Gingoog City to Pay SSS Contributions of 654 Barangay Workers

 

The city government of Gingoog has partnered with the Social Security System (SSS) to provide social security coverage to 654 barangay workers by paying their monthly contributions of ₱760 each.

Under a memorandum of agreement signed through the SSS Contribution Subsidy Provider Program (CSPP), Gingoog became the first local government in Northern Mindanao to subsidize SSS contributions under the program.

The beneficiaries include barangay health workers (BHWs), barangay nutrition scholars (BNSs), and child development workers (CDWs), who provide essential services to their communities, often without regular salaries.

SSS Mindanao North Division Vice President Benigno J. Dagani Jr. said the partnership gives community frontliners a financial safety net while recognizing their important role in serving residents.

SSS Mindanao Operations Group Senior Vice President Lilani B. Benedian also thanked Mayor Erick Cañosa’s administration for supporting efforts to expand social security protection among Filipino workers.

Cañosa said the initiative recognizes the sacrifices of barangay workers and helps protect them against financial difficulties caused by sickness, disability, old age, and other unexpected circumstances.

He added that the city hopes to help beneficiaries qualify for SSS benefits, including a monthly retirement pension, subject to eligibility requirements.

Through the CSPP, private companies, government agencies, and nongovernment organizations can shoulder the SSS contributions of eligible workers, including job order employees, self-employed individuals, land-based overseas Filipino workers, and voluntary members with irregular incomes.

Qualified members may receive sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral, and death benefits. They may also access SSS member loans, subject to the agency’s rules and requirements.

The SSS said it would continue working with local governments and other partners to encourage more participation and extend social security protection to more Filipino workers. (Story and photo source: JAKA/PIA-10)

Dauin, Negros Oriental Names 20 Barangay Secretaries as Community Information Officers

 

Twenty barangay secretaries in Dauin, Negros Oriental, have taken their oath as barangay information officers, committing to help bring accurate and timely government information closer to residents.

They are now members of the Philippine Information Agency’s (PIA) Barangay Information Officers Network (BION) in Negros Oriental. PIA launched the province’s first BION in Bais City in June, making Dauin the second local government unit to establish the network.

The initiative aims to strengthen communication between the government and the public. Barangay information officers will serve as sources of reliable information about national and local government programs, services, projects, and priorities in their communities.

PIA Government Information Center Coordinator Jennifer Tilos emphasized the importance of communication in helping residents understand government policies and services. She said BION would also help combat fake news by making accurate information more accessible.

To prepare them for their new responsibilities, PIA will conduct a series of seminars to develop the officers into effective grassroots communication frontliners.

Dauin Public Information Officer Pearl Enriquez reminded the participants that information work complements their existing duties as barangay secretaries.

Mayor Galicano Truita appointed them to the role because they already know their communities and are familiar with the needs of residents who often turn to them for government assistance.

Enriquez welcomed Dauin’s participation in the initiative, noting that the town was the second local government unit in the province to join the network after Bais City.

Secretaries from 20 of Dauin’s 23 barangays attended the inaugural network assembly.

PIA selected Dauin because of its economic growth, contribution to the province’s tourism industry, and the visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Barangay Baslay. The agency said communicating these developments to residents can help sustain public trust in government.

As part of their orientation, the new information officers also received briefings from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. on its YAKAP primary care program and GAMOT outpatient medicine program. They can share information about these health services with residents in their respective barangays. (Story source and photo credit: RAL/PIA-NIR Negros Oriental) 

28,415 Barangays in 60 Provinces Nationwide Declared Peaceful and Insurgency-Free

A total of 28,415 barangays in 60 provinces nationwide have been declared under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS), according to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

The task force said government programs in communities previously affected by armed conflict have helped reduce the influence of rebel groups in these areas.

Of the total, around 21,614 barangays are located in nine entire regions that have been declared under SIPS. The remaining 6,801 are in provinces that have achieved SIPS status within regions still working toward the same goal.

The NTF-ELCAC emphasized that the next challenge is to sustain peace through continued development and good governance in communities.

According to Rodrigo Lutao, NTF-ELCAC deputy director for operations, development projects in areas previously affected by armed conflict are an important part of maintaining peace.

Billions of Pesos for Barangay Development

As of September 29, the Barangay Development Program (BDP) had covered 5,638 formerly conflict-affected barangays, supported by a total of ₱44.90 billion in investments. An estimated 16.03 million Filipinos are benefiting from these projects.

