

            “We are extremely happy to announce the early completion of the San Simon pavement raising project and Abacan Bridge safety repair. The availability of all the lanes will help improve the travel experience of every motorist plying the expressway especially this coming long weekend,” Bautista said.

During those days, NLEX Corporation will also manage the traffic flow for vehicles going Toll Service Facilities or gas stations. Free towing at the nearest exit will also be offered to class 1 vehicles in need from  October 27, 6:00am to October 29, 6:00am; October 31, 6:00am to November 2, 6:00am; and November 4, 6:00am to November 6, 6am.

Meanwhile, effective October 25, Wednesday, all toll plazas in NLEX-SCTEX will be included in the Toll Regulatory Board’s dry run for cashless toll transaction. The tollway company advises its motorists to get their Easytrip RFID for faster toll transaction and reminds RFID users to ensure having sufficient load balance before travel to avoid inconvenience.

            NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.

Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro, (from left) Provincial Health Officer I Edwin
P. Tecson, Department of Health – Health Officer and Promotion Officer III Theresa Marie Bondoc, Rotary
International District 3770 Governor Rodolfo DC. Enriquez and two other members of Rotary Club District 3770
join the Kapitolyo for Life: Launching of 7 Healthy Habits held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, City of
Malolos, Bulacan recently to promote health and wellness in Bulacan.

MANILA–Approximately 800 grams of shabu worth P5,440,000 were seized in two separate buy-bust operations conducted by PDEA Central Luzon in Pasay City and Makati City, respectively over the weekend.

The operation in Barangay 150, Pasay City transpired around 2:49 p.m. on Sunday which resulted in the arrest of Rodolfo B. Rivera, 30.

Rivera yielded one brown paper bag containing four knot tied ice plastic bag of more or less 500 grams of shabu amounting to P3,400,000 and marked money used by the undercover agent.

A charge for violation of section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) under Republic Act 9165 will be filed against him.

Meanwhile, the operation in Barangay Pembo, Makati City at around 3:40 p.m., resulted in an armed encounter.

According to PDEA Pampanga Chief, the suspects fired at PDEA agents upon sensing that they were dealing with government operatives.

“The suspects immediately fled from the crime scene but we were able to recover more or less 300 grams of shabu amounting to P2,040,000,” said PDEA Pampanga Chief.

Illegal substances seized from the two operations were forwarded to PDEA-3 laboratory section for quantitative and qualitative examinations.

ANGELES CITY – A sangguniang kabataan (SK) kagawad and two others were arrested during a buy-bust operation inside a suspected drug den here on Sunday.

following a buy-bust operation at around 1:37 p.m in Barangay Capaya 2, on Sunday ( October 22).

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Aurora and Pampanga Provincial Office

operatives identified the arrested as SK Kagawad Aiko P. Bernade, 25; Elmer Mallari, 37 and Abegail Dizon, 36. They were inside a drug den in Barangay Capaya 2 when the authorities collared them at around 1:37 p.m.  

According to the PDEA team leader, Mallari who was on the PDEA-PNP unified watchlist.was the subject of the operation.  

Approximately 15 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P103,500.00;  buy-bust money; assorted sniffing paraphernalia; a cal. 38 and two live ammunition were recovered during the operation.

Charges for the violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the apprehended suspects.

Mila Sibayan serves as a beacon of perseverance. At 56, she has faced life’s challenges with firm faith, patience, and determination, supported by her loving family.

Mila is a mother of three boys. Together with her family, they manage a house-renting business and an online food business as their main sources of income. But their path to success was not a walk in the park.

Beforehand, Mila and her husband initially worked tirelessly in various jobs. She took on secretarial duties while her husband, Efren, worked as a technician in a commercial bank. However, their salaries were insufficient to meet their growing family’s needs.

Seeking a better future for their children, they ventured into multiple businesses, including an internet café and a store. Despite their efforts, the demands of running these businesses, their growing financial needs, and their busy schedules eventually led them to seek new ventures.

Mila’s path changed when she worked as an OFW in Saudi Arabia for two years. After returning home, she made a wise decision to focus on their house-renting business and start online food sales. Meanwhile, her husband became a driver for his veterinarian sister.

An important moment arrived when Mila was introduced to CARD Bank, a microfinance-oriented rural bank that offers financial services to socially and economically challenged families. Because of her sister, she became a client of CARD Bank and took out loans to renovate their house rental property, start their food business, and support their family’s needs.

Over 15 years of clientship, Mila emphasized the significant role CARD Bank played in their journey, providing them with financial support, insurance, and the opportunity to save. Her loan has reached up to PHP 60,000, which she solely used for the business and family’s needs.

Through unwavering love, support, and open communication within their family, they overcame every obstacle. All of Mila’s sons are now on their way to their successful paths. Her eldest son is now working in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), one is in Canada with his own family, and the youngest is pursuing a teaching career.

Her advice to other budding entrepreneurs and clients of CARD Bank is to stay positive, manage their loans wisely, and invest in ventures that yield returns. “To other business owners, learn to separate personal to business needs, and practice strong focus on what truly matters,” she said.

Currently, Mila’s businesses continue to thrive. Their house-renting business now caters exclusively to employed individuals, and their food venture, offering bulk food party trays which have satisfied their clients and customers in Makati, BGC, and others. They have even acquired a new house and lot in Laguna.

In the years to come, Mila plans to expand their businesses to cater to more customers and invest more to secure the family’s future.

The Social Security System (SSS) conducted a Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) operation last October 13, 2023, serving seven employers covered by the SSS Parañaque-Tambo Branch with notices of violation for non-remittance and non-production of records.

Based on legal assessment, the said employers incurred about P2.7 million in contribution delinquencies, affecting around 102 employee-members.

The employers were given 15 days to coordinate with the said SSS branch regarding the settlement of their delinquencies. They were also informed about available flexible payment options, including a contribution penalty condonation program.

Photo shows SSS National Capital Region (NCR) South Division Acting Vice President Cristine Grace Francisco (third from right), SSS NCR South Legal Department Acting Head Atty. Victorina Pardo-Pajarillo (second from right), SSS Parañaque-Tambo Acting Branch Head Fe Redencion Fernandez (fourth from right) and other SSS employees serving a notice of violation to a business establishment.