Completed projects include:

• 955 classrooms
• 1,587.02 kilometers of farm-to-market roads
• 23,681 streetlights
• 1,169 water and sanitation systems
• 9,264 electrification projects
• 547 health and medical stations

This year, the government also allocated ₱8.08 billion for projects in 808 barangays declared cleared of insurgent influence. Planned projects include roads, schools, water systems, health stations, and electrification facilities.

Peace Accompanied by Development

According to Lutao, the growing number of barangays achieving SIPS status is closely linked to the government's expanding development programs.

These projects aim to ensure that as the influence of armed insurgency declines, residents gain better access to essential services, including roads, electricity, safe drinking water, education, healthcare, livelihood support, and economic opportunities.

The task force stressed that sustaining these gains will require the continued implementation of development programs and stronger democratic governance in communities. (Story source: Daily Tribune.)

Iloilo Resumes Barangay Funding, Crisis Assistance After BSKE Postponement

 

The Iloilo provincial government has resumed distributing financial assistance to barangays and individuals in need following the postponement of the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

The Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) Program resumed distributing checks on October 2 at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. The second batch covered barangays in Guimbal, Igbaras, Miagao, Tubungan, Alimodian, and Zarraga.

Barangay officials may coordinate with their municipal Liga coordinators and Liga presidents to arrange the release of their assistance. Other barangays were also given schedules for the next distributions.

The funding is intended to support community development projects and local initiatives.

Meanwhile, the provincial government resumed its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program on September 29, according to Rani Melvi Cuarte, head of the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (OPSWDO).

The government suspended AICS payouts on September 18 because of election-period restrictions on the release and spending of public funds. During the suspension, the OPSWDO continued accepting and processing applications so assistance could be released once the restrictions were lifted.

The resumption of both programs followed the signing of Republic Act No. 12326 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on September 24. The law moved the BSKE, originally scheduled for November 2, 2026, to the second Monday of November 2028. It also allows incumbent barangay and SK officials to remain in office until their duly elected and qualified successors take over.

The earlier suspension was based on Comelec Resolution No. 11265 and relevant provisions of the Omnibus Election Code governing public spending during the election period, subject to applicable exemptions.

Other assistance programs affected by the restrictions included Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. (Story source and photo credit: PIA Iloilo.) 

The Barangay Savings Club of Dinagat Islands is Helping Fisherfolk Build a Better Future Together

 

For fishing families whose incomes depend on weather, daily catch, operating expenses, and household needs, having savings can provide a measure of security when earnings become uncertain.

In Barangay Arellano, Libjo, in the Province of Dinagat Islands, a simple habit is helping local fisherfolk build something bigger than a savings fund. By setting aside small amounts of money each week, members of the Arellano Fisherfolk Association (ARFA) are creating a financial cushion, strengthening their organization, and opening doors to new livelihood opportunities.

Their story began with contributions of just ₱20 to ₱100 a week. But through discipline, cooperation, and a shared commitment to their future, those modest amounts grew into a collective resource worth more than ₱500,000 by September 2026.

The initiative, called the Barangay Savings Club, was introduced by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under its Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase II. It encourages members to save regularly, manage their resources responsibly, and establish a community emergency fund.

ARFA's first savings cycle, which ran from August to December 2024, accumulated ₱68,000. Members pooled their contributions and managed the fund collectively, laying the groundwork for a stronger association.

Small savings, growing confidence

By 2025, the members had expanded their savings efforts. According to the Dinagat Islands Provincial Fisheries Office, weekly contributions increased from ₱50 to ₱250 per share. The association's collective savings reached ₱160,000 by June and ₱340,000 by December, with 53 active members participating.

The growing fund reflected more than financial progress. It showed how regular contributions and shared responsibility could help build confidence in managing resources for the benefit of the group.

Government livelihood assistance also helped strengthen the members' fishing activities. On June 4, 2025, BFAR SAAD Phase II provided 25 additional marine engines and complete fishing gear. Eventually, marine engine assistance was extended to all 52 of ARFA's original members.

As more fisherfolk recognized the value of joining an organized association, membership increased from 52 to 67.

The combination of livelihood support and collective savings helped reinforce the association's growth. Members were not only improving their individual fishing operations but also contributing to resources they could build and manage together.

Looking beyond the daily catch

Fishing has long provided food and income for families in Barangay Arellano. Yet changing fishing conditions and growing household needs have encouraged ARFA to explore other ways to strengthen its livelihood.

In January 2026, the association began another savings cycle. By September, its accumulated savings had exceeded ₱500,000.

Additional government assistance in June 2026 brought 15 more marine engines and complete fishing gear. Through a separate regular BFAR project, the association also received a high-density polyethylene fish cage, giving members an opportunity to venture into aquaculture.

On August 14, ARFA stocked the fish cage with 6,000 bangus fingerlings.

The initiative marked an important step toward diversifying the association's livelihood activities. Beyond catching fish, members would now have to coordinate production and share responsibility for managing their fish-cage operation.

Aquaculture offers another avenue for livelihood development, although its long-term benefits will depend on effective management, production results, and the ability to sustain the operation.

Together, the savings initiative, fishing equipment assistance, and fish-cage project have helped ARFA build on its existing livelihood activities while exploring additional opportunities.

Recognition for a community effort

ARFA's continuing efforts earned the association a Gawad Pasasalamat Award during the closing ceremony of the 63rd Fish Conservation Week celebration in Butuan City on September 17, 2026.

Association chairperson Jonathan Ecleo represented the group and received the award on behalf of its members.

Ecleo expressed his gratitude to BFAR SAAD Caraga and everyone who had helped the association.

“Thank you BFAR SAAD Caraga for the recognition, og sa tanan tumatabang sa grupo,” he said, thanking the program and all those who supported the group.

He attributed a significant part of ARFA's progress to its partnership with BFAR under SAAD Phase II, which provided livelihood assistance while helping the association strengthen cooperation and financial management.

For the association, the recognition represented the combined efforts of members who continued saving, leaders who guided the organization, and families who participated in activities intended to improve their livelihoods.

More than an award

ARFA's journey tells a story of gradual but meaningful progress: from weekly savings as small as ₱20 to a fund exceeding ₱500,000; from 52 founding members to 67 members; and from assistance for fishing activities to a fish-cage venture stocked with 6,000 bangus fingerlings.

These milestones do not remove the uncertainties that come with fishing or guarantee that every new enterprise will succeed. But they demonstrate how collective action can help a community build resources, strengthen its organization, and explore new sources of income.

For BFAR SAAD Caraga, the association's achievement reflects not only the assistance it received but also how members made use of those opportunities through regular savings, livelihood management, membership growth, and the exploration of aquaculture.

In Barangay Arellano, the lesson is straightforward: progress does not always begin with a large investment. Sometimes, it starts with a small contribution, repeated week after week, and a group of people determined to build a better future together.

For ARFA's members, the growing savings fund is more than a measure of money accumulated. It represents a shared commitment to prepare for uncertainty, strengthen their livelihoods, and create opportunities that can benefit the wider community. (Story source and photo credit: PIA)

(RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands, with a report from BFAR SAAD Caraga)

PSA Brings Civil Registration Closer to Families in Benguet Barangays

 

For many families, registering a child’s birth may seem like a simple government requirement. But a birth certificate can be much more than a piece of paper. It is an official record of identity—and often an important first step toward accessing government services and other opportunities.

That is why the Philippine Statistics Authority–Benguet Provincial Statistical Office (PSA–Benguet), together with the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) of Itogon, Benguet, is working to make sure that more children in the municipality are properly registered.

On September 23, 2026, PSA–Benguet conducted a seminar on the policies and procedures for registering Certificates of Live Birth (COLB) and Certificates of Fetal Death (COFD). The activity was held at the Evacuation Center in Malasin, Ucab, Itogon, in coordination with the municipal government.

The participants were people who are often closest to families when they need help: barangay secretaries and staff, barangay health workers, barangay nutrition scholars, and hospital personnel from various communities in Itogon.

These frontline workers can play an important role in spotting registration problems, helping families understand what they need to do, and connecting them with the appropriate government office.

Turning rules into practical help

Registration Officer Tagaban C. Aquino of PSA–Benguet served as resource speaker during the seminar.

Aquino explained the policies and procedures governing the registration of live births and fetal deaths, while also clarifying the responsibilities of barangay personnel and other community-based partners.

For families unfamiliar with government procedures, knowing where to go and which documents to prepare can make the difference between completing a registration and having the process delayed.

The participants were therefore guided through the documentary requirements and proper procedures for civil registration transactions. They were also encouraged to coordinate closely with the LCRO when concerns arise.

Finding the children who may have been left behind

The seminar also looked beyond routine registration.

Registration Officer Miralyn P. Natinol of the LCRO Itogon discussed the Birth Registration Assistance Project (BRAP), which is designed to assist people whose births remain unregistered and who may need help securing delayed registration.

Natinol explained the project's goals, priority beneficiaries, and documentary requirements. More importantly, she presented Community-Based Monitoring System data showing potential targets for birth registration in Itogon's nine barangays.

These are Ampucao, Dalupirip, Gumatdang, Loacan, Poblacion, Tinongdan, Tuding, Ucab, and Virac.

The barangay-level information gives local officials and community workers something valuable: a clearer picture of where assistance may be needed.

Instead of waiting for families with unregistered births to find their way to government offices, available data can help barangay stakeholders identify potential beneficiaries and refer them for assistance.

The people behind the paperwork

Civil registration can sometimes be viewed simply as paperwork. But behind every name on a registration form is a person whose official identity can matter throughout life.

For barangay workers and health personnel, this makes their role particularly important. They are often among the first government representatives families encounter, especially in communities where reaching municipal offices can be difficult.

Their ability to recognize registration concerns and guide residents toward the proper office can help prevent children and families from being overlooked.

The seminar therefore sought not only to explain rules but also to strengthen the network of people who can help make those rules work at the community level.

A shared responsibility

In his closing remarks, Sangguniang Bayan Member Hon. Albert Jr. C. Carantes emphasized the importance of proper and timely civil registration.

He also underscored the need for continued coordination among government offices and other stakeholders in addressing civil registration concerns in Itogon.

That message captures the larger lesson of the initiative.

A civil registry may be maintained in a government office, but its success begins in the community—with a barangay worker who notices a missing registration, a health worker who guides a parent, or a local official who knows where to seek assistance.

For Itogon, bringing these frontline partners together is a practical step toward ensuring that more residents have something fundamental: an officially recognized identity and a clearer path to the services and opportunities that come with it. (Story source: HeraldExpress. Photo credit: PSA Benguet)

Zambales Barangay Gives a Philippine Serpent Eagle a Second Chance

 

When a Philippine serpent eagle was found in distress in Barangay Matain, Subic, Zambales, the community could have simply left the matter to chance. Instead, local officials took a crucial step that may have given the injured raptor a second chance at life in the wild.

They promptly turned the rescued bird over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for proper assessment and rehabilitation—a simple act that the agency says demonstrates how ordinary communities can play an important role in protecting the country’s wildlife.

“The action of Barangay Matain shows how communities can help protect our wildlife,” said DENR Region 3 Executive Director Ralph Pablo. “Promptly turning over rescued animals to the proper authorities gives them a better chance to receive the care they need and, when possible, return to their natural habitat.”

The eagle was formally received by Forester Edward Sernadilla, head of the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Olongapo City. Wildlife enforcement officer Bryan Vallejos conducted a preliminary health assessment and ensured that the bird was handled safely.

The next stop for the rescued raptor was the Wildlife In Nature Rescue Center in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. There, it would undergo a more thorough medical examination and rehabilitation, with the hope that it could eventually be strong enough to return to the wild.

“We will facilitate the transfer of the eagle to the Wildlife In Nature Rescue Center,” Sernadilla said. “It will undergo further medical evaluation and rehabilitation before its possible return to the wild.”

A native of Philippine forests

The Philippine serpent eagle (Spilornis holospilus) is one of the country’s native birds of prey. It can be found in a variety of landscapes, including forest edges, foothills, areas along rivers and streams, and even cultivated areas.

Although the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies the species as Least Concern, its population is showing a declining trend—a reminder that a species does not have to be officially endangered before its protection becomes urgent.

Under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09, the Philippine serpent eagle is classified as an Other Wildlife Species (OWS). It is also protected under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.

The law prohibits unauthorized activities involving wildlife, including the collection, possession, transport and trade of wild animals without the required permits or authority.

What to do when wildlife needs help

For residents who encounter an injured, displaced or rescued wild animal, the DENR has a straightforward message: do not try to keep or rehabilitate it on your own.

Instead, report the animal to the nearest DENR office or appropriate wildlife authority.

Wild animals have specialized needs, and well-intentioned attempts to care for them without professional guidance can sometimes do more harm than good. Prompt coordination allows trained personnel and accredited wildlife facilities to determine the animal’s condition, provide appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, and assess whether it can eventually survive again in its natural habitat.

“Prompt coordination allows wildlife authorities and accredited facilities to provide appropriate assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, and determine whether an animal can eventually be returned to its natural habitat,” Pablo said.

For the Philippine serpent eagle rescued in Matain, that timely act by the community may make all the difference.

Sometimes, protecting wildlife begins with something as simple as knowing when to help—and whom to call. (Story source and photo credit: DENR Central Luzon